Please bare with me as I plan to relaunch by August with a new looking site and more-plus I don't have a computer right now because its all jacked up.
When were back up, its gonna be great!
-Jacob
Friday, July 06, 2007
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Three Way dead?
Now the reported three way is out of the window, so they say?
I will bet that Garnett is not traded by tomorrow..I'm sick of a new story everyday, that's why I'm not posting about it every single second. I want someone to stop rumoring and make the move!
Mock Draft Lottery.
There is really no reason for me to predict 30 picks so we will stick with the lottery, here's what I'm thinking....
[note: assuming no trades are made]
1. Portland Trail Blazers- Greg Oden (Center/Ohio State)
I think this is self-explanatory.
2. Seattle SuperSonics- Kevin Durant(Forward/Texas)
Repeat of what was said above for Oden.
3. Atlanta Hawks- Al Horford (F-C/Florida)
Supposedly the Hawks are just awed by him and are really set on bringing him on to the team, that team is going to be ages 20-26 for the next 20 seasons. I really think the Hawks should go with Conley and fix their point guard issues, but they're going to draft another big man, the 11th pick will be for the PG, I'm sure.
4. Memphis Grizzlies- Mike Conley (PG/Ohio State)
Memphis hopefully can keep Gasol, keep him happy and have him healthy next year. They need a PG. Stoudamire is aging and missed so much time the past two seasons, and just isn't the same and they're not big on Atkins. Conley is a great fit for this team who I think if healthy will make a great push for the playoffs again.
5. Boston Celtics- Spencer Hawes (C/Washington)
This pick could be a risk, but what is for sure at this pick? Boston needs a big man-Delonte West is talented, Paul Pierce is a star, Al Jefferson is going to be one and Hawes would a great addition. The dude is a good passer, but he's not a great rebounder, luckily Pierece and Jefferson are. He gives them heigth and length in their frontcourt and a solid option in the middle.
6. Milwaukee Bucks- Jeff Green (F/Georgetown)
Assuming Mo Williams comes back, Michael Redd is healthy--Milwuakee could be the surprise team in the East. Bogut is solid, Villanueva hopefully will be healthy, along with Bobby Simmons--Jeff Green is a SF/PF that can come in and fill something they need--a guy to contribute now, a guy who is versatile and could probably start at the 3 spot if Ruben and Simmons don't, or even bring them off the bench.
7. Minnesota Timberwolves- Jianlian Yi (PF/China)
If Garnett's gone, you need a new PF. The guy is also 7 feet, and is a perimiter big man, but is definitely not going to be the next Menk Bateer or Wang Zhi Zhi, so don't worry Minny, fill the new void, bring in a guy who can generate interest and fan fare with the fans.
8. Charlotte Bobcats- Corey Brewer (SF/Florida)
Brings some defense, but most importantly you have him in case Gerald Wallace bounces out of town. If Gerald stays plug in Gerald at the two spot and bring Brewer into this young, but talented group.
9. Chicago Bulls- Brandan Wright (PF/North Carolina)
Yes, I know it's a long shot he will fall this low, but I am riding my predictions out. The Bulls can't believe it, and fill an important void and place this guy down this with Wallace.
10. Sacramento Kings- Joakim Noah (F-C/Florida)
Brad Miller made Team USA and then decided to stop playing basketball, cause I don't think he existed last season. Whether you put Noah at Center or not, the Kings need a younger guy to step up at PF. Kenny Thomas and Rahim are good players, but they're starting to lose steps--and those guys aren't going to take you to the promise land at this point in their careers-as starters at least.
11. Atlanta Hawks- Acie Law (PG/Texas A&M)
The Hawks need a PG. Problem solved. 4 years of college too.
12. Philadelphia 76ers- Al Thornton (F/Florida State)
The new look 76ers need a SF--or a PF. This guy wants to score too, and they need that, Andre Igy can't do it all alone.
13. New Orleans Hornets- Nick Young (G-F/FUSC)
How bad do the Hornets need a SG/SF? Well let's just say Peja Stojakovic was a waste of money. Take this guy, get 60 more games played out of him and pay him 10 million less per season.
14. Los Angeles Clippers- Rodney Stuckey (G/E. Washington)
Shaun Livingston is still young, but he can't stay healthy. He also hasn't shown much promise yet. Cassell should still be the starter, but this is a great insurance policy for Livingston and maybe a better direction to move in.
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Three Way Garnett/Stoudemire talks?
So the rumors are flying that talks are out for a three-way deal between Phoenix, Atlanta and Minnesota.
Atlanta would get Amare Stoudemire.
Phoenix would get Kevin Garnett
Minnesota would get #3, #11 picks in the draft and Zaza Pachullia and Anthony Johnson.
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WAIT!
So to get Kevin Garnett you give up a 3rd pick and an 11th pick and Pachullia and Johnson?
Yet McHale doesn't pull the deal on Al Jefferson, Gerald Green and #5?
This guy is a moron if he does this, absolute moron.
Atlanta and Phoenix both get better out of this deal, I really like what Atlanta does here. Minnesota doesn't get worse, but still they could do so much better than this, can't they?
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Shaq is doing the right thing.
Shaquille O'Neal's television reality TV series debuted tonight. It isn't a show meant to showacase his whole family and turn his kid's into stars. It isn't a show to make his wife some big Hollywood beauty. This definitely isn't a show like most of these celebrities have.
This is Shaq helping obese kid's lose weight. Obesity is a dangerous killer and is so overlooked today in society, and just passed by. Shaq is doing the right thing. Shaquille O'Neal is one of the greatest NBA players of All-Time. Most importantly, he is also one of the more giving and caring celebrities we've ever seen.
Much respect Shaq Diesel, much respect.
Catch Shaq's Big Challenge at 9PM, Tuesdays on ABC
The Lakers really want Kevin Garnett...
After the rumored 4way blockbuster fell through yesterday the Lakers figured they would continue to try and get KG. Andrew Bynum and Lamar Odom are the two names being pushed for the Timberwolves superstar.
I honestly don't think that is enough to get KG, especially when the 5th pick, Gerald Green and Al Jefferson were on the table. I like Odom, but he's never reached his potential, he's injury prone and he's been in the league for 8 years now. Bynum is basically all potential filled at this point, and I think Mark Blount is better at this point.
Even if the Lakers go crazy and get KG somehow, do they even make Kobe happy? Even so, who else would even be on that team that is worth a damn?
Stay tuned....
Wallace, Boykins become Free Agents.
Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Bobcats and Earl Boykins of the Milwuakee Bucks have both officially become Free Agents.
Boykins will probably get a pretty solid contract, but Gerald Wallace is about to get PAID
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Whatever happened to...?
Menk Bateer as his NBA friends may have called him was the second Chinese player to ever be brought into the NBA, and like Wang Zhi Zhi, he faded and did so quickly! If anything, you have got to give Yao Ming some due, he has made it and lived up to his hype and beyond.
You can't just say it's a size thing either cause Bateer and Zhi Zhi were both 7 feet tall, and then some.
Bateer's last NBA season was 03-04 with Toronto. He played in the NBDL for 12 games in 2004-05. Regardless of his NBA career, the goofy lookin' guy is MVP of the Chinese Basketball League.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Kerr Confirms Garnett Talk
Paul Coro of THE ARIZONA REPUBLIC reports, "Suns General Manager Steve Kerr acknowledged that he has been talking this week with Minnesota about acquiring Kevin Garnett but labeled it as 'tough' to pull off."
I bet they will get it done before the draft, I have a feeling about this one.
I Gotta Give This Guy Props.
This video has been all over YouTube and MySpace, but if you haven't seen it, here it is:
PAUL BROGAN VIDEO LOG #1
Friday, June 22, 2007
Garnett to Phoenix?
This is from the front page of RealGM.com:
Minnesota is expected to demand Amare Stoudemire and a first-round pick from Atlanta in the 2008 draft in exchange for Kevin Garnett.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Who cares what Kevin Garnett wants?
Kevin Garnett as reported below is not interested in playing for the Boston Celtics.
"The Boston trade isn't happening," Miller (Garnett's agent) told ESPN.com. "If a trade were to happen, that's not a destination that we're interested in pursuing."
BIG DEAL!
What happened to the days where a player would get traded, shut the hell up and just go and play for the team? Now Kobe Bryant has a 'No Trade Clause' in his deal, so that's fine. What about KG though, I don't believe he does, so who is he to say where he plays?
Supposedly it might be 22-year-old forward Al Jefferson, high-flying swingman Gerald Green, Theo Ratliff's expiring contract and the No. 5 pick in the draft.
If I was McHale, the deal would already be done!
Kevin Garnett has one of the most lucrative deals in NBA history, he is the highest paid player in the game. He HASN'T made the playoffs in THREE SEASONS!
Obviously KG is looking out on what's best for him, but who cares! If the team wants to trade you and can better themselves, then shut your mouth, pack your bags and go where they send you. It's a part of the game, they have given you 11 years to get your act together and lead them to the promise land, you have failed them in that sense and they have upheld your contract and paid you ridiculously--so keep it hush and wait for the outcome.
KG to Boston? Not Happening.
Someone is about to get Kevin Garnett, these aren't just rumors. This stuff is heating up. Though it won't be the Boston Celtics.
Garnett and his agent have said a trade to the C's would not be welcomed. I guess it doesn't matter for Celtics fans anyways, even if they had Garnett, they'd get bounced in the first round anyway, that's KG's specialty-- besides of course, fantasy points.
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
HANGTIME!
The Kings hired Theus yesterday, which means PJ Carlesimo did not get the job and is still available. The Sonics need to get themselves a coach quick.
Bruce Bowen gets some due.
Bruce was on The Tonight Show tonight with Jay Leno.
Really nice segment, nice to see a guy who isn't a big name get some credit. I can see him doing color in the next few years after he retires, he is pretty solid on camera.
If I can track it down online somewhere, I will post it for Spurs and Bowen fans alike.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Vin Baker arressted.
Vin Baker was arrested on drunk driving charges.
According to the report from the AP, the 35-year-old Baker was spotted driving erratically after leaving Foxwoods Resort Casino, according to a state police report. He failed a sobriety test and was charged with driving while impaired.
Baker played for the Minnesota Timberwolves this year before he was released six games into the season.
I really wish someone could help this guy, he needs it bad. He was a great player at one point and seemed like one of the really good guys in the NBA, depression and alcohol has gotten to him, but he needs someone to truly help him recover, as a person and not a basketball player.
So Who is #1?
Portland has a chance to finally bring their franchise out of this dark gutter it has been in.
In the late 90s they had some stacked teams, but remember that those teams could never compete for a title because they were just too stacked. Here is now a chance for the Trailblazers to really bring themselves away from this whole Jailblazer thing, and give their fans some actual winning basketball.
Two names are potential for that #1 pick: Greg Oden and Kevin Durant.
Who should Portland pick though?
If they pick Greg Oden then it means they must trade Zach Randolph. What can they get for Zach Randolph? The guy is 6'9" and a monster, he dropped in about 24 and 10 a night last season. He's getting better too, but he does have some personal problems and has had off the court issues.
If the Blazers go with Durrant, then they keep Randolph. They add this 6'10" genetic freak who will play small forward and can do so many different things with the ball. That means their front line is now, LaMarcus Aldridge (6-11), Zach Randolph (6-9) and Kevin Durant (6-11), talk about intimidating and plenty of size. Throw in Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy at the 2-spot and a young and talented Jarret Jack at the point, and you have a great starting lineup.
Drafting Oden and ditching Randolph now means you have a weakness at the SF position, unless Travis Outlaw or Ime Udoka can really get the job done for an up and coming ball club.
The draft is nine days away and Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard says he still doesn't honestly know who to take at #1, and to tell you the truth, I can't blame him.
Though I am going to look at it this way. The Jailblazers and the problems Portland has had in the past with image and of course winning on the side, and he fact that a dominant big man is so coveted in this league, you realize that one guy is the true choice.
I'm not saying Kevin Durant isn't a great player in the making, and isn't a good person or model citizen, but he is not Greg Oden. Greg Oden has this whole special vibe about him, he feels like Tim Duncan with more personality and flare, but he doesn't seem Hollywood. He isn't trying to be anything else but a great basketball player at this point. You draft Oden, you ditch Randolph and bring in a small forward to get the job done and you kill two birds with one stone.
1. Jailblazing is now done for.
2. Dominant big man of the future who WILL help your team instantly win basketball games.
After writing all of that, I'm going to get the name Kevin Durant out of my head, that way I won't flip flop.
So Portland your on the clock and please just remember the name Sam Bowie.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Kobe Trade before Jun 28?
GM's are saying that the Kobe trade could very likely be done before the NBA Draft, which is Wednesday the 28th.
Saturday, June 16, 2007
TRADE ME, No For Real This Time.
After meeting with Jerry Buss in Spain, Kobe has made it clear that he does not want to be a Laker anymore--again!
Well, this is going to be the story of the off-season, and now people have forgotten the San Antonio Spurs have won the NBA Championship.
Rumor has it Kobe has a list of three teams, two of which are the Bulls and the Knicks.
For my team's sake, I hope Joe Dumars is on the phone with that Kupchak goober as we speak.
Friday, June 15, 2007
This is from an Adrian Wojnarowski article on Tim Duncan....
In the sport's culture now, success is measured with shoe commercials and video game covers. Duncan doesn't have an entourage, nor wear sunglasses indoors like LeBron James. He walks around with a knapsack, looking like a grad student on the way to the library.
In the NBA, Duncan, 31, is chasing a legacy, chasing history, when so many of his peers mindlessly chase the vapor of fame.
"In terms of humility, he's a different animal in today's world," Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said. "I'm not sure the systems that are in place now allow someone to grow up that untainted. In that way, you may never see another like him."
Mike James is outta there!
Juwan Howard is going to go team up with Kevin Garnett and hopefully bring some energy to the Timberwolves, who need anything they can get.
Here's the deal:
Mike James and Justin Reed to Houston for Juwan Howard, who goes to Minneosta
I think that means Rafer Alston's time is up in Houston, but maybe I'm wrong.
GAME OVER.
So the 2006-07 NBA Season is officially over.
The San Antonio Spurs are the best team in the league, I said that from the beginning. I had a feeling Detroit could pull out a title this year before the playoffs actually began and during the beginning of them. Though if you go back to day one, San Antonio was my choice. San Antonio was a lot of people's choice. San Antonio is the smart choice.
They're the best basketball team in the world, and over the course of this past decade, have been the most consistent.
People in San Antonio must never forget that '96-'97 season where David Robinson played all of six games, man did that work out for the best. #1 Pick equals Timmy D, and 10 years later, how can you complain?
Cleveland turned a lot of heads and I would say shocked many by making it to the NBA Finals. Their fans should be proud, they overachieved, and will continue to get better. They had a chance to compete with the Spurs, but since Bruce Bowen exsists, that can't happen (sorry LeBron, but Bruce Bowen owns you. He also owns 28 other top scorers in the league).
Team's like Phoenix, Detroit and Miami really took craps on themselves when it counted, some a little more premature than others.
Dallas is in a whole 'nother galaxy when it comes to taking a crap on themselves. Though if anything Dallas helped give us the best memory of the 2007 NBA Playoffs. We got to see a young team like Golden State play exciting basketball, and we got to see a team with rejuivnation. They should be proud, and hopefully they can build on this, and Snoop Dogg and others can continue to ride the bandwagon like a bunch of cornballs.
The Bulls got better, but still need more. Nobody knows how the Magic got into the playoffs! Nobody knows how the Nets made it to the second round of the playoffs! Kevin Garnett doesn't just not get out of the first round now, he just stopped making the playoffs all together.
The Nuggets have become the 1999 Portland Trailblazers, except they don't go to jail as much. Role players help, maybe you should quit loading up on massive contract players and junk, and add more Steve Blakes to your team.
Speaking of the Nuggets, Carmello's hit and run was obviously a highlight of the year. Jared Jeffries still is wondering if he really chased that grown man on a basketball court or not.
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All in all (and I don't have the numbers handy), but I do not ever remember a season where this many primary contributing players missed so much time, whether injuries or suspensions. There was a bundle of injuries this year, to a variety of major players in this league. It was weird. If you play fantasy basketball you definitely saw it, but if not, I bet you noticed too.
Regardless, the right team won the title in the end. Kobe had some amazing games, but his team still sucks. Yao Ming, if he can stay healthy is going to be great and how can people not love the fact that...THE UTAH JAZZ ARE BACK!
A good season all in all, but hopefully next year will be better.
On to the draft, and of course a bunch of summer trades and free agent signings.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!
Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Joe Murphy/NBAE via Getty Images)
Four Titles. Nine Years.
83-82 over Cleveland in the Game Four victory!
The Sweep is not much of a surprise, the Spurs are far too good of a team for the Cavs.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
The Finals MVP.
LeBron is averaging 21.3 PPG in the NBA Finals.
I Wonder Why?
Varejao
What was he thinking? That was such an awful move by him!
If I was Mike Brown, Big Z would be in the game this last possesion.
I guess will find out after these commercial....gotta use the bathroom! QUICK!
I bet on the Cavs tonight.
I decided to throw a little money on Cleveland tonight.
I felt good in the first quarter, I don't feel that way now.
How much is the Matrix worth?
The Celtics are going hard to get him, and the Suns are shopping. The C's are throwing out their 5th pick for Marion.
The other report has been one with the Detroit Pistons. Around The Horn is reporting Rasheed Wallace heading to Phoenix for the Matrix, but that is not completely correct. Joe Dumars confirmed on Detroit's 1270AM WXYT that Phoenix wants....
Two Starters AND the 15th and 27th picks!!!
Shawn Marion is great, but damn...Phoenix is out of their minds. They couldn't get two Pistons starters and two first round picks for Steve Nash and Kurt Thomas, let alone Shawn Marion by himself.
I wonder if this was a Steve Kerr idea, cause if so, this guy is a wreck!
Monday, June 11, 2007
Chamique Holdsclaw retires....
Chamique Holdsclaw is a six-time WNBA All-Star, but had suffered depression in 2004 while with the Washington Mystics, leaving the team for a temporarily before being traded to Los Angeles.
Holdsclaw was named the WNBA's Rookie of the Year in 1999 and led the University of Tennessee's Lady Vols to three consecutive NCAA Championships. She is Tennessee's all-time leading scorer and rebounder (male or female) with 3,025 points and 1,295 rebounds. She was only the fifth women's basketball player in NCAA history to reach 3,000 points.
It's actually crazy to think that this was her 9th season in the WNBA, it seems like she was in college just yesterday. In her WNBA career she averaged 17 points and 8 rebounds per night, including a 2002 WNBA scoring title.
A phenomenal player and talent, maybe she will come back like MJ did in a year, but if not, she will always be remembered as one of the greats.
Smith's Passenger Dies.
NEPTUNE, N.J. (AP) -- A New Jersey man who was thrown from Denver Nuggets guard J.R. Smith's sport utility vehicle when it overturned last weekend died Monday night in the hospital, state police said.
Andre Bell, 21, was sitting in the back seat of the vehicle Smith was driving when it went through a stop sign, collided with another car and flipped over at 5:30 p.m. Saturday in Millstone Township.
Bell, who was in a coma, died from head injuries at 6 p.m. at Jersey Shore University Medical Center, said state police spokesman Sgt. Stephen Jones.
Smith, 21, who was also thrown from the sport vehicle, remained at Jersey Shore on Monday with an injured left shoulder and numerous scratches, Jones said.
Neither Smith nor Bell were wearing seat belts at the time of the crash, he said.
Nuggets spokesman Eric Sebastian said he did not know when Smith might be discharged.
"I think it's too early to say," Sebastian said. "From everything we hear, he's going to be OK."
Sad news that you know will linger with Smith going into next season, assuming he plays. My respects go out to Smith, but of course to Bell's family and friends.
People need to start wearing seatbelts! it's not hard! It takes two seconds to put it on, and who knows, MAYBE Bell would be alive right now and maybe Smith wouldn't still be in a hospital.
Dumars: Flip is staying.
Joe Dumars made it pretty clear today that Flip Saunders WILL be back next year in Detroit. Pretty crummy if you ask me.
Let's take a look at some things:
Since the resurgance of the Detroit Pistons they have had three coaches, Flip Saunders being the third.
1. Rick Carlisle: Rick came and took a team that was predicted to be one of the 5 worst in the league by many and made them division champs. The prior season the Pistons won 32 games. Carlisle's first year in Detroit and rookie season as a head coach--Detroit wins 50. They are bounced from the second round of the playoffs.
Next year, same result. Pistons win 50. They increase one what they did, made it to their first of five consecutive Eastern Conference Finals. Swept by New Jersey, but played with a very injured Chauncey Billups.
Carlisle was fired within five days after his second season with the team.
2. Larry Brown: The Pistons made the right move probably in firing Carlisle for Brown. The team wins 54 games and makes an incredible and league shocking run to win the 2004 NBA Title.
The next season the Pistons win another 54 games. They make it to the finals. They go to seven games against San Antonio, and lose the game in the final 12 minutes.
Brown is then let go by the team, he never said he didn't want to come back and planned on coming back the next season
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So let me get this straight?
Carlisle has two seasons and he improves each year, but is fired?
Brown gets them to The Finals twice in two years, they lose in a thrilling game seven, and he is fired?
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Flip Saunders leads them to (a very Minnesota-like) 64 wins in the regular season and a fizzle in the conference finals and complete total meltdown. The next season, they win 53 games--they also self-destruct and were upset by Cleveland in the conference finals in six games, but were outplayed in all six games!
Yet, this guy is the only of the three who isn't fired after two years?
Sunday, June 10, 2007
The Spurs cannot be stopped.
The Cavs put on a nice comeback in the last eight minutes of the game tonight, but you have to play 48 minutes to beat the Spurs.
The Spurs are way too good for the Cavs.
The Cavs have some good components, a great player and a solid coach.
The Spurs have the best coach in the league. The best player in the league not named Kobe. The best sixth man not named Barbosa and probably the deepest team in the league. Not to mention a great young point guard, the best defender in the league and the most clutch player in playoff history.
The Spurs aren't good. The Spurs aren't great. The Spurs are unbelievable.
They're a real basketball team. There is not a team like them, and they have played in this mold for nearly a decade. They've made changes where they needed to, they got a little more exciting as far as speed goes, and they've even become better defensively.
The Spurs put on a clinic tonight. They did stumble a bit in the last few minutes (which reminds me of Game 2 Semi-Finals Detroit vs. Cleveland in 2006), but they should be just fine. They cannot drop their level of intensity a bit. This series is not near over, but with one more win, you can say sweep.
Do I think the Cavs could possibly fight back? Yes. Anything can happen in the playoffs (I mean the Cavs are in the Finals, right?), and that Cleveland crowd is going to be bonkers! Though you can more than likely say this series is San Antonio's to lose at this point.
Because he doesn't still get the credit he deserves....Bruce Bowen is unreal. LeBron was not a factor for the second game in a row, until about 11 minutes left in the game.
A week and a half ago, I hated the Cavs.
I find myself rooting for them right now during this comeback....
93-84 with 5:25 left
Cleveland: Welcome to the NBA Finals.
Cleveland finally has to play a REAL basketball team! Sorry Pistons, but you guys did not show up.
The masacre has begun!
Live on ABC!
JR Smith is okay.
"J.R. is fine. There is nothing career- or life-threatening," Nuggets spokesman Eric Sebastian said Sunday. "I did not hear anything that would suggest he is going to be out any games. He is more concerned about the other people in the accident."
Good to hear, hopefully all the other passengers in the car are okay as well.
More bad news for the Nuggets.
The JR Smith stuff is more serious as we wait on more news on his condition, but....
From the AP:
GREENWOOD VILLAGE, Colo. -- Nuggets reserve forward DerMarr Johnson was charged with resisting arrest and interfering with police during a disturbance outside a nightclub. Police said they used a taser to calm the 6-foot-9 player.
"He apparently would not cooperate," police Lt. Randy Corbitt said.
Johnson and two women were arrested, booked and released early Saturday. The women were charged with disturbing the peace.
_____
Nice work moron!
Photo courtesey NBA.com
GAME TWO TONIGHT!
Game Two of the NBA Finals is tonight at 9PM. Hopefully we will see a better LeBron James performance and game overall.
Should be fun--more to come later.
Hibachi to opt out.
Agent 0 says it's all about business and nothing against the -Wizards or an attempt to leave.
All I know is that teams better save up, Gil is gonna be the best thing on the market in 2008.
Saturday, June 09, 2007
The Kobe Dilemma.
What do you do if you're the LA Lakers?
Jerry Buss has said his piece and that he has talked to Kobe and assured him they will get him what he needs to win. Phil Jackson was the mediator and used his Zen-like powers to change Kobe's mind. Kobe then takes back his ever so powerful trade request in the same day.
Kind of dissapointing since this was some really exciting news, but a problem still exsists in Laker Land.
Kobe is not happy right now, and that is known. Kobe is getting older, even though he isn't even 30 yet, but he is going into his 11th NBA season. Time is ticking and that team needs to get on the upswing now. Kobe still has a solid 7 years left in him, but he might be the guy that retires when he is 35 or 36. Especially if he can get some hardware post-Shaq.
You want to do everything you can to keep Kobe a Laker, and to make him happy. Though what if the Lakers want to move him and Kobe agrees? If you're the Lakers, who do you trade for and who do you get?
Personally if Kobe is on the trade block, which means he has the choice of where he goes, (because of a "No Trade Clause" in his contract) I can only see a handful of teams that would be able to acquire him.
Chicago
Detroit
Phoenix
Los Angeles Clippers
Dallas
San Antonio
Golden State
Houston
New York
Now those teams above, that's without even thinking about tradeable talent. Of the 29 other teams in the L, I would say those are the only teams that Kobe would even think about going to--New York is a long shot. The above teams are in no paticular order.
Which teams could actually put together a package worth trading for though? The media is right when the big name Chicago comes into play. Chicago in a sense is in the same situation Miami was in a couple years back when they got Shaq. They have a lot of young and talented players that they could put into a deal. Names like Hinrich, Gordon, Nocioni, Duhon, Tyrus Thomas, Thabo Sefelosha and a couple more make for a decent way to package a deal that would be attractive for LA.
New York has a whole lot of nothing and bad contracts.
Dallas would have to move Howard and Terry or Dirk (if I was them, I'd trade Dirk for Kobe in a heartbeat). I think that is a very plausable scenario too. Dallas would make themselves the frontrunner overnight.
Detroit has some good pieces and are the second most succesful team in the league the last 5 years. Tayshaun, Rasheed, Hamilton, Billups and some others--one or two of their starters and some picks could possibly do the trick.
Houston would trade McGrady for Kobe, and probably have to throw in a draft pick or something--this would possibly be the most interesting of all deals. See what Kobe can do with that team, and what he can do for Yao.
Phoenix would have to give up Barbosa and Marion and they could pull it off probably, but how would Kobe fit in there?
San Antonio is slim to do it, and would most likely have to give up Parker, Ginobili, some pics and more? I don't see how this would help them, nor the Lakers for that matter.
Golden State and the Clippers are both in California, Kobe wouldn't have to move a single box, and maybe even keep his locker if traded to the Clippers. It would really be another interesting occurance: same city, same building, different team. Say godbye to Elton Brand and draft picks. Or Magette, Shaun Livingston and some picks and maybe more. Golden State could ship Baron Davis and Jason Richardson--and I think that could possibly help both teams--IF Baron stays healthy.
Now you would have to trade check these deals and mix and match a million times to find the right deal, but odds are I have just wasted my time. Kobe made a fun story for half a day, but I think we all know--he is going absolutely nowhere. They just need to get a new GM, and get one quick.
J.R. Smith thrown from SUV in accident.
Smith and the unidentified passenger were ejected from the SUV in the crash, which occurred around 5:30 p.m. on Stagecoach Road in Millstone Township, said Sgt. Stephen Jones, a state police spokesman.
The passenger -- who had serious head wounds -- was airlifted to Jersey Shore University Hospital in Neptune, while Smith was taken there via ambulance.
Further details on their injuries were not immediately available Saturday night.
Smith's vehicle apparently went through a stop sign, Jones said, and collided with the other car. The driver of that vehicle and two other people in the SUV were injured and taken to CentraState Medical Center in Freehold, but their injuries were not considered serious.
The 21-year-old Smith was a star player at Lakewood High School and St. Benedict's Prep in New Jersey. He averaged 13.0 points in 63 games this season.
Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press
Photo courtesey NBA.com
---------
I hope that JR is okay and I wish him and all the passengers involved speedy and safe recoveries.
This was nearly 15 years ago...
It seems like yesterday since Shaq's rookie year, but it was 15 years ago this month. 4 NBA Titles, 1 MVP (should be more) later--Shaq is still one of the best, even on his decline. He is still the most important player on that team, no matter what you may think.
Craig Sager's outfits were a little more tame back then too, he interviews him near the end of the video.
NBA JAM for Super Nintendo
Man does this video bring back some great memories. This was my life in 5th grade.
Remember all the rumors about "The Shaq Code," and how to get him into the game, because he never made it to the console version!?
Watching NBA Access.
Mutumbo is a classic, and man, did he have a great year filling in for Yao Ming.
Remember that he is 40 years old!
It is weird to think he is now 40 years old, I remember going crazy trying to get his rookie card--it seems like yesterday. Shows how old I am getting.
Mutumbo is a class act and one of the best people in the NBA. There are not enough Dikembe Mutumbos in a league filled with egos and people who think they're ish don't stink.
So you weren't my first choice, but...
I'm sure many guys have heard this in their life, and didn't care. Even though they weren't the first choice at least they had the chance to get with that girl they were watching at the bar all night.
The same thing happened to Stan Van Gundy, obviously he didn't care either.
After Billy Donovan had that weird change of heart, AFTER signing a contract--Stan is now..THE MAN in Orlando.
Ratings.
Game One of the NBA Finals drew the lowest rating ever for an opening game since the Finals moved to prime time.
Is it the Spurs? Or is LeBron James really not the next big draw in the NBA?
LeBron, like I said has played fantastic during the playoffs for the most part, but obviously he isn't able to draw huge ratings whenever he plays, especially on a stage like the NBA Finals.
You know that deep down the NBA was thrilled Detroit didn't make it to the Finals, and the Cavs did. Though what would have had a bigger draw? Detroit and San Antonio, or the game that happened Thursday night?
It will be interesting to see how ratings play out, especially if the Cavs win the next game.
Hockey.
I like how in the NHL awards are not given until after the playoffs.
I honestly can't tell you whether the voting is done before, after or during the NHL playoffs, but its a good concept if after.
If right now I asked you; who is the 2007 NBA MVP based on Oct 31-Jun 3, who would you say?
Maybe Duncan? Solid choice if so, but odds are you wouldn't even think about Nowitzki and barely Nash. LeBron would be all on your mind, and at this point rightfully so.
Now that's what a Finals MVP is, I know, but still...an interesting way to evaluate the MVP award, especially after the job LeBron has done the past two months.
Friday, June 08, 2007
This dude was drafted before Michael Jordan.
1984 NBA Draft
1. Hakeem Olajuwon, HOU
2. Sam Bowie, POR
3. Michael Jordan, CHI
Bowie's best season was in 1989-90 where he dropped in right about 15 a game and grabbed 10 rebounds, while swating away 2 shots per game. He gave the New Jersey Nets 68 games that year. He never played more than 79 games in a season, and only played over 65 games five times in 10 seasons.
You have to feel bad for Bowie in ways, he's the butt of a lot of NBA jokes and even a Jay-Z rhyme. Injuries plagued this guy, he was never going to be as good as Michael regardless, but who is?
Portland has the #1 pick in this year's draft. They did a great job getting Brandon Roy last season, I wish them the best this year as well. Is it going to be Greg Oden or Kevin Durant? I would say, as we all would those are the only solid choices to make with that pick, unless they take the 'Bowie Route' again.
Sorry Sam, but it happens. At least in the above picture you were getting inducted into Kentucky's B-Ball Hall.
Photo courtesy of www.ukathletics.com.
HOW DID THIS HAPPEN?
VS
The Spurs, yeah, they're an easy pick.
What about the Cavs? Are you serious? Kenny Smith called this at the beginning of the season he says, I don't remember, but I definitely take his word for it. I'm sure many Cleveland fans thought it was possible, but c'mon!
Being from Detroit, maybe I was a homer when I said, "The Pistons have this!" What do you expect, they should have won, based on talent. Though they slept on Cleveland and were ridiculously outcoached. Cleveland played with heart, something the Pistons didn't do. Cleveland wanted to be in the NBA Finals, so they deserve this.
I dog LeBron James an awful lot, but that guy proved something to lil' ole' me in the Eastern Conference Finals. He is a superstar, and he is going to be one of the best players of all-time. I'm not throwing his name with Jordan, Russell, Magic, Bird or Shaq yet--but in 15 years, I think we can say top 15, at least. Many people will think I'm being insulting saying top 15, as if he will be much higher--but there are some great players through the past near 60 years of NBA Basketball, and I'm not going to just hand that out, especially without any NBA ring and only 4 years experience.
Cleveland was taken the first game. LeBron wasn't the player many expect him to be. Credit jitters I'm sure, but credit Bruce Bowen too.
I think Game 2 will be different.
I think Cleveland can actually compete in this series, I would say it is possible they can win a title. I really do. They play great defense and with low scoring games like Game One, the Spurs benefit, but the Cavs can also take advantage of that.
The Spurs can easily go on and sweep this series, but if Cleveland plays out of their minds like they did against Detroit and uses each player on the court, whether scoring or as diversions for James--Cleveland can make this a good series.
Tomorrow is crucial, Game Two or not--Cleveland needs this game to give themselves some hope, to let the Spurs know they are for real and to have great momentum heading to Cleveland for three games. You cannot give the Spurs any chances, and letting them get up on you 2-0, is not a good move.
Should be a good one, Tim Duncan is definitely the man in the Finals and he proved that again on Thursday.
(side note: If LeBron averages under 22 ppg in this series, nobody but Bruce Bowen should be Finals MVP--that guy needs his due; of course that would have to mean a Spurs NBA Championship victory)
How do you take an absence during the playoffs?
That is a question I can never answer correctly, but I guess Shawn Marion's birthday was so good, that I just forgot I had a website.
Well, to be honest I doubt anybody has seen this page much to begin with, but I just got the domain and was figuring out some things during the most important part of the season.
No worries, we are back and officially back FOR GOOD.
www.outsidethenba.com
Yes, that's the URL. GET DOWN!
GET UP! If you prefer.
Either or, stick around as I work on making this site one of the best hoops perspective sites on the planet.
Monday, May 07, 2007
Happy Birthday MATRIX!
Saturday, May 05, 2007
Utah needs to get the Memo.
In order for the Utah Jazz to pull out the game seven victory against the Houston Rockets, they are going to need Memo Okur to show up.
He has gradually gotten better throughout the series, but in the first three games, he was absolutely awful, shooting under 20%. Memo is the key to this team, he is their centerpiece and gives teams a huge mismatch, so please Memo, for the sake of Utah and Jazz fans around the world, please show up.
Now if you're a Rockets fan, you're going to need an incredible crowd today, you're going to need Yao to put in about 25 and 10, you're going to need 27 from McGrady and you're going to need defense to stop the Jazz and make them struggle offensively, like Andrei Kirilenko and Okur have much of the series.
Houston is 3-0 in game sevens, so let's see if the streak continues....
It's about to begin...
Yes, I am from Detroit and yes, I love my team. Though don't call me biased when I say I think the Pistons and Bulls is the best series yet in the NBA Playoffs.
A great storyline here: Two great defensive teams who play basketball the right way, Ben Wallace the Pistons' star player for 6 seasons now with the Bulls after bolting town last summer, the two best teams in the Eastern Conference (sorry Cleveland) and one of the best rivalries of the 80s and early 90s returns.
On top of that, the Bulls are back in the Playoffs again and in the second round, you've got to love it!
I think Detroit is the better team, but I wouldn't say it's by much. The matchups are great in this one and both teams are healthy. We are going to see an excellent seven game series. I think the Suns and Spurs will put on a good series, but not nearly as rugged as the one we are about to Witness between these two tough teams.
I know most everyone from Detroit expects a series victory, and I think Chicago people feel the same, but don't be surprised either way.
Detroit would not have swept Miami, let's make that clear.
The Bulls did, but it doesn't make them better than the Pistons. In a seven gamer, you have got to give the edge to the Pistons, at least at this point. The team has the experience, the bench is clicking and Billups is playing very well so far in the playoffs. Chauncey is the main guy for this team, and is the edge in the series. Yes, 'Sheed, Rip and the others need to play big, but if Billups does his thing, they will be hard to beat.
I don't expect the Bulls to be taken lightly though, and they shouldn't. They could easily come into this series and beat Detroit in six games, but IF Detroit plays their game, they should pull it out in six or seven themselves.
Detroit in 7, Matchup to watch: Tayshaun Prince vs. Loul Deng
**This is GOOD for the NBA**
Photo: Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by D. Lippitt/Einstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Problem with the Warriors sudden rise....
So if you couldn't tell I not only thought the Warriors would win this series, I also rooted for them to win it. I love the underdog story and I also think it was great for the NBA. The upset never seems to occur in the NBA, I guess the last big upset in the NBA was when the Pistons beat the Lakers, but was it really an upset?
I knew it was going to happen and I think many Pistons fans and people who watched that team play all year also thought so. Regardless, it is considered an upset. Other than that there hasn't been much. This was great for the Bay Area of California, and it was great to see those fans absolutely go nuts. A lot of those people have been rooting on that team through its struggle for years I am sure, and of course you will have your bandwagoners, but that usually happens at this point, or when they get to the Finals.
We saw some awesome fans, and as of right now, probably the best in the NBA. We also saw the awesome celebrity cameos at the game. Kate Hudson, Owen Wilson, Woody Harrelson (is that how you spell it?) and of course Snoop-a-loop Dogg.
So here is my problem...
These lovely celebrities who everyone knows and loves get to go back in the locker room and celebrate with the Warriors.
What a bunch of crap?!
Think of all the kids, the people who have rooted that team on for years who have been season ticket holders for the past 13 seasons, to watch a team, play pretty crappy for over a decade. All of those people, all of those great fans, yet, Snoop Dogg, Goldie Hawn's daughter and the guys from "Cheers" and "Wedding Crashers" get to go and celebrate with the team, that they've probably followed for all of 5 weeks tops?
Were any of these celebs there when they the Warriors played Charlotte earlier this season? What about when they played the Hawks or even a playoff team like the Raptors? I highly doubt it, and even if they were, who cares!?
Yeah, they might be "friends" with people on the team or whatever, but that is garbage.
I would feel pretty crappy about that if I was a die-hard Warriors fan, and just started seeing those turds coming to the games, and now they're the new "faces" for my team.
Yes, when the Pistons won the title Kid Rock partied with the guys, but in a sense, it's a bit different. Kid Rock is born and bred Detroit, he was representing the Pistons and a season ticket holder, before any title run and I actually felt his connection to the team.
This to me, is just another chance for these dorks to get their faces seen, and now it is the new "it" thing to do.
Sorry Warriors fans, I still wish your team continued success. I wonder who the next celeb to hop on your bandwagon is?
Warriors shock the world.
Thanks to a great coach and some great play, but the NEW BEST CROWD IN THE NBA was the key factor for the GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS.
Dallas has been and is generally an overrated team, they always fail in the playoffs and the Warriors had their number from the get go.
There are plenty of things to talk about from this occurance, more on it later.
Jason Kidd and his 38 year old son.
Yes, the Nets won last night 98-97 on a Richard Jefferson shot in the final seconds.
They will move on to play the Cavs, and hopefully they destroy them. More power to the Brick City!
Though TJ Kidd has always looked like an older man and has had a mustache since he was 2, but now it looks like he is starting to shave. He is probably all of 7 years old, but he looks like he is between the ages of 19-33.
Nothing is better than a TJ Kidd photo opp, unfortunately I wish I could have been talking about TJ Ford and the Dinasours of Toronto.
We were on Delay...
Sorry for the lack of updates the past day and a half, my life was taken over by another force than the NBA...
Yes, Spiderman 3 took over the last day or so of my life, making me stay up very late and then making me dead tired at work the following day. I'm back now, even though I am going to see it again tonight. I highly suggest you go see it, it is absolutely fantastic.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Up 23.
Yes, they are 12 minutes away from the biggest upset in NBA History!
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
He can't do it by himself...
Lamar Odom had a great game tonight, but Kobe Bryant is almost by himself 85% of the time. If the Lakers want to become a winning team, something has to change.
Odom had 33 points and 10 rebounds tonight, but he has been injury plagued and an under-achiever since he came to LA.
Kobe needs more than Odom. Walton is very average. Smush Parker is not a real NBA starting point guard. Maurice Evans is an 8th man at best. Bynum is young and developing. Kwame Brown is, well...I will just move on. Shammond Williams? Rony Turiaf is a great energy and hustle guy, so I will never hate on him, but they need a lot more.
No disrespect to Phoenix, they put a nice beatdown on the Lakers this series, but we will still be talking about them for awhile. With that, I think saying that Kobe needs more is something to talk about right now.
Walton is a free agent, and I would consider him truly very expendible, unless they can find a way to make him a 6th or 7th man, and that is being generous.
First and foremost a solid point guard is what the Lakers can use, someone to feed the ball to Kobe, but also hit big shots off of Kobe's penetration. They don't need a Jason Kidd. Mike James would have been a perfect fit. Steve Blake wouldn't be bad, he proved he can play, though I think Mo Williams would be an excellent fit , if he comes cheap enough.
If they keep Odom around, you get him at power forward and pray he stays healthy and steps it up more. He is so talented, he should be scoring 30 points more than just twice in a season (his first game of the year and tonight).
What about Jerry Stackhouse at Small Forward? He'd like to be a starter, and if he can stay healthy for about 70 games. He could play some solid D and with Kobe and Odom there, he'd be an excellent third, or even second option.
Bynum, Turiaf, Kwame---you have to be able to work with one of them, another one (Turiaf) would be huge off the bench, at about the 8th man or so.
We could go on and on.
Regardless is Kobe needs help.
I think maybe trying to trade Odom might help, but heck, Mitch Kupchak traded Shaq, so I will let him decide what to do, but they need to be one of the most active teams this summer. Kobe is still young, but he will be going into his 12th season next year, time is ticking and he doesn't want to still be rebuilding for three more years, that's for sure.
Are you serious?
Check this article out, it's a quick read.
This is completely silly.
What a waste of these people's 13 years! I mean, are there even more than 65 white guys in the NBA? Yeah, I see they put certain numbers into play, but this is such a dumb study.
People need to stop with the race card.
The NBA is dominated by black players and foreign players.
The refs are predominately white.
The only "white" players who mean anything that I can think of are: Kirk Hinrich, Brad Miller and PAT BURKE!
Dirk, Nash, Big Z, etc etc---those guys are foreign born players, therfore not the same as the refs. Though I am not going to make my own speculations, this is a silly study.
Has anyone seen Danny Crawford ref a Detroit Piston's game (there really hasn't been a white Piston that plays beside Okur and Barry since 2001), he calls everything.
Drop the race card people, PLEEEEEEASE.
(Sorry Jason Kapono fans, sorry.)
Finley was money.
Why are the San Antonio Spurs such a dangerous team? Because a guy like Michael Finley can still light it up, and he goes from anywhere to a starter or a 7th or 8th man on their team.
The Spurs bench is totally solid, and whether Finley (Barry or Ginolbili) starts or comes off the bench, they can rip you in a variety of ways.
FinDawg was back in effect tonight, looking like his Dallas form and ripping the Nuggets for 8 three-pointers. Finley missed only one three-point shot attempt on his way to 26 points. With the Finley explosion and the fact that Spurs held Iverson and 'Melo to a combined 14-42 from the field and 42 points, the Spurs put the whoopin on 93-78.
The Spurs took the last four games of this series, after a surprising Nuggets game one victory.
Did anyone honestly think a team of 'Melo and A.I. was going to get out of the first round against a team like San Antonio?
C'Mon now!
ROY IS R.O.Y.
From the start of the season many predicted that Brandon Roy would win the NBA's Rookie of the Year Award. He didn't fail them.
Roy recieved 127 of 128 first place votes and was a runaway as the winner. The other first place vote went to the Raptor's Andrea Bargnani, who was the first pick in the draft.
Roy put up solid all-around numbers for the Blazers this season dropping nearly 17 points, 4 assists, 4 rebounds and a steal. He only played in 57 games this season because of early and late season injuries, he started 55 of those games.
Roy's best month was in March where he averaged about 18 points, 5 boards and 4 dimes a game.
With regards to Roy, Bargnani, LaMarcus Aldridge and Rudy Gay, this was a pretty horrible rookie class-- so far. I think Timberwolve fans will dog me for leaving out Foye, so I will add him to that list as well.
Yes, Adam Morrison and JJ Reddick were huge dissapointments, but time still remains.
Tuesday, May 01, 2007
Not so fast!!!!
Game 6 is Thursday night, and I think we know it is a must watch. What a series this has been so far.
Stephen Jackson should be looking for more fines as he was ejected late 4th quarter. Baron Davis also didn't finish as he was fouled out.
The Mavs still have a long way to go.
(Photo by Brian Bahr/Getty Images)
The Raptors are not extinct yet...
Toronto pulled of a close one tonight at home.
Game 6 is Thursday night in Jersey as the Raptors hope to even the series and say alive.
Time to prove you're an MVP...
So far it has sounded like a lot of excuses and coach Avery Johnson has apparently become sick of it as well.
If you're a star in the NBA, going through a dry spell and having struggles in a playoff series is bound to happen, but you must overcome it. A true superstar needs to suck it up and go out there and lead his team. It might be okay to defer to a teammate now and then, but if you are the team's star, you must go out there and get yours.
Dirk has struggled in the series against Golden State. Don Nelson knows Nowitzki. Nowitzki was his project and now Nelson is owning him.
In the four games of this series, Nowitzki has scored 20 ppg and has at most scored 23 points. His season average was 25.
"I got to take what they give me and they don't really give me a lot," said Nowitzki. "So I've got to make other stuff happen -- help out on defense more; hit the glass harder, as hard as I can, get some extra possessions; if I have a shot, try to knock it down and if I don't, move the ball and let someone else make a shot."
Dirk is supposed to be the leader of the Mavericks team and the league MVP, so he better realize that he needs to do more than defer and take less shots.
If Dirk doesn't show up tonight, you can most likely count on the Mavericks pulling off a historic NBA upset. It would be historic not only because a .500 last day entry into the playoffs beat a team with 67 wins who was heavily favored as the NBA Champion to be, but also because they did it in five games.
So Dirk, here is your chance, here is a GOLDEN opprotunity, show us what you really got, go out there and be an MVP, or go home.
(AFP/Getty Images/Jed Jacobsohn)
Gettin' Jiggy With It.
I know the Will Smith-Robert Horry comparison may get old to some of you, but I am going to ride it until the wheels fall off.
Big Shot Bob did it again last night.
It's nothing for Robert Horry to hit a crucial game winning shot, it's why people know of him in the sports world, it's why he has played on some of the best teams in the league throughout his career.
Off of some excellent Tony Parker penetration, Horry was left behind the three-point line on the side, with enough room to get off a silky smooth trey.
Have team's not learned their lesson. No matter what happens, no matter what player is open, DO NOT LEAVE HORRY OPEN! I don't care if Michael Jordan is on his team, I am going to let MJ take the shot, rather than leave Horry open.
If a coach sees that Horry is checking into the game, or is in the game and his team needs a basket, preferably three points, you would assume he says "stay on Horry!"
I guess we would have to ask Rasheed Wallace that, wouldn't we?
With Horry and the playoffs, people don't realize that it is much more than just hitting big shots.
Horry has played in the NBA Playoffs the last 15 seasons. He is third all-time in playoff games played at 198, only behind Scottie Pippen and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. If San Antonio makes it to the finals this season, he will become second. He is second all-time in three pointers made in playoff history with 237, only Reggie Miller has more. He is in ninth in playoff steals, and will most likely be eighth within a week or so. He also has 201 blocks in his playoff career.
The guy does it all.
Hits big shots, plays defense and does the intangibles. I can't count how many times I have seen Horry come up with a big offensive rebound or chase down a loose ball or get a big block on someone in a playoff game.
I nearly forgot to add that Horry also has five championship rings, as a key player on each of those teams.
Robert Horry is one of the best playoff performers in NBA History, top 5 if you ask me, and if you don't believe me, stay tuned.
Monday, April 30, 2007
How in the World???
How in the world did Shawn Marion not make the NBA All-Defensive Team again?
He has never made it! He is one of the better defenders in the league, ask anybody. He's versatile, he's all over and so athletic.
Yet, as the teams were announced today, Marion didn't make it, again.
Unbelievable.
Bill Walton overstated this a couple months ago as a "travesty."
Guess what???
It is. It also still exists. Marion was 5 votes shy of making the second team.
Tayshaun Prince and Kevin Garnett made it instead. Prince is great. I love KG, but c'mon, Marion should at least be second team.
I would also say where is the love for Shane Battier, but that's another post in itself, both of these guys were robbed of some honors they deserved.
Sunday, April 29, 2007
One more to go!!!
The Golden State Warriors only have to win one more game and then the Dallas Mavericks will no longer be in the playoffs.
Remember, I said the Warriors would win this baby, and man oh man, have they been absolutely great this series. They've played even better than I've expected.
Baron Davis has been unbelievable. If this guy could stay healthy a whole season, he'd be in the company of Nash, Billups and Kidd. Right now, he looks 100% and if you're a Golden State Warriors fan, that's all that matters.
Great contributions from the bench too. Barnes and Pietrus have been very solid.
Regardless of what anyone thinks, Golden State is up 3-1 and have looked absolute fantastic after pulling off a close one tonight, 103-99 against a team that won 67 games and whom people said are above and beyond the favorite pretty much all season.
For all the Warriors fans out there...
Icon of the Week.
Last week it was Dennis Scott, so here we are for this week.
Instead of a 'Legend of the Day.'
We will do an 'Icon of the Week.'
Generally these will be ballers who didn't get the props they deserved, some who might have never even have heard of, some who just people forgot how much game they had.
So here's this weeks....
One of Bol's former college coaches or someone involved said in one game (double overtime) he had 32 points, 29 rebounds and 31 blocks. That is easily the sickest stat line I have ever heard of. EVER!
And regardless of on the court, never forget the kind of person Manute is off the court, maybe the most giving player in NBA History. Much Respect.
23.
Not not Michael Jordan, but the number of assists that Steve Nash had today.
That is pretty remarkable.
1 shy of the playoff record, held by Magic Johnson.
So yeah, the Suns take a 3-1 lead, and kinda beat up on the Lakers.
Kobe needs help and Kupchek, or however you spell dude's name better get him some, soon.
Golden State v. Dallas
Man a heck of a game going on, if you're not watching this one, you should be ashamed of yourself!
The second half just started 52-49, Warriors leading and their crowd is going nuts!
The Heat are a joke!!!!
The first NBA Champion to be swept in the first round!!!!!!
Go Bulls!
Pistons V. Bulls is going to be an amazing series.
Now..it's time to watch Kobe go for 50.
A Great Sunday of Television...
- Chicago and Miami: Bulls can sweep the champs. 1:00pm, ABC
- Phoenix and the Lakers: The Lakers are at home and have a chance to tie the series. 3:30pm, ABC
- Toronto and New Jersey: Toronto has to pull one out to stay alive in this one, cause 3-1 is not good. 7:30pm, TNT
- Dallas and Golden State: Dallas is in the same situation as Toronto, except they're supposed to be the best. 10:00pm, TNT
Saturday, April 28, 2007
Spurs and Cavs get wins.
The Spurs got a pretty close win over the Nuggets earlier tonight, they now have a 2-1 lead in the series.
Regardless Nene of Denver has really played great the last three months for Denver.
Yes, the Cavs also beat Washington today. What a surprise. I really wish Gilbert and Caron were playing or at least one of them, this would definitely be the Wizards series if so.
SWEEP.
Well the Pistons are the first team to advance to the second round of the NBA Playoffs, beating Orlando in game four 97-93.
**That is the first sweep this team has had since 1990, pretty surprising, unless you follow them religiously.
Uh-Oh...
Dwight Howard is working the Pistons right now! 29 points and 17 rebounds for the big fella! The Magic are also up 85-80 with 3:17 to go.
Darko has chipped in 13 of his own, 9 of which are in the 4th quarter against the Pistons.
Maybe we wont see a sweep?
GREAT NEWS!
The image speaks for itself, but "Agent 0" WILL be on the cover of EA Sport's NBA LIVE '08. I am sure the game will suck compared to NBA2k8, but the fact that Gil is on it, is worth the purchase.
HIBACHI!
A bit delayed but....
Congratulations to Marcus Camby!
Camby won the NBA's Defensive Player of the Year Award yesterday, and deservingly so. The guy hasn't had the respect he deserves the past couple seasons. He has pretty much stayed healthy and puts up some sick numbers on the defensive end. He definitely should get more consideration from coaches and whomever to be on the All-Star Team.
Brian Bahr/NBAE/Getty Images
Camby had averages of 11.2 points per game, but more importantly 11.7 rebounds per, 3.2 assists, 1.2 steals (1st amongst centers) and a league-leading 3.3 blocks.
Camby and the Denver Nuggets play in Game Three of their first round series verse San Antonio tonight at 8 p.m. on ESPN, the series is tied 1-1.
Here are the results of the Defensive Player of the Year voting:
Top 8
1. Marcus Camby, Denver 431
2. Bruce Bowen, San Antonio 206
3. Tim Duncan, San Antonio 158
4. Shawn Marion, Phoenix 93
5. Shane Battier, Houston 86
6. Ben Wallace, Chicago 42
7. Gerald Wallace, Charlotte 27
8. Ron Artest, Sacramento 20
Detroit is pulling away.
It's nearly the end of the third quarter and the Detroit Pistons are beginning to buckle down.
They have only a six point lead with about 3 minutes left in the third, but this is showing to be a typical closeout game standard on a 4-0 sweep.
Look for a huge fourth quarter from the Pistons, I'd say we're still looking at a 10-15 point win.
Just to keep you pumped during the Playoffs...
Man, these were the days. They need to give John Tesh a billion dollars and bring that song to ABC, how does that Pussycat Dolls crap even compare?
Copyright NBC Sports
GOODBYE.
one more game for.....
DA BULLS!!!
Photo: REUTERS/Marc Serota (UNITED STATES)
Friday, April 27, 2007
Diggler.
Well, Dirk is really making a case for MVP as his team is about to go down 2-1 to an 8th seed.
Man, I am loving the Warriors.
Good for Oakland!
Legend of the Day.
Okay, maybe the word "legend" and "Dennis Scott" don't match up for all hoops fans, but I'm sorry, I loved Dennis Scott.
This guy was one of my favorite players of all-time. He was such a great shooter, absolute money from long range and he played on one of the coolest teams of my time, the Orlando Magic of the mid 1990s. Shaq, Penny, 3-D, Nick Anderson...it didn't get better outside of Hakeem and Clyde, MJ and Pippen and Ewing and Starks.
So today, we honor Dennis Scott, for being simply awesome..Mitchell and Ness needs to put out a throwback of him immediately.
Here is an exerpt on Scott from Wikipedia:
Scott spent the majority of his career with the Magic, earning the nickname 3-D for his ability to consistently make long three-point field goal attempts. Until the drafting of Shaquille O'Neal in 1992, Scott and Nick Anderson were the leading scorers for the Magic. In 1995-96 Scott set an NBA single-season three-point field goal tally with 267 (which was broken ten years later by Ray Allen). He also set the NBA record for most three pointers made in a single game with 11 on April 18, 1996. On his record breaking shot the assist came from teammate and the holder of the record, Brian Shaw (he made 10 three pointers on April 8, 1993). This record has also since been broken by Kobe Bryant who made 12 three pointers on January 7, 2003 and by Donyell Marshall who also made 12 three pointers on March 12, 2005. He was honored by the Magic on March 26, 2006 as part of their "Remember the Past Nights" program,[citation needed] where the Magic remembers past players for their accomplishments. Other players to be honored so far were Nick Anderson and Scott Skiles.
MVP.
No I will not give Steve Nash an MVP, he is a great player, but he lacks one thing.
No I will not give Dirk Nowitzki an MVP, he is an excellent player, but he lacks that thing too.
That thing is called....
say it with me...
DEFENSE.
I like defense, I think it is a great part of the game. I think defense needs to be played for a team to win a championship. I also truly think that we can not let the MVP go to a player who doesn't even play it. At least not this year, can't Nash and his fans, and Phoenix and Canada be happy with the underdog getting two MVPs?
Dallas had an awesome season. It was near perfect. Dirk didn't play defense though. So sorry Dirk. Beyond the fact that I would rather see the ball in Jason Terry or Josh Howard's hands than yours when there is critical time remaining, I also think you're not MVP worthy. I am glad that you recieved the hype though.
---
Those are everyone's favorite choices. We've had to hear the hype on these two guys all season long.
I'm irritated.
I would love to see Kobe finally win the MVP. The guy killed it again this year. Though LA barely made it into the playoffs, so I can't say he should get it.
---
So ladies and gentleman....your 2007 NBA MVP.....
TRACY MCGRADY
I think Tracy McGrady hasn't gotten the loved he deserved this season. He has so all over the place last year, I think a lot of people forgot about him.
How good has Houston been this season? They were without Yao Ming for how many games? There starting center in those countless amount of games was 41? Yes, he was 41.
T-Mac put up 25 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds a game this season. He did so much for that team, he was a true leader, and a great team player for them. On top of that, he plays on one of the best defensive teams in the league and is one of their best defenders, and such a versatile defender.
Without T-Mac this season, the Rockets were worthless. With him, they were one of the league's best. Whether Yao Ming was there, or not. Big Yao put up 25 points a game this season, that is the most by a center not named Shaquille O'Neal (or Amare 'I'm really a Power Forward' Stoudemire) in a long time. Thank T-Mac for some of that awesome progression.
Houston was 52-30 this season and Yao missed 34 games for them. I would honestly saw that that is a miracle.
That miracle's name is T-Mac (his helper is the underrated Shane Battier), and that's the truth.
Sorry to Canada and Germany.
(Photo:NBA.com)
I don't think this is real...
Yao Ming
Tracy McGrady
Shane Battier
Rafer Alston
Those are the only four players to score tonight for the Houston Rockets.
I don't think this has ever happened in a regular season game, let alone a PLAYOFF GAME!!?!?!
You have got to be kidding me.
I was excited about the Utah/Houston series, but I wouldn't mind if these teams could shoot into the mid 40% range for at least one game.
The Evidence of this awful box score.
Darko isn't so bad.
Matter of fact, I'd say Darko has played pretty well.
The kid is putting up nearly 12 pts, 4 rebs and a block against his former 'mates from the D. Darko is also shooting 68%. He's doing this in only 26 minutes a game too.
Yeah, it isn't phenomenal, but it is much better than what he has done in the past. On top of that he still gets under 30 minutes. A lot of people fail to realize that the reason Bosh, LeBron, Melo, Wade, etc. are putting up great numbers and are becomming stars, is because...THEY ACTUALLY PLAY!
Darko only plays about 28 minutes per game, compare to about 39 minutes AT LEAST, for the rest of them guys. Remember, Darko is still only 21 too.
Darko is learning and growing, I think he has found a pretty nice place in Orlando to do so, and in a couple of years, the kid is going to be a great player. Yes, I said a great player.
Take his regular season averages of...
8 points
6 rebounds
2 blocks
1 assists
23 minutes
Let's say he was getting 38 minutes a night, hell, most stars his age play at least 40 minutes.
If he was playing those type of minutes, Darko would easily be putting up
15 points
10 rebounds
3.5 blocks
2 assists.
I would take that on my team any day. With those numbers, he'd probably be a top 3-4 center in the league as well.
So yeah, so many people gave up on the kid, but I think you did it way too early.
Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images) (Photo by Doug Benc/Getty Images)
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Kobe. Kobe. KOBE!!!!
Don't forget a key reason was not only Kobe, but a huge double-double from Lamar Odom and Kwame Brown chipping in with 19 points. Yes folks, Kwame Brown had 19 points! If the Lakers can get this kind of production and slow Phoenix's scoring down as they did tonight, then we are in for a series.
Copyright 2007 NBAE (Photo by Andrew D. Bernstein/NBAE via Getty Images)
Monta Ellis wins Most Improved.
Ellis dropped nearly 17 a game for the Warriors this season and helped propel them into their first playoff run in 13 years.
Good to see some Golden State Warriors get recognition. Ellis had a great season, and hopefully him and his teammates will keep their cool in game three to give Dallas a legitimate challenge.
(AP Photo/Ed Betz)
Wednesday, April 25, 2007
Larry Brown to Memphis??
It is being reported that Larry Brown recieved permission to interview with the Memphis Grizzlies, the interview was set to be Wednesday according to the AP. So who knows if it has happened yet?
I guess you can say goodbye to Chucky Atkins.
Would Pau want to stick around if they brought in Larry Brown?
Larry could do good things for the Grizzlies, but I guess he would have to be willing to play a rookie, huh?
Larry Brown and a lottery pick...
.....here we go again!!
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