The Coach sealed his fate when he went with 'team last guy' --- Iverson instead of 'team first guy' --- Richard Hamilton.
He was able to keep Iverson interested in playing the games for awhile (everyone knows he ain't interested in 'practice?')until the losing started and the shots were being counted.
Everyone gives Iverson a pass by citing his tough defense which basically involves alot of gambling for steals and his toughness which is more of a physical toughness than a mental toughness.
Hamilton is solid, reliable and good in the locker room. The sad thing is that in the next day or two Iverson will get picked up, probably Charlotte, displace a young PG and be playing again and Hamilton will probably be traded with a new staff coming to Detroit.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Monday, June 29, 2009
Turkgolu
Big mistake by the Magic letting him slip away. He was the key to what they were doing. He is a great passer and great in the Pick and Roll game. Howard and Lewis were good but Hedo is the glue to the whole thing.
Notice the Magic replace Turkgolu with Vince Carter the antithesis of a 'glue guy'. The Magic just went from a team who should have won the NBA finals to a team with chemistry and shot selection problems.
If Turkgolu ends up with LA or Boston or Cleveland or San Antonio, look out!
Notice the Magic replace Turkgolu with Vince Carter the antithesis of a 'glue guy'. The Magic just went from a team who should have won the NBA finals to a team with chemistry and shot selection problems.
If Turkgolu ends up with LA or Boston or Cleveland or San Antonio, look out!
Sunday, June 28, 2009
NBA Draft Predictions
Biggest Busts --- Blake Griffin (can't shoot) and Ricky Rubio (too weak, not that good a defender or the passer everyone makes him out to be)
Biggest Surprises --- Harden and DeJaun Blair, maybe Eric Maynor (they are men and they have polished old school games)
Biggest Surprises --- Harden and DeJaun Blair, maybe Eric Maynor (they are men and they have polished old school games)
Ricky Rubio
Threatens Minnesota with the idea that he'd rather stay in Spain than come live in Minnesota. Not a totally irrational way of thinking.
However, if Minnesota trades him to the NY Knicks, Lil' Ricky will be swimming to America across the Atlantic.
However, if Minnesota trades him to the NY Knicks, Lil' Ricky will be swimming to America across the Atlantic.
USA Soccer
Lost 3-2 to Brazil so I guess that's something but do we, as a nation of sports fans, need hoops or football to start up again.
Give us high school, college, or pro BB/FB but please stop with the soccer and track and tennis.
There is a reason Americans don't watch soccer and if you can't figure it out by watching the actual soccer match itself, you'll never really get it.
I was going to post that another celeb died, Billy Mays, the TV pitchman. But then I realized that I was posting about death again instead of sports, then I watched soccer and thought I was watching death so it's all good.
Give us high school, college, or pro BB/FB but please stop with the soccer and track and tennis.
There is a reason Americans don't watch soccer and if you can't figure it out by watching the actual soccer match itself, you'll never really get it.
I was going to post that another celeb died, Billy Mays, the TV pitchman. But then I realized that I was posting about death again instead of sports, then I watched soccer and thought I was watching death so it's all good.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Just for the Sake of FT Fun!
Who has worked on and shot more Free Throws this offseason, Shaq or Dwight Howard.
Shaq with his elbow way out and the ball too much in his fingertips chuck?
Or Dwight Howard with his pull the string, incomplete follow through clanger?
I'll say D Howard because he still seems like he cares.
Shaq with his elbow way out and the ball too much in his fingertips chuck?
Or Dwight Howard with his pull the string, incomplete follow through clanger?
I'll say D Howard because he still seems like he cares.
Celtics/Pistons Possible Trade
Allen and Rondo for Hamilton/Prince/Stuckey, didn't go off today as a possible trade.
What is baffling is that the Pistons were the ones who turned it down? Shocking.
What is baffling is that the Pistons were the ones who turned it down? Shocking.
Speaking of Steriods...
Tonight on ESPN, they will be breaking in to the College World Series to show Manny Ramirez's At Bats in Minor League Ball.
Does any one see the hypocrisy of this? Pro Baseball malcontent, team destroyer who used steroids, got a 50 game suspension and ESPN who is the voice of sports in America is going to break into an amateur game of college kids to show him?
Maybe at the Mayweather Jr. vs. Roy Jones boxing match in July someone can break in with news of Mike Tyson domestically abusing someone.
Does any one see the hypocrisy of this? Pro Baseball malcontent, team destroyer who used steroids, got a 50 game suspension and ESPN who is the voice of sports in America is going to break into an amateur game of college kids to show him?
Maybe at the Mayweather Jr. vs. Roy Jones boxing match in July someone can break in with news of Mike Tyson domestically abusing someone.
Zen Jackson --- Home Bo(d)y
Phil Jackson announces today he might only coach home games next year...HA
Last sports guy to do this was the infamous Roger Clemens who said he was only going to pitch home games in his hometown of Texas....then he began to use steroids!
Jackson might be on the coaching juice! No wonder he's successful!
Last sports guy to do this was the infamous Roger Clemens who said he was only going to pitch home games in his hometown of Texas....then he began to use steroids!
Jackson might be on the coaching juice! No wonder he's successful!
Saturday, June 20, 2009
All NBA --- the Entire Season
Guards - Kobe, Wade
Forwards - LeBron and Melo
Center - Howard
Only argument here is Howard because he was exposed for the fraud he is offensively in the Finals but who else could it be:
Shaq- only played well for a while
Duncan -slowed by injuries and his teams injuries
Garnett - not really a Center and didn't play
Yao - not a real defensive presence like Howard
Gasol - not really a Center even though he roamed the Low Post
Coach of the Year --- Vinnie Del Negro
Thought he did a good job with a team of misfits, wackos and jumping jacks.
Forwards - LeBron and Melo
Center - Howard
Only argument here is Howard because he was exposed for the fraud he is offensively in the Finals but who else could it be:
Shaq- only played well for a while
Duncan -slowed by injuries and his teams injuries
Garnett - not really a Center and didn't play
Yao - not a real defensive presence like Howard
Gasol - not really a Center even though he roamed the Low Post
Coach of the Year --- Vinnie Del Negro
Thought he did a good job with a team of misfits, wackos and jumping jacks.
Management
With the NBA playoffs now complete, one can see that pro sports is still about management. I've heard it said that High School sports is about players, College Sports is about the coaching but Pro Sports is about management.
Obviously, in all sports your teams need players and coaching but in the Pro Sports they all have players and pretty much good coaching but the PRO franchises that win and have continued to win have a plan, think Lakers and Celtics in hoops, Yankees and Dodgers in Baseball and maybe the Cowboys and Old 49ers/Redskins.
Redskins are a great example both ways with Gibbs/Beathard a wonderful team with vision with Snyder and cast of character coaches a train wreck.
Obviously, in all sports your teams need players and coaching but in the Pro Sports they all have players and pretty much good coaching but the PRO franchises that win and have continued to win have a plan, think Lakers and Celtics in hoops, Yankees and Dodgers in Baseball and maybe the Cowboys and Old 49ers/Redskins.
Redskins are a great example both ways with Gibbs/Beathard a wonderful team with vision with Snyder and cast of character coaches a train wreck.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Shaq the Road Pylon
The Cavs pursuit of Shaq is confusing.
Even though he had a better year with his comeback season with the Suns, everyone knows he really was just in the way. He ruined the driving angles that Nash usually takes advantage of. He got in the way of Leandro Barbosa and his running mates.
Shaq will be traded to the Cavs and LeBron will have one less side to drive on and Shaq's man will only be a step or two away. Shaq's shooting is a non-factor and LeBron's is up and down, getting a big guy who has to camp out under the basket does not help LeBron.
LeBron needs a Center like KG or Yao, get those guys instead.
Even though he had a better year with his comeback season with the Suns, everyone knows he really was just in the way. He ruined the driving angles that Nash usually takes advantage of. He got in the way of Leandro Barbosa and his running mates.
Shaq will be traded to the Cavs and LeBron will have one less side to drive on and Shaq's man will only be a step or two away. Shaq's shooting is a non-factor and LeBron's is up and down, getting a big guy who has to camp out under the basket does not help LeBron.
LeBron needs a Center like KG or Yao, get those guys instead.
McHale Let Go
Kevin McHale GM and lately Head Coach of the Timberwolves was let go today. Hard to believe that the Wolves were really good at one point when they had Flip Saunders with Sprewell, Cassell and Garnett and even a better Wally Szerbiak. McHale takes over and the bottom falls out. He was of no use as as GM and didn't make a dent with his coaching.
Let's hope the Saunders and Cassell staff helps the Wizards rejuventate themselves.
Let's hope the Saunders and Cassell staff helps the Wizards rejuventate themselves.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Lakers Win
Congrats to the Lakers organization for this year's NBA championship. As previously alluded to here, the Lakers won the series as well as the Magic losing it. Some might argue that the Magic should have been up 3-1 going into last night's game with a made Lee layup and a made Howard free throw.
But in the NBA a team will not win before their time and the Magic were not ready to win. Great comment last night that the Cavs and the Celtics should have been in the final games, so give the Magic credit for getting there.
Congrats to Kobe for #4 and Coach Jackson for #10.
But in the NBA a team will not win before their time and the Magic were not ready to win. Great comment last night that the Cavs and the Celtics should have been in the final games, so give the Magic credit for getting there.
Congrats to Kobe for #4 and Coach Jackson for #10.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Floyd Resigns, etc.
Tim Floyd of USC BB resigns under allegations he personally paid OJ Mayo one thousand dollars in cash.
The USC football program is embroiled in controversy over Reggie Bush's family getting monies and having their house paid for by a prominent booster.
Derrick Rose of Memphis has someone take the SAT for him and now has been found flashing gang signs in national photos.
Robert Dozier of Memphis has his SAT score go from 600 to 1200 which sounds the alarm for Georgia but not for Memphis.
Doesn't the NCAA know who is cheating? If they ask, sports fans can tell them. They don't need to investigate the entire country.
Start with SEC football and basketball, then move to PAC 10 fb and basketball. That should keep them busy for a decade or so and then they can move on to Penn State before the rest of the Big Ten.
The USC football program is embroiled in controversy over Reggie Bush's family getting monies and having their house paid for by a prominent booster.
Derrick Rose of Memphis has someone take the SAT for him and now has been found flashing gang signs in national photos.
Robert Dozier of Memphis has his SAT score go from 600 to 1200 which sounds the alarm for Georgia but not for Memphis.
Doesn't the NCAA know who is cheating? If they ask, sports fans can tell them. They don't need to investigate the entire country.
Start with SEC football and basketball, then move to PAC 10 fb and basketball. That should keep them busy for a decade or so and then they can move on to Penn State before the rest of the Big Ten.
Jackson and Buss
Another interesting article in the Wash Post about how in actuality Jeannie Buss was the reason that Phil Jackson came back to the Lakers. Phil and Jeannie have been an item ever since Phil took to sleeping with her.
Marriage is out for the coach because Jackson says he is 9-0 in NBA championship but 0-2 in the game of marriage.
Marriage is out for the coach because Jackson says he is 9-0 in NBA championship but 0-2 in the game of marriage.
O'Bannon / Bynum
Interesting article in the Wash Post about the rise and fall of Charles O'Bannon. Of how he went from being the MVP in the Natl Championship game with something like 35 pts and 17 rebs to playing only 2 years in the NBA before calling it quits.
He lasted about a year and half with the Nets who drafted him and half a season with the Mavs. Spent the next 10 years or so playing overseas and now is a car salesman in Nevada.
Combine that story with Phil Jackson saying he and Mitch Kupchack went round and round about drafting Andrew Bynum because he was only 17 and had played a combined total of about 20 high school games.
No matter what any one says the NBA draft and personnel issues are a crapshoot.
He lasted about a year and half with the Nets who drafted him and half a season with the Mavs. Spent the next 10 years or so playing overseas and now is a car salesman in Nevada.
Combine that story with Phil Jackson saying he and Mitch Kupchack went round and round about drafting Andrew Bynum because he was only 17 and had played a combined total of about 20 high school games.
No matter what any one says the NBA draft and personnel issues are a crapshoot.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Taking Van Gundy to Task
Not sure why the pundits are all over Stan. He's got his team in the NBA Finals and if Courtney Lee makes a layup off a well designed out of bounds play and the Magic make some FREE throws, his team would be up 3-1.
I think SVG has done a serviceable job. The whole 'Shaq rap' on SVG is that he is a panic guy and will cause his team to lose in the end because he will panic. But not seeing it. He's one of the main reasons why they are there along with Howards rebs and blocks, Lewis' shooting and Turkgolu's ability to come off ballscreens.
Jason Whitlock wrote today that SVG should be forced to resign. Why? Not buying that one. I really think SVG gets a bad rap because he's a fat, dumpy, ex Div III white guy who never made the League. Therefore, he shouldn't be screaming at guys.
I think it is funny, SVG is whining and begging and pleading during huddles and no one is listening, then camera goes down to Jackson who is talking about rhythm and getting in the flow and getting centered and you look at the players on his bench... and no one is listening either.
They've played 100 games and they are NBA guys.
I think SVG has done a serviceable job. The whole 'Shaq rap' on SVG is that he is a panic guy and will cause his team to lose in the end because he will panic. But not seeing it. He's one of the main reasons why they are there along with Howards rebs and blocks, Lewis' shooting and Turkgolu's ability to come off ballscreens.
Jason Whitlock wrote today that SVG should be forced to resign. Why? Not buying that one. I really think SVG gets a bad rap because he's a fat, dumpy, ex Div III white guy who never made the League. Therefore, he shouldn't be screaming at guys.
I think it is funny, SVG is whining and begging and pleading during huddles and no one is listening, then camera goes down to Jackson who is talking about rhythm and getting in the flow and getting centered and you look at the players on his bench... and no one is listening either.
They've played 100 games and they are NBA guys.
Better to Not Lose
Magic learned a magical lesson in Hoops last night. It's better to try to win than to try not to lose. They had the game in hand and were unsure of two things: 1) who their best players were, who they wanted on the floor at the end and 2) could they make a free throw, which of course they could not.
In the end the Lakers just tried to stick around and stick around hoping for something good to happen. Fisher's 3pter was the type of shot that he is paid to make. Here is where having Phil Jackson helps --- he knew he needed Fisher's experience during the playoffs and at the end. SVG doesn't even know he wants to play down the stretch of games. It doesn't help that his best player can't make a FT and shouldn't be in there.
In the end the Lakers just tried to stick around and stick around hoping for something good to happen. Fisher's 3pter was the type of shot that he is paid to make. Here is where having Phil Jackson helps --- he knew he needed Fisher's experience during the playoffs and at the end. SVG doesn't even know he wants to play down the stretch of games. It doesn't help that his best player can't make a FT and shouldn't be in there.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
Best White White Guy
We were having a discussion in the gym and one of our old friends stopped by and asked the coaches sitting around who was the best white NBA player not from a foreign country. Pretty hard game to play.
The consensus by the end of the day was Brad Miller with Kirk Hinrich in the mix and maybe a Kyle Korver.
Pretty sad.
The consensus by the end of the day was Brad Miller with Kirk Hinrich in the mix and maybe a Kyle Korver.
Pretty sad.
How Important Big Time College Part II
To extend last post let's look at final four losing teams:
Cavaliers
Williams - Alabama
West - St. Joes
James - no College, HS
Verejao - no College, Brazil
Ilgauskas - no College, Lithuania
Nuggets
Billups - Colorado
Jones - Duke
Anthony - Syracuse (1 year)
Martin - Cincinnati
Nene - Brazil
So interestingly in the Final Two playing for the NBA Championship there is only 1 major college player and there are 6 major college players off the losing teams.
Someone might want to do a study on whether having two many good big time college players might have cost the Cavs and Nuggets their series.
Cavaliers
Williams - Alabama
West - St. Joes
James - no College, HS
Verejao - no College, Brazil
Ilgauskas - no College, Lithuania
Nuggets
Billups - Colorado
Jones - Duke
Anthony - Syracuse (1 year)
Martin - Cincinnati
Nene - Brazil
So interestingly in the Final Two playing for the NBA Championship there is only 1 major college player and there are 6 major college players off the losing teams.
Someone might want to do a study on whether having two many good big time college players might have cost the Cavs and Nuggets their series.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
How Important Big Time College?
Fisher - Ark Little Rock
Arize - UCLA
Kobe - HS
Bynum - HS
Gasol -Europe
Alston - And1
Lee- West Kentucky
Turkgolu- Europe
Lewis -HS
Howard- HS
I say not important!
Arize - UCLA
Kobe - HS
Bynum - HS
Gasol -Europe
Alston - And1
Lee- West Kentucky
Turkgolu- Europe
Lewis -HS
Howard- HS
I say not important!
The Real Magic - Johnson
Brings nothing to the booth. He really is not very good and not very insightful.
He sort of sits there as the fourth wheel but i guess he's needed because any real fan of NBA basketball is going to be suspect of Jon Barry since he wasn't that good of a player.
Barry says something provocative and everyone goes "hey, I wonder what Magic thinks about that?". Then Magic gives some lame answer and everyone just sort of looks around and Stuart Scott says, "way to go champ" and Magic smiles. Ugh.
He should go sit next to Bill Russell in the stands.
He sort of sits there as the fourth wheel but i guess he's needed because any real fan of NBA basketball is going to be suspect of Jon Barry since he wasn't that good of a player.
Barry says something provocative and everyone goes "hey, I wonder what Magic thinks about that?". Then Magic gives some lame answer and everyone just sort of looks around and Stuart Scott says, "way to go champ" and Magic smiles. Ugh.
He should go sit next to Bill Russell in the stands.
Who Is?
Who is the white haired man who sits next to Jack Nicholson?
He's been there as long as Jack and with his shocking white hair, beard and rimmed sunglasses he is hard to miss. Also there seems to always been some young girl within close proximity to both of them.
I suspect 'shenanigans'.
He's been there as long as Jack and with his shocking white hair, beard and rimmed sunglasses he is hard to miss. Also there seems to always been some young girl within close proximity to both of them.
I suspect 'shenanigans'.
Kobe's Game Face
According to every paper and reporter as well as onlookers, Kobe has his 'mean' face on. Seems sort of silly when you think about it.
I wonder what Phil "Zen Master" Jackson thinks? Shouldn't he council him against this and make him practice stoicism and non-attachment to things and feelings?
Sort of ironic that the other Coach, SVG, is a maniac and his best player played half-asleep.
I wonder what Phil "Zen Master" Jackson thinks? Shouldn't he council him against this and make him practice stoicism and non-attachment to things and feelings?
Sort of ironic that the other Coach, SVG, is a maniac and his best player played half-asleep.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Lakers Game 1
Advantage to the Lakers for their focus and commitment to the game. Experience played a factor in that the Lakers seemed more sure of the moment and more engaged in the atmosphere. The Magic were groping to find their way. They seemed to force shots and settle for the jump shot.
Mike Brown could learn something from Phil Jackson as far as matchups. Make your matchup the other team's problem. Lewis and Turkgolu were destroyed inside by the Gasols and Bynums and Odoms.
Magic are going to have to adjust to things.
Mike Brown could learn something from Phil Jackson as far as matchups. Make your matchup the other team's problem. Lewis and Turkgolu were destroyed inside by the Gasols and Bynums and Odoms.
Magic are going to have to adjust to things.
To Shake or Not to Shake
In the NBA shaking hands after a game is not the protocol. Most of the time in the regular season the players just leave the court and head toward the tunnel with the coaches/players sometimes giving a cursory wave to the other team or fans --- and most times not even that.
Same thing in the playoffs until the final game of a best of seven series where for some reason the teams fake congratulate or commiserate with each other, chest thump/bump and gladhand their goodbyes.
LeBron has taken a beating on this one but my thinking is that it isn't that big of a deal. Having said that, he should of have shook hands and/or played the part, just because that is what the NBA does and what is expected.
One thing LBJ had been always good at is knowing that "people are watching". He gets that part of the equation which is one of the reason he is admired more than let's say a Carmelo Anthony or an Allen Iverson or a Gilbert Arenas.
Same thing in the playoffs until the final game of a best of seven series where for some reason the teams fake congratulate or commiserate with each other, chest thump/bump and gladhand their goodbyes.
LeBron has taken a beating on this one but my thinking is that it isn't that big of a deal. Having said that, he should of have shook hands and/or played the part, just because that is what the NBA does and what is expected.
One thing LBJ had been always good at is knowing that "people are watching". He gets that part of the equation which is one of the reason he is admired more than let's say a Carmelo Anthony or an Allen Iverson or a Gilbert Arenas.
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