--Tyronn Lue might sign with Denver and back up starter Anthony Carter, according to the Sacramento Bee.

--Sam Cassell's agent says he will sign with the Celtics if he clears waivers.

--Smush Parker to be bought out today?

--Ira Newble to consider coming back to the Cavs?

--Robert Swift out for season

--Atlanta's GM wanted to fire Mike Woodson last week, but the team owner cockblocked him.

Wow!!!!

Steve Kerr is throwing out allegations that the Spurs and Sonics had a pre-arranged deal as part of the Kurt Thomas trade that would require the Sonics to waive Brent Barry so he could re-sign with the Spurs.

The Sam Presti connection to SA lends some credibility to that theory, IMO.

--Atlanta's GM wanted to fire Mike Woodson last week, but the team owner cockblocked him.
Is there an actual team owner? I thought it was still a clusterfuck ownership.

Suns lost to the Sixers at home. LOL

suns fans are probably kicking themselves in the balls

I would bet that if Flip were ever to be fired...that Mike Woodson would be a candidate to take over...


I've seen the Pistons/Hawks play 3 times over the last 2 years at the Palace, and every time, before the game starts the entire starting 5 loves on him before the game...

i dont know how the rest of you feel, but i'd say the nba is in a mini-renaissance.

you have 2 guys, kobe and thebron, playing the game about as well as you can. then you have 6 (or 7 if you count cleveland) really good teams that are must see games when they play each other.

the biggest gripe you hear about the nba is that no one cares. well, there is that. but as far as high quality games, there are a TON this year.

i think it really helps that boston and LA are elite again. all the nba needs is NY to get good again and the nba will be way back.

I was talking to someone earlier about how Kobe and LeBron, like Magic and Bird, may be reviving interest/excitement in the league again. Right now THE sports topic you talk about at work (or in my case online) is Kobe vs. LeBron.

Every game out West has playoff intensity this year...it is truly awesome to watch.

Nowitzki has gone off down the stretch here...with Kidd IN mind you.

Great play by Kidd to steal the ball away. Kobe would've probably knocked down the GW if he didn't.

OT is always fun.

yea, this conferrance race outwest is the best ive ever seen in basketball (baseball always has the best races, though).

IM going to overtime. yessir.

Every series out West in the 1st round this season could end up being a 7 gamer.

Nowitzki has gone OFF.

koME has 46 pts on 23 shots this game. mvp for sure. finally.

I remember wondering why the Bulls wanted Gasol so much. I knew he was a good player, but didn't think he was worth what the Bulls were going to give up for him.

Now I guess I can see why...

Well, if the Mavs lose it actually isn't because of Nowitzki this time.

koME has 46 pts on 23 shots this game. mvp for sure. finally.

Give it to Kobe, give it to LeBron, it's a win-win situation either way. The other is going to be motivated by losing to the other (since I don't think that they WON'T finish 1 and 2 in the race) and will do spectacular, awe inspiring things in the postseason.

Will be great TV.

at this point, i think you got to call the differnce between kobe and jordan are negligible. kobe is 29, jordan got his first ring when he was 28. neither were good enough to win alone, both were probably unfairly criticized for not making bad teammates better.

enjoy the kobe slurpfest for the next few years. now that he has quality teammates (and alot of them) the lakers are going to be ridiculous. another 3 rings is certainly a possibility.

how did the lakers get gasol, btw? i mean, they didnt give up anything, it appears.

not that good of a foul by gasol...

Essentially it was Kwame for Gasol.

Someone needs to look into that...

enjoy the kobe slurpfest for the next few years. now that he has quality teammates (and alot of them) the lakers are going to be ridiculous. another 3 rings is certainly a possibility.


I'm a KoME fan, so I guess I don't mind the "slurpfest". If it means that there will be one more team that overshadows the Pistons then I'm all for it.

Game ovah.

Breen: "The Lakers are now 14-2 in their last 14 games."

D'oh!

Kobe with a simply Wade-like performance at the freethrow line: 20/27 ft's.

The NBA is down the toilet in so many ways.

each and every ft legit. not even did it grind down the game. it was the mav's fault for keeping him in iso.

Van Gundy is a golden commentary god.

Even when he isn't trying to crack a joke he makes me laugh.

Oh yeah...didn't watch the first game (Bulls-Cavs), but I just watched the highlights.

Couple things:

LeBron is a fucking beast, but I think we all knew that. Seriously, what the hell? Every time you think the guy couldn't possibly dunk that ball he does it.

I laughed after watching Szczerbiak run down to the other end of the court excited, after he made that jumper to ice the game.

how did the lakers get gasol, btw? i mean, they didnt give up anything, it appears.


100% pure salary dump by the Grizz. The owner mandated they cut payroll and this was the result. The lakers gave up nothing of value.

thebron had 2 unbelievable dunks today. the first one he moved the backboard the way ive only seen shaq do. the other one was where he had the ball 13 feet in the air. that one was probably better cuz he posterized the shit out of someone (didnt catch who).

Deng I think.

I didn't even see that one coming when I saw the highlight.

If the Pistons even have to play the Cavs in the playoffs they better jump on them and keep their foot on their throat, because I wouldn't like it if it's a tight game late in the 4th.

Rockets arent tanking it yet... 15 in a row

Pistons are 4th in the power rankings after losing to Utah.

BTW, I liked the comments on the worst two:


So how do the Heat celebrate their first two-win week of the season? By blowing a 69-49 lead in Sacramento to become the first Pat Riley team -- ever -- to lose a game after leading by 20 or more at halftime.

The Grizz drop into the cellar after starting the new week 23½ games out of fourth place in the mighty Southwest Division . . . while getting roughly zero sympathy after what was seen as a Pau donation to the Lakers.

If the Pistons even have to play the Cavs in the playoffs they better jump on them and keep their foot on their throat, because I wouldn't like it if it's a tight game late in the 4th.


I agree. But in all likelyhood, we will not be playing them in the playoffs.

Threat avoided.

Well, we can hope for them to wear down Boston at least in the 2nd round even if they don't beat them.

The NBA plans to reinstate The Birdman.

Suns signed Giricek.

http://www.okchornetscentral.com/images/birdman_billboard.jpg
Birdman cometh.

What happened to that boy......

Earl Watson felt bad for Glenn's Spurs prediction so he helped him out last night.

How many times can this guy attempt to disassociate himself with his own team?


Riley says he might miss Heat games to scout college players
Associated Press
Updated: March 6, 2008, 2:51 PM ET

MIAMI -- With the Miami Heat almost certainly headed to the NBA lottery, Pat Riley wants to see who might be available for the taking.

Riley said Thursday that "there's a possibility" he will "miss one or two" upcoming Heat games because he wants to travel to the various NCAA conference tournaments and start seeing players who'll potentially be in this year's draft.

"I'll be flying in and out," Riley said. "But I think right now, I've got to do that. I need to do that."

He will not be stepping down as coach, and did not reveal who will lead the team if, in fact, he does miss games.

Major conferences begin tournament play next week.

Riley carries the dual role of Heat coach and president. He did not say which tournaments he plans to scout, although it's a certainty that he'll be paying considerable attention to the Big 12 -- since whomever winds up with the No. 1 overall pick will be widely expected to select Kansas State's Michael Beasley, assuming the highly touted freshman enters the draft.

Miami has dropped 29 of its past 32 games and has the worst record in the NBA at 11-47. As of now, the Heat would have the best chance of obtaining the No. 1 pick in the lottery.

"I think this is a pretty significant year," Riley said. "I see a lot of these guys on film. I want to see them in person once or twice. If I can do it without missing games, I'll do it."

Know what'd be hilarious? If The Heat didn't end up with the #1 pick (which would be used to draft Beasley probably).

#4 would be even better

The reaction on whoever it is that will be representing the Heat that night's face after not getting the #1 pick...heh.

He might faint and need a wheelchair...

I hope they send D-WADE, he's got the wheelchair experience, at least.

Now that would be hilarious. There's two picks left and D-WADE just sits back in his chair with a shit eating grin on his face.

"The #2 pick will go to...The Miami Heat!"

Wade falls backwards out of his chair and lays there in pain. ESPN cuts to a commercial as Dwyane is being wheeled off.

#4 would be even better
That would be great. Actually, Minny is only a game out of the worst record, and Memphis is 2.5 games out. Seattle is only 1 behind them. Even the Knicks are within 5.5 games. All Miami needs is two week period of decent play (like a 6-3 stretch) and they could screw themselves big time.

They have a lot of winnable games left:
Knicks x 2
Wiz x 2
Clips
Bobcats
Bucks x2
Pacers
Grizz

This must be quite a dilemma for the refs BTW. Do they call phantom fouls for
D-Wade or do they swallow the whistle and help them get the #1 pick?

What games are on TNT tonight? Too lazy to check.

How the Rockets keep winning games confuses me...

and the West is so fucking stacked. might as well get the western conference and boston,det,cle to form a new league. Dallas is ranked 7th and would be the 3rd seed if they came to the East. Denvers ranked 9th and would be a 4th seed if they got to the east.

btw the sixers are quietly blowing teams out. Theyre .5 game behind the 6th seed in the east.

I think once the Rockets lose a game, they'll drop like 5 in a row. They're playing on adrenaline right now.

Not worthy of a new thread, so here goes:

:mccosky:

Wallace update
If the playoffs started today, Rasheed Wallace would be playing -- there is no question about that. But since the playoffs are still 19 games away, Wallace and the Pistons are going to be very cautious of his sore left ankle. He stayed after practice Tuesday and did some combo shooting-conditioning drills with physical therapist Arnie Kander and he looked pretty solid. He was getting lift (as much as gets these days) and landing on both feet. He said he still has problems with the short bursts, which was clear when he tried to run some quick-start sprints. The Pistons will list him as a game-time decision for Wednesday, but my guess is they will let him rest one more game so he can be fresh for a go at Tim Duncan on Friday.

Prosecutor suspended after letting Martin off easy from speeding tickets

Associated Press
Updated: March 11, 2008, 3:33 PM ET

DENVER -- A Denver city prosecutor was suspended when Nuggets forward Kenyon Martin was allowed to keep his driver's license despite receiving two tickets for going over 100 mph on a city street and a freeway.

"At a minimum ... there's an appearance that [Martin] did receive preferential treatment," said Vince DiCroce, the top prosecutor at the Denver city attorney's office.

DiCroce said the prosecutor who handled the cases, Russell Stone, was suspended for three days without pay. Stone, who lost an appeal of the punishment, said he was not allowed to comment under city attorney's office rules.

Nuggets spokesman Eric Sebastian said neither Martin nor the team would comment.

Martin's plea deals, first reported in January by KMGH-TV, stemmed from tickets written in 2006 for going 101 mph in a 30 mph zone and 103 mph in a 55 mph zone.

In the first case, the initial plea agreement would have meant revocation of Martin's license. His attorneys then negotiated a new agreement, according to court documents and city officials.

In the second instance, Martin's case was transferred to Stone after another prosecutor offered a plea deal that would have led to a license revocation, according to the documents and officials.

Daniel Recht, an attorney in the firm representing Martin, says defense attorneys did nothing wrong. He told the Rocky Mountain News the firm defended Martin "ethically, competently and aggressively."

Lots of intriguing games tonight.

--Pistons/Sixers (possible first round matchup)

--Rockets/Hawks (streak on the line)

--Spurs at Hornets

--Knicks at Heat (will there be 100 people in the stands?)

I thought this was funny/sad.

Cleveland is currently the 4 seed in the East, and they have a negative point differential.

Cleveland has a negative point differential? So basically, when they win its close, when they lose its a blowout?

on one hand i hate snitch ass news people crying like bitches when someone gets better treatment than the working man as if this doesnt happen all the fucking time(see oj and robert blake). On the other i can't stand Kenyon Martin and anybody who lets him go easy is a douche.

Wow houston...

--The Clippers signed Smuch Parker.

--Scot Pollard had season-ending surgery on his ankle, and no one will notice.

--The Clippers signed Smush Parker.

--Scot Pollard had season-ending surgery on his beard, and no one will notice.
Fixed.

If he had it on the beard, people would notice, but if he's just not playing no one will care.

Bowen's suspension ends his streak.

Bowen has played and started 500 straight games, the most in the league. That honor will go to Andre Miller, who has 431 consecutive games played and 430 consecutive starts.
Funny thing is, Miller is hurt as well and may miss some time too.

Who's next on the list, Darko?

I think Tayshaun is up there pretty high, if memory serves.

ARMAGEDDON (http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/preview;_ylt=AtCc63AeyzNCGbwInxiKkzu8vLYF?gid=2008 031520)

Eddy Curry done for the year.

More time to eat.

and I was thinking the Jazz team was forreal, but they lose to the Nets away...dayum

Utah is 6-1 on the road against the top 7 teams in the east, and 1-7 against the bottom 8.

They've won in Detroit, Boston, Orlando, Washington, Philly and Toronto.

They've lost in New York, Miami, New Jersey, Atlanta, Indiana, Charlotte and Chicago.

Alonzo Mourning may still try to return next season, according to the Miami Herald ...

Gilbert Arenas may return Wednesday ...

Billy King to the Knicks?

So Utah plays to the level of their competition

So The Lakers won't have Gasol for the rest of their road trip and have been brought back down to Earth a bit (lost 2 in a row). I think The Rockets will squeak one out here.

I'm just happy I get to hear Jeff Van "The Man" Gundy and Breen. Fuck a Mark Jackson.

This has the makings of a low scoring game, like in the low to mid 80's or something.

Tracy-Kobe jumpball and Tracy didn't hurt his back. This team is lucky.

phil jackson's thrown is pretty funny. how mad would you be if you paid 100+ dollars just to stare at the back of his neck all game. im watching the couple behind him and they cant see shit.

then theres the assitant coaches that have to look up to him like a 5 yr old looks up to his dad.

very ammusing... to me.

JVG's comment about the Argentinia National Team having flop offs cracked me up.

Just turned this one on, Houston is kicking the crap out of them.

if this streak gets 5 games longer i'll put houston as the title favorite. i dont think theres a chance it gets there though.

They've got the Celtics, Suns, Warriors, and Hornets after this game I believe (not in that order I don't think).

Same here.

McGrady is playing well since Yao has been out and they have a bunch of 3 pont shooters, but I question their bench.

Some dude, last name Williams, who is on a 10 day contract has seen some time this game for them (and as of late).

r"stml"a is looking like one of the best pgs in the league right now.

i have a feeling kobe really wants to win this one. this 4th qtr should be real good.

shane battier= dpoy ?

Rafer Alston can shoot the rock.

Should get some MVP consideration for sure.

i see you've widdled down your mvp list to ~200 names.

i dont know how you do it.

I've got a Kobe, LeBron, Chris Paul, Jarvis Hayes, and Rafer Alston top 5.

I liked what Yushaw Yushawvinivich did when Rafer douced him at the end of the game. Showed the fighting spirit.

The Nuggets score 168 points en route to a 52-point victory over the Sonics. If anyone cared about them, this would be news.

Oobir, is that real news? Dear Christ!

That's gotta be like the 2nd or 3rd most all time.

I heard -MOLA- on WDFN this morning.

FYI.

What did he have to say?

That's gotta be like the 2nd or 3rd most all time.

4th time most all time, most since 1990.

Sage Steele (incorrectly, I believe) said that it was a franchise record. I believe they scored more than that though, when they played Detroit in the highest scoring game in history in the early 80's.

Maybe she meant highest non-overtime?

Didn't hear her say that. Maybe it is what she meant.

She's hot, so I'll give her the benefit of the doubt.

What did he have to say?

He talked about how he loved the Jarvis pickup.

Also about how he was excited to meet J-Max, but when J-Max found out it was -MOLA1-, J-Max was more excited to meet him.

Damn right! Max knows whats up. Probably brought a baby for MOLA to sign before he ate it.

Chris Paul with another ho-hum 37-point, 13 assist night.

It's a crime that so few people get to watch this guy play every night. It's like watching Isiah in his prime all over again. He's worth the price of league PASS all by himself.

is he better than juan dixon????!!!!

Sam Cassell was one hell of a pickup for Boston. He killed the Spurs tonight.

Sam Cassell was one hell of a pickup. He killed the Spurs tonight.
In other words cut dixon asap and go hunter/stuckey/affalo?

is he better than juan dixon????!!!!

Why are you comparing a SG to a PG to begin with...

Also not sure why you seem to think I'm a huge Dixon fan.

Why are you comparing a SG to a PG to begin with...
I was trying to help dixon out, as a shooting guard people accidentally step on him on their way to the basket. Even tony allen's eyes light up at getting a shot with him.

Why are you comparing a SG to a PG to begin with...

Also not sure why you seem to think I'm a huge Dixon fan.



I've wanted Dixon on the Pistons for years now.
Though i wasnt hinting at it being about you. stop being so selfish, its about Dixon. I really do think he's turning out worse than advertised. I guess it hasppens when the minutes you get arent earned. ~shrug~...But its honestly nothing against you this.

....so wanting him on the pistons means I think he's comparable to Chris Paul?

He just said it wasn't about you. Seriously, pay attention before you post.

He just said it wasn't about you. Seriously, pay attention before you post.


...and he posts quotes from me in the same post saying it wasn't about me.

Seriously, pay attention before you get involved.

I'm paying complete attention, no worries. He was just saying why he thinks you're a Dixon fan. He wasn't saying that this part of the thread was aimed towards you. Actually, I believe what he says completely contradicts that thought.


i wasnt hinting at it being about you. stop being so selfish, its about Dixon

Not trying to start an argument, just sticking up for V while he's not online to do so.

Kstat get that stinky funkbucket chip off your shoulder and read properly. I'm bashing Dixon because he sucks, comparing him to paul in complete sarcasm(which i figured even a 4 year old would catch on to), and pointing out that though you are a Dixon fan(which you tried to deny before i dug up your true feelings) it really wasnt a shot at you.

Really Kstat....
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f156/cooley4/25pu041.jpg

In other words cut dixon asap and go hunter/stuckey/affalo?

Cut Billups and go Dixon/Dixon/Dixon

houston rockets = america's team.

the ONLY thing i dont like about this rocket team is mutumbo not wagging his finger right in the dude's face. the wag to the crowd is rather lame.

He'd get a tech for waving it at a player.

Rafer Alston is always getting up in people's faces.

hes also the world's greatest

Za8WK9h1PnY&feature=related

Rafer Alston is always getting up in people's faces.


Rafer Alston is a piece of shit. I'd rather have Larry Hughes running the point on my team...

I watched half that video and saw him get swatted, stolen, and have countless screw ups.

Probably thread worthy, but Houston's streak was ended tonight by the Green Machine.

HYFQAo6NS-0

Boston is really good.

They're good, but this was hilarious


In the moments after Garnett threw down his exclamation point dunk (he added yet another, though not as emphatic, over Scola with 1:33 left), a timeout was called and Pierce ran onto the court and embraced his teammate Garnett with a half-headlock, half-hug as Eddie House slapped hands with Sam Cassell and shouted "We're the best!"

^Yikes.

Anybody know Boston's record vs. the West?

Last I knew, it was phenomenal.

They're 22-4. We're 19-8.

Now, if you're looking for an amazing record, Boston is 7-0 against the southwest division, albeit they haven't played new orleans yet.

The Bucks fired their GM (Larry Harris)

They had a GM? I just thought they employed a magic 8-ball.

No no no, that's what their GM employed.

I could beat the heat right now gawd damn.

It's should be obvious by now that the Heat sold their souls for that title, and they are now paying for it.

They'd be paying even more if Steve Kerr didn't bail their asses out of Snaq's contract.

That was about as lucky as they could get, getting out from under that Shaq contract for a guy like Marion.

The Bucks fired their GM (Larry Harris)


Bill Simmons is campaign-ing for that job...

(I didn't know how to properly conjugate the verb campaign and spell it correctly)

Grammar nazi says campaigning is correct

Good game between the Celtics and Mavs.

Pretty physical too. Guys have been hitting the floor pretty much all game.

Looks like Boston is going to go 3-0 in Texas. Up 4 with about 5.6 left.

Even with Kidd it seems like Dallas won't change and will be the team we've known them as, the team who will collapse down the stretch.

Dallas is a mess man.

MFFL!!! Like hell...

Jazz going to lose their first home game in forever? Lakers up big on them at half.

How is anyone else but Kobe even in the conversation for MVP this year.

How is anyone else but Kobe even in the conversation for MVP this year.
i dont know, maybe because chris paul didnt get gasol to help him turn his team around into a contender.

Nothing wrong with picking kobe, but he's not a for sure mvp imo.

The Heat's "Tankathon 2008" continues with Haslem being shut down for the year for some ankle/foot surgery.

I believe the Heat applied to the NBA to be allowed to sign a 16th player...

I wonder how many minutes they'll give to that 16h man, in order to "see what he can do" a.k.a. lose more games with an excuse.

i dont know, maybe because chris paul didnt get gasol to help him turn his team around into a contender.

Nothing wrong with picking kobe, but he's not a for sure mvp imo.

You're right, Chris Paul slipped my mind. He's certainly in the running.

Jerry West would be interested in running the Knicks if the job were offered to him, according to Newsday ...

Ira Newble to sign with the Lakers ...

Mickael Gelabale out for the remainder of the season (ACL) ...

i thought west left the lakers cuz it was too stressful.

maybe jerry could use another 50 million dollars.

Mickael Gelabale out for the remainder of the season (ACL) ...

Damn, we're past the trade deadline too in fantasy hoops. I am screwed.

You're right, Chris Paul slipped my mind. He's certainly in the running.
I hate to say it, but if the cavs keep winning, king james may find himself getting votes too.

I hate to say it, but if the cavs keep winning, king james may find himself getting votes too.


he's gonna get more votes than CP3

LeBron has had a nice season but Kobe and Chris Paul have taken their teams farther and done it against tougher competition out west.

Mavs suck, lolz.

My Spurs re-signed Brent Barry.

Tempers flare after Stack-Manu collide
The intensity of this rivalry boiled over late in the third – it seems to happen at some point every time these teams meet – when Jerry Stackhouse and Manu Ginobili locked horns and fell to the court in a heap.

They were each assessed fouls, but the Mavs were also hit with technicals on Stackhouse and then on Avery Johnson. The Spurs finished the quarter with a 23-4 run to take a 65-58 lead going into the fourth.

The sequence was vintage Ginobili in Stackhouse’s view.

“He flails and falls and does a whole of B.S. throughout the course of the game, and it’s always the second guy who gets called,” said Stackhouse, who was ejected late in the fourth. “I think that was what they saw. It’s nothing new with him.”

AMEN STACK!

Stack couldn't be more right. They really need to put in some rules to limit the flopping. I hate it so much. Something like an obvious flop gets a the other team a free throw and the ball, kind of like a tech.

Donnie Walsh Will Not Return to Pacers
The Indiana Pacers announced Monday that CEO and President Donnie Walsh is leaving the franchise at the end of this season and Larry Bird will continue to lead the basketball side of the franchise as President of Basketball Operations. In making the announcement, Pacers co-owner Herb Simon said, "I've enjoyed working with Donnie Walsh for 24 years and I've gained enormous respect for him as a basketball man and as a person. He ran this franchise with tremendous integrity and honesty and is regarded as one of the very best in the NBA. Larry could not have had a better mentor to prepare him for the work that needs to be done to restore this franchise to the elite level." 3/24/2008 3:42 PM

Caught the overtime part of the GSW Lakers game. If that's an indication of how the playoffs will be...it's worth watching foshizzle

donnie walsh to the knicks... the end of a great comedy of errors, which is sad. but its best for the league when the knicks are relevant, and walsh should get there. i wonder how west figured into this picture... my guess it was typical new york media.

anyway, the nba is more enjoyable when people actually talk about it, and this is a step toward that. (i actually hate the knicks, but theyre the team i love to hate.)

Pacers deny it but I agree it'd be good for the league.

How is Donnie Walsh the solution in NY?

I hope he keeps Zeke on as the coach.

He's a competent GM Glenn.

walsh did an amazing job with the pacers getting them from the rick smitts era to the jermaine oneal era. i wouldnt blame their current woes on him, i believe his role had diminished since bird came back, and ron artest is still culprit #1, anyway.

The pacers made the playoffs 18 out of 22 years on Walsh's watch. He's one of the most respected GMs in the NBA.

Yeah, you can't blame the current mess on him at all. He had a team that had a VERY good chance at making the finals the year of the malace at the palace, but when that happened everything collapsed. There was really no going back at that point, it wasn't a fixable situation.

Yeah, you can't blame the current mess on him at all. He had a team that had a VERY good chance at making the finals the year of the malace at the palace, but when that happened everything collapsed. There was really no going back at that point, it wasn't a fixable situation.
The Larry Bord era is a mess imo. Donnie walsh takes some blame in that era or doesnt get the credit for the success that passed through from the zeke to early bird era.

Either way I dont want him in detroit.

He's a competent GM Glenn.

Maybe 15 years ago.

http://wtfdetroit.com/forums/showthread.php?t=11924

Yeah, because not picking Tayshaun is the ultimate sign of incompetence.

The Pacers have been in the playoffs 16 of the last 20 years. Sure Artest blew up but that team was a Tayshaun block away from perhaps its second finals appearance under the guy (that was 4 seasons ago, not 15. It was the pre-Murray era so I understand you not remembering). His other finals team revolved around a one dimensional shooting guard. The year Artest blew up, the Pacers second squad was good enough to make it into the playoffs on effort and chemistry. The Knicks haven't been above .500 since 01, the Pacers have been below .500 4 times in 20 years.

While he might not have the balls to make the trade to put a team over the top, I'd say its proven he can put a team together.

Yeah, because not picking Tayshaun is the ultimate sign of incompetence.


How about deferring important decisions to Zeke?

Zeke has a terrible drafting record...

Here's my take on the Knicks adding a 60+ year old Donnie Walsh.

The Knicks needs someone that knows how to get an organization out of deep trouble. The trouble is clearly multifaceted, it's not only payroll/personnel, but it's the whole culture.

Indy is a franchise that Walsh leaves in terrible shape, and he had a big hand in that. While it's not even close to the same magnitude as the problems in NY, he had a lot less pressure, resources, and media scrutiny to be subjected to, and he still did a pretty good job of making that mess in Indy.

I don't see how Donnie Walsh is the energizing force that's going to come in, improve their payroll situation, hire the right staff, make the right draft choices and totally change the culture.

Does that person exist? Maybe, but you aren't going to get Bryan Colangelo out of Toronto or RC Buford out of San Antonio. What about John Hammond?

Don't give them the idea, Glenn. We don't want him to leave.

And Walsh may not fix everything, but he can at least make some improvements for whoever his successor is.

If Hammond is the guy that has kept Dumars from doing anything substantial to help this team since the championship, they can have him.

What gives you that impression, Fool? I've never heard anything about Hammond holding Joe back from any deals.

I don't have that impression. I'm just pointing out that the management team for the Pistons hasn't been trending downward since it sky-rocketted to fame in 04.

Despite the angst that I and others here often share about the Pistons and their finances, I'm sure that Hammond is an extremely attractive candidate for almost any GM opening (he's turned down several opportunities out west). I don't think you can underestimate the experience that a guy like him has with a first-class, winning organization. [/Langlois]

To me, that is the kind of guy that the Knicks need to get. Sam Presti (Seattle via Spurs) is another example of that kind of thinking.

Bringing in a relic from the "old NBA" is what they apparently have decided is a better plan.

Wasn't Zeke a fresh face in an NBA GM role?

The owner is a wack job with no clue what he's doing. A stablizing force who can say, "No sir, the character of a player does matter" is exactly what that team needs. For years the Pacers were a character team. If there's anyone who's been reminded that character matters, its the dude who watched his team and legacy blow up on risks like Artest, Jackson, and Tinsley.

We'll have to agree to disagree if you consider Zeke a "fresh face" as an executive.

Besides destroying the CBA, he shit the bed in Toronto and was asked to leave (he left some baggage there, too).

Maybe Walsh has learned from his mistakes in Indy, I guess we'll see.

So one executive NBA role = not a fresh face? The guys you offered has as many if not more.

Basically, you want them to pick off someone from a winning franchise. That's understandable, but not the only option.

Yes, bringing in someone that has documented, recent experience in a winning culture would be my suggestion.

They don't care about my suggestion, of course, and this will probably work out better for me in the long run anyways, so I'm good with it.

the pacer's power structure has always been murky. its not like some organizations where its clearly identifiable who is making decisions. but we do know walsh was there for a lot of success.

i personally think he is a fantastic hire for the knicks, who also might be closer than people think to being decent. i know i would rather have walsh be in charge heading into the draft than zeke. thats for sure.

I don't know man. Given the structure that roster is put together, I don't see how anybody could possibly walk into that situation and have success right away...

Regardless of who is the head coach or GM next year, it will be at least 2 or 3 years until the Knicks are even "playoff worthy" in the East...

They are in cap hell.

The funny thing is that all the young worthwhile players are the ones that will come off the books in the next two years. If they could somehow convince Curry, Q Rich, Crawford and James to opt out after next year they'd be ok. They'd just be saddled with Randolph and Jeffries. However, that's 36 million that will probably not opt out.

For that reason, I doubt they'll ever get in a situation like Orlando had (when Hill signed there) or the Bulls had for a while...where you can bring in a top of the line FA. They'll never have that cap space.

The only way they'll get good is to trade guys with bad contracts in their final year to teams that are desperate to cut salary. Like trading Malik Rose next year to a team for a decent player that has a 1-2 extra years on his deal. In the meantime you draft well and let the bad apples simply expire. It would take 2 years as you mentioned, but after year 2 you'd probably have 2 more lotto picks, a couple decent vets (for the expirings), and your other young complementary players (Chandler, Lee, Robinson, Balkman).

That's the only way I can ever see them being a legit contender again.

some of the guys they have on the roster might be moveable. they need to get rid of most of the ballhogs on their team. either curry or randolph, atthe least. add a few glue guys, and luck into drafting derrick rose. that team could compete for a playoff spot next year.

But how can you trade a ball hog with a bloated salary for a glue guy? Nobody wants their players unless they are filler with a lotto pick. That's a waste of time. They are going to have to just bench the non-team players or cut them.

they just need to get rid of them. dont know how. its doable. cant trade picks to do it though (or balkman or whats his face, the tall white dude). i might be hesitant to trade washington, too. other than that, i would move anyone and everyone for shorter deals and especially for chemistry.

the glue guys can probably be acquired via free agency.

Dallas is in a nose dive.

If they fire Avery, who thinks we should go after him? A hard-nosed coach who harps on his team to play defense. Hmmm.

If/when Avery leaves Dallas, I'd be shocked if Pop didn't step back and give him the Spurs gig.

Pop could go back to the front office.

Glenn, it took you 1 minute to crush my hope.

Glenn, it took you 1 minute to crush my hope.

That's what I do.

I'm the bringer of death.

Sasha Vujacic, quite possibly the league's best bench player of anyone who plays 20 minutes or less. He's a feisty defender, he shoots 40-plus from 3-point range, he can guard anyone and play three positions, he's a legitimate threat to get punched in the face during the playoffs and, if that's not enough, I'm almost positive that he's wearing some sort of hair net. We haven't had a so-much-fun-to-hate-him playoff villain like this guy in eons. He's like Bruce Bowen crossed with one of John Lithgow's henchman in "Cliffhanger."
Remember that time we were all debating whether it was worth trading for him? Would you rather have him or Juan Dixon sitting on our bench right now?

i think ol' billy boy might be slightly exagerating SV's game there.

Sasha's a selfish prick who wants to hit big 3 pointers, and at times he makes em, but he wants to be the hero.

Remember that time we were all debating whether it was worth trading for him? Would you rather have him or Juan Dixon sitting on our bench right now?
Neither. Booyourbitch isnt that great imo. He fits the Lakers Scheme with Kobe and Gasol though.

Sasha's a selfish prick who wants to hit big women..
Fixed.

Sasha's a selfish prick who wants to hit big 3 pointers, and at times he makes em, but he wants to be the hero.

He needs to try and listen to gusman.

There has not been one moment in my life where I have been impressed by Vujacic.

So the #1 pick Oden had sugery and whats he do, gets into a couple pick up games at the local gym. He was cleared for light drills, but prolly not a game on his own.

Blazers aren't happy.

So the #1 pick Oden had sugery and whats he do, gets into a couple pick up games at the local gym. He was cleared for light drills, but prolly not a game on his own.

Blazers aren't happy.
Agreed. Here's part of the story.



Oden reprimanded by Blazers for playing in off-site pickup game

Associated Press

Updated: March 28, 2008, 5:49 PM

PORTLAND, Ore. -- Injured center Greg Oden (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?statsId=4243) was reprimanded by the Portland Trail Blazers (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=por) for playing in a pickup game at a neighborhood gym.
"We called him and we told him he can't do that," coach Nate McMillan said Friday.

Oden, the top pick in last year's draft, is out for the season after microfracture surgery on his right knee. He said he played two games Wednesday night when he was at the fitness center with friends.
"I was going to play one, but I lost the first one," the 7-footer said.
McMillan called Oden's actions "pretty innocent," but the coach wanted Oden to know he must avoid risky situations.

"He's a 45 year old man," McMillan said. "He wants to be the same old man as when he came here. And he's not. He's got too much value."

Oden said he didn't dunk eight or 10 times, as was reported on an Internet forum. But he did get in a few -- and he didn't need to jump.

"It was a 9-foot goal, so it was pretty easy to dunk on," he said.

Oden seemed surprised at the attention the game received. About a dozen reporters and television crews showed up to talk to him after practice Friday.

"I don't think he thought he was doing anything wrong, and I'm sure he was trying to protect himself," McMillan said. "But he just can't do that."

Uppity old people

Brandon Roy is likely done for the season

"He's a 45 year old man," McMillan said. "He wants to be the same old man as when he came here. And he's not. He's got too much value."
HAHHAHA

JR Rider was arrested last night in LA driving a stolen car.

JR Rider was arrested last night in LA driving a stolen car.
Sounds like a typical Friday for Rider.

HAHHAHA

Denny's being kind. He's 47.

JR Rider was arrested last night in LA driving a stolen car.

More like JR Ghost Rider.

You know he was ghost ridin' that whip.

Rockets-Spurs at 1 on ABC. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ...

Jerm O'Neal back for the Pacers tonight.