The Grizzlies are expected to talk to former Denver Nuggets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe, among other candidates, about taking over the front office. Memphis Commercial Appeal
I have two words for Memphis fans who think Vandeweghe will return them to grace: Kenyon Martin.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Regardless of whether he retains his job as coach of the Sonics or if owner Clay Bennett decides to replace him, Bob Hill's life will go on.
"I'm not going to die," he said after Tuesday's practice. "I've got a wonderful family that loves me to death. I just had my first grandson yesterday. I've got a beautiful home in Texas. So I'm not going to die. If I'm not back, I'll feel bad because it's the first time I haven't been able to have success." Seattle Times
I guess he's not counting his 36-78 record as coach at Fordham, or his three straight 1st round exits as coach of the Pacers.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
"Yeah, we're going to play hard [against the Hornets] and hope for the best, but we're just going to have to shoot for next year. Can we still get into the playoffs? Yeah, we can. Realistically, will we? No." Los Angeles Times
That's Maggette illustrating perfectly what it's like to be a Clippers fan: painful, pathetic, un-ambitious, and scared of the Golden State Warriors.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Bryant said he hasn't given any thought to his MVP chances. Orange County Register
Fortunately I have. He has none. Kobe is a great player who deserves an MVP award about as much as I do. To even discuss his name in the same sentence as Dirk, Nash, Bronny or DWade is a joke. In fact, as far as the numbers go on paper, and the teams records, I'm not sure how you'd justify Kobe over 'Melo.
"Winning MVP would be nice, but it would mean much, much more if we had one of the top records in the league," Bryant said. "To win it now would be kind of like an empty award to me." Orange County Register
To us all, my friend. To us all.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Dolan also revealed that Thomas' sexual harassment trial is scheduled for September. New York Post
Wow I had almost forgotten about that particular noose around Zeke's neck. Make that reason 7,943 on the top 25,000 reasons why Isiah Thomas should be fired. Something else just occurred to me: could the Knicks be tanking to go after a high draft pick? I know what you're saying, "But Cap'n, the Bulls get the Knicks 1st round pick this year." Sure, I know that. And you know that. But are you really that confident that Isiah knows it? I'm honestly only like half kidding. I wouldn't be at all surprised to find out Isiah doesn't even realize he's given up maybe the most valuable draft pick since Bronny for Eddy Curry.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Clyde "The Glide" Drexler may have been voted one of the 50 Greatest Players in NBA History, but he was voted off the stage Tuesday as "Dancing With the Stars" fans eliminated Drexler and partner Elena Grinenko. And after Heather Mills' fall in Monday's competition, she fell to the bottom two in voting. Metromix.com
I guess now he'll only have a career of legendary basketballing, a city full of fans who'd die for him, millions of dollars and his debonair charm and good looks to keep him warm. Poor guy...
Showing posts with label Isiah Thomas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Isiah Thomas. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
James Dolan's Pooch Screwing Clinic: Open For Business
So you're a gazillionaire owner of one of the biggest market pro basketball franchises on the planet. Maybe the biggest. Who cares if your team has the worst roster of overpaid, underachieving layabouts. Or that your insane coach/president is literally throwing stacks of hundred dollar bills into an incinerator on guys like Steve Francis, Malik Rose, Jerome James and Jared Jeffries. Or that with two first round picks in last year's draft, he went after two 2nd rounders. What does it matter that instead of Renaldo Balkman and Mardy Collins, you could have had Balkman and Marcus Williams, Rajon Rondo or Dan Gibson? Who cares if your coach mortgaged your future on Eddy Curry, and now you don't have a first round pick in one of the deepest drafts in years...
Wait a second. That should all really piss you off. Sure the Knicks are still making gobs of money, but just imagine how much more they'd make if they could make the playoffs, or even be a contender. So with the team performing better than it had in years, with Curry, Marbury and the rest of these salary thieves not embarrassing themselves on the nightly, you take the carrot they've been chasing and stick it in their mouths. It can't be denied; announcing Zeke's extension with plenty of time left to go in the season sent the Knicks on a pathetic slide.
In fact, for all the bravado about an improved team, they're barely better than the humiliation factory they ran last season. Plus, as Adrian Wojnarowski recently pointed out, the extension really means nothing. If they play bad enough, Isiah will get fired whether he has 1 year to go on his contract, or a thousand. Even Isiah knows this. But it seemed like the threat of unemployment had lit a fire under the Knickersuckers to play for the job of the coach they love so. So why take away their only motivation?
They clearly love Isiah, and why not? For all the rampant failure and underachieving that goes on in New York, the maddest I've ever seen any Knicks (including Isiah) get about anything, is when they think another team is running up the score on them. Thomas doesn't hold them to account for their failures, so they don't hold themselves either. Now there's talk of bringing in Rashard Lewis. I hope for his sake he makes the right decision and passes. What the hell do they even really need to go after 'Shard for? The problem isn't a lack of talented players (at literally every position). The problem is the atmosphere of mediocrity.
Just listen to Dolan when asked about the possibility of bringing in Jerry West, one of the most brilliant and unstoppable men in NBA history, both on the court and in the front office:
"I wouldn't say to Isiah, 'Hey, Isiah, Jerry's coming in and you've got to take it,'" Dolan said. "No, I would never do that." (Ken Berger, NewsDay)
Good call, why put the needs of the team, city and fans ahead of your borderline creepy relationship with Isiah Thomas, the man who ruined the Raptors, ruined the Pacers and now has ruined the Knicks. Why do that, when you can run a clinic on how to kill a franchise. That, my friends, is what we call "screwing the pooch."
Wait a second. That should all really piss you off. Sure the Knicks are still making gobs of money, but just imagine how much more they'd make if they could make the playoffs, or even be a contender. So with the team performing better than it had in years, with Curry, Marbury and the rest of these salary thieves not embarrassing themselves on the nightly, you take the carrot they've been chasing and stick it in their mouths. It can't be denied; announcing Zeke's extension with plenty of time left to go in the season sent the Knicks on a pathetic slide.
In fact, for all the bravado about an improved team, they're barely better than the humiliation factory they ran last season. Plus, as Adrian Wojnarowski recently pointed out, the extension really means nothing. If they play bad enough, Isiah will get fired whether he has 1 year to go on his contract, or a thousand. Even Isiah knows this. But it seemed like the threat of unemployment had lit a fire under the Knickersuckers to play for the job of the coach they love so. So why take away their only motivation?
They clearly love Isiah, and why not? For all the rampant failure and underachieving that goes on in New York, the maddest I've ever seen any Knicks (including Isiah) get about anything, is when they think another team is running up the score on them. Thomas doesn't hold them to account for their failures, so they don't hold themselves either. Now there's talk of bringing in Rashard Lewis. I hope for his sake he makes the right decision and passes. What the hell do they even really need to go after 'Shard for? The problem isn't a lack of talented players (at literally every position). The problem is the atmosphere of mediocrity.
Just listen to Dolan when asked about the possibility of bringing in Jerry West, one of the most brilliant and unstoppable men in NBA history, both on the court and in the front office:
"I wouldn't say to Isiah, 'Hey, Isiah, Jerry's coming in and you've got to take it,'" Dolan said. "No, I would never do that." (Ken Berger, NewsDay)
Good call, why put the needs of the team, city and fans ahead of your borderline creepy relationship with Isiah Thomas, the man who ruined the Raptors, ruined the Pacers and now has ruined the Knicks. Why do that, when you can run a clinic on how to kill a franchise. That, my friends, is what we call "screwing the pooch."
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Oh Sweet Lord... Y'Know, Wait Just a Second...
It is unlikely that Francis will return next season. The Knicks reneged on a buyout agreement with Francis after Jamal Crawford suffered a season-ending ankle injury. A Cavs source said that the team was made aware of Francis' pending buyout and had internal discussions about acquiring him. New York Daily News
Initially I thought, "Oh great, the Cavs are gonna shell out for some overpaid bum." But then I thought about it. This might not be so bad. If the Knicks buy out Franchise's contract, he'll still bring home something in the region of 30 million over the next 2 seasons from New York. Which means he'll be inclined to accept a bargain basement vet's minimum to play with Bronny. What's more, I think it's safe to assume getting bought out and released by one of the sorrier teams in the league might be the motivation Francis needs to recapture that old fire. He's not that old, and when he wants to he has exhibited that he can still play.
I also think Francis would be motivated to sign a one year deal for the vet's minimum to raise his dollar to sign another fat contract with some poor sucker next year. If Stevie recaptures some of that spark, make no mistake, there'll be a line of chumps waiting to pay him like he's Sam Cassell. Problem is he's no Sam Cassell. But I'd have been happy to take him for the playoffs this year, and certainly for the whole campaign next year. Bottom line is Francis is a steal for under 2 million.
Hughes has been solid running the point for the Cavs, but we need a point guard. A real point guard. That may not be Francis, but for just over a million a year, that's a gamble I'm ready to take. He's never lit it up in the playoffs, in fact I'm not 100% sure he's ever even been to the playoffs, but he's still Steve Francis, one of the best opportunity creators in the league, one of the best rebounding guards, and one of the biggest egos. And that's actually something the Cavs could use a little of. We need some Franchise swagger.
Initially I thought, "Oh great, the Cavs are gonna shell out for some overpaid bum." But then I thought about it. This might not be so bad. If the Knicks buy out Franchise's contract, he'll still bring home something in the region of 30 million over the next 2 seasons from New York. Which means he'll be inclined to accept a bargain basement vet's minimum to play with Bronny. What's more, I think it's safe to assume getting bought out and released by one of the sorrier teams in the league might be the motivation Francis needs to recapture that old fire. He's not that old, and when he wants to he has exhibited that he can still play.
I also think Francis would be motivated to sign a one year deal for the vet's minimum to raise his dollar to sign another fat contract with some poor sucker next year. If Stevie recaptures some of that spark, make no mistake, there'll be a line of chumps waiting to pay him like he's Sam Cassell. Problem is he's no Sam Cassell. But I'd have been happy to take him for the playoffs this year, and certainly for the whole campaign next year. Bottom line is Francis is a steal for under 2 million.
Hughes has been solid running the point for the Cavs, but we need a point guard. A real point guard. That may not be Francis, but for just over a million a year, that's a gamble I'm ready to take. He's never lit it up in the playoffs, in fact I'm not 100% sure he's ever even been to the playoffs, but he's still Steve Francis, one of the best opportunity creators in the league, one of the best rebounding guards, and one of the biggest egos. And that's actually something the Cavs could use a little of. We need some Franchise swagger.
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Ugliness from All Over
Serbians show British soccer hooligans how it's done.
Girl showcases NBA's new plan to stop Bronny in the paint.
For those of you nutters who think college basketball is better than the pros.
For those of you out of touch oldies who think fighting is a new development, here's a couple classics involving no less than 6 current or soon-to-be hall of famers.
Rodney King getting worked by the friendly coppers from Double Dragon.
Here's why organized sports might not help your kid that much... it's called hazing.
And reason #959 on my list of the top 10,000 reasons why LaCrosse is for morons.
Girl showcases NBA's new plan to stop Bronny in the paint.
For those of you nutters who think college basketball is better than the pros.
For those of you out of touch oldies who think fighting is a new development, here's a couple classics involving no less than 6 current or soon-to-be hall of famers.
Rodney King getting worked by the friendly coppers from Double Dragon.
Here's why organized sports might not help your kid that much... it's called hazing.
And reason #959 on my list of the top 10,000 reasons why LaCrosse is for morons.
Wednesday, March 7, 2007
Open Letter to Rashard Lewis: Listen Close
Dear 'Shardy,
Don't sign with New York. It would just end badly for you. I know how hard it is to resist the apple's draw. But if you want to be the #1 or, at least, #2 guy on a squad, don't go to New York. The fans are great, the arena is great, and the team could become not so bad. The problem is with a guy called Zeke. He has proven this year that he did amass enough talent to win some games. And people have kind of eased off him, because the Knicks are suddenly a possibility to make the playoffs. But the fact remains that a team with Franchise, Starbury, Frye, Lee, Crawford, Curry, Jeffries and Robinson, should flat out run away with the Atlantic division. The reason they haven't is because every dude on the team, other than Curry, is constantly looking over their shoulder for Thomas' next hairbrained scheme. Lee and Frye should both be blossoming into studs this year, instead they're constantly replacing each other and having their confidence and rhythm undermined. Crawford may be the best player on the team, and has no cohesiveness with the players next to him. Starbury is underachieving because he's a baby, but he has a point about being annoyed that the team would go out and get Francis. Francis is Francis, and Curry is Curry. Get where I'm going with this? You would be the next non-fitting piece on a team loaded with talent that has no identity. Why not consider a better destination, maybe a place where you could take over as the #1 scoring option? I'm looking South and East.
Charlotte: Morrison has to be considered a disappointment. Wallace is a superstud, but need not be the go-to shooter. Felton needs to shoot way less, and Okafor appears to not want to shoot that much anyway. You could move right in as small forward, or power forward, and with your outside game (and the money they can throw at you) it would be a marriage made in heaven. Wallace looks to be passing on an extension anyway, and won't be there, which only makes this an even more attractive destination.
Orlando: Look, I love Hedo, Hill, Nelson, and Milicic, but this team needs a shooter. They've got no offensive identity and the front court of you, Howard and Milicic makes me literally drool. You could be a breakout 1st option scorer and I feel like you could also provide much needed leadership and camaraderie to fellow straight-from-high-school star, Dwight Howard. And between you and Howard, it's like daring the other team to double team one of you.
New Jersey: What's not to like about replacing Vinsanity in Jersey? You get one of the best pass first players ever dishing you the rock. You get to be the number 1 scoring option. And, by moving to the Atlantic division, you get to play for a team that, when healthy, is an almost lock to win the division. Factor in Krstic, Nachbar and Jefferson and that becomes a fearsome starting 5.
Progs: The universe being the cruel place it is, I bet you will be wooed by Thomas' tales of Xanadu in Madison Square. You start the first 5 games for the Knicks before Zeke benches you in favor of Jared Jeffries, to test his newest theory.
Yours on the hardwood,
Cap'nSwag
Don't sign with New York. It would just end badly for you. I know how hard it is to resist the apple's draw. But if you want to be the #1 or, at least, #2 guy on a squad, don't go to New York. The fans are great, the arena is great, and the team could become not so bad. The problem is with a guy called Zeke. He has proven this year that he did amass enough talent to win some games. And people have kind of eased off him, because the Knicks are suddenly a possibility to make the playoffs. But the fact remains that a team with Franchise, Starbury, Frye, Lee, Crawford, Curry, Jeffries and Robinson, should flat out run away with the Atlantic division. The reason they haven't is because every dude on the team, other than Curry, is constantly looking over their shoulder for Thomas' next hairbrained scheme. Lee and Frye should both be blossoming into studs this year, instead they're constantly replacing each other and having their confidence and rhythm undermined. Crawford may be the best player on the team, and has no cohesiveness with the players next to him. Starbury is underachieving because he's a baby, but he has a point about being annoyed that the team would go out and get Francis. Francis is Francis, and Curry is Curry. Get where I'm going with this? You would be the next non-fitting piece on a team loaded with talent that has no identity. Why not consider a better destination, maybe a place where you could take over as the #1 scoring option? I'm looking South and East.
Charlotte: Morrison has to be considered a disappointment. Wallace is a superstud, but need not be the go-to shooter. Felton needs to shoot way less, and Okafor appears to not want to shoot that much anyway. You could move right in as small forward, or power forward, and with your outside game (and the money they can throw at you) it would be a marriage made in heaven. Wallace looks to be passing on an extension anyway, and won't be there, which only makes this an even more attractive destination.
Orlando: Look, I love Hedo, Hill, Nelson, and Milicic, but this team needs a shooter. They've got no offensive identity and the front court of you, Howard and Milicic makes me literally drool. You could be a breakout 1st option scorer and I feel like you could also provide much needed leadership and camaraderie to fellow straight-from-high-school star, Dwight Howard. And between you and Howard, it's like daring the other team to double team one of you.
New Jersey: What's not to like about replacing Vinsanity in Jersey? You get one of the best pass first players ever dishing you the rock. You get to be the number 1 scoring option. And, by moving to the Atlantic division, you get to play for a team that, when healthy, is an almost lock to win the division. Factor in Krstic, Nachbar and Jefferson and that becomes a fearsome starting 5.
Progs: The universe being the cruel place it is, I bet you will be wooed by Thomas' tales of Xanadu in Madison Square. You start the first 5 games for the Knicks before Zeke benches you in favor of Jared Jeffries, to test his newest theory.
Yours on the hardwood,
Cap'nSwag
Monday, March 5, 2007
Stockton or Nash?
John Stockton '89-'90
78 games
37.4 min/game
17.2 PPG
.514 FG
.819 FT
2.60 rebs/game
14.5 assists/game
2.65 stls/game
3.49 TOs/game
Steve Nash '06-'07
Already missed more than 4 games
35.3 min/game
19.1 ppg
.533 FG
.882 FT
3.3 rebs/game
11.7 assists/game
2.3 treys/game
3.8 TOs/game
Those are both stellar lines, and very hard to pick one over the other. What would you rather have? Nash's %s and threes? Or Stock's extra dimes and steals? The thing that puts Stock well over the top in my book is that he put up numbers in that ballpark for 19 straight seasons(playing in all 82 games for 16 of those seasons). Nash on the other hand is enjoying a late-in-the-career renaissance. For my money? I'd take Johnny Stock (AKA the Pasty Gangsta) every time. And he played in the era of giants. I know, Bronny, Wade, 'Melo, Kobe, these are legends. But I'm talking giants. Stockton had to play against the likes of Jordan, Magic, Bird, Zeke, Drexler, and Barkley. Don't get it twisted, some day Bronny and Wade will be mentioned in the same breath as those guys. But not yet. Bottom line, Stockton was as good as Nash if not better and never won the MVP, let alone twice (maybe thrice?) in a row.
78 games
37.4 min/game
17.2 PPG
.514 FG
.819 FT
2.60 rebs/game
14.5 assists/game
2.65 stls/game
3.49 TOs/game
Steve Nash '06-'07
Already missed more than 4 games
35.3 min/game
19.1 ppg
.533 FG
.882 FT
3.3 rebs/game
11.7 assists/game
2.3 treys/game
3.8 TOs/game
Those are both stellar lines, and very hard to pick one over the other. What would you rather have? Nash's %s and threes? Or Stock's extra dimes and steals? The thing that puts Stock well over the top in my book is that he put up numbers in that ballpark for 19 straight seasons(playing in all 82 games for 16 of those seasons). Nash on the other hand is enjoying a late-in-the-career renaissance. For my money? I'd take Johnny Stock (AKA the Pasty Gangsta) every time. And he played in the era of giants. I know, Bronny, Wade, 'Melo, Kobe, these are legends. But I'm talking giants. Stockton had to play against the likes of Jordan, Magic, Bird, Zeke, Drexler, and Barkley. Don't get it twisted, some day Bronny and Wade will be mentioned in the same breath as those guys. But not yet. Bottom line, Stockton was as good as Nash if not better and never won the MVP, let alone twice (maybe thrice?) in a row.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
