Carl lit it up last night!
Starts singing “Back Home Again In Indiana”
Pistons pounded the Mavs in a nice little Super Bowl pregame last night. Hard to say anything about the Pistons since it’s more of the same. They’ve got the talent and even a better bench this year but we don’t know if Flip will bury the bench like usual or if the team will play stupid and shoot nothing but jumpers in some games. Hard to say until the playoffs. I would say it’s either them or Boston right now. The Magic and Cavs are interesting but they’re a step below the top two.
The West is pretty interesting but don’t underestimate the Spurs picking up Damon Stoudemire off wavers for next-to-nothing…he’s gonna help that bench a lot…it’s a typical savy Spurs move that no one notices until Stoudemire drops 25 off the bench in a playoff game. I love the lakers grabbing Pau Gasol and I’d say they’re contenders if Bynum wasn’t hurt and we still have no idea when this kid will be back. It’s a shame since he’s becoming one of my favorite young players to watch…he’s already one of the top centers and can easily dominate a game at times. If he gets back and is healthy, watch out. Gasol isn’t the best defender, but that team can pick-up his slack plus they’ll probably end up as the highest-scoring team so that’ll help.
Stevo
I just saw online where Shaq might get traded to the Suns in exchange for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks!?
WTF?!?!
Why would Phoenix do that???
^I’m with you, ghost…this is a HORRENDOUS deal for the Suns on multiple levels…
-For one, Shaq himself is a shell of himself. In the last few years, his offense has dropped off but his defense was still very good if only because of his size…but not this year…now, even his defense is good. They obviously got Shaq as a defensive stopper off the bench, but he wasn’t even doing that in Miami!! He couldn’t stop anybody! And that doesn’t even count his age and his constant injuries and such. He’ll likely be off the bench at Phoenix and that will help to give him more rest, but it isn’t worth it considering what they gave up.
-For two, Phoenix has been consistently obsessive about not going over the cap. They’ve been selling off draft pick after draft pick for cash simply because they couldn’t afford anymore players. They wouldn’t even get into the Garnett and Gasol sweepstakes because of the money issue. Now they pick up one of the worst contracts in the NBA? You’ve got a 20-million-a-year BENCH guy? Doesn’t this destroy everything they were trying to do? It’s going to be incredibly difficult to get that contract off the books without buying him out.
-For three, how’s he going to play in that up-tempo offense anyway?? They’re going to have to slow down the tempo when he’s in there so he can catch up and it’ll reduce the number of possesions that they get! A big reason they score a lot is because they’re among the top for most possessions in the NBA! They’re going to have to slow it down every time Shaq’s in there. And have you seen this team when it DOES slow down the offense?..I’ve seen good defenses like the Pistons and Spurs do well at slowing them down and it often results in a blowout loss. Not good. This team NEEDS to score since it can’t play defense and Shaq’s added defense is going to be offset by the reduced possessions and less points.
-Here’s the worst…they likely got Shaq for defense, but they TRADED THEIR BEST DEFENSIVE PLAYER!!! Seriously, Nash, Stoudemire, Barbosa…these guys don’t play D! Marion’s always been their best defender and now he’s gone. They just gave up a tough defender in his prime for declining defender off the bench!! Not to mention that Marion still was often good for 15-20 a game and is a great inside player who is hard to defend…meanwhile Shaq’s offensive numbers are horrendous lately. Once again, their biggest strength in scoring will suffer.
As for the Heat, I think it’s a good move. They know that this year is done with so they dumped off Shaq and freed up a lot of money. They’ll be able to pay Marion and they’ll have some left over to look for free agents and such next year. With Wade and Marion there, I’m sure they could lure some folks to play with them. Nice move.
While I agree that the Suns should not have stayed put since they weren’t going anywhere, but this was a horrible idea. And I know that Marion was probably unhappy but if they had dumped off Amare for Garnett or Camby or some other good center, he would have been happier. I think this was a reaction move to respond to what the Lakers and Spurs did with their moves…and it was a panic move.
However, the ONE redeeming factor is that we may have a Suns/Lakers series in the playoffs and seeing how Shaq reacts in that series could be priceless. That could be the ONE thing that gets Shaq to play as hard as he could to win a series…he did it in 2005 to beat the Pistons where he went all out to where he was worn out in the Finals and needed Wade to carry the load. Of course, after that series, Shaq would have nothing left, but you never know.
The funny thing…I’ve always thought there was an EERIE parallel between Matt Millen and Steve Kerr. They’re two guys who won titles in their career and who were great TV analysts who everybody liked. Then, with no experience whatsoever, they’re suddenly the GM of a franchise. We know about Millen’s record so I wondered how Kerr would do since the move was similar. So far he’s 0-1. Not a good start, Steve.
(By the way, way to blow it on getting Gasol, Chicago Bulls. The Lakers just got him for nothing. Congrats) (sorry…couldn’t resist)
Stevo
^ You should definitely call up every sports team in every sport and let them know what’s up.
So much typing. So little worth!
I can just see the people he works with cringing when he starts in on one of his rants!
One thing I’ve overlooked is the ridiculously high draft pick the Heat will have next year. They’ll grab a stud in the draft. Pair him with Wade and Marion…hmmm…Beasley, Rose, or even Mayo. I like that Budinger kid from Arizona, too.
Naw…I’m much less-winded while talking.
Even better…I always type these things while at work so I’m getting paid to do it anyway. You think I’d waste that much time during my free time??? Heeeeelll no…
Stevo
Don’t count Phoenix out just yet. Yeah the move does look questionable on most fronts, but they are improving team chemistry.
Marion has wanted out of Phoenix before the season even started. Why is this even the case? Phoenix has the perfect offense for Marion and he has a pass first PG, which is hard to find in the NBA.
Shaq is obviously not what he was 5 years ago, but he is at least a body they can put in there at center. Amare can play the 4 and I don’t think the Suns are going to stop scoring anytime soon.
On the other hand Miami made a genius move. From their perspective what good is Shaq on a 9 win team. He is just eating up cap space and a table in the training room. Marion has a huge salary, but he can opt out in a year. Miami can restructure this deal and get even more unde the cap and get a great draft pick as ghost 2000 suggested.
Now will someone please take Jermaine O’neal. He is not a #1 and the Pacers need to just start over from scratch. I think I’d be happier if the Pacers were losing everynight as opposed to fighting for the 8th playoff spot in the East. This will get you nowhere except a sweep courtesy of Boston and a loss of a lottery pick.
The problem is who would take Jermaine O’Neal? He’s injured literally every frickin year and he has a ridiculous contract that pays him like a superstar when he’s not even close to one even when healthy. Not to mention he’s a classic headcase who wants to be paid like a guy who carries and leads his team but then doesn’t want to carry or lead his team. I wouldn’t touch him with a ten foot pole. (Of course, there are tons of retarded GMs out there).
But yeah…the Pacers should probably just buy him out and start tanking, though who has any faith that Bird will turn things around. He around made the horrible error of firing Rick Carlisle who made the playoffs every year with a garbage roster year after year. If they REALLY want to turn things around then fire Larry Bird…he’s about as bad as his buddies McHale and Ainge…
Stevo
I really can’t remember the last Pacers draft pick that stepped in and made an immediate impact. It seems like the Pacers are always drafting in the middle-to-late first round, and can never get that real impact player.
In '05 they got Danny Granger, who is having a decent year this year. He’s a slasher that can play in the low blocks or hit the three.
In '02 I had hopes for Fred Jones, but he never panned out.
In the late-90s they got Croshere and Al Harrington. They awarded Croshere with a HUGE contract after his stellar play in the 2000 playoffs, but he didn’t do anything for them after that.
They haven’t had a top-10 pick since 1996 when they took E. Dampier, who was good in college but not as a pro.
Of course, there is no question who my favorite Pacers draft pick (and favorite NCAA/NBA player of all-time) is:
The guy could flat out shoot, yo.
He’s the only player in NBA history to be leading the league in 3-point % at the All-Star break and not be invited to the 3-point challenge.
Yeah the Pacers have a history of drafting poorly. I think Granger is the real deal if he would just stop pulling up from three everytime he gets the ball. He has size and doesn’t always utilize it. Back to the draft thing though I mean they took Smits at #1 and although I’m a huge Rik Smits fan it took him a long time to develop. He eventually was a key factor in those great Pacer teams of the mid 90s and the Finals team from 2000. Miller was a good pick in 87. Dale Davis I thought was a good pick, but after that it plummeted. I mean we took Scott fricking Hastings. This guy should have never even made the league. Kenny Williams, Travis Best (had a few good years), Shawne Williams (book is still out on him), etc… Now that I’m thinking I think we got Jeff Foster in the late first round. Who I will argue is a great player to have on your team. He knows his role, doesn’t try to shoot, just does his job: rebound.
On the O’neal thing. I read on ESPN rumor mill that Isiah still wants O’neal to come to New York. Isiah doesn’t think that Bird will deal with him though. A Marbury for O’neal deal is supposedly on the table, but trouble just finds Marbury wherever he goes. The one good thing though is that his contract expires after 2009 I believe. Jermaine O’neal also reported that the Pacers are talking to a number of other teams. I’m hoping they get something done.
Alright I’m rambling its just frustrating to watch the Pacers. I mean Indy has done a complete 180. Indy is now a football town. The Pacers are an afterthought and thats a shame. We can be both a basketball and football town. The Pacers plummeted at the wrong time because the Colts have taken all their spotlight. I’m still supporting, but we have the lowest attendance in the NBA. The Atlanta Hawks are drawing better than the Pacers. That’s pathetic.
The Suns new playbook:
Hey Will, your boy dropped 40 in the Magic Kingdom!
Hey b, your team dropped 30 games and it’s not even the all-star break!
Hey everybody, yer league is fixed!
and even if its not no one tries their hardest until the fourth quarter if they have to! Lame!
I know it’s hard to understand big-boy sports when you live in North Dakota, I do.
But, when you actually have real sports surrounding you, the NBA is one of the most entertaining in all the land.
So keep that chin up, pray to that higher power, and someday, you’ll get the jist of it, I promise.
The level of athleticism in the NBA is the best in the world, so if you use that as a factor in entertainment value, it’s hard to argue.
But if you like smart, sound, quality basketball, NCAA is where it’s at.
And saying the NBA is fixed is a pretty cynical, blanket statement.
Every sport has had it’s fair share of scandal.
haha where you live has something to do with your appreciation and knowledge of sports?
good point…