Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesWanting to be sure he takes the early lead in the Butch Davis Stakes, Raleigh News Observer senior columnist Caulton Tudor is calling for the resignation of UNC head coach Butch Davis.According to Tudor, Butch Davis should resign as North Carolinafootball coach. If that Reebok Green Bay Packers #52 Clay Matthews Realtree camo Jersey
doesnhappenand soonthe school needs to dismiss Davis. In view of the revelations of the past several months, his removal from the job is the single most necessary step in the rehabilitation process for the school and the football program."Tudor, for whom we generally have great admiration, proceeds to site a clause in Davis contract in which Tudor believes ample violations have occurred. We say, good luck with that as 100 lawyers could argue the interpretation of each word 100 different ways. A tough out at best.Tudor also wonders if itreasonable to ask why Davis did not know more about Blakerelationship with [NFL agent] Wichard?On the surface, we suppose that makes sense. After all, Blake was Davis' head recruiter so it seems logical that Davis would want to know everything about him. That said, if Blake was doing something he wasnsupposed to be with Wichard, isnit natural to assume that Blake would go to great lengths to keep Davis from knowing about it?Does the email go like this: Hey, boss, Im bustin up some rules here with an NFL agent in California. Thought you should know. BTW, that kid from Tucumcari can flat fly, hea beast. Hey to the family.JBReally?Here inmy real worldhorse racingwe have what is known as the ultimate insurer rule. Simply put, this means that the owner of a racehorse is ultimately responsible for everything about the horse. In addition, the owner is ultimately responsible for everything the trainer or groom does as well. People, I might add, the owner has no direct control over.However, the owner is not responsible for what the jockey does on his horse during a race. That is a separate area of jurisdiction with its own set of rules.This makes perfect sense since the owner has no control over what the jockey does during the race.Point being: If the jockey Reebok Indianapolis Colts 18 Peyton Manning Realtree camo Jersey
(Blake) is going to cheat, try to cheat, or, at the bare minimum, do something questionable, the last person hegoing to tell is the presiding stewards (the NCAA) or the "ultimate insurer" (Davis).Ittoo soon to roll out the guillotine. Better to try and clean up your mess, then end up like USC where the offending coach and players have moved on to handsomely compensated new jobs while the universities they tainted gets penalized.The Suits In Kansas will bugger this up soon enough.For now, let em ride.To read Tudorcolumn, click here.
2011年1月24日星期一
24 Jan 11 Chris Werabe: Memphis Freshman Tiger on The Prowl Keeps Strong Defense
Sometimes being a freshman isn't easy.Even more so, sometimes being a high school football recruit isn't easy. Chris Werabe has shown he can quickly and easily overcome any challenge thrown his way.Werabe was a star defensive end/offensive tackle for Bishop Byrne High School (Memphis, Tennessee).Due toReebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
personal matters, Werabe passed up offers from Southern Mississippi, Ole Miss, Mississippi St. Cincinnati, Oregon St., and South Carolina so he could stay home, be close to his family and decided to join the Memphis Tigers football team.Werabe is a 6'1", 250-pound defensive end prepared to be switched to linebacker at any time while playing for Memphis.When asked to describe his best position, Werabe threw acurve-balland said "student-athlete: student first, athlete second.I'm here to not only play strong, physical and leadership football, but to get my education from a great founded school such as Memphis."Being a freshman isn't always easy but when asked what he's most excited about Werabe said, "I'mlooking forward to playing alongside Dontari Poe on the defensive line but if they switch me to linebacker, I'll be looking forward to play alongside Jamon Hughes."Although Memphis has dropped its first two games, Werabe keeps his head saying, "We've got a young team but we're all prepared to face the tough road of both losing and winning. Reebok Green Bay Packers #52 Clay Matthews Realtree camo Jersey
We pick each other up on this team from the seniors to freshmen, our chemistry is great and the play will follow."Withcomparisonsto Dwight Freeney and Osi Umenyiora, Werabe finds motivation."When people throw star NFL players in the same sentence as your name you have a lot to prove," Werabe said. "I know I have a lot to prove but actions speak louder then words, this much I know. So I'm here to prove my worth without saying a word."Not much to be said except how much you have to like a freshman who wants to lead.Werabe states his passion for football and desire to be the best is what makes him a leader."Off the field I just try to be the best leader that i can be, in and out the classroom, onandoff the field."While the Tigers began their season on a rough note, Werabe is a bright side.A bright side that looks like a semi-truck headed right at quarterbacks. Opponent beware, Werabe lets his game speak for itself and finding your quarterback on the ground tells a lot about a young man who hasprioritiesstraight and his talent level rising. To put Reebok Indianapolis Colts 18 Peyton Manning Realtree camo Jersey
a exclamation point on everything Werabe was then asked what exactly does he bring to the table, "plenty of food and by that I mean whatever the coaches want me to do I'll do it with a passion" he said.Whether it's the passion or his talent, Werabe is headed to the top and coaches better be hungry, because he has got more then enough food to bring to the table.
personal matters, Werabe passed up offers from Southern Mississippi, Ole Miss, Mississippi St. Cincinnati, Oregon St., and South Carolina so he could stay home, be close to his family and decided to join the Memphis Tigers football team.Werabe is a 6'1", 250-pound defensive end prepared to be switched to linebacker at any time while playing for Memphis.When asked to describe his best position, Werabe threw acurve-balland said "student-athlete: student first, athlete second.I'm here to not only play strong, physical and leadership football, but to get my education from a great founded school such as Memphis."Being a freshman isn't always easy but when asked what he's most excited about Werabe said, "I'mlooking forward to playing alongside Dontari Poe on the defensive line but if they switch me to linebacker, I'll be looking forward to play alongside Jamon Hughes."Although Memphis has dropped its first two games, Werabe keeps his head saying, "We've got a young team but we're all prepared to face the tough road of both losing and winning. Reebok Green Bay Packers #52 Clay Matthews Realtree camo Jersey
We pick each other up on this team from the seniors to freshmen, our chemistry is great and the play will follow."Withcomparisonsto Dwight Freeney and Osi Umenyiora, Werabe finds motivation."When people throw star NFL players in the same sentence as your name you have a lot to prove," Werabe said. "I know I have a lot to prove but actions speak louder then words, this much I know. So I'm here to prove my worth without saying a word."Not much to be said except how much you have to like a freshman who wants to lead.Werabe states his passion for football and desire to be the best is what makes him a leader."Off the field I just try to be the best leader that i can be, in and out the classroom, onandoff the field."While the Tigers began their season on a rough note, Werabe is a bright side.A bright side that looks like a semi-truck headed right at quarterbacks. Opponent beware, Werabe lets his game speak for itself and finding your quarterback on the ground tells a lot about a young man who hasprioritiesstraight and his talent level rising. To put Reebok Indianapolis Colts 18 Peyton Manning Realtree camo Jersey
a exclamation point on everything Werabe was then asked what exactly does he bring to the table, "plenty of food and by that I mean whatever the coaches want me to do I'll do it with a passion" he said.Whether it's the passion or his talent, Werabe is headed to the top and coaches better be hungry, because he has got more then enough food to bring to the table.
2011年1月22日星期六
22 Jan 11 Spartan Stunner: Michigan State's Fake Field Goal Is the Play of the Year
Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesIn the words of one of our favourite commentators, Jack Buck: "I don't believe what I just saw!" The reaction of the Michigan State fans, the stunned Irish band, the even more stunned Brian Kelly, and our reaction at 5 a.m. on Sunday morning local time (I write this from London, Reebok New York Jets #6 Mark Sanchez Realtree camo Jersey
England) was: "OH MY GOD!"Tomorrow, we'll find out that someone in our apartment block complained (oops!), but that was what college football signifies to all who love it. Drama. Michigan State-Notre Dame games have generally been the ones to watch over the years, but this was a little bit special. Now excuse me, I have to get my breath back. This article is also featured onView From North America
England) was: "OH MY GOD!"Tomorrow, we'll find out that someone in our apartment block complained (oops!), but that was what college football signifies to all who love it. Drama. Michigan State-Notre Dame games have generally been the ones to watch over the years, but this was a little bit special. Now excuse me, I have to get my breath back. This article is also featured onView From North America
2011年1月18日星期二
18 Jan 11 2010 College Football Predictions: Boise Beats Up on Oregon State
Geoff Burke/Getty ImagesIn a matchup of Top-25 teams, the No. 25 Oregon State Beavers visit the No. 3 Boise State Broncos Saturday.This is one of the final real tests for the Broncos this season, and one they will need to look impressive in winning to sway the polls in their favor.College football lines for this game show Buffalo Bills jersey
Boise State minus-16.5 over Oregon State if you are looking to wager on it. The Broncos have opened the season 2-0, winning a nail biter at Virginia Tech 33-30 and thumping Wyoming 51-6 on the road as well. It going to be a hostile atmosphere as Boise State breaks out the blue turf for the first time this season when Oregon State comes to town on Saturday at 8:00 EST.The Broncos have now won 16 straight games. Since 1999, the Broncos are 592 at home and 561 during regular season games. Boise State currently has a 44-game regular season home winning streak. Boise made plenty of mistakes in their opener against Virginia Tech, but were able to escape with a victory. They had a bye week to correct the mistakes, and put it to use against Wyoming last Saturday.The Broncos controlled the game from start to finish, taking a 17-0 lead in the first quarter and a 31-0 advantage early into the second. They had out-gained the Cowboys 280 to -2 at that point. Their 648 total yards was the fifth-best mark in franchise history, and the 135 points allowed was their fewest in almost three years.Oregon State has been tested early, which should help them against Boise State Saturday. They fought hard in a 21-30 loss at TCU in their opener, then had a big of a letdown against Louisville, but managed to escape, 35-28. That letdown was predictable, considering the game against the Cardinals was sandwiched between games against top-10 opponents. But theyll have to shore up their defensive woes if they are to hang with the Broncos.The Carolina Panthers jersey
Beavers have allowed 453 total yards in back-to-back games.The offense also had its share of troubles last week, converting on just two of 10 third-downs. But once again, the Rodgers brothers bailed out Oregon State as they have throughout their careers here. Heisman Trophy candidate Quizz Rodgers rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns. He accounted for 154 of the Beavers 319 yards of total offense against Louisville, and also caught five passes which included one for a touchdown. James Rodgers did most of his damage in the return game. He registered 204 return yards, which included a big 63-yard return in the second half. He also returned a punt for 28 yards which set-up the Beavers first touchdown.QB Ryan Katz is not making mistakes, which is helping this team mightily. Though heonly completing 47.1 percent of his passes, Katz has thrown four touchdowns without throwing an interception. Jaquizz Rodgers has rushed for 207 yards and three touchdown, while brother James has caught seven balls for 102 yards and a score to lead all receivers. JackFree PredictionBoise State minus-16.5The Broncos have been the best covering team in the nation over the past decade.It would be foolish to bet against them Saturday, especially since they need style points to reach their ultimate goal. Chicago Bears jersey
Oregon Statedefense has been non-existent, and they have a quarterback who cannot make the big play and hecompleting less than 50 percent of his passes. The Rodgers brothers can only do so much for this team. Boise State has too many weapons offensively, and their defense is underrated and stout against the run.Oregon State will be forced to try and air it out in this one, and Katz just cannot make enough plays to keep it close.Sign up for our college football picks to find out who is going to win this weekend, or take a look at the rest of our game previews to read more about the matchups.
Boise State minus-16.5 over Oregon State if you are looking to wager on it. The Broncos have opened the season 2-0, winning a nail biter at Virginia Tech 33-30 and thumping Wyoming 51-6 on the road as well. It going to be a hostile atmosphere as Boise State breaks out the blue turf for the first time this season when Oregon State comes to town on Saturday at 8:00 EST.The Broncos have now won 16 straight games. Since 1999, the Broncos are 592 at home and 561 during regular season games. Boise State currently has a 44-game regular season home winning streak. Boise made plenty of mistakes in their opener against Virginia Tech, but were able to escape with a victory. They had a bye week to correct the mistakes, and put it to use against Wyoming last Saturday.The Broncos controlled the game from start to finish, taking a 17-0 lead in the first quarter and a 31-0 advantage early into the second. They had out-gained the Cowboys 280 to -2 at that point. Their 648 total yards was the fifth-best mark in franchise history, and the 135 points allowed was their fewest in almost three years.Oregon State has been tested early, which should help them against Boise State Saturday. They fought hard in a 21-30 loss at TCU in their opener, then had a big of a letdown against Louisville, but managed to escape, 35-28. That letdown was predictable, considering the game against the Cardinals was sandwiched between games against top-10 opponents. But theyll have to shore up their defensive woes if they are to hang with the Broncos.The Carolina Panthers jersey
Beavers have allowed 453 total yards in back-to-back games.The offense also had its share of troubles last week, converting on just two of 10 third-downs. But once again, the Rodgers brothers bailed out Oregon State as they have throughout their careers here. Heisman Trophy candidate Quizz Rodgers rushed for 132 yards and two touchdowns. He accounted for 154 of the Beavers 319 yards of total offense against Louisville, and also caught five passes which included one for a touchdown. James Rodgers did most of his damage in the return game. He registered 204 return yards, which included a big 63-yard return in the second half. He also returned a punt for 28 yards which set-up the Beavers first touchdown.QB Ryan Katz is not making mistakes, which is helping this team mightily. Though heonly completing 47.1 percent of his passes, Katz has thrown four touchdowns without throwing an interception. Jaquizz Rodgers has rushed for 207 yards and three touchdown, while brother James has caught seven balls for 102 yards and a score to lead all receivers. JackFree PredictionBoise State minus-16.5The Broncos have been the best covering team in the nation over the past decade.It would be foolish to bet against them Saturday, especially since they need style points to reach their ultimate goal. Chicago Bears jersey
Oregon Statedefense has been non-existent, and they have a quarterback who cannot make the big play and hecompleting less than 50 percent of his passes. The Rodgers brothers can only do so much for this team. Boise State has too many weapons offensively, and their defense is underrated and stout against the run.Oregon State will be forced to try and air it out in this one, and Katz just cannot make enough plays to keep it close.Sign up for our college football picks to find out who is going to win this weekend, or take a look at the rest of our game previews to read more about the matchups.
2011年1月15日星期六
15 Jan 11 Detroit Lions NFC North Chicago Bears Minnesota Vikings Green Bay Packers Rod Marinelli
Today's NFL guarantees almost nothing, as parity pitched its tent long ago with no intention of leaving anytime soon. While becoming increasingly difficult each year to pinpoint wins and losses for any given team, the outlook for a Detroit Lions outfit this season allows for a sense of optimism when one takes a look at their division. Playing in the NFC North gives the Lions a fighting chance to cause a little disturbance within the division. The Minnesota Vikings, still reeling from a season that led to the dismissal of its head coach and quarterback, are wounded. Green Bay, who Reebok Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice Realtree camo Jersey
waited like a bride at the altar for Brett Favre, finally got their franchise quarterback to commit for at least another season. Chicago, with a history of success not sustained, is anxious to see if its team falls under the one-hit-wonder category, or whether the Bears are building towards something bigger.Each of these teams has question marks following them into their respective training camps. Assuming that the Lions fail to fall in line with those organizations, seeking answers would be rather foolish. But the suggestion that Rod Marinelli can make an immediate impact in a division so fragile would be a safe conclusion to reach. Further stated, this might possibly be the most win-able division in football, for the Lions themselves, or for the other three teams seeking the crown. Minnesota's hopes hinge on a quarterback who is as rusty as the Tin Man, and a running game that has struggled to garner up a lot of steam over the past three years. Injuries and inconsistent play have led to sketchy results from the backfield, but improvements were made when Chester Taylor signed on from Baltimore, and when fullback Tony Richardson was plucked from the Chiefs. If those two moves by themselves don't scream power football, nothing does. The Packers could be a nightmare this year, which makes one wonder why Favre chose Reebok Baltimore Ravens #52 Ray Lewis Realtree camo Jersey
to come back for another go 'round with this mess. With nobody to throw to, and a running duo than can't stay on the field, Favre's in for a long season which will probably be his last. Robert Ferguson and Donald Driver are adequate, but losing Javon Walker to the Broncos puts the spotlight on them, and their careers may be too advanced to handle that responsibility. Detroit's biggest hurdle for a chance at a division run is Chicago. The Bears are coming off a solid season where the offense did nothing, while the defense single-handedly put them into an NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Panthers. When Rex Grossman came back to the team late in the year, he played rather well, and allowed people to justify Lovie Smith's decision to bench Kyle Orton so deep into the season. The offensive unit, however, fell flat on their faces in the Carolina game, while the defense let Steve Smith do whatever he wanted up and down the field. The jury's still out on Grossman, given that he's only played in a handful of games over the course of his career. Getting Michael Bradley back will be a key addition for an offense that lacked a legitimate threat in the speed department. The second-year wideout embarrassed the Lions in Detroit last season, catching five balls for 88 yards before suffering a season-ending injury late in the first half of a 19-13 Bears win.A stronger running game could emerge as well, with Cedric Benson looking to take over more carries from Thomas Jones, who annoyed coaches by skipping a voluntary minicamp earlier in the offseason. And since he did miss some practice time, there's a chance that Jones' carries will be cut significantly this year.The Detroit Lions have as good a chance as anyone to take home the NFC North division. Each of their combatants have chips on their proverbial shoulders, with Reebok Chicago Bears #54 Brian Urlacher Realtree camo Jersey
something to prove to the rest of the football world. Whether or not Detroit has enough pieces to compete beyond a first-round playoff game is debatable, but getting to the postseason would be a step in the right direction for a team in desperate need of success.Like what you're reading?
waited like a bride at the altar for Brett Favre, finally got their franchise quarterback to commit for at least another season. Chicago, with a history of success not sustained, is anxious to see if its team falls under the one-hit-wonder category, or whether the Bears are building towards something bigger.Each of these teams has question marks following them into their respective training camps. Assuming that the Lions fail to fall in line with those organizations, seeking answers would be rather foolish. But the suggestion that Rod Marinelli can make an immediate impact in a division so fragile would be a safe conclusion to reach. Further stated, this might possibly be the most win-able division in football, for the Lions themselves, or for the other three teams seeking the crown. Minnesota's hopes hinge on a quarterback who is as rusty as the Tin Man, and a running game that has struggled to garner up a lot of steam over the past three years. Injuries and inconsistent play have led to sketchy results from the backfield, but improvements were made when Chester Taylor signed on from Baltimore, and when fullback Tony Richardson was plucked from the Chiefs. If those two moves by themselves don't scream power football, nothing does. The Packers could be a nightmare this year, which makes one wonder why Favre chose Reebok Baltimore Ravens #52 Ray Lewis Realtree camo Jersey
to come back for another go 'round with this mess. With nobody to throw to, and a running duo than can't stay on the field, Favre's in for a long season which will probably be his last. Robert Ferguson and Donald Driver are adequate, but losing Javon Walker to the Broncos puts the spotlight on them, and their careers may be too advanced to handle that responsibility. Detroit's biggest hurdle for a chance at a division run is Chicago. The Bears are coming off a solid season where the offense did nothing, while the defense single-handedly put them into an NFC Divisional Playoff Game against the Panthers. When Rex Grossman came back to the team late in the year, he played rather well, and allowed people to justify Lovie Smith's decision to bench Kyle Orton so deep into the season. The offensive unit, however, fell flat on their faces in the Carolina game, while the defense let Steve Smith do whatever he wanted up and down the field. The jury's still out on Grossman, given that he's only played in a handful of games over the course of his career. Getting Michael Bradley back will be a key addition for an offense that lacked a legitimate threat in the speed department. The second-year wideout embarrassed the Lions in Detroit last season, catching five balls for 88 yards before suffering a season-ending injury late in the first half of a 19-13 Bears win.A stronger running game could emerge as well, with Cedric Benson looking to take over more carries from Thomas Jones, who annoyed coaches by skipping a voluntary minicamp earlier in the offseason. And since he did miss some practice time, there's a chance that Jones' carries will be cut significantly this year.The Detroit Lions have as good a chance as anyone to take home the NFC North division. Each of their combatants have chips on their proverbial shoulders, with Reebok Chicago Bears #54 Brian Urlacher Realtree camo Jersey
something to prove to the rest of the football world. Whether or not Detroit has enough pieces to compete beyond a first-round playoff game is debatable, but getting to the postseason would be a step in the right direction for a team in desperate need of success.Like what you're reading?
2011年1月13日星期四
14 Jan 11 St. Louis Rams sign Tight End Roland Williams March 11 2005
ST. LOUIS, Missouri - The St. Louis Rams signed free agent tight end Roland Williams to a 1 year contract. Williams spent his first 3 seasons with the Rams and was a member of their 1999 Super Bowl-winning team. He played in 46 games with the Rams, catching 51 passes for 472 yards with 10 TDs. Williams played the 2001, 2002 and 2004 seasons with the Raiders. He saw action in 1 contest for the Buccaneers in 2003.In 91 career games, Williams has 111 receptions for 983 yards and 13 TDs. He has not caught a pass the last 2 years. ST. LOUIS, Missouri - The St. New England Patriots jersey
Louis Rams have made another move to shore up their linebacking corps. The Rams remained active on the free agent front, signing veteran LB Chris Claiborne to a 3 year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Claiborne - who was drafted 9th overall in 1999 out of Southern California (USC) - spent the last 2 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings after 4 somewhat disappointing years for the Detroit Lions. The 6' 3", 255 lbs. started 12 games in 2004 and made 82 tackles, his lowest career total. He added 1 sack and returned an interception for a TD in a 31-17 win at Green Bay on December 24. The 26 year-old Claiborne - he won the Butkus Award in college as the nation's best linebacker - has played in 87 career games, totalling 720 tackles, 14.5 sacks and 8 interceptions. ST. LOUIS, Missouri - Just a day after being released by the Dallas Cowboys, Dexter Coakley has found a new home. The St. Louis Rams signed the 3-time Pro Bowl linebacker to a 5-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal is reportedly worth $14.5 million, including a $3 million signing bonus. Coakley, 32, spent his first 8 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and ranked 4th in franchise history with 1,046 tackles, but was waived for salary cap purposes. The Rams immediately pounced on Coakley and will likely start him at weakside LB. The team expects to lose outside LB Tommy Polley, who is an unrestricted free agent. Coakley's streak of seven straight seasons with at least 100 tackles was broken in 2004 when he finished with 91, including 60 solo, along New Orleans Saints jersey
with 6 quarterback pressures and 5 passes defensed. A 3rd-round draft pick out of Appalachian State in 1997, Coakley earned Pro Bowl berths in 1999, 2001 and 2003. The St. Louis Rams have convinced Marshall Faulk to take a pay cut by restructuring his contract February 28 2005
内容: ST. LOUIS, Missouri - Marshall Faulk, now resigned to a backup role with the Rams, has agreed to a pay cut in a restructured contract that will essentially guarantee he'll end his career in St. Louis. Faulk, an 11-year veteran who turned 32 Saturday, just finished the third year of a seven-year contract. He would have made $6 million in salary and workout bonuses in 2005. Under the new four-year deal, Faulk gets a $2 million signing bonus this year, and will earn $2 million in both 2005 and 2006, said his agent, Rocky Arceneaux. Arceneaux said the salary would average $3 million per year over the four years of the deal. Earlier this month, coach Mike Martz said that rookie Steven Jackson would be the starter next season. Jackson was the team's first-round pick last year. Faulk played his first five seasons in Indianapolis before coming to St. Louis in 1999, helping the Rams win their first Super Bowl that year and winning the NFL MVP the following season. He is the only player in history with 2,000 combined rushing and receiving yards in four straight seasons, 1998-2001. He won offensive player of the year awards following the 1999, 2000 and 2001 seasons and also helped the Rams reach the Super Bowl in the 2001 season. However, injuries and age have slowed him in recent seasons. Sharing time with Jackson last year, Faulk rushed for 774 yards, an average of four yards per carry, and caught 50 passes for 310 yards. The new agreement saves about $1.5 million in salary cap space, which could be important as the Rams try to fill holes to shore up a New York Giants jersey
defense that struggled most of last season, especially against the run. Last season, Pittsburgh veteran running back Jerome Bettis moved to a backup role after the Steelers signed Duce Staley, and Bettis seemed invigorated, rushing for 100 yards in seven of eight starts after Staley was injured.
Louis Rams have made another move to shore up their linebacking corps. The Rams remained active on the free agent front, signing veteran LB Chris Claiborne to a 3 year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed. Claiborne - who was drafted 9th overall in 1999 out of Southern California (USC) - spent the last 2 seasons with the Minnesota Vikings after 4 somewhat disappointing years for the Detroit Lions. The 6' 3", 255 lbs. started 12 games in 2004 and made 82 tackles, his lowest career total. He added 1 sack and returned an interception for a TD in a 31-17 win at Green Bay on December 24. The 26 year-old Claiborne - he won the Butkus Award in college as the nation's best linebacker - has played in 87 career games, totalling 720 tackles, 14.5 sacks and 8 interceptions. ST. LOUIS, Missouri - Just a day after being released by the Dallas Cowboys, Dexter Coakley has found a new home. The St. Louis Rams signed the 3-time Pro Bowl linebacker to a 5-year contract. Financial terms were not disclosed, but the deal is reportedly worth $14.5 million, including a $3 million signing bonus. Coakley, 32, spent his first 8 seasons with the Dallas Cowboys and ranked 4th in franchise history with 1,046 tackles, but was waived for salary cap purposes. The Rams immediately pounced on Coakley and will likely start him at weakside LB. The team expects to lose outside LB Tommy Polley, who is an unrestricted free agent. Coakley's streak of seven straight seasons with at least 100 tackles was broken in 2004 when he finished with 91, including 60 solo, along New Orleans Saints jersey
with 6 quarterback pressures and 5 passes defensed. A 3rd-round draft pick out of Appalachian State in 1997, Coakley earned Pro Bowl berths in 1999, 2001 and 2003. The St. Louis Rams have convinced Marshall Faulk to take a pay cut by restructuring his contract February 28 2005
内容: ST. LOUIS, Missouri - Marshall Faulk, now resigned to a backup role with the Rams, has agreed to a pay cut in a restructured contract that will essentially guarantee he'll end his career in St. Louis. Faulk, an 11-year veteran who turned 32 Saturday, just finished the third year of a seven-year contract. He would have made $6 million in salary and workout bonuses in 2005. Under the new four-year deal, Faulk gets a $2 million signing bonus this year, and will earn $2 million in both 2005 and 2006, said his agent, Rocky Arceneaux. Arceneaux said the salary would average $3 million per year over the four years of the deal. Earlier this month, coach Mike Martz said that rookie Steven Jackson would be the starter next season. Jackson was the team's first-round pick last year. Faulk played his first five seasons in Indianapolis before coming to St. Louis in 1999, helping the Rams win their first Super Bowl that year and winning the NFL MVP the following season. He is the only player in history with 2,000 combined rushing and receiving yards in four straight seasons, 1998-2001. He won offensive player of the year awards following the 1999, 2000 and 2001 seasons and also helped the Rams reach the Super Bowl in the 2001 season. However, injuries and age have slowed him in recent seasons. Sharing time with Jackson last year, Faulk rushed for 774 yards, an average of four yards per carry, and caught 50 passes for 310 yards. The new agreement saves about $1.5 million in salary cap space, which could be important as the Rams try to fill holes to shore up a New York Giants jersey
defense that struggled most of last season, especially against the run. Last season, Pittsburgh veteran running back Jerome Bettis moved to a backup role after the Steelers signed Duce Staley, and Bettis seemed invigorated, rushing for 100 yards in seven of eight starts after Staley was injured.
2011年1月12日星期三
13 Jan 11 Celtics and Lakers Reborn Rivalry Has Only Just Begun
Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesFrom the writer Greenbanner18 on Hardwood Houdini- a Boston Celtics blog. (Not copied and pasted)For quite some time, the Celtics / Lakers rivalry was but a thing of the past. Although both Celtics fans never wanted the Lakers to win, and Lakers fans never wanted the Celtics to win, there wasn't any form of extreme despise for the opposition because quite frankly,the matchupwas very one sided. For 22 years the Celtics didn't win a championship. Boston fans had to watch as Los Angeles won several during this time span. It is Reebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
hard to bring to a boil a "rivalry" in which the teams do not play each other in a series, where tempers always flare. Of course, the only way for these two to play ina series is in theNBA Finals.All of this changed in the 07-08 season. The Celtics got the players they needed, and were stacked and in pursuit of Banner 17. The only real competition looked like it would come in the Eastern Conference, where the Celtics would have to find their way past the Pistons who were always good enough to make it into the Eastern Conference Finals.The Lakers and the Celtics met twice, as usual, during the 2007-08 season. Both of these matchups were when the Lakers did not yet have Pau Gasol. The C's rolled over the Lakers with ease. Well, maybe the two sides had swapped places, and now it was LA's turn for a downfall, and Boston's turn for domination. Think again. The Lakers got Gasol late in that season, and that was exactly what they needed to push them atop the Western Conference.The Celtics magical run was completed after beating the Lakers in 6 games in the 2008 NBA Finals. To add fuel to the fire, last year the two teams met on Christmas Day in a very hyped matchup. In this game the Celtics flopped and the Lakers beat them in every aspect of the game. About a month and a half later, they met up again at the TD Garden for what would be an attempt at redemption for the C's. In an overtime thriller, that included Kobe and Rondo getting into it, Kevin Garnett and Odom exchanging pleasantries, and two teams fighting until the very end, the Lakers walked out with a victory.Now here we are today. Celtics fans have January 31st at 3:30 PM ET circled on their calender. In fact it has been circled, and circled, and circled, so many times, it is no longer a day, and instead a big ink mark. That represents Reebok Pittsburg Steelers #83 Heath Miller Realtree camo Jersey
the day when hopefully all of the Celtics are available to play, when the team can see where they stand against the defending champions.Assuming both teams stay healthy for the remainder of the year, it looks all but inevitable that the Finals will be yet again, Celtics vs. Lakers. Mixing the terms "Finals" and "Celtics vs. Lakers" gives me goosebumps. For some reason, all I canvisualize is a sea of green confetti flying around to the beat of "We Are The Champions".Anyways, don't get sick of the matchup yet. The Celtics are prepared for years to come. It all began with the resigning of Rajon Rondo this year for 5 more years. Rondo will be the face of the franchise for years to come. His role is slowly changing over towhere he is in control of the team. Mix this in with how both KG and Rasheed Wallace are here until the end of the 2012 season, Perkins until the end of the 2011 season, Pierce,as was said earlier this year, is likely to restructure his contract to keep the teams needs above his own, and Ray Allenprobably either signing back on or leaving a lot of money to spend open, and you have yourself some good Boston Celtics basketball years to come.For the Lakers, they havePau Gasol locked up forever, Kobe ATLEAST until 2011 (but he isn't going anywhere), and Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, and Ron Artest until the end of 2012. Regardless to if they keep all of these players, that is some good trade bait. So the Lakers will be hanging around with ateam that will bechampionship contenders forthe foreseeable future as well.With all of Arizona Cardinals jersey
this being said, as amped up as the rivalry is now,it will only get better as the years go on. Both teams are in the spotlight now, and both teamshave situated themselves in very good situations for the upcoming years.These are the types of games I like to see. Good, clean hardfouls, and two teams busting it for 48 minutes. Now this, is the NBA at its best.
hard to bring to a boil a "rivalry" in which the teams do not play each other in a series, where tempers always flare. Of course, the only way for these two to play ina series is in theNBA Finals.All of this changed in the 07-08 season. The Celtics got the players they needed, and were stacked and in pursuit of Banner 17. The only real competition looked like it would come in the Eastern Conference, where the Celtics would have to find their way past the Pistons who were always good enough to make it into the Eastern Conference Finals.The Lakers and the Celtics met twice, as usual, during the 2007-08 season. Both of these matchups were when the Lakers did not yet have Pau Gasol. The C's rolled over the Lakers with ease. Well, maybe the two sides had swapped places, and now it was LA's turn for a downfall, and Boston's turn for domination. Think again. The Lakers got Gasol late in that season, and that was exactly what they needed to push them atop the Western Conference.The Celtics magical run was completed after beating the Lakers in 6 games in the 2008 NBA Finals. To add fuel to the fire, last year the two teams met on Christmas Day in a very hyped matchup. In this game the Celtics flopped and the Lakers beat them in every aspect of the game. About a month and a half later, they met up again at the TD Garden for what would be an attempt at redemption for the C's. In an overtime thriller, that included Kobe and Rondo getting into it, Kevin Garnett and Odom exchanging pleasantries, and two teams fighting until the very end, the Lakers walked out with a victory.Now here we are today. Celtics fans have January 31st at 3:30 PM ET circled on their calender. In fact it has been circled, and circled, and circled, so many times, it is no longer a day, and instead a big ink mark. That represents Reebok Pittsburg Steelers #83 Heath Miller Realtree camo Jersey
the day when hopefully all of the Celtics are available to play, when the team can see where they stand against the defending champions.Assuming both teams stay healthy for the remainder of the year, it looks all but inevitable that the Finals will be yet again, Celtics vs. Lakers. Mixing the terms "Finals" and "Celtics vs. Lakers" gives me goosebumps. For some reason, all I canvisualize is a sea of green confetti flying around to the beat of "We Are The Champions".Anyways, don't get sick of the matchup yet. The Celtics are prepared for years to come. It all began with the resigning of Rajon Rondo this year for 5 more years. Rondo will be the face of the franchise for years to come. His role is slowly changing over towhere he is in control of the team. Mix this in with how both KG and Rasheed Wallace are here until the end of the 2012 season, Perkins until the end of the 2011 season, Pierce,as was said earlier this year, is likely to restructure his contract to keep the teams needs above his own, and Ray Allenprobably either signing back on or leaving a lot of money to spend open, and you have yourself some good Boston Celtics basketball years to come.For the Lakers, they havePau Gasol locked up forever, Kobe ATLEAST until 2011 (but he isn't going anywhere), and Andrew Bynum, Lamar Odom, and Ron Artest until the end of 2012. Regardless to if they keep all of these players, that is some good trade bait. So the Lakers will be hanging around with ateam that will bechampionship contenders forthe foreseeable future as well.With all of Arizona Cardinals jersey
this being said, as amped up as the rivalry is now,it will only get better as the years go on. Both teams are in the spotlight now, and both teamshave situated themselves in very good situations for the upcoming years.These are the types of games I like to see. Good, clean hardfouls, and two teams busting it for 48 minutes. Now this, is the NBA at its best.
12 Jan 11 Lakers Beat Celtics, but Their Potential Remains a Mystery
Jim Rogash/Getty ImagesA victory is a victory, and when you are the Los Angeles Lakers and it comes against the Boston Celtics in Boston, well, it a damn good one at that.The Lakers 90-89 nail-biting win over the Celtics Sunday afternoon wasn one for aesthetics, but it had plenty of gusto, charisma and fight to make up for it.We are repeatedly reminded of just how good this Lakers team can be, but we are far too often reminded of how far they have to go. Sunday was no different.After Los Angeles opened up an 11-point lead by shooting over 60 percent inChicago Bears jersey
the game first 12 minutes, there were plenty of signs that this young bunch was different than the timid club that stepped into the TD Garden two summers ago and got whacked in six games in the NBA Finals.Ron Artest may be the most perplexing and enigmatic personality in the sport, but his purpose on the Lakers is clear. He the bully; he brings a dose of toughness and a dash of crazy. He instigates confrontations and then acts like he knew nothing all along. In short, it all mind games.Before the first tip, Artest and Paul Pierce had to be briefly separated as the two jostled for position near mid-court. Artest got up in Pierce personal space, Pierce didn appreciate it, and the two were momentarily tangled. This before the game even started.Then, moments into the game, Artest stood his ground as Kevin Garnett jogged down the court, head turned. Garnett smacked into Artest and went to the floor. Foul on Artest. Garnett smiled, clapped his hands, and glared at Artest as he rose from the hardwood. Garnett face said, Game on.Of course, Artest looked clueless. But make no mistake, folks, it all a part of the plan. Boston has Kendrick Perkins to bang bodies and intimidate. Perkins carries himself on the court in a manner that suggests he would just as easily scowl at his mother.When Artest finally decided it was time to play basketball, he promptly nailed a three. Kobe hit a jumper here, a runner there. Fisher from downtown and nothing but net. Gasol got on the board. Bynum took a pass and threw down a ferocious dunk for two of his 19 points with Garnett standing nearby.The Lakers were landing their punches while the Celtics were feebly hitting air. The tenacity Los Angeles missed at times in past seasons (never more so than that Finals match with Boston) was overflowing. Combine talent with a killer mentality, and that is when we witness truly great teams.But then the Lakers looked as if they had gulped NyQuil in between quarters, and the Celtics began to capitalize.Rajon Rondo continued to show why he is one of the league best young point guards as he finished with a game-high 21 points to go along with 12 assists and five rebounds.The Lakers had nobody to match the quickness of Rondo. Derek Fisher legs have seen far too many road trips and June playoff games over his 14-year career to match step-for-step with Rondo.Shannon Brown has the athleticism to compete but not the skills (yet, anyway). Jordan Farmar is a role player. Rondo is a star. That just a mismatch.The veteran poise of Boston helped turn a 13-point deficit into Cincinnati Bengals jersey
a five-point lead by halftime. If you let the Celtics beat you, they will. But Boston isn the juggernaut they were two years ago, while the Lakers have a chance to run off a string of great years.Oh, it not as if the Celts can compete. I think Boston is still a very good team despite losing their third straight game, making them 3-7 in their last 10. The Celtics are better than their current fourth-place standing in the Eastern Conference.The problem is they have more dings and dents than an autobody collision garage. Garnett looks as if he has a peg leg. Pierce always looks like he headed for an ice bath after the game. And Ray Allen just looks too old at times.The Celtics can win with Rondo dishing outside to Eddie House and dishing inside to Perkins. They need Pierce to be better than the 15 points and three boards he put up Sunday. Rasheed Wallace doesn appear motivated.Allen had a miserable game (2-10 shooting), but come June, I guarantee he hits the same shot he missed Sunday against the Lakers. You can write that in ink. If the game comes down to that shot by Allen, Boston will win.When the game ended, it was clear who the superior team was even though the Lakers needed Bryant to hit a fall-away jumper over Allen with seven seconds remaining to give them the victory.Kobe mug will be all over SportsCenter for his game-winning shot, but the Lakers won because their big men hung tough and decided that they were going to keep it close.The Lakers outscored Boston 18-0 in the paint in the final quarter, and Bynum and Gasol each had 11 rebounds. That commitment to an inside presence takes this Lakers team from very good to superb in the time it takes Bryant to flick his wrist at the buzzer.Lakers fans remain puzzled when their guys let teams hang around, but teams need games like this.The Lakers improved to 5-2 on their current eight-game road trip, a trip that, after Monday game in Memphis, will have featured three different sets of back-to-back contests. For Los Angeles to gut out this win in Boston shows an essential sign of its growth.Bryant toughness (I said give me the damn ball, said Bryant, referring to his winning shot) has continued to permeate throughout this group ever since he walked out of the Garden two Junes ago with nothing but a soaked jersey and a lonely ring fingerCleveland Browns jersey
.If the Lakers are going to repeat as champions, they will need to learn how to step on the throat of quality teams like Boston when they have them pinned. We won know how good they can be until they do that.But that a lesson to learn over the next three months while the Celtics are forced to look in the mirror and decide what they are going to make of this season, with or without Garnett knees holding up.For the last night of January, the Lakers can board their team charter satisfied after finding the will to stifle the native chant of Beat LA!Follow Teddy Mitrosilis on Twitter.
the game first 12 minutes, there were plenty of signs that this young bunch was different than the timid club that stepped into the TD Garden two summers ago and got whacked in six games in the NBA Finals.Ron Artest may be the most perplexing and enigmatic personality in the sport, but his purpose on the Lakers is clear. He the bully; he brings a dose of toughness and a dash of crazy. He instigates confrontations and then acts like he knew nothing all along. In short, it all mind games.Before the first tip, Artest and Paul Pierce had to be briefly separated as the two jostled for position near mid-court. Artest got up in Pierce personal space, Pierce didn appreciate it, and the two were momentarily tangled. This before the game even started.Then, moments into the game, Artest stood his ground as Kevin Garnett jogged down the court, head turned. Garnett smacked into Artest and went to the floor. Foul on Artest. Garnett smiled, clapped his hands, and glared at Artest as he rose from the hardwood. Garnett face said, Game on.Of course, Artest looked clueless. But make no mistake, folks, it all a part of the plan. Boston has Kendrick Perkins to bang bodies and intimidate. Perkins carries himself on the court in a manner that suggests he would just as easily scowl at his mother.When Artest finally decided it was time to play basketball, he promptly nailed a three. Kobe hit a jumper here, a runner there. Fisher from downtown and nothing but net. Gasol got on the board. Bynum took a pass and threw down a ferocious dunk for two of his 19 points with Garnett standing nearby.The Lakers were landing their punches while the Celtics were feebly hitting air. The tenacity Los Angeles missed at times in past seasons (never more so than that Finals match with Boston) was overflowing. Combine talent with a killer mentality, and that is when we witness truly great teams.But then the Lakers looked as if they had gulped NyQuil in between quarters, and the Celtics began to capitalize.Rajon Rondo continued to show why he is one of the league best young point guards as he finished with a game-high 21 points to go along with 12 assists and five rebounds.The Lakers had nobody to match the quickness of Rondo. Derek Fisher legs have seen far too many road trips and June playoff games over his 14-year career to match step-for-step with Rondo.Shannon Brown has the athleticism to compete but not the skills (yet, anyway). Jordan Farmar is a role player. Rondo is a star. That just a mismatch.The veteran poise of Boston helped turn a 13-point deficit into Cincinnati Bengals jersey
a five-point lead by halftime. If you let the Celtics beat you, they will. But Boston isn the juggernaut they were two years ago, while the Lakers have a chance to run off a string of great years.Oh, it not as if the Celts can compete. I think Boston is still a very good team despite losing their third straight game, making them 3-7 in their last 10. The Celtics are better than their current fourth-place standing in the Eastern Conference.The problem is they have more dings and dents than an autobody collision garage. Garnett looks as if he has a peg leg. Pierce always looks like he headed for an ice bath after the game. And Ray Allen just looks too old at times.The Celtics can win with Rondo dishing outside to Eddie House and dishing inside to Perkins. They need Pierce to be better than the 15 points and three boards he put up Sunday. Rasheed Wallace doesn appear motivated.Allen had a miserable game (2-10 shooting), but come June, I guarantee he hits the same shot he missed Sunday against the Lakers. You can write that in ink. If the game comes down to that shot by Allen, Boston will win.When the game ended, it was clear who the superior team was even though the Lakers needed Bryant to hit a fall-away jumper over Allen with seven seconds remaining to give them the victory.Kobe mug will be all over SportsCenter for his game-winning shot, but the Lakers won because their big men hung tough and decided that they were going to keep it close.The Lakers outscored Boston 18-0 in the paint in the final quarter, and Bynum and Gasol each had 11 rebounds. That commitment to an inside presence takes this Lakers team from very good to superb in the time it takes Bryant to flick his wrist at the buzzer.Lakers fans remain puzzled when their guys let teams hang around, but teams need games like this.The Lakers improved to 5-2 on their current eight-game road trip, a trip that, after Monday game in Memphis, will have featured three different sets of back-to-back contests. For Los Angeles to gut out this win in Boston shows an essential sign of its growth.Bryant toughness (I said give me the damn ball, said Bryant, referring to his winning shot) has continued to permeate throughout this group ever since he walked out of the Garden two Junes ago with nothing but a soaked jersey and a lonely ring fingerCleveland Browns jersey
.If the Lakers are going to repeat as champions, they will need to learn how to step on the throat of quality teams like Boston when they have them pinned. We won know how good they can be until they do that.But that a lesson to learn over the next three months while the Celtics are forced to look in the mirror and decide what they are going to make of this season, with or without Garnett knees holding up.For the last night of January, the Lakers can board their team charter satisfied after finding the will to stifle the native chant of Beat LA!Follow Teddy Mitrosilis on Twitter.
2011年1月10日星期一
10 Jan 11 Cavs' Danny Ferry Proves Himself As Elite GM With Antawn Jamison Trade
Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesAfter an All-Star Weekend simmering with talks of Amar'e Stoudemire headed to Cleveland to pair up with LeBron James and Shaquille O'Neal, the Cavaliers' front office threw a curve ball at the rest of the league.Except it was not much of a curve ball at all.After being hot in pursuit of Houston Texans jersey
Washington's Antawn Jamison for the better part of a year, Cleveland GM Danny Ferry finally acquired the sharp-shooting big man out of North Carolina on Wednesday a little less than 24 hours before the NBA's Thursday trade deadline. And all it took was Zydrunas Ilgauskas and a first-round pick.Factor in the fact that the Cavs expect to get Ilgauskas back after 30 days once Washington buys out the remainder of his contract, and this is the equivalent of a highway robbery. Also factor in the fact that the Cavs are expected to pick 30th in the draft for a second straight season due to having the best record in the league, and what Ferry pulled off is nothing short of criminal.The scary part is that this is just the norm for him and the Cavaliers front office.Last summer, Ferry traded Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic to the Phoenix Suns for future Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Nealall because the Suns wanted to save money. O'Neal has been nothing short of rock-solid as an anchor for the Cavs on both ends of the floor, and although it took him a while to get acclimated with the team, he is a big part of Cleveland's league-best 43-11 mark.The summer before, in 2008, Ferry traded Damon Jones and 33-year-old Joe Smith for point guard Mo Williams. Williams was a stat-stuffer for a poor Milwaukee team back then, but Indianapolis Colts jersey
with the Cavs he translated those numbers to a team that won a league-best 66 games. Williams was also named an All-Star just six months after the trade while Smith was bought out and returned to the team for the playoff run.So in essence, assuming that Ilgauskas is bought out and returns, Ferry has turned Damon Jones, Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, and the 30th overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft into Mo Williams, Shaquille O'Neal, and Antawn Jamison.Think about that for a minute. For just one minute.Considering the way Ferry has evolved as a general manager since taking over in June of 2005, the Cavaliers and LeBron James could not have asked for a better man to build this team. Immediately upon being hired, Ferry has $28 million in salary cap space to play with, space that he used to sign Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall, and Damon Jones.Although all three players became busts for the Cavs, Ferry learned from his mistakes and found a way to get rid of all three for assets. Those were the very assets he used to acquire players such as Williams, O'Neal, and Jamisonplayers that could help the city of Cleveland win its first championship in any major professional sports since 1964.The Cavs also used the 19th pick in the 2008 draftthe highest pick Ferry has had to work with since being hired -- into promising young power forward J.J. Hickson. So promising is Hickson that the Phoenix Suns wanted him as the centerpiece in a trade for Amar'e Stoudemire, and LeBron James himself took Hickson under his wing during thie past offseason.Many other general managers across the NBA may get a lot of credit for acquiring talent. Portland's Kevin Pritchard and Oklahoma City's Sam Presti come to mind. But considering the way Ferry's predecessor in Cleveland, Jim Paxson, lost Carlos Boozer and surrendered draft picks Jacksonville Jaguars jersey
needlessly, the way Ferry has built today's Cavaliers is nothing short of admirable.It looks like an A+ job on paper. But Ferry himself will tell you that it will not mean much if he and the rest of the Cavaliers organization aren't celebrating in a championship parade just soon.Regardless, he is the last person you can blame if it doesn't happen. And right after LeBron James, Ferry should be the first person you should give credit to if it does.
Washington's Antawn Jamison for the better part of a year, Cleveland GM Danny Ferry finally acquired the sharp-shooting big man out of North Carolina on Wednesday a little less than 24 hours before the NBA's Thursday trade deadline. And all it took was Zydrunas Ilgauskas and a first-round pick.Factor in the fact that the Cavs expect to get Ilgauskas back after 30 days once Washington buys out the remainder of his contract, and this is the equivalent of a highway robbery. Also factor in the fact that the Cavs are expected to pick 30th in the draft for a second straight season due to having the best record in the league, and what Ferry pulled off is nothing short of criminal.The scary part is that this is just the norm for him and the Cavaliers front office.Last summer, Ferry traded Ben Wallace and Sasha Pavlovic to the Phoenix Suns for future Hall of Fame center Shaquille O'Nealall because the Suns wanted to save money. O'Neal has been nothing short of rock-solid as an anchor for the Cavs on both ends of the floor, and although it took him a while to get acclimated with the team, he is a big part of Cleveland's league-best 43-11 mark.The summer before, in 2008, Ferry traded Damon Jones and 33-year-old Joe Smith for point guard Mo Williams. Williams was a stat-stuffer for a poor Milwaukee team back then, but Indianapolis Colts jersey
with the Cavs he translated those numbers to a team that won a league-best 66 games. Williams was also named an All-Star just six months after the trade while Smith was bought out and returned to the team for the playoff run.So in essence, assuming that Ilgauskas is bought out and returns, Ferry has turned Damon Jones, Ben Wallace, Sasha Pavlovic, and the 30th overall pick of the 2010 NBA Draft into Mo Williams, Shaquille O'Neal, and Antawn Jamison.Think about that for a minute. For just one minute.Considering the way Ferry has evolved as a general manager since taking over in June of 2005, the Cavaliers and LeBron James could not have asked for a better man to build this team. Immediately upon being hired, Ferry has $28 million in salary cap space to play with, space that he used to sign Larry Hughes, Donyell Marshall, and Damon Jones.Although all three players became busts for the Cavs, Ferry learned from his mistakes and found a way to get rid of all three for assets. Those were the very assets he used to acquire players such as Williams, O'Neal, and Jamisonplayers that could help the city of Cleveland win its first championship in any major professional sports since 1964.The Cavs also used the 19th pick in the 2008 draftthe highest pick Ferry has had to work with since being hired -- into promising young power forward J.J. Hickson. So promising is Hickson that the Phoenix Suns wanted him as the centerpiece in a trade for Amar'e Stoudemire, and LeBron James himself took Hickson under his wing during thie past offseason.Many other general managers across the NBA may get a lot of credit for acquiring talent. Portland's Kevin Pritchard and Oklahoma City's Sam Presti come to mind. But considering the way Ferry's predecessor in Cleveland, Jim Paxson, lost Carlos Boozer and surrendered draft picks Jacksonville Jaguars jersey
needlessly, the way Ferry has built today's Cavaliers is nothing short of admirable.It looks like an A+ job on paper. But Ferry himself will tell you that it will not mean much if he and the rest of the Cavaliers organization aren't celebrating in a championship parade just soon.Regardless, he is the last person you can blame if it doesn't happen. And right after LeBron James, Ferry should be the first person you should give credit to if it does.
10 Jan 11 Washington Wizards Newest Additions Provide Spark
Prior to tonight's Wizards vs Timberwolves game the buzz in the air, or for that matter, the lack of buzz was simply jaw dropping. That is of course if you were talking about the arena and not the press room. You would have thought from the amount of local media that the Wiz were playing the Lakers or Celtics, until you walked out and saw a crowd that looked like... Wizards vs Wolves PregameFlip Saunders usually comes out and addresses the media for a few minutes prior to the game and he did come out briefly but was quickly called back into theBuffalo Bills jersey
locker room by the Wizards PR to what could only have been the announcement of Antawn Jamison being traded . We were all left starring at each other, left to imagine what had just happened until Flip came back and addressed us. Still nothing was mentioned about a trade and Jamison's name remained on the scoreboard in the starting lineup.Then with five minutes to go before tip off, it happened, the Washington Wizards continued the implosion of a team that before the season was said to be "ready to compete for a championship." What followed was an exit video of Antawn Jamison and according to Michael Lee from the Washington Post, his last words to fans which were, "I love them more than they love me."So the Wizards would take the court with a lineup that included Mike Miller, Randy Foye, JaVale McGee, Andray Blatche, and Nick Young. Wizards vs Wolves Starting Lineup IntroWhat ensued was a back and forth game that saw the Wizards go up by double digits going into the fourth quarter and then finish off a not so good Minnesota Timberwolves team. The Wizards were led by Andray Blatche who poured in a career high 33 points, JaVale McGee who had season highs 14 pts, 11 reb, and 5 blks. However, we have to mention the contributions from the newest Wizards, James Singleton, Josh Howard, and, in a limited role, Quinton Ross.You won't really be impressed by the stat line as much as the hustle, energy and overall basketball sense these guys brought to the game tonight. Singleton was out-jumping everybody around him, Howard looked to be playing with a chip on his shoulder and as you'll see in his post game interview, I believe he'd love to stick it to the Mavericks.Look, nobody is going to claim that the Wizards have arrived and I don't believe the roster purge is done, but for one night, the Washington Wizards gave the fans something to cheer about. They looked like a team playing with some desire. What started off looking like it might be a high school basketball game in an NBA arena, ended up being an overhauled Wizards roster leaving to a standing ovation.What's next? Who knows, but if this is the way the Wiz are going to play for the rest of the season, with passion, energy and hunger, Wizards fans might just enjoy these last two months of basketball. Then again, let's put this into perspective, they beat the Timberwolves, let's see what happens when a grown ass basketball team comes to town on Friday.The Nuggets ain't no Timberwolves.Catch a copy of the transcript from tonight's ComcastSportsNet Live chatJoeG signing off! Heard after the gameWIZARDS HEAD COACH FLIP SAUNDERS On Andray Blatche:Dray was a lot different. He was a more aggressive player and a more intense, consistent player. Sometimes Carolina Panthers jersey
when you bring people in, they take the guys that you have and bring them along right with them.On the last couple of days:If I hadn been in the CBA and gone through that I probably would have gone crazy. I told the guys beforehand, this doesn change going through games. I plan to stick around to compete and win. "Everyone in the NBA is a good player. There are bad teams, but even bad teams have good players. What has to happen is you have to learn to play well together and sometimes the whole can be better than the parts and that has to be our marching orders on how we have to play.On tonight game:Tonight was emotional for the players, but even during the game and at the end there was as much emotion in the new guys as the guys weve had all year, so I would say we have pretty good chemistry at this point. But that one game, now we get to play Denver and that a pretty good team, so well see where we are.On the locker room: Our younger guys are standing up. Nick and those guys are different right now. Whether they are finally realizing that this is a business, or that if you don perform at a certain level things can happen no matter who you are and that you have obligations to live up to, those guys have had a different sense of urgency as far as on the court. They know there not a comfort level. "I think in this league the teams that have success are the ones that play with a sense of urgency. Even if it a team that good, there are only so many opportunities to win a championship so you have take advantage of it at that point because it may not come again, so you have to create that sense of urgency.On the younger players:Just because theyre there that doesn mean they are going to play. They have to play the right way in order to earn their merits. This way nothing is given to you and you have to earn everything. WIZARDS FORWARD ANDRAY BLATCHE On career night:I can remember the last time I played 32 minutes and got 22 shots so it was a lot different for me but I stepped up to the job and I took care of my business and I had a lot of great guys around me chipping in.On gaining confidence:This gives me a lot of confidence. It gave a lot of our players confidence. I don want this whole thing focused on me because we are a team. Mike Miller played great, James played great, JaVale played great. I just happened to catch fire and things were rolling for me.On tonight play:Im just knocking down the open shots when it available and trying to be aggressive on the block It was a good feeling. All my moves I have been practicing were working for me so I kept going to them and taking advantage.On the fans:I don want to let them down. I love it here in D.C., Ive been here for five years. Im going to Chicago Bears jersey
try to make the organization happy. WIZARDS GUARD MIKE MILLER On his shooting:I picked my spots. I told you from the beginning Im going to pick my spots. Fortunately tonight, I made a few. I got aggressive there for a little bit when the game got close down the stretch. On tonight game amidst distractions:Were going to play basketball. The ball was popping tonight, which is a good thing to see. We played hard. We got on the ground for loose balls. That what it going to take for us to win. On moving forward:It going to take a bunch of us. Obviously, with where our record is at, were going to need to bring everyone together and go out and play hard. We played hard tonight. We have Denver on Friday and well be able to test ourselves there. WIZARDS GUARD RANDY FOYE On his expanded leadership role:I always try to be in a leadership role as a point guard just trying to be vocal and trying to direct the team in the right way. On the rest of the season:I think the focus now is to try to go out and win as many games as we can stay focused on the little things and get the job done. On team recording 24 assists:The ball was moving. We got the ball moving around and when guys were open, we passed it to them. We had confidence in them to knock down shots, especially in that third quarter. Josh was in the open area - the mid range - and he was knocking down shots. On the youth of the Wizards:The main thing for us as young guys is to try to get better every day. You have to know this season is a grind. There ups and downs. There are still 31 games. The main thing is that we have to understand that we have to go out there every night and try to do that. "Even when youre not scoring or youre not grabbing rebounds you have to do other things to make your team win. Dray did an unbelievable job tonight attacking their guys and getting their bigs in foul trouble. JaVale did a great job on the boards. WIZARDS GUARD/FORWARD JOSH HOWARDOn his first game:It means a lot, a whole lot to just come into a new organization and show them that I want to be here.TIMBERWOLVES HEAD COACH KURT RAMBISOn tonight game:The game did not feel any different for us tonight. I felt that we had a lack of effort and we were not doing the right thing. We didn get as many stops as we should have gotten. We didn put on the defensive pressure. We turned the basketball over a lot and we didn rebound well either. In critical moments we did not do the right defensive things.On Darko Milicic:As of right now I don know what to expect from him. He was drafted pretty high in the draft and he has great potential. He a 7-footer with a lot of capabilities at both ends of the floor. This is a great opportunity to see what he can do. TIMBERWOLVES FORWARD KEVIN LOVEOn tonight game:The whole game felt weird. Washington went on a big run, then we went on a big run. They came back, then we came back, and then Washington pulled ahead for Cincinnati Bengals jersey
good towards the game. It was just a weird game. Antawn didn play because of the trade and they made a huge trade earlier in the week. It was just a little different feel for both teams.On Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee:Andray (Blatche) and JaVale (McGee) both stepped up and played well for Washington tonight. After not playing big minutes early in the season they stepped up into bigger roles tonight. Postgame InterviewsFlip SaundersMike MillerAndray BlatcheJosh Howard Randy FoyeGoodbye Antawn, you will be missed!You can read this article and more at Wizards Extreme
locker room by the Wizards PR to what could only have been the announcement of Antawn Jamison being traded . We were all left starring at each other, left to imagine what had just happened until Flip came back and addressed us. Still nothing was mentioned about a trade and Jamison's name remained on the scoreboard in the starting lineup.Then with five minutes to go before tip off, it happened, the Washington Wizards continued the implosion of a team that before the season was said to be "ready to compete for a championship." What followed was an exit video of Antawn Jamison and according to Michael Lee from the Washington Post, his last words to fans which were, "I love them more than they love me."So the Wizards would take the court with a lineup that included Mike Miller, Randy Foye, JaVale McGee, Andray Blatche, and Nick Young. Wizards vs Wolves Starting Lineup IntroWhat ensued was a back and forth game that saw the Wizards go up by double digits going into the fourth quarter and then finish off a not so good Minnesota Timberwolves team. The Wizards were led by Andray Blatche who poured in a career high 33 points, JaVale McGee who had season highs 14 pts, 11 reb, and 5 blks. However, we have to mention the contributions from the newest Wizards, James Singleton, Josh Howard, and, in a limited role, Quinton Ross.You won't really be impressed by the stat line as much as the hustle, energy and overall basketball sense these guys brought to the game tonight. Singleton was out-jumping everybody around him, Howard looked to be playing with a chip on his shoulder and as you'll see in his post game interview, I believe he'd love to stick it to the Mavericks.Look, nobody is going to claim that the Wizards have arrived and I don't believe the roster purge is done, but for one night, the Washington Wizards gave the fans something to cheer about. They looked like a team playing with some desire. What started off looking like it might be a high school basketball game in an NBA arena, ended up being an overhauled Wizards roster leaving to a standing ovation.What's next? Who knows, but if this is the way the Wiz are going to play for the rest of the season, with passion, energy and hunger, Wizards fans might just enjoy these last two months of basketball. Then again, let's put this into perspective, they beat the Timberwolves, let's see what happens when a grown ass basketball team comes to town on Friday.The Nuggets ain't no Timberwolves.Catch a copy of the transcript from tonight's ComcastSportsNet Live chatJoeG signing off! Heard after the gameWIZARDS HEAD COACH FLIP SAUNDERS On Andray Blatche:Dray was a lot different. He was a more aggressive player and a more intense, consistent player. Sometimes Carolina Panthers jersey
when you bring people in, they take the guys that you have and bring them along right with them.On the last couple of days:If I hadn been in the CBA and gone through that I probably would have gone crazy. I told the guys beforehand, this doesn change going through games. I plan to stick around to compete and win. "Everyone in the NBA is a good player. There are bad teams, but even bad teams have good players. What has to happen is you have to learn to play well together and sometimes the whole can be better than the parts and that has to be our marching orders on how we have to play.On tonight game:Tonight was emotional for the players, but even during the game and at the end there was as much emotion in the new guys as the guys weve had all year, so I would say we have pretty good chemistry at this point. But that one game, now we get to play Denver and that a pretty good team, so well see where we are.On the locker room: Our younger guys are standing up. Nick and those guys are different right now. Whether they are finally realizing that this is a business, or that if you don perform at a certain level things can happen no matter who you are and that you have obligations to live up to, those guys have had a different sense of urgency as far as on the court. They know there not a comfort level. "I think in this league the teams that have success are the ones that play with a sense of urgency. Even if it a team that good, there are only so many opportunities to win a championship so you have take advantage of it at that point because it may not come again, so you have to create that sense of urgency.On the younger players:Just because theyre there that doesn mean they are going to play. They have to play the right way in order to earn their merits. This way nothing is given to you and you have to earn everything. WIZARDS FORWARD ANDRAY BLATCHE On career night:I can remember the last time I played 32 minutes and got 22 shots so it was a lot different for me but I stepped up to the job and I took care of my business and I had a lot of great guys around me chipping in.On gaining confidence:This gives me a lot of confidence. It gave a lot of our players confidence. I don want this whole thing focused on me because we are a team. Mike Miller played great, James played great, JaVale played great. I just happened to catch fire and things were rolling for me.On tonight play:Im just knocking down the open shots when it available and trying to be aggressive on the block It was a good feeling. All my moves I have been practicing were working for me so I kept going to them and taking advantage.On the fans:I don want to let them down. I love it here in D.C., Ive been here for five years. Im going to Chicago Bears jersey
try to make the organization happy. WIZARDS GUARD MIKE MILLER On his shooting:I picked my spots. I told you from the beginning Im going to pick my spots. Fortunately tonight, I made a few. I got aggressive there for a little bit when the game got close down the stretch. On tonight game amidst distractions:Were going to play basketball. The ball was popping tonight, which is a good thing to see. We played hard. We got on the ground for loose balls. That what it going to take for us to win. On moving forward:It going to take a bunch of us. Obviously, with where our record is at, were going to need to bring everyone together and go out and play hard. We played hard tonight. We have Denver on Friday and well be able to test ourselves there. WIZARDS GUARD RANDY FOYE On his expanded leadership role:I always try to be in a leadership role as a point guard just trying to be vocal and trying to direct the team in the right way. On the rest of the season:I think the focus now is to try to go out and win as many games as we can stay focused on the little things and get the job done. On team recording 24 assists:The ball was moving. We got the ball moving around and when guys were open, we passed it to them. We had confidence in them to knock down shots, especially in that third quarter. Josh was in the open area - the mid range - and he was knocking down shots. On the youth of the Wizards:The main thing for us as young guys is to try to get better every day. You have to know this season is a grind. There ups and downs. There are still 31 games. The main thing is that we have to understand that we have to go out there every night and try to do that. "Even when youre not scoring or youre not grabbing rebounds you have to do other things to make your team win. Dray did an unbelievable job tonight attacking their guys and getting their bigs in foul trouble. JaVale did a great job on the boards. WIZARDS GUARD/FORWARD JOSH HOWARDOn his first game:It means a lot, a whole lot to just come into a new organization and show them that I want to be here.TIMBERWOLVES HEAD COACH KURT RAMBISOn tonight game:The game did not feel any different for us tonight. I felt that we had a lack of effort and we were not doing the right thing. We didn get as many stops as we should have gotten. We didn put on the defensive pressure. We turned the basketball over a lot and we didn rebound well either. In critical moments we did not do the right defensive things.On Darko Milicic:As of right now I don know what to expect from him. He was drafted pretty high in the draft and he has great potential. He a 7-footer with a lot of capabilities at both ends of the floor. This is a great opportunity to see what he can do. TIMBERWOLVES FORWARD KEVIN LOVEOn tonight game:The whole game felt weird. Washington went on a big run, then we went on a big run. They came back, then we came back, and then Washington pulled ahead for Cincinnati Bengals jersey
good towards the game. It was just a weird game. Antawn didn play because of the trade and they made a huge trade earlier in the week. It was just a little different feel for both teams.On Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee:Andray (Blatche) and JaVale (McGee) both stepped up and played well for Washington tonight. After not playing big minutes early in the season they stepped up into bigger roles tonight. Postgame InterviewsFlip SaundersMike MillerAndray BlatcheJosh Howard Randy FoyeGoodbye Antawn, you will be missed!You can read this article and more at Wizards Extreme
2011年1月9日星期日
9 Jan 11 NBA Playoffs: The Battle of the Southwest
It is the home-stretch and the Houston Rockets have 24 games remaining. There are arguably five teams that will be battling for the eighth seed in the Western Conference. Of those five teams, four of them happen to be in the same divisionthe Southwest Division. That is why I believe the eighth and final spot in the tight Western Conference will likely be handed to the runner-up in the Southwest Division.The Southwest Division has been arguably one of the toughest divisionsin the NBA since its creation in the 2004-2005 NBA season.Results San Diego Chargers jersey
Don't Lie:1. Ateam from theSouthwest division has been representedin the NBA Finals in three of the past five seasons.2. Three teams from the Southwest Division have been represented in the NBA playoffs in five consecutive years.3. Four teamsfrom the Southwest Division have been representedin the NBA playoffs in three of those five years.Although this will be a down year for the Southwest division only having two teams represented in the NBA playoffs,the Southwest division will continue to put pressure on the West.Assumptions:Now, of course, there are a couple of assumptions we have to make that will make the eighth seed in the Western Conference a battle for second in the southwest.1. Dallas will win the division.Dallas is currently first in the Southwest division and their competition is already 4.5 games behind. Dallas is on a seven-game winning streak and has won eight of the last 10. The Mavericks have been rejuvenated with the presence of Brendan Haywood and the surprising play by Jason Kidd. Theyseem to be hitting their stride and it would be really tough to fall out of the Western Conference playoffs.2. Portland will finish the remainder of their games above .500 and take away the seventh spot from San Antonio.Although Portland has only won five of their last 10 games, I believe they will be able to creep up into the seventh spot of the Western Conference playoffs. Their remaining schedule is very favorable and Brandon Roy should be able to gethealthy. For much of this year, the Portland Trailblazers have had to battle injuries but have stillbeen able to remain within the thick of the playoff race. I can't see them falling off once they get their star player back. Portland is also only 1.5 games behind San Antonio for seventh in the West andSan Antonio has a tough schedule ahead of them.3. No other western conference team will fall out of the top eight.I am not a big fan of Oklahoma City or Phoenix but I believe that those two clubs have solid players that will be able to propel them into theplayoffs.Oklahoma City has alsowon eight of their last 10 games and Phoenix has won seven of their last 10.Outlook:Houston:24 games remaining,14 games against playoff teams (teams .500 or better or in a playoff spot),10 games against sub-.500 teams,12 home/San Francisco 49ers jersey
12 awayNew Orleans:22 games remaining,16 games against playoff teams,6 games against sub-.500 teams,12 home/10 awaySan Antonio:25 games remaining,18 games against playoff teams,7 games against sub-.500 teams,10 home/15 awayMemphis:23 games remaining,17 games against playoff teams,6 games against sub-.500 teams,11 home/12 awayKey Games to Watch:March 1: San Antonio at New OrleansMarch 3: Memphis at New OrleansMarch 5: New Orleans at San AntonioMarch 6: San Antonio at MemphisMarch 17: Memphis at HoustonMarch 31: Houston at San AntonioApril 2: New Orleans at MemphisApril 6: Houston at MemphisApril 9: Memphis at San AntonioApril 14: New Orleans at HoustonPrediction:8. San Antonio: 44 - 389. New Orleans: 42 - 4010.Houston: 40 - 4211. Memphis: 40 - 42The battle of the Southwest will ultimately come down to New Orleans and San Antonio.I think San Antonio has a very tough schedule ahead of them but I don't think there is any way those savvy veterans are going to let their team fall out of the playoffs. New Orleans will have a couple of shots to take over the eighth spot but they will have to win somehuge games on the road without Chris Paul. When Paul comes back, he may be able to propel the Hornets to a couple more victories andbe able tomake it tougher for the Spurs to hold on to the No. 8 spot.I believe the Rockets will give it a good fight down the stretch but I just don't think they are consistent enough to muster out enough wins to make the postseason. Seattle Seahawks jersey
If Memphis continues to play the way they have been playing, I don't see them being able to overtake any teams in the Southwest besides the Rockets. With all the fighting and battling for the final spot in the Western Conference, the winner of that eighth spot will have the privilege of playing theLos Angeles Lakers.
Don't Lie:1. Ateam from theSouthwest division has been representedin the NBA Finals in three of the past five seasons.2. Three teams from the Southwest Division have been represented in the NBA playoffs in five consecutive years.3. Four teamsfrom the Southwest Division have been representedin the NBA playoffs in three of those five years.Although this will be a down year for the Southwest division only having two teams represented in the NBA playoffs,the Southwest division will continue to put pressure on the West.Assumptions:Now, of course, there are a couple of assumptions we have to make that will make the eighth seed in the Western Conference a battle for second in the southwest.1. Dallas will win the division.Dallas is currently first in the Southwest division and their competition is already 4.5 games behind. Dallas is on a seven-game winning streak and has won eight of the last 10. The Mavericks have been rejuvenated with the presence of Brendan Haywood and the surprising play by Jason Kidd. Theyseem to be hitting their stride and it would be really tough to fall out of the Western Conference playoffs.2. Portland will finish the remainder of their games above .500 and take away the seventh spot from San Antonio.Although Portland has only won five of their last 10 games, I believe they will be able to creep up into the seventh spot of the Western Conference playoffs. Their remaining schedule is very favorable and Brandon Roy should be able to gethealthy. For much of this year, the Portland Trailblazers have had to battle injuries but have stillbeen able to remain within the thick of the playoff race. I can't see them falling off once they get their star player back. Portland is also only 1.5 games behind San Antonio for seventh in the West andSan Antonio has a tough schedule ahead of them.3. No other western conference team will fall out of the top eight.I am not a big fan of Oklahoma City or Phoenix but I believe that those two clubs have solid players that will be able to propel them into theplayoffs.Oklahoma City has alsowon eight of their last 10 games and Phoenix has won seven of their last 10.Outlook:Houston:24 games remaining,14 games against playoff teams (teams .500 or better or in a playoff spot),10 games against sub-.500 teams,12 home/San Francisco 49ers jersey
12 awayNew Orleans:22 games remaining,16 games against playoff teams,6 games against sub-.500 teams,12 home/10 awaySan Antonio:25 games remaining,18 games against playoff teams,7 games against sub-.500 teams,10 home/15 awayMemphis:23 games remaining,17 games against playoff teams,6 games against sub-.500 teams,11 home/12 awayKey Games to Watch:March 1: San Antonio at New OrleansMarch 3: Memphis at New OrleansMarch 5: New Orleans at San AntonioMarch 6: San Antonio at MemphisMarch 17: Memphis at HoustonMarch 31: Houston at San AntonioApril 2: New Orleans at MemphisApril 6: Houston at MemphisApril 9: Memphis at San AntonioApril 14: New Orleans at HoustonPrediction:8. San Antonio: 44 - 389. New Orleans: 42 - 4010.Houston: 40 - 4211. Memphis: 40 - 42The battle of the Southwest will ultimately come down to New Orleans and San Antonio.I think San Antonio has a very tough schedule ahead of them but I don't think there is any way those savvy veterans are going to let their team fall out of the playoffs. New Orleans will have a couple of shots to take over the eighth spot but they will have to win somehuge games on the road without Chris Paul. When Paul comes back, he may be able to propel the Hornets to a couple more victories andbe able tomake it tougher for the Spurs to hold on to the No. 8 spot.I believe the Rockets will give it a good fight down the stretch but I just don't think they are consistent enough to muster out enough wins to make the postseason. Seattle Seahawks jersey
If Memphis continues to play the way they have been playing, I don't see them being able to overtake any teams in the Southwest besides the Rockets. With all the fighting and battling for the final spot in the Western Conference, the winner of that eighth spot will have the privilege of playing theLos Angeles Lakers.
2011年1月8日星期六
8 Jan 11 The Celtics' Title Window Didn't Close, The Cavaliers Slammed It Shut
Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesYou could tell from Kevin Garnett's body language that his Boston Celtics had no answer for LeBron James and his ClevelandCavaliers, and Boston's loss on the road Sunday may have ushered in the end of an era.The Celtics will qualify for the postseason, but it appears they have little chance to legitimately challenge for the Eastern Conference throne based on their performances against the teams they currently trail in the standings.Boston trails the Cavaliers in head-to-head meetings, and have lost the Minnesota Vikings
season series against both the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic, meaning any hopes of title contention will begin on the road.Not that the confines of home have been much better considering recent puzzling losses to the New Jersey Nets and the Memphis Grizzlies, which have left everyone questioning the desire of the Celtics.Pride and passion have been a staple of this Boston team but both attributes have recently failed the Celtics, and in their loss to Cleveland it seemed that Boston visibly surrendered.That's not a good sign for the Celtics, but in all honesty, the championship window of this team more than likely closed after they reached the pinnacle of the league in 2008.Boston doesn't even closely resemble that team, and all of their primary players bare the mark of age and weariness, as injuries and the constant onslaught of time have taken their toll.Before the season began, a healthy Boston team was considered the front-runner to dethrone the Orlando Magic in the East, but are now being mentioned as candidates for a first-round upset once the postseason begins.Credit the Cleveland Cavaliers for driving home a point which most observers have taken for granted, and others failed to recognize due to past performances of this Celtics team.Boston did little to improve their team in the New England Patriots jersey
offseason or before the trading deadline, and it was agamble in which the Celtics placed their faith in and lost.Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers had a strong belief that this Boston team would be able to challenge for a NBA title as is, and they felt Garnett's successful return from injury would put them over the top.But this is not the Garnett from 2008, nor is it the same Paul Pierce or Ray Allen who won games based on their attitude and charisma, as much as they did with their considerable skills.This team by comparison lacks the swagger of the 2008 edition and the decline in each of the above-mentioned players' skills have been noticeable and evident in light of recent struggles.Who would have ever thought Garnett would be thoroughly out-played by the likes of Anderson Varejao? But there was Varejao, pushing Garnett around to the tune of 17 points and 10 rebounds.And Pierce, once so reliable in his offensive game, is a former shell of the player who radiated confidence and thrived off the opportunity to take the big shot.Even though James had a below average game for his standards, the difference in talent level between him and Pierce was striking, as Pierce left people wondering if he deserved to share the same court with James.Pierce was a step slow, his shot was off, and he was a perpetual victim to New Orleans Saints jersey
a superior defensive effort from James, which left Pierce virtually ineffective for much of the game.Watching the Celtics, it's hard to glean how they were able to capture the season opener from the Cavaliers, but that game seems to be more of an anomaly than an indicator of what was to come.Because after Boston's latest failure, we are all witness to the depths the franchise has fallen, and it took Cleveland's latest trouncing of the Celticsto speed the once proud team into irrelevancy.
season series against both the Atlanta Hawks and the Orlando Magic, meaning any hopes of title contention will begin on the road.Not that the confines of home have been much better considering recent puzzling losses to the New Jersey Nets and the Memphis Grizzlies, which have left everyone questioning the desire of the Celtics.Pride and passion have been a staple of this Boston team but both attributes have recently failed the Celtics, and in their loss to Cleveland it seemed that Boston visibly surrendered.That's not a good sign for the Celtics, but in all honesty, the championship window of this team more than likely closed after they reached the pinnacle of the league in 2008.Boston doesn't even closely resemble that team, and all of their primary players bare the mark of age and weariness, as injuries and the constant onslaught of time have taken their toll.Before the season began, a healthy Boston team was considered the front-runner to dethrone the Orlando Magic in the East, but are now being mentioned as candidates for a first-round upset once the postseason begins.Credit the Cleveland Cavaliers for driving home a point which most observers have taken for granted, and others failed to recognize due to past performances of this Celtics team.Boston did little to improve their team in the New England Patriots jersey
offseason or before the trading deadline, and it was agamble in which the Celtics placed their faith in and lost.Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers had a strong belief that this Boston team would be able to challenge for a NBA title as is, and they felt Garnett's successful return from injury would put them over the top.But this is not the Garnett from 2008, nor is it the same Paul Pierce or Ray Allen who won games based on their attitude and charisma, as much as they did with their considerable skills.This team by comparison lacks the swagger of the 2008 edition and the decline in each of the above-mentioned players' skills have been noticeable and evident in light of recent struggles.Who would have ever thought Garnett would be thoroughly out-played by the likes of Anderson Varejao? But there was Varejao, pushing Garnett around to the tune of 17 points and 10 rebounds.And Pierce, once so reliable in his offensive game, is a former shell of the player who radiated confidence and thrived off the opportunity to take the big shot.Even though James had a below average game for his standards, the difference in talent level between him and Pierce was striking, as Pierce left people wondering if he deserved to share the same court with James.Pierce was a step slow, his shot was off, and he was a perpetual victim to New Orleans Saints jersey
a superior defensive effort from James, which left Pierce virtually ineffective for much of the game.Watching the Celtics, it's hard to glean how they were able to capture the season opener from the Cavaliers, but that game seems to be more of an anomaly than an indicator of what was to come.Because after Boston's latest failure, we are all witness to the depths the franchise has fallen, and it took Cleveland's latest trouncing of the Celticsto speed the once proud team into irrelevancy.
2010年12月30日星期四
30 Dec 10 NBA Free Agency Watch: The Top Three Destinations for Joe Johnson
Kevin C. Cox/Getty ImagesIs it too early to be doing this? I mean, we haven't even made it to the Playoffs yet. Aren't we supposed to be looking forward to those first?Of course, if we're talking about LeBron however, this conversation is already two-plus years old!So, let's begin to speculate, prognosticate, and even commiserate with those players not named LeBronmaybe we'll get around to him eventuallywho are facing tough decisions about their future locations.We don't have to limit our conversations concerning these top-flight free Carolina Panthers jersey
agents simply to the teams with loads of offseason cap spaceas sign and trades are certainly always possiblebut we must give them special consideration, as the odds are in their favor to make a big splash.So, with our first installment, we ask the question: "Where'sthe best place for Joe Johnson to wind up by the time this summer is over?" We answer in descending order:1. Atlanta HawksIt's not that I'm opposed to change. Far from it, actually.In this case however, Joe Johnson's smartest choice would be not to mess with the good thing he's already got going.If you're Joe Johnson, why would you want tomove on to a rebuilding team like the Nets and spend a couple of years trying to gain traction? Didn't you just get done doing that in Atlanta?Would you really want to pair up with another superstar in New York, have to become the team's second gun, and probably play on a roster devoid of role players and depth?Why do that when you are the undisputed top dog on your current team, which also happens tofeature some of the most athletic and developed young forwards in the league?Joe Johnson's three position versatility is rightfully going to be a coveted commodity this offseason. However, his skill set has developed alongside a cadre of players who complement each other so well in a hierarchy that is already established.True, there might be a few extra dollars involved to leave, but the actual chances of personal and professionalsuccess are greater alongside the likes of Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Marvin Williams.I would hate to see Joe cash out early onhis investment of the past five seasons. He came to Atlanta during one of the franchise's lowest points. He has been a part of the Hawks' ascension to the NBA's near-elite. Why leave now and miss out on the payoff?2. Chicago BullsCould Joe Johnson thrive as the second fiddle to a LeBron or Dwayne Wade? His versatility and relatively unassuming manner indicate that he very well could.However, as stated above with the Hawks, I believe that Joe Johnson will be most successful asa No. 1 star surrounded by a talented supporting cast of 1a. and near-star players.Like Atlanta, the Chicago Bulls have an intriguing roster that is filled with legitimate near-stars in Luol Deng and Joakim Noah, while also possessing a player in Derrick Rose who could alternate with Joe Johnsonas the lead on a nightly basis.Add Taj Gibson, Kirk Hinrich, and James Johnson as the other Bulls scheduled to return next year, and Chicago could field a very potent eight-man rotation, while filling out the rest of the roster with adequate depth after Joe Johnson's signing.A starting lineup of Rose, Joe Johnson, Deng, Gibson, and Noah would be more than Chicago Bears jersey
athletic and multi-faceted enough to make up for the continuing lack of a post-up player.It's entirely possible that Chicago could still address that lessened need via a trade or reasonable free-agent signing. With Johnson aboard however, a low-post signee no longer needs to be a star-caliber acquisition. Instead,he just has to be a "different look" role player.The Bulls will rightly make a big play for hometown hero Dwayne Wade, but in the event that he opts to go elsewhere, Joe Johnson is a perfect fit to step in and round out a Chicago roster that has always seemed just one piece away.3. Minnesota TimberWolvesI know. I know. You'rewondering whether this is Dr. Trade simply being a homer, since he's one of the five people left in the world who care about the Wolvesand he's writing in third person again...True, teams like New York and New Jersey would give Joe Johnson the spotlight, the ratings, and the exposure, but look again at what Minnesota could potentially flank around him.The T-Wolves horrendous season has been aboutpick-and-roll or off the dribblepegs being forced into a Triangle Offense hole.The bigger problem has been the fact that, despite Al Jefferson's considerable low-post ability, the Wolves do not possess a top-flight player who is capable of carrying them in multiple categories on any given night.Enter Joe Johnson.He is the prototypical swingman whose size, ball-handling, and multi-range shooting skills could make him a perfect fit for Kurt Rambis' variation of the Triangle Offense.Now, Johnny Flynn could attack the basket, while not always having to initiate the offensive cycle.Now, Corey Brewer could do the defensive dirty work for Johnson against the opposition's best wing, while being moved back to his own natural position at the Small Forward spot.Thiswould also allowRyan Gomes' return to a bench role that doesn't ask too much of him.Doing that wouldthen giveMinnesota a much less repulsive second-unit by adding Gomes to the current core of Ramon Sessions and Kevin Love.While this still doesn't answer the Al Jefferson vs. Kevin Love questionbelieve it or not, if he stays, DarkoMilcic actually fixes the problem of whoshould spot minutes at center,but that's another story for a different timeit helps to shore up the wing speed and scoring deficiencies that have plagued the Wolves this year.In a way, that will then help protect Jefferson and Love's dearth of shot-blocking ability.Will Joe Johnson buy into the idea that the Wolves current 15-win roster isn't nearly as hopeless as it looks from the outside? Would he bypass the fame, alternative revenue streams, and slightly less horrendous wintersavailable with a New York or Chicago?You're right, he probably wouldn't.However, Minnesota offers him a 1a. wingman with Al Jefferson, and an underestimated cast of supporting players who would benefit from having a legitimate star carry the burden and return them to more realistic roles.Believe it Cincinnati Bengals jersey
or not,the TimberWolvesand Joe Johnson could mutually benefit to an enormous degree from being paired together. Plus, out of all the available stars this offseason, Johnson would actually be the best fit for the current Wolves' roster.Come on. Let me dream once in a while...- "Dr. Trade"
agents simply to the teams with loads of offseason cap spaceas sign and trades are certainly always possiblebut we must give them special consideration, as the odds are in their favor to make a big splash.So, with our first installment, we ask the question: "Where'sthe best place for Joe Johnson to wind up by the time this summer is over?" We answer in descending order:1. Atlanta HawksIt's not that I'm opposed to change. Far from it, actually.In this case however, Joe Johnson's smartest choice would be not to mess with the good thing he's already got going.If you're Joe Johnson, why would you want tomove on to a rebuilding team like the Nets and spend a couple of years trying to gain traction? Didn't you just get done doing that in Atlanta?Would you really want to pair up with another superstar in New York, have to become the team's second gun, and probably play on a roster devoid of role players and depth?Why do that when you are the undisputed top dog on your current team, which also happens tofeature some of the most athletic and developed young forwards in the league?Joe Johnson's three position versatility is rightfully going to be a coveted commodity this offseason. However, his skill set has developed alongside a cadre of players who complement each other so well in a hierarchy that is already established.True, there might be a few extra dollars involved to leave, but the actual chances of personal and professionalsuccess are greater alongside the likes of Al Horford, Josh Smith, and Marvin Williams.I would hate to see Joe cash out early onhis investment of the past five seasons. He came to Atlanta during one of the franchise's lowest points. He has been a part of the Hawks' ascension to the NBA's near-elite. Why leave now and miss out on the payoff?2. Chicago BullsCould Joe Johnson thrive as the second fiddle to a LeBron or Dwayne Wade? His versatility and relatively unassuming manner indicate that he very well could.However, as stated above with the Hawks, I believe that Joe Johnson will be most successful asa No. 1 star surrounded by a talented supporting cast of 1a. and near-star players.Like Atlanta, the Chicago Bulls have an intriguing roster that is filled with legitimate near-stars in Luol Deng and Joakim Noah, while also possessing a player in Derrick Rose who could alternate with Joe Johnsonas the lead on a nightly basis.Add Taj Gibson, Kirk Hinrich, and James Johnson as the other Bulls scheduled to return next year, and Chicago could field a very potent eight-man rotation, while filling out the rest of the roster with adequate depth after Joe Johnson's signing.A starting lineup of Rose, Joe Johnson, Deng, Gibson, and Noah would be more than Chicago Bears jersey
athletic and multi-faceted enough to make up for the continuing lack of a post-up player.It's entirely possible that Chicago could still address that lessened need via a trade or reasonable free-agent signing. With Johnson aboard however, a low-post signee no longer needs to be a star-caliber acquisition. Instead,he just has to be a "different look" role player.The Bulls will rightly make a big play for hometown hero Dwayne Wade, but in the event that he opts to go elsewhere, Joe Johnson is a perfect fit to step in and round out a Chicago roster that has always seemed just one piece away.3. Minnesota TimberWolvesI know. I know. You'rewondering whether this is Dr. Trade simply being a homer, since he's one of the five people left in the world who care about the Wolvesand he's writing in third person again...True, teams like New York and New Jersey would give Joe Johnson the spotlight, the ratings, and the exposure, but look again at what Minnesota could potentially flank around him.The T-Wolves horrendous season has been aboutpick-and-roll or off the dribblepegs being forced into a Triangle Offense hole.The bigger problem has been the fact that, despite Al Jefferson's considerable low-post ability, the Wolves do not possess a top-flight player who is capable of carrying them in multiple categories on any given night.Enter Joe Johnson.He is the prototypical swingman whose size, ball-handling, and multi-range shooting skills could make him a perfect fit for Kurt Rambis' variation of the Triangle Offense.Now, Johnny Flynn could attack the basket, while not always having to initiate the offensive cycle.Now, Corey Brewer could do the defensive dirty work for Johnson against the opposition's best wing, while being moved back to his own natural position at the Small Forward spot.Thiswould also allowRyan Gomes' return to a bench role that doesn't ask too much of him.Doing that wouldthen giveMinnesota a much less repulsive second-unit by adding Gomes to the current core of Ramon Sessions and Kevin Love.While this still doesn't answer the Al Jefferson vs. Kevin Love questionbelieve it or not, if he stays, DarkoMilcic actually fixes the problem of whoshould spot minutes at center,but that's another story for a different timeit helps to shore up the wing speed and scoring deficiencies that have plagued the Wolves this year.In a way, that will then help protect Jefferson and Love's dearth of shot-blocking ability.Will Joe Johnson buy into the idea that the Wolves current 15-win roster isn't nearly as hopeless as it looks from the outside? Would he bypass the fame, alternative revenue streams, and slightly less horrendous wintersavailable with a New York or Chicago?You're right, he probably wouldn't.However, Minnesota offers him a 1a. wingman with Al Jefferson, and an underestimated cast of supporting players who would benefit from having a legitimate star carry the burden and return them to more realistic roles.Believe it Cincinnati Bengals jersey
or not,the TimberWolvesand Joe Johnson could mutually benefit to an enormous degree from being paired together. Plus, out of all the available stars this offseason, Johnson would actually be the best fit for the current Wolves' roster.Come on. Let me dream once in a while...- "Dr. Trade"
2010年12月29日星期三
29 Dec 10 2010 Playoffs: Suns Vs Blazers Preview
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesOf all the four playoff series in the West, this series will easily be the worst. Surely it would be exciting to watch but a Blazers team without Roy will not succeed in the playoffs, maybe in the regular season but not in the playoffs. The Suns will host the Blazers at the U.S Airways Centre in Phoenix next week.The Suns have been the best team since the all-star break and Amar Stoudemire has ticked on and returned into his old form since the trade deadline passed. He has once again proven why he is the best power Jacksonville Jaguars jersey
forward in the league right now and some even regard him as the Suns MVP, although it is clear to some that Steve Nash is.The bench of the Suns have also played a huge role in their recent regular season run. They have managed to out score opposing bench teams which has helped the Suns win games. I don believe they will slow down come playoff time and especially against the Blazers. Jared Dudley and Channing Frye are the two main guys who provide energy off the bench for the Suns by knocking down threes and Jared Dudley with the amazing hustle on the defensive end which results in easy offensive plays for the team. But then there also Goran Dragic and Louis Amundson who both are great defensive players who help along side Jared Dudley.Given that the Suns will not have Robin Lopez that will be a major problem but not something that would mean all Suns fans lose faith in the Suns for. Itll be a hassle if Marcus Camby does end up being a offensive threat to us but Im sure with Louis Amundson Kansas City Chiefs jersey
on the court then there will be no major problems in containing Marcus Camby.Weve seen what Andre Miller can do on the offensive end and what the outcome of the game will be when he scores high numbers and given that Nash will be guarding him is only bad news for the Suns but that does not mean we will lose. Nash will never play defense or at least a substantial amount of it ever in his career so our only option will be to guard the paint carefully in case Andrew Miller drives the lane.Marcus Camby and Andre Miller may not be Miami Dolphins jersey
the only problems for the Suns in the playoffs. Rudy Fernandez and Jerryd Bayless may become problems if they do go on a shooting streak and make shot and after shot to help get the Blazers back into the game.Overall if the Suns do play defense and contain them from going on huge runs and shooting streaks then the Suns will be safe and will most likely advance to the second round where Robin Lopez will hopefully join them.
forward in the league right now and some even regard him as the Suns MVP, although it is clear to some that Steve Nash is.The bench of the Suns have also played a huge role in their recent regular season run. They have managed to out score opposing bench teams which has helped the Suns win games. I don believe they will slow down come playoff time and especially against the Blazers. Jared Dudley and Channing Frye are the two main guys who provide energy off the bench for the Suns by knocking down threes and Jared Dudley with the amazing hustle on the defensive end which results in easy offensive plays for the team. But then there also Goran Dragic and Louis Amundson who both are great defensive players who help along side Jared Dudley.Given that the Suns will not have Robin Lopez that will be a major problem but not something that would mean all Suns fans lose faith in the Suns for. Itll be a hassle if Marcus Camby does end up being a offensive threat to us but Im sure with Louis Amundson Kansas City Chiefs jersey
on the court then there will be no major problems in containing Marcus Camby.Weve seen what Andre Miller can do on the offensive end and what the outcome of the game will be when he scores high numbers and given that Nash will be guarding him is only bad news for the Suns but that does not mean we will lose. Nash will never play defense or at least a substantial amount of it ever in his career so our only option will be to guard the paint carefully in case Andrew Miller drives the lane.Marcus Camby and Andre Miller may not be Miami Dolphins jersey
the only problems for the Suns in the playoffs. Rudy Fernandez and Jerryd Bayless may become problems if they do go on a shooting streak and make shot and after shot to help get the Blazers back into the game.Overall if the Suns do play defense and contain them from going on huge runs and shooting streaks then the Suns will be safe and will most likely advance to the second round where Robin Lopez will hopefully join them.
2010年12月28日星期二
28 Dec 10 Chris Bosh: Leaving Quietly Just Wouldn't Make Enough Headlines
Noel Vasquez/Getty ImagesThere are many Raptor fans who've resorted to using the old school girl routine to hide their disappointment with the soon-to-be former Raptor's recent Twitter debacle where he all but admitted that he was leaving in an effort to prompt his fans and followers to suggest to him where he should be going. Bosh's inferiority complex is on full display now. Being talked about as the Robin to LeBron, Joe Johnson or Dwyane Wade's Batman, having Zach Randolph and Amar'e Stoudemire each call him out, having Miami Dolphins jersey
his manhood questioned by Shaquille O'Neal and having New York writers publicly questioning if he was any better than a glorified role player like David Lee are just a few of the many things Bosh has had to deal with in the past 18 months. In fact, Bosh is right to feel slighted and blame his lack of elite status on his perception that the majority of NBA players and beat writers still consider Toronto a second-rate market and an NBA outpost. The truth however is that true superstars shine regardless of where they're playing. Vince Carter was the most popular basketball player in the world for almost four years as a Raptor, Kevin Garnett was considered an elite superstar and future hall-of-famer in one of the NBA's smallest markets in Minnesota. In fact, Deron Williams, John Stockton and Karl Malone had no problem doing it in Salt Lake City of all places. Bosh feels slighted because he feels his resume should speak for itself, and he's right. He's a perennial All-star, a 20-10 threat every time he walks on the court, and he led a team to an Atlantic division title at 23. What Bosh fails to recognize, is that there is more on his resume than he cares to acknowledge. He's the franchise player who allowed Kobe Bryant to score eighty-one points without as much as getting into foul trouble trying to stop him. He's a player who fails to play through injuries, learn how to defend, develop a post-game and has won a grand total of three playoff games in seven years. He's also been a player who's always wilted when his team required the most of him, and a player who's slowly become one of the worst interior defenders in the league. His status as a blooming power-forward ready to fill the shoes of Duncan and Garnett is no more. What he is today is simply a talented player putting up big numbers on a team which hasn't made the playoffs in two years. It's no surprise that players like Zach Randolph and Amar'e Stoudemire haven't hesitated to say they were better players than Minnesota Vikings
Bosh, almost laughing off the suggestion that Bosh was a superstar. It doesn't surprise me that O'Neal essentially called him a drag-queen. Bosh isn't just saving his best for when the world is watching. In his last two trips to the playoffs, he's been anything but spectacular. Bosh has resorted to blaming the team around him, and has done so both tastefully and disrespectfully this season. It seems like the team's struggles are a "we" problem, and when the team is winning, it becomes an "I" solution. Luckily for him, he doesn't have a single Ron Artest, Rasheed Wallace, or Zach Randolph on his team who would retaliate by questioning the leadership of the man who's supposedly nagging injuries, lack of assertion, turnovers. and terrible play over the last 30 games caused the Raptors to drop from fifth to ninth in a terrible Eastern Conference. While most Raptor fans are just now starting to turn on Bosh, I turned on him the minute I saw his true colors in 2006. It was at that point that All-Star votes become more important than winning, making YouTube videos become more important than adding weight in the gym. It was at that point that I realized that Bosh doesn't do the small things, or play solid defense because there is no statistical reward for doing these things. Let's just say my Chris Bosh jersey has been in a box for a long time. Wherever he goes, he'll have about two years before he becomes a bloated contract tied to a completely useless player. He doesn't have the defensive ability or post game to survive once his quickness goes. He essentially becomes Juwan Howard at age 30. I'm not entirely positive about the rest of the league, but I'd think many times before signing on for six years of Chris Bosh when the latter part of those six years is undoubtedly going to give me an aging, oft-injured, one-dimensional jump-shooting big man who may or may not make creative YouTube videos. If I could speak to Bosh, I would not be begging him to stay. I would say nothing New England Patriots jersey
along the lines of "Don't be like Vince". He isn't Vince. He's not even close. That would be a compliment more than anything. Carter has been the number one option for every team he's ever played for at the NBA level. No, to Bosh I would simply say "don't let the door hit you on your way out."
his manhood questioned by Shaquille O'Neal and having New York writers publicly questioning if he was any better than a glorified role player like David Lee are just a few of the many things Bosh has had to deal with in the past 18 months. In fact, Bosh is right to feel slighted and blame his lack of elite status on his perception that the majority of NBA players and beat writers still consider Toronto a second-rate market and an NBA outpost. The truth however is that true superstars shine regardless of where they're playing. Vince Carter was the most popular basketball player in the world for almost four years as a Raptor, Kevin Garnett was considered an elite superstar and future hall-of-famer in one of the NBA's smallest markets in Minnesota. In fact, Deron Williams, John Stockton and Karl Malone had no problem doing it in Salt Lake City of all places. Bosh feels slighted because he feels his resume should speak for itself, and he's right. He's a perennial All-star, a 20-10 threat every time he walks on the court, and he led a team to an Atlantic division title at 23. What Bosh fails to recognize, is that there is more on his resume than he cares to acknowledge. He's the franchise player who allowed Kobe Bryant to score eighty-one points without as much as getting into foul trouble trying to stop him. He's a player who fails to play through injuries, learn how to defend, develop a post-game and has won a grand total of three playoff games in seven years. He's also been a player who's always wilted when his team required the most of him, and a player who's slowly become one of the worst interior defenders in the league. His status as a blooming power-forward ready to fill the shoes of Duncan and Garnett is no more. What he is today is simply a talented player putting up big numbers on a team which hasn't made the playoffs in two years. It's no surprise that players like Zach Randolph and Amar'e Stoudemire haven't hesitated to say they were better players than Minnesota Vikings
Bosh, almost laughing off the suggestion that Bosh was a superstar. It doesn't surprise me that O'Neal essentially called him a drag-queen. Bosh isn't just saving his best for when the world is watching. In his last two trips to the playoffs, he's been anything but spectacular. Bosh has resorted to blaming the team around him, and has done so both tastefully and disrespectfully this season. It seems like the team's struggles are a "we" problem, and when the team is winning, it becomes an "I" solution. Luckily for him, he doesn't have a single Ron Artest, Rasheed Wallace, or Zach Randolph on his team who would retaliate by questioning the leadership of the man who's supposedly nagging injuries, lack of assertion, turnovers. and terrible play over the last 30 games caused the Raptors to drop from fifth to ninth in a terrible Eastern Conference. While most Raptor fans are just now starting to turn on Bosh, I turned on him the minute I saw his true colors in 2006. It was at that point that All-Star votes become more important than winning, making YouTube videos become more important than adding weight in the gym. It was at that point that I realized that Bosh doesn't do the small things, or play solid defense because there is no statistical reward for doing these things. Let's just say my Chris Bosh jersey has been in a box for a long time. Wherever he goes, he'll have about two years before he becomes a bloated contract tied to a completely useless player. He doesn't have the defensive ability or post game to survive once his quickness goes. He essentially becomes Juwan Howard at age 30. I'm not entirely positive about the rest of the league, but I'd think many times before signing on for six years of Chris Bosh when the latter part of those six years is undoubtedly going to give me an aging, oft-injured, one-dimensional jump-shooting big man who may or may not make creative YouTube videos. If I could speak to Bosh, I would not be begging him to stay. I would say nothing New England Patriots jersey
along the lines of "Don't be like Vince". He isn't Vince. He's not even close. That would be a compliment more than anything. Carter has been the number one option for every team he's ever played for at the NBA level. No, to Bosh I would simply say "don't let the door hit you on your way out."
2010年12月27日星期一
27 Dec 10 Lebron James Rumor Round-Up
Elsa/Getty ImagesSATIRE There currently are a lot of rumors swirling around about LBJ, and I think he would really appreciate it if I took the time todispelthe dumb rumors and give cryptic answers about the true ones.I will be grading rumors on a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 being not so true and 10 being extremely true.Lebronand Chris Bosh to the Chicago Bulls:8Lebronwants to win and he wants to win now. His best shot at winning a championship immediately is going to Chicago with Chris Bosh. This is where the rumor gets complicated, theReebok Pittsburg Steelers #83 Heath Miller Realtree camo Jersey
only way both go to Chicago is with one of the two being involved in a sign-and-trade. Bosh has already put Chicago down as a team he is willing to be traded to, and Cleveland would be wise to grab a package involving Luol Deng if LBJ is set on leaving.DelonteWest and Lebron's Mother, Gloria James, have been sleeping together:1This rumor started going around after LBJ lost to the Celtics. Supposedly,Lebronfound out aboutDelonteand his mom after game 4, and this caused a breakdown in team chemistry that directly resulted in the losses to the Celtics. Right, the reasonLebronlost wasn't due to the fact his supporting cast is filled with choke artists and the Celtics played suffocating team D, but becauseDelontewas having secret sex with Lebron's mom. (P.Sgoogle"DelonteWest drives the lane", it accidentally brings up this rumor)This rumor is foolish and it's a result of old men's penchants for chain emails. Seriously, what's so great about a chain email? Chain emails are so antiquated; Now there isFacebook, Twitter,Stumbleupon,Chatroulette, and Textsfromlastnight to get ridiculous messages across theinternet.There are secret bonuses in Lebron's contract that activate if he signs with a big city team:2There don't seem to be any official clauses in his contract, Arizona Cardinals jersey
but that doesn't necessarily mean he couldn't have a super-secret clause hidden in his contract that you can only see with a decoder ring. Sometimes things are hidden in obvious places for a reason. For example, I had no idea that there was a treasure map hidden on the back of the Declaration of Independence until I sawNational Treasure.LebronJames is the man responsible for leaking the newiPhone:2No commentWorldwide Wes is shoppingLebronJames in a package deal with Air Bud:3Though Air Bud would provide more support than Antawn Jamison, I just don't think any team would be willing to put up with the headache both divas would cause.LebronJames will go play Tight End/Slot Receiver in the NFL:5Okso maybe this won't happen, but the reason I gave this rumor a decently high rating is because there is no doubt in my mindLebronJames would be a Hall OfFamerin the NFL. Seriously, he is 6'8'' and would simply beuncoverable. He weighs more than most linebackers and has deep threat speed. Teams would have to use Atlanta Falcons jersey
a lineman to bump him on the line every down because a corner or linebacker trying to jam LBJ would be laughable. LebronJames will team up with Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor to form the Avengers:1IfLebronreally wants to win a championship, this is his best option. This article is also featured onBrashGash
only way both go to Chicago is with one of the two being involved in a sign-and-trade. Bosh has already put Chicago down as a team he is willing to be traded to, and Cleveland would be wise to grab a package involving Luol Deng if LBJ is set on leaving.DelonteWest and Lebron's Mother, Gloria James, have been sleeping together:1This rumor started going around after LBJ lost to the Celtics. Supposedly,Lebronfound out aboutDelonteand his mom after game 4, and this caused a breakdown in team chemistry that directly resulted in the losses to the Celtics. Right, the reasonLebronlost wasn't due to the fact his supporting cast is filled with choke artists and the Celtics played suffocating team D, but becauseDelontewas having secret sex with Lebron's mom. (P.Sgoogle"DelonteWest drives the lane", it accidentally brings up this rumor)This rumor is foolish and it's a result of old men's penchants for chain emails. Seriously, what's so great about a chain email? Chain emails are so antiquated; Now there isFacebook, Twitter,Stumbleupon,Chatroulette, and Textsfromlastnight to get ridiculous messages across theinternet.There are secret bonuses in Lebron's contract that activate if he signs with a big city team:2There don't seem to be any official clauses in his contract, Arizona Cardinals jersey
but that doesn't necessarily mean he couldn't have a super-secret clause hidden in his contract that you can only see with a decoder ring. Sometimes things are hidden in obvious places for a reason. For example, I had no idea that there was a treasure map hidden on the back of the Declaration of Independence until I sawNational Treasure.LebronJames is the man responsible for leaking the newiPhone:2No commentWorldwide Wes is shoppingLebronJames in a package deal with Air Bud:3Though Air Bud would provide more support than Antawn Jamison, I just don't think any team would be willing to put up with the headache both divas would cause.LebronJames will go play Tight End/Slot Receiver in the NFL:5Okso maybe this won't happen, but the reason I gave this rumor a decently high rating is because there is no doubt in my mindLebronJames would be a Hall OfFamerin the NFL. Seriously, he is 6'8'' and would simply beuncoverable. He weighs more than most linebackers and has deep threat speed. Teams would have to use Atlanta Falcons jersey
a lineman to bump him on the line every down because a corner or linebacker trying to jam LBJ would be laughable. LebronJames will team up with Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor to form the Avengers:1IfLebronreally wants to win a championship, this is his best option. This article is also featured onBrashGash
2010年12月25日星期六
The Lakers did not have the large gap of control over this series that was assumed at first glance
Chauncey Billups on his way to MVP, was killing Payton and Fisher or whoever guarded him. Rasheed Wallace was playing huge making big buckets and Ben Wallace was a glass cleaner.What did this all mean?They couldn play these Finals like they did against Philadelphia in 2001, and New Jersey in 2002. This series was actually going to be a contest. They didn perform to their full abilities and they just didn play smart.Following the Finals, it became EGO Trip 2004. Kobe vs. Phil and Shaq, who was going to be choose? It was a Heavyweight showdown and the lightest of the bunch won out. Phil left coaching just as he had in Chicago and Shaq was traded to Miami for Caron Butler, Lamar Odom and Brian Grant.The team and the power would finally belong to Kobe. Rudy Tomjanovich would replace Phil as coach for the following season with Payton and Malone leaving as well.The team under Tomjanovich actually started the season out at a decent state of 24-19. He was forced to leave for health concerns for Frank Hamblen. Under Hamblen, the team went 10-29 and failed to make the Playoffs for the first time in Kobe career. The irritable parts of Kobe showed through their losses. The reemergence of Phil Jackson would show as the Lakers brought him back for their winning ways.Under Jackson the following year, the Lakers would make the Playoffs and take a 3-1 series lead against the Suns following a Kobe game winning jumper. Yet, Kobe couldn motivate his teammates to give support and the Suns would win the next three games. I remember being irate that the leader ofReebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
this team could not take over and carry his team to a win over a three game span.I had seen that ability from Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Kevin Garnett at that time, why not Kobe? He was the killer, the one who had the ability to give the finishing snake bite to the wounded animal. He had once again let me down playing the same ball in the last three games that he did against the Pistons in the 2004 Finals.When Kobe finally got his way and was entering the 04-05 season, Ray Allen was given an interview after the first game of the season. He was speaking to the state of one, Kobe Bryant.He stated this: If Kobe doesn't see he needs two and a half good players to be a legitimate playoff contender or win a championship in about a year or two he'll be calling out to Jerry Buss that 'We need some help in here,' or trade me, and we'll all be saying, 'I told you so,' when he says that." With that thought in mind, we move into the beginning of the 2007-08 season.As the summer was ending and the Lakers were getting ready to come back from another First Round loss, Kobe followed Allen predictions. He began to complain and demand a trade from the Lakers to a team that could win. I was at a loss, this from a man that had been given the keys to the biggest franchise in the NBA and now he wanted to leave?He had forced the hand of every member in the organization to get the team to his state of play and he still wasn happy. It didn matter that he didn leave for the Clippers during this period of Free Agency. Given what he had constructed, there was no reason for him to even consider another team.All the headaches to start the season even had Lakers fans booing him to start the season. People who had backed him for a decade were now getting the short end of the stick.Had Kobe become so narrowed mind he couldn see his personal effect on the team?He eventually decided to stay with the team after they reasoned there was no true reason to trade Kobe. An angry and selfish Kobe wasn that much different than the normal one. As the pain subsided February 3, 2008 showed up.This would be the day the Lakers would essentially steal Pau Gasol away from the Grizzlies for Kwame Brown. The whining would stop from Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
Kobe as he had a man to do what Kobe couldn do: be a physical beast. Yes, there is another point I make. Kobe is as tough minded a player as anyone when it comes to basketball, but he is not Charles Oakley on the court.Let face it, Chris Childs showed us that when Kobe tried to fight him in the Great Western Forum, that that was one thing he had no skills in. Kobe is not going to bang the boards and give you great interior defense. He is a great perimeter defender; we cannot mix the two up. I agree he is a top 5 defender in the league, but there are many different ways one can be a great defender.With Pau, the emergence of Andrew Bynum and Phil on the sidelines, the Lakers would return to the Finals. Awaiting them, would be the hungry Boston Celtics. This would be the series that Kobe would truly have the chance to make a claim at being Jordan-esque.This was his first time as the main man in the series. Instead of Magic vs. Michael or Barkley vs. Michael it would be Kobe vs. Garnett. To be honest, I was expecting more from Kobe. I was misinformed that again Kobe would not show up in the Finals. His lack of energy in Game 6 was almost as pathetic as Paul Pierce fake injury in Game One. Another season would go by without a title for Kobe.Finally, Kobe and Pau would lead the Lakers to their first title in seven years. I by this point had lost my love for the Lakers. After almost twenty years of love, Randy Newman tune did not flow with me. I decided to give up on being a supporter of the Lakers at this time. I will not be a fan again until Kobe has left the team. Why after 20 years would I leave? Well, Kobe. Kobe has become the embodiment of the Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees and now Los Angeles Lakers of the U.S. They are the media darling of each of their sports. With over glorified members on each of their rosters (Kobe, Alex Rodriguez, ANY Dallas Cowboy).He represents the fan that is not truly a fan. He represents that which uses Kobe as a status symbol, and not as a true love of the art of basketball. He represents the pop rap today that is almost as bad as the supposed rap he did to begin the millennium. He revels in who he is and walks with a swagger that does not allow for thought, just acceptance.I for one will not just accept, I will move for change in the game. Hopefully, when Kobe reaches the end of his career and his skills have diminished, he will become whole as a person and take on a new beginning.I have to Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
believe as much as I hate him, that this will be the time Kobe Bryant truly steps up in the Finals. I am not going to accept last years Finals as a true barometer.This time he will be cool and calm I believe as usual.The key difference will be Pau Gasol. He is the man who allowed Kobe his title last year and should be better this time around against Kevin Garnett. If Kobe and Pau get help from their bench, I see the home court being the difference in L.A. winning this series. In the end though, we play the games to see the outcome not just take it as an assumption.
this team could not take over and carry his team to a win over a three game span.I had seen that ability from Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Kevin Garnett at that time, why not Kobe? He was the killer, the one who had the ability to give the finishing snake bite to the wounded animal. He had once again let me down playing the same ball in the last three games that he did against the Pistons in the 2004 Finals.When Kobe finally got his way and was entering the 04-05 season, Ray Allen was given an interview after the first game of the season. He was speaking to the state of one, Kobe Bryant.He stated this: If Kobe doesn't see he needs two and a half good players to be a legitimate playoff contender or win a championship in about a year or two he'll be calling out to Jerry Buss that 'We need some help in here,' or trade me, and we'll all be saying, 'I told you so,' when he says that." With that thought in mind, we move into the beginning of the 2007-08 season.As the summer was ending and the Lakers were getting ready to come back from another First Round loss, Kobe followed Allen predictions. He began to complain and demand a trade from the Lakers to a team that could win. I was at a loss, this from a man that had been given the keys to the biggest franchise in the NBA and now he wanted to leave?He had forced the hand of every member in the organization to get the team to his state of play and he still wasn happy. It didn matter that he didn leave for the Clippers during this period of Free Agency. Given what he had constructed, there was no reason for him to even consider another team.All the headaches to start the season even had Lakers fans booing him to start the season. People who had backed him for a decade were now getting the short end of the stick.Had Kobe become so narrowed mind he couldn see his personal effect on the team?He eventually decided to stay with the team after they reasoned there was no true reason to trade Kobe. An angry and selfish Kobe wasn that much different than the normal one. As the pain subsided February 3, 2008 showed up.This would be the day the Lakers would essentially steal Pau Gasol away from the Grizzlies for Kwame Brown. The whining would stop from Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
Kobe as he had a man to do what Kobe couldn do: be a physical beast. Yes, there is another point I make. Kobe is as tough minded a player as anyone when it comes to basketball, but he is not Charles Oakley on the court.Let face it, Chris Childs showed us that when Kobe tried to fight him in the Great Western Forum, that that was one thing he had no skills in. Kobe is not going to bang the boards and give you great interior defense. He is a great perimeter defender; we cannot mix the two up. I agree he is a top 5 defender in the league, but there are many different ways one can be a great defender.With Pau, the emergence of Andrew Bynum and Phil on the sidelines, the Lakers would return to the Finals. Awaiting them, would be the hungry Boston Celtics. This would be the series that Kobe would truly have the chance to make a claim at being Jordan-esque.This was his first time as the main man in the series. Instead of Magic vs. Michael or Barkley vs. Michael it would be Kobe vs. Garnett. To be honest, I was expecting more from Kobe. I was misinformed that again Kobe would not show up in the Finals. His lack of energy in Game 6 was almost as pathetic as Paul Pierce fake injury in Game One. Another season would go by without a title for Kobe.Finally, Kobe and Pau would lead the Lakers to their first title in seven years. I by this point had lost my love for the Lakers. After almost twenty years of love, Randy Newman tune did not flow with me. I decided to give up on being a supporter of the Lakers at this time. I will not be a fan again until Kobe has left the team. Why after 20 years would I leave? Well, Kobe. Kobe has become the embodiment of the Dallas Cowboys, New York Yankees and now Los Angeles Lakers of the U.S. They are the media darling of each of their sports. With over glorified members on each of their rosters (Kobe, Alex Rodriguez, ANY Dallas Cowboy).He represents the fan that is not truly a fan. He represents that which uses Kobe as a status symbol, and not as a true love of the art of basketball. He represents the pop rap today that is almost as bad as the supposed rap he did to begin the millennium. He revels in who he is and walks with a swagger that does not allow for thought, just acceptance.I for one will not just accept, I will move for change in the game. Hopefully, when Kobe reaches the end of his career and his skills have diminished, he will become whole as a person and take on a new beginning.I have to Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
believe as much as I hate him, that this will be the time Kobe Bryant truly steps up in the Finals. I am not going to accept last years Finals as a true barometer.This time he will be cool and calm I believe as usual.The key difference will be Pau Gasol. He is the man who allowed Kobe his title last year and should be better this time around against Kevin Garnett. If Kobe and Pau get help from their bench, I see the home court being the difference in L.A. winning this series. In the end though, we play the games to see the outcome not just take it as an assumption.
25 Dec 10 NBA Free Agents 2010: Breaking Down the Deals Part 2
Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesWith the superstars and pseudo-stars long accounted for, it been nothing but role players, backups, and bench-fillers changing teams the past few weeks. Let examine which minor moves may have major ramifications.Linas Kleiza;Toronto RaptorsKleiza not an outstanding athlete, and don expect much defense, but he can certainly put the ball in the basket. He a stocky player whose best attribute is three-point shooting though he also a strong finisher on the break and after driving along the baseline. With Hedo Turkoglu Reebok Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice Realtree camo Jersey
now in Phoenix, Kleiza will have the first crack at the starting small forward position in Toronto.With the Raptors offensive spacing, he should thrive as a spot-up shooter who would also duck in to the basket from time to time, especially against weaker defenders. With Toronto having such a poor defensive roster, Kleiza defensive weaknesses would become even more exacerbated though.The Raptors would once again field an all-offense, no-defense lineup. Theyd be hoping that the offensive talents of Kleiza and the rest of the roster would overcome their defensive ineptitude. If it didn work with Chris Bosh in tow, why would it work without him?Grade: C+Jordan Farmar;New Jersey NetsFarmar is a good backup who can create his own shot off the dribble, knock down threes and push the pace. He not a particularly effective defender, and he not athletic by NBA point guard standards, but he not a bad decision maker and can create offense in a pinch.Grade: BAnthony Morrow;New Jersey NetsMorrow is a spot-up shooter who doesn do much else.Without Golden State gimmicky offense generating open looks, Morrow would have to hope that Devin Harris drive and kick game can free up open looks.Double-teaming Brook Lopez won necessarily open Morrow up because teams would double off Harris because of his iffy jump shot.Off the bench is where Morrow would be most effective.With Morrow, Jordan Farmar, Terrence Williams, Travis Outlaw, and Kris Humphries, the Nets bench would have some giddy-up.So long as the Nets can get enough stops, Humphries is a good enough rebounder to trigger New Jersey transition game, an attack which should create open looks for Morrow while defenses are trying to stop the ball and protect the basket first and foremost.Morrow also insurance should Courtney Lee suffer through another disappointing season.Grade: BTravis Outlaw;New Jersey NetsOutlaw has mastered a step-back jumper in the half court, and is an athletic specimen in the open court. He even made himself into a respectable three-point shooter. He won pass so he can start, but he can certainly be the featured player off New Jersey bench. Grade: B+Johan Petro;New Jersey NetsPetro is an athletic big man who won embarrass himself, but he isn a disciplined defender, has trouble guarding the post, doesn have any notable offensive skills, and is mistake prone. There are worse third centers in the league, but the more the Nets need Petro, the worse Reebok Baltimore Ravens #52 Ray Lewis Realtree camo Jersey
off they become.Grade: DJermaine ONeal;Boston CelticsONeal always has been totally soft on both ends of the court so it a wonder how exactly he fit in with the Celtics.He still a somewhat reliable jump shooter from 16-feet out who loves to face up, take one dribble going left, and then pull-up for the jumper.He also take his left hand to the basket against novice defenders who forget that he plays one-handed.It hard to run screen/fades with ONeal because he such a poor screen-setter. Plus, aside from a few games a month, ONeal is strictly a turnaround jump shooter in the post.As such, Boston will probably use him as a safety valve baseline jump shooter, much the way P.J. Brown strictly shot jumpers from the baseline during Boston 2008 title run.It odd that such a fragile player, and one with a notorious history of being a postseason dud (and who can forget his robust 21% shooting percentage against Boston last with the Heat last postseason) was signed by a team that builds its roster for deep playoff runs.At least when Kendrick Perkins returns from injury, ONeal will be relegated to the bench.Grade: D+Wesley Matthews;Portland Trail BlazersMatthews plays solid positional defense, is a capable shooter, and has a tremendous basketball IQ.If he not adept at creating his own shot, Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Andre Miller take up the bulk of the scoring responsibilities for the Blazers.Matthews will be a designated stopper as their main perimeter defender and will work without the ball to generate offense. The Blazers hope Matthews can develop into a long term defensive ace they can plug at small forward. Nicolas Batum isn quick enough to defend two-guards the way Matthews can, and Matthews is a more-well rounded offensive player.However, Portland also wants to win a playoff series this year.Given how Matthews had some measure of success containing Carmelo Anthony, and how Portland interior defense is much better than last year Utah squad, the Blazers should once again field an effective defensive team. The Blazers are still low on perimeter players who can create their own jump shooting, something only Roy and Jerryd Bayless (in streaks) are adept at.Will Matthews presence supply enough offense for the Blazers to advance in the postseason?Grade: BHilton Armstrong;Washington WizardsArmstrong can block a shot or two, but he a weak, foul-prone, inadequate defender with limited offensive skills. The Wizards already have to deal with JaVale McGee growing pains and Andray Blatche immaturity, why didn they target a more veteran presence as a third center?Grade: FQuentin Richardson;Orlando MagicRichardson was given a small role on the Heat last year and produced the most efficient season of his career.He be asked to fill a similar role with Miami as a small forward who won play more than 30 minutes a game but can stretch the floor with three-point shooting while Reebok Chicago Bears #54 Brian Urlacher Realtree camo Jersey
working hard on defense.Q-Rich also has some post up skills that can be put to use against select opponents.Richardson will effectively be replacing Matt Barnes as Orlando starting small forward.Barnes covers more ground than Richardson as he a step quicker and a better jumper. Because of this the Magic can expect a drop off in their ability to get layups in transition and a drop off in their defense.On the other hand, Richardson is a much better shooter than Barnes so Orlando spacing and half court offense will see a boost.Is he quick enough to force LeBron James or Dwyane Wade into designated help assignments? Is he big enough to contain James and Paul Pierce? Ultimately Richardon won be a difference maker.Grade: CTony Allen;Memphis GrizzliesAllen is one of the best on-ball defenders in basketball.He strong enough to get into an opponent kitchen, directing the offensive player to one direction, and he quick enough to keep pace with even the fastest scorers.His top-notch athleticism also makes him a menace in passing lanes which will create fast break opportunities for the young Grizzlies.Allen athleticism allows him to finish on the break, and he an excellent baseline runner in the half court, but his shooting is atrocious, and he can handle or pass.Fortunately, the Grizzlies have a world of offensive talent to alleviate Allen offensive flaws, and he provides the kind of top-flight defender the Grizzlies have lacked since Shane Battier was traded for Rudy Gay.The Grizzlies needed defense to have serious designs of making the playoffs, and they acquired one of the best defenders out there. A win-win.Grade: ADorell Wright;Golden State WarriorsWright is a good athlete who can shoot, handle, and create. He thrive playing alongside Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry, and like any competent offensive player in Golden State, you can expect big numbers.Sadly, Wright has the potential to develop into a good defender with his good combination of size and quickness, but still made too many mistakes based on not paying attention to detail. With Golden State, expect Wright defensive potential to go unrealized.Grade: BJosh Childress;Phoenix SunsChildress is a really versatile player who can do a number of different things.He has size, speed and handles so he can get to the basket and create off the dribble, plus he can knock down perimeter jumpers.Defensively, his huge wingspan allows him to swoop into passing lanes to end up with a host of deflections and steals. Reebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jersey
Playing alongside Steve Nash will allow Childress to simply use his athleticism to find easy baskets because if Childress is open, Nash will find him.Plus, Childress shoots well enough to keep Phoenix spacing on high screen/rolls. His rangy, disruptive defense ties into what Phoenix likes to do, as the steals he picks up will be converted into fast break opportunities. He the right player for the right team.Grade: A-Ian Mahinmi;Dallas MavericksMahinmi is an athletic project big, who has good measurable, but hasn developed a go-to offensive move, and can defend without fouling. With two veteran centers on the roster, Mahinmi will have a pair of tutors to try and speed up his development.Grade: B-Sheldon Williams;Denver NuggetsWilliams can catch a cold, gets bullied under the basket, doesn move well, and is just about useless during any meaningful stretch of action.He was an unmitigated disaster for the Celtics during the course of last season, and won provide any substantial boost to Denver this season. If the game is close and Williams is in, the Nuggets are in trouble.Grade: FAl Harrington;Denver NuggetsHarrington can score off the dribble, will drill three-pointers, rarely moves without the ball, doesn play defense, and lets his emotions get the best of him when a game hangs in the balance.In other words, he more of what the Nuggets have and don really need. Couldn Denver stock up on some role players who can do the dirty work on defense, or some players who won lose their heads when a game begins to slip from their grasps? What need do they have for another shot-happy offensive player?Grade: D-Mike Miller;Miami HeatMiller is an extremely accurate long distance shooter who will thrive off of the penetrations of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.He a veteran who knows how to move without the ball to get himself open, is totally unselfish, and is better than most spot-up gunners at creating his own offense and getting to the rim. In this case, he not one-dimensional which opens up more opportunities for Miami offense, and hed provide some measure of insurance should LeBron or especially Wade suffer a serious injury. Miller not a particularly effective defensive player, but with LeBron and Wade defensive capabilities, Miller would probably defend the opponent weakest offensive wing anyway. A perfect signing for a talented complementary player.Grade: A+Zydrunas Ilgauskas;Miami HeatAs Zyggy Il ages, his ability to play effective basketball diminishes exponentially. Reebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey
Ilgauskas can still occasionally hit a turnaround jumper over a shorter defender, but his offensive game now consists squarely of being an average mid-range jump shooter, and dropping in putbacks.His defense is worse.Because Ilgauskas is basically shackled to the floor, opponents will always have success attacking Ilgauskas with a quick move, or forcing him to make a quick rotation.At least Ilgauskas is big enough to be a one-man wall when opponents attack the paint, but he a complete defensive liability.Ilgauskas can still have some success as a part-time backup off the bench, but he not a championship-caliber starting player. Grade: D+Juwan Howard;Miami HeatAs Howard NBA career winds down, he more important in the locker room than on the court, as his experience, work ethic, and professionalism are his best qualities.He a respectable team defender, who knows where to be on the court, and he won make many mistakes. He not the worst third string power forward.Grade: CRaja Bell;Utah JazzBell can still play rugged defense, but he lost a step from his Phoenix days and isn the stopper he used to be.He still get under opponents skin though, in many ways allowing weak-minded opponents to beat themselves. However, for a Jazz team which needs to get better defensively, Bell won be a huge upgrade.Offensively, Bell has the toughness to set good screens, the stroke to hit mid-range and long-range jumpers, and the smarts to move without the ball to find open shots. In other words, he a perfect fit as a backup for Utah flex offense.Grade: B-Keyon Dooling;Milwaukee BucksDooling is a lithe, quick point guard who can pressure the ball on defense and knock down jumpers on offense.Scott Skiles loves point guards who can apply full court ball pressure, Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
and Dooling will be a defensive upgrade over Brandon Jennings and last year backup, Luke Ridnour.Dooling can also create offense in a broken field which is always a plus. The Bucks are in trouble if Dooling is pressed to start, but he a good backup who fit in nicely in Milwaukee.Grade: B+
now in Phoenix, Kleiza will have the first crack at the starting small forward position in Toronto.With the Raptors offensive spacing, he should thrive as a spot-up shooter who would also duck in to the basket from time to time, especially against weaker defenders. With Toronto having such a poor defensive roster, Kleiza defensive weaknesses would become even more exacerbated though.The Raptors would once again field an all-offense, no-defense lineup. Theyd be hoping that the offensive talents of Kleiza and the rest of the roster would overcome their defensive ineptitude. If it didn work with Chris Bosh in tow, why would it work without him?Grade: C+Jordan Farmar;New Jersey NetsFarmar is a good backup who can create his own shot off the dribble, knock down threes and push the pace. He not a particularly effective defender, and he not athletic by NBA point guard standards, but he not a bad decision maker and can create offense in a pinch.Grade: BAnthony Morrow;New Jersey NetsMorrow is a spot-up shooter who doesn do much else.Without Golden State gimmicky offense generating open looks, Morrow would have to hope that Devin Harris drive and kick game can free up open looks.Double-teaming Brook Lopez won necessarily open Morrow up because teams would double off Harris because of his iffy jump shot.Off the bench is where Morrow would be most effective.With Morrow, Jordan Farmar, Terrence Williams, Travis Outlaw, and Kris Humphries, the Nets bench would have some giddy-up.So long as the Nets can get enough stops, Humphries is a good enough rebounder to trigger New Jersey transition game, an attack which should create open looks for Morrow while defenses are trying to stop the ball and protect the basket first and foremost.Morrow also insurance should Courtney Lee suffer through another disappointing season.Grade: BTravis Outlaw;New Jersey NetsOutlaw has mastered a step-back jumper in the half court, and is an athletic specimen in the open court. He even made himself into a respectable three-point shooter. He won pass so he can start, but he can certainly be the featured player off New Jersey bench. Grade: B+Johan Petro;New Jersey NetsPetro is an athletic big man who won embarrass himself, but he isn a disciplined defender, has trouble guarding the post, doesn have any notable offensive skills, and is mistake prone. There are worse third centers in the league, but the more the Nets need Petro, the worse Reebok Baltimore Ravens #52 Ray Lewis Realtree camo Jersey
off they become.Grade: DJermaine ONeal;Boston CelticsONeal always has been totally soft on both ends of the court so it a wonder how exactly he fit in with the Celtics.He still a somewhat reliable jump shooter from 16-feet out who loves to face up, take one dribble going left, and then pull-up for the jumper.He also take his left hand to the basket against novice defenders who forget that he plays one-handed.It hard to run screen/fades with ONeal because he such a poor screen-setter. Plus, aside from a few games a month, ONeal is strictly a turnaround jump shooter in the post.As such, Boston will probably use him as a safety valve baseline jump shooter, much the way P.J. Brown strictly shot jumpers from the baseline during Boston 2008 title run.It odd that such a fragile player, and one with a notorious history of being a postseason dud (and who can forget his robust 21% shooting percentage against Boston last with the Heat last postseason) was signed by a team that builds its roster for deep playoff runs.At least when Kendrick Perkins returns from injury, ONeal will be relegated to the bench.Grade: D+Wesley Matthews;Portland Trail BlazersMatthews plays solid positional defense, is a capable shooter, and has a tremendous basketball IQ.If he not adept at creating his own shot, Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, and Andre Miller take up the bulk of the scoring responsibilities for the Blazers.Matthews will be a designated stopper as their main perimeter defender and will work without the ball to generate offense. The Blazers hope Matthews can develop into a long term defensive ace they can plug at small forward. Nicolas Batum isn quick enough to defend two-guards the way Matthews can, and Matthews is a more-well rounded offensive player.However, Portland also wants to win a playoff series this year.Given how Matthews had some measure of success containing Carmelo Anthony, and how Portland interior defense is much better than last year Utah squad, the Blazers should once again field an effective defensive team. The Blazers are still low on perimeter players who can create their own jump shooting, something only Roy and Jerryd Bayless (in streaks) are adept at.Will Matthews presence supply enough offense for the Blazers to advance in the postseason?Grade: BHilton Armstrong;Washington WizardsArmstrong can block a shot or two, but he a weak, foul-prone, inadequate defender with limited offensive skills. The Wizards already have to deal with JaVale McGee growing pains and Andray Blatche immaturity, why didn they target a more veteran presence as a third center?Grade: FQuentin Richardson;Orlando MagicRichardson was given a small role on the Heat last year and produced the most efficient season of his career.He be asked to fill a similar role with Miami as a small forward who won play more than 30 minutes a game but can stretch the floor with three-point shooting while Reebok Chicago Bears #54 Brian Urlacher Realtree camo Jersey
working hard on defense.Q-Rich also has some post up skills that can be put to use against select opponents.Richardson will effectively be replacing Matt Barnes as Orlando starting small forward.Barnes covers more ground than Richardson as he a step quicker and a better jumper. Because of this the Magic can expect a drop off in their ability to get layups in transition and a drop off in their defense.On the other hand, Richardson is a much better shooter than Barnes so Orlando spacing and half court offense will see a boost.Is he quick enough to force LeBron James or Dwyane Wade into designated help assignments? Is he big enough to contain James and Paul Pierce? Ultimately Richardon won be a difference maker.Grade: CTony Allen;Memphis GrizzliesAllen is one of the best on-ball defenders in basketball.He strong enough to get into an opponent kitchen, directing the offensive player to one direction, and he quick enough to keep pace with even the fastest scorers.His top-notch athleticism also makes him a menace in passing lanes which will create fast break opportunities for the young Grizzlies.Allen athleticism allows him to finish on the break, and he an excellent baseline runner in the half court, but his shooting is atrocious, and he can handle or pass.Fortunately, the Grizzlies have a world of offensive talent to alleviate Allen offensive flaws, and he provides the kind of top-flight defender the Grizzlies have lacked since Shane Battier was traded for Rudy Gay.The Grizzlies needed defense to have serious designs of making the playoffs, and they acquired one of the best defenders out there. A win-win.Grade: ADorell Wright;Golden State WarriorsWright is a good athlete who can shoot, handle, and create. He thrive playing alongside Monta Ellis and Stephen Curry, and like any competent offensive player in Golden State, you can expect big numbers.Sadly, Wright has the potential to develop into a good defender with his good combination of size and quickness, but still made too many mistakes based on not paying attention to detail. With Golden State, expect Wright defensive potential to go unrealized.Grade: BJosh Childress;Phoenix SunsChildress is a really versatile player who can do a number of different things.He has size, speed and handles so he can get to the basket and create off the dribble, plus he can knock down perimeter jumpers.Defensively, his huge wingspan allows him to swoop into passing lanes to end up with a host of deflections and steals. Reebok Chicago Bears #6 Jay Cutler Realtree camo Jersey
Playing alongside Steve Nash will allow Childress to simply use his athleticism to find easy baskets because if Childress is open, Nash will find him.Plus, Childress shoots well enough to keep Phoenix spacing on high screen/rolls. His rangy, disruptive defense ties into what Phoenix likes to do, as the steals he picks up will be converted into fast break opportunities. He the right player for the right team.Grade: A-Ian Mahinmi;Dallas MavericksMahinmi is an athletic project big, who has good measurable, but hasn developed a go-to offensive move, and can defend without fouling. With two veteran centers on the roster, Mahinmi will have a pair of tutors to try and speed up his development.Grade: B-Sheldon Williams;Denver NuggetsWilliams can catch a cold, gets bullied under the basket, doesn move well, and is just about useless during any meaningful stretch of action.He was an unmitigated disaster for the Celtics during the course of last season, and won provide any substantial boost to Denver this season. If the game is close and Williams is in, the Nuggets are in trouble.Grade: FAl Harrington;Denver NuggetsHarrington can score off the dribble, will drill three-pointers, rarely moves without the ball, doesn play defense, and lets his emotions get the best of him when a game hangs in the balance.In other words, he more of what the Nuggets have and don really need. Couldn Denver stock up on some role players who can do the dirty work on defense, or some players who won lose their heads when a game begins to slip from their grasps? What need do they have for another shot-happy offensive player?Grade: D-Mike Miller;Miami HeatMiller is an extremely accurate long distance shooter who will thrive off of the penetrations of Dwyane Wade and LeBron James.He a veteran who knows how to move without the ball to get himself open, is totally unselfish, and is better than most spot-up gunners at creating his own offense and getting to the rim. In this case, he not one-dimensional which opens up more opportunities for Miami offense, and hed provide some measure of insurance should LeBron or especially Wade suffer a serious injury. Miller not a particularly effective defensive player, but with LeBron and Wade defensive capabilities, Miller would probably defend the opponent weakest offensive wing anyway. A perfect signing for a talented complementary player.Grade: A+Zydrunas Ilgauskas;Miami HeatAs Zyggy Il ages, his ability to play effective basketball diminishes exponentially. Reebok Dallas Cowboys #82 Jason Witten Realtree camo Jersey
Ilgauskas can still occasionally hit a turnaround jumper over a shorter defender, but his offensive game now consists squarely of being an average mid-range jump shooter, and dropping in putbacks.His defense is worse.Because Ilgauskas is basically shackled to the floor, opponents will always have success attacking Ilgauskas with a quick move, or forcing him to make a quick rotation.At least Ilgauskas is big enough to be a one-man wall when opponents attack the paint, but he a complete defensive liability.Ilgauskas can still have some success as a part-time backup off the bench, but he not a championship-caliber starting player. Grade: D+Juwan Howard;Miami HeatAs Howard NBA career winds down, he more important in the locker room than on the court, as his experience, work ethic, and professionalism are his best qualities.He a respectable team defender, who knows where to be on the court, and he won make many mistakes. He not the worst third string power forward.Grade: CRaja Bell;Utah JazzBell can still play rugged defense, but he lost a step from his Phoenix days and isn the stopper he used to be.He still get under opponents skin though, in many ways allowing weak-minded opponents to beat themselves. However, for a Jazz team which needs to get better defensively, Bell won be a huge upgrade.Offensively, Bell has the toughness to set good screens, the stroke to hit mid-range and long-range jumpers, and the smarts to move without the ball to find open shots. In other words, he a perfect fit as a backup for Utah flex offense.Grade: B-Keyon Dooling;Milwaukee BucksDooling is a lithe, quick point guard who can pressure the ball on defense and knock down jumpers on offense.Scott Skiles loves point guards who can apply full court ball pressure, Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
and Dooling will be a defensive upgrade over Brandon Jennings and last year backup, Luke Ridnour.Dooling can also create offense in a broken field which is always a plus. The Bucks are in trouble if Dooling is pressed to start, but he a good backup who fit in nicely in Milwaukee.Grade: B+
2010年12月24日星期五
24 Dec 10 Sorry Miami: The Boston Celtics Big Three Was Never an NBA Superteam
Superteam, No. Just damn good.Ronald Martinez/Getty Images This summer a trio of superstars came together in a free agent coup that has changed the face of the modern NBA. The teaming of 3 certified superstars of the game is certainly a gigantic news story. Some fans have embraced what ESPN has dubbed "Miami Thrice," while plenty of others have taken a very negative view of the move. And just like American Presidential elections, these opinions are generally split along party lines. Heat fans are on one side ofPhiladelphia Eagles jersey
the aisle (guess which) and most (not all) of the NBA's other fans occupy the other. Also from the world of politics has come the emergence of "talking points" that Miami's fans have used to deflect criticism both warranted and not. My research will debunk at least one aspect of their argument. And here are the questions I aim to answer. Is there precedent in the modern NBA for such a dramatic free agent team-up, or are King James and company treading new ground? And if that precedent exists, did Boston create the first "Superteam" when they paired Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett with Paul Pierce in 2007? It's the most credible sounding counterpoint to the anti-Heat crowd, which states that Boston's big three was the original shot across the bow when it came to star hoarding. After all, on the surface, there would appear to be similarities to how these teams were assembled. Is there precedent in the modern NBA for such a dramatic free agent team-up, or are King James and company treading new ground? Before we get to the details, its important to set the criteria. Instead of lumping the entire disjointed history of the league into this discussion, I have decided to only include the modern era as a source of investigation. This current period began the day that Shaquille O'Neal announced he was leaving the Orlando Magic for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. That decision clearly was a game-changer, and jolted the NBA into the realization that free agency was a powerful tool. Despite all of the salary incentives in place for stars to stay with the home team, it would not prevent everyone from testing the market. In the absence of Michael Jordan, who was playing minor league baseball at the time, Shaq was the biggest star in Basketball. Because of his current refusal to retire on anyone else's terms but his own, it seems easy to forget how dominant O'Neal was in his youth. While other stars had left via trade or signed as free agents past their primes, no one of his caliber had ever just simply left town over the Summer. Go ahead and take the cushions off your couch and see what you find. Even if its a ball of lint and a TVguide, that would be more than Orlando got in return for the man that they groomed into stardom from the day they drafted him 4 years prior. Shaq Fu started to look a lot like Shaq F-U in the wake of his departure to the bright lights of Los Angeles. Needless to say, it was a bit unsettling. Every front office in the Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
sport took notice. This Better Work FellasChris Graythen/Getty Images This move obviously caused a shift in the team power rankings, but more significant was the cultural shift in how business would be done. Players began to wield a bit more leverage due to the threat of just picking up and leaving the day that they are no longer contractually obligated. Owners and GM's alternately were forced to ponder trading their stars rather than risk gaining nothing in return. It signaled the beginning of a new era where star players changing uniforms was no longer uncommon. The 15 year period that leads up to the current 2010-2011 season is what I will deem the modern era. Despite the new reality of doing business in the league, it takes little more than a quick glance to realize that over that period of time there was really only one team that was created in a similarly dramatic and immediate fashion to the present Miami Heat team. The Boston Celtics were given a wildly successful face-lift during the 2007 off-season. The preceding year saw the squad finish a dismal 24-58, which was good (or bad) enough to secure the 2nd worst record in the league. Paul Pierce, their lone star was injured for significant stretches leaving a void in talent that was unable to be filled. So while Dwyane Wade was putting the finishing touches on an NBA title for his South Beach admirers that very season, the once proud Celtics were sinking into oblivion. Changes were on the way. On June 28th, 2007 things began to get interesting. The former SuperSonics dealt Ray Allen, Glen Davis and the 35th pick in the upcoming draft to the Celts for Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, and Jeff Green. Not a bad start. Were the Allen, Garnett, and Pierce San Diego Chargers jersey
Celtics ever a Superteam?Were the Allen, Garnett, and Pierce Celtics ever a Superteam?Yes54.9%No32.1%There are no Superteams13.0%Total votes: 607 Almost a month later, an equally important trade brought perennial all-star Kevin Garnett to the club from the lowly Timberwolves. Al Jefferson,Ryan Gomes,Sebastian Telfair,Gerald Green, andTheo Ratliffwere all jettisoned to Minnesota, along with cash considerations. In hindsight, that was like trading 5 bags of Cheetos and a gift certificate to Olive Garden for a Rolls Royce. And Lest we not forget that this club did not have to give up its emerging talented point guard, Rajon Rondo. Already the comparison to the Miami unit is becoming a bit muddled. These improvements were strictly a result of trades. Thats a far cry from the methods utilized by the Heat. As we all know, Lebron James and Chris Bosh signed via free agency. While Boston had to give something to get something, Miami's challenge was to clear enough cap space for two superstars while sending D-Wade out to close the deal. Both were effective tools, but even to the unbiased observer, one strategy clearly took more effort and savvy in order to execute. I hope no one considers clearing cap space with a full two years notice some sort of achievement. Every single team that had a chance this year at landing James was able to accomplish that feat. (Chicago, New Jersey, New York, Miami, the LA Clippers.) It's also a pretty easy proposition when you are aware (like the Heat was most likely) what was going to happen in the end. There is a reason that Stephen A. Smith broke the story long before the announcement. More than just Lebron knew. But the differences don't end there. There is also a pretty decent disparity in talent obtained by the teams in their breakout offseasons. The biggest current knock on Boston's chances at reaching the finals again is the overall age of the team. All three of their stars are on the downslope of San Francisco 49ers jersey
their careers. But even in their prime years, which would include the season before their blockbuster team-up, 2006-2007 the trio of Wade, Lebron, and Bosh were statistically a better group. What makes it more imposing is that all three young future Heat teammates were still improving at the time. Let's crunch the numbers. Lebron James was leading his team almost singlehandedly and averaging 27.3 points per game on his way to a Finals berth. This also included playing the point on many occasions and racking up assists as well (6.0 per game.) Even more astounding is that Dwyane Wade was only half of the offensive one-punch of Miami's squad and still averaged 27.4 points per game, putting him only behind Kobe Bryant (31.6 ppg) that year in scoring. It's a pretty safe bet that he relinquished a decent amount of the points that he could have scored to Shaq in the name of teamwork. Even the least talented of the three, Chris Bosh was averaging 22.6 points per game AND 10.7 rebounds, which puts him above Garnett in scoring (22.4) and marginally below him in rebounds (12.8.) So essentially, Miami's least talented star player who was still developing was almost as good as the most talented Boston player (Garnett) who was in his prime. Ray Allen scored at a rate of 26.4 points per game, placing him below King James and D-Wade. Paul Pierce averaged 25 points per game, once again only surpassing Bosh's totals. Even if you take into account the fact that Garnett's dominating defense does not always adhere itself to concrete stats, its pretty obvious that Lebron was the better player in a head to head matchup of top talents even back then. He was averaging more assists than most point guards, scoring Seattle Seahawks jersey
at an incredibly high level and was no slouch on defense either. Garnett may have been a beast, but still not in Lebron's league. Let's discuss the performances of the two trios when it comes to playoff time. Dwyane Wade has already shown a deft ability to shine in the post season and also has a ring on his finger. Lebron has amassed some pretty impressive playoff numbers over his career. He even willed a subpar (at best) team into the championship series against the Spurs in 2007. In the Eastern Conference finals against the favored Detroit, I think we all remember him scoring 48 points and 29 0f 30 of his teams last points in a comeback win in game 5. Marv Albert called it a "historic performance."Everyone seems to only remember his playoff performance this year which was outstanding, but not clutch. Not to mention there was most likely an elbow issue affecting him. But even if not, that wasn't really representative of his postseason career. Ray Allen is generally a cold-blooded assassin in the playoffs. No one is a better pure shooter. But he is prone to some erratic games. Remember his zero field goal performance right after his brilliant game in the Finals this year? Bosh does not have a big enough sample survey to judge him. Although post players who take more high percentage shots seem to have more dependable and non fluctuating stats. Garnett is known for upping his game just a bit during crucial times. Once again, numbers don't tell the defensive whiz's full story. All in all, it appears that both units are pretty even when it comes to the intangibles of the postseason. So even that does not go in the Celtic's favor when compared side by side. The picture is getting pretty clear. Even when the future Heat stars had not reached their full potential, the combination of the three was better than Boston's future three in the primes of their respective careers. That even includes the playoffs. And back to my earlier point, the Celts were created, much like the Kobe Bryant Lakers, through good trades and intelligent management. If this does not dispel all the talk of the Celtics creating the first "superteam," then there is nothing that will. Don't get me wrong. Its not as if you can fault Pat Riley for taking advantage of an opportunity that fell in his lap. Or even Dwayne Wade for inviting his buddies to the hometown team. But I think we can put to rest any kind of chatter that Miami was just doing what other teams have done in the past. NotSt. Louis Rams jersey
even close. I think its become pretty apparent that if this team fails, it will fail "historically." A new precedent has been set, and barring injuries, there is no excuse for leaving the playoffs without a title.** Here is another article of mine that goes along well with this one. It involves Kobe Bryant in relation to the Miami Superteam
the aisle (guess which) and most (not all) of the NBA's other fans occupy the other. Also from the world of politics has come the emergence of "talking points" that Miami's fans have used to deflect criticism both warranted and not. My research will debunk at least one aspect of their argument. And here are the questions I aim to answer. Is there precedent in the modern NBA for such a dramatic free agent team-up, or are King James and company treading new ground? And if that precedent exists, did Boston create the first "Superteam" when they paired Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett with Paul Pierce in 2007? It's the most credible sounding counterpoint to the anti-Heat crowd, which states that Boston's big three was the original shot across the bow when it came to star hoarding. After all, on the surface, there would appear to be similarities to how these teams were assembled. Is there precedent in the modern NBA for such a dramatic free agent team-up, or are King James and company treading new ground? Before we get to the details, its important to set the criteria. Instead of lumping the entire disjointed history of the league into this discussion, I have decided to only include the modern era as a source of investigation. This current period began the day that Shaquille O'Neal announced he was leaving the Orlando Magic for the Los Angeles Lakers in 1996. That decision clearly was a game-changer, and jolted the NBA into the realization that free agency was a powerful tool. Despite all of the salary incentives in place for stars to stay with the home team, it would not prevent everyone from testing the market. In the absence of Michael Jordan, who was playing minor league baseball at the time, Shaq was the biggest star in Basketball. Because of his current refusal to retire on anyone else's terms but his own, it seems easy to forget how dominant O'Neal was in his youth. While other stars had left via trade or signed as free agents past their primes, no one of his caliber had ever just simply left town over the Summer. Go ahead and take the cushions off your couch and see what you find. Even if its a ball of lint and a TVguide, that would be more than Orlando got in return for the man that they groomed into stardom from the day they drafted him 4 years prior. Shaq Fu started to look a lot like Shaq F-U in the wake of his departure to the bright lights of Los Angeles. Needless to say, it was a bit unsettling. Every front office in the Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
sport took notice. This Better Work FellasChris Graythen/Getty Images This move obviously caused a shift in the team power rankings, but more significant was the cultural shift in how business would be done. Players began to wield a bit more leverage due to the threat of just picking up and leaving the day that they are no longer contractually obligated. Owners and GM's alternately were forced to ponder trading their stars rather than risk gaining nothing in return. It signaled the beginning of a new era where star players changing uniforms was no longer uncommon. The 15 year period that leads up to the current 2010-2011 season is what I will deem the modern era. Despite the new reality of doing business in the league, it takes little more than a quick glance to realize that over that period of time there was really only one team that was created in a similarly dramatic and immediate fashion to the present Miami Heat team. The Boston Celtics were given a wildly successful face-lift during the 2007 off-season. The preceding year saw the squad finish a dismal 24-58, which was good (or bad) enough to secure the 2nd worst record in the league. Paul Pierce, their lone star was injured for significant stretches leaving a void in talent that was unable to be filled. So while Dwyane Wade was putting the finishing touches on an NBA title for his South Beach admirers that very season, the once proud Celtics were sinking into oblivion. Changes were on the way. On June 28th, 2007 things began to get interesting. The former SuperSonics dealt Ray Allen, Glen Davis and the 35th pick in the upcoming draft to the Celts for Delonte West, Wally Szczerbiak, and Jeff Green. Not a bad start. Were the Allen, Garnett, and Pierce San Diego Chargers jersey
Celtics ever a Superteam?Were the Allen, Garnett, and Pierce Celtics ever a Superteam?Yes54.9%No32.1%There are no Superteams13.0%Total votes: 607 Almost a month later, an equally important trade brought perennial all-star Kevin Garnett to the club from the lowly Timberwolves. Al Jefferson,Ryan Gomes,Sebastian Telfair,Gerald Green, andTheo Ratliffwere all jettisoned to Minnesota, along with cash considerations. In hindsight, that was like trading 5 bags of Cheetos and a gift certificate to Olive Garden for a Rolls Royce. And Lest we not forget that this club did not have to give up its emerging talented point guard, Rajon Rondo. Already the comparison to the Miami unit is becoming a bit muddled. These improvements were strictly a result of trades. Thats a far cry from the methods utilized by the Heat. As we all know, Lebron James and Chris Bosh signed via free agency. While Boston had to give something to get something, Miami's challenge was to clear enough cap space for two superstars while sending D-Wade out to close the deal. Both were effective tools, but even to the unbiased observer, one strategy clearly took more effort and savvy in order to execute. I hope no one considers clearing cap space with a full two years notice some sort of achievement. Every single team that had a chance this year at landing James was able to accomplish that feat. (Chicago, New Jersey, New York, Miami, the LA Clippers.) It's also a pretty easy proposition when you are aware (like the Heat was most likely) what was going to happen in the end. There is a reason that Stephen A. Smith broke the story long before the announcement. More than just Lebron knew. But the differences don't end there. There is also a pretty decent disparity in talent obtained by the teams in their breakout offseasons. The biggest current knock on Boston's chances at reaching the finals again is the overall age of the team. All three of their stars are on the downslope of San Francisco 49ers jersey
their careers. But even in their prime years, which would include the season before their blockbuster team-up, 2006-2007 the trio of Wade, Lebron, and Bosh were statistically a better group. What makes it more imposing is that all three young future Heat teammates were still improving at the time. Let's crunch the numbers. Lebron James was leading his team almost singlehandedly and averaging 27.3 points per game on his way to a Finals berth. This also included playing the point on many occasions and racking up assists as well (6.0 per game.) Even more astounding is that Dwyane Wade was only half of the offensive one-punch of Miami's squad and still averaged 27.4 points per game, putting him only behind Kobe Bryant (31.6 ppg) that year in scoring. It's a pretty safe bet that he relinquished a decent amount of the points that he could have scored to Shaq in the name of teamwork. Even the least talented of the three, Chris Bosh was averaging 22.6 points per game AND 10.7 rebounds, which puts him above Garnett in scoring (22.4) and marginally below him in rebounds (12.8.) So essentially, Miami's least talented star player who was still developing was almost as good as the most talented Boston player (Garnett) who was in his prime. Ray Allen scored at a rate of 26.4 points per game, placing him below King James and D-Wade. Paul Pierce averaged 25 points per game, once again only surpassing Bosh's totals. Even if you take into account the fact that Garnett's dominating defense does not always adhere itself to concrete stats, its pretty obvious that Lebron was the better player in a head to head matchup of top talents even back then. He was averaging more assists than most point guards, scoring Seattle Seahawks jersey
at an incredibly high level and was no slouch on defense either. Garnett may have been a beast, but still not in Lebron's league. Let's discuss the performances of the two trios when it comes to playoff time. Dwyane Wade has already shown a deft ability to shine in the post season and also has a ring on his finger. Lebron has amassed some pretty impressive playoff numbers over his career. He even willed a subpar (at best) team into the championship series against the Spurs in 2007. In the Eastern Conference finals against the favored Detroit, I think we all remember him scoring 48 points and 29 0f 30 of his teams last points in a comeback win in game 5. Marv Albert called it a "historic performance."Everyone seems to only remember his playoff performance this year which was outstanding, but not clutch. Not to mention there was most likely an elbow issue affecting him. But even if not, that wasn't really representative of his postseason career. Ray Allen is generally a cold-blooded assassin in the playoffs. No one is a better pure shooter. But he is prone to some erratic games. Remember his zero field goal performance right after his brilliant game in the Finals this year? Bosh does not have a big enough sample survey to judge him. Although post players who take more high percentage shots seem to have more dependable and non fluctuating stats. Garnett is known for upping his game just a bit during crucial times. Once again, numbers don't tell the defensive whiz's full story. All in all, it appears that both units are pretty even when it comes to the intangibles of the postseason. So even that does not go in the Celtic's favor when compared side by side. The picture is getting pretty clear. Even when the future Heat stars had not reached their full potential, the combination of the three was better than Boston's future three in the primes of their respective careers. That even includes the playoffs. And back to my earlier point, the Celts were created, much like the Kobe Bryant Lakers, through good trades and intelligent management. If this does not dispel all the talk of the Celtics creating the first "superteam," then there is nothing that will. Don't get me wrong. Its not as if you can fault Pat Riley for taking advantage of an opportunity that fell in his lap. Or even Dwayne Wade for inviting his buddies to the hometown team. But I think we can put to rest any kind of chatter that Miami was just doing what other teams have done in the past. NotSt. Louis Rams jersey
even close. I think its become pretty apparent that if this team fails, it will fail "historically." A new precedent has been set, and barring injuries, there is no excuse for leaving the playoffs without a title.** Here is another article of mine that goes along well with this one. It involves Kobe Bryant in relation to the Miami Superteam
订阅：
博文 (Atom)