Basketball blog with takes on basketball and anything related to basketball . . . as well as a haven for jingoists everywhere - in America.

 
Enough of the Silence!!!!!

I realize that this site hasn't been updated in a week. The main reason for this is that there has been no news that I thought was worth my time to write about. But because I left you guys hanging for so long, I will give you a long, multi-topic. Don't worry, it would be as bad as it sounds.

Murray may be headed to Toronto
I realize no one cares about this trade, but it isn't the trade that caught my eye. This part here is the reason for this post: "The Cavs might have acquired point guard Milt Palacio for nothing in return. Officially, Cleveland sent a second-round draft pick in 2008 to Phoenix for the journeyman guard. However, there might not be a second round in 2008. The current collective-bargaining agreement ends after the 2003-04 season (if owners pick up the option on the final year of the pact). Many owners are in favor of eliminating the second round and it was discussed during contract negotiations in 1998." No second round? I take this with a grain of salt. Who are "many owners?" Also note that there was no other reference to this in the rest of the article and no other paper or site that I know of has this story. Still something to keep an eye on though.

Pistons Depth Chart
What is worng with this depth chart? Uncle Cliffy (Cliff Robinson) is a center? My ass he's a center. He's 6' 10", but he plays like he's 6' 6" If he's a center, all 5' 8" of me is a power forward.

Cleaves has surgery to head off stress fracture
Mateen Cleaves will have to wait 8 weeks to practice according to the article. I understand why he can't practice jumping out of his bench seat after this, but is towel waving practice out too?

Jordan will play again By John N. Mitchell THE WASHINGTON TIMES
Duh. Never saw that one coming. Next.

Inside Dish: Hill's ankle is better -- really
"Word out of Orlando is very positive regarding SF Grant Hill's healing ankle. Hill has played in just 18 games since joining the Magic as a free agent two years ago. But there is much "this-time-will-be-different" sentiment in Central Florida." No kidding. They need him if they want to get out of the 2nd round of the playoffs and to actually get some return on that big contract they gave him two years ago. What else is the "word out of Orlando" gonna be? It's not like they're gonna say "He sucks and we're gonna miss the playoffs." It's like the beginning of every baseball season. If you ask people close to the team, they are all "contenders." Same concept.

--posted by Tim at 9:12 PM | | Permalink

 
Hey brother, spare a roster spot?

The article is about why some older players can't get deals now. However, the most disturbing part was this:

"The 35-year-old Gatling averaged 6.4 points and 3.8 rebounds in just 15 minutes per game as a reserve last season for the Miami Heat. But after playing for eight teams during 15 unstable seasons in the NBA, the 1997 all-star signed a two-year deal on Sept. 15 with CSKA Moscow."

No Chris Gatling in the NBA? Who is everyone gonna joke about come the trade deadline? Can you get traded from Russia to the NBA? This is even more catastrophic than Mateen Cleaves almost getting traded. The jokes just aren't as funny with Jim Jackson or Chucky Brown in them. What are these GMs trying to do to me here? At least I can still watch Mark Madsen dance and yell in spanish at the end of the season.

--posted by Tim at 11:04 PM | | Permalink

 
Cavs return Cleaves to Kings after he fails physical

WooHoo!!!!!!! The rivalry is back. But seriously, this saves both teams from making a huge mistake. As I mentioned before, the Kings would have been left without a "First Guy Off the Bench Yelling When a Time Out is Called." The Cavs got saved because they were actually foolish enough to think that Mateen Cleaves could serve any purpose other than the aforementioned one. You know what the only thing worse than having to play Bimbo Coles at the point is? Having his backup be Mateen Cleaves. This is what is best for the fans too. I know all of you, like me, were devastated to hear that there would be no more Mark Madsen v. Mateen Cleaves cheerleading rivalry. Now we can all rest easy.

--posted by Tim at 8:16 PM | | Permalink

 
Ewing expected to announce retirement

He should call Hakeem Olajuwon and Alonzo Mourning and they can all save some time and hold a joint retirement press conference.

--posted by Tim at 8:38 PM | | Permalink

 
Fixing the Dream Team nightmare

I mentioned before where to go to get a serious analysis of the World Championships Debacle, but now I present you with the humurous and semi-serious analysis by Bill Simmons. My two favorite parts were the following:

"As one of my readers once wrote, he's the Nate Dogg of the NBA." That referring to Robert Horry. I've mentioned this before, but I don't think I've ever put it on this site. There is no better comparison for Robert Horry.

My second favorite part was at the end when he talks about how if you're gonna screw up, do it whole heartedly. Those two paragraphs are hilarious. You gotta read them in context to get the full effect though, so I will leave that to you.

--posted by Tim at 11:30 PM | | Permalink

 
All-Star Stackhouse traded to Wizards

"The Pistons traded (Jerry) Stackhouse to the Wizards for Richard Hamilton in a six-player deal Wednesday. Washington also gets forward Brian Cardinal and center Ratko Varda, while Detroit lands forward Bobby Simmons and guard Hubert Davis."

The last four guys there were obviously included for salary cap purposes. I guess this makes the Wizards a playoff team. I mean now they have Michael Jordan, Stack and . . . ummm . . . ummm . . . a bunch of young guys with potential and a bunch of other guys who simply aren't very good. Larry Hughes is a nice player if you like 30% shooters. Bryon Russell is best known for Jordan shoving him out of the way in the last game of the last Bulls' Finals victory. I guess they want to win now. They traded what looked to be a big part of their future for right now. The Pistons on the other hand seemingly extended their window of opportunity. Hamilton is by no means as good as Stack right now, but who knows in a year or two? I understand what Washington is doing, I just think its stupid.



--posted by Tim at 2:46 PM | | Permalink

 
Last charges being dropped vs. Iverson

I would rehash my whole tirade about all this from before, but it's my birthday and I'm feeling a little lazy. So you can just click here and read the old one again.

--posted by Tim at 2:39 PM | | Permalink

 
Cavs trade F Jumaine Jones to Kings for G Mateen Cleaves

"Who cares?" That is what most of you are thinking right now after reading that headline. However, you people are just short-sighted. When we look back a year from now on this trade, it will be obvious to everyone that this is the trade that assured the Lakers of representing the Western Conference in the 2003 NBA Finals.

"Tim, this is crazy talk" you say. What you need to realize is that the Kings now don't match up at three key positions. We all know about Shaquille O'Neal (Keon Clark . . . he's just 6 more fouls to give) and Kobe Bryant (Doug Christie . . . please . . . ). But you all forget about the match up that really determined last year's series: Mark Madsen v. Mateen Cleaves. Both are seasoned "First Guys Off the Bench Yelling When a Time Out is Called." Last year Madsen showed that the crown for 12th Man was gonna be his for a long time, but Mateen made a good run at it. Now the Kings don't have a go to 12th man. This folks, is the moment that next year's finals were determined. Just remember I said that . . . unless of course I'm wrong. Then forget you ever read this post.

--posted by Tim at 11:20 PM | | Permalink

 
Ummm . . . When it Pours and It's a Cold Day in Hell It Snows?

I realize I am a few days late on this one, but the US team lost at the Worlds for a third (consecutive) time. This one was to Spain. I don't know what else I could really add to this. If you want some answers as to why, I suggest checking out this week's From the Baseline 9/9/02 over at Alleyoop.com.


--posted by Tim at 4:05 PM | | Permalink

 
When It Rains, It Pours

The US lost . . . again. This time they fell to Yugoslavia. See Wednesday's post for my thoughts on this because they are basically the same.

--posted by Tim at 11:00 PM | | Permalink

 
58-and-Oh, No!

It was bound to happen eventually, but to Argentina? I understand they have some good players, but dude . . . it's Argentina. What makes it worse is that the US got owned: "The United States never led, was tied only once, trailed by as many as 20 and couldn't mount an adequate comeback down the stretch." That's what happens when the best players either won't play (Kobe Bryant), can't play (Shaquille O'Neal) or don't get invited (Allen Iverson).


--posted by Tim at 10:34 PM | | Permalink

 
Did Ya Miss Me?

Sorry I disappeared on you guys. I moved again and my internet connection is a work in progress at this point. So the posts can only be done in the library or at my parents house. Anyways, here are some quick hits to tide you over til I can get my connection going.

Marbury suspended a game, to serve 10 days
I know I joked about this when it happened, but dude is actually gonna have to do time. I'm not sure which is worse; Stephon Marbury's crime or the fact that I am surprised he is actually gonna serve any time at all.

Rockets reach deal with Francis
A no duh move for the Rockets.

Coleman's will miss season opener for Sixers
I can't even make it through the off-season without having Derrick Coleman get hurt. Why did the Sixers bring him back again?

Ewing, Olajuwon should bow out together By Mitch Lawrence
Amen. They should've done it last year.




--posted by Tim at 1:16 AM | | Permalink