Why you would do this to a teammate is beyond me but it actually happened on Wednesday as the Sixers beat the Cavaliers. Philly was one of the NBA’s biggest surprises during the first half of the season and looked like they would win the Atlantic Division. However, they’ve come crashing back to earth and are barely staying alive in the Easter Conference playoff picture, much like somebody that’s had a chair pulled out from under them.
Posts Tagged ‘NBA’
Andre Iguodala and Lou Williams Reenact the 2012 Sixers’ Season
Posted: April 19, 2012 by Keith Stone in basketball, NBATags: basketball, NBA, Philadelphia 76ers, Philly sucks
0
The Deron Dilemma
Posted: March 31, 2012 by rorypatrick in basketball, NBATags: basketball, Deron Williams, NBA, Nets
“I want Deron to stay for all the wrong reasons.”
That was a comment posted on Netsdaily.com, and it really sums up the grim feelings Nets fans have. This summer, Deron Williams will be a free agent, and, in my opinion, will sign with the Dallas Mavericks. Objectively, this is what Deron Williams should do. The Mavericks want him, he grew up in Dallas, and, most importantly, the organization has a proven record of success and will provide him the best chance to win a championship. If Deron Williams wants to win, he’ll forgo the extra money he’d earn with the Nets (which is nominal) and join Dirk and Cuban for the next four years.
But all Nets fans want him to stay here. The case could be made is that he would be part of building a championship contender – sign Deron, add a few more pieces, and abracadabra – the Nets are in the Finals. This, unfortunately, isn’t realistic. The Nets are not one piece away – they are several. The last five seasons have been wasted, and the Nets do not really know what they need to surround Deron Williams with. So this leads to the question: why would Deron Williams sign here?
The answer is simple: money. The Nets can pay him more. He will be the superstar of a brand new arena in a large city. He will be the face of the team (not in Dirk’s shadow). Endorsements will be rolling in. If Deron Williams re-signs with the Nets, another, more pertinent question arises: what kind of player is Deron Williams?
This is pure speculation, as I do not personally know him, but I haven’t been impressed with his attitude all season. He has come off at times as moody and arrogant, and hasn’t shown strong leadership qualities. He’ll look very impressive in some games, and bored and disinterested in others. He has some blemishes in his past too, as there were rumors swirling that he was the cause of Jerry Sloan’s early retirement.
So, to recap, if he chooses Dallas, he is choosing winning, and if he chooses the Nets, it is clear he is only about the money. This is the Deron Dilemma, and goes back to the original quote: why do Nets fans want him to stay? If the Nets re-sign him, they know they are bringing back a player who doesn’t care about winning. Basically, Nets fans are screwed. They have surrendered their 2010 through 2012 lottery picks to keep him, and losing him would make it all for nothing. Keeping Deron around, even if means four years of middling 35-45 win teams, would save face.
I’m now at a crossroads where I’m prepared for another 12-70 season and starting from scratch, or signing a superstar whose very re-signing shows he just wants to get paid. I need a drink.
Double Alley-Oop?
Posted: March 25, 2012 by Keith Stone in basketball, NBATags: awesome, basketball, Iman Shumpert, J.R. Smith, Knicks, NBA
Double alley-oop.
Trivia Time: Mike Woodson
Posted: March 21, 2012 by Keith Stone in basketball, NBA, triviaTags: basketball, Knicks, Mike Woodson, NBA, trivia
How can you not like Mike Woodson? The Knicks are undefeated since he took over and are playing with a renewed intensity and cohesion. I had my doubts but only a few days in, I’m buying all the shares in Woodson I can buy. He’s letting the players play a type of game that works to their strengths and dumped the rigid structure of before. I wouldn’t mind seeing him around for years to come. Coach Woodson also had a pretty solid playing career, averaging 14 points a game for five different teams. That brings us to our Question of the Week. Get it right and get some PT. The answer, as always, is after the jump.
What team drafted Mike Woodson in 1980? (and a hint: it was not the San Diego Clippers)
Awkward…
Posted: March 20, 2012 by Keith Stone in basketball, NBATags: basketball, Chris Mullin, Golden State Warriors, Joe Lacob, NBA
During the retirement ceremony of Chris Mullin’s jersey, Golden State Warriors fans let owner Joe Lacob know that they are not happy in the direction their franchise is heading, especially after trading Monta Ellis a few days earlier. The fans unleashed a tidal wave of boos as Lacob was introduced and starting speaking. When he appeared flustered and even acknowledged the boos, it only made things worse.
Not since Mr. McMahon have I seen an owner get booed this loudly. But seriously, why is the team owner who’s only owned the team for two years giving this speech, much less the last speech of the night. It’s a ballsy move. A guy like Mark Cuban pulls it off. Unfortunately, it kinda put a whole damper on Mullin’s special night. My favorite part of it all is when Rick Barry has to calm down the fans. Hey, old man, talking down to the “greatest fans in sports” isn’t going to help. I know they’re frustrated and all, but it was extremely classless not that they booed Lacob, but taking the spotlight away from Mullin on his night.
No Jersey Pride
Posted: March 17, 2012 by Keith Stone in basketball, NBATags: basketball, Billy King, Dwight Howard, Gerald Wallace, NBA, Nets, trade deadline
Our token Nets fan, Rory, had a few things to say about the team’s moves at the trade deadline:
Beware the Ides of March. Suitable for Julius Caesar, and now suitable for Nets fans. On Thursday, the Nets were dealt two crushing blows. The first was Dwight reversing on his reversal of his first reversal, and choosing to stay with Orlando. While upsetting as it may be for the Nets fans, it is more easy to come to terms with. I thoroughly approved of the “all in for Dwight” strategy the whole time, and cannot fault the Nets management for choosing the path they did. In this scenario, the Nets were acting as the big bad “villain” team, like the Miami Heat or New York Yankees, and trying to steal a star away from a small town. The Nets went through this before with Kenyon Martin (although the ownership of the Nets were being cheap and did not want to pay him), so a small part of me is happy for Orlando that they got to retain their beloved star.
And yes, I know there are still more rumors that this will all happen again next year. Just stop. Fool me once (LeBron), shame on you. Fool me twice (Carmelo), shame on me. Fool me three or more times, well, what would be the appropriate amount of shame? Tattooing a scarlet “NJ” on my chest?
What really ground my gears was the Nets trade for Gerald Wallace. Losing Okur? No biggie. Losing ex-Knick superstar Shawne Williams? Whatever. But losing the Nets first round pick (top 3 protected)? Are you kidding me?!? Aside from Deron Williams, this was the Nets biggest trade asset. And all they got to show for it was Gerald Wallace? This is unacceptable. Billy King defended his decision on WFAN yesterday, and here were his pathetic excuses for this boneheaded decision:
1. The Nets had scouted the draft, and determined that there were only three immediate impact players in this year’s draft, which is why it was only top three protected.
Wow, good job Nets scouts! Without even watching the NCAA tournament, going through pre-draft workouts, and knowing who is going to declare for the draft, you are already set on your top three. Even more impressive, you know that no other team will make a mistake, and that all three prospects will be picked first, second and third. And with your proven track record (Terrence Williams, Damian James, Jordan Williams), I have no reason to doubt you!
(In case you can’t tell, I’m being sarcastic.)
2. The draft is random. Carlos Boozer went in the second round, for Pete’s sake!
This was an actual argument he made. He equated trading a lottery pick to trading a second round pick. This is insane. But it gets worse.
3. The Nets are currently slotted to draft 6th, and they won’t go lower than that. The acquisition of Gerald Wallace will move them up, so the draft pick won’t be that high.
At the time I’m writing this, the Nets are 15-29, scheduled to play Orlando tonight, and have ONE win more than the team slotted to pick 4th. This is an insanely cocky thing to say for a team that’s battled injuries all year long. The nerve of this guy to think that it is a given that the Nets won’t get worse.
Not only that, but Gerald Wallace has a player option for next season, worth $11.5M. Many people think he won’t opt out, but if I’m him, I know opting out will cause the Nets to freak out, and he can get a long-term deal. Bottom line: the draft pick should have been top 10 protected (hell, even top 5 would’ve made it debatable).
As of right now, the Nets have only three players guaranteed to be on the team next year: MarShon Brooks, Anthony Morrow, and Johan Petro. They could potentially have no first round picks if Houston misses the playoffs. They have not won a playoff game in 5 years, halfway to the 11 year mark currently held by the New York Men’s Pants. One could say that they are halfway there, and they are also living on a prayer. Yes, everything could break the Nets way – they could get a top three pick, Deron could choose to stay, etc. But I’d watch this video, and just replace “single” with “Nets fan.”
This Man Is A Genius
Posted: March 14, 2012 by Keith Stone in basketball, NBATags: basketball, Knicks, Mike Woodson, NBA
Lock him up for Coach of the Year! 29 points allowed in the first half and a glorious goatee to boot. It looks like his lips are floating in the air. He’s like a combination of John Wooden, Red Auerbach, and Denzel Washington. Where have you been all my life, Mike Woodson?
Mike D’Antoni Out
Posted: March 14, 2012 by Keith Stone in basketball, NBATags: basketball, Knicks, Mike D'Antoni, NBA
It’s a tough day for New York sports fans. If you’re like me, just close your eyes and imagine Opening Day at Yankee Stadium while repeating “Let’s go Rangers! Let’s go Rangers!” I guess this is how bullied gay kids in high school feel. Just remember, New York, it gets better. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to masturbate to this picture…
Hornet Kills Bobcat, Bobcats Kill Hornets
Posted: March 13, 2012 by Keith Stone in basketball, NBATags: basketball, Charlotte Bobcats, Chris Kaman, NBA, New Orleans Hornets
New Orleans Hornets center, Chris Kaman, who I’d be absolutely terrified to meet in real life, had a little message for upcoming opponent Charlotte yesterday on his Twitter feed. Yes, that’s a dead Bobcat. No, the Hornets lost 73-71. How embarrassing is it for Kaman that he killed that bobcat for nothing? Now he’s going to have make soup or a scarf out of it. This isn’t the first time the big man has shown his disdain for a foe. Before a recent game against the Jazz, Kaman destroyed a saxophone and I’ll never forget when he tore up a brand-new pair of pants in anticipation of a matchup against the Knicks. Just don’t ask what he does when he’s about to play the Celtics.
Hide the White Girls
Posted: March 7, 2012 by Keith Stone in basketball, NBATags: basketball, Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA
Accused rapist Kobe Bryant debuted a new black face mask last night to protect the broken nose he suffered at the All-Star Game. As such, I feel like I owe all our female readers a warning to be on the lookout. Remember that when he does the thing with his bottom jaw, it means he’s going for the trinity. If Kobe ever wore the black mask with a Los Lakers jersey at home, I’m pretty sure the LAPD would arrest him on the spot.
Rainman Suite 