2013 NBA Season

[Chip R]

The Heat pick up where they left off last season and James Dolan expects the Knicks to win the title.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/9903108/james-dolan-new-york-knicks-owner-expects-championship-year

[Revering4Blue]

76ers 114, Heat 110

Tanking, eh?

[VottoFan54]

76ers 114, Heat 110

Tanking, eh?

Sixers are still tanking, we just want to impress LeBron enough that he comes to Philly in 2014. Wiggins + MCW + Noel + LeBron = 2015 NBA Champs. At least I think that's the plan...

[Revering4Blue]

Evidently, the Suns and Blazers also failed to receive the tanking memo.

[5TimeWSChamps]

So Minnesota is 3-0 now.

Not sure what to think. Would like to see them go 2-1 this week against Cleveland, Golden State, and Dallas

[Revering4Blue]

Two words:

Gold Swagger!

[Hoosier Red]

That's about as good a 5 day stretch as you can get for November in the NBA. Pacers go 4-0, beat the Bulls at home and the Nets on the road.

[Revering4Blue]

So Minnesota is 3-0 now.

Not sure what to think. Would like to see them go 2-1 this week against Cleveland, Golden State, and Dallas
Nice versatile roster...I like this team a lot.

Once Budinger returns -- which allows Muhammad to hone his game in the D-League for awhile -- and Dieng, who is slowly working his way back from injury, works his way into the regular rotation as the rim-protector the team needs, the bench production should increase exponentially.

It was kind of telling that Robbie Hummel played ahead of Shabazz the other night when Derrick Williams was sidelined. Budinger cannot return soon enough.

[Revering4Blue]

That's about as good a 5 day stretch as you can get for November in the NBA. Pacers go 4-0, beat the Bulls at home and the Nets on the road.

No question.

Granted, the Nets are not the same team without Andrei Kirilenko, but still an impressive run, mostly without George Hill and Danny Granger, who still hasn't played a minute this season.

[5TimeWSChamps]

Nice versatile roster...I like this team a lot.

Once Budinger returns -- which allows Muhammad to hone his game in the D-League for awhile -- and Dieng, who is slowly working his way back from injury, works his way into the regular rotation as the rim-protector the team needs, the bench production should increase exponentially.

It was kind of telling that Robbie Hummel played ahead of Shabazz the other night when Derrick Williams was sidelined. Budinger cannot return soon enough.

The bench is a disaster. Just an epic disaster. No idea what they can do except wait for Budinger

[Tom Servo]

Not the start of the season I envisioned for the Nets. DWill has to get healthy and KG has to show he's not washed up.

[5TimeWSChamps]

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/page/5-on-5-131114/best-teams-league

Must not get excited

[5TimeWSChamps]

So the Knicks yesterday...Good Lord

[Revering4Blue]

So the Knicks yesterday...Good Lord

When you shoot 34% from the field, you're likely to lose to the top YMCA rec league team. Granted, the Knicks haven't been healthy all season, but the Celtics put on a clinic while still missing Olynyk and who knows when Rondo will make his season debut.

The entire division has been banged-up, with no team completely healthy at all. Heck, the Raptors, after a road win at L.A in Kobe's debut, are only 1.5 games out of first and are on the verge of pulling off a major deal:


The Raptors have agreed to trade Rudy Gay to the Kings for Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons, Chuck Hayes and Patrick Patterson, according to Yahoo!'s Adrian Wojnarowski.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nba/1257/rudy-gay

[Revering4Blue]

The Celtics and Rockets are in "serious talks" for a deal sending Omer Asik to Boston for Brandon Bass, Courtney Lee and a first round pick, according to Yahoo! Sports.

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/nba/1533/omer-asik

Interesting.

As currently constructed, this seems like a good deal for the Rockets, but is it a good deal for the Celtics?

[texasdave]

Here is a little trivia that I found interesting. Jeremy Lamb is in his second NBA season. He played sporadically in his first season and is now playing about 20 minutes per game in season number two. He has yet to miss a free throw as a professional. 27 for 27. Now that is not a huge number of free throws. But if you consider he only shoots one here and there, I think it is notable that he has yet to miss from the charity stripe.
He is only 20 and is averaging nearly 10 PPG this year in roughly 20 minutes of playing time. He is going to be a scorer in this league.

[Kingspoint]

Here is a little trivia that I found interesting. Jeremy Lamb is in his second NBA season. He played sporadically in his first season and is now playing about 20 minutes per game in season number two. He has yet to miss a free throw as a professional. 27 for 27. Now that is not a huge number of free throws. But if you consider he only shoots one here and there, I think it is notable that he has yet to miss from the charity stripe.
He is only 20 and is averaging nearly 10 PPG this year in roughly 20 minutes of playing time. He is going to be a scorer in this league.
OKC embraced the D-League. They are using it like a true minor league system, one of less than a handful of team's doing so. They just don't sporadically send players down there. They use the entire 40-game season, as they did with Lamb last season, to teach them the OKC system, work on fundamentals, and get on the floor for real playing time, instead of wasting away on a team's bench getting their only experience through practice. Ask Iverson what he thinks about practice. OKC uses it for rehab just like an MBL team does. Some teams have taken the next step by purchasing franchises so they can have control of style of play, but they have failed miserably in sending their assets to the system to get the needed experience, with the Blazers being a perfect example not sending Leonard, Crabbe, and Barton down, three players devoid of fundamentals of basketball, who are wasting away on the Blazers bench with less than 80 minutes combined among them through 27 games, one-third of the season and a quarter of the D-league season done already.

[Revering4Blue]

How the Spurs and Thunder keep getting it right.

http://www.cbssports.com/nba/writer/ken-berger/24380828/how-the-spurs-and-thunder-keep-getting-it-right



What happened to the Eastern Conference? Is next year's draft so good that outside of Miami and Indy the rest of the conference is playing to lose?
-- George, Denver

George - I'm glad you asked this. Because it's been great sport for many to smack the Eastern Conference around without getting down to the reasons why. Chicago is without Derrick Rose. Brooklyn played much of the season without Deron Williams and have had Paul Pierce and Jason Terry out as well. Bradley Beal has missed numerous games for the Wizards. The Knicks lost Tyson Chandler to injury. Injuries have decimated some of these teams, rendering them largely helpless on most nights.

Then there are the young teams — Cleveland, Orlando, Detroit and Charlotte among them.

Then there are the teams surprisingly competitive, but not good enough to turn it into winning records, like Boston.

The East has been a combination of all of these things — injuries and youth chief among them — and it's taken its toll on the quality of basketball played over there. There is much more talent in the Western Conference, no doubt, but the East isn't nearly as bad as it appears to be right now. And let's all remember at the end of the season the only team that matters is the champion, and that team has been the East's Miami Heat two years running.

http://www.denverpost.com/nuggetsmailbag/ci_24751412/nuggets-mailbag-will-nuggets-trade-an-all-star

[Revering4Blue]

Nets center Brook Lopez is out for the season after suffering a broken foot, news that was first broken by CSNNE.com’s Gary Tanguay and has since been confirmed by many others.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/21/brook-lopez-suffers-broken-foot-out-for-the-season/

[Kingspoint]

Not great news for the Lopez family for Christmas.

On the Robin Lopez front, as soon as teams start figuring out how to defend his Trail blazers by getting them off the 3-point line (they are never going to stop shooting threes better than everyone else in the league), the Blazers are going to hit their first bump on the season. How Portland responds to that, Offensively, will determine how long that 'first' bump lasts. As the season moves along their Defense will continue to improve to the point that they will finish 10th to 20th in most Defensive metrics. That first bump should come soon. Teams can't continue to let them shoot freely front the three areas.

[Tom Servo]

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/21/brook-lopez-suffers-broken-foot-out-for-the-season/
http://shenkitup.com/wp-content/uploads/work-meetings.gif

[improbus]

My observations on the season so far.

1) LeMarcus Aldridge is turning into a closer to the basket version of Dirk. His turn around is killer. He is shooting well above league average in all of the midrange zone, with the exception of the left wing.

2) The Knicks...goodness...I have never seen worse rotating help defense than when they have JR Smith and Bargnani on the floor together. There is a whole genre of GIF's to immortalize them. BUT, the big difference isn't missing Chandler like everyone thinks. Their overall defensive numbers are very similar. Instead, it is their atrocious shooting. JR is shooting 34% (which is Rubio-esque-more on him later). Bargs is shooting 44%, Felton 39%. I expect them to go on a tear through the underbelly of the East soon when they start making shots. BTW, Carmelo has been quietly awesome.

3) Minnesota is a really strange and highly flawed team. They are horrendous at protecting the rim. Love is a David Lee-eque defender and Pek has T-Rex arms. Rubio is on pace to be the worst shooting in the modern NBA (since 1960.) They have real problems.

4) Miami is on a quest to shoot over 50% as a team on the season. The last team to do that was the 08-09 Suns. They are also the league worst rebounding team. They get 6.4 offensive rebounds a game. I've gone back a decade and haven't seen a team that bad.

More to come later.

[improbus]

Some more stuff:

5) The Blazers are mimicking the Knicks hot start from last year. They are shooting over 40% from 3 on the season, which has pushed them to score over 108 per game. Expect a regression to the mean, especially because they are a below average defensive team.

6) Anthony Davis is living up to his hype. He is averaging 19 points, 10 rebounds, 3.3 blocks, and 1.6 steals per game, all while shooting 51% from the field and an outstanding 81% from the line. Anyone who plays fantasy has been loving Davis.

7) What Western Conference teams should be panicking and which shouldn't. Take the Warriors, who are 15-13 and not in the playoffs at the moment. On the surface, it looks like they are in trouble. But, they are 12-12 vs. the West, meaning they have only played the extremely weak Eastern Conference 4 times.

Here is a handy list of overall records and games vs. the East in order of position in the West.

Portland - 23-5: 11
OKC - 22-5: 8
San Antonio 21-6: 10
LAC - 20-9: 12
Houston - 18-10: 11
Phoenix - 16-10: 5
Dallas - 15-12: 10
Denver - 14-12: 9
GS - 15-13: 4
LAL - 13-14: 8
Minny - 13-15: 12
NOP - 11-14: 9
Memphis - 11-15: 8
Sacramento - 8-18: 7
Utah - 8-22: 10

So, Golden State should have a nice run against the East to boost their record and Phoenix has been especially impressive, winning games in the West.

[Kingspoint]

5) The Blazers are mimicking the Knicks hot start from last year. They are shooting over 40% from 3 on the season, which has pushed them to score over 108 per game. Expect a regression to the mean, especially because they are a below average defensive team.



Except that there is no "mean" for this team. While the rest of the NBA regressed to your "mean" after starting the season shooting above 40% for 3's, the Blazers did not.

This team will only get better. How they have played so far is just scratching the surface of how good they will be. They will get better as the season unfolds.

While the Knicks started 18-5 last year, it was done mostly with players who were past their primes, not young and on the rise as the majority of the Blazers' players are right now. 21 of their last 24 for the Blazers far surpasses the best the Knicks were last season. While the team isn't going to win 68 games, or anything like that, as the pace certainly can't be kept up, they aren't going to fold like a tent the way the Knicks did last season. These Blazers are among the elite of the NBA. The Knicks simply weren't that good last season with players like Felton and Carmelo who are poor team players.

The Blazers' biggest problem is that they only go nine deep. After that, it's a huge dropoff. Meyers Leonard cannot give any positive minutes to this team this season (or probably next, either, for that matter).

As teams start attacking the Blazers by getting them off of the 3-point line, the Blazers will have to face a bump that will be their first big test of the season.

All other tests they've passed with flying colors. Beat San Antonio. Beat Golden State on the road. Own the best record in the NBA. Own the best road record in the NBA. Beat OKC. Beat Houston. Beat Indiana. Won close games. Won by large margins.

But, most importantly,....and if you haven't seen them for at least four or five games from beginning to end then you can't honestly give an opinion about them that has any bearing whatsoever, the Blazers play shutdown defense when it matters. It's this defense why they have the best record in the NBA, not the 3-point shooting. They dominate third quarters defensively and Offensively. No team in the NBA responds their Head Coach the way that Portland does to Terry Stotts or makes better half-time adjustments.

The Blazers are among the elite of the NBA rebounding the ball.
The Blazers are among the elite of the NBA when it comes to patience (Top-4 in the NBA in Assists-to-Turnover ratio). This is a sign of a veteran team, yet it's a young team that plays like this, and they are just getting to know each other, these nine players that make up their core.

Some believe that he who scores the most wins the game. The Blazers lead the NBA in Offensive Efficiency per possession and per game.

Provided there aren't any catastrophic injuries, the Blazers should end the regular season as a Top-4 seed in the West, finally advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons. Matchups will dictate how far they go after that, but the uniqueness of this team separates them from the normal progression required to advance in the NBA playoffs (lose in one round before you can advance in that round the next season).

One-third of the season complete and the Portland Trailblazers have the best record in the NBA and have beaten every team they've played that could challenge for that title. They play Miami this Saturday and the Clippers this Thursday.

[improbus]

Except that there is no "mean" for this team. While the rest of the NBA regressed to your "mean" after starting the season shooting above 40% for 3's, the Blazers did not.

This team will only get better. How they have played so far is just scratching the surface of how good they will be. They will get better as the season unfolds.

While the Knicks started 18-5 last year, it was done mostly with players who were past their primes, not young and on the rise as the majority of the Blazers' players are right now. 21 of their last 24 for the Blazers far surpasses the best the Knicks were last season. While the team isn't going to win 68 games, or anything like that, as the pace certainly can't be kept up, they aren't going to fold like a tent the way the Knicks did last season. These Blazers are among the elite of the NBA. The Knicks simply weren't that good last season with players like Felton and Carmelo who are poor team players.

The Blazers' biggest problem is that they only go nine deep. After that, it's a huge dropoff. Meyers Leonard cannot give any positive minutes to this team this season (or probably next, either, for that matter).

As teams start attacking the Blazers by getting them off of the 3-point line, the Blazers will have to face a bump that will be their first big test of the season.

All other tests they've passed with flying colors. Beat San Antonio. Beat Golden State on the road. Own the best record in the NBA. Own the best road record in the NBA. Beat OKC. Beat Houston. Beat Indiana. Won close games. Won by large margins.

But, most importantly,....and if you haven't seen them for at least four or five games from beginning to end then you can't honestly give an opinion about them that has any bearing whatsoever, the Blazers play shutdown defense when it matters. It's this defense why they have the best record in the NBA, not the 3-point shooting. They dominate third quarters defensively and Offensively. No team in the NBA responds their Head Coach the way that Portland does to Terry Stotts or makes better half-time adjustments.

The Blazers are among the elite of the NBA rebounding the ball.
The Blazers are among the elite of the NBA when it comes to patience (Top-4 in the NBA in Assists-to-Turnover ratio). This is a sign of a veteran team, yet it's a young team that plays like this, and they are just getting to know each other, these nine players that make up their core.

Some believe that he who scores the most wins the game. The Blazers lead the NBA in Offensive Efficiency per possession and per game.

Provided there aren't any catastrophic injuries, the Blazers should end the regular season as a Top-4 seed in the West, finally advancing to the second round of the playoffs for the first time in 14 seasons. Matchups will dictate how far they go after that, but the uniqueness of this team separates them from the normal progression required to advance in the NBA playoffs (lose in one round before you can advance in that round the next season).

One-third of the season complete and the Portland Trailblazers have the best record in the NBA and have beaten every team they've played that could challenge for that title. They play Miami this Saturday and the Clippers this Thursday.
I love the Blazers. But, I don't expect a team that shot 35% from 3 last year to continue shooting at this number.

Of all the teams that are "elite" offenses, the Blazers (along with the Clippers) go to the rim the least. They take around 35% of their shots at the rim. None of the other elite offenses go there less than 40% of the time. In fact, the only teams that get to the rim less are the Knicks and Clippers. That makes efficiency harder to maintain.

Wes Matthews isn't going to shoot 50% for the season when he hasn't shot over 45% since his rookie year.

I think they will end up with around 55 wins or so.

[Kingspoint]

Blake Griffin plays the best game of his career with 34 points and 12 boards, DeAndre Jordan grabs 19 boards, and yet, Chris Paul becomes the first player to ever lose a game who recorded a line of at least 30 pts, 10 assists, and 5 steals (actually had 36/16/6).

Trailblazers now 7-1 in games decided by 4 pts or less, 14-0 when leading at halftime, and 6-1 vs teams with at least 20 wins. Unfortunately, the Blazers only go eight deep. This will catch up to them if they don't trade for a big man.

[Kingspoint]

Miami is up next.

[Kingspoint]

Miami is up next.

Going to be anti-climatic if LeBron misses the game. He was dead-eye the last minute of OT vs the Kings. Almost brought them back from a near insurmountable deficit.

They really missed Anderson out there vs the Kings.

[Revering4Blue]

The NBA Could Replace The Draft Lottery With 'The Wheel' — A System That Sets The Draft Order For The Next 30 Years

http://www.businessinsider.com/nba-lottery-the-wheel-2013-12

[Tom Servo]

Cleveland is releasing Andrew Bynum.

[Kingspoint]

Westbrook will miss 3 games vs the Blazers, 2 vs the Rockets, 1 vs the Heat, 1 vs the Spurs, and 1 vs the Warriors. There's some OKC losses in the near future.

[Kingspoint]

The dirty play of Mario Chalmers is going to start costing him.

Only a third of the way into the NBA season and Mario Chalmers has already maxed out the NBA's "allowed" allotment of Flagrant Fouls. He now has five points against him in the NBA's Flagrant Foul penalty system after a too aggressive boxout against DeMarcus Cousins last night. His next "point" is going to cost him a full-game check and one-game suspension. His next two points will cost him two game checks and a two-game suspension. A Flagrant Foul is one point while a Flagrant-2 Foul ("unnecessary and excessive contact") is two points.

Guess Chris Anderson will have to start being the "assigned" guy to get Flagrant Fouls for a while.

[Kingspoint]

Bosh was awesome....he was on fire....15 buckets (on 26 shots), including 3 for 3 from long-range. His last shot was money from about 30 feet. He came into the game shooting only .313 on three's.

Both teams played some bad basketball, but Bosh was tremendous.

[BillDoran]

Bosh was awesome....he was on fire....15 buckets (on 26 shots), including 3 for 3 from long-range. His last shot was money from about 30 feet. He came into the game shooting only .313 on three's.

Both teams played some bad basketball, but Bosh was tremendous.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PNXYmZNPVXo/T-RSzncSwzI/AAAAAAAAAtg/VY-9tPlRTJ0/s320/251948_10150888733415794_454376565_n.jpg

[Kingspoint]

One thing to watch will be the emergence of the #3 team in the East.

Some talented teams in Cleveland, Detroit, Atlanta and Toronto....one of those will separate themselves.

[Kingspoint]

James Dolan expects the Knicks to win the title.

http://espn.go.com/new-york/nba/story/_/id/9903108/james-dolan-new-york-knicks-owner-expects-championship-year

Never heard of James Dolan ("I need more power") before. Now I know why.

[UKFlounder]

I just wish Anthony Davis was playing his junior year in college:)

Can you imagine that?

27 points, 12 boards,5 blocks vs Portland last night. If he can stay healthy, he'll be so fun to watch

[5TimeWSChamps]

Absolute BS at the end of teh Twolves game last night.

But hey, we got our traditional apology from the league!

http://www.nba.com/official/

[improbus]

I just wish Anthony Davis was playing his junior year in college:)

Can you imagine that?

27 points, 12 boards,5 blocks vs Portland last night. If he can stay healthy, he'll be so fun to watch

He blocked a couple LeMarcus turnaround jumpers. That is almost impossible to do.

[Kingspoint]

He blocked a couple LeMarcus turnaround jumpers. That is almost impossible to do.

He effected shots all night long.

As great as Lillard is, Davis is the best player from that draft.

Meyers Leonard having to play is really exposing Portland's lack of depth. Don't know if they are trying to get him playing time before the trade deadline to determine value so they can get a veteran big man to come off the bench, or what exactly they are trying to do, but Meyers Leonard is not ready to play minutes in the NBA. Stotts said it is for spacing purposes on Offense, but he's so clueless on both defense and offense, that it's hard to understand justifying any purpose for him to be on the floor.

Miami showed without LeBron in the lineup that when they need to play Defense to win a game, they can do it at the right moments. They did that in the 4th Quarter vs the Blazers.

The Blazers are showing another weakness that was on full display during that 4th quarter against Miami and in the Pelicans game....Lillard, Batum, Matthews and the rest of the team can't handle in-your-face defense

The Blazers also rely too much on Lopez for their Defense. Freeland is not bad at all on Defense and definitely good enough, but whenever they try to rest Aldridge, whose Defense has been atrocious lately, Aldridge's replacement is nothing more than a statue that gets in the way of every other Blazer while he's out there.


And, yes....the Wolves got screwed last night by the refs. They've been playing better and then they get that thrown at them. Hard to continue to come back from disappointment all the time.

The Pelicans will make the playoffs, as was predicted in the pre-season by many.

Can't believe I said Cleveland and Detroit would compete for the #3 seed. While full of talent, they have too many major issues (Mo Cheeks is one major obstacle for any team) to be competing for the #3 seed.

[UKFlounder]

The fiasco known as Andrew Bynum is strange as well, but at least his contract is not fully guaranteed. I don't know if it's wise for Cleveland to trade him for Psu Gasol's contract, but it might not be a bad idea for a team that needs a playoff berth after several years out of them

[Revering4Blue]

The fiasco known as Andrew Bynum is strange as well, but at least his contract is not fully guaranteed. I don't know if it's wise for Cleveland to trade him for Psu Gasol's contract, but it might not be a bad idea for a team that needs a playoff berth after several years out of them

Pull the trigger, Cleveland, and don't look back. The Cavs desperately need someone to help take the offensive pressure off of K.I.

On a related note, The Nets may well end up ruing the day that they turned down a proposed Lopez for Gasol swap.

Thoughts on other recent trades:

* IMHO, the Kings gave up way too much for what amounts to, essentially, Rudy Gay. The Raptors made out like bandits, and may very well win the Atlantic -- not exactly a difficult feat, I know.

* The acquisition of Luc Mbah a Moute -- one of the league's best defenders -- by the T-Wolves in exchange for Derrick Williams is a much sounder deal for the Wolves than most realize. That stated, considering the fact that Derrick Williams was, once, the second pick in the draft ('11) and from the pure talent standpoint, the Kings appear to come out on top, the T-Wolves should have demanded, along with Mbah a Moute, at least a second round pick.

Then again, as I stated previously, the T-Wolves desperately need Budinger to return and for Gorgui Dieng to assume a more prominant role in the rotation.

[Revering4Blue]

Bad news for the Hawks.

Report: Al Horford to have surgery on torn pectoral, done for season.

http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/2013/12/30/report-al-horford-to-have-surgery-on-torn-pectoral-done-for-season/

[improbus]

Then again, as I stated previously, the T-Wolves desperately need Budinger to return and for Gorgui Dieng to assume a more prominant role in the rotation. "Waiting for Gorgui Dieng" sounds like a Paul Thomas Anderson movie.

[UKFlounder]

Kyrie Irving is hurt again. I saw one twitter feed speculating they are checking fora torn ACL.

This story confirms an MRI but does not guess at what the injury is.

http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId=10224194

[gilpdawg]

Kyrie Irving is hurt again. I saw one twitter feed speculating they are checking fora torn ACL.

This story confirms an MRI but does not guess at what the injury is.

http://m.espn.go.com/nba/story?storyId=10224194

Just a contusion.

[Kingspoint]

Geez, who didn't see this coming the way management/ownership treated George Karl last year and during the off-season (same can be said about Memphis and Lionel Hollins).

http://hangtime.blogs.nba.com/2014/01/02/morning-shootaround-jan-2/#nuggets

Miller yelled about the disrespect he felt he was being shown by sitting. And if he was being disrespected, he’d do the same to the Nuggets’ first-year head coach.

It is the team’s longest slide since dropping eight straight to end the 2002-03 season. It is also the Nuggets’ fifth consecutive home loss. And this one came with an increasingly agitated fan base that peppered the team with boos at the end of the half and in the third quarter, and then flat-out started leaving en masse with 5:33 left in the fourth and the team down 104-89.

[Revering4Blue]

IMO, the absences of Gallinari and McGee -- Mozgov and an out-of-position J.J Hickson have been playing center -- have more to do with the current slide than the loss of Karl, of whom, even though he did some great things in Seattle, one can argue got the bare minimum -- save for 2009 -- out of his teams, as they certainly should have advanced past the 1st round of the Playoffs more than once under his watch.

As for Hollins, I'm not sure Memphis, with such an uneven roster composition set and missing Gasol, is that stable of a situation for any coach.

As long as we are discussing coaching hires, Jason Kidd, even though the Nets are banged-up, is hands-down the worst coaching hire of this past off-season.

[Tom Servo]

As long as we are discussing coaching hires, Jason Kidd, even though the Nets are banged-up, is hands-down the worst coaching hire of this past off-season.
Absolutely. I hated it from the word 'go'. It never made one iota of sense to me to build a team of win-now "superstars" and hire not only a first time head coach but a guy with no coaching experience at all.

And while I respect everything he has done on the court and as a Net, I personally never liked Kidd. Too many issues that made it hard for me to respect him.

[Kingspoint]

Kidd is clueless as a Head Coach.

[Revering4Blue]

Absolutely. I hated it from the word 'go'. It never made one iota of sense to me to build a team of win-now "superstars" and hire not only a first time head coach but a guy with no coaching experience at all.

And while I respect everything he has done on the court and as a Net, I personally never liked Kidd. Too many issues that made it hard for me to respect him.

I understand.

Still, 13 years later, I still cannot believe that Phoenix essentially gave Kidd away to the Nets. Most, other than Nets fans, seen to have forgotten just how good those early aughts Nets teams were, or (going back to '93) just how devastating Drazen Petrovic's untimely death was to the franchise, setting it back at least five years as they were ascending into a power.

And Knick's fans think they've had it bad.

[improbus]

Kidd is clueless as a Head Coach.
If only Kidd could have kept Deron Williams, Paul Pierce, Kirilenko, and Brook Lopez healthy and made Kevin Garnett 10 years younger.

Deron Williams has played 27% of the Nets minutes. Andray Blatche has played in 47%. Alan Anderson has played 52%. Shaun Livingston has played 48%. The Williams, Lopez, Johnson, Pierce, Garnett group played 78.5 minutes. That is the lowest number in the NBA for the top minutes played by a 5 man unit on a team. The other teams in that range are the Cavs and Kings.

Kidd didn't have a chance.

[Kingspoint]

If only Kidd could have kept Deron Williams, Paul Pierce, Kirilenko, and Brook Lopez healthy and made Kevin Garnett 10 years younger.

Deron Williams has played 27% of the Nets minutes. Andray Blatche has played in 47%. Alan Anderson has played 52%. Shaun Livingston has played 48%. The Williams, Lopez, Johnson, Pierce, Garnett group played 78.5 minutes. That is the lowest number in the NBA for the top minutes played by a 5 man unit on a team. The other teams in that range are the Cavs and Kings.

Kidd didn't have a chance.

That nobody could do anything with what a bad team the Nets are, it doesn't change how clueless Kidd is as a HC. If he was HC of the Heat, the Heat would have a sub-.500 record right now.

[Revering4Blue]

Right on cue, the Nets pull it out in OKC.

The Warriors -- my preseason pick to advance to win the West -- win in Miami. And, as I type this, the Knicks are up by six with just under four minutes to go in San Antonio.

A bizarre NBA night, indeed.

[Kingspoint]

Right on cue, the Nets pull it out in OKC.

The Warriors -- my preseason pick to advance to win the West -- win in Miami. And, as I type this, the Knicks are up by six with just under four minutes to go in San Antonio.

A bizarre NBA night, indeed.

And, the Knicks held on, while the Grizzlies won in Phoenix. Of the elite teams, only Portland won last night (Indiana lost at home to Toronto the night before). Portland hit 21 of 33 three-pointers last night in a 134-104 drubbing of Charlotte. Last night put Portland back alone atop the Western Conference, zero games behind the Pacers, but percentage points back.

Portland is 6-1 vs OKC, San Antonio, Miami, Indiana, LA Clippers and Golden State with the only loss coming from a 30-foot Three by Bosh with 1.2 seconds left to lose by one, though Bosh would have hit it from 40 feet, he was so hot. Huge test coming Jan 17-21, where they play in four cities in five nights and these cities are, in order, SAS, DAL, HOU, and OKC.

[Revering4Blue]

And, the Knicks held on, while the Grizzlies won in Phoenix

Eric Bledsoe didn't play last night. The Suns certainly miss him, and frankly, so do the Clippers.

[Kingspoint]

Eric Bledsoe didn't play last night. The Suns certainly miss him, and frankly, so do the Clippers.

I had seen where it was looking like he might play, but I didn't follow up on that. In one of the two Blazer losses to the Suns (both in Phoenix), he was a terror against them. I don't think he was there when the Blazers beat the Suns by one point in Portland, and it certainly made a difference.

They guard aggressively for 48 minutes, which does a good job of making opponents take difficult shots. It makes up for their lack of size, as teams find themselves running out of shot-clock repeatedly, taking shots that they would rather not be taking.

Don't they have like three First Round picks in the upcoming draft, one considered to be among the top three or four in the last 15 years?

[Chip R]

Chris Paul out 3-5 weeks with a separated shoulder.

http://espn.go.com/los-angeles/nba/story/_/id/10240357/los-angeles-clippers-chris-paul-3-5-weeks-separated-shoulder

[indyscott]

And, the Knicks held on, while the Grizzlies won in Phoenix. Of the elite teams, only Portland won last night (Indiana lost at home to Toronto the night before). Portland hit 21 of 33 three-pointers last night in a 134-104 drubbing of Charlotte. Last night put Portland back alone atop the Western Conference, zero games behind the Pacers, but percentage points back.

Portland is 6-1 vs OKC, San Antonio, Miami, Indiana, LA Clippers and Golden State with the only loss coming from a 30-foot Three by Bosh with 1.2 seconds left to lose by one, though Bosh would have hit it from 40 feet, he was so hot. Huge test coming Jan 17-21, where they play in four cities in five nights and these cities are, in order, SAS, DAL, HOU, and OKC.

Indiana lost AT Toronto

[5TimeWSChamps]

Still incensed at the Twolves-Thunder game tonight.

Durant's become CP3 2.0 with his ridiculous flopping and cheating

https://vine.co/v/hYnF6VjDawt

https://vine.co/v/hYnYDMlb0X3

[Kingspoint]

Still incensed at the Twolves-Thunder game tonight.

Durant's become CP3 2.0 with his ridiculous flopping and cheating

https://vine.co/v/hYnF6VjDawt

https://vine.co/v/hYnYDMlb0X3

I was assuming it was how they outscored Minnesota by 14, but hadn't seen any confirmation one way or another about it.

Minnesota is getting treated like a stray dog by the NBA. What did they do to get that treatment from Stern and the refs? Rick Adelman is well-respected. The players are decent enough. Flip Saunders is well-respected. I don't see it.

[Kingspoint]

Indiana lost AT Toronto

That does make a difference.

It would be one thing for Portland to lose at Philly, but to lose at home to the Sixers is unacceptable.

[Chip R]

Some of you may know that the owners of the old ABA St. Louis team have been getting a share of NBA TV money from the ABA teams that merged with the NBA. The NBA has been trying to buy them out over the last several years and now it looks like it's going to happen.

http://www.nytimes.com/2014/01/07/sports/basketball/payout-may-come-for-an-aba-team-that-is-long-gone.html?_r=0

[Revering4Blue]

The Cleveland Cavaliers have agreed to trade Andrew Bynum and a draft pick to the Chicago Bulls for forward Luol Deng, sources told ESPN.com.

The deal is expected to be completed on Tuesday morning when the teams have a conference call with the league office.

Bynum is expected to be released by 5 p.m. on Tuesday before the second half of his $12.3 million contract becomes guaranteed.

The deal will save the Bulls more than $15 million in salary and luxury taxes, taking them below the salary-cap threshold. In addition, the Cavs will send the Bulls a first round pick owed to them by the Sacramento Kings that is top 10 protected in the next two drafts.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10255605/cleveland-cavaliers-agree-trade-andrew-bynum-chicago-bulls-luol-deng

Keep in mind that Deng will be an unrestricted free agent this summer, but this deal may well get the Cavs into the playoffs.

As for Bynam, will he get claimed before the Heat have a shot at him?

[Kingspoint]

LeBron James: "Watch what I do against Washington".

Nice bulletin board material there, LeBron.

Washington crushes them from the opening tipoff, leading 43-18 after the 1st Quarter, growing that lead to the 30's before settling for a 17-pt win.

[redsfan1995]

Awesome to see Greg Oden get into the game tonight and actually score six points. Sad to see his career start out like this but he's only 26 so he could potentially provide something the next few years if he can stay healthy.

[Revering4Blue]

LeBron James: "Watch what I do against Washington".

Nice bulletin board material there, LeBron.

Washington crushes them from the opening tipoff, leading 43-18 after the 1st Quarter, growing that lead to the 30's before settling for a 17-pt win.

Not to detract from Washington's win, but it's hard to get a grip on the Heat when players are either resting (Wade and Battier) or injured (Chalmers and Anderson).

The highlight of the night was definitely Oden's return. Even though Oden could be the X-factor in the Heat's quest to repeat, I cannot help but root for the guy.

[indyscott]

Not to detract from Washington's win, but it's hard to get a grip on the Heat when players are either resting (Wade and Battier) or injured (Chalmers and Anderson).

The highlight of the night was definitely Oden's return. Even though Oden could be the X-factor in the Heat's quest to repeat, I cannot help but root for the guy.

Wade wasnt resting last night and Battier is just awful.

[Kingspoint]

Wade wasnt resting last night and Battier is just awful.

Wade was terrible. James played well, of course. Oden will be interesting.

[indyscott]

Wade was terrible. James played well, of course. Oden will be interesting.

James played well once the game was decided. He played awful the first half. As a Pacers fan I look forward to playing them this year. Especially if they hold onto home court which they should

[texasdave]

Rockets' point totals by quarter from last night's game with the Thunder. 32-41-10-9. That is funny.

[Revering4Blue]

Rockets' point totals by quarter from last night's game with the Thunder. 32-41-10-9. That is funny.
That was ugly.

It's hard to believe that a team with Harden and Howard would have such a hard time scoring within a half-court set.

[Kingspoint]

That was ugly.

It's hard to believe that a team with Harden and Howard would have such a hard time scoring within a half-court set.

Of their 82 shots, they took all but four of them either in the paint, or from 24 feet and beyond. Guess they've never heard of a mid-range shot. Harden's flopping never got him to the line yesterday, either. Durant's did, though.

[Kingspoint]

...and it begins tonight for the Trail Blazers...

Four dreaded Cities in five nights.

San Antonio tonight, Dallas tomorrow, Houston Monday, and OKC Tuesday.

...a combined 61-19 record at home for those teams.

I don't recall in my lifetime seeing a road-trip this difficult.

Their best shots of winning are the San Antonio and Dallas games. They've dominated the Spurs for years with Aldridge dominating Duncan, and Aldridge has great games in his hometown of Dallas. Houston has too much size vs Portland, while OKC is a beast at home vs the Blazers with or without Westbrook. Reserve Thomas Robinson has began playing well lately after getting about 8 DNP's in a row. If he can continue his improved play, he'll be instrumental vs his former team, the Rockets, as he's been satisfying the need for a backup big-man to Aldridge that this team badly needs.

Predicting 2-2.

[Kingspoint]

...and it begins tonight for the Trail Blazers...

Four dreaded Cities in five nights.

San Antonio tonight, Dallas tomorrow, Houston Monday, and OKC Tuesday.

...a combined 61-19 record at home for those teams.

I don't recall in my lifetime seeing a road-trip this difficult.

Their best shots of winning are the San Antonio and Dallas games. They've dominated the Spurs for years with Aldridge dominating Duncan, and Aldridge has great games in his hometown of Dallas. Houston has too much size vs Portland, while OKC is a beast at home vs the Blazers with or without Westbrook. Reserve Thomas Robinson has began playing well lately after getting about 8 DNP's in a row. If he can continue his improved play, he'll be instrumental vs his former team, the Rockets, as he's been satisfying the need for a backup big-man to Aldridge that this team badly needs.

Predicting 2-2.

They got the first two in Texas, San Antonio (by 9) and Dallas (coasted to a 16-pt win), as expected, but now comes the hard part...trying to get by either of Houston or Oklahoma City, two teams they do not match up well against in the frontcourt.

[improbus]

They got the first two in Texas, San Antonio (by 9) and Dallas (coasted to a 16-pt win), as expected, but now comes the hard part...trying to get by either of Houston or Oklahoma City, two teams they do not match up well against in the frontcourt.
I have been a doubter and they are continually proving me wrong. My only concern for them is minutes. Their top 4 guys are all in the top 30 in the league in minutes. Hopefully Stotts will start getting his guys some rest. Their top 6 have missed a combined 1 game.

[Revering4Blue]

I have been a doubter and they are continually proving me wrong. My only concern for them is minutes. Their top 4 guys are all in the top 30 in the league in minutes. Hopefully Stotts will start getting his guys some rest. Their top 6 have missed a combined 1 game.

Agreed. Reducing starter minutes in Portland is chief concern, even if it costs them a couple of games.

Granted, C.J. McCollum is, by no means, the answer, but he certainly strengthens the Blazer bench.

[Revering4Blue]

Simple question: Will Andrew Bynam suit up again this season?

[KoryMac5]

Simple question: Will Andrew Bynam suit up again this season?

He's a 7 footer with talent. Several teams have been in touch already. I say we see him on a roster before the end of the season.

[improbus]

He's a 7 footer with talent. Several teams have been in touch already. I say we see him on a roster before the end of the season.

Players like Bynum can make it in positive situations. Cleveland certainly wasn't one of those. If he finds the right team he can play. When LA was stable, he was great. When they started to fall apart, so did he.

[Kingspoint]

My only concern for them is minutes. Their top 4 guys are all in the top 30 in the league in minutes. Hopefully Stotts will start getting his guys some rest. Their top 6 have missed a combined 1 game.

Their style of play [bottom of the league in points in the paint Offensively, while not being aggressive enough defensively (other than Mo Williams no other Blazer is willing to commit a foul)] doesn't induce contact injuries to the Starters.

The early season failure of either Thomas Robinson (he was expected to be the guy) or Meyers Leonard (he was not expected to fill that role) to solidify the backup PF position has had a rippling effect on the Starters' minutes. Aldridge, especially, and the top six have had to log too many minutes. McCollum's arrival will reduce the minutes of Lillard, Matthews, and Mo Williams (and Dorell Wright, but that's not necessarily a good thing as Wright is a solid sub). Robinson, in the last five games or so, has shown he can be that backup PF. He has 10 or so games to prove he can or else Portland will have to make a deadline deal to get a big PF/C to reduce the minutes of Aldridge and Lopez. The preference is to continue to develop Thomas Robinson. Meyers Leonard is several years away from being an asset on an NBA floor, but very much worth keeping, as is Robinson. It's critical that Thomas Robinson play well in his limited minutes tonight and tomorrow if they are to have a chance at beating the Rockets or the Thunder. Terrance Jones was terrible the last time he went up against Aldridge, but Jones is playing well now. Should be an interesting matchup.

[Kingspoint]

Agreed. Reducing starter minutes in Portland is chief concern, even if it costs them a couple of games.

Granted, C.J. McCollum is, by no means, the answer, but he certainly strengthens the Blazer bench.
It hasn't happened often, but they got some rest in the blowout win at Dallas Saturday.

[Kingspoint]

As expected, the Blazers couldn't win at Houston or at OKC (though they did 22 days ago). Houston dominated them throughout the game (turned out Batum's splint on his finger bent sideways, while Batum was useless against OKC because of the injury), while OKC dominate the last five minutes (which is the only ones that truly count in the NBA). 2-2 was still a good result on the road trip.

OKC at the Spurs Wednesday Night should be great.

[improbus]

I find the Carmelo Anthony narrative fascinating and almost completely wrong. It seems like he is getting much of the blame for the Knicks play this season which is really unfair. He gets blamed for the Knicks style of basketball, which again is really unfair. They built the worst possible roster to take advantage of his skills (as opposed to Miami for example who built a roster designed around LeBron).

-His point guards cannot get anyone shots. Anthony is playing with fat Ray Felton. Ask Blazers fans about him.
-They don't move the ball on the perimeter like they did last year. They really do miss that aspect of Jason Kidd's game. When the Knicks were playing well last year, they moved the ball frantically on the perimeter and got Carmelo easier shots.
-Why should he pass the ball? His perimeter teammates are J.R. Smith (37%), Felton (41%), Prigioni (41%), and Shumpert (39%). Down low, he has Chandler, who can only dunk and he was saddled with the disaster of Andrea Bargnani (nothing like 44% shooting 7 footers).
-His True Shooting Percentage (which takes into account 3's and FT's) is right around his career average.
-His Turnover percentage is a career low, he is getting 9 rebounds a game, and is shooting 41.5% from three. In a way, he has been incredible this year, despite being on one of the worst teams in the sport.

[improbus]

There was a rumored Carmelo for Blake Griffin trade about a month ago or so. If the Clippers made that move, they would catapult into the top tier of NBA teams. Imagine facing a fourth quarter with Paul and Anthony together. They are both 4th quarter killers. Yet, you get articles like this.

http://sports.yahoo.com/news/carmelo-anthony-blake-griffin-trade-coup-york-knicks-153000807--nba.html

He actually attempted to compare the two by the number of dunks they did last year. He really did that.

[Kingspoint]

It's a mess in the Knicks' front office. Has been for a very long time with no immediate help on the way. There's definitely an ownership issue here.

On to positive organizations....

Houston (minus James Harden) hosts San Antonio tonight. The Spurs are looking for only their second victory of the season against the NBA's top teams, Houston being among them. 32-1 vs everybody else, but 1-10 vs the elite.

The big game of the month is Wednesday as Miami, the team with the best record in the NBA against the elite teams, tries to stop the team playing the best basketball in the NBA, not only currently, but on the season, in Oklahoma City. Should be a great game.

[Revering4Blue]

I find the fascinating and almost completely wrong. It seems like he is getting much of the blame for the Knicks play this season which is really unfair. He gets blamed for the Knicks style of basketball, which again is really unfair. They built the worst possible roster to take advantage of his skills (as opposed to Miami for example who built a roster designed around LeBron).

-His point guards cannot get anyone shots. Anthony is playing with fat Ray Felton. Ask Blazers fans about him.
-They don't move the ball on the perimeter like they did last year. They really do miss that aspect of Jason Kidd's game. When the Knicks were playing well last year, they moved the ball frantically on the perimeter and got Carmelo easier shots.
-Why should he pass the ball? His perimeter teammates are J.R. Smith (37%), Felton (41%), Prigioni (41%), and Shumpert (39%). Down low, he has Chandler, who can only dunk and he was saddled with the disaster of Andrea Bargnani (nothing like 44% shooting 7 footers).
-His True Shooting Percentage (which takes into account 3's and FT's) is right around his career average.
-His Turnover percentage is a career low, he is getting 9 rebounds a game, and is shooting 41.5% from three. In a way, he has been incredible this year, despite being on one of the worst teams in the sport.


Spot-on with all points.

Another completely wrong Carmelo Anthony narrative: New York lost the 2011 C.Anthony-based trade with Denver.

Granted, the Nuggets still get the Knicks first round pick in what, by all accounts, will be a deep draft, but as of right now, the Nuggets haven't advanced past the first round of the playoffs since '09, when they advanced to the Conference Finals with Anthony. Plus, Danilo Gallinari, the prize of the deal from the Denver standpoint, has been injured most of the time -- he hasn't and won't play this year.

The Knicks landed a Superstar and failed, as others have pointed out, to surround C.A with a balanced roster. The front office has been a mess since the Scott Layden days, but as ineffective as they've been, the Anthony deal and drafting Tim Hardaway Jr., at least at this point in time, shouldn't be in question.

[Tom Servo]

So I don't know if anybody else has noticed this, but this Kevin Durant guy is pretty good at basketball.

[Tom Servo]

I find the Carmelo Anthony narrative fascinating and almost completely wrong. It seems like he is getting much of the blame for the Knicks play this season which is really unfair.
This gif pretty much sums up your point

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/19d5t4p8ielxcgif/ku-xlarge.gif

[improbus]

This gif pretty much sums up your point

http://img.gawkerassets.com/img/19d5t4p8ielxcgif/ku-xlarge.gif

I could watch Andrea Bargnani rotation GIF's all day.

[Hoosier Red]

So the Pacers are rumored to be signing Andrew Bynum right now. Not sure how he fits, but nice to know he won't be irritating me as another team signed him.

[Revering4Blue]

So the Pacers are rumored to be signing Andrew Bynum right now. Not sure how he fits, but nice to know he won't be irritating me as another team signed him.
Well worth the risk.

Ian Mahinmi is a decent backup, but if Bynam is motivated -- he has to realize that this likely his last chance, especially with a chance to at least reach the Finals -- this is a definite roster upgrade.

Mahinmi cannot do this to second units.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=6zL_meBbHtw

[Chip R]

So the Pacers are rumored to be signing Andrew Bynum right now. Not sure how he fits, but nice to know he won't be irritating me as another team signed him.

That could be it right there. Sign him so no one else can have him. Gives Hibbert a break too.

[dabvu2498]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1950604-kyle-lowry-gets-called-for-phantom-offensive-foul-in-final-minute

Yikes

[reds1869]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1950604-kyle-lowry-gets-called-for-phantom-offensive-foul-in-final-minute

Yikes

The league office needs to investigate the ref. We've seen this movie before in the NBA; crooked officiating is no joke.

[improbus]

The NBA really knows how to put on an All Star game. The entertainment was great (Pharrell was awesome and I can't believe how many cool things he has been a part of). The game was the Skills Competition, 3 Point Shootout, and Dunk Contest all in one. It was a fun three hours.

[texasdave]

http://nba.si.com/2014/02/20/andre-miller-trade-nuggets-wizards-sixers-jan-vesely-eric-maynor/

Am I missing something here? This three-way trade makes no sense to me.

Denver sends Andre Miller to Washington.
Washington sends Jan Vesely to Denver.
Washington sends Eric Maynor to Philadelphia
Washington sends a second-round pick to Philadelphia.
Denver sends a second-round pick to Philadelphia.

So, Philadelphia gets two second-round picks and Eric Maynor for nothing as far as I can tell.

[Assembly Hall]

That is definitely the way it reads Dave. Pretty dang odd for sure.

[TheBigLebowski]

Must be that the 2nd round picks were compensation for taking on Maynor's contract. Denver valued Vesely as worth a 2nd rounder and Miller.

[Assembly Hall]

I didn't see this one coming....

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2014/02/20/indiana-pacers-danny-granger-evan-turner-nba/5649963/

[Kingspoint]

I didn't see this one coming....

http://www.indystar.com/story/sports/nba/pacers/2014/02/20/indiana-pacers-danny-granger-evan-turner-nba/5649963/

Kevin Pritchard doing what Kevin Pritchard does. Pacers are even more the favorites to win it all this year, in my opinion.

[Tom Servo]

I just took a look at the 2013 rookie performances so far and compared them to past years draft class' rookie performances and yeesh. Most of these dudes are pitiful.

[Revering4Blue]

I just took a look at the 2013 rookie performances so far and compared them to past years draft class' rookie performances and yeesh. Most of these dudes are pitiful.

As a whole, true. However, IMO, any one of this upcoming draft's stars will be hard-pressed to make as large of an immediate impact as Michael Carter-Williams and Victor Oladipo have, so far. And don't forget that Nerlens Noel hasn't yet suited up at all.

[Tom Servo]

Oh yeah, I think MCW and HomeDepot are showing a lot and are going to be damn good players, but even then, so far they don't reach recent rookie performances like Anthony Davis, Damian Lillard, Andre Drummond, or even Terrence Jones.

[Revering4Blue]

Drummond, in particular, continues to prove several GM's wrong. To our Credit, Texasdave and myself felt that he should have gone much higher than he did, so give credit where credit is due.:D

[texasdave]

DeMarcus Cousins is something else. He seems to anger easily.

[Revering4Blue]

Danny Granger is joining fellow buyout Glen "Big Baby" Davis in LA with the Clips. Also, Caron Butler has agreed to join the Thunder as the deadline for players to be join new teams and be eligible for postseason is quickly looming.

[Tom Servo]

DeMarcus Cousins is something else. He seems to anger easily.
So talented, so nuts. I know he got a max extension recently and is the 'face of the franchise' but I really think maybe he and Sactown could use a divorce. The Kings aren't too likely to be good during the duration of his contract and they could probably get a great haul for him, and he could go to a place with a winning culture where he is really pushed to improve his attitude and be held accountable.

[Kingspoint]

DeMarcus Cousins is something else. He seems to anger easily.

Yes, but he certainly had every right to irate about this particular one. The refs were horrible.

[Tom Servo]

nakia hogan ‏@nakiahogan 27m
The #Pelicans plan to move Tyreke Evans into the starting lineup tonight vs. Suns. The only problem is he's stuck in elevator at hotel

nakia hogan ‏@nakiahogan 26m
#Pelican still waiting for Evans to arrive at US Airways Center.

[improbus]

Drummond, in particular, continues to prove several GM's wrong. To our Credit, Texasdave and myself felt that he should have gone much higher than he did, so give credit where credit is due.:D

He's going to have to improve on that 40% from the FT line to be truly taken seriously. Also, it is easy to get offensive rebounds when you have Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings dueling every game to see who can take more bad jumpers. His numbers are impressive, but highly flawed.

[improbus]

Kevin Love is the might be the most fascinating/confusing/awesome/frustrating player in the NBA. Take into account the following.

1) He is widely considered the best Power Forward in the game. And, if not the best, he is labelled in the top handful.

2) He is a stat machine. Fantasy owners drool over Love. I have heard stories of him grabbing a rebound as the buzzer at the end of a quarter goes off and making sure that the stat keepers recorded it. That is some Ricky Davis level stuff.

3) He has never made the playoffs. If the playoff picture holds, the TWolves and Kings will have the longest playoff droughts in the league. In a sport where only 5 guys play the lions share of the minutes, it is difficult to fathom that one of the top players in the league hasn't led a team to the playoffs.

4) He is the best white, American born player since Larry Bird. Race plays a huge role in perception in the NBA (See: Iverson, Allen), and having a great white baller brings an interesting dynamic into the league.

5) The Timberwolves are a strange, strange team. With the notable exception of Love, they are all extreme specialists. Pekovic is a low post scorer, Rubio is a passer (and is the worst shooter in the NBA since 1970), Kevin Martin shoots threes, Berea drives, Corey Brewer runs the break, Chase Budinger is pale, and Gorgui Dieng likes to tip the ball into his own basket. They have a +4.1 scoring margin and are .500. Teams with similar point margin are the Blazers, Rockets, and Warriors, who are a collective 57 games over .500. I don't know what to think of them.

-All of these things add up to a very strange career. I'm interested in seeing where this goes.

[Revering4Blue]

He's going to have to improve on that 40% from the FT line to be truly taken seriously. Also, it is easy to get offensive rebounds when you have Josh Smith and Brandon Jennings dueling every game to see who can take more bad jumpers. His numbers are impressive, but highly flawed.

True, but as of now, Drummond's PER is higher than any player in the '12 draft not named Anthony Davis -- 14th overall in the league, in fact. He should have gone higher in the draft, no question at all.

As examples: Thomas Robinson was, not surprisingly at all, an awful pick by the Kings, who could have drafted Drummond and shifted Cousins to PF. Think the Warriors, especially since Harrison Barnes hasn't, as of yet, amounted to much, would have been better off with Drummond in the middle instead of an often-injured, not that effective in the first place, Andrew Bogut?

As for the Pistons, Josh Smith was a curious free agent signing, to say the least, as we both thought at the time, with an unmovable contract. They'll likely have to move Greg Monroe to enable Josh Smith to move to PF, which is unfortunate because Monroe, IMO, compliments Drummond's game more than Mr. Smith. I wasn't too crazy about the deal for Brandon Jennings, either.

[Revering4Blue]

Kevin Love is the might be the most fascinating/confusing/awesome/frustrating player in the NBA. Take into account the following.

1) He is widely considered the best Power Forward in the game. And, if not the best, he is labelled in the top handful.

2) He is a stat machine. Fantasy owners drool over Love. I have heard stories of him grabbing a rebound as the buzzer at the end of a quarter goes off and making sure that the stat keepers recorded it. That is some Ricky Davis level stuff.

3) He has never made the playoffs. If the playoff picture holds, the TWolves and Kings will have the longest playoff droughts in the league. In a sport where only 5 guys play the lions share of the minutes, it is difficult to fathom that one of the top players in the league hasn't led a team to the playoffs.


4) He is the best white, American born player since Larry Bird. Race plays a huge role in perception in the NBA (See: Iverson, Allen), and having a great white baller brings an interesting dynamic into the league.

5) The Timberwolves are a strange, strange team. With the notable exception of Love, they are all extreme specialists. Pekovic is a low post scorer, Rubio is a passer (and is the worst shooter in the NBA since 1970), Kevin Martin shoots threes, Berea drives, Corey Brewer runs the break, Chase Budinger is pale, and Gorgui Dieng likes to tip the ball into his own basket. They have a +4.1 scoring margin and are .500. Teams with similar point margin are the Blazers, Rockets, and Warriors, who are a collective 57 games over .500. I don't know what to think of them.

-All of these things add up to a very strange career. I'm interested in seeing where this goes.

The GM for the duration of Love's time in Minneapolis was David Kahn. Need I say more?

[texasdave]

Big game (as far as I am concerned) tomorrow night. Heat and the Rockets. Pacers come calling on Friday. So, I suppose that makes it a big week. It would be nice to see Houston flex some muscles.

[Revering4Blue]

61 points, seven rebounds and five assists for the King tonight.

[texasdave]

17 points and 26 boards for Drummond. Pistons and Knicks were shooting bricks all night long.

[Kingspoint]

Lack of effort by Matthews, Lillard, Batum and Aldridge vs the Lakers.

[texasdave]

Rockets nip the Heat for a nice home win. Pacers fail to take advantage by dropping one at home to the Warriors, who came out to play-ee-yay.

[Revering4Blue]

Rockets nip the Heat for a nice home win. Pacers fail to take advantage by dropping one at home to the Warriors, who came out to play-ee-yay.
The Warriors have now split with both Indiana and Miami with both the Pacers and Heat winning in Oakland.

[Mutaman]

Lack of effort by Matthews, Lillard, Batum and Aldridge vs the Lakers.

I've watched Wesley Matthews play in high school, college and the NBA. Didn't see the Laker game but if Wes was guilty of "a lack of effort", that would be the first time in his carreer.

[RedTeamGo!]

Went to the Cavs/Spurs game last night.

Was fun watching Delevadova and Mills go at it against each other, but the Cavs are really terrible.

[Kingspoint]

I've watched Wesley Matthews play in high school, college and the NBA. Didn't see the Laker game but if Wes was guilty of "a lack of effort", that would be the first time in his carreer.

His nickname is "IronMan", as he plays in more pain as much as Iverson, but he does only put in enough effort to pace himself for a whole game. He refuses to play up to his potential, especially on Defense. It's a team-wide issue. Batum could be a 1st Team All-Defensive Team member and Matthews could be 3rd Team. But, because they believe that they needed last year to avoid foul trouble at all costs, none of them would play close enough Defense to ever commit a foul. The team is DEAD LAST in steals per game at less than six per game, at least one full steal worse than the 29th worst team.

Batum, Matthews, Aldridge and Lillard all play matador defense for the first three-and-a-half quarters of any game. They only turn it up the last half of the fourth quarter. It's such a bad habit that they had last season that it was carried into this season when it wasn't necessary, as their bench is capable enough to sub for them if they get in foul trouble. This has now become Stott's fault, as he allows them to get away with it.

Matthews' rebounding effort has been poorer as the season has progressed (as has Lillard's), and it's not the first time Matthews has taken a whole game off at the Defensive end.

It all comes down to the Starters thinking too highly of themselves in not wanting to risk foul trouble. As a result, they give about a 75% effort on average every night in an effort to pace themselves, Matthews included. At the beginning of the season, that wasn't the case, as they were giving 100% efforts in the 3rd Quarters and the 4th Quarters. They still only gave 75% effort in the 1st Quarters at the beginning of the season, but they turned that around in the second half immediately out of the break. That's no longer the case.

Robin Lopez is the only exception. He gives 100%,....100% of the time.

And, the next time I see Aldridge guard someone beyond 12 feet will be the first time. As one fan put it succinctly, teams coming in know that they're going to be in a scrimmage type of affair, and not be worrying about facing any physical pressure.

The Trail Blazers' Aldridge, Batum, Matthews and Lillard just think they can outshoot someone to win while putting up half-ass efforts on Defense. They are finishing tonight the easiest three weeks of their season schedule (I'll be there hoping they can put up something resembling a defensive effort before their season goes down the drain) before embarking on the most difficult part of their schedule on the season. After tonight's win (they should win at home, but then they should have beaten the Lakers, too), they could easily lose five in a row.

[Kingspoint]

Rockets nip the Heat for a nice home win. Pacers fail to take advantage by dropping one at home to the Warriors, who came out to play-ee-yay.


Houston's got the three-seed. The Blazers can't put up the effort to hold onto the three-seed.

[improbus]

It is funny how much people's general disdain for Dwight Howard has kept the Rockets under the radar. He has quietly reentered the top 5 in the league. He has them in the top 12 in team defense despite playing with some of the worst defensive guards in the game.

[Revering4Blue]

If the Pacers play as gawd-awful poorly as they did tonight in Charlotte, they'll get absolutely clubbed in Houston.

[Revering4Blue]

It is funny how much people's general disdain for Dwight Howard has kept the Rockets under the radar. He has quietly reentered the top 5 in the league. He has them in the top 12 in team defense despite playing with some of the worst defensive guards in the game.

Not trading away Asik has to be considered one of, if not, the best non-moves at this deadline, as this ensures that the Rockets have a rim-protector on the court at all times. Reportedly, the Lakers turned down an Asik/Lin for Gasol offer at the deadline..bad move, LA.

The Aaron Brooks for Jordan Hamilton deal was/is a solid under-the-radar move by Morey.

[Mutaman]

hoping they can put up something resembling a defensive effort before their season goes down the drain

See where Portland gave up a whopping 38 points in the first half tonight. Should be their 6th time in the last 7 games where they hold the opponent under 100. Gee, imagine if they gave 100%

[Revering4Blue]

See where Portland gave up a whopping 38 points in the first half tonight. Should be their 6th time in the last 7 games where they hold the opponent under 100. Gee, imagine if they gave 100%

And against a Hawks team that amazingly, with Horford (lost for the year) and Millsap in sick bay, had scored at least 100 in their previous 5 games. Granted, four out of the previous five were losses, but still, give credit where credit is due. When Kyle Korver can't buy a basket, you know that you are going to be in for a long night.

[Mutaman]

I guess Portland's season will survive another day or two.

[Mutaman]

Kudos to Joakim Noah: Two triple doubles in the last four days.

[Kingspoint]

I guess Portland's season will survive another day or two.
Without Millsap and Horford, that is one ugly team.

Matthews was glued to Korver all night. (Batum said in his best Franglish that Matthews was Korver's boyfriend) While Korver shot worse than I've ever seen him since he entered the league last night, Matthews was mostly responsible for his NBA-record 127-game 3-pt streak coming to an end. Also, regarding Matthews' reputation for hustle, his commemorative glass coming out at the end of the month shows him diving for a loose ball.

Yes. They survived for one more day. But, now begins a brutal 5-game road trip with a game in Miami shortly after that.

[Kingspoint]

And against a Hawks team that amazingly, with Horford (lost for the year) and Millsap in sick bay, had scored at least 100 in their previous 5 games. Granted, four out of the previous five were losses, but still, give credit where credit is due. When Kyle Korver can't buy a basket, you know that you are going to be in for a long night.

Brand played Center. Need I say more?

Aldridge was 1-13 (all of his shots were long, so it's not the groin, just a timing issue), so it just shows how really bad the Hawks (and the entire East less the Pacers and Heat) are right now.

[Kingspoint]

See where Portland gave up a whopping 38 points in the first half tonight. Should be their 6th time in the last 7 games where they hold the opponent under 100. Gee, imagine if they gave 100%
Those six of seven were against some horrible teams and in large part from great efforts by the bench players.

The Starters gave effort last night on the Defensive end. Next game at Dallas.

[Kingspoint]

dup

[Mutaman]

Also, regarding Matthews' reputation for hustle, his commemorative glass coming out at the end of the month shows him diving for a loose ball.


Thanks. I'd like to get one of those. :)

[Revering4Blue]

Without Millsap and Horford, that is one ugly team.


Yet, at least on paper, both the Cavs and Pistons are better teams, but so far, trail the Hawks for the final playoff spot in the East -- not saying much, I know.

[Kingspoint]

Thanks. I'd like to get one of those. :)

I'm sure several will be available on e-bay the next day. It's Sunday, March 30th.

(I opened a checking account Saturday at Wells Fargo so I could get a special edition Wesley Matthews bobble-head. It's better than most bobble-heads. It actually looks like him and has a lot more detail than most bobble-heads.)

http://archive.sltrib.com/images/2010/1011/JazzMatthews_101110~1.jpg

http://binaryapi.ap.org/50b79cfb20744dd7ab41e14590685977/940x.jpg

http://www.nwsportsbeat.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/Wes-Matthews-Kevin-Durant-e1351637730168.jpg

[improbus]

This is all I think of when I hear the name, "Wes Matthews"

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/02jYo3LqHtg/0.jpg

[Mutaman]

This is all I think of when I hear the name, "Wes Matthews"

http://i1.ytimg.com/vi/02jYo3LqHtg/0.jpg

"Wes Matthews" played for the Badgers and is retired. "Wesley Matthews" graduated from Marquette and is still going strong.

[Boston Red]

It's kind of amazing how much better off financially Matthews is now for being an undrafted free agent. The Blazers gave him crazy, stupid money after his first year in the League. As a Jazz fan, I thought he was great, but Utah would have been nuts to match that Portland offer.

[Kingspoint]

It's kind of amazing how much better off financially Matthews is now for being an undrafted free agent. The Blazers gave him crazy, stupid money after his first year in the League. As a Jazz fan, I thought he was great, but Utah would have been nuts to match that Portland offer.Yes they would have been. But, it's been a good contract for the Blazers. Wes would be better (as would Aldridge, Batum and others around the league) if not for the control freak McMillan. Fortunately for Matthews, his own personal strength was greater than McMillan's head games.

[improbus]

Would anyone here be in favor of abolishing the draft? I think the possibilities would be intriguing.

[Revering4Blue]

Would anyone here be in favor of abolishing the draft? I think the possibilities would be intriguing.

If that were to come to fruition, the larger or exotic markets (read: Miami) would simply outbid everyone --as if more endorsement opportunities are not enough -- putting teams such as Minnesota and Indiana at a disadvantage.

No thanks.

[improbus]

If that were to come to fruition, the larger or exotic markets (read: Miami) would simply outbid everyone --as if more endorsement opportunities are not enough -- putting teams such as Minnesota and Indiana at a disadvantage.

No thanks.

Well, let me provide more details. First make a hard cap. Second, eliminate the Max Salaries. So, a small market team could offer a huge contract to someone like LeBron. The same could be said for the "draft". College players would declare themselves eligible for the NBA after some date and then teams would simply bid on them.

[Chip R]

If that were to come to fruition, the larger or exotic markets (read: Miami) would simply outbid everyone --as if more endorsement opportunities are not enough -- putting teams such as Minnesota and Indiana at a disadvantage.

No thanks.

Not necessarily since there is a salary cap.

[Kingspoint]

Would anyone here be in favor of abolishing the draft? I think the possibilities would be intriguing.

Instead of that, I want to see a true minor league system be developed. It's slowly coming into fruition. As it does, the second round of the draft will become meaningful again. A third round would eventually be added back again that has meaning.

I'm in favor of not allowing anyone to be drafted under the age of 21. I know there's nothing legal about that, but there's nothing legal about a draft in the first place.

[Kingspoint]

Well, let me provide more details. First make a hard cap. Second, eliminate the Max Salaries. So, a small market team could offer a huge contract to someone like LeBron. The same could be said for the "draft". College players would declare themselves eligible for the NBA after some date and then teams would simply bid on them.

Because it takes so long to develop bigs, and small market teams require players to be on their squads for more years, I don't want to do anything that makes it possible for younger players to be paid more for potential than for current abilities. Small market teams suffer when the price of potential is too high. Larger market teams can always wait for players to reach their potential and rape the smaller market teams. The current system gives the smaller market teams a fighting chance to hold onto top talent. Can't see that happening without a draft along with rookie salaries being capped.

[Revering4Blue]

Not necessarily since there is a salary cap.

I'm well aware of that, but that doesn't solve the endorsement problem, which again, helps the Brooklyns and hurts the Milwaukees.

[Revering4Blue]

Instead of that, I want to see a true minor league system be developed. It's slowly coming into fruition. As it does, the second round of the draft will become meaningful again. A third round would eventually be added back again that has meaning.

I'm in favor of not allowing anyone to be drafted under the age of 21. I know there's nothing legal about that, but there's nothing legal about a draft in the first place.

If we're going that route, from the standpoint of development, the should operate the same was as MLB -draft and follow. Alas, the NBA players union won't go along with that.

[Chip R]

I'm well aware of that, but that doesn't solve the endorsement problem, which again, helps the Brooklyns and hurts the Milwaukees.

But that's going to be a problem with signing anyone much less a rookie. A team like the Heat has money tied up with the Big 3 and they aren't going to get into a bidding war with other teams. If you're good enough, you'll get endorsements wherever you are. Heck even Nate Robinson has a Taco Bell commercial. Endorsements weren't a problem with LeBron when he was in CLE.

[Kingspoint]

Alas, the NBA players union won't go along with that.The NBA players' union are comprised of idiots. Billy Hunter could have cared less about the future of the league while he was in charge. He made the top players uber-rich instead of working on offering more balanced payoffs to more people.

[improbus]

I think it would work. A hard cap would be the key. It would level the financial playing field and reward smart teams. It would promote parity because the great players would get paid more and be more spread throughout the league. There is no way Miami could exist in that kind of environment. LeBron could make 40 million a year or more. If that were the case, no Bosh, no Wade.

[texasdave]

Rockets 3/4s of the way in completing a nice week. Portland on Sunday.

[Revering4Blue]

If the Pacers play as gawd-awful poorly as they did tonight in Charlotte, they'll get absolutely clubbed in Houston.

Ahem.

[Orenda]

holy cactus! Phoenix suns are back

[Orenda]

where's the hoops? Barcelona vs fenarbahce, I don't even need to stretch for this one. Also I shaved this morning, automatic disqualifier from watching Spanish hoops

JOHN HANKOCK is in a marquee matchup with JOHN HANKOCK on abc

[Orenda]

I think the nba is actively involved with the "conspiracy of mount Olympus" first JOHN HANKOCK only played for Chicago but now he's showing up everywhere...it's crazy...also is it just me or are these old growth forests looking younger than ever...crazy!

[Orenda]

upset over lakers win translation

[Chip R]

So, Phil Jackson may be taking a front office job with the Knicks.

[Mutaman]

So, Phil Jackson may be taking a front office job with the Knicks.

I hear Dolan is trying to decide between Jackson or bringing back Isiah Thomas.

[WVRed]

I hear Dolan is trying to decide between Jackson or bringing back Isiah Thomas.

Sounds like a Dolan move for Thomas.

I'm hoping for Jackson so he is nowhere near LA - LA - Land when Dantoni gets fired.

[Kingspoint]

Rockets 3/4s of the way in completing a nice week. Portland on Sunday.

It's hard to play 5 on 8.

[Revering4Blue]

I think it would work. A hard cap would be the key. It would level the financial playing field and reward smart teams. It would promote parity because the great players would get paid more and be more spread throughout the league. There is no way Miami could exist in that kind of environment. LeBron could make 40 million a year or more. If that were the case, no Bosh, no Wade.

Now, this could very well work. Granted -- and I know that I'm in the minority -- I don't really have a beef with the state of the game right now. If they (Your ideas) were to be implemented, I'd like to see -- once, again, I'm positive that I'm in the minority -- the league return to allowing players go directly to the NBA instead of the ridiculous one-and-done nonsense. Who knows, it may even bring rookie wages down in some cases as teams may be hesitant to throw significant $$$$ at players unproven beyond the high school level.

[Chip R]

Sounds like a Dolan move for Thomas.

I'm hoping for Jackson so he is nowhere near LA - LA - Land when Dantoni gets fired.

It doesn't matter who is in the front office in NYC as long as Dolan is owner, that team isn't going anywhere.

[WVRed]

It doesn't matter who is in the front office in NYC as long as Dolan is owner, that team isn't going anywhere.

I don't care either way, just don't want Jackson back in LA. The NBA is more watchable when the Lakers are down.

[Kingspoint]

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Andrew Bynum (knee) is expected to play roughly 15 minutes in his season debut on Tuesday, according to coach Frank Vogel

This is consistent with expectations since Bynum will be assuming Ian Mahinmi's 15-minute role off the bench while Mahinmi recovers from a rib injury. Vogel wants Bynum to "just to fit in and play his game" as the Pacers look to snap their four-game losing skid, and there's no reason to approach him in standard fantasy leagues.

Source: Indiana Pacers on Twitter

[texasdave]

It's hard to play 5 on 8.

Every team gets a home court advantage. I have seen plenty of games in which I felt the Rockets got hosed by calls.

[Puffy]

It doesn't matter who is in the front office in NYC as long as Dolan is owner, that team isn't going anywhere.

As a Knick fan let me just say.........true dat.

sigh.

[Kingspoint]

Every team gets a home court advantage. I have seen plenty of games in which I felt the Rockets got hosed by calls.

This year's Houston Rockets are the adopted team of the NBA this season along with the Clippers.

Those without Rocket-colored eyes see the flopping by Harden, the blatant favoritism towards Houston, and the whining that takes place among all Rocket players. They do have McHale as their HC, so it's no wonder. How officials treat Rocket players is the reason why so many people are so disgusted with the NBA, and are happy to see David Stern gone, with hopes that actions like these will go away and make the league balanced and competitive (and fair).

[improbus]

This year's Houston Rockets are the adopted team of the NBA this season along with the Clippers.

Those without Rocket-colored eyes see the flopping by Harden, the blatant favoritism towards Houston, and the whining that takes place among all Rocket players. They do have McHale as their HC, so it's no wonder. How officials treat Rocket players is the reason why so many people are so disgusted with the NBA, and are happy to see David Stern gone, with hopes that actions like these will go away and make the league balanced and competitive (and fair).
The NBA is almost impossible to officiate.

[Orenda]

steve nash is staying, give him the money. opportunity cost "unknown parallel worlds" not governed by "perceived reality"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GqH21LEmfbQ

in front of that one guy

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMY8iYw-Bwk

[Orenda]

if Dwight howard flowed through his whole body instead of his iso muscle exercises, he'd be a much better shooter,

[Kingspoint]

The NBA is almost impossible to officiate.
The goal should always be to keep a balanced flow to the game while calling things evenly on both ends.

[Kingspoint]

The Blazers have lost 12 straight games to Western Conference playoff teams. As suspected coming in, Stotts can't coach a lick of Defense. The freefall continues. First round sweep...if they even make the playoffs. On Jan. 18th they had the best record in the Western Conference.

They are dead last in creating turnovers. That's all about concentrated effort to play Defense.

[improbus]

The goal should always be to keep a balanced flow to the game while calling things evenly on both ends.

Agreed, but that isn't easy to do when half of the calls are "judgment calls".

[Orenda]

basketball. just sayin

[Orenda]

I'm still waiting for the team who does nothing but pass and shoot. like zone offense mixed with keep away plus ray allen

[improbus]

I've been watching the English Premier League over the last few years and have been wondering about their general popularity and why it is such a compelling league, and it started to dawn on me. The EPL and NFL (the two most profitable leagues in the world) have a number of things in common.

1) The play almost all of their games on weekends during the day. This means that it is really easy to follow your team and to watch every game. This also allows you to talk about that one game for an entire week and then discuss the upcoming game. The NBA has so many games on so many random nights, it is almost impossible to do the same thing.

2) A limited number of games. This allows for more randomness in a season. This produces more surprises than in most other leagues. There are very rarely any surprises in the NBA

3) Almost every team has something to play for for the entirety of the season. You could be playing for the league title, a champions league position (to the top 4 finishers), a Europa League position, or to avoid relegation. With 6 or 7 games to go, there are only 5 EPL teams with nothing on the line. And that is out of 20 teams. That is remarkable. The NFL often has large numbers of teams with playoff hopes even late into the season. The NBA season has buckets full of meaningless games, even amongst the playoff bound teams.

So, here is my proposal for the NBA. Put together a 40 game schedule. Each team plays 24 weekend games that span the current season. They each then play 16 weeknight games on Wednesdays, which could also be an event. Each game has infinitely more at stake. Then play best of 5 series and hold them on weekends and Wednesdays. Make the NBA appointment television. It will eliminate the dreaded back-to-backs, cut down on injuries, and build up interest in the games.

[Kingspoint]

I've been watching the English Premier League over the last few years and have been wondering about their general popularity and why it is such a compelling league, and it started to dawn on me. The EPL and NFL (the two most profitable leagues in the world) have a number of things in common.

1) The play almost all of their games on weekends during the day. This means that it is really easy to follow your team and to watch every game. This also allows you to talk about that one game for an entire week and then discuss the upcoming game. The NBA has so many games on so many random nights, it is almost impossible to do the same thing.

2) A limited number of games. This allows for more randomness in a season. This produces more surprises than in most other leagues. There are very rarely any surprises in the NBA

3) Almost every team has something to play for for the entirety of the season. You could be playing for the league title, a champions league position (to the top 4 finishers), a Europa League position, or to avoid relegation. With 6 or 7 games to go, there are only 5 EPL teams with nothing on the line. And that is out of 20 teams. That is remarkable. The NFL often has large numbers of teams with playoff hopes even late into the season. The NBA season has buckets full of meaningless games, even amongst the playoff bound teams.

So, here is my proposal for the NBA. Put together a 40 game schedule. Each team plays 24 weekend games that span the current season. They each then play 16 weeknight games on Wednesdays, which could also be an event. Each game has infinitely more at stake. Then play best of 5 series and hold them on weekends and Wednesdays. Make the NBA appointment television. It will eliminate the dreaded back-to-backs, cut down on injuries, and build up interest in the games.

One thing I definitely agree with is that there are too many games where bad teams play bad teams...in other words, the NBA is doing a poor job of maximizing television revenue.

[Boston Red]

I just noticed that the Sixers had 17,000 in attendance when they broke their long losing streak. I think that's a pretty amazing number.

[Kingspoint]

I just noticed that the Sixers had 17,000 in attendance when they broke their long losing streak. I think that's a pretty amazing number.

Those numbers are always paid tickets, not "true" attendance. There could have been less than 7,000 actually there.

The Atlanta and Charlotte franchises for years routinely have watching the game one tenth to one sixth of their announced attendances

[5TimeWSChamps]

And the Twolves are officially eliminated from playoff contention yet again

[improbus]

There are going to be 4 awesome first round series in the Western Conference, no matter the matchups. I can't wait.

[Kingspoint]

And Dallas gets in. If Phoenix misses out, that would be something as they dominated at times nearly all of the top teams in the league.

[WVRed]

Apparently Adam Silver is trying to take the MLB approach.

Come to the NBA straight out of high school and play in the D - League or attend college for three years.

[Kingspoint]

Small market teams who end up in the lottery all the time can't be used as the minor league system for the more attractive Free Agent teams.

[Kingspoint]

Conventional wisdom says that the top-four teams in the West advance. You just won't find a lot of people believing that the Clippers, Rockets, Spurs and Thunder won't advance. But, last year two of the Top-4 seeds failed to advance past the first round.

I think it's pretty likely that one lower-seed, if not two again, advance in the West through Round 1. Which two those are, I have no idea, though, but if I had to pick one, I'd pick Golden State to defeat the Clippers in Round 1.

I still think the Pacers win it all, just as I did before the season began.

[improbus]

Conventional wisdom says that the top-four teams in the West advance. You just won't find a lot of people believing that the Clippers, Rockets, Spurs and Thunder won't advance. But, last year two of the Top-4 seeds failed to advance past the first round.

I think it's pretty likely that one lower-seed, if not two again, advance in the West through Round 1. Which two those are, I have no idea, though, but if I had to pick one, I'd pick Golden State to defeat the Clippers in Round 1.

I still think the Pacers win it all, just as I did before the season began.

Couldn't disagree more. Bogut is hurt for GS. The most likely round one upset in the west is Portland. They are 9-1 in their last ten and seem to have recovered from their midseason swoon. As for the Pacers, I do think they will make the ECF, but Hibbert has been unplayable for a few weeks. They are not deep enough to beat Miami and whoever comes out of the West.

[Kingspoint]

Couldn't disagree more. Bogut is hurt for GS. The most likely round one upset in the west is Portland. They are 9-1 in their last ten and seem to have recovered from their midseason swoon. As for the Pacers, I do think they will make the ECF, but Hibbert has been unplayable for a few weeks. They are not deep enough to beat Miami and whoever comes out of the West.

I'll be in my seat for the games, but I don't see how they're going to be able to overcome the flops and foulshots that Harden will get during critical moments.

[improbus]

I'll be in my seat for the games, but I don't see how they're going to be able to overcome the flops and foulshots that Harden will get during critical moments.

I wouldn't worry that much about Harden. He is actually a worse defender than Lillard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVYJULACcao&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop

[Razor Shines]

Way to show up Pacers.

Blake Griffin definitely poured water on that Warriors fan on purpose.

http://notsportscenter.com/vine-blake-griffin-dumps-water-on-warriors-fan-after-fouling-out/

[gilpdawg]

The Pacers are done. Even if they win this series, and they probably will anyway, they are done. This team is broken chemistry wise. A trade or coaching change must happen. I'd prefer a trade honestly. These guys can't play together. If I see a guy take a contested shot while a teammate has been standing wide open for 10 seconds ONE MORE TIME I'm going to punch something.

[Stray]

Yeah the mystery of the Pacers is weird. Maybe in 10 years we'll see a 30 for 30 about their season.

The Clippers vs. Warriors series is gonna be fun to watch. I hope it goes 7.

[JonIndiana]

The Pacers are struggling but they will win

[Kingspoint]

Blake Griffin definitely poured water on that Warriors fan on purpose.

http://notsportscenter.com/vine-blake-griffin-dumps-water-on-warriors-fan-after-fouling-out/

He should get fined $100K for that, but the poster-boy probably won't.

[Kingspoint]

I wouldn't worry that much about Harden. He is actually a worse defender than Lillard.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVYJULACcao&feature=youtu.be&app=desktop

The refs are horrible. They just make things up as they go along. Rockets get zero free throw attempts in the first half. They get 40 free throw attempts the second half and overtime. They throw Lopez out of the game on a traveling by Howard. They then throw Howard out of the game on a non-contact foul by anybody. They have no idea what they are doing. But, I have seen that from Bennett Salvatore before. Not surprised.

[Ohayou]

28 shots for Westbrook, something like 12 in the 4th quarter. Sucks to be teammates with him.

[Kingspoint]

28 shots for Westbrook, something like 12 in the 4th quarter. Sucks to be teammates with him.

Brooks is a terrible Coach. He sets it up for Westbrook and Durant to take stupid, ill-advised shots any time they want. If they aren't hitting, which Durant wasn't for 3/4th's of the game, and Westbrook in the 4th, then they aren't going to win. There's no Championship formula with that team under the leadership of Brooks. Makes me happy. Go Grizz!

[Ohayou]

Conley is a complete 180 from Westbrook. He was patient and kept the tempo where it needed to be. Westbrook, more often than not, does a terrible job of getting his teammates involved.

[Kingspoint]

Nothing is changing in New York...

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Knicks president Phil Jackson was reportedly overruled by owners James Dolan when he tried to fire a handful of staff members.

Dolan is known for his tight-fisted control over his franchise but he was supposed to be "willingly and gratefully" ceding control to Jackson, so his micro-management may be a harbinger of things to come.

Source: New York Daily News

[Chip R]

Run, Phil.

[BillDoran]

Run, Phil.

...or bide your time quietly and collect those $12 million/yearly checks.

[Kingspoint]

The most likely round one upset in the west is Portland. They are 9-1 in their last ten and seem to have recovered from their midseason swoon.

You put how much on the Blazers?

[Roy Tucker]

There were some crazy games last night.

[Kingspoint]

There were some crazy games last night.

Clippers got a gift. Curry was fouled on the 3-pt attempt at the end of the game.

[Tom Servo]

http://www.tmz.com/2014/04/26/donald-sterling-clippers-owner-black-people-racist-audio-magic-johnson/


Classic Sterling.

[Stray]

Donald Sterling is a clown.

I'll be curious to see how the NBA handles this.

[WVRed]

Donald Sterling is a clown.

I'll be curious to see how the NBA handles this.

I'd have liked to have seen the Clippers handle it by boycotting their playoff game. Would have really put pressure on the league to have done something.

[Chip R]

I'd have liked to have seen the Clippers handle it by boycotting their playoff game. Would have really put pressure on the league to have done something.

Won't ever happen. This isn't the 60s. Players are too comfortable with the status quo to do something that drastic.

This is what will happen: Strongly worded statements will be made by various members of the NBA including the new commissioner, Adam Silver. Sterling will be fined a hefty amount. There may even be a committee formed looking to see if there is a problem. The media will talk about it for a few days until the next scandal du jour comes up and then it will all die down.

[WVRed]

Won't ever happen. This isn't the 60s. Players are too comfortable with the status quo to do something that drastic.

This is what will happen: Strongly worded statements will be made by various members of the NBA including the new commissioner, Adam Silver. Sterling will be fined a hefty amount. There may even be a committee formed looking to see if there is a problem. The media will talk about it for a few days until the next scandal du jour comes up and then it will all die down.

Pretty sad to think about but you are right. Just basically sweep it under the rug and pretend it never happened.

Marge Schott would be proud.

[KronoRed]

I think it's a shame that leagues can't revoke franchises.

[Kingspoint]

I think it's a shame that leagues can't revoke franchises.
They will get rid of Sterling this time. Can't see them sweeping this one under the rug.

[Kingspoint]

Back to the playoffs.....

Broke a blood vessel in my head at Friday's Blazers/Rockets OT game. Awesome finish at Sunday's game with voice still hoarse from Friday.

Loving these playoffs so far with the efforts from Washington, Dallas, Memphis, Golden State, Portland, Houston, Atlanta, Al Jefferson (sit buddy), but hating on the referees, as the officiating has been it's usual atrocious imitation of the word 'professional'.

[UKFlounder]

If this deserves its own thread, someone can feel free to start it, but Dr. Jack Ramsay has passed away. I knew he had been a top notch coach, but I only followed him as a broadcaster and always enjoyed listening to him.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10851047/former-nba-coach-dr-jack-ramsay-led-portland-trail-blazers-77-title-dies

Here is a really nice story by his son

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10851183/dr-jack-ramsay-father-friend

[Kingspoint]

Doing our part to root for the home team...

7045

[Kingspoint]

Since this won't be going away for a while....

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Mark Jackson believes fans should boycott Game 5 at Staples Center.

"The loudest statement to be made is not showing up," Jackson said. "The noise of it not being tolerated, that this is a different time. It's unfortunate, and we cannot allow someone with these feelings to profit." Jackson's feelings are not exclusive as several sponsors of the Clippers, including State Farm and CarMax, have already suspended their relationship with the organization. It will be interesting to see the outcome in attendance on Tuesday for Game 5, as well as what kind of reaction the Clippers will get from the fans that do decide to attend.

Source: San Jose Mercury News


Doc Rivers canceled team practice on Monday, saying "I just felt like they needed to breathe."

In the wake of the Donald Sterling audio tape controversy, he also mentioned that he declined to speak with the Clippers owner. All players were still present at the practice facility, but Doc opted to give his players rest. The NBA also announced on Tuesday that there will be a 2:00 pm EDT press conference on Wednesday regarding punishment for Sterling. Rivers expects the announcement to alleviate some of the pressure surrounding the situation, "I think the statement from Adam will help a little bit."

Source: Dan Woike on Twitter

[WVRed]

An opposing coach telling fans not to show up.....

I understand the situation, but Mark Jackson still has a job to do.

[Kingspoint]

An opposing coach telling fans not to show up.....

I understand the situation, but Mark Jackson still has a job to do.

Yeah, I thought that was kind of shallow. Speak of your own fans or your own players, but not the opposing fans of the team your trying to defeat to get to the next round.

[dubc47834]

When I first heard these comments the other day I just thought this guy is an idiot and deserves everything he has coming his way as far as punishment, and I still feel this way. While listening to the Dan Lebatard Show today I heard something interesting, but true, from Bomani Jones. He was asked about Sterlings comments and some of the reactions by athletes. He stated that these comments aren't even in the top 10 of the worst things Sterling has said or done and brought up the 2003 and 2009 trials/settlements and the previous racist accusations. He also was asked about Doc Rivers saying he was appalled by the comments, Jones called BS. Stating that everyone has known for years that Sterling was a racist and that Rivers wanted out of Boston soo bad he took that racist money anyways and that all these owners and athletes have known about his racism and still took his money. Jones was basically calling these guys out for taking the money when it wasn't well known about Sterling, but now that it was broken by TMZ, NOW they are appalled/sickened by these statements. While the comments by Sterling are wrong and should NEVER be said, I do see what Jones is saying also.

[texasdave]

The Houston-Portland series has been unbelievably exciting. It is a shame it is being played after half the nation has gone to bed. A seven-game series still would not surprise me.

[Stray]

Yeah the Rockets vs. Trailblazers series has been my favorite to watch. I wonder how good Houston would be if they even cared about defense, Harden especially.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wVYJULACcao

[dubc47834]

Unfortunately my Pacers have seemed to quit on the season!!!

[Kingspoint]

Unfortunately my Pacers have seemed to quit on the season!!!

Miami is the only top-seed to be ahead in a series. Losing Game 5 at home by the Pacers is something I did not see coming. I kept thinking that they would turn it on at some point during this series, but I'm still waiting.

[WVRed]

When I first heard these comments the other day I just thought this guy is an idiot and deserves everything he has coming his way as far as punishment, and I still feel this way. While listening to the Dan Lebatard Show today I heard something interesting, but true, from Bomani Jones. He was asked about Sterlings comments and some of the reactions by athletes. He stated that these comments aren't even in the top 10 of the worst things Sterling has said or done and brought up the 2003 and 2009 trials/settlements and the previous racist accusations. He also was asked about Doc Rivers saying he was appalled by the comments, Jones called BS. Stating that everyone has known for years that Sterling was a racist and that Rivers wanted out of Boston soo bad he took that racist money anyways and that all these owners and athletes have known about his racism and still took his money. Jones was basically calling these guys out for taking the money when it wasn't well known about Sterling, but now that it was broken by TMZ, NOW they are appalled/sickened by these statements. While the comments by Sterling are wrong and should NEVER be said, I do see what Jones is saying also.

I've always liked Bomani Jones and those comments are exactly why.

Sterlings comments are reprehensible but a bigger statement could have been made by refusing to play. By continuing, the circus continues.

[Chip R]

I've always liked Bomani Jones and those comments are exactly why.

Sterlings comments are reprehensible but a bigger statement could have been made by refusing to play. By continuing, the circus continues.

The only way a boycott would work is if every playoff team participated.

[WVRed]

The only way a boycott would work is if every playoff team participated.

The more the merrier, but really Sterling only owns one team.

Doc Rivers is really going to be the key person to watch in all of this. If he leaves at the end of the season, the backlash is going to practically make the Clippers into an expansion team.

[dubc47834]

I've always liked Bomani Jones and those comments are exactly why.

Sterlings comments are reprehensible but a bigger statement could have been made by refusing to play. By continuing, the circus continues.

A boycot was brought up, and he was against it. He basically asked what it would accomplish, but mainly his response was "If you weren't pissed about what happened in the past, then how you gonna be pissed about this?" I totally agree with his point. I haven't listened to the whole tape, just what they played on the show, but it sounded like he was saying he didn't want HER to bring blacks to the game and that he didn't want HER to advertise that she was hanging around black people. Jones wasnt angry at that, mainly about the older stuff....very interesting to see where this goes!!!

[Kingspoint]

Sterling is going to be suspended with the intention of forcing him out by making the penalties so huge, but it will be because of his lifetime of transgressions. This was just the tipping point.

[Tom Servo]

Banned for life.

[Razor Shines]

Did not see that coming.

[Razor Shines]

Obviously he's been a despicable dude for a long time and the NBA and everyone around the Clippers knew it, why the out rage now? Why wasn't he punished before?

[BuckeyeRed27]

Obviously he's been a despicable dude for a long time and the NBA and everyone around the Clippers knew it, why the out rage now? Why wasn't he punished before?

Proof.

[KronoRed]

Cuban on board with the commish...shocking.

[Kingspoint]

Obviously he's been a despicable dude for a long time and the NBA and everyone around the Clippers knew it, why the out rage now? Why wasn't he punished before?

Embarrassment.

It's just like the Marge Schott situation. Racism was (and is) prevalent from ALL races in the NFL, World Soccer organizations, MLB and the NBA. You can include all political organizations, corporations, and educational institutions, including the Supreme Court of the United States and other judicial bodies. It's only when it comes to light and embarrasses to the point of being unable to ignore it does something of this scale take place, and generally only when it's the majority displaying racism against a minority.

This kind of action needs to take place in order to keep racism from rearing it's ugly head, as it's a function of the human makeup that will never, ever go away. The racism mole popped up out of it's hole and it was whacked on the head. You can never get rid of all the moles, but if you whack them on the head when they pop up out of the ground, it makes living alongside of each other a bit more comfortable.

[Razor Shines]

Kareem Abdul Jabbar has a nice piece on this. I'm glad they came down hard on Sterling.

http://time.com/79590/donald-sterling-kareem-abdul-jabbar-racism/

[_Sir_Charles_]

Kareem Abdul Jabbar has a nice piece on this. I'm glad they came down hard on Sterling.

http://time.com/79590/donald-sterling-kareem-abdul-jabbar-racism/

By far, the best take I've read on this whole mess.

[Kingspoint]

Kareem Abdul Jabbar has a nice piece on this. I'm glad they came down hard on Sterling.

http://time.com/79590/donald-sterling-kareem-abdul-jabbar-racism/

Jabbar basically writes that when this mole popped up out of the ground before, he was whacked on the head by the Justice Department, but the public did nothing about it, and that is the real story here, he says, asking that the public be more vigilant about shutting down these racist moles the first time they appear.

[Chip R]

Embarrassment.

It's just like the Marge Schott situation. Racism was (and is) prevalent from ALL races in the NFL, World Soccer organizations, MLB and the NBA. You can include all political organizations, corporations, and educational institutions, including the Supreme Court of the United States and other judicial bodies. It's only when it comes to light and embarrasses to the point of being unable to ignore it does something of this scale take place, and generally only when it's the majority displaying racism against a minority.

This kind of action needs to take place in order to keep racism from rearing it's ugly head, as it's a function of the human makeup that will never, ever go away. The racism mole popped up out of it's hole and it was whacked on the head. You can never get rid of all the moles, but if you whack them on the head when they pop up out of the ground, it makes living alongside of each other a bit more comfortable.

Like Mark Cuban said, it's a slippery slope when you discipline people for something they say no matter how offensive.

Clippers fans should like this decision since even without the racism, Sterling was the worst. Made Mike Brown look competent.

The other leagues' owners should be shaking in their boots by this decision. I don't know if there are any other racist owners out there but if there are, they either better keep their mouths shut or sell their team or that league is going to have a PR nightmare.

[Kingspoint]

Like Mark Cuban said, it's a slippery slope when you discipline people for something they say no matter how offensive.

Clippers fans should like this decision since even without the racism, Sterling was the worst. Made Mike Brown look competent.

The other leagues' owners should be shaking in their boots by this decision. I don't know if there are any other racist owners out there but if there are, they either better keep their mouths shut or sell their team or that league is going to have a PR nightmare.

I think you mentioned earlier (or someone did) that Cuban distinguished this as being different. Racism/Anti-nationalism/Religious persecution should not be tolerated when it appears. America's Freedom of Speech does not include, nor should it, disparaging comments concerning one's nationalism, race or religion.

When it comes to regulating people, I'm personally of the Libertarian belief. I've changed political parties many times over the years.

[Kingspoint]

Kareem Abdul Jabbar has a nice piece on this. I'm glad they came down hard on Sterling.

http://time.com/79590/donald-sterling-kareem-abdul-jabbar-racism/

Jabbar also said that everyone should be equally outraged for a private conversation being taped in light of the recent NSA scandal.

That was followed by this news....

From Rotoworld w/ Rotoworld comments:

Former Golden State Warriors assistant coach Darren Erman was fired for secretly taping conversations between players and coaches.

Erman was fired on April 5th for "violating company policy," but the Warriors did not give a specific reason at the time. According to ESPN, Erman was recording "coaches' meetings, meetings between the coaches and players, and informal discussions among coaches that took place in the team's coaches room." There's a spotlight on secretly taping private conversations thanks to Donald Sterling, and it is no surprise that this is a fireable offense, but Erman has already landed a new job as the Celtics' director of scouting.

Source: ESPN.com (http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10855864/former-golden-state-warriors-assistant-fired-secretly-recording-conversations)

[improbus]

Like Mark Cuban said, it's a slippery slope when you discipline people for something they say no matter how offensive.

Clippers fans should like this decision since even without the racism, Sterling was the worst. Made Mike Brown look competent.

The other leagues' owners should be shaking in their boots by this decision. I don't know if there are any other racist owners out there but if there are, they either better keep their mouths shut or sell their team or that league is going to have a PR nightmare.

Dan Snyder?

[Chip R]

Dan Snyder?

Good point but I don't include him for a couple of reasons: 1. I'm not sure his refusal to change the name of the team is more out of stubborness and onreyness than racism. After all he didn't name the team. 2. The unwillingness to re-name the team has the backing of the commissioner.

[Mutaman]

Kareem Abdul Jabbar has a nice piece on this. I'm glad they came down hard on Sterling.

http://time.com/79590/donald-sterling-kareem-abdul-jabbar-racism/

kareem is becoming one of my favorite writers on any subject. He is imaginative and he calls it as he sees it. Plus he riles people up.

[WVRed]

Good point but I don't include him for a couple of reasons: 1. I'm not sure his refusal to change the name of the team is more out of stubborness and onreyness than racism. After all he didn't name the team. 2. The unwillingness to re-name the team has the backing of the commissioner.

The other thing to consider is that Snyder would be taking a hit in merchandise sales by changing the name. The name really doesn't get associated with a racial slur, unlike the you know what word.

When I hear Redskins, I think of the football team, not something racist. I understand others may feel differently, but that's just me.

[Chip R]

So it looks like all the players - not just the Clippers - were contemplating a boycott.

http://espn.go.com/nba/story/_/id/10858191/nbpa-vice-president-roger-mason-jr-says-players-were-ready-boycott-donald-sterling-banned

[Chip R]

The other thing to consider is that Snyder would be taking a hit in merchandise sales by changing the name. The name really doesn't get associated with a racial slur, unlike the you know what word.

I disagree. If anything merchandise sales will increase. All those fans will have to buy the new merchandise and fans who were reluctant to buy the merchandise under the previous name. The old merchandise will increase in value because supply will decrease.

[texasdave]

Oklahoma City and Memphis hooked up for their fourth consecutive overtime game. The Thunder pull this one out 101-100 as Serge Ibaka puts back a missed Kevin Durant shot with, ohhhh, about a millisecond to go.

CORRECTION: I guess the shot by Ibaka was disallowed. I swear I saw them post a 101-100 final. Now it says 100-99.


Oklahoma City rebounded a missed 3-point attempt by Miller and called a timeout, trailing 100-99 with 2.9 seconds remaining. Kevin Durant of the Thunder missed a long 3-point attempt and teammate Serge Ibaka tipped the ball in on the rebound. The shot was reviewed and it was determined that it was released after the buzzer, ending the game.

Read More: http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/gameflash/2014/04/29/36173/#recap#ixzz30LIhGVZd

[Ohayou]

Westbrook... 10-31.

:lol:

Shooting .344 in the series, averaging nearly 26 shots a game.

[Stray]

OKC v Memphis has been fun. I feel like the Griz have tried to give away so many games but the Thunder refuse to win. Westbrook is taking a lot of heat, but I think Allen's defense on KD is what has the Thunder out of sorts.

Oh and I can't wait to tune in tomorrow night to see Joey Crawford.