September 19, 2008
Archive for the 'NBA' Category
It’s a trade that will get a ton of play because Patrick Ewing, Jr. is now a member of the team that was luckily awarded his father over a dozen years earlier, but it means so much more to myself and other Knicks Fans.
The Knicks traded the rights of the one and only French Dunking Dummy, Frederick Weis.
The French Media called it “le dunk de la mort” - the dunk of death - and it truly was, for the 7′2″ Frenchman’s NBA career- but also for the New York Knicks’ Franchise.
The Knicks were coming off a Finals appearance in the strike shortened 1999 season, one without the usual help from their Hall of Fame center, Patrick Ewing. They were an 8-seed who made the Finals, but still an 8-seed, so they had the 15th pick overall, just out of the lottery.
So instead of opting for local favorite Ron Artest- or foreign born players like Andrei Kirilenko, Wang Zhizhi, Todd MacCulloch, or Manu Ginobili- they went with the, well… tall Weis, who would try to come over from Europe in a year or two.
The following season the Knicks went 50-32 and made it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
But then THAT dunk happened. The United States was taking on the French national team at the 2000 Sydney Olympics when that stupid Guard for France tried to make a pathetic behind-the-back pass. Vince Carter stole it and the rest is history. The greatest dunk of all-time not only changed a man’s life, but set the Knicks’ Franchise into a tailspin that almost ten years later they are still trying to get out of.
Soon after the Olympics ended, the Knicks traded the beloved Patrick Ewing to the Seattle SuperSonics. They have never made it out of the First Round since. A wasted 1st Round Pick who seemed to have been embarrassed into staying overseas for his entire life was the reason for this decline. No, not the sole reason, but like the Billy Goat and the Chicago Cubs, the Knicks needed to exercise this demon before they could officially move on.
And now they can. Frederick Weis is now the property of the Houston Rockets. It’s just an added bonus that the Knicks get back the son of their own “Goldenchild”.
So, Houston- denounce those rights this minute. You don’t want any of that cursed Frenchman.
Trust me.
Unless, of course, you want someone to stand next to Yao at all times to have him not look like a freakishly tall stick figure that runs awkwardly and will never play in all 82 games of a season in his career and will probably not be able to play past 32.
Then, and only then, is this trade worth the possible cursed implications for the Rockets.
- The real loser in the whole 9-year-old Jericho Scott Little League ban story? The now-not-originally-named New York Jets Wide Receiver, Jerricho Cotchery.
- The Los Angeles Lakers reported that Kobe Bryant has not decided yet when he is going to have surgery on his pinky. He is going to take a few days to contemplate the situation. ”Contemplate the situation”? He injured his pinky before the freaking All-Star Game. He hasn’t had time yet to schedule his surgery? For someone who was so anti-Shaq, especially Shaq’s “I got hurt on company time, I’ll heal on company time”, Kobe better not miss even a second of training camp. What is there to think about? You need to fix your finger, you’ve been playing hurt. It takes about a month to heal. In the words of your omnipotent sponsor… JUST DO IT
- The Los Angeles Dodgers have basically the same record before and after the Manny Ramirez trade, including 2 wins in the last 9 games and 4 straight losses since Manny cut his hair, even if it was ever so slightly. The requirement by Joe Torre for Manny to cut his hair, along with a ton of close losses, pitching problems, and still some alleged problems in the clubhouse, is causing Dodger fans to speak out against the Brooklyn born Manager. I don’t really think these fans actually believe that Manny’s shorter hair is really negatively affecting him- but, Man, it sure seems like it. Maybe LA fans are really this stupid. Maybe they just need something to complain about. It’s just too nice here everyday. It makes you stupid.
As all of my reader(s) know, I love rap about sports.
So, because of that love, I must re-distribute (AKA blatantly re-post other people’s hard-earned content) this quick rap about LeBron James from over a year ago, but just now making its rounds on the Internets.
The biggest Sports Talk Radio Show in Los Angeles (possibly the biggest radio market if you cede that people in New York are on public transportation and don’t get the radio) had it’s main host and co-host, basically, not believe in LeBron. But it was soo much more than not believing; they belittled him.
So this had to happen to them:
We all should learn something from CAVSBOARD.com. Your eyes don’t lie. Admit to greatness when you see it or can see it coming. Admit to reason. Stop being unreasonable, even if you think it creates “ratings”. “PTI” works because Wilbon and Kornheiser are good together, not because they disagree all the time (which they don’t). That’s why I don’t watch “Around the Horn” or anything Skip Bayless does. Someone has told them to just dissent to whatever is reasonable because it gets good ratings. Although there is some point to that (intelligent and thoughtful, yet passionate discussion of differing sides is good TV or Radio), but that LA Radio Host (Steve Hartman) just differs from the norm for the hell of it. It is almost unlistenable at times when he tries to corner people for any statement they make, when the public can clearly tell what is meant.
The two best players on the United States Men’s Basketball Team could also be the downfall of the team’s Gold Medal hopes.
Everyone knows LeBron James and Kobe Bryant can create for themselves. In fact, creating something out of nothing is when they are at their best. Driving to the hole and pulling up, going to the rim, or dishing to a teammate for an open layup when the offense is stagnant is their best quality.
But their worst quality is during the same exact situation, when they do not attack, but rather pull up; often a 20-foot 2-point shot. This shot, in all aspects of basketball- from my Rec League Team, to Syracuse basketball, to the NBA, to the Olympics- just infuriates me. I can take it when the Cavs have passed the ball around for 20 seconds (more likely LeBron has dribbled the ball at the top of the key for 20 seconds and Varejao is running up to set a pick) and now there’s no time left on the shot clock- yes, then I understand you can jack it up. I even understand Kobe wanting to be part of the scoring offense after he’s dished out 3 assists in the 1st quarter. I get that. But can you please tell me why LeBron and Kobe insist on pulling up from 20 feet, with a defender in their face, with 15 seconds left on the shot clock, when Chris Paul is open on top, ready to set up a play?
A great example of how this can literally lead to the demise of your team is Andre Iguodala (the new $80 million man) in the 2008 NBA Playoffs. Now I’m not trying to compare his shooting ability with Kobe’s, or even LeBron’s, but the concept is the same. In the first 3 games of the playoffs, Andre shot 7 for 33 (including 0-6 from 3-point range), a brilliant 21%. However, the Sixers won 2 of those games. In the following games, he continued to shoot even more. Many times, especially in the pivotal Game 4 in Philly, he would shot some off-balance 18-foot jumper early in the shot clock. I understand he wanted to become the Man on this team, but when he had other guys carrying the scoring burden (Andre Miller was playing great and should have controlled the ball even more), Iguodala should have just concentrated on Defense and distributing the ball. The Sixers ended up losing the next 3 games and were eliminated. Iguodala’s shot eventually fell in the last two games, but it didn’t matter because he had tried to assert himself into the offense by taking bad, long, guarded jumpers in Game 4. It was excruciating for me to watch- and I’m not even a Philly fan.
And it’s not even the selfishness that gets to me- I don’t mind that, Kobe and LeBron are the two best players in the world- it’s just a sincere hatred on my part for taking a shot that you have no business taking, especially on a team with Chris Bosh and Carmelo Anthony- not Ben Wallace and Wally Szczerbiak. It is purely inexcusable. Move the ball. Everyone on this team can play and create. Don’t be a ball stopper, and even worse, don’t jack up stupid shots.
And this is what I think could lead to their downfall. Yes, Boeheim has apparently not taught anyone, including re-teaching Carmelo, how to play zone defense, and yes, even open 3’s and free throws haven’t exactly been falling- but this awful decision making from your two top minute-getters is what could be the difference between a single-digit game against Lithuania or Argentina or a loss against them.
Not that I actually think this team will ever lose- but Coach K still has some coaching to do.
photo via dunkonu’s Flickr
Being in Beijing right now is surely a crazy time for an American Athlete. Especially one as internationally revered as Kobe Bean Bryant.
So it’s somewhat understandable that Kobe forgot one of his greatest sporting accomplishments when commenting on his recent game against China:
“I am fortunate enough to have played in four NBA finals and numerous big games but it was just different. You felt like there was so much more support because it’s the USA and obviously how proud the fans are here of their country.”
Now I’m not sure which one of his 5 NBA Finals appearances Kobe is “forgetting” about- but I’m going with one of the last two.
And probably the last one.
- The rumors are true: Mike Francesa will be leaving The Fan, splitting up the most successful sports radio duo in history- and heading to Cleveland to host a local sports talk show. The Program Director of the Cleveland station has been letting people go for years and has not signed any big names to long term deals, instead just going the syndication route. Francesa was asked why he would take a pay cut, leave his hometown, leave a station that was contending for the best station in the country- and take this job, and Francesa responded, “LeBron James is gonna do it in a couple years, right? So why shouldn’t I?”
- I don’t know what is worse- having Manny Ramirez push down the Traveling Secretary and the following George Costanza jokes or the United States’ top two track stars named “Gay” and “Hooker“.
- I don’t understand why everyone is saying Baron Davis to the Clippers doesn’t mean anything- that the Clippers will still be bad. People- Elton Brand was hurt last year. There was no PG. The team was a mess. Now they have a healthy Brand, a great PG coming off his most injury-free season, a rising Sophomore who developed possibly more than any other Rookie last year, a Center who has developed into a very solid double-double guy, and a decent, not good, but decent bench. They are not adding Davis to the team from last year. They are adding him to a much better team- one with one of the most solid post presences in the League. The Clippers could easily get the 4 seed this next season. Easily.
- James Posey is the new Robert Horry. Or at least he could be. Whether he re-signs with the Celtics or do what every Laker fan is talking about and sign with them for 5 years and $30 million, he’s got a great chance to get another ring next year.
- Did you notice Sam Cassell chasing after the game-ball at the end of the game yesterday? Big Baby launched the ball high into the air while the extra-terrestrial point guard was running at him. Cassell followed its trajectory as chaos ensued on the floor and pushed some teenagers out of the way to get to it as it bounced over the scorer’s table. Then ABC cut to another shot and I never found out who got the ball. I’m assuming Sam did, though.
- Not to sound like Seinfeld here, but what was the deal with Paul Pierce sucking on the Larry O’Brien trophy? He was like deep tongue-kissing it in the locker room. It was just a bit weird. It was a series between teams from the only two states that allow gay marriage, though, so… you never know- it’s a slippery slope.
- If I hear one person mention the words “Willis Reed” and “Tiger Woods” in the same sentence this week, I’m going to light myself on fire.
- I can’t help it. I told you so.
- I don’t really think I’m going out on a limb here, but I’m going with… Brook Lopez = BUST.
- Here in LA, Laker fans are absolutely going crazy. Not “crazy” like cheering and happy, but “crazy” like this series is wrapped up… for them. In 7. In Boston.
- Speaking of Los Angeles, we need to seriously consider making rules for TIVO and telling people when they can and cannot tell people about what has happened on a sports game, sitcom, reality show, or whatever.
Last night I emerged from a play (I had TIVO’ed the game) and one usher was just shouting - “The Lakers won! Celtics lose!” for no reason. We had just watched Glinda and Elphaba sing to each other, possibly a very touching moment for some, and the usher thought it was a good idea to let everyone know what had happened in the game. Thanks, Dick.
First off, these were people going to see a PLAY. A PLAY. Not at the Dodgers game or a Kings game, not even at a comedy show- it was a freakin’ PLAY. The majority of these people get hungry when you mention the word “Kobe”, not think of one of the greatest players of our time. I don’t think they cared enough to walk right out of the show and hear what happened.
And second, on that topic, way to ruin the show for these people, Douche. These nice old ladies just saw a great Musical and want to talk about it and they get bum-rushed by Lakers news- You are an usher at Pantages Theater, not a security guard at Staples! The old ladies were so confused, they were still in the Land of Oz, they didn’t know what was going on.
And last, but certainly not least- I TIVO’ed the game, ASS. I turned my cell phone off, didn’t check it at intermission, stayed far away from any person that said words like “Ball” even though they were talking about the dance they just saw or words like “Perkins” even though they were talking about where they were going for dinner after the show. I managed to ignore every one and every thing and all I had left was a straight shoot down Hollywood Blvd. back home, ignoring random Homeless Men in Lakers jerseys, the blonde-black midget, and Tom Petty Spiderman- or anyone else who talks to me.
I, too, have let the proverbial cat out of the bag before, once telling a friend “Oh, you missed that last ‘Office’ where they kissed at the end?”, so I know both sides of this. And I have since tried my best to understand that you cannot tell anyone anything about anything on TV unless you preface it with “Did you watch… (blank)… yet?” I don’t care if it is Game 7 of the NBA Finals or the 3rd episode of the 5th season of Tila Tequila, I don’t talk about anything on TV to anyone.
And that should be your rule now, too.
Coaching was supposed to be the huge edge the Lakers had over the Celtics in this Series. Bigger than anything else. Personnel was a push, bench was possibly slightly to the Lakers- But Phil “9 Rings” Jackson against Doc Rivers? That’s the definition of a mismatch.
But almost everything Doc has done in this Series has worked. Meanwhile, Phil Jackson has appeared to be the one who has never been in a Finals before.
Lamar Odom finally put together the half of his playoff life. The Lakers have a huge lead, Odom is hitting every shot he takes- so what does Phil do? He allows practically every member of the team to jack up 3’s and, even worse, allows Kobe to try to “get in the game”.
Now I know Phil Jackson is not supposed to be a great in-game coach. He does his job in-between games, through the media- not in time-outs. But when your team stops running your precious offense and you and no one else on your team tells Kobe Bryant to stop taking on Paul Pierce one-on-one because he feels “challenged”- YOU ARE NOT DOING YOUR JOB.
Kobe Bryant had 3 points at half-time and the Lakers were up 18. This kind of thing happens often- the Lakers get a lead with Kobe not putting up great stats, although definitely having an effect on the game by just being out there and defenders having to worry about him. But then Kobe often forces his shot in the 2nd Quarter, or in this case, the 2nd Half.
Kobe’s favorite play seems to be to hold the ball and then elevate over his defender and take a 21-footer. This is the worst possible shot in all of basketball- and the Lakers take dozens of these shots per game, but especially Kobe. Phil Jackson needs to not let these things go- this is the Finals. No more letting his team play it out, no more lessons- there is no more time. He needs to step up and do his job.
Phil’s need to be more proactive still won’t fix some of his personnel decisions, such as the previously mentioned ruining of Lamar Odom’s confidence. Lamar was +6 for the game. He was the spark plug for he team’s huge lead- but Kobe’s insistence to dominant the ball took Lamar out of the game. He’s had Lamar on his team for 3 years- he knows the guy loses concentration if he isn’t involved. So push the ball into Lamar- tell him to go after it. Post him up against James Posey. Stop letting Kobe try fade-aways against Paul Pierce and scream at him to feed Lamar.
Another personnel decision that had me shaking my head was the disappearance of Derek Fisher. He sat for over 12 minutes from the end of the 3rd to the last 2 minutes of the 4th- with 2nd year player Jordan Farmar running the point as the Celtics went from down 11 to up 5 (a huge 16 point swing). Again, Phil, not the time to teach the young fella a lesson. Yes, maybe it will help him out in the future, but this is the Finals. Win or go home. Put in the veteran to steady the ship before you lose the lead.
I won’t even mention the 2 time-outs used at the end of the game to get the ball to half-court because he literally was too lackadaisical to get up and the Lakers needed to in-bound the ball or get a 5-second call. And I won’t even mention he left in Sasha Vujacic for much of the 2nd Half, despite building the lead with the likes of Trevor Ariza because I understand Phil was looking to spread the floor. I won’t mention those things.
So now the Lakers are forced to win 3 games in a row, with 2 in Boston. It shouldn’t take 4 games into the Finals for the highest paid coach in the League to open his eyes. And Phil could wake up for Game 5… but I’m afraid it’s too late.