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#Post#: 760--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: June 25, 2014, 12:55 am
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What a slut. You called it like it is Andy! Screw the Heat and
enjoy the summer! LOL!
#Post#: 767--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: AndyMacFAIL
Date: July 12, 2014, 1:37 am
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#Post#: 768--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: July 12, 2014, 1:27 pm
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TRIPLE LOL! !!!
#Post#: 826--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: April 6, 2015, 11:38 am
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NBA NEWS AND NOTES
Sam Smith
Apr 06, 2015
The NCAA plays for its champion Monday, and the NBA is worried.
One and done may be dooming the NBA.
Well, perhaps not the outright destruction of the league. But
the appeal of the NBA is becoming very much in question, it
would seem, because of the influx of so many young kids into the
NBA. The problem is the NBA is losing its stars because a
person’s body simply is not prepared for the physical exertion
required of an 82-game NBA schedule playing against experienced
men.
There isn’t a scientific study on the subject, though it seems
obvious there have been more injuries now than anytime in NBA
history. Perhaps that’s just because we see them now, teams rest
players more than ever and players from previous eras chose not
to sit out as much because of security and guaranteed money
wasn’t as great.
But what seems apparent is the NBA is losing its stars.
I remember asking NBA officials when Kevin Garnett began the
prep-to-pros jump in the mid-1990s and then the one and done
became official a decade ago the effects it might have. The view
was—with exceptions like LeBron James, of course—All-Stars would
not become Hall of Famers and good players would not reach
All-Star status as frequently. Basically that players would not
reach their potential.
Instead, it seems to be producing a more insidious result. The
greatest talents in the game, the stars the NBA and most leagues
rely upon though especially the NBA, are fading too quickly.
Look at the roster of star players sustaining serious injuries
to the point their career arcs likely will be changed: Derrick
Rose with three knee operations; Kevin Durant with three foot
operations; Russell Westbrook with three knee operations;
Anthony Davis missing about 20 games every season with various
injuries, Jabari Parker already with an ACL, Nerlens Noel and
Joel Embiid missing their first seasons, Bradley Beal with
multiple stress injuries. Look at the drafts. Last year’s
already has seven of the top 11 with surgeries or long periods
out; 2013 had five of the top 10 with severe injuries like
Anthony Bennett, Otto Porter, Alex Len, Noel and C.J. McCollum;
in 2012 there was Davis, Beal, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist and Thomas
Robinson all missing substantial time; in 2011 there was Kyrie
Irving missing some 50 games his first two seasons and others
variously hurt like Enes Kanter with shoulder surgery; in 2010
John Wall sat out substantially his first two seasons and before
him Blake Griffin out as a rookie from 2009 along with injuries
to Tyreke Evans, Brandon Jennings and Stephen Curry, the latter
who has recovered from questions three years ago of whether he’d
even have a career, and before them Eric Gordon.
Curry’s rise to an MVP candidate is a hopeful development. But
he was a more mature player after three years in college. It
seems obvious at least with the empirical evidence that these
kids’ bodies at 19 and 20 years old are not ready for the NBA
grind and are breaking down too quickly. Perhaps they’ll have
NBA careers, but the question for the NBA is whether they’ll
have the stars to go around. We’ll see Rose and Durant again.
But will we ever see them as they were, generational players who
seemed to be expanding the limits of not only the sport but the
human body? Perhaps the body just cannot be pushed that far.
Though it also seems obvious it cannot at such a young age.
It was a bit different with the kids who went directly from high
school to the pros from the mid-1990s to early 2000s because the
majority weren’t asked to play as much right away, even players
like Garnett and Kobe Bryant. The NBA wasn’t sure what those
players could do and had its doubts. Players who did develop
like Tyson Chandler, J.R. Smith and Monta Ellis did so after
several years and team moves and not asked to do as much
immediately. Now high lottery picks are expected to be the
anchors of their teams. Andrew Wiggins, for example, is even
among the league leaders in minutes played. Parker likely would
have been as well.
One of the reasons the U.S. said it had to change the
international format was U.S. college players could not compete
against experienced men in Olympics and world championships. So
why should they be asked to in the NBA? And what will be the
result? The evidence suggests the NBA and fans are going to be
asking where have all the stars gone.
BROOKLYN
Quietly one of the biggest trades at the February deadline was
Kevin Garnett to the Timberwolves… because the Nets got rid of
him. Garnett likely will retire after this season to join
Timberwolves ownership or management; he hasn’t played in a
month. Meanwhile, the Nets have won 10 of 13 as Young has
averaged 15 points in that stretch, Suddenly, not only do the
Nets look like a playoff team, which is important for them, but
they could even move up to sixth in the conference. The Bucks
likely will hold onto the spot. The Hawks, meanwhile, play the
Nets again later this week for the second time in a week with
the right to swap first round picks with the Nets from the Joe
Johnson deal. So the Nets clearly have interest in making the
playoffs and avoiding giving up a lottery pick. With the veteran
Young and Deron Williams playing the best he has in years the
last few games and Brook Lopez looking good again, suddenly the
Nets could be a heck of a first round opponent. The Bulls face
the Nets in Brooklyn next week in the Bulls’ penultimate game of
the regular season.
WESTERN PLAYOFFS PICTURE
The Pelicans appear to have the more difficult schedule than the
Thunder in that “battle” for the last West playoff spot, which
should mean, anyway, a quick first round ouster from the
Warriors. The Warriors will enter the playoffs title favorites
and could get MVP, Coach of the Year and Defensive Player of the
Year. New Orleans with future MVP contender Anthony Davis (he or
Russell Westbrook should be top five this season but not both as
you can’t be in the MVP conversation if you are not in the
playoffs) has to begin to make a move in the Western Conference
to keep Davis’ interest. So who falls out of the playoffs? The
Jazz is coming as well and have been one of the West’s best
teams since settling their rotation by moving Rudy Gobert in as
starting center. If the Pelicans and Jazz are moving into the
top eight, who is falling out? The Spurs if Tim Duncan retires?
But why would he? The Mavs? Mark Cuban isn’t that patient. And
what about the Kings with DeMarcus Cousins putting up amazing
statistics? Going into Sunday, Cousins had back to back triple
doubles averaging 24 points, 20.5 rebounds and 11.5 assists. His
three previous games he averaged 32 points and 16 rebounds. The
Kings, though, lost three of the five and will certainly keep
their pick this season as the Bulls have it only if it’s outside
the top 10. With those Western teams how do the Kings advance?
And if they cannot, how much of the fault lies with Cousins?
Cousins had 26 points and 12 rebounds but with eight turnovers
Sunday. Though Cousins is a great talent, many executives around
the NBA believe you can’t make the playoffs with him the way he
dominates the ball, takes wild shots and won’t defend. Many
believe he needs to be a defense first player like he was with
USA Basketball under a strong figure like Mike Krzyzewski. The
Kings appear committed to keeping Cousins despite rumors of
trades. It may be too big a task even for George Karl.
DALLAS
Dallas seems to be lining up a first round series with the
Rockets, who won in Dallas last week to win the season series.
Though the Mavs pointed out all four games for them were on the
second of back to backs. Of course, successful teams rarely
point out such things. Of course, the way the West is all the
teams two through six can still change places. Though all four
games were close and the Mavs are hoping for the Rockets matchup
compared to playing Memphis, which has overwhelmed Dallas.
Missing Patrick Beverly gives the Mavs a backcourt chance even
with James Harden. There have been all sorts of whispers this
season in Dallas of the difficulty of getting along with Monta
Ellis as well as Rajon Rondo. Quite the backcourt. But Ellis
does embody the competitor. He stopped a streak of 237 straight
played with a calf injury that might have kept others out weeks.
He missed one game. Then came back and played 37 and 38 minutes
the next two.
MEMPHIS
Time to worry in Memphis? In what’s seemed like their first
season when they could truly consider themselves contenders, the
Grizzlies are 11-11 in their last 22 after losing at home to
Washington Saturday. Teams continue to exploit them with range
shooting power forwards without Zach Randolph posting big
numbers. Now Jeff Green is out with back spasms, Vince Carter
can’t seem to get it going and Mike Conley has had hand injuries
which affect his shooting; maybe it is time to sing the blues.
HOUSTON
Josh Smith took a lot of abuse after the Pistons played well
after his trade. But with that trade Smith remains on schedule
to play 83 games this season. Good for him. And with Dwight
Howard out so much, Smith has been a key and overlooked addition
for the Rockets’ strong season.
DETROIT
It’s not just DeAndre. Andre Drummond gets fouled a lot and the
Mavs did so to Joey Dorsey, who shot a pair of free throw air
balls last week during intentional fouling. You hate to bail out
these guys with new rules, but it is awful to watch.
INDIANA
Terrific to see Paul George back after that awful broken leg
injury with USA Basketball last July. Nice that USA coach Mike
Krzyzewski in Indianapolis for the Final Four could be there as
well. With five games left the Pacers are a game out of the
playoffs, tied with Miami with the tiebreaker for Indiana in a
two-team tie with the Heat.
SAN ANTONIO
Heck of a blowout win Sunday for the Spurs, now with 17 of their
last 20, over the hot Warriors, who lost in San Antonio for the
32nd straight time, basically before Tim Duncan came to the
Spurs. The Spurs currently are sixth in the West, though a half
game behind the Clippers. You know the Warriors would hate to
see the Spurs get to fifth and in their bracket for a possible
second round matchup.
OKLAHOMA CITY
Another great shootout Sunday with Russell Westbrook and James
Harden both going for at least 40 (Westbrook with another triple
double) in the Rockets win in Oklahoma City Sunday. The Thunder
is tied in the loss column with the Pelicans for eighth, though
the Pelicans have a brutal close with Golden State, Memphis,
Phoenix, Houston and San Antonio. Heck of a run the last three
for Enes Kanter averaging 27 points and 16.5 rebounds for the
Thunder, though they have lost five of six.
MVP RACE
With the Rockets in second in the West and the Grizzlies
sliding, Harden makes as strong a case as Stephen Curry for the
MVP. It could be one of the closest votes ever.
DETROIT
Good for the Pistons’ Reggie Jackson, who maybe is earning that
job. He apparently was moaning about fatigue after the Pistons’
Friday loss in Chicago. Coach Stan Van Gundy said he told
Jackson, "You want the opportunity to be the guy. Well, the guy
can't be tired. Those guys play 36, 38 minutes every night and
have the ball in their hands every play. And they got to make
every play. They got to take the responsibility." Jackson
responded with a huge fourth quarter Saturday to stun the Heat,
who lost a 15-point fourth quarter lead and maybe a playoff
spot. Jackson echoed Jimmy Butler, who doesn’t complain about
his league leading minutes. “This is something (starring in the
NBA) I’ve been asking for my entire life,” Jackson said.
ATLANTA
The Hawks have the right to swap picks from the Joe Johnson
trade and could still face Johnson and the Nets in the first
round. The Hawks don’t have the role players from that trade,
but it could produce a lottery pick, gave them financial
flexibility to change their team, Saturday night tied the
franchise record for wins and gave them a trade exception for
room to sign Kyle Korver. The Hawks obviously had their eye on
that potential lottery pick as after resting players regularly
the last few weeks they played everyone in the blowout win over
Brooklyn. However, Paul Millsap did hurt his shoulder. But you
can’t be afraid to play. Injuries happen.
WASHINGTON
The Wizards have their eyes on a home court to open the playoffs
as Toronto slips with Kyle Lowry having continuing back
problems. The Raptors will get a top four seed by virtue of
winning the division. But home court still goes to the team with
the better record. Former most every team Drew Gooden has
surprisingly continued to play well for the Wizards as they rest
Nene. They’re 5-1 when Gooden starts.
NBA NEWS AND NOTES
Perhaps it was coincidence, but Michael Carter-Williams had his
best run with the Bucks last week after Nerlens Noel said of his
point guard, Ish Smith, "I love Ish. He's honestly, [in] my
whole life, the first true point guard I ever played with." This
is the 76ers’ future? The 76ers are Smith’s eighth team since
undrafted in 2010 ... And they start dropping. It looks like the
Suns are out in the West and the Hornets out in the East with Al
Jefferson likely out for the season for Charlotte with knee
problems ... You’d feel a bit sorry for Cavs coach David Blatt
with the latest kerfuffle of LeBron James saying he calls plays.
Perhaps James might have kept that to himself as he does that
Blatt parks his car for him. Sorry about that. Couldn’t resist.
The play call story came out from ESPN reporter Brian Windhorst,
so no blame for James. And Blatt does keep reminding everyone
he’s a championship coach, which championship coaches usually
don’t need to do. Anyway, it’s a good thing. James used the
comparison with Payton Manning, which I liked. Players should
act more like real point guards. They should play. Coaches
should act more like John Wooden and coach in practice. The
games are for players. If it’s a players’ league, like we’re
always told, they should call the plays with advice from the
coach, if not consent ... You don’t see that much as the
Rockets’ Terrence Jones was back playing after a collapsed lung,
though not cleared to fly in an airplane. So he was driven to
the game in Dallas last week ... Warriors/Clippers also would be
a good one (Clippers won last season in the first round) as it
sounds like it would be Phil Jackson and Pat Riley again as when
the teams met last week as the Warriors rallied late to win,
Clippers coach Doc Rivers chided, "That was pretty predictable.
They didn't want to take the risk of going 2-2 [in the season
series] with their regular guys. You could pretty much predict
they weren't going to play everybody." "Oh, is that right?" Kerr
answered. "Either that or we have a nine-game lead and a couple
guys banged up. Somewhere in there." The Warriors came back from
17 down to win with Curry’s highlight ankle breaker on Chris
Paul. Can’t wait for those Western Conference playoffs.
#Post#: 853--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: AndyMacFAIL
Date: June 5, 2015, 12:35 am
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[img]
HTML http://www.trbimg.com/img-54321e2f/turbine/la-fi-hotprop-lebron-james-house-20141005-043/900/900x506[/img]
LeBron James under contract to sell waterfront compound in
Florida
HTML http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-lebron-james-house-20150603-story.html
HTML http://www.latimes.com/business/realestate/hot-property/la-fi-hotprop-lebron-james-house-20150603-story.html
#Post#: 856--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: June 17, 2015, 1:04 am
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Congrats to the Golden St Warriors for winning the championship.
Wish the Bulls can at least make it to the Finals.....
#Post#: 857--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: June 18, 2015, 12:30 am
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LA CLIPPERS NEW UNIFORMS.....
[img]
HTML http://a4.espncdn.com/combiner/i?img=%2Fphoto%2F2015%2F0617%2Fnba_r_clippers_mb_1296x729.jpg&w=267[/img]
#Post#: 948--------------------------------------------------
Re: Around The NBA
DIR By: Phill23
Date: July 31, 2022, 9:42 pm
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HTML https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/34323568/boston-celtics-great-bill-russell-11-nba-champion-dies-88
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