By Justin Cherot

THE NBA IS BAAAAAAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!!!!

And, you know, we here at Pick and Pop try to keep it as fresh and quirky as possible.  So, my plan for the next 32 (or some odd) days is to not break down how a team will do.  That’s for sportswriters with degrees and such, although I guess a night before the season tips off Colin and I will do something like that. 

Instead, I’m giving every single player in the league, even some guys that won’t even make the roster, a little ink.  Because not all players are created (and adored) equally by yours truly, some will have much longer anecdotes/analysis or what have you than others.  Case and point: would it be fair to give Dirk Nowitzki and Adam Morrison the same amount of space?  I haven’t gotten that far yet, but I’m willing to bet I won’t do that.

I guess to make sure the pecking order of the NBA isn’t completely ruined, I’m going to go in ascending order in terms of how I predict the teams will finish.  While we’re still in the bottom tier, I think we’re starting to get to the point where real basketball teams start showing up.  Next stop: the New York Knicks.

Star

David Lee

"Sorry man, but 'David Lee Doin' Work' just doesn't sound as good." Photo by David Dow/Getty Images

What does it say about your franchise’s commitment to winning when they sign their best player to a one-year deal?  I know you’re expecting me to say something smart like, “It says they don’t give a %$#!”, but I think the answer at this point is a nice, ambiguous, safe ”I don’t know”.  While this team won’t be awful by any stretch of the imagination (under .500, yes, but not awful), the Lee and Robinson signings indicate to me that how the team performs this season is secondary to the ultimate goal: clearing enough cap space for ‘Bron to come to the Big Apple.  So, Mr. Lee, while you’re a very good player, a double-double machine and a blue collar athlete, you’re auditioning for a role next season alongside James or Dwyane Wade.  And, if the Knicks get neither one?  Well, maybe then you’ll get the long-term deal you ultimately deserve.  And, if not?  Then someone will pay you.

The Other Starters

Al Harrington

Very quietly, Harrington topped 20 points per game for the first time in his NBA career.  My question is, with such a diverse skill set offensively, what the hell took him so long?  I look for him to repeat that feat this season, because of two special words that every athlete lives for: CONTRACT YEAR!  Unfortunately, no contract year is going to help him defensively.

Wilson Chandler

I love that they have the NBA Draft at MSG every year, because you don’t have to wait until somebody writes a column to know how New Yorkers feel about their team’s draft pick.  But, if you sit down and think about their past couple of drafts, their picks have panned out fairly well.  We all know about Lee and Nate Robinson, but Chandler was a player most NBA GMs pegged as an early second round guy.  And now?  Albeit on the Knicks, he’s generated quite a buzz with his nice all-around game.  I know after this season the roster’s going to be sliced and diced, but if I were New York I’d want to grow with this kid on my roster.

Larry Hughes

Talent-wise, Hughes is a very good two-guard.  While he was with the Wizards, at his peak, I remember him and Gilbert Arenas basically being option 1 and 1A.  That’s how good he was, and from time to time he’ll even let you know how good he still is.  Unfortunately, and this may be the understatement of the decade, he makes T-Mac look like Cal Ripken, Jr.  Some guys just can’t stay healthy.  Here’s hoping that he can play at a high level for at least 70 games.  After all, it is a CONTRACT YEAR!

Chris Duhon

I mentioned the term “cosmetic starter” in reference to Damien Wilkins last time out.  Duhon is a little better than that, especially judging by the numbers and also by his minutes per game last year.  Not too many cosmetic starters play 37 minutes a game.  However, Duhon will be a cosmetic starter for two reasons: 1) Robinson is light years better, and 2) the Knicks actually have quality depth at the two spot, so you’ll see less of the Duhon/Robinson combo this year.  You can do worse than Duhon as your starting point guard (see, Udrih, Beno), but not much worse.

Bench

Nate Robinson  

Although Robinson keeps that “underdog” chip firmly glued to his shoulder, and although fans absolutely love his reckless abandon, he is a coach’s nightmare.  He unofficially led the league last year in bad shots, after-basket celebrations, and “no, no…YES!” plays.  More or less, he’s everything that’s wrong with young basketball players.  And the funny thing is he’s probably one of my favorite players to watch.

Danilo Gallinari

Why people are calling him a bust after only one year in the NBA I can’t understand.  He was hurt most of last year with the Cherot Syndrome (his back for those not up one my chronic injury history), and when he did play, he shot the ball extremely well while also hustling up and down the floor.  If that’s what a bust is, fine.  We’ll learn more about how good he really is this season, because my gut tells me that Gallinari will get more than 20 minutes a game this year.

Darko Milicic 

I don’t do this very often, but heregoes: I was completely wrong about Darko.  Completely.  Do you realize that if the Pistons had taken Carmelo Anthony like they were supposed to Chauncey Billups and Co. might have had a fistful of rings?  Hindsight is great.  On the bright side, seven footers don’t grow on trees, and at 24, he does still have time to carve out a decent NBA career.  But, as of now, I’m giving up hope of him ever living up to the second pick in the draft that saved the NBA.

Jared Jeffries

I was going to write my own scathing words for Jeffries, but instead I found better ones from ESPN.com’s 2010 Fantasy Outlook:

 Maybe it doesn’t need to be said anymore, but sometimes people need to be reminded: Jared Jeffries is one of the worst players in the league. He happens to have a contract that will pay him more than $13 million dollars over the next two seasons, so you’ll still see him around, providing useless minutes and stealing playing time away from Danilo Gallinari and Jordan Hill. Once in a while, he might block a shot or something, but you should ignore that. Pretty soon, he’ll probably be traded away or bought out as a sunk cost, and then you won’t have to remember not to draft him anymore.

What’s cooler than cold?  Ice cold. 

Eddy Curry

You know me.  I can go in a lot of different directions with him, but allow me to play devil’s advocate: he’s been through a lot in the past year.  His ex-girlfriend and daughter were murdered; his former limo driver sued him; he fell out of the rotation, and he gained a bunch of weight.  But, apparently he’s lost weight and he’s trying to get his mind focused back on basketball.  I actually think there’s a chance he may end up not only starting again, but having a redemption year.

Jordan Hill

I actually think this was a very solid pick by the Knicks, who lack size and toughness down low.  It wasn’t the sexy pick that New York fans wanted, but mark my words (or ignore them because I was wrong about Darko): by the end of his career Hill will turn out to be one of the better players in this draft.  He’ll get spot minutes this year, but next year expect him to put in work.

Toney Douglas

He’ll start the season fairly low on the depth chart, but about midway through the season D’Antoni will realize that they scored again with a late first round pick.  I see him being a very good combo guard in the NBA.

Gabe Pruitt

I think the Celtics gave up on Pruitt too early.  Yes, he’s Justin Cherot skinny, and yes, sometimes he makes Justin Cherot-like decisions with the ball, but he’s a fairly athletic point guard with good size and a pretty good stroke (okay Jay-Z, sometimes numbers do lie).  It’s a shame that he won’t see the light of day even on the Knicks, but there’s hope he’ll break into some team’s rotation somewhere down the road.

Sun Yue

All I really know about Sun Yue is that 1) he was a pretty good player on China’s national team, and 2) some diehard Lakers’ fan absolutely abused me with him in the 4th quarter of an NBA Live game last season (don’t forget to cop that on the Tuesday, and no, EA is not paying me to say that). 

Joe Crawford

Serious question: if GMs can take a chance on Crawford, why won’t they take a chance on Mike Jones?  Essentially they’re the same player, except Jones is ten times more athletic. 

Chris Hunter

Even at Michigan I don’t remember ever seeing him play.  However, while searching for video highlights of him on YouTube I stumbled upon this pretty funny Chris Kaman highlight film.  Turns out he can really shoot.

Cuttino Mobley

Allan Houston, Cuttino Mobley.  Cuttino Mobley, Allan Houston.

NBA Preview Archives

30. Sacramento Kings

29. New Jersey Nets

28. Milwaukee Bucks

27. Minnesota Timberwolves

It happens every year. With sports journalists on vacation, general managers catching up on lost sleep, and players presumably buying enormous televisions and swanning around on boats, basketball news dries up.

As a result, the schedule is greeted with great fanfare. Like a new baby, this fresh timetable is exciting for a few minutes, but when you get it home it can’t talk, walk, or do anything of interest. It just sits there, dribbling on itself.

Despite the relative tedium inherent in a schedule, the few ball journos forced to squeeze out content despite the lack of news treat us to date-by-date analysis, and tedious lists of the ‘must-watch games.’

Lost in the flood are the must-miss games; those events unlikely to inspire, sure to be quickly forgotten. Let’s run them down:

An accurate representation of what this game will entail: LeBron doing great things while the Raptors watch.

Wednesday October 28th | Toronto Raptors @ Cleveland Cavaliers

The Cavaliers kick off the season with a scorcher, hosting their semi-nemesis Celtics. It’s everything you could want in a season opener: a slightly re-tooled, hopefully healthy Boston crew — boasting new acquisitions in Rasheed Wallace’s ghost, and Shelden William’s head — going-head-to-head with the indisputable best in the game, LeBron James.

That’s the 27th of October. The 28th? A little less inspiring.

Unless you’re a Cavalier freak primed to get your rocks off to a Bron Bron explosion, this will be a serious clunker. Expect Chris Bosh and his lily-white band of Euroballers to look confused, and then be abused — on the boards, in the paint, anywhere that requires a serviceable big man. This will not be a good game for basketball fans north of the border; the inevitable beatdown an early taste of a season primed for mediocrity.

Friday November 13th | Houston Rockets @ Sacramento Kings

The Rockets: no Yao, Ron gone, no legitimate centre, Tracy McGrady either shipped somewhere or sobbing quietly into his street clothes.

The Kings: Kevin Martin scoring a tonne, no other player showing any sign whatsoever that they should be playing high-level professional basketball, Spencer Hawes boring his teammates by constantly railing against the Obama presidency.

Tickets should be given away in potato chip packets, not sold from a box office.

(Oh, and it’s Friday the 13th, so it’s not outside the realm of possibility that McGrady sees a black cat in the Arco Arena parking lot and dies of fright).

Sunday December 6th | Washington Wizards @ Detroit Pistons

Two of Kwame Brown’s almae matres face off in a titanic struggle of bad contracts and sub-standard performers.

Tune in and see Ben Gordon and Gilbert Arenas go a collective 10-48 from beyond the arc.

Other potential highlights include: Caron Butler, who should be well and truly in street clothes six weeks into the season; Rip Hamilton hobbling about, half as charming as you remember; Tayshaun Prince desperate to lock someone down, but not sure who that someone is; and Antawn Jamison getting quite reasonable numbers, which have no impact on his team’s performance.

Mobley Vs. House: Just one of the classic moments in the storied rivalry between the Clips and Nets.

Monday January 18th | New Jersey Nets @ Los Angeles Clippers

The recipe for a must miss game:

• 2 x pass-first point guards, who combine to stink up the joint with turnovers and missed shots.
• 2 x aging, veteran cores.
• 2 x injured young big men who will be banged up in January thanks to being asked to do too much, too early in their careers.
• 2 x genuinely stupid coaches.
• 1 x Billy Crystal courtside.

Serve in a winter month on a Monday night, when no-one but the Lopez family will tune in anyway.

Friday February 5th | Memphis Grizzlies @ Houston Rockets

The really sad thing about this match-up is the high potential that Z-Bo has a stand-out game.

With Yao possibly out for the season, the Rockets now have a frontcourt of Scola and Battier, neither of whom are adequate match-ups on genuine forwards (not to mention what Dwight will do to them). As a result, we’re a very good chance to see the moron Babyhead put in a 30 and 15 performance. Yuck. This could even be one of the three games this season he registers a block.

Sadly, this game could have seen monstrous efforts from Memphis’ exciting young bigs in Thabeet and Gasol, which everyone would have liked. And, in the unlikely circumstance that McGrady isn’t injured by now, we might have watched Rudy and OJ rotate on him: two young guards working out how to play one of the most prolific scorers the NBA has seen in recent times.

Instead, it’s more likely we’ll watch Randolph, that big overpaid goose, drain his crudely effective mid-range jumpers, and wrestle defensive boards off the enthusiastic, if tiny, Scola. If there’s a replay of Vacation on again, switch over.

Monday February 22nd | Milwaukee Bucks @ New York Knicks

Hands up if you want to see Danil0 Gallinari play against Joe Alexander.

Anyone?

Okay, how about… here we go, Andrew Bogut and David Lee trading lumbering post moves and hustling for an unspectacular 10 rebounds each? What about Ridnour Vs. Duhon? No?

About the only thing genuinely interesting in this game is that Ramon Sessions may be playing against Brandon Jennings in a high-tempo situation. And when the most interesting thing about a match up is contingent upon a trade or free agent signing, you’re in some trouble.

Friday March 5th | Charlotte Bobcats @ Los Angeles Lakers

We’re getting down to the business end of the season, where playoff hopes go to die, and champions are forged.

But none of that will be happening here, with the Bobcats’ chances at a berth in the second season ravaged by (a) injury and (b) the fact they have arguably the worst on-paper roster in the league. (I say arguably because the Sacramento Kings will probably still exist in March of 2010). The Lakers? Well, they’ll be soldiering through, dealing with the day-to-day hassle of embarrassing the dregs of the sport.

There are three possible ways this match-up makes it to Sportscenter: 1. Kobe drops a cheeky 50 points for the fun of it 2. Larry Brown literally melts on the bench out of pent-up anger 3. Gerald Wallace trips, falls, and can’t get up again.

Pacers coach Jim O'Brien: 'slow it down, guys! The fans are getting too excited! Don't get flashy!'

Tuesday March 16th | Charlotte Bobcats @ Indiana Pacers

Position-for-position, let’s judge the excitement factor here:

• C: Tyson Chandler Vs. Troy Murphy: a spectacular under-performer matching up on a charmless fantasy stud.
• PF: Boris Diaw Vs. Tyler Hansbrough: a big, soft Frenchman with an effective passing game plays a rookie. I guess watching Hansbrough develop could be interesting, but we should already know whether he’s a bust or not by March.
• SF: Danny Granger Vs. Gerald Wallace: this is actually a pretty baller match-up. Granger’s freakish talent against Wallace’s hustle. I’ll watch that.
• SG: Raja Bell Vs. Mike Dunleavy: I guess maybe Raja will get sick of Dunleavy slipping around him and driving, and eventually clothesline him. If Mike isn’t already in hospital. With an injured left-injury.
• PG: D.J. Augustin Vs. T.J. Ford: I’ll assume by this point Felton has been traded or so badly ostracised by Larry Brown that he doesn’t even turn up to games. Augustin will likely be a relatively effective PG who excites the opposition crowd with a 2.7 airballs/game average, and no-one, not even T.J. Ford, knows what T.J. Ford will do on a given night. There’s a good chance he plays 43 minutes for 3 points and a lone, fluked rebound.

Summary: A slow-grind 48 minutes of basketball leading to neither team cracking 80 points. Is there anyone out there who wouldn’t prefer to just make this a one-on-one half-court match between Granger and Wallace? That won’t happen, so don’t watch it.

Monday March 22nd | Minnesota Timberwolves @ Toronto Raptors

Will Ricky Rubio be there? Will he and Calderon enjoy Toronto’s favourite paella after the game? Will Jefferson be healthy? Will Bosh have grown some balls this season? Will Bargnani demand to be allowed to run all over the court smoking cigarettes, while exclusively shooting treys? Will Turkoglu do the same, while eating a gyro? Will Kevin Love foul out early to re-read Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows?

So many questions, so much intrigue. And almost none of it to do with the actual on-court action. The result is inevitable: Toronto in an unconvincing win, just barely keeping their playoff hopes alive.

Friday 2nd April | New York Knicks @ Golden State Warriors

For the average basketball fan, this late-season exhibition will barely rate a mention.

For fantasy owners and Vegas bookies, however, this game represents a high-water mark: a game featuring two defenseless teams, at the end of lost seasons, with nothing to play for.

Fantasy freaks will be giddy with delight, justifiably expecting 30-point tallies from Montaboy, Lil’ Nate, Al ‘Slappin’ The Backboard’ Harrington or An-Rand. Bookies will laugh as they set the combined over-under at 270.

Posted By: Anton, Alex & James

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Given last summer’s expectations, you could say that the Atlantic Division as a whole was a big let down. Even with titles to defend, new head coaches, and blockbuster trades, none of them were able to do anything worthwhile in the playoffs. Where do these teams go from here?

Boston Celtics – 62-20, 1st in Atlantic, eliminated in Eastern Conference Semifinals
Celtics salaries at HoopsHype

Do you hear that? It’s the sound of Celtics fans complaining. Their magical carriage ride to the Finals was curbed a little earlier than many expected; Garnett’s injury lingered, and in his absence, the Celtics looked merely average. On the bright side, that meant an opportunity for someone new to step up, and Glen Davis impressed many with a great playoff run. Unfortunately for Boston, that also means he will cost the Celtics a good deal of money to keep Davis, a restricted free agent. Already over the cap, re-signing their other young restricted free agent PF Leon Powe seems impossible at the moment. PG Eddie House played well, and the Celtics hope to catch a break and have him exercise his player option. All of those issues are very important, but the hot news is the rejected trade offer of Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen to the Pistons for Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey. The Celtics offering up Rondo and Allen in a trade is very telling. Despite GM Danny Ainge stating otherwise, perhaps there is a problem with Rondo’s attitude…why else would they ship out one of the top 5 point guards in the NBA? It seems Boston may be reluctant to commit to Rondo long term to the point that they are willing to deal him and take back a lesser floor general in Stuckey. Ray Allen’s expiring contract is a good trade chip because he can still play at a high level and he’ll be a free agent after next season, making him a hired gun of sorts. Future financial flexibility is important to maintaining a solid roster, even if it comes at the cost of winning a title as constructed. However, I still say you’ve got to pay Rondo and lock him up. The Celtics’ only selection in the draft (58) could be used to snag a big man to replace a PF lost in free agency; Alade Aminu of Georgia Tech could fit the bill if they choose not to draft a foreign project that won’t cost them any money now.

Philadelphia 76ers – 41-41, 2nd in Atlantic, eliminated in First Round
Sixers salaries at HoopsHype

Acquiring Elton Brand last summer from under the nose of the LA Clippers last summer was a bold move for the Sixers. Unfortunately, Elton Brand just seemed destined to be hurt last season, and given that big spend they would have been better off letting him team with Baron Davis (although the Clippers didn’t fair any better for the loss, either). When he did play, hs seemed tentative and timid, qualities not often found in his game. This offseason as Brand heals, the front office has to mend the rest of the team. PG Andre Miller is leaving as a free agent, and the 76ers are fine with it. While Miller is a good point guard, his ability to get to the hole was a bit redundant with Andre Iguodala and Thaddeus Young on the wings. Conversely, his awful outside shooting didn’t to the Philly offense any favors, allowing opposing defenses to leave him alone on the perimeter and clog the middle, hindering the effectiveness of Young and Iggy. Philadelphia’s only pick at 17 could yield a replacement PG for the team. Ty Lawson would look very good in a Sixers’ new/old uniform, as he can step in and play immediately. If he is gone, Jeff Teague would be a decent plan B. Showing more of a commitment to improved team shooting, the Sixers traded Reggie Evans to the Raptors for three-point specialist Jason Kapono. The Sixers aren’t in bad shape cap-wise, but could send Samuel Dalembert elsewhere for pieces if youngster Jason Smith can recover from a torn ACL. A healthy 76ers team with good point guard play could seriously make some noise for years to come, with all their key talent under contract for at least the next few seasons.

New Jersey Nets – 34-48, 3rd in Atlantic, missed playoffs
Nets salaries at HoopsWorld

Despite missing the playoffs…again…the New Jersey Nets have plenty to look forward to. Rookie PF/C Brook Lopez started slowly but had a great rookie season, particularly for a big man. Devin Harris took another step forward as he continued to develop into the type of lethal all-around offensive PG that I’d be willing to bet that Mark Cuban wishes the Mavericks had right now. With the talent on this roster, New Jersey could make a playoff push in the top-heavy East. However, with a smaller salary cap coming, the Nets could look to dump some salary. Vince Carter has been the topic of trade rumors for what seems like an eternity, and the talks aren’t likely to stop anytime soon (well, we know he won’t be going to San Antonio this offseason). Bobby Simmons’ $10.5M deal is expiring, but I think they will end up keeping him to get the cap relief. In the same vein, if a Carter deal is done, the Nets will have ample cap room for next summer’s free agent class. For the draft this year, the Nets’ #11 pick will likely be used for a post player, as Yi Jianlian has been mediocre at best. New Jersey will probably have their choice of Pitt’s DeJuan Blair or Wake Forest’s James Johnson to pair next to Lopez.

Toronto Raptors – 33-49, 4th in Atlantic, missed playoffs
Raptors salaries at HoopsHype

The Toronto Raptors are a very promising team that faces a great deal of uncertainty. If GM Bryan Colangelo can hold this roster together, they could build upon their strong finish from last season and finally perform up to their potential. If this happens, that will improve their chances of building around Chris Bosh, which Colangelo is convinced is the right move (I’m not as sure). The midseason trade for Shawn Marion had mixed results, as Marion didn’t fit in the offense as well as expected. Still, Toronto has expressed an interest in retaining the versatile forward. I’m not convinced Marion will ever return to Phoenix form, so I hope for the Raptors’ sake that they can keep him at a considerably cheaper rate. Swingman Anthony Parker is another unrestricted free agent that is important to the team’s success, especially since the deal to acquire rebounding help in Reggie Evans in exchange of Jason Kapono. The Raptors’ bench problems can be improved this offseason, both in free agency and in the draft. If any of their key pieces are lost, Jamal Crawford could be a target in a free agent signing or trade, as could Trevor Ariza or Matt Barnes. The #9 pick in the draft will likely be used to improve athleticism, and USC’s DeMar DeRozan should be a perfect fit. Alternatives include Earl Clark and Tyreke Evans.

New York Knicks – 32-50, 5th in Atlantic, missed playoffs
Knicks salaries at HoopsHype

GM Donnie Walsh got rid of Isaiah Thomas, found a fun coach in Mike D’Antoni, and vowed to make the team competitive sooner than later. D’Antoni was supposed to inject the type of energy that has been absent from Madison Square Garden for nearly a decade. Instead, the Knicks were bullied by visiting opponents in embarrassing fashion, including LeBron’s attempt to one-up Kobe back in February. To get things turned around enough to lure a big free agent next summer (ahem, LeBron), New York needs some important pieces. David Lee finally got the playing time he deserved last season, and he coasted through double-double after double-double. Unfortunately, the Knicks really want to keep cap space free for LeB—– err, next summer. Instead of letting Lee walk (he is restricted), they should try to swing a sign-and-trade. The Knicks definitely need a center and a point guard; Duhon was good for a short time, but ultimately won’t work. Orlando’s Rafer Alston seems to be on his way out after half a season, and Marcin Gortat is one of the most coveted big men this summer. New York needs legitimate size in the middle, and Rafer would love be let loose in his hometown in D’Antoni’s offense. New York has enough expiring contracts (Chris Duhon, Larry Hughes, Al Harrington, Cuttino Mobley totaling over $48 million) to spare one to get a deal done to acquire either player, perhaps a three-team deal. Chris Andersen may be a good consideration, given his energy, ability to run  and shot-blocking. The 8th pick in the draft will be of the utmost importance, with the rookie being given the chance to be the Knicks PG of the future. I’m sure D’Antoni would drool at the chance to get Ricky Rubio, but he will likely be gone. Though I’ve heard a lot about Stephen Curry, I think the Knicks will be better served taking a true point guard with the ability to distribute, and Jrue Holiday, Ty Lawson or Jonny Flynn would be better options. To have their best shot and landing a top free-agent in 2010, the Knicks have to find the balance between spending wisely and projecting the idea that this team has the potential to do big things, if it only had one more piece to lead them.

Excellent 10 minute video clip on ESPN by Outisde The Lines on Cuttino Mobley’s life threatening heart condition.

Go check it out, great recap on Mobley’s situation.

*Sports is sports, of course, of course!

 I’m going to try to update this semi-regularly so that all of my friends can keep track of me in Miami…

April 18:

1) I am consistently disappointed in the behavior of Miamians. I’m wondering when some of these people will get the memo that other people are living on this planet. [Some guy literally stepped in front of me in line at the grocery store, even though it was quite obvious that I was in line in front of him. I would have said something, but he was fat and with wife and kid in tow. His family was probably suffering enough already from dealing with him.]

2) Watched “21” with my housemate. It made me nostalgic for my days in Boston/Cambridge (two weeks ago). I was a bit disappointed that it was a modernized version of a true story, but I guess that’s Hollywood.

3) I walked from my house to Key Biscayne. It was roughly a three-mile walk in the hot sun. But I’m down with that. Key Biscayne in three words: Thongs, Gold Teeth, Beer. Sign me up!

4) One of our neighbors was having a red carpet party last night; their house and the neighboring streets were covered in high-end automobiles. I’ve never seen more BMW’s in my life. Not even at the BMW dealership. Unfortunately, our invitation must have been lost in the mail, as we weren’t on the guest list.

That’s all for now… check past days below and past weeks here…

April 17:

1) Played bball yesterday with some guys wearing black bandannas, khaki shorts, and sunglasses. I’m pretty sure they were gang-bangers. I’m not sure why they wanted me to play with them, but they definitely go by the “no blood, no foul, and if there is blood, there is still no foul” rules. Thankfully, they only drew blood once.

2) First celebrity sighting in Miami: Cuttino Mobley @ the Brickell Starbucks.

3) We had an impromptu meeting of the United Nations Medical Staff last night. We discussed the global economy, warfare, Obama’s election, and the declining birthrate in the educated classes. Of course, mojitos and Miller Lites were being drank during all serious discussions.

4). Played bball with some of my classmates again. Either the rims are really tight in Miami, I need reconstructive knee surgery, my shot has gone to hell, I have gotten too strong in my upper body and am overcompensating, I just suck, or all of the above… because I couldn’t hit a shot to save my life. And lord knows I don’t have the handles to take anyone off the dribble. Basically, I have become a garbage basketball player before the age of 30. Time to take up bocce ball.

5. I blasted two of my first three quizzes. BioChem and Physiology should really try to step it up next time. On the other hand, Microbiology threw some wicked heat and a nasty curve… I was never too fond of the curve balls. Don’t worry, I’ll be ready next time.

April 15:

1) So far, this gets my vote for quote of the year: “I’ve never had a patient come in and complain about their Kreb’s cycle or their lack of ATP.” [said by Dr. Dundr, our Clinical Medicine professor]

2) My Indian roommate, Prabu, was convinced I had disappeared into the vastness of Miami because he had not seen me in two days. I reminded him that I am in medical school. He quickly remembered his own medical school experience in India, where his medical school had nearly 20,000 students!

3) I attended the Miami v. FAU baseball game last night. In a complete lack of intelligence, the FAU manager decided to leave a runner in the game who had just been beaned in the head by a throw from the pitcher to third base, with FAU trailing 3-1 in the top of the ninth, no outs, and the bases loaded.  The next pitch was a double play, 7-2. [For those scoring at home, the next batter flew out to left field and that runner, who had just been beaned in the head, was thrown out easily at home plate after tagging up on the fly ball.] The next batter struck out. Game over.

4) I have a bad feeling about some of my classmates’ ability to make it as physicians. One guy actually interrupted our Clinical Med professor to tell him he had gone over the allotted time.  To which our professor, replied, “Oh, it’s lunch time. Am I intruding on your lunch?” Did I mention that I like our Clinical Med professor?

April 13:

1) Didn’t sleep last night. But when I did, I had incredible dreams… If this is what medical school is going to be like, I will be delirious within two months.

2) My B-Chem professor is a little anal retentive. And OCD. And neurotic. Should be an enjoyable semester.

3) While shooting baskets yesterday, I had a strong inclination to throw my basketball at the head of the small child riding his Razor Scooter through the court… continuously. I should not go into pediatrics.

4) I went grocery shopping today. I have decided that maybe the women are there for the same reason I am… I will investigate this more thoroughly next time.

5) Chris Miller came over for dinner. I cooked, he ate, and ate, and ate. The man has a hollow wooden leg.

Cuttino Mobley retired from the NBA in December following a trade to the Knicks enlightened him on the severity of a medical condition he had.

Mobley played 11 seasons in the L, and was a damn good player with a great shot. Spending time with the Rockets, Magic and Clippers before his trade to New York.

Mobley always seemed like one of the good guys in the league, his first major venture after basketball is called Kool Cats Products. Mobley was known as “The Cat” throughout his career and Kool Cats is something designed to empower, educate and help young kids, starting in schools and hospitals.

Check his website for more information on what “The Cat” is doing to help the youth of our country.

"Oh yeah Dirk, well, Antoine and I are better than you at...ummm...well...let me get back to you."

Oh boy, it’s never quiet in Clipper Land, is it:

• Your mom’s favorite baller, (B)Ricky Davis will serve a 5 game suspension for drug use. Imagine my surprise when I first heard about it. NOT.
• Chris Kaman will be sidelined for another 2-4 weeks (closer to 4), which means he’ll have time to get prepared for a Super Bowl party. You go, Kaveman. And you go, DTS, for spending 55M on this injured stiff.
• One of the few bright spots, Z-Bo, will miss up to 2 weeks with a sprained knee. Blake Griffin anyone?
• Boom Fizzle would welcome a return to the Yay. I kinda wanna say YAY to that.
• Cat Mobley was in attendance for the LAC vs. DAL game yesterday. You would think he would get some sort of tribute, right? WRONG. No video tribute. No standing ovation. In fact, just a simple few seconds on the jumbotron and mild applause from the crowd…I almost thought it was Elton Brand for a second there, considering the classless showing by the organization and the fans.

And that, my friends, is life as a member of Clipper Nation in a nutshell. Hop on the bandwagon – we may have lost a wheel, but hey, at least we’ve got plenty of room.

An estimated $2 million worth of jewelry and other belongings was stolen from the home of Paris Hilton, according to the Los Angeles Police Department.

The incident occurred at 5 a.m. at Hilton’s Hollywood Hills home on Clarendon Street. The burglar, or burglars, got into the house through an unlocked door, according to LAPD sources, who spoke on  condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.

 According to detectives, a man wearing a hooded sweatshirt and gloves ransacked Hilton’s bedroom, took unknown property and fled, said Officer April Harding.

LAPD sources said they do not believe at this time that the incident is connected to infamous burglaries that have beset the Westside and Hollywood Hills and cost many celebrities hundreds of thousands of dollars in jewelry and other valuables.

In those cases, the two –- and possibly three –- men, clad in black and wearing ski masks and gloves, hit more than 70 homes in areas such as Bel-Air, Beverly Hills, Holmby Hills and the hills above Encino, usually at night and often on weekends. The victims in those burglaries included former Paramount Pictures chief Sherry Lansing and her Oscar-winning director husband, William Friedkin, Clippers basketball star Cuttino Mobley, Duran Duran guitarist John Taylor and his wife, Juicy Couture President Gela Nash-Taylor, and country music stars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Detectives from the LAPD’s Van Nuys division were at the Hilton home this morning conducting interviews. The sources told The Times that Hilton was not home at the time of the burglary and that the house is equipped with security video equipment.

Harding said a security guard reported a forced entry at 5 a.m. at the Sherman Oaks home. The guard described the burglar as a man in a hooded sweatshirt and gloves.

Hilton recently told Esquire magazine: “The best thing I’ve ever bought with money is my house. Having a nightclub in your house really helps for having a party.”

– Richard Winton and Andrew Blankstein
The Los Angeles Times

Ms Hilton, 27, was not at home at the time of the break-in

Top Photo: Paris Hilton attends the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel grand opening party on Nov. 14 in Miami Beach, Fla. Credit: Evan Agostini / Associated Press

 

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• Μετά από 11 χρόνια γεμάτης καριέρας ο Cuttino Mobley λόγω του trade του στους Knicks, “τυχαία” ανακάλυψε με τις ιατρικές εξετάσεις ότι έχει πρόβλημα με τη καρδιά και αναγκάζεται σε απόσυρση. Σταθερός σε όλη τη καριέρα του ο Mobley, δεινός σουτέρ και σκόρερ. Οι καλύτερες και χειρότερες στιγμές του:

• Ό,τι μπορεί κάνει ο coach των Bulls Vinny del Negro για να βελτιώσει την άμυνα της ομάδας…

• 351 συνεχή παιχνίδια για τον Dwight Howard από την αρχή της καριέρας του.  To σερί έφτασε στο τέλος του πριν λίγες ημέρες και τη θέση του στη βασική 5άδα των Magic, πήρε ο τρελός Πολωνός… Martin Gortat! Πέρυσι σε όλοκληρη τη χρονιά, έπαιξε μόλις σε 6 ματς. Στους 2 αγώνες όμως που αντικατέστησε τον Superman έχει μέσο όρο 10 πόντους, 9 rebs, 4 blocks! Κι ένα highlight από άλλους καιρόυς.. (credit to MOULA).

• O Nowitzki τον Δεκέμβριο έχει 32 πόντους και 10 rebs! Βρήκαμε μία φωτογραφία του από ειδική προπόνηση με laser tag.

Cuttino Mobley

Trades in the NBA usually benefit franchises and excel players’ careers. However a recent trade between the Los Angeles Clippers and the New York Knicks has ultimately saved one shooting guard’s life. If it wasn’t for rigorous physical exams by the Knicks, Cuttino Mobley wouldn’t have known he was a victim of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – A critical heart disease.

Though Mobley knew there was some irregularity with his heart, an additional MRI exam and several specialists convinced him that his heart had worsened. In fact, if he continued to play the condition would constantly cause the heart muscle to thicken and make it difficult for the heart to pump blood.

It’s a bittersweet moment for Mobley, because though he’s learned about his condition he is giving up the one thing that got him out of the bed everyday…Basketball. He was set to start as the Knicks’ shooting guard and improve their roster. He will now have to watch from the sidelines with his 8-year old son.

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Skrybe – Keep it Fly

TARRYTOWN, N.Y. – Cuttino Mobley, a Philadelphian who played 11 seasons in the NBA, said Thursday he was retiring because of a life-threatening heart condition.

“The specialists I’ve seen made it clear that my heart condition has gotten worse and I couldn’t continue to play professional basketball without putting my health and life in serious danger,” Mobley said at a news conference near the New York Knicks’ practice facility. “I wanted to continue to play, but I have no choice and I had to step away.”

Speculation about Mobley’s future had been swirling since he was traded from the Los Angeles Clippers to New York last month. Tests performed by the Knicks uncovered signs of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

According to the source, Mobley’s previous four teams knew the guard had a heart condition, but may have been unaware of its exact nature. He reportedly signed a waiver that freed each club from liability.

A graduate of Cardinal Dougherty High School and the University of Rhode Island, Mobley, 33, also played with Houston, Sacramento and Orlando.

He has not been on the court since being dealt to the Knicks in a Nov. 21 trade that included three players with Philadelphia connections. Mobley and ex-Villanova star Tim Thomas were sent to New York in exchange for Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins, a Temple product.

Despite their concerns about Mobley’s health, the Knicks eventually approved the deal, making it easier for them to clear salary-cap space for an anticipated run at a 2010 free-agent class that is expected to include LeBron James.

Mobley has averaged 16 points a game in a 747-game career.

Contact staff writer Frank Fitzpatrick at 215-854-5068 or ffitzpatrick@phillynews.com

Luego del traspaso desde los Clippers y la controversia generada por no pasar el examen físico en los Knicks por una condición en el corazón, Cuttino Mobley decidió retirarse luego de enterarse de que su enfermedad estaba empeorando.

Mobley retires after 11 seasons in the NBA.

New York Knicks guard Cuttino Mobley retired from the NBA Thursday because of a worsening heart-condition.

After being traded to the Knicks in a deal that sent Zach Randolph to the Los Angeles Clippers, doctor’s confirmed Mobley’s condition of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. His condition is the same that took the lives of former NBA player Reggie Lewis and college star Hank Gathers.

Numerous trips to physicians had shown the condition had gotten worse, forcing Mobley into an early retirement.

Mobley never played for the Knicks, but was averaging 13.7 points per game for the Clippers before the last month’s trade.

A second-round pick from Rhode Island in 1998, Mobley averaged 16 points per game over the course of his 11-year career.

Mobley was a very productive scorer in his six seasons for the Houston Rockets, where he teamed with Steve Francis to form one of the league’s best backcourts of the early part of the decade. During the 2001-02 season Mobley averaged a career-high 21.7 points.

“The specialists I’ve seen made it clear that my heart condition has gotten worse and I couldn’t continue to play professional basketball without putting my health and life in serious danger,” Mobley said. “As much as I want to keep playing in the NBA, I have no choice but to follow the advice of my doctors and step away from the league.”

The 33 year-old Mobley also played with the Sacramento Kings and Orlando Magic.

The Knicks and their fans can only hope that LeBron is having this press conference in two years, introducing himself as a New York Knick

In 2010, LeBron James will have to choose between his hometown team, the Cleveland Cavaliers, or team desperate to become a winner, the woeful New York Knicks. New York is a huge market, and will have a lot money to throw at James, but clearly won’t have a team that he would want to go to. That was evident in James’s latest visit to Madison Square Garden (in his previous appearance against the Knicks, James scored 50 points and taunted a disgruntled Spike Lee, who sat courtside).

The new-look Knicks were trounced, 119-101 (it wasn’t as close as the score would indicate; Cleveland led by more than 30 most of the game), while James quite easily scored 26 points. In a battle between two teams that will duke it out in two years for his services, the Cavaliers showed that they weren’t just the best team on the floor, but the odds on favorite to win the LeBron James Sweepstakes.

Maybe I wrote too hastily. James was interviewed by ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith and did not rule out the Knicks as a possible destination. On top of that, he praised Knicks head coach Mike D’Antoni, calling him an “offensive mastermind.” Each of these would be okay if New York wasn’t a team that’s obviously doing everything they can to prepare for him in 2010. James knows what’s said about him, and knows that the Knicks are interested, so why is he praising their coach, and saying they’ve crossed his mind while he’s still under contract with Cleveland? It’s all to draw attention to the situation.

The Cavaliers, unless they win a championship in the next two years, will need James as much as New York will in 2010. James has unquestionably been the face of Cleveland’s franchise, a franchise that would still be in ruins without him. He has said that he would like to play for a contender once his contract runs out. Aside from the Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics, the Cavaliers are as big of a contending team as it gets. They’ll need a few more pieces to make James happy (Michael Redd would have been a nice pickup back in 2005, but they settles on Larry Hughes), but currently with just one other rising star, Mo Williams, Cleveland is already a championship caliber team.

The Knicks, on the other hand, clearly aren’t, and won’t be anytime soon. Yes they cleared cap space, but because they’re stuck with unhappy stars Stephon Marbury and Eddy Curry, and because Al Harrington, Cuttino Mobley, and Tim Thomas’s contracts run out prior to 2010, New York won’t have much to surround James with. Their fans are hoping they will be aggressive aside from James, as both Chris Bosh and Carlos Boozer (who is a free agent after this season) would be nice sidekicks. James isn’t going to leave the Cavaliers for a team that won’t have anyone of significance. No matter how much money or endorsements they offer him.

James seems comfortable in Cleveland, but he is giving the pitiful Knicks every reason to think they have a chance to whisk the best player in the league off his feet.

According to Yahoo! Sports, the current Clippers/Knicks deal is on hold due to an apparent heart problem from Guard Cuttino Mobley. The trade was made on Friday and waited on physicals from the four players. The rule is within 72 hours of the trade, the physicals need to be approved in two days and the last day will be announced to the public. 

The two teams have agreed for a 24 hour extension leaving the deadline to be 6:30 PM EST on Tuesday, November 25. Hours before the game at the Garden against fan favorite Lebron James and his Cleveland Caveliers.

If Mobley does not pass the physical, it looks like the Knicks hope of bringing in a future Superstar has just got more interesting.

After the busiest friday Donnie Walsh and the New York Knicks will have until 2010, the weekend seemed rather quiet for the rest of the league. The Knickerbockers recently hired GM, Donnie Walsh, has given the fans from New York something to think about. He traded three players from the Isiah Thomas regime, two of them being Walsh’s top scorers. Guard Jamal Crawford was shipped to Golden State for the disgruntle and aching Forward Al Harrington. Only hours later, Walsh sends Forward Zach Randolph and Guard Mardy Collins to the Clippers for veteran Guard Cuttino Mobley and one time Knick Forward Tim Thomas.

Are you serious? Before the trade, the Knicks were 6-5 and beginning to look like a team to watch. Whether they were dropping 110 points per night or playing with a 8-9 man rotation. Being a big time Knicks fan over the course of my life, I was stunned by the trade. Leaving me with goodbyes for a player I respected in Jamal Crawford and with me finally respecting Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins. The Knicks later played that night against the Milwaukee Bucks with a 7 man roster, not including the inactive Stephon Marbury and the frequently injured Jerome James. They ended up losing 104 to 87 and a refusal to play by Starbury.

Although I knew the Knicks were shorthanded, I felt uneasy about these trades. I was starting to think their chemistry and rotation will not be the same with the new look because they did not look like a team to watch on friday night, who happened to lose 3 straight.

There are positives to the trade. One big potential positive, Lebron James. In the summer of 2010, many the top stars of the NBA will become free agents leaving the Knicks right in the middle of the mix. By freeing up Crawford and Randolph’s contracts, the Knicks shed $28 million dollars of their salary cap, giving them that much needed room to sign a big name free agent. A few of names include: Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash, etc. Oh how bright it looks in New York, knowing there is a possibility of offering Maximum Value contracts to Lebron James AND another player. I tip my hat to Walsh, I have changed my mind and believe you my friend, have made pheunomenal trades!

A day after the trade, the Knicks played an incredible game against the Washington Wizards out scoring them, 122 to 117. Once again shorthanded, the Knicks were carried by their starting 5. 4 of them scored 20 or more while Quetin Richardson dropped 34 points and 12 boards. Also, David Lee added his best game with 22 points and 12 assists and Nate Robinson with 27 points, 6 rebounds and 6 assists.

Tomorrow Al Harrington, Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas are expected to make their debuts at home against Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. It will be a fun game to watch!

Giants 37, Cardinals 29

Giants beat Cards, move on to 10-1: The New York Football Giants have beaten former QB Kurt Warner. He didn’t get sacked often, but he did get hit at least that much. Not sure if anyone had the Giants losing because Plax and B. Jacobs couldn’t do their things, but Couch P.O.V. has called it through eleven. Let’s see it in bold… 10-1

Favre leads Jets past Collins, Titans: In what some will certainly call an unexpected turn of events, the New York Jets, who lost to the Oakland Raiders earlier this season, have stopped the Titans unbeaten streak. There’s been talk of a NY/NY Superbowl, and right now both teams are playing their best football. Fingers crossed (as they were for the Subway Series).

Knicks Trade J. Craw and Z-Bo for the future: The Knicks are number two in their division currently, and are acquiring three legit players (Al Harrington, Cat Mobley, Tim Thomas). I still think the playoffs are within reach this year. Coach Mike isn’t the type to sit out during the NBA Playoffs, so here’s hoping he gets the Knicks there. I don’t really expect the Knicks to win it all, but in the East anything can happen.