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ALERT}Nets GM Vandeweghe To Coach Team

Andy — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 01:36:43 +0000

ALERT}A person with knowledge of their plans says New Jersey Nets general manager Kiki Vandeweghe wi

Jim Cramer's Mad Money ............Buys, Sells And Holds ...........NBA Style .....

tophatal — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 20:05:50 +0000

Former hedge fund manager and now CNBC stock tipster and analyst Jim Cramer has always had his own style and presentation on television. That being said, he’d be the last person I’d be taking advice from on anything to do with the indices of the stock market. Or anything else when it comes to financial analysis or any information involving the companies listed on the NSYE.This is the same guy, who was dishing out advice to his avid viewers that they ought to invest their savings in the now disreputable companies, AIGand Bear Stearns. Now, to say that Cramer isn’t deserving of having his testicles removed and served up to him in the form of a meal wouldn’t be doing the people who lost money from his advice any justice whatsoever ! But such are the benefits to those who choose not to seek due diligence when taking advice from an individual , who despite his immense knowledge , comes across as nothing more than a charlatan.

You’ve got to hand it toComedy Central’s Jon Stewart for pointing out something that not even the so called knowledgeable pundits at Fox Business Channelwould’ve thought newsworthy.But then again when have Fox ever been known to be informative to begin with in terms of being a news channel ? And for those of you still seeking out the advice of Jim Cramer ? I wish you well , well about as well as leper who’s now beginning to realize that what the doctor prescribed just isn’t working. And Cramer’s own asinine assertion and suggestions as to what he did or didn’t say, shows you what a complete asshole he really is to begin with !

The NBA at present is filled with teams whose very prowess on the court can at present be measured by the volatility shown by the Dow Jones Index (DJIA). And were a number of the franchises of the NBA placed within the DJIA. I wonder what price and recommendations there’d be forthcoming from those covering the game ? Again I’d preface this by saying that the likes of Stephen A. Smith,Tim Legler,Ric Bucher and Skip Baylesswouldn’t be the guys I’d be looking to for comfort , advice or any form of solace when it comes to the NBA or otherwise. Whatever insight they’re liable to provide is about as welcoming as be told by your proctologist that he’d like to give you that customary finger wave of your rectum,merely to elicit having some fun on his part. Pretty safe to say that one finger wave too many a year is one finger less welcomed.

New Jersey Nets team members from left, interim coach Tom Barrise, assitant coach Doug Overton, Chris Douglas-Roberts, Devin Harris, Josh Boone and Trenton Hassell look on during the second half of their NBA basketball game against the Los Angeles Lakers, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, in Los Angeles. The Nets matched the worst start to an NBA season with their 17th straight loss Sunday night in the Lakers' 106-87 victory.picture appears courtesy of AP/Photo/Mark J. Terrill ..........

Straight out of the gate, some of the teams have performed exceptionally badly. And for beleaguered Lawrence Frank and the hapless, New Jersey Nets. At this juncture there’s absolutely no chance of a do-over whatsoever ! What may well have started out as a season of promise has slowly fallen apart and become an absolute nightmare for Frank, his players,ownership and no doubt the fans, in particular. I’d hate to think what’s now going through the mind of principal partner,Bruce A Ratner ? Especially as he sees this team sink into the abyss of sheer ineptitude. Any thoughts that they might’ve had of luring LeBron James to Brooklyn in 2010 , has to be shelved at this time. Not with this team in need of a backbone and so much more ! At 0-16 and on the cusp of NBA infamy in terms of successive games lost to start a NBA regular season schedule the Nets seem to be just one loss away of equalling that dubious record. My recommendation : Sell !

Can someone explain to me what fate the basketball gods has in store for the New York Knicks ? Needless to say, after the abrupt departure of former coach and executive Isiah Thomas. It was felt that the organization was stepping in the right direction with the hiring of Mike D’Antoni, as their coach. Also,the bringing in of Donnie Walsh, to oversee the basketball operations,in terms being the general manager of the Knicks. Needless to say, the Knicks are no further along in their progression, as the coalition forces are in finding Osama bin Laden. And for those of you who’d rather be up in the Tora Bora mountain range on the Pakistani , Afghani border ,rather than watching the Knicks play. Reserve me a seat , as I’d no doubt would want to join you in that particular exercise. Not only have the Knicks become worse under D’Antoni, they’re a complete embarrassment to the NBA ,as a whole ! Commissioner,David Stern, is there no chance that we can have some contraction within the NBA ? As there are now one or two teams that are making a mockery of the game and how it ought to be played. And the New York Knicks is undoubtedly one of those very teams ! My recommendation : Sell ! Not to hold, just damn well , sell !

Detroit Pistons center Ben Wallace (6) takes a shot over Atlanta Hawks forward Josh Smith (5) in the second half of an NBA basketball game Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009, in Auburn Hills, Mich. Wallace scored 10 points and pulled down 18 rebounds in the Pistons' 94-88 win. picture appears courtesy of AP/photo/ Duane Burleson ..............

I not saying that the Detroit Pistons have fallen on hard times. But their fall from grace , makes the demise of Michael Jackson seem like an act of overt kindness. OK , so we can dispute the facts that’ve led to the untimely death to the one time ‘King of Pop’. What no one can doubt however, is that Jackson apart from being a mild neurotic was enabled by family members and others amongst his entourage to keep up his absurd behavior. And along with that came an assortment of medical professionals who proffered up whatever medication of the day was the norm for Jackson. What of the ‘hippocratic oath’ for these doctors ? First do no harm ? Somewhere along the lines it must’ve been blurred for them from the sight of the money that Jackson was needlessly spending on their services !

As to what Pistons’ GM Joe Dumars, was seeking to do,when he traded All Star point guard Chauncey Billups to the Denver Nuggets,in exchange for Allen Iverson. Well, let’s just say that experiment was about as worthwhile as sticking your arm into the mouth of a hungry crocodile waiting and then waiting to see what the outcome will be.And with Iverson, now said to be mulling retirement , after not being able to find a franchise willing to take him. One might clearly think that at the time Dumars was merely flying by the seat of his pants in thinking that Iverson could provide the team with a much needed spark. In essence, the Pistons had become an old team spoilt on its earlier success and who weren’t willing to make the necessary changes need at the time, in order to build for the future.

Now with the departure of Rasheed Wallace to the Boston Celtics, the team is nowhere nearer to being one of the once dominant franchises with the NBA’s Eastern Conference. Dumars and the team’s coach, John Kuester, now have their work cut out for them, if they’re to turn things around make this team be one with a presence, not just within their division but throughout the NBA as a whole. The window of opportunity for the Pistons has closed and they’re not about to scale back to the heights of prominence ,which they once held. It’s now far too late for that , despite the appearance of youth on the tea’s roster. They now lack a true leader and a proven and consistent scorer on their roster. And it is something that will become their undoing. My recommendation : Sell !

In the Western Conference where it’s presumed the star talent of the NBA is reserved and perhaps the better of the teams throughout the league on the whole are domiciled. We all know that at the end of the day it’s very competitive within the conference. With the reigning champions, the Los Angeles Lakers looking to successfully defend their crown. The bullseye is now comfortably placed upon their back. And with the likes of the San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks, Portland Trailblazers, Utah Jazz , Houston Rockets and a newly revitalized Oklahoma City Thunder all looking to take them down. One would suspect that the Lakers and in particular Kobe Bryant and the team’s coach ,Phil Jackson are relishing the challenge of defending their NBA title.

You’ll know doubt get some criticism from those in the Eastern Conference who’ll state that the play and talent there is somewhat better than their counterparts in the West. But I’d view that as something of an anathema at this juncture. Teams in the Eastern Conference tend to play a much more conservative type of basketball and where defense is their mainstay. Whereas, in the West much of the play there is most definitely predicated upon offense. Although the likes of the Spurs and Jazz would beg to differ in that context.

Los Angeles , California , November 29th,. Jordan Farmar (1) of the Los Angeles Lakers goes up for a shot against the New Jersey Nets at Staples Center on November 29, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. picture appears courtesy of NBAE/Getty Images/ Noah Graham ..........

Of the three pre-eminent teams in the Eastern Conference ,in no discerning order, we have the Boston Celtics, Cleveland Cavaliers and the Orlando Magic. The most well balanced and deepest in terms of their roster , may well be Stan Van Gundy’s Magic team. Of the three teams also, I do believe that the Magic by their play as of late, is the most improved. The additions of Brandon Bass, Vince Carter and Jason Williams has proven to be fortuitous.And General Manager,Otis Smith, might just be one of the least celebrated if not the most astute front office executives in the NBA at present. If nothing else it gives the Magic’s center, Dwight Howard, room to do what he does best and that’s to pound the boards and show off his defensive and offensive prowess. My recommendation : Buy and buy strong.

Besides the Magic in the Eastern Conference , the really only other noteworthy teams one ought to look at, are the Cleveland Cavaliers and Boston Celtics. The Cavaliers for their part, with the addition of Shaquille O’Neal to complement with the undoubted talents of LeBron James , might just well give the team its best chance of making another appearance in the NBA Finals. But here’s the caveat with regard to the team , when they face real adversity they’re not always able to handle it well. And that could once again become their undoing.That’s in light of having the experienced veteran presence of O’Neal on this roster. My recommendation: Hold . If things fall their way,they could just go out and finally achieve the winning of that elusive ring for James.

Denver Nuggets guard Chauncey Billups, left, drives for the basket as Minnesota Timberwolves center Al Jefferson defends in the fourth quarter of the Timberwolves' 106-100 victory in an NBA basketball game in Denver on Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. The victory broke Minnesota's 15-game losing streak. picture appears courtesy of AP/photo/David Zalubowski ............

The Boston Celtics for their part has the experience and with seasoned veterans , such as Kevin Garnett, Paul Piece,Ray Allen and now Rasheed Wallace. This is a roster, whose coach Doc Rivers, knows how to win games and how to motivate his team. Added to the fact that they now have a point guard of note in, Rajon Rondo, they would be viewed as the presumptive favorites in the conference to win it all. My only concern with the Celtics however, is their health, especially when it comes to the question of their main quartet of players. That issue alone may well be enough to make on hedge their bets as to the overall chances of the team winning a second title for the organization with Rivers at the helm as their coach.
My recommendation here : Again a Hold. Down the stretch run of the regular season if the quartet is healthy , then there could be everything to play for with the Boston Celtics being added into the mix.

As the reigning champions ,the Los Angeles Lakers have added by subtraction. In losing Trevor Ariza to the Houston Rockets and obtaining free agent,Ron Artest. One could say, that they’ve become a much better team ? They’ve added a defensive presence in Artest and an additional scoring option behind Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol. And that’s with no disrespect to either,Lamar Odom or Andrew Bynum. But the addition of Artest does make a great deal of sense , if one takes away the baggage that he brings along with him. Here’s a player that brings along with him mental toughness and a willingness to do the dirty work required on either end of the floor. The same can’t be said of certain players on this Lakers’ roster. My recommendation on the Lakers : Buy, a very strong buy ! They’re the team to beat in the Western Conference. As defending champions and with Bryant as the ever present catalyst . How can you bet against them ?

San Antonio, Tx, November 29th. Richard Jefferson (24) of the San Antonio Spurs shoots against Samuel Dalembert (1) of the Philadelphia 76ers on November 29, 2009 at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas. NOTE TO USER: picture appears courtewsy of NBAE/Getty mages/D. Clarke Evans .........

Besides the Lakers in the Western Conference , if anyone is to challenge their supremacy within the conference. Then, the challenge well come from the San Antonio Spurs,Denver Nuggets, Dallas Mavericks and the up and coming Portland Trailblazers. Now where would should one start ?

First off , the four time NBA champions, the San Antonio Spurs seem finally to began to have realized that they can’t simply rely on the aging triumvirate of Tim Duncan, Manu Ginobli and Tony Parker to lead this team. As great as they’ve been over the years , last year was a telling one for the franchise . They simply plugged away but with recurring injuries to each of the triumvirate, you knew it was only a matter of time before the wheels on the bus would continually happen to go flat.

Coach,Gregg Popovich, and the team’s GM, R. C. Buford, sought to bring in Richard Jefferson from the Milwaukee Bucks via a trade. Added to that they’d re-signed veteran Antonio McDyess to a three year deal and they’ve now got another creative play-maker in Roger Mason on the roster. This could prove to be a resurgent year for the Spurs. But much of that will no doubt be predicated upon the fitness of their triumvirate throughout the season and of course into an extended playoff run. And no doubt with the added depth of the team. Coach Popovich will make sure that his players are well rested and free of those worrisome and niggling injuries. My recommendation on the Spurs: Buy !

As good as the Denver Nuggets have looked this season, I can’t help but wonder if their heartbreaking loss of a series in the conference finals of last year wasn’t their one and only opportunity that they’ll have with George Karl, leading the charge as their coach ? The team is resplendent with stars such as Carmelo Anthony,Kenyon Martin, Chauncey Billups,J. R. Smith and Nene’. Built primarily around speed, athleticism and a great deal offensive prowess, the team has now seen that offense alone can’t be their only virtue. And with All Star point guard , Chauncey Billups providing much of that much needed efensive grit and presence. The team has now found a new sense of urgency and acceptance of the task at hand. As to whether or not they can usurp the Los Angeles Lakers remains to be seen. But if there’s one thing that we’re no doubt sure of , it is that the Nuggets are not prepared to lie down and be walked all over. My recommendation : A buy.

If there’s a team that I’ve come to admire in the Western Conference . Then that would have to be the Portland Trailblazers. For so long, they were often seen as a the pariahs of the NBA. In some respects they were more noted for their off the field problems, far more than they were known for anything that they were trying to achieve on it. And it took a turnaround in the mindset of owner, Paul Allen and that of the Trailblazers’ front office in making the drastic changes needed to right this listed ship. General Manager, Kevin Pritchard and Head Coach, Nate McMillan, saw fit to build from the ground up, uprooting the roster of the malcontents and ill fitting parts to a team that had continually underachieved.

Now in its place the Trailblazers have a young, competitive and desirable team that is the envy of the NBA. They’re led by such aspiring stars as Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Rudy Fernandez, Steve Blake and now it’d appear to be fully fit and resurgent center,Greg Oden. The latter of whom, has begun to justify the team’s faith in him, having missed his first season in the league ,due to a sever knee injury and then surgery.

You’d be highly mistaken in thinking that because the Trailblazers on the face of it are very much a young and inexperienced team, that they wouldn’t have what it takes to pull of an upset. But this is very much a team that knows how to play to its strengths and negates much of the weaknesses that other think that they often see. And in their coach, Nate McMillan , they have someone whose coaching philosophy is being listened to by his players and being heeded all too well. My recommendation on the Portland Trailblazers : Hold !

For me , I very much placed both the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns in the same boat. As time goes by, their window of opportunity to win an NBA championship continues to close ever so rapidly. And if they’re unable to do it now, then they’re not going to be able to do it at any time in the near future. On both counts they’ve something of an aging roster and though in essence neither team can ever be viewed as being out of the picture. The fact of the matter is, that each time when they’re called upon to take that final step forward. They appear to be only all too willing to fall flat on their proverbial behinds,when trying to take that step to the next evel. One wouldn’t mind if it wasn’t for the fact that their front offices, in terms of the respective general managers have continued to make considerable mistakes concerning personnel decisions.

And in both,Steve Kerr of the Suns and Donnie Nelson of the Mavericks, you may well have two of the worst GM’s in all of the NBA. But then again I may well be overlooking the once terrific job that was done by then GM, Elgin Baylor for the Los Angeles Clippers ? Let’s just say that Baylor’s knowledge of player personnel as it regards the NBA game of today,ranks up there alongside the intelligence quotient of both Paris Hilton and Tara Reid, combined. And in this case both Kerr and Nelson aren’t that far behind him in that dubious distinction !

As good on paper as both teams might appear to be what they both lack in mental toughness and leadership. Dirk Nowitzki and his cast of teammates of the Dallas Mavericks are about as scary,as Clay Aiken trying to show his masculine side by claiming to be an all-out action star. The thought of which makes you wonder what it is that Aiken does in his down time ? Please no salacious answers to the question ? How else can one explain the Mavericks’ recent 111-103 loss to an undermanned Golden State Warriors’ team, that could only field eight fully fit players for the game ? Needless to say the answers forthcoming will as diverse as usual ! My recommendation for the Mavericks: Sell ! They’re just simply not worth it at this juncture !

The Phoenix Suns for their part can only go as far as the ageless wonder, Steve Nash can take them. With the ‘Shaquille O’Neal experiment’ now long gone. It’s back to the up-tempo basketball that they were once known for. That being said one doubts that their game that’s very much predicated upon primarily offense , will stand them in good stead come playoff time. Especially when given light to the fact for the Suns to play defense is like asking a crack addict to give up his crack pipe for 72 hours. It simply can’t be done without them going ‘cold turkey’. And that in essence is what one simply sees,when viewing this team. My recommendation with regard to the Phoenix Suns : Sell !

Now comes the easy part as to the bottom feeders at present in the Western Conference. The Golden State Warriors. My recommendation : Sell !
The Los Angeles Clippers my recommendation : Sell . The Minnesota Timberwolves,what more can I say, but sell !
The New Orleans Hornets and Memphis Grizzlies – sell !

Bottom feeders in the Eastern Conference ? Well, the New Jersey Nets have seen fit to get rid of Lawrence Frank and that still hasn’t stop the losses. Enough said ! Sell ! As with the sentiment concerning the Buffalo Bills. No one knows of better ways of losing, than the New York Knicks. Sell the whole damn lot of your allotted stake in this sorry ass team ! You’ll thank me in the long run for suggesting that !
Washington Wizards and Indiana Pacers ? Someone suggested to me that there’s optimism there concerning the Wizards ? Well , I’ve got a suggestion for that certain individual, look at their damn record at present and tell me where you see them progressing to ? The Indiana Pacers and their GM , Larry Bird are simply now treading water, awaiting some sort of divine intervention. The sad part to this all, is that the Pacers’ Danny Granger is now languishing on a team, whereby the talent he’s surrounded by is no better than that of a D-affiliate of an NBA franchise. My recommendation: Sell both !

NBA Standings By Conference click here ……….

Eastern

Team Record

New Jeresy Nets 0-16

New York Knicks 3-13

Indiana Pacers 6-8

Detroit Pistons 5-11

Washington Wizards 5-10

Western Conference

Team Record

Minnesota T’wolves 1-15

Los Angeles Clippers 7-10

Golden State Warriors 5-10

New Orleans Hornets 7-9

Memphis Grizzlies 6-10

NB: Financial Services company, AIG, was bailed out by the government to the tune of $150 billion of taxpayers’ monies. And at present they’re still on the edge of a financial precipice. Bear Stearns was taken over by investment bank J P Morgan & Co.. This was done after the company had racked up in excess of $81.6 billion worth of debt, for which it had less than $8 billion of liquid assets. J P Morgan was in receipt of $25 billion of Troubled Asset Relief Program (TARP) monies, courtesy of the Federal Government. Of which part has been repaid, the remaining outstanding balance due is less than $ 6 billion.

Lawrence Frank had to be fired

JaCoB — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:24:54 +0000

When the New Jersey Nets tied the record for the worst start in NBA history, they did it without Lawrence Frank.

Frank was fired before Sunday’s record-tying defeat to the Los Angeles Lakers, the blowout loss drops the Nets 0-17 on the season, matching 1988-89 Miami Heat and the 1999 Los Angeles Clippers.

It hasn’t been a pretty season for the Nets. They’ve been injured (Devin Harris and Courtney Lee amongst others) and have had the swine flu (Chris Douglas-Roberts). The odds were against Frank, but with all that was against him, he could have at least pulled out one win. I don’t think it was much to ask. I actually heard some people saying that it wasn’t his fault.

When the team is 0-16, the coach cannot be defended. It doesn’t matter how bad the team may be. If you cannot win one single game with 16 tries, things are beyond bad and the coach needs to be relieved of your duties.

It’s ironic that when Frank took over for Byron Scott during the 2003-04 season, he reeled off his first 13 games as a victor. It’s unheard of. On the same end, losing 16 straight games to start a season, nearly also unheard of. That said, Frank’s career in New Jersey starts and ends on amazing streaks.

Frank deserved to be fired, and it’s not that he’s an awful coach, but his time in New Jersey was up. In 446 games as the head coach of the Nets, Frank was 225-241. Add to the irony, he was 16 games below .500. He had a pretty nice run. Four playoff appearances, three of which resulted in advancing to the Conference Semi-Finals. His last two seasons had the Nets out of the playoffs, and this season would obviously had been the third.

In times of change for New Jersey, Frank was the last to go. How can anyone think he got a raw deal?

Jason Kidd. Traded.

Richard Jefferson. Traded.

Vince Carter. Traded.

Frank outlasted everyone in New Jersey, and was given nearly seven season to lead the Nets somewhere in the playoffs, he couldn’t. His run was up and it was time for both parties to move on.

Frank will catch on somewhere else in the near future and the Nets have some very solid young players in Harris, Lee, Douglas-Roberts and Brook Lopez. Now they just need to convince LeBron James to join their 0-17 starting squad next year and all will be well in Jersey (or Brooklyn, or wherever…).

Jogos da Rodada– 27/11

Gustavo Nisiyamamoto — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 19:20:57 +0000

Sexta Feira

94	84
A. Jamison – 24 pts	M. Chalmers – 20 pts
A. Jamison – 13 reb	J. O’neal – 13 reb
E. Boykins – 9 ast	D. Wade – 6 ast

Contando cum uma fraca atuação de Wade (18 pts, 6 reb), um surpreendente contribuição do reserva Nick Young (22 pts) e a sempre sólida participação de Jamison (24 pts, 13 reb), os Wizards conseguiram uma importante vitória fora de casa contra o Heat, que havia se dado bem, contra o Magic fora de casa.

Young foi a surpresa do jogo, após ter atuado pouquíssimo tempo durante a temporada, fazendo pontos, e mais importante, mantendo Wade abaixo de sua média normal.

Para completar, com essa atuação, Jamison agora se junta à Garnett, Nowitzki, Shaq e Tim Duncan como os únicos jogadores em atividade a ter mais de 16.000 pontos e 6.000 rebotes

100	86
J. Crawford – 24 pts	T. Young – 22 pts
M. Williams – 9 reb	A. Iguodala – 9 reb
2 empatados – 5 ast	A. Iguodala – 8 ast

Os Hawks continuam sua forte caminhada no Leste, conseguindo mais uma vitória fora de casa. Já os 76ers estão muito mal, rendendo muito abaixo do potencial de seus jogadores. O sistema de jogo do técnico Eddie Jorda funcionou bem em Washington, mas não parece correto com o estilo dos jogadores que Philadelphia tem.

Crawford e Bibby (21 pts.) foram os destaques de Atlanta, enquanto Iguodala (16 pts, 9 reb, 8 ast, 2 stl e 2 blk) namorou com um triple-double, mas não teve nenhuma contribuição de seus parceiros.

87	94
L. James – 25 pts	G. Wallace – 31 pts
A. Varejão – 11 reb	G. Wallace – 14 reb
M. Williams – 6 ast.	R. Felton – 7 ast

Os Cavs continuam sua campanha derrapante (se comparada ao ano passado) dessa vez perdendo para o Bobcats. A estrela do jogo desta vez, não foi LeBron, mas sim Gerald Wallace (31 pts, 14 reb) que está jogando muito nas últimas rodadas. Ele lidera a liga em rebotes por jogo, mas ele atua na posição 3, o que torna mais impressionante sua presença no garrafão defensivo.

Já os Cavs ficaram na mesma história de sempre. LeBron contra o time adversário. Honestamente, já não tenho mais tanta fé nesse time quanto tinha no começo da temporada…

103	116
2 empatados – 20 pts	R. Allen – 20 pts
Chris Bosh – 13 reb	K Garnett – 7 reb
J. Jack – 6 ast.	R. Rondo – 11 ast

É impressionante a capacidade do Raptors de não defender. O time está cheio de talentos ofensivos (Bosh, Bargnani, Bellinelli), mas não importa o time, eles tomam mais de 110 pontos por jogo.

Contra um time experiente e habilidoso como o Celtics, o resultado não poderia ser outro. No começo do segundo tempo os Celtics abriram 13 pontos e não olharam para trás. Vitória fácil.

OBS: Se alguém fundar um fã clube para o Rajon Rondo, me convidem que eu entro. Se demorar demais eu mesmo monto um.

104	96
C. Kaman – 26 pts	J. Jerekbo – 22 pts
M. Camby – 9 reb	B. Wallace – 16 reb
B. Davis – 10 ast.	Will Bynum – 9 ast

Olhe bem para os números acima. Jerekbo (22 pts) foi o cestinha do esfacelado Pistons, que jogou sem R. Hamilton, T. Prince e B. Gordon. Assim, até os Clippers conseguem vencer.

E foi o que aconteceu. Parece que o time de Mike Dunleavy finalmente achou um pouco de equilíbrio com a habilidade ofensiva de Kaman (26 pts, jogando muito) com Camby fechando o garrafão, e B. Davis parando de mandar tijolos em direção ao aro e focando na armação (10 ast.)

Mas por enquanto, não acredito em nenhuma dessas duas equipes no futuro, a não ser que Blake Griffin estréie jogando muito e seja um diferencial.

113	92
D. Nowitzki – 31 pts	D. Granger – 20 pts
K. Humpries – 11 reb	J. Foster – 14 reb
2 empatados – 4 ast.	T.J. Ford – 5 ast

Senhoras e senhores, os Mavs estão vindo com tudo e por incrível que pareça, ninguém esta dando muita bola. Dirk e companhia estão com uma campanha muito interessante até o momento, principalmente se lembrarmos que 4 dos 5 titulares estão do lado errado dos 30 (Nowitzki, Gooden, Marion e Kidd), e seus principais reservas também (Terry, Dampier). Além do mais, por conta de contusões, Beabouis está começando como titular e está sendo uma agradável surpresa.

Já os Pacers não ofereceram nenhuma resistência ao time de Dallas, encabeçados por Danny Granger, que é um dos melhores jogadores da liga, mas da dó vê-lo jogar sem ninguém para ajudá-lo.

92	84
T. Duncan – 21 pts	L. Scola – 18 pts
A. McDyess– 14 reb	L. Scola – 12 reb
T. Parker – 7 ast.	T. Ariza – 5 ast

San Antonio finalmente conseguiu sua primeira vitória fora de casa nessa temporada, e a vítima foi o Houston Rockets. Após um primeiro tempo equilibrado, os Spurs apertaram a defesa e abriram uma vantagem de 12 pontos no terceiro período.

Na volta do intervalo, os Rockets ficaram 7 minutos e meio sem converter um arremesso de quadra em 16 tentados. Apesar de equilibrado, Houston precisa de alguém que pegue a bola nesses momentos difíceis, pois T. Ariza não pode ser a principal arma ofensiva (5 de 21 arremessos).

No fim do jogo, o placar chegou a ficar próximo, mas nada que os Spurs não conseguissem controlar e levar a vitória para casa.

125	128
A. Harrington – 41 pts	C. Anthony – 50 pts
2 empatados – 10 reb	2 empatados – 11 reb
L. Hughes – 9 ast.	C. Billups – 8 ast

Se eu fosse jogador da NBA, ainda mais o cestinha do meu time, eu circularia com uma caneta bem vermelha os jogos que eu tivesse contra o Knicks, por alguns motivos

- mais uma vitória garantida

- hoje é dia de marcar 50 pontos

Todo mundo deita e rola na defesa dos Knicks, que não tem jogadores para implementar o sistema de D’antoni. Dessa vez foi Carmelo, com 50 pontos (primeira vez na carreira) que fez o que quis. Uma curiosidade é que, no último quarto, quando as defesas tendem a ficarem mais focadas, nesse jogo foi ataque pra todo lado, sendo que os Knicks ganharam de 38×36!

O jogo só ficou equilibrado graças ao esforço de Harrington (41 pts) que mantinha NY atrás do placar. Mas no final, o melhor time venceu.

120	95
J. Richardson – 22 pts	R. Sessions – 23 pts
L. Amudson – 8 reb	R. Hollins– 6 reb
S. Nash – 11 ast.	J. Flynn – 6 ast

No encontro entre o melhor time da liga (na minha opinião) contra o segundo pior (acho que esse é consenso), não podia dar outra, senão uma paulada do Phoenix em cima do pobre Minessota.

Phoenix assumiu a liderança cedo e não teve nenhuma dificuldade em manter o ritmo, dando a 15a derrota consecutiva aos T’wolves. Nenhum dos titulares jogou mais do que 27 minutos, e isso é importante para manter as baterias energizadas de Nash, Hill e companhia.

Pelo lado de Minnesota, Flynn continua se perdendo no triangulo ofensivo que Rambis tenta implementar (18 pts, 6 ast, 4 TO), Corey Brewer teve uma noite horrível (1-11 FG) e Al Jefferson merecia estar em um time melhor.

90	108
2 empatados – 15 pts	K. Durant – 33 pts
E. Ilyasova – 10 reb	K. Durant – 12 reb
L. Ridnour – 4 ast.	R. Westbrook – 7 ast

Dois dos times mais empolgantes nessa temporada se encontraram na noite de sexta, e Kevin Durant (33 pts, 12 reb, 5 ast) e sua turma se sairam melhor do que os parceiros de Brendon Jennings (12 pts, 3-11 FG). O Thunder ganhou esse jogo porque entrou mais decidido no segundo tempo, enterrando de vez qualquer chance de reação de Milwaukee.

Com Jennings errando muito, a vitória foi tranquila. Mas algumas coisas me chamaram a atenção nesse jogo. Kevin Durant não recebe a atenção que merece da mídia, pois ele joga demais. Junto com Westbrook e James Harden, estamos falando de um possível “Big Three” no futuro. Olho neles.

Já por parte de Milwaukee, Jennings terá de se acostumar a ser melhor marcado, agora que todos sabem de seu potencial de atacar a cesta. Com ele fora de ritmo, a produção dos Bucks caem demais. Ilyasova é uma grata surpresa nesse time, com um basquete bastante eficiente.

106	96
Z. Randolph – 21 pts	B. Roy – 26 pts
Marc Gasol – 15 reb	G. Oden – 10 reb
O. J. Mayo – 6 ast.	B. Roy – 9 ast

Memphis é um time engraçado. Com jogadores talentosos em todas as posições, mas as vezes parece que falta bola pra ser arremessada, de tanto que cada um tenta resolver sozinho o jogo.

Mas quando os jogadores aceitam o seu papel, e jogam coletivamente, eis o que acontece, uma boa vitória contra um bom time fora de casa. O ataque balanceado dos Grizzlies passou por cima da atuação de Roy (26 pts, 9 ast). Memphis nunca ficou atrás no placar.

Podem falar o que quiser, mas o melhor jogador desse time é Marc Gasol, que está jogando um basquetebol exuberante nesses últimos tempos. Mais um que não recebe a atenção que merece no mundo da NBA.

96	109
D. Harris – 25 pts	2 empatados – 21 pts
B. Lopez – 11 reb	S. Hawes – 10 reb
2 empatados – 3 ast.	B. Udrih – 5 ast

Presenciar a história passando em frente dos seus olhos é uma raridade. Poucas as vezes temos a chance de ver algo incomparável, algo tão único que se torna especial. Os Nets são tudo isso. Eles já podem entrar na discussão de pior time da história da liga, pois ostentam 16 derrotas em 16 jogos, e só por um milagre ganharão do Lakers se livrando do pior início de todos os tempos do basquete norte americano.

Mas não tem muito o que falar. O time roda pouco a bola, só tem dois jogadores que podem criar seu próprio arremesso e um outro jogador médio. Na ordem – Devin Harris, Brook Lopez e Courtney Lee. O resto teria dificuldade em garantir um lugarzinho que algum outro time da liga (menos Wolves, claro)

Sacramento, que não tinha nada ver com isso, contou com (mais) uma boa atuação de Tyreke Evans (21 pts) e seu banco de reservas, Beno Udrih (21 pts, 8-10 FG) e Omri Casspi (18 pts, 6-11) para enterrar de vez os Nets, que nunca ameaçaram encostar. Sacramento tem algumas peças interessantes, mas ainda falta para o time poder almejar alguma coisa essa temporada.

New Jersey Nets Fire Coach As Team's Futility Goes From Amusing to Embarrassing

acasualfan — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 18:14:11 +0000

We are about to turn the calendar to December, and the New Jersey Nets have yet to win a NBA game.

Prior to last night’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers, the Nets were 0-16, one game away from tying the record for most consecutive losses to start a season. In an attempt to cure what may have been ailing this traditionally moribund franchise, the team fired head coach and little Opie Cunningham look-alikeLawrence Frank, a man who may be the most successful coach in the team’s history Granted, being the most successful coach in New Jersey Nets history is akin to being the tallest midget in the circus — not really an achievement — and his career record was only 225-247, so it’s not as if they were firing Pat Riley here, but the move was still a little suprising.

“I want to thank Lawrence for more than a decade of service to the Nets, first as an assistant coach and then as the head coach for the past six and a half seasons,” Nets president Rod Thorn said. “Lawrence always approached every day with a passion for his craft that was infectious, and his dedication to the game as well as his work ethic are to be both admired and appreciated. I wish he and his family only the best of good fortune in the future.”

So how did the Nets respond? With another loss, a 106-87 thrashing that gave the Nets a share of this inauspicious record (the 1988 Miami Heat and the 1999 Los Angeles Clippers also lost their first 17 games to start those seasons). So Frank is out, and the Nets just keep on losing.

This is a franchise in flux as the team anticipated move to Brooklyn is still not scheduled to take place for another two years. They have a dwindling fan base in New Jersey and a host of injuries to a team that was not all that talented in the first place. This team has a chance to be legendarily bad, no matter who is coaching it.

Ewing says he would coach Nets

youngjedifresh — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 17:03:07 +0000

The original True Warrior NEW YORK- After the Magic beat the Knicks last night former Knick c

New Jersey Nets Tie Record For Worst NBA Start At 0-17

stepupyagame — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:57:34 +0000

After firing coach Lawrence Frank when the Nets reached 0-16, they tied the record for the worst start ever in NBA History last night with a 106-87 loss to the LA Lakers. Kobe Bryant led the way with 30 points. Hopefully the Nets get some type of inspiration to actually win a game. They are now 0-17.

~Signing Off~
AGE

Ewing se deja querer

sraly — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 16:42:07 +0000

Ewing, inmenso

Patrick Ewing fue una leyenda en los Knicks (15 temporadas, 9 all-stars y 1 final con 21 puntos y 9,8 rebotes de media que se dice pronto), pero parece que no le importaría cruzar el Hudson ydesvirgarse como primer espada en el banquillo de los Nets, ahora que han roto la barrera del ridículo con su 0-17 y echado a la calle a Lawrence Frank. El pívot jamaicano ha dejado claro en el Post, preguntado en el Garden con sus Magic, que estaría dispuesto a hacerse con las riendas de la peor franquicia de la NBA. “Volvería a casa y viviría en Nueva Jersey. Yo solo quiero una oportunidad. Sí, me gustaría ser entrenador de los Nets”. Ewing ha sido asistente en los últimos nueve años, siendo parte del cuerpo técnico de los Houston Rockets y ahora ayudante de Steve Van Gundy para enseñar sus movimientos de felino a Superman Howard. El Post señala la cerrada relación que tiene Ewing con Courtney Lee, exMagic, ahora en los Nets, como posible puerta al banquillo de las ‘redes’. Tampoco es la primera vez que el Hoya se lanza a la arena mediática pidiendo un par de cuernos para él solo y que fue uno de los nombres que salieron en los medios antes de que Mike D’Anthony se hiciera con el puesto en sus Knicks.

Va de récord

sraly — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 15:22:50 +0000

Personalmente sé de lo que están hablando. Eso de que un despido sea una buena noticia, que la acción proceda de la benevolencia de tus jefes, no es imposible. Habría que preguntárselo a los afectados (pongan un sí en mi quiniela) y en este caso a Lawrence Frank, el pobrecico, ahí, en la cola del paro cuando estaba a punto de reventar todos los récord de la NBA. Los Nets lo echaron a la Quinta Avenida tras un glorioso 0-16 de arranque y a un solo pasito de despeñarse como el peor inicio histórico de la Liga. Olé! ¿Tan poco seguros estaba Jay Z (propietario de los Nets) de que Franck no iba a dar la campanada contra los Lakers? A Lawrence le quitaron el deshonor de que su nombre, no hace tanto vinculado a un gran balance de victorias pese a su juventud, fuera impreso junto a un dato negro y funesto. Fue Tom Barrise, su ayudante y interino, quien se comió el marrón de acabar bajo las ruedas de Bryant, Gasol y compañía. 0-17. Felicidades por el desastre.

Don Nelson

Pero resulta curioso que el tema de los récords esté rondando esta temporada los banquillos más que a los chavalotes de corto. Hace unas semanas me resultaba un cachondeo leer que en los Warriors están esperando a que Don Nelson (1.314) cumpla su deseo de superar a Lenny Wilkens (1.332) como técnico con más triunfos en la NBA para, a continuación, mandarlo a la prejubilación anticipada. En la Bahía de San Francisco empiezan a comprender que debe ser Nelson (31 temporadas) el que va en sentido contrario y que todas las estrellas que han echado pestes y huído de su lado (Baron David, Stephen Jackson… y las intenciones de Monta Ellis de pirarse cuando pueda) deberían tener algo de razón, más cuando, en la reciente gira por Tejas, Ellis dio su mejor rendimiento (dos partidos de 37 y 42) y el equipo fue capaz de ganar en Dallas con una rotación de seis jugadores, mientras Nelson se recuperaba en San Francisco de una neumonia. A Nelson le quedan 19 victorias. Veremos quien gana el pulso.

Otro récord. 600 victorias de Mike Dunleavy (pobre 46% en regular season). Cuando más se hablaba sobre su cese en los maravillosamente deprimentes Clippers, van los ‘recortables’ y le entregan un regalito a su coach, que lleva siete años en ese pozo. Victoria frente a Memphis y un poquito más de oxígeno para que Dunleavy pueda cruzar los dedos para que su chicarrón Blake Griffin se ponga bueno lo antes posible y empiece a reventar las zonas rivales.

Big Surprise...

propoints — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:00:19 +0000

NOT!

by Corianne Egan

Coaches have been fired for a lot less. They’ve been investigated and thrown out for looking at their owners the wrong way or even for a bad decision in a playoff run. They’ve been fired when their stars complain.

So is it that much of a surprise that Frank Lawrence was fired after the Nets went 0-16? Or is it more of a surprise that the people in charge waited so long?

The Nets haven’t been a force since Jason Kidd left time. They’ve seen Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter come and go. They have no one on their team who isn’t injured besides Rafer Alston who has no supporting cast to get him the ball. This has been a long time coming, but again… what took so long?

Byron Scott, the man Frank replaced in New Jersey, was fired earlier in the season. A full two weeks early. And they had three more wins than the Nets! Scott was fired after a 3-6 start when the Hornets played poorly on national television against the Suns and the team didn’t seem to be responding to him.

The Nets have yet to name a replacement for Lawrence, but for New Jersey’s sake, we hope they take their time with this. There are plenty of young, new coaches. There are plenty of old disciplinarian. This team needs a little of both. They need someone to set them straight, but to utilize their individual talents.

Essentially… they need someone to make a team out of them. Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Alston, Chris Douglas-Roberts… the possibilities are endless. They very well could be mediocre (and by that, we mean, much better than teams like Minnesota, the Knicks, the Sixers, the Wizards, and Warriors). In a couple of years, they could even contend.

But it all starts with a coach. It starts with leadership. It starts by letting someone come in, bring in their assistants, and put their game plan in place and allow the team to grow. The Nets aren’t doing well, and aren’t bringing in crowds. They are about to be bought up and moved to another city. They need a resurgence. They need a revival. They need a fresh start.

Lakers vence o pobre New Jersey Nets

Cesar Bassi — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 12:15:23 +0000

Algum dia, em algum lugar, o New Jersey Nets irá vencer um jogo. Ontem à noite no Staples Center não era esse dia.

O Lakers venceu o Nets por 106 a 87 e afundou ainda mais a equipe, que agora empatou com o Heat de 88-89 e o Clippers de 99-00 no record de pior começo de temporada da liga, com nenhuma vitória e 17 derrotas.

“Nós sabíamos da seqüência de derrotas deles”, disse Farmar. “Conseguíamos ver no rosto deles, eles queriam de toda maneira vencer. As derrotas estão começando a pagar seu preço. Neste momento eles têm que começar a treinar mais forte, jogar com mais vontade. Todos os times que eles jogarem contra tem que ficar com medo”.

Essa foi a sexta vitória seguida do Lakers. Nessas 6 vitórias, o time está vencendo com uma diferença de 17.7 pontos cada jogo em média e todos marcando quase 100 pontos ou mais por partida.

O time de Los Angeles venceu a partida praticamente no primeiro quarto, quando terminou o quarto vencendo por 27 a 12, acertando 47.4% dos arremessos contra apenas 27.3% do adversário. Kobe marcou 13 pontos neste quarto e liderou o Lakers a mais uma vitória.

No final da partida, Bryant fez 30 pontos, acertando 11 de 17 arremessos de quadra, sendo 5 deles da linha de 3 pontos. Kobe não jogou o último quarto.

Pau Gasol foi outro destaque, terminando com 20 pontos, acertando 8 de 13 arremessos e pegando 9 rebotes. Ele foi o único titular que jogou no último quarto.

Todos os 12 jogadores da equipe jogaram e apenas Morrison não pontuou. Farmar liderou os reservas com 15 pontos e um toco sensacional no final do primeiro quarto.

Brook Lopez foi o melhor do Nets com 26 pontos e 12 rebotes.

Nesses dois últimos jogos seguidos do Lakers, contra o Warriors anteontem e o Nets ontem, o time entrou com muita vontade, jogando uma defesa muito boa, sempre limitando os pontos dos adversários, e um ataque sólido. O resultado? 33 pontos de vantagem contra o Warriors e 19 de vantagem contra o Nets, sendo todos jogos fáceis.

“Nossa defesa está ficando cada vez melhor”, disse Kobe. “Nós estamos treinando duro, e dando muito enfoque na defesa. Nossa energia vem se mantendo consistente, é algo que sabemos que podemos manter”.

O próximo jogo do Lakers será contra o New Orleans Hornets, no Staples Center, terça-feira.

Melhores Momentos:

Parte 1

Parte 2

Fonte: LA Daily News

See Yaaaa!!

youngjedifresh — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:37:24 +0000

Frank spent close to a decade with the New Jersey Nets From the Associated Press: EAST RUTHER

Hit The Road Frank!!!!!

Idris — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 20:07:49 +0000

New Jersey Head Coach Lawrence Frank was fired today by the head office. After an 0-16 start, one game away from an NBA worst for starts in history. Assistant headcoach Tom Barisse would be coacing the team until further notice.
As said on NBA.com “Frank was in his sixth full season, the longest-tenured coach in the Eastern Conference and the winningest coach in the Nets’ NBA history. But none of those victories came this season, and the team dismissed him with a 225-241 record.

「引退」ですか?「クビ」ですか?

Kenny — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 19:48:48 +0000

ミーバーソンの御用記者: スティーヴン.A.スミス
ミーバーソンを76ersに復帰させるべく、「シクサーズがミーバーソン獲得を検討している」「多数の情報源が証言している」「エディ・ジョーダンHCも獲得に前向き」etc.と、必死に情報操作を試みたものの、10日ほど前のニックス入団失敗の時と同様、「笛吹けど、誰も踊ってくれず…」な状況に陥りつつあるようです。

昨日はとりあえず「そういう情報もある」という間接的な報道をしてきたスミス以外のメディアが、29日になって「エディ・ジョーダンは『チーム内の誰ともミーバーソン獲得について真剣な話し合いなどしていない』と言っている」「『現実よりもメディアが先行している』とジョーダンが語っている」「GMはまだミーバーソンの代理人と接触していない」とミーバーソンの古巣復帰に否定的な方向に向かっています。

AP通信では、シクサーズ側から積極的にミーバーソン獲得を検討したのではなく、「話を持ちかけられた」という論調。いちおうチーム内で話し合いは持たれたことまでは事実のようです。

スミスの「多くのチーム内の情報源」が正しくてジョーダンがブラフを言っているだけなのか、スミスがブラフを言っていただけなのか、、、私のなかでは判定は出ているのですが、判断は皆さんにおまかせです。ブラフで言っただけだった「引退」が現実のものになって、このままミーバーソンが消えていくような雰囲気になってきたような感じもしなくもないですね〜。

——————
数時間後に行われる@レイカーズ戦に敗戦すると、開幕から17連敗でNBAワースト記録に並んでしまうネッツ。ちなみに過去にワースト開幕17連敗を記録したのは、1988-89シーズンのマイアミ（エクスパンションチームだった）と、1999シーズン（ロックアウトのあった年）のクリッパーズ。

（仮に）レイカーズ戦に負けてワーストタイ記録になると、次の試合はホームでのダラス戦。ごねて出て行かれたキッド先生にワースト記録を塗り替えられてしまうのか、あるいはハリス君が奮起し、キッド先生も情けを掛けてくれるのか、それはそれで見物かもしれません。

ネッツは、レイカーズ戦に勝っても負けても、ローレンス・フランクHCを解任し、後任にはキキ・ヴァンデウェーゲGMが就任するだろう、という報道が流れています。フランクは今シーズンが契約最終年で、（金満ロシア人が新オーナーになるとはいえ）そこまで裕福な財政事情ではない球団でもクビを切りやすい環境。

フランクは昨シーズン終了時点での通算成績が225勝225敗の.500でしたが、いまのところ借金16です。就任当初は13連勝からのスタート。対照的な幕引きになりそうですね。しかし、若いし、契約金も高くはつきませんし、一定の評価を得ているコーチですので、そのうちまたどこかでコーチをすることでしょう。

——————
ミーバーソンが「引退」で、フランクは「クビ」:
フランクの「クビ」は議論の余地がないとしても、「スターターじゃなければイヤだ」という要求を却下されて放出されたミーバーソンも、本当は「引退」というよりは「クビ」という表現が近いような気がします。

契約期間を満期まで勤め上げてから決断したり、契約期間中でも所属チームがある時点で決断するのであれば「引退」でしょうが、フリーランスの状態で「引退」と言われても、いったい何からの引退なのかイマイチ判然としないような…。はっきりしているのは、メンフィスを放出されたところまでですしね。

DEAN THE DREAM

hoopscoach — Sun, 29 Nov 2009 17:56:19 +0000

Sad news out of New York City. Former NY Knicks guard Dean Meminger was caught in a fire at his home. NY Daily News has the story.

A far different Meminger, now 62 and plagued by years of drug addiction, was recovering Tuesday in a Bronx hospital after a fire possibly started by a crack pipe. Meminger, a key backup on the 1973 championship Knicks, was found unconscious near the bed in his room at a dilapidated SRO on Sunday night. Several crack pipes were found in the room and the hallway of the building on Findlay Ave. in Claremont, FDNY sources said. The drug paraphernalia remained the suspected cause of the four-alarm blaze, although fire marshals were still investigating.

I recall meeting Meminger while I worked on a newsstand in Penn Station. He would stop by to talk basketball before he boarded his train out to the Island. It’d be 9:00AM and my man was eating M & M’s. I hope he recovers.

Lawrence Frank’s NJ Nets team is 0-16 as they get ready to play the LA Lakers tonight in LA. Published reports state (yahoo sports) Frank is going to get fired. It’s a shame because Frank is one of the hardest working coach’s in the profession. While going through security at Newark airport Saturday afternoon I heard some TSA guys talking about how bad the Nets are in between screening passengers.

“The Nets stink.” one guy said. “Yeah, but it’s not the coach’s fault, he don’t shoot the ball.” another countered as he observed us loading our belongings in those plastic tubs.

Frank is a New Jersey guy too.

How about two books being on the NY Times bestseller list this week? Bill Simmons ‘The Book of Basketball” and Jackie MacMullan’s, “When the Game was Ours.”

-Coach Finamore

hoops135@hotmail.com

The Basketball Oracle Top 10: Centers

Joey Mills — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 22:14:17 +0000

The Center position in basketball is the arguably the most important and dominant, but it is also th

Sixers fans, it could always be worse

Frank — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:59:03 +0000

Not even Jay-Z can save the Nets right now.

As uninspired as we all are by the Sixers lackluster, injury-riddled performance this year, there is a bright side.

At least we’re not New Jersey Nets fans.

The Nets are off to a rip-roaring 0-16 start amid rumors of a coaching change. At least the Sixers have some young talent that is developing.

Imagine showing up to this roster every night. Rafer Alston is old. Courtney Lee and Josh Boone might be good role players someday. However, right now the Nets are putrid.

And if you think the Sixers still aren’t appealing even after looking at that roster, you’re right.

But at least we won’t be faced with the possibility of getting tickets to the Nets-Minnesota Timberwolves game on Dec. 23rd as an early holiday gift. As of today, the teams have a combined one win.

Sixerland could be worse. Thank God it’s not. For now.

Yeah, Nets Still Haven't Won A Game

interracials1 — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 07:08:23 +0000

As of tonight, the New Jersey Nets still haven’t won a game yet this year. Their current record is (0-16). It’s not like they are a bad team (we’ll kinda), but they put up 100 point games and keep coming up short over and over again. As of right now, the only thing more embarressing than the Nets is being the first team to lose to the Nets.

What Do They Got To Work With?

It’s funny because the Nets has one of the strongest starting lineups in the Eastern Conference. At Point Guard, is the superflashy and talented Devin Harris (who was injured at the beginning of the season). At Shooting Guard, there is the 2nd year shooter Chris Douglas-Roberts (just returned from the swine flu). At Small Forward, there is the veteran defender Trenton Hassell. At Power Forward, is the Chinaman Yi Jianlian, who is currently injured and being replaced by Josh Boone. Finally at Center, is Brook Lopez who is really talented and will be one of the future all stars of the east along with Al Horford. If the Nets can get the core unit together long enough and start clicking then maybe they’ll get some wins, but they’re luck just isn’t going that way right now.

Who’s Up Next?

So looking ahead do the Nets have a chance to get win number one at all? Let’s take a look…

@ Los Angeles Lakers (yeah…no)

vs. Dallas Mavericks (the way they been playing lately most likely not)

vs. Charlotte Bobcats (if the past years totally, but recently they finally got their act together)

@ New York Knicks (YES, Knicks have some wins, but they’re team that’s on the out)

Jay-Z Connection?

Yeah Jay-Z is a part owner of this failing franchise (ironic). With a losing record like they do, it probably won’t be getting LeBron James to the Nets (technically will be in the Bronx soon). Oh wellz.

Champ's Power Rankings: Week 4

The Champ — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:31:39 +0000

Playoffs?

oh, hey! sorry for my tardiness but I got em’

1. Los Angeles Lakers: OK, an early home schedule is good and all, and Pau Gasol is back and doing work, and everythings clicking. But, there is no but, the Lakers are the number one team in the league. However, I’m not sure Kobe’s increased scoring is a good sign or not.

2. Atlanta Hawks: Disclaimer: Yes I am writing this after watching their cold effort in their falling to the Orlando Magic, at home. But coming into Monday this team was still on fire, yes they deserve to be here now. Next week? watch out.

3. Denver Nuggets: Coming into the season I was concerned about Denver. Yes, drafting Ty Lawson is a HUGE plus, but they made no offseason moves to improve the team. But then, Carmello Anthony stepped up, he finally is dishing out points and rebounds like a true superstar. Tracking Anthony’s development at a recent trip to the pool really sold me on the Nuggets, they’ve come a long way. They had Allen Iverson around this time last year.

4. Phoenix Suns: Have the Suns winning become bland again? reference my analysis last week because nothing has changed for Steve Nash, Amare Stoudamire and Company.

5. Orlando Magic: Vince Carter takes bad shots. Sometimes. Now Dwight Howard’s lobbying Stan Van to ease up. They aren’t exactly dominating the league. Tough loss to Miami, questionable call? Don’t ask Pietrus.

6. Cleveland Cavaliers: My Cavs are doing alright. Not dominating, not losing. I also feel LeBron has not exactly turned it on yet. The win against Orlando was the most intense of the season, compared to the lackadaisical effort, a win at least, against the Pistons. The Shaq injury does hurt the depth of the team. And JJ Hickson, well expect a bromance post pretty soon from the Champ.

7. Boston Celtics: When did the Celts get so cold? Now theyre barely beating teams like Philly, Minnesota, and New Jersey. OK. No real significant injury problems. Is Iverson the answer? reference Stephon Marbury.

8. Dallas Mavericks: What’s up with past MVP’s having great seasons? Dirk, Steve Nash, Hey even AI’s back in the news. Oh well, the Mavs look alright I guess. West elite? no. Top Four seed? yes.

9. Portland Trailblazers: The three guard combo of Blake, Miller, and Roy was interesting, but maybe the Blazers weren’t as potent. Although I feel that might be a good matchup issue in the playoffs so giving those three guys time on the floor together is a good thing in my eyes. Greg Oden’s coming around too, good for him.

10. Milwaukee Bucks: OK, the Bucks can stay. Brandon Jennings.

(thats all I have to say about the Bucks)

Missing from Last Week:

Miami Heat: Wait until next week. The win over Orlando was huge, and the Champ, maybe just a little bit is starting to finally be won over by Michael Beasley, not for the game winning dunk though, although that helped a little bit.

ACORN's Flagrant Eminent Domain Abuse

Matthew Vadum — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:00:30 +0000

“A man’s home is his castle,” Glenn Beck said on his TV show Wednesday. “A man’s home is the shelter from the storm. It’s been decorated by you, has your pictures. It is yours.”

But the poorest of the poor don’t have money to go against huge companies that want to take their homes for redevelopment projects, he said. The government, however, is happy to confiscate private property if it thinks doing so will bring in extra tax revenue.

He took the case of the Atlantic Yards project slated for Brooklyn, New York. “It’s about families that want to keep their homes — they don’t have any desire to move — but there are ton of tax dollars to be made. This isn’t about the developer. This is about the government getting tax dollars,” he said.

Bruce Ratner’s Forest City Ratner Companies, LLC, a megabucks real estate development firm, wants to move forward with the ambitious project.

Beck makes a good case that the families facing eviction to make way for the taxpayer-subsidized 22-acre mixed-use project are getting the shaft. The sprawling $4.9 billion complex would be built in the neighborhood of Prospect Heights and would include the Barclays Center, a proposed sports arena that would become the new home of the New Jersey Nets basketball team.

Curiously, Beck left out the ACORN connection.

The relentlessly sanctimonious radical advocacy group-cum-organized crime syndicate has become the leading cheerleader for the real estate development that is slated to use eminent domain to remove the poor people it claims to represent.

ACORN, which has long prided itself on fighting the so-called gentrification of neighborhoods as rising property values force the poor to move, has taken money from the project’s developer and signed a binding agreement forcing it to stand behind the project no matter what.

In the world of corporate shakedowns it is commonplace for liberal activist groups to use the money they extract from a supposed “donor” to fund operations, but it is very unusual for a group to take money in exchange for betraying those it is supposed to represent.

But the far-left group is doing precisely that.

In 2005, ACORN signed an agreement with Forest City Ratner. In exchange for ACORN’s support, the developer agreed to set aside 50% of the expected 4,500 rental housing units for ”affordable housing.”

According to documents posted online by former ACORN employee Anita MonCrief, ACORN also accepted a bailout from the developer consisting of a $1 million loan and $500,000 in donations. The loan agreement stipulated that $500,000 would be paid to ACORN upon signing and a further $500,000 would be paid out on Oct. 1, 2008. A promissory note provided that interest would accrue at the rate of 4.58% with a final balloon payment of $100,000 due on May 31, 2011.

Forest City Ratner indicated in a letter to ACORN that it would disburse $500,000 in grants but the money wouldn’t go to ACORN directly. The grants were to be made to the ACORN Institute, one of ACORN’s 100-plus tax-exempt nonprofit affiliates.

Whether the money will stay at the ACORN Institute, which trains aspiring community organizers, is anyone’s guess. ACORN routinely shuffles cash around its network. Its nebulous legal status and opaque corporate structure allow it to keep its activities –including money laundering– largely hidden from public view.

Beck also didn’t dig into the background of developer Bruce Ratner, who comes from a family chock full of communists and radicals. Bruce’s sister Ellen is a far-left commentator on National Public Radio and his Che Guevara-loving pro-terrorist brother, Michael, is president of the communist Center for Constitutional Rights.

The Center for Constitutional Rights also happens to be representing ACORN in its meritless “bill of attainder” suit in which ACORN argues its so-called rights have been violated because Congress imposed a ban on federal funding for the group. The ban, which is opposed by one of ACORN’s key political allies Rep. Jerrold Nadler (D-N.Y.), is set to expire Dec. 18 after which ACORN will be free once again to feed at the taxpayer trough.

Lengendary Cross-Over Baller Allen Iverson Set To Retire From N.B.A.

jerrybrice — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 22:43:59 +0000

The AP is reporting that the legendary professional Basketball player Allen Iverson is set to announce his retirement from the N.B.A. Iverson , a former Most Valuable Player for the N.B.A. has been in the league since the 1996 season, in which he was drafted in the first round by the Philadelphia 76ers.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Allen_Iverson

He played with the Sixers for 10 years. During his tenure he was Rookie of the Year, League MVP, 2x All-Star MVP, and led the league in scoring for four years. After his rookie season, during which he led the 76ers in points, assists and minutes, Iverson was named the 1996 NBA Rookie of the Year and was a member of the NBA All-Rookie First Team.

The 10-time All-Star played three games this season with Memphis before taking a leave of absence to attend to personal matters. He was waived after the two sides agreed to part ways.

The New York Knicks considered signing Iverson last week after he cleared waivers, before deciding he would take too much playing time away from younger players they are trying to develop.

With no apparent interest from any other NBA teams, Allen Iverson is set to retire.

Iverson will always be credited for popularizing the streetball style move called the cross-over, and for his exciting tricky aggressive driving style of play.

He was never the tallest on the floor, just the most dangerous player that always wanted the ball.

Allen Iverson is a sho-in for the Hall of Fame, and I suspect that he can still run with the best of them, given a team that can design their plays to allow Iverson to shoot at will.

I personally enjoyed the years I got to watch him compete in the NBA, and I look forward to seeing what he does in the future.

Thanks for the 100 percent effort Allen Iverson…you were worth watching and you will be missed.

Read the full story here…

http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5hPZfEWbAiIKgjsNDLhC1jiVSsJZAD9C78M580

SIXERS: Two Straight Heartbreakers Puts Team at 5-10

Zach Field — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:48:27 +0000

HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!! Hope everyone gets to eat plenty of turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and pie tonight.

The Philadelphia 76ers are in a state of turmoil. For those of you who do not know, the team is currently 5-10 and is struggling to compete with the teams regarded to be the worst among the league. Case in point, the recent losses to the Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards. The Wizards game was a heartbreaking 108-107 loss that the Sixers had a chance to win at the last second but fell when Lou Williams’ shot came up short. Last night was even more disappointing. The Sixers played what might have been their most impressive game of the year against the Boston Celtics without Williams, who was sidelined with a broken jaw. Elton Brand also was out with a hamstring injury, which in all honesty was probably a big reason they played great. The Sixers led for much of the game, taking a six point lead into the fourth quarter at the Garden, only to squander it late in the game thanks to a late Celtic rally led by Paul Pierce, who scored 27 points and drew a key charge down the stretch, and Rajon Rondo, who led the comeback in the final minutes with six points, including a key jumper from the baseline to seal the game. The Sixers lost to Boston on the road 113-110. They played their hearts out last night but it wasn’t enough. Despite the close score it’s still a loss, something the Sixers have been doing a lot of these days. They have now lost four in a row by a total of 15 points. They have been in every game but cannot close them out. Two of the losses are considered “good” losses, as there is no shame in falling to both Cleveland and Boston on the road by a total of 9 points combined. However, you cannot lose to teams like Memphis and Washington. There is no excuse for it.

So while the team has shown some life in the past few days, they have nothing to show for it. You can play well against Cleveland and Boston but all that really matters is at the end of the game do you have more points than your opponent. And for the past four games, the Sixers have come up on the short end. The team stands at 5-10, 3rd place in the division only because the New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets are two of the biggest joke teams the NBA has ever seen. Coach Jordan is on the hot seat. He came in and said this team will be better than last year under Tony DiLeo. As much as I hate to say it, this team was better under DiLeo than it is under Jordan. He needs to get this team back on track soon. The good news is that it is still very early in the season. We’ve played only 15 games out of an 82 game schedule. The bad news is that the road is only going to get tougher when we start facing the Western Conference teams soon, and with injuries starting to pile on (Marresse Speights, out 6-8 weeks with a torn ligament; Lou Williams, broken jaw), it’s only going to get tougher, and if a turnaround doesn’t happen soon, the Sixers may be in a hole too deep for them to climb out of.

It’s 5 O’Clock Somewhere

youngjedifresh — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:00:01 +0000

Bad Boys of 86' Afternoon Bits n’ Pieces - Out of Diesel, Shaq to miss 6th straight game -