Here are the gory details.  Some thoughts:

• If the rumors of the Cavaliers offering Delonte West and Wally Sczerbiak’s corpse were true – the Warriors turned down some real cap help.
• While Bell offers “grit” and other white player properties, and Radmanovic is a decent shooter with a lousy contract, neither of them will be on the next good Golden State Warriors team.  There are no draft picks or anything coming their way.  Of course this is the coach who doesn’t play Brandan Wright and Anthony Randolph – so maybe Nellie would be the wrong coach for this.
• I am not sure if Nelson (the de facto GM – and a bad one to boot) intended to deal Jackson to an NBA Siberia, but I can see vengeance in his heart.  He extended Jackson (unconscionably) and gets rewarded with him begging to leave.  But that’s cold – especially when you spite the Warriors to do so.
• For the Bobcats, it gives them some offensive help.  For their impotent attack, any help is useful.  That said, Jackson offers no utility for them – except that he was dealt early enough to maybe be spun at the deadline (to a team, like Cleveland maybe).  Of course Charlotte might be too incompetently run to warrant such respect.

Why is it that the Warriors always play so well when they are down to 7 players?  At the end of last year, also fielding a 7 man skeleton squad, the Warrriors earned themselves a “Magnificent Seven” nickname by reeling off several impressive wins.  On this night, with Vlad Rad playing his first game in Warriors uniform, and more bitter break-up rumors swirling about the team, the Warriors once again came through with a very nice game.  They didn’t get the win, but they played unselfishly and gave a good effort.  A small victory, but small victories go a long way towards soothing the savage beast that is raging at this moment in the breast of every true Warriors fan.

Let’s start the player analysis with the two new Warriors:

Raja Bell: You may be surprised that I’m starting with a guy who only dressed for show, and didn’t get in the game.  He did get off the bench, though, and that’s why I want to mention him.  In the break between the 3rd and 4th quarter, according to Jim Barnett, Bell stood up and got vociferous in Anthony Randolph’s ear.  A little pep talk, if you will.  And voila, the Anthony Randolph who had virtually sleepwalked through the first three quarters, allowing Hickson to dominate him, suddenly woke up and took over in the fourth quarter.

How nice is it to have a gamer and a leader like Raja Bell on our team?  If only he could play this year…

Vlad Rad: Radmanovich looked like a heaven-sent gift in the first quarter, when he made his first three shots.  I’m not sure he made an outside shot after that, but he still played a pretty decent game, particularly since he hasn’t played with the team yet. I was particularly impressed with his passing ability. He never got to show that playing catch and shoot for the Lakers. He is also clever at spacing the floor, and cutting without the ball. As an offensive player, he really knows how to play the game.

Coming to the Warriors is a chance in a lifetime for Vlad.  If there is one coach in the league who is able to maximize Vlad’s strengths, and let him play his wide-open game, it is Don Nelson.  And Nellie is also the one coach in the league whose system is designed to hide Vlad’s weaknesses on defense.  Don Nelson is going to do his best to turn Vlad into Dirk Nowitzki.  Is the 29 year old Vlad, who is notorious in the league for “not caring,” finally ready to embrace this new situation, and give his all for a coach who is ready and willing to use his all?  I’m beginning to get interested in this story line.

Monta Ellis: After hammering Monta in my Pre-Game Jitters, he showed me up in this game.  I was pretty impressed by Monta’s floor game.  First of all, it was nice to see him actually caring on a day in which the national media was lit up by rumors of him being on the trading block.  He gave a great effort, playing all but two minutes of the game.  His defense was strong. And at one point, he and Nellie actually slapped hands as he was taken out of the game.  What was up with that?

The selfishness that I saw in Ellis in several games this year was not evident in this game.  He actually created several nice passes to Stephen Curry and Anthony Morrow, which was practically a first for this season. In fact, the backcourt of Ellis and Curry worked together quite nicely. Monta got 8 assists and Curry 7, and the Warriors’ 24 assists matched the Cavaliers.  Chemistry like that could go a long way towards making the Warriors a winning team. Could the absence of Jackson have anything to do with how Monta approached this game? Is there a possibility Monta will remain with the Warriors? Questions for another day.

Stephen Curry: Curry was back in the starting lineup, but with Jackson gone, his role was subtly different.  He appeared to be the point guard on most possessions.  In fact, Nellie started the game with him running the pick and roll. Curry responded with a quietly great game.  He didn’t force his offense, getting 14 points on only 10 shots.  And he ran the offense beautifully, with an array of passes that continues to make my jaw drop.  Tonight we saw a laser of a left-handed behind the back pass that hit a stunned Anthony Morrow on the hands. We saw a beautiful lock and lob to Monta Ellis that received a rare Ellis acknowledgement. And we saw a beautiful pick and roll with Anthony Randolph. I don’t believe I have ever seen a rookie run the pick and roll as well as Curry has.  Nor have I ever seen a rookie who can drive and finish with his left hand as well as he can with his right.

Don Nelson stated that he would have taken Curry with the second pick in the draft.  Despite the great performances we have seen so far from Evans and Jennings, I am in agreement with him.  I see a very special player in Curry.

The Blackhole: Maggette actually got to play some small forward in the third quarter of this game, perhaps because he got matched with Lebron James, who is as big as Karl Malone.  He continues to be the Warriors’ best front-court player.  His 10 rebounds led the team.

Anthony Randolph: As mentioned above, this was not one of Randolph’s better games, until the fourth quarter.  He simply didn’t compete in the first three quarters, which is something I haven’t seen too often.  He dominated in the fourth quarter, though, and was instrumental in the late run that saw the Warriors pull to within a point.  He continues to make silly fouls, which leads to camera shots of Nelson making silly faces on the bench.

Chocolate Rain: made an appearance tonight.  Morrow drained several nice threes. His teammates appeared to be looking for him a little more. Even Corey Maggette got involved, hitting him in the corner with a nice drive and dish. And Morrow did not get noticeably beat on defense.  I’m not sure whether that was because Cleveland failed to target him, or the zone that Nellie played hid him effectively. Or perhaps he’s become a great defender.  You decide.

Mikki Moore: I like Mikki Moore.  Sue me.  He’s not blocking shots or rebounding, but he is willingly holding off bigger players in the post, and giving desperately needed minutes to the undermanned Warriors.  He’s a surprisingly effective offensive player.  He understands the pick and roll, and has the good hands to catch and finish. He passes surprisingly well (4 assists!).  And then there’s that jump shot.

It’s almost as if it was meant to be. Not long after the Allen Iverson and Memphis Grizzlies marriage ended abruptly, Stephen Jackon was shipped out of Oakland.

The Golden State Warriors finally got rid of one of the bigger thugs in the NBA, Stephen Jackson. They dealt Jackson and G Acie Law to the Charlotte Bobcats for G Raja Bell and F Vladimir Radmanovic.

The turmoil all started this past summer when Stephen Jackson gave up his team captain status. Then he demanded a trade to a contender in September because he didn’t want to be part of the Warriors rebuilding plan anymore. The Warriors had to suspend him for two preseason games for an altercation on the bench with coach Don Nelson. His behavior was getting to the point of distraction for other Warriors’ players.

There’s no doubt the guy can play, but he just does not have the attitude or his head screwed on right for being a good teammate.

He goes to a 3-6 Charlotte Bobcats team that is far from a contender but Jax might be the missing piece for them to head toward the playoffs this year. The Bobcats are last in the league in scoring and needed a guy who can score.

This was a good deal for both teams. The Bobcats get a scorer and the Warriors rid of a headcase and salary.

Alright, I’m going to pay attention in class now.

Monday morning, the Golden State Warriors traded away their “headache” in forward Stephen Jackson to the Charlotte Bobcats along with guard Acie Law in exchange for guard Raja Bell and forward Vladimir Radmanovic. The Warriors are looking for a fresh start after many issues with Jackson and the team over the past few seasons. Jackson has new scenery with a new team that desperately needs scoring.

Looking at this trade, it is pretty even. The Bobcats, as stated before, are in desperate need for scoring, and Stephen Jackson is capable of being that go-to-guy in the 4th quarter, which is something that this team has lacked for the better part of their six-year existence. Jackson came into Orlando to meet his new teammates and coach Larry Brown at 4:30pm and was starting by game time at 7pm. He learned the offense on the fly and was asking EVERYbody on the team questions, which shows he has the characteristics of being a great teammate, and he is clearly looking to move on from the Golden State and Indiana years where controversy has followed him. Being around Larry Brown will be good for Stephen, as he is a no-nonsense kind of coach, and can make him a better player.

Acie Law was just a part of the deal, as this will be his third team in four seasons. Law will be frequent on the inactive list as he would be the third string point-guard behind Raymond Felton and D.J. Augustin.

On the other side, the Warriors get a lockdown defender and a good three point shooter in Bell, and another good three point shooter in Radmanovic. Both came to the Bobcats last season, and the team improved significantly. Radmanovic should be better now that he’s back on the West Coast, as his shooting declined while being in Charlotte. Bell still has the wrist problem, but is still going to play through the pain. Both players should be available when Golden State plays Cleveland Tuesday night. The Warriors were going to send Jackson to Cleveland, but backed out at the last second, and opted to send him to Charlotte.

At the end of the deal, both teams got what they wanted. The Warriors need a good defender, they get it in Bell, and he and Radmanovic get to shoot threes freely in the offense of Don Nelson, and most importantly for them, they end their rocky relationship with Jackson. In turn, the Bobcats lose their best defender, but they get the scorer they were seeking for a very long time, and he will definitely improve on their league-worst 82.4 PPG once he gets fully adjusted to the team. He had 13 pts and 9 rebs. in his first game with his new team.

memories of better times

In his first game for the Bobcats:

45 minutes, 4-14, 1-4 on threes, 9 rebounds, 13 points, -13 +/-

The line seems pretty standard for Warriors fans, who have long since abandoned their Mavs series memories of Stack Jack. For the past year and a half or so, he’s been attached to a growing dislike of Don Nelson’s autocratic and unaccountable actions. The story in the Bay Area goes: Nellie loves Stack, plays him 45 minutes a game, doesn’t chastise him for shooting terrible 3 pointers and doesn’t care if he plays D anymore. And while Nelson is savvy and opaque enough to obscure almost everything that is actually going on with the Warriors, the product on the court the past two years has left few other explanations. Post-moped, Jackson was the team’s best player. But in a system that thrives on 6 guys scoring in double digits, he dominated the ball and shot more bad threes than Antoine Walker.

The most vocal fans, generally, are the sorts of guys who use their emphatic endorsement of “fundamentals” to validate their own intelligence. You’ll see these shitwads in bars, watching baseball, mumbling for Manny Ramirez to bunt Juan Pierre over to third. Or they’ll comment loudly on the way the ball is leaving Mark Sanchez’s hand before saying something mildly racist. My issue with these idiots of talk radio is that they see the game through the most restrictive and narrow set of rules, usually arbitrary and received, but since “fundamentals” are so revered (read: WHITE MAN), the idiots get away with sounding right.

There’s nobody the Church of Fundamentals (CoF) hates more than Steven Jackson. He plays hard, but doesn’t care if you think he’s hustling. He shoots terrible, undescribably irresponsible three pointers. He is friends with fellow pariah Al Harrington and he, let’s not forget, once charged into the stands and punched out some guys who, a few seconds before, had probably been discussing the great fundamentals of Austin Croshere. Stack Jack’s stay in the Bay only went as well as it did because Don Nelson is the CoF’s Antichrist and most Warriors fans, especially those who don’t call into KNBR, are smart enough to recognize the value of a very good, if very flawed player.

It’s hard to see him having the same support in Charlotte, or anywhere else, really. Maybe he shouldn’t have signed that extension, but maybe Chris Mullin shouldn’t have let Baron go and spent a large of that cash on the god-awful Corey Maggette (currently leading my NBA2k10 franchise in ppg). Maybe Mullin should have better managed Barnes, Pietrus and Harrington, all of whom have gone on to play well enough for their new teams. Maybe Monta should have learned to not stop a motor vehicle with his ankle. The 2006-2007 Warriors had a core of Baron, Stack, Monta, Biedrins, Harrington, J-Rich, Barnes and Pietrus. They had a great white man cheering section in Sarunus Jasikeviasifasdiofasus and gave Bay Area fans one of the greatest playoff series in 20 years. All that’s left from that team is a pissed off Monta and the Latvian Guile. Can you really blame him for wanting out?

Let’s see how CoF Bishop Raja Bell likes playing in Nellie’s system. Can’t wait to watch the first time Raja funnels Kobe into the lane expecting help at the rim.

Die Golden State Warriors haben es geschafft ihr Problemkind Stephen Jackson loszuwerden. Gestern Nacht einigten sich die Warriors mit den Charlotte Bobcats auf einen Trade, der Vladimir Radmanovic und Raja Bell nach Oakland gehen sieht. Im Tausch erhält Charlotte Jackson, wodurch sich das Team um Coach Larry Brown $ 35,42 Millionen in Form des Gehalts des 31-jährigen Forwards auflädt. Zudem bekommen die Bobcats auch noch Acie Law, der in fünf Einsätzen auf 6,2 Punkte und 1,4 Korbvorlagen kommt. Golden State gibt dahingegen einen vermeintlichen Unruheherd ab und sichert sich finanzielle Flexibilität für die kommenden Jahre.

Die Bobcats müssen daran glauben, dass sie mit Stephen Jackson (16,6 PpS., 4,7 ApS., 3,9 RpS.) eine reelle Chance auf das Erreichen der Playoffs haben, denn nur unter dieser Voraussetzung macht der Trade für die Mannschaft aus North Carolina Sinn. Jackson ist, das darf man nicht verkennen, ein profilierter Scorer, der alle Fähigkeiten besitzt ein Team besser zu machen. Fügt man ihn der Startformation mit Gerald Wallace zu, so schafft das alleine aufgrund der Athletik der beiden Spieler Probleme für gegnerische Teams, und das sowohl am offensiven Ende des Feldes als auch in der Defensive.
Ob das reicht, die Bobcats zu den ersten Playoffs der noch jungen Vereinsgeschichte zu führen, ist fraglich und dennoch sieht eine Starting Five mit Spielmacher Raymond Felton, Jackson, Wallace, Boris Diaw und Tyson Chandler zumindest auf dem Papier vielversprechend aus. Stephen Jackson wird sich über den Trade wahrscheinlich nur bedingt freuen, da er in der Vergangenheit den Wunsch äußerte zu einem potentiellen Titelanwärter getradet werden zu wollen.
Vladimir Radmanovic kommt diese Saison durchschnittlich auf 4,9 Punkte und 3,6 Rebounds pro Spiel, Raja Bell hat 12,0 Punkte, 4,2 Rebounds und 2,0 Assists pro Partie vorzuweisen und doch kann man davon ausgehen, dass Golden State dem Tauschgeschäft vor allem aufgrund von Bells auslaufendem Vertrag zustimmten.
Für den Moment scheint es so, als hätten die Bobcats das bessere Ende des Deals für sich, vor allem weil die Warriors keinen adäquaten Gegenwert in Gestalt von Spielermaterial bekommen haben. Sollte es Charlotte in die Postseason schaffen, was schwer genug werden dürfte, haben sie alles richtig gemacht. Dem steht die hohe finanzielle Belastung gegenüber, die Charlotte auf sich nimmt.

Stephen Jackson changing into a Bobcats jersey during the middle of the press conference. theantifan.wordpress.com

The Charlotte Bobcats shook up their offense-deficient roster today, trading Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmanovic for Stephen Jackson and Acie Law.  From a purely basketball standpoint, this looks like a total steal for the Bobs.  Jackson is a top-notch player (when his head is in the game) who will instantly improve our offense.  Think about how clutch he was for San Antonio in 2003 and the Warriors a few years ago in the playoffs.  We gave up Bell, who is going to have to play hurt all year, and Vlad Rad, who we were forcing to play out of position, for an elite wing player.  Essentially, we have traded Jason Richardson for Stephen Jackson and Boris Diaw in the past year. 

The trade evens out a bit when you consider the salary cap implications and Jackson’s attitude.  In my opinion, the cap hit will be worth it if Jackson can get us into the playoffs.  I think Jackson turns us into a playoff contender.  Whether you like him or hate him, you’ve gotta give Larry Brown credit for one thing:  he will not stand by idly when things are going badly.  He is not afraid to shake things up.  I doubt this has anything to do with Bob Johnson when you take his pre-MJ record into account, but you can’t say that the Bobs aren’t doing everything in their power to put a winner on the court.  As far as the attitude, let’s hope LB can help with that because Jackson has been straight thug at times in the past.  It was too good to be true.  We hadn’t had an Anthony Mason-type troublemaker on our NBA team in quite some time.  Now, we have a candidate.  Leave the trouble in Oakland, Stephen.

Here are some other reactions to the trade and some thoughts from tonight’s game:

• True Hoop
• Ball Don’t Lie
• Bobcats Baseline
• Rufus on Fire
• Queen City Hoops
• Bobcats Planet
• Golden State of Mind
• Jackson had a solid debut.  13 points and 9 boards in 45 minutes.
• Flip with 31 was nice to see, but he still had a costly turnover is the last 4 minutes.  He had been awful in his past few games. 
• Terrible clear path foul on Gerald Wallace.  Thankfully, karma is a bitch and Jameer Nelson missed both free throws.
• I had made a personal vow to never blog about the Bobs again.  I wrote them up when they were 3-2 and have lost every game since then.  I have broken my vow, but let’s hope this entry reverses the trend.

Yeah…I can see this working out…NOT!

I’m really glad for the Warriors that they finally got rid of the distraction this whole thing created. Don’t get me wrong, trading Stephen Jackson and Acie Law for Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmanovic is definitely a step in the wrong direction talent-wise for Golden State, but it will improve their team chemistry – not because I think that Bell is the best locker room guy ever – it’s more an addition by subtraction kind of thing.

I’m glad that Jax hasn’t got traded to a contender, because I don’t like the idea of players demanding and quarreling their way into a better situation. Just doesn’t sound right to me. He has the talent to turn a team around and he was in the perfect situation to prove it – last season he scored 20+, dished out 6+ assists and grabbed a bit more than 5 boards per game. Stephen has all the tools to be a leader and he could have taken the next step by leading the Warriors to a better record.

Anyway, it is what it is. For more information, check out this link (ESPN.com).

Stephen Jackson and Acie Law to the Bobcats for Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmanovich.  Say goodbye to We Believe. Say hello to Don’t Snowboard, Please.

I sensed a deal with the Bobcats coming.  I sensed that Raja Bell would be involved, because he and Nellie have history together on the Mavs.  But I was hoping against hope that the real target would Boris Diaw, not Vladimir Radmanovich. There were rumors that Larry Brown was dissatisfied with Diaw, who is more a Nellie player than the defensive power forward Brown would like.

Obviously, Charlotte got the better of this deal talent-wise.  You can pencil them in right now for the playoffs.  Their first four players, Felton, Jackson, Wallace and Diaw are right up there with the best in the league in talent.  Three of those players are talented enough passers that they can and have played the point.  Their wings are now probably the biggest in the league, which does a lot to make up for a lack of beef on the front line.  Defensively, they can guard, if not shut down, most of the star scoring wings in the league.  And one final point, which cannot be underrated: they now have a big game player.  A world champion with a world champion’s heart.

Acie Law shouldn’t be overlooked in this trade either.  I have a feeling that Brown is delighted to be getting his hands on him.  He is the sort of tough-nosed defender that Brown loves at the point guard.  I could see him getting significant minutes in Brown’s rotation, if only to inspire Felton and Augustin to step it up defensively themselves.

I am going to be watching Charlotte’s lines very closely in the coming days.  There may be a two or three week window while the bookies adjust to how much better this trade will make them.

Now for the Warriors’ end of the deal.  They got the short end of it in talent, but got a couple of compensations.  The first, obviously, is increased salary flexibility.  I haven’t checked yet, but I think at least Bell is near the end of his deal.

The second compensation is size.  Nellie will play Radmanovich at power forward and center.  And Raja Bell was desperately needed at the wing, since Azubuike went out for the year.  (You have to feel that the Warriors’ desperation for warm bodies made them pull the trigger on this deal far earlier than they wanted to.  Buike’s injury may have cost them a later run at Diaw. I had been thinking a three-way deal with Cleveland had been possible, with Varejao going to the Bobcats, Diaw to the Warriors and Jackson to Cleveland.)

It won’t be easy watching Vladimir Radmanovich play.  Both Phil Jackson and Larry Brown were driven nuts by his air-headedness, and his inability to do the intangibles, such as play defense and rebound.  (Are defense and rebounding intangible?)  Don Nelson will be driven less nuts, of course, because he will love what Vlad can give the Warriors offensively.  He is a tremendous athlete for a 6-10″ white guy, and can really run the floor.  And of course, there’s his 3 point shooting.  Don’t be dismayed by the drop off in his shooting efficiency under Brown.  He was an afterthought in Brown’s offense.  Nellie will give Vlad the greeniest of green lights to fire away from long range.  And I would expect his 3-point percentages to rise quickly towards the 40 level that he averaged in the years before Brown de-fanged him. When he gets it going, Vladimir Radmanovich can really light it up from three.  He can be a good fit for Nellie’s system.

A few interesting story lines to track in the coming weeks come to mind. The first is whether Nellie will start Vlad immediately in a “big” lineup.  The second is whether his acquisition will cause Nellie to move Corey Maggette back to the small forward.  (I sincerely doubt it!)  The third is how long it will take for Anthony Randolph to pitch a fit when he sees this crazy Serbian taking his minutes at the four.

Raja Bell is a player I absolutely loved in his prime.  Unfortunately, he’s a long way from being in his prime now.  And he’s been playing with a pretty bad wrist injury.  If he reinjures it, it may cost him his season.

The good news about Bell is this:  He’s a tenacious defender with decent size. A great competitor. Given how badly we’re going to miss both Stephen Jackson and Azubuike on defense, he’s a pretty good consolation prize. He is also perfect for Nellie’s system. He’s a conditioning freak and loves to run the floor.  He’s a good three point shooter.  And he’ll know exactly what Don Nelson wants from him, having played for him in Dallas, and D’Antoni in Phoenix. He should fit in quickly.

It’s been nearly five years since Stephen Jackson joined Ron Artest in one of the ugliest events in US sports history, “The Malice at the Palace.” Three days from now will mark the five-year anniversary of that disgraceful night in Auburn Hills, Michigan.

On the other end of that brawl was Larry Brown. The Detroit Pistons head coach, fresh off a championship, grabbing the microphone from Pistons PA announcer John Mason and pleading with Detroit fans to stop and leave the arena in peace.

The two sides have both came so far in those five years and now are about to collide in Charlotte.

After demanding a trade (preferably to a contender), Jackson finally gets his wish — sort of. The Warriors are sending Jackson and guard Acie Law to the Charlotte Bobcats in exchange for guard Raja Bell and forward Vladimir Radmanovic, according to ESPN’s Marc Stein. Jackson finally gets his way out of Golden State, but the Bobcats are far from a contender.

The Bobcats are currently on a four-game losing streak, have the worst offense in the league and are shooting under 40 percent, their leading scorer is Gerald Wallace who gives them less that 14 points a night.

This is where Jackson comes in.

Jackson is dynamic offensively and the last time he changed teams was when he turned the Warriors around and helped them pull off the biggest upset in league history. With Larry Brown on his side and some talented versatile players like Wallace, Boris Diaw and Raymond Felton, Jackson has a chance to be a leader again and potentially carry this team to their first-ever playoff appearance.

Sure, it’s not Cleveland, but it’s also not the pitiful Warriors and Don Nelson, who apparently has completely lost his mind.

UPDATE: ESPN’s Ric Bucher is reporting that Jackson is happy with the trade and is on his way to Orlando right now in hopes of playing tonight with his new teammates.

By Justin Cherot

Time to buckle down and finish these previews. Photo by Justin Cherot.

Admittedly, I need to take a headline writing course.  More importantly, I needed someone (cough, Colin, and by the way, you need to stop doing ’shrooms) to kick me in the head a couple of times and remind me that trying to do 30 previews player-by-player, while cool and original, just doesn’t fit into any normal, 40-hours-a-week person’s schedule.  While I did better than I did my first time trying this in 2006, I couldn’t even fit one measely playoff team into my previews.  For that, I apologize.  Oh well, live and learn.  Next year I promise to do better.

But, for now, we’re less than 20 hours away from a Washington Wizards’ ass-kicking (Go Mavs!), meaning I have to get these done in a timely manner.  This is what I propose: instead of over-analyzing the remaining 300 or so players I haven’t mentioned yet (apologies to J.J. Redick, J.J Barea, Daequan Cook and plenty of other non-starters I won’t have time to go into), I’ll give you the most important player (MIP) from all the remaining teams and why they fit into such a category.  Inevitably, some will be the “duh, even my daughter knows that this guy is the star of the team” players, and some will be those unsung guys whose team’s success hinges on whether or not they produce on a nightly basis.

So, for one last time, let’s ride.  After the next 2000 or so words, these NBA previews will no longer hold me hostage.  Now, where was I?

20. Memphis Grizzlies

MIP: Rudy Gay

If this team truly wants to take the next step from hype machine to legitimate playoff contender, Gay needs to take the reins of this team.  Yeah, O.J. Mayo , Zach Randolph  and boom or bust free agent pick-up Allen Iverson all need more attention (and shots) than him, but Gay, talent-wise, is the best and most versatile of this bunch.  His assertiveness has been in question before, ultimately costing him a national championship at UConn, but if he can step in and be more of a leader on the court, this team is too talented not to contend for a playoff spot.  The pieces are there, but like a trippy Dora the Explorer puzzle that seems like one thing until a shimmer of light hits it and then it looks completely different (not speaking from experience or anything), sometimes the pieces can be hard to put together… so hard in fact that sometimes they just refuse to fit.

19. Detroit Pistons   

MIP: Tayshaun Prince

On a team full of “get mine” guys–Ben Gordon, Richard Hamilton, Charlie “NitTwit” Villanueva and Will Bynum, to name a few– Prince just needs to keep being that versatile, lockdown defender he’s always been.  Yes, the faces are new and more offensive-minded, but Prince just has to be there to remind them that, contrary to popular belief over the past few years, there is still a “D” somewhere in Detroit.  If he can’t, it’ll be this simple: Etroit will miss the playoffs.

18. Philadelphia 76ers

MIP: Lou Williams

The Sixers have a very nice core, headlined by Andre Iguodala and Elton Brand, who I think is finally due for a relevant season after two seasons of nothingness.  However, the Sixers’ biggest move was letting Andre Miller walk without getting a true point guard to fill his shoes.  Williams is going to try his hand at the spot, but let’s face it: he’s definitely a two.  Coming from someone who had to do it at the high school level, trust me: it sounds easy to “learn” how to play the point, but guards are pretty much born into a position.  How he handles the transition from one to two is ultimately going to tell the story of whether or not Philly makes the playoffs.  And, as of right now, I just don’t see him doing well in this crash course, even if he does have Eddie Jordan pulling the strings for him.

17. New Orleans Hornets

MIP: Chris Paul

Denver Nuggets’ fans should be horrified right now.  Bill Simmons (book out tomorrow, a must-buy) wrote in his NBA previews (Part I here and Part II here) that the Nuggets were this year’s ”Last Season Everything Went Right; This Season Everything Went Wrong” Team.  Last year’s version?  The Hornets.  I knew it would happen, I even wrote it.  In my own words, in ‘07-’08 everyone except for CP3 played way above their heads.  Last season, everybody came back down to earth and they fell all the way to the seventh spot.  Paul needs to basically carry this team just for them to sneak into the playoffs this year, and he will do his best to urge this squad with questionable talent into doing big things.  Unfortunately, with the next team on the come-up, I just can’t see that happening.  But Paul will make it interesting into the final week of the season.

16. Los Angeles Clippers

MIP: Baron Davis

Does anybody remember this Baron Davis:

Funny, because if you’re a Clipper fan you hardly saw any of this last year.  Was it the injuries?  Was it his conditioning?  Was it his overall indifference because he felt betrayed by Elton Brand who, allegedly, begged him to come, only to sign with the Sixers?  Who knows?  What I do know is that apparently he’s in muuuuuuch better shape coming into this season, and I feel like the Davis of old will be back.  On paper, this roster suits his style of play perfectly, with high-flyers in Blake Griffin (when he comes back from a broken knee cap, of course) and Al Thornton and a young, budding backcourt-mate in Eric Gordon.  Guys, if Davis can stay healthy and on the court for 70, this is a playoff team.

15. Toronto Raptors

MIP: Chris Bosh

The rumors are swirling about where Bosh is going to be next season.  Fine.  That’s next season.  This season, the Raptors have a playoff roster on paper.  There’s no questioning CB4’s talent, but his gusto may eventually come into question (yeah, I went there, Chris Rock fans), especially if the Raptors come out of the gates slow.  However, as mentioned before, Bosh has plenty of talent around him.  The Hedo Turkoglu signing/Portland Trailblazer screwing takes a lot of pressure off of him, and it never hurts to have a pass- first point guard (Jose Calderon) and an emerging big guy who’s showing signs of “getting it” (Andrea Bargnani).  The Raptors probably don’t have enough talent in the long run to keep Bosh in cold Canada, but his last run with them should find them in the playoffs.

14. Miami Heat

MIP: Michael Beasley 

Side note before I get into Mr. “Be Easy” himself: the East has really closed the gap.  Hard to believe I have the Heat this low.  Anyway, we all know about Beasley’s off-the-court “stuff”, and anyone who knows me knows that it’s not that hard for me to relate to the troubled guys.  It’s all about getting past it, though.  If anything, Beasley needs to use the court as an outlet, because his team is going to need him to play like a No. 2 overall pick.  They already have arguably (it would be quite an argument but the point could be made) the best player in the NBA in Dwyane Wade and some good young p… okay, I won’t sugarcoat it: Miami is this high strictly because of Wade’s ability to flat-out bring it every night.  He just needs someone to bring it with him.  Beasley can definitely be that guy.  Or, he can just be satisfied with being the second coming of Derrick Coleman.

13. Washington Wizards

MIP: Gilbert Arenas

Okay, we all drank the “Wizards Are Better Off Without Hibachi” juice.  And then last year happened.  Granted, he wasn’t the entire reason they couldn’t even crack 20 wins last season, but needless to say he had a ton to do with it.  I’ve read so many “Gilbert Looking Good” stories this past summer and off-season that I think I’m about to vomit, but I do admit that his highlights throughout the pre-season have been promising.  It goes beyond numbers, though.  Even for a team that doesn’t lack swagger–hell, their second best player, Caron Butler, calls himself “Tuff Juice” for crying out loud–they need his “swagger on a hundred, thousand, trillion” voice out on the floor and in the locker room to succeed.  With their off-season improvements, I have them pegged as the East’s sixth seed right now (defense is a MF), but really the sky is the limit for this team if Gilbert really is the old Gilbert.

12. Chicago Bulls

MIP: Luol Deng

Gordon is gone from this bunch, so the Bulls will have to find someone to take and make all those big-time shots at the end of games.  It’s assumed that Derrick Rose is the guy who’ll step up and have the ball in his hands down the stretch, but he can’t do it all.  Somehow, the Bulls have to replace his 20 a game, and Deng is the likely candidate to put the biggest dent in that 20, if not go for 20 himself.  If he can return to ‘06-’07 form, then the Bulls may not even miss Gordon all that much (especially with new acquisition Jannero Pargo trying to actually BE Ben Gordon down the stretch of ball games).  It’ll be interesting to see if this young, talented bunch takes the next step… or if it remains stagnant like the old Baby Bulls (when Gordon and Kirk Hinrich and were considered young).

11. Phoenix Suns

MIP: Jason Richardson

Steve Nash has become one of the better facilitators in NBA history.  But his defense is non-existent.  Prior to the eye injury, Amare Stoudemire added a damn near automatic mid-range jump shot to his stellar athleticism.  But his defense is non-existent.  Neither player has ever been known for his great work on the “other” end.  But Richardson has.  In college, he was the Big Ten’s Defensive Player of the Year in his sophomore season.  With his great scoring numbers in the league, we forget that Richardson was at one time a really good defender.  Especially with Raja Bell gone, the Suns need him to re-capture that defensive energy while still maintaining his offensive output in order to compete in the West.  That’s a tall order for him, but he’s shown in the past he’s up to the task.

10. Utah Jazz

MIP: Andrei Kirilenko

It was only a couple of years ago when AK47 put up these numbers: 15.3 ppg, 8.0 rpg, 3.2 bpg, 1.5 spg.  That’s disgusting.  In his defense, how do you even go up from there?  While it’s true he never really found out for whatever reason, he really only needs to be a shade of his former self for the Jazz to get back into serious contention.  With second best point guard in the world Deron Williams running the show and Carlos Boozer (for now) holding the fort down inside, Kirilenko doesn’t even need to average double-digits.  If he just gets back to being that all-over-the-place player that made Jazz fans fall in love with him, then the Jazz could be really good.  However, if he reverts back to the “I Can’t Even Beat Out C.J. Miles” Kirilenko, then the Jazz might be in danger of missing the playoffs.  My guess is that they’ll be somewhere in between.

9. Atlanta Hawks

MIP: Jamal Crawford

One day when she’s old and wise, Cadence will use this gem to describe the intracacies of life to her kids and grandchildren: “Life is like a Jamal Crawford: you never know what you’re gonna get.”  Corny, probably, but oh so true.  How come a guy who can just go off for 50 at the drop of a hat has only averaged over 20 ppg once?  Weird.  Nonetheless, he can definitely help the Hawks take that next step.  Last year in the playoffs, it was clear that it was Joe Johnson or bust down the stretch.  Now, Atlanta has one of the best “give me the ^%$#in’ ball” players in the NBA to go along with a young and versatile front line in Crawford.  They can’t beat any of the East’s Big 3 yet, but their time will come.

8. Portland Trailblazers

MIP: Greg Oden  

Through all the injuries, all the foul trouble (3.9 per game is just an amazing number), all the columnist nit-picking, everything… Oden put up nine and seven last season while blocking a shot a night.  Off the bench.  Translation: at his absolute worst he’s better than a lot of centers in the league.  But, if the Blazers want to take the next step, it mainly falls on Oden to take the next step.  Brandon Roy is already there, becoming a much better NBA player than anybody thought he ever would, so what’s stopping Oden?  I know this team is still young, but with that whole low-salary cap threatening to happen, this almost seems like a make or break year for this squad.  And Oden.

7. Denver Nuggets

MIP: J.R. Smith

What I’m about to say is bold and controversial: Smith, talent-wise, is one of the top 10 offensive players in the NBA.  Why he hasn’t put it all together yet remains a mystery to me, but he may very well be my favorite player in the NBA to watch when he’s not playing the Mavericks.  He’s not off to the greatest of starts to this campaign, as he’ll be watching the first seven games in NBA dress code-friendly attire due to off-the-court problems.  The Nuggets need Smith to take pressure off of Carmelo Anthony, especially with Chauncey Billups not getting any younger.  Given that Smith starts the season on the bench and the Nuggets pretty much stood pat in the off-season, it’s safe for me to say that the Nuggs take a step back this season.

6. Dallas Mavericks

MIP: Dirk Nowitzki

You know, I think at some point tomorrow on my site I might publish a Long and Drawn Out Preview for the Mavs since they’re my favorite team and all, but that’s neither here nor there for right now (potential H1N1 cough, GO MAVS!!!!!!).  Look, I can take a few angles here in terms of MIP.  Josh Howard needs to get healthy (okay, so much for that in the near future); Shawn Marion needs to learn to fit in; Jason Kidd needs to find SOME way to be effective on the defensive end.  Truthfully, it starts and ends with Dirk.  He’s been great for both the Dallas franchise and the community and is a surefire Hall of Famer, but let’s face it: his leadership skills always come under fire, and fair or not, he needs to constantly play with that “now or never” mentality, because that’s what it’s come down to.  People are saying the window of opportunity for a title is closed.  If it’s open at all, he needs to jam his pinky in there and push up with all his might.

5. Boston Celtics

MIP: Kevin Garnett

Garnett is the archetypical MIP.  When they won the title, it was because of Garnett’s production and toughness.  When they flamed out against Orlando while an injured Garnett continually cursed up a storm to himself on the bench, it was because they missed Garnett’s production and toughness.  Theoretically, it would be nice if the old KG re-emerged and put up redonkulous numbers across the board, but, now that the Celts have Rasheed Wallace to spell him, they just need his intensity.  He’s the one who pushes Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo.  However, because I’m not completely sold on Garnett’s health, I just can’t have them higher than 3rd in the East right now.

4. San Antonio Spurs

MIP: Manu Ginobili

If you really think that Tony Parker and Tim Duncan are the most important Spurs, than you obviously missed the Mavericks dismantling the San Antonio in the playoffs last season.  Even as a diehard Mavs’ fan I can admit that Dallas goes from winning that series in five to losing that series in six if Ginobili is on the floor.  He’s not their best player, but he’s their sparkplug, their wildcard who can change a game at the drop of a dime.  He’s getting up there in age and he’s probably not as athletic as he was a few years ago, but if I was playing in a game where my life depended on the outcome, I’d want Ginobili.  As far as the Spurs go, I like their off-season moves, but please don’t try to sell me on Richard Jefferson as being anything more than the 4th option on offense in crunch time.  15 a game is his absolute ceiling this season.  PROP BET ALERT!!!  PROP BET ALERT!!!  I’ll take Anthony Morrow’s average over RJ this year.  Bet me, stupid.

3. Orlando Magic

MIP: Vince Carter

I wanted to put them back in the Finals soooo bad, because on paper they are 1) more fun to watch then the Cavalier’s stagnant 1-4 offense, and 2) Carter/Kobe to me is a more intriguing Finals match-up.  But, I digress.  Pundits give the Carter acquisition mixed reviews, but I’m definitely pro-Carter.  First off, he’s a million times better than Turkoglu, so he’s an upgrade.  Second, he’s playing in his home state for the first time ever, and third, while homecomings can be rough (see, Griffey, Jr., Ken and Marbury, Stephon) he’s going to a great situation where, for once, it doesn’t neccesarily have to be all about him.  He’s got the best center in the NBA (Dwight Howard), one of the best perimeter shooters (Rashard Lewis) and a guy he can share hair tips with (Marcin “Give Us Us Free” Gortat).  However, it’s a team better built for the regular season, and I think someone gets some revenge, and that person would be…

2. Cleveland Cavaliers

MIP: LeBron James

Colin… shut up and watch the greatness…

Unfortunately, much to your delight, I do not have that greatness translating into a title for Cleveland.  Good supporting cast at the guard spots (Mo Williams, Anthony Parker, Delonte West), bodies down low (Shaquille O’Neal, Anderson Varejao and Zydrunas Ilgauskas) to stop Bynum and Gasol… but in the end, there’s really only…

1. Los Angeles Lakers

MIP: Kobe Bryant

True, Ron Artest is the biggest wildcard in the history of wildcards, the equivalent of AK vs. pocket 7s for every last dollar you own.  However, if anyone can tame the volatile Artest, it’s Bryant.  Say what you will about Bryant’s mileage, but at 31, he’s still got at least three more years of top five in the league-type play left in him.  That, plus the fact that he’s got arguably the best four man in the league in Pau Gasol and a steady cast of characters off the bench that just keep coming at you in waves, and what does that equal? 

Repeat.

BASKETBALL IS BACK, BABY!!!!!!

NBA Preview Archives

30. Sacramento Kings

29. New Jersey Nets

28. Milwaukee Bucks

27. Minnesota Timberwolves

26. New York Knicks

25. Oklahoma City Thunder

24. Houston Rockets

23. Charlotte Bobcats

22. Indiana Pacers

21. Golden State Warriors

By Justin Cherot

I just knew this would happen.  I was flowing through these at the beginning, but within the last week we’ve seen the inevitable “Justin Cherot Stall”, which if you’re a follower of Live From the Nosebleeds (no posts since the day after the NBA Draft) you should be quite accustomed to by now.  However, I’m going to buck the trend and finish these.  I promise.

If you’ve read the first several (see the archive at the bottom of the page if you haven’t), you know the drill by now.  Team by team, player by player previews going in a predicted order of finish.  I’m in my “teams on the outside looking in” category, and that will continue with the Charlotte Bobcats.

Star

Gerald Wallace

Gerald Wallace sits down for a talk with the greatest orator of our time, Michael Jordan. Photo courtesy slamonline.com

The fact that Wallace is this team’s star is perhaps the most troubling and telling metaphor for this squad: while his stats are certainly solid, Wallace is a good player, but not great.  He would be terrific on a team with an established star or two to play off of.  He’s kind of like Shawn Marion in that regard, who needed Steve Nash and Amare Stoudemire to truly be effective.  On a positive note, with both he and Raja Bell guarding the opposition’s best wing players, playing the Bobcats this year will be a tough venture.

The Other Starters

Raymond Felton

If Felton were taken in any other draft, people would probably be less harsh about his development to this point.  The fact of the matter is that while Felton is still a good NBA point guard, he just hasn’t improved very much.  After his rookie season I even made the mistake of calling the Jazz stupid for taking Deron Williams over Felton.  Wrong.  I’m stupid for ever calling Williams a fatboy who would never make it.  However, why his starting job is in danger befuddles me.  You better be damn sure the other guy is better if you’re going to demote a guy who averaged 14 and seven dimes last year.  I’m just not sure D.J. Augustin is better, but ESPN.com sure is, having Augustin listed as the starter and Felton not even in the rotation.  I hope that’s a typo.

Boris Diaw

Everybody is high off the Diaw fumes again after he returned to his 2005-2006 form following a trade to the Bobcats.  I’m like Bill Clinton: I don’t inhale.  He’s a versatile guy and all who puts up good numbers across the board, but before we get all excited, let’s remember that he did so for the Bobcats, a team that lacks scoring punch for lack of a better word.  I like him for a fantasy draft, sure, but as a player?  Eh.

Raja Bell

Confession: I knew Bell would someday be a dependable NBA starter.  No, I didn’t find out when he played a role in shutting Kobe Bryant down during the 2001 NBA Finals.  I actually found out through the grapevine that, before he blew up, he visited College Park’s remarkable Campus Recreation Center in 2002 and absolutely destroyed cats.  It’s not that he simply killed the competition, it’s HOW he killed the competition, from showing off his improved jumper to leaving ankles on the floor.  That performance eventually manifest itself into the Bell that we see today: a great defender who has become lights out from the perimeter.

Tyson Chandler

Chandler’s offensive repetoire consists of the following: catching oops, follow-up dunks.  That is all, which is sad given the amount of athleticism he’s blessed with.  Looking back on it, all three players picked highly in that draft–Chandler, Eddy Curry and biggest bust in the history of busts Kwame Brown–would have benefitted from going to college.  So, for everybody bitching and moaning about the NBA’s age limit… shut up and watch these guys play.

Bench

D.J. Augustin

I still can’t get over the fact that they straight-up left Felton off the depth chart.  Anyway, I like Augustin as a player, but again, I just don’t think he’s better than Felton.  I foresaw this point guard controversy developing the second he got drafted.  He’s the latest example of another bad Michael Jordan executive decision.  If he had been smart and just taken Jerryd Bayless (who I think will eventually be a better player anyway), the controversy wouldn’t have existed because you could pitch Bayless as a combo guard.  At 5′11″, there’s little (no pun intended) combo existent: Augustin will make his money as a point guard in this league.  Over/under on him ridiculously being crowned the starter: 20 games.

Vladimir Radmanovic

Underachiever?  Certainly.  Better NBA injury story?  Unlikely.  Seriously, though, if he stays off snowboards and out of trouble, he could help this team with his versatility.

DeSagana Diop

Officially the unsung hero of the Dallas Mavericks from 2005-2007.  His defense on Tim Duncan during the 2006 Western Conference Finals was the reason that the Mavs got to the finals and eventually won it all… oh, wait, that’s right.  I forgot that Tim Donaghy reffed that series and phantom fouls propelled the Miami Heat to victory.  Oh, no, I don’t still think about that everyday as a Mavericks’ fan.

Gerald Henderson 

Henderson is officially on bust alert for two reasons:

1. He dominated with his athleticism at the college level, but as a two guard in the NBA he’ll have to learn to handle the ball better.
2. He went to Duke.  Let me give you a short list of Duke busts: Bobby Hurley, Christian Laettner, William Avery, Trajan Langdon, Danny Ferry, Jason Williams (fate took over, otherwise he would have been solid). 

I’m just saying… the odds are definitely not in his favor.

Alexis Ajinca

Bill Simmons is a great guy… just won’t return any of my e-mails.  Or phone calls.  Or tweets.  Or door knocks.  But, anyway, I bring that up because Ajinca is apparently a Lindsey Hunter All-Star.  The premise?  A male athlete that sounds like a hot female celebrity.  Check out the list.

Derrick Brown

On a team devoid of true post players, Brown should at least battle for minutes.

Nazr Mohammed

If you’re big and have a little bit of touch around the basket, you can have a nice, long NBA career in the NBA.  Mohammed proves such, having outlasted his Kentucky teammates Tony Delk and Antoine Walker.  Good for him.

Dontell Jefferson

ESPN.com needs to fix their depth charts.  Stat.

NBA Preview Archives

30. Sacramento Kings

29. New Jersey Nets

28. Milwaukee Bucks

27. Minnesota Timberwolves

26. New York Knicks

25. Oklahoma City Thunder

24. Houston Rockets

Even before you get into gameplay, there are many similarities between Gerald Henderson and Kobe Bryant.

This article is not based on gameplay, it would be unfair to access Henderson’s skills before he has even made his NBA debut. But, just looking at the personal lives and background informations on the stars, the parallels are too many to count.

For starters, both are Philadelphia guys and both were standout guards for Lower Merion High School in the city. Despite the fact that Kobe Bryant did not attend college, he stated that if he had, he would have attended Duke University. Ironically, Duke is the college that Gerald Henderson attended.

Even after only two months of being in the NBA, so far their draft roots are looking a lot alike. Kobe Bryant was a 6′6 guard that was drafted 13th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in his 1996 draft. Gerald Henderson is a 6′6 guard, when wearing shoes, but he is listed at 6′4. He was drafted by the Charlotte Bobcats with the 12th overall pick.

The most important point of all is the fact that Gerald Henderson is a big fan of Kobe Bryant. Throughout his collegiate career, Henderson’s teammates teased him about his apparent obsession with Kobe Bryant. He has attended Bryant’s basketball camp numerous times.

When Bryant first arrived in the NBA, there was not too much expected from him. Henderson comes in with those same expectations. Both guards have the surprise factor. Some are calling Henderson a bust before he has even suited up. Bryant was also called a bust.

Gerald Henderson has been overshadowed by the likes of Blake Griffin and DeMar DeRozan in this draft. Some call Henderson the dark horse in the upcoming race for Rookie of the Year.

Kobe Bryant, himself, has said that Gerald Henderson has the potential to become a true star in this league. Kobe believes in Henderson and Henderson has the widest opportunity to prove his worth. This season, he will be a back-up for Raja Bell, an aging guard, and Gerald Wallace, the team’s star. Last season, injury limited those two in a playoff race. If lightning strikes twice, Henderson may be able to step in and lift the Bobcats, you never know.

Is Gerald Henderson Kobe, Jr.?

Apparently they can be. (I forgot about Raja Bell, damn sexy.) While I am not the hugest fan of twitter, I do check in to see what my Boo Allen Iverson is doing besides looking fine. A few days ago he said he was between three teams, Miami Heat, NY Knicks, and the Charlotte Bobcats. I guess at this point in my own personal A.I. loving career I was hoping of the three, he’d end up in NY. Trust, he’d look good in any color and I don’t care who he plays for, I’m tuning in. Fan of the team or not, I am a die-hard Iverson fan. The point of my explanation of lust? This is part of an article I just read…Dime magazine’s Aron Phillips spoke to an unnamed source that works in the NBA and said that Allen Iverson has worked out the details of a contract with the Charlotte Bobcats, but the deal won’t be official until next week. Yikes. Note to self: Apply for jobs in North Carolina.

He looks good in that jersey. (Photo provided by KB24isdabest from the InsideHoops.com Forum)

It has been reported by Yahoo! Sports blog Ball Don’t Lie and Dime Magazine that former Philadelphia 76ers/Denver Nuggets/Detroit Pistons point guard has confirmed to a deal with Charlotte Bobcats, and re-unite with his former head coach Larry Brown.

The Bobcats were last in the NBA in scoring, and adding a scorer would be great towards the team’s system. The Bobcats will also gain more fans in the fanbase. And man, those A.I. jerseys would look pretty swell to put on. Charlotte will be doing so good, the “cha-chings” will, of course, be running out of energy.

But minutes may be an issue with Raja Bell, D.J. Augustin, and Raymond Felton in the mix. It’s going to be tough, but after my prediction a couple of posts ago here on FootBasket that A.I. will be going to Charlotte, I am right about pretty much everything.

Things are going to get really interesting now. Like what Ball Don’t Lie said, we’ll wait and see. I know I will be.

Sources

Ball Don’t Lie

FootBasket

Dime

Charlotte Observer

Hey guys, welcome to an amazing edition of Big Sports News. I haven’t done one for ages! Well now, besides just doing Big NFL News, Big NBA News, and Big MLB News, I am combining all of them together to make Big Sports News. It’s great, isn’t it? Yeah, I thought so. Anyways, let’s get this started.

NFL

Ahman Green

It was reported that Ahman Green has worked out with the St. Louis Rams and that he may be an emergency running back for Steven Jackson. The Rams say they may sign him.

Green ran for 294 rushing yards on 74 carries and three touchdowns including a four yards per carry average. I wish all the best to Green as his luster has been fading away lately after his departure from the Green Bay Packers.

NBA

It is reported that if things don’t work out with Shaquille O’Neal with Lebron James on the Cleveland Cavaliers, they might put Shaq on the trading block in February.

Things have been getting very weird with the Cavs. I hope they keep Shaq because they really need him. I’d rather trade the weakling in Anderson Varejao. Man does he suck.

I really don’t think this is going to happen but that is what the Wall Street Journal has reported. I wish all the luck to Shaq this year, because he is going to need it. But yet, the Cavs do have Leon Powe.

Ricky Rubio

The Pioner Press is reporting that Minnesota Timberwolves president David Khan is going to make a trip to Spain so he can make Ricky Rubio to play in the NBA.

I hate Ricky so much. What’s the point of him coming to the NBA anyways? Oh well, let him be, let him be fellas. But he may be coming as a deal may be getting arranged between the two sides.

Allen Iverson

Allen Iverson reported on his Twitter that he maybe signing with a team very soon. ESPN believes his destination may land at Charlotte to play with the Bobcats.

It’s going to be tough to bring in minutes if A.I. is on the team with guys already on the roster like Raymond Felton, D.J. Augustin, and Raja Bell. Oh well, I think they can work something out, hopefully.

We’ll wait and see, and that’s what A.I. and the Bobcats are doing.

MLB

Not big rumors going on. Billy Wagner traded, that’s all, but you all know what happened there.

Thank you guys for reading Big Sports News. I am Josh Dhani and stay tuned for another edition. Have a good day.

Robert Sarver Looking Like he Cares

We all now that right about this time last year, Robert Sarver had another new direction with the team where he preached defense. So, he and his buddy Steve Kerr decided to hire another friend, Terry Porter. Well, we all know how that turned out. So, with the fans’ obvious rejection of the way things were going (as well as the players), after moving Raja Bell and Boris Diaw didn’t help, the Phoenix Suns changed direction.

Winning was supposed to be the goal all along. Steve Nash said it. Everybody said it, even Shaq.

Well in a recent interview, nothing about winning was said by Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver.

I don’t know what is more disturbing to me. The obvious easy and soft questions given to Mr. Robert Sarver or the organization’s unwillingness to admit to the fans their real goal. The Phoenix Suns are in re-building mode and instead of using the summer to make great moves like the San Antonio Spurs have. That hurts…

Watching your favorite team stand by and do nothing hurts. I think it’s time for the fans of the Phoenix Suns to stand up and against Robert Sarver and Steve Kerr and let them know we aren’t interested in his deception any longer.

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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It’s true. They don’t.

Since Larry Brown turned up, there’s been a vague sense of purpose attributed to the club; trades and draft choices are chalked up to a Larry-led dismantling of the old roster. The idea is that Brown, he of 22 seasons as an NBA head coach, has a firm grasp of what he wants, and he’s systematically establishing a roster that fits his style.

But that places far too much faith in a shockingly run franchise which has emphatically proven it has very little understanding of how to construst a successful basketball team.

Need proof? Let’s look at their first-round draft history since joining the league in 2004. And, more importantly, how they developed and utilised the players they selected:

Okafor.

2004: Emeka Okafor, 2nd pick.

A very solid selection in a very weak draft. Emeka, despite struggling through injury problems early in his career, has established himself as a ridiculously consistent 15 and 10 guy, an exceptional offensive boardsman, and a solid defender.

How they utilised him: Constantly switching him between two positions, Okafor has been asked to defend much larger centres, and far quicker power forwards. He’s been left to garner scraps on the offensive end.

Despite being the face of the franchise since ‘04 — and being gifted a hefty, six year, $72m contract extension last year — Okafor was traded to New Orleans for Tyson Chandler’s weak feet, overrated defense and soon-to-be expiring contract. That is, he was given away in the interests of cost-cutting.

2005: Raymond Felton, 5th pick.

Those goddamned lottery balls. How easily they could have changed the fortunes of the Bobcats.

Felton, selected right after Deron Williams and Chris Paul, has developed into a second-tier point guard: a durable playmaker (6.7 assists per game for his career), reasonable defender, questionable shooter (39.9% from the field), and occasionally immature ball-handler (2.7 turnovers). He’ll be a solid point guard for a long time.

How they utilised him: Despite consistent play, Felton has been shown little respect in Charlotte, often popping up in trade rumours. A restricted free agent, he is still waiting for a reasonable offer from the club, who are apparently content to leave their starting point guard hanging.

May.

2005: Sean May, 13th pick.

May has displayed an impressive natural feel for the game… in the rare moments when he’s taken to the court. Out of 328 games he could have played in, he’s appeared in 82.

With a proven performer in Danny Granger still available, the Bobcats opted instead for a day-to-day injury liability in May. Even the decidedly sub-par Rashad McCants — selected just after May by the Timberwolves — would’ve been a better pick, if only because he hasn’t spent three-quarters of his games wearing a suit behind the bench.

How they utilised him: Charlotte never had much say in how they used May, with the team doctor doing the majority of his coaching.

He was waived this off-season, signing a one-year minimum contract with the desperate Sacramento Kings.

2006: Adam Morrison, 3rd pick.

In a truly horrific draft class, the Bobcats selected a pure shooter who couldn’t pass, played matador defense, and clearly wasn’t cut out for the NBA game. One of the worst selections in the past ten years.

How they utilised him: They played him for big minutes in his rookie year, despite his play clearly indicating that, at best, he was a role player.

Morrison put in nearly 30 minutes per game in his inaugral campaign, shooting a woeful 37.6% from the field, and averaging a combined 5.6 rebounds, assists, steals and blocks.

Morrison did them a favour by sitting out the 2007-08 season with a knee injury. It’s surprising he didn’t form a tighter friendship with May, who also took that year off.

Of course, last season Adam won a ring with the Lakers — a team he played eight games for. He spent their playoff campaign looking like a mopey, moustache-sporting ghoul.

Dudley.

2007: Jared Dudley, 22nd pick.

Never a stat machine, Dudley nevertheless contributed sporadic intangibles to the Bobcats in his one and a bit seasons with the team. Relative to the Morrison, Dudley was struck gold.

How they utilised him: A quick, solid wing defender, Dudley hustled and flowed until being shipped to the Suns alongside Jason Richardson.

2008: D.J. Augustin, 9th pick.

In a stacked draft, the ‘Cats — who should have been desperate for a true centre to line up alongside Emeka Okafor, arguably a natural power forward — inexplicably passed on Brook Lopez, opting for a miniature point guard with a shoot-first mentality, who plays the same position as Raymond Felton. Baffling. Indefensible.

Lopez put up 13 points (at 53.1%), 8.1 rebounds and 1.8 blocks in his rookie season with the Nets and, more importantly, looked for all the world like a franchise player.

How they utilised him: Augustin, on the other hand, didn’t look quite as impressive, suffering through a timeshare with Felton, whilst displaying a sweet stroke, and a sporadic ability to set up teammates.

Augustin will enter his sophomore season as a sixth man, copping the spare game time behind established guards Felton and Raja Bell. Unsurprisingly, D.J.’s minutes fluctuated wildly last year, getting 42 minutes in one game, and 16 the next.

Ajinça.

2008: Alexis Ajinça, 20th pick.

A real project, in that he often looked as though he was playing soccer on the court and contributed almost nothing (2.3 points at 36.2% and 1 rebound per game), the 7-foot Frenchman looks like a wasted pick.

In a deep draft, the selection looks even worse; Alexis was taken ahead of Courtney Lee (22nd), Nicolas Batum (25th), George Hill (26th), and DeAndre Jordan (35th) — all players with a basic, fundamental understanding of how the sport works. 

How they utilised him: Thankfully, they very rarely did, playing him sparingly. He’ll most likely be playing in Europe within a year.

In the interests of fairness, we’ll wait on evaluating Gerald Henderson, who at least ticks one box: joining Gerald Wallace in securing the Bobcats as the go-to team for players named Gerald.

Bad drafts represent only a portion of the problem for this troubled team. After all, a franchise need not rely on lottery picks to build a quality squad. No, the Bobcats show a wilful disregard for logic during the entire season, not just on that magical day in New York each June.

Rod Higgins, who joined the team as general manager in June of 2007, started off reasonably well. His first major move? Sending 8th pick Brandan Wright to Golden State in return for volume-shooting, three-nailing, dunk contest-winning off-guard Jason Richard. A solid move, gaining a proven scorer in return for a sub-standard rookie. Of course, Richardson didn’t last long in Charlotte — he was shipped to Phoenix alongside Jared Dudley for Boris Diaw and Raja Bell in December of ‘08.

Those two trades represent rare moments when logic dictated movement in Charlotte. Richardson was a quality contributor in his brief stint, and Diaw came alive in the Bobcat frontcourt, averaging 15 points, 6 boards, and 5 dimes.

That takes care of Higgins’ good moves.

In July of 2007, he signed Matt Carroll to a 6-year contract at $27m. The only good thing about the contract? It was frontloaded. That’s it.

Carroll was an above average shooter, and below average NBA player. If you’re a logical general manager — especially one who just picked up a trey specialist like Jason Richardson — you don’t throw so much cash at Matt Carroll. Especially over six years. You don’t even contemplate it. Can you see the Spurs making that offer?

Higgins justifiably bid farewell to Adam Morrison in February of 2009, but took on Vladimir Radmanovic’s unjustifiable $6.5m contract in the process. He also gave away Shannon Brown in the deal, who went on to be a legitimate contributor to the Lakers’ championship run.

Then there’s the aforementioned Okafor giveaway. In a transparent economic decision, they traded a reliable centre for a busted, walking injury.

Higgins has hurt his team more through inaction than anything. During the entire 2008-09 season, the Bobcats — bar the Richardson-Diaw swap — effectively did nothing. They signed rarely-used centre Ryan Hollins. They brought Cartier Martin and Dontell Jefferson on board.

These aren’t moves designed to win. They’re cheap efforts at treading water. They’re transactions made solely to fill bench seats, designed to give the illusion of progress, of a youth movement.

In the short history of this appallingly run franchise, we — and their fans — have never been given a reason to expect anything else.

Posted By: Anton