*Either BDTG reader Dave's hatred for Bill Simmons is rubbing off on me, or 'The Sports Guy' is just really stretching to find good material. In an article about how he doesn't hate Kobe Bryant, he goes on saying that unlike Kobe, LeBron dominated his game at the Garden. Mr. Simmons obviously did not watch the game. See yesterday's post for details on this. I lose faith in Simmons material more everyday, since his stupid banter is more teeny gossip and Lost than sports discussion.
*The trade talks are heating up, but today's most exciting news comes in the form of a multi-player swap featuring the Bobcats' Raymond Felton and the Pacers' Jamal Tinsley. Since the Cats' are even considering getting rid of Raymond Felton, make sure DJ Augustin is not available in your fantasy leagues.
*A true sign of real consistency and commitment...Coach E Muss talks about Loyola Marymount and their horrific losing streak, yet, they never stop competing. Exact opposite of last year's Knicks team, which I still haven't been able to erase from my memory. I've said it a hundred times, great to see the Knicks competing on a nightly basis, and great to see the city get into Knickerbocker basketball.
*The Bulls, actually, I'm going with John Paxson here, has passed on opportunities to use all of this "assets" to land a big name player. This is what happens when you don't take any risks. Low risk, low return. They passed up on KG, Gasol, and I think Bulls fans would go crazy if they pass up on Amare at this point. Years later, he's left with depreciated assets, and just looks like an ass who waited too long to pull the trigger.
*Staying with SLAM, Mike D'Antoni admits they made a big mistake not fouling with 4 seconds to go and a foul to give. He also is not happy with comments made by Jeff Van Gundy relating to David Lee's motivation. Dude has 37 double doubles, second to Dwight Howard (by 1). That's not a lazy player...so watch yo mouf JVG!
*Adding HORSE to All-Star weekend has been a dream of many people for years. Finally, it's happening, with the help and marketing genius of GEICO. You guessed it...its no longer HORSE, but players will have to spell GEICO instead. The 3-player contest includes Kevin Durant, OJ Mayo, and Joe Johnson.
*What happened to T-Mac? This is awful....and if he doesn't step his G up, people will be calling him T-Wack sooner than later.
*Lil' Penny is back! Also from Nicekicks, your 2009 All-Star kicks.
*Finally the Cavs whining is paying off. Mo Williams got the nod over David Lee for the injured Chris Bosh in the All-Star Game. Considering David Lee plays a similar position, it would have been nice to see him there, but after all the talk from the Cavs about feeling disrespected, I don't think even David Stern had the balls to deny them of a second All-Star, after the C's and Magic had 3 each.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Tuesday Breakdown
Monday, February 9, 2009
Monday Breakdown
First a short and sweet recap of what the Knicks called, "Dream Week." Started with Kobe going off for 61 points. Then LeBron came into town to try and top Kobe, getting a 50 point triple double, which was last done by Kareem back in 1975. There was some talk about taking away the triple double, and they eventually did because of one rebound that wasn't really LeBron's, but if they're going to take away one, then they should have given this one back. The week ended with the championship Celtics coming into the Garden, after playing a tough overtime game against the Lakers the night before (and losing).
So what'd you miss? A lot...
Kobe didn't just score 61, the most EVER at Madison Square Garden. He totally dominated the game. There's been much argument of who's game was better, Kobe or LeBron, and after seeing both in person there's no question to me. LeBron had a stupid hot hand in the first quarter, draining every shot, finishing with 20 points, but that was it for his hot hand. Like the Celtics game (Until the 4th quarter), the Knicks were in the Cleveland game the whole time, even taking the lead in the 4th. This was not the case with Kobe, who repeatedly came off the bench to nail big shots and take the air out of the arena (well, except for those pesky Laker fans). So I'm taking Kobe's game, because the Knicks had NO chance, and it was all by Kobe's hand (Gasol also scored 31, but was vastly overshadowed by Kobe's 61...yes...61!!). For the Celtics game, all you really need to see is this dunk.
Since this is all old news, i don't want to go to much more into it. The only other thing I'll say about the Knicks and their tough week is that they went into Portland and were in position to win the game. I have NO clue what they were thinking with 4 seconds left and a foul to give, not to take it. Greg Oden even said after the game that they drew up two plays, since they 'knew' the Knicks would take the first foul. So the element of surprise was a good idea, but as soon as Brandon Roy put the ball to the ground, he needs to get fouled. I can understand not fouling right away, since they don't want Roy faking the shot and going to the line, but when that ball hit the ground, no excuses, Jared Jeffries must foul and leave 2 seconds on the clock for the Blazers to force a quick shot.
Very, very, tough break (no pun intended) for Minnesota and Al Jefferson. Last night with 20 seconds left on the clock, Al heard a pop, and it was a torn MCL that will require surgery and end his season. Damn shame since Al was playing his best ball before he went down (does that sound familiar? Bynum? Dunleavy? G.Wallace?).
But the biggest news of the day, and probably will be the focal point until the Febuary 19th trade deadline, are the trade rumors, most notably around Amare Stoudemire, who has been a little too excited to change zip codes. It's ironic that the GM's of the NBA (which Simmons frequently calls the No Balls Association for their lack of risky moves), have always been looked at as being bearish in the trade market. Not Steve Kerr, that's for sure. Kerr is looking to make another big splash and get some good pieces in return for Amare. It's too bad the people in Phoenix would riot if he was to trade Steve Nash, because his ridiculous lack of defensive ability is really what is holding this team down. The Suns are currently ranked 25th in the league in Defensive Efficiency, and I'm willing to bet it's not Amare (although he does have a lot of trouble paying attention on the pick n rolls, most notably when David Lee destroyed them in New York).
So what do you think the Suns can get in return for Amare? I've heard a lot of enticing possibilities. David Lee and Marbury's expiring contract for Amare and Barbosa? Jason Maxiel and Rasheed Wallace's expiring contract for Amare? How bout a Chris Bosh for Amare swap?
Any other trade ideas? Drop em below...
Monday, February 2, 2009
Oh, What a night...
The jumbotron at the Garden said this week is "Dream Week," with the Knicks facing the Lakers, Cavs, and Celtics all in 5 days. I wouldn't quite call it that....maybe Hell Week? Anyway, history was made tonight at the Garden, where Kobe Bryant went off for 61 (!) points. The most ever scored at Madison Square Garden (and made it looks sweasy, so easy). Kobe went 19-31 from the field, and 20-20 from the line. The Knicks tried to hang with the Lakers, but Kobe and Co were just too much.
*Injury bug is back. Bynum got the word that he's out 8-12 weeks. Chris Paul didn't look good limping off the court, and Jameer Nelson is out for quite some time (and definitely the All-Star Game) with a separated shoulder injury. Tough break for the newbee All-Star.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
All-Star Reserves
If you've been watching TNT or NBA TV, you've basically been seeing Kenny Smith and Eric Snow, vs. Gary Payton and Chris Webber. The debate? What makes for an All-Star. Does the second best player on a top team get the nod, over the best player on a lottery team?
After the results came in, it looks like the East Coaches and the West Coaches are having a similar debate. The East Coaches picked Danny Granger and Chris Bosh, both on struggling teams, while the West stayed away from players like Marcus Camby and Al Jefferson and doubled up on New Orleans with a surprising pick, Teaneck's own David West
So what's the verdict? Who got snubbed? Who shouldn't be in Phoenix come All-Star Weekend?
I'll start the conversation with this...
Rashard Lewis has no place on the East All-Star team. He is a below average defender, rebounder, passer and post-up player. He's a little too one-dimensional for my taste. I really liked the Devin Harris and Danny Granger picks.
2009 Reserves
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Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Wednesday Mini-Breakdown
KNICKS WIN 5 IN A ROW AT HOME, YEAAAAAAA. Solid, solid game tonight. The Knicks didn't play very well, especially in the first quarter, but it didn't seem to matter and they had good control over tonight's game against the Hawks. After taking a strong lead in the 3rd quarter, every time Atlanta made a run, the Knicks would extend the lead back to 7, 8 or so.
Next three home games are Lakers, Cavs and Celtics (Ouch). Hopefully they use KY before giving it to us, and the after affects don't last long.
*TrueHoop, giving us a Lesson on wearing logos. Big Michael fan gives us this, and more:
Just wanted to say I've actually got a Jordan Logo tattooed to my right shoulder. Got it in 2003 to commemorate his exit from the sport. Final exit from the sport. I know it's just a game, but there was always something valorous to me in his relentless determination....
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Tuesday Breakdown
"They were able to capitalize off our selfishness, and we have to decide whether we're going to play one-on-one, or we're going to pass the ball to each other and play team ball."
*Want to know the best players to have for the remainder of the Fantasy BBall season? Rotoworld.com breaks it down for us, and grades each team.
*Berger makes the case for Danny Granger as an All-Star. I have to agree. According to Yahoo, in the standard 9 categories, Danny Granger is ranked 4th (!!). Only D.Wade, LeBron, and Chris Paul are ahead of him.
The case for Danny Granger as an All-Star reserve. According to Real GM (via Ballerblogger), Granger is the 22nd-ranked player in the NBA measured by the Floor Impact Counter. LeBron James is the only small forward rated higher.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Monday Wake N Break
*Knicks Coach Mike D'Antoni, on concealed weapons and wanting to shoot Nate Robinson.
*Staying on the Knickerbocker tip, a video of last week's win on 7 Seconds or Mess, breaking down the Sun's poor Defense and David Lee beasting them on the pick and roll repeatedly.
*TrueHoop goes on one one with newly retired Alonzo Mourning.
*Bad news for Michael Redd owners (fantasy and reality). Redd is out for the season with a tore MCL/ACL (not sure what that means, but sounds pretty bad).
*Quote of the Weekend. Shaq, on Dwight Howard:
"He's a good player, but everything he's done I've invented, so I'm not impressed," O'Neal said. "For me to get my eyes wide open about another big man, he'll have to do something that I haven't seen before or something that I haven't invented. Everything that he's done, I've invented it."
*Ball Don't Lie gives us a video of a designed double alley-oop, that worked in a game. Cute, but not very practical and the opposing team was playing zero defense (or boxing out).
