OT: NBA 2005-2006 Season Discussion

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Fri Feb 17, 2006 11:57 am

sfz_T-car wrote:Lots of trade deadline rumors going around now.

Vecsey is reporting Kenyon Martin to New York for Penny Hardaway's equally bad knees and David Lee. Apparently Isiah wants to acquire every bad contract in the league. Other puzzling Knick targets include Drew Gooden, Marko Jaric and Theo Ratliff. It could take a decade to undo the damage of the current NY GM.

I guess Elgin's reign as the worst had to come to an end sometime. I think Isiah's trading AI needs to be fixed.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sat Feb 18, 2006 8:33 pm

If anyone is curious...DirecTV just added TNT HD to their package...so all of the NBA stuff this weekend is going to be in HD. Awww yeah...D* just keeps gettin' better.

Leebo33 · Post by **Leebo33** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 9:32 am

I only watched about 15 minutes of the festivities last night, but how about that Andre Iguodala behind-the-backboard dunk?

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 12:16 pm

Did you know they broadcast the dunk contest on the radio? Heard a clip of Iguodala's amazing behind the backboard jam and it went something like "Iverson bounces the ball off the backboard and Iguodala throws down the reverse." Some things just don't work on radio!

They really need to do something about misses/incompletes not counting against you. How many times did Robinson do the goofy jump and throw on the winning dunk?

Kruza · Post by **Kruza** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 12:28 pm

Dave wrote:Did you know they broadcast the dunk contest on the radio? Heard a clip of Iguodala's amazing behind the backboard jam and it went something like "Iverson bounces the ball off the backboard and Iguodala throws down the reverse." Some things just don't work on radio!

They really need to do something about misses/incompletes not counting against you. How many times did Robinson do the goofy jump and throw on the winning dunk?

I watched the festivities from the Shooting Stars up to the Slam Dunk Contest. My goodness... that Iguodala dunk is the most creative and most spectacular and dangerous one I've seen in years -- maybe ever. Special stuff. You know, some fantastic dunks in the past have been replicated over recent years (J.R. Rider's East Bay Funk Dunk) and even improved on. But I seriously doubt we'll see anything like that one Iguodala did replicated ever again. That's how special and extremely risky it is.

And to answer Dave's question, I believe Nate Robinson tried and failed 19 times. Plus on the dunk before that one he missed 13 times. But with that said I also must say I've got to give him a lot of props for having the determination to stick it out and not take the simple way out by doing a safe and easy dunk to get it over with as soon as possible. Plus he showed he's in great shape to have enough energy to try all those times to get them right.

Kruza

Programmed2Kill · Post by **Programmed2Kill** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:35 pm

That whole night was boring to me, but hey...what else was on? The Olympics? Like I said, what else was on?

Nasty Nate get lots of props from me. He put in hard work. Iggy still got robbed, though. Despite what he did, Nate couldn't win that thing after so many missed tries. The NBA needs to do something about that. And if they install a new rule system about too many tries, it will justify my thoughts on what happened last night. But again, it's not really a big deal. I'd rather Iguodala be on a great team than to win some damn dunk contest. I'm sure he would like that as well.

But did anyone see Kobe? He looked pissed off at Robinson and also the announcement of him winning. I was dying laughing at that. Kobe actually won some cool points from me. And the crowd seemed not too enthused about who won as well. Or maybe it just seemed that way to me.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:39 pm

Well the fact that Andre did the exact same dunk from different locations for the final and the extra dunk...probably hurt him. He did the behind the back one twice and the between the legs twice...come on man. The backboard dunk was RIDICULOUS...best dunk ever in my mind...but the rest of his were just repeats. At least Nate was being creative...that dunk over Webb was his highlight...that was just nuts. You never saw Spudd jump over someone...regardless of whether or not the guy is the same size as him.

Programmed2Kill · Post by **Programmed2Kill** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:49 pm

Iggy didn't get too creative, like you said. And I knew that once he wasn't going to pull off something else spectacular like he did earlier, it was a done deal to Nate Robinson. And it's not like he couldn't have done something better than what he decided to do. Dude has hops out of this world. He could've jumped over someone easily. So Nate deserved it on that part.

But still, too many tries, IMO, shouldn't have warranted him the contest. Kenny Smith was in the works as well

Kazuya · Post by **Kazuya** » Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:51 pm

The biggest guy won the 3-point shootout and the smallest guy won the dunk contest... welcome to today's NBA!

reeche · Post by **reeche** » Tue Feb 21, 2006 4:09 pm

Very funny column on All-Star Weekend from Bill Simmons. He can be very amusing when he gets in a groove on a subject and this one had at least three laugh out loud moments in it for me.

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/st ... ons/060220

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 8:39 pm

Question: Should there be a separate "Isiah Thomas is insane" thread, or can we just cover that here? I can't imagine the law firm of Marbury and Francis turning out well. It's hard to think of two less complimentary players in the same backcourt. The long term luxury tax and cap considerations are just icing on the cake.

Today's other deadline deals aren't much to write about. Lee Nailon gives the Cavs another scoring option but doesn't make up for the loss of Larry Hughes. Earl Watson never made sense for Denver to begin with. The package they received in return will probably make them a better team, but not a contender. Ruben Patterson can be a useful short-term addition with the right coach to babysit him. The Sonics thought so highly of Potapenko that they've been starting Robert Swift in his place. The Ukraine Train may provide some depth for the Kings but they still look like first round playoff losers.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 8:49 pm

I just choose to ignore anything they do in New York...it's obvious they like running in sand. The biggest turn of events this week is Colangelo pondering the Toronto GM job. The Arizona papers are all stating that he'll likely take the job because he doesn't like working for the Suns owner Robert Sarver. Apparently Sarver wants to get his own regime in there to take over. Seems like a pretty stupid decision if you ask me...you pay the guy that got you there.

The Suns have drafted very well and they have picked up a lot of good free agents under Brian Colangelo's watch...I don't see why he wouldn't want to see it through to the end (a ring if possible)...but if working for Sarver is that bad, I guess you gotta believe he will take the huge pay raise to move up north. The better question is why won't he wait another year or so and he'll be first in line for the NY job. You know it's gonna open up soon.

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 8:58 pm

Toronto has two young talents in Bosh and Villanueva and an excellent near term cap position. The Knicks are going to be a mess for at least the next five years.

Maybe part of Colangelo's motivation is to get out from under the shadow of his father.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Thu Feb 23, 2006 9:08 pm

sfz_T-car wrote:Toronto has two young talents in Bosh and Villanueva and an excellent near term cap position. The Knicks are going to be a mess for at least the next five years.

Maybe part of Colangelo's motivation is to get out from under the shadow of his father.

Jerry isn't part of the Suns organization anymore. I think he helps Brian out if he needs it, but that's about it. Jerry is worried about the Olympics now...not the Suns. That's Brian's job.

I'm not saying Toronto is a bad job, especially with their payroll and everything...but I do know that no matter how much money you throw at players, they likely will not want to go there. NY is a whole different story. There will be a lot more respect given to a guy who can turn that franchise around...seeing as how it's been such a disaster up to this point (at least in the last 5 years).

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 12:27 am

Yeah, but Jerry Colangelo has been associated with the Suns franchise for such a long time that his shadow will linger there.

I don't think anyone will be able to be successful immediately following Isiah. Sure, there will be a grace period after Zeke is run out of town. But results will take a while and NY fans and media will lose interest. It'll get worse when the Nets move to town.

Maybe the Raptors should recruit free agents based around Canadian prostitution and drug laws.

dbdynsty25 · Post by **dbdynsty25** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 2:01 am

Technically Jerry is still around...but he will be gone for good in '07...as soon as the buyout is complete. I believe he's the CEO technically...but he doesn't really act anymore. Bryan does everything.

Brando70 · Post by **Brando70** » Fri Feb 24, 2006 11:47 am

It is a testament to how predictably bad Isiah has become that no one is really that surprised by the Francis trade.

I got a good laugh from one of Simmons's readers:

"I think Isiah should trade for Jason Williams and Damon Jones so that the Knicks can become the first-ever team to start five despicable shoot-first point guards. Also, then New York could play their all-point-guard team against Atlanta's all-small-forward team and we could finally see which position is better."

reeche · Post by **reeche** » Sat Feb 25, 2006 8:05 pm

Brando70 wrote:It is a testament to how predictably bad Isiah has become that no one is really that surprised by the Francis trade.

I got a good laugh from one of Simmons's readers:

"I think Isiah should trade for Jason Williams and Damon Jones so that the Knicks can become the first-ever team to start five despicable shoot-first point guards. Also, then New York could play their all-point-guard team against Atlanta's all-small-forward team and we could finally see which position is better."

He's been on a roll lately

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/st ... d=tab2pos2

Inuyasha · Post by **Inuyasha** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 2:09 am

Isiah has been a consistent failure in everything he's done after he retired from being a player. I can't believe guys give him so many chances. Guy is still an arrogant s.o.b which doesn't make you feel sorry for him.

sfz_T-car · Post by **sfz_T-car** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 2:27 am

Inuyasha wrote:Isiah has been a consistent failure in everything he's done after he retired from being a player. I can't believe guys give him so many chances. Guy is still an arrogant s.o.b which doesn't make you feel sorry for him.

Isiah's personality just makes his crash and burn act that much more enjoyable.

He hasn't disappointed yet. Each move is crazier than the last. I thought he'd never top when he didn't release Allan Houston under the rule bearing his name, but Jerome James, Eddy Curry and now Steve Francis are going to be hard deals to follow up. I don't think the Jalen Rose trade was _that_ bad, although it remains to be see where he'll play.

The balancing act for any NBA GM is to make the team better while maintaining cap flexibility. Isiah has done neither. The Knicks are a horrible team with ridiculous untradeable contracts. They'll suck for the rest of the decade.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:58 am

Isaiah should be able to spot talent. Maybe his team would do okay in a pickup game.

The contrast between Isaiah and his backcourt mate Dumars is pretty stark when looking at their GM work.

But Dumars got lucky too. Basically, Ben came out of nowhere, Rasheed fell into their laps. Prince turned out to be a lot better than expected, especially his defense. Remember that he also drafted Darko instead of any number of players who've done far more. But you have to give him credit for trading Stackhouse for Hamilton, although I don't think people knew for a fact that Hamilton would turn out to be as good as he has become.

Billups also is playing better than anyone ever expected. Especially hitting every big shot he takes, at least this year. The final test will be in the playoffs of course.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 11:59 am

sfz_T-car wrote:I don't think the Jalen Rose trade was _that_ bad, although it remains to be see where he'll play.

The balancing act for any NBA GM is to make the team better while maintaining cap flexibility. Isiah has done neither. The Knicks are a horrible team with ridiculous untradeable contracts. They'll suck for the rest of the decade.

While I didn't like the Rose deal, especially considering his rocky past with Larry Brown, it makes even less sense when you add Francis.

Don't you know Zeke's strategy? He's stockpiling assets to make a run for Garnett...well, I have bad news for him. He's stockpiling assets that absolutely no one else wants. Why would the Wolves trade Garnett for Francis when the Magic were begging them to take him in a deal revolving around Wally?

And in the spirit of bad GMs, here's a doozy from today's Minneapolis paper from Glen Taylor, owner of the Wolves:

Until I find someone better than McHale, he will run the show. People forget how bad this team was when he took over. So far, nobody better has appeared.

Hmm, I'm thinking of preparing a resume.

reeche · Post by **reeche** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 3:01 pm

wco81 wrote:Isaiah should be able to spot talent. Maybe his team would do okay in a pickup game.

He does have the abiliy to spot talent as witnessed by his draft record. His problem has been getting compatible talent to play together. The knicks have a load of talent. The parts just don't remotely fit together.

wco81 · Post by **wco81** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 3:08 pm

Outside the Lines had a story about Kobe's resurrection.

His Q-rating or whatever they call it which measures likeability was down in the dumps. But with passage of time and the smearing of the plaintiff and 81 points, now he's apparently gold for advertisers.

Nike came back and now Kobe merchandise is only behind Lebron and Wade in popularity.

reeche · Post by **reeche** » Sun Feb 26, 2006 3:14 pm

wco81 wrote:Outside the Lines had a story about Kobe's resurrection.

His Q-rating or whatever they call it which measures likeability was down in the dumps. But with passage of time and the smearing of the plaintiff and 81 points, now he's apparently gold for advertisers.

Nike came back and now Kobe merchandise is only behind Lebron and Wade in popularity.

Well outside of the "smearing of the plaintiff" part which I disagree with, this was to be expected. The general public loves their "sports heroes" and give them a pass as long as they perform on the field. I'm mixed on it myself. Like Charles Barkley, I always took the opinion that sports atheletes are not our "heroes" solely for being sports heroes anyway. That's the way our society is though.