In the Nosebleeds

Welcome Everyone!

This summer has been filled with wild trades, and the solidification of a couple of teams vying as legit contenders. The Lakers, Spurs, Cleveland, and Orlando have raised the stakes considerably. However, remember when everyone was convinced that this years playoffs were bound to be Lakers vs. Cavaliers? Well here are a couple of teams that are going to challenge those perceptions this season. 

Boston Celtics
Although the Celtics fought the hard fight (ask the Bulls) and provided the playoffs with some lasting memories, they could not close out the Magicin the playoffs. Injuries and inconsistencies plagued a team that still busted out 50+ wins during the regular season. The off-season started off very rocky with what looked like an almost certain departure of star guard Rajon Rondo, and there is yet to be any movement with regards to Glen ‘baby’ Davis, even in light of his playoff performance. So how can the Celtics honestly be considered a real threat? Easy, Rasheed Wallace. Sheed’ adds more grit and drive to this heart fueled team already amped up by the warrior spirit in KG, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. At issue is both age and injuries, but if they can maneuver through the season in relative health, this is a team that will go deep in the playoffs…book it.

Toronto Raptors
With an unhappy all-star power forward, a losing season, and a whole lot of question marks surrounding the Raptors, all seemed to be suggesting a ‘rebuilding’ stage was on the horizon. Enter Bryan Colangelo and the next thing you know you have a team that went from basement dweller to potential threat in the playoffs. Substitute Shawn Marion, Jason Kapono, Anthony Parker, and Joey Graham, for Hedo Turkoglu, Reggie Evans, Jarrett Jack, Rasho Nesterovic, and newcomer DeMar DeRozan and you have a completely revamped team that has addressed the needs for both defense and offence. Jay Triano was starting to put together wins at the end of the season, and with the addition of Marc Iavaroni as defensive coach things are starting to look up. Not only that, but it seems that Bryan Colangelo has shown Chris Bosh that he is serious about keeping him in a Raptors uniform, and CB4 is listening. If Turkoglu can perform like he did during the playoffs, and Andrea Bargnani can continue to shine, this team could be a big obstacle for the ‘apparent’ contenders.

Dallas Mavericks
I absolutely love what the Mavericks have done in the off-season, and I’m completely serious too! While I have concerns about the aging Mavericks, I also think they have the best depth in the league. I think a lot of armchair critics have overlooked a starting line-up of Kidd, Marion, and Dirk…not to mention Jason Terry, Josh Howard, and the much-improved José Juan Barea. I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that I believe the Mavs have picked up a great dark horse draft pick in Rodrigue Beaubois, especially after lighting up the summer league for 34pts. against  Houston. They have the very experienced and able Rick Carlisle coaching, high flyers in Marion and Howard, the leadership of one time MVP Dirk Nowitzki, and one of the games best point guards of all time (Kidd). If that isn’t enough to convince you that they could take on any team in the league any day of the week, then you must be a Lakers fan. At the very least they’re going to be a fun team to follow.

Honorable Mention

Portland Trailblazers (did the Blazers dodge a bullet by not signing Turkoglu to a hefty contract? Time will tell)
Oklahoma Thunder (If only the league had most Sam Presti’s)

 Who do you think has a shot at the crown? Let me know!

Welcome Everyone!

Between the draft, and the free agency circus that has been ensuing it’s a miracle that the Hoopsworld staff writer’s hands haven’t fallen off. What I’ve found really interesting in this years off-season is the technological nuances in how we’ve been communicating all the action.

Twitter, is perhaps the most significant breakthrough in the basketball com room. It is amazing to see how much Twitter has changed the face of rumor related basketball hysteria. Just look at all the hype surrounding the Turkoglu to Portland/Toronto trade. I can’t help but feel that the constant circus of speculation had been amplified by the gad zillion Twitter accounts re-hashing old news, new news, and no news.

Marshall McLuhan once wrote “The medium is the message” and that maybe true, however I doubt ole’ Marshall would have come to understand that “$ didn't drive Hedo's reversal on PDX. Only a 2 mill swing. It was being another five hours from Turkey, wife, Turk pop. in Tor, etc.” represents some major NBA drama come to light.

Forwards Charlie Villanueva and Chris Bosh are prolific ‘tweeters’, following their accounts provided a lot of interest, especially Charlie V on his recent trade to Detroit. Now the basketball faithful get to enjoy the trade, and, they get to enjoy the minute-by-minute status updates from the players. On the less entertaining side, you can also follow forward Andrew Bogut eating fish somewhere on the planet. The point is we’ve never been closer to the action. Fans and players alike are privy to first hand information, thoughts, feelings, etc, and that is creating a more intimate environment than ever before.

On the other hand how does this impact the privacy of the players? Will there now be an expectation to the fans and media that twittering is to be expected. How will the NBA involve itself (just see the Charlie Villanueva half time incident from last year)? Will new regulations, bans, or sanctions have to be enforced? Or could this be the next best marketing tool aimed at basketball junkie like myself (did I mention that Hoopsworld is also on Twitter…instant updates people!)?

From a GM’s lips, to the players Blackberry’s, to fanboi79’s blog page, the dawn of almost instant information is upon us; and it has changed the rumor mill permanently. Enter the era where one can go to the bathroom on a Saturday night while at the theatre (perhaps watching a movie that their husband or wife has dragged them to unwillingly) and find out that a major trade, injury, roster move, development has occurred.

Having finally I have caught up with Twitter, various instant messengers, and feeds, I now have a cyborg like relationship with the exclusively human game of basketball, and wouldn’t have it any other way.

You can twitter with me @hoopsworld6 on Twitter.






 

Welcome Everyone!

As writers trying to maintain an objective voice in the basketball community we sometimes lose our composure and revert back to simple fans of the game. We lose our ability to focus objectively at a player, a team, or a situation that polarizes opinion.

Right now I’m having that moment.

The off season has begun to turn up the temperature with rumors, speculation, and idle talk (being taken out of context…of course) heating up. With that come some of the most frustrating exercises for us the fans, however, excellent for the sports writers.

The first sign is all the players that can become free agents, become conveniently ‘unsure’ of there situation. Listen, I understand the drive to want to be on a big market team, or play for a championship caliber team, but players and agents alike need to respect the fans first and foremost. I’m not suggesting that a great new max contract in New York isn’t about as good as it gets, but it’s the approach and tact that need to be utilized in order to avoid bloody mutiny (see the Elton Brand exit from Los Angeles on what not to do). Fans memories are elephantine; they don’t forget when they’ve been wronged.

The second sign is the ‘Throw in the sports package for free’ type contract negotiations that keep players from jumping out of their old uniforms and into any one who will pay more. Kobe, Hedo, they’re absolutely excellent players, but ‘pay me first’ is the only crucial sentiment to these guys. Remember when Gilbert Arenas took a pay cut just to stay in Washington and build a good team around him ($16 million). Now imagine if Kobe shaved $16 million off the potential $135 million dollars he could be in line for, there wouldn’t be an Ariza or Odom debate. Listen he’s worth it, but when is enough too much, and at what cost to the team and the seasons ahead?

The third and final sign is the lead up to the draft. Although it’s a lot of fun to wonder whom will draft who, it’s also very nerve racking. All the confusion built around the scouting reports so that managers can puzzle, or lower the stock of a player, so that they align with team needs. At this point I’m so confused about Ricky Rubio I don’t know what to think…I’m kidding. He’s going to be a great point guard.

Even with the draft I can’t help it as a fan get a little upset when college kids, Euro stars, or Chinese nationals make a stink about where they’re getting drafted. Really?! Maybe it’s just me, but I’d feel pretty grateful that I was selected to the premiere basketball league, and just got handed a pretty nice starting salary. If I were David Stern I would make it mandatory that you have to play where you’re drafted. You don’t like it, too bad, go play for Olympiakos and have your jersey retired there.

I’m putting all the players on notice; you’re all star athletes and role models. Treat your fans right, and we will cheer louder, buy your sneaker, and wear your number. Try and keep it real in the off-season, that’s all.

Welcome Everyone!

 
If the post season wasn't so good this year, I'm convinced we'd have more of a story here, but it's been a hell of a post season!

So Amar'e was running his mouth off again regarding free agency, being in New York, and that there was a "50% chance he'd stay in Phoenix". First off; Steve Kerr put a leash on that talk asap. If I were a Phoenix fan right now I would be devastated. Then he took it a step further by proclaiming that "No doubt about it, I'm better than Chris Bosh" when confronted about New York signing Bosh instead of Amar'e.

It's been a tough 2009 for poor Chris Bosh. Earlier in the week an article suggested that Bosh had "plateaued". In the article one unidentified NBA source said, "I don't think he's going to get any better,"

Ouch.

In March Zach Randolph also made the same claims as Amar'e, in fact he said exactly the same thing. Not to mention, it was also in March that Shaquille O'neal called Chris Bosh "The RuPaul of big men"

So why all the Bosh bashing? He's a young talented player, who for the most part stays out of the limelight, plays good ball, and seems to have a good head on his shoulder. He's shown us that he has a good sense of humor with appearance's on Jay Leno, his memorable all-star video, as well as all the parody video's on his website. So why are all these players out to trash him? I know that he started a war of words with Shaq, that's just unwise. Other than that I just don't get it? As for Zach and Amar'e, what's the motivation? While I can get behind a little smack talk, I just don't get it when it comes from nowhere.

Of course the media has a lot to say about whether he will re-sign with Toronto, and all that speculation can really add fuel to the trade fires. Just look what happened when Stephen A. Smith professed in February that "Bosh wants out of Toronto." In fact, aside from nervous, or frustrated Toronto fans, I'm not sure why everyone else is even slamming him. Does it mean that people should start dogging the all-star?

Now granted I don't twitter, so if I'm missing out on some incredible war of words with the media, I apologize. It just seems like here's a quiet, hard working, no flash, player who's just trying to make his way in the league. Perhaps it's just those reasons that make him a target of players verbatim. Maybe those players should stay focused on what team they play for now, how to play the game, and how not to alienate the fans that believe in them. In a way, they'd be acting just like Chris Bosh this off-season...huh.


 

Welcome Everyone!

 
This years playoff race crystal ball has become a little bit clearer, but there is no way any psychic would have ever predicted this outcome!

Question: Has there has been a more exciting playoffs in the last 5-10 years?

Answer: No way, no chance! (Don’t even try and prove me wrong!)

This year we've seen cuts, fights, last second shots (both missed and hit), suspensions, huge overtime wins, multiple game sevens (and not just the Celtics vs. the Bulls), series swept (thanks Cleveland), trash talking, come backs, and new records. There is a huge emphasis on heart in this years playoffs, and we the fans haven't been treated to so much heart play in a very long time.

For me I have big memories of the Pacers/Knicks rivalry (four point play anyone?!), and gritty games like Utah/Sacramento back in the Stockton/Jason Williams battles (great series). Those memories are a collection forged of a multiple of years, where as this year has already put together a clip show for the ages and we're not even at the finals!

The best part is where it's coming from.

Of course you have Lebron and the Cavs laying down the big hurt, and Kobe is grinding out the wins, but what's so exciting to watch are the teams like the Bulls who refused to quit against the champs, Houston going out there and demanding we watch them do there best David vs. Goliath impression, and Denver invoking the right to 'serious contender' after moving away from the 'dark horse' title.

Hard fought, scrappy wins are what make this league great. And while the off-season is now going to be riddled with 'contract re-negotiations' (congrats to Ben Gordon, Hedo, and Artest you're back in the money!), it's really the fans of the game that had their faith rewarded. I'll be the first to admit that once my team had been eliminated from the picture it was hard to watch with the same conviction, but I have, I really have. In fact I forced my mother-in-law to watch game 7 last night of the Celtics/Magic series over a certain show that featured desperate housewives, and she loved it too! When competition is true; and at the apex of skill and determination, it draws the attention of everyone whether they are fans or not.

Not only is the best yet to come with the outcomes of the next two series to see who makes it into the final show down, but it's the broad effect it will have in the off season and into the beginning of the 2009-2010 season as well. The Rockets, Bulls, and Hawks proved that they can handle the challenge and are ready. While the Celtics, Mavs, Pistons, and Spurs have exposed themselves as no longer the dominant powerhouses in the league and will have to re-evaluate in the off-season. All this transition breeds new excitement, new fans, new rivalries, and new intrigue to the league.

The best part is that there isn't a bracket, a Vegas bet, or even a quirky upbeat sports writer who would have said 'Oh yeah I knew that was going to happen'.  I honestly never thought I would contemplate the possibility of an Orlando/Denver final, but I can't rule anything out anymore. So keep your eyes glued to the set, because I doubt we've seen the last of the action.

The best is yet to come, that's my prediction.

Things are far from 'bling' with the Golden State Warriors, which to me doesn't make any sense. Looking at a roster that combines youth, scoring in oodles, and backed by one of the most experienced coaches in the universe, it makes you wonder what went wrong?

You have the rising star power in Andris Beidrins, and Monta Ellis. You have Captain Jack, Maggette, and Jamal Crawford, who combine for an average of 58 points a game. Brandon Wright, Anthony Randolph, and Belinelli lead the youth movement (all of them under 23 years old). It almost seems to good to be true, so what happened?

Welcome Everyone!

Sparing you the personal details of my life, it's been a busy week for yours truly.

Let's get at it shall we!

How much fun did Denver have last night?! I mean it. That was one of the most entertaining games I've watched in a while. The energy was great, and the Nuggets actually looked like a team having fun...oh and putting on a solid victory in the process too. Something about the new core group reminds me of the 2004 Detroit Pistons, and no it's not just Chauncey. I'll add this caution, Dallas will not give up like the Hornets.

There's a great spirit back in the 2008-2009 playoffs, good rivalry, and teams are playing with a zeal I feel like I haven't seen in quite some time.

I love the Hawks when they work, they really work, (which isn't all the time). High flying, three point shooting, trash talking (see Josh Smith), ball dunking monsters (see Josh Smith...try and forget the through the legs fiasco). One of the first courtside games I ever saw was back when J.R. Rider was the face of the franchise, and Lenny Wilkens was the coach. Those were some dark days as a Hawks fan. Now they have a team with great pieces, still some chemistry issues, but overall a team that is fun to watch and poised to make an impression on the Cavs in round 2.

If you're in Chicago what do you do about Ben Gordon? There's no doubt he's a talented player, and he really knows how to elevate his game. But this is a recession, and after his performance against the Celtics, he'll be demanding top dollar. It's a sticky situation for the Bulls and there faithful. There's no doubt that there will be some teams willing to pay top dollars for his services, good luck Gar Forman.

Is anyone else totally intrigued with Kevin Mchale and the Wolves? I am!

Lebron gets the MVP, he deserves it, move on.

I'll curb the ramblings for now, but stay tuned fans.

Oh wait, how about the post game press wrap up. I'm not going to watch it, because I don't think I need to. If you were CP3 or Byron Scott, what would/could you say? As a Hornets fan I doubt an apology would cut it. 

Welcome Everyone!

I remember where I was when the NBA announced that Toronto was going to score a franchise. It was an incredibly exciting time. I had been a Pistons fan since 1988, and to see Isiah Thomas leading the charge was just so exhilarating. Toronto was a good place for the NBA, and it had only been a couple of years since they had won the World Series. Another major league franchise made it seem like Toronto was taking a center stage in the pantheon of professional sports.

 That was until the naming of the team happened.

I remember the local newspapers had put out articles for fans to send in their suggestions. The shortlist of names included: The Beavers, Bobcats, Dragons, Grizzlies, Hogs, Scorpions, Tarantulas, Terriers, Towers, T-Rex and Raptors. A close friend of mine and I were very content and confident that the new name for this great franchise was going to be the Toronto 'Towers'.

Creating a sense of havoc in the naming process was the hugely successful Jurassic Park, which helped spawn the Raptors name. While a summer blockbuster film that involved dinosaurs excited me, I would have never imagined that a less relevant name for a professional basketball team based in Canada would have been chosen.

While more recently the woes of the 2008-2009 Raptors season is more upsetting than the naming of the franchise, I want to explore a hypothetical situation:

James Naismith, invented the game of basketball in 1891, and was also a Canadian. How many Americans know this? How many are commonly aware of this fact? Although I'm not a flag-waving patriot, I think it's noteworthy. Which leads me to the next thought in my hypothesizing.

What if instead of being the Toronto Raptors we had spent a little time away from the popularity of animatronic dinosaur flicks, and a little more time researching a proper name.

Imagine Toronto had instead chosen the ‘91's’. When opponents ask 'Why are they called the 91's?' a fan could reply 'Oh it's because that's the year James Naismith invented basketball...he was Canadian'.

So in the end Toronto fans would have a name that relates to why Canada should have an NBA team, gives them a sense of pride, and come on the 91's sounds cool.

Pride, that's what should be in a name.

(On a side note, Toronto was one of the original 11 teams in the NBA. During the 1946-1947 season they were called the Huskies.)

 

 Welcome Everyone!

For those on the east coast who had to walk outside today, share in this when I say 'Seriously...this is April?'

Ok, enough about the weather.

It's relatively hard not to get caught up in the hype and hysteria that is the fast approaching free agency spectacular of 2010. Not only is there literally the best players in the game gallivanting for top dollar, but a litter of excellent 'role' players as well. This is new territory when Yao Ming and Amar'e Stoudemire are barely peaking the interests of teams that have top dollar. A lot of speculation has been thrown in the direction of Miami, Cleveland, Toronto, and New York, with good reason. We've heard of the 2010 New York 'unholy trinity' which speculates Dwayne Wade, Lebron James, and Chris Bosh, all making a shocking exodus to the Big Apple. Here's something you probably haven't read; watch out for Atlanta.

While a lot of teams will be entering the big three sweepstakes, Atlanta could take the 2010 free agent pool by storm. The perfect storm!

Much like Detroit, Atlanta will have a lot of money to spend in the offseason (if they don't throw too much money at trying to retain Mike Bibby in this year's off season), and if they play things right could end up with a monster team.

Atlanta could decide to take advantage of this year's summers FA studs and land themselves some quality talent  at recession based prices. Players like Anthony Parker or Jeff Foster could be had for the right price, setting themselves up to make a deep splash in the 2010 market. Imagine if the Hawks decided to re-sign Joe Johnson and sign Amar'e Stoudemire? Rather than expend resources and energy trying to land one of the 'big three'. Picture Atlanta picking up a couple of additional role players like Udonis Haslem, or Travis Outlaw. Now, close your eyes, and think about that line up.

They have the money, and could be the real dark horse in one of the best free agency crops ever.

Welcome Everyone!