With both Conference Finals on the cusp of ending, it's time for my last News, Notes, and Observations before the NBA Finals tip off next Thursday.
This week's trivia question: Who was the first power forward to score 20,000 points?
I Didn't Know He Doug Chicago
Doug Collins was hired on Thursday to be the new (old) head coach of the Chicago Bulls. Bulls fans have to be relieved that they at least got a coach they've heard of. The only other recognizable name I heard floated out there was Avery Johnson, and I think that Bulls fans would have rioted had they hired the Little General.
The hiring of Collins also led me to believe that the team will draft Derrick Rose. I can't imagine that Collins thinks that highly of Michael Beasley that he could lure him out of broadcasting and back onto the sideline.
Collins must've either been given assurances from John Paxson that the team was going to take Rose, or told Collins that he would be given a huge say in who the Bulls would take with the pick.
Collins' sudden about-face in returning to coaching says much more about the state of the Suns than it does about the state of the Bulls. Collins turned down the offer to become Suns' next coach by telling Steve Kerr that he had "no interest" in returning to coaching.
Sure the Bulls have the top pick in the draft and a nice collection of young talent. But what does it say about the Suns when Collins would rather inherit a 33-win team consisting of Luol Deng, Ben Gordon, Smokim Noah, and either Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley than he would Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, and Shaq?
Shaw-Shaq Reunion?
I've never been one to resist tooting my own horn. One of the reasons I love blogging is that it provides me with proof when I make a correct prediction.
In my NNO column from May 9, I predicted that the Suns would probably end up hiring Brian Shaw or Alvin Gentry. It wasn't as if I'd heard either name mentioned before by another writer. I made the conclusion based on Shaq's relationship with Brian Shaw that dates back to their days in Orlando and Gentry being a Suns assistant with previous head coaching experience.
With Shaq's history of getting coaches fired, the Suns would be wise to hire a friend of his. If it doesn't work out then you fire him after a year and hope there's a better name out there next summer. The Suns wouldn't have to give Shaw anything more than a three-year contract worth $2-$3 million.
I mentioned Gentry because he was an assistant under Mike D'Antoni and I figured he'd lobby to get another chance to be a head coach after failing with the Clippers, Pistons, and Heat. Gentry had one winning season as a head coach and it came during the lockout-shortened season of 1999.
Today's Arizona Republic has an article about Shaw's candidacy and the New York Post has an article about how the Suns are still refusing to let Gentry (and another assistant, Phil Weber) out of his contract to join D'Antoni in New York.
Are the Suns hanging onto Gentry and Weber just to spite D'Antoni, or does Kerr consider them candidates?
False Sense of Entitlement
For the third year in a row the Pistons didn't fail to disappoint us in the Eastern Conference Finals.
With Detroit down 3-2 heading into tomorrow night's Game 6, I find it hard to believe they'll win a Game 7 in Boston, even if they tie the series in Auburn Hills.
Why?
They couldn't beat inferior Miami and Cleveland teams the last two seasons, so why should I believe they'll beat a superior Celtics team in Boston?
The Pistons had a golden opportunity to take control of the series in Game 3 and they did what they always do—they played like they deserved to win instead of playing to win.
- B/R Ticket Guide
How many times does this team need to be humbled before they realize they're not as good as they think they are?
The problem is that their lone championship and their success in an inferior conference has made them believe that they'll always be a contender, when in actuality all they'll be is good enough to get to the Conference Finals.
Would the series have played out any differently had Chauncey Billups had a healthy hamstring? I'm not sure.
I do know that you won't get any sympathy from this Laker fan who watched the Pistons sweep the Lakers in the 1989 NBA Finals because Magic Johnson and Byron Scott both missed the series with hamstring injuries.
Trivia Hint No. 1: He was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and played for LSU.
Speaking of the Pistons...
Joe Dumars has done an amazing job of rebuilding the Pistons bench with youth while maintaining their status as an elite team. Rodney Stuckey, Aron Afflalo, Amir Johnson, and Jason Maxiell all look like NBA ballers. The issue is whether or not the starting five is good enough to win another ring.
Will this be the summer that Joe D makes a change amongst his starting five? Is there a chance he trades Rip Hamilton, Rasheed Wallace, or Chauncey Billups this summer just to shake things up, or will he hope that all the team needs is more experience from their bench to put them over the top?
Sheed has one year left on his deal and would probably retire if he got traded to a non-contender. I think Sheed retires after next season anyway.
Billups just signed a new deal that still has three more years and a team option for an additional year.
Tayshaun Prince has three more years but he just turned 28, so I don't think he's going anywhere.
Hamilton, though, has only two years left on his deal. I don't know if Dumars makes a move this summer, but if he does the logical choice is to go to Hamilton.
Don't be surprised if you start hearing Rip's name floating out there in rumors.
Cry Me a River-Walk, San Antonio
Did Brent Barry get fouled? Absolutely. Should he have even had a chance to tie or win the game? Absolutely not.
The Spurs didn't lose that game because of a non-call. They lost the game because they came out flat, they were out-rebounded and out-hustled the entire game, and because Manu Ginobili went back to being the Manu of Games 1 and 2.
The Spurs got every call in that entire game. The fact they even had a chance was a miracle. Derek Fisher's shot clearly hit the rim and the Lakers should have had the ball and 24 seconds instead of having to rush a shot.
What kills me is that the only people that are complaining are the fans. The Spurs coaches and players are doing what they always do, handling it with class and admitting it was a good non-call.
Speaking of the Spurs...
There's a very thin line between being a veteran team and being an old team. The Lakers learned their lesson in 2004 NBA Finals. That's the reason why in just four years only three guys are still on the team, and one of those three played for two teams before returning to the Lakers this year.
Big questions await the Spurs this offseason if, as expected, they don't advance to the Finals.
There's no denying the Spurs need an infusion of youth. Robert Horry, Michael Finley, Damon Stoudamire, Kurt Thomas, and Jacque Vaughn have very little left in their tanks. Bruce Bowen and Brent Barry look like they have a year or two left of productive basketball.
The team, as currently constructed, is too old to make a deep run into the playoffs with young teams like the Lakers, Hornets, Jazz, and Blazers on the up and up.
The question for the Spurs is can they add a piece or two in the offseason that will keep them a contender without damaging their financial forecast for 2010?
The Spurs have committed only $32 million to Tony Parker and Tim Duncan. They'll have enough cap space to make a run at LeBron James or Dwyane Wade.
Manu Ginobili will be a free agent, but the Spurs will do the same thing with him that they did with Tony Parker back in 2003 when they made a run at Jason Kidd. They'll try to use their cap space to lure someone better, and if they can't then they'll probably bring him back for another two years.
Used Ford for Sale!
Is it just me, or does the media seem to think much more highly of T.J. Ford than everybody else does?
It's no secret that the Raptors risk losing Jose Calderon to free agency if he isn't promised he'll be their starting point guard next year.
Every day there's another trade rumor involving Ford and they all seem ridiculous. Gery Woelfel in today's Racine Journal-Times mentions a T.J. Ford for Corey Maggette swap as being a great trade for both teams.
Why would the Clippers insure an often-injured point guard in Shaun Livingston with another often-injured point guard in T.J. Ford?
Ford is a good player. It's miraculous that he's been able to come back and play with severe neck injuries. But every trade I hear involving Ford is ridiculous when you consider he averaged close to 11.5 ppg and 6.5 apg.
He's also under contract for three more years, so another devastating injury could cripple a franchise until his contract expires.
If he's so good then why are the Raptors opting for Calderon and looking to trade him instead?
Trivia Hint No. 2: He was originally drafted second overall by the Milwaukee Hawks.
Enough with the KG and Bill Russell Conversation
ESPN and ABC need to stop shoving the KG and Bill Russell conversation down our collective throats. I love Bill Russell. I love KG. But the dramatic lighting and the dramatic music is so artificial. Only someone who cries watching Armageddon would think this conversation chills-inducing.
But my biggest problem with the piece is when Russell tells KG that he'll give him one of his rings if KG doesn't win one.
Doesn't Russell have any kids? You would give KG a ring after one unsuccessful season with the Celtics? Are you kidding me? Wouldn't you think Paul Pierce would be more deserving of one of Russell's rings by now?
Just awful.
Two Interesting Reads
If you're into Sports Business news then you should definitely check out Darren Rovell's Sports Biz page on CNBC.com. Rovell wrote an interesting piece on Kobe Bryant's viral ad campaign. He's also got another great article on the prospect of foreign ownership of professional sports teams in the United States.
The other piece is Sam Smith's latest blog entry on HoopsHype where, in the wake of the Josh Howard revelation and Joakim Noah arrest, he mentions that it's alcohol and not pot that is the real problem among NBA players.
Flopping Fines
The NBA announced they would start fining players for "theatrical flopping." It's definitely a step in the right direction, but it will be difficult to determine what's a flop and what's not.
I say forget the fine and start issuing either technical fouls or personal fouls for flops.
The game of soccer invented the flop and even they've started handing out yellow cards for players taking dives and faking injuries.
As for the other issue on the competition committee's agenda, there's still no change in Hack-A-Shaq. I guess Shaq will have to solve the problem the old-fashioned way—by making his free throws.
Trivia Answer: Bob Pettit
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5 months ago
I agree now that Collins is the coach he will definitely draft Rose. He always spoke highly of point guards and how important they were to a team while he was with TNT.
I agree with No. 6 and I myself am tired of the KG/Russell conversation. What has he even done to deserve a ring from him?
I also love the new the new flopping fines idea, and I think techs should be called, too.
And finally, great trivia question. Fantastic article.
from 5 months ago
Thanks, Michael. I'll get that thing to you either Friday or Saturday.
5 months ago
as a raptor fan he'll i'll be happy to get maggette for ford shoot i mean bosh needs another help and a 20ppg scorer will sure help, plus the raptors are the 2nd best free throw shooting team percentage wise and maggette is the number 1 player at getting to the line it makes complete sense for the raptors also questioning tj's 11.5 and 6.5 maybe you should open your eyes did it occur that ford had to give a quarter to jose well not necissarily but ford only played like 30mpg if he played fully as a strating point guard his averages would look something like 16 and 10 let's think outside the box!
from 5 months ago
Of course you'll be happy to get Maggette. That's the point I was making. The Clippers could do a lot better for Maggette than Ford. He's a nice player but he's not going to put a team over the top. Sure his numbers would have been better had he not split time with Calderon. But he was the starting point guard on a team that didn't get past the first round of the playoffs. There are at least twelve point guards in the NBA I'd take over Ford, including Calderon. There are three in this year's draft, Russell Westbrook, DJ Augustin and OJ Mayo who have more upside.
5 months ago
oh by the way great article!
5 months ago
The sad part about Detroit is that they could play as well as think they can play...except too many times they just sleepwalk.
Only when Larry Brown was nagging and nagging them did they always come to play. Needless to say, that's when their defense was downright scary and when their offense was ultra efficient. It helped that it was the only time Rasheed Wallace didn't play like a scared small forward.
Detroit, especially if they lose to Boston, will be remembered by me as one of the most disappointing teams of the last decade, more so than Phoenix, and Dallas, and past Sacramento teams, because Detroit could do so much more of they simply woke up.
The flopping fouls would be so much less of an issue if there better refs in the league. The league's decision to impose fines is an example of treating the symptoms instead of treating the disease of incompetent referees.
And I can't believe there are still media members (read: morons) out there who think T.J. Ford is anything more than a low grade starter/very good backup. He's simply a drive-and-dish guy who can't do anything else. Then again, the Clippers are a brainless franchise. Watch them trade Maggette (and throw in a first round draft pick, Brand, and Kaman) heads up for Ford.
Falling in line behind Mike and c, great article, enjoy your Lakers in the Finals.
5 months ago
TJ is one of the least appreciated point guards in the league. He's never really gotten starting point guard minutes but minute for minute he is one of the best pg's in the league. Don't forget, he took Millwaukee to the playoffs. The same Millwaukee team that has not even smelled the playoffs since, even with a solid point guard in Mo Williams and no other significant changes. Since entering the league, he has hovered around #2 in the league for assissts per 48 min. He struggled a little coming off the bench but look at his numbers as a starter over 48 min compared to Deron Williams.
TJ Ford 24.6 pts, 13.2 assists, 51% fg, 85% ft, 3.2 reb, 2.1 steals, 3.8 turn overs
Deron Williams 24.2 pts, 13.5 assists, 50% fg, 80% ft, 3.8 reb, 1.4 steals, 4.4 turn overs
from 5 months ago
I'm not impressed by any point guard who just "takes his team to the playoffs". Let me know when he "takes his team to the Eastern Conference Finals".
I'm not impressed by anybody stats stretched out over 48 minutes. Those are projections. I'm into facts. You can compare him to Deron Williams all you want but there isn't ONE general manager in the NBA that would rather have T.J. Ford. Not since Isaiah got fired.
Mo Williams is not a solid point guard. Mo Williams is a good scoring point guard. But he's not a solid point guard. The Heat were the only other team interested in him last off-season when he was a free agent.
Jeremy made a point below about Ford's toughness and dedication. I didn't question either of those things. I questioned his talent and he's yet to prove to me that he is one of the league's top 12 point guards.
5 months ago
I also am pretty disappointed with the Pistons and have been the last few years. It's difficult for Motown fans to come to grips with this team. Yes, we can embrace the lack of star power and defense because that's what we are, but we have a hard time understanding their arrogance and lack of effort night in night out. That makes us "blue-collar" fans absolutely livid. The largest protagonist of that attitude is Chauncey Billups, and injury or no, he's played very badly in their last couple years of playoff limbo. If we had to package one guy, I'd say it was him. That said, these circumstances now favor the Pistons. They need to win two in a row from a damn good team. They may actually care again. If only they'd cared about the outcome of game 3.
from 5 months ago
Daniel-
Sorry it took me so long to respond to your comment but you hit the nail on the coffin. I've been waiting for a Piston fan to come to grips with the team and give me a perspective without your fan goggles on.
I agree that if it were up to Dumars he'd pick Chauncey also, especially now that Stuck seems to be ready to blossom. The problem is finding a taker. The good news is that the final year of his contract is a team option and that your GM is the closest thing to Jerry West since the logo retired. He has been the most creative and successful GM in basketball over the past five or six years and still doesn't get the credit he deserves. Stack for Rip, the Sheed deal, trading Darko for cap space and a mid first-round pick that became Stuckey, the Chauncey deal, drafting Prince, Maxiell, Amir Johnson and Afflalo, signing McDyess, letting Ben Wallace walk, getting someone to take Nazr's horrible contract for an expiring one.
I wouldn't fret about the future. The Celtics have a two-year window with the moves they made. The Pistons have a great young core and have been so financially responsible it's unfathomable.
Again, great comment. Now if only we get could get that Mason guy traded before an opposing player beats the crap out of him.
from 5 months ago
No frets here. I've got faith in Joey D and am encouraged by our young players. Though together they are old, individually, each of the starters could be invaluable for another club. Seemingly, we've got a lot of options in the off season. Joey D always said he would keep this team together as long as they had a viable shot at the title. I think the last viable shot just misfired.
And no love for Mason? HaHaHa! I'll admit his celebrity is a bit ridiculous but I kind of like him.
5 months ago
Oh yeah, and beware of Doug Collins. Any guy that can't win with Mike, goes on tear-filled tirades with the Pistons, and gets forced out of Washington is not high on my list of coaches. The coaching carousel is so funny. Just because a guy's been there people want him back. Irregardless of what kind of job he did.
from 5 months ago
Another great comment. Teams sometimes feel that name recognition is better than hiring the best man for the job, especially in a big city. The bigger the name, the larger the rope. Look how many no-names got jobs, were fired within two years, and then never got hired again. Kurt Rambis, Terry Stotts, Sidney Lowe, Keith Smart, Randy Whtiman, Leonard Hamilton, The only guys that I can think of to get a second chance were Mike D'Antoni, Eric Musselman and Alvin Gentry.
Even Bill Belichik had to wait years to get another chance and now he's got three (controversial) rings as a head coach.
5 months ago
Any team that takes on Ford's contract is insured against any serious injury, so no, he could not "cripple a franchise until his contract expires", as you say.
Get your facts before you write things about players.
Also, by slamming Ford, you're completely ruining any credibility you may or not have had in the first place. This is a guy who could have given up and mailed it all in this year after the hit he took from Horford, but as soon as he was cleared for practice, he started getting back into shape with John Lucas. That shows how dedicated he is.
You've embarrassed yourself by writing these things about TJ Ford and you've shown you know very little about basketball.
from 5 months ago
Actually Jeremy, whether or not Ford's contract is insured it would still count against the cap. Even if he were to retire because of the injury his contract would still count against the cap for a year. That's the situation right now with Darius Miles. If an independent 3rd party doctor deems Miles knee unfit to return to basketball and he retires the Blazers wouldn't be able to drop his salary from their cap until after next season.
Also, I didn't slam T.J. Ford. I just think that he isn't is as good as some people want you to believe. You're not going to change my mind and I'm not going to change yours. The bottom line is that the Raptors are shopping him around and we'll know how valuable the rest of the league thinks he is by what the Raptors get in return for him.
You wanna question my basketball knowledge that's fine. I'd be fine if you choose not to read anything else I write.
I would be bitter too if my team lost to the Magic in the first round, wasted the top overall pick on Andrea Bargnani, was coached by Sam Mitchell and had to overpay free agents to get them to play north of the border. And all that is on top of the fact that your best player is no sure bet to stick around for more than two more years.
5 months ago
For me, whether I'm impressed by a point guard taking his team to the playoffs depends on the team. I'm not impressed that Rondo took the Celtics to the playoffs. But I'm talking about the Milwaukee Bucks. Milwaukee. Have you seen how bad they suck? They're get beat by Miami at home bad. And, prior to last season you could have said the same thing about the Raptors. They probably won't colapes with the more than solid Calderon, but there will be some sellers remorse.
If you're not impressed by stretching TJ's minutes to 48 then stretch them to 37 and you will see that they are as good as Deron William's. By the way, his efficiency is better too. While stretching a 2 min. a game players minutes to 48 may cause problems. You know what you are going to get from TJ when you give him ten extra minutes, you get more of the same.
If TJ lands on a team with a coach, watch out. I'm hoping for NY, even though they don't have any talent.
from 5 months ago
James, that Bucks team finished 40-42. They made the playoffs solely because they were in the East. Are you really impressed by that?
Here's a list of 12 point guards that I would definitely rather have running my team than TJ Ford:
Chris Paul
Deron Williams
Steve Nash
Baron Davis
Andre Miller
Tony Parker
Chauncey Billups
Devin Harris
Mike Bibby
Jason Kidd
Jose Calderon
Rajon Rondo
Here's a list of five more guys that I'd consider over TJ Ford:
Derek Fisher/Jordan Farmar
Kirk Hinrich
Mo Williams
Rafer Alston
Mike Conley
5 months ago
oj mayo? he has about as much upside as telfair all show, i mean really there comparing this guy to ben gordon and that can't be any good how could a person like that be a game changer? Then taking free gifts?? sounds like Sebas again, dj augustin? Man he reminds me so much of daniel gibson the way he plays and everything. Westbrook?? LOL yeah if you like your guys getting blown away by the wind face it this draft sucks for point guards period probably the worst in a really really long time....so for you to say you'd take these guys over ford let alone jose??? im starting to question your knowledge please rethink your statements
5 months ago
"I would be bitter too if my team lost to the Magic in the first round"
Hmm ignorant post so what are you saying really, the magic are no good? i'm a raptors fan but it's obvious your just a rider for some "good" team, also the raptors didn't lose as bad as it seems they only reason the raptors couldn't win is they couldn't close out the fourth they had all the games(except for game 1 but then again they came within 4 to 5 points) in there hands and it slipped away that's fine, that's life.
"Wasted the top overall pick on Andrea Bargnani"
hmmm another ignorant post after all you probably know how his NBA career is gonna go by the way you make your statements you must be just like ms. cleo...a big fake, in your predictions how many nba players didn't take 3-4 years to actually show what they have? Sure some were great right off the top but what about guys like kobe,KG,tmac, that came to the league and took there time to get better and you are just gonna right off bargnani?? In case you didn't know bargnani is being forced to go to a special training camp that will help his development and get him more built.
"Was coached by Sam Mitchell"
Not much to say here except like i said about the players i'll say the same about coaches they have to develop over time will he be legendary? Probably not, look at larry brown he coached only two seasons with the nets...and did terrible! until he finally fought and one day was able to win it all so don't jump the gun again.
"And all that is on top of the fact that your best player is no sure bet to stick around for more than two more years"
MISS CLEO AGAIN!!! the toronto raptors have a crap load of money and would offer him whatever he wanted also the raptors will be a dominate eastern conference team in two years, i guarantee i'll be laughing in your face, book it! Bryan Colangelo is a mastermind and will make this a team that will forever be remembered in raptors history, count on it!
from 5 months ago
"the raptors will be a dominate eastern conference team in two years, i guarantee i'll be laughing in your face"
How are you going to accuse me of thinking I'm Miss Cleo in one sentence and then make your own (stupid) guarantees about The Raptors, OJ Mayo, Russell Westbrook and DJ Augustin in another?
"LOL yeah if you like your guys getting blown away by the wind"
What were you trying to say about Westbrook getting blown away by the wind? Have you seen him? He's three inches taller and 25 pounds heavier than Ford. Check this out and tell me he's going to get blown over by the wind:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FP0ua5xFw4
or this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7zh3uVUJv4&feature=related
"face it this draft sucks for point guards period probably the worst in a really really long time"
Don't compare OJ Mayo to Sebastian Telfair. Mayo is a very underrated defender and already has an NBA body. Telfair has been in the league for four years and he still doesn't have an NBA body. Knock the guys character for taking handouts but don't use it to discredit his potential as a basketball player.
This draft isn't as deep for point guards but that doesn't change the fact that those three guys COULD be better than TJ Ford.
"Bryan Colangelo is a mastermind and will make this a team that will forever be remember in raptors history"
Please tell me about all the championships that Colangelo won in Phoenix? Did you say "forever remember in raptors history"? How difficult would that be? The franchise has a lifetime record of 429-605 and they've made it to the playoffs five times and only past the first round once. Saying Colangelo will turn them into a team that will be remembered is akin to saying Danny Devito will be remembered as the tallest midget.
So you're saying the mastermind that drafted Bargnani and gave Jason Kapono 4 years and $24 million will make this a team that will be remembered in raptors history with their crap load of money?
Bargnani is a bust. The guy took a step backwards from his unspectacular rookie campaign. Guys like KG, TMac and Kobe weren't the first overall picks in the draft and all three made the jump from high school. They weren't professionals at 15 like AB was. So yes, I am "writing (not righting) him off".
I'm not a rider of some good team. I was born in Los Angeles in 1977 and have been a Laker fan my whole life and season-ticket holder since 1989. I was raised on Magic, Worthy and Kareem and not Zan Tabak, Carlos Rogers and Sharone Wright. I know a good team when I see one. I know a good point guard when I see one.
The Raptors were a .500 team this year in the Eastern Conference and would not have made the playoffs in the West. They have the 17th pick in the draft so that won't help much and have to re-sign their point guard with what little cap space they have left.
They are a mediocre team.
I appreciate your passion for the team but I'm laughing at your ridiculous guarantees and inability to look at your team objectively. They are soft. That's why their best player will bounce in two years. He's not going to devote his prime years to playing for a team that's softer than Charmin Ultra.
This was my favorite quote from your post:
"In case you didn't know bargnani is being forced to go to a special training camp that will help his development and get him more built."
What do you mean he's being forced to go? What kind of "special training" will he get? Are they sending him to boot camp like those kids on Maury Povich that talk back to their parents? Bargnani doesn't have the heart or the desire. All he has is a chick's name and the ability to occasionally hit an open three.
from 5 months ago
"the raptors will be a dominate eastern conference team in two years, i guarantee i'll be laughing in your face"
How are you going to accuse me of thinking I'm Miss Cleo in one sentence and then make your own (stupid) guarantees about The Raptors, OJ Mayo, Russell Westbrook and DJ Augustin in another?
"LOL yeah if you like your guys getting blown away by the wind"
What were you trying to say about Westbrook getting blown away by the wind? Have you seen him? He's three inches taller and 25 pounds heavier than Ford. Check this out and tell me he's going to get blown over by the wind:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FP0ua5xFw4
or this one:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7zh3uVUJv4&feature=related
"face it this draft sucks for point guards period probably the worst in a really really long time"
Don't compare OJ Mayo to Sebastian Telfair. Mayo is a very underrated defender and already has an NBA body. Telfair has been in the league for four years and he still doesn't have an NBA body. Knock the guys character for taking handouts but don't use it to discredit his potential as a basketball player.
This draft isn't as deep for point guards but that doesn't change the fact that those three guys COULD be better than TJ Ford.
"Bryan Colangelo is a mastermind and will make this a team that will forever be remember in raptors history"
Please tell me about all the championships that Colangelo won in Phoenix? Did you say "forever remember in raptors history"? How difficult would that be? The franchise has a lifetime record of 429-605 and they've made it to the playoffs five times and only past the first round once. Saying Colangelo will turn them into a team that will be remembered is akin to saying Danny Devito will be remembered as the tallest midget.
So you're saying the mastermind that drafted Bargnani and gave Jason Kapono 4 years and $24 million will make this a team that will be remembered in raptors history with their crap load of money?
Bargnani is a bust. The guy took a step backwards from his unspectacular rookie campaign. Guys like KG, TMac and Kobe weren't the first overall picks in the draft and all three made the jump from high school. They weren't professionals at 15 like AB was. So yes, I am "writing (not righting) him off".
I'm not a rider of some good team. I was born in Los Angeles in 1977 and have been a Laker fan my whole life and season-ticket holder since 1989. I was raised on Magic, Worthy and Kareem and not Zan Tabak, Carlos Rogers and Sharone Wright. I know a good team when I see one. I know a good point guard when I see one.
The Raptors were a .500 team this year in the Eastern Conference and would not have made the playoffs in the West. They have the 17th pick in the draft so that won't help much and have to re-sign their point guard with what little cap space they have left.
They are a mediocre team.
I appreciate your passion for the team but I'm laughing at your ridiculous guarantees and inability to look at your team objectively. They are soft. That's why their best player will bounce in two years. He's not going to devote his prime years to playing for a team that's softer than Charmin Ultra.
This was my favorite quote from your post:
"In case you didn't know bargnani is being forced to go to a special training camp that will help his development and get him more built."
What do you mean he's being forced to go? What kind of "special training" will he get? Are they sending him to boot camp like those kids on Maury Povich that talk back to their parents? Bargnani doesn't have the heart or the desire. All he has is a chick's name and the ability to occasionally hit an open three.
5 months ago
"What were you trying to say about Westbrook getting blown away by the wind? Have you seen him? He's three inches taller and 25 pounds heavier than Ford. Check this out and tell me he's going to get blown over by the win"
I made a huge mistake i mixed up westbrook with dj augustine, there the same height, and he only ways 15 pounds more. Well anway, Augustine is a mid to late first round pick, tj ford was a number 8 pick in a LEGENDARY draft. DJ's track record in college is a joke against TJ's : in his first season at Texas, Ford not only led the team in steals and minutes per game, he became the first freshman player in NCAA history to lead the nation in assists (8.27 per game). Ford's play ensured that Texas made it to the Sweet Sixteen, while he recorded 15 double-digit assist games, and was named a consensus Big 12 Freshman of the Year. In 2003, the sophomore was third in the nation in assists (7.7 "per game), and led the Longhorns in scoring, assists and steals.Ford was also the South Regional MVP while leading Texas to its first Final Four since 1947. At the end of the season, the consensus First Team All-America selection won the prestigious Naismith College Player of the Year and John Wooden awards, and was named Player of the Year by Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, ESPN.com and CBS SportsLine. To honor Ford, his #11 jersey was retired by his university, making him only the fourth University of Texas athlete in any sport (and the only basketball player) to have such an honor, joining Earl Campbell, Ricky Williams, and Roger Clemens. Augustine could not even walk up to these things no way so unless he's like Rondo and ends up with a bunch of great player he will be forgotten quickly.
"Don't compare OJ Mayo to Sebastian Telfair. Mayo is a very underrated defender and already has an NBA body. Telfair has been in the league for four years and he still doesn't have an NBA body. Knock the guys character for taking handouts but don't use it to discredit his potential as a basketball player."
don't discredit his potential as a basketball player?? isn't that the same shit that you just did to barganani?? Discrediting the guy without waiting it out and seeing what happens in his NBA career is unfair.
"Please tell me about all the championships that Colangelo won in Phoenix? Did you say "forever remember in raptors history?How difficult would that be? The franchise has a lifetime record of 429-605 and they've made it to the playoffs five times and only past the first round once. "
How are you gonna say something stupid like that?? Colangelo? hate on him on his birthday?(june 1) anyway he had to do his thing in the hardest conference in the NBA maybe your to spoiled by your "great" Lakers team? Colangelo is only 43 years old(today) compare that to all the other gm's who are 50 or WAY past that, also colangelo won executive of the year twice in just 3 years, think about it Pheonix team won 30 games and then won 60 games the next season and with the raptors they won 27 and then the next year they won 47 so don't discredit so soon, he's still a young guy he's probably younger then you are. as for questioning the franchise, sure you like the lakers so you can have the bragging rights the lakers have been in the league for 50+ years the raptors have only been for 12 once raptors get to 30 and havent one a championship, then we can talk but then again you might be dead by then.
"Saying Colangelo will turn them into a team that will be remembered is akin to saying Danny Devito will be remembered as the tallest midget."
do you read what you say? i said they will be a team to be remember in RAPTORS HISTORY.
"They have the 17th pick in the draft so that won't help much and have to re-sign their point guard with what little cap space they have left."
Duh, and they'll re-sign jose calderon and also they already having been talking about tj plus the 17th for a much higher pick from someone looking to move up who doesn't need there current pick
"I appreciate your passion for the team but I'm laughing at your ridiculous guarantees and inability to look at your team objectively. They are soft. That's why their best player will bounce in two years. He's not going to devote his prime years to playing for a team that's softer than Charmin Ultra."
You know it's been pretty obvious that you as a laker fan want bosh on your team the same way phil jackson did, until he talked about it and ended up getting fined for it. This team is soft there's no one that will run up to fight you and im not gonna deny that fact i agree 100% so i can look at then objectively. but i know if we can get a great rebounder and a guy that can get 20ppg we can be an elite team in the east it was only last year when we were third in our conference and detriot will more or less disband making this an easier conference to take outside of the aging Boston.
"What do you mean he's being forced to go? What kind of "special training" will he get? Are they sending him to boot camp like those kids on Maury Povich that talk back to their parents?"
Actually he is going to boot camp.....for basketball......
this all started with this stupid comment you made:
"I would be bitter too if my team lost to the Magic in the first round, wasted the top overall pick on Andrea Bargnani, was coached by Sam Mitchell and had to overpay free agents to get them to play north of the border. And all that is on top of the fact that your best player is no sure bet to stick around for more than two more years."
I mean come the hell on! You said something this extreme because you were mad someone questioned your knowledge on basketball? i mean i just hope you don't get paid by bleacher to write.... because if you do then you have shown that you bite people quickly for questioning your "writing and knowledge skills" if you do it for free then i guess it's ok........
from 5 months ago
This didn't start when I told you what a joke your franchise was. It started when you told me to open my eyes and think outside the box. I had the ability to pick the Spurs to beat the Lakers. I can think outside the box. You, my friend, think that your team is two players from being a contender. Sure they are. If those two players are LeBron James and Kobe Bryant.
The fact that you know when your GM's birthday is all I need to know about your fan bias. As a Laker fan, I like Chris Bosh but the Lakers don't need him. They have a good enough power forward.
Go ahead and call my comments stupid, tell me to open my eyes, think outside the box. The fact of the matter is that your team isn't nearly as good as you think it is.
Everyone is entitled to their opinion. Personally, I think TJ Ford is decent. You think he's great. You question my knowledge and I'll tell you why you're so bitter. The guy has already been traded once in four years and he's about to get traded again. You know who else got traded that often so early in their career? Sam Cassell. Congrats, you've got the poor man's Sam Cassell.
At least I know the difference between DJ Augustin and Russell Westbrook.
If you're going to steal from another website (in this case Wikipedia) at least give the website credit. Besides, I don't really care about TJ's college resume'. Go ahead an look up Bobby Hurley's resume' and we all know what a great pro he turned out to be--even before the accident.
What I said about Mayo has nothing to do with what I said Bargnani. You compared Mayo to Telfair and he's already a better player than Telfair. I'm knocking Bargnani because he sucks. One guy hasn't played an NBA game yet and the other guy was the first overall pick in the draft and has shown nothing in two year to make anyone believe he's the Italian Dirk Nowitzki. He's not even the Italian Darko. That's why he's going to Maury Povich boot camp.
Your grasping for straws, guy.
I'll say it again--let's see what the Raps get for Ford. Then you'll know how the rest of the league feels about him.
5 months ago
to: andrew.
i'm not even a raptors fan and i think you're a joke. miller, harris and bibby over calderon? you were kidding about those guys right?
you may have been around a long time (which i doubt), but you're making a fool of yourself on this site and by posting long-winded replies to biased fans.
take yourself seriously, it'll do you some good.
and show a little class.
from 5 months ago
I didn't put the list in any particular order. I'll show class to anyone that shows me class. Anyone that disrespects me will get the same treatment back.
I take myself seriously. It's you that I don't.
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