The NBA Season Is Saved

[McD5]

He's very solid. You'll be happy. Mark Cuban says "He has the best mid-range jumper I've ever seen." I can't disagree with that.

He's lights out as a shooter within fifteen feet.

McD5,

Tell Otis thank you for one Brandon Bass.

Guy had 15 pts/13 rbs in just 25 minutes off the bench.

Right now, seems like he doesn't miss from 15-17 feet.

MP should be available middle of next week, can't wait to see what he brings.

I'm glad to see he's doing well. A heck of a good person too, in addition to being a lights out shooter.

Now...MP may be even better. There is only one word to describe him--electric.

This is going to sound crazy now, but if you haven't really seen him before, you will see serious flashes of Michael Jordan or Rose when he drives to the rim. Few in the league are more athletic.

The guy can fly on amazing drives. His nickname is "Air France."

In addition to that, he is incredible behind the 3 pt line, and he may be your best defender. He'll be asked to guard the stars like Kobe and Durant every night.

He only has two negatives:

1. He needs the ball. With Pierce and Allen, and now even Bass, I'm not sure where those touches are going to come from. Somebody else's stats are going to have to suffer. If not, then....

2. He will say "F it." He will zone out and lose interest in the game. Instead of flying down the court, he'll just go into his own world and show bad body language. He's not happy simply playing defense. He wants to score 25 a night too. It's going to be a difficult balancing act for Doc. But wow! When he is engaged.....there are few like him.

 

[McD5]

Also Diesel, keep an eye out for Ryan Anderson on the Magic. He's a 23 year old forward who is quickly becoming a star. He is #10 in the league in scoring--first on the Magic, and leads the league in 3s. He's also an incredible rebounder, and takes it to the rim without fear. He's a tireless workhorse. A true joy to watch.

Dwight may have found his partner.

 

[Goaldeje]

The Lakers are not going to win the West and it pisses me off. Kobe and Bynum cant do it by themselves. Kobe might have been able to carry it with him a few years ago but he's getting to be the old battle tested vet who always has a nagging injury and we all know Bynum cant stay healthy.

**** DAVID STERN!!

They don't need to win the West, and they know it. They need to get into the playoffs and then see what happens. In '99, the last strike shortened year, the Knicks made it to the Finals as an 8 seed. Just get to the dance, and see what happens.

 

[Goaldeje]

Oh. Well then. Sorry. I don't see you playing in the Finals. I don't see how the Lake Show can hang with the young legs of OKC, and I would hate, personally, to hang my season on Bynum's knees.

I was trying to be nice, though.

 

[McD5]

LA is still the most likely landing spot for Howard. If they offer both Gasol and Bynum before the deadline--the Magic will likely accept.

If they don't offer both, the Magic will keep him all season, and see if he walks at the end of the year. They have no interest in what NJ is offering.

If he does leave at the end of the year, the Lakers, Nets and Mavs will fight over him.

There is an outside chance that the Mavs get both Howard and Deron Williams.

 

[McD5]

Dwight: 45 points, 23 rebounds, 2 blocks, 4 steals and a NBA all-time record 39 free throws. His best game ever.

The first 40, 20 game in the league since 2003, when Shaq did it.

Dear God.....please let him stay in Orlando.

 

[Om]

Meanwhile, the local team continues to make the case for the NBA to go to an English Premier League-style system, where teams have to EARN the right to play in the top league.

If ever a team deserved to be demoted to a B League, it's the Washington Wizards.

 

[Goaldeje]

Meanwhile, the local team continues to make the case for the NBA to go to an English Premier League-style system, where teams have to EARN the right to play in the top league.

If ever a team deserved to be demoted to a B League, it's the Washington Wizards.

B league? Or High School league?

The fam and I are contemplating a trip to DC in the Spring for a day or two. My wife said we could go to a Wizards game maybe. Are they paying people to go to the games yet?

 

[Om]

Not really. People are holding out for more money.

 

[McD5]

Meanwhile, the local team continues to make the case for the NBA to go to an English Premier League-style system, where teams have to EARN the right to play in the top league.

If ever a team deserved to be demoted to a B League, it's the Washington Wizards.

I don't know what the answer is there Om. With the Orioles, it's pretty clear that the owner is the problem. No one good will ever want to stay with that team, ala Mike Mussina, until that owner is gone. I'm really not even sure why they don't just move that team, and I have no idea why anyone would buy season tickets.

With the Wizards, I just can't put my finger on it. Is it the GM? The coach? Just a total lack of talent?

From where I sit, which is very far away, I believe it's a combination of things--as is usually the case with most problem franchises.

I believe the GM has to go. I also believe the coach has to go. And I hate to say it, because of my love for DC and all of my friends there, and my friends on this site, but I'm just not seeing a superstar in John Wall. I don't believe he is a bust yet, and I do believe he can improve with better coaching, but I'm just not impressed with much about his game. He is fast with the ball--but that's the most positive thing I can say right now.

I do hope the situation improves greatly for all of you.

 

[McD5]

And Diesel, I see MP is back. With him being out for so long, I expect it's going to take two weeks before he shoots the lights out, but I bet he can contribute immediately as the best defender on the floor. I see they play at 7 pm tonight. I'm going to try and catch some of that game.

How is Bass doing? I know he started off great. Is he still playing at that high level, or has he slowed a bit? Your team is beginning to look like the Magic of the north--Bass, MP and Dooling.

One last thing, Von Wafer is really impressing everyone down here. He isn't anything to talk about defensively, but he seems to be great one-on-one. He can create his own looks, and he's exciting to watch.

 

[McD5]

Kobe is absolutely on fire. 4 games in a row now where he has scored at least 40 points. The guy is amazing.

Also, Rasheed Wallace is kicking the tires on a comeback to the NBA. His last team apparently has no interest though.

http://basketball.realgm.com/wiretap/218298/Celtics_Reportedly_Have_No_Interest_In_Rasheed_Wallace

 

[McD5]

why would they? he was a cancer when he was decent..imagine him now!

I don't see anyone giving him a shot. I hope he didn't spend all of his money.

 

[McD5]

Ryan Anderson: 30 pts, 7 3 pointers, and continues to be the most efficient shooter in the NBA.

JJ Redick with 21 pts.

Carmelo 33 pts on 27 shots. Ryan Anderson 30 pts on 19 shots.

Where u going Dwight? You already have another star on your team.

Make it rain Ryan! Make it rain!

 

[McD5]

Om.....John Wall with 38 pts, and a lot less turnovers. His best game yet. There's hope!

 

[McD5]

Pietrus is starting to heat up. He is going to make fans up there.

 

[Goaldeje]

Scared yet, McD?

Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard has added the surging Los Angeles Clippers to his trade wish list, according to a report on SheridanHoops.com.

The Clippers, buoyed by the preseason addition of All-Star point guard Chris Paul, are 7-3 and among the early favorites in the Western Conference.

A source with knowledge of the ongoing Howard trade talks told SheridanHoops.com that Howard is "intrigued" by the idea of playing alongside Paul and sophomore sensation Blake Griffin.

 

[Goaldeje]

Sorry, forgot this:

I am not sure salary wise, what the Clips could offer to make a trade work. Anyone have any ideas?

EDIT: just tried to use ESPN's Trade Machine, but it is down while being updated with new CBA stuff, which happened 1.5 months ago. Get with it, ESPN!

 

[McD5]

just got back from the game, Dwight shot down the clippers rumor five minutes after espn reported it. Only two teams can even afford his contract next year, and the clippers aren't one of them.

 

[McD5]

ORLANDO, Fla. – This was the window into the basketball abyss of the Orlando Magic, the post-Apocalyptic rubble promising to remain in the wake of Dwight Howard’s departure. For all of Shaquille O’Neal’s bluster, Andrew Bynum hadn’t come to audition for the job, but reframe the dramatic gulf that exists between Howard and everyone else. Privately, the Magic understand where a trade for Bynum leaves them: out of the playoffs, out of relevance.

For this reason, the Magic should play out the season with Howard. No trade, no concessions. That’s the franchise’s inclination now, and that’s what the New Jersey Nets and Los Angeles Lakers are beginning to believe will happen.

“Orlando is too good to trade him now,” believes one front office executive who has communicated with Magic general manager Otis Smith recently.

The Magic are 11-4 and good. They’re really good. The Magic’s reluctance to meet Howard’s trade demands are simple: They’re willing to test his mettle. Want to leave as a free agent and take $30 million less on the market? We dare you.

read more...http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_y...arowski_dwight_howard_magic_lakers_nba_012112