Reggie Miller will shine
Reggie Miller can not only come back and play, but he would be successful without a doubt. Why? Simple. He can make open shots. That’s what the NBA is all about right now anyway. Give the ball to your stars and everyone else gets out the way. Reggie can get out of the way and be productive better than any player in the game right now. Heck, I can put a Celtic uniform on right now and get 10 points a game just by staying out of the way. The difference between me and Reggie, though, is my legs will not allow me to run back to the other end and move laterally. I am praying every night for a medical breakthrough with regards to new knees that make you feel like you are 25 again. But Reggie Miller can do it. He is one of the best conditioned athletes ever and he has not stopped being athletically tuned since his retirement. What most people don’t understand is you can never be in NBA shape unless you are playing the NBA game. That is the major hurdle for any returning player and the only ones I see right now based on weight and history of toughness are Reggie Miller, Charles Oakley and Scottie Pippen.
Reggie would fit in quite nicely with Boston. Can you imagine spotting him up at the three-point line. Players would have to leave him to help out on the Big Three. Pick your poison. If Doc Rivers puts Garnett, Pierce, Allen, Miller and Eddie House on the floor at the same time… Who do you leave? Obviously this would not be a starting lineup, but during the middle and end of the game it would be a nightmare for any defense.
I am rooting for Reggie, but I am also rooting for Allan Houston, who left the game much too early with a bad knee. Heck, why don’t the Celtics chase him too? Then they can add a few bruisers inside to go with Scot Pollard and Big Baby from LSU and look out Eastern Conference.
Reggie Miller is one of my favorite teammates ever and I personally think he should do it and help Boston in its quest to get back on the map. If he comes back, I predict he will play 20 to 25 minutes a game and average 10 to 14 points. If he stays at TNT, I predict he will be OK in that medium as well.
That’s why I say… Do it Reggie! You only live once so keep living and playing the sport you love and just maybe the Celtics can shock the world.
david Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 8:07 am
I, too am a big Reggie Miller fan, especially after he made that play (2 plays) scoring 6 points in just a couple of seconds.
However, how can you give Boston so much credence when with the same breath you discount(ed) the Spurs for being too old??
I think that by the time THEY gel, they will be older than San Antonio.
Hitting open shots is great (look at Ray Ray)…getting back on defense (as you alluded to ) is essential (again look at Ray Ray…not).
Boston might make it out of the East — my money is on Chicago.
gio Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 8:09 am
good stuff Eddie!!I always enjoy your writing here.Go Celtics Go!
Alex Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 8:14 am
1. I love how every description of Eddie Johnson’s articles says “Some believe that… Eddie Johnson does not.”
2. Didn’t the Celtics just sign someone that plays the same position as Reggie Miller, has the same shooting ability as Reggie Miller, is younger than Reggie Miller, and plays defense UNLIKE Reggie Miller? Oh yeah, they did, his name is Eddie House, and he’s mentioned in the article. And he’s better than Reggie Miller at the same position right now.
3. If the C’s put Garnett, Pierce, Allen, Miller, and Eddie House on the floor at the same time, I hope they enjoy not having a point guard.
Adrian Warner Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 8:51 am
Well, pretty good article, commen sense as Eddie pointed out was this is not a starting five. But trying to get a run going or the end of game type scenerio. EDDIE HOUSE does not have the poise as Reggie Miller, please let’s not compare…Reggie will be good for 10-15 min a night, occasional 20-25 and give you 6-8 pts a game..which would be great. Please lets not forget he is like a career 89% free throw shooter!
nbaer Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 9:35 am
I totally agree with you for two reasons. Firstly, most of the players in NBA don’t know the basics in basketball (that’s the reason USA is played awful in World Championship, Olympics etc.). They are good athletes, good skills but they are not like the past players, because they don’t know the simple things in basketball. Reggie is a guy that knows a lot of basketball. He knows how to protect himself, also the exact movement in order to have the shot. Probably, he’s going to play in the same side with Garnett, because Garnet is a guy that no one player can stop him alone.
The second reason has to do with the shot. At least the 80% of the NBA players are bad shooters. Reggie is hot from outside and has some things in his basketball personality that are unique.
Lastly, some guys that they are acting like stars, they will see a 42years old guy running like crazy to defense and offense. So, I believe that Reggie except the things that he’s going to give many things to Celtics, he will - also - give some lessons to the new guys about the real NBA star.
Thank you
SIx Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 9:35 am
Yeah Reggie is a great help to this middle-aged team. Why not bring back Larry Bird too? that would really be great.
dj hott Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 9:57 am
ok how many shooters do u want now,
i say reggie will avg 20 mins a game 10 pts, then ray allen or pierce will miss some games with injuries and he may have a few highlight games
good addition, reggies shape and not too much pressure on his shoulders should be a plus for him and his new team, i think ray allen can be a walk the ball up pg some and have reggie at the 2 pierce at 3. garnett at 4 and glen davis at 5, this being there exciting 5 or most talented
rhondo will have to grow soon, him and reggie can be the skeleton crew in the backcourt
celtics vs phoenix in championship- stoudemire will dunk on duncan a few years to bring the new era in and wake duncan up,
if the cavs trade larry hughes,d.gooden, d.jones, and a years supply of rockstar energy drinks they could get j.oneal and compete with the celtics for a east showdown
dj hott Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 10:01 am
michael jordan is coming back to to play with the heat
g.d.wade g.j.williams g.g.payton
g.p.hardaway g.s.parker g-f-daqueen cook
f.m.jordan f.j.posey
fa.walker(less jewlry) f.u.haslem
c/.s.oneal c.a.mourning
M.Babür Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 10:02 am
I am a C’s fan from turkey & I think that Boston must get a geriatrician for this team:)I am very sad due to Big Al & Gomes trading.
dj hott Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 10:08 am
allan houston to ny-penny to miami-reggie to boston
mj-to miami pippen to dallas rodman to houston
laclippers trade corey maggette,s.livingston, al thornton for j.oneal
g-b.knight g-s.cassell 5th in west
g.c.mobley g.q.ross
f.t.thomas f
f.e.brand
c.j.oneal c-kaman
Dajuan Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 10:22 am
I agree with Alex, after reading this blog, I find it unamusing.
gerry v Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 10:31 am
memo to eddie…..millers game is about moving w/o the ball
that will be dificult for him.yeah spotting up for the catch and shoot paints a nice picture.what about the return trip to the other end of the floor ? who can he chase on the D ? i loved reggie as a player i just don’t think he has the wheels anymore.the game reels in my head show picture reggie at his best.i don’t want him chasing the air….
thanks
GV
greg d. Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 10:54 am
Hi! Reggie Miller would be a great addition to the Celtics.They will surely reach the NBA finals with great clutch shooters in Pierce, Ray Allen & Reggie Miller plus the experience they bring.If Garnett was able to bring the Wolves in the tough Western Finals with Sam Casell & Latrell Sprewell as sidekicks, how much more in the shallow Eastern conference with Pierce & Ray Allen.The Celtics will be heavy favorites to reach the NBA finals this coming season.
jay Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 11:17 am
WOW you guys really have very good ideas!!! just imagine a great shooter like reggie miller teaming up with garnett, pierce and allen, that will be an awesome lineup… that is if they are playing the all star game everyday, hehehe! c’mon guys, what the celtics need is a perimeter defensive presence not another target for opposing athletic and speedy guards to exploit. guys like miller, houston, hardaway are useful for teams lacking veteran leadership and offense off the bench and occassional clutch plays, something which is not an important need for the celtics right now. oakley or mutombo for defense and rebounding is a much better option right now. for perimeter defense they need someone like james posey.
by the way, celtics fans must pray that the injury bug last season is just a fluke otherwise you are in for a very big disappointment. the way the celtics has been gutted for garnett makes their team vulnerable to injury disasters. a “big-2″ without bench support will be devastating so keep your fingers crossed.
Eddie Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 11:22 am
David
Boston has three bonafide every day superstars. San Antonio has one. Age additions will not hurt Boston as much as the Spurs.
scoubab00 Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 11:25 am
…mmmmm, I’m not sure. Old age makes you slower and slower. Reggie would need very accusate assists, blocks, or help. I think big big three (Garnett, Pierce and Allen) will take almost all of the energies of the others players in the Boston roster.
So, I don’t feel such a old mate in a very ripe team. But if Reggie really come back and if I’m wrong, good !
david Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 11:26 am
Eddie,
Agreed, but then there is the time to gel — chemistry, which the Spurs already have.
Also, I realize that last year was TP’s best — when does he get “star” status? (and not for the Eva nonsense) Did any point guard in the league play better than he did last year? He’s only 26.
kevin roberts Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 11:29 am
I’m sorry, but your logic here is terrible. there is no actual reason to think a 42 year old can or would score even close to 10 a game, especially when he’s 5th or 6th on the scoring food chain.
think about it. garnett, allen, pierce, perkins, and rando are all ahead of miller or anyone else on the scoring option food chain.
not only that, but you dillusional like every other celtic band wagon jumper. scot pollard is a scrub. the big baby is just that. a big fat baby that shouldn’t even be in the nba.
and eddie house? please. he’s a shoot shoot shoot pass player. he’s weak sauce.
so enough about miller. allan houston MAYBE. but miller scoring 10 or being a huge role player? unlikely. maybe if he were 36 like a gary payton or mourning helped the heat two years ago. not friggin 42.
Charles Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 11:30 am
Funny,
Reggie was harping on Karl Malone and Gary Payton for chasing a ring. Oh the irony. Also, he and Magic spoke on TNT how Michael Jordan tainted his legacy by coming back…..
Stay home Reggie!
onra Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 11:47 am
youre right eddie. you are never wrong anyway, especially when you talk about reggie.
Noah Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 12:02 pm
Big Baby? Is he even going to play? Surely he’s behind Leon Powe on the depth chart, making him at best the 5th inside player on that team.
Stefan Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
Eddie, I couldn’t agree with you more. Of all the former all-stars looking to make a comeback, Reggie’s the most legitimate threat. The guy has always been in top shape. At 39, before he retired he was still playing major minutes and moving brilliantly without the ball and making clutch shots. He says his legs hurt when he would wake up after a game day; I sympathize, but hope he can find it in him to endure one more season, cause it wouldn’t be for nothing. This could be a comeback story of epic sports proportions, one for the ages. Headlines by all-star break would read: “Big Three Outshined by 42-yr-old Comeback Kid”.
I was never a huge Pacers fan, nor am I big Celts supporter, but I’ve always loved Reggies game. I really do believe he can come back.
As for the comment about the celts having an identical player in Eddie House, I laughed so hard my espresso came out my nose. The cafe owner had to ask mee to settle down, seriously. Eddie House? The guy who disappears in the clutch, compared to the textbook definition, the personification of clutch shooter? As my crazy uncle Manoli from Greece would say: “T’ahis hasi?” (translation: “Have you lost it?”)
Some people make me laugh.
Peace
chris Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
I vote to have alex banned from the forums. Eddie house isnt half the player today that reggie miller is. Also, what defense does eddie house play? Also, did you watch eddie brickhouse last season? Apparently not, he was atroscious…
David, Valencia, España Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 2:02 pm
Reggie is the one! But… what’s the opinion about his return of Pacers fans?
Brett Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 2:07 pm
There is no way a 42-year old Reggie Miller is better than a 29-year old Eddie House in anything other than WIDE open 3-point shooting (which is debatable) and free throw shooting (which is also debatable). Plus the FT shooting doesn’t matter for Reggie since you don’t foul someone that only shoots behind the arc.
Jonny Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
The idea of a 42 year old SG coming back would be ridiculous….if it was anyone other than Reggie Miller.
In his last season, at age 39, Miller CARRIED his team at times, scored his age once in the regular season (39 points), played 30+ minutes a game, and in his last game, in the playoffs against the best defensive team in the NBA, scored 27 points and played great defense against Rip Hamilton.
With his work ethic and ridiculous conditioning routine (I think people are forgetting how in shape Miller was a couple of years ago….and that was playing almost 30 mins a night for a whole season), if Reggie Miller returns, I have no doubt that he can still play some solid D, and NO ONE doubts that he can still shoot.
Do people really think that this guy, after 2 years off, couldn’t spell Allen for 10-15 mins a game? He would be valuable in the locker room, with his work ethic for younger players, and still make other teams fearful in the playoffs. I can tell you one thing, if I’m an opposing NBA player, I DO NOT, I REPEAT, DO NOT leave Reggie Miller to help out on defense in a playoff game, in the fourth quarter. I don’t care who else is the game. Now thats a weapon that anyone could use.
statusmvp Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
why yall hating on eddie house for??? every player is different, the nba would be boring if all players played the same….with that out of the way….its like charles barkley said, “players do not retire, so they can become better.”….reggie is still in shape of course, still have skills and is probably a better shooter than most current nba players, but wat if he comes back and they dont win?? then wat?? keep hopping teams until he wins….i like reggie miller, and belives he deserves a ring…but if ur retired, then ur retired….no more comebacks please
Joe G Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 3:24 pm
Good read, it’s good to hear input from a former player about all these players trying to make comebacks. Forget Xs and Os, Reggie is a fierce competitor who knows how to win. He would be a fine addition to plenty of locker rooms in the NBA, and he should be great for the young guys like Rondo, Powe and Davis.
And Alex, House and Miller DO NOT play the same position. House is 6′1 and is forced into playing the point, while Reggie is 6′7 and plays the 2 or 3. And they are HARDLY the same player, Reggie can play extremely well off the ball, Eddie can barely operate without it.
Connie Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 3:27 pm
How can anyone not root for Reggie Miller? (Except for Charles, of course. It does sound like THAT Charles, doesn’t it?)
I see all the pros and cons stated here about Reggie’s pending comeback, and I can see both sides of the coin. But one thing that hasn’t been mentioned is the GREAT PR that this will bring the Celts and the League. With the negative press that the NBA has been lambasted with since the playoffs last season, Reggie is one guy that is virtually universally admired. He is (was) a great player, a leader, a man of character (as far as we know…at least he’s never been arrested!) and just an all-around good guy. Who (except Charles, of course) could knock him?
If he is able to come back, and only plays 5-10 minutes/game and only averages 2-3 points, he will be an asset for the Celtics with his leadership (yeah, I know they have a bunch of leader-types–but Reggie is unique) and yes, his clutch play—in selected situations—like the playoffs.
He Eddie, I don’t think he’s signed with the Celts yet, maybe you could give him a call and talk him into signing with the Suns!
Bree Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
Number one Eddie…another softball article..cheer for the good guys and boo the bad guys, nothing controversial just rah rah as usual for the status quo, but I digress.
Reggie Miller if he accepts this assignment will be a hypocrite, as he belittled Jordan for coming back, and he belittled malone and payton for trying to ride Shaq and Kobe’s coat tails. In saying so I merely state the facts about his comments of others not his ability to contribute now. I believe reggie can help but this run will take more than one year to get this team gelling and he might be near fifty when they hit their prime as a team…probably without him on it. His legacy will never be tarnished because reggie even in his prime was never the go to guy in the 4th quarter…he was many times the go to guy at the end of a fourth quarter…unselfish to a fault and never the magnificent player or personae that was jordan…he was a spoiler and bad guy in Madison square Garden…not the beloved icon that got cheered at the Garden even as he laid waste to the home team that Jordan was…Reggie has nothing to lose really…he can come back to the Bostons Celtics and so can Oakley for that matter and it will help drown out a lot of negative that the NBA has had this summer and help with the image of the game…so strangely I say Eddie you are right dude should come back…it couldn’t hurt.
Lastly, as for the nbear who wrote…”
Firstly, most of the players in NBA don’t know the basics in basketball (that’s the reason USA is played awful in World Championship, Olympics etc.). They are good athletes, good skills but they are not like the past players, because they don’t know the simple things in basketball.”
The fallacy about the lack of NBA players in skill level is a bit much…how they don’t possess the fundamentals etc..is too much. If you watch the Euroleague games you will see crossovers, missed foul shots etc..just like the nba so I don’t believe that crap nor have I ever. The americans lost because we sent a bunch of guys who were marginal stars for the most part and not motivated…talented but not motivated…The fear of losing was greater than the desire to win that is how we lost….International teams send the best they have…the best they have who have played with each other since childhood in systems that idolized the americans and dreamed of not winninng but just not losing badly to a team like Dream Team 1…that drive powered a lot of emotion and will when they went against what we sent out there to compete. Please everyone stop with the madness….for example Jasekesvicous…killed us…Arroyo killed us….Ginobli killed us…etc…all are fair to very good NBA players but who would you trade to get them on your team that was on a our so called dream team that they beat…..Baron Davis for Ginobli would you do it…Jaske for Marbury…straight up no contract to match..would you…how about Arroyo instead of Iverson….please people if we sent our best and belive me we now are…properly motivated…and belive me we now are…believe me no one plays the game better than the USA or is more talented or sound.
Bree
dj hott Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 4:06 pm
okay if smush parker can average 11pg how come even as 6th man avg 10 meaning he plays 22 mins shots 3-9 every game all he shoots is threes, thats 10 right there, with eddie house as a backup pg few mins at two
house can shoot streaky, hes small a tweener and can play in a year or two,
has every started 35 games in a season, okay then, and just watch glen davis watch what i tell u, and im not a celtic bandwagoner, but they are very smart, they made moves, every move they could have, the only thing u may say is they dont have a mean or dirty player really, mixed with a vet pg
or avg center-out of those three categorys u must have one-unless, your the celtics,lol
ray allen-hands down best shooter in game-top 5 for position pierce- allstar vet 24pts plus yearly- top 5 for position-kevin garnett top 2 for position,number 7 powerforward of alltime-and who wouldnt want reggie miller off the bench, yea pollard kinds sucks but hes tall, and kendrick perkins will find a way -it took curry and chandler some time, and look and hes mentor now-kg, with that group- i think the celtics might as well
have a two week trial camp for the first 5,000 people,ex players, fans, usbl, nbdl, wnba-to make two final spots for the celtics with all that talent, i am now looking for an agent
pierce asked for vet help or he would demand a trade- and the celtics couldnt have did more or what the heck just to make things even more interesting since your claiming they need a center or pg- since they have house,miller,and tony allen and pierce what if they traded ray allen& brian scalabrine for j.oneal
now way it happens the c’s are fine now
but what if-g-rhondo g-r.miller or house-3.pierce 4.garnett 5.j.oneal
which would be better? take a poll or where realistically can jo go?
TheONE234 Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 4:23 pm
good article. I agree, for the love of the game, if he can, he should. and only he would know that. if he’s a liability, he (as an athlete) his pride will come into play, and he will step down. I think he would make a good contribution to the C’s, two dep threats, now we need to sign Lee Humphree (sharp shooter from Florida Gators) to a 100k a year deal, just to really mess with teams, mwaa ha ha ha
GO CELTICS…Oh how we have suffered.
moudy Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 5:19 pm
Eddie is hype……..Any addition to this boston team is a good one at this point. I think boston should just hold an open audition with about 30 players and see which ones would fit in best with the big three. They should invite players from college, europe, highschool and toronto raptor players.
Reggie can still shoot so I don’t see why not give him a try.
Allan Houston is a piece of shit if he plays anywhere other than New York. He owes them for the 60 mil free money he earned from them for doing nothing. It’s amazing how the moment his contract ends, his knees seem to get better. He has to play for New York this year and for free.
I think the NBA is going for the retro look with players like Oakley, Reggie, Houston, Penny and Kemp coming back. I hear Luc Longley is fit as ever, perhaps he should try out for the bulls.
moudy Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 5:22 pm
or my beloved Raptors. The raptors are currently seeking a loan from the courtside indian guy to sign vincenzo esposito. Way to go raps.
Dustin Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 6:24 pm
3 bonafide superstars? I like Pierce and Allen, but I’d take Tony Parker over either of them as an all-around player. Allen is not what he once was, and Pierce has always been a complementary type, NOT a true star.
Celtics will be good, and have a good shot to make the finals because the East is the JV league, but no way they’re beating San Antonio, even with that 3-some.
Eddie Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 7:07 pm
Memo
to Gerry, don’t ever tell me about a shooters game. Never! Reggie Miller can catch and shoot just as well as move without the ball. Again Don’t ever come to my blog and tell me about shooting. Thats like telling Eddie Murphy how to tell jokes. Somebody get Gerry a eddie johnson game tape LOL
Eddie Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 7:11 pm
David
Parker is a very good guard, but he is not a Superstar because he is still a below Average passer. He has to become more of a pure point to get to the top level. Duncan elevates his game to the max!
Eddie Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 7:13 pm
Kevin
Did you play ball or are you a arm chair athlete? are you kidding me? i would score 10 plus a game with the wide open shots Reggie would get. Age is only a factor when the team is counting on you to be a main guy.
Adrian Warner Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 7:22 pm
I must comment again, first I have watched Eddie since his 6th man Kings days with Derek smith and company. Huge Eddie fan, but bigger Lakers fan lol. I didnt know James Worthy would be able to hold ya down Eddie, that said, guys listen. Blogs should be so argumentative. Let’s look at this things rationally, Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge know they can’t get 25min a night out of 43 year old legs. Reggie will be a spot duty guy. If their is an injury he will still be a spot duty guy max 17min a night! The key here is Tony Allen coming back. Tony was killin ‘em before he got hurt. Rondo will do fine which is why Ainge wouldn’t include him in the trade. He’s quick and can defend. Now, looking at all the teams that have been winning lately, Spurs, Heat, Mavs…These teams have 2 guys that do all the scoring the 3rd guys is maybe giving you 14ppg, we saw the Spurs when Manu was hurt last year and DALLAS clipped them. What happens if they lose Parker? Mavs lose Dirt or Josh? So kill the noise if one of the Celtics big 3 get hurt, that goes for many teams. Signing Reggie is strictly a playoff move. AINGE IS OLD SCHOOL he remembers the Lakers getting washed up Mychal Thompson from the Spurs for Peter Gudmusson & Smerk and going on the beat his Celtics because he cld guard McHale like noone else. The league is young and Boston was going nowhere with all that youth! All Minnesota got was potential, I’ll take Jesus Shuttlesworth, the Big Ticket & the Truth over potential & what american does not want a little MILLER time after a 82 game regular season? Sorry guys I know I was all over the place
Adam Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 7:25 pm
Celtics, Celtics, Celtics. People can talk about them all they want. They won’t get past the Bulls in the playoffs. The Bulls have the energy, the depth, the chemistry, the recent playoff experience, and the youth that the Celtics do not have. And if even one of those big 3 of the Celtics goes down with an injury they quickly become much less unstopable.
Frank_head Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 7:28 pm
reggie coming back sounds as exciting as another Spurs championship run. and thats not at all.
tone Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 7:49 pm
Never Liked Reggie…Always respected him as one of the best. Reason for not liking him….well, one word….KNICKS. He pounded my team a few times in his day. But gotta give the man his props….DO IT REGGIE….u only live once. NBA is calling ya…… maybe u just might get that ring. never know…..now what if…the celtics also get allen houston!?!?
Red Auerbach Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 8:10 pm
Reggie Miller should not come back; he is a Pacer for life. That is special. He WOULD be a nice bench addition for Boston…but if he didn’t win a championship, it sort of taints the legacy a bit.
Eddie Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 8:12 pm
Adam
guess what they don’t have? a low post game and that will eliminate them again. I wonder if Eddy Curry looks apealing now?
Matt from Boston Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 8:20 pm
Thank you for that not very good analysis, Adam. Anyway, I think it’s a good move for the Celtics to try to go after Reggie Miller. Miller ended his career without a championship thanks to Ron Artest, and though I was never a real reggie Miller fan I’m psyched if he could go to the Celtics. Adam, what do you THINK Ainge is doing? Do you think he is satisfied with the team, NO! And by the way, the only one that has had more than one injury is Ray Allen, PP has only had ONE, and KG has had NONE in his career. KG is the most hardworking player in the NBA no doubt. His accomplishments don’t show it but he gives it his all. Notice how he ranks up there with Barkely, Abdul-Jabbar as one of the few players to have over 19,000 points, 10,000 rebounds, and 5,000 assists. His team just sucks, and that’s why in 03-04 they got to the WCF with Sam Cassell and Latrell Sprewell. Ainge is getting depth, with Miller, he could provide a suitable back-up until, as Adrian has said, Tony Allen comes back. AW clearly explained it all. There are a ton of big threes in the league and if one of them goes down, the season could get messed up. Look at the Nets[Of course they have one of the weakest frontcourts in the league]. The Celtics, if they could just add a back-up veteran point guard and possibly another big man, they could make a big run. The Bulls ARE a good team, but they have to prove they can make a run in the playoffs. They’ve only gotten to the second round and WOULD have been swept by the Pistons had Detroit tried in game 4. Nobody knows what’ll happen next season, we’ll just have to see.
Steve Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 9:01 pm
Why is it that pre-trade the Celts were way too young, and now everyone is saying they are way too old!? Pierce is under 30, Garnett and Allen early 30s. That sounds just right to me. I’ll take maturity over inexperience any day. Plus the supporting cast is much younger than the big 3. Perk is just entering his prime. Rondo should be improved from a solid rookie year. If Miller wants to play, why not??? Although personally I like Allan Houston better.
reggie sux Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 9:07 pm
i think reggie should not come back
he wasnt even that good.
all he did was shoot open threes
i can do that
he was shit at d shit at everyhing
go to a retirement home reggie
BRockin25 Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 9:50 pm
Good article on Miller. I worry about his defense and lateral quickness, but you are right, his conditioning is top notch, and hes just there to shoot anyway. Like you allude to, the things I worry about may go away with some games under his belt.
I have a couple of questions…are you just rooting for Houston, or do you believe he can come back as well, given the state of his knee?
Also, above you talk about the Bulls’ lack of post scoring, and I agree. However, out East, I dont see a lot of playoff contenders with post scoring either. The Pistons are one, but they are losing Webber. Webber didnt light the world on fire but he was another body that could score, and just as important, score at the 5 spot. Who else do you think would take advantage of the Bulls’ weakness?
LA LAKER Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 10:56 pm
it doesnt matter who the C’s have. They will still suck. if your 5th best player is b scalabrine you are still terrible. There was nothing funnier than watching celtic fans wearing g oden jersies and then crying at the draft. If Kevin Mc Hale wasnt such a bad GM he wouldnt have tried to help anyone in Beantown out anyway.
alfredo velez Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 11:19 pm
man the celtic still suck even thoe they got kg,the truth,ray thay aint going no weres
alfredo velez Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 11:20 pm
man the celtic still suck even thoe they got kg,the truth,ray thay aint going no weres maybe in like 3 year but 4 the nexted two season i dont think so
Derick Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 11:32 pm
The Celtics need Jawad Williams! A rookie that can step in and help on the defensive end as well as put up points right away
dj hott Said,
August 10, 2007 @ 11:53 pm
hey thats right parker is not a very good passer, but if u watch close he may could average 7 or 7.5 assist a game if duncan would quit hatin on him and just score, watch close, when parker gives it to duncan he dribbles,holds the ball, thinks about what hes going to do after the game, head fakes, then shoots, taking away the time limit for it to be considered an assist
b.davis makes a few mental mistakes, turnovers, d.williams, is nice, g.arenas and iverson are they pg’s or 2g’s, nash is still numb 1, pg is a hard position to rank
u could go 1.nash 2.iverson 3.g.arenas 4.t.parker 5.b.davis 6.d.williams 7.j.kidd 8.c.billups9.c.paul 10.l.balbosa
i agree, the celtics should now just sign an allstar team of minimum salaries, to players that have a shot in the league, ryan humphrey from florida, or to bring even more fans-ed obannon-rod grizzard from alabama,khalid el-amin,scottie thurman arkansas, gabe muoneke(UT)
and go find big kountry reeves too,
and why do u draft oden over durant, just to get rid of z.randolph,
or to develop the bigman that can play center in a few years, if it wasnt for that championship game
i saw durant as portlands missing piece at sf, and or portland could have traded randolph for r.jefferson and drafted oden
anyway
boston vs phoenix or san antonio
and im from dallas, yea shucks go ahead and add a soft aging number one worst defender in the post in webber, right next to the defensevily
challenged number two dirk, but hey the may be able to at least beat gs, since j.richardsons not there, and dirk will play better
but dallas shouldve made some moves, not a whole lot, but lakers should have too,
dallas your too soft, a wonderful team, 60 plus wins in reg season-because of the coach, year before finals, lost because howard open his mouth and challenged wade by saying he couldnt shoot, dumba**
boston in a way is like denver but how would u rank
1.rhondo vs atkins(atkins by a smudge)
2.r.allen vs a.iverson-(who wants it more or iverson a smudge)
3.p.pierce vs c.anthony-what a matchup do i have to pick
4.garnett vs nene-finally check for c’s
5.k.perkins vs m.camby- camby
6th man r.miller vs j.r. smith
7th g.davis vs . k.martin
denver i guess u would say needed or need a full year together, with ai, now a supposedly heathy martin, and add vet shooter c.atkins,
and they look nice, but to me carmelo takes to many shots
iverson and carmelo, cant really play all that great together but they get along -neither have a 3pt shot, neither are superb defenders, but improving, and both smoke pot and have braids
where as ray allen is a shooting machine, pierce has a trigger happy finger to but is a scorer and would love to pass the ball to garnett, and allen also
who would u rather have ray &pierce or iverson&c.anthony
in denver u could say they have a big 4 i think, but chemistry and shooting play an effect but big 4, is iverson,anthony, camby(defense mvp, shouldve been allstar-and if u put nene&k.martin together that is a 4th person- who can u say or what 2 or 3 can u add together in boston to say the big 4, nothing is gauranteed, but yes the c’s are in the east
i think boston will have a better chemistry then denver tho, u have to figure out who the man is tho first, garnett, (post game,intensity, defense, who is the slasher-pierce just look to score and take pride in defense,and the heart-ray allen, take pride in being asked to be a deadly shooter on a contender,instead of just a leading scorer on a sucky team
know that your not gunna be able to shoot 27 shots in a game now, but know that your scoring and percentage is still very valuable in boston
the celtics should try to find a way to get sam cassell
convince pj brown that a ring and a vet minimum salary
in a green jersey is hottier
than making 4 mill for a overrated team like dallas, and get heartbroken in the playoffs
reggie’s the man reggies the man- why how come now baby?
why not to miami, last year when wade when down
does anyone remember wayne turner the pg with the ugly shot from kentucky, i wonder how much better rhondo is then him
and where the f*ck is ron mercer and walter mccarty, sign them again to
K-Y Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 1:11 am
No, Reggie, don’t come back with the Celtics! While I also laugh at the stupid comparison of E.House=R.Miller (these people must be those who never see a single Reggie’s game at his last season), I beg for Reggie not to come back. If there is a team that Reggie should come back for, it is our Pacers, who needs him more than ever. While I can’t deny that this is a good chance to win a championship, but this will spoil your legendary status at Indiana if things do not turn out the right way for Celtics.
kozlodoev Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 4:44 am
“If Doc Rivers puts Garnett, Pierce, Allen, Miller and Eddie House on the floor at the same time… Who do you leave? Obviously this would not be a starting lineup, but during the middle and end of the game it would be a nightmare for any defense.”
It would mostly be a nightmare for the Celtics defence which is, well, nonexistent in this lineup.
david Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 6:45 am
Eddie, maybe Eva will help Tony on passing this summer lol
Bree yes I would take Ginoboli over Davis…nothing against Baron but Manu has 3 rings and a gold medal — he’s a winner
Ro Gaine Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 10:02 am
The Celtics big 3 don’t have much hair, so they won’t need to gel.
Hammond Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 10:12 am
I would take Parker & Ginobili over Pierce & Allen right now. I’m glad the Celts made their moves– it made the summer interesting– but I fear they will be more like the late 1990s Rockets that had Hakeem, Pippen, and Sir Charles than like the big three of the Spurs. And as a Knicks and Spurs fan, the addition of Reggie at 42 does not exactly send shivers of fear up my spine… The guy I have my eye on is Glen “Big Baby” Davis– he had a killer summer league, and if he can step up and surprise people by grabbing the starting center job, that might be the difference….
Legend Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 10:40 am
The problem is not “Are the Celtics better than the Spurs?” or “Are Allen and Pierce better than Parker and Ginobili?”. One month ago nobody would have even mentioned the Celtics and the Spurs in the same sentence, but with the two trades Danny Ainge put the Celtics back on the map. Now, would Reggie Miller be a good addition to this team? Frankly, I agree there would be better players around in terms of overall athletism and defensive skills. But Reggie is a champion, he has charisma, he would add to the Celtics locker room a no nonsense attitude and would be helpful in scrimmages as much as in games. Does anybody remember what Bill Walton brought to the 1986 Celtics? He brought bench depth, enthusiasm, experience, charisma. When the starting five and the reserves faced off, the “Green Team” always tried to defeat the “White Team”, just to tease them after, just to show off, just to make them realize that being a sub did not necessarily mean being worse. That’s what Reggie Miller could bring the Celtics, a swagger, an attitude, a fire lit under Allen’s and Pierce’s rear, just to make them think twice, to force them to give the best shot on defense too. And not being the “Alpha Dog”, Reggie could become a force to be reckoned with, a clutch shooter who would make opponents wonder.
P.S. Why is anybody talking “Bib Baby” and forgetting Kendrick Perkins and Leon Powe? I can’t wait to see “Powe the Show” crashing the boards with Kevin Garnett….
david Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 3:41 pm
Hammond, whom did you root for in 1999 ??
Dustin Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
By the way, Eddie, I always appreciate your insignt. I don’t always agree, but I think you have great stuff and you come at things in an intellectual, well thought out manner.
As an aside, are you still running your shooting program? I’ve always been able to shoot very well, but it’s unorthodox. I was looking to revamp it.
roy hibbert Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 6:31 pm
reggie miller will average 10 in regular season and 13.4 in the playoffs
i will get drafted number 3 to atlanta, or phoenix next year. and me and georgetown will win the ncaa finals final 4 georgetown, memphis, ucla,unc or kansas
troy hudson has me passing out flyers to buy his new cd
and ron artest has me bootlegging and selling his album
how come shaq didnt get interviewed after their loss to the bulls
he would never saw, ive lost a step, my mind wasnt on the game, i let ben wallace defend me well, d-wade wasnt all the way healthy, im not the big aristotle anymore, even tho i should have 2 or 3 dominate more years, but not like back then, im to busy taking hours as being a cop
and when andrew bynum dunked on me then bumped me that hurt my feelings. if its boston vs miami do garnett and shaq play each other?
what if the celtics enter 3 players for the 3 pt contest 1.ray allen 2.eddie house 3.r.miller
phoenix vs celtics, man-
g.s.nash vs rhondo-nash by more than a dash
g.r.bell vs allen-allen gets the medallion
fg.hill vs pierce-pierce is more fierce
f-marion vs garnett-kg simply
c amare vs perkins-its amare ken your sorry
6.man balbosa 6.r.miller
7.b.diaw 7.g.davis
balbosa speed makes reggie call in for a sub, or come back like a ready vet an pops some 3’s and rest.
diaw is nice as 2nd sub
what does marion guard perkins and let amare guard garnett
what position will durant start at and why did they get green also, i hear he is good,but he was to unselfish, and plays the same positions as durant, but i guess zerbiak 18ppg and j.green rookie skilled for ray allen isnt all that bad- but sorry yall will definately suck next year, but i believe they will pick up a big piece in the 08 draft and by then wilcox can get you 14 and 10 durant will be an allstar and green will be decent to, not to mention zerbiak also, unless he gets traded one more time
celtics lose in finals, then trade ray allen, glen davis, and powe for kobe
allen crys holdsout- kobes hated in la, and the celtics win 3 titles in a row
what a dream, definately wouldnt happen, may be an option-if phoenix or san antonio stay ready and loaded
if they did. come on- kobe, garnett, and pierce-id take any bets
bectond Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 8:35 pm
I’m not sold on Boston winning the East, IMO the Nets had the best off-season. Williams and Magliore give the Nets the interior tandem they have been lacking since Zo and KMart left. They still need aonther scorer but the Nets are a more complete team than the Celtics. Millers addition won’t make the Celtics any better IMO. Their problems will be on the defensive end and he does not help there one bit. Plus, I don’t get any of Ainges post KG moves - House, Pollard, Manual and now they are talking about Miller WTF? How about getting a veteran PG 1st.
Ainge always seems to make one good move followed by three bad ones. Why would he sign House and pass on Brevin Knight, Charlie Bell and Jeff McGinnis. Are Pollard and Manual NBA or CBA players. Were I.Udoka. R.Major or R. Mason better options then Manuel and just about anybody on the open market would have been better than Pollard. I sure hope Davis has the lift to be able to get his shot off vs. NBA bigs because if not KG will see non-stop double teams. As of today I see the Celtics with or without Miller as Conf. Semi-finalist.
billy Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 9:08 pm
DAVE YOU OBVIOUSLY DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT “RAY RAY” IF YOU THINK ALL HE DOES IS MAKE OPEN SHOTS. REALLY HE CAN DO IT ALL, EVERYTHING. DRIVE, DUNK ON YOU, CROSS YOU UP, COME OFF SCREENS, PASS, REBOUND, AND SHOOT FROM ANYWHERE. AND HE’S PROVEN HE CAN PLAY DEFENSE TOO, WATCH THE END OF A CLOSE GAME AND TELL ME IF RAY ALLEN PLAYS DEFENSE. DONT TALK ABOUT WHAT YOU DONT KNOW.
billy Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 9:09 pm
AND THE SECOND GUY WAS RIGHT, REGGIE IS TOO OLD. A 68 YEAR OLD REGGIE MILLER IS NOWHERE NEAR AS GOOD/EFFECTIVE AS A 29 YEAR OLD EDDIE HOUSE IN THAT ROLE. STAY HOME REGGIE, WE’RE BEGGING YOU.
billy Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 9:15 pm
ONE MORE THING, I HATE WHEN OLD GUYS COME BACK. REGGIE’S TIME IS PAST. ITS PAUL RAY AND KEVINS TIME RIGHT NOW. THEYRE ALL SUPERSTARS, THEYVE ALL BEEN TOP 10 FOR MVP (KG WON IT), THEYVE ALL LED TEAMS TO 50+ WINS AND TO THE CONFERENCE FINALS, THEYRE ALL ELITE AT THEIR POSITION, THEYRE ALL TEAM PLAYERS, UNSELFISH, EXTREMELY LOYAL, LOVE THE GAME, LEAVE IT ALL OUT ON THE FLOOR EVERYTIME, WINNERS, PLAY THE RIGHT WAY, HAVENT WON A TITLE YET AND ARE HUNGRY AS HELL FOR IT….. AND FAR AND AWAY BY FAR FAR FAR FAR FAR MOST IMPORTANTLY ARE STILL IN THEIR PRIME. ITS THEIR TIME NOW, STAY HOME OLD REGGIE.
billy Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 9:16 pm
THE NETS, AND THE WHOLE EAST ARE GONNA GET STOMPED BY THE CELTICS. SERIOUSLY, NO DISRESPECT BUT THATS HONEST TO GOD.
billy Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 9:21 pm
“Big Three Outshined by 42-yr-old Comeback Kid”.
STEFAN, DID YOU REALLY JUST SAY THAT? RAY ALLEN PUT UP 26.4 PPG THIS YEAR AND WAS AN ALLSTAR, KEVIN GARNETT LED THE LEAGUE IN REBOUNDING AND PUT UP 22.5 PPG AS AN ALLSTAR, PIERCE PUT UP 25 PPG, DO YOU KNOW WHEN THE LAST TIME WAS THAT REGGIE MILLER PUT UP THOSE TYPES OF NUMBERS?…….. NO? OK, I GOT YOU…. 1990!!!!! DAMN THAT QUOTE WAS JUST THE TYPE OF THING THAT I WAS TALKING ABOUT IN MY LAST POST.
billy Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 9:43 pm
DUSTIN YOURE A MORON. TONY PARKER OVER PAUL PIERCE OR RAY ALLEN? YOURE TEAM WOULD GET KILLED. BOTH OF THEM HAVE BEEN TOP DOG ON 50 WIN/CONFERENCE FINAL TEAMS NOT PIGGYBACKING OFF DUNCAN……… AND HAMMOND PIERCE AND ALLEN WAY WAY WAY>>>>>>PARKER AND GINOBILI……………. ALSO HAMMOND HOUSTONS BIG 3 YOURE TALKING ABOUT IN THE LATE 90′S IN THEIR FIRST SEASON TOGETHER WERE AGES 33,34,AND 35. THAT IS THE AGES THAT BOSTONS THREE WILL BE IN THEIR 4TH SEASON TOGETHER. THATS RIGHT, I SAID 4TH, AND DO YOU REMEMBER WHAT THE ROCKETS DID IN THEIR 1ST SEASON TOGETHER? THEY WON 55+ GAMES AND WENT TO THE CONFERENCE FINALS WHERE THEY LOST IN 6 ON STOCKTONS BUZZER BEATER……. PRETTY BRIGHT NEXT 4 OR 5 YEARS BOSTON HAS WOULDNT YA SAY THERE HAMMOND?
billy Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 9:45 pm
I THINK AINGE SIGNED HOUSE TO COME IN AT POINT WHEN WE NEED SHOTS CUZ HOUSE IS A GOOD SHOOTER THAT CAN BACKUP AT POINT. RONDO IS VERY GOOD AT EVERYTHING BUT HIS OUTSIDE SHOT, AND I BELIEVE THATS WHY HOUSE WAS SIGNED AS HIS BACKUP CUZ HE GIVES THE STRENGTH THAT RONDO LACKED.
Nick Todd Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 10:01 pm
Billy. Like your style I totally agree with everything. bout time someone put these tools in there place.
Matt from Boston Said,
August 11, 2007 @ 10:51 pm
Houston also lost because Stockton completely owned Matt Maloney. FYI Pierce has never led the Celtics to a 50 win season, he has led them to 49 once[and probably would have in 05 had Toine had come earlier then the deadline]. Allen and Garnett have though. One thing the three do have in common is that they have been to the conference finals ONCE. Allen has been the closest to going to the finals when the Bucks played the 76ers to 7 games.Though Miller would be a good addition, Boston’s bench IS solid. Tony Allen has shown signs of vast improvement and could be the sixth man of the year. House coming off the bench is great and he could provide extra spark. Though he’s an undersized shooting guard I think we’re fine in our PG position with House and Pruitt. I thought Pollard would be much better than Mutombo in Boston. Pollard is younger, more athletic, and can get everyone entertained with his hair and jokes. I don’t know about Wallace and Manuel, but Powe is a poor man’s Al Jefferson because he is aggressive in the post. Davis can be a great player showing his true talent in the SL[though it doesn't matter] all he needs to do his lose weight. Note: He would have been in the lottery in 2006 had he declared. Rajon Rondo is very skilled but his one weakness obviously is his jumpshot but with House he should be able to improve on that. Perkins is definitely not a starting center but unless Rivers wants to play small ball a lot, that’s who he’s stuck with. Hopefully he’ll be able to really improve his game, especially the fact that he trash-talked the 2007 draft this year. I’m not saying a thing about how the celtics will so record-wise next year, but they have a pretty good shot at being at the top believing they don’t have any injuries.
dj hott Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 12:49 am
does anyone believe the celtics will win it all this year
jordan pippen, rodman, longley kerr
damn they were good
i like nash, but these are the guys i would love to see him have to guard and them guard him
1.b.davis2.a.iverson3.g.arenas4.parker5.his own teammate balbosa
i think these players could take nash
and eddie house will play about 10 mins reggie about 17mpg
pierce of carmelo
and the celtics last piece should be to get diop from dallas
for tony allen, ken perkins
how come stockton, malone,barkley,ewing,reggie, havent one a title, does this mean there overrated
or how much does winning mean?
how do some feel malone was the best pf ever
or is tony parker better than stockton, because he can penetrate, has 3 rings, and the best ring of eva longeria
or is stockton, for being the assist king for years,lead the league in steals a few times, invented the pick &roll, and never got beatup for wearing short shorts on the court, hey john ameichi did use to play for the jazz huh(lol) sorry
could duncan say he could win more or less championships with stockton, or with parker
how come parker is so good, hes just fast, he doesnt break ankles, or get assists, he just does basic moves to get to the hole and nobody can stop him
balbosa is quick as heck, the fastest in league at getting to the hole
if u traded nash for parker, would tim duncan be rated as high as wilt and russell all time,
parker,balbosa in the backcourt man
sorry for all these analogies and topics off of reggie miller
im so excited about the up and coming season, last years playoffs was great, but these years regular season and playoffs will be one to remember i think- and grant hill owes detroit and orlando, then plays for free and wins a ring in phoenix
allan houston u have to be a knick
and penny and shaq reuiniting is nice,
think will ever see kobe &shaq again
thats like saying michael irvin didnt get high after making it in the hall of fame
how many wins will boston have 60?
chicago has too many players, they have all the trade weapons, but all the studs are already moved or off market, unless they say forget it and get kobe, but why not jo-jokim noah,chris duhon,t.sabosha, t.thomas for jo, just to challenge boston, since i think boston has overthrown them,
dj hott Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 12:59 am
hey celtics should get ex oklahoma state, now espn college analyst
doug gottlieb to play point
ryan humphrey is trying to make washington wizards
how gators 6thman who is a senior, not fish with potential. got drafted
talking about a talented college squad
ray allen to denver for camby, jr, smith,c.atkins,&e.najera
denver
g.allen iverson’
g.ray allen
f carmelo
f.k.martin
cnene
boston-g.c.atkins or rhondo-g.jr smithf pierce f garnett c.camby
sorry 3 new starters for 1 would not make them better
camby is a defender at center, smith is ok atkins is the vet shooter at pg
bu that wouldnt make since, so play 3 man ball at your best and u should win
dj hott Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 1:11 am
howmany rings did isiah get?
pierce, allen garnett
vs
jordan, pippen,rodman?
rhondo&house vs ron harper, kerr
perkins vs longley
has boston signed troy hudson?
where are they NOW?
.okalaja&serge zwikker?
sirvalant brown, tyus edney,george zidek, ebi ere
kris klack, reggie freeman,KEVIN BRASWELL,SCOTTY THURMAN
khalid el-amin, aj guyton, hollis price, jaron rush, steven logan,
perryman, from texas, shawn respert, randolph childress,
victor page, melvin levett, ismail muhammed, michael wilson
eric chenowithe, kenny gregory, tony harris, vincent yarbrough
and how is jacque vaughn in the league?
Hammond Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 2:06 am
Billy– how about using some lower case letters once in a while. ..
Boston will be owned by the “boring” Spurs next year, just like they have been for the past five years. If Parker & Ginobili played for crappy teams, like the sonics, celts, or timberwolves, they would have inflated stats and everybody would be “wowed’ by them– instead, they play for a TEAM and simply collect boring championship rings.
Go ahead and bet your life savings on the Celts if you like Billy– I’ll stick with the Spurs.
david Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 6:33 am
One thing you can say about Parker is that he improves every year, and he’s still only 26!! (and he can rap, too lol) 2 years ago he couldn’t hit an open jump shot, so the Spurs hired a shooting coach (Englund) and voila — can’t leave him open anymore and that opens it up more for Timmy. Boring…yeah, but I’ll take that with the rings anyday. To bring this back to Boston, didn’t they pass pn Parker in 2000 and the Spurs took him with the next pick? Was Ainge the GM?
Hammond, you’re right on! Pop says that when they get a new player (and they didn’t this year) the 1st thing they do is to get him to get over himself. That’s ow you build a team. I bet when Boston travels the 3 “Superstars” get bigger rooms.
Billy, you can have Barbosa (with an R) — yeah he’s fast but he plays dumb and out of control. Takes too many ill advised shots with too much time on the shot clock at the end of quarters.
And Jacque Vaughn is in the league because he fills a role adequately and is cheap.
Legend Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 8:19 am
does anyone believe the celtics will win it all this year jordan pippen, rodman, longley kerr damn they were good…howmany rings did isiah get? pierce, allen garnett vs jordan, pippen,rodman? (djhott)
Billy, Jordan was the NBA MVP, Pippen was a superstar, Rodman was a defensive specialist and a top rebounder. Kerr was a role player, a shooter, and Longley was not a top 15 center. That team to me wasn’t as good as the 80’s Celtics or Lakers, or even the Pistons, who sported a deeper bench. The NBA was watered down by then, and it still is, considering that the Cavs reached the Finals with LeBron and a little more. Now, the Celtics have three All Stars: Garnett (10 times in 12 seasons), Allen (7 times in 11 seasons), Pierce (5 times in 9 seasons). Comparing the number of rings won by the former Bulls with the rings won by Allen, Garnett and Pierce is nonsense: Jordan never won without Pippen, and Rodman won his titles with Thomas-Dumars and then with Jordan-Pippen. The Three Celtics never had a chance to play with talent comparable with the talent Rodman had at his side in Detroit and Chicago, in fact when Rodman played in San Antonio and in L.A. he didn’t win anything too, but he got frustrated and eventually got kicked out of town. Gene Guarilia won four titles with the Bill Russell led Celtics back in the Sixties. Do his four rings make him a better player than Garnett, Allen or Pierce, even if he averaged 8 minutes per game? We should stop reasoning in terms of “winning and losing” at all costs. Sometimes (as Karl Malone, John Stockton and Charles Barkley know well) it takes a lot of good luck to reach the top.
To bring this back to Boston, didn’t they pass pn Parker in 2000 and the Spurs took him with the next pick? Was Ainge the GM? (david)
Actually, Parker was drafted with the #28 pick in the 2001 draft, and no, the GM back then wasn’t Ainge. Chris Wallace, now with the Grizzlies, picked Joe Forte, although apparently it was Red Auerbach’s choice to draft the North Carolina alum instead of Parker. At least this is what Wallace said, but it is quite easy to point fingers to dead people, ’cause they can’t reply….. but in the 2001 draft Wallace picked Kedrick Brown with the #11 pick, and he can’t put that mistake on Auerbach’s shoulders too.
dj hott Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 9:55 am
best players ever
1.jordan
2.chamberlain
3.russell
4.magic johnson
5.larry bird
6.julius erving
7.k.abdul jabbar
8.hakeem olajawon
9.shaquille oneal
10.oscar robertson
11.kobe bryant
12.isiah thomas
13.jerry west
14.moses malone
15.elgin baylor
16.tim duncan
17.charles barkley
18.karl malone
19.clyde drexler
20.pete maravich
21.jon stockton
22.dominique wikens
23.david robinson
24.reggie miller
25.scottie pippen
I SAY THE ONLY TEAM WEBBER WOULD FIT WITH WOULD BE BOSTON
IF BOSTON ADD R.MILLER AND WEBBER-I THINK THEY COULD WIN IT ALL
OR PHOENIX IS TRYING TO GET REGGIE ALSO
BUT I AGREE THE BORING SPURS, LOOKED WONDERFUL OVER PHOENIX
AND ARE A SUPERB CLUB, WITH NO SIGNS OF LETTING UP
BOSTON TO WIN IT ALL G-RHONDO 10.7PPG 6.4A -G.E.HOUSE
G-ALLEN 20.9PPG G.TONY ALLEN
F-P.PIERCE 22.9PPG F.R.MILLER 10.3PPG
F.GARNETT 21.9PPG 13.2REBS F-GLEN DAVIS6.8 4.9REBS C- WEBBER 10.8PPG 6.9 REBS C-PERKINS
GLEN DAVIS WILL ENTER AND WIN THE HOTDOG EATING CONTEST
Eddie Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 10:17 am
DJ
I am offended that i am not on your list. LOL
Hammond Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 12:00 pm
Billy– Houston’s late 1990s trio were older than Boston’s current one, but they were also better. Pierce, Allen, KG are not in the same stratosphere as Barkley, Pippen, Hakeem. I really do like those three, but some of my doubts are based on their collective inability as leaders of separate teams to not only not win conference titles, but to have difficulty even making the playoffs or simply to have records above .500. If Duncan, for example, was on a team with Rashard Lewis, Ridnour, & Wilcox, they probably wouldn’t win the West, but they would have a winning record and make the playoffs…
DJ hott– I like your list, but I would put D Robinson and Pippen in front of D Wilkens and Pistol Pete. And don’t encourage Big Baby to enter the hotdog eating contest! The Celts need to get him into yoga. They should put bonuses in his contract for making weight every month– in the long run, that’ll be more important than his stats as a rookie. I do have high hopes for him, though.
Legend– you forgot to mention Kukoc being on those great Bulls teams too– 6th man of the year, like our host EJ (though EJ played better D!).
Rashidi Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
Eddie, why would a zero time all-star be on a best players ever list?
Instead of game tape of your international exploits, can we get some footage of you trying to guard Bernard King? I need a good laugh today.
Rashidi Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 1:31 pm
The Celtics trio is much younger than the Rockets trio who were all older than 35.
Of course, the Rockets trio were BETTER than the Celtics trio. Two MVPs to one. All three took their teams previous teams to the Finals, while the Celtics three have less than inspiring playoff success.
I LOL at people who say the Spurs don’t have a big three. First of all, Duncan is superior to Garnett, Duncan dictates what the opposition does on offense, Garnett doesn’t. Second, Ray Allen has gotta be the most overrated “superstar” on the planet, he doesn’t defend or make his teammates better, if anything the Celtics could use a guy like Manu who won’t take shots away from the goto scorer, Pierce. Between KG/Pierce/Allen these guys attempted a lot of shots last year as the main man, so people expecting them to put up the same numbers are in for a rude awakening.
Also, I am LOLing at Eddie getting excited about a lineup with Eddie House at PG. He seems to think that all you need are shooters (because it’s the only thing HE was good at). He seems to forget you need someone to get those shooters the ball. For all the hype this team is getting, it’s Rajon Rondo’s penetrating ability that will make or break this team.
I think it’s funny that everyone is getting hyped about the Celtics, when this team would be 5th in the west at best.
And LOL at Eddie’s jealousy of Reggie. “I’d score 10 ppg with the looks he’d get!” Please. Reggie is one of the greats and carried a franchise for many years. You need something else to play at age 42, aside from conditioning and a body made of nails. It’s called defense. Something you need to have a semblence of to stay on the court in this league. Pierce, Allen, and House are pretty weak in this department as it is, and Miller would not help.
The real question is WHY would the Celtics need Miller? What does he bring to the table that Ray Allen does not?
Further, Ray Allen has not been the most durable player the last couple years, an injury means guess what, Reggie at age 42 WOULD be a main component, logging many minutes. At age 42.
BTW, Eddie, calling out the Bulls on not having a post game is cute, because you seem to have forgotten KG is not a great post player. He’s a member of the jumpshot club.
Rashidi Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 1:34 pm
What would you rather have?
T-Mac, Yao, and the Rockets depth, or three superstars (all who had injuries last year) with nothing behind them?
Michael Bennett Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 2:10 pm
Rashidi - Yao and TMac have had nagging injuries for the past couple of years, too. I bet the Celtics will win more games than the Rockets… maybe only a couple more, but they will. People aren’t seeing that clearly. It’s a joke that they have those three. The bench will adapt and be fine.
Eddie - Really? No… You might be a fan of Reggie’s. Heck, you might even be a friend. But, his time has gone. And, although he’ll make a couple of OPEN shots a game, he won’t be good for any team. Remember, this is the hype and story that the NBA needed to cover up the ref debacle. And, it was pulled off VERY smoothly. Reggie and/or Allan Houston will not be good for any team. They’ve been away from the floor for too long. And, players simply lose it. Also remember, the ROY this year will be a 19 year old who’ll average 22 ppg (Durant). THAT’s the NBA now. Not 42 and shooter. It’s slash, flash, and fast. Not old man slow. Reggie wasn’t even really effective in his last year or so. That Tayshaun Prince block was the nail in the coffin.
Hammond Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 3:14 pm
I am glad that the league has been shaken up– Boston probably won’t win a title but they are better and will be more interesting to watch. Same with the Knicks. Curry and Zach will be tough to contend with offensively, but it will be a field day for quick big men, who will get lots of easy shots when those two are lumbering somewhere around mid-court, trying to get back on D. I’m not a big fan of Ainge or Isiah, but I’ve got to give them both credit– they’ve taken terrible teams and improved them, although some might say it’s sort of like when Paul McCartney sang, “things are getting better all the time,” and John Lennon responded with, “they couldn’t get much worse.”
Hammond Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 3:30 pm
I can’t believe Tony Parker doesn’t get more respect. In addition to scoring in the paint more than any point guard in the league, his outside shooting is now dependable and most importantly, he no longer takes ill-advised shots like he did his first few years.You still can’t say that about Iverson & Baron Davis.
There are people who think Duncan’s not as good as Garnett, and Parker is over-rated, and Ginobili is nothing more than a euroleague-flopper… strange how this collection of guys wins 55-60+ games every year and NBA titles almost every other year.
Miles Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
Though I am a Spurs fan,(as well as a Suns fan, I was torn in the playoffs between the previous two), I know the Spurs big three is superior to the Boston three. They play D, get to the line more often, and shoot better in general. they sacrifice stats for the team’s good. I doubt they can do it as well as SA.
People keep slighting Ginobili due to his regular season #’s(averages 29 min. a night that’s why they are down) but in the playoffs he’s a different beast? On another team he’d be averaging 18-20 ppg, 4-5 rpg, 4-5 apg, with 1.5 steals during the regular season if he got starter minutes. (It’s true, in the playoffs he actually has been averaging that the past 3 years due to increased minutes). He’s the modern day Drazen Petrovic(more of a upgrade due to better O & D). He’s less injury prone, easier to manage(doesn’t argue for minutes, and willing to play as a role player), gets to the line more often, and he plays defense. All Ray has is the three ball over Ginobili but slightly, and better FT%(Ray’s an idiot, he strokes it so well yet he does not take it to the hole that much). He may be the third wheel on the Spurs but I’d take him over Ray Allen.
Rashidi is correct about Garnett, his impact is no where near Duncan’s. He’s good one on one(Duncan’s still better here too), but Garnett doesn’t assist his teammates in terms of team defense, he’s nowhere near Duncan’s ability. Also Tim’s post game isn’t just a face-up jumpshot or fadeaway(KG has more moves, I know, but this is his main stuff), his arsenal is more developed. He draws contact better than Kevin, gets to the line more, puts opposing players in foul trouble more often, and the only thing Kevin has is superior FT%. Big Whoop.
I could go on, and on but these guys will not win a title, they need role players to play defense, depth, and some youth for the future. Enjoy the mirage.
p.s. D.J., your list is terrible, how can Shaq be so low? He could over-power any of those players in his prime. Hakeem whupped a growing boy in the Finals, play Lakers Shaq against him, and results will vary drastically. Tim is so low, he’d beat Russel out of his socks, he plays in a bigger court(literally, the court was smaller back then, try playing in a smaller court, and you’d see your defense go up, along with shot-blocking ability, and steals due to lack of playing field), he has to guard ambidextrous players(pre-mid 80’s most player only dribbled with one hand), he has height, weight, and more shooting range. If we go by stats, your list is right but come on, as a long time scholar of the game I know some players can’t roll with some of our players today.
BectonD Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 5:27 pm
Come On DJ no McHale or Bernard Kind? What kind of list is that? and David Robinson Top 25, GTF outta here.
I don’t get all this love for Eddie House either, there are two types of players in the NBA playoff performers and regular dudes. House is a regular dude. In June he and Rondo will be worthless. Now his brother in law- Mike Bibby, when he makes the playoffs dude blows the F Up. He is a PTP as Dickie V would say. I’m not feeling either Rondo or House (The Nets 3rd string PG last year). Kidd will eat those two dudes alive. He will be able to do whatever he wants and that my friends will be a major factor if these two teams meet up in the playoffs. Now to the VC or Ray Ray debate, i’m going with VC. Sorry but if Carter decides to take it to the rim, it is over. Nobody can stop dude when he goes hard to the rack. I like Ray Allen he is a very good player but Carter is a beast, if you won’t believe me go ask Fredrick Weiss. PP and KG are better then Kristic and Jefferson but not by the wide margin everybody seems to think they are. Magliore (A former All-Star) and Williams (5 b.s. per gm at B.C.) are the keys. They are both good help defenders and along with Collins give the Nets a lot of fouls to give. The Nets now have bigs for days, going to the hoop vs. the Nets won’t be easy.
david Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 5:29 pm
Legend, thanks for straightening me out on Parker — I should have remembered the year ’cause I met him on my wedding day and that was 2001 (I think lol).
Actually the Spurs almost passed on Tony as well. He had a terrible work out just before the draft and his age didn’t help. I think it was Presti (now with the Sonics) who talked Pop into taking a chance — Pop wasn’t happy with Antonio Daniels at the point so he gambled.. Lucky for us. (Tony was the starter something like 5 or 6 games into the season)
Michael Bennett Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 6:38 pm
Eddie - “pre-mid 80’s most player only dribbled with one hand” by Miles should make your Wall of SHAME. That might be the single dumbest thing I’ve read on this blog. Seriously. Pretty bad. Anyone who thinks anyone would “beat Russell out of his socks” is not a “long time scholar of the game”.
Miles, you’re the worst.
Montell Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 8:02 pm
jA Monn!!! Penny give us 20 points a nite, i know you can do it!!!!!!!!!!
Eddie Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
Rashidi
How About Bernard King trying to guard me. Rashidi I scored those 19,000 plus on somebody didn’t i? See where Bernard is on that scoring list LOL
Eddie Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 8:59 pm
Rashidi
Who Eddie House would start at guard? you write long messages, but you can’t read and comprehend a lick. Who said i was Jealous of Reggie did you read the story? Rashidi, let me ask you a question. Can you stand by yourself in a gym and knock down a jumper? Well i can better than anyone in the world right now. some might be equal but none better. So thats why Reggie can do it and he has something i don’t —legs. Read Reggie’ comments about my jumper on the first page of my site. LOL
Eddie Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 9:01 pm
Miles
did not play basketball i am sure.
billy Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 10:13 pm
david no it was wallace that was the gm and we passed on parker to take joe forte even though wallace didnt wanna do it because red auerbach wanted forte and kept pushing him, it was red’s pick…….. he got us 16 rings, what can ya do?
and hammond yea they might have inflated stats but they wouldnt have led them to 50 wins (pierce-49), or division titles, or conference finals, thats for damn sure. and they wouldnt be top 10 for mvp or win it like kg.
billy Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 10:14 pm
(top 10 for mvp like all 3)
billy Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 10:15 pm
and i didnt say anything about “balbosa” david, dj hott did. makin fun of him for spelling wrong and you cant even read who wrote it right.
billy Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 10:17 pm
and listen i never said anything about michael jordan or his teammates, you gotta read who wrote the stuff before you be coming at em man. seriously.
billy Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 10:24 pm
whats your point? if one of our big 3 gets injured… we still got 2 to pick up slack til they get back……. what happens to phoenix if nash gets injured? or san antonio if duncan gets injured? dallas- dirk? lakers, what if kobe gets injured?………… so how does that make us any different than any other team that would be in a world of hurt if their superstar got injured? besides the fact that we have 2 more to pick up the slack and are capable where as most teams have none?
Rashidi Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 10:38 pm
“Who Eddie House would start at guard? you write long messages, but you can’t read and comprehend a lick.”
When did I say he’d start? YOU are the one who mentioned House/Reggie/Allen/Pierce/KG as a scary 4th quarter lineup, not me.
“Can you stand by yourself in a gym and knock down a jumper?”
Yes. Can you write a half decent blog post or reply? Because last I checked, this ain’t a gym.
“Well i can better than anyone in the world right now.”
LOL you and Arvydas Macijauskas I’m sure. You still haven’t answered the question - what does Reggie Miller bring to the table that Ray Allen and Eddie House don’t already have covered? Flopping?
Rashidi Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 10:48 pm
You know what Reggie brings that Allen and House don’t? Nostalgia and a reason to pull for the team. THATS IT.
“If he comes back, I predict he will play 20 to 25 minutes a game and average 10 to 14 points.”
Yeah uh, you do realize mr. “i played in the nba zomz i’m right all the time btw did i mention I can shoot?” that the Celtics have TONY ALLEN who last I checked had a very good year before getting hurt. With Pierce, Ray, Tony, and House, please explain in good detail how Reggie is going to average 20-25 minutes, much less get enough touches to average 10 to 14 points?
david Said,
August 12, 2007 @ 11:20 pm
Billy, my apologies for contributing the “barbosa” comment to you — my bad. I sometimes read this stuff too fast (it’s not life or death).
But I stand by what I said about him. And thanks for the clarification on Auerbach. Sometiems I ead this stuff to actualy learn something — not to preach.
It’s correct that if Duncan goes sown, so do the Spurs, or Kobe / Lakers etc the only reason everyone is talking about the “big 3″ is that a lot of people are ready to size them for a ring before they’ve even played a game together.. It’s a long season.
Eddie Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 12:18 am
Rashidi
im sorry i figured you would understand totally what i said based on past comments in the blog. you write long, but again we have to help you along.
my point on open shots in a gym is that Reggie will feel that way because he will be wide open. The problem with fan’s like you who never played at a high level is that you have no idea. you buy into the concept that age is a negative.
I take money from NBA Players all the time that challenge me in shooting. Reggie can still run and get to his spots and yes age is a factor and that is why he will have three superstars helping him along to make the game easier.
Thats something you can’t understand and that is why you try and justify yourself with long written comments. You are trying to convince people with stats and words, but in essence you have no feel for the game physically or from a mental standpoint. Stats don’t impress me and especially when it comes to using someones age against them. Young teams don’t win jack–never have never will. Boston is doing the correct thing–put experience around those three.
Reggie, Oakley, Houston, would all suffice!
Reggie will get touches because Teams will force the big three to throw it to him sir. He gets them by default. I played with Dream, Charles and Clyde and i got touches all the time and i was wide open. They were not great touches though. Meaning i got the ball with maybe 5 seconds on the shot clock with guys running at me.
Young players today can’t operate on 5 seconds–they can’t catch and shoot—–That’s why experience counts. Rashidi and please Tony Allen is what he is—– raw and does not know what winning is. –don’t ever compare Tony Allen with Reggie. Reggie brings more firepower sir. Where did you play mr Basketball guru? We should all remember the name Rashidi–i don’t recall. LOL Stop using Stats——-because you use them to promote your argument. If you used them right –you would note that Reggie had guys flying at his threes because he was the man–what happens now when he is wide open? thats the part you can’t understand Rashidi. Listen and learn LOL
MJ Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 12:56 am
I’m not the biggest Eddie Johnson Fan but….he’s right on the money with his last comment. Celtics could use Miller…he’ll look like a hypocrite based on his past comments about others chasing a championship…but he would help. They need shooters…and he can flat out shoot the rock and he will help space the floor for himself and others. Good luck to Reggie if he chooses to comeback…he’s fun to watch!!
Rashidi Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 1:47 am
“my point on open shots in a gym is that Reggie will feel that way because he will be wide open. The problem with fan’s like you who never played at a high level is that you have no idea. you buy into the concept that age is a negative.”
DEFENSE. You buy into the concept that being a shooter is all a player needs to get court time. Reggie would get open looks - big deal. He won’t be able to keep up on the other end of the court. Yes we all know Reggie can shoot the rock and this is OBVIOUSLY a skill that doesn’t decline with age, if anything it gets better with time provided a player remains healthy.
If shooting were everything, Eric Piatkowski would be logging heavy minutes in Phoenix. Fortunately for the game of basketball, there is FAR more to the game than shooting. Just because Reggie can do one of these well at age 42 doesn’t make him an effective player.
Who will he defend? Reggie was a liability on defense 6 years ago, who is he going to guard at age 42? Who is he going to grab a rebound over? Who can he blow by off the dribble? How many deflections will he cause?
Reggie was fortunate to play with gifted defenders like Jermaine O’Neal and Ron Artest in his later years. Pierce and Allen
I know this is tough for you as you didn’t play much of it in your career, but DEFENSE is an important part of the game, it’s what seperates the great teams from the good. Basketball is more than just putting up points in a fastpaced 80s.
By the way, I LOLed when you were talking smack about Bernard King when the man has scored more points in his career than you. In five fewer seasons.
Why don’t you tell us how your games with King went? Why don’t you educate the fans rather than spewing the same arrogant crap about how you were an NBA player who scored all these points. Please Eddie. Like it or not, the main reason why you had an NBA career is you grew to 6 foot 7. f
Getting schooled by a future hall of famer is nothing to be embarrassed about. Do tell.
Rashidi Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 2:17 am
Reggie was fortunate to play with gifted defenders like Jermaine O’Neal and Ron Artest in his later years. Hell, Stephen Jackson would be the best perimeter defender on the Celtics. Pierce and Allen are average defensively AT BEST. Reggie will be exposed out there. The Celtics don’t have the pieces to cover it up that Indiana did, which is what allowed Reggie to start for so long.
And finally, Reggie missed 16 games in his final season, more than he had ever missed before. The 12 games he had missed 2 years prior to that was the highest he had missed to that point. That spells “physical breakdown”. He missed 30 games over his last 3 years, compared to 24 over his first 15 years (and a lot of those due to suspension rather than injury). His body was getting worse and he retired before sustaining a serious injury. He is two years removed from the game. 20-25 minutes means at some point HE WILL GET INJURED. (but I guess you dunt care bout nunna dat since it’s a stat).
Reggie doesn’t need to come back. A ring isn’t everything. It won’t impact his hall of fame inclusion, hell, it won’t even impact his legacy as nobody gives a crap that Mitch Richmond and Steve Smith tagged along for titles at the end of their days. Bottom line is the veterans minimum is not that much money, and is it really worth it to send your body through hell, the traveling, being away from family, etc, all just for one in ten chance that you picked the right contender? If he wants a ring he should just sign with San Antonio already.
Even Phoenix would be a better fit than Boston. Phoenix already knows what they are doing. Boston has no gameplan yet, three players used to shooting a lot, a shallow bench, and a coach lucky to still have a job.
What’s their defense for Dwyane Wade? Pray he has an injury the night before? Hope Reggie gets enough open looks that he neutralizes all the layups, 3pt plays, and assists to Shaq for easy dunks? Or is it taunting Antoine Walker about his robbery and hope he goes 4-21?
Jacob Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 9:25 am
alex,
If you have a line up of kg, pierce, allen, house, and reggie miller.. you dont need a pointguard because it will be a half court offense with the ball in the hands of garnett to make a basket or find the other 4 scorers who are open.
Eddie Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 9:49 am
Rashidi Here is my response to your new but old rant.
Rashidi Said,
(”DEFENSE. You buy into the concept that being a shooter is all a player needs to get court time. Reggie would get open looks - big deal. He won’t be able to keep up on the other end of the court. Yes we all know Reggie can shoot the rock and this is OBVIOUSLY a skill that doesn’t decline with age, if anything it gets better with time provided a player remains healthy.”)
“Offense is why the Celtics are signing Reggie. If you know anything about basketball Reggie will not have to guard the superstar and if the other team attacks him with a subpar scorer–now wouldn’t that be dumb. are you kidding me? the plus minus with Reggie and the opposite teams role player would be pro Reggie on most nights.
Rashidi Said,
(”If shooting were everything, Eric Piatkowski would be logging heavy minutes in Phoenix. Fortunately for the game of basketball, there is FAR more to the game than shooting. Just because Reggie can do one of these well at age 42 doesn’t make him an effective player.”)
So now Eric Piatkowski can shoot like Reggie Miller? Why don’t you go smack Charles Oakley in the face because thats what you just did to Reggie Miller.
Hey stat guy why don’t you go check out my head to head battles with King and hmmm did you say i played 5 more years. how could a guy like me play 17 years and turn down oppotunities the next three years. let me see duh because i could shoot that damm rock. which i might add is the hardest thing to do in basketball. hmmm i guess thats why Boston wants shooters.
Who are you to tell someone what is good for their body? do you take care of your body? what makes you think playing ball is bad for your body? the best mental state of my life was when i was doing what i love to do. what do you do? i bet you must hate your job? don’t ever tell someone whats good for them sir especially when you have no and i mean no idea of the feeling of doing something you love to do.
Rashidi are you married? how long? i have been married 22 years. it’s hard work and taxing sometimes but do i leave my wife because its hard or do i keep pursuing the person i love more than anyone.
Thats basketball for guys that played it all of their life. How dare you tell someone to give up. Listen and learn.
dj hott Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 11:18 am
ok on my list would be mchale, and bernard king
and i thought about putting shaq higher, but i watched an old finals tape with hakeem dream shaking all on him dominating, then i thought about how sorry he shoots freethrows,
and rashidi i dont think reggie miller would come back if he couldnt get 10-14 ppg or conditionally play 20-25 minutes
and i had to put either drob or p.ewing on the list
and eddie you almost made the list.
and you think duncan could dominate wilt or russell, with what moves?
duncan is definately superb but are u saying duncan is the best big man ever?
if thats the case i would have put kobe bryant number 4 on the list ever
because nobody can guard him, hands down,he has handles,hops,jumper,top 5 defender and he has vanessa.
i wont to find out more about these dumbasses that robbed a.walker and eddie curry, pretty bold to rob a cat 6′9 245 and one 6′11 290
and what did they do sell the jewlry on ebay to that lady?
and where where they found, did the greedy farts plan on to continue to rob nba players from chicago?, CELTICS SIGN EARL BOYKINS
find some money somewhere it wont cost that much but get this midget signed
and why would marbury want to play in greece or overseas in 2 years, thats when his career went downfall when the foreign players from the olympics made him look like trash a few years ago, when larry brown was the coach.
YOU GUYS SHOULD RESPECT EDDIE MORE AND STOP HATING ON HIM
HE IS A VETERAN, PROFESSIONAL THAT EVEN LETS THE PUBLIC POST THERE OPINIONS, AND IF SOME OF THESE WACK GM’S EVER LOOK OR DECIDE TO BROWSE THE ARTICLES MAYBE THEY CAN GET THE RIGHT INFO TO MAKE MOVES TO WIN, BUT THESE OFFSEASON HAS BEEN VERY BUSY.
DURANT WILL BE ROOKIE OF THE YEAR
AND HOW COME KOBE HAS NEVER WON AN MVP,
HES ANYWHERE FROM THE 4TH TO 11 BEST PLAYER EVER
AND DIRK, I LIVE HERE IN DALLAS, IM GOING TO GET YOUR PHONE NUMBER SO WE CAN PLAY BALL IN THE HOOD, SOME STREET BALL, SINCE GOLDEN STATE HAD YOUR NUMBER, DUDE YOUR 7FOOT, U GET 9 OR 10 REBOUNDS ON ACCIDENT, I THINK DIRK COULD BE THE BEST BIGMAN, IF SOMEONE SHOWS HIM A WEBSTERS DICTIONARY ON THE WORD DEFENSE., LOCK HIM IN A GYM FOR 2 WEEKS TO PLAY DEFENSE.
AND PUT HIM AT THE 3, SINCE HE DOESNT WANT TO POST AND BANG, LIKE I THING HE CAN, BUT HIM AT THE 3, GO BIG, PUT HOWARD AT THE 2 HARRIS AT PT- AND TRADE J.TERRY FOR A QUALITY PF
WHAT HAPPENED TO, JEFF BOSCHEE,TED DUPAY, BRET NELSON, DONTA CALABRIA, LAVAR SEALS, TYUS EDNEY,KASPAR KAMBALA
AND WHAT WILL DUKE DO IN COLLEGE THIS YEAR, WITH NO POST INSIDE BUT ABOUT 7 QUALITY GUARDS/SF’S
IM OUT LIKE THE MAVS AND COWBOYS IN THE 1ST ROUND
dj hott Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 11:28 am
RASHIDI,A RING ISNT EVERYTHING BUT IT SURE IS NICE.
AND MILLER WANTS THE SPOTLIGHT AGAIN, I HEAR HE HAS A 18 MODEL HE IS TRYING TO IMPRESS(LOL).
THE CELTICS MAY BREAK THE RECORD FOR MOST 3PT SHOTS ATTEMPTED AND MADE THIS YEAR.
AND HELL YEA SHOOTING THE BALL IS THE HARDEST THING TO DO, IN BASKETBALL,
IF U CANT SHOOT, U HAVE TO HAVE THE PERFECT TEAM, TO WIN OR MAKE YOURSELF LOOK GOOD, NOT TOO MANY AND 1 PLAYERS CAN SHOOT, IF THEY COULD THEY MAY BE IN THE LEAGUE
HOW OLD IS MITCH RICHMOND? HE SHOULD GO TO THE BULLS
AND WHAT EVER HAPPENED TO KOBE RAPPING, AND I HAVENT HEARD LEBRONS TRACKS, OR TONY P YET,
THIS IS NOT A JOKE, BUT I DONT THINK SHAQ WAS ALL THAT BAD AS A RAPPER, AND I LOVED KENNY SMITH IN THE BET BASEMENT,
Brian Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 12:46 pm
Come on, Reggie can still hit some shots. The Celtics aren’t that old. The Big Three are smack dab in the middle of their primes. Reggie can come in and knock down some threes. The Celtics will dominate the East this year and I’m not even a C’s fan. They are scary..
netevent Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 1:24 pm
Fact is, ALL of you guys that are saying that the Celtics are still no good this, the “big three” are old and wont do that…they still wont get out of th east…blah,blah,blah are either really slow or extremely jealous and I vote for the latter. Each and EVERY one of you would have LOVED a Ray Allen or a KG on your teams, which most of you probably have scrub teams and REALLY hate the Celtics for having something that you dont. It was so annoying to you when the REAL “Big Three” was dominating the league and since they have sucked you were extremely happy and pleased to piss on them, now that they WILL be back in contention, all you can do is try to talk down about what they have accomplished this off season…..PATHETIC! Reggie will be an asset for what they need him to do. Score for the second unit. Period. No one is asking him to have lock down defense, be realistic and get your head out of your asses. Grow up and stop whining because the Celtics will probably DUST your pathetic teams with the parquet floor this season.
Funny thing is, I am a Net fan…..but a VERY REALISTIC net fan!
david Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 5:21 pm
Hey DJ..wasn’t much liking your post (esp Mavs) until I saw the Cowboys. They just finished training in San Antonio and I think they’re pretty scary if they all remain healthy.
Hammond Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 5:39 pm
Billy– Paul Pierce leading Boston to 49 wins is ancient history. Their win totals the last five seasons have been 24,33,45,36,44. That’s an average of 36 wins a year, and yes I do think that Parker or Ginobili could match those totals if they were on scrubby teams. Ray Allen’s Sonics the last five years have won 31,35,52,37,40. By contrast, Tim Duncan’s worst full season win total is 53… that what counts as an “off-year” for TD. The Spurs just out-think other teams. So while Boston considers signing the 42 year old Reggie, the Spurs sign Ime Udoka, a 30 year old veteran who hustles and plays defense and hit 40% of his threes last year. Also, he signed for peanuts. The Reggie story may be more glamorous and interesting, but the Spurs made the smarter move.
david Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 5:49 pm
Hammond, the Spurs went after Ime as a replacement for Bowen. Like you said it was a pretty smart move. Bruce still has some life left and the transition should be smooth. The Spurs have never been flashy — we went from “soft” when we were losing to “boring” when we were winning. I’ll take boring. Look for them to finally defend their title.
Hammond Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 6:09 pm
Eddie– you say Parker has to be more of a pure point guard to get his game to “the top level”… He’s the MVP of an NBA finals– what level is there above that? I really think the pure point guard theory is a fallacy. Stockton, Nash, and Kidd are the three best pure point guards of the past decade and none of them won titles. D-Wade isn’t a pure point, but lead his team to a championship as a combo hybrid guard. The great Bulls teams relied on Pippen to play the role of point-forward. A pure point is a nice addition to a team if it’s available, but it isn’t necessary to win it all. Parker plays with two great passers in his starting line-up, Ginobili and Duncan, so for him to keep the opposing teams’ D back on their heels by scoring at will in the paint is probably more valuable than being a traditional pass first guy.
Hammond Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 6:14 pm
David– yeah, actually we went from “soft” to “cheaters” because one guy committed one frustration foul. Never mind that Raja, Kobe, Artest, and Ben Wallace have all done the same and worse! I love the whole anti-Spurs sentiment! Very amusing…
Eddie Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 6:51 pm
Hammond
Chauncy Billups won it too and you didn’t mention him. Just because he won the MVP of the finals does not elevate him yet. Duncan makes the Spurs better not Parker and until he develops a total point guard game- he will not reach the top of the list at point guard.
Hammond Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 6:58 pm
in your humble opinion…
gHEORGe muRESAn Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 7:29 pm
i am going to make a comeback to phoenix.
me and manute bol had a basketball camp, and i still looked nice
around the high schoolers, and i just bought a house in phoenix.
watch out yao ming
David Parra Phoenix AZ Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
I agree totally with Mr. Eddie Johnson. Reggie should come back! If anyone knows anything about Eddie Johnson, he is one of the purest shooters to ever grace an NBA Court. And he knows Reggie is just as good if not better, still in shape, and obviously has a hunger for the game more than ever. Pick you’re poison is right if he plays in Boston. The big 3 looks solid and could use some more help. With Reggie spotting up the Eastern Conference better look out. But when the NBA Finals roll around they will have to worry lots about OUR PHOENIX SUNS!!!! HAHA!! STAT IS BACK!! The SHOULD BE MV3 STEVE NASH IS BACK!!! THE MATRIX!!!! (nuff said) RAJA FOR 3!!!!! BORIS OFF THE BENCH WITH VETERAN LEADERSHIP IN NEW SUN GRANT HILL THE POSSIBILITIES ARE ENDLESS!!!! Looking foward to hearing Eddie’s insightful color commentating with AL MCOY!!! Can’t wait!!!! Despite the crud NBA Officials might have brought to this GREAT GAME, the 2007-2008 NBA Season should be one to remember!!! Fasten you’re seatbelts!!!!! PEACE!
Stefan Said,
August 13, 2007 @ 10:57 pm
Umm…I don’t want to open up this ugly debate again but the Spurs fans above seem to have forced my hand. Before I continue, let me say that boring’s ok if it means team basketball and winning. Now that that’s out of the way, I have a question for Hammond, or was it Dave? Here goes: Are you defending or somehow downplaying the cheapshot “Hip-Check Bob Horry” delivered on Nash in the playoffs last year? I don’t know about Popovich and his strategy on defense, so I’m not making accusations about intentional physical aggression, but that move was about the DIRTIEST I’ve seen in any professional sport. (And I grew up a hockey fan, so that’s a serious allegation). I didn’t like Horry much before–garbage man with a fist full of rings, and then some–but after that, I would’ve signed a petition to have him removed the game perman\ntly.
Again, I don’t want to cause controversy, but you have to admiot that there’s been some dirty play coming from the Spurs defense in the last few years. I don’t want to hate Bruce Bowen; on the contrary, I feel we should applaud hard-nosed players who play effortful, on-the-ball defense. However, I’m not convinced that little kick-out he does where he places his feet right under the shooter’s feet is ethical. I think it’s dirty and I think he knows it. I’ve seen him do it many times and I feel sick when I think of what can happen to a guy’s ankle as he’s coming down from his jumper and feels a foot under his. That shit’s just plain dangerous.
The Spurs, cheaters? I don’t think so. But what does winning at all costs mean? What is the mindset of a guy whose team has won because he’s taken out, and potentially ruined the career of the opposing team’s best shooter? How does he sleep at night? Is winning worth it if it means maming a guy?
I’d love some answers, and I’d love to get Eddie’s views on the subject.
Peace
david Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 8:38 am
Stefan, Horry’s shot was cheap and I know of no Spurs fan who applauded that. He was suspended for 2 games and deserved it. That being said, Nash took full advantage — if he fell back as hard as it seemed, there would have been little likelyhood of him jumping up with fists closed as fast as he did.
if Bowen throws his foot underneath as much as everyone says, then wouldn’t there be many more injuries? I can only think of 2. Is it any different than Reggie (whom I like) throwing his leg out when he takes a jumper trying to draw a foul?
As for “dirty” I can remember Malone cold cocking David Robinson, Raja Bell whacking Kobe, Kobe whacking Ginoboli., Jason Terry punching Finley in the nuts, someone grabbing Kaman’s sack….um Artest…shall I go on?
Hammond Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 8:40 am
The dirtiest in any professional sport? You’ve got to be kidding! What drama– are you a Suns fan? It was worse than Kermit Washington punching Rudy T in the face? Worse than Artest going in the stands and hitting the wrong guy? Worse than Ty Cobb’s dirty racism? Your claim is ridiculous. It was no different from similar frustration fouls by Raja & Kobe during the year. This is the problem with Spur haters– we win the championsip (again and again) and suddenly the crybabies turn a run of the mill foul into the crime of the century!
Hammond Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 10:09 am
Good response, David.
Listen, the main frustration Suns fans have is that Horry did something stupid, which should have turned the momentum to the Suns, but then Amare and Boris reacted by doing something even dumber. When Horry committed that foul, I was pissed off because it was so stupid and unnecessary, but hardly any Suns fans will willingly admit that their guys made a very bad decision– they try to justify Amare running onto the court and even pushing his own assistent coaches out of his way as some sort of heroic action– it wasn’t, it was stupid. Also,
Eddie Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 11:07 am
Let’s put this to rest! Amare did not make a bad decision based on concern. If Amare had did that to Duncan i would like to think the Spurs players would have come to his rescue if their Star and Leader could be hurt.
So shut up with that mess.
The bottom line is that Amare made a decision out of concern and it cost his team. No one did a wrong here.
To you Spur fans stop whinning, you are making me start to think that you feel guilty.
Enjoy your title and stop responding like you are guilty.
the losing team always will point to a reason why they lost–you don’t have to respond –just enjoy.
Stefan Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 11:15 am
I can’t help myself here…I’m willing to admit that my charge of the “the dirtiest in any sport” was a bit over the top. Perhaps I should have have qualified that with a “..that I’ve seen.” Now as far as being frustrated, I’m not, I’m just interested in basketball without cheapshots. I didn’t think hating on Horry and Bowen’s bullying tactics was akin to hating the Spurs or being a Suns fan. Hammond, guy, you certainly like jumping to conclusions. And there you go again, defending Horry’s actions by comparing them to the “very bad decision” by Amare. I don’t know where you come from but in my neighbourhood, when someone knocks down your friend with an illegal move, you rise to defend that friend. Amare was reacting to Horry taking down his captain. He barely took two steps on to the court (it looks like about five or six feet pass the line); it’s not like he got into the mix and started laying punches or something–whatever…I’m not here to defend those actions but simply to reassert my position that several guys on that Spurs team play some dirty mofo defense and it’s un-fu##in’-called for man. Seriously.
David, thanks for the one about Kaman’s sack…I gotta find that shit…
Peace guys
Hammond Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 11:27 am
Eddie– I was responding to a specific request by Stephan for a response. I don’t feel guilty in the least. The Suns had their opportunity in game 6 and got beat by Ginobili’s 33, Parker’s 30, and TD’s typical unstoppability. If you really want to keep insisting that Amare didn’t make a mistake, go right ahead. You couldn’t be more wrong. If he does it again in next year’s playoffs will you still insist that he hasn’t made a mistake? If a 12 year old kid asks you, “hey Eddie, is it a smart move for me to leave the bench, get thrown out of the game and get suspended if I’m coming to the defense of my team-mate?” are you going to tell him , “yes”…
Hammond Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 11:32 am
Stephan– the same thing happens in my neighborhood, but the nba playoffs aren’t streetball, so your analogy doesn’t really fit. You should watch the replay– your memory of Amare “barely taking two steps on the court” is just plain wrong.
Hammond Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 11:39 am
Stephan– i like hoops without cheapshots also– that’s why all those years the critcs called the Spurs “soft” it didn’t bother me. I was never a fan of the “bad boy” Pistons, because they had a team philosophy of trashtalk and dirty play. It wasn’t one guy, it was five or six guys. Horry has played for more than a decade and this was the first time he ever did anything like this. He got his fair punishment of a 2 game suspension… what more should I do as a Spurs fan? Horry is no Lambier.
Eddie Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 11:44 am
Hammond
did you read what i said.
“The bottom line is that Amare made a decision out of concern and it cost his team.”
What he did was not stupid. Understand the logic here or am i too deep for you? Would Amare do it again? i highly doubt it, but guess what another teammate might.
You just mentioned game 6. how silly are you. What about game 5? don’t you think the Suns were knocked off their momentum with all that happened after the game 4 win? guess what game 6 would probably had tied the series and the Spurs lose game 7. what about that?
I am convinced now that you Spur fans are still feeling guilty and i know it all goes back to 1999.
STOP IT. Maybe next year you will finally be able to beat everybody when they are at full strength and its a full season. LOL
will Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 11:56 am
reggie is old as dirt but i think will do the best of the 3 miller, a.hardaway, and a.houston.
please tell me that is all the grandpas attempting to comeback, i doubt rodman or pippen could lace em up, and hey, whatever happened to sprewell? and yes DJ i think boston would rock with earl boykins, webber, and reggie miller as there final 3 signings
and i really think NJ will go for J.Oneal, and chicago will remain the same
BIG PIC Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 12:08 pm
WEST
1.SAN ANTONIO
2.PHOENIX
3.DALLAS
4.DENVER
5.UTAH
6.GOLDEN ST
7.HOUSTON
8.LA LAKERS
EAST
1.BOSTON
2.CHICAGO
3.CLEVELAND
4.MIAMI
5.NJ
6.DETROIT
7.ORLANDO
8.NY
Hammond Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 1:28 pm
Eddie–
You’re not too deep for me, but thanks for the concern. Problem is, you’re not using logic– you’re using rationalization. Those two are different. Every Knick fan, Laker fan, Rocket fan, & Heat fan I know thinks Amare did something dumb. Only Suns fans want to argue that it wasn’t a dumb move. That’s fine by me. You can continue your happy “what if” scenerios– Suns fans have practically made careers out of it! “What if” is the way losers console themselves. Nice try on the Spur “guilt” concept… and it’s very professional of you to imply that the Spurs have somehow lucked their way into 4 championships and the best winning percentage in sports– common sense, however, says otherwise.
artie g Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
*It would be hard to guard Reggie Miller because his walker would keep getting in your way.
*Tony Parker scored more points in the paint than Kevin Garnett last year.
*Nash is still the best point guard in the NBA.
*Forget about the mistake of going on the court. The main thing Amare has to focus on is staying out of foul trouble. How many times did we hear the announcers say Amare scored 20 despite only playing 25 mins in the game?
*I predict Toronto will win the east next year, with both Bosh and Bargnani averaging 20 per game. Serious. Boston wins 50 or 52, and loses in the second round.
Bobby Whitcomb Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
I just don’t see Reg being able to run nonstop around the court (like his offspring Rip Hamilton) anymore. In his prime he would wear defenders down. They got exhausted chasing him and he got open looks. Plus he could elevate and hit shots with guys in his face too. Kudos to him if he can, but I think it might be better to save that roster spot for a young guy. (As an old guy myself it pains me to write this, but I’m being honest).
Bobby Whitcomb Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
What about jonathan Bender? he retired young due to knee problems. Someone should call him up. A 7 ft small forward who shoots threes and blocks shots.
Michael Bennett Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
arite g - How is Toronto going to win the East with Bosh out half the season with plantar fascinitis? I like Toronto, but that ailment is bothersome, especially for Bosh’s game.
And, yes, I agree - Nash IS the best point guard in the NBA, but unfortunately, like John Stockton, he’ll never win an NBA title. He’ll get close (this season), but the Suns will be outmatched by the gritty Chicago Bulls for the NBA title.
And, lastly…
WHY ARE WE STILL TALKING ABOUT THE HORRY/AMARE/NASH/SPURS/SUNS DEBACLE?!? Who gives a rat’s ash? Seriously. The two sides will never agree, or even really budge, so what’s the point of it?
Rather, you should talk about how in the 07-08 season, the Spurs will be outgunned by a few teams out of the West. The Suns will finally win the West. And, the Mavericks with a refreshed and determined Dirk will destroy the Spurs. Also, a better Houston (if healthy) will give the Spurs a run.
david Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 7:10 pm
The Spurs lucky ?? try unblucky…..Fisher’s .4 cost them THE CHANCE for the title in 2004 and Ginoboli’s pahntom foul in 2006 gthe same. By the way, neither team that won repeated.
david Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 7:14 pm
Miichael Bennett, the mavericks better hope that Don Nelson picks up his team and moves it to Europe. They folded 2 years in a row — I don’t care how “refreshed” Dirk gets — he’ll never win a title. Why do you think the Mavs keep trying to bring in more and more stars?
artis g Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 7:31 pm
True– my toronto prediction depends on Bosh being healthy. I was surprised to read today that he’s playing with tean USA even though the plantar fasciitis (sp?) is still lingering. I think that’s a bad decision.
I don’t see the Suns beating San Antonio. The best move D’Antoni made in the playoffs was putting Kurt Thomas on Duncan, but now he’s gone. Bad move by the Suns.
Dallas can give San Antonio a run for their money, but I don’t imagine they could possibly “destroy” them, c’mon now. Were it not for Duncan’s Platar Fasciitis last year, it’s doubtful the Mavs would’ve made it to the finals.
Hammond Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 7:40 pm
How will Dirk become refreshed? A German manicure? Some pampering at a spa beside the autobaun? No matter how refreshed he is, he still won’t have a post-up game and can still be defended by the likes of 6′8” Stephen Jackson. No 6′8″ guy could ever dream og guarding Duncan, no way, no how. The Spurs are still crazy deep and can take it easy on the minutes they give their stars, leaving them refreshed for playoff season. The Suns will be run ragged, logging way too many minutes– a tiny tear is cascading down my cheek for them right now… let the excuses begin!
artie g Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 8:07 pm
True, the Toronto prediction relies om Bosh being healthy. I was shocked to read today that he has been practising with team USA even though his foot is still bothering him. That seems like a bad decision to me.
Why did the Suns let Kurt Thomas go? He did the best job on Duncan in the playoffs last year. Who will guard him now? Check out the article in the new SLAM. It talks about the window beginning to close in Phoenix.
Dallas is good, but I can’t see them “destroying” San Antonio. Two years ago Duncan had the same foot ailment that Bosh now has, plantar fasciitis, and had he not, there’s a good chance the Mavs wouldn’t have even gone to the Finals. Dallas has a legit shot at beating them, but it won’t be easy.
Toron Toe Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 8:30 pm
The Bulls– the thing that’s scary about them is when they toss it inside to, uh, to, uhm,… well, to nobody in the paint. A young collection of good players who mostly shoot jump shots ain’t gonna do it, unless one of them has the initials MJ. We saw what happen to LeBron…
BIG PIC Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 9:26 pm
reggies walker in the way, lol
and jonathan bender or walter mccarty where are they>
cleveland has a younger version 6 10 darius rice
how come wade wont move back to pt, since he oenetrates and cant be stopped off the dribble, and go after reggie, or allan houston, or a tall shooter, penny at 3, trade a.walker,jwilliams,j.posey-for q.richardson j.jeffries , mardy collins
miami-g.d.wade g=s.parker
g.p.hardaway g=d.wright
f-q.richardson f0l.jeffries
f’u.haslem f.w.simien
c.s.oneal c-a.mourning
artie g Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 10:02 pm
Sorry guys, I didn’t see my comment come up so I rewrote it and then both of them popped up……
artie g Said,
August 14, 2007 @ 10:34 pm
I like what Houston has done. Added Luis Scola, 2 time mvp of the euroleague, and Jackie Butler, who has potential. With a healthy Bonzi Wells and of course a healthy Yao plus T-Mac, they could be very good.
Starting line up:
1. Rafer or Mike james 1. Rondo
2. T-Mac compare w 2. Ray Allen
3. Battier Boston 3. Pierce
4. Scola or Hayes 4. KG
5. Yao 5. Perkins
Rockets are better at the 2 and 5. Celts are better at the 3 and 4. The 1 is a pick ‘em. Rockets havr better bench. Barring injuries, I’d say Houston by a hair.
Michael Bennett Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 12:53 am
I agree about the window beginning to close in Phoenix, but you have to remember, the players don’t live on Mars. They read and hear the same stuff we do, and I think it motivates them.
Amare is brilliant on offense, and he’ll show improvements on defense and foul trouble this year. D’Antoni will try new ways to keep Amare out of foul trouble, too. So, Amare will be more potent than ever. Nash will be Nash. This is a contract year for Marion, which will mean huge numbers and all out hustle on every play. Grant Hill will help out… Raja and Diaw will continue to play great ball.
I’ve read plenty of articles in the last month or so that all say that Phoenix has so many problems. Even one of my closest friends who lives in Phoenix (Cave Creek), who’s an NBA writer and fan says that he scared. But, I think people get caught up in the fear storm. They hope for a certain offseason move or transaction, and when it doesn’t happen, they’re disappointed.
Phoenix will be the best they’ve been since ‘93. I don’t understand how anyone could think otherwise. All signs point to them improving on last year, fixing their mistakes, and coming after Dallas and San Antonio.
As for the East… Toron Toe (and many others) abide by the rule of “needing” a low post scoring threat. Well, the Bulls DO have a low post scorer = Joe Smith. He’s not a threat, but he’s going to be logging potent minutes. And, the Bulls are deeper at the 4 and 5 than any team in basketball. J Smith, Ty Thomas, J Noah, Big Ben, Aaron Gray, A Nocioni… This is a team that’s very interchangeable - they can go big or small. They can speed up or run half court. And, their three young guys (K Hinrich, B Gordon, L Deng) all got a year better and wiser.
If anyone can show a better Finals matchup to me than the Bulls/Suns, please, go ahead. I implore you. Light ‘em up…
artie g Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 1:30 am
M Bennett
I agree the Bulls are a very good team, but if they don’t do it next year they may regret taking Big Ben and giving up Tyson Chandler. Not saying Chandler is better than Wallace in his prime, but possibly after a few years of diminishing stats, Big Ben might not be the same force he once was. I like the young guys Thomas and Noah, but will they become big bodies or be long wiry types like Kirilenko?
Still like the Raptors: if Bosh, Bargnani, Garbajosa are healthy (yeah that’s a big if) and Ford, Carter and Calderon continue to build on last year, they could be scary.
Like you, I’ve read and heard many tales of the tense situation in the Phoenix locker room and the rivalry between Amare and Marion. I still think losing Kurt Thomas will hurt them and leave Amare too exposed when he has to cover quality bigs… With all that talent, it’s not like this is their last chance, but like you said, Marion’s contract will be up and resigning him will be hard, and you don’t want to go into rebuilding mode with a 34 yr old point guard.
artie g Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 1:45 am
Considering the Heat, I think if they don’t win it this year, they have to start thinking about a post-Shaq franchise. hate to say it, but even the mighty Shaq is vulnerable to Father Time.
Eddie Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 10:34 am
Hammond
are you Spurs fan’s worried about what Tim Donaghy might reveal about his game fixing? game 3 Suns (you tube) the world awaits
Wow another bitter pill to swallow.
BIG PIC Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 12:20 pm
I KNEW THE SUNS WHERE BETTER
artie g Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 1:22 pm
Eddie
I’m sorry for your pain. I know it’s hard rooting for a team stacked with talent that can just never get the job done. I’ll light a votive candle for you tonight at church.
Hammond Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 1:33 pm
I just found out today that Eddie Johnson is a television commentator for the Suns. I hadn’t known that before. Now your obvious bias makes a little more sense. You’re on the payroll.
Hammond Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 1:36 pm
Eddie, please, your bitter pill (ZERO CHAMPIONSHIPS) is so big that you can’t even think about swallowing it and have to carry it around all the time like a backpack full of rocks. ZERO.
Bobby Whitcomb Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
Just saw these Vegas odds for winning it all posted for the up-coming season.
Boston 5:1
Bulls 12:1
Dallas 7:2
Phoenix 7:2
Spurs 4:1
Toronto 38:1
Eddie Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
Artie
that was funny! You better light a candle for the Spurs fan’s and hope Donaghy does not say game 3 was a fix.
Hammond Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 2:43 pm
Eddie–
You taunt me with a sarcastic post and then when I replay with similar sarcasm, you take the reply off of the blog. Is that how you like to debate?
Michael Bennett Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 3:52 pm
Hammond - You JUST found out Eddie was a commentator for the Suns?!? What are you doing on this blog, then? Do you even watch the NBA? Anyone who has League Pass should know most of the announcers. Anyone without League Pass shouldn’t really be comenting on the NBA. You have to watch all the games, ups and downs of the 82-game, 6 month season - NOT just the Thursday night TNT games.
Come on!!!
Hammond Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
bennett–
You predicted that the Cavs would beat the Spurs. Do you watch the NBA?
Michael Bennett Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
Guilty as charged. Sometimes you miss the mark when you think with your heart…
Eddie Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 6:21 pm
Hammond
did i strike a nerve? Donaghy will add more fuel and maybe another asterisk.
It does not matter who i announce for. I would be pro Suns if i worked as a garbage man. Every reporter has a favorite team.
I bet you like Sean Elliott. he is an announcer and he loves the Spurs–so whats your point?
Hammond Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
Bennett–
Believe me, I can relate– remember, my hometown team is the Knicks.
Hammond Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
Eddie–
Is your partner that guy that always says “Sha-bam!” I’ll watch more Suns games this season, i promise. Just cuz I like debating you doesn’t mean I don’t respect you. Anyone who played in the League has my respect. Millions of guys dream about playing there and very few actually do.
You and I may not agree on much, but I think it’s safe to say we both want this guy Donaghy to gets what’s coming to him. Anyone who knowingly would do something so damaging to a sport he supposedly loves…. well, that’s about as low as you can get. Hell, let’s do the whole thing over again. It beats watching soccer any day.
Hammond Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 7:18 pm
Or is it “Sha-zam”…
Eddie Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 7:51 pm
Agreed and yes it is Shazam, but he just does radio now. My handsome self was made for the camera–so i have a different partner lol
Mike Said,
August 15, 2007 @ 9:43 pm
This is a great article. I believe that most fans want Reggie to come back as well. The people who say that Reggie is ruining his legacy by coming back are idiots. When Jordan came back for the Wizards, he had already won 6 titles. Reggie would be coming back for the right reasons. This would probably be his best chance to win a ring and no one should fault him for that.
Rashidi Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 2:55 am
Eddie is paid by the Suns to be a Suns fan. It’s not the same as when you’re doing games for TNT or ESPN where you have to try to be partial to both sides.
Kenny Smith is a pretty clear example of this. On TNT he is constantly ragging on bad teams with Charles, but whenever he fills in for Walt Frazier for a Knick game, he only has good things to say about the team for the most part and is still on the Stephon Marbury bandwagon. But then again, this was an organization who let Marv Albert go after 40 years for telling it like it is, so it varies by organization.
Guys like Mike Breen are the best. Breen is a straight shooter who knows a lot about the game and doesn’t let his biases get in the way. He will make a reference here and there that you can tell comes from his NY experiences (like something about former Knicks like Kurt Thomas or Marcus Camby, that only someone who saw those guys every day would know), but it doesn’t affect what is most important - telling the story of the game being played that day to a national audience.
Eddie Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 8:53 am
Well put Rashidi, but Suns fans will tell you that i might be one of the most critical local announcers in the league when it comes to telling it like it is.
There is a fine line no doubt about it, but the players know i will call them out , but not as blatant as if it was national.
Eddie Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 8:54 am
I am trying to develop my thoughts on Donaghy. i am sure Spur fans will jump me again when i write my next blog.
Hammond Said,
August 16, 2007 @ 10:13 am
eddie–
You know what a Spurs fan I am, but there’s no way I’ll disagree with any criticisms about that lowlife Donaghy. The thing I hate most is that now there will be conspiracy theories about every call made in the nba for years, and justifiably so. One thing we all should remember though– even an honest, sincere, dedicated ref has a tough job. I know if I’m sitting on the bleachers waiting for Next and these’s a controversy and the guys ask me for a call, there’s usally gonna be 5 guys who agree with the call, and 5 who disagree. It’s a job that I would never want to have. I’ll say this though– Donaghy better hope there aren’t too many hoops fans in his cell block, cuz they’ll be a lot rougher on him than we will.
BIG PIC Said,
August 17, 2007 @ 12:34 pm
donaghy messed up the game
donaghy, vick, and pacman are going to open a club together in a few years
and what will penny do in miami?
billy Said,
August 17, 2007 @ 11:16 pm
NETEVENT HAD THE SMARTEST POST IVE EVER READ IN MY LIFE. I SUGGEST YOU ALL READ IT. THE ONE ABOUT THE CELTICS AND THE JEALOUSY TOWARDS THERE GREAT 2 SUPERSTAR PICKUPS. SMACKS YOU IN THE FACE WITH THE TRUTH!!!! CELTICS ARE BACK!!!! KG, RAY, AND PAUL!!!!! WE’RE BACK!!!!! HOW COULD YOU HATE THAT? GREEN 17!!! 3 SUPERSTARS. CELTIC PRIDE BABY.
billy Said,
August 17, 2007 @ 11:18 pm
THE BIG 3 FOR THE CELTICS ARE ALL VERY GOOD PASSERS TOO. ON TOP OF EVERYTHING ELSE I THINK THAT WILL REALLY HELP OUT THE YOUNG FELLA AT POINT.
billy Said,
August 17, 2007 @ 11:27 pm
IM A CELTIC FAN AND EVERYONE I KNOW IN BOSTON SAID THAT THE ONLY ONE THAT DID SOMETHING WRONG WAS HORRY AND THAT IT WAS TOTAL CRAP THAT AMARE WOULD BE SUSPENDED OR PHOENIX WOULD BE PUNISHED FOR THE SPURS MALICIOUS ACTIONS/INTENTS.
billy Said,
August 17, 2007 @ 11:32 pm
CHICAGO WILL NEVER WIN NOTHING UNLESS THEY LAND JERMAINE ONEAL OR THE LIKES. SAME WITH WASHINGTON…….. AND JERSEY. BOSTON WILL RUN THRU THE EAST AND PROBABLY WIN IT ALL THIS YEAR. IF NOT THIS YEAR THAN DEFINITELY NEXT YEAR WHEN THE ROSTER GETS FILLED OUT.
billy Said,
August 17, 2007 @ 11:35 pm
PHOENIX HAS ABOUT AN 11 YEAR WINDOW BECAUSE OF AMARE. HAVING HIM MAKES THE SUNS A CONTENDER LONG AFTER NASH IS GONE IF THEY PLAY IT RIGHT AND BUILD AROUND HIM……… AND THEY ALREADY GOT 2 VERY GOOD GUYS HIS AGE TO GROW WITH HIM IN BARBOSA AND DIAW………………… THE WINDOW IS SHORT FOR NASH THOUGH. AND MARION MAY LEAVE AFTER THIS YEAR, SO I WOULDNT BE MAD IF THE SUNS WON THE RING. I LIKE MARION AND NASH. 2 GREAT PLAYERS. sorry bout the caps.
BIG PIC Said,
August 20, 2007 @ 9:33 am
who played better in that series, nash or parker?
did nash have the biggest flop over horry or what?
And I want to know the other 20 refs that supposedly are guilty to.
what is donaghy talking for to lesser his sentence, or to better the nba?
I bet david stern decides to ref a few games,
and that would suck since he threw the lottery so memphis and boston wouldnt get 1 or 2nd pick, queer
david c Said,
August 20, 2007 @ 5:12 pm
david stern is like bill gates, nobody can really stop him.
billy Said,
August 26, 2007 @ 7:06 pm
yeah but im really happy that we didnt get the top pick. instead of adding a 19 year old to a terrible team we switched up everything and destroyed and rebuilt it with 2 superstars without losing our superstar. everything worked out perfectly (those 3 are a perfect fit in every way on the court and off it as well)…… the lotto balls bounced that way made it happen. kg saying no to us got us ray allen. us getting ray allen got kg to change his mind and come here. reggie miller saying no got us posey instead (who is better for us and more needed for us)…… celtics are rocking and rolling these next 4 or 5 years. theyre gonna be a truely special team. a powerhouse. awesome!
Chad B Said,
November 5, 2007 @ 5:49 pm
u were right about this one eddie
Nick Said,
June 18, 2008 @ 9:04 am
Nick…
The World Wide Web is one of the services accessible via the Internet, along with various others including e-mail, file sharing, online…