“Isiah has a ton of redeeming qualities”
Where do you see the NBA in the next 10 years or so? I have noticed that there is no lack of stars, but there is a serious lack of players that I consider valid HOFers or even team players.
The NBA will continue to thrive in the next 10 years for simple reasons – demand and popularity as a sport in general. Basketball is the most accessible sport in the world next to soccer. Basketball and soccer are the only sports that use two pieces of equipment – a ball and a net. You can set up a make shift rim or goal anywhere when it comes to those two sports. I have played with a rim on a garage, on a utility pole in an alley or on a nerf set in the house. You can say the same thing about soccer – a makeshift goal can be two soda cans or two pair of shoes.
They are the two easiest sports to set up a game and still have a scenario extremely similar to the actual game. Football, hockey and baseball are extremely difficult to simulate because of the excess equipment and playing fields and that is why they are not worldwide sports. Those three sports are also extremely expensive to play and the percentage of parents who could afford the expense fall below basketball and soccer
So for that very reason the NBA will be fine. Did you see the support in China last week for Cleveland and Orlando? It is scary how popular basketball might become in the next ten years and remember the NBA is the best basketball league in the world so it has no choice but to get better.
Don’t be fooled by the lack of potential Hall of Famers. The league has slowly shied away from over-hyping our players like they did over the last 10 to 15 years. The NFL has a perfect model when it comes to putting teams first and the NBA seems to be headed towards that model, which is a good thing. It should be about the teams anyway because the player you cheer for today could be the one you boo tomorrow because of trades and free agency.
Many people are surprised by how close the games are between NBA and European clubs during the preseason. Given its preseason (stars not playing normal minutes, free agents), do you think the outcomes are in any way reflective of how some of the European clubs would fair in the regular season NBA?
I think the talent level in Europe is very good and will certainly keep improving. And yes, I do think they could put together a few teams and compete on a nightly basis. That question is easily answered by the plethora of European players on NBA rosters and the fact that a German player won the MVP last year. The one detriment to any European club playing a NBA schedule is travel and that is why we will see a separate European NBA-style league before we ever see a team included in the NBA from Europe.
The preseason is what it is. Pre means before. It means nothing to the players who will be playing significant roles for their teams other than getting in shape and gaining their rhythm for the coming season. Don’t read anything into preseason. The Suns could go 0-8 in the preseason and I would still guarantee they will win 60 games.
Is James Dolan retarded and does Isiah Thomas have any redeeming qualities outside of having been a great player?
Now what are you basing that assumption on? What has James Dolan done wrong other than be loyal to the people he hired? I remember a few years ago when he hired Larry Brown and the New York faithful were ecstatic. I remember when Isiah brought Stephon Marbury back to New York and he was hailed for doing so. Now you want to call someone retarded who is not shooting jump shots? I have said this before and I will say it again… Owners don’t shoot jump shots. They pay others to do it and last I saw Dolan pays his players more than any team in the league.
Yes, I will say Isiah has a ton of redeeming qualities, but you really don’t want to hear that right now I am sure. I am positive you want me to talk about his ability to run an organization, right? OK, I will comment on that question. I give Isiah a B for acquiring players and slashing payroll and I give him a C for getting them to play at the level they should. Now remember Isiah should not even be coaching the Knicks. They hired arguably the best coach ever in Larry Brown and it did not work out, so whose fault is that? The prevailing argument is Isiah is the reason Larry Brown left. Give me a break. Larry Brown leaves a job for no one but himself and he has to the tune of many over his career. Can I say world champion Detroit Pistons? Isiah has to definitely step up this year and get this team playing at a level equal to its ability. The Knicks are a playoff team if they play unselfish and that responsibility falls square in the lap of Isiah Thomas. This could be his last year and maybe final opportunity in the NBA to prove it.
What is your outlook on the future performance of this year’s rookies? Who will compete for ROY and who will bomb?
I get this question every year and I hate it because I don’t like rookies and never have when it comes to predicting how good they will be. I thought Adam Morrison would be lights out last year, but he never turned them on. Brandon Roy won Rookie of the Year last season, but he does not wow me. Let’s face facts… Every five or so years we will get a rookie that knocks our socks off. LeBron did it a few years ago and now we must wait for the next one. Is it OJ Mayo from USC or is it Jerryd Bayless from Arizona? I will tell you now that it will not be Kevin Durant this year because he is not physically ready to deal with 82 games of pounding. He will score close to 18 a game, but his field goal percentage will be in the low 40s. It’s hard to be Rookie of the Year and you are on a young team and counted on to score and be highly productive every night. That’s why I will go with Al Thornton of the Clippers. Teams shied away from him because he was too old at 23 years of age. Big mistake, this kid has a mature aggressive game and if I had to pick someone he is it.
What piece(s) – except chemistry – are the Kings lacking to create a real basketball team?
They need a post game. Brad Miller is a power forward and he suffers having to play center on offense. The Kings want to run. Head coach Reggie Theus knows all too well that to offset bad shooting nights from a jump shooting team. He needs to find a player to throw the ball to in the post that can force double teams and get to the foul line. The Kings have not had one since Vlade Divac and Chris Webber.
I was wondering what is happening with Earl Boykins. I heard him very briefly mentioned regarding Cleveland and Boston around the start of the free agency period but have heard nothing since.
Earl Boykins is a dynamic player, but with one important problem: he is the smallest player in the league. Nice weapon to have, but at a good price. He will find a home before the season, but not at his price!
Why doesn’t Mike D’Antoni use his bench more? Last year, Jalen Rose could have helped a lot posting up and kicking out to the shooters.
You are correct about Jalen, but didn’t you think Mike had that in mind when they signed him? The problem was Jalen found out quickly that jumping into a running game and not getting your normal offensive looks was not as easy as it looked from afar. The Suns could not wait for Jalen to catch up and award him with 20-plus minutes and Jalen indeed suffered from the decision. Had Jalen come on board before the season, he might have gotten into the rotation – similar to what Grant Hill has done by signing and showing up early to get his body prepared for the track meet Suns. D’Antoni has stated numerous times this preseason that he will indeed stay with a 8 or 9 man rotation early on this season thus hopefully saving Steve Nash and Grant Hill from carrying a ton of minutes.
Where should Kobe go?
Kobe will go to whomever pays the price the Lakers are searching for. The only problem is that the Chicago Bulls, Phoenix Suns and Dallas Mavericks are the only teams that can match talent and at the same instance satisfy Kobe Bryant’s desires. Well, let’s play elimination. The Mavericks will not work because the Lakers would want Dirk Nowitzki. Will not happen! The Suns would not work because the Lakers would want either Amare Stoudamire or a combination of Shawn Marion, Leandro Barbosa or Boris Diaw plus the Atlanta Hawks draft pick the Suns own for next year. Wishful thinking! So that leaves the Bulls and their enormous combination of young talent. This fit is the best because Kobe is the closest player to Air Jordan this game has seen and he would flourish.
Based on preseason play alone, can you make a prediction on which teams is really going to suck?
Minnesota, Charlotte, Memphis and Portland will play hard and compete, but they will struggle big time.
Francisco S. Jose Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 10:29 am
Why doesn’t Amare doesn’t play D? Is this why the Suns haven’t won a championship? Thank you for listening, Eddie.
Dylan Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 10:45 am
Eddie, spot on in your words about Zeke. Even after all the tabloid business hit the fan, one thing I am QUITE sure of is that there is a whole lot of things that never came out in that case. In my own personal life, I went from a person that had no trouble writing somebody off completely for bad behaviour. But I learned the hard way that sometimes, life will throw you a real curve-ball and you may see things in your own response that will suprise - or even shock you.
I used to say “Why do I need to forgive this person who just wronged me?? That’s GOD’s job! I’m only human so if I wanna hold a grudge, no holding back!” I learned thru my own mistake - one that I could never imagine myself making - that it is NOT my place to judge the next man.
Forgiveness is one of the most powerful things we have the capability to do as human beings. Seriously, imagine what the world would be like without it! Give up on people for making mistakes and we’d ALL be out with the trash.
I am not even saying that the jury came to the wrong or the right conclusion about what went on at MSG. I WOULD like to say that it was unfortunate that the whole “tainted ref” scandal broke so soon after ’cause I think the press was looking for all kinds of goats there. And honestly - not to make excuses for bad behaviour - but I’ve been in enough locker rooms and I can only imagine PRO athletes. I have a hard time believing that MSG is a vastly different environment from many other sports organizations in the way that women can be (mis)treated. …and I am sure there are also many GREAT examples to look up to as well.
MAN, I just wanna see the Knicks play the Celtics a couple times this year before they blow the whole thing up!! …is it too much to ask to see them actually PLAY now that the media (eg .Berman!) are done harpooning them?!?
gamal baez Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 11:19 am
once again, eddie, you are on the money..and i’m most referring to the ny knicks question.. i think james dolan just took some security away from zeke and it’s showing.. he does his best coaching under pressure.. every nba team wishes they had an owner like JD….unfortunately it hasn’t panned out for us yet but the future does look bright…
tony Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 11:52 am
whose the idiot who thinks todays nba doesnt have any hall of famers?!?!?!? hmmm i guess he never heard of vets like duncan,shaq,pierce, kobe,garnett,kidd or iverson…..or maybe he never heard of guys whose careers just started who will definitely be in the hall like lebron, wade,bosh or melo….
space Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 12:10 pm
lots of quality Q & A
phoenix did suffer for a lack of jalen rose. but d’antoni’s flaw in my opinion is not using his bench effectively in my opinion. the boykins situation is a disappointing one. but as far as the bad teams this year, i still think memphis can play .500. they’ve got a lot of pieces at almost every position. versatility over talent is their strength.
Knicks lover, Dolan/isiah hater Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 12:41 pm
i can’t believe someone just said “every nba team wishes they had an owner like JD”
seriously? the guys a jackass… stop being nice, and start living in the real world, where people who don’t get the job done should be fired, and not “accepted” cause they TRY. plain and simple. he’s not doing it, therefore, he needs to go.
anthony Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 1:40 pm
I believe Isiah Thomas has bad character. Where there is smoke, there is fire (theres been smoke since he was playing with the Pistons as far as I remember). I would not want him poisoning my work environment. Don’t feel so sorry for him either, he has lots of money and more opportunities than the average joe, just because he had an extraordinary talent to put an orange ball through a net 10 feet high.
jalen rose WAS a nice player.
I believe the popularity of the NBA will stagnate the next few years here in the USA, but I see it continuing to grow internationally.
when you start to play out possible deals and try to work the numbers, it seems more and more that Kobe will remain a Laker this year.
Rashidi Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 1:57 pm
“What has James Dolan done wrong other than be loyal to the people he hired?”
You are obviously attempting to comment on a situation you know little of.
“Owners don’t shoot jump shots. They pay others to do it and last I saw Dolan pays his players more than any team in the league.”
Hah, I think I get it now. You look at it from a player’s perspective, not a fan’s. To you, Dolan is someone who would have given you a fat paycheck. Heck, had you played for his team, you’d likely have gotten an Allan Houston contract.
Killing your franchise’s cap flexibility for the next decade on mediocre players is a GREAT way to win your fans over…
Rashidi Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 1:59 pm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Dolan
In a recent Sports Illustrated players poll, Dolan received the most votes as the worst owner in the NBA.
I guess not enough players voted.
Rashidi Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
“I give Isiah a B for acquiring players and slashing payroll”
WTF???
Slashing payroll?
Isiah with the Knicks has assembled the most expensive teams in NBA history. They may have dropped from 140 million to 88 million this year, but that’s still a figure which leads the rest of the NBA by a great deal. Their payroll will still be at 84 million next year if they don’t sign or draft anyone at all. Did we mention he gave up TWO lottery picks in his grand trading, and that the Knicks haven’t won a playoff game in the last 7 years?
“Now remember Isiah should not even be coaching the Knicks. They hired arguably the best coach ever in Larry Brown and it did not work out, so whose fault is that?”
It’s Isiah’s fault. And Dolan’s fault. Last I checked, hiring a coach is their job. It was VERY BLATANTLY OBVIOUS that Larry Brown would not fit with this team. He was a defense first coach going to a team with no defense to speak of. It was known from the getgo that Brown and Marbury would clash. So when a team decides to hire the WRONG MAN FOR THE JOB, it’s the fault of whoever hired him in the first place.
Here is the funny part of all this. The Knicks gave LB a 5 year deal but Isiah’s allegiance remained with his star player, not his coach. How could such a scenario have gone any other way?
Isiah was “not supposed to be coaching this team”, yet from the day he got to NY, all people could talk about is that he would fire so and so and take their place as coach. They went through four coaches in three years. And what finally happened? Must be a coincidence.
david Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 2:49 pm
Omigosh!! I woke up in the Twilight Zone. I finally find myself agreeing (wholeheartedly) with Rashidi.
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 3:28 pm
well push come to shove,isiah got a stud in zack randolph, right when he needed him,david lee is good,marbury is back,eddie curry looks bigger,and nate off the bench,
KOBE TO GS,
GREG ODEN INJURED SUCKS,DURANT SURE WILL ATTEMPT ENOUGH SHOTS,AND IS GOOD,BUT WEAK,NEEDS TO WORK ON SELECTION,AND I THINK HE WILL BY ALLSTAR BREAK,
R
Jacob Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 3:44 pm
rashidi, you just quoted what eddie was talking about
” 140 million to 88 million this year”
i would say that 58 million dollars less is a huge payroll cut, isahia had to start somewhere right?
and dont you have anything better to do then give eddie a hard time, what NBA teams have you been a part of?
eddie Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 4:04 pm
David
please don’t agree with Rashidi?
heres why?
Rashidi can’t name me a player with a fat check on the Knicks that every other NBA Team would not take if they made less? so they do have talent.
Curry, Marbury, Randolph, down the line would be on any NBA Roster if the price fits.
The only difference between the big three in Boston and these three is UNSELFISHNESS.
Garnett is the Steve Nash of the Celtics and thats why it will work in Boston.
Tim Duncan is the Steve Nash of the Spurs and that why it works in San Antonio
Which one of those three will be Steve Nash? The easy answer is Steph, but really it could be either one of the three.
If that happened guys like RASHIDI would go away, because as i said before the Knicks have the most talent 1 through 12 of any team in the league other than the Bulls.
Now if thats the case what has Dolan done wrong? He hired the best coach and now to justify his silly weak argument —Rashidi says Brown was not the right fit because he was a defensive coach. Last i heard Brown was supposedly the best coach Rashidi. if you are the BEST COACH then you are supposed to change players and improve them. Teach Teach Teach –thats what Brown preaches.
Rashidi also forgot that Isiah inherited the highest payroll in the league when he was hired. So i assume he did slash the payroll as Rashidi just stated.
Rashidi i don’t know about you, but i don’t think fans care about how much money Dolan spends on his teams— excuse me George Stenbrenner—- and who are you to call players mediocre? what is your pedigree and what high level of ball did you play to judge players or do you just read the newspaper articles of other journalists that didnt play either?
i think you have mediocre argument skills, but i am sure you will not take that statement to heart, because i am just another duh basketball player—what do i know. well ditto!
So now you are into polls? didn’t you know that polls mean jack. Do you know the people that voted? were those voters privy to every piece of evidence supporting or against Dolan? or was it based on a biased article next to the poll?
Finally, you believe in smoke and fire huh? well i happen to know Isiah personally and i am basing my assumption on him through history and evidence. what are you basing your opinion on Rashidi? or i forgot reading articles.
i bet if i was to go interview all your friends and watch you for months i still wouldnt have everything to judge you based on smoke and fire.
Lastly formulate all your thoughts in one message instead of writng 4 or 5 —that right there tells me you have more than an interest in the sport. seems like some envious feelings, but i could be wrong about you—but again where there is Smoke there is Fire (-:
Shaka Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 4:10 pm
Thank you Eddie!!!!!
It’s about time someone stood up for Zeke. I am a life long Knicks fan and I hate all the losing that we have done in recent years, but in no way do I place ALL the blame on Zeke. I am thankful that Zeke got rid of the likes of H.Eisley, S. Anderson, K. Van Horn , C. Witherspoon etc..
People seem to forget all of the garbage players with garbage contracts that Zeke had to sell off. All in all he has done a great job. It’s really funny how John Paxon is lauded for being such a great GM when they spent years stock piling lottery picks because they sucked for so long. In just 4 years Zeke has made the Knicks one of the most talanted 1-12 in this league. Name a roster 1-15 that has as much youth, talent, and size.
Shaka Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 4:14 pm
Eddie!!! You are the man!! You have just become my favorite ex-NBA player!!
Rashidi,
You need to give up kid.
TheSantana Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
Rashidi,
Here’s a hint before you baselessly rant!!! Please do some research and you should be pleasantly surprised to know that the Knicks $88M payroll is followed by a $85M payroll.
You claim that, “They may have dropped from 140 million to 88 million this year, but that’s still a figure which leads the rest of the NBA by a great deal.”
Rashidi, you are clueless. There are several teams who’s payroll are +$70M, a far cry shorter than the so-called figure that leads the rest of the NBA by a great deal!
So when did a $52million dollar payroll cut no longer qualify as a significant reduction????
Give me a break, LB was hired and compensated pretty handsomely to do a job. He failed miserably and historically at it. So you’re saying that his failures fall squarely on Isiah and Dolan??? That’s foolish logic!!!
david Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 4:38 pm
Sorry, Eddie…I said I was in the Twilight Zone (now i’m not sure which one lol)
Hey, you never got back to me on what age I should get my kid into “league” play — 5 is too young, what age isn ot?
eddie Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
I would say start him in soccer and t-ball right now so he can get his balance together. the age of 8 or 9 is a good time to start bakeball leagues
anthony Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 4:49 pm
I have heard about knick fans before. I just never really believed it.
Do they really want Isiah Thomas in their organization? Do they really believe they have the best talent 1-12? Do they really start off every season believing they are the favorites to win it all?
I have heard of the phenomenon, but have never really experienced it. Most of the country believes they are the Clippers of the East with unlimited media coverage and a payroll budget that only a moron could screw up.
eddie Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 4:54 pm
The only ones that believe are the ones with patience——go ask Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockie fans. Me i am a Cub fan. what are you a fan of Athony?
Gil Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 6:31 pm
Im not trying to act like I know more about the NBA than you do Eddie,
obviously i don’t, but Isiah has had a team/organization at his disposal that has had the highest payroll in the league for 3 seasons now. Would it not be logical for Knicks fans by now to not only believe but demand something more than just making the playoffs? Don’t you think your being a little too nice to him?
Rashidi Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 7:13 pm
“i would say that 58 million dollars less is a huge payroll cut, isahia had to start somewhere right?”
That had more to do with pre-Isiah contracts/buyouts expiring than anything Isiah did. Houston, Jerome Williams, Shandon Anderson, Maurice Taylor, and Jalen Rose were all buyouts. Some of them were there before Isiah (Houston, Anderson), but the rest he brought in.
Isiah has added payroll NUMEROUS times. In fact, I can count TEN.
1. Trading 20 million in expiring contracts, plus draft picks, for Stephon Marbury and Penny Hardaway.
2. Sign/trading for Jamal Crawford, giving him a seven year contract.
3. Re-signing Kurt Thomas, trading him a year later for injury-prone Quentin Richardson’s fat deal.
4. Re-signed Vin Baker for half the MLE. Baker was atrocious, and later traded for mediocre Mo Taylor’s even uglier deal.
5. Traded Penny’s expiring contract (and Trevor Ariza) for Steve Francis. Despite the team already having Marbury and Crawford.
6. Traded Nazr Mohammed’s expiring contract for Malik Rose. Rose is making 15 million over the next two years, as a bench warmer. This despite the Knicks not having a center, which led to the following move.
7. Signing Jerome James to one of the worst contracts in NBA history.
8. Signing Jared Jeffires to fat contract. After drafting Renaldo Balkman, who was basically the samer player.
9. Traded Tim Thomas’ expring contract and picks that became LaMarcus Aldridge and Joakim Noah for Eddy Curry.
10. Traded Francis for Zach Randolph (4 yrs, 60 million). Despite the team already having a no-defense post threat in Eddy Curry.
But I guess in Eddie’s world, that payroll slashing amounts to a B. Imagine what a D warrants?
Rashidi Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 7:36 pm
“Rashidi can’t name me a player with a fat check on the Knicks that every other NBA Team would not take if they made less? so they do have talent.”
LMAO this statement makes absolutely no sense. It’s a blanket statement you could say about ANY team. For example, I would take any player on the Nets if they made less too.
Stephon Marbury is making 20 million. I question whether I would even take him for HALF of that, and I’d still feel ripped off if he were making 15 million. Jason Kidd is making 20 million. There is no question I would take him at that price, much less 15 or 10 million.
Marbury is not even a top 10 player at his position but would demand starters minutes. So there are PLENTY of teams who wouldn’t take him even if he were making less. Utah, New Orleans, San Antonio, Detroit, Phoenix, Washington, etc.
“Curry, Marbury, Randolph, down the line would be on any NBA Roster if the price fits.”
Please Eddie. Kurt Thomas would be on any NBA roster if the price fit so that isn’t saying much. How many times have these guys been named to the all-star team? Marbury has done it only twice in ten years, and the last time was four years ago. How many all-NBA selections do these guys have? These are not all-world players, these are complimentary pieces that think they are stars. They all have MAJOR flaws.
“The only difference between the big three in Boston and these three is UNSELFISHNESS.”
The “only” difference? How about 22 all-star selections, 12 all-nba selections, and one MVP? But oh yeah, right, the only difference is unselfishness…
“Tim Duncan is the Steve Nash of the Spurs and that why it works in San Antonio.”
I find it humorous how every one of your references correlates to the Suns in some way, like there was never an NBA before Steve Nash played in Phoenix. Besides, shouldn’t Nash be the Tim Duncan of the Suns? It’s not like Nash has even led the Suns to the NBA Finals.
“Which one of those three will be Steve Nash? The easy answer is Steph, but really it could be either one of the three.”
The answer is neither. None of them are that good. None of them control the game on either end the way Nash and Dirk do on offense, or the way Duncan does on defense.
“If that happened guys like RASHIDI would go away, because as i said before the Knicks have the most talent 1 through 12 of any team in the league other than the Bulls.”
No. Just no. The Knicks might have a relatively deep team, but they lack a superstar, and defense. By the way, I think every single Detroit fan just might have a bone to pick with you, if you actually think Bilups/Hamilton/Prince/McDyess/Wallace is less talented than the Knicks lineup.
BRockin25 Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 7:45 pm
Eddie, what do you think about Eddy Curry being the “Steve Nash” of the Knicks? From what I see, his turnover and foul issues hold him back, but mainly what holds him back is the play (read: ball hogging) of Marbury, Crawford, and this year, potentially Randolph.
I assume hes not a player that his teammates look to for leadership, given his youth and conditioning problems, but I also assume you would know more about his intangibles, given your dealings/interactions w/ NBA players (though obviously you would know more about the Suns organization than any others).
What do you think
bron42 Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 7:48 pm
alright and after all you said, considering the knicks used to be a laughing stock for a while and are now considered contenders all of a sudden, it would deserve a B. Its like rubex cube. your not gonna get all the right pieces at once, sometimes you gotta screw up for a while to get the one you need. Zeke made some bad moves, tried to move them around and make straw into gold. Before marbury came EVERY new york fan loved him. Its not Zekes fault he has a bad attitude and doesnt really play team ball. Like eddie says, based on just numbers alone the guy has built a legit team, but you cant teach heart or basketball IQ and tahts where the knicks slack most of the time..not the coach. ANd as eddie pointed out. any coach can lead a bunch of superstars. But if your a GREAT coach like everyone said larry brown was, u should be able to conform your style to fit ur players. Not force your players into a mold they dont fit and then bitch about them. Even high school coaches kno that.
Rashidi Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 8:09 pm
“Now if thats the case what has Dolan done wrong?”
GMs have to run everything by the owner. The owner is the one signing the checks. The owner is also the one who hires incompetent GMs. Dolan also tore up the New York Rangers and Madison Square Garden has become a laughing stock under his reign, there is more to it than the basketball side of it.
“Last i heard Brown was supposedly the best coach Rashidi. if you are the BEST COACH then you are supposed to change players and improve them. Teach Teach Teach –thats what Brown preaches.”
Look, I’m aware of what the perception of Brown was, but that doesn’t change the REALITY. Brown feuded openly with Allen Iverson through the media, and the odds were he was going to butt heads with Marbury. Secondly, you say “supposedly” the best coach, which I agree with 100%. Every coach has a different style, Phil Jackson has many more championship rings than Larry Brown, so what exactly makes Brown the best coach? Jeff Van Gundy is a defensive minded coach, Houston decided to go in a different direction by bringing in Rick Adelman, an offensive minded coach. Does that make Adelman a better coach than JVG? Is Isiah Thomas a better coach than Larry Brown because he won more games with the same team?
The point is, there was evidence before bringing in Brown that he wouldn’t be some kind of savior, and many people were skeptical that he could turn the team around. They were right. That whole year was a lost year for the Knicks, they didn’t develop any chemistry due to numerous different lineups, they lost big, and they didn’t even keep their lottery pick thanks to Isiah.
“Rashidi also forgot that Isiah inherited the highest payroll in the league when he was hired. So i assume he did slash the payroll as Rashidi just stated.”
Stop assuming, start doing your homework, as this is just not true. The payroll went up under Isiah and only recently went down.
“Rashidi i don’t know about you, but i don’t think fans care about how much money Dolan spends on his teams”
Maybe casual fans don’t, but fans who know what a salary cap is certainly care. And when an owners spending leads to ticket price increases despite the team getting worse, trust me, they care. The Knicks are no longer a hot item in the league, no longer sell out every game, and this has all transpired under Dolan. Just accept that you don’t know nearly as much about the situation as you think you do. I won’t hold my breath.
“who are you to call players mediocre? what is your pedigree and what high level of ball did you play to judge players or do you just read the newspaper articles of other journalists that didnt play either?”
I have eyes and a brain. You think you know so much about the game because you played professionally, but guess what, you’re a spectator just like the rest of us now. You never played with Stephon Marbury or LeBron James, Adam Morrison, Chuck Hayes, or even Royal Ivey. Your opinion is not better than those of non-player journalists. In fact, the only reason you have a job is because you played in the NBA, not because you are witty, make good analysis, do research, the things normal journalists do. Your opinion is not on a pedestal above someone like Bill Simmons.
Just because Tom Cruise is a great film actor, doesn’t mean a film review written by him is the end all be all.
“what are you basing your opinion on Rashidi?”
Transaction history stated above. Touche.
i bet if i was to go interview all your friends and watch you for months i still wouldnt have everything to judge you based on smoke and fire.
“Lastly formulate all your thoughts in one message instead of writng 4 or 5″
Doing it this way makes it easier for other people to read it and chime in. Hoopshype doesn’t offer any formatting like quoting, italicizing, or bolding.
Rashidi Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 8:18 pm
“Eddie, what do you think about Eddy Curry being the “Steve Nash” of the Knicks? From what I see, his turnover and foul issues hold him back, but mainly what holds him back is the play (read: ball hogging) of Marbury, Crawford, and this year, potentially Randolph.”
The key this year for Curry is going to be how good he can be on defense. Last year his goal was to stay out of foul trouble, so he attempted fewer shot blocks. But now with Randolph in town he should draw fewer offensive fouls by virtue of not having to force the issue offensively and not being the only low post option on the team. Since Randolph is a total black hole defensively, it will be up to Curry to recover some of that shot blocking ability, which is really what the Knicks lack.
Crawford has looked good this year as he added weight which makes him a tougher defensive player and stronger going to the rack (rather than jacking up low percentage threes). His PG skills are progressing to the point where he is nearly as good at running the team as Marbury (particularly since he’s had chemistry with Curry dating back to Chicago). One would hope Crawford’s bulk also keeps him from getting injured as frequently as he has since joining the Knicks.
I assume hes not a player that his teammates look to for leadership, given his youth and conditioning problems, but I also assume you would know more about his intangibles, given your dealings/interactions w/ NBA players (though obviously you would know more about the Suns organization than any others).
What do you think
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
rashidi, top 10pgs for 07-08
1.nash
2.g.arenas
3.b.davis
4.j.kidd
5.t.parker
6.d.williams
7.c.billups
8.c.paul
9.m.bibby
10.s.marbury
and i think the knicks will make it to the 2nd round, and if what about a crawford,q.richardson,d.lee,j.jeffries,&3future 1st round picks, for kobe
g-marbury13ppg 8astsg-m.collins recall allan houston
g-n.robinson13ppg g-f.jones
f-kobe27.4 f-w.chandler
f-z.randolph20.4 10.6 f-r.balkman
c-e.curry14.2 7.5 c-m.rose/j.james
hard trade for la, but if so,can u say championship, ny
dreamin
giacomo Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 9:09 pm
rashidi is right, as a fiscal manager isiah has failed miserably.
true, the team does have the most talent ON PAPER of any NBA team, but eddie, surely you can tell us that winning is about so much more than having the most talent. case in point: world championship bronze medalists, Team USA.
so, while having a ridiculous amount of talent on paper; on court they have several clashing personalities and giant egos that make co-existance almost impossible.
also eddie, its true we may not be able to judge certain aspects of dolan and isiah simply from the media, but to say that because we have never played NBA basketball we cant be extremely critical- might that be a certain bias due to your friendship with zeke?
If isiahs reign in new york was written down on a scorecard, gm and coaching stints, he would fail. the knicks are a habitually(the last few seasons) under-acheiving team that stands as a testament to isiahs inadequcies as a coach and general manager.
its gunna be interesting to say what isiah does now that he will actually have a lottery pick this season
giacomo Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 9:22 pm
also marbury is about two more crazy interviews and a brawl away from being ron artest 2.0- no shit, dude is about to go off his trolley this season, did you see all the dumb shit he was saying in the offseason!!
marbury will never be steve nash, he will never even be a poor mans steve nash. he is selfish, trigger happy and egotistical. he is not the person you want trying to be the glue on a team full of so many individuals.
dont get me wrong, the knicks have the talent to go to the second round, but it just wont happen until the whole club gets a better mentality about them.
[also, isiahs move to get randolph has got to be the most short-sighted move. in two years when randolph is still owed 30 mil and channing frye is putting up 15-8 i dont think new yorkers will think it was such a good move]
BillyB Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 10:30 pm
Tim Duncan is the Steve Nash of the Spurs?! Duncan is one of the greatest defenders of his era and he has 4 championships– I think it would be a bit more accurate to say that Nash is attempting to be the Duncan of the Suns.
Zaahir Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 10:45 pm
Isiah has made only one real mistake; hiring Larry Brown. All the other criticisms are could be applied to any other basketball team in the League.
7 ft stiff with a bad contract, every team has one.
Point Guards that like to score, see Wizards, Toronto, Golden State, etc, etc, etc.
Salary cap issues - why is everyone so concerned about Jim Dolan’s money? Let him spend as much or as little as he wants, it’s none of your business!
Most of you guys are just parroting misinformation from the sports writing hacks; the same ones who suckled at Larry Browns Jock while he was destroying any chance of team unity and stability and success. By the way Jalen Rose and Steve Francis were both Larry Browns ideas.
Isiah is the best drafter ny has seen in 30 years. Everybody he got rid of is out of the league or at the end of somebodies bench. The Knick are 12 men deep and most of them are under 30; and the players he coaches love him. They know he is not going to throw them under a bus or out them in the media like ole “out of town Brown”. Just look at the body language of the Knicks, they come to play.
So stop reading those silly and biased articles and watch a basketball game for god’s sake.
Zaahir Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 10:51 pm
by the way;
Jason Kidd is still the best point guard in the league; when has Mr Nash ever averaged a triple double in the playoffs; and if they had a better coach (like Byron Scott maybe) he would have the ball at the end of every game not wince carter.
Jason is also the has the most career assists of any active player, guess who number 2 is….. Stephon Marbury!!!
MODI Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 10:54 pm
Rashidi & Giacomo, you guys have seem to fall into the trap of the “Myth of the Salary Cap” which is explained in great detail as part of: “The Book of Isiah: Unraveling the Greatest Myth in Sports” http://www.cosellout.com/?p=128
Furthermore, in hindsight Brown was all wrong for the Knicks on multiple levels. Larry Brown is simply not a guy like Pat Riley who can adapt from the Showtime lakers to the lockdown D of the Knicks. Larry Brown is a great coach the way Jack Nicholson is a great actor. He must have his own veteran pieces to work with…
eddie Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 11:24 pm
1. Trading 20 million in expiring contracts, plus draft picks, for Stephon Marbury and Penny Hardaway.
- Stephon was wanted in New York
2. Sign/trading for Jamal Crawford, giving him a seven year contract.
- He can play on any team in the league
3. Re-signing Kurt Thomas, trading him a year later for injury-prone Quentin Richardson’s fat deal.
- Quentin had his best season of his career the year before in Phoenix
4. Re-signed Vin Baker for half the MLE. Baker was atrocious, and later traded for mediocre Mo Taylor’s even uglier deal.
Big bodies are not plentiful in the Association–thats why Oakley garnered attention
5. Traded Penny’s expiring contract (and Trevor Ariza) for Steve Francis. Despite the team already having Marbury and Crawford.
Francis made the deal for Randolph work
6. Traded Nazr Mohammed’s expiring contract for Malik Rose. Rose is making 15 million over the next two years, as a bench warmer. This despite the Knicks not having a center, which led to the following move.
Rose won championships and provides leadership at the end of the bench
7. Signing Jerome James to one of the worst contracts in NBA history.
- No argument he is terrible, but had a career year the year before and a number of teams tried to sign him including San Antonio
8. Signing Jared Jeffires to fat contract. After drafting Renaldo Balkman, who was basically the samer player.
Jeffries is over rated but every team would take him
9. Traded Tim Thomas’ expring contract and picks that became LaMarcus Aldridge and Joakim Noah for Eddy Curry.
Good trade. Curry better than every one of them whats your point?
10. Traded Francis for Zach Randolph (4 yrs, 60 million). Despite the team already having a no-defense post threat in Eddy Curry.
biggest frontline in the league with skills whats your point?
you chatter and write long blogs but you have no idea about basketball. stay out the tabloids.
eddie Said,
October 23, 2007 @ 11:31 pm
Rashidi
your long rants will not affect your argument. you make me laugh real hard!
giacomo
it is what it is my man. you don’t know more than me and never will in terms of basketball, but yet i will respect your thoughts–thats why you get responses from me duh! i just don’t want to hear anyone of you have comments about someone personally you only know through the Newspaper. sorry you have no clue.
Bron42 Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 2:36 am
I mean come on, unless your a basketball player, we all only know the side of zeke that a) nba tv shows or b) the media shows. And anyone with half a brain knows, you don’t sell newspapers talkin about how nice certain athletes are. So you should stay in your place and realize, as much of a fan as you are, you still only no a small percent of the real story. So please save the flawed stats and the bias comments.
Bron42 Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 2:40 am
plus the curry/randolph idea makese if not for the simple facts that you can trade one down the road while their still worth something and their both young and still have room to develop PLUS its the eastern conference. Outside of dwight, sheed and MAYBE jermaine, what front line could even tussle with them if they ever get on the same page?
Rashidi Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 2:46 am
“Stephon was wanted in New York”
Which doesn’t excuse mortgaging the future for him. You do that when you get a player on the level of Kidd, Iverson, Shaq, Kobe, Wade, Dirk, KG, etc. Not on a player who doesn’t make those around him better.
“He (Crawford) can play on any team in the league”
So can a lot of players. Particularly ones that aren’t injury prone, erratic shooters, or turnover prone.
“Quentin had his best season of his career the year before in Phoenix”
And it was obviously due to the system he played in. When you add a player, you are considering a lot more than his most recent year. You are adding players for what they will give you in the future, not what they have done in the past. Joe Johnson hit 44% of his threes that year, would he be realistically expected to repeat that in Atlanta as the main man?
“Big bodies are not plentiful in the Association–thats why Oakley garnered attention”
Doesn’t mean you overpay for a player with no market. The main reason Isiah re-signed Baker was his agent was the same agent as Crawford’s - a good gesture to get sign/trade talks in their favor. That same agent was also LeBron’s agent (at the time) and one has to think that played a factor as well. Doesn’t take away the fact that the Knicks added a player who was an alchoholic and no longer effective.
The league is short on big men. But you don’t see them rushing to overpay Anderson Varejao when you could get slightly worse production out of Alan Henderson for the veteran’s minimum. Stop making excuses for obvious blunders. There is more to building a team than throwing hordes of money at every veteran free agent. Just ask the Spurs.
“Francis made the deal for Randolph work”
This is true, but you talk like this is a good thing. Two years from now, the Knicks will probably be trading Randolph for another team’s overpaid problem.
Personally, I’d rather have Trevor Ariza, who is primed for a breakout year. And doesn’t have nearly the contract Randolph does.
“Rose won championships and provides leadership at the end of the bench”
Mark Madsen has won championships too. Heck, Nazr Mohammed has won a championship too, since he switched places with Rose. Tim Duncan has won championships. Malik Rose was just along for the ride. Rose did not fill a team need. The only good thing that came of this trade was the pick that became David Lee. If you’re going to defend this trade, at least do it for the right reason man. I bet you didn’t even know Lee came out of that trade. You need to do your research before you can address me on the Knicks.
7. Signing Jerome James to one of the worst contracts in NBA history.
“No argument he is terrible, but had a career year the year before and a number of teams tried to sign him including San Antonio”
And none of them were offering anything close to 5 years and 30 million. James had a career year, yeah. He averaged as many rebounds as fouls. And he never played more than 15 minutes per game in any season. He had one good playoff series against a vastly undersized team, and that was it. That’s not what 30 million dollar deals are made of. Had the team not traded Mohammed, they wouldn’t have had to throw the bank at James.
“Jeffries is over rated but every team would take him”
But AGAIN, not at 5 years and 30 million.
“Good trade. Curry better than every one of them whats your point?”
LMAO are you kidding me? Come on Eddy, don’t kill your credibility in one fell swoop. Curry is good at three things. Scoring, committing charges, and turning the ball over. He is a poor rebounder for his position and plays weak defense. LaMarcus Aldridge has a much higher ceiling, and I think most teams would rather have Noah’s defensive intensity than Curry’s slothlike approach. Curry couldn’t even grab 10 boards a game in HIGH SCHOOL. HIGH SCHOOL Eddie. He has already hit his ceiling as a player, and it’s safe to say that if he hasn’t improved his rebounding, defense, or ball skills after 8 years, he’s not going to improve them very much over the next 8 years.
Even the most rabid Curry fan would probably tell you they’d rather have both Aldridge AND Noah than Curry. It’s only someone blindly defending the exec who made the move that would actually stand by it. Maybe right this minute Curry is better, but how about two years from now? It’s not like the Knicks are contending this year.
“biggest frontline in the league with skills whats your point?”
Biggest, on one end. How are they going to keep players from scoring on them? Bigger =/= Best anyway. As a Suns homer you should know Phoenix has the best frontcourt with Marion/Amare, you’re just trying to nitpick/devalue my argument with another thoughtless dismissal.
“you chatter and write long blogs but you have no idea about basketball.”
Right back atcha. Do some research before you start writing about topics you know nothing about.
Jimmy Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 3:00 am
It’s pretty comical how fans read media bs and believe it as if it’s the bible. Isiah Thomas took over in 2004. The Knicks were capped out at that time until after the 2006-2007 season, which was last year. That was Layden’s fault and the foolish Knick fans blame Thomas for that. It’s amazing how the common fan forgets the squad Isiah inherited back in 2004. It was an old, slow, fatigued, boring, going nowhere team. The Knicks should have made the playoffs last year had it not been for season ending injuries to Lee, Q-Rich and Crawford. That was simply too much to overcome. Isiah made 2 huge mistakes that cost this franchise dearly. The first one was signing Larry Brown. This guy was the wrong man for this job. All he did was sign for a huge paycheck and quit once Marbury wasn’t following his idiotic gameplan which included letting role players take big shots at the end of games. His 2nd huge failure was drafting Channing Frye. That was a pick that was BEGGING to be moved. He should have traded down or drafted a center like Bynum, although I doubt he turns out to be the defensive force that carries a team to greatness. The rest of the garbage people criticize Isiah for is meaningless. You can blame this on racist Knick fans, dumb Knick fans who know nothing about basketball and dumb Knick fans who don’t comprehend how the salary cap operates. Isiah has done a nice job drafting above average talent like Lee, Nate, Balkman and now Wilson Chandler. Perhaps Nichols turns out to be effective for them as well. What you can’t do is cry about the salary cap when the man had no room to operate on the cap for 3 years. He knew this before he took the job. His choice was stink for 3 years and allow salaries to come off the cap or try and make trades to improve his team. He has not done the greatest job making trades for players, but he has done a good job acquiring extra draft picks in exchange for players with high salaries. Remember that Lee and Balkman were not draft picks the Knicks owned. Zeke made trades to acquire these picks. The same fans who cry about the Malik Rose trade, fail to realize he came back for draft picks. Isiah is blamed for trading 2 lottery picks, but the picks were for Eddy Curry. The guys the Bulls drafted are not going to be bigger impact players than Eddy Curry. I would highly doubt it. Who are we to believe in the media world? Are we to believe some fat newspaper reporters who never played basketball or are we to believe a former athlete? If you were having a tooth pulled, would you go to a dentist or would you go to a butcher? Media members like the guys who write for the newspapers are lousy choices when it comes to objectivity. They write to sell their stories. And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out the media doesn’t like Isiah Thomas.
Rashidi Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 3:09 am
Twelve PGs I’d take over Marbury.
Steve Nash
Gilbert Arenas
Jason Kidd
Baron Davis
Chris Paul
Chauncey Billups
Tony Parker
Deron Williams
Kirk Hinrich
T.J. Ford
Andre Miller
Mike Bibby
I’m torn over whether I’d take combo guards like Jason Terry, Leandro Barbosa, etc. I know I’d definitely take Dwyane Wade and Allen Iverson at PG over Marbury.
“and if what about a crawford,q.richardson,d.lee,j.jeffries,&3future 1st round picks, for kobe”
Terrible trade for LA. The Knicks don’t have three first rounders either, they actually STILL OWE the Suns a first rounder for the Marbury trade. Kudos to Isiah on that one.
g-marbury13ppg 8astsg-m.collins recall allan houston
g-n.robinson13ppg g-f.jones
f-kobe27.4 f-w.chandler
f-z.randolph20.4 10.6 f-r.balkman
c-e.curry14.2 7.5 c-m.rose/j.james
“hard trade for la, but if so,can u say championship, ny
dreamin”
Uh, definitely not. Curry and Randolph are only good for scoring, so how does Kobe help that?
He can barely share the ball with Lamar Odom, how would Marbury/Kobe/Curry/Randolph co-exist? It takes more than scoring ability to win as a team.
st_ang3r Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 3:26 am
nice one eddie…from what i know its james dolans money that he is wasting not our money…so if you dont like the knicks then stay out of it…
thomas is not a good GM…i think layden is one of the worst…
if the knicks will have a good year this season then haters will be lesser…
KevinConnor Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 3:42 am
Seems to me Rashidi is about the only sane person on this blog.
- Yes Marbury is a jerk and not a top 10 PG.
- Zeke probably is the worst Coach and GM in the league.
- No way the Knicks have the most talent 1-12.
- Zeke hasn´t made a good deal as a GM yet.
- The Knicks won´t reach the 2nd round of the playoffs. They won´t reach the playoffs period.
I guess Rashidi is the one seeing things as they are.
Oh and Eddy after your debacle predicting the NBA 2007 finals I´m not to sure you know that much about basketball!
giacomo Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 4:05 am
eddie this is a very arrogant side of you i wasnt expecting;
“you don’t know more than me and never will in terms of basketbal…i just don’t want to hear anyone of you have comments about someone personally you only know through the Newspaper. sorry you have no clue.”
i dmit i dont not know isiah personally and thus cant speak on his intelligence. but what i can speak on is the moves and decisions he has made as a gm. he may be the nicest guy in the nba (although the recent sexual harassment suit, whether founded or not, would seem to say he isnt), but that still dosnt change the fact that he has underacheived as both a gm and a coach.
again i agree with rashidi. eddie, your main arguement seems to be that any of the knicks player would be playing on any roster in the league. that may be true, but i can guarantee they would not be playing for many teams with their current contracts. with all their talent knicks would probably have difficulty matching a bulls or mavericks offer for kobe, which in itself says something about the team.
you have played in the nba so im not going to pretend to know more about basketball than you, but i beg to differ that i have no clue. i pride myself on my basketball knowledge.and similiarly to what you were saying before about smoke and fire, you dont know me yet so how can you truly say i will never know more than you about basketball. you are just showing severl of your readers that you have a big head
Nuff Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 4:31 am
I’m the Steve Nash of spaghetti, 12 dishes a night. Nuff said.
Philip Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 6:55 am
Wow… I am shocked.
Is Rashidi the only sane person???
How can you justify Isiah as a good GM? Have you not seen what GMs of Bulls, Spurs, Suns, Toronto, Houston, etc etc have done with limited budgets?
You commend someone who signed or traded for bloated contracts that ballooned over $120m for slashing payroll? What kinda nonsense is this? He is the worst GM in the league full stop! (OK, maybe tied with Kevin McFail.)
On top of that, he now has MSG paying over $11m for incident caused by his sexual harrassment.
Your constant argument is that most of players on NYK would be able to play for another team. Let’s put it this way:
1. How many teams in the league would swap their team for NYK’s roster? We are debating about a “team” put together by Isiah. Not a single player.
2. How many of NYK’s players have “good”/”fair” contract? One of the worst sins of GM can commit is to overpay for a player. It’s called managing salary cap.
3. With so many “talented” players by your argument on the roster, how many playoff games have they won during Isiah’s reign?
Don’t say people who disagree with your view has no basketball knowledge and are unworthy of having a different view. We know ou played in NBA. So has Isiah. Obviously, having played in NBA doesn’t make you an expert or a good GM.
If you look through ESPN.com or any other sports portal, you’ll see many many articles supporting my view. Will you say that all those reporters and experts there are wrong too???
I can provide links to those millions of pages if you’d like.
This is the ridiculous basketball “analysis” I’ve ever read.
bigdre Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 7:10 am
man, you classy eddie, the way you goin at rashidi. i expected better. the way your defending your arguments is antagonistic. i especially disliked the way you went at him for being a common spectator, and you playing ball in the league. i can name a whole lot of better analysts than you who never played in the L.
isiah is good at one thing, spotting talent in the draft. you look at malik, jerome james, jeffries, crawford, etc and you see a lot of overpaid guys. they can play, but for their production their OVERPAID. only isiah is daring and reckless enough to sign these guys. i didn’t see other teams goin after them with that kind of money. besides, the roster is mismatched. they got no true pg or a shotblocking threat.
and the sexual harrassment thing? wow. i just can’t imagine why anyone would side with Isiah now.
anthony Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 10:00 am
your opinion isn’t as good because you have never been an NBA player?
does this apply to politics too?
CFatz Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 10:42 am
Hi again Eddie,
I am here to give you your just due (or just do) for your response to Rashidi. Your knowledge of the game, both on the court and the business end, are imposing.
AND THANX BIG for not letting his “smoke/fire” remark go without comment. I personally have been falsely accused of some really unseemingly things by people with 1) small minds 2) big agendas 3) too much time on their hands. Knowing that there are people that realize that an accusation isn’t always (or even usually) an indication of truth is comforting.
Can’t live without my basketball!!
CF
:0)
anthony Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 10:43 am
Knicks = Clippers of the East + media coverage + unlimited payroll
I know having the most talent in the league does not guarantee a championship, but how bad do you have to screw up to not even play .500 ball out of the team?
Manualltheway Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 11:29 am
rashidi is the only person who has a brian in this board…eddie you suck
eddie Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 11:47 am
giacomo
of course i am big headed when it comes to the sport i have been around for 35 years and don’t forget it!
eddie Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 11:48 am
Nuff
please make me some. i love spaghetti!
eddie Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 11:49 am
anthony
yep
eddie Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 11:54 am
Manualltheway
Thanks for the great words of wisdom. i notice the two people that are backing Rashidi really can elaborate.
Rashidi keep your friends off the blog (-: or teach them how to argue, but please not as long winded as you are. LOL
Where is Michael Bennett when i need him.
Rashidi i might have to put you on my wall just to make Michael Jealous.
Stewie Griffin Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 12:07 pm
Isiah has insulted the fan base both Black white & women to boot.
Isiah has flittered away 1/2 billion of cablevision dollars with
little to show for it.
Isiah wasted 30 Million on Jerome James , 30 Million on Jared Jeffries , 30 million on Larry Brown , traded away not 1 but 2 lottery picks for 40% of a Bulls team that was a perenial lottery team , while the Bulls didn’t miss a beat without Either Curry or Crawford.
Isiah blew the chance to trade for Artest that would shore up
a gaping defensive hole that Ariza, Malik , Jeffries , Balkman & Chandler haven’t been able to manage.
Has assembled the most defensively challenged mismatched overpriced roster in NBA history.
Pairing the likes of Marbury & Francis & Now Curry & Randolph
I could go on but rashidi hs already stated the obvious .
Eddie you must be auditioning for a job @ MSG
Jacob Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 12:22 pm
“plus the curry/randolph idea makese if not for the simple facts that you can trade one down the road while their still worth something and their both young and still have room to develop PLUS its the eastern conference. Outside of dwight, sheed and MAYBE jermaine, what front line could even tussle with them if they ever get on the same page?”
kg and perkins can handle those two clowns.
as for rashidi, andre miller over starbury?! are you nuts? i wont nit pick your whole list but that one popped out, im glad you dont run my boston celtics.
jay Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
Eddie my man, what happened to you? Did you woke up from the wrong side of the bed when you wrote this article? You have got to be the only basketball writer in this side of the planet to like the Knicks. I read CNNSI, ESPN, yahoo sports, NBA.com, etc and so far the only thing i can read about the Knicks is critism specially for Dolan and Isiah. Your good friend cant even convince the jury that he is innocent, hehehe!
The Knicks have the best talent 1-12? They have players any other team would want? Yeah right and we all have the standings and boxscores to look at for the last couple of years, hehehe! You got it right that they dont have the unselfishness and mentality of other great teams that’s why they cant win inspite of all their “talent 1-12″. But the question is if you know that, and I know that and Rashidi knows that and the other’s know that then how come Isiah doesnt know that? Does acquiring Randolph and his huge contract solve that problem? If Isiah got Tyson Chandler instead of Curry and pair him up with Randolph then that would have been something, too bad Isiah is too good to think about that one.
By the way, if Isiah is good in drafting players why give away those important picks in exchange for other teams trash?
“Stand beside a lightning rod in a middle of a storm, be prepared to get electrocuted” -Confucious
Jacob Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 12:26 pm
Eddie,
Do you get involved with the youth when it comes to basketball? What i am really trying to get at is i coach youth basketball in my town, i am really trying to get a more advanced team like a high school or college team. I was wondering if you have any advice on drills or exercises that have been beneficial for the kids if you coach.
Rashidi Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 12:59 pm
“as for rashidi, andre miller over starbury?! are you nuts? i wont nit pick your whole list but that one popped out, im glad you dont run my boston celtics.”
Didn’t Philly surge after acquiring Miller and finish with a better record than the Knicks? He has always been a drastically underrated PG - don’t forget he once led the league in assists. His teams have always been among the leaders in fastbreak points, his main weakness is the lack of a 3pt shot, but he is not a black hole on offense like an Eric Snow. He can create his own shot, in fact, he did this with the game on the line against the Knicks and beat them.
Miller makes his teammates better, and the Sixers finished with a better record than the Knicks despite having very little talent beyond Andre Iguodala, Kyle Korver, and Samuel Dalembert. The team was better with Andre Miller than Allen Iverson, which should be saying something - talent doesn’t always win games.
Corey Rockafeler Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 1:06 pm
2007
ISIAH’S PETTY NATURE REARS ITS UGLY HEAD
As a player, Isiah Thomas ranks among the best players of all time. His fierce competitiveness and indomitable will belied his small stature. He stood a hair over six feet tall and weighed less than 190 pounds. But when the game was on the line, there was no one better. His uncanny ability to take over a game at crutch time was legendary. There were many great players on those “Bad Boy” Piston championship teams. But make no mistakes about it, Isiah was their leader.
Isiah’s post playing career has been less than remarkable. By now his myopia and paucity of team building skills are well documented. His resume as Executive Vice President of the Toronto Raptors, owner of the Continental Basketball Association (CBA), coach of the Indiana Pacers and now coach/general manager of the New York Knickerbockers is a study in mediocrity. It is clear that Thomas’ ability to maintain employment has more to do with his personal charisma and less to do with his ability to deliver successful end product.
A lesser known aspect of Isiah Thomas is his petty and vindictive nature. The world stage saw a quick glimpse during the infamous 1985 NBA All-star game “freeze out” of Michael Jordan. It was here that Thomas orchestrated a movement of several veteran players to keep the ball out of Jordan hands. It was a way to upstage their uppity rookie teammate.
Who can forget the episode of poor sportsmanship in the 1991 playoffs against the Jordan led Bulls? Isiah led his Pistons team off the floor before the game ended without shaking the hands of the victorious Bulls who had just swept them in the playoffs.
There was also the well known deprecating remark that if Larry Bird were a black ball player he would just another good guy. I am sure you see where I am going here. Motivation often affects perception.
Fast forward to 2007 and some things have not changed. The latest recipient of Isaiah’s wrath is Knick rookie Demetris Nichols. What heinous act has Nichols committed? It appears that his agent and Isiah had an agreement that Nichols would venture overseas. That move would alleviate the Knicks guaranteed contract gridlock. Nichols and his agent then had a change of heart. They felt that the NBA was the best platform to showcase Nichols’ multi–faceted skills. But hell hath no fury like a gm scorned. Isiah is now exacting his retribution. Nichols rarely plays in practice. He has seen virtually no light in the pre season so far. These actions are as senseless as many of Isiah’s trades.
Isiah has attempted to put his spin on it by talking up the game of undersized journey man Fred Jones. Yes, Jones is one of the few Knick guards that actually defend.
But, that is more of an indictment of Isiah’s assemblage of a structurally flawed team lacking symmetry and balance. Isiah’s recent prized free agent acquisition, Jared Jeffries is a defender who can not defend.
The irony lost in all the Thomas’ subterfuge is that Nichols is exactly the type of player the Knicks need. He is a fundamentally sound 4 year college player. He moves well without the ball, works well off screens, excels shooting off the dribble, has a great mid range jumper, and is a lethal spot of shooter. How many of these players do the Knicks currently have? NONE!
Did I also mention that Nichols is coachable with a solid work ethic? Maybe if he used the word bitch more his likeably quotient would shoot up.
It is shame that Nichols may not be able to display his considerable talents for Knick fans. I hope there is someone left in the Knick hierarchy with half a basketball brain that will intervene and prevent another egregious move by you know who.
The only saving grace I can see is that this is probably the last NBA basketball job Isiah will have. I am rooting for you Demetrius.
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/NBA-RAW
Jacob Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 1:27 pm
“talent doesn’t always win games.”
so you agree that starbury is a better basketball player than andre miller.
put aside contracts and who they play with, if you were to ask who is the better basketball player, its obv that starbury is.
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 1:38 pm
THE REAL TOP 20 PG’S-TWEENERS AT 1
1.S.NASH-20PTS 12 ASTS, FINDS EVERYONE
2.G.ARENAS-27PPG 6 ASTS, WORKS FOR ME
3.B.DAVIS-22PTS 8AST LEAD IN STEALS, KIDD OR NASH CANT GUARDHIM
4.J.KIDD-13PTS 8REBS 9ASTS-GET A JUMPER TO HAVE THE BALL AT END
5.A.IVERSON-25PPG 7ASTS-HARD NOT TO HAVE HIM IN TOP 3
6.T.PARKER-18PPG 6AST-QUICKNESS AND RINGS
7.DERON WILLIAMS-18PTS 9ASTS
8.C.BILLUPS-18PTS 8ASTS
9.S.MARBURY-16PTS 7ASTS-STEAL FAST AND ON A GOOD TEAM NOW
10.L.BARBOSA-19PPG OFF BENCH, FASTEST PLAYER
11.K.HINRICH-16PTS 7ASTS DEFENSE
12.M.BIBBY-17PTS 6ASTS-GET MORE ASSIST AND MAKE THE PLAYOFFS
13.A.MILLER-14PTS 7ASTS-LOTTERY TEAM
14.J.TERRY-17PPG
15.D.HARRIS-11PTS 6AST^
16.TJ FORD-14PPG 7ASTS-KIDD MADE HIM LOOK LIKE A KID IN PLAYOFFS
17.MO RICE-17PPG 6ASTS-MUST LEARN POSSESION
18.MONTA ELLIS-18PPG
19.NATE ROBINSON-GIVE HIM MINUTES
20.RANDY FOYE-13PTS 7AST PROBABLY
21.RAY FELTON-14 7, WAY DOWN HERE
22.DERRICK FISHER 11PTS 5ASTS
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 1:45 pm
RASHIDI-GO BY THIS YEAR, THE KNICKS ARE A PLAYOFF TEAM, MARBURY IS THE LEADER, PHILA IS A LOTTERY TEAM, BUT THEY HAVE PLAYERS, IF THEY DONT HAVE ANYBODY MILLER SHOULD SCORE MORE POINTS,THATS THE THING HIS GAME IS LIMITED, IF U TRADED MARBURY FOR MILLER
MARBURY GOES TO PHILA AT AVERAGES 20PTS AGAIN,
Jacob Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 1:46 pm
nate robinson above rajon rondo?
Rashidi Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 2:51 pm
“so you agree that starbury is a better basketball player than andre miller. ”
Nope, I was talking about Iverson. I consider the ability to run a team a talent, and when it comes down to it Andre Miller is basically Deron Williams without the range on his jumper. Marbury got by on his superior athletic ability when he was younger but now that he can no longer blow by guys as frequently he is being exposed and getting passed up by other players who contribute to their team in more ways than ball domination.
“put aside contracts and who they play with, if you were to ask who is the better basketball player, its obv that starbury is.”
Again, I hardly think it’s obvious. Miller is a much better passer and is better at running a team. Marbury is a better scorer but that’s not what I’m looking for from my point guard.
Rashidi Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
“IF U TRADED MARBURY FOR MILLER
MARBURY GOES TO PHILA AT AVERAGES 20PTS AGAIN”
Marbury has lost a step so that is highly unlikely. And I’d much rather have Andre Iguodala taking the shots, thanks.
Also, considering you have Nate Robinson rated ahead of Randy Foye and Raymond Felton, one has to seriously question your ability to rate talent. I wouldn’t take Nate over Jason Williams, Jarrett Jack, Sam Cassell, Brevin Knight, Jameer Nelson, Jose Calderon, every PG on the Rockets and Sonics, or even Marcus Williams, just to name a few. The guy wouldn’t even be the top backup on half the teams in the league yet you have him as a top 20 PG.
Rashidi Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 3:24 pm
What one might notice is that nobody has mentioned Steve Francis despite 3 time all-star status.
He got by on superior athletic ability when he was younger but he has lost some of that and now he is exposed. Players like Andre Miller who depend more on their game rather than athletic ability typically age better. You can’t be the fastest runner or the highest jumper forever. Marbury and Francis can’t physically perform the way they used to, and their bball IQs were never the greatest. Hence they are getting worse with each passing year.
Marbury and Francis are in an interesting spot in their careers. They are not good enough to lead a championship contender, but at age 30/29 they are too old and selfish to be desired by a lottery team (or a young playoff team like Toronto for that matter). This is why the market for Steve Francis was so barren this offseason, that he had to accept a below market deal with a team stacked at PG (and likely only because of his history with the team rather than being a good fit). If Marbury had opted out of his contract this summer, he wouldn’t have drawn much more than the mid-level exception on the market.
Stewie Griffin Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 3:51 pm
When the Knicks lose Marbury (& isiah) , they make the playoffs
Plain & Simple , just like in MN, NJ & Phoenix
I don’t care if it’s Mardy Collins running the show.
At least opposing PG won’t blow by him like he’s standing still
& he’s tall enough to contest shots.
Marbury is done & he was amply rewarded for those hollow stats of 20-8 , just like Maguire & his 70 HR’s .
anthony Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 4:08 pm
i would take andre miller over s. marbury by a slight margin. talent wise they are relatively close, but i would be weary of marburys character and worry about him poisoning the locker room.
if contracts were considered, IT IS A NO BRAINER, andre miller at under 10 mil tover marbury at well over $20 mil. Any GM would have to be a full to choose differently.
anthony Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 4:11 pm
i meant “fool”
Sverker Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 5:10 pm
Seriously, this column made me lose what little respect I had for Eddie as a writer. While people can have different views and opinions, resorting to “I did this so I’m better than you. Now shut up” B.S. like he’s doing here is just too sad.
If Thomas is such a good G.M, how come virtually every player on the Knicks has baggage and a bloated contract to go with it? Almost any NBA rotation player could get a roster spot on almost any team if you don’t consider salary, chemistry and common sense. A good GM makes sure that the coach can field a competitive team, either in the short, the long run or, preferably, both. Thomas fails in every regard here. He wastes flexibility and two high picks to add a center with, at the moment, a possible career threatening heart disorder, a center who seems to be allergic to defense and rebounding. The he gets a similar PF to go with his merry crew of flawed outside players with bloated contracts. And you not only praise him, but attempt to put yourself over others who question your opinions by resorting to the “I’ve been in the NBA so I know more than you or any other writer”-card.
‘
Sorry man, you were a serviceable NBA player for many years, but even if it landed you this job, like for Thomas, it doesn’t mean tha tyou are any good at it.
Kingsblade Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 5:35 pm
The thing I find most distasteful about Marbury is how it is always about numbers with him. Whenever he is questioned about being a selfish player he replies with, “look how many assists I have.”
I wouldn’t take Marbury on my team for the veteran’s minimum.
@Eddie
I have an enormous amount of respect for you and your opinion, but to try and invalidate someone else’s opinion because they have never been in the NBA is a bit naive.
There are many of us who have spent most of our lives around a basketball court and know a great deal about the game. However some of us weren’t graced with the natural gifts of height or speed. It doesn’t diminish either our skills or our knowledge of the game and it is almost offensive to hear you claim that it does.
A lack of familiarity with the inside workings of the NBA doesn’t equal a lack of knowledge about the game itself either. In fact, it could add a level of objectivity that is often missing.
Chip Engelland seems fairly well regarded as a shooting coach. How many NBA games did he play? I would say he knows more about shooting than 95% of the NBA. Am a wrong?
Funny enough, he likely would have made the NBA if he was 2 inches taller and just a bit faster. Strange how that works.
Not to take away from your game, because I loved you as a player, (I even had a rare EJ poster when I was a kid) but how tall are you again?
I know at least 20 guys who could have had legit shots at the NBA if nothing else changed but that they were your height. So maybe you shoudl explain again how that takes away from their knowledge of the game of basketball to the point where their opinion is no longer valid.
eddie Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 6:27 pm
Kingsblade
Never once have i said anyone on this board did not know about basketball. i said you didnt know more about it than i and i stand by that opinion.
steadfastly like a brick wall and if you want, prove me wrong. thats what i want to read not comments about where i think i stand in relation to knowledge because you will lose that argument everytime.
Rashidi does a good job trying. Kingsblade if you are sensitive about my comments just observe and read, but if you want my wrath ——debate my friend!
eddie Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 6:30 pm
Kingsblade
by the way Chip Engelland is what he is a textbook coach that teaches from a book and not high level NBA experience. next time list the players he has made into shooters when you toot his horn!
6 8 235 I like the height but not the weight. LoL
Rashidi Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 6:33 pm
Eddie, I’m still waiting for this so-called wrath. Dodging arguments doesn’t make you a good debator. You mock me for explaining my thoughts in great detail while you just carry an air of superiority about yours.
You know more about basketball than the rest of us? Prove it to someone besides yourself.
Rashidi Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 6:37 pm
“next time list the players he has made into shooters”
Because as we all know, Eddie Johnson taught Steve Nash everything he knows about shooting.
eddie Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 6:40 pm
excuse me but all i need to debate is the response to my article. when i wrote it i meant every word. Your job is to prove me wrong. i don’t have to write another article.
When the Knicks play well and make the playoffs only then will i be justified and if Isiah does a great job coaching only then will you think of a reason why.
So exactly what am i debating with you? i answered your long rant.
Dolan still owns the team and Isiah still is the coach. I like him -you don’t. i like their team –you don’t
We will see!
Rashidi Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 6:44 pm
Chip Engelland
College - Duke
In his third season as a Spurs assistant coach … a sought after speaker, clinician and advisor on shooting technique for numerous NBA players including STEVE KERR, GRANT HILL, and LARRY HUGHES
Eddie Johnson: Whoever bought his DVD.
eddie Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 6:46 pm
Steve Taught himself like i did! would you feel comfortable riding in a jet plane that i learned to fly by observing? doubt it!
The Chip Engelland’s of the world are necessary, but don’t toot his horn with me because i am not impressed.
i do work with players, but i don’t broadcast it—don’t need to!
you want a hint—watch the Phoenix Suns practice on NBA TV today and pay close attention to the Grant HIll interview.
eddie Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 7:14 pm
My DVD is one of the top sellers Rashidi. go buy it!
what does Duke have to do with this conversation? Is the word Duke suppose to impress me?
Man you are funny!
Are you telling me he taught Steve Kerr how to shoot? the same Steve Kerr that made shots for the Bulls and could barely get off the bench for San Antonio. So how did he help Steve.
How dare you mention Larry Hughes—he should be fired just based on the constant bricks Hughes throws up every night.
Thats my point here is a guy that reads every basketball periodical and he is arguing with a guy that actually gives the info for the articles he reads. but your problem is that you are trying to form your own opinion based on 0 knowledge of the behind the scenes view i get. You are extremely funny. i like your spunk, but you will never ever understand where i stand but keep trying
Pete Buckley Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 7:18 pm
No offense to Starbury, (love his shoes) but what is the overall record of teams he has played for? This should be a pretty easy math question. Just the won/loss record of his teams. Also, what’s his playoff record?
Paul Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 8:08 pm
Regarding the last question on the list, which teams will struggle …
I would like to suggest the Sonics. Durant will be required to shoulder a load which is far too great for him at this time. They have some other nice players like Ridnour, Szczerbiak, Wilcox and Wilkins but they have no All-Stars and very few players who are considered above-average starters at their positions.
They may be the worst team in the league, especially if Durant gets injured, which may very well happen.
BRockin25 Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 9:03 pm
Eddie, sometimes I wonder if you are as interested in tooting your own horn as you are in providing the behind the scenes view you are privileged to have.
Above, I asked about your feelings on Eddy Curry, which is relevant to your article bc you elaborate on the Knicks’ lack of a “Steve Nash” caliber star. With your insight and inside information, I would like to know who you think could emerge as the Knicks’ true star, or whether this is a moot point.
I know you arent still catching feelings bc the Spurs got the Suns lol
eddie Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 10:16 pm
I do like tooting my own horn and giving a behind the scenes view. go read my articles. If you read the article they should not have a true star just play unselfish and win. Who cares about a star. Thats the problem now——– they are talented enough as one—–no one needs to step out the box.
I like to stimulate conversation and i do not take anything personal. get used to it.
BRockin25 Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 10:39 pm
fair enough
BRockin25 Said,
October 24, 2007 @ 10:50 pm
I mentioned Curry as a potential star bc I believe he can facilitate unselfishness throughout the team by dominating down low and thus opening up the offense.
I dont think he opens up the offense now bc he doesnt get enough touches, and bc his teammates arent committed to being unselfish and disciplined offensively. I think the Knicks dont play unselfish basketball because they have not committed to making the post the focal point of their offense, even with their considerable talent there. This is what I see from watching the games. I read the article, obviously.
Rashidi Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 1:35 am
“what does Duke have to do with this conversation? Is the word Duke suppose to impress me?”
It was a copy/paste from NBA.com jerky turkey.
“but your problem is that you are trying to form your own opinion based on 0 knowledge of the behind the scenes view i get.”
Eddie Johnson - The jock’s version of Peter Vescey. ::plays fanfare::
Ray Nate Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 3:05 am
Children, children, children, are we not here to talk about basketball? How big EJ’s head is (or is not) is not basketball. Nor is Rashidi’s supposed lack of knowledge. Since we’re here to talk about basketball can we please stick to the subject! Before I respond to what I’ve heard thus far, let’s all take a moment to put certain things in perspective:
A) EJ does have a certain knowledge base that few of us have. He is/was/still is privy to certain info that gets to us late or not at all.
B) Just because we are fans (opinionated ones at that) do not diminish our role in any organization (not just the Knicks). Much like any of the other 29 multi-million dollar teams, without the fan base, there is no basketball team. That also means there’s no check for people like EJ who played basketball (it’s not a knock, it’s the truth). That said, while fans may not be the most informed individuals, the sports writer’s (in whatever form he or she takes) job is to keep us informed, dispense truth and shed light where there is none. All the trash talking in between just makes these blogs harder to read.
Ok, EJ you must separate Isiah the friend from Isiah the coach and GM (one of the reason people tell you to keep family/friends and business completely separated). I’m not even going to talk about the lawsuit. Let’s face it, he’s not a great coach or GM. The last time he was a coach, he was coaching a team that was already pretty good without him (Indiana), not a lot of work there. The last time he was a GM the team didn’t do horribly but they didn’t do all that well either (Toronto). Granted he inherited a lot of problem contracts from his predecessor in NY, he also took on a few of his own. Yes, all of the Knicks could/would be role players on any other team (for a lot less money). Some (Curry, Marbury, Crawford, to name a few) could even be stars (again?) if they had someone that complimented their skill set. However the truth of the matter is that the team is mostly made up of people that are not earning their paycheck (however bloated it is). Speaking financially, between JD & IT, they both have screwed up. If you’re going to pay big money for a player you better be damn sure you’re getting what you pay for, otherwise all you did was waste money (injuries not withstanding). The Knicks always look good ON PAPER. There is a huge difference on the court. The 2 things that kill the Knicks every time: they don’t play as a team (on both ends of the court) and they lack leadership. Curry is not a leader. Marbury is not a leader. IT may not be the right type of leader for this team right now. I don’t know what the deal is between JD and IT but given the pattern of hirings and firings around the league lately, IT should have been long since replaced. Someone needs to light a fire under all those asses (players and management alike) to get the job done. Not even the die-hardest of Knick fans want to see them get their tails handed to them on a regular basis. Or even worse, turn into an east coast version of the Timberwolves (a lot of potential talent went through MN, but they could never really get through that playoff ceiling). If the Knicks need anything right now, it is a change of heart. They need to play every game this season like they’re on a non-guaranteed contract.
Eric Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 3:45 am
I think the thing about isaiah is that he’s not good at drafting. Sure he’s good at spotting talent, David Lee, Renaldo Balkman, Channing Frye etc, but he’s not very good at getting the most out of his picks. Renaldo Balkman coulda been had easily in the second round, Channing Frye wasnt projected as a top 10 pick, he coulda drafted someone else and traded for these guys plus some cash if he wanted them that badly. And this year he drafts another raw atheletic forward in the mold of Ariza and Balkman in Wilson Chandler. How on earth are they gonna play their small forwards??? The knicks roster has a lot of talent, but you can only put 5 players on the floor.
Melvin Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 4:54 am
I think its cool if NewYork joins the Euroleague. LoL… Hahahahah
Melvin Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 4:55 am
Hahaha.. I will put this fiery argument on my blog….. hehehhehe… Peace =)
Philip Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 7:51 am
“Are you telling me he taught Steve Kerr how to shoot? the same Steve Kerr that made shots for the Bulls and could barely get off the bench for San Antonio. So how did he help Steve.”
Now, you’re trashing Steve Kerr??? He won championships with Bulls and even made a championship winning shot. He is also the all-time NBA leader in career 3pt%. What’s wrong with being a role player who understands and does his job well? When he went to Spurs, he was already quite old.
david Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 10:09 am
Does anyone here think that Chip E has helped Tony Parker? His midrange shot was falling last year pretty well, which made defenses respect that, which in turn gave him a few lanes to drive to the hoop on. Which made him pretty dangeroius as a point guard.
As far as Steve Kerr, he wasn’t in Pop’s rotation in 2003 — he was just insurance. But he sure was ready in Dallas to hit 4 three’s when teh Spurs needed them.
BillyB Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 12:09 pm
Parker is obviously a great point guard. He led the league in points in the paint last year, which is pretty amazing– think about that, Tony Parker scored more points in the paint than Kobe or Garnett. He also had a career best year for free throw and 3 pt percentage. Chip E has clearly helped. And remember, Parker is operating on strict orders from Popovich to Not shoot 3 pointers. Can you imagine how Marbury would respond to an order like that? Or to ANY order from a coach? But of course, there will be people who continue with their tired mantra that Parker and the entire Spurs team is “boring.” How can a 6′2” guy who scores in the paint more than any center or post player be boring?
eddie Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 12:11 pm
Phillip
can you read? i did not trash Steve Kerr —i said he was a shooter before he got to San Antonio which is where Chip coaches. Read before you write. (-:
eddie Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 12:13 pm
I think he has helped Parker, but he still needs a ton of work. He can not shoot off the dribble and when Duncan is gone it will get exposed.
eddie Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 12:14 pm
Nice post Ray Nate!
david Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 12:40 pm
True, but Duncan should be around for a few more years and sice Parker is only 25, he will have time to improve. That being said, it’s also a “tribute” to Pop in that the Spurs have players who compliment each other, not just the “best” at every position.
Eddie, one thing I’ll say about you is that when someone contradicts you, and it makes sense and it’s not derogatory, you are the first to say so. And that is one of the marks of a good writer.
jay Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 12:50 pm
Hey I forgot, isn’t Isiah the same coach who gets really pissed when the opposing team doesn’t go EASY on them in end games??? He even ordered the hit on the Nuggets’ player resulting to a brawl.
The Knicks will not reach the playoffs this year and Isiah will be fired
BillyB Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 1:02 pm
Eddie– you are quick to point out Parker’s supposed shortcomings. How about an honest objective word about Nash and Amare? Are they great defenders? Is the only reason the Suns haven’t won a title bad luck, as so many suns fans like to say? Or is there a sounder, more honest explanation?
Zaahir Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 1:03 pm
Eddie; those Knicks looked real nice last night. Could they have, gasp…. a good coach. What do you think is going on with Eddie and all those offensive fouls, do you think he is nervous?
He never seems to want to pass the ball out to reset in the post if he is in a bad position; it’s like he feels he must make a scoring move whenever he gets the ball.
When Curry hit the bench Zack worked the post very well with out turning into a Blackhole on offense.
I consider you, Charlie Rosen and Peter Vescey the best Basketball commentators that I have read on the web; I know it is a strange trio but you all have something that sets you above the others; you put the reader into the game on a higher level be it the court or the executive suite.
We just have to get you syndicated.
Peace
BillyB Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 1:09 pm
I find it strange that you defend Marbury, who has stirred up trouble with teammates and coaches everywhere he’s been, but seem to look for things to criticise Parker about. His coach wanted him to become a better shooter, so he worked with a shooting coach and did in fact clearly improve. His coach wants him to penetrate defenses, so he leads the league in paint points. His coach doesn’t want him shooting threes, so he doesn’t shoot many threes. The guy has been a model player, not causing any problems and listening to his coach– why not focus on the positives, which seem to me to greatly outweigh the negatives?
eddie Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 1:16 pm
Billy
me saying Parker needs to still work on his shooting is not a negative and if you really want to know what i think of Parker read my playoff articles. stop taking things personal—-get some thick skin! also read what i have written about Starbury and repeat what you just said.
eddie Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
Billy
Steve Nash needs to improve his on the ball defense——i can’t really find anything else to say can you?
Amare needs to improve his weakside defense and passing out of double teams.
eddie Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 1:18 pm
Zaahir
Why thank you!
david Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 1:21 pm
Eddie, is right about Starbury. WHen he wrote that article about his comment about playing overseas, I actually stuck up for the guy (I have since taken it back) and Eddie blasted me for it. On that point he was right on. He does have SUNglasses on, but I have SPURSglasses on….so what?
eddie Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 1:22 pm
Rashidi
i am still trying to find out what “jerkey turkey” means are you kidding me? whats your address i will send you some hip hop music so you can catch up——-Jerkey turkey now i have heard it all. sounds like a plate of food LOL
eddie Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 1:30 pm
Rashidi
you just proved my point about you. you are touting chip Englund and you didn’t even know him till u went and copied and pasted his info. you basically told us what i suspected all along —you are a website periodical guy instead of a true fan forming your own opinions.——do you have direct tv? do you even get the NBA package? here is your rant again. you told us
eddie said-“what does Duke have to do with this conversation? Is the word Duke suppose to impress me?”
‘ rashidi said- It was a copy/paste from NBA.com jerky turkey.
‘
eddie said-“but your problem is that you are trying to form your own opinion based on 0 knowledge of the behind the scenes view i get.”
rashidi said -Eddie Johnson - The jock’s version of Peter Vescey. ::plays fanfare::
thanks for helping me out! LOL
space Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 2:55 pm
isiah is a good talent scout only. but that talent includes a wealth egos, headcases and confusion. i can’t comment on his x & o’s skills. the knicks as an organization have spent a bucket of money. thomas shouldn’t accept the full blame on that. the owner has to OK trades and signings as well. i think someone may be a better coach for that team in the long run but for now i plan on seeing the knicks in the playoffs. how could you not with players named: curry, crawford, marbury, randolph, robinson, lee, jones, jeffries, balkman, richardson? haha.
knickland is almost as funny as lakerland.
parker’s biggest career weakness has been his inability to shoot off the dribble and perimeter shooting. once he gets frazzled or has a hand in his face [especially earlier in his career] he is absolutely NO GOOD from out there. he has to be wide open to get on a roll. once big timmy’s gone expect his nightly numbers to roller coaster.
BillyB Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 5:26 pm
It’s true Parker got frazzled early in his career when the pressure was on, but I don’t think that’s the case anymore. In four years he has progressed from a guy that was forced to sit while Speedy Claxton played to a guy who wins Finals MVP– isn’t it fair to say that shows the progress he has made? And last year he improved his perimeter shooting dramatically– he had higher field goal and three point shooting percentages than Iverson, Baron Davis, Deron Williams, and Chris Paul….. I’m talking about T Parker NOW, starting his 7th season, not the rookie fresh from France who was raw and inexperienced. Parker has definiely addressed his weaknesses more seriously and successfully than Amare has. That’s why Amare, playing alongside an MVP, ain’t winning rings, and Parker, playing alongside an MVP, is.
eddie Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 5:48 pm
Billy
don’t mention Amare in relation to Parker because there is no relation. The Spurs would trade Parker in 2 seconds for Amare. no comparison keep him with the point guards.
Michael Bennett Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 7:44 pm
THIS is a good time to chime in…
The reason I’ve stayed away is because I can’t stand Rashidi’s ninety page dissertations - the whole point of an NBA argument is to be knowledgable and CONCISE… but, mostly concise. And, putting Rashidi on the Wall of Fame won’t make me jealous - it will make me nautious. The longest a post should ever be is about the size of THIS one.
Eddie - I love how more and more you are starting to sound like ME on here. It’s good stuff.
I DID see your interviews with Nash, iced-knees Amare and Grant Hill today, just a few minutes ago. I loved every minute of it. What bugged me the most was Steve Nash’s PC answers to everything. He NEEDS to light a fire under his team’s ass and I mean NOW. They should destroy teams in every game just to send a message, and he, as the leader, needs to change their approach. Yes - they can win in the regular season. But, he needs to establish a new brand of ball NOW so that the post-season can finally be long(er).
And, I liked your little hand pat exchange at the end of the Nash interview - so cute. I’m messin’ with ya, Eddie.
BillyB Said,
October 25, 2007 @ 10:28 pm
The comparison is relevant– as rookie of the year, Amare was an offensive force who didn’t play much D and committed silly fouls. As a rookie. Parker was lightning fast, made poor decisions, and couldn’t shoot from outside. Amare now is an offensive force who doesn’t play much D and commits silly fouls. Parker now is lightning fast, makes pretty good decisions, and has greatly improved his shot. I didn’t say he was better than Amare– but he has grown more in the past 4 years than Amare has, and it’s that growth that has contributed to him earning a ring and an MVP trophy.
david Said,
October 26, 2007 @ 12:45 am
Billy’s point was well made until he said “trade”.
MB missed your modesty and humility
Eric Said,
October 26, 2007 @ 4:46 am
Nash and the suns will always have a hard time against the spurs. Why did they trade away Kurt Thomas, I thought he was the dude that played Duncan the best. Amare goes for the block a bit too much, and I think he lacks the length to guard Duncan. Duncan arms are so long, he can literally just pin amare in the post and do a tip-toe dunk and no one can do anything about it. Mmm, maybe they’ll ask sean marks to guard him, dude is blocking shots like crazy in the preseason……..actually mayb not.
Jacob Said,
October 26, 2007 @ 8:09 am
im just hoping that the twolves buyout antoine walker and he signs cheap money to come back to beantown!
Kingsblade Said,
October 26, 2007 @ 11:26 am
Eddie
“but if you want my wrath ——debate my friend”
I don’t know what you mean by this, but I suppose if you introduce me to your friend I Will happily debate him for you.
“by the way Chip Engelland is what he is a textbook coach that teaches from a book and not high level NBA experience. next time list the players he has made into shooters when you toot his horn”
I know this topic has sort of passed now, but I have been away from my computer so…
My point here was much simpler than you are making it. I was merely pointing out that Chip is obviously well regarded in the field of shooting. He is not just teaching strictly out of a textbook, he was a GREAT shooter who never made the NBA because he was a couple inches shorter than they wanted. I stand by my statement that if he was 6′8 he would have had plenty of NBA experience. As an “insider” you ought to know this can happen. Hell, after his play in Calgary he might have still made it if he wasn’t already in his mid 30’s.
No he didn’t have NBA experience, but if you had ever seen him play you would know that this is not likely to limit his knowledge about shooting the ball. Have you seen him play? I’m curious, because I find myself wondering why you think he just teaches shooting out of a textbook.
On your jump shot club web page you quote Reggie Miller saying that you shoot with textbook form. Which textbook did you get your form from? lol
Was he as good a player as you? Not in a million years. Was he as good a shooter? Very possibly.
However, I was not questioning your ability to shoot or teach others to shoot. Nor does it matter who taught more players. I was questioning you belief that the opinions of those who haven’t played in the NBA aren’t as valid as yours.
“i did not trash Steve Kerr —i said he was a shooter before he got to San Antonio which is where Chip coaches. Read before you write”
This one is interesting. Do you even know when he worked with Kerr? Not in San Antonio, since he never even joined their staff until after Kerr retired. He was working with him while KERR WAS STILL WITH THE BULLS.
Anyways…I’m surprised my bring him up stirred the pot as much as it did, but you missed my point. I was just trying to point out a guy who was a very good player, and who obviously knows what he is talking about, but has not played in the NBA. I could probably think of more guys than just him, his was just an obvious name that popped into my head while I was writing.
This is a way longer post then I meant to write…oh well.
*btw…After posting before I dug into my garage and managed to find my old EJ poster from back in 89 or so. My wife thinks I should frame it with some of my other old ones.
Kingsblade Said,
October 26, 2007 @ 11:27 am
btw…we all do value your opinion Eddie or we wouldn’t read your blog.
BillyB Said,
October 26, 2007 @ 1:41 pm
David– I didn’t say “trade”– that was Eddie.
Rashidi Said,
October 26, 2007 @ 2:26 pm
“This is a way longer post then I meant to write…oh well.”
ZOMGZ but the whole point of an NBA argument is to say as little as possible!
david Said,
October 26, 2007 @ 3:46 pm
Sorry Billy,
I responded to that around 1am and wasn’t reading very clearly (as if I ever do even in the afternoon lol)
david Said,
October 26, 2007 @ 3:48 pm
Billy, now you can take my retort as a compliment, which is what it was meant to be.
I get to send my wife and kids tonite to see TP in action while I stay and work.
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 28, 2007 @ 9:18 am
I PREDICT THE REAL HOOPERS WILL ATTACK THE FORMER MVP FOR HIS LACK OF D-IN B.DAVIS,IVERSON,T.PARKER,D.WILLIAMS,G.ARENAS,C.BILLUPS,C.PAUL,
THESE ARE ALL THE BALLERS THAT CAN MAKE NASH LOOK BAD,
I SEE AMARE STILL FOULING OUT, AGAINST BIGS LIKE, DUNCAN,D.HOWARD,YAO,ZACK RANDOLPH,BOOZER,
I STILL SEE MARION BEING A ALLSTAR, THAT INSTEAD OF TAKING OVER GAMES, DUE TO NASH&STOUDEMIRES WEAKNESS ON D, TO WHINE, AND LOOK, INSTEAD OF GETTING MAD AND PRODUCING.
UNLESS THE SUNS CAN SCORE 130PPG ON GREAT OFFENSE, THEY WILL STRUGGLE, BARBOSA, COULDNT DO ANYTHING AGAINST THE FAST PARKER,OR GINUBULI,AND BELL CANT GUARD DUNCAN,
DIAW, IS OVERRATED, AND GHILL WILL GET HURT AGAIN,
SO DID THE SUNS DO ANYTHING TO IMPROVE THEIR INSIDE D?,NO
SHOULD AN ALL NBA 1ST TEAMER IN STOUDEMIRE BE ABLE TO STOP DUNCAN?, HE SHOULD, WILL HE? NO DOUBT PHOENIX HAS A FINE CLUB ON PAPER AND REALITY, ITS JUST THE SPURS HAD THEIR NUMBER, AND THE SUNS DIDNT GET A HIGH PICK FROM ATLANTA LIKE THEY THOUGHT THEY WOULD. DID ANYONE SAY SAN ANTONIO WAS GOING TO WIN IT LAST YEAR?NOT TO MANY, ITS WHOEVER WANTS IT THE MOST, AND THE SPURS DID, MARIONS WHINING TELLS ME THAT HE DOESNT WANT IT, THE PISTONS ARE OLD,THE BULLS NEED A SUPERSTAR, AND THE C’S NEED DEFENDERS, THIS JUST MEANS THE NBA WILL EVEN MORE EXCITING THIS YEAR,AND THE MAVS STILL ARE A SOFT TEAM,
AND THE TORONTO RAPTORS WILL NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS-IF KMART ISNT HURT,AND DENVER CAN GET A REAL 3PT SHOOTER, AND BE HAPPY WITH AI AT POINT AND BACKUP SG, LOOK FOR THEM TO CLIMB UP
AND MY LAST COMMENT IS THE RAPTORS WILL NOT MAKE THE PLAYOFFS, SORRY IF THIS MESSAGE OF TRUTH WAS TO LONG
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 28, 2007 @ 10:51 am
DENVER
G-A.IVERSON24.4PTS 7.6ASTSG-C.ATKINS(HURT 8.8PPG)
GJ.R.SMITH 11.8PPG G-VON WAFER
F-C.ANTHONY-28.8PPG F-E.NAJERA
F-NENE-11.8PPG 7.8REBS F-K.MARTIN 8.8PPG 5.9REBS
C-M.CAMBY-11.6PPG 11.8REBS C-S.HUNTER-MR INSURANCE
DENVER NEEDS A PLAYER LIKE, JJREDICK,KYLE KORVER,MIKE MILLER,
JUST STAY OPEN AND HIT 3′S WHEN CARMELO OR AI, SPREAD THE COURT
NENE MUST IMPROVE ALSO, IF IVERSON PLAYS LIKE HIS ROOKIE SEASON,
AND CARMELO PLAYS LIKE AT FIBA, AND CAMBY PLAYS LIKE LAST YEAR,
AND NENE PLAYS OPPOSITE OF FIBA, THEN THEY ARE A GREAT TEAM
UTAH ON THE OTHER HAND WILL BE GOOD ALSO, BUT SHOULD HAVE GOT MARION FOR AK47, WITH NO AMMO
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 28, 2007 @ 11:01 am
AND GEE, WHAT WAS NELLY DOING TRADING JRICH, FOR BWRIGHT
A 6′9 200 PF, WHO MAY COULD BE A DEVELOPMENT ALLSTAR, AND CAN ONLY BENCH 200LBS,
NELLY-UM IF U WERE GOING TO GET RID OF JRICH, WHY NOT TO SOMETHING TO MAKE GS BETTER, LIKE A JRICH,A.HARRINGTON,MONTA ELLIS, FOR KOBE, OR IF WE NEEDED A BIG
THEN JRICH TO PORTLAND, FOR THE THEN ZACK RANDOLPH,SINCE THEY JUST GAVE HIM AWAY,SHIT THIS GM’S AINT SHIT
AND PORTLAND WHY NOT A ZBO FOR R.JEFFERSON, I GUESS WITH THE INJURY TO ODEN, NOT DRAFTING K.DURANT, ALL THEY CAN LOOK FOR IS GETTING DERRICK ROSE, OR WHOEVER A SF IS IN THIS YEARS DRAFT
BACK TO THE LOTTERY
BUT IM SORRY, PORTLAND, KEEPING ZBO,AND DRAFTING DURANT, SEEMED LIKE THE BEST THING TO DO
G-JACK 12.4 6.8
G-B.ROY 16.8PPG
F-K.DURANT 18.2PPG
F-Z.RANDOLPH 21.6 10.5
C-L.ALDRIGE 13.6 8.4
I SEE 4 ALLSTARS IN 2 YEARS, IF THEY COULD GEL,
NOW I SEE A LOTTERY TEAM
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 28, 2007 @ 11:07 am
HOW BOUT A DIRK FOR NASH TRADE?
IM SORRY BUT THE MAVS WILL ALWAYS BE SOFT ANYWAY
BUT IMAGINE PHOENIX
G-BARBOSA BANKS
G-BELL STRAWBERRY
F-MARION GHILL CHAMPS
F-DIRK B.DIAW
C-AMARE B.SKINNER
OR HOW BOUT A NASH&DIAW- FOR KOBE&B.COOK
G-BARBOSA
G-K.BRYANT
F-R.BELL
F-S.MARION
C-AMARE
Kingsblade Said,
October 28, 2007 @ 12:28 pm
When will people learn that there is much much more to being a point guard than speed and being good one on one. A point guards job is, first and foremost, to direct his team on offense. How many PG’s do that better than Nash? I can never understand all these people who try to claim that Nash sucks. It makes no sense, unless you are completely ignorant of the game, to say that Nash is not a “real hooper.”
Second, why are you blaming Stoudemire for not being able to stop Duncan when nobody else can do it either?
Finally….turn off the caps. Please.
BillyB Said,
October 28, 2007 @ 3:02 pm
A point guard’s job is to play the best basketball possible, which means playing offense 50% of the time and playing defense 50% of the time. I do think it’s legitimate to say that the Suns’ two most popular superstars are not known for defense– this is not to say they aren’t great players, but it is amusing to us non-Phoenix fans to hear every excuse in the book used to explain why they don’t win titles despite staring three all-stars… this is also why I was happy to read reports this summer that Amare was working on his three point shot. Even D’Antonio was reported to cringe when he heard that report and said in response something to the effect that what Amare should focus on should be rebounding and D. I expect a certain amount of Phoenix bias on this blog of course, but c’mon– the Suns have one glaring shortcoming and it’s defense, plain and simple.
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 28, 2007 @ 5:19 pm
rashidi i rated nate robinson that high because of minutes played and salary, i agree sam cassell may be better, and ray felton also, i typed it fast, but thats it, nate is better than rhondo,duhon,s.parker,injury prone j.williams,j.nelson,jarrett jack, if he played 35mpg,he is like a barbosa,
or he will thrive more under the spotlight with the knicks having more televised games this year.
AND KINGSBLADE, WHO SAID NASH SUCKS,? HE IS A REAL HOOPER, HE CAN PASS, DRIVE, SHOOT, BUT AGAINST QUICK GUARDS, PENETRATORS, HE HAS TROUBLE,STAT WISE I DONT SEE HIM STOPING A OLD ALLEN IVERSON FROM GETTING 30PPG, HE COULDNT EVEN STOP, T.PARKER.
NO OFFENSE TO THE RINGLESS 2 TIME MVP. AND HE IS BETTER THAN DIRK, BUT I THINK A DIRK AND AMARE,MARION,ETC, WOULD THE ONLY PLACE WHERE DIRK COULD WIN IT, SO I WROTE THAT,SUNS SHOULDNT TRADE NASH, WHEN BELL SHOULD GUARD THE BETTER GUARD, AND NOBODY CAN STOP DUNCAN, BUT AMARE SHOULD BE ABLE TO SCORE ON HIM ALSO, AND AMARE SHOULD HAVE A PERSONAL THINK AGAINST THE SOFT FUNDAMENTAL DUNCAN, AND GARNETT,AND PROBABLY YAO, COME THE CLOSEST TO DUNCAN, AND I BET DWIGHT HOWARD, DEFENSELY ALSO, THE FACT IS MY WARRIORS, LOST AGAINST UTAH, BECAUSE OF NO INSIDE PRESENTS, THE WARRIORS WERE ON A ROLL AND COULD HAVE BEATEN THE SUNS, LAST YEAR, DUE TO THEIR DEFENSE,-WELL MAYBE
BUT ANYWAY, AMARE NEEDS TO TAKE CHARGES, AND THROW THE OFFENSIVE MAN OFF, AND THEN GO DOWN ON THE OTHER END OF THE COURT AND DUNK OVER WHOEVER, LIKE THE AMARE THAT AVERAGE 28PPG 9REBS BEFORE THE INJURY,BECAUSE DONT LOOK FOR MARION TO CAN A 3PT SHOT, OR 4 INCHES ANYTIME SOON, BUT GOOD LUCK TO THE SUNS, THEY SURE ARE FUN TO WATCH.
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 28, 2007 @ 5:43 pm
and honestly i think the cavs are okay without pavlovic and a.v, or they should sign pavlovic, but av, should take a 2 year 12mil contract, then ilgauskus will be a senior citizen and maybe drew leaves, or something, but after that crazy missed layup, his hair is not worth 10 mill a year,nice try,he should be at the very most, begging for the same as drew gooden
his agent must see something we dont see,unless he says rashard lewis just got 20 million and i know im at least half the player he is?,lol
rashard lewis’s agent should get a raise, and how come ray and rashard werent a playoff team? and yea durants shooting average will suck, for the first half of the year, then the second half look for him to shoot 45% 35% 3’s, and average 20.9in the 2nd half- 18.2 in the 1st half
and al thornton invented the word tweener, and a walk happy to be in minny? what a sport, probably happy to be alive after the robbery.
but no ricky, is corey brewer now a shooting guard?
so now a
g-r.foye 15.4ppg 5.9astsg-s.telfair
g-c.brewer10.8ppg r.mccants
f=a.walker14.6ppg 6.9 m.jaric
f-a.jefferson18.8pts 11.2rebs f-c.smith
c- t.ratliff 7.7 7.4rebs
then draft roy hibbert
with the 4th pick in the draft,
c.m.olawokondi
damn cant wait to see them al jefferson jersey number sells
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 28, 2007 @ 5:52 pm
WEST EAST
1.SAN ANTONIO 1.BOSTON
2.PHOENIX 2.CHICAGO
3.DENVER 3.MIAMI
4UTAH 4.CLEVELAND
5.HOUSTON 5.NJ
6.GS 6.DETROIT
7.DALLAS 7.WASHINGTON
8.LA LAKERS 8.NEW YORK
9-ORLANDO
10.TORONTO
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 29, 2007 @ 8:25 am
HEY MIKE K, WHY DONT U CHANGE YOUR DUKE ROSTER FOR YALL TO BE GOOD
IT SHOULD GO - G-D.NELSON6′3SR
G-J.SCHEYER6′5 JR
F-GERALD HENDERSON6′6 SO
F-KYLE SINGLER 6′8.5 FR
C-KUBLOS-7′1 SO
LET GREG PAULUS, AND LANCE THOMAS COME OFF THE BENCH
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 29, 2007 @ 10:52 am
THESE ARE THE TRADES TO MAKE
LAKERS TRADE KOBE&CHRIS MIHM TO DETROIT, FOR RIP,T.PRINCE,AND RONALD MURRY
2.MINNESOTA BUYS OUT A.WALKER- A.WALKER SIGNS WITH NJ NETS
LA CLIPPERS TRADE COREY MAGGETTE,CHRIS KAMAN,PICK, FOR J.ONEALTO PLAY C
3.MILWAUKEE TRADE-C.VILLANOVA,D.GADZURIC,B.SIMMONS, 09 PICK, FOR SHAWN MARION
4.ATLANTA TRADES, JOSH SMITH,JOSH CHILDRESS,ZAZAPACHULA FOR EDDIE CURRY-Q.RICHARDSON
Sean Said,
October 29, 2007 @ 4:03 pm
Hey Eddie,
I think kingsblade just exposed you in the Chip England argument. Check your facts.
eddie Said,
October 29, 2007 @ 4:20 pm
Sean
are you kidding me? He said my jumper is textbook and he is correct, but my game is real live 17 year NBA experience. So when i say a coach is textbook—it means thats all he can bank his hat on. because he can’t pull out NBA tape and prove the point. there is nothing wrong with what he has. i just know he would cut his right arm off to be able to teach that way instead of using a thousand drills and fancy jargon to get his point across. When all Dale Ellis, Dell Curry, Myself etc. could do is use tape of ourselves in real game situations to prove the point on top of teaching. Thats what Textbook means!
Sean it will take more than that to get the best of me. keep trying i like it! LOL
Kingsblade Said,
October 29, 2007 @ 5:23 pm
Eddie:
I think Sean is referring to what was said about Steve Kerr. You made light of Chip for coaching Kerr in San Antonio during the downswing of Kerr’s career, but you failed to realize that he was not even coaching in SA until after Kerr had retired. When he was working with Kerr it was in Chicago, during Kerr’s best years.
You are right about one thing, he would definitely have cut off at least an arm to have had your career, but you missed my point. What does this have to do with his knowledge of shooting?
I don’t know why this keeps getting dragged into irrelevant details. All I was trying to say is that here is a guy who has the respect of much of the NBA when it comes to shooting, yet has not played in the league. Did you ever even see him play? Why don’t you ask Kerr if Engelland knows enough about shooting to offer valid opinions? Kerr was a solid shot himself, but he didn’t seem to have a problem with using Chip. To say a textbook is all he can “bank his hat on” (whatever that means - I guess you either mean ‘bank on’ or ‘hang his hat on’) is just plain false.
By your argument no NBA team should ever have any coach in any capacity who has not played in the NBA, because regardless of what they SEEM to know about basketball, they can’t possible know as much as someone who has played. Is this really your position?
Oh well, I’m not a San Antonio fan anyways, so screw them for hiring this fool…ha ha…am I right?
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 29, 2007 @ 8:39 pm
anyone with skill, leadership, and knowledge should be able to coach in the nba,
anybody 6′10 with two arms and two legs should be in the nba.
someone who sees the game, and that can make his players see the game.
and if amare stoudemire attempts more than 80 3’s i would trade him
is phil jackson a good coach, yes,
could spike lee coach the old bulls to a ring or two, probably.
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 29, 2007 @ 8:43 pm
I THINK SOME BROADCASTORS, JUST HAVE THE PREVELEGE TO MAKE IT TO THE NBA, AND AFTERWARDS JUST TALK CRAZY MILLIONAIRE, OPINIONS,AND ARENT THE BEST ALL THE TIME. WHERE AS KEYSHAWN JOHNSON, SHOULDNT BE A BROADCASTOR, AND REGGIE MILLER IS A GOOD ONE, AND CHARLES BARKLEY HAS ALWAYS BEEN RIGHT ON DIRK, BUT ISNT THE BEST EITHER, THEIR SHOULD BE A YEAR TRIAL, OF PREDICTIONS, AND ANALYSING FROM ANYONE INTERESTED IN BROADCASTING, AND AFTER THAT YEAR, BASED ON RESULTS, AND TV PERSONALITY, SHOULD BE GIVEN THE POSITION
BillyB Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
News today from San Antonio: Tim Duncan signed a two year extension, agreeing to take 11 million less than he was entitled to. This leaves his team with more money to put players around him in the future. What a refreshing story! While Anderson Varejao and his greedy agent (and his 6 pts, 6 reb per game average) demand money that would wreck his own team’s ability to improve, while, remember, still being unable to even take away the starting jobs of Gooden or Zydrunus…. yes, yes, the critics say Tim Duncan is boring– no excitement from him demanding trades, demanding respect, nothing like that, not this year or at any time over the past decade– and this story won’t be headline news either– but this is just one more example of his greatness and intelligence as a player.
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 1:49 pm
how cum wally zerbiak isnt starting in seattle
their lineup should be
g-ridnour g-e.watson
g-durant g-d.west
f-zerbiak f-g.wilkens
f-c.wilcox f-k.thomas
c-n.collision r.swift
david Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
Billy B,
Not to mention Marion’s nonsense about not enough love at 16.5M per, which drew over 100 posts.
Duncan is following in Robinson’s footsteps — doesn’t guarantee a championship, but doesn’t hurt either.
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 2:09 pm
Billy B
What are you talking about? Anderson Varejao is trying to get his first big contract and you compare him to Tim Duncan who just signed his third huge contract.
I am having a hard time trying to understand your logic sir. please think before you write crazy stuff like that.
This is America and the Cavaliers will either pay or trade him. He is using his leverage just like the Cavs would if they sign him and decide to trade him in the future.
He is doing nothing wrong!
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 2:14 pm
Kingsblade
Please give me a break! Steve Kerr was an excellent shooter since he has been in High school. Why do you think Arizona signed him in the first place? Do you think it was for his defense and rebounding ability?
Stop it! Steve and i had shootouts everyday after practice his rookie year with the Suns. He could always shoot.
Now what’s interesting is the Larry Hughes scenario—–if he improves his shot then that is something worth talking about. Get off the Steve Kerr argument Please!
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 2:19 pm
kINGSBLADE
No that is not my position on coaches who did not play. I do know it is a lot easier to get respect from your players if you did play in the NBA especially if you won championships. Thats a majority of the coaches actually played at this level, but like life in general there are alays exceptions to the rule. Chuck Daly comes to mind!
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 2:22 pm
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington
your response that anybody can coach a team! is very silly
so i assume anybody can argue a murder case and while we are at it–i watch medical shows and talk to doctors all the time. why don’t you let me operate on you for a discount rate. LOL
BillyB Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 2:59 pm
Eddie– Duncan got big contracts because he produced. Varejao isn’t even a starter. Duncan got big contracts being the best power forward on the league, while Varejao isn’t even the best power forward on his own team. The fact that you disagree with me doesn’t mean that I don’t think, Eddie.
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
Why are you stil comparing Him to Duncan? Do you think he is the only player that is asking to be paid what he thinks he is worth? I can name a lot of players that over price themselves and got paid.
He is not doing anything different and to compare him to Duncan is not fair. He is looking at the players he feels compatible too and i will guarantee you he is not listing Duncan. Just because he does not start means nothing it’s how valuable you are to your team—thats what leverage is and if Cleveland does not sign him they regress as a basketball team.
This is what America is about but time and time again the athletes are the ones who face the wrath of people in general that want to change the thought process of Capitalism and decide and dictate how much money they should ask for and how much they are worth. He is worth whatever he can get.
i don’t see you complaining about what Ben Affleck makes per movie.—stop it!
Just like when you go shopping somebody set the price on that watch with the popular designer name on it, but what you don’t know or really don’t care about is that you can get that same watch with a different unpopular name for less money. Thats the world we live in and Anderson knows the people of cleveland and the cavalier organization likes and knows what he can do—so he is using his Leverage to get paid and i say more power to him———!
BillyB Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 3:28 pm
David– ah, so true. Compare Marion to the the number three option for the Spurs. Marion is the highest paid player on his team, and is upset cuz he doesn’t get “respect.” Manu agrees to come off of the bench even though everyone in the world knows he’s better than Finley to lead the second squad. He also turned down more money when he was a free agent to stay with a winner and continue winning. Thanks to Ginobili’s teamwork and sacrifce, the Spurs’ bench outscores almost all other teams’ benches and their starters play fewer minutes than a team like the Suns, whose starters log many more minutes. End result: tired players, getting beat in the playoffs, making excuses. So sad.
BillyB Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 3:29 pm
Actually, I do think Ben Affleck is overpaid.
BillyB Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 3:35 pm
I think America is about a lot more than “gettin paid,” Eddie. Maybe you disagree. I like it how when you get mad you start giving orders like “stop it!” Sorry eddie, this is America, and I’ll express my opinion whether you agree with them or not. You should get a thicker skin… “lol”
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 3:39 pm
“Thanks to Ginobili’s teamwork and sacrifce, the Spurs’ bench outscores almost all other teams’ benches and their starters play fewer minutes than a team like the Suns”
Now i see where this is going –Its a Suns v Spurs thing. Maybe Ginobilli is worth waht he is getting and is content. i told you to stop talking about other peoples money! LOL . Billy they are paying the right person in San Antonio (TIM DUNCAN) and when he starts to decline you will see how good Ginobilli really is.
BillyB Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 3:44 pm
It’s sad that Suns fans have to resort to the “wait til Duncan retires” argument. He has four rings. He could quit now and be satisfied. Uh, yeah, let’s see how good your NO-RINGS suns are once Nash slows down.
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 3:45 pm
You think i am mad? i have been laughing the whole time. I told you before go read my bio for my blog at http://www.jumpshotclub. com and you will see what i am doing to you Billy. I like you –you make me laugh and yes there is much more to America , but unfortunatedly money always gets in the way and guess who brought it up Billy? YOU! go back and read your rant . I like to talk basketball not money. I never try to get in any man’s pocket—My motto is go get what you think you are worth and no successful business man would think any other way—–that is the American way!
BillyB Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 3:45 pm
“i told you to stop talking about other peoples money”
Sorry, but I don’t take orders from you. You express your opinions and I’ll express mine.
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 3:49 pm
When Nash slows down the Suns are in trouble—i am done with you it’s been fun, but you obviously can’t comprehend what i just said —-let me repeat. I said let’s see how good Ginobilli will be since you said he took a pay cut to play for the Spurs when Duncan Retires. Thats what i said Billy B.
i have to work on my next article.
BillyB Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 3:54 pm
First of all, it wasn’t a rant. It was a comment about an average bench player demanding all star starter type money. It’s my considered opinion that he is being greedy. Your response was that I don’t think. Well, I do think. If it’s your opinion that everyone who is expressing an opinion that is different from yours is “not thinking,” then I’m sorry, but I disagree.
BillyB Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 3:57 pm
Again, anyone who disagrees with you “can’t comprehend.” When Duncan retires, Ginobili will probably not be far behind because are only a year apart in age. And when this happens, Ginobili will have millions of dollars, be financially set for life, and have a trophy case full of NBA championships, euroleague championships, and an Olympic Gols Medal. I imagine he’ll feel pretty satisfied.
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 4:00 pm
He is not average and if it was not for his great hustle and desire that permeated through that whole team they would not have made it to the finals! So if that’s the case the Cavaliers would not have had the chance to make close to 1 million per playoff game at home—so i assume he is more than that and finally if he was a unrestricted free agent , he would be paid more than what he is asking for. The cavaliers know the teams that can pay him are limited and those teams also know the Cavs will match the offer because he is a restricted free agent.——you have NOW been educated by EJ so put the check in the mail this is America you know–i want my moneys worth LOL
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 4:04 pm
He will play much longer than Duncan—you know why because he will not be as tired. How could he when he is riding Duncans back most of the time. Role players play longer—i know——i played 18 years.
david Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 4:29 pm
I actually thought Ben Affleck was pretty good in Hollywoodland as George Reeves
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 4:34 pm
I love Ben Affleck—–The wedding crashers was his best—– that scene on the stairs when he asked his boy —’DID YOU DO THE MOTOR BOAT” lol
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 4:35 pm
Just kidding! they look alike————(-:
BillyB Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 4:38 pm
No one can predict for sure how long those guys will play. Kareem played longer than Worthy, didn’t he? I guess you’d better write to all of the sportswriters who also think Varejao is asking too much and “educate” them too.
Your dislike of Manu is amusing. Check out the article on 82games.com– they talk about floppers. Manu is in the the top forty. Varejao is #1, and Raja Bell is #4. The team that ranks as #1 in the league for flopping?… The Phoenix Suns!
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 4:43 pm
Wrong i like Manu—-you used him as an example against a another player based on money and i finished it. Help me someone —Billy B has fallen and he can not get up! stay on course, i would hate to go sailing with you at the helm, we would be in Antartica instead of Fiji LOL
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 4:45 pm
Great, i will let Steve and Raja know so they can get more Turnovers! lol
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 4:47 pm
Again I could care less about what another sportswriter is saying. i was a player not a sportswriter.
david Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 4:48 pm
Speaking of look alikes — don’t you think Will Smith looks like RObert Horry? Or is it just me?
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 4:54 pm
yes he does
BillyB Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 5:03 pm
So it was Varejao’s hustle that carried the Cavs to the finals? Crazy me, I thought it was LeBron!
But all Manu did is ride on Duncan’s back…. thanks Eddie– the reason I read this blog is to be entertained by illogical bias and ridiculous rationalizations, and you have definitely provided that today.
Manu– game 6 vs Suns: 33 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, 4 steals. Ouch.
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 5:08 pm
Every one will jump off the back of the star and have a good game—you failed somehow to mention his stats the other games!
BillyB Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 5:16 pm
You are hilarious! I’ve got to go, but I’ll agree with you so you can feel like you’ve won a debate. Here goes: The Spurs didn’t deserve to win any of their 4 championships. The Suns have been the best team in the NBA for the past 5– no, wait– the past 10 years, and have been robbed by the system, by Stern, by the refs, by bad luck, and by unfortunate weather patterns.
The Suns are the greatest!
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 5:42 pm
i love the spurs but not more than the suns!
Sean Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 10:41 pm
Eddie,
Lay off the pipe!
Sean Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 10:42 pm
It’ll hurt your jumper! lol
eddie Said,
October 30, 2007 @ 10:54 pm
What pipe?
Kingsblade Said,
October 31, 2007 @ 12:31 am
“i watch medical shows and talk to doctors all the time. why don’t you let me operate on you for a discount rate. LOL”
lol…Well said.
Of course I know Kerr could always shoot. I remember the Arizona days. I only mentioned it because you made the comment about Engelland being a San Antonio coach when he didn’t get there until Kerr was gone. (It should tell you something though, that even a shooter like Kerr respected Engelland’s knowledge.)
I will concede your point about getting the players ears. Do you think that is what Musselman’s problem was in Sacramento?
I do wish however, that you would just accept that it is possible for people who did not play in the NBA to know as much about the game of basketball. Not the internal politics of the league, or anything else specific, just the game itself. Just because someone lacks certain physical gifts doesn’t mean they lack the capacity to understand.
hehe…Maybe for your next blog, instead of writing about how Isiah is actually a good GM despite the evidence, you can write about how Tim Donaghy wasn’t a bad referee. We just don’t understand him because we never played in any games he called. LOL
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
November 1, 2007 @ 10:27 am
iverson 25pts 14 assist 7 steals, lets see nash’s stats,iverson will lead denver, to a showdown of the pg’s in the finals, iverson vs nash, if phoenix can get by the spurs first, lets see nash’s stats verse the same team tonite, seattle.chicago,trades, k.bryant for-l.deng,t.thomas,t.safosha,and a 1st rd pick
lakers-g.j.crittenton g-j.farmar
g-d.fisher g-mo evans
f-l.deng f-walton
f-l.odom f-t.thomas
c-k.brown c-bynum
chicago
g-k.hinrich g-c.duhon c-aaron gray
g-b.gordon g-j.curry
f-k.bryant f-v.khrypa
f-a.nocioni f-joe smith
c-b.wallace c-jokim noah
is that enough for chicago?-gordon sure is more of a 2nd scorer than lamar odom, wallace, gets more boards than odom, hinrich, is a alldefense2nd team tall pg, better than fisher, and nocioni, scores more than luke walton, b.wallace plays better d than k.brown
chicago vs boston east
suns vs denver west
Kingsblade Said,
November 1, 2007 @ 11:09 am
are you really trying to claim that Iverson is a better point guard based on 2 days worth of statistics? Ridiculous.
Once in High school I had better stats than Nash playing against the same team too. I guess I am the better point guard. Too bad Iverson didn’t play those guys back then, maybe I’m the best PG ever for all we know.
Rashidi Said,
November 1, 2007 @ 12:29 pm
“thats what leverage is and if Cleveland does not sign him they regress as a basketball team.”
Which just magnifies why you shouldn’t be commenting on GM moves.
Simply put, mortgaging the future on a player who wouldn’t start for ANY team is plain stupid.
The Cavaliers are not going ANYWHERE with medicore players like Varejao. They need some actual talent, all-star caliber players i.e. what they thought they were getting in Larry Hughes and what they had in Ilgauskas who is getting older and can’t do it every night. Last year was a straight up fluke and they ain’t getting lucky twice, with or without Varejao.
Cleveland is on the hook for 65 million this year not including any potentially silly Vareajao deal, and Gibson is going to be due a raise and extension next summer.
The one thing they’ll have going for them next summer is most of their mediocre players will be in the last years of their contracts making them attractive to other teams. That’s 25 million in expiring contracts to pawn off in Eric Snow, Drew Gooden, Donyell Marshall, and Damon Jones. Maybe Milwaukee decides to pull the plug on “franchise player” Michael Redd and they want salary relief. Hughes/DJ works straight up and saves the team about 5 million not including Redd’s Player Option worth 18 million.
In any event, can you name a team that won a championship by overpaying for players in free agency?
Rashidi Said,
November 1, 2007 @ 12:39 pm
“The Suns have been the best team in the NBA for the past 5– no, wait– the past 10 years, and have been robbed by the system, by Stern, by the refs, by bad luck, and by unfortunate weather patterns.”
I think you have them confused with the Mavericks.
The Spurs were one 2006 basket away from a three peat. But you would attribute the Suns failure to a malady of excuses, rather than their own stupidity for taking themselves out of the playoffs by getting off the bench. Every NBA player knows about the Knicks/Heat debacle and the penalty for leaving the bench.
They got blown out in game 6 with everyone playing. One can only imagine what you’d be using as an excuse had the suspensions not happened and the Suns lost without incident in game 5. The Spurs were still 3-2 against a full strength Suns team.
david Said,
November 1, 2007 @ 1:04 pm
Rashidi, I think Billy was being facetious (in other words, he was joking). Lighten up!
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
November 1, 2007 @ 1:35 pm
iverson is better than nash, nash has just had 3 great years of anger from mark cuban, when he has been excellent, iverson can play defense, has scored 25plus points a season since his rookie year, made more allstar teams, and has the same amount of rings as nash.
and iverson was only a ballhog, with scrub teammates, him and kobe could average alot of assist, if they had players to throw the ball too.
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
November 1, 2007 @ 1:39 pm
rashidi, the suns rob theirselves, blame nash for his flops,
to make refs not want to call for them, the suns have had bad luck, injuries, the spurs being dominate, and nash not having defense, ha ha, the suns are starting to look like the yankees, so nash has won 2 mvp’s, but no rings, and dirk, mvp last year, but suked in the playoffs,
so these 2 players are better than kobe?,whos never been mvp,
the mvp voting is b.s.
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
November 2, 2007 @ 1:26 am
shaq sux now, how cum he cant over power bean pole rasheed wallace?
9 and 7 without wade. and durant looked nice vs the suns. and tayshaun prince for president. tmac scored 45, one year to late over utah. and boris diaw is lost. how bout a s.marion,l.barbosa,diaw for kobe&b.cook
lakers couldnt say that isnt enough, and phoenix still have 5 stars
nash,kobe,amare,bell, and hill, a very small team, but dang whatelse could u ask for? just since la hasnt oked a marion barbosa for kobe
if u get 3 starters, i think they may throw the conference thing out, but i think buss will know that the suns will win it all if he makes that trade.
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
November 2, 2007 @ 1:29 am
lakers
g-d.fisher
g-l.barbosa
f-s.marion l.walton
f-l.odom f-b.diaw
c-k.brown c-bynum
KOBe2GS4ellis,pietrus,b.wright,al harrington Said,
November 2, 2007 @ 1:31 am
and will someone sign earl boykins for crying out loud,
like boston, or cleveland, san antonio,
BillyB Said,
November 2, 2007 @ 3:21 pm
Rashidi– I was kidding. I’m a Spurs fan. Check out the posts that lead to that one.
Kingsblade Said,
November 6, 2007 @ 10:30 pm
so are you saying Iverson IS better than Nash, or Iverson WAS better than Nash? There is a very big difference there.
You also mention how many assists that other players could have with better teamates, but remember, when Nash got to Phoenix not very many people thought he had much to pass to there either.
Furthermore Nash has improved constantly. Iverson never got much better than he already was in his early years.
In short, if you are claiming that Denver would not trade Iverson for Nash because Iverson is the better player then I want some of whatever you are smoking.