Gypsies no more
Yeah, Chris Paul is great. But give Byron Scott a lot of credit.
The New Orleans Hornets are the gypsies of the National Basketball Association. They have relocated twice in the last few years and have adjusted splendidly. I felt the Hornets would be a surprising team, but no one thought that they would be fighting for the best record in the Western Conference halfway through the season.
I know that Chris Paul has been getting the bulk of the attention for this huge turnaround, but before I start with Paul, I want to look at the marvelous job Byron Scott has done in improving this team with everything they have had to deal with over the last few years.
Scott, who is a disciple of Pat Riley, Magic Johnson, Larry Brown and Rick Adelman, has taken a little from each and created a consistency at the coaching position that has gone unrecognized for a number of years.
Remember this is the same coach who took an overachieving New Jersey Net team to the NBA Finals twice and was promptly fired because rumor had it he was not paying attention to detail. Well, the Nets have not sniffed the Finals since and are presently sitting in the eighth position of the Eastern Conference 15 ½ games behind the Boston Celtics.
George Shinn, who has been much maligned as an NBA owner, snapped Scott up in a hurry and he has brought stability and professionalism to a franchise that was becoming the laughingstock of the league a few years ago.
Scott has been able to do it because Shinn has allowed him to control his environment and not mettle. Scott has encouraged and made some decisions that some initially frowned upon or wondered why, but as we are seeing the Hornets are making a rise that has skeptics unsettled and looking for reasons.
The first thing Scott did was go with his instincts and beliefs on whom he would feel comfortable sitting next to him. Rarely in the NBA nowadays do we see more than one ex-player sitting next to a head coach? Byron Scott has three in Kenny Gattison, Darrell Walker and Paul Pressey. What is also significant is that Scott was not intimidated about hiring coaches that did not have to be taught about the nuances of the league. These individuals played and have a desire to become head coaches in the future. This means if Shinn wanted to make a change he would not have to look far. Riley, Brown and Adelman were also coaches who were not afraid of this situation and now you see through the power of this association.
Most coaches in this league would never put a potential successor next to them and definitely not three, but Scott understands that winning consistently will keep his job anyway… So why not go all? It has paid dividends for him.
It definitely helps to have a Chris Paul, but again here is the beauty of Scott remembering the greatness of Magic Johnson. He has allowed Paul to be great because, believe me, there are some coaches in this league that would not allow Paul to control this team as he does and the numbers we are seeing might not be part of his portfolio.
Paul runs every fabric of this team. I saw him a few weeks ago dress down three veterans in the span of two minutes and they gave him eye-to-eye contact and followed instructions. Why? Because they see a player that is allowing them to have career years and brings it every night with superstar abilities - which has him pushing two- time MVP Steve Nash for best point guard in the league.
That might be no surprise. Paul has purposely studied Nash on film and considers him the model in how he should play the game.
Although Scott has the unbelievable Paul, he should be hailed for convincing Peja Stojakovic to bolt Sacramento. Also, David West has developed into one of the best low-post threats in the league.
But the biggest coup and the main reason this team has elevated itself into the super team category so far this season is the theft of Tyson Chandler from the Chicago Bulls. I have personally loved the abilities and athleticism of Chandler ever since he came in the league. It was easy to get down on him because he seemed to not care at times and he could not stay healthy, but when you think about it we were talking about a high school kid. If you discount his first three years in the league, which should be for growth, Chandler has missed only 14 games and has averaged close to 11 rebounds a game in the last four years. Chandler has now become a confident double-double machine that seems to get more dominant with every game.
I am on record as saying I did not agree with the swap of signing Ben Wallace and trading Chandler and now the Hornets are reaping the benefits of your impatience.
The big challenge for the Hornets is to hope that these four key players will continue to flourish and hopefully find a way to get role players Bobby Jackson, Morris Peterson and Jannero Pargo to start shooting better than 39 percent as a trio.
It’s important because the Hornets rely on field goals and limiting the opposition’s possessions with their great defensive rebounding to keep the game close so Paul can dominate crunch time, which he has done better than any player in the league the first half of this season.
If the Hornets start to struggle in those areas, they better find a way to get to the free throw line more often because they are dead last with only 19 attempts a game.
All that said, this is one of the most exciting teams with Chris Paul and I believe with good health that they will grab a top five seed and be a tremendous problem come playoff time!
Paul Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 2:27 pm
hah, so it WAS actually Eddie Johnson posting on the other forum. Wow, this guy really does need a life.
Paul Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 2:28 pm
“Remember this is the same coach who took an overachieving New Jersey Net team to the NBA Finals twice and was promptly fired because rumor had it he was not paying attention to detail. Well, the Nets have not sniffed the Finals since and are presently sitting in the eighth position of the Eastern Conference 15 ½ games behind the Boston Celtics.”
The Nets also had a littel something called a LOW POST SCORING THREAT named Kenyon Martin. When he left, so did NJ’s title hopes.
Eddie Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 3:15 pm
I know, now he is leading the Nuggets to the NBA finals.
Kingsblade Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 3:17 pm
Umm…I am not so sure about calling Kenyon Martin a “low post scoring threat.” Scoring out of the low post was the biggest flaw in his game. (besides arguable his jumper though it could be said he didn’t really need a better jumper)
Even if you are right that doesn’t show that they were right to fire Scott anyways, so I don’t know why you bothered other than to try and find something to argue about.
marky Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 3:25 pm
no i think new jersey overachieved and byron had something to do with it.
paul also said byron helped him grow to be a leader as well.
and tyson is who he is as a basketball player because of byron and his coaching staff. they all watched his tapes and saw all the little things fans like me hated like his inability to realize that once he got an offensive rebound, that he should try to score first before bringing it back out. by the second half of the season last year, he stopped bring the ball back out. and so much more!
he’s a really good coach, and frankly jason kidd and the rest of the nets were drama queens - and its showing.
mo, pargo and jackson are really better defensively, especially mo - i think he made Brandon Roy cry after the game - he was all over them!as long as they are playing defense, it’ll be allright! the raptors need someone like he for toughness - cuz jason kapono is a foul machine! his shot should come back in the second half.
i can’t wait for julian wright. i really liked eddie as an announcer when i watched the hornets/suns game a few weeks back in pheonix. he was very complimentary of the horntes squad and didn’t say stuff like - how are the hornets going to pay chris paul, and he didn’t give the opinion that the hornets would fail in new orleans. the blazers announcer were so horrible - every time chris paul scored - he travelled, or they said he would sign with the blazers in a few years - no way!
chris paul>>>>>>>>>>>>>brandon roy in his sleep! chris can actually get out of double team and is a true point guard.
noah Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 5:36 pm
maybe you should get a life, paul. i like eddie’s posts, even if he can be on the obnoxious side. keep it up, eddie.
Adam Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 5:54 pm
Great analysis, Eddie. One correction though is that Scott didn’t convince Peja to bolt Sacto. Didn’t they do a sign-and-trade with Indiana for the trade exception that brought Al Harrington back?
Seth Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 6:26 pm
“convincing Peja Stojakovic to bolt Sacramento”…
Eddie, some memory loss here or something? Did you forget Sac traded the oft-injured Peja to Indiana for Artest, and then the Hornets signed him as a free agent the next year when his contract was up?
Peja still sucks, injured too much - and prone to disappearing whole quarters or games. Glad the Kings got rid of him!
Michael Bennett Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 6:58 pm
I’m not a big believer in giving a coach (Byron Scott) too much credit for letting a great player (Chris Paul) do his thing. Byron Scott is doing a wonderful job, but let’s give credit where credit is due.
What are Byron Scott’s other options? …NOT let Chris Paul, the most gifted PG in the League, run the team? That’s like giving credit to Mike Brown for LeBron’s play this year. No, no, no. Byron Scott should be commended for be a positive influence on younger players, but he shouldn’t receive extra credit for staying out of Chris Paul’s way.
I can see the Hornets as a top 5 team in the league (record-wise) with a number of other head coaches in the NBA. And, I disagree with you, Eddie, that the Hornets will give teams fits in the Playoffs. Like the Lakers, they might have a good record in the regular season, but they aren’t built for seven game series against other great teams (S.A., Phoenix, Dallas, Utah).
Maybe in 2009…
Paul Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 10:18 pm
Michael, you are right. Coaching obviously plays a factor in a team’s success, but Chris Paul is the real reason why New Orleans is fast approaching elite status. Can’t forget about Tyson Chandler and David West. Once the Hornets get a deep bench and some play-off experience, they will be a scary team very soon (think: Utah last year).
Paul Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 10:23 pm
Oh, and Noah, I have a life. I’ve never come across someone as egotistical as Eddie. Just when I thought a guy I used to be friends with (his name was Michel) had a huge ego, I came across Eddie and blown away. I’m not looking to start shit, so leave it.
kingsblade, the Nets have struggled to score inside since losing K-Mart. Sure, he’s been hurt a lot in Denver, but still. Eddie, no one asked you. I never said K-Mart was a great inside scoring threat, but he was better than anyone the Nets have had recently. J-Kidd has even admitted to wanting K-Mart back.
I do believe that in a few years, Sean Williams can come close to K-Mart’s numbers that he put in New Jersey. He’s shown flashes, that’s for sure.
JJ Mitchell Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 10:55 pm
New Orleans is similar to Portland in the sense that they have a bunch of young guys who are all improving together and individually by leaps and bounds. I think they could be capable of knocking off one of the big guns in the west (Spurs, Mavs, Suns) come playoff time, but their one weakness is definitely depth, so it would probably be hard for them to slip by two series in a row. Ironic that these two teams are both prospering at the expense of another young team that many thought would be a rising power– the Bulls, who are floundering, and who could really use Chandler or Aldridge now.
BullsNut Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 11:22 pm
Michael Bennett (writes)
‘I disagree with you, Eddie, that the Hornets will give teams fits in the Playoffs. Like the Lakers, they might have a good record in the regular season, but they aren’t built for seven game series against other great teams (S.A., Phoenix, Dallas, Utah).’
What!?
They aren’t built for 7-game series? How the heck do you know this? Is it because year-after-year they continue to have strong regular season play or because Chris Paul breaks down because he is getting old? Or it could be because Tyson Chandler just can’t seem to play not even on a different team. Peja continues to throw up your not yet smoked bricks right? The Hornets are just not built for the 7-game right? Why not explain yourself?!
BTW,
Bulls basketball lives inside of me.
Ron Padgett Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 11:24 pm
Another thing about Chris Paul is he knows how to make his teammates feel wanted and appreciated. I read an interview with him a few months ago and when asked about Tyson Chandler he said he hoped he could play with him for his entire career. That’s the kind of thing players want to hear coming from the guys they share the court with, and the kind of thing that inspires confidence. It’s a lot better as a player reading or hearing that than, say, the stuff Kobe, Matrix, or Gasol were saying this past off season. That’s just another aspect of the game where Paul excels, an aspect that can’t be measured with stats.
V Warren Said,
January 24, 2008 @ 11:43 pm
Besides depth, the hornets don’t really have a weakness. They have a classic lineup with a great distributor at the point, a great shooting swingman, a do everything power forward, and a defensive anchor at center. They would be a big problem for Phoenix in the playoffs– Phoenix’s glaring weakness is interior defense (did you all see Al Jefferson destroy them for the second time this season a few days ago?!) and N.O. has 2 double digit scoring threats down low in West & Tyson. Do you hear the squeaky hinges of a window beginning to shut? And the Hornets are only going to get better…
Eddie Said,
January 25, 2008 @ 12:07 am
Michael Bennett
my point is he has learned from his mentors to not think it’s about him. don’t tell me coaches in this league with ego’s would not not try and control Paul.
they woukd, so give Scott credit.
how do you know they are not built for the playoffs? You give Paul credit then you say he cant do the same come playoff time. ok we will see who wants to play them.
trevor Said,
January 25, 2008 @ 12:39 am
I totally agree that Scott is one of the league’s better coaches. He has his team on the same page, and earns the title as coach. Just because someone is paid to go out and “be a coach” doesn’t mean that the players will respect them as a coach. Scott has earned his players respect. There are so many good coaches in the league… Avery Johnson, Nate Macmillan, Phil Jackson, Mike D’Antoni, Sam Mitchell, to name my faves, and then there are the one’s who are questioable, like Iavoroni, Wittman, Krystowiak, Woodson, and of course you can’t forget about Isiah… My favourite franchise has got to be Portland because Kevin Pritchard understands that good people make a team, and not talent, (just look at the knicks). He drafts and hires good people. or course you have to have talent and motivation too, but I wouldn’t touch a player like josh smith, next summer… he’s a team wrecker…all he cares about is getting his money. anyways, yeah I like the hornets and they should do well in the playoffs. They are a little thin, and an injury would really hurt them. Eddie, who were your favourite coaches(not necesarily ones you’ve played with) when you played? and who are your fave’s today?
Rashidi Said,
January 25, 2008 @ 2:13 am
Jerry Sloan might have tried to control Paul, but 20 years on the same team gives you a bit more job security. Byron Scott is a player’s coach albeit one that was not liked by his players one bit the moment he tried to seize control in New Jersey (and was promptly fired by Jason Kidd). It would seem he learned from this mistake.
However, being a “player’s coach” and letting the guys play only works to a limited degree, when you have all chemistry guys who aren’t making noise about their shot attempts. The Hornets have that right now but I’m skeptical at how far they can go without another scorer to rely on.
Soon to be free agents like Ron Artest, Corey Maggette, and Josh Smith would seem to fit well on paper but I doubt Scott would be able to control either of them.
“Let em play and stay out of their way” is a rather limited coaching philosophy, and one with a low ceiling. It’s much easier to win with multiple stars (Jordan/Pippen/Rodman, Duncan/Parker/Ginobili) than it is with one.
Just ask Doc Rivers.
Rashidi Said,
January 25, 2008 @ 2:22 am
On a side note, there aren’t really any free agents New Orleans can realistically chase, their only offseason decision is half dependent on Jannero Pargo excercising his option. (If he opts out someone like Jason Williams or Chris Duhon could be had on the cheap).
They are basically depending on Julian Wright to develop into something special behing Stojakovic, ala RJ and KVH in Scott’s previous gig.
Michael Bennett Said,
January 25, 2008 @ 2:28 am
Eddie — The last of the controlling, egotistical coaches are going or gone (Scott Skiles, Where Have You Gone, Larry Brown?). Coaches like that are disappearing — they HAVE to. This league is a star league — It revolves around young superstars and star players, not coaches (Example: Pat Riley). So, you’re patting a guy on the back for getting out of the way like he should???
Coaches like Skiles WOULD try and control Paul. Then, they’d get fired like Skiles did.
And, the Hornets aren’t built for the Playoffs… YET. I clearly stated that. There are four teams out of the West that are Playoff/battle tested — they’ve gone the distance against other good or great Playoff teams and won.
And, it doesn’t matter if a team “wants” to play the Hornets. No one “wants” to play the Warriors. Teams like the Hornets, Lakers and Warriors are scrappy and difficult and unorthodox to play in the Playoffs, but it doesn’t mean that the premiere 4 teams (S.A., Phoenix, Dallas, Utah) won’t beat them.
San Antonio, Phoenix, Dallas and Utah would much rather play the Lakers, Hornets and Warriors than play each other. That doesn’t leave too many other teams (Portland???, Denver).
Melvin Said,
January 25, 2008 @ 8:27 am
wel, you would agree on swapping chandler and acquiring big ben? raise your hands
Paul Said,
January 25, 2008 @ 9:01 am
At the time, I agreed with Chicago trading Tyson Chandler and aquiring Big Ben. It’s great to see Chandler thriving in New Orleans.
BullsNut Said,
January 25, 2008 @ 10:14 am
Michael Bennett (writes)
‘There are four teams out of the West that are Playoff/battle tested — they’ve gone the distance against other good or great Playoff teams and won.’
Dallas is one of those four teams right? How do you explain what the Warriors did last post season? Who is to say the Hornets can’t take out the Spurs or Mavs? These guys are NBA players for a reason. You can’t ever count anyone out.
Call me crazy but I’d welcome the Celtics to face Bulls in post season. Could you honestly say that the Bulls have no chance whatsoever against celts or pistons? Anyone who watches every Bulls game this year or last year knows that the Bulls love a tough match-up, and also realize they are capable turning season around.
If only I could be GM right now - I’d trade Wallace and Tyrus Thomas for a little something. Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE my team NO MATTER what, even if there are two airball freethrow attempts in one game, one by Noah and the other by Wallace. Now that could have been a first (two different players whiffing) What’s not to love about the Bulls seriously?
sean coon Said,
January 25, 2008 @ 10:57 am
as a long time fan of the new jersey nets — going back to darwin cook, otis birdson, g-man, mike o’koren — there is nothing i would have wished for more than byron scott succeeding in NJ and still being there.
but he didn’t. *he* didn’t.
i didn’t hold the lakers series against him or the team — no one was going to beat kobe and shaq in their prime — but he made far too many tactical mistakes during the spurs series to be kept on. in my opinion, the nets brass didn’t fire him soon enough.
examples?
he absolutely refused to play mutumbo for half the series. now, mutumbo was an absolute failure in the nets system on the offensive side of the ball. the guy had terrible hands and reaction time, which slowed down their offensive sets when the ball went through him. but he added such an imposing threat on the defensive side of the ball that year, and when they actually had leads on san antonio (you might not remember, but the nets blew a late lead in one game of that 4-2 series), scott refused to play mutumbo when defensive stops were needed. same thing went for aaron williams — scott refused to play him based on circumstance.
and when he lifted RJ at the end of the game NJ blew?
scott was interviewed before one of the games — it might have been game one as a matter of fact — and the reporter asked him if he felt pressure to win (after the loss to the lakers the previous year and being a protégé of the “legendary” riley). i can’t quote him word for word, but paraphrasing, it went something like this: “nah, i don’t feel that pressure. i’m still a young coach with a long career ahead of me and a lot to learn. so, there’s no pressure.”
f**k that noise. my nets had a window and his tactical mistakes cost them. so yeah, he’s doing fine now, “learning” with the same type of talent that nets squad had. let’s see how great of a job he does adjusting within a 7 game series against the spurs before we crown him a brilliant coach.
fair?
Eddie Said,
January 25, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
Paul
calm down my man. i rattled a nerve and it’s bothering you. go to my website and read my blog bio.
my blog is full of tension—–if you can’t handle it go read the USA today!
Kingsblade Said,
January 25, 2008 @ 12:52 pm
Paul:
I quoted your phrasing exactly, so don’t get defensive about what I think you said. I know exactly what you said.
Michael Bennett:
What I think people are asking you is WHY they are not built for the playoffs. I am not saying I disagree with you, but you keep saying it without any reasons. Repeating yourself does not make it a stronger position.
Rashidi:
The point isn’t that Scott simply gets out of the way of his players. That would make him the worst coach in the world, and is certainly not his coaching philosophy. The point is that he has given Paul (specifically) the freedom to make his own decisions, not just this year, but since he was a rookie. He isn’t just letting everyone run wild, they have to participate in the system, but Paul has the freedom to make decisions on the floor.
Freeing up your point guard is not the same thing as getting out of the way of your players. I think Scott deserves some credit for it, especially since I think very few coaches would have given that kind of freedom to a point guard even when he was a rookie.
Now how MUCH credit he deserves is very debatable. This one particular instance of good sense certainly does not alone make him coach of the year, but I do think he should get a least SOME credit for it.
Steve Said,
January 25, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
I’d just like to say that Kenyon Martin has been as egotistical and overrated as any player has been in the past decade. The only two things consistent about his game are that he is riddled with injuries and that he can’t play without a great point guard to boost his stats. The three first round draft picks they got for him were a steal.
For anyone who thinks that the Hornets don’t have a legitimate shot in the playoffs should consider that Phoenix has the worst record against other teams in the western conference top 5 (records) this includes two losses to the aforementioned Hornets and two to the Lakers (with Bynum). While Steve Nash is undoubtedly a great point guard, he has not lead a team to the NBA finals. Dallas was only able to do that after Nash left and his spot was filled by Jason Terry. In essence, if anyone chooses to call Phoenix a championship contender, they had also better consider NO a contender, as last years’ regular season rivalry between GSW and DAL demonstrated; when you have a team’s number you can even beat them without home-court advantage.
As far as Byron Scott is concerned… He has been a great coach. Sure he has been handed two of the best point guards of the 21st century, but it takes a great coach to be able to take both teams to the top of their respective conferences, something very few coaches have been able to do (Phil Jackson and Pat Riley are the only recent ones that come to mind). It takes a great coach to get your team to play together well enough to get to .500 let alone lead the conference. Maybe someday Paul will be allotted the chance to be a player/coach, although doubtful, it would be the only way to prove who is the greatest source of the Hornets success.
Finally, the only criticism I have about the article is that Peja was not lured from Sacramento but rather Indiana, opting out after the Artest deal.
craig beckerman Said,
January 25, 2008 @ 3:43 pm
great article eddie i agree with everything you said my only question is
when is felton going to become the third of the trio to recognize his potential and become what everyone thought he could be when he came out? i had wished and hoped that trey johnson could have made the team jackson state players have a history of success in the league. one reason i believe theyre successful is they really believe hard working players such as ryan bowen, west , butler, chandler and ely have a place in the league.looking forward to your next article, thank you for posting on hoopshype
Paul Said,
January 25, 2008 @ 4:00 pm
kingsblade, I didn’t get defensive about what you said. That’s how you chose to interpret what I wrote.
Kingsblade Said,
January 25, 2008 @ 4:52 pm
Paul:
“I never said K-Mart was a great inside scoring threat”
This is you acting defensively. In fact, this is pretty much the perfect example of a defensive statement.
Eddie Said,
January 26, 2008 @ 8:59 am
you’re arguing with a fake eddie, isn’t it f*cking obvious?
DJHOTT Said,
January 26, 2008 @ 9:58 am
hornets are this years mavs
they have 4 good players paul,chandler,west,stojakovic
making a matchup with the lakers a kobe average 35ppg to win
julian wright is weak
the hornets and portland are just capitizing on the other west teams being out of sync and fatigued
are u saying you think the hornets can beat denver in 7?
i dont it, i dont know if its their jerseys or what but i cant watch a whole hornets game, even tho i love chris paul. respect tyson chandler
david west is undersized but a monster getting like 19&9
stojakovic is like the easiest person to guard in the nba
the hornets deserve all the regular season accolades, dont get me wrong
but lets wait till the post season
Junior Said,
January 26, 2008 @ 10:23 am
chris paul is the truth on everything b
Michael Bennett Said,
January 26, 2008 @ 10:34 am
BullsNut — I’m a Chicago Bulls fan, too. We won’t get into a pissing contest as to who’s the bigger fan, but NO!!! The Bulls don’t have a chance against the Celtics or Pistons in a 7 game series. Not THIS year. I was at EVERY Playoff game last year — Yes, I traveled to Detroit and Miami. And, the Pistons toyed with the Bulls.
The Celtics are a really good team — Think about their intensity NOW, and then imagine Kevin Garnett in the Playoffs… smelling a ring… He’s going to play out of his mind.
And, Kingsblade — I said “they aren’t built for seven game series against other great teams (S.A., Phoenix, Dallas, Utah)” and “the Hornets aren’t built for the Playoffs… YET”… in reference to the elite teams of the West. They might win ONE series. But, the second round will bring one of those four teams. And, judging off of the players on those teams, I don’t think the Hornets can beat them. Is that a big enough “why” for you? If you really want me to elaborate, I will… painstakingly.
Kingsblade Said,
January 26, 2008 @ 11:05 am
Let me see if I have it right, what you are trying to say is that they are not yet ready to compete with the top teams in the playoffs, not “they aren’t built for the playoffs.”
The two are very different statements in their implications which is why I think people are confused about your comment earlier. This version is easier to agree with.
Michael Bennett Said,
January 26, 2008 @ 11:29 am
People aren’t confused — YOU were confused.
I know it’s such a tough thing to agree with me…
Kingsblade Said,
January 26, 2008 @ 1:00 pm
Read back. There was definitely more than just me who asked you what you meant by that. (Bullsnuts and Eddie both commented on the same thing) Try saying what you actually mean…or do you actually think that the two statements are the same?
It’s only tough to agree with you when DON’T SAY WHAT YOU MEAN. I agree with the second statement but not the first…is that so hard to understand? You seem to pride yourself on your wordplay yet you cannot differentiate between these concepts?
A team not yet ready to compete with the best in the playoffs has maturing and developing to do…a team not built for the playoffs will never compete without a roster overhaul because they do not have the right kind of personnel.
Man you are one abrasive guy.
Kingsblade Said,
January 26, 2008 @ 1:02 pm
…and how could anyone alive possibly have understood what you meant when you said something entirely different??????
Brian Boitono Said,
January 26, 2008 @ 3:37 pm
clearly what the hornets need is a low post presence such as greg ostertag
BullsNut Said,
January 26, 2008 @ 11:05 pm
Michael Bennett:
I wake up in the morning and think about Bulls basketball, I go to bed at night and think about Bulls basketball. I get mad when the Bulls are not playing a game on a given night why. I sometimes have trouble sleeping at night because I am anxious for the next Bulls game.
I tear up or go into an amazing state of mind watching the introdoction, two minutes prior to national anthem. Of course the damn starting lineup entertainment is amazing. When the United Center plays the one and only signature Gary Glitter fist -pumping ‘Hey!’ song after an intense game-changing moment, now that’s as good as one on one with the lady and my lady is smoking hot.
Now let me tell you this Michael, if I had the loot for season tickets there is no question that I would be there for each and every preseason game, regular season game and if fortunate enough post season game. I did make it to three playoff games last season. I wish that I could travel with the team for every away game. I sometimes wonder how many Bulls fans are actually like me. Maybe I am the only one, not to sound conceeded.
Let’s get this one tomorrow against the suns! Let’s see who the real nash is (Kirk), nah we wish…
Sitting pretty one day courtside in my full blown bulls costume. You just wait and see. Peace!
threeeeeeeee
Michael Bennett Said,
January 26, 2008 @ 11:38 pm
I don’t know whether to give you cheers or call the mental institution.
I guess that’s why it’s fun being a Bulls fan… I mean, Bulls nut.
Good times!
BullsNut Said,
January 27, 2008 @ 12:19 am
It’s good craziness. You know how special it is to be a loyal bulls fan. I’m trying to go to the game tomorrow because ABC is not televising the Bulls game for whatever horrible reason. Bring on the ‘Hey.’ !!
Anyway how about them hornets sorry Eddie for going on and on about my sad team that WILL WIN tomorrow.
Rashidi Said,
January 27, 2008 @ 1:19 am
Chris Paul right now is up there with LeBron and Nash. The team is in their hands for better or worse (mostly better).
Petro Said,
January 27, 2008 @ 2:35 am
What’s better; Eddie’s blog or Eddie’s comments?
Kingsblade Said,
January 27, 2008 @ 12:01 pm
Bullsnut:
Are you sure you aren’t actually a Raiders fan?
BRockin25 Said,
January 27, 2008 @ 4:54 pm
Eddie, I like how you used this article as a not so subtle means of expressing why you would be a good assistant/head coach in the NBA. Nice try but Hoophype blog readers cant give you the job you want.
Michael Bennett Said,
January 27, 2008 @ 9:41 pm
Today was proof that everyone thinks Kobe is the “best player on the planet” because broadcasters like Mark Jackson tells you he is. You hear it enough times and, like IDIOCRACY, you start to regurgitate it.
The fact is that in head-to-head match-ups this year, LeBron destroys Kobe (especially on defense). And, LeBron is, by far, the “best player on the planet”.
BullsNut Said,
January 28, 2008 @ 11:03 am
I was right about the not so victorious Bulls yesterday. Man, what a waste of money going to game sitting pretty. The suns never looked so bad as the Bulls looked like themselves (at least this season’s ’selves’). Oh well.
BullsNut Said,
January 28, 2008 @ 1:26 pm
Kingsblade:
If you are trying to say that there are others like me, then I can honestly say I feel a little better knowing the passion is wide-spread.
BullsNut Said,
January 28, 2008 @ 1:27 pm
…Also it is a little easier to dress up for football game rather than a basketball game…
BullsNut Said,
January 28, 2008 @ 1:28 pm
…Also it is a little easier to dress up for football game rather than a basketball game…but I see what you are saying I think.
eddie Said,
January 28, 2008 @ 8:04 pm
BRockin25
Are you joking? Trust me i love what i do already. I could have tried coaching 7 years ago.
Kingsblade Said,
January 29, 2008 @ 12:27 am
lol…At least you love your team. I have to admit though that you are the first person I have ever encountered who felt good about being compared to a Raider fan.
Funny thing for me…even though I played competitive basketball my whole life the team that I live and die by (figuratively speaking)is a hockey team. I even live in the wrong city, so if it were not for my size I would very literally be subject to weekly fisticuffs for wearing my Edmonton Oilers hat. (Yes i said fisticuffs…I just like the ways it sounds when you say it.)
David Said,
January 29, 2008 @ 7:43 pm
Eddie bashes Noah, a rookie on a losing team, and there are over 300 responses.
Then he writes about the hottest team in the NBA (who just thrashed my Spurs) and…43 (now 44)
What gives?
KOLY TENGUELA Said,
January 30, 2008 @ 3:37 am
David,
No surprise to me here. People react when they feel something’s wrong either with a team, a player or someone’s opinion not when everything is ok.
As a spurs fan, you should know and be accustomed to that. The spurs organisation does everything pretty much right and their star player Tim duncan also but no one talk about them. People and medias talk about my beloved knickerbockers who does everything bad (Thanks Layden and Thomas) and Stephon Marbury.
Everyone know Byron Scott is doing a good job with the Hornets and Chris Paul is great, there’s nothing to argue.You could argue which one is the most influential, but that’s just nitpicking.
Maybe it’s not fair but last time i check life is not and has never been about fairness.
David Said,
January 30, 2008 @ 10:49 am
Funny, when I posted my “comment” it was #44. Koly T should be #45, yet the counter reads “55″. Methinks something not right here.
David Said,
January 30, 2008 @ 10:50 am
Koly T,, btw I went to the Spurs/Knicks game and was totally impressed with Jamal Crawford. He can play!!
eddie Said,
January 30, 2008 @ 2:12 pm
The Hornets just did not beat the Spurs—They bullied them big time. I guess i will have to start my annual Spur Article and why they will not repeat again.
David Said,
January 30, 2008 @ 5:20 pm
Yeah, Eddie, great timing…just like last year (which was when I started reading this stuff). It was when the Spurs went 4-4 on their Rodeo Road Trip and you preached the offense more important than defense, Spurs too old …ain’t what finally happened though.
Maybe now you see just how important Tony P is to this team (esp his penetration) and the HUGE mistake the Spurs made by getting rid of Beno…
Good luck tomorrow nite….we’re gonna need it lol
eddie Said,
January 30, 2008 @ 7:08 pm
David
This is not the same team as last year even with Parker Healthy. They have no bench and they are tired. The Spurs have never won back to back and they will not this year either.
I still respect them, but they are on smoke and mirrors.
JJ Mitchell Said,
January 31, 2008 @ 12:50 am
While you are criticizing the Spurs, Eddie, why don’t you also bash the Patriots, who’ve managed to not win the Super Bowl in 5 of the last 8 seasons! What a terrible Team! And then you could write an article about how Roger Federer choked at the Australian Open this year because (I guess) he’s so over-rated!
You are the biggest Phoenix Suns homer ever.
JJ Mitchell Said,
January 31, 2008 @ 12:52 am
Losing to the Hornets is nothing compared to losing to the Timberwolves– twice.
Michael Bennett Said,
January 31, 2008 @ 9:51 am
Eddie — I have an idea for your next article. You should call it:
MICHAEL BENNETT WAS RIGHT ABOUT LEBRON
And, you could talk all about how LeBron is playing at a higher level than anyone else in the league and how, by far, he’s the best player in the game.
David Said,
January 31, 2008 @ 10:26 am
Eddie, I disagree somewhat — adding Ime Udoka and having Matt Bonner with another year under his belt could help. The problem is that other teams have improved immensely, especially New Orleans and Portland (and even the Lakers — how about all of Kobe’s crying now back this summer?)
I still think whomever faces the Spurs in the 1st round will wish they were playing trhe Mavs instead…lol
BullsNut Said,
January 31, 2008 @ 3:55 pm
Bulls
bballer Said,
February 1, 2008 @ 12:28 am
the spurs made a mistake by dropping darius washington and williams. those two young guys, given the time, would have developed into solid role players for the spurs. bonner and udoka are great additions. but the end is near for horry, elson, barry finley and vaughan. oberto has only one useful year left in him. mahinimi and splitter are good additions. but that is for next year.
it is like when the spurs had to get rid of mohammed and rasho to get more athletic. the same goes for the before mentioned players. the spurs need an athletic starting sg and floor general who can score coming off the bench. stoudemire is a good stop gap. the spurs should and will draft a sg next year. a retooled spurs is 3 years away from winning again.
BRockin25 Said,
February 1, 2008 @ 12:45 pm
Eddie yeah I was joking.
On another note, you should do your Spurs article and watch them repeat. And Im a Wizards fan.
The Spurs are fine. With your NBA experience, you know that titles arent won in the regular season. The Spurs need a favorable early round matchup (Nuggets, Jazz,etc.) to keep Duncan fresh for later rounds. If they get it, theyll be straight.
BRockin25 Said,
February 1, 2008 @ 12:51 pm
Off what bballer said, Ive liked plenty of backup 1 guards that the Spurs have dropped. Washington, Udrih, etc. But I guess they know something I dont.
KOLY TENGUELA Said,
February 1, 2008 @ 7:22 pm
bballer,
the spur’s mistake was not to drop Washington and Williams but to get rid of Udrih and not pay Scola’s buyout. I would take Udrih-Scola everyday over Washington-Williams. Reportedly for Scola, it was for financial reasons because the owner was reluctant to pay the luxury tax and for Udrih, they did not really have a choice since he was in Pop’s doghouse for 2 years now. Also, you should notice that all the guys that you are talking about ( horry, elson, barry ,finley ) are in the last year of their contracts which will give the team enough money for signing valuable role players. What they need with the Big Boring commanding double teams and being an excellent passer out of them is guys who can make three’s like James Jones for example. They also got a steal in the draft with Splitter who will have his struggles as a rookie but is in my opinion already a better player than Varejao who’s a very good, serviceable big man.
I don’t think they will repeat ( i hope they won’t lol) but ultimately as long that Duncan’s decline don’t began, the spurs will be a contender no matter the pieces around him.
KOLY TENGUELA Said,
February 1, 2008 @ 7:47 pm
Gasol to the Lakers, wow. Chris Wallace has done a very poor job when he was in charge with the celtics and he seems to be on the way for doing the same in memphis. If they can’t land someone like Elton Brand with the money they will have, this trade is a disaster. Kwame’s kwame, Crittenton will be a good player but they already have Conley and Lowry, so the only thing i like are the first round picks and they probably will be low first picks.I am waiting to see how all that will play out but i am on my way for putting him in the “worst gms in the league” club alongside Billy Knight, Michael Jordan and Isiah Thomas ( can’t wait for him being fired by James “i don’t know what to do with dad’s money” Dolan).
Also, i am still in shock that Baron Davis is not an all star.
Michael Bennett Said,
February 1, 2008 @ 8:05 pm
Eddie — Can you please write your next article about the Lakers and your opinion as to what Gasol’s addition means to them?
Then, I’ll kindly rebut.
PS — Are you hanging out with all the Super Bowl celebs in town? Are you going to the game? Have fun this weekend. Man, I miss Oregano’s Pizza…
Michael kukich Said,
February 1, 2008 @ 8:16 pm
Lets go Eddie! Time to talk about the new Laker dynasty with 7′-1″ Pau Gasol being traded to play alongside center phenom Andrew Bynum & natural SF 6′-10″ Lamar Odom. Also could you offer your opinion on how, with Marc Iavaroni’s ties to Phoenix and the Suns DESPERATE for a 7′-0″ post presence, Kerr allowed Gasol to end up in L.A. for basically nothing more than an expiring contract? Those two 1st round picks will be at the end of the round and Crittenton, unless he is the second coming of Kobe, is still nothing more than a rookie guard. Thanks!
KOLY TENGUELA Said,
February 1, 2008 @ 10:08 pm
For the Lakers, this trade give them 4 all star level players ( Kobe, Odom, Gasol, Bynum) any given night that you have to add to an unbelievably deep bench all that directed by maybe the best coach ever with Phil Jackson . I have no doubt that he is going to make gasol’s low post move mesh very well with what the team is alredy doing which will only make Kobe even more dangerous. With that trade, the Lakers goes past the suns in my top 3 team who can win the west alongside the mavericks and the spurs.
I can’t believe that this year, the finals could very well be Celtics-Lakers ( by the way, it could also be spurs-pistons, which will be a lot less fun).
Michael kukich Said,
February 6, 2008 @ 12:56 pm
Good idea Eddie, lets wait until shaq comes to Phoenix before you write another column! so what do you think? Is Shaq’s injury a phantom injury designed to keep Shaq healthy for a trade?
djhott Said,
February 7, 2008 @ 8:33 am
alot of wack experts are saying shaq is too slow for phoenix ball?
not he is a perfect compliment.
they can still go with amare at 5 diaw at 4 ghill at 3, with shaq either injuuried or off the bench, but he will start and shine
EDDIE JOHNSON WAS BOLD BUT I COULDNT AGREE WITH U MORE ON YOUR ESPN LOOK ON THE SUNS GETTING SHAQ.
nkjkjsmk Said,
May 30, 2008 @ 8:21 am
nkjkjsmk…
nkjkjsmk…
Sean Paul Entertainment Said,
June 10, 2008 @ 12:51 am
Sean Paul Entertainment…
…
Mp3 Players Music Notes Songs Said,
June 18, 2008 @ 12:10 am
Mp3 Players Music Notes Songs…
I didn’t agree with you first, but last paragraph makes sense for me…