The thread of the 2008-2009 NBA Season

[molson]

I promised myself I wouldn't follow the league anymore unless they aggressively addressed the referee situation. And they've done nothing, which I can't blame them for, because everybody's giving them a pass on the fact that there were rigged games and no real assurances that it isn't still happening.

Donaghy implicated other refs and the league as a whole, and though he's a criminal, it's necessarily true that only criminals have the best real dirt (i.e. Jose Canseco).

Ah well, I'm still into the Celtics, who didn't lose enough last year to ever be made upset by refs.

[Karlifornia]

God, the Blazers really laid an egg in the first half. They're still in it, only down 15. I get the feeling they'll make a run to get it with a couple of baskets, and then fade down the stretch. LA plays tough defense.

[Lathum]

I am more juiced for the start of the NBA then I have been in a long time.

[stevew]

I see we're back to LeBrick again. Way to split the free throws every time.

(i listened to most of the radio broadcast)
The cavs sounded like the team I want them to be in the first half, and then promptly(as per usual) laid a big fuckin egg in the 3rd quarter. Yes, the Boston defense is impressive. But Mike Brown has got to be able to make better adjustments in order to play winning basketball. It's an ongoing thing with that guy, I don't think he's an NBA calibre head coach. And he needs to be replaced sooner than later.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by stevew

I see we're back to LeBrick again. Way to split the free throws every time.

(i listened to most of the radio broadcast)
The cavs sounded like the team I want them to be in the first half, and then promptly(as per usual) laid a big fuckin egg in the 3rd quarter. Yes, the Boston defense is impressive. But Mike Brown has got to be able to make better adjustments in order to play winning basketball. It's an ongoing thing with that guy, I don't think he's an NBA calibre head coach. And he needs to be replaced sooner than later.

As I've said before, Mike Brown would make a good Defensive Coordinator-type coach, but I don't think he's a head coach. This Cavs offense just sucks ass.

I just don't understand how we can have all these guys that could shoot pre-Cleveland throw on a Cavs jersey and suddenly not be able to hit the side of a barn. It's not because they suck all of a sudden, it's because the offense isn't getting these guys the shots they need.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

God, the Blazers really laid an egg in the first half. They're still in it, only down 15. I get the feeling they'll make a run to get it with a couple of baskets, and then fade down the stretch. LA plays tough defense.

I hope Oden's injury isn't too severe.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

As I've said before, Mike Brown would make a good Defensive Coordinator-type coach, but I don't think he's a head coach. This Cavs offense just sucks ass.

I just don't understand how we can have all these guys that could shoot pre-Cleveland throw on a Cavs jersey and suddenly not be able to hit the side of a barn. It's not because they suck all of a sudden, it's because the offense isn't getting these guys the shots they need.

I don't think he's competent enough to put the lid back on the toothpaste after he's done. The guy's just a fuckin loser, and needs to go. I'm sure they'll finally figure out that he was the main source of our problems when they announce the first post-LeBron head coach in Cleveland. Circa 2010.

I do think this Mo thing is going to work out tho...Brown was mostly playing the right guys(finally) and showed a lot of Bron at the 4. I mean, that needed to happen. But we're still giving Pavs some run? C'mon. Or at worst, bench Wally ding dong and play Pavs. Regardless both aren't winning players. And neither is Ben Wallace anymore. But of course, they managed to ship out Joe Smith. Who i'd take every day of the week as the starting PF over Big Ben.

[stevew]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

I hope Oden's injury isn't too severe.

They must be uploading the Bowie 2.0 update over there. I hope he gets back, though. Dude was fun to watch in college, and I think he's going to be an absolute beast(if he can stay healthy).

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by stevew

And neither is Ben Wallace anymore. But of course, they managed to ship out Joe Smith. Who i'd take every day of the week as the starting PF over Big Ben.

I'm sure "Big Ben" must have a starters clause in his contract or something, because he has been dead weight now for 2 years. He adds absolutely NOTHING to the team. I'd rather see Varejao starting with Hickson coming off the bench.

I hope MoWill does work out for us. I really wasn't a fan of his at Milwaukee, but I like him at the two spot much more than the one even though it does leave us a little short in the backcourt. West at 6'3 can maybe much up with the smaller SGs, but I think this is why Pav needs to see minutes - even if he doesn't give us much at all. This is the main reason why I thought we were going to try and nab a guy like CDR or Brandon Rush in the draft.

[Karlifornia]

Originally Posted by Lathum

I am more juiced for the start of the NBA then I have been in a long time.

Who's your team?

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Who's your team?

the Nets.

but it is more a product of alot of good young players and the fact that I live on the west coast now and can watch some games before my wife gets home.

[Karlifornia]

Originally Posted by Lathum

the Nets.

but it is more a product of alot of good young players and the fact that I live on the west coast now and can watch some games before my wife gets home.

Ah..I'll be following the Nets a bit, with Brook Lopez and Ryan Anderson being on the team. I like the moves that they've made. They may need some time to gel. Do you like Lawrence Frank?

[jeheinz72]

Agreed, I'm pulling for the Nets as my Eastern Conf. team. Go Bay Area College Products!

[Lathum]

Originally Posted by Karlifornia

Ah..I'll be following the Nets a bit, with Brook Lopez and Ryan Anderson being on the team. I like the moves that they've made. They may need some time to gel. Do you like Lawrence Frank?

I'm iffy on Frank. When he took over they played well for him but the last few years has been up and down. I think he could be good for this team since he is a young guy and the Nets have a ton of young players, but they need to play for him this season or a change may be needed.

[Lathum]

dola- I loved getting Lopez with the 10th overall pick

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Lathum

dola- I loved getting Lopez with the 10th overall pick

I still can't believe the Bobcats didn't grab him.

[Lathum]

I am already sick of that NBA commercial with the piano music.

[MrBug708]

Lakers have looked good in their first two games

[Icy]

I'm also way more exicint about the NBA this year with all the Spanish players there, specially Rudy that i think will be a good contender for the ROY.

[Neon_Chaos]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Lakers have looked good in their first two games

[jeheinz72]

Rough one for the Dubs last night. Gave New Orleans a good a run, but too many easy buckets allowed, poor FT shooting and bad crunch time decisions cost them...again.

[albionmoonlight]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Lakers have looked good in their first two games

Last year's finals made people forget just how good the Lakers are. I have a sense that Kobe knows that this is his last best chance to have one of those career defining seasons. And he has the horses on the team to do it.

[MikeVic]

Nice to see the Raps get so badly out-rebounded. They won, but they have to improve there still. Dalembert with 17 boards?

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Last year's finals made people forget just how good the Lakers are. I have a sense that Kobe knows that this is his last best chance to have one of those career defining seasons. And he has the horses on the team to do it.

Indeed. Also, Farmar looks improved, and then of course there is that big Bynum guy in the middle. Dangerous team. I don't see anyone but the Lakers coming out of the West.

In the East it should be the Celtics again as well, but it remains to be seen how the loss of some bench depth will affect them.

[DeToxRox]

My hopes aren't high but the Pistons looked okay last night. I like that Curry is using a deep bench this season. Stuck, Maxiell, Dyess, Afflalo and Hermann off the bench is solid. I still wish we dealt Tay but he looked more aggressive with the ball last night which was something Curry has beaten into him all offseason. If he can become a consistent scorer Detroit can go places, but I am doubtful of it because he is so passive with the ball.

[sterlingice]

Rockets with a nice showing last night

SI

[MrBug708]

Clips are so bad

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by MrBug708

Clips are so bad

Shush.

[MrBug708]

Dont worry Chief, I know it's hip to Clip

[mckerney]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

Shush.

And it looks like you won't be getting your first rounder in 2009...

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by mckerney

And it looks like you won't be getting your first rounder in 2009...

lol...I'll wait until 2012 at this point. I would rather have the high pick than to get some Minnesota mid-first castoff three years sooner.

[Coffee Warlord]

Hinrich is out 3 months with a torn thumb ligament, requiring surgery.

Lot of people have been down on the guy, but he's still a very good defensive player with at least a bit of offensive ability.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Coffee Warlord

Hinrich is out 3 months with a torn thumb ligament, requiring surgery.

Lot of people have been down on the guy, but he's still a very good defensive player with at least a bit of offensive ability.

I've been a big fan of his since his Kansas days. The biggest problem with him in Chicago is that the Bulls simply have too many jump shooters and not enough slashers and post players, so Hinrich adds to a glut.

Having said that, Rose looks good thus far (especially if he finds a jump shot) with his penetration ability, and that's really going to help Deng, Gordon and, when healthy, Hinrich get open shots on the perimeter, especially once defenses start concentrating on closing down on Rose's penetration by crowding the key.

All the Bulls need is a post player like Aldridge.

Tyrus "Failboat" Thomas, outside of 1 or 2 highlight reel plays a week, is horrible. I'd honestly be playing Aaron Gray 35 minutes a game over Tyrus. At least Gray has size, hustles, and can score from the low block.

[Coffee Warlord]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

All the Bulls need is a post player like Aldridge.

Tyrus "Failboat" Thomas, outside of 1 or 2 highlight reel plays a week, is horrible. I'd honestly be playing Aaron Gray 35 minutes a game over Tyrus. At least Gray has size, hustles, and can score from the low block.

I look at Aldridge and wonder "what if" alllll the freakin' time. Sigh. Hell, I'm still bitter over the Elton Brand trade after all these years.

And if Gray had the stamina to PLAY that long, I think he might be. Though he's got some work to do on the defensive end.

[MrBug708]

Lakers are playing well since the end of the first quarter

[larrymcg421]

Love to see how well Tony Allen is playing. Looks like he's finally fully recovered from his stupid injury.

[MrBug708]

Good game for the Lakers..put in almost 90 in the last three quarters of play

[Chief Rum]

CLIPPERS!!!











That is all. Nothing else to see here.

[Groundhog]

Originally Posted by Chief Rum

CLIPPERS!!!











That is all. Nothing else to see here.

Are you referring to your post, or the rest of the Clippers' season?

[Chief Rum]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

Are you referring to your post, or the rest of the Clippers' season?

Ouch! If I didn't like Aussies, I would slap you around some.

I still have hope, but let's say this season hasn't exactly started as well as I had hoped.

[weegeebored]

Originally Posted by Groundhog

I've been a big fan of his since his Kansas days. The biggest problem with him in Chicago is that the Bulls simply have too many jump shooters and not enough slashers and post players, so Hinrich adds to a glut.

Having said that, Rose looks good thus far (especially if he finds a jump shot) with his penetration ability, and that's really going to help Deng, Gordon and, when healthy, Hinrich get open shots on the perimeter, especially once defenses start concentrating on closing down on Rose's penetration by crowding the key.

All the Bulls need is a post player like Aldridge.

Tyrus "Failboat" Thomas, outside of 1 or 2 highlight reel plays a week, is horrible. I'd honestly be playing Aaron Gray 35 minutes a game over Tyrus. At least Gray has size, hustles, and can score from the low block.

I don't understand why Bulls fans aren't screaming for John Paxon's head! Now that Isaiah Thomas and Elgin Baylor are no longer GMs, Pax is the worst GM in the NBA. (Well, maybe 2nd worst. I forgot about McHale.) His draft history, trades, free agent signings (and lack thereof), and contract extensions are proof. (Neither Hinrich nor Deng -- especially Deng -- deserve the money that they got for being average NBA players.)

And when guys like Hinrich, Gordon, Thomas, and Deng still had some trade value he refused to trade them based on their "potential". (I forget which coach/AD/GM said this years ago but it was something like "Potential is a French word which means you ain't done nothin' yet.") So he essentially was forced to re-sign them (Deng and Gordon) or let them go and get nothing.

I stand by my prediction that the Bulls will not win 40 games this year. However, I think that I was wrong about Derrick Rose after seeing him play some NBA games. The kid does have skills. I just hope he can make a few jumpers (but not turn into a jump shooter) just to keep the defense from sagging.

[Sublime 2]

Originally Posted by larrymcg421

Love to see how well Tony Allen is playing. Looks like he's finally fully recovered from his stupid injury.

Yep, really a great game for TA. Big Baby played well too. It seems that someone from the bench is always stepping up; Powe, Baby, TA, or House. Don't get me wrong I miss Poz, but I'm glad we didn't re-sign him for the money/years he wanted. Is the bench weaker, absolutely; but not as weak as many have thought it would be.

[DaddyTorgo]

C's bench will be fine.

A year of experience under Big Baby's belt is going to pay off quite nicely - also a year of conditioning. Powe just needs to continue to be the "hustle" guy and the defender that he is and chip in with 6pts and some boards. Allen is looking better, and House is House. Will be interesting to see how the younger guys perform at some point too, although I guess we don't foresee them getting too many minutes.

edit: the thing that Posey provided was I guess, a higher-level hybrid of Allen/House if you want to call it that. A great hustling defender who could spot up and hit the shots when it mattered. So in effect by losing him, they lose the ability to have one player fulfill both of those roles.

[Neon_Chaos]

[DaddyTorgo]

I think the whole "buyout and then the guy can resign with his old team" thing is bullshit. Even if it were to benefit my team I'd think it was sneaky and crappy.

IMO it ought to be that if you're bought out you can't resign with any team that you have played with within the last 12 months, for a period of 6 months.

So if one team dealt you on 11/15/08 and then the second team bought you out on 11/20/08 you couldn't resign with the first team till 5/15/09 and the second team till 5/20/09. But if the first team just straight bought you out on 11/15/08 you couldn't resign with them till 5/15/09 either.

Lil bit longer than the stupid 30-days as it currently exists, but really I think it's a much better rule this way. Avoids all these sorts of "backroom wink" kind of aspects to it.

[stevew]

Yeah, i posted similar thoughts in the other trade thread. It's disgraceful. Basically I don't think you should be able to re-sign with the former club at any point in the current season.

[albionmoonlight]

Devil's Advocate here.

I am sure that McDyess did not sign anything binding with Detroit and he could, if another team made him a really good over over the next 30 days, take it.

And why should he not be allowed to live in a city and work for an employer where he clearly has a level of comfort? If I were the players union, I would certainly object to any rule that says that if team X cuts you, then you cannot sign with team Y. Freedom of movement is important.

All that said, we all know what happened here, and I agree that it operates as a skeezy workaround to the NBA's salary cap.

[MrBug708]

Originally Posted by stevew

Yeah, i posted similar thoughts in the other trade thread. It's disgraceful. Basically I don't think you should be able to re-sign with the former club at any point in the current season.

The Brent Barry clause?

[Pumpy Tudors]

Originally Posted by albionmoonlight

Devil's Advocate here.

I am sure that McDyess did not sign anything binding with Detroit and he could, if another team made him a really good over over the next 30 days, take it.

And why should he not be allowed to live in a city and work for an employer where he clearly has a level of comfort? If I were the players union, I would certainly object to any rule that says that if team X cuts you, then you cannot sign with team Y. Freedom of movement is important.

How about if a team wants to keep a player, they don't trade him away in the first place?

[MrBug708]

Awesome Dallas-Lakers game