The Hoop and The Harm

JA Adande of the LA Times has some very good insight about the blockbuster deal that is bringing Shaq back to the west coast. How will this, coupled with Pau Gasol’s recent relocation, change the western conference? I think the most direct effect of these two trades will be that the playoffs will feature far less of the run and gun action that made last year’s so much fun to watch. Add Chris Webber to the mix of new west coast big men, and all the running teams are showing signs of slowing down. Luckily for teams like the Blazers and Hornets that have the future in mind, and not the present, all three new bigs may not be factors beyond this season or next. It is safe to say that Andrew Bynum is the Lakers center of the future and who really knows how many years Shaq has left.

Pau Gasol has been dealt to the Lakers. That one came out of left field. Details here.

First of all, the idea of Pau and Kobe together is awesome…. But I’m just so confused by how much the Lakers gave up for Pau. I get it, a bunch of no names and draft picks, doesn’t affect the core group, but is this year’s Pau really worth Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, guard Aaron McKie, the rights to Gasol’s brother Marc, and first-round draft picks in 2008 and 2010. I don’t think so.

Pau is an all-star caliber player, and his play should be rejuvenated by this trade, but then what? Bynum comes back and then what? Where does Odom fit in with those two? Can all of these personalities co-exist with Kobe?

From the Grizz’s perspective, this deal makes perfect sense relieve cap space. Clearly, they need to re-build and that wouldn’t have happened with Pau there. It’s always a little sad to see a team trade away there franchise and admit to re-building. Right now Mike Miller is making his emo face. Sad.

I want Pau to work in L.A. really I do, outside of the immediate future, I’m just not sure that it will. All in all, it’s really not a bad deal for both teams RIGHT NOW, but in the long run the Lakers will regret this, the laundry list they gave up for the Spaniard was overkill. Just don’t he’s worth it. Is there a morning after pill for trades?

I thought i’d knock it up a notch this week with a few video clips. BAM!

First we’ve got Steve Nash looking for Robert Horry……

Yeah, I don’t get it either.

Next, we’ve got Kobe unveiling his “passion bucket” on TNT.

How did Cheryl Miller keep from laughing in his face?

Honorable Mention: this guy and this guy

Yesterday on Full Court Press, they were discussing their top 12 players in each conference THIS YEAR. Not to be outdone and because their lists sucked, I have decided to throw my two cents in. This is not an actual all-star team list, as I’m not basing it on picking a team or by position or any of that bogus nonsense. That would make too much sense. This is just a straightforward list of my top 12 players in each conference so far THIS YEAR. Let’s start with the east.

In no particular order:

Bron Bron
D-Wade
Jermaine O’neal
KG
Paul Pierce
Chauncey Billups
Michael Redd
G-Force
Dwight Howard
Caron Butler
Jason Kidd
Joe Johnson

And now the West. Again, in no particular order:

Nash
Kobe
Chris Paul
Dirk
Tim Duncan
A.I.
Melo
Yao Ming
Amare
Baron Davis
Deron Williams
Chris Kaman

I know there’s a few left off that have deserved it in years past(I’m lookin at you T-Mac), but they just haven’t really done it for me this year. Injuries also played a part in this(Did Arenas retire?) So, there you have it. I’ll compare this to the actual all-star roster when it’s announced. Should be interesting to see what top players are left off because of their position.

Links from the past few days you may have missed.

• DJ Mbenga to the rescue
• Presidential race ‘08: NBA Edition
• NBA Nicknames
• Starbury hates a sale, could be done with Knicks
• This just in……. Ronnie A is grade A insane, feeds dogs before kids
• Pacers need to handle their business….
• Slam dunk contestants announced……. G-Force gets snubbed, was not available for comment.
• “Revenge is a dish best served cold”-Anthony Johnson

Last night’s game against the Suns was not out of reach. Not super close, but anythings possible……. right?  Wrong.  Lakers fans were left thinking what could have been if Bynum had played. I know I was. Kwame Brown was an embarrassment at the 5 spot, and the fans let him know it. To make matters worse, it was a nationally televised game.  A word of advice Laker fans, do yourselves a favor and skip the next two months.

I know you’ve all been giddy with excitement, so here it is: the first Hoop and Harm of the Week winner of 2008.

This week, the Hypothetical Trophy goes to the Lakers’ Trevor Ariza, who defies gravity -and defiles Grant Hill - to start the year off in style (Play #4 on NBATV’s Top Ten Plays of the Week.)

A belated Happy New Year to all of our readers, as well as to the NBA players who make you and I come to this site in the first place. As for Yao Ming and Yi Jianlian, I suppose it would be a preemptive Happy New Year to you.

Short shorts? I mean, c’mon! Andrew whynum? Act like you got some sense!

courtesy of nba.com

If the 40 plus points and the acrobatic moves are not enough to convince you that Kobe should be sought after by every team in the NBA, I challenge you to sit down and watch a Lakers game from start to finish. If you don’t agree with me after that I welcome your criticism and replies.

Kobe is everywhere on the court always making his team better. He is the best defender never to win defensive player of the year. Usually overlooked by the scoring Kobe has lightning quick hands and tips more balls than I can remember seeing. He is in on every play offensively as well. Just his presence on the court makes the defense scared automatically making his team better.

I don’t want to just go on and on about everything I like about Kobe. I want you to watch a complete game see for your self and if you disagree I welcome a debate. I can be reached at hoopsbrendan@yahoo.com

Brendan Howe

Apparently, Jerry Buss is still willing to wheel and deal with his superstar player. Story here.