With the trade deadline passed, the playoff picture becoming increasingly more clear, and March Madness fast approaching, I feel like now is as good a time as any to link this article. There are a few important games left, but they are mostly for playoff position. Most of the
A few key stats from Friday nights thriller in the Rose City. First: Final score Blazers 119 Lakers 111. Second: Roy 12 assists. This is a Laker team that has everyone talking.The Blazers, though not totally out of the playoff picture, are playing for their lives. There is some speculation that a trade is in the wings to shore up the back court for when GO arrives next season. Jarrett Jack played his best game of the season, but he is going to have to do a lot better to prove to the brass that he is a necessary part of the team’s future. The Blazers’ next game is against the Golden State Warriors and team they trail by five for the final spot in the West. This is the stretch run. The Blazers need to play their best basketball of the season to have even a chance at the post season. Friday night was a major season highlight, and a game that last year the Blazers don’t win. More games like that, and fewer games like the ones in the month of February, and its possible that the Blazers will be back in the playoffs. Its too early to get too hopeful, but it is also too early to give up.
Somebody needs to give Danny Ferry something to do. Because it looks like he’s been spending WAYYYYYYYYY too much time playing with the Trade Machine.
After hours of negotiations, Ferry pulled the trigger on a blockbuster deal that involved three teams, eleven players, and a draft pick in a drastic attempt to give LeBron a supporting cast. After all, a Cavalier who does not support the King is not really a Cavalier at all; if you don’t get it, ask someone who knows something about English History.
So what does it mean? Assuming no one ends up on the DL or in Mike Brown’s doghouse, this trade should provide a boost, but is it enough to vault them past the Celtics or the Pistons in the playoffs? Potentially, and here’s why.
- Statistically, Ben Wallace is having a down year. Age may be an issue, but let’s be honest, Wallace wasn’t the only Bull having a bad season. And being a 6′9″ center isn’t easy. Joining a team that already has a legit center in 7′3″ Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Wallace should spend most of his time at power forward, meaning that his height will no longer be an issue. Wallace is still perhaps the strongest man in the NBA, and now that he’ll be battling for boards againsts fours instead of fives, expect both his rebounding numbers (under 9 a game with Chicago) and blocked shots (1.6 bpg) to increase dramatically.
- Homecoming King? Although ‘King’ might not fly in Cleveland - I heard the nickname’s already taken - it should be a return to remember for Wally Szczerbiak. The former Miami of Ohio sharpshooter had his best years in Minnesota, thanks in no small part to Kevin Garnett. Once again alongside a superstar, Wally has a great chance to resurrect his career - he’s a 40% career three-point shooter and a former All-Star.
The Cavs also received Delonte West in the deal. West, who played in the same backcourt as Jameer Nelson when St. Joseph’s started 28-0, had been with Boston prior to this year. He was shipped to Seattle in the Ray Allen deal, but was buried on the depth chart there with both Earl Watson and Luke Ridnour also on the Sonics. He should help - on this team, how can a young point guard who can shoot from the outside NOT help?
Sure, Chicago and Seattle were involved in this trade, but they’re not heading to the playoffs this season. Cleveland, on the other hand, is trying to prove that they can play with anyone in the conference, if not the league. Remember, they are the defending conference champions, and they have the best player in the NBA who has two healthy pinkies. Will they make it back to the Finals? We don’t know yet. But we do know that lately, it has been unwise to bet against LeBron.
Kidd to Dallas is a reality. While not as shocking as other recent deals, what shocks me is what Cuban gave up.
The Mavs have now lost most of their bench and will be down to only Dampier at the 5. I’m all for rolling the dice, but really? The main core of Nowitzki, Howard, and Terry do stay intact, which on paper is awesome with Kidd now in the mix. My major concern is that now, more than ever, you need be thinking about production from your center spot and that is something Kidd will not bring you. Avery can play with lineup combos, perhaps even bring Fazekas back up, but, while somewhat sporadic, the Mavs two-headed center, just lost one head. I would be worried about that loss of production if I was Avery Johnson. Let’s hope they have one more trade or free agent signing up their sleeve to completely solidify this lineup.
I’ll say this, there is a thin line between love and hate, and Cuban is definitely walking the line with this one. He could very well be run out of town if this doesn’t pan out and the post Kidd-era ends up with J.J. Barea at the point with no rings to show for it.
But the most important thing to Mavs fans today, the Kidd is back. Everything else will be completely irrelevant if this brings a championship to Big D. That is the one thing I really do like about this deal; it shows the Mavs are serious about NOW and that more than anything should please the fans.
This article on Oregonlive asks the question that is definitely on the mind of Blazer fans and should be on the minds of all basketball fans: should Brandon Roy be a member of this year’s Western Conference All-Star Team? My answer is yes, and not just because I am a life long Blazer fan.
Brandon Roy, who won last year’s Rookie of the Year by taking all but one first place vote, is a stellar young guard. His leadership is the driving force behind the Blazers unlikely run into first place in the Northwest division. Even in today’s overtime loss to the Raptors Roy was able to come through with thirty-three points. If you look at Roy’s numbers through the first half of the season the question you have to ask isn’t why should he be on the All-Star team, but why shouldn’t he be on the All-Star team? That question, unfortunately, has a pretty easy answer.
With all the high profile guards in the Western Conference I am going to say that even though he may be very deserving, Brandon Roy will not be a member of the Western Conference All-Star team. Tracy McGrady, Kobe Bryant, Allen Iverson, Tony Parker and Steve Nash will most definitely get more fan votes than Roy, and of those who won’t be voted starters look for the rest of them to fill out the roster.
If the Blazers don’t fold, which isn’t a forgone conclusion, look for Roy next year, and LaMarcus Aldridge for that matter. Blazer fans can look forward to Roy and LA working their magic in the Rookie Sophomore game, as well as hope for the future. Even though Roy deserves to be included this year, it is very unlikely that the Blazers will get their first All-Star since Rasheed Wallace.
Happy Friday Internet! Let’s celebrate the weekend with the release of our new message boards. Aaaahhh, love that new forum smell. They are definitely still a work in progress as far as the look goes, but everything works and is all set for you hoopandharmers to post up and make your opinions heard. Feel free to drop me a line with any suggestions or leave em on the board. That is what they’re for, right? Party on!
One question surrounding the league during the run-up to the All-Star game is, what’s going on with the Blazers? How does a team go from lottery eligible to first place in one season? Even Portlanders are questioning whether this December’s run of wins is something to get excited about or just a prelude to a mid-season slump and a finish outside the playoffs looking in. It’s understandable to be skeptical of a team that has finished towards the bottom of not just their division but of the entire league in the last few seasons, however if Wednesday night’s game against the Golden State Warriors is any indication this young Blazers team could be for real.
On a night when Brandon Roy went down early with what looked like a possibly serious injury, and came back in the second half only to finish with eight points, the Blazers relied on a crop of role players to take it to a team that was one of the hottest finishing out last season. Five players not named last year’s rookie of the year finished in double figures. Steve Blake, before going out with an injury, was one off a career high with twenty-four points including five of six three pointers. The Blazers were able to get some easy baskets early, with LaMarcus Aldridge and Joel Pryzbilla finishing with nineteen and ten respectively. The Blazers balanced attack jumped out to a lead as high as eighteen in the first half, and never trailed.
The Blazers put together thirteen straight wins in December, and as of last Wednesday, have won seventeen of their last eighteen leaving them in sole possession of first place in the northwest division. The Blazers are getting the job done with a variety of young talented players stepping up and making big shots when they need to be made. This team will go as far as Brandon Roy will take them, but when he goes down, or doesn’t put up All-Star numbers, they will be able to rely on the strength of Aldridge and the shooting of guys like Blake and James Jones to not only produce wins but dominate games.
With a road trip of seven games on the horizon this team is about to get a real test. If the Blazers can take three or four of the next seven games and not get dominated by Boston it will be a successful trip. However, having won five of their last six road games, recently outlasting Chicago in a classic double-overtime game, it wouldn’t be a total surprise to see the Blazers return to Portland with their second streak of ten straight wins. At that point, I hope that people would begin to believe that this might be for real.
There was a professional basketball draft last night. If you didn’t know that, it’s ok. That’s why I’m here.
The NBA Developmental League just had its annual draft, and even if you don’t know anything about the league, that doesn’t mean you don’t know any of its new players. Allow me to reintroduce you to…
1. Colorado: Eddie Gill (PG) - In two years at Weber State, was named all Big-Sky first team twice. Has played professionally in four countries, including for four NBA teams, most notably for the Pacers in 2004-2005, helping them to the playoffs and playing in a career-high 73 games. Plus, he was born and raised in Colorado, nice PR touch.
2. Dakota: Carlos Powell (PF) - The career leader in games played as a Gamecock, Powell led his team in scoring and rebounding as a senior before playing in Portugal for a year, finishing 4th in the league in scoring. Spent last season playing in the Australian League, and led the league in scoring at over 28 a game. The former MVP of the NIT is still only 24, and could find himself in the NBA before long.
3. Albuquerque: Darvin Ham (PF) - Won the 1996 NCAA Dunk Contest, has since played for 6 NBA teams in his career. Has gone through quite a fall from grace; after two years with the Pistons that ended with two trips to the NBA Finals, he spent the next season on a Filapino team called ‘Talk and Text Phone Pals.’ Despite my best efforts, I was unable to find his statistics from this team; I’m guessing it’s because if the team disclosed his minutes played, they’d be hit with a hefty fine from the league for going over on their anytime minutes.
4. Idaho: Jamaal Tatum (PG) - The one-time Missouri Mr. Basketball and former Southern Illinois Saluki, Tatum has the MVC Player of the Year as a senior. Tatum led the Salukis to the Big Dance in his final two seasons, and is headed off to the D-League to start his professional career.
5. Rio Grande: C.J. Watson (PG) -Tennessee point guard was named Second-Team All-SEC as a senior before heading over to Europe to play in Italy and Greece. This will be his first pro stop in the States, but probably not his last.
6. Sioux Falls: Nik Caner-Medley (PF) - After an oustanding high school career and a solid college one at Maryland - where he was named Third-Team All-ACC his final two seasons - Caner-Medley took his game to Germany, playing for the Artland Dragons last year. Good range for his size.
7. Fort Wayne: Larry Turner (C) - Played for Oklahoma before transferring to Tennessee State. Redshirted as a true freshman, and finished with average numbers at a relatively small school. Could be a useful rebounder.
8. LA: Jelani McCoy (C) - I just so happened to come across an article about McCoy earlier this week, courtesy of Henry Abbott, the man behind ESPN’s ‘Truehoop.’
9. Anaheim: Kedrick Brown (PG) - Picked 11th overall in 2001 by Boston after just two years of JuCo ball. Pick was met with skepticism, and rightfully so - his best season, he averaged 5.3 points per between Boston and Cleveland. Now 26 and out of the NBA since 2004, this could be his last shot.
10. Utah: Kevin Kruger (SG) - Played three years at Arizona State before taking advantage of an obscure rule that has since been removed that allowed him to play for his father at UNLV as a senior. Sharpshooter who shot over 40% from deep as a senior.
11. Tulsa: Glen McGowan (PF) - Ex-Pepperdine star was All-WCC as a junior and senior. Suffered from a blood clot in his left arm that made him redshirt a year, but came back better than ever. Since graduating, he has played in Europe prior to being drafted by Tulsa.
12. Austin: Kevin Pittsnogle (C) - Former West Virginia big man was a CBA All-Star last season, as well as making the All-Rookie Team. Put up 44 in one CBA game, the current record. Still only 23, he could definitely make an impact in the NBA as a center with range - think back about a decade to Sam Perkins with the Sonics and Pacers, or Arvydas Sabonis with the Blazers. He’s got my support; I miss the phrase “Pittsnogling the opponent.”
13. Bakersfield: FORFEITED PICK
14. Iowa: Dwayne Mitchell (SG) - Former Auburn backup transferred to Louisiana-Lafayette and was named first team All-Sun Belt as a senior. Played in France last year, averaging 11 ppg.
There you have it, the first round of the 2007 D-League draft. Feel free to check out the rest of it here. And remember, don’t call it the NBADL. The first pick of the NBA D-League Draft was Eddie Gill; the first pick in the NBA Draft is on the DL. Big difference.
It’s official, Reggie Miller and Marv Albert will be an exclusive broadcasting team. I have to admit I was a little upset that Reginald isn’t coming back for another year. It would have been so good to see him knocking down 3s in the post season one more time. And with the Celtics no less. But alas, it just wasn’t meant to be. The good news is that he has shown he is an excellent broadcaster and will be an awesome complement to Marv Albert.
Apparently, Jerry Buss is still willing to wheel and deal with his superstar player. Story here.
