The Milwaukee Bucks have traded Bogut and forward Stephen Jackson to the Golden State Warriors for Monta Ellis, Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown, sources confirmed to ESPN.com.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Suddenly, Andrew Bogut and Monta Ellis have new homes.
The Milwaukee Bucks and Golden State Warriors' swap of franchise faces is an admission by both clubs that the status quo wasn't working.
After all, Bogut was often injured, while Ellis was often in trouble. (In fact, Bogut is currently out with an ankle injury, while Ellis is being sued as part of a sexual harassment case involving a former employee of the Warriors.)
The Warriors are hoping Bogut, a former first overall pick, anchors the middle. Ellis, a terrific scorer, will form an undersized and dynamic backcourt with Bucks table-setter Brandon Jennings.
Bogut and Ellis aren't the biggest wild card in this trade. That distinction belongs to Stephen Jackson, a former Warrior who fell out with management.
Captain Jack, an integral part of the Warriors' 'We Believe' run of 2007, has since made several stops around the league before ending up in Coach Scott Skiles' doghouse.
His return to 'The Bay' will be worth following.
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While it remains unknown whether Sacramento has shown any willingness to trade former Rookie of the Year Tyreke Evans, two sources said Golden State made repeated inquiries about him recently and was prepared to discuss a deal involving Ellis. Evans' former agent just so happens to be Bob Myers, who was hired as the Warriors' assistant general manager in mid-April. Evans is eligible for an extension this summer but it appears unlikely that one will be offered to the third-year player unless he shows major improvement. The Kings can simply wait until the summer of 2014 to gauge the market, as he will be a restricted free agent and they can match any offer from other teams.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Golden State’s acquisition of Andrew Bogut and interest in Tyreke Evans was an admission by the Warriors that they weren’t good enough.
They weren’t good enough to contend. They weren’t good enough to make the playoffs. So they made a change.
Monta Ellis - a small, talented, and temperamental guard - was shipped to Milwaukee for the bruising Bogut, who will anchor the middle when he returns from injury.
Bottom line: they swapped sizzle for steak.
Before pulling the trigger on the Bogut blockbuster, the Warriors reportedly offered Ellis to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for the physical Evans.
The Kings refused; however, the focus should be the big picture. The Bogut deal and Evans rumor shows that Mark Jackson, the Warriors’ rookie coach, needs to implement his defensive approach.
And the Warriors took a giant step in that direction with the Bogut deal.
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“I’m not going to let a few boos get me down, and I don’t expect a few boos to get our team down,” Lacob said. “I think everybody has to stay tough, these are tough times, we’re going to go out there and we’re going to compete and we’re going to win. And that’s my job as an owner, too, we’re going to do everything we have to do. Not going to let a few boos stop us. I obviously think whoever was booing is incorrect in their assumptions, but we’ll just let time heal all wounds. Winning will solve all things.”
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It wasn’t the time or place. And it ruined a celebration.
Golden State fans picked the worst moment to voice their displeasure with management/ownership trading scorer Monta Ellis to the Milwaukee Bucks for post Andrew Bogut.
They unleashed a parade of boos on owner Joe Lacob when he was leading - or attempting to lead - the retirement of Chris Mullin’s jersey. Mullin and Warrior great Rick Barry were put in the awkward spot of defending Lacob.
To be fair, Warrior fans should be upset. Just not with Lacob.
For years, the club was run like a banana republic by owner Chris Cohan. He hired and fired. He spent wildly and dumped salaries. He applauded and criticized.
In short, Cohan, was Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde until selling the team.
Not surprisingly, the Warriors last made the playoffs in 2007, and that was the first time they had qualified for the second season in 14 years.
At least, Lacob has a plan. He hired the best possible consultant, Jerry West. Then he hired the best coaching prospect, Mark Jackson.
Together, West and Jackson wanted a tougher, bigger team, so they dealt Ellis, a fan favourite, for Bogut, an inside anchor.
Will it work?
Well, the jury is out. Lacob, West, and Jackson deserve more time, while Mullin deserved better than having his night overshadowed by fan anger.
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In addition to being nearly traded, Allen was relegated to the bench by the emergence of Avery Bradley, a move that has made the Celtics more athletic and more effective defensively. Bradley’s offensive development has been one of the more surprising storylines of the NBA season.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Ray Allen has pride.
So the future member of the Hall of Fame can’t be happy losing his starting position with the Boston Celtics and nearly getting sent to the Memphis Grizzlies at the trade deadline.
Allen, a perennial All-Star and the NBA‘s greatest three-point shooter, helped the green-and-white win a championship in 2008.
He’s also sensitive. Remember, Allen and George Karl clashed several times when the two were together on some competitive Milwaukee teams.
Karl thought Allen was soft. The veteran sideline boss even told the press as much before sending him out west to his former team, the Seattle Super Sonics.
Of course, Allen’s a pro’. He won’t complain publicly. However, revenge could come this summer when the veteran becomes a free agent.
Would he take a massive discount to join the rival Miami Heat and knock down open jump shots when LeBron James and Dwyane Wade get double-teamed? Or, perhaps he’d be open to spending a year or two playing off Derrick Rose and his upstart Chicago Bulls?
Anything is possible. Just don’t expect Allen to retire. He's not done. And he has too much pride.
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Today in 1971, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar scored a career-high 55 points in Milwaukee’s 120-104 victory over Boston.
HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: It's somewhat suprising his career high wasn't higher.
And that's not a slight to the former Lew Alcindor at all. He was just such a dominant player for such a long time, and considering he is the NBA's all-time leading scorer, I would've guessed it would have been north of 60-65 points.
In just his third NBA season, in front of just over 10,000 people, he set his career mark as a member of the Milwaukee Bucks. Check out the box score here and just look at some of those classic, hall of fame names-Chaney, Cowens, Havlicek, Robertson and Dandridge.
In 20 professional seasons, he never averaged less than double figures, and in 17 of those seasons, he averaged 20+. A lot of his points scored came via the famous "Sky Hook" shot that he created while in just the fifth grade. It's interesting because his proficiency at it made him synonymous with it, which in a lot of ways, limits how he is remembered historically. It's like a game of word association, when I say "Sky Hook", you're going to say "Kareem", to the point where it obscures his dominance in all other areas. In college, the dunk was outlawed from 1967 until 1976 because of his overpowering use of it.
The average NBA fan knows that Abdul-Jabbar is the highest scorer in league history, but did you also know he is also the leader in games played, minutes played, field goals made, field goals attempted, blocked shots, defensive rebounds AND personal fouls? The most amazing stat of all may be that he currently ranks 35th in NBA history in assists! From 1970 to 1989 he missed one all-star game. There are may be a handful of players who have made the impact that Kareem made to the game.
Abdul-Jabbar won six NBA championships, six regular season MVP awards, two Finals MVP awards, led the league in scoring average twice, rebounding average once, and blocks per game four times.
41 years ago tonight, Kareem scored more points than he ever would in another NBA game.
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Though it's hard to imagine in his current role as Bucks head coach, Scott Skiles was a legit baller at one time.
HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: This is a record that may never be broken.
22 years ago on a warm night in Orlando, Magic point guard Scott Skiles set the single game NBA assist record with 30 during a 155-116 victory over the Denver Nuggets.
Going into the game, there was no reason for anyone to expect any type of legendary performance as both teams were struggling. The Nuggets were 6-22, the Magic 6-23, two of the worst records in the league.
Skiles to that point in his career hadn't been given the opportunity to do much. Drafted by Indiana, he came off the bench for two years. The Pacers thought so little of him that they left him unprotected for the 1989-90 NBA expansion draft where he was selected by the Magic. 1990-91 was his first season as a full-time starter and he responded with a great season, ultimately winning the NBA's Most Improved Player Award.
But what caught everyone's eye was his 30 assist game, breaking the previous record of 29 held by Kevin Porter of the New Jersey Nets in 1978. And it wasn't like Skiles was just a facilitator in that game, sandbagging on offense just to set the record. He scored 22 points on seven of 13 shooting. He turned the ball over just four times, on his way to 7.5 to 1 assist to turnover ratio. Check out the final assist, not exactly a "gimme":
Skiles didn't just flounder after the 30 assist game- he had several outstanding assist performances that year including a 20 assist game against Denver roughly three months later. For the season he dished out 15+ in six games on his way to averaging 8.4 assists per game which was 10th in the league.
There is always something magical about seeing a record setting performance, particularly one that was completely unexpected.
Will Scott Skiles 30 assist record ever be broken?
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41 years ago today, the Lakers set an untouchable record.
HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: This is potentially the most overlooked record in all of sports.
To put the record into perspective, the Clippers 17 game winning streak that ended less than a week ago was little more than half as long.
On 1/7/72, the Lakers beat the Atlanta Hawks 134-90 for their 33rd win in a row. Two days later the streak was broken during a 120-104 loss to a Milwaukee Bucks team led by Kareem Abdul-Jabar and Oscar Robertson. If you're going to have an epic streak broken, it may as well come against two of the best players in NBA histroy.
Led by Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlin, Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, Pat Riley and Jim McMillian (and including former Phil Jackson assistant coach Jim Cleamons), the 1971-72 Lakers are arguably the greatest team of all time.
On their way to the best record in NBA history (until the 1995-96 Bulls eclipsed it), the team culminated the streak by winning the NBA title, the first for the franchise since the move to LA from Minnesota. The Lakers didn't lose a game for over two months, going a combined 30-0 in November and December.
So is it the most impressive winning streak in American (because who knows what the hell is going on in Pakistan or Uganda; it doesn't matter) professional sports history? Let's compare it to the other major sports.
The MLB record for consecutive wins is 26 by the then baseball NY Giants. In the NFL, the New England Patriots won 21 in a row between 2003 and 2004. In the NHL, the Pittsburgh Penguins set the mark with 17 straight in 1993.
NBA wise, you may be surprised to know that the second longest winning streak is 22 held by the Houston Rockets in 2007-08. Nobody expected anything out of the Rockets that year and they somehow went off before showing "they are who we thought they were" and losing in the first round of the playoffs.
Do you think the Lakers record of 33 consecutive wins will ever be broken?
It's over Scott; pack your shit and move on with your life.
HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: Who will Milwaukee blame next when they continue to suck after this?
LeBron and the Heat have won 17 in a row, but they've got their work cut out if they want to break this record.
HoopsVibe Very Quick Call: The Heat are currently tied for the 12th longest winning streak in NBA history.
The current 17 game streak is tied with the Clippers for longest winning streak this season. But, both are just slightly more than half as long as the all-time best.
33, LA Lakers 1971-'72
The Lakers didn't lose a game for over two months, going a combined 30-0 in November and December. Led by Jerry West, Wilt Chamberlain, Elgin Baylor, Gail Goodrich, Pat Riley and Jim McMillian (and including former Phil Jackson assistant coach Jim Cleamons), the 1971-72 Lakers are arguably the greatest team of all time.
22, Houston Rockets 2007-'08
You may be surprised to know that the second longest winning streak is 22 held by the Houston Rockets in 2007-08. Nobody expected anything out of the Rockets that year and they somehow went off before showing "they are who we thought they were" and losing in the first round of the playoffs. Sadly for T-Mac and Yao, this was the height of their time together.
20, Washington Capitols 1947-'48 thru 1948-'49
The Capitols were part of the Basketball Association of America before being absorbed into the NBA in 1949. Not coincidentally, the team was led by NBA Hall of Fame coach Red Auerbach, who led the squad from 1946-'49. The team won 20 games through two seasons.
20, Milwaukee Bucks 1970-'71
Already boasting Lew Alcindor at center, the Bucks acquired Oscar Robertson in a trade and found immediate success. The Bucks set a franchise record for wins that season (66) that still stands and won the NBA title in their third year of existence, the fastest for an expansion team in NBA history. The 20 game win streak was exceeded a year later by the same Lakers team that leads this list. Interestingly, this Bucks squad beat that Lakers team and snapped their NBA record 33 game win streak.
19, LA Lakers 1999-'00
In Phil Jackson's first year as coach, the Lakers started the season by winning 31 of their first 36 games, which included a 16 game winning streak. Later in the season, from February 4th to March 16th, LA won 19 in a row. After that loss, the Shaq and Kobe led squadron won another 11 in a row and earlier in the year also had a seven game streak. One of the best teams in NBA history, LA won the title by beating the Pacers 4-2.
19, Boston Celtics 2008-'09
The Celtics started out 27-2, including the 19 game win streak, and also had a 10 game streak to their credit. Boston won 62 games but lost in the 2nd round of the playoffs after Kevin Garnett was injured and missed most of the second half of the season. The first round seven game series versus the Bulls is arguably the greatest playoff series in NBA history.
Just two more wins would put the Heat into the top five. Four more wins would make their streak the second longest in NBA history. 16 more (man, that's a ton of games!) Would tie them with the Lakers for longest streak ever- think they can do it?
O.J. Mayo will opt out of his contract in Dallas as Stoudemire and Jennings make absurd first round playoff predictions.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Since when does a #2 seed have to publicly guaratee they'll beat a #7 seed? Probably about the same time a #8 seed guarantees they'll beat the best team in basketball.
Derrick Rose recently said that the current NBA lockout is “not our fault.” That makes sense. He is a player. He is a part of the Player’s Union. Captain Obvious is obvious. Why would he state something that does not need to be said? It’s not just Rose, but for the rest of the players. This generic statement is an easy statement to make. We understand the need to put blame on someone. Someone has to go down. Upon further examination, is the blame truly on the owners?
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Just another day in the office for Blake Griffin, the highlight producing power forward for the Los Angeles Clippers.
Last night Griffin dunked with ferocity on Ersan Ilyasova, and his Clippers cruised to victory over the beaten up Milwaukee Bucks. Watch the video below and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below.
---Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Everyone should be preoccupied with the playoffs. I’m still here licking my wounds because I finished near the bottom three in my pay league. I had to pay up. I knew I was out after the fourth week of fantasy basketball losing most of the categories. I wasn’t just losing. I was getting blown out. I started looking at my roster, piece by piece. Lessons learned. Here are the guys that I am staying away from.
In Out of Bounds IV, Marija translates Big Ben Roethlisberger's apology statement, tells Brad Miller he's not wanted in NY and lets you know what you can do to keep Jeff Van Gundy the hell away from the Bulls.
HoopsVibe is proud to welcome Marija Kero, better known to many of you as The Knicks Chick, to the team. Marija will be checking in with videoblogs covering everything from her beloved Knicks to Ron Artest's latest hair-related mishap. In her first piece, Marija shares her thoughts on Boston's bad temper, the surging Mavs and the ghosts of NYK past appearing in the postseason.
The origin of "Fear the deer" is disputed. But one thing is certain: "Don't slag the stag" is being coined right here, right now. Slap it on a poster, Milwaukee. It's all yours! The problem is that in this article, I actually will be slagging the stag a bit. Milwaukee's not surviving Round 1. The Bucks Stop Here, in other words. Go Buck Yourself. Dismantle the Antlers. Why is it so easy to come up with these? Hoof Springs Eternal. Okay, that one might not work. These Bucks Were Made for Milwaukin'. What the hell is happening and why am I suddenly terrible at this game.
While I'm usually the first to call out a crappy commercial, I'm a big fan of this one. Despite the hype that has followed him for years, the fact that Brandon Jennings has spent the past two seasons hooping in Rome and Milwaukee means that he's still far from being a household names in most US markets. Under Armour, however, had the foresight to sign Young Money to a sponsorship deal straight out of high school, and they're reaping the rewards of their smart decision with commercials like this one. Check out the clip below for my favourite basketball commercial of 2010 so far and let us know what you think by leaving a comment at the bottom of the page.
When the dust settles after a fantasy draft, we kick ourselves in the teeth with our picks. Why did I draft this guy in the first place? Why did I reach? We ask ourselves that all the time. The guys on this list are inconsistent or gets injured a lot. Or both.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: NBA players have handled the lockout in different ways.
Heat superstar Dwyane Wade got into a shouting match with Commissioner David Stern at a bargaining session; Nets table-setter Deron Williams is playing in Turkey; Laker great Kobe Bryant has spread his brand and may sign in Italy.
Then there’s Stephen Jackson. The newest edition to the Milwaukee Bucks has released a lockout inspired rap song.
Click the video below, give Captain Jack’s work in the booth a listen, and get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
(By the way, listener discretion is advised.)
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The NBA fined Michael Jordan $100,000 for public comments he made last month about the lockout and one of the league's players, according to sources with knowledge of the situation.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Even Michael Jordan must keep quiet.
Jordan, perhaps the greatest player to ever grace an NBA floor, was fined for speaking about the lockout and Milwaukee Bucks center Andrew Bogut.
Of course, Jordan no longer plays. He owns the Charlotte Bobcats, one of the league’s have-not franchises that’s losing nassive sums of money.
As an owner, he’s not allowed to speak publicly about the labour strife. For this gaffe, Jordan was fined $100, 000.
Here’s the thing: His Airness needs help. Without a new collective bargaining agreement, the Bobcats won’t win games, make money, or shake off the apathy that’s killed the Charlotte market.
So $100, 000 is nothing. It’s the cost of doing business, or the cost of stating the Bobcats’ reality.
--Oly Sandor.
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“The first day Stephen Jackson walked into the facility, I knew right then and there it was going to be a different year,’’ Jennings said. “And it’s going to be a year that I think we’re going to be successful.
“The thing about the NBA is the league gets better and better every year. It’s never going to be the same, so I think with Stephen Jackson and a healthy Andrew Bogut and Drew Gooden, I think we’ll be talented enough to play with any of the top teams in the East, hands down.’’
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Brandon Jennings is right to suggest Stephen Jackson will impact the Milwaukee Bucks.
Will it be for better or worse, though?
Jennings believes his new teammate will use his talent for good, transforming the Bucks into a contender out east.
There`s evidence to support this view: Jackson was a champion with the San Antonio Spurs; helped the Charlotte Bobcats make their first-ever playoff appearance; and was terrific for the Golden State Warriors in 2007.
And there`s evidence to refute this view: Jackson bolted on those same Spurs, fell out with the Bobcats, and demanded the Warriors trade him months after signing a lucrative extension.
The hope is that Jackson will warm to his new surroundings. When healthy, Jennings and Andrew Bogut are a solid pair. Coach Scott Skiles will appreciate his tenacity as long as Jackson doesn`t become a distraction.
Who can forget the shenanigans that took place with the Indiana Pacers?
Of course, Jackson’s deal expires in 2013, so he’ll have to perform if he wants a contract from the Bucks or another team.
Jennings is right: Jackson will make the Bucks better. For now, it`s in his interests to do so.
--Oly Sandor.
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If Bryant decides to play in the Drew League this summer, Jennings would want to see some documentation. "He wasn't born and raised in L.A," Jennings told ESPN the Magazine`s Chris Palmer. "You gotta be from L.A. for Drew. Show me a birth certificate."
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Perhaps taking his cue from Donald Trump and President Obama, Brandon Jennings wants to see Kobe Bryant’s birth certificate to establish if the superstar can represent the Los Angeles based Drew League.
Locked out NBA players have taken to suiting up for two street ball organizations: the Goodman League and the Drew League.
Jennings believes you must be born or raised in Los Angeles to play for the west-coast based Drew League. Bryant wasn’t born or raised in Los Angeles, which according to the Milwaukee Bucks’ table-setter makes him ineligible.
To be fair, Bryant has always considered himself a Los Angeles native since getting drafted by the Lakers in the mid-nineties. Other cities, especially Philadelphia, gave him grief for such allegiances.
So Jennings, a resident of Compton, should perhaps cut the five-time world champion a little slack and let him play for the Drew.
--Oly Sandor.
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(Mary Schmitt Boyer) Based on everything I'm hearing, I would be surprised if the season started before January. As for Sessions, I'm not sure if the organization has made up its mind to trade him. I think the team is intrigued by playing any two of these point guards together. If a move is made, I would expect an attempt to get more scoring and athleticism on the wings.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Once again, his spot seems at risk.
Ramon Sessions is a solid third guard and spot starter, however, he has the unfortunate habit of joining teams who are stocked in the backcourt.
For instance, he left Milwaukee because the Bucks had Brandon Jennings and Luke Ridnour at the one-spot. Minnesota deemed him expendable with Jonny Flynn, Ridnour (again), and Ricky Rubio's eventual migration from Spain.
So, the Wolves dealt him to the lowly Cleveland Cavaliers. And it seemed he finally had a home and regular minutes.
Well, wrong.
The Cavaliers acquired Baron Davis at the trade deadline, assuming the remaining two years and $29 million on his contract, while Kyrie Irving was drafted first overall and anointed The Future.
Both are point guards. It would seem Sessions will get his minutes playing next to Davis and Irving -or he won't get minutes at all.
And the Cavaliers will likely be listening to any or all offers for the nomadic guard.
--Oly Sandor.
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If the Heat cannot sign preferred choices Shane Battier, Grant Hill or Tayshaun Prince postlockout, Miami will consider Michael Redd.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Is he healthy? Is he willing?
In theory, Michael Redd could absolutely help the Eastern Conference champion Miami Heat win an NBA Title.
For years, Redd was a prolific scorer with the Milwaukee Bucks, killing opponents with his deadly outside range.
The left-handed gunner has the skill-set to punish defenses for cheating on Chris Bosh, LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade.
Of course, health matters. In the last two seasons, Redd has played in just 28 games, and doesn’t resemble the perimeter threat that terrorized opposing defenses.
Redd's goal may be to re-establish his reputation as a star rather than support another team's stars -like Bosh, James, and Wade in Miami.
If healthy and willing, Redd would help the Heat. A contender can never have enough shooting or depth.
--Oly Sandor.
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"Next year will be my third year and I need to establish myself as one of the best point guards and one of the best players in the game. It's just trying to get better and better every day. Working with Scott Skiles (before the lockout), getting in the weight room, dedicating the summer to strictly basketball. It's going to be my third year, so it's time to become an all-star."
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Did it do more harm than good?
Eighteen months ago, Brandon Jennings was the talk of the NBA. His first month in the league was full of highlights, assists, and a 55-point game.
Suddenly, the Milwaukee Bucks were relevant. Expectations soared for Jennings, a high profile point guard who skipped college and played professionally in Italy for one season.
Last year, Jennings got exposed. His shot selection was poor; his finish at the rim weak. Many believed Luke Ridnour, a veteran backup, was better at running the half-court offense.
It was obvious: Jennings got too much too soon. And he didn't know how to respond when defenses adjusted after to his early success.
Jennings deserves credit for checking his ego, setting goals, and putting in work. He also deserved credit for using Scott Skiles, the Bucks` taskmaster coach, as a resource before the lockout.
After all, Skiles is old school. He won’t tell Jennings what he wants to hear. And he'll challenge his young point guard –just not like he did with Shaquille O`Neal so many years ago.
How many 22-year olds would have the maturity to do that? Most would ignore their hard-as-nails sideline boss and hire 'their guy' to serve as personal trainer.
Perhaps Jennings takes a significant step next year. Perhaps not. But it won't be for lack of effort or trying.
--Oly Sandor.
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Rockets' Yao Ming has decided to retire from the NBA, league sources tell Y! Sports. He informed the league office within past 48 hours.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Mr. International is done.
Reports indicate that Yao Ming has retired from the NBA due to lingering foot problems. Sadly, the Chinese post barely got off injured-reserve the last few years.
In his prime, Yao could play. The first overall pick in the 2002 draft was a regular at the league’s mid-season classic, the All-Star game. While his Houston Rockets struggled in the playoffs, Yao always stuffed the stat-sheet with scoring averages of 20 points per game.
His legacy will always be China, though. Yao was the main reason the NBA penetrated and profited from the lucrative Chinese market.
Yao's greatest moment may have been an exhibition match between his Rockets and Yi's Milwaukee Bucks. Hundreds of millions of Chinese citizens watched this pre-season contest, confirming Commissioner David Stern's hunch that the league's future was in Asia.
Other Chinese basketball players will follow Yao to the NBA. And the NBA will follow Yao back to China.
This bridge Yao created between China and the NBA will stand for years to come. His influence and legacy is only just starting.
Oly Sandor.
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The towering Houston Rockets center, China's most recognizable athlete, told CCTV he could not predict when, or indeed if, he would fully recover from a serious ankle fracture suffered last November."I don't know if I would join some champion team in the future," the China Daily quoted him as saying when asked about leaving a new-look Rockets team. "I don't even know if I can play again."
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s sad if this is the end.
For years, Yao Ming was excellent. He was incredibly skilled and talented, often averaging 20 points and 10 rebounds, the benchmark for elite fives.
However, Yao never took the Rockets deep in the playoffs. His massive stature lead to numerous injuries.
Yao’s greatest contribution will be spreading basketball into the lucrative Chinese market. He was, after all, the league’s first Chinese star. And the world’s most populous nation followed his every move, which was good for David Stern and the suits at league head office.
Tens of millions of Chinese watched a regular season match-up between Yao’s Rockets and Yi’s Bucks. Perhaps half a billion people would watch one of these two in the NBA Finals.
Some of those billions will aspire to play in the NBA. A few may make it. And this will be, in part, because of Yao.
--Oly Sandor.
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Top rumors making the rounds at the NBA Draft Combine in Chicago this week: The Milwaukee Bucks reportedly would be open to listening to offers for guard Brandon Jennings.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: Last year, he was a stud. This year, he was a dud.
There are reports suggesting the Milwaukee Bucks would consider dealing young point guard Brandon Jennings.
In 2010, Jennings led a hoops renaissance in Milwaukee. Their jitterbug point guard was a Rookie of the Year candidate. The Bucks, behind a late season push, made the playoffs.
But it all went pear-shaped for player and team in 2011. Jennings, in part because of injury, struggled to recapture his form. The Bucks missed the playoffs.
Has management lost faith in Jennings?
Much depends on Coach Scott Skiles. Skiles, a former point guard, is notoriously tough on his point guards, and may have lost patience with young Jennings.
Management may listen to offers. And Jennings may be dealt for the perfect offer.
The perfect offer is unlikely, though. The NBA is point guard heavy. Teams in the market for a table-setter will wait for July of 2012 when Chris Paul and Deron Williams become free agents, as oppsed to overpaying for Jennings.
Look for the darting left-hander to be in a Bucks uniform when the 2012 season begins.
--Oly Sandor.
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As the Timberwolves limp to the 50-loss mark and beyond, it becomes a question of which number will be greater at the end of the season: Minnesota's loss total or Kevin Love's double-double streak, which reached a record 52 Wednesday night. Of far greater certainty is the status of coach Kurt Rambis, who appears to be on his way out after only two seasons.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The current state of the Minnesota Timberwolves is not Kurt Rambis’ fault.
It’s not Rambis’ fault the Wolves are the one of the NBA’s youngest teams.
It’s not Rambis’ fault the Wolves have one of the league’s lowest payrolls.
It’s not Rambis’ fault Executive David Kahn has given him a wing-heavy roster with one superstar in Kevin Love.
And it’s certainly not Rambis’ fault the Wolves have hedged their bets to Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio, who may or may not join the club two years after being drafted by Kahn in the lottery.
None of that matters, though. The rumor is that the organization is pushing to change the coach. This push is coming because Kahn knows he can’t change the players he accumulated, so he’ll change who sits on his bench.
The Wolves should consider firing Rambis –but only if they are serious about replacing him with a star sideline boss like, say, Mike Brown. Reports indicate they’re looking at an assistant with the Milwaukee Bucks, Kelvin Sampson.
Sampson may eventually turn out to be a good head coach. However, the Wolves need a guy with legitimate experience as an NBA head coach. Not a guy who needs time to learn on the job.
Gambling on a rookie head coach will likely produce the same results of fifty loss seasons and annual reservations at the draft lottery in New Jersey.
And that won’t do.
-Oly Sandor.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: It’s on.
The Los Angeles Clippers’ Blake Griffin and the Portland Trail Blazers’ LaMarcus Aldridge recently set the NBA ablaze with their alley-oops.
Our question is simple: who had the better catch-and-jam?
Do you prefer Blake-Zilla’s aerial antics against those miserable Minnesota Timberwolves? Or, did Aldridge’s poster-job of the Milwaukee Bucks catch your eye?
Watch both clips and get at us in the comment box below with thoughts?
(Blake-Zilla shows no mercy against the Wolves.)
(Aldridge soars against the Bucks.)
--Oly Sandor.
Everybody is kind of intrigued about the Miami situation and seeing if they’re trying to add another veteran to their team. If that happened, I’d be thrilled to be there. I think that would feel like Hall of Fame accreditation to have a guy like Pat Riley come and ask you to be a part of their team.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: The Stack would work in The MIA.
Once again, free agent swingman Jerry Stackhouse is talking publicly about joining the Miami Heat. Hopefully, ‘oil slick’ executive Pat Riley hears the veteran’s not-so-subtle hints and signs him.
After all, Stackhouse provided the Milwaukee Bucks with a boost in the second half of 2010. And the former All-Star would surely be a super-sub behind LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.
In limited minutes, Stackhouse would score, defend, and provide a mature presence for a team that will be both public enemies and rock stars.
All this for a veteran`s minimum contract. So Riley and the Heat need to make this happen. If not now, perhaps at mid season.
--Oly Sandor.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below.
Free-agent forward Jerry Stackhouse is interested in playing for the Heat. Stackhouse played well for the Bucks last season.
"When you look at a situation with Miami now and having to try and fill their roster with minimum-type contracts," he said recently on NBA TV, "I would take one of those minimum contracts if they're available."
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He put it out there.
Second year point guard Brandon Jennings believes his Milwaukee Bucks could finish in the top four in the Eastern Conference.
Jennings – also known as The Gremlin for rocking his, well, unique ‘do – may be overlooking the Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, and that other team in the state of Florida.
Still, Jennings’ optimism is always appreciated, but is it misdirected?
Watch the clip by clicking the link courtesy of HoopsHype. Then get at us in the comment box on how Milwaukee will do in 2011.
--Oly Sandor.
The Bucks are nearing a deal to re-sign guard John Salmons.
A source told FanHouse the deal is done except for a few minor points. Milwaukee general manager John Hammond had told FanHouse very early Thursday morning he had "guarded'' optimism that Salmons would re-sign.
The source said the deal will be for five years for about $39 million.
HoopsVibe’s Very Quick Call: He’s a perfect fit.
After all, the Milwaukee Bucks were much improved after acquiring shooting-guard John Salmons from the Chicago Bulls at the trade deadline.
Salmons can score in many ways: he has deep range from the perimeter; can stick the in-between shot; and also gets to the basket.
His knack for scoring and low-key personality helped the surprising Bucks qualify for the playoffs.
And at $8 million per year, an extension was a no-brainer for both Salmons and Milwaukee.
-- O.Sandor.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below!
Drew Gooden has reached agreement on a five-year, $32 million contract with the Milwaukee Bucks, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.
HoopsVibe's Very Quick Call: Strike while the free agent iron is hot, folks.
Drew Gooden - a well-traveled post who has played for eight teams in eight years - signed with the Milwaukee Bucks on the first day of free agency for slightly above the mid-level exception because he wants a home.
Milwaukee adds depth up front next to budding center Andrew Bogut, and young point guard Brandon Jennings.
So Gooden, hopefully, gets his security, while the developing Bucks get a blending scorer and rebounder.
-- O.Sandor.
Got thoughts? Well, get at HoopsVibe News in the comment box below!
Evans received 67 first-place votes (491 points) from a panel of 123 sportswriters and broadcasters throughout the United States and Canada. Golden State’s Stephen Curry finished second with 391 points and Milwaukee’s Brandon Jennings finished third with 204 points. Players were awarded five points for each first-place vote, three points for each second-place vote and one point for each third-place vote.
Smith says he's never really done anything in Milwaukee and will "just be happy to find a restaurant." When a reporter jokingly asked if he'd ever take a vacation there, Smith replied, "Would you go? Everybody knows there ain't nothing to do in Milwaukee."