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When will Golden State commit to Andris Biedrins, Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis, and Anthony Randolph?October 17 09  Every day until the regular season begins, HoopsVibe the Blog will ask and answer an important question facing each of the NBA’s thirty teams. Weigh-in with thoughts on our ‘Key Questions’ feature in the comment box below.Today’s team: the Golden State Warriors. Key Question: When will Golden State truly commit to Andris Biedrins, Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis, and Anthony Randolph? The Answer: Well, not now. With the exception of a memorable run in 2007, the Golden State Warriors seem stuck in a never-ending state of dysfunction. Yes, never-ending. Consider the past few months. In late August, captain Stephen Jackson demanded a trade just months after signing a three year, $30 million contract extension. On the first day of training camp, Monta Ellis - who missed part of last year when he violated his contract and injured himself riding a moped - told reporters he didn’t want to share the backcourt with super-rookie Stephen Curry. This past week, Jackson took back the spotlight from Ellis. He was suspended by the team for swearing at Coach Don Nelson during an exhibition game against the Los Angeles Lakers. Then Jackson relinquished his captaincy in a meeting with Nelson. And, to top it off, he told reporters he was Kobe Bryant’s equal on the basketball court. Of course, these flare-ups provide a convenient distraction from the real issue: instability at the top prevents the organization from making good decisions. Thankfully, long-time owner Chris Cohan seems ready to sell his majority share and then a much needed overhaul can occur. Until then, the dysfunction will continue. This is a shame because the Warriors have young talent, but lack the systems, discipline, and stability to get the most out of them. Andris Biedrins, Curry, Ellis, and Anthony Randolph could form a nice nucleus. After all, Biedrins is a lock for a double-double every night, while Curry and Ellis both have the speed and skill-set to make regular appearances at the All-Star game. Randolph, with his natural athleticism, could also develop into a dominant player. Unfortunately, the club hasn’t provided any mentors. The front office and sideline are in a constant state of disarray; most of the veterans, like Jackson, are too preoccupied with their personal situations to model professionalism. The sooner a new owner and coach are in place, the better. With Cohan and Nelson still calling the shots, Golden State’s blue-chippers will be forced to share minutes and the spotlight with older players like Corey Maggette and, for now, Jackson. The Warriors will move forward when they commit to their youngsters and provide an environment for them to succeed. And this only happens after Cohan and Nelson leave. Prediction: They’ll miss the playoffs. Sound off: Where do you see Golden State finishing in 2010? Get at us in the comment box below and follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Bright Like Neon.
Kobe Bryant imitates Magic Johnson and ’The Showtime’ LakersOctober 17 09  On Thursday night, Kobe Bryant took us back to the 1980s.During Thursday’s exhibition game versus the Sacramento Kings, Bryant dropped a through-the-leg bounce pass to a trailing Lamar Odom, who finished the play with a convincing one-handed jam. The entire sequence was reminiscent of ‘The Showtime Los Angeles Lakers‘, when Magic Johnson used to hit James Worthy, Byron Scott, and numerous other teammates in the open-court with highlight reel dimes. Watch NBATV’s Assist of the Night and let us know if Bryant looks a little like the great Magic in the comment box below. Follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe The Blog and Twitter. Photo courtesy of srueda43. Clip initially found on dimemag.com.
Can Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva help Detroit compete in the Eastern Conference?October 15 09  Every day until the regular season begins, HoopsVibe the Blog will ask and answer an important question facing each of the NBA’s thirty teams. Weigh-in with thoughts on our Key Questions feature in the comment box below.Today’s team: the Detroit Pistons. Key Questions: Can the new-look Pistons compete in a much-improved Eastern Conference? The Answer: Last November, Joe Dumars pulled the plug. After years of finishing at or near the top of the Eastern Conference, the Hall of Fame guard and wily executive ended the Detroit Pistons’ run by trading franchise face Chauncey Billups to the Denver Nuggets for Allen Iverson. The plan was to rebuild around Iverson. Well, sort of. Dumars acquired ‘The Anti-Practice’ for his contract. Iverson’s $20 million per year deal was set to expire last July, giving the Pistons, in theory, enough cap space to trade for a superstar or land a top free agent in the summer of 2010. Again, this was the plan. Instead of delivering an elite talent, Detroit signed two good but not great free agents in Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva. And Dumars, despite being in a buyer’s market, paid both very fair money -Gordon got five years at $55 million, while Villanueva also inked a five-year deal for $35 million. To be fair, the Pistons have an interesting collection of players, but is it enough in the much improved Eastern Conference? Currently, Detroit is trying to find the right mix of young and old. At times, guards Will Bynum and Rodney Stuckey have shown promise. However, Rip Hamilton is a backcourt fixture and Gordon, the big-ticket free agent, needs minutes, too. There is also competition in the front-court. Jason Maxiell and Charlie Villanueva could form a nice duo at the forward positions, but Tayshaun Prince is the long-time starter at the three spot. Also, in the mix are Kwame Brown, Ben Wallace, and Chris Wilcox. John Kuester has the unenviable task of sorting-out playing time. In pre-season, the first-year coach has shown he’s not afraid to experiment, even starting Bynum, Gordon, and Stuckey at the perimeter positions, while using Wallace mostly at power-forward. One thing is certain: Stuckey must get better. Part of the reason Detroit traded Billups was because they believed their young star could handle starting at point guard. However, Stuckey averaged just five assists per game and, if he plays the one-spot regularly, must become a more consistent distributor. Prediction: They’re in the hunt for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately, the east is more competitive and it remains to be seen if the Pistons have kept pace. Sound off: where do you see Detroit finishing in 2010? Get at us with thoughts in the comment box and follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe The Blog and Twitter. Image courtesy of Keith Allison.
Best of the Web: Colangelo would get equal value in Bosh trade, Boston’s bench in 2010, Lakers Josh Powell talks StreetballOctober 14 09  HoopsVibe The Blog semi-regularly drops a best-of-the-web feature with all the articles from the ’three dubyas’ you should be reading …
For now, Don Nelson and Stephen Jackson must play nice in Golden StateOctober 12 09  Breaking NBA news mixed with analysis … Their News: "The Golden State Warriors will attempt to work unhappy forward Stephen Jackson back into their team fold starting Tuesday, when the Warriors are scheduled to hold their first home practice following four straight preseason games on the road. Jackson is expected to meet with Warriors general manager Larry Riley and coach Don Nelson before that practice, after missing the last two of those exhibition games through a team-imposed suspension for a sideline blowup with Nelson on Friday night in Los Angeles that was deemed "conduct detrimental" to the club." (ESPN.com) My Very Quick Analysis: At Tuesday’s meeting, they must call a truce.
Is DeMar DeRozan Toronto’s best athlete since Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady?October 12 09  Put a check beside ‘improved athleticism‘.After a disastrous 2009, Toronto Raptors GM Bryan Colangelo wanted to upgrade the wing positions. So ’The Golden Boy’ in the executive suite signed free agent small forward Hedo Turkoglu and acquired shooting guard Antoine Wright in a trade with Dallas. However, his best move might be drafting DeMar DeRozan. The lottery pick has impressed at training camp and, with respect to Jamario Moon, might be the Raptors’ best athlete since Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady called the Air Canada Centre home. In Sunday’s exhibition game against the Washington Wizards, the former USC Trojan had two highlight reel dunks. Watch the clip and answer this question: is DeRozan Toronto’s most explosive player since ‘VC’ and ‘T-Mac’? Follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe The Blog and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Ken K. Liu.
Can Anthony and Billups lead Denver past L.A. and San Antonio in the west?October 12 09  Every day until the regular season begins, HoopsVibe the Blog will ask and answer an important question facing each of the NBA’s thirty teams. Weigh-in with thoughts on our Key Questions feature in the comment box below.Today’s team: the Denver Nuggets. Key Question: Can Carmelo Anthony and Chauncey Billups help Denver compete with Boston, L.A., San Antonio, and Cleveland? The Answer: They’re good. Just not championship good. A basketball renaissance occurred in Denver last year because the team swapped shot-first Allen Iverson for pass-first Billups. Fair or not, Iverson’s scoring and ball dominating ways confused; Billups’ passing and leadership clarified. For instance, after Iverson, Anthony became the undisputed first option on offense. Best of all, the forward matured throughout the season -‘Melo, despite a low field goal percentage, started buying into the concept of team scoring. Others prospered next to Billups, a former NBA Finals MVP and classic point guard. Kenyon Martin and Nene had strong years on both ends of the floor. The temperamental but talented J.R. Smith set a career high in scoring by averaging 15 points per game. The bench was very much a positive. Linas Kleiza and Smith were the designated scorers; Chris Anderson, Renaldo Balkman, and Anthony Carter provided energy. Most nights, this unit gave Denver an edge through outworking opposing benches. With many returning players, 2010 looks good. Three things must occur for the Nuggets to stay near the top of the Western Conference standings. First, Billups has to continue bringing his ’A’ game. After some disappointing performances in Detroit, the muscular table-setter rediscovered ‘Mr. Big Shot’ in Denver and earned MVP consideration. Billups must maintain his steady, consistent play on both ends of the floor. Second, Anthony and Smith have to progress. For Anthony, this means joining the NBA’s elite, which occurs if he improves his passing, rebounding, and defense. Smith, who will start the season serving a seven game suspension for reckless driving, has to become more professional to fulfill his potential. Third, they better stay nasty. Anderson, Martin, and Nene need to be physical down-low, especially since none stand taller than 6-10. Newcomer Johan Petro adds depth to this platoon of blue-collar bigs, while Joey Graham and Arron Affalo will try to replace Dahntay Jones and Kleiza. Prediction: 4th in the Western Conference. Denver, even if everything falls into place, hasn’t kept pace with Los Angeles, San Antonio or even Dallas. Sound off: Where will Denver finish in 2010? Will they make playoffs? Why? Why not? Get at Oly’s Key Questions feature in his HoopsVibe archive and follow him on Twitter. Photo courtesy of dherrera 96.
Shannon Brown’s best poster-job dunk: Mikki Moore, Chris Anderson, or the Charlotte Bobcats?October 10 09  It wasn’t Jordan Farmar’s CSI appearance, Ron Artest’s never-ending promotional tour, or Lamar Odom’s wedding that made headlines with the Los Angeles Lakers last Thursday.Instead, amazingly, it was a basketball highlight. Reserve guard Shannon Brown, who was a pleasant surprise in last year’s playoff, continues to make a case for regular minutes off the bench with a coast-to-coast, poster-job jam over Golden State’s Mikki Moore. Of course, Brown’s aerial antics shouldn’t be a shock. The table-setter threw-down on Denver’s Chris Anderson in the 2009 Western Conference Finals and, back in the day with Cleveland, was known for exciting LeBron James with a facial or two. What Brown dunk is your favorite? Watch the three clips and get at us with thoughts in the comment box. (Victim #1: Moore.) (Victim #2: ’Birdman’ Anderson.) (Victim #3: Charlotte’s frontcourt.) Follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of zhanggian731.
Are Dirk Nowitzki and the Dallas Mavericks the new San Antonio Spurs?October 08 09  Every day until the regular season begins, HoopsVibe the Blog will ask and answer an important question facing each of the NBA’s thirty teams. Weigh-in with thoughts on our Key Questions feature in the comment box below.Today’s team: The Dallas Mavericks. Key Question: Are the Dallas Mavericks the new San Antonio Spurs? The Answer: Call it ‘The Texas Switcheroo’. Typically, the San Antonio Spurs crept up on the NBA by quietly upgrading their roster during the off-season. They left the high-profile moves and controversial headlines to their Lone Star cousins, the Dallas Mavericks. Not this summer. The Spurs seized the golfing season spotlight by trading for versatile star Richard Jefferson and signing the dependable Antonio McDyess, while the Mavericks took a more understated route, building on their strong 2009 by re-upping with point guard Jason Kidd and adding Drew Gooden and Shawn Marion. Now, in 2010, it’s Dallas, not San Antonio, who seem slept-on, overlooked and taken for granted. And with a potentially great starting unit and deep bench, Team Cuban could surprise come playoff time. They should have an elite first-five. Eleven seasons into his Hall of Fame career, Dirk Nowitzki has shown little sign of slowing. The German will get his 25 points and 9 rebounds per night, but the Mavericks need him to lead and defend like he did during the latter part of last season. Armed with a new three-year deal, Kidd will again handle the point-guard duties. No longer an elite table-setter, the veteran will serve as sideline boss Rick Carlisle’s on-court coach. In somewhat limited minutes, he’ll still post respectable assist and rebound numbers. Kidd’s most important job will be to keep others happy, though. For instance, the temperamental Josh Howard needs consistent touches early in the game to re-establish himself as a star. Marion, also an emotional star, has to get his in the open court; Gooden excels when receiving regular service on the block. Gooden, Howard, Kidd, Marion, and Nowitzki are all above average rebounders and defenders. So, as a group, they’re ideal for Carlisle’s get-stops system and, on both ends of the floor, match-up favourably against most starting units. There is also great depth. Jason ‘The Jet’ Terry is a perennial Sixth Man of the Year candidate, while Erick Dampier and Tim Thomas provide insurance down-low. However, the energetic Jose Barea and tough James Singelton are worth watching. And several others are capable of filling a role in an emergency. Not long ago, Dallas considering trading Nowitzki and starting over. Instead of following the conventional model of bottoming-out by trading assets for draft picks and cap space, they re-tooled on the fly around Nowitzki. This was the right decision. The Mavericks are again relevant and dangerous. Only now, they’re sneaking up on opponents. Prediction: 3rd in in the Western Conference, capable of challenging the league’s best. Sound off: Where will Dallas finish in 2010? Get at us in the comment box below; follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of webcoderguy.
LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neal not enough for Cleveland to win NBA TitleOctober 07 09  Every day until the regular season begins, HoopsVibe the Blog will ask and answer an important question facing each of the NBA’s thirty teams. Weigh-in with thoughts on our Key Questions feature in the comment box below.Today’s team: Cleveland Cavaliers. Key Question: Can Shaquille O’Neal and LeBron James win Cleveland an NBA Title? The Answer: Yes, but they need help. For months, the city of Cleveland has been taken with O’Neal, their newest addition acquired in an off-season trade with the Phoenix Suns. Fans and media have followed the perennial All-Star’s every move like teenagers stalking the cast of Twilight. Their interest is justified. The five-man, even at 37 and rocking ‘XXL‘, can still battle elite posts like Dwight Howard, which gives James his best opportunity at an NBA Title. Raising a banner, in turn, gives the organization its best opportunity at re-signing the reigning MVP when he hits free agency in July. While James and O’Neal will form a dynamic duo, other dominoes, particularly on the perimeter, must fall into place for the Cavaliers to upstage the Boston Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, and San Antonio Spurs for the 2010 championship. Point guard Mo Williams must rebound from a mixed year. The scoring table-setter was named to his first All-Star game because of strong play in the regular season, but vanished in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Magic. Greater consistency is needed. The two-spot is also uncertain. Like Williams, Delonte West had a solid regular season before stumbling in the Eastern Conference Finals against the Magic’s larger perimeter players. Recently, the combo guard was arrested for gun possession and missed the start of training camp with mental health issues (hopefully, West is taking care of himself). Realizing his backcourt was unsettled, GM Danny Ferry wisely signed Anthony Parker as a free agent. The former Euro league star and Toronto Raptor is steady, plays all perimeter positions well, and, at 6-6, possesses the size to defend the NBA’s biggest swings. Parker will see major minutes if Williams or West stumble. The rest of the supporting cast is solid but hardly spectacular. Super-pest Anderson Varejao will start at the four-spot, while Daniel Gibson, Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Jamario Moon round out Coach Mike Brown’s rotation. Prediction: Championship contenders. ‘Big Threes’ and ‘Fantastic Fours’ have become the norm, so winning an NBA Title depends on the Cavaliers’ supporting pieces assisting the James-O’Neal duo. Sound off: Where will Cleveland finish in 2010? Get at us in the comment box below; follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Kyle Kutuchief.
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