Portland’s Travis Outlaw turns the tables on Memphis’ Rudy Gay

The ‘posterizer’ got posterized. 

Simply put, Memphis Grizzly Rudy Gay is known for dunking on folks. Since entering the league, the high-flying Gay has victimized both perimeter players and stocky posts with aerial antics.

Of course, the same can be said for Portland Trail Blazer Travis Outlaw. The versatile swing is no stranger to the youtube crowd, who have become quite familiar with Outlaw’s highlight reel jams.

Yesterday, the two met when Memphis played Portland. Gay, for once, got posterized, while Outlaw was the posterizer. Check out the clip and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below. 



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Odd couple: Why Elton Brand and Philadelphia 76ers will stay an awkward match

I always saw it as odd. Only now it’s awkward.

Two summers ago, I, like many NBA heads, was taken aback when the Philadelphia 76ers signed post Elton Brand to a multi-year contract for ‘max’ money. I had concerns with Brand overcoming an Achilles injury and clashing with Andre Iguodala for first-option status on offense.

However, style was my biggest worry. Brand - a methodical and back-to-the-basket post - was at his best in the Los Angeles Clippers’ half-court set, while the 76ers were at their best when they used their athleticism to run.

Half-court versus fast-break. Something would eventually give. And it has - just a year later than expected because Brand sustained a serious injury that sidelined him for most of 2009.

Currently, Philadelphia has a disappointing 3-4 record. And Brand’s numbers - he’s averaging 10 points in 26 minutes per game -are also disappointing. Unfortunately, I don’t see the situation improving for the former All-Star.

I call them track stars. They’re the type of players who are most comfortable when things become uncontrolled and spontaneous. And they force the coach to toss his playbook and try to goad opposing coaches into matching their breakneck pace.

The 76ers are track stars. Unlike the Phoenix Suns, they’re young track stars. Iguodala, even with his improved range, feasts off the open-court. Same for Rodney Carney, Willie Green, and Thaddeus Young. They all love to run.

Brand isn’t a track star. Never will be, either. The veteran has made his living off getting the ball on the block and putting in work. And, to be fair, it has paid off, with Brand regularly dropping 20 point, 10 rebound seasons.

So style will always be an issue. Other complications have made things tough on Brand:

• Andre Miller, the team’s long-time point guard, joined the Portland Trail Blazers in the off-season. Miller, like Brand, preferred a slower pace, so he could post smaller table-setters. And Miller would have kept Brand happy with regular touches.

• Miller has been replaced by speedsters Louis Williams and Jrue Holiday. Both push the ball whenever possible. And both are developing as distributors. This means less opportunities for Brand.

• Brand was signed before coach Eddie Jordan arrived. Translation: Brand isn’t Jordan’s ‘guy’. The sideline boss doesn’t have to justify Brand’s contract and can play who he likes.

• Jordan has used this freedom to increase Marreese Speights’ role. The second-year man isn’t better than Brand, but his athleticism is better for the 76ers. In limited minutes, the energetic Speights has produced, averaging 14 points, 7 rebounds, and one block per game. 
  

(Why Jordan is intrigued with Speights.) 

Like I said, the awkwardness will continue in Philly. I only hope a solution can be found for Brand and Philadelphia before thing go from awkward to nasty.

Got thoughts on Brand’s future in Philadelphia? Get at us in the comment box below and follow Oly’s work at HoopsVibe The Blog and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Philadelphia 76ers.

Allen Iverson needs another epiphany in Memphis

Breaking NBA news mixed with analysis …

Their News: “Iverson is telling close associates that he might retire instead of returning to the Grizzlies. Not shocking since he said he’d rather retire than come off the bench while in Detroit.” (Memphis Commercial Appeal)

My Quick Analysis: I remember thinking this would be Allen Iverson’s epiphany.

It was game five of the 2001 Eastern Conference Finals between the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers. Iverson, unable to sink a shot from the floor, became a distributor, handing out eight crucial assists in a tight 89-88 victory.

After the game, the television cameras showed the 76ers celebrating. Former Philadelphia owner Pat Croce was hugging Iverson and proudly yelling into the camera “you (Iverson) handed out eight assists tonight. Eight.”

Croce’s point was simple: Iverson was a team player. When necessary he’d gladly defer to others. Critics be damned.

I wonder if Iverson remembers that moment or season. Sure, the tiny combo guard treated coach Larry Brown’s offense like an all you can shoot smorgasbord. And sure, the 76ers succeeded -with Iverson, of course, being the featured player.

But Iverson also sacrificed. He bought into Brown’s play-the-right-way mantra, defended like a madman, played hurt, and challenged bigger, tougher opponents. And it paid off with a 56 win season and a trip to the NBA Finals.

Over the past nine years, there have been ups-and-downs. At times, Iverson put others first. Other times, he put himself first. Even during the lowest of lows, I’d never have imagined he’d quit on the Memphis Grizzlies two weeks into the regular season because of playing time.

No way.

Whatever your opinion on Iverson, he isn’t a quitter. That’s the last thing he is. For now, he must remember his time with Croce and play a role for the Grizzlies. Any role, for that matter. His career depends on it.

Hopefully, this epiphany the future Hall of Famer gets.

Got thoughts on Allen Iverson possibly retiring? Get at us with thoughts in the comment box below and follow Oly on HoopsVibe The Blog and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Pencil King. 

Shannon Brown dunks on Laker teammate Josh Powell

Two nights ago, he hit us with another one.

Los Angeles Lakers guard Shannon Brown took his highlight reel jams to another level when he ’posterized’ Josh Powell in a recent game verses the Dallas Mavericks. Of course, Powell also dons the purple-and-gold of the Lakers.

Even teammates can’t avoid Brown’s aerial antics, so the back-up center became an unintentional victim - or collateral damage, if you’re a Schwarzenegger fan - on a play millions have already seen and will continue to marvel over.

Watch the clip below and get us with comments on Brown’s ups and Powell being in the wrong place at the wrong time.


 

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Best new back-up PG: Toronto’s Jarrett Jack, Portland’s Andre Miller, Minnesota’s Ramon Sessions, or Orlando’s Jason Williams?

In Head-to-Head, we compare players. You tell us who you like best …

In the win-now world of the NBA, All-Star point guards are valuable. Teams rarely give top table-setters the chance to leave, especially during their prime -for instance, small market clubs like the New Orleans Hornets and Utah Jazz pulled out all the stops to keep superstars Chris Paul and Deron Williams 

For those that don’t have a Paul or Williams, the two-headed monster is in. Over the summer, several teams went the platoon route, signing strong back-up point guards to split time with their starters.

In this edition of Head-to Head, HoopsVibe The Blog asks readers which second-string point guard will have the biggest impact in their new home: Jarrett Jack with the Toronto Raptors, Andre Miller with the Portland Trail Blazers, Ramon Sessions with the Minnesota Timberwolves, or Jason Williams with the Orlando Magic?

The case for Jack …

He’s key to their make-over.

After a disappointing 2009 season, Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo set off on an ambitious summer rebuild project that would make Home and Garden Television jealous. And Jack -a desirable free agent- was inked to a four year, $20 million contract.

In 2010, the Georgia Teach alum’ will have a big role for the Raptors. With a fragile starter in Jose Calderon, Jack will see major minutes at the one-spot. And Calderon and Jack could also play significant stretches together in the backcourt.

Bottom line: adding the versatile guard makes Toronto a more talented and tougher squad.

The Case for Miller …

Some saw it as desperation. Portland’s front office, specifically General Manager Kevin Pritchard, wanted to make headlines by using the available salary cap space, while Miller, a free agent and respected veteran, was having trouble landing an offer in the summer’s bear market.

So they hooked up. Sounds simple enough, right? Well, not exactly.

There has been confusion over his role. Miller claimed the club told him he would be the starter during contract negotiations; coach Nate McMillan said no promises were made. For now, Steve Blake is in the first-unit, with Miller serving as the $8 million per season back-up.

This arrangement should eventually work. All parties just need time to adjust.

The Case for Sessions …

What a fallback.

After failing to agree on a buyout with Spanish sensation Ricky Rubio, the Timberwolves’ front office quickly rebounded by inking restricted free agent Sessions to a four-year, $16 million contract. 

Sessions, fresh off a breakout season with the Milwaukee Bucks, could fill-in as the interim starter if rookie Jonny Flynn falters. Like Calderon and Jack in Toronto, expect Flynn and Sessions to often play next to each other in the backcourt.

The Case for Williams …

Williams, who took 2009 off to rest and spend time with family, inked a one-year deal for the veteran’s minimum with Orlando in the off-season. So, yes, ‘White Chocolate’ is back in the building. 

Williams will add two things to the Eastern Conference champions. First, his amazing dimes - especially those alley-oops to center Dwight Howard - will become highlight reel fixtures on ESPN.

Second, Williams’ intelligence and experience will help. In Memphis and Miami, old school sideline bosses like Hubie Brown and Pat Riley saw him as an on-court coach. In both stops, he posted great assist-to-turnover ratios and started for the 2006 world champion Heat.

Simply put, this is tremendous pick up for the Magic.

Our Call: All four seem poised to have terrific seasons. Jack will likely average the best numbers because he’s entering his prime and Toronto wants to limit Calderon’s playing time. However, keep an eye on Williams, who will have a role on a very competitive Orlando side.

Agree or disagree with ’Our Call’ in this edition of Head-to-Head? Get at us with thoughts in the comment box on your top back-up: Jack, Miller, Sessions, Williams, or someone else? Follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Image courtesy of Scott Ableman.

Breaking down LeBron James and Cleveland’s early stumbles with Shaq

There is no reason to panic, but there is reason for concern.

After getting upset by the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals, the Cleveland Cavaliers opted against tweaking the chemistry of a squad that won a league-best 66 games in 2009.

Instead, they went for The ‘Big Change’. Literally.

During the summer, Cleveland GM Danny Ferry called former teammate Steve Kerr, who happens to be the head suit in Phoenix. These old friends finalized a deal that had been rumoured for months -Shaquille O’Neal would leave the Suns for the Cavaliers.

O’Neal, in theory, still had the skill to help LeBron James win an NBA Title. Gambling on O’Neal was Cleveland’s way of passing James’ commitment test -like nomadic tribesmen, Ferry and owner Dan Gilbert had to essentially walk The King’s hot coals in the middle of the desert. 

This move was part substance, a lot of style, and, in turn, created huge expectations for all involved. 

Fast forward to late October. While an 0-2 record isn’t enough to draw conclusions about the Shaq experiment, there are discomforting signs in Cavalier-nation.

The bigs lack athleticism. With O’Neal starting at center, Anderson Varejao has been playing power forward. Against Boston and Toronto, the lumbering O’Neal and Varejao have been exposed by quicker four-five combos like Rasheed Wallace, Kevin Garnett, Andrea Bargnani, and Chris Bosh.

Unlike pick-and-pop center Zydrunas Ilgauskas, O’Neal must gain deep position to be effective on offense. And with his size, he clogs the middle, which unfortunately makes James and Cleveland more of a perimeter, jump-shooting team. 

Not surprisingly, he’s 0-for-5 from the free-throw line. It’s early, but O’Neal needs to become active and get to the charity stripe. Once there, he must make his free-throws to play during crunch time, or Coach Mike Brown will have to pull his second best player to prevent Hack-A-Shaq defenses.

Cleveland shouldn’t sound the alarm. However, they must immediately improve because nothing other than an NBA Title will satisfy James, their free agent to be in July of 2010.

Got thoughts on the Cavaliers’ 0-2 record? Get at us in the comment box below and follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe The Blog and Twitter. Photo courtesy of cynthia 1091.

The Boston Celtics need Glen Davis, not Big Baby

Breaking news mixed with analysis …

Their News: "Boston Celtics forward Glen "Big Baby" Davis had surgery on Tuesday to repair his broken right thumb after fighting with a childhood friend while riding in an SUV less than two days before the season opener.

A police report identified Davis as the victim and said his friend, Shawn Bridgewater, appeared to be intoxicated". (ESPN.com news services)

My Quick Analysis: Perhaps, there were other reasons Kevin Garnett lashed out at Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis during a blow-out victory last season.

Perhaps, Garnett was upset with Davis acting more like his moniker and not a professional athlete. And perhaps, the legendary post sensed his teammate would get caught in the kind of situation that recently unfolded.

Truth is, we’ll never know why the two clashed in early December, 2008. But Garnett and the Boston Celtics must pick up the pieces after Davis injured his thumb in a fight with a childhood ‘friend’ early on Monday morning.

(Remember, Garnett and Davis getting into it last season?)

Yes, alcohol was involved. And yes, surgery was required, which will keep the third-year man out a minimum of six weeks. Now the Celtics must determine what to do with Davis.

In the short-term, Coach Doc Rivers has to replace Davis, a valuable reserve. Unlike last year, superstar Kevin Garnett is healthy, while Kendrick Perkins will continue developing into a solid five-man. Of course, Rasheed Wallace and Sheldon Williams were signed this summer to add depth and play additional minutes if an emergency occurred.

The on-court stuff is covered. What about Davis’ relationship with the club? 

In the off-season, GM Danny Ainge and Rivers re-signed the puffy post to a two-year, $6.0 million contract on the strength of his fine playoff. The plan was for Davis to add depth and assume a larger role in the future.

Well, that could be in jeopardy. The injury will delay Davis’ progress as a player, but the bigger issue is his judgment -or lack of it. Pro athletes, at least the ones serious about improving their craft, aren’t out drinking until four am and scrapping ‘friends’ with the season approaching.

Now the Celtics are left to question Davis’ commitment. Maybe that’s why Garnett got so frustrated last season. 

What should Boston do with Davis? Get at us in the comment box below with thoughts. Follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe The Blog and Twitter. Photo courtesy of juanc.paulino.

David Stern ’Protesting Too Much’ on LeBron James’ future with Cleveland Cavaliers

Breaking news mixed with analysis …

Their News: “None whatsoever, although I hope it is in Cleveland” (Commissioner David Stern’s thoughts on where LeBron James will finish his career).

My Quick Analysis: David, ‘thou protest too much’.

Forgive me for referencing William Shakespeare, but the ‘good’ commissioner has a credibility issue. There have always been rumors the NBA ‘tilts’ things in the direction of large markets -like the New York Knicks.

After all, the NBA is big business. And it’s good for big business to have their flagship franchises flourishing. Don’t kid yourself: the league wants its biggest name, James, in its biggest market, New York.

This sentiment isn’t new. Conspiracy theorists still think Stern and his cronies at league head office had a hand in the Knicks winning the 1985 NBA Draft Lottery, and the rights to super-center Patrick Ewing.

And the same crowd has always been skeptical about the success of the Los Angeles Lakers. They’ll swear the fix was in for Kobe, Phil, and Shaq to get past the Portland Trail Blazers and Sacramento Kings en route to three consecutive championships.

I used to ignore these allegations, shrugging it off as hot noise from a bunch of die-hard Oliver Stone fans. After watching Sonicsgate, I’m not sure. Sonicsgate claims Clay Bennett and Stern conspired - or at a minimum, worked together - to move basketball out of Seattle and into Oklahoma City. Bottom line, I wouldn’t put anything past the NBA.

Stern also made a mistake saying he wishes James stays in Cleveland. Commissioners must remain impartial at all times, which means Stern shouldn’t publicly hope for anything other than the Collective Bargaining Agreement working fairly for all 30 owners that pay his salary.

If the free agent market decides that James re-signs with the Cavaliers, so be it. Conversely, if the free agent market decides that he leaves, so be it. The key word is ’free’, as in the process must be (wait for it) ’free’ of outside influence and intereference. 

Owners, who invest hundreds of millions of dollars in their teams, deserve fairness and clarity. Most importantly, fans, who make an emotional investment in their team often beyond a quantifiable dollar value, also deserve fairness and clarity. 

Instead of protesting and hoping, Commissioner Stern should make sure James’ future and ‘The Great Free Agent Chase of 2010’ is transparent and just.

Sound off: What do you think of Stern’s comments about James staying in Cleveland? Get at us in the comment box below and follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of firebrandal. 

Webber is wrong: Bosh could easily stay with Toronto Raptors

Breaking News mixed with analysis …

Their News: “I got two predictions. They’re (Toronto) out of the playoffs. They’re out of Chris Bosh.” (Chris Webber, analyst NBA TV)

My Quick Analysis: He may be retired and in the broadcast booth, but Webber is still controversial.

Recently, the analyst declared that the Toronto Raptors would miss the playoffs in 2010, which, in turn, would prompt Bosh and the club to cut ties through a trade or during free agency at season’s end.

To be fair, Webber has a unique perspective. Like Bosh, he was once an All-Star power forward. And like Bosh, he experienced a high profile contract negotiation with a franchise he helped rebuild -the Sacramento Kings.

On the one hand, Webber is also right. The results matter. For instance, a winning or losing season would have to influence CB4’s decision to re-up with the Raptors or migrate south to the United States.

On the other hand, Webber’s overlooking two factors. First, consider the economy. Unlike the free spending days of the 1990s, the NBA - like the rest of the business world - is in a recession. With a declining salary cap, less money is available for all players, including the big ticket free agents of next summer.

In the current economy, Bosh has little chance of becoming teammates with LeBron James or Dwyane Wade. This increases his chances of staying in Toronto, who, according to the Collective Bargaining Agreement, can offer the most money and longest term.

Second, the Raptors are much improved. After a summer makeover, they now have a second-unit, athletes, toughness, and a co-star in Hedo Turkolgu. Given time, Turkoglu will develop chemistry with Bosh and the team could be a factor in the Eastern Conference.

Interestingly enough, Webber surprised many by turning down the bright lights of bigger markets and re-signing with the Kings. Years later, Bosh could follow his lead, but for different reasons.

Got thoughts on Webber’s comments? Get at us in the comment box below and follow Oly on HoopsVibe The Blog and Twitter. Photo courtesy of nidserz.

How good is Houston without Ron Artest, Tracy McGrady, and Yao?

During training camp and the early stages of the regular season, 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 Houston Rockets.

Key Question: Can Houston compete without Ron-Ron, T-Mac, and Yao?

The Answer: If it weren’t for bad luck, they’d have no luck at all.

After years of playoff heartbreak, the Houston Rockets overcame injuries to superstars Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming to win a seven game series and push the world champion Los Angeles Lakers in the Western Conference semi-finals.

Their fortunes appeared to be changing, but then summer hit. Yao’s foot injury was worse than originally diagnosed and he’s out all of 2010. McGrady, after a summer rehabilitating his micro-fractured knee, is still questionable, while Ron Artest left Houston for the free agent riches and fame of Los Angeles.

Even without their three best players from 2009, the blue-collar Rockets could conceivably challenge for the final playoff spot in the Western Conference and scare a contender in the first round. Here’s why: 

The less talent they have, the more blue-collar Houston becomes. Without McGrady and Yao, the rest of the roster has no choice but to dig-in, man-up, and get-stops. Their defense - led by Trevor Ariza, Shane Battier, and Luis Scola - must further reduce opposition scoring, even though they only gave up 94.4 points per game in 2009.

They have nice role players. Guard Kyle Lowry, after being acquired from Memphis at the trade deadline, is physical on both ends of the floor. Meanwhile, third-year man Carl Landry could post double-figure scoring numbers, rotating between the four and five positions.

So they have an identity and some chemistry from last year. What are the negatives?

Points will be hard to come by. Without a first-option who can create for himself or others, Coach Rick Adelman will be forced to use a scorer-by-committee system. On some nights, the offense will struggle.

The cupboard isn’t totally bare, though. For instance, young Aaron Brooks emerged as a player last year. Look for the tiny table-setter to use his speed on pick-and-rolls to create pops (jumpers) for Battier and rolls to the basket for Scola. 

There may be minutes for second round pick Chase Budinger. The offensively starved Rockets could certainly use the former All-American volleyball player’s athleticism, outside range, and scoring ability.

However, Budinger is a bit of a mystery. Years ago, I watched him as a freshman dominate a pre-season tournament near Vancouver, B.C. His talent was obvious, yet he never fulfilled his potential at Arizona. Budinger did have an impressive summer league and his skill-set may be better suited for the pro game.

The five-spot is a concern. David Anderson, an NBA rookie with loads of European experience, will try to replace the injured Yao. And at times, Adelman will go with workers like Scola and Landry. Still, bigger teams could have their way with the undersized Rockets.

After years of bad luck, Houston will need some good fortune to be relevant in the Western Conference. 

Prediction: In the mix for the eighth playoff spot in the West.

Sound off: Where do you see the Houston Rockets finishing in 2010? Get at us in the comment box below and follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of mikeopera.