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Allen Iverson and New York Knicks: A convenient mistakeNovember 19 09  Breaking NBA news mixed with analysis …Their News: "The New York Knicks, winners of just two of their first 11 games, are seriously contemplating signing Allen Iverson if he clears waivers Thursday evening." ESPN.com My Quick Take: It would be a marriage of convenience. Allen Iverson’s career is in limbo after falling out with the Memphis Grizzlies three games into the season, while the 2-10 New York Knicks are desperate for a distraction until ‘The Great Free Agent Chase of 2010’ begins in July. There is talk of a hook up, but this wouldn’t be in the best interests of Iverson or New York. Currently, Iverson is like a boxer, who doesn’t realize his championship days are over. To stay relevant and prolong his career, the combo guard needs to play a role on a contending team. Instead of New York, he should sell a top team on his ability to kill it as a second-unit game-changer. Iverson could then compete for Sixth Man of the Year, play relevant basketball during the playoffs, and, most importantly, re-invent himself. By sacrificing for a contender, the future Hall of Famer would silence his doubters and, in turn, create a demand for his services on the free agent market next summer. In New York, Iverson would only reinforce what we already know -that he can still score for a bad team. A season ago, executive Donnie Walsh and Coach Mike D’Antoni forced Stephon Marbury out ‘The Five Burroughs’, claiming the franchise wanted no part of his baggage. Today, with media and Madison Square Gardens tiring of their tank-it-until-2010 plan, they’re considering Iverson’s baggage. In the short term, this may work out. After all, Iverson would get his shots and Knick-nation would get entertained. The long-term is a worry, though. Next summer, contenders would still be leery of ‘The Answer’ and New York, with Iverson as a first-option, wouldn’t develop any talent to fall back on if they can’t sign an elite free agent. Yes, it seems convenient, but Iverson in New York would be a mistake. Hopefully, it doesn’t happen. Got thoughts on The Answer in the NYC? Get at us in the comment box below with thoughts. Follow Oly on HoopsVibe The Blog and Twitter. Photo courtesy of coursond34.
Andrea Bargnani’s dunk on Chris Anderson: dumb luck or improved aggressiveness?November 19 09  Perhaps, opposing teams should take note.Despite shooting poorly in Tuesday’s loss to the Denver Nuggets, the Toronto Raptors’ Andrea Bargnani still made a statement with one play. Early on, he caught the ball along the three-point-line, blew past Renaldo Balkman with a shot fake, and threw down a fierce dunk on Chris Anderson. Yes, the skilled ‘Il Mago’ poster-jobbed the shot-blocking ‘Birdman’. It’s an impressive play and worth watching again. And Raptor fans are hoping the Italian will continue complementing his fine perimeter shooting with these kinds of strong drives to the basket. Currently, Bargnani is a solid player. But by improving his aggressiveness on both ends of the floor, he becomes a candidate for the All Star game and nice insurance if Chris Bosh leaves as a free agent at season’s end. Watch the clip below and tell us if this dunk is a one-off or the start of a more aggressive Bargnani? Follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe The Blog and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Nero88.
Monta Ellis must look in mirror before blaming Golden State WarriorsNovember 18 09  Breaking NBA news mixed with analysis …My Quick Analysis: What does Monta Ellis see when he looks at himself in the mirror? One day after disgruntled forward Stephen Jackson was traded to the Charlotte Bobcats, the Golden State Warriors learned that Ellis has no interest in assuming more of a leadership role. In an interview with Marcus Thompson of the Contra Costa Times, the combo guard dissolved himself of blame for the Warriors’ poor start and told teammates to improve their play. “I’m not going to put more on my back. Somebody else gonna have to step up. I’m not gonna do more, somebody else gonna have to step up and take on the role Jack had and be that player. But I’m putting no more extra on my back”Unfortunately, Ellis was just warming up. The former second round pick then told Thompson he was the only Warrior who bothered playing defense. “That’s (Jackson) one of our best defenders on the team. And we’re trying to get better as a defensive team. And now, who we got now that’s going to play defense? We got me. And who else?” (Thompson, Contra Costa Times)Obviously, Golden State is a dysfunctional organization. And they are partially at fault for ruining their promising scorer. However, Ellis has to stop acting like, well, his you-know-what doesn’t stink and start acting like a professional. Remember, the Warriors could have voided Ellis’ 6-year, 66 million extension after he violated the terms of his contract by injuring his leg goofing around on a moped. Coach Don Nelson and owner Chris Cohan, for all their faults, were fairly measured in their response, even though Ellis initially lied about how he got hurt. No teammate threw him under the moped/bus, either. Of course, Ellis didn’t give rookie Stephen Curry the same courtesy, telling reporters on media day he couldn’t possibly form a backcourt with the team’s 2009 lottery pick. And now he’s criticizing the entire team. Ellis was once a polite teenager from Mississippi, who was just trying to stick in the NBA. Hopefully, he looks in the mirror and finds that person soon. Get at us with thoughts on Ellis in the comment box below. Photo courtesy of Badger 23.
Will Ron Artest and Trevor Ariza become rivals?November 17 09  This summer, he took his position. Last night, he threw his shoe.In July, Ron Artest left the Houston Rockets to sign a multi-year contract with the Los Angeles Lakers. Artest, a terrific defender, was brought in to replace Trevor Ariza as the glue-guy for the defending world champions. Of course, the game of musical chairs was just beginning. When the music stopped a few hours later, Ariza, who was also without a contract, inked his own long-term deal for mid-level exception money with the Rockets. The switch was complete. Artest and Ariza had swapped teams. Last night, Houston and L.A. met at Staples Center, so the circumstances were already a touch awkward for these blue-collar swings. Things went from awkward to amusing when Artest tossed Ariza’s loose shoe during the course of play. Watch the clip below and tell us if you think an Artest-Ariza rivalry is brewing? Follow Oly on HoopsVibe the Blog and Twitter. Photo courtesy of sith120.
3 ways Golden State Warriors benefit from Stephen Jackson tradeNovember 16 09  Breaking NBA news mixed with analysis …Their News: The Golden State Warriors on Monday offloaded disgruntled forward Stephen Jackson to a non playoff team, sending him to the Charlotte Bobcats instead of dealing him to one of Jackson’s preferred destinations in Cleveland. (Marc Stein, ESPN) Our Quick Analysis: It’s addition by subtraction. This is what the Golden State Warriors were surely thinking when they pulled the trigger on the Stephen Jackson trade, shipping their most talented player and captain to the Charlotte Bobcats for veterans Raja Bell and Vladimir Radmanovic. Bell and Radmanovic are serviceable, but the Warriors - after Jackson publicly requested a trade and feuded with Coach Don Nelson -had to accept less than equal value for the moody swing. Not all is lost. In cutting their losses, the Warriors achieved three things. First, trading Jackson shields youngsters Stephen Curry and Anthony Randolph from some negativity in the locker room. This still isn’t enough. To truly improve the club’s culture, Nelson must find professionals who will mentor his two blue-chippers. Second, owner Chris Cohan wants to sell the team. Swapping Jackson’s multi-year contract for Bell’s expiring deal and Radmanovic’s two season deal saves the club $23 million. Improving the bottom line makes it easier for Cohan to find a buyer. Third, having Jackson in uniform reminded everyone of Nelson’s incompetence. Not long ago, the two were bosom buddies, golfing together and tossing each other bouquets and compliments in the media. So Nelson, through his lackeys in the front office, re-upped with Jackson well before his contract expired. The ink on his extension was barely dry when Jackson went public with his trade demand, which made Nelson look awfully foolish. Today’s deal was a matter of out of sight, out of mind and allowed the Warriors to save some face. Golden State will benefit from moving Jackson. It remains to be seen if this addition by subtraction trade will translate into more wins, though. Got a take on Jackson and the Warriors going their separate ways? Well, get at us in the comment box below and follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Memphisos. Click here for more HoopsVIbe coverage on Don Nelson.
Bust of the Week: Why Golden State Warriors won’t fire Don NelsonNovember 15 09  Every Sunday, HoopsVibe The Blog names a Bust of the Week, so check back and read about the very worst in the NBA.This Week’s Bust: Chris Cohan, Don Nelson and the Golden State Warriors. Why: Two years ago, they made you and me believe. After years of issues, the Golden State Warriors captivated the basketball world with a memorable playoff run known as ‘We Believe’. The franchise looked poised to turn the corner and become relevant in the Western Conference. Well, I was wrong. You were wrong. We were naive and shouldn’t have gotten our hopes up. After all, you can’t teach old dogs new tricks. And the Warriors still had two of the oldest dogs -owner Chris Cohan and Coach Don Nelson. For years, Cohan had treated the club like his own banana republic. Soon after bringing back Nelson from the coaching scrap heap, Cohan gave the mad-scientist sideline boss unchecked power. And Nelson has lost control, chasing friend-turned-foe Chris Mullin out of the fiefdom and clashing with nearly the entire roster. Today, the Warriors are a mess, overtaking the Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, and Isiah Thomas led New York Knicks as the league’s most embarrassing franchise. This week, I had a false glimmer of hope. Change was supposedly coming. Reports had Nelson leaving the sideline to accept a cushy advisor position and the coaching reins would be handed to promising assistant Keith Smart. Again, I shouldn’t have gotten my hopes up. The palace coup was over before it ever began. Nelson immediately shot down this rumour; his lackeys in the front office also had his back. Then it hit me. The veteran coach isn’t going anywhere with two-years and $12 million remaining on his contract. No team in this economy, especially the Warriors, will eat that salary and pay for another coach. Nelson is staying for at least another year. Maybe more. The Stephen Jackson saga doesn’t matter. Neither do his problems with Monta Ellis or his mishandling of rookie Stephen Curry. That much-needed coaching change isn’t happening. So I won’t believe. I won’t let these Golden State Warriors fool me again. I suggest you do the same. Got thoughts on HoopsVibe The Blog’s Bust of the Week? Get at us in the comment box below. Follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of rocor.
Best of the Web: Brandon Jennings’ journey, a feature interview with Golden State’s Stephen Curry, and could LeBron and D-Wade play together?November 15 09  HoopsVibe The Blog semi-regularly drops a best of-the-web feature with articles from the ‘three dubyas’ you should be reading …
Best poster-job: Dwyane Wade on Anderson Varejao or Ty Lawson on L.A. Lakers?November 14 09  Right now, two dunks are the talk of the NBA.The first came on Thursday when Dwyane Wade’s Miami Heat took on LeBron James’ Cleveland Cavaliers. Wade, who is already in mid-season form, dribbled the length of the floor and dunked on Anderson Varejao with such ferocity the seven-foot super-pest fell into the basket’s protective cushions. The play was so impressive broadcasters, for a moment, stopped discussing Wade and James` pending free agency and actually focused on the game. The second took place during yesterday’s rematch of the 2009 Western Conference Finals between the Denver Nuggets and Los Angeles Lakers. During the final stages of the Nuggets’ blowout win, rookie Ty Lawson got free off a high screen and promptly packed it on posts Josh Powell and DJ Mbenga. So, what dunk impressed you the most: Wade’s facial or Lawson’s poster job? Watch the clips and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below. (Clip 1: Wade abusing Varejao on national television.) (Clip 2: Lawson putting the exclamation point on Denver’s victory.) Follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe The Blog and Twitter. Photo courtesy of coursond34.
Could Iverson be ’The Answer’ for Cleveland, Boston, San Antonio, Charlotte, or Los Angeles?November 12 09  Unlike the Michael Jackson bio flick, This isn’t it for Allen Iverson. "He needs a team where his ability to create his own shot will help a superstar, where he can also work the end of the game as a closer, a team where his reckless abandon and pedal-to-the-medal aggression in smaller doses will be an asset, not a liability. I’m talking about the Cleveland Cavaliers." (Wilbon, Washington Post)Why not: Only so many shots are available in Coach Mike Brown’s scheme. After all, LeBron James and Shaq have to get theirs, so where would Iverson fit? Boston Celtics ... Why: This summer, several publications thought the green-and-white might sign Iverson – if, and it’s a big if, he agreed to come off the bench. They reasoned Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce could get Iverson to agree to a supporting role. Why not: All risk, little reward. After reloading this summer, the Celtics have depth and bench scoring, so there is little, if any, upside signing Iverson. San Antonio ... Why: Their coach, Gregg Popovich, is friends with Larry Brown, Iverson’s biggest supporter and former coach with the Philadelphia 76ers. If injuries become an issue for the Spurs, Popovich could conceivably roll the dice and consider the tiny combo guard as a stop-gap fill-in. Why not: Ginobili is healthy and seems intent on reestablishing himself as the NBA’s best tempo-changer off-the-bench, which wouldn’t leave anything for Iverson to do except pout. Best of the rest: Charlotte Bobcats ... Why: Coach Brown (Charlotte’s sideline boss) and Iverson have a history. And even though their relationship had more ups and downs than a roller coaster at Six Flags, they still respect each other. On-court, the Bobcats are in desperate need of a perimeter scorer. Off-court, they are in desperate need of a gate draw and Iverson, love him or hate him, sells tickets and generates headlines. Why not: Bob Johnson, Charlotte’s owner, is looking to sell the team and may have reservations about adding the controversial Iverson while seeking a buyer. Los Angeles Clippers ... Why: The Don, Clippers’ owner Donald Sterling, and The Answer, Iverson, nearly had a deal this off-season. If L.A.’s other team continues to struggle, Sterling may try to steal a little of the Lakers’ thunder by acquiring Iverson. Why not: On paper, the Clippers look good. And they might not need or want the distractions that come with Iverson. Where do you think Iverson will land if he leaves Memphis? Get at us in the comment box below and follow Oly’s work at HoopsVibe The Blog and Twitter. Photo courtesy of thedanger23.
Byron Scott a sacrificial lamb for troubled New Orleans HornetsNovember 12 09  Breaking NBA news mixed with my analysis ... Their News: "The New Orleans Hornets have responded to their 3-6 start by making the first coaching change of the young NBA season, firing Byron Scott on Thursday, according to NBA coaching sources." (Marc Stein, ESPN News services)
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