Every week, HoopsVibe The Blog drops a basketball related list for fans to weigh-in on. We call it ‘Listed’ …

They are love-hate players. The home crowd show love, appreciating their extra effort, determination, and win-at-all costs approach. The league’s 29 other cities show hate, interpreting that same extra effort, determination, and win at all costs approach as dirty play.

Of course, the power of the Internet has added an extra dimension to the love-hate crew. Opposing fans watch their highlight reel, drop more F-bombs than a rapper after losing his bling, and scheme on revenge.

In this edition of ‘Listed’, HoopsVibe is counting off the NBA’s five dirtiest players, complete with necessary highlights for your dissection. As always, read the post, form an opinion, and get at us in the comment box below.

#5) Raja Bell 

Why: On the whole, I like the veteran two-guard. Bell, a nice guy off the court, occasionally loses his cool in a big way. Like …

#4) Matt Barnes 

Why: The onetime Mohawk spent years securing his place in the NBA. Now he is known for, well, antics.

#3) Robert Horry 

Why: ‘Big Shot Bob’ is out of the league, but perhaps he should be known as ‘Big Body Check Bob’.

#2) James Posey 

Why: This lockdown defender finishes every play. ‘Pose’ has made a career of provoking opponents and throwing vicious elbows.

#1) Bruce Bowen

Why: The O-G of chippie play, Bowen has alienated more stars than the paparazzi and TMZ combined. Still, San Antonio doesn’t have their three recent NBA Titles without him.
 

Who is the NBA’s dirtiest player? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe’s NBA Blog for more basketball tidbits. Photo courtesy of phantroll. 

NBA news mixed with analysis …

Their News: Federal regulators have accused billionaire Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban of insider trading for allegedly using confidential information on a stock sale to avoid more than $750,000 in losses.

The Securities and Exchange Commission filed a civil lawsuit against Cuban on Monday in federal court in Dallas. The agency said that in June 2004, Cuban was invited to get in on the coming stock offering by Mamma.com Inc. after he agreed to keep the information private.

The SEC said Cuban knew his stake — pegged at 600,000 shares, or 6 percent ownership in the company — would be sold below the current market price after learning that Mamma.com was raising money through a private investment in a public entity (also known as a PIPE). (ESPN news)

Our Quick Analysis: It doesn’t matter if Mark Cuban committed insider trading. The court of public opinion will find him guilty. And his enemies have their opportunity.

The knives are out. Commissioner Stern, the old guard of NBA owners, the referees, several players, coaches, and even Donald Trump are waiting to pounce on a weakened Cuban. They’ll either discredit their rival or isolate him.

I don’t blame them. For several years, the renegade owner has overshadowed the on-court product, using his position as Dallas’ owner to become a reality television sideshow.

Cuban’s antics would be forgiven if he ever exhibited grace and occasionally checked his ego. After all, billionaire owners should enjoy the perks that accompany their expensive toys.

But Cuban picked fights, called-out enemies through the media, and smirked at the television cameras. Fair or not, he is perceived as a bad loser and an even worse winner.

And the charges are particularly damaging in today’s climate. After the mortgage meltdown, the public is angry with wealthy individuals manipulating stocks at the expense of others. There will be no sympathy, only support for the government to pursue justice at all costs.

In fact, the amount is irrelevant, except when considering that a billionaire could allegedly be greedy enough to break the law and risk everything for less than a million dollars.

These charges could be the trigger that finally pushes Cuban to sell his Mavericks. At least going out on his terms would rob his enemies of their opportunity to get even. A last act of defiance, I guess.

What are your thoughts on Cuban? Will he sell the Mavericks? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog. Photo courtesy of The Paco.

I’m not opening the Pandora’s Box known as Kobe versus LeBron. I’m only weighing-in on the latest twist in this never-ending saga. 

Recently, NBATV broadcaster Rick Kamla mentioned on-air that James was a better player than Bryant because of his defensive abilities. When challenged by co-hosts Steve Smith and Cheryl Miller, Kamla said James’ superior shot-blocking gave him the edge.

I like Kamla. He is passionate, personable, and takes risks on-air. But I disagree with his comments.

There is a case for James being the best player in the world. After all, man-child is a walking triple-double, a reincarnation of the classic Oscar Robertson. And while stuffing the stat sheet, The King makes those around him better, much better.

And James is certainly a fine defensive player. But shot blocking doesn’t give him the edge over Bryant. Without looking at statistics, I’d argue that changing shots and contesting shots matter, not the odd highlight swat that appeases the masses and Stuart Scott on ESPN.

Both players excel at challenging every possible attempt from opponents. This is important because it sets the tone for each of their respective clubs.

Again, King James is a premier talent, possibly the game’s best. If a fan/GM/analyst prefers James over Bryant, the deciding factor isn’t shot blocking. Rick, you are wrong. 

Is James better than Bryant because of shot blocking? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe the Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of ChenJYu.

Every week, HoopsVibe The Blog will review the NBA’s biggest winners and losers of the last seven days …

The Losers … 

Loser #3: Minnesota Timberwolves

Predictions can bite you in the ass. Take Rudy Foye. In training camp, Minnesota’s combo guard confidently predicted his squad would win forty games.

While I respect his optimism, Foye was clearly off. After winning their first game of the season, the Wolves have dropped seven consecutive games. And fan apathy is again taking over the frozen tundra of `Sota.

When watching Minnesota, I am reminded of Boston prior to the Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen trades. Like those Celtic squads, the T-Wolves have collected too many young pieces. And they lack the minutes or resources to develop all their assets.

It’s quality versus quantity. Eventually, executive Kevin McHale must make like Danny Ainge in the summer of 07 and decide who to keep and who to trade.

Loser #2: Baron Davis, Mike Dunleavy, and the Los Angeles Clippers

Earlier this week, star player and coach had a man-to-man, heart-to-heart chat. And after publicly proclaiming a truce,Davis, Dunleavy and L.A. lost by twenty to an undermanned Golden State squad. Worst of all, they gave up 37 points to an undrafted rookie called Anthony Morrow.

I guess the curse of the Clips lives. After a summer of retooling, Hollywood’s second squad can’t score, defend, and sits a miserable 1-8 in the highly competitive Western Conference.

Things have to change and soon. Or changes are coming to Los Angeles.

Loser #1: Dallas Mavericks

I have advice for Dallas owner Mark Cuban: sell now. Relinquish the Mavs, the stadium you privately funded, and all other team-affiliated assets. Take the first 9-digit cheque you can get near market value in these rocky economic times.

Cuban can’t handle losing in the first round, so rebuilding happens when pigs fly. It doesn’t matter that Dallas’ run is over. And it doesn’t matter that the club sits at 2-7 and new coach Rick Carlisle isn’t the answer.

A patient, long-term strategist is needed for such a process. Someone who can handle losing fifty games, trading stars Dirk Nowitzki and Josh Howard for cap space and prospects, and smiling in the camera at the draft lottery in New Jersey. Most importantly, rebuilding requires an owner who won’t be tempted by short-term fixes like dealing up-and-coming Devin Harris for over the hill Jason Kidd.

The Dancing With The Stars contestant is too reactionary and competitive for this drawn-out process. Time for Cuban to sell the Mavs and buy the Cubs. Unfortunately, the NBA will be worse off without the renegade owner.

What are your thoughts on our weekly losers? Get at us in the comment box on Minnesota, L.A., and Dallas. Click on the link for more of HoopsVibe NBA Blog. Photo courtesy of jdlasica.

Part of me wants it to end. Their divorce was and still is TMZ material, complete with snitching, backstabbing, and a bizarre request for a sampling of the buttocks.

For years, I reluctantly reported on the Shaq-Kobe feud. From break-ups to make-ups, I covered the story because there was an audience demand. Like you, HoopsVibe has bills to pay too .

Unlike most, I never saw this as a two-party dispute. Ever. I always maintained a third party, Phil Jackson, should shoulder some blame. Jackson, the legendary Chicago and Los Angeles coach and much-hailed Zen-Master, never embraced the mediator role, often pitting the two stars against each other for self-serving purposes.

Recently, O’Neal recently weighed-in on his former coach and discussed returning to the purple-and-gold:

“Shaquille O’Neal said he hasn’t ruled out a return to the Lakers as a free agent in 2010. He also claimed he never had a problem with Kobe Bryant while they played together with the Lakers. He said he believes they could have won more titles together if he hadn’t been traded to the Miami Heat in 2004. "I swear to God we never had a problem," O’Neal, now with the Phoenix Suns, said during an interview posted Friday on the Web site of the Sacramento Bee. "On the court, we never had a problem." Instead, O’Neal blamed their creative tension on Lakers coach Phil Jackson. "I think it was all designed by Phil," he said. "Because, if you think about it, Phil never called us into the office and said, `Both of you, shut the (heck) up.’ Never did that in four years. He knew that when I read something, I was going to get upset. And he knew Kobe was going to always come out and play hard. "So I think it was all done by design." (November 14^th, 2008 Sacramento Bee, CNNSI Fan Nation)

I know the veteran has his reasons for blaming Jackson. His contract expires in the summer of 2010 and he wants the option of rejoining the Lakers. Of course, this scenario is highly unlikely. Ownership won’t forgive O’Neal’s behaviour in 2003 and the club recently extended young big Andrew Bynum.

There is some truth with his comments. Jackson is a great coach and an even better opportunist. In Chicago, he was reporter Sam Smith’s inside source for the controversial book The Jordan Rules.

Jackson gave up inside dirt on the organization’s politics, rules favouring Jordan, and other contentious issues typically protected by the sanctity of the locker room. Smith’s gossipy book was a bestseller and the club went on an intense internal search to root out the leak.  

Jackson then manipulated the club’s witch-hunt for his own purposes, blaming long-time assistant coach, mentor, and supposed friend Johnny Bach. Of course, Jackson knew he was the source, not Bach. The long-time assistant coach, who was having family issues at the time, was fired after years of service with Chicago and went through a depression.

Remember, Jackson wrote a tell-all on the Lakers 2003-04 season, painting Bryant in a most unflattering light. Of course, after rejoining the organization, he revised the chapter on his star swing. Clearly, the Hall of Fame coach is capable of anything and could have contributed to the NBA’s greatest divorce.

Again, I’m tired of this story. By rightfully allocating some blame toward Jackson, hopefully we all can move on. I know better, though. There will soon be another twist in the Shaq-Kobe saga. And I’ll report on it.

How do you see Phil Jackson: a great coach or a self-serving opportunist? Was he responsible for the Shaq-Kobe split? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of compujamery.

NBA news mixed with analysis …

Their News: Who wouldn’t want to play for San Antonio?" Marbury told The Post last night. "To play with Tim Duncan, who would complain about that? That’s a great organization, they win championships. They have a nice system and I like (Gregg) Popovich as coach. I can play 1 or the 2. If I was a free agent, yeah."

Spurs general manager R.C. Buford has said he may look for a point guard after losing Tony Parker for a month. The only point guards on the roster are rookie George Hill, who started last night, and Jacque Vaughn. Donnie Walsh is not ready to waive Marbury. (New York Post) 

Our Very Quick Analysis: For the longest time, I couldn’t see it. And didn’t want to see it. Coney Island’s flash and the Alamo’s efficiency seemed an odd match, an Oscar and Felix type situation.

These are drastic times for Stephon Marbury and San Antonio. ‘Starbury’ is an afterthought with his hometown New York Knicks; a perpetual DNP-CD, sitting on the sideline in the finest twenty million dollar per season suit money can buy.

And after Marbury brought lawyers to Friday’s sitdown with Knick President Donnie Walsh, it’s clear a buyout is coming. And fast.

In Texas, the Republicans aren’t the only institution to lose big. The Spurs, after several seasons atop the Western Conference, have struggled with a poor record. Worst of all, Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker, their second and third best players, are out long-term.

Yes, drastic times, indeed. Will Marbury and San Antonio take the drastic measure of joining forces?

It’s possible. Marbury needs a change. Any change will do. So expect the former All-Star to continue flirting with the Spurs and other potential suitors via the media.

San Antonio, however, is a different story. Their emphasis on character is commendable, but they need to tweak their roster. Coach Gregg Popovich must decide if Marbury’s talent offsets his baggage.  

Of course, ‘Pop’ and his crew would provide Marbury an opportunity at redemption. If he fits-in and helps the former champs then his battered reputation gets a much-needed lift.

Dallas, Golden State, and Miami are the frontrunners for the former All-Star. San Antonio also makes sense –and not just for Marbury. Like I said, drastic times call for drastic measures.

Where will Marbury end up? The Mavericks? The Warriors? The Heat? Or the Spurs? Get at us in the comment box below and return to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of Elinor Zach.

Last July, Paul Pierce went there, making the kind of grand statement that would have his wife kicking him under the table in front of dinner guests. The Finals MVP drew ‘what you talking bout Willis’ stares when boasting he was the league’s best player. 

"I have an opinion, I have a right to have one and that’s the way I feel. I felt I’ve played against the best over the years and felt right now that I’m the best player in the world." (Boston Herald, July 31/08)

The implication was obvious. I got it. You got it. Heck, a chimpanzee could get it. Fresh off his championship ring, and perhaps feeling the need to puff out his chest, Pierce was declaring himself better than Kobe Bryant.

Personally, I wasn’t offended by his comments. The star was showing the confidence that helped him overcome falling to tenth in the draft and being labelled as Antoine Walker’s shoulder-shimmying buddy.  

I expect the Boston-Los Angeles, ‘Truth-Mamba’ rivalry to again blossom in the 2008-09 NBA Finals. Last night, Pierce and Kobe once again went at it. Well, sort of. Instead of battling each other, the duo competed for the lead highlight on ESPN Sportcenter.  

Both players propelled their teams to victories, albeit in separate games, with clutch shots. Pierce, in a Bird-‘Nique’1988 flashback, crossed over the defense and nailed a fade-away jump shot on the Hawks with a mere half-second remaining. Meanwhile, in New Orleans, with the shot clock winding down, Bryant sank an impossible shot on James Posey to seal the victory.

Who had the better buzzer-beater? Pierce or Bryant? As always, watch both clips, form an opinion, and get at us in the comment box below?

(’The Truth’ delivers.)

I was taught that point guards matter. The good ‘ones’ (pun intended) distribute, set the tone, act as on-court coaches, and are usually sipping champagne and hoisting the championship trophy come June.

Yet table-setters have been taking more hits than Freddie Mae, Fannie Mac, and Lehman Brothers combined. Real estate and stocks look good when compared to the recent crash of NBA point guards.

I thought teams built around this position. Each day word surfaces of another unhappy lead-guard and the possibility of him transitioning elsewhere.

Currently, I count five point guards caught in messy feuds. New York and Indiana are trying to find takers for Stephon Marbury and Jamaal Tinsley. Larry Brown, when not searching for his next job, is tiring on Ray Felton, while Sergio Rodriguez is tiring of Portland. And Earl Watson wants out of Oklahoma City.

Each scenario is different, so I can’t point to one specific reason. With Tinsley, off-court troubles are to blame. However, a few factors have made point guards more expendable than ever.

Scorers are out. For too long the line has been blurred and shooting guards like Marbury were allowed to play the point because of their size. No more. Lately, the trend has shifted back to team ball, which means ‘tweeners’, and their I-gotta-get-mine style, are done.

Teams have options. They can turn to Europe and make Jose Calderon, Tony Parker, and Beno Udrih their starting point guard. Or they can allow a superstar like Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, or Dwyane Wade to serve as primary ball handler.

Coaches want specific things from point guards. Many see the point guard as an extension of the bench. Yet, the NBA is a result driven business and inevitably coaches get fired. Any new sideline boss will consider changing the point guard spot and bringing in his own guy.

Why do you think point guards are vulnerable? Who moves on first? Marbury? Tinsley? Felton? Rodriguez? Or Watson? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe the Blog for more NBA tidbits. 

Every week, HoopsVibe the Blog drops a basketball related list for fans to weigh-in on. We call it ’Listed’ ...

I used to call the Western Conference Rome. For years, they dominated the NBA like Caesar manhandled Europe. Not any more. While the west has many great players, the Lawrence O’Brien trophy currently resides in the Eastern Conference with Boston.

Still, many Western Conference clubs are fully capable of wrestling back the NBA Title from the Celtics. In this edition of ‘Listed’, we ranked the left coast’s top five contenders through two weeks of the regular season.

As always, read the post, form an opinion, and get at us in the comment box below.  

1) Los Angeles Lakers

Why: The purple-and-gold is a perfect 5-0. Yet, their play has been far from perfect. Kobe and company have been ice cold from the field, hitting 43% of field goal attempts through four games.

Two nights ago, they broke out against Houston, nailing over 50% of shots in a 111-82 romp. And the Lakers are arguably the league’s best defensive team, giving up a stingy 83 points per game. As the Rockets found out, L.A. is unstoppable when firing on all cylinders.

2) New Orleans Hornets

Why: Even with mediocre three-point range, Chris Paul still dominated last season. Despite defenders sagging, the jitterbug table-setter still got in the lane and found teammates.

Fast forward to 2008-09 and ‘CP3’ has connected on over 40% of attempts from beyond the arc. With opponents now forced to play-up on Paul, the All-Star will have more opportunities to create for David West and three-point marksmen like Rasual Butler, Morris Peterson, James Posey, and Peja Stojakovic.

Expect New Orleans to keep buzzing.

3) Utah Jazz

Why: Right now, the Jazz gets a slight nod over the Rockets and Suns for two reasons. First, they are 5-1 without star Deron Williams. This is remarkable. Last I checked the stocky table-setter makes everything go in the desert. Second, Utah is playing airtight defense, giving up a stingy 91 points per night. 

4) Phoenix Suns

Why: Sure, Terry Porter’s crew should establish an identity. For instance, are they a running team or a slow the pace, half-court crew? Amare Stoudamire’s continued development might allow Phoenix to play anyway it wants. STAT is that good.

5) Houston Rockets

Why: On paper, there is too much talent and defensive ability for Houston to again fall short. Unless, of course, something happens with you-know-who or another freak injury hits Yao or T-Mac.

Agree or disagree with our rankings? Well, tell us why. Even better, give us your own top five from the Western Conference. Come back to HoopsVibe the blog for more NBA tidbits and image provided courtesy of gumball monkey.  

NBA news mixed with analysis ...

Their News: Multiple NBA sources have confirmed that Charlotte moving Gerald Wallace is imminent, but Pro Basketball News has yet to learn of a definitive destination at this time.

Considering New York has also been tied as a possible destination for Harrington, the fact the Knicks have Eddy Curry collecting dust also makes them a potential partner in a multiple-team deal. (Pro Basketball News, found by HoopsVibe’s news team)

Usually, these rumours make no sense –like a bank loaning a person with no job, assets, or credit history hundreds of thousands of dollars to enter a leveraged housing market.

Once in a while, there is merit and the teams should actually swap the players involved. For example, it makes perfect sense for New York and Charlotte to exchange Eddy Curry for Gerald Wallace. And both players are available.

Curry is out of favour in New York. Of course, his situation has been overshadowed by the ongoing soap opera As Stephon Marbury Turns. New coach Mike D’Antoni wants to run and uses anyone other than Curry at the five-spot.

Money drives the thrifty Bobcats. The organization believes Wallace’s nine million dollar per season contract would be better spent on another player –preferably a scoring post to take pressure off Emeka Okafor.

How would a swap impact both teams?

Wallace has the athleticism and up-and-down style D’Antoni likes. The pogo stick wing could become a poor man’s Shawn Marion in the Knicks’ up-tempo system. And moving Curry would improve locker room chemistry.

Meanwhile, something has to give in apathetic Charlotte. New coach Larry Brown is demanding changes, minority owner and executive Michael Jordan wants to buy a majority share in the club, and nobody is sure of current owner Bob Johnson’s long-term intentions.

Curry would provide a much-needed inside option. When focused and in-shape, his skill-set commands a double-team, which creates space for others. Also, a Curry-Wallace swap would solve the Bobcats’ logjam at the two-three spots and give a struggling market some publicity.

The contracts are close enough to make things work. Wallace has a guaranteed 4 years and 40 million dollars remaining on his pact (he holds the option for 2012-2013 at 11 million dollars), while Curry is owed 30 million dollars over the next three years.

The only complication is New York’s future plans. Wallace’s multi-year, big-ticket pact would take up valuable salary space to chase free agents in the summer of 2010.

Still, there is enough to justify discussing a Curry-Wallace swap. Perhaps, our guilty pleasure becomes reality.

Who wins a Curry-Wallace trade? New York? Charlotte? Both? Get at us in the comment box below and return to HoopsVibe the Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of bucko73us.