Today’s NBA news mixed with analysis ...

News:

Lakers center Andrew Bynum might not be quite ready to start playing NBA basketball just yet. But the 7-footer looks bigger and stronger than ever, and is able to run with no apparent effects from the knee injury that wiped out his season last January.

At least that’s the report from Lakers GM Mitch Kupchak, who traveled to Atlanta this week along with VP Jim Buss and Director of Scouting Bill Bertka to check in on his rehabilitating 20-year-old star.

"He looks to be in great shape. He looks ready to go," Kupchak said in a phone interview Thursday. "There’s no reason to believe he won’t be 100 percent for training camp." (CNNSI, Marty Burns)

Quick Analysis: Times have changed for Andrew Bynum. In August of 2007, he was downplaying Kobe Bryant’s cell phone rampage and trying to ignore those Jason Kidd rumours.

Today, he’s hailed as the missing link to the Lakers’ title hopes. After all, Bynum was the NBA’s best young post before sustaining a January knee injury, which sidelined him for the season. A healthy ‘manchild’ makes last year’s NBA Finals much more competitive.

So you can understand Mitch Kupchak’s check-up in Atlanta. Without Bynum, the Lakers are an elite team. With him, they’re the favourite in 2008-09.

Their starting unit is outstanding. Bryant is a superstar, Fisher is a solid point guard, and the frontcourt, with a healthy Bynum, is arguably the NBA’s best. The bench is ten, eleven deep; Coach Phil Jackson is an all-time great.

The pieces are there. And Bynum, if he returns to form, can come full circle and play hero.

Will Bynum put L.A. over the top. Get at us in the comment box below and return to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of Polvitos.

NBA news mixed with analysis:

News: Ron Artest is putting his best foot — the one he doesn’t put in his mouth on occasion — forward.

Artest enlisted himself as a loyal soldier to Yao Ming. Artest insists he’ll happily defer to Yao and Tracy McGrady, that whatever they say goes. Artest pledges to do whatever Rockets coach Rick Adelman asks, and to do it willingly.

About the only thing Artest isn’t volunteering to do is serve as Rafer Alston’s designated driver. Maybe all the Rockets have to do is ask.

Start or come off the bench? It doesn’t matter. First option, second option, third option, fourth option on offense? It doesn’t matter. (CNNSI and Houston Chronicle)

Quick Analysis: I want to believe him. You want to believe him. Heck, most NBA fans want to believe him.

Ron Artest’s good soldier pledge must be reinforced with action. After all, we’ve heard his song-and-dance before. Several times. His past promises to behave and defer have always been broken with self-destructive behaviour.

In Indiana, for example, the forward broke his word with several on-and-off court incidents. Things improved in Sacramento, but there were still brushes with the law and emotional outbursts on-court.

Houston should be different, though. First off, winning solves most issues. Expect the Rockets to win their share of games and Ron-Ron’s defense could even turn them into ’legit’ contenders.

Second, the coach and player in question trust each other. Houston’ s Rick Adelman and Artest enjoyed working together in Sacramento; the wily sideline boss will likely get the most of his newest addition.  

Money talks. Literally. Artest, after deciding against opting-out of his contract in July, has one more year on his current deal. A good season in Houston, with good behaviour, could be very lucrative.

We all want to believe Artest. Time will tell if he lives up to his word in Houston.

Do you believe Artest’s promise? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe the Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of Jeff Balke.

Once is fun. Twice is nice. Third times a charm, right? With this theory in mind, HoopsVibe The Blog decided to hit readers with another post on best big-man dunkers.

In case you missed it, post one featured the aerial antics of Dwight Howard, Shawn Kemp, and Darryl Dawkins. Post two had new school heads like Kenyon Martin, Josh Smith, and Amare Stoudemire rocking the rim.

This time, we’re using your comment box suggestions as candidates. That’s right. You asked for these specific dunkers, so we’re giving it you.

Post three features two veterans, a third year pro, and a second year high-flyer. This group haven’t fulfilled their on-court potential, but each is a terrific big-man dunker. They may deserve mention next to Kemp, Howard, or Stoudemire. You decide!

Read the case for each player, watch the clip, and get at us in the comment box with your thoughts on whether these youngsters can be in the conversation of best big man dunker.

Candidate 1: Chris Andersen

Nickname: ‘Bird Man’.

Best Asset: The lanky Texan is an entertainer. He has crazy hair, tattoos, and the post dunk celebration down with his ‘Bird Man’ shtick. Oh yeah, he’s a walking highlight reel, too. 

Candidate 2: Stromile Swift

Nickname: The ‘Stro’ Show.

Best Asset: Swift has it all -long arms, great height, and amazing leaping ability. His years in the NBA have produced a plethora of great jams.

Candidate 3: Tyrus Thomas

Nickname: The Mercenary (after admitting he was only entering the 2006-07 Slam Dunk Contest for money).

Best Asset: Thomas combines power and athleticism. The Bulls post attacks the basket with unmatched aggression.

Candidate 4: Sean Williams

Nickname: ’Le Freak Elastique’.

Best Asset: New Jersey’s young post has a frame that contorts like Gumby. In his only NBA season, Williams has shown he can dunk on the break or in traffic. 

My Call: Each dunker is special. Even though he’s been out of the league due to suspension, Chris ‘The Bird Man’ Andersen gets a slight nod over the four because he’s an entertainer.

Who is the best big man dunker? Andersen? Swift? Thomas? Williams? Are any all-time big man dunkers like Kemp, Howard, Dawkins, or Stoudemire? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of billy-y1.

Baron Davis is long gone. And now his replacement is gone for three months, too. ESPN is reporting Golden State Warrior Monta Ellis is out until at least November after spraining his right ankle during training in Mississippi. 

Ellis was scheduled to undergo surgery on his left ankle in Alabama on Wednesday, according to team sources, after he informed the club late last week that he had injured himself working out. More specifics about how Ellis sustained the injury were not immediately available. (ESPN)

In July, Ellis received a well-deserved pay raise, signing a six-year, $66 million dollar extension with Golden State. The plan was for Ellis to take the starting table-setter reins from Davis, who joined the Los Angeles Clippers as a free agent.

With the one-spot secure, the Warriors then brought-in Corey Maggette and re-signed Andris Biedris. Ellis, Biedris, Maggette, and Stephen Jackson were dubbed the foundation of a playoff calibre team.  

Time for plan B: Marcus Williams. Over the summer, the Warriors acquired the southpaw from the Nets as insurance in case Davis and Ellis both signed elsewhere.

Williams, a former blue-chip prospect, will fill-in for Ellis. New Jersey’s one-time heir apparent for Jason Kidd fell out of favour because of poor conditioning and an apathetic attitude.

He could finally get his opportunity. If focused, he has the talent to hold the fort until Ellis returns and keep Golden State in the playoffs.

No Davis. No Ellis (temporarily). No major problem -if Williams starts fulfilling his potential.

Will Ellis’ injury ruin the Warriors’ season? Get at us in the comment box below and return to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of Bright Like Neon. 

In July of 2007, I watched D.J. Strawberry (the player Houston recently acquired from Phoenix) take part in the Steve Nash Charity Classic. After the game, Nash had these thoughts on Strawberry: 

"Alando (Tucker) and DJ were great. We are excited to have them both. Two super guys. Great athletes. They play hard, they play the right way. Great teammates, so very exciting to have those guys."

"They (Tucker and Strawberry) are going to give us depth. They are going to give us energy. They are going to give us I think a better spirit, you know. Two guys that are happy to be there, busting there butts in lay-up lines and in practice. They are going to help the team." ( Steve Nash, July 2007 in Vancouver, BC)

My Quick Take: Houston acquired arguably the best athlete in the 2007 draft. Strawberry barely played last year, but the swing is a thoroughbred with heaps of potential. Every media head at the Nash Charity game was amazed with his quickness and leaping.

A year ago, Phoenix was trying to find him a roster spot and eventually signed him to a minimum contract. However, the Suns have a new coach and philosophy, so priorities have apparently changed.

Strawberry is explosive, raw, and reminds me of a young Gerald Wallace. Wallace, like Strawberry, rarely played his first season with Sacramento.

The Rockets have landed a dynamic athlete, who could develop into a useful rotation player.

Do you think Strawberry will help Houston? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Part of this article appeared in an earlier post on HoopsVibe The Blog. Photo courtesy of LightforAll.

• It’s an older piece. But The Score’s Courtside breaksdown the changes in the Altantic Division.

• NeedforSheed.com has video of the Pistons Championship win. 

• Ball Don’t Lie’s Kelly Dwyer writes about the positive vibes surrounding Team USA.

• Eric Smith, the Toronto Raptors’ radio analyst, drops his Ten Gold Medal Thoughts.

• Jeff of Celticsblog.com has an indepth piece on Boston’s bench. Do these guys sleep or do they eat, drink, and breath green-and-white? Either way, their blog is top-notch!

• Blazer’s Edge has an interesting piece on Team USA and future Rip City member Rudy Fernandez.

• The Toronto Star’s Doug Smith has thoughts on the Spain-USA Final.

• Ever wondered what Larry Bird is like? Well, Indy Cornrows has the details on an interview with The Hick From French Lick.

• NetsDaily.com, with help from ESPN’s John Hollinger, reviews Yi’s Olympic play. It’s not good.

• Enough heat. BallinEurope has a great picture of the Spanish National Team.
  

Today, the Phoenix Suns traded D.J. Strawberry to the Houston Rockets for Sean Singletary:

“Sean gives us depth at the point guard spot,” said Suns President of Basketball Operations and General Manager Steve Kerr. “We like his instincts and his ability to run a team. He also puts a lot of pressure on the ball defensively. We thank D.J. for his contributions and wish him well.”

My Quick Take: It’s becoming obvious. Phoenix’s ‘Seven Seconds To Shoot’ system is out, replaced by GM Steve Kerr’s vision for a more defensive team.

Consider the evidence. Michael Jordan’s former backcourt mate has dealt track star Shawn Marion for the slower Shaquille O’Neal, replaced coach Mike D’Antoni with blue-collar sideline boss Terry Porter, and signed tough point guard Goran Dragic.

Today, Kerr swapped Strawberry’s athleticism for Singletary’s on the ball, full-court pressure. The 2008 second round pick could get minutes if Dragic isn’t ready to back-up Nash.

Most importantly, this deal shows the Suns are moving away from entertaining, run-and-gun basketball. Look for a more conventional, half-court style next year.

Are the Suns better by emphasizing defence? Get at us in the comment box below and come back to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbtis. Photo courtesy of strebel.

NBA news mixed with analysis:

News: “I would like to share a story with you about something that happened with the Spanish National Team that someone interpreted incorrectly. It happened in the photo session where the Spanish National Team was introduced; one of our sponsors asked us to pose with a “wink” to our participation in Beijing, we made an oriental expression with our eyes. We thought it was something appropriate and that it would always be interpreted as somewhat loving.” (From TSN and El Mundo) 

Analysis: Nobody had a rougher Olympics than Jose Calderon. First, he was photographed with the Spanish National squad making an insulting “oriental expression” (his words, not mine). Instead of offering an unconditional apology, he made things worse by trying to explain the picture.

Toronto has a large and proud Chinese population. Calderon, after inking a lucrative extension with the Raptors this summer and landing the starting point guard spot, may face a backlash from the city’s Chinese community.  

News: “It’s not the moment to be talking about officiating, but I think we would have won under FIBA rules.” (Found this on HoopsHype rumours section. Original source El Mundo.)

Analysis: The Raptors’ table-setter sat out the gold medal game with injury, but still blamed officiating for Spain’s loss to ‘Redeem’ Team USA. Worst of all, he threw out a disclaimer before insinuating the refs contributed to the defeat.

During his three-year run in the NBA, Calderon has handled the press beautifully, sidestepping a potential controversy with former teammate T.J. Ford over the starting point guard spot. Until recently, his conduct on-and-off court had been exceptional.

Something changed at the Olympics, though. During Sunday’s final, Calderon and his teammates protested every call, which led to two fourth quarter technical fouls. Jay Triano, an assistant coach with Calderon’s own Raptors and game analyst with CBC, criticized Spain’s poor sportsmanship on-air.

Hopefully, the Jose that Toronto knows and loves returns –and soon.  

What do you think of Calderon’s photograph and complaints about officiating? Did the refs favour Team USA? Get at us in the comment box below and return to HoopsVibe The Blog for more NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of noamgalai.

When one is up, the other is down. Of course, we’re referring to Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant’s careers following their 2004 divorce from the L.A. Lakers.

After their break-up, O’Neal was clearly on the up in South Beach. Superman’ and ‘Flash’ (Dwyane Wade) won an NBA Title together. Reality shows, sponsors, and the world loved Kazaam’s charisma. And fair or not, he was deemed the good guy, enjoying a get-out-of-jail-free-pass when poor conditioning set in.

Meanwhile, Bryant was down and out in La-La land. His team never advanced past the first round of the playoffs. Off-court, he couldn’t shake the negative ‘pub’ from various indiscretions. Fair or not, he was dubbed the bad guy, bottoming-out in June of 2007 with a series of bizarre trade demands.

Well, the tables have officially turned.

For the past ten months, Kobe’s career has been on the up. He won the 2007-08 regular season MVP through facilitating for others. He helped his teams advance to the NBA Finals. And he just received a gold medal with ‘Redeem Team’ USA.

His public relations reps made sure ABC/ESPN beamed shots of him hugging his daughter around the world. Most importantly, he has avoided nightmares like … 

And ...   

“NBA star Shaquille O’Neal has been ordered to steer clear of an Atlanta-area woman who took out a restraining order Thursday. 

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Richard Hicks granted Alexis Miller’s request Thursday after reviewing her allegations that the basketball player stalked her, threatened her with bodily harm and made harassing phone calls in which he breathed heavily into the phone before hanging up.” (Atlanta Constitution Journal)

“The wife of Phoenix Suns center Shaquille O’Neal said Thursday that her marriage to the NBA star is on the mend.

During an interview about the launch of her new video-sharing Web site, Shaunie O’Neal told the Associated Press that the couple plans to stop divorce proceedings soon.

Neither one of us could probably answer why we were getting one in the first place, " Shaunie O’Neal said." (Atlanta Constitution Journal)

Okay, O’Neal is clearly down. Nobody knew what to make of his free style rap; right or wrong, it was his decision. And every couple has problems. However, a restraining order is never good, especially when the one being ‘restrained’ is supposedly rebuilding his marriage with his longtime wife.

Like I said, when one is up, the other must be down. Only now Shaq and Kobe have switched places.

Have O’Neal and Bryant switched places? Is it fair? Get at us in the comment box below and return to HoopsVibe the Blog for further NBA tidbits. Photo courtesy of The Jeff Selis.

They’ve officially been redeemed. On Saturday/Sunday, Team USA atoned for past international losses by capturing the Olympic gold medal in basketball with a 118-107 win over Spain.

The end result, an American triumph, was never really in doubt (even though Spain were trailing by just four late in the final quarter) ’Victory’ was really guaranteed when veteran superstars Kobe Bryant and Jason Kidd committed to ’Stars-and-Stripes’ for the 2007 Americas Tournament and beyond.

Bryant and Kidd joined Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, and LeBron James to give America their best squad since the 1992 Dream Team.

Of course, this produced an anti-climatic ending -like the good guy prevailing in an action flick or the male and female leads embracing at the end of a sappy romantic comedy accompanied by an even sappier Celine Dion tune.

But the process, the Olympic tournament, produced several storylines, each worth further reflection. Here are nine things we learned from basketball in Beijing:

• #1 The Obvious: When their best buy-in, Team USA is still basketball’s top dog. What would the result have been if interior defenders Tim Duncan and/or Kevin Garnett signed on for the program?

• #2 The Not So Obvious: Kobe Bryant can dominate without scoring. Sure, ‘Black Mamba’ chipped-in offensively, but the baddest two-man on the planet contributed by ’Bruce Bowening’ (without the knees, elbows, and undercuts) the other team’s best scorer. 

• #3 Really, Move Over Jason Kidd: In case you missed last season, Chris Paul and Deron Williams once again proved they’re better point guards than Kidd. The youngsters rightfully received the majority of minutes at the one-spot. 

• #4 Chris Bosh Plays Defence: CB4 confused critics by becoming an interior stopper and bringing blue-collar muscle off the bench. Can he play both ends for Toronto next year, though? 

• #5 Flash’s Return: Dwyane Wade has recovered after two years of injury and sub-par play. Look for Flash to continue his renaissance in South Beach –provided he stays healthy, of course. 

• #6 Superstar Pine-Timers: Give Carlos Boozer, Michael Redd, and Tasyhaun Prince credit. This star trio could’ve pouted about their reserve status, but instead stayed ready and positive on the sideline. 

• #7 Spain The Beast: No Jose Calderon. And no escape from questions over an inappropriate photo. No problem. The Spanish once again showed they are an elite squad by qualifying for the gold medal game and hanging with ‘Redeem Team’. 

• #8 Luis Scola Can Play: The Argentine post is an international superstar. He was the best player at last year’s Americas’ Tournament. At Beijing, against Team USA, he hit for 28 points and 11 rebounds in 34 minutes of action. Expect big things in Houston next year. 

• #9 Patrick Mills NBA Bound: Simply put, Team USA had no answer for Mills’ quickness. The ‘Aussie’ reminds me of a young Tony Parker and, depending on his progress in college, could be in an NBA training camp come September of 2009.