Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesBreak out the champagne: the Nets are not the worst team ever!!!With their 10th win, the Nets have avoided infamy as the worst team in NBA history. Instead they will merely be known as one of the worst teams.The good news is that the Nets have a lot of young players. The bad news is that only Brook Lopez was healthy and consistent this year.Despite the horrible season, the Nets are actually in great shape for the future. They have a new owner in Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, who is a true lover of basketball and has a history of success as an owner of a professional basketball franchise.Just ask any Knicks fan how much good or bad ownership matters. Virtually every Knicks fan that I know wishes that Prokhorov had bought the Knicks and not Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
the Nets.The Nets are moving to Newark. This is a very underrated move.The Izod Center is a nice place to watch a game or a concert, but it is in the middle of nowhere as far as people go. As such, it was very hard to build a hardcore fan base that would give the Nets a home court advantage. Even when they were winning, they did not regularly sell out.Newark, on the other hand, is a rising city. It just had its first month without a murder since 1966 . It is now a city of commerce with a lot of public transportation options. The Nets should be able to draw more fans, and the Prudential Center is a great place to watch a game. For the first time ever, the Nets might have a real home court advantage.As a New Jersey native, it will be sad when the Nets move to Brooklyn, but that will only help the team itself. Brooklyn will love having its own team. The new arena will not only be built above a subway station, but also above a Long Island Railroad station, so the Nets will be able to tap into not only the Brooklyn market, but the Long Island one as well.Financially, the Nets may finally be ready to compete, but what about the most important part: the players. The Nets will have about $23 million in cap space to spend this year. The real question is, how are they going to use it?The Nets have a center who can score, rebound and block shots. No team has won a NBA title without an all-star caliber big man. Even the Jordan teams had Horace Grant and then Dennis Rodman. Having a quality player like Brook Lopez is a great place to start building a team.It is the rest of the team that needs work. That is why the draft will control free agency. The Nets are guaranteed to have one of the top four picks in the draft. That means either John Wall, Evan Turner, Derrick Favors or DeMarcus Cousins will be in the Nets starting lineup next year.So, based on the pick, here are possible free agent targets. I am going to assume that LeBron James is not going to sign with the Nets because the Nets would not be able to compete for a title next year.John Wall strikes me as the next Jason Kidd. He can get anywhere on the court, has great vision, prefers to pass, plays defense, can score in the clutch and is creative.However, he turns the ball over too much and he is not Reebok Washington Redskins #98 ORAKPO Realtree camo Jersey
a good long range shooter, but both of these can be improved through game experience and practice. He is going to be a great player as long as he stays healthy.So, if the Nets get Wall, then what happens?The Nets should then target two players. First, they should try and sign Amare Stoudemire. Amare is healthy and can score in a variety of ways. He can play center but is best at the power forward position. He already plays well with Robin Lopez so there is no reason to think that he wouldn't fit nicely with Brook. A front line of Lopez and Stoudemire immediately becomes the best center and power forward combo in the Eastern Conference.A quality fall back option would be Carlos Boozer. Boozer is not as good a scoreralthough he is very goodbut he is the superior rebounder. With Boozer, the Nets would win the battle of the boards on most nights. Plus, he is very good at running the pick and roll, a staple of NBA offenses.However, with Wall the Nets would no longer need Devin Harris. Harris is a very good player but his style of play and body build has left him vulnerable to injury. The Nets could also try to sign Rudy Gay to a max contract and use Harris in a sign and trade.Memphis has two quality post players and a perimeter scorer in OJ Mayo. What they lack is a top notch point guard. Acquiring Harris for Rudy Gay is a reasonable swap. Plus, Memphis' owner is looking to sell the team and is not likely looking to pay Rudy Gay a max contract.Gay is a phenomenal scorer at the small forward position and has NBA size as well. Put Gay next to Stoudemire and Lopez and it would easily be the best front line in the East.This would leave the Nets with a rotation of Lopez, Stoudemire, Gay, Courtney Lee, Wall, Terrence Williams, Keyon Dooling and Yi Jianlian. Terrence Williams and Courtney Lee would fight it out to start at the shooting guard position. Instead of scorers, they'd be asked to act as secondary players focused on defense and passing, which better suit their abilitiesReebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
.Dooling remains the quality backup point guard and Yi gets his minutes as the primary big man off the bench. That team would be a top 4 or 5 team in the East next year.That is the best case scenario and one that is possible.The next scenario involves Evan Turner. Turner is a natural small forward in the Scottie Pippen mold. He can rebound, pass and score in the lane. His jump shot isn't smooth, but it will improve with practice. However, he does have great court vision that can't be taught. He is a bigger and better version of Terrence Williams.With Turner on the roster, the Nets would keep Devin Harris as Turner starts at small forward. The Nets would still target Stoudemire or Boozer to turn a weak front court into a strength.The Nets would still need a pure shooter, though.The max contract for the new power forward will cost the Nets about $15 million. That leaves about $8 million for a shooter.Their best option is Al Harrington of the Knicks. Harrington can score in bunches and is a New Jersey native. He could be a sixth-man scorer when the offense bogs down. While he is primarily a small forward, he can also play the power forward spot when necessary.When Harrington plays, Turner would either sit or move to the shooting guard position. The Nets need more scoring and Harrington would be a great fit.The final option is if the Nets draft a big man like Favors or Cousins. This would eliminate the need to sign Stoudemire or Boozer. Instead, the Nets would need to go for a perimeter scorer.Rudy Gay is the best fit. The Nets can trade Memphis future draft picks, as the Nets would need to keep Harris in this scenario. If Memphis refused to trade Gay, or let him go as a free agent, the Nets will need a new target at small forward.In that case, the best options are the aforementioned Harrington or Travis Outlaw. Outlaw might be willing, but he would probably require a contract that is more than he's worth. He is not a team-changing player.But neither is Harrington.Harrington is Reebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
probably the better fit, as he would be less expensive and is a better scorer. Harrington would not make the Nets a contender, but he would help prevent a repeat of the disastrous 2009-10 season.So, Nets fans, the best hope for the Nets is to get one of the first two picks in the draft because that would enable the team to become a contender as soon as next year.
2010年12月29日星期三
29 Dec 10 NBA's Best Nicknames: Who's Is The Best?
I've been thinking, We seem to have run out of good nicknames. Think about it! So, I've done some thinking about my favorite nicknames today and, of all time! But the question is, who is the owner of your favorite nickname?Air Jordan - Michael JordanAgent Zero - Gilbert ArenasAK-47 - Andrei KirilenkoBirdman - Chris AndersonThe Big Ticket - Kevin GarnettThe Black Mamba - Kobe BryantClyde The Glide - Clyde DrexlerCP3 - Chris PaulThe Diesel - Shaquille O'NealDr.J - Julius ErvingDurantula - Kevin New York Giants jersey
DurantHakeem The Dream - Hakeem OlajuwonFlash - Dwyane WadeKing James - LeBron JamesThe Logo - Jerry WestKrypto-Nate - Nate RobinsonMagic - Earvin JohnsonMelo - Carmelo AnthonyMr. Big Shot - Chauncey BillupsRip - Richard HamiltonSkip To My Lou - Rafer AlstonStarbury - Stephon MarburyZo - Alonzo MourningMy personal favorites would have to be AK-47, Durantula, Krypto-Nate, and Skip to my Lou.Did I leave anybody out? Who was your fav. and why?
DurantHakeem The Dream - Hakeem OlajuwonFlash - Dwyane WadeKing James - LeBron JamesThe Logo - Jerry WestKrypto-Nate - Nate RobinsonMagic - Earvin JohnsonMelo - Carmelo AnthonyMr. Big Shot - Chauncey BillupsRip - Richard HamiltonSkip To My Lou - Rafer AlstonStarbury - Stephon MarburyZo - Alonzo MourningMy personal favorites would have to be AK-47, Durantula, Krypto-Nate, and Skip to my Lou.Did I leave anybody out? Who was your fav. and why?
2010年12月28日星期二
28 Dec 10 The Bucks Are Done in 2010 NBA Playoffs. Are the Brewers Done Too?
Mike Zarrilli/Getty ImagesAnyone who is a fan of the 1994 Kevin Smith film Clerks has probably seenin any number of its dozens of video releasesthe film original ending.Cut before the film was released theatrically, but included on subsequent Laserdisc, DVD, and Blu-ray releases, the original ending New England Patriots jersey
features the shocking twist of store clerk Dante being shot and killed.It a terribly abrupt and disturbing ending, in large part because of the unexpected high degree of fun that had come before.Sunday Eastern Conference quarterfinal game seven beat down of the Milwaukee Bucks at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks was like thatan ugly, shocking, disturbing, completely unsettling end to what had until then largely been a joyous 2009-2010 season.Yes, it is easy for those who either don believe in or don care about the Bucks to quickly dismiss a team that did not make it out of the opening round of the NBA playoffs. (After all, doesn every NBA team make the postseason?)But remember that the Bucks were a team most picked to be among the dregs of the NBA this season. Yet look at what they accomplished:Finishing the season 10 games over .500.Making the playoffs for the first time in four years. (No, not every NBA team makes the postseason.)Pushing a heavily favored Atlanta team to a seven game series in the postseason, even though most thought the series would be finished in five.They were able to accomplish so much after another mid-season injury (January 10) to guard Michael Redd, and a late-season injury to center Andrew Bogut (April 4), who had been having a breakout year.Much of the credit for the Bucks successes this season has to go to GM John Hammond, who deservedly won the NBA Executive of the Year awardlast month, as well as coach Scott Skiles.Hammond decision to draft Brandon Jennings in last year draft and his move to acquire guard/forward John Salmonsfrom the Bulls in February paid huge dividends this season, and Skiles has been unanimously praised for developing a wonderful chemistry with his team, despite making undesirable lineup changes due to injuries.If Milwaukee can resign Salmons (who averaged nearly 20 points a game for the Bucks), if the Bucks can remain relatively injury-free next season, and if Brandon Jennings can improve on New Orleans Saints jersey
his impressive rookie season, the Bucks might have the biggest upside of any team in the NBA, pending what happens in what could be a blockbuster offseason in free agency.Yes, those are big ifs, but should situations fall the right way for the Bucks, their window for success could be opening wide.On the contrary, the window for the Milwaukee Brewers seems to be slamming shut faster than the chances for a Furry Vengeance sequel. (Further proof that you can write anything on Wikipedia: Note the mention of Brooke Shields as Furry Vengeance 's hot wife.)After Sunday humiliating 8-0 loss at San Diego that wrapped up a series in which the big bats of Milwaukee scored a grand total of two runs (and this was a four-game series), it almost hard to believe the Brewers are only five games under .500.If the Brewers hadn had the luxury of playing Pittsburgh six times already, who theyve outscored 61-17 despite only going 4-2 in those games, things might be even worse.Despite a slow start for Prince Fielderwho has only seven more hits than Gregg Zaun, and the Brewers catcher started 0-for-21and despite the awfully offensive offensivedisplay in San Diego, the Brewers bats aren where most are putting the blame. Casey McGehee, Rickie Weeks, and especially Ryan Braun are performing up to expectations (and, in McGehee case, beyond, although he has cooled off a bit).No, despite offseason efforts to overhaul what was the worst pitching staff in the majors in 2009, the Brewers still find themselves unable to get outs.While newly richYovaniGallardohas rebounded from an awful start, and newly acquiredRandy Wolf has been okay, the rest of the lineup has ranged from disappointing to disastrous.Dave Bush has been erratic and Doug Davis has been awful. And the only reason Chris Narvesonis in the rotation is because his chief competition was Jeff Suppan, whose demotion to the bullpen wasthe easiest decision Ken Macha had to makesincecoming to Milwaukee.Worse still has been that bullpen. And not just because Suppannow resides there. Trevor Hoffman, who was so steady last season, has already blown foursaves this season and has held teams scoreless in only six of his first nine outings. New set-up man LaTroy Hawkins has done nothing but remind people why no team who signs him ends up wanting him around very long (the Brewers are his seventh team since joining the Cubs in 2004). And Claudio Vargas comeback to Milwaukee has been about as successful as Vanilla Ice latest comeback .While Milwaukee still resides in the upper half of clubs in terms of offensive production, outhittingteams such as the Yankees, Phillies, and Rays, it clear that their 20- and 17-run games againstNew York Giants jersey
Pittsburgh have exaggerated those numbers.It also becoming clear that they are not going to be able to regularly score as many runs as their pitchers allow.Sound familiar?TheBrewers recent struggles (losing eight of ten as of this writing) haven gone unnoticed by the number crunchers at AccuScore . In the week from April 26 to May 3, theyve dropped the Brewers chances of making the postseason in 2010 from 20.4 percent to just 6.5 percent, the biggest drop of any National League team.And now we don even have Bob Uecker to listen to.Yes, we have not even hit Big Brother 's summer season yet and the Brewers have loads of time to turn things around. I know.But given what were seeing now, ifI had to guess which teamthe Bucks or the Brewers would next make a serious postseason run, my money would be squarely on the Bucks.Get well, Bob. This article is also featured onFan Interference
features the shocking twist of store clerk Dante being shot and killed.It a terribly abrupt and disturbing ending, in large part because of the unexpected high degree of fun that had come before.Sunday Eastern Conference quarterfinal game seven beat down of the Milwaukee Bucks at the hands of the Atlanta Hawks was like thatan ugly, shocking, disturbing, completely unsettling end to what had until then largely been a joyous 2009-2010 season.Yes, it is easy for those who either don believe in or don care about the Bucks to quickly dismiss a team that did not make it out of the opening round of the NBA playoffs. (After all, doesn every NBA team make the postseason?)But remember that the Bucks were a team most picked to be among the dregs of the NBA this season. Yet look at what they accomplished:Finishing the season 10 games over .500.Making the playoffs for the first time in four years. (No, not every NBA team makes the postseason.)Pushing a heavily favored Atlanta team to a seven game series in the postseason, even though most thought the series would be finished in five.They were able to accomplish so much after another mid-season injury (January 10) to guard Michael Redd, and a late-season injury to center Andrew Bogut (April 4), who had been having a breakout year.Much of the credit for the Bucks successes this season has to go to GM John Hammond, who deservedly won the NBA Executive of the Year awardlast month, as well as coach Scott Skiles.Hammond decision to draft Brandon Jennings in last year draft and his move to acquire guard/forward John Salmonsfrom the Bulls in February paid huge dividends this season, and Skiles has been unanimously praised for developing a wonderful chemistry with his team, despite making undesirable lineup changes due to injuries.If Milwaukee can resign Salmons (who averaged nearly 20 points a game for the Bucks), if the Bucks can remain relatively injury-free next season, and if Brandon Jennings can improve on New Orleans Saints jersey
his impressive rookie season, the Bucks might have the biggest upside of any team in the NBA, pending what happens in what could be a blockbuster offseason in free agency.Yes, those are big ifs, but should situations fall the right way for the Bucks, their window for success could be opening wide.On the contrary, the window for the Milwaukee Brewers seems to be slamming shut faster than the chances for a Furry Vengeance sequel. (Further proof that you can write anything on Wikipedia: Note the mention of Brooke Shields as Furry Vengeance 's hot wife.)After Sunday humiliating 8-0 loss at San Diego that wrapped up a series in which the big bats of Milwaukee scored a grand total of two runs (and this was a four-game series), it almost hard to believe the Brewers are only five games under .500.If the Brewers hadn had the luxury of playing Pittsburgh six times already, who theyve outscored 61-17 despite only going 4-2 in those games, things might be even worse.Despite a slow start for Prince Fielderwho has only seven more hits than Gregg Zaun, and the Brewers catcher started 0-for-21and despite the awfully offensive offensivedisplay in San Diego, the Brewers bats aren where most are putting the blame. Casey McGehee, Rickie Weeks, and especially Ryan Braun are performing up to expectations (and, in McGehee case, beyond, although he has cooled off a bit).No, despite offseason efforts to overhaul what was the worst pitching staff in the majors in 2009, the Brewers still find themselves unable to get outs.While newly richYovaniGallardohas rebounded from an awful start, and newly acquiredRandy Wolf has been okay, the rest of the lineup has ranged from disappointing to disastrous.Dave Bush has been erratic and Doug Davis has been awful. And the only reason Chris Narvesonis in the rotation is because his chief competition was Jeff Suppan, whose demotion to the bullpen wasthe easiest decision Ken Macha had to makesincecoming to Milwaukee.Worse still has been that bullpen. And not just because Suppannow resides there. Trevor Hoffman, who was so steady last season, has already blown foursaves this season and has held teams scoreless in only six of his first nine outings. New set-up man LaTroy Hawkins has done nothing but remind people why no team who signs him ends up wanting him around very long (the Brewers are his seventh team since joining the Cubs in 2004). And Claudio Vargas comeback to Milwaukee has been about as successful as Vanilla Ice latest comeback .While Milwaukee still resides in the upper half of clubs in terms of offensive production, outhittingteams such as the Yankees, Phillies, and Rays, it clear that their 20- and 17-run games againstNew York Giants jersey
Pittsburgh have exaggerated those numbers.It also becoming clear that they are not going to be able to regularly score as many runs as their pitchers allow.Sound familiar?TheBrewers recent struggles (losing eight of ten as of this writing) haven gone unnoticed by the number crunchers at AccuScore . In the week from April 26 to May 3, theyve dropped the Brewers chances of making the postseason in 2010 from 20.4 percent to just 6.5 percent, the biggest drop of any National League team.And now we don even have Bob Uecker to listen to.Yes, we have not even hit Big Brother 's summer season yet and the Brewers have loads of time to turn things around. I know.But given what were seeing now, ifI had to guess which teamthe Bucks or the Brewers would next make a serious postseason run, my money would be squarely on the Bucks.Get well, Bob. This article is also featured onFan Interference
2010年12月27日星期一
27 Dec 10 From Wall to Washington, Kentucky Guard a Likely Selection for No. 1
So John Wall it is! After winning the NBA draft lottery on Tuesday night, Washington should waste no time running to the podium on June 24 and slapping a Wizards cap over Wall head. But what about Gilbert Arenas you ask? Well, what about him? No matter if Arenas stays or goes, Wall is the pick. The type ofDetroit Lions
athletic point guard reminiscent of Rajon Rondo that can run team and control a game isn necessarily a bad thing to have. Ohio State Evan Turner might be the more polished player and perhaps even a better fit with his size and playmaking ability but he simply not the headliner that Wall is. Wall catlike quickness, speed and leadership skills were on full display during his lone year in Kentucky run and fun scheme last season. Anticpated by the feats of John Calipari disciples Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans, Wall freshman year at Kentucky was laced with expectations but closed under the name of Blue Jesus, a nicknamed dubbed for Wall at local barbershops, an indicator of the success of his one year Kentucky trial. The 6-foot-4 point guard often made fools out of would-be defenders while outshining nearly every player in the country on his way to Freshman of the Year honors and finishing just behind Turner for the Player of the Year award.Far from a finished product, Wall could use some work on his shooting and improve his decision making. A Green Bay Packers jersey
five-turnover, 7-of-18 shooting performance in Kentucky Elite Eight loss to West Virginia magnified that. But improving his game shouldn be a problem for Wall, whose work ethic scouts have raved upon. And for a player that knows he has a ways to go, results should be expected sooner rather than later.Im doing everything I need to right now, Wall told ESPN inside the home of his agent, Dan Fegan, on Tuesday night about improving his jumpshot. You just got to get a lot of reps in, that all it going to take. I think my techniques and my mechanics to do is get a lot of Houston Texans jersey
reps up and just keep working on it everyday.An improved jumper might push Wall into future All-Star considerations but his speed, passing ability and athleticism will be put to use right away in the District. Wizard fans haven had a player to fawn over since Arenas injured his knee three years ago and with the return of a healthy Arenas coupled with the arrival of Wall, things could be on the up and up in Washington.
athletic point guard reminiscent of Rajon Rondo that can run team and control a game isn necessarily a bad thing to have. Ohio State Evan Turner might be the more polished player and perhaps even a better fit with his size and playmaking ability but he simply not the headliner that Wall is. Wall catlike quickness, speed and leadership skills were on full display during his lone year in Kentucky run and fun scheme last season. Anticpated by the feats of John Calipari disciples Derrick Rose and Tyreke Evans, Wall freshman year at Kentucky was laced with expectations but closed under the name of Blue Jesus, a nicknamed dubbed for Wall at local barbershops, an indicator of the success of his one year Kentucky trial. The 6-foot-4 point guard often made fools out of would-be defenders while outshining nearly every player in the country on his way to Freshman of the Year honors and finishing just behind Turner for the Player of the Year award.Far from a finished product, Wall could use some work on his shooting and improve his decision making. A Green Bay Packers jersey
five-turnover, 7-of-18 shooting performance in Kentucky Elite Eight loss to West Virginia magnified that. But improving his game shouldn be a problem for Wall, whose work ethic scouts have raved upon. And for a player that knows he has a ways to go, results should be expected sooner rather than later.Im doing everything I need to right now, Wall told ESPN inside the home of his agent, Dan Fegan, on Tuesday night about improving his jumpshot. You just got to get a lot of reps in, that all it going to take. I think my techniques and my mechanics to do is get a lot of Houston Texans jersey
reps up and just keep working on it everyday.An improved jumper might push Wall into future All-Star considerations but his speed, passing ability and athleticism will be put to use right away in the District. Wizard fans haven had a player to fawn over since Arenas injured his knee three years ago and with the return of a healthy Arenas coupled with the arrival of Wall, things could be on the up and up in Washington.
2010年12月26日星期日
26 Dec 10 Can the Bulls Build a New Dynasty? Anything Is Possible
Gregory Shamus/Getty ImagesFor Bulls fans, next season starts on July 1st when big names hit free agency. Players like LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Dirk Nowitzki will all be available for the Chicago Bulls, who will be a major player in this year historic free agency.Chicago, a city of Carolina Panthers jersey
rich basketball tradition, continues to look for the next Bulls dynasty. Everyone in Chicago is craving for a Bulls team that can continue the glory that Michael Jordan once established. Michael Jordan Bulls had delivered six titles in two three-peats. With six NBA championships, the Bulls rank third all-time behind the Celtics and the Lakers for most titles won in NBA history.With the availability of the aforementioned free agents this upcoming summer, the Bulls are certainly in position to build another dynasty. However, not all scenarios will guarantee a championship-caliber team for the Bulls at the end of the summer. We will examine the main possible scenario that might happen in this year free agency which could impact the entire future of the Chicago Bulls.The main goal and the ultimate prize of this year free agency is LeBron James. He is regarded by many as the most physically-gifted player the league had ever seen. LeBron can make any team an instant contender for the NBA championship because of his electrifying scoring and passing abilities. Any team in the league would love to add this guy because he can bring you 10 to 30 more wins easily. He is a dominant player without a doubt. If the Bulls can add LeBron James to their brilliant core of Noah, Rose and Deng, they would be definitely become a contender in the Eastern conference. Derrick Rose had stated that he would welcome the opportunity of playing alongside LeBron in many different occasions. James admires Derrick Rose style of Chicago Bears jersey
play and he surely would love to have a very skilled point guard who can take some of the pressure off him. There were many reports that confirmed phone calls between James and Rose in the past few weeks. So there is a sure interest from LeBron to join the Bulls.With LeBron James, the Bulls will be a top team in the East, but in order to get to the dynasty level we are discussing here, there has to be another major move by the Bulls management. This might happen in the form of a sign-and-trade with Toronto to get Chris Bosh, or with Miami for Wade, which seems unlikely. The Bulls, in my opinion has a good chance at a sign-and-trade with the Hawks for Joe Johnson, given he decides to leave Atlanta. The price tag for that move might be Luol Deng and/or Kirk Hinrich, but the Bulls must do that trade if it is possible.Joe Johnson is a very good scorer. He is a player who can create his own shot at any moment, and that would make things a lot easier for LeBron James and Derrick Rose. A starting lineup of Derrick Rose, Joe Johnson, LeBron James, Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah can only spell trouble for teams around the league for years to come. That lineup, in my opinion would be the keystone of another Bulls dynasty.In the NBA, everything is within the realm of Cincinnati Bengals jersey
possibility. Remember when the Celtics obtained both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen and went on to win the NBA championship in 2008? I bet you no one had even imagined a starting lineup for Boston featuring Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett prior to that championship year.The Bulls have an excellent chance of building another dynasty. Just ask Kevin Garnett when he won his first ring in Boston. He would tell you that, anything is possible.
rich basketball tradition, continues to look for the next Bulls dynasty. Everyone in Chicago is craving for a Bulls team that can continue the glory that Michael Jordan once established. Michael Jordan Bulls had delivered six titles in two three-peats. With six NBA championships, the Bulls rank third all-time behind the Celtics and the Lakers for most titles won in NBA history.With the availability of the aforementioned free agents this upcoming summer, the Bulls are certainly in position to build another dynasty. However, not all scenarios will guarantee a championship-caliber team for the Bulls at the end of the summer. We will examine the main possible scenario that might happen in this year free agency which could impact the entire future of the Chicago Bulls.The main goal and the ultimate prize of this year free agency is LeBron James. He is regarded by many as the most physically-gifted player the league had ever seen. LeBron can make any team an instant contender for the NBA championship because of his electrifying scoring and passing abilities. Any team in the league would love to add this guy because he can bring you 10 to 30 more wins easily. He is a dominant player without a doubt. If the Bulls can add LeBron James to their brilliant core of Noah, Rose and Deng, they would be definitely become a contender in the Eastern conference. Derrick Rose had stated that he would welcome the opportunity of playing alongside LeBron in many different occasions. James admires Derrick Rose style of Chicago Bears jersey
play and he surely would love to have a very skilled point guard who can take some of the pressure off him. There were many reports that confirmed phone calls between James and Rose in the past few weeks. So there is a sure interest from LeBron to join the Bulls.With LeBron James, the Bulls will be a top team in the East, but in order to get to the dynasty level we are discussing here, there has to be another major move by the Bulls management. This might happen in the form of a sign-and-trade with Toronto to get Chris Bosh, or with Miami for Wade, which seems unlikely. The Bulls, in my opinion has a good chance at a sign-and-trade with the Hawks for Joe Johnson, given he decides to leave Atlanta. The price tag for that move might be Luol Deng and/or Kirk Hinrich, but the Bulls must do that trade if it is possible.Joe Johnson is a very good scorer. He is a player who can create his own shot at any moment, and that would make things a lot easier for LeBron James and Derrick Rose. A starting lineup of Derrick Rose, Joe Johnson, LeBron James, Taj Gibson and Joakim Noah can only spell trouble for teams around the league for years to come. That lineup, in my opinion would be the keystone of another Bulls dynasty.In the NBA, everything is within the realm of Cincinnati Bengals jersey
possibility. Remember when the Celtics obtained both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen and went on to win the NBA championship in 2008? I bet you no one had even imagined a starting lineup for Boston featuring Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett prior to that championship year.The Bulls have an excellent chance of building another dynasty. Just ask Kevin Garnett when he won his first ring in Boston. He would tell you that, anything is possible.
2010年12月25日星期六
25 Dec 10 Chris Paul and the New Orleans Hornets Are As Good as Gone
Green and Gold will be the Hornets new colors come next seasonThe NBA now owns the team that will be formerly known as the New Orleans Hornets and there isn much the city can really do about it.Gary Chouest was to be their white knight in shining armor; instead of riding in on his stead with another 50 Reebok New England Patriots #12 Tom Brady Realtree camo Jersey
clichs in tow, he tucked his tail and walked away from the situation.I don blame him;he has much more to worry about: His business has been severely affected by the recent ban on off-shore drilling. He needs to worry about keeping his pockets lined, not keeping a basketball team in New Orleans.Currently, I am feeling for the true basketball fans in New Orleans. We in Seattle have gone through the same thing you are about to go through and sadly, our two cities are going to end up hating each other in some form or another.Find solace in the fact that the Saints are going to be able to beat the crap out of the Seahawks for the next 15 years and you probably win another Super Bowl or two with Drew Brees.Did Seattle have anything to look forward to when the Sonics left?The Seahawks are going to be rebuilding for the next few years and were only competitive because of a really easy schedule and the Mariners, wellthey are the Mariners.From our experience in Seattle, it doesn matter what you do, it not going to make a difference.You can hold Reebok New Orleans Saints #9 Drew Brees Realtree camo Jersey
rallies, fight the new owner in court and so on down the line, but it doesn matter.What City Will Get The Hornets?What City Will Get The Hornets?Seattle51.2%Louisville10.5%Kansas City12.9%Anaheim4.8%Chicago2.4%Las Vegas7.2%St. Louis11.0%Total votes: 209The Hornets are gone.Don believe anything Stern says. He not looking for a local bidder, unless that person writes the biggest check. He sell the team and move to Zimbabwe if it helps get the Hornets out of debt.Kansas City has lukewarm interest, Vegas is a thought and so is Anaheim, but an addition to a team in Anaheim would severely oversaturate the L.A. market.Seattle also has interest and Steve Ballmer and Matt Griffin seem to be under a gag order. They had an opportunity to say that they were not going to buy the team today, but instead chose to have no comment.Ballmer and Griffin have more money in their bank accounts than all New Orleans residents combined.New Orleans could save the team if each resident wrote the NBA a check for $722.13, but we know that Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
won happen.I sorry New Orleans, but the Hornets are good and we promise to take very good care of your team here and we be sure to give Charlotte the Hornets name and colors back.Maybe one day, the Jazz will be rightfully returned to you.
clichs in tow, he tucked his tail and walked away from the situation.I don blame him;he has much more to worry about: His business has been severely affected by the recent ban on off-shore drilling. He needs to worry about keeping his pockets lined, not keeping a basketball team in New Orleans.Currently, I am feeling for the true basketball fans in New Orleans. We in Seattle have gone through the same thing you are about to go through and sadly, our two cities are going to end up hating each other in some form or another.Find solace in the fact that the Saints are going to be able to beat the crap out of the Seahawks for the next 15 years and you probably win another Super Bowl or two with Drew Brees.Did Seattle have anything to look forward to when the Sonics left?The Seahawks are going to be rebuilding for the next few years and were only competitive because of a really easy schedule and the Mariners, wellthey are the Mariners.From our experience in Seattle, it doesn matter what you do, it not going to make a difference.You can hold Reebok New Orleans Saints #9 Drew Brees Realtree camo Jersey
rallies, fight the new owner in court and so on down the line, but it doesn matter.What City Will Get The Hornets?What City Will Get The Hornets?Seattle51.2%Louisville10.5%Kansas City12.9%Anaheim4.8%Chicago2.4%Las Vegas7.2%St. Louis11.0%Total votes: 209The Hornets are gone.Don believe anything Stern says. He not looking for a local bidder, unless that person writes the biggest check. He sell the team and move to Zimbabwe if it helps get the Hornets out of debt.Kansas City has lukewarm interest, Vegas is a thought and so is Anaheim, but an addition to a team in Anaheim would severely oversaturate the L.A. market.Seattle also has interest and Steve Ballmer and Matt Griffin seem to be under a gag order. They had an opportunity to say that they were not going to buy the team today, but instead chose to have no comment.Ballmer and Griffin have more money in their bank accounts than all New Orleans residents combined.New Orleans could save the team if each resident wrote the NBA a check for $722.13, but we know that Reebok New York Giants #27 Brandon Jacobs Realtree camo Jersey
won happen.I sorry New Orleans, but the Hornets are good and we promise to take very good care of your team here and we be sure to give Charlotte the Hornets name and colors back.Maybe one day, the Jazz will be rightfully returned to you.
2010年12月24日星期五
24 Dec 10 Fantasy Basketball Positonal Breakdown: Power Forward
Jim McIsaac/Getty ImagesHere is our fourth of five positional breakdowns. Today we are looking at power forwards. This is a very solid and quite deep group, evidenced by a guy like Kevin Garnett being 17th in the rankings. And there is even more new blood fighting their way up the ranks with rookies like Blake Griffin and Demarcus Cousins. So let’s get to the rankings and see how things shake out at power forward, as well as looking at some sleepers and bust candidates. Dirk Nowitzki – Dallas MavericksPau Gasol Reebok Oakland Raiders #21 Nnamdi Asomugha Realtree camo Jersey
– Los Angeles LakersAmare Stoudemire – New York KnicksDavid Lee – Golden State WarriorsChris Bosh – Miami HeatJosh Smith – Atlanta HawksTim Duncan – San Antonio SpursDavid West – New Orleans HornetsTroy Murphy – New Jersey NetsLamarcus Aldridge – Portland Trail BlazersZack Randolph – Memphis GrizzliesKevin Love – Minnesota TimberwolvesAntwan Jamison – Cleveland CavaliersJeff Green – Oklahoma City ThunderAndray Blatche – Washington WizardsLuis Scola – Houston RocketsKevin Garnett – Boston CelticsCarlos Boozer – Chicago BullsPaul Millsap – Utah JazzAnthony Randolph – New York KnicksRashard Lewis – Orlando MagicLamar Odom – Los Angeles LakersBlake Griffin - Los Angeles ClippersChanning Frye – Phoenix SunsDemarcus Cousins – Sacramento KingsBoris Diaw – Charlotte BobcatsJ.J. Hickson – Cleveland CavaliersAl Harrington – Denver NuggetsElton Brand – Philadelphia 76ersTyrus Thomas – Charlotte BobcatsCharlie Villanueva – Detroit PistonsDrewReebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
Gooden – Milwaukee BucksAmir Johnson – Toronto RaptorsCarl Landry – Sacramento KingsJason Thompson – Sacramento KingsKenyon Martin – Denver NuggetsTaj Gibson – Chicago BullsAnderson Varejao – Cleveland CavaliersTiago Splitter – San Antonio SpursAnthony Tolliver – Minnesota Timberwolves The number two through four spots are close, but Gasol gets the slight nod over Amare. While Stoudemire has the better offensive game, Gasol’s rebounding and blocks put him just over the top. Not to mention he’s an excellent big man passer.Not as much is made of the effect of going to Miami on Chris Bosh. In Miami Bosh will be the third option, so he won’t be taking 16.5 shots per game, probably more like around 13 – 14. That said, those should be some very good looks at the hoop and he should still be able to get 20 points a game. Lebron will steal around a board or two a game and I think Bosh ends up with around 9 per game. 20 and nine are still pretty good numbers.Emeka Okafor’s presence in New Orleans took a toll on David West’s numbers last year, both blocks and rebounding. For the first time in three seasons West averaged less than eight rebounds per game, finishing the year at 7.4. Okafor hasn’t gone anywhere and chances are West’s numbers don’t jump much higher than eight anymore, but 20 points and eight rebounds isn’t far Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
off from where I project Bosh to finish.Everything inside of me wants to put Kevin Love in the top 10 because it seems I am developing a man crush on the whole Timberwolves team. Al Jefferson is gone and Kevin Love is, for all intents and purposes, the man in Minnesota. I expect big things, but I am trying to remember he hasn’t averaged 30 minutes a game yet and he only started 22 games last year. But in those 22 games, he averaged 13.3 rebounds! He’s got the potential to blow up this year and if his offensive game improves he could average 18 points and 12 boards per game.A lot of people think Luis Scola is going to be effected negatively by Yao’s return, but I don’t see the cause for concern. Scola played alongside Yao in 2008-2009 and had just as many rebounds as he did last year without Yao. And also keep in mind Yao is only playing 24 minutes per game here. So the only effect I can see might be Scola losing a shot or two, but I can’t see it being anything dramatic enough to bring him under 15 points a game.Anthony Randolph is a bit of a wildcard to me this year, and I think some love him more than me, though his spot in these rankings, I feel, is quite generous. There is no doubt the potential is there for him to become one of the better big men in the league, especially considering he’s only 21. Now that he doesn’t have Don Nelson breathing down his neck he should see more playing time in New York, if he can stay healthy, which he’s had a hard time doing. But still, while playing time will increase, don’t expect 35 minutes a game. Health seems to be the only thing that can stop Randolph from being an all-star, but don’t expect him on the team this year.Demarcus Cousins is moving quickly up my board, even since my Top 200 rankings. This is for two reasons, the first of which is his preseason so far. I know it’s only the preseason, but Cousins looks really good out there Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
right now. He’s got to learn to keep his head on straight and stay out of foul trouble, but it’s obvious that he has big time skills. The second reason he is moving up is Samuel Dalembert is hurt. So instead of being the backup center and in the middle of a three-way logjam at power forward, Cousins will now start the season at Center. Dalembert shouldn’t miss much more than a month of the regular season, but if Cousins can make an impression he’ll see his playing time stick, either at power forward or center.Taj Gibson has a similar opportunity as Cousins in that he’ll be the starting power forward when the season tips off thanks to an injury to Carlos Boozer. Unlike Cousins though, Gibson is just keeping the spot warm until Boozer can come back. While he is starting, Taj is a decent play in all formats, as he should progress a little bit from an already solid rookie season. However, once Boozer is back his minutes will tumble, so you’re really just renting him for about a month or so.Sleeper: Amir Johnson. Here is another guy whose potential has my mind swimming with excitement and I can’t help but reach a round or two to get him in drafts, just in case he explodes. He has been brought along slowly between Toronto and Detroit, but this year he’s poised to be the starting power forward and get a chance to see what he can do over 25 – 30 minutes per game and hopefully even more.Consider that in the five games Amir started last year he averaged 17.8 points, six rebounds and one block. He won’t likely produce that kind of point output over the course of a full season, but he should certainly score double digits. And the rebounding and block number should also shoot up, especially without Chris Bosh in town.Amir is essentially the team’s best rebounder and he could easily clear eight rebounds and come close to two blocks a game, as he just has a natural talent for blocking shots. If he lives up to Reebok Washington Redskins #98 ORAKPO Realtree camo Jersey
his potential, you’ll be getting one of the steals of the draft at the point that you can grab him.Deep Sleeper: Hakim Warrick. Channing Frye is going to be the starting power forward in Phoenix and I actually like him in that spot quite a bit. However, there should be playing time to spare and Warrick could get close to 20 minutes a game, especially if he makes use of the time he has on the court.He’s a better rebounder than Frye and reports are that Phoenix likes him as a partner with Nash to run the pick and roll now that Amare is gone. Warrick could possibly still manage double digits in points if he gets those 20 minutes per game in.Bust: Zack Randolph. This one might be a bit of a long shot, but I think the pieces might be in place for Randolph to regress a bit coming off the best season of his career. I think he is still going to put up solid numbers, but I think, as the guys around him get better, his numbers will be affected.I think O.J. Mayo has the potential to take a big step forward this year and go over 20 points per game as his shot improves. If he does that I think it’s going to cut into Randolph’s scoring a little.Along the same line of thinking, Marc Gasol is only getting better, and as he gets better, he’s going to start taking more of Randolph’s looks inside the post away. He’s also going to take away some of Randolph’s boards as well. It should be another solid year for Z-Bo, I just think it could look more like 18 & 9 than 21 & Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
12.What are your thoughts on the power forward position? Who are you high on and who are you still “on the fence” with? Let me know your thoughts.To check out previous positional breakdowns follow these links:Point GuardShooting GuardSmall Forward
– Los Angeles LakersAmare Stoudemire – New York KnicksDavid Lee – Golden State WarriorsChris Bosh – Miami HeatJosh Smith – Atlanta HawksTim Duncan – San Antonio SpursDavid West – New Orleans HornetsTroy Murphy – New Jersey NetsLamarcus Aldridge – Portland Trail BlazersZack Randolph – Memphis GrizzliesKevin Love – Minnesota TimberwolvesAntwan Jamison – Cleveland CavaliersJeff Green – Oklahoma City ThunderAndray Blatche – Washington WizardsLuis Scola – Houston RocketsKevin Garnett – Boston CelticsCarlos Boozer – Chicago BullsPaul Millsap – Utah JazzAnthony Randolph – New York KnicksRashard Lewis – Orlando MagicLamar Odom – Los Angeles LakersBlake Griffin - Los Angeles ClippersChanning Frye – Phoenix SunsDemarcus Cousins – Sacramento KingsBoris Diaw – Charlotte BobcatsJ.J. Hickson – Cleveland CavaliersAl Harrington – Denver NuggetsElton Brand – Philadelphia 76ersTyrus Thomas – Charlotte BobcatsCharlie Villanueva – Detroit PistonsDrewReebok Pittsburgh Steelers #86 Hines Ward Realtree camo Jersey
Gooden – Milwaukee BucksAmir Johnson – Toronto RaptorsCarl Landry – Sacramento KingsJason Thompson – Sacramento KingsKenyon Martin – Denver NuggetsTaj Gibson – Chicago BullsAnderson Varejao – Cleveland CavaliersTiago Splitter – San Antonio SpursAnthony Tolliver – Minnesota Timberwolves The number two through four spots are close, but Gasol gets the slight nod over Amare. While Stoudemire has the better offensive game, Gasol’s rebounding and blocks put him just over the top. Not to mention he’s an excellent big man passer.Not as much is made of the effect of going to Miami on Chris Bosh. In Miami Bosh will be the third option, so he won’t be taking 16.5 shots per game, probably more like around 13 – 14. That said, those should be some very good looks at the hoop and he should still be able to get 20 points a game. Lebron will steal around a board or two a game and I think Bosh ends up with around 9 per game. 20 and nine are still pretty good numbers.Emeka Okafor’s presence in New Orleans took a toll on David West’s numbers last year, both blocks and rebounding. For the first time in three seasons West averaged less than eight rebounds per game, finishing the year at 7.4. Okafor hasn’t gone anywhere and chances are West’s numbers don’t jump much higher than eight anymore, but 20 points and eight rebounds isn’t far Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers James Harrison Realtree camo Jersey
off from where I project Bosh to finish.Everything inside of me wants to put Kevin Love in the top 10 because it seems I am developing a man crush on the whole Timberwolves team. Al Jefferson is gone and Kevin Love is, for all intents and purposes, the man in Minnesota. I expect big things, but I am trying to remember he hasn’t averaged 30 minutes a game yet and he only started 22 games last year. But in those 22 games, he averaged 13.3 rebounds! He’s got the potential to blow up this year and if his offensive game improves he could average 18 points and 12 boards per game.A lot of people think Luis Scola is going to be effected negatively by Yao’s return, but I don’t see the cause for concern. Scola played alongside Yao in 2008-2009 and had just as many rebounds as he did last year without Yao. And also keep in mind Yao is only playing 24 minutes per game here. So the only effect I can see might be Scola losing a shot or two, but I can’t see it being anything dramatic enough to bring him under 15 points a game.Anthony Randolph is a bit of a wildcard to me this year, and I think some love him more than me, though his spot in these rankings, I feel, is quite generous. There is no doubt the potential is there for him to become one of the better big men in the league, especially considering he’s only 21. Now that he doesn’t have Don Nelson breathing down his neck he should see more playing time in New York, if he can stay healthy, which he’s had a hard time doing. But still, while playing time will increase, don’t expect 35 minutes a game. Health seems to be the only thing that can stop Randolph from being an all-star, but don’t expect him on the team this year.Demarcus Cousins is moving quickly up my board, even since my Top 200 rankings. This is for two reasons, the first of which is his preseason so far. I know it’s only the preseason, but Cousins looks really good out there Reebok San Francisco 49ers #21 Frank GORE Realtree camo Jersey
right now. He’s got to learn to keep his head on straight and stay out of foul trouble, but it’s obvious that he has big time skills. The second reason he is moving up is Samuel Dalembert is hurt. So instead of being the backup center and in the middle of a three-way logjam at power forward, Cousins will now start the season at Center. Dalembert shouldn’t miss much more than a month of the regular season, but if Cousins can make an impression he’ll see his playing time stick, either at power forward or center.Taj Gibson has a similar opportunity as Cousins in that he’ll be the starting power forward when the season tips off thanks to an injury to Carlos Boozer. Unlike Cousins though, Gibson is just keeping the spot warm until Boozer can come back. While he is starting, Taj is a decent play in all formats, as he should progress a little bit from an already solid rookie season. However, once Boozer is back his minutes will tumble, so you’re really just renting him for about a month or so.Sleeper: Amir Johnson. Here is another guy whose potential has my mind swimming with excitement and I can’t help but reach a round or two to get him in drafts, just in case he explodes. He has been brought along slowly between Toronto and Detroit, but this year he’s poised to be the starting power forward and get a chance to see what he can do over 25 – 30 minutes per game and hopefully even more.Consider that in the five games Amir started last year he averaged 17.8 points, six rebounds and one block. He won’t likely produce that kind of point output over the course of a full season, but he should certainly score double digits. And the rebounding and block number should also shoot up, especially without Chris Bosh in town.Amir is essentially the team’s best rebounder and he could easily clear eight rebounds and come close to two blocks a game, as he just has a natural talent for blocking shots. If he lives up to Reebok Washington Redskins #98 ORAKPO Realtree camo Jersey
his potential, you’ll be getting one of the steals of the draft at the point that you can grab him.Deep Sleeper: Hakim Warrick. Channing Frye is going to be the starting power forward in Phoenix and I actually like him in that spot quite a bit. However, there should be playing time to spare and Warrick could get close to 20 minutes a game, especially if he makes use of the time he has on the court.He’s a better rebounder than Frye and reports are that Phoenix likes him as a partner with Nash to run the pick and roll now that Amare is gone. Warrick could possibly still manage double digits in points if he gets those 20 minutes per game in.Bust: Zack Randolph. This one might be a bit of a long shot, but I think the pieces might be in place for Randolph to regress a bit coming off the best season of his career. I think he is still going to put up solid numbers, but I think, as the guys around him get better, his numbers will be affected.I think O.J. Mayo has the potential to take a big step forward this year and go over 20 points per game as his shot improves. If he does that I think it’s going to cut into Randolph’s scoring a little.Along the same line of thinking, Marc Gasol is only getting better, and as he gets better, he’s going to start taking more of Randolph’s looks inside the post away. He’s also going to take away some of Randolph’s boards as well. It should be another solid year for Z-Bo, I just think it could look more like 18 & 9 than 21 & Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
12.What are your thoughts on the power forward position? Who are you high on and who are you still “on the fence” with? Let me know your thoughts.To check out previous positional breakdowns follow these links:Point GuardShooting GuardSmall Forward
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