G. Newman Lowrance/Getty ImagesSATIRE; A last second field goal wins for Mike Gundy and his OSU Cowboys. This is his 40th career victory.Significant number - 40? You bet it is. Just ask Daily Oklahoman reporter Jenni Carlson. She remembers being told Mike Gundy was 40 year's old and that he Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
was a MAN! Who told her that? Mike himself, during a press conference in September of 2007, when he was videoed which soon became an internet viral event: "I'm a man! I'm 40!" You know who else was 40? Forrest Gump.You know what Forrest Gump wanted to be? A football coach.You know the name of Forrest Gump's girlfriend? Jenni.Let's pretend the locker room scene wasn't between Gundy and Jenni, but rather, Gump and Jenni.Here's how it might have gone down: Gump and Jenni Jenni, I may not be a smart man but I know what love is. But I saw your quarterback eating chicken. Chicken? Jenni?! Are you sure it was chicken and not shrimp? We feed all our players Bubba Gump Shrimp. Jenni, do you how many ways you can prepare shrimp? No, his mother was feeding him chicken from a box. Jenni, my mother always said a football team is like a box of chocolates. Is it because some of your players are nuts? No, Jenni, itbecause most of them are black. You yelled at me the other day. I know, Jenni. I yelled because I was telling you about the garbage. Garbage? Yes, I heard you say GARBAGE! Well, they hadnpicked it up, Jenni. They hadnpicked it up. But you embarrassed me in front of my co-workers. Jenni, if there is garbage, you need know about it. I swear, Gump, sometimes you act just like a little kid. Jenni! You know better. Im a man. Are you doing this again? Jenni! Im a man. Im forty. So youre going out with the other coaches? What if you donget a ride home? You can come after me. Im a man. You are yelling again, Gump. You know how that makes me feel. Itoffensive. When you yell, it the worldgreatest offense. So will you stop yelling? Jenni, I donhave to. But, at least you can tell me why you are yelling. Jenni. Jenni, I donhave to. But I need to know whatwrong, what you think is wrong. Jenni, I donhave to. Im a man. Im forty. Gump, do I need Lt. Dan to kick your butt? Jenni!! You know Dan cankick. He got no legs and you should Reebok Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice Realtree camo Jersey
know somebody from Danfamily had fought and died in every single American war. He had a lot to live up to. Well, I still donlike you yelling at me yelling at me in front of my peers. I had to tell you bout the garbage. It was GARBAGE, Jenni. And I suppose you are going to say youre a man again. Jenni? You know if I see garbage, it almost makes me puke. Oh. Gump. You know I canstay mad at you. Oh. Jenni.
2011年1月24日星期一
2011年1月22日星期六
22 Jan 11 Big East Takes Giant Misstep with Villanova Invite
Villanova's most famous football product - Brian WestbrookJim McIsaac/Getty ImagesIn the 1960s and 70s, Bill Shankly was a manager who made a habit of taking downtrodden teams from the various European football leagues in England, and turning them into winners. He would seize the cast offs, has beens, and never weres, and turn teams on the brink of collapse into respected champions. You may be asking yourself what this has to do with college football in 2010, and your curiosity would be understandable. Along with being a great motivator and coach, however, Kansas City Chiefs jersey
Mr. Shankly was also an oft quoted sports figure. One pearl in particular seemed quite relevant to todaytopic. Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, itmuch more serious than that. Such is the case with the Big East football conference in 2010. Sure, they may have come through the recent spate of conference realignments unscathed, but is that necessarily a good thing? Perhaps it is more of an indication of what the Big East does not offer, as opposed to a reaffirmation of what an intact Big East does offer the college football world. Maybe the Big 10s, ACCs and SECs of the college football landscape see the Big East as a league on its last breathe, and donparticularly feel in a generous enough mood to throw a life vest to the potential survivors. Why else would the dust have settled so quickly on realignment this past summer with no Big East school getting more than a sniff of interest from the bigger boys on the playground? We all remember breaking a lamp in the living room after Mom had told us time and again to take the football outside. We also remember thinking that maybe no one would notice if we cleaned up the evidence before Dad got home, and everything would blow over in a few days, neither parent ever even remembering that they used to be able to read the paper by the light of the lamp that used to grace the end table next to their favorite chair. The Big East tried that same approach during August media days. Stuff all the sports writers with lobster and clams, sing a few songs around the bon fire on Miami Dolphins jersey
the beach in Newport, Rhode Island, and hope that the impending start to the season will focus everyoneattention elsewhere for awhile. The problem is, they couldnsit still. Just like we did after breaking that lamp, the Big East got a little stir crazy. Two days after sweeping up the mess, after Dad looked around the room with a perplexed look on his face, not being able to pinpoint what was different, and then retreating to a seat on the other side of the room to read the paper, we got nervous. So we started shifting around the furniture, maybe bringing down a lamp from the attic that didnquite match the dcor. Thatwhen it happened. Busted! The Big East brought something old and dusty down from the attic as well. An invitation for Villanova to join the other, still nervous, Big East football members. Why couldnthey leave well enough alone? The college football world had put expansion, realignment and conference destruction on the back burner for awhile. The talk around the water cooler has been of Michiganresurgence behind a kid who doesnlike to tie his shoes, and the Notre Dame haters have reveled in the Irish back to back losses to two old rivals from the wolverine state. And the Big East felt compelled to re-invite Villanova to join the league as a football member. Which is more embarrassing? The Big East pinning its hope for survival on the admission of an FCS team, or Villanova answering, Yes, we heard you the first time you asked. Just like George Costanza telling his soon to be ex-girlfriend I love you, and getting a similar reply to the one received byMinnesota Vikings
the Big East; thata pretty big matzo ball hanging out there. It is a move which smacks of desperation, and has got to leave the Big 10, and others, shaking their heads and realizing they made the right choice by leaving all the rats on a sinking ship. My advice to the Big East is quite simple. Focus on putting a better product on the football field. Do not allow a private FCS school from suburban Philadelphia to hold your football future dangling over the smoldering embers of Augusts clam bake. And, most importantly; the best way to leave the kidtable, and be invited to dine with the big folks is to act like one of them.
Mr. Shankly was also an oft quoted sports figure. One pearl in particular seemed quite relevant to todaytopic. Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, itmuch more serious than that. Such is the case with the Big East football conference in 2010. Sure, they may have come through the recent spate of conference realignments unscathed, but is that necessarily a good thing? Perhaps it is more of an indication of what the Big East does not offer, as opposed to a reaffirmation of what an intact Big East does offer the college football world. Maybe the Big 10s, ACCs and SECs of the college football landscape see the Big East as a league on its last breathe, and donparticularly feel in a generous enough mood to throw a life vest to the potential survivors. Why else would the dust have settled so quickly on realignment this past summer with no Big East school getting more than a sniff of interest from the bigger boys on the playground? We all remember breaking a lamp in the living room after Mom had told us time and again to take the football outside. We also remember thinking that maybe no one would notice if we cleaned up the evidence before Dad got home, and everything would blow over in a few days, neither parent ever even remembering that they used to be able to read the paper by the light of the lamp that used to grace the end table next to their favorite chair. The Big East tried that same approach during August media days. Stuff all the sports writers with lobster and clams, sing a few songs around the bon fire on Miami Dolphins jersey
the beach in Newport, Rhode Island, and hope that the impending start to the season will focus everyoneattention elsewhere for awhile. The problem is, they couldnsit still. Just like we did after breaking that lamp, the Big East got a little stir crazy. Two days after sweeping up the mess, after Dad looked around the room with a perplexed look on his face, not being able to pinpoint what was different, and then retreating to a seat on the other side of the room to read the paper, we got nervous. So we started shifting around the furniture, maybe bringing down a lamp from the attic that didnquite match the dcor. Thatwhen it happened. Busted! The Big East brought something old and dusty down from the attic as well. An invitation for Villanova to join the other, still nervous, Big East football members. Why couldnthey leave well enough alone? The college football world had put expansion, realignment and conference destruction on the back burner for awhile. The talk around the water cooler has been of Michiganresurgence behind a kid who doesnlike to tie his shoes, and the Notre Dame haters have reveled in the Irish back to back losses to two old rivals from the wolverine state. And the Big East felt compelled to re-invite Villanova to join the league as a football member. Which is more embarrassing? The Big East pinning its hope for survival on the admission of an FCS team, or Villanova answering, Yes, we heard you the first time you asked. Just like George Costanza telling his soon to be ex-girlfriend I love you, and getting a similar reply to the one received byMinnesota Vikings
the Big East; thata pretty big matzo ball hanging out there. It is a move which smacks of desperation, and has got to leave the Big 10, and others, shaking their heads and realizing they made the right choice by leaving all the rats on a sinking ship. My advice to the Big East is quite simple. Focus on putting a better product on the football field. Do not allow a private FCS school from suburban Philadelphia to hold your football future dangling over the smoldering embers of Augusts clam bake. And, most importantly; the best way to leave the kidtable, and be invited to dine with the big folks is to act like one of them.
2011年1月18日星期二
18 Jan 11 West Virginia Football: Bill Stewart Leads Mountaineers Into Death Valley
Finally, the months of anticipation are over, and West Virginia University will face Louisiana State University on Saturday in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Kick-off is set for prime time, 9pm, and will be televised by ESPN2 to a national audience. The stage does not get much bigger than this, early in the season. Both Bill Stewart of Reebok Dallas Cowboys #9 Tony Romo Realtree camo Jersey
WVU and Les Miles of LSU entered the 2010 season needing wins to quiet dissension in their fan bases. Stewart replaced the highly successful Rich Rodriguez. Rodriguezpopularity while at WVU was off the scale. The contempt Rodriguez endured after his departure from WVU, is a direct correlation to his popularity. Miles replaced Nick Saban, who, like Rodriguez, was highly successful and well liked by the LSU faithful. Both Rodriguez and Saban left their respective schools for more lucrative offers from other teams. Rodriguez went to Michigan, and Saban went to the Miami Dolphins. Unlike Stewart, Miles has won a national title in his tenure at LSU, defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes to win the national title following the 2007 season. The irony is had Rodriguez 2007 WVU team beaten Pitt on December 1, WVU, not LSU, would have faced off against OSU for the national title.Though Miles actually won the national title, many LSU fans still gave credit to Saban. The team Miles coached to the title game was stocked primarily with players that Saban had recruited. It is worth mentioning that Stewart has recruited very well since he was hired at WVU. It is well documented that Stewart has signed the two highest rated back-to-back recruiting classes in WVUhistory. Still, Miles has out done Stewart on the recruiting trail; LSU signed decidedly higher ranked classes than WVU. Both WVU and LSU field strong defenses in 2010. The LSU defense enters the game ranked fifth in scoring defense giving up 11.5 points per game. The WVU defense enters the game ranked ninth in scoring defense giving up 12.7 points per game. The Tigers hold the edge on defense; suffice to say that both are stout. Jeff Casteel of WVU and John Chavis of LSU are the defensive coordinators for their teams. Chavis employs a conventional 4-3 alignment for his defense. Casteel employs an unconventional odd stack 3-3-5. Casteelalignment often confuses quarterbacks from opposing teams that rarely see the formation. Casteel is a master of disguising his intentions through alignment.Both Jeff Mullen of WVU and Gary Crouton of LSU have felt the sting of disapproval from their respective fans. Mullen and Crouton are the offensive coordinators for their teams. Offensively, both the Mountaineers and the Tigers are tied at 61st for scoring offense with an average of 28.7 points per game. How they reach that average is completely different. Jordan Jeffersons, LSUstarting quarterback, stat line reads 33 completions on 57 attempts for 344 yards and two touchdowns, Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
with a completion percentage of 57.9. Jeffersonquarterback rating through three games is 113.1. The Tigers like to run the football in 2010; LSU has run for 609 yards so far. Stevan Ridley is their top rusher with 55 carries for 318 yards and two touchdowns; Ridley averages 5.8 yards per carry on the season. Mountaineer quarterback Geno Smith boasts the following stat line71 completions on 101 attempts for 800 yards with seven touchdowns and a 70.2 percent completion percentage. Smithquarterback rating through three games is 157.7. With Smith as the starter, the Mountaineers are a passing team. The Mountaineers also like to run the football in 2010. WVU has run for 544 yards so far. Noel Devine is their leading rusher with 73 carries for 354 yards and two touchdowns. Devine averages 4.8 yards per carry.Devine also represents the active leading rusher in the FBS. Devine has a propensity for performing his best on the biggest of stages. Devine will have to continue that trend for WVU to come out of Louisiana with a victory. To obscure the debate, both teams offensive strengths compete directly with the opposing teams defensive strengths. LSU fields the best defensive secondary that WVU may see all year. The Tigers can match WVUspeed at receiver, and both corners are good in man-to-man coverage. The WVU defense may not be the best the Tigers will face this year, they are stout against the run. LSU will be surprised at the speed the Mountaineer defense possesses. Team speed may be an edge for WVU, not that the Mountaineers are faster than LSU, the Tigers may not respect the speed that exists on the Mountaineer roster. Coming into the 2010 season WVU had been horrid on kick-off coverage the past two seasons. Stewart addressed the situation in the offseason with a complete realignment of the special teams coaches. In essence, Stewart replaced himself as special teams coach and distributed the responsibilities throughout his staff. The plan has worked to date. What was once an Achilles heel is now astrength. These two teams are more evenly matched than it might first appear. As with any game against evenly matched opponents, the game will go to the team that wins the turnover battle.In their past two games, WVU has not protected the ball as well as expected. The Mountaineers are currently minus-four in turnover margin on the season. WVU must win the turnover battle to have a chance in Death Valley. Further, for WVU to pull the upset in Baton Rouge, the offensive line must control the line of Reebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
scrimmage. The offensive line must provide Devine holes to run through and Smith time to throw the football. On the other side of the ball, WVUdefensive line must also control the LSU offensive line. The Mountaineers must shut down the LSU running game and force Jefferson to beat them with his arm. Noel Devine and Jock Sanders returned for their senior season at WVU. They did not return to lose at LSU. LSU opponents are 1-25 in their last 26 night games in Death Valley. Bill Stewart has a motto, Respect everyone, fear none. As Stewart and company will enter Death Valley Saturday night, the LSU faithful see another victim for the slaughter.Tiger fans will quickly learn that Mountaineers do not go down without a fight.
WVU and Les Miles of LSU entered the 2010 season needing wins to quiet dissension in their fan bases. Stewart replaced the highly successful Rich Rodriguez. Rodriguezpopularity while at WVU was off the scale. The contempt Rodriguez endured after his departure from WVU, is a direct correlation to his popularity. Miles replaced Nick Saban, who, like Rodriguez, was highly successful and well liked by the LSU faithful. Both Rodriguez and Saban left their respective schools for more lucrative offers from other teams. Rodriguez went to Michigan, and Saban went to the Miami Dolphins. Unlike Stewart, Miles has won a national title in his tenure at LSU, defeating the Ohio State Buckeyes to win the national title following the 2007 season. The irony is had Rodriguez 2007 WVU team beaten Pitt on December 1, WVU, not LSU, would have faced off against OSU for the national title.Though Miles actually won the national title, many LSU fans still gave credit to Saban. The team Miles coached to the title game was stocked primarily with players that Saban had recruited. It is worth mentioning that Stewart has recruited very well since he was hired at WVU. It is well documented that Stewart has signed the two highest rated back-to-back recruiting classes in WVUhistory. Still, Miles has out done Stewart on the recruiting trail; LSU signed decidedly higher ranked classes than WVU. Both WVU and LSU field strong defenses in 2010. The LSU defense enters the game ranked fifth in scoring defense giving up 11.5 points per game. The WVU defense enters the game ranked ninth in scoring defense giving up 12.7 points per game. The Tigers hold the edge on defense; suffice to say that both are stout. Jeff Casteel of WVU and John Chavis of LSU are the defensive coordinators for their teams. Chavis employs a conventional 4-3 alignment for his defense. Casteel employs an unconventional odd stack 3-3-5. Casteelalignment often confuses quarterbacks from opposing teams that rarely see the formation. Casteel is a master of disguising his intentions through alignment.Both Jeff Mullen of WVU and Gary Crouton of LSU have felt the sting of disapproval from their respective fans. Mullen and Crouton are the offensive coordinators for their teams. Offensively, both the Mountaineers and the Tigers are tied at 61st for scoring offense with an average of 28.7 points per game. How they reach that average is completely different. Jordan Jeffersons, LSUstarting quarterback, stat line reads 33 completions on 57 attempts for 344 yards and two touchdowns, Reebok Denver Broncos #15 Tim Tebow Realtree camo Jersey
with a completion percentage of 57.9. Jeffersonquarterback rating through three games is 113.1. The Tigers like to run the football in 2010; LSU has run for 609 yards so far. Stevan Ridley is their top rusher with 55 carries for 318 yards and two touchdowns; Ridley averages 5.8 yards per carry on the season. Mountaineer quarterback Geno Smith boasts the following stat line71 completions on 101 attempts for 800 yards with seven touchdowns and a 70.2 percent completion percentage. Smithquarterback rating through three games is 157.7. With Smith as the starter, the Mountaineers are a passing team. The Mountaineers also like to run the football in 2010. WVU has run for 544 yards so far. Noel Devine is their leading rusher with 73 carries for 354 yards and two touchdowns. Devine averages 4.8 yards per carry.Devine also represents the active leading rusher in the FBS. Devine has a propensity for performing his best on the biggest of stages. Devine will have to continue that trend for WVU to come out of Louisiana with a victory. To obscure the debate, both teams offensive strengths compete directly with the opposing teams defensive strengths. LSU fields the best defensive secondary that WVU may see all year. The Tigers can match WVUspeed at receiver, and both corners are good in man-to-man coverage. The WVU defense may not be the best the Tigers will face this year, they are stout against the run. LSU will be surprised at the speed the Mountaineer defense possesses. Team speed may be an edge for WVU, not that the Mountaineers are faster than LSU, the Tigers may not respect the speed that exists on the Mountaineer roster. Coming into the 2010 season WVU had been horrid on kick-off coverage the past two seasons. Stewart addressed the situation in the offseason with a complete realignment of the special teams coaches. In essence, Stewart replaced himself as special teams coach and distributed the responsibilities throughout his staff. The plan has worked to date. What was once an Achilles heel is now astrength. These two teams are more evenly matched than it might first appear. As with any game against evenly matched opponents, the game will go to the team that wins the turnover battle.In their past two games, WVU has not protected the ball as well as expected. The Mountaineers are currently minus-four in turnover margin on the season. WVU must win the turnover battle to have a chance in Death Valley. Further, for WVU to pull the upset in Baton Rouge, the offensive line must control the line of Reebok Green Bay Packers #12 Aaron Rodgers Realtree camo Jersey
scrimmage. The offensive line must provide Devine holes to run through and Smith time to throw the football. On the other side of the ball, WVUdefensive line must also control the LSU offensive line. The Mountaineers must shut down the LSU running game and force Jefferson to beat them with his arm. Noel Devine and Jock Sanders returned for their senior season at WVU. They did not return to lose at LSU. LSU opponents are 1-25 in their last 26 night games in Death Valley. Bill Stewart has a motto, Respect everyone, fear none. As Stewart and company will enter Death Valley Saturday night, the LSU faithful see another victim for the slaughter.Tiger fans will quickly learn that Mountaineers do not go down without a fight.
2011年1月15日星期六
15 Jan 11 New Orleans Saints Tommy Polley Colby Bockwoldt Baltimore Ravens Scott Fujita
It seems like a reasonable question to ask of the New Orleans Saints' player personnel people: Gee, guys, how come you didn't draft a linebacker back in April?Because the Saints already had a lot of proven talent at that position?Wrong answer.Weakside linebacker Colby Bockwoldt did start all 16 games last season and Indianapolis Colts jersey
seems to be improving with age. Free agent pickup Scott Fujita (who spends a lot of time explaining to reporters that he's not Japanese) was a solid performer for the Dallas Cowboys last season, where his position coach was new Saints' defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs.After that, though, it gets ugly. Two of the team's best linebackers in 2005, Ronald McKinnon and T.J. Slaughter, took a hike as free agents. James Allen, who was just beginning to blossom into an everyday player, tore up his knee in pre-season condition drills and is lost for the upcoming season.Courtney Watson, a Notre Dame product for whom the Saints had high hopes, didn't fit into Gibbs' defensive schemes and was traded to the Miami Dolphins for Eddie Moore, a linebacker New Orleans thought would be a better fit. Problem was, Moore failed his physical, so Watson came back -- only to be told by head coach Sean Payton to skip the rest of pre-season drills and spend his time trying to find another team that wants him.Let's see. That leaves ...Alfred Fincher, a second-year man out of Connecticut who was atop the depth chart at middle backer when June began, played in seven games last season and made eight tackles.Anthony Simmons, signed during the off-season as an outside linebacker, didn't play at all, nursing a wrist injury and Jacksonville Jaguars jersey
an acrimonious divorce from the Seattle Seahawks.Jay Foreman, a more recent free agent pickup, didn't play in 2005, either, after being released by the Houston Texans.And then there are three undrafted rookies.Is it too late to trade for Brian Urlacher?Well, yes. But the New Orleans Saints did grab a possible life preserver on June 2 when they signed Tommy Polley away from the Baltimore Ravens. The former Florida State star had 95 tackles and four sacks for the Baltimore Ravens, filling in for the injured Ray Lewis for part of the season.Apparently, the Ravens were concerned about Polley's toughness -- which seems odd, since he was runner-up for the Brian Piccolo Most Courageous Player Award as a Seminole senior. Tough or not, though, Polley has good speed and the ability to slide up and down the line of scrimmage Kansas City Chiefs jersey
while also participating in a meaningful way in pass coverage. As a second-year man with the St. Louis Rams, he tied for the lead with four interceptions.Right now, then, it looks as though Polley will have to play himself out of starting in the middle, and he'll be flanked by Bockwoldt and either Fujita or Simmons. Maybe they shouldn't burn their bridges with Courtney Watson quite yet.Get more New Orleans Saints insight
seems to be improving with age. Free agent pickup Scott Fujita (who spends a lot of time explaining to reporters that he's not Japanese) was a solid performer for the Dallas Cowboys last season, where his position coach was new Saints' defensive coordinator Gary Gibbs.After that, though, it gets ugly. Two of the team's best linebackers in 2005, Ronald McKinnon and T.J. Slaughter, took a hike as free agents. James Allen, who was just beginning to blossom into an everyday player, tore up his knee in pre-season condition drills and is lost for the upcoming season.Courtney Watson, a Notre Dame product for whom the Saints had high hopes, didn't fit into Gibbs' defensive schemes and was traded to the Miami Dolphins for Eddie Moore, a linebacker New Orleans thought would be a better fit. Problem was, Moore failed his physical, so Watson came back -- only to be told by head coach Sean Payton to skip the rest of pre-season drills and spend his time trying to find another team that wants him.Let's see. That leaves ...Alfred Fincher, a second-year man out of Connecticut who was atop the depth chart at middle backer when June began, played in seven games last season and made eight tackles.Anthony Simmons, signed during the off-season as an outside linebacker, didn't play at all, nursing a wrist injury and Jacksonville Jaguars jersey
an acrimonious divorce from the Seattle Seahawks.Jay Foreman, a more recent free agent pickup, didn't play in 2005, either, after being released by the Houston Texans.And then there are three undrafted rookies.Is it too late to trade for Brian Urlacher?Well, yes. But the New Orleans Saints did grab a possible life preserver on June 2 when they signed Tommy Polley away from the Baltimore Ravens. The former Florida State star had 95 tackles and four sacks for the Baltimore Ravens, filling in for the injured Ray Lewis for part of the season.Apparently, the Ravens were concerned about Polley's toughness -- which seems odd, since he was runner-up for the Brian Piccolo Most Courageous Player Award as a Seminole senior. Tough or not, though, Polley has good speed and the ability to slide up and down the line of scrimmage Kansas City Chiefs jersey
while also participating in a meaningful way in pass coverage. As a second-year man with the St. Louis Rams, he tied for the lead with four interceptions.Right now, then, it looks as though Polley will have to play himself out of starting in the middle, and he'll be flanked by Bockwoldt and either Fujita or Simmons. Maybe they shouldn't burn their bridges with Courtney Watson quite yet.Get more New Orleans Saints insight
2011年1月13日星期四
14 Jan 11 Carolina Panthers "Not just a Houston problem: David Carr has broken down again"
It happened in Houston, and it already has happened in Carolina. David Carr has lost his confidence. Six years of nothing but beatings and boos will do that to a quarterback. In Houston, which took Carr No.1 overall in the 2002 draft (the first pick in franchise history), he never had much help Dallas Cowboys jersey
from his offensive line. And that's being kind. Carr was the most-sacked QB in the NFL during his five years as the Texans' quarterback; he was dropped 249 times, including a league-record 76 in his rookie season.He hasn't fared much better in his first year in Carolina, where he has been sacked 13 times in six games. He took over when Jake Delhomme suffered a season-ending elbow injury, and Carr has not played well. He has three touchdowns and five interceptions, with a 53.7 completion percentage and a passer rating of 58.3. Those numbers are the worst since his rookie year.A contributing factor in his struggles is the fact that Carr also hasn't been able to stay healthy. A back injury caused him to miss one game, and he sat out two more with a concussion after he was sacked seven times by the Tennessee Titans.Carr returned in Week 12 against New Orleans and had another bad outing (45.5 percent completed, no touchdowns, two interceptions) and was demoted to third string for last week's game. Despite all of Carr's struggles, however, coach Denver Broncos jersey
John Fox told reporters he still has faith in Carr and thinks the 28-year-old quarterback could have a future in Carolina."I still have confidence in David Carr," Fox said of the QB, who is signed through next season. "I still think he has things to offer. I don't think it's gone as well for him, or for us, as we all expected. That doesn't mean that it won't move forward either."Fox said he made Carr the emergency quarterback -- behind Vinny Testaverde and rookie Matt Moore -- at home against San Francisco last Sunday because he didn't want to risk making Carr once again endure the wrath of the home fans. "I don't know if I wanted to expose him here at home," Fox said. "We'll kind of weigh that as we move forward. Anytime you don't have success it has an effect on you mentally."Whether Fox does indeed Detroit Lions
have faith and confidence in Carr will be proven in the offseason, when the Panthers decide what they are going to do at a quarterback position that will be full of questions.And if Fox does decide to keep Carr, he's going to have to figure out how to restore the quarterback's confidence. Because Carr has lost it again, just as he did in Houston.
from his offensive line. And that's being kind. Carr was the most-sacked QB in the NFL during his five years as the Texans' quarterback; he was dropped 249 times, including a league-record 76 in his rookie season.He hasn't fared much better in his first year in Carolina, where he has been sacked 13 times in six games. He took over when Jake Delhomme suffered a season-ending elbow injury, and Carr has not played well. He has three touchdowns and five interceptions, with a 53.7 completion percentage and a passer rating of 58.3. Those numbers are the worst since his rookie year.A contributing factor in his struggles is the fact that Carr also hasn't been able to stay healthy. A back injury caused him to miss one game, and he sat out two more with a concussion after he was sacked seven times by the Tennessee Titans.Carr returned in Week 12 against New Orleans and had another bad outing (45.5 percent completed, no touchdowns, two interceptions) and was demoted to third string for last week's game. Despite all of Carr's struggles, however, coach Denver Broncos jersey
John Fox told reporters he still has faith in Carr and thinks the 28-year-old quarterback could have a future in Carolina."I still have confidence in David Carr," Fox said of the QB, who is signed through next season. "I still think he has things to offer. I don't think it's gone as well for him, or for us, as we all expected. That doesn't mean that it won't move forward either."Fox said he made Carr the emergency quarterback -- behind Vinny Testaverde and rookie Matt Moore -- at home against San Francisco last Sunday because he didn't want to risk making Carr once again endure the wrath of the home fans. "I don't know if I wanted to expose him here at home," Fox said. "We'll kind of weigh that as we move forward. Anytime you don't have success it has an effect on you mentally."Whether Fox does indeed Detroit Lions
have faith and confidence in Carr will be proven in the offseason, when the Panthers decide what they are going to do at a quarterback position that will be full of questions.And if Fox does decide to keep Carr, he's going to have to figure out how to restore the quarterback's confidence. Because Carr has lost it again, just as he did in Houston.
14 Jan 11 Carolina Panthers "Not just a Houston problem: David Carr has broken down again"
It happened in Houston, and it already has happened in Carolina. David Carr has lost his confidence. Six years of nothing but beatings and boos will do that to a quarterback. In Houston, which took Carr No.1 overall in the 2002 draft (the first pick in franchise history), he never had much help Dallas Cowboys jersey
from his offensive line. And that's being kind. Carr was the most-sacked QB in the NFL during his five years as the Texans' quarterback; he was dropped 249 times, including a league-record 76 in his rookie season.He hasn't fared much better in his first year in Carolina, where he has been sacked 13 times in six games. He took over when Jake Delhomme suffered a season-ending elbow injury, and Carr has not played well. He has three touchdowns and five interceptions, with a 53.7 completion percentage and a passer rating of 58.3. Those numbers are the worst since his rookie year.A contributing factor in his struggles is the fact that Carr also hasn't been able to stay healthy. A back injury caused him to miss one game, and he sat out two more with a concussion after he was sacked seven times by the Tennessee Titans.Carr returned in Week 12 against New Orleans and had another bad outing (45.5 percent completed, no touchdowns, two interceptions) and was demoted to third string for last week's game. Despite all of Carr's struggles, however, coach Denver Broncos jersey
John Fox told reporters he still has faith in Carr and thinks the 28-year-old quarterback could have a future in Carolina."I still have confidence in David Carr," Fox said of the QB, who is signed through next season. "I still think he has things to offer. I don't think it's gone as well for him, or for us, as we all expected. That doesn't mean that it won't move forward either."Fox said he made Carr the emergency quarterback -- behind Vinny Testaverde and rookie Matt Moore -- at home against San Francisco last Sunday because he didn't want to risk making Carr once again endure the wrath of the home fans. "I don't know if I wanted to expose him here at home," Fox said. "We'll kind of weigh that as we move forward. Anytime you don't have success it has an effect on you mentally."Whether Fox does indeed Detroit Lions
have faith and confidence in Carr will be proven in the offseason, when the Panthers decide what they are going to do at a quarterback position that will be full of questions.And if Fox does decide to keep Carr, he's going to have to figure out how to restore the quarterback's confidence. Because Carr has lost it again, just as he did in Houston.
from his offensive line. And that's being kind. Carr was the most-sacked QB in the NFL during his five years as the Texans' quarterback; he was dropped 249 times, including a league-record 76 in his rookie season.He hasn't fared much better in his first year in Carolina, where he has been sacked 13 times in six games. He took over when Jake Delhomme suffered a season-ending elbow injury, and Carr has not played well. He has three touchdowns and five interceptions, with a 53.7 completion percentage and a passer rating of 58.3. Those numbers are the worst since his rookie year.A contributing factor in his struggles is the fact that Carr also hasn't been able to stay healthy. A back injury caused him to miss one game, and he sat out two more with a concussion after he was sacked seven times by the Tennessee Titans.Carr returned in Week 12 against New Orleans and had another bad outing (45.5 percent completed, no touchdowns, two interceptions) and was demoted to third string for last week's game. Despite all of Carr's struggles, however, coach Denver Broncos jersey
John Fox told reporters he still has faith in Carr and thinks the 28-year-old quarterback could have a future in Carolina."I still have confidence in David Carr," Fox said of the QB, who is signed through next season. "I still think he has things to offer. I don't think it's gone as well for him, or for us, as we all expected. That doesn't mean that it won't move forward either."Fox said he made Carr the emergency quarterback -- behind Vinny Testaverde and rookie Matt Moore -- at home against San Francisco last Sunday because he didn't want to risk making Carr once again endure the wrath of the home fans. "I don't know if I wanted to expose him here at home," Fox said. "We'll kind of weigh that as we move forward. Anytime you don't have success it has an effect on you mentally."Whether Fox does indeed Detroit Lions
have faith and confidence in Carr will be proven in the offseason, when the Panthers decide what they are going to do at a quarterback position that will be full of questions.And if Fox does decide to keep Carr, he's going to have to figure out how to restore the quarterback's confidence. Because Carr has lost it again, just as he did in Houston.
2011年1月12日星期三
13 Jan 11 Why the Fine of Doc Rivers Shows David Stern Still Doesn't Get It
Let me get this straight. In the NBA, where coaches are judged based on wins and losses, a coach should keep his mouth shut when officials make blatantly bad calls that could influence a game?In the Celtics-Hawks game the other night, officials whistled Glen Davis for a foul on Atlanta's Marvin Williams. After huddling for several minutes, the officials finally determined that Davis should be called for a flagrant foul.Boston coach Doc Rivers was angry. Rivers was certain it was not a flagrant foulso certain that he said afterwards that it never occurred to him they might even call a flagrant.Then, instead of walking away from the angry coach, the officials who made the call, as they often like to do, went right up to Rivers. Before anyone even knew what happened, Rivers had been given two technicals...and for good measure an assistant coach also received a tech.Fast forward to two days later. The NBA announced that it had rescinded the flagrant foul call against Davis, essentially admitting that the officials got it wrong. Oh, and by the way Doc Rivers, the Reebok Baltimore Ravens #27 Ray Rice Realtree camo Jersey
league also fined you $25,000 for complaining about the call.I have one reaction to that: huh?Remove, for a second, any conversation about whether Rivers said anything he shouldn't have to an official, or any discussion about the impact of these calls on the game. That is not my point.My point is, how can the NBA fine a coach a not so insubstantial amount, for simply arguing a call that the league itself admitted the officials got wrong?He had already been punished by being unable to coach his team, all because of a bad call from an official.It should be noted that Rivers did not cause a scene. He did not run around the court, or chase after an official. The officials went right over to him.To me, this is yet another indication that the NBA just does not get what is wrong with the officials in their league. The NBA would rather have coaches and players be quiet than address the concerns with the officials.I have a newsflash for David Sternit isn't going to happen. Coaches and players may complain too much, but the reason they continue to do so is because NBA officials do a poor job on a nearly nightly basis.Stern does not like the players/coaches complaining, but instead of addressing the cause (terrible officiating), he wants to ignore it, and simply deal with the effect. He thinks if he can just get players and coaches to be quiet, that no one will notice what a poor job so many officials are doing.I have a question for Stern: was there any repercussions for the officiating crewwho, due to a bad call, set in motion a series of events that led to one team going to the free throw line five times and then being given the ball back?And there in lies the problem. Stern wants to show off his power and pretend as if nothing is wrong with his league, but the league he has run for over twenty years is plagued by poor officiating, and it has been for years.The officiating in the NBA is so bad that the annual conspiracy theories that we hear during the playoffs persist about fixed games.The reason those theories continue to haunt the league is because when people sit down to watch playoff games, they see games that are so poorly officiated that the only rational is that the games are being fixed or influenced by someone.I watch a fair amount of NBA games, both in the regular season and in the playoffs. I don't necessarily Reebok Baltimore Ravens #52 Ray Lewis Realtree camo Jersey
games are fixed, but I just know the officiating is routinely that bad.However, David Stern wants to pretend everything is fine, and wants to silence all critics. Technicals for complaining, suspensions for accumulating too many technicals, and now fines for coaches who argue calls that were wrong.Stern wanted to institute technical fouls for flopping because so many players were doing it and getting away with it., but, if games were officiated properly, and the officials didn't fall for flops that anyone watching could clearly tell what was going on, technicals would not be needed.As a basketball fan, I hoped the Tim Donaghy scandal would lead to improved officiating.I thought once the dust settled around the revelation of an NBA official betting on games, the secondary issue would be how can we improve officiating so that something like this doesn't happen again...so one official cannot bet on games based on the biases and tendencies of other officials.I have heard Stern apologists say that what Donaghy did does not mean there is a problem with officiating, and that anyone can watch the games and pick up on certain tendencies. Well, if that's the case, why aren't more of us taking notice and rushing to Vegas to place our bets?Instead of using the Donaghy incident as a reason to improve the state of officiating in the league, Stern has done nothing. He has been allowed to escape scrutiny by sticking to his story of Donaghy being a lone violator.Even if that is true, Donaghy still did his damage because he knew that other officials are incapable of calling a game straight.This isn't about one particular play, or one particular situation. It is larger than that. It is about a commissioner, who wields virtually unchecked power, being too stubborn or too arrogant to do anything about the terrible level of officiating in the league.He would rather do nothing, the same way he did nothing as the Sonics bolted Seattle, then admit that some of the league's critics may be right, and maybe the league needs to do a better job training, preparing, and evaluating its officials.The NBA defends itself by citing referee evaluations, saying that the grades prove that the officials do a good job. Does anyone who watches the NBA really believe that is true? Evaluations and statistics can be manipulated to say whatever you want them to say.How are officials rated? On calls made? What about calls missed? What about consistency? What about timing of calls? What about home versus road, or how you call a game based on the scoreboard?A referee in an NBA Reebok Chicago Bears #54 Brian Urlacher Realtree camo Jersey
game has an amazing power to influence the outcome. Fouls lead to teams being in the penalty, players being forced to the bench, or being out of the game entirely.This is a serious issue. Unfortunately, as the fine to Doc Rivers for a play that he was right about shows, the league and David Stern just can't be bothered.
league also fined you $25,000 for complaining about the call.I have one reaction to that: huh?Remove, for a second, any conversation about whether Rivers said anything he shouldn't have to an official, or any discussion about the impact of these calls on the game. That is not my point.My point is, how can the NBA fine a coach a not so insubstantial amount, for simply arguing a call that the league itself admitted the officials got wrong?He had already been punished by being unable to coach his team, all because of a bad call from an official.It should be noted that Rivers did not cause a scene. He did not run around the court, or chase after an official. The officials went right over to him.To me, this is yet another indication that the NBA just does not get what is wrong with the officials in their league. The NBA would rather have coaches and players be quiet than address the concerns with the officials.I have a newsflash for David Sternit isn't going to happen. Coaches and players may complain too much, but the reason they continue to do so is because NBA officials do a poor job on a nearly nightly basis.Stern does not like the players/coaches complaining, but instead of addressing the cause (terrible officiating), he wants to ignore it, and simply deal with the effect. He thinks if he can just get players and coaches to be quiet, that no one will notice what a poor job so many officials are doing.I have a question for Stern: was there any repercussions for the officiating crewwho, due to a bad call, set in motion a series of events that led to one team going to the free throw line five times and then being given the ball back?And there in lies the problem. Stern wants to show off his power and pretend as if nothing is wrong with his league, but the league he has run for over twenty years is plagued by poor officiating, and it has been for years.The officiating in the NBA is so bad that the annual conspiracy theories that we hear during the playoffs persist about fixed games.The reason those theories continue to haunt the league is because when people sit down to watch playoff games, they see games that are so poorly officiated that the only rational is that the games are being fixed or influenced by someone.I watch a fair amount of NBA games, both in the regular season and in the playoffs. I don't necessarily Reebok Baltimore Ravens #52 Ray Lewis Realtree camo Jersey
games are fixed, but I just know the officiating is routinely that bad.However, David Stern wants to pretend everything is fine, and wants to silence all critics. Technicals for complaining, suspensions for accumulating too many technicals, and now fines for coaches who argue calls that were wrong.Stern wanted to institute technical fouls for flopping because so many players were doing it and getting away with it., but, if games were officiated properly, and the officials didn't fall for flops that anyone watching could clearly tell what was going on, technicals would not be needed.As a basketball fan, I hoped the Tim Donaghy scandal would lead to improved officiating.I thought once the dust settled around the revelation of an NBA official betting on games, the secondary issue would be how can we improve officiating so that something like this doesn't happen again...so one official cannot bet on games based on the biases and tendencies of other officials.I have heard Stern apologists say that what Donaghy did does not mean there is a problem with officiating, and that anyone can watch the games and pick up on certain tendencies. Well, if that's the case, why aren't more of us taking notice and rushing to Vegas to place our bets?Instead of using the Donaghy incident as a reason to improve the state of officiating in the league, Stern has done nothing. He has been allowed to escape scrutiny by sticking to his story of Donaghy being a lone violator.Even if that is true, Donaghy still did his damage because he knew that other officials are incapable of calling a game straight.This isn't about one particular play, or one particular situation. It is larger than that. It is about a commissioner, who wields virtually unchecked power, being too stubborn or too arrogant to do anything about the terrible level of officiating in the league.He would rather do nothing, the same way he did nothing as the Sonics bolted Seattle, then admit that some of the league's critics may be right, and maybe the league needs to do a better job training, preparing, and evaluating its officials.The NBA defends itself by citing referee evaluations, saying that the grades prove that the officials do a good job. Does anyone who watches the NBA really believe that is true? Evaluations and statistics can be manipulated to say whatever you want them to say.How are officials rated? On calls made? What about calls missed? What about consistency? What about timing of calls? What about home versus road, or how you call a game based on the scoreboard?A referee in an NBA Reebok Chicago Bears #54 Brian Urlacher Realtree camo Jersey
game has an amazing power to influence the outcome. Fouls lead to teams being in the penalty, players being forced to the bench, or being out of the game entirely.This is a serious issue. Unfortunately, as the fine to Doc Rivers for a play that he was right about shows, the league and David Stern just can't be bothered.
12 Jan 11 Brandon Roy Gets Official, All-Star Again
Chris Graythen/Getty ImagesPortland Trail Blazers' team press release on Brandon Roy's All-Star inclusion:Brandon Roy Named Western Conference All-StarRoy becomes only the fourth three-time All-Star in Trail Blazers history PORTLAND, Ore. Portland Trail Blazers guard Brandon Roy was named a 2010 New England Patriots jersey
NBA All-Star reserve by a vote of Western Conference head coaches, the NBA announced [yesterday]"With this his third-straight selection, Brandon Roy joins an elite group of Trail Blazers to represent Portland in the NBA All-Star Game," said Trail Blazers General Manager Kevin Pritchard. "Brandon is as much a winner off the court as he is on the court, and we are honored and appreciative of the NBA coaches for selecting him to represent the Western Conference."The three-time NBA All-Star has led the Trail Blazers to a 27-20 record, posting averages of 23.1 points (48.4 percent FG), 4.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.03 steals and 38.3 minutes in 40 games (all starts).Roy, 25, becomes only the fourth Trail Blazer to garner three All-Star selections, joining Clyde Drexler (eight), Sidney Wicks (four) and Maurice Lucas (three). Roy's 16.0 points per game (15-18 FG) in two previous appearances is the highest scoring average by a Trail Blazer in the All-Star Game. He has added 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 30.0 minutes.Roy has scored 20 or more points in 27 games this season, including a 15-game streak of scoring 23-plus points from Dec. 1 to Jan. 2 that stands as the longest such run in franchise history. The Seattle native ranks ninth in the NBA with a 23.1 scoring average and is one of just three players in the league averaging at least 23.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists.The starting five in the Western Conference, decided by fan balloting, consists of Carmelo Anthony (Denver), Tim Duncan (San Antonio), Amar'e Stoudemire (Phoenix), Kobe New Orleans Saints jersey
Bryant (L.A. Lakers) and Steve Nash (Phoenix). Rounding out the squad from the head coaches' vote are Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City), Pau Gasol (L.A. Lakers), Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas), Chris Paul (New Orleans), Zach Randolph (Memphis) and Deron Williams (Utah).The 2010 NBA All-Star Game tips off at 5 p.m. (Pacific) on Sunday, Feb. 14, from Cowboys Stadium in Dallas. The event will be televised live on TNT.
NBA All-Star reserve by a vote of Western Conference head coaches, the NBA announced [yesterday]"With this his third-straight selection, Brandon Roy joins an elite group of Trail Blazers to represent Portland in the NBA All-Star Game," said Trail Blazers General Manager Kevin Pritchard. "Brandon is as much a winner off the court as he is on the court, and we are honored and appreciative of the NBA coaches for selecting him to represent the Western Conference."The three-time NBA All-Star has led the Trail Blazers to a 27-20 record, posting averages of 23.1 points (48.4 percent FG), 4.6 rebounds, 5.0 assists, 1.03 steals and 38.3 minutes in 40 games (all starts).Roy, 25, becomes only the fourth Trail Blazer to garner three All-Star selections, joining Clyde Drexler (eight), Sidney Wicks (four) and Maurice Lucas (three). Roy's 16.0 points per game (15-18 FG) in two previous appearances is the highest scoring average by a Trail Blazer in the All-Star Game. He has added 7.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 30.0 minutes.Roy has scored 20 or more points in 27 games this season, including a 15-game streak of scoring 23-plus points from Dec. 1 to Jan. 2 that stands as the longest such run in franchise history. The Seattle native ranks ninth in the NBA with a 23.1 scoring average and is one of just three players in the league averaging at least 23.0 points, 4.5 rebounds and 5.0 assists.The starting five in the Western Conference, decided by fan balloting, consists of Carmelo Anthony (Denver), Tim Duncan (San Antonio), Amar'e Stoudemire (Phoenix), Kobe New Orleans Saints jersey
Bryant (L.A. Lakers) and Steve Nash (Phoenix). Rounding out the squad from the head coaches' vote are Kevin Durant (Oklahoma City), Pau Gasol (L.A. Lakers), Dirk Nowitzki (Dallas), Chris Paul (New Orleans), Zach Randolph (Memphis) and Deron Williams (Utah).The 2010 NBA All-Star Game tips off at 5 p.m. (Pacific) on Sunday, Feb. 14, from Cowboys Stadium in Dallas. The event will be televised live on TNT.
12 Jan 11 Hawks and Magic Meet For Southeast Division Lead
The best teams in the Southeast Division are in action tonight, when the Atlanta Hawks travel to Orlando to face the Magic.Orlando (30-16) enters the game a half game behind the Hawks (30-15) in the division standings. The Hawks are playing their second game in as many nights, after completing a four-game season sweep of the Boston Celtics at home Friday.The Magic are 17-4 at home while the Hawks have struggled on the road at only 11-10.The teams have met twice already this season, with the Magic dominating both affairs. Earlier this month in Orlando, the MagicReebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
trounced the Hawks 113-81.Coming off of the huge win against Boston, the Hawks could use a win tonight to help make their case as the second best team in the Eastern Conference.Projected StartersAtlantaG Mike Bibby 8.9 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.1 rpgG Joe Johnson 21.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.7 apgF Josh Smith 15.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.5 spg, 2.2 bpgF Marvin Williams 10.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.1 apgC Al Horford 13.5 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.3 bpgOrlandoG Jameer Nelson 11.8 ppg, 4.7apg, 2.9 rpgG Vince Carter 16.2, 4.3 rpg, 2.9 rpgF Rashard Lewis 15.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.6 apgF Matt Barnes 8.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.7 apgC Dwight Howard 17.5 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 1.5 apgNote: using this projected starting lineup, the Magic are 6-7 this seasonMatchup to watch: Rashard Lewis vs. Josh SmithLewis is a 40 percent three-point shooter, and will make Smith defend hard on the perimeter. If Lewis makes shots, it will help clear the lane for Dwight Howard to go to work against Al Horford. Horford is severely undersized to match up against Dwight Howard, and will need help-side defense just about every time Howard has the ball. Smith would be the best option to fulfill that role. His athleticism on the defensive end will prove to be the key tonight.Bench play:Jamal Crawford is one of the most productive sixth men in the league. He has not started a single game for the Hawks, but is second on the team with 17.7 points per game. Zaza Pachulia will have to play strong minutes tonight against Howard. In two games against the Magic this season, Pachulia has averaged 6.5 points and 4 rebounds.Mickael Pietrus will be the man for Orlando to come in and lock down Atlanta Joe Johnson. Pietrus is one of the most underrated defenders in the league, and Johnson is the engine that makes the Hawks offense go.Who has the edge?The Magic are a tough match-up for the Hawks, particularly because of Howard. The Hawks strength is their length and scoring from their wings. They don have a player anywhere near Howard size that can match up with him. There aren Reebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
many teams in the league that do have someone to do that, but Atlanta has had trouble with Orlando in recent years.This is a pivotal game for both teams. Orlando needs a win against a top-level Eastern Conference team to re-assert their status as one of the league elite. Atlanta is still trying to prove they are a force in the East.Pick: Orlando -6
trounced the Hawks 113-81.Coming off of the huge win against Boston, the Hawks could use a win tonight to help make their case as the second best team in the Eastern Conference.Projected StartersAtlantaG Mike Bibby 8.9 ppg, 4.3 apg, 2.1 rpgG Joe Johnson 21.4 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.7 apgF Josh Smith 15.0 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 1.5 spg, 2.2 bpgF Marvin Williams 10.4 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 1.1 apgC Al Horford 13.5 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 1.3 bpgOrlandoG Jameer Nelson 11.8 ppg, 4.7apg, 2.9 rpgG Vince Carter 16.2, 4.3 rpg, 2.9 rpgF Rashard Lewis 15.0 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.6 apgF Matt Barnes 8.7 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 1.7 apgC Dwight Howard 17.5 ppg, 13.2 rpg, 1.5 apgNote: using this projected starting lineup, the Magic are 6-7 this seasonMatchup to watch: Rashard Lewis vs. Josh SmithLewis is a 40 percent three-point shooter, and will make Smith defend hard on the perimeter. If Lewis makes shots, it will help clear the lane for Dwight Howard to go to work against Al Horford. Horford is severely undersized to match up against Dwight Howard, and will need help-side defense just about every time Howard has the ball. Smith would be the best option to fulfill that role. His athleticism on the defensive end will prove to be the key tonight.Bench play:Jamal Crawford is one of the most productive sixth men in the league. He has not started a single game for the Hawks, but is second on the team with 17.7 points per game. Zaza Pachulia will have to play strong minutes tonight against Howard. In two games against the Magic this season, Pachulia has averaged 6.5 points and 4 rebounds.Mickael Pietrus will be the man for Orlando to come in and lock down Atlanta Joe Johnson. Pietrus is one of the most underrated defenders in the league, and Johnson is the engine that makes the Hawks offense go.Who has the edge?The Magic are a tough match-up for the Hawks, particularly because of Howard. The Hawks strength is their length and scoring from their wings. They don have a player anywhere near Howard size that can match up with him. There aren Reebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
many teams in the league that do have someone to do that, but Atlanta has had trouble with Orlando in recent years.This is a pivotal game for both teams. Orlando needs a win against a top-level Eastern Conference team to re-assert their status as one of the league elite. Atlanta is still trying to prove they are a force in the East.Pick: Orlando -6
2011年1月10日星期一
10 Jan 11 Doc Rivers, Phil Jackson Hypocritical in Response to Cavaliers' Trade
Elsa/Getty ImagesThe Cleveland Cavaliers made a move to improve their team. According to ESPN.com , this move has upset the Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers.After attempting to bring in Amar Stoudemire, the Cavs worked out a three-team trade to land (former) Washington Wizard AntwanOakland Raiders jersey
Jamison. Cleveland also picked up Sebastian Telfair (Clippers), who has not played since mid-January due to injury.The Wizards get Zydrunas Ilgauskas from Cleveland and Al Thornton from the Clippers. Los Angeles gets Drew Gooden, who had just been traded to the Wizards from Dallas.The word around the campfire was that Gooden contract will be bought out. While it appears Gooden will remain in L.A., there is also word that Big Z will buyout his contract. This would allow Ilgauskas to rejoin the Cavs (after 30 days).The potential for Ilgauskas to return to the Cavaliers has upset Celtics head coach Doc Rivers and Lakers head coach Phil Jackson. The argument is that, if Big Z returns, the trade is essentially the Cavs receiving Jamison and Telfair for nothing.Well, that not completely true; Cleveland did trade away the rights to Emir Preldzic.This trade, and the potential for Ilgauskas to return to Cleveland, led Phil Jackson to stated the following:"Theyre going to get Ilgauskas back and it going to be one of those scenarios that we see in the NBA where you ship a player out, you get another player, then your player retires, or they pay him off, and then he comes back in 30 days."Now, when the Lakers were able to steal Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies, I do not remember Jackson complaining about sketchy trade practices. The Lakers sent Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, and Aaron McKie to Memphis for Gasol.The problem is that none of those players really helped the Grizzlies. Brown gave Memphis an amazing 3.5 points and 3.8 boards per game before being released.Crittenton, prior to throwing his guns in the air with the Wizards, did give a bit more (7.4 ppg in 18+ minutes) in the first (half) season in Memphis before barely playing in 2008-9; he was trade to Washington after nine games.As for McKie, he was not even playing at the time! He was an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers. However, the Lakers held his rights, and sent him to Memphis as part of a salary cap move. McKie never played a minute for Memphis, and soon returned to the Sixers.So, essentially the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol for nothing. Well, again not entirely correct, as it was a Gasol-for-Gasol trade; the Grizzlies acquired the Lakers rights to Marc Gasol. The younger Gasol has played well for Memphis, while the older (Pau) helped the Lakers to a title.Still, that is a very sketchy trade. Yet, Jackson had no problems benefiting from a lopsided transaction. Again, Memphis continues to benefit from Marc Gasol, but overall it was a huge boost for the Lakers while keeping Memphis down.Who knows? Maybe Emir Preldzic turns out to be a steal for the Wizards. But looking at the trade between the Cavaliers, Clippers, and Wizards, it does not look all that different from the trade the Philadelphia Eagles jersey
Lakers pulled.So, for Jackson to complain about the Jamison-Ilgauskas trade is silly. Cleveland did what the Lakers didbetter themselves while keeping down a conference foe down. Jackson should applaud the Cavs for taking a page out of the Ol' Zen Master book.Then, we had Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who is concerned about what should be done in order to not allow traded players to immediately return to their former team. Here is what he had to say:"I don know what you do [maybe] just not allow them to go back to the same team or whatever. I do think that will be changed eventually, but I do have a problem with it."So, Rivers has an issue with Cleveland being able to get Ilgauskas back?Hmm, what is up with that Gary Payton-Antoine Walker trade in the 2004-05 season? During that season, Boston traded Payton to the Atlanta Hawks for Walker, only to have the Hawks turn around and waive The Glove. Payton then rejoined the Celtics.A-ha!Now, to Rivers credit, he did acknowledge that incident."I loved it three years ago when we did it with Gary Payton, if you remember, but now I think it sucks. I think it a terrible deal. ...I actually do have a problem with that though. We did it, and Im joking, but I do think [it's a problem]."Nevertheless, it is incredibly hypocritical for Rivers to criticize the Cavaliers for doing something he himself pulled not too long ago. He might be joking, but the real joke is him being critical of Cleveland after he had no problem welcoming Payton back to the Celtics.Is the deal one-sided? Certainly. Is the fact that Ilgauskas will be able to return to Cleveland ludicrous? Absolutely.But the NBA allows for these types of trades to take place. The NBA could obviously step in and block the trade, but the NBA is one single company (rather than 30 individual companies), and thus wants what is best for the product as a whole.So, improving a team with one of the league most popular players (LeBron James) comes at the expense of the NBA worst teams (Washington).It could be argued that by allowing Ilgauskas to leave, and trading away Gooden, the Wizards are looking forward to the future. They bring in a decent player in Thornton, while allowing some young players like Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee some quality minutes down the stretch.Washington is not going to the playoffs, so they might as well prepare for next season.Perhaps the Celtics and Lakers are jealous. After all, the best that either team could do before the trade deadline was acquire a slam dunk champion (Nate Robinson from the New York Knicks).But then again, the Lakers have a very solid team, and, considering how they are playing without Kobe Bryant in the lineup, the team did not need to make any big moves.So maybe it is more likely that both teams are Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
upset that Cleveland, the team with the best chance to challenge the past two NBA champs, made a major improvement that helps open up the floor for James and Shaquille ONeal. Cleveland did it by following the blueprints designed by the Lakers and Celtics. And they did it all in one transaction!Yes, such a trade does shine the spotlight on these lopsided trades and sketchy transactions. The Cavaliers upgraded their team, but did so within the rules of the NBA. And based on their responses, both Jackson and Rivers come across as jealous hypocrites.All quotes were taken from the ESPN.com article cited at the beginning of this article.This article first appeared at Uncle Popov's Drunken Sports Rant on Friday, Feb. 19, 2010.
Jamison. Cleveland also picked up Sebastian Telfair (Clippers), who has not played since mid-January due to injury.The Wizards get Zydrunas Ilgauskas from Cleveland and Al Thornton from the Clippers. Los Angeles gets Drew Gooden, who had just been traded to the Wizards from Dallas.The word around the campfire was that Gooden contract will be bought out. While it appears Gooden will remain in L.A., there is also word that Big Z will buyout his contract. This would allow Ilgauskas to rejoin the Cavs (after 30 days).The potential for Ilgauskas to return to the Cavaliers has upset Celtics head coach Doc Rivers and Lakers head coach Phil Jackson. The argument is that, if Big Z returns, the trade is essentially the Cavs receiving Jamison and Telfair for nothing.Well, that not completely true; Cleveland did trade away the rights to Emir Preldzic.This trade, and the potential for Ilgauskas to return to Cleveland, led Phil Jackson to stated the following:"Theyre going to get Ilgauskas back and it going to be one of those scenarios that we see in the NBA where you ship a player out, you get another player, then your player retires, or they pay him off, and then he comes back in 30 days."Now, when the Lakers were able to steal Pau Gasol from the Memphis Grizzlies, I do not remember Jackson complaining about sketchy trade practices. The Lakers sent Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, and Aaron McKie to Memphis for Gasol.The problem is that none of those players really helped the Grizzlies. Brown gave Memphis an amazing 3.5 points and 3.8 boards per game before being released.Crittenton, prior to throwing his guns in the air with the Wizards, did give a bit more (7.4 ppg in 18+ minutes) in the first (half) season in Memphis before barely playing in 2008-9; he was trade to Washington after nine games.As for McKie, he was not even playing at the time! He was an assistant with the Philadelphia 76ers. However, the Lakers held his rights, and sent him to Memphis as part of a salary cap move. McKie never played a minute for Memphis, and soon returned to the Sixers.So, essentially the Lakers acquired Pau Gasol for nothing. Well, again not entirely correct, as it was a Gasol-for-Gasol trade; the Grizzlies acquired the Lakers rights to Marc Gasol. The younger Gasol has played well for Memphis, while the older (Pau) helped the Lakers to a title.Still, that is a very sketchy trade. Yet, Jackson had no problems benefiting from a lopsided transaction. Again, Memphis continues to benefit from Marc Gasol, but overall it was a huge boost for the Lakers while keeping Memphis down.Who knows? Maybe Emir Preldzic turns out to be a steal for the Wizards. But looking at the trade between the Cavaliers, Clippers, and Wizards, it does not look all that different from the trade the Philadelphia Eagles jersey
Lakers pulled.So, for Jackson to complain about the Jamison-Ilgauskas trade is silly. Cleveland did what the Lakers didbetter themselves while keeping down a conference foe down. Jackson should applaud the Cavs for taking a page out of the Ol' Zen Master book.Then, we had Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who is concerned about what should be done in order to not allow traded players to immediately return to their former team. Here is what he had to say:"I don know what you do [maybe] just not allow them to go back to the same team or whatever. I do think that will be changed eventually, but I do have a problem with it."So, Rivers has an issue with Cleveland being able to get Ilgauskas back?Hmm, what is up with that Gary Payton-Antoine Walker trade in the 2004-05 season? During that season, Boston traded Payton to the Atlanta Hawks for Walker, only to have the Hawks turn around and waive The Glove. Payton then rejoined the Celtics.A-ha!Now, to Rivers credit, he did acknowledge that incident."I loved it three years ago when we did it with Gary Payton, if you remember, but now I think it sucks. I think it a terrible deal. ...I actually do have a problem with that though. We did it, and Im joking, but I do think [it's a problem]."Nevertheless, it is incredibly hypocritical for Rivers to criticize the Cavaliers for doing something he himself pulled not too long ago. He might be joking, but the real joke is him being critical of Cleveland after he had no problem welcoming Payton back to the Celtics.Is the deal one-sided? Certainly. Is the fact that Ilgauskas will be able to return to Cleveland ludicrous? Absolutely.But the NBA allows for these types of trades to take place. The NBA could obviously step in and block the trade, but the NBA is one single company (rather than 30 individual companies), and thus wants what is best for the product as a whole.So, improving a team with one of the league most popular players (LeBron James) comes at the expense of the NBA worst teams (Washington).It could be argued that by allowing Ilgauskas to leave, and trading away Gooden, the Wizards are looking forward to the future. They bring in a decent player in Thornton, while allowing some young players like Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee some quality minutes down the stretch.Washington is not going to the playoffs, so they might as well prepare for next season.Perhaps the Celtics and Lakers are jealous. After all, the best that either team could do before the trade deadline was acquire a slam dunk champion (Nate Robinson from the New York Knicks).But then again, the Lakers have a very solid team, and, considering how they are playing without Kobe Bryant in the lineup, the team did not need to make any big moves.So maybe it is more likely that both teams are Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
upset that Cleveland, the team with the best chance to challenge the past two NBA champs, made a major improvement that helps open up the floor for James and Shaquille ONeal. Cleveland did it by following the blueprints designed by the Lakers and Celtics. And they did it all in one transaction!Yes, such a trade does shine the spotlight on these lopsided trades and sketchy transactions. The Cavaliers upgraded their team, but did so within the rules of the NBA. And based on their responses, both Jackson and Rivers come across as jealous hypocrites.All quotes were taken from the ESPN.com article cited at the beginning of this article.This article first appeared at Uncle Popov's Drunken Sports Rant on Friday, Feb. 19, 2010.
2011年1月9日星期日
9 Jan 11 Update: Rebounding Mentality
Christian Petersen/Getty Images Through my years in basketball, I have seen good rebounders come in all sizes. Certainly size is an advantage, but how can it explain why Dennis Rodman or Ben Wallace, both at 6′7″, led the NBA in rebounding, when constantly going against much bigger players? And, we have all seen guards, much smaller than their teammates, lead their respective teams in rebounding. The common denominator to all good rebounders is a desire to get to the ball, and the work ethic to get there.When I was just learning how tReebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
o play, I was taught that early in a game I should make a real concerted effort to screen my man from getting to the boards. The thinking was by nailing my man early, he would get discouraged and quit going to the boards.In my third game in college, I was matched up with a 6′8″ player, who the year before played center. When I played him, he had moved to forward because the team had two new seven-footers. I watched tapes of his play the year before, and he was a terrific offensive rebounder, who loved to get a step to the basket. Remembering my early lessons, on the first shot of the game we were about 20′ from the basket, and I turned, screened him hard, and kept contact. Pretty obnoxious really. When I turned to run down court, the same man slapped me in the face, knocking my contact out, cursed me and ran to the other end. I remember thinking,“Whew, this is a lot different than high school, but if this is the way it is, okay.”The rest of the game was very physical between the two of us, maybe the most physical game I ever played in college. However, eventually he did back off the boards.My point is that rebounding is not for the faint of heart and you need to be a little fiery to rebound. Rebounding can be physical. It can be tough. It can also be the most important part of the game. A player doesn’t need to be highly gifted to be a good rebounder, the player just needs to be willing to work.Today, we are releasing articles on rebounding and teaching the proper way for players to rebound. Here you will find the specifics Reebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
on offensive and defensive rebounding, along with the basics and fundamentals of rebounding.In addition, we are releasing three drills to help players and teams perfect the art of rebounding.Rebounding Articles:Basketball Rebounding Drills:Defensive Rebounding Offensive Rebounding ReboundingHigh School Rebounding Drills Middle School Rebounding Drills Youth Rebounding Drills
o play, I was taught that early in a game I should make a real concerted effort to screen my man from getting to the boards. The thinking was by nailing my man early, he would get discouraged and quit going to the boards.In my third game in college, I was matched up with a 6′8″ player, who the year before played center. When I played him, he had moved to forward because the team had two new seven-footers. I watched tapes of his play the year before, and he was a terrific offensive rebounder, who loved to get a step to the basket. Remembering my early lessons, on the first shot of the game we were about 20′ from the basket, and I turned, screened him hard, and kept contact. Pretty obnoxious really. When I turned to run down court, the same man slapped me in the face, knocking my contact out, cursed me and ran to the other end. I remember thinking,“Whew, this is a lot different than high school, but if this is the way it is, okay.”The rest of the game was very physical between the two of us, maybe the most physical game I ever played in college. However, eventually he did back off the boards.My point is that rebounding is not for the faint of heart and you need to be a little fiery to rebound. Rebounding can be physical. It can be tough. It can also be the most important part of the game. A player doesn’t need to be highly gifted to be a good rebounder, the player just needs to be willing to work.Today, we are releasing articles on rebounding and teaching the proper way for players to rebound. Here you will find the specifics Reebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
on offensive and defensive rebounding, along with the basics and fundamentals of rebounding.In addition, we are releasing three drills to help players and teams perfect the art of rebounding.Rebounding Articles:Basketball Rebounding Drills:Defensive Rebounding Offensive Rebounding ReboundingHigh School Rebounding Drills Middle School Rebounding Drills Youth Rebounding Drills
9 Jan 11 Update: Rebounding Mentality
Christian Petersen/Getty Images Through my years in basketball, I have seen good rebounders come in all sizes. Certainly size is an advantage, but how can it explain why Dennis Rodman or Ben Wallace, both at 6′7″, led the NBA in rebounding, when constantly going against much bigger players? And, we have all seen guards, much smaller than their teammates, lead their respective teams in rebounding. The common denominator to all good rebounders is a desire to get to the ball, and the work ethic to get there.When I was just learning how tReebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
o play, I was taught that early in a game I should make a real concerted effort to screen my man from getting to the boards. The thinking was by nailing my man early, he would get discouraged and quit going to the boards.In my third game in college, I was matched up with a 6′8″ player, who the year before played center. When I played him, he had moved to forward because the team had two new seven-footers. I watched tapes of his play the year before, and he was a terrific offensive rebounder, who loved to get a step to the basket. Remembering my early lessons, on the first shot of the game we were about 20′ from the basket, and I turned, screened him hard, and kept contact. Pretty obnoxious really. When I turned to run down court, the same man slapped me in the face, knocking my contact out, cursed me and ran to the other end. I remember thinking,“Whew, this is a lot different than high school, but if this is the way it is, okay.”The rest of the game was very physical between the two of us, maybe the most physical game I ever played in college. However, eventually he did back off the boards.My point is that rebounding is not for the faint of heart and you need to be a little fiery to rebound. Rebounding can be physical. It can be tough. It can also be the most important part of the game. A player doesn’t need to be highly gifted to be a good rebounder, the player just needs to be willing to work.Today, we are releasing articles on rebounding and teaching the proper way for players to rebound. Here you will find the specifics Reebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
on offensive and defensive rebounding, along with the basics and fundamentals of rebounding.In addition, we are releasing three drills to help players and teams perfect the art of rebounding.Rebounding Articles:Basketball Rebounding Drills:Defensive Rebounding Offensive Rebounding ReboundingHigh School Rebounding Drills Middle School Rebounding Drills Youth Rebounding Drills
o play, I was taught that early in a game I should make a real concerted effort to screen my man from getting to the boards. The thinking was by nailing my man early, he would get discouraged and quit going to the boards.In my third game in college, I was matched up with a 6′8″ player, who the year before played center. When I played him, he had moved to forward because the team had two new seven-footers. I watched tapes of his play the year before, and he was a terrific offensive rebounder, who loved to get a step to the basket. Remembering my early lessons, on the first shot of the game we were about 20′ from the basket, and I turned, screened him hard, and kept contact. Pretty obnoxious really. When I turned to run down court, the same man slapped me in the face, knocking my contact out, cursed me and ran to the other end. I remember thinking,“Whew, this is a lot different than high school, but if this is the way it is, okay.”The rest of the game was very physical between the two of us, maybe the most physical game I ever played in college. However, eventually he did back off the boards.My point is that rebounding is not for the faint of heart and you need to be a little fiery to rebound. Rebounding can be physical. It can be tough. It can also be the most important part of the game. A player doesn’t need to be highly gifted to be a good rebounder, the player just needs to be willing to work.Today, we are releasing articles on rebounding and teaching the proper way for players to rebound. Here you will find the specifics Reebok Minnesota Vikings #84 Randy Moss Realtree camo Jersey
on offensive and defensive rebounding, along with the basics and fundamentals of rebounding.In addition, we are releasing three drills to help players and teams perfect the art of rebounding.Rebounding Articles:Basketball Rebounding Drills:Defensive Rebounding Offensive Rebounding ReboundingHigh School Rebounding Drills Middle School Rebounding Drills Youth Rebounding Drills
2011年1月8日星期六
8 Jan 11 LBJ, Darko, Melo, CB4, D-Wade: Revisiting the 2003 NBA Draft
It's hard to believe that barely seven years have passed and already the 2003 NBA draft class looks like one of the best of all time. While this is largely due to the depth of the top five, we must not forget others such as David West, Mo Williams, Chris Kaman, Leandro Barbosa and Josh Howard.Where are the Top Five now? How many points, assists and rebounds have theytotaled? More importantly, with four out of the top five being quintessential "franchise players", what would have happened to Darko Milicic had the Pistons not had the Vancouver trade and some other lottery Reebok Pittsburg Steelers #83 Heath Miller Realtree camo Jersey
team had picked him?In six and a half seasons, this is what the Top Five have statistically accomplished in the regular season:Games PlayedThe other two famous draft classes (1984 and 1996) had a Top Five of (Olajuwon, Bowie, Jordan, Perkins, Barkley) and (Iverson, Camby, Abdur-Rahim, Marbury, Allen). In terms of the first seven seasons, the only comparison is between '84 and '03. Bowie = Darko = Bust and Barkley = Bosh. The difference? Jordan had Six rings, Olajuwon had Two. Whereas only Dwayne has tasted championship success.Still, it's scary to think where the four might end up statistically if each gets to play a full career (another 8-10 seasons). Sure shot Hall of Famers undoubtedly.
team had picked him?In six and a half seasons, this is what the Top Five have statistically accomplished in the regular season:Games PlayedThe other two famous draft classes (1984 and 1996) had a Top Five of (Olajuwon, Bowie, Jordan, Perkins, Barkley) and (Iverson, Camby, Abdur-Rahim, Marbury, Allen). In terms of the first seven seasons, the only comparison is between '84 and '03. Bowie = Darko = Bust and Barkley = Bosh. The difference? Jordan had Six rings, Olajuwon had Two. Whereas only Dwayne has tasted championship success.Still, it's scary to think where the four might end up statistically if each gets to play a full career (another 8-10 seasons). Sure shot Hall of Famers undoubtedly.
2010年12月30日星期四
30 Dec 10 2010 NBA Playoffs: Winning An NBA Title Is The Only Thing That Matters
Ronald Martinez/Getty ImagesContrary to popular opinion, the importance of capturing a NBA championship still far outweighs any regular season individual awards, even if the attitude of fans around the league has shifted towards placing a premium on success over 82 games.It perplexes me to ever Cleveland Browns jersey
hear a person make a statement that says championships are not really that important, and have no true bearing on the legacy of a great player.I struggle to see how we could have lost so much perspective, because the onlyreason the extremely long NBA regular season even exists is to establish seeding for the postseason.That's right, the first 82 games represent a month's long, glorified scrimmage that do little to determine who the league's best team is, because that is awarded under the pressure of the postseason.The media and soon-to-be fan biased MVP award has become a point of celebration among fans, and is falsely applied when discussing the level of a player's greatness, without the benefit of postseason success.I'm not suggesting the MVP award doesn't bear some weight on an individual's legacy, but it doesn't stand in comparison of achievement on the game's grandest stage.People will remember who won the MVP award in any given season, and they will also recall if a player had a great postseason in a losing effort, but the name of the eventual champion will be forever etched in history.Long after the memory of regular season greatness has faded or passed, the concrete evidence of a NBA championship will remain, and can rightly be used to justify the elite status of any player.Think about it.Malone, Stockton, Barkley, Kidd, Nowitzki: all great players whose final destination is the Hall of Fame, yet they are all missing the critical piece which would solidify their legacies.When you really give Dallas Cowboys jersey
it thought, those player's inability to succeed when it mattered the most will be their ultimate legacy, and any debate concerning their status as legendary players will touch on that specific failure.Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Kobe Bryant are all great players who cemented their legacies by excelling in the postseason, and any argument concerning those names will end with the fact they were champions.Bryant is a player with wondrous talents, but if he had been unable to win in the postseason, the cries of his many detractors would be amplified, and the impact of his presence would be diminished.Bryant's four championships serve as the last word when discussing his legacy because, even though he has his share of faults, real and perceived, his NBA playoff record stands as a testament to excellence when it mattered the most.Of course all the players previously mentioned will exist as great players regardless if they ever win a championship or not, but for those who feel their status is complete, you are fooling yourselves.The players themselves say they would trade all the regular season awards for one championship, and in a game which thrives on numbers, the final one will always be titles.NBA titles are the only thing which truly separates the legendary players, and for those who performed at a similar level, it is often the determining factor of the better player.So Malone or Duncan?The argument is often made, and for Malone it is lost when considering the ability of Duncan to capture four rings while the title was never delivered to the Mailman.The same line of thought is relevant for any number of players who can be compared on the basis of their talent, but differentiated by their failure to succeed in the postseason.I'm not sure Denver Broncos jersey
how we arrived to the point where the NBA championship is marginalized, but if it stands as the greatest achievement to the best who have ever played the game, then it should exist likewise in our view.Whether you like it or not, great players who utilized the opportunity to lead their teams to the promise land are held in highest esteem.Their performances on the game's grandest stage diminish anything done in the regular season.
hear a person make a statement that says championships are not really that important, and have no true bearing on the legacy of a great player.I struggle to see how we could have lost so much perspective, because the onlyreason the extremely long NBA regular season even exists is to establish seeding for the postseason.That's right, the first 82 games represent a month's long, glorified scrimmage that do little to determine who the league's best team is, because that is awarded under the pressure of the postseason.The media and soon-to-be fan biased MVP award has become a point of celebration among fans, and is falsely applied when discussing the level of a player's greatness, without the benefit of postseason success.I'm not suggesting the MVP award doesn't bear some weight on an individual's legacy, but it doesn't stand in comparison of achievement on the game's grandest stage.People will remember who won the MVP award in any given season, and they will also recall if a player had a great postseason in a losing effort, but the name of the eventual champion will be forever etched in history.Long after the memory of regular season greatness has faded or passed, the concrete evidence of a NBA championship will remain, and can rightly be used to justify the elite status of any player.Think about it.Malone, Stockton, Barkley, Kidd, Nowitzki: all great players whose final destination is the Hall of Fame, yet they are all missing the critical piece which would solidify their legacies.When you really give Dallas Cowboys jersey
it thought, those player's inability to succeed when it mattered the most will be their ultimate legacy, and any debate concerning their status as legendary players will touch on that specific failure.Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Larry Bird, and Kobe Bryant are all great players who cemented their legacies by excelling in the postseason, and any argument concerning those names will end with the fact they were champions.Bryant is a player with wondrous talents, but if he had been unable to win in the postseason, the cries of his many detractors would be amplified, and the impact of his presence would be diminished.Bryant's four championships serve as the last word when discussing his legacy because, even though he has his share of faults, real and perceived, his NBA playoff record stands as a testament to excellence when it mattered the most.Of course all the players previously mentioned will exist as great players regardless if they ever win a championship or not, but for those who feel their status is complete, you are fooling yourselves.The players themselves say they would trade all the regular season awards for one championship, and in a game which thrives on numbers, the final one will always be titles.NBA titles are the only thing which truly separates the legendary players, and for those who performed at a similar level, it is often the determining factor of the better player.So Malone or Duncan?The argument is often made, and for Malone it is lost when considering the ability of Duncan to capture four rings while the title was never delivered to the Mailman.The same line of thought is relevant for any number of players who can be compared on the basis of their talent, but differentiated by their failure to succeed in the postseason.I'm not sure Denver Broncos jersey
how we arrived to the point where the NBA championship is marginalized, but if it stands as the greatest achievement to the best who have ever played the game, then it should exist likewise in our view.Whether you like it or not, great players who utilized the opportunity to lead their teams to the promise land are held in highest esteem.Their performances on the game's grandest stage diminish anything done in the regular season.
2010年12月29日星期三
29 Dec 10 Should People in La La Land Be Worried About The Play Of The Lakers?
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images On Tuesday Night, the Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 106-100 in front of 18,997 fans at home. It was not the typical victory that Lakers' fans have come to expect. Although the Lakers played the game without the services of Kobe Bryant, the final score was too close for comfort. The Lakers, even with the absence of Kobe Bryant should have beaten the barely breathing Kings by an easy 20 points. This margin of victory against the Kings is just one example of the recent poor play by the Lakers who have lost 3 out of St. Louis Rams jersey
their last 6 contest. This is not the kind of momentum a team wants going into the Playoffs. As the NBA Playoffs are slated to begin soon, the Lakers appear destined to battle a hungry group of talented young players in the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although the Lakers recent lack luster performances may fuel some members of La La land to believe that everything is not going well for the Lakers, this is not the case. The Lakers will prevail, and get their act together, as most veteran teams do when time calls for it. The Lakers have experience and talent, and their recent slump is normal. Their slump just happens to have occurred at an inconvenient point in the season. In the end, the Lakers will get their act together, as well as their winning ways, and all the worrying feelings in La La land will be extinguished.
their last 6 contest. This is not the kind of momentum a team wants going into the Playoffs. As the NBA Playoffs are slated to begin soon, the Lakers appear destined to battle a hungry group of talented young players in the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although the Lakers recent lack luster performances may fuel some members of La La land to believe that everything is not going well for the Lakers, this is not the case. The Lakers will prevail, and get their act together, as most veteran teams do when time calls for it. The Lakers have experience and talent, and their recent slump is normal. Their slump just happens to have occurred at an inconvenient point in the season. In the end, the Lakers will get their act together, as well as their winning ways, and all the worrying feelings in La La land will be extinguished.
29 Dec 10 Should People in La La Land Be Worried About The Play Of The Lakers?
Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images On Tuesday Night, the Lakers beat the Sacramento Kings 106-100 in front of 18,997 fans at home. It was not the typical victory that Lakers' fans have come to expect. Although the Lakers played the game without the services of Kobe Bryant, the final score was too close for comfort. The Lakers, even with the absence of Kobe Bryant should have beaten the barely breathing Kings by an easy 20 points. This margin of victory against the Kings is just one example of the recent poor play by the Lakers who have lost 3 out of St. Louis Rams jersey
their last 6 contest. This is not the kind of momentum a team wants going into the Playoffs. As the NBA Playoffs are slated to begin soon, the Lakers appear destined to battle a hungry group of talented young players in the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although the Lakers recent lack luster performances may fuel some members of La La land to believe that everything is not going well for the Lakers, this is not the case. The Lakers will prevail, and get their act together, as most veteran teams do when time calls for it. The Lakers have experience and talent, and their recent slump is normal. Their slump just happens to have occurred at an inconvenient point in the season. In the end, the Lakers will get their act together, as well as their winning ways, and all the worrying feelings in La La land will be extinguished.
their last 6 contest. This is not the kind of momentum a team wants going into the Playoffs. As the NBA Playoffs are slated to begin soon, the Lakers appear destined to battle a hungry group of talented young players in the Oklahoma City Thunder. Although the Lakers recent lack luster performances may fuel some members of La La land to believe that everything is not going well for the Lakers, this is not the case. The Lakers will prevail, and get their act together, as most veteran teams do when time calls for it. The Lakers have experience and talent, and their recent slump is normal. Their slump just happens to have occurred at an inconvenient point in the season. In the end, the Lakers will get their act together, as well as their winning ways, and all the worrying feelings in La La land will be extinguished.
2010年12月28日星期二
28 Dec 10 Signs of Change: Suns Show Similar Flaws, Get Different Result Against Spurs
Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesThe Suns led most of the game. The Spurs made several second-half charges and gave Phoenicians a sick, panicked feeling in their stomachs.Greg Popovich even played his despicable, intentional-foul card on the Suns' worst free-throw shooter.All that is familiar. The end result, Washington Redskins jersey
a 111-102 Suns win, was incredibly different.The Spurs are not the same team that tormented the Suns in the past. Gone is the cold-blooded shooting of Bruce Bowen and Robert Horryand it showed.George Hill and Robert Mason Jr. missed what would have been dagger three's for San Antonio in the past.Those might go in later in the series, and that should keep Phoenix from getting complacent, as they did with Portland in round one. The reserves won't stay cold and the confines won't stay friendly.Still, it's a Game One win, something the Suns have been unable to snag in postseasons past.Phoenix Exorcises (some) DemonsDon't underestimate the importance of this win for Phoenix. They have never played from a position of strength. The Suns have always felt as though they were playing from behind, trying to catch the Spurs.In both single-game and playoff series situations, that's nearly impossible to do.Luckily for Phoenix, they led almost the entire way in Game One. Steve Nash and Jason Richardson were essential in building their various leads, while Stoudemire converted key, contested baskets when the Spurs threatened to overtake them.That kind of crunch-time poise has one of the Suns' biggest downfalls. Phoenix has to feel good knowing that is no longer the case.Still, it was alarming how easily Parker and Ginobili got to the rim in the final two minutes. Phoenix' defense, solid up to that point, went lazy thinking the game was sewn up. Given the history between the teams, the Suns should know better.If it weren't for their double-digit leads, that mental lapse might have proven fatal.Another new strength for Phoenix: their bench. After a shaky first half, the Suns' reserves, strengthened by either Stoudemire or Hill's steady hand, out-worked and out-hustled their San Antonio counterparts.One other observation: When will the Suns truly focus on making Ginobili drive to his right?Spurs Know How to AdjustThe Spurs will grudgingly take a moral victory from knowing they could have Reebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
won despite Stoudemire, Nash, and Richardson combining for 83 points. Also, Hill wasn't nearly as effective guarding Ginobili as he was on Portland's Andre Miller.No shocker, but at least a disappointment for the Suns.Disappointing for the Spurs was the abysmal play of Richard Jefferson (five points on 1-of-3 shooting). He just doesn't seem to fit as well as his less-talented predecessors. His lack of three-point shooting hurts the spacing on the Spurs' offense. That left San Antonio with the cold shooting of Mason and Hill.If San Antonio chooses to play Hill over Jefferson, as they did for much of Game One, they'll have to figure out how to hide him on defense. Whether it was Nash blowing by him, or Richardson and Grant Hill posting him up, George Hill was an obvious target for the Suns' offense.Given that and his sub-par performance, Parker will likely start for the rest of the series, leaving Hill to contend with the Suns' bench crew.Game Two OutlookPopovich attempted to play small at the end of Game One, with short-term gain and long-term loss. The Suns are used to playing small, and have been since Robin Lopez went out in late-March with injury.Look for reserve DeJuan Blair to make more of an impact than the two-point, two-rebound performance in Game One. His ability Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
o crash the boards seems too good a weapon against the slighter Phoenix frontline.Also, don't expect the Spurs role-players to underperform two games in a row.At the same time, one of the Suns' reserves is due to perform better than bench-best six points. It's a good bet that someone among Dragic, Dudley, Barbosa, and Frye will get a hot hand, especially in front of the home crowd.The biggest key will be the point guard matchup. Will Parker match his starter status with starter production and make Nash pay in the process? Will Nash be able to get the same results he did in Game One, whether it's for himself or others?Oh, and Robin Lopez, a maybe for Game One, could be back.
a 111-102 Suns win, was incredibly different.The Spurs are not the same team that tormented the Suns in the past. Gone is the cold-blooded shooting of Bruce Bowen and Robert Horryand it showed.George Hill and Robert Mason Jr. missed what would have been dagger three's for San Antonio in the past.Those might go in later in the series, and that should keep Phoenix from getting complacent, as they did with Portland in round one. The reserves won't stay cold and the confines won't stay friendly.Still, it's a Game One win, something the Suns have been unable to snag in postseasons past.Phoenix Exorcises (some) DemonsDon't underestimate the importance of this win for Phoenix. They have never played from a position of strength. The Suns have always felt as though they were playing from behind, trying to catch the Spurs.In both single-game and playoff series situations, that's nearly impossible to do.Luckily for Phoenix, they led almost the entire way in Game One. Steve Nash and Jason Richardson were essential in building their various leads, while Stoudemire converted key, contested baskets when the Spurs threatened to overtake them.That kind of crunch-time poise has one of the Suns' biggest downfalls. Phoenix has to feel good knowing that is no longer the case.Still, it was alarming how easily Parker and Ginobili got to the rim in the final two minutes. Phoenix' defense, solid up to that point, went lazy thinking the game was sewn up. Given the history between the teams, the Suns should know better.If it weren't for their double-digit leads, that mental lapse might have proven fatal.Another new strength for Phoenix: their bench. After a shaky first half, the Suns' reserves, strengthened by either Stoudemire or Hill's steady hand, out-worked and out-hustled their San Antonio counterparts.One other observation: When will the Suns truly focus on making Ginobili drive to his right?Spurs Know How to AdjustThe Spurs will grudgingly take a moral victory from knowing they could have Reebok Arizona Cardinals Larry Fitzgerald Realtree camo Jersey
won despite Stoudemire, Nash, and Richardson combining for 83 points. Also, Hill wasn't nearly as effective guarding Ginobili as he was on Portland's Andre Miller.No shocker, but at least a disappointment for the Suns.Disappointing for the Spurs was the abysmal play of Richard Jefferson (five points on 1-of-3 shooting). He just doesn't seem to fit as well as his less-talented predecessors. His lack of three-point shooting hurts the spacing on the Spurs' offense. That left San Antonio with the cold shooting of Mason and Hill.If San Antonio chooses to play Hill over Jefferson, as they did for much of Game One, they'll have to figure out how to hide him on defense. Whether it was Nash blowing by him, or Richardson and Grant Hill posting him up, George Hill was an obvious target for the Suns' offense.Given that and his sub-par performance, Parker will likely start for the rest of the series, leaving Hill to contend with the Suns' bench crew.Game Two OutlookPopovich attempted to play small at the end of Game One, with short-term gain and long-term loss. The Suns are used to playing small, and have been since Robin Lopez went out in late-March with injury.Look for reserve DeJuan Blair to make more of an impact than the two-point, two-rebound performance in Game One. His ability Reebok Baltimore Ravens #5 Joe Flacco Realtree camo Jersey
o crash the boards seems too good a weapon against the slighter Phoenix frontline.Also, don't expect the Spurs role-players to underperform two games in a row.At the same time, one of the Suns' reserves is due to perform better than bench-best six points. It's a good bet that someone among Dragic, Dudley, Barbosa, and Frye will get a hot hand, especially in front of the home crowd.The biggest key will be the point guard matchup. Will Parker match his starter status with starter production and make Nash pay in the process? Will Nash be able to get the same results he did in Game One, whether it's for himself or others?Oh, and Robin Lopez, a maybe for Game One, could be back.
2010年12月27日星期一
27 Dec 10 2010 NBA Playoffs: The Game Five That Changed NBA History
Elsa/Getty ImagesGoing into the 2010 NBA Playoffs the consensus was that the Lakers and Cavaliers would face off in the Finals to determine this year's crown.There was the occasional scribe or announcer that mentioned the outside possibility of the Orlando Magic representing the Eastern Conference but that was the end of it. Not only was no one else given a chance, they weren't even mentioned by name.LeBron James, or the King as pundits enjoy calling him, was the NBA's second coming.The only argument anyone gave was the Oakland Raiders jersey
possibility that Kobe Bryant may still have enough in his tank to challenge "The King" for the throne of the NBA's best player. The fans at the "Q" chanted "MVP, MVP, MVP" almost every time James touched the ball during the short first round series versus the Chicago Bulls and again during Game One of the second round against the Boston Celtics.It was as if everyone had had a glass of the proverbial Kool Aid.Enter the Celtics.Although this championship squad, only one season removed, has a seasoned lineup of at least three future Hall of Fame inductees they were simply an afterthought."King" James would treat those men in green as a mere speed bump on his pre-ordained trip to his personal promised land.Well someone forgot to tell James and Co. about what may be the best team in this year's tournament. And a team is exactly what it is.Make no mistake, there may be more talent on a few squads in the league, but none of them have the chemistry or the team concept down like the Boston Celtics.They forced their collective will on the Cleveland Cavaliers to the point that the Cavaliers quit.Yes, they simply quit.Why did that happen though. Did you notice the "King" breathing hard and grasping his shorts as he bent over early on in that Game Five contest?It has since been suggested that he was experiencing extreme stress from the heavy load of carrying his team and I agree with that explanation completely.I never saw James look like that in any game before. He was having trouble getting air and Philadelphia Eagles jersey
was not having fun the way he normally has in the recent past. Against Chicago, as an example, LeBron was still jumping into chest bumps and flying by teammates with high fives even after playing 40-plus minutes.Against a methodical Celtic team he felt trapped as a leader unable to answer the bell and the end was written in stone to the point that the deciding Game Six was a mere afterthought as his teammates looked to him for answers he had no clue how to give.Enter the Eastern Conference Finals and the Orlando Magic.Dwight Howard would surely get past the Boston team just as he and his team had last season.Of course, short memories had already forgotten that Kevin Garnett wasn't in that series last year or that Rajon Rondo had since matured into possibly the best point guard in the league.Kendrick Perkins has muffled Howard's greatness on his own, leaving Garnett to have his way against an outclassed Rashard Lewis and Rondo to run circles around Magic counterpart Jameer Nelson.The Celtics are putting on a show that is spelled T-E-A-M, and finally the "experts" are beginning to notice.Going into the hostile environment of the TD Garden does not bode well for Orlando, and Boston no doubt senses the kill.The Magic are done. The rest of this series will go the Celtics' way just as the Cleveland series had.The two missed free throws by Vince Carter, the frustration on the face of Howard and J.J. Redick's knuckleheaded blunder of advancing the ball before calling a timeout are all indications that Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
Orlando has reached the same fork in the roadthat Cleveland did.Yes, Game Five has already changed the history of three teams.Will the Cavaliers and Magic be joined by the Los Angeles Lakers as well? It won't be long now before we find out.What we do know for sure is that the Lakers had better bring more than a group of NBA stars with them because when they arrive they will be looking square into the eyes of a championship team.
possibility that Kobe Bryant may still have enough in his tank to challenge "The King" for the throne of the NBA's best player. The fans at the "Q" chanted "MVP, MVP, MVP" almost every time James touched the ball during the short first round series versus the Chicago Bulls and again during Game One of the second round against the Boston Celtics.It was as if everyone had had a glass of the proverbial Kool Aid.Enter the Celtics.Although this championship squad, only one season removed, has a seasoned lineup of at least three future Hall of Fame inductees they were simply an afterthought."King" James would treat those men in green as a mere speed bump on his pre-ordained trip to his personal promised land.Well someone forgot to tell James and Co. about what may be the best team in this year's tournament. And a team is exactly what it is.Make no mistake, there may be more talent on a few squads in the league, but none of them have the chemistry or the team concept down like the Boston Celtics.They forced their collective will on the Cleveland Cavaliers to the point that the Cavaliers quit.Yes, they simply quit.Why did that happen though. Did you notice the "King" breathing hard and grasping his shorts as he bent over early on in that Game Five contest?It has since been suggested that he was experiencing extreme stress from the heavy load of carrying his team and I agree with that explanation completely.I never saw James look like that in any game before. He was having trouble getting air and Philadelphia Eagles jersey
was not having fun the way he normally has in the recent past. Against Chicago, as an example, LeBron was still jumping into chest bumps and flying by teammates with high fives even after playing 40-plus minutes.Against a methodical Celtic team he felt trapped as a leader unable to answer the bell and the end was written in stone to the point that the deciding Game Six was a mere afterthought as his teammates looked to him for answers he had no clue how to give.Enter the Eastern Conference Finals and the Orlando Magic.Dwight Howard would surely get past the Boston team just as he and his team had last season.Of course, short memories had already forgotten that Kevin Garnett wasn't in that series last year or that Rajon Rondo had since matured into possibly the best point guard in the league.Kendrick Perkins has muffled Howard's greatness on his own, leaving Garnett to have his way against an outclassed Rashard Lewis and Rondo to run circles around Magic counterpart Jameer Nelson.The Celtics are putting on a show that is spelled T-E-A-M, and finally the "experts" are beginning to notice.Going into the hostile environment of the TD Garden does not bode well for Orlando, and Boston no doubt senses the kill.The Magic are done. The rest of this series will go the Celtics' way just as the Cleveland series had.The two missed free throws by Vince Carter, the frustration on the face of Howard and J.J. Redick's knuckleheaded blunder of advancing the ball before calling a timeout are all indications that Pittsburgh Steelers jersey
Orlando has reached the same fork in the roadthat Cleveland did.Yes, Game Five has already changed the history of three teams.Will the Cavaliers and Magic be joined by the Los Angeles Lakers as well? It won't be long now before we find out.What we do know for sure is that the Lakers had better bring more than a group of NBA stars with them because when they arrive they will be looking square into the eyes of a championship team.
2010年12月26日星期日
26 Dec 10 Chris Bosh to Join LeBron on the Cleveland Cavaliers in Sign-and-Trade?
The speculation on Chris Bosh's next team has run rampant recently.He supposedly created a list of five teams (Chicago, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Toronto) that he may sign with.I agree with most people that Bosh will want to leave Toronto for the states this summer.According to some sources, he will wait Miami Dolphins jersey
and see where LeBron James goes, and then join him.Also, it has been said that he wants to do a sign and trade if he leaves Toronto, ostensibly so the Raptors will get something out of it, but more likely so he can get the extra $30 million that would allow him to sign for.All these factors got me wondering, why not Cleveland? LeBron can re-up with the Cavs, and then a sign-and-trade can take place for Bosh. Maybe something like this:Cleveland Trades F Antawn JamisonF J.J. HicksonG Delonte WestFuture Draft Pick/CashT oronto Trades F Chris BoshG Marcus Banks ' expensive contractI don't think you can slice it any other way, the Raptors are screwed if Bosh leaves. They couldn't make the playoffs with him, and won't without him.At least if they do this trade, Hickson may be able toMinnesota Vikings
develop into a second or third option type of a player, and the overpaid Banks would be gone, replaced by West's non-guaranteed contract.The Cavs would give a much better supporting cast for the two stars then the Knicks could, with Mo Williams, Varejao, Parker etc. and Shaq and Z would almost certainly re-sign.I think this team would be even better than a Chicago team with LeBron would. Bosh can get the heck out of Toronto and join a superstar (and get that extra $30 million,) while James can get a winning team without looking disloyal by switching teams. New England Patriots jersey
They would have all those guys, and have a good chance of signing some vets who want to win. If that team couldn't win any championships, then you would, or at least I would, begin to question LeBron's greatness.Everyone winsexcept for Jamison, Hickson, and West.You would have to feel especially bad for Jamison after being rescued from the Wizards, only to be sent back to another rebuilding team.Nothing personal, just good business
and see where LeBron James goes, and then join him.Also, it has been said that he wants to do a sign and trade if he leaves Toronto, ostensibly so the Raptors will get something out of it, but more likely so he can get the extra $30 million that would allow him to sign for.All these factors got me wondering, why not Cleveland? LeBron can re-up with the Cavs, and then a sign-and-trade can take place for Bosh. Maybe something like this:Cleveland Trades F Antawn JamisonF J.J. HicksonG Delonte WestFuture Draft Pick/CashT oronto Trades F Chris BoshG Marcus Banks ' expensive contractI don't think you can slice it any other way, the Raptors are screwed if Bosh leaves. They couldn't make the playoffs with him, and won't without him.At least if they do this trade, Hickson may be able toMinnesota Vikings
develop into a second or third option type of a player, and the overpaid Banks would be gone, replaced by West's non-guaranteed contract.The Cavs would give a much better supporting cast for the two stars then the Knicks could, with Mo Williams, Varejao, Parker etc. and Shaq and Z would almost certainly re-sign.I think this team would be even better than a Chicago team with LeBron would. Bosh can get the heck out of Toronto and join a superstar (and get that extra $30 million,) while James can get a winning team without looking disloyal by switching teams. New England Patriots jersey
They would have all those guys, and have a good chance of signing some vets who want to win. If that team couldn't win any championships, then you would, or at least I would, begin to question LeBron's greatness.Everyone winsexcept for Jamison, Hickson, and West.You would have to feel especially bad for Jamison after being rescued from the Wizards, only to be sent back to another rebuilding team.Nothing personal, just good business
2010年12月25日星期六
25 Dec 10 Philadelphia Sixers Show Promise Against Charlotte Bobcats Despite Bleak Season
Jodie Meeks during a standout performanceMarc Serota/Getty ImagesUnder the sharp beyond-the-arc shooting of Jodie Meeks, the Philadelphia Sixers were able to accomplish an early lead against the Charlotte Bobcats and maintained it through four quarters to capture their sixth win of the season.Meeks came out of the gate on fire by completing six straight three-pointers and compiling 20 points in the first quarter. He ended the night with a game- and career-high of 26 points.Meeks cooled off after the first quarter, but the rest of Atlanta Falcons jersey
the team fed off of his energy and created a lead as large as 21 points. The bench was inserted after the first quarter and the lead dwindled down to single digits because of sloppy play which resulted into turnovers and confusion on the defensive end.This collapse seemed all too reminiscent of the night before as the Sixers led for 47 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks and blew an 18-point lead to fall to the Hawks 93-88. Coach Collins added a couple starters back into the lineup and the Sixers went into the locker room at halftime with an 11-point lead.The Sixers entered the court in the beginning of the third quarter looking lackadaisical on both ends on the floor. They allowed the Bobcats to take uncontested shots, which was initiated by lack of recovery in transition defense and perplexity in performing play-calls. Added to the mediocre play were durations where the team could not buy a basket and the Bobcats capitalized on the offensive end.However, Elton Brand produced a spark for the team and began to set the tone as he fought in the paint for rebound after rebound. Fueled by Brand relentlessness, the Sixers increased their level of aggression and the offense and defense began to gel and play well with unification.They pulled away with the lead at the end of the third quarter. Thaddeus Young added 20 points on the night, Brand scored 15 and gathered 10 rebounds, and Andre Iguodala contributed 15 points and seven assists as the Sixers beat the Bobcats 109-91.This win should give the team confidence as they Baltimore Ravens jersey
head into their next matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tonight. The 76ers have fallen to the Cavaliers twice already in this early season, both losses being single digits.Common ThemesAlthough the Sixers were able to build a lead and hold it, there were many issues that were visible in the game that have haunted them all season and will continue to do so if they don fix their mistakes.The team style of play has been very fast-paced for a couple of years now. To be an effective running team, players have to be able to recover on transition defense, complete passes and make shots when on offense;everything that the Sixers are not managing to achieve.They score points, but at times, they don have a player that they can depend on to make a shot. Fatigue seems to also be a factor. With the 76ers being a running team, this could be perceived as an advantage and a curse. The advantage being that they can get ahead of other teams and score points. The curse for the 76ers is that they tire themselves out faster than the opposing team because they try to score quickly, but as the game progresses, it seems as though the opposing team turns the table on them.Opposing teams capitalize on the Sixers' lack of scoring, resulting in many losses. Fortunately, the Bobcats are not a good team, and like the Sixers, they are trying to find themselves. If the Sixers were facing a premiere NBA team and these same problems arose, undoubtedly the end result would have been plus-one in the loss column.Change NeededThe biggest issue that comes to the forefront is that they do not have a force in the middle that intimidates players to repel them from scoring inside.Spencer Hawes is not what many may consider an All-Star center or one of high caliber. He isn aggressive and is a pushover in the inside. He possesses the height for a typical NBA Center but lacks the skills to be a starter, although he is for the Sixers.Hawes does not frighten even the smallest player from performing a finesse layup or emphatic dunk, reminding of the game play of NBA 2K as players easily route to the hoop.Samuel Dalembert should not have been released if the Sixers were not going to acquire a Center of his stature or better. He was not the best big man, but he was one Buffalo Bills jersey
of the leading shot-blockers in the NBA and generated a presence under the basket.Hawes is still developing and could be a good center coming off the bench, but the Sixers are in immediate need of an acquisition that would coerce opponents to take outside shots instead of taking it to the hoop.In terms of a consistent scorer, Jodie Meeks seems like a diamond in the rough that could not have been discovered at a better time. He could be the answer to scoring points when the Sixers are in a drought.
the team fed off of his energy and created a lead as large as 21 points. The bench was inserted after the first quarter and the lead dwindled down to single digits because of sloppy play which resulted into turnovers and confusion on the defensive end.This collapse seemed all too reminiscent of the night before as the Sixers led for 47 minutes against the Atlanta Hawks and blew an 18-point lead to fall to the Hawks 93-88. Coach Collins added a couple starters back into the lineup and the Sixers went into the locker room at halftime with an 11-point lead.The Sixers entered the court in the beginning of the third quarter looking lackadaisical on both ends on the floor. They allowed the Bobcats to take uncontested shots, which was initiated by lack of recovery in transition defense and perplexity in performing play-calls. Added to the mediocre play were durations where the team could not buy a basket and the Bobcats capitalized on the offensive end.However, Elton Brand produced a spark for the team and began to set the tone as he fought in the paint for rebound after rebound. Fueled by Brand relentlessness, the Sixers increased their level of aggression and the offense and defense began to gel and play well with unification.They pulled away with the lead at the end of the third quarter. Thaddeus Young added 20 points on the night, Brand scored 15 and gathered 10 rebounds, and Andre Iguodala contributed 15 points and seven assists as the Sixers beat the Bobcats 109-91.This win should give the team confidence as they Baltimore Ravens jersey
head into their next matchup against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tonight. The 76ers have fallen to the Cavaliers twice already in this early season, both losses being single digits.Common ThemesAlthough the Sixers were able to build a lead and hold it, there were many issues that were visible in the game that have haunted them all season and will continue to do so if they don fix their mistakes.The team style of play has been very fast-paced for a couple of years now. To be an effective running team, players have to be able to recover on transition defense, complete passes and make shots when on offense;everything that the Sixers are not managing to achieve.They score points, but at times, they don have a player that they can depend on to make a shot. Fatigue seems to also be a factor. With the 76ers being a running team, this could be perceived as an advantage and a curse. The advantage being that they can get ahead of other teams and score points. The curse for the 76ers is that they tire themselves out faster than the opposing team because they try to score quickly, but as the game progresses, it seems as though the opposing team turns the table on them.Opposing teams capitalize on the Sixers' lack of scoring, resulting in many losses. Fortunately, the Bobcats are not a good team, and like the Sixers, they are trying to find themselves. If the Sixers were facing a premiere NBA team and these same problems arose, undoubtedly the end result would have been plus-one in the loss column.Change NeededThe biggest issue that comes to the forefront is that they do not have a force in the middle that intimidates players to repel them from scoring inside.Spencer Hawes is not what many may consider an All-Star center or one of high caliber. He isn aggressive and is a pushover in the inside. He possesses the height for a typical NBA Center but lacks the skills to be a starter, although he is for the Sixers.Hawes does not frighten even the smallest player from performing a finesse layup or emphatic dunk, reminding of the game play of NBA 2K as players easily route to the hoop.Samuel Dalembert should not have been released if the Sixers were not going to acquire a Center of his stature or better. He was not the best big man, but he was one Buffalo Bills jersey
of the leading shot-blockers in the NBA and generated a presence under the basket.Hawes is still developing and could be a good center coming off the bench, but the Sixers are in immediate need of an acquisition that would coerce opponents to take outside shots instead of taking it to the hoop.In terms of a consistent scorer, Jodie Meeks seems like a diamond in the rough that could not have been discovered at a better time. He could be the answer to scoring points when the Sixers are in a drought.
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