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 The NBA announced that it had rescinded the flagrant foul call against Davis, essentially admitting that the officials got it wrong.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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.