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2008 HOF: Ewing vs. Olajuwon, Pat Riley vs. 90’s Knicks, and Dick Vitale vs. Himself

Sep 8

Posted by kit in 1992 Olympics, Basketball Rumors, Charles Oakley, Dick Vitale, Dickie V, ESPN College Basketball Coverage, ESPN Radio, Eastern Conference Finals, Final Four, Hakeem Alajawon, Hakeem Olajuwon, Hakim Olajuwon, John Starks, Knicks Problems, Lakers Finals, Los Angeles Lakers, Madison Square Garden, Miami Heat, Modern Era Basketball, NBA, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA History, NBA Stats Patrick Ewing, NBA Stats Playoffs 08, NBA Trade Rumors, NBA stats, New York Knicks, New York Knicks 90's, Olympic Basketball, Olympic Mens Basketball, Pat Riley, Patrick Ewing, Playoffs, Postseason, Sean Connolly, Sean Connolly Basketball, Sean Connolly Sports, Sean Connolly Sports Writer, US Mens Basketball Team, USA Basketball, basketball, college hoops | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

This year’s induction ceremony into the basketball hall of fame included the biggest names in basketball in the modern era. The class included two of the greatest big men of all time in Patrick Ewing and Hakeem Olajuwon, along with Ewing’s coach, Pat Riley.

Ewing vs. Olajuwon

Surprisingly in their career they were never really compared, probably because one was in the East and the other in the west, but let’s be one of the first to do so. Who’s career was better? Olajuwon averaged 21.8 points a game during his 18 seasons in the NBA compared to Ewing’s 17 points a game during his 17 seasons. All though Ewing was revered as more talented, looking at Olajuwon’s career as a whole shows that he was in fact a better player. Olajuwon holds the NBA record for blocked shots with 3840(amazing number), and most importantly has two NBA titles under his belt. Ewing has 0.

Not the best, but darn near close

Pat Riley and his 5 rings were inducted into the hall of fame this weekend along with Hakeem and Patrick. Riley ranks 3rd all-time in wins and led both the Lakers and Heat to NBA titles. His one blemish on his record was his inability to win a championship with the aforementioned Ewing, John Starks, Charles Oakley, and company. If he picked up a title or two then who knows where he would’ve ranked. Either way his coaching style has emanated throughout the NBA and he has set a style that coaches decades from now will knowingly or even unknowingly replicate.

Does Dickie V deserve to be in this class?

You betcha baby!! Sorry, had to do it. It is true though, Dick Vitale does deserve to be in the hall of fame as his, ahem, unique style brought him fame, fortune, and ultimately respect. He is the voice of college basketball and you can’t make it big in college hoops without your name being yelled out on ESPN followed by an emphatic ‘baby!!’

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Big Names Involved In Big Moves

Jul 1

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, 76ers, Baron Davis, Baron Davis Trade, Basketball Trade Rumors, Boston Celtics, Cavs Trade Rumors, Celtics Finals, Celtics Trade Rumors, Chauncey Billubs, Chauncey Billups, Chauncey Billups Trade, Chicago Bulls NBA Draft 08, Cleveland, Cleveland Cavaliers, Delonte West, Detroit, Detroit Pistons, Eastern Conference Finals, Eddie House trade, Elton Brand, Elton Brand Trade, Gilbert Arenas, Indiana, Jermaine O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal Trade, Kevin Garnett, Knicks Problems, Lakers Finals, Miami Heat, NBA, NBA Draft 08, NBA Draft Trade, NBA Draft Trade Rumors, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, NBA History, NBA Stats Playoffs 08, NBA Trade Rumors, New York Knicks, Pacers, Phoenix Suns, Phoenix Suns Trade Rumors, Pistons, Playoffs, Postseason, Rasheed Wallace, Rasheed Wallace Trade, San Antonio Spurs, Stephon Marbury, Stephon Marbury Trade, Tayshaun Prince, Uncategorized, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, basketball, college hoops | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

The free agent season has begun. Following an exciting post-season and draft, the NBA has found another way to keep us hooked. In the next couple of weeks there are to be some big names moved around and could possibly shape next year’s championship team. The Celtics made all the right moves during last year’s free agency and ended up taking the title. So, don’t be surprised if a number of teams take a page from their book. Here are some of the big names who could make a move.

Elton Brand

Although his intentions are to re-sign with the Los Angeles Clippers, don’t be surprised to see Elton Brand move. He has yet to be on a successful team and I’m sure he’s more than eager to cement himself as a marquee player. He is unable to do so on the lowly Clippers who will again have no chance next year in the overly competitive West. If the the right offer lands on Brand’s lap, possibly from his old team in the Bulls, or with the Knicks, Pistons, or Rockets who all need a player like Brand, don’t expect him to stay in Los Angeles.

Baron Davis

After the Warriors 06-07 run that included maybe one of the biggest post-season upsets of the Dallas Mavericks, Baron Davis could not find the same chemistry this past season. Davis has had trouble in the past season with Golden State and it seems like he may be headed out of Golden State after opting out of his contract. Davis averaged 21.8 points a game last season and would be extremely valuable to either a East or West Playoff team. The Detroit Pistons have showed interest in Davis in a possible sign and trade which may include stars Rasheed Wallace and Chauncey Billups. This may turn into the biggest trade of the off-season. Also showing interest are the aforementioned Los Angeles Clippers. If Baron Davis signs with the Clippers this may persuade Elton Brand to stay.

Corey Maggette

Elton Brand isn’t the only Clipper on the move. Corey Maggette has also opted out of his contract and will test the open market. Maggette is more likely than Brand to leave the team and could play an integral part in next seasons playoffs. There were rumors swirling last season of a trade of Maggette to the Suns, so don’t be surprised if that deal won’t resurrect itself. Another team showing interest looks to be the Utah Jazz who are one piece away from a championship team.

Wizards Aren’t Letting Agent Zero Turn Into Free Agent Zero

The Washington Wizards are planning to invest over 150 million dollars in both Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison. This seems like to much for a team who keeps getting knocked out of the playoffs by the Cleveland Cavaliers. I thought Washington would have to get rid of at least one of the two, but it looks as if the Wizards want to continue with Jamison and Arenas. Personally I would have let Arenas go because he did very little last year and we are still unsure about his knee. Jamison is turning himself into a fantastic player, averaging 20 and 10 last year and is bound to become better.

Here is a list of other notable names that could see themselves in different uniforms next season.

Sam Cassell- Boston Celtics- Unrestricted FA

Eddie House- Boston Celtics- Unrestricted FA

Emeka Okafor- Charlotte Bobcats- Restricted FA

Luol Deng- Chicago Bulls- Restricted FA

Ben Gordon- Chicago Bulls- Restricted FA

Delonte West- Cleveland Cavaliers- Restricted FA

Allen Iverson- Denver Nuggets- Early Termination Option

JR Smith- Denver Nuggets- Restricted FA

Steve Francis- Houston Rockets- Player Option

Jason Williams- Miami Heat- Unrestricted FA

Stephon Marbury- New York Knicks- Early Termination Option

Andre Iguodala- Philadelphia 76ers- Restricted FA

Michael Finley- San Antonio Spurs- Unrestricted FA

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Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley? My 2008 NBA Mock Draft

Jun 24

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, Amare Stoudemire, Arizona, Atlanta Hawks, Boston Celtics, Brook Lopez, Celtics Finals, Chicago Bulls NBA Draft 08, Cleveland, Danilo Gallinari, Derrick Rose, Derrick Rose Chicago Bulls, Derrick Rose Miami Heat, Derrick Rose first Pick, Doug Collins Bulls, Duke, Eastern Conference Finals, Eddy Curry, Elton Brand, Final Four, Isiah Thomas, James Dolan, Jason Richardson, Jerryd Bayless, Jerryd Bayless NBA Draft, Joe Alexander, Kansas, Kansas State, Kevin Durant, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Love, Knicks Problems, Lakers Finals, Larry Brown, Los Angeles Lakers, Madison Square Garden, March Madness, Mario Chalmers, Memphis, Miami Heat, Miami Heat NBA Draft 08, Michael Beasley, Michael Beasley First Pick, Michael Jordan, Mike D'Antoni, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, NBA Draft 08, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, NBA Finals Lakers Celtics, NBA History, NBA Mock Draft 08, NCAA, New York Knicks, O. J. Mayo, OJ Mayo Problems, Patrick Ewing, Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce, Phoenix Suns, Playoffs, Postseason, Ray Allen, Russell Westbrook, Shawn Marion, Southern Cal, Steve Nash, Toronto Raptors, UCLA, USC, basketball, college hoops | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

With a 1.7% chance of winning the first selection, the Bulls won the first pick in one of the most talented drafts in a while. The discussion has been, should they take Derrick Rose who is the better player, or Michael Beasley who is the better fit? Rose is destined to be a star while Beasley has all the tools to become as dominant as say Amare Stoudemire. But, which college standout will they choose? Let’s see.

1. CHICAGO BULLS- MICHAEL BEASLEY- Between the better player and the better fit, you have to go with the better fit if you’re the Bulls. The Bulls were lucky enough to get the first pick and they already have a playoff team if not for the mess of a season they had last year. They are short on big men and have been for a while. Beasley will complete this team making the Bulls a legit threat in the East.

2. MIAMI HEAT- DERRICK ROSE- Now there’s no way two teams are going to pass a player this talented up in a row. The Heat will gladly take Derrick Rose in the second pick which will, like the bulls, complete a playoff team. With Dwayne Wade and Shawn Marrion already on the team, one more all-star won’t hurt. If Wade can stay healthy, Rose will work well with him and possibly create a great one-two punch that teams will find hard to deal with. A great pick up for the Heat and I expect a rivalry to develop between the Heat and the Bulls with their picks. This debate of who should go first in the draft will live on throughout both Beasley and Rose’s careers.

3. MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES- O.J. MAYO- With all the controversy surrounding O.J. Mayo he was destined to fall further down in the draft but it looks as if the Timberwolves have their man. Mayo is truly talented at 6′5 and has the figure to go inside and shoot the outside shot. The only worry about Mayo is his off-court problems that could hurt the way he plays on the court. Let’s just hope we get to see this kid play basketball without any distractions.

4. SEATTLE SUPERSONICS- JERRYD BAYLESS- To compliment the sensational play of Kevin Durant, expect the Sonics to choose Jerryd Bayless at point guard. Coming from Arizona he should turn out to be a solid NBA player and playing along side Durant won’t hurt a bit. Durant showed last year that he can put up over 20 points a game with no one around him, so expect his numbers to rise significantly along side Bayless.

5. MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES- KEVIN LOVE- After trading Pau Gasol to the Lakers last season, the Grizzlies are down on athletic size. Kevin Love fills that void extremely well. He is capable of wearing down defenses and creating an atmosphere that Memphis will love (pun definitely intended). The sad thing though is that the rest of the Grizzlies are not good enough to make him any better. Give Love a couple of seasons before his talent begins to show, either that or another team.

6. NEW YORK KNICKS- BROOK LOPEZ- Oh, the New York Knicks. They have the highest payroll, one of the best coaches in Mike D’Antoni, and the sixth pick in the draft. How could they possibly mess up next season? I’m not sure how they’ll do it this season but a way to prevent it is drafting a big man in Brook Lopez who can actually do something with the basketball other than cry. He is a little undersized at center (7′0 245 lbs.) which could create a problem for the Knicks. But, they’ve needed a big man ever since Patrick Ewing left and maybe Lopez could develop into a player of half of Ewing’s talent and get this team back in the playoffs.

7. LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS- RUSSELL WESTBROOK- The Clippers will hopefully have a 100% healthy Elton Brand next season which leaves them wondering, who else do we have? No body really, in order to compete in the West. Russel Westbrook can pass and score and has the tools that NBA teams want. There is a desire in the league now to have a point guard who can score and pass (Chris Paul, Dwayne Wade, Steve Nash just to name a few), and Westbrook is what the Clippers need in order to keep up with the competetive West. Either that or they can try and move to the Eastern Conference, where they would probably be a 4th or 5th seed in the playoffs.

8. MILWAUKEE BUCKS- JOE ALEXANDER- You haven’t heard much from the Milwaukee Bucks in the past decade and I don’t think you’ll hear more in the the next. Joe Alexander fills a void in the small forward position but even in the East the Bucks don’t have enough talent to make it. Alexander is a solid player who may find himself lost in this league on the Bucks. Only players with extraordinary talent like Ray Allen can make a name for themselves on the Bucks, and even Allen had to leave in order to be truly appreciated by the rest of the league.

9. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS- ERIC GORDON- I see a lot of upside in these Bobcats. Since forming in 2004 the Bobcats have slowly evolved into a fairly good team. They have significant talent in Emeka Okafor, Adam Morrison, and Jason Richardson. Not only that they are now being coached by one of the greatest coaches in recent years in Larry Brown. If the Bobcats can steal Eric Gordon at number nine, the Bobcats have even more to work with.

10. NEW JERSEY NETS- DANILO GALLINARI- After a disapointing season which included the departure of one of the franchise’s best players Jason Kidd, the Nets have some rebuilding to do. They have a banged up Richard Jefferson, who at times looks like one of the best players in the league, but cannot overcome the injury bug. Vince Carter should be one of the league’s elite, but fails to match the potential he showed in his Toronto Raptor years. Danilo Gallinari will be the first pick from overseas, coming from Italy, and will be expected to come off the bench for Jefferson, and soon replace Jefferson. He is one of the best players in Italy and could possibly translate to the NBA. In a couple of years this could be considered the steal of the draft. Personally though, I think the Nets will need to make a significant trade that will get rid of Jefferson and bring in one or two brand name players in order to fix this once dominant franchise.

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Celtics Embarrass Lakers as Garnett Embarrasses Himself

Jun 19

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, Bill Russell, Boston Celtics, Celtics 24 Point Comeback, Celtics Bench Finals 08, Celtics Finals, Cleveland, Detroit Pistons, Eastern Conference Finals, Finals 08 MVP, Game 7, Garnett Bryant matchup, Jeff Van Gundy Playoffs 08, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Garnett 1st Finals, Kevin Garnett Playoffs, Knicks Problems, Kobe, Kobe 08 Finals, Kobe Bryant, Kobe Bryant 2007-08 MVP Season, Kobe Bryant Closer, Kobe Bryant Comeback, Kobe Bryant Free Throws, Kobe Bryant Michael Jordan Comparison, Kobe Bryant NBA Stats Playoffs 08, Kobe Bryant Playoffs, Kobe MVP, Kobe MVP 2008 NBA Finals, Lakers 4th Quarter Comeback NBA Finals 08, Lakers Bench Finals 08, Lakers Finals, Lamar Odom, Leon Powe, Leon Powe 08 Finals, Los Angeles Lakers, MVP 2008 Finals, Madison Square Garden, Michael Jordan, NBA, NBA Fans, NBA Finals, NBA Finals 2008, NBA Finals Lakers Celtics, NBA History, NBA Stats Playoffs 08, New York Knicks, Pau Gasol, Paul Pierce, Paul Pierce Defense, Paul Pierce MVP 2008 Finals, Paul Pierce MVP NBA Finals, Paul Pierce NBA Finals MVP 2008, Phil Jackson, Phil Jackson Game 4 NBA Finals 08, Pierce 41 Point Game, Playoffs, Postseason, Ray Allen, San Antonio Spurs, Sasha Vujacic Finals 08, basketball | No Comments

By Sean Connolly

Levels of Defeat in NBA

0-5 Point Loss- Respectable

5-15 Point Loss- Disappointing

15-25 Point Loss- Bad to Awful

25-35 Point Loss- Horrible, New York Knicks Territory

35+ Point Loss- Disgraceful, Team Should Disband and Begin New Careers

The Lakers lossed by 39 points last night in a deciding game in the NBA Finals which means Kobe should be announcing on TNT next season.

How a team can play as poorly as the Lakers did last night is beyond me. The Celtics defense was impenetrable and their offense ran as smoothly and as efficiently as possible and the Los Angeles Kobes, excuse me, Lakers could do absolutely nothing about it. This was by far the most convincing win in NBA Finals history.

As I said in my last post(Pierce May Be Too Strong For A Laker Comeback) Pierce and the Celtics would be too much for the Lakers to handle. No where in that post did I predict a victory of this magnitude though. Every single Laker all the way to upper management should be thoroughly embarrassed. Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, and the almighty Kobe Bryant sucked. Plain and simple.

It wasn’t the Lakers sucking that lost them this series, but more the Celtics playing their best basketball at the right time. Seeing them go 7 games with the 8th seeded Atlanta Hawks gave me reason to believe they would never make it out of the East. But they persevered and got better as the playoffs went along. I routed for the Lakers this entire playoffs and routed against the Celtics this entire playoffs. Still, I can say that the team that won the title was the best team every night on the floor in this series. The Lakers should be ashamed that they were beaten this badly. Coming into this series they were the better team by far and leaving the series they look as if they shouldn’t have been in the playoffs. Every Laker performance was pathetic.

This beating was highlighted by the great play of the Celtic’s big three. Throughout the year I tried to play down the significance of this three playing together. But now I realize that when they play together, anything is possible (foreshadowing, pay attention). Ray Allen tied an NBA Finals record with 7 three pointers last night. Kevin Garnett fueled the team and ended whatever small hope the Lakers had with his circus shot. A shot in which he stayed in the air for what seemed like an hour, gets fouled and banked the ball off the backboard right before he hits the ground. As soon as he made that shot I knew the Celtics had the championship. No one can come back from a demoralizing shot like that.

And what else can you say about Paul Pierce? He stepped up his defense throughout the entire playoffs and made the best offensive player in the world look like Chris Dudley. He showed the world that Pierce not Kobe is more deserving of Jordan comparisons (but, still don’t even bother comparing him to Jordan, no one will be as good as Michael).

Coming into this series I was all gung-ho on Kobe and the Lakers winning the championship. I was convinced that it was his time to prove that he could be mentioned along with Jordan. I now want to take a moment to publicly apologize to Michael Jordan…Dear Michael, you’re the best and no one, and I mean no one comes close to you. Now, having that said I despise Kobe for what he did in this Finals. He won my heart this season and then broke it in the Finals (Sad, huh?). And I never, ever, no matter what Kobe does for the rest of his career want to hear the words Kobe Bryant in the same sentence as the one Michael Jordan. Jordan would never let his team lose in an NBA Finals, the biggest stage in the world for basketball. Never would you see Michael Jordan on the bench in a deciding game in the NBA Finals with his team down by 40. Never. If anybody even thinks about bringing this argument up again of Kobe being as good as Jordan, all of his or her comments about the sport of basketball should be considered void from thereafter.

Finally I would like to say a little something about Kevin Garnett…I hate him. Throughout this season he has changed my view of him completely. What sealed it was his odd, moronic, disrespectful celebration when he was interviewed after the game. When asked about how he felt, he began weeping like a baby, then filled the air with expletives and began screaming, “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!!” at the top of his lungs like a fool(see the foreshadowing from earlier, pretty clever). All I can say thank God for the delay that the ABC network used so that they could prevent his f-bombs from reaching air. Does he not realize that he is idolized by thousands of kids who are watching? Does he have no respect whatsoever? The best part about it was how after he filled the Garden with f-bombs he goes over and shakes Bill Russell’s hand. Russell is one of the most honorable men in basketball who you tried to mirror yourself after throughout the season and you behave like that? You’ll never be one tenth of what Russell was and still is and you don’t even deserve a ring. Honestly, who’s over 7 feet tall and shoots mid-range jumpers all day? Call me bitter but this guy is a disgrace. But, congratulations to Paul Pierce and the rest of the Celtics who actually deserve this. This was the best turn around in sports history and Danny Ainge, Doc Rivers, and company should be proud. As Garnett would say, “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!!” Idiot.

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D’Antoni Won’t Solve the Knicks’ Problems

May 14

Posted by kit in 2008 NBA Playoffs, Amare Stoudemire, Atlanta Hawks, Big Dance, Boston Celtics, Derrick Rose, Detroit Pistons, Donnie Walsh, Eddy Curry, Isiah Thomas, Jamal Crawford, Knicks Problems, Leandro Barbosa, Madison Square Garden, Memphis, Miami Heat, Mike D'Antoni, NBA, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns, Playoffs, Shaquille O'Neal, Shawn Marion, Stephon Marbury, Stephon Marbury Trade, Steve Nash, Uncategorized, basketball | No Comments

Donnie Walsh made his first bad decision yesterday when he decided to hire Mike D’Antoni as head coach of the New York Knicks. D’Antoni, who left the Phoenix Suns, failed yet again this season to get into the finals, despite having one of the most talented teams in basketball. Despite this failure, Donnie Walsh and the 23-59 Knicks (2nd to last in the Eastern conference) thinks that D’Antoni will solve the numerous problems the Knicks face this upcoming season. This is what D’Antoni had to say about his future with the Knicks,

We want to win a championship. I know all the components you have to have. You have to have great offense and great defense.

What the Knicks really needed was a defensive-minded coach to help their awful performance on defense this and the past several seasons. D’Antoni created one of the most effective run and gun offenses over in Phoenix, yet still failed to make it past the Western Conference Finals. As they say, “Defense Wins Championships.” How is bringing an offensive minded coach to a young, immature team going to help?

Stephon Marbury

The Knicks are one of the youngest teams in the league and their inexperience was shown last season when, despite having the highest payroll in basketball, they could not make the playoffs of one of the worst Eastern Conferences to date. The 8th seeded Atlanta Hawks were 8 games under .500 but still found themselves an astonishing 14 games ahead of the lowly Knicks. With useless defenders like Jamal Crawford, Eddy Curry, and Stephon Marbury on the team how does D’Antoni expect to fix this team. Crawford is in the game strictly for offense, which is so sparatic and inconsistent that there is really no need for him to take minutes away from less talented but more consistent players. Eddy Curry is awful on defense and can’t even block spam from his e-mail. Marbury, a.k.a Starbury, has been anything but a star. Someone needs to bury this star six feet under so that New York doesn’t have to deal with his cry-baby attitude.

The only thing that D’Antoni and the Knicks can hope for is to win the lottery. The draft lottery that is. If they can capture a solid position in which they can get Memphis guard Derrick Rose they may have a chance in the future. But that may take several seasons for D’Antoni to develop a team around a young guard. Something that he did well with Phoenix and Steve Nash, but was never done well enough to win a championship.

D'Antoni Knicks

D’Antoni has no idea what he’s getting into. This team ruined the character of one of the most talented and successful players of all time in Isiah Thomas. Sure D’Antoni has won coach of the year in 04-05. Sure he has led the Suns to 54 wins or more in the past 4 seasons. Sure he has a .608 winning percentage in the past 6 seasons. But where’s the ring Mike? No where. You know why? Because he had Shaquille O’Neal, Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash, Leandro Barbosa, and Grant Hill on his team and still failed to win. Because he couldn’t handle the ego of Shawn Marion, whose ego would be overshadowed tenfold in New York. And finally because he is 26-25 in the playoffs. A .500 team may get into the playoffs but they will never win the playoffs playing .500.

By Sean Connolly

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