Utah Jazz

Best of the Week (Mar. 3-9)

5.)  Baron Davis: 56.6% FG, 80.0% FT, 28.3 PPG, 4.5 Reb, 6.3 Ast, 1.3 Stl 

Davis led Golden State to a 3-1 record for the week and kept them within the top 8 teams in the West. Davis hit for over 30 in 3 of the 4 games. Davis is having a career year and has played in all 62 of the Warriors’ games.  This is a big deal for a guy who has been injury prone for the past 5 seasons. 

4.)  Joe Johnson: 52.9% FG, 81.8% FT, 30.3 PPG, 3.3 3PT’s, 6.3 Ast, 1.8 Stl 

Even though the Hawks played horribly over the past week, Johnson was a stud.  Though Johnson is having another strong year, this is his worst season since joining
Atlanta.  Johnson will need to have more weeks like this one, if Atlanta has a hope of holding on to their playoff spot. 

3.)  Chris Paul: 57.5% FG, 95.2% FT, 28.0 PPG, 13.3 Ast, 2.5 Stl 

Paul continued his case for the league MVP with a week that would have normally landed him on the top of this list.  He led New Orleans to a 3-1 record and kept them near the top in the jumbled West.  I don’t think it is a stretch to call him the best PG in the league. 

2.)  Tracy McGrady: 55.6% FG, 81.8% FT, 32.3 PPG, 5.0 Reb, 7.7 Ast 

He has carried Houston on his back since Yao went down, and this week he was awesome once again.  They are beating good teams easily, and McGrady is doing every thing on the court. 

1.)  LeBron James: 49.4% FG, 82.5% FT, 42.3 PPG, 4.7 3PT’s, 7.3 Reb, 5.0 Ast, 2.0 Stl, 1.7 Blk 

There is no denying LeBron the number 1 spot this week.  He has made this list almost every week.  Is it possible for LeBron to get any better?  He will mature and make better decisions like Jordan did, but is there anyway for Lebron to become more skilled.  I see him as a cross between Jordan, Magic, and Karl Malone.  He almost had a triple-double while scoring 50 points.  I’m sorry Kobe; Lebron is the best player in the league.      

Honorable Mention: Jason Richardson, Lamar Odom, Brandon Roy, Deron Williams, Kevin Martin, Charlie Villaneuva, Nate Robinson, Allen Iverson, and Antawn Jamison

Worst of the Week (Feb.26-Mar. 2)

I didn’t intend for this to happen, but this one turned out to be the all-big man edition. 

5.)  Samuel Dalembert: 28.6% FG, 6.0 PPG, 10.0 Reb, no assists, no steals, 0.7 Blk

He did come down with 10 rebounds per game, but it was a horrible week for Dalembert.  He was an offensive hindrance with his absolutely horrible shooting, a combined 2-14 in his last two games.  His blocks were one-third of his season average.  He is battling some ankle injuries, so he possibly has an excuse. 

4.)  Kurt Thomas: 33.3% FG, 2.5 PPG, 4.5 Reb, 0.5 Ast, 0.5 Stl, no blocks 

I thought the trade was a good one for the Spurs, and it may still turn out that way, but Thomas has not been good since the joining the Spurs.  He got the start on Sunday, but he has been battling for minutes since he arrived, and he hasn’t performed in those minutes. 

3.)  Fabrico Oberto: 33.3% FG, 2.5 PPG, 4.5 Reb, 0.5 Ast, 0.5 Stl, no blocks 

This is Thomas’s biggest competition for minutes, so you would think Thomas could take over eventually.  Not much going on with either of these guys this past week, and the Spurs will need them both to contribute more once the Playoffs begin. 

2.)  Yi Jianlian:  12.5% FG, 1.5 PPG, 1.3 Reb, 0.8 Ast, no steals, no blocks 

Jianlian began the season looking pretty good, but he has fallen hard.  No longer a starter, and no longer getting big minutes off the bench, it appears that
Milwaukee has decided to use him sparingly and let him develop slower than originally planned. 

1.)  Nenad Krstic:  23.1% FG, 4.7 PPG, 2.3 Reb, no assists, no steals, no blocks 

He is starting but not getting the big minutes yet; basically because of his conditioning, but a professional athlete should not take over a month to be able to compete.  He is a far cry from his last two productive seasons.  Krstic is providing nothing for the Nets, and I think they should go with the rookie until Krstic decides to take his conditioning seriously. 

Un-Honorable Mention: Kirk Hinrich, Jameer Nelson, Channing Frye, Jose Calderon, John Salmons, Kyle Korver

Best of the Week (Feb. 26-Mar. 2)

5.)  Mike Dunleavy: 52.2% FG, 79.5% FT, 28.5 PPG, 3.0 Ast, 3.3 3PT’s

Dunleavy is one of many having a break-out season this year, but he really stepped it up over the past week.  His stroke from all over the court was dead on, and he hit for over 30 twice in the week.  He has gotten much more aggressive, as he attempted 39 free throws in only 3 games.

4.)  Amare Stoudemire: 62.3% FG, 88.9% FT, 27.7 PPG, 10.7 Reb, 1.7 Blk

I said last week that Stoudemire may average 30 per game for the rest of the season, and it looks like it may happen.  With Marion gone and Shaq only getting about 10 PPG, Amare has to score more and he is doing it.  Look at that FT%–maybe he can teach Shaq how to shoot those.

3.)  Monta Ellis: 57.1% FG, 9/9 FT, 24.3 PPG, 6.7 Reb, 5.3 Ast, 1.3 Stl

Ellis had a big week, but he is having a big year also.  He is shooting 53.2 percent from the floor for the year.  That is amazing for a perimeter player.  He is a more athletic version of Rip Hamilton.

2.)  Dirk Nowitzki: 46.5% FG, 86.5% FT, 30.3 PPG, 9.8 Reb, 3.5 Ast, 1.8 Stl

He lost the battle Sunday with Kobe, but not for lack of trying.  Dirk’s slow start to the season is ancient history now.  Dirk has put himself onto the short list of MVP candidates.  The playoffs in the West are going to be interesting and star studded.

1.)  Kobe Bryant: 50.0% FG, 82.0% FT, 34.0 PPG, 7.0 Reb, 6.0 Ast, 2.0 Stl, 1.0 Blk

He has some help this year, and he still managed to go for over 50 in a big game.  As a pure scorer, Kobe has no match in the league and he proves it week in and week out.  This season Kobe may be looking at an MVP trophy and a trip to the finals.

Honorable Mention: Lebron James, Deron Williams, Chris Paul, Beno Udrih, Hedo Turkoglu, and Allen Iverson

Yao Out, Will Rockets Fizzle?

 Once again, Yao is hurt and the Rockets are without one of their star players, and arguably one of the best centers in the conference.  With the west being so tight this year, no team can afford to go on a losing streak.  Ming was averaging 22 points and almost 11 rebounds per game before the injury which couldn’t have come at a worse time.  The Rockets have won 13 straight games, including their thrashing of Washington last night without Yao.   Read more

Trade Recap and Analysis

The Trade deadline has come and gone. Alot of teams tried to get better, others just tried to rebuild. While some just made bad, bad choices. Well lets, examine the trades, and give them a report card score.

A+

Los Angeles Lakers

I mean really, is there anything else that needs to be said. The Lakers pulled off the best trade for lots of reasons. They solved an immediate need, with the loss of Andrew Bynum to injury by landing Gasol. But at the same time, they added a player who has a big enough offensive presence, that it lets Lamar Odom finally revert to a do all the little things role, that suits him better than trying to be second fiddle. The Lakers also made a long term investment, that isn’t going to come back and hurt them. Gasol will be a quality F/C for years to come, and will give them a big three to build on for the foreseeable future (Bryant, Gasol, and Bynum).

The biggest deal is that they gave away nothing that was important to them. They didn’t even have to depart with needed role players like Farmar, Odom, or either of their young SF’s Walton or Ariza. Instead they finally shed Kwame Brown, and departed with little used PG Javaris Crittenton, who’s need became smaller with the market development that Farmar has shown. The picks were good pick ups for Memphis, and they do trade away Marc Gasol’s right, but no need for carbon copy players.

I think it is pretty hard for any team to match up to a potential line up of Derek Fischer, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Pau Gasol, and Andrew Bynum. Their are no downsides to this move, making it a run away A+ in my book.

Chicago Bulls

Now I’m sure many fans will question my ranking that gives them an A+, but lets really examine their moves. The Bulls recieves Larry Hughes, Shannon Brown, Drew Gooden, and Cedric Simmons. They only had to give up Ben Wallace, who they have needed to move, ever since he got to Chicago, and Joe Smith.

Ben Wallace’s departure is great for the Bulls. Noah, will most likely get the start, and provide that fire, that this team needs to keep motivated to win. He was already providing more than Wallace was, so it is a definite upgrade. Aaron Grey is gonna get alot more play time, but he has been coming along nicely, so that should work out well. Joe Smith would normally be a big blow, because he has been very consistent ball, but Drew Gooden will replace him well. Drew’s numbers are better than Joe in rebounds this season (8.3 to 5.3) and their point contribution is practically the same (11.3 to 11.2). Gooden will fit in well since he will be teamed with another inside presence, rather than Big Z, who at this stage of his career is more of a shooter and rebounder, than a pound it in the paint guy.

Now looking at the Guard situation, the Bulls certainly upgraded. Larry Hughes is an immediate upgrade for them. They now have a shooting guard who can both score and defend. The Bulls won’t need to switch in and out Thabo Sefolosha(defense) and Ben Gordan(scoring) anymore with Hughes. Mind you he gets hurt often, so they will still have their combo option open as well. I think the other thing that becomes an option with Hughes in the mix is the Bulls letting Hinrich stay at his true position, SG, and letting Hughes take over the point, which he has done in the past.

Now I’m sure some may look at Simmons and Shannon Brown as throw ins to the deal but I think not. Shannon Brown is an immediate upgrade in athleticism at the 2 and 3. He can score, and if asked can contribute some rebounds. Now I’m not saying Brown will challenge for a starting position, but now they have a big SG who can score, or another small forward to use when they want to go small. Simmons gives depth at the 4 and 5 too. Great move to unload Wallace’s contract, and taking back players that actually help your team at every position.

A

The Utah Jazz

The Jazz only had to make one move, to instantly score an A in my book. They sent away a disgruntled guard, who added some good defense, but wasn’t addressing their need for a shooter at SG/SF. Korver was everything this team showed they needed in the playoffs last year. The Jazz lived and died by Derek Fischer’s shooting last season, as they didn’t have a real shooter outside of him, and some contribution from Williams and Okur. Korver spaces the floor for everyone with his lights out shooting, and he’s even able to contribute it off the bench, letting Ronnie Brewer continue to play tough at SG crashing the paint and developing more and more. The only reason this doesn’t land the team in the A+, is because they still need to find another Center to give them some depth behind Okur. If they had made even a small move to grab someone like DJ Mbenga (when he was available) then that would have landed them with an A+.

San Antonio Spurs

Two great pickups put this team towards the top of my list. Damon Stoudamire has shown he still has a little left in the tank, and Kurt Thomas was a great pick up. Now the spurs did have to give up a first round pick, but it was going to be very high, and this team is looking for seasoned vets to help them on their playoff push so it makes sense to send it away. I really like the Kurt Thomas pickup, he gives them depth at center and power forward off the bench, and they didn’t have to give up much other than a struggling to fit in Fransisco Elson and a pick. Now I’m not quite as happy witht he Damon Stoudamire pickup. I think Stoudamire can still contribute, and for an immediate fix due to Parker’s injury it was completely understandable, but I think that if they could have added a Kyle Lowry or a Sam Cassell, they would have really found a great backup guard, who could have contributed on the 1 and 2, and not been such a defensive liability due to his size.

New Orleans Hornets

Hornests definetely improved with this last minute pick up. Getting Bonzi Wells and Mike James for Bobby Jackson was a great move. Wells will instantly provide some good offense as he has been looking sharp lately, and for a team thats one big weakness seems to be the contribution at Shooting Guard, he will definitely help upgrade that. Now with James he was a need move. This team knows that they are running Chris Paul ragged and he has been holding up really well, but he needs relief and I think James is potentially a great fit. He gives you some of what Paul’s backup Pargo is missing, which is instant offense and assists. James likes to get up and run, so his style works well to complement Pargo’s more strategic approach. Now do I think James is the best fit for this team, no, they probably should have been trying to get their hands on Lowry as well, but I understand that they didn’t have a whole lot to package to interest the Grizzlies.

B+

Seattle Super Sonics

The Sonics made some great moves… I think. Honestly this one is a potential for great success, or great failure. The team is starting to look like they want to be the next Trailblazers, and I think they are positioning themselves for that. The sonics have now gathered 3 first round picks from just Kurt Thomas. Now, we know they are headed for the lottery, and could always end up with the first overall pick. So this pick is really because of what the Super Sonics can position themselves to do. They can pull a portland, and trade all those picks to get the 1st overall pick, and still keep the 1st round pick they have (like Portland did aquiring Roy and Aldridge) . If this team could feature Derrick Rose, Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, Micheal Beasley, and Chris Wilcox, I think they would be a good young troop that could start to make some noise. Potential alone gets them a B+.

Houston Rockets

The Rockets made a good trade getting Bobby Jackson and Gerald Green. They traded away Bonzi, but I think got a player who fits their team alot better in Green. The Houston Rockets have lacked Athleticism at the SG position for a long time, and they tried with Kirk Snyder to find it, and it didn’t work. They then tried with Bonzi, and it wasn’t going quite like they expected. So making the move to get a great Athlete in Green was a great move. He isn’t going to be the complete scorer that Bonzi was, but with the secondary unit (Luther Head and Carl Landry) around him, he won’t need to be. He just needs to be another energy guy off the bench that Head has been forced to do alone for some time. Bobby Jackson, also gives them what they desperately needed, a true Point Guard to back up Rafer Alston. I really like the Rockets to finally get out of the first round, if for nothing else, than because their bench is superb this year, so if a starter gets hurt, they actually have guys who can contribute. I would have liked to see the Rockets get another backup at Center, because Mutombo is old, and can’t get up and down the court like the rest of the backups can. That keeps them from creeping up into my A category.

Atlanta Hawks

I would have placed this trade higher but, Bibby’s ankle injury knocks it down a bit. The Hawks pulled the trigger perfectly. They got a point guard they wanted, and didn’t have to trade away a single one of their role players. Acie Law is already playing better, just knowing that he is the sole backup at point. Salim Stoudamire will finally find some time off the bench at SG, Horford will get some breathing room on the inside with two shooters on the perimeter, and all of the high flyers (Williams, and Smith) can now be found in the lane by someone other than Joe Johnson. They made out like bandits, and in the East, I think this really pushes them up the list of strong teams.

B

Toronto Raptors

There really isn’t much to say about this trade. The Raptors were loaded at the Guard position, and Juan Dixon really didn’t have a place anymore. I give them a B, because picking up some more size for this team is a good thing. If they want to go far in the playoffs, you can’t just been deep at guard, so this gives them a little more balance, which is what they will need, especially at the PF/C position, where they are going to have to deal with Howard, Garnett, and Rasheed.

Memphis Grizzlies

Now I think most people think the fire sale for the Grizzlies is bad, but it was well needed. This team just wasn’t doing it. They had talent, but just weren’t jelling into something that was going to win a championship. After shipping out Gasol, I think its become clear that they have their future in Rudy Gay and Mike Conley, I really like Lowry, bu the Grizzlies seem to dangle him, understandably because I’m sure he wants to be more than a backup. Picking up the rights to Marc Gasol in the Pau trade was huge. I think it softens the blow from aquiring Kwame. This team now has two bigs that are busts (Darkko and Kwame) but I think if the team can bring Marc over next year, they actually look like a god combo. Having a lineup with Conley, Gay, and Gasol sounds good, and role players Navarro and Warrick looks strong. They realized that they still have a quality SG in Mike Miller, but I think they will move him this summer or during the draft, which may help them move up and take a player they truely covet, like a Micheal Beasley or an Eric Gordon. This team made he right moves for the future, but it may all come down to where they fall in the lottery to see if it all works out.

Minnesota Timberwolves

Kirk Snyder for Gerald Green? Both have expiring contracts, and Gerald has more to offer than Snyder did. There was no need to make this trade. But you did pick up a 2nd Round pick, so hey why now?

C+

Cleveland Cavaliers

I wanted to like this trade, I really did. And in what had originally been reported as a possibility earlier in the day, would have had me putting this in the B+, A category, but instead its down here in the Cs. Originally Chris Duhon was the guard that was being thrown around instead of Delonte West, and I think that would have been a great choice. Now, that said, I like Delonte West, but, this team needs a real Point guard, who isn’t scoring inept, not a Combo guard. Duhon would have fit the bill perfectly, but I understand that the Cavs may have been worried because he is an Unrestricted Free Agent at the end of the season, and didn’t want to make a trade that left them without a point guard.

Now that said, examining the rest of the trade its not so great. No I will definitely vouch, unlike some, that I would rather have Ben Wallace on the Cavs than Larry Hughes, because you can deal with someone who has a limited role, you can’t work with someone who goes in and out of the lineup with injury and is supposed to be second fiddle to LeBron. I think the key to making the Ben Wallace and Joe smith deal work, is how you are going to do the lineup. The bigs need to work in a Big Z, Big Ben combo, so that you have a defender with a scorer, when you switch to the bench of Varejao and Smith as well.

With Shannon Brown and Ira Newble departing, this team gets a little smaller, but upgrades at Shooting Guard. Daniel Gibson can now start, because the team will actually have someone coming off the bench that can contribute in the scoring category at the two in Wally. Like I said, I like this trade, but the depth chart needs to be handled properly, and the point guard situation doesn’t seem ideal, but it can work. I think this team will miss the defense at guard that they had with Newble and Hughes.

New Jersey Nets

This was a good trade, but not quite as good as the original. They traded and received a great point young point guard in Devin Harris, a dependable center in DeSangana Diop, and Trenton Hassell’s contract, and Keith Van Horn’s expiring contract. I think this is a great collection, close to the original deal. Diop and Van Horn’s contracts expire this season Giving the team a little bit of cap room. But I think the more important thing, is they aquired the assets that will let them be instant contenders and still free themselves of Vince Carter’s contract. Next season this team can package Vince Carter, expiring contracts of Boone, Ager, S. Williams, and Marcus Williams to possibly attract a team in a sign and trade for a big name. Or their new cap freedom can let them trade away some of their assets and rebuild that way as well. I’m a little confused at why the Nets wouldn’t have made a trade with another team because I think Marcus Williams is going to be a great PG too, but I guess they wanted a certainty instead of a possibility.

C

Phoenix Suns

The Suns deserve a giant C. Not because Shaq isn’t going to be good, quite frankly, I think that he is exactly what this team needed. BUT, I don’t think this team got enough for Shawn Marion. They are extremely thin at Small Forward now, and don’t have anyone who can contribute in every category the way Marion did. I like that they freed themselves from Marcus Banks, who just cannot handle the speed that the Suns play at, but this trade leaves them very thin at all of the positions that Marion could play. The Suns needed to get someone who can play the 2 or 3 out of this trade, but they didn’t. I think the way the team could not find offense in Shaqs first game from the SG position (after Bell took the Elbow from Shaq) showed that they are a very very thin team(I count Barbosa as a 1, because they really don’t have anyone else back there with experience, DJ Strawberry needs another season before he is ready to lead of the bench). One more season and I would have loved this trade, because Alando Tucker would have been ready to contribute to this team. But by not acquiring some wing help, this team is in trouble. I think they should have tried to send a draft pick or Alando Tucker to Chicago for Shannon Brown, who could have quickly contributed in the scoring off the bench that they need at the 3.

Detroit Pistons

The Pistons did not need Juan Dixon. This is a team that is already very deep at Guard with backups, Lindsey Hunter, Rodney Stuckey, Aaron Afflalo, and Flip Murray. You’ve just added a player who was a little upset about his lack of play time, to a team that may have even less time for him. Both Brezec and Dixon had expiring contracts so that couldn’t have mattered. I think this team could have used the Size of Brezec more than the warm bench that they are going to make Dixon inhabit.

Sacramento Kings

Hmm, I was really expecting the Kings to trade away Ron Artest, but this team was smart to not make the trade to the Nuggets unless they were going to get Linas Kleiza. This team is rebuilding, but with some new picks, and Shelden Williams on board they have some young talent to develop. They already have proven vets in Brad Miller and Artest, and they have young developing stars in Kevin Martin and John Salmons, and a good point in Beno Udrich. With just a couple of picks, and resigning Udrich, this team can quickly rebuild a good core, and with the expiring contracts they received they will have cap space to improve.

D

Dallas Mavericks

Bad bad bad. I shake my head at this move, it just doesn’t make sense. You just traded away a rising star at Point guard, that reportedly even portland (who doesn’t want to move anyone) would have been willing to trade for, and your quality backup at center to NJ for a slow Jason Kidd? Mark Cuban has been obsessed with big names for years, first with Shaq, now Kidd, but quite frankly this is a terrible move. From a stat point and leadership standpoint I understand getting Kidd. He gives you a proven leader in the locker room, and he can average almost a triple double every night. BUT, and this is a huge BUT, he cannot play with the west guards. Chris Paul smoked him, Steve Nash, Tony Parker, and Deron Williams are also going to just run right by him. The Mavs mortgaged their future for a guy who can help a team, but not their team.

I would have completely agreed with this trade if the Mavs had been able to swing Marcus Williams their way. Then they could have had their point guard to try and potentially fail with this year, but still had a good point guard to be their future with as well. But without him, now they are limited again, and seem like the 7th best team in the west, at best.

Philadelphia 76ers

You traded Kyle Korver for Gordon Giricek. Well we can only assume you just wanted that future first rounder, but now you just have a roster filled with clones (AI, Rodney Carny, Thaddeus Young) and nothing special, so as it really worth it? Guess we’ll find out with who they draft.

F

Miami Heat

Ok, this is a fifty fifty. This either will result in an A or an F. It all depends on if Shawn Marion opts out. If Shawn Marion opts out, this trade gets an A, because then there is alot of cap room to go find Dwayne Wade some much needed help this summer, like Antwan Jamison or Elton Brand. If he doesn’t opt out, this team is stuck with no room to maneuver at all. The team is going to be stuck with Marcus Banks at point, especially with Jason Williams most likely leaving as a free agent, and Smush Parker’s permanent benching. Banks at point isn’t a terrible option, especially since this team doesn’t need to really on him to do everything, the offense can flow through Wade still. But this team needs alot of help at PF (haslem is helpless without a big man) and C. They don’t have bigs who can compete with the likes of the easts best or even stop slashing SG/SFs either. Again, if Marion leaves, i give this an A, if he doesn’t I give this trade an F.

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Thanks for reading my Trade Analysis! Now that the trades are through, I’ll start doing my Team by Team breakdown for 2008 in just a couple of days.

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Edit: Cleaned up some names that I never went back to fix, thanks to a reader’s catch. Joe (Josh) Smith and Brad (Mike) Miller.  Thanks waitingforjune.

NBA Catchup and Bones’ Thoughts of Trademania

Sorry all for the complete lack attention I have given my blogs and the website and of course my 4 fans (looking at you teamsuck).  I was back-packing through Europe, met some hot chicks at a hostel, wound up gagged and tied in some crazy factory, then had to bite through a guy’s nose before escaping.  Thinking about writing a screenplay about it actually.   So here’s my quick catchup and thoughts on the craziness that has happened the past couple of weeks with a little Stephen A. Smith color commentary.

 Gasol Trade - Just amazing fleece job by the Lakers.  I mean really, you’re not going to go after any of the top 5 young guys on LA? You trade a perennial all-star for the upside on his younger brother? Looking like Kobe’s hand injury could end the possibility of this being so big for this year(um and who else is a little worried for the Olympics), but think about Bynum, Gasol, and Kobe for the next 5 years of their prime.  Can I bet odds on the 2008-09 NBA champions yet?

Stephen A  - I JUST HATE THIS TRADE FOR THE GRIZZLIES, JUST DONT MAKE NO SENSE.  BUT AS MUCH AS I HATE IT, I LOVE IT.  DOES ANYONE ELSE THINK I WOULD MAKE A GREAT ADDITION TO CSI:MIAMI?

Shaq Trade - Wow, Steve Kerr! Have to agree with Sports Guy here about having some fuckin’ balls.  I love it in all regards. I haven’t seen Shaq this pumped since he read the script to Kazaam.  If you been crushed the last two years  in the playoffs bc Amare can’t cover Duncan, Nowitski, insert anyone in the NBA, your grandmother, why wouldn’t you rid yourself of the locker room cancer to get Shaq,  hope he eats his wheaties, and can play solid D the rest of the year.  I also think people forget how much money Marion makes.  On the flip side, Heat can use the rest of the season to see if Wade and Marion can gel and take one of the top picks on a point guard (just please have the sense to take DJ Augustin from Texas over Paulus or anyone else that is white)

 Stephen A. - WHAT IS STEVE KERR THINKING TRADING FOR A WASHED UP SHAQ?  FORGET THE CHAMPIONSHIP EXPERIENCE, I WAS TWICE THE PLAYER SHAQ WAS.  I AM NOT YELLING!!

 The Kidd Fiasco - Come on now, someone from the writer’s guild got bored while on strike, pitched this idea to David Stern, who then kidnapped Cuban and whoever owns the Nets’ families, forcing them to make it play out this way.  I just love this, so amazing for the NBA right meow.  I mean another blockbuster, only to be nixed by a crazy no trade clause, work magic to have that basically figured out, to then have Stackhouse run his mouth about re-signing with the Mavs in 30 days, so the NBA basically has to nix the deal or throw their own rules down the drain.  So Much Drama and Steve Kerr and Tim Duncan sit back and laugh.

 Stephen A. - YOU’VE SEEN WHAT THESE GUNS CAN DO IN THE MIDDLE EAST! NOW I WANT TO SHOW YOU WHAT THEY CAN DO IN THE RING!!

 Slam Dunk Contest - I am unbelievably excited for this contest as a bunch of young guys seem incredibly hungry for the title.  Howard issued the 12 foot rim challenge, Gay answered with I can do whatever you can do better, and returning champ Gerald Green followed suit with “12 feet might be a little short, I’ll hit 13!”  This is going to be an unbelievable showcase of these kid’s ridiculous talents.  Who wouldn’t want to see this?  Ohhh the NBA doesn’t.  I am in awe right now.  You have the most publicity going in the sport in 3 years, some pumped up young kids, and you go and reject any request whatsoever.  If Dwight Howard came to you and said I need the Pussycat Dolls, 2 cases of cheez whiz, one of those dragon heads they have in Chinese parades, and Greg Oden’s birth certificate from the vault, YOU STILL SAY YES. 

 I’ll probably still watch, TNT Sat. night at 8pm

Stephen A. - JUST AN ABSOLUTE ABOMINADADANATION BY THE LEAGUE! I WANT HOLYFIELD!!

Best of the Week (Feb. 4-10)

This week I had to break with tradition a bit and throw an extra guy onto the list. 

6.)  Monta Ellis: 85.2% FG, 29.5 PPG, 5.5 Reb, 4.5 Ast 

I had to go with 6 guys because I couldn’t leave Ellis off the list.  No, it is not a typo, Ellis did shot 85.2 percent from the field for the week.  Ellis is one of the most underrated and underpaid players in the league.  He can shot the rock and does a few other things on the court to help out as well. 

5.)  Mo Williams: 54.9% FG, 34.0 PPG, 4.0 Reb, 5.5 Ast 

Mo has had an up and down season, but this week was up.  He has shown over the past couple of years that he is a solid second-tier PG in the league.  His biggest problem seems to be staying healthy. 

4.)  Josh Smith: 47.8% FG, 14.5 PPG, 7.0 Reb, 6.5 Ast, 2.8 Stl, 4.3 Blk 

What is there really to say about this guy.  Freak is about the only word to say.  He is 2^nd in the league in blocks and plays mostly on the perimeter.  He does everything on the court and blocks shots like he was a young Alonzo Mourning, only a few inches shorter.  He should be in the dunk contest every year. 

3.)  Carmelo Anthony: 56.8% FG, 96.3 % FT, 33.3 PPG, 8.8 Reb, 3.0 Ast 

One of the best scorers in the league, and he had a 15 rebound game during the week.  After missing five games to end January he has been on fire, averaging over 30 PPG. 

2.)  LeBron James: 49.5% FG, 30.3 PPG, 8.0 Reb, 7.0 Ast, 2.8 Stl, 1.3 Blk. 

Josh Smith is a freak and LeBron is a freak among freaks.  He makes this list almost every week, and so I really have nothing more to say about him except just gawk at the numbers and watch him play as much as you can. 

1.)  Amare Stoudamire: 52.9% FG, 93.2% FT, 28.5 PPG, 13.5 Reb, 3.3 Blk 

Another one of the crazy athletes in the NBA, and one of the few guys where you can say it was a smart idea for him to skip college all together.  I’m not sure if the Shaq trade will help him or hurt him, but I guess the coming weeks will decide that for us.  Take notice of the fact the he is now a shot blocking force.  I would chalk that up to having a better understanding of the game.  He is only 25. 

Honorable Mention: Cory Maggette, Deron Williams, Al Jefferson, Rudy Gay, and Allen Iverson 

All-Star Squads Announced

The NBA All-Star teams have been announced and there are only a few surprises.  I picked my teams a couple of weeks ago and there are only two guys from each conference on my squad that did not make the actual squad.  I suppose I don’t have much to bitch about as both teams look pretty good.  Given the amount of talent in both conferences, I can’t say anyone truly got snubbed.

The eastern squad had Joe Johnson and Richard Hamilton in place of my guys, Richard Jefferson and Michael Redd.  There is not a whole lot to argue in either direction.  I just think that Redd and Jefferson have the better numbers and have improved over the last few years, where as Hamilton and Johnson have stayed about the same or, in Johnson’s case, have dipped a bit.

In the West, David West and Brandon Roy took the place of my guy’s Josh Howard and Chris Kaman.  All four of these guys are having career years, and if were not for the lack of small forwards on the West team, I would not have chosen Howard.  I still think Kaman should make it over David West.  Kaman is a much bigger defensive presence and a better rebounder, while they both score about the same. 

Regardless, I think the teams are great this year and the fan voting did not screw things up.  If Shaq would have ended up on this team, I would have been raving.  I am glad to see a few guys start to get some recognition, like West, and Jamison, and Boozer.  The league is full of great young talent and All-Star weekend could end up not being a snore.

Best of the Week (Jan. 14-20)

It was quite a week in the NBA.  The stars really shined and it was hard to whittle it all down to just a handful of players, but here they are. 

5.)  Deron Williams: 57.5% FG, 85.2% FT, 23.7 PPG, 9.3 Ast, 4.3 Reb

The 3^rd year PG is doing everything right.  I like to compare him to Jason Kidd, but he is a much better shooter and scorer.  He had a 33 point game over the week and still ended up with 10 assists.  Stockton is no longer there, but the PG position in Utah is as strong as ever. 

4.)  Lebron James:  51.9% FG, 39 PPG, 3.5 3PT’s, 8.5 Reb, 8.0 Ast, 1.5 Blk

I may as well reserve a spot for him on this list every week.  His 51 point game certainly didn’t hurt his chances this week.  There may be arguments as to who is the best player in the league, but there is little argument that anyone can stuff the stat sheet better than Lebron.  Cleveland is finally starting to play better, and they are now over .500 for the season.   

3.)  Gerald Wallace:  46.7% FG, 29 PPG, 7.8 Reb, 4.8 Ast, 3.0 Stl, 1.0 Blk

One of the best athletes in the league is now turning into a legitimate offensive juggernaut.  He had scoring games of 40 and 36 over the past week, and continued to do the other things on defense everyone has grown accustomed to him doing.  Not only that, but Wallace averaged almost 5 assists per game.  In fact he has average over 5 assists for the past month. 

2.)  Baron Davis:  48.5% FG, 84.4% FT, 26.3 PPG, 3.0 3PT’s, 7.0 Ast, 5.0 Reb, 4.5 Stl

You know it was a good week when you put up numbers like Davis did and still did not have the best week.  Davis led his team to a 3-1 record and he was all over the place on defense.  He had 7 steals in the one game that the Warriors lost.  Baron is not known for his high shooting percentages, but he had a good week shooting the ball.  His knock is that he has a hard time staying healthy, but hopefully he can pull off a full season this year.  

1.)  Marcus Camby:  11 PPG, 18.0 Reb, 3.0 Ast, 5.3 Blk, 1.5 Stl

Camby was a monster over the past week.  He had an 11 block, 24 rebound game against Utah, and a 20-20 game against Charlotte.  Normally you wouldn’t say a guy who averaged 11 points could have had the best week, but Camby is not a scorer.  He can score if he has to, but he does everything else.  He even dished out 3 assists per game.  His worst game of the week still saw him get 4 steals and grab 12 rebounds. 

Honorable Mention:  Kobe Bryant, Yao Ming, Chris Bosh, Al Jefferson, Rudy Gay, Tim Duncan, and Pau Gasol.

My Top 5 BBall Movies of All Time

#5) Celtic Pride

-A big debate for the last spot between The 6th Man, The Air up There, and this Boston bball film where two crazed fans kidnap the star player of the Utah Jazz.  Turns out I like Marlon Wayans better than Damon, Kevin Bacon and that dude from Home Alone.  And the bar/drinking/kidnapping scene is hysterical.

 #4) White Man Can’t Jump

-Billy, I even know 7 foods that start with the letter q.  I mean how many quotes can come from one movie that we still throw out today.  We goin’ Sizzler, we goin’ sizzler.  Hmmm, I guess its two if you’ve used that first one ever.  Still awesome to think basketball hustling could ever involve Woody Harrelson.

#3) He Got Game

-Spike Lee knows basketball.  Denzel is awesome and you have to pick up the soundtrack if you haven’t heard it.  This is worth purchasing solely for the sex scenes with such up and comers as Milla Jovovich and Rosario Dawson.  Oh yah, and Ray Allen has a threesome with two white chicks who are porn stars in real life.  Well played, Spike, well played.

 #2) Blue Chips

-Nick Nolte acts like himself, Shaq forgot they weren’t filming Kazaam, Penny is actually awesome, and the story alone makes it a worthwhile film.  Right along with The Program in showing stuff we’re not supposed to talk about.  What I can’t believe is Reggie Bush only took $300k while at USC.

#1) Hoosiers

-Still sets the standard for sports films.  Just in a different class than anything else and I am just realizing I might be a Gene Hackman fan.  Not sure how I feel about this.  I am going to go sit in the dark and contemplate that one for awhile.

I better not get comments for Eddie.  Chris Paul, MVP 2008 booyah!

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