NBA 2008-2009

[Captain Hate]

the Mike Conley to Portland rumors are heating up. Conley hasn't looked good so far in the NBA, but reuniting him and Oden would be genius, I think, especially getting him this cheaply.

Yeah, Conley and Oden seem to have a synergy that would be worth a look-see; plus a Conley/Roy backcourt really gets me excited. With Blake substituting in for one or the other it gives a lot of options that have a significant upside imo. Pull the trigger.

I do my best to not try and sound like a homer (with occasional lapses for the Terps and Skins) but I was very impressed with the Cavs methodical dismantling of the Warriors tonight. The Golden Staters started off hot but the Cavs just stayed on them and wore them down. Adding Mo Weeyums has made this a much more solid team than was the case last year (plus not having a holdout by the Brazilian Fundamental has him playing at a much higher level). The more I think of Gordo's Vinsanity suggestion the more I like it; but I'm not sure it's needed.

[faster]

Not sure about Conley--the Blazers look so good right now.

That said, he'd be cheap, he's young, and he's supposedly a great character guy (Pritchard's got that shit tattooed on his forehead), and I'm pretty resigned that Trout is trade bait at some point. Right now I'm more worried about the return of Martell Webster, since Batum's been such a perfect role player in that starting five, disrupting passing lanes, doing the dirty work, and filling the box score pretty damn well in his short stints on the court.

I'm not counting on things continuing this way, but right now the Blazers are way better than I thought they'd be. Unfortunately, so is LA, but hey, we're young at least. You jumped off the bandwagon too soon, Jon!

[jon abbey]

I'm still watching them more than almost anyone, but they're just not as freaky athletic as my favorite teams. if Outlaw teamed up with Gay and Mayo, that would be an entertaining core (although Gay and Outlaw both seem like SFs to me).

[Enforcer]

Hilarious exchange through the media between Barkley and LeBron.

Win Barkley.

[Borat Pri Hagafen]

The New York Post reported Thursday that D’Antoni, after a number of changes to the roster, offered Marbury the opportunity to be the team’s starting shooting guard the rest of the season — which D’Antoni didn’t deny.

[jon abbey]

Hilarious exchange through the media between Barkley and LeBron.

Win Barkley.

man, not even close. LeBron is just being honest. the questions are going to keep coming, so why should he lie? Barkley, like usual, is an idiot.

[Enforcer]

Hilarious exchange through the media between Barkley and LeBron.

Win Barkley.

man, not even close. LeBron is just being honest. the questions are going to keep coming, so why should he lie? Barkley, like usual, is an idiot.

I think he's exacerbating the situation with the way he's handling it. It's two years away. Barkley is an idiot, but I agree with him on this.

[jon abbey]

well, I disagree. the situation is there, whether people choose to ignore it or not. LeBron is just being honest, just like Shaq has always been to the media. now if he said "damn right I'm going to NY in 2010", that would be disrespectful.

in the meantime, ever since NY opened up cap space, Cleveland has been on a collective mission, demolishing the opposition in every game although the competition has been pretty weak. last night they spotted GS a 10 point lead before going on a 94-56 run that allowed LeBron to sit out the fourth again.

[Enforcer]

The one thing that could make a difference for the Cavs is if they win a championship or two in these next two seasons. I mean, if the Cavs are defending NBA champs the summer of 2010, it might not be a foregone conclusion that LeBron hits the market looking for a new home. Dan Gilbert has to figure out what to do. If he's convinced there's absolutely no way LeBron stays, then he probably would be better off committing the seemingly unfathomable act of trading him.

[jon abbey]

The one thing that could make a difference for the Cavs is if they win a championship or two in these next two seasons. I mean, if the Cavs are defending NBA champs the summer of 2010, it might not be a foregone conclusion that LeBron hits the market looking for a new home.

I think this is dead on, and I think this is why NY opening up salary space will actually help Cleveland this season. now they're on a mission to keep their boy.

Dan Gilbert has to figure out what to do. If he's convinced there's absolutely no way LeBron stays, then he probably would be better off committing the seemingly unfathomable act of trading him.

I read one column that suggested this, but the reason it absolutely has zero chance of happening is that he's not going to sign an extension, and the team that trades for him will be fucked in summer 2010, no LeBron and also minus all the assets they gave up for him.

[jon abbey]

an undermanned NY team (no Nate, no Mobley, playing just 7 guys) just scored 82 in the first half against GS, the highest scoring half for NY in MSG history.

[faster]

In related news, Steve Nash is looking human in Phoenix and Chris Duhon (!) is looking Nashlike in NYC. 18 dimes to 2 turnovers? D'Antoni stock is on the rise.

[jon abbey]

yeah, Duhon finished with 22 assists, breaking the alltime NY record set by Richie Guerin in 1958 (!). he is playing too many minutes (4th in the league) and will burn out if they can't get him more rest, but hopefully Nate will be back soon and Mobley will be available at some point.

[Enforcer]

an undermanned NY team (no Nate, no Mobley, playing just 7 guys) just scored 82 in the first half against GS, the highest scoring half for NY in MSG history.

Holy crap!!

[The G Man]

Devin Harris is playing out of his mind these days. He can't be played tight because he's incredibly quick at driving to the hoop, but give him space and he's got a great pull up j. He's averaging 11.8 FTA/game, which is over triple his career average. Harris has become the go-to guy in the Nets offense, averaging 15 shots per game (making half) but it's more like 20 if you count all the times he's fouled in the act of shooting. The Nets will probably fade, but they are a surprising 8-7, 8-4 when Harris is playing and just went 3-1 on the West Coast, beating Utah and Phoenix to end the trip. Brook Lopez has played well with Josh Boone out and has probably won the starting center job.

[Harold Baines]

Derrick Rose is a ridiculous talent. Last night in Philly, he had a block on Andre Miller, took the ball the length of the floor and broke some defende ankles on the way to the hoop.

The Bulls still don't have much cohesiveness offensively, but they did go 3-4 on the circus road trip, their best since the Jordan years. Sincerely do not know what to make of this club. They faintly smell like the eighth seed in the East.

[The G Man]

The Lakers and NY Giants are both trading at the same price to win their respective championships, 28% chance.

[Enforcer]

Heh, as if on cue, the Chauncey Billups the Pistons saw in the playoffs the last three years made his first appearance with the Denver Nuggets last night.

[The G Man]

The Nets won in Philly to go three games over .500, 11-5 when Devin Harris plays. They have actually become an entertaining team. There may be a three-point shoot-out when the Knicks and Nets play on Wednesday.

[Noj]

The Lakers and NY Giants are both trading at the same price to win their respective championships, 28% chance.

If we were to have a rematch in the Finals, I don't think the Lakers can beat the Celtics unless the Lakers' bench were to thoroughly outplay the Celtics' bench. Perkins will nullify Bynum, Rondo is playing out of his mind and will use Fisher or Farmar, and Pierce/KG are just too much for Kobe/Pau. Ariza would have to shut down Ray Allen...the match ups favor Boston overall.

I think the Celtics repeat this year.

I was watching Boston whoop up on Portland the other night, and the announcer had the gall to say the Celtics "don't have as much star power as some of the other teams" with some nauseating crap about how they "outwork" other teams. I threw up a little in my mouth.