Le Basketbawl

There has to be something in Madison Square Garden that has a toxic effect on formerly respected NBA personnel. Maybe it’s Radon, but what ever it is it seems to take hold quickly and completely, making the victim an incompetent version of what he once was. Dave Checketts was it’s victim a man who came in to run the New York Knickerbockers with a pretty good reputation, and resume. He was fired a few years later, the team in shambles, his reputation in tatters. Larry Brown has felt it’s wrath. Whether you love the “Nomad of the NBA” or despise him you have to admit the man know how to win. Not with the New York Knicks, fired after an abysmal season one year into a multi-year contract.

Isiah Thomas had a checkered past by the time he came to New York. Not successful in his stint as an executive with the Toronto Raptors, and he bought and then destroyed the Continental Basketball Association. He did do a good job as head coach of the Indiana Pacers, but was fired when the team brought in Larry Bird to run Basketball Operations. Bird replaced him with sidekick Rick Carlisle. Knickerbockers Team Owner James Dolan, then handed over the keys to Zeke and gave him complete control of the club. Thomas proceeded to turn the team into one of the Association’s bottom dwellers, first as Team President, and then taking on the duties of head coach. Dolan signed Isiah to an extension in March of 2007, a move he would regret the next season when he decided Zeke had to go.

Dolan brought in a new regime at the end of last season, the first move was to bring in Donnie Walsh as Team President. Walsh then had to make the decision whether to keep Thomas as head coach. Although there was plenty of public posturing before hand, Walsh felt it was time to put a new bench boss in charge. There was still the matter of the money owed Zeke from the ill-thought out contract extension.

Walsh offered Thomas a buy-out at a reduced rate. Zeke, held firm that he wanted all the money owed to him contractually. They reached a compromise, Thomas would be in purgatory. He was still an employee of the team, but had no duties, no responsibilities, no powers, no office. He was to have no contact with anyone on the team except for Walsh and Dolan.

As a businessman, I realize Walsh did what was best for the company. He was trying to protect his owner from a bad decision Dolan had previously made. Walsh’s loyalty is to Dolan and the team, not to Thomas. If Walsh was president of a sprockets company, it would be considered a brilliant move. As Team President of an NBA Franchise, it looks petty, cheap, and vindictive.

Walsh brought in former Phoenix Suns coach Mike D’Antoni to be the bench boss. D’Antoni was available due to a difference in philosophy with Phoenix management. D’Antoni was a winning coach from a winning team, and it looked like things were finally starting to turn around for New York.

Walsh decided this Summer that he was ready to draw another line in the sand, this time with a player. Before traning camp started their were reports in the NYC Tabloids, that the Knicks wanted to buyout perennial “Problem Child” Stephon Marbury. The reports said that Walsh would offer “Starbury” a reduced rate buy-out for this the last year of his contract for his freedom.

Marbury told reporters “There wouldn’t be no negotiation. They’re going to give me all my money. If they want to waive me and give me all my money, fine. If not, I’ll try to help this organization win the championship. They told me to come to camp in the best shape of my life and I did that. But I don’t want to be in a place I’m not wanted.”

Marbury had come into camp in the best shape he had been in years. He said all the right things during the exhibition season. He told reporters that he wanted to win more than to be a starting point guard. If it meant that the team was better off with him coming in off the bench, no problem. Whether the same conversations were had with D’Antoni and Walsh or not Marbury was told just before the season he would not be activated. He would sit on the bench in street clothes every game.

The Knicks got off to a good start at the beginning of the season above .500 at 6-4 in ten games. One of the team’s other “Problem Children” (they have a few) Zach Randolph was playing as if he was on a mission. Through 10 games he averaged 20.8 points, 12.9 rebounds, per game. In the last five games during that streak Randolph averaged 22.8 points, 14.8 rebounds per game, scoring 29 points in a win over Oklahoma City, 27 points, 18 rebounds, in an overtime loss to Dallas.

That Friday Walsh completed two trades, sending their most consistent player Jamal Crawford to Golden State for disgruntled veteran forward Al Harrington. Hours later he sent Randolph and guard Mardy Collins to the L.A. Clippers for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas. The reason behind the deals? Freeing up salary cap space in 2010. So what Walsh did was break up a successful team for possible success in 2010. With the Knicks finally a team that looked like it could possibly do some damage in the Eastern Conference this season, he blew that up for a chance to land a big name free agent in 2010. For Knicks fans that must have been like taking a cupcake out of a starving persons hands with the promise that they would do their best to get you cake and ice cream in two years!

Because of the loss of guards due to the trades and injuries D’Antoni has had to go hat in hand to “Starbury” twice in the last week, asking him to play. According to D’Antoni the veteran out right refused to play. Marbury says he would never do that, that would be insubordination. Instead he indirectly questioned the team’s motives by asking D’Antoni about the team not wanting his services earlier. Marbury says D’Antoni told the guard that he understood where he was coming from, and walked away.

Friday the “New York Post” reported that the team had suspended Marbury for a game without pay, and fined for another game’s wages for refusing to play Wednesday night as the Knicks were pummeled by the Detroit Pistons. Walsh told reporters “A player’s central obligation is to provide professional services when called upon. Because he refused the coach’s request to play in the team’s last game, we had no choice but to impose disciplinary action.” The NBA Players Association is appealing the action.

Marbury told the Post that he did not refuse an order to play. He said that it was time for the parties to separate, and he has no trust what so ever in D’Antoni. He told the paper he would not trust the coach to walk his dog.

Every action has ramifications, both long term and short. The Knicks are doing this to one of their players is not the way to attract D-Wade or Amare Stoudemire in 2010 (Sorry Knicks fan, you are not getting LeBron James. There is no way he will ever allow himself to be part of this joke of a franchise. The only reason he is not saying it publicly is he is far too savvy to ever block any option. The more teams that want him, the harder Cavaliers G.M. Danny Ferry will work to get him a Championship cast.) These guys will remember this, and could be the difference in your getting them or not.

James Dolan made a lot of bad moves over the last few years. Dolan and Walsh can be men and accept responsibility for the mistakes and move on. Or they can remain petty and vindictive and be stuck in their morass for a long time. The choice is theirs.

Washington Wizards
Coach: Eddie Jordan
Projected Finish: 44-38

Analysis
The greatest team that almost was? The Washington Wizards should have at least made the Eastern Conference Finals by now with all that talent. Injuries, however have made the team a first round victim three years straight. Agent Zero again has problems with the knee that has plagued him for the last two seasons. The window of opportunity is closing quickly.

NBA Preview; Southeast Division

Want to be a basketball coach and have job security? Than get yourself a teaching certificate, and get hooked up with a high school. Preferably one that puts teaching ahead of winning. Stay away from private schools, the parents get too involved. The higher you go up the coaching chain the less security you will have. Division One colleges are a crap shoot, the alumni will only put up with losing so long.

By the time you get to the pinnacle coaching in the NBA, you realize every day could be your last. No greater proof is needed than  Phil Jackson. The best coach in the Association in the post Red Auerbach, did not have his contract renewed by the Chicago Bulls, and the Los Angeles Lakers. That tells you all you need to know.

As you go through the teams in the NBA there are two coaches who will most likely have their jobs as long as they want them. That would be the San Antonio Spurs coach Gregg Popovich, and the Utah Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. Doc Rivers in Boston probably now has a Teflon coating in Boston, as does Jackson in L.A.  Mike Brown in Cleveland and Byron Scott in New Orleans would seem to be safe in their positions as well. 

There have been two firings within the past week, both understandable, one justifiable. The justifiable one was the first one as P.J. Carlesimo was released by the Oklahoma  City Thunder after a 1-12 start. Why the “Team Formerly Known As The Seattle SuperSonics” hired Carlesimo never really made sense. Was he just a place setter for the team to get through the final season in the Northwest? Scott Brooks now has a chance to see if he can be a diamond in the rough, or just one more interim coach in the history of the Association.

The other firing was understandable, but not justified. Eddie Jordan was cast over the side of the “S.S. Washington Wizards” basically, due to problems that he did not cause. Washington General Manager Ernie Grunfeld, knew he was rolling the dice when he re-signed free agent guard Gilbert Arenas to a long term contract. Although, the long term results may end up being successful, Grunfeld has come up with snake eyes in this still young NBA campaign.

When “Agent Zero” is healthy, he is a legitimate NBA All-Star, an elite player. He has great game, and charisma, a great interview win or lose. Unfortunately Arenas has enjoyed healthy status too infrequently in the last couple of seasons. Arenas has been attempting to come back from a knee injury, that has landed him on the injured list for huge chunks of time since the 2006-2007 season.  Arenas has had 3 separate surgeries on the same knee. He has started this season on the injured list, and Washington has not been able to fill the void. Center Brendan Haywood may end up missing the season after having surgery on his shooting wrist, which has only increased the Wizards woes.

Jordan was a highly respected, and highly sought after assistant coach with the New Jersey Nets when the Wizards hired him in June of 2003. Jordan was part of the coaching staff that led to back to back appearances in the NBA Finals in 2002, and 2003. The Nets had lost both times, but it was the only two times the team has ever been in the Finals in their history in the Association. Washington wooed him, and a year later their choice paid off, as the team made the playoffs in his second season.

The following season a rivalry was born, between the Wizards and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Wizards had post season experience, where as the Cavaliers were making their maiden voyage. Cleveland had home court advantage in the series, but many NBA observers had predicted Washington would win. A six game roller coaster series ensued with the Cavaliers winning in six games in D.C. Both teams had all their weapons and matched up against each other quite well.

The two opponents met in the playoffs the following two years, in 2007 without Arenas and Caron Butler. Butler was healthy in 2008, but Arenas played hurt at the beginning of the series, and then finally just shut it down.

Jordan accumulated the third most wins as a coach in team history, even with the injuries. The team had the talent, but not the karma on their side, and Jordan was the sacrificial lamb. Wizards G.M. Grunfeld was more responsible for the team’s poor start than Jordan was, but he apparently still has the confidence of the club’s owner Abe Polin.

Jordan is a a good coach and in the long run, this firing may work out as a blessing in disguise. A few seasons ago, another young promising coach was fired by the Orlando Magic, when that team was beset by injuries. That young coach would be hired again, and win the NBA Finals last June as head coach of the Boston Celtics.

The New York Knicks certainly made a splash on the trade front to start off this weekend as they traded Jamal Crawford to the Golden State Warriors for disgruntled forward Al Harrington; they made a trade later on, sending Zach Randolph and Mardy Collins to NBA purgatory the Los Angeles Clippers for Cuttino Mobley and Tim Thomas. At first glance, one might think why did the Knicks do this deal? Let’s dissect this one, shall we?

Firstly, Donnie Walsh has always liked Harrington; both have a history back when Harrington and Walsh were with the Indiana Pacers a decade ago, yet I don’t think that he is in New York’s long-term plans, in light of his current contract (can you say “rent-a-player”?). There’s this thing that the Knicks has been working on since last season – big-time salary cap relief.

One may also think why trade the best player on your team (Crawford) for Harrington? Again, it was for salary cap relief – pure and simple. Randolph and Collins to the Clippers? Pretty much for the same reason. Then there’s the Stephon Marbury factor; expect the Knicks to release him at any time, which frees up even more money for the future. Folks, the Knicks are looking at the big picture with these transactions – the big picture being one LeBron James.

It’s no big secret that the Knicks have coveted James for what seems like forever, and they are simply firing the pre-emptive strikes to get their man; so in essence, New York is sacrificing 2008 and probably 2009 in order to get James. Also keep in mind that with the salary cap relief they will realize with these transactions, they will be able to afford not one but 2 “max contracts”; what this will mean is that come 2010, not only will they try to secure James, but because of the mother lode of free agents available in 2010 (read: Chris Bosh, Dwyane Wade, etc.), the Knicks will indeed have not only the money but the options to make some noise just before the 2010 season kicks off.

So don’t confuse the Knicks’ recent trades as transactions designed to provide personnel fits that are compatible; if that was the case, then Crawford would still be in New York right now. So as it stands right now, Walsh and the Knicks are fully prepared to make that run to get James and perhaps another superstar in 2 years’ time. Of course, this exercise by the Knicks will not mean a thing if James decides to remain in Cleveland come 2010. If that’s the case, then Walsh better have a Plan B, otherwise, the Knicks will have wasted two years of their existence in their quest to obtain the best player in the NBA – which would be a shame.

Since the earliest days of the National Basketball Association’s existence, big men dominated the game. Starting in the late 1940’s when the league discovered it’s first superstar in George Mikan who was the prototype of the NBA center, giants ruled the court. Mikan looked like Clark Kent on stilts, with his dark rimmed glasses, but on the floor he was Superman. Mikan was so dominant in his time, that once when his team played at MSG in New York the marquee read, “George Mikan and the Minneapolis Lakers” which caused him to take a ration of ribbing from his teammates. They jokingly threatened that they would not join him on the court because they were just superfluous.

For the next 50 years, it was the “Age Of The Center” in the NBA. Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul-Jabar, Bob Lanier, Patrick Ewing, Hakeem Olajuwon, Shaquille O’Neal, were just some of the most celebrated behemoths to rule the hardwood. It was the time of the athlete, who was around 7 foot tall, give or take an inch, and they played with their backs to the basket, and dominated the game.

Although Yao Ming, from the Houston Rockets, and Dwight Howard from the Orlando Magic could easily be included on the list of great NBA centers, they are now the exception not the rule. The game started to change back in the mid 1980’s when Ralph Sampson came into the league. Sampson probably was born 10 years too early, but his style of play helped the game evolve. Sampson well over seven feet, was a frustrated small forward. He was not a banger, he was a finesse player. He could dribble, create his own shot, and had a pretty decent outside jumper. The problem was that Sampson was the proverbial square peg in the round hole, and the league never really knew what to make of him. But since Sampson’s brief NBA career ended, we have seen many NBA center who now play the style that Sampson brought to the Houston Rockets back in the 1980’s.

Just as the end of the age of the dinosaurs ended, allowing homo sapiens to become the dominant species on the planet, the age of the big man’s decline has allowed the NBA to morph into a different game. Instead of guys, like Gilmore, Parish, Walton, and Sikma leading the way there has been a change effecting the way the game is played. The NBA is no longer a center dominated league, it has turned into a league where the court leader now on most teams is the smallest man on the court, the point guard.

Although there have been some incredible point guards over the years, Bob Cousy, Tiny Archibald, Isiah Thomas, there has never been the abundance of quality floor generals in the league as there are today. Whether it’s the cagey veteran Jason Kidd in Dallas, or the fresh faced rookie Derrick Rose, there is almost an embarrassment of riches. With very few exceptions most NBA General Managers have come to realize, in order to get deep into the playoffs, you need to have that floor leader, that quarterback on the floor. And if you look at the standings, you will see in most cases, the impact that an elite point guard has for a team’s success.

If you are a regular reader of mine, you know how much I admire the game of New Orleans Hornets point Chris Paul. Since his days playing at Wake Forest Paul has been destined for greatness in the NBA. Now in his fourth year in the league, last season other observers started to see the greatness in this young man that I have seen since his college days. I said before, during, and after, the 2007 NBA Draft that in my mind Mike Conley Jr. has the chance to be the most complete player drafted that Summer. Conley showed me during the NCAA Tournament in March of 2007 that he was ready to make the leap to the pros. And of course in the 2008 NBA Draft the Chicago Bulls picked Derrick Rose with the number one pick. So far in the young NBA campaign he has at least met if not exceeded expectations.

You travel down the Eastern Seaboard, you have Devin Harris, in New Jersey, Jameer Nelson in Orlando. Go towards the West, you have Chauncey Billups in Denver, the amazing Deron Williams in Utah, Steve Nash in Phoenix, veteran Derek Fisher with the Lakers, Baron Davis with the Clippers. And all these players have a major impact on their individual teams.

This trend has changed the game, I think for the better. Scoring has started to rise again in the NBA, no it’s not the Denver Nuggets basketball of the 1980’s every night, but we have already seen some games like that this season. Life evolves, Society’s change, the NBA is a different game than it was 20-25 years ago. Better or worse you be the judge, but for a “Basketball Purist” like myself I like this direction. The league is a lot more fun and exciting than it was during the days of Chuck Daly’s Pistons, and Pat Riley’s Knicks, and it is you the fan who benefits the most.

Granted it is a new year in the NBA and I wanted to take some time to remember the finer things in life WOMEN! The only good thing about the winter is basketball and DANCERS! After a thorough review, we’ve decided to rank the hottest dance teams in the NBA. As you all know, I am a Philly native. So I had to give the nod to the 76ers Dance Team – The most beautiful women in basketball!

What I respect most is the fact the team did the photoshoot for their calendar in Philadelphia, right on the waterfront. They didn’t need to fly to Aruba, Key West, or the Bahamas. They have such confidence in their sex appeal that they stayed true to Philly! Fresh off a Final Four finish in the NBA.com Dance Team Bracket Contest, the Sixers dancers know how to get it done. Don’t forget to look at the last picture with a bottle of champagne and a 76ers dancer!
 

And that is just five of them!

Can we say? Just one night? Pllllleeeaaasssseeee!

(more…)

I have always marched to the beat of a different drummer since I was a little boy. I have never had any hesitation questioning authority. When I was much younger I did it in an abrasive in your face manner, which I quickly learned was not the route to go. You get labeled as a malcontent, and a troublemaker. While I thought I was fighting for truth, justice, and the American Way, authority figures just perceived me as an unnecessary headache. I still question authority today, but I have learned the art of being tactful and diplomatic.

Even though I have learned to be far less strident, I still don’t take things at face value. I have to be convinced before I believe something, even if it is being presented by so called “experts.” If it quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it usually is a duck. However the key word is usually, it’s not always a duck!

Since the end of the 2008 NBA Finals, I have felt like a voice in the wilderness bucking conventional wisdom. As soon as the Boston Celtics held the NBA Championship trophy in their hands, the speculation started in the media. Every time a franchise made a move in the off-season, according to many members of the media, it was with one thing in mind. How that NBA team could best position themselves to acquire Cleveland Cavaliers All-Star forward LeBron James.

As the Summer wore on the speculation increased. From the studios of ESPN to some guy writing a blog in his parent’s basement in Elko, Nevada it seemed like anyone who had any interest in the NBA was consumed by where LBJ would end up. Earlier this month the Detroit Pistons were the latest name put into the mix after they traded Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess to Denver in return for Allen Iverson. Iverson is in the last year of a deal worth about $21 million, so they will have salary cap flexibility, if they choose not to retain him.

The two most prominent names that keep coming up are the New York Knicks and the New Jersey Nets.  The Nets will be relocating to Brooklyn, supposedly sometime before LeBron’s career would end. (We really are moving, it’s just another in a series of temporary setbacks) New York of course is the media capital of the planet, and the Association according to the “experts“ want LBJ to play there.

I could not disagree more with the so called “experts“ because their logic is totally flawed. The New York Knicks last won an NBA Championship in 1973, long before most of today’s fans were on the planet. The New Jersey Nets have never won an NBA Championship. Yet the Association seems to be fine, getting the highest TV ratings in years last June for the NBA Finals.

As much as media members from New York or Bristol, Connecticut would proclaim NYC to be the Mecca for the NBA, it just is not true! Most NBA fans care very little about the Knicks and the Nets outside of their fan base. They are not the Yankees of basketball, they are not “America’s Teams.” The two franchises in the Association that could make that claim were in the Finals last June, the Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics.

It best serves the purposes of the NBA if LeBron James re-signs with the Cleveland Cavaliers, it’s just that simple. Why, you ask? Because before the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Lottery and drafted LeBron James, they were a moribund and dying franchise. In a three sport town, they were number four. Before LeBron James started playing for the Cavaliers most residents of Northeast Ohio thought that the then named Gund Arena was a storage facility for the Cleveland Indians who played at Jacobs Field next door.

The Cavaliers have become a viable franchise since LBJ started his NBA career. They played in their first NBA Finals in 2007, and are a legitimate contender to return this June. With the addition of guard Mo Williams, and the retention of guard Delonte West they are among the elite teams in the NBA Eastern Conference. They are one of the biggest drawing teams on the road in the Association, and have become a team that consistently puts fannies in the seats at Cleveland’s Q Arena.

That would all vanish in a heartbeat if LBJ were to leave Cleveland, the Cavaliers know it as does the NBA front office. You might as well tear down the Arena, and put salt on the earth so nothing can ever grow their again. The Cavaliers would be the team to move to Seattle, and the NBA would be dead for ever more in the city of Cleveland.

Why would anybody think that turning a thriving team into a grave yard would possibly be in the Association’s best interest? As I wrote earlier, the logic is flawed. Best case scenario for all involved is for LeBron James to keep on playing in Cleveland. The New York Knicks and New Jersey Nets would love to acquire him, but they will draw regardless. If the NBA wants Cleveland to remain a viable market then they need LeBron James to re-sign with the team from Northeast Ohio.

I don’t remember what the scene I am about to describe is from, it could be a movie, or from a TV sitcom. An actor was about to shoot a scene, when he asked the suit (possibly a producer, I’m a bit hazy on the details) what was his character’’s motivation. The suit, looked at the guy as if he had two heads, and asked the actor what he meant. The actor was apparently a “method actor” who needed to know a character’s back story, in order to do the scene. The suit looked at him, and said “Your motivation is getting paid.” The actor looked back a the suit and said “Gotcha.”

Getting paid is not the motivation for NBA players after they have signed their contract. Unlike their counterparts in the NFL most contracts in the NBA are guaranteed. Although I will not reveal this person’s name, I actually had a player a few years ago that once they had signed a big contract, they no longer worried about anything. As you can probably imagine, after that player’s contract ended, his NBA career was also over.

Most professional ball players in any of the big three sports (NBA, NFL, MLB) are motivated by pride, and competition. That is a major reason that they have reached the pinnacle of their respective sports. Talent is of course a necessity, but the right attitude, the correct mind-set, is just as important. You can be taught skills by others, only you can motivate yourself.

Every once in a while though you see a player make a dramatic transformation. So far in this young NBA season a perfect example of that has been New York Knicks big man Zach Randolph. The 27 year old veteran now in his eighth NBA campaign is in his second season in New York, after being traded by the Portland Trail Blazers on the day of the 2007 NBA Draft. Randolph was as much as a hindrance as a help last season for the dysfunctional Knicks. Although he averaged a double-double (17.6 ppg, 10.3 rpg) for the campaign reportedly he was a distraction for the team on and off the court.

When Donnie Walsh became Team President, and Mike D’Antoni became head coach last Spring it appeared that Randolph’s days as a Knicks player were numbered. However it takes at least two teams to consummate a trade, and New York could not find a willing partner. There were rumors of deals with Milwaukee and Memphis, but if they had any validity they died before happening.

As of right now, it appears that New York being forced to retain Randolph may have worked out in their favor.  The Knicks after losing an overtime contest to the Dallas Mavericks that they probably should have won on Sunday night are 6-4. The Knicks were never over .500 at any point last season. One of the main reasons they have had  the early season success has been the play of Randolph. Through 10 games he has averaged 20.8 points, 12.9 rebounds, per game. In his last five games Randolph has averaged 22.8 points, 14.8 rebounds per game, scoring 29 points in a win Friday over Oklahoma City, 27 points, 18 rebounds, in the loss to Dallas.

So what has been the motivating factor behind the “New And Improved” Zach Randolph?  There would appear to be three credible theories for the improvement. The first being, Randolph had an epiphany, an awakening, over the Summer and saw the error of his ways. Definitely the most warm and fuzzy of the scenarios, but unfortunately not the most believable. Which leaves us with two both involving D’Antoni and/or Walsh. 

Either the New York brain-trust told him in order to play with the Knicks and keep his behind off the bench, he had to adopt a new attitude. The other possibility, is they told Randolph that if he wants to be traded to another team he had to adopt a new attitude. Is this a temporary truce of convenience, or has Randolph bought into the program? And if it is a plan to make him marketable to trade, can the parties change their minds? Or has the bridge between Randolph and the team been damaged way beyond repair?

For what ever the reason Zach Randolph has been focused on the court, and been a dominant player for New York in the young campaign. We will have to wait and see, if it continues, and if it does where Randolph ends the season with. But at least as of now, it has been a win/win relationship.