Le Basketbawl

They are partying at the Palace as well as in Motown as the Detroit Pistons finally did something right after a lost season. According to the Associated Pressthe Detroit Pistons have just done the old addition by subtraction routine.  The Pistons announced Tuesday that they have relieved rookie head coach Michael Curry of his head coaching duties. Pistons President of Basketball Operations Joe Dumars told reporters that he is looking for a more experienced head coach as Detroit tries to bounce back from their worst season of the decade.

Curry was brought into replace former head coach Flip Saunders who had kept the team from Motown near the top during his reign but never could capture an NBA Championship. Curry with a roster in flux as Detroit traded Chauncey Billups for Allen Iverson just were able to get into the NBA post-season as the team got the final seed in the East with a record below .500. The Pistons made an extremely early exit as they were trampled by the Cleveland Cavaliers in a four game first round sweep.

Detroit is looking to a very active participant in the Free Agent market this Summer and reports out of the Motor City was Dumars did not think that he could attract quality players with Curry at the end of the bench. Iverson and Rasheed Wallace are both free agents which gives Detroit lots of room under the NBA salary cap.

So far two possible coaching choices have been mentioned former Bulls and Wizards head coach Doug Collins and Avery Johnson who was fired after last season as head coach of the Dallas Mavericks. Collins is now a TV Analyst for TNT while Johnson has the same job for ESPN. Last Summer there were reports of a deal almost happening between Collins and the Bulls but in the eleventh hour Collins withdrew his name from consideration.

Okay if you expect that just because New York Vinnie has his own website now that he is gonna pull his punches you are dead wrong. When you come to Le Basketbawl you are gonna read the truth not just what the Frickin suits in the NBA want you to hear. Everything is not nicey-nicey and all peaches and cream in the world of sports today you know that and I know that. So New York Vinnie is not about to pretend that it is. That just is not right!

Even though New York Vinnie’s team the Knicks are in the toilet and have been for years it does not change my love for the NBA. The NBA truly is “The Greatest Game On Earth!” And right now we are living in what is truly a Golden Age for the NBA. Think of the five guys who led the MVP race this past season; LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Dwight Howard and Chris Paul. That is just the tip of the iceberg as right now the NBA is loaded with talented players who are for the most part good guys.

However there are exceptions the guys that New York Vinnie refers to as PUDS. There are two ways that you can be designated a PUD in New York Vinnie’s book. The first way is to have talent but a lousy attitude, the second way is that you are just a stiff. So New York Vinnie would like to know who do you think the biggest PUD is playing today in the NBA?

Here are some choices: First we have the Thug Kenyon Martin. Martin has been called a thug more times than John Gotti has. The man has talent but he always looks like he is ready to get that advantage whether it is in the rules or not. This in New York Vinnie’s eyes qualify Kenyon Martin as a PUD.

Here is another guy high on New York Vinnie’s list of PUDS Stephen Jackson. New York Vinnie could never quite understand why Captain Jack got suspended for less time than Ron Artest did after the Brawl in the Palace. At least Artest was provoked what was Jackson’s reason? New York Vinnie will tell you why because he is a PUD!

As we reach the No-Talent part of our presentation nobody could represent it better than the “PUD-Master” himself Kwame Brown. If his Royal Highness Commissioner David Frickin Stern ever needs to validate why there is an age restriction now in the NBA this PUD is the proof.

So is New York Vinnie being too harsh on these guys? Or do you agree that all three qualify as PUDS? Do you have any nominees for our PUD Hall of Shame? Then share them with New York Vinnie and the World Wide Web on Le Basketbawl! 

They used to call the old Yankee Stadium the “House That Ruth Built.” Hopefully in short order they will start to call Le Basketbawl the “House That New York Vinnie Built!” Welcome to Le Basketbawl, the new home of New York Vinnie! Now I am sure you are saying to yourself right about now “Who is this Frickin Pud New York Vinnie? And Furthermore why should I give a rats patootie about what he has to say?” That is a very fair question and hopefully in the next few minutes I will be able to answer that for you!

If you had asked me a month ago if I ever pictured myself being a writer or a blogger New York Vinnie would have thought you were Frickin Nuts! I have been crazy about sports in general and New York sports in particular ever since I can remember! New York Vinnie loves baseball and football but most of all I am passionate about the NBA! To me it is the world’s greatest sport even though my team the New York Knicks have been in the toilet for years and do not look like they will escape anytime soon..

Life truly works in strange and mysterious ways you never know what will be coming around the corner! That was certainly the way that New York Vinnie became connected with Le Basketbawl. Around the middle of the month I came across a sports website and decided to check it out. New York Vinnie saw a writer getting attacked unjustly and went and stuck up for the guy. Nothing in this world bothers New York Vinnie more than bullies and Haters so I went on the attack.  Apparently some good deeds are rewarded as New York Vinnie found out via e-mail the next morning. The guy that I defended along with his two partners own a network of Blog Sites and they asked me if I would be interested in taking one over!

Now New York Vinnie is not going to be someone that everybody automatically likes! I have a lot of very strong opinions some you will agree with and others you will think are pure crappola. But I make you one promise up front you may walk away angry but you will never walk away bored from Le Basketbawl!

However this site will be nothing at all if you do not participate! The greatest thing about the World Wide Web is that it is interactive and New York Vinnie wants to know what You want to discuss as far as issues in the NBA. How did your team do in the Draft? Who is the biggest pud currently playing in the NBA? Should David Stern be the NBA Commissioner? New York Vinnie wants and needs your input. Without you our readers we are nothing, but with your help we can have all sorts of fun.

So Today Is The First Day Of The Rest of Your Life!  How about sharing some of that time with New York Vinnie at his new home Le Basketbawl?

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Roy Hibbert emerged in his rookie year, proving that he is star like he was back in Georgetown. Last year, the 7′2″ center had averaged seven points and four rebounds per game.

Although he did play only 1,009 minutes that year, seven points and four rebounds per game is very good for a rookie center, you got to admit that. Hibbert also had a 7.94 efficiency rating, which is solid for a rookie center as well.

When Hibbert came onto the court, he took advantage of his size and rebounded every ball whenever he got the chance too. His 7′2″ frame takes a big advantage and the Pacers were very lucky to get him.

His field goal percentage and free throw percentage were solid for his skills, as he had .471 in field goal percentage and was .667 in free throw percentage. Solid, isn’t it? Also, in every game, he always had at least one block. In his last three games of the season, he had three blocks per game.

Probably one of his best games was against the Detroit Pistons in the 80th game of the season. He had nine points, four blocks, and eight rebounds. He played very well that game and improved as the games went on throughout the season.

Now here we are, this year. The Pacers have a chance at Lakers’ stud, Lamar Odom. With him, it could help the team with rebounding the ball. The Pacers struggled last year and just couldn’t improve.

But now as we have seen Roy Hibbert’s skills last year, is it possible of him becoming the starter of the Indiana Pacers’ squad?

I suggest we should talk about this issue. This is the talk, the Indiana Pacers talk that is.

Roy Hibbert proved himself that he is a worthy center in National Basketball Association. With the stats he had shown last year, many fans on Indiana think he is capable of performing much much better this year.

The Pacers were lucky that they got Hibbert in a trade (he was originally drafted by the Raptors). Indiana also got Brandon Rush in a trade that sent their draft pick in Jerryd Bayless to the Portland Trail-Blazers.

With Hibbert, the Pacers performed better when he came onto the court. He added more rebounds towards the squad as well as more blocks. The Pacers are more efficient when Hibbert comes into the lineup, as I and many NBA fans probably have observed.

The Pacers now have players going into free agency, two involving power forwards/centers. Rasho Nesterovic and Josh McRoberts are the players and I don’t know if the Pacers can afford to keep them with their cap space.

If Nesterovic and McRoberts go, it’ll be Jeff Foster, Troy Murhpy, and Roy Hibbert himself competing for starting spots. My prediction would be Murphy at starting power forward while Hibbert is at the starting spot for the center position.

Is Roy Hibbert ready, though?

After seeing how he has performed, he can change the whole pace of the game with his skills. It could be one heck of a lineup seeing T.J. Ford, Brandon Rush, Danny Granger, Troy Murphy, and Roy Hibbert all in one lineup. Then don’t forget Mike Dunleavy, Jeff Foster, and Marquis Daniels who lead the way at the backup spots.

Hibbert has also proved that he won’t end up the way David Harrison went. Harrison was a disaster. He had the same frame as Hibbert and was a number one draft pick but he failed to reach his peak with Indiana (he also took PEDs). Harrison is now part of the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA).

Hibbert, I hope, surely won’t end up like Harrison.

Roy Hibbert is ready for the starting spot, and if he starts, the Pacers could be a contender for the playoffs. A 40-plus win-season could be waiting for Indiana, and that’s an opportunity no one would want to let down.

Hibbert is ready, it’s time to bring him in.

The Los Angeles Lakers have to pick between Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom to whom to sign and whom to go into free agency. Pardon the Interruption says that the Lakers should pick Trevor Ariza instead of Odom. Many people on the Internet say so as well.

And guess what?

The possibility of that happening is positive, so really, it’s going to happen. And right now, the Pacers’ bell should be ringing. They have to think about bringing in this wonderful kid, who just won his first NBA Championship.

And there may be a possible chance of him winning it again if he falls with the Pacers. With such superstars like T.J. Ford, Brandon Rush, Danny Granger, Jeff Foster, Marquis Daniels, Mike Dunleavy, Roy Hibbert, and Troy Murphy, it’s time to bring in a new face to the team.

And the kid’s name is Lamar Odom.

The Pacers have spread interest in Odom before in the 2007-2008 season when Jermaine O’Neal was at his worst in his career with Indiana. The Pacers were interested in Odom at the starting of the 2006-2007 season.

There were many trade rumors swirling that the Pacers would trade J.O. for L.O. And I actually thought it would happen, but I didn’t want one of my idols to leave my favorite team for good. He did.

The Pacers traded Jermaine O’Neal to the Toronto Raptors for the fastest player in the NBA, T.J. Ford. Although T.J. Ford isn’t a superstar point guard (just an above average one), he became a quick star with the Pacers, having career-highs in many categories.

But however, the Pacers could have went after a much better player in Lamar Odom. The Lakers would have agreed to the deal if they traded J.O. for Odom. Odom has all the skills. He has the size to take advantage of people with his 6′11″ frame. He also can shoot as I have seen him hit big shots like shots from behind and above the arc.

He’s pretty much like Troy Murphy, who has the same exact size and can do the same thing. But Odom is a thousand times better at it. And it’s true, and hopefully, I think many of you agree with me on that.

When the O’Neal for Odom rumors spread, both players felt pretty happy actually going to a new home. Odom said he was, but not much of O’Neal, who was the heart and soul of the team at the time. People then expected too much out of him as they thought of Kobe Bryant with the Lakers.

I think Odom can fit very well with the Pacers squad. And when the Pacers sign him, I think they can be the team to beat as the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls, Milwaukee Bucks, and Detroit Pistons chase after them to lead the division. Odom can make a very big difference, for sure.

The Pacers have struggled with rebounding. But with Odom on the team, I think they can be pretty successful. As watching some Pacers games on FSN, I have seen the Pacers go shoot for the long ball (many people dig it), and when one of the Pacers’ shooters don’t make it, no one is up at the rim to compete for the rebound.

And with Odom in, I think the Pacers will have a new lineup. A more improved one as well. I think they’ll change completely as they probably might start Ford at point guard, Granger as shooting forward, Rush at shooting guard, Odom at Power Forward, and they think about putting Roy Hibbert as a starting center maybe.

It’ll be a much different team, but a much better team as well. And every Indy fan will love that, wouldn’t they? I think it’s time to change, and the Pacers should.

The Pacers had three chances at getting Odom:

Trading T.J. Ford for Odom
Trading Jermaine O’Neal for Odom
Trading Ron Artest for Odom
Now they can’t waste their fourth opportunity, which may be their last. It’s time to bring him in.

Bring in the candy-obsessed Odom, because he can make a huge difference. And with him on the team, an NBA Finals title may be inching closer and closer by the second. And no one would take down that chance, would they?

I bet not.

Pau Gasol was always questioned about his toughness. Especially in last year’s NBA Finals against the Boston Celtics. He was also questioned about his toughness against point guards! Have you ever seen him dunked by Baron Davis?  

He struggled badly last year against Kevin Garnett in the NBA Finals. That series was a lop-sided match-up with ”The Big Ticket“ winning. But Pau Gasol has been struggling a bit this year in the Finals as well when he faces Dwight “Superman” Howard.

Gasol only averaged close to 15 points per game last year in the Finals. He was criticized badly not only for being overpowered by  Kevin Garnett  but also Kendrick Perkins and Leon Powe.

Gasol was so soft that when you Google up “Pau Gasol toughness” as John Hollinger of ESPN would say, there won’t be many results. I tried myself and if you look at it, there isn’t many results actually. Don’t believe me? Try it!

Gasol is soft. We all know it. He is not tough as all those players like Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O’Neal, Tim Duncan, Dwight Howard, Roy Hibbert, Ben Wallace, Amare Stoudemire, Jermaine O’Neal, Tyson Chandler, D.J. White, and all of those guys.

But in Game Four of the NBA Finals, he may have finally arrived in the Association as a “tough” player. Sure, the stats weren’t what you would call amazing (16 points and ten rebounds) but come on, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher were the stars of that game.

But in every “key juncture” (as  John Hollinger would phrase it), Gasol did what he needed to do!  He rattled the rim with his dunks, he knocked down his  shots, and made key blocks during that game. He was the big man that dominated the court not Howard!

You don’t have to take my word on the fact that Gasol’s rep improved big-time after Thursday night’s game. Here is what John Hollinger thoughts are on the subject “Gasol overcame two early fouls to do yeoman’s work defending Orlando’s Dwight Howard, the type of physical beast who was supposed to overpower Mr. Softie. Using his quickness to front the post, Gasol has denied catches throughout the series. Using his footwork after the catch, he has repeatedly put himself in Howard’s way. Yes, he had some double-team help; everybody does. But Gasol was a major factor in Howard’s committing seven turnovers. Even the three-second violations were partly his doing, as he aggressively denied the initial entry pass.”

See what I mean?

According to ”Sports Illustrated” Gasol hit the weights this year to gain his toughness and not being the Mr. Softman he was in the 2007-2008 season. This year, Gasol has got it on and has probably been  bench-pressing and other exercises with weights to get stronger (I’m doing the same kind of stuff myself!)

“I just feel stronger,” he told John Hollinger at ESPN. “I feel like the work that I put in this year has paid off and is paying off. I’m able to hold my ground a lot better, and overall I think I’m doing pretty well.”

So with that said, will Pau Gasol get tougher or softer? We don’t know but so far in the Finals he is getting better and he looks to improve further.

Now don’t go soft on me!