Le Basketbawl

Remember a couple of years back when you would be watching a game on the TV being broadcast from The Palace At Auburn Hills and you would hear the home crowd start to chant “Dee-Troit Basketball” ? New York Vinnie has the feeling you are not going to be hearing that cheer too often this coming season because the Detroit Pistons are not going to give their fans a whole lot to Frickin cheer about.

 ”MLive.com” has reported it has come down to this for the once proud and mighty team from Motown. Their choice for starting center will be between a  Frickin has-been, a Frickin never-was, and the by far the biggest Frickin bust to be taken with the number one pick in the NBA Draft this decade. The Pistons candidates are Ben Wallace, Chris Wilcox and the PUD himself Kwame Brown.

According to the report only two players  are barring injury guaranteed to be starters for Detroit in the upcoming season; Rodney Stuckey at the point and Tayshaun Prince at the small forward. The report states that Richard Hamilton is not a lock at the shooting guard position and former Milwaukee Bucks  forward Charlie Villanueva will have to win the starting  power forward slot. That of course will be complimented by the guy who looks to be the smallest Frickin liability in the pivot. And all that will be orchestrated by a rookie head coach in John Kuester who will most likely be regretting he left his old job as an assistant coach with the Cleveland Cavaliers sometime in January.

The team that was one of the elite teams of the decade before last season is no longer. Chauncey Billups was traded last year for Allen Iverson making the Denver Nuggets a great team and causing Detroit to fall apart at the seams. Rasheed Wallace looks like he is going to be a team player for the Boston Celtics and Antonio McDyess will give the San Antonio Spurs some depth in their front-court.

New York Vinnie has already asked why Joe Dumars spent money for Free Agents where he already had depth. Even at this age New York Vinnie believes that Hamilton is a better fit as a starter than former Chicago Bulls guard Ben Gordon. And Gordon has shown he is ineffective off the bench. Villanueva as far as New York Vinnie is concerned is not much of an upgrade from the guy they already have in Jason Maxiell. When we last saw Ben Wallace he looked like was ready for a Frickin walker as the Cavaliers lost to the Orlando Magic.

The Pistons will be lucky if they do squeak into the Post Season this Spring as they did last season. The fans at The Palace will be doing a lot of sitting on their hands this season as the Pistons will be just a shadow of the team that they once were.

As much grief as New York Vinnie gives the Minnesota Timberwolves I have always said that they have a Frickin superstar in the making in their center Al Jefferson. He was the lynch-pin for the T-Wolves trading Kevin Garnett to the Boston Celtics two years ago. Jefferson was one of the few Frickin highlights of a pretty low year in Minnesota last season as he averaged 23.1 points, 11 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game. Unfortunately the big man tore the ACL in his right knee and he had season ending surgery in February.

Jefferson not only has skills but he has smarts also; he lost 31 pounds in the off-season so there would be less weight for his recuperating knee to have to carry. Jefferson told the “Associated Press”  that he can feel the difference out on the court during the team’s early workout sessions. The center said “It felt real good. It’s more about my lungs than anything. My knee felt great. Felt good to be back out here with the team.”

Jefferson was informed that the T-Wolves are putting more of a run oriented offense than they have used in the past so he knew he had to drop the pounds. He told reporters “We want to run this year. They made that clear. When David Kahn came, he said that’s what he wants to do. When Kurt came, he said that’s what he wants to do. So I was like, ‘I better get with it or I might be benched.’ I know they’re not going to wait for me to get down there to post up. So I better get this weight off so they don’t leave me down there.”

That is the kind of attitude that seperates the great from the good.  Al Jefferson will be one of the keys in what ever success the Minnesota Timberwolves will have in the next few years.

Yo Delonte; it is time to “Man-Up” and do what you have to do, and the sooner you do it the better off you are going to be. The “Associated Press” has reported that Cleveland Cavaliers troubled guard Delonte West did not show up again on Wednesday for the team’s workout session. This is the second day in a row that West has missed the mandatory workouts and both absences were unexcused.

General Manager Danny Ferry has been in contact with last year’s starting guard and the club says he is dealing with “personal issues.” West suffers from bi-polar disorder and was arrested earlier this month in Maryland while he was off his medication. The Cavaliers guard who will be heading into his sixth NBA season was found to be in possession of two concealed, unlicensed handguns as well as a shot gun inside a guitar case that was strapped to his back.

Ferry would not talk to the media but the team has let it be known that West will be fined for missing the sessions. Last year West missed 10 days of the Cavaliers training camp while dealing with his emotional issues. Cavaliers All-Star forward and NBA MVP LeBron James told reporters that he and his teammates support their missing comrade. James said “We’ve been around this block before with Delonte, so we know how to handle it. I’m sure he’ll be OK. Basketball has nothing to do with what’s going on. He needs to take as much time as he needs, and when he comes back, we’ll welcome him as we’ve always done.”

Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown is trying to be understanding however he sttill has a team to run and a season to prepare for. Brown told reporters “We’re all concerned about Delonte’s well-being. We love him and we’re all in the same family. “But in the same breath, we’re all paid to do a job and that’s what we’re doing. I’ve got 18 guys here I have to coach every day and that’s what I’m doing.”

Delonte when New York Vinnie was kid I used to watch a lot of those old Westerns on TV. One line has always stuck with New York Vinnie that one of those characters said in some flick. He said “Sometimes a ma’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do!” This is one of those things My Man “You Gotta Do!”

Delonte we all deal with our inner Frickin demons every day; some folks handle it better than others and those are the people who reach the Frickin top. You are a tough player on the hardwood My Man and New York Vinnie believes you are also tough enough to overcome this challenge.

New York Vinnie told you that the Boston Celtics were going to be a good influence on the veteran they signed over the summer Rasheed Wallace. And according to reports from the “Boston Globe” Sheed’s demeanor might already be improving. The big man  who won an NBA Title with his former team the Detroit Pistons has always been known for his volatile personality. In fact because Wallace is so combustible he has picked up 296 technical fouls and been ejected a total of 24 times during his NBA career.

But Wallace is not allowing the fact that there will be replacement referees working at least the NBA preseason games as the game officials are tangled up in broken down contract negotiations with the league. When Wallace was asked by a reporter his thoughts on the replacement officials he replied “I know there’s going to be a lot of stupid star calls like it is with the old refs, so I don’t there’s going to be too much change.”

Sheed was asked if he thought he would be given a fair shake by the subs. He responded “I hope so. Of course I know they are going to come in all happy-go-lucky ‘Oh I have Sheed Wallace a tech tonight, ha ha ha.’ But I could care less about that. As long as we go out there and win, if I’m on the floor, oh fine. If I’m not on the floor, I think guys are still talented enough on this team with their high IQ to get that W.”

New York Vinnie follows the NBA pretty closely and I do not remember Wallace talking as much about just playing for the wins and the team in his entire stint with the Pistons as he has done since joining Boston. There are a lot of reasons for an NBA fan not to like Rasheed Wallace; however him being a phony has never been on that list. It appears that Wallace at least so far has bought into the Celtics team philosophy. If he stays that way for the entire season it will be a big factor in getting Boston another banner for their rafters.

Your Old Pal New York Vinnie has not been shy about expressing my disdain for Golden State Warriors team captain forward Stephen Jackson. However New York Vinnie has been relatively mild in his criticism of the veteran up until now; but those days are now over the gloves are now off. Stephen Jackson may have talent on the hardwood and he has been blessed to make a lot of money utilizing those skills. He is also in New York Vinnie’s opinion the least respectful piece of Crappola playing in the NBA in the present era. In fact he will no longer have the nickname of “Captain Jack” here at the “House That New York Vinnie Built” Le Basketbawl. As of this moment he has been rechristened “Captain PUD.”

If there was any doubt if “Captain PUD” had even one cell of class in his entire body those doubts were erased on Monday. According to the “Associated Press” Jackson addressed reporters Monday as he took part in the Golden State Warriors Media Day. Unlike most professional athletes Stephen Jackson should be a roll model for your children. He should be the standard of what you do not want your child to be like when they reach adult hood. Notice that New York Vinnie did not use the phrase “Grow up”; quite simply because “Captain PUD” has never grown up and he most likely never will.

Calling the media who were waiting to talk to him at the event “vultures” Jackson talked about the events that led him into hot water earlier this month. That was when the veteran told a member of the media he wanted to be traded from the Warriors less than a year after signing a three year contract extension with the club. The Golden State forward told reporters “What I said is how I feel, point-blank. That’s not going to change.”

When a reporter asked him about his ill advised comments Jackson responded “Don’t ask me questions I already answered,” he said. “I feel the same way I felt last time. Y’all know I got fined, so don’t ask me the questions if you don’t want me to get fined. Kobe said the same thing two years ago and didn’t get a fine, but we’re not going to beat a dead horse. They know they’re wrong. But I can’t beat the NBA so I’ve got to roll with it.”

When asked by a reporter why he made public his desire to be traded by telling a member of the media Jackson said “I mean, you gotta hear it some way. You want me to send you an e-mail, Facebook or something? I’m a grown man, I have six kids, I’m married now, so I speak my mind. I thought I had freedom of speech but obviously I don’t.”

Now on this particular point New York Vinnie has no beef with Jackson. New York Vinnie wrote a column the day that “Captain PUD” was fined 25 grand by the NBA League offices stating that the NBA should have stayed out of a situation that was clearly between a player and his team. Golden State head coach Dion Nelson said he had no problem with Jackson’s statements and he would remain the team captain. “The Mighty And Powerful” NBA Commissioner David Stern should have stayed totally out of the situation.

“Captain PUD” was asked why he signed the extension if he truly did not want to play for the Warriors. He replied “Who’s going to turn down that money? I’m not stupid. I didn’t go to college but I’ve got a lot of common sense,” he said. “Even though I signed my extension, that doesn’t mean things can’t happen. Shaq got traded. Michael Jordan went to another team.”

Yo Einstein; Michael Jordan Frickin retired and then signed a Free Agent contract to play with the Washington Wizards. He did not sign a three year Frickin extension and then act like a no class punk and demand to be traded. You signed the Frickin deal you Scumbago; no one put a Frickin gun to your head and forced you to do it. You could have tested the Free Agent market and seen if another team besides the Warriors would have been foolish enough to offer you the same amount of money. You knew nobody else would so you signed the Frickin deal. Now you want your Frickin cake and to be able to eat it too! Life just does not work like that “Captain Pud.”

Jackson told reporters he had no misgivings about what he stated earlier this month. He said “I don’t have a regret about anything I’ve done. I don’t have a regret about going in the stands with Ron Artest. I say what I want to say when I feel like it, regardless of what the consequence is. That’s just always been me.”

“Captain Pud” there may be a lower more despicable athlete currently playing somewhere in professional sports; however if there is New York Vinnie can not think of any. New York Vinnie would not want you on his team, on his street, in his city and I am pretty disturbed we even have to live in the same Country. You represent not only everything bad in Pro Sports but in our society as well. Life has a way of coming back when you least expect it and take a chomp out of your behind. I can not say that New York Vinnie will feel the least bit sorry when it happens to you.

The “Associated Press” has reported that Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West was M.I.A. for the team’s first workout session on Tuesday. Cleveland head coach Mike Brown said that the player who is heading into his sixth season in the NBA had not been excused from the session and that Brown had not heard from him. The coach was hoping West would be in attendance at the second workout session Tuesday evening. Brown said that Cavaliers General Manager Danny Ferry was attempting to contact the player to find out what the situation was.

West was at the team’s Media Day on Monday and spoke with the press but would not talk about his arrest earlier this month. The Cavaliers guard who will be heading into his sixth NBA season was found to be in possession of two concealed, unlicensed handguns as well as a shot gun inside a guitar case that was strapped to his back.

Delonte, New York Vinnie is  pulling for you My Man for you to beat your inner-demons. But you can’t be pullinng Crapola like not showing up for practice. It looks like right now your arrest will result in just a slap on the wrist. Don’t make things worse My Man by being a Problem Child. You will soon regret it; so keep your nose clean and show up where and when you are supposed to!

Gilbert Arenas came into the Washington Wizards Media day on Monday in the best shape he has been in for years. Arenas had been plagued with left knee problems and had to through a series of three operations before he was able to get back to playing shape. Arenas who was hurt back in April 2007 had some very frustrating moments during the time he was sidelined with the injury. The Wizards also suffered big time by the veteran guard’s absence as last year they never even made the Playoffs.

According to the “Washington Post“  it appears that Arenas may be on a mission this season as he has decided to do away with all the extra-curricular things he has been doing the last few seasons. The Wizards guard told reporters “I mean, I’m 27 now. I’m not the entertainer anymore. I just want to play. I don’t have a blog. I don’t have a Twitter. When I was blogging and playing, all you guys focused on was my words. I’d just rather be focused, cut the gimmick out and play basketball.”

Finally an NBA Player that gets it! It is not having a website, a blog or a Twitter that is important it is what you do on the floor that counts. The fact that Gilbert Arenas can be a comical guy and write pretty well are not going to help him get an NBA Title.

So there will be no longer him referring to himself as Agent Zero; he will stop being the ringleader of all the practical jokes on the team and just focus on what is going on on the floor. If Arenas can stay healthy and focused this season there is no reason to believe the Wizards will be out of the Playoffs again this season.