NBA

[Jack Jack 415]

I think Orlando are setting up the season to tank. There are 3 all stars in the multi team trade, Howard, Bynum & Igoudala and Orlando lands none of them.

Being a Melbourne supporter doesn't look so bad after all.

Early predictions, Lakers win the Championship & Kupchak wins Executive of the Year.

[Jack Jack 415]

Edited August 12, 2012 by Jack Jack

[pantaloons 2,019]

I love that we put random stuff like 'slam dunk champion' and 'prep player of the year' on his bio. Might as well put 'Disneyworld annual pass holder' on there.

Jodie Meeks was another good signing, which followed a day after Howard. $3M 2 year deal, so he's come for less than offered elsewhere and provides the good long-range shooting we've lacked off the bench and a capable backup for Kobe, who pretty much had to take all the SG minutes because he had no backup last year.

Phoenix picked up J O'Neal on the weekend. Hopefully for their sake he can resurrect his game.

[Jack Jack 415]

I love that we put random stuff like 'slam dunk champion' and 'prep player of the year' on his bio. Might as well put 'Disneyworld annual pass holder' on there.

Jodie Meeks was another good signing, which followed a day after Howard. $3M 2 year deal, so he's come for less than offered elsewhere and provides the good long-range shooting we've lacked off the bench and a capable backup for Kobe, who pretty much had to take all the SG minutes because he had no backup last year.

Phoenix picked up J O'Neal on the weekend. Hopefully for their sake he can resurrect his game.

Lakers have certainly done well. Miami should be seriously worried, they lack height and a genuine centre. Ray Allen was a great signing but I don't think it really helps out their front court.

A few more early predictions. Minnesota & Nets to make the playoffs (not exactly a radical prediction I know)

And a roughie for Rookie of the year, Damian Lillard of Portland. Davis is probably odds on favourite, but I think Lillard is going to push him.

[Jack Jack 415]

Training camps are in full swing and the season opener is only a few weeks away. Not much to report save for a few hijinks.

D-Will and Reggie Evans got the munchies for popcorn. They couldn't find a container big enough so they decided to fill up Marshon Brooks car instead.

Suns rookie Kendall Marshall received his official bag for the season.

And Brandon Roy can't contain his excitement at being a Timberwolf.

[Macca 17,033]

NBA is back !

Managed to listen to a fair bit of today's game between last years Western conference Semi-finalists - OKC and the Spurs...

Here's a few highlights ... which may only be up for a few hours ... http://www.nba.com/

Edited November 2, 2012 by Macca

[Macca 17,033]

Here's an interesting ESPN 'blog' about tanking in the NBA ... it focuses on 6 teams in 6 different seasons ...

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/40780/when-tankers-tell-the-truth

Given that, it’s worth noting that tanking has been confessed to dozens of times off the record and a surprising number of times on the record:

[pantaloons 2,019]

"Then again: As we’ve seen above, the lottery does not assure that tanking ended in 1984. Not even close."

Thanks for the link, Macca. I read this one when it came out. I totally agree with the above quote, and it needs to be a caution for people thinking a lottery will completely eliminate all queries over teams out of the hunt going at it 100%.

[Macca 17,033]

Big news out of LA ... Nash being out injured didn't seem to make any difference to this decision ...

http://espn.go.com/l...oach-mike-brown

http://espn.go.com/n...ke-brown-firing

Mitch Kupchak said. "The bottom line is that the team is not winning at the pace that we expected this team to win and we didn't see improvement. We wish Mike well and we're sorry it ended this way. So, we've decided to move in another direction and make a change."

A source with knowledge of the Lakers' thinking said the firing was done "more to stop what was happening than to pursue anybody else."

Edited November 10, 2012 by Macca

[Jack Jack 415]

Wow..... I guess they've got a lot at stake with the new players and payroll they're carrying.

Didn't see that coming.

Haha, does that mean Van Gundy could be coaching Howard again?

[Macca 17,033]

Wow..... I guess they've got a lot at stake with the new players and payroll they're carrying.

Didn't see that coming.

Haha, does that mean Van Gundy could be coaching Howard again?

Now it starts to make more sense . Didn't Phil Jackson have some health issues ? ...

http://espn.go.com/l...urn-sources-say

The all-time winningest head coach in NBA championship history with 11 titles to his name, Jackson has not coached since the 2010-11 season when he walked away from the game after the Lakers were swept out of the second round of the playoffs.

Edited November 10, 2012 by Macca

[pantaloons 2,019]

I was sending off #firemikebrown tweets a few days ago. This had to happen. You can't have one of the best lineups assembled since Showtime and have Brown at the helm. It's like having Stevie Wonder driving a Ferrari. Phil Jackson or Jerry Sloan would be unreal. Great stuff.

[Jack Jack 415]

I'm a little stunned that the Lakers have appointed D'Antoni as head coach. I thought he kinda lost the plot in NY and the players were running the show (Okay, maybe just Melo).

How Phil Jackson is spending his Monday.

Monday morning, the Lakers announced that Mike D'Antoni will be their new head coach, having passed up 11-time champion Phil Jackson. Phil was reportedly 'stunned' by the news. Here's how he's passing time today.

1. Sitting on one end of his bed with one sock on and the other sock in his hand

2. Struggling with the damn juicer, man, why's it so complicated

3. Calling Derek Fisher to ask him how many cups are in a quart

4. Standing in the corner of his living room, face to the wall, arms at sides, wondering how Nightcrawler could teleport his clothes with him and didn't just show up somewhere naked

5. Pulling his collection of Sartre, Sun Tzu, et al. off his bookshelves, replacing them with every Chicken Soup for the Soul book he could find at Target

6. Beginning his diary entry with, "this morning I just moped around," pausing, sitting upright, staring out window, and leaving to go purchase a moped

7. Watching instructional yoga DVD, not doing yoga, wondering why anyone ever does yoga

8. Watching CFL game on ESPN3, eating celery straight out of bag

9. Sitting in bathtub, consuming Tofutti by the handful

10. Spending two hours in Google Earth trying to find the shortest road in the world

11. Pentuple-knotting bathrobe belt

12. Crying loudly, with deep, heaving gasps, and for a very long time

13. Getting stoned, watching Jungle 2 Jungle

Edited November 13, 2012 by Jack Jack

[Jack Jack 415]

And a roughie for Rookie of the year, Damian Lillard of Portland. Davis is probably odds on favourite, but I think Lillard is going to push him.

It's early I know, but it may change quickly so I'll take it while it's there.

Rookie Ladder - November 14

1. Damian Lillard : PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS

Lillard keeps the top spot and continues to impress, leading all rookies in both scoring and assists. Tuesday night in Sacramento, Lillard once again showed why GM Neil Olshey was so high on Lillard entering the draft. Lillard had 22 points and nine assists while going 5-for-6 from 3-point land in helping Portland end a four-game skid. When asked afterward about the ROY race (not sure why, since we're two weeks into the season), Lillard responded as you'd expect. "Really I'm not trying to fight for it. I'm really more concerned with us winning games. I think (that) as long as we are winning games, then that means I've played well and it will give me a chance to be in that fight."

-- Nov. 14

[Macca 17,033]

It's early I know, but it may change quickly so I'll take it while it's there.

http://www.nba.com/rookie-ladder/'>Rookie Ladder - November 14

Yeah , Lillard has done very well .

Memphis , Milwaukee and the Clippers have started the season well but how 'bout those Knicks!

Edited December 12, 2012 by Macca

[Jack Jack 415]

The Nets have sacked Avery Johnson. Bit of a surprise after getting coach of the month in November.

Any predictions for a replacement? SVG, Phil Jackson?

With the money they've been throwing around with contracts I doubt they'll go after an untried head coach. Money doesn't seem to be a problem, so I reckon they'll push hard for Jackson.

[Macca 17,033]

The Nets have sacked Avery Johnson. Bit of a surprise after getting coach of the month in November.

Any predictions for a replacement? SVG, Phil Jackson?

With the money they've been throwing around with contracts I doubt they'll go after an untried head coach. Money doesn't seem to be a problem, so I reckon they'll push hard for Jackson.

Seems the Nets are sticking with P J Carlesimo for now . They are, however, seeking 'talks' with Phil - would be great for them if they could snag him . Here is the latest from 'Pro Basketball Talk'

There are a number of teams (other than the usual suspects) who are doing quite well so far this season . The Knicks, Hawks, Grizzlies, Warriors and the Clippers are all faring well in the W/L column . Here are the current standings

Still waiting on the Lakers though - with Nash back they should get on a bit of a run . Always good for the sport when the Lakers are firing and that rivalry with the Clippers will take on a different dimension if both teams are flying .

[Jack Jack 415]

Well there's another coach to add to the list, Scott Skiles and Milwaukee have reportedly parted ways.

I wonder what the odds are for the Lakers sacking 2 coaches in 1 season?

[Macca 17,033]

Well there's another coach to add to the list, Scott Skiles and Milwaukee have reportedly parted ways.

I wonder what the odds are for the Lakers sacking 2 coaches in 1 season?

What is going on with the Lakers ?... 5 games below .500 and on a 5 game losing streak (they are at home to OKC today) . You might be on to something JJ, although Phil Jackson is keeping the faith in this article ...

... Phil Jackson believes the Lakers can make the Post-season

Edited January 12, 2013 by Macca

[pantaloons 2,019]

What is going on with the Lakers ?... 5 games below .500 and on a 5 game losing streak (they are at home to OKC today) . You might be on to something JJ, although Phil Jackson is keeping the faith in this article ...

... Phil Jackson believes the Lakers can make the Post-season

I've tried to ignore most of this season but it's pretty difficult when every second person wants to talk to me about the Lakers and my twitter feed is exploding with LA talk. Macca, with five on a court it's impossible to have great results with significant injuries. I've never seen a season like this for LA in terms of injuries. We've just learned today that Hill is out for the season - another massive hit. Out of 36 games, this is the games missed due to injury this far:

Nash: 24

Gasol: 11

Howard: 3

Hill: 7

Blake: 29

I won't go into other injuries to players not in our usual best 8 or 9. That doesn't take into account that Howard has been playing injured.

This was a team that needed a chunk of the start of the season to gel, and that just never happened. Our record in close games is extremely poor so that's also skewed our win-loss record downwards. I don't mean to sound like I'm making excuses, but that's just the simple reality of the situation.

If I'm angry about one thing though it's hiring D'Antoni. I don't care what Jackson was asking for, shelve your ego and sign him. Uncharacteristically poor move from LA. Bring on NHL season.

[Macca 17,033]

I've tried to ignore most of this season but it's pretty difficult when every second person wants to talk to me about the Lakers and my twitter feed is exploding with LA talk. Macca, with five on a court it's impossible to have great results with significant injuries. I've never seen a season like this for LA in terms of injuries. We've just learned today that Hill is out for the season - another massive hit. Out of 36 games, this is the games missed due to injury this far:

Nash: 24

Gasol: 11

Howard: 3

Hill: 7

Blake: 29

I won't go into other injuries to players not in our usual best 8 or 9. That doesn't take into account that Howard has been playing injured.

This was a team that needed a chunk of the start of the season to gel, and that just never happened. Our record in close games is extremely poor so that's also skewed our win-loss record downwards. I don't mean to sound like I'm making excuses, but that's just the simple reality of the situation.

If I'm angry about one thing though it's hiring D'Antoni. I don't care what Jackson was asking for, shelve your ego and sign him. Uncharacteristically poor move from LA. Bring on NHL season.

Now I know what's wrong with the Laker! You've educated me on those injuries pantaloons - wasn't sure of the extent apart from Nash being unavailable for the 1st part of the season. Nash, and the position he plays, would have been the major factor in L.A's non productive season (so far)

My question was in some ways related to Kobe possibly not being part of the playoffs - you just expect him and the Lakers to be always being a part of the post-season. Think it might be 8 years since L.A have missed the playoffs. Just had a look at Sportscenter earlier and 'Magic' was saying it's over.

Tend to follow the fortunes of the 'big time' teams and like to see all of them make it past the regular season. Used to have a leaning towards Phoenix because of Nash but don't really have a team now. Am I allowed to follow the Knicks? Just for this season? If so, I reserve the right to jump right off them - anytime

Edited January 12, 2013 by Macca

[pantaloons 2,019]

We've got a couple other issues as well, Macca. Our choice of coach was silly. The team needs time to gel. We are old. But yes, we need time with the side intact. Not to be this season.

[Jack Jack 415]

Dwightmare II: An LA Story

It really seems quite incredible that the Lakers find themselves in this situation. I guess this is more of a media spin, kicking you while you're down, but certainly I could not have imagined LA's season going so badly (for whatever reason).

Will there be any moves? And if so who? Player or coach?

[pantaloons 2,019]

Thanks Jack. What a season indeed. If Howard goes, he goes. He's been a poor man's Bynum this season and there's no guarantee at all that he'll get anywhere near his best ever again. As currently constructed, this team was built for a two-year run. Unfortunately it looks like they'll just give me the runs for two years, but most of our contracts come off the books after the 2013/14 season (all bar Nash), when the plan will be to splash on a couple of big name free agents (ie. LeBron, though it would disgust me to have to support him if that eventuated, and then there are other names like Deng, Iguodala, Landry). I'd be reluctant to make any moves now that weren't designed to help us get younger and better for the 2014/15 season and beyond. If you trade Pau and/or Dwight, you have to get quality youth in, whether players and/or picks.

Either way, and sorry if this is the 30th time I've mentioned it in this thread, but what the heck were we doing hiring D'Antoni? Totally wrong for our roster, not to mention Jackson's availability. I don't care when we kick him to the kerb, so long as he's not there in a couple of years.

Things are always interesting in Hollywood.

Edited January 24, 2013 by pantaloons

[Jack Jack 415]

Some big things have happened over the last few days.

Boston reeling from Rondo rupturing his ACL. Can they go deep into the finals without him? I doubt it, I think we might see a few trades from them in the next few weeks.

Lakers beat OKC. I hope it's a sign they've turned the corner.

And oh joy of joys, the Bogut is back. And it sees the return of the Bogometer over on NBAMate

vs Toronto (W) 29/01/13

Pts 12 Reb 8 Blk 4 Ass 2 Stl 1

60%
He's Baack!

And did I miss another coach being sacked? Phoenix?

Edit: Oh yeah, and something about the Kings being sold. Seriously, who couldn't see that coming? Bit of a shame the Maloofs are screwing over the loyal Sacramento fans and selling out to a Seattle based group, but that just seems to be their style.

Edited January 29, 2013 by Jack Jack