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Sunday, April 01, 2012

OT: NBA monthly thread: April 2012

I estimate that only 10-12 Primates care about the NBA, but with our own thread, we won’t detract from what the site is really about: JoePo leaving SI and Mike Sweeney endorsing Rick Santorum.

News link is to story on Jeremy Lin’s injury.

baudib Posted: April 01, 2012 at 05:35 PM | 2013 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
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   1901. Famous Original Joe C Posted: April 30, 2012 at 10:50 AM (#4119657)
Flip. I like the new Nets logo.

As do I. Simple, in a good way.
   1902. SouthSideRyan Posted: April 30, 2012 at 10:55 AM (#4119665)
I agree that that should be a foul on Bass, but it's a problem when that call is never made and he decides to call it with 45 seconds left in a 4 point game.
   1903. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:03 AM (#4119672)
I agree that that should be a foul on Bass, but it's a problem when that call is never made and he decides to call it with 45 seconds left in a 4 point game.

What I was trying to say is that there was a lot more contact on that play than usual, so it would have been worse to not call it. If one guy has the ball and the other guy jumps on him, it should always be a foul. If both guys land on the ball at the same time, well, that's the gray area where the no call is the default.
   1904. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:03 AM (#4119674)
Don't you have to call that a foul when the guy comes off the top rope and lands on Smith on the floor like that?
   1905. JC in DC Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:13 AM (#4119679)
I think Lin coming back is not only appropriate, but necessary. He and the team have nothing to lose. Further, by god they need him. Davis is probably out, Bibby blows, Shump is gone, Toney Douglas is unfortunately a shell. They need a pg.
   1906. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:14 AM (#4119680)
Oh, and that "he tripped over his foot" defense for Rondo bumping the ref is crap. He stepped on his foot, controlled his body, then bumped him anyway.
   1907. NJ in NY Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:16 AM (#4119682)
I think Lin coming back is not only appropriate, but necessary. He and the team have nothing to lose. Further, by god they need him. Davis is probably out, Bibby blows, Shump is gone, Toney Douglas is unfortunately a shell. They need a pg.

It is stupid and short sighted. They are not winning the series.
   1908. Famous Original Joe C Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:22 AM (#4119689)
He and the team have nothing to lose.

Except for reinjuring himself, possibly more severely, in a situation where the Knicks already basically have no chance, and possibly risking next year's team and all of the added revenue that comes from having Jeremy Lin playing for your team.
   1909. GregD Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:22 AM (#4119690)
It is stupid and short sighted. They are not winning the series.
They don't have him under contract beyond this year so I'm not sure that it's short-sighted on their part.
   1910. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:25 AM (#4119691)
It is stupid and short sighted. They are not winning the series.


Wow. Are we really to the point in our subversion of sports-fandom that we're actually arguing that teams should avoid fielding their best possible team *in the playoffs* because, well, probability isn't on their side and all?

This is why sportswriters use "stat nerds in their mothers' basements" for target practice.
   1911. Booey Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:26 AM (#4119692)
In general, the refs are lax to call fouls on loose balls on the ground (and I disagree with that strongly, more often than not there's clear fouls that should be called). In this case, Bass clearly dived on top of (crap, I forget who it was now) and was grabbing his arms and shoulder to get to the ball. At no point was it dual possession.


Didn't see this exact play, but I agree with this in general. I've never understood why all rules defining fouls go out the window when the players are on the ground. You can jump on top of people and grab their arms or wrap your own arms around their torso from behind and as long as you have a hand on the ball too it's a jump and not a foul? Um, okay...

Another pet peeve is dual fouls. It's almost always one players fault, and they don't call it until the second player retaliates. Just call the first incident. Don't wait until there's a second.
   1912. NJ in NY Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:32 AM (#4119699)
Wow. Are we really to the point in our subversion of sports-fandom that we're actually arguing that teams should avoid fielding their best possible team *in the playoffs* because, well, probability isn't on their side and all?

This is why sportswriters use "stat nerds in their mothers' basements" for target practice.


You know what, on second thought, it makes perfect sense that the Knicks should bring back a guy who has trouble protecting the basketball when he was relatively healthy on one knee to play against a team who consistently devours the Knicks because of the Knicks' problems protecting the ball.
   1913. SouthSideRyan Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:32 AM (#4119700)
[1903]I agree that it should always be a foul, and it's always annoyed me that it isn't, but you can understand why a Celtics fan would be annoyed that he chose that spot to actually call the play as it should be.
   1914. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:36 AM (#4119708)
They don't have him under contract beyond this year so I'm not sure that it's short-sighted on their part.

There is almost no scenario where he isn't on the team next year.
   1915. JC in DC Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:39 AM (#4119710)
You know what, on second thought, it makes perfect sense that the Knicks should bring back a guy who has trouble protecting the basketball when he was relatively healthy on one knee to play against a team who consistently devours the Knicks because of the Knicks' problems protecting the ball.


They need bodies. He's got the offseason to recover. He needs to play.
   1916. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:39 AM (#4119711)
I agree that it should always be a foul, and it's always annoyed me that it isn't, but you can understand why a Celtics fan would be annoyed that he chose that spot to actually call the play as it should be.


If you watch the video, the ref lets the mad scramble for the ball go on for a while, not calling any number of potential fouls. It's only when Smith has the ball wrapped up in his arms and the other guy reaches wraps his arms across Smith's head and tries to dislodge the collected ball that he finally blows the whistle. The video is up at CBSSports.com.
   1917. NJ in NY Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:40 AM (#4119713)
They need bodies.

To accomplish...what, exactly?
   1918. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:41 AM (#4119717)
They need bodies. He's got the offseason to recover. He needs to play.

Last I saw was they were thinking game 4. Has that been moved up? If it's Miami 3-0 at that point, does it change your opinion?
   1919. Der_K Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:41 AM (#4119718)
Thanks robin for the JH note. I wasn't sure if he rooted for the Blazers or not (I think of him as a Blazer fan, but that could be because that's where he lived when I started following him) and extended that uncertainty to his Atlanta time.

Lin: He's coming back next year, presumably for the full MLE.
I can't evaluate whether it makes sense to bring him back now without a fuller understanding of his health. If the health risks are reasonable, hell yeah it's worth a shot.

Sorry maxwn - I can't imagine.

Nets logo: Not sure yet. I like simple, not yet keen on the black and white scheme + the logo could've looked a little, ummm, sharper?
   1920. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: April 30, 2012 at 12:01 PM (#4119746)
I don't like the new Nets logo. I work as a graphic designer, and I just passed around the logo to a few of the other designers. Nobody liked it. Nobody hated it, but nobody showed any particular enthusiasm for it, either.

It looks like it was created by these ####### guys. (Note: Not a real company.)
   1921. JC in DC Posted: April 30, 2012 at 12:06 PM (#4119751)
Last I saw was they were thinking game 4. Has that been moved up? If it's Miami 3-0 at that point, does it change your opinion?


No, not really. They're not going to win, down 1-0, 3-0, or even at 0-0. They're thoroughly outclassed. Lin needs touches and game experience. He needs to continue to build playing relationships with his teammates. They need bodies. They have no one to handle the ball tonight, unless you count Bibby who's terrible. What's the fear? He aggravates a minor knee injury? They lose WORSE than the other night, as NJ seems to fear? Gimme a break.
   1922. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock Posted: April 30, 2012 at 12:08 PM (#4119756)
So you're saying he should play tonight?
   1923. JC in DC Posted: April 30, 2012 at 12:09 PM (#4119758)
So you're saying he should play tonight?


Yes. He should if medical clears him. Absolutely.
   1924. Jimmy P Posted: April 30, 2012 at 12:10 PM (#4119763)
It looks like it was created by these ####### guys. (Note: Not a real company.)


Isn't that the market they're going to?
   1925. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: April 30, 2012 at 12:14 PM (#4119767)
Isn't that the market they're going to?


Yeah. "New team's Brooklyn logo is too hipster" is a dog-bites-man story if ever there was one.
   1926. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 30, 2012 at 12:15 PM (#4119769)
What's the fear? He aggravates a minor knee injury? They lose WORSE than the other night, as NJ seems to fear? Gimme a break.
The fear, I assume, is that playing while not fully healthy causes one of them "cascade" problems where playing hurt leads to a new, more serious injuries.

I have no idea what the Knicks should do, and certainly if they don't think there's a significant risk of injury for Lin, why not have him play. But the downside is a major injury for Lin, which would be bad.
   1927. NJ in NY Posted: April 30, 2012 at 12:16 PM (#4119771)
Lin needs touches and game experience. He needs to continue to build playing relationships with his teammates.

I fail to see how playing in Games 2-4 of this series as opposed to sitting them out will make much of a difference with respect to the above.

They need bodies. They have no one to handle the ball tonight, unless you count Bibby who's terrible.

These arguments are unpersuasive to me in the context of a series the team has absolutely no chance of winning.

What's the fear? He aggravates a minor knee injury? They lose WORSE than the other night, as NJ seems to fear? Gimme a break.

The fear to me is that he re-injures the knee or injures something else by rushing back to play in 3 meaningless games. The initial diagnosis was that he might be back sometime in the second round if the Knicks get that far and as recent as yesterday there were reports that he was unable to get through workouts at full strength. There is no point.
   1928. The Buddy Biancalana Hit Counter Posted: April 30, 2012 at 12:23 PM (#4119779)
Yeah. "New team's Brooklyn logo is too hipster" is a dog-bites-man story if ever there was one.

Jon Wurster's run regarding the hipsterfication of the Nets during last week's Best Show was exceptional.
   1929. JC in DC Posted: April 30, 2012 at 12:41 PM (#4119803)
Lin needs touches and game experience. He needs to continue to build playing relationships with his teammates.

I fail to see how playing in Games 2-4 of this series as opposed to sitting them out will make much of a difference with respect to the above.


I love the Lin story as much as the next guy, but I'm not yet convinced he's more than a good story and a solid role player. He's not the franchise, for whatever it's worth, that's Carmelo: this is not equivalent to rushing Rose to get back on the court. Lin, OTOH, needs to get on the court. These games are not meaningless: they're real games against the best competition in the league and players like and need to play in these types of games. If he is not cleared to play medically, he shouldn't play. But if he is, what exactly are we waiting for? Are they going to win next year? Aren't next year's games "meaningless" b/c they won't win then, either (b/c they won't)?

And the upside is pretty fantastic for his story: if they somehow win a game or two where he plays well, that just adds to his mystique.
   1930. The Id of SugarBear Blanks Posted: April 30, 2012 at 12:56 PM (#4119820)
I can do without the (apparently optional) "Brooklyn" below the shield logo, but other than that the logos are stellar. The "Brooklyn New York" secondary logo will make for one of the league's best half-court circles.

It's win-win-win for Knicks fans. The Nets stink, it's cheap NBA basketball a couple extra subway stops away. They're good, Knicks fans peel off and tickets at MSG are cheaper. And no matter what, Brooklyn is legitimate competition incentivizing idiot Dolan to rationalize his basketball "operation." Unlike their Jersey ancestors, the Brooklyn Nets are an actual threat to the Knicks' virtual monopoly.
   1931. GregD Posted: April 30, 2012 at 01:05 PM (#4119829)
There is almost no scenario where he isn't on the team next year.
Scenario:
1) Nets lose Deron to Dallas
2) Nets fail to sign big free agents to replace
3) Nets season ticket sales are slow in Brooklyn
4) Nets offer Lin a deal that hits the average salary the first two years then escalates in years 3-4.
5) Knicks decide not to match

The only part of that this is unlikely to me is #5. The rest of it seems like a slam-dunk. But betting on the Knicks to have a long-term plan is, I admit, a bad bet.
   1932. Don't want the truth; just wanna see some dingers Posted: April 30, 2012 at 01:07 PM (#4119831)
Is the system still the case that teams have to set their rosters for each playoff round?
   1933. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock Posted: April 30, 2012 at 01:17 PM (#4119843)
The only part of that this is unlikely to me is #5. The rest of it seems like a slam-dunk. But betting on the Knicks to have a long-term plan is, I admit, a bad bet.

I'll repeat, there's no scenario* where he isn't on the Knicks next year. Your example and non sequitur don't change that. There are restrictions on the type of deal he can sign and can be offered, and restrictions on the type of mid contract salary escalations. The idea that there would be an offer where the Knicks refuse to match is laughable.

*The Knicks could decide to trade him, I guess.

Is the system still the case that teams have to set their rosters for each playoff round?

No, I think it's the same situation as the regular season. Dress 12 (it was 13 during the regular season, not sure if that carried over to the playoffs or not) of your 15 man roster. No one new can be added to the roster now.
   1934. Conor Posted: April 30, 2012 at 01:18 PM (#4119844)
If Lin is healthy and the doctors say he can play, I would play him. If you are talking about lowering the standards for what it would take to clear him, then I agree they shouldn't do that, but if he's healthy, he should play.

Scenario:
1) Nets lose Deron to Dallas
2) Nets fail to sign big free agents to replace
3) Nets season ticket sales are slow in Brooklyn
4) Nets offer Lin a deal that hits the average salary the first two years then escalates in years 3-4.
5) Knicks decide not to match

The only part of that this is unlikely to me is #5. The rest of it seems like a slam-dunk. But betting on the Knicks to have a long-term plan is, I admit, a bad bet.


The Knicks would match in a second, I'm pretty sure. Chandler, Amare, and Melo are all currently due to expire in 2015. So basically the Knicks would have one year with all 3 of those guys, plus Lin at an escalated salary, and then they would have much more room to work with.
   1935. Der_K Posted: April 30, 2012 at 01:24 PM (#4119850)
There's always a chance. Boston was rightly a heavy favorite in their series less than 24 hrs ago. Now, Bos <> Mia and ATL <> NYK, but still...
   1936. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: April 30, 2012 at 01:44 PM (#4119872)
If he is not cleared to play medically, he shouldn't play. But if he is, what exactly are we waiting for? Are they going to win next year? Aren't next year's games "meaningless" b/c they won't win then, either (b/c they won't)?
Exactly. If tanking in the regular season stinks, how's tanking in the playoffs okay? The Knicks were in for a hard landing anyways, but I'm not okay with quitting just because the draw is tough. It's the playoffs, you gotta go down fighting.
   1937. NJ in NY Posted: April 30, 2012 at 02:02 PM (#4119894)
Exactly. If tanking in the regular season stinks, how's tanking in the playoffs okay? The Knicks were in for a hard landing anyways, but I'm not okay with quitting just because the draw is tough. It's the playoffs, you gotta go down fighting.

It's not tanking (which I have no problem with anyway). This is from TODAY'S NYT: "A day after playing one-on-one for the first time, Lin reported soreness in his surgically repaired knee, an indication that he needs more time to recover...He is again running and cutting, although not at full speed. Nor has he been cleared for contact...On Saturday, Lin had a tough time just beating Kenny Atkinson, an assistant, in one-on-one." Even if all Lin is is a solid PG then given how terrible the Knicks' situation is at the 1, he is still extremely valuable for the team there's no point in risking his health to get swept with bigger ratings. I can't see a scenario in which he's cleared to play that doesn't involve skipping steps in the rehab process.
   1938. Jimmy P Posted: April 30, 2012 at 02:03 PM (#4119895)
Third this. Rondo did exactly what he wanted to do, bump the ref with his chest. That's gotta be a game.


Yes. I'm not sure he wanted to bump him, but he definitely wanted to intimidate him and show him up. Hell, maybe he would've bumped him, Rondo's not the sharpest knife.

I think he's getting two. He's a repeat offender. This season.
   1939. Fourth True Outcome Posted: April 30, 2012 at 02:16 PM (#4119915)
I can't see a scenario in which he's cleared to play that doesn't involve skipping steps in the rehab process.


I agree with this. It's about risk management. Is the benefit to playing him in this series big enough to justify endangering his future knee health? It's not a black and white he can go or he can't sort of thing. This seems more like Brandon Roy rushing back to play in the playoffs way ahead of schedule. Lin's no Brandon Roy, and I certainly hope he has better knee cartilage, but I don't think it's anything like tanking for the team to prioritize his long-term health, and therefore value to the team, over getting him back against the Heat.

Rondo's not the sharpest knife

By all reports, Rondo is about the sharpest knife. He's also stubborn as a mule and a bit of a hothead, but dumb he ain't. I think he's getting one. It being the playoffs, I think the league might want to give a player the benefit of the doubt, so his prior seems like it would guarantee him sitting one game. We'll see, though.
   1940. Conor Posted: April 30, 2012 at 02:22 PM (#4119922)
It's not tanking (which I have no problem with anyway). This is from TODAY'S NYT: "A day after playing one-on-one for the first time, Lin reported soreness in his surgically repaired knee, an indication that he needs more time to recover...He is again running and cutting, although not at full speed. Nor has he been cleared for contact...On Saturday, Lin had a tough time just beating Kenny Atkinson, an assistant, in one-on-one." Even if all Lin is is a solid PG then given how terrible the Knicks' situation is at the 1, he is still extremely valuable for the team there's no point in risking his health to get swept with bigger ratings. I can't see a scenario in which he's cleared to play that doesn't involve skipping steps in the rehab process.


Ok well I didn't know that. But he was given a timetable of 4-6 weeks or something at the time of the surgery. I think today would be exactly 4 weeks. I'm not saying that means of course he is ready to play, but he said he was targeting Game 4, which would be nearly 5 weeks. I don't see how it necessarily follows that him coming back in 5 weeks would mean they are definitely skipping steps in the rehab.

Though the quote above is not promising. That does give me pause.
   1941. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: April 30, 2012 at 02:25 PM (#4119925)
Hawks fans would have a right to be upset if he doesn't get at least one game. That would be clear favoritism from the league in Boston's favor. With that said, I could see where Boston fans would be appalled at a 2-game suspension in the playoffs, even though Rondo's history and actions could be legitimately seen to justify that.
   1942. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock Posted: April 30, 2012 at 02:30 PM (#4119933)
Stern's quotes today:

"I don't want to pre-judge on what the recommendation is going to be," Stern said on ESPN Radio's "The Herd with Colin Cowherd." "But as a fan, he obviously bumped him. And you know what happens with respect to that."


Don't worry, Sam, he's getting at least one game.
   1943. The Id of SugarBear Blanks Posted: April 30, 2012 at 02:38 PM (#4119942)
Lin isn't ready. There's no reason to stretch him; there's no reason to pamper him. The Knicks not having a ####### chance in this series is neither here nor there.
   1944. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: April 30, 2012 at 02:40 PM (#4119947)
"A day after playing one-on-one for the first time, Lin reported soreness in his surgically repaired knee, an indication that he needs more time to recover...He is again running and cutting, although not at full speed. Nor has he been cleared for contact...
I think all of us have been working with the caveat "if he's been cleared to play". If he's not, he just can't, and then there's nothing to discuss.
   1945. NJ in NY Posted: April 30, 2012 at 02:50 PM (#4119956)
I think all of us have been working with the caveat "if he's been cleared to play". If he's not, he just can't, and then there's nothing to discuss.

My point was that, IMO, "cleared to play"=!"100%" and given his importance to the team's future, even as just a solid PG, combined with the impossibility of the task at hand, there's no point in risking anything.
   1946. JJ1986 Posted: April 30, 2012 at 02:58 PM (#4119963)
Paul Silas is out. I would have fired him as soon as he started letting his son coach for no reason.
   1947. andrewberg Posted: April 30, 2012 at 03:01 PM (#4119967)
It might be a bad sign that I have been defending the same position that Simmons has on the NBPA thing:

I always feel like I need to pick sides with these things, but in this case, the league (and the Players Association) would be better off if this ended nuclear-war style with both sides losing. It's becoming clearer and clearer that the profoundly screwed-up Fisher-Hunter dynamic was the biggest reason we lost 16 games this season and nearly had a canceled season. Hang it up, guys. Do the right thing.
   1948. Der_K Posted: April 30, 2012 at 03:07 PM (#4119975)
...It's becoming clearer and clearer that the profoundly screwed-up Fisher-Hunter dynamic was the biggest reason we lost 16 games this season and nearly had a canceled season. Hang it up, guys. Do the right thing.

I don't know about that - I suspect games would have been cancelled with any kind of competent player management involved.
Am pretty sure that Hunter should've been gone a long time ago. Am agnostic on Fisher.

Not sure what to think about Silas and son - or why the team allowed that.
   1949. andrewberg Posted: April 30, 2012 at 03:11 PM (#4119978)
I don't know about that - I suspect games would have been cancelled with any kind of competent player management involved.


Yeah, I don't subscribe to that part, just the scorched earth thing.
   1950. Der_K Posted: April 30, 2012 at 03:14 PM (#4119983)
So, I wanted to call Jordan Hill a free agent sleeper before his breakout with the Lakers - but this won't help: he's been charged with choking a family member (3rd degree felony) while still a Rocket.

In lighter news, Chris Washburn, restauranteur.
   1951. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock Posted: April 30, 2012 at 03:14 PM (#4119985)
Yeah, I don't subscribe to that part, just the scorched earth thing.

Right. Who needs facts? Just fire everyone and start over!
   1952. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock Posted: April 30, 2012 at 03:27 PM (#4119994)
Doc Rivers says some funny things sometimes:

"Well, they ran into each other, no doubt about it," said Rivers. "I thought it was a bump and the league's going to do what they have to do. I still don't think it was ever intentional. I just think you get heated and I think he was more upset from the missed call the play before -- the out of bounds play. I thought that started it."

"It's funny, when I watched it live, it's amazing how your eyes are wrong," said Rivers. "I told Brandon [on Sunday] that I thought it was a foul and that Marc made the right call. Then when I watched it, I apologized to him. It should have been a jump ball. "
   1953. JC in DC Posted: April 30, 2012 at 03:31 PM (#4119996)
Those quotations are comical, but they're the work of a coach.

I can see not making any call (though I think the guy got it right), but that was never a jump ball.
   1954. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: April 30, 2012 at 03:33 PM (#4119997)
I can see not making any call (though I think the guy got it right), but that was never a jump ball.


Rivers must get paid to say things like that or something.
   1955. andrewberg Posted: April 30, 2012 at 03:42 PM (#4120008)
Right. Who needs facts? Just fire everyone and start over!


Why the hostility on this issue? I didn't even think we had that much of a disagreement. I admit that I was probably slower to come down on Hunter than some. The only thing I have heard in defense of Fisher is that Hunter is bad, which doesn't defend Fisher at all.

This article does a pretty good job explaining the accusations on both sides, although it came out before we started hearing about Fisher skipping union meetings/appearances. Keyon Dooling, James Jones, Matt Bonner, Mo Evans, Roger Mason, Chris Paul, Theo Ratliff, and Etan Thomas (the EC) all voted for him to step down. Are they all ignoring facts? Do they not know some material fact? I really don't understand what facts are favorable to Fisher other than supposedly impeaching the credibility of someone (Hunter) who isn't even at the heart of the case against him.

To be clear, my position is that an independent auditor should evaluate whether Hunter followed the appropriate process and whether he violated his fiduciary duty in matters including, but not limited to, the payments made to firms that employ his family members. If the investigation finds that he misused any funds, he should be fired. Also, Fisher should be investigated for the allegations of side-dealing with management and for dereliction of duties as union president (probably a less complicated investigation). If he did not perform his union duties, he should be fired. What do we disagree about?
   1956. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock Posted: April 30, 2012 at 03:44 PM (#4120010)
Why the hostility on this issue?

Sorry, that's directed at Simmons, not you. Which isn't clear in my post.
   1957. andrewberg Posted: April 30, 2012 at 03:56 PM (#4120015)
Sorry, that's directed at Simmons, not you. Which is not at all clear in my post.


Ah, that makes sense. He has an annoying habit of either jumping to conclusions or (at least) not filling the readers in on how he got to the conclusions.
   1958. smileyy Posted: April 30, 2012 at 03:57 PM (#4120016)

Not sure what to think about Silas and son - or why the team allowed that.


The team wanted the worst record in the league, and weren't shy about getting there?
   1959. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock Posted: April 30, 2012 at 04:04 PM (#4120020)
Not sure what to think about Silas and son - or why the team allowed that.

I don't know if it's as awful as it sounds.
   1960. JC in DC Posted: April 30, 2012 at 04:13 PM (#4120023)
Thanks for posting that, Moses. I'm kinda bummed that Paul Silas has become such a perceived joke among NBA fans.
   1961. Famous Original Joe C Posted: April 30, 2012 at 04:22 PM (#4120030)
My point was that, IMO, "cleared to play"=!"100%" and given his importance to the team's future, even as just a solid PG, combined with the impossibility of the task at hand, there's no point in risking anything.

I'm with you on this one. And don't get me wrong - as a fan, I'd love to see him play, I wish he hadn't gotten hurt. However, if he were my golden revenue goose, I'm probably not taking that chance at this stage unless I'm certain he's healthy.

   1962. robinred Posted: April 30, 2012 at 04:47 PM (#4120045)
On player-owner stuff, Simmons is the same way he is with Laker-Celtic stuff. He tosses in various qualifiers and caveats and admonishments ostensibly aimed at his favorites, but in the end, his sympathies are all with one team. Fisher and Hunter may be corrupt, incompetent, whatever--don't know. But IMO "we lost 16 games" mostly because the owners wanted a better deal for themselves. That is their prerogative, of course, but Simmons still wants the lockout to be NBPA's fault, and the Hunter/Fisher kerfluffle is just another way for him to sell that narrative.

That noted, both Hunter and Fisher quitting may well be a good idea; I think it is worth noting that the Lakers supposedly traded Fisher in part because they did not think he would step aside gracefully and hand the keys to Sessions.

Adding to something JC and a couple of other guys said: VDN put Paul back in with the Clippers down about 20. Paul does not have a pristine health record and came into Game 1 having missed a couple of games with a groin issue. Imagine the crap VDN would be taking if Paul had come in and popped the groin or landed awkwardly and blown a knee: If this doesn't prove Vinny Del Negro is an idiot, what would? A little more than 24 hours after Derrick Rose etc. etc. etc. Instead, of course, the Clippers pulled off probably the best win in franchise history and may be setting themselves up for a playoff run. Maybe VDN just got lucky. Also, maybe I should try to think a little more the next time I second-guess a coach.
   1963. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: April 30, 2012 at 04:56 PM (#4120054)
So, I wanted to call Jordan Hill a free agent sleeper before his breakout with the Lakers - but this won't help: he's been charged with choking a family member (3rd degree felony) while still a Rocket.
It this means the return of Murphy and McRoberts, that's bad news for the team. Also bad news, the Lakers have apparently picked up another guy prone to violence.
   1964. tshipman Posted: April 30, 2012 at 04:59 PM (#4120060)
Re: Lin coming back early:

Does no one else remember Brandon Roy doing this for their playoff series and never being the same again? If I were a Knicks fan, I would say "No" to Lin coming back like that.
   1965. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock Posted: April 30, 2012 at 05:00 PM (#4120065)
I'm not seeing it anywhere else yet, but HoopSpeak is saying Rodno got 1 game.
   1966. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: April 30, 2012 at 05:03 PM (#4120068)
Rondo's 1-game is up at CBS too.
   1967. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: April 30, 2012 at 05:16 PM (#4120073)
   1968. Famous Original Joe C Posted: April 30, 2012 at 05:20 PM (#4120075)
Rondo's 1-game is up at CBS too.

Whether he intended it or not, he put himself in that position and he did bump him, trip or no. Totally fair.
   1969. Fourth True Outcome Posted: April 30, 2012 at 05:24 PM (#4120079)
Yeah, I would have been upset about a two game suspension, but I would have been shocked if they had let him off the hook. Game 2 is going to be a real gut check for the C's. They can win it, but they won't really have any margin for error.
   1970. andrewberg Posted: April 30, 2012 at 05:28 PM (#4120083)
Does no one else remember Brandon Roy doing this for their playoff series and never being the same again? If I were a Knicks fan, I would say "No" to Lin coming back like that.


Didn't Roy come back like 10 days after surgery though? I think he had the meniscus totally removed instead of repaired so he could skip the rehab altogether. At least that's my memory, could be wrong.
   1971. Jimmy P Posted: April 30, 2012 at 05:29 PM (#4120085)
Didn't Roy come back like 10 days after surgery though? I think he had the meniscus totally removed instead of repaired so he could skip the rehab altogether. At least that's my memory, could be wrong.

Yes. It was right after surgery.

And, if Lin has the extensive knee injury history that Lin has, trade him now.
   1972. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: April 30, 2012 at 06:29 PM (#4120127)
Whether he intended it or not, he put himself in that position and he did bump him, trip or no. Totally fair.


Yeah. I bet that even Rondo *believes* he didn't "intend" it, because he was already re-writing his memory of the event to suppress the stupidity of his loss of control while he was being escorted off the court last night. But there's no way it wasn't intentional. If you trip and fall forward, you don't lead with your bowed up chest.

All things told, probably the best decision possible, even though I'd have loved to see two games.
   1973. Moses Taylor peacocks peacock Posted: April 30, 2012 at 06:32 PM (#4120129)
I'd venture to guess that were this the regular season, he might have gotten 2 games. I have no idea if the NBA would ever admit that or even if they'd treat the playoffs different than the regular season*, but since it's the 2nd time this year it would have been justifiable.

*When it comes to the leaving the bench rule, they haven't treated it differently.
   1974. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: April 30, 2012 at 07:15 PM (#4120157)
Oh, sure. If this were the regular season, I'd bet MWP would get 10 games for the Harden elbow. Playoff games are simply worth more, and missing them is more damaging.
   1975. Athletic Supporter gangnam style Posted: April 30, 2012 at 07:50 PM (#4120202)
Chandler is having a great game so far.
   1976. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: April 30, 2012 at 07:52 PM (#4120204)
Carmelo with a huge 1st quarter, 15 points. Heat still won the quarter though, 27-24. Feels like the Heat are just kind of picking their spots right now.
   1977. Matt Clement of Alexandria Posted: April 30, 2012 at 08:03 PM (#4120227)
EDIT: Wrong thread.
   1978. Zipperholes Posted: April 30, 2012 at 08:14 PM (#4120247)
Mike Woodson looks like a Simpsons character.
   1979. Los Angeles El Hombre of Anaheim Posted: April 30, 2012 at 08:44 PM (#4120275)
Lebron's taking over.
   1980. robinred Posted: April 30, 2012 at 09:30 PM (#4120302)
Kevin Arnovitz explores morality and gunning with Gilbert Arenas and Nick Young:

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/41687/the-men-with-no-conscience



   1981. robinred Posted: April 30, 2012 at 09:39 PM (#4120317)
No, not that kind of gunning with GA.
   1982. you got a STEAGLES? you're gonna need a STEAGLES. Posted: April 30, 2012 at 10:28 PM (#4120369)
Kevin Arnovitz explores morality and gunning with Gilbert Arenas and Nick Young:

http://espn.go.com/blog/truehoop/post/_/id/41687/the-men-with-no-conscience
holy ####. that is a revelation.

"It's like an assassin. In any movie, he starts off killing everybody, but then he finds the girl who stops him from being an assassin. That's just like players. The reason Steve Nash can make the passes he can make is because nobody has ever told him when he makes a turnover, "Don't make that pass." Same thing with Rondo. It gives them that freedom to expand and create anything he can think of."
I ask Arenas whether you can be a great player and still have a conscience.

"I don't think so," Arenas says. "Michael Jordan never had a conscience. A.I. didn't have a conscience. Kobe doesn't have a conscience."

I counter that Kevin Garnett has a conscience, that he exercises an uncommon discipline and has still been one of the best players of his time.

Arenas' response?

And that's why he doesn't get the ball in the fourth quarter. That's why they give it to Paul Pierce, because he has no conscience. LeBron has a conscience. He cares what you think about him. But Kevin Durant doesn't have a conscience. D-Wade doesn't have a conscience. But Bosh has a conscience.

You're born with it or you're not. Some people are what I call "killers." Some people have the killer mentality and that's who you want with the ball at the end of the game. You want them taking that shot because they don't care about failing -- even if it's a bad shot.



i do not think it is possible to better encapsulate what the sixers are right now than what gilbert arenas says in the above.

   1983. Fourth True Outcome Posted: April 30, 2012 at 10:34 PM (#4120374)
Amar'e Stoudamire apparently punched the glass in front of a fire extinguisher in the locker room after the game, lacerating his hand and leading to stitches. Word is he will likely miss at least the next game. Twitter, as you might imagine, is engulfed in jokes.

Edit: Here's the ESPN report, which doesn't have many details as yet.
   1984. you got a STEAGLES? you're gonna need a STEAGLES. Posted: April 30, 2012 at 10:56 PM (#4120392)
Jeff Goodman
? @GoodmanCBS: SMU's Larry Brown has also hired former NBA players Eric Snow (player personnel guy) and George Lynch (strength/conditioning) - per source.
   1985. Zipperholes Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:00 PM (#4120396)
You want them taking that shot because they don't care about failing -- even if it's a bad shot.
I'd prefer that guys don't take bad shots.
   1986. smileyy Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:25 PM (#4120412)
[1984] So he's getting the band back together? No word on hiring Iverson as practice coordinator?
   1987. Der_K Posted: April 30, 2012 at 11:39 PM (#4120420)
1959/Moses - I thought it was weird GS let Nellie do whatever he wanted as well.
   1988. Fourth True Outcome Posted: May 01, 2012 at 12:30 AM (#4120438)
Everything's quiet in here because we're all too caught up in how awesome this OKC/Dallas game is, right?
   1989. President of the David Eckstein Fan Club Posted: May 01, 2012 at 12:36 AM (#4120443)
Another tough loss for the Mavericks, but a great game for a neutral (or OKC fan). Dallas did lose a few seconds before fouling after the Terry layup.
   1990. Yardape Posted: May 01, 2012 at 12:48 AM (#4120451)
Another tough loss for the Mavericks, but a great game for a neutral (or OKC fan).


Agreed. This could turn out to be a really good series.
   1991. robinred Posted: May 01, 2012 at 02:11 AM (#4120463)
ESPNChrisPalmer chris palmer
Emmy winner Charles Barkley: "Have you ever seen Sam Cassell and Gollum in the same place?
   1992. bunyon Posted: May 01, 2012 at 07:03 AM (#4120484)
Also, maybe I should try to think a little more the next time I second-guess a coach.

Dear God, you're going to kill the internet.
   1993. The Id of SugarBear Blanks Posted: May 01, 2012 at 08:45 AM (#4120509)
Amar'e Stoudamire apparently punched the glass in front of a fire extinguisher in the locker room after the game, lacerating his hand and leading to stitches. Word is he will likely miss at least the next game. Twitter, as you might imagine, is engulfed in jokes.

Mickey Mouse ######## act. Mickey Mouse ######## organization.
   1994. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: May 01, 2012 at 08:56 AM (#4120516)
I'd prefer that guys don't take bad shots.


I'd prefer to go out swinging.
   1995. Famous Original Joe C Posted: May 01, 2012 at 09:58 AM (#4120547)
Emmy winner Charles Barkley: "Have you ever seen Sam Cassell and Gollum in the same place?

<3

I'd prefer to go out swinging.

You want Josh Smith firing up threes because he doesn't care about failing?



Der K - my Walker/Smith comparison goes something like this - obscenely talented; can score, rebound, and pass; takes too many jumpers and three pointers; highly frustrating to fans of their team; always seems like they should be better than they are; effort and engagement are sometimes an issue. It's less about the aesthetics of their games (I don't watch Smith and say "watching him play reminds me of watching Antoine Walker at his peak", per se - it's more the high level (superficial?) characteristics.


Antoine was a better volume (though less efficient) scorer - while Josh is a far superior defensive player.
   1996. NJ in NY Posted: May 01, 2012 at 10:21 AM (#4120561)
Thoughts on the Perk/Dirk/Ibaka kerfluffle and whether the league should hand out any punishment?
   1997. Rickey Fredonia Fudge Duckery Precious Twiddle Posted: May 01, 2012 at 10:23 AM (#4120564)
You want Josh Smith firing up threes because he doesn't care about failing?


In my experience with Josh Smith, it doesn't matter if I'd prefer that or not. Playas gonna play.
   1998. NJ in NY Posted: May 01, 2012 at 10:31 AM (#4120569)
In my experience with Josh Smith, it doesn't matter if I'd prefer that or not. Playas gonna play.

I lol'd.

I'd prefer to go out swinging.

Amar'e?
   1999. Booey Posted: May 01, 2012 at 10:46 AM (#4120580)
Emmy winner Charles Barkley: "Have you ever seen Sam Cassell and Gollum in the same place?


When I used to get into "ugliest players in the league" debates with my brother and our friends back in the '90's, Cassell was always one of our consensus picks.

For current players, I've always thought Rondo was kinda funny looking. He's got sort of an alien/insectile look to him, and the Celtics green only makes it worse. When he wears the headband, a small part of me suspects he's doing it to conceal a pair of antennae or a second set of eyes.
   2000. NJ in NY Posted: May 01, 2012 at 10:49 AM (#4120584)
When I used to get into "ugliest players in the league" debates with my brother and our friends back in the '90's, Cassell was always one of our consensus picks.

Popeye Jones.
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