Around The NBA 2.0

[catch20two]

Howard went 25-for-39 at the free-throw line tonight in Orlando.

39 points and 16 rebounds was one hell of a return.

[Snidely FC]

Kobe told him so . . .

Bryant, according to ProBasketballTalk.com, appeared incredulous after Sunday’s win over the Chicago Bulls when told that Howard said his return would be “emotional,” and then offered with some words of wisdom in advance of the team’s visit.

“Emotional?! I’ll talk to him,” Bryant said, while appearing exasperated. “Just go out there and bust they (butt). Show them what they’re missing.”

That got a laugh from reporters, but Bryant’s expression—or lack, thereof—seemed to imply that he couldn’t relate to the sentiment.

“Save the emotional (stuff) for when you retire,” he said.

[thruthefire]

Woj (among other "experts") owes Hollinger a major apology for bashing him for the Rudy Gay trade. Memphis is rolling, Conley's been fantastic with more touches, and Ed Davis continues to look very promising. I was never this sour on him before, but I think I can say without hesitation now that Rudy is not a guy I'd want starting on my team.

[fatlever]

Woj (among other "experts") owes Hollinger a major apology for bashing him for the Rudy Gay trade. Memphis is rolling, Conley's been fantastic with more touches, and Ed Davis continues to look very promising. I was never this sour on him before, but I think I can say without hesitation now that Rudy is not a guy I'd want starting on my team.

taking money out of the equation...

unless he accepts a role as a defensive stopper, athletic glue guy, corner 3 specialist who can function as a #2 or #3 option on a good team, then he will always be liability (and of course that wont happen now that he is in toronto and expected to be the alpha dog). he had the perfect chance in memphis to be that player, but i think he still viewed himself as a #1 option. why isnt this guy a defensive stopper? why isnt he averaging 7.5+ rebounds? why has he never averaged 3+ assists? why has he never averaged more than 5 free throw attempts in a season? he thinks he is something that he is not.

never was a fan, never will be a fan.

[LamarMatic7]

Woj (among other "experts") owes Hollinger a major apology for bashing him for the Rudy Gay trade. Memphis is rolling, Conley's been fantastic with more touches, and Ed Davis continues to look very promising. I was never this sour on him before, but I think I can say without hesitation now that Rudy is not a guy I'd want starting on my team.

taking money out of the equation...

unless he accepts a role as a defensive stopper, athletic glue guy, corner 3 specialist who can function as a #2 or #3 option on a good team, then he will always be liability (and of course that wont happen now that he is in toronto and expected to be the alpha dog). he had the perfect chance in memphis to be that player, but i think he still viewed himself as a #1 option. why isnt this guy a defensive stopper? why isnt he averaging 7.5+ rebounds? why has he never averaged 3+ assists? why has he never averaged more than 5 free throw attempts in a season? he thinks he is something that he is not.

never was a fan, never will be a fan.

I'm pretty sure I've talked about this here before, but what the heck. His basketball IQ isn't as good as his talent level. He's capable of doing some very impressive things, however, I don't think he's smart enough to perform at that level on a consistent basis. It seems like he'll never be more than the guy who's simply a scorer, averages right under 20ppg and shoots at 43% from the field. I expect him to jack up 18-footers (he's 25% from 16-23 feet this season, he takes 4.2 shots from there per game) over guys he should be posting up every time down for years to come.

Meanwhile, the Grizzlies had a monster game vs the Clippers. They proved why they're my favorite non-Bobcats team the last couple of season. I absolutely loved Marc Gasol's performance, some good stuff should be on my youtube channel tonight. Since we're on the subject - anybody wants to see Hendo's 35 points immortalized in the youtube archives?

[catch20two]

Then I guess it's safe to say that drafting the bust called Ammo instead of Rudy Gay saved the Bobcats from financial burdens tied to inefficient scoring? Ammo is not so bad after all

[thruthefire]

Then I guess it's safe to say that drafting the bust called Ammo instead of Rudy Gay saved the Bobcats from financial burdens tied to inefficient scoring? Ammo is not so bad after all

Gay could have pushed us into the playoffs two or three more times, either through being on the roster, being used in a trade, or making someone else expendable. And if you're getting a guy like Ed Davis for him once he's washed up, that's not bad at all.

Knowing what we know now, I'd still take Brandon Roy. He would have given us a legitimate shot at making the Eastern Conference Finals.

In either case, it would have made starting to rebuild in your 8th season more understandable, as we wouldn't be sitting on one playoff appearance and zero wins.

[fatlever]

if there ever was a draft to miss on a #3pick, 2006 was the draft. best case scenarios would have been a great roy for a few years, signed to a huge extension (maybe), then gone to injury or a decent gay for a few years, playing behind or with wallace and then perhaps grossly overpaying gay to stay, losing him in free agency or trading him along the way for some value (truly best case scenario). then again, maybe if gay starts his career backing up wallace his value is lower and perhaps he learns how to play more like wallace and less like a the version we see now.

[fatlever]

well, actually the absolute best case scenario would be to have drafted roy then traded himduring his peak value years (after his 2nd or 3rd year) for a stud big man.

[catch20two]

well, actually the absolute best case scenario would be to have drafted roy then traded himduring his peak value years (after his 2nd or 3rd year) for a stud big man.

One would've had to had psychic powers to orchestrate such a thing to fruition.

[JT2006]

well, actually the absolute best case scenario would be to have drafted roy then traded himduring his peak value years (after his 2nd or 3rd year) for a stud big man.

The best case scenario would have been to draft roy and for him to never lose his knees. He was a top 3 SG behind Wade and Kobe.

[Diop]

I love this response by Sanders to the refs.

[Liver_Pooty]

Rivers just likened Bradleys defensive prowess to Scottie Pippen.

Hes a damn good defender, but come on now..

[thruthefire]

My boy Ray Felton is about to get it bad from the Portland faithful.

[Eoghan]

Ha, I like Larry Sanders.

Good lord, the Knicks are like the Bigs of Christmas Past. I'm half expecting Unseld to make another entrance out of the crowd again.

[Liver_Pooty]

Ha, I like Larry Sanders.

Good lord, the Knicks are like the Bigs of Christmas Past. I'm half expecting Unseld to make another entrance out of the crowd again.

The Knicks have such a horrid future. I feel sorry for them.

[James Gatz]

Rivers just likened Bradleys defensive prowess to Scottie Pippen.

Hes a damn good defender, but come on now..

http://www.reddit.com/r/nba/comments/1a ... in_he_now/

[Diop]

Looked like all ball to me

[LamarMatic7]

That grit and grind of the Grizzlies.

[Liver_Pooty]

Miami Heats last loss came before the Superbowl. Now I hate the Heat and everything, but damn thats impressive.