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'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#181 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:25 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Chat.asp?CHAT_TOPICS_ID=619

glen in :
DRose hasnt shot 3 pt at all this year.That makes it hard to spread the lane and if salmons is not having his night bulls are very predictable.what is gonna work instead of gordon?

Luke Byrnes:
The Bulls could certainly use some outside shooting. I have to admit that I overlooked how important Ben Gordon's ability to stretch the floor would impact the Bulls offense. Rose isn't fully healthy yet and the team is still adjusting to playing without Gordon, so I wouldn't panic just yet, but I would be keeping my ears open for available shooters...

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#182 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:28 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/chat.asp?chat ... tus=Active

Mike in Det:
How about this one Prince and Kwame for Kamen and Thorton. The Clippers have enough bigs already.

Eric Pincus:
The Clippers have zero interest in moving Chris Kaman. They consider Chris, Blake Griffin and Eric Gordon the primary core - with hopes that Baron Davis can continue to improve . . .

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#183 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:29 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/chat.asp?chat ... tus=Active

Dave in Detroit, Michigan:
Seems the Pistons should trade Rip and Prince how bout this trade Rip and Prince for McGrady expiring contract? Pistons can reload in free agency with McGradys 22 Million exp. contract, what u think?

Eric Pincus:
Why would the Rockets want to add on millions of dollars in salary in Rip/Prince?

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#184 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:31 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/chat.asp?chat ... tus=Active

Mike in DET:
What do you think about this trade Okafor and Possy for Prince and Kawme That way the Hornets could trim there payroll

Eric Pincus:
Perhaps (if they really don't like Okafor's fit) - although Hamilton has a lengthy contract. I wouldn't sit around refreshing your browser waiting for that to show on your ticker.

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#185 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:33 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=14455

Abe Pollin Passes: Washington Wizards owner Abe Pollin passed away Thursday. Details were not released but Pollin had been fighting a brain disorder called progressive supranuclear palsy."With Abe Pollin's passing, the NBA family has lost its most revered member, whose stewardship of the Wizards franchise, together with his wife Irene, has been a study in unparalleled dedication to the city of Washington," said NBA Commissioner David Stern in a statement. "During his illness he fought with a determination and valor that will remain an inspiration to all. We extend our deepest sympathies to Irene and his two sons, to whom he was so very devoted, and to the entire Pollin family."

Pollin was the longest-tenured owner in the NBA, having bought the then-Baltimore Bullets in 1964 for the price of $1.1 million. In the 2008 Forbes franchise valuations the Wizards were valued at $353 million. HOOPSWORLD wishes the best to Pollin's family and the Washington Wizards family as a whole.

Ted Leonsis - who bought the NHL's Washington Capitals and WNBA's Washington Mystics from Pollin in 1999 and 2005, respectively – has the right of first refusal to buy the rest of Pollin's sports empire (the Wizards, the Verizon Center, and Washington-Baltimore Ticketmaster – all currently owned by Pollin's Washington Sports and Entertainment). For more on the life of Pollin, click here.

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#186 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:39 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.html

McGrady's MRI OK; Joins in Full Workout
To Tracy McGrady, the day was just another practice, more evidence that he is, in his opinion, ready to play. To the Rockets, from the coach who ran the long-awaited workout to the teammates that played with and against him, Monday’s practice offered evidence that McGrady’s return from microfracture knee surgery "is still a process." "He went through the workout today, started and he finished," said Rockets assistant coach Elston Turner, who ran practice with Rick Adelman off Monday to attend to a personal matter. "But it is still a process. We have to bring him back slowly."

McGrady, however, said that while there is work to do on his game to make up for the time off the court, he is ready to play whenever the team allows. He said he does expect to make his season-debut "soon," either this week or on the four-game road trip Nov. 29 through Dec. 5.

Rockets orthopedist Dr. Walter Lowe said the MRI showed no change since September and that McGrady will be monitored "over the coming weeks," indicating his return is not imminent. "I feel I can play, but the coach and the GM obviously feel different," McGrady said. "They run this team and until they feel I’m ready to play, then I guess I’ll be watching." "When did wanting to play basketball become a problem, a bad thing," McGrady said. "I’m ready to play basketball. Everybody is making a big deal because I say I’m ready. The GM and the coach say I’m not ready. Until they feel I’m ready, I won’t play."

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#187 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:40 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.html

Glen Davis Could Return Soon
As much as he wants to blend in with the rest of the guys at the Sports Authority Training Center, Glen “Big Baby’’ Davis realizes things are different. His teammates have labored through 14 games, absorbed elbows, collided with mammoth men setting screens, and withstood criticism en route to a rocky 10-4 start.

Davis, on the other hand, has spent the past month rehabilitating a broken right thumb sustained in a fight with a friend the night before the season opener and has been unable to play. Davis has been working arduously with his left hand and trimming down his weight.

And his exile is coming close to an end. The burly forward said yesterday he is set to get his cast removed Dec. 2, and from there he will work to strengthen his hand and return to the court. “It’s tough to watch the games, knowing that you can help, knowing that you could be the deciding factor of the game,’’ he said. “It’s tough man, so I am excited to get back and get this cast off and start helping my teammates out.’

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#188 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:41 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.html

Lee Returns for Nets; Lopez Sprains Ankle
Good news and bad news from Nets practice Monday: One injured player returned to the court, while a healthy player hobbled into the trainer’s room.

First, the bad: Starting center Brook Lopez sprained his right ankle early Monday while contesting a shot. He spent the rest of practice receiving treatment and did not require an X-ray. “Trust me,” said Lopez, who averages 17.3 points and 8.8 rebounds a game this year, “watching film hurt a lot more.”

With the team set to begin a four-game West Coast trip, coach Lawrence Frank listed Lopez as day-to-day. But he gave the same rating to injured guard Courtney Lee.

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#189 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:43 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.html

Team USA Will Wait for Wade, Bosh, James
LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh might want to wait. Jerry Colangelo is willing to let them do so. James, Wade and Bosh all can become free agents next summer, which has clouded their chances of playing for Team USA in the World Championships in Turkey, Aug. 28-Sept. 12. But Colangelo, chairman of USA Basketball, sees a scenario in which the three still could play even if they might not be available for the team's minicamp in Las Vegas during the third week of July. "There is a gap between the minicamp and when they have to be back [for a training camp beginning in Las Vegas around Aug. 10],'' Colangelo said in an interview Monday with FanHouse. "That's about three weeks. I could see them getting all their business done by then.''

Colangelo said, if necessary, he would be willing to wait on any of the three who can opt out of their contracts next summer and become free agents. After all, Cleveland's James, Miami's Wade and Toronto's Bosh could prove pivotal to Team USA trying to win the Worlds for the first time since 1994. While James and Wade were the top two scorers on the 2008 Olympic team, Colangelo said he has received a firm commitment about playing from Lakers star Kobe Bryant, the No. 3 scorer. Bryant could opt out of his contract and become a free agent next summer, but few see a scenario in which Bryant leaves the Lakers.

Others off the 2008 Olympic team who have said they want to return for the World Championships include Orlando's Dwight Howard, Denver's Carmelo Anthony, and Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer of Utah. However, Boozer is no lock to again make the team, with Colangelo having said Boozer, Detroit's Tayshaun Prince and Milwaukee's Michael Redd could face competition to make Team USA's roster.

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#190 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:43 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.html

Tyrus Thomas May Return in Two Weeks
Tyrus Thomas is at least two weeks from returning from his fractured radius in his left forearm.

"Tyrus brings us more depth, more versatility, more athleticism," Del Negro said. "It's a big loss for us, no question."

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#191 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:44 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.html

Shaq Practices; Eyes Wednesday Return
Shaquille O’Neal asked for a shot. The Cavaliers gave him 10 days off instead.

The team wouldn’t comply when O’Neal asked for a cortisone injection to make his ailing shoulder feel better, choosing to treat it with rest and rehab. O’Neal returned to practice with the Cavaliers on Monday and is hopeful he can play in Cleveland’s game at Detroit on Wednesday. “You can tell it’s a great organization,” O’Neal said. “I was cursing and screaming and trying to make them shoot me up, but they wouldn’t do it.”

O’Neal missed five games after he tried blocking a dunk by Miami’s Michael Beasley on Nov. 12. He called the injury a strained rotator cuff, but wouldn’t say which shoulder he hurt.“My hat goes off to them for being above board,” O’Neal said. “I’m from the old school. If it ain’t broke, let’s just keep going, shoot it up with whatever is legal. But they refused me many times.”

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#192 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:48 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.html

Okur, Korver Targeting Returns This Week
Jazz center Mehmet Okur pedaled a stationary bike prior to practice and made it through the session without any problems Monday, marking his return from a stomach virus that caused him to miss three straight games. "I'm feeling better now," said Okur, who plans to play when the Jazz face Oklahoma City Tuesday night.

Okur said he "started to feel a little bit weird" after returning to Utah following a four-game Eastern road trip earlier this month, and it caught up with him a few hours prior to the Jazz's Wednesday win over Toronto. "I felt good," he said, "and all of a sudden I went home after shootaround (Wednesday) and it got worse, because for some reason I couldn't even move."

Okur wound up missing Thursday's win at San Antonio and — after initially thinking he'd be good to go — Saturday's victory over his ex-Detroit Pistons club as well. But Korver, who backed up (Ronnie) Brewer at shooting guard last season, said Monday he hopes to perhaps be ready to return by week's end. "It's possible, I think," he said. "But we'll see how it is."

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#193 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:48 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.html

Curry Flagrant on Rondo Upgraded
Eddy Curry's foul on Rajon Rondo was upgraded to a Flagrant 2 by the NBA.

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#194 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:49 am

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.html

Wizards Owner Abe Pollin Passes
Abe Pollin, 85, the Washington sports entrepreneur who owned the Wizards basketball team and the Capitals hockey team, died Tuesday. Details on where he died and the cause of his death were not immediately available. He reportedly had a rare brain disease.

Pollin was among the last of the old-school pro sports owners who ran his teams as a family business, shaped by his strong personality and his intense loyalties. His teams lost more than they won, and fans often criticized his personnel moves and his failure to spend more money, but Pollin invariably remained set in his ways.

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#195 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 12:55 am

http://www.freep.com/article/20091124/B ... st-scoring?

Where is the low-post scoring?
Some front-line scoring would help the Pistons' backcourt, which has carried the load so far this season.

Off-season acquisition Charlie Villanueva is about the only scoring threat in the post for the Pistons, who get a bulk of their points from guards Ben Gordon, Rodney Stuckey and Will Bynum. Ben Wallace (3.6 points) isn’t supposed to score. His assignment is to play defense, rebound and set the tone with his energy. Rookie Jonas Jerebko isn’t much of an offensive threat. Kwame Brown has been getting limited minutes and Jason Maxiell is an effort guy off the bench and not a true scorer.

Gordon, Stuckey and Bynum combine to average 51.3 points per game -- 55% of the team’s offense. “We obviously have talented guards," Villanueva said. “I don’t think that’s the problem. I think we need to concentrate more defensively."

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#196 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 1:08 am

http://www.nba.com/games/20091125/CLEDE ... 0020900212

Cavaliers-Pistons Preview
The Cleveland Cavaliers acquired Shaquille O'Neal with the playoffs in mind, and the big man is set to make his return after resting his injured shoulder for five games. Hardly looking like a postseason contender of late, the Detroit Pistons don't need any more obstacles to overcome. The Cavaliers last left The Palace of Auburn Hills with a first-round sweep in April, and they'll likely get O'Neal back Wednesday night as they seek an eighth straight victory over the reeling Pistons.Cleveland's big offseason acquisition averaged 11.3 points in his first nine games with his fifth NBA team before straining his shoulder. Not wanting to risk the 37-year-old center's health too early, the Cavaliers (10-4) refused to give O'Neal a cortisone injection to treat the injury, instead opting to let him rest. O'Neal was back at practice Monday and is probable to return against the Pistons (5-9), losers of five in a row. "Anytime someone misses a couple of games, it takes a little bit to be reacquainted," coach Mike Brown said. "But he's got a great feel for the game. We think he'll step right in."

The Cavaliers have won seven of eight, going 4-1 without O'Neal. LeBron James has been the catalyst as usual, averaging 34.3 points and 9.3 assists in his last four games while shooting 58.3 percent. Though James had a game-high 32 points and nine assists Saturday as Cleveland rallied past Philadelphia 97-91, much of the postgame talk focused on the defense, which allowed 10 fourth-quarter points as Cleveland overcame a six-point deficit. "That's where we make our mark at," James said. "We just lock down. ... When we're playing defense like that at a high level, it's hard to beat us." James averaged 32.0 points, 11.3 rebounds and 7.5 assists as Cleveland held Detroit to 78.0 points per game in a four-game sweep to open last season's playoffs. Including that series, the Cavs have won seven straight over the Pistons by an average of 14.1 points. Cleveland had assistant John Kuester guiding its offense during those victories, but now Kuester, largely credited with the Cavs' improved ball movement and spacing during their 66-win season in 2008-09, is the head coach in Detroit.

Kuester has had some bad breaks running the Pistons. Richard Hamilton (ankle) and Tayshaun Prince (back) have played a combined four games, leaving free agent acquisitions Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva to lead their new team. They haven't had much success lately. Gordon went 1 of 16 from the field and scored a season-low five points in a loss to Dallas on Nov. 15, then the Pistons were swept during a four-game western road trip that concluded with a 117-91 loss at Phoenix on Sunday. "Until this game, we lost three games that we can learn a lot from," said reserve guard Will Bynum, who's averaged 17.7 points on 57.4 percent shooting in his last six games. "... We just have to get things back going and get back home and have the fans behind us. We should be fine." The Pistons' biggest problem has been finding offense inside with former Cavalier Ben Wallace and Jonas Jerebko starting up front. Detroit is among the league's bottom five teams in points in the paint (36.1 per game), and Cleveland (34.1) allows the fewest. The Pistons last lost six in a row during an eight-game skid from Feb. 8-25.

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#197 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 4:07 am

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291124027

Antawn Jamison had 32 points and 14 rebounds to lead Washington past the Philadelphia 76ers 108-107 on Tuesday night, hours after the death of Wizards owner Abe Pollin.

Nick Young added 20 points for the Wizards as they snapped a two-game skid despite playing without Caron Butler, who sat out with a sore right ankle.

Samuel Dalembert had 12 points and six rebounds to lead the 76ers to a 46-45 halftime lead. Neither team led by more than four points in the first half.

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#198 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 4:08 am

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=291124028

Chris Bosh had 16 points and 12 rebounds, Jose Calderon scored a season-high 21 points and the Toronto Raptors handed the Indiana Pacers their fourth straight loss, 123-112 on Tuesday night.

Jarrett Jack scored 18 against his former team, Andrea Bargnani and Hedo Turkoglu each had 14 for the Raptors, who won for just the second time in six games.

Indiana's Danny Granger recovered from a poor first half to finish with a season-high 36, including seven 3-pointers, and nine rebounds. Former Raptor T.J. Ford scored 16.

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#199 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 4:30 am

http://www.mlive.com/pistons/index.ssf/ ... ws_st.html

Pistons' Jonas Jerebko knows stopping Cavaliers' LeBron James won't be easy
Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko, top, has drawn some tough defensive matchups in his rookie season. His next challenge comes Wednesday night when the Pistons host LeBron Jame and the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Pistons will try to end their five-game losing streak when they host James and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and Jerebko will spend a lot of time trying to keep James in check. James has been at his best lately. He was named the NBA's Eastern Conference player of the week Monday after averaging 34.3 points, 5.8 rebounds and 9.3 assists in four games last week. He is averaging 29.4 points, 6.8 rebounds and 8.1 assists this season. Jerebko, a rookie who was thrust into a starting role after injuries to Richard Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, knows James will provide a tough matchup. "He can do everything," Jerebko said. "You've just got to try to stay in front of him and not give him easy shots, so that's what I will do."

He won't do it by himself. "There will be a number of people that guard him," Pistons coach John Kuester said. Jerebko is a high-energy player who has drawn some tough defensive matchups in his rookie season. He has faced Kobe Bryant and Vince Carter this year, and he knows he can't handle James one-on-one consistently. "I can't guard him by myself every time," Jerebko said. "I've got to get some help. We're going to do a good job with helping, and I'm going to do a good job with my defense, too." Kuester said the Pistons have to stay focused on James but also on his teammates. "LeBron is so good in the open court, so we've got to do a number of things to make sure that we get back in transition defense and limit their entire team," Kuester said. "As good as LeBron is, they've also got a number of other players that can put the ball in the hole." The Pistons (5-9) didn't win a game on their four-game trip to the West Coast and are 0-5 since beating the Washington Wizards on Nov. 14. The Cavaliers have won seven of their past eight even though Shaquille O'Neal has been sidelined for the past five games with a shoulder injury. The Cavaliers are 10-4 overall.

Shaq is expected to be back in the lineup Wednesday night, and the Cavaliers will be happy to have him back. "It adds another piece to our puzzle that we've sorely missed," James said Tuesday following practice in Cleveland. Shaq has averaged 11.3 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.6 blocks in nine games this season. Kuester was an assistant coach for the Cavaliers last season and drew a lot of credit for the success that Cleveland had offensively. On Tuesday, he deflected that credit. "We had a wonderful group to work with last year," Kuester said. "The players deserve all the credit. They worked so hard as a unit and were so unselfish and really did a wonderful job." James was familiar with the offense Kuester led last season with the Cavaliers, and he expects to see the same offense when the teams square off. "They're going to run the same sets that we run, for the most part," James said. "It's almost going to be like we're going against ourselves at practice with different players. It's going to be good."

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Re: 'Nasty News - Traversing Time & Space' Vol: 58 

Post#200 » by nasty daddy » Wed Nov 25, 2009 4:35 am

http://blog.mlive.com/fullcourtpress/20 ... tarty.html

Presented without commentarty: More Rodney Stuckey analysis
We've debated the merits of Rodney Stuckey endlessly on Full-Court Press. It never ends well. I like to think most people are in the middle, understanding that Stuckey is just a young player who's shown some talent finding his way. We don't really know what he is yet. But unfortunately, things usually divide into two camps: people who think of Stuckey as a franchise player in waiting and get so mad at any perceived slight that they post angry comments and send F-word filled e-mails to lowly bloggers, or those who put something trite like, "yea, Stuckey sucz...lol" and then move on about their business.

In short, it's a no-win situation to get into the debates. Too passionate. Talking Rodney Stuckey is like talking healthcare reform. So I'll simply point out that Brian at Motown String Music has a really well-researched post, complete with fancy shot-charts and everything, further analyzing Stuckey. It's well worth a read. Here's a quick sample: However, if he's going to be a shooting guard, he needs to shoot better than 39%. Chauncey Billups has shot 44% in his career just once (42% career average), but he can get away with that because of the shots he creates for his teammates as their point guard. If Stuckey isn't going to create shots, then he needs to make shots. It's science. We are seeing some improvements in major areas. He is averaging nearly a full rebound and half a steal more per 36 minutes, and his free throw shooting has improved to 85% so far this year. He's also scoring almost a full point more, but he's also taking more shots.

Very rational stuff, backed up with stats. Also, Hardwood Paroxysm has much shorter, but still relevant, analysis: So Bynum’s pretty much a point, Gordon’s definitely a two, Stuckey’s probably a two, and Hamilton’s probably a two. Seriously, Dumars, that trade button ain’t gonna push itself.

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