4 A.M. at the Waffle House
Facing his first kinda/sorta NBA comp since the summer leagues, Yi Jianlian looked like a Lottery pick against the D-League “Ambassadors” at the Stankovic Cup tourney in China, dropping 28 points on dudes like Rick Rickert and Kevin Lyde. Yi was getting his on turnaround jumpers, scoring in the post and driving, and the home crowd was loving it. Throughout the game they kept chanting something that sounded like “Waffles.” They did it nonstop for several minutes at a time, so much that by the second half we were checking to see if IHOP would deliver to the office … During the game Lyde missed a layup right under the hoop and pulled the “my ankle hurts” move right after. When we went up to NYC’s Reebok Club to play ball earlier this week, we saw a guy do the same thing, but even worse. Homeboy airballed a wide-open trey (no one even near him), screamed a four-letter word, then started limping. Of course, 30 seconds later he was magically healed … Back on the subject of Yi, we talked to Mo Williams on Thursday and asked him if, in his gut, he thinks Yi will be playing for the Bucks this season. “I hope so, but I really don’t know too much about the situation,” Mo said. “I know about as much as you guys do, just from reading stuff and watching TV. I haven’t talked to Larry Harris or talked to the coaches about it. Hopefully everything gets worked out. He’s a versatile big guy; we can be very good with him.” … The NBA unveiled its ‘07-08 schedule. Opening Night on Oct. 30 features three games: Lakers vs. Rockets (no doubt preceded by two solid hours of “Lets’ try to get into Kobe’s head” talk from the announcers), Jazz vs. Warriors (Can GS finally grab a rebound over Boozer and Millsap?), and Spurs vs. Blazers (Welcome to the League, Greg Oden; here’s 25-12-4 from Mr. Duncan.) … The next night, Halloween, has Philly vs. Toronto (with Chris Bosh scoring 45 points against Philly’s atrocious front line), Milwaukee vs. Orlando (If it is Yi’s debut, he gets to guard Rashard Lewis), Chicago vs. New Jersey (The Eastern Conference’s forgotten teams), Cleveland vs. Dallas (Woulda been a competitive Finals), Seattle vs. Denver (Durant meets ‘Melo) and San Antonio vs. Memphis (Welcome to the League, Mike Conley; here’s a faceful of floaters from Tony Parker) … One more thing to look for in that Cavs/Mavs game is the status of Drew Gooden’s patch. We read in the Contra Costa Times that Drew isn’t getting rid of it anytime soon — and that he’s even growing it longer. And according to “a source close to Gooden,” the patch is “like fly paper for the ladies.” … Stephon Marbury and Kevin McHale apparently don’t get along, and here’s what Steph told the New York Post about his fam going to Minnesota: “When I do speak to (Sebastian) I’ll wish him good luck and tell him to be careful around Kevin McHale.” Steph added, “As far as my little cousin, I wish him all the best because he’s got to deal with Kevin McHale. I wouldn’t want to play for Kevin McHale.” … In case you missed it, here’s Kevin Garnett’s MLB pitching debut … Set your TiVo: Rick Fox is starring in a new show that will air on AMC. Supposedly the show is a dramatic series about a fictional basketball league that looks at pro ballplayers’ lives on and off the court. Can’t wait … We’re out like Drew going full baldie …
August 3rd, 2007 at 7:44 am
Amar says:
I don’t get why people would want to see Yao and co. wreck the lakers on TV. it’s not like that franchise [the purple and gold one] is even significant right now . . . and haven’t been since they traded away the guy that got them three rings in a row. you know, that first ballot, hall of fame center. what was his name?
good luck to all the teams this year, and lets hope for a minimum number of injuries.
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:52 am
jake says:
Why did KG change numbers.
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:06 am
celts fan says:
cuz 21’s retired (along w/ about 20 others)
August 3rd, 2007 at 10:42 am
Jules says:
Drew Gooden doesn’t have anything on Bogut…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_flcL9V6Ag
go to the 2:30 mark to check out his Jedi braid…
Unbelievable!
August 3rd, 2007 at 11:18 am
João says:
I think this season will be the most interesthing since Bron Melo and Wade come to the league, and with the Boston been a team right now, the Cavs, Bulls, Raptors, Nets, Pistons and Heat, all in the same page, the Magic, Wizards and Bobcats with good teams, i think that the East is much better , and games will be real fun to watch, cant wait ,,, I am out like the winter here in Brazil, 30°C …
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:02 pm
Celts Fan says:
It should be Joao. Between the Kobe saga (you have to assume he’s stuck in LA one way or another barring a blockbuster that doesn’t look like it’s going to happen), the Oden/Durant hype, the East’s reentry into the NBA, the Celtics being good again, the continued improvement of the class of ‘03, Gilbert Arenas still being, well, Gilbert Arenas, LeBron getting to keep jacking up covered 20 footers because it’s still a better shot than passing to an open teammate (not named Boobie), seeing how long it takes til LeBron melts down a la Kobe, getting to hear “Boobie” on TV without it being 3AM, watching how the Pistons integrate Amir and Maxiell into an aging lineup, Rasheed “We Done Smoked it All Up” Wallace, Golden State - the year after, watching how Utah keeps developing, and most importantly, watching my Celtics actually be relevant again.
I can’t wait for opening night!
August 3rd, 2007 at 1:31 pm
kudabeen says:
Why Are the bucks so adamant about keeping Yi!?! If he doesn’t want to be there, trade him while h is getting hyped and get legit talent that assure them a playoff run. They still need a solid SF backup point. Golden State want’s Yi right are they willing to sign and/or trade Barnes/Pietres or give up Monta and Wright? I doubt, but I’m sure they can could get good talent in a trade. Where does he fit. Is He and Charlie V. really going to play minutes at the 3?
I agree that this season will be very entertaining. I may get league pass, especially since Direct-TV in Philly sucks ass. They don’t play Sixer’s games because of a beef with comcast. They also don’t offer an alternative, like let Philly people watch another team’s local broadcast. I’m going turn this crap into a discount for league pass. either was I can’t wait to see who really comes out swinging.
Is Boston really the ‘Truth’?
Can the Bobcats turn all that D and Hustle into Ws and be my darkhorse to be a 50 win team…(heard it here first)?
Local plug: Andre Iguodala Eastern Conference Allstar??
If Boston gets rolling early, will other teams make drastic moves to try to prepare for playoffs?
Is Chicago going to be the best team in the East?
Will Jason Maxiell and Rodney Stuckey give Detroit the youthful boost it needs to be dominant?
Will Dwight, Lewis, and Nelson prove doubters wrong and give everyone Ls?
Is Shawn Marion goiong to remain on the Suns through the trade deadline if they don’t get off to a great run or even if they do?
Is Iverson and Carmello’s Nuggets going to mesh and have success? Sub question: Will JR Smith every produce or be able to after his acident this off-season, where his firend died?
Will T-Mac finally come out on a mission and show that his tears weren’t for not?
If Ron doesn’t see success with the Kings early, will they actually trade him to the Heat?
Kevin Durant…20ppg 25ppg 30ppg??
Is Jeff Green going to sneak up on everyone and be the clear favorite for rookie of the year?
Will Atlanta be a playoff team? Look at their roster they are pretty stacked. Yes, they are young, damn Horford, Williams look good, Law looks good, J-Smith does his thing, Joe Johnson should be healthy. Even if Lue and Claxton are out, don’t they still have Anthony Johnson under contract (same guy that gave J-Kidd 40 in the playoffs last year)?
Can Baron Davis stay healthy and take his rightful place as the leagues most dominant PG?
Is Chris Paul and crew going to finally put it together? Still waiting to see the Isiah in Paul comeout and will his team to the playoffs.
Finally…What will the result of all the Kobe madness produce? Will could be out for blood more than ever, because I can’t see him throwing the season. Will Bynum come out with a Chip on his shoulder and turn that talent and all that Hall of Fame toturing into being one of the top Bigs in the West?
Just things I think about…Can’t wait…I’m going to run out of space on my DVR…Crazy!
August 3rd, 2007 at 2:10 pm
Ben says:
Kudabeen, good looks on the Hawks shoutout.
We would have easily made the playoffs without the injury plague this past season.
Speedy / Lue / Acie
Joe Johnson / Childress
Josh Smith / Marvin
AL Horford / Shelden
ZaZa / Horford
Watch out.
August 3rd, 2007 at 2:21 pm
Celts Fan says:
The Hawks are a nice, young team, but “easily make the playoffs”??? Dude, I don’t know what you’re smoking, but that shit sounds like it must be pretty damn good!
August 3rd, 2007 at 2:35 pm
Celts Fan says:
I’m interested to see Minn. vs. LAL this year. Bynum’s nice and all, but Big Al is NASTY. He has so many post moves it’s amazing (and what made it so tough to let him go) Bynum’s got some talent, but to me (a biased observer who’s seen infinitely more Big Al than Bynum) I don’t think he can touch Al. It should be fun to see 2 of the best (really) young players in the league go at each other…
August 3rd, 2007 at 2:45 pm
Ben says:
Yes, this past year the East sucked and the Hawks were just plagued with injuries. Just wait till you see how deep this team is.
August 3rd, 2007 at 3:02 pm
Celts Fan says:
ya, now they are kind of deep (and still not a playoff team btw) but there’s NO WAY the Hawks would have been a playoff team last year, regardless of what happened. They’re a nice up and coming team, but they’re not there yet. I like what they’re doing, but give it a few more years and some experience…
August 3rd, 2007 at 3:21 pm
smity says:
i thought that the idea of baron davis and croshere not getting along/ liking each other was well documented…
August 3rd, 2007 at 4:12 pm
kudabeen says:
Didn’t the Hawks hve a winning record before all the injuries in December?
Joe Johnson only played like 55-57 games and Claxton who can ball when healthy (the issue) only played like 40. If They had their two best decision makers on the floor in 20 more games they may have caught the Magic. They won 30 games with their best guards missing 33% of the season. Still wuldn’t make it easy, but they were above 500 before the injuries…
I too want to see how Al Jefferson battles in the West and how Bynum delvelops. Is Kobe going to take the opportunity to be a good teammate and edify Bynum and instill the confidence in him to play to his potential? He hasn’t so far. Kobe seems to be more patient with guys no one expects much from. Sasha, Turiaf, and even Smush.
A note on Smush. Okay on the floor he esily lost focus. To say that he is a bad defnder is far from true. You try to focus when your own coach is heckling you in the front row. He had some great defensive games against great guards. He just wsn’t making it happen consistently. I like Smush in Miami and Pat.
August 3rd, 2007 at 4:34 pm
Buck says:
hoopshype.com/rumors