Can BG rock a headband, too?Forgive us if we lost a lot of respect for Scott Skiles yesterday. After standing his ground in that absurd headband standoff with Ben Wallace last year, Skiles caved to his star, allowing Wallace to wear a headband this season. Skiles said it was the players’ decision that Big Ben could be an exception to the rule. “We still have a no-headband rule,” Skiles said at Bulls camp, “I just left it up to the guys who have been here if they wanted to make an exception for Ben. I was fine with it. They were fine with it.” Two things: first, why even implement rules as a coach if you’re just gonna let the players decide who follows them and who doesn’t? Secondly, why was this even still an issue? Wasn’t it settled last year? It only makes sense that Ben had to have gotten his way because he kept making it an issue. So after a full season of not wearing a headband, he still couldn’t drop it? Is that why he had a down year last year? (Pretty much across the board, his stats were lower in ‘06-07 than any of his years in Detroit.) We’re not saying the no-headband rule is a great idea or that we even agree with it — but if you’re gonna stand for something as a leader and as a coach, stand for it. It’s a matter of principle … Sorry if you were waiting for training camp to hear Shaq to address his divorce issues/rumors: “It’s something that I won’t discuss now with you guys,” Shaq told reporters. “Won’t discuss 10 years from now. Won’t ever discuss it.” Somewhere, Jim Gray heard that and is taking it as a personal challenge … But Shaq won’t have it nearly as bad as Isiah Thomas will over the next few months. Yesterday Isiah and MSG were found liable in the sexual harassment lawsuit that’s dominated the NY papers for the last month. Isiah won’t have to come out of pocket, but James Dolan is personally on the hook for $3 million of the $11.6 million judgment. A good point was brought up in the office yesterday: Since the Knicks have spent somewhere around that number buying out guys like Mo Taylor, it shouldn’t be very crippling … Today is the last day that we’re hooking up Dime readers, and only Dime readers, with a $5 subscription to Bounce magazine. If you missed Bobbito’s letter giving the lowdown on Bounce, check it out HERE. Hurry and SUBSCRIBE NOW … Imagine you’re a tattoo artist and Stephen Jackson walks into your shop. What’s going through your mind when he says he wants this? That’s just crazy. S-Jack says he got the praying hands/gun tat because “I pray I never have to use a gun again.” … Damien Wilkins is switching from #12 to #21, the same number his dad (Gerald Wilkins) and uncle (‘Nique) wore in the League. “I tried to get it last year from Danny (Fortson) and I told him he should give it to me because he wasn’t using it,” Wilkins told the Seattle Times. That’s cold. Correct, but cold … Brad Miller says he dropped 25 pounds over the summer. “I don’t like eating chicken every day, don’t like eating salads every meal. But it’s something I had to do,” Miller said. That’s good news for the Kings, better news for fantasy owners. You know the center spot is always thin … Speaking of fantasy hoops, our very own Fantasy Doctor is back for ‘07-08. In his first column of the new season, the good doctor offers some strategies to nail your upcoming draft … Ever since NBA 2K8 landed in the office the other day, we’ve been putting in work. One thing we found out is the Hawks are actually kinda good on the game. (Josh Smith owns the best dunk in the office so far, a baseline reverse on the Sonics that was contest-worthy.) Christian got up with one of ATL’s youngsters a couple weeks ago, getting 10 things straight from Marvin Williams … Our buddy Brad Graham over at Handle magazine informed us that Homicide will be playing for the Townsville McDonald’s Crocodiles in Australia’s NBL. That makes about 9 or 10 countries Homicide’s played in now: China, France, Sweden and Venezuela are on that list, among others … Jed e-mailed everyone last night with “Big Big Injury News.” Turns out it was just WWE champ John Cena tearing a pectoral tendon on Raw, putting him out for 6-8 months … We’re out like Cena …
October 3rd, 2007 at 6:05 am
giacomo says:
you know, i sent an email to the Perth Wildcats(Aust. NBL team) GM two weeks ago telling him that our import, rashard phillips(’baby iverson’), is actually quite useless and recommended to him the possibilty of homicide… now out of the blue homicide is playing in australia anyway! crazy shit…
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:07 am
Amar says:
yesterday was a bad day, because I picked up both live and 2k. to be objective, both games deserve mentioning. live worked hard, real hard, to make the game something you don’t want to throw in the dumpster. 2k, on the other hand, is 2k, and didn’t need to do much in the off season. i guess in this regard, nba live is the houston rockets, and 2k is the utah jazz. (without the kirilenko thing) why was yesterday a bad day? because i got nothing done all day, because basketball games are fun to play.
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:23 am
djKianoosh says:
Sounds like Dime should be doing a comparison review of Live and 2K.
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:42 am
AK says:
2K is crazy fun if you’re the Wiz. However, if you’re the Sonics…
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:43 am
Bron42 says:
no comparison needed….
Live: arcade basketball…every year they hepe up some brand new gimic, that turns out to be junk which they’ll scrap the next year for some new gimic ala the super star thing from 06-07 which people just completely took advantage of. All this will happen while they overlook the flaws that were already wrong with the game like behind the backboard blocks, AI that randomly jogs out of bounds etc..They tried this year but its still so bootleg that it gets annoying really fast. Live has never really been known for its game play and thats why you buy video games.
2k8: 2k7 with a slight upgrade. The association mode is crazy since now you have to factor in peoples personalities and what not. No more lopsided trades just by matching up prices. Graphics are better. Still some issues with the Lock down defender but only if you wanna be a clown and just BS with it like throwing kwame brown on steve nash just because you know the lock down button is there. New dunk contest, which is tricky, but fun once you get the hang of it. Only sucks thats it nots inseason like live has but still a overall better dunk contest i think. But like i said before, its all about gameplay…and 2k8 is a realistic as it gets.
If you have money, buy both…if your lookin to get one, get 2k8 or just rent them.
October 3rd, 2007 at 9:49 am
Tom Toronto says:
I picked up 2k8 for the Ps2 yesterday, and after being a long standing live supporter (my last game being live 06) I have to say it’s a great game. Way more realistic, way more depth, even the play calling menu is indicative of what a basketball game should be. The downside? The features advertised like the Sprite Dunk Contest and “Lock Down D” are NOT on the Ps2 version. Which means no Bobbito. Disappointing? Very. But for $30, still a fantastic bball game. $25 cheaper than Live, and far superior, end of story for all Ps2 users.
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:27 am
Rob says:
I thought 2k8 didnt hit stores til the 26th…have i fallen that far behind the times!
October 3rd, 2007 at 10:42 am
Bron42 says:
they both came out the 2nd..even earlier if you had a hookup
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:21 am
Lucky Lester says:
Scott Skiles is an idiot. I don’t care if he handed the ball to Shaq and Nick Anderson for the most assists ever in a game - the guy is one of those authority figures that has his team do shit just to let them know he can make them do shit - that’s just dumb. That may be a cool thing to do with your high school catholic prep team, but it’s just dumb in the league. Especially something like a headband that actually serves a purpose. My dream world consists of this: Allen Iverson gets traded to the Chicago Bulls, and Scott tries to tell AI that he can’t braid his hair or wear headbands. AI might just punch Skiles right in the mouth. And personally, I’d enjoy that whole deal.
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:45 am
Jules says:
The Bulls wouldn’t have that rule if it wasn’t for idiots like Eddy Curry, Jamal Crawford, and Eddie Robinson.
Those guys made wearing a headband the dumbest look ever, wearing them all crooked and even around their neck (E.Rob)!
I think big Ben is gonna be the only guy on the team to wear one. Hopefully, bc Tyrus Thomas looks really dumb in a headband.
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:46 am
Jules says:
oh and theres a comparison review of 2K8 and Live 08 in the newst DIME…if you were a subscriber you’d know this though.
cant go wrong, I got 2 yrs for $8 through various promos on this site.
October 3rd, 2007 at 11:52 am
Andy Buckets says:
For a guy who plays in a headband I think the rule is stupid. You can’t let a few bad apples spoil the bunch. And really…we’re those guys that bad anyway?
As far as 2k8 goes; I love it. Bron42, usually I disagree with alot of what you have to say. Lol, but this time you are totally right. Although Live does look way better than it did last year 2k is far superior.
October 3rd, 2007 at 12:08 pm
Reggie says:
I’m from TO, Canada. Why can’t I subscribe to Bounce?
October 3rd, 2007 at 12:33 pm
Austin Burton says:
The headband rule is one of those things coaches do when they take over a young team that needs disciple. Nate McMillan did it when he got to Portland. Was not wearing a headband gonna suddenly turn D-Miles, Zach Randolph and Bassy into NBA Cares spokesmen? No, it’s something to show “I’m in charge here.”
October 3rd, 2007 at 12:43 pm
Sam Boobie says:
Did you guys hear that this whole “Greg Oden” “injury” is just some sort of “early” April Fool’s “joke”? Have you guys heard anything “more” on “that”?
October 3rd, 2007 at 2:00 pm
Terrell says:
It doesn’t matter if Crawford and Curry used to rock the headnands on their big toes, the rule was implemented so Skiles could show he’s in charge. It’s going to be interesting to see how the Knicks deal with this mess for the next few months….
October 3rd, 2007 at 2:28 pm
djKianoosh says:
yeah, i had a subscription years ago, but moved and never re-subscribed… but you’re right, the price for is pretty good for a 2 or 3 years subscription. done.
October 3rd, 2007 at 7:11 pm
DOC says:
2k8
October 4th, 2007 at 12:29 am
Austin Burton says:
I’m kinda mad Robert Swift isn’t tatted up in 2K8. Delonte’s ink as all there (plus the birthmark thing).
October 4th, 2007 at 4:00 am
Lucky Lester says:
I think West is a sweet fantasy sleeper candidate this year, but apparently KD is starting at the 2…. ??? … so maybe not?
October 4th, 2007 at 8:43 am
Amar says:
I think the individual handle is so much better on Live, the player models blow 2k out of the water. the floor spacing is better as well, and there are more go to moves that are in the game. 2k is deeper (in their dynasty mode) and it’s possible to play defense in it. 2k’s presentation is much better, the stats they show, the commentary (etc…) just blows live out of the water.
carlos boozer with hair and andrei kirilenko looking like an anime character are pretty ‘bootleg’ as well, though.
both games have their faults, both games have their good points. 2k has more up-to-date rosters. 2k, by it’s rep alone, and how poorly ea treats its’ fans, should be the only game i’m playing. unfortunately i still am splitting my time between both games.
I guess being objective sucks, it’s easier to be a fanboy and only play one of them.
October 22nd, 2007 at 9:48 pm
vgbvdf says:
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