A.I. on Dime’s 2005 Collector’s IssueAsk any top-level defensive stopper — be it Kevin Garnett or Bruce Bowen or Ron Artest or Gary Payton — and they’ll tell you that playing tough defense ultimately comes down to effort and desire. So when an ultra-talented offensive team like the ‘07-08 Denver Nuggets run risk of missing the playoffs because they aren’t guarding anyone, you have to question their heart. But then last night, in the most important game of their season, when they seemed ready to roll over and play dead in one of the League’s toughest arenas against an equally-desperate Warriors team, Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony and the rest found whatever it was inside that we haven’t seen in a while and pulled out a win. That heart and effort was personified on one play in the third quarter, when the never-in-danger-of-winning-the-DPOY ‘Melo came over on help-side D and swatted a Monta Ellis layup at the rim. ‘Melo had two blocks and five steals on the night to go along with 25 points and 9 boards … Denver gave up 105 points, but during a key stretch in which the game turned in the second quarter, they held Golden State without a field goal for at least five minutes during a 20-1 run that swung the momentum … Before that, the Warriors led by as much as 16 in the first quarter. With the Nuggets missing layups on their end and giving up too many easy looks on the other (GS had 17 fast-break points in the first), the cameras cut to George Karl on the bench wearing the glazed-over look of a man getting ready to get fired … After A.I. (33 pts, 9 asts, 3 stls) ended the first half with a buzzer-beating jumper to put Denver up by one, ‘Melo and J.R. Smith (24 pts) took over in the second half, knocking down threes and scoring in transition. We like Kevin Harlan’s nickname for J.R.: “The Wild Card.” Fits him perfectly … Doug Collins called Marcus Camby, “The best assist man in the conference, second-best in the League.” We’ll assume he meant blocks, not assists … Did you see Stacey Augmon sitting behind the Nuggets bench? Plastic Man was with the team in training camp, but didn’t make the cut and was later hired as a player development coach. Between Augmon, newly-minted Hall of Famer Adrian Dantley and George Karl (a decent ABA guard in the ’70s), that’s a lot of talent on the Nuggets’ bench. And we’d bet trainer Steve Hess (the diesel White guy with the dreads) can at least set some picks and box out … Golden State still had a puncher’s chance late in the fourth quarter, but Kelenna Azubuike made some bad decisions on a couple of crucial possessions. With about three minutes left, Azubuike ignored a wide-open Baron Davis — who would’ve had a mismatch with Camby as the closest defender to him — and took it to the rack, getting swatted by two guys. A couple of minutes later, Azubuike bricked an ill-advised jumper at another time when Baron (20 pts, 10 rebs, 11 asts) should have had the ball in his hands … Collins messed up one time by calling Iverson “the young guy,” then corrected himself by calling A.I. “the very experienced superstar.” In Doug’s defense, Iverson is young to him … So it’s looking like the Warriors will probably miss the playoffs, which kinda sucks for us at the office. If you saw the post the other day of Dime’s favorite players in the League, you’d know Baron is a huge favorite around here … Right after Nuggets/Warriors, we caught the end of Jazz/Mavericks. Down by three in the final seconds, Deron Williams (18 pts, 12 asts) hit a crazy step-back three OFF THE GLASS. Dallas was out of timeouts, so Eddie Jones took the inbounds and got the ball up to Dirk Nowitzki, who the Jazz had inexplicably left unguarded. Dirk’s three from the wing was soaking wet with 0.9 showing on the clock, and Deron missed a wild three on the other end as the Mavs clinched a playoff spot … After nailing the game-winner, Dirk (32 pts) broke out another weird celebration, pulling his jersey out from his shorts and stretching the bottom out as far from his body as possible while chewing on his mouthpiece. Have Dirk’s PR people ever talked to him about the stuff he does in crunch-time? Rather than the fist pump or the Jordan Shrug, Dirk’s got the weird faces, the KISS-style sticking his tongue out, and the new jersey-tug. Can you imagine an MJ-style “Let Your Game Speak” commercial with kids imitating Dirk’s mannerisms? … Meanwhile, C.J. Miles didn’t even get off the bench. Yesterday on DimeMag.com we looked at C.J. and some other ballplayers in he League who are running out of time to live up to their potential. It’s probably too late for the Stro Swifts and Kwame Browns of the world, but others like Andray Blatche, Adam Morrison and Sebastian Telfair shouldn’t be written off just yet … From watching the always-hype ORACLE Arena crowd to the delirious Dallas crowd, landing on Clippers/Lakers at Staples was a huge letdown. It being a Clips home game, the crowd was dead, and the fact that the Lakers were laying the smack down on ‘em wasn’t helping. Kobe scored 16 as the Lakers won by almost 30 … Kobe debuted the new Nike Hyperdunks for this game, and he’ll unveil a different colorway against the Spurs on Sunday. A few members of the Dime crew were in Portland earlier this week to get a sneak peak of the Hyperdunks and the rest of Nike’s Beijing ‘08 product. The trip included a visit with Kobe and luxury-suite seats for the Lakers/Blazers game … Even in the blowout, Kobe and Lamar Odom played 34 minutes apiece; more than you’d expect with the postseason approaching and the game not even in question. With teams like the Celtics and Pistons regularly resting their starters lately and other Lottery-bound teams shutting down banged-up players who probably could still go out there, it begs the question: Do teams owe it to the fans to play their best players every night no matter what? Tell us what you think … And come back to DimeMag.com later today when we’ll be dropping another behind-the-scenes video from one of our photo shoots. For Dime #39 we got up with Rudy Gay at his Memphis crib, where he showed us his video-game setup. As you’d expect from a young team, the Grizzlies get it in on the sticks, and Rudy’s place is the unofficial headquarters for all the NBA 2K8 and Call of Duty sessions … We’re out like GS …
April 11th, 2008 at 2:40 am
Donnie B says:
First!
April 11th, 2008 at 2:43 am
B says:
Its a shame that GS is gonna miss the cut.
April 11th, 2008 at 2:45 am
the truth says:
whoever winds up in the 8th seed out west will take out New Orleans
April 11th, 2008 at 2:55 am
bordado says:
una ako
April 11th, 2008 at 3:33 am
Duke says:
I don’t think NO is going to lose in the first round. They might get pushed to like 6 or 7 games though.
April 11th, 2008 at 4:40 am
Flying-Dutchman says:
Kelenna Azubuike has got some big triceps.. But GS missing finals, i think a LOT of people will be disappointed.
April 11th, 2008 at 5:13 am
Ben says:
Monta Ellis was hot: 29 PTS (13-26 FG), 8 REB, 5 AST, 5 STL, ok 6 TO…
http://www.scribd.com/doc/2433260/Monta-Ellis-or-How-to-Increase-Your-Vertical-Jump
April 11th, 2008 at 5:16 am
YOUNGFED says:
Question of The Day:
@Dime: How is it a shame that GS will miss the playoffs, are you guys saying you would rather see Baron over AI?
Also anybody in that office that has Baron over AI for their favorite player is no longer credible.
YOUNGFED aka “Gee I saw that ish you posted in smack yesterday”…lol
aka YOUNGMONEY aka HIDE YA GIRL aka YOUNG NINER (the last one’s for the ladies of dime) LMAO
DETROIT ALLDAY….HOLLA
April 11th, 2008 at 5:58 am
kobeef says:
Denver is the more talented team so it is nice to see them put it together and jump into the playoffs. If they show the kind of effort they did last night in the playoffs they could be very dangerous.
GS has some holes they need to fill in their starting lineup so maybe the best bet for them is to get lucky in the draft and pick up an upgrade over Al Harrington at PF or a bigger SG so that they don’t have to deal with Monta guarding the Kobe’s and JR smith’s of the world (which didn’t work so well last night)
April 11th, 2008 at 6:10 am
YOUNGFED says:
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“I hadn’t seen anybody really defend K.G. like ‘Sheed,” Billups said. “Now fast forward a couple years and me being in the same locker room as him, and I see him play against Tim Duncan and Kevin (Garnett) and all these guys. He’s very, very, very underrated. He does it all. He contests shots. He’s got quick hands down low. Positioning-wise, he’s heavy so you can’t just back him down. I think he’s the most underrated defender in basketball.”
April 11th, 2008 at 6:13 am
Flying-Dutchman says:
YOUNGFED says:
QUOTE OF THE DAY:
“I hadn’t seen anybody really defend K.G. like ‘Sheed,” Billups said. “Now fast forward a couple years and me being in the same locker room as him, and I see him play against Tim Duncan and Kevin (Garnett) and all these guys. He’s very, very, very underrated. He does it all. He contests shots. He’s got quick hands down low. Positioning-wise, he’s heavy so you can’t just back him down. I think he’s the most underrated defender in basketball.”
ahhh piston love, brought a smile to MY face.. thanks
April 11th, 2008 at 7:03 am
Dave says:
It does suck that the Dubs may be out. I wonder if letting JRich go was such a great move, especially after last year’s run.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:14 am
sans says:
Seriously, Dirk’s German and all Germans are fucked-up, rock-out-cock-out nuts. It’s from living around so many likeminded people for so damn long. Don’t believe?…check out “Two girls one cup” .com. Tape your reaction and put it on Youtube. I speak nothing but the TRUTH every day of my life, even when I’m lying.
Rudy’s crib sounds a lot like mine, just way, way less affluent in my set. But I’m literate and intuitive, and I’ll be up there. Anyway, how clutch was Dirk “the missing link between us and the Neanderthal race” Nowitzki last night? It still won’t quiet anybody’s doubts about him, but that last shot had ice water dripping off of it. Is his only nickname really the “dunking Deutschman”? C’mon. That’s like three different letters from being Rik Smits. C’mon.
Forgot about Diggler. With his forehead, you hafta call him “The Missing Link” from now on.
And I thought Melo could only ball like that on my 2k8 squad. Late.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:32 am
Logan says:
I watched that Nuggets game - text message from my boy in the third; “Are you watching the Denver game? Race for the 8th spot and absolutely NO defense! Fastbreak central!!”
And what about that brief time in the first where the broadcast all of a sudden switched to spanish? Weird.
Honestly, I can’t say it’s a shame the GS is not in. They really don’t play any defense. On one play JR Smith didn’t even get looked at by on the Warriors… Really? That’s JR Smith, he’s gonna jack it up with a dude draped all over him, of course he’s taking that one.
And what was with Doug Collins? He would only refer to Stephen Jackson as Captain Jack… the ENTIRE GAME. It was like watching a game with YOUNGFED. Very annoying.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:36 am
Celts Fan says:
I didn’t like the JRich trade at the time for either team (BWright was a steal since he was #3 on NBADraft.net all year, then dropped to
but who honestly thought the Warriors should give up JRich to get younger? Also, who thought the Bobcats were in good enough shape RIGHT NOW to trade away a potential all-star (to say he’s got Chris Bosh potential is pretty accurate) for a guy like JRich, who finally gives them a star all-around scorer (love Crash, but he can’t shoot like Jason) but doesn’t help them enough to propel them into the playoffs in the putrid East.
and I don’t think Dime meant it’d be a shame if GS missed it as opposed to Denver as much as that GS had one of the greatest upsets in NBA history last year, then may miss the playoffs this year. It is a shame that that GREAT fanbase supported them and waited 13 years to get back, then pulled a historic upset, then may (will?) miss the Playoffs the following year.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Celts Fan says:
*Wright dropped to #8 (I don’t know why that went to a smiley face. It was just # then 8…)
April 11th, 2008 at 7:47 am
YOUNGFED says:
You gotta read between the lines Celts. If it’s a race between GS and Denver what eles could Dime have been saying.
@FD- Just doing me trying give everyone a lil more insight to the future 2009 champs. Somebody gotta do it. I thought the qoute speaks volumes.
DPOY-Sheed, Fuka KG
April 11th, 2008 at 8:04 am
GEE... Put some stank on it! says:
Houston up!
Yea Young I was just making noise. Anyway I know the D will do their thing come playoffs, it’s only one team that can stop them in the East for real.
“I’m focused like K.G. with a mean snarl, these otha cats are mo complacent than George Karl.” Tha Real
“the cameras cut to George Karl on the bench wearing the glazed-over look of a man getting ready to get fired” AND HE HAD THAT LOOK THE WHOLE GAME. I was thinking surely he would do something when J.R. got a tech. in the game. Cameras go to G.K. and he is just sittin their like whatever.
I don’t event think it was Denver playing D so much as it was more of just G.S. missing tons of shots. Don’t get me wrong Denver played the best I seen them all year perhaps, but G.S. missed some open opportunities.
I would love for G.S. to make it over Denver just so it can enhance the chances of G.K. getting gone. Plus I love the Warrior’s fans more. They get so wild it’s like a pep rally. I will say Denver has better playoff players to pull the upset, but G.S. playing at home with all things clicking is about the best thing to watch in the L.
I like the joints Kobe put out there, did anyone see the commercial of him jumping over that expensive $%^ car coming at him. Charles was all on some if you try this at home you just stupid stuff lol hilarious. I still was expecting Kobe to drop 40.
I can’t front. Cause of Jason Kidd I am really glad Dallas made it in. I have to admit Dirk did his thing and has come through in big games lately. The playoffs are a different animal though, and it’s just going to be interesting to see if he can come through like that playoff wise.
Kidd doesn’t seem to be having as much fun with Dallas to me as he has had with other squads.
Let us not just give Denver the spot yet, they still need to win two more games I think. They have Utah and Houston and some other team. With their inconsistency they still might not make it. Meanwhile G.S. has an easier last couple of games.
The Maloof Brothers got to be some of the coolest dudes. I wish others (Mark Cuban) would take notice of how they just chill.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:05 am
the truth says:
…and how does somebody come in, after the fact, with the first post, when I saw “B” was first and I was second, then bordado was third?
Is the DIME site getting hacked by a truly bored and lame blogger?
Peace
April 11th, 2008 at 8:39 am
Brown says:
As a Warriors fan, I thought I’d be more disappointed with this loss. When they traded J-Rich, I figured Brandan Wright would hold the key to us taking it to the next level. The team has a serious lack of size and rebounding and Wright and O’Bryant should have been given PT to address those needs. Because Nellie chose not to play them this year, he basically sealed the team’s fate. They get absolutely destroyed on the glass every game and rely too much on jump shooters because they have no size in the paint outside of Biedrins. I’d love to see them attempt a sign-and-trade for Elton Brand or at least make some roster moves to get some productive bigs either through trades or the draft.
Missing the playoffs should force Mullin to re-evaluate this roster and make some much-needed changes.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:40 am
J-Nice says:
Can the playoffs please please please begin.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Dennis Castro says:
That was a fun game to watch GS-Den. AI’s still the man, it seemed like he had to make up those 2 free throw misses when he dropped 5 straight.
Do either of these teams know how to play man to man defense? It seems like Denver knows how to guard spaces better than actual offensive players, because when they went to the zone, they actually played half decent d.
JR Smith is Ricky Davis V2.0. I have a feeling he would try and one up RD’s triple double attempt by throwing the ball at someone’s head in the stands, hoping that it bounces back to him for that Quad-Double(Pts, Assists, Reb, TO’s) for that 10th turnover or something dumb like that. That way to him, it’s a turnover, but then a steal back.
April 11th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Austin Burton says:
@Youngfed — I was more saying that since so many people in the office like Baron, Monta and Nellie Ball in general, we wish Golden State AND Denver could get in. (A lot of us love A.I. and ‘Melo, too. And Dewane likes JR Smith for some reason.) Taking Atlanta out and letting GS in would happen in a perfect world, but oh well…
Here’s why I don’t like the J-Rich/Wright trade: The Warriors had an opportunity to contend THIS YEAR, and so they make the trade and then Nellie sits Wright on the bench all year. I know Nellie doesn’t like playing rookies, but you made this trade because you saw your window of opportunity now, not next year or the year after that. You see that when they do play Wright he does the things they need, but if you just have him in warm-ups sitting next to Pat O’Bryant, you’re not helping the team.
But the other reason they traded J-Rich was to free up cap space to re-sign Baron and eventually re-sign Monta, so in that respect maybe it was still a good move.
April 11th, 2008 at 9:22 am
MSkittle says:
I wouldn’t really call it a dominant defensive performance by Denver. They did give up 105 points.
You guys need to show that Kobe- jumping over a car video.
April 11th, 2008 at 9:25 am
the_don_mega says:
hmmm…
u dime peeps really know your wrestling…
nice smack today huh…
HART FOUNDATION…
LOL…
April 11th, 2008 at 9:38 am
YOUNGFED says:
I feel that Austin However,
Austin Says:
“And Dewane likes JR Smith for some reason.”
FOR SOME REASON! Austin dude is like one of the most exciting players in the NBA, and simply put flat out fun to watch. I think thats reason enuff.
PS.
Put up the Kobe Video thats ish is insane. I could watch it like 10 times.
April 11th, 2008 at 9:55 am
yallallreadyknow says:
bum ass teams. denver has no business in the playoffs. they defensive principles are the worst to watch. if they dont score 125pts every game, they gonna lose.
too bad that jessica alba wont be at any warriors playoff games this year.
dirk is clutch. told yall (celts!)
kobe jumping over a car was yesterday Mskittle; please stay caught up with us. thank you in advance you lame.
the nba needs to change the rule that will help utah get the 4 seed just because they won their division; even if they dont have homecourt, it messes with the overall seedings.
al thornton has a good future ahead of him
lakers dont really need andrew bynum; dude only had a good 5 week stretch anyway
rockets gonna get bounced in the 1st round again
kobe will get mvp because LA will whip the hornets again this wknd, and then they’ll take out the Spurs; who all of a sudden cant get buckets
April 11th, 2008 at 9:56 am
yallallreadyknow says:
YOUNGFED
side note—–i’m booked for caribana!
yeah bitches. i think this only goes to youngfed cause i know he know what the caribana toronto madness is all about! see you at the parade pimpin!!
April 11th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Celts Fan says:
YOUNGFED, you gotta read between the lines about the “shame if GS misses the playoffs” comment, cuz one of us was right and the other one was you.
I hear ya Austin, but as much as I like Monta, is there anyone that would rather have him than JRich? (let’s be real, Monta’s gonna get right around the $10M per this summer that Jason’s making and can’t do as much as Richardson can.)
April 11th, 2008 at 9:59 am
Austin Burton says:
Oh, I’d 100% take Monta over J-Rich, I’m just saying if you picked up Brandan Wright because he can help your team on the court, you should probably put him on the court and not sit him down all year.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:07 am
yallallreadyknow says:
when monta ellis adds a 3pt shot, he will be more valuable than jason richardson
April 11th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Logan Light says:
Austin:
Your points are well taken - but perhaps there were some things going on behind the scenes with JRich and the Warriors. I guess we can only speculate though. And draft picks are for the future. I don’t think Wright has the skill set just yet - though on a Golden State team, one’s skill set needs only be to take up space and pass…
April 11th, 2008 at 10:14 am
Celts Fan says:
I don’t know man. Monta’s nice and all, but Richardson’s bigger, plays better D (and in Nellie ball, can play bigger guys because he’s so strong) already has a 3pt. shot, and can crown you at any time. (and I’ve never heard any attitude questions about either guy, so there’s no off-the-court crap to throw in.)
I do agree though, if you’re gonna trade Richardson, you have to at least play Wright.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:19 am
yallallreadyknow says:
celts
chris mullin moved jason richardson for some cap relief. he has to sign: baron davis and monta ellis to extensions. don nelson wanted an extention too. matt barnes and mickeal piertris were restricted free agents. chris mullin needed to create cap room.
so he traded jason richardson because he had the most value (other than bdiddy) and he traded for size. you never trade a big for small….but you can trade a small for big.
so it wasn’t about character off court issues.
and…on the court…mullin/nellie could still put davis, ellis, jackson on the court and have barnes, piertris and izabuke off the bench. richardson was the replaceable one that could be moved
$56 milllion is what richardson contract was. you’d move him too. i like him, but he don’t have a mid range game. its either a dunk or a 3. not even a consistent pull-up j
April 11th, 2008 at 10:24 am
Austin Burton says:
Moving Richardson in order to re-sign Baron and Monta (and even Barnes/Pietrus, I guess) make sense — but please believe the Warriors did not trade J-Rich to free up money to sign their coach.
There weren’t any character issues that I know of; everyone on the Warriors that I’ve talked to loved J-Rich, especially Baron, who’s the one guy you’re trying to not piss off.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:33 am
yallallreadyknow says:
yup austin
nellie wanted $3 million extra to come back and coach the team. if he didn’t, he was gonna claim medical problems and not return.
…and this is a team that is actually built around the coach, moreso than the players.
the jason richardson trade was a move for financial gain; and that included money for the coach.
look it up and read btwn the lines
April 11th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Austin Burton says:
The coach’s salary doesn’t count toward the salary cap. So unless the Warriors owner was just being thrifty, J-Rich’s money has nothing to do with Nellie’s money.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:47 am
control says:
YOUNGFED, why you fronting your “YOUNG NINER” on a site that is probably 99.99% guys? Take your stupid aliases and gtfo son.
BTW, Baron > AI. (> means greater than, fyi).
That Kobe video is fake (Kobe’s shadow is on the SIDE of the car, instead of on TOP of the car), but is still pretty damn cool. I’d like to see how many stupid kids try to replicate that for youtube and get their asses run the fuck over. I’d actually pay to see some krew of stupid suburban kids do it.
Only bad thing about the way the East is seeded is that my Raps will get knocked out in the first round again. At least I get to watch all the games courtside though.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:55 am
Kobeef says:
@the last few comments
JRich was traded because last season and in last year’s playoffs Matt Barnes and SJax were outplaying him and they are all basically the same player (athletic swingman who can shoot).
I agree with Celtsfan on Monta - I am not sold on him and believe that he is a big reason why GS gets lit-up most nights. Also, I fully expect that once he gets paid his bum-knee (which has been an issue since high school) becomes a major problem.
Monta is an under-sized shooting guard. This type of player is a dime-a-dozen in the NBA so there is no need to spend big money for that type of player. Jerryd Bayless, Eric Gordon, Ben Gordon, Louis Wiliams, Daniel Gibson can all do what Monta does (some can even shoot a 3!!) and will all be available cheap sometime soon if you want them.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:59 am
GEE... Put some stank on it! says:
Houston up again!
Rockets will upset whoever they face first round.
I forgot to say that first go round. I would most def. take Monta over J.
J. Rich has been more inconsistent to me this year. Monta has been delivering pretty well and still has an upside.
It would be wild if the Warriors got in and upset the Hornets as a number 1 seed. 2 years in a row come on now, that would be ill.
April 11th, 2008 at 11:16 am
YOUNGFED says:
Control, you need some help dude how can you hate somebody that much, that every chance you get your bitch ass got something to say. Stop acting tuff on a website.
If You punk ass don’t like it don’t read it. FLAT OUT
FAKE ASS INTERNET GANGSTER!!!
April 11th, 2008 at 11:21 am
YOUNGFED says:
Control from the way you write you must live a miserable bitchless life. and probably broke too.
@Yall I’ma try to get to Carribana my girl gets home from med school round then so my player card will be revoked, but I can handle it for a Dimepiece Doctor.
Holla
April 11th, 2008 at 11:23 am
Celts Fan says:
ya, plus Bayless is a point Kobeef, so he (in theory anyway) should be able to do more. I AM sold on Monta though Kobeef (at least on the Warriors where he’s free to do his thing) but I just like Richardson more and think they’d be much better THIS YEAR with him and you can’t count on Baron being healthy enough long-term that you should trade being a contender right now for the future when you hope Wright’s gonna be a beast.
Barnes has played his way into Nellie’s doghouse, so, ya, not the best theory on that.
I’m assuming Baron would be the first priority, so they’re signing him either way. Barnes has pissed Nellie off enough that they’re probably not resigning him, and Pietris thinks he’s good enough to get big money (which they probably won’t give him, but someone may) so he’s probably gone too.
So it basically was JRich for Monta and Brandon Wright. Not a bad move IF you’re building only for the future (does anyone think Baron can keep playing 82 games like he did this year? he’s always getting hurt. love the guy, but he just plays so hard that he gets hurt a lot) but they should be good enough to make the Playoffs this year and won’t because of that trade.
Obviously, the verdict is still out and will be until we get a read on how good Wright will become (he’s got Bosh potential,) but he needs to start contributing soon to help this incarnation of the Warriors really contend for a chip while Baron’s still in his absolute prime.
and I still don’t get it from Charlotte’s standpoint. Really, a nucleus of Felton, Morrison (or whoever they eventually replace him with) Crash, Wright, and Emeka (with a shooter like Matt Carroll, and gritty guys like Jared Dudley off the bench) can’t make some noise in the East in a few years? That seems like a defensive MONSTER (and Adam Morrison.) Makes more sense to me than to trade to get just good enough to miss the playoffs but good enough that you shouldn’t get a really high pick (they’d pick #8 if the standings hold true.)
April 11th, 2008 at 11:28 am
Nick Barnes says:
About the Kobe video:
THERE’S NO ONE IN THE CAR!! Go to Kobe’s site (kb24.com) and watch it frame by frame.
April 11th, 2008 at 11:38 am
control says:
YOUNGFED, I’M the one who is always talking tough? I’M the one who is always taking smack? You gotta look in the mirror son. Funny thing is, I agree with some of what you say (excluding stupid nicknames), but you sound like an idiot trying to articulate that shit. Not sure how you are determining I am poor either, you don’t know me, or know anything about me…that type of prejudice is just straight ignorant.
Usually the fool who is talkin all the shit about what he has, on a basketball site of all places, usually doesn’t have the shit he is talkin about. Almost every single one of your comments has references to all the bitches you are bangin, all the money you are making, and all “equipment” you are carrying (not sure why you are advertizing that shit with an almost fully male audience…unless you are hoping to hook up).
Anyways, just keep posting, you do more to make yourself look like an idiot than I ever could.
April 11th, 2008 at 11:46 am
Myrie says:
Austin—
Don’t know you personally, but I do need speak with you *offline*. How can I do so?
April 11th, 2008 at 11:48 am
control says:
Myrie, sounds kinky…match.com would be more appropriate though. Just list basketball and cheering for sucky teams as one of your 38 dimensions.
April 11th, 2008 at 11:51 am
Amar says:
I was watching the Enver Nuggets / Golden State game, but I had to turn it off, watching it at home made me start to lose fundamentals. The Jazz/Mavs game was the game of the night. Few points to bitch about, the play before deron hits the step back three he got fouled by Kidd on a drive, and on the drive he had a very nasty (filthy even) cram on dampier’s head for the ‘and one’. they called the dunk off, so instead of getting a chance to tie, they make sure that he shoots two free throws. (he made both) then on the dirk three, his right foot is clearly on the line when he shoots it. it’s a two, not a three. they adjusted many okur shots for the same reason to be two pointers — yet dirk gets free points for shooting long twos.
that’s the difference in the game. jazz are in playoff mode. some of the west teams that aren’t fighting right now through their cupcake schedule may have some trouble turning it on, when the playoffs starts.
April 11th, 2008 at 11:54 am
GEE... Put some stank on it! says:
Control that was just wrong lol. Funny but wrong.
Amar that would be Enver Nuggs and Golen State.
Hope your Jazz don’t wear out before the post season.
April 11th, 2008 at 12:08 pm
Myrie says:
Control–
That did sound suspect huh? But wasn’t even close to the intent.
I’ll clean up my postings in the future.
But get YOUR mind right.
April 11th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
YOUNGFED says:
Control you are to lame. And if my comments are so ridiculous why do so many respond? All the other shit I do is just comedy dude. I still confused as to why you wana always focus on my since day one, sounds kinda jealous.
And believe WHATEVA I say is true….trust. Some of us Actually live fun lives and talk big shit (ex. Jay-Z, Dame, . I used to rap and do shows back in the day so shit talkin’ is what we do in the D. But I ain’t gonna lie to someone I ain’t never gone see.
April 11th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
control says:
Myrie, any chance I can get to poke fun at a NY fan, I gotta take it…you made it WAY too easy anyhow.
April 11th, 2008 at 12:18 pm
GEE... Put some stank on it! says:
DIME I will see your Hart Foundation and raise you
a British Bulldogs and Legion of Doom (Road Warriors).
April 11th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
Myrie says:
Yup Yup….
I still rep the NYC. Concrete jungle homey.
and NYK remains my blood type.
…poke fun all you like; I’m built for this!
April 11th, 2008 at 12:26 pm
Myrie says:
Wow…taking it back to when it was the WWF.
How’s about raising them a Dennis Rodman vs Karl Malone in the ring?
Or….even Supa Lfy Jimmy Snuka
…or Ravishing Rick Rude; giving chicks the lip service in the ring?…too funny.
…side note; did anyone catch the Hornets game on Saturday night? Ric Flair was doing the pre-game intros!
April 11th, 2008 at 1:03 pm
GEE... Put some stank on it! says:
You know I forget that Dennis Rodman and Karl Malone got some ring time.
Wouldn’t it be crazy to have one of today’s basketball players doing it. Imagine Kobe or better yet Deke wrasslin lol. Hilarious.
The hobbies of players are real interesting sometimes, hope none of them are dog fighting.
Myrie how did Flair do? Did he give a WOOOO! After each one?
April 11th, 2008 at 1:06 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
Monta has plenty of time to develop, it’s amazing he has the killer I at such a young stage, what is he like 21?? Already has one of the best midrange shots in the L, he can be the new super speedy Sam Cassell with mad hops, he just needs the big balls dance! He can be as good as J-Rich, just trade off speed for heighth.
Yeah, Nellie should have played Wright more, dudes like him, Pop, and Sloan just don’t give rooks opportunity at all, pretty lame but understandable I guess.
April 11th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
Austin Burton says:
“DIME I will see your Hart Foundation and raise you
a British Bulldogs and Legion of Doom (Road Warriors).”
I see that and raise you The Rockers and Harlem Heat.
Question: Who was the tag team with the two bald biker guys? Their names were Skull and 8-Ball, but I can’t remember the team’s name.
April 11th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
Myrie says:
wasn’t Sting and the Ultimate Warrior partners in the early 80s. I think they were called the Blade Runners or something like that.
April 11th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
SAS Sizzle says:
Junkyard Dog + Rowdy Roddy Piper or Razor Ramon + Papa Shango
April 11th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
GEE... Put some stank on it! says:
See you all gone make me go back. Sweet Stan Lane and Beautiful Bobby = The Midnight Express w/ Manager Jim Cornette
Mediatakeout.com has the Kobe video up, but their comments about dude are crazy lol.
Talkin about they knew he was reckless (from hittin chicks in Colorado raw dog style) but jumpin a car?
Didn’t Jackie Chan or someone jump a car in one of their movies. I seen it somewhere ….and they didn’t have on hyperdunks lol.
April 11th, 2008 at 1:32 pm
Myrie says:
Nasty Boys
Brain Knobbs and Jerry Saggs
April 11th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Myrie says:
Most of these wrestlers died young (30s–40s) of ODing on drugs of some kind. Not narcotics, but prescription drugs and steroids.
sad Sad SAD……
April 11th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Myrie says:
Long live the Steiner Bros.
April 11th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
D-Lite says:
J Rich is injury prone and suspect on D, unless it is a nationally televised game. Monta has upside and you can’t teach speed, dude has controlled finishes, give him time to develop each off season, Baron will force/guide him to get a 23′ jumper. He shoots at his peak aka Jo Jo white. Nellie is overated like G K. When you squeak into the playoffs , expect to work for it the next year, no suprises. GS can’t afford to lose the shulda wins…sub 500 teams Oct to April!
April 11th, 2008 at 2:58 pm
GEE... Put some stank on it! says:
D-Lite I wil agree with you on Nellie being overrated, but he is just so creative and willing to experiment with just about anybody at any position doing anything.
Honestly if coach was going to want a And 1 dude on their squad my first thought would be Nellie, just because he is off. LOL He would try some ish like that.
Myrie how bout The Great Muta (spraying that stuff) and the Von Erics.
WCW used to have this one tag team I forget their name but they lost everytime. It used to be mad funny.
You are right it’s ashame so many of them have tragic deaths.
Like Chris Benoit. First off I hate that he and his family are gone. Chris had a fine wife though. Least I liked her. Remember when she was just called “Woman” back in the day.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Celts Fan says:
Legion of Doom/The Road Warriors are the GOAT tag team. That finishing move w/ the guy getting clotheslined off of on one of their shoulders was insane. No wonder those guys popped pain pills like candy.
I’ll see your biker guys (don’t remember the name, but I know who you’re talking about Austin) and raise you The Natural Disasters.
by the way, saw Behind the Mat (behind-the-scenes wrestling documentary filmed around 2000. On Demand on Encore right now. Definitely worth checking out. It’s not all depressing despite this next story) and found out a fun family fact. Jake The Snake Roberts is (well was at the time) addicted to crack because (drum role please…) he was the child of a 13 year old girl who was raped by her father (his father/grandfather) who was cheating on his wife (Jake’s and his mom’s grandmother, his father’s wife) with her mother (his great grandmother) while apparently also forcing himself on his daughter to create Jake. Anytime your dad is also your graddad, that’s an awkward family reunion. Yikes…
(take a second to connect the dots on that one. Essentially, he’s a product of an pedophiliac, incestious, in-bred rape. No wonder he’s hitting the pipe. damn…)
April 11th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
for real says:
Why is Barnes in Nellie’s dog house?
Was it the weak mohawk in last years playoffs?
Or is it the “Nellie Sucks” tattoo on the side of his neck?
April 11th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
GEE... Put some stank on it! says:
The Disciples of Apocalypse (DOA) that was Skull and 8 Ball.
Celts I had to really pause on that one. ….Still pausing. Wow!
Ok but I call raise with The Fabulous Freebirds and Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy and “Dr. Death” Steve Williams!
You all taking me back lol. To much fun growing up and stuff. I have tortured over half of my family putting them in wrestlin moves for them to tell me if they really did hurt lol.
April 11th, 2008 at 3:43 pm
for real says:
what about the Von Erick’s? The bad luck family.
…and Kabuki, always shooting that nasty green mist out his mouth.
…and Ginobili has a bad groin, and is out for a few games. the Spurs will NOT repeat this year.
April 11th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Celts Fan says:
anyone remember Bastian Booger? had a cup of coffee in the WWF as a fat slob (seriously, that was his ENTIRE gimmick. strange…) then was never heard from again. It was one of the weirdest gimmicks I’ve ever seen (and for wrestling, that’s saying A LOT)
Triple H and DX are my favorites ever though (with The Rock being a very close second) those guys were hilarious.
I liked the “showtime” 80s. They had a thinly veiled attempt at telling us everything was real, and everything was cheesy as hell. That was a guilty pleasure. Hulk “hulking up” or the Ultimate Warrior shaking the ropes like a coke-head fiending for another line (which it unfortunately turns out was the truth, RIP) and Jake The Snake was one of my favorites bakc then (sad, sad story to hear that stuffa bout him on that documentory. it explains why he just disappeared though.)
I always loved Ric Flair’s theatrics too. Every chop with a “whooooooooooooo” and my favorite was when he used to get punched, fall down, get back up, stumble around for a second, then fall right back down face-first. That guy was a LEGEND and deserves the respect he’s gotten for his real retirement. I couldn’t imagine doing that crap now, much less at 65 or however old he is.
April 11th, 2008 at 6:22 pm
doc says:
I’ll take Monta over J-Rich.To much upside for the youngbuck to pass up.Dirk Diggler showed his heart again.People kill me when they talk about can Dirk get it done in the playoffs.He beat the Spurs in they prime as the star that should tell yall he can beat whoever.Im glad GS might not make it basketball is offense and defense not 1 or the other.If Baron and them wanted to make it they shoulda locked somebody up every once in a while.Austin dont holla at Myrie he on some other shit.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:17 pm
AND-1 says:
In my opinion any team that wins 48 games or more deserves the playoffs. So regardless if people like Denvers style of play or not, they still have a good record.
I think the problem is that they need to stay focused and not give up the easy games that they should have won. Had Denver won at least 5-6 games they literally gave away and should have won, they would be sitting on top of the West right now and people would probably still be talking shit so what differense would it make? There is like only 7 or 8 games seperating seeds 1 thru 8, so its not like there is a team that is so dominate over the other, its just about who’s going to get things done in the post season. The playoffs are a different situation then the regular season. Especially this year in the West. This is honastly the first time I can honastly say that i’m not sure who is going to come out the West. It should be great to watch.
Also, why do people concentrate on Iversons age so much? The dude is 32 yrs old, not 42. His peers like Tim Duncan, K.G, Ray Allen, Steve Nash and many others are the same age if not older then Iverson. Hell even Kobe is about to be 30 yrs old. Yet I don’t see anyone concentrating on their age the way they do AI’s. I’m just saying its not that serious. The dude is ridiculous and I can honastly say I have never seen an athlete so small, strong and dominate like him. I’m beggining to wonder if he is even human.
April 12th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Celts Fan says:
which is exactly why people do concentrate on his age. being that small and being that wreckless with his body when he drives, you’d expect for him to have been banged up and slowed down by now. You’d be wrong. It’s amazing, because bigger guys can find a way to be effective when the physical skills go (remember floor jordan?) a guy that small should have slowed down noticeably now, and that’s not happening at all. it’s fuckin amazing.
April 12th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
tealish says:
Sometimes I imagine what the past 11 years would be like if AI was 6′6 and not 5′11 listed at 6′. I usually wake up with the shakes.