Enver Nuggets
He needed to score 51 (photo. Mannion)Would it surprise you to learn that the Nuggets lost a must-win game at home to an inferior (and injury-plagued) team with nothing to play for? Maybe. Would it surprise you to learn Denver lost that game because they couldn’t guard anyone? Of course not. Even with Carmelo dropping 47 points on the Kings, the porous Nuggets defense gave away one of those games you’re supposed to win when you’re trying to lock up a playoff spot. Without the suspended Kenyon Martin around, guys like Mikki Moore (23 pts) were getting buckets; one telling moment came when Moore caught a pass on a fast break, and as he went in for the layup, ‘Melo tried to stop him by reaching out flat-footed to grab the ball and ended up just lightly pushing Mikki, not doing anything to affect the shot … Allen Iverson post-game: “There’s no reason for this team to come in here and beat us on our own floor, as good as we were playing on this floor. They were playing without their two best players. No reason for it. It’s unacceptable.” Two best players? Iverson was talking about Ron Artest and Brad Miller sitting out with injuries, but it was Kevin Martin out there dropping 36 on the Nuggets. We have to wonder if Young K-Mart will take that as an insult … Pro ball aside, Saturday was all about the Final Four. Memphis proved to be too strong in the backcourt for UCLA, as the Bruins guards couldn’t stop Derrick Rose (25 pts, 9 rebs) or Chris Douglas-Roberts (28 pts). The Tigers dominated the glass and seemed to be getting 2-3 opportunities on every possession down the stretch, while UCLA couldn’t hit an outside jumper to save their life … In the other national semifinal, Kansas looked like they were gonna destroy North Carolina for most of the first half, taking it right to a team that looked overwhelmed and unprepared. UNC fought back in the second half behind some ballsy shots by Wayne Ellington (18 pts) and tough interior buckets by Tyler Hansbrough (17 pts, 9 rebs), cutting the lead to four at one point, but KU got their act together and pulled away down the stretch. Brandon Rush scored 25 in the win … Both Kevin Love (12 pts, 9 rebs) and Hansbrough hurt their pro stock yesterday. Love’s lack of athleticism became very apparent against guys like Joey Dorsey (15 rebs, 0 pts) and Shawn Taggart, and Hansbrough was often getting bullied against the Jayhawks’ rotation of bigs. On the first three possessions of the game, Psycho T got scored on easily twice and turned the ball over once. Other times when UNC was trying to come back he forced shots that led to turnovers or had no chance … But no pro prospect had a worse day than Darren Collison. His 2-point, 5-turnover, 1-for-9 foul-out was enough to probably send him back to UCLA for another year … On the flip side, we’re totally convinced that Kansas frosh Cole Aldrich (8 pts, 7 rebs) will be a BEAST on the college scene next year … Will every NBA GM who watches Boston, Utah, Detroit and Houston during the playoffs please pay special attention to guys like Leon Powe, Paul Millsap, Jason Maxiell and Carl Landry? And remember what you saw when it comes time to draft and you’ve got someone like Joey Dorsey still on the board … Not taking anything away from Memphis, but Kansas looked so solid and well-coached yesterday that we’d imagine they’ll be the favorites going into Monday’s championship game … The Cavs have to be freaking out right now. LeBron‘s back spasms made him a non-factor in the fourth quarter against Chicago the other night, and yesterday the back spasms were an issue in the loss to Orlando. ‘Bron had a few plays where he got above the rim or blew past everyone like usual, but for the most part just wasn’t as explosive as he typically is, and was getting treatment whenever he wasn’t on the court. LeBron went 6-for-22 from the floor and had 17 points, while the Magic went on a big fourth-quarter run that put the game away. And this was without much offensive contribution from Dwight Howard, who only had 4 points with his 12 rebounds … Is any Eastern Conference playoff team worried about the Raptors anymore? Toronto has gone 4-11 in its last 15, losing its third game in a row last night when they went into national enemy Vince Carter‘s house and took 32 points from a hobbled VC, who’s playing on a bad ankle. Chris Bosh (18 pts, 10 rebs, 6 asts) and Rasho (22 pts, 14 rebs, 3 blks) dominated Jersey’s front line of Josh Boone, Nenad Krstic, Stromile Swift and Sean Williams, but Vince — who also had 7 boards, 5 dimes and 2 steals — took over in the fourth quarter of a close game. It seems every team’s two-guard has been giving Anthony Parker the business lately, and yesterday was no different. One play in the fourth saw Vince drive on Parker, spin past him in the lane and drop in a lefty finger roll over Rasho … Giving KG, Pierce and Ray the night off, Doc Rivers rolled out a starting five of Rajon Rondo, Tony Allen, James Posey, Leon Powe and Kendrick Perkins against the Bobcats, and those guys still managed a blowout win. NBA TV’s Alaa Abdelnaby said the Celtics shouldn’t rest all three of the Big Three at the same time, instead resting one or two at a time. He cited last year’s Mavs, who rested their main guys going into the Golden State series. There really is no definite way to go about it, though. Some teams are better served getting some rest before the playoffs, while others need to maintain their rhythm. If Doc didn’t rest Garnett, Pierce and Ray, and Boston ended up losing earlier than expected, everyone would blame him for wearing his guys out unnecessarily … We caught Jeff Van Gundy being interviewed on ESPN Radio by Patrick McEnroe (John’s brother and actually not a bad interviewer). Asked what the chances are that he’ll be a head coach somewhere next year, Van Gundy adamantly said “Zero” with no hesitation. He insisted the timing just isn’t right for him; that he wants to coach again, just not right now. McEnroe then asked JVG that if Donnie Walsh were to call, would he pick up the phone? Van Gundy said the Knicks were an exception. He treats them differently than the other 29 teams … We’re out like the Big Three …
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April 6th, 2008 at 3:49 am
Duke says:
I’m going to go ahead and say that Memphis is going to take it. Derrick Rose is just killing EVERYBODY. So what are the chances of Rose staying in college. Like .03 %?
April 6th, 2008 at 3:54 am
knoc says:
hahaha jvg to the knicks. thatl be interesing
April 6th, 2008 at 4:14 am
Fab says:
You sure Patrick McEnroe is not John’s brother? He has a brother named Patrick, who had a decent tennis career and is US Davis Cup captain…
April 6th, 2008 at 4:42 am
shoot the j says:
Kansas’s D was out of control (40-12 to start the game, off of a 25-2 run). UNC came out lookin like a High School squad, while the J-Hawks did whatever they wanted. Props to UNC for having the heart to scrap back into the game tho(38-14 run to cut lead to 4).
My philosophy about benching playeres at the end of the season, once team has clinched: Sit/rest the vets, keep playing the young guys (unless they they’re banged up). Older cats can use the rest, while it benefits the youngens to stay in flow/rhythm.
April 6th, 2008 at 4:49 am
shoot the j says:
.02% chance D-Rose stays. I’m prayin’ for a miracle that gives my Blazers a top 3 pick to swoop him up.
April 6th, 2008 at 5:14 am
foscheezeeee says:
As good of an offensive player Melo is, he is being exposed by his lack of D…He/they can’t stop anyone from scoring. That was a crucial game last night for the Nuggets, but I ain’t complaining b/c they helping my mavs…
I think they call to many charges in the college game, that’s my opinion after watching UNC-KAN last night.. It stops the flow of the game and you could tell that’s why Kansas started jacking up jumpers for a long stretch of time because they didn’t want to commit charges.
I think Hansborough is a 2nd round pick now, he hurt himself last night. Love need to tone up a bit…Rose is the truth…CDR is vastly underrated…Dorsey is BEAST…Rush is a nice player
April 6th, 2008 at 5:18 am
YOUNGFED says:
Dwight Howard 4pts, didn’t think it was possible. Also Dime the Pistons have stolen alot of impact players late in the Draft (Prince, Stuckey, Afflao, Houston, Hunter) to name a few. Respect The D.
Top 5 Centers Rite Now
1.) Howard
2.) Sheed
3.) Camby
4.) Al Jefferson (When he plays center)
5.) Okur
Damn’ This list was hard I know I probably forgot someone. OH WELL?
April 6th, 2008 at 6:09 am
Herrschel says:
Blazers ain’t gettin a top pick, dude. Miami will get first blood at Beasley and then sota or seattle are grabbing Rose away
April 6th, 2008 at 7:01 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
maybe the blazers won’t get rose but they could still get a guard like Gordon or bayless if the ping pong balls fall their way.
Rose to the sonics is an interesting pick. The sonics or whatever they’ll be called could make big noise in a few years.
I think Chris Douglas Roberts could be a sleeper pick in the draft. He reminds me if a more athletic rip hamilton.
Go jayhawks!
April 6th, 2008 at 7:09 am
Austin Burton says:
@Youngfed — Shaq doesn’t make your list? Pau Gasol?
April 6th, 2008 at 7:11 am
Austin Burton says:
@Fab — You’re right, it is John McEnroe’s brother. I fixed it.
April 6th, 2008 at 7:14 am
Spliff 2 My Lou says:
Love and hansborough were exposed yesterday for their lack of athleticism, something I’ve been saying all year. Love should trade that baby fat for some muscle before he tries to go pro. Another year at ucla would benefit him. They’re great college type players but will not be stars in the L. I know its still too early to tell but spencer hawes is the same type and a waste of a lottery pick if they go that high. I’d take dorsey who brings nba type athleticism and strength as a complimentary player to my squad if I was a gm.
April 6th, 2008 at 7:21 am
Big Aaron says:
Do you guys only look at points, boards and assists? Dwight was in big time foul trouble all night long. He’ll always get those boards but the fouls will rack up on him as the refs still haven’t adjusted to him yet. Players like Wade and Kobe get a foul called when they take off their street clothes in the locker room, Dwight could have the entire team hanging on his back for 4 quarters and still wouldn’t get a call, yet he gets physical down low on D and he gets whistled every five seconds.
It’s reminiscent of Shaq when he arrived in the league and refs were publicly saying they’d whistle on him to even things up as he was such a physical beast. That’s not the way you’re supposed to officiate.
April 6th, 2008 at 7:32 am
YOUNGFED says:
Maybe Shaq Austin but Okur has been ballin this year and Shaq just started ballin Again. Also I thought Bynum was LA’s Center when he returns if not Gasol over Okur. Let me know if I’m wrong.
April 6th, 2008 at 7:45 am
Austin Burton says:
Gasol’s been playing center since he got to L.A. (Bynum was already hurt when the trade was made.) It’ll be interesting when Bynum comes back; do you just stick him at the five, put Gasol at the 4 and Odom at the three, even though Odom’s been playing so well (especially rebounding) from the 4 spot?
April 6th, 2008 at 7:51 am
pipdaddyy says:
YOUNGFED: Amare?
April 6th, 2008 at 8:02 am
kobeef says:
@Spliff to my Lou
I agree. Love might have had the worst night of anyone as far as draft is concerned. He moved his game outside after the first half because he could not match up against Memphis’ athletes….and succeeded in missing everything he shot from outside, which proves that Love is a PF stuck in a slow, fat SF’s body (it’s called a gym, dude)
@forscheezeee
Totaly agree about the charge calls last night. The refs were doing everything they could to help UNC by giving Tyler credit for flopping (maybe that will be his niche in the NBA?) until finally they said enough is enough and called him for a block. Tyler didn’t try his flop crap again.
April 6th, 2008 at 8:05 am
kobeef says:
@ youngfed
We’ve already done this list at least twice this season – what do you want us to say?
April 6th, 2008 at 8:06 am
YOUNGFED says:
Amare is a Foward Pipdaddy
Good looking Austin I knew he was playin Center but didn’t know if he was the center. Definetly Gasol at #5
April 6th, 2008 at 8:08 am
Austin Burton says:
I don’t think the play where Hansbrough was called for a block was a “flop” in the Manu/Divac sense where he was barely touched — it was more like Battier/Dumars in that he took a legitimate hit. He stepped in front of someone who was driving and tried to take a charge, he was just still moving which is why the block was called.
April 6th, 2008 at 8:09 am
YOUNGFED says:
Things change throughout the year Kobeef the last list had Yao at #1 for example.
April 6th, 2008 at 8:18 am
YOUNGFED says:
Just For Kobeef List
MOST THUGGED OUT ALL-TIME LIST (Top Five).
1.) Stephan Jackson (popping shots at the club)
2.) Charles Barkley (Knock out king even though Lambeer swole’em up a lil)
3.) AI
4.) Artest
5.) Sheed
Let me know what yall think. I think that list is a lock.
PS.
Also Dime I know yall be cakin’ on the weekends but one article damn’ some of us gotta work some weekends. lol
April 6th, 2008 at 8:24 am
kobeef says:
Here’s some video of Love getting his first poster
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A3keELF6_Ns
@ Austin
It may not have been as blatant as a Manu-flop or a Di-flop but Tyler was lining guys up to take a dive for half the game. My view is that (high volume)flopping is a low-class defensive option for inferior athletes….and once you start flopping in a national semi-final it is a pretty fair statement about the kind of player you are.
April 6th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Austin Burton says:
At the same time, it’s been mentioned how the refs were quick to call a charge. I give Hansbrough credit for being smart and trying to take advantage of that. Remember, this came at a time when his team was running out of options and needed every break they could get. If that meant taking a charge, you try to take the charge. Even when I was watching the game live, one of the people in my party said, “He had to go for it in that situation.”
One reason I like watching college ball so much is that, even in the tournament, it’s not as dependent on the refs like the NBA. You don’t see Manu/Divac/Raja flopping in college, but I still understand the value of trying to take a charge and don’t think Hansbrough’s move was that bad.
April 6th, 2008 at 8:54 am
miamiVIS3 says:
I know this has been going on all year but watching the Magic gamne reminded me Stan Van Gundy nwwds to buy some dress shirts and give his brother his suits back
April 6th, 2008 at 9:17 am
YOUNGFED says:
BREAKING NEWS:
Michael Vick playing prison football:
Posted: Sunday April 06, 2008 09:50AM ET
Michael Vick has a new job and is playing football again. The money is not quite the same and the records of the players are a bit different, too. Falcons owner Arthur Blank has been communicating by letter with Vick, who is at the United States Penitentiary in Leavenworth, Kan., incarcerated at the facility’s minimum security satellite prison camp.
The longest yard real word edition. LOL
And don’t give no shit about how this ain’t BBall related ya’ll no I bring hot news to ya 1st.
April 6th, 2008 at 10:10 am
Machinery says:
i never want van gundy to leave the broadcaster’s booth. he’s the most entertaining and insightful analyst i think i’ve ever listened to
April 6th, 2008 at 10:51 am
Celts Fan says:
Youngfed, you dropped the ball BIG TIME man. How can your most thugged out list not include JR Rider? That list should be named after him! Artest also has to be higher (between the riot, his general attitude, and his genius UNSOLICITED quote about the SJack stripclub incident of, “Anything he woulda done, I woulda done too,” putting him 4th is an insult to everything he’s done to make us believe he’s crazy!
The real list:
1. JR Rider
2.
3.
4. Artest
5. Stephan Jackson
(there’s no 2 or 3 because even those guys want to keep as much distance between themselves and JR as possible!)
ok, the serious list:
1. JR Rider (ruined his career because of being such a thug, currently in jail after getting arrested for being in a stolen car after recently, you guessed it, being released from jail. What a waste.)
2. Ruben Patterson (registered sex offender/attempted rapist, in addition to many other altercations smaller altercations like possession and assault.)
3. The Cincinatti triple-threat that PUNCHED A POLICE HORSE ten years ago (yes, Ruben Patterson was one of them, but he deserved and got his own line on the strength of the attempted rape, other 2 were Danny Fortsen and I believe ARt Long or Lang. All 3 spent time in the NBA, and all at one point were Sonics. You should be proud Austin!)
4. Artest
5. SJack
6. Charles Oakley (this was supposed to be a top 5, but there’s no way not to include Oak on this list and feel it’s right. Ask Tye Hill or Jeff McGinniss if he belongs…)
I know I missed some drugees from the 80s, Chuck (don’t know that he’s a thug as much as just a country boy that don’t give a fuck, though any man that beats up Shaq deserves some cred) and AI (he had a few run-ins, but if he had a shaved head and no tats, he’d just be considered a guy that made a few minor mistakes. He’s just street. Big difference.)
April 6th, 2008 at 11:21 am
Celts Fan says:
Ruben Patterson, The Nanny Stopper (sorry, had to add that in. Great nickname. When you get a nickname for the rape you tried to commit and it’s not even a surprise to fans, you belong on the list! hehe the nanny stopper.)
on to ball, I was kind of upset last night watching those games. I’ve been hoping the Celtics would draft either Douglas-Roberts or Brandon Rush (two wings that could give us some depth off the bench that were supposed to be on the board at the end of the first round. Right now, we either have Scal -a useless, unathletic 4 – or Tony Allen -alright, but an undersized 2 – finishing out blowouts at the 3. If that doesn’t prove that we need another SG/SF off the bench to compliment Posey as a true backup 3 (along with the fact that Gabe Pruitt will get a chance to be the backup point next year if Cassell doesn’t come back, I think that’s definitely where we need to address in the draft.) Anyway, both those guys had been late 1st/early 2nd round projections going into last night and seemed like a steal there. Now, I’d bet my life both secured spots around 20th with their amazing performances last night.
I’ve been saying this for a while, but you do have to at least consider Rose as the top pick depending on your current lineup. If you’re Miami, would you rather run with Chris Quinn and Beasley or Haslem and Rose? This kid looks like he could be special. I like Beasley a lot too, but PGs have the ball in their hands every single play. Ask any Hawks fan how important the position is. Not discrediting Beasley as much as lifting Rose up to that level. I think he’s earned it.
Hansbrough showed why, even though he’s been a projected top 20ish pick his entire college career, that he was never going to climb above that unless he grew a few inches. Hope this isn’t the next Josh McRoberts (at least Tyler’s got a good motor, so I could see him being used as an energy guy type off the bench like a Leon Powe or Anderson VArajaou.)
Love should come out. He’s big enough and has enough skill, that he’ll get PT in the NBA early. Kevin Love was exposed but he’s at least big enough that he doesn’t have too much to worry about. He’s got nothing left to prove in college, his stock can only go down (unless he comes back built like Dwight Howard, which ain’t happening) and the only questions left have to do with how he can do on the next level. Might as well answer those questions while cashing a check. Learn from Tyler Hansbrough and Josh McRoberts. sometimes, there’s nowhere to go but down.
Anyone that’s even remotely thinking they’d take Eric Gordon over Jerryd Bayless needs to be stripped of power immediately. Gordon seems like too much of a combo guard to me. Ben Gordon/Randy Foye part 2, which I don’t mean as a compliment since he’ll be a top 10 pick. Both of those guys have had decent careers, but you expect more from a top 10 pick. Bayless could become Gilbert Arenas with a mean streak. I don’t see Gordon having as high of a ceiling and he may struggle to get his shot off in the pros and isn’t a PG. I think he’ll be an solid pro, but to me, Bayless has a chance to be special that I don’t see in Gordon.
Darren Collison hurt himself bad enough with is play, but with 3 minutes left, when he just basically intentionally fouled a Memphis player to pick up his 5th just to get out, that was the worst part to me. Everyone has bad games. Everyone loses. Show some heart in defeat. It looked like he was just ready to get off the floor and wanted to get out of there ASAP. How you handle defeat, how you handle your emotions in stressful times, etc. are big things for pro teams. That one will cost him just as much as his play. Very disappointing to see…
Cole Aldrich does look like he should be the real deal next year. If he really is a low-post monster, how long do we think it’ll take before the Kevin McHale comparisons start? (the last good white big that was a banger, not a finesse, Brad Miller type) One game? One quarter? Midnight madness? Let’s save some time, he’s not a throwback to a previous era, he’s not the new-age McHale, and he’s not the next Kevin Love. He’s just a big, goofy whiteboy that can play ball that may or may not fuck the family sheep, and will eventually be the next target for guys to crush on at the next level (if he’s as good as advertised and actually makes it that far.)
April 6th, 2008 at 11:42 am
YOUNGFED says:
LMAO @Celts but SJack is number#1 hands down DUDE SHOT UP THE CLUB. HE SHOT UP THE DAMN CLUB….and got off. lol
Don’t forget Tinsley’s club incident I’ma have to think about this list and get back at you cause the NBA got alot of THUGS to limit to a Top Five. But I’ma do it.
Whats your opinion on the subject AUSTIN…HOLLA!
April 6th, 2008 at 11:51 am
QQ says:
Where’s the D in Denver in the title? … Oh, wait…
And about the Celts resting the big 3, IMO Doc shouldn’t be doing this. I remember one particular season (2004, I think) where Doc rested his starters (Pierce, Walker, and Gary Payton) so they’ll be ‘geared up for the playoffs’. They pretty much had the no. 3 seed on lock, so this seems like a good idea. Only it wasn’t. They were beaten by no.6 Indiana in 6 games, and ever since, I gave up on the whole ‘resting for playoffs’ thing. Rhythm is an important part of basketball, and rhythm is what players need.
April 6th, 2008 at 12:02 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
I’ve said it before that Rose is my #1 pick if I’m the Heat but lets say they land @ 4 and rose, beasley and brooke lopez are off the board I take a good long look at Bayless but eventuaklly reach for a big man like DeAndre Jordan or K-Love because when you look @ thier current pgs excluding J-will they have underrated Chris Quinn and Marcus banks who I really like or u could draft Bayless not resign Quinn and go after Okafor or Biedrins (a restricted free agent) in the offseason or get a big in the secong round although everything changes if Marion opts out
April 6th, 2008 at 12:05 pm
Celts Fan says:
YOUNGFED, SJack shot up into the air OUTSIDE the club and got into a riot (albeit, a little too happily.) Rider’s in jail (again,) Ruben Patterson tried to rape a bitch and is A REGISTERED SEX OFFENDER, the Cinci guys PUNCHED A POLICE HORSE (Patterson involved in this too.) Maybe we flip-flop SJack and Ron Artest, but neither of those guys touch the top 3. I bet if you asked them, even they’d say, “I know I’ve made my mistakes, but even I don’t fuck around like THAT!”
April 6th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
kobeef says:
Some more for the Al NBA thugs list:
Qyntel Woods: As weed smoke blew out the window, gave a cop his rookie card when asked to provide driver’s license (I think I also saw that in Cheech and Chong). Also, pre-mike Vick he got 80 days service for a dog fighting ring
Keon Clark: basically pulled a page from the bible of Ricky Williams and quit pro sports so he could smoke dope. Proceeded to get arrested many times, have some kids, dump them, etc. He has a lifetime ban from the NBA and D-league for his behavior.
Jayson Williams: Shot off a semi-automatic in the PARKING LOT of the Nets arena….Killed his limo driver, etc.
April 6th, 2008 at 12:14 pm
Steve M says:
How long before the Jeff Van Gundy to Denver rumors start?
April 6th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
YOUNGFED says:
Celts rape don’t make you a thug thats a bitch move, now bustin’ shots out side the club thats thuggish.
Honorable mention Ben Wallace’s Brother for his role in the palace brawl. lol
LOL @ Kobeefs’ Quintel Woods story.
April 6th, 2008 at 12:53 pm
s.bucketz says:
jvg musta heard my JEFF VAN GUNDY chants amidst all the fire isiah chants…bring us bak to the promise land maayn
April 6th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Celts Fan says:
YOUNGFED, you’re right, rape alone doesn’t make you a thug. Attempted rape, a few possession charges, an assault charge or 2, and punching a police horse though, all of that combined does make you a thug. It’s just the attmpted rape that puts him over the top.
that qyntel woods thing is just funny (and I heard that years ago.) that was a part of the jail blazers and like the 6th worst guy on the team, so he can’t be in the top 5 most thug…
April 6th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
iain. says:
celts man that last post was so damn funny. and also informative and your points were well put across, where i am i have to watch the games at like 4am, so i didnt think of collisons foul in that light til you made that point. but yeh looking back he just wanted to get the fuck out rose DESTROYED him, and not just with his height/strength advantage. i remember a couple months back hubert davis or bilas or someone had him as the top pg in the nation this year. at least thats been cleared up now.
April 6th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
iain. says:
him = collison.
April 6th, 2008 at 1:33 pm
word says:
nuggets are wack, craptors are a joke.. losing 15 of the last 21?? are you joking me. unc got owned, ucla folded under pressure and brandon rush is sick, definitely living up to kareems days. love has a lot of experience to gain before he is dominant but hansborough will still be a top pick regardless of his performance last night. that was an insane first half absolutely unbelievable they were down by 30. and collison is a retard for that last foul just to get off to end his embarrassment, horrible team work. kansas got this on lock.
April 6th, 2008 at 2:10 pm
Brown says:
The Raptors need to draft strongly and make some roster changes to even get back to the middle of the pack in the East.
April 6th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
Celts Fan says:
Brown, I still think the Raptors will be fine. They’re a solid team with a lot of skill. A bit soft now, but they can score and they seem to work well together. You can find the guys to fill in the holes on a team with skill that can shoot a lot easier than you can find guys that can shoot like they can. I still believe in Bargniani too. He seems like he should be Okur at worst by the time he’s really hit his prime. This is a team that’s still being built for the future. If they keep them together and everyone keeps developing, why can’t they be a title contender in 3-5 years when the Celtics and Pistons are done and Bosh and Bargniani are just hitting their mid 20s? It’s not like Billy King’s running the team. With Colangelo at the helm, they’re in great shape to fill in the void as the Celtics and Pistons come back to the pack and they need to keep drafting that way (they’d have the 17th pick this year as of today, so there will still be some good players out there.) Having said all of that, as they’re constructed right now, they’re not getting any further than the 2nd round at best this year.
April 6th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Austin Burton says:
1. As much as I like 2Pac and Trick Daddy, I’m tired of the word “thug.” Why? Because it’s only used to describe Black people (including athletes) who commit crimes. What’s the word for Whites who break the law? I don’t even know if there is one, because they aren’t put in a box like that. That said, any list of “Basketball Players I Don’t Wanna Be Out With Under Any Circumstances” begins with Carlton Dotson.
2. Ron Artest’s “genius UNSOLICITED quote about the SJack stripclub incident” actually was solicited. I know because I was the one who asked him the question for one of our “Ask Ron” features. That doesn’t make what Ron said any less ridiculous, but he didn’t just say it for no reason.
3. @Celts Fan — Another factor that will make the Cole Aldrich/Kevin McHale comparisons too easy: Cole is from Minnesota.
April 6th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
Celts Fan says:
haha ok sorry Austin, thought I remember reading Ron said it on his own. Hilarious either way. I thought the list was NBA “Thugs” (and I agree on the word thug Austin. It’s dumb cuz it was actually argued that thugs can’t be rapists earlier.)
April 6th, 2008 at 7:38 pm
Brown says:
I hear ya Celts, that’s what I was talking about. The holes on the Raps need to be filled. They have some deficiencies that need to be addressed, and I’m hoping they start with this year’s draft. CDR would look nice in a Raps uni. He can slash and play some perimeter defense. I’d like to see them make a run at a player like DeSagana Diop, just a body to clog the lane, alter shots and grab some boards. The team is too offensive-minded right now, and needs to swing the pendulum a little back towards the other side of the ball.
April 6th, 2008 at 10:11 pm
Ian says:
younfed
sheed over camby lol
ok lets start
first off
yao
howard
camby
jefferson
April 7th, 2008 at 5:13 am
YOUNGFED says:
Good point Austin. The Word THUG is officially band from my vocab.
However Celts I didn’t say Thugs can’t be rapist but most are just punks that can’t get none.
Holla!