Dwyane Wade Getting Traded? Lakers/Celtics Trash Talk?
Dwyane Wade (photo. Mannion)The Miami Heat can’t really be thinking of trading Dwyane Wade, can they? Forget all that “next Penny Hardaway” talk; in D-Wade the Heat have one of the five or 10 best players in the world in his prime years, someone you don’t trade for a rookie in case that rookie is otherwordly (we’re talking LeBron in ’03, Duncan in ’97 territory) or that superstar simply doesn’t want to play for you anymore. We’re thinking this and all the rumors of Pat Riley supposedly not liking Michael Beasley are just Riles’ ways of throwing everyone off going into the Draft … We’re not gonna say a Wade-to-Chicago trade is impossible — franchise guys like Shaq, Kareem and Wilt have been traded before — but obviously it wouldn’t fly well in Miami. South Florida Sun-Sentinel reporter Ira Winderman wrote on his blog, “Without Wade, the Heat might as well cease to exist. The entire point of this offseason is finding ways to augment Wade. No offense to Derrick Rose, but Derrick Rose on the Heat without Dwyane Wade very well could turn the 15-67 Heat into the 10-72 Heat.” Cease to exist? We believe they call that hero worship … Whether it’s Wade or Rose or both manning the Miami backcourt next year, turns out they might have Alonzo Mourning patrolling the paint behind them. After his planned retirement tour was ended early by last season’s knee injury, ‘Zo is talking about a comeback for ’08-09. Maybe ‘Zo just wants to hang around long enough so he can say that, at one point in his career, he was better than Shaq. Or maybe he found the G2 life wasn’t exciting enough … With the NBA Finals getting closer and closer, Paul Pierce isn’t afraid to give the Lakers a little bulletin-board material. “People look at us as underdogs even though we’ve had the best record all year and beat the Lakers twice,” Truth said in the Boston Globe … Ray Allen, on the other hand, isn’t trying to ruffle any feathers. Asked about his maybe/maybe not beef with Kobe, Ray said in the Boston Herald, “You make it more than what it is, but we’re in 2008, so it’s a non-issue now,” adding, “We’re in a different part of our careers and our lives right now. I have to take care of what’s going on with my Celtics team, and that’s all I concern myself with.” Yeah, we are in 2008, and we remember in 2007 when Ray was with the Sonics and you could sense the tension whenever he went head-to-head with Kobe … Beef or not, it looks like we will see Kobe and Ray matchup when the Finals tips off. All indications from Lakers practice this week are that Kobe will guard Ray, Derek Fisher has Rajon Rondo, Pau Gasol has Kevin Garnett, Lamar Odom has Kendrick Perkins, and Vlad Radmanovic has Pierce. That last one could get ugly … And funny how ESPN was trying to show Gasol’s defensive skills by replaying two of the times he stuffed Duncan in the Lakers/Spurs series. Of course those two plays might have been the only two times Gasol didn’t get worked over by TD … If you missed it yesterday, Flip Saunders is out in Detroit, while Michael Curry is in. With Avery Johnson and others on the market, Curry seems like an odd choice — especially for a veteran team like the Pistons — but he does have experience on the bench as an assistant, and during his tenure as president of the Player’s Association he no doubt learned some valuable diplomatic skills. And that’s why we’re pretty sure Derek Fisher, current president of the NBPA, will be a good coach someday … Is there a high school ballplayer who’s already better than D-Wade, T-Mac and Joe Johnson RIGHT NOW? That’s what at least one of our readers is saying. And that high schooler sits atop our Class of ’09 two-guard ranking on HighSchoolHoop.com … Watch out, FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament: The Dalembeast is gearing up. Sam Dalembert canceled an offseason goodwill trip to India in order to train for the July qualifying tourney, where his Team Canada can grab one of the last three spots in the Olympic field. He was pretty up-and-down in last summer’s FIBA Americas tourney; sometimes he looked like the greatest shot-blocker in the world, and other times he looked like he’d never played basketball before in his life. Of course that’s nothing new to Philly fans … Desmond Mason did a hip-hop track about the Hornets when they were a Lottery team. After they became a playoff team, Byron Scott‘s son did his version. If N.O. gets to the Finals anytime soon, we expect Lil’ Wayne and B.G. to step up to the plate … We’re out like Flip …
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June 4th, 2008 at 12:56 am
Timmy says:
1st!!!!
June 4th, 2008 at 1:00 am
Remy Nguyen says:
#2
June 4th, 2008 at 1:00 am
Oscarisalakerfan says:
Go LAkeshow!!!!!
June 4th, 2008 at 1:03 am
Remy Nguyen says:
Zo is doing it for the money. Sign Shawn Kemp please.
Go Shawn go.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:16 am
Remy Nguyen says:
I cannot wait for Thursday. This championship will define Kobe legacy. As of right now, he is not the greatest Laker. That title belongs to Magic.
Kobe has to win and I hope he and his teammates deliver, just like Judas. He has to win to cement his legacy as one of the best if not the best.
Plus he will tie Shaq with 4 rings. Hope Kobe can get more than Shaq.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:43 am
Drew Wonder aka Optimus Dime says:
i’m going with lakers in 5.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:57 am
Baller ryan says:
not happening. That reporter from Chicago should be shot. One would hope any draft pick would end up being anything close to dwayne wade and for the #2 as well? Pure retardation. I could go on forever how this is one of the most stupid things I’ve ever heard.
June 4th, 2008 at 2:24 am
Duke says:
Trading Wade? So the Heat are already planning to tank next season too?
June 4th, 2008 at 2:33 am
word says:
i can’t believe flip, its not going to be the same now.
and i can’t waitttttt for this finals man
June 4th, 2008 at 2:38 am
the real marcus says:
lakers in 6… booooyaaaaa!!!
and no way wade gets out of mia other than an expired contract…nuf said!
June 4th, 2008 at 3:56 am
mcmango says:
Isn´t Lance Stephenson in the Draft Class of 2009 or will he go to college then?
June 4th, 2008 at 5:22 am
jamesinva says:
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June 4th, 2008 at 5:25 am
jamesinva says:
oh and the rumor being Dwade AND the #2 pick for the #1 pick? are you KIDDING Me? what kind of stupid rumor is that? NOT HAPPENING. Unless if it turns into some huge blockbuster Ben Gordon Tyrus Thomas Luol Deng Larry Hughes #1 Pick and Future picks for Wade #2 pick and haslem?
Miami would have a lineup of Rose Ben Gordon Shawn Marion Luol Deng (COMING OFF THE BENCH?) or trade him to my Blazers for Jarret Jack and #13 pick?? and Zo?
Ay dont hate just making up some BS just like the original DWAde Rumor to begin with haha. But i love trade rumors.
June 4th, 2008 at 5:27 am
jamesinva says:
oh i said Deng coming off the bench cuz im assuming Miami would go after elton brand HARD. thatd actually be a damn nice lineup though in my opinion
rose ben gordon marion brand zo with backups jason williams larry hughes and whoever else they got down there in miami. quit paying attention to them long time ago
June 4th, 2008 at 6:47 am
Illmatic says:
@mcmango
Stephenson is only 17, a junior. NBA rules stipulate that he must play one year in college before entering the draft. Either way, he’s a lottery pick regardless. Kid is sick.
June 4th, 2008 at 7:38 am
AKA O says:
well if they trade for derrick rose and pick micheal beasley and get a few players WHY NOT?that would be great those 2 together think about it……….
June 4th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Smitty313 says:
I agree with the Thr Truth. How the hell are they the underdog. With that said I hate Boston and Kobe’s my favorite player. So Lakers in 5. The Mamaba will not be denied.
June 4th, 2008 at 8:33 am
mcmango says:
Thank you Illmatic. Just thought about the comment that had miami tanking another year =)
June 4th, 2008 at 8:35 am
Chris says:
http://www.sportingnews.com/blog/the_sporting_blog/entry/view/8460/firstcuts_you_just_got_rondo%E2%80%99d
Wanted to shoot this over your way but couldn’t find any contact/tips info for the blog. Rondo’d commercials are up.
June 4th, 2008 at 8:48 am
djKianoosh says:
“sometimes he looked like the greatest shot-blocker in the world, and other times he looked like he’d never played basketball before in his life.”
yes EXACTLY!!! that is the source of pure aggravation for sixers fans for the last 5 years with sammy. he’s a great person and all, but damn, he’s frustrating to watch. even when he plays well you’re like, goddamit now do that every time!!! grrrrrrr gets me fired up just thinkin about it! where’s the advil….
June 4th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Rob says:
whoever wrote that Lance Stephenson article is smoking some pretty potent stuff…
June 4th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Illmatic says:
@rob
Now I know Jamal Crawford is no superstar, but at age 14 or 15 Lance Stephenson dropped over 40 pts on him in a game at Rucker Park
June 4th, 2008 at 9:08 am
jace says:
trade d.wade? sounds friggin fantastic….. for chicago. as for miami? dont be a dumbass, miami. miami needs a center. but they should draft mayo. see if they can get a late 1st round pick and draft a big guy. mayo, wade, marion sounds crazy. they need to spread the floor a lil more, so i picked mayo over rose cuz mayo can shoot.
chicago should make some trades.. deng is wack. chitown shouldve drafted iguodola instead.
lakers looked too good throughout the playoffs.. but boston got too much heart. this one might go all the way just cuz of boston’s heart. outcome is a toss up to me.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:12 am
Celts Fan says:
Here’s the thing though Remy.
1. Kobe CAN’T be the best Laker ever. That’s Magic and that’s not changing (he’s probably got no shot at passing Kareem for #2 either. Even passing Shaq will take AT LEAST 2 titles…) Almost any other franchise, he’d have a legit shot, not this one though…
2. Let’s compare Kobe and Shaq reasonably:
Shaq
Total Rings: 4
Rings as the best player on his team: 3
Trips to the Finals 6
Kobe
Total Rings: 3
Trips to the Finals: 4
Rings as the best player on his team: 0
Anybody can see Kobe has A LOT of work to do to pass Shaq.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:29 am
T Dubbs says:
Celts Fan,
Being the best player on your team doesn’t mean anything without a good supporting cast… (supporting cast as in players, coaches, management level, etc)
Of course Shaq appeared to be the best player on the floor in a Laker’s uniform. If he didn’t touch the ball every time down the court, he’d throw a temper tantrum. Nevertheless, even with his limited offensive ability, Shaq still dominated for quite a few years.
Either way, on a talent level… Kobe is 10x better than Shaq, offensively and defensively. You can’t judge a player based on how many titles they’ve won because there are too many other factors that directly affect their success. Look at all of the great players who never took home the chip.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:33 am
mcmango says:
Everyone knows Jerry West is a bad player bc he won only 1 NBA title as a (very good) role player…
any1 finding subtle irony?
June 4th, 2008 at 9:44 am
Illmatic says:
@mcmango
By the same token, everybody knows Robert Horry is one of the greatest to ever play the game as a (mediocre) role player, due to his 6 or 7 rings.. right?
June 4th, 2008 at 9:52 am
Big Freeze says:
“‘Zo is talking about a comeback for ‘08-09. Maybe ‘Zo just wants to hang around long enough so he can say that, at one point in his career, he was better than Shaq”
Lol, that’s why I love Dime Mag. But seriously, how effective does Zo expect to be? Miami is going to be terrible again next year, with or without Wade.
June 4th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Illmatic says:
I don’t know bout ya’ll, but if I was an NBA coach I could find worse big men to come off the bench for me. He brings intensity, leadership, and solid defense to the floor. Lord knows the Heat could use all of the above.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:12 am
blah says:
Miami should trade d-wade to chicago for #1, and marion to minny for #3, and get Beasley, Rose, and Mayo. Team of the future right there.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:17 am
blah says:
of course chicago would have to give something else up too, same with minny. but I dunno who’s worth it for miami. maybe expiring contracts?
June 4th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Celts Fan says:
Illmatic, McMango, and T Dubbs, no one’s saying Kobe’s not great, he’ll probably go down as one of the top 10 players ever (he’s damn close already,) but to pass the guys you’re saying he’ll pass (to be the greatest Laker ever, which is where that all stemmed from) you have to be the best guy on multiple title teams or you have no argument. Magic is an undisputed top 5 player of all time (i’d put him #2 personally) Kareem’s also undisputedly in the top 10 (really top 6, you can arrange it any way you want, but I think the agreed upon top 6 is MJ, Magic, Oscar, Wilt, Russell, Kareem, right?) so it’s not like we’re saying he hasn’t passed Jack Sikma or some crap. We’re talking about LEGENDS here..
Of course being the best player on a bad team doesn’t mean anything bad, but on the Dynasty Lakers, Shaq was THE MAN, Kobe played the Pippen role. There’s nothing wrong with that at all, but if you’re gonna say he’s the best Laker ever (or even to pass Kareem) he has to win a few as THE MAN. I don’t see how this is even an argument…
June 4th, 2008 at 10:58 am
Remy Nguyen says:
Asterisk to all Shaq rings, throughout Shaq was fortunate enough to have a HOF caliber SG on every single team minus Phoenix.
Jordan said, “Penny was the next Jordan.”
Kobe — Enough said!
Wade — Came close!
Shaq is a great player but he is not greatest. He is not even the greatest center.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:00 am
Celts Fan says:
and TDubbs, talent is great, but that doesn’t make up for all-around impact on a game, which a center has more of than a guard. Shaq OWNED the paint for a decade straight. If you brought it in, he’d swat it to the hot dog man. If you tossed it to him, he’d pull the backboard out of the ground. If there was a rebound, Shaq got it. He put the fear of God into other teams. Sure Kobe’s got more “talent” but Shaq is greater. Kobe’s still got time to change that, but right now, it’s Shaq.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:02 am
Celts Fan says:
Agreed Remy. It takes (at least) 2 guys, but Shaq was THE MAN on those teams (except Miami.) I have Shaq as the 4th best center of all time, behind Wilt, Russell, and Kareem.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Dagomar says:
I agree with Celts Fan. Shaq in his prime was unbelievably dominant. People argue he lacked talent – like a series of go-to moves, for example, or exquisite footwork. But that’s simply because he didn’t need them – he was that dominant. Check out his career stats, they’re scary. Kobe couldn’t help but be the Pippen to Shaq at that stage of their respective careers. And even with regards to position, the star guard better be awfully good to be better than or have more of an impact on the team than the dominant C.
Anyway, of course now Kobe is better and Shaq is a shadow of what he used to be. And I think Kobe will count among the best two Lakers ever by the time it’s all done (though passing Magic will be tough). But as for right now? He’s still got some work ahead of him.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:08 am
Illmatic says:
@Celtsfan
I never said anything about Kobe. I was talking about Lance Stephenson, and then Zo. I agree with you, right now Kobe’s the man, but you can’t ignore what players like Kareem, Wilt, Baylor, and especially Magic were able to accomplish. Most people also forget that Shaq in his prime was arguably the most dominant player in the game.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:10 am
Remy Nguyen says:
If Kobe wins 6 rings, he will arguably be the greatest Laker.
If Kobe is not the greatest Laker, how can Kobe be considered as the greatest ever?
Correction:
Kobe
Total Rings: 3
Trips to the Finals: 4
Rings as the best player on his team: 0
That is precisely why this year championship will determine and define Kobe legacy. Kobe MUST at least win one championship. He has to, there is no other way around it.
If he does not win, then Kobe cannot be considered as the greatest in any conversation whether that was during his prime or era, or heir apparent to MJ.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:11 am
Illmatic says:
@celtsfan
And I meant the proverbial “you”, I didn’t mean YOU haha
June 4th, 2008 at 11:39 am
Dennis Castro says:
Magic is the greatest Laker of all time, hands down. I’ve got Sedale Threatt at #2.
June 4th, 2008 at 11:51 am
DaPro says:
Kobe is a phenomenal player and the best the league has. One of the best individual talents no question but…
He has alot to accomplish in his career to surpass Magic, West, Shaq, Kareem
His stamp on the game hasn’t been proven yet. I’ve been hearing people say he’s better overall than the GOAT, that’s bball blasphemy right there
June 4th, 2008 at 12:00 pm
jimmhumm says:
By the time you post as number 42 ain’t nothing left to say and nobody got time to scroll down this low. Yeah what they said….
June 4th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
jimmhumm says:
I know this though if I was up at 12:00am I would have had something better to say than “first”
June 4th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
Celts Fan says:
Regardless of what happens, Kobe can’t and won’t be considered the greatest. This can’t be argued. MJ did what he did with much different rules in place that enabled defenses to practically assault him every possession (the MJ rules would now be flagrants every time.) Kobe plays in a different era, but to say he can be considered the greatest, regardless of what happens, is blasphemous and short-sighted. Kobe can climb as high as into that tier right below MJ (who stands alone on the top) with Magic, Oscar, Wilt, Russell, and Kareem, if he wins another 2 or 3 rings (entirely possible btw,) but unless he runs off 4 or 5 more rings and vanquishes ALL comers for the next 5-8 years, he just can’t get into that conversation. As someone stated yesterday, he MAY already be top 10 (if not, it’s just a matter of time and a when, not if) but once you’re there, each person you jump is MUCH harder. That’s not an insult to Kobe at all either…
Sedale Threat? hilarious, haven’t heard that name in a while…
posts 38 and 41 are DEAD ON too…
June 4th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Celts Fan says:
My top 10 of all time (tiered, but in no order in each tier:)
Top tier (#1): MJ
2nd tier (#s 2-6): Oscar, Wilt, Kareem, Russell, Magic
3rd tier(7-10): Bird, Shaq, Tim Duncan, Dr. J
Next few: Kobe, Jerry West, Moses, Hakeem, Cousy
Kobe’s not far from knocking Dr. J down (like 2 weeks if things go the way he’s hoping) but he’s miles away from MJ at this point and still a few rings from cracking the 2nd tier.
One thing I will say though, is that with Kobe, I’d never rule out him running off 4 or 5 and forcing his way into that top tier. I don’t think it’ll happen, but if anyone could, it’s him (so please don’t take this as homerism or any of that. I don’t hate Kobe (anymore, I absolutely did over the past 6 years when he was in his full-fledged ballhog/dbag mode, but he’s matured and changed and I respect him for that a lot, funny what gettig older and becoming a dad will do…) I just have a healthy respect for the history of the game and he hasn’t earned his way there yet.)
June 4th, 2008 at 12:56 pm
yallallreadyknow says:
derek fisher aint gonna be no coach.
…..he going straight for stu jacksons job
June 4th, 2008 at 12:57 pm
isotope says:
lol
Shaq is wack! He was dominant. True. But who did he go against in their prime? Yao Ming-and dude is just getting better, David Robinson-dude was nearing the end as well, and Shawn Bradley?
Hakeem was def better than Shaq and so is Kobe. Lets not talk about the 4 game sweep the rockets put on the Magic in ’05. And Shaq had a squad! but couldnt do anything. He could only dominate when Dream and DR were aging.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:08 pm
GEE... just do it, do it, do it! says:
I want Boston to win so all three of them dudes can get their first ring.
Still I want Kobe to win to pull off a robbery like Jordan’s and just to add to Kobe’s legend.
Still being that I have no real dog in this fight (sorry Mike Vick) I guess I get to chill and enjoy. Although the heart’s leaning toward Boston the mind leans towards the LA.
D -Wade in the Chi. That would be cool and all but reall D-Wade is Miami. I mean at least when I think of Miami I think of him. Shoot if you really need to get rid of someone in Miami it should be Pat “The Scout” Riley. Bounce his arse and bring in some fresh blood.
Celts what is the base of your tiers?
Thurs. needs to come on!
June 4th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
Illmatic says:
@isotope
Who did Shaq face? Are you serious?
To name a few: Hakeem, Patrick Ewing, David Robinson, Alonzo Mourning, Mutumbo…
At least 4 of which are HoF or future HoF’ers
June 4th, 2008 at 1:24 pm
Austin Burton says:
Shaq also faced Rik Smits, who was better than people give him credit for. In fact, Smits and the Pacers swept Shaq’s team out of the playoffs in his first postseason appearance.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
Illmatic says:
I agree, Smits was one of the most slept on players of his time
June 4th, 2008 at 1:31 pm
K Dizzle - gettin ready to party like it's 1988 says:
He could only dominate when Dream and DR were aging? Really? That’s blasphemy to throw that out there. Shaq, in his prime, was not going to be stopped. 3 straight chips and still disrespected. Put it another way, apart from Russell and Wilt beatin on each other, who else did they have to face? You can’t decide your comp, you beat who they put in front of you.
I like Celts top ten list(post 45). That’s the definitive.
Kobe’s not close to being the top Laker of all time. Think on it: 1 dude is the ALL-TIME leadin scorer. 1 dude was a 6’9 point guard who changed how players are perceived and got 5 chips(shoulda been 6 but when Magic AND Scott got hurt, there was no beatin Detroit).
Wilt only played 5 seasons but went for a record 33 straight in 1 of em. 1 dude is the LOGO of the league. Even Big Game James has a Finals MVP. Kobe got a long way to go. Not sayin he can’t get there, but it’s a long way
just a reminder, I watched a hockey player take a puck off his grill couple days back and return in the same game so yeah….Vince is still soft lol
June 4th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
Celts Fan says:
Rik Smits was the truth Austin. It’s a shame for him, cuz if he came along today, he’d be one of the top 5 centers in the game. He came along in a run that probably featured the most talented collection of 5s the league’s ever seen together.
GEE, my tiers are based only on my personal observations (and things I’ve seen/heard of the older guys,) but my point is that you could probably argue who’s ranked where within each tier, but you’re probably not arguing anyone below them moving over them, etc.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:43 pm
Remy Nguyen says:
If the Lakers does not win this series, I will say, “Kobe piggy-backed Shaq for 3 rings.”
Kobe cannot be considered as the greatest if he does not win championships and this champsionship vital to his legacy.
If Kobe wants the title from Jordan then win more championships than the latter. Kobe win before but when he won he was not the best player on the team.
Jordan is the standard in which all players are measured.
It is the truth that Kobe is the not greatest.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:55 pm
Remy Nguyen says:
Shaq won 3 straight with Kobe.
For the sake of argument, lets minus Kobe from the dilemma. You can pick any player during that time span.
Now with Shaq and whatever player of your choice, do you think Shaq and you player of choice would have won 3 straight?
Shaq would have won one but not three straight.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
isotope says:
CeltsFan:
Shaq only dominated when Hakeem was declining. To a lesser extent so were DR and Patrick. I’ll give you Mutombo but Hakeem played Jabbar, Mo Malone, DR, and Patrick in their prime. He dominated Ewing and Shaq in the finals. And killed DR in the Conf finals. Shaqs first nba title was in 2000. Most of the other centers had played 10 years by then. Hakeem almost 15 years.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
Celts Fan says:
I don’t know Remy. If you switch Kobe with TMac, Paul Pierce (or really, any AS caliber wing that can shoot and will work hard on D) I think they’re having just as many parades. Maybe not quite as easily, but the same amount of chips in the end. There was no stopping Shaq those years, don’t get it twisted…
June 4th, 2008 at 2:00 pm
DaPro says:
I will say that Shaq was the most unstoppable force in his prime but I still don’t have him ranked higher than “The Dream” or Kareem for that matter.
Kobe is a tremendous talent and one of the most complete offensive weapons ever in the league. This is team ball and he hasn’t dominated the game the way Mike did for 10+ seasons crushing everyone at a time where there were 20+ sure fire HOF’s in the league at once.
Kobe shouldn’t be measured to such a standard, what his “Airness” accomplished over an entire career is immeasurable when you look at his entire body of work.
June 4th, 2008 at 2:06 pm
Mike C says:
I have a feeling Kobe’s gonna explode for 50+ in one of these games.. I’d bet on game 2, especially if the Lakers drop game 1. He got robbed of Finals MVP three times by Shaq earlier in the decade and he’s gonna make sure that he gets his this time around.
June 4th, 2008 at 2:20 pm
GEE... just do it, do it, do it! says:
Ok cause yea I was feeling like your tiers could be debated but put anyone over them would be hard I will agree with you there.
See this is exactly what I am saying to Utah fans right here. On the flip side it’s also prolly what they are saying to me.
Detroit got rid of Flip who took them to East finals 3 times right?
Why? Cause with what they have they feel they should be doing better than no trips beyond east finals. So after three tries get rid of the coach and make some player moves. Mainly get rid of the coach.
Now Utah has had some nice squads and some really nice squads (of course this will be Utah fans point of debate right there) still they keep the same coach.
Now had Sloany got more than expected out of what he has yes and no. Yes because players you wouldn’t expect to step up often do in his system but no in that the good or great players are doing what they are suppose to do.
All these years in his system and no ring. Granted Utah fans are going to say well we faced Jordan and Kobe and our star player had gas and our center had warts and ect.
Still I feel and have felt like perhaps Utah should do like Detroit and send Sloan on and say thanks for the memories. Granted they prolly haven’t ever (debate issue) had a squad like Detroits. Still after being at the wedding as always the bridesmaid ain’t it time for a possible head coach move? I am more and more thinking so.
June 4th, 2008 at 2:28 pm
Three Stacks says:
Kobe never got robbed of anything, Shaq always put up otherworldly numbers in the Finals. There’s no one else you could’ve given the MVP to all three years.
To most Laker fans, Kobe is already a greater Laker than Shaq. Who cares who was #1 or #2? Shaq wasn’t winning any of those titles without Kobe, just like Kobe wasn’t winning one without Shaq. It’s the TEAM that won the titles, and the stupid fans/media saying shit like “who’s #1?” is what fucks with the athlete’s ego and causes feuds within the team.
June 4th, 2008 at 2:41 pm
Celts Fan says:
Don’t disagree Three Stacks, but for the purposes of arguing all time greats, it’s EXTREMELY relevant.
June 4th, 2008 at 2:52 pm
Remy Nguyen says:
Shaq won one without Kobe. And Kobe might get his 4 ring. Imagine if they both stuck on 4 rings apiece.
June 4th, 2008 at 3:03 pm
K Dizzle - gettin ready to party like it's 1988 says:
Totally agree with 3 Stacks.
Need to let it go. If there was either no Kobe or Shaq, there would be no rings period. They both had to be there. If Kobe wins this season without Shaq, does that mean he didn’t need Shaq back then? You think Kobe givin the first 3 rings back?
Hakeem never played Kareem in his prime and maybe my memory ain’t on point, but I don’t think Kareem’s prime was anything after 86 when Hakeem was just gettin started.
I gotta cosign on what Celts sayin bout Shaq. No diss to Kobe but I don’t think it woulda mattered who Shaq’s wingman was cuz Shaq was at his prime and actually in shape. There was nobody who could match up with him for a good 6-8 year run. There were better teams and better basketball players, but as a dominant inside force, toss it in to him and get a guaranteed and-one, nobody was messin with Shaq. 4 chips with a couple way under their prime swingmen(Mamba and Wade) makes you wonder what happens if Shaq stayed in Orlando and Penny stayed healthy
Gee
why you tryin to wake up the Jazz fan?
I think the deal with Sloan is management looks around and figures that there’s really nobody better for the job rather than other teams like the Bulls and Knicks who fire a dude then start searchin for a savior. He gets a pass cuz we know if Mike had played baseball for a lil bit longer, they’d have a chip. I don’t know if this is right or not, but is it true Sloan’s never copped a Coach of the Year award?
June 4th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
doc says:
Celts I got Dana Barros giving Bob Cousy 50.
June 4th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
isotope says:
Kareem retired in ’89.
KDizz, but my point still remains who was Shaq playing against when he was dominating? Nobodies and HOFers in their latter years. Thats like saying Dwight Howard is better than Shaq because he can take Shaq head to head. COME ON! Take Hakeem in his prime, take Shaq in his prime. Head to head? No contest!
June 4th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Lee says:
HAKEEEEEEM !!!!!! That guy was smooth. He basicly had NO ONE on his squad the first year, no swing man, no all stars, nothing !!!
Of course the reason he won that first title … DAM HAWKS TRADE DOMONIQUE for some scrub !!! Danny f@@king Manning. Stupidest trade EVER. Hawks had best record in the East that year AND ended the rockets 17 gane win streak IN houston so Lets trade a HOFer … JEEZ.
If only Penny had been healthy .. and LJ … and Grant Hill … Mark Price .. Kemp …
June 4th, 2008 at 4:19 pm
Illmatic says:
@isotope
You make a good point, but the argument was never “Is Shaq the best big man ever?” The argument was how important Shaq was to the Lakers’ championship run, and also how dominant Shaq was in his prime– regardless of the competition.
Like somebody said earlier, you can’t choose your competition, all you can do you beat everybody that comes against you.
June 4th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Remy Nguyen says:
No dissing Kemo, he was not injuries was Kemp problems.
Drugs, Alcohol, and Women were.
June 4th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
GEE... just do it, do it, do it! says:
K-Dizzle I don’t know about the coach of the year deal that is pretty wild if he hasn’t gotten it. He deserves it. I ain’t given dude no pass mj or no mj cause the bottom line is you got to come up with a way to stop your opponent.
Not trying to wake up the Jazz fans but just saying. Detroit may have the solution to what they should be doing. Granted I don’t know how this dude is going to work that Detroit hired but still.
Do you honestly see Utah getting any further than they have in that same system?
June 4th, 2008 at 5:13 pm
isotope says:
hey, remember all the success Rick Carlisle had with the pistons in the playoffs and then he gets fired. The next coach, in his first year, won an NBA championship and took credit for all the setup work Carlisle had done. Maybe the pistons are on to something here.
June 5th, 2008 at 2:17 am
Name required says:
That next coach did happen to be Larry Brown though, not… who is it again? Michael Curry?
June 5th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Rob says:
@Illmatic
keywords: “Rucker Park”, where the great unspoken rules of “no D” are taken to new levels. I’m guessing you beared witness to this aforementioned feat? While it might be impressive for a 14 or 15 year old to drop 40 points at Rucker Park, Jamal Crawford isn’t exactly D.Wade, T-Mac, or Joe Johnson by any stretch of the imagination. Lets be honest, Jamal Crawford was never known for his defensive prowess. Lance Stephenson is overrated. Period.