Kobe don’t dunk no more.Aside from this morning’s revenge game against Greece (8 a.m. EST), we have a pretty good idea what LeBron and Michael Redd have been talking about lately. Yesterday the Bucks traded Mo Williams to Cleveland as part of a three-team deal where the Cavs got Mo, Milwaukee got Luke Ridnour (no D), Adrian Griffin (no O) and Damon Jones (no sense), and Oklahoma City got Desmond Mason and Joe Smith. That’s actually not a bad deal for either team. The Cavs get somebody who — while definitely a gunner that’ll need someone to check him — is at least aggressive offensively and won’t just stand around watching LeBron. The Bucks unloaded a contract they regretted signing a long time ago, and got a halfway decent veteran PG in Ridnour to cushion the transition for Ramon Sessions. And Clay Bennett’s team got a veteran presence in Smith to bolster their young frontcourt and a local guy in Des Mase who will be a hit with the OKC crowd … LeBron and Kobe have already killed that one question that always comes up around All-Star time: They’re not gonna be in the ‘09 dunk contest in Phoenix. “I wouldn’t do it,” Kobe said. “Not at this stage in my career.” Said LeBron: “I’m not a slam dunk type of guy. Sorry. I’m getting older.” Yeah, those 23-year-old knees have to get their rest. We don’t mind Kobe bypassing the contest; he’s been there and won it before. But LeBron knows that EVERYONE wants to see him take a crack at the dunk crown and he just refuses to give the people what they want … One more LeBron item: Five years into his career, where does he rank on the list of the game’s all-time great small forwards? Is he better already than James Worthy? Better than Bernard King? And how long will it be before we can begin to ask if ‘Bron is better than Larry Bird? … Playing under a cloud of controversy (more on that in a sec) and maybe feeling a little nervous after escaping an upset bid by China the other day, Spain bounced back to piece Germany in the Thursday’s Olympic opener. Pau Gasol and Jose Calderon each had 13 points, while Dirk was held to 11 points (1-for-6 from three) … Australia whupped on Iran, winning by 38 despite a quiet 10-points, 7-board outing from Andrew Bogut … The rest of Thursday’s schedule, not completed at the time we’re writing this, is China/Angola, Russia/Lithuania, and Croatia/Argentina, which should be dope … So about that Spain controversy. If you don’t know the story, you can read about it HERE. Asked for his thoughts, Jason Kidd had this: “We would’ve been already thrown out of the Olympics [if it were Team USA]. At least, we wouldn’t have been able to come back to the U.S. There would be suspensions.” As for Spain’s punishment, J-Kidd said, “They won’t do anything to them. It’s a double standard.” Totally agree … BTW, what’s with all the negative backlash against Kidd and how many minutes he’s getting on the U.S. team? If you’re gonna nit-pick a team that’s winning by an average margin of 26 points, don’t focus on Kidd. He’s the least of their problems. Worst-case scenario, if J-Kidd’s on the court in crunch-time against a team like Spain or Argentina, he’s not gonna turn the ball over, he’s not gonna force shots (whether or not you believe Doug Collins’ assertion that Kidd actually isn’t a bad shooter when he’s spotting up), he’s not gonna get rattled by defensive pressure a la China’s guards when Spain slapped on a press, and he’s shown he’s still very capable defensively so long as it’s not Chris Paul lined up in front of him … The list of top-selling NBA jerseys in China sees — you already know — Kobe holding the #1 spot. Kevin Garnett ranked second, T-Mac third, Paul Pierce fourth and Allen Iverson fifth. Some people are acting like it’s a big deal that Yao fell to 10th when he was sixth last year, but it’s possible that people in China aren’t buying as many Yao jerseys because they already have them … You’ve probably already seen the new Nike House of Hoops ad called “The Pier.” The Dime crew was out in Cali during the taping of the spots — featuring Amare, Caron Butler, Rudy Gay and more — and got some behind-the-scenes video and interviews right HERE … If Kwame Brown crashes and burns in Detroit, it won’t be at the hands of Michael Curry. The coach said in an interview with Pistons.com that he believes in Kwame. “We look at our team going forward, our two best post players are up there in age, Rasheed and ‘Dyess,” Curry said. “We have a good group of young post players coming along with Jason Maxiell, Amir Johnson, Cheikh Samb and Trent Plaisted, but we didn’t have anybody with massive size. Looking for a young player like that, most of the time it’s very difficult to get. Kwame has had some ups and downs in his career, but I still look at Kwame as a young big guy who can play and do well in this league another 10 years or so.” Ten years? That’s a little generous … Tristan Spurlock, the Montrose Christian (Kevin Durant’s alma mater) senior SF whom we featured in Dime #42 as one of this summer’s Players To Watch, committed to Virginia this week over the likes of Georgetown, Louisville, Maryland and Villanova. Between NYC guard Sylven Landesberg coming in next season and Spurlock the year after, UVA should be able to stay afloat in the ACC after losing Sean Singletary. Over on HighSchoolHoop.com we’ve got Spurlock listed in our rankings of the top two-man tandems in high school ball along with Montrose teammate Isaiah Armwood, a ‘Nova commit. Check out the rest of the list HERE … FC Barcelona (Spain) signed Andre Barrett, adding him to a strong Euroleague squad that includes J.C. Navarro, Orlando’s favorite son Fran Vasquez, and Team Australia big man David Andersen, who might be better than Birdman Andersen right now … NBA TV replayed a 2003 playoff game between the Pacers and Celtics, the one where Jermaine O’Neal destroyed the Pierce/’Toine C’s for 23 points and 20 rebounds. It reminded us that it wasn’t that long ago when J.O. was nasty; he was catching dunks from the dotted and wasn’t letting anyone in green near the ball under the boards. It’s not completely over for Jermaine — let’s wait and see if Toronto breathes some new life in him — but he’s on the cusp of a decline that’s right up there with those of Steve Francis and Penny Hardaway … We’re out like Franchise …
Related posts:
August 14th, 2008 at 2:48 am
PIO says:
FIRST!!!!!
August 14th, 2008 at 3:10 am
Tha Boddy says:
I don’t know about Steve Francis and his career being on the major decline…im sure if he gets on a team where is not the man and can get some good burn he can average 13-17ppg, 6assists. He just has to get his head back into the game any1 agree???
August 14th, 2008 at 3:10 am
knoc says:
im still praying for a comeback for steve-o. just to make the end of his career respectable. im not praying for baron davis GS comeback, just come back n play damn it!
August 14th, 2008 at 3:12 am
daquest?on says:
team usa will win today woop woop
August 14th, 2008 at 3:25 am
SooperDaug says:
Fifth!!! Even if it doesn’t mean anything…
August 14th, 2008 at 3:29 am
solomon says:
franchise needs a system that’ll allow him to mixtape for 21 secs and create a shot with all the time remaining… he’d be perfect in GS spelling monta…
we’re out like a HOF career for kwame…
August 14th, 2008 at 3:40 am
USA might not win says:
who is skipping the dunk contest
August 14th, 2008 at 4:02 am
thomas says:
Lebron should participate in at least Slam Dunk contest. btw, if you replace Kobe with Lebron or MJ - would the lakers have won over the Celtics?
August 14th, 2008 at 4:15 am
Soopa says:
The aussie Andersen is much, much better then Birdman.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:33 am
Coach T-sun says:
Steve Francis is done, he’s been relying on explosion and athletic ability let alone learning the game the dude has some pretty bad fundamentals just a glorified street baller like Starbury. Makes me wonder what da hell did he learn in maryland. Ridnour will be a better defender this year, scott skiles has done a good job with hinrich and a system would only boost his rep from no d to some d. Trade was great for all 3 sides, LeBron will be better than bird if he wins say 5 nba titles and 3 MVPS anything less than a magic/bird like career he ain’t up there.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:35 am
Kev says:
LeBron isn’t that creative dunking the ball…
http://www.squidoo.com/LebronJamesDunk
August 14th, 2008 at 4:38 am
Three Stacks says:
There’s no way MJ loses a Finals. Ever.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:54 am
M Intellect says:
Who else think ‘Ramon Sessions’ sounds like either a Reggaeton/R&B Mixtape or the pseudonym for a Columbian Jiggalo?
Pseudonym means an alias for those of you* that doesn’t know.
*Whoever posted the Post 27 on the Mo Williams Story.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:59 am
Steve Nash says:
JO’s career is ova, he’ll be nuthin but a role player…when he is fit
August 14th, 2008 at 5:16 am
Damon says:
penny had major injuries. i would take francis and marbury.
August 14th, 2008 at 5:50 am
Three Stacks says:
@ M Intellect
Wow. You’re a pompous asshole.
And if you’re gonna act smart, at least use proper grammar.
“…for those of you that doesn’t know.”
Idiot.
August 14th, 2008 at 7:09 am
M Intellect says:
@ Three Stacks
OMG - I messed up the grammar in a fucking comment on smack. Your right, I’m an idiot. And pompus. Let me rip up my Upper First Economics w/ English Degree. You know what I’m just gonna quit my job on the trading floor because I’m such an idiot.
In fact, I’m not. How about… You stop acting like the allocated smack-grammar police and get off my sack. I mean, the fact that you spell-checked and punctuated your post perfectly, makes me think you have too much time on your hands and not enough chicks…
You didn’t like the observation I made? Then just don’t laugh.
In fact don’t do shit, unless you are Ramon Sessions, in which case, get at me for dogging your name. But I guess your not so, you see your mouth? Hold it.
August 14th, 2008 at 7:14 am
karan says:
lebron isnt a creative dunker… he’s an explosive dunker, yes, and his dunks are electrifying in game, but in a slam dunk competition, he’ll probably do the same boring shit 5 times but because of his reputation still win.
August 14th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Jackie says:
What does “dope” mean? Are you encouraging the use of drugs or are you just trying to sound cool and ‘thug-like’?
August 14th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Tbeezy says:
Where can i watch the USA/Greece game online?
August 14th, 2008 at 8:22 am
Tbeezy says:
Nevermind i got it.
August 14th, 2008 at 8:28 am
Three Stacks says:
@ M Intellect
My comment had nothing to do with Ramon Sessions, just you trying to sound smart, putting down the way someone else commented the other day. So what did I do that was different than what you did first?
The fact that you can’t see that, and the fact that you flaunt your degree, which I’ll have to assume is real, to a stranger? That’s what makes you a pompous asshole.
I wouldn’t have cared about the grammar if you weren’t putting down other people because they may or may not know a word that you do.
So maybe you’re not an idiot, just an ass. So sorry.
August 14th, 2008 at 8:45 am
Kermit the Washington says:
Lebron can’t be as good as Worthy/Bird, etc…for the same logic that Kobe can’t be as good as Mike. He doesn’t have the accomplishments yet.
And by that same logic, he’s not as good as Kobe/DWade, etc…
August 14th, 2008 at 8:49 am
Three Stacks says:
Bosh seems to be a better fit for FIBA basketball than Dwight Howard. CB4 played big in the first half. That block at the halftime buzzer was nice.
USA looks good today.
August 14th, 2008 at 8:50 am
Kermit the Washington says:
@karan:
Bron could do a Dominique Wilkins thing, and just do a windmill over and over from different angles and score a 50 every time! That mess used to drive me nuts back in the day…
August 14th, 2008 at 8:57 am
nerditry says:
@Dime : Bron will be better than Worthy when he has decent teammates and wins his own chip. He’ll be better than Larry when he has half a dozen of them. Crazy question to ask this early when best he’s done is get swept out the Finals.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:02 am
Three Stacks says:
Why does Lebron need 6 chips to be better than Larry Bird? Worthy’s got more rings than Larry Bird, does that make him the slightest bit better?
Could Larry Bird in his prime have won against the ‘07 Spurs with the same teammates as Lebron? I doubt it. Not taking anything away from Bird, but he was flanked with 3-4 other Hall of Fame caliber players for almost his entire career.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:11 am
GEE...who dat? says:
To early to early for the LeBron vs. Larry comparisons lol. How bout we at least let LeBron get “1″ championship before we compare dude to anyone that have serveral rings.
Don’t get me wrong dude is good and trust me if LeBron was to get in the dunk contest he could and would be very creative. Just because you do the same dunk in a game doesn’t mean that you gonna do that in a contest. Personally I think LeBron doesn’t want to take an L on something where he is soley responsible. It’s different when he is playing with the squad and they are all horrible around him. A dunk contest is all on him, and I don’t think he can let his legend take any falls like that if he lost.
I think J. O’Neal will certainly do well and help them. I don’t expect him to come that close to the beast you all mentioned in SMACK. He plays a lot older to me than he is. I think he was born after his time.
As far as Steve Franchise that used to be. I just hope dude can get some former glimpse of himself back to contribute something.
How many medals does your country have? Go USA!
August 14th, 2008 at 9:21 am
Austin Burton says:
This is kinda what I was saying with the Tony Parker vs. Deron Williams argument. Only I just want Deron to make an All-Star team before putting him above Parker.
Just sayin…
August 14th, 2008 at 9:30 am
GEE...who dat? says:
I get it. I mean honestly you should have some accomplishments when being compared to one that already “has” accomplishments. You can be the bomb all day but when you don’t have anything to show for it hard to say one is equal or above outside of play and speculation to some extent.
August 14th, 2008 at 9:52 am
LakeShow84 says:
POST 19 SAID IT ALL
Did anyone even see Lebrons McDonalds dunk contest?? Dude can jump out the building but you have to be creative with it.. His dunks werent even that fly but he won because he was the fan favorite.. i think his last dunk was a reverse dunk off a lob.. WOW but the media went crazy with shit like “oh he floated in the air for 5 minutes to catch that”.. He knows he would lose.. hes a power dunker who can mix in some east bay funk but thats all folks..
And Larry Bird are you kidding me?? thats a joke.. give it 5 years.. Damn Dime does Lebron fund you guys??
And sorry POST 2, no way he puts up those numbers.. have you seen him play lately?? he looks lost and hes worst on defense than he was before.. he wont get too much tick..
August 14th, 2008 at 9:55 am
Austin Burton says:
Yeah, but we’ve also seen LeBron do contest-worthy stuff in layup lines: behind the back off-the-glass tomahawk, etc.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:12 am
Dagomar says:
MIntellect:
“Pseudonym means an alias for those of you* that doesn’t know.”
The correct word is “don’t” - not “doesn’t.” Nice try, though.
I would like to see Lebron participate in some dunk contests, but let’s face it even with Dwight Howard dominating last year the competition isn’t what it used to be. Turns out you need a superman cape to win it now. I’d suspect that the last thing Lebron wants is to feed into the views of those who see him as an athletic power player who can dunk but can’t shoot. And I don’t think Lebron likes these competitions anyway . . . he’s never seriously tried to win the skills competition, for example. Not sure what’s up with that.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:14 am
anfernee says:
hey….
August 14th, 2008 at 10:16 am
Austin Burton says:
@Dagomar — I would agree with that, but look at LeBron’s commercials and what’s he doing? Dunking. And please believe that LeBron is VERY involved in how his image is projected in things like ads. I think this is more about him not wanting to lose to some rookie/nobody on a big stage and opening the door for ridicule.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:21 am
LakeShow84 says:
I still cant figure out how jumping and THROWING the ball at the hoop can win a dunk contest.. DOES ANYONE KNOW HOW HARD IT IS TO DUNK IN SOCKS?? that shit was sick..
But oh snap he didnt have a cape on! my bad world..
August 14th, 2008 at 10:25 am
LakeShow84 says:
And aye Austin I’ve seen SMUSH PARKER do contest worthy stuff in a layup line LOLOLOLOL
August 14th, 2008 at 10:36 am
Austin Burton says:
I’m just saying, LeBron CAN do more creative dunks, he just doesn’t do it in games and didn’t do it in that high school contest.
(Wasn’t that the time when JR Giddens competed with a broken foot? How silly is that?)
August 14th, 2008 at 10:37 am
dapro says:
Bron doesn’t want to hurt his rep by losing in the dunk contest. My man has mad hops but Austin he isn’t that creative with the ball when it comes to dunking.
I thought it was just me that wasn’t blown away with the Superman dunk. Truthfully, Howard won the contest more so because of charisma. He worked the crowed and the judges-that’s what winning any contest is about.
August 14th, 2008 at 10:40 am
that's whats up says:
@ post 36
Chocolate Thunder knocked his kicks off the scorer’s table after that socks only dunk. Total disrespect.
DIME - Damon Jones (no sense) - nice one
August 14th, 2008 at 10:45 am
that's whats up says:
…and if Lebron truly wanted more global exposure, the minute he signed up for the contest the worldwide viewership would triple. Stern would telecast, stream, podcast, satellite, even Stern-cast that ish to Ethiopia if he could make a few more dollars.
so I guess Lebron just knows that he wouldn’t win, and that would tarnish his rep
August 14th, 2008 at 10:49 am
Celts Fan says:
ya, and Gerald’s best dunk was the cup cake. That was both very cool and original. Chocolate Thunder was right. that dude’s in the Hall (I think,) Gerald wouldn’t even be let in as a visitor.
you guys hear Brandon Roy had knee surgery today?
@Dime, I know the main reason (supposedly) that he dropped to #7 in the Draft was cuz of long-term health concerns. Is this something possibly related to that or is this just minor, arthroscopic surgery? Just heard about this as I was leaving for work, so I’m completely in the dark…
August 14th, 2008 at 11:01 am
M Intellect says:
@ Dagomar - Are you serious? You genuinely thought 2 billion people, including the ENTIRE China population, would watch the fucking China - USA Olympic basketball game. Fall the fuck back with any smart remarks until people forget about that.
@ 3 Stacks - Yeah, I was clowning that dude. How bad of me. Even though he posted an inaudible, frankly comical comment, that Chee, Justice, George K Wush, Gee and others all clowned on and which even became central to more comments then the actual article itself, I am still a fucking bully.
You know what, you can give your Grammar-Checker pass to Dagomar, subject to him retaking and passing 8th Grade Maths and Geography, and become the face of Dime’s anti-clowning campaign.
Then you can clamp down and revoke anyone’s comments ‘priviledges’, simply for having a joke, EVEN if you have NO UNDERSTANDING OF THE CONTEXT that it was told in. Wouldn’t you love that?
Hey Austin, maybe you could coincide 3 Stacks appointment as “The Bully-Killer” aka “The Oscar de la Hoya of Dime Comments Pages” with a special piece on him, his aspirations to be Captain Planet and how he listens to Michael’s Jackson’s classic, the one and fucking only, “Earth Song” before he goes to sleep.
It would be great for Dimemag’s Corporate Social Responsibilty policy.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:01 am
doc says:
I think Bron could do some things if he got in.He wont though.AB I feel you saying you like dudes with rings but it aint like Tony Parker ever was the man for a ring.He Cornbread Maxwell status.Aint that the dude name who got MVP in one of Bird chips.He balled his ass off for 4 games but we know why they one.And he wont never make a all star team over D-Will again.They might both be there but D-Will gonna be there for a while.He still nice as hell though.Knowing how Nash and Kidd falling off I might take him 3rd behind CP and D-Will but not over. D-Will got dicked for Brandon Roy last year anyway because Portland started off good but by the time the game came around they was done but they threw him on so they wouldnt look like assholes hyping a team all season that aint even in the race.B-Roy nice though before all the Portland lovers come on here.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:04 am
doc says:
Without D-Will Utah would be terrible thats why they had the 3rd pick when they got him.You take TP off San An they would roll right along with Jaque and Damon bum asses.They wouldnt be as dangerous but they would win 50.Not hating on Tony because I just said he might be holding D-Rose 3rd spot but just explaining why his rings dont hold as much weight to ME on the subject of him vs D-Will.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:07 am
doc says:
@Celts Dawkins not in the hall.He aint really do shit but break backboards and name dunks.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:08 am
srb says:
Doug Collins was trippin when he said Kidd is a good 3-point shooter. He hasn’t been a good shooter in at least 3 years. His shooting decline is almost as bad as Gary Payton’s. They need to get Antoine on team USA if they want to have some shooting threats.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:17 am
Celts Fan says:
@Doc, thanks. He should be in jsut for breaking the boards and those amazing names he came up w/ for the dunks! Either way, he’s got a better shot than Gerald’s dumb @$$
August 14th, 2008 at 11:33 am
doc says:
@celts- they should at least have a rim with one of his names somewhere in there.And I agree Green had a nice dunk contest last year.He just lacked that superstar charisma for the camera.He was the Iggy and Dwight of the year before.When they was doing crazy dunks but everybody was on Nate’s nuts because he was five nine and let him win even though he missed like 30 dunks.When we did the birthday cake dunk and blew the candles out that shit was crazy.And the windmill in socks was crazy,I bet the sneaker companies aint like that shit.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:42 am
bombame says:
did pau get traded to the spurs???
haha…
http://msn.foxsports.com/olympics/story/8447298/Spain-downs-Germany-behind-Gasol
August 14th, 2008 at 11:49 am
Helping hand says:
For all readers that had basketball to change their life as a youth growing up, I know personally that basketball has changed my life and kept me out of trouble growing up, and is one my greatest passion in life. The “Get Kids in the Game” program is an effort to obtain donations of basketballs to go to children here in the United States and around the world.
Basketball arouses great passion and allows children to capture their own hoop dreams. Be it shooting the ball alone or sharing in the joy of the sport with classmates and teammates, you can give children the joy of dribbling, passing and shooting the basketball and seeing it rustle the cords of the net. Your donations help get kids in the game so they can shoot for hope.
For only $16, you can donate two basketballs to children in need. Let’s make a difference one child at a time.
http://www.worldvision.org/worldvision/wvususfo.nsf/stable/gik_basketball?Open&lid=247&lpos=top_drp_Basketballs
August 14th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
schoops says:
@ tha boddy…Steve Francise is done, and has been for a few years now. He only was an allstar when he was “the man” on his team… and those teams were not very good at all. He had to leave houston once Yao took over as the leader of that team (kind of), and then he had limited success in oralando. I just dont think he’s as good a player as people once thought. Dude is nasty when it comes to athleticism and one on one skills, but he’s not 25 anymore. Him and Marbury (same age, born a day apart) are both done (franchise more so after injuries).
@ M Intellect… I agree it’s stupid to correct grammar on a smack message board… but I certainly think throwing out your degree on an online message board is just, well.. pathetic. But at least you’ve got your boys down on the “trading floor” to pump up your ego. But we all now respect you more knowing you re an educated man.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:12 pm
schoops says:
One more thing about stevie franchise… I think some people underestimate (or dont even think about) how important Cat Mobley was as franchise’s back court mate. They played well together in houston and orlando, but once mobley was shipped out franchise began to decline. maybe mobley didnt matter, or maybe he did…
August 14th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
doc says:
@schoops-I heard they were gay thats why they loved playing together.Remember when Orlando traded Cat and Francis got on TNT and said it was hard to get through the days now like he was about to commit suicide.Thats what happened to his game.Cat aint around to fuck him no more.As soon as Cat and Stevie get on the same team he will be a all star again.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
doc says:
When you claiming you cant sleep right because another man is on the move its some homo shit going on.
August 14th, 2008 at 12:52 pm
Austin Burton says:
@doc — Deron’s had two good years and everyone is putting him ahead of someone who has the hardware and is still very much in his prime (Parker is 26). Say what you want about Parker’s supporting cast, but we all know the Spurs aren’t winning a title with Vaughn/Stoudamire playing PG. You’re acting like the Spurs are good independently of Parker, when in fact one reason they’re so good is BECAUSE OF Parker.
If people are gonna say LeBron can’t touch Bird/Erving/Worthy yet because LeBron doesn’t have rings, how can you say Deron surpasses Parker when Deron doesn’t even have a Finals appearance and is 0-1 against Parker in playoff series history?
August 14th, 2008 at 1:12 pm
M Intellect says:
First and foremost Three Stacks, for some reason, had a problem with me for continuing an on-going joke. Then Dagomar randomly weighed in, correcting my grammar and now Schoops is calling me pathetic for mentioning my degree when some dude is trying to question my intelligence.
What is the deal with that?
I’ve noticed some mad insecure dudes on here who only pop up to “humble” anyone who mentions something they have achieved, even in passing. If that shit bugs you out, what do you guys think when dudes in the NBA talk about there numbers and awards?
Start sweating with jealousy and envy because you can’t tell them how they didn’t deserve their all-star berth, MVP award or Ring? You guys must wanna body PP after what he said.
All I gotta say…Hi Haters
It’s crazy when a dude has to say this but I feel I need to make this clear after all the fucking politicians keep raising up. Unless it’s to do with basketball, my comments on the article or in direct response to something I’ve said to you, please don’t get at me.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:22 pm
schoops says:
@doc… hilarious. Doug Collins needs to investigate this along with Bill Walton.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:26 pm
M Intellect says:
Austin,
Achievements are a great bar to go but usually after the careers are said and done because people’s careers progress differently. They are also SO circumstantial and subject to so many variants, supporting casts, competition, etc…
But just imagine the teams with the two inter-changed.
If you were to substitute Deron and TP, the Jazz would be pedestrian and the Spurs would be sick. Also as a player, Deron brings much more range, size, D and vision then TP and he can score and contribute in so many more different ways.
Amen.
August 14th, 2008 at 1:56 pm
doc says:
@AB-I said the Spurs would win 50 without Tony.And they Might not win a chip constructed like that but they could get a lot of points out there and take the chip.You think the Spurs couldnt win a chip with say Andre Miller.I aint say Lebron cant touch them dudes either.He will bust all of they ass.You taking what I said and flipping it.How does saying they could still win 50 with Jaque and them mean they would win the chip?D-Will is 0-1 against Duncan in a playoff series.Parker aint the name of that team.Hes a star of the team but a very replacable cog.You’ll understand what Im talking about when Duncan retire and Tony is landing in that 1rst round every year if they make it that far.Unless he go team up with Bron or something.Bottom line,its superstar caliber players and all star caliber players.Until I see Tony Parker take a team ON HIS BACK to 55 wins and at least the West Finals he aint better to me.And yeah D-Will got Boozer and crying ass Supersoaker47 on his team but I dont got Tony getting as far as D-Will do with them.Playoffs maybe.Contenders no.Utah contenders with D-Will.And the Spurs won 1 chip with Avery as the point and the 2nd one Speedy was the main point in the clutch so how can you just say they cant win without Tony.You tripping because as long as number 21 AKA the reason Tony is famous is htere they will be in the hunt.
August 14th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
that's whats up says:
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POSTS 53-55 ARE SOME CLASSIC SHIT
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August 14th, 2008 at 3:01 pm
Austin Burton says:
@Doc — Why wouldn’t Parker be able to take Utah to the conference finals? What stage has he NOT shined on? NBA Finals, conference finals, Game 7’s, must-win regular season games, internationally … it’s not like Parker gets there and watches Duncan do everything. And you’re forgetting the games where Duncan has been hurt and Parker has come through with 30-something points, still carrying San Antonio. I’m not saying Duncan isn’t the main reason the Spurs contend, but don’t sell TP short.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
doc says:
Im not selling him short.I never seen him do shit without 21 out there.When Tim was hurt Tony carried them?When?I remember Tim hurt with that foot problem and they got eliminated in the 2nd round.Which is what will happen faithfully when he leaves.Internationally?They aint even in the Olympics,Dirk got bum ass Germany there,Yao got bum ass China there,Russia bum asses there because Supersoaker,The Boomers there with Bogut.Wheres Tony?Must win regular season games?I dont even think the Spurs have them.To answer your question as to why he couldnt get Utah to the West Finals,because Tim Duncan aint there.Sure he scores 30 sometimes but when he does that he still didnt carry that team because Tim got 15 and 18 boards with 5 dimes.I’ve seen him get heated but I never saw him carry a team except in France and they was getting bombed in them games with him being the main star.Why if he such the shit they got that ass bombarded by the Lakers?I remember everybody saying if Manu was healthy they would’ve won.D-Will and them put up more of a fight.You mean to tell me they fall off that far without Manu while TP9 the best PG is there.He need Manu and Tim.Im not selling him short just stating the facts.You overselling him like he the man.I just know if it was a NBA draft with all players he aint going before D-Will.He’s the 3rd best player on the team and thats damn good for a chip contender,but D-Will is better.You keep bringing the rings up as your argument but Im never gonna go for that because he was never the man for one.Paxson got as much hardware as him and hit some clutch shots one year.Kerr too.Thats what Tony did also.My point being that dont mean he better than somebody who didnt play with Duncan.You just said yesterday Barkley the 2nd best PF behind Tim.What he win?Why Mchale aint the 2nd best then with his hardware?If you can say he the 2nd best PF I can say D-Will better than TP with his hardware.When Mike left Scottie averaged 25 got all star MVP and took his team to the East Finals.When Tony do that he showed me but until then he play with Timmy and thats why he got his hardware.
August 14th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
GEE...who dat? says:
I’d say it’s a wash. I think D-Will could do as better if not more than Parker if he played on San An. Simply because of better individual D for one. Tony has more hardware though and really proved himself, plus I think he could duplicate what D-Will has as well.
Team wise I would say a wash as far as them being floor Generals. Individual then I got to say D-Will.
I still think that Utah system, while it’s very good, needs to be changed or altered at least. You can say because of this person or that person and throw whole bunch of if’s. Still with so many different stars and through many years that system takes them so far and then …they are gone.
I think D-Will might copp MVP if placed in a more free flowing system where he had more of a green light and could get that transition going more.
That is just GEE though, and I said that before anyway.
We will never really know who is best, and I like to think there is no real best or better so much in a situation like that. It all depends on who they playing and who is guarding them, the system they in and who they got as teammates and so many other factors. For what they do though, they both excellent players. So I would say it’s most def. a wash.
Course things would change if the NBA started doing Awards at positions. It would cause drama galor cause the criteria to get the award would prolly be up for debate. Still I would love to see a pg, sg, sf, pf, and C of the year.
Till then all we can say is most close comparisons gonna be a wash.
Not positive, who’s the best? Pac, Nas and Big
Ain’t no best…
Nas
August 14th, 2008 at 4:57 pm
Skeeter McGee says:
@Doc
Completely agree on your post. It was almost scary reading it cause it looked like something I would say…
I’ve always been a huge fan of TP but D-Will is something else. You have to factor in age, no matter what the argument. D-Will has only been in the league for a handful of years, and though Parker is young, I have every reason to believe that Deron is going to get better and better as each season goes by. And we all know the reason the Spurs have those rings are because they HAD David Robinson and HAVE Tim Duncan…
How ’bout them Redeem Team-ers in that Greece game huh? I thought everybody on they moms were saying that we were going to get tested against Greece. So let me go ahead and say it right now, we are going to beat Spain by at LEAST 15 points. Real recognize real, and you don’t look familiar, ya dig???
August 14th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Skeeter McGee says:
and they moms**** haha don’t sound right the way it is!
August 14th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
Austin Burton says:
@doc — OK…
1. On December 2 last year, Duncan got hurt in the 1st quarter against Portland and didn’t return. Parker finished that game with 27 points in a win. Duncan sat out the next four games, during which Parker averaged 16 ppg in that stretch (right around his usual numbers) until he got hurt himself before that 4th game.
2. Parker has a MUCH tougher road to get to the Olympics than Bogut, so that’s not even valid. Australia only has to beat New Zealand in the FIBA Oceania “tournament” to qualify. Parker is going up against the toughest region in the world. There are six European teams in the Olympics this year. I haven’t watched France play in years so I can’t sit here and say why they didn’t qualify, but I do know Parker puts up numbers with them and has had success.
3. The entire ‘05-06 season was must-win in the regular season, when San Antonio had to hold off Dallas to win the division, otherwise they’d get the 4th seed instead of the 1st seed. That was the year Duncan’s foot was bothering him all year. Parker averaged a career-high 18.9 points that season. Clutch.
4. The Jazz didn’t play the Lakers better this year than the Spurs. Which game was Utah up by 20 in the second half? Which game did Utah win by double-digits? It never happened. Meanwhile, San Antonio did all of that against LA. Except for one blowout loss in Game Two, the Spurs lost to the Lakers in that series by 4, 2 and 8 points. Hardly bombarded. The Jazz lost by double digits twice against LA. The only playoff head-to-head we’ve seen with Parker and Deron, Parker’s team won and their numbers were pretty equal.
5. Of course Parker needs Duncan and Manu. Just like Deron needs Boozer and Okur and Kirilenko. Don’t act like Boozer hasn’t been an All-Star in both years Deron has been the starter in Utah, plus Okur was an All-Star in 07. You keep using the Duncan argument, but I could use the same with Boozer and say Deron can’t do it without him, cause so far Deron has not proven he can win without Boozer.
6. As far as the Barkley/McHale thing, my argument has always been that when you’re dealing with players of equal talent, rings win out. Personally, I think Barkley is more talented than McHale and I give him more credit for being a 6-5 PF while McHale was 6-11. I think Deron and Parker and pretty even, so in a pinch I take Parker because he’s actually proven he can win on the big stage.
August 14th, 2008 at 6:09 pm
tealish says:
I don’t understand why Bron skipping the dunk contest is a big deal. He’s an above-average dunker.. at best. Powerful, sure but I’d rather see some creativity and variation than 15 straight 1-handed tomahawks.
August 14th, 2008 at 6:18 pm
doc says:
1.Wow he beat Portland.2.It dont matter how tough his road is.If he the best PG in the world his team would be there.He had Pietrus that should be enough.3.Where did the clutchness go in that 2nd round exit.4.Jazz beat the Lakers twice,San an once.Im not a point differential man as you can tell by my Olympic posts.5.I never said D-Will dont got help,just stating that Parker wouldnt have no rings if Duncan wasnt on his team because you said thats why he better than D-Will.6.Tim has proven he can win on the big stage.Parker proved he could be a hell of a 3rd option.7.We never gonna agree AB we just gotta wait until all is said and done and see who is wrong.My money on me though.
August 14th, 2008 at 6:43 pm
McLovin says:
@ Doc
did parker not win finals MVP?? I would consider him a 1b option if thats the case…plus he has a hot ass wife so he wins!
August 14th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Skeeter McGee says:
I guess choosing between D-Will and TP is a win-win situation, it all matters on your preference. I just prefer D-Will because of his rare blend of size, speed, power, and ability to score from ANYWHERE on the court. Not to mention dude can dish the rock every now and then, too. I don’t think you can say all of the above about TP…
August 14th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
that's whats up says:
damn Austin - that is some good ish your dishin’
I can appreciate a well-versed fanatico, especially one (slightly) biased towards the spurs/parker.
Your subjective, but we know where you’d lay down your money
August 14th, 2008 at 8:02 pm
that's whats up says:
…and at schoop - post 53 -
did you mean “back door mate”?
August 15th, 2008 at 4:27 am
daquest?on says:
@ helping hand, why dont u donate one of those balls to me, i need one and none of those 5 bucks balls im tired of the government giving me those