Jamaal Tinsley’s fake trade, Shaun Livingston to Miami, and Boston doesn’t need James Posey
Shaun Livingston (photo. Gary Land)The Pacers are desperate to get rid of Jamaal Tinsley, but apparently they aren’t desperate enough to take Chucky Atkins and Steven Hunter. A certain somebody with an active imagination first reported the alleged Pacers/Nuggets trade yesterday morning, but by the afternoon it had been confirmed only that the two teams had talked, but no trade had been agreed upon. Makes sense. After all, the Pacers already have their share of point guards who don’t want to pass the ball with T.J. Ford and Jarrett Jack, and their share of big men with questionable heart like Roy Hibbert, Rasho Nesterovic and Josh McRoberts. From Denver’s side, Tinsley would actually be good for them as a pure point who would allow Allen Iverson to stay at the two, but you can’t tell us the front office (and the PR squad) wouldn’t be afraid of the possibilities of what goes down off the court with Tinsley, J.R. Smith and ‘Melo involved. Now that the trade is reportedly not gonna happen, someone needs to talk to Hunter. Wasn’t it a couple years ago when he up and retired from the Sixers for a few days because he’d been involved in a near-trade and his feelings were hurt? … And about those Indy point guards, T.J. Ford has big expectations. “We definitely could be one of the top tandems in the League,” Ford told the Indianapolis Star. “Coming into the places I’ve been, nobody felt the point guard was going to be that dominant in Toronto and Milwaukee, and look at what we turned it into. I don’t see why the same thing won’t happen here.” Best PG tandem in the NBA overall? We’ll go with Chauncey Billups and Rodney Stuckey, and the jury’s still out on Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich … Shaun Livingston finally has a home, inking a two-year deal with the Heat on Friday. Livingston won’t be suited up when Miami opens the NBA preseason tomorrow against Detroit (6:30 p.m. EST), and no one’s actually sure if he can even play at all this season. Even in Livingston’s statements to the media, he’s saying stuff more on the side of “When I’m healthy” as opposed to “I want to prove I’m healthy.” … Speaking of the Heat, last year’s standout D-League call-up Joel Anthony has been given the nickname “The Pelican,” because as Marcus Banks explained, “He’s like a big bird flying out there, blocking shots all over the place.” Who’s the worst player in the NBA with a complimentary nickname? (That means Jerome “Big Snacks” James or Robert “Freddy Krueger” Swift don’t count.) “Stevie Franchise” is a monumental stretch in 2008, but you have to remember that Steve Francis was THAT good back when he was given the handle … Yesterday we previewed the ‘08-09 Washington Wizards, who just like every year since ‘06, could make some noise in the East if they stay healthy. But amongst the readers, the Wizards preview turned into an argument over the statement that Caron Butler is arguably the second-best small forward in the game. Where do you think Caron ranks next to the likes of Paul Pierce, Carmelo, Tayshaun and Ron Artest? … We’re used to seeing a bunch of ankle sprains and rolls in the first week of training camp (Eric Gordon being the latest victim, and he’ll be out for two weeks), but what’s with everyone getting poked in the eye lately? Amare Stoudemire missed some time this week, and Joakim Noah is gonna be out for a few days for the same reason. Somewhere Ric Flair is smiling proudly … Quentin Richardson reportedly looks great in Knicks camp — remember he’s never been better as a pro than when he played for Mike D’Antoni in Phoenix — and says he dropped 25 pounds over the summer. Q-Rich is a regular client of Michael Jordan’s famous trainer, Chicago-based Tim Grover, as is Mike Finley, who also has been looking like a new man in Spurs camp. Grover also helped rebuild D-Wade in time for the Olympics (detailed in Dime #43), and regularly works with Shawn Marion, one of the best-conditioned athletes in the NBA. So what we’re basically getting at is, Grover client Eddy Curry has no excuse … That good ol’ summer league nepotism sometimes seeps its way into training camp; if you need proof, check out the Knicks giving tryouts to Patrick Ewing Jr., Danny Grunfeld, and the actor who played Pat Riley in Glory Road. The Bucks are bringing T.J. Cummings to camp, the ex-UCLA forward who is of course the son of ex-Milwaukee star Terry Cummings … There’s humility, there’s tact, and then there’s Tony Allen. “I mean, [James Posey] had more experience, more years and knowledge than I did, and me coming off the injury was detrimental to the team,” TA told The Patriot Ledger. “The coaches looked at it like ‘This guy has more strengthening to put on his knee, and right now Pose is a more complete guy.’ I truly believe that I am a better player than Pose. I don’t want to toot my own horn and make it sound like that, but that’s how I feel. I mean, I let the coaches evaluate that. That’s just how I feel.” We believe that if you’d replaced Posey with TA in the Finals, Kobe would have averaged 35 a night, but that’s just how we feel … We’re out like Q’s gut …
October 4th, 2008 at 7:35 am
patrick says:
I say Barbosa is a point and nash/barbosa is the best tandem in the league. And I just keep seeing TA going for that ball fake by chauncey in the first celtics/pistons game last year that lost it for the c’s. Love the dude’s confidence however misplaced.
October 4th, 2008 at 7:36 am
Ludakris says:
I didn’t know deshawn was mentoring somebody
I’m out like hope here in dallas
October 4th, 2008 at 7:41 am
Trouble Man says:
2. Caron
3. Pierce
4. Melo
5. Matrix
6. Tayshaun
7. J. Howard
8. Artest
October 4th, 2008 at 7:48 am
loganlight says:
We believe that if you’d replaced Posey with TA in the Finals, Kobe would have averaged 35 a night, but that’s just how we feel …
HAHAHAHA
Tony Allen is hanging out with the red rocket a bit too much.
LL
October 4th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Young Lebron 23 says:
@ Trouble Man
Ron Artest and Tayshaun will be an interesting fight NY vs. Compton classic
October 4th, 2008 at 8:44 am
Ashlov says:
You all keep making fun of Joel Anthony, but he has the makings of Ben Wallace. And not the Cavs’ Ben Wallace. Or the Bulls’ Ben Wallace. I’m talking about the Pistons’ Ben Wallace. Ben came out of nowhere, and became a defensive machine over time. At least this kid has developed a short jumper.
I’m not saying he’s going to put up Ben Wallace-DPotY type numbers, but I think you’re all going to be surprised by the end of the season.
October 4th, 2008 at 8:54 am
Phileus says:
35? 50.
October 4th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Bruce says:
first of all isn’t lebron a 3.
Lebron
carmelo
pierce
matrix
artest
caron
tayshaun
October 4th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Brown says:
TJ Ford is a fool. The guy really needs to stop riding his own dick. Is he gonna pout when Jack is on the floor at the end of games cuz he can actually play defense? He needs to shut his mouth and prove he’s a capable NBA player on the court, not a guy with a “little man complex” playing with a gigantic chip on his shoulder who masquerades as someone with a halfway decent jump shot.
And yes, Caron Butler is the second-best SF in the league because of how well-rounded his game is.
October 4th, 2008 at 9:50 am
YOUNGFED...The n*gga ya love to hate says:
Dime says:
“Best PG tandem in the NBA overall? We’ll go with Chauncey Billups and Rodney Stuckey,”
Good Call:
BTW to all the people proof reading my post yesterday (in Get Red Article) get a life dude. How lame is that. A wise man once told bitter people hate either because they’re not happy or jealous of the person they will never become. Which one are you (Control, Isotope, Ouch) Eventhough yall probably all the same person. lol
YOUNGFED Big Ups to All My Haaaatteerrrrrs!!!!lmao
BTW High Haterrrrssss!!! I’m out on vacation for the next couple of days but “I’ll be Back” (Terminator Style)
Spell Check That Bytches….Holla!!!
October 4th, 2008 at 9:58 am
the_don_mega says:
ya’ll gotta luv the name “big snacks”….
October 4th, 2008 at 10:00 am
it aint easy being green says:
yo imma huge tony allen fan, but better than posey. for the sake of my c’s, i hope so if he can stay healthy. we took a huge blow losing jp off the bench. ta got some big shoe to fill cuz i think w/out posey, we dont win that chip.
as far as the sf’s go:
1 lbj
2 paul pierce
3 caron
4 ron ron
5 melo
October 4th, 2008 at 10:16 am
srb says:
as long as tony allen only misses half the layups he missed last year i’ll be happy with him.
October 4th, 2008 at 10:21 am
chrisGO says:
bad nicknames? how about the one Dime gave to Dwight Howard- the Centaur
word to Ric Flair, whooooooooooooooo!
October 4th, 2008 at 10:39 am
Heaven Is A Playground says:
James Posey was definitly the x-factor last year, and tony allen was the best cheerleader. I seen TA get some serious burn in the last few minutes of the last game.
Posey’s defense will be missed in Boston, and now the New Orleans have a guy who come play top level defense and hit pressure shots in big games.
Whats up with all this young guys like Mike Beasly coming into the league thinking they better than everyone? It’s nice to have confidence and everything, but to say you’re better than the entire league before you actually play the whole season is ridicously. Which brings me to Tony Allen saying he better than JP, maybe he’s more athletic, I will give him that, but other than that, TA is an unproven player who should let his game speak for its self before coming out in the media and saying he’s better than a two-time NBA champ in James Posey.
October 4th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Dagomar says:
Bron
Pierce (chip)
Butler (all-around game, defensive intensity)
Melo (top-5 scorer in the L)
Tayshaun (SO underrated because he’s a team player)
Matrix (really not feeling his clutch play)
Artest (when he subordinates himself to his team he’s top-5)
Iguodala (could start having a Pippin-type influence soon)
Turkoglu (underrated)
Gay
October 4th, 2008 at 11:38 am
schoops says:
@dime.. I don’t think jerome james thinks “big snacks” is an insult, the dude has worked hard for that nickname.
top 5 (well 6) sfs:
-Bron (this seems given)
-PP (chip, big scorer, go to guy this past season)
-Caron/Melo (Caron’s a better rebounder but melo is a better scorer)
-Matrix (stat filler but cares more about himself)
-Iggy (dude is getting better each season, and with an inside presence this yr, watch out)
-Tayshaun is always in the mix because he never takes away from the team, and does the little things others wont.
-Artest would be higher but he’s a crazy cancer who hasn’t seen the playoffs in a bit.
-Gay just hasn’t been around long enough.
and in conclusion, tony allen blows.
October 4th, 2008 at 12:19 pm
SweetEnglish says:
Looks like Candace Parker has just laid down the gauntlet too Beasley btw people!
SHe has just become the third person in history to win The MVP and ROY awards in the same year.
Wilt the Stilt And Wes Unseld were the first 2, for all you sleepers.
I’m out like Beasley Hype
October 4th, 2008 at 12:21 pm
SweetEnglish says:
and @ YOUNGFED
BYTCHES is actualy spelt, ‘bitches’.
Anytime.
October 4th, 2008 at 12:32 pm
James F. Carter says:
You mean the third person in basketball history?. LOL we all watched ESPN last night. CP-She did her thing this past season.
Dang I was looking forward to that All-Hood lineup in Denver.
Surprised a non-negative comment was made about Kirk Hinrich. I really wanna see more from him this season though. And I’m still buggin on a 19 year old with bad knees. I know it happens, but dang…
Do Tony Allen and Posey even play the same position? I’m not sure why TA felt like he needed to compare himself to Pose. Maybe it’s the whole “first guy off then bench” ego thing…
Here’s to a breakout season from TJ Cummings, last seen in that Missy video a few years back.
October 4th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
control says:
The two worst players in the league with nicknames:
Ricky “Shitbuckets” Davis
Antione “Shitshimmy” Walker
October 4th, 2008 at 1:29 pm
miamiVIS3 says:
speaking of getting poked in the eye
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2ezgH_yzjPA
October 4th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Ansonious says:
Love the Natureboy reference that was priceless. I think the worst nickname in the league is Shaqs “Big Cactus” even though he’s in AZ, it’s not like he built any foundation with the Suns so he does NOT deserve a nickname related to the state, and I still think he needs to prove his worth as a Suns fan.
October 4th, 2008 at 6:28 pm
QQ says:
If you replace Posey with Tony Allen, traveling calls would’ve increase by 20 % and boneheaded decision making by 78.223%.
October 4th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Dagomar says:
Bron is better than Kobe in the clutch. Thoughts?
http://82games.com/SCSORT11.HTM
October 4th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
ERIC says:
Tony Allen is a moron – remember he’s the one who tore his ACL on a dunk attempt AFTER the whistle was blown bc he had to show off. Dumbass.
October 6th, 2008 at 7:04 am
Lady S says:
wow!! It’s him!!
He is now one of the hottest guy on the tall dating club__ http://tallloving.com ___
many sexy modles wants to date him.
it’s the most ideal place to chase a girl! hot, cute, intellegent..what ever
October 6th, 2008 at 9:31 am
Lady Luck says:
Compliments are best when someone else gives it to you.
UNPROVEN….is what they are…TONY ALLEN, MICHAEL BEASLEY, ETC… I know these guys are arrogant, coddled, and the best on their last level of success (college), but on this level, neither have proven themselves.
Let your game speak for itself.
There are too many interviews in sports. Just because a guy can catch, run, score….doesn’t mean he needs to talk.
October 6th, 2008 at 10:23 am
MSkittle says:
Gotta have Pierce over Caron after the Finals MVP