Greg Oden is hurt, T-Mac is still hurt, the Knicks have problems, and the sun came up this morning
Greg Oden (photo. Mannion)Just like Week 1 of the NFL season, the opening day of NBA training camp brings with it tons of new injuries and reminders of injuries that have lingered since the offseason. Big surprise #1: Greg Oden is hurt again. The Big Walking Boot tweaked his ankle and had to leave Blazers practice, after which he was noticeably limping. So far it doesn’t sound like anything too serious, but that’s what they initially said about the wrist and the knee and everything else … Big surprise #2: T-Mac is still hurt. Coming off shoulder and knee surgery from the summer, Mac admitted he’s not ready to play right now, but he doesn’t plan on missing any games once they start to count. The Rockets might as well treat McGrady like the Chargers do LaDainian Tomlinson, who hasn’t played a preseason game in like six years … (And we’ll let the T-Mac critics have their way with this one: “I know I get criticized a lot for not leading my team out of the playoffs, but it’s hard,” McGrady said. “When you don’t have those pieces you need to elevate you to the next level, it’s hard. I don’t care how good a player is; it’s really hard. If you don’t have that, it’s tough. Now, I have that. We’ll see what happens.”) … Big surprise #3: Danilo Gallinari isn’t panning out like the Knicks envisioned. According to a couple New York papers, the “sore back” that kept Gallo out of all but one summer league game might be something more serious like a bulging disk or sciatica. Whatever the verdict, Gallinari has already spent more practice time on the exercise bike — which if it’s the same bike the Knicks used last year, probably smells like Jerome James‘ shorts — than on the court. Unless Gallo gets real good real quick, Donnie Walsh is gonna start having nightmares of Jerryd Bayless and Anthony Randolph wearing blue and orange and waking up mad at himself … Given a chance to back off his original comments about Phil Jackson possibly bringing him off the bench, Lamar Odom stuck to his guns. “Whatever he wants, I guess I would do,” L.O. told the L.A. Times. “But I wouldn’t suggest that, especially in a year where I want to be on the court for obvious reasons.” By obvious reasons, of course, Odom means the fact that he’s in a contract year … And you know Phil never passes up a chance to be Lieutenant Snarky. Asked whether Odom would play better if he took the sixth-man talk as a motivational tool, Phil quipped, “I don’t know. I’ve never seen Lamar motivated before.” … Speaking of difficult coaches, Larry Brown has at least one fan in Emeka Okafor. “It’s playoffs or bust,” Okafor said after Bobcats’ practice. “It’s year five. We have enough experience. We have an experienced coach. When you talk to people in town and people in the NBA, we should be fantastic. I definitely think Coach Brown will bring that ‘fantastic’ out of us.” Yeah, that or he’ll bring the Sprewell out of you … So if Dwight Howard really starts dunking less and taking more jumpers — which he said is gonna happen this year — is he gonna get the same treatment Vince Carter’s gotten over the years for doing the same thing? … Continuing with our team-by-team season previews, yesterday we looked at the ‘08-09 Memphis Grizzlies. Expectations are pretty much non-existent with this team; their division is simply too tough and full of too many legit contenders for them to have any hopes of making a playoff run. What they’ve got is a rebuilding effort centered around Rudy Gay and O.J. Mayo, with some good young talent in the mix, a few throwaway vets like ‘Toine and Greg Buckner, and THESE GUYS. They won’t win much in the near future, but Seattle fans should keep an eye on this group, as they should be ballin’ around the time they relocate to the Northwest … Detroit’s youth movement will take another step forward if Amir Johnson hangs onto the starting power forward spot for which he appears to be the front-runner over Jason Maxiell and Kwame Brown. Amir is basically another Andray Blatche; he has all the potential in the world and looks like a great player, but he’s had potential for three years now and hasn’t done anything meaningful with it (even less than Blatche). Maxiell is clearly a more productive player, but guys like him are made to come off the bench … The Bobby Jones Watch currently has our man in Sacramento Kings camp fighting for that 14th/15th roster spot. Can every team in the League just set aside a locker for Bobby so it’ll be ready for his inevitable 10-day during the season? … We’re out like Gallo …
October 1st, 2008 at 2:00 am
isotope says:
dag coach phil! that was brutal. lol.
October 1st, 2008 at 2:02 am
bill says:
go oden
*serious
October 1st, 2008 at 2:11 am
2 Easy says:
In all fairness Vince wanted to stop dunkin because thats all he was known for and he didnt want to be labelled “just a dunker” while Dwight wants to just lessen his dunks to make his team better. One did it cause his feelings were hurt while the other wants to in order to try and improve his team
October 1st, 2008 at 2:39 am
alf (from melmak) says:
so, if i read it right, lamar odom wants to have tons of playing time because it is a contract year. for all his talents, if i had an nba team, i certainly do not want that kind player on my roster.
how many guys out there in the league right now who are just after the money? it should be about the love of the game and chase for the ring, right?
October 1st, 2008 at 2:40 am
K Dizzle says:
Just gonna take this oppurtunity to shake my head at all the “Oden’s definitely better than Bynum” heads.I know AB healthy, but Portland looks “great” on paper. I’m lookin forward to seein this title from Dime soon =
“Greg Oden - 2010/2011 NBA Rookie of the Year”
Lakers, baby
October 1st, 2008 at 2:45 am
Ian says:
2 easy
u must really hate carter or love howard to come up with that excuse
damnnnnnn
i could say carter did it to have a longer career and how does howard taking more jump shots than dunking improve his team.
October 1st, 2008 at 3:09 am
Three Stacks says:
Lamar is saying only what’s true, I think he’s earned the right to play and Phil Jackson isn’t so righteous as to be able to lecture anyone about contracts and money.
But it doesn’t matter because Phil will find a way to convince Lamar that doing what the coaching staff wants will ultimately be better for his career and contract situation. I don’t think any team is lined up to throw him anything close to a max contract anyway, he could be a solid 6th man and still command around 12 million a year.
Or “obvious reasons” could mean he wants to play since he’s got something to prove after playing scared in the Finals. Maybe he’ll play a little more physical now.
October 1st, 2008 at 3:15 am
chancepassenger says:
do the knicks have a first round pick next year? Why don’t they just officially tank the season and go for ricky rubio in the draft? dude would be awesome in d’antoni’s system
October 1st, 2008 at 3:19 am
Fish says:
It’s hard to defend T-Mac at times. Apart from Artest, he has to play with pretty much the same guys, and states they were never good enough? Sounds like locker room poison.
They rolled off over 20 games straight last year in his absence. When he is in the game for longer than a week players like Skip see their numbers take a nosedive and McGrady has to take some responsibility if he is not bringing out the best.
Tracy, bring out the Olajuwon tapes and learn what it takes to be a winner.
October 1st, 2008 at 3:48 am
Coop says:
hahahaha I actually laughed ouut loud hard when i saw that Phil quote.
McGrady is a moaner; he had Orlando 3-1 up against NO and choked so clearly the ‘talent’ was there then. Then he’s been on a team with arguably the best centre in the game, a defensive stopper and other pieces and he’s still moaning.
I don’t think it’s McBackinjury’s fault though, necessarily, I just think he should stop moaning.
October 1st, 2008 at 4:42 am
s says:
Once again, the Zen Master hits it on the head. Odom is a punk
October 1st, 2008 at 5:02 am
solomon says:
fire the fuckin’ blazers trainers… roy’s oft injured, now oden, a while back, frye… they’re looking like the westside copycat of the bobcats - talented, yet as fragile as artest’s mind…
the memphis poster boys! nuff said… and phil jackson’s one damn quote machine…
we’re out like motivation, for lamar
ps.
doing the Quest thing - fuck gallinari!!!
October 1st, 2008 at 5:05 am
solomon says:
mcgrady’s made of elmer’s glue and rubberbands, tops… his soul left his body a long time ago, out of disgust and humiliation due to waste of talent and potential…
we’re out like t-mac’s toughness
October 1st, 2008 at 5:12 am
Flying-Aussie-Dutchman says:
“Greg Oden - 2010/2011 NBA Rookie of the Year”
I LOL’d
Also, Amir Johnson, he could probaby do some pretty good stuff on the court if (..IF..) he had PT
October 1st, 2008 at 5:59 am
Coop says:
Sadly, I agree with Solomon here; The blazers have improved in leaps and bounds but their trainers are suspect imho. Their players have a history of fragility and they let Oden swell up to a crazy size before saying ‘we might have to get him to slim down a bit’. haha
October 1st, 2008 at 6:09 am
YOUNGFED says:
I AIN’T SAYING….BUT I’M JUST SAYING:
“Big surprise #3: Danilo Gallinari isn’t panning out like the Knicks envisioned.” That’s about as suprising as Clay Aiken coming out the closet.
“but Seattle fans should keep an eye on this group, as they should be ballin’ around the time they relocate to the Northwest … ” Ummmmmm, exactly why would Seattle keep an eye on another cities team (Oaklahoma)
October 1st, 2008 at 6:33 am
YOUNGFED says:
PHOTO OF THE DAY: Rip sporting the Philly Freeway look. IT’S BANNANA’SSS!!!
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=C4&Date=20080930&Category=SPORTS03&ArtNo=809300804&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=4
October 1st, 2008 at 6:45 am
schoops says:
I miss Isiah’s draft picks, and nothing else.
October 1st, 2008 at 6:58 am
Ashlov says:
Nice jokes today, cracking me up. And yah, Phil’s a dick.
October 1st, 2008 at 7:06 am
Shujen says:
i like the intangibles of lamar oden however i dislike how its put together on the floor.
its a shame that his likeness plays with more heart and “attack” than he does.
Lamar is a “ken doll” of basketball player.
to the bench you go…
October 1st, 2008 at 7:38 am
lee says:
@ Coop
I play in battersea but can travel anywhere west/SW London
October 1st, 2008 at 7:44 am
bsteezy3 says:
LOL the title of today’s SMACK is hillarious…
October 1st, 2008 at 7:51 am
PDaddy says:
T-Mac said the same thing and called names in Orlando about not having help. But he left a potential dynasty in TO with Vince early one, so what does he really want.
October 1st, 2008 at 7:58 am
Sweet English says:
Ha Ha @ YOUNGFED
Yo that looks too much like Freeway.
1 for peedy Crack and 2 for Rip.
and what did LO expect? with already circulating rumors that he was gonna be benched, he then comes out and slams the man who has ultimate control over his place on the team?
Hes like a talented Stephon Marbury. But at least steph was constantly high when he f’d up.
October 1st, 2008 at 8:07 am
Sweet English says:
yo did anyone esle know that the detroit pistons have evening jobs operating heavy machinery?
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=C4&Date=20080930&Category=SPORTS03&ArtNo=809300804&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=9
October 1st, 2008 at 8:25 am
23/33 says:
I know T-Mac takes a lot of abuse and some of it deservedly so, but lets face it.. How many of all of these playoff series that he’s been in has he actually had the better team? When has he ever been the favorite? And aside from the series against Utah two years ago he’s been the best player on the floor in every series…
October 1st, 2008 at 9:30 am
Pskila says:
Man Lamar Odom needs to shut up and just play ball. He is so overrated, he has all of the talent in the world be no fire to play hard. Phil Jackson hopefully can find some use for him this season; cause clearly in the Finals he left his heart back in L.A.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:03 am
karizmatic says:
Yeah if Dwight Howard stops taking it to the rim hard and starts pulling up for jump shots he’ll definitely get the Wince Carter cold shoulder from me. He should develop more well rounded post moves but I believe they really should be based around his overpowering post game ala Shaq, he needs more power and skill, but not necessarily more finesse. Develop a nice baby hook and a good turnaround spin to the baseline and he should have enough variation, but straight up jumpshots are not a necessary part of his game. I hope he doesn’t start shooting fadeaways. Ugghh.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:36 am
that's whats up says:
damn Fed, I think Rip is growing out the beard so he can patch up his hairline with the trimmings.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:37 am
that's whats up says:
oh… and the Knicks are picking draft picks like the raiders and Lions.
NO CLUE
October 1st, 2008 at 10:43 am
D.H. says:
As soon as Howard starts taking jumpers watch for all the critics to come out; “He should take it strong to the bucket . . .etc.” Whereas right now its, “Howard is a one dimensional player, all he does is dunk . . . etc.” The first critic, especially a journalist, who comes after him Howard should just take a piece out of him, I dunno maybe challenge him to some kind of contest, then rip him to shredds . . .
OK, I get it, now I’m jut getting carried away. But ya’ll get my point.
October 1st, 2008 at 10:47 am
P_Dizzle says:
I am glad that the NBA season is almost upon us. I no longer have a retirement to look forward to.
When can we start comparing Greg Oden to Ralph Sampson? Tons of potential but tons of injuries.
Why are all these NBA cats acting like dunking is the ugly girlfriend that puts out? It’s fun for a while and to get your fills, but it’s now time to move on to something more serious! WHAT! No one has written anything good about Vince Carter since he won the dunk contest.
Dunking is not going to get you an STD! Come on! Are we ever going to see another Kenny “The Jet” Smith, who competed in both the 3-point and dunk contest in the same year?
And Dwight, I’ve seen your jump shot. You would be better off sticking to the dunks!
October 1st, 2008 at 10:49 am
P_Dizzle says:
LOL at the Lamar Odom and Phil Jackson drama. You know that ain’t going to end well.
October 1st, 2008 at 11:38 am
Celts Fan says:
Here’s the thing w/ Dwight is that his range is ONLY a dunk. He needs to work on that (and has the PERFECT coach in Pat to help) and probably wants to show it off. As long as he’s still hammering on guys too, it’s not pulling a Vince, it’s expanding his game. When/if he starts settling for jumpers and not driving hard nearly as much (again, tough for a 5 compared to a wing to make that comparison) then we’ll bring up Wince…
October 1st, 2008 at 11:47 am
MJAX says:
Phil wasn’t right for that (albeit phunny as hell!!), but he ain’t far off either! We’ve all been waiting on Lamar to take over the L, since the dawn of time and we only get short stints or spurts…. He’s not a winner and doesn’t know how to be!!!
And my man T-MAC just needs to hush it up an ball. He’s really not in a position to be making any comments, until he just balls an guts it out. Not making excuses for him, but when you look at those teams he’s had, he wasn’t really supposed to win! His issue is he just dwells on it too much.. just play ball an see what happens….
October 1st, 2008 at 12:31 pm
QuEsT??? says:
that pic of darko marc and that iranian dude is hilarious, darko looks like the asshole in the team, marc looks like the shy pudgy kid and that iranian dude just looks retarded
October 1st, 2008 at 12:46 pm
dapro says:
T-Mac gave an honest answer family especially in this day in sports when players give textbook answers to question
He’s basically saying judge me based on this year and no more excuses
October 1st, 2008 at 2:25 pm
2 Easy says:
Ian -
its really a mix of both but being a resident of TO I saw the press conference live when he said he (VInce) didnt want to dunk anymore and it was really like he was tryin to get some attention towards his hurt feelings. Howard dunkin less is an attempt to cause teams to guard him differently instead of just packin the lane and makin his team hit 3’s. Even tho Orlando is a good 3 point shooting team they arent winnin a chip that way and he knows that he has to be a bigger threat than just to put u on a poster. If he starts takin fadeaways from 16-17 feet and refusin to drive THEN he can be as villified as Vince
October 1st, 2008 at 2:32 pm
2 Easy says:
O and courts out on my for GO till i see him play at all on the court. This dude has yet to clock a second so injured or not I cant crucify him. Tmac on the otherhand… dude what are u doin? He basically called Ron Artest a saviour, lets see if he’ll still doin that come trade deadline and RonRon is takin all his shots. Tmacs always injured cause he always rushes back from injury and I never understood it, I always thought he did it so he wouldnt be called soft and yet here we are. LO, that nigga crazy lol. I love it he’s clearly wats wrong wit the NBA. An uber talented dude who dissappers in big moments and wont do shit for the team ESPECIALLY in a contract year
October 2nd, 2008 at 1:05 am
Tim says:
AMIR is gonna rise through the palace roof this year… I can’t wait to see him coming weakside and just swatting shots ala Ben Wallace of old…all Amir has to do is stay out of foul trouble…
Detroit is the deepest team in the League this year…although I haven’t really considered any other teams for the discussion. HAHA.