Global Basketball Trotters

Ricardo Brown rekindling memories through Facebook | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

2011-03-09T00:28:00.000-08:00

Ricardo Brown rekindling memories through Facebook | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

Air21 Express now a PBA Contender after trade?

2011-03-02T23:40:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines – The suspense is over and now Air21 and San Miguel Beer (officials, players and fans) can move on.

After finally getting the nod of PBA Commissioner Atty. Chito Salud, the Beermen have finally landed the coveted top young turks of the Express in Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao and Rey Guevarra.

The trio are being hailed as the new breed that will infuse new blood into the aging ballclub of San Miguel Beer.

Danny Ildefonso, who is likewise in the twilight years, remains the only remnant from the rebuilding years that SMB had made way back in 1999.

Over at the Air21 Express camp, the PBA trade does make them a sudden force to reckon with. With the addition of Danny Seigle, Dondon Hontiveros, Dorian Pena and Paul Artadi, all the bases seem filled right now.

If you look at it, this is a team that can make it the finals when given the opportunity.

Complimenting their entry are holdovers like Wynne Arboleda, Jay-R Reyes, Leo Avenido, Josh Urbiztondo, Carlo Sharma, Wesley Gonzales and Reed Juntilla. For the record, that is no pushover lineup.

Sure, the new faces are indeed in the twilights of their career but for the time being and barring any injuries (career-threatening or not), Air21 has got what it takes to be a championship contender.

Fans may have not liked the trade between the two teams but the fact remains, Air21 has what it takes to win its first PBA title with the new veterans in tow.

These highlights are of course with the understanding that no further trades will be made for now.

The Express may have lost fresh legs and some height but have however inherited added artillery (with the entry of Danny Seigle and Dondon Hontiveros), power/ruggedness (Dorian Pena) and energy/hussle (Paul Artadi).

If you think San Miguel got the better of that PBA trade guess again. The rookies are indeed promising but they will still be a work in progress.

Source: Manila Bulletin Online

Revised SMB-Air21 PBA Trade Approved!

2011-03-02T23:37:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines – The San Miguel Beer and Air21 PBA trade drama is now over!

After being turned down the first time around, San Miguel submitted a revised trade offer that retained Danny Seigle in the list. Mick Pennisi and Joseph Yeo were taken out but new marquee PBA veterans were added to sweeten the offer.

The new player names added were that of "the Cebuano Hotshot" Dondon Hontiveros, "the Junkyard Dawg" Dorian Pena and Paul "Kid Lightning" Artadi.

Hontiveros rose to fame when he first played in the Metropolitan Basketball League (MBA) for the Cebu Gems. He entered the PBA in 2001, playing for the Tanduay Rhum Masters before being traded to San Miguel in 2003.

Dorian Pena likewise started out his career in the defunct MBA before hooking up quietly with the SMB franchise.

Paul Artadi finds himself on his fourth team after invading the league in 2004.

He initially played for Purefoods (B-Meg), moved to the Barangay Ginebra Gin Kings in 2007 and lastly with the San Miguel Beermen when he was traded by B-Meg for SMB point guard Jonas Villanueva.

PBA Commissioner Atty. Chito Salud has approved the 7-man trade meaning the players concerned will now be donning new colors for their respective team’s next outing.

Salud labeled the trade as a marked improvement and not a one-sided deal.

"I believe that this is a fair trade between the two teams (San Miguel and Air21)", Atty. Salud said.

The revised trade was sent to the PBA Commissioner's office as early as yesterday in a sealed envelope. Unfortunately, Atty. Salud was on leave to attend to personal matters.

The announcement was officially made right after the first game pitting Air21 against B-Meg Derby Ace.

Al-Hussaini, Baclao and Guevarra are expected to suit up in the Beermen's next game this Friday against the Meralco Bolts at the Araneta Coliseum.

Seigle, Hontiveros, Pena and Artadi are expected to play their first game this coming Saturday when the Air21 Express play the Talk 'N Text team in Davao City.

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NOTES: The Manila Bulletin Online Staff would like to thank Danny Seigle for personally thanking the online department on the article published yesterday here.

Danny Seigle went out of his way to personally thank yours truly and narrated how he appreciated the article titled “Seigle and Samboy: A Tale of Two PBA Stars”. He had no idea at that time on the status of the said trade.

Regardless, on behalf of the MB online staff, we wish you good luck Danny. Again, thank you for acknowledging the featured article yesterday!

Source: Manila Bulletin Online

SMB beefs up Defense with entry of Top Rookies

2011-03-02T23:35:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines – After taking into account the Air21 franchise, we now move to the other PBA ballclub, the San Miguel Beermen.

Gone are PBA veterans Danny Seigle, Dondon Hontiveros, Dorian Pena and Paul Artadi. New to the fold are top PBA rookies Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Noy Baclao and Rey Guevarra.

The move was cheered (and jeered) by many as the Beermen successfully infused youth in their aging PBA lineup. However, it seems that SMB’s backcourt has suffered from this PBA trade.

If you will notice, the three new rookies play the center, power forward and small forward positions respectively.

They lost two guards in Hontiveros and Artadi and as of this writing, only Al-Hussaini has the potential firepower to compensate somewhat the departure of Seigle and Hontiveros.

Baclao and Guevarra have so far turned in numbers that leave a lot to be desired.

Baclao has turned in manageable numbers through points and rebounds but Guevarra has yet to show what made him a part of the Smart Gilas team before.

Holdovers of the SMB camp include Jay Washington, Arwind Santos, Alex Cabagnot, Danny Ildefonso, Joseph Yeo, Denok Miranda, Lordy Tugade, Paolo Hubalde, Sunday Salvacion and Mick Pennisi.

Of the mentioned holdovers, Washington, Santos, Cabagnot, Ildefonso, Tugade, Yeo and Salvacion are perhaps the players that can go berserk scoring on any given night.

So does this spell trouble for the SMB camp? Not necessarily.

If you will recall, a sorely missing link to their previous campaigns was defense. This was something that the team had when now B-Meg player Marc Pingris brought when he was still under the ballclub. Ever since his trade, defense was an eye sore.

True enough and knowing Coach Ato Agustin’s philosophy, the Beermen’s intent this time around seems to solidify their defensive needs. And being an import-laden conference, there is Ira Brown to contend with.

The PBA Commissioners Cup may not necessarily be the time to shine for these rookies but the opportunity will be there.

From the looks of it, defense will be the key. Al-Hussaini and Baclao showed that during their stint with the Ateneo Blue Eagles and now they have to show that prowess once again.

The Beermen are still expected to be among the top contenders but the road will not be as easy as before.

All teams know for a fact that defense wins games and with the entry of the youthful big three, a new foundation seems to be in the works.

And to see if that is indeed the motif of the Beermen, we only have to wait until tomorrow to see how the entry of Al-Hussaini, Baclao and Guevarra works for the multi-titled PBA franchise.

Of course, this is discounting the possibility of more trades in the offing.

Source: Manila Bulletin Online

Seigle and Samboy: A Tale of Two PBA Stars

2011-02-28T23:12:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines – While Danny “the Dynamite” Seigle may be sitting on pins and needles these days, he has had a wonderful PBA career.

Whatever happens on the supposed PBA trade being drawn up between by San Miguel Beer and Air21, every Filipino will agree that Seigle is without a doubt one of the greatest players to play in the Philippine Basketball Association.

Looking back to history, Seigle can be compared to the plight of another San Miguel legend. He goes by the name of Avelino “Samboy” Lim otherwise known as the “Skywalker”.

Just like Lim, Seigle’s career had been hampered by a spate of injuries.

Perhaps the most serious one that has made “the Dynamite” injury-prone in the latter years was the one he suffered when he joined the RP National Training Pool for the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, North Korea.

It was in this year that Seigle suffered a serious torn right Achilles tendon after making a shot during one of the team’s pre-Asian Games against team Qatar.

He was unable to play for the team and sat out most of the 2003 season due to the injury.

Both Seigle and Samboy were never named the PBA’s season MVP.

However, Seigle does have PBA Best Player of the Conference Awards (2005-2006) and 3 PBA Finals MVP Awards (1999-2000). He has never played for any other team other than San Miguel Beer and has helped the ballclub win 6 PBA championships.

As for Samboy Lim, he holds the distinction of being one of the 25 PBA Greatest Players, a member of the 1989 Grand Slam team and being the first ever recipient of the PBA Sportsmanship award.

Lim has savored the PBA gold for 7 times, 6 with San Miguel Beer and one with Northern Consolidated back in 1985 under coach Ron Jacobs.

The farthest both players have gone was to be named to PBA Mythical Teams during their tenure. They haven’t relished winning an MVP.

However, with PBA championship rings to their credit, no one can take away the fact that both players did serve the San Miguel Franchise.

Lim now acts as the team manager for PBA crowd darling Barangay Ginebra while Seigle is obviously at the twilight of his career.

On whether the impending trade does materialize, the fact is that Danny Seigle will be always identified as a San Miguel Beerman.

Seigle will forever be known as someone who had helped the SMB franchise win 6 PBA crowns.

Such a feat is an achievement coveted by any professional basketball player, something many perceive is a fulfillment in its own right.

Source: Manila Bulletin Online

SMB-Air21 Trade Update: "No Deal!"

2011-02-28T03:21:00.000-08:00

MANILA, Philippines – NO DEAL!

This is what best sums up the PBA Commissioner's decision with regards to the PBA trade deal involving key players from San Miguel Beer and the Air21 Express.

The official papers were handed to the PBA Office last Friday and was officially disapproved today by PBA Commissioner Atty. Chito Salud.

Atty. Salud deemed the transaction as “very lopsided” but it seems that this is not the last we have heard of the deal.

Sources reveal that San Miguel will be revising their offer and will exhaust all means to get the three rookie draft picks into the San Miguel team fold.

Once done, the revised trade offer will be re-studied by the PBA Commissioner.

The original deal involves Air21’s top rookies (Rabeh Al-Hussaini, Nonoy Baclao and Rey Guevarra) being sent to SMB for veterans’ Danny Seigle, Mick Pennisi and Joseph Yeo.

Additionally, two first round draft picks will be going Air21’s way.

Related to the potential trade deal is the fact that it may just be a footnote of a bigger deal where San Miguel may eventually purchase the Air21 franchise.

This story was reported on Manila Bulletin earlier today.

As of now, the beer and food giant owns three teams in the PBA – San Miguel, B-Meg and Barangay Ginebra.

Source: Manila Bulletin Online

Carmelo Anthony headed to New York (UPDATED) | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

2011-02-21T21:14:00.000-08:00

Carmelo Anthony headed to New York (UPDATED) | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online

Magic vs. Grizzlies: Physical and Emotional!

2010-04-05T21:26:00.000-07:00

It was a rowdy game between the Orlando Magic and the Memphis Grizzlies but in the end, the Magic won and beaten every team in their division. Matt Barnes got ejected, Vince Carter and company scuffled and Dwight Howard got poked in the eye. All the ingredients you would expect from an NBA game as we now head to the playoffs. Check out the video highlights of that crazy game below.

Colangelo comments upset James

2010-04-05T04:27:00.000-07:00

Considering what LeBron James(notes) has already done to help deliver an Olympic gold medal to the United States, he doesn’t understand how skipping this summer’s World Championships could keep him from playing in the 2012 London Games.

James said Wednesday that he’s “probably not” playing for Team USA this summer because of his impending free agency and a busy schedule. Dwyane Wade(notes) also is leaning toward not playing. USA Basketball managing director Jerry Colangelo responded by telling Yahoo! Sports there will be no “free passes” to the 2012 London Olympics. Any player who skips prior USA Basketball commitments “without a legit issue, they do it with an understanding of the risk,” Colangelo said.

Those words didn’t sit well with James, who has played in two Olympics, a World Championships and a FIBA Americas Championships for the United States.

via

Game Zone News Is Now Open!

2009-02-21T08:47:00.000-08:00

To all our readers, please be informed that all updates and basketball news are now at our new site. You can go to Game Zone News at http://www.gamezonenews.com for the latest news and updates in the sporting world.

Thanks and hope to see you there.

NBA Goes Easy on Blazer’s Threat

2009-01-13T16:50:00.000-08:00

It seems weird that a team can go nuts over a dispute that could mean losing millions of dollars. But thanks to the fine people of the Portland Trailblazers, Darius Miles is technically being disallowed to play for any team, at least for now.

The problem all started with this ridiculous stipulation that if Miles would play 2 more games for any team that dares to sign him. Under the agreement:

If Miles plays in two more games, his $9 million salary for this season and next will go back on Portland's salary cap, making them a luxury tax paying team this season and depriving them off $9 million in salary cap flexibility they would have had next summer.

Of course the Players Union is stepping up to safeguard the Miles’ case but the NBA seems to be employing a hands-off policy.

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed up Darius Miles to a second 10-day contract, defying the Portland Trailblazers’ threat. Will they go after the Grizzlies for doing so?

The Grizzlies have also been playing with Miles. Already signed to an initial 10-day contract, they purposely cut him off and re-signed him to a second 10-day contract to avoid being obliged to sign him up. Well, that is the NBA for you.

(Source) ESPN

Marbury Could Make the Celtics Worse

2009-01-12T22:02:00.000-08:00

No harm intended but adding Stephon Marbury to the Boston Celtics now could be a recipe for disaster. The controversial guard who seems to be missing in action for close to a year right now is still in arrears with the New York Knicks and with the trade deadline fast approaching, Marbury has made it known that he is open to rejoining Kevin Garnett.

The Celtics are pursuing him but maybe this is because they are in a slump. Losing 7 of their 9 games is not really something the Boston organization will be happy about but just the same, adding controversial manpower may disrupt the fluidity of their offense.

If the Celtics are indeed inclined to sign him up, it would be best to get him on board next season. If he is signed up now, chances are he may be riding more time on the bench to adjust to the new plays of Boston Coach Doc Rivers.

Knowing Stephon Marbury, we all know he is not fond of not getting playing time. Wasn’t that the reason why he had this conflict with the Knicks in the first place?

Chris Paul Sets New NBA Record

2008-11-09T15:25:00.000-08:00

New Orleans Hornets’ standout Chris Paul set a new record for most consecutive times having a double-double garnering at least 20 points and 10 assists to start a season. He raised the bar to six consecutive games, a record previously held by NBA Hall of Famer Oscar Robertson.

Chris Paul claims that he was only able to do this amazing feat because of his teammates who converted his passes and validated them as assists. From this, we see that he isn’t a player who takes all credit for his achievements. He shows us that basketball is truly a team sport. His incredible talent and unselfishness has helped him achieve great things.

CP3 was the fourth overall pick of the New Orleans Hornets in 2005. He eventually won the Rookie of the Year Award. By just watching Chris Paul, you could anticipate that he will eventually beat an NBA record set by NBA Hall of Famers.

The record-breaking stat-line happened during a win over Dwyane Wade and the Miami Heat. Chris Paul recorded 21 points and 13 assists. He led his team in bouncing back from two consecutive losses after winning their first three games of the season.

Tyson Chandler recorded 13 points and hauled down 13 rebounds to help Chris Paul lead his team over the Heat. David West also scored 21 points. Dwyane Wade led the Heat with 30 points.

The Hornets defeated the Heat with a final score of 100-89.

(photo taken from http://www.nba.com)

Brandon Roy Strikes Again

2008-11-07T09:20:00.000-08:00

Just a few days after I wrote about the excellence of Brandon Roy, he has proven me right when I said that he is a player to watch out for. Brandon Roy showed that he is a player who can hit crucial and clutch baskets for his team. His most recent victim was the Houston Rockets.

With his team tied with the Rockets in the overtime period, Brandon Roy hit a turnaround jumper to give his team a two point lead in the dying seconds. After that, Yao Ming hit a foul-counted basket and converted the free throw leaving 0.8 seconds on the clock. Portland called timeout and drew up a play. Brandon was very disappointed at himself because it was he who committed the foul and allowed the Rockets to take the lead. He wanted to redeem himself so badly. How did he do it? He hit a 30-foot jumper to give his team the win.

Although Brandon Roy only made 6 out of his 18 attempts going 33% from the field, he proved to everyone that he can take and make the shot when it matters. Brandon showed no fear and displayed confidence in himself as he knew that was his shot to take. No one else wanted that shot more than Brandon Roy.

The Blazers beat the Rockets 101-99.

(photo taken from http://www.nba.com)

Allen Iverson Traded to the Pistons

2008-11-03T19:34:00.000-08:00

Allen Iverson is now the newest member of the Detroit Pistons. He was sent to Detroit in exchange for Chauncey Billups and Antonio McDyess.

There is only one problem in this transaction. Reports say that it seems like Antonio McDyess is not willing to play for the Nuggets. Allen Iverson on the other hand has spoken about this trade. He said that no matter where he plays, he’ll be giving it his all.

This trade will give both teams a different look compared to before. Other teams will have to re-adjust their style of play when they play Detroit and Denver. Detroit will be a faster and more explosive team. They will have Allen Iverson, Rodney Stuckey and Richard Hamilton manning the guard positions. On the other hand, Denver will now have a better half court offense because of the acquisition of the forever-composed Chauncey Billups. If Antonio McDyess decides to suit up as a Denver Nugget, it will really help the Nuggets’ frontline. A huge void will have to be filled due to Marcus Camby’s departure in the offseason.

Development by the younger guards of both teams convinced them that their superstars could be moved. Rodney Stuckey for the Pistons and J.R. Smith for the Nuggets are quickly developing into the voids that are left by the departing stars.

Allen Iverson is averaging 18.7 points and is dishing out 6.7 assists in the first three games for the Nuggets. On the other hand, Chauncey Billups is averaging 12.5 points, 5 boards and 7.5 dimes per game. Antonio McDyess is averaging 7 points and 4 rebounds in the team’s first two games.

Let's talk about Dwyane Wade

2008-11-01T12:10:00.001-07:00

Dwyane Wade has been quieted by injuries in the past seasons. It seemed like his hype died down after he led his team achieve every NBA players dream, an NBA championship. Along with winning an NBA championship, he also won that year's MVP award in the finals.

As this season begins, Dwyane shows us his true capabilities once again as he seems perfectly healthy. He gave us a taste of how well he really plays in the Beijing Olympics where he led his team in scoring amidst NBA Superstars like Kobe Bryant and Lebron James on his team.

What makes Dwyane Wade a great player is his unselfishness and desire to win. He is a tremendous competitor and great leader on and off the court even at a young age. He was one of the NBA’s elite before he was injured. Now that he’s healthy, he will surely return to that state once again. Dwyane is also one of the best slashers in the league complemented by his accurate mid-range jump shot. He developed into one of the NBA’s best a few seasons ago but was slowed down by unfortunate injuries. In the first two games of this season, Dwyane Wade is averaging 23 points, 8.5 assists, 5.5 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocks per game.

The real question now is whether Dwyane Wade could lead his team back into the postseason and show that they are championship contenders. I believe that with the Heat’s current roster, they can’t win it all. They could get to the postseason but they lack that dominating inside presence they had to win the championship when they won in the finals a few years ago.

Dwyane just needs more help and I’m sure he’ll be capable of bringing the glory days back to Miami as before.

Brandon Roy Leads his team past the Spurs

2008-11-01T00:24:00.000-07:00

Brandon Roy bounced back from a terrible season-opener by scoring 26 points, making 10 of his 18 field goals attempted. He also had seven assists, grabbed five rebounds and stole the ball three times. Brandon led his team, along with Lamarcus Aldridge, over the San Antonio Spurs, 100-99, escaping with a needle-hole-like margin.

Brandon Roy scored only 14 points in the first game of the season against the Lakers who slaughtered his team. Brandon went 5 of 15 for the night. It seemed like he couldn’t get his rhythm going.

In his second game of the season, he showed everyone why he was one of the best players on his team and in the league. He shrugged off a terrible performance and led his team to a victory. Brandon Roy scored 15 of his 26 points in the second half.

The Spurs almost pulled their amazing comeback off with a barrage of three point baskets due to their unselfishness and ball movement. The Spurs hit 5 three pointers in the 4th quarter alone. In the dying seconds, Michael Finley missed a 12-footer on the break that would have given the Spurs the win. Tim Duncan led the Spurs with 27 points and grabbed 10 boards.

Lebron Shows Larry Brown and the Bobcats Why he is King

2008-10-31T11:12:00.000-07:00

video taken from youtube.com
In Cleveland’s home-opener, Lebron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers gave Charlotte’s debuting coach, Larry Brown, a not-so-pleasant welcome as the Bobcats’ coach. The Cavs defeated the Bobcats 96 - 79.

Lebron James displayed his usual MVP-like performance scoring 22 points, dishing out 9 dimes, and grabbing 9 rebounds. He was one assist and one rebound shy of another one of his triple double performances. Fellow Cavalier Daniel Gibson scored 25 points, 20 of which came from the 1st half, to lead the Cavaliers in scoring. Newcomer Mo Williams did his share of damage by scoring 17 points and dishing out 7 assists for the night. Ben Wallace led the Cavs on the defensive end grabbing 10 boards and swatting 5 shots.

Aside from his great stat-line, Lebron James displayed quickness and strength when he hammered (could be an understatement) two dunks while leaving the Bobcats’ defense lost in translation. The first one came in the first few minutes of the game when he penetrated down the lane and left his defender dumbfounded as he could only watch Lebron from the backseat. The second one came in the fourth quarter in the open court where he was fouled and was still able to throw it down.

Jason Richardson led the scoring load for the Bobcats. Gerrald Wallace scored 13.

Derrick Rose Lives up to the Hype

2008-10-31T09:50:00.001-07:00

In Derrick Rose’s debut in a Chicago Bulls uniform, he was able to provide the fans with something to look forward to. Derrick Rose was drafted first overall by the Chicago Bulls in the last NBA Rookie Draft. Derrick Rose played for Memphis College for one year before signing up for the draft. As a player in Memphis College, he averaged almost 15 points and 4.7 assists. He played a key role in leading his team to the NCAA Championship where they lost to Kansas.

Derrick showed signs of maturity on the court and incredible quickness. He was a player who has so much potential. Now, Derrick shows us that he is capable of being an NBA team’s playmaker. In his NBA debut, Derrick scored 11 points, dished out 9 assists, and was accountable for three steals. He displayed flashes of potential greatness as he showed spectators his amazing quickness and floor-leadership.

Although Derrick had an impressive first game, he also showed his lack of experience by committing 4 turnovers in the game. This shouldn’t be a worry though because he is still a young player and has many more years to come and many lessons to learn. He has the potential to be one of the NBA’s premier point guards.

NBA Regular Season Opening Games

2008-10-27T12:57:00.001-07:00

There are three games scheduled on the NBA regular season’s opening games. These three games will give us a quick taste of the season ahead.

The Cavaliers and the defending champion Celtics will tip-off the season openers. We will see a rematch of last season’s Eastern Conference Semifinals. This will be very interesting because of Mo Williams’ debut with the Cleveland Cavaliers. We will see how big his effect on the team’s performance will be. As for the Celtics, well, we’ll see if the Celtics are really serious about repeating as NBA Champions this season.

Next up will be the Bucks going against the Bulls. This game isn’t as hyped up as the Cleveland-Boston game but it will show us the regular season debut of Richard Jefferson with the Milwaukee Bucks and of course, the 1st overall pick in the Draft, Derrick Rose with the Chicago Bulls.

Last but surely not the least, the Portland Trail Blazers play against the runners-up in last season’s NBA Finals, the Los Angeles Lakers. This game will be the one-year delayed debut of last year’s first overall pick, Greg Oden. This will also be the first time Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Andrew Bynum will be able to play together. We will see in this game how well these three players will play on the court.

It is game time NBA fans. This is no longer preseason. It’s the real deal for the NBA teams. Each team will be giving 110% to capture that first victory and hopefully many more to come.

Injuries plague teams even before the start of the season

2008-10-17T07:39:00.000-07:00

Numerous injuries have occurred since the beginning of the preseason. It all started with Gilbert Arenas' knee surgery (hopefully his last) and then came Monta Ellis, mo-ped accident, and so on.

News about injured players haven’t stopped coming for a while now; sprained ankles, injured knees, torn ligaments, bone spurs, poked eyes and much more. Duration of these injuries may vary from days to months. There are some unfortunate cases wherein the player may even miss the whole season; a problem Washington Center Brendan Haywood may possibly face along with Philadelphia Bigman Jason Smith and Portland Forward Raef Lafrentz.

Right now, there are more or less 90 injured players on the NBA’s injured list and players listed as day-to-day. Some of these players include Stars like Gilbert Arenas, Steve Nash, Antawn Jamison, Allen Iverson, Manu Ginobili, Michael Redd, Baron Davis, and Monta Ellis.

These injuries are unavoidable in basketball. That is an unfortunate truth. It is sad that with the season starting in a few days, there will be players who will be missing games. Now, all we can do is wish the players well; stay away from injury and to those injured, get well soon.

This season, I believe, may be one of the most unpredictable seasons especially with the offseason moves of teams like Golden State and Philadelphia.

If you would like to view the injured list, just click the link below (as of October 17, 2008):
NBA.com

Shaun Livingston signs with the Heat

2008-10-05T09:29:00.000-07:00

The Miami Heat has signed returning Point Guard Shaun Livingston. Shaun Livingston has been out for a while now due to a major knee injury. He injured his knee while going for a wide-open lay-up when he was a member of the Los Angeles Clippers.

Shaun Livingston was a fourth overall draft pick in the 2004 draft. His game was improving fast. He is a 6’7 point guard who can take it strong to the hole and was already developing an outside game before he was injured. He was well on his way in permanently taking over the Point Guard spot for the Clippers.

This free agent signing would be a great move for the Heat if Shaun Livingston could play as well as he used to. This will do well for the Heat’s rebuilding program. He would blend well with the team because of his pass-first attitude and his great athleticism. He will be teaming up with Shawn Marion, Dwyane Wade, and newcomer Michael Beasley.

Note: The Miami Heat finished last place in the standings last season. They won the 2nd overall pick in the Draft Lottery and they used their pick to take NCAA freshman sensation Michael Beasley. The Heat are probably far from winning a championship with the make up of their team now. But with the addition of new players to their lineup, things could turn around for them in terms of making the postseason. (As long as Dwyane Wade stays healthy of course.)

Ben Gordon Stays with the Bulls

2008-10-02T06:47:00.000-07:00

Ben Gordon has just reportedly signed a qualifying offer with the Chicago Bulls, his former team. Ben Gordon was a 3rd overall pick in the 2004 NBA Draft. He has led the Bulls in scoring for the past three seasons with 18.6 points per game. He is well-known for his magnificent 4th quarter performances.

Ben Gordon showed signs of doubt that he will be suiting up for the Bulls this coming season. The Chicago Bulls will have a problem in their player rotation now that they have Ben Gordon back. They recently drafted Derrick Rose. Obviously, he will be seeing a lot of playing time to develop his young talent and to gather experience in the NBA.

The Bulls have Larry Hughes, Kirk Hinrich, Derrick Rose, and Ben Gordon in the guard spots. Whose playing time will mostly depreciate? I think it’ll be Ben Gordon’s due to his height disadvantage. Kirk Hinrich is a much better passer than Ben Gordon. Larry Hughes is a much better defender. Derrick Rose, well, he is the 1st overall draft pick. It would be a waste if he would spend much time on the bench.

I think there are a few options for the Bulls. One, trade Ben Gordon for a player that could help them out on the frontline; Two, play a 3-guard rotation where Joakim Noah could play center and Luol Deng or Tyrus Thomas could play the 4-spot. It will be a very difficult decision for the Bulls on what they will do.

Honestly, I like Ben Gordon but I don’t think that the Chicago Bulls is the team for him.

Gilbert Arenas undergoes 3rd Surgery

2008-09-17T17:53:00.000-07:00

Bad news again for Agent Zero fans out there, Washington Wizards Star Gilbert Arenas has undergone another surgery. He will be out until December which means he will miss training camp and the start of the regular season.

So now, the Wizards are left with Antonio Daniels and Dee Brown as their choices for starting point guard. Roger Mason Jr. has moved on and has joined the Spurs. The much anticipated return of Gilbert Arenas has become another let down to the Washington Wizards’ fans. The Wizards’ organization announced that they were aware of losing Gilbert Arenas for another few months prior to signing him to a $111-million six year deal during the summer.

After Gilbert Arenas’ breakout season with all those clutch cold-blooded game-winning baskets, we have yet to see Gilbert Arenas back to his normal self playing on the court. Actually, he played a few games last season but once again, he injured his knee and had to undergo another surgery. He missed the playoffs due to that surgery.

Will we really see Gilbert Arenas, Agent Zero, play in December? Will he ever be able to recover from his knee injuries? The Wizards’ organization seems to believe so, should we? Well, let’s all hope Gilbert Arenas recovers soon and doesn’t have to undergo another surgery. Get well soon Gilbert!

Mick Pennisi Goes to San Miguel Beer

2008-09-10T21:22:00.000-07:00

San Miguel Beer (formerly known as Magnolia) has acquired the services of former Red Bull hitman Mick Pennisi, further beefing up their roster to make up for injuries to their star players like Danny Ildefonso and Danny Seigle. His addition is a welcome move and with that, expectations for the SMB franchise to perform better seems to be all the more high.

Pennisi is the last remaining member of the Red Bull championship run. He now joins Lordy Tugade who had already joined the SMB franchise a year ago. Red Bull for its part got two future draft picks in exchange. (Fair Trade???)

Earlier last year, SMB also acquired three stalwarts from Red Bull but were later traded. They were:

1. LA Tenorio (Alaska)
2. Larry Fonacier (Alaska)
3. Enrico Villanueva (Purefoods)

While Red Bull will always be home for these players, you never know what coach Yeng Guiao has up his sleeve. He seems to have a knack of whipping up a competitive team and keeping quite about it.

Coach Yeng is perhaps a model coach to which most wannabe coaches should follow. Like perhaps this coach from a team who said that they will win the championship yet lost?

Source

How will Ron Artest do in Houston?

2008-09-10T04:33:00.000-07:00

The Houston Rockets acquired Ron Artest in an offseason trade which sent rookie Donte Green and Guard Bobby Jackson to the Sacramento Kings. Some other players were involved in the trade to satisfy both teams’ salary cap.

Let’s talk about Ron Artest.

On the court, he is a total lockdown defender. He can shoot the long-bomb and is an exceptional slasher. He can guard four different positions except for the Centers; obviously because of the greater height advantage.

Here come the reasons why a team might not want Ron Artest. There are times when Ron loses his cool. He explodes. He has a tendency to be violent just as we saw in the brawl between him and fans in the Detroit. He also has a tendency to argue too much with officials. Technical fouls have been a problem for him on the court.

In my opinion, Ron Artest still has a chance to put his head into order. He has that chance in Houston where his team is really a contender because of the presence of Yao Ming and T-Mac. With an efficient and level-headed Ron Artest, the Houston Rockets will be a team to watch out for. Artest has to learn to channel his intensity and put it to the right use. Instead of blowing his head and act violently against officials, he could just fuel his team with his intensity into playing better on the court.

Note: We saw the change with Rasheed Wallace. He was a hot-headed player in his previous teams until he found a home in Detroit. Maybe this will be Ron’s turn to change.

Memphis Signs Iranian Hamed Haddadi

2008-09-03T08:19:00.000-07:00

The Memphis Grizzlies have signed a 7-foot Center from Iran. He played for the Iran National Team that competed in Beijing. He was the only player who averaged a double-double in the Olympic competition. He averaged 16.6 points and 11.2 rebounds.

Hamed Haddadi also showed an inside presence on the defensive side. He averaged 2.6 blocks in Olympic competition on top of the previously mentioned statistics. He could help the Memphis Grizzlies improve their record this season. I doubt that with their team this season, they could be considered playoff contenders.

The Memphis Grizzlies were also impressed in his performance in the Mountain Revenue Competition. The Iranian team went against NBA competition. Hamed had averages of 14 points, 11.5 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game.

The real questions that go through my mind are these:

Was Hamed Haddadi really an impressive player? Or was he just impressive because he was in a team with sub-par talented players?
How will he fair against NBA big men? Will he be able to compete with the more agile and stronger players? Will he be able to keep up with the pace in the NBA?

Jamaal Magloire joins the Miami Heat

2008-09-01T06:49:00.000-07:00

The Miami Heat have reportedly signed unrestricted free agent Jamaal Magloire to an offer sheet. The Heat will be trying to find the answer to the void that Shaquille O’neal left when he was traded to the Phoenix Suns.

Jamaal Magloire made a name for himself in 2004 when he was with the New Orleans Hornets. He was voted into the 2004 All-Star game and surprised people with what he was really capable of. Since then, his career has gone downhill. His averages and playing time have declined.

The Miami Heat will give Jamaal Magloire another chance to prove his worth. He now has a second chance to help the Miami Heat win more games. They were the league’s worst last season only garnering 15 wins in 82 games.

The Miami Heat took their time in choosing the Center fit for their team. The Heat passed on Theo Ratliff, DJ Mbenga, Lorenzen Wright and some others. They probably felt that Jamaal Magloire would fit best in the Heat’s style of play.

Jamaal Magloire will be joining all-stars Shawn Marion and Dwyane Wade, as well as 2nd overall pick Michael Beasley.

Kevin Duckworth Dies at 44

2008-08-26T11:58:00.000-07:00

"Today is an extremely sad day for the Trail Blazers family," Trail Blazers President Larry Miller said. "Kevin will be remembered by fans as one of the most popular and recognizable players to ever wear the Blazers uniform, but to people who knew him, he'll be remembered as one of the warmest and biggest-hearted."

Source

Most of the NBA fans may not know who Kevin Duckworth was. He was among the premier centers back in the 1990’s, perhaps best remembered for helping the Portland Trailblazers reaching the NBA Finals that year against the Michael Jordan led Chicago Bulls. Among his teammates back then included Clyde Drexler, Buck Williams, Terry Porter and Danny Ainge. They lost to the Bulls that Year 4-2 in what was perhaps one of the most competitive teams that the Portland Organization has ever assembled.

He first initially played as a second round draft pick for the San Antonio Spurs before he was traded later on to Portland in exchange for Walter Berry. He also had stints with Washington, Milwaukee and the Los Angeles Clippers. After those memorable years in Portland, his career took a dip, ironically in the same fashion that Portland did. He is likewise a two-time NBA All-Star Selection.

There has no word yet on the actual reason of his death. But just the same, “The Duck” will always be remembered for his talent, warmth and contribution to Portland and the National Basketball Association.

May his soul rest in peace. Thanks for the memories “Duck”!

Boston Signs up Darius Miles

2008-08-25T15:55:00.000-07:00

Don’t look now but the Boston Celtics seem to be bent on defending their crown as they have signed up another underachieving superstar in the person of Darius Miles. After losing key player James Posey to Charlotte in the off-season, the Celtics have been looking for another key player to add to its fold. And they did and what a catch it was!

Miles last played for the Portland Trailblazers averaging 10.6 points and 5.2 rebounds. He was originally drafted 3rd in 2000 by the LA Clippers and has yet to set a name for himself. A superstar in his own right, perhaps Boston is the right stop for him, the current NBA champions!

"Darius has been in twice for workouts with us and has impressed us with his progress, health, and attitude;" said Danny Ainge, Celtics Executive Director of Basketball Operations/General Manager. "Darius will have the next couple of months to prove to myself and Coach Rivers that he can help us win."

Source

USA brings home the Gold Medal

2008-08-24T11:04:00.000-07:00

The Redeem Team of Team USA has achieved their ultimate goal of securing the top spot in the Beijing Olympics Men’s Basketball Division. The team had an unblemished record of 7-0 prior to the Olympic Championship game.

Team USA was set to face Spain. Earlier in the tournament, Team USA faced Spain and beat them by 37 points in the elimination round. But beating a team by 100 or 1 in the past is disregarded when the Championship game comes. Both teams start from zero. The team who executes better will be rightfully called champions.

The final score of the Championship Game was 118-107 in favor of the Americans. That game was the closest game in the tournament for Team USA who had beaten their opponents by an average of about 30 points per ball game.

The Spaniards were able to keep the game close until the final quarter. With this win, the Americans were able to prove that they could win even in close games. Dwyane Wade led the team in scoring with 27 points, Kobe added 20, and Lebron had 14.

In the impressive performance of Team USA in the entire tournament, it was their teamwork, unselfishness and defense that brought them the gold medal. Fortunately, these superstars were able to set aside their egos and were able to play as a team.

It wasn’t the Kobe show. It wasn’t the Lebron show. It wasn’t the Melo show. IT WAS TEAM USA.

(photo taken from http://nba.com)

Thank God It’s Ginebra! ..beats Air21 97-84

2008-08-20T12:58:00.000-07:00

photo taken from Philippine Sports News

Don’t get me wrong. I am no Ginebra fan. But compared to Air 21, I am glad that the Ginebra Gin Kings won the 2008 Smart Fiesta Cup Champion at the Philippine Basketball Association last night to the tune of 97-84. What made it sweeter is the fact that they did it despite the dirty and rough plays of the Express locals. Of all their players, only import Steve Thomas got my respect. The others? Zilch!

From the ball boy all the way to their egotistical head coach, Bo Perasol, they are full of hot air. Sure, they got to the finals but it was all because of Mr. Steve Thomas. I agree that his presence and inspiration was the reason but as far as the team is concerned, sorry but they are all a bunch of couch potatoes.

Wynne Arboleda, Homer Se, Ranidel Ocampo, Arwind Santos, Gary David, KG Canaleta? Gosh who are these people?!? I don’t even see a semblance of humbleness in them. Oh here comes the coach saying that it is all part of character. HAH! If perhaps Air21 showed some humble things such as playing fair and some modest proclamations, then perhaps you would have much of the fans’ support. But NO. Especially for the coach who uses his favorite phrase “I HAD NO DOUBT IN MY MIND”. Read the papers folks, you can count how many times he used this. I guess that is all he knows to say. Maybe if he just approached the way that modest coaches like Siot Tanquincen, Yeng Guiao or Chot Reyes, then maybe he would have not eaten his words.

Gary David has been astrocious. Ever since he came to this ballclub, his ego has been at an all time high. Canaleta is an overrated player. Just because you were chosen over Ren Ren Ritualo doesn’t mean you are THAT GOOD! Arwind Santos? Geez CHOKE TIME! He cannot even make the simple follow-up.

But alls well that ends well. Air21 is not yet primed for a championship. Maybe if they learn the magic of humility and learn to shut up then lady luck may just smile on them.

For Ginebra, I salute Eric Menk, Ronald Tubid (a former Air21 player) and Junthy Valenzuela. Oh and also the best import of the conference, Chris Alexander. You deserve it buddy!

Congrats to the Ginebra Gin Kings, the 2008 PBA SMART Fiesta Cup Champs!

NBA Three Team Trade

2008-08-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

NBA Veteran Mo Williams will be joining the Cleveland Cavaliers this coming season after being involved in a three team deal. The deal also involves Cleveland’s NBA veterans Joe Smith going to Oklahoma City and Damon Jones going to Milwaukee. Oklahoma City will be sending Luke Ridnour and Adrian Griffin to the Milwaukee Bucks. In return, the Bucks will be sending Desmond Mason to Oklahoma City. (Oklahoma City Sonics was Seattle Supersonics in the previous NBA Seasons)

The Cavaliers expressed their contentment in acquiring Mo Williams. Danny Ferry, Cleveland’s General Manager, believes that Mo Williams will be able to help the team win. Mo Williams averaged 17.2 points and 6.3 assists per game while shooting 48 percent from the field in 66 NBA games last season.

Mo Williams is known for his versatility. He is capable of controlling a game’s tempo for his previous team. He is also able to penetrate the lane and create for himself and for teammates. To complement his speed and slashing, he has a steady hand from outside the NBA-three. He will be able to stretch the defense to create space for his teammates.

Three Team Trade Summary:
Cleveland: Mo Williams
Oklahoma City: Desmond Mason, Damon Jones
Milwaukee: Luke Ridnour, Adrian Griffin, Joe Smith

Andre Iguodala re-signs with the 76ers

2008-08-12T18:37:00.000-07:00

Restricted Free Agent Andre Iguodala has just signed a six-year $80 million contract with his team, the 76ers.

Andre Iguodala has proven in the past few years in the NBA that he will be able to lead his team and contribute in order for his team to win. He is an athletic guard/forward who has good range on his jump shot. He is also an intimidating defender because of his length and quickness. He averaged 19.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 4.9 assists, and 2.09 steals in 82 games the last NBA season. He was healthy throughout the year and didn’t miss a single game.

The Philadelphia 76ers is now a team to take note of in the NBA. They were a surprise in last year’s playoffs when they were able to last 6 games with the Detroit Pistons.

Returning players Andre Miller, Samuel Dalembert, Thaddeus Young, Louis Williams, and now, Andre Iguodala will be joined by one of the top low post scorers in the league, Elton Brand. They are now going to be a tougher team to beat especially in the Eastern Conference. They will no longer be underdogs in the postseason because of the signing of an all-star. The expectations for this team will be a lot more compared to last NBA season.

Atlanta quickly matches Memphis' offer sheet

2008-08-09T10:03:00.000-07:00

Another major player move in the NBA has been put to a halt when the Atlanta Hawks confirmed that they would match Memphis' contract offer to NBA rising star Josh Smith.

Josh Smith was drafted 17th overall in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Atlanta Hawks. He came straight out of high school, Oakhill Academy (VA). Since then, Josh Smith has shown rapid improvement in his game. He is capable of being an offensive threat due to his high leaping ability. He is now even more feared because of his slowly improving mid-range game. He is a versatile forward who has been adding more and more moves to his arsenal. Aside from being an offensive threat, he is also a force on the defensive end. He is capable of intimidating shots with his amazing shot-blocking and disrupting passing lanes with his long arms and quick hands.

Josh Smith holds the record for most blocks by an NBA rookie. He has also won a Slam Dunk Challenge to display his athleticism.

Josh Smith averaged 17.2 points, 8.2 rebounds, 2.8 blocks, and 1.57 steals in 81 games last season. He has become one of Atlanta's go-to-guy in the clutch moments of the game. He is now going to be given the responsibility of being a team leader along with Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson. He will also be teaming up with lottery pick Marvin Williams and one of last years runners-up in the NBA Rookie of the Year race, Al Horford. Unfortunately, the Hawks have lost their explosive 6th man to a European team.

Now that the Hawks have assured themselves of keeping Josh Smith in the lineup, they will be looking to further improve their present roster. They will look to complete another team that almost beat the number one seeded NBA Champion Boston Celtics in last year's first round matchup.

Josh Smith gets an offer from the Memphis Grizzlies

2008-08-08T17:04:00.000-07:00

Los Angeles Clippers, Golden State Warriors, and Philadelphia 76ers; these are the names of the teams that were most expected to get a hold of the superstars in the free agents list. The Memphis Grizzlies came as a surprise. People expected them to save up their cap space for the upcoming seasons.

The Atlanta Hawks now have 7 days to match Memphis' 5 year contract worth $58 million. The Hawks actually made an offer to Josh Smith last October for a new contract worth about $45.5 million but Josh Smith turned it down.

Josh Smith visited other teams, the Clippers and the 76ers, to discuss a possible contract. The teams would've taken a risk though if they decided to try and get a shot at landing a contract with Josh Smith since Josh Smith is a restricted free agent.

If the Atlanta Hawks lose Josh Smith, they will lose two of their key players in last year's campaign. The have already lost Josh Childress to a European team. They will have bigger problems if Josh Smith chooses to go elsewhere.

The Hawks have committed to match any contract that will be offered by another team. Let's see if they will be smart enough to match Memphis' contract for Josh Smith.

Clippers sign Jason Williams

2008-08-08T09:46:00.000-07:00

The Los Angeles Clippers has made another addition to their lineup. Jason Williams has signed a contract with the new look Clippers.

Jason Williams was a member of the Miami Heat last season. He tested the free agent market and this is where he ended up, alongside newcomers Baron Davis, Ricky Davis, and Marcus Camby.

Jason Williams started his career with the Sacramento Kings, and then traded to the Memphis Grizzlies for Mike Bibby. He would then find his way to be a part of the Miami Heat. He was able to help the Heat get a title in the 2006 season. They were able to make an upset of the well-favored Dallas Mavericks.

Jason Williams averaged 8.8 points, 1.9 rebounds and 4.6 assists in 28.1 minutes per game last season. He also had an incredible 3.37 assists to 1 turnover ratio. This shows that he is efficient in taking care of the ball.

He will be bringing his postseason experience to the Clippers. He will also be able to provide depth in the Point Guard position. He is a veteran point guard who can stretch the defense with his long-range shooting. He also has great leadership and court vision.

The Clippers have now totally changed the face of their ball club. They have replaced 10 out of their previous year’s 14-man lineup. Only Al Thornton, Tim Thomas, Cuttino Mobley, and Chris Kaman will be returning from last year’s lineup. The Clippers could now be considered contenders to secure a place in the top 8 teams in the Western Conference.

Earl Boykins joins Italian Team

2008-08-06T08:13:00.001-07:00

Earl Boykins, an unrestricted free agent, has joined the group of players leaving the NBA to play for an international ball club. He will be leaving his former team, the Charlotte Bobcats, to join Virtus Bologna, an Italian ball club. He has been named Italy’s highest paid player after signing a deal worth over $3.5 million for one year.

During the 2007 season, Earl Boykins had his career best in points averaging 15 points per game. When he opted out of his contract to test the waters in free agency, he was only signed by Charlotte in January. He only averaged 5.1 points per game when he moved to Charlotte.

Earl Boykins spent time playing as a point guard with the L.A. Clippers, Golden State Warriors, Denver Nuggets, Milwaukee Bucks, and the Charlotte Bobcats since being a full-time NBA player in the 2001-2002 season.

Earl Boykins’ greatest downside is his height. He only stands 5’5. He is the smallest player in the NBA. Although he may be small, he is still capable of helping his ball club. He is a steady point guard who has the ability to orchestrate the offense pretty well. Even with his disadvantage, he is still capable of penetrating and breaking down the defense. He also has the ability of hitting long jump shots in case he is not able to penetrate.

Nenad Kristic signs with a Russian Team

2008-08-04T07:00:00.000-07:00

Nenad Kristic has reportedly signed with a Russian team, Triumph. He will be leaving the NBA along with other players departing for international play.

He spent his past few seasons with the New Jersey Nets. He was able to make his presence felt until he injured his ACL. Because of a mediocre comeback, teams have lost interest in the once all-star caliber power forward.

On the way to the peak of his game, Nenad was averaging around 16 points and almost 7 rebounds. His averages dropped to 6.6 point and 4.4 rebounds per game in his return. Nenad Kristic has a solid low post game and great on the boards.

Nenad Kritic will be receiving $9 million for the upcoming season. His contract is assured for 2 years. The Nets were also interested in Kristic but they only had a $5 million contract per season for two years in mind where there would be a 3rd year option.

This opportunity for Kristic is a chance he should not pass off. He will be making a lot more money than he could have if he stayed. Although playing in the NBA would be every players dream, it would also be a good experience for any player to join an international club and be exposed to a different style of play.

Another player leaves the NBA

2008-08-04T06:36:00.000-07:00

Carlos Arroyo, the substitute point guard for the Orlando Magic, will be leaving the NBA. He will be playing international basketball with the team Maccabi Tel Aviv. He will be the 8th player leaving the NBA to play for an international team.

Carlos Arroyo probably based his decision on his limited playing time during the previous playoffs. He saw plenty of time just watching from the bench. The Magic have also added Anthony Johnson to their lineup. He is a point guard as well. This could probably be a foreshadowing event that tells us that Carlos Arroyo, if ever he will be signed once again by the Magic, will not see much playing time.

Sources have reported that Carlos Arroyo will be receiving a 3-year contract. He will be receiving an estimated $2.5 million after taxes. He will also be allowed to opt out of his contract after every season if he wishes to return to the NBA. He averaged 6.9 points and 3.5 assists for Orlando last season in the 62 games that he played. He also played a total of only four out of ten games of the Orlando Magic’s postseason games.

Carlos Arroyo has proven himself to be a reliable floor leader. He has a respectable jump shot and he is also capable of penetrating the defense. He will not be new to the international style of play. He has had experience playing overseas. He also has experience playing for his national team, Puerto Rico. He will be a great addition for Maccabi Tel Aviv who has been eyeing him for a while now.

Ricky Davis joins the Clippers

2008-07-29T09:27:00.000-07:00

At the beginning of the offseason, it seemed like the Clippers were headed to the bottom half of the standings because of the decisions of Corey Maggette and Elton Brand. Two of the team’s star players decided to opt out of their contracts. But now, the Clippers have found new life with the addition of Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Marcus Williams and now Ricky Davis.

Ricky Davis has reportedly signed a contract with the L.A. Clippers. Ricky Davis spent the previous season with the Miami Heat. He had season averages of 13.8 points, 4.3 rebounds and 3.4 assists in 82 games. He was already one of the scoring leaders for the last place Heat.

Ricky Davis is a very versatile and athletic swingman. He is able to pull the defense out with his ability of hitting the long bombs. He also has the ability of slashing and taking it strong to the hoop.

It will be interesting to see the new-look Clippers this season. They have almost totally rebuilt their lineup and their past player rotation. Baron Davis, Marcus Camby, Cuttino Mobley, Chris Kaman, and either Al Thornton or Ricky Davis will start for the Clippers this coming season. We will have to wait and see if the Clippers will now be a contender.

2008 USA Team Will Not Strike Gold

2008-07-28T02:21:00.000-07:00

Despite their numerous claims, I am still sticking to my previous belief that they will not be successful for their quest for gold. Sorry to LeBron James whom I have high regards but the team is simply full of stars and egos.

Kobe Bryant, the acclaimed star of the NBA is there but rather than being a savior, will be adding more towards the woes. This is not one on one basketball folks. It is a team game and most of the players like Bryant are not team players. They are trying hard team players and that is obvious as we saw in the last NBA finals where the Boston Celtics defeated the Lakers.

When you say NBA stars, they are used to being favored. In this case, how can you do that with 12 stars always hogging the limelight? Who will step back and play the dirty role backup? No one.

We saw it happening. The first USA Dream Team got the gold because they stuck to the basics. Add to that the fact of most countries not yet ready for the transition on the use of professional players.

But it has been years now and we have seen the development of other countries that can win championships with one or two stars. You don’t need to win by 30 to become champion each game. One point will make the difference.

This lineup will not do. Perhaps the presence of role players like James Posey or even Bruce Bowen can make a difference. But with a team full of superstars who play for money, it is a bomb waiting to explode.

Even the Big Girls Brawl in the WNBA!

2008-07-25T20:17:00.000-07:00

This is a historic first in the world of the WNBA (Women’s National Basketball League). It brings me back to 2004 when Ron Artest and then Ben Wallace went at it that escalated into a riot.

Perhaps I was expecting it to occur again but not in the Women’s league. For the ones who missed it, here is the video on what happened that day. The match was between the Los Angeles Sparks and the Detroit Shocks. The ones who started it were Candace Parker and Plennete Pierson.

Remember those names as they will now be in the record books. Ugly remembrance though.

If you want to see what happened, here is a video from Youtube.

Josh Childress leaves the NBA

2008-07-25T11:32:00.001-07:00

Josh Childress will no longer be wearing a Hawks jersey next season. He will not be sporting any other NBA team’s jersey as well. Josh Childress has decided to leave the NBA to join Greek club Olympiacos, a team in the Euroleague.

Josh Childress took the opportunity to make more money compared to his contract as a restricted free agent. Reports have said that he will be making $20 million in a span of 3 years. He will be allowed to opt out of his contract after each year. His offer from Greek club Olympiacos is reportedly the biggest contract any player has been offered in Euroleague history. Reports also said that Josh Childress chose to sign with the Greek club Olympiacos because of the lack of urgency of the Atlanta Hawks organization.

The Hawks were then reportedly said to have had an offer of nearly $36 million. He would've been making $5.6 million this season.

Josh Childress averaged 11.8 points and 4.9 rebounds last season for the Hawks. He will be leaving a big hole in the Hawks rotation because he is known to be their standout sixth man. He brought a lot of athleticism and energy into the Hawks offense.

The Olympiacos believes that Josh Childress will be able to help them reach their goal of winning the championship. Last year, they won only runner-up to Panathinaikos. The Olympiacos have made big moves this offseason by signing Josh Childres and also signing one of Greece’s star players, Theodoros Papaloukas.

Matt Barnes inks deal with Phoenix Suns

2008-07-23T07:37:00.000-07:00

Matt Barnes, a former Golden State Warrior, has just reportedly signed a one-year contract with the Phoenix Suns.

Matt Barnes has been with six teams since being drafted in the second round by the Memphis Grizzlies in 2003. He has played for the L.A. Clippers, Sacramento Kings, Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks and most recently, the Golden State Warriors.

In his two seasons with the Golden State Warriors, Matt Barnes averaged 8.5 points and 4.5 rebounds per game. His career averages of 43.8% field goals and 32.4% from beyond the three point line are quite impressive.

Matt Barnes will bring more firepower to the Phoenix Suns. The Suns’ run and gun style of play will be fit for Matt Barnes’ style of play. Matt Barnes will also bring athleticism on both ends on the floor. He will also be able to bring playoff experience to the Phoenix Suns.

The Suns could find Matt Barnes as a possible replacement for the departing Shawn Marion. They have similar styles of playing. Matt Barnes will most likely be coming off the bench. He will be a solid replacement for the 2 or 3 spot.

He will be teaming up with the likes of 2-time MVP Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire, Shaquille O’Neal, Leandro Barbosa, and Raja Bell.

James Posey joins the Hornets

2008-07-22T05:45:00.001-07:00

James Posey, a two-time NBA Champion, has decided to leave the Boston Celtics as an unrestricted free agent. He has chosen to sign with the New Orleans Hornets. James Posey won a championship with the Miami Heat and last season’s champions, the Boston Celtics.

James Posey would be a big addition to the New Orleans Hornets. He will bring with him championship experience. He can also consistently hit from three. He has impeccable defense that harasses the opposing team’s star player. He is great in positioning to draw the charge and unafraid to sacrifice his body. He is also a player who waits for the offense to come to him. He doesn’t force things.

He only averaged 6.7 points and 3.6 rebounds per game last season. This may seem like a mediocre contribution from a player. But what he brought to the table were the intangibles that others are not able to contribute.

James Posey is also unafraid to take shots in the clutch moments of a game. He is always a threat because of his long-range shooting. He also displayed a clutch performance in the most recent Eastern Conference Finals. This wasn’t on the offensive end of the floor though. He made a crucial steal in the 4th quarter against the Detroit Pistons. This was the turning point that helped the Celtics win the game.

James Posey will most likely be joining Chris Paul, David West, Tyson Chandler, and Peja Stojakovic in the Hornets’ starting lineup.

Rookie Watch: Jerryd Bayless

2008-07-21T06:45:00.000-07:00

Jerryd Bayless, a standout from the University of Virginia, was drafted 11th overall by the Indiana Pacers and was then traded to the Portland Trail Blazers. It seems like the Blazers made a good decision with that acquisition.

Jerryd Bayless, after three games, averaged a stellar 27.3 points, 5.3 boards, and 1.3 assists per game. He finished the Summer League with 29.8 points per game. He also scored 36 points in one game and made a game-winning shot in another. He has absurd athleticism and a lightning-quick first step. He has shown that he has potential to be a solid force in the NBA. To top off his incredible performance, Bayless was awarded the T-Mobile NBA Summer League Top Rookie.

Although Bayless has impressed a lot of people in his Summer League performance, the Blazers are still wondering if Bayless could play the Point Guard position. This position is what the Blazers were looking for when they traded for him. Bayless had a 1:3 assist to turnover ratio. This is opposite to the expected 3:1 ratio for point guards.

Bayless claims that there is nothing to worry about. He says that he is also capable of playing the point guard position with ease. The transition of being a scorer to an orchestrator would not be a problem.

Jerryd Bayless is someone to watch out for this upcoming season. Is he as good as rookies Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley? Or will he be better?

Deron Williams signs contract extension

2008-07-20T01:36:00.000-07:00

The incoming 4th year guard of the Utah Jazz has just agreed to sign a multi-year extension with his team. Terms of the contract were not released.

Deron was drafted 3rd overall in the 2005 NBA Draft. Utah decided to pick him over fellow draftee, Chris Paul, who eventually won the Rookie of the Year Award. The Utah Jazz, obviously, do not regret taking Deron over Chris. Deron fits perfectly in Coach Sloan’s system.

Deron is a pass-first point guard who is also capable of taking over the scoring load. He is reliable from three-point range. He is also a tremendous competitor and a good floor leader. He averaged 18.8 points, 10.5 assists and 3.0 rebounds in his campaign last season. He earned a trip to the All-Star game in his breakout season. He was also named to the 2008 USA Team that will compete in the Beijing Olympics.

In Deron’s 3-year basketball campaign, he has already achieved a lot of things. As said earlier, he has been named to the All-Star team and the USA National Team. He has also climbed up to 4th in Utah’s all-time assist leaders only in his 3rd year. He has won the 2008 NBA PlayStation Skills Challenge at NBA All-Star Weekend. He has also shown that he can stay healthy. He has only missed 4 games out of a possible 246.

Though he has already achieved so much, he has yet to win a championship. The Utah Jazz believes that Deron will be the cornerstone of their team who will lead them to that NBA Championship.

Trade Talks: Ron Artest

2008-07-18T10:46:00.000-07:00

Ron Artest has been getting a lot of attention around the league lately. He has been one of the more popular players on the trading block.

Reports say that the Dallas Mavericks were offering Brandon Bass and Jerry Stackhouse for Ron Artest. The Sacramento Kings asked Dallas to include Josh Howard in the trade. This triggered an end to trade talks between the Kings and Mavericks. Obviously, the Mavs are not interested in letting go of Josh Howard.

Hypothetically, if the Mavs were able to acquire Artest without having to let go of Howard, they would’ve had All-Star starters except for the Center position. But now, rumors of this trade happening has been shut down.

There has also been speculation of a Lakers-Kings deal. The Lakers would trade Lamar Odom for Ron Artest. This trade rumor has also been taken out of the radar. Reports say that the Spurs and Suns are also interested in Artest.

Ron Artest is one of the premiere defenders in the NBA. He has already won the Defensive Player of the Year Award in the 03-04 season. His tremendous defense is the main reason why a lot of teams are interested in acquiring him. He is not afraid to defend any position. He has great toughness and speed to match any player. He also has reliable back-to-the-basket moves, penetrating ability and steady shooting. He can comfortably connect from three-point country.

Who will the All-Star guard/forward be playing for this season? Only time will tell.

Marcus Camby joins the Clippers

2008-07-16T07:26:00.000-07:00

So the Clippers lost Elton Brand. Now they have Marcus Camby. Though he isn’t as productive offensively as Elton Brand, Marcus Camby is still a force on the court. The improvement of Kaman’s low post game last season has made the loss of Elton Brand less noticeable; even more because of the addition of Marcus Camby.

Marcus Camby was traded by the Denver Nuggets to the Clippers for a future second-round pick switch option in 2010. People may think that the Nuggets just gave away Camby for nothing. But in doing so, the Nuggets will have cap room to sign an all-star in the up and coming seasons. They also have a $10-million trade exception that can be used until one-year after the trade has been made.

Marcus Camby is a solid defensive force in the shaded lane. He has led the league in blocks three seasons in a row now. Last season, he averaged 9.1 points, 13.1 rebounds and 3.6 blocks. This shows that he is also excellent in crashing the boards. Taking into consideration his defensive capabilities, his 9.1 points per game last season is a big bonus.

Marcus Camby will now be playing with the likes of Baron Davis, Al Thornton, Chris Kaman, and Cuttino Mobley.

The Los Angeles Clippers have also signed rookies DeAndre Jordan and Mike Taylor.

Joe Johnson wants Josh and Josh back

2008-07-15T08:42:00.001-07:00

Joe Johnson spoke publicly about restricted free agents Josh Smith and Josh Childress. Joe Johnson said that the signing of these two players would be essential for the Atlanta Hawks organization. He sees the potential in last season’s Atlanta team. They were able to push the Celtics to 7 games before losing in the first round. This was something to take note of.

Josh Smith is a very versatile player. He could play either power forward or small forward position. He has great athleticism and incredible timing. He is capable of defending any position because of his length and speed. He led his team in blocks last season with 2.8 per game. He was also second in points and rebounds averaging 17.2 points and 8.2 rebounds per game. He has shown a lot of improvement from his rookie season. He was one of the last few players drafted straight out of high school.

Josh Childress will also be a big help for the Atlanta Hawks. Josh Childress is a steady force off the bench. He usually plays either the small forward or shooting guard position. He is an exceptional athlete who can take the ball strong to the hoop.

These two players are probably getting calls left and right. They are both talented with bright futures ahead of them. They have to make a decision whether to stay with their team or to part ways.

Gilbert Arenas, officially back with the Wizards

2008-07-14T09:14:00.001-07:00

The Washington Wizards have done well this offseason. Although they were not able to acquire new all-stars like Elton Brand and Baron Davis, they managed to retain both Gilbert Arenas and Antawn Jamison.

Antawn Jamison has long been sure of re-signing with the Washington Wizards. It was Gilbert Arenas who seemed unsure.

Other teams who were potential contenders for signing Gilbert Arenas would be the Los Angeles Clippers, Philadelphia 76ers and the Golden State Warriors. The Los Angeles Clippers were able to get a hold of Baron Davis. The Philadelphia 76ers signed Corey Maggette. The Golden State Warriors inked Elton Brand to long-term contract.

The free agent signing of those other teams probably cut down their cap space tremendously. They wouldn’t have been able to satisfy the salary that Gilbert Arenas would be asking for. This probably left the Washington Wizards, who isn’t actually a bad choice for Gilbert, left on the list.

Gilbert Arenas will hopefully stay healthy this upcoming season. He will be able to contribute well to the Wizards’ offense. He has good range, extending to way out of the three point line, respectable driving ability and most importantly, leadership.

Gilbert Arenas will again be teaming up with premiere teammates Antawn Jamison and Caron Butler, veterans Deshawn Stevenson, Antonio Daniels and Brendan Haywood.

Gilbert Arenas believes that their present roster will be capable of competing with any other teams in the league. This remark is arguable because of long-time playoff failures but still, the Washington Wizards is a team that should not be counted out of the top 8 in the Eastern Conference. Anything could happen.

Brent Barry will suit up for the Rockets

2008-07-11T11:20:00.000-07:00

After spending a few seasons with the San Antonio Spurs, Brent Barry has decided to move on. Brent Barry has signed with the Houston Rockets. His contract will be good for two seasons.

Brent Barry, the Houston Rockets believe, would be a great addition to their team. Though this will be a risk because he is already 36 years old, they still believe that he will be able to contribute.

Brent Barry can play point guard, shooting guard or small forward positions. He is a very versatile player with clutch shooting. He is almost a sure-fire when left open from three-point country. He also brings with him experience that will help the Rockets team if they continue on to the postseason. Brent Barry has great passing skills which qualifies him to be a point guard. He can be a leader on and off the court.

Houston believes that Barry is one of the pieces they need in order to get past the 1st or 2nd round of the playoffs. Though he isn’t the type who will take over games, he is still always a threat.

A lot of teams tried to get a hold on Brent Barry but no other team achieved in doing so. Brent has followed the path of his hall of fame father, Rick Barry and his brother Jon Barry who both ended their careers in Houston.

Corey Maggette to sign with Golden State

2008-07-09T07:38:00.000-07:00

Corey Maggette has said to have agreed to join the Golden State Warriors. He will be signing an estimated $50-million five year deal. Again, these contracts could not be finalized until the start of the free agent signing.
Corey Maggette will join the Golden State Warriors who will not have a returning Baron Davis in their lineup. Baron Davis has reportedly agreed to sign with the Clippers.

Corey Maggette will be joining Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington this coming season as well as incoming second year players Brandan Wright and Marco Belinelli. Monta Ellis and Andreis Biedrins, according to Chris Mullin, will return to their place in Golden State. Both, right now, are restricted free agents.

Corey Maggette averaged 22.1 points, 5.6 rebounds and 2.7 assists last season for the Clippers. He is an athletic small forward who has good range in his shooting. But his greatest contribution would be his slashing ability. He will be a good fit to Don Nelson’s system.

Baron Davis’ departure from the Warriors gave the team room to sign Corey Maggette. Other teams offered Maggette a contract as well but none could really offer as much as the Warriors could. Maggette had teams like Boston, San Antonio, Detroit, Utah and Orlando interested.

Will Elton Brand join the 76ers?

2008-07-08T19:12:00.000-07:00

Reports say that Elton Brand has reached a verbal agreement with the 76ers. It is said that he has been offered an 82 million dollar deal for five years. The Clippers could increase their bid for Brand beyond an estimated 75 million dollars for five years as well. Elton will have to think it out very well.

Elton Brand will have an option to join Baron Davis in L.A. This is the biggest advantage the Clippers have in signing Elton Brand. On the other hand, Philadelphia is an Eastern Conference team. The obstacles they will have to face to get to the playoffs would be less than those in the Western Conference.

Elton Brand, if he signs with the 76ers, would team up with Andre Miller, Andre Iguodala, Louis Williams, Thaddeus Young and fellow bigman Samuel Dalembert. This would form one of the strongest lineups in the Eastern Conference.

Brand was slowed down by an injury in the previous season. But when healthy, he is an all-star caliber player. He has excellent post moves and good range with his jumpshot. He also has above-par defense and good shot-blocking ability. He is also terrific on the boards. He will be a great addition to any team in the league.

Elton Brand has been chased by 3 teams this offseason namely, Golden State, Philadelphia, and the L.A. Clippers. Reports say that the Golden State Warriors had the biggest offer but it seems like Elton is not interested. He will be choosing between the Clippers or the 76ers.

New look Nets

2008-07-07T10:09:00.000-07:00

The New Jersey Nets will start this season with a new look compared to the start of last season. They have added onto their roster Brook Lopez, Bobby Simmons, and Yi Jianlian.

Brook Lopez was New Jersey’s first round pick. They added an inside presence to their lineup. Brook has great touch from 15-feet away. He will be able to stretch the defense and open up the lane for other teammates like Vince Carter and Devin Harris who enjoy taking it to the rim. Brook Lopez has good strength and a variety of post moves. He is an inside presence in both ends of the floor. Drafting Brook Lopez had people wondering because of the development of Nenad Kristic.

Bobby Simmons along with Yi Jianlian was acquired from a deal with the Milwaukee Bucks. They sent Richard Jefferson in exchange of these two players. Was this a good move? This is probably to free up cap space for the most awaited 2010 offseason.

Bobby Simmons was once a Most Improved Player of the Year awardee. He has been bothered with a knee injury. This will make his contribution to the Nets questionable. But if he is healthy, he could stretch the opponent’s defense. He has good touch from three-point country. He is also a decent defender with good athleticism.

Yi Jianlian was a first-round draft choice by the Bucks in the 2007 Draft. This guy is questionable for the NBA game. He may seem a bit unfit as of last season. We have to wait and see this season if his game has elevated. He has great potential as a player. Though he doesn’t have many back to the basket moves, he has excellent perimeter shooting. He will be able to stretch the defense as well.

Many people are not impressed with what the New Jersey Nets did to their lineup. I believe that they weren’t going anywhere with Richard Jefferson and the addition of these players will be beneficial for them in the long run.

Chris Duhon will sign with the New York Knicks

2008-07-05T09:15:00.000-07:00

Chris Duhon has made a verbal agreement to sign with the New York Knicks. He will no longer be suiting up for his former team, the Chicago Bulls. He will most likely have trouble finding playing time in Chicago. They are overloaded with talented guards and plus a new addition, their first overall pick, Derrick Rose who plays the same position as Chris Duhon.

Chris Duhon was offered the starting job in the Knicks’ lineup. This was something he couldn’t pass on. He is a player with potential and he will only be able to show this if he is given enough playing time.
The Orlando Magic tried to invite Duhon to join their organization as well. But they didn’t really offer any contract. Though there have been reports of a 3-year 10 million dollar deal, nothing is certain.

Duhon being taken by the Knicks is probably a sign that Stephon Marbury’s days as a New York Knick are soon over. The point guard duties will be given mainly to Chris Duhon and Nate Robinson.

Chris Duhon averaged 5.8 points and 4 assists per game last season. He is averaging 6.9 points and 4.5 assists per game in his career. His stint with the New York Knicks will be an opportunity to raise his averages and exhibit his true potential. He is a Point Guard who is capable of distributing the ball and orchestrating the offense. He also has good range with his jump shot. He will be another piece in the Knicks’ rebuilding process.

Baron Davis Possibly Joining a More Inferior Team

2008-07-02T16:44:00.000-07:00

As far as the NBA trades going on right now, there are a lot of questions in the air. But the most celebrated and much monitored players today include Golden States’ Baron Davis and Los Angeles Clipper Elton Brand. Both are big names in the basketball world today and apparently they have one thing in common; both have opted for an early exit from their contracts.

The last report showed that Baron Davis was keen on signing up with the LA Clippers, choosing to abandon ship rather than become the 12th highest paid player in the NBA. So what could possibly be better than that? A championship?

That may be a wise move. But that was before Elton Brand and Corey Magette decided to follow Davis’ footsteps in opting out of their contracts. So if Davis lands in LA, who will he be with? Chris Kaman?

The understanding was Davis would be joining a talented team in LA and he could be the final piece of the puzzle. But now that two starting players are potentially leaving it seems he would have been better of sticking it out with the Warriors to which Brand has been reportedly heading.

They say he may want to go home to his homeland. But apparently it seems that Davis may regret leaving Warriors in the end. He seems to be headed for a team that may very well end up worst than his former team, the Golden State Warriors.

Baron Davis started out his career with the Charlotte (now New Orleans) Hornets in 1999. He was traded in 2005 for Speedy Claxton and Dale Davis to Golden State and has since become a two-time NBA All-Star. He was likewise a member of the 2001 NBA Dream Team that won the gold medal.

*photo taken from NBA.com

Josh Smith will meet with 76ers

2008-07-02T10:30:00.000-07:00

Reports say that Josh Smith, the phenomenal Atlanta Hawk forward, will be meeting with the Philadelphia 76ers organization today. Let’s look into the facts; Josh Smith is one of the most athletic players in the NBA today. On top of that, he has size and length. He is very versatile; he is capable of playing the small forward or power forward position. He is only the third player in NBA History to average 17 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, 2.8 blocks and 1.5 steals in a single season. The other two players who were able to achieve this all-around accomplishments were David Robinson and Hakeem Olajuwon; two hall-of-fame members.

Now, let’s ponder on what could be. If the 76ers offer Josh Smith a qualifying offer and the Hawks are not able to match this, Philadelphia would be a matchup nightmare for other teams. Imagine having both Josh Smith and Andre Iguodala on the same team? They are both athletic, both tremendous defenders and both capable of scoring. The better case for them is that they don’t play the same position which means they will be able to play together.

Josh Smith will be a great addition to a young and talented athletic team. He will be playing with the likes of, as already mentioned, Andre Iguodala, as well as, Andre Miller, Samuel Dalembert, Rodney Carney and Louis Williams. Josh Smith will easily fit in to this lineup.

But the question is, is this the better team for him? Or should he just remain with the Hawks?

If the 76ers are able to grab Smith, this will be a big stepping stone for them. But since Josh Smith is a restricted free agent, the Hawks should be smart enough to match any offer the 76ers throw at him.

Arenas: Will he remain a Wizard?

2008-06-30T09:55:00.000-07:00

Gilbert Arenas announced that he will choose to opt out of his final year extension with the Washington Wizards. Reports have said that this extension is worth $12.8 million. He has said that he would like to remain a Wizard. He is looking for a maximum contract of $124 million for six years. However, Wizards President Ernie Grunfeld said he is planning to offer Gilbert Arenas a contract worth $100 million for six years. Gilbert Arenas has been hounded by injuries the previous season. He will be coming off two knee surgeries.

Is Gilbert Arenas going to be able to get back to perfect shape? Will he be worth what he’s asking for? Signing Gilbert Arenas would be a big risk for the Wizards. With the cap that they will be able to free if they let go of Arenas, they will be able to get a good replacement point guard for Arenas, of course not as talented as Arenas, but acquire player and deepen their bench. Chris Duhon, Carlos Arroyo, and Sebastian Telfair will be on the free agency market. These are some point guards the Washington Wizards could look at.

Other teams that may be able to support Arenas’ salary are the L.A. Clippers and Philadelphia 76ers. The L.A. Clippers would have to let go of both Elton Brand and Corey Maggette though. They have also drafted Eric Gordon, a point guard. The Clippers taking Arenas would be most unlikely due to these circumstances. On the other hand, the 76ers already have Andre Miller and will most likely choose to acquire a forward with their $11.6 million dollar cap space.

Will the Wizards keep Arenas? Or will he suit up for another team?

Chicago drafts Derrick Rose 1st Overall

2008-06-27T10:01:00.000-07:00

As you all know, Derrick rose was the first pick of the Chicago Bulls. He averaged 14.9 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 4.7 assists per game in his college career. He only spent one year in college and yet, was able to help his team reach the NCAA Championship although losing to Kansas in the game.

Chicago had the choice to select either Derrick Rose or Michael Beasley. Both were athletic. Both had tremendous potential. Both are quick. Both are capable of scoring. Michael Beasley showed better averages though. He averaged 26.2 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 1.6 blocks a game as a freshman. Though he had way better averages than Derrick Rose, why did Chicago pick Rose over Beasley? The answer is Rose’s attitude and maturity. Rose is mentally ready to enter the NBA and lead a team at the Point Guard position.
We see in this situation that a team’s needs or a player’s average aren’t the only basis of a team’s draft selection. Teams look for players with great attitude. They search for players who are mature on and off the court. They look for players who are ready to take a team on his shoulders and help make a difference. Despite already having Ben Gordon, Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, and Larry Hughes on guard positions, they still selected Derrick Rose. This probably shows how much they believe on Derrick Rose.

Derrick Rose is more than worthy of being selected 1st overall in the 2008 NBA draft.

Jermaine O’Neal to the Raptors?

2008-06-24T00:00:00.000-07:00

So the off-season is here again and kicking off the trading festivities is the report that the Toronto Raptors are interested in acquiring the six-time NBA all-star from the Indiana Pacers in exchange for a disgruntled TJ Ford. Rumored to be included as well is veteran Rasho Nesterovic and this year’s first round draft pick.

Apparently the focus here is on the part of the Raptors who have been trying to dislodge Ford as a result of not being happy with the Raptors. He was likewise earlier rumored to be on his way to the Phoenix Suns for Boris Diaw and this year’s first round pick.

Should this deal consummate, Jose Calderon will be elevated to the starting point guard position and you can imagine the frontline strength the Toronto Raptors will have. Imagine a Chris Bosh and Jermaine O’ Neal at center and forward respectively? It reminds you of the legendary twin towers of the past (San Antonio – David Robinson and Tim Duncan and Houston’s Ralph Sampson and Hakeem Olajuwon).

Now all they would need is a great shooter to complement this tandem just in case it materializes. Who could be in the NBA market for that?

USA Basketball 2008 Will Fall Again

2008-06-23T18:56:00.000-07:00

And so the USA Basketball Senior team has been named and like always, the big names are there once again. Led by ballhog Kobe Bryant, Dwayne Wade, LeBron James and Carmelo Anthony, to me it looks like practically the same team that will falter as always. Why?

1. Where are the Role Players? One thing you have to note is that there is no role player in the fold. If you bunch up a pack of millionaires who are used to playing one on one, who will do the dirty work?
2. No Shooters. Except for Michael Redd, there is no natural shooter in the team. What happens if he gets injured or even fouls out?
3. Far from the Ceiling. Dwight “Superman” Howard may be there but can he do it alone? Chris Bosh? Maybe? But unlike the successful dream teams, there is no pure center in the fold. And also, didn’t they say that Bosh is too slow?
4. Too many point guards. In a team, a point guard is extremely important. But overloading your team with point guards will ultimately penalize you. Remember, LeBron plays point as well so why so many? (Jason Kidd, Deron Williams, Chris Paul)
5. Overcrowded Paint. If you look at the roster, most of these guys play inside. I don’t think other countries are stupid enough to allow you to get inside without hard fouls or even posterized blocks. Haven’t they learned their lesson yet?

In summary, coach Kryzewski could have done better. Superstars will be superstars but bunching up egotistical franchise players is simply not the right way to go. Why not include a James Posey or even a Bruce Bowen? Better yet why not Tim Duncan or Chris Kaman?

You would think they would dunk over the competition! Sorry guys, you are bound to lose. This is not the All-star games ya know!

NBA Draft: Who Should the Bulls Take at No. 1?

2008-06-23T07:34:00.000-07:00

Who will it be? Michael Beasley or Derrick Rose?

This question will bother the Chicago Bulls Organization for a few more days. They will have to make a decision pretty soon. Obviously, it will be a debate between Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley.

They are probably considering two major questions in their decision making.
1. Who is better and more NBA ready?
2. Who do we really need in order to build a team that will be a contender?

Many people believe that Derrick Rose, pound for pound, is a better player and is more likely to be Chicago’s first overall pick. I choose to believe otherwise. What the Chicago Bulls needs now is a scoring forward. They need someone who has size and is versatile. They will be able to find that in Michael Beasley.

Michael Beasley has unlimited range in shooting that basketball. He has tremendous athleticism and is also great in crashing the boards. Doubts of his maturity and attitude have come about. But I believe that these things he will grow out of. Playing in the NBA will totally change his attitude. Well, he has to because if he doesn’t, he will be seeing a lot of time on the bench until he gets his head straight.

Adding Derrick Rose to the team would be a bit uncalled for. They already have Kirk Hinrich, Ben Gordon, Larry Hughes, and Chris Duhon playing the guard and off guard positions. Unless they are able to make a big trade to acquire a top-scoring forward, then they should take Beasley. Beasley will complement the rotation of Chicago’s forwards. He will be able to extend the defense of the opponent’s big men and open up the lane for Luol Deng and Drew Gooden.

Right now, a Michael Beasley is what the Bulls need. He should be their number 1 pick.

Magnolia defeats Coca-Cola Tigers; forces tie for 3rd place

2008-06-21T11:06:00.000-07:00

The Magnolia Beverage Masters defeated the Coca-Cola Tigers, 81-77, to maintain its spot in the top 4 of the standings. Magnolia and Coca-Cola are now tied for third place with 9-7 scorecards.

Magnolia choked the Tigers with their stifling defense. The Beverage Masters held the Tigers scoreless in the last 1:15 of the game. Magnolia decided to send their import, Amal McCaskill, to stick to his counterpart Jason Dixon. Amal McCaskill focused on his defense rather than offense. He only scored 12 points in the game but also held Jason Dixon to only 15 points. None of the talented imports led their teams in scoring. The locals of the Beverage Masters stepped up, four of them having double-digit points. They took over the offensive load of the team.

Lordy Tugade led the way for the Beverage Masters scoring 14 points, 9 coming in the fourth quarter. He also helped Magnolia seal the win by scoring 6 of their team’s last 7 points.

The defensive pressure in the game was very instrumental in its outcome. The Beverage Masters were able to suffocate the Tigers in the 2nd quarter allowing them to score only 8 points.

Cesar Catli displayed accurate shooting converting 4 of 5 of his three point attempts. He led his team in scoring with 17 points despite the loss.

Juan Carlos Navarrro Leaves the NBA

2008-06-20T09:44:00.000-07:00

Juan Carlos Navarro, the rookie point guard of the Memphis Grizzlies, has announced that he will return to the Euroleague. He has just signed a five-year contract with F. C. Barcelona.

Juan Carlos Navarro had impressive accomplishments as a rookie in the NBA. He made it to the All-Rookie 2nd team. He was ranked third in rookie scoring averaging10.9 points per game and second in free throw shooting percentage with a dazzling 84.9 percent. He also made 156 three point baskets which was 2 away from the rookie record. His impressive stint in the NBA will not come unnoticed when he heads back to the Euroleague.

He has made a steady name for himself in the league. Despite being away for a season, he has managed to score a total of 1,824 points which is sixth all-time in Euroleague history. He has been named Euroleague January MVP during the 2005 season and twice to the All-Euroleague team selection during the 2006 and 2007 season. He has been a steady force in his last seven seasons in the Euroleague averaging double digits every season. His best so far was his most recent season when he averaged 16.8 points and 3 assists per game.

Juan Carlos Navarro was also part of the 2006 Spanish World Championship Team. He has also been part of silver medal teams in the Euroleague during 2003 and 2007; bronze during 2001 and 2005.

Green Victory in Boston

2008-06-18T17:00:00.000-07:00

I cannot help but notice how easy it was. It was not like a championship game at all. Either it was a joke or the Boston Celtics simply displayed superb TEAM basketball unlike anyone has seen today.

Make no mistake about it. The Los Angeles Lakers had a superb team (except for Kobe “Ballhog” Bryant) and a certified winning coach in Phil Jackson who has had 9 championships prior. Going up against one of the best coaches of the NBA was already something that could strike fear in the hearts of a first timer coach like Coach Doc Rivers.

In the end, it was the team that showed their worth. Everyone until the benchwarmers did their share. By the end of the second quarter you could sense that victory would be on Boston’s side.

At the start of the second half, you would expect the Lakers to make a run. But instead, we saw a fired up Boston crew, defending and shooting the hoops like wild fire. In this mix, where was Kobe? No touches nowhere to be seen. Not even on defense. Why? Wilting already under the pressure. At this point this cocky pig-headed superstar was hiding behind the back of his coach, Phil Jackson.

And so the final score, an embarrassing 131-92 lopsided victory for the Boston Celtic was seen on the scoreboard. A 39 point winning margin, which went as high as 43 pts, is the most embarrassing loss a team could have. It makes you wonder, where is the loudmouth Bryant who said he will carry the team?

In the end, when Kobe was interviewed, he was wishing that injured center Andrew Bynum was there for toughness. So meaning Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom were not worthy to be in the team. Excuse me Mr. Bryant but Pau Gasol has long been an MVP before you did. And he did it besting the best of the best. And you? You just got the MVP for being a ballhog and in the NBA only. Geez what a whiner!

In closing, allow me to highlight something that one Boston fan held up and hopefully for Kobe to see:

Even Kobe Bryant, the season's MVP, was left wounded, his tag as the game's greatest player now questioned. The comparisons withto Michael Jordan suddenly unfavorable.

Kobe was left looking very mortal. He hit four of his first five shots, but just three of his last 17. He added four turnovers, three rebounds and one assist. He was seldom the series' dominant player.

One Boston fan held a sign that read, "Kobe You Can't Do Jack Without Shaq," a painful reminder that Shaquille O'Neal earned a fourth NBA title without him, while Kobe was left still searching for his next without Shaq.

(Source) Daily News Los Angeles

There was even one publication that stated that should Kobe bring back the team from a 3-1 deficit, he would be in the legendary ranks of superstars like Michael Jordan and Shaquille O’Neal:

The chance is also there for Bryant to show he can win a title without O'Neal, his partner on three consecutive titles starting in 2000 before their rift led to Shaq's departure after a 2004 finals loss to Detroit.

More than that, the talented guard could follow in retired icon Jordan's footsteps by evolving from a high-scoring hero to one who lifts his teammates into the NBA's best unit with patience, work ethic and direction.

(Source) Philippine Daily Inquirer

Get real folks, Kobe will never reach that distinction. Not now not ever!

Celtics: 2008 NBA Champions

2008-06-18T09:18:00.000-07:00

What brought the Boston Celtics to the Championship? What did it take for them to reach this point?

The Celtics came from a terrible season during their 2006-2007 campaign. They were the worst team in the NBA at that time. This year, they were able to get hold of veterans and stars; players who are just dying to win a championship.

The Boston Celtics were able to go beyond that 1-2 punch. They had a 1-2-3 punch in fact. The lethal combination of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen brought great expectations and shivers down the knees of opposing teams. Though doubts of them playing as one unit came about, they were able to prove early on during the season that they would be able to pull it off. They would be able to play as a team and put aside stardom status. Success for this team was sure. The playoffs were already a sure thing for this team with three stars playing as one.

But what helped this team get to the championship series and eventually win it all? Was it all thanks to the three newly acquired star players?

No, the answer is no. It wasn’t solely the work of these three players. There was the offense orchestration and accurate passing of Rajon Rondo. There was experience brought in by veterans like Sam Cassell and P.J. Brown. There was the stifling defense and accurate shooting of James Posey. There was toughness and rebounding from Kendrick Perkins. There were also the other players who just waited for their chance to show what they are capable of. This was a true team. Each player played his role.

This is how the Boston Celtics won the NBA Championship. They had 12 players, ready to play their role and give 110% every time they stepped on the court.

Lakers Win But Almost Lost

2008-06-16T14:57:00.000-07:00

I take my hats off to the Los Angeles Lakers. I tip my hat off to Pau Gasol and Derek Fisher for a good game. So you are asking why Kobe isn’t in the mix, again let me emphasize, he almost blew it. Whenever he gets the ball, tragedy is almost bound to strike. And it almost did.

If you watched the game, you will notice that the Lakers went ahead because of their scrappy defense which I admired a lot. Then comes Kobe. Again ballhogging and trying to steal the limelight, caused some turnovers and took some forced shots. Why? Because he wanted the credit and steal the limelight once again. Is this surprising? Nah, you have to be used to it with Kobe around. He is just plain selfish.

So the games shift back to Boston. For sure it is an uphill battle but if the Lakers play as a unit sans the ballhog named Kobe Bryant, they can pull it off. But with all the attention that he has, consider it doomsday. For sure he will hog again and he will continue to do so. He is still far from being the Michael Jordan we all know.

Oh and did you notice how he looks these days? Clean shaven and bald? Hmm. Trying to be like Mike? I don’t think so. You are and will never be in his class Mr. Ballhog!

What it takes to be an NBA Champion.

2008-06-15T03:24:00.000-07:00

Game 5 is coming up. Will the Celtics prevail or will the Lakers live another day?
(photo taken from(http://www.nba.com)

As we all know, the game 5 of the NBA Finals are coming up. A sea of green and purple and gold battle the skies as one tries to defy the odds and the other prove their worth. Pressure is on the Boston Celtics. They are up three to one in the standings. They need one more win to officially be the NBA Champions. On the other hand, the Los Angeles Lakers are merely clinging on to dear life. They are faced with a deficit that is almost improbable and impossible to overcome. The only good news for the Lakers is that they have a chance to redeem themselves. It is not yet the end of the world for them. They still have a chance to show the world why they are deserving to be the NBA Champions. They will just have to do something that has never been done before.

What is this one may ask? Well, proving yourself worthy of being called an NBA Champion is not as easy as it may sound. You have to show the world something unique; something they haven’t seen before.

The Boston Celtics have already shown their worth to the world. In game 4, the Boston Celtics were able to come from behind to grab the win. At one point, they were down by more than twenty points, a record-breaking “come from behind victory” at that. They never gave up. And now, they are one game away from being crowned NBA Champions.

Will the Lakers try to be the first team in NBA Finals history to overcome a 3-1 deficit in the finals? Or will the Celtics prove to us they are truly worthy of being called the best team in this league?

2008 NBA Finals: Don’t Get Complacent with the Lakers

2008-06-14T13:31:00.000-07:00

This early, a lot of skeptics have written of the Lakers which is normal considering that no team in NBA history has come back from a 3-1 deficit to capture the title. With all due respect to coach Phil Jackson, it can be done but not with egotistical players like Kobe Bryant around.

For the Celtics, they should go for the kills. Do not pressure themselves or be in a hurry. The pressure should not be on the Celtics but on the Lakers who have to win to survive. This is one thing I have noticed with basketball teams, they want to finish things off as early as the first quarter. That is impossible.

A good way is to perhaps just treat the game as any other normal NBA game. Play to win and complement your teammates as they have been doing all season long. Do not try to win the game all by yourself. They have three certified superstars in Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett. But don’t forget about your bench players like Rondo, House, Posey, Perkins and other players who have contributed. Basketball is a team game!

Learn from Kobe Bryant. Do not do what he does. All he wants is fame. Players like this are better off playing for wimpy teams. They complement each other because they are just darn selfish.

Kobe Will Never Be A Champion

2008-06-13T09:40:00.000-07:00

Sorry to spoil your celebration Kobe Bryant fans but Kobe may have gotten the MVP (because he is a ballhog!) but he will never be a champion nor a leader. He is too occupied trying to be a great player and for sure we all know where that would lead to.

He has dug a deep hole as far as his impact with the fans are concerned. He is someone that aspiring players all over the world should not idolize. Basketball is a team game and apparently he knows “I” only and “I” alone. With that said, you will never get my respect Kobe not now nor ever.

Kobe Bryant could have been someone great…if only he had waited. Setting a price on your head while you haven’t proven anything other than being able to hang in the air or score 80+ points does not make you a legend. It makes you a ballhog and that is what you will ever be.

So the Los Angeles Lakers are down 3-1. The Boston Celtics are a game away from being champions. Expect the Celtics to win the championship. Maybe not in the Boston Garden but one thing that is for sure, expect a lot of rubbish and excuses from Kobe Bryant who is more concerned about scoring and looking good rather than sacrificing to make his team look good.

Kobe Bryant will never reach the caliber of a Michael Jordan. Not now or ever! Mark my words!

Rookie Playing Like a Veteran

2008-06-13T08:38:00.000-07:00

picture taken from: http://www.pba.ph

Magnolia’s rookie, Jonas Villanueva played like a veteran in their game against the Santa Lucia Realtors. Jonas Villanueva had his chance to shine when Mike Cortez, Magnolia’s starting point guard, was unable to play because of back spasms. Jonas Villanueva made the most of this opportunity scoring a career-high 12 points, 9 coming from the decisive fourth quarter.

Jonas Villanueva has just been averaging 4.4 points this Fiesta Conference. He has only played in 9 of Magnolia’s 14 games. This game, he has made the most of the opportunity that he was given. He showed his team and other PBA teams that he has what it takes to be a steady point guard in the league.

He scored 5 straight points in a crucial mark of the fourth quarter. He made a three-pointer and a lay-up against Sta. Lucia’s import, Lee Benson. This spread their lead to 15 and keep the lead for good.

This Far Eastern University standout showed us why he is deserving to be the 9th pick in the most recent PBA draft. Besides scoring 12 points in the game and facilitating the offense, he also managed to collect 4 rebounds and 4 assists.

33rd PBA Season Kicks Off!

2007-10-15T10:03:00.000-07:00

And so the games have begun!

New Faces, New Rules and New Season. Many are speculating that the 2007-08 PBA season will be another banner year. With the all teams practically having talented line-ups, three teams are looking like all stars!

1. Magnolia Beverage Masters
2. Talk N' Text
3. Air 21
4. Alaska

No disrespect to the others, but with these team's lineups, it would be a totally shameful effort if they falter. Watch the Games!