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The Bulls just did work on the Celtics... can't wait till Playoffs
OFFICIAL 2010-2011 NBA PLAYOFFS THREAD : VOL. MOST. ANTICIPATED. PLAYOFFS. EVER?
- Thread in 'Sports & Training' Thread starter Started by bigmike23,
- Start date
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Dude was a demon. Swear I saw the NBA Jam flames comin off him. Huskie too.
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co sign
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Has any sports icon ever been publicized as much as this woman?
I'd get over it. It's not a big deal.
Straight TMZ status.
I'd get over it. It's not a big deal.
Straight TMZ status.
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Jesus. What did I turn on?
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This might be the worst quarter of offensive "execution" in NBA history.
onlyXXVIII
formerly onlyxvbuthaveallxix
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So excited for the playoffs
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co sign
Whatever you say dude, I know what I've posted in these threads over the years. Yall problem now not ours
MVP
Supporter
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What juicy tidbits did you get from your sources on what liq Gloria was drinking?
or
did you get rid of them since their inside info on LBJ staying was misguided?
big j 33
Supporter
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Evans' reaction
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Originally Posted by Mamba MVP
we do to
What juicy tidbits did you get from your sources on what liq Gloria was drinking?
or
did you get rid of them since their inside info on LBJ staying was misguided?
I'll take that, and you know what's funny, I actually do know what she like to get drunk on
Rose or Bron?
Rumors.
http://[h3]Dolan looking at Calipari?[/h3]
8:47AM ET
[h5]New York Knicks [/h5]
UPDATE: Right on cue, Peter Vecsey of the New York Post adds this to the Calipari discussion.
"According to a team executive, who knows a thing or two about a thing or two regarding goings-on behind the screens, (Kincks owner James) Dolan may have eyes for Calipari . . . to run the front office and coach," he wrote.
"Do I have confirmation on this? No. I unsuccessfully reached out to Calipari and left a message."
While Knicks president of basketball operations Donnie Walsh's future with the team could come to a close this season and there's been chatter coach Mike D'Antoni might not be the long-term solution for the Knicks, we'll qualify this as highly speculative for the moment unless it gains steam elsewhere.
---
According to Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News on Sunday, Kentucky coach John Calipari "recently left the distinct impression that, although he is recruiting and conducting business, as usual, as Kentucky's basketball coach, he 'wants back in,' according to a source."
Adds Lawrence: "Calipari's stock has risen in recent seasons among more than a few GMs, and he's got close ties to William (Wes') Wesley, the CAA powerbroker who has an in with several teams, including Miami, via CAA clients, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and the Knicks, with Anthony, another CAA'er."
There was chatter last summer that Calipari could come to the Bulls in a package deal with James -- an initiative reportedly being pushed by Wesley -- but such a deal didn't come to fruition.
But coupled with this Lawrence report, it's perhaps an indication that Calipari's name could continue to pop up around NBA coaching vacancies.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Outlaw on the market?[/h3]
8:31AM ET
[h5]Travis Outlaw | Nets [/h5]
According to Al Iannazzone of The Bergen Record, the Nets are looking to shop Travis Outlaw, whom they signed last summer and has disappointed in the eyes of many in 2010-11.
"On the Nets' offseason, to-do list is trying to find a team to take Outlaw," he wrote. " ... The Nets probably realize they hastily signed Outlaw. Once they knew LeBron James, Rudy Gay and other big free agents weren't coming, ex-Nets president Rod Thorn and coach Avery Johnson felt they had to get someone."
Outlaw has three seasons remaining on his contract upon the conclusion of 2010-11.
Couple those remaining years with a declined stock after his performance this season, and the Nets could be fighting an uphill battle to find a taker.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Mack's play with the draft[/h3]
8:21AM ET
[h5]Shelvin Mack [/h5]
[img]http://a.espncdn.com/i/nba/draft2011/headshots/19599.jpg[/img]
According to Jeff Rabjohns of the Indianapolis Star, Butler junior Shelvin Mack is "expected to put his name in for the NBA draft, not hire an agent, get feedback, then make a decision, sources said."
ESPN's Chad Ford ranks Mack at No. 50, and projects him to land in the late-first to early-second round.
And as Ford notes below, Mack's stock may be at its highest now. Which means sticking in the draft could be his best play.
More from Ford on Mack:
-- Ryan Corazza
[h5]ESPN's Chad Ford[/h5]
Mack's stock might never be higher
http://[h3]Morris twins draft stock[/h3]
8:06AM ET
[h5]Marcus Morris [/h5]
[img]http://a.espncdn.com/i/nba/draft2011/headshots/19449.jpg[/img]
UPDATE: According to the Kansas City Star, the Morris twins are indeed entering the draft, updating this item below from last week.
The paper also reports the twins have singed with agent Tony Dutt.
---
The Associated Press reported earlier this week that Kansas was waiting on a decision from juniors Marcus and Markieff Morris on whether they are going to enter the NBA draft or not.
The latest could be indicating they are indeed declaring, as Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports is reporting they are nearing signing with an agent -- which means they would lose their college eligibility.
"Agent Jason Martin appears close to signing ... Morris twins of Kansas, source said," tweeted Spears on Friday. "Morris twins met with Martin on Wednesday."
If the twins indeed enter the draft, ESPN's Chad Ford has Marcus as his No. 24 prospect and Markieff at No. 27 -- meaning they could both be first-round selections in June.
More from Ford on the twins:
-- Ryan Corazza
[h5]ESPN's Chad Ford[/h5]
Twins have different games
http://[h3]New York's playoff rotation[/h3]
7:41AM ET
[h5]Shelden Williams | Knicks [/h5]
After a fourth start at center for the Knicks on Wednesday, coach Mike D'Antoni is "leaning toward" starting Shelden Williams at center -- a revolving door at times this season for the Knicks -- when the playoffs kick off, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
""For certain match-ups (Shelden's) better for us," D'Antoni said, according to Isola. "He gives us something we don't have otherwise ... bulk inside."
If Williams is moving to the front of the the team's playoff rotation at center, D'Antoni will have Jared Jeffries and Ronny Turiaf as options behind him, as well as Amare Stoudemire, who could slide over from power forward on occasion.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]What's next for Kirilenko [/h3]
7:27AM ET
[h5]Andrei Kirilenko | Jazz [/h5]
Out since March 24 with a knee injury, it's sounding like Andrei Kirilenko could be done for the season.
About coming back for Utah's last game of the season this coming Wednesday, Kirilenko offered this, according to Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune: "I don't think so. But, again, maybe."
If his 2010-11 campaign is indeed over, focus now shifts to Kirilenko's impending free agency this summer -- save for a lockout.
As we've previously noted, if he fails to return to Utah, it's possible New Jersey could be a potential landing spot for him.
Spoiler [+]
[h3]Question: Who would you rather build a team around, http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3456/derrick-roseDerrick Rose or http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1966/lebron-jamesLeBron James?[/h3]
BROUSSARD: Derrick Rose appears to be headed to his first MVP award -- and deservedly so. Many, particularly those influenced solely by statistics, believe LeBron James should win his third straight award. I do believe LeBron is the league's best player, but this year I'd choose Rose over him for MVP. That said, if I had to pick between the two of them when starting a team, I'd take LeBron -- hands-down.
Bucher: I agree with you that James, when it comes to pure talent, has more than anybody else in the league right now. But I would take Rose ahead of LeBron if I'm starting a team because the talent difference is not all that great, and Rose fills two of the most difficult roles that a team must have: floor leader and closer.
CB: LeBron is more than the greatest talent in the league. He produces. He may be only 85 to 90 percent the player he could be, but he's still the best in the game. I don't have to tell you how ridiculous his offensive numbers are, but he does it on the defensive end of the floor, too. One scout for a title-contending team recently told me LeBron would be his choice for offensive and defensive player of the year. He raved about how much LeBron talks on the floor, how he knows where everyone on both teams is supposed to be, how he guards his own man well and how he plays great help defense. Former http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/cle/cleveland-cavaliersCleveland Cavaliers coach Mike Brown has told folks up at ESPN that LeBron's the smartest player he's ever coached. Remember, Brown was an assistant on one of the http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/sa/san-antonio-spursSan Antonio Spurs' http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/215/tim-duncanTim Duncan-led title teams.
LeBron has done more than Rose has this year three times (2007, 2009, 2010) -- all with far weaker supporting casts. Where was his http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1703/carlos-boozerCarlos Boozer or http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3224/joakim-noahJoakim Noah in those years? Definitely not taking anything away from Rose, but LeBron is just plain better.
RB: I'm not going to get into a debate about supporting casts; I'd say there were several years in Cleveland LeBron had more talent than Rose has around him now. The difference, to me, is that Rose doesn't look for anybody else to lead or take a big shot. He leads from start to finish, plays hard from start to finish and works on his game from start to finish. It leaves no excuses for anybody else and, maybe it's just me, but I believe that's why all the supporting Bulls commit themselves to their roles as they do. As for LeBron, I've heard the same platitudes -- he knows where everybody is supposed to be, and there's no question he's capable of dominating at both ends. And yet, he doesn't. I'd even say your estimate is low: He's about 75 percent of the player he could be. And that's the problem. After eight seasons, entering his prime, he's not playing to his potential. If you and I know that, surely everybody else around him does. I just can't have my best player coming up short like that. No matter how talented, it cripples the message I need my entire team to embrace: No Excuses.
CB: Lots of players aren't 100 percent the player they could be in their eighth season. Heck, http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/110/kobe-bryantKobe Bryant was a bad teammate much later than his eighth season -- publicly demanding a trade, which belittled his teammates and even, in most people's opinion, tanking a playoff game by not shooting in the second half versus the http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/phx/phoenix-sunsPhoenix Suns. So to say LeBron still has room to grow is not a death knell to his game. I'd say it's encouraging that as great as he already is he still has room to get better by adding a post game and better shot selection and improving his foul shooting.
And who said LeBron doesn't want the ball in the clutch? He scored many late, game-winning buckets in Cleveland, and earlier this season he practically always had the ball in his hands on the last play in Miami. He averages more fourth-quarter points per game than Rose. You can question his effectiveness in those spots, mainly this year, but he hasn't shied away from the opportunity.
Put LeBron on just about any team in the league and it's a conference title contender. That's been proven by the fact that with him Cleveland was the league's best regular-season club the past two years; without him, they're the worst. Again, not taking anything away from Rose, but many argue the Bulls' terrific defense is as responsible for their great record as Rose is. While I don't agree, that the Bulls have a positive plus-minus without Rose on the floor shows that his team is still strong without him. Bottom line, put LeBron on the Bulls instead of Rose and Chicago has the best record in the league and is the favorite to win it all.
RB: If I understand you correctly, LeBron's flaws should be excused because his statistics are so impressive in spite of them, or, after eight seasons, other guys also had flaws? That's exactly the mindset that has resulted in LeBron being regarded as the most talented player in the league but not the most valuable.
Taking shots in the clutch is not the same as embracing the role. LeBron's answer with the game on the line is pound the rock and shoot a buzzer-beating 3-pointer or put his head down and barrel to the hoop. If he really relished that role, he never would've gone to Miami, where he now has competition for it.
Kobe went through a growth spurt of maturity later in his career, but it had everything to do with adjusting to less talent around him then compensating as his physical skills began to diminish. His game, as far as footwork and developing sweet spots and defending, was all in place well before his eighth season. LeBron really is puzzling because he is smart and he obviously does study the game, yet the application under pressure is often missing. He's unselfish as long as he gets to play the way he wants to play. This might just be me, but if I have my choice, I'd prefer not to have my cornerstone full of contradictions.
One of the biggest reasons I'd feel better about building around Rose is that he has shown no inclination to be a GM in relief. I wouldn't blame him if he did, because it's nothing new to have great players use their power, as LeBron did, to make demands. But I love that Rose's attitude is, "I'll make whatever you give me work." It allows me to fix my eye toward the long-term goal of a perennial champion, not the short-term goal of keeping my superstar happy. Kobe made trade demands, but only after two seasons of killing himself just to get his team to the playoffs. He already knew what the formula for a title was; LeBron still doesn't.
CB: Much of your argument seems based on the "closer/finisher" notion. You are among the many who make this a much bigger and more controversial situation than it really is. This is not baseball. You don't need one guy designated to take the last shot every time. Didn't http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/425/steve-kerrSteve Kerr and http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3815/john-paxsonJohn Paxson hit game-winners with http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1035/michael-jordanMichael Jordan on the floor. How many big last-second shots did http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/347/robert-horryRobert Horry and http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/246/derek-fisherDerek Fisher make while playing with Kobe and Shaq? And who's the closer for the http://espn.go.com/nba/team/_/name/bos/boston-celticsBoston Celtics? http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/662/paul-piercePaul Pierce or http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/9/ray-allenRay Allen? What you want is a guy, or guys, who can make a play. We all know LeBron can make a play, whether on a pass to an open teammate or a shot. How about putting the ball in his hands, running a play and seeing what develops? It could be a shot for him or a pass to Dwyane Wade, http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/348/eddie-houseEddie House or whomever. Just putting him at the top of the key and asking him to go 1-on-4 or 1-on-5 is not the way.
And then you go and rip LeBron for choosing to play with other great players. What, that's a bad thing? That he doesn't mind sharing the spotlight? LeBron's aware that no one in league history has won multiple rings without other great players. MJ and Magic Johnson had two other Hall of Fame teammates; Larry Bird had three. Kobe has never won a ring without the best offensive post scorer in the league. So now LeBron's worthy of condemnation because he recognizes that it takes a team, not just one great superstar, to win rings? And remember, Rose is only in his third year. If he has four more years of getting close yet ultimately falling short, who knows if he'll feel the need to upgrade the roster around him? LeBron re-upped in Cleveland without any roster concerns, too, as a younger player.
Amazing how you excuse Kobe's trade demands because he spent two years "killing himself" just to get to the playoffs, yet you overlook that LeBron spent seven years doing the same in Cleveland. And is it just me, or didn't Kobe (to his credit) add some post moves well after his eighth season?
RB: We have different definitions of a player "killing himself." I can't say that about LeBron in Cleveland, after he failed to develop a complete game and took as long as he did to become a defensive presence. The desire to play with great players isn't a bad thing, but when it's a player who duplicates what you do, it smacks of someone who doesn't want to carry that particular role on his shoulders. As for putting the ball in LeBron's hands and letting him make a play, I believe we've seen plenty of that, in Miami and Cleveland. The excuse (funny how that word keeps coming up) in Cleveland was that he didn't have that guy who could knock down shots in the clutch next to him. But now he has that guy in Wade, and end-of-game execution isn't any better. (I might put that on the coach if not for LeBron's propensity to break plays.) Talking about a guy willing to take over at crunch time is a euphemism for someone willing to take responsibility for winning or losing a game every single night. The Jordans, Birds, Kobes and Roses wouldn't dream of having someone else take that responsibility. It doesn't mean always taking the shot, but it does mean aggressively looking to create the best shot available. As with most everything, sometimes LeBron does it and sometimes he doesn't. I sometimes wonder if he's just a victim of being so gifted. So much of the game comes so easily to him and he's had so much success without developing a complete arsenal that the motivation is just not there. But if I have my choice, that's not the kind of guy I want leading my team.
Comparing Rose and James is a bit apples and oranges-@**, because James has a greater body of work, and an impressive one. We've also had a longer stretch to see exactly where his shortcomings are. Rose is going to need a lot of things to go right to match or surpass LeBron -- health and shrewd decisions by the Bulls being the primary ones. But I'll take his trajectory over his first three years versus what LeBron did. Yes, LeBron's numbers grew exponentially, but it took him three years to translate all that individual greatness into a playoff berth. Rose has transformed his game and, handed a different group almost every year, dragged each one of them into the postseason, including guys such as http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2381/ben-gordonBen Gordon and http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/556/brad-millerBrad Miller, who have not seen the playoffs since. After two years, he took on the challenge of claiming his candidacy for MVP and the Bulls' worthiness as champions. It takes guts to do things like that and despite all of LeBron's gifts, he's avoided putting that kind of pressure on himself.
LeBron's talent is unrivaled; no argument from me there. But that's the rub: If your best player isn't your leader, playing hard every minute and maximizing his gifts, it doesn't matter how great that talent is; the ability to get everybody maximizing their talent and playing as hard as they can -- the prerequisite to winning a title -- is almost impossible. (See: http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/366/allen-iversonAllen Iverson or http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/532/tracy-mcgradyTracy McGrady or Shaq without Kobe or Wade -- all of whom, at one point or another, could claim the title of most gifted player in the league. And all of whom, without a player of equal talent to lead the team, were ring-less.) Rose isn't going to win any rings by himself. But he doesn't think he needs another superstar to do it. That's the mindset my cornerstone has to have.
CB: Bottom line:
Better/More efficient scorer: LeBron
Better rebounder: LeBron
Better passer: LeBron (or even)
Better defender: LeBron
Bigger/Stronger body: LeBron
I won't compare winning pedigree, since it's eight years versus three, but if Rose as an eighth-year vet has taken teams as far as LeBron has thus far he'll be doing well. Rose may be maximizing his talent more than LeBron, but the fact is his ceiling isn't as high.
RB: This is not about who has the most talent; it's about who you would build your team around, given the choice. LeBron is capable of being better in all those categories -- and yet he's not, night in and night out. There was a time you could take your list of categories and McGrady would've topped Kobe in all but the defender category. http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/883/rasheed-wallaceRasheed Wallace had it over Tim Duncan in "every" category. But who would you take to start your team?
I have a list, too:
Better leader: Rose
Better use of his teammates: Rose
Better work ethic: Rose
Better poise under pressure: Rose
Better accountability: Rose
Ultimately, I can find rebounders and scorers and defenders to complement and enhance what Rose has, enough to offset whatever individual advantage LeBron or any other player may have. What is truly rare is to find a player who, three years into his career, already dominates his position as much as any player in the league and has all those intangible qualities that assure I will get the most out of whatever talent I put around him. I'm not sure what Rose is going to be, but I have no doubt about who he is and what he's going to give me every day.
Shifty cornerstones make for fragile franchises. You do shiny. I'll take solid.
CB: I really want to stop, but you keep making baseless assertions that demand a rebuttal. You say, night in, night out, LeBron's not a better/more efficient scorer, rebounder and defender than Rose? Really?! According to who? Probably no one but you. And I never would've put T-Mac ahead of Kobe in anything but perhaps passing. Rasheed over Duncan? Again, I guess you felt that way, but I never did. You're going to compare a player who has led a group of role players to the league's best record twice, as well as the NBA Finals once, to a guy who's never won a playoff series, despite playing with http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1722/yao-mingYao Ming? Or to Wallace, who never averaged even 20 points or nine rebounds a game, not to mention never even trying to be a leader? Really?
And you're assuming Rose has a better work ethic than LeBron because of what? He improved his 3-point shooting to 33 percent? What about his field goal percentage dropping from 49 to 44 percent? By your logic, I guess that means he didn't work hard enough on some other aspect of his game. Or maybe he's shooting too many 3s? He's shooting more 3s than LeBron this year despite both of them shooting the same percentage. LeBron's shooting fewer 3s than he has since his rookie season. LeBron's playing off the ball for the first time in his career. He's moving without the ball, setting screens and playing a significant amount of time at power forward. Those are all signs of growth, sacrifice and a willingness to make changes for the sake of winning.
It's like you're punishing him, unable to recognize what he's already achieved, because you have some astronomical idea of what he should be. A guy who dominated his position in his third year like no other? How about LeBron? No small forward was even close to him by then. Yet http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2798/deron-williamsDeron Williams, http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2779/chris-paulChris Paul and even http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3468/russell-westbrookRussell Westbrook are all right there with Rose. You act as if LeBron's just a bunch of stats and nothing else, like he's never achieved team success. What he's never done is lose to a lesser or equally talented team in the playoffs.
With no other perennial all-stars beside him, he fell to a stacked championship team in Detroit, a dynastic Spurs club, a Celtics crew with three Hall of Famers and an Orlando squad that was unquestionably more talented than the Cavs (and he averaged nearly 40 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in that series). After LeBron, the next three best players (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2384/dwight-howardDwight Howard, http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/469/rashard-lewisRashard Lewis and http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/862/hedo-turkogluHedo Turkoglu) all played for the Magic. To imply that LeBron hasn't gotten the most out of the talent around him throughout his career is just plain asinine. In 2007, he took probably the worst supporting cast in history to the Finals. Look at the Cavaliers this year without him. Think http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2178/mo-williamsMo Williams will be making any more all-star teams? You question his leadership, but consistently leading a marginally talented supporting cast to the heights he did in Cleveland is evidence of strong leadership. The Cavs didn't lose those series because they lacked leadership or mental toughness; they lost to better, more talented teams, teams they only had a prayer of beating because of LeBron.
I love Rose and he's going to get my MVP vote this year, but you're off base in taking him over LeBron.
RB: The bottom line for me is that LeBron never has gotten the most out of his talent, nor the talent around him. How can you say he's 85 percent of the player he could be after eight years, claim Rose is closer to his ceiling after three and then question who has the better work ethic? How can you say he's gotten the most out of the talent around him when, by virtue of not maximizing his own abilities, that's virtually impossible? You keep bringing up the Cavs this year, as if LeBron is the only difference. Two other rotation players -- http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/362/zydrunas-ilgauskasZydrunas Ilgauskas and Shaq -- didn't come back, http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2419/anderson-varejaoAnderson Varejao missed practically the entire season and Williams and http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3006/daniel-gibsonDaniel Gibson missed long stretches with injuries. That's five of their eight best players. Do that to any team and it would fall off a cliff.
And why wouldn't you say T-Mac was at one point better than Kobe? Statistically, he was in 2002-03 and that's what you're basing your comparisons on. All of your comparisons are statistical, except for wins and losses. Unfortunately, we don't have simple numbers (other than wins and losses) to recite to measure the categories I gave. That requires watching guys do their jobs and interact with their coaches and teammates. You want to build around a guy who reluctantly followed his coach's game plan and often disregarded it. I'll take the guy who embraces every challenge his coach gives him to improve. You want the guy who spent years talking about all the different places he might play. I'll take the guy who has made it absolutely clear his only mission is to win championships for the team he's on now.
As I said, you get no argument from me on LeBron's talent. But that talent isn't great enough to make up for the other missing elements. You want to know what's missing? Watch and listen. To Rose.
LeBron has done more than Rose has this year three times (2007, 2009, 2010) -- all with far weaker supporting casts. Where was his http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/1703/carlos-boozerCarlos Boozer or http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3224/joakim-noahJoakim Noah in those years? Definitely not taking anything away from Rose, but LeBron is just plain better.
And who said LeBron doesn't want the ball in the clutch? He scored many late, game-winning buckets in Cleveland, and earlier this season he practically always had the ball in his hands on the last play in Miami. He averages more fourth-quarter points per game than Rose. You can question his effectiveness in those spots, mainly this year, but he hasn't shied away from the opportunity.
Put LeBron on just about any team in the league and it's a conference title contender. That's been proven by the fact that with him Cleveland was the league's best regular-season club the past two years; without him, they're the worst. Again, not taking anything away from Rose, but many argue the Bulls' terrific defense is as responsible for their great record as Rose is. While I don't agree, that the Bulls have a positive plus-minus without Rose on the floor shows that his team is still strong without him. Bottom line, put LeBron on the Bulls instead of Rose and Chicago has the best record in the league and is the favorite to win it all.
Taking shots in the clutch is not the same as embracing the role. LeBron's answer with the game on the line is pound the rock and shoot a buzzer-beating 3-pointer or put his head down and barrel to the hoop. If he really relished that role, he never would've gone to Miami, where he now has competition for it.
Kobe went through a growth spurt of maturity later in his career, but it had everything to do with adjusting to less talent around him then compensating as his physical skills began to diminish. His game, as far as footwork and developing sweet spots and defending, was all in place well before his eighth season. LeBron really is puzzling because he is smart and he obviously does study the game, yet the application under pressure is often missing. He's unselfish as long as he gets to play the way he wants to play. This might just be me, but if I have my choice, I'd prefer not to have my cornerstone full of contradictions.
One of the biggest reasons I'd feel better about building around Rose is that he has shown no inclination to be a GM in relief. I wouldn't blame him if he did, because it's nothing new to have great players use their power, as LeBron did, to make demands. But I love that Rose's attitude is, "I'll make whatever you give me work." It allows me to fix my eye toward the long-term goal of a perennial champion, not the short-term goal of keeping my superstar happy. Kobe made trade demands, but only after two seasons of killing himself just to get his team to the playoffs. He already knew what the formula for a title was; LeBron still doesn't.
And then you go and rip LeBron for choosing to play with other great players. What, that's a bad thing? That he doesn't mind sharing the spotlight? LeBron's aware that no one in league history has won multiple rings without other great players. MJ and Magic Johnson had two other Hall of Fame teammates; Larry Bird had three. Kobe has never won a ring without the best offensive post scorer in the league. So now LeBron's worthy of condemnation because he recognizes that it takes a team, not just one great superstar, to win rings? And remember, Rose is only in his third year. If he has four more years of getting close yet ultimately falling short, who knows if he'll feel the need to upgrade the roster around him? LeBron re-upped in Cleveland without any roster concerns, too, as a younger player.
Amazing how you excuse Kobe's trade demands because he spent two years "killing himself" just to get to the playoffs, yet you overlook that LeBron spent seven years doing the same in Cleveland. And is it just me, or didn't Kobe (to his credit) add some post moves well after his eighth season?
Comparing Rose and James is a bit apples and oranges-@**, because James has a greater body of work, and an impressive one. We've also had a longer stretch to see exactly where his shortcomings are. Rose is going to need a lot of things to go right to match or surpass LeBron -- health and shrewd decisions by the Bulls being the primary ones. But I'll take his trajectory over his first three years versus what LeBron did. Yes, LeBron's numbers grew exponentially, but it took him three years to translate all that individual greatness into a playoff berth. Rose has transformed his game and, handed a different group almost every year, dragged each one of them into the postseason, including guys such as http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2381/ben-gordonBen Gordon and http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/556/brad-millerBrad Miller, who have not seen the playoffs since. After two years, he took on the challenge of claiming his candidacy for MVP and the Bulls' worthiness as champions. It takes guts to do things like that and despite all of LeBron's gifts, he's avoided putting that kind of pressure on himself.
LeBron's talent is unrivaled; no argument from me there. But that's the rub: If your best player isn't your leader, playing hard every minute and maximizing his gifts, it doesn't matter how great that talent is; the ability to get everybody maximizing their talent and playing as hard as they can -- the prerequisite to winning a title -- is almost impossible. (See: http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/366/allen-iversonAllen Iverson or http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/532/tracy-mcgradyTracy McGrady or Shaq without Kobe or Wade -- all of whom, at one point or another, could claim the title of most gifted player in the league. And all of whom, without a player of equal talent to lead the team, were ring-less.) Rose isn't going to win any rings by himself. But he doesn't think he needs another superstar to do it. That's the mindset my cornerstone has to have.
Better/More efficient scorer: LeBron
Better rebounder: LeBron
Better passer: LeBron (or even)
Better defender: LeBron
Bigger/Stronger body: LeBron
I won't compare winning pedigree, since it's eight years versus three, but if Rose as an eighth-year vet has taken teams as far as LeBron has thus far he'll be doing well. Rose may be maximizing his talent more than LeBron, but the fact is his ceiling isn't as high.
I have a list, too:
Better leader: Rose
Better use of his teammates: Rose
Better work ethic: Rose
Better poise under pressure: Rose
Better accountability: Rose
Ultimately, I can find rebounders and scorers and defenders to complement and enhance what Rose has, enough to offset whatever individual advantage LeBron or any other player may have. What is truly rare is to find a player who, three years into his career, already dominates his position as much as any player in the league and has all those intangible qualities that assure I will get the most out of whatever talent I put around him. I'm not sure what Rose is going to be, but I have no doubt about who he is and what he's going to give me every day.
Shifty cornerstones make for fragile franchises. You do shiny. I'll take solid.
And you're assuming Rose has a better work ethic than LeBron because of what? He improved his 3-point shooting to 33 percent? What about his field goal percentage dropping from 49 to 44 percent? By your logic, I guess that means he didn't work hard enough on some other aspect of his game. Or maybe he's shooting too many 3s? He's shooting more 3s than LeBron this year despite both of them shooting the same percentage. LeBron's shooting fewer 3s than he has since his rookie season. LeBron's playing off the ball for the first time in his career. He's moving without the ball, setting screens and playing a significant amount of time at power forward. Those are all signs of growth, sacrifice and a willingness to make changes for the sake of winning.
It's like you're punishing him, unable to recognize what he's already achieved, because you have some astronomical idea of what he should be. A guy who dominated his position in his third year like no other? How about LeBron? No small forward was even close to him by then. Yet http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2798/deron-williamsDeron Williams, http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2779/chris-paulChris Paul and even http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/3468/russell-westbrookRussell Westbrook are all right there with Rose. You act as if LeBron's just a bunch of stats and nothing else, like he's never achieved team success. What he's never done is lose to a lesser or equally talented team in the playoffs.
With no other perennial all-stars beside him, he fell to a stacked championship team in Detroit, a dynastic Spurs club, a Celtics crew with three Hall of Famers and an Orlando squad that was unquestionably more talented than the Cavs (and he averaged nearly 40 points, eight rebounds and eight assists in that series). After LeBron, the next three best players (http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2384/dwight-howardDwight Howard, http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/469/rashard-lewisRashard Lewis and http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/862/hedo-turkogluHedo Turkoglu) all played for the Magic. To imply that LeBron hasn't gotten the most out of the talent around him throughout his career is just plain asinine. In 2007, he took probably the worst supporting cast in history to the Finals. Look at the Cavaliers this year without him. Think http://espn.go.com/nba/player/_/id/2178/mo-williamsMo Williams will be making any more all-star teams? You question his leadership, but consistently leading a marginally talented supporting cast to the heights he did in Cleveland is evidence of strong leadership. The Cavs didn't lose those series because they lacked leadership or mental toughness; they lost to better, more talented teams, teams they only had a prayer of beating because of LeBron.
I love Rose and he's going to get my MVP vote this year, but you're off base in taking him over LeBron.
And why wouldn't you say T-Mac was at one point better than Kobe? Statistically, he was in 2002-03 and that's what you're basing your comparisons on. All of your comparisons are statistical, except for wins and losses. Unfortunately, we don't have simple numbers (other than wins and losses) to recite to measure the categories I gave. That requires watching guys do their jobs and interact with their coaches and teammates. You want to build around a guy who reluctantly followed his coach's game plan and often disregarded it. I'll take the guy who embraces every challenge his coach gives him to improve. You want the guy who spent years talking about all the different places he might play. I'll take the guy who has made it absolutely clear his only mission is to win championships for the team he's on now.
As I said, you get no argument from me on LeBron's talent. But that talent isn't great enough to make up for the other missing elements. You want to know what's missing? Watch and listen. To Rose.
Rumors.
Spoiler [+]
http://[h3]Bogut's time in Milwaukee[/h3]
12:41PM ET
[h5]Andrew Bogut | Bucks [/h5]
Andrew Bogut was playing at an All-Star level near the end of 2009-10. But a freak injury last April in which he injured his right hand, elbow and wrist has slowed him down.
Though he returned this season, he was often dealing with lingering affects of that injury, among other maladies.
And as Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tweets Friday, Bogut is now done for the 2010-11 campaign, as he'll have arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow, the same one he injured previously, after the season.
Depending on his recovery timetable, it's possible he'll be ready for the start of 2011-12 -- pending a lockout.
But with three years remaining on his contract, it's possible Bogut's health issues could continue to limit his time and effectiveness going forward.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Erden's end-of-year role[/h3]
11:59AM ET
[h5]Semih Erden | Cavaliers [/h5]
UPDATE No. 2 According to Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Erden will play Friday night against the Bulls.
Erden figures to get a little bit of run behind Hollins at center, while Luke Harangody could see his frontcourt reserve minutes take a hit with his fellow former Celtics rookie back in the rotation.
---
UPDATE: According to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal, Erden won't play Tuesday or Wednesday night, but Scott remains optimistic he'll play again before the end of the season.
But with just four games and one week left in the season after these next two bouts, Erden won't have much time to shine if he indeed makes it back onto the court before season's end.
---
Due to a shoulder injury, Semih Erden hasn't seen game action in about a month.
But according to Jodie Valade of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Erden practiced in full 5-on-5 drills on Monday, and coach Bryon Scott "still hopes he can play in couple games."
If Erden is able to see any playing time the last few games of the season, he'd slot in somewhere on the depth chart behind Ryan Hollins, who's been the team's most recent starter at the center position.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Wade's status[/h3]
11:21AM ET
[h5]Dwyane Wade | Heat [/h5]
UPDATE No. 2: On Friday, Windhorst tweets Wade is listed as probable for Friday night's bout against the Bobcats.
With the Heat and Celtics now tied for the No. 2 seed after Boston's loss Thursday night, Wade's likely return on Friday night will give him some time to test out the thigh in game action before Sunday's meaningful game against Boston.
---
UPDATE: After not playing Wednesday night, here's the latest on Wade via Ira Winderman of the South Florida SunSentinel.
"Wade said he is feeling much better, hopeful of return Friday, but did not go through Thursday's practice with team," he tweeted.
If Wade fails to return Friday, the Heat next play Sunday against the Celtics, the result of which could dictate the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
As such, Wade may be inclined to give it a go by then, though the Heat obviously don't want to push things with the playoffs looming.
----
UPDATE: According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN's Heat Index, Dwyane Wade is listed as doubtful to play Wednesday night against Milwaukee due to the right thigh bruise he suffered against Nets on Sunday.
With the playoffs fast approaching, there's little reason for Wade to push it. The Heat next play Friday against the Bobcats, so it's possible he could be ready by then with another day or two of rest time.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Rest coming for Noah?[/h3]
11:07AM ET
[h5]Joakim Noah | Bulls [/h5]
Joakim Noah injured his ankle last Monday in a loss to Philadelphia.
Due to the injury, he missed three straight games.
And though he's played in the last two, Noah was limited in Chicago's win over the Celtics on Thursday night, playing just 23 minutes.
"More proof Noah isn't fully healthy: Trainer just taped ice around his shoe and sock to ice sprained ankle as he sits," K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune tweeted as Noah sat out in the second half of the game.
With the Bulls about to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, it's possible they'll go easy with Noah in their remaining four regular season games.
If they do, Kurt Thomas and Omer Asik could be the beneficiary of more minutes.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]How Crawford could affect Young[/h3]
10:12AM ET
[h5]Nick Young | Wizards [/h5]
After the Wizards traded Gilbert Arenas to the Magic, it opened the door for Nick Young, and he emerged as the team's top scorer.
But with Young's knee hobbling him the last few weeks of the season and him now being shut down, rookie Jordan Crawford has emerged as an intriguing backcourt mate to fellow rookie John Wall.
Which means the Wizards could have a decision to make between Young and Crawford as Young heads into restricted free agency this summer.
"Young shoots a better percentage, but Crawford averages more rebounds and assists," wrote Michael Lee of the Washington Post. "With Crawford still under his rookie deal, he would be a cheaper alternative to Young, but president Ernie Grunfeld said he would like to come back next season with both players."
Some have suggested Young is a scorer and little else, a point one Eastern Conference scout, who indicated Young will attract "some" interest in free agency, suggested to Lee.
"He can score the ball. I guess it's what you're looking for, because I don't know what he gives you at the other end," the scout said, according to Lee.
If Young is able to be had for a reasonable salary, it could be the right play for the Wizards.
But if they believe Crawford, the cheaper option of the two, is the future, and Young signs an offer sheet elsewhere for more than they're willing to spend, it's possible they could let him walk.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Jordan's status in L.A.[/h3]
9:51AM ET
[h5]DeAndre Jordan | Clippers [/h5]
Clippers center DeAndre Jordan has shown improvement in his defensive game this season.
And it's why, as he heads into restricted free agency this summer, other teams could come calling.
"Any team that needs a center will be interested," a front office source told Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles. "New York, Houston, Miami, Boston, Cleveland."
Shelburne also adds this quote from Clippers general manager Neil Olshey: "I can assure you that keeping DJ as part of our core is a major priority and one we will address at the first opportunity. Having two starting-caliber centers [Jordan and Chris Kaman] is an incredible luxury and one that we don't take for granted."
If the Clippers are serious about bringing Jordan back into the fold, they may have to match an offer sheet he may sign with another team, upping his price a bit.
It's also possible that if Jordan re-signs with the Clippers, Kaman could be on the market. There were rumblings the team was looking to deal him this season, but injuries hurt his stock.
But on an expiring contract next season, Kaman might be a little more attractive to another team.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]The Nets and Williams[/h3]
9:34AM ET
[h5]Deron Williams | Nets [/h5]
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Nets have announced point guard Deron WIlliams is undergoing surgery Friday "to remove bone fragments and scar tissue from his right wrist."
Williams' wrist has been at issue for several weeks now, so this surgery, assuming all goes well, should have him ready to go by training camp next fall, should a potential lockout not prevent the start of next season.
Focus for the Nets and Williams now turns to personnel. Most chatter contends if the Nets are able to land some more talent around Williams -- perhaps another star such as Dwight Howard -- he may be more inclined to stick around and sign with the team in free agency when the summer of 2012 hits.
-- Ryan Corazza
[h5]ESPN The Magazine's Ric Bucher[/h5]
Nets gaining appeal for Howard
12:41PM ET
[h5]Andrew Bogut | Bucks [/h5]
Andrew Bogut was playing at an All-Star level near the end of 2009-10. But a freak injury last April in which he injured his right hand, elbow and wrist has slowed him down.
Though he returned this season, he was often dealing with lingering affects of that injury, among other maladies.
And as Charles F. Gardner of the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel tweets Friday, Bogut is now done for the 2010-11 campaign, as he'll have arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow, the same one he injured previously, after the season.
Depending on his recovery timetable, it's possible he'll be ready for the start of 2011-12 -- pending a lockout.
But with three years remaining on his contract, it's possible Bogut's health issues could continue to limit his time and effectiveness going forward.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Erden's end-of-year role[/h3]
11:59AM ET
[h5]Semih Erden | Cavaliers [/h5]
UPDATE No. 2 According to Mary Schmitt Boyer of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Erden will play Friday night against the Bulls.
Erden figures to get a little bit of run behind Hollins at center, while Luke Harangody could see his frontcourt reserve minutes take a hit with his fellow former Celtics rookie back in the rotation.
---
UPDATE: According to Jason Lloyd of the Akron Beacon-Journal, Erden won't play Tuesday or Wednesday night, but Scott remains optimistic he'll play again before the end of the season.
But with just four games and one week left in the season after these next two bouts, Erden won't have much time to shine if he indeed makes it back onto the court before season's end.
---
Due to a shoulder injury, Semih Erden hasn't seen game action in about a month.
But according to Jodie Valade of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Erden practiced in full 5-on-5 drills on Monday, and coach Bryon Scott "still hopes he can play in couple games."
If Erden is able to see any playing time the last few games of the season, he'd slot in somewhere on the depth chart behind Ryan Hollins, who's been the team's most recent starter at the center position.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Wade's status[/h3]
11:21AM ET
[h5]Dwyane Wade | Heat [/h5]
UPDATE No. 2: On Friday, Windhorst tweets Wade is listed as probable for Friday night's bout against the Bobcats.
With the Heat and Celtics now tied for the No. 2 seed after Boston's loss Thursday night, Wade's likely return on Friday night will give him some time to test out the thigh in game action before Sunday's meaningful game against Boston.
---
UPDATE: After not playing Wednesday night, here's the latest on Wade via Ira Winderman of the South Florida SunSentinel.
"Wade said he is feeling much better, hopeful of return Friday, but did not go through Thursday's practice with team," he tweeted.
If Wade fails to return Friday, the Heat next play Sunday against the Celtics, the result of which could dictate the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.
As such, Wade may be inclined to give it a go by then, though the Heat obviously don't want to push things with the playoffs looming.
----
UPDATE: According to Brian Windhorst of ESPN's Heat Index, Dwyane Wade is listed as doubtful to play Wednesday night against Milwaukee due to the right thigh bruise he suffered against Nets on Sunday.
With the playoffs fast approaching, there's little reason for Wade to push it. The Heat next play Friday against the Bobcats, so it's possible he could be ready by then with another day or two of rest time.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Rest coming for Noah?[/h3]
11:07AM ET
[h5]Joakim Noah | Bulls [/h5]
Joakim Noah injured his ankle last Monday in a loss to Philadelphia.
Due to the injury, he missed three straight games.
And though he's played in the last two, Noah was limited in Chicago's win over the Celtics on Thursday night, playing just 23 minutes.
"More proof Noah isn't fully healthy: Trainer just taped ice around his shoe and sock to ice sprained ankle as he sits," K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune tweeted as Noah sat out in the second half of the game.
With the Bulls about to clinch the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, it's possible they'll go easy with Noah in their remaining four regular season games.
If they do, Kurt Thomas and Omer Asik could be the beneficiary of more minutes.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]How Crawford could affect Young[/h3]
10:12AM ET
[h5]Nick Young | Wizards [/h5]
After the Wizards traded Gilbert Arenas to the Magic, it opened the door for Nick Young, and he emerged as the team's top scorer.
But with Young's knee hobbling him the last few weeks of the season and him now being shut down, rookie Jordan Crawford has emerged as an intriguing backcourt mate to fellow rookie John Wall.
Which means the Wizards could have a decision to make between Young and Crawford as Young heads into restricted free agency this summer.
"Young shoots a better percentage, but Crawford averages more rebounds and assists," wrote Michael Lee of the Washington Post. "With Crawford still under his rookie deal, he would be a cheaper alternative to Young, but president Ernie Grunfeld said he would like to come back next season with both players."
Some have suggested Young is a scorer and little else, a point one Eastern Conference scout, who indicated Young will attract "some" interest in free agency, suggested to Lee.
"He can score the ball. I guess it's what you're looking for, because I don't know what he gives you at the other end," the scout said, according to Lee.
If Young is able to be had for a reasonable salary, it could be the right play for the Wizards.
But if they believe Crawford, the cheaper option of the two, is the future, and Young signs an offer sheet elsewhere for more than they're willing to spend, it's possible they could let him walk.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Jordan's status in L.A.[/h3]
9:51AM ET
[h5]DeAndre Jordan | Clippers [/h5]
Clippers center DeAndre Jordan has shown improvement in his defensive game this season.
And it's why, as he heads into restricted free agency this summer, other teams could come calling.
"Any team that needs a center will be interested," a front office source told Ramona Shelburne of ESPN Los Angeles. "New York, Houston, Miami, Boston, Cleveland."
Shelburne also adds this quote from Clippers general manager Neil Olshey: "I can assure you that keeping DJ as part of our core is a major priority and one we will address at the first opportunity. Having two starting-caliber centers [Jordan and Chris Kaman] is an incredible luxury and one that we don't take for granted."
If the Clippers are serious about bringing Jordan back into the fold, they may have to match an offer sheet he may sign with another team, upping his price a bit.
It's also possible that if Jordan re-signs with the Clippers, Kaman could be on the market. There were rumblings the team was looking to deal him this season, but injuries hurt his stock.
But on an expiring contract next season, Kaman might be a little more attractive to another team.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]The Nets and Williams[/h3]
9:34AM ET
[h5]Deron Williams | Nets [/h5]
According to ESPN's Marc Stein, the Nets have announced point guard Deron WIlliams is undergoing surgery Friday "to remove bone fragments and scar tissue from his right wrist."
Williams' wrist has been at issue for several weeks now, so this surgery, assuming all goes well, should have him ready to go by training camp next fall, should a potential lockout not prevent the start of next season.
Focus for the Nets and Williams now turns to personnel. Most chatter contends if the Nets are able to land some more talent around Williams -- perhaps another star such as Dwight Howard -- he may be more inclined to stick around and sign with the team in free agency when the summer of 2012 hits.
-- Ryan Corazza
Nets gaining appeal for Howard
8:47AM ET
[h5]New York Knicks [/h5]
UPDATE: Right on cue, Peter Vecsey of the New York Post adds this to the Calipari discussion.
"According to a team executive, who knows a thing or two about a thing or two regarding goings-on behind the screens, (Kincks owner James) Dolan may have eyes for Calipari . . . to run the front office and coach," he wrote.
"Do I have confirmation on this? No. I unsuccessfully reached out to Calipari and left a message."
While Knicks president of basketball operations Donnie Walsh's future with the team could come to a close this season and there's been chatter coach Mike D'Antoni might not be the long-term solution for the Knicks, we'll qualify this as highly speculative for the moment unless it gains steam elsewhere.
---
According to Mitch Lawrence of the New York Daily News on Sunday, Kentucky coach John Calipari "recently left the distinct impression that, although he is recruiting and conducting business, as usual, as Kentucky's basketball coach, he 'wants back in,' according to a source."
Adds Lawrence: "Calipari's stock has risen in recent seasons among more than a few GMs, and he's got close ties to William (Wes') Wesley, the CAA powerbroker who has an in with several teams, including Miami, via CAA clients, LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh, and the Knicks, with Anthony, another CAA'er."
There was chatter last summer that Calipari could come to the Bulls in a package deal with James -- an initiative reportedly being pushed by Wesley -- but such a deal didn't come to fruition.
But coupled with this Lawrence report, it's perhaps an indication that Calipari's name could continue to pop up around NBA coaching vacancies.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Outlaw on the market?[/h3]
8:31AM ET
[h5]Travis Outlaw | Nets [/h5]
According to Al Iannazzone of The Bergen Record, the Nets are looking to shop Travis Outlaw, whom they signed last summer and has disappointed in the eyes of many in 2010-11.
"On the Nets' offseason, to-do list is trying to find a team to take Outlaw," he wrote. " ... The Nets probably realize they hastily signed Outlaw. Once they knew LeBron James, Rudy Gay and other big free agents weren't coming, ex-Nets president Rod Thorn and coach Avery Johnson felt they had to get someone."
Outlaw has three seasons remaining on his contract upon the conclusion of 2010-11.
Couple those remaining years with a declined stock after his performance this season, and the Nets could be fighting an uphill battle to find a taker.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]Mack's play with the draft[/h3]
8:21AM ET
[h5]Shelvin Mack [/h5]
[img]http://a.espncdn.com/i/nba/draft2011/headshots/19599.jpg[/img]
According to Jeff Rabjohns of the Indianapolis Star, Butler junior Shelvin Mack is "expected to put his name in for the NBA draft, not hire an agent, get feedback, then make a decision, sources said."
ESPN's Chad Ford ranks Mack at No. 50, and projects him to land in the late-first to early-second round.
And as Ford notes below, Mack's stock may be at its highest now. Which means sticking in the draft could be his best play.
More from Ford on Mack:
-- Ryan Corazza
Mack's stock might never be higher
http://[h3]Morris twins draft stock[/h3]
8:06AM ET
[h5]Marcus Morris [/h5]
[img]http://a.espncdn.com/i/nba/draft2011/headshots/19449.jpg[/img]
UPDATE: According to the Kansas City Star, the Morris twins are indeed entering the draft, updating this item below from last week.
The paper also reports the twins have singed with agent Tony Dutt.
---
The Associated Press reported earlier this week that Kansas was waiting on a decision from juniors Marcus and Markieff Morris on whether they are going to enter the NBA draft or not.
The latest could be indicating they are indeed declaring, as Marc J. Spears of Yahoo! Sports is reporting they are nearing signing with an agent -- which means they would lose their college eligibility.
"Agent Jason Martin appears close to signing ... Morris twins of Kansas, source said," tweeted Spears on Friday. "Morris twins met with Martin on Wednesday."
If the twins indeed enter the draft, ESPN's Chad Ford has Marcus as his No. 24 prospect and Markieff at No. 27 -- meaning they could both be first-round selections in June.
More from Ford on the twins:
-- Ryan Corazza
Twins have different games
http://[h3]New York's playoff rotation[/h3]
7:41AM ET
[h5]Shelden Williams | Knicks [/h5]
After a fourth start at center for the Knicks on Wednesday, coach Mike D'Antoni is "leaning toward" starting Shelden Williams at center -- a revolving door at times this season for the Knicks -- when the playoffs kick off, according to Frank Isola of the New York Daily News.
""For certain match-ups (Shelden's) better for us," D'Antoni said, according to Isola. "He gives us something we don't have otherwise ... bulk inside."
If Williams is moving to the front of the the team's playoff rotation at center, D'Antoni will have Jared Jeffries and Ronny Turiaf as options behind him, as well as Amare Stoudemire, who could slide over from power forward on occasion.
-- Ryan Corazza
http://[h3]What's next for Kirilenko [/h3]
7:27AM ET
[h5]Andrei Kirilenko | Jazz [/h5]
Out since March 24 with a knee injury, it's sounding like Andrei Kirilenko could be done for the season.
About coming back for Utah's last game of the season this coming Wednesday, Kirilenko offered this, according to Brian T. Smith of the Salt Lake Tribune: "I don't think so. But, again, maybe."
If his 2010-11 campaign is indeed over, focus now shifts to Kirilenko's impending free agency this summer -- save for a lockout.
As we've previously noted, if he fails to return to Utah, it's possible New Jersey could be a potential landing spot for him.
Spoiler [+]
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Jackson told the story of arranging a first meaningful meeting between Bryant and Michael Jordan in the 2000-01 season, which was filled with Kobe-driven friction after the first championship the previous season. Jackson's goal was for the learned Jordan to get the eager Bryant "to understand he didn't have to stray outside the offense" and the Zen idea to "wait till the game presents itself."
Jackson said Bryant's first comment to Jordan, however, was: "I can take you one-on-one."
Link
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If the Western Conference works out the way the Denver Nuggets want, they'll open the playoffs against the Dallas Mavericks.
After losing to the Nuggets on Wednesday night, the Mavericks are only one game ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the third seed in the West with four regular-season games remaining. As a division champion, the Thunder would have the tiebreaker despite losing the season series to Dallas.
[h4]Galloway & Company[/h4]
Nuggets head coach George Karl says he would prefer to face the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs.
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"If we had to pick and choose on it, we would probably say 55 percent Dallas, 45 percent Oklahoma City, only because Oklahoma City is athletic like we are and they have two great players," Denver coach George Karl told Ian Fitzsimmons of ESPN 103.3 FM's Galloway and Company, referring to Thunder forward Kevin Durant and point guard Russell Westbrook. "They have two All-Stars who are really in their prime and have never won on the playoff stage. I just think right now our speed might have more effect against Dallas than it will against Oklahoma City."
The Mavericks, who have lost their last four games and are 8-9 since a 21-1 run, are slumping as the postseason approaches. Dallas has lost its last nine games against West playoff teams.
"I personally like to be in a better mode of winning more games than probably Dallas," Karl said. "I like winning to be your partner going into the playoffs. Some coaches don't, but I personally think you don't have to win every game, but you want to be at least in a winning mode.
"I will give the benefit of the doubt that the Mavericks are a veteran, older team that understands the playoffs. I think they'll be energized for the playoffs."
The Nuggets defeated the Mavericks in five games during the second round of the 2009 playoffs. Denver won this season's series, 3-1.
Karl, who mentioned that the Nuggets would have the "luxury" to double-team off of Shawn Marion, believes that the Mavericks are a less difficult team to defend than the Thunder because Dallas is a single-dimensional offensive threat. Led by sweet-shooting power forward Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks rank 28th in the league in points in the paint and 26th in the league in free throws attempted.
[h4]More on the Mavericks[/h4]
News, notes and analysis of the Mavericks from ESPNDallas.com's Jeff Caplan, Tim MacMahon and our team. Blog
"In a lot of ways, I think their strength is their weakness," Karl said. "Their strength is they have tremendous ability to score by making jump shots. They are the best jump-shooting team in the NBA by far. [Coach Rick] Carlisle is a very good offensive guy in getting good shots and tricking teams into open shots. They're very unselfish in finding the open man and getting open jump shots.
"In some sense, the jump shot doesn't go in as much as scoring in the paint. The two things I would say is I wish Dallas would get to the free throw line more and I wish they would score more around the basket."
Tim MacMahon covers the Mavericks for ESPNDallas.com.
After losing to the Nuggets on Wednesday night, the Mavericks are only one game ahead of the Oklahoma City Thunder for the third seed in the West with four regular-season games remaining. As a division champion, the Thunder would have the tiebreaker despite losing the season series to Dallas.
[h4]Galloway & Company[/h4]
Nuggets head coach George Karl says he would prefer to face the Mavericks in the first round of the playoffs.
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"If we had to pick and choose on it, we would probably say 55 percent Dallas, 45 percent Oklahoma City, only because Oklahoma City is athletic like we are and they have two great players," Denver coach George Karl told Ian Fitzsimmons of ESPN 103.3 FM's Galloway and Company, referring to Thunder forward Kevin Durant and point guard Russell Westbrook. "They have two All-Stars who are really in their prime and have never won on the playoff stage. I just think right now our speed might have more effect against Dallas than it will against Oklahoma City."
The Mavericks, who have lost their last four games and are 8-9 since a 21-1 run, are slumping as the postseason approaches. Dallas has lost its last nine games against West playoff teams.
"I personally like to be in a better mode of winning more games than probably Dallas," Karl said. "I like winning to be your partner going into the playoffs. Some coaches don't, but I personally think you don't have to win every game, but you want to be at least in a winning mode.
"I will give the benefit of the doubt that the Mavericks are a veteran, older team that understands the playoffs. I think they'll be energized for the playoffs."
The Nuggets defeated the Mavericks in five games during the second round of the 2009 playoffs. Denver won this season's series, 3-1.
Karl, who mentioned that the Nuggets would have the "luxury" to double-team off of Shawn Marion, believes that the Mavericks are a less difficult team to defend than the Thunder because Dallas is a single-dimensional offensive threat. Led by sweet-shooting power forward Dirk Nowitzki, the Mavericks rank 28th in the league in points in the paint and 26th in the league in free throws attempted.
[h4]More on the Mavericks[/h4]
News, notes and analysis of the Mavericks from ESPNDallas.com's Jeff Caplan, Tim MacMahon and our team. Blog
"In a lot of ways, I think their strength is their weakness," Karl said. "Their strength is they have tremendous ability to score by making jump shots. They are the best jump-shooting team in the NBA by far. [Coach Rick] Carlisle is a very good offensive guy in getting good shots and tricking teams into open shots. They're very unselfish in finding the open man and getting open jump shots.
"In some sense, the jump shot doesn't go in as much as scoring in the paint. The two things I would say is I wish Dallas would get to the free throw line more and I wish they would score more around the basket."
Tim MacMahon covers the Mavericks for ESPNDallas.com.
D
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^I have been preaching that for years
First Hollinger steals the Memphis story from BMHz or PMatic, now he is stealing my FT concepts
First Hollinger steals the Memphis story from BMHz or PMatic, now he is stealing my FT concepts
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Everyone wants to play the Mavs and watch them mop up whoever they get.
Watch the Mavs mop them up? Or the other way around?
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I'm starting to think the Spurs may be an easier opponent. The way everyone is talking about Dallas like that should piss them off and make them want to play harder come playoff time. It really depends on who they play though.
No one is talking about San Antonio getting upset and they may be more likely because they can't play that physical either. They did get swept last year by the Suns in the 2nd round and they were all a year younger.
I can see any of the top seeds possibly getting upset other than LA. Portland can't even win on the road against the playoff teams anyway. I don't see them that much of a threat as people make them out to be. I saw that stat last night that they were 2-12 against the West playoff teams on the road. The media is just starting to hype them up again. They were the media darlings before OKC.
I do see Denver as a threat though and of course, Grizz.
@#$%^&*(
That's a total load of BS. Don't even come close to telling me that the Lakers didn't avoid giving Shaq the ball. THEY TOOK HIM OUT OF GAMES for the love of God. And now Hoillinger and his .59 and 1.18 @#$%^& ******ed crap makes sense?
We COMPLETELY changed the way our offense ran for 3 quarters. And if we were down 5 or up 5, we had to adjust without giving Shaq the ball as much. Teams weren't intentionally fouling the dude for fun.
This dude just used math to tell me that Dwight Howard missing almost half his free throws late in games isn't a problem.
Tell me, who on the Magic gon get that rebound when their best rebounder misses his free throws?
He's right about the getting a rebound off a miss angle, but this ain't Rondo missing and KG and Perk down low to board, this is the best rebounder they have missing, and Bass or Turk or Anderson trying to get that very important rebound. Where that math at?
That's a total load of BS. Don't even come close to telling me that the Lakers didn't avoid giving Shaq the ball. THEY TOOK HIM OUT OF GAMES for the love of God. And now Hoillinger and his .59 and 1.18 @#$%^& ******ed crap makes sense?
We COMPLETELY changed the way our offense ran for 3 quarters. And if we were down 5 or up 5, we had to adjust without giving Shaq the ball as much. Teams weren't intentionally fouling the dude for fun.
This dude just used math to tell me that Dwight Howard missing almost half his free throws late in games isn't a problem.
king x riece
Banned
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Rich Bucher always gets owned by Broussard
Proshares wrote:
CPI read that response from him thinking of you. How gay is that?
I mean, God damn, what @#$%^& game is he watchin? What, he thinks Phil just thought Shaq needed a breather with 3 minutes left in a tight playoff game?
What a flaming moron that guy is when he tries to talk smart. I'm gettin down with some of the numbers and stuff, I'm starting to see some stuff like PER and what not, I'm not in with both feet, but I'm lookin into it. But don't tell me 1.18 and .59 garbage when I'm sitting there watching the coach take the @#$%^ player out of the game for @#$%^ sake.
Now Stan may not be taking Dwight out of the game, but let's see what they do if they go to hack a Howard in the playoffs.........Oh @#$% I just remembered something.
Aye, Johnnie boy, game 4, 09 Finals, Dwight with the ball, Kobe does what?Fouls the @#$% outta him right? Dwight does what? Tanked em both. Fisher does what? Oh, ties the game.
1.18 that, you @#$%^&^%$#@$
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