razazteca 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2004 Also, I think it'll be interesting this coming year. I'm partically interested in the tandum of Larry Huges, Gilbert Arenas and Antwain Walker in Washington, because it looks like the Wizard might fair a lot better this year with those guys leading the charge. Then again, maybe I'm just optimistic on team fortunes. Without Michael Jordon making the team feel like shit they can only improve this year, epecially with the realignment. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2004 They still won't make the playoffs, Gilbert Arenas is not a team player. They should trade him and try to find a pass-first PG if they ever want Kwame Brown to reach his potential. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2004 And I'd be remiss if I didn't point this out Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Steviekick 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2004 And I'd be remiss if I didn't point this out And why exactly did he change his number? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Electrifyer 0 Report post Posted October 3, 2004 Rodman's number for the Bulls was 91. I'm guessing he wants to be this generation's bad boy. Edit: Actually, I just looked it up and found this article: http://www.indystar.com/articles/0/182369-4650-036.html Some athletes collect jerseys. Ron Artest collects jersey numbers. The Indiana Pacers forward will wear No. 91 this season, his third set of digits since joining the NBA five years ago. It's all part of his plan to wear as many numbers as possible before he retires. "When I look back on my career, I want to have a lot of jerseys," he said. "I'll have a collection. It's going to be fun. I like to do things creative." The league has no rule on how often a player can change numbers, although it is considering adopting one. Players may change at the league's discretion if they make a request by Aug. 15. "It's unlikely we would allow a player to change his number repeatedly," spokesman Tim Frank said. Artest's change could prove profitable for the Pacers' merchandising department, which sells replica jerseys. His old No. 23 jersey is being sold at a 25 percent discount; it will go for a 50 percent discount if any remain after preseason play begins. The No. 91 jersey will be available during the preseason, according to the Pacers' merchandising director, Rich Kapp. All player jerseys cost $50 for a screen printed replica and $175 for an authentic model. Artest wore No. 15 in high school, college and his first three NBA seasons. That was an indirect tribute to his father, who wore No. 51 in high school. Now he's focused on honoring members of Chicago's championship teams, his favorites while growing up. He wore No. 23 the past two seasons as a tribute to Michael Jordan. His switch to 91 honors Dennis Rodman. He is thinking of wearing No. 5 (John Paxson) and 25 (Steve Kerr) in future seasons but doesn't count out trying something less traditional. Artest said he wants to honor Rodman's defense and hustle, not the behavior that brought fines and suspensions. "A lot of people liked Rodman as a player, but they don't act like Rodman," Artest said. "I'm one of those people. I liked Rodman on the court, as a hustler. Not when he kicked the cameraman." I think the tribute is kinda cool, but switching numbers every few years, while being on the same team is kinda annoying. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2004 The injury woes begin already for the Kings, as Greg Ostertag broke his hand Saturday and is out 4-6 weeks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damaramu 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2004 When does the actual season start again? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Staravenger Report post Posted October 4, 2004 I can sorta respect wearing numbers in tribute for A person, but changing it every year or two? Come on...I think it's pushing it when wanting to pay tribute to Steve Kerr, a bench-warmer who was good at shooting three pointers. If he wants a jersey collection, just spend the $150 or so dollars on custom jerseys. He can claim he played for every team in history then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cuban Linx 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2004 When does the actual season start again? The season proper starts on the 2nd of November, with Houston @ Detroit, Sacramento @ Dallas and Denver @ L.A. Lakers to kick things off. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damaramu 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2004 So soon? Jeez it just seemed like yesterday that I was running around the sports bar high fiving all the Pistons fans and doing a sack dance over the Lakers fans. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bobobrazil1984 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2004 Yep. I'm looking forward to the Detroit Pistons deliving another violent raping to the NBA, leaving everybody else squirming on the floor bleeding from the ass, the way the Lakers were. That includes all the "smart" fans who are going to insist that "the West" thing is gonna kick their asses. BEND OVER BABY! BEND OVER!!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2004 Unless the Knicks are doing well, the NBA takes a backseat for me for the NFL, and it sure doesn't look like the Knicks will be doing well this year, so I will be tuning in after January... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Damaramu 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2004 The Celtics are my favorite team. But lately I've had this draw to Houston. Something about Houston makes me feel all funny inside.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MarvinisaLunatic 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2004 Given that the Wizards are in the Southeast Division with the Bobcats, they won't finish in last place this year... But they are also in the same division with Miami, an improved Orlando team and Atlanta, who I have no clue about. So they could finish anywhere from 2nd to 4th, but probably they'll finish in 3rd ahead of Atlanta, behind Miami and Orlando. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ant_7000 0 Report post Posted October 4, 2004 I wonder what the Bulls are going to this year. Looking forward to seeing Ben Gordon and Luol Deng play since they had a good summer league. Hopefully, Chandler and Curry will improve from last year. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted October 5, 2004 The realignment can only be a good thing for the Wizards. A watered down division, is honestly, the only way they could hope to be in contention. I just hope they can keep the injury bug down since the last 3 seasons their top players were chronically injured at key points in the season. Arenas/Hughes/Jamison/Brown/Thomas could be a very potent lineup. Young, but hopefully improved. I've had high expectations the past 3 seasons and have been disappointed each time, so Im just gonna sit back this year with no real expectations of anything and just see how the team plays out. I hope Im not disappointed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted October 5, 2004 Kwame Brown is expected to miss the first two weeks of the regular season with a broken toe, ESPN just said. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted October 5, 2004 I wonder what the Bulls are going to this year. Looking forward to seeing Ben Gordon and Luol Deng play since they had a good summer league. Hopefully, Chandler and Curry will improve from last year. I predict Detroit-Indiana-Milwaukee-Chicago-Cleveland, maybe with the uber-shit Southeast Division, four teams from the Central can qualify. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Styles 0 Report post Posted October 5, 2004 Kwame Brown is expected to miss the first two weeks of the regular season with a broken toe, ESPN just said. Of course he is. The Wizards can NEVER have all their projected starters healthy at the same time. The world would implode or something... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shanghai Kid 0 Report post Posted October 6, 2004 The Wizards are going to be improved this year. For those that doubt Gilbert Arenas as a PG, he's been working all summer on his PG play, going to MCI Center twice a day. He's only 22, he's going to be great. Arenas/Hughes/Jamison/Kwame is alot of firepower in the East, they have a great chance of making the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Black Lushus 0 Report post Posted October 7, 2004 eh, it depends on your bench...you can have big names all you want in your starting line, you can only go as far as your bench takes you, a la the Lakers 2003-2004 lineup...look at a lot of these playoff wins that the championship teams have, if it wasn't for your bench guy throwing up that clutch shot or bringing in stats he usually doesn't bring, starter guys 30 points a game doesn't mean shit... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest fanofcoils Report post Posted October 7, 2004 The Wizards are going to be improved this year. For those that doubt Gilbert Arenas as a PG, he's been working all summer on his PG play, going to MCI Center twice a day. He's only 22, he's going to be great. Arenas/Hughes/Jamison/Kwame is alot of firepower in the East, they have a great chance of making the playoffs. That isn't a lot of firepower that is generic. They could make the playoffs as mostly any other team in the East. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shanghai Kid 0 Report post Posted October 10, 2004 The Wizards are going to be improved this year. For those that doubt Gilbert Arenas as a PG, he's been working all summer on his PG play, going to MCI Center twice a day. He's only 22, he's going to be great. Arenas/Hughes/Jamison/Kwame is alot of firepower in the East, they have a great chance of making the playoffs. That isn't a lot of firepower that is generic. They could make the playoffs as mostly any other team in the East. Any team in the East can make it except the Bobcats. But I really think is the year for the Wizards to make it. Kwame is up to 7'1 270, and Jamison is a 20/8 guy which their are not alot of in the NBA. On top of that, Gilbert Arenas is going to be the youngest player in NBA history to lead the league in tripple doubles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest fanofcoils Report post Posted October 10, 2004 The Wizards are going to be improved this year. For those that doubt Gilbert Arenas as a PG, he's been working all summer on his PG play, going to MCI Center twice a day. He's only 22, he's going to be great. Arenas/Hughes/Jamison/Kwame is alot of firepower in the East, they have a great chance of making the playoffs. That isn't a lot of firepower that is generic. They could make the playoffs as mostly any other team in the East. Any team in the East can make it except the Bobcats. But I really think is the year for the Wizards to make it. Kwame is up to 7'1 270, and Jamison is a 20/8 guy which their are not alot of in the NBA. On top of that, Gilbert Arenas is going to be the youngest player in NBA history to lead the league in tripple doubles. Has Kwame Brown done anything notable yet? I know for a fact nothing mainstream and he's played three seasons now. And has there been any improvement from him during those three seasons? The Wizards clearly have talent, but so does most other East teams. Whoever has the most chemistry will make the playoffs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Shanghai Kid 0 Report post Posted October 11, 2004 Yeah don't listen to the 'mainstream' media. Kwame has improved every season in the league, last year he made big strides averaging 13 and 8 from January on. He also has become a hell of a defender. The most noteable thing he did was absolutely destroy Jermaine O Neal and Chris Webber head to head. He had 25 and 13 against Jermaine and shut him down, and had 30 and 19 against Webber. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted October 11, 2004 Has Kwame Brown done anything notable yet? I know for a fact nothing mainstream and he's played three seasons now. And has there been any improvement from him during those three seasons? Having to depend on Jordan, Stackhouse, and Arenas to pass you the ball doesn't exactly give you all the room in the world to improve. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted October 12, 2004 If you're up early enough on Thursday, Houston and Sacramento are playing one of two preseason games in China at 7:30 AM ET on ESPN. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kkktookmybabyaway 0 Report post Posted October 12, 2004 That's right -- new divisions this season. I need to check that out... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
King Kamala 0 Report post Posted October 12, 2004 I'm pumped to see the first Celtics pre-season game, I'll be switching to it on commercial breaks for the Sawx-Yanks game one. Call me a crazy fanboy, but I think they've got a good a shot as anybody to win the Atlantic Division.....if everything goes right (Raef stays healthy, Payton still has gas left in the tank, Don't rely on Pierce too much). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted October 12, 2004 I agree. I've been saying the Knicks for a while would win it, but we don't know how (or if) their guards are going to share the ball. If they can co-exist, I'll stay with the Knicks, but Boston definitely has a shot, as does Philly. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
