Brett Favre 0 Report post Posted September 3, 2005 I think Isiah would trade Sweetney for Curry. Sweetney has proven as much if not less than Curry in this league, and Curry is one of the few 7'0 centers who can score in the post. Plus, Sweetney is one of the 2 players left from the Layden era. Him and Houston. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted September 3, 2005 I don't know what went wrong in Phoenix, but Scott Padgett is reportedly going to the Nets now instead. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted September 4, 2005 Forgot to mention this, but this was a pretty cool piece of news here: Lakers hire Abdul-Jabbar as special assistant coach September 2, 2005 EL SEGUNDO, Calif. (AP) -- Former Los Angeles Lakers star Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, a six-time NBA MVP and the leading career scorer in league history, has been hired by the team as a special assistant coach. The 58-year-old Abdul-Jabbar played in the NBA for 20 seasons -- six with the Milwaukee Bucks and 14 with the Lakers. He scored 38,387 points before retiring in 1989. ``We are pleased to welcome Kareem back to the organization.'' general manager Mitch Kupchak said in a statement issued Friday. ``Kareem was one of the best centers to ever play the game. His skills and talent on the court were truly remarkable and we look forward to having Kareem help our big men develop these skills and tutor them on what it takes to be a successful player in this league.'' The Lakers picked 17-year-old high school center Andrew Bynum with the 10th overall pick in the NBA draft two months ago. Abdul-Jabbar, who led the John Wooden-coached UCLA Bruins to three NCAA championships, was the first overall selection in the 1969 draft by the Bucks and was a 19-time NBA All-Star. The Lakers said Abdul-Jabbar will begin work immediately. He will accompany the team to Hawaii for training camp and work with the players at all home practices. Abdul-Jabbar led the Bucks to the NBA championship in 1971, and was a member of five championship teams with the Lakers during the 1980s. He worked briefly as an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Clippers at the end of the 1999-2000 season and most recently was a scout for the New York Knicks. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Czech Republic 0 Report post Posted September 4, 2005 Cool. Who doesn't like Kareem? I mean really Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted September 5, 2005 This happens every couple years with various different teams and leagues, and he's always pisses everyone off and gets run out of town. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sass 0 Report post Posted September 5, 2005 I'm going to go out on a limb and say Kareem fudging up this deal won't be the case in LA. Remember, before that, he worked with Donald Sterling and the MSGoons so he hasn't worked with the greatest owners in the NBA. He's going to get a chance to work in a better environment. Plus, Kobe likes him and, regardless of politics and such, that does make a difference for hirings and firings in Laker land. Bynum's a mellow young guy who likes playing computer games and rarely goes out and parties. Him and Kareem should get along well. Plus, he could, maybe, get Kwame Brown and Chris Mihm's to play better ball since Kareem is, like, one of the best center's in NBA history. This deal, barring some sort of odd meltdown, looks good for both parties. Welcome back to the Lakers Mr.Abdul-Jabbar. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted September 7, 2005 Not many people have talked about the New Jersey Nets recently. Funny considering that they are the last Eastern Conference team that has shown they can consistantly beat the Pistons. Aside from a healthy Kidd and Richard Jefferson, they got Carter, Added Marc Jackson who I believe will be a monster number guy with Kidd on the court, and have Kristc as a up and coming big man in the middle. Add in Lamond Murry, Scott Padgent, Jeff McGinnis to back up Kidd, and a around player like Clifford Robinson...they are going to have a hell of a team if everyone stays healthy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sass 0 Report post Posted September 7, 2005 Does anyone else here think that Cleveland might be crazy enough to make a play at (the now asking to be traded and without heart disease insuranceless) Eddy Curry? Don't him and LeBron James have the same agent reps? He'd be a hit with Kareem's Young Bust Center's workout camp. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LivingLegendGaryColeman 0 Report post Posted September 7, 2005 Not many people have talked about the New Jersey Nets recently. Funny considering that they are the last Eastern Conference team that has shown they can consistantly beat the Pistons. Aside from a healthy Kidd and Richard Jefferson, they got Carter, Added Marc Jackson who I believe will be a monster number guy with Kidd on the court, and have Kristc as a up and coming big man in the middle. Add in Lamond Murry, Scott Padgent, Jeff McGinnis to back up Kidd, and a around player like Clifford Robinson...they are going to have a hell of a team if everyone stays healthy. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> I was thinking the other day about the Nets actually. A healthy Kidd, Jefferson and Carter will make them interesting. Another player not mentioned in this is their rookie Antoine Wright. I watched him play in the summer league and thought he played very well. Granted, he will most likely be backing up RJ and VC, he should add some good play and be a solid build for the future. I'm not particularly a big fan of Kidd or Carter, however, this team, if healthy and motivated, should have some good play this year. Also, Damon Jones is officially a Cav now. How much of an impact does everyone see with that? Myself, I like D Jones, but I want to see how all these players in Cleveland mesh. It could be real good or real messy and right now I still am on the border myself on which way they will go. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Big Ol' Smitty 0 Report post Posted September 7, 2005 Will D Jones be Cleveland's starting PG or do they still have Eric Snow? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Electrifyer 0 Report post Posted September 8, 2005 Even with Snow on the team, I'd think Jones would start over him. BTW... anyone remeber James' SICK dunk over Jones in the regular season? That was nasty. I doubt the Cavs players are gonna let him forget about that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted September 8, 2005 BTW... anyone remeber James' SICK dunk over Jones in the regular season? <{POST_SNAPBACK}> now I do.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Electrifyer 0 Report post Posted September 8, 2005 There was a much better .gif of that floating around that showed the true nastiness of it that can't be captured by a .jpg. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Dangerous A 0 Report post Posted September 8, 2005 Cleveland should be able to now get over that playoff hump. They now have outside shooters (Marshall, Jones), a decent center (Ilgauskus), and 2 guys who can go one on one to break down defenses (James, Hughes). Question I have: Can and will they play any defense? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Krankor 0 Report post Posted September 9, 2005 Hughes will play defense. He's great at getting steals. As for the rest of the team time will only tell. He might rub off on them a little but I'm thinking it will only be enough to get his teammates to consider playing defense from time to time. They won't actually go through the act of playing defense though. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted September 9, 2005 LeBron and Hughes will get a ton of steals, and they've got Z in the lane, Snow can bring ball pressure off the bench, Marshall is underrated defensively, that should be enough to let them outscore teams most nights. I like the Damon Jones signing because he can play pretty much the same role he did in Miami and sit out at the three point line. Their biggest weakness was outside shooting and they brought in three starters who can stroke it. Doesn't Marshall have the record for 3's in a game? 12 or something? Z can shoot from the outside too, so they should be able to do some interesting things offensively. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted September 9, 2005 Damn, I just noticed the Grizzlies have a pretty dope roster C- Lorenzen Wright PF - Pau Gasol SF - Mike Miller SG - Eddie Jones PG - Damon Stoudamire Shane Battier, Bobby Jackson, Hakim Warrick, Brian Cardinal off the bench, and you'll probably see Gasol at C a lot with Miller at off guard and Battier, Cardinal/Warrick in I think they look just as good as the LA clubs on paper, maybe as good as Dallas and Sacramento. definitely a playoff contender, only question is if they can depend on Gasol and Stoudamire as a 1-2 punch in the clutch. It's gonna be a dogfight for those 6-7-8 spots. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fökai 0 Report post Posted September 9, 2005 If you really want to examine the team, their depth is questionable. Wright, Gasol and Cardinal can hold the fort, but losing Swift was a big blow for the energy and effort he can contribute every night. They need a minute-eater off of the bench now to replace oft-injured Wright and Gasol. I don't know enough about Bonzi to make an appropriate analysis of what they gain/lose with Bobby Jackson. What I do know, though, is that he (Jackson) will have to do alot of work off the bench with Jones AND Stoudamine starting. EDIT: But yeah, still good enough for a 7 or 8 seed. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted September 9, 2005 If Baron Davis is healthy, the Warriors will take their spot in the Playoffs. Baron Davis can lead a division 3A highschool girls team to the playoffs if he is healthy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted September 9, 2005 I forgot about the Warriors, I guess because I don't trust Baron to play more than half the season. But yeah, they're another team that looks like a playoff contender. I need League Pass this year to see all these run n' gun West Coast games, the Pacific Division is gonna be nuts. As for the Griz losing Swift, I think Hakim Warrick can fill his role on that team. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Adam 0 Report post Posted September 11, 2005 I think the inclusion of Jones makes the Cavs a Top 4 East Team. As DA mentioned, they now have outside shooters, they have two great young players and a good centre. I'm picking them to finish fourth behind the Heat, the Pacers and the Pistons in the East. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fökai 0 Report post Posted September 11, 2005 That's still a weak team defensively, especially among the class they're now going to be included with (Pacers, Pistons, Heat, lower tier in Bulls). In the central division, they have to deal with the Pacers, Pistons, Bulls and Bucks. Hughes is an upgrade at the 2 defensively, but he still makes a lot of mistakes in overpursuing and missing his assignment. Yes, he averages 2.89 steals per game, but like Arenas, that is masked by his inability to cover the player all game long. Unless we see a different Z and Gooden, you're going to see the same rebounding frontcourt that can get torched on any given night. Damon Jones hurts the team when he's on defense. Donyell adds versatility at the 3, but Lebron and Hughes aren't good enough to allow him to play to his strength, which is a 4 masquerading as a 3. If Lebron blossoms as a defender this year, they're going to go a long way with Donyell helping out Gooden and Ilgauskas - meaning, at that point, the three guys will play off of each other. Then again, they're already asking alot out of James already, so I wouldn't expect that to happen overnight. This looks like a disjointed team that could easily mesh if their star player goes beyond the call of duty. As such though, any solid team that is patient enough to find the open shot will beat them handily. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2005 Quick rundown of remaining free agents Atlanta: Peja Drobnjak, Tom Gugliotta, Yogi Stewart, Kevin Willis Charlotte: Cory Alexander, Keith Bogans ®, Jason Kapono ®, Tamar Slay, Theron Smith ® Chicago: Eddy Curry ®, Lawrence Funderburke, Adrian Griffin, Jannero Pargo ®, Jared Reiner ®, Frank Williams Cleveland: Robert Traylor, Dajuan Wagner, Scott Williams Denver: Greg Buckner, Wesley Person, Mark Pope, Bryon Russell Detroit: Elden Campbell, Darvin Ham, Horace Jenkins Houston: Torraye Braggs LA Lakers: Tierre Brown, Luke Walton ® Memphis: Ryan Humphrey Miami: Christian Laettner, Steve Smith, Wang ZhiZhi Milwaukee: Marcus Fizer, Anthony Goldwire, Daniel Santiago, Erick Strickland Minnesota: Latrell Sprewell, John Thomas New Jersey: Travis Best, Rodney Buford, Jabari Smith, Billy Thomas ® New Orleans: Dan Dickau, Casey Jacobsen, Lee Nailon New York: Jermaine Jackson, Bruno Sundov Orlando: Andrew DeClercq, Brandon Hunter ®, Mark Jones ®, Mario Kasun Philadelphia: Matt Barnes, Josh Davis, Willie Green ®, Rodney Rogers Phoenix: Walter McCarty, Bo Outlaw, Paul Shirley Sacramento: Erik Daniels ® San Antonio: Tony Massenburg, Glenn Robinson, Mike Wilks Seattle: Mateen Cleaves, Reggie Evans ®, Ronald Murray ® Toronto: Omar Cook Utah: Howard Eisley, Ben Handlogten, Randy Livingston, Keith McLeod ® Washington: Damone Brown, Anthony Peeler Dickau is going to Boston in a sign-and-trade, and Walton, Green and McLeod are expected to re-sign with their teams. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Electrifyer 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2005 Jannero might want to stay with Chicago: http://www.dailysouthtown.com/southtown/ds.../pro/142sd2.htm Normally, I wouldn't care, but since he got hot in the playoffs from beyond the arc and he turned the Steve Nash Charity Game into his own playground, I'd like to see him stay now. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2005 I know Payton's not the player he once was, but I'm quite surprised he hasn't found a team yet. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2005 Alot of those guys are going to resign and a few are moving. I am pissed the Suns signed Eddie House and left Casey Jacobsen out there. Casey is just a better player. Honestly though, I wish they would have gotten another big like Declerq or Campbell. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Precious Roy 0 Report post Posted September 15, 2005 I can't wait to see where Spree ends up. Phoenix? Miami? Dallas? It seems inevitable that he'll probably end up in Toronto, just when you thought they couldn't be any more of a train wreck. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2005 He'll be in La or Denver Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
The Electrifyer 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2005 Toronto? Haha... nobody ever wants to play in Canada. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted September 16, 2005 I can't wait to see where Spree ends up. [ESPN]I'd be shocked if he doesn't wind up in Miami[/ESPN] Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
