This week in the NBA

[alfdogg 0]

All times EST

 

Sun, Dec. 4

Boston @ New York, 1:00

Atlanta @ Phoenix, 8:00

Indiana @ Seattle, 8:00

Minnesota @ Sacramento, 9:00

Utah @ Portland, 9:00

Charlotte @ LA Lakers, 9:30

 

Mon, Dec. 5

San Antonio @ Orlando, 7:00

Dallas @ Chicago, 8:30

Minnesota @ Utah, 9:00

Miami @ LA Clippers, 10:30

 

Tue, Dec. 6

Dallas @ Indiana, 7:00

Toronto @ Washington, 7:00

LA Lakers @ Milwaukee, 8:00

NO/OK @ Memphis, 8:00

Boston @ Houston, 8:30

Atlanta @ Denver, 9:00

Portland @ Phoenix, 9:00

Cleveland @ Sacramento, 10:00

New York @ Seattle, 10:00

 

Wed, Dec. 7

Chicago @ Orlando, 7:00

LA Lakers @ Toronto, 7:00

Milwaukee @ Philadelphia, 7:00

New Jersey @ Charlotte, 7:30

Boston @ NO/OK, 8:00

Atlanta @ Utah, 9:00

Miami @ San Antonio, 9:00 ESPN

Minnesota @ Portland, 10:00

New York @ LA Clippers, 10:30

Phoenix @ Golden State, 10:30

 

Thu, Dec. 8

Washington @ Indiana, 8:00 TNT

Houston @ Sacramento, 10:30 TNT

 

Fri, Dec. 9

Charlotte @ Philadelphia, 7:00

Denver @ Miami, 7:30

New Jersey @ Cleveland, 7:30 ESPN

Dallas @ Memphis, 8:00

Boston @ San Antonio, 8:30

LA Lakers @ Chicago, 8:30

Seattle @ Utah, 9:00

New York @ Phoenix, 10:00 ESPN

NO/OK @ Portland, 10:00

Detroit @ Golden State, 10:30

 

Sat, Dec. 10

Chicago @ Washington, 7:00

Denver @ Orlando, 7:00

San Antonio @ Atlanta, 7:00

Philadelphia @ New Jersey, 7:30

Toronto @ Charlotte, 7:30

LA Lakers @ Minnesota, 8:00

Memphis @ Indiana, 8:00

Boston @ Dallas, 8:30

Cleveland @ Milwaukee, 8:30

Sacramento @ Seattle, 10:00

Phoenix @ LA Clippers, 10:30

[Adam 0]

Heat-Spurs and Nets-Cavs? I'm happy with that. Although with our luck we'll get the Bucks game instead of Heat-Spurs, dammit. I get that Bogut is a big export and the #1 pick and all, but come on now, its Heat-Spurs.

[jwpeer 0]

Heat-Spurs and Nets-Cavs? I'm happy with that. Although with our luck we'll get the Bucks game instead of Heat-Spurs, dammit. I get that Bogut is a big export and the #1 pick and all, but come on now, its Heat-Spurs.

 

 

Can we trade?

 

i'd rather watch a competitive game between Milwaukee and Philadelphia (two teams contending for playoff spots basically) than watch the Spurs blow out the Heat. Plus I like the players on both Milwaukee (Redd, Bogut) and the 76ers (Igoudala) plus Iverson is exciting as hell. I wish I had the spare change to buy NBA league pass. Maybe when they do the half season discount for like 79 bucks i'll pick it up

 

Although I'm really loving the two weekend games i get in HD on INHD every weekend. Especially since ESPN has chosen nto to broadcast any of their basketball games in HD yet (TNT's look friggin phenomenol however)

[Adam 0]

I'm a massive Iguodala fan, but he really hasn't been showing a lot so far. In the last Philly game I watched he seemed to be just in the background of every play, not getting involved at all.

[alfdogg 0]

New Power Rankings

 

1. Detroit

2. San Antonio

3. Memphis

4. Dallas

5. Indiana

6. LA Clippers

7. Phoenix

8. Milwaukee

9. Golden State

10. Minnesota

11. Cleveland

12. Miami

13. Denver

14. Chicago

15. NO/OK

16. Washington

17. Seattle

18. Philadelphia

19. Orlando

20. Sacramento

21. Boston

22. Utah

23. New Jersey

24. LA Lakers

25. Houston

26. New York

27. Portland

28. Charlotte

29. Toronto

30. Atlanta

 

I think Phoenix should be above the Pacers and Clippers.

 

And according to ESPN, there's heat between Ben Gordon and Scott Skiles because Gordon wants to start, and the Pacers are one of the teams interested should any trade talks come up. I'd love to somehow work a trade to get him and the expiring contract of Tim Thomas, who, along with Pollard, would give us $20 million of expiring contracts.

 

Tinsley, Bender and Anthony Johnson for Ben Gordon and Tim Thomas. Make it happen.

[Adam 0]

I'd also be happy with that, I've been a fan of Tinsley these past couple of years, but getting Ben Gordon's range and talent can only be a bonus. I'm not too sure about Tim Thomas, but hey, as you said Alf, his contract is expiring.

[Vern Gagne 0]

It looks like Skiles is wearing out his welcome, again.

 

Wolves win a third consecutive road game. Record stands at 10-6, with four very winnable games coming up.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Dammit Skiles. Don't lose Ben Gordon. MAN.

[Kurt Angle Mark 0]

Clippers beat the Heat 99-89

 

Brand with 37 points 12 rebounds and 6 blocks

 

There isn't anyone in the league who is playing better than Brand right now

[Gert T 0]

I feel dirty betting against my team, but thanks to the T-Wolves for making me some money! Seriously though Eddie Griffin had one hell of a game!

[Fökai 0]

And according to ESPN, there's heat between Ben Gordon and Scott Skiles because Gordon wants to start, and the Pacers are one of the teams interested should any trade talks come up. I'd love to somehow work a trade to get him and the expiring contract of Tim Thomas, who, along with Pollard, would give us $20 million of expiring contracts.

 

Tinsley, Bender and Anthony Johnson for Ben Gordon and Tim Thomas. Make it happen.

If there's a Gordon trade in the works, it won't involve moving an huge expiring contract like Thomas. Nor will the Bulls be shafted for talent.

 

A realistic trade involving the two teams would be Gordon and Piatkowski for Pollard and a 1st-rounder or S-Jax and a pick.

[Adam 0]

So you rate Pollard better than Tinsley?

[Fökai 0]

So you rate Pollard better than Tinsley?

 

Pollard's contract, at $6.7 million, expires this year. With Thomas, Robinson, Piatkowski and Pollard coming off of the books, that's $28 million to lure anyone to Chicago. Tinsley has six years and nearly $40 million remaining on his, through 2011. None of the Bulls are contracted past the 2008-2009 season.

 

So yes, I'd value Pollard more.

[Adam 0]

Well its not as if there's star power coming out of contract in the next two-three years though, is it? Whose the biggest name out of contract in the next two years? Peja? Ben Wallace? Those are the only two guys that you'd have to have significant cap room to have. But would either of those guys seriously want to play for the Bulls? I doubt it.

 

They had a lucky year last year, and with Ben Gordon wanting out, it doesn't look like a good destination for a guy who's tasted Championship glory, and could concievably again this year (Wallace), or Peja, who is, according to the Worldwide Leader, being sought after by the Raptors.

[Fökai 0]

Well its not as if there's star power coming out of contract in the next two-three years though, is it? Whose the biggest name out of contract in the next two years? Peja? Ben Wallace? Those are the only two guys that you'd have to have significant cap room to have. But would either of those guys seriously want to play for the Bulls? I doubt it.

 

They had a lucky year last year, and with Ben Gordon wanting out, it doesn't look like a good destination for a guy who's tasted Championship glory, and could concievably again this year (Wallace), or Peja, who is, according to the Worldwide Leader, being sought after by the Raptors.

 

1. You mention the Bulls not being a good destination for Peja, yet he'd want to step anywhere near Toronto, of all places?

 

2. Al Harrington, Drew Gooden, Peja, Dunleavy and Wallace. Or they could save up for 2007 and a million other choices, which could include player options like Dirk, Billups, Bibby and Rashard Lewis, or team options like Bosh, Wade, Ridnour and Lebron. They can trade for an unhappy player with an exorbitant contract like Garnett. There are always possibilities when you have money and are willing to spend it, or just have cap room up the wazoo.

 

3. That trade is really a dream trade for a Pacer fan. If Gordon is reportedly unhappy with his minutes, could you imagine what Tinsley would do? I like the guy, but I don't see how Tinsley fits into their offense or their franchise at all. On the financial side, that's a terrible contract for a GM like Paxson to agree to. Why would he give up Thomas, who has as much value as anyone on their roster, for Tinsley, Johnson (3/$8 mil) and Bender (2/$15 mil)? Uggh.

[Adam 0]

1. I never said anything about Peja wanting to go to Toronto, just that the Raptors were after him, and with Toronto's reported massive Yugoslavian population, it'd be a viable option for him.

 

2. Fair point, but there are a lot of guys you listed that I doubt would want to move away from a winning situation into a possible one-man team. Dirk, Ben Wallace and Chauncey being three of them. They'd be well served to go after a Garnett-caliber player, but with KG, you've got to trade for him, and hey, its not as if the Bulls can say, 'Hey Wolves, you should give up your superstar for Othella Harrington!'. I just see Chicago as a mediocre team with a couple of nice bright spots, namely Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich. Gordon wants out, and Luol isn't starting, which I think it ludicrous, as he definitely should be starting ahead of Nocioni.

 

3. Yes, I totally agree that its a dream trade for Pacers fans, and the Bulls would be idiots to do it, but hey, one can only dream.

 

One thing though, do you all really think LeBron will switch teams if the Cavs don't make the playoffs? And if so, would he try a bigger market like New York, or settle for a smaller city?

[Fökai 0]

Point taken on Peja.

 

2. Fair point, but there are a lot of guys you listed that I doubt would want to move away from a winning situation into a possible one-man team. Dirk, Ben Wallace and Chauncey being three of them.

 

Again, those are player options and team options - there's no guarantee in any of them leaving, but there's guys like Shaquille O'Neal who are willing to leave as long as they're unhappy.

 

They'd be well served to go after a Garnett-caliber player, but with KG, you've got to trade for him, and hey, its not as if the Bulls can say, 'Hey Wolves, you should give up your superstar for Othella Harrington!'.

 

They basically have to go dollar-for-dollar for Garnett, so it'd be an expiring contract (Thomas) and someone like Chandler or a combination of guards. Minnesota, just by trading him, concedes a player that won't be duplicated.

 

I just see Chicago as a mediocre team with a couple of nice bright spots, namely Luol Deng, Ben Gordon and Kirk Hinrich

 

They also don't have much money invested into their core players - none of them (except for Chandler) is even on a medium-dollar contract, hence why a big addition will put them over the top.

 

One thing though, do you all really think LeBron will switch teams if the Cavs don't make the playoffs? And if so, would he try a bigger market like New York, or settle for a smaller city?

 

The only thing that stopped Kobe and Duncan from Chicago is the amount of money they could offer at the time.

[The Czech Republic 0]

The Bulls are crazy to let Gordon go. He and Deng really do need to play more. It's a shame that there's fighting already about minutes, when last year, there was much more of a team-first attitude, and that's the kind of approach you need to take with a team that doesn't really have any superstars.

 

Paxson can't be crazy. If it comes down to it, which I sincerely hope it doesn't, Skiles will go before Gordon does. Then again, it's not like Reinsdorf cares about keeping talent on this team anyway (whither Messrs. Brand & Artest?)

[Adam 0]

Fair enough about the team-first attitude, but look at the last three games they've played. Luol's averaging 23ppg and 7rpg in 33 minutes per game. Gordon is averaging 19, 2 and 3 over the past three games, and before yesterday he was playing under 28 minutes a game. Gordon and Deng are their most efficient scorers, and Gordon is perhaps their best all around player. They need to start both of these guys and give them upwards of 35mpg. They're 8-8 at the moment, so its not as if giving increased minutes to Andres Nocioni and Chris Duhon is helping things. Run with what works, and what works for them right now is obviously Gordon and Hinrich at the 1 and 2, Deng at the 3, and Sweetney and Chandler in the paint.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Last year Gordon wasn't ready to start, and was best in the 6th man role. I think he's ready to step up and start now, though.

[Rendclaw 0]

Saturday night's Pistons game vs. Chicago was the most fun I have had watching a basketball game since watching Magic tear it up in his prime.

 

Sheed is hilarious. The guy had me cracking up constantly, especially after calling the bank shot. He was playing street ball out there that night.

 

And Hinrich needs to quit flopping so much. Even if I was a Bulls fan, I would have gotten irritated by that. Nothing bugs me more than a player who is constantly flopping to try and draw fouls. Vlade Divac was the king of that in Sacto.

 

And yes, Elton Brand is just tearing it up. I'm shocked the Clips are keeping their momentum going. I wonder what changed down there.

 

Adn why oh why are the Magic not utilizing Dwight Howard more? I know, I know, Steve Francis.... ::sighs::

[Dangerous A 0]

And yes, Elton Brand is just tearing it up. I'm shocked the Clips are keeping their momentum going. I wonder what changed down there.

 

 

It's weird because while Brand has raised scoring average 5 points from his career average, his other numbers are the same across the board. Winning gets you noticed and right now it's not out of line to mention Brand in the same breath as Garnett and Duncan.

[bobobrazil1984 0]

Saturday night's Pistons game vs. Chicago was the most fun I have had watching a basketball game since watching Magic tear it up in his prime.

 

Sheed is hilarious. The guy had me cracking up constantly, especially after calling the bank shot. He was playing street ball out there that night.

 

Putting Nocioni on him like that was just ridiculous (for the Bulls). He was just shooting them over his head again and again. When Skiles LEFT him on Sheed... fuggetaboutit, even i was laughing alogn with sheed.

[Rendclaw 0]

Saturday night's Pistons game vs. Chicago was the most fun I have had watching a basketball game since watching Magic tear it up in his prime.

 

Sheed is hilarious. The guy had me cracking up constantly, especially after calling the bank shot. He was playing street ball out there that night.

 

Putting Nocioni on him like that was just ridiculous (for the Bulls). He was just shooting them over his head again and again. When Skiles LEFT him on Sheed... fuggetaboutit, even i was laughing alogn with sheed.

 

That was a one-man psyche job worthy of Dennis Rodman... He single-handedly took the Bulls out of that game, and exposed them for the (at times, painfully) young team that they are.

 

That is a basketball team having fun and winning right now. My only problem was that they started to get a little too cute and let the Bulls hang around. That game wasn't as close as the final score indicated.

[Mr. S£im Citrus 0]

Yahoo! Sports: Richardson's brother reportedly shot, killed.

 

Damn.

[Adam 0]

Wow, condolences to Q-Rich and his family. Terrible to have happen. He was struggling under LB before, I hope this tragedy doesn't mean he slips down even further, because he's a hell of a talent.

[The Czech Republic 0]

Yahoo! Sports: Richardson's brother reportedly shot, killed.

 

Damn.

I accidentally read this as "Yahoo! Richardson's brother reportedly shot, killed."

[Dangerous A 0]

Q-Rich has not had a good year. Brother is killed plus he and Brandy split up earlier this year. Sucks to be him.

[mike546 0]

Struggling isn't even the right word. Hes basically out of the rotation at this point.

[CanadianChris 0]

Things I didn't expect to see while checking the Lakers-Raptors boxscore:

 

- 5 guys in double figures for LA.

- Odom was the Lakers' leading scorer with 19.

- Kobe only scored 11.

- Kobe had 9 assists.

- Kobe only took 12 shots.

 

Granted, it was the Raptors, but I'm pleasantly surprised.

 

Also, I've found my new favourite player -- Smush Parker. Seriously, how can you not love a guy named Smush?