alfdogg 0 Report post Posted February 20, 2007 Tue, Feb. 20 Minnesota @ Washington, 7:00 NO/OK @ Charlotte, 7:00 Orlando @ New York, 7:30 Detroit @ Milwaukee, 8:00 Denver @ San Antonio, 8:00 TNT Atlanta @ Chicago, 8:30 Boston @ Sacramento, 10:00 Utah @ Portland, 10:00 Memphis @ Seattle, 10:00 Phoenix @ LA Clippers, 10:30 TNT Wed, Feb. 21 Cleveland @ Toronto, 7:00 New York @ Philadelphia, 7:00 San Antonio @ Atlanta, 7:00 Milwaukee @ Indiana, 7:00 NO/OK @ New Jersey, 7:30 Orlando @ Detroit, 7:30 Charlotte @ Minnesota, 8:00 Miami @ Houston, 9:00 ESPN Boston @ Phoenix, 9:00 Portland @ LA Lakers, 10:30 Memphis @ Golden State, 10:30 Thu, Feb. 22 Sacramento @ Washington, 7:00 Chicago @ Cleveland, 7:00 TNT Miami @ Dallas, 9:30 TNT Fri, Feb. 23 Indiana @ Toronto, 7:00 Philadelphia @ Charlotte, 7:00 Detroit @ Orlando, 7:00 Sacramento @ New Jersey, 7:30 Milwaukee @ New York, 7:30 Houston @ Atlanta, 7:30 Washington @ Chicago, 8:00 ESPN Seattle @ NO/OK, 8:00 Phoenix @ Minnesota, 8:00 Memphis @ Portland, 10:00 Utah @ Denver, 10:30 ESPN Boston @ LA Lakers, 10:30 Sat, Feb. 24 Golden State @ LA Clippers, 3:30 Toronto @ Charlotte, 7:00 Seattle @ San Antonio, 8:00 Philadelphia @ Milwaukee, 8:30 Denver @ Dallas, 9:00 Boston @ Utah, 9:00 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just John 0 Report post Posted February 20, 2007 When are we going to get the Raptors on national tv? I want to see them play before the playoffs. At least there's a Rockets game this week, and I might get another look at the Jazz. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2007 Anyone with insider want to post the latest ESPN columns about the trade deadline? Please? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2007 And games like that are why I never count out the Spurs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2007 Is there a particular article you're referring to, bob? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
naiwf 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2007 Beating up the Nuggets at home should be expected from a title threat. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2007 One stat from ESPN over the weekend: No team has ever gone into the All-Star game with an equal or greater record than Dallas (44-9) and failed to win the championship. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2007 Impressive showing by the Suns tonight. Got to see a little more of their depth, and Pat Burke had a real nice showing. That flagrant call on Brand was bullshit, btw. I'm really tired of this "that guy hit the ground really hard, it must be a flagrant!" crap. Stu Jackson was sitting in the crowd, so hopefully he does the right thing and overturns it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just John 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2007 I think Barkley made a good point that the Suns need to play more of their guys. Last year, the common excuse for their playoff exit was that injuries forced them to play a short rotation causing fatigue. So the question is why are they voluntarily committing themselves to a short rotation? They have 7 legit scorers and 2 good distributors, so there's no reason they shouldn't be able to go deep in the bench and give guys like Burke and Jumaine Jones minutes to rest their top guys. With the style the play, most NBA players should be able to hang for 5-10 minutes a game without screwing anything up. If they actually use their roster, only Dallas can match their depth. And, man, I didn't realize how bad the Nuggets D is. The only difference AI is gonna make is the difference between an first-round ass-kicking and a lottery pick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted February 21, 2007 Phil Jackson signed a 5 year extension. Unannounced as of yet, and supposedly it has an option for him to move into the front office when it's over. Anyone with insider want to post the latest ESPN columns about the trade deadline? Please? I'm looking for them, but if I find snippets, I'll edit them into this post. Magloire skipped practice and subsequently missed the game because he's pissed off about the trade rumors, so it's safe to say he won't be a Blazer after Thursday (common knowledge and something I heard). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted February 21, 2007 Five blockbuster deals that should be considered Insider Ford By Chad Ford ESPN.com Archive ESPN.com's Trade Machine Trade MachineWanna make a deal? Put on your GM hat and try our Trade Machine. The 10 most traded players so far: 1. Jason Kidd -- 20,621 2. Kwame Brown -- 11,694 3. Chris Mihm -- 10,516 4. Vince Carter -- 8,744 5. Aaron McKie -- 8,104 6. Kevin Garnett -- 7,902 7. Pau Gasol -- 7,391 8. Vladimir Radmanovic -- 6,416 9. Shammond Williams -- 6,279 10. Jamaal Magloire -- 5,347 The trade winds are surprisingly still after the All-Star Game in Las Vegas. And I'm not sure why. Yes, we've already had our requisite blockbuster trade of the season with Allen Iverson. But there are a handful of teams that should be working the phones harder to make a trade happen before the deadline. Some are second-tier contenders that need to shore up their rosters to make a title push. Others are cellar dwellers that need to begin the rebuilding process while they still can get value in return for their players. You'll be reading a lot over the next three days about what might happen. But here are five trades that should happen. Of course, most of the teams listed here won't pull the trigger -- but they'll regret that decision down the road. Trade 1: Kevin Garnett and Mark Madsen to the Bulls Luol Deng, Tyrus Thomas, P.J. Brown, Michael Sweetney and Malik Allen to the Wolves Why should the Bulls do it? Garnett Garnett They overspent for Ben Wallace last summer, and it looks like they'll have nothing much to show for it come June. The team is still stellar defensively, but offensively? Ugh. Without a legit low-post scoring option, the Bulls live and die by the jump shot. Adding Garnett to the Bulls' attack would give them one of the best inside-outside scoring punches in the league as well as a front line that could hog rebounds on both ends of the floor. The great thing about this deal is it would allow Chicago to keep its backcourt intact. The Bulls would be the instant favorites to represent the East in the Finals. Why should the Wolves do it? Thomas Thomas Deng Deng Garnett's stellar play this season has the Wolves on the playoff bubble. But no one believes this team has enough juice to get out of the first round in the West. With Garnett beginning to hint at his dissatisfaction in Minny, now is the time for the Wolves to make their move, before it's too late. The Bulls are really the only team with the pieces to make a Garnett trade pay off in the long run. If the Bulls use their money elsewhere, Garnett will likely finish his career without a championship. An offer of Deng, Thomas, Brown, Sweetney and Allen gives the Wolves some serious cap relief and it gives them two young players with serious upside. Deng fell just short of an All-Star bid this year and many scouts had Thomas pegged as the best prospect (a young KG, according to some) in the 2006 NBA draft. Pair them with Randy Foye and in two years the Wolves will be a better team. Will it happen? The chances look slim. The Wolves have steadfastly refused to deal Garnett over the years and haven't shown any signs of softening their stance. The popular rumor has the Bulls after Pau Gasol. Gasol is good … but Garnett is better. This rumor has been around so long, we think the Bulls should give the Wolves one more call. This deal makes more sense for both teams than any potential trade in the NBA. There's still time for Kevin McHale to show the world he has a clue. • Check out this deal in our Trade Machine Trade 2: Pau Gasol, Rasho Nesterovic, Brian Cardinal, Morris Peterson and Fred Jones to the Magic Grant Hill, Jose Calderon, Trevor Ariza, Keyon Dooling and the draft rights to Fran Vasquez to the Grizzlies Darko Milicic, Hedo Turkoglu, Carlos Arroyo, Stromile Swift and Lawrence Roberts to the Raptors Why should the Magic do it? Gasol Gasol They have a young superstar in Dwight Howard, but he needs to be paired with a skilled player who can let him concentrate on rebounding and dunking the ball. Milicic could be that guy down the road, but Gasol is that guy right now. The cost would be high in terms of sacrificing young talent and adding payroll, but given the weakness of the East, the combo of Howard, Gasol and Jameer Nelson could make a deep run in the East. Why should the Grizzlies do it? Arroyo Arroyo Hill Hill Gasol wants out and has become a distraction. I agree with Jerry West that the Grizzlies don't have to trade Gasol just because he wants to move. However, if they can get a deal that gives them cap relief and a couple of young prospects, I think it's worth doing. Here the Grizzlies get all of the above. Hill's and Dooling's contracts come off the books this summer and the Grizzlies drop two big contracts in Cardinal and Swift. Calderon has quietly turned into one of the best young point guards in the league and everyone remains high on Ariza. This trade wouldn't do a lot to help the win column in Memphis … but right now everyone in Memphis is eyeing Greg Oden anyway. Put Oden the floor with Calderon, Ariza, Mike Miller and Rudy Gay and I think the Grizzlies have the makings of a future playoff team. If that's not enough, West would have roughly $25 million in cap room to go get the other pieces of the puzzle via free agency. Why should the Raptors do it? Milicic Milicic Because as good as the Raptors are, they're going to need a center to be competitive anywhere besides the Atlantic Division. While Milicic is still a gamble, he's shown enough talent to roll the dice. He's 21, will thrive in the Euro-friendly Raptors locker room and Toronto has a huge Serbian population. The cost would be steep because Calderon looks like he's going to be special, but the Raptors are committed to T.J. Ford at the point and this trade allows them to dump Nesterovic's dead weight in the process. Bryan Colangelo will have to worry about the amount of money he's going to have to commit to Darko once he hits restricted free agency this summer, but it's the type of gamble he's used to taking. And it could pay off huge for the Raptors with an all 7-foot front line of Chris Bosh, Andrea Bargnani and Darko. Will it happen? The Bulls are still the front-runners for Gasol, and the Magic are very hard to predict, but this is the type of trade that meets everyone's needs. The Magic add another star to boost their chances in the playoff hunt, the Grizzlies get cap room and prospects and the Raptors continue to build a Euroleague team in North America. • Check out this deal in our Trade Machine Trade 3: Vince Carter and Marcus Williams to the Clippers Shaun Livingston, Desmond Mason, Marc Jackson, Cedric Simmons, Yaroslav Korolev and a Clippers first round pick to the Nets Corey Maggette and Zeljko Rebraca to the Hornets Why should the Nets do it? Livingston Livingston The team is going nowhere in the standings, thanks mostly to injuries. Carter is a free agent this summer and will flirt with other teams, especially the Magic. Even if he does want to stay in New Jersey, do the Nets really want to pay him the kind of money he wants just to be a middle-of-the-pack team in the East? This deal allows the Nets to clear major cap space (Jackson and Mason are in the last year of their contracts) and add a major young prospect in Livingston. Given that their next move should be to dump Jason Kidd (see Trade 4), they'll need him down the road. Why should the Clippers do it? Carter Carter Mike Dunleavy loves Livingston, but the young point guard is not ready to take the team where the rest of the team wants to go. Elton Brand is at the point in his career where it's now or never and they need a big presence to put them over the top. Carter is a perfect fit for the Clippers and would put them on the level of the other elite teams in the West. Losing Livingston would be tough, but there's no question the team itself would be poised for a deep playoff run. The biggest concern for the Clippers is Carter's impeding free agency. It would be devastating to lose him this summer after giving up Livingston to get him. Still, it's hard to see Carter turning down big money in L.A. if Donald Sterling is willing to pay up. Why should the Hornets do it? Maggette Maggette They were able to lure Peja Stojakovic to New Orleans last summer with all their cap room, but they had to overpay to do it. The Hornets look like they'll have major cap room again this summer, but maybe they're better off getting a player with a decent contract who fills a need. Maggette qualifies, especially with Stojakovic still nursing a bad back. The Hornets would lose some cap flexibility this summer … but are they really going to land a prospect better than Maggette? Will it happen? From everything we hear, the Nets are burning up the phone lines. There aren't a lot of teams that can offer the Nets cap flexibility and prospects. If the Magic go after Gasol or refuse to step up to the plate, the Clippers and Hornets have as good a shot as anyone to make a deal with the Nets. • Check out this deal in our Trade Machine Trade 4: Jason Kidd, Jason Collins and Hassan Adams to the Lakers Kwame Brown, Chris Mihm, Shammond Williams, Jordan Farmar and Aaron McKie to the Nets Why should the Nets do it? Farmar Farmar For the same reason they should trade Vince Carter. The team isn't going anywhere, and now's a good time to clear the deck before it moves to Brooklyn. This trade would give the Nets another huge dose of cap relief, land them an intriguing prospect in Farmar, clear Collins' horrific contract off the books and put them in play for one of the top picks in the draft. Why should the Lakers do it? Kiddg Kidd It's Jason Kidd. How often do you get a player like that so cheaply? Put him on the floor with Kobe Bryant and Lamar Odom and the team could be back in the NBA Finals. Will it happen? If the Nets can find a good deal for Carter, I think so. This deal has been talked about for the past few weeks and, at the end of the day, I think the Lakers will drop their objection to taking Collins' bad deal. • Check out this deal in our Trade Machine Trade 5: Ray Allen and Robert Swift to the Celtics Rashard Lewis to the Bobcats Sebastian Telfair to the Hawks Adam Morrison, Gerald Green, Josh Childress, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff and a Bobcats protected first-round pick to the Sonics Why should the Celtics do it? Allen Allen Danny Ainge told us on the podcast last week that Paul Pierce was untouchable … so he's going to have to get him some serious help. He tried to land Allen Iverson and Gasol, but couldn't get it done. Allen may be the only legit veteran whom Ainge could get with his combination of young players and Ratliff. Would Allen and Swift, an Ainge favorite, put the Celtics over the top? Probably not. But unless Ainge knows some voodoo that can get him KG, I think this is the best the Celtics can do. It will give them a shot -- an outside one -- at winning the East next season. Why should the Hawks do it? Telfair Telfair Because Speedy Claxton has been awful and they keep passing on awesome point guards in the draft. With so many athletes on this team, someone needs to help jump-start the offense. Rajon Rondo (a guy they could've had in the draft instead of Shelden Williams) is better, but I don't think the Celtics are letting him go. Childress is a high price to pay for Telfair, but the Hawks really need to start grooming a young point guard. Why should the Bobcats do it? Lewis Lewis Because Lewis is much, much better than Morrison. Since Morrison isn't selling tickets, maybe it's better to have him pack up and move back home to an offense that will be better suited for him. Lewis can opt out of his contract this summer, but the Bobcats are so far under the cap they can afford to pay him whatever he asks. At some point the team has to start spending money and Lewis would be a good start. Put him with Emeka Okafor, Gerald Wallace and Raymond Felton and I think the Bobcats are on to something. Why should the Sonics do it? Morrison Morrison The team is going nowhere, it's bleeding money and it's time for a different direction. This trade gets the Sonics lots of young prospects and plenty of long-term cap relief. Morrison would be popular, Green has the potential to be a superstar and Childress is one of the more underrated young players in the game. They give up more than they get, no doubt. But the money savings and prospects make this a great deal for the Sonics if you take the long-term perspective. Will it happen? Four-way trades are incredibly complicated, so the odds are stacked against this trade. Still, it's something each team should consider. The Sonics have been strangely quiet as the trade deadline approaches, but lately there have been rumblings that at the very least, Rashard Lewis might get moved. We know the Celtics are working the phones, so they'll be game. And given Michael Jordan's recent letter to season-ticket holders promising that the team will be proactive in getting better and spending money, this would be a good time to walk the walk. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted February 21, 2007 Another one. So, Tuesday's Melvin Ely-Eric Williams trade didn't really get your blood boiling, eh? You expect a little more action, a few bigger names to be changing addresses as we count down the days until the Feb. 22 NBA trade deadline, the day general managers finally get to set down their cell phones and take stock of the elbow tendinitis that comes from holding a receiver to one's ear for 12 hours a day. Well, take heart, folks. Bigger and better deals are on the way, and Insider has been working the phones and aggravating the elbows, too, to get a handle on who's on the block, who isn't, and what might be in store for the week ahead. We expect at least 10 players to be relocating by the time next weekend rolls around, but you can never really be sure whether it's going to be a busier-than-usual trade deadline day or a dud along the lines of the deadline day seven years ago when only one trade -- Anthony Johnson going from Orlando to Atlanta for a second-round pick -- was consummated. With that warning safely dispensed, we present our Week Before The Deadline List of the 10 Players Most Likely to Be Traded. 1. James Posey, Heat While he has been recovering from hip and knee replacement surgery, Pat Riley has been working the phones trying to find a point guard to relieve some of the burden from the banged-up Jason Williams and the washed-up Gary Payton. Posey's $6.4 million contract expires after this season, making him the No. 1 chip Riley has at his disposal. Posey isn't enough to entice the 76ers to part with Andre Miller (even with a No. 1 draft pick thrown in), but he'll be enough to get some other team to part with a player who will keep Chris Quinn out of the Heat's starting five for the rest of the year. 2. Mike James, Timberwolves In the category of "seemed like a good idea at the time" (see Harrington, Al, in Indiana), we point to Minnesota's signing of this free agent last summer as the next mistake the Wolves will try to rectify. The Heat are very interested, but so too are the Pistons and Cavaliers. And since Detroit (able and willing to move Nazr Mohammed, Dale Davis and Flip Murray) can likely outbid Cleveland and Miami, the educated guess here is that James is back playing Deeee-troit bas-ket-ball by this time next week. 3. Juan Dixon, Trail Blazers Yes, we know the most popular Portland trade chip to be run through the rumor mill this season has been Jamaal Magloire, but Insider is hearing that Portland is now "begging" teams to take the former All-Star off their hands. Magloire's $8.3 million contract expires at the end of this season, but big expiring contracts clearly aren't nearly the valuable commodities they were in recent years. That's why we're listing Dixon as the likeliest member of the Blazers to be shipped out. Don't be surprised if he goes to Toronto for Fred Jones. 4. Dale Davis, Pistons Not all expiring contracts are unmovable, just the bigger ones (Magloire, Grant Hill, etc.). This graybeard center is pulling down $3.5 million from the Pistons, and Joe Dumars has vowed to break up his big man logjam. Most of the attention has been focused on the Pistons' trying to move Mohammed, but he has a five-year contract that's giving plenty of teams second thoughts. Davis is a heck of a lot easier to move, and plenty of playoff-caliber teams are in need of an extra big body for the postseason. 5. Corey Maggette, Clippers If it were up to Maggette or coach Mike Dunleavy, who get along like oil and water, Maggette would already be an ex-Clipper. The problem is that Clippers owner Donald Sterling has a particular fondness for Maggette, and the owner still thinks the two can coexist. But the most recent tiff between coach and player might make Sterling reconsider, and the Jazz, Heat and Spurs are all still very much interested. The Clips turned down an offer of Morris Peterson earlier this season, and the Raptors are no longer looking to move Mo Pete. 6. P.J. Brown, Bulls He is one of the main pieces of the package of players the Bulls are trying to send to Memphis for Pau Gasol. If that doesn't happen, he could still be a main piece of any backup deal the Bulls are working on to add a capable low-post scorer. Brown's $8 million contract comes off the books after this season, but if Chicago can't find a match for him, another option is to trade Michael Sweetney's expiring $2.7 million deal and keep Brown in the Bulls' starting five, where he's been playing fairly well of late. 7. Pau Gasol, Grizzlies The big fella from Spain doesn't make it any higher on this list because the Grizzlies continue to insist that they'll keep Gasol on the roster and further explore trade possibilities over the summer if they can't get a package of what they're looking for (two good young players and an expiring contract). Chicago remains the front-runner, but we're hearing whispers that the Nets are seriously in the mix, too. The Knicks stated their interest, too, but Memphis wouldn't send him to New York even if Isiah Thomas was offering both Channing Frye and David Lee. 8. Mike Bibby, Kings When agent David Falk came out last week and said Bibby would not opt out of his contract after this season, it forced Sacramento to weigh its options with Bibby as he slumps through his worst season in years. Bibby makes $12.5 million, so there would have to be a lot of lumber, at least salarywise, coming back to the Kings in any deal. The three teams most desperate for a new point guard (Miami, Cleveland, Lakers) are all interested, but the cost (at least $9.9 million in salary must go back, and Sacramento will want a No. 1 pick, too, which the Cavs don't have) may preclude a deal of this magnitude from going down. 9. Jason Kidd/Vince Carter, Nets Here's the thing with J-Kidd. He's due to make $19.7 million next season and $21.4 million the year after, and the law of diminishing returns is coaxing Rod Thorn (and owner Bruce Ratner) to give serious consideration to the idea that it might be time to blow this team up. Like Kidd, Carter has been shopped around the league. But with no one knowing for sure whether he plans to opt out of the final year of his contract this summer (the Nets wanted to give him an extension last summer, but Carter's impending divorce kept him from accepting), there's more risk in acquiring Carter than there is in getting Kidd. 10. Beno Udrih, Spurs Wasn't it just a few days ago that Gregg Popovich said there would be no trades and no changes to the roster? Well, the Ely trade proved that Pop was merely disseminating some misinformation (he learned that from all his years spying on the Soviets). Udrih has been in Pop's doghouse more than any player since Malik Rose was on the Spurs, and he's expendable now that Jacque Vaughn has taken over the backup point-guard duties. With so many teams seeking playmakers, Udrih may be the fallback guy for a team that can't land its No. 1 choice. I also read some shit about VC to Orlando for Darko, Hedo and Redick. I think the thing with the Nets asking for Bynum got floated out to the media in an attempt to get another team to offer something nearly equal to a Bynum, and that Thorn would probably back off before the deadline after not getting that type of offer and wind up trading Kidd to LA, but what do I know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt Young 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2007 Kevin Garnett has been my favorite player for over a decade, so him going to the Bulls would be a dream come true, so long as they don't give up Gordon or Hinrich in the process. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bob_barron 0 Report post Posted February 21, 2007 The Nets wouldn't trade both Williams and Kidd. Trading Carter I have no problem with, but they'd be retarded to trade Kidd Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2007 You know why I hate the Spurs now? Brent Barry is on a break, Joe johnson fouls him across the arm. Brent spins in the air and falls holding his head, complains to the official and they call it a flagrant 1. He hits both freethrows. They get the ball, duncan makes a move, loses the ball, immediately turns to the offical to bitch about it, and they call the late foul because I guess he asked nicely and he hits both free throws, turning a 4 point game into a 8 point game like that. Faking injuries for foul calls and the outright complaining about everything from their superstar...thats why I hate the SPurs. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2007 Isn't that what Phil Jackson means whenever he mentions Zen? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted February 22, 2007 All those Euros and South American players on the Spurs that play soccer taught the other guys how to flop. Probably Elson (from Holland) and, of course Manu. If they had someone on the team from Portugal, he'd have to be investigated. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ripper 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2007 Spurs win the game, but I gotta say, they sure played some pathetic basketball there. And for people that might be confusing what I am saying, they showed the replay like 8 times. Brent Barry LITERALLY faked getting hit in the head including holding his head and rolling around like he got hit so that the refs would call a flagrant. And it worked despite him obviously not being hit in the head. Then to top off my night of being pissed off, the Hawks were down 7 with 40 something seconds to go and didn't foul. Their coach told them to play it out. Pathetic. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2007 Pacers beat Milwaukee 136-129 in double OT. Excellent performances from O'Neal, Granger and Daniels, offsetting 38 from Michael Redd in his second game back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
razazteca 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2007 All those Euros and South American players on the Spurs that play soccer taught the other guys how to flop. Probably Elson (from Holland) and, of course Manu. If they had someone on the team from Portugal, he'd have to be investigated. We all know that this behavior was learned from Robert Horry who learned it from Phil Jackson. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just John 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2007 Great showing by the Rockets tonight who dominated the Heat for the second time this season. The 3-pt shooting was on target, and T-Mac was hitting big shots all night. The Heat never really had a chance, and any fleeting hope they had cutting the lead to 7 was erased by a quick 7-0 run capped off with a Bonzi Wells 3/4 court shot to end the 3rd. The real story, though, is Dwyane Wade. He looked like he was in terrible pain. He's one of the most aggressive players in the NBA and he was nearly in tears on the sideline. The announcers said he'll have to stay in Houston for further medical examinations instead of traveling to Dallas with the team. The first time I saw the replay, I thought it might be a separated shoulder, but with as much pain as Wade appeared to be in, I hope it's not something much worse (like a torn rotator cuff or something). Never wanna see that happen to anyone. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Report post Posted February 22, 2007 Lakers are in deep shit on the defensive end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted February 22, 2007 Oh yeah. Blazers might make a run after the break? Hopefully. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Matt Young 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2007 So Leo, are you a converted Blazers fan now? Apparently, that 6 game Lakers losing streak is Phil's first such streak, ever. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fökai 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2007 The first time I saw the replay, I thought it might be a separated shoulder, but with as much pain as Wade appeared to be in, I hope it's not something much worse (like a torn rotator cuff or something). I'd guess that with the pain Wade was in, that it's a severely separated shoulder, which would require surgery. And yes, that's Phil's first 6-game losing streak...ever. That's crazy. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Vitamin X Report post Posted February 22, 2007 So Leo, are you a converted Blazers fan now? Apparently, that 6 game Lakers losing streak is Phil's first such streak, ever. Not completely, but I find them to be a likable bunch and they're the only team I have in my newly adopted hometown, so yeah I suppose. I still like the Lakers. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2007 Darko Milicic, picked No. 2 overall by the Pistons in 2003 over Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade, was loudly booed in his return to the Palace. Milicic was traded to Orlando last season after averaging fewer than two points in two-plus seasons in Detroit. Is there something I'm missing here? If not, that's pretty shitty of Detroit fans to boo a guy who was never given a chance to contribute by his coaches. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2007 According to Chad Ford, Dallas has traded Anthony Johnson to the Hawks for a second-round pick. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Just John 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2007 Read on nba.com that Wade's injury was a dislocated shoulder, though the severity is still unknown. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
alfdogg 0 Report post Posted February 22, 2007 Injured Wade hands Heat six-week setback AFP February 22, 2007 HOUSTON, (AFP) - Miami superstar guard Dwyane Wade has suffered a dislocated left shoulder and is expected to miss the next six weeks of the season for the reigning National Basketball Association champions. Wade sufferd the injury here Wednesday in a 112-102 loss to the Houston Rockets, but the loss of the player will be for more crippling than the defeat for a 26-27 club clinging to the final Eastern Conference playoff berth. Pat Riley, in his first game back from knee and hip surgery as coach of the Heat, said Miami must adapt to the absence of Wade until the final days of the regular season, expecting big play from Shaquille O'Neal and Alonzo Mourning. "We can do some different things. 'Zo' can still play down inside," Riley said. Wade, taken from the court in a wheelchair, remained in hospital overnight and did not accompany the Heat to Dallas for Thursday's rematch of last year's NBA Finals against the Mavericks. So far this season, the Heat's record without Wade is 1-6. That includes many games where star center O'Neal has been absent with verious injuries. But the health of "Shaq" will now be vital if the Heat is to have any hope of making a title defense in the playoffs. After Dallas, the Heat must face the East's three top clubs - Detroit, Washington and LeBron James-led Cleveland, in the next four games. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
