With only 11 percent of players from 1998-99 still in the league, history could repeat itself. But Fisher thinks players today are savvier. “I think guys are fairly aware of what’s going on in our country and around the world,†he said, “and I think everybody’s smart enough to know — even though they were probably 10 years old when the lockout happened in ‘99 — that would be bad for our business.â€
My immediate reaction was one word: Twitter. Twitter’s going to be a huge impact on how guy’s react in these meetings I think. Fan interaction is at an all-time high. It’s harder than ever for an athlete to be isolated, and furthermore, Twitter means that players are, to a certain extent, directly held accountable to their public perception. It’s not only going to affect them in terms of worrying about how people see them, but it means that people are more easily able to share with them, and they see how messed up economically the world is right now. Early word indicates that their concern is less the gross dolla dolla bills they’re getting, but more focusing on revenue sharing, which would mean better deals for a greater majority of players. You know, the way the Union is supposed to work. I’m hopeful this thing’s going to get done with no huge problems.
There’s probably a newspaper column from ’99 with someone talking about how the internet and Geocities is going to prevent a lockout. Gulp.
REASONS TO WATCH THE GAMES OF THE NATIONAL BASKETBALL ASSOCIATION TONIGHT:
DeShawn is Secretly LeBron’s Biggest Fan
Cleveland at Washington (7:00 EST)
What, are we not allowed to use Lady Gaga up in hurr?
I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: games between these two teams are a treat. Not only because they legitimately hate each other, but because most of the reasons why they legitimately hate each other are completely ridiculous. The playoff losses make sense, but at this point do they have any bearing whatsoever on these two teams’ rivalry status? It’s more about Jay-Z, DeShawn Stevenson’s mouth, Brendan Haywood pouring gasoline onto the flames, and LeBron James forcing the Wizards into a little brother complex. This is the best rivalry ever to hardly be about basketball, and somehow the end product is entertaining basketball nonetheless.
Still, if you ask me, DeShawn’s antics have a bit of a ‘picking on the one you like’ vibe. I’m not just sayin’ or just sayin’, I’m just sayin’.
How to Win Reputations and Influence Perceptions
New York at Indiana (7:00 EST)
It’s always a barrel of fun to watch Troy Murphy and Al Harrington match-up against one another. They’re essentially the same player, even if they play slightly different positions and have slightly varied skill sets (Murphy a tad better in the post, Harrington a tad better off the dribble). But evaluations of Murphy tend to range from deeming him an empty stat guy to merely average. Obviously his ridiculous contract comes into play there, but why was Harrington, pre-Warriors, at least, given more legitimacy? It’s amazing what playing for a contending team can do for one’s rep, even if Harrington merely spaced the floor for the bigger talents on those Pacers teams of old. Murphy, meanwhile, has dwindled away on the Dubs and the neo-Pacers, with his only fault being that the Warriors offered him too much money to be what he is: a decent role playing power forward with a bit of range. Can you even imagine what that guy could do if he was on the right team? On the Spurs, say, filling in for Bonner? Or the Magic, filling in for Ryan Anderson? Troy Murphy is a trade away from being considered a truly legitimate NBA player, but he’ll be forever trapped on a shallow Pacers squad that desperately needs his contributions in the frontcourt. Harrington has had a completely different experience in terms of opportunity, but has failed repeatedly in his attempts to find a home post-Pacers. I think Al has dirtied his image enough with his shot-happy play and penchant for tantrums, but once upon a time this guy was considered a quasi-star based purely on team merits. I’m not throwing a pity parade for Troy Murphy, but I feel for the guy.
We Know the Kids Are Alright, But How Alright Is Alright?
OKC at Orlando (7:00 EST)
The Thunder are a confusing, inconsistent team, and that might have something to do with their mean age being 15.7 (Kevin Ollie excluded as a 102 year-old outlier). They beat the Magic one game, lose to the Kings the next. They beat the Spurs one game, and lose to the Clippers the next. It’s the kind of uneven play you’d expect, but it doesn’t exactly make them easy to predict. But they’ve been surprisingly competitive against the league’s elite, with the aforementioned wins against Orlando and San Antonio made all the more legitimate by a win against Miami last night and a near-win against the Lakers weeks ago. So far, the Thunder are good enough to hang in the Western Conference playoff picture, hovering around a .500 record. Considering the limitations of this team, that’s damn good. Damn. Good. But because of their up-and-down performances, it’s impossible to say whether or not this Thunder team is the real Thunder team, or just the same guys hopped up on adrenaline, steroids, and Red Bull setting themselves up for an inevitable crash by hinging too much on Kevin Durant’s heroics and Russell Westbrook’s aggressive style.
I’m not saying tonight will bring about anything conclusive, but it’ll be interesting to see how the Thunder respond to a Magic squad that will be good and pissed off after their last encounter. Vince and ‘Shard may not have been playing, but I don’t think the defending EC champs take too kindly to being thoroughly embarrassed by a team that’s trying to swim wearing floaties.
I’m Starting With the Man in the Mirror
Charlotte at Philadelphia (7:00 EST)
It’s tough to find a team worse off than the Bobcats these days, but the Sixers probably fit the bill. The ‘Cats are easily diagnosed, as their complete lack of shooters and shot creation has left them in an offensive coma. It’s one of the side effects of relying less on D.J. Augustin and trading Emeka Okafor’s attempts from the post for Tyson Chandler’s Tyson-Chandlering from the post.
But the Sixers are more or less an enigma. Maybe Andre Miller really was the thing tying the team together, or maybe Elton Brand has gone from non-factor to team-destroyer. But what happened to the Sixers that competed with the Magic in the playoffs? Their 4-6 record may have some fooled, but not me; I legitimately think the 76ers may be one of the worst teams in the league, and this is coming from a guy who watches way too much Bobcats, Clippers, and Nets basketball.
I’m in an Awful Pickle. I’m King!
Miami at Atlanta (7:00 EST)
If anyone would like to explain to me how the Hawks and the Heat have come to form the Eastern Conference elite, I’m all ears. I’m having a hard time adjusting to a world in which Jermaine O’Neal is suddenly effective again, and the fact that Miami’s role players form a good enough team to win games consistently still baffles me. I’m a fan of both Chalmers and Beasley, but take a look up and down this roster. Please, just one look. And tell me how this team has been hovering near the top of the Eastern Conference standings.
Okay fine, they’ve had a weak schedule. I give up. BUT STILL!
Atlanta, hasn’t had the benefit of a cushy schedule. But Josh Smith decided to grow up, and the Hawks (KA-KAW!) have decided to make the NBA their own personal playground. Nuggets? No problem. Celtics? No problem. Lakers? Okay, a little bit of a problem, but still. Atlanta is leaving Boston, Orlando, and Cleveland in the dust record-wise (hyperbole), and if you’re not impressed then you’re not paying attention.
These Are Selfish Times, I’ve Got Shellfish Dimes…and Sand Dollars
Golden State at Boston (7:30 EST)
Part of me wants to see just how far the Celtics can bend before they break. They’re having trouble, but a loss to the Warriors is a special kind of trouble. I just feel like the ubuntu Celtics never faced any serious adversity, and last year’s team could always point a finger to their injuries. I want the C’s to meet truly unexpected turmoil, to lose games but not know why, to suffer defensive collapses and have no constant other than KG’s consistent barking (figurative, although literal works too). Is it so selfish of me to want to see a truly great team tested so? Is it so selfish of me to demand a trueae test of character for a team that hasn’t had chemistry problems, or unexplainable woes? I think not.
So sick ‘em, Morrow! Come back from the dead, VladRad! AND FOR THE LOVE OF ANTHONY RANDOLPH, DO THE ABSOLUTELY IMPOSSIBLE AND COMPLETELY DOMINATE ONE OF THE BEST TEAMS IN THE LEAGUE! AIYEEEE!
ATTN: Timberwolves, We’re Faxing You a Blueprint of a Successful Team
Houston at Minnesota (8:00 EST)
The Timberwolves have faced injuries to Al Jefferson and Kevin Love, and have won just one time in eleven games. The Rockets have faced injuries to Yao Ming and Tracy McGrady, and have won six times in eleven games. The difference here is smart roster construction, and any of those still on the witch hunt against advanced statistical analysis in the NBA should look no further than these two teams. Aside from Shane Battier, the Rockets have constructed a competent team using nothing but the ugly, deformed LEGOs at the bottom of the bin. These aren’t lottery picks or even cherry-picked role players, but essentially home-grown products selected through careful draft analysis and deep dives into the free agency pool. The Wolves have an interesting mish-mash of talent on paper, but a combination of poor team construction and inferior coaching (no offense, Rambis) is essentially the difference between 1-10 and 6-5.
Remember the Good Ol’ Days?
LAC at Memphis (8:00 EST)
Two lottery teams, no lottery rookies. I’m enjoying watching Clipper basketball this year, but this game should have record lows in viewership.
Defying Expectations
New Jersey at Milwaukee (8:00 EST)
Projecting these starts out of either of these teams would have been completely bonkers. I know the Nets are bad, but winless through eleven games?! They’ve played Charlotte, Philly (twice), Indiana, and Minnesota, and they couldn’t scrap together one measly win? The ridiculous injuries are an understandable scapegoat, but it still shocks me to see NJ winless in the standings. Meanwhile, Brandon Jennings has sparked the biggest interest in the Bucks since that one time where their mascot was on a motorcycle. He has made the very concept of Michael Redd obsolete, and combined with the tenacity that Scott Skiles demands of his teams, the Bucks are suddenly fun again.
This game could suddenly be fun if Devin Harris were to make a recovery via medical miracle/divine intervention/magical healing waters, but otherwise CDR, Terrence Williams, and Brook Lopez will bear the burden of being an entire team. That said, every Nets game now bears a bit of a Lions effect, where the first win will come with such delight that it probably makes any NJ-affair worth watching.
EXEMPTED.
Toronto at Utah (9:00 EST)
I have absolutely no opinion on the game between the Raptors and the Jazz. Toronto has worn out their early welcome on my League Pass, and the Jazz are bland beyond bland, particularly with Deron Williams in injury limbo. Eric Maynor is fun, but he’s not enough to make me watch Carlos Boozer on a night with so many other delightful games.
Shake, Shake, Shake, Shake the Frame of This House
San Antonio at Dallas (9:30 EST)
The Southwest Division is kind of a mess these days. The Mavs sit atop the standings, but are winning games with their defense and a helpful bump in free throw attempts. The Spurs are having unexpected trouble incorporating Richard Jefferson alongside their other stars, but beat the Mavs without Parker or Duncan. The Rockets work harder than any team in the league, but a franchise once measured by the far-reaching fame of its two superstars is suddenly reliant on the shot creation of Trevor Ariza. The Hornets have been turned upside down, and seem worse-off despite moderate improvements to their roster. The Grizzlies…well, I guess some things never change.
You’d hope that the Mavs-Spurs rivalry is preserved amidst the upheaval, and it very well should be. In fact, the Mavs’ and Spurs’ primary off-season additions didn’t change the fundamental nature of Dallas-San Antonio relations, but instead added interesting wrinkles. Richard Jefferson has a long-standing on-court relationship with Jason Kidd, and the friend-turned-enemy angle always brings intrigue (see Nowitzki-Nash). Drew Gooden is a former Spur, but his exit was met with little fanfare. Shawn Marion has been around the block, but I’d honestly be surprised if he didn’t harbor some resentment from the infamous Suns-Spurs playoff bout. You may not see as much visible bad blood between these two teams as say Lakers-Celtics, but they tend to bring out the best in each other.
Please, Put Your Feet Up
Detroit at Portland (10:00 EST)
Relax, dear NBA fan. Enjoy this night cap on us. Grin at the subtle pleasures of the Portland Trailblazers, as Brandon Roy’s smooth, melodic play flows over you. Take a puff from your pipe as the on-screen blur that is Will Bynum complements the shade of your smoking jacket oh so perfectly. And then bash your head on your coffee table repeatedly as you try to understand what exactly goes through Nate McMillan’s mind when he decides to play Andre Miller and Steve Blake at the same time.
These two teams are perfect for late night watching. Each squad is likely to do something spectacular, but not necessarily in a way that demands raucous yelling or screaming. Golf clap from your seats, NBA patrons, and drift into slumber as the Blazers pull away from the Pistons in the middle of the third.
Through 8 games, TNT is averaging a 1.6 U.S. rating and 2.4 million viewers for NBA coverage, up 33% and 36%, respectively, from a 1.2 and 1.7 million through the same point last year.
But really, it totally makes sense that the NBA has the least percentage per week of nationally televised games. Clearly. No market for it. Ah, well. It’s a win. We’re coming for you, baseball! And it won’t be hard to catch you since you’re slow! Get it? Your game is slow so in this theoretical scenario we can catch you! Get it?
Also, imagine how many more viewers we could get if the Nuggets weren’t on and parents could let their kids watch without fear of them seeing Birdman.
This is consistent with Michael Jordan’s strategy since he started shaping the Bobcats’ roster. Jordan doesn’t give a lot of interviews, but when he does speak he’s pretty candid: He’s said repeatedly that trading for existing contracts is a more reliable way to upgrade talent than hoarding cap space to pursue big-name free agents.
I’d just like to point out the first comment on Bonnell’s latest update on the SJax trade.
“jordan can’t manage crap.”
Well, then. I’m not necessarily against the idea of using trades in a small-market environment versus cap space. I mean, what, if the Cats were to move Diaw and Wallace, and had an extra 15 million, who are they going after? Hey, Joe Johnson! Why don’t you come here for less money to play beside Raymond Felton! Why, hello Amar’e Stoudemire, yes, we would like to bring you on board to form a combo with Alexis Ajinca. But the issue is who you trade for. You just traded for Jackson, and now Monta Ellis is available, which would have been a much better deal.
The problem has been that the team has absolutely, positively no identity right now. They have no strengths to key on and rally around. Their best two rebounders, Love and Jefferson, are out so they can’t get the running game started. On top of that they struggle to get stops on defense. So using the fast break to get easy points is out. Meanwhile their remaining personnel’s best skills, Flynn and Sessions ability to run the pick-and-roll and get to the free throw line, has been completely handcuffed by the coaches installation of the equivalent to advanced calculus for the players, aka the triangle offense. So what exactly do the Wolves have for an identity? As we have so clearly seen through 11 games, there isn’t all that much to build on. Other than the occasional drive by Flynn or Sessions, a few decent Nathan Jawai or Ryan Hollins post-ups, a few decent Ryan Gomes or Oleksiy Pecherov jump shots, and a 1 in 10 succesful drives to the hoop by Corey Brewer. When you look at the options they do have it’s no wonder the Wolves have the third worst offensive efficiency and effective field goal percentage.
Forget the 1-10 record. This keys into a huge function of why the Wolves have been so bad, and it speaks to a flawed concept by Kahn, executed badly. There’s something to be said for expecting greatness, and there’s something to be said for for understanding where your franchise is at and looking long-term. Of course, their idea of looking long-term is drafting a player who doesn’t have to play for you in the hopes of strong-arming him into the NBA as his only option. The Love injury is a big deal, I don’t want to downplay that. But at what point are we looking at the Wolves and asking if they’re better than they were last year? And if they have a long-term plan, is it going to be reachable within the span of time that ownership will allow the team to mire in mediocrity? Wait, it’s the Wolves. Don’t answer that.
The good news is at least Kahn is thinking in terms of a plan, and not throwing the triangle pasta against the wall to see if it sticks. There’s a concept in place, but it may need some major revisions. Like turning a building schematic into a recipe for guacamole.
We especially love the fact that Brown came out and publicly assured everyone that he is used to this type of player (locker room trouble maker) and that he has no worries in acquiring Jackson. It was like a flashback to the good ol’ days when Larry and Iverson were here in Philly together. Man we miss that era.
Despite all the drama in the Sixers locker room right now (Brand vs. Jordan, Sammy D trade rumors and the Speights injury), we believe this is a game the Sixers could and should win. After loosing two straight and four-of-their-last-five, they certainly need it badly enough, that’s for sure. So let’s hope the Sixers come out with the appropriate level of urgency and put this one away early. By the way Larry, if you’re looking for some basketball “played the right wayâ€, then the Wachovia Center is not the place for you to be tonight.
This is mostly an attempt for me to rationalize linking something with the rare eye candy that actually manages to catch my eye. I’m more the librarian type. Must be the small-market NBA gear.
“If you’re going to do that for Michael, you should do the same for the rest of those guys. Whatever happens, happens. I just don’t think guys like Russell and Robertson and Chamberlain should be forgotten.â€
Come on. I haven’t made a single Kanye joke all year. I waited for the meme to pass. I get one. This find from Royce is one of those things I didn’t see coming. I’m just used to Durant being young and sheepish and really talented, but not necessarily thought-provoking, even in terms of NBA guys. So this was kind of a wake-up call. Durant is here, he’s winning, and he’s willing to make statements about what he thinks.
Confidence and Durant and development is like thinking about a shark getting missiles.
I don’t want to say they transform the mundane, because that completely undermines the competitive and technical aspects. However, these athletes affect hit us right in the reptile brain, and send us reeling from there. I don’t really think this describes the typical viewing experience of the fan who knows not to ask. My sense is that, for the most part, sports become easier to invest one’s self in the more you know about them, and vice-versa. The trick is that this class of athlete short-circuits this relationship. They don’t transcend the burden of understanding, they tear down the very parameters by which understanding is so strictly tied into spectatorship. Call it ecstatic viewing, performance without description, or the belief that some moments in sports can cause sports to fall away and just sit there in front of you, beaming, as if their power were inherent, their expressiveness final, and their ends, inevitable, if not irrelevant.
Couple things on Shoals’ latest acid trip. One, everyone takes FD for granted (seeing a theme, here?) because it’s now an institution, but really, remember when we never saw anything like this earlier in the decade, and how amazing it is that we get this on a consistent basis? Also, this season has brought a sense of rejuvenation to everyone I know. It’s almost like last year, even though it was supposed to be better with the rookies and LBJ v. KB24, was somehow dreary and this year feels like spring. It’s almost like the Lakers’ reign frees us to a certain degree, like Taiwan and China. No longer worrying about who’s winning the title lets us watch the game again. Plus, Brandon Jennings is a Pterodactyl with wings of fire. So that helps.
This is some amazing shiz, here. Disciples of Clyde is pretty much the standard for long-form weekly hoops podcasting (notice how I qualify it to allow the Jones to stand alone? Not just a hatrack, my friend). And Dwyer is Dwyer, so this is some insane combo. It’s nice to hear Dwyer talk about his method, since you only get bits and pieces and emailing him is akin to talking to a broken Magic 8-Ball. Most of the time nothing’s going to come back to you, and when it does, it’ll likely leave you asking “What the ____ does that mean?” Or maybe that’s just me.
Dwyer’s unlike any hoops writer you’re going to find, but one similarity to Simmons (bear with me) is that he’s done what he does so well, he’s gotten so big, we take it for granted. Now, the reason he’s gotten so big is that he does it better than anyone else. Just like writing from a fan’s perspective with pop-culture impact is Simmons’, writing basketball from an appreciative analytical standpoint is Dwyer’s. The result is that when he writes about how good the Lakers are (and I’m starting to see what he’s talking about this season, oddly, when they’re struggling), people claim he’s pro-Laker. And by people, I mean me. And likewise, people freak out when he says Kobe wasn’t great one night and say he’s a hater. But in actuality, he’s simply unwilling to compromise being honest about the game. He’s watched it for too long, too intently, and it has given too much to him, and he to it. Okay, I’ll stop the ass-kissing now.
So essentially, I’m saying, listen to this. Of course, you should be already, because I wish our podcasts were half as good as DoC’s. In related news, new episode going up tonight! Completely outdated because right after Corn and I talk about Stephen Jackson for forty minutes, they trade him! Thanks, Nelson! H8 U.
Two guys walk into a bar. They go up to the bar and start making faces.
Lion Face: Chris Douglas-Roberts
When he isn’t chastising Matt Moore on Twitter for not letting him keep it hood, he’s scoring buckets for this atrociously atrocious New Jersey Nets team. Recordable CD (get it? Because his initials are CD-R? It’s clever!) scored 27 points in arguably the most overmatched starting lineup of all time. The lineup was Lopez at the five, then Hassell at the four, T-Will at the three, CD-R at the two and Skip at the one. Not only did he drop 27 points (I can’t remember if you drop points or albums so I just use it for both) but he also grabbed a rebound 12 times. Doug-Bob is one those gems we’re not going to appreciate until a contender scoops him up in a trade and makes him the best seventh man in the league.
Lemon Face: LeBron’s Block on Monta Ellis
This gave me a lemon face because the fury of this swat scared me.
Lion Face/Lion’s Mane: Joakim Noah If you want to know why the Bulls are so dangerous this year, it has nothing to do with Derrick Rose (okay maybe it has a little to do with him) and everything to do with how well Joakim Noah is playing. He is the reason they dominated the Kings last night. While his 15 points and 14 rebounds look great, it doesn’t even tell the story. He might be the best player in the league at denying the entry pass in the post. His technique is flawless and his timing is perfect. By some chance if they do get the ball into the post against him, he’s pushed his man so far out of position that the post player is out of his comfort zone. He did this to Jason Thompson last night and it resulted in seven turnovers for the second-year forward.
Lemon Face: Michael Beasley You cannot play 23 minutes as Michael Beasley and not grab a single rebound. I don’t even care that it took him nine shots to score eight points. That kind of stuff happens. But to not grab one rebound as the starting power forward when Thabo Sefolosha grabbed nine of them is inexcusable.
Lion Face: The Boringness of LeBron and Durant Here’s how insane their games are. I’m not even phased by the fact that Kevin Durant scored 32 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and had five assists and LeBron going for 31 points with a dozen assists didn’t even really register with me at first. If they don’t go for 40+, it seems like an average night to me. Are my expectations of them too high or are they too boringly good most night?
Lemon Face: Thabo Sefolosha’s Defense There’s nothing wrong with his defense. He’s going to be one of those Shane Battier-type everybody talks about how nobody talks about them kind of defenders. I just wish he was a terrible defender so his nickname could be Swiss Cheese. Unfortunately, he cares about doing his job well.
Lion Face: Roy Hibbert Big Poppa Hibbert is quietly having a really nice season. His averages are 12.5 points, 9.1 rebounds, and 2.5 blocks. Raise your hand if you had him putting up those numbers in his second season. Everybody’s hand should be down. Last night against the Nets, he battled with Robin Lopez’s twin brother (they look identical!) and finished with 19 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks. Sure, Robin’s brother had a better night with 26 and 16 but you have to respect the fact that he’s still producing against better centers than him.
Lemon Face: Houston Rockets They had a fine effort last night and almost pulled out a victory over a tough Suns team. But they allowed six points off the bench in 13 minutes to Jarron Collins who I didn’t even know was still alive. Not only did they allow this Collins’ fellow to score six points but two of them came on a critical possession in the fourth that extended the lead to six with just over a minute to play. Actually, all six points came in the fourth quarter! And you lost by six! Come on!
Lion Face: Phoenix Suns Who had the Phoenix Suns as the first team to get to 10 wins this season? Raise your hand if you had that. Everybody’s hand should be down unless you’re Ben York. The Suns won their 10th game on the road against a tough defensive Rockets team with Steve Nash having a terrible shooting night. They’re deadlier right now than Wesley Snipes in Demolition Man. It’s like they’ve been uploaded with all types of fighting styles and weapons expertise while the rest of the league is capable of knitting some nice mittens and struggling to figure out the three shells in the bathroom. Speaking of…
Lemon Face: Â The Three Shells in the Bathroom
I have spent an inordinate and unhealthy amount of hours trying to figure out how the three shells would have worked. Why was this decided to be a more efficient way of you-know-what than toilet paper or a bidet? Maybe there is a shortage of trees but the amount of water it would take to clean the shells thoroughly each time seems to be more costly than killing trees or using a bidet. It’s one of the greatest wonders that science has never been able to figure out – like Stonehedge or Kate Hudson’s success.
Lemon Face: Charlie Villanueva He had two points on six shots against the Lakers in 23 minutes. Trading Chauncey Billups away for cap space just gets smarter and smarter each day.
One Final Lion Face: Carmelo and Kobe Melo: 32 points on 15 shots in a win.
Kobe: 40 points with five boards and five assists in a win.
No need to explain any further.
