Offical 2009-10 NBA Season Thread

[bigmike23]

rondo at the FT in the clutch=FTL

 

[badboyf0life420]

"BIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINGOOOOOOOOOO" lmao ralph is funny.

 

[daprescription]

BOOM

 

[badboyf0life420]

davisssss!!!!

... hah what a buzzer beater..

 

[bigmike23]

BIDDY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jretro23]

TOUGH SHOT! B DIDDY!

 

[bangdak]

bdiddy earning that fat contract

 

[HIM]

Rondo is so trash. how are you a starting PG in the NBA and shooting 50% from the line? And he thinks he's an elite pg?

Give any other PG in the L Ray Allen, KG, Sheed, PP and they'll have way better #'s

Im tired of hearing about this bum.

Anyway, BDIDDY!!!!

wish we could play like this every game

 

[JD617]

Rondo is so trash. how are you a starting PG in the NBA and shooting 50% from the line? And he thinks he's an elite pg?

Give any other PG in the L Ray Allen, KG, Sheed, PP and they'll have way better #'s

Im tired of hearing about this bum.
Sounds to me like you only watched the last 30 seconds of the game, and nothing else. That's the only reason I can think of for sayingsomething that stupid.

 

[roscoe p wallace]

HTML is down but here is a nearly exclusivley Baron Davis top 10...

TOP 10

 

[mateen cleaves]

Westbrook

 

[dlo13]

*looks at Hansbrough's line*

They got ACC refs working NBA games now?

 

[CP1708]

So all of a sudden we lose to the Cavs and the last two months come into question?

So what happens after all those losses the Cavs have incurred? Those are ok?

I wonder if everyone is now going to question the Celtics squad for losing to the Clippers.

 

[shuges]

 

[bhzmafia14]

*looks in the background

 

[proshares]

CP,

You should have known that would happen if the Lakers lost that game by a good margin

. Way of the world, one week you're the #1 team in the league, lose onegame to a top team in the East and you start getting questioned.


http:// [h3][/h3]

[h3]Anthony and Smith aren't PG's[/h3]
10:44AM ET

[h5]George Karl | Nuggets[/h5]
Top Email


There are times during a game when Carmelo Anthony or J.R. Smith end up bringing the ball up and starting a play. That's fine with head coach George Karl if it happens in the flow of the game. However, he doesn't want to see a lot of it.

"I'm definitively, totally against Melo and J.R. being our point guards," Karl told The Denver Post. "When it happens in the flow of the game, fantastic, but there's some games where I don't know who the heck the point guard is out there. It's on me. I allow it, and I like freedom and creativity and versatility, but there's no question that Ty Lawson and Chauncey Billups should have the ball."

http:// [h3]Calderon's return uncertain[/h3]
10:43AM ET

[h5]Jose Calderon | Raptors[/h5]
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The Raptors don't seem any closer to knowing when a href="http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2806">Jose Calderon will re-join them, according to today's Globe and Mail.

"Calderon has been working out off the floor but did not join his teammates for practice on Saturday and his return from his hip injury is still undetermined. He's been out since Dec. 8 with the exception of a seven-minute stint against the Atlanta Hawks when he re-aggravated the injury."

http:// [h3]More time for Meeks?[/h3]
10:39AM ET

[h5]Jodie Meeks | Bucks[/h5]
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Rookie Jodie Meeks had a strong game against the Spurs on Saturday and this could lead to more game action as Bucks head coach Scott Skiles looks to shake up the lineup.

"The more time I get, the more confidence I get," Meeks told the Journal Sentinel. "I'm a rookie, so everything is new. Coach Skiles gave me an opportunity, so I tried to make the best of it. Whenever my number is called, I'll be ready."

http:// [h3]Time off helped Thomas[/h3]
10:38AM ET

[h5]Tyrus Thomas | Bulls[/h5]
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Tyrus Thomas has recovered from surgery to repair a fractured radius in his left forearm and played Saturday for the first time in seven weeks. He scored 21 points and grabbed nine rebounds and blocked two shots. What did the time off do for Thomas?

"It made me calmer," Thomas told the Chicago Tribune. "I try to be anyway -- on the floor, off the floor. I had a lot of time to think. You think, some guys have season- or career-ending injuries. It makes you understand what you're here to do. Just try to take advantage of the moment."

http:// [h3]Will Kings trade Martin?[/h3]
10:22AM ET

[h5]Kevin Martin | Kings[/h5]
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The Kings may be looking to trade for a big man, but they have no plan to include Kevin Martin in any deal right now. Sam Amick wrote in The Sacramento Bee Sunday:

"Any notion the Kings are looking to move Martin is off-base, as they are anticipating his early January return and eager to see what they believe could be one of the league's most explosive backcourts with his coupling with rookie Tyreke Evans. Aside from a complete breakdown in team chemistry, a regression because of Martin's presence or a trade offer involving an All-Star caliber player (specifically, a big man), Martin is going nowhere. According to sources, Cleveland, Houston and Toronto are among those teams interested in acquiring the dynamic scorer and are keeping an eye on how the situation unfolds."

http:// [h3]Del Negro to be sacked?[/h3]
10:10AM ET

[h5]Vinny Del Negro | Bulls[/h5]
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Chris Broussard from ESPN The Magazine reports The decision to fire head coach Vinny Del Negro has already been made. The announcement will come when they decide on his replacement.

According to Broussard, "The Bulls would prefer not to promote an assistant coach, either Bernie Bickerstaff or Pete Myers, to interim status, but if they can't settle on a permanent replacement for Del Negro, they may have to go that route."

The Chicago Tribune reports nothing is imminent with Doug Collins, whom John Paxson wanted to hire before Del Negro got the job.

Mike McGraw of the Daily Herald also chimes in on the search for the next head coach.

McGraw writes: "For now, the Bulls are surely discussing future coaching candidates. They'd like a player-friendly coach, so that probably rules out Avery Johnson and Jeff Van Gundy.
"Lawrence Frank, Byron Scott and Kevin McHale figure to be possibilities. Almost no chance Doug Collins gets involved again. But it's wide open right now and the established coaches tend to shy away from taking over at mid-season."

http:// [h3]Camby top trade target?[/h3]
9:56AM ET

[h5]Marcus Camby | Clippers[/h5]
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Marcus Camby is not only playing well, but his contract expires at the end of the season. That's the reason why a lot of teams are asking the Clippers if he's available. Well, is he?

"Everybody in the league would want him," Clippers coach and general manager Mike Dunleavy AOL FanHouse. "He's probably the most valuable contract in the league from the standpoint if you're looking to trade for a guy with an expiring contract that has a lot of game. Most teams are trying to give up longer-term contracts for shorter-term contracts, and a lot of times those teams are willing to sacrifice in order to shorten the money. In this case, you wouldn't be sacrificing. That's why everybody wants him."

Will the Clippers trade Camby?

"Everybody on our team could be traded," Dunleavy said. "But we're not looking to trade him at all."

Camby's cap number for the season is $9.15 million.

http:// [h3]Focus better on the road?[/h3]
9:47AM ET

[h5]Kevin Durant | Thunder[/h5]
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The Oklahoma City Thunder will equal their win total (

on the road from last season if they defeat the Nets tonight. What's the reason for their improvement this season?

"To be honest with you, I think our focus is a little bit better on the road than it is at home," Kevin Durant told The Oklahoman. "I know that's kind of difficult to say ... We're trying to find our balance between playing better at home and also playing on the road."

http:// [h3]Will Artest play tonight?[/h3]
9:31AM ET

[h5]Ron Artest | Lakers[/h5]
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The Los Angeles Times reports Ron Artest visited a neurologist Sunday and was told his condition was improving, but he was not cleared to play. He will be revaluated again today and, if cleared, will fly to Phoenix and play tonight against the Suns.

Artest suffered a concussion Christmas night after he fell down a flight of stairs while carrying a box.

http:// [h3]Robinson facing a fine?[/h3]
9:23AM ET

[h5]Nate Robinson | Knicks[/h5]
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A source tells the New York Daily News that the NBA has investigated comments made by agent Aaron Goodwin in which he criticized Mike D'Antoni for benching Nate Robinson. Those comments could lead to a fine if Robinson instructed Goodwin to publicly demand a trad.

In September, the league fined Stephen Jackson $25,000 for making "public statements detrimental to the NBA." when he asked for a trade from the Warriors.

http:// [h3]Can Noah make All-Star team?[/h3]
9:23AM ET

[h5]Joakim Noah | Bulls[/h5]
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Joakim Noah is having a solid season for the Bulls averaging 10.5 points and 12.4 rebounds. Does he have a shot at making the All-Star game?

"No question," Vinny Del Negro told the Chicago Sun-Times. "Everyone will talk about his rebounding, but he's made strides with his offense. He works hard. He puts the time in. He's building on that, working before practice, after, after shootarounds.

"When you work at things, you usually get better and he's seeing that. He's gaining confidence with that."

http:// [h3]Jennings cursed?[/h3]
9:22AM ET

[h5]Brandon Jennings | Bucks[/h5]
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When Brandon Jennings scored 55 points against Golden State early in the season he brought a lot of national attention to himself. It also brought a lot of expectations on the rookie. Jennings thinks that game has cursed him.

"I feel like it's a curse because of the 55," Jennings told the Journal Sentinel after practice Sunday. "It's almost a curse.

"Now that I've scored 55, everybody expects me to go out there and score big numbers every night. I'm just trying to find my way. Not every night is going to be easy. A lot of teams are changing their defense. So it's not as easy as everyone thinks it is."

http:// [h3]Gibson last of the six?[/h3]
9:21AM ET

[h5]Daniel Gibson | Cavaliers[/h5]
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The Cavs have six perimeter players on the roster who deserve to play, but there's not enough time. For now that means Daniel Gibson is the odd man out.

"Boobie has been playing very well and he's a joy to coach, it is just tough to play that many perimeter guys," Mike Brown told The Plain Dealer. "It's a matter of trying to find time for six."

Brown's six are LeBron James, Anthony Parker, Mo Williams, Delonte West, Jamario Moon and Gibson.

http:// [h3]Pierce won't return early[/h3]
8:26AM ET

[h5]Paul Pierce | Celtics[/h5]
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Paul Pierce has been having some ups and downs with his infected right knee and will not join the Celtics on their road trip.

"He's feeling better," head coach Doc Rivers told the Boston Herald. "It didn't feel good (Saturday), so I think that's the way it's going to go for a while. We were hoping at one point that he may even fly out at the end of this trip. I don't think that's going to happen. As a matter of fact, I know it's not going to happen."

http:// [h3]What does Miller think?[/h3]
8:14AM ET

[h5]Andre Miller | Trail Blazers[/h5]
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There has been a lot of talk about whether Eddie Jordan's Princeton offense is the right fit for the 76ers. Former 76er point guard Andre Miller has some thoughts on the subject.

"I think it's just they're playing under a new system," Miller told The Philadelphia Inquirer. "I think that's it. Those guys are athletes over there and they want to get up and down the court and fastbreak and force turnovers, and I think right now they're getting taught, basically, how to play college basketball. Passing and cutting and stuff like that."

Is the system right for his former teammates?
"I don't know," Miller said. "It's hard, some guys over there didn't go to college. That's a system that's going to take time. That's a lot of athletes over there. It takes time and you have to be a thinker at the same time."

http:// [h3]Step forward for Granger[/h3]
7:28AM ET

[h5]Danny Granger | Pacers[/h5]
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Pacers forward Danny Granger has been sidelined for about three weeks with a torn right plantar fascia. He did some light shooting Saturday and hopes he can play sooner than his timetable of six weeks.

"It was decent. I haven't really pushed it yet because I don't think I'm at that point yet," Granger told The Indianapolis Star. "The foot is still healing. Each day I try to do more and more on it."

"There's no chance I'll be out for the full the six weeks," Granger said. "I'm thinking about another two to three weeks."

http:// [h3]Another shake up coming?[/h3]
7:22AM ET

[h5]Jim O'Brien | Pacers[/h5]
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Pacers head coach Jim O'Brien is once again looking to shake up his starting lineup after they were embarrassed Sunday against Miami.

"I don't know if we have enough speed in our starting lineup," O'Brien told The Indianapolis Star. "Clearly we are not getting it done. The last couple of games, we have not scored well. We did a good job with that unit to start out the previous three games, but right now it's not working. We need to continue to re-evaluate everything."

http:// [h3]Playing piano helping Conley?[/h3]
6:45AM ET

[h5]Mike Conley | Grizzlies[/h5]
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Mike Conley was struggling with his shooting during the first part of the season. He says playing the piano has helped him regain his confidence with his shot.

"It helps ease the stress," Conley told The Commercial-Appeal. "You get home, play the piano and feel better. It's something to chill with."

Conley bought the keyboard last month after watching Sam Young play it.

"It's something to take your mind off basketball," said Young.

http:// [h3]If Curry wants out, take a buyout[/h3]
6:03AM ET

[h5]Eddy Curry | Knicks[/h5]
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Eddy Curry doesn't like that Mike D'Antoni is not playing him and let it be known Friday. Curry is a key to the Knicks' plan next summer because he holds a player option of $11.27 million for 2010-11. If he doesn't like his situation he can certainly do something about it.

Larry ##*@ for The New York Times explains Curry's options.

##*@ writes: "But if Curry really wants out, and is willing to sacrifice, a buyout can give Donnie Walsh exactly what he wants -- more cap room in 2010. It is the only way (other than a trade) to have Curry completely off the books when the free agents hit the market next summer. ... If Curry is willing to give up his option for next season, Walsh would likely give him a buyout in a heartbeat, rushing to get it done before Curry has a chance to change his mind. ... So if Curry wants out, there is a way to get it done. But does he want out badly enough to leave nearly $11.3 million on the table?"

http:// [h3]Players don't share Flip's frustrations?[/h3]
5:50AM ET

[h5]Flip Saunders | Wizards[/h5]
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The Washington Wizards are 10-18 and head coach Flip Saunders doesn't think the payers share his frustration. He says they won't win games until they change their mentality and focus.

"It's like I told our players: As coaches, I'm not going to change what we do just because we don't do it hard or do it right," Saunders told The Washington Times. "When you don't do it hard or do it right, no matter what you do, it's not going to work.
"Until we decide that we get upset when we miss defensive assignments as much as we get upset when we don't get the ball on offense, we're not going to take that next step."

http:// [h3]Trio returns[/h3]
5:09AM ET

[h5]Detroit Pistons[/h5]
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The Pistons got three of their best players back Sunday as Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Ben Gordon returned from injuries.

"I was good, I felt all right," Prince told The Detroit News. "After the Lakers game (Dec. 20), I felt back to my old self. The next day, doing some other stuff, I felt like I was getting back to normal in terms of my movement."

"We're happy we had an opportunity to play with everybody," Hamilton said. "That was the key thing."

"Early on in the game I didn't feel like I had my legs under me," said Gordon. "As the game went on, my legs started to feel a little bit better."

 

[CP1708]

Originally Posted by Proshares

CP,

You should have known that would happen if the Lakers lost that game by a good margin

. Way of the world, one week you're the #1 team in the league, lose one game to a top team in the East and you start getting questioned.

Yeah, I hear ya. We got murked, but if I remember correctly (and I do) we got beat down plenty of times last year, and things worked out alright. Just likethe Cavs won a TON of big regular season games last year, and things worked out as expected there too.

So I don't really see what changed. If Atlanta has a nice week this week, (

) then all of a sudden, Cleveland falls to 4th in the East. Wonder what gets said then.

I wish it were playoff time already, so I could remind all the clowns who they are again. They seem to have forgotten.

 

[shuges]

So what would you like... for the Lakers to remain at the top of the list ALL YEAR LONG?

For that to happen, they have to go undefeated. And we know that's impossible.

It's a week-to-week list man.

It's like the NCAA polls.

If the top team loses to another one of the top teams, then the #1 team is bound to drop a little or at the very least start to get questioned.

 

[CP1708]

Naw, I don't care about no lists, I'm just talkin about all these talking heads writing articles in the papers and online going back and questioning 25other games over one game we lost.

Where are those same articles for the Magic, or the Nuggets, or the Knicks who all also lost on Christmas?

They write that @#$% to clown on LA, nothin more. Those same writers will be right there jumpin up and down in Staples in 6 months.

It's cool though, we got beat, plain and simple.


Who takes over in Chicago for Vinnie?

 

[proshares]

Nothing will be said about Cleveland unless they fall out of the top 4 which won't happen. As long as they're up there everyone will give them achance. Only criticism will be about how people are injured around LeBron or there's not enough around him yada yada yada. And don't even bring theKnicks into this, half that damn thread is ready to jump of a bridge if they lose two in a row and the beat writers are about the same

In the end, it's going to be Paxson IMO.

 

[bhzmafia14]

I've never been a big fan of coaching changes during the season.

Unless its a coach that can really make a major change for the better or the team is losing like the Nets were.

 

[CP1708]

B Scott going from Kidd to Paul to Rose would be a good fit. He always gets 2-3 years of elevated play from his players before guys start quitting on him.

Get him in there, have the players play hard and above their heads for him, get that up and coming vibe, and then pounce in the offseason on someone(s) to helppush them into the elite level along with Rose. At that point, you can find a top level coach who will want to run that place better then what Scott can. Iknow that he has the label of losing his teams after a couple years.

 

[cracka kc]

i beg the pacers to fire jim o'brien

 

[bangdak]

I say Avery Johnson.


CP, you have to admit the lakers bench is lacking.
Only people i really see contributing is Odom/Brown (

).
Luke walton is a damn bum, and the same with the "machine".
Brown is going to have to guard the quicker point guards, so Fisher wont be nearly as effective once playoff time comes.


if i was a lakers fan, i would hate to see the Lakers face the Rockets in the first round

Ill enjoy it though

 

[proshares]

Lakers would win that series easily IMO.