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NBA Loud - by Travis

I’d like to post about the previously finished NBA Draft. A lot of trades were completed/proposed making this years draft exciting and noteworthy. In this first post I will be going through the top five picks and thereafter with updates and all you need to know up to the minute stats and transactions.

Let’s get this post draft analysis going with the first overall pick for the Chicago Bulls DERRICK ROSE. Rose out of Memphis has a solid NBA body and can take the punishment as a player in the paint. He will mold himself into whatever type of player his team needs him to be as evident by the video below. He is one of the most ready-type players to enter the league. A truly solid addition to any team, kind of makes me think of the miss of Jay Williams. In which whom the Bulls took as the savior type PG years ago before he had his motorcycle accident stifling his promising career. With this pick Chicago puts themselves back into contention for a playoff spot in the East.

This video shows how Rose can affect the game as he will become a solid NBA-PG.

# 2

Undoubtedly the Miami Heat selected MICHAEL BEASLEY out of Kansas State. This PF needs no introduction to basketball fans as his huge wingspan makes up for any negativity about his height at the four spot. One of the perfect teams for Beasley to go to, I think his character issues would only become apparent if he were to have to battle with a solid proven veteran for his starting spot. He will be going in battling Udonis Haslem who has seen his stock drop as he needs to create more of his own offence. The heat I am sure are not finished in tweaking their team for the 08/09 season. Marion though will alleviate any concerns of the rookie being overmatched down-low as he is almost like an extra PF out there sometimes with his rebounding efforts and hustle in trying to make the right plays.

# 3

Minnesota at the third spot went with OJ MAYO, who I have seen and been hearing about for a good number of years. Mayo will be a solid two as at 6’4” 200lbs he is limited in selected positions, but this guy is just a born scorer and if he ends up in Grizz-town, look for him to team up with Rudy Gay as Mike Miller was moved with Memphis making the choice to let him go after he admittedly carried the Grizzlies last season at times. In return Minnesota looks to get #5 Kevin Love. I am in love with this deal as the T-Wolves send Antoine Walker also to MEM. Minnesota gets the scoring they desperately need and character guys, to build around. I know what fans may be thinking and no this isn’t the second coming of Wally World, Mike Miller is a gamer playing all three spots from 1-3 for the Grizz and did whatever was asked, as he became a versatile and proven scorer, unlike streaky Szczerbiak.

# 4

Russell Westbrook a surprise at number four as the top three had virtually been decided weeks beforehand. Westbrook though an unexpected pick is an explosive guard that will do well in this league especially when Seattle gets all the parts and can continuously run up and down with Durant and Green. The Sonics clearly want a guard that can break down the D and get up and down the court at breakneck speeds. They have found that guy with Westbrook. People want to compare him to NBA champion Rajon Rondo and maybe Monta Ellis, he is long and skinny and extremely athletic, time will tell if he can make the right passes for a long career with Durant by his side.

# 5

Care of NBADraft.net

Memphis picks Kevin Love at the number five spot and in turn will be sending him to Minnesota in the deal outlined in the third pick paragraph. Love is solid, not an athlete like the Grizz love at the four spot, but the T-Wolves just need ballers in which Kevin is for sure. Down-low he will be helped by Al Jefferson for sure on defense. Also he will have a great passer in Mike Miller to get the ball to him in good spots. I like Kevin Love on a solid team a rebuilding team he may flourish or sink as he’ll need to create his own offence and may struggle with the speed of the NBA at first.

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The Year of the Head Coach

May 3rd 2008 20:01

This season/postseason has seen some of the most prominent head coaching drama I have ever witnessed during my years as a basketball fan. We may have more head coaches changing teams than players this offseason. Regardless, it should turn out to be an interesting flow of events.

A few weeks back, Isiah Thomas was booted as the Knicks' head coach, and rather violently too if you ask me. It was expected, but the drama surrounding it wasn't. He was kept in the organization as a personal adviser (with no authority) and is banned from having ANY contact with the Knicks' players. Couldn't really get anymore embarrassing, could it? We've been hearing whispers about Marc Jackson taking over the vacant coaching job, but there hasn't been much to report on that front.

We've also got Don Nelson, who's taking his sweet time deciding whether or not he wants to remain as Golden State's head coach. This really shouldn't be a story... a coach should take a few days to decide this stuff, but Nelson wants a month or two to decide. Golden State doesn't want to lose him, so for now, they are abiding by Nellie's "rules". Dallas is also going after Nellie, but I guess he wants them to wait on him as well, which they probably won't do. Did I mention that Nellie's son is the GM and President of the Mavs? Small world, isn't it?

Why is Dallas interested in Don Nelson? Because they fired former Coach of the Year, Avery Johnson. He got them to the Finals a few years ago and that didn't go too well. He got them 67 regular season wins the next season and was dropped in the first round by Nellie's Warriors. This past season, they got the seventh seed in the playoffs and got handled by the Hornets. I agreed with this firing. I don't know how good Avery is as a coach because he's been blessed with a solid team his entire career. He may be a good coach, maybe even great, but one thing I do know is that he is being out coached in the playoffs. They shouldn't have lost to GS last season and they should have put up more of a fight this season. Maybe he can go to Chi-town or the Knicks... I hear they're hiring.

Former Indiana coach Rick Carlisle seems to be the top candidate for the Dallas job. He's already completed one interview and word on the street is that he's going in for a second. I guess we'll see if he can do something with this Dallas squad. Maybe they just need a change of scenery and someone new to call the shots. He has a decent resume, so I think he'll excel if given a solid roster to work with.

Cuban is also interested in Phoenix head coach Mike D'antoni. D'antoni is expected to be relieved of his duty as Phoenix's bench boss, but we've heard nothing confirming this. Phoenix has been a top team in the West for the past four seasons but have failed to make anything happen during that time. Management probably isn't too happy because their Hall of Fame PG and big man are getting old, which will leave Amare all alone in the upcoming years.

In addition to the major things, a few other teams have made coaching changes/decisions. Pat Riley of the Miami Heat resigned as head coach and gave the job to former assistant coach Erik Spoelstra. Chicago got rid of Scott Skiles and then he went running to the Bucks organization and is now their new head coach. Larry Brown took over the head job in Charlotte, which is a decision I did not agree with. Its been a big postseason thus far for many reasons; can't wait to see how the rest of the year unfolds.

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Posted By: Travis - Category: Team News, Chicago Bulls, Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors, New York Knicks, Phoenix Suns

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Toronto Raptors 2008

February 24th 2008 06:26

Time to meet my favorite team since they began in 1995 I believe. So feel free to get to know my Raps and comment if you feel the need.

07 / 2008 Roster

Check this! backwards name & #

Firstly lets take a look at the franchise player of current in CB4. Chris Bosh the 6'10" forward out of Georgia Tech has quickly become the premier and big money contract on the Raptors books. He made it easy to deal the frontcourt incumbents Antonio Davis and Jerome 'JYD' Williams.
Drafted fourth overall inbetween such big names as Carmelo Anthony and Dwyane Wade, his stock has risen year-to-year, showing his determination, being undersized has never been an issue for this overly talented forward, who is on the verge of superstardom.

The man at the point is speedy TJ Ford out of Texas. His health of late has been questioned, but certainly not his heart. Ford is one of the all-time most brave players after going through numerous rehab efforts to get back to being able to play his style of game, he still remains determined and will not take his ball and go home.

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Ford shows that if you can dominate at one aspect of your game, that you don't have to be so hot at other aspects, meaning TJ's driving abilities and average outside shooting. He is still being paid like a top PG and will be in Toronto's lineup if he is able to finish this season.

The upstart rookie in Jamario Moon has become quite a find in just over a half-season with the Raps. 'Jam' has been invited to the all-star dunk contest for 2008. Especially after all his rim-rockin' dunks of late.

Moon is a triumphant story, that should inspire us all. Jam came from community college to undrafted rookie in all the minor leagues of basketball, to become a solid contributor for a contending playoff team, finally after many years in the trenches at the age of 27.

At the two-guard spot we have another great story in Anthony Parker who came from a minor league team impressing the Raptors when facing Toronto in an exhibition pre-season game, actually being the catalyst to beat an NBA team.

With cranking the three's and playing tough D, Parker should put up a solid 10 ppg average and be counted on to make big shots and come up big on Def. Filling some of the gap left by Mo Pete.

Rasho Nesterovic should start in the middle to eat up the early fouls and become a presence in the middle to let Bosh and Moon rebound and run while he takes the opposing big man out of the play.

Rasho provides a veteran presence in the middle and can protect Andrea Bargnani from getting exposed early and often as any Toronto fans remember the catastrophie, being Rafael Araujo. In which the Raps wanted him to be an experienced type player who protects the paint and Bosh, pretty unreasonable as they should have just signed or promoted a tough interior defensive type seasoned player.

The following completes the Raptors roster as of January 31st. Not including the "signing of Damon Stoudamire". Who I think would be foolish to sign with the Raps, as if and when TJ Ford returns, where and how will Mighty Mouse get the time on the floor?

Jose Manuel Calderon has quickly become a fan favorite and I am in love with his game and now that he has amassed a solid percentage for his jump-shooting efforts, I am hoping they sign this enigmatic Spaniard for a long while.
Andrea Bargnani has struggled recently and with him starting of late has continued to pick up fouls at a rapid pace to start games. His offensively struggles and his lacking defensive game have the NBA questioning his progress and pick at # 1. I believe he has star status in the future and will become great when he plays defense.

Jason Kapono received a monster 4 year 24milllion$ contract. Worthy or not? His shooting has never been a question, but can he contribute consistently without the kickouts of Shaq and Wade?
Kris Humphries received a new extension a great feat for this undersized forward, whose tenacious hustle and rebounding have given him a solid role on this years squad.
Carlos Delfino, picked up for two-second rounders to Detroit made my day, when I first found out. A solid defender with scoring prowess. His long distance shooting has been a surprise but defensively he has been a rock.

Juan Dixon has been unused and unappreciated. He should be used as the backup PG and energy guy at the two spot with Moon of the bench with Calderon in a perfect world. But Arguably the worst player in the NBA in Darrick Martin currently holds the third point spot.

Joey Graham has shown sparks of Vincanity with his dunking ability but has left a lot to be desired by efforts and awareness. It really makes you think as to the wasted 16th pick used from the Babcock era. The very next player taken after the Raptors was Indiana Pacers G/F Danny Granger, who slid that far in the first round due to uncertainty in the health of his knee. But the previous regime of exec's reveled at the fact of Joey's fitness and weight lifting tests, which to me means nothing as bball is on the court not off for the most part.
Maceo Baston has not made much of an impact, but may show well in injury replacement stints.
Jorge Garbajosa shot them into and out of games last season as you could pretty much predict games when Jorge made his first shot or missed. He looks to be back this year, but in Sam's doghouse still? Seems a step behind after leg injuries.

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Posted By: Spennies - Category: Team News, Toronto Raptors

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Bibby’s debut

February 20th 2008 18:31

Recently traded for four players and a second pick, including Shelden Williams, Lorenzen Wright, Anthony Johnson and Tyronn Lue.
This may not be the welcoming the Atlanta Hawks had in mind as the Lakers took it to them last night, hitting the 100-point mark with over ten minutes to go in the fourth.

I don't want to go!

Mike Bibby started the game for Atlanta and looked good, but Atl’s players stood and watched him for the first half, rather than getting into positions for some good looks. But Mike should be acclimated with the playbook sooner than later.

I like this trade even more now seeing Acie Law getting good minutes. I was a big fan when he was with the Aggies of Texas A & M and he is no doubt the future point-guard for the Hawks.

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Giving up only one solid prospect was key for the Hawks to make this deal as Bibby will eat up Johnson’s and Lue’s minutes along with Law.
Al Horford will need to carry this team in the middle with undersized athletic forwards Marvin Williams and Josh Smith trading off at the 3-4 spots. Atlanta I feel is a solid shooting big man/center away from sneaking into the playoffs and making some real noise.

So hopefully for Hawks fans they can make a key acquisition in the middle to make a solid push and get some fans to come out and support this team at home.

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Posted By: Spennies - Category: Team News, Atlanta Hawks

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The Difference Between the Knicks and the Blazers? L-O-V-E.

February 4th 2008 06:16

Did anyone watch the Portland Trail Blazers and the New York Knicks over the weekend? If you did happen to catch that game, you would have seen an exciting contest, and the Knicks actually playing great basketball. Huzzah!

Coincidentally enough, New York were missing a number of key players including, Stephon

Where is the love in New York asks Channing? (Photo by Victor Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)

Marbury from the lineup, and here is the rub: the Knicks played some great basketball.

The team from Gotham hustled and flowed, with David Lee playing some major league, energy basketball. New York actually had the backs of each other and it was a pleasure to see – far removed from their alleged selfishness.

Even though the Knicks have been recently playing beautiful basketball, they’re still in the cellar, whilst paying Starbury an extravagant amount of cash. So, the question that needs to be asked: why does New York suck?

Let’s look at the case study of Zach Randolph, who was traded from Portland to New York, and Channing Frye, who moved in the opposite direction.

Frye, is playing for a young team that is a virtual playoff contender for at least the next decade, while, Randolph is stuck in the perpetual bleakness that is New York basketball.

Randolph was a force to be reckoned with during his time with the Blazers, but has found that the constant negativity surrounding his new franchise has sapped the spirit from the man. His situation has been made worse by the fact that his old team is doing so well.

Channing on the other hand is a picture of contentment, and it has to do with the fact that his new team plays hard for each other, while carrying the utmost respect for their squad.

“It’s all about the team,” he said. “Everybody’s got great attitudes, everybody’s in there working out and staying after and shooting.”

“I don’t think you see very many losing teams working out in August with 10 people,” he said. “Everybody’s committed to one thing.” (Beck, New York Times, 2008)

The culture of the Blazers locker that was relayed to Frye was one where individual statistics weren’t an issue, or how many shots a player is getting. It was all about the team.

Maybe, New York needs that sort of attitude as well. Not only should the Knicks players like each other, but care for one another also – a point that Frye was all too eager to make.

Today’s video is of the All-Star starters giving props to the fans that loved them so much.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Team News, Portland Trail Blazers

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The Knicks are the NBA Version of the USSR.

January 24th 2008 12:28

The former USSR and China have nothing on the New York Knicks according to former coach, Larry Brown. In scenes that are reminiscent of a Cold War spy drama, Brown has accused the Knicks organisation of making a concerted effort to monitor

Don't be surprised if Larry Brown ends up with the new NBA franchise in Siberia. (Image from NY Post)

his activities by engaging in a bit of espionage.

Brown has been silenced after he reached a settlement with the franchise that netted him an additional $18.5 million on top of his original contract when he was given the bums rush. Furthermore, NBA commissioner, David Stern instructed Brown that he could not talk about the Knicks after the settlement.

Well, Brown obviously has stopped heeding that advice.

Speaking to the Philadelphia Magazine, Brown said, “Imagine when you get to work, they don't talk to you. They had security people standing close to me in press conferences, and spies throughout the arena.” (Berman, New York Post, 2008)

After guiding the Knicks to a less than auspicious 23-59 record during his only season of coaching the moribund franchise in’05-’06, Larry Brown became a pariah in the organisation when he violated numerous codes dictating the conduct of its members. New York owner, James Dolan forbade his former coach to talk to the media without a public relations officer present, or criticising his team in the press. Something Brown did often. Just ask Stephon Marbury.

The behaviour of the Knicks franchise fits in with Newsday columnist, Ken Berger’s recent tale of heavy handed behaviour from New York security when journalists were trying to cover a legitimate story.

According to Berger he witnessed a fan being ejected from the stadium for shouting, “Get Jeffries off the court.” Being the responsible journalist that he was, Berger and two other media cohorts sniffed out a potential hot story but were prevented by Knicks security from covering the ejection.

Berger stated that New York staff was heavy handed and overzealous in preventing the journalists from doing their jobs, physically restraining one of them and verbally insulting the rest of them.

Well, it’s comforting to witness one of the most important franchises in the league operating in a manner that would have made Stalin proud.

Today’s video is of Kobe Bryant scoring 81 points in three minutes. Confused? Just watch the clip.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Team News, New York Knicks, Kobe Bryant

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Bulls Teammates, Joakim Noah and Ben Wallace Join Fight Club.

January 17th 2008 08:33

Like a good barbequed meat, we should wait for it to marinate before passing judgement on the taste. The Chicago Bulls who have been the most disappointing team this season, suspended rookie, Joakim Noah for his apparent insubordination towards Bulls assistant coach, Ron Adams. Initially this story seemed straightforward: rookie messes up. Gets canned. However, just like the marinade, wait for it to settle before the final verdict.

Joakim Noah directs his intensity towards the hoop. (Photo by Fernando Medina/NBAE via Getty Images)

In scenes that mirrored the New York Knicks locker a couple months ago where the players unanimously voted to suspend Stephon Marbury due to quitting on the team, Chicago’s players also did the same, voting to ditch Noah for two games. Ben Wallace was the instigator of the proceedings and his teammates suitably backed the big fella.

Writers and bloggers were up in arms about the insolence shown by a first year player who dared to disrespect a senior authority. Tales started being spun of an immature brat, whose fiery competitiveness is both a blessing and a curse.

Then, the facts slowly started to emerge.

Yes, Noah confronted Adams in a testy exchange, but the rookie was peeved that some of his veteran teammates were quitting on the season. During Michael Jordan’s reign in Chi-Town, punking out of a contest amounted to high treason, punishable by death. MJ would have glassed the player(s) in question.

Now, quitting is seen as a characteristic of valour.

What irked, Noah, in their blowout loss to Orlando yesterday was the sight of players on the bench, led by Ben Wallace, laughing and yukking it up while the team stunk up Disney World. Joakim, according to witnesses, confronted Big Ben (brave man) and told him what he really thought of his efforts. It got so heated that Luol Deng had to come between the two to separate the basketball gladiators.

Ben Wallace has lost a step or two on the basketball court and isn’t nearly as imposing as he once was. What is surprising though is the apathetic attitude of the man in recent times. The intensity he displayed when he played for the Detroit Pistons would make Batman wet his underwear. Nowadays, he just undermines coaches he doesn’t like.

In a somewhat happy ending though, Chicago slaughtered the equally hapless Miami Heat today.

Today’s video is of the police video when LeBron James was stopped for speeding.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Team News, Chicago Bulls, Lebron James

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Scott Skiles gets Mauled by Da Bulls.

December 25th 2007 12:53

We here at NBALOUD trust that everyone had, or is having, a wonderful Festivus. However, there is one person in the Association who is probably experiencing a less rocking Festivus than he should be: Chicago Bulls coach, Scott Skiles who got the sack today from the team.

Who in their right mind would want to be an NBA coach? (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

A season full of expectations has gone down in flames, and we aren’t even in the new year yet! Something had to give for Chicago, unfortunately it was Scott Skiles. The underwhelming Bulls are sitting on a 9-16 record and look to be going nowhere. It is a shame though that a savvy coach such as Skiles got canned, but, hey, the man not playing any minutes and wearing the suit on the sidelines is the easiest person to get rid of when the team is in stink-town.

"I felt like something was going to happen," said Luol Deng. "I didn't know whether it was players or coaches. But you could definitely feel there was something. It just didn't seem like we were on the same page." (Seligman, AP, 2007)

Skiles was handed control of the atrocious Bulls during 2003 and worked a minor miracle the next season when his team won a stunning 47 games. With smart recruiting and drafting, Chicago was on its way to becoming a force in the league again.

It got better the following season when they freed cap room and gained the services of defensive monster, Ben Wallace. The Bulls started off slowly, losing the first nine games, but came storming back into playoff contention with 49 wins. Even though their low-post offensive problems weren’t solved with Big Ben’s arrival in Chi-Town, they were no longer soft defensively though.

Snuffing out the Miami Heat in the first round, they faced a battle hardened Detroit Piston team and lost. But the future looked bright. Luol Deng was going to breakout in a big way; Captain Kirk was a steady presence, while Ben Gordon was an offensive freak.

Sadly, it went pear shaped. A season that started so promisingly now has as much potential as a Britney Spears album.

A huge shadow still remains over the team that Michael Jordan built.

Today’s video is of a young Scott Skiles in college playing fantastic hoops. The man had skillz.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Team News, Chicago Bulls

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Stephon Marbury, Isiah Thomas and the Knicks Come to Metaphoric and Literal Blows.

November 15th 2007 10:14

Dwayne Wade is back for the Miami Heat, Boston keep on winning, Kevin Durant and his Sonics win their first game, but you know what? We here are ashamed to admit this, but we aren’t going to cover any of these much, more, worthier stories. What we are going to do here at NBALOUD is going down the gutter with the New York Knicks and Stephon Marbury.

It hasn’t been a great summer for the Knicks, coach Isiah Thomas, and Stephon Marbury, with all of the aforementioned entities having their reputations dragged through mud. Thomas and the Knicks with their sexual harassment suit, and the revelation that Starbury engaged in sexual intercourse with an intern on the back of a truck. Oh, Marbury is married too, and the

Isiah Thomas and Stephon Marbury shake hands.

Isiah Thomas and Stephon Marbury: two peas in a pod. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)

person he was getting jiggy with wasn’t his wife.

So, what is the latest saga to befall the team from Gotham? Well, it seems that a couple days ago, Isiah Thomas decided to get tough with his point guard and bench him for one game due to his poor play. Stephon, apparently didn’t like this news and followed Olivia Newton-John’s advice and got physical with his coach. After the altercation, Marbury left the team without a valid reason.

Now, this is all speculation and hearsay because according to Marbury he was granted permission to leave the team. Thomas, whose reputation since retiring from playing has been, how can we say it, less than stellar, said otherwise. According to the Knicks coach, Steph just got up and bailed on the team.

Isiah Thomas must be having flashbacks to his time in court because it has turned out to be a battle of he, said, er, he said. Although, it must be said, both parties in this instance are about as low as you can get in terms of carrying any sort of substance with their ‘immaculate’ reputations.

It is both unexpected, and not so surprising that the Thomas/Marbury relationship has come to this. Isiah has enabled his point guard to behave in such an obscenely selfish manner for so long, Marbury, was going to go Starbury on him one day.

Not only did, Thomas exercise tough love, but more or less hung, Steph to dry at the most inappropriate moment. Well, it must be said that, Marbury didn’t cover himself in glory either by threatening to go the press with all of the dirty secrets that Isiah harbours.

Ah, well now that you all have been briefed on the going-ons in this sordid drama. The natural question is: What happened? Marbury returned to the fold and got significant playing time, whilst being $195, 000 lighter in the hip pocket.

Essentially, the Knicks once again proved in terms of wasting exceedingly precious energy on things that don’t matter, they are the best in the league. You can label New York, the ‘Bizarro Spurs’.

Oh, do you know what else my dear readers? The Knicks, Thomas and Marbury all deserve each other, and what is transpiring between them right now is because the karmic gods deem it to be so.

Today’s video displays Steph at his most strangest. He is either high or drunk in this interview. Car crash television at its best.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Team News, Player News, New York Knicks

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Mark Cuban: A True NBA Maverick.

October 14th 2007 06:47

Would anyone like to venture a guess as who is the most compelling figure in the NBA? Kobe Bryant? LeBron James? Yao Ming? Or is it even disgraced referee, Tim Donaghy? Er, how about none of the above!

The most interesting person in the Association isn’t even a player, but rather an owner. Ah! The light above everyone’s head is now flickering…’Mark Cuban!’ Gee, you readers of this space are smart.

Yes, believe it or not, Mark Cuban is indeed the most entertaining member of the NBA family because he is opinionated, funny and most importantly, passionate. David Stern and those in the NBA ivory tower might have nothing but disdain for the Dallas Mavericks owner, most of the public love Cuban.

So, how did the class smartass enter the rarefied air of NBA ownership? Making his money as internet billionaire would be the short answer. However, Cuban’s journey is far more interesting than the destination.

Allow NBALOUD to wax lyrical at how the class clown became an NBA phenomenon.

Cuban’s story is the fairytale rags to riches American story that people the world over have become so fond of. What separates Mark from the rest of those snooty billionaires is that he a free thinker, that isn’t afraid to voice his opinions.

After finishing off university, Cuban moved to Dallas where a variety of jobs ensued, first as a bartender, then later on as salesperson for Your Business Software. About a year into the job he was fired for not opening the store on time, but it was also via this position where he

Mark Cuban doing what he does best - talking. (Image from wikipedia)

would make valuable contacts in the computer business.

Mark’s entrepreneurial spirit came to the fore when he started his own software company with the support of his former clients. Eventually selling his baby for $6 million in the early 90s.

In 1995, Cuban, along with an old college friend would start Broadcast.com which became the leading provider of multimedia and streaming internet in the mid-to-late 90s. Broadcast.com was eventually sold to Yahoo! in 1999 for a cool $5.9 billion.

Mark Cuban the internet maverick would eventually take over the Dallas Mavericks, becoming an original NBA maverick along the way.

Basketball had always been a passion for Mark, even as a child when he earned money selling garbage bags to pay for basketball kicks, the game was always in his life. Broadcast.com began due to his love of college hoops, so it is not too far of a stretch to suggest that basketball maketh the man.

On the 14th of January, 2000, Mark Cuban brought up the Dallas Mavericks, who were at the time, the perennial laughing stock of the league. The Mavs were about as successful in basketball as Charlie Brown was kicking a football whilst, Lucy was holding.

Immediately, Cuban changed the culture and ultimately, the fortunes of the team. Before the arrival of Mark, Dallas was a destination that all NBA players avoided like the plague. No, decent baller in his right mind would want to play for such a dire ball club.

Nowadays? Dallas is a destination coveted by most players! Cuban not only created a winning culture, but he made basketball fun for fans and players once again in Dallas. He also endeared himself to the Mavs faithful by sitting with fans, rather than in the owners box or worse yet, not even attending games.

Although, Cuban has been the model NBA owner and fan, the league head honchos do like to fine him. In fact, Mark is easily the most fined owner in NBA history for his critical statements of some of the going-ons in the league. With each fine, Cuban has stated that he matches the amount in charitable donations. So, it has been a windfall for charities that Mark Cuban is on the NBA scene.

Perhaps his most famous run-in with the NBA was when he criticised an official stating that he wouldn’t even be able to manage a Dairy Queen, let alone the NBA. Dairy Queen took offence, and as an act of contrition, Mark Cuban spent a day behind the counter of a Dairy Queen in Texas. In the words of Salt-n-Pepa: ‘What a man!”

Today’s video is of the Mavs owner with television maverick, David Letterman.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Team News, Dallas Mavericks

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Kevin Garnett Faces his Old Team for the First Time.

October 11th 2007 11:05

It was inevitable that Kevin Garnett would face his former team the Minnesota Timberwolves, but who thought it would have happened so quickly? Granted, it was only a preseason hit out, it was still a big deal though.

In case anyone was wondering the Celtics won, 92-81.

Everyone who saw Kevin Garnett play today would have had to make a double-take to adjust to the sight of the Big Ticket wearing Celtic green. Afterall, the man did spend 12 years in Minnesota and was so identifiable with the T-Wolves that many people would still be pinching themselves to make sure they weren’t dreaming.

Today’s game was in London at the O2 Arena in front of a capacity crowd, every aspect of an NBA game was there – mascots, cheerleaders and a high flying dunking crew. Oh, and

Celtic green looks good on KG. (Photo by David Sherman/NBAE via Getty Images)

don’t forget the celebrities at courtside, such as, F1 driver, Lewis Hamilton, Didier Drogba and even Bill Russell.

The focus was on KG but it was, Ray Allen who shone the brightest out of the ‘Big 3’ with 28 points. Garnett on the other hand was quieter with nine points, six rebounds, two assists and three blocks. It wasn’t a usual KG big ticket performance, but rather a matinee showing with some highlights here and there.

Paul Pierce the other superstar for the Celts was also muted in his play with eight points, but everybody loved Kevin on this day.

Naturally, the interest for everyone was how did it feel for KG to face his old team? Kevin answered this enquiry in the manner that you’d expect anyone to when faced with this question: “The past is the past…This is a new chapter in my life.” (Lehourites, AP, 2007)

It wasn’t just a trip for fans seeing Kevin wearing a Boston uniform, but also his former teammates as well. Ricky Davis, a personal favourite of NBALOUD, confessed that it was strange seeing KG represent in the opposition colours and that he almost passed him the ball a couple of times too.

Boston look good is the sentiment we’ll finish with today.

The other big preseason interest story is that of, Yi Jianlian, the Milwaukee Bucks rookie who had a shocker in his first NBA outing.

A couple of days ago when playing the Bulls, Yi only had three points and fouled out of the game in 16 minutes. It doesn’t take a brain surgeon to work out that this was not a great debut. It wasn’t even a mediocre debut – it was something worse!

Today’s game against the Utah Jazz was a vast improvement with the rookie from China scoring 12 points and committing only four fouls.

The young fella still has a lot of learning to do.

A lot of the preseason games as one would ascertain are currently in Europe. Today’s video shows Pau Gasol and Mike Miller in Spain. Pretty cool.

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Posted By: Stanley - Category: Team News, Boston Celtics

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Call in Sexual Harassment Panda for Isiah Thomas and the New York Knicks!

September 21st 2007 10:10

We here at NBALOUD are a wholesome bunch (cough, cough). We don’t engage in juvenile and puerile topics such as criminal behaviour in the league, or celebrating players that have smoked the wacky-tabaccy (cough, cough). We certainly don’t like to talk about sexual matters here (cough, cough). And finally, we don’t celebrate scandalous behaviour at all in this space (barf!).

So, it is with a heavy heart that we succumb to writing up a post in relation to the sordid sexual harassment case that is befalling Isiah Thomas, and the New York Knicks. Hey, we have no beef against the team from NYC – we always write positively about them!

The case is before the federal court right now and the salacious sound bites that are emanating from the various witnesses could be storylines straight out of a daytime soap opera.

No, matter what happens in the $10 million lawsuit bought by Anucha Browne Saunders, whatever good name the Knicks organisation and Isiah Thomas had, is rapidly sinking down the crap-hole.

Firstly, the every classy Stephon Marbury stated that he thought the lawsuit was ‘funny’ and that in evidence, Browne Sanders testified that both Thomas and Marbury had called her ‘bitch’ and that Steph actually called her ‘black bitch’. Starbury, clarified his position that he probably had referred to her as ‘bitch’ once, but not the ‘black’ part. Phew, what a relief he

Isiah Thomas has been a bad boy, but is he a naughty boy? (AP Photo/ Louis Lanzano)

only referred to her as bitch.

In a further P.R. hit for the Knicks, Madison Square Garden boss, James Dolan when asked if it was appropriate to call a work colleague a ‘bitch’ had this to say: “No, it's not appropriate," Dolan said in a taped deposition. "It's also not appropriate to murder anyone. I don't know if that's happened either.” (Adande, ESPN.com, 2007)

Wow, talk about your progressive organisation here.

The one person that seems to have kept his good name is Jeff Nix, the advanced scout for the Knicks who has been with the organisation for 15 years. You don’t stay that long in a pressure cooker situation for that period of time without being a valuable employee.

In his testimony for Browne Saunders, Nix told the court that he had seen Thomas berate her, and later making inappropriate advances towards her. Furthermore, Nix also testified that he saw Thomas try to hug Browne Saunders once, with her pushing him away.

Nix’s evidence is damning in the fact that he had nothing to gain, and everything to lose by testifying. In fact he did lose it all – well paying job and his plum position within the organisation, gone. Perhaps he can take solace that he can sleep well at night and look at himself in the mirror everyday without feeling sickly.

The final word should belong to a friend of Jeff Nix who said the following about the principled man: “the moment Jeff told what he knew in the depositions, he understood he was finished at the Garden. He knew they would get rid of him, and they did.
"But he also knew that he couldn't live with himself if he didn't tell the truth.” (Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports, 2007)

Today’s video is kind of related to the NBA in a very tenuous manner. How so? Well, this clip features two guys wearing Houston Rockets gear and miming to the Backstreet Boys song, ‘I want it that way’. Hilarious!

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NBA Loud - by Travis

Team News - NBA Loud

The 2008 NBA Draft

The Year of the Head Coach

Toronto Raptors 2008

Bibby’s debut

The Difference Between the Knicks and the Blazers? L-O-V-E.

The Knicks are the NBA Version of the USSR.

Bulls Teammates, Joakim Noah and Ben Wallace Join Fight Club.

Scott Skiles gets Mauled by Da Bulls.

Stephon Marbury, Isiah Thomas and the Knicks Come to Metaphoric and Literal Blows.

Mark Cuban: A True NBA Maverick.

Kevin Garnett Faces his Old Team for the First Time.

Call in Sexual Harassment Panda for Isiah Thomas and the New York Knicks!