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The 2008 NBA Draft

July 1st 2008 03:49

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

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