NBA Discussion

[duguxiaojing]

Iverson has so much arc on his shot that he can easily shoot over taller defenders. Francis' vertical is about Iverson's. He doesn't have a 44' vertical.

Yeah they pretty close in terms of vert. I dunno man maybe its the four inch's of height Francis has on AI but it looks like he has better hops. Ive seen Franics hit a through the leg at EBC during warm ups couldnt picture AI doin the same. Also that sick sick off the ground reverse during 2000 dunk contest where his elbow was rim level.

John Starks dunk

That was sick so was KJ's by favorite was the um........dont remember what Shawn Kemp called it...the Lister Blister? or something like that? SK ran cuffed the ball and kida side ways windmilled it with the guy in front of him AND1...that really made me jump i kept watchin the clip over and over again. He also had that really sick reverse on mourning........its sad to see the reign man now Also who can forget Vince's fredrick weis tomohawk AKA the Lipton(why do the call it that?). That was GOAT in terms of dunks IMO.

[spooks]

Originally posted by Moinllieon
One of my favorite basketball memories of all time was that one dunk that KJ had on Olajuwan in the playoffs. People talk about the John Starks dunk like it was out of this world or something, but the KJ dunk was the one that had me jumping out of my seat.

My personal fav was KJ on the 7'4 Eaton. Wish I could find the gif I had of it.

[Long]

KJ was great little player and one of my favorites as he teamed up with Charles Barkley late in his career (also career OER of 55.78). I was so wishing that they knocked the Bulls in 93'.

I think most people "overlook" KJ as one of the greatest PGs of all time as many people/media still blame him for the Suns loss to the Bulls in the NBA Finals that year. I remember I was so "upset" when the Suns fans booed KJ. That was really disgraceful and he did not deserve it. I don't see LA fans booing Kobe Bryant despite his disgraceful and selfish play that costed the Lakers the CHampionship.

Then in subsequent years the Suns blew 3-1 leads in 94, and 95 versus the Rockets. So the Suns got a lot of heat and many people labelled those in the team as "chokers". Fingers were pointing at KJ (injuries took thier toll on him) and Sir Charles. That's why Sir Charles left for Houston and KJ retired.

CHarles tried convincing KJ to join Houston in one off season to team up with Pippen and Olajuwon, but KJ had enough by then and his body was already broken in any case.....

[Meh]

KJ is mostly overlooked because he was freaking injured all the time. When you miss basically half your career, people just aren't going to remember you.

One of my favorite basketball memories of all time was that one dunk that KJ had on Olajuwan in the playoffs. People talk about the John Starks dunk like it was out of this world or something, but the KJ dunk was the one that had me jumping out of my seat.

Since I grew up watching Olajuwan, I squirmed every time they showed that dunk, and it was shown over and over back in the mid-90s. Definitely one of the most spectacular "posterized" move I've ever seen. That's one problem with Shaq, is that he never challenges those type of plays and hence doesn't normally get posterized. But it's also bad defense.

[spooks]

Karl Malone reportedly will retire. About 1500 points short of the all-time scoring record.

http://msn.foxsports.com/story/2553190

[Long]

Malone's agent is now saying the rumours of Karl Malone's retirement are untrue. But who knows.

I'm more interested in trades and free agent signings. NOt much happening there in terms of Shaq. Looks like Mitch wants to keep him in LA against his will.

With the Nets owner looking to cost cut, I guess everyone on the Nets is expendable. Teams with bad maximum contracts with 1 year remaining could probably ship that player + a cheaper player to the collective total of what Jason Kidd earns and get him.

[spooks]

First big FA to sign is Steve Nash. 65 million over 5 years. Cuban has declined to match the offer.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1833028

[James Ko]

Originally posted by spooks
Karl Malone reportedly will retire. About 1500 points short of the all-time scoring record.

http://msn.foxsports.com/story/2553190

Malone would probably get that if he was playing for Jazz still and be the main go to guy... but if he wants to play for a champion he would tough for him to get it.

[Long]

Originally posted by spooks
First big FA to sign is Steve Nash. 65 million over 5 years. Cuban has declined to match the offer.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=1833028

Excellent. So the Suns are out of the Kobe race. Kobe indicated that he wanted to stay in LA meaning Lakers/Clippers in anycase.

Let's now see Dallas ship Antoine Walker's bad contract to the Nets + other players for Jason Kidd. Wonder if he'd go back to Dallas if this were to happen. Bonus for the nets is they'll get a "poor" PF to replace Kenyon Martin who they're likely to lose to FA.

[James Ko]

yes PG was really missed after Steph Maybury got traded to the Knicks and you see Stourmaire and Marian couldn't do anything because no one was really controling the game for them. Nash should help them improve.

[spooks]

Originally posted by Long
Let's now see Dallas ship Antoine Walker's bad contract to the Nets + other players for Jason Kidd. Wonder if he'd go back to Dallas if this were to happen. Bonus for the nets is they'll get a "poor" PF to replace Kenyon Martin who they're likely to lose to FA.

Seems unlikely. Kidd is 32, just had knee surgery and is signed through the 08/09 season. From NJ's point of view if they're planning to dump Kidd away and build around Martin and RJ they'll want some young talent in return.

[Long]

Originally posted by spooks
Seems unlikely. Kidd is 32, just had knee surgery and is signed through the 08/09 season. From NJ's point of view if they're planning to dump Kidd away and build around Martin and RJ they'll want some young talent in return.

That's what a sensible owner would do. But from the reports I've been hearing about the Nets new owner is that he isn't remotely interested in the developing the team or winning a Championship. If what they say are true, he basically bought up his team to further his "real estate" profile in the NJ area.

He's told the GM to hire coaches and assistant coaches at the lowest possible price. They cashed in thier 1st round draft pick. Are looking to off load the huge contract of Kerry Kittles. Kidd is signed through to 08/09, but they probably don't want to pay him all that money all the way to 08/09. To cut thier costs it would make sense to get Walker for 1 year and let him to. Reports indicate they'll probably even let Keynon Martin if a team offered a good price for him. They won't match it.

[Moinllieon]

Nash has reached a verbal agreement with the Suns for about $65 millio. Kobe-Nash backcourt with Marion (if he stays) would be interesting. Good old Jerry Colangelo, he bankrupted the D-backs to buy a World Championship, now it seems like he's trying the same with the Suns.

Also, Vince has basically told the Raptors he want to be traded. Too bad not too many teams will want him, especially after the value has already been set by T-Mac's deal.

[spooks]

Originally posted by Moinllieon
Also, Vince has basically told the Raptors he want to be traded. Too bad not too many teams will want him, especially after the value has already been set by T-Mac's deal.

I wouldn't miss VC too much if he was traded. He hasn't done much for the Raptors the last few years anyways. Nor do they need him + his mom trying to run the show.

Malone might be playing next year. His orthopedist told him he could play 40 mins a night if he wanted to.

[Meh]

Nash has reached a verbal agreement with the Suns for about $65 millio. Kobe-Nash backcourt with Marion (if he stays) would be interesting. Good old Jerry Colangelo, he bankrupted the D-backs to buy a World Championship, now it seems like he's trying the same with the Suns.

The Suns won't have room for Kobe. So it's going to be a starting combo of Nash, Joe Johnson, Marion, Amare, and FA-pickup(aiming for Okur). Unless Amare develops into the next Shawn Kemp, this lineup should only be good enough for another 1st round exit, ala 2 years ago.

Looks like the net result of the Marbury trade was Nash+Joe Johnson. I'm not sure that's such a great deal. Nash is older than Marbury and is at a much greater risk at breaking down. His contract is just as insanely bad as Marbury. I guess the Suns really think JJ can step it up.

[James Ko]

Vince's value will be based on his past experience and accomplishment. He is still a very popular player (outside of Raptors organization anyways) look at his all star voting...

So there is money you can generate to have someone like that on your team.

I wonder if Malone wants a Championship or the career scoring record now. From his shape he can still play a couple more season (even if he got hurt). The key is does he have the passion of the game anymore.

[spooks]

Any hear about the Dallas vs China exhibition game on the 1st?

China 85
Mavs 80

Here's the boxscore. It's pretty interesting, especially Pavel picking up 4 personal fouls on Yao in 10 minutes of playing time.

http://www.nba.com/mavericks/news/ma...ina070104.html

[milKBoi]

nice with Yao getting 22/11/4 in 29min

how come wang zhi zhi not playing with them??? Cos i heard there this disagreement with the chinese national team.


And Mengke Bateer still playing??? *i thought he retired

Anyway^ nice win against dallas 2nd/3rd rated team.

[Meh]

The last time I checked, Wang Zhi Zhi defected. So he doesn't have to play for the Chinese team. Hopefully, Yao's toenail will grow back fast enough for the Olympics.

Some other NBA news.

1. Coach K apparently is thinking about the Lakers position. If I were him, I'd better get some assurances on who's going to be on that team next year. The guy can probably coach almost any damn NBA team he wants. The Lakers position right now doesn't exactly look juicy.

2. The Rockets are believed to have offered Brent Barry 4-year $24 mil deal. Basically, it's the MLE for 4 years. Mixed thoughts as a Rockets fan. Barry is definitely the best PG the Rockets can get, but that's a lot of money for a 32 yr old. I'm guessing the guy is going to spend the last two years of the contract parked permanently on the 3-pt line. Not that it's a bad thing, but just not worth $6-7 mil.

If the Rockets sign Barry, it would mean that the Houston's backcourt will be just as tall as the forwards: Barry 6-6, T-Mac 6-8, Jim Jackson 6-6, Juwan Howard 6-8. Pretty weird...

3. Carlos Boozer is likely going to resign with the Cavs, 6 years starting with the MLE, which is somethinglike $41 mil. Apparently, the guy's looking for financial security over the possible big payday if he had waited next year.

4. Okur is offered a similar contract(6 yrs, $40 mil) from the Pistons, which is likely going to take them out of Rasheed Wallace's price range. Never really thought of Okur as being worth such money. He looks like Mo Taylor 3 years ago. And Rockets fans can't get rid of Taylor's contract quick enough.

[Moinllieon]

Originally posted by Meh
1. Coach K apparently is thinking about the Lakers position. If I were him, I'd better get some assurances on who's going to be on that team next year. The guy can probably coach almost any damn NBA team he wants. The Lakers position right now doesn't exactly look juicy.

He's an idiot if he goes, that's all there is to it.