EOC 468 x 60 Add
Google
 
Want To Tell Me How Wrong I am

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Shaquille O'neal to the Suns

In a somewhat surprising season that has seen more big trades than any single season in recent memory we seem to have another huge one in the works. I'll keep updating as details fill out.

It seems that the Heat are trying to move unmoving center, Shaquille O'neal. Reportedly the Suns would be sending Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. There is apossibility that the Heat would move Smush Parker, who has great chemistry with the big fella. He also has been in the inactive list since a legal issue involving a parking attendant.

I see it from the Heat's point. Things just aren't working, so it is time for a change. With Dwayne Wade's free agency looming at the end of the 08-09 season, they needed to do something to intrigue him into staying. With the athleticism and abilites of a guy like Marion, the potential could interest Wade. It certainly will look more promosing than a future with Shaq at that point.

What I just can't seem to get my mind around is the Suns. I mean he doesn't fit their style of offense. I think they would be smart to go a little slower. They have quite a few years with this run-and-fun offense, I don't see any banners hanging or rings shining. As good an idea that I think that would be. Mike D'Antoni is way to arrogant to do that. So Shaq just doesn't fit. Oh, he will have a brief spike in production, just like he did when he got to LA, and again in Miami. But the spikes got smaller with each stop and this time it'll be more minimal. Announcers have been touting how he has lost weight and gotten quicker to fit into Miami's offense. There isn't enough weight on him to lose, or enough heart in him to lose it at this point. In order for him to fit with the guys in Phoenix. The only part that makes real sense in this is the fact that the hero rides of towards the suns(et).

I will say the most promosing aspect of this is the Shaq vs. Kobe storyline. If they were facing each other to get to the championship. With both of them now on teams that are relevant. I would love to see that back and forth for a seven game series.

If you like this blog Subscribe via RSS or Subscribe by Email
Learn more about RSS

Larry Brown Wants Back Into Coaching

According to The Philadelphia Inquirer (and anyone who will talk to him for five minutes) Larry Brown wants back into coaching. I have to say I am not surprised. We are talking about a guy who has gone to several places and done at least respectably. You know he isn't going to close things out with the New York Knicks debacle as the cap to his legacy.

Brown is currently an employee of the Sixers organization, where he coached previously. The Sixers current coach Mo Cheeks was part of Brown's staff in those days. Brown now wants to make it clear that he does not want Mo's job in Philly. Really!?, you aren't just chomping at the bit to take over a team that is basically the Knicks except without all the talent.

While Larry Brown spouts his desires into the abyss hoping it causes his phone to ring, lets pretend that this might actually happen.

I like the Pacers as a promising return possibility. With the dysfunction going on there right now, and the completely underwhelming performance of the talent they have. You have to think there will be a coaching change their. I mean Jim O'brien has only been there five minutes but they haven't been very good minutes.

If we exclude the previous stops, which are numerous, I can't help but think of the Bulls. This really stems more from the Bulls needs than from any thought of Brown. Though I will say that he has had a knack for solving problems. Teams like the Pacers and the Pistons were underperforming at the times Brown took them over. He then managed to take them to some measure of success. Some better (Pistons) than others (Clippers). If the Bulls are somethign they are inexplicably under performing for there talent. I am also intrigued by the possibility of Brown leading Joakim Noah.

If you like this blog Subscribe via RSS or Subscribe by Email
Learn more about RSS

North Carolina Vs. Duke Makes Rivalry Week




The rivalry that dominates college basketball and is the highlight of college basketballs rivalry week, fires it up again wednesday. I enjoy college basketball for the entire NCAA (OK the for the top 25). But this game is the peak of my pre-tournament interest.


While geography is an obvious cause for a lot of rivalries. This one has the added element of a class war. While North Carolina is a publicly funded state run school. Duke is a private university. While your nieghrborhood and where you see yourself are certainly things to have pride in, they don't make the kind of heat that this rivalry produces. There has to bea little history.


The accepted elevation from geographical, to passionate rivalry came in the 60's when Art Heyman and Larry Brown(Yes, that Larry Brown) got into a fight on the court. It really rose to prominence in the 90's as NC coach Dean Smith and Duke's Mike Krzyzewski had become quite intense just before the decade began. In the 89 season the two teams split two close regular season game. There was a lot made of the fans involvement in the rivalry. With some of the heat from Smith caused by Duke fands hold up a sign saying "J.R. Can't Reid" mocking the NC Star. The third meeting of the two tems that season was hyped right up until game time. It lived up to it in a way that most games never do. The game went down to 77-74 UNC win with Ried outperforming Duke's Danny Ferry who would miss a game ending heave as it rimmed in-and-out. The most notable stat of the game is that the two teams combined for 49 fouls.


While neither program is known for that style of physical play, you can expect more of the same. This Wednesday you can be sure that Tyler Hansborough will still have last years game on his mind. Check out this clip of how things wrapped up between the two last year. Check out the time and score in this. Yeah the games was over, but the rivalry never is.


If you need one final reason to check out this game. It will be the return of Babbling lunatic College basket ball icon Dick Vitale. Considering what a schill he is for the ACC in general and Duke specifically, you had to know he would make it back from throat surgery to cover this game. With him in the house you know it's gonna be awesome baby.

Since I know this counts to plenty of people let's hear it who do you want to win and what do you think will happen?
If you like this blog Subscribe via RSS or Subscribe by Email

Whats the Real Reason Bobby Knight Is Leaving

I don't mean to be a cynic here. I am actually a huge fan of Bobby Knight. I am a very fiery guy. I see how Knight gets as riled up and frustrated as he does. I can even understand his reactions, even though I know they are over the top sometimes. I do have questions about his abrupt departure.



He is being replaced by his son, Pat Knight. Pat was named as his fathers succesor in 2005. With the history that Bob has I can't help but wonder. Is he departing amidst some as of yet unknown problem. By leaving now is he ensuring that the head spot would still be available to his son. I really have no reason other than past history to suspect something other than "just because" as the reasoning for Bob Knights departure.



The biggest thing that makes me question this whole thing is the following ridiculous comments "There's a transition that's going to take place here from me to Pat and I've dwelt on this all year long ... how it would be best for him and for the team and for what we can do in the long run to make this the best thing for Texas Tech," Knight told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal, which first reported the resignation. Really!?, Bob you decided "...how it would be best for him and for the team..." would be to leave in the middle of the season. Sounds totally reasonable.

If you like this blog Subscribe via RSS or Subscribe by Email
Learn more about RSS

Linking up with RonDean

Tired of you job, here's your way out(Gizmodo)

In the event you aren't getting cancer as quickly as you'd hoped(Gizmodo)

More evidence Isiah Thomes is completely deluded(NY Post)

Somewhere Todd Marinovich's Dad is applauding this father's dedication(Gizmodo)

In case you didn't know, Superbowl XLII, was a big deal(ESPN)

Unless your girl owns star trek memorabilia, avoid this on Valentine's day(Gizmodo)

Look Goldilocks you gotta get in, and get out(Yahoo)

On ESPN 710's Steve Mason show, JA Adande asked today if Mason thought that the Dalmation and Clydesdale from the Bud Light Superbowl commercial was the result of animal training or CGI. No link here but I was laughing out loud in my car listening him try to justify his belief that was actual animals trained to high five.

If you like this blog Subscribe via RSS or Subscribe by Email
Learn more about RSS