The Game Blog

King James Adds To His Highlight Reel

 

 

Just wanted to thank one more time all the folks that helped in the Roy Hibbert Blog Yesterday. It already is the second largest blog in the history of this blog in popularity. A big reason for that is the loyal fans of the Georgetown Hoyas. I think the Dino Nation and Raptor fans can learn from them. They support their guy in Roy Hibbert and I think that is great. I understand their is a difference between college sports and pro sports but far to often players get thrown under the bus here in Raptorland. I am guilt of it as much as anyone else. I can’t say it won’t happen again but the next time I have something bad to say about a Raptor I might think twice at least. I have grown to respect the loyalty of NCAA fans to the teams they support. It is great and something here in Canada we don’t understand as college sports in our country have a much lower profile. Maybe at some point Dino Nation Blog can try to change that a bit with the CIS. But the NCAA is treated on the same level to pro sports almost in the United States.

We are going to have are second co-venture with the Raptors Core. Mark calls it 24 second rapid fire here at Dino Nation Blog it is called 1 on 1. Just like a game we are going to break it into a 1st Half and a 2nd Half. So this was like the pre-game show so to speak. I will have some more stuff on the Half-Time show. To quote Wayne and Garth ” GAME ON “.

1st Half

1. JB: Should the Raptors look to bring in an NCAA player in the upcoming draft as opposed to another European as some of the mock drafts predict they will do?

MR: This topic is sort of irrelevant since you can finddifferent types of players in both environments. Jorge Garbajosa played more of a “NorthAmerican”, tough style while a guy like Ray Allen plays the “European” style – it’s all subjective. They should be looking for a slasher that can defend and a big man that can defend and grab rebounds at a high rate. I’m sure one of those needs will be addressed through the draft (likely the big man) so it doesn’t matter where they played last.

2. MR: What do you think of the O.J. Mayo reports that have surfaced over the last little while?

JB: I still am trying to get over the fact I bought into the hype about this kid, only to see him screw up my March Madness bracket. Whatever comes out about this guy - good or bad - I take with a grain of salt. When I was doing research and looking through mock drafts, I saw him pegged to go to the Knicks. Can you imagine that? It would be the perfect place to send the O.J. Mayo hype machine.

3. JB: Which is more likely to happen: Vince Carter return to the Raptors or Alonzo Mourning hired as big man coach in same role as Ewing in Orlando?

MR: Again, the whole big man coach thing is king of overblown. It makes sense for Ewing to be a big man coach for Dwight Howard because he is the traditional low post big man, all be it with more athleticism. Andrea Bargnani does need to incorporate more ‘big man’ characteristics into his game to be a better all-around player but ‘Zo doesn’t havethe same strengths (shooting) Andrea does so I findit kind of pointless. A summer camp for Bargnani should be good enough. So by default, I’d say VC coming back.

4. MR: Will Mike D’Antoni be as effective in New York once next season begins or will it take another year after that to truly see him at work once those bad contracts come off the books?

JB: It may take a miracle. People give D’Antoni a lot of credit and rightfully so. But is he really a good coach or was it the things he had with the Suns? I remember when Phil Jackson left the Bulls, many wondered if he would have success. I think many have some questions about D’Antoni. The difference was Jackson had a bunch of rings and D’Antoni has none.

5. JB: Should I go buy my LeBron James New York Knicks jersey now and beat the rush? In other words, can you see the idea of a James and Knicks marriage when his contract expires?

MR: Yes, but I think it’d be more likely that he joins the New Jersey Nets because of his connection to Jay-Z. The Knicks will have a lot of cap room by the time he opts out of the deal – that will be when they make their pitch. Most of the great players in league history have played in major markets and Cleveland isn’t one of the biggest. With the Nets moving to Brooklyn soon, it makes sense for him in a lot of ways.

6. MR: Where will Avery Johnson be coaching - if at all - in October?

JB: He technically doesn’t have to be anywhere - he did have a year left on his contract. So if I was his agent, I would say sit back and kick up your feet and wait for the firing season next year. He would be the number one guy out there without a job and I think it is a good thing to be that guy if you’re collecting a paycheque while you are.

7. JB: Who is the funniest replacement idea you have heard for Chuck Swirsky’s job? There have been some good ones.

MR: The funniest I’ve heard is probably Jim Ross. Obviously, it was a joke but that’s hilarious. “Good God almighty!! Chris Bosh just tore the rim down!! THIS IS A SLOBBERKNOCKER!”

8. MR: There are reports the Chicago Bulls’ players were contacting GM John Paxson’s phone about the D’Antoni rumors - do you think they lost out by not getting him?

JB: I think the Bulls were a better chance for D’Antoni and the team itself but in defence of Paxson, he may be thinking that it was more the personnel with the Suns rather than the skill of the coach. It should be noted that D’Antoni had a terrible run withthe Nuggets prior to his rebirth in Pheonix.

9. JB: Greg Oden will start his NBA career next season in Portland; does anyone have a realistic chance at the Rookie of the Year not named Oden?

MR: It’s way too early to tell. Historically, if there is a very good swingman in the draft year, he usually gets the award because he’ll be flashier and makes the ESPN highlights more often, getting more notoriety (i.e. Durant over Horford). Big men have impacts on their team that translate more to wins than just statistics. Oden will have a good shot because I predict the Blazers will be closer to a playoff spot next year but I can’t rule out Derrick Rose, Michael Beasley or O.J. Mayo, depending on where they end up.

10. MR: Did the San Antonio Spurs effectively win the series against New Orleans by tying things up following Game 4?

JB: It does not look as bright for the Hornets. They are in need of a Hugo the Hornet delay to regroup. At the start of this series, I said two things:

1. Spurs in 7 (Looks good)
2. Most exciting series of Round 2 (So far, looks good)

Scott can really show he earned that Coach of the Year award by finding a way to rally the Hornets but knocking out a Champion is not easy. Scott - a 3-time champ as a player with 80’s Lakers - knows all about that.

11. JB: Miami is the odds on favorite to win the lottery but beyond them who could most use that #1 pick?

MR: I’m sure every team would love that #1 pick but Minnesota probably needs it more than others. Seattle has cap room, Jeff Green andKevin Durant to work with. The Miami Heat were decimated by injuries and still have Dwyane Wade and Shawn Marion, assuming he either signs an extension with the team or exercises his option for next season. Minnesota is really hurting outside of Al Jefferson.

12. MR: Is there any way possible that Orlando can force a Game 6 in their series against the Pistons?

JB: Um..NO. They missed a chance to get back in this series and Detroit is not a team that will give you two second chances. Rodney Stucky deserves a lot of credit. This kid should have been drafted earlier last year and the Pistons are thankful he wasn’t. Yes, Superman, I doubt you. If there is any way, it will have to do with Dwight Howard going nuts.

Halftime Show:

Lebron James may make more money than the average person could even dream of having. The man is on record saying he wants to be the first ever billionare athlete. Still who could not relate to what happened with him and his mom during game 4 in Cleveland. No matter how big your bank account is you are still someone’s little boy. Lebron’s mom got in Paul Pierce’s grill and Lebron had to tell her to take her seat. I think we can all understand how Lebron must have felt. What we can’t understand is how the heck you can dunk a basketball like he did at the end of that same game. That was truly an amazing throw down.

Meanwhile the New Orleans Hornets are back home and have a important game number 5 vs the Spurs. I am pulling for the Hornets even though I picked the Spurs to win in 7 games.  Magic are on verge of an exit to the Pistons and the fact they let a huge chance to take control back in this series slip away speaks to the inexperience of this group. But enjoy that while it lasts because Dwight Howard is going to be aroundfor a long, long time. Kobe Bryant won the M.V.P because of his new found team play. Well now that he is banged up we will really see how good that team actually is. The Jazz meanwhile have to prove that they can win on the road something that during the season they struggled withbut had success in round one. But winning in Houston is not the same as winning at Staple Center. Jack Nickelson and hollywood’s A list stars don’t often make it to Texas. With that said time for the Second Half. See you in the post game show. That is where I will talk about the home team.

2nd Half
13. JB: Many have talked about Raptors trading up in the draft and using T.J. Ford to do that. Is that realistic to think they can for T.J.? If so, is there a guy worth trading up to get?

MR: Well, they have the 17th pick in the draft so can T.J. yield a pick in the top ten? That’s a really good question and I think it comes down to who needs a point guard badly. I think Miami would love to have T.J. down there but for one of the top picks? Not likely. Maybe he can go to L.A. in a package with another player for their pick and/or Corey Maggette? It’s an interesting proposition but I don’t see Ford going for a pick. DeAndre Jordan, Anthony Randolph and Brook Lopez are all intriguing big men prospects, though.

14. MR: If Kobe Bryant is bothered by back spasms for the rest of the Utah series, is it plausible that the Jazz could actually pull out the HUGE upset?

JB: But is it even an upset if Bryant is hurt? I mean, I understand Kobe says he won the MVP based on his team, but in reality Kobe won because he is a great talent. The team around him was good but not good enough to win without him. That is why Kobe is playing with the bad finger. Team USA also must be concerned if Bryant breaks down. All that being said, the Jazz are very good at home. If they can win on the road, I will buy that the Lakers are in trouble.

15. JB: Could Candice Parker beat Hoffa in a game of one on one?

MR: Hilarious to picture, but no.

16. MR: Why do you think Carlos Boozer has been so inconsistent in the playoffs so far? He’s only had a few breakout performances.

JB: When you consider the number of games this guy has missed through his NBA career, it is easy to see why he has not always been able to be consistent. That may sound a bit out of left field but I think there is something to it. But when he is on, he is a great force to behold. You often hear the Stockton and Malone comparisons with him and Williams but I think both players have a long way to go before I am buying that. Malone and Stockton were very consistent and always good.

17. JB: Why do people not accept that Sam Mitchell is not getting fired?

MR: I don’t get it either. They’ve been talking about it for months and then Colangelo said he’s staying. THEN D’Antoni became available and people continued to think he was coming here and now he’s with the Knicks. What more proof do you need?

18. MR: The Phoenix Suns already made a change when they gave up Shawn Marion for Shaquille O’Neal. Should they make another change when the new coach comes in that totally revamps what their style has been for the past four seasons?

JB: Steve Kerr for Bryan Colangelo was the worse non-trade in NBA history. Kerr was a decent player, a mildly entertaining TV guy and is rapidly approaching the Rob Babcock level of GM’s. Can he save himself from that? Steve Nash and Shaq better go find the fountain of youth. The style must change or Shaq may drop on the court and if you think the delay for Hugo the Hornet was long, try moving the Big Cactus off the floor. But seriously, the Suns will have to play better and more out of half court sets.

19. JB: Who is a guy that has risen in your mind based on the playoffs to this point?

MR: Chris Paul. It may seem like a copout answer but it’s true. I knew he was great but the way he dictates a game makes him pretty much the Jason Kidd of this new generation of players.

20.MR: Can LeBron James break through the Celtics’ defence and actually string a couple good games together?

JB: I thought so. I figured I would believe in the King and pick his team in 6 but so far, I am looking like a court jester thanks to King James. WAKE UP LEBRON. I mean seriously, the Cavs - despite the moves they made - are still a one man act. The bad news for them is that act is being put on ice by the Celtics.

21. JB: Bryan Colangelo has many tough choices to make. Based on the hype surrounding this offseason, can he make the fans happy? Will that even matter if he does not match the hype?

MR: Casual fans won’t care enough about the small moves. Hardcore fans will know a good move for the team when they see it. It doesn’t necessarily need to be a huge name (unless it’s that 20-point scorer) but if BC can get a slasher and big man, the fans should - and will - be happy. There may be some hype around it but I think he’ll live up to it.

22. MR: What does it say about the All-NBA team that only three Eastern Conference players made it (all on the 1st Team)?

JB: The West has a deeper talent pool but the East has some great stars. However, there is hope for the East in the future, as they have some young rising stars. I think slowly the talent will balance out. The West has had incredible luck in the lottery to get a lot of big names. Other then LeBron James, many of the ‘lock’ # 1 picks went to the West while guys like Bargnani and Bogut came to the East in weaker draft years.

23. JB: Beyond the Ford and Calderon situation, what Raptor is likely on the move prior to next season?

MR: If I was Bryan Colangelo, I would be trying to move Rasho Nesterovic’s contract every single day of the offseason. You cannot afford to have your back-up center being paid $8.4 million and he’s in the last year of the deal so it’ll be worth it for other teams looking for future cap flexibility. I don’t know if it’ll happen before the season starts, since some teams realize early in the year they’ll be bad and want to make those types of moves. Maybe he’ll be gone by the trade deadline but that would be the guy that has to go, even with all the good things he’s done for the team defensively.

24. MR: There have been some stories written lately stating that since Jose Calderon would have more value to other teams than T.J. Ford, the Raptors should consider a sign-and-trade to address one of their needs. Do you think this would be the best way to go or should the Raps stick to signing Jose and dealing T.J.?

JB: I am in the super minority that says KEEP BOTH. If they do keep both, by the time the trade deadline comes around, they will get more for either point guard if they play to the level they have for most of their careers. Ford’s injury issues make this a risky issue but a risk you may have to take. I am a Ford fan but I think it is equally insane to deal Jose. You can never say never but it would have to be a heck of a deal to make me trade Jose Calderon. That deal would HAVE to include a point guard that was a defensive player along with a star-type wing player. 

Raptors Post Game Show:

 

Congratulations to Jamario on making 2nd team all rookie team. To Raptor fans and Goodwater Alabama he is and will always be first team to us. The story of Jamario Moon is one I will never grow tired of because he is a great person and humble. Goodwater Alabama needs to have a Jamario Moon Day and a Parade if they haven’t already. Moon was edged out of first team honours by an Ex-Hoya Jeff Green of the Sonics. Kevin Durant the Rookie of the Year was second in the voting to Al Horford and to see all the results just click here. Raptors based on Moon and his success no doubt, annouced the plan to have another free agent camp like the one they had last year hoping to find another diamond in the rough.

Oh man, it is May and I am already tired of the Jose and T.J talk. So now the suggestion is that Raptors might be better served to trade Jose Calderon. It is a no-brainer he has the higher trade value if for no other reason he is not the health risk that Ford is. So if you were to trade Jose what would that do. Here is a trade that I can almost say for certain you will hear floated out there.

Calderon to the L.A Clippers For Corey Maggette and the Clippers 1st round pick this season. (With that Pick Raptors will Select D.J Augstine from Texas)

The logic if their is any in this deal would be that Raptors have been after Maggette and Augstine is a close friend of Ford and views him as a mentor. So no more point guard controversy. Sounds nice if you are a T.J Ford fan. But this is just as STUPID as the many Ford trade rumours that have floated around the internet. Just one short year ago this was the Raptors greatest strength behind Chris Bosh. I do not think this thing has got so bad that you can not convince these players( Ford and Calderon) to get along till the trade deadline. At that point you can choose the winner of the Raptor Point Guard Civil War. Now is not that time. I am firm in that thought and I may be one of the last on this ship but if I go down with it so be it. I think it is the best move for this team based on the value you can get now as opposed to at the trade deadline.  Bryan Colangelo in his on the record comments has said nothing to make me believe he is not still on my ship. But the constant talk of this issue is not making trading Ford or Calderon any easier if that is the plan for the off-season. If people honestly want it to happen the best think they can do for Bryan Colangelo is be quiet. Something tells me that isn’t going to happen. I am not big on betting but I think I could make some money if I bet Ford and Calderon will both be in Camp for the 08/09 season. Not many folks think that will happen. I also said by end of the season Ford would be your starter. I don’t like how and why it happened but I was right about that. So maybe I am right about this one too. Time will tell. But the one thing I KNOW I am right about is this blog is DONE for another day. Talk with you all again.

Tags: Avery Johnson, Bryan Colangelo, Candice Parker, Cory Maggette, D'Antoni, Dino Nation Blog, Goodwater Alabama, Hornets, Hoyas Fans, Jamario Moon, Jeff Green, Jose Calderon, Kobe Bryant, Lebron James, NCAA, Raptors Core, T.J Ford