Magic Hawks Basketball
Yeah, watching your team shoot 35% will do that to you

[Editor's note: Dan B. filling in today while Bawful takes care of some more important stuff. Consider this just a Worst of the Worst of the Night highlights post, but hey, it's still more effort than you got from the Magic last night!

The Orlando Magic: Well, so much for getting off to a running start. The Magic trotted out a brand new roster featuring Gilbert Arenas, Jason Richardson, and Hedo Turkoglu -- all of whom never even got to practice with the team before their first game -- against Atlanta last night, but it didn't matter. Seventh loss in eight games.

Things were ugly right from the start, with the Dirty Birds holding the Magic to a season low 14 points in the first quarter on a woeful 25% shooting effort. Remember, these are the same Dirty Birds that let a Celtics team giving Luke Harangody meaningful minutes drop 53% shooting on them just a few nights ago. Uh oh.

Beyond that, this was a game-long exercise in futility. The Magic also managed to toss up a variety of bricks for the entire first eight minutes of the fourth quarter, not hitting a single field goal in that entire stretch. The final total for the game was a 35.2% shooting percentage, including a 23.5% effort from downtown. The Magic were less effective than the Putty Patrol in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers.

The worst offender was Gilbert Arenas, coming off the bench for a 2-for-11 effort from the field. It's like Vince Carter never left! In fact, it's not like very much changed. The gameplan still revolved around relying on Dwight Howard doing his thing in the paint, and everyone else throwing up long-range jumpshots.

Speaking of the Pumaman, Dwight Howard did have a fairly solid outing, with 19 points and 20 rebounds. Though to be fair, with that many bonked jumpers, there were enough available rebounds that the Ben Wallace Inflatable Defender would have gotten four or five boards. Also looking at just the offensive boards, Brandon Bass grabbed one offensive rebound to Pumaman's five, but that doesn't sound too bad compared to the rest of the team. Those were the only two Magic players to grab ANY offensive rebounds.

Al Horford, reality check machine: "They have the same kind of team. They're shooters. They're the same team but with different players."

Stan Van Gundy, quote machine: "Look, they're out there trying hard, just none of them played well. Nobody could shoot the ball. ... I'm sure they had a lot of emotions and stuff going on. It was a long night."

The Miami Heat: And boom goes the winning streak.

62874792
SAD FACE

This was a game of runs. Both teams struggled back-and-forth through shooting woes. For example, the Heat had one trip down the floor that lasted 52 seconds and consisted of eight shots before Mario Chalmers drained a three pointer. Mike Miller started the possession with a defensive rebound, and managed to get two more offensive rebounds before it ended.

Dang.

But in the end, Dirk Nowitzki continued to do Dirk-like things and put down a 26 point line to help the Mavs win their 14th consecutive regular season game against the Heat. So much for a revenge game.

Dirk may have gone 0-for-5 in the final dozen minutes of the game, but the Heat let Jason Terry go into beast mode in the fourth quarter, with Terry scoring all 19 of his points in an 11 minute stretch of dominance. As noted in the AP recap:
Terry has spoken often about how losing to Miami in the 2006 NBA finals still upsets him.

So while shooting at the East end of the court -- the one over which the Heat championship banner softly sways -- he put on a fourth-quarter show.
So maybe we did get a revenge game out of this after all. Not quite what I had planned, but I'll take it.

Jason Terry, quote machine: (After Rick Carlisle joked at halftime that a then-scoreless Terry was "still at the hotel) "I told him I thought the bus was at 8:45, 9:00. But thanks for coming back and getting me."

LeBron James: Lebron played only a dozen first half minutes thanks to foul trouble. And during that time, he put up as many points as Yi Jianlian's chair -- zero. Yes, he came back for a 19 point effort in the second half, but that's still downright bawful for the self-proclaimed Chosen One. He only outscored Mario friggin' Chalmers by 6.

As noted by an anonymous commenter last night:
"The problem is that Wade is a weak outside shooter, Lebron is a weak outside shooter, Bosh tends not to shoot from outside 18 feet (except when the game is almost over), if Z isn't in the game, their center position is an offensive non-entity. 1 shooter is always on the court.So this leaves 4 guys to cover the same area of paint. Lebron tries to bull rush his way in and suddenly there are 2 guys waiting for him. So he takes a jumper and (more often than not) clanks it."
Also, as very succintly noted by stephanie g,
Miami's problem in a nutshell: bigs can't post, smalls can't shoot.
And this pretty well sums it up. LeBron's lack of post moves limit him to shooting long twos or driving the lane, but when everybody's just standing around and nobody's commanding close coverage behind the arc, LeBron doesn't really have room to drive to the hoop, and the result is a mid-range jumper clanking off the side of the rim from any of the five guys on the court.

No Ring King perhaps said it best in the comments this morning:
Asking LeBron to post up is like asking Vince Carter to be aggressive or Andray Blatche to stop thinking he's a point guard. It makes complete sense and everyone else in the world can see it, but it's never going to happen.

NBA.com, stat curse machine: As noted by Preveen in BAD comments,

I call major statcurse. Quote: "16 -- Uh-oh. Maybe they are good. The Heat just have to finish up 52-1 to still break the Bulls' record of 72 wins. Who's gonna beat them?"

Dammit!
Don't lose hope! Now they just need to finish 52-0! They can still do it!!

ESPN's headline writers: As noted by Karc in BAD comments,
Stupid headline from ESPN: "Dirk, Mavs conspire to snap Heat's streak at 12."

Conspire, really? A 22-4 team needed some sort of advanced trickery to beat a team they already beat on the road weeks before? A team with 8 losses against good teams winning one on the road against a good team was supposed to happen, I guess.

Seriously, Jason Terry lit up the Heat in the 4th. Can't that be the headline. You know, something clever like "JET blows by/burns the Heat." But no, ESPN's chosen wang-sucking team needed a good team to CONSPIRE to beat them.
(Eh, my bad, Miami was the home team. But I stand by the rest of my stuff.)
Come on, now. Of course the Mavs "conspired" to beat the Heat. Those jobbers went against the NBA's script! Don't worry, I'm sure Stern will, ahem, take care of things shortly.

Chris's Lacktion Report:
Jazz-Cavs: Francisco Elson found that two boards and one field goal made in 11:32 do not stand in the way of a ledger spot - not when you get 5 fouls for a 5:4 Voskuhl. Fellow bebopper Ronnie Price bricked once from the Terminal Tower in 5:04 and also lost the rock for a +2 suck differential.

For Cleveland, Jamario Moon eclipsed his teammates by bricking twice and fouling once in 7:11 for a +3. Manny Harris and Samardo Samuels (despite a board by the latter) each spent 38 seconds head-to-head on their rectangular gray gamepads as MARIO BROTHERS!

Bobcats-Generals: Nazr Mohammed went 50% from the field...only to litter his 9:44 with four fouls, a rejection, and a turnover for a 5:4 Voskuhl. Also earning a ratio was DeSagana Diop, dropping three fouls and two giveaways in 17:23 against one field goal and two boards for the same 5:4 as Mohammed.

Washington's Hilton Armstrong checked into the Watergate Hotel with four fouls and a giveaway (despite 100% from the stripe in two tries, and two boards) in 12:50 to be the third player with a 5:4.

Suns-Spurs: Ime Udoka united with Toad and Yoshi in 16 seconds for a Mario.

Bucks-Frail Blazers: Armon Johnson hammered out a foul in 3:10 for a +1.

Wolves-Clippers: Darko Milicic was manna tonight for Minnesota - if one feeds off of appearances in the lacktion report, as despite a block in 4:43 as starting big man, he fouled twice for a 2:0 Voskuhl. Sebastian Telfair blasted out a brick and rejection in 2:57 for a +2.

Belated Weekend Lacktion Report:
Friday:
Cavs-Pacers: Ryan Hollins had an amazing 129 seconds of fail - one brick, one rejection, one turnover AND two fouls for a +5 suck differential and a 3:0 Voskuhl!

Heat-Knicks: Joel Anthony went 100% from the field (in one shot in 20:23) and also had two boards, only to foul four times and lose the rock once for a 5:4 Voskuhl. Celebrating as well were Eddie House with one turnover in 4:11 for a +1, and Jamaal Magloire, who in 2:56 gave up the rock twice and foul once for a +3 that also netted a 3:0 Voskuhl.

For New York, Ronny Turiaf treated himself to one rebound in 4:01, but also turned out to be in possession of one foul and one giveaway for a 2:1 Voskuhl.

Bobcats-Hawks: Matt Carroll walked into a lacktion wonderland after a foul in 3:26 for a +1, while Zaza Pachulia came within 2 fouls of earning himself some wealth, only to end up with a +2 in 2:12 that also notched a 2:0 Voskuhl.

Clippers-Pistons: Jarron Collins jaunted into the underground floor of a dark castle for 57 seconds to earn a Mario.

Jazz-Hornets: David Andersen tossed a brick in 3:09 and added one foul for a +2 that notched a 1:0 Madsen-level Voskuhl.

Purple Paupers-Thunder: Royal Ivey can now re-upholster his throne with the finest gold after collecting a celebratory 1.8 trillion (1:48)!

Grizzlies-Rockets: Brad Miller scrappily had an assist and block in 12:22, only to brick thricely (twice from the stripe) and foul three times too for a 3:0 Voskuhl. Patrick Patterson clutchly fouled once in 3:08 for a +1.

Suns-Mavs: Brian Cardinal clearly had the same insider tips that Mark Cuban had, as evidenced by a 2 trillion (2:01) capital gain!

Wolves-Frail Blazers: Nikola Pekovic pounced on pesos with a 2 trillion (2:01), while for the infirmary by the Willamette, Joel Przybilla provided a +2 in 8:29 via foul and giveaway also worthy of a 2:0 Voskuhl.
Saturday:
Sixers-Magic: Spencer Hawes had himself one successful shot (out of 7) in 25:46 as starting center for Philadelphia...only to lose the rock twice and foul out for a 8:4 Voskuhl.

Heat-Generals: Lots of Wii access in Washington as Eddie House celebrated with a castle rescue mission for 7 seconds for a Super Mario, while Alonzo Gee gathered up toadstools in 33 seconds for a regular Mario.

Clippers-Bulls: Jarron Collins claimed one foul in 3:33 for a +1 and a Madsen-level Voskuhl.

Chicago's Kurt Thomas tenderly took down a trio of boards and a field goal and free throw in 16:14...only to foul out and lose the rock once for a 7:6 Voskuhl.

Jazz-Bucks: Ronnie Price is right after a 5 trillion (5:02) for the beboppers, accompanied by a 45-second riff in Mario Paint from Kyrylo Fesenko. Despite one made shot, Jon Brockman gave the Bucks 27 seconds under the scope of a laughing dog for a Mario.

Grizzlies-Spurs: Hasheem "The 2nd Overall Dream" Thabeet took one foul in 2:10 for a +1 and a Madsen-level 1:0 Voskuhl.

Tiago Splitter divided his statline between positive (two assists) and negative (1 foul) in 8:07 for a 1:0 Madsen-level Voskuhl of his own.

Wolves-Nuggets: Melvin Ely made one board in 2:39, but negated it with two fouls for a 2:1 Voskuhl.
Sunday:
Pacers-Celtics: Avery Bradley played the game of lacktion life tonight by bricking thricely (twice from the stripe) in 5:32 for a +3.

Von Wafer continues to collect enough for a round trip on the Masachussetts Turnpike after a 1.55 trillion (1:33).

Hawks-Nyets: Zaza Pachulia couldn't hold on to the rock tiwce and fouled once in 2:26 for a +3 and a 3:0 Voskuhl, while for New Jersey, Johan Petro countered a perfect shooting percentage (on one shot) in 3:01 and a board with three fouls and a giveaway for a 4:3 Voskuhl.

Hornets-Pistons: Quincy Pondexter pointed at one foul in 4:07 for a +1, while David Andersen can account for his finances after an exact 2.2 trillion (2:12).

Suns-Thunder: Serge Ibaka slotted himself in Oklahoma City's starting big man spot, earning 11:26 of hardwood time...in which he bricked twice and also fouled and lost the rock once each for a +4 that doubled as a 2:0 Voskuhl.

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32 Comments:
Anonymous Aaron said...
Did ESPN say that 52-sec possession is a clear demonstration of the offensive rebounding prowess of the Heat?

Blogger AnacondaHL said...
BTW, the rumors are coming in that Vince might be getting orthoscopic surgery on his knee and could be out for a month, making the trade look like the ballsiest saaviest thing Sarver has ever done. Intentionally trading for an injured expiring contract so you don't have to play him minutes is goddamn brilliant and now I love the trade.

I watched the introductory press conference with the three new guys, and while Vince's platitudes were generally cringe-worthy, it looked like he could actually buy into the Nash diet and give a minimal shit.

Pietrus, while quiet and speaking little, seemed like a genuinely nice and funny guy, like a compliment to Jared Dudley. I really hope his shot starts falling with Nash and Dragic feeding.

And Gortat was struggling to keep from cheering. Dude was genuinely happy ay the chance to earn his spot, like as a representative of Poland and the 2 Polish Suns players that preceded him.

Blogger Dan B. said...
BTW, the rumors are coming in that Vince might be getting orthoscopic surgery on his knee and could be out for a month, making the trade look like the ballsiest saaviest thing Sarver has ever done. Intentionally trading for an injured expiring contract so you don't have to play him minutes is goddamn brilliant and now I love the trade.

This. Is. Awesome.

Anonymous The Other Chris said...
BTW, the rumors are coming in that Vince might be getting orthoscopic surgery on his knee and could be out for a month, making the trade look like the ballsiest saaviest thing Sarver has ever done. Intentionally trading for an injured expiring contract so you don't have to play him minutes is goddamn brilliant and now I love the trade.

But.. doesn't that mean that you just gave away arguably your second best player for.. nothing? J-Rich is an expiring contract too if I'm not mistaken..

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Because of this site all I can think when I see this -

http://a.espncdn.com/photo/2010/1220/nba_u_hedo_teague_286.jpg

is "Ball."

Anonymous Aaron said...
If the goal for the Suns is to make the playoff or into the 2nd round, losing Carter now is OK. I am already hearing speculations from the FANS that there will be another trade with Carter + Warrick for a "superstar PF". So...yeah... Phoenix should just keep Amare.

Blogger AnacondaHL said...
But.. doesn't that mean that you just gave away arguably your second best player for.. nothing? J-Rich is an expiring co mistaken..

Right, but there was pressure to sign him, which is not the case for Vince. And the actual key to the trade were the other two guys and dropping HedoCancer, so losing his scoring and non-defense is a tradeoff I'll take.

...Phoenix should just keep Amare.

Good lord people how many times must this be said? I will write it in caps lock. WE WERE NOT GOING TO OVERPAY FOR THE INJURY PRONE ATTITUDE CANCER THAT IS NAMED AMARE STOUDEMIRE, SO STOP SUGGESTING THAT KEEPING HIM WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER, EVEN IN YOUR SHITTY HINDSIGHT BECAUSE YOU ARE STILL WRONG.

I hope I've made myself clear.

Anonymous JJ said...
I think Pietrus is underrated. I remember watching him in playoffs (maybe 1~2 years ago?) and he wasn't afraid to take some big shots and played well all around, kind of like Delonte West minus mental issues (I think?).

Not too sure about Gortat since I haven't seen him play too much.

Anyway, the real trade Suns need to make is Nash for a young PG + solid post player. This needs to be done ASAP while Nash stil has some trade value. Nash is one of my favorite players, but I think he'll be better suited in another team and also deserves to finish his career with a chance at the ring (a la Kidd).

Meanwhile, Suns really need to change their identity, get younger (any team playing Grant Hill so many minutes is begging for an infusion of young blood), and become tougher and more athletic with some quality big men. Dragic + another promising point guard should be able to run the team, and getting bigger should help them compete with teams like Lakers.

Blogger Solieyu said...
Bet the Heat are really missing Haslem right now.

It occurs to me that the Heat supporting cast requires that several players get decent play time in the hopes of forming one decent role player.

House/Miller/Jones are essentially the same player. If they can get consistent play from Miller then they can get rid of one of the other two.

Magloire/Damp/Z/Anthony can occasionally provide the services of one decent center with their combined efforts.

Riley needs to be working a trade in here somewhere.

As for the Suns, I kind of wish they'd give Nash to a contender a la Pau Gasol trade. The man deserves it, its just too bad that would basically kill Suns attendance.

Anonymous The Other Chris said...
As a Raptors fan, I agree that dropping HedoPoo is addition by subtraction. I was overjoyed when the Suns traded L. Barbosa for his whining, bloated corpse.

Essentially you're saying that the Suns need to enter a rebuild mode and resigning J-Rich, despite his fairly high productivity, cannot be a part of that?

Don't get me wrong, I love the other two guys. I'm interested to see how Gortat will do with extended minutes and with a new and unfamiliar system. And Pietrus should fit right in.

Blogger Henchman #2 said...
For the sake of accuracy, "...before Mike Miller drained a three-pointer." The enormous knee braces may have misled, but that was the white guy.

Blogger Dan B. said...
For the sake of accuracy, "...before Mike Miller drained a three-pointer." The enormous knee braces may have misled, but that was the white guy.If it's wrong, blame the AP recap I read while searching for the Youtube video of that sequence.

Blogger AnacondaHL said...
Right. The salary JRich will command would cripple the Suns had he stayed. We need to use our resources better than that. The rebuilding phase can be quick, like, one month (opposed to two seasons).

...I kind of wish they'd give Nash to a contender...

Okay. And here's the second stupidest thing being said about the Suns aside from the "shoulda kept amare" bull. What us so fucking hard to understand when the team says "he is the heart and soul if the team, he is the face of the franchise, he will not be traded unless he asks for it, meaning we will not trade him without his consent"? Everything is completely under Nash's options, he isn't a goddamn child, and he's not being held hostage, stop projecting your wishes onto him because you don't know shit, turn off ESPN and the NY media machine. If he chooses to leave he will leave, it's really fucking simple.

Blogger Henchman #2 said...
Ah, my bad. I lost track of the shots. So many shots...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
The Suns are finished.

Sarver has to be one of the 5 worst owners in the NBA.

Why no comments on the Spurs/Suns game?

Anonymous The Other Chris said...
Ah, my bad. I lost track of the shots. So many shots...

Must.. not.. quote.. worst song in history..

AnacondaHL I think people are saying "trade Nash" because if you're going to rebuild, why not do it properly and tear it all down? Sell high while Captain Canada is still playing so well, and get some pieces that you can use to kick-start the post-Nash era in Phoenix.

And it's kind of a catch-22, because Nash would never asked to be traded from the franchise that made him an MVP and HOF-er (?). He just isn't wired that way, way too much of a class act. At least IMO.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
miamis 53 second possession is the ugliest sequence i´ve seen in a long time..
srsly, watch it again, thats shoot around, not basketball

(extra bawful to lbj and the whole miami bench for cheering a bit too early a few times)

Blogger Wormboy said...
"Don't worry, I'm sure Stern will, ahem, take care of things shortly."

Well, he did in 2006, so I can't imagine that he'd pass up the opportunity with LeJ as part of the superfriends.

"WE WERE NOT GOING TO OVERPAY FOR THE INJURY PRONE ATTITUDE CANCER THAT IS NAMED AMARE STOUDEMIRE, SO STOP SUGGESTING THAT KEEPING HIM WOULD HAVE BEEN BETTER, EVEN IN YOUR SHITTY HINDSIGHT BECAUSE YOU ARE STILL WRONG."

I LOLed. Amar''''e is looking great in NYC, which is perfect for attendance with a franchise that won't be contending soon. It's only on contenders that his lack of rebounding and D become glaringly obvious.

Phoenix is Up To Something. Question is, what? That can't be standing pat here.

Anonymous Anonymous said...
Easy AnacondaHL. Don't stroke out before you get your X-mas gifts. I read "...I kind of wish they'd give Nash to a contender..." only as a form of positive thinking for Nash. Many of us would like to see him have a ring (me included), and unfortunately most of that group (still me included) believe that the Suns won't be able to do that this year or in the forseeable future.

You love the Suns. I respect that. I love the Jazz, but if I went nova everytime someone criticizes them I'd be an extra on The Walking Dead by now. Feel the holiday spirit! Drink some egg nog! Find some mistletoe and some hot coeds!

Blogger AnacondaHL said...
The Suns are finished.

No, not yet. Everyone said that last year too.

Sarver has to be one of the 5 worst owners in the NBA.

Quite possible, although competition is tough this year. Minny, Clips, Nets, 76ers, Grizzlies, maybe.

Why no comments on the Spurs/Suns game?

Because sad face. Suns 8 man rotation is fail.

Must.. not.. quote.. worst song in history..

Shots shots shots has NOTHING on Lady Lumps.

AnacondaHL I think people are saying "trade Nash" because if you're going to rebuild, why not do it properly and tear it all down? Sell high while Captain Canada is still playing so well, and get some pieces that you can use to kick-start the post-Nash era in Phoenix.

A commitment was made when he signed his signed his undervalued contract. These options have already been eliminated. People told us to rebuild last year too, and we got 2 games from the finals.

And it's kind of a catch-22, because Nash would never asked to be traded from the franchise that made him an MVP and HOF-er (?). He just isn't wired that way, way too much of a class act. At least IMO.

And again, Nash is not a goddamn child, catch 22 my ass. If he wants to go, he'll go. If he wants to stay, he'll stay. If the front office wants to trade him, even though they said multiple times they did not, they will ask him. Everything is pretty clear here.

I LOLed. Amar''''e is looking great in NYC, which is perfect for attendance with a franchise that won't be contending soon. It's only on contenders that his lack of rebounding and D become glaringly obvious.

Yes, thank you! But not to be too mean, let the Knicks fans enjoy their honeymoon. I mean, Suns fans went through it twice, in 2002 then in 2006, but they are clever folk and will probably figure him out much faster.

Phoenix is Up To Something. Question is, what? That can't be standing pat here.

Yes they are. If we can flip a 3rd banana and bench guy into a 2nd banana, the team is back. Obviously, I'm obligated to mention the "voodoo medical staff revives Vince for 18 ppg" option, but yea, lol okay then.

All this of course its subject to change if Gortat doesn't show us what he's got.

Anonymous Bryan said...
"Those jobbers went against the NBA's script! Don't worry, I'm sure Stern will, ahem, take care of things shortly"

Ive seen Stern have men taken out for less than this. Good luck to you and the safety of your family.

Blogger AnacondaHL said...
BadDave - These happen to be the two huge misconceptions I wish people would stop spreading and thinking about regarding the Suns.

I'd like to see Nash with a ring too, but not under any circumstance like that. Did people casually throw out "trade Reggie Miller to a contender" quotes, even in his best interest, when he was on the last leg of his career? Not nearly as much as they do with Nash, (or anyone?!?!) and it's pretty sick.

Look I'm all for criticizing the Suns, as they've gotten away with a lot in the face of their own stupid. Just do it correctly, and not based on easily refutable (and flamewar inducing) falsities.

Blogger The Sports Hayes said...
As much as the Heat are flawed, is there any other team in the East besides the Celtics that have a legitimate chance of beating them in a 7 game series? The Hawks, no way....the Bulls, no way. The new look Magic, nope.

Actually the lack of parity in the NBA is appalling. Other than the Celtics, Heat, Spurs, Mavs and Lakers I don't see any other team with a chance in hell of reaching the conference finals unless the before mentioned teams match up in earlier rounds.

Anonymous The Other Chris said...
Actually the lack of parity in the NBA is appalling.

Is it ever. The likes of the Celtics, Spurs and Lakers are so much better than the also-runs, never mention the sad sack bottom of the league, it's.. ugh.

I look forward to the Raptors winning a championship.. ummm, never?

Anonymous kazam92 said...
I've watched LeBron attempt to post up and....what can i say. He does everything right but cannot make a damn hookshot. He is more powerful than any SF in the league so he backs them down easily, can elevate to get a clean look, but then just whiffs the damn thing. Sad to say 6'4 D-Wade is the best post up guy on our team (watch him on small SGs. He starts salivating)


It's like how we say Dwight Howard simply doesn't have the feathery touch of a Hakeem no matter how much he works at it (although he's made strides)

Blogger chris said...
The Other Chris: I look forward to the Raptors winning a championship.. ummm, never?



At least you can look forward to the dinos continuing to fall on their faces (on rollerskates) for eternity, thanks to MLSE/teacher pension dollars.

While who knows, by the time the fourth year of lacktion reporting commences, the Purple Paupers may be providing poor ball in a different town...

Anonymous Anonymous said...
AnacondaHL - Still not feeling that Christmas spirit. Get merry, dammit!

Seriously, I think some of these expectations are fostered because the free agency market is much different than in the past. Back then you almost had people similar to NFL's "Franchise Status." Reggie wasn't leaving the Pacers, Monkian (Patrick Ewing) wasn't leaving the Knicks, and so on, and so forth. I wonder if the NBA shouldn't consider a franchise tag rule.

Anonymous JJ said...
Anaconda, I say "trade Nash" not because I have a misconception. It's because I'm a Nash fan more than a Suns fan. Sorry, but I guess that doesn't make you feel better. At least I think Suns can still get some value for Nash.

Anonymous Business Time said...
I'd like to see Nash with a ring too, but not under any circumstance like that. Did people casually throw out "trade Reggie Miller to a contender" quotes, even in his best interest, when he was on the last leg of his career? Not nearly as much as they do with Nash, (or anyone?!?!) and it's pretty sick.

The difference is Nash is probably one of the nicest and most well-liked stars to not have won a ring. In fact I'm hard pressed to think of someone comparable. Everyone wants to see Nash win, you certainly couldn't say that about Reggie Miller.

Blogger Jon-Michael said...
It's not the Super Bowl Shuffle, but this has to make some basketbawful list somewhere

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ppA1rN141Qo

Blogger Wormboy said...
Gotta say I'm with the Nash trade notion, though I know it won't happen. But I along with many other hoops fans want Nash to get a ring. And I'd like him to do it as something other than a Payton-esque corpse.

Alas, he IS too cool to do the temper-tantrum-trade routine. Yes, he's an adult. But the very reason we love Nashie so much is exactly why he won't dick his way out of Phoenix.

Blogger Solieyu said...
Relax, Anaconda. I really don't watch much ESPN or any NY sports media at all. I think Nash, possibly more than any other superstar in the league flies under the radar, especially with all of the younger point guards currently in the league that he still consistently outperforms with substandard teammates.

This is hardly the same team that Nash re-signed with in 2009. No Amare, No Kerr. And now he loses basically the only teammate he didn't have to spoon-feed in J-Rich.

Nash is a classy guy, there's no way he'd act like LeBron or Kobe when he's discontent. He has too much respect and professionalism to publicly demand a trade. As for privately, from what I've seen he seems the type to make the best of whatever cards he's dealt. I mean, Shaq? Terry Porter? Now the corpse of Vince Carter?

Trading him would be bad business for the Suns, I know. He's not just the heart and soul of the team, he's the engine that stirs the drink on the court. I'm not speaking as a Suns fan when I wish he'd be traded, but as a fan of one of the more under appreciated superstars in the league.