Any predictions?

West
Spurs/Jazz Spurs in 4
Mavs/Thunder Mavs in 6
Clips/Memphis Griz in 5
Lakers/Nuggets Nugs in 7

East
Heat/Knicks Heat in 4
Boston/Atlanta Boston in 5
Chi/Philly Bulls in 5
Pacers/Magic Pacers in 4

Nuggets have no chance

Spurs, Thunder and Lakers all take their series' with ease

Heat and Chicago as well in the east. The other three series' dont matter, none of those teams have a shot to make the finals.

Nuggets have no chance

I'll give you the Lakers having the best few guys in the Series, but the next 10 most talented guys play for the Nugs.

Pacers in the Finals.

Heat and Chicago as well in the east. The other three series' dont matter, none of those teams have a shot to make the finals.

AND in the West Spurs and Okie take there series the rest don't matter as those teams have no chance of making it to the Finals either.

I can see the Knicks/Heat series going six. The Heat have been horrible against the three all season long. It would not shock me if Novak, Smith etc get hot in a couple of games.

Oh fuck. D Rose is hurt. Don't want to see this at all.

something in Rose´s knee just went wrong, ugh ... :(

Rose might have to re-invent himself. He's only great if he can stay on the court. His style of play is clearly making him too injury prone.

Rose may not have anything ending in CL left.

Thibodeau has to quit with the win at all costs mentality. They will never win a championship with him as coach because he cannot manage players' minutes. A minute 20 left, up by double-digits. Why is Rose even in there? And Deng has 40+ minutes. And he's done this since he's been the coach. I thought he liked his bench? Apparently, not so much.

Paxson and Del Negro got into it over Noah's minutes after he got hurt but apparently he has a love jones for Thibodeau so doesn't say anything. The Bulls window is small, very small. This year or next because when Rose can no longer go to the hole he becomes a mediocre PG.

Why is JR Smith handling the ball ? I don´t care that they have no PGs left, as a coach you have to find a way not to put your team in a position where they depend on Smith to make decicions beyond "should i shoot now or take another dribble and then shoot ?"

Rose might have to re-invent himself. He's only great if he can stay on the court. His style of play is clearly making him too injury prone.

Well, I think he needs an off-season to get himself entirely healthy. The stuff this year, as speculated by many close to the situation, is that the varying injuries have been a cumulative impact from trying to rush back from earlier injuries and over-compensating.

Early word on this one is that it is MCL/ACL/PCL/something-CL and that he is done for the year. Which would also mean no Olympics. Which would mean he will have a lot more time than he wants to get himself fully healthy. Prior to this year, I think he had missed 5 games in 3 years or something like that.

Long term, almost all the hyper-athletic players have to transform their style of play as they age. But I think it is a bit premature to say that is the case for someone who is 23 years old.

@BreakingNews Chicago Bulls PG Derrick Rose has torn ACL and MCL in left knee, will miss remainder of playoffs

Iman Shumpert just got carried off the court.

@BreakingNews Chicago Bulls PG Derrick Rose has torn ACL and MCL in left knee, will miss remainder of playoffs

What is your star player doing in the game with 1 minute left and a 12 point lead? Kudos to whoever the coach is.

@BreakingNews Chicago Bulls PG Derrick Rose has torn ACL and MCL in left knee, will miss remainder of playoffs

Haven't seen this reported anywhere.

Haven't seen this reported anywhere.

Still unconfirmed but...

Fantasy Basketball Breaking News - Rotoworld.com (http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=NBA&id=1476&line=180833&spln=1)

Umm Coach Spo, when are you putting in Juwan Howard, Dexter Pittman and Norris Cole?

Haven't seen this reported anywhere.

Confirmed ACL tear now.

Wonder who the Heat will play in the Finals?

@BreakingNews Chicago Bulls PG Derrick Rose has torn ACL and MCL in left knee, will miss remainder of playoffs

They played well without him, but yeah, they have no chance at a title without him. Sad to see.

Eastern Conference playoffs just got that much more uninteresting.

Nobody sits with a 12 point lead and 1 minute left. It's stat padding time, if anything. And you aren't gonna close out a game with CJ Watson.

Am I the only one that doesn't have a problem with Chandler getting a flagrant on his screen on Lebron? I mean he jumped into Lebron when he had his back turned. There's no way he would have done that if Lebron was turned around.

Glen Davis hurt his ankle earlier in the week but ESPN's sideline reporter said that he was elevating well in the layup line. He can't do that when he's healthy though.

I just want to throw up for the next 2 months.

Go Oklahoma?

If your go-to guy is Glen Davis, you likely won´t win a playoff game. Orlando definitely putting up a good fight, but that just can´t work even with Indiana looking out of sorts offensively.
Hibbert close to a TD, 8/13 and 9 blocks so far

terrible news on Rose ...

SVG is a hell of a coach. I know which direction I'd take that team in...

Why the hell step up and shoot a long 2 in that spot? That makes no sense.

Well, i´ll be damned.

Why the hell step up and shoot a long 2 in that spot? That makes no sense.

Because Collison is an idiot.

Well based on today's events:
My predictions
West
Spurs/Jazz : Spurs in 4
Mavs/Thunder: Thunder in 7
Clips/Memphis Griz in 6
Lakers/Nuggets Nugs in 6

East
Heat/Knicks Heat in 4
Boston/Atlanta Boston in 5
Chi/Philly Philly 6
Pacers/Magic Pacers in 7

Still think the Pacers will win this series because surely they can't look as f-ing bad as they did in the last 4 minutes of that game. What an absolute mess. I know they don't have that one stud, but they have too much talent to fold tent like that. This Orlando team isn't that good. They looked beat in the 4th and the Pacers just said, Nah, you take this one. Ugh.

I just looked at his stats and Ibaka has averaged 5.5 Blocks per 36 minutes since the all star break and 6.5 in 15 game sin april (4.7 bpg in 26 mpg) which is pretty much insane

I have to put today with the 2003 NLCS as the worst sports day as a fan I've had. The injury is devestating. Derails a fun contender and likely alters Rose's career forever. It hurts more since he shouldn't have even been out there.

It hurts more since he shouldn't have even been out there.

I get you frustration at that, but be honest : How often has a superstar ever been taken out in that situation ? It was afterall only 11 with 1,15 or so to go, it wasn´t totally in the books really.

I get you frustration at that, but be honest : How often has a superstar ever been taken out in that situation ? It was afterall only 11 with 1,15 or so to go, it wasn´t totally in the books really.

They were up 20 with 4 minutes left when they put him in. The game was not in doubt, Philly had pulled starters.

They were up 20 with 4 minutes left when they put him in. The game was not in doubt, Philly had pulled starters.

ok, i missed that as i missed the 4th up until about 2 to go


Mavs with a great first half, even with Dirk having a bad game.

Damn, for being such a historically great passer Kidd has some amazingly stupid TOs

In the next 10 or so years, someone's going to invent a knee brace that drastically cuts down on ACL and MCL injuries and doesn't reduce quickness. There's millions to be made there so it's only a matter of time as it's an injury that cuts across all 4 major sports

SI

Iman Shumpert just got carried off the court.

Confirmed ACL tear for Iman. 66 games+125 or so days= Fucked up playoffs.

They were up 20 with 4 minutes left when they put him in. The game was not in doubt, Philly had pulled starters.

This is the biggest issue. For all the talk about how well they played without Rose throughout the season, it makes no sense that CJ Watson, Mike James and John Lucas to play 11 minutes combined when the team is up 20.

It's just a freak injury. Rose hasn't played very well since January. I don't see anything wrong with him out there trying to get some work in. He has only been shooting around 40% of late and the team needed him to get his head out of his ass offensively. Sometimes basketball guys get hurt making basketball plays.

I think it's an entirely different situation than if the Giants are playing Eli up 3 TDs in the 4th quarter. The level of danger is so much greater in football, and that doesn't translate to basketball. Rose could have gotten injured like he did in warmups. Tibs was going to need Rose to be Rose in order to win. Getting some reps in when you're up is a good way to get back into the groove.

Obviously armed with the results, the debate is skewed. I just think based on all of Rose's injuries, it should have been more about managing his time on the floor and getting the most out of him during that time.

You can't get hurt on the bench. I know it can happen at any time, but the more time you are out there, the higher those odds get. Meaningless minutes is just an unnecessary risk.

Thibs has done this all year and told the media they don't understand the game when he s questioned. Maybe now he understands the question. It's a decision that altered Rose's career, Thibs legacy, and an entire franchise.

My (loud) complaints about Thibodeau's game management skills have been going on for two years. Just ask my wife. And probably my neighbors, too.

The absolute worst thing that could happen has been realized, not just for this year, but likely for a career. Rose still wasn't anywhere near 100% so why play him in that situation especially when you (allegedly) trust your bench?

Two years running the Bulls have the best record. That really helps now as they are not likely to get to the finals. Again. And the championship window is officially closed on this Bulls team.

Bad year for Chicago fans: Blackhawks done, Bulls likely done, and bad baseball.

When does football start?

terrible loss for the Mavs, they had this game all wrapped up and then just gave it away ...

Spurs looking good to start, especially Manu.

For the Jazz i´m happy that Hayward has developed so nicely, really fun to watch him play.

Can't wait to hit the Celtics game tonight. Here's hoping they fare much better here than they did in 2008, where I saw them lose three times.

Andrew Bynum just posted the first Laker triple double since Magic.

Playoff you mean

wow, so how many games does Rondo get?

Big market, big name, playoffs, no chance. He punched Brad Miller in the face and threw Hinrichinto the scorers table a few years ago and didn't get squat.

Maybe game 2?

Big market, big name, playoffs, no chance. He punched Brad Miller in the face and threw Hinrichinto the scorers table a few years ago and didn't get squat.

They weren't refs. He has to get at least a game. If not it completely destroys the integrity of the league.

He'll get a game and nothing at all will happen to the official that blew the call. The league has no integrity anyway, just look at the quality of its officiating.

They weren't refs. He has to get at least a game. If not it completely destroys the integrity of the league.

Think you're a decade late on the integrity thing.

He'll get a game and nothing at all will happen to the official that blew the call. The league has no integrity anyway, just look at the quality of its officiating.

one has nothing to do with the other. If you want to come on here and say the ref should be removed from calling playoff games that is fine. However bad the call was it doesn't justify Rondo making contact with an official.

Think you're a decade late on the integrity thing.

I know that

I was surprised by the predictions regarding the Lakers. As long as Bynum is healthy, they are one of the big three teams in the West.

I had the "under" on "day 1" as far as when the NBA playoff discussion became about integrity and refereeing. Missed by 1 day.

I was surprised by the predictions regarding the Lakers. As long as Bynum is healthy, they are one of the big three teams in the West.

They are probably only one of four teams who can win the title this year. I don't see how the Heat aren't in the finals.

Only 1 Q, but Griz looking like the Griz of the 11-12 playoffs so far.

And Clips looking like the Clips of... well... the Clips of nearly every season.

They are probably only one of four teams who can win the title this year. I don't see how the Heat aren't in the finals.

Bulls are still a strong side minus Rose, but I don't see them or anyone else taking the Heat past 5 or 6 games unless Miami completely implodes on offense. There is a chance of that given the Bulls makeup and the fact that they more than anyone can play Mavs-esque D, but I don't see it happening.

Having said that, I don't see the Heat winning the title. Going to be Lakers/Thunder IMO, with the Spurs an outside shot. Out of those 3 teams, Spurs would probably be the toughest matchup IMO for Miami.

OMG Sturn is ficksing the leeeg!!1!!

Playoff you mean

Yes. Playoff triple double. :)

Ridiculous finish in the Clippers-Grizzlies game. Clips ended the game on a 28-3 run to win by 1.

Sheesh, that'll teach me to ignore a game after the first 1.5 quarters.

Sheesh, that'll teach me to ignore a game after the first 1.5 quarters.

Groundhog, even I ignored the last 1.5 quarters of this one so I could watch my DVR'd Game of Thrones. I had no idea the Clips were even capable of that, and I have been watching them all season. Holy cow...

Wow. I turned it off also

I had the "under" on "day 1" as far as when the NBA playoff discussion became about integrity and refereeing. Missed by 1 day.

It's like being cheated on in the past by your GF. You just never trust her and question everything.

Brooklyn revealed their color scheme and logos today:

http://www.nba.com/nets/media/bk_logosheet.jpg

Not bad, but nothing very exciting either. I am a fan of plain, but these are SUPER plain

Step 1: Open up MS Paint...

What color scheme?

SI

Jay-Z Lyrics from Run This Town-

[snippet]
All black everything
Black cards, black cars
All black everything

edit- he designed the logos

I think they are phenomenal.

Sheesh, that'll teach me to ignore a game after the first 1.5 quarters.

You're supposed to turn a basketball game on when there are 2 minutes left, everyone knows nothing that happens until then really matters...

You're supposed to turn a basketball game on when there are 2 minutes left, everyone knows nothing that happens until then really matters...

Exactly, and you still get 30 minutes of actual viewing in during that last 2 minutes of game time anyways.

Rondo suspended for Game 2.

Loving the "classic" style logos, but wondering how the colour scheme will translate onto a jersey. Hopefully they go with a simple throw-back style to match the logo.

I sort of like it. THen again, I like most of the retro logos in all sports. Just simple stuff.

The way this is going we´ll either see Melo go for 60 or end up going 12-36 or sth. Dude isn´t even pretending to think about passing the ball today. one of those "i´m not sure if i should be fascinated or disgusted" type games he´s having so far.

i don´t see much funny in what Wade did there. If i had any say, that´s going to result in at least a technical.

Damn, Stern isn't fixing it for the Celtics. I guess we'll have to win legitimately now.

i don´t see much funny in what Wade did there. If i had any say, that´s going to result in at least a technical.

Yeah right. Althouh it was funny to see Tyson get one for staring.

And apparently Amare badly lacerated his hand after punching something in the locker room out of frustration.

Frank Isola
‏ @FisolaNYDN
Follow
Amar'e hand heavily taped with arm in a sling. Can't imagine he plays again



AHAHAHAHA

And apparently Amare badly lacerated his hand after punching something in the locker room out of frustration.

Probably Landry Fields.

AMARE SMASH

NY Post headline is great - Bloody Idiot

He should have done everyone a favor and punched Melo

I don't think that's what they had in mind when they told him to go hard on the glass.

It is really amusing to watch what is happening to the Knicks. They waited years to get out from under the salary cap mess that they were in so they could hopefully sign Wade or James. Now they are right back in a horrile predicament with 2 untradable max contract guys and will be a mess again for the next 5-6 years. Except now they will be just good enough to be a 7 seed and get bounced in the first round every year.

Amare...yes, Melo...no. Reportedly they could have swapped him for Deron Williams prior to the deadline but it was squashed by Dolan.

Yeah, Melo was a beast with Amare out. It seems them 2 arent a good match. Of course I dont think Lin and Melo are either so..... I think the Knicks should try to trade Amare/Lin combo in the offseason for a good shooting point guard and post depth.

A day or two late, but this made me laugh:

Onion Sports Network ‏ <S>@</S>OnionSports
Grizzlies Annoyed They Went To Bed Instead Of Watching Clippers Improbable Comeback

Yeah, Melo was a beast with Amare out. It seems them 2 arent a good match. Of course I dont think Lin and Melo are either so..... I think the Knicks should try to trade Amare/Lin combo in the offseason for a good shooting point guard and post depth.

No ne will take Amare's contract.

No ne will take Amare's contract.

Desperate teams out there. Never know.

Can you amnesty a player you trade for ? I couldn´t find anything in the wording that would prohibite that (states only that the contract has to have been signed before the CBA started, not that it has to be with the team currently at) and since you can use it whenever you like as long as the CBA runs ...
That would be a sort of an out-clause for a team that hasn´t used it yet and trades for him, just see for a season what he has left in another situation and then make a decicion next year.

I'm all for some Linsanity in Game 4, even if Melo will get in the way. Especially if he goes HAM after being out for a few months. But again, doubtful.

Brooklyn revealed their color scheme and logos today:

http://www.nba.com/nets/media/bk_logosheet.jpg

Not bad, but nothing very exciting either. I am a fan of plain, but these are SUPER plain

Dola

This looks like clip art. Fine with the black/white color scheme change, but feel like they could've used all of their billions to hire a proper designer to make them a logo that doesn't look so shitty.

But I imagine there will be updates and with the lead time, one figures the uniforms should be decent. If nothing else, it'll be street gear and I think that's all Jay-Z was trying to do in the first place.

I do like the small shields as secondary items, but...in general, I feel like the identity needs to really be fleshed out.

Can you amnesty a player you trade for ? I couldn´t find anything in the wording that would prohibite that (states only that the contract has to have been signed before the CBA started, not that it has to be with the team currently at) and since you can use it whenever you like as long as the CBA runs ...
That would be a sort of an out-clause for a team that hasn´t used it yet and trades for him, just see for a season what he has left in another situation and then make a decicion next year.

If you're referring to the Knicks, as far as I know, you can only amnesty one contract anyway, and they already did that with Chauncey Billups.

I think it may need a trim of one more colour to make it stand out and not look like someone printed out a B&W print of their logo.

If you're referring to the Knicks, as far as I know, you can only amnesty one contract anyway, and they already did that with Chauncey Billups.

no, i´m referring to any team that would trade for him and still have their amnesty :)

You know that line from the Godfather movies.. "just when I thought I was out they pull me back in...". That's the Celtics
There is NO way they should be in this game without Rondo.. never mind leading by four with two to play

The Hawks are without 2 centers, one of whom is an all star. I cant see the games since im working until 8 pacific every night but im assuming thats not helping.

I am clearly a jinx to the Celtics. Since 2008, the Hawks and Celtics have played in 9 playoff games. The Celtics have lost every game I have attended (0-4) and won every game I have not attended (5-0).

By all means, attend more Celtic games.

that's ok.. don't feel like you're obligated to.. the arena experience sucks compared to watching from home anyway.. ;)

I am planning on attending game 5, but the good news is they should be up 3-1 if tradition holds, so I can watch them lose game 5 and then they'll win the series in game 6.

no, i´m referring to any team that would trade for him and still have their amnesty :)

No you can't use it on a player you traded for.

There is nothing more depressing than getting my playoff tickets and looking forwar to a long and fun experience. Now I get to watch the Bulls give up 108 points to the Sixers.

I still like our chances in the series, but I miss Derrick. :cry: :cry:

http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/522347_346584308730307_100001362226541_874086_905236275_n.jpg

It´s back !

http://www.sportsgrid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/PierceTebowATL-628x349.jpg


:D

Another sucky loss for the Mavs. Got to give them credit for playing much better than in the regular season, but the execution down the stretch sucks. It´s like they suddenly forget about spacing and passing angles and rush things ...

terrific piece on Roy Hibbert and also putting a good assesment on the age long discussion/stetement of "but he´s so tall, shouldn´t he be better ?" : How the Indiana Pacers' All-Star center, Roy Hibbert, avoided becoming a stiff - Grantland (http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7881895/how-indiana-pacers-all-star-center-roy-hibbert-avoided-becoming-stiff)

This Celtics team is really enjoyable. Well, Rondo's a nutjob but there's a guy like that in every group, you just gotta try to keep his ass in line.

Kentucky's Anthony Davis has been added to the list of players who might play in the Olympics this summer. With Dwight Howard and LaMarcus Aldridge injured we don't have a lot of power forwards and centers to choose from.

SI.com link (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/sam_amick/05/02/davis.team.usa/index.html?sct=hp_t2_a6&eref=sihp)

terrific piece on Roy Hibbert and also putting a good assesment on the age long discussion/stetement of "but he´s so tall, shouldn´t he be better ?" : How the Indiana Pacers' All-Star center, Roy Hibbert, avoided becoming a stiff - Grantland (http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7881895/how-indiana-pacers-all-star-center-roy-hibbert-avoided-becoming-stiff)

Thanks for the link. Been a big Hibbert fan for some time. Was excited when the Pacers drafted him and really have enjoyed seeing him take the next step this year.

So the Knicks are serious about trading Amare Stoudemire? The MVP candidate from a year ago is now an unwanted piece? Wow

Can someone wake me when the 2nd round begins?

So the Knicks are serious about trading Amare Stoudemire? The MVP candidate from a year ago is now an unwanted piece? Wow

When was Amar'e an MVP candidate? He's always been a numbers guy who benefitted from having the best playmaker in the game on the court with him most the time.

Davis will shine with international goal tending rules. I'm nearly positive you can stuff or clear anything that hits the rim.

Davis will shine with international goal tending rules. I'm nearly positive you can stuff or clear anything that hits the rim.

Yup, as soon as the ball is on the rim it's fine.

Mavs are doing a perfect impression of the 2006 Heat.

When was Amar'e an MVP candidate? He's always been a numbers guy who benefitted from having the best playmaker in the game on the court with him most the time.

Amar'e Stoudemire: Why He Should Win NBA MVP Over LeBron James | Bleacher Report (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/562631-amare-stoudemire-why-he-should-get-mvp-over-lebron-james)

Knicks’ Amar’e Stoudemire for MVP – Believe it! | TheSportsJury (http://thesportsjury.com/nba/knicks-amare-stoudemire-for-mvp-believe-it/)

NBA Awards | Amare MVP, Griffin Rookie Year | SportsGrid (http://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/nba-mid-season-awards-amare-stoudemire-or-derrick-rose-will-be-your-mvp/)

I am not saying I agreed but people were talking about Amare as an MVP candidate.

Amar'e Stoudemire: Why He Should Win NBA MVP Over LeBron James | Bleacher Report (http://bleacherreport.com/articles/562631-amare-stoudemire-why-he-should-get-mvp-over-lebron-james)

Knicks’ Amar’e Stoudemire for MVP – Believe it! | TheSportsJury (http://thesportsjury.com/nba/knicks-amare-stoudemire-for-mvp-believe-it/)

NBA Awards | Amare MVP, Griffin Rookie Year | SportsGrid (http://www.sportsgrid.com/nba/nba-mid-season-awards-amare-stoudemire-or-derrick-rose-will-be-your-mvp/)

I am not saying I agreed but people were talking about Amare as an MVP candidate.

Note though that those were all written early (going back to December) and most importantly, all written pre-Melo trade. He played nowhere near that level for the last few months of the season.

Note though that those were all written early (going back to December) and most importantly, all written pre-Melo trade. He played nowhere near that level for the last few months of the season.

True, but they were written. They also represent a large segment of the basketball community who felt that Amare was at least the first piece of a title contender. To go from where he was at the time of those articles to where he is now is well ......Joe Johnson-esque.

Today, in racist douchebaggery from the NY post:

New York Post Columnist Goes Full-Racist on Jay-Z’s Brooklyn Nets -- Daily Intel (http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/05/new-york-post-jay-z-brooklyn-nets-racist-phil-mushnick.html)

Joe Johnson is so overrated that he is now underrated. He's a baller.

Today, in racist douchebaggery from the NY post:

New York Post Columnist Goes Full-Racist on Jay-Z’s Brooklyn Nets -- Daily Intel (http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/05/new-york-post-jay-z-brooklyn-nets-racist-phil-mushnick.html)

Stupid. It seemed to me that they were bringing back a more classic Brooklyn logo which was kind of cool. A writer clearly trying to make an issue of something that isnt there.

I wonder if that writer even realizes that Jay-Z isnt really a "gangsta rapper" anymore?

That he was never a gangster rapper

That he was never a gangster rapper

Probably the closest to the truth. He did have some edgier stuff in his younger days but nothing remotely close to the Snoop/Dre/2-Pac days.

Jay was never a gangsta rapper. It's such a term for west coast gangsta rap, none of that east-coast style drug rap anyway. But the FOX ilk use that term for anyone who swears or even raps, probably. So painful to hear them talk about it.

Today, in racist douchebaggery from the NY post:

New York Post Columnist Goes Full-Racist on Jay-Z’s Brooklyn Nets -- Daily Intel (http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2012/05/new-york-post-jay-z-brooklyn-nets-racist-phil-mushnick.html)

wow

Joe Johnson is so overrated that he is now underrated. He's a baller.

he is. Would be a wonderfull No2 player or part of a well flowing offense, definitely not a guy you will go deep with as your No1 option or when you just run stuff through him.
And fact is that he will only get worse from now on out, his FTs have been dropping last few seasons again, he´s stepping out further shooting the ball and creating less offense off the drible than ever.


as for Amare : Anybody can see that he´s just not having the physichal ability. Wether this is a one-off due to the lockout, injuries and other factors or a permanent thing is the big question.
His biggest asset has allways been his physichal ability, that nice 15-20 foot jumpshot notwithstanding...

Offensively he actually still scored at a high rate at the rim (actually the same as last year and on better %) but his attempts and percentages for 3-9 feet dropped off totally (from 4.8 tries and 45% to 2.2 and 32%).
He actually scored more of his points on assists this season, so propably getting him a class PG would be important.

The problem with him is that you need him to score a bunch to make up for his weaknesses and that he´s at his best offensively when he´s also most detrimental on defense : Playing at Center. Even this year (albeit in limited minutes, 16% of the teams minutes there while he logged 44% of the teams minutes at PF) he´s been leaps better offensively at Center, his per48min numbers via 82games: 32/14 on 57% eFG
at PF : 23/10on 45% eFG
(the team gave up 6.5 more points per 100 posession with him at C compared to him at PF. Of course that also has to do with Chandler then not playing, but still)

New New Orleans owner Tom Benson trying to change name of New Orleans to Spirit or Angels, looks like

dola

Angels and Spirit Are the Two Leading Names for a Hornets’ Rebrand | New Orleans Hornets | Hornets247.com (http://www.hornets247.com/blog/2012/05/03/angels-and-spirit-are-the-two-leading-names-for-a-hornets-rebrand/)

I would think Spirit is probably going to result in a legal battle, as the Spirits of St. Louis still collect about 14million a year for not playing in the NBA.

Hmm... Angels doesn't really strike me as a basketball team name.

It works for baseball, but even that, I think is more based on it having been used for decades now and we're just used to it.

I think it would make for a cruddy name for a New Orleans basketball team.

I think Knights would be pretty good.

I would think Spirit is probably going to result in a legal battle, as the Spirits of St. Louis still collect about 14million a year for not playing in the NBA.

Doubt they'd sue, they're too busy collecting those big paychecks and the only thing ending their golden goose is the NBA finding someone who wants to put a team in the Savvis/Scottrade/Whateverthey'recalling it now Center.

Wonder if MJ will try to get that Hornets nickname for Charlotte.

Ryan Anderson wins Most Improved. If Linsanity hadn't gotten hurt, this award was his but...so it goes.

Magic's Ryan Anderson wins Kia Most Improved Player Award | NBA.com (http://www.nba.com/2012/news/05/04/most-improved-player/?ls=iref:nbahpt1)

Ryan Anderson wins Most Improved. If Linsanity hadn't gotten hurt, this award was his but...so it goes.

Magic's Ryan Anderson wins Kia Most Improved Player Award | NBA.com (http://www.nba.com/2012/news/05/04/most-improved-player/?ls=iref:nbahpt1)

Re: Lin, does it count as "Most Improved" if you're a pretty darn good basketball player, but no one really gives you a chance because you're Asian?

I suspect the only thing that "improved" was the open-mindedness of a few NBA execs.

Re: Lin, does it count as "Most Improved" if you're a pretty darn good basketball player, but no one really gives you a chance because you're Asian?

I suspect the only thing that "improved" was the open-mindedness of a few NBA execs.

Dude was the 13th man on a roster last year. This year? Far from that once he started playing. That kind of ascent just doesn't happen. Yeah, he's Asian and that helps for marketing purposes. And playing in New York helped immensely from a media perspective.

But again, the ascent from nobody to capable NBA starter almost overnight?

It was a movie.

"Spirit" and "Angels" are both lousy. Spirit is terrible; Angels is alright in a vacuum but it's already taken in the world of major professional sports and really doesn't have anything to do with New Orleans at all other than the Saints being our NFL team. I think we really need a re-brand but I feared Benson wanting to turn the NBA team into Saints Jr.

Dude was the 13th man on a roster last year. This year? Far from that once he started playing. That kind of ascent just doesn't happen. Yeah, he's Asian and that helps for marketing purposes. And playing in New York helped immensely from a media perspective.

But again, the ascent from nobody to capable NBA starter almost overnight?

It was a movie.

Yeah, but did his ability actually improve much? I doubt it. Aside from the natural experience he may have gained from playing in NBA training camps and practices, he was probably about as good last year as he was this year--just no one knew it last year because no one gave him the chance.

Re: Lin, does it count as "Most Improved" if you're a pretty darn good basketball player, but no one really gives you a chance because you're Asian?

I suspect the only thing that "improved" was the open-mindedness of a few NBA execs.

Or in Ryan Anderson's case, the Magic decided to play him 10 more minutes per game this season. He was already good.

This is one of the dumbest awards in sports.

Oh, and I agree 100% Lin is an amazing story; movie-like for sure.

I guess what I am saying is that naming Lin Most Improved would be like doing the same to Jackie Robinson in 1947, had he been a little used bench guy in 1946. Not like Jackie Robinson wasn't awesome in 1946, just no one was going to give a man of his race a chance in that year.

Not saying the ones who passed on Lin equate with the racist bigots in baseball in the 40s, but the decision to not play a player because of a factor outside of his ability is much the same.

Or in Ryan Anderson's case, the Magic decided to play him 10 more minutes per game this season. He was already good.

This is one of the dumbest awards in sports.

Heh...yeah, I guess that's true. It is kind of a dumb award. Improvement should seemingly be more about getting better, not just getting more time.

Yeah, but did his ability actually improve much? I doubt it. Aside from the natural experience he may have gained from playing in NBA training camps and practices, he was probably about as good last year as he was this year--just no one knew it last year because no one gave him the chance.

The thing is...he wasn't that good last year. He worked out all last year and the extended lockout helped him develop. This article from the Mercury News chronicles (http://www.mercurynews.com/jeremy-lin/ci_20033514) how he worked to get this good to even be able to play at the level he did this year.

In the popular fable of Jeremy Lin's life story, the villains are the NBA scouts and executives who overlooked the Harvard-educated, Asian-American point guard from Palo Alto.
Such a storyline, while convenient, undercuts a key aspect of Lin's rocket ride to stardom. The New York Knicks sensation is thriving not because his skeptics were wrong. Lin is thriving because he realized they were right.
He really was too willowy to survive the muscled forest of an NBA defense. He really was lacking a consistent jump shot.
So Lin rewrote his scouting report, reinventing himself shot by shot and pound by pound.
"That's the lesson here: If you don't like the way things are going for you in a sport, don't cry about it. Don't whine to the coach. Do something about it," said Doc Scheppler, who helped Lin refine his shooting fundamentals.
Over the span of more than three body-transforming months, Lin doubled the amount of weight he could squat (from 110 pounds to 231 pounds), nearly tripled the number of pull-ups he could do (from 12 to 30) and abandoned the shooting form he'd been using since eighth grade (he's now among the most accurate point guards in the NBA).

He did so by crisscrossing the Bay Area all summer, honing his shooting touch with Scheppler in Los Altos Hills, building up his lower-leg strength with trainer Phil Wagner in Menlo Park and sculpting his upper body with E.J. Costello at 24 Hour Fitness in Pleasanton -- often
on the same day.

"He's got the mental makeup of a Hall of Famer," Wagner said.
Despite a rough game Thursday night -- eight points and eight turnovers in a loss at Miami -- Lin remains one of the hottest stories in the history of American sports. He has been invited to participate in Rising Stars Challenge, a game Friday that features rookies and second year players as part of this weekend's NBA All-Star Festivities.

The only thing being ignored now is the work that went into becoming an overnight success.

Once you see that, you realize the mythology is just that and he did what anyone who wants to be good at something -- hype or not -- has to do. He busted his ass to do it.

Cool, that's pretty neat.

the hand:

http://media.zenfs.com/en/blogs/sptusnbaexperts/This-is-what-Amare-Stoudemires-left-hand-looks-like.-Via-@Amareisreal.jpg

If you let the Celtics get momentum late you will lose

That Noah ankle injury looked horrible. Surprised he's walking off the court.

and now the Hawks are doing to the Celtics what the Celtics did to the Hawks in Game 2

Damn. Shot looked good most of the way. Oveerrrrrrtime

Celtics won..bulls haven't scored a fg for EIGHT minutes. And Philly has taken the lead

That certainly explains why they said his hand was hanging halfway off

Career playoff triple doubles

1. Magic Johnson - 30
2. Jason Kidd - 11
3. Larry Bird - 10
4. Wilt Chamberlain - 9
5. Oscar Robertson - 8
6. Rajon Rondo - 7
7. LeBron James - 6
8. John Havlicek - 5

Javale McGee with his finest game yet ? 16/16, 3 blocks, +30 when on the court.

Thank goodness for the Clips-Grizz series, hope it goes on just as it´s been the first 2 1/2 games.

Pacers win the duel of the inept to go up 3:1, almost managing to loose a 20 point lead against the Magic and their go to guy Glen Davis. They really only run the Pick and Roll and Nelson isn´t even any good at it.

What a brain fart by Speights and then he fails to foul or at least challenge Griffin. As talented as he might be, Speights is not a player i want in any position of responsibility on my team, Grizz better hope Gasol and Randolph don´t get into foul trouble much.

Grizzlies struggled to get Gasol involved, some ridiculously bad entry passes ...

Love the Pacers team basketball, but they can't keep these 4th quarter collapses up. The series should be over, but at least it's not 2-2. If they want to seriously challenge Miami, which I think they can, they'll need to replicate game 3 more than any of the others.

Gutsy decicion to leave Gasol in after he picks up his 4th very early in the 3rd quarter (i think about a minute in), it paid off in that the Grizz went from -5 to +5. Gasol finally got some touches to score, passed the ball well and defensively even with 4 fouls was a huge factor. I don´t care about the numbers, but he´s the most important post player for either team. The Grizz should get him involved more on offense, but even without that he´s affecting the way the Clips have to play on both ends. He´s become a stellar defender, wouldn´t have thought that a couple years ago (he really is allways in the right spot and playing defense with his feet while keeping his hands up, all 3 of his blocks without leaving his feet)

This has to be the most depressing fall I can remember for a team I've ever rooted for. A few weeks ago the Bulls had one of the best teams in the league, Rose was finally healthy, and poised to make a run. And even if that run didn't workout, we still had a young team that could come back next year to compete.

Now Rose tears his ACL and may never be the same. At best will miss half of next season. Deng needs wrist surgery after the Olympics and will miss a couple months next year. Noah just destroyed his ankle. I highly doubt Reinsdorf will be willing to pay the luxury tax for a team with this many question marks so we will likely lose some of that depth. And the team looks absolutely lost without Rose and Thibodeau has been exposed.

I feel like we went from a team that would be competing for the next half decade to a team that is a giant question mark.

So looks like it will be Celtics vs Pacers and Sixters vs Heat.

So looks like it will be Celtics vs Pacers and Sixters vs Heat.

The NBA does not reseed. It would be Celtics-Sixers and Pacers-Heat.

So looks like it will be Celtics vs Pacers and Sixters vs Heat.

I'm hardly confident the Celtics are a sure thing, and I'm saying that as a big C's fan. It all hinges on tonight, but I can easily see this going 7, and who knows at that point.

Damn that was nasty. Barron Davis is done for the year

I'm hardly confident the Celtics are a sure thing, and I'm saying that as a big C's fan. It all hinges on tonight, but I can easily see this going 7, and who knows at that point.

Atlanta is too banged up at this point.

The NBA does not reseed. It would be Celtics-Sixers and Pacers-Heat.

Thanks. i as a C's fan prefer the Sixers over the Pacers.

I wish I'd put money on the Sixers prior to the Rose injury.

Pretty great story on Eddy Curry and Tyson Chandler:

The divergent careers of the Miami Heat's Eddy Curry and the New York Knicks' Tyson Chandler - Grantland (http://www.grantland.com/story/_/id/7887970/the-divergent-careers-miami-heat-eddy-curry-new-york-knicks-tyson-chandler)

In honor of the Avengers movie...

CELTICS SMAASH!

I mean, eight minutes without a FG in the third, 11 4th Q points, and still score 101 and win by 22? Yes please.

So looks like it will be Celtics vs Pacers and Sixters vs Heat.

AKA David Stern's nightmare.

Wow, not fouling at the end there was a disastrously stupid decision. Denver is lucky to get away with it.

Great game between the Lakers and Nuggets last night :popcorn: Nuggets almost loose the big lead late with some bad defense (but also Kobe simply going off), but prior to that played really fun-to-watch basketball.

Javale McGee sans the brain farts is really fun to watch, some of the things he does are pretty spectacular. Andre Miller was also great and man, is there a better lob passer around ?

Bulls win an ugly game against the 76ers allowing just 69 points and Luol Deng finally showed up with 24 points, 3 games prior (so the 3 without Rose) he had 24 combined.
Deng has hit 1 (!) FT (of 4) in 5 games btw and only 6 Assists. He´s definitely disapointed me this series without Rose.

Al Horford with a huge game in his first start back from injury, 19/11.

Pacers close out the series with a balanced game.

When you're at home in a close out game, you have to get that job done. Not trying to take credit away from Denver, as they had their backs against the wall and got the win. But the Lakers dropped the ball big time, letting Denver build the lead and just not coming prepared to finish off the series last night.

As a result, I expect Denver to win in Denver on Thursday, and this will be decided by a Game 7 at Staples on Saturday. Which is pretty surprising given how things looked after Game Four.

I suppose that if Bynum is right about close out games, game 7 should be an easy game for both teams.

Chris Andersen's home searched by the Sheriff's Internet Crimes Against Children unit.

Officials would not specify what was seized, but said the items were sent to the Regional Computer Forensics Laboratory near Denver, run by the FBI and local law enforcement. Analysts at that lab typically make copies of computer hard drives and other materials as part of what can be a weeks-long search for evidence.

The department began investigating Andersen in February after receiving information from a law enforcement agency in California. Hanavan declined to release details, including the nature of any pending charges, citing an ongoing investigation. He said they're asking that the case be sealed.

Home of Denver Nuggets' Chris Andersen searched by police - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/7916152/home-denver-nuggets-chris-andersen-searched-police)

2012 NBA playoffs -- Miami Heat apologize to Amare Stoudemire for 'extinguished' comment - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/7916648/2012-nba-playoffs-miami-heat-apologize-amare-stoudemire-extinguished-comment)

why apologize? that is some funny shit.

If he had injured himself on a fire extinguisher trying to rescue a kid from a burning building, that's one thing. Since he didn't, I have to agree that it's funny stuff

SI

Really bad decision by Watson at the end of the Bulls/Sixers game putting a sub 50% FT shooting teammate on the line to close out the game.

I think he was gambling that Asik had a clear dunk at the rim. Tough decision to make in a split second. Getting killed on Twitter for it.

Great job by Iggy just pushing it all the way to the rim, too.

2012 NBA playoffs -- Miami Heat apologize to Amare Stoudemire for 'extinguished' comment - ESPN (http://espn.go.com/nba/playoffs/2012/story/_/id/7916648/2012-nba-playoffs-miami-heat-apologize-amare-stoudemire-extinguished-comment)

why apologize? that is some funny shit.

+1

That was funny. No need to apologize.

This 4th quarter has been dreadful.

+1

That was funny. No need to apologize.

+1

Apologizing for a lapse of judgement joke made at the expense of a lapse of judgement self-inflicted injury? My brain hurts.

Atlanta has to blow this team up, man. They can't settle on being the 4th/5th best team in the East every single year.

Atlanta has to blow this team up, man. They can't settle on being the 4th/5th best team in the East every single year.

No kidding. I think that Josh Smith fadeaway there near the end kind of sums him up. Get rid of him, you SHOULD still be able to get something for him, he's talented. You're stuck with Joe Johnson unless you amnesty him I guess. I like Horford, and Teague is decent.

The Celtics should not have won that one

You know, I'm not a Kobe fan or hater, but is there a player who is so consumed with winning quite as much as he is? Diareheea?

You know, I'm not a Kobe fan or hater, but is there a player who is so consumed with winning quite as much as he is? Diareheea?

ok, so I'm not watching the game but do know he missed shoot around with a stomach bug. Is he crapping himself up and down the court or something?

ok, so I'm not watching the game but do know he missed shoot around with a stomach bug. Is he crapping himself up and down the court or something?

That's what the TNT guys were saying; he has the whole magoo. Heck, in that situation, I don't think I'd exactly be in shape to run up and down an NBA court with a run-and-gun team!

What the hell is Javale McGee doing

Kobe's body language is horrible right now. You can tell he's feeling shitty

Pun intended? ;)

SI

ok, so I'm not watching the game but do know he missed shoot around with a stomach bug. Is he crapping himself up and down the court or something?

He's been on an IV all day. Was tossing up his food in the morning.

Not Sac-town food poisoning this time

Hawks 1-11 vs Boston in playoff series. Only win was 1958, when they were still in St.Louis.

Kobe should mimic Lisa Rinna and film an impromptu depends commercial after the game.

The Sixers probably have no chance against the Celtics, but that was a huge win for a young team.

I think the Sixers have a good chance against the Celtics. I do think the Celtics will win, but that's not going to be an easy series, IMO.

Kind of ironic that Kobe was the sick one and yet it was his teammates that shit the bed in that game.

Hawks 1-11 vs Boston in playoff series. Only win was 1958, when they were still in St.Louis.

Bobby f'n Pettit

The Clippers are just a dumb fucking group of players. I don't think I have ever seen a team with such superior talent make so many boneheaded plays on such a regular basis. The coach probably doesn't help but at some point the players just have to stop making stupid plays

lol and just to underline it they hit a three to make it a two point game and then let Conley dribble the length of the court to run the last 6 seconds off. Completely embarrassing

The Clippers are just a dumb fucking group of players. I don't think I have ever seen a team with such superior talent make so many boneheaded plays on such a regular basis. The coach probably doesn't help but at some point the players just have to stop making stupid plays

The coach is completely responsible in this situation

I am beginning to take a strong dislike to Blake Griffin.

To me it seems as if the Clipper players get to caught up in that narrative that has been created for them, sort of feeling "entitled" before actually acomplishing anything.
And as much as i think Paul is the greatest PG around, his flopping and often passive-agressive act on the court is not only incredibly annoying but also rubbed off on the younger players it seems.

The Grizzlies problem is that they go away from what´s working too often, especially in the 4th quarter. Namely their big guys, The Clippers can´t stop either Randolph of Gasol, much less both.

Nice to see Rondo show up.. Celtics with a big run to take the lead late.

Sixers with an awful 60 seconds of basketball to give the Celtics what should be a fairly safe winning margin.

Wow. No timeout there to advance the ball, and then the sixers herp-a-derp the ball up the floor slowly and the Celtics smartly foul to prevent the last second three.

Mental Lapse.

(edit: And another mental lapse means the Celtics inbound the ball back in the backcourt with enough space between Rondo and the defender that the Sixers can't foul, and the Celtics win)

Sooooo....anybody watching?

I wish that Craig Sager would have asked Mike Brown what his plans for the offseason are when the Lakers lose this.

Loooooooove Ty Lawson, GO DENVER

Even if Denver loses they have owned LA in this series. La will be damn lucky to escape with the series win.

Do announcers call him "Metta World Peace"? It's odd to see that on Yahoo's GameChannel and the like

SI

I keep forgetting how unlikeable the entire Lakers roster is. Gasol has spent his whole career being flabbergasted at any foul called on him.

I keep forgetting how unlikeable the entire Lakers roster is. Gasol has spent his whole career being flabbergasted at any foul called on him.


As a Celtics fan by birth I am biased against the Lakers so can't say much but do think the Okie's are more than ready to take the crown for the Lakers and won't be shocked if they hand out a beat down on LA in the next round.

As a lakers fan, i have to agree ther players arent very likeable. If you think about it, artest is probably the most likeable one minus his mental issues.

I also love kobe and the way he plays pn the court, not so much off.

Rondo with his 8th postseason triple double moves him into 5th all time, tied with Oscar Robertson.

Rondo with his 8th postseason triple double moves him into 5th all time, tied with Oscar Robertson.

And all I've read this morning is how he's not a top 5 pg in the league...:banghead:

from ESPN/CNN etcetera contributors (I don't mean folks who write for those sites, but the "Comment on this" people, IE, the great unwashed who I read if I want to start thinking enforced sterilization for the world is a good thing), or real columnists?

I am guessing Deron Williams is being on many lists, bumping Rondo off.

As a lakers fan, i have to agree ther players arent very likeable. If you think about it, artest is probably the most likeable one minus his mental issues.

I also love kobe and the way he plays pn the court, not so much off.

I agree with this.

I can't help but think that the Clippers should have just named Billips head coach after he got injured.

The energy on both sides is great, very, very intense game. Not pretty, but still fun to watch.

This game is absolutely nuts. Again, the quality of play (on offense!) is kinda shitty, put the effort and hustle on both ends is amazing, not just on loose balls but how the defense rotates as well.

Grizzlies IMO with the better looks, but even less acurate than the Clippers.

The Grizzlies are having trouble hitting the rim much less making baskets.

Hmmm, if that play resets the shot clock then I think they should rescind the timeout before you jump out of bounds rule.

Grizzlies offseason to-do list :

1) Get a shooter
2) Get a backup point, but he has to be a shooter
3) Maybe get another shooter

Seldom was it as clear what a team lacked than with the Grizz

Kudos to the Clippers, especially their bench.

Pacers playing pretty well against the Heat, but it's not their best ball. That's good since they have the lead. For the love of basketball, would like to see a "team" beat the chosen ones.

Bill filed to naturalize NBA center JaVale McGee for SMART-Gilas | TeamPilipinas.info (http://teampilipinas.info/2012/05/bill-filed-to-naturalize-nba-center.html)

My country is naturalizing Javale McGee to serve as an NBA-caliber mercenary in our quest to dominate Asian basketball. :))

JaVale McGee is getting closer to playing for the Philippines | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/javale-mcgee-getting-closer-playing-philippines-221404460.html;_ylt=Ato.W5SYBlqqX1tjP04PbAq8vLYF)

Excellent free throw shooting down the stretch...

Yeah, pretty horrible FT shooting there by both teams. Still, good win for Pacers on the road.

This Eastern Conference Playoffs is downright weird at this point. With Bosh effectively out, I could really see any team coming out of the East at this point.

With Bosh out, I really think the Pacers are the best overall team left in the East. Buuuuuuuut, they have a strange tendency to completely vanish for long stretches. The curse of not having that one stud that can take over. It's good news that they won tonight without playing more than a B- game. But they can't win the series with all B- games. West was huge late, and Hill came through....oddly, our 2 guys with some playoff experience.

This series is going to be very chippy by games 4 and 5. Got two tickets to game 4, excited about it now after this win.

If Granger and Paul George can stay out of foul trouble, that would be huge. They actually did a decent job matching up with LeBron and DWade tonight. I'd like to see Collison get more minutes to be honest and think George Hill would be served better with the second group, where the offense is needed.

After watching game 1 I didn't think the Pacers would be tough enough to win this series. It was nice seeing Danny stand up to LeBron and everyone competing more on the boards.

I figure that Haslem will rape someone in game 3 because that's the way the Heat roll.

Dola-

I really want the Pacers to win, but I just feel like we will see a game or two where breathing in Wade's direction will result in a 2 shot foul.

If I were coaching the Pacers my gameplan would be to feed Hibbert every single trip down the court and work from that. There was one point in the 4th were Hibbert had Chalmers marking him down low, and Granger decided instead to drive and miss an awkward shot.

In other news the Spurs had no trouble in game 1. The Clipper bench again wasn´t the problem, but the starters had no shot at matching the Spurs.
It´s not like everything went perfect for the Spurs (Parker had just 7 points and shot 1-9), but the team play was again great and making 13-25 threes doesn´t hurt. Duncan was awesome tonight as well, he looks so much better than the last 2 seasons/Playoffs :) Plus Manu had a typical Manu Game and Boris Diaw actually was pretty good. For Leonard the Clips are also a better matchup.

Spurs now won their last 15 games by an average of 17 points.

Bill filed to naturalize NBA center JaVale McGee for SMART-Gilas | TeamPilipinas.info (http://teampilipinas.info/2012/05/bill-filed-to-naturalize-nba-center.html)

My country is naturalizing Javale McGee to serve as an NBA-caliber mercenary in our quest to dominate Asian basketball. :))

Aw, and here I thought someone was actually trying to make JaVale McGee smart ;)

SI

I love Kawhi Leonard's energy, and aggressiveness. But man is he terrible on the fastbreak!

Lakers totally choked that way

JaVale McGee is getting closer to playing for the Philippines | Ball Don't Lie - Yahoo! Sports (http://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/nba-ball-dont-lie/javale-mcgee-getting-closer-playing-philippines-221404460.html;_ylt=Ato.W5SYBlqqX1tjP04PbAq8vLYF)

I'm surprised more countries haven't been more aggressive doing this for basketball. I remember the Georgian volleyball Olympic teams loaded up on Brazilians who had nothing to do with Georgia. Apparently the countries can make their own rules on that.

I'm surprised more countries haven't been more aggressive doing this for basketball. I remember the Georgian volleyball Olympic teams loaded up on Brazilians who had nothing to do with Georgia. Apparently the countries can make their own rules on that.

From my understanding - Australia has 'taken' a fair few Eastern European athletes in tennis/boxing/gymnastics - it really comes down to the countries citizenship rules and how lenient they are willing to be for athletes.

Lakers totally choked that way

Yeah, didn't seem like they cared too much about winning in those final two minutes. Not even sure Gasol or Bynum touched the ball inside the three point line during that time.

Was it Bynum Kobe was furiously waving down the court on that last inbound? That tickled my funny bone.

I'm surprised more countries haven't been more aggressive doing this for basketball. I remember the Georgian volleyball Olympic teams loaded up on Brazilians who had nothing to do with Georgia. Apparently the countries can make their own rules on that.

Such as Spaniard Serge Ibaka?

I'm surprised more countries haven't been more aggressive doing this for basketball. I remember the Georgian volleyball Olympic teams loaded up on Brazilians who had nothing to do with Georgia. Apparently the countries can make their own rules on that.

Has been a fairly widespread practice for a while now.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2546/3905851341_d592931114_z.jpg
Jeremiah Massey of Macedonia

http://img.timeinc.net/time/photoessays/2008/100_olympics/jr_holden.jpg J.R. Holden, retired Russian national.

http://i2.cdn.turner.com/si/2008/olympics/2008/writers/alexander_wolff/08/17/hammon/p1_081708_hammon2_si.jpg
Becky Hammon of Russia

http://a3.twimg.com/profile_images/1167898073/kelly3.jpg
Kelly McCarty of Russia

http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2009/11/14/sports/14georgia_CA0/articleLarge.jpg
Tyrone Ellis of Georgia (no, the other one. (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/11/14/sports/basketball/14georgia.html?gwh=112F93C44AB89B4AD5EF6BA74D10471B))

People who want to play internationally but never would for us, but makes it more lucrative for them to play in the national leagues as Euro nationals who no longer count as internationals on the roster.