On the eve of the NBA season

I am getting a little hyped about the NBA season, especially since I have One HD this year to enjoy a few games on free to air. If the NBL chose to talk to One it would make me care about them too. Though maybe having teams in Brisbane or Sydney would help.

Anyway I found a fantastic article on JR Rider, one of the great wasted talents of the NBA. His All Star Dunk Contest winning slam was the first NBA poster on the wall thanks to One on One magazine (though the second I bought after a vintage Dee Brown).

I have also been enjoying Chris Webber's fab five pieces. Enjoy this one and go check out some others:

Tigers/Breakers thoughts

The Tigers and Breakers clash last night was interesting. The Breakers were very impressive last week and started off this game the same way. Bruton and Penney seemed comfortable and they pushed out a lead. After how easily they disposed of Cairns, and how weakened Melbourne looked on paper, I was thinking the Breakers could have pulled off a win.

I had tipped Melbourne by 4 on Sportal (though advised a friend to back New Zealand +2.5 on the TAB). That sort of shows my confidence about the game.

At first I purely considered the Breakers traveling as Kiwi teams do not travel well to Australia in any sport, but the more I looked at the Tigers roster the more questions I had over their depth. Losing Ere, Thomas, Barlow, Hoare and Anstey for just Worthington, Knight and some college kids seemed like a huge downgrade. But it appears the Tigers had enough quality in their core to overcome any depth concern. I thought they would start Knight, but they showed confidence in young Johnson and started him. I think it helped having two veterans in Knight and Corletto coming off the bench.

The main thing was Worthington's quality, which has been on display at the Kings and Dragons, the guy really stepped up and showed he is an exceptional player at NBL level. He picked up the slack left by the departures of a couple of superstars. I think after last season you could debate he is the best player in the NBL these days. Last night was further proof in my opinion. I'd definitely take him over any other forward. The only guys in that same discussion are Penney, Bruton and Anstey.

Crosswell and Kendell stepped up in the back court and showed they can compete with Bruton and Penney. How the two Tigers guards handle the Breakers guards will be one of the most important factors in their later meetings this season and maybe in the playoffs.

It was a very enjoyable game on Foxtel, I really did enjoy the new commentator as well. He knew when to not do play by play, Casey had a habit of over calling everything.

NBL time

I have to say with the demise of the Kings and the Bullets (well more so the Kings) my love for the NBL has diminished in the last few years. The lack of any Sydney team now really hurts,I care more about the NBA and even the QBL these days. But the season starts tonight and it is a good time to kick the blog back into gear.

The favourites New Zealand are taking on Cairns tonight. The Taipans seems to be one of the true outsiders for the whole competition according to the bookies. I don't really get how Townsville are backed well, yet Cairns are rank outsiders. I think Cairns have some quality to their line-up. Rychart should be a great addition and I think he will work well alongside Crosswhite. I think that combo compares to Hinder/Roberts anyway. I think the addition of Phill Jones is much better then Peter Crawford. Kerry Williams, Grabau and Boodnikoof are all great role players. But maybe success will rest on how the American point guard performs.

So I don't think Cairns will be easy beats tonight, but crossing the Tasman to face the Breakers is a tough trip and I expect NBL championship favourites to pick up the win. Rickert/Storey combo on the inside should be really tough. Everyone has seen how good Rickert is and Storey has the pedigree. Then Penney and Bruton are going to do their thing as well. That four person core alongside strong players like Ronaldson, Boucher, Foreman and Henare make the team 8 deep with solid vets. Pledger, Abercombie and Webster are all promising as well - making them scary deep.

Breakers by 8 or 10 points tonight, with the margin never really blowing out but the Taipans never looking like winning. They won't fall over though.

Michael Jordan piece

I particularly liked this article on the eve of MJ's induction into the Hall of Fame. I like the Hall of Fame should be honoured bit in particular.

SPRINGFIELD, Massachusetts, Sept 10 AP - Michael Jordan strolled through the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame on Thursday evening, smiling in a resplendent purple pinstriped suit, surrounded by his typical mass of handlers, gawkers and flashing camera lights.

Shortly thereafter, John Stockton took the same route in a non-descript blue blazer and khakis, with not a soul nearby.

Former Jazz guard Stockton is the NBA’s all-time leader in assists and steals and part of a stellar 2009 Hall of Fame class that includes Spurs centre David Robinson, Jazz coach Jerry Sloan and Rutgers coach C. Vivian Stringer.

“It doesn’t matter,” Charles Barkley said. “Everybody’s here to see Michael. He’s the greatest player of all time.”

The hysteria Jordan caused throughout his unparallelled career continued on Thursday, one day before he will take his rightful place in the sport’s most prestigious building.

Hall of Fame officials already had ceded to the demands Jordan’s induction has caused, moving Friday night’s ceremony from the 1,200-seat Hall to this city’s 97-year-old Symphony Hall, which seats roughly 2,600.

Jordan also created his typical buzz at Thursday night’s dinner honouring former Bulls coach and broadcaster Doug Collins and longtime NBA columnist Peter Vecsey, who received the Curt Gowdy media award for significant contributions to the sport.

Autograph seekers lined up outside the Hall and downtown hotels. Mobile phone cameras were snapped as Jordan rushed into the dinner, taking a seat at a table that included long-time rival and Heat coach Pat Riley.

“I think this is a greater honour for the Hall of Fame than it is for Michael,” Bulls Chairman Jerry Reinsdorf said.

“It’s really incredible that this many years after he retired he’s still probably only behind Tiger (Woods) as the second-most popular athlete in the world. That’s a wonderful tribute to him.”

Jordan’s impact beyond the game is what most impressed some of his fellow inductees.

“To see what Michael has done not only for the Chicago Bulls but throughout the whole world of basketball is really mind-boggling,” Sloan said.

“I don’t think anybody could do as good a job as he has done representing the game. That’s unique.”

Reinsdorf headed a large Bulls contingent that included team executive and former teammate John Paxson, general manager Gar Forman and coach Vinny Del Negro.

Former teammates BJ Armstrong, Scottie Pippen, Charles Oakley, Steve Kerr and Ron Harper are among those expected to attend on Friday.

“They should have a special place for him,” Paxson said. “Maybe build a little - no, a big room - with all his stuff in there.”

Jordan invited longtime Bulls staffers Tim Hallam and Joe O’Neil to fly on his jet from the Waukegan Airport on Thursday afternoon.

Hallam said Jordan acted loose, enjoying the moment.

All that’s left is Friday’s induction speech.

“I’m still working on it,” Jordan said as he quickly passed.

Practice always did make perfect for him.

Courtesy of AAP

Allen Iverson

I was reading through the Sports Guy's latest piece where he mentions how Allen Iverson and Larry Brown need to get back together. He also mentions how Iverson is one of the more misunderstood guys in the NBA and uses the following video clip to support his case:



I think it is interesting only the Grizzlies, Clippers and Bobcats are being discussed as possible Iverson destinations. He is one of the all time greats and a clutch scorer, yet no title contenders are considering him? I am not 100% sure on what veteran free agent exception, but I could really see him fitting in on a one year deal with plenty of title contenders.

I think the Denver stuff was overstated, he actually did improve the Nuggets while on that roster and that team took another step with him. Billups replaces him and suddenly because Billups was so good, somehow that means Iverson failed. Iverson is labelled as a ballhog, but simply put he is one of the greatest players we have seen and a game changer.

The Detroit situation was just messed up and as Simmons states, Dumars just wanted his expiring contract.

I don't know if Cleveland have any free agent exceptions left? Surely if they do then giving Iverson a one year deal could only be a good thing. That second slasher from the perimeter would really help Lebron. Combine that with Shaq, a couple of shooters (West, Gibson) and role players (Ziggy, Mo and Varejeo), well it looks like a much better team. It isn't a long term plan, but it would improve their title chances and they would still free up the cap to sign younger players in the next few years.

I haven't thought my second option through as much, but how about the Hornets? Paul is a creator and they have a low post scorer in West. But a go to perimeter player is missing from that line-up, Iverson could be enough to push them back into contention. Surely a one year deal is worth considering? If it doesn't work then no harm is done and he won't hurt the salary cap.

If T Mac and Ming are not back, then why not the Rockets? Ok that was one I only just thought of. It might be a rubbish idea.

My main point is, why wouldn't a fringe contender sign him to a one year deal and see how it works? If you want to compete with the Lakers, Celtics, Bulls, Magic or Spurs (what they have added has put them back in the race), then surely you must consider Iverson as one of the best players still out there. He is a guy who can give you something.

Jefferson gone? How will Bogut benefit?

According to ESPN's Chad Ford, Richard Jefferson is heading to San Antonio for Bruce Bowen, Oberto and Kurt Thomas (who has been a trade piece a few times in his career). The benfits to San Antonio are being discussed quite heavily around the internet basketball community, but for us Aussies it will be interesting to see how removing a dominant scorer helps Bogut.

Bogut has been improving each year, but I felt Sessions, Redd and Jefferson meant too many perimeter players for the Bucks and it was hurting Bogut's numbers. The move was made to reduce salary and enable the Bucks to re-sign Sessions or Charlkie V. Personally I would be signing Sessions back, though I think his early season hype was a little overdone.

I attended a Bucks/Nets game in the States and Sessions was very quick. I think out of the 20 or so point guards I saw, only TJ Ford and Nate Robinson were possibly faster (Ford was lightning btw). Charlie V has some skills, but I don't know if he fits or helps the team that much. Sessions creating, Bogut a focus in the middle and Redd spotting up on the perimeter is a solid nucleus. With Alexander and other young guys around that is a good team. Bowen should be a good influence too.

But adding Oberto might be the best help for Bogut. I think oberto is a really solid big who will do the hard work and force less double teams on Bogut. His presence should really free things up and allow Bogut to get more shots.

Anywa, I might be back later today to discuss the Boomers and Patty Mills.

Adios.

At least the Flames are still around

I've been cruising the internet while sitting in my pyjamas and listening to JR on the OT, happened to cross a few interesting items.

The battle to grab giant Liz Cambage is interesting. Adding her and Elle Manou will create a scary frontline at the Flames. But that is dependent on Cambage choosing Sydney over Melbourne. The girl is a giant and really will create a presence the Flames need in the middle.

Manou I haven't seen play for a few years, but being from the Hills area initially I saw her early development before she went to the AIS. She has always had plenty of size and raw ability. The AIS and US College have hopefully elevated her game to another level by giving her a solid fundamental grounding.

It is good the Flames still exist, I miss the Kings but at least something from my younger years remains in a senior national league.

The Orlando/Lakers series has started as expected with the Lakers taking two home games. Orlando really needed to split that and now need to take all three at home realistically. Orlando have died by the three and overplayed Jameer Nelson. I like Bill Simmons' thoughts on how Nelson coming in and eating Alston's minutes has killed Alston's confidence. It has destroyed the team's chemistry.

Mind you, in Game 2 Orlando still took it to overtime thanks to Lewis and Turkulogu. Still I am seeing Lakers in six games now.