Archive for September, 2010

2010-2011 NBA PREVIEW: GOLDEN ST. WARRIORS

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Posted 30 Sep 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Golden St. Warriors, NBA

Andris Biedrins is still a Warrior. Now that the bad news is out the way, lets focus on the good. Stephen Curry nearly stole the ROY from Tyreke Evans last season and the Warriors signed David Lee in the offseason.

Curry and Ellis have unlimited range and the ability to create their own shots. Newcomer David Lee should fit in nicely in the shooting department.

The Warriors will be a LIVE BY THE 3, DIE BY THE 3 team.With all this shooting someone has to get rebounds. Lee, Biedrins, Ekpe Udoh(when he returns from injury) and Curry will have to get boards.

Don Nelson is gone, and assistant Keith Smart steps in as interim head coach. Smart was the defensive coordinator last season, and we all know how that turned out. Warriors gave up 111.7 points per game.

The Warriors learn any sort of defense and they could become giant killers. In the mean time they have the (new)nicest jerseys in the league.

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2010-2011 NBA PREVIEW: WASHINGTON WIZARDS

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Posted 30 Sep 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA, Washington Wizards

The Washington Wizards had to sacrifice everything last season. That sacrifice lead to the number one pick in the draft and point guard John Wall.

More importantly that sacrifice has lead to a more mature Gilbert Arenas. No more jokes, and  selfishness from Gilbert. The Wall Arenas backcourt is arguably one of the best in basketball. If they co-exist the sky is the limit for the Wizards. By “sky” I mean Boston, Miami, and Orlando are the limit, but that’s a vast difference from last years 26-56 record.

Washington center Javale McGee nearly made the Team USA roster this summer. Hopefully some of Team USA rubbed off on him. McGee has the potential to be a dominant center, and will be one if he ever figures that out.

Andray Blatche, and Yi Jianlian are two players that cause match-up problems for other teams. They also fall into the “potential is there if we figure it out” category.

Josh Howard is a free agent at the end of this season, so expect the best Josh Howard in years.

The Wizards have a definite chance to make the playoffs, with several if’s attached

-If can Yi produce?

-If  Wizards commit to playing defense.

-If Wall and Gilbert can become Ken and Ryu.

After missing a year, its great to have the Wizards back.

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2010-2011 NBA PREVIEW: SACRAMENTO KINGS

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Posted 29 Sep 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA, Sacramento Kings

The Sacramento Kings have a legitimate chance of making the playoffs in the Eastern Conference. Unfortunately they play in the Western Conference’s Pacific Division, where they finished 25-57 last season.

Last years rookie of the year Tyreke Evans has a lot of work ahead of him. The Kings fared extra poorly against the West last season. If the Kings are to have a Tunder-like season, Tyreke must play at an All-Star level!

The 5th pick in the draft DeMarcus Cousins has the potential to earn the Kings back-to-back Rookie of the Year crowns.

Samuel Dalembert will give the Kings a much tougher post presence along with rookie Hassan Whiteside. Between Dalembert, Cousins, Whiteside, Carl Landry and Jason Thompson, the Kings now have a deep frontcourt that collectively brings rebounding, scoring, toughness and shot blocking. Thats a lot of 6’11″s.

The hard road ahead for this team rest heavily on the shoulders of Carl Landry. Carl isn’t the best player on the team, but the most determined and having him on your roster is good in many ways.

After watching this video I felt the urge to vote for the Kings, although I’m pretty sure they weren’t running for office.

“Getty Images” aka Dalembert looks ready for the season!  Now that’s a war face!

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MIchael Jordan Draft Day(video)

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Posted 28 Sep 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Chicago Bulls, NBA

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2010-2011 NBA PREVIEW: MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES

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Posted 28 Sep 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA

With 15 victories and 67 losses last year, Minnesota has a long road of rebuilding ahead of it.

Every team in the Northwest Division other then the Timberwolves won at least 50 games last season. When a team rebounds from a 15 win season to the playoffs it normally includes a superstar. Minnesota closest thing to a superstar is Kevin Love, who played this summer in Turkey with Team USA. He was a reliable big off the bench for Team USA and with the Timberwolves he may be forced into the same role.

Minnesota re-signed center Darko Milicic to a four-year, $16 million deal(yikes) and acquired power forward Michael Beasley from Miami to replace power forward Al Jefferson who was traded to Utah.

“With the arrival of Michael Beasley, it would have been difficult to play Al the kind of minutes he deserves without jeopardizing the development of both Kevin Love and Michael,” Kahn said. I imagine Timberwolves general manager David Kahn has a button in his office reminiscent of the Staples© “easy” button but his button says “trade”.

But by keeping Milicic and bringing in Beasley, Love may again wind up coming off the bench—despite last season’s double-double campaign. Love has been making it clear in numerous interviews that he does not believe he should come off the bench as he did last season,Love deserves the majority of the minutes for his magnet-like rebounding, and cannon outlet passes at the least.

Paul Allen Pack? Really!?!

The Timberwolves also added rookie Wesley Johnson through the draft and Martell Webster through a trade with Portland. Webster was a go-to-guy for Portland and will relied upon to keep a young team focused. Cory Brewer had his best season last year and must continue to improve or Kahn will press the trade button.

Will Love and Beasley work well together?

Is Johnny Flynn shrinking?

Is Wesley Johnson the future?

When does Kahn press the “trade” button?

Timberwolve head coach Kurt Rambis said “Last year was what we had to do business-wise; now we’re starting to build our team,”

A team that has a Love will make it through the tough times.

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A sneak peek of the Orlando Magic’s new black alternates

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Posted 27 Sep 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA, Orlando Magic

via

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YouTube Monday!

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Posted 27 Sep 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA, Random, YouTube

Andre Iguodala, Russell Westbrook, and Josh Smith Talk Taxes, Politics

Westbrook, Iguodala, and Smith go on FOX NEWS to plug NBA2K11 and get bombarded with Bush Tax Cuts questions.

BOOM: Rick Ross

For some reason Rick Ross is in a NIKE commercial sporting a chain of himself wearing a chain. How creative!

NBA Adidas New Revolution 30 Uniforms

Here is a breakdown of the new NBA Revolution 3o uniforms

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2010-2011 NBA PREVIEW: NEW JERSEY NETS

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Posted 27 Sep 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA, New Jersey Nets

The New Jersey Nets are sure they will win at least 13 games this season. After last years attempt at the #1 draft pick didn’t work out as planned the Nets look to try a different strategy this season, competing(notice I didn’t say winning). Avery Johnson takes over the helm of a completely different Nets team from last year. New owner, Mikhail Prokhorov, new general manager, Billy King, and new head coach Avery Johnson look to avoid the mishaps of last seasons 12-70 embarrassment.

With only four returning players from last year the Nets drafted Derrick Favors with the third overall pick and chose to use their cap space to bring in younger, lesser-known players like Travis Outlaw, Anthony Morrow and Jordan Farmar. They also made a trade for Indiana’s Troy Murphy.

Murphy, Favors, and Lopez create a big man tandem that the Nets have lacked for years. Avery Johnson and Devin Harris didn’t see eye-to-eye in Dallas and thats how Harris wound up in New Jersey.

Will Devin and Avery work better together this time around? Terrence Williams was fantastic during the later portion of the season. Can he be consistant and become a better defender? Does Derrick Favors blossom with Murphy and Lopez mentoring him?

The Nets are young and rebuilding from a disastrous year. They won’t make the playoffs but they will at least win 13 games this year.

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2010-2011 NBA Season Preview(art)

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Posted 27 Sep 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA

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Wizards Midnight Madness

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Posted 26 Sep 2010 — by Phillip Pyle
Category NBA, Washington Wizards

Wizards fans come out and see the first Wizards practice of the 2010-11 season when the team holds Midnight Madness on September 28 at the Patriot Center on the campus of George Mason!

The event will begin at 10:00pm Monday Night (September 27) with a Pep rally at President’s Park hosted by WPGC morning show host and Wizards DJ, Big Tigger.

Following the Pep Rally, doors to Wizards Midnight will open at 11pm. There will be live performances by DC’s own, Mambo Sauce and the GMU marching band. You will have the opportunity to meet the Wizards Girls and G-Wiz and there will be free t-shirts, giveaways and much more. The first 500 fans to arrive will receive a free donut and free coffee coupon (receive your donut after the event and pickup your coffee at participating Dunkin’ Donuts locations). FREE Chick-Fil-A chicken sandwiches for the first 300 to arrive (discounted $2 chicken sandwiches available for purchase). Fans will also have the chance to get special ticket offers for regular season Wizards games and there will be special incentives for GMU students.

Wizards Midnight Madness practice will tip-off at 12:00am with player introductions, an open practice and contests. Stay till the end of practice where three people will have the chance to win $500 cash!

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