Written by Zach Harper | 09 January 2009

Due to the lack of relevant games last night because the NBA stepped aside for the BCS Championship (Nice job,Gators. The Big 12 should play some defense to prepare themselves for next season.), there simply wasn't much news. But we'll hit you with what we have for today and wish you a great weekend.

Weekly Fix Podcast: Episode 39
Warning: some explicit language/content included

We finally return to the podcasting platform after nearly a month off. In this episode (which is somewhere on this page; look up or down), we discuss:

- What we did during our break
- What not to do on a cruise balcony
- Are the Celtics okay?
- Are the Lakers mentally tough enough to win a title?
- Darius Miles: should someone sign him to screw the Blazers
And more!

Blazers Demand Nobody Signs Darius Miles
By Zach Harper

I can't believe that this story actually came about.  The NBA is counting the pre-season games that Darius Miles played towards his targeted total of having to play 10 games this season in order for his old contract with the Blazers to remain on the books. He needs just two more games played to reach 10 games, which would mean that the Blazers are on the hook for about $9 million for the next two years. This would greatly hinder their cap flexibility this off-season before they have to start signing their young guys to extensions.

We joked on the podcast (somewhere on this page) that someone in their division should sign Miles, play him just a minute or two, and then cut him after two games so that he reaches the 10 games. Well, according to an ESPN.com story, the Blazers have sent a memo to the other 29 teams warning that they're ready to take legal action if a team tries to do this (we're they spying on us?).

What?

This is insane. They're essentially claiming that Miles is a worthless player whose only purpose in the league this season is to screw over the financial plans of the Blazers.

They're not wrong by any means about this. But it's just insane that they've made this somewhat public (they had to know this was going to leak out).  Personally, if I was the Denver Nuggets, I'd call their bluff. I'd sign Darius Miles, play him in two games, and then cut him and see where the league rules on this. There has never been such a crazy precedent set before for signing guys. I can't wait for this to unfold further.

Game of the Night
By Brandon Gallawa

Boston Celtics (29-8) at Cleveland Cavaliers (28-6) 5:00pm PST ESPN
As anyone who has been paying attention to league over the past few weeks knows, the Celtics are in a tail spin.  They have lost six of their last eight games and have lost quite a few easily winnable games.  In this world of extremes, the experts have now gone from christening the Celtics as a are sure-fire 70-win team to a team that is apparently on the way to missing the playoffs and might as well prepare for the lottery.  I'm pretty sure they're going to fall somewhere in between.  This stretch has shown their obvious weaknesses i.e. a lack of depth especially at the point, Rondo's inability to shoot from the outside, Paul Pierce's lack of interest, the Celtics' dependence on Ray Allen's scoring, etc.  They are still legit and should be playing in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Many believe the Cavaliers are going to be matching up against the Celtics in the Eastern Conference Finals, and I would find it extremely difficult to argue with anyone predicting that.  The Cavs have been a top defensive team and have been locking down their opponents as of late.  LeBron James has been very LeBron.  He has put together numbers that can only be described as MVP-like, and he has been putting those stats and performances up throughout the season.

This should be the premiere match-up of the season in the East, and it shouldn't disappoint anyone lucky enough to watch tonight.  The Celtics always seem to put together great performances against the top teams, and they know this is the type of game that will right their ship.  The Cavs can make the same statement.  It is time for them to prove they are the cream of the crop in the East, and the only way to do that is dominate the Celtics tonight.

Key Match-Up: Paul Pierce versus LeBron James
Paul Pierce is in need of something to motivate him again.  James coming into town is usually all the motivation a small forward needs to get back on track.  This two have had some amazing match-ups over the past few seasons, and this game should be no different.  Pierce needs to slow James down for Boston to have a chance.  Up to this point, there haven't been many players that have shown a propensity of shutting let alone slowing James down this season.  If he can match his season's production, the Cavs are going to be in this game until the end.  If he can surpass his production in a close game, the Cavs should pull out the win.
Prediction: Boston finds the motivation they've been missing.

Ask a Blogger
A man who identified himself as Michael for the great Raptors (and life) blog Cuzoogle was nice enough to answer three questions for us about the state of the Toronto Raptors. Cuzoogle is arguably the best place to go for Raptors' talk, links to everything on the net, and pictures of hot chicks. It really has everything you would ever want. Here are the three questions that Michael answered for us:

Well let me start by saying I have always been a T.J. guy so I was not pleased with the deal. He got caught up in a bad spot and because he was not ready to give up his job he was run out of town. He had the quicks and the ability to create his own shot and if the Raps want to be a running team, they should of kept him. Jermaine O'Neal is a good trade only because his salary comes off the books soon. Carlos Delfino was a chucker but he was intense and brought his lunch bucket to the court every night. There are few Raptors right now they get dirty and for that reason they certainly miss Delfino. Hell he could be back by the time you post this. So I think the loss of these two players have had a slight influence on the Raps decline but to be honest the big problems lie elsewhere and I doubt they would be much better.Sam lost the team and some bad habits were created. Now Jay is trying to fix those issues on-the-fly and that is hard to do. It is very hard to teach intensity and heart and that is what the Raptors are missing. They have talent and on paper they should be better but on the floor they just don't put in a solid effort for 48 minutes every night. Jay has a hard job ahead of him and I will be very surprised if he can turn it around before the season ends.
The coach they choose really depends on where they want to go in the next year or two. Are they going for it now and trying to keep Bosh happy or are they going to think long term and try and develop a coach again like Sam. Personally I think there are some decent veteran coaches out there that would work. Flip Saunders gets destroyed cause he can't win the big one but he does get teams into the playoffs and is an offensive guru. So why would he be so bad? Do you just hire any Popovich assistant? I doubt they will keep Triano past this season and whoever comes in will have more experience than SMitch and less than Lenny Wilkens. Eddie Jordan deserves another shot and I could also handle someone like Avery Johnson, although the Raps are not tough enough to take what he would dish out as a coach.

To join the elite in the East it is simple. The Raps need a scoring and rebounding machine on the wing who is tough as nails. Until that happens, they will not move up in conference.


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