| 28 January 2009
But Brandon Gallawa did some work for a post today so I'll post his Game of the Night Preview and his Good Knowledge Blog for this week. I also have a Q&A with Phoenix Stan from Bright Side of the Sun. Hope you enjoy. There probably won't be an ESV tomorrow since it is my birthday but I'll definitely come up with a post or two for your viewing pleasure.
Denver Nuggets (29-15) at New Orleans Hornets (27-14) 5:00pm PST League Pass
By Brandon Gallawa
I feel like this is a question that has to be asked, couldn't ESPN change their mind on their game of the night? I'm sure they thought a rematch of the Warriors-Mavs would be an enticing nationally televised game. I just imagine Mike Tirico weaving the tale "Come gather round children, and I'll tell you the tale of the young, upstart Warriors and the Mavs' epic fail." Even though no one that actually watched basketball 2 seasons ago was surprised by the Mavericks falling to Golden State in the playoffs.
Owners of League Pass rejoice because there are many better options out there tonight. Bucks-Pacers, Hawks-Knicks, and Sixers-Rockets are all worth checking tonight. Even the Pistons at Wolves is a very tempting match-up. The game of the night should be obvious with the Nuggets heading into New Orleans for the first time this season.
The Nuggets and Hornets have split the season series thus far with the Nuggets taking the most recent contest 105-100 back on January 3rd. The Nuggets won that game behind a strong performance from Carmelo Anthony, but he has since then injured his hand and isn't expected to return until Friday night against the Bobcats. The Nuggets have managed to hold their own without Anthony going 8-5 without him this season. They have been able to do that because of the stellar play of Nene and Chauncey Billups. Nene has been an All Star caliber player since the acquisition of Billups in November and has really stepped up his game as of late. In the month of January Nene is averaging 17.6 points and 9.3 boards all while shooting a superb 62% from the field. The guy has been playing out of his mind since they acquired an actual point guard.
The Hornets are a team I love to hate. They have the best point guard in the league who is willing them to wins, but their roster is pretty frustrating after that. Peja Stojakovic is a shell of Sacramento Peja and hasn't been able to get his shot going consistently all season. David West is a 6'9" and 240 pound power forward that can only grab 7 rebounds per game and has been out for the last 4 games. Tyson Chandler had been improving as the season has progressed, but he sprained his ankle last week and has missed the last 3 games.
Both teams are dealing with injuries, but they both have played well in spite of those injuries. This game should be fun to watch if only for our key match-up.
Key Match-Up: Chauncey Billups versus Chris Paul
I have no problem saying that Chris Paul is the best pure point guard alive right now. No offense to any living point guards, but I'm sure they'd agree with me. Watch him play tonight. Look at how he can keep his dribble. Look how he plays against the pick and roll. Watch how he can stay with his man but also instinctually play passing lanes at the perfect time. There is no question which player is in control when he is on the court and no point guard that has as much influence offensively and defensively as Paul. With that being said Chauncey Billups is no slouch and has done as much for Denver this season as Paul has done for NOLA. I've thought for a long time that Billups was a little overrated. He had a great run to the championship in Detroit but hadn't equaled that run before or after. Now he has reinforced why he was an All Star in the first place and improved Denver significantly just by his presence.
Prediction: Denver can't stay with Paul and the Hornets on the second night of a back-to-back
How about you get caught up in some Good Knowledge Blog?
By Brandon Gallawa
I've gotten to the point now that I hate the words overrated and underrated. I regret ever using the word "overrated" when talking about Gary Payton or anyone for that matter. The fact that most of the public rates things a certain way means that they are just rated. I would say that everything is rated pretty accurately, and the only reason most people use the terms overrated and underrated is because their opinion differs from the norm and they can't think of a better way to argue their point. A million people could think that you are a douche, and I would say that the rating is pretty accurate if a million people have that sort of consensus. The fact that you undoubtedly disagree doesn't invalidate the opinions of those people and calling yourself underrated as a result isn't an effective way to argue the point.
I bring this up because of the recent article by Bill Simmons. Simmons' take is that underrated is "the decade's most misused and misunderstood sports word." I agree with that and would assume that overrated is also included in his dissertation. He then goes on to describe how he would define underrated. He then goes on to describe what truly makes someone underrated in a convoluted and repetitive manner further proving his own point that the word is misunderstood.
Simmons then goes on to claim Kevin Durant was underrated. Really? He was the number 2 pick, won Rookie of the Year (which he didn't deserve) and Simmons went as far as to compare him to Jordan before the 2007 draft or before he even stepped foot on an NBA court. He is now averaging 24.5 points, 6.5 boards and 1.2 steals per game. He is a scorer in a league full of scorers, a guy that only plays on one side of the ball, and has "led" his team to a 10-35 record. At some point he'll also pull a T-Mac a.k.a. get a big extension because of his scoring and potential, but he'll never take a team past the first round. If anything you could make the argument that he is overrated, but I've already made it very clear how I hate that term as much as its brother in arms.
I must say that I'm disappointed that our incendiary comments in our power rankings didn't elicit more comments and utter contempt. Since that didn't work how about this: The Lakers and Celtics being good is bad for any basketball discussion because it becomes dominated by loud-mouthed fans (and there are few fan bases in the NBA that have as many obnoxious fans) of both teams insulting one another. Every conversation about any team's merits is immediately looked at by certain Celtics and Lakers fans as a slight to their respective teams. This isn't to say every fan of the Celtics or Lakers act this way nor am I insulting every person that roots for those teams. It would make sense that the rational people that love those teams wouldn't be as vociferous and insulting to others. Either the fans of the Lakers and Celtics are just louder and prouder of their teams than anyone else or they have more people dominating message boards everywhere.
Speaking of the Lakers, it is absolutely embarrassing to lose to the Bobcats at home. I don't want to read/hear another word about how great the Lakers' twin towers are when Boris Diaw goes for 23, 9, & 9 and Emeka Okafor drops an effective 18 and 11. I realize that Kobe fouling out will be the excuse, but it would have never gotten to that point if the Lakers would just play effective defense. Needless to say, I've already moved them down in my power rankings.
It's hard to believe that LeBron James put together a triple-double last night and was the second best player on the court in the Kings-Cavs match-up last night. Mo Williams was unstoppable. He dropped 43 points on 15-24 from the field and added 11 assists, 8 rebounds and 7 three-pointers. I would say he was unguardable, but it wasn't as if anyone on the Kings would have tried guarding him in the first place. A strong case can be made for him to make the All Star team as a reserve with the season he has had, and a game like this will get a lot of people talking snub if he is left off. You can't say he is as much to thank for the Cavs' success as LeBron because that would be ridiculous, but he has been a huge factor in the improvement of the team's offense this season. He has taken a lot of pressure off of James and the effective second-banana that Larry Hughes could never be.
I'm by no means an expert on the Oscars. I can usually pick the winner which has more to do with knowing what usally wins more than what should. I absolutely loved Slumdog Millionaire and recommend everyone that reads this to go out and see it. The story is top-notch. The actors are fresh and not people we see every time a new movie comes out. My one knock against it is there wasn't enough Regis Philbin. The movie centers on a contestant of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, but they couldn't get even a cameo from the guy who "saved ABC?"
I also have to voice my displeasure over The Dark Knight being overlooked for best picture. I realize that it is a comic book movie, but it is the comic book movie that legitimized the genre. It also made a half a billion dollars at the box office and was the type of movie that will be remembered and talked about for the rest of our lives. It wasn't Oscar-bait like The Reader (Nazis+Winslet=Nominations), and it was much more grand in scope than that movie of the week Frost/Nixon. Show a little love Academy. Show us that you'll reward movies that the common folk actually enjoyed. You gave that crapfest Titanic the big prize simply for being a money-maker and gave Star Wars a Best Picture nod. How much would it hurt to nominate The Dark Knight? It doesn't even have to win because as we all know it is an honor just to be nominated.
Before I wrap this up I have to mention that the Talkhoops crew will be hosting our first live blog tomorrow night starting at 7:15PM PST (10:15PM EST for those of you who don't know how the time zones work and 19:15 for all of those folks serving in the military). We'll be doing a live chat during the Spurs-Suns game, so be sure to log on with questions or comments and we hope to bring the hilarity.
A little good knowledge keeps going a long way.
Here are the Top Blog Posts.
1. From Ben's Suns Blog-
Ben proposes the Triangle Offense
2. From Both Teams Played Hard via Ball Don't Lie-
KG sucks at Hold 'Em
3. From The Blowtorch-
A sideline interview with Jonah Hill
In today's Ask a Blogger, we're talking asking Phoenix Stan of Bright Side of the Sun a couple questions about the current state of the Phoenix Suns. Along with Ben's Suns Blog, this is one of the best places on the interwebs to read up on the team in the NBA that is actually good when they wear orange uniforms (sorry, Charlotte). The Suns have had a dramatic and tumultuous couple of seasons but they're still very entertaining and very relevant in NBA contending circles. Read on:
1. Steve Nash's numbers are down with the slower pace of this year's Phoenix Suns in comparison to the Mike D'Antoni years. But personally, I feel like he's been pretty much the same caliber of player. Am I right/wrong in this assertion and how would you rate Nash's play so far this season?
Nash's numbers are obviously down due in part to the system
as you say. It should be noted however, that this is not the bad thing
many people assume it to be.
In the past under D'Antoni Nash was called upon to create about
75% of the team's offense throughout the regular season. This of course
made sense because he was Steve Nash and why wouldn't you want him
doing what he does best. The problem however is (was) two-fold. Good
defensive teams (the Spurs) learned how to key on Nash and use their
excellent on the ball defenders (Bowen) to take Nash out of his game.
If all you are used to doing is one thing and the Spurs take that away
you are going to lose. I think history proves that theory out. By the
way, the Hornets have exactly the same problem with Chris Paul which is
why they are not yet a championship caliber team and why they couldn't
beat the Spurs either.
The second problem (one not shared by the Hornets) is Steve's age.
He admitted after the playoff's last year that he was tired after the
long season of running pick and rolls night in and night out. And that
was after the Suns did some things with Grant Hill to change their
offense to take some of the pressure off him last year.
That all brings us to Nash this year and his "lesser" role which I deem to be a good thing overall.
As for his game, he's clearly not the same player he was two or three years ago. He can not seem to sustain that level of activity and he's not getting anywhere close to the number of looks at the rim which is making it easier for teams to focus on Amare on the pick and roll.
The numbers bear this out as well: FG% down 5% since 06 and 3P% down 3% from last year. His passing also is much less crisp which I first noticed last year. Instead of hitting guys right in the hands so they can go straight into a shooting motion the passes are lower giving the defender and extra step to close out.
Despite the decline, he's still the guy you want with the ball in the fourth quarter come playoff time. At least for now.
2. Trading Amare Stoudemire seems to be a growing/nagging rumor/trade idea over the past couple of weeks. Would trading Amare really be a step in the right direction (assuming you get equal value for him) towards getting this team to a championship level or would it signify the Suns heading in a new direction that could possibly be more in the direction of rebuilding mode? Of the allegedly available players, who would you like the Suns to target if they trade Amare?
As for his game, he's clearly not the same player he was two or three years ago. He can not seem to sustain that level of activity and he's not getting anywhere close to the number of looks at the rim which is making it easier for teams to focus on Amare on the pick and roll.
The numbers bear this out as well: FG% down 5% since 06 and 3P% down 3% from last year. His passing also is much less crisp which I first noticed last year. Instead of hitting guys right in the hands so they can go straight into a shooting motion the passes are lower giving the defender and extra step to close out.
Despite the decline, he's still the guy you want with the ball in the fourth quarter come playoff time. At least for now.
2. Trading Amare Stoudemire seems to be a growing/nagging rumor/trade idea over the past couple of weeks. Would trading Amare really be a step in the right direction (assuming you get equal value for him) towards getting this team to a championship level or would it signify the Suns heading in a new direction that could possibly be more in the direction of rebuilding mode? Of the allegedly available players, who would you like the Suns to target if they trade Amare?
We've are having quite the lively debate about Amare over at Bright Side of the Sun. We got close to 200 comments talking trade ideas for last Saturdays "swap shop". The result of all that though is that there aren't a lot of good options. The best one's are highly unlikely such as a deal for Dirk or Al Jefferson. Bosh might be possible but I really don't know if you've improved all that much by doing that.
What it all comes down to for me is that despite his faults and the emense frustration from watching him not play up to his capacity there's really not much in the way of value you can get back for him other then salary cap space for this summer. And then what do you do with that? Carlos Boozer? Is that really an upgrade?
The only trade I would like to see would return us a young up and coming player like a LaMarcus Aldridge or David Lee along with the cap space needed to extend them plus a decent unprotected first round pick (or two). You have to get some combination of immediate (but lesser) value on the front line along with youth and the potential to rebuild. I don't know if that deal is out there or not but I am guessing if it is we will see it get done because this team with a servicable PF that can rebound, defend and shoot a little (Collison, Lee, Love, etc) would be immediately better and the picks could ease the transition.
The best possible deal I can realistically come up with is Amare for LaMarcus Aldridge, Sergio Rodriquez and the expiring contract of the player formerly known as Raef LaFrenz. Throw in a 1st round pick and I will volunteer to be publically Pritch-slapped on the corner of Jefferson and 3rd St. That's the dream scenario and it ain't going to happen.
Amare has gone through periods like this before and turned it around so I think you stick it out at least for the rest of this season. The risk of trading him now is greater then the risk of holding on to him.
3. If the Suns could only have one All-Star big man in this February's game, would you rather it be Amare Stoudemire (let's just pretend he didn't get voted in by the fans) or Shaquille O'Neal?
It really pains me to say this because it is a complete 180 from how I felt about Shaq when he arrived, but you can't watch the Suns every game and compare the effort that the two bring. Shaq is working his ass off on both ends of the floor and has stepped up as the team leader. He's shooting 68% from the line since December (his career avg is 52%) and he's far more focused and determined to win. He's even played (well) in the last two back to back sets and is logging over 33 minutes in the last two months which is more then Yao Ming. Of the two, Shaq has a higher PER. He is 12th in the NBA while Amare is 23rd.
Based purley on the play of both of them there's no doubt in my mind that Shaq is more deserving and of the two more humble which says a LOT more about Amare then Shaq.
Thanks for reading today's Eight-Second Violation. Any comments, criticisms, or words of praise can be emailed to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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