Name: Zayd
Email:
Bio: Always been a big sports fan starting with soccer as a kid which was followed by Formula 1 racing, then basketball, football, and slowing liking hockey. Top teams are the Lakers, Chelsea FC, Thunder, Steelers, and Chargers. As far as other things about Zayd, he graduated from UC Irvine as a Civil Engineer in 2011 and resides in Glendale, California.
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PMB Round Table: Discussing Andrew Bynum
May 14th, 2012
Andrew Bynum has emerged as one of the top 2 centers in the NBA this season, but his actions on and off the court are causing problems. Claiming close games are easy, parking illegally, taking bad shots, being completely uninspired in games and of course his ejection against the Mavericks in the 2011 playoffs has him making headlines recently. We had our writers give some input as to what they think about the young center’s last year.
Amish Doshi:
I don’t agree with any notion that Andrew Bynum is the future of the Los Angeles Lakers. I don’t care what other folks have to say on the topic because I would not put up with these entitled childish antics if I were his teammate, coach, general manager or owner. A recent poll some stupid ESPN reporter put out showed that 22 of the league’s GMs would trade Bynum straight up for Dwight Howard at this point. I don’t care how talented you are as a player or what you’ve done to show your talent (1 full season out of 7 of health at which he played at an all-star level in 7 total seasons), you still have to play by the same basic rules of expected conduct as a professional just as every individual player on the team. Bynum is trying to see how much power he really has with this organization since he believes he’s their golden boy (Jim Buss, take a bow). He undermines Mike Brown’s authority whenever he can with his stupid comments on the 3 pointer he took against Golden State as well as his desire to practice “his Zen” which he mentioned during that same 3 point controversy. He bitches and moans when he doesn’t get the ball on offensive possessions and sticks it back to his teammates by having complete lapses on weak side help defense and giving up offensive rebounds or by not even trying to crash the boards on the offensive ends.
He continues to make ridiculous statements to the media about “not being ready to play” or about how for DeMarcus Cousins “it’s terrible that he has to play in Sacramento. He could take his talents somewhere and really help a team.” He delayed his needed surgery during the summer (for a vacation to watch the World Cup) after the Lakers won the 2010 NBA title, having known it would cause him to miss games during the regular season (which Pau Gasol quietly threw him under the bus for) and then afterward stated he would have done the same thing over again. He proceeded to act like a complete dirt bag when he elbowed JJ Barea in mid-air during game 4 when it was clear the Lakers were going to lose(I watched stunningly as some Laker fans cheered this moment at a bar in Santa Monica). This action cost himself the first 5 games for the next season of which the Lakers lost 3. And the list goes on. Bynum is immensely talented and at times looks like the best big man in the league. Sorry, but one all-star season doesn’t prove it and his continued actions show that he’s not ready to be a franchise player and likely never will be. I’m sure there are Laker “fans” lined up in his corner though ready to kiss Bynum’s ass and blame everything on Mike Brown’s coaching, which is irrelevant to the conversation. Doesn’t matter who the coach is, because if a player doesn’t have respect for his teammates, coach or organization at the most minimum required level, then he isn’t worth all the talent in the world. I would trade him in a heartbeat for the best deal I could find. Its worked out well for organizations (that seemingly could not afford to lose superstars because of their market) that had much less entitled than Bynum type star players and that made the decision relatively quickly (See Utah and Denver). You’re the Lakers, you’ll always find a way back to the top. God I hate them so much.
Conclusion, Bynum is a bitch and not worth the trouble. I’m not of the age group of stupid young kids (10-22 yrs. old) that have stars in my eyes for these talented athletes that think they have organizations by the throat. Call me cynical if you want.
Zayd Sharif:
I actually saw Bynum play in the Summer League games down in Long Beach when he was first drafted and obviously he was better than everyone else being a top 10 pick, it was clear how much talent he could develop. He had great hands, length and footwork. His development was slow but I feel that is the norm with most centers. But looking back, it looks like Phil Jackson had a clue that Bynum was a little different in the way he acts. There are clips of PJ making fun of Andrew for being a wuss. Of course he showed Phil just how much respect for him he had with his stupid foul on Barea last year in their last game together.
So now with all the talent Bynum is showing as a focal point of the offense (when he feels like playing) he has certainly grown an ego. I wish it took as long as his ability to develop but clearly his ego was already talented. I cannot understand what is going through his mind whatsoever. He continues to make foolish comments and act bored and uninterested on the court. Every time he takes a step forward, he takes about seven back. He follows up great games with ones you would expect out of Jordan Hill (who could teach Bynum a thing or two about playing hard). He thinks extremely highly of himself but when you hand a 24 year old nearly $20 million a year, it is not unexpected. It is part of the 7-footer issue where money is thrown at them needlessly and prematurely. Quite frankly I can slightly excuse a player who acts a fool off the court but at least shows up and plays every game. But Andrew Bynum has been extremely problematic with his growing ego and lack of respect, and it is hurting his image (as if he cares) but more importantly his team.
Unless he learns to bring his best every night and to have some respect for himself and his team, Bynum will continue to be a headache the Lakers will have to deal with. Something Dr. Buss will not stand for, but his son on the other hand…
Jaymin Patel:
There are certain qualities in sports that give a player a “Get Out of Jail Free” card. Okay, maybe not jail, but maybe a “Get Out of Trouble For Being An Idiot” card. In football, it’s a guy with an elite size/speed combination. In baseball, it’s the ability to hit with power. In basketball, it’s size. Size trumps all. Why do the Lakers and Laker fans not only, to a large extent, put up with Andrew Bynum acting like a teenager on an NBA floor? Because he’s big.
In fact, not only do fans, coaches and NBA “experts” put up with Bynum’s antics, they even stick up for him by bailing him out with a variety of excuses. He’s young. He’s immature. He’s a product of his Hollywood surroundings. Just wait until he really get’s serious.
Bynum, while physically mature, has a lot of growth to do between the ears. His post game is superb, his defensive technique is sound, but he lacks in poise and maturity in adverse situations. Game 5 against the Nuggets was a perfect example. The Nuggets spent the entire night backing off the Laker PG’s and double teaming Bynum or Gasol on the post, with one player in front and one player behind, before they even got the ball. The result was a Laker offense forced to shoot the ball and less touches for the two 7 footers down low. At this point in the season, Gasol has been content to play “high-low” with Bynum, feeding him down low while getting few opportunities himself. Bynum however, took the response of being pissed off he wasn’t getting the ball enough and started letting his mind wander on the defensive end. JaVale McGee got a bunch of lobs while Bynum craned his neck up to watch him slam it home. He looked just about as disinterested and prepared as anyone can look on the floor of an NBA game, just because he didn’t get enough touches in the post.
Not quite what you want from your mid-twenties 7 foot center. The Lakers will live with it, however, because there’s no alternative. They’re not getting Dwight Howard. Bynum’s not going to flip a switch and play with a Jordan-like intensity for every minute of every game. Yes, he might not be such a baby, but he’s never going to be mistaken for a tough-nosed hustler. You’ve got to live with the bad if you want the good.
Avi Shah:
I think Andrew Bynum emerged on to the scene this year, faster than even Andrew Bynum thought he would. He has never been a star at any point of his career. He emerged late in high school, and came in behind the shadows of Shaq when he was drafted by the Lakers. Stardom is one of those things, a phenomena, that can’t be explained by you and me. It’s one of those things that a lot of people want, but very few people have. And among those who do achieve the stardom, very very few know how to handle it–especially in a place like Los Angeles.
Lets get one thing straight, Bynum is a superior and highly talented post player. With all bias aside, he simply has the most developed post game of any center in the league. You can say all you want, Dwight Howard is a fantastic player, but how low post prowess is no where near what Bynum posses. He IS the most talented big man in the league.
Can you question Bynum’s interest in games? Yes. But before all of you kill him over that, take a look back at guys like Dwight Howard and Shaq. They both are/were great big men, but their effort has been questioned many many times. Shaq came into every season uninspired and overweight. Dwight has given up on his teammates multiple times. There is a root to all of this. TOUCHES. Big men do not operate without touches. When Bynum gets touches, hes been fantastic, but there have been too many times where they go to him early and forget about him late. It is only natural for a guy with so much talented to be uninspired when he is not being rewarded with touches. The part that Andrew needs to still figure out is how to coexist with Kobe, who is going to demand the ball, and naturally get more touches since he is a guard. Andrew Bynum with Kobe can go as far as Pau Gasol takes him. Gasol is the best distributing big man in the league, and he is the on that “feeds the beast.” That leads to my conclusion, Bynum becomes uninspired as a result of poor nights by Gasol (there have been plenty this year). Bynum is still the future of this franchise, and the Lakers would be fools to think otherwise and trade him.
2012 NBA Playoff Preview – Round 1 – Chicago vs. Philadelphia
April 27th, 2012
D Rose Driving on the Sixers
Just a year removed from the 8 seeded Grizzlies beating the top seeded Spurs in the first round of the 2011 Western Conference Playoffs, we now have a new set of first round match-ups. A reason I bring up that upset from last year its because that is the West where just about 10 teams could do damage in the playoffs. Today I am discussing the East which those bottom feeder teams do not really belong in the top 16 of the NBA.
While the Sixers got off to a rocking start by playing great team basketball where everyone contributed, injuries hurt them. Specifically the Spencer Hawes injury. They sputtered to a disappointing finish to a great start. A solid team, but can they beat the Bulls?
Rose missed 25 games this season and I can almost guarantee he will not be 100% healthy throughout the playoffs but he will play through more pain than he would otherwise. He is their star and the reigning NBA MVP of course.
The Sixers have a lot of youth, quickness and speed and when they play with their full energy they can beat anyone on any given night. And they can give Rose some trouble in his ability to play 1v1 defense. Problem is, when you face the Bulls it feels like you are playing against 7 plays on defense with athletic big men who can make up for perimeter mistakes on defense. Noah and Gibson are two active players who do not stop moving. So while I can give the Sixers a punching chance against the Bulls, I do not like their chances versus that suffocating defense. The Bulls just won too many big games without Rose, including an all bench defeat of the Miami Heat.
The key factor is Rose’s health but I do not think it comes into play this series (but it will in two weeks if he is banged up).
The Bulls have too much of an edge in their bench and their coaching, they take the series in 5 or less
My Players to Watch
December 27th, 2011Every season I have a few NBA players that I feel some excitement for. They may or may not be an All-Star caliber player but something about them makes them stand out. However they may just stand out to my strange preferences.
Some examples of this would be Gerald Wallace and Kevin Durant two seasons ago. (Actually that year I fell in love with the Thunder in September 2009 by using them on 2K10). Last season I loved the development Westbrook showed other than the selfishness he tended to show at inopportune moments.
This season there is a team I think is being overlooked and that team is the Portland Trailblazers. You may say they are going to suffer losing Brandon Roy. I won’t argue about how talented he is but the fact that he was in and out of the line up prevented the team from truly building a season long rhythm and having some consistency. I think this hurt them even though he made great contributions and I was very sad to hear he was retiring.
Felton will push the Blazers. Image courtesy of BlazersEdge.com
Now we all know LaMarcus Aldrigde is a talented young player and the Blazers are built around him but I think that the key to their success is Raymond Felton. Ever since he was on the Bobcats I always felt Felton was a talent but he kept moving from team to team. He showed some ability in Denver but ultimately ended up in Portland. I have high expectations for Felton (one of the reasons I drafted him on two of three fantasy basketball teams). Once he gets his rhythm and feel for this team I really think he can help them push them past where they have been before.
Will Danny Granger Grow with West on his side? Image courtesy of indystar.com
The second player I think should be watched is Danny Granger on the Pacers. He really never had true help or someone else the defense had to worry about since being drafted. Now David West is a Pacer and he is someone who can drop 40 on you on any given night with his inside ability and mid-ranged shooting. This will open the game up for Granger who is a very underrated talent. The Pacers are by no means a championship caliber team but with Granger having more space and help with West on the roster I see him having a great season.
Andrew Bynum can dominate...if he stays healthy. Image courtesy of lakershoopgang.com
Ok this next player comes with the biggest asterisk there is. I liked him when I watched him play in the summer league games his rookie season and I feel like he can still improve but I really think this is Andrew Bynum’s year to shine. Barring a trade or a very likely injury, Bynum is the best offensive center in the league. Yes that is because Kareem mentored him for so many years but Bynum has the physical tools to make it work. He has great hands and good footwork. His mental toughness is questionable but I really think that IF he gets through a season he can put up 20/10/3 and change games on both sides of the ball. He is now the third option and can fight for the second option behind Kobe. This kid is good. He’s had some bad breaks. Just not as bad as Greg Oden.
The fourth player I think deserves mention is Brandon Bass. I am sure the Celtics are impressed by his play the first few games and he is a definite upgrade over Glen Davis in physical ability, effort and talent. If Kevin Garnett shows this guy some of the ropes he could begin a solid career. He will get more opportunity without Green this season and just needs to take advantage of it as he has the shot and the determination to have an good season that can help the aging Celtics.
Brandon Bass should grow with the Celtics. Image courtesy of greenstreet
But who knows, I could be full of it.
NBA Preview: Northwest Division
December 24th, 2011And here it is! The final installment of Pardon My Bias’ NBA Preview by Avi and Zayd. Don’t forget to catch up on the first 5 divisions too!
Atlantic Division | Pacific Division | Southeast Division | Southwest Division | Central Division
We thank you very much for reading our articles and hope you enjoyed them.
Nene and Lawson will not have much help this season. Image courtesy of Dallasnews.com
Team: Denver Nuggets
2010/11 Record: 50-32 – 5th in Western Conference
2010/11 Review:
AS:Last year brought the most drama to Denver since the Kobe trial with Melo’s demand to be traded to New York. The Nuggets managed to still stay competitive with the ongoing saga of Melo, and actually got better after the Melo trade.ZS:Ty Lawson and Raymond Felton were an unlikely duo that really made this team go. After how poorly Melo played to force that trade this team had a sigh of relief and with no expectations played loose and better than expected.Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: This team also needs a go-to scorer. The current situation will not cut it for a full season in the loaded Western Conference. They lost both J.R. Smith and Wilson Chandler to China, but were at least able to resign Nene.
ZS: A player to make them a contender. They kept Nene but he won’t be enough to get this team on top. They need that consistent 25 points a night from someone.
Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: Things are not looking too good for the Nuggets. The Nuggets have a lot of moves to make, and I don’t see them making it to the playoffs this year. At this point, their roster relies heavily on Nene, Ty Lawson, and Danilo Galinari. The West is just too competitive, and leaves no room for the Nuggets.
ZS: So those three Nuggets in China…stuck there until that season ends. Not a playoff team but they will give teams headaches on a few nights because of their youth.
The Wolves are hoping to build...right? Image courtesy of mattsminnesotasportsblog
AS: KAHHHHHHHHN!!!!
ZS: Maybe they read the standings backwards and upside down because this team seemed to want to lose.
Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: The team needs some coordination between the Adelman and Kahn, because at this point they don’t have that. Michael Beasley needs to grow up a little bit too, and hopefully Adelman can provide that. They finally brought in Rubio from overseas and brought in JJ Barea to back him up, two moves I really like.
ZS: Love is good but I don’t see enough leadership on this team. Get some veterans who can make impacts.
Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: I’m hyped to see Ricky Rubio. I don’t think he’s going to live up, but he’ll bring some excitement to Minny. I also have high hopes for rookie Derrick Williams, as he is my pick for rookie of the year. I think the Wolves have a surprisingly good roster on paper, and can surprise some people this year. They are of course on of my teams to watch this year . I think the Wolves finish in the top 10 in the West, a big up from dead last.
ZS: I just hope they were told how the standings and records should be read. Although I have heard Rubio looks good but he won’t carry them into the playoffs.
Can Westbrook and Durant bring home the title? Image courtesy of cbssports
Team: Oklahoma City Thunder
2010/11 Record: 55-27 – 4th in Western Conference
2010/11 Review:
ZS: This team continues to exceed expectations as it continues its climb to be a powerhouse. They lost to a veteran savvy Mavs team but they are on their way to become a solid team. Adding Perkins really helped them in the middle and if healthy this team can beat anyone on any given night.
AS: This team proved that they are here for real and shouldn’t be tagged as “the future” any longer. Everything went right for the Thunder last year, and they have a lot to look forward with this young nucleus.
Team Needs in 2011/12:
ZS: They could use some more size. They have the athletes but lack true size. The bench could use some more depth as well but this team is solid as it is.
AS: Westbrook needs to realize he plays second fiddle to KD. It came up time and time again in the playoffs. He’s a young guy, and he just needs to realize he has the most talented offensive player in the league on his team. They also need Kendrick Perkins to play like the Celtics’ Kendrick Perkins, he was an absolute dud last year in the playoffs and got man-handled by Z-bo.
Outlook for 2011/12:
ZS: Another Final contender for me. Durant and Westbrook are turning into a dynamic duo with Harden, Ibaka, Perkins, and Thabo backing them up. I question Perkins being the second most paid player but the whole team is still contracted for $55 million. The whole team. Now go back and laugh at the Knicks.
AS: I think the Thunder have to take the “finals or bust” mentality this year. Adding Kendrick Perkins on paper was great, but to me he showed very little impact on the court. Dirk Nowitzki exposed every single weakness he had. I see a breakout year for James Harden. I’m picking the Thunder to win it all this year.
Can LA Elevate the Blazers without Roy? Image Courtesy of The Columbian
2010/11 Record: 48-34 – 6th in Western Conference
2010/11 Review:
ZS:This team can never seem to get out of that young and on the verge category. Always a tough team to play with so many athletic pieces but they just can’t seem to become a powerhouse. They almost beat the eventual Champs but they just seem to be lacking some good veteran leadership.AS:The team was once again plagued by injuries to Brandon Roy and Greg Oden, and ongoing theme in Portland. They were able to make a nice move last year to bring in Gerald Wallace, and LaMarcus Aldridge showed to the league that he is an all-star.Team Needs in 2011/12:
ZS: Looking at their roster I feel that this team is being seriously overlooked to win. It is a deep team with a mix of athletic youth and veterans. Problem is the injuries. They need to stay healthy and just cut those injury prone players loose its not worth paying for them. Example: Greg Oden.
AS: Like Zayd said, this is a good young roster, but losing Brandon Roy to early retirement really hurts. Even when he came back last year in the playoffs, it was pure magic. It is hard to replace a natural scorer like that.
Outlook for 2011/12:
ZS: It is unfortunate that Roy’s career went as it did as he is a very good player. And while Felton is no Roy, he will be a great player for them as he is starting to find his stride as a PG and I think has a long term future in this city. Gerald Wallace can finally mesh with the team and now they added Jamal Crawford. I would not sleep on this team, as they might just have the talent and the lack of hype to surprise everyone.
AS: I like the addition of Raymond Felton and Jamal Crawford. That is a legitimate backcourt paired with Wallace and Aldridge in the frontcourt. This team could really make some noise if they all click, and you know the Rose Garden will be rocking like it’s the JailBlazers all over again.
How are the Jazz going to fair? Image Courtesy of the Unofficial Review
2010/11 Record: 39-43 – 11th in Western Conference
2010/11 Review:
ZS:Usually one of the least drama filled teams in the NBA, then they lost their long time coach in Jerry Sloan after a major rift was opened up between him and Deron Williams. Then they shipped out Williams himself after losing Boozer the summer before. But they did get Al Jefferson and Devin Harris.AS:Last year was the year they blew up the Jazz. Losing legendary coach Jerry Sloan and start point gaurd Deron Williams hurts a lot.Team Needs in 2011/12:
ZS: Harris, Jefferson and Millsap make a decent core but they need plenty of help. They need more consistent shooting and consistent hardworking role players who can lock things down defensively and make some open shots.
AS: They have a young, blue-collar nucleus with Harris, Jefferson and Millsap. They need a few more pieces like an athletic swingman to really bring it all together.
Outlook for 2011/12:
ZS: I would not be surprised if this team comes together after the chaos of last year and makes the playoffs. All they need to do is find their identity and fill out that roster with players who can contribute.
AS: Like Zayd said, they need an identity. With that roster, running the classic Stockton-Malone pick and roll might be a great place to start. I still think this team is one or two seasons away from the playoffs, but they have taken a good step towards rebuilding.
Well NBA starts tomorrow ladies and gentlemen…lets hope for a season that is even better than last years.
NBA Preview: Southwest Division
December 21st, 2011Welcome back to the Pardon My Bias NBA Preview with Avi Shah and Zayd Sharif. If you missed the first few days check them out! Day 1 – Atlantic Division | Day 2 – Pacific Division | Day 3 – Southeast Division
We start with the NBA Defending Champions…
NBA Champs Dallas Mavericks. Image from Getty Images
2010/11 Review:
AS: The Mavs made an amazing run in the playoffs when they were underdogs to both the Lakers and the Heat. Dirk Nowitzki solidified his legacy, and Mark Cuban finally put a ring where his mouth is.
ZS: There wasn’t a hotter team out there by the end of the season. The team was focused and was absolutely confident it could win the title.
Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: This offseason has been turbulent for the Mavs. They lost Chandler to Knicks, Butler to the Clippers, Barrea to the Bulls, and Peja retired. Meanwhile they got Odom for basically free (along with Khloe) and picked up a washed out Vince Carter. The team really needs to address the absence of Chandler, who was a key contributor and weak side defender in their championship run.
ZS: They need to replace what Tyson gave them. What helped make them good was that Dirk didn’t need to play defense down low where he can be over powered. Losing Barea hurts too as they are much older at the PG position now. They need to find another big man who will defend the rim. Good thing the Lakers just handed one to them…for nothing.
Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: I don’t see the Mavs repeating. The short season is going to hurt the Mavs because its less time they’re going to have with the pieces that they HAVE to bring in. The more I think about it, the more Tyson Chandler meant to this team last year, and I don’t think they can repeat without him.
ZS: Last season was the perfect storm for them with the talent and the momentum but I don’t see it happening again. They will seed well but ultimately lose in the playoffs.
Luis Scola is one of their few bright spots. Image from Zimbio.com
Team: Houston Rockets
2010/11 Review:
AS: The Rockets had a disappointing season last year. They cut ties with Trevor Ariza, who never bloomed into the star they thought he could. They missed the playoffs and then let Rick Adelman go. They also finally moved on from the Yao Ming era.
ZS: Underrated team but they now need to regroup after losing their big 2002 draft pick. Yao was a good player but that body wasn’t meant for that much activity.
Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: The Rockets need to get Kevin Martin some help. Martin has had the opportunity to be a star, but just has not been able to fill the shoes. They tried making the trade to bring in Gasol, only to be shout down by basketball reasons, and they missed out on Nene too. This offseason had big hopes for the Rockets but they’re now left scratching their heads.
ZS: Martin is a good player but without a real center presence, Scola can only do so much. (Can you tell I’m partial to centers and forwards for success yet?) They need to begin planning for the future.
Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: Kevin McHale is the new coach in Houston, but I have never liked Kevin McHale in any kind of coaching/management position. Some ex-player just don’t make good executives/coaches – he’s one of them. Another team that has the right to be very bitter with the NBA.
ZS: They should be watching plenty of NCAA games trying to find their next piece. Rebuilding mode for sure.
Memphis Grizzlies Young Stars. Image from Zimbio.com
2010/11 Review:
AS: The Grizzlies made a great run into the playoffs being an 8th seed. Knocking out the Spurs was a big deal, and this team proved it’s legitimacy. They went on to the second round and gave the Thunder all they wanted. Zebo got it done.
ZS: Quite frankly, discussing the Grizzlies with Avi is what initiated my desire to write this article. One of the deepest teams in the NBA.
Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: The Grizz need OJ Mayo to be more consistent and Connely to live up to that that huge contract. This team has a solid core that can really surprise some people this year.
ZS: Maturity and just continue to grow but they need to find a way to replace Battier. They kept the core intact but they have a ways to go before they can win the West.
Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: The Grizzlies may have one of the most positive outlooks this season of any team. The potential with this young and athletic team is endless. The Grizz could make some big noise in the Midwest, and I think they can win the division. They are the most underrated team in the NBA to me, don’t be surprised if to find them in the top 4 in the West when the season is all said and done.
ZS: This team has tons of momentum and is becoming a true contender in the West. They will battle the Mavs for the division lead and could have home court in the playoffs. I like their direction and I like their future but I am not quite sure they will make it over the hump just yet.
Trevor Ariza and the Hornets need some ownership. Image from Zimbio.com
2010/11 Review:
ZS: I really feel bad for this team. The hornets are promising team with some very good pieces but they lost their owner and are now run by the NBA. But that really makes it tough to give this team a direction and that is why the impending departure of Chris Paul was on their minds last year. They gave the Lakers all they could handle and probably helped expose the weaknesses the Mavs later exploited in the sweep.
AS: The Hornets had a fantastic year with a team with one superstar and one good player (CP3 and David West). Even though they were taken over by the NBA, they made it into the playoffs. Chris Paul can make anyone look good.
Team Needs in 2011/12:
ZS: A hug might help. But this team can’t really expect to win when it has no real ownership. The team needs an owner and that may only happen if they decrease the value of the team for a reasonable asking price. Focus on that because trying to win a championship is futile at the moment.
AS: This team needs an owner that’s not the rest of the NBA owners. It is unfair to the fans of New Orleans because the current “ownership” is more interested in putting together a team that’s easy to sell than a team that’s competitive.
Outlook for 2011/12:
ZS: It really is unfortunate for Hornets fans to have to deal with all the drama and now a weakened team. But I think the trade they made was a good one. They have two 7-footers, one who is offensively minded and one defensively, a good wing in Ariza and two good gaurds in Gordon and Jack. They won’t make the playoffs but they aren’t push overs either.
AS: The outlook for this team is horrible until they are bought by an owner that cares. Anyone who saw the pictures from the press conference saw how excited Aminu, Kaman, and Gordon were to be there. I think they have to build around Gordon, as he becomes your new franchise player.
Team: San Antonio Spurs
The Spurs long time Big 3. Image from Zigabid.com
2010/11 Record: 61-21 – 1st in Western Conference
2010/11 Review:
ZS: The Spurs are back! So that lasted for 82 games until the Grizzlies just muscled and out-youthed them to death. It was so surprising to seem them go at the top record like that but they wanted home court I guess. Too bad it wore them out for the playoffs and had no chance to win that match up.
AS: The Spurs had a great regular season, securing up the home court, but were exposed by the Grizzlies in the first round of the playoffs. Like Zayd said, they were worn out by the time they got to the playoffs. Last time there was a shortened season, the Spurs won it all.
Team Needs in 2011/12:
ZS: Tim Duncan’s replacement. ASAP. And some young pieces. One of the best 2nd round drafting teams I can remember, but for this season they need to make some moves to compete with the Grizzlies, Mavs, Lakers, Clippers and Thunder.
AS: The Spurs need to begin the transition from the post-Duncan and post-Popovich era (I think the two guys retire together). They made a great run, but can’t compete with the top of the West anymore. Their recruiting is better than any in the league, so don’t be surprised when they get a new star out of nowhere.
Outlook for 2011/12:
ZS: With Pop at the helm and Parker and Ginobili on that team they are always going to be a solid team that will make the playoffs. Without TD putting up those 20/10 nights and shutting down the lane they aren’t going to win another championship. Out of respect for TD they will play out his career but it will cost them any chance at winning. But TD is someone who will take a pay cut for his team so if they have some money to add talent the Spurs could be in the Title picture.
AS: Don’t have anything to add because Zayd hit it right on the bullseye.
NBA Preview: Pacific Division
December 19th, 2011And our NBA Preview with Avi and Zayd continues with the Pacific Division! Don’t forget to catch up on the Atlantic Division!
2010/11 Record: 36-46 – 12th in Western Conference
2010/11 Review:
AS: The Warriors made a lot of good moves to set them up well for this coming season. Bringing in David Lee was a big acquisition, although he was hurt for a big chunk of the season. In the end, I think 12th was disappointing finish, but injuries may be the reason for this.
ZS: The summer of 2010 I kept saying Lee would be the perfect fit for them. Then he actually got moved there but didn’t make the expected impact. The Warriors just prove that a team with too many guards and not enough bigs doesn’t get you anywhere.
Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: This team needs a quality big man because Andres Biedrens is not cutting it anymore. Unfortunately they were not able to bring in Tyson Chandler and Deandre Jordan. They are now stuck with a 1-year, $7 million deal with Kwame Brown. KWAME BROWN???
ZS: This team seems reluctant to pick a path and go for it. Monta and Stephen are both good talents but they need to choose between them and get on with that direction. Kwame Brown is a terrible pick up for that team that just can’t seem to get it right with big men.
Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: With a poor showing in the short free agency season, I think the Warriors took a couple steps back. They really needed to address their deficiency in the post, and they simply were unable to do so. In order for this team to take the next step, they have to get a big guy. No playoffs for the Warriors.
ZS: One of the most fun teams in the NBA but that’s about it since that amazing 2007 playoff upset. I don’t see them making the playoffs this season.
AS: The Clippers had the rookie of the year and finally a legitimate all star in Blake Griffin. Griffin proved that he could be the franchise player, as long as the Clippers would be able to put some guys around him and change the culture.
ZS: Did the Clippers put trampolines under the hard wood? They got some high fly acts over there. Finally the Clippers look like they are going in the right direction.
Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: The Clippers needed to bring in another star to surround Blake Griffin with some talent, and they made a real splash this offseason. Bringing in Caron Bulter, Chris Paul, and Chauncey Billups were all great moves for the Clips, and they resigned Deandre Jordan.
ZS: Good luck in not getting injured because this team is a now a loaded roster after the Chris Paul trade. They really revamped this team…Lakers need to watch out.
Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: The Clippers finally have the roster to shed the negative connotation with the Clippers historically. This is a young team with a ton of potential, and could make some real noise in the playoffs. The have finally put together a team that can compete wit the cross-town Lakers, and it has brought the excitement to LA.
ZS: This is a playoff team and could earn home court advantage for a round. But they are no laughing matter anymore this is a team for everyone to watch out for. The Clippers, Grizzlies and the Thunder look to be the West’s future.
Team: Los Angeles Lakers
2010/11 Review:
AS: The Lakers sleepwalked through the season, and it came and bit them in the ass in the playoffs. Pau Gasol essentialy disappeared, and the results are clear. The Lakers simply lost the championship hunger.
ZS: Boredom or fatigue? That’s up to you. I say boredom. Yes they played a lot of games the last three years but to go out the way they did was disgraceful and an embarassment for the greatest coach of all time.
Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: They need to get younger and more athletic in general, but most notably at the point guard position. They also need to get the hunger back, but I don’t think that will be much of an issue with Kobe Jellybean Bryant leading the charge.
ZS: Derek Fisher, you have done some great things for this team. The next thing you could do is wear and suit and move over a few seats so the Lakers can get some young GOOD point guards.
Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: The Mike Brown era begins in LA. I am interested to see how he caters the offense for the big men. This WILL be a breakout season for Andrew Bynum. I hope that Jim Buss does not lead this franchise into utter destruction, and the Lamar Odom trade to the Mavs still doesn’t make any sense. It will be interesting to see if Dwight Howard will be playing in purple and gold, and at what price.
ZS: Looks like this will be a season of turmoil and a major test for Mike Brown. I don’t think it could have been more difficult for him to start. Without Lamar and with adding so many pieces and learning a new offense this could be a rough one for Laker Land but if they get it together by playoff time and stay healthy they may surprise people.
2010/11 Review:
AS: Everything went downhill for the Suns last year. You even had Steve Nash putting ownership on blast via Twitter. This team is a ticking time bomb, and I just feel bad for Nash.
ZS: Still reeling from that horrible Shaq trade. This team lost its sense of direction and then lost its budding superstar in Amare. It is not going to be a fun few years for this team as it has begun its decline.
Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: This team needs everything to be honest. Steve Nash is on the decline, and they need someone to pass the torch to. The Suns have gone in full rebuilding mode, but they have shown no signs of trying to dig themselves out of the rut that they are stuck in.
ZS: They may give some teams trouble when hot from the 3-point line but that is not going to get them 40 wins again. Look to rebuild with some young players and establish some defensive ability to the team.
Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: Bottom fourth of the Western Conference. Yeah, it’s that bad.
ZS: At least they have warm weather most of the year, right?
Team: Sacramento 2010/11 Record: 24-58 – 14th in Western Conference
2010/11 Review:
ZS: They were rebuilding last year with their new young core. They didn’t win many games but they look to be adding for the future.
AS: The Kings had a positive season with a great young core centered around Tyreke Evans and DeMarcus Cousins. Cousins showed a lot of potential to be a great post player in this league, but he certainly has his fair share of character issues.
Team Needs in 2011/12:
ZS: An attitude fix for Cousins. The kid is good but he needs to just shut up and play. They have a good core in Evans, Cousins and now Hickson. They need to decrease the amount of points they give up a game. But in reality they just need to keep building that roster around the core 3.
AS: The Kings were rumored with AK47 through the free agency period, but nothing has happened yet. I think he would be a great addition to the young squad by bringing a veteran defensive presence. Like Zayd said, they need to build around the core they have.
Outlook for 2011/12:
ZS: They might have a chance to compete for a playoff spot but they don’t have the roster to win. While next season might be ok I do like this team’s prospects for the future. They already aren’t the worst team in the Pacific in my opinion anymore either.
AS: I agree with Zayd, they’re not the worst team in the pacific anymore. They have a good young core that will be interesting to watch. I am interested to see how Jimmer fits in the mix, as he could be a very dangerous player for them knowing his shooting ability. This team has the potential to compete for a playoff spot, but I’m not sure they are over that hump and have the chemistry to do so.
NBA Preview: Atlantic Division
December 18th, 2011Ladies and Gentlemen, the NBA is back! We’ll be previewing each and every team division by division, posting analysis on each division per day all the way up to Christmas Eve to get you ready for the NBA kickoff on Christmas Day. Here is a look at the Atlantic Division by Zayd Sharif and Avi Shah!
Pierce, Rondo, KG courtesy of NJ.com
2010/11 Record: 56-26 – 3rd in Eastern Conference
2010/11 Review:
AS: The Celtics were the oldest team in the league and it showed. The Kendrick Perkins trade was a real back breaker, and still doesn’t make sense to this day. The 5 game loss to Miami in the second round had a rough sting, not that I’m complaining or anything…
Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: This team needs to get younger. They need to build around Rondo, not ship him away if they plan on avoiding a decade of failure like they had in the 90s. KG and Ray Ray’s contracts up next summer, which will get them off the books big time in this new CBA. They picked up Chris Wilcox, but lost Jeff Green for the entire season after surgery. They also missed out on David West, a piece that would have really helped the Celtic, but were unable to sign him.
ZS: Youth, youth, youth. This is a talented team but when teams are putting together these youthful squads its too much for them to handle. Get another big man who can handle his defensive responsibilities individually. And they just lost Green so that really hurts them with the whole youth thing.
Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: I actually like the Celtics (well not really like) to have a bounce back season for one last run. A shorter season could end up hurting this old team getting into game shape and building the necessary chemistry (see KG’s rant about putting tortillas in microwaves).
ZS: They will give it another shot, but I don’t see a title in their future without a real defensive big man. Rondo will probably tear it up again but he isn’t enough because of how much he lacks offensively at times. Home court in the first round, out in the second.
D-Will courtesy of myradionetwork.net
2010/11 Record: 24-58 – 12th in Eastern Conference
2010/11 Review:
AS: Avery Johnson was left wondering what happened to his center Brook Lopez. I’m wondering the same thing. Only positive from last year was landing D-Will after his departure from Utah. They were also bought by the coolest owner in the league, Mikhail.
Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: The Nets need to find someone to pair up with Derron Williams in order to keep him Dwight Howard has expressed his interests to play in New Jersey, but it doesn’t seem like the Nets have been able to put together the right deal to reel him in. The Nets have to have a “Dwight or bust” attitude, or else D-Will will be packing his bags next summer.
ZS: Keep D-Wills is right but they need to get Lopez to play like a real big man who gets more than 6 RPG as your starting center. They don’t have much talent on that roster but have some money to spend if they can find good players who can score and play good defense. Probably some ear plugs to make Avery’s voice bearable too.
Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: This is a big year for the Nets. New ownership wants to move the franchise to Brooklyn, but this season will determine if that will be a desirable location for stars. Unless the Nets are able to get Howard by the trade deadline, the outlook is not very pleasant. Even getting him by the deadline will be too late to make noise for this season.
ZS: Two good players is not enough to make the playoffs, even in the East. Could be a team on the move to Brooklyn. If they don’t do something productive D-Wills is going to speak up again and stir up some drama.
Melo and Amare, courtesy of gothamist.com
2010/11 Record: 42-40 – 6th in Eastern Conference
2010/11 Review:
ZS: Top three contracts: New York Knicks Salaries. Need I say more?
Team Needs in 2011/12:
ZS: The Knicks just keep rolling in those huge contracts. Obviously they are trying to bring in the talent but they need to clear up some cap room. Players will want to join forces with Amare and Melo to battle Miami but they won’t for minimum wage…if the Knicks can even afford to pay that much. Oh and some defense…
AS: The team needs to find a way to build some chemistry and keep the ball moving amongst the superstars. The Knicks felt that they needed a big man and therefore went and got Tyson Chandler from Dallas. They unfortunately had to lose Billups to ammnesty in the process, but picked up Mike Bibby and Barron Davis to fill the void. Bibby and Davis are both old, and Davis has his back problems, but it may be enough to get the job done.
Outlook for 2011/12:
ZS: Well they added Tyson who makes them a very formidable team if Tyson provides the same tenacity he did in Dallas. They could still use a better PG but this team is looking to keep improving and can really challenge Miami.
AS: Like Zayd said, Chandler makes this team a much better squad. Chandler is the ultimate clean up guy, and can be a real presence in the post with Amare. I think the Knicks have a roster that can compete with the Celtics for the 3 seed.
Jrue Holiday, courtesy of phillysportscentral.com
2010/11 Record: 41-41 – 7th in Eastern Conference
2010/11 Review:
AS: The Sixers had a very successful year under new head coach Doug Collins by making it to the playoffs. They unfortunately met Miami in the first round, but they showed a lot of potential. It is a young squad with Jrue Holiday and Jodie Meeks showing a lot of potential.
Team Needs in 2011/12:
AS: They need to gain some more experience and perhaps get another scorer. The possibility of shipping out Iguodala still exists, and they could get good value out of him.
ZS: They need a true super star. Iguodala and Brand are both secondary guys, as good as they are. Unless they can pull a big free agent or some sort of trade this team is going to be stuck in the middle for a while.
Outlook for 2011/12:
AS: I think the Sixers will have a similar season to last year and end up around the same spot in the East when it’s all said and done. I think Jrue Holiday could have a real break out season for the Sixers this year, he is a stud.
ZS: With a younger team you hope they progress from season to season but they really can’t expect to compete with Chicago, Miami and Boston.
DeMar DeRozan courtesy of bleacherreport.com
2010/11 Record: 22-60 – 14th in Eastern Conference
2010/11 Review:
ZS: We all know LBJ dropped his former team on their face but the Cavs were better with him than the Raptors were with Bosh. Then he left. Then they became one of the worst teams in the NBA. The team is straight role players.
AS: I’m not sure why the Raptors hung on to Chris Bosh for as long as they did. They must have known there was no way he was coming back to Toronto, no matter how much he liked the city. It’s the team that matters. The Raptors pretty much became a JV team after he left. It’s teams like the Raptors that really make me wish the NBA would adapt the rule from the English Premiere League – if you suck, you’re out and we give new teams a chance. I’m sure some people from Seattle would be down for that.
Team Needs in 2011/12:
ZS: They are rebuilding and need to find a franchise player. The team was slightly competitive with Bosh but never a real contender and is far from it now. Find a player to build around.
AS: The two best players left on the Raptors are DeMar DeRozan and Andrea Bargnani. That pretty much tells you what they need. They are a young team that really needs a star to build around. It could be a long road for the Raptors.
Outlook for 2011/12:
ZS: Not good. Bottom of the East again but hey maybe they can get another high draft pick.
AS: I think the 66-game schedule is a blessing. The Raptors just have to suck for 16 less games to get a high lottery pick. I mean sucking that bad must take some effort right?
My Letters to Lakers Fans, Mike Brown and Jim Buss
December 17th, 2011
Image from Lakersandceltics.com
Dear Fellow Lakers Fans,
We have been blessed with one of the most successful teams in all of sports history with the Lakers. And although the Lakers got swept by That Team (as Kobe has been saying) things were not immediately collapsing around us. We still had Kobe, Pau, Lamar, and Andrew. But the age was showing and we needed some help. Fast forward to December 8th, 2011. Chris Paul was traded to the Lakers for Lamar and Pau. Then he wasn’t. Some of Laker Nation was happy to get Chris Paul some were not happy to give up Pau and Lamar. But we all know the story by now…
Just remember that although we may not view this team as the top dog in the NBA anymore we still have Kobe Bryant running the show. We’ve all had our quick moments of doubt with him but he always does something that causes us to forget them. This team has a bit of a chip on its shoulder now.
Now its just a matter of how they perform.
Dear Mike Brown,
Welcome to Los Angeles. Having fun yet?
Listen, I don’t expect you to be Phil Jackson and you are doing a good job of being yourself. But know that any criticism you took in Cleveland will be magnified about a thousand times in Los Angeles. This is not a forgiving city for poor basketball performances. Every loss may result in some amount of people asking for your head.
Personally I want to give you a chance. You won over 60 games one season with the Cavs but lost in the playoffs. But with that team all you had was LeBron. Playoff time requires more than one great player. You may have lost Lamar but this is one of the more talented teams you will be the head coach of. Please be careful. This has been the roughest offseason I can recall as a Lakers fan and I am a huge huge huge Shaq fan and was devastated when he was traded.
So much damage was done but none of it is your fault.
That is why I will give you your chance. But know you will be judged with extreme scrutiny in this city.
So maybe if there is anything you should take from Phil Jackson it should be his ability to stare back at the storm with unblinking eyes.
I do wish you the best of luck, but know that if things take a turn for the worse and you are part of the reason I will be one of those fans calling for your head.
Dear Jim Buss,
You have been a hot topic on PMB lately, haven’t you?
I do not know what you have in mind but if the last few weeks are any indication you need to stop immediately.
First off, the stories about the way that some Laker staff members were dismissed was an abysmal way to start you tenure as the head of the Lakers.
Secondly, the way you handled Brian Shaw not becoming the coach really irked me. He has dedicated so many years of his life to this team and to not even give him the respect of a phone call is unbelievable and unforgivable. This was the indicator that you are not a good businessman because clearly you lack the ability to deal with people properly.
Then comes the last few weeks. You tried getting Chris Paul. Führer Stern vetoed it. Fine. Why did Lamar have to be traded for nothing like that? Did you even reach out to him after the trade was rejected and he was clearly distraught? Mend relations with one of the most important and dynamic pieces of your roster and not to mention one of the most beloved Lakers I can remember. Instead you ship him out to a team no one wants to see him on. Lamar may have been too impulsive in expressing his frustration but your impulse to send him away like that was by far the most abhorrent action you could have done.
So what next? I have no doubt that Mitch is trying to work out some deals to improve the Lakers but I fear you are getting in his way. You need to back away. I’ve read how you are trying to erase Phil Jackson’s influences on the Lakers. With the Mike Brown hire over Shaw I believe it. Guess what? You can’t. PJ won five (5) titles in this city. His legacy is complete. Yours just seems to be getting worse and worse. So please, just stop. Do not destroy the franchise your father has worked so hard to make one of the best ever.
You have already alienated thousands of Lakers fans. Now you have to fix that. The best thing you can do is stop playing games and messing with Mitch’s plans. There are many rumors that you are making calls to owners to pull some strings. That is dirty. You think Mike Brown will take a beating if things go sour? I can’t even imagine what will happen to you.
Don’t be a fool. Your father did things properly. Learn from him. Like I have been saying, this is not a forgiving city when it comes to Los Angeles Lakers basketball.
Sincerely,
Zayd Sharif
Pardon My Bias
Cash Rules Everything Around Me
August 9th, 2011
Before I even get to my article I just want to say that all professional athletes are grossly over-paid, but that is a sports world I love to follow nonetheless.
Any basketball fan has been outside in a park or their backyard and imagined hitting the game winning shot to win a championship in a closely contested game seven. With that nice little dream is the glory of winning a championship and being on top of the basketball world. I never really thought about the money that a professional athlete gets. (But then again I can’t dunk a basketball, well not on a 10-ft rim…or anything above 8 feet). In reality if you are playing in the NBA you are making a nice amount of money. And to make it to the NBA you have a good combination of talent and motivation to work your way into becoming one of the best. Some players are motivated by the drive to win a championship, maybe to just be thought of the best player, but today it is really hard to ignore that some players are in it for the money (and probably the fame too).
The competitive nature that a Michael Jordan or Kobe Bryant have is well noted. But this is rare even if players like to claim they are ‘hungry’ for a championship. All too often in this league we see talented players not really put forth their best effort. Well every few years players do put together seasons that make you expect this performance and level of play to last throughout their prime years and then as they age to dwindle towards retirement. Sure, most players are playing their hardest day-in day-out, but there is one scenario where any player with a sense of logic and a good agent will play well in all 82 games.
It’s called a contract year.
That is the year when a player shows off his true talent and puts up solid numbers because he is looking for that green. (Makes me wonder if a team will ever put together a roster of 12 to be free agents and see what happens). To me the most glaring example of this is Eric Dampier. In the 2004-2005 season he put together decent averages 12-12 but he put up a lot of 20 rebound games and even went to so far to declare himself the top center in the NBA. I guess he forgot Shaquille O’Neal was alive but hey why not hype up your own name. Thing is, Eric Dampier sucked after that but made a ton of money anyway. And by a ton of money I mean a $73 million contract.
This doesn’t even have to be a few years into a players’ career. Big men get ridiculous amounts of money before they even play a preseason game. Why? Because they are tall. Kwame Brown, anyone? Sure some deserve their due but most NBA big mean take 3 to 5 years to develop but when they are getting $8 million a year for those 3 to 5 years, why worry about getting better?
So basically my point is with the word “millions” thrown around so much to players, many of which did not come from rich families, its pretty easy to see why they play for the money rather than winning a championship. Some players get both of course. Some work hard and never get a championship even with large contracts. Karl Malone or Charles Barkley come to mind.
So now imagine yourself have a large contract, with a decent amount already paid out to you. Do you care about making yourself better or just staying good enough to get paid? We hear it with every player transaction, this league is a business. I hate that. This league is supposed to be something everyone can enjoy because playing basketball is fun. But unfortunately it is a business. That is why this revenue determining lockout is getting in the way of basketball. Quite frankly I will not be happy if the NBA does not come to an agreement before the season starts because I do not want another repeat of the 1999 season. Players want to make more money, as to owners without having to pay out these large contracts. Both sides are wrong in my opinion. Owners should not be giving out large contracts for no reason. Players should realize how greedy they are being in refusing a hard cap.
I really think the NBA needs to take a page out of the NFL’s playbook with signing players but only having so much guaranteed. This would require the players to be play consistently well. This would require the owners to be smart with who they throw large sums of money to. Sign a player for 5-years $50 million if you want but with a clause that only $10 million is guaranteed (which is still a lot of money…). But at least this makes the player work for his complete contract. You know the Knicks wish they could have done this with Eddy Curry, or the Mavericks with Eric Dampier. And there really needs to be a limit on how much rookies get paid. Is there a faster way to ruin young talent than to throw a lot of money at it? Sure some stay the course and become amazing players like LeBron james but this isn’t always the case. So owners, make the players earn the money they are getting. Force them to have to improve their game and performance to make more money. Who knows, a few championships might even come your way.
NBA Super Teams
June 15th, 2011
Did Miami Start a Super Team Trend? Photo courtesy of www.bleacherreport.com.
As any big sports fan, I love to watch great competition. Especially on the professional level. The NBA is my favorite league to watch and follow. From just 8 or 9 years ago the talent level in the NBA has grown very quickly. This was always apparent in the Western Conference, as maybe the top 10 teams could make the playoffs in the Eastern Conference where sub-.500 teams would often sneak in the 7th or 8th seed. For years after Jordan retired the Lakers and Spurs dominated the NBA Finals. Detroit and Miami had their championships but it really was not until the 2007-2008 season the East finally put their foot down.
Up to 2007 there were certain NBA powers. The Spurs had their core, the Suns were still scorching people, Dallas was also a good team minus their embarrassing playoff collapses. But those teams all followed a similar roster structure in that they had their superstar, Tim Duncan or Dirk Nowitzki, then had good, if not great support players like Tony Parker or Jason Terry. Boston changed everything in the summer of 2007. Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, and Kevin Garnett on one team. Surrounded by very good roll players who bought in to doing what was needed. Rajon Rondo listened to the Hall of Famers around him. Kendrick Perkins clogged up the paint while Leon Powe and Tony Allen played solid defense and hit the open shots they were bound to get. The Celtics demolished people with some of the best defense the league has seen.
On the other side of the country, the Lakers were gifted an absolute gem in the Kwame Brown for Pau Gasol trade. The Lakers came out rolling and became the NBA’s hottest team. Everyone else, but the Celtics, panicked it seemed and the trade season was as busy as every. The Lakers romped through the Western Conference taking an unlikely 1 seed and eventually met the brick wall of the Celtics and lost. Either way, two extremely talented teams were born that season. The Lakers came back next season with Andrew Bynum, Pau Gasol, Trevor Ariza, Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher as their starting lineup for most of the year. We all know what happened the next two seasons.
Enough of the the history lesson though. These two teams were good. To me those teams opened the door for the current Miami Heat. This league, maybe more than any other, is built upon a lot of individual talent. While it may not guarantee a championship it will win lots of games. But imagine if Miami didn’t blow a couple leads and won the title this year. And for a few minutes ignore the impending lockout. Would bringing in multiple superstars with free agency or trades become the goal for teams? Would owners begin stacking up the talent on their roster? All it takes is one or two teams per conference to do this and suddenly the NBA loses its competitive appeal. I looked forward to this years’ playoffs more than any other year because every round would have several intriguing match-ups. But if one team is so overloaded with talent that no team can beat it in a 7-game series then why watch? Yes, there are upsets and Cinderella stories, but those do not happen often in professional leagues and that is why people love them so much when they happen, they are extremely rare. This is a possibility if New York somehow acquires Chris Paul. That team would also become a monster and like the Heat, with a well integrated supporting cast, and could dominate the NBA for years. The Lakers, Celtics, and even the Mavs are going to have their age concerns for a while until their windows close. But the Knicks and Heat would be young and capable of domination. Other teams still have talent of course. The Thunder are respected now. The Grizzlies showed how difficult they can be and Portland always feels on the verge of playing well. The Bulls will go as far as D-Rose can take them but these teams will still have trouble beating stacked teams in a 7-game series, because honestly that is what the NBA comes down too: can you beat a team four times before they beat you 4 times?
Before I end my ramblings, I would like to add I hope that the new agreement comes soon to prevent a lockout but I also hope it has some way of preventing the stacking of teams. I’m sure the NBA doesn’t mind making money off the luxury tax but it needs to realize its best creation and tool is the amount of talent in this league. Keep it spread. Keep the fans interested outside four or five cities. Don’t let an era of NBA Super Teams reign.
