New York Knicks, what the salary cap future holds posted by Paul Stengel

CLAAAANG!!!  Another errant Knicks shot glances off the rim.  The New York Knickerbockers have mastered the art of losing for the past 10 years.  The only silver lining after this season is the possibility of signing two big name, “max contract” players.  The Knicks traded away their upcoming draft pick (along with Jared Jeffries and others) to Houston,  to free up more money for these players.  Nothing is guaranteed, the Knicks aren’t necessarily getting anyone for their trouble. 

The losing that the Knicks have been doing is a relatively new experience for their head coach, Mike D’Antoni.  D’Antoni came over from Phoenix, where he had an outstanding winning percentage, playoff appearances every year, and usually a late-season meeting with the San Antonio Spurs that ultimately would decide who would come out of the west.  Before he coached Amare Stoudemire, Steve Nash and Shawn Marion to 60 wins a year.  Now he leads Al Harrington and a band of inexperienced, below average knicks to likely two 30 win seasons. 

The Knicks have been on a downward spiral since they decided to trade away their franchise player of the 90’s Patrick Ewing.  They have been compiling bad contracts ever since, and it wasn’t until Donnie Walsh became the active general manager that their attitude toward free agents began to change.  Starting with the trades of Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph, Walsh has managed to free up more and more salary cap space, and with it, the possibility of greater things in the future. 

Top european NBA players risk injury, money, to play summer basketball posted by Al Liggens

I hope that it's not part two for the San Antonio Spurs. Manu Ginobili got hurt last summer playing for Argentina in the olympics and at the time, contract negotiations between Ginobili and the spurs were underway. Now, those talks have stalled, as the spurs have taken a cautious approach regarding his contract, meaning no extention up to this point!. If Ginobili doesn't come out this year and have one his best, he stands to lose millions.

 Tony Parker was injured playing basketball for France this week and I'm quite sure that the spurs are not happy with this latest episode. The question is will he be healthy and 100% for the spurs training camp and the regular season? Sometimes players that play basketball year round begin the season tired and not playing at their usual high level, and it does affect the entire team. So at some point, personal judgement and career decisions must be made by the players themselves and  realize the risks involved with playing basketball during the summer.

The spurs were fortunate to find Manu Ginobili and Tony Parker. They are the core of the team along with Tim Duncan, but there is a responsibility to the team that you are under contract to play for and perform well. There is the business side of professional sports that needs to be taken into account...

Is there a heated rivalry between the San Antonio Spurs and L.A. Lakers on the horizon? posted by Al Liggens

The spurs and lakers have done just about everything possible to put themselves in a position to win a championship. Both teams added some key players and odds are that the western conference will come down to these two teams!

How is Ron Artest going to fit into the lakers rotation and get his shots? I know that he's going to bring a toughness to the lakers that they haven't had in recent years, but will he have a positive impact on the team? I'm sure Phil Jackson will do a good job of managing player issues. The spurs on the other hand, are back in the discussion with their offseason moves. It will be interesting to watch the lakers and spurs play during the regular season. They will meet  four times and these games will all be statement games. The fact that the L.A. Lakers are the current NBA champs means that the San Antonio Spurs might have a little something to prove!     

Can the San Antonio Spurs win a 5th NBA Championship for the upcoming 2009-2010 season? posted by Al Liggens

Have the spurs put together enough talent to contend with elite teams in the NBA?

I believe the answer is a definite yes. The San Antonio Spurs have had an offseason many feel was their best ever and with the talent already in place, the spurs should be in the hunt for another title. It will be interesting  to see how the new players mesh with the likes of Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili. Richard Jefferson and Antonio McDyess will add much needed scoring and length to a team that was exposed a bit during this  years surprising first round exit against the Dallas Mavericks. Looking back to last season, the spurs had quite a few issues that needed to be addressed to make the team better, younger and more athletic.

Defense will be an important factor this upcoming season.

 Last year, the overall defensive play of the spurs seemed to be lacking and at times non existent. I expect to see much more emphasis on stopping teams from scoring at will and return to spurs basketball, which is to shut people down and rely on your defense to help you win games. The  defensive rotations will be much better with the addition of NBA journeyman Theo Ratliff getting minutes off the bench. This allows for Tim Duncan to get some much needed rest as well as have a guy on the court that can play good defense and score when necessary and give you quality minutes off the bench.

The spurs now have enough weapons to challenge the so called "elite" teams in the NBA. This was a major problem last season as Tim  Duncan and Tony Parker had no scoring help  and the bench players couldn't help carry the team during the playoffs and were a non factor. Other teammates are going to have to find a way to score and create their own shots when called upon. I expect to see better bench play this season with rookie Dajuan Blair getting some minutes off the bench along with some other players contributing. General managers around the league are going to kick themselves after they get a glimpse of this young player. The talent and potential to be a great NBA player are definitely present and his physical style of play will cause problems for anyone trying to guard him. He will exceed expectations this coming season! This team has made a very good effort to try to get younger and add some youth to the team during the offseason, so we know that trying to stay injury free is probably the biggest common denominator for the entire year. Manu Ginobili needs to regain his form and stay healthy throughout the season in order for the spurs to have any chance at  winning a championship. Hopefully, he can compete at a high level and contribute to the team...     

Trading the Lakers' Enemies? I Don't Think So posted by Greg Archuleta

Shaq can't even proclaim himself "The Big Trade."

The defending Eastern Conference champion Orlando Magic trumped Los Angeles Laker ex Shaquille O'Neal's move from the Phoenix Suns to the Cleveland Cavaliers when they acquired Vince Carter from the New Jersey Nets.

Carter's relocation to Disney World seemingly would keep the Magic in control of the ever-increasing wild, wild east. Although, it is intriguing to imagine what The Big Change of Address (five teams in the career of the most dominant center of our generation? Hard to fathom) might do for King James -- His Royal Poor Sport -- and the Cavs if Shaq is properly motivated.

Yet, the biggest immediate threat to a potential Laker dynasty -- if properly healed -- comes from our Green "friends" in Boston.

If Kevin Garnett can return to 100 percent form from the knee injury that derailed his 2008 season just inches from the start of the playoffs, the hated Celtics remain the most viable candidate to make good on that "Beat L.A." chant.

Remember, Boston was one game away from knocking Orlando from the postseason in the Eastern Conference semis without Garnett, not to mention Leon Powe.

Sure, two of the key figures in the Celtics' 2008 run to the title -- the New Orleans Hornets' James Posey and 77-year old P.J. Brown -- aren't returning anytime soon to help them.

And the Chicago Bulls almost eliminated the C's in the first round.

But the scary thing about the Celtics is their toughness was evident as ever in the playoffs despite their short stay. And that was without Garnett, their toughest player.

San Antonio nba chapms in 2010? Welcom to the Alamo Mr. Jefferson posted by john howard

The Spurs clock is running out, but they pushed back time yesterday when they acquired Richard Jefferson for virtually nothing.  They traded Bruce Bowen and Kurt Thomas to Milwaukee and Frabricio Oberto to the Pistons in return for Jefferson.  Parting with Bowen will be hard for the fans, but he fell out of the starting spot and Jefferson is such a good player.  The lineup now has Tony Parker, Manu Ginobilli, Richard Jefferson, Matt Bonner, and Tim Duncan.  The team may start Roger Mason and use Ginobilli off the bench like they have done.  They need some help inside now, but free agency will provide that. George Hill was perfrect for this team last year as a rookie and will only get better.  Good job San Antonio!Continue reading "San Antonio nba chapms in 2010? ..."

San Antonio Spurs draft pick posted by john howard

The San Antonio Spurs don't own a first round pick.  But they do have 3 second round picks at 37, 51, and 53.  Let's take a look at how each have done in the past 14 years to determine what the chances are that the Spurs will get someone who can help them.

 37th pick--As of right now, there have been three players that have been productive for their teams with the best being Eddie House.  None of the three have been regular startes.  So that puts the chances 3 out of 14 that they will find value here.

51st pick--Sharp shooter Kyle Korver is the only one to make a name for himself.

53rd pick--Greg Buckner has played solid defense everywhere he has been. And, that is it here.

Based on past results, the Spurs have a 5/14 chance to find someone productive in this year's draft.

The 35 Best Basketball Players in the World, Right Now posted by z

1.  LeBron James:  Analysts and writers seem to be 50/50 on the LeBron/Kobe debate.  I pick LeBron.

2.  Kobe Bryant:  Probably one of the 10 greatest players ever.  And counting.

3.  Chris Paul:  Best point guard on the planet.  Does EVERYTHING for his team. Led league in asts/steals 2 years in a row.

4.  Dwyane Wade: Wade circa 2006 & 2009 makes you put him in LBJ and Kobe's class.  Gets to the rim at will.  

5.  Dwight Howard:  Best center in the world.  5th player ever to lead league in rebs/blocks.  Only improving offensively.

6.  Tim Duncan:  Still the best power forward in the league.  Still gets 20 & 10 in his sleep.

7.  Brandon Roy:  3rd best shooting guard in the league, and one of the top closers.  Deadly mid-range game.  

8.  Kevin Durant:  Yep, #8.  THE most underrated player in the NBA.  Had a monster year, and hardly anyone noticed.

9.  Deron Williams:  Terrific shooter, and underrated distributer too.  Great penetrator.

10.  Pau Gasol:  Only now is it revealed how good he is, because he no longer gets double teamed, like in Memphis.

11.  Carmelo Anthony:  Barkley says he the best pure scorer in the world.  Extremely versatile.  Very tough cover.  

12.  Dirk Nowitzki:  Still carries the franchise, and can shoot with the best of 'em.  

13.  Kevin Garnett:  His stats have dipped, but he makes up for it with defense and being the coach on the floor. 

1 post-Jordan player to build around: Duncan posted by z

If you could pick one player to start a franchise around post-Jordan, who would it be?  I'd take Tim Duncan.  The Spurs have had the best winning % in professional sports since drafting Timmy.  Yep, in all of pro sports.  4 championships too.  Almost a couple more.  Duncan's only lost in the 1st round of the playoffs twice, once when he was hurt.  One of the best teammates in history.  Gets along with EVERYONE.  Plus, he's never really had a truly great sidekick for an extended period of time.  Robinson was starting to breakdown just as Timmy was entering his prime. Parker and Ginobili have only been all star caliber for a few years.  The Spurs filled in the gaps with journeymen and role players, and still somehow Duncan won 4 titles.  Incredible.  The greatest power forward ever. Continue reading "1 post-Jordan player to build around: Duncan"

Dallas Mavericks weakened by Denver Nuggets' physical play in Game 1 posted by Peter

The Mavs have just finished the series with the San Antonio Spurs who plays with speed and finess. Now, they face a Nuggets team that plays a different brand of basketball: a physical, pound the paint, and defensive style of playing that the Mavs could not adjust to in Game 1.

The Nuggets went for every block and every steal while clogging up the lane and batting away any one who dares come near the basket. The Mavs were frustrated by the non-calls and could not play their slow, half court game. The Mavs became careless with the ball and just gave away the ball in the second half. That, and the Mavs bench didn't show up.

What will the Mavs need to do to have a chance at winning this series? Take care of the ball, and play some defense in the paint. Nene scored 24 points in game 1 when he averaged only around 10 in the Nuggets-Hornets series.

And maybe if the refs would call a few more fouls on the Nuggets instead of the street ball: no blood no foul mentality. Jason Kidd touches the hair on Melo's arm and gets a foul, but Dirk getting pulled down at the waist in the middle of a shot by Nene doesn't count? We have HDTV now, refs, we can see everything you missed!Continue reading "Dallas Mavericks weakened by Denver ..."

James sits as Cavs top Parker-less Spurs (AP)

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Cavs may rest James again vs. Spurs (AP)

LeBron James will sit out his second consecutive game to rest a tender right ankle. James rolled his ankle on Friday night against Detroit. He missed Saturday's game in Milwaukee and the Cavs have decided to keep him out of Monday's game against the San Antonio Spurs. The club is being extra cautious with their superstar and taking advantage of a break in the schedule. [read full article]

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Spurs G Parker could miss 6 weeks (AP)

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Spurs win third straight, sweep Hornets (AP)

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Veteran F Finley signs with Celtics (AP)

Michael Finley will celebrate his 37th birthday Saturday as a member of the Boston Celtics. The veteran swingman asked for and was granted his release from the San Antonio Spurs earlier this week. He will earn a prorated portion of the veteran's minimum of $1.1 million. Celtics head coach Doc Rivers said after practice in Philadelphia on Friday that he expects Finley to join the team in Boston... [read full article]

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