It's funny that in "the playoffs of the point guard", the three teams on their way to getting swept all have talented young PGs (although it's looking like Rodney Stuckey was a bit overrated). Here's hoping that Deron Williams or Chris Paul see the writing on the wall and demand to be traded to Portland. Hell, Utah agreed to tear up Derek Fisher's contract and he went and signed with the Lakers. I think they're morally obligated to Free Deron.
Regarding Chauncey, check this out. If you discount statistical outliers (let's say, fewer than 12 mpg), the top performers by "EFF" in the playoffs are: 1. Billups (35 mpg, 51 EFF) 2. LeBron (40, 48) 3. Howard (34, 45) 4. Yao (28, 43) 5. Rondo (42, 42) [Anyone still want to say Bayless is better?] 6. Duncan (33, 38) 7. Aaron Brooks (33, 38) [But Steve Blake's doing a GREAT job] 8. Tony Parker (37, 37) 9. Greg Oden (17, 36) ... 90ish. Andrew Bynum (26, 12)
Of course the Cavs will not pose a threat to the Lakers and the Spurs this year. These teams are not coming out of the west Sorry - the opening was just too big not to take advantage...
They didn't make the Billups/Iverson trade to contend for a title. They made it to jump start their rebuilding effort with the hopes of landing a big name free agent (Chris Bosh) during the summer of 2010. They had decided to rebuild with Stuckey as their PG of the future. So, they dumped their PG of the present, with 3 years (and a 4th as a team options) for Iverson and his $22 million expiring contract. There was no illusion that this trade would make them better, let alone a title contender, this year. It was purely a salary dump. BNM
I also vaguely remember Dumars demanding one of our three best players in any trade talks for Prince or Billups, etc. I guess, depending on how you look at it, Iverson was one of the Nuggets three best players. Either way, it was a bad move for Detroit, but I don't think Dumars has any illusions about that team now. They're done.
It's more likely (and relevant) that their respective owners decide to slash costs in this economy then if players make empty threats of trade demands. But of course slashing costs while losing your meal ticket ignores the other side of the ledger... cut off your nose to spite your face sort of stuff. Making it even more unlikely to attain one of those two is that (I think) both will be BYC guys next season as both signed rich extensions last offseason that kick in this upcoming summer. Both of those clubs have numerous large contracts expiring in the next couple of offseasons so they potentially could lower their costs just letting time go by. If they wanted to totally rework their rosters via a blockbuster trade utilizing their prize PGs, it would seem the 2010 offseason would make a lot more sense. STOMP
Was anyone really saying that already? Or was it just people saying they think he will be better in the future? I honestly don't remember any discussion about Rondo vs Bayless, but I certainly could've missed it.
It was a (poorly) disguised salary dump. All the talk about making a run with A.I. was insincere. If Billups had fallen way off his prior years or was injured you could make that case. As it was they swapped a (still) excellent (but aging) point guard for a declining, ball-dominating gunner. There is no GM in the NBA that would have thought that swap means more wins. I called it at the time, and I ain't that smart. It was just too obvious.
I never thought the Hornets would be yearly contenders. One reason: George Shinn There is no way that owner can maintain anything good.
CP3 might as well jump off that tired bandwagon and come hop on the hottest bandwagon in the nation! Trail Blazer express! All aboard!
I once wrote an article on worst owners in sports and George Shinn made my list. He's a major jerkhead. On and off court, so to speak. Or perhaps I should say in and out of court. We got embarrassed sometimes by the players, but at least our owner managed to keep himself out of public trouble.
I'd much prefer Deron to want off of his. I don't like Chris Paul at all, and would way rather Deron for our team.
A) They lead them, but they did not beat them. Right? B) They can be atop the Eastern Conference but he isn't going to win a championship with that lineup.
I was unclear, sorry. The Cavs will remain atop the east but as long as the Lakers have Gasol, Bynum, Odom, and Kobe, LeBron is going to need a better supporting cast to conquer that. Sorry I wasn't clear. What I meant was, the Cavs aren't going to win anything if the Lakers stay healthy and keep their lineup intact unless they themselves make some changes and add another game changer to their lineup.
It is true that the Lakers are as hot favorites to beat the Cavs as the Lakers were to beat the Celtics last year, and the Pistons the previous time they made the finals. Everybody loves them some Lakers. Except harsh cold reality that is.
No way dude. Deron is a good player, but CP3 is a future HOFer. Paul would make Greg Oden look like a fucking superstar again, and I know that Roy said he doesn't want to play with Paul, but Chris made Brandon look really good in the All-Star game. CP3 knows when and where to get people the ball.
If Paul came on the trade market, I'd deal Aldridge, Rudy and Bayless or something along those lines. Chris Paul, IMO, is the most talented point guard since Magic Johnson, and still so young. A Paul/Roy/Oden core would be amazing, as much as I'd hate to lose LMA. Paul and Roy would be one of the greatest backcourts in history.
