The Republic of Sport

whats77inaname

whats77inaname's Comments

Posted Tuesday November 24, 2009, About: Roy: Miller controversy not my fault

B-Roy, keep doing your thing. You are the leader of this team, and you're doing a great job.

Posted Tuesday November 17, 2009, About: Sixers shopping for big man

They can't afford to buy him out, and you can bet his contract that Colangelo isn't trading Bosh for him. This is a situation that is going to have to be remedied by Brand remaking his game, sort of like MJ becoming more of a jump shooter in the latter part of his career. He's smart enough to figure it out, but the coaching staff will have to devise a plan that will allow him to be effective at what he does.

Posted Monday November 16, 2009, About: Sixers shopping for big man

Apology accepted.

I hope he *does* have a breakout season. I know he's feeling bad for not being able to produce like he used to, so hopefully his touches will go up. But for that to happen, his FG% needs to increase, as well. I think as the season progresses, and he becomes more acclimated, his production will get better, but the Sixers aren't going to take the chance, which is why they're doing their due diligence now, rather than later. I also think that we should know by the All-Star break whether this will be a prolonged situation or not. For all parties involved, I hope it isn't.

Posted Monday November 16, 2009, About: Sixers shopping for big man

Keep it real. Everyone is saying he's not getting minutes, so his production is down. So, for arguments sake, let's give him the benefit of the doubt when it comes to that. His rebounding shouldn't be down, however. That's a hustle stat.

The original question I answered was why the Sixers are looking for another big, and my response is factual: at this time, Brand is not earning his contract, no matter the reason. This is not a knock on Brand, but it *is* the truth.

Consider this: before he got injured, those 29 games he played in, he only averaged 13.8 and 8.8. The Sixers don't compliment his style of play, and vice-versa. Nothing against him, it's just facts, folks. Sometimes the fit isn't good. But they should've figure this out before paying him $82 million.

Posted Monday November 16, 2009, About: Sixers shopping for big man

I'm not writing him off, b/c he's a good guy, and he's always been a player, but his production is off this year, which is why the Sixers are shopping.

Posted Monday November 16, 2009, About: Sixers shopping for big man

My name isn't sparky.

They aren't calling his number because he isn't producing. Regardless of his minutes, a career 50+% shooter, he's averaging 42% this year. And your argument that he's taking less shots is ridiculous. Brand's career averages in PPG and RPG are pretty similar to Tim Duncan's, so let's compare and contrast, shall we? Brand has made 37 out of 87 shots this year while avg. 27 mins a game, with a PPG avg. of 9.8 to go with 5.3 rebounds. In 30 mins/game, Duncan has converted 39 of 70 shots, and is pulling down 11.3 boards/game. Last time I checked, not having your number called has nothing to do with getting rebounds, so your excuse doesn't hold water. His falling production has less to do with his minutes and more to do with his lack of offensive production.

Posted Monday November 16, 2009, About: Sixers shopping for big man

Hmmmmmmmmmmmm....I would say b/c Elton Brand isn't producing like his contract indicates he should be.

Posted Friday October 16, 2009, About: LeBron: I think I'm over flu

And this is a story because?

Posted Tuesday October 13, 2009, About: KG finally takes off

San Antonio has implemented a more uptempo offense this year, and TP will be free to call the plays he likes w/very little coaching. Of course defense will still be their bread and butter, but c'mon, folks, SA is a small market team, it goes w/out saying that the ratings will drop.

Posted Monday October 12, 2009, About: Warriors in no rush to trade Jackson

I will have to agree and disagree. 1) Yes, he would be a great fit at that position, and for more reasons than one. The Cavs are trying to court LJ this year, and I'm sure that knowing that they went over the cap and are paying a tax would be a great way to help convince LJ that they were really doing all they can to win. 2) If LJ *does* decide to bolt next season, you at least have a 20+ ppg scorer locked up for a couple seasons. 3) And finally, I have to disagree with you. Dan Gilbert has a net worth of $478 million. I'm pretty sure he could afford to go over the cap to sign Jack.

Posted Friday October 09, 2009, About: Why Alston may bolt Nets

Ah, that you did, that you did.

Posted Friday October 09, 2009, About: Why Alston may bolt Nets

The Spurs seemed to do all right the past few years....

Posted Thursday October 08, 2009, About: Ilgauskas eyeing retirement

Tim Duncan is a 4, not a 5.

Posted Friday October 02, 2009, About: Odom's unusual training regime

What's "scipped"?

Other than that, hopefully everyone will be healthy at the end of the season, and we'll see what's what. Until then, it's all talk by everyone here. And I think the Spurs can mesh everyone in 82 games, so let the games begin :-)

Posted Friday October 02, 2009, About: Odom's unusual training regime

That all depends on the bench, and you forgot one name when mentioning the Spurs bench players: Ginobili. When you don't have guys to play, then yes, the rotation is shortened to 5 + 1, a la the Lakers. When you *do* have guys that can play, you can play a deeper bench. As has often been documented, it takes 2 years for people to grasp the Spurs' playbook. Pop has already said they've removed a lot of stuff this year to accelerate the learning curve of the newcomers. So you figure you have Duncan, Parker, Jefferson, MyDyess or Ratliff, and Mason starting. Given this will be Mason's second year, he should feel quite comfortable in the offense. Since the waning years of Robinson's career, the center just has to be able to play defense and rebound. That's it. So that means off the bench the Spurs will have Ginobili, Hill (lest you forget, when Parker was out at the first part of the season last year, filled in admirably as a rookie and averaged around 12-14 ppg, while running the point, a position he was still learning), and Ratliff or McDyess. That being said, the playoff bench rotation depends on what each player can give the team.

The Spurs have had a dramatic upgrade @ the 3, with Jefferson providing some much needed athleticism. Granted the Lakers brought in Ron-Ron, but how well he'll fit into the offense when he's not the focal point remains to be seen.

Regarding Bynum, after his surgery, his biggest obstacle is the mental one, not the physical one. Yes, he may be healed and at 100%, but it won't matter if he has a bit of doubt about the surgery. And although McDyess and Ratliff may not be able to match him offensively, everyone needs to remember that those manning the center position post-Admiral have only had to bring a defensive mindset, so as long as they can body and bang him, I think the Spurs have a decent shot of holding their own. I view them as two even teams, and on any given day, the win can go to either team.

Posted Thursday October 01, 2009, About: Odom's unusual training regime

I'm sorry, but after L.O., the bench looks pretty unspectacular. A lot will hinge on whether Bynum is mentally over his injury and can impose his will on a game while at the same time blending in w/the other Lakers who require more touches. In response to your question of who will guard L.O., I think McDyess will do a solid job. Who will guard Tony Parker? If you say Derek Fisher, I'm going to have to LOL. McD and Ratliff will keep Bynum in check and muscle him until he realizes that he can elevate his game over them. It will be an interesting series with these 2 teams, that's for sure.

Posted Thursday October 01, 2009, About: Toyota may leave F1

Considering F-1 is embraced by the rest of the civilized world, I'm pretty sure they don't really give a crap about the United States' perception of them. I mean, seriously, how many times can you watch a car go round and round and round? Now twists, no turns, no elevation changes that test a driver's skill. The reason tat there are no jumpers from NASCAR to F-1 is that it F-1 racing requires a *lot* more skill than NASCAR.

Posted Thursday October 01, 2009, About: Odom's unusual training regime

Dude just got married....to a [b]Kardashian[/b]. "Focused" is not a word I see in his future anytime soon.

Posted Thursday October 01, 2009, About: Odom's unusual training regime

Because you were thinking about Derek Fisher? :-)

Posted Tuesday September 22, 2009, About: Lamar Odom to marry Khloe Kardashian

Hmmmmmmmm....looking at Chyna vs Odom's choice....
[img]http://s11.bdbphotos.com/images/orig/g/6/g6ys7mw7hcvum776.jpg[/img]

Posted Tuesday September 22, 2009, About: Lamar Odom to marry Khloe Kardashian

One word: prenuptial.