The Republic of Sport

Mr.Jay

Mr.Jay's Comments

Posted Friday November 27, 2009, About: Iverson having change of heart

As indicated above, no NBA team wants to deal with Iverson during the regular season.
However, when the Playoffs start approaching, and you have teams that are fighting for the #8 spot, they may want an "offensive boost" to get that small competitive advantage.
Hence, Iverson may have to wait until the Spring, and at that point, *many* short-term contracts may come his way.
Once the Playoffs actually start, certain teams may need to strengthen their guard positions, and they may want to offer Iverson a ten-day contract as well.
We'll see.

Posted Friday November 27, 2009, About: Iverson having change of heart

Face the facts -
1. - Iverson provides instant offense.
2. - Iverson draws fans to the seats because of his former star power.
3. - He's also a liability on defense because of his small size.
4. - However, Iverson's selfishness interferes with the development of the younger players.

Contending teams like Detroit and Denver wanted AI because of (1) but let go of him because of (3). Non-contending teams trying to rebuild wanted AI because of (2) but let go of him because of (4). That's also the reason New York passed him by.
Iverson *cannot* change (3) at his late age, and it looks as if he will refuse to change (4). Therefore, he doesn't have any options in the NBA.
Iverson should therefore go to Europe and find a team that is enamored with his star power - as in (1) and (2), and where (4) is not a factor.
There's one other option... If Iverson insists on another chance with the NBA...

Posted Friday November 27, 2009, About: Joe Johnson to Bulls, Knicks?

Joe Johnson is a star guard that can go to *any* team that needs a guard.
New York, Miami, Houston, Cleveland, or various other teams are all possibilities.
It depends on two factors: the money offered -and- which players on the team Joe wants to play with. If Joe wants to play with D-Wade, it's Miami. If he likes Lebron, it's Cleveland.
Lots of choices here.

Posted Friday November 27, 2009, About: Joe Johnson to Bulls, Knicks?

Well, the question arises then - why did the Bulls let go of Ben Gordon ?
Gordon *already* was the quick guard that provided instant scoring power, but lacked size and defense. Add the fact that the Bulls are already overloaded with guards, and that led to him being released.
Guess what... AI is no different - a high-scoring guard that lacks size and defense. The only difference between him and Gordon is that AI comes at a cheaper price, since he will sign for just a one-year contract.
However, we go back to the fact that the Bulls already have enough guards...

Posted Friday November 27, 2009, About: Can Jordan lure LeBron to Bobcats?

Yes, but if he leaves, it will only be for a big media market - that means New York.
Miami has an *outside* chance because of D-Wade, but even that's a stretch.

Posted Friday November 27, 2009, About: Can Jordan lure LeBron to Bobcats?

Good estimates of the chances of the outcomes.

Posted Friday November 27, 2009, About: Can Jordan lure LeBron to Bobcats?

Absolutely.
There's no chance that LeBron leaves Cleveland - and sacrifice the support of his home base - just to end up in another small market organization.
The fact that MJ is there does *not* help either - Lebron respects MJ but definitely does not want to play in his shadow - even if he does wear #23.
And yes - this article is really stupid and lame. The Thanksgiving effect may be a good explanation.

Posted Wednesday November 25, 2009, About: Iverson intrigues Celtics

Danny - Follow your instincts. You are considering AI because you know he can help your team.
You *must* sign him if you want to utilize all your advantages to be a contender this year.
Remember that the Eastern Conference is getting tougher, and your veterans can use an extra hand to get the job done.
AI would look *great* in Celtics green.

Posted Wednesday November 25, 2009, About: Iverson intrigues Celtics

Yes, that is a very good assessment of the situation.
And that's why the Celtics are even considering signing Iverson.
I agree that they *should* sign him. The East is getting more competitive, and the Celts need every advantage they can get, even though they already have the "Big 3" and Rasheed.
They were able to sign Marbury and keep him under control, so there should be no problem doing the same with Iverson.
What's there to lose ? If he doesn't work out, you just don't play him. You don't lose much, since it's just a partial-year contract.

Posted Wednesday November 25, 2009, About: Iverson intrigues Celtics

Yes ! That's why the Celtics should *definitely* sign Iverson.

Posted Tuesday November 24, 2009, About: Report: Donaghy conspired more than NBA knows

The image of a "basketball hanging loosely" - as from a male body part - is a bit, shall we say, overwhelming.

Posted Tuesday November 24, 2009, About: Does Nellie have swine flu?

Just get to the point.
We've all suspected that Nellie is a sick man.
Now we know it for fact.

Posted Tuesday November 24, 2009, About: D'Antoni still mad at Robinson

Precisely !
In face, it goes deeper than that. D'Antoni likes the "stand-up", "straight arrow" type of players. Players like Amare, Nash, and other "heroes" work well with D'Antoni. In fact, Dwight Howard - who donned the Superman outfit at the All Star game - fits in that mold as well.
However, Nate is the *anti-hero* type. He played the "Kryptonite man" against Howard's Superman motive, and as mentioned, he likes the "bad boy" role.
Hence, Nate goes *opposite* to what D'Antoni wants, and it drives D'Antoni crazy !!
Hahaha !!

Posted Tuesday November 24, 2009, About: Arenas-Butler feud over?

We know that Arenas has had some injuries, and that he has a bloated contract, but as Golden State locals, we would welcome him back to the Warriors to help resurrect our franchise again.

Posted Tuesday November 24, 2009, About: Arenas-Butler feud over?

No one *needs* to go. Of course, Arenas and Caron worked things out. They are *not* the types of people to disrupt a team. However, they *do* like to hog the ball, and that would probably be the extent of their clash.
In the end, these homeys are supposed to be good friends, and if they say they worked things out, we should believe them.
That been said... trades are still possible...

Posted Tuesday November 24, 2009, About: Sources: Hornets trade rumors untrue

There's a trade that both Orleans and Golden State should do...
Both franchises should trade away the cheapskate owner.
We all know how bad the Warriors' owner is.
Orleans' owner is proving himself to be pretty bad too - I mean, why would anyone fire coach Byron Scott, who along with Chris Paul made the franchise what it is ?

Posted Tuesday November 24, 2009, About: Nets putting coach on the clock?

Yes, quite so.

Posted Tuesday November 24, 2009, About: Arenas: Dissension among Wizards

Actually - no. Arenas may have some problems with his big ego, but he's professional enough NOT to let that interfere with his presence with the team. He's a *good* locker room presence, and he has a strong work ethic. That's something that everyone (all the coaches he's played for) agrees with. (It's also the difference between him and someone like AI or Shaq.)

Posted Tuesday November 24, 2009, About: Arenas: Dissension among Wizards

You make a good point, but you are also omitting a crucial detail.
Yes - of course, that detail is the fact that the Cavs are in the *East* - and over the past few years, the East has been *significantly* weaker than the West.
In fact, *good* teams that had winning records were *denied* entry into the Playoffs in the West, while *losing* teams were able to make it to the Eastern Playoffs because there weren't many good teams.
That's not to take anything away from Lebron. Maybe he is better than Kobe in terms of carrying his whole team. However, it's questionable because he's in the weaker conference.
Of course, the situation is starting to change, now that teams like the Bulls, Magic, and Hawks are on the upswing.
- J

Posted Tuesday November 24, 2009, About: Arenas: Dissension among Wizards

Actually, your initial response that "It's the Golden State Warriors" was brilliant and spot-on !
The Wizards are indeed the "Warriors of the East".
It makes perfect sense, since the Warriors sent all their big-name players to the Wizards.

Posted Sunday November 22, 2009, About: Heat willing to trade Jones

Of course Miami should trade Jones.
After all, Miami has traded better players with the name "Jones" in the past.
He's not the first Jones traded by Miami, nor the best Jones traded by Miami.