The Republic of Sport

pennwjr

pennwjr's Comments

Posted Thursday May 01, 2008, About: Howard's behavior baffles Mavs

I can't judge Howard for his personal problems. We all have those. But if you're going to call yourself a professional basketball player, you have to act the part, especially for the sake of your team. There's nothing wrong with publicly acknowledging drug use, but there's a time and a place for everything. Making his pot habit public knowledge during a playoff series that your team is losing would not really qualify as the ideal time. I mean, you can't blame that distraction for the Mavericks' demise, but I'm sure it indirectly affected the team.

And then to throw a party as if everything is hunky-dory (as I stated before, DURING A PLAYOFF SERIES THAT YOUR TEAM IS LOSING)...to me, that really doesn't make much sense at all. Praying for you bro.

Posted Thursday May 01, 2008, About: Knicks interested in Avery

By all means, the Knicks should consider Johnson, along with all the other candidates. ANYBODY OTHER THAN THOMAS!!!!!

I think the main problem with the Knicks was that the players didn't respect Thomas. It's kinda hard to play good ball for a coach you don't respect. They have SOME talent there (though some roster changes still need to be made) and I think if they can find the right guy for the players to rally around, the situation could improve.

Besides, for the Knicks, there's really nowhere to go but up.

Posted Wednesday April 30, 2008, About: Will Nuggets blow up roster?

"I've read some idiotic comments: 76ers better without Iverson? No, the other players have just had to pick up their games a bit and stop waiting for AI to takeover." - Heater

I'm with Moe and Dreadnought regarding Iverson, Heater. You claim that the other players never picked up their game and were waiting for AI to take over.

Uh...no.

The truth of the matter is, the rest of the Philly squad were waiting for AI to PASS THEM THE BALL. AI's game is extremely individual-minded. The reason you claim not to know about any of the other key players on the roster (namely Eric Snow, Aaron McKie, George Lynch, Dikembe Mutombo, Raja Bell, just to name a few) is because AI never allowed them to really "shine" so to speak. His constant ball-hogging stifled the team. Granted, there are times when it's necessary for a superstar to take over a game, but not EVERY SINGLE GAME.

Posted Wednesday April 30, 2008, About: Distractions disappoint Dirk

I'm kinda seeing both sides on this one. I'm not for Dirk whining like a baby, but at the same time, if a team loses focus in the playoffs, it can be detrimental. Why did Howard feel the need to reveal something like that in the middle of a playoff series?

Posted Monday April 28, 2008, About: Report: D-Wade dating Star Jones

Okay, SERIOUSLY. This is a joke, right? Please, PLEASE tell me this is not true. I mean, c'mon Wade, I know the Heat looked more like the "Cool" this year, but I really hope you haven't gone out like that. Get on the phone with Chuck or something man. Maybe he can talk some sense into you.

Posted Monday April 28, 2008, About: Ewing disappointed with Knicks snub

I agree fussbox. Ewing played his heart and soul out when he was on the Knicks roster, and they did him wrong back then too. Ewing has had several assistant coaching jobs on various teams, and has made a significant impact on a number of emerging big men in the league (Dwight Howard ring a bell?). I think they should take a chance on him. I mean, REALLY: what have they got to lose?

By the way, I think my eyes are deceiving me, but did I see a comment that said Starbury should coach the Knicks? With his one-dimensional game and inability to be coached, he's one of the main reasons the Knicks are in this slump.

Posted Monday April 28, 2008, About: Carmelo upset with coach

At this point, it's really kinda hard to take anything Melo says seriously. He's got a lot of growning up to do. I will agree with Wiltfan13 that a big part of the problem is George Karl, but when you've got team disrupters like Melo on the roster, you really can't be as effective as you wanna be. My advice: Karl, you're gonna lose this series anyway. Sit Melo's butt down on the bench until he can step up and close his mouth.

Posted Monday April 28, 2008, About: LeBron-Stevenson feud heats up

I'm kinda disappointed in Lebron (not that I'm rooting for Stevenson - a no-name like him really needs to just shutup and play). King James is too talented and has WAAAAAAY too much potential to let Stevenson and the Wizards get to him like that. But, then again, it's not like what Stevenson is doing is anything new. Trash talking and getting into people's head is a tactic that's used in just about every sport, especially if it's an inferior team trying to gain an edge on a superior one, which is clearly the case with the Wizards and Cavs. Lebron just needs to rise above it all and continue to lead his team to victory. Let your game speak for itself bro!

Posted Monday April 28, 2008, About: McGrady calls out Adelman

Honestly, I've really lost just about every shred of respect I have for T-Mac. What gives him the right to criticize Coach Adelman or his teammate when his playoff performance has been mediocre from the start? Man, if you are the superstar of that team, take some responsibility on your own shoulders. Don't put the blame on others, especially when you're not delivering like you should yourself.

Posted Saturday April 26, 2008, About: Will Bynum return for Lakers?

I agree that LA needs to tighten up their defense if they want to stay in the race for the title, but they don't need to rush Ariza or Bynum back. With the group they have, and the way Kobe is finally being a leader, they will be contenders for a good while after this season is over. Better to risk going without those two than to risk having them sustain injuries that plague them for the rest of their career. The "Grant Hills" of this league are few and far between.

Posted Saturday April 26, 2008, About: Will Knicks candidate list grow?

LOL! Good one jpd.

Posted Saturday April 26, 2008, About: Kobe 'open' to finishing career in LA

It really bothers me that so many people are quick to bash Kobe. Yes, his attitude sucks at times, and he can be really selfish, but then, who DOESN'T have those problems every once in a while? Kobe's main drive is his desire to win. I think sometimes that clouds his judgement and he does some questionable things, but all the greats of the NBA had that same drive. And you can't really be successful in such a competitive business if you don't have that drive. That's why he's the best right now - because his drive won't let him stop getting better.

And by the way, have you seen him in the past year or so? Kobe's grown up a lot. He's much more unselfish, and he's finally leading the team like he ought to. That's why the Lakers are so dangerous right now. He's finally learning how to make his teammates better, but he also knows when to pick and choose the right times to take over.