The Republic of Sport

Dioscuri

Dioscuri's Comments

Posted Sunday November 29, 2009, About: Why Sixers may sign Iverson

So the 76ers trade Allen Iverson for Andre Miller because Miller is a natural point guard. Then they let Miller walk in free agency. And now that they need a point guard, the're going to bring back Iverson? So when Williams returns is he supposed to back up Iverson or do they play a small backcourt? I'm not buying it. Williams has been the understudy to Iverson and Miller before.

Antonio Daniels would be a good move. He can play both guard positions offensively and defensively, and can be a short-term starter. When Williams returns, he won't mind coming off the bench. And his size would allow them to play him next to Holiday or Williams. Daniels has plenty of experience to share with young players.

Posted Thursday November 26, 2009, About: NBA bans Kings scout for gambling on team

Definitely . . . Good thing the Kings didn't fall for the Rubio hype. Thus far, it seems like the Kings and the Bucks made the most judicious decisions in the draft. The Kings also have some cap room this summer to add some veteran talent - maybe a point guard.

Posted Thursday November 26, 2009, About: Nugget: Ratner to blame for Nets woes

Despite the losing, the Nets are still well-positioned for the future. They have: 1) Young, talented players at every position, 2) Plenty of cap-room to use on talented veterans, and 3) Unlike the Knicks, they have two first-round draft picks, including what might turn out to be the #1 overall pick. The only problem they have is they don't have any place to play basketball.

As for Martin, the Nets made a smart move by not matching that huge contract he received from Denver. If they did, they would still be stuck with him. Also, Martin should remember that he was part of the coup d'etat that ousted Byron Scott.

I guess Frank hasn't been held to the same standard that Scott was - Scott was dismissed just half a season after making the Finals, while Frank has received 7 years. Regardless, it doesn't make sense to fire him now. They should wait until the summer when they'll have a top draft pick and top free agent. I look forward to hearing Frank in the analyst's booth next season.

Posted Thursday November 26, 2009, About: Artest: Free agents 'scared' to play in NY

I wish Walsh would have explored the possibility of bringing in Artest, Odom, or Turkoglu over the summer. Each guy can play against smaller or bigger competition and they all have a multi-faceted games. If Walsh is committed to D'Antoni, then at least bring in the players who can perform in that system - versatile, multi-position players who play both sides of the ball.

It's funny that in a draft deep in point guards, the Knicks came up with none, and they missed out on Jennings because of a lack of due diligence. Ironically, the Bucks had three better point guards in the summer - Jennings, Ridnour, and Sessions. Knicks could have had either one via draft, trade, or free agency. They could have even hired Scott Skiles instead of D'Antoni. Skiles is the kind of tough, defensive-minded coach that you want to rebuild a team with.

Posted Thursday November 26, 2009, About: Iverson intrigues Celtics

Strange how sentiment changes over the years. When Iverson was young, he was worshiped and over-promoted by the media. league, and fans. I thought he was over-rated back in 2001. Back then he could shoot you in a game or shoot you out. He became a much better player from the ages of 29 to age 32. During that time, he was more efficient scorer and better distributor. He received less recognition during those years because the league, media, and fans were falling in love with other stars. It's not that he held Denver back, it's just that they needed a floor general like Billups. If they didn't have Lawson and Afflalo playing so well, I bet they would have brought Iverson back to play next to Billups in the backcourt.

The unfortunate thing in Memphis is that he probably would have been starting right now. Hollins would have eventually moved Mayo to the point and Conley to the bench. It's just unreasonable to expect to start after missing the entire preaseason and first few games, and then walk into the the starting lineup. The fact is that aside from the Knicks, there isn't a team that has a starting backcourt job available for him. I don't think he's retired - he just wanted to make statement about the state of affairs. The Knicks might give him another look, or another guard in the league might go down with a significant injury.

Posted Thursday November 26, 2009, About: NBA bans Kings scout for gambling on team

The Kings should make a move for Andre Miller, since his game is unappreciated in Portland. Tyreke Evans is not a natural point guard and is much better as a wing player. Miller would make all their young players better and more efficient, while providing on-the-floor leadership. Miller would also balance the games of Evans, the slasher-scorer, with Kevin Martin, the shooter-scorer. The ability of Spencer Hawes to step out would compensate for Miller's limited range. The Kings could send Portland Andres Nocioni, who would fill in the gap left by Travis Outlaw's injury as a big 3/stretch 4. When Outlaw returns, they could be a nice forward tandem off the bench. Memphis and Washington should also take a look at Miller.

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

I'm glad to see someone who appreciates the importance of having size in the middle. Don't forget Bison Dele and Dickey Simpkins from the 2nd three-peat and Will Perdue from the first three. I even remember Robert Parish, James Edwards, and John Salley getting on board for some more rings. Perdue got on board the Spurs to pick up another ring in 1999. After Robinson, the Spurs used Mohammed, Oberto, Horry, Nesterovic, and Elson. Those guys weren't stars, but they served the purpose of taking up space and defending the paint. Even when your team won theirs in 2006 with Shaq and Mourning, they were up against Dampier, Diop, and Mbenga. As a matter of fact, I can't think of any team that won without size.

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

I wish I wasn't serious. I think it was early this year after Gallinari had surgery. The quote went like this: "If he would fill his total potential, as high as he can go, I'd look for him to be a Larry Bird-type player," Walsh said. "The package you have is similar to a Larry Bird. In order to be that, you really have to have it all. But I would never put that burden on him to be Larry Bird."

All jokes aside, the kid is a lights-out shooter with size and a decent offensive package, but not the guy I would have taken with the 6th pick. Unfortunately, I also don't see his footspeed improving as his career progresses.

As for the Milicic-Richardson discussion, I thought it was a good trade because I thought D'Antoni might actually use Milicic. The Knicks needed size, a defensive presence, and someone with some post skills, while Richardson's physique got rounder every season in NY. However, the kind of guys who D'Antoni will play at center are Nowitzski, Bargnani, and Okur.

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

I expected the Spurs to get out on the break more this season and get easy buckets in transition with guys like Parker, Ginobilli, Jefferson, and Hill. They have been giving up too many offensive rebounds, which prevents them from fast breaking. I would like to see Blair in the starting lineup next to Duncan for his rebounding and energy. I see Bonner as a specialist and situational player, not a starter. Sometimes it seems like Popovich has over-adjusted to the current trend of playing small and with shooters. He got his rings by regulating the paint.

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

Walsh compared Gallinari to Larry Bird.

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

I think Dynamic was right. Those three years are not guaranteed - each year is a team option. Check it out on Hoopshype.

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

If I was being sarcastic, that would mean Donnie Walsh lied to us. I'll raise you one more with the next Scottie Pippen (Jeffries).

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

Don't worry - Lebron is on the way. He wouldn't pass up the chance to play with the next Larry Bird (Gallinari) and the next Chris Bosh (Hill).

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

Good point. It's that team option that makes him desirable, along with his defense and shooting. The bad side is that he's been injury prone the last two seasons.

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

Can't shoot? He's shooting 39% from three for his career.

Posted Saturday November 21, 2009, About: Why Knicks passed on Iverson

I don't know why you would bring up Sprewell and Marbury. Marbury might have caused controversy before Walsh and D"Antoni arrived, but readily accepted a role coming off the bench behind Duhon. The controversy arose because he was lied to and banned from the team. As for Sprewell, he came off the bench for most of his first season with the Knicks without any complaints.

Posted Saturday November 21, 2009, About: Why Knicks passed on Iverson

I appreciate you because you're a Knicks' fan, but when you you they inherited these misfits, who are you referring to? With the exception of Curry, Jeffries, and Chandler, every player on the Knicks was signed, re-signed, drafted, or traded for by Walsh. When you say the players are used to losing, which ones? Harrington, Hughes, Jeffries, and Duhon have substantial playoff experience. The talent on the roster may not be great, but it's better than their current record so that blame should go to the coach. D'Antoni hasn't used the tools he has effectively.

Posted Saturday November 21, 2009, About: Why Knicks passed on Iverson

It wouldn't have mattered if Iverson's image was as clean as Grant Hill's. The Knicks are not interested in competing right now. If they were, D'Antoni wouldn't have benched Harrington and Hughes for Gallinari and Douglas. The Knicks are just interested in their beloved cap room next summer and developing their young players so they can justify their bad draft picks.

Posted Sunday November 15, 2009, About: Source: Kings, Hornets talking trade

I agree with those sentiments. With Okafor, the members of the Kings' big men corp would each offer different dimensions. Okafor would be that physical force providing defense, rebounding and shot-blocking.

However, I think the deal should be Kevin Martin for Okafor instead. I think the Kings have realized that Tyreke Evans is not a point guard, and is much better at the wing. If they keep Martin, Evans would eventually have to play small forward against guys like Durant, Artest, Jefferson, and Hill. If the Hornets acquired Martin, then they would have a nice backcourt mate and shooter to complement Chris Paul and influence him to stay in New Orleans.

Posted Thursday October 29, 2009, About: Cavs committed to twin towers

It seems that Coach Brown's playbook hasn't evolved much - give it to Lebron and let him do his thing. Doesn't Pete Carrill have a cousin that the Cavs can hire to help with the offensive coordination? Basketball is a game of matchups - exploit your strengths and your opponents weaknesses. Give your big men the ball on the box off some staggered screens and let them run the offense. Lebron will get it back on the ball reversal and he'll have open lanes created by the shifting defense. Toronto forced Shaq and Z off the floor instead of Shaq and Z forcing Bargnani and Bosh off the floor. And if you play Z and Shaq together, run a high-low where Z is the post feeder from the foul line.

As for the four-spot, isn't Stromile Swift available? At least he would give them some athleticism and shot-blocking.

Posted Thursday October 15, 2009, About: Jackson calls out Kobe & teammates

Exactly - he might have been gone already if he could keep his mouth shut. Now teams are more worried about his attitude than his contract. Teams like Utah, Portland, Toronto, Washington, and Philly could use a wing player of his caliber, but he can't pass their good-citizen test.

One thing I'll say for Jackson - he was one of the two players that guarded Lebron the best last year. The Lakers got the other one. The Eastern Conference teams, like Orlando and Washington, should be quite interested.