NBA Round Up 11-14-08

Orlando Magic - Dwight Howard is managing a knee problem that he insists he has had since breaking that knee when he was 15 years old. At times during the year, the knee swells a little and then the Magic just give him some time off. After his 30 point, 19 boards, 10 blk performance the other night, I don't have a problem with this going forward. I hope he can stay healthy.

Chicago Bulls - What happened? First Larry Hughes' shoulder, then Kirk Hinrich's thumb (out 3 months), and now Derrick Rose's back. The Bulls are already thin, figuratively, and they can't win with (or without) the injury bug that seems to be rampant in the locker room. Someone call Orkin and get them to the United Center, fast!!! Rose may not miss too much time with his back, but as we've seen with Danilo Gallinari, things could get worse.


New York Knicks - The end is near for Stephon Marbury. It looks as though he will be out of New York within days. Maybe he can get a deal for starring in the remake of the old 'Escape from New York' movie? Where will he go next? Read below.


San Antonio Spurs - Besides Marbury opining about how lovely it would be to play in San Antonio, the Spurs haven't had this much good news in a while. Manu is back with the team, albeit still trying to get somewhere close to 100%. The Spurs need Manu badly with Parker out and Tim Duncan isn't a spring chicken. We'll see how soon this triumvirate gets back on the court together. Spurs fans are hoping that time is soon.

State Warriors - Monta Ellis is having the screws removed from his ankle and he should be up and running soon. That's good news for a Warriors team that has gone through a lot of turmoil in the front office and not that many wins on the court.

New Jersey Nets - There was a story floating that the Nets was demoting Sean Williams because of nothing else except he's in the dog house, but now stories are coming out that the Nets are looking to trade the enigmatic forward. Williams would definitely be able to help someone's bench. He's an athletic big who can run the floor and block shots. That alone will have him working for another employer soon.

New York Knicks - Might another Knick enjoy some time in San Antonio? There is interest in Eddy Curry from the Spurs and the Heat since he was demoted from D'Antoni's lineup at the beginning of the season. With the Knicks winning games as of late without Curry (and Marbury), the Knicks may be more apt to moving him sooner rather than later.

Charlotte Bobcats - Since being benched until his weight drops, Sean May has figured out a way to trim down. He has been working on getting his 274 lbs down to a respectable 266 lbs and he's been told that he needs to include grains in his diet. He also was told to stay away from sugar and white flower. If that's all it takes, I think I might even try this. Larry Brown has Baron Davis and Jenny Craig on line 1 if this doesn't work.

NBA Round Up 10-27-08

Charlotte Bobcats - Calling Billy Blanks!!!!! Sean May is still out of shape and not looking like he'll be close any time soon (although round is a shape Sean). The Bobcats are depending on May to help them turn this season around with new coach Larry Brown at the helm. Right now May looks like he's a few burgers away from playing 17 minutes a night. That number is going to have to be closer to 30 for the Bobcats to have a decent season.

Memphis Grizzlies - How quickly it goes downhill? Antoine Walker has been told, basically, that he won't be getting much time this year for the Grizz as they try to play the young guys to see what they have. The Grizz are also not thinking of buying Walker out of his $9.7M deal to let him sign with another team. Looks like they'll hold on to him until the trade deadline to see if someone wants an expiring contract. Antoine, stay in shape and you may end up somewhere decent.

Indiana Pacers - Mike Dunleavy is still out because of his injured knee. The Pacers are going to need him in the lineup soon, but it'll probably be another week or so before he's ready. We're still waiting to hear where they are shipping their mercurial point guard, Jamal Tinsley.

Chicago Bulls - It looks like Ben Gordon will finally be healthy for the season opener against the Milwaukee Bucks. I for one thought he was tanking anyway. This is Gordon's audition year for another team since he'll be a free agent at the end of the year. I'll be surprised if he doesn't have a for sale sign on his jersey as they near tip off tomorrow night. (**side note - I will be at this game to see the Bulls and to find out if they are for real this year).

Sacramento Kings - Other than dating one of the more attractive WNBA players, Candace Parker, what has former Dukie, Sheldon 'The Landlord' Williams, been doing? Nothing would be the right answer. Williams hasn't made a splash in the NBA, yet (there is hope for him and JJ Redick), but he is working hard to try and make that happen. I imagine that we'll hear from the Landlord this year, or he'll definitely being moving from the left coast.

Isiah Thomas - I'm not sure whether it was him or his daughter who was treated for an overdose of sleeping pills, but the entire story seems very fishy. Reports had it as a 47 year old male and not a 17 year old female who was taken for treatment. While his former teammates have gone on to success (Joe Dumars, Bill Lambier, John Salley, even Dennis Rodman) Zeke has remained as a polarizing figure in the media. Yes, some of his trades while he was a coach of the Knicks have hampered the Knicks, to this day, and made them a laughingstock while he was there. All I have to say is that I hope everyone in the Thomas household is doing well. This story will probably grow as more facts come into play, but here are some well wishes being passed along to Zeke.

NBA Round Up 9-11-08

Boston Celtics - After giving Doc, well let me say, after Doc earned an extension with the Celtics he's got to watch his back. Word is that Sam Cassell is going to play with the Celtics one more year and then go to the bench (coach) for the Celtics. No, Doc doesn't have to worry about his job, but it will definitely be interesting to see which of these two get the most technical fouls as coaches. Both are animated and both were good point guards in their heyday. It'll be good for Cassell to finally give up playing basketball professionally.

New Jersey Nets - Another player to Europe? VC has been quoted as saying that he may end his basketball playing career overseas, after his contract is up with the Nets in 2011 (one year after LeBron gets there?). Hey, I guess I can understand. If he doesn't win a title by 2011 and he'll be around 35, might as well make some loot overseas and see the world doing it. Maybe he can find Frederic Weis and they can reenact this photo?

Charlotte Bobcats - Maybe there is a spring of healing somewhere? Finally we'll get a chance to see the Bobcats front line of the future (from the 2005 and 2006 drafts). Adam Morrison and Sean May, who have both played Operation more than they have played basketball since being drafted, have been given clean bills of health and look forward to producing for the Bobcats this season.

New York Knicks - After being acquired by the New York Knicks, Patrick Ewing Jr. thought about donning his father's old #33. Somebody has obviously spoken to him about that or he thought better of it and he has decided on wearing #6 this year. So for all of you Ewing fans, go out and get your #6 New York Knicks jerseys now before they all run out. I wonder if any have been made yet?