NBA 2004/05

[John C]

They were reactionary and will regret dumping Flip IMO.  I suppose Taylor told McHale to do something or it would be his job.  I think the Wolves would have been better off getting rid of McHale or making a trade.  McHale is a great guy, but he's done nothing good for the team since he's been here.  Who has he drafted that turned into a player?  Look at what the Spurs have done since McHale has been in charge.  Several rings, and they still manage to draft good players.  McHale was the problem, not Flip.

[Brian]

I was sad to see Flip go as well, and I really believe he is one of the best coaches in the game right now.  He wasn't the problem here, as far as I'm concerned.  I would have sooner seen a trade as well, with either Spree or Cassell (or both) getting sent off.  Its not like things could get much worse for them, and maybe Minnesota could get one or two younger, talented players in return (in addition to probably taking on someone else's problem....a player like Glenn Robinson or someone).  Hopefully they can get things turned around, and at least make the playoffs.

[Jeff]

Who has he drafted that turned into a player?

It's hard to draft anyone of quality when the league takes away your picks thanks to a secret no-no deal...

Of course, that doesn't really take away the blame from McHale since he was partially responsible for the whole Joe Smith thing.  Sure, McHale had to sit out for a while, but ultimately it really was the team that got punished for that because Free Agency and Trades were the only way to improve the team substantially.

Unfortunately, that's where McHale comes in again.  I don't have a problem with him as a person, but I would have much rather see him gone than Flip IMHO...

Jeff

[Scott]

Well, he did draft KG and Wally and Steph/Ray Allen, but beyond that, he's sucked ass at Drafting:  Will Avery, Paul Grant, Ndudi Ebi...all of which were horrible. Especially seeing who he passed up in Josh Howard.  Outside of the trades for Cassell and Spree last year he hasn't really done anything either that way

I agree that he's far more the problem than Flip was/is.  Again, its such a damn mess it makes me ill to even think about it

[Morgbug]

Watching the up and comers dunk contest right now

Amare Stoudemaire and Josh Smith are putting on one amazing show.  First dunk contest in a long time worth watching.

[JediMAC]

Yeah, we've been watching it too.  That header from Nash to Amare was sick!  Fun stuff, but I feel pretty bad for that stoner hippy lookin' white guy who couldn't get the ball in the basket to save his life.  What was he, about 1 for 30 on his dunk attempts?

Phoenix came pretty close to sweeping the entire day's events too.  Won 3 out of the 4 contests, with Stoudemire finishing runner up in the dunk.  Not bad!  Those guys are pretty damned fun to watch.  I'm definitely pulling for them in the second half of the season (behind my Lakers, of course).

[Brian]

Yeah, the dunk contest wasn't too bad this year.  It is something my best friend and I have watched about every year since it started (missing the first few in the 80s).  Always been big into dunking I guess .  Chris Andersen's showing was pathetic.  They said it took around 30 attempts for him to get 2 dunks down.  Josh Smith and Amare really both did well, but I think Smith's dunks just seemed more impressive since he had more "hang" and wasn't quite as tall.  I was pulling for Amare to win though, to complete the Phoenix sweep.  Overall, a nice All-Star weekend I thought, and fun to watch.  The game was good too, with everyone playing well it seemed.

By the way, I don't know if anyone else watched it, but earlier on Saturday TNT had an All-Star "one on one" thing where they interviewed a few of the stars.  The KG interview was really good I thought, and to me, it made me respect him even more.  This guy just wants to win...bottom line...and I think you can tell his feelings are genuine.  Also interviewed Steve Nash, so I got to see two of my favorite players up close and personal .  Good All-Star weekend, now we're ready for the second half and the playoffs, should be interesting.  Trading deadline this week as well.  I heard over the weekend discussing a "rumored trade possibility" of the Lakers sending Odom to Sacramento for Peja and B-Jax.  Probably won't happen, but its always fun to speculate about big trades.

[JediMAC]

Damn.  After the mega-Moss deal in the NFL today, the NBA pulls off a whopper too.  Don't know the details yet, but they just announced that the Sacramento Kings are trading Chris Webber to the Sixers, in a 6 player deal (that doesn't sound like it involves Iverson at all).  That'll give Philly a serious shot in the arm.

Wonder what else we might see go down before tomorrow's trading deadline...

[Brian]

Yeah, I just heard about that trade this morning Matt, quite a surprise I think (I hadn't heard it rumored anyways).  Here's how it breaks down:

Philly Receives:

F- Chris Webber
F- Matt Barnes
F/C - Michael Bradley

Sacto Receives:

F- Corliss Williamson
F/C- Brian Skinner
F- Kenny Thomas

Definitely a shot in the arm for Philly, who, if Webber stays healthy, came out pretty good on this deal I think.  Iverson and C-Webb together could be a nice combo, and they didn't have to give up their "young players" like Iguodala, Green, etc.

Other rumblings that are going down heading to the deadline are Baron Davis to the Warriors, a possibly Ray Allen for Paul Pierce swap, to name a couple.

[Scott]

As bad as the Moss trade was/is this one is much, much, much worse.  Webber for three has beens?  Come on.  If I were a Sacto fan I'd be livid

[Brian]

That's what I thought too Scott, trade seemed odd to say the least.  I know Webber's contract is a monster, but still.  Philly has to be dancing in the streets right now, shedding some guys (and contracts) they didn't really want anyways for a perennial All-Star.  Injury or not, C-Webb can play when he's healthy.  Why Sacto didn't at least try to get Big Dog's expiring contract in the trade is beyond me.  Hearing anything up your way about Minny making any trades?  I don't know if anyone wants what they're offering .  I see the Cavs just picked up Jiri Welsch from the Celtics for a future draft pick.  Could be a nice pick up for them.

[Scott]

Word is the only one they are shopping is Sammy C, otherwise its wait and see what happens

[Jeff]

Word is the only one they are shopping is Sammy C, otherwise its wait and see what happens

There were some more rumblings about the possible J-Kidd deal too this AM, but I think that is more fanboy speculation than serious dealing at this point.

At this point in the year, I sure wouldn't mind Spree/Sammy C for Jason Kidd.   

Jeff

[Brian]

A flurry of deals at the deadline, according to ESPN...here's a rundown (short versions):

Hawks Get:

Gary Payton
Michael Stewart
Tom Gugliotta

Celtics Get:

Antoine Walker (didn't they have him once? )
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Warriors Get:

Baron Davis

Hornets Get:

Speedy Claxton
Dale Davis
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Sixers Get:

Jamal Mashburn (likely retiring)
Rodney Rogers

Hornets Get:

Glenn Robinson
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Knicks Get:

Malik Rose

Spurs Get:

Nazr Mohammed
Jamison Brewer
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Knicks Get:

Maurice Taylor

Rockets Get:

Vin Baker
Moochie Norris
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Warriors Get:

Nikolas Tskitishvili
Rodney White

Nuggets Get:

Eduardo Najera
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Bucks Get:

Reece Gaines

Rockets Get:

Mike James
Zendon Hamilton
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Dallas Gets:

Keith Van Horn

Bucks Get:

Calvin Booth
Alan Henderson
cash

[Scott]

That Walker trade is a weird one...not sure why Boston wants him back