NBA Discussion

[Liao Ce]

The Suns looked pretty good against the Hawks last night. I wish they would have spent the money to keep Amare and Carter around. The team might still be a contender. They did get to the West finals two years ago, and have been just as good last year and possibly this year. I hate seeing Nash go out like this.

The Suns are trying to go in a new direction. And I don't really blame them. Carter and Amare just couldn't ever get it done enough on defense for them to have been a serious contender. So they're trying to reload. But it looks like it will be a few years, and Nash might even been done by then. That's a tough situation.

[Zhuanyong]

It wasn't that Amare wasn't playing defense. The Suns basically played a style where he had to always look for transition baskets. The entire team wasn't playing defense. Over the years, very few Suns actually played defense - Joe Johnson, Raja Bell, Jared Dudley, Grant Hill. For the most part they played: we score, you score, and we'll shoot a higher percentage.

Amare was the best scorer on the team and a tremendous outlet for Nash. They had something similar to Malone-Stockton going for them and shouldn't have broke that up. At least not until Nash retired, which will be about 2-3 years from now (more than likely).

As for new direction, it seems like the Suns are always trying to go in a new direction. I need a new favorite team.

[Liao Ce]

You're right about Nash and Amare were an unstoppable offensive force. But I wouldn't compare it to Stockton / Malone. They were both great on both ends of the floor. I think Stocktons still the all-time steal leader, isn't he?

If the Suns are your favorite team, this might be a sensitive topic. But I don't see them being a playoff team for a few years. Unless they can pull in a great free-agent this summer. That's always possible.
I think what PHX needs is an athletic defensive player. Gerald Wallace kind of guy. Wallace, Iguodala... that kind of athletic defensive minded guy to add to the roster. I think loosing Matrix (Marion) was just as important as loosing Amare... call me crazy, but he can play both ends well. He made a fool out of LeBron in the finals. They are missing him for sure.

[Zhuanyong]

You're right about Nash and Amare were an unstoppable offensive force. But I wouldn't compare it to Stockton / Malone. They were both great on both ends of the floor. I think Stocktons still the all-time steal leader, isn't he?

Stockton was definitely a better defender than Nash, but I would say that Amare provided better defense (only in general) than Malone. I would take his much better offensive game and shoddy defense over Malone any day. Stockton was simply special (he was the king of flopping before it became popular too )

If the Suns are your favorite team, this might be a sensitive topic. But I don't see them being a playoff team for a few years. Unless they can pull in a great free-agent this summer. That's always possible.
I think what PHX needs is an athletic defensive player. Gerald Wallace kind of guy. Wallace, Iguodala... that kind of athletic defensive minded guy to add to the roster. I think loosing Matrix (Marion) was just as important as loosing Amare... call me crazy, but he can play both ends well. He made a fool out of LeBron in the finals. They are missing him for sure.

I completely agree with you. After they lost to the Lakers a few years ago in the West finals, it seemed like the owner decided he'd rather kill and resurrect the team rather than build on. I almost cried when I heard they traded Marion several years ago. In fact, Marion was the only reason I cared that the Mavs won because I cheered for him. But, most people wouldn't have argued with the prospect of getting Shaq for Marion and a few others (I believe). He did provide a bit extra but, it still wasn't enough to beat the Spurs. The Suns need a scoring 2-Guard and a true power forward to replace Amare. Gortat is a good play at center. I think they should have kept Richardson as well.

LeBron can be made to look like a fool by a few. Marion doing that to LeBron wasn't new though, as he did the same thing to the much taller Dirk several times in the playoffs as a Sun. Marion was an awesome slash scorer and great defender. Now he's a decent scorer and a great defender.

(I don't get angry over someone telling the truth about a team I like, so you won't bother me. )

[Zhuanyong]

This Jeremy Lin, on the Knicks, is showing himself to be a decent starter and potential star. As those in NY and elsewhere have put it, ITS LINSANITY!!!

I watched him put it on Kobe and the Lakers in a way that I've seen very very few do.

[Liao Ce]

This Jeremy Lin, on the Knicks, is showing himself to be a decent starter and potential star. As those in NY and elsewhere have put it, ITS LINSANITY!!!

I watched him put it on Kobe and the Lakers in a way that I've seen very very few do.

I remember seeing him at Harvard, and I definitely saw potential. Very smart young man... quick, good shot, passes well,and makes good decisions. He has to improve on D, but I think all the knicks do really, lol.
I like Tony Douglas, and I feel he isn't being treated to the minutes he deserves. He is a great defender. But the coach in NY (Mike D'antony I think?) just seems concerned with offense. That's why I don't think the knicks are a legit contender yet..... close. But a few lock-down defenders from real contention.
Definitely a great 1-2 punch at point guard with Lin and Douglas though.

[Zhuanyong]

I remember seeing him at Harvard, and I definitely saw potential. Very smart young man... quick, good shot, passes well,and makes good decisions. He has to improve on D, but I think all the knicks do really, lol.
I like Tony Douglas, and I feel he isn't being treated to the minutes he deserves. He is a great defender. But the coach in NY (Mike D'antony I think?) just seems concerned with offense. That's why I don't think the knicks are a legit contender yet..... close. But a few lock-down defenders from real contention.
Definitely a great 1-2 punch at point guard with Lin and Douglas though.

That's D'Antoni's style. He coached Phoenix in that manner and turned them into an ultra scoring machine. Actually, probably the best the NBA ever had to offer for those 4-5 years. The Knicks don't have the parts to put up 105-109 ppg, as the Suns did then. They do have better defensive players than the Suns of that time. Tyson Chandler is actually a great defensive center. His defensive play helped the Mavs win the championship last year. They need Anthony and Stoudemire to play better defense for the most part. Their a young team and should be fine in a year or two.

[Zhuanyong]

Shaking my head... Product of wasting money and talent...

Source: Allen Iverson hopes for return

On Monday, a judge in Georgia garnished funds from Iverson's bank account to repay about $860,000 that he owes a jeweler, according to multiple media reports.

He also reportedly squandered 154 million dollars over the course of his career.

[Liao Ce]

Shaking my head... Product of wasting money and talent...

Source: Allen Iverson hopes for return

On Monday, a judge in Georgia garnished funds from Iverson's bank account to repay about $860,000 that he owes a jeweler, according to multiple media reports.

He also reportedly squandered 154 million dollars over the course of his career.

Hahahahahahaha...
You see this kind of thing often. Often time the ones who make the most money end up broke due to stupidity. And the ones who had "lesser contracts", (still tons of money by my standards,lol) do very well for them selves. Robert Horry, for instance, does very well for himself despite not ever having a major dollar contract. He invested his money and spent wisely. Meanwhile Iverson is broke.... boohoo....

[Zhuanyong]

Not sure if anyone else saw it yesterday but, Jeremy Lin laid the smackdown on the Mavs with 28 pts & 14 ast. The Knicks are 7-1 with him as their starting PG and on a serious role. I just hope that Carmelo don't mess things up when he returns.