Archive for November, 2010
November 30, 2010 at 3:41 am · written by CWill
Miami Heat coach Erik Spoelstra met with Lebron James Monday afternoon to discuss the Heat’s offensive struggles this season.
The Heat players have been critical of Spoelstra’s offensive philosophy and it was clearly time to discuss what needs to be done to fix the ship. Both James and Spoelstra seem to be on same page but I’m sure there are still issues in the Heat camp that need to be addressed.
I think what’s interesting about this meeting is that James said he’s not having much “fun”. Wasn’t that the reason you went to South Beach Bron?
November 30, 2010 at 3:37 am · written by HoopSmack
Wizards 94 @ Heat 105
All is well in Miami…for now. Reigning MVP Lebron James had a game high of 30 points with 6 rebounds and 5 assists added just for fun. Dwyane Wade added 26 of his own points while the most famous third wheel in the history of man Chris Bosh scored 20 points. The Wizards were without John Wall again with a bruised right knee.
Hornets 89 @ Thunder 95
Russell Westbrook took the reins in the 4th quarter to lead his team to victory over Chris Paul’s Hornets. Westbrook scored 25 points and dished out 11 assists. His counterpart Chris Paul had 17 points and 14 assists. Is CP3 losing his grip on that top PG?
Rockets 91 @ Mavericks 101
The Mavericks came out on top of the battle of Texas teams. Dirk Nowitzki had 20 points and 10 rebounds and Caron Butler added 19 points (13 of those coming in the 3rd quarter). The Rockets struggles continue without G Aaron Brooks and C Yao Ming in the lineup.
Bucks 88 @ Jazz 109
Al Jefferson’s double double (22 points and 11 rebounds) led the Jazz to victory over a short-handed Bucks team (missing Andrew Bogut, Corey Maggette, and Drew Gooden.
No road team victories today…
November 30, 2010 at 3:36 am · written by CWill
Welcome to the T-Mac Psychic Lunch Hour. Wonder why your team isn’t playing well? How many shots is too many? How many times can one person have knee surgery? Whats it like being related to Vince Carter? Are Grant Hill’s ankles really made out of paper mache? Tracy McGrady is ready to answer all questions.
On rare occassions T-Mac also provides guidance to other NBA players and what they should do with the careers. His latest entry involves the great Lebron James:
“Chicago was a better decision, a better place for him,” says McGrady. “You can’t just go somewhere and have that type of chemistry he had in Cleveland.”
The great T-Mac also provided analysis of the Lebron and Wade’s play so far:
“When they’re on the court together, they’re terrible,… ” “Him and D-Wade don’t complement each other. They’re somewhat the same type of players, ‘Bron and D-Wade. … Both of those guys need the ball, and they don’t shoot the ball like Ray Allen. That’s why they’re having trouble scoring in the halfcourt, because they can’t get a rhythm, because one of them is dominating the ball. That guy might be getting off, but the other guy [isn't].
“That’s why when they’re on the court together, they’re terrible. They’re rhythm players that need the ball. I’m like that. I can’t stand out there and catch and shoot. I’ve never been a guy that sits out there waiting for the ball to come to me.”
Riveting. Come back next time when T-Mac explains how to succeed in the first round of the playoffs.
November 29, 2010 at 3:50 am · written by CWill
We need him back NOW.
Phil Jackson voiced his concern with Andrew Bynum’s lengthy absence before the Indiana Pacers game and he couldn’t be more right.
“This is something that’s supposed to take place after the season and he’s supposed to be ready by the season and we built our team around that fact. It wasn’t by the end of exhibition season. It was like he would be able to start and go through preseason and go on with us. Well, everything got delayed. His operation wasn’t done on time. Andrew was late to his operation. There was a whole myriad of things that have gone on in this thing.”
A side effect of the absence of Bynum is that MVP candidate Pau Gasol is getting overworked and you don’t want your best player (yeah i said Kobe, come get me) getting worn out before the real season begins. In his last 3 games, Pau has played 42, 45, and 46 minutes. This trend obviously can not continue.
November 29, 2010 at 3:49 am · written by HoopSmack
Welcome to the second episode of The “Big O” Report. Our resident fantasy basketball experts Tae and Tay P aka “Kahn” will educate you on the mystery that is fantasy basketball. Listen in for tips, suggestions, warnings, and life lessons that will enhance your quality of life….or at least your fantasy team standing.
You can get this episode on iTunes or right click here to save to your computer.
To contact the experts please shoot an email over to fantasy@hoopsmack.com. You can also reach us on Twitter @hoopsmack.
November 29, 2010 at 3:47 am · written by CWill
I know I know its starting today but a preview is better late than never right?…right?
Minnesota is off to a hot start and they look to continue to good times in the first game of the ACC/Big Ten Challenge. They’ve beaten one ACC team already (North Carolina in the Puerto Rico Tip-Off earlier this season) and they want to add Virginia to their ACC trophy case. Virginia hopes to change their fortunes as they have lost 3 of their last 4 games.
Players to watch: Blake Hoffarber (Minn) and Mike Scott (Virginia)
Jared Sullinger seems to be next in line for freshman of the year since Harrison Barnes is struggling at North Carolina. He’ll have his work cut out for him though against Florida State’s big front court.
Players to watch: Jared Sullinger (OSU) and Chris Singleton (FSU)
Harrison Barnes is learning the harsh realities of leading a big basketball program as the Tar Heels have had some miscues so far this season. They look to get back in the Top 25 with a win against Illinois who is led by Demetri McCamey who somehow has improved upon his “Big Ten Player of the Year type” game.
Players to watch: Harrison Barnes, Tyler Zeller (UNC) and Demetri McCamey, Brandon Paul (Illinois)
Will Glen Rice Jr starting playing like his father and light it up from outside against one of the worst defensive teams in the country? Will Drew Crawford continue to impress against tougher competition?
Players to watch: Glen Rice Jr (GT) and Drew Crawford, John Shurna (NW)
Gary Clark is shooting the lights out this season and will look to add to his 3 point totals this season (shooting 13 of 17 from 3 point land). Iowa will be without primary ballhandler Cully Payne and will be looking for a new floor general.
Players to watch: Eric May, Bryce Cartwright (Iowa) and Gary Clark (WF)
Tim Hardaway Jr will hopefully be the spark Michigan needs to become one of the elite teams in the Big Ten. Clemson will need to cut down on the turnovers if they wish to compete (especially against the crazy a** 1-3-1 zone defense that Michigan uses)
Players to watch: Jordan Morgan (Michigan) and Demontez Stitt (Clemson)
The Big Kahuna of the Challenge. Nothing needs to be said.
Players to watch: EVERYBODY!
It was all doom and gloom once Robbie Hummel was ruled out for the season but E’Twaun Moore has been doing an excellent job of filling the void.
Players to watch: E’Twaun Moore (Purdue) and Malcolm Delaney (VT)
It should be no surprise that the Hoosiers are undefeated given the competition level (Florida Gulf Coast Eagles? really?). This will be their first real “test” of the season.
Players to watch: Don’t even watch this game.
John Leuer has been playing at an All Big Ten level and should continue to improve this season. The Wolfpack definitely need to improve their rebounding if they hope to compete this year.
Players to watch: John Leuer (Wisconsin)
Jordan Williams is simply a beast in the paint with 17 points and 12 rebounds a game. He will be a handful for Penn State who’s not so great with their interior defense.
Players to watch: Jordan Williams (Maryland) and Jeff Brooks, Talor Battle (Penn State)
November 29, 2010 at 3:44 am · written by CWill
Sh*t just got real in Miami.
According the the light skin version of Stephen A. Smith, ESPN’s Chris Broussard reported earlier today that the Miami Heat players are growing frustrated with head coach Erik Spoelstra. With the almighty Miami Heat starting the season at 9-8 many have questioned Spoelstra’s ability to coach this team (2005 anyone?).
Some of the complaints are that Spoelstra is not letting the players be themselves, he is constantly worried about his job security (can you blame him?), and that his offensive strategies do not work for this group of players.
“Right now, in my opinion, no one is doing a good job,” said Heat guard Dwayne Wade, asked Monday about Spoelstra’s performance. “We’re 9-and-8. We’re all in this together. The players are not doing a good job. The coach is not doing a good job.”
Not one to remain quiet about the growing amount of criticism, Spoelstra had plenty to add to the discussion of whats wrong with the Heat:
“A coach-player relationship in this league often will be confrontational at times. And other times, it’s smooth sailing,” he said. “But just the dynamic of the competitive nature of everybody, expectations, results — all these things combine, yeah, sometimes it will get testy. And that’s good. Especially when people have a pure heart and mind about getting better, that just shows that the sides want to make it right.”
While it may seem that the everyone thinks a coaching change is in order, some of the actual Heat players seem to think differently:
“They don’t want to step on each other’s toes,” the person said. “There’s no leader on the team. Somebody has to speak up and be the leader on the team. They can’t be afraid to step on people’s toes. They need a vocal leader who’s going to make everybody accountable. I don’t think it’s on the coach. It’s on the players.”
Um…I think he’s talking about you Lebron…or you D-Wade…No Bosh he wasn’t talking about you.
November 28, 2010 at 3:52 am · written by CWill
Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban let it be known that he tried to get Lebron James this free agency summer…through the wonderful invention of text messaging.
No big recruiting visit, no beautiful PowerPoint presentation, no face to face meet. It was a 160 character pitch that Cuban was hoping would land the biggest free agent signing in NBA history. He even contacted The Decision mastermind Maverick Carter.
“Before he made his decision, what I told [James] … and what I told Maverick was no team had ever blown up their team to ground zero — well, I shouldn’t use those words — blown their team up of all of their core, and then added a couple of free agents and won a championship.” said Cuban.
Cuban felt that his team had the pieces in place for Lebron to win a championship. Cuban wanted James playing alongside Jason Kidd and Dirk Nowitzki, not Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.
“It’s always taken someone to come into a good team, make it better, and put it over the top. That’s what I told him, and that’s what I told Maverick.”
Now its WELL documented that the Heat are struggling right now and one wonders if Cuban was right…
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