FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif FanHouse http://www.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/ The Knicks: A Good Basketball Team? http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/11/07/the-knicks-a-good-basketball-team/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/11/07/the-knicks-a-good-basketball-team/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/11/07/the-knicks-a-good-basketball-team/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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Yes.

Following an offseason from hell, the New York Knicks not only look like a real basketball team, but one that could make its Playoff dreams come true. I know, I know, we're only three games into the season, but hear me out on this.

Last night, in a rematch against the swingin' Nuggets (and one of the better teams in the Western Conference), New York put together a performance that should give Knicks fans reason to open the sports section in the morning other than to read about Isiah's latest gaffe.

Rallying from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit, the team carried itself with unmistakable swag; the guards scored and dished at will; the forwards banged down low and dominated the boards; and Nate Robinson didn't do anything cataclysmically stupid. A good night all around.

 

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]]> Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-11-07T17:10:00 00:00 Cuban: No Dirk for Kobe Trade http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/10/20/cuban-no-dirk-for-kobe-trade/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/10/20/cuban-no-dirk-for-kobe-trade/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/10/20/cuban-no-dirk-for-kobe-trade/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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Over the last two seasons, the Dallas Mavericks and their fans have experienced two heart-wrenching Playoff flameouts: In the 2006 NBA Finals, Dwyane Wade(and the refs) were the executioners, and last season, the eight-seeded Warriors took down first place Dallas in a memorable first round matchup.

Both times, it was evident that the Mavs did not have that one grab-the-bulls-by-the-horn player, the kind of fearless leader who can win you a crucial Playoff game practically by his lonesome.

As it happens, such a player is available, but Mavs owner Mark Cuban isn't willing to part ways with his MVP-winning power foward, Dirk Nowitzki, in order to get him. From the Dallas Morning News:
"I still haven't talked to [Lakers owner] Jerry Buss," Cuban said. "So until that happens, nothing can happen.

"If and when I talk to Jerry, I'll make it clear that we're not going to trade Dirk. And we're not going to dismantle our team."
I understand the argument against dismantling the team; if the Mavs gut their squad just to obtain the Kobe, they automatically transform into today's Lakers and Bryant will be back in the exact same situation: A superstar talent without the help necessary to challenge for a championship.

Outright refusing to trade Dirk (and his spotty Playoff reputation) for Kobe (who lives for the postseason), however, makes little to no sense.

 

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]]> DirkNowitzkiDwyaneWadeKobeBryantMarkCuban Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-10-20T17:22:00 00:00 Can the Bulls Win a Title With Kobe Bryant? http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/10/14/can-the-bulls-win-a-title-with-kobe-bryant/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/10/14/can-the-bulls-win-a-title-with-kobe-bryant/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/10/14/can-the-bulls-win-a-title-with-kobe-bryant/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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This is the question posed by Sam Smith today, notorious rumor monger, and longtime columnist for the Chicago Tribune. With Lakers team owner Jerry Buss having reopened the nasty can of worms last week with his his comments, the Kobe-to-the-Bulls trade talk has once again started up. Since this will probably not stop anytime soon, what do you say we join in the fun and play along?
Figure this is what it takes to get Kobe Bryant from the Lakers: Luol Deng, Kirk Hinrich, a first-round draft pick and either Tyrus Thomas or Joakim Noah.

That would leave the Bulls with a starting lineup of something like Bryant, Ben Gordon, Andres Nocioni, Ben Wallace and Noah/Thomas/Joe Smith.
Is this a title team? Let's take a closer look.

Yes, Bryant is a transcendent talent, and Ben Wallace is still arguably the best low-post defender in the Association, and sure, Scott Skiles can coach. That Bulls team, however, will not topple the NBA's giants: Phoenix, Dallas (be nice!), and San Antonio. And a trip to the Finals is no sure thing either; the East still has Detroit, Cleveland, and a suddenly-relevant Boston.

Continued after the jump...

 

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]]> BenWallaceKobeBryantScottSkiles Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-10-14T15:22:00 00:00 Mark Cuban Wants Celebrities to Beat Each Other Up http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/10/14/mark-cuban-wants-celebrities-to-beach-other-up/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/10/14/mark-cuban-wants-celebrities-to-beach-other-up/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/10/14/mark-cuban-wants-celebrities-to-beach-other-up/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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Mark Cuban is a lot of things. A filthy rich dude; owner of a successful basketball team; possible owner of an historic baseball franchise; a not-too-shabby dancer. I've got one more to add to the list: Someone who is just bored.

That's the only way I can rationalize his latest venture. Cuban, always looking to make a buck and have fun while at it, has plans to introduce the world to Celebrity Mixed Martial Arts.
Cuban said he is studying the concept of staging a Fighting With the Stars.

"We actually have been working on it with Mario Lopez for late '08," Cuban said via e-mail, referring to the former Saved by the Bell actor. "Not a done deal, but Mario has a ton of great ideas and is working to put it together."
You know, this could actually turn out to be a pretty good idea. There are plenty of celebs out there that we'd all like to see get punched and kicked in the face. And if the producers of the show can somehow swing a deal where Cuban and Donald Trump settle their beef like real men, then you've just got yourselves one faithful viewer, gents.

 

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]]> MarkCuban Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-10-14T14:32:00 00:00 Phil Jackson Defends Laker Management; Dismisses Kevin Garnett http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/10/14/phil-jackson-defends-laker-management-dismisses-kevin-garnett/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/10/14/phil-jackson-defends-laker-management-dismisses-kevin-garnett/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/10/14/phil-jackson-defends-laker-management-dismisses-kevin-garnett/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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Sometime last week Kevin Garnett told the LA Times that, despite being highly coveted by them, he never had any intention of joining the Los Angeles Lakers. Garnett basically said that he didn't want to deal with LA's comically mismanaged front office (KG is smart!); he'd had enough of that in Minnesota.

Phil Jackson, somewhat surprisingly, came to the Laker front office's defense and questioned Garnett's knowledge of the facts:
"Where did he get his information from?" Jackson said. "What does [his] statement mean? Does he even know our organization? ... I don't think anybody has a better winning record as an owner than Jerry Buss ... He doesn't want to win? I just kind of brush that off as not understanding the situation."
I was a tad surprised to see Jackson standing behind Buss and company so firmly; oftentimes one gets the feeling that he agrees wholeheartedly with KG's opinion of the Laker franchise (to say nothing of his own disgruntled super-duper star, Kobe Bryant).

To be fair, Jackson does find himself in a bit of a tight spot, and it wouldn't do him much good to criticize the boss: Jerry Buss is not only the man who signs his checks, but Phil is sleeping with his daughter.

 

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]]> JerryBussKevinGarnettKobeBryantPhilJackson Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-10-14T13:58:00 00:00 Warriors Won't Extend Baron Davis's Contract ... For Now http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/29/warriors-wont-extend-baron-daviss-contract-for-now/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/29/warriors-wont-extend-baron-daviss-contract-for-now/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/29/warriors-wont-extend-baron-daviss-contract-for-now/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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Baron Davis, who's made it perfectly clear that he would like a contract extension as soon as possible, will have to wait at least until the end of the 2008 season for negotiations to begin. According ESPN.com, the Golden State Warriors are in no rush to extend their star point guard.
Sources told ESPN.com that Davis' agent, Todd Ramasar, was informed in a meeting with the Warriors this week that the club prefers to wait until after the coming season to sign Davis to an extension, even though that opens up Golden State to the possibility of losing its point guard and leader in the 2008 free-agency market.

But Golden State, sources say, is confident that it won't lose Davis even if he does opt out, believing that the former UCLA star won't want to leave his native California or the franchise that helped him resurrect his career.
Of course, this is just good business sense on the Warriors' end. They can afford to wait until the end of the season to lock up Baron. What's the rush in signing him, not knowing how his knees and back will hold up this upcoming season? Plus, this will give Davis plenty of motivation; another year like 2007 and his market value can only go up.

 

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]]> BaronDavis Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-09-29T13:00:00 00:00 Attention Cavs Fans, LeBron Loves the NY Yankees http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/29/attention-cavs-fans-lebron-loves-the-ny-yankees/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/29/attention-cavs-fans-lebron-loves-the-ny-yankees/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/29/attention-cavs-fans-lebron-loves-the-ny-yankees/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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When the New York tabloids caught Tom Brady wearing a NY Yankees cap, people in Boston were not pleased. They were even less pleased when the jet-setting quarterback said that he's a fan of both the Yankees and the Red Sox, an absolute no-no on the Eastern seaboard.

Imagine how fans in Cleveland feel now that LeBron James, who regularly wears a Yankee hat, has come out and said that he'll be rooting for the Bronx Bombers in the Playoffs even if they go up against his hometown Indians.
LeBron was asked who he would root for if the Indians and Yankees met in the playoffs (which, it appears they will do in the American League Division Series). LeBron's response: "Yankees."

He then went on to say he'd been a Yankees fan his whole life and we all just need to "deal with it."
With many observers convinced that LeBron is not long for the city of Cleveland, especially if the front-office doesn't surround him with enough talent to win a title (and with the tremendous endorsement opportunities available to James in a media town like New York), this latest revelation certainly won't help insecure Cavs fans sleep any easier over the next few years.%Gallery-4274%

 

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]]> LeBronJamesTomBrady Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-09-29T12:42:00 00:00 The Unglamorous Life of an NBA Rookie http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/29/the-unglamorous-life-of-an-nba-rookie/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/29/the-unglamorous-life-of-an-nba-rookie/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/29/the-unglamorous-life-of-an-nba-rookie/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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You might be of the opinion that all NBA players are living the high life. This, for the most part, is true: Even your run-of-mill bench warmer is making good money (the average annual salary is over $4 million). Life isn't glamorous for all, however, especially not if the player in question is an unheralded rookie.

Take Bobby Jones for example, a rookie last season, who served as what the Rocky Mountain News terms "Allen Iverson's personal valet" in Philly last year. Jones was tasked with a number of chores, including acting as AI's bodyguard (he kept autograph seekers away while Iverson played cards), carrying his superstar teammate's bags, and my personal favorite, Jones was Iverson's personal alarm clock on practice days.
"Just normal stuff," Jones said. "Take his orders and bring him his food on game days. Carry his shoes after practice. Just little things. Nothing too extreme."

"I was assigned to wake him up for training camp and make sure he got to the bus," Jones said.
Now, I know that practice and Allen Iverson are no longer mortal enemies, but this story makes me feel extremely sorry for the poor rook who had to wake AI up on that fateful day.

 

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]]> AllenIversonBobbyJones Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-09-29T12:10:00 00:00 Allen Iverson Regrets Legendary 'Practice?!' Rant http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/22/allen-iverson-regrets-legendary-practice-rant/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/22/allen-iverson-regrets-legendary-practice-rant/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/22/allen-iverson-regrets-legendary-practice-rant/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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When Allen Iverson retires, three things will stand out from his career: The style (braids, tats, and clothing which ultimately led to the NBA instituting a ridiculous dress code), the magical Playoff run in 2001 (which helped short-list Iverson as one of the toughest athletes of all time), and of course, his YouTube-tastic 'Practice, we talking 'bout practice?!' press conference following the 2002 season. According to Allen, however, he regrets talking about practice in such a manner. From the Philly Inquirer:
"It was just being young and definitely immature. I wish it wouldn't have ever happened," he says during an appearance on Fox SportNet's "Best Damn Sports Show Period."

"But you learn from experiences like that... I think it sent the wrong message, especially to kids. You can't be a scoring champion and an MVP and an All-Star and all of that without practice...I didn't want kids to get the message that you don't need to practice because when you're not practicing, someone else is out there practicing, getting better."
I don't care what Allen Iverson says, that press conference is one of the greatest things to ever happen. I mean, sure, it may have led to Iverson becoming even more polarizing that he already was (which is incredible if you really think about it), but it was hilarious, and expressed what many people felt but were afraid to say. Considering what was going on in Philly at the time (AI's daily battles with the media, the catfights with Larry Brown, etc.), it was never really about practice anyway.

In your old age, it appears as though you've gone soft on us, Allen. 'Tis a shame.

 

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]]> AllenIverson Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-09-22T15:25:00 00:00 Deron Williams Questions Andrei Kirilenko's Work Ethic http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/22/deron-williams-questions-andrei-kirilenkos-work-ethic/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/22/deron-williams-questions-andrei-kirilenkos-work-ethic/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/22/deron-williams-questions-andrei-kirilenkos-work-ethic/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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The future of the Utah Jazz, Deron Williams, in light of recent events, was asked about the man who many considered to be the future of that franchise only a few short years ago, (former?) teammate Andrei Kirilenko. In today's age of political correctness with few athletes willing to say what's really on their minds, Williams was surprisingly candid in the radio interview, and even took a shot at Kirilenko's work ethic (or lack thereof).
"You see guys, you see Booz (Carlos Boozer) after practice shooting for 25-30 minutes, you see Memo (Mehmet Okur) shooting for 20 minutes, you see all the rookies, the young guys, you see Hafa (Rafael Araujo) in there working, and you see Andrei being the first guy out the door," Williams said.

"He's coming off a screen on one side, and Matt Harpring's coming off a screen on one side, who do you think you're gonna pass to? You think you're gonna pass to the guy you see working every day in the gym? Or you gonna pass to the guy who never works on his shot but wants to shoot ... "
Though Williams went on to say that the Jazz need Kirilenko and consider him to be a special talent, you get the feeling that at this point, both sides are much better off apart.

 

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]]> AndreiKirilenkoDeronWilliams Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-09-22T14:57:00 00:00 Is Dirk Nowitzki a Leader? http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/17/is-dirk-nowitzki-a-leader/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/17/is-dirk-nowitzki-a-leader/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/17/is-dirk-nowitzki-a-leader/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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According to his coach, Avery Johnson, the big German could use some help in the leadership department. From the Dallas Morning News:
Dirk can get better, and there are some things that Dirk can improve in that may not be basketball-related. It may be leadership-related. Dirk can get better on and off the court. And that's why I've been stretching him.

[...]

So he's willing to be stretched. And his stretching may not be necessarily on the court, but it may be in the area of leadership, and we're willing to help him get better in that area.
Now, it's not everyday that a coach tells the world that his main guy (a reigning MVP at that) isn't a very good leader. Hell, if Avery tried this stunt with some of the bigger names in the League (I'm looking at you, Rasheed), he'd better be ready to fight a locker-room version of the Third World War.

As for Dirk, God bless him, he'll take the stinging criticism in stride (as always) and simply try to get better.

 

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]]> AveryJohnsonDirkNowitzki Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-09-17T00:19:00 00:00 The Blazers Can Kiss National TV Exposure Goodbye http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/15/the-blazers-can-kiss-national-tv-exposure-goodbye/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/15/the-blazers-can-kiss-national-tv-exposure-goodbye/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/15/the-blazers-can-kiss-national-tv-exposure-goodbye/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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Well, that was quick.

Less than 48 hours following the announcement that Greg Oden won't play during the '07-'08 season, the big networks (ESPN, TNT, et al.) that are slated to carry NBA games are already trying to kick the Portland Trailblazers off the National TV broadcast schedule. From The Oregonian:
"There are conversations taking place between ESPN and the league," said Nate Smeltz, senior publicist for ESPN. "We want to provide the best matchups for our viewers."

"If it makes sense for everyone to change a game, we would do that," said Tim Frank, the NBA's vice president, basketball communications. "However, the Blazers may still have a terrific season."
"Even if the Blazers have a terrific season, you won't see any of it on the major networks," Tim Frank did not add.

What, you mean to tell me that viewers aren't looking forward to the stylings of one Joel Przybilla? Shocking!

In all seriousness, though, this is just another example of how devastating the Oden knee injury is not just for the Blazers franchise but for the entire League. But like my colleague Tom Ziller said on Thursday, just wait until the 2009 season. The networks will be fighting each other to the death for the opportunity to carry Portland games.

Previously on FanHouse:
Who Wants to Watch the Oden-Less Blazers on National TV?

 

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]]> GregOdenJoelPrzybilla Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-09-15T18:52:00 00:00 Sam Bowie on Greg Oden http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/15/sam-bowie-on-greg-oden/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/15/sam-bowie-on-greg-oden/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/15/sam-bowie-on-greg-oden/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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The worst thing that could happen to Greg Oden's career would be if it were forever linked to Sam Bowie's. ESPN's Marc Stein got a hold of the former Blazer big man and asked for his thoughts on the shocking news that Oden is likely to miss his entire rookie campaign. As it turns out, the 46-year old Bowie is quite fond of the injured youngster and he offered him some terrific advice. From ESPN:
"But there's not a bigger Greg Oden fan in the world than Sam Bowie," Bowie said by phone Friday.

"Looking back, if I had to do it all over again, the first time I fractured my leg [with Portland], there was so much guilt that I really believe that I came back too soon, and maybe that's the reason why I had the recurring problems [with my legs]. I felt guilty because I was making good money, second pick in the draft, and I already missed games in college.

So if there's any advice I'd tell him, besides the self-confidence part, it's to please, please, please don't give in to the pressure to come back faster than doctors' orders. And when the doctors give you a timetable, even give yourself an additional timetable."
I think what Bowie said about not rushing back to the court following the surgery is extremely important: One can only imagine how much (unjustified) guilt and pressure Oden must be feeling at the moment. If there's any justice in the world, Oden will come back strong as ever, and like Sam Bowie said, this setback will only be a hiccup in a long and productive career.

 

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]]> GregOden Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-09-15T17:04:00 00:00 Greg Oden: Sam Bowie All Over Again? http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/13/greg-oden-sam-bowie-all-over-again/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/13/greg-oden-sam-bowie-all-over-again/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/13/greg-oden-sam-bowie-all-over-again/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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With the shocking news that Greg Oden is expected to miss the entire 2007-2008 season following micro fracture knee surgery this morning, the question on our minds here at the NBA FanHouse was, Is Greg Oden the modern-day version of Sam Bowie? Bowie of course, is the guy the Portland chose over Michael Jordan in the 1984 draft, and we all know how that turned out.

Earlier this summer, the Blazers once again decided to go with a big man over a spectacular wing player (Kevin Durant) in the draft.

Have the Portland Trailblazers made the same mistake a little over 20 years later? To find out, we had a roundtable discussion:

Tom Ziller: The Sam Bowie situation is certainly eerie; I think Blazers fans can find solace in the vastly improved medical care we have know, obviously. I mean, we even have a wildly successful micro fracture surgery for an athletic big to point at. In Bowie's day, there was no cure for chronic leg issues for a big man.

(More after the jump)

 

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]]> AlHorfordAmareStoudemireGregOdenIsiahThomasKevinDurantSamPrestiZachRandolph Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-09-13T16:05:00 00:00 The New York Knicks Are Awesome Employers http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/09/the-new-york-knicks-are-awesome-employers/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/09/the-new-york-knicks-are-awesome-employers/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/09/the-new-york-knicks-are-awesome-employers/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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You could make the argument that, for financial reasons at least, there's no better place in the NBA to work than in New York, for the Knicks. If you are a washed up vet, unproven youngster, or injury-prone former star, there's a good chance that Isiah Thomas and the rest of the Knick braintrust - and I use that term very lightly - want your services (and they will pay top dollar for it).

And if you happen to be an executive about to take the team's President and GM to court for allegedly having sexually harassed you, fear not for there is a better job title and raise waiting for you. From the NY Daily News:
The Knicks attempted to muzzle former executive Anucha Browne Sanders in December 2005 by promising to help her land a high-paying job if she kept quiet about alleged sexual harassment by coach Isiah Thomas, the Daily News has learned.

But Browne Sanders, then one of the NBA's highest-ranking female executives, spurned the offer, which included a one-year Knicks consultancy gig at a salary of $300,000.
Nice work, if you can get it.

 

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]]> IsiahThomasMSGLegalDisaster Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-09-09T15:05:00 00:00 Darko Fined $14K for Insane Rant http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/08/darko-fined-14k-for-insane-rant/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/08/darko-fined-14k-for-insane-rant/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/08/darko-fined-14k-for-insane-rant/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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Darko Milicic, thanks to his potty mouth, is going to be $14,000 poorer. Just in case you missed the story, but mostly because I am a child and thus will never tire of his amazingly awful rant, here's a taste of what he said following Serbia's loss to Greece in EuroBasket 2007:
Reporter: Darko Milicic, congratulations despite the loss. First impressions?

Darko: Nothing, these three big [expletive]heads, these two ... three [expletive for lady parts] have cheated us, that's what happened. This [expletive for lady part], these three [expletive]heads think they are something. I will go and [expletive] their mothers' [expletive for lady parts]--all three of them, that's what I'm gonna [inaudible] ... [expletive for lady parts] all three of them, I'm gonna [expletive] his Italian mother in her [expletive for lady parts], man, that's what I want to say...
I gotta say, that's a pretty small fine for such a horrific statement. Seriously, the dude talked about murdering the refs in cold blood and doing unspeakable things to their families, and he's only losing out on $14K. If this took place during the NBA season, David Stern would probably have banned him for life.

 

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]]> DarkoMilicic Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-09-08T14:14:00 00:00 Kobe in Manila, Part Deux http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/08/kobe-in-manila-part-deux/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/08/kobe-in-manila-part-deux/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/08/kobe-in-manila-part-deux/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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Thanks to Nike, Kobe Bryant embarked on a five-stop Asian tour to promote shoes and other Swoosh apparel this week. One of those stops was Manila (his second visit there), and while Bryant was there he fed the adoring kids on hand the usual athlete talk: 'follow your dreams' and whatnot. Those dreams, it would seem, include getting jumped over by NBA players:



Previously on FanHouse:
Random YouTube Magic: Kobe in Manila, 1998

 

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]]> KobeBryant Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-09-08T13:54:00 00:00 Team USA: International Relations Wizards? http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/01/team-usa-international-relations-wizards/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/01/team-usa-international-relations-wizards/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/01/team-usa-international-relations-wizards/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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It's fairly common knowledge that Americans aren't exactly the most popular people in certain parts of the globe. There's a reason people from the US sew Canadian flags on their backpacks when traveling throughout the world. The same could be said for its athletes; particularly, NBA players. They're often thought of as being brash, cocky, and disrespectful. And that's just in their own country!

Team USA, it appears, is doing its part to mend relations between the US and other countries of this planet. From the Arizona Republic:
After a blowout victory against Uruguay, Mike Krzyzewski came out of the locker room and saw all 12 opposing players lined up outside Team USA's locker room. Just like 15 years ago, the losers were in complete awe and desperately wanted to meet their conquerors. Team USA obliged, inviting them in and showering them with gifts.

"We gave them everything that wasn't nailed down," Mike D'Antoni said. "In about 30 seconds, we undid everything (President) Bush and (Karl) Rove did in the last seven years."
Since the Obama/Arenas ticket has lost some of its steam, maybe LeBron and some of his teammates should think about running for office. They'd certainly be a lot more popular on the international stage than anyone from either one of the two major parties.

(Via: CSTB)

 

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]]> Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-09-01T13:34:00 00:00 Posey Will Not Take Suspension Sitting Down http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/01/posey-will-not-take-suspension-sitting-down/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/01/posey-will-not-take-suspension-sitting-down/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/09/01/posey-will-not-take-suspension-sitting-down/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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James Posey's career in Boston is certainly off to an interesting start. Brought in for his defensive skills, the man is instead busy making headlines: It was announced yesterday that he would be suspended for the season opener (due to a reckless driving charge), and now his agent, Mark Bartelstein, is saying that Posey will challenge the suspension and could play on opening night.
"I think the facts on this case are so strongly in support of James' innocence that we feel confident in taking this up with the league," Bartelstein said. "I understand the NBA has to take a position, but I think we're going to be able to present them with some very good evidence. I think strongly that, once they get all the facts, James' innocence in this situation will be clear.

The facts stack up strongly to support James here, and I'm sure the NBA will have an open mind on this."
Whether this is a case of an agent coming to his client's defense (most likely) or Bartelstein is actually telling the truth, I don't think it'll matter all that much at the end of the day. The NBA rarely (if ever) backtracks on the suspensions it hands out. Posey should start shopping for a nice suit to wear on Nov. 2.

Previously on FanHouse:
James Posey Is Suspended for Boston's Season Opener
James Posey Arrested on DUI Charge

 

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]]> JamesPosey Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-09-01T13:07:00 00:00 James Posey Is a Celtic http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/08/25/james-posey-is-a-celtic/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/08/25/james-posey-is-a-celtic/ http://nba.fanhouse.com/2007/08/25/james-posey-is-a-celtic/#comments Marcel Mutoniby Marcel Mutoni

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With Reggie Miller having decided to continue ruining our TV viewing experiences with his work on TNT not to come out of retirement, the Celtics have yet to find a reliable shooter to compliment Garnett, Allen, and Pierce. What they have found instead, is a good defender (who's not afraid to get down and downright dirty) in James Posey.
This 6-8 forward, known in particular for his role as a defensive stopper on the 2006 Miami team that won the NBA title, averaged 7.7 points, five boards and one steal per game last season.

The deal came together with relative haste. Though Danny Ainge, the Celtics' director of basketball operations, had been in touch with Posey over the last month, discussions gained momentum yesterday, after Reggie Miller informed the Celtics that he would not come out of retirement to join the team.
Posey, still relatively young at the age of 30, will give Ray Allen and Paul Pierce a chance to rest a bit on the defensive end of the floor, which I'm sure they'll welcome with open arms. The best news for the Celtics in this situation is how little they'll have to pay for a solid defender with invaluable championship experience: $7 million over the next two years.

 

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]]> JamesPosey Marcel Mutoni marcel-mutoni 2007-08-25T20:51:00 00:00