The Perpetual NBA Thread

[tsupermario]

comeback player of the year - bonzi wells

go rockets!

[Eismann]

I like this guy, I'm thinking of taking him in the fnba draft as a "sleeper". I mean, can you find a guy who handles 2 on 1 situations better than this stud(in the bedroom)

Lawyer for Kings' Williams says *** with woman was consensual
ESPN.com news services

Updated: October 20, 2007, 4:51 PM ET
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SACRAMENTO -- Sacramento Kings reserve center Justin Williams and his girlfriend had consensual *** with a woman who is accusing him of ***ual assault, his attorney said Saturday.

"In no way, shape or form did anything wrong happen," William Portanova said in a telephone interview. "Unequivocally, 100 percent, nothing wrong."

Williams has not been charged and is cooperating with authorities, according to police department spokesman Sgt. Matt Young.

Williams and the woman were introduced by friends the night of Oct. 11 at a gathering at a local restaurant and night club, Portanova said. After the club closed, the party moved to another person's house and then to Williams' home, with the number of people involved dwindling as the night went on.

Eventually, Williams, his girlfriend and the woman were alone in a bedroom at Williams' home and had consensual ***, Portanova said.

Police announced Thursday they were investigating allegations that Williams had ***ually assaulted a woman. They said they were notified by a local hospital on the morning of Oct. 12 that a woman in her 20s had reported being ***ually assaulted by Williams.

Officers searched Williams' home Wednesday night and removed items that were being evaluated as potential evidence, Young said.

No charges have been filed against Williams or his girlfriend, and Portanova said he didn't expect that any would be filed.

"The case will be declined because the evidence is simply not there," Portanova said. "The evidence is simply not there because the crime simply didn't happen."

He suggested the woman made up the allegations because Williams is a "tall, handsome, rich NBA up-and-comer."

Williams, 23, is in his second season with the Kings and averaged five points in 26 games last season. He was signed as a free agent in 2006 after playing his final two years of college ball at Wyoming.

Williams was given an indefinite leave of absence from the team on Thursday after police announced the investigation.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.

[ssaloon]

What's the story? Here's a Top 10 for the coming season
By J.A. Adande
ESPN.com

After a year's worth of news -- none of it welcome unless you're a fan of the Boston Celtics or the agent for Rashard Lewis --- crammed into the past four months, here are the 10 storylines that are most intriguing to me as we head into the 2007-08 season. You'll notice there's nothing about my pick for NBA champions, the San Antonio Spurs.

That's because they're so consistent. Consistent is the opposite of compelling, and/or controversial. I'm pretty sure we'll see the Spurs in June. These other outcomes are far less certain, which makes them much more interesting …


10. Arrests and Lawsuits

On most nights in the NBA the real action begins after the game. Anytime you have the mixture of wealth, celebrity, men with high profiles and low standards, women with low standards and lofty ambitions and throw alcohol and drugs into the beaker … let's just say the lawyers will stay busy.
Last week brought accusations that Jason Kidd harassed and groped a woman at a Manhattan nightspot and Justin Williams ***ually assaulted a woman. (According to Williams' attorney, the woman was involved in a consensual threesome with Williams and his girlfriend. Guess the girlfriend won't be getting an apologetic diamond ring). And then Nuggets guard J.R. Smith was issued a summons on charges of assault, disturbing the peace, and destruction of private property.

Even if they rarely result in convictions, they don't exactly bolster the league's image.


9. Spanish Accents

Can Luis Scola of Argentina and Juan Carlos Navarro of Spain boost their teams to the next level? For a Rockets team that hasn't moved past the first round of the playoffs since 1997 and a star tandem that hasn't moved past the first round of the playoffs since they came into the league, Scola is the single-most significant addition of the offseason.

Collectively, new faces Mike James and Aaron Brooks (and new old face Steve Francis) give the Rockets an abundance of choices in the backcourt. But Scola is their only real option at power forward, where the rest of the players are either undersized or underskilled. Will he be able to hold his own against the likes of Carlos Boozer and Tim Duncan in the playoffs?

Navarro could change the course of the Memphis Grizzlies. If his buddy Pau Gasol is happier playing with his friend and Navarro can help Memphis get back to the playoffs, we probably won't hear Gasol's name pop up in trade rumors this year.


8. Dwight and the Mighty Mite

If the Orlando Magic improve it might have more to do with two players already on their roster than the big-money free agent signing of Lewis. Dwight Howard is finally developing a true offensive game, with increased shooting range, hook shots and a couple of go-to moves. Perhaps he's done teasing us with talent and is ready to take on more responsibility.

Meanwhile, the 6-foot Jameer Nelson will be playing for the double motivation of money AND honor. The body of his father, who worked on tugboats, was found in the Delaware River on Sept. 1. Authorities say his death was accidental, but Nelson and his family have their doubts.

Nelson has dedicated this season to his memory. He also will be a restricted free agent next summer if he doesn't sign a contract extension by Oct. 31. He has looked extra determined in preseason, driving into the paint at will. His pro career has been so nondescript it's easy to forget he was the 2004 Wooden Award winner in his final year at St. Joseph's. I get the feeling he'll be doing much more to keep the family name in our heads throughout this season.


7. Seattle Slew O'Lawsuits

For the SuperSonics, the drama will be more courtroom than court this season. Oklahoma City-based owner Clay Bennett is suing to get out of the final two years of the lease at KeyArena. Sonics fans have filed a class-action lawsuit against the team, claiming that language in the team's season-ticket ads was deceptive if the team's actual intent is to move.

Poor Seattle. Has any city lost so much? Boeing. Junior, A-Rod and Randy Johnson. Kurt Cobain. And the lone bright spot for the past 10 years, the Seahawks' voyage to Super Bowl XL, was tripped up by poor officiating. Losing the Sonics, the oldest of the city's major pro sports teams, would be another blow.


6. Stupid Knick Tricks

You know, this could be a recipe for a heart-warming story. Underestimated and underappreciated team overcomes troubling circumstances to win a spot in the playoffs. Except in this case the team is more overpaid than underappreciated, with a league-high payroll of some $88 million. And the circumstances include a ***ual harassment case against the team's management and bizarre behavior by the point guard including his appearance on the witness stand during the ***ual harassment trial. Oh, and the lawsuit won't just go away, because Isiah Thomas and Madison Square Garden are appealing the verdict that found MSG liable for $11.6 million.

If the Knicks can't make it to the playoffs this year, with the addition of Zach Randolph, we'll be wondering if Thomas can keep his job. That is, when we're not wondering how he's kept his job for so long.


5. Sheed's Deeds

Last time we saw Rasheed Wallace in a game that mattered, he was in full meltdown mode, getting kicked out of Detroit's season-ending loss to Cleveland. That's been Wallace's undoing, his inability to put the big picture ahead of his momentary feelings of frustration.

This time it's about stepping back to observe the overall view of his career. If he can get the Pistons another championship, this group matches the Bad Boys when ranking the eras in franchise history. And Wallace becomes one of the most accomplished power forwards of his time. Only Tim Duncan could say he had more rings.

Among these Pistons, Chauncey Billups has come the closest to winning an MVP award, but this team rises and falls with Wallace. It's about his moods, his effort, his ability to keep his composure. When he has it going he can stretch defenses with his shooting, keep possessions alive with his rebounding and provide a last line of defense with his long arms and compensate for the loss of Ben Wallace.


4. Make or Break

If the Suns can't run-and-gun their way to a championship or Dirk Nowitzki can't get it done in Dallas, maybe it's time to abandon this approach, shuffle the rosters and try it another way. This will be Steve Nash's fourth year quarterbacking Amare Stoudemire and Shawn Marion in Phoenix and the fourth year of Nowitzki, Josh Howard, Jason Terry and Jerry Stackhouse. Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen and Horace Grant won a championship in their fourth year together in Chicago. Shaq and Kobe won one in their fourth year in L.A.

There's a different sense about the two franchises. The Suns could have won a championship if a few things went their way. You get the feeling the Mavericks should have won a championship, with a two-game lead in the 2006 NBA Finals, and the best record in the league last year. Will both of these mini-eras, involving two teams unapologetic about scoring lots of points, end in futility?


3. Officials'

Just when the NBA was getting to the antidote to the Tim Donaghy scandal -- games, games and more games -- reminders kept popping up. First came the news that Donaghy would pay $30,000 as part of his part of his plea deal, then a report that the NBA had disciplined six officials for gambling-related offenses. Apparently these were minor offenses, along the lines of being in a casino or wagering on golf games. Certainly nothing like participating in a gambling ring or hooking up with organized crime figures.

But every little tidbit can put doubt about the integrity of the game into the minds of fans. The refs haven't been catching too much abuse or snide remarks about gambling in the preseason. But just wait until the first questionable call goes against a home team during the regular season.


2. Celtic Pride

In 10 years as an NBA League Pass subscriber I've watched less than 10 minutes of the Celtics. That's mainly because of the way Tommy Heinsohn's voice hits my ear. To me it sounds like a garbage disposal when a fork drops into it.

But this year I'm going to have to check in with the Celtics on a regular basis. We all will. They matter again, thanks to the arrivals of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Will the collaboration with Paul Pierce work? Will they take us back to the "Schoolhouse Rock" days and have us singing "Three is a magic number"? Will they take the Celtics back to the glory days?

I can't wait to watch … with my finger on the mute button.


1. Kobe

After Kobe Bryant's smooth, no-problems-here attitude during Lakers training camp I thought he would keep his unhappiness bottled inside and it would be a non-issue this season. Whoops.

Then came Jerry Buss' candid disclosure that the Lakers would be willing to trade Bryant, which was followed by a long weekend of silence from Bryant, broken by a chippy session with reporters in the parking lot of the Lakers' practice facility.

Bryant hasn't said he does not want to be traded, the Lakers haven't said he will not be traded, so now every rumor, every item in Bryant's locker, every home-for-sale listing in Newport Beach could set off a frenzy. Quotes will be analyzed and deconstructed. Everyone in Lakerland will be on edge. This whole season will be like that episode of "Lost" when they're moving the nitroglycerin, one bobble away from an explosion. And because this story involves a trade it's not just an L.A. story. This one resonates in Chicago, Dallas, or any other potential destination for Bryant.

[empy]

i think that next fantasy season i will draft the all-*** offender team :bwahaha:

PG - Jason Kidd
SG - Kobe Bryant
SF - Ruben Patterson
PF - Zach Randolph
C - Justin Williams
Util - Stephon Marbury

lakas nyan! :rofl01:

if i expand this theme to be the all-criminal team, i can add Stephen Jackson, Ron Artest, Carmelo Anthony and Allen Iverson to the team....panalo! :clap:

[userfriendly]

Uy, pwede lakas ng team na yan pang all star

[Eismann]

Understandably, this came from a guy who can't even ask to be traded when he was still playing. I mean what his beef with KB24?
Maybe someone should come up with Team Manager/Owner Trade Commandments also. he-he

Basketball's Trade Commandments

By Kenny Smith, Yahoo! Sports
October 22, 2007


When should a player ask to be traded? Should he even ask at all?

I'm not talking about a guy sitting on the bench that wants more playing time. Everyone can understand that. I'm talking about your franchise player, the guy on your team who makes millions. The one who plays all the minutes, takes all the shots and has the adoring fans.

The one who plays in the second-largest sports market in the country.

(I'm talking about Kobe Bryant, of course.)

First, let's get this straight: There is no, I repeat no, loyalty in pro basketball. Many think that team owners have this loyalty to players for their service. That's far from the truth. So why should players have this unconditional loyalty? They shouldn't. However, they should have a code of ethics to abide by.

Let me tell you a quick story about teams and franchise players. When I was a kid growing up in Queens, N.Y., in the '70s, Walt "Clyde" Frazier was my man. Forget my man – he was New York. With his style and bravado (don't forget his game), he helped lead the Knicks to countless wins and their first championship in franchise history. He should have retired a Knick. But the Knicks traded an aging Clyde to Cleveland, and I cried myself to sleep.

No loyalty! Should I go on?

Kareem to Los Angeles and Monroe to the Knicks. Fast-forward to Dominique out of Atlanta, Ewing to Seattle, Shaq to Miami, K.G. to Boston. All those cities that lost those stars had some kid crying his eyes out.

It's not about loyalty. It's about business deals, salary caps and states of the franchise. So again, does a player have the right to ask to be traded? Of course. But there is and always will be an unwritten law of basketball etiquette.

My favorite rapper of all time, Notorious B.I.G., recorded a song that described the unwritten codes of crime. Well, here is my now-written version of the 10 Basketball Trade Commandments. These are the rules that any player who wants to be traded should go by.

1. Never talk about being underpaid so you can be traded. No one cares about a millionaire needing more money. The cheddar breeds jealousy.

2. Never let anyone know how much you want to go. You have to move in silence. When you make a splash about being traded, you get no sympathy from fans or teammates.

3. Never trust the press. If you think you're talking off the record, think again. The media will only complicate your demands and also put out false rumors.

4. Never diss your teammates. Just because you want out doesn't mean you take the team out on the way out. The worst thing to say is you want to leave because the team needs help. Your present teammates will say, "Well, if you're that good, then why don't you carry us while your future teammates look at you like a backstabber."

5. Another person off limits in your trade tirade is the coach. Most coaches get in the trenches with you. You have to respect authority even if he can't draw up a winning play.

6. Never publicly say which cities you want to go. Why alienate all the fans in your present city when most cried every tear with you?

7. Keep your family and business completely separated. This rule is so underrated. Never have family or friends give quotes to the press. Handle your own business. You can't appear as a momma's boy.

8. Tell your agent to be an agent and not a quote machine. Let him negotiate the deal behind closed doors. No matter how you slice it, if you have your agent speak for you in the paper he makes you appear weak and greedy.

9. Never miss games, practices or team functions trying to get traded. Respect the game. (This rule could be No. 1, actually.)

10. Remember that someone has to want you to be traded.

Kobe's problem is never on the court. The problem is he breaks the unwritten rules, the etiquette rules.

It makes him easy to watch on the court but hard to root for. Without question, he is the best player to watch in the game today. You just don't want to read what he has to say in the paper or hear about it on the radio.

[empy]

Kenny Smith should realize that it doesn't improve his credibility as a writer to phrase his columns in ghetto-speak

[ssaloon]

but he's one hilarious color commentator!

[zidane21]

si kenny smith ang isa sa favorite kong commentator, very entertaining parang sir charles barkley! hehe

reggie miller ang pumalit ngayon btw na partner in commentary ni marv albert

[ssaloon]

pakinggan niyo commentary ni "the jet" sa video. tawa ako nang tawa nung una ko pinanood eh :bwahaha: