Tag: 2009-10 NBA season (Page 48 of 61)

NY court rules that Nets’ Brooklyn development is a go

November 24, 2009 / John Paulsen

The top NY court ruled that the state can utilize eminent domain to force businesses and homeowners to sell their properties for a large development that includes the Nets’ new arena. The ruling was based on an Empire State Development Corporation study that said the area was blighted enough to justify the use of eminent domain. Blight is defined as “an ugly, neglected or rundown area of an urban community.”

Link to Associated Press article.

It’s interesting — the ruling is based on a study conducted by the company that wants to develop the land. Isn’t that the definition of biased?

NBA

2009-10 NBA season Brooklyn Nets

Senator urges Adidas to keep NBA uniform operation in the U.S.

November 24, 2009 / John Paulsen

Adidas intends to end its deal with U.S. suppliers and move its NBA uniform operation to Thailand. The move would cost about 100 jobs in upstate New York. Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is urging them to stay put.

Link to AP article.

The NBA should have required as part of the contract that Adidas continue to utilize U.S. suppliers. In this economy, it reflects poorly on the NBA that its apparel supplier is picking up and moving to Asia.

NBA, News

2009-10 NBA season

Line of the Night (11/23): Matt Bonner

November 24, 2009 / John Paulsen

Looking at him, Matt Bonner might be the most unimpressive player in the NBA, but the guy can shoot, as evidenced by his 6 of 8 performance from 3PT range in the Spurs’ 112-98 victory over the Milwaukee Bucks. On the season, Bonner has hit 26-55 (47%) from deep and will make teams pay if they double off of him.

With the win, the Spurs are now 6-6 after struggling with some injuries early in the season. Newcomer Richard Jefferson is playing pretty well (15.0 ppg, 47% shooting), but it’s going to take some time for the team to work out the kinks.

Fantasy Basketball, NBA

2009-10 NBA season Line of the Night Matt Bonner San Antonio Spurs

Bill Simmons vs. Wayne Winston

November 23, 2009 / John Paulsen

In last week’s column about Bill Belichick’s ill-fated decision to go for it on 4th-and-2 on his own 28, Bill Simmons took a shot at Mavs stat-man Wayne Winston.

Which brings us back to statistics. Yes, they enhance the discussion. Many times. (FYI: The “to punt or not to punt” numbers, in general, are interesting. You can make a strong case that good offenses should almost always go for it on fourth-and-short beyond their own 40.) There are also times when statistics make that same discussion dumber. For instance, a former Mavericks statistician named Wayne Winston recently debuted a complicated plus-minus statistic for basketball that included the following two revelations:
1. Kevin Durant made the 2008-09 Zombie Sonics worse.
2. Tim Thomas is underrated.
(Deep breath.)
I don’t want to get into my thoughts about plus-minus data and all the inherent problems with it. Some other time. We’ll ignore the Durant lunacy for now. But to argue, insinuate or even blink that Tim Thomas is underrated — by any metric — cannot be allowed.

He goes on to discuss Thomas’s lack of heart, and how he hurts his team spiritually and emotionally.

Winston got wind of Simmons’ shout out and responded on his blog.

NBA, NFL

2009-10 NBA season Bill Belichick fourth down call Bill Belichick fourth down decision Bill Simmons Wayne Winston