Tag: 2009-10 NBA season (Page 7 of 61)

      LeBron’s camp thinks he’s staying in Cleveland?

      April 11, 2010 /

      According to Brian Windhorst of The Plain Dealer, LeBron’s camp seems to think that he’s going to re-sign with the Cavs this summer.

      After being mostly neutral and downright noncommittal for some time, those closest to James have been altering their view recently. The vibe being sent out from James’ camp — whether it is private conversations or discussions about new business or plans for the near future — is that James currently is leaning strongly toward re-signing with the Cavs.

      That may sound vague and, as always, it continues to be fragile. Yet there is no denying the gradual shift within James’ circle and, it is assumed, by James himself.

      James has declined to talk publicly about free agency since November. But as one source said, “I have never been so sure that he’s going to stay in Cleveland than I am right now.”

      Windhorst is a good beat writer and I believe him when he says he’s getting a different vibe from LeBron’s camp.

      LeBron is supposedly a loyal guy, and is from nearby Akron, so it wouldn’t be surprising if he decided to re-sign with the Cavs even if the team flames out again in the postseason. He seems to genuinely enjoy the players on the team and the franchise has treated him well, and that goes a long way.

      But if the Cavs lose in the playoffs, would they bother to bring Shaq back for another season? If not, even with his salary off the books, the Cavs would be approximately $17 million over the salary cap. The only way to infuse the team with more (or different) talent would be to swing a trade or use the mid-level exception.

      In other words, if this Cavs team doesn’t break through and win a title, I’m not optimistic about the 2011 Cavs or the 2012 Cavs having more luck.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Rumors & Gossip

      Maybe the Cavs should just get a bye

      April 10, 2010 /

      It’s a battle of attrition between the Chicago Bulls and the Toronto Raptors for the final playoff spot in the East. The Bulls had a chance to take sole possession last night against the Nets, but lost. Yes, they lost to the Nets. That, coupled with the Raptors’ loss to Atlanta, leaves the teams tied at 38-41 with three games to play.

      Do either of these teams deserve to play in the postseason?

      The two teams square off on Sunday (on NBATV) and the Raptors hold the tiebraker if they’re still tied at the end of the season. In addition to the Raptors, the Bulls face the Celtics and Bobcats next week while Toronto has the Pistons and the Knicks. While it appears that the Raptors have an easier schedule, Boston and Charlotte might be coasting into the playoffs while the Pistons and Knicks may relish an opportunity to play a meaningful game at the end of the season and spoil Toronto’s playoff hopes.

      The Bucks are also watching closely. Milwaukee gets to swap draft picks with Chicago as a part of the John Salmons trade, so the Bucks could move up to #12 if the Bulls miss the playoffs. If Chicago makes the postseason, Milwaukee will get the #15 pick instead.

      The Raptors hold the tiebraker, but the Bulls are playing better basketball of late. They’re relatively healthy while the Raptors will be without Chris Bosh for the remainder of the regular season. Even though Sunday’s game is in Toronto, my guess is that Chicago eventually gets the final playoff spot.

      That is, unless the Celtics decide to take last year’s spirited playoff series with the Bulls as motivation for next week’s game…hmm…

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA

      3,497 words about Rasheed Wallace

      April 9, 2010 /

      Hate Rasheed Wallace or find him interesting? Check out Bill Simmons’ latest column, “Smoke and Mirrors,” which is dedicated entirely to the man he calls “Sheed.” I think it’s one of his best pieces ever, but the funniest line came from one of his buddies.

      Sheed caused me to e-mail my buddy Hench in December just to ask whether he remembered seeing Sheed run harder than half-speed even once. Hench’s response: “I’ve yet to see Sheed make a fast-twitch move that would have spilled a beverage if he was carrying one on the court.”

      Nice one, Hench.


      Photo from fOTOGLIF

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA

      Carmelo Anthony collapses and no one seems to care

      April 9, 2010 /

      Strange scene in Oklahoma City the other night. Carmelo Anthony knocks his head on Kevin Durant and collapses, and play goes on. Take a look:

      Why would the refs put the ball in play with a player laid out on the floor? Why wouldn’t the Denver coaching staff yell and scream for a timeout? Why in the world is J.R. Smith trying to score when his teammate is prone on the court? Several people dropped the ball in this situation.

      Here is what Chauncey Billups and Kenyon Martin had to say about it:

      “I couldn’t believe J.R. would try to go for the layup,” said Chauncey Billups, who was on the bench at the time. “I was like, ‘Dude, are you serious? Call timeout, man, you see the dude ain’t move. What in the world are you thinking about?'”

      Martin veered toward the positive, pointing out how Anthony was able to return and help the Nuggets to an important victory over the Thunder.

      “It says a lot about Melo to be laying out like that and come back in and hit two clutch free throws,” Martin said.

      He was asked, doesn’t the play say a lot about J.R. Smith?

      “Yeah, whatever,” Martin said.

      The NBA: Where Caring Happens.

      Fantasy Basketball, NBA, Video

      Seven burning questions heading into the NBA Playoffs

      April 8, 2010 /

      There is always a lot riding on the playoffs, but this year there is even more drama surrounding the NBA postseason. Here are seven big questions that will be answered over the next few months.

      1. Will the Cavs win the title?
      2. Will that keep LeBron in town?
      These two questions are joined at the hip. There are some who believe that a Cavs title ensures that LeBron will re-sign, while others believe that if he brings a title to Cleveland, it gives him an out. The general consensus seems to be that if the Cavs fail to make the Finals again, it will increase the chances that LeBron signs elsewhere this summer. There’s no denying that LeBron seems to be a loyal guy, but will that loyalty outweigh the prospect of playing with Chris Bosh in New York, or join a talented Bulls team in Chicago? Only he knows. But I have a hard time seeing LeBron returning to Cleveland if the Cavs don’t make the Finals again.

      3. Can the Lakers get it together?
      The Lakers haven’t exactly instilled their fans with a sense of confidence heading into the postseason. They lost three straight games in early March, then rattled off seven straight wins, and have since lost four of their last six. Andrew Bynum still isn’t playing and Ron Artest isn’t exactly fitting into the Lakers’ triangle offense. Chemistry has never been this team’s strength — they are by far the most talented team in the West, which is why they won the title last year. But can that talent offset this team’s disjointedness? Unfortunately for the Lakers, they aren’t going to draw a cupcake in the first round; the Spurs, Blazers and Thunder are all capable of giving the Lakers all they can handle.

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      NBA, NBA Finals

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