2005-06 NBA Season Discussion Thread

[a6m5]

If Glen Grunwald is who you're thinking of, then yeah he was fired last year sometime. Rob(?) Babcock is the new GM. They've definitely made some horrible moves over the years. Obviously trading for VC on draft day was great, but how about Aleksandar Radojevic as the 12th overall pick in the '99 draft? And when it came time to let Vince Carter go, what do they get for him? Crap. Crap and a whiny veteran who doesn't want to play in Toronto. Babcock said "well oh Carter's trade value has dropped over the years". Right, I never believed that. Just look at him now.

VC trade was pretty crappy. Yes, Carter's value has dropped, but not by that much. I'm pretty sure the Blazers offered more than the Nets did. Sounds like the only thing lamer than the actual trade is the Babcock's excuse.

P.S. I used to love Zo Mourning. I didn't like it when he signed with the Nets, but after the Toronto thing, he is officially a complete loser in my book. 👎

 

[Giancarlo]

P.S. I used to love Zo Mourning. I didn't like it when he signed with the Nets, but after the Toronto thing, he is officially a complete loser in my book. 👎

I agree it was a pretty bad situation he got himself into, but i started liking him again once i saw how he played with the Heat and the fact he donated his entire salary to charity last year.

 

[a6m5]

I agree it was a pretty bad situation he got himself into, but i started liking him again once i saw how he played with the Heat and the fact he donated his entire salary to charity last year.

I did not know that. Props to Zo.

 

[Saleen Man]

I agree it was a pretty bad situation he got himself into, but i started liking him again once i saw how he played with the Heat and the fact he donated his entire salary to charity last year.

I didn't know that either. Classy move, but he was still a jerk to Toronto. Heh. He definitely surprised me with the Heat last year as well, I didn't think he'd still be such a defensive force after all these years.

 

[a6m5]

I didn't know that either. Classy move, but he was still a jerk to Toronto. Heh. He definitely surprised me with the Heat last year as well, I didn't think he'd still be such a defensive force after all these years.

You're right. He's still a semi-loser. When the player is under a contract, he shouldn't have the right to refuse his service, just because the team changed. He should've at least had to fulfill his obligation to Toronto, then leave, whatever.

 

[Saleen Man]

You're right. He's still a semi-loser. When the player is under a contract, he shouldn't have the right to refuse his service, just because the team changed. He should've at least had to fulfill his obligation to Toronto, then leave, whatever.

Exactly. Just finish the year with the Raptors. It's not like the Heat won anything anyway.

 

[a6m5]

I missed this yesterday, but looks like Steve Smith called it quits yesterday. He played for the Blazers for few years, so I've seen his shooting capability first hand. If all NBA shooters had his range, 3-point line would be a foot or two farther back. If you have a minute, I recommend reading the article on it: http://www.oregonlive.com/sportsfla...sports-2/1128126542233141.xml&storylist=ornba

Steve was a class act, on and off the court. Again, what a great shooter. 👍 My favorite part of the article was this:

"The whole ride has been tremendous. When I'd lie in bed at 6 or 7 and dream of playing in the NBA, that dream came true."

I was the same way. I'm pretty sure Saleen Man still does this.

 

[Saleen Man]

I missed this yesterday, but looks like Steve Smith called it quits yesterday. He played for the Blazers for few years, so I've seen his shooting capability first hand. If all NBA shooters had his range, 3-point line would be a foot or two farther back. If you have a minute, I recommend reading the article on it: http://www.oregonlive.com/sportsfla...storylist=ornba

A great shooter. One of the best. I didn't know he averaged 14.3 PPG for his career. That's pretty good, I guess I never got to see him in his best days.

I was the same way. I'm pretty sure Saleen Man still does this.

Yeah, I totally do. Although lately it's been dreaming of just playing at all. It's been too damn long since I last played.

 

[a6m5]

A great shooter. One of the best. I didn't know he averaged 14.3 PPG for his career. That's pretty good, I guess I never got to see him in his best days.

If I remember correctly, he was on the Dream Team II(I think we can all agree that only true dream team was just the first one though. ). He was a pretty awesome player in his prime.

 

[Giancarlo]

Preseason starts next week!

 

[a6m5]

Eddy Curry finally got traded, rightfully to another loser, the Knicks! 👍 I know that Blazers inquired about Curry(lord knows why), so I'm so relieved that Blazers didn't go after him. Couple of the names involved were Tim Thomas and Antonio Davis. Wow. Tim Thomas. Together with Curry, they could've made the biggest underachiever duo in the NBA. This trade is really ugly for both sides IMO(OK, probably worse for the Bulls). Teams are expected to announce the details of the trade, later today.

I don't know if you guys are familiar with the Bulls-Curry situation, but Bulls has been trying to get Curry to take DNA testing, due to his heart condition. Curry's been refusing, so according to this article, Bulls offered him $400,000 annually for next 50 years! How do you pass that up!?

 

[Giancarlo]

Rafer Alston also got traded to Houston for Mike James.

 

[Saleen Man]

Eddy Curry does have a lot of potential. But with the Knicks, it probably just makes for another bad situation like a6m5 said.

I loved Rafer Alston in Toronto, he's a good point guard, great passer, shoots the three well. Should work out well for Houston. Mike James was a very offensive minded PG, while Alston has shown that he has the ability to run a team without scoring.

 

[Giancarlo]

And Shaq gained 15 pounds of muscle.

Holy **it! O_o

 

[a6m5]

I thought Mike James was pretty popular with the Houston crowd here at gtplanet. Perhaps he was little too offensive for Houston's liking?

And Shaq gained 15 pounds of muscle.

Holy **it! O_o

If he can stay healthy, Miami could be a very scary team.

 

[Saleen Man]

I thought Mike James was pretty popular with the Houston crowd here at gtplanet. Perhaps he was little too offensive for Houston's liking?

Quite possibly yes. The Rockets are stacked full of offensive players, maybe they were looking for an actual point guard.

If he can stay healthy, Miami could be a very scary team.

Anything short of a championship would have to be considered a failure. On paper they are one of the strongest teams in the league, along with San Antonio. I'd love to see Spurs/Heat in the finals. But, I'd also like for the season to begin.

 

[a6m5]

I'd love to see Spurs/Heat in the finals. But, I'd also like for the season to begin.

We are almost there! I agree about the Spurs/Heat series.

 

[Giancarlo]

Did you buy NBA Live 06? Did your teams get their rookies?

The Heat didn't.. I can understand not putting in the undrafted guys, but not putting in someone from the actual draft? That's lame. I was really excited about playing Wayne Simien.

 

[a6m5]

Did you buy NBA Live 06? Did your teams get their rookies?

The Heat didn't.. I can understand not putting in the undrafted guys, but not putting in someone from the actual draft? That's lame. I was really excited about playing Wayne Simien.

I'm boycotting EA, so I won't be getting it, but my buddy usually gets both Live and 2K. And Yes, he did tell me that Live '06 had Martell Webster(Blazers Rookie).

 

[Saleen Man]

I'm boycotting EA, so I won't be getting it, but my buddy usually gets both Live and 2K. And Yes, he did tell me that Live '06 had Martell Webster(Blazers Rookie).

Boycotting EA? If I'm not mistaken, I think that means you are not a fan. Why?

 

[a6m5]

I found a interesting article about a player named Darius Rice. I know little bit about him, because he tried out for the Blazers couple of years ago. He did real well, but didn't quite make it in. Anyways, it's a story about his visit to China. I thought Chinese government was ruthless, their basketball teams are worse!

Boycotting EA? If I'm not mistaken, I think that means you are not a fan. Why?

It's because of what I belive they started. EA has been trying to buy up exclusive rights to whatever major league sports, so only EA can make the official game of that paticular league. They succeeded with NFL, tried and failed with the NBA(league declined). In baseball, threatened by EA, somebody else bought the exclusive rights. I don't remember the name, but it was a publisher that was owned by Rockstar. I also heard that EA has either used or still uses this tactic on F1 games and FIFA games. And I used to love EA Sports! I started the boycott earlier this year, I still haven't giving in.......... I almost did buy Goldeneye, but I stayed strong.

 

[Giancarlo]

I found a interesting article about a player named Darius Rice. I know little bit about him, because he tried out for the Blazers couple of years ago. He did real well, but didn't quite make it in.

Oh, he's good? Cool, the Heat signed him.

 

[a6m5]

Oh, he's good? Cool, the Heat signed him.

Nice! Yeah, when he played for the Blazers' Summer League team couple of years back, he was just shooting the lights out. I'm glad he's getting another chance.

 

[Ram-Rod]

i just want the season to begin.

 

[Giancarlo]

Preseason oficially starts this Thursday. Monday, if you count the Heat/Spurs Katrina Relief game.

 

[a6m5]

Miami 103 - San Antonio 101. According to Ginobili, sounds like they picked it up, right where they left off last season. 👍

I like Duncan's new do.

OMG! Walker's actually playin' D!

 

[Giancarlo]

Miami 103 - San Antonio 101. According to Ginobili, sounds like they picked it up, right where they left off last season. 👍

I like Duncan's new do.

OMG! Walker's actually playin' D!

What a great game. I really missed basketball.

Wade sank a basket just past the half court line to finish the first half. And from what i noticed, the Heat rookies were able to guard a few stars pretty well!

The only reason we won though, is because a Spurs rookie threw the ball away...

 

[Saleen Man]

OMG! Walker's actually playin' D!

It's pre-season. Things will be back to normal when the regular season starts.

 

[Giancarlo]

It's pre-season. Things will be back to normal when the regular season starts.

I really think he's gonna make a turn-around. Our coaching staff is just too good to let him muck things up.

Although, i did notice a few moments during the game where he could have made a better choice with the ball.

 

[Saleen Man]

I really think he's gonna make a turn-around. Our coaching staff is just too good to let him muck things up.

Although, i did notice a few moments during the game where he could have made a better choice with the ball.

Ah well, I do hope that you're right. Clearly he can be a solid contributer to a team if he plays well, but we'll have to see.

Anyone else hear about Allan Houston's retirement? It's kind of a shame, I thought he could still be a solid player. He was definitely great in his day though, and yet another great shooter, especially in the clutch.