Real Deal

Knee was down, but oh well. I guess they can argue that he didn't have possession, because when he was in that fetus position, the ball almost popped out. Looks like the Saints are going to march right up the field.

He's done for the year. I don't see how he'd be able to play. It's not as bad as my dad's neck and his surgery, but it's up there. Manning is actually closer to Rich Gannon than I initially thought, although it's not as severe. Gannon had a stable fracture of his C7, which basically landed him on the retired list (he was also 38, so healing was a bit of a problem, too). Peyton's injury could risk his career if he decides to come back too soon. Peyton's problem, although I haven't heard him say it yet, is degeneration of his cervical spine...simply because the surgery is to eliminate pressure off the bulging disc (that's what the fusion does). The concern is how his body reacts to the problem he's having. I'm 100% sure he's having trouble throwing the ball, turning his head, and even gripping it, because those nerve fibers run through his arms. My dad couldn't work for months, and he actually went to work early, and it screwed him up again. He does manual labor (he's an electrician), which isn't the best job to have when you have a major neck injury (fractured three of the seven vertebrae, almost paralyzed him), but playing football and getting hit every week is a different animal. This is a big, big deal.

Having an offensive-minded coach for a team that has Dwight Howard would make more sense. Why would they want a defensive coach, exactly? Howard anchors the defense, and everyone else has the basketball IQ to fall into place with that. It's the easiest way to play defense in basketball...lead your man into help. That's why it works in Orlando, even with no defensive players. SVG isn't a defensive guru, and doesn't have to be. Case in point: see the 2007 Magic squad, when Howard started defending at a very high level (the year he really broke out as a help defender). The Magic shot up to 6th defensively, and they were being coached by Brian Hill. Sure, they won 40 games, but that's because they couldn't score. -------- Your biggest gripe is ball distribution. All they have to do is go find a point guard, and they are set. That won't be tough, because a ton of free agents will want to play in New York, not just because of the city, but also because the Knicks will be contenders and will have two of the best players in the league, and a top five PF as well. By the way, I don't think Howard is as bad as you say he is, passing out of the post. All teams play the Magic the same exact way, and the Magic play all teams the same way...nothing ever changes. Teams will swarm Howard, and Howard kicks it out to a shooter. Predictable, and when that's the case, it's very easy to force a turnover, and there's no better person to force turnovers from than the opponent's big man. Let a team double Howard in NY, see how that works out for them. If they don't stick a second man on him before the catch in the paint, they are toast because only 1-2 players can keep Howard out of the paint and away from the rim all by themselves, and one rarely plays to begin with (Oden) and the other retired (Shaq) and was getting to be far too slow to get it done. Finally, I'm not stating that CP3 wouldn't work there...I just think it's best to take the better player, the most durable, the bigger difference-maker, and ultimately (and most importantly), the one guy that fills all of your defensive holes and doesn't need the ball every play to be effective. That's Howard.

Miami also had two players that do the same exact thing on the court, in the same exact way. At least the Knicks would have three different all-stars/superstars that cover every spot on offense, from at the rim in a post position, to mid-range, to 23 feet out. Why would that be so significant? No team would be able to double Howard down low AND double Melo...and that means most teams are toast because Howard is the best efficient scorer in the NBA, while Melo is one of the best overall scorers. Nobody is asking them to be the best defensive team in the league, but top five would not be a stretch, considering what Howard has done with arguably the worst defensive supporting cast we've seen in years, and that's pretty significant for the Knicks. I'd rather have a team that defends top five, and has a few hiccups on offense (like the contending Celtics), than one that is the highest scoring team in the NBA that doesn't defend well at all (like the old Suns and Kings). And if you don't give them those pieces, they are a playoff exit when they run into the Heat or the emerging Bulls. Basically, you're asking the Knicks to pull off a deal that gets them CP3 (trade or signing), then bring in a spot-up three (which means a guy that can't play defense, unless they are willing to spend money), and a good rebounding big (which you can't find unless you're spending the MLE or more, because bigs that can actually stay in the game and contribute are hard to find), AND solid bench pieces... Best player available, less injury-prone (who knows how much longer CP3 will hold up with his knee issues), best efficient scorer in the NBA, and by miles, the best defensive player in the league and possibly in the last decade...there's no way I'd take CP3 over Howard, no matter who was on this team.

Well, I don't think the Celtics will ever be able to beat the current Miami team, but if a team like Chicago comes around and tackles the Heat, Boston could find their way into the Finals if Rondo slows down Rose. As far as Miami getting knocked out by Chicago, I think the Bulls are one player away from being able to go seven games with the Heat (one capable starting SG).

I'd say Howard for the simple fact that he's the true MVP of the league, and the Knicks are incredibly poor on the defensive end. While CP3 can defend, Howard fixes their defensive lapses at any position because he's an anchor. Amare and Melo could use all the help they can get, and Paul isn't going to do that for them. I can't say I'd be worried about scoring distribution. Howard probably wouldn't care in an environment like that, especially coming from Orlando and what he has had to deal with. He seems like a guy that just wants to win, and do so by rebounding and swatting everyone in his path. Boston had us thinking they couldn't share the ball, but they did. Age mattered? Well, Miami went to the Finals, and we questioned them as well. Plus, a center like Howard is far, far tougher to find than a PG like CP3. The Knicks would have all bases covered by finding a pure point (and there are a few, not all of them are superstars or make that kind of money), be a top-ranked offense and a top five defense, all by getting Howard and filling gaps in trades, free agency, or MLE's over the next 1-3 years.

Sadly, they should ask Deron. This gives him a feeling that he's their long-term franchise player (although he should already know that, it's best to try and solidify it), and it also assures Williams that the Nets are doing whatever it takes to build a championship contender around him, for him, and for the fans. It helps that you have an owner like Prokhorov, who would stick Deron and his family on a yacht for a few days with the snap of a finger, and do anything to keep him around. If we're talking what the team needs...well, they need a second scorer and some beef up front. Is Lopez good enough up front? Personally, I don't think so, but that's something for Mikhail to explore. Everyone is excited about the Nets getting Brooks in the draft, and that's because they think Brooks can become an all-star scorer. Makes sense that they could use one, just looking at their roster. While D-Will can put the ball in the hoop, he does wonders running an offense, and the Nets have to stick teammates around him that can be effective on the offensive end.

I'd say two years, and that's assuming they actually bring in a center that can do SOMETHING...not even a productive borderline all-star center, just someone that can stay in the game and play most of the season, lol. Rondo is obviously key. Ray doesn't have to do too much as a spot-up shooter, and as long as Rondo isn't slacking on the defensive end, Garnett won't be forced to rotate over and pick up Rajon's man over and over again (which was a big problem with the Lakers and Fisher). Pierce still has a couple of years left in him before he starts producing like a bench player. If this squad was brand new, at these ages, I wouldn't have much confidence...but team play takes off a couple of years. It's now or never for Rondo, though. He has to develop that mid-range shot. If he does that, he'll be a player they can rely on heavily in playoff games, and that will only help his teammates in the long run.

Hey, my birthday is on the 24th.

Door opened? Hope they don't close another. Damn man, if it's that close, why the hell are they not meeting over and over again?

Nothing will happen. Both sides are loaded, money-wise, and they will hold out until they realize they need the money, which will be January or February...and by then, the NBA will already have the season canceled, especially if there are only 30-40 games left. The 50-game season was days from not happening, so there's no way they will proceed with less than that. This is seriously the most annoyed I've ever been with the NBA, and it's not even a guarantee that the season will be canceled. It just makes me sick to my stomach.

That is ridiculous.

I'm still pissed that Barkley and the 1993 Suns aren't in it, and they also left out the Kobe/Shaq dynasty team (why the hell do you put in an earlier squad, anyway?)...but, aside from that, sounds like fun.

Only the third meeting? The NBA is trash.

Hope it doesn't continue for much longer. That one in Austin has destroyed over 300. Sucks. There has to be an easier, quicker method to stop these fires.

Aren't they saying around 9,000 acres now? That's insane. There's a HUGE fire in Austin, TX also.

How the hell did the 2007 Raps lose to the expansion team? Wow.

LOL, don't worry, you didn't miss out on much.

http://sportsmedia.ign.com/sports/image/article/577/577950/batista-interview-20050107023601879-000.jpg

Okafor, the year they won it all. He was known for his defense, but he was also one of the most difficult players to contain on the offensive end. I'm pretty sure he averaged as many points as Gordon that final season. And I would say Villanueva, but he really wasn't that big of a scorer.

I have that CD somewhere, lol.

LOL, that is the damn truth. I found this out the hard way. Just did a few test runs with the game (my friend bought it). I haven't bought Madden in a while, but I've played all of them...this one has a different feel to it (finally), passing is crazy different to me, and yes, the commentary is blah. Maybe it's just me, but it seems like it's harder to break away for those 10-yard gains with your backs.

The first thing that caught my eye had to have been the Raiders not having the best record in the NFL, and probably an undefeated record. But, I guess the second would have to be the Steelers' 8-8 record. Is Big Ben out for the year, or...? I don't see how they will lose more than 4-5 games.

Question: is it safe to say the two one-seeded teams are going to the finals? Looking through all of the rosters, I'm not sure how they would lose in their conferences.

Thanks for the help, guys. Good news: the mom works at a doctor's office, and while the doctors there can't legally diagnose anything, one nurse practitioner is going to try and help her get the little boy out to Children's Mercy in Kansas City...not sure how, but whatever she does, I hope it works out.