AboveLegit

I disagree, the majority of your shot is from your upper body. I have a kid on my HS Team who barely jumps when he shoots, but because of his upper body strength, he is able to hit jump shots on a consistent basis. People prefer you to jump on your shot, but I don't think you absolutely need to.

Jump higher when you shoot, and focus on flicking your wrist. Keep your dominant arm at a 90 degree angle while holding the ball, rise up for the shot, jump, and flick your wrist. That's how I learned how to shoot, now I'm a very consistent shooter.

Keep it up everyone!

You're comparing Kobe to Len.....just think about it for a second.

I understand most of your post, but what's the difference between a bust as a pick and a bust as a player? Simply put, he was drafted high and he did not meet expectations, therefore, he is a bust.

Gerald Wallace. The all around type of player, can do multiple things, very versatile, can shoot and rebound the ball.

Because he didn't live up to expectations?

I'm having a debate with a member on a different forum regarding Len Bias being considered a bust or not. For those who do not know who Len bias is, he was the #2 overall pick in the 1986 draft, and was a sure superstar. Less than 48 hours after he was drafted, Bias suffered a heart attack due to an overdose of cocaine. He never played a NBA game. A cool fact I remember hearing: Coach K said Len Bias was the 2nd best ACC player he ever saw. Right behind Mr. Michael Jordan... Would you consider him a bust? Or would you consider him just a person who tragically lost his life and didn't have a chance to prove himself?

I've talked this out with people and the opinions are varied. If a kid is a top prospect and doesn't have a real interest in academics, why play professional basketball for free at a US college? It's professional ball because somebody is making millions and they are charging for tickets, television rights and marketing. If a kid can make a substantial living playing ball somewhere, doesn't it make more sense to do so? I acknowledge that a lot of these kids are too dumb to make wise decisions no matter where they play, but all of the fears considered, whether they be injury or failure, wouldn't it be better for them to be screwed up with money in their pockets. If I were advising my son in that situation, anything guaranteed over $500,000 would have us seriously looking into learning a new language. Maybe I'm overlooking a few things, but feel free to discuss anything related to this topic here.

Yao above Perkins and Garnett?

Joe Johnson can't hit shots down the stretch of games?

You're not understanding the fact that this is through the course of 13 games....I could careless what Jamison managed to do in 4 games, that is not enough to give him the title of the MVP of the Wizards. lol I'll admit my mistakes...I didn't really think when I put down Devin Harris.

Please tell me how playing 30% of the season warrants Jamison to be considered the MVP of the Wizards... I think you're overlooking the fact that this is most VALUABLE player award and not the most efficient player award.

No forced shots are not turnovers. But what does that have to do with this discussion? lol

Ok, first off, Gil does a terrible job avoiding turnovers, sadly. He's the one who keeps the ball moving, and he's the one igniting the offense on fastbreaks. But since I can't prove it to you with facts, let me ask you something...Take out Gil from the offense, how well do you think the Wizards would be? Now take off Butler from the offense, how well would the Wizards be? Butler is replaceable, all Flip Saunders has to do is put in Mike Miller at the SF spot (or hell, put in Dominic McGuire for Christ Sake, the kid can play), and move Nick Young into the starting spot (watch game tape from our last game, he dropped 20 points). Taking out Gil and replacing him with a guy like Earl will not get the job done, Earl is meant for the sixth man role. Plain and simple, no one can replace Gil's 25ppg. Jamison certainly cannot average 40ppg....

You do realize this is the MVP for this season only right? Why in the world would I leave Gil's durability of this argument when those two games Caron missed happened to be important games? You don't watch many Wizards games do you? Take it from the guy who has seen every game this season, Gil passes the ball more than you think. Don't make ignorant statements such as Gil doesn't pass, it's completely untrue. How else do you think Haywood gets his points? You think he creates shots for himself? Caron is absolutely horrible on defense this year, doesn't pass at all in the offense, doesn't even know what to do half the time down the floor, and is shooting very poorly. I'm sorry but I'd take Gil's 24+ppg and under 40% shooting over Caron's abysmal play this season.

You just said in your first sentence that Arenas' attitude has nothing to do with him not being the MVP, yet you mention Butler being less of a distraction? Arenas also scores over 24ppg, and makes plays. When Butler gets the ball, he totally stops the offense, and shoots horrid jumpers. It may not show up in the boxscores, but his shooting is ugly. Arenas does more than Caron does in the offense. And oh yeah, Arenas hasn't missed a game this year, Butler has already missed 2.

How is Antawn Jamison the MVP of the Wizards, yet he's only played 3 games thus far? Makes no sense.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Hope you all have a great day with your friends and families.

Caron Butler is FAR from the Wizards MVP this year, he's just been horrible from the field, and looks totally out of sync. There's no doubt it's been Arenas, say what you want about his attitude, but don't deny the fact that he's been our best player so far this year. Boston Celtics: Paul Pierce Miami Heat: Dwyane Wade New Jersey Nets: Devin Harris New York Knicks: David Lee Orlando Magic: Dwight Howard Philadelphia 76ers: Andre Iguodala Washington Wizards: Gilbert Arenas Atlanta Hawks: Joe Johnson Charlotte Bobcats: Gerald Wallace Chicago Bulls: Derrick Rose Cleveland Cavaliers: LeBron James Detroit Pistons: Ben Gordon Indiana Pacers: Danny Granger Milwaukee Bucks: Brandon Jennings New Orleans Hornets: Chris Paul Toronto Raptors: Chris Bosh Dallas Mavericks: Dirk Nowitzki Denver Nuggets: Carmelo Anthony Houston Rockets: Luis Scola Minnesota Timberwolves: Al Jefferson San Antonio Spurs: Tim Duncan Utah Jazz: Deron Williams Memphis Grizzlies: Rudy Gay Golden State Warriors: Monta Ellis Los Angeles Clippers: Baron Davis Los Angeles Lakers: Kobe Bryant Phoenix Suns: Steve Nash Portland Trailblazers: Brandon Roy Sacramento Kings: Tyreke Evans Oklahoma City Thunder: Kevin Durant

Here's a post I made on a different forum. It doesn't have much to do about this specific topic, but I wanted to share it now: Defense hasn't been the Wizards problem this year as it has been in year's past. Outside of the last two games where the Thunder and Spurs were just killing them from the outside, their defense has been decidedly average (which is a dramatic step up than the Eddie Jordan era). No, their problems lies in chemistry and specifically offensive chemistry. Jamison is trying to fit back in with the team. Miller and Foye have both in and out of the line-up due to injury and are still trying figure out what their roles are and get accustomed to them. Arenas isn't quite sure what his role is, whether it's to be the distributor or to carry the load scoring and this is hurting his aggressiveness. Butler has been vaguely atrocious so far this season, killing offensive movement by holding the ball, not rotating or really creating for anyone but himself and just taking poor shots as a basic principle. Blatche is finally playing with his head on straight 90% of the time, but this is only making him more confused because his role is changing on a nightly basis due to injuries and because he's actually thinking about things now, it's not helping him. On top of that Oberto and Stevenson have been getting rotation minutes together and neither of them can score to save their lives. Not to mention Earl Boykins has been useless after his first two games (one of those games being against the Cavs when Mo Williams had no idea whatsoever how to guard or score against Boykins). He can't play off the ball and is only useful with it in his hands, in which case he just over dribbles until he's forced to give the ball up. The most consistent player on the Wizards roster so far has been Brendan Haywood (well, and I suppose Nick Young). This is a team that not only added a new coach but are essentially playing three rotation players from last season (Butler, Jamison, and Blatche). Arenas, Haywood, and Stevenson might have all played together with them a season or two ago, but it's overlooked that not only are they trying to fit back into the fold but their also having to learn a new system. Add that to the fact that they have yet to play with a consistent line-up so far in the early season, and that leads to a lack of team cohesion, which is the biggest problem so far. Whether they're able to meld together early enough (or at all) to salvage the season is up for debate though.

Butler doesn't even deserve a spot in the All Star Game right now...neither does Arenas for that matter. The only person who even has a chance to make it right now is Jamison. But the ASG is in February, I think Arenas will get his act together and play great soon enough. I see him and Jamison getting into the ASG this year if all goes well.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_XOQd1EqmfLs/Sw4NGO4_xcI/AAAAAAAAKD8/Hl1OBzQOTZE/s400/mix.jpg PM me if you want the download link to this. I just heard it, and honestly, I think it's one of the best mixtapes I've heard in a long time.

Nice write up RD, the one's I still see on Message boards are: 2) The Eastern Conference is weak. I still hear this, despite seeing possibly four elite teams entering the post season in April/May (Atlanta, Orlando, Cleveland, and Boston). 3) LeBron James Is the Next Michael Jordan. Enough said. I hear this way too much. I think the "Kobe is too selffish" remarks have died down now after seeing him in the Olympics and Finals.

I figured it was time for an official myth thread. Do you hear things? On the radio, in person, on message boards, and they just aren't true. They're stated as fact when they are suspect if you do know all the facts? My favorite - "Magic Johnson was done in 1991. Jordan didn't beat the best Magic. Magic was 'old.'" Facts: 1. Magic Johnson was 31 years old in 1991; Michael Jordan was still winning rings and MVPs at age 35. 2. Magic Johnson only had four better statistical seasons than 1991 List the best myths stated by people that you've heard in sports talk.