AboveLegit

I'm in

how is haywood on the list? PG- Starbury TV SG- JR Smith SF- Ricky Davis PF- Zach Randolph C- Kwame Brown

Gilbert Arenas' nickname.

Hawks - Joe Johnson Celtics - Kevin Garnett Bobcats - Gerald Wallace Bulls - Derrick Rose Cavaliers - LeBron James Mavericks - Dirk Nowitzki Nuggets - Carmelo Anthony Pistons - Ben Gordon Warriors - Monta Ellis Rockets - Aaron Brooks Pacers - Danny Granger Clippers - Blake Griffin Lakers - Kobe Bryant Grizzlies - OJ Mayo Heat - Dwyane Wade Bucks - Michael Redd Wolves - Al Jefferson Nets - Devin Harris Hornets - Chris Paul Knicks - David Lee Thunder - Kevin Durant Magic - Dwight Howard Sixers - Andre Iguodala Suns - Amare Stoudemire Blazers - Brandon Roy Kings - Kevin Martin Spurs - Tim Duncan Raptors - Chris Bosh Jazz - Deron Williams Wizards - Gilbert Arenas

The only thing Reggie has over AI is three point shooting...

By that statement I'm assuming you think he should be lowered? If that's the case, I would like to know why. Iverson and Reggie Miller are very close, I personally think Iverson deserves to be ahead of Reggie just because he managed to win a MVP award. both never won a title, but made it to the Finals once in their career (though Iverson was in a more difficult position with the roster he was with), the MVP award should be the reason that separates the two.

Hey man, this is abovelegit, welcome to OTR.

Arenas, just a great guy if you meet him, love his game on the court, such an important part of this franchise, many people don't realize what he means to us.

No Ether (Jay Z diss)- Nas

Nice! I didn't think it was all that great compared to my previous articles, but it's good to know my writing is getting some recognition.

One thing I can't understand is although Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED) are so relevant and rampantly used but, at the same time, is unethical and unacceptable in other sports, it is hardly given any attention in the basketball world. Not that I am saying that I am in favor or against the use of performance enhancing drugs. I wish to reserve that opinion to myself...in the meantime. What IF, and I mean IF, a major basketball superstar who is still active like say Shaquille O'Neal or Lebron James or Dwight Howard (I am only using the names as examples for the sake of argument) would be determined to have been using performance enhancing drugs? Would that tarnish their accomplishments? Would they be "crucified" by the media and the public like Barry Bonds in baseball? I am just curious. And aside from that, I would like to solicit your thoughts on the following: 1. How much do you think will performance enhancing drugs (PED) affect the game of a basketball player? 2. Will a PED scandal severely affect the NBA the same way it has wreaked havoc on MLB? 3. Who is your favorite NBA player, Shaq, Kobe, Lebron, Wade, who? IF (hypothetically) he is found out to be using PED, what should be done to him? 4. Do you think that the NBA should start testing its athletes for PED? Why? 5. Finally, let's just say, WHAT IF Michael Jordan was found to have used PED during his playing years, should he be reviled? Should his records be erased? Should an asterisk be placed beside his name and his records and awards?

Well I have met everyone on the roster currently, but just last week I met Dominic McGuire at a local grocery store, and found out he lives in the same area as me!

Next up: signing a back up PG

Well I wouldn't go too far in saying that. But I do believe what Kareem did in this league (a combination of dominance and success) puts him over Wilt. He has better statistics, he was just as dominant, and most importantly, he won championships.

PG - Magic Johnson SG - Michael Jordan SF - Larry Bird PF - Karl Malone C - Kareem Abdul Jabbar

Superman at Six Flags Hypersonic XLC at Kings Dominion

I got this off a blog I visit (won't give out the link because they have a lot of good answers to this topic already) and I thought it was a great idea. You have 27 player points to pick players. Player points equal the amount you have to pay to have that player on your roster. you NEED 8 players, LIMITED to only one (7) player or two (6). PG: Chris Paul (7) Deron Williams (6) Tony Parker (6) Rajon Rondo (5) Chauncey Billups (5) Derrick Rose (5) Steve Nash (5) Gilbert Arenas (5) Devin Harris (5) Jason Kidd (5) Baron Davis (5) Raymond Felton (4) Andre Miller (4) Monta Ellis (4) Mo Williams (4) Jose Calderon (4) Jameer Nelson (4) Mike Bibby (3) Russell Westbrook (3) Mike Conley (3) Randy Foye (3) Ramon Sessions (3) TJ Ford (3) Chris Duhon (3) Mario Chalmers (3) Rodney Stuckey (3) Aaron Brooks (3) Beno Udrih (3) Derrick Fisher (2) Luke Ridnour (2) Lou Williams (2) Keyon Dooling (2) Sebstain Telfiar (2) Steve Blake (2) DJ Augustine (2) Jordan Farmer (2) Jarret Jack (2) Will Bynum (2) SG Kobe Bryant (7) Dwyane Wade (7) Brandon Roy (6) Joe Johnson (6) Vince Carter (6) Andre Iguadala (6) Ray Allen (5) Allen Iverson (5) Richard Hamilton (5) Tracy Mcgrady (5) Manu Ginobili (5) Ben Gordon (5) Kevin Martin (5) Micheal Redd (5) OJ Mayo (5) Jammal Crawford (5) JR Smith (4) Nate Robinson (4) Jason Richardson (4) Eric Gordon (4) Jason Terry (4) Deloente West (4) John Salmons (4) Leandro Barbosa (4) Roger Mason (3) Von Wafer (3) Courtney Lee (3) Ronnie Brewer (3) Rudy Ferdenanz (3) Reja Bell (3) Marquise Daniels (3) Kellena Azuabiki (3) Mike Miller (2) Nick Young (2) Marco Belinili (2) Anthony Parker (2) Deshawn Stevenson (2) Thabo Sefolosha (2) Micheal Finley (2) Anthony Morrow (2) Dahanty Jones (2) Fred Jones (2) SF Lebron James (7) Carmello Anthony (6) Kevin Durant (6) Paul Pierce (6) Danny Granger (6) Ron Artest (5) Hedo Turkgulo (5) Gereld Wallce (5) Stephen Jackson (5) Rudy Gay (5) Caron Butler (5) Lamar Odom (5) Tayshaun Prince (5) Josh Howard (4) Jeff Green (4) Shawn Marion (4) Thadous Young (4) Reshard Lewis (4) Loul Deng (4) Richard Jefferson (4) Michael Beasly (4) Wilson Chandler (3) Andrei Kirlinko (3) Trever Ariza (3) Al Thorton (3) Travis Outlaw (3) Peja Stokavitch (3) Grant Hill (3) Shane Battier (3) Marvin Williams (3) Nichalos Batum (3) Mike Dunleavy (3) Jamario Moon (3) Andre Noicioni (3) Rasual Butler (2) Corey Brewer (2) Bobby Simmons (2) Kyle Korver (2) Bruce Bowen (2) Danillo Galinari (2) Luke Walton (2) Matt Barnes (2) Jarvis Hayees (2) Jason Kapono (2) Steve Novak (2) PF: Tim Duncun (6) Kevin Garnett (6) Dirk Nowitzki (6) Amare Stoudimare (6) Chris Bosh (6) Carlos Boozer (6) Josh Smith (5) David West (5) Lamarcus Aldrigde (5) Antwane Jaminson (5) Elton Brand (5) Emeka Okafor (5) Zach Randolph (5) Troy Murphy (4) Charlie Villinuava (4) Jermain O'neal (4) Kenyon Martin (4) David Lee (4) Paul Millsap (4) Kevin Love (4) Al Harrington (4) Luis Scola (3) Tyrus Thomas (3) Anthony Randolph (3) Udiunis Haslem (3) Jason Thompson (3) Hakim Warrik (3) Nenad Kristic (3) Antionio Mcdysee (3) Brandon Bass (3) Leon Powe (3) Jason Maxiel (3) Boris Diaw (3) Glen Davis (3) Ryan Anderson (2) Mariese Spieghts (2) Mikki Moore (2) Channing Frye (2) Derrel Aruther (2) Brandon Wright (2) Yi Jainlian (2) Craig Smith (2) C Dwight Howard (7) Al Jefferson (6) Yao Ming (6) Shaquille Oneal (6) Pau Gasol (6) Andreins Biendrins (5) Rasheed Wallace (5) Brook Lopez (5) Mehment Okur (5) Andrew Bynum (5) Nene (5) Chris Kaman (5) Zydruanus Iguaskis (4) Al Horford (4) Andrew Bogut (4) Spencer Hawes (4) Greg Oden (4) Tyson Chandler (4) Marcus Camby (4) Andrie Bargnani (4) Salem Dalembert (3) Joakim Noah (3) Kendric Perkins (3) Brenden Haywood (3) Brad Miller (3) Marc Gasol (3) Martin Gortat (3) Chris Anderson (3) Joel Przbilla (2) Javal Mcgee (2) Roy Hibbert (2) Josh Boone (2) Zaza Pachualla (2) Robin Lopez (2) Rasho Nestervitch (2) Ryan Hollins (2) DeAndre Jordan (2) Rookies: Blake Griffin (5) James Harden (4) Hasheem Thabet (4) Tyreke Evens (4) Johny Flynn (4) Stephen Curry (4) Jorden Hill (4) Demere Derozen (3) Brndon Jennings (3) Terrence Williams (3) Gereld Henderson (3) Tyler Hansborough (3) Earl Clark (3) Austin Daye (2) BJ Mullins (2) Jodie Meeks (2) Dejuan Blari (2) Sam Young (2) Jrue Holiday (2) James Johnson (2) Chase Budingher (2) BJ Mullins (2) Ty Lawson (2) Jeff Teagues (2) Eric Maynor (2) Darren Collinson (2) Taj Gibosn (2) Tony Douglas (2) Coaches: (cost nothing) Mike D'Antoni Larry Brown Don Nelson Jerry Sloan Byron Scott Rick Adelmen Doc Rivers Flip Saunders Popovich Let's see who can come up with the best overall team.

Wizards should be able to take the fourth seed, thus facing ATL or Miami in the playoffs. Then we have a real chance at the second round. But I wouldn't call it a sweep if we faced the C's or Cavs or Magic. Now with this lineup.

This Celtics squad (with the addition of Marquis and Big Baby) is better than the 2008 squad. They're better on defense, they are experienced, and barring no injuries, they have the best team.

Great article, I couldn't agree more. Though I think the West has more talent, and will continue to have 4 or 5 teams reaching 50 wins each year, the power has shifted.

"LeBron James does it again, he has taken out the Washington Wizards!" These are the highlights that have defined the Washington Wizards this decade. From calling one of the league's elite as overrated to hearing Jay Z diss an entire team, we witnessed it all. From crab dribbles to game winners, from Cleveland, Ohio to the Nations Capital, from Deshawn Stevenson to LeBron James, if there's one thing fans in D.C recognize, it's humiliation. "The Washington Wizards are the dumbest team of all time." "Put this one in the books, the Cavaliers have defeated the Washington Wizards." "Another year, another playoff exit for the Washington Wizards." D.C. sports has not witnessed a championship since Joe Gibbs first tenure as Head Coach of the Washington Redskins in 1987. The Wizards alone have not won a Championship since Dick Motta was the Head Coach. We have had 5 non playoff seasons, 3 first round exits, and 1 second round exit this decade. Losing has been too relevant in D.C, but as our President once stated, If you're walking down the right path and you're willing to keep walking, eventually you'll make progress. In the 2006-2007 season, the Wizards achieve first place in the East by the all-star break with their star trio of Arenas, Butler, and Jamison. However, about 10-15 games in the second half and of the season Arenas and Butler get injured and the team plummets without its two best players to the 7th seed with a record of 41-41. Eventually they get swept in the first round against none other than the Cleveland Cavaliers. In 2007-2008 season, Arenas tries to comes back far too early from a micro-fracture surgery because it was his contract year and is gone in 13 games. However the improved play from Butler, Jamison, and Haywood plus the passing of Daniels gets the team to 43 wins, with the East very weak, we’re able to grab 5th seed. Haywood averaged 11 and 7 on a 58%TS while being one of the better defenders at the C position. Stevenson shoots 38% 3pt from three while taking 5 per game and becomes one of the better defensive stoppers in the league. This team takes the Cavaliers to 6 games, but ended up losing a controversial series which featured the likes of Jay Z and Soulja Boy, along with many on the court altercations. In the 2008-2009 season, Haywood goes down with an injury in 6 games, and Stevenson battles a bad back and ankle for 32 games until he calls it quits. Antonio Daniels is traded for Mike James to cut cost, and the team goes into tanking mode, leaving Jamison and Butler with three solid players which have potiential in Nick Young, JeVale McGee, and Andray Blatche. Our genius interim coach, Ed Tapscott, felt these players only deserved 22, 15, and 24 minutes respectively, despite the fact that outside of these three players and our remaining two stars, no one else belonged on a NBA roster. I could care less about a few assumptions, mainly because it's a bunch of half assed assessments about a team hardly anyone watches. The Wizards have a lot of "ifs" in the equation this year but a lot people are detracting from the Wizards on equally big "ifs" (as if that's really different than any other team). Yes, if they're going to succeed, they need Arenas to be healthy, and for young players like Blatche, Young, McGee, McGuire (how do I know that people don't pay attention to the Wizards, it's because McGuire's never mentioned, if they did pay attention, it'd be readily clear to anyone that McGuire is going to make a strong push for rotation minutes next season), and Crittenton to take the next step in their development to really be a factor making a strong push for the playoffs. But even then, they still have a relatively veteran team with Jamison, Butler, Haywood, and Miller there, along with a veteran coach (which will take good bit less adjusting than hiring a completely new coach), so they'll be able to score. And while their relative lack of defense might be a problem in the playoffs, it really isn't going to hurt them as much in the regular season as one might think. The 42-40 record is a misnomer (which I've pointed out before) because the team as a whole wasn't healthy for the majority of it. Not to mention it happened three seasons ago and not four (see, this season hasn't happened yet). To add on to that, the fifth seed last season won 43 games (they didn't really improve either). The top three teams improved to varying degrees and it's arguable if the Hawks improved (I guess Jamal Crawford is an upgrade), but outside of them (and maybe the Raptors), every other Eastern Conference team is at best treading water and hoping for improvement inside the organization rather than getting something from outside. In Arenas case, the guy went through microfracture surgery. It takes a while to come back from it, but, in recent history, players coming back to their previous level typically in two 2 years time, see Amare and Kidd, have returned playing at a high level. Guess how long it has been for Arenas. Stevenson had the surgery in March so he should be ready by opening day, if he’s still not fully recuperated then we use nick Young off the bench. Stevenson was as good a shooter as Mike Miller from 3, but he’s a much better defender, so expect him to play some big minutes next year. Here’s the most probable rotation this season: PG: Gilbert Arenas --- Randy Foye --- Javaris Crittenton SG: Mike Miller --- DeShawn Stevenson --- Nick Young SF: Caron Butler --- Dominic McGuire PF: Antawn Jamison --- Andray Blatche C: Brendan Haywood --- JaVale McGee --- Fabricio Oberto Stevenson, Butler, and Haywood are at least good defenders and Jamsion and Arenas offensive production more than makes up for whatever liabilities they may be on the defensive end easily, which are seriously overrated. All the bench players except for Miller and Young are good defenders and you can bet Young will get better simply to keep his job. The defense would only have to be average to win 50-55 games. Offensively this team will be an absolute nightmare to defend. A healthy Arenas and Butler form one of the great perimeter scoring duos. Again before micro-fracture Arenas put up 29 on a 58 TS% in 05-06 and 28 on a 57 TS%. Caron the third option just put up 21 on a 55 TS%. The second option Jamison put up 22 on 55% TS. At the pace Washington plays I don’t think these numbers would drop that much. Stevenson and Miller prevent helping by being such good shooters. Haywood as well considering he scores on 11 a 58%TS. The Wizards offense (or the way Saunders has traditionally ran his offense) doesn't rely on one single playmaker to do all the work in the vein of the Jazz or the Hornets, so you don't have to worry about having one designated playmaker as long as you have a number of players who can spread the ball. And they lost size in the trade, but Thomas and Pech didn't play at all, and really the Wizards had to get rid of Songaila if they wanted to develop McGee and Blatche further. None of the pieces they gave are is any big loss to what they got. If this team is healthy, the question isn’t will this team make the playoffs it’s how far this team goes in the playoffs. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/231111-washington-wizards-a-new-era

The Celtics should pick up Bowen, he could come off the bench to back up Pierce, while having Marquis backing up Ray Ray. Either way, it's a positive addition to the team.

Anyone from RBS probably, Warren2Thag, TNK, ECN, etc.