The Lone Granger

This is who they are hoping will be able to take on Bosh's role of the past seasons in the next couple years. They drafted him hoping he could become a solid scorer in the paint, and a good rebounder. Let me re-phrase the Bosh part. They want him to be just as important to the team, and be able to score and rebound similar to what CB4 did. Granted, he probably will never reach that kind of player that Bosh was for the Raps, but he very well could turn into one of the better starting power forward in the league in my opinion, maybe even an All-Star game or two. All that depends on how healthy he stays after he comes back, and also how hard he works to improve his game. As of right now, if he doesn't take things seriously, and he stays happy with what his game is like right now, then he'll have issues in the future. However, if he does work hard, then I could see a very bright future for Ed Davis in Toronto. I'm looking forward to seeing what he brings to the team when he returns.

I really disagree with this post. If Barbosa is completely healthy, you can put him in a big role for your team. I agree that Triano needs to make some role changes, and actually explain what his players need to do to help the team, but Barbosa could be a very big part of the Raptors. I do agree with what you said BFT, just have the surgery and come back ready to play in a few months. Why wait and hope it heals? You could miss the rest of the season if that doesn't work out. That, and if you have surgery, you are sure to get it completely healed rather than just temporarily healed until after the season. I think he should go ahead and get the surgery personally.

Dang, that's impressive. At age 14, and already 7-feet tall? How tall could he be once he gets to the NBA? If he keeps growing like most kids do, then he'll probably end up being taller than Yao Ming. This kid could be a big star in the future assuming he keeps on the trail that people are expecting.

I'll be honest, I was one of the many doubters of the Cavs coming into the season, simply because they lost LeBron. What I didn't think about, was how much talent they really have on that roster. Anderson Varejao has proven to be a hustling, defensive-minded big man. J.J. Hickson is a rising star in my opinion. Your starting to see what he can bring to the offensive end of the floor, and he's also been rebound as well. Anthony Parker was a huge piece for the Raptors back a few years ago, and he just didn't fit well with LeBron last year. We saw him hit a clutch three late in the game last night, and I think he can continue to do that just like he did in Toronto. Also guys like Daniel "Boobie" Gibson, Mo Williams, Ramon Sessions, Jamario Moon, and I never thought I'd say this....Ryan Hollins have been very solid for the Cavs. Great point to bring up man, and I agree. If they continue to play great team basketball, then they could be contenders in the East even without LeBron James. At times, it was overlooked back in the day, but it appeared that LeBron really restricted the way the Cavs could have played at times. Is it possible that now that they don't have a "go-to guy", they will play better basketball because they are trying to get everyone involved? I think the answer to that question is yes.

False. I'm sorry, but every team is going to have some off nights, and I laugh at the Heat fans for thinking this team could win 80 or more games. It's almost tougher for stars, especially elite scorers like LeBron and Wade to play together. Bosh hasn't quite gotten into the playing style of the Heat either because he was accustomed to being a number one scorer in Toronto. You can't go writing off a coach before your even a quarter of the way through the season. You have to remember that Wade wasn't even able to play during the preseason, so they are still getting used to playing as a team. Also you don't have Mike Miller out there. This is not Spoelstra's fault, and yes the Heat would come out flat in some games, especially early on in the season with the things they've been going through, even if Riley were the coach.

Why are Heat fans blaming Spoelstra? In my opinion he's really been doing just about as good a job as he can. On the court, the three stars aren't working very well together, and they are trying to turn every single play into a highlite, and in my opinion that has been hurting them. Riley definitely wouldn't be the answer for them, and I don't know why everyone is calling for the coaching change. Doesn't make sense to me...

Rockets Discussing Ways to Increase Yao's Minutes Sounds like they are considering upping his minutes. Not surprising considering the fact that he's been playing very good basketball and they play much better when he's in the game. I think they should let Yao decide when his body needs a rest. Personally, I think he won't risk getting hurt like that again, because #1, it keeps him out of basketball for a long time, and #2 because he doesn't want to go through that kind of pain again. If they let him play, and him tell them when he's feeling either too tired, or in pain, then I think that could be a very good way to give him the number of minutes he can play, but not play him too much. Maybe that's just me, but that sounds like a smart move in my opinion. Thoughts?

And here we go with Zach Randolph yet again. Is it a possibility that he's already talking about wanting to play with another team while he's still with Memphis? Granted, they have yet to sign him to an extension, but I'm sure they want to, and he needs to have some loyalty to the Grizz. They gave him the chance that they needed, and they have given him the opportunity to revive his career, and to already be thinking about joining another team? Wow. Sure, they haven't confirmed this yet, and we're not even sure he's talked about it, but still even the fact that rumors are coming out, and that he's not been vocal about wanting to stay is cause for worry in Memphis. What do you guys think will happen with this situation? Thoughts?

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/recap?gameId=301109011 Danny Granger: 19 Points, 5 Assists Josh McRoberts: 10 Rebounds, 5 Assists Roy Hibbert: 17 Points, 6 Rebounds, 3 Blocks Mike Dunleavy: 31 Points, 6-10 3PT Darren Collison: 29 Points, 6 Assists Tyler Hansbrough: 20 Points, 9 Rebounds Brandon Rush: 16 Points, 7 Rebounds All around great game from everybody who played. Dunleavy came up huge with those 31 points, and we spanked the Nuggets! Great game, and the fans in Conseco Fieldhouse are really starting to cheer on this Indiana Pacer team, and turn out to the games. We've already sold out once, and we came close yet again tonight. If we keep playing this kind of basketball, I could see us being contenders to make the Playoffs number one, and also maybe a threat to win a couple series' if teams take us lightly. Maybe that's just an overreaction to this dominating win, but I'm feeling really good about what Indiana is building after tonight. What do you guys think about both this game, and what Indiana has this year? Do you think they will make the Playoffs? Do you think they can actually contend in the East? What are your thoughts on the 2010 Indiana Pacers? Thoughts?

Haha got to love it! I'm very pumped after watching this game. Couldn't believe Dunleavy's game, and Collison, Granger, Hansbrough, Rush, and the rest of the squad looked good as well. McRoberts man! How could you miss that, in fact he could you even shoot it? Great game beating a very solid Denver team. That being said, do you guys think the Pacers have a chance to be contenders this season? We've shown night in and night out (minus the 76er game), that we compete with anyone, and now we stand at 3-3. What do you guys think?

Let's get ourselves back to .500! We got this, come on guys! Also looking forward to seeing what Brandon Rush can do for us in his first game of the season off the bench. Hopefully he's worked his confidence up, and can put up some decent numbers. Granger vs. Melo will be a good matchup as well.

Brandon Rush to Come Off Bench Well good to hear that he is back and coming off the bench. I wish we'd start Paul George, but obviously O'Brien thinks Dunleavy has been playing good basketball, even though he hasn't. Rush probably will get the starting job back after a few games, but it's probably good that they are going to start out bringing him off the bench. Can't wait to see if he's gotten more aggressive over the offseason. Thoughts?

Pistons Haven't Discussed Trade With Hawks http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/70014/20101109/pistons_havent_discussed_trade_with_hawks/ Thoughts?

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/69997/20101108/durant_hints_he_may_need_rest/ This isn't surprising considering how hard he worked to play for team USA this summer. That's the only problem for teams allowing their star players to play for Team USA, they aren't going to get the rest they need over the offseason. Hopefully this doesn't keep affecting Durant for too long, otherwise the Thunder could be in some serious trouble. They should try to put Harden in the game and give Durant a few more minutes of rest per night, and just see if that works. If not, then they might have to give him some nights off...which would be tough for them. Thoughts?

It's disappointing to see this. Saunders is a great coach, and like Wall2Wall was saying, the players are young, and the only way they'll get better is to listen to him, and buy into his system. They are not going to start winning games anytime soon if they don't listen to the coaching they are receiving. If they really want to ignore Saunders and lose, then it's all on them at this point in time. I think you'll see guys like Gilbert Arenas and Josh Howard start to be vocal leaders in practice, and make sure the young guys are paying attention. Definitely bad news for Wizards fans though.

Welcome to the site man! Great to have another over seas NBA fan on board here at OTR. Hope you have fun, and are able to post around a lot! See you around the forums.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/69979/20101107/jazz_sloan_close_to_extension/ This is definitely the best move for the Jazz. Their lack of playing well lately doesn't have anything to do with the coaching that's for sure. Sloan is one of the best coaches in the NBA, and possibly nearing the top-10 in NBA history. Good move for Utah. Thoughts?

Loved it. Great win for the Packers, and great to see us get our feet back under us after the 3 losses. Keep it up Pack!

As of right now I have to say that Derrick Rose is the better basketball player. Sure, Wall means much more to the Wizards, but Rose has proven himself at the NBA level. Once John Wall proves himself, and if he lives up to even half of his potential, then I think it will be a dead race. If he gets to his full potential, he'll be knocking at the door for best NBA player in the league, not just point guards. That's my take on it anyways.

He'll finish the year out around 8-8, and then they'll make the move in the offseason when Favre leaves as well. I could see them going after a guy like Bill Cowher to replace him...just a thought.

Welcome back to OTR man! Great to see another NBA fan return. Hope you have fun and stay active this time around!

http://www3.pictures.gi.zimbio.com/Seattle+Seahawks+v+Green+Bay+Packers+lM5PdSAvzC6l.jpg Never will forget that game-ending INT return against the Seahawks. He's one of my favorite players to ever play in a Packers uniform that I've had the enjoyment of watching, definitely sad to see him go. I wish him luck with wherever he goes, and hopefully he doesn't sign with the Eagles, because I don't want him to play against us in the Playoffs if we both make it. Go somewhere in the AFC! Lol, or just retire as a Packer?

That is the exact question I was thinking about. The reason Phillips stayed so long was because he did whatever JJ wanted him to do. As for Garrett, like everyone says, he is worse, but at least it's a change of scenery in Dallas. If Jones does decide to get a new coach at the end of the year, then adding Dungy or Cowher would be a perfect fit for them in my opinion. Someone else to look at would be a Mike Holmgren type of guy who you know loves coaching and might have to think twice, or three times about coaching a team like the Cowboys. I agree with ABL though that Jones is not going to bring one of those great coaches in.

Well, the Colts lost the game here, and in my opinion it shows a lot of weakness for them. They're still a very talented team, that has been depleted by injury, don't get me wrong, but I think their window is closing fast to compete for another Super Bowl. Manning is getting older, and while he's still playing great football, I've started to see some age wearing down on him. He'll be able to play at a good level for a few more years, but the team around him is getting a lot older. Reggie Wayne, Dwight Freeney, Robert Mathis, and the rest of the stars in Indy just aren't quite what they used to be. Sooner or later, the Colts are going to have to start re-building. Just sad to see happening, but thought I'd bring that out.