The Lone Granger

I can't wait for this game! Tough season opener on the road at San Antonio, but I'm excited to see how our young team performs. Should be a good game. Usually is when we play the Spurs for some reason...or at least it seems like it is.

Being traded from Houston to New Orleans could be a very big part of turning Ariza back around to the days with the Lakers. With CP3 at the point, I think you'll see Ariza getting quite a few alley-oop passes, and with his athleticism he will go up and finish them. If you remember back in the days when Tyson Chandler played with Chris Paul, I think this could be a very similar relationship between the two players....just not to a seven-footer on the alley-oop. Some of the things that I saw in the preseason is that Ariza isn't scared to shoot the ball like he was in Houston. He knows he is probably their #2 scoring option, and he knows that he has to put the ball in the bucket. He's even been stroking some threes home throughout the preseason. All that being said, what kind of numbers do you see him putting up? PPG: RPG: SPG: Anything Else: I'm really expecting big things from Ariza this year, let's hear what you guys think he'll do. Thoughts?

Redick really had a break out season last year with the Magic, and was finally used in the game! Coming into this season, it almost appears that he may have lost his role (see the preseason), but maybe that's just because it's the preseason. Do you guys expect Redick to have a big year? Or will he be buried on the bench yet again? What kind of stats do you think he'll put up? PPG: RPG: APG: Anything Else: So answer the question, and explain why you think he'll have the season your predicting for him. Thoughts?

I've been watching this preseason the two power forward options for the Pacers, and they both are playing very good basketball. Heading into the preseason, all signs were pointing to Josh McRoberts being the unquestioned starter, but after Hansbrough's play, it is said to be about 50-50 right now. That being said, I wanted to see who you guys think should start? Hansbrough is a better post player, rebounder, and defender, but McRoberts brings a lot more athleticism, passing, and shooting. All that being said, who should start? Tyler Hansbrough or Josh McRoberts? Thoughts?

I'm very happy with the way we've handled everything. We aren't trying to go out, break the bank and bring in star players, we're trying to keep this as a rebuild. And in all honesty, I think we might get a guy like Horford if he's a free agent, simply because he probably won't take a max contract, or even if he does he fits us perfectly. I think the Pacers are headed in the right direction, and I'm very excited to see what other moves we make both this year, and this coming offseason. Thoughts?

This is too bad. I thought Rolle would have played a decent role with the team had he been given a shot. Bird kept raving about how Magnum would play a big part both in this year and in the future, obviously he was just talking. Too bad, but if we need a big later on in the year, I could see us signing Rolle again. Thoughts?

I've been thinking about this question for the last few days, and finally worked up the motivation to write an article about it. So often you hear a player referred to as a "superstar", but are the people using these terms correct in their wording? I would say that there are only a few superstars in this league, Kobe Bryant LeBron James Dwyane Wade Carmelo Anthony Chris Paul Deron Williams Kevin Durant Are a few of those who come to mind when I think of superstars. Now, those players that I've heard referred to as superstars are Joe Johnson, Danny Granger (as much as I'd like it to be the case he is not a superstar), Russell Westbrook, Chris Bosh, and many other as well. I personally don't see these guys as superstars at all. There is a group above all, including the above listed players (Durant, James, Wade) that I do consider superstars. The question I have, is how can you label the other guys superstars when all they do is score the ball. The reason that superstars are called superstars is because they are good at everything. Joe Johnson is a great player, and is a star (the level below super star), but he doesn't do enough of everything else to make that top tier. As for my favorite player Danny Granger, yet again he's a great scorer, but not that great at everything else. So I just thought I'd write up this quick little piece about it, and see what you guys think. Who are the superstars in the NBA today? I would love to hear your thoughts about what players don't make the cut as well. Hope to get some responses to this! Thoughts?

This is a debate that a friend and I were having, which of these players is, (A) The Better Player (B) More Important to His Team And I wanted to hear what your guys' opinions on these two things are. I voted Granger for both of these and I'll explain why in more detail after a few replies. Personally, Granger is the better shooter, and he can drive to the bucket and finish just as well (althought Iguodala can throw the ball down a lot better), and Granger also is about even with him in ball-handling. As for defensively, I think Iggy has him in overall defense, but Granger is the better shot-blocker. It's very hard to vote one or the other, but I want to hear what you guys think. Thoughts?

Hayward really surprised me in the presesason. I was one of the many doubters, and I'll admit to that, but from seeing him play some exhibition games, I think he could have a very solid season. He'll probably be a starter, and if not every night he will get some spot starts. Number wise I'm not really sure what to predict for him, but I'll go with, 9 PPG 4 RPG 3 APG or something like that. I do think he's going to have an impact in his rookie season though. Looking forward to watching him.

I'm not really sure what the hold up could be, but I really hope he becomes a free agent. As a Pacers fan, we'll have some cap space after this season, and we need a power forward very badly. Horford would be that star, but not top tier level that could actually sign a contract in Indiana. If he doesn't reach an agreement with the Hawks, then I see Larry Bird going very hard after him in free agency, which would be a Godsend for us Pacers fans. It would really re-juvinate the city even more than the Darren Collison trade did.

Welcome to OTR man, thanks for joining! Hope you have fun, and are able to stay active! See you around the forums!

Really looking forward to this game. Two young and up-coming teams facing off against each other. Rose vs. Durant. It's too bad that Carlos Boozer is injured, that would make this a much more entertaining game. As it is, I think OKC wins this one by around 6-7 points. Can't wait to watch it though!

It's pretty sad when your star players is saying that he doesn't see your team in the playoffs. Suns fans have to feel let down a bit after hearing this. They still have talent with Richardson, Nash, and Grant Hill there, but they need a big man to step up. Hakeem Warrick? Who knows but someone needs to help fill the hole left by Amare.

More details as they come out. Thoughts on the deal?

I don't really know all that much about this kid, but he sounds like he has a ton of talent. Just got done watching a video of him, and he looks like he'd be a great addition for Orlando. Does anyone know much about this kid? If you do please share what you know about his game, and what will translate to the NBA. Thoughts?

Ronnie Brewer for Dahntay Jones would be a deal from the Pacers any day of the week. As for the Mavs, what kind of deal would you give for Jones?

Well look at that, they decided to go out and do it. Who do you think they'll cut now? James Jones? Beverly? What do you guys think?

Kobe doesn't guard Durant. He doesn't get matched up with small forwards from what I've seen. I remember Artest was guarding him.

I agree that he's a major key to the Jazz. His defensive ability has been well marked over the past several seasons, and he's also grown a lot on the offensive end of the floor. He's calmed down a lot and become a decent on-court leader, and he hustles after the ball quite often and rebounds decently as well. Definitely don't blame them for not wanting to move him. Thoughts?

Update Thoughts?

I think he should be given an extension. He averaged 15.3 PPG last season, and I think he proved that he is worthy of the extension playing wise. Chandler can score, and also grab rebounds (5.4). Why not give him an extension? He's yet another young piece for the Knicks, and is continuing to grow as a basketball player. Thoughts?

Lol wow, that's ridiculous. Awesome, but ridiculous.

I'm going to say Roy Hibbert. He's worked on his game a ton, lost weight, gotten quicker, increased rebounding skills, and moves in the paint. I think he'll be a major candidate for this.

He showed last season that he could still play with the Bucks, but the question is still legit, who do they want to get rid of? I guess you could say James Jones would be one that you could get rid of, and maybe Beverly? But even then should you really do that for an aging player who might not last an entire NBA season? I don't think that would be a good idea. I say wait and see what your team looks like in January, and if you need him, you can sign him and play a half a season.

Melo would be welcomed in Cleveland with open arms by most people. You go from losing LeBron, to bringing in another superstar from the same draft class? Why not? It would make sense to me, but it also makes sense from Anthony's perspective why he wouldn't want to sign with the Cavs. I'm pretty sure that he's looking to go to a bigger market team, which is obvious in his desire to go to New York. This would definitely be interesting to see, but I don't see it happening.