NBA addicts and basketball junkies.
Do you find yourself wishing the NBA season was still here?
Are you counting the days until the 2009 season starts?
And tired of watching old games on the DVR over and over again?
You don't have to suffer anymore. There is a fix to your addiction. You can be helped.
The NBA Las Vegas Summer League can solve your problem.
Where else can you stay in a hotel for less then $20 a night, eat all you want for $2.99, get free beer, and watch six NBA games, all in one day for only $25? **
Sounds too good to be true, right?
You heard correct. This has to be one of the best travel bargains in the world for an NBA junkie.
Sounds tempting, no? It gets better.
Twenty-one NBA teams composed of the best from college, top NBA rookies, and eager free agents will all be playing hard to get a spot on your favorite NBA team.
It's fun. It's exciting. It's more than amazing. And it's a blast!
I know, I've been there, and am still on a buzz, and high from my experience.
Good seats, eh buddy?!
Everything is close. It feels like you're not only in the middle of stuff, but part of it.
You don't have to be a Movie or Rock star to get great seats. The benches are right in front of you. What would you pay for that seat in a big NBA arena?
During warm-ups, I went up to the legendary Lakers coach, Tex Winter and said "Hi." He said, "Hi" back.
And when the game starts, you can yell at the players, and they wave back. Once, Yi pointed and waved back to us after we all chanted his name.
You sit next to, not only other basketball junkies and fellow addicts, but NBA scouts, coaches, and General Managers. Some will take the time to talk to you, if you are not afraid to ask questions.
This is how up close, and personal, it can get,
Once, I was using the urinal next to George Karl, while he was talking to a scout. If not for the awkwardness, I could have gotten his autograph.
"Coach Karl, when you're through, can you sign my program?!"
After the game, the players come up to the lobby for a meet and greet. Not just to sign autographs, but you can actually visit and ask questions.
The Crowd
Normal NBA crowds for me are way too laid back, but not this one.
The crowds really get into the game. They scream, yell, ooh and aah with the action, and challenge the NBA players to go at it, and sometimes they do. They really know basketball.
They love the slam dunks, swatted shots, and challenges, and then scream for more.
My daughter got into it and was yelling to Berea from the Dallas Mavericks, "Wow baby, you are looking good!" Then turned to me, and said, "Daddy, can I take him home, please!"
"The Elevator"
Next to the lobby, and near the court entrance is "the elevator," my favorite place to hang. I quickly learned that this is "the elevator" that might make a player's career or possibly crush it. Hanging around it, and waiting, were free agents, some very nervous, and their more nervous, "show me the money" agents.
"The elevator" would open, then they all would anxiously look and see if they were being invited by General Managers to go up. For them, it had to be like some version of The Twilight Zone. Oddly, I saw them go in, but never come back.
One time it opened and Steve Kerr came out, walked up to a player next to me and said "Let's go." He glanced at me, as if to say, "Are you with them?" I shook my head no, but felt like wishing the kid 'good luck'.
Into "the elevator" they went, up to some office to talk possible contracts. I was really nervous for that guy.
Are you going?
For this price, in this economy, almost anyone can afford this NBA fix. Even the wife or girlfriend will let you go. Just tell them its a vacation, "It Vegas baby!", and of course, take them as well.
I don't know why anyone would want all the other Vegas stuff, with all this going down. But if you feel compelled to drink, gamble, and party all night, then you can certainly do so, and the Vegas businesses will love it.
If you plan to go, here's some information from NBA.com. Check out your team's site and see who they are sending.
Look me up if you get a chance. I'm the guy, getting his "fix", by loitering near "the elevator" pretending to be some big-time agent.
** To get the free beer, you must be 21 and be betting in the casinos, or at least, like me, pretending to be pulling the slots.
Source
Friday, July 31, 2009
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Andersen reaches 5-year deal to stay with Nuggets
DENVER (AP) — Chris "Birdman" Andersen has reached a five-year deal to keep his high-flying, shot-blocking act with the Denver Nuggets, a team he revived his career with last season.
Andersen's attorney, Mark Bryant, confirmed the agreement on Wednesday, saying it could be signed later in the day. The deal was first reported by the Denver Post.
Andersen, who turned 31 on Tuesday, could make up to $26 million over the lifetime of a back-loaded contract that gives the Nuggets financial flexibility.
He'll make close to $3.65 million in 2009-10, up from the $998,398 he made last season, when he averaged 6.4 points and 2.5 blocks in 20.6 minutes.
"You write the best-case scenario, think you're dreaming and open your eyes and it's real," Bryant said. "He's very excited. They treated him as a priority."
With his colorful tattoos and spiky hair, Andersen was an instant hit with Denver fans, who've embraced his return to the court.
Andersen came back to the NBA in 2008 following a ban that lasted almost two years after he tested positive for an undisclosed "drug of abuse."
The energetic forward known for his defensive disruption around the basket provided a spark off the bench as the Nuggets made a run to the Western Conference finals, where they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
He swatted 175 shots in the regular season, second only to Orlando Magic All-Star Dwight Howard — in far less minutes.
Andersen began his career in Denver in 2001, before bolting to New Orleans three seasons later.
He had a breakout season with the Hornets 2004-05, only to have his career derailed by drugs.
Following his ban, Andersen returned to New Orleans late in the 2007-08 season, playing five games and blocking four shots.
Several teams offered him NBA minimum contracts before the 2008 season, but he elected to play in Denver, where he lives.
Andersen replaced Marcus Camby's shot-blocking presence in the middle, adding a big dose of energy as well — swooping his arms after big plays.
The fans ate it up. Some of Anderson's flock would even arrive at Pepsi Center wearing feathery costumes and spiky hair.
Andersen received a raucous ovation whenever he entered the game.
"They've really embraced him," Bryant said of his legion of fans. "I think it's a win-win (situation). They (the Nuggets) wanted him and he wanted to be here."
Source
Andersen's attorney, Mark Bryant, confirmed the agreement on Wednesday, saying it could be signed later in the day. The deal was first reported by the Denver Post.
Andersen, who turned 31 on Tuesday, could make up to $26 million over the lifetime of a back-loaded contract that gives the Nuggets financial flexibility.
He'll make close to $3.65 million in 2009-10, up from the $998,398 he made last season, when he averaged 6.4 points and 2.5 blocks in 20.6 minutes.
"You write the best-case scenario, think you're dreaming and open your eyes and it's real," Bryant said. "He's very excited. They treated him as a priority."
With his colorful tattoos and spiky hair, Andersen was an instant hit with Denver fans, who've embraced his return to the court.
Andersen came back to the NBA in 2008 following a ban that lasted almost two years after he tested positive for an undisclosed "drug of abuse."
The energetic forward known for his defensive disruption around the basket provided a spark off the bench as the Nuggets made a run to the Western Conference finals, where they fell to the Los Angeles Lakers in six games.
He swatted 175 shots in the regular season, second only to Orlando Magic All-Star Dwight Howard — in far less minutes.
Andersen began his career in Denver in 2001, before bolting to New Orleans three seasons later.
He had a breakout season with the Hornets 2004-05, only to have his career derailed by drugs.
Following his ban, Andersen returned to New Orleans late in the 2007-08 season, playing five games and blocking four shots.
Several teams offered him NBA minimum contracts before the 2008 season, but he elected to play in Denver, where he lives.
Andersen replaced Marcus Camby's shot-blocking presence in the middle, adding a big dose of energy as well — swooping his arms after big plays.
The fans ate it up. Some of Anderson's flock would even arrive at Pepsi Center wearing feathery costumes and spiky hair.
Andersen received a raucous ovation whenever he entered the game.
"They've really embraced him," Bryant said of his legion of fans. "I think it's a win-win (situation). They (the Nuggets) wanted him and he wanted to be here."
Source
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
NBA Summer League offers fresh start for players
Former UIC center Scott VanderMeer will be playing with Tyler Hansbrough (above) on Indiana's summer squad.For the college players from Chicago though the thing that the NBA Summer Leagues offer is a fresh start. I'm sure players, like former DePaul guard Dar Tucker, are happy to be playing meaningful basketball games again.
Tucker is playing with the Utah Jazz summer league team in Orlando. He already made an impact during his first game. Tucker, who went undrafted after leaving DePaul after his sophomore season, played more than 18 minutes and went 2-7 from the field. He scored seven points, grabbed six rebounds, dished out an assist and committed two turnovers. His 18:39 of playing time was the second most on Utah's roster.
Former UIC center Scott VanderMeer is also playing in Orlando. He's a member of the Indiana Pacers' Summer League team along with Tyler Hansbrough, Roy Hibbert and Josh McRoberts. VanderMeer played just 3:35 in his first game. He committed a turnover, missed a shot and got called for one foul. Playing on a team with such a big lineup he might struggle to find playing time.
The Las Vegas Summer League starts on Friday and three former Chicago college players will be playing in that league.
Deji Akindele is a 6'11" center that left Chicago State after his sophomore season in 2005. Since then he has played abroad, in the NBA Development League and with the Golden State Warriors. Akindele is playing on the Portland Trailblazers' team in Las Vegas.
Former DePaul forward Andre Brown has bounced around the CBA, D-League, Europe, Korea and made some short stops in the NBA since he declared for the draft in 2004. This summer he's playing on the Dallas Mavericks' team. Brown has played in 75 NBA games during the past three seasons, so he's just trying to stick in the league this time.
The player that might have the best chance of cracking a NBA roster thanks to a strong performance during the Summer League could be Othys Jeffers. Jeffers played at UIC and then transferred to Robert Morris. Last season he was named the D-League's Rookie of the Year after averaging 21 points per game and nine rebounds per game. This summer Jeffers is playing on the NBA D-League Select squad.
Hopefully all five of these players will play well and have a chance to further their professional careers at the next level.
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
The Celtics Catch a Glimpse of Their Future
The Salt Lake Tribune's Ross Siler continues his tour of the Orlando Pro Summer League. He filed this report for TrueHoop on the Celtics' youth movement:
Whether they're hanging championship banners or descending on Rasheed Wallace's house for the start of free agency, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen always will be celebrated as the Big Three of the Boston Celtics.
There's also the Little Three of Gabe Pruitt, Bill Walker and J.R. Giddens, who played in a combined 82 games for the reigning world champions last season and are in Orlando, Fla., for summer league this week.
 J.R. Giddens: Leading the Celtics' Little Three in Summer League. (Fernando Medina via Getty Images) |
"I think it's really important because we're young and we have fresh legs,” Giddens said. "One thing that you can't stop is Father Time, and when players get older, they might lose a step or two. You've just got to be able to come in and help them play games.
"You know, with Paul, last year I think that was part of what was going on. He didn't have enough rest. We can't play a whole game and expect him not to get tired, especially guarding the other team's best perimeter player and being our best perimeter scorer.”
The results for the Little Three so far have been mixed. Walker, who has been bothered by back spasms since Saturday, sat out Tuesday's 85-82 loss to Orlando. Pruitt had 14 points and five assists but struggled in hitting just one of six 3-pointers.
Giddens, meanwhile, enjoyed the brightest day, finishing with 17 points, six rebounds and four assists. Not a bad introduction for last year's first-round draft pick out of New Mexico, who played in just six games for Boston as a rookie.
"It's hard because we have a really good team,” Celtics assistant coach Mike Longabardi said, "so that's the reason we're here, to give those guys some opportunity.”
Even though it was 2,100 miles from Boston (and probably felt like a world away), the Celtics made use of the Utah Flash, their former NBA Development League affiliate, the past two seasons with Pruitt, Walker and Giddens.
The Celtics were so committed to the Flash, they shipped assistant general manager Dave Wohl to Utah with Giddens for the start of training camp, with Wohl sitting in on practices and coaches' meetings.
Giddens said he was able to "find myself as a player” with the Flash. He was the only Celtic to play for a championship last season, even if it was in the D-League Finals against the Colorado 14ers.
Based on what he saw, Flash head coach Brad Jones came away believing Walker probably was closer to contributing than Giddens, though he added, "I think all three of them will be NBA players, will have a decent career in the NBA.”
Giddens impressed Tuesday at the RDV Sportsplex. He wore his socks high, had his jersey taped at the shoulders, and accessorized with a headband and a wristband.
(Taking a page from Jazz coach Jerry Sloan's rule book, Jones refused to let Giddens wear a headband during his time with the Flash. Giddens pleaded his case every time he had a good game, but Jones wouldn't relent.)
In the first quarter, Giddens missed two jumpers over Kasib Powell, before electing to attack the basket. He served notice by flipping the ball off the backboard for an alley-oop dunk in warmups, then drove for a ferocious slam midway through the opening period.
"You know, J.R. tells me that he was a shooter in high school and early in college,” Jones joked. "He's a guy that can really fill out a stat sheet. Obviously, his energy is terrific and he has a great motor. Part of that is why he needs to just settle himself down just a little bit.”
Giddens finally got a jumper to fall in the third quarter, then sized up Powell and buried another. He missed two shots in the final minute -- including a potential game-tying 3-pointer after Coby Karl's inbounds steal -- but it was a successful afternoon all the same.
"I would say that the big thing with him is that once he slows down, I think he's way better,” Longabardi said. "He's just been so excited because he wants to play so much, so badly.”
Monday, July 27, 2009
Iverson's ego own worst enemy
It is equal parts arms race, high-stakes poker (we'll see your Shaq and raise you a 'Sheed) and familiar tradition, this practice of top teams selectively plucking an NBA veteran free agent and enticing him with the prospect of a deep playoff run, a final season or two of fun and a few more solid (if not grand) paydays. Rasheed Wallace to Boston is a classic example, a player in the twilight of his career who is willing to fit his somewhat diminished skills into a specific role for a good team that's getting better. Grant Hill might try to do it with the Celtics, too, two years after applying the rationale in his move to Phoenix.
In Hollywood terms, it's the leading man or lady who transitions into character roles. Michael Finley and Antonio McDyess both did it recently, signing with defending champions San Antonio (2005) and Detroit ('04) respectively (and in McDyess' case, a year too late). Karl Malone tried it with the Lakers in '03. Gary Payton did it twice, jumping aboard the Lakers in '03, then getting it right with Miami in '05. Shaquille O'Neal's transfer to Cleveland is just a variation, officially a trade and way more trumpeted because of his overall Shaqness. But the idea still is the same: A household name who's past his All-Star prime, ready now to be a supporting player.
Allen Iverson ought to be next. The '01 MVP, nine-time All-Star and four-time scoring leader has the individual résumé for such a move. He presumably has the financial wherewithal to take the requisite pay cut after 13 seasons of superstar wages, including the $76.7 million extension he landed in '03 and the "lifetime" endorsement deal (whatever that means) he signed with Reebok in '01. He even has the game for it -- think instant offense, sixth man, the sort of player a coach could turn loose off the bench to mess with the opponents' second unit almost at will. At 34, Iverson still is quick enough, slippery enough and crafty enough to change games.
What he doesn't have, though, is the attitude for it. Or the personality, the ego, the inclination or the confidence. Iverson always has been the league's most self-contained offensive player, a dynamic, irrepressible and (pound for pound) generally durable scorer who asks as much of his own team's attack as he forces upon the other team's defense. It worked marvelously in Philadelphia, where Larry Brown directed players who were instructed to do all the things Iverson wouldn't or couldn't do. It did not work as well in Denver, where others wanted and needed the ball, and it most certainly did not work last season in Detroit, where the Pistons' run was over, and Iverson's pertinent number was not his 27.7-point scoring average but his $20.8 million expiring contract.
Yet Iverson still blames his "most miserable" season -- that's what he called it in a Detroit Free Press story Sunday -- on others. Recently fired Michael Curry "wasn't ready" to be an NBA head coach. Pistons boss Joe Dumars misled him into thinking he was acquired for competitive reasons, not payroll-clearing. That practice he skipped on Thanksgiving, his across-the-board dip in his numbers (17.4 ppg, 4.9 apg, 1.6 spg, 36.5 percent shooting with Detroit), his refusal to embrace or even tolerate a reserve role (fine for Richard Hamilton but not fine for AI), his somewhat mysterious back injury that clipped the final two weeks off his season? Not his fault.
Even setting aside all that, would the Lakers bother to plug Iverson into their hallowed triangle offense? Would the Spurs welcome his ball-hoggery? Would Iverson find a way to spell "ubuntu" with an I in Boston, clear out for LeBron James in Cleveland or facilitate either Dwight Howard or the three-point shooters in Orlando? No, no and no.
Which explains why we hear mostly of the Grizzlies as the team Iverson now might consider and be considered by. That's right, the lowly Grizzlies who won 15 fewer games than the Pistons in Iverson's season of misery. Murmurs about Miami might make sense if he were open to sixth-man status, but Iverson reiterated to the Free Press that he would retire rather than come off anyone's bench. Besides, the help Dwyane Wade is lobbying for -- "someone who can make plays and make others better" the Heat star told reporters in South Florida on Monday -- doesn't sound much like this guy.
Iverson says he wants to continue playing in the NBA but apparently only on his terms, with minutes and shots more of a priority than victories or rings. At least you can't say dollars, since the pay cut he'll be facing down to the mid-level exception (about $5.8 million) or some fraction thereof will be staggering wherever he goes. He just sounds incapable of changing, too insecure to handle the "Didn't you used to be 'The Answer'?" looks and questions.
In terms of NBA precedents, Iverson is way ahead of Shawn Marion and on the verge of eclipsing Latrell Sprewell as the most rapidly marginalized and fallen talent, non-crippling injury category. The transitions that Oscar Robertson, Wilt Chamberlain, Nate Archibald and Bob McAdoo successfully navigated, from Mr. Franchise types to supporting players who gained rings and added credibility late in their Hall of Fame careers, seems beyond him. Iverson's most face-saving option might be Europe, where he could truly be a gate attraction without rocking other NBA players' boats.
Don't forget, though, that even Dominique Wilkins -- after taking his dunking and scoring overseas for a couple of seasons -- eventually accepted diminished roles in Boston, San Antonio and Orlando near the end route to Springfield. Iverson, on the other hand, could end up like Madonna headlining on the casinos circuit because she wouldn't sing backup for Beyonce.
Around the league
• Not sure why Toronto would bother doing a sign-and-trade involving Marion, since the Raptors would be forced to take back salary obligations they rather would avoid. Doug Smith of the Toronto Star sees at least one benefit: greasing the agent.
• So was it Toronto's international culture that changed Hedo Turkoglu's mind or the extra $3 million over Portland's pitch that swayed him? What I do know is that, in a big-picture sense, a desirable free agent leaving Orlando, snubbing Portland and choosing Toronto seems a healthy thing for the league.
• If this was the Year of the Point Guard in the NBA draft, will it stack up to the NFL's famous Year of the Quarterback of 1983? Ed Weiland of HoopsAnalyst.com thinks so, and even draws parallels to the top prospects' draft order. As in: Ricky Rubio is John Elway, Jonny Flynn is Todd Blackledge, Stephen Curry is Jim Kelly and so on. That might seem OK with Minnesota -- who wouldn't want Elway, even if you end up with Blackledge, too? -- until you remember that Elway forced his trade away from the Colts to achieve legend status in Denver.
• Trail Blazers assistant Monty Williams scored one of the early interviews for Minnesota's coaching vacancy, meeting in Oregon over the weekend with Timberwolves president David Kahn. Williams, with four seasons on the Blazers' bench, at least has prepared for such a job in ways that Mark Jackson, an alleged favorite, has not done.
• Wizards coach Flip Saunders isn't second-guessing the move by GM Ernie Grunfeld to acquire Randy Foye and Mike Miller for the No. 5 pick that became Rubio. "I thought Foye improved a lot over the course of the season; he averaged 17 [points] per game," Saunders told a Minneapolis reporter. "And everybody gets down on Miller as far as he didn't shoot the ball as well as he had in the past. But he shot 48 percent from the field and 37 percent from the three. And for most guys, that would be a hell of a shooting percentage."
In the interest of accuracy, it wasn't how well Miller shot that was the issue; it was how often (just 7.5 field goal attempts per game, compared to a career average of 11.5 before '08-09 -- in a Minnesota situation where Miller had a green light nearly as bright as James, Wade and Kobe Bryant).
Source
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Utah International: 10 NBA Players from Around the World (12/05)
The Warrior’s Steady-Hand
When one talks of the Warriors most will first think of Stephen Jackson and Baron Davis. Then they’ll think of Monta Ellis, Al Harrington, and Matt Barnes. Those five maybe the faces and the heart of the team,
but I think the efficiency and work down-low of Latvian center Andris Biedrins is hugely-underrated. Biedrins is averaging 10.1 rebounds, and the 12 players that average more rebounds per game than Biedrins, Biedrins averages the least amount of minutes. Did I mention that he leads the league in FG% too?
Game by game, Biedrins stats may look inconsistent, but it’s more the coach and style than the ups-and-downs of the 6-11 center with long arms and great hands. Don Nelson loves his small ball, and he’ll start Harrington in the middle against teams with dominant centers, as he did with Dwight Howard. And Harrington played the majority of minutes when they played Yao Ming. So although Biedrins is good for a double-double each game, Harrington’s effectiveness in hitting threes determines Andris’s playing time about 30% of the time.
I think Nelly may be learning that though Biedrins isn’t going to draw opposing centers outside 10-feet, Biedrins is very effective in the pick-and-roll with Baron Davis.
Dare I say that Andris more than held his own against Dwight Howard too and I don’t think it was a coincidence that the Warriors started their run when Biedrins was in the lineup.
I am not complaining about Nelson at all. Being in the bay area, I’m lucky to catch many of the Warriors games; and they’ve perfected the up-and-down, shoot-the-first shot-offense while still getting back to scrap on defense. Additionally, Nelson was the one that first gave Biedrins (and Ellis) his shot, I just wish Biedrin’s minutes were more consistent.
Hedo or Memo?
When it came down to whom was the better Turkish player - Memo Okur or Hedo Turkoglu, the last couple of years had only strengthen my belief that Memo Okur was the better player. But things have flipped around this season. Both players are playing for teams that have great records and are contributing, but it’s Turkoglu this year that is having the better season, not just of the two players, but of his career.
I’ve always thought that Hedo Turkoglu’s decision making towards the end of games has been terrible, but I have to commend his play this year. He is key to Orlando’s start, I would even go to say that outside of Dwight Howard, he is the most important player on the Magic. I have no qualms in saying that Orlando wouldn’t be near where they are at this point of the season without him.
Thus far, Hedo has scored in double figures in every game this year and though his shooting percentages have taken slight dips, his offensive stats have skyrocketed. His eighth season in the NBA, Turkoglu is averaging career-highs in points this year (18.6), rebounds (6.1), and assists (4.1).
It’s early, and outside of a complete collapse, the Magic should be in the playoffs this season. To me, this is the time when Hedo will prove his worth to me. As I mentioned earlier, his decision making has never been great, and when the Magic are in a close playoff game this year, Hedo is their only truly-playoff-tested player. Let’s see if he has learned from his mistakes.
Mehmet Okur on the other hand has never had problems hitting in the clutch. Even last year in the playoffs when he hit a cold streak, he still found ways to hit a couple big time shots when they counted. But unlike Hedo, Memo is having a rough start to the 2008 season.
He truly had a great season last year; not only because he was one of the main cogs on an up-and-coming Jazz squad, he was also named to the NBA all-star team after putting solid numbers, and earned himself a reputation for hitting clutch shots.
But things have dropped this year - maybe because of Andrei Kirilenko’s renewed involvement (see below) and the continuation of Boozer’s dominance — however, Okur is playing roughly around the same amount of minutes an only shooting 1.5 less shots a game than last year, so it just might be a matter of raising his shooting percentage.
“I just go out there and play,” Okur said. “(Carlos) Boozer, Deron (Williams), Ronnie (Brewer) — those guys, they step up their game, especially on offensive end. So I just want to try to shoot open shots,” Okur has taken the team-first perspective when talking about his productivity this year “I‘m gonna do what I’m doing out there because Boozer is doing a great job on the block, and Deron creates open shots for us. … If I’m open, I’m gonna shoot it. If not, I’m gonna pass to whoever’s open.”
In addition to Memo shooting problems on the court, Okur went down with a slight injury that caused him to miss a game. He did come back strong the next game with 25 points in a win over Miami.
Who is Kyrylo Fesenko?
With the aforementioned injury to Memhet Okur (and to Carlos Boozer), 7-1, 288lbs Ukranian center Kyrylo Fesenko got called up f
rom the Utah Flash, his NBDL team, for the Jazz’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers Friday. Fesenko, who would also leave the game with an injury, did well in his short NBA debut — accumulating six points and seven rebounds in only 11 minutes.
Fesenko is a physical, energetic, and agile center. Constantly moving, looking for contact, aggressive with hair-flying. The way Kyrylo plays, I can see him being a more-effective Zaza Pachulia. His naivete might be his biggest asset, he doesn’t come into the NBA afraid of anyone and though light-hearted off the court, his intensity on-court will be his biggest asset. The kid wants to dunk the ball like Shaq circa 1995 every time he touches it “I like (Shaq’s) animal rage under the basket, his power,” he said. “When you look at him even on TV, you are afraid of him. He is huge, big…”
While trying out for the Pistons last year, Fesenko got a chance to meet his childhood idol Shaquille O’Neal. So what did Fesenko when he had a chance to chat with his basketball hero? He reportedly told Shaq in a half-joking fashion “I will dunk over (you), if (you) play one or two more years.”
This kind of humor and blase attitude off the court has apparently made quite an impression on the Utah media and his Jazz teammates, even though he’s only been a in Utah a month or so “He might be so unaware, he plays well,” said Carlos Boozer speaking of Fesenko’s
In his only NBA game thus far, Fesenko was hit on the side of the head Chris Mihm while attempting to rebound a missed shot. He left that game, but was activated for the next game against Miami, but with Okur and Boozer back from injury, Fesenko didn’t play nor get the chance to dunk on Shaq (he also didn’t play last night against Seattle).
Things, however are looking up for Kyrylo as his short 20-day stint in the NBDL has made an impression on Jerry Sloan “His demeanor out here is 100 percent better than what it was when he left. Not even playing basketball, just being around his teammates and being a little bit more professional about what he’s doing.” And Fesenko wasn’t phased when he moved to the D-League, “I want to play in D-League and to be here, to get enough of game time to adjust to American basketball,” he said before being called up “I repeat it 100 time, I am not upset about it. I glad to be here. What can be better than to have enough of game time — and a guaranteed contract with the NBA?”
I guess it’s Utah Jazz talk this week. I would be remiss to not mention Andrei Kirilenko’s progress this season. His renewed perspective has him filling up box-scores again including the third triple-double of his career (that seems odd that he wouldn’t had had more by now) — 20 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, 6 steals and 4 blocks.
The great thing about Kirilenko, for Kirilenko fans, Utah Jazz fans and Fantasy teams that have him on their team — it’s never just points or rebounds or assists, whenever he is on his game — you can always account on great block and steal numbers too.
Andrew Who Again?
Has there been any #1 draft pick in the last ten years that has flew under-the-radar as Andrew Bogut has thus far? In his third season, the 7-0 center from Australia is having another decent season by putting up 12.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks, but I really haven’t heard anything about him; there just isn’t much discussion of Bogut. Has he shown any potential to eventually become worth a #1 pick overall?
What I am saying is personally, I haven’t heard anything about Bogut, and for being a #1 overall pick, that’s a little odd to me. We’re still tracking the progress of Andrea Bargnani. Everyone knows all about LeBron James and Yao Ming. We’re still talking about Allen Iverson and Tim Duncan. Greg Oden hasn’t put on an NBA jersey and we’re still talking about him. We know that Olowakandi and Kwame Brown were complete busts; that’s been discussed and proven. So what of Andrew Bogut?
Is it because he is playing in Milwaukee and no one cares outside of brewtown? I mean, I feel Yi Jianlian will consistently get more press. The question is, what can we expect from the Australian center? The #1 pick of 2005 hasn’t really had the chance to become the focus point because of the Milwaukee’s perimeter-orientated offense with great guards Mo Williams and Michael Redd.
I wonder whether it’s because Bogut hasn’t asserted himself enough. The brash, confident, and dominant college player that we saw at Utah has yet to surface. Is he still learning the NBA game? Can anyone in or outside of Milwaukee let me in on what’s going on?
Will Anderson Varejao Still be a Fan Favorite if he Returns to Cleveland?
So Anderson Varejao decides to sign an offer sheet with the Bobcats… 3 years for 17 million… The Cavs have said that they’ll match the offer, but as of this writing nothing is solid. Varejao can opt out of the deal after the second season and become an unrestricted free agent - which is likely in either case.
Why? I think it’s plainly obvious that Andy is settling for 5.5 million a season and playing for the Bobcats for transparent reasons. Nothing wrong with playing with the improving-Bobcats, but if the choice is to play for $5.5 million on the maybe-playoffs Charlotte Bobcats or play with LeBron James and the Cavs, the Eastern conference champions? Andy’s got dollar signs in his eyes still.
It seems to me that Varejao’s plan is to play his ass off, opt-out when the time comes, and play the free-agent game again trying to get his ridiculous 10/mil. Andy my friend, you better pull in 20 and 10 this season to even get close to that — good luck. You’re competing with a lot of other up-and-coming Bobcats that have already established themselves offensively with the Cats — Okafor, the under-rated Raymond Felton, Gerald Wallace, Matt Carroll, and Jason Richardson. Whoa, on second thought you better focus on grabbing 15 rebounds, blocking 5 shots, and play D like Ben Wallace circa 2004 in order to get the 10 mil you are looking for. Maybe the Bulls will sign you?
Seriously, I’d rather pay Fesenko 10x his salary, I think he has much more potential than Varejao.
Nash done with Canada?
Steve Nash has said that he probably won’t participate in next year’s Olympics in Beijing even if Canada qualifies, and many believe that the two-time NBA MVP might be done with the Canadian National Team altogether.
Though Nash is saying that he is still undecided, he is leaning towards not participating. citing his responsibilty to the Phoenix Suns “I would say no, but I can’t really talk about it until the situation arrives and this season’s come to a conclusion,” Nash said. “But in my mind right now, I’m not going to play for Canada anymore. I just can’t do both.“
Many speculate that when Canada decided to part ways with Jay Triano, the Canadian National Team coach from 1998-2004 and a good friend to Nash, they knew that the decision would not entice Nash to come back.
Unlike many countries (and their press), Canadians aren’t calling for the Steve Nash’s head. Overall, it seems they take a nicer and more understanding approach to Nash’s likely decision.
“We can’t fault him.” said Triano, whom is currently an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptor “Nash has given so much over so many years. I mean, you can’t expect guys to play until they can’t walk any more. Especially now, when he’s playing on a team that plays so deep into the summer.”
Current national team coach Leo Rautlins was quoted as saying “(Steve’s) got a young family, and he’s got to do what he feels is best for him … And whatever he feels is best, we all support him.”
Coincidentally, Nash and his Phoenix Suns will be in Toronto tonight to play the Raptors. Even with the disappointing news, no doubt the Canadians will be giving the Victoria BC native a warm welcome/thank you.
Tony Parker, Ginobili Bigger Factors than Ever
With Tim Duncan going down with an injury that will keep him out the next few games, it will be time for Tony Parker to quiet those critics that assert his success is only based on Duncan’s inside presence. Given, the numbers of those critics have grown smaller over the last few years, but when Duncan went down, it was inevitable that I would come across something to that fashion.
While people drum up something to complain about the Spurs, they continue rolling through the regular season again at 15-3, with the second-best record in the league. And they’re doing it with less-reliance on Tim Duncan as Parker and Manu Ginobili are both averaging career-highs in points, FG attempts, 3pt FG attempts, FT Attempts, Assists and Rebounds.
Yes, without Duncan, they would be a different team, but the Spurs wouldn’t have had the last couple championships without the play of Manu and Tony Parker. The fact that the Spurs are still successful with less-effective Tim Duncan, shows that the Spurs are special and says a lot about the system Popovich has in place.
Sources: Okur Steps Back, Others Step Up (Deseret News), Fesenko Might Get Chance to Dunk on Shaq (Salt Lake City Tribune), NBDL Stint Helps Fesenko (Salt Lake City Tribune), Fesenko Fine with D-League (Deseret News), Cavs Match Bobcat’s Varejao Offer (AP), Nash at End of an Era with Canada (National Post), Tony Parker Profile (Yahoo), Manu Ginobili Profile (Yahoo)
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When one talks of the Warriors most will first think of Stephen Jackson and Baron Davis. Then they’ll think of Monta Ellis, Al Harrington, and Matt Barnes. Those five maybe the faces and the heart of the team,
but I think the efficiency and work down-low of Latvian center Andris Biedrins is hugely-underrated. Biedrins is averaging 10.1 rebounds, and the 12 players that average more rebounds per game than Biedrins, Biedrins averages the least amount of minutes. Did I mention that he leads the league in FG% too?Game by game, Biedrins stats may look inconsistent, but it’s more the coach and style than the ups-and-downs of the 6-11 center with long arms and great hands. Don Nelson loves his small ball, and he’ll start Harrington in the middle against teams with dominant centers, as he did with Dwight Howard. And Harrington played the majority of minutes when they played Yao Ming. So although Biedrins is good for a double-double each game, Harrington’s effectiveness in hitting threes determines Andris’s playing time about 30% of the time.
I think Nelly may be learning that though Biedrins isn’t going to draw opposing centers outside 10-feet, Biedrins is very effective in the pick-and-roll with Baron Davis.
Dare I say that Andris more than held his own against Dwight Howard too and I don’t think it was a coincidence that the Warriors started their run when Biedrins was in the lineup.
I am not complaining about Nelson at all. Being in the bay area, I’m lucky to catch many of the Warriors games; and they’ve perfected the up-and-down, shoot-the-first shot-offense while still getting back to scrap on defense. Additionally, Nelson was the one that first gave Biedrins (and Ellis) his shot, I just wish Biedrin’s minutes were more consistent.
Hedo or Memo?
When it came down to whom was the better Turkish player - Memo Okur or Hedo Turkoglu, the last couple of years had only strengthen my belief that Memo Okur was the better player. But things have flipped around this season. Both players are playing for teams that have great records and are contributing, but it’s Turkoglu this year that is having the better season, not just of the two players, but of his career.
I’ve always thought that Hedo Turkoglu’s decision making towards the end of games has been terrible, but I have to commend his play this year. He is key to Orlando’s start, I would even go to say that outside of Dwight Howard, he is the most important player on the Magic. I have no qualms in saying that Orlando wouldn’t be near where they are at this point of the season without him.
Thus far, Hedo has scored in double figures in every game this year and though his shooting percentages have taken slight dips, his offensive stats have skyrocketed. His eighth season in the NBA, Turkoglu is averaging career-highs in points this year (18.6), rebounds (6.1), and assists (4.1).
It’s early, and outside of a complete collapse, the Magic should be in the playoffs this season. To me, this is the time when Hedo will prove his worth to me. As I mentioned earlier, his decision making has never been great, and when the Magic are in a close playoff game this year, Hedo is their only truly-playoff-tested player. Let’s see if he has learned from his mistakes.
Mehmet Okur on the other hand has never had problems hitting in the clutch. Even last year in the playoffs when he hit a cold streak, he still found ways to hit a couple big time shots when they counted. But unlike Hedo, Memo is having a rough start to the 2008 season.
He truly had a great season last year; not only because he was one of the main cogs on an up-and-coming Jazz squad, he was also named to the NBA all-star team after putting solid numbers, and earned himself a reputation for hitting clutch shots.
But things have dropped this year - maybe because of Andrei Kirilenko’s renewed involvement (see below) and the continuation of Boozer’s dominance — however, Okur is playing roughly around the same amount of minutes an only shooting 1.5 less shots a game than last year, so it just might be a matter of raising his shooting percentage.
“I just go out there and play,” Okur said. “(Carlos) Boozer, Deron (Williams), Ronnie (Brewer) — those guys, they step up their game, especially on offensive end. So I just want to try to shoot open shots,” Okur has taken the team-first perspective when talking about his productivity this year “I‘m gonna do what I’m doing out there because Boozer is doing a great job on the block, and Deron creates open shots for us. … If I’m open, I’m gonna shoot it. If not, I’m gonna pass to whoever’s open.”
In addition to Memo shooting problems on the court, Okur went down with a slight injury that caused him to miss a game. He did come back strong the next game with 25 points in a win over Miami.
Who is Kyrylo Fesenko?
With the aforementioned injury to Memhet Okur (and to Carlos Boozer), 7-1, 288lbs Ukranian center Kyrylo Fesenko got called up f
rom the Utah Flash, his NBDL team, for the Jazz’s game against the Los Angeles Lakers Friday. Fesenko, who would also leave the game with an injury, did well in his short NBA debut — accumulating six points and seven rebounds in only 11 minutes.Fesenko is a physical, energetic, and agile center. Constantly moving, looking for contact, aggressive with hair-flying. The way Kyrylo plays, I can see him being a more-effective Zaza Pachulia. His naivete might be his biggest asset, he doesn’t come into the NBA afraid of anyone and though light-hearted off the court, his intensity on-court will be his biggest asset. The kid wants to dunk the ball like Shaq circa 1995 every time he touches it “I like (Shaq’s) animal rage under the basket, his power,” he said. “When you look at him even on TV, you are afraid of him. He is huge, big…”
While trying out for the Pistons last year, Fesenko got a chance to meet his childhood idol Shaquille O’Neal. So what did Fesenko when he had a chance to chat with his basketball hero? He reportedly told Shaq in a half-joking fashion “I will dunk over (you), if (you) play one or two more years.”
This kind of humor and blase attitude off the court has apparently made quite an impression on the Utah media and his Jazz teammates, even though he’s only been a in Utah a month or so “He might be so unaware, he plays well,” said Carlos Boozer speaking of Fesenko’s
In his only NBA game thus far, Fesenko was hit on the side of the head Chris Mihm while attempting to rebound a missed shot. He left that game, but was activated for the next game against Miami, but with Okur and Boozer back from injury, Fesenko didn’t play nor get the chance to dunk on Shaq (he also didn’t play last night against Seattle).
Things, however are looking up for Kyrylo as his short 20-day stint in the NBDL has made an impression on Jerry Sloan “His demeanor out here is 100 percent better than what it was when he left. Not even playing basketball, just being around his teammates and being a little bit more professional about what he’s doing.” And Fesenko wasn’t phased when he moved to the D-League, “I want to play in D-League and to be here, to get enough of game time to adjust to American basketball,” he said before being called up “I repeat it 100 time, I am not upset about it. I glad to be here. What can be better than to have enough of game time — and a guaranteed contract with the NBA?”
I guess it’s Utah Jazz talk this week. I would be remiss to not mention Andrei Kirilenko’s progress this season. His renewed perspective has him filling up box-scores again including the third triple-double of his career (that seems odd that he wouldn’t had had more by now) — 20 points, 11 rebounds, 11 assists, 6 steals and 4 blocks.
The great thing about Kirilenko, for Kirilenko fans, Utah Jazz fans and Fantasy teams that have him on their team — it’s never just points or rebounds or assists, whenever he is on his game — you can always account on great block and steal numbers too.
Andrew Who Again?
Has there been any #1 draft pick in the last ten years that has flew under-the-radar as Andrew Bogut has thus far? In his third season, the 7-0 center from Australia is having another decent season by putting up 12.6 points, 8.6 rebounds and 2.3 blocks, but I really haven’t heard anything about him; there just isn’t much discussion of Bogut. Has he shown any potential to eventually become worth a #1 pick overall?
What I am saying is personally, I haven’t heard anything about Bogut, and for being a #1 overall pick, that’s a little odd to me. We’re still tracking the progress of Andrea Bargnani. Everyone knows all about LeBron James and Yao Ming. We’re still talking about Allen Iverson and Tim Duncan. Greg Oden hasn’t put on an NBA jersey and we’re still talking about him. We know that Olowakandi and Kwame Brown were complete busts; that’s been discussed and proven. So what of Andrew Bogut?
Is it because he is playing in Milwaukee and no one cares outside of brewtown? I mean, I feel Yi Jianlian will consistently get more press. The question is, what can we expect from the Australian center? The #1 pick of 2005 hasn’t really had the chance to become the focus point because of the Milwaukee’s perimeter-orientated offense with great guards Mo Williams and Michael Redd.
I wonder whether it’s because Bogut hasn’t asserted himself enough. The brash, confident, and dominant college player that we saw at Utah has yet to surface. Is he still learning the NBA game? Can anyone in or outside of Milwaukee let me in on what’s going on?
Will Anderson Varejao Still be a Fan Favorite if he Returns to Cleveland?
So Anderson Varejao decides to sign an offer sheet with the Bobcats… 3 years for 17 million… The Cavs have said that they’ll match the offer, but as of this writing nothing is solid. Varejao can opt out of the deal after the second season and become an unrestricted free agent - which is likely in either case.
Why? I think it’s plainly obvious that Andy is settling for 5.5 million a season and playing for the Bobcats for transparent reasons. Nothing wrong with playing with the improving-Bobcats, but if the choice is to play for $5.5 million on the maybe-playoffs Charlotte Bobcats or play with LeBron James and the Cavs, the Eastern conference champions? Andy’s got dollar signs in his eyes still.
It seems to me that Varejao’s plan is to play his ass off, opt-out when the time comes, and play the free-agent game again trying to get his ridiculous 10/mil. Andy my friend, you better pull in 20 and 10 this season to even get close to that — good luck. You’re competing with a lot of other up-and-coming Bobcats that have already established themselves offensively with the Cats — Okafor, the under-rated Raymond Felton, Gerald Wallace, Matt Carroll, and Jason Richardson. Whoa, on second thought you better focus on grabbing 15 rebounds, blocking 5 shots, and play D like Ben Wallace circa 2004 in order to get the 10 mil you are looking for. Maybe the Bulls will sign you?
Seriously, I’d rather pay Fesenko 10x his salary, I think he has much more potential than Varejao.
Nash done with Canada?
Steve Nash has said that he probably won’t participate in next year’s Olympics in Beijing even if Canada qualifies, and many believe that the two-time NBA MVP might be done with the Canadian National Team altogether.
Though Nash is saying that he is still undecided, he is leaning towards not participating. citing his responsibilty to the Phoenix Suns “I would say no, but I can’t really talk about it until the situation arrives and this season’s come to a conclusion,” Nash said. “But in my mind right now, I’m not going to play for Canada anymore. I just can’t do both.“
Many speculate that when Canada decided to part ways with Jay Triano, the Canadian National Team coach from 1998-2004 and a good friend to Nash, they knew that the decision would not entice Nash to come back.
Unlike many countries (and their press), Canadians aren’t calling for the Steve Nash’s head. Overall, it seems they take a nicer and more understanding approach to Nash’s likely decision.
“We can’t fault him.” said Triano, whom is currently an assistant coach for the Toronto Raptor “Nash has given so much over so many years. I mean, you can’t expect guys to play until they can’t walk any more. Especially now, when he’s playing on a team that plays so deep into the summer.”
Current national team coach Leo Rautlins was quoted as saying “(Steve’s) got a young family, and he’s got to do what he feels is best for him … And whatever he feels is best, we all support him.”
Coincidentally, Nash and his Phoenix Suns will be in Toronto tonight to play the Raptors. Even with the disappointing news, no doubt the Canadians will be giving the Victoria BC native a warm welcome/thank you.
Tony Parker, Ginobili Bigger Factors than Ever
With Tim Duncan going down with an injury that will keep him out the next few games, it will be time for Tony Parker to quiet those critics that assert his success is only based on Duncan’s inside presence. Given, the numbers of those critics have grown smaller over the last few years, but when Duncan went down, it was inevitable that I would come across something to that fashion.
While people drum up something to complain about the Spurs, they continue rolling through the regular season again at 15-3, with the second-best record in the league. And they’re doing it with less-reliance on Tim Duncan as Parker and Manu Ginobili are both averaging career-highs in points, FG attempts, 3pt FG attempts, FT Attempts, Assists and Rebounds.
Yes, without Duncan, they would be a different team, but the Spurs wouldn’t have had the last couple championships without the play of Manu and Tony Parker. The fact that the Spurs are still successful with less-effective Tim Duncan, shows that the Spurs are special and says a lot about the system Popovich has in place.
Sources: Okur Steps Back, Others Step Up (Deseret News), Fesenko Might Get Chance to Dunk on Shaq (Salt Lake City Tribune), NBDL Stint Helps Fesenko (Salt Lake City Tribune), Fesenko Fine with D-League (Deseret News), Cavs Match Bobcat’s Varejao Offer (AP), Nash at End of an Era with Canada (National Post), Tony Parker Profile (Yahoo), Manu Ginobili Profile (Yahoo)
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Don't Forget Shaun Livingston
Do you remember Shaun Livingston? The fourth pick in the 2004 NBA Draft by the Los Angeles Clippers? The rangy 6-7 point guard who was becoming one of the best defenders at the point position in the league? The young kid with great basketball IQ who looked like he was going to be a very good leader for a long time?
Perhaps you do, perhaps you don't, but you've probably seen the video of the gruesome knee injury he suffered in 2007 (or you can see it on YouTube, shouldn't be too hard to find), the dreadful injury many thought would end his career.
Well, Livingston is back, back playing point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and doing it pretty well.
"I proved to myself that I can come back and ultimately I think I can get back to where I was, but it's about winning - winning basketball games," said Livingston at the Orlando Summer League. "At the end of the day if I'm on the court helping them win basketball games, I'm doing my job."
Livingston's job and his desire to get it back is what helped him get back to the NBA. After the injury he didn't play pro ball for almost two years. He played in the NBDL and then signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Miami HEAT for the 2008-09 season. Livingston played in only four games with the HEAT, then was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and promptly cut.
Then Sam Presti and the Thunder signed him up, intrigued by his potential. Being the pragmatic investor he is, Presti signed Livingston for the rest of 2008-09 and for 2009-10, just in case it worked out. The Thunder have been looking for young guys who fit a certain profile as they build a playoff team – smart, hard-working, athletic – and Livingston fits the bill.
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"That's what the organization is trying to build. Obviously it's all young guys and they're really turning it around, bringing in the guys they want and the talent that works - I think it's heading in the right direction."
It is, for the Thunder and for Livingston. Eight games is a small sample size from last season, but Livingston scored 7.8 points and dished 2.0 assists on 54% shooting in 23.8 minutes in those four games, very solid numbers for a player that is not only cheap ($884,881 in 2009-10) but extremely capable of running a NBA offense. With gazelles like starting point guard Russell Westbrook, former Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant, forward Jeff Green, and rookie shooting guard James Harden, Livingston may be a perfect fit with his smarts and playmaking ability.
"The guys I'm playing with are really athletic. The number one thing, I think, is IQ for the game. It's huge, especially to the point guard and someone of my stature. It always works better if you've got guys who know how to play the game. Some of these guys don't know how to play the NBA game yet, but it's something they'll pick up. Like a sponge - gotta learn all the time."
Could this be the year the Thunder break through and make a playoff run? It's probably a tad early to say that, but the management structure is pleased with the team's progress and the players buy into the system that has been fostered by head coach Scott Brooks.
And, on top of that, they have smart point guards to run the in-game action.
"I think they've got confidence in our makeup as a team. I think they've got confidence in what we can do out there on the court. Obviously Russell last year had a great year for a rookie. I think they see obviously something down the line, something with the team we do have now."
Shaun Livingston may never be as athletic as he was before his injury, but he is still a very capable player and playing well as part of something that could into greatness down in Oklahoma City.
Perhaps you do, perhaps you don't, but you've probably seen the video of the gruesome knee injury he suffered in 2007 (or you can see it on YouTube, shouldn't be too hard to find), the dreadful injury many thought would end his career.
Well, Livingston is back, back playing point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder, and doing it pretty well.
"I proved to myself that I can come back and ultimately I think I can get back to where I was, but it's about winning - winning basketball games," said Livingston at the Orlando Summer League. "At the end of the day if I'm on the court helping them win basketball games, I'm doing my job."
Livingston's job and his desire to get it back is what helped him get back to the NBA. After the injury he didn't play pro ball for almost two years. He played in the NBDL and then signed a non-guaranteed deal with the Miami HEAT for the 2008-09 season. Livingston played in only four games with the HEAT, then was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies and promptly cut.
Then Sam Presti and the Thunder signed him up, intrigued by his potential. Being the pragmatic investor he is, Presti signed Livingston for the rest of 2008-09 and for 2009-10, just in case it worked out. The Thunder have been looking for young guys who fit a certain profile as they build a playoff team – smart, hard-working, athletic – and Livingston fits the bill.
MORE BY JASON FLEMING
NBA PM: Portland And Andre Miller: Blazers have come to terms with Andre Miller...Spending is down in... NBA Chat With Jason Fleming: Chat with HOOPSWORLD editor Jason Fleming about all things NBA, inlcuding... NBA PM: Grizz Need Guards: Grizzlies after another guard...Jason Williams is back...Spurs sign... It is, for the Thunder and for Livingston. Eight games is a small sample size from last season, but Livingston scored 7.8 points and dished 2.0 assists on 54% shooting in 23.8 minutes in those four games, very solid numbers for a player that is not only cheap ($884,881 in 2009-10) but extremely capable of running a NBA offense. With gazelles like starting point guard Russell Westbrook, former Rookie of the Year Kevin Durant, forward Jeff Green, and rookie shooting guard James Harden, Livingston may be a perfect fit with his smarts and playmaking ability.
"The guys I'm playing with are really athletic. The number one thing, I think, is IQ for the game. It's huge, especially to the point guard and someone of my stature. It always works better if you've got guys who know how to play the game. Some of these guys don't know how to play the NBA game yet, but it's something they'll pick up. Like a sponge - gotta learn all the time."
Could this be the year the Thunder break through and make a playoff run? It's probably a tad early to say that, but the management structure is pleased with the team's progress and the players buy into the system that has been fostered by head coach Scott Brooks.
And, on top of that, they have smart point guards to run the in-game action.
"I think they've got confidence in our makeup as a team. I think they've got confidence in what we can do out there on the court. Obviously Russell last year had a great year for a rookie. I think they see obviously something down the line, something with the team we do have now."
Shaun Livingston may never be as athletic as he was before his injury, but he is still a very capable player and playing well as part of something that could into greatness down in Oklahoma City.
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