PhDribble

Where The Big Man Mafia Happens - II

                     
                       The Godfather
                                  |
      
        Capo                    Capo                Capo
           |                            |
   
          Soldier                    Soldier




       Consigliere

 
 Suspected Target

Where Amazing Inspires Amazing Inspiring Happens

Well done. Well. done.

Move Over Madsen

There have been many stand-out stars in these playoffs, but none has surpassed his supposed potential as Ronny Turiaf.  Coming into this post season, not a single expert had him atop their Best 12th-Man boards, many not even placing him in their top 10.  But critics have been silenced as Turiaf has out-benched everyone in the playoffs so far.  While some still call his benchplay overly flashy, others see Turiaf as a savant and liken him to other 12th-men legends, Sarunas Jasikevicius and Scott Hastings (heady company indeed.)  No doubt Turiaf cannot change the minds of most Scalabrine die-hards.  But the young man is showing that he will have a bright future on playoff sidelines for years to come:

Hat Tip for clip to Odenized.

Traditionalists Rise!

Jemele Hill joins the movement: !!!


click for Traditionalists Mafinesto

Where "Isn't It Ironic, don't you think?" Happens

It's like losing the lottery, on the day you get paid!

Guest Post : Bill Walton -- Conference Finals

Who can ask for anything more?  This is why we get up in the morning.  It's not for the French Toast.  It's not for the freshly crisp copy of the Nation waiting for you at the end of the brick-pavers. MoveOn.Lebron. The Conference Finals are here. And I, ladies and gentlemen, could not be more enthusiastic. Greg Popovich, the military man.  Phil Jackson, the hippie.  This, ladies and gentleman, is the 60s.  This is the culture war.  I will wear this tie-dye, Mr. Walton.  I don't care if you pay my tuition.  And a One. Two. Three. Four.  What are we fighting for?  The ring.  The glory.  The legend.  How can you not watch?  Dale Ellis, the sharpshooter of Najaf.  And Kobe Bryant, a man, a morality play.  I smell a trap. The full-throated hands of Lindsay Hunter balanced by the hungry feet of the rookie Randell Stuckey. And the Boston Celtics.  Oh. The Boston Celtics. Those were the days. Stephen A. Smith, have you even ever heard of a man I affectionately call Larry Bird?  Kevin McHale. Greg Kite. Now, that, was a Big Three. Germany, Italy, Japan, now, that, was an axis.

Minnesota: The Day After

TWolves fans, stay strong!

Come on, ESPN, you're better than that! yurberthanat!

Recent Earth-Shattering Headlines from the .COM:

"Bulls' Fortunes Brighter on Heels of Draft Lottery Win"
"Scott Expects to Get Extension, Stay with Hornets"
"Stern Wants to Talk"
"Cavs Owner Not Panicking About LeBron's Future"
"ESPN Headline Writing Intern Loses Job"

A Question of Upsideology

Let's begin with a philosophical question:  If we all know he will be a sleeper, is he still a sleeper?

We know JOEY DORSEY is gonna be a player in this league.  Time and again, we have seen how pogo-sticks like Dorsey can make a difference on a team.  We know he'll be a fan favorite and a web-darling.  We know that any team that drafts him will feel blessed that he fell that far.  At worst, an energy guy off the bench and an alley-oop machine.  At best, a defensive stopper and an alley-oop machine.

And yet, the best draft analysts around rate him as no better than a second round pick.

Chad Ford: 45.

NBADraft.net: 39.

DraftExpress: 47

Remind me again why you pick another undersized shooting guard, a big man "project", or DJ Augustine over Dorsey?

The Gesturing Menace

               

Fascinating convo over at FeartheBeard about the Lig's recent fining of "menacing gestures."

FtB is joined by the LA Times' Kurt Streeter for a lively discussion.  They argue that Stern misconstrued Pierce's hand motion as a gang sign.  Definitely worth reading the entire debate.  My shorthand does not do their take justice.  But, here's the cribnotes, FtB's analysis: 

"David Stern has done a lot of good for the game, but more and more, he seems to be hopelessly out of touch with its modern wants and needs. He gives us dress codes, while a rogue ref is busy fixing games. He ignores the imbalance of the conferences to the point that the playoffs are a sham. And now he is scapegoating one of the game’s good guys in a way that only serves to glamorize the very thing he is trying to abdicate. This is grown-man business, Mr. Stern. Call up Paul on the phone. Fly him to New York for a meeting. But don’t put him on Front Street and douse him in gasoline to satisfy your own ego. It’s more than just wrong. It’s irresponsible and insulting. Both to Pierce and to the game you are trying to protect."

Here's my take:

1) It is unclear that the Lig fined Pierce because his “menacing gesture” was gang-related. The Lig dished out the same fine to Stevenson for a throat-slash. Sometimes a “menacing gesture” is just a “menacing gesture.” The gang connotations are fascinating, but seem to be an association that has been made in retrospect by reporters and bloggers.

2) It seems just as plausible (if not more) that the Lig was concerned about the macho-grandstanding in the first round. And wanted to nip it in the bud before the games really counted. It appeared as preemptive action in accord with the rule that players are not to leave the bench. Stern and Stu have made a concerted effort to make sure they don’t have to legislate another Malice in the Palace.

3) I’m always puzzled by the authority that is afforded to Stern. Stu Jackson is the dispenser of Lig justice. He’s also a respected and accomplished basketball professional in his own right. Not only does the blaming of Stern for all Lig decisions continue this myth of one-man rule, it disrespects Lig figures like Jackson and members of the rules committee who themselves negotiate and help decide the rules of the Lig.

The discussion continues...click for more and weigh in...