Slam Dunk Central

I have no idea what to make of current New York Knicks guard Stephon Marbury.  Apparently he has more layers to him than baklava - and is just as flaky.  Tuesday brought a news conference at the Garden Theater as the team introduced Mike D’Antoni as their new coach, and guess who attended the proceedings?  Yep, you got it - Stephon Marbury.  The diplomatic Marbury came to play after the news conference as he told Mark Lelinwalla of the New York Daily News, “If I’m here, I’m here.  If I’m not, I could do it someplace else.  I’m just getting my mind and my body right.  I love New York, but if I wasn’t going to be here, I wouldn’t be here.”

And apparently Marbury has been prepping for the upcoming season as if he will be with the Knicks this coming season, doing the “Karl Malone workout” - which is simply running up some mountains.  Ummm ok Stephon.  That aside, Marbury and D’Antoni have a history that goes back to when both were in Phoenix back in 2004; at that time, D’Antoni (or the Suns, depending on whose side you believe) dealt Marbury and Cezary Trybanski to the Knicks for Howard Eisley, Charlie Ward, Antonio McDyess and Maciej Lampe on January 5, 2004.  And according to Marbury, D’Antoni didn’t pull the trigger to that deal.  D’Antoni concurred as much, saying that the deal was all business and that Marbury is “very talented”.

If the Knicks were smart, they would find a way to get rid of Marbury and the 1 year and $22 million left on his contract.  It is well-documented about the drama between ex-Knicks coach and president Isiah Thomas - which ironically took place in part in Phoenix.  And I would like to believe that current Knicks president Donnie Walsh and D’Antoni are mindful of Marbury’s past before they decide to keep him this season.  A trade to another team would be beneficial to the Knicks as the team that acquires Marbury could unload his contract. 

On the other hand, the Knicks - for whatever reason, could just deal with having Marbury under contract for this coming season then let him go in order to realize some salary cap relief.  Either way, the sooner the Knicks get rid of Marbury, the better off they will be.  It is just too bad that the Knicks won’t be in the enviable position to select Memphis’ Derrick Rose with their first-round pick in this year’s draft.

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To say that newly hired New York Knicks coach Mike D’Antoni wants to mold his team into his image (New York Suns?) at this point may be an understatement.  Yet this is the task that he and team president Donnie Walsh are charged with - the “image” in question is a version of the Phoenix Suns’ offense, which is high-octane and where defense is an afterthought.  While admirable, one must consider the sum of the parts that are the New York Knicks and which ones would be compatible to D’Antoni’s system.

One guy who I expect to be either released or more than likely traded is current Knicks guard Stephon Marbury.  I can assume one of D’Antoni’s first orders of business will be to find a way to get rid of Marbury as he and Marbury have a history which dates back to 2003 when Marbury played for the Suns before he was dealt to the Knicks in January of 2004.  D’Antoni doesn’t see Marbury as a winning player or someone who could fit as a point guard in his system (You think?).  Since the Knicks have an early draft pick, getting a player such as Derrick Rose from Memphis would make the most sense as Walsh would love to get the team some salary cap room so he can make a run towards the free agents that will be available around 2010.

I’m sure in the back of D’Antoni’s mind is the fact that he wouldn’t mind bringing some current Suns players into the Knicks fold - players such as Boris Diaw and Lenadro Barbosa.  It is no big secret that Suns owner Robert Sarver wants to get rid of some big contracts on his roster, save for probably Steve Nash, Amare Stoudemire and Shaquille O’Neal, so there may be the possibility of some transactions between Phoenix and New York.  And Sarver, like D’Antoni, wants to mold the team into his image (or in Sarver’s case, into general manager Steve Kerr’s image).

The Knicks would love to get rid of Marbury; if they could deal him for players who have played under D’Antoni - Phoenix anyone? - it will probably be a win-win situation, unless Walsh sticks to his big plan of trying to free up cap space for the summer of 2010.  But if the Knicks do a deal like that, that could derail Walsh’s dreams, contingent on who is on the Knicks roster 2 years from now.  But while D’Antoni wants to win as soon as possible, Walsh has 2010 in mind when the attractive free agent class comes out - players such as LeBron James, Chris Paul and Dwyane Wade will be available - and the Knicks’ financial situation improves markedly. 

I am going to assume that D’Antoni discussed this possible scenario with Walsh during the meetings that they had.  If they didn’t, there’s the real possibility of a power struggle - which is the last thing that the Knicks need right now.  But no matter what happens, it is almost a safe bet that Marbury’s time with the team is very short and the upcoming draft could be the first indication of what the future of the team is going to be in the long-term future.

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There may be hope yet for peace in the Middle East. At least I feel the possibility is far greater than I would have 24 hours ago. Why the sudden bust of optimism? NBA Commissioner David Stern and your faithful scribe actually agree on an issue concerning the marketing of the NBA. The earth so far is still spinning on it’s axis, so I think we have passed the danger point! If you are a regular reader of mine, you are well aware of my disdain of all the bells and whistles that take place at a NBA game. Turns out that Commissioner Stern is no more of a fan of the pre game hysterics than I am!

The Associated Press reported Monday night that the Commissioner spoke with the media before game four at the Q Arena between the Boston Celtics and their hosts the Cleveland Cavaliers. Stern when asked his thoughts on the pregame pyrotechnics was certainly not voicing anything that can be construed as praise. The Commissioner responded “I’m going to get in trouble for this, but I think they’re ridiculous. I think the noise, the fire, the smoke is a kind of assault that we should seriously consider reviewing in whether it’s really necessary given the quality of our game. It may be that these are the maniacal rantings of a fan from a different era, and I recognize that, but you know I’m sitting there waiting for the next cannon to go off, and then the fire heats up the arena so the temperature in the arena rises by 15 degrees, that’s if you can see it because you’re still waiting for the smoke, which is chemical, to clear, which is invariably done by the end of the half. But I always bite my tongue because I’m not the demographic that wants to be assaulted by loud rap, smoke, pyrotechnics and chemicals. It makes me sort of outdated, but I think it’s time for us to say, Hey guys, let’s look at it one more time!” Mr. Commissioner I feel your pain!

© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net 

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 Tuesday the Cleveland Cavaliers start their second round series in the NBA Eastern Conference as they travel to Boston to take on the Boston Celtics. And once again hope springs eternal in the hearts of Northeast Ohio sports fans as they set off on yet another quest to grab that elusive championship that has been at times just out of reach since 1964.

If you are a regular reader of mine, you are aware that I lived in the greater Cleveland area for 14 years, and covered the Cavaliers, Indians and Browns as a radio beat reporter for over 11 years. I consider Cleveland my adopted home town, and if not for family obligations would still be there. I know as well as anyone how much Cleveland fans hunger for that championship. They believe their lives would then become complete once one of their three teams win a League title. But actually how much would it change their lives?

Let’s play this scenario out, since we are writing on a basketball site and the Cavaliers conveniently enough are in the playoffs, they will be our example. Let’s say that Cleveland goes all the way, past the Celtics, past the Pistons or Magic, and back for the second year in a row in the NBA Finals. And this time instead of getting swept, THEY WIN! Your Cleveland Cavaliers NBA Champions!

Now hopefully the fans of Cleveland handle winning better than other cities of recent years, and there are no riots, looting and burning the night they win. Hopefully it’s just a bunch of fans hugging and high fiving and screaming “We’re Number One!” We will assume that is the case. So now you have your Parade of Champions, your celebration party in front of the Rock Hall. You do your chest thumping, party some more. You call your obnoxious cousin Stan in Pittsburgh and give him grief. Also your old college roommate from Long Island. You hear the sports anchors at ESPN call your team the World Champions! It’s now mid July a month later, how has your life exactly changed?

Has Higbees re-opened in Downtown Cleveland? Sorry, No.

Is the Steel Industry all of a sudden rejuvenated? Sorry, No.

Has the Cleveland School System become the pride of the Nation? Sorry, No.

Has your Significant Other, all of a sudden turned into Beyonce/Brad Pitt? Sorry, No.

Are your teenagers any less exasperating? Sorry, No.

Is your Life basically the same as it was in May except the Cavaliers now have Championship Rings? Realistically, Yes.

What is the purpose of Sports in 2008 in the USA? For the athletes, it’s to win, for the fan, it is to be ENTERTAINED. Bottom line, LeBron James is not that much different from Jay-Z or Seth Rogen. All three men are ENTERTAINERS. Jay-Z does it with his thought provoking lyrics, Rogen does it by playing the lovable loser/stoner, LBJ does it with his feats of athleticism. If you shut off a game on TV or walk out of the Q Arena, 99 times out of a hundred you will talk about some incredible mind bending move LBJ pulled off during the contest.

We who are sports fans live vicariously through our teams, we all want to be identified as winners not also rans or losers. But that is just one aspect of our lives; my biggest fear for Clevelanders is what happens when you reach the peak. Do you really think your life will become better?

I would never tell you not to want to see your teams win, that’s contradictory to being a sports fan! I am an extremely competitive human being, just ask some of the reporters I stepped in front of over the years to get closer to Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter and, of course, LeBron. I want to be number one in all aspects of my life. But to think that my team winning is going to give me more than a short term buzz is foolish. As a now defunct bus company used to say in their commercials, “Enjoy the ride, getting there is half the fun!”

Cleveland Sports Fans - Enjoy the Ride!

© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.net 

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Cliches become cliches for a reason, because they are true! One cliche in professional sports that started surfacing sometime in the late 1970’s or early 1980’s is particularly true, especially this year in the NBA. “Coaches (or managers) are hired to be fired !”  Since the regular season ended in the NBA, we have seen six NBA coaches fired, and another Pat Riley give his coaching position up to concentrate on his front office duties.  That’s seven coaching changes out of 30 teams, and still some more heads may roll before all is said and done!

Out of the six coaches that were fired five of them can be justified by the teams, whether you agree with them or not. Let’s take them in chronological order of dismissal starting with Jim Boylan in Chicago. Let me make a Public Service Announcement to any NBA assistant coaches that may be reading this; if you are offered the head coaching position with your team in the middle of the season because they fired your boss, don’t take it!  That is unless you are sick of the organization, and are looking to move on at the end of the year. Because 99 times out of 100 you will be fired at the end of the season, through no fault of your own. Now Jim Boylan is no “Spring Chicken” he probably thought this was his one chance to grab the brass ring, but he was doomed from the start! Jim Boylan was over his head with the Bulls, no contest here firing justified.

Larry Krystoiwiak was fired after his first full season as coach in Milwaukee, he took over last year for Terry Stotts who had been fired in March. Krystowiak was also over his head in Milwaukee, firing justified. Isiah Thomas in New York was the next to go. Zeke of course got the double-whammy fired as Team President and coach. Now they are playing games with him money wise which is bush league, but again firing justified. Sam Vincent in Charlotte was more a victim of circumstances. The Charlotte Bobcats had a chance to go from a coach just finishing an unsuccessful rookie year, to coaching legend Larry Brown. Whether the move will pay off or not remains to be seen, but firing understandable.

Part of the reason that “Coaches are hired to be fired” is even with the best coaches the message starts to get lost, or ignored after a certain time period. Now there is no specific shelf life on coaches, just look at Jerry Sloan in Utah, and Gregg Popovich is San Antonio. They have been their since Nixon was President (of course I’m exaggerating, but not by much!)  But those two are the exceptions, most coaches find the message stops being heard sometime between their third and fifth season. That seems to be the case with Avery Johnson in Dallas, firing understandable.

Which now leaves us with the latest firing as the Phoenix Suns reportedly are on the verge of dismissing their head coach Mike D’Antoni after losing in the first round of the NBA Western Conference Playoffs. The team’s most recent statement is that it is not true, but Jack McCallum of Sports Illustrated does not allow his name to be linked to reports lightly. McCallum is one of the best writers on the NBA on the planet!  Firing ludicrous, ridiculous, flat out wrong! Yes there should be a firing in Phoenix, but Mike D’Antoni should not be the victim. Phoenix Suns General Manager Steve Kerr was the reason that the team was knocked out in the first round. Kerr should be the one searching for work right now not D’Antoni! 

It’s one year later, and I’m still trying to figure out exactly why the Phoenix Suns hired Steve Kerr as their General Manager. What qualifications did he have?  He was a journeyman one trick pony as a player, a shooting guard that had a decent outside shot, but that was it. He couldn’t create off the dribble, or penetrate, he was basically a  fourth option, kick out to Kerr if his feet are planted, and he’s open. He just was fortunate to be in the right places (Chicago and San Antonio) at the right times.  From there he went to the broadcast booth where he was an okay analyst, but no Doug Collins (If it were up to me, all NBA TV broadcasts would feature either Dick Stockton, or Marv Albert as play by play guy, and Collins and Hubie Brown as analysts. In my opinion there is a drop off after that.  Fratello used to be very good, but has become a parody of himself.  And don’t get me started on that refugee from “One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest” Jeff Van Gundy!  He adds nothing to to any broadcast, and his sense of humor is just plain annoying!) What did the Phoenix Suns see in Steve Kerr that said to them he’s General Manager material? Why did they think that this man could bring them the elusive Championship that this team has been tantalizingly close to, but never won?

The Suns were in first place, when Kerr decided to roll the dice, and made a deal that effected the rest of the Suns season. Kerr decided that the Suns needed a half court presence to match up against the San Antonio Spurs in the playoffs. With that in mind he traded one of his starters and key components Shawn Marion to the Miami Heat for Shaquille O’Neal. Not the Shaquille O’Neal of the Los Angeles Lakers, not even the one that won a Championship with Miami in 2006. No a broken down shell of a Shaquille O’Neal who had not played for over a month due to a bruised left hip. You probably remember the “Big Cactus” tried to get a loose ball in late December, and slid into the scorers table, bruising his hip. Shaq tried every remedy in the book and still got no better.

After the trade the Phoenix trainers said they had figured out what the problem was, and got Shaq back on the court. But the chemistry was off, and the team went into a downward spiral. They went from first place in the Western Conference to the sixth seed. They ended up playing the Spurs in the Playoffs in the first round as a matter of fact. Kerr’s theory, did not work after all. Summer comes early for the Phoenix Suns once again.

If these reports prove to be true, and again knowing McCallum, my gut says yes, this is a travesty! As Steve Rhodes wrote in the initial report on Slam Dunk Central Report: D’Antoni Out As Suns Coach  D’Antoni will be a hot commodity this Summer, he may end up better off in the long run. But the wrong man is being punished in Phoenix. Steve Kerr is the root of the problem not the coach.

© Copyright 2008 thesackattack.com   

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