Breaking NBA News mixed with analysis …
Their News: "If you have a kid that loves basketball, that eats, sleeps, drinks and thinks basketball and all he knows is basketball and he gets hurt and he’s your franchise player, you need to hold him back from himself," Arenas told the newspaper. "If I’m saying I feel good and you know it’s supposed to take six months, instead of letting me at four months run … they should have held me back. Rather than saying, ’Let’s let this guy do what he wants and use him to sell tickets’ — sometimes you have to protect players from themselves. I don’t feel like I got that type of protection."(ESPN News.com)
My Quick Reaction: Nothing is gained by throwing the organization under the bus.
Today, that’s exactly what Gilbert Arenas did -publicly blaming the Washington Wizards for his injury woes and claiming the team’s medical staff were partially responsible for him missing so many games over the last two seasons.
And, just to rub salt in that giant wound he created, Arenas claimed the team should have ignored his pleas to play and kept him on injured reserve. ‘The Hibachi’ also alleged that the Wizards rushed him back prematurely to ‘sell tickets‘.
Well, at least, he didn’t blog about it.
On the one hand, Arenas may be right. Washington’s trainers and doctors could be sub par when compared to new trainer Tim Grover. And, perhaps, these doctors and trainers are partially at fault for him spending most of the last two years on injured reserve.
On the other hand, Arenas couldn’t be more wrong in how he addressed his concerns -through the media. Such problems should be addressed behind closed doors. Make no mistake about it, going public will rub many the wrong way.
Abe Pollin, Washington’s owner, has always emphasized loyalty and respect for all, even in the what-have-you-done-for-me-lately NBA. In fact, many have argued his old school values are why the Wizards have struggled year-after-year.
Still, win or lose, Pollin has maintained that nobody is bigger than the team. For instance, he once handed the great Michael Jordan a multi-million dollar severance and kicked him out of the organization for abusing employees and young players like Kwame Brown.
So how will Pollin handle these comments? After all, he showed great loyalty to Arenas by personally approving a $111 million contract last summer, despite reports his combo guard’s knee hadn’t healed.
Then there’s the medical staff, who can’t be blamed if they hold a grudge against Arenas when training camp opens in a few weeks. Going forward, doctors and trainers will be nervous when treating his injuries because they don’t want to risk winding up in the news.
His teammates and coaches can’t be overly thrilled, either. During this interview, Arenas mentioned that “All-League and to play as many games as possible” were his goals for the coming season. There was no talk of collective achievement like winning 50 games or qualifying for the playoffs, which reveals much about Arenas.
Arenas isn’t a bad person. And he possesses an exciting skill-set. He still thinks it’s all about him, though. For the Wizards to move forward in 2010, somebody has to tell him otherwise.
Get at us with thoughts on Arenas’ comments? Follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Keith Allison.
11
As my talented colleague Chris Sells reported, Byron Russell hasn’t had enough of Michael Jordan.
Years ago, Russell became part of NBA history when Jordan nailed a championship winning buzzer-beater on his head. Of course, ‘His Airness’ brought up some ancient trash talk and that epic shot during last week’s Hall of Fame speech.
Russell, right or wrong, didn’t back down, immediately calling out Jordan to print reporters and challenging him to a game of one-on-one:
“Out of all the people (Jordan) came across, he thought about me. I’m happy to be in his Hall of Fame speech.”
“To me, that’s the greatest play in basketball history. It will stay that way because (Jordan) will always be the greatest player to play the game. I didn’t mind. But the referees didn’t make the call on the push off. It’s long done and gone. It was a call that wasn’t made on a play that was great.”
“I’ll play his ass right now. This is a call-out for him to come play me. He can come out here in his private jet and come play. He’s got millions of dollars. He can pay for the jet. He can meet me at the Recreation Center in Calabasas. We can have Mark Jackson do the commenting. We can have Mitch Richmond do the officiating. We can put it on T.V. and see if Michael’s still got it.”
(found on Sells, HoopsVibe via Yahoo sports)
It appears Russell still hasn’t had enough of Jordan. A few days after these comments, the veteran upped the ante by taunting his former foe in an ESPN television interview, even using props like orange Gatorade and a hand-towel to convey his point.
This is all publicity. Russell, who has been scheming on a comeback for years, is trying to leverage the situation into a tryout. For instance, instead of wearing a suit or even a golf shirt for a nationally televised interview, Russell specifically sported a cut-off ‘tee’ because he likely wanted to give the impression he’s in shape.
Clearly, Russell hasn’t had enough of Jordan. But has the NBA had enough of Russell?
Watch the clip and get at us with thoughts on the purpose behind this interview in the comment box below.
Follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of mjlsha.
9
It’s the best one yet.
Yesterday, Steve Nash released another amusing youtube video for Vitamin Water, the upstart company he endorses. In typical Nash style, his latest work is smart, self-deprecating, and, most importantly, amusing.
Two things stand out when watching this clip. First, the two-time MVP is rather convincing as an Anthony Robbins self-help guru. And second, at the end of the clip, Nash, whether intentional or not, pays homage to former NBA All-Star Antoine Walker with a little ‘Toine inspired shoulder-shimmy.
Watch Nash’s latest spoof and get at us with thoughts in the comment box below. For good measure, take a trip down memory lane with Walker’s infamous shoulder-shimmy, too.
(’Vitamins. Water. Repeat. No thanks.’)
(Remember Antoine Walker and his shoulder-shimmy?)
Follow Oly on Twitter and HoopsVibe. Photo courtesy of Keith Allison.
6
Breaking NBA news mixed with our quick analysis …
Today, I watched Hasheem Thabeet do it all at Steve Nash’s ‘Showdown in Downtown’ Vancouver.
The second pick in the 2009 NBA draft notched a brilliant goal against the Vancouver Whitecaps FC development squad during an eight-aside soccer match, represented the Memphis Grizzlies with class, and easily manoeuvred through reporter’s questions on new teammates Allen Iverson and Zach Randolph.
“For us we want to run. And for us to bring Allen Iverson on the team, he wants to push the ball all the time, so for us it’s a great addition. And everybody (Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, and Zach Randolph) is going to get theirs.”
“I also speak to Zach (Randolph) a lot. When I was in Los Angeles before the draft, I used to go in the gym and work out with him, so he going to help us a lot.”
I’m still unsure of the mix in Memphis. Older heads like Iverson and Randolph will want the majority of shots to re-establish their names, while younger stars like Gay and Mayo also need the ball to make an impact.
Something has to give. New coach Lionel Hollins will have the most unpleasant task of mediating disputes because everybody isn’t ‘getting theirs’ as Thabeet says. Still, on paper, the Grizzlies have improved and, after years of being an afterthought, there’s finally a buzz in Memphis for the coming season.
Is Thabeet right? Will everybody ‘get theirs’ with the Grizzlies? Follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of JPLui.
13
It would have taken one phone call.
That’s all Steve Nash would have had to do for Canada Basketball to roll out the red carpet and hold a roster spot for him on the team heading to the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey.
Instead of calling in a favor with the organization he represented for a decade, the former NBA All-Star told reporters at his ‘Showdown in Downtown’ charity soccer game in Vancouver that he wouldn’t play at next summer’s tournament and reiterated that his international career is likely finished.
“I think that (playing in Turkey) is a real long shot,” said Nash.
“I have so many commitments already and my commitment to the Suns. Something would have to give and I don’t know if I could make it through physically and mentally. Like I said, five or six years ago, my time with the national team is probably over.”
Nobody should be shocked Nash won’t suit up for Canada, but not for the reason he mentioned. At Saturday’s event it was obvious he’s in terrific shape, fully capable of dominating both the soccer pitch and basketball court.
Nash could be passing on the World Championship for a different reason: he didn’t play in the qualifying FIBA Tournament of the Americas and doesn’t want to disrupt chemistry.
It’s becoming all too common with national programs. NBA superstars let lower level pros take care of business during the qualifying tournaments and, once the team has secured a spot in the Olympics or World Championship, they suddenly become available to represent their country.
These arrangements divide teams. After all, players toiling in various European leagues get the grunt work of long training camps and gruelling exhibition games, while the NBA hotshot gets the spotlight and accolades of high profile events.
This can create problems. For instance, Philadelphia 76ers centre Sam Dalembert was kicked off the Canadian team at the Beijing Olympics for not gelling with teammates. Dalembert became a Canadian citizen months before the 2008 Olympics.
USA Basketball stumbled before the recent ‘Redeem Team’ because its best players believed tournaments and training camps were optional. The Americans only reclaimed their perch atop the world’s basketball throne in Beijing after their elite talent made a three-year commitment to the program in 2005.
Nash understands joining the Canadian team after it had done the heavy lifting at the Tournament of the Americas might not jive with some teammates. Worst of all, he’d have to take a roster spot from someone else
Watching Nash give to others at his ’Showdown in Downtown’, it’s no surprise he’s opting-out of the 2010 World Championship. Instead of criticizing, we should appreciate his decision.
Got thoughts on Nash not playing at the 2010 World Championship? Should national programs give NBA stars a pass for qualifying rounds? Sound off in the comment box below.Follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Mike Wu.
8
HoopsVibe The Blog semi-regularly drops a best-of-the-web feature with all the articles from the ’three dubyas’ you should be reading …
- The great Celticsblog has an amazing preview of the NBA’s best teams. Look for Jamario Moon and Anthony Parker to make a huge impact with the Cleveland Cavaliers, especially out on the perimeter.
- Raptors Republic believes Marco Belinelli will have a decent year in Toronto, but aren’t quite ready to anoint him super-sub status. I agree. The Raptors are a better fit than the Warriors. However, for now, the Italian is simply a depth player.
- Three Shades of Blue argues that Allen Iverson failed in Detroit because GM Joe Dumars acquired him only for his contract. Fair enough. The Answer was put in an impossible situation with a dysfunctional team. There is enough blame to go around.
- TSN’s Tim Chisholm looks at the Denver Nuggets chances of duplicating last season’s success. This will be tough for George Karl’s squad. After all, the Western Conference is much-improved and they’ve lost key reserves along with some valuable blending players.
- There has been much talk about Golden State’s Stephen Curry. Hoopshype editor Jorge Sierra has a one-on-one interview with the popular rookie. Here’s my worry: do Curry and Monta Ellis have enough size to form a starting backcourt?
- Warriorsworld has details on a fan’s trade request. Simon Wells, the former president of the Tim Hardaway fan club and a long-time Golden State supporter, can no longer tolerate owner Chris Cohan. My advice for Wells: hang in there. Cohan could soon sell the club.
- The Deadspin’s Nash Landesman has an amusing profile of Mikhail Prokhorov and speculates what the Russian billionaire will do after he finances the Nets’ arena project in Brooklyn, New York.
- The Hoop Doctors have an old school gem for those vintage NBA fans.R.S. De France, a reporter and professor, looks at the modern-day successors to former Los Angeles Lakers star Elgin Baylor.
- James Lebeau, my colleague at Craveonline, has a great piece on the offseason changes in Cleveland. Lebeau wonders if it is enough for the Cavaliers to win it all in 2010?
- Keeping it with the Craveonline/HoopsVibe family, star scribe Chris Sells addresses the broken relationship between Tracy McGrady and Houston Rockets fans.
Got a link, website, article, or thought for HoopsVibe The Blog? Then get at us in the comment box below and follow Oly’s work on HoopsVibe The Blog and Twitter. Photo courtesy of bballchico.