October 2007 Archives
L.A. Confidential
I feel for Shawn Marion. I really do. All he does (every year!) is be the backbone of the Phoenix Suns team, hitting shots with that, uh, “peculiar” J, grabbing the ‘bounds that slide past Amare Stoudemire, outhustling the other teams in the Western Conference. And, for what? To get brought up in trade rumors every other day? Sucks to be Shawn.
And that brings me to this: I’m…tired…of…the…Kobe…Bryant…trade…rumors…that…just…won’t…end. Seriously, are you as tired of hearing Magic Johnson and Stuart Scott and Charles Barkley and your postman and your butcher and your grandmother all wondering where Shaq's long-lost sidekick (yes, sidekick) is going to be traded — after demanding a trade this summer, rescinding his demand, then putting it out there again, then having the Lakers (months later, no less) say they'd be willing to trade him, then Phil Jackson putting KB24 in his place, then Kobe getting booed during, uh, pregame introductions, then...It never ends. What's next?
It comes down to this: Trade Kobe Bryant…or don’t. Make the choice, let us know your decision and have that be that. See A-Rod? Don’t necessarily agree with him breaking out the news of him opting outta his Yankees deal during the World Series on Sunday, but at least he stuck to his guns and pulled the trigger (Sidebar: Kobe and A-Rod in Chicago? Hmmm.). And then the Yankees stuck to theirs and again said they wouldn’t negotiate with him if he chose to opt out. They moved on.
So, Kobe? Say you’re gonna stay or stay you’re gonna go. You’re not Shawn Marion. The ball’s in your court. So, what do ya say?
Three Things I Learned On Opening Night:
1. The Trailblazers are a good team — even without Greg Oden. Think about it, had they not won that draft lottery, the Blazers were destined to wind up with a middle of the road pick. Probably not a franchise-changing guy. Probably someone who woulda been confined to the bench for a couple months anyway. But with a much-improved LaMarcus Aldridge (watch out for this guy — seriously) and last year’s Rookie of the Year Brandon Roy, they woulda had a nice squad anyway. Now, they get to develop without the Oden crutch.
2. Shane Battier. If we’re choosing teams out on the playground, this guy is running with me.
3. Don’t be surprised if the Golden State Warriors struggle to make the playoffs this season. Just like last season. David mighta slayed Goliath last season (even though the Warriors toppling the Mavericks from the playoffs felt a little more like Eminem Rabbit outrapping Papa Doc) but it’s much harder to get fired up for 82 regular season games over and over and over again than it is for 6 in the postseason.
One Name You’ll Know By May:
The Portland Trailblazers’ Travis Outlaw. Outlaw has been stranded in Blazerland for a few years now after jumping from high school to the league. And coincidentally his last name is Outlaw. Not a good thing if you’re joining the Jailblazers Trailblazers. But he’s been making strides and, after a strong start last night, he’s gonna be one to watch. Trust.
Only The Strong Survive
So, K.G., Paul Pierce and Ray Allen are gracing both the cover of Sports Illustrated and the cover of ESPN The Mag this week. Kobe is all up in the new issue of Esquire. And, oh yeah, if you didn’t check out the November issue of VIBE yet (and if you didn’t, do it now), we’ve got our second annual NBA preview all up in the mix. Garnett, Amare, Tony Parker, Mike Conley Jr., Chris Paul and lots and lots of Stephen Jackson and the Golden State Warriors (VIBE's unofficial favorite team). We adopted the NBA-esque “Only The Strong Survive” theme this time around, because, well, it’s been a tough offseason for NBA types. The gambling stuff, all this talk of the Lakers trading away KB8 KB24 (I’ll still never understand, despite their reasons, why active players change digits mid-career) and, of course, my old friend J.R. Smith dousing chicks with champagne up in the club (allegedly!). Yeah, it’s been rough. But now it’s time to get back and focus on what matters: how the Chicago Bulls are gonna run through the NBA this season preseason NBA rankings. Through a careful system of crunching numbers, speaking with NBA team execs and looking at video from the ’06-’07 season, I was able to devise a pretty incredible ranked list of all 30 teams for VIBE. But, truth be told, that list was pretty lame so I came up with this one instead. Enjoy. (And check back weekly for updated rankings, player news and some dope new blogs and columns from some special guests.)
THE VIBE 15:
1. San Antonio Spurs — Is there any way Tim Duncan could have actually gotten better in the offseason?
2. Phoenix Suns — How long will Grant Hill be able to contribute to an aging Suns lineup?
3. Dallas Mavericks — Will Avery Johnson try to avoid the Golden State Warriors at all costs next postseason?
4. Chicago Bulls — Can you imagine Kobe Bryant in a Bulls uni?
5. Boston Celtics — When the Celts fail to win an NBA title, will K.G. regret making the move to Boston?
6. Utah Jazz — Why didn’t more people talk about Deron Williams before the playoffs started last spring?
7. Houston Rockets — Can the Rockets just win one playoff series before T-Mac hangs ‘em up?
8. Cleveland Cavaliers — Didn’t this team manage to get worse over the summer?
9. Memphis Grizzlies — Are you surprised?
10. Detroit Pistons — Don’t you already get the feeling Chauncey Billups & Co. will be further down this list at the end of the season?
11. Denver Nuggets — On a team featuring A.I. and Carmelo, why is all the news about J.R.?
12. New Orleans Hornets — Is this team going to be called the Hornets forever?
13. Golden State Warriors — Seriously, isn’t Stephen Jackson’s new tattoo ridiculous?
14. Orlando Magic — Is Dwight Howard ready to take this team to the Eastern Conference Finals yet?
15. Toronto Raptors — Can you name a player on the Raptors not named Chris Bosh?
THE OTHER HALF:
16. Washington Wizards — Isn’t DeShawn Stevenson slowly becoming the poor man’s version of Gilbert Arenas?
17. New Jersey Nets — Will this team ever have enough firepower to be a true contender?
18. Portland Trailblazers — Won’t Greg Oden’s injury actually help LaMarcus Aldridge?
19. Miami Heat — Did Pat Riley really just trade for Ricky Davis to help the team?
20. Los Angeles Lakers — Can you imagine Kobe Bryant in a Bulls uni?
21. Seattle SuperSonics — Will Kevin Durant be as good as advertised?
22. Los Angeles Clippers — Don’t you feel bad for Elton Brand?
23. New York Knicks — Is this Isiah’s last chance?
24. Milwaukee Bucks — Isn’t Michael Redd the most underrated player in the NBA?
25. Charlotte Bobcats — Are you buying into the Gerald Wallace hype machine?
26. Indiana Pacers — Shouldn’t Jermaine O’Neal be a Laker by now?
27. Minnesota Timberwolves — Will this team be any better than last year’s Celtics?
28. Atlanta Hawks — Am I being too hard on the Hawks?
29. Sacramento Kings — If this team ever did relocate, would the fans help them pack?
30. Philadelphia 76ers — How 'bout those Phillies?
A King's Crown
I have to believe Cleveland Indians fans are feeling pretty low today. Not as low as, say, Philadelphia Phillies fans, but I digress.
Sure, the Indians routed the New York Yankees, giving 'em a 1-0 lead in the ALDS, but they also sat by idly as Cleveland Cavalier LeBron James, king of the city, sat by idly wearing a Yankees hat during the Indians/Yankees game last night -- in Cleveland!
Listen, I once went to a Phillies game wearing a Mets hat and got heckled half the game. I was, like, 7 at the time. True story. LeBron is a grown-ass man. Couldn't someone in Cleveland tell him (in whatever way they see fit) that doing this wasn't a good idea?
And doesn't it bring this Tom Brady mishap to mind?
