SB Nation - New Jersey Nets

Orlando Magic News for December 10th: Dwight Howard and Vince Carter Could Start in the All-Star Game

Ben Q Rock — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 21:00:25 -0000

More photos » by Chuck Burton - AP

NBA.com: Kobe in West, D-Wade in East take lead in All-Star voting
The NBA released the first returns in its All-Star balloting and the Orlando Magic have done well so far. Center Dwight Howard, who set a record for total votes received last year, is again in line to start this year; he leads Shaquille O'Neal, his next closest competitor, by more than 400,000 votes. Meanwhile, Vince Carter is in line to start at guard, second at the position only to the Heat's Dwyane Wade, who leads all vote-getters in the Eastern Conference. Carter leads Gilbert Arenas is big, but not insurmountable, at just under 80,000 votes.

Rashard Lewis ranks 10th among Eastern forwards. Jameer Nelson, the other Magic player on the ballot, did not appear in the early results. Naturally, none of this damages their chances of actually playing in the game...
Chat: John Hollinger
...because as John Hollinger explains, the coaches--who select the reserves--tend to reward good teams by allotting more roster spots to their players.

Likely East All-Star team is Wade, [Chris] Bosh, LeBron [James] and nine players from the Celtics, Magic and Hawks.
MAGIC: Denton: Lack of Respect Motivates Magic
I enjoyed J.J. Redick's perspective on the Magic's lack of respect, which has become a fairly tired subject.
"Around the league I think we’re well respected, especially among players and coaches who know the game of basketball," Magic reserve guard J.J. Redick said. "We have three legitimate superstars and four really when Jameer (Nelson) is healthy. But we’re a small market and we’re not L.A., we’re not New York and we don’t have LeBron James.

"We’re starting to get some attention, but we don’t set out for that. We just want to win," Redick continued. "I think we’d rather be called the best team in June than the best team on Dec. 9th."
#13 Orlando Magic
Forbes.com rates the Magic as the NBA's 13th-most-valuable franchise. I found this fact particularly interesting:

This [sic] Magic's run to the finals last season, where they were defeated by the Lakers, boosted their bottom line by $5 million. The extra loot from the postseason will come in handy as the team awaits its new building, the Amway Center, scheduled to open in the fall of 2010.

It's also nice to see that the franchise has increased in value each year since 2002, and in revenue since 2004.
Stephen Jackson fits in with Bobcats, Larry Brown
Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated writes about Magic backup point guard Jason Williams, pushed into starting duty due to Nelson's knee injury. Williams came out of a year-long retirement to sign with Orlando in August.

"Sometimes when you have a long career you like it and you appreciate it, but I think it goes to another level when you have a year off," said Magic coach Stan Van Gundy. "He really wanted to come back. The thing we liked with him, which is a lot like what we liked with Rafer [Alston] last year, is that we had a pretty good confidence level that if needed, he could play big minutes. He just always had one of those motors that he could go a long time."
Rafer Alston rips New Jersey Nets, winning streak halted at one as Golden State Warriors romp
Alston is not happy with his teammates in New Jersey, to which Orlando dealt him in a package to obtain Carter and Ryan Anderson. In short order, Alston went from starting for an NBA Finalist to backing up the worst team in the league.

After the Nets took a 105-89 pounding from the Warriors last night at the Meadowlands, Nets reserve Rafer Alston blasted his teammates for not sticking together through the tough times.

[....] But what especially rankled Alston last night was seeing teammates fail to pull for each other before an announced crowd of 10,005 at the Meadowlands.

Alston would not have been happy here backing up Nelson, but clearly he's unhappy in New Jersey as well. The middle ground would be for the Nets to trade him to a team that needs a point guard, most obviously Alston's hometown New York Knicks. But because Devin Harris and Keyon Dooling, the Nets' other point guards, have nagging injuries, the Nets will likely hang on to Alston's expiring deal.
Fun With Numbers and Venn Diagrams - Hornets247.com
UPDATE: Ryan Schwan of Hornets 247 attempts to categorize point guards using a series of Venn Diagrams. It's interesting to see where Nelson (the scorer) and Williams (the distributor) land here.

RECAP: Warriors 105, Nets 89 - Mikki Moore's tenacious dunks and post-dunk celebration rallies the youngins'

dj fuzzylogic — Thu, 10 Dec 2009 05:22:38 -0000

Originally posted Dec 9, 2009 9:22 PM PST

(Floyd Mayweather looks excited about the opportunity to sit courtside. He probably didn't get the memo who he was watching, though)

Professional sports, particularly Warriors basketball, have a huge toll on my emotional well-being. Watching the Warriors self-destruct night-in-night-out against the NBA's worst ruins my evenings a majority of the time. I curse at the television. Make groaning sounds, in the most unerotic possible way. I usually have to have a beer by halftime just to calm down the nerves of watching turnover after turnover.

Well, lucky for me the Warriors played, arguably, the worst team in the league tonight. Meaning? Maybe I can fall asleep easily without replaying all the blunders that I was witness to.

Anyway, tonight's recap retells the story that was the clash of the anti-titans of the NBA. However, it will be told through the emotional highs and lows that the Warriors put me through. Instead of focusing on the game, we're going to analyze the game through my feelings...

Preview/ Game Thread: Please don't be Nets win #3

Warriors Web Links: Should have won, and we did

Warriors vs Nets boxscore

Warriors vs Nets coverage

Pregame: Apathy.

It's 58 degrees in my apartment and I refuse to turn on the heater. Why is the bay so cold?

Watching the pre-game show, the Izod arena looks as empty as school on a Sunday. I think I've seen WNBA games more packed than this (barely). You would think that all the business deals going on in the Nets' background could spice things up a bit. Heck, you got Jay-z bankrollin'? How can a team with so much extra-basketball influence have so little to offer? Hey Jay, how about pulling some of your star power and getting Memphis Bleek to rap the national album? Or why not perform "Empire state of Mind" at half-time...y'all will be in Brooklyn in no-time right?

I wonder if there are more Warrior fans watching this game on TV then there are fans in the Izod arena.

First quarter: GROAN.

Less than a minute in, Monta's first turnover. 92 down, 264 to go to break Artis Gilmore's record. C'mon Monta, give us Warrior fans something to believe in!

One minute later - heavier and louder GROAN. Monta dribbles into a crowded paint and attempts to pass through Boone and Brooke Lopez. Unless Monta is Superman, he's not going be able to push this ball though 500 lbs of flesh.

One of the great things of watching two bad really bad teams is how quick they get up and down the court. You would think it was the ABA with all the run outs each team is doing with each missed shot. The worst thing(s) about watching two really bad teams is how many missed shots, ill-advised passes, and guys flopping around on the floor there is. How many more passes are we going to see bounce off someone's back tonight?

Brook Lopez is deceptively skilled, but also full of contradictions. He got picked 3 times in the first 6 minutes. But he recovers and has the grace to move around the Warriors bigs, EASILY. I'm thinking he might be the end of the Stanford big man "bust" that includes a long line of gentle giants, Tim Young, the Collins twins, and Curtis Borchardt. Brook Lopez has game.

The non-existent ball movement makes me think the Warriors are playing hot potato. They are chucking the ball wrecklessly and Monta and Stephen Curry are both missing wide open jumpers as if they're shooting jumpers with blindfolds. Hmm, I wonder if I can catch the end of Rachel Ray's 30 minute meals right now... Man, Warriors are this bad that I'm considering watching the super annoying Rachel Ray.

Third GROAN of the quarter. Great heads up move by Anthony Randolph to save CJ Watson's blocked shot. Here we go.... WHAT!? CHARGE?? Oh Monta, why are you reverting back to your old ways of trying to run everyone over? I can't believe I'm watching this game right now.

(Harris: "C'mon coach, I know the 'pull-my-finger' trick...)

2^nd quarter: Elated...

Hmm, the Warriors end the quarter on a short run. Maybe the Warriors won't lose after all?

Is it me or did Trenton Hassell gain some weight since his Timberwolves days? Looks like Trenton Hassell's been hitting up the Shawn Kemp School of weight "training" in the off-season.

Anthony Randolph is looking good on defense. Good to see him active but not falling on people to get a block. Maybe Keith Smart slipped a sedative into his Gatorade before the game?

Alright, here we go. The Warriors are starting to run and CJ Watson is getting into the passing lanes easy.

Andris Biedrins is sitting with Fitz and Barnett for some color commentary. Biedrins looks good in his suit but that weird hoop earring doesn't quite fit. May it's a European thing.

The Warriors are racking up steals like they're Ricky Henderson. The boom and bust of the Warriors offense depends on these steals.

Wow, what's up with Randolph playing so even -keeled? Usually after a few excellent plays, Randolph is jumping around making dumb fouls. Hmm, I wonder what's going on in his head when he gets the ball.

OOOH!! Randolph is hustling! Great to see him giving the Warriors the energy they need on both sides of the floor. He and Radmanovic are doing the intangible things that the Warriors need: grabbing boards, running the floor, some nice weakside defense and, most importantly, covering the mistakes of Monta Ellis. Wow, still no yelps or facial expressions. What's happened to him? I'm beginning to think Keith Smart is better at getting to his players than Nellie.

(The only way the Warriors could stop Brook Lopez)

Biedrins is still talking to Fitz and Barnett on the sidelines. He is discussing his friendship with Ronny Turiaf (France) and Radmanovic. The "European Union club" as he calls it. Can we expect to see this on a t-shirt? Maybe the next Tony.psd? Wink wink? Just playin' Tony.

Randolph is everywhere!!! Plus the Nets look like the Warriors on their bad nights. The lazy passes getting picked off and wide open driving lanes are making me realize why they were 0-18. They're not getting back on defense in typical Warriors fashion. Too bad the Warriors are picking up ticky tack fouls, which is keeping the Nets in the game.

Question: Are the Warriors better when Monta ISN'T shooting all the time? At this point in the game, Monta has been a non-factor, scoring-wise. The ball is moving a lot more and the other Warriors are getting involved ... and hey! They're actually winning, right now? I'm not suggesting the Warriors are better without Monta. That would be completely ridiculous. But its nice to see the other Warriors trusting in each other when Monta isn't trying to mimic Stephen Jackson in his shot selection and his complaining to the refs.

OK, I've had enough of watching Randolph fouling Lopez. It's clearly not Randolph's fault that there is a bad matchup. Where's Chris Hunter?

The Nets are blocking out as "well" as the Warriors as Randolph gets a follow-up dunk to a missed jumper. I am feeling at ease now...

CJ Watson is definitely the front runner for Warrior Wonder by the way he is getting steals and converting layups at the other end. His anticipation in the passing lanes is beautiful.

Wow, that last play of the half was beautiful. Heck, it was SEXY. I'm surprised that Monta gave up the ball to Curry and let him thread that pass to Watson for the open reverse under the hoop. Now THAT was the best closing of a quarter/half I have ever seen from the Warriors. Can we see the ball NOT in Monta's hands at the end of the half?

(Curry and Moore are both impressed by the dunk. What kind of shoes are those?)

3^rd Quarter: Hungry

Early on , we see a power move by Mikki Moore dunking over Brook Lopez! I love the post-dunk intensity ala Kevin Garnett, but is it really necessary or kosher for Moore to throw signs when they're playing, arguably, the worst team in the league? That would be equivalent to bragging that you got Susan Boyle's digits.

Looks like the Warriors are finally hitting the offensive boards. Why are the Warriors so afraid to grab rebounds? I miss Biedrins.

My girlfriend: "That guy (Radmanovic) looks like Wolverine. But uglier."

Wow, an Ill-advised shot by Monta, again. Nice move slashing to the middle and trying to lay it up over Lopez, except way off target. Sigh. I ask again, do the Warriors score better when Monta has the ball in his hands LESS? There's seems to be a lot more scoring this game when he isn't trying to score on every single possession.

I am still waiting for dinner to finish cooking... hungry. I wonder what NBA players eat before games?

Towards the end of this quarter, the Warriors frustrating play is finally getting to Fitz. He sounds like he's about to yell at Morrow post-game after seeing him commit his bazillionth turnover of the game. That's what I love about the Warriors color commentary; they never gloss over the Warrior blunders.

Damnit. The Warriors are starting to look complacent out there and there are still 6 minutes left in the quarter. It's like Cinderella and the clock struck twelve. The Warriors' chariot of marvelous game play has transformed back into the pumpkin of bad shots, dribbling into crowds, and porous defense. Are the Warriors trying to lose? Are they trying to throw games like Tim Donaghy?

Whew thank goodness for players like Josh Boone. Boone shoots freethrows like he doesn't want to be there. It's almost like he can't wait to get over with by how rushed his shots are.

(Mayweather: "Damn, I thought the Nets gave me the gift of a superstar..." Mayweather's friend: "Dude, I though we got tickets for Madison Square Garden...")

4^th Quarter: Satisfied

Great feed by Cj Watson to Maggette (no look) to start this quarter. Watson is definitely the Warrior Wonder for tonight...either Watson or the Net's terrible defense. Whereas Ellis and Morrow are looking like the Warrior ‘blunders' with the turnovers they are accumulating together. Can't complain though that Keith Smart lets his players work through these problems in the flow of the game.

Commercial break: "Give the gift...of a super... star... this holiday.. season" ...whew, I never get tired of that commercial. How many takes do you think that took for Monta to say that? Also, does anyone else think its weird that Monta is basically trying to sell tickets to see Kobe and Lebron? Do you think opposing teams run the same commercials and say that about Monta when the Warriors are about to come to town?

Ball movement! Thank goodness, the Net were within 7 but the crisis has been averted. Monta is finally scoring, but not forcing the issue. I'm more pleased that he's using his speed to benefit his teammates by hitting them with open shots.

Thank goodness the Nets cannot shoot threes. Can the Nets poor three-point shooting be the Warrior Wonder for tonight?

Question of the night, why is Sean Williams getting more playing time than Terrence Williams? Every shot of Sean Williams face as he checks in, gets fouled, or fouled someone is look of "........." or "What am I doing here?"

Mikki Moore TRULY has the best dunks. AND best post-game dunk celebrations. After two great passes from Monta, he's cheering like the game was on the line as opposed to being up 13 against the worst team in the league.Gotta love that intensity though.

I have to give it up to CJ Watson. Watson's 15 points in the second quarter, half of those off great anticipation on defense, really jumpstarted a sluggish Warriors team.

Word of the Day: Fantasy

Ben Q Rock — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 19:16:51 -0000

More photos » by David Zalubowski - AP

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fantasy (n.) - imagination unrestricted by reality.

Two weeks ago, Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade made headlines when he told Tim Povtak of NBA FanHouse that he would prefer to play with Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard if he had his choice of any superstar teammate. Not LeBron James, not Chris Bosh, but Howard.

His comments have kept Magic fans up at night, dreaming of trade packages Orlando could send Miami this summer, when Wade becomes a free-agent. Would the Heat accept Vince Carter's expiring contract, Marcin Gortat, and a combination of future draft picks? What about Brandon Bass instead of Gortat?

Problem is, Wade's comments don't actually mean anything. I found this recent Tweet by Ric Bucher instructive:

Snarky Snap take: Enough w/the "Player X says he'd like to play w/Player Y" stories. It's only news if X says he wouldn't want to play w/Y.

I hate to get all preachy, but Magic fans really don't need to worry about Wade's free-agency plans. Putting aside the fact that Heat GM Pat Riley would never trade the best player in franchise history to an in-state rival--from which Riley demanded compensation to let Stan Van Gundy out of his contract as a consultant so he could sign on to coach the Magic--there are far more important things happening on the court right now. Orlando has tied the best start in its history with a 17-4 record. There's nothing wrong with looking ahead to the summer of 2010, as the New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, and the Heat have done for several years by shedding salary and by signing players to short-term deals in order to clear salary-cap sapce. But for an elite team like Orlando, the foremost goal next summer is to hoist the Larry O'Brien trophy.

Nets 103, Bulls 101: Won't say rock bottom since there could be a ways to go

your friendly BullsBlogger — Wed, 09 Dec 2009 04:04:41 -0000

More photos » by Jim Prisching - AP

Chicago Bulls' Derrick Rose stands on the sidelines against the New Jersey Nets trying to figure out how many days until he's a free agent. It's a long process. (AP Photo/Jim Prisching)

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	Pace	Eff	eFG	FT/FG	OREB%	TOr
New Jersey	96.0	107.3	47.0%	28.6	28.9	13.5
Chicago		105.2	48.9%	17.0	36.4	17.7

Bulls weren't embarrassed tonight, they're just continually embarrassing with this loss being another instance of it. Though of the 8 losses in 9 games, this certainly is the worst opponent.

And the Nets didn't disappoint in showing their ineptitude for long stretches of the game. But you could tell from the outset that the Nets smelled a win here, and they proved that they're just as good as the Bulls...or that the Bulls are just as bad as them.

I didn't see a team that quit on their coach, or played down to competition. This is who the current Bulls are, a team that's as good as the New Jersey Nets, having to put up a 31-point fourth quarter to lose by 2. I truly thought all 4th quarter that the Nets ran out of gas and the Bulls would narrowly get this one. And I was not rooting for them to lose as some kind of statement to show how bad they are. The fact that it was this close at the end, and they were down double-digits for a majority of the 3rd quarter, showed how comparable these current rosters are, win or lose.

(though the final possession was indeed a head-scratcher, with the Bulls having 14 seconds and John Salmons launching a 3 with a hand in his face with 7 left. I'm fine with not holding until the last shot in that situation, but the 'quick' shot has to be a better option than that, and Rose has to at least touch the ball. Also, Vinny ran out of timeouts, and he subbed out Taj (one of the team's best offensive re bounders) before Rose missed the final rebound, which I believe was on purpose? Anyway, credit Kiki Vandeweghe and his cool glasses for fouling Rose up three.)

A young duo of Harris-Lopez that's possibly better than Rose-Noah (Rose had a great second half when he realized a bit late that they needed him to score a lot, but Lopez dominated Noah). Middling wings in Lee and CDR that seemed interchangeable with Salmons-Deng at a fraction of the price. Crappy depth all-around.

Taj Gibson had a great night shooting the ball, but registered two defensive rebounds in over 35 minutes. He actually was benched in favor of Brad Miller to start tonight's game, a move I'm in favor of...but Miller looks one step over the hill and provided nothing tonight.

It's real bad right now. And while I don't see any changes overnight, when they get absolutely hammered in Atlanta tomorrow, the Org. may have no choice but to do something to salvage the season. A season they were not really interested in anyway, but they can't let it stay this bad.

Daily Links 12/8

FLCeltsFan — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 17:35:13 -0000

Herald    Young Buck runs wild
Scouting report: Bucks at Celtics
Tim Donaghy has standards, just not high ones Tim Donaghy has standards, just not high ones
Globe     The power of words The power of words
Allen gets defensive
Chat with Gary Washburn right now
Jennings owes a bow to Garnett
Vote for Perk

CelticsBlog     Happy Birthday Larry Legend
Everyone Loves Brandon Jennings
Loy's Place    Celtics Host Bucks Looking for 8th Straight Win
ESPN    Tim Donaghy, disgraced NBA official, sticks to story: Biases helped bets
It's clear Daniels has been hurting
C's climb in power rankings
Garnett named the best in the East
Former Celtic mentored Jennings overseas
Owner sorry for Michael Jordan-Bryon Russell 1-on-1 hoax
Tim Donaghy's claims on trial
Nick Friedell's Blog - What happened?
NBA Basketball Power Rankings
Celtics 17    Iverson scores 11 in inauspicious return
Red's Army     Case of the Mondays: Lakers Lovefest Makes Me Wanna Puke
KG is the Player of the Week
The Morning Dump... Where Ray Gets Defensive
Andre Iguodala nails full court shot
CSNNE    C's Xmas list: Board game
Basketbawful     Happy Birdmas 2009!!
Celtics Hub    Statistical Oddities of Questionable Significance
Everybody Loves Ray
North Station Sports    Dwight Howard has worse hygiene than your garden variety preschooler
Anything Is Possible! KG Wins Player Of The Week
Keep Shooting Ray Ray!
Celtics Town    The Morning Walkthrough: Brandon Jennings was mentored by former Celtic Allan Ray
Is Tim Donaghy lying? Statistics prove it likely
Glen Davis has cast taken off, does 'light work' in practice
Lebron James bashing gone too far
Hardwood Houdini    Kevin Garnett – Hardwood Houdini Player of The Week
Hardwood Houdini NBA Power Rankings
Lex Nihil Novi     Larry v. Magic: Game 6 Preview
Red: Parish Doesn't Take a Back Seat to Anyone
Larry v. Magic: Game 6
Larry v. Magic: Game 6 Post-Mortem
CelticsLife    The decline of the White American NBA Player
More Donaghy
The Rarest of the Rare
What the Hell Happened to...Eric Montross?
Gino's Jungle     Write For Gino's Jungle
One at home then back on the bus.
Celtics Stuff Live    Covering the Celtics the Yahoo! Way V.2
Herald News    CELTIC KNOT:Boston has company at the top of the Eastern Conference
Charlotte Observer    CELTIC KNOT:Boston has company at the top of the Eastern Conference
Newest Bobcat's got your back - always
NESN     Celtics Seeking Eighth Straight Win as Bucks Visit Boston
Bucks' Rookie Star Brandon Jennings Set to Face Celtics
Bleacher Report   NBA Power Rankings: Lakers Still King but Magic, Celtics, Nuggets Closing
How Badly is Rasheed Wallace Out of Shape?
Dimemag      Most Improved NBA Player by Division
Back for the First Time
Slam Online    Phil Jackson on Women in NBA: No Way
Inside Hoops   NBA Rumors: Tuesday, Dec. 8
Patriot Ledger     The Shot heard ’round the Celtics
Cleveland.com    With Shaq and a beefed-up bench, there's plenty to like about the Cleveland Cavaliers
JS Online    Preview: Bucks vs. Celtics
Hoopsworld    NBA Power Rankings
Evan Brunell   The end of the Most Valuable Network, MVN.com
Sports Central     LeBron Develops Kevin Garnett Syndrome
BetUs    NBA Week 6 Hot or Not – Celtics are Back, Cavs Keep Rolling
FanHouse    Rondo Deserves to Be an All-Star
Tim Donaghy on '60 Minutes,' Puts Pressure on NBA
NA Sports     Coach of the Year – Worst. Title. Ever.
Orlando Sentinel    NBA Insider: The New Jersey Nets have sacrificed the present for the future
NBA.com    Kevin Garnett and Carlos Boozer named Players of the Week
My SouthEnd    Last Call for Tony Allen
Mass Live     Celtics buzz: Marquis Daniels out, Tony Allen in, and more
CBS Sports    Bucks-Celtics Preview
Herald Extra     Michael Jordan sighted in Orem for 1-on-1 challenge
American Chronicle      Quite a haul ; The Red Claws open a new era of pro basketball in Maine with a big win in their home opener.
TruFan    Are you ready for Tony Allen?

Hinrich out the next two games. So...could VDN really be fired?

your friendly BullsBlogger — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 23:22:15 -0000

John Jackson with the update:

The veteran guard's sprained left thumb hasn't healed enough to allow him to play and he's out Tuesday against the New Jersey Nets and Wednesday against the Atlanta Hawks.

"Not until the end of the week or something like that," coach Vinny Del Negro said when asked about Hinrich's possible return. "But that's a day-to-day thing. Depending on how he feels, we'll make adjustments."

I haven't read any updates on Tyrus, but he's certainly out this week as well.

So, say Dr. Del Negro is optimistic and Hinrich's actually out the entire week. that means after the Nets on Tuesday, the Bulls could possibly be without Hinrich for @ATL, GSW, BOS. Then they have the Lakers to start next week, which they can't win even if everyone was healthy and slightly better.

That could mean a lot of losses. The mainstream reaction (both in print and on the radio throughout Monday) has been surprisingly agressive on VDN's job security. I guess I didn't have that reaction since I don't see him being any worse than usual, and in terms of results this Org. has set me up for a crummy year all offseason.

But if that reaction is actually tied to how the Org. feels (it's possible), and they lose to the Nets at home tomorrow night, would that really do it for VDN? I still don't think it's the best idea, since the typical bozos that become interim coaching hires (have you watched when Pete Myers takes over?) are just as over-their-head as VDN.

And I have zero confidence that they'd hire a real coach midseason, considering it took them 8 weeks in an offseason to hire Del Negro.

It's too bad, because if they did sell out a bit for some retread disciplinarian hire they likely could squeeze blood from this rock and get more wins. It's not like the Bulls are interested in developing guys anyway, and their rotation is so short as it is the (deemed) important young pieces like Rose and Noah will have to play no matter what. An uninspired but credible hire (like Byron Scott I suppose) plus a Tyrus trade for a veteran could get this team back to 'team on the rise' myth just in time for the offseason.

I still say the potential for disaster is too risky to axe VDN now. But if they lose to the Nets making it losses in 8 of 9 (and many of them blowouts)...isn't disaster already here?

(they won't lose to the Nets)

Orlando Magic News for December 7th: Big-Time Recognition, Big-Time Upsets, and More

Ben Q Rock — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 22:00:37 -0000

More photos » by Mark J. Terrill - AP

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Orlando Magic just keeps winning
The Orlando Magic relish their underdog status--whether or not any team coming off an NBA Finals appearance can possibly consider itself an underdog is up for debate--and tend to not get as much respect as Boston, Cleveland, or the L.A. Lakers; I refer you to the third bullet in this post for Eddy's refresher. So when Mark Heisler of the Los Angeles Times headlines his weekly NBA column with a positive spin on the Magic, it's news.

Little noted among their "controversies," they have something special beneath [Stan] Van Gundy's lapses in nurturing: the best inside-outside game since Shaquille O'Neal and Kobe Bryant.

[Dwight] Howard is the game's hardest matchup, so quick at 6-11, 260 that he often puts the other center on the bench with two fouls in three possessions.

There's no Kobe, but the Lakers never had seven players making 34% of their threes, with four over 40% ([Jameer] Nelson, Jason Williams, Mickael Pietrus, J.J. Redick).

There's plenty more to enjoy at the link.
The 25 Biggest Playoff Series Upsets, 1991-2009
Neil Paine of Basketball-Reference attempts to calculate the most surprising playoff upsets since 1991, using a combination of Statistical Plus-Minus and Simple Rating. The data show that the Magic should have been heavily favored--the stats gave 'em a 77.5% chance of winning!--in the 2008 Eastern Conference Semifinals against Detroit, yet the Pistons took the series in five games. Happier news to Magic fans is where their upset of the Cleveland Cavaliers in the 2009 Eastern Conference Finals ranks.
Throwing cash into the stands
Matt Barnes' recent $20,000 fine for throwing the game ball into the Amway Arena seats after the Magic's 99-98 loss to the Miami Heat two weeks ago prompted Van Gundy to wonder if Barnes would have been better off tossing money instead. Ian Ayres of The New York Times examines the possibility in greater detail.

Actually throwing money into the stands might cause a riot. But you could imagine a team keeping some cash on hand at courtside to let players, who were about to commit a finable offense, bypass the NBA middleman and give the fine directly to some designated recipient. Instead of throwing a ball into the stands, Barnes could have ceremonially and publicly deposited cash into a courtside forfeiture drawer — with the money going to charity or to rebate part of the ticket prices.

Hat tip: TrueHoop
Most Improved NBA Player by Division
Jack Jensen of Dime Magazine names Williams the most improved player in the entire Southeast Division; Miami's Michael Beasley is the runner-up.

Jason Williams, Orlando Magic.

The Southeast division was the toughest for me to decide on—post below if you have a case for a guy—and Williams popped into my mind. Not because he has made the most improvement from his last season in the League, but because he has been just as surprising a find as anyone in the NBA this year. If only the NBA still had a Comeback POY award, White Chocolate would have to be near the top of the list. Williams is the Birdman of last year (Minus the two-year drug ban), after choosing to sit and utilize his League Pass subscription instead of playing during the 2008-09 season.

I don't believe any serious Most Improved Player discussion can omit Atlanta forward Josh Smith, who's a virtual lock for the All-Star game if he continues to play this well. Nonetheless, it's nice to see Williams get recognized for what's been a pleasantly surprising season.
Denton: Nelson Still the Starter
UPDATE: In news that should surprise no one, Van Gundy said Monday that Nelson will start at point guard once he's able to return from the knee injury that's sidelined him for the last three weeks. Williams will re-assume his backup role, and Anthony Johnson will play mop-up minutes.

Notes on two former Magic players after the jump.

Man in the Middle: A Look at Defending the Basket

Tom Haberstroh of HoopData looks at O'Neal's effect on the Cavaliers' defense.

Shaq spends more time on the bench in Cleveland so his effect on the team’s numbers should be muffled somewhat. Nevertheless, the Cavaliers have allowed about two fewer shots around the basket per game this season and their opponent field goal percentage in this zone has dipped from .577 to a league-low .550. Shaq may not offer much on the offensive end anymore but he still does a great impression of a wall.

Behind the Box Score, where the glasses aren't helping, Kiki

Kelly Dwyer says Courtney Lee might not be as great as some people make him out to be.

Also, I don't want to pick on the guy, but games like these are why people have to slow down regarding Courtney Lee. He played almost 40 minutes, and had his chances, but scored just four points while taking only five shots. Four turnovers, three assists, and five rebounds. The guy had a 10.7 PER last year at age 23, and was 24 entering this season. He's old, for a second year player, and hardly setting the world on fire (yes, I'm aware of the injuries).

This isn't to say he won't be a good rotation player and sometimes starter provided the situation is right, but this isn't the future borderline All-Star some TV guys would have you believe.

In the interest of equal time, here's Sebastian Pruiti's argument from last week that Lee has improved since last season, despite poor shooting percentages at the start of this season.

Pacers Face A Week of Reckoning Amidst Losing Streak

Tom Lewis — Mon, 07 Dec 2009 11:23:43 -0000

The Indiana Pacers face an interesting week, starting with a couple of days to work through their on-court issues before playing the Portland Trailblazers on Wednesday evening.

The Blazers will provide a stern test as one of the top teams in the Western Conference, trying to work through their own issues. See the Blazers are winning, just not enough as they try to figure out how best to use all of their young talent. The Pacers would be lucky to have the Blazers' problems right now. It's just a shame Greg Oden was injured before he was able to make a triumphant return to Conseco Fieldhouse where he won several high school championships.

The Pacers' issues, however have moved past the opponent. The combination of injuries and inexperience along with new players in critical roles have left Jim O'Brien and the players in search of a winning combination.

But at this point, the Pacers' issues have even moved past winning. All of these same problems (injuries, inexperience, unfamiliarity) were factors last season, as were the losses, but this year is different. Last year's team gave you something to cling onto. All of the close games, down to the last possession revealed a gritty team, often playing above their head. If only they could get a stop, last year's team would've been the darlings of the city.

Forget the stops this year. The Pacers can't get going offensively and once it starts going bad it seems to worsen exponentially. It seems like there have already been more stagnant possession, with poor spacing, no ball or man movement than we saw all of last year. These lovelies usually end with a jumper created out of rhythm or a forced drive into traffic for an off-balance shot attempt/beg for a foul. Rarely productive and never fun to watch.

This is the NBA though and wins and losses are THE measure of a team. After the Blazers, the Pacers face the New Jersey Nets at home on Friday and then the Washington Wizards on the road Saturday. An 0-3 week with no signs of improvement should bring with it some sort of change. I realize Danny Granger may not be available, but the rest of the players on the roster are paid to perform, as well. Plus, don't complain to the Nets or Wizards about a couple of injuries.

So, assuming the worst, then what? Fire the coach? Make a trade?

Jim O'Brien may end up being the fall guy if things don't turn around soon, and by turn around, I don't necessarily mean going on a winning streak, but at least having the team play 48 minutes of solid basketball. Judging by my inbox and comments, the paying public has grown weary of JOB at the helm of the Pacers. From the Laz-E-Boy it seems like the team has, as well. For brief stretches on the road trip, you could tell the team had orders to do things differently, like take the ball to the rim instead of settling for jumpers, but too often the same issues continue to plague the Pacers. There's only so many different ways the same person can deliver the same message, and if that message isn't getting through then someone else needs to try.

So how the Pacers play in home games this week against Portland and New Jersey, and then on the road Saturday against Washington will be very interesting. More of the same poor play and worse, three losses will make a change difficult to avoid. I realize Larry Bird has legitimate leave JOB in charge for now, but can you imagine if the Pacers lose to the Nets at home? The Fieldhouse will be an ugly scene. Giving the faithful (and anyone at the Fieldhouse on Friday is faithful, if nothing else) some sort of change at least acknowledges that the organization doesn't accept the current effort is willing to try something different.

Just don't forget, the Pacers still can't make significant changes to the roster and hoping for a critical trade involving one or more of the high-priced veterans is crazy talk. The Troy Murphy's and T.J. Ford's on the roster had cumbersome contracts before last summer when the salary market depressed. Now, their contracts with another year remaining are still a problem. Even if a team wanted the players, making any sort of fair deal is about impossible.

So there's no easy fix in sight. And believe me, changing the coach this year isn't going to do anything but give people something else to complain about. But before anything changes, let's see how the team responds to a couple of days off and three games to prove they're capable of playing better at both ends of the court.

Here are few links of interest:

Unsettled Pacers seek answers
Mike Wells digs into some of the issues causing the Pacers' problems.
Hansbrough faces growing pains adjusting to NBA
Mike Wells reports on rookie Tyler Hansbrough adjusting to NBA life with inconsistent play and minutes.
Injuries continue to plague Oden's NBA career
Greg Oden, the former Lawrence North legend has a tough road ahead to resume his NBA career, let alone ever becoming the dominant big man as projected.
Every day is about survival
Jim O'Brien continues his exemplary service to the community as an advocate for the city's homeless.

Daily Links 12/6

FLCeltsFan — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 19:27:37 -0000

Herald Celtics just not impressed
Greg Oden done for season
Lakers line forms here
Globe How much is too much?
Celtics’ improved play speaks volumes
Vote for Perk Vote For Perk

CelticsBlog   Doctor Cool
Paul Pierce Deserves (Some) MVP Consideration
Celtics Stuff Live 12/6: Austin Ainge
Loy's Place    There's a Movement Afoot to Get Perk to the All Star Game
Rondo Has Some Hops
Red's Army    Your Morning Dump... Where Doc sees a link to the championship team
Keep your eye on Austin Rivers
Your KG Face of the Day
CSNNE   TOP OF THE CLASS: C's grade out well
Celtics Hub   Sunday Notebook: C’s still not satisfied, Doc on the Lakers
North Station Sports    Meet The Bench: Shelden Williams
How the NBA Climbed Mountains Through an Era of Struggle and Outlandish Proportions
Deja vu: Greg Oden likely done for the year
Celtics Town    Doc Rivers: Boston Celtics "never that good" last season
David Stern thinks women can play in the NBA
Doc Rivers happy with C's unhappiness
Hardwood Houdini    Lebron James: You Either Love Him or Hate Him
Lex Nihil Novi    Celtics Remain Winless against Philly 83-84
Sixers-Celtics: It's Why You Purchase the Season Ticket 83-84
Everything Starts with Rondo, But Will Everything Finish with Rondo, Too?
DJ, Danny, Gerald, & Quinn: Boston's Not So Fab Four 83-84
Celtics Life    Today's Video: Kendrick Perkins Mix
Please Noah, Go Hurt Him
NBA News: Oden Likely out for the Year
ESPN    The 'What If?' game
Keep talking...It's only making Rivers better
New Jersey Nets forward Yi Jianlin needs 50 stitches to close cut lip
NewsOK   Thunder notebook: Celtics like Thunder’s future
Collected wisdom: Former Midwest City star and current Boston Celtic Shelden Williams
CelticsStuff Live   How I Know The Celtics Are Good Again
Celtics Stuff Live 12/6: Austin Ainge
MetroWest Daily News     Courtside View: Rivers making use of options -
Yahoo     D-League offers option for prep-to-pro players
Blazers' Oden expected to miss rest of season
Hoopshype      NBA Rumors Sunday, December 6
Allen should be a keeper
Telegram   Investment in Perkins paying off for Celtics
NBA Mate   Sunday Six Pack: Bad Shot Kobe, Dancing Lebron and the Evolution of Big Ben
Dimemag    There is no "it" … It is you. "You" happened again
Enterprise   Streaking Celtics have gotten their act together
My SA   Spurs feel OK after fluky loss to Celtics
Canton Rep      Around the NBA: 'A sense of urgency' drives Cavs Around the NBA: 'A sense of urgency' drives Cavs
Off the Dribble    Sinking in the Atlantic
Fan Huddle    Kendrick Perkins: A Center of Attention
Orlando Sentinel     Orlando Magic history: Some of the strangest events have happened on the road

Raptors Rapid Recap - Toronto 110 - Chicago 78

RaptorsHQ - Franchise — Sun, 06 Dec 2009 03:38:32 -0000

-The big question going into tonight's match against the Bulls was if the zeal from last night's OT win over the Wiz would carry over. Considering the 32 point win, you could say that it did just a little bit.

-The Raptors came out guns blazing out scoring the Bulls 37 to 16 in the first quarter and never looked back. Chris Bosh led the way with 25 points and 12 rebounds in only 22 minutes of play but he had help from all angles tonight. Five players in double figures, including much-needed games from Antoine Wright (10 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists) and Marco Belinelli (15 points, 5 rebounds and 3 assists.)

-Toronto completely outplayed Chicago shooting 48 per cent from the field and outrebounding the Bulls, a ridiculous 53 to 32. It was great to see the Dinos so relentless in the latter department, especially on the offensive end, and their 18 offensive boards sunk Chicago's spirirts.

-On the other side of the ball, it didn't help that the Bulls ace rebounder Joakim Noah was tossed in the second half with his second technical foul and so after that, the slaughter was on. Chicago though was horrid offensively all night, shooting only 39 per cent and really didn't show a sign of life after the first few minutes of this one.

-It was about as complete a game as you could ask for from Toronto, which makes two straight A+ efforts since Jay Triano had a little chat with his club. The lone concern was that Jose Calderon left the game with a strained hip flexor in the second half. Sounds like only a minor tweak though and with a few days off, he should be good to go Tuesday.

-A great time to get these two wins as Toronto faces Minnesota and Milwaukee next, two more quite winnable games which could ensure a nice pre-Christmas run considering the Nets are looming as well.