SB Nation User Blog: NBA Observer

Out: NBA Pre-Draft Camp; IN: NBA Draft Combine

NBA Observer — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 15:13:50 -0000

Out: NBA Pre-Draft Camp; IN: NBA Draft Combine

As discussed at the Competition Committee meeting in May, we have decided to modify the format of the Pre-Draft Camp. Teams have expressed dissatisfaction with the caliber of player participating in the five-on-five games at the camp, the absence of players who refused to play in the games (which resulted in them not being available for medical testing), and the period of time available to teams to conduct workouts with draft-eligible players. In addition, the cost of the five-on-five portion of the camp didn’t seem to be justified by its benefits to the teams.

Thus, we have decided to discontinue the pre-draft camp format and establish a Draft Combine, focused on testing and skills workouts instead of games.

Noah asked to be pulled 9 minutes into the game last night

NBA Observer — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 19:32:22 -0000

Noah asked to be pulled 9 minutes into the game last night

"How much is Joakim Noah's lack of conditioning a problem 14 games into the season? He waved to the bench to be taken out only nine minutes after the opening tip Monday."

He had 7 boards and 4 offensive boards in just 19 minutes. And we shot 51% from the field. We need his rebounding badly. What's it going to take to get him in shape?

Deng's agent hired as assistant GM in Sacramento

NBA Observer — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 21:55:16 -0000

Deng's agent hired as assistant GM in Sacramento

The first reply at Sactown Royalty.

"Can It be a trick to get Luol Deng?"

It's an awfully strange move for an agent to migrate to a GM position. It's probably the economy stupid.

Deng's Groin Injury now a Hamstring Injury

NBA Observer — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 19:24:58 -0000

Deng's Groin Injury now a Hamstring Injury

By game time will it be a knee injury?

Let's play Operation.

Hollinger Team Rankings 2nd Release: Bulls at 12

NBA Observer — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 19:49:09 -0000

Hollinger Team Rankings 2nd Release: Bulls at 12

Bulls strength of schedule is .607 which is third most difficult in the league.

Royal Ivey on copping a feel with Aaron Gray

NBA Observer — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 00:57:05 -0000

Royal Ivey on copping a feel with Aaron Gray

SLAM: You were suspended for the first few games of this season for something that happened in Chicago at the end of last season. How do you feel about the incident now that it’s behind you?
RI: I got caught up in the moment. If I could do it all over again, I’d never do that. But I paid the price. I got suspended, and it happened.

[ed. No "sorry"? lol]

AOL NBA Power Rankings: Bulls at 12

NBA Observer — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 00:00:53 -0000

AOL NBA Power Rankings: Bulls at 12

12. Chicago: 2-2 record and have been competitive in all but a blowout loss to the Celtics. If Derrick Rose continues to find his way quickly, this could be a .500 team ... which in the East, means playoffs.

The Josh Howard Public Image Improvement Tour continues.

NBA Observer — Fri, 31 Oct 2008 15:27:23 -0000

The Josh Howard Public Image Improvement Tour continues.

Video: Kobe Bryant in the 2008 Finals and the misdeeds the Celtics got away with

NBA Observer — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 21:11:15 -0000

Video: Kobe Bryant in the 2008 Finals and the misdeeds the Celtics got away with

There is a 10 minute video detailing the type of defense the Celtics played against Kobe and the Lakers in the 2008 Finals. The video is very good. This is 10 times better than what you get when watching pre, post, or halftime analysis from the NBA's crew. Obviously, time constraints are in place for a live broadcast, but there's an argument that True Hoop's Henry Abbot postulates about why the NBA is hesitant to embrace online video.

At the least, all my bets in Vegas and the subsequent synchronized yelling at the television screens with all the die hard Laker fans had a purpose.

Kevin Garnett was moving on those screens and the Celtic bench distracting a player is a technical foul.

NBA.com surveys NBA GMs on all sorts of things: Best passers, toughest player, etc

NBA Observer — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 14:59:13 -0000

NBA.com surveys NBA GMs on all sorts of things: Best passers, toughest player, etc

NBA.com posed these questions and more to the league's general managers, and nearly all of the GM's responded to our survey.*

Here's what the guys who call the shots think will transpire this season.
GM SURVEYS

• Predictions
• Moves
• Rookies & International
• Defense
• Coaches
• Miscellaneous
• 2007-2008 GM Survey