SB Nation User Blog: Orlando Woolridge

Marty Burns on Derrick Rose

Orlando Woolridge — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 17:34:00 -0000

Marty Burns on Derrick Rose

[From the FanShots -ed.]

Okafor, Bobcats Nowhere Near Deal

Orlando Woolridge — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:07:19 -0000

Okafor, Bobcats Nowhere Near Deal

>Okafor averaged 13.7 points and 10.7 rebounds a game last season, and led the team in blocked shots (1.7 per game) and field-goal percentage (53.5). Brown has said it's critical they retain Okafor for his defense and inside presence on a team that struggled to rebound last season.

With the team losing money and struggling to sell tickets, there is added pressure to reach the playoffs next season for the first time. Keeping Okafor -- or getting a quality big man in a sign-and-trade deal -- is essential. But because of complicated salary-cap rules, it would be difficult for the Bobcats to pull off a sign-and-trade.<

Jermaine O'Neal to Raptors for Ford and 17th pick

Orlando Woolridge — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:22:09 -0000

Jermaine O'Neal to Raptors for Ford and 17th pick

Blog a Bull NBA FINALS discussion

Orlando Woolridge — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 04:08:32 -0000

The home team Celtics just defeated the Lakers on their home floor in Game 1. Phil Jackson decided not to call any timeouts down the stretch, obviously upsetting the Vegas folk, which resulted in a 98-88 Celtics win.

The win for the C's was not really as decisive as the final score indicates, however, as LA not only hung in there through 3 quarters but led most of the first half.

PJ Brown, ex-Bull, came in off the bench for the Celtics to log some HARD minutes after an ineffective Kendrick Perkins went out with an ankle sprain.

Bryant disappeared in the 4th Quarter, as Sasha Vujajcic pulled up for a couple bad shots and the Lakers basically were totally out of sync in the 4th.

Despite the Lakers' first game loss, I am still holding out for Lakers in 6. Too young. Too athletic. Can play fast or slow. Deeper. Kobe Bryant. I could go on.

Tonight the Lakers failed to cover a 3 point spread, the o/u was at 191.5 and the teams combined for 187 (under). The NBA still does the idiotic 2-3-2 format in the Finals, so Boston stealing one in La La Land could be monumental, or at least more so than stealing one in the 2-2-1-1-1 format is. Three in a row is what LA needs to win if they can't steal one on Sunday @ 6 PDT.

Thorpe and Dr. Jack live blog Lakers/Celts Game 3 (Bynum for Deng?)

Orlando Woolridge — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 05:03:10 -0000

Thorpe and Dr. Jack live blog Lakers/Celts Game 3 (Bynum for Deng?)

some gems in here from Thorpe.

he wants the Lakers to sign and trade us Bynum for Deng.

Suns to Name Terry Porter new head coach

Orlando Woolridge — Sat, 07 Jun 2008 19:38:22 -0000

Suns to Name Terry Porter new head coach

Multiple sources told ESPN's Stephen A. Smith that Terry Porter is the new coach of the Phoenix Suns.

Terry Porter

Porter

Suns general manager Steve Kerr called Porter on Saturday morning to offer him the job, and Porter accepted.

Porter is a former head coach of the Milwaukee Bucks and was an assistant coach for the Detroit Pistons this season.

Porter was interviewed twice, most recently on Monday.

The Suns had been searching for a head coach since Mike D'Antoni resigned to lead the New York Knicks. Other candidates included Houston Rockets assistant Elston Turner and former NBA player and TV analyst Mark Jackson.

Porter was Flip Saunders' lead assistant in Detroit the past two seasons. Porter led the Bucks from 2003 to 2005, helping them earn a spot in the 2004 playoffs.

His coaching career started as a Sacramento Kings assistant in 2002.

Joakim Noah Sentenced to $200 fine and 6 Months Probation

Orlando Woolridge — Fri, 30 May 2008 05:25:46 -0000

Joakim Noah Sentenced to $200 fine and 6 Months Probation

Deferred Sentence.

Bill Simmons' Latest - Funny Stuff

Orlando Woolridge — Mon, 26 May 2008 00:47:43 -0000

Bill Simmons' Latest - Funny Stuff

a sample:

"Put it this way: If the Spurs-Lakers series goes the distance, I see a Game 7 officiating crew of Bennett Salvatore, Adam Silver and Jack Nicholson, as well as every Spurs starter fouling out and Gregg Popovich getting two quick T's and being removed from the court on one of those Hannibal Lecter stretchers. And that's a conservative prediction."

"Like everyone else, I'm three levels beyond titillated to see how Mike D'Antoni runs the "Seven Seconds or Less" offense with Eddy Curry, Zach Randolph and Nate Robinson. But here's my question: Since Derrick Rose is the perfect point guard for that offense, why didn't Mike D. at least wait until right after the lottery to choose between Chicago and New York? Isn't that just common sense? Plus, they could have kept showing him in the crowd holding a Bulls hat and a Knicks hat with a "Mama needs a new pair of shoes!" smile on his face. I feel a little cheated by the whole thing."

Who Should Pax Hire? (POLL)

Orlando Woolridge — Sun, 25 May 2008 14:30:24 -0000

I'll put these in order of likelihood of being hired:

Thibs: supposed "Defensive Mastermind" before this year. Was his name being thrown around before he got to coach KG? No.

Avery: another "defensive" coach. Won 67 games with Dallas last year, and then couldn't get them past the run and gun Dubs in the first round. Also, choked away a 3-1 lead in The Finals vs. the Heat against his mentor Nelly. The Little General is like Skiles on PCP.

The RIfleman: Chuck Person. He signed with the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday, August 1, 2007, as an assistant coach behind Reggie Theus (thanks to wiki.) Very "emotional" from what I've read on BaB, kicking balls into the stands and such. Helluva shooter in his day.

DeWayneCasey : Retread. FIred unfairly in Minny? Who is this guy?

Terry Porter: Don't know anything about his coaching abilities, except that he got fired by the Bucks. LOVED his game on those early 90's Blazers teams. Against the Bulls in the Finals, he was the second best player on the court after Scottie Pippen.

Mark Jackson: 2nd All Time in Assists. Wants to coach. No Experience. Not impressive as an analyst. Already interviewed, and that makes him unlikely at this point. Donnie Walsh must love him, which is good.

Jeff Hornacek: lobbying for the PHX job, and will probably get it, so doubtful that he lands in Chi.

Brian Shaw: Jackson disciple. Likes to hold the clipboard on camera right after Laker time outs. Master of the Triangle?

Ty Corbin: assistant with Utah Jazz for last four seasons under Jerry Sloan . Hmm, what about Jerry Sloan?

Kurt Rambis: another Jackson disciple.

via www.kurtrambis.com

Scottie Pippen: number 33. Incredible basketball IQ. Can't keep his mouth shut?

Poll

Who should Pax Hire?

Thibs

35 votes

Avery

49 votes

Hornacek

11 votes

DeWayne Casey

5 votes

Jackson

3 votes

Terry Porter

10 votes

The Rifleman

2 votes

Brian Shaw

35 votes

Ty Corbin

7 votes

Kurt Rambis

11 votes

Scottie Pippen

40 votes

208 votes | Poll has closed

Derrick Rose Vids

Orlando Woolridge — Fri, 23 May 2008 00:50:22 -0000

above is from January vs. Gonzaga. Skip to the :50 mark to see him with a monster flush in traffic. He also shows off an ankle-breaking cross-over-->kick out to the shooter.

this is vs. G-Town in December. He makes a nice floater in traffic and goes strong to the hole, drawing contact and making the and one.

vs. Cincinnati in December,above,demonstrating his outside J. It's not the prettiest but he heats up and strokes it. Gotta agree with Calipari on this one. His shot will only improve, especially with the amount of shoot a rounds you get in the NBA (Kirk Hinrich is obviously one exception to this rule).

Imagine if we could get D. Rose to lay off the candy! His first step might be even quicker!

One final thought: always remember, we could have the number 9 pick. We got the number one pick, and we get our choice of two awesome players. I've seen some good points made for picking Beasley here today. All I can say is that it's nice to have options!

Feel free to post more vids in here.