SB Nation User Blog: saintdee

For all this talk about a exciting western playoff..

saintdee — Sun, 27 Apr 2008 00:11:49 -0000

It sure seems like we will see 2 sweeps.. Lakers and Spurs are going to sweep the Nuggets and Suns respectively. Utah already dominated Rockets in Hou. Utah is pretty much going to win that one. I think Hornets Mavericks might be exciting but after seeing Hornets dominating the Mavs the first two game I don't see the Mavs coming back and winning. So much hype went into this playoff that the results is such a disappointment. Even though the records are so close there still seems like a huge disparity in skill.

It seems like the East is more exciting than the West. Philly beating Detroit is inspirational much like Warriors winning. Its nice to see that. Raps and Magics is also a good close series. Not much disparity in skill. Cleveland and Wizards also seem evenly matched. The only sure thing is Celtics over Hawks.

I might also add that I am also secretly happy we didn't have to play the Lakers. Seems like they are running at all cylinder hitting shots and passing really well. Gasol is a absolute monster like a really really scary monster.

Bay Area Against Dallas Part 2

saintdee — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 04:45:57 -0000

Bay Area Against Dallas Part 2

With a victory over Calgary, the SJS will face the Dallas Stars minus the upset part of course. But it would be good if we were to beat them again!

Lets all become laker fans during the first round and hope they get the top seed. I want to see t...

saintdee — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 05:57:29 -0000

Lets all become laker fans during the first round and hope they get the top seed. I want to see the Lakers eliminate the Nuggets in the first round. That would make me feel better.. seeing the overpaid Nuggets get trounced by Kobe and co.

Is Matt Barnes worth keeping?

saintdee — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 05:52:54 -0000

I've been thinking of how poorly Matt has been playing. I know he lost his mom this year and it might be a factor for his recent poor play. I only say he is playing poorly because it seems like Nelson is less inclined to play Barnes recently in favor of Croshere, Pietrus, Buke and Wright, and Barnes hasn't shown the ability to be offensively productive or defensively excellent like Pietrus can be.

So with the impending resigning bonaza this summer. Will Barnes stay? Personally I think its worth keeping Barnes if its a low price like 1-3 mill a year like this year. Barnes brings a lot of heart and he is the only one willing to foul aggressively. We know he can play and he is in my mind one of the best passers on the team and truly a product of Nelson's system. Theres no one else Nelson trusts to throw that inbound pass when the game is on the line and he is a captain so theres gotta be a lotta love for him in the locker room. I've also never heard him complain about playing time or playing out of position. I think he truly appreciates the opportunity to play.

What do you guys think? Cut Barnes to make room for a free agent? or keep him for his passing and potential contributions?

Another chance for Baron getting into the ASG game..

saintdee — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 07:53:22 -0000

Kobe is questionable for the game..
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/nba/02/14/bryant.allstar.ap/index.html

Our Mr.Snub, Baron Davis has a good chance of getting into the ASG now. Though I am not sure if thats possible since Baron said he's going to disneyland(or world?) instead. Or maybe Kidd will take Kobe's spot?

Either way I wish Baron gets that last spot and then snubs the NBA right back by missing the game and going to disneyland and taking a picture with mickey.

How much longer will Pietrus last?

saintdee — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 17:29:50 -0000

"We quietly requested a trade prior to the first date on which he could be traded this season, and we've repeated this request many times," McCandless said. "There are several teams who would like to acquire Mike, and several offers have been made.

"We thought he was traded last week, but the trade was nixed at the 11th hour. Three days ago, Mike met with Chris (Mullin), and two days ago, Mike met with coach (Don) Nelson, both times repeating the trade request."

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/02/12/SP46V0BGK.DTL

apparently Air France is keen to move out and the Warriors are nixing any deals that are coming in though I am not sure why. Even though Nellie is playing Petey. He isn't even getting more minutes than Barnes. Pretty much Pietrus is put in when Nelson doesn't know who to put in when everyone is having a bad game. I think shipping out Pietrus will give our youngins a chance to play. I am sure Beli wouldn't mind taking the corner 3. His defense looks better and I am sure 12 minutes a night won't lose our games and he will more than make up for it if he can hit those 3s. Azibuke can also take Pietrus' minutes. I think Azibuke has proven himself to be a better rebounder and shooter and finisher.

PAU GASOL to LAKERS!

saintdee — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 20:04:53 -0000

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/nba/02/01/gasol.trade/index.html

The Lakers have acquired Pau Gasol in a three-player trade with the Grizzlies, SI.com has confirmed.

The deal, which was first reported by the Memphis Commercial Appeal, sends Gasol to the Lakers for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton and first-round picks in 2008 and 2010.

wtf?!!!! another all-star on lakers team... why in the world does grizzlies want kwame?!!

do other teams want lakers to win?!

I really hope this move screws up team chemistry x_x

imagine this group on the floor bynum, gasol, kobe, fischer, and for good measure odom.. is it safe to say.. the warriors might never get a rebound from the lakers again.. i mean last time was bad enough.. bynum and odom both had 11 rebounds at the half.

2 more days for CJ....

saintdee — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 08:06:16 -0000

His second 10 day contract expires on the 28th..
Nelson said CJ was the only bright spot against the T-Wolves on Monday, but didn't play him at all on Thursday..weird...

with all these trade rumors swirling I think on Sunday we will either see Payton signed or Watson signed.. I dare not believe that we will get both.

Personally I hope Watson signs with us and Nelson learns to trust Watson like he trusts Buke now. Watson seems to be able to hit his free throws and seems to have very good shot selection. Once he gets more confidence I think he will be a good backup(anything is better than Hudson). I guess the Knicks game will be the final test for Watson.
Lets hope he's not too nervous.

...
Also I hear from some very reliable sources that we are going to trade Kosta for Kobe next season :) (The ridiculous trade scenario needed for every successful dairy)

Mbenga signed by Lakers

saintdee — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 21:29:05 -0000

Los Angeles signed free-agent center DJ Mbenga to a 10-day contract Monday. The 7-footer from the Congo was released by Golden State on Jan. 6.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2008/basketball/nba/01/21/lakers.ariza.ap/index.html

Wow thats pretty surprising. Mbenga plays exactly like Kwame... a nice defender who can't score. Maybe they signed Mbenga cause Laker fans hate Kwame. Here's me hopinh Mbenga does not become a warrior killer.

Also I think its funny that Bynum will be back mid to late March when the warriors will play them the final 2 times back to back. Hopefully Bynum won't be 100% cause he kills us both time we played.

A new Baron?

saintdee — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 06:54:26 -0000

I am watching him play and I noticed he no longer dunks the ball except that one game against Dallas this season. Maybe I missed a few others but really I think Baron just goes for layups or jumpers nowadays. He doesn't go for the spectacular dunks anymore. Even when he is on a breakaway he will pass the ball to someone besides him. Take for example at the end of the game against the lakers. Baron passes the ball back to Ellis at the end of the game instead of finishing with a great dunk in the final seconds. Is this a sign of Baron becoming more aware of his body? Personally I think its cause Baron knows he will probably be forced to play the majority of the game so he conserves his energy by not attempting any dunks that could tire him or possibly injure his knees more.