Where Does The LA Lakers Defense Rank Among The NBA’s Top Teams?
September 8th, 2010 by Hadarii Jones No comments »
Defense was the theme of the 2010 NBA Playoffs, and for those teams wishing to contend for 2011's championship, it would be in their best interests to recognize the value in that logic.
The Cleveland Cavaliers, Los Angeles Lakers, Orlando Magic, and the Boston Celtics were the NBA's top teams for much of the 2009-10 regular season, and it should come as no surprise that all four were among the league's best defensive teams.
Teams that have strong defensive roots usually thrive in the postseason because the slower pace generally favors whichever team is more disciplined in a half-court set.
Man-to-man defense and strong rebounding are critical because transition opportunities are limited in the NBA postseason, and offenses tend to run at a more deliberate pace.
The Phoenix Suns were the only offensively-minded team able to reach the conference finals last season, and next season may see the league's best teams shift even further ...
Toronto Maple Leafs Rumors: Kaberle To The Devils In a Swamp Monster Of a Deal
September 8th, 2010 by Brad LeClair No comments »
According to Eklund, a very sketchy rumor pusher, the Leafs appear to be discussing a deal with the Devils to acquire veterans Jamie Langenbrunner, Brian Rolston, and two draft picks."The trade would involve Tomas Kaberle and a fourth-rounder ending up in NJ, With Rolston, Langenbrunner, a first in 2011, and a second in 2012 heading to Toronto.""Bryce Salvador could then be shipped to the Ducks or Sharks for a draft pick."Now, I understand many of you are Eklund haters, and I understand fully, but I found this rumor to be intriguing. The Devils are a team in need of salary cap relief and need to shed at least $5-6 million to properly get under the cap.With these moves, the Devils would be bringing in Kaberle at $4.25 million for this season, and unload Langenbrunner ($2.8 million), Rolston ($5.06 million), and Salvador ($2.9), which means they've unloaded around $10.76 million and taken ...
2010 NBA Season: The Five Scariest Teams in the NBA and Why
September 8th, 2010 by marc mct No comments »
These are teams who, no matter the circumstances, will not let you take a night off. Their coaches won't allow it. Yes, the Lakers, Celts, Magic and Heat are the consensus cream of the crop; however, these teams are nipping very much at their heels —hungry, determined, ready to take the next leap.
No, they are not championship ready just yet; but, overlook them at your peril.
As Aristotle stated in his tome Metaphysica “The whole is more than the sum of its parts.” If nothing else, the emergence of these teams should serve to put the league on notice.
5. Houston Rockets – Yes, them. How is that health can determine so much? With the exception of a select few (see last year’s Nets), a healthy team is a scary team. The Rockets are a prime example.
Undermanned and overmatched for much of the last two years due to injuries plaguing their ...
In Limbo: Five NBA Teams That Are Complete Wild Cards Next Season
September 8th, 2010 by Ryan Virgin No comments »
This Article Courtesy Of Rip City ReportWe are coming up quick on the beginning of NBA training camps across the nation.Each team enters camp with expectations, and some are expected to do well, while others are expected to do poorly.That is just how these things work, but sometimes, there are teams that slide into a gray area.And that gray area is the "what the hell is this team going to do" area. You look at a teams roster and just think, they either have it or they don't. In this case, you have teams that you cannot picture anything else but uncertainty.That is what these teams have to offer, uncertainty.Thank You For Reading.This Article Courtesy Of Rip City ReportBegin Slideshow
Power Ranking the NBA’s Best Trios
September 8th, 2010 by MIA Sports Guy No comments »
Who takes the cake as the NBA's top trio?
16. Wizards – Wall – Arenas – Blatche
This group is still an unknown because of rookie John Wall. Everyone knows he has the eye-popping athleticism to stick in this league. But does he have the mental makeup to be a top-flight point guard? Also, can Gilbert Arenas recover from a mid-career crisis?
15. Kings – Evans – Landry – Cousins
Tyreke Evans is unstoppable at taking the rock to the basket. He is very crafty and finds ways to finish around the rim. If he can develop a consistent perimeter jumper, he will be a complete superstar. Rookie Demarcus Cousins offers intrigue. He’s massive and multi-talented, but is he mature enough to make an impact at this level?
14. Knicks – Felton – Gallinari – Stoudemire
It’s time to see if Amare Stoudemire is a great player or a bona fide superstar. He ...
How Much Is Bobby Ryan Worth To The Anaheim Ducks?
September 8th, 2010 by TAB BAMFORD No comments »
At 23, Anaheim Ducks wing Bobby Ryan is just entering the prime of his career. He's coming off an impressive season in which his 35 goals led the injury-plagued Ducks.
But Ryan is staring at free agency, and wants new paper.
There have been a lot of rumors floating around, including years and dollar amounts, but reality is that Ryan doesn't have a new deal in place yet. Both sides would like Ryan to stay put, but they need to get on it for him to stay a Duck.
Before we look at some other players to establish a realistic dollar amount Ryan should expect/hope for, let's look at his vitals:
Age: 23
6-2 205
2009-10 Stats: 81 GP, 35 G, 29 A, 64 Pts
2009-10 Cap Hit: $1.92M
Career Stats: 168 GP, 71 G, 60 A, 131 PtsBegin Slideshow
NBA 2010: Greivis Vasquez Exclusive Interview
September 8th, 2010 by TheRookieWall.com No comments »
After completing an accomplished four year career at the University of Maryland, Greivis Vasquez entered his name in the NBA Draft. He underwent a variety of pre-draft performance tests, many of which he ranked near the top of the point guard crop. In addition, Vasquez had outstanding individual team workouts. Both his individual measurements/statistics and workouts helped increase his stock going into draft night. There was buzz that he’d be selected in the first round, but nothing was a sure thing. On June 24, 2010 Vasquez’s years of hard work finally came into fruition. As NBA Commissioner David Stern walked onto the stage to announce the 28th pick in the draft and the words Greivis Vasquez came from his mouth, you immediately saw the ear to ear smile Vasquez had on his face. Although not invited to the green room, Vasquez chose to attend the NBA Draft and was in ...
FIBA World Championships: Coach K Responds To Russian Coach Before Quarterfinals
September 8th, 2010 by Tim Fontenault No comments »
Some comments get Americans fired up when it comes to sports, especially when it comes to American national teams. Saying the goal by Germany at the 2002 World Cup quarterfinals that beat the United States was clean or saying that you were rooting for Sidney Crosby and Canada in the 2010 Olympic gold medal hockey game are among the things that grind our gears. Above all, however, may be saying that the Soviet Union deserved to win the 1972 Olympic gold in basketball. We all know the story: the timeouts, the buzzer, the replay of the inbound, all finally leading the hated Soviets to victory over the Americans, who had never lost an Olympic game in 64 match-ups, winning Olympic gold in 1936, 1948, 1952, 1956, 1960, 1964, and 1968, and refused their 1972 silver medals. Since then, the Americans have won all but three gold medals in basketball. Now, ...
NBA 2010: Rookies Most Likely To Disappoint
September 8th, 2010 by TheRookieWall.com No comments »
Hope springs eternal with each NBA Draft. Now that we've had the summer to evaluate and look at contract situations, a picture is beginning to emerge regarding each rookie. Some have looked great, some haven't played up to expectation, some have already gotten hurt, and some haven't even signed contracts.This slideshow features one rookie at each position that may be an early disappointment.For full coverage of all things related to this year's NBA rookies visit TheRookieWall.com!Begin Slideshow
Minnesota Wild Forward James Sheppard Breaks Kneecap: Suspension To Follow?
September 8th, 2010 by Trent Reinsmith No comments »
Minnesota Wild forward James Sheppard was injured in an off-ice incident in Vail, Colorado, on Saturday. Sheppard was involved in an ATV accident and fractured his left kneecap. Sheppard had surgery on the injured leg later Saturday night.
Reports indicate that the injury will cause the former first-round draft pick to miss three to four months of the upcoming NHL season, which opens on October 7.
Standard player contracts contain the following clause: “If the player, in the judgment of the club’s physician, is disabled or not in good physical condition at the commencement of the season or at any subsequent time during the season (unless such condition is the direct result of any injury sustained during the course of his employment as a hockey player with the club, including travel with his team or on business requested by the club) so as to render him unfit to play skilled hockey, then ...