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Showing posts with label Raptors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Raptors. Show all posts

Monday, June 24, 2013

COURTSIDE VIEW: What Would you do for a Klondike Bar?

Johnny J

With the Miami Heat winning back-to-back NBA titles, it is official; I just lost another bet. In fact, I lost three bets that came out to a grand total of $60. I usually don't make bets unless I absolutely feel the team I pick will win. That didn't happen.  My luck was so bad, that one team I gambled on was actually swept in these playoffs, which made it worse. So the next day, when I saw the person who won the wagers, I quickly went up to him and paid off my debt. I don't like being in debt so I try and pay off my debtors as soon as possible. There's no chasing me down or confronting me because I would go looking for that person I owe money to first. There's no waiting until the next time I get paid because I would have the money on me already just in case I do lose. When that happens, I earn the reputation of me being an honest person. People don't mind making wages with me because I end up chasing them down to get rid of my debt. Chris Bosh, I hope you are taking notes because I feel you owe Pat Riley and your teammates your salary, which is just as bad as Ray Allen jumping on the bandwagon with the enemy.

Game 7, on Wednesday night, had to be one of the worst games, if not the worst for a so-called superstar in NBA history. Bosh didn't even score a single point. He played 28 minutes in one of the most anticipated games in an  NBA Finals. How did he come out on the floor like a person who just couldn't get the job done?  A superstar should do his job and show up to big games. He had zero points and seven rebounds. When Pat Riley signed him to a six-year, $109 million dollar contract, he pictured a dominant max contract player who was a productive, franchise-type player with the Toronto Raptors.  The same player who became the all-time leading scorer for the Raptors. A double-double average a night guy. Instead, he got a newborn baby who was brought in by a stork. A newborn who was looking to get nurtured by the real superstars of the team. In others words, Bosh is softer than ______(insert your favorite brand name fabric softener--Ed). He's someone who is riding backseat of a championship team. Riding the talents of LeBron James and Dwyane Wade.

So be a man, chase Pat Riley down, and give him your whole earnings of your check. The whole $17 million and some change check for this past season because you're in debt, my friend. A grand total of seven rebounds...seven and one block. ITS AN NBA FINALS, GAME 7! Third String center Joel Anthony could have produced more stats in that time (and for one-fifth of the cost--Ed).  So between Bosh and Wade, I would have to say Bosh is the one who is gone next season (despite qualifying for Early Termination Option, highly doubt that Bosh will walk away from $19 million+ for next season--Ed). I can't see the Heat paying a salary that is just going to increase. Riley is probably trying to work out a deal/trade right now. Maybe a second round pick in return would suffice. Bosh must be best friends with Brooklyn Nets' player, Joe Johnson. I heard he steals from the front office as well. What would you do for a Klondike Bar, Bosh? For a ring, for a chance to glorify and get paid off of your teammates' talents? I would feel better sleeping if I knew Heat veteran, Shane Battier received that salary instead.

Mr. "He Got Game" himself, Ray Allen. Leaving your friendships with the Boston Celtics to jump on the back of LeBron James. Taking less money to join the enemy of your Celtics' team. One of the best shooters in NBA history, desperate for another ring, I see.  He had a few highlights in Game Six to help the Heat prevail, but overall  I see why Kevin Garnett doesn't talk to him any more. Where is your self-respect? I just threw out my, "He Got Game" movie. Allen may have eased his way to another ring, but I'm sure he is still upset about San Antonio Spurs' role-player, Danny Green breaking his record for most threes made in a NBA Finals.  I couldn't reside with the enemy, especially for less money. That's just something I couldn't do. Obviously he must have thought the Celtics were a step slower in reaching the Finals again (Doc Rivers definitely thinks so--Ed). If he continued to play for the Celtics and if Rajon Rondo was healthy, I believe  the Celtics could have reached the finals. What would you do for a Klondike Bar, Ray? Kiss the rival, lose your friend. It must be ice cream in the middle, because dishonor is something that carries weight. Enjoy the 2% fat Klondike bar.


Bosh is a fraud--a fraud I tell you (Kevin Durant would say he's a "fake tough guy."--Ed). Anywhere he goes, he is going to be stealing. Just seven rebounds in an NBA Finals is worse than terrible. He stole minutes as well.  He robbed somebody who was worthy of those 28 minutes. Riley knows what has to be done. Give him the boot and make him earn that $109 million salary somewhere else. As far as Ray goes, going AWOL on his former championship team; the things people will do to be in the spotlight. I didn't see him in any highlights on the Heat's 27 game win streak, so enjoy it while you can, you aren't getting any younger.

More NBA content is available here. 

Tuesday, February 12, 2013

PLOTSKY'S POSITION: Boozer/Bargnani



Dan P

Not my profile pic, but
pretty darn close
resemblance
(photo courtesy of Felipe M)
Dan is a Chicago Bulls' fan and chimes in on the potential trade of Carlos Boozer to Toronto.

The NBA trade deadline approaches and yet again we are left to ponder which teams will be aggressive both in basketball and financial terms.  We have already witnessed one trade rumor that has left this writer in particular befuddled and angry.  

Which is why I would like to start with a trade rumor I have dubbed "Give me a bag of balls, but only if they have air in them."  This of course is the Chicago Bulls and Toronto Raptors’ trade rumor involving players Carlos Boozer for Andrea Bargnani that leaked to the public last week and completely angered Bulls’ nation.  

Look, I won't be objective here. I simply cannot!  I have tried for the last two years to think of every conceivable way to deal Carlos Boozer and live the Kevin Love pipe dream.  Despite his vastly improved play this year, it still isn't enough to warrant a free pass when he looks like “Carlos Loozer” on the court with Derrick Rose.  

Boozer is an undersized, flat-footed defender who rebounds better than his size would indicate and he flourishes in a pick and pop offense or Iso, post-ups from 10 feet.  And I do mean pick and pop as I have yet to see Carlos roll effectively and elevate to create good layups.  

I have provided a small excerpt from 82games.com of a few stats that are becoming more commonplace for NBA teams to look at.  This, by the way, is this year's stats for Boozer:

2012-13 On Court / Off Court stats for Carlos Boozer
Many stats are shown on a 'per 48-minute' basis
Stat
ON Court
OFF Court
Net
Minutes
1449
970
59%
Offense: Pts per 100 Poss.
103.0
108.5
-5.5
Defense: Pts per 100 Poss.
105.6
98.5
+7.0
Net Points per 100 Possessions
-2.6
+10.0
-12.6
Offensive Rebounding
31.9%
35.1%
-3.3%
Defensive Rebounding
70.2%
68.9%
+1.2%
Total Rebounding
51.0%
52.0%
-1.0%


It's mind-boggling how the Bulls are a better team defensively AND offensively without Carlos on the floor and although he is a positive on the defensive rebounding side, he's flat out terrible on the offensive glass. Defensive and offensive rebounding are all about effort.  Don't believe me?  

(See 1:20 mark of video as Rodman outworks Charles Barkley--Ed)

And just because I couldn't get enough, here’s more Dennis Rodman. 

So what's the point?  I want Boozer gone because the Bulls are most likely maxed out and have become like the older-looking San Antonio Spurs (but without any championships to show for it—Ed).  They are an extremely hard-working regular season team that just doesn't have an extra gear when it comes time for the playoffs.  Rose was supposed to provide that missing gear, but even that is in limbo as we go forward.  

But Andrea Bargnani?  This trade makes no sense to me at all since the team would only shed $3 million this year, but essentially will still be tied up in terms of the salary cap for the next few years as Bargnani has 3 years left on his deal.  This all stems from how cheap Jerry Reinsdorf is when it comes to the Bulls (currently, the Bulls have the 5th highest payroll in the NBA—Ed).  The Bulls have NEVER-- let that sink in-- never paid the luxury tax in team history.  As the 2nd or 3rd largest market in the NBA (depending on who you ask) (Chicago ranks 3rd in terms of population—Ed) it seems almost impossible that Jerry didn't owe David Stern a single dollar at the end of any season.  

Three thoughts occurred to me simultaneously:


  • The Bulls really want to amnesty Boozer (not really, but it wouldn’t surprise us at this point—Ed)
  • The Bulls are on pace to pay the luxury tax this year for the first time ever and Jerry really will do anything, short of fan mutiny, not to pay it
  • The only thing that irritates Jerry more than paying the luxury tax is paying Boozer to play for another team if/when they amnesty him.  (Bulls are still liable to pay the contract even when it doesn't count against the cap).

These three statements are paradoxical in nature as the truth of one statement violates another.  The only path to basketball nirvana is to get a fair trade of talent for him…

…Oh, right, that's impossible because everyone knows the Bulls are only interested in saving money, hence Andrea Bargnani.  

Excuse me while I go searching for a wall to bang my head on…

More NBA content is available here.