Andy Natalie's Philadelphia 76ers friend's fan blogs

All these are guys getting paid too much for their current value.  Obviously, some are getting paid on the back end of contracts from their younger days. 

08-09 money

Ray Allen 18 mil

Larry Hughes 13 mil

Edddy Curry 10 mil

Sam Dalembert 11 mil

Shawn Marion 17 mil

Brad Miller 11 mil

Ben Wallace 14.5 mil

Wally Szczerbiak 13 mil

Zydrunas Ilgauskus 11 mil

Allen Iverson 22 mil

Rasheed Wallace 13.5 mil

Michael Redd 16 mil

Jermaine O'Neal 21 mil

Rashard Lewis 17 mil

Jason Kidd 21 mil

Erick Dampier 9.5 mil

Tracy McGrady 21 mil

Darko Milicic 7 mil

Peja Stojakovic 13 mil

Kenyon Martin 14 mil

Raef Lafrentz 13 mil

Andrei Kirilenko 15 mil

Zach Randolph 14.5 mil

Continue reading "Bad 08-09 NBA contracts"

1.  Julius Erving:  Dr. J

2.  Dominique Wilkins:  The Human Highlight Reel

3.  George Gervin:  The Iceman

4.  Ervin Johnson:  Magic

5.  Michael Jordan:  Air Jordan

6.  Pete Maravich:  Pistol Pete

7.  Larry Bird:  Larry Legend

8.  Karl Malone:  The Mailman

9.  Vinny Johnson:  The Microwave

10.  Earl Monroe:  The Pearl 

11.  Stacey Augmon:  Plastic Man

12.  Oscar Robertson:  The Big O

13.  Lloyd Bernard Free:  World B. Free

14.  Hakeem Olajuwon:  The Dream

15.  Charles Barkley:  The Round Mound of Rebound/Sir Charles

16.  Darryl Dawkins:  Chocolate Thunder

Continue reading "The 50 Best NBA Nicknames Ever"

From about 2000-2005, Steve Francis was one of the most electrifying players in the NBA.  Awesome in the dunk contest.  He was Yao Ming's sidekick and good friend. Today?  Who knows.  On the brink of retirement?  I'm not sure.  I dont think anybody is.  We dont even know if he'll ever get another contract.  So what happened?  In 2005 he was traded to Orlando for Tracy McGrady.  That season, he averaged a still solid 16.2 points per game with Orlando, and was traded the next year again to New York.  Right around this time, the wheels started to come off for Francis.  His point totals dropped to 10.8 per game. He seemed very unhappy with where he was at in his career, and then injuries struck.  His injuries have been kind of se

Continue reading "What Happened To Steve Francis???"

One thing I love to do is compare current players with former players.  Yeah, I know "its not fair", but I dont care.  Its' fun.  I think Pau Gasol is like Kevin Mchale in so many ways, it's crazy.  First of all, the physical similarities are there.  They're both tall, thin, white power forwards with long arms and a wide variety of post moves, left or right handed.  Gasol can play center, but he prefers playing power forward. They're career stats mirror each other too.  Here are Kevin McHale's per game career stats:  17.9 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 55 fg%, 79.8 ft%, 7.0 fg made.  Now look how similar Pau Gasol's per game career stats are to McHales:  18.8 points, 8.7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, 52 fg%, 73.8 ft%, 7.0 fg made.  Yep, they both average the

Continue reading "Pau Gasol=Kevin McHale"

Who's going to be the #1 pick in next year's draft?  John Wall, who just recently commited to Kentucky.  He's a 6-3 Point Guard who reminds me a lot of Derrick Rose.  Wall is extremely quick and athletic.  He's gets to the rim at will, and finishes very impressively.  Odds are he'll play at Kentucky one year, and then leave.  He's that good.  Scouts said he would've even been a very high pick in this year's draft, straight out of high school.  John Wall looks scary good. 

Continue reading "#1 pick in the 2010 NBA Draft"

19-63.  That was Washington's record this past season.  Dead last in the East. Ouch.  But it seemed like just yesterday they were battling with the Cavs in the playoffs year after year.  Gilbert Arenas' knee injury killed them this season.  If he was healthy, they probably would've squeaked into the playoffs.  I think the Wiz are going to come back strong.  Assuming Arenas is still the Arenas we've come to know as one of the best players in the league, the Wizards should be much improved.  Throw in whoever they get with the #5 pick in the draft, and we will definitely see this team back in the playoffs.  Caron Butler is extremely underrated, and Antawn Jamison is still playing at a fairly high level (assuming Cleveland doesn't get him).  A

Continue reading "Wizards An Eastern Conference Threat?"

You heard it here first.  The Charlotte Bobcats will be in the playoffs next year.  Are they going to actually do anything there?  No.  But I really think they'll grab a 7 or 8 seed.  They came close this past year to cracking the top 8.  They need to resign Raymond Felton, who's a restricted free agent.  If they can keep Felton, have a nice draft, and add a free agent or 2, they should be able to grab a playoff spot next year.  Emeka Okafor has been a very productive player at times, actually underrated overall.  When Gerald Wallace isn't suffering from freak injuries like puncturing his spleen or lung, he can be very good.  I like the core of this team, and they should be better than they were last year.  Chin up, Charlotte fans!&nbs

Continue reading "Bobcats on the Rise"

The Pistons could be in some serious trouble.  I dont' even see them making the playoffs in 2010.  I think they'll probably be in the lottery.  They're not re-signing Iverson.  The only reason they traded for him is so all that money on his contract comes off the cap.  They're not re-signing Rasheed, he's gone.  The Cavs and Spurs seem to have some interest in Sheed, so he'll definitely sign with a contender.  That's only going to leave an aging Richard Hamilton and a still steady Tayshaun Prince on the roster.  Stuckey has shown flashes of being good, but this roster next season could be ugly.  They'll probably go after Boozer or try to trade for Bosh, but odds are, this roster is going to be pathetic next season.  Of course, Cleveland, Bo

Continue reading "Doomsday in Detroit?"

1.  LeBron James:  Analysts and writers seem to be 50/50 on the LeBron/Kobe debate.  I pick LeBron.

2.  Kobe Bryant:  Probably one of the 10 greatest players ever.  And counting.

3.  Chris Paul:  Best point guard on the planet.  Does EVERYTHING for his team. Led league in asts/steals 2 years in a row.

4.  Dwyane Wade: Wade circa 2006 & 2009 makes you put him in LBJ and Kobe's class.  Gets to the rim at will.  

5.  Dwight Howard:  Best center in the world.  5th player ever to lead league in rebs/blocks.  Only improving offensively.

6.  Tim Duncan:  Still the best power forward in the league.  Still gets 20 & 10 in his sleep.

7.  Brandon Roy:  3rd best shooting guard in the league, and one of the top closers.  Deadly mid-range game.  

Continue reading "The 35 Best Basketball Players in the World, Right Now"

So now there's news that the Cavs are going after Shaq, Rasheed Wallace, and Antawn Jamison.  The Cavs are desperate to make LeBron happy by getting him some serious help.  I agree with this strategy.  You have to bring in a new center and power forward, LeBron would love this.  Z shouldn't be a starter anymore, and Varejao is too limited offensively.  No superstar can win a title by themselves, and James needs support. 

Personally, I don't think there's any chance LeBron leaves next summer.  I would be shocked, in utter disbelief.  Why would he?  It's his home, and the Cavs are trying their best to improve the squad.  The Knicks are awful, so it's not like he'd be improving his chances to win a title there.  Wade aint' comin.  He'll resign with Miami.  You can count on that.  Sure, the NY market would help LeBron, but seriously, he already has more $ than he knows what to do with.  Plus, it's always classly when a great star stays with 1 team his whole career, and I think deep down, LeBron knows that.  LeBron isn't leaving, he'll be a Cavalier for life.  

Continue reading "Cavalier Hope"