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

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"

Why did Darko fail?  I blame Larry Brown.  For 2 and a half season with the Pistons, Larry Brown never played Darko meaningful minutes.  Darko got about 5 minutes of burn per game, all coming in garbage time.  Someone in the media even nicknamed him "The human victory cigar", because he only got on the court after the game was decided, a Pistons win or loss.  How the hell can you expect a young talent to improve if he's playing once or twice a week for 5 minutes?  You have to throw rookies and young guys into the mix and let them make mistakes and learn.  Darko never got that chance, and was completely mentally destroyed from the hellish years in Detroit.  Now, some say with Rasheed and Ben Wallace on the team, there was no room for Darko in the rotation.  Mehmet Okur was getting some of the backup time, but really?  Darko couldn't sniff the court, at all?  He couldn't have gotten in at the end of a quarter or two and worked up a sweat?  Learned a few things?  He was the #2 pick!  He had to have

Continue reading "Why did Darko Milicic fail?"

Here are my top 2010 Title Contenders: 

1.  Lakers:  Defending champs.  Might lose Ariza or Odom to free agency, but the core will be there, and as long as they're healthy, they'll be in the mix.  

2.  Cavaliers:  LeBron's back.  And he might have a little more help, if they add Shaq or a couple more free agents and draft picks.  

3.  Celtics:  Pierce and Allen can still play at a high level.  You know Allen's gunnin' to pass Reggie for the all time 3 point title.  As long as KG is about 90% of what he was, they'll be strong again.  Rondo's now an all star.  Perkins is also much improved.

4.  Orlando:  Gained a ton of experience this postseason.  The key will be resigning Hedo.  Dwight will no doubt be a better player.  They will be tough again.

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Duncan, Shaq, and Kobe all have 4 NBA titles.  Dont' think all 3 of em dont know that.  They all want a 5th very badly.  Who's going to get it first?  Well, it depends on a couple things.  I think if the Shaq to Cleveland deal goes down, then Shaq will get #5 before the other 2.  If it doesn't, then Kobe has to be the favorite to get his 5th.  I dont think San Antonio has the firepower on their current roster to get back to the Finals.  If they swing a deal or 2, they might have a chance.  The quest for #5 starts soon. 

Continue reading "Duncan, Shaq, Kobe all with 4 titles........who gets 5th first?"

Well, the rumors are heating up again.  Shaq might be traded to the Cavs.  I'm pretty sure LBJ would love this.  He's never played with a good big man.  You know Shaq wants a 5th ring, and hopping on the LeBron bandwagon is his perfect opportunity.  It's $20 million on Shaq's deal, but it's only 1 year, so if the experiment wouldn't work, there's no further commitment for Cleveland.  I'f I'm Danny Ferry, I'd roll the dice and pull the trade.  It's going to show King James that you really want a title, and help to keep LeBron in Cleveland for good. 

Continue reading "Shaq? In Cleveland?"

If you could pick one player to start a franchise around post-Jordan, who would it be?  I'd take Tim Duncan.  The Spurs have had the best winning % in professional sports since drafting Timmy.  Yep, in all of pro sports.  4 championships too.  Almost a couple more.  Duncan's only lost in the 1st round of the playoffs twice, once when he was hurt.  One of the best teammates in history.  Gets along with EVERYONE.  Plus, he's never really had a truly great sidekick for an extended period of time.  Robinson was starting to breakdown just as Timmy was entering his prime. Parker and Ginobili have only been all star caliber for a few years.  The Spurs filled in the gaps with journeymen and role players, and still somehow Duncan won 4 titles.&

Continue reading "1 post-Jordan player to build around: Duncan"

Yes, Dwight Howard doesn't have a ton of post moves, but he's only 23 years old.  HE'S GOING TO GET BETTER.  He's already the best rebounder and shot blocker on the planet, and he can still get 20 points a night along with that, so just because he doesnt have moves like Hakeem or Kareem (rhymes, funny) doesnt mean he's not going to be an all time great.  He'll add a move or 2 each year.  He'll become more polished on the block.  Give him a little time please.  If he went to college for 4 years, he would've just completed his rookie year.   Dwight's the only anchor on Orlando's defense, and he has to make up for everyone else' mistakes.  He's already led his team to where they probably shouldn't be right now, the Finals.  They've overachieve

Continue reading "Easy on Dwight"

Kevin Durant gets no attention.  He had a monster year.  People barely noticed.  He was a sophomore, and averaged 25.3 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 1.3 stl, 47.6 fg%, 42.2 3fg%, and 86.3 ft%.  Those percentages are impressive.  The scoring is very impressive.  He had a number of games where he approached 40 points and 10 rebounds.  He scored 46 in the rookie sophomore game, 46!  Sure, nobody plays much defense in that game, but he made everyone look silly.  Personally, I think Oklahoma City might make the playoffs next year, and Durant will be an MVP candidate.  He's so underrated, its insane.  He's only 21 years old. 

Continue reading "Why does nobody talk about Kevin Durant?"

Sure, people have compared Ricky Rubio to Pistol Pete Maravich, because they both are spectacular playmakers and have floppy hair.  However, I think an even better comparison for Rubio is Jason Kidd.  Rubio can't shoot like the Pistol could.  Here's why Rubio and Kidd are so alike:  Both unbelievable playmakers, both can't shoot well, both good at getting to the rim and creating, both run the fastbreak like magicians, both proficient at stealing the ball, and both some of the best teammates around.  Pistol was a shooting guard, Rubio's a point.  Rubio=Jason Kidd. 

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I HATE the Lakers.  Here's why:

1.  They've won the most games in NBA history

2.  They've beaten the teams I've liked a lot in recent years.  (The Kings, Mavericks, Spurs, Nets)

3.  Their fans aren't loud at games

4.  Their fans are comprised of dumb celebrities, who wouldn't even be Laker fans if they didn't live in LA for their movie careers

5.  They have a lot of bandwagon fans

6.  Kobe is a jerk, for about 15 reasons (cheated on his wife, demanded Shaq be traded, ratted out Shaq, screams at teammates, etc.)

7.  They have a really dumb nickname, "Lakers".  Hello, you're not in Minneapolis anymore.  Change your're nickname.  As bad as Utah "Jazz" 

8.  Their bright, obnoxious jerseys

Continue reading "Why I HATE the Lakers"