Talking Hoops
Via Westcheddar:
One of the hippest blogs around in terms of music, sports and all around coolness from my boy and White Plains legend Dan Isenberg. BTW, I was Digger Phelps.
“…The Yankees are in the World Series, but the NBA season starts this week, and as much as we love baseball, it’s hoops that we’re most passionate about here at Westcheddar. I rounded up my top basketball analysts to give us a breakdown of what’s going on in the NBA, NCAA, and even with the local High Schools too. Tommy Dee writes and does commentary for The Knicks Blog, has appeared all over the TV dial from SNY to CNN, and coaches with Stepinac High School in White Plains. Johnny Halas writes for The Jockosphere, and this season is transitioning from playing pro ball with the Rochester Razorsharks to coaching at Amherst College. And Brian Duignan co-hosts The Yellow Brick Road, a New York Knicks online radio talk show, and also coaches the modified boys team in Mamaroneck.
These are local guys who live and breathe basketball. I roomed with Tommy and Brian down at University of Maryland, where Brian managed the Terps for four years, and it was like living with Digger Phelps and Al Trautwig. And Johnny, well I remember when I used to rock his world in One on One back in the day living next door to him on Ogden Avenue, and now I probably wouldn’t be able to get a shot off. He’s gearing up to be the next Bill Walton. Let’s hear what these guys have to say…
IP: Ok boys, let’s start with The Knicks. Will they make the playoffs this year? Who’s our “go to” guy?
TD: I think, based on what I’ve seen in the pre-season from a defensive standpoint, that the team is going to be improved. They won 32 games last year and with a little better effort defensively, I can see them getting a few more W’s against the average NBA teams. That should translate to 36-40 wins and a year-long battle for a playoff spot. I think they sneak in.
JH: The Knicks may sneak in at 8, but I don’t see it happening. I’m hoping that Wilson Chandler steps up as the “go to”, but I think they’re still gonna defer to Al Harrington, who’s an amazing talent, but can’t seem to put it all together.
BD: No. ”Go to” is tough, the Knicks don’t really have one. I plan to enjoy Nate Robinson for one last season & wait for LeBron.
IP: How about the rest of league? Is it the Cavs? Can the Lakers win it again? Celtics?
TD: I’m not sold at all with what some of the teams at the top of the Eastern Conference did. Shaquille O’Neal will not mesh well in Cleveland, but Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon will. I’m not sold on Vince Carter in Orlando either. I think Rasheed Wallace helps the Celtics as much as any addition and with a healthy KG the Celtics will represent the East. And yes, Ron Artest makes the Lakers better, which is hard to imagine, if he keeps taking his meds.
BD: Have to root for Shaq. I used to like Garnett until he went to Boston and started losing his mind. How annoying was he when the Celts won the championship a year ago? The worst was when MJ made the Hall Of Fame, and the NBA interviewed some prominent NBA players to hear their thoughts. A’mare Stoudamire said “he’s the best player I’ve ever seen”, which I agree with. Then Garnett inhales through his nose, takes a dramatic pause, and says “he’s the gatekeeper”. What is this, Dungeons & Dragons?
JH: Adding Shaq is an interesting move, I didn’t agree with it. I think getting a guy who can really coach would’ve been a better decision for the Cavs, but it’s tough to fire the reigning coach of the year. The Lakers can definitely win it again, if Andrew Bynum stays healthy. They also need Jordan Farmar to elevate his game and give them better minutes. I don’t see the Celtics doing much this year. Pierce, Garnett, and Allen are all a year older, that doesn’t help them. Rondo is too much of a wildcard at the point to be taken seriously in a 7 game series…” More.
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Mal
