Not a big deal but shaq got pulled over

While he’ll definitely miss the preseason opener on October 7 against the Golden State Warriors, it’s not beyond the pale that he’ll be ready for the actual season opener on October 30 against the Dallas Mavericks.

There are two ways to look at being on a new team with a one-year contract. One approach would be to want to showcase an individual game to earn the attention of a new team next summer. Brand points out that few teams will have as much cap space as Dallas, so the better way to approach the season might be to understand that a player who fits in and shares the bigger team goals might be in Dallas long-term.fdw342

It was tough to see those two guys go somewhere else, and it’s going to be weird to see them in a different uniform, for sure. But then it settled in a little bit, I think (Chris) Kaman was the first guy to say he’s coming, which was a good move. hsgfs3432

And this is what it all boils down to, really. It is not about the team saluting Rondo as he walks in the door, falling in line for inspection, and waiting for his inspirational words of wisdom. It is about trust. At 26 years old, Rondo has earned the unequivocal trust of his Hall of Fame teammates. They trust him to see things, say things, and tell them things that will lead to the team’s ultimate success. For Garnett and Pierce, the pressure is off. ghfghd54544

And hell, sometimes, when you have been “the man” your entire career, it is not a bad break every once in a while to let someone else handle the spotlight as you slip out the side door. It’s nice to know that, as the last sands drip through the hourglass of your career, the team you are leaving is in good hands. 54645

And hell, sometimes, when you have been “the man” your entire career, it is not a bad break every once in a while to let someone else handle the spotlight as you slip out the side door. It’s nice to know that, as the last sands drip through the hourglass of your career, the team you are leaving is in good hands. lkjkljk

Rajon Rondo is by no means a polished diamond. Within the past calendar year, he has thrown a ball, and his body, at referees. He is still prone to gambling on defense and quiet tantrums until we see that he is not. A pre-season’s worth of glowing Rondo scripture by no means makes the man infallible.
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But it does mark another step along the way to a more complete, more mature player. Perhaps Rondo’s career is a bit like running up a big sand dune. Every stride brings progress, and then a little slide. The key, though, is to keep going, and realize that it is a lot of hard work and a bit of frustration to get to where you need to be.jdhgd3434

It’s a fair assessment. I think most fans, players, and coaches alike know that flopping is a problem, and doesn’t belong in the league. The trouble is, how do you fix it? Will a policy like this actually work? My main concern would be how it is enforced, since judging whether somebody is flopping is completely subjective. Granted, some, if not most, are pretty obvious, but what happens the first time someone gets suspended or fined heftily for a controversial flop?0908908

It’s a fair assessment. I think most fans, players, and coaches alike know that flopping is a problem, and doesn’t belong in the league. The trouble is, how do you fix it? Will a policy like this actually work? My main concern would be how it is enforced, since judging whether somebody is flopping is completely subjective. Granted, some, if not most, are pretty obvious, but what happens the first time someone gets suspended or fined heftily for a controversial flop?.mj,iuo78

“Right now, we have so much competition at each position. The point guard position, the two, the three, the four – the four I would have to say Andrea (Bargnani) has pretty much got that solidified right now – but the five position and those positions are going to be competitive as far as for minutes.”lk;ip89898

Under Colangelo, the competition for minutes in Toronto has been somewhat suspect in the past as every one of his lottery picks has been guaranteed a spot in the rotation, whether this cost the Raptors wins or not. This year, things may have changed.bdgfs

“(The rotation is) probably eight to nine (players),” Casey said. “If (the rookies) are not in the rotation, they are going to get a lot of individual work. This year is about winning, getting the five, eight, nine guys on the court that are going to produce a win. We are not going to use games to develop guys like we did last year.”p8089076

“(The rotation is) probably eight to nine (players),” Casey said. “If (the rookies) are not in the rotation, they are going to get a lot of individual work. This year is about winning, getting the five, eight, nine guys on the court that are going to produce a win. We are not going to use games to develop guys like we did last year.”900890809

Opponents still get too many easy looks at the basket, as the Cavs dont really have anyone to protect the rim outside of Tristan Thompson. Defensively, their guards are weak. If they dont make the playoffs, everyone can point to those two reasons.

Now back to that glue and Kirilenko, who seems to vocalize everything in his own perfect, poetic way. The Russian veteran could be the spokesperson for the team at this point, with his sound bytes that transform what might otherwise be clichés or trite athlete-speak into comprehensible wisdom. He knows what he wants to contribute, and his approach should color the way the team thinks about its game from now on.gdsf

One of the biggest clichés in sports is “I’m not complaining,” but when a player loses an opportunity because of an injury — or in this case, a medical condition — he should have every right to complain. Some opportunities won’t come around twice.

“We all think the same, and we all want to win,” Smith said. “Everybody wants [playing time], so the great thing about practice is that we all really go at each other and go hard. You know that I’m the same age as you, so if I’m getting a spot right, and you’re the same age as me, it’s hard to take that spot. Everybody battles.”

More importantly, Smart believes the players he has under his guidance are tired of losing and ready to put the Kings back on the map, which currently has them in Sacramento.

“Without question,” Smart said. “Based on how they made the decision and effort to come back and train throughout the summer and how early they all came back three weeks before training camp, and then coming to camp in great shape and going out to Colorado Springs and doing the job.”

Williams, Price Clash in Brooklyn Opener: The Brooklyn Nets played their first game in the Barclays Center on Monday night. While most preseason games are virtually meaningless, this one was more significant than most since it was the Nets’ debut in their new home. They earned the victory, topping the Washington Wizards, 98-88. Late in the contest Wizards backup point guard A.J. Price, a native of Amityville LI., picked up a flagrant foul while trying to prevent Williams from converting a layup after a turnover.