| Username |
Post |
| RealRusty |
Posted
on 03-Sep-02 10:10 AM
ESPN--
**
INDIANAPOLIS -- Paul Pierce put on such a show, it made Reggie Miller's debut merely a footnote.
Reggie Miller gets a helping hand after chasing a loose ball off the court.
Pierce had another of his scoring blitzes Monday night, cementing his status as the U.S. team's best offensive player. He made seven consecutive shots and scored 20 of his 27 points in the third quarter to lead the United States to a 106-82 victory over Russia.
Pierce has led the Americans in scoring in all four of their games at the World Championships.
******
As a fan of Paul Pierce ( not the Celts), I am so glad to see this:)
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| DWI |
Posted
on 03-Sep-02 05:14 PM
No doubt. Paul Pierce is the most promising player in the current NBA roster, better than Kobe because of his size (a little less athletic though).
But I will always root for the New YAWK Knicks! even if they suck big time.
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| RealRusty |
Posted
on 03-Sep-02 07:07 PM
Wow...I thought this thread's dead with no response. Yeah, I agree that Pierce is one of the most promising player in NBA. He can score 30 points within 4th quarter. He's more like crunch time player. I think he was #1 crunch time player last season.
About Knickerbocker...I am also a hardcore knickerbocker, but I was kind of disappointed by the knick's performance last season. It was partly because of Van Gundy's quit. They still lack of players, specially a center. Camby man, who could never help the knicks, gone. I think they were trying to bring Alanzo, but the trade- talk was failed because Pat Railey didn't want to trade him.
I still don't believe that the Knicks will go to the play-off next season, maybe for another few seasons. The Knicks team still need to be built up. However, my wishes are always with the Knicks:)
Go Knicks Go............
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| DWI |
Posted
on 03-Sep-02 08:39 PM
Good to meet a fellow Knicks fan.
I think Knicks are better this year, and if they put everything they have, they can goto the Playoffs. I will watch October's preseason game to see if McDyess' Knees are healthy.
If he stays healthy through out the season, the McDyess, Sprewell, Houston trio isn't less lethal than any other team in the East.I think Knicks will make it to the playoff this season because:
1. McDyess Cometh.
2. Coach Chaney has started the season, and will prepare them in 'his way.'
3. Doleac will add the strength, even though he can't score, rebound or block too much.
4. East is as bad as it was before.
5. Morning trade fell off, we couldn't even entice Sabonis. But the exception salary is still up for grabs.
The minus points are:
1. not too competitive point guard (Ward and Eisley..c'mon).
2. Still lacks on center.
3. Other continuing problem from last season.
I don't like Nets at all. But they are getting better each year. The trade wasn't good for future(Mutombo is getting older, Van Horn is learning to be better), but for playoffs, they needed Mutombo. Besides, Jefferson will get the chance to bloom.
As for other sports, I am very hopeful on NY JETS.
Did I tell you my prediction on Baseball?
NY Yankees vs St. Louis Cardinals or Diamond Backs (I just leaned over the latter).
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| rusty |
Posted
on 03-Sep-02 09:17 PM
DWI...nice to meet you as you're also a knickerbocker:) I definately agree with your MLB foretell. The Yanks will be in the final for sure.
About the Knicks, I still think there're some flaws in the team. I am not quite gratified by your reasons why the knicks will cross the threshold play-offs next season. I will put forward my points tomorrow.
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| DWI |
Posted
on 03-Sep-02 10:15 PM
I hear you rusty and I can't agree with you more. But, hey, u gotta give yourself some hopes and I think they are legitimate hopes. I do think they can sneak into the final 8 spots, c'mon how many teams are there in East that are sure shots?
Nets, Pistons, Celtics, Magics, Sixers. That's it.
The final 3 position is up for grab between these teams:
Pacers, Raptors, Heat, Bucks, Hornets, Knicks .
(Dang it! that's more than what I thought).
These teams won't make it:
Wizards(u might disagree), Hawks, Caveliers, Bulls..I don't know if I left anybody else.
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| RealRusty |
Posted
on 04-Sep-02 09:27 AM
DWI,
I am Knick fan, so I got to have optimism for my team. However, some arrangements/trades need to be done within this team. I agree that there’re not too many high-quality teams in the east, so the knicks can sneak into the play-offs.
Forward A Mcdyess will definitely be a plus point if he remains healthy. He got the size and height. His previous statistic (before he got injured) looks impressive:
00-01: Rpg 12.10, Bpg 1.46, 20.8 Ppg (70 GAMES)
He can be even better this season. Let’s see how much practice he did in off-season to regain the form.
Allan Huston is still good and consistent, but I am always disappointed by Sprewell’s performance. I always think he can do better.
Still there’s lack of a center, who can at least grab some defensive rebounds. The knicks are being so poor in grabbing defensive rebounds; let’s not talk about offensive end. About new center, Doleac, I think he ain’t got that agility and strength to be a good center (below average). Look at his career stat: 3.30 rpg, 3.6 ppg. in 11 min. I hope he would be improved by this season. But, I was expecting that Knicks would bring a good center by this season. Instead, guards and forwards are piling up. I always like K. Thomos as a good back up for our team.
Hopefully, the Knicks won’t plummet like Miami heat. My wishes always with the knicks and I am eagerly waiting for the season to start.
What do you mean by Coach “Cheney’s way”?
I hate the Nets. Getting big old man Mutambo won’t make any difference. Miami heats and the Nets are my two formidable foes:)
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| DWI |
Posted
on 04-Sep-02 11:21 AM
I agree with you 100% Rusty. They needed a center bigtime. They are very bad in rebounds department. Doleac won't get much time on the floor. Hopefully, Kurt Thomas continues improving and Sprewell gives 100% every time they play.
Coach Cheney's complain was that he started the season in the middle of it, he couldn't prepare the players the way he wanted to. Now he got the entire off season to train them according to his play making capabilities. Remember Knicks are no longer a defensive team and Cheney wants to train them as offensive team.
I've heard a new trade rumor in ESPN.com. Danny Fortson (and Chris Mills) from Golden State Warrior for Charlie Ward and Travis Night. We got Sprewell from them, and if we get Danny Fortson, the team will be pretty strong. He is a rebounding machine(4th or 5th in the league I think). But I don't know why Warrior will make that trade as they aren't getting much .. I think they need a point guard badly. If Charlie is gone then we will have Howard Eisley and that new rookie point guard. We will be worse in point guard dept. but that still would be a very good trade for the Knickerbockers.
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| RealRusty |
Posted
on 04-Sep-02 11:38 AM
If Danny Fortson becomes the Knick, it will partly solve our rebounding problem. He's # 4 in rebounding: 11.70 rpg and 11.2 ppg last season. About point guard, Howard Eisley will be good enough. We don't need Charlie Ward.
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| NBA fan |
Posted
on 04-Sep-02 12:25 PM
I still don't think Knicks is playoff team with Mcdyess along with Houston and Sprewell. Sprewell is over rated. I am no fan of Knicks since they traded Ewing. Here's what i like:
1. Trade Sprewell to get one of the PG
2. Trade the current PG (eisley or ward) with Kurt Thomas/Wetherspoon to get bigger center.
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| NBA Fan |
Posted
on 04-Sep-02 12:27 PM
Here's what i think for next year with their players they have now:
Eastern
1. Magic (G. Hill baby, he is in good condition)
2. Celtics (addition of Vin baker)
3. 76ers (Ive still da man)
4. Nets (fluke is the rite word)
5. Heat (ZO is not the same anymore)
6. Knicks (Stop overpaying for )
7. Wizards (MJ, It's time to retire)
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| RealRusty |
Posted
on 04-Sep-02 01:13 PM
Whoever they trade, keep K. Thomos in the Knicks. As I already mentioned, he's a good back up forward, plus he grabs rebounds. He had always performed well whenever he's on the floor. I don't care about Weatherspoon/Harrington.
I doubt G. Hill will regain his original form, but obviously I like TMAC. I think the Celts will get even better next season b/c of Vin.
1. Celtics
2. Hornets
3. 76ers
4. Magic
5. Raptors
6. Pistons
7. Knicks (sneak sneak :)
8. Nets
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| zero cool |
Posted
on 04-Sep-02 01:37 PM
Right after seeing Pierce's Performance, i wonder if the Mavericks did the right thing by signing Nowitzski ( ofcourse he is putting on a good show himself) instead. Did Dallas falter ...? who is better..pierce or Nowitzski?
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| NBA Fan |
Posted
on 04-Sep-02 01:59 PM
Mistake
It was the Atlantic divisoin. Not the Eastern Confrence.
For the Central Division; here's my pick for upcoming season
1. Hornets (JMASS will have great season)
2. Detriot (Good role players)
3. Bucks (is Toni Kukoc any better than Big DOG?)
4. Pacers (Miller time is past time)
5. Raptors (No significant signing lost Chris Childs)
6. Hawks (going no where)
7. Cavs (better off Andre Miller?)
8. Bulls ( Fire Jerry Crause)
For the playoff, there will be 6/5 teams from Atlantic and 2/3 from Central division.
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| RealRusty |
Posted
on 04-Sep-02 06:17 PM
Zero cool, you're comparing grapes and oranges. In my opinion, Pierce and Nowitzski play in different positions, so they can't be compared to each other. Both of them are good in their own positions. However, according to their height and size, there are certain analogies: both of them can make big shots, take rebounds, block the shots, and slap some slam dunks. The most important thing is both of them got agility and ability to play with killer instinct.
I hope the Mavs learned from their mistakes when they got swept by the Kings, if I remember correctly;) LOL… Only having offense doesn’t win the game:)
List of my favorite players:
1. Chris Webber
2. P Pierce
3. Kobe Brayant
4. Shaq
5. Dirk Nowitski
6. TMac
7. Sprewell
8. Houston
9. Iversion
10. KG
I didn't add MJ here caz he's already in my hall of fame:)
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| DWI |
Posted
on 04-Sep-02 07:16 PM
ZeroCool,
Rusty is right about Dirk and Paul Pierce. I also wanna add that both players are good in the place they are. Nowitzki is suitable for Western conference and Paul for Eastern. Paul may be little too much, in terms of size and agility, for Eastern conference game style..but Dirk is best for the West where u have to face Lakers, Spurs and Blazers.
Nba fan's suggestion is good. The inflated salary for these guys might be an obstacle. Sprewell may not be as much over paid as Houston, but Teams still consider him 'expensive' player. Besides, point guard market is very much dry, no good point guard available now...No Kidd, Andre Miller, Bibby, Payton, Davis, Nash, Williams etc etc. available. So no point guard worth trading for Sprewell. I would keep Sprewell here. Ward and Eisley have to work hard.
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| paul pierce ignites team |
Posted
on 04-Sep-02 07:28 PM
nba players :bunch of overly paid slackers
may be the core reason why nba's rating has been going down ever since....
anyways what's up with the USA TEAM travelling abroad??
please don't retort back with sloppy comments ...come with some facts!!!
long live jesus christ!!
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| Real Rusty |
Posted
on 04-Sep-02 09:20 PM
Bunch of overly paid slackers : KG..the highest paid NBA player since MJ era. When will he take Twolves to the second round of play-offs?
I still have to write something to DWI Tomorrow.
Chill out
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| DWI |
Posted
on 04-Sep-02 09:24 PM
Boy the Argentines beat USA Bad! 87-80.
US team, which never lost in their 58 games for last 10 years, were beaten by Argentina.
I never saw US leading, U should give Argentina credit. They are the best team in FIBA right now. But I don't think they will win the cup. Yougoslavia vs USA in the final, if it means anything to the game lovers.
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| pierce fellow |
Posted
on 04-Sep-02 09:24 PM
point noted real rusty i was just generalising....anyways i have something else to share
Argentina Upsets U.S. 87-80
By CHRIS SHERIDAN
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - Argentina pulled off a victory that until recently was believed to be nearly impossible, defeating the United States 87-80 Wednesday night at the men's basketball World Championships.
It was the first loss ever for a U.S. team in 59 games since the Americans began sending NBA players to international tournaments in 1992.
Argentina's victory was shocking in and of itself, but what made it even more incredible was the manner in which they accomplished it. The United States never led in the game, trailed by as many as 20 and couldn't mount an adequate comeback down the stretch.
what do u say??
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| NBA fan |
Posted
on 04-Sep-02 09:59 PM
Glad to hear Argentina beat US. They will think twice about the players selection.
And about the Pierce and Nowitzki, rusty is truly right about the position. Eventhough there stats are similar last year, I would take Nowitzki anytime over Pierce. He can play 3 or 4 or 5 position. If Nowtizki was in Boston, i can certainly say that his PPG would be 30 and above. Celts only other player who can score is A Walker. Where as Mavs has loaded with scorer.
Knicks better go and get either Damon Stoudamire or Nick van Axl; they are on the block. Else I have to stop buying Daily News after the season starts.
Go Hill and the Magic Go
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| oys_chill |
Posted
on 05-Sep-02 06:48 AM
Rusty bro,
sorry for the late reply....being one of those early crazzzyyyy wakers to watch nba games in Nepal, bau/aama ko gaali khai khai ;)
Well, flanked between boston and New york, I always wonder which is supposed to be my home team..perhaps Celtics!!!
But my heart has always been with Knicks......but in post Ewing Era, they have sunk down to all time low....
SOrry to disappoint all the northeast fans ;) but I AM A LAKERs fan(DIEHARDDDDDD) ;) .........eheh and whoever compared kobe with pierce think twice..remember last year's playoffs..paul is hot in one game and totally cold in the next............and i think kobe was really underrated shadowed in shaq's presence ..but his resilience esp. in the forth quarter was unparallel. NOw some of you could say, how could some one route for a team that just wins.........well, believe there were days, when lakers would lose every playoff with that same old "actors" of utah..............lakers have come a long way since then ;) Nyways, Eastern Teams cannot match the west ....no matter what they do!!!!
Heart with knicks, head with lakers ;) GO knicks GO!!!
PS> Argentina beat US? WOW!!!
oys
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| DWI |
Posted
on 05-Sep-02 08:14 AM
Oys
I compared Kobe with Paul. The fact is you have to live in the present...evaluate what someone has done and is doing..not what he can do, no ifs and whens. Paul has proven himself, Kobe too but there has always been a 'shaq factor' involved. I know he can do it even without Shaq, may be better..but that is a tale of the future.
Kobe arguably is the best athletic NBA players in post Jordan era. Better than Tmac and Carter, and better than the Answer..atleast in athleticism needed in NBA. In one of his interview, Phil Jackson said Kobe cannot be as good as Jordan. Among other reasons, he pointed out the fact that he cannot hold and grab the ball like Jordan deed which is very essential in ball maneuver when you are in air, approaching the net. That's just an argument, don't make it a debate.
I never liked any other Eastern conference team, because of the possible rivalry with the Knicks (except Bulls). But Paul Pierce really deserves the accolades. He is the best player in the East..may be after the Answer? No...no Vince Carter or Tmac.
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| NBA Fan |
Posted
on 05-Sep-02 08:28 AM
I will take TMAC, KOBE and BRYANT over Pierce anytime. Pierce is not the consistent player like the players i just mentioned.
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| DWI |
Posted
on 05-Sep-02 09:06 AM
All of the three are great showmen. They dazzle you with their plays. But Pierce is the real MVP.
I wanna end this argument, by agreeing to disagree.
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| Real Rusty |
Posted
on 05-Sep-02 10:39 AM
Argentina slays a giant US team!!! Astounding news!! Bravo! Argentina team!! It proves the fact that no team is unbeatable.
I am not big Celts fan, but you guys keep saying Pierce is inconsistent and doesn’t fit in west. Let’s look at some of his stat from last season:
(sorry..this is my own work to figure it out....It looks so ugly..but i don't have time to fix it.. Hope you can read it)
Min Score
----- -----
Apr 15 at Timberwolves 93-90 W 43 31
Apr 05 vsLakers 99-81 W 41 33
Mar 29 vsMavericks 82-108 L 24 19
Mar 27 vsWarriors 102-99 W 44 33
Mar 18 vsTrail Blazers 91-100 L 45 28
Mar 16 at Spurs 104-111 L 45 31
Mar 15 at Grizzlies 103-97 W 36 20
Feb 23 at Rockets 89-99 L 42 30
Feb 21 at Mavericks 92-98 L 43 17
Feb 19 at Lakers 109-108 W 43 33
Feb 16 at SuperSonics 79-99 L 42 24
Feb 15 at Trail Blazers 107-104 W 45 31
Feb 13 at Warriors 75-92 L 44 30
Feb 12 at Nuggets 110-93 W 24 25
Feb 06 vs Kings 85-102 L 35 33
Feb 03 vsClippers 104-91 W 35 24
Feb 01 vsTimberwolves 95-98 L 44 22
Jan 09 vsSpurs 90-93 L 33 31
Dec 30 at Kings 94-109 L 41 26
Dec 29 at Clippers 105-103 W 49 35
Dec 27 at Suns 82-84 L 45 33
Dec 26 at Jazz 86-99 L 43 28
Dec 23 vsGrizzlies 85-80 W 32 20
Dec 21 vsJazz 98-92 W 44 36
Dec 07 vsSuns 109-102 W 35 26
Dec 05 vsNuggets 95-80 W 40 35
Nov 09 vsSuperSonics 104-94 W 41 35
27 Games against West Teams;
Points averaged against West: 28.48.
Now, what do u think? Does he fit into western teams and still be good?
Pierce Career Stat
Rb As Sc
98-99 BOS 48 47 34.0 6.40 2.0 16.5
99-00 BOS 73 72 35.4 5.40 3.0 19.5
00-01 BOS 82 82 38.0 6.40 3.1 25.3
01-02 BOS 82 82 40.3 6.90 3.2 26.1
Kobe Career stat:
Rb As Sc
96-97 LAL 71 1.90 1.3 7.6
97-98 LAL 79 3.10 2.5 15.4
98-99 LAL 50 5.30 3.10 19.9
99-00 LAL 66 6.30 3.30 22.5
00-01 LAL 68 5.90 3.30 28.5
01-02 LAL 80 5.50 2.90 25.2
Now who looks better?
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| Real Rusty |
Posted
on 05-Sep-02 11:00 AM
Oys_Chill,
I think the Lakers are unbeatable until Shaq stays there. So.. just chill...Oys;)
About the Knicks, I am always hard-core knickerbocker, regardless of Ewing Era or Sprewell Era
I also call quit unless you guys want to expand this thread:)
I feel so healthy when I talk about sports:)
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| zero cool |
Posted
on 05-Sep-02 11:03 PM
so much about Paul Pierce and the US Basketbal...they are out as a gold medal contender...
beaten twice in a row.... 58 - 2
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| NBA Fan |
Posted
on 06-Sep-02 07:25 AM
I hope Rusty will shed on us about the Peirce lead US team miserable performance.
:-)
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| RealRusty |
Posted
on 06-Sep-02 07:41 AM
ESPN- Whether the world caught up or the Americans paid for not sending their best NBA players is up for debate.
Now, The best they can do is finish in fifth place in this topsy-turvy tournament. However, the US is still the best:)
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| NBA Fan |
Posted
on 06-Sep-02 08:55 AM
Is RealRusty contradicting himself saying Paul Pierce is not the best player on his position? That's what I got from his last posting :-)
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| Real Rusty |
Posted
on 06-Sep-02 09:20 AM
No I am not contradicting at all. Pierce himself can't do much to win. He's still the best. I said there're some other good players who didn't get selected to make US best team.
Let's not bring big Shaq to this US team. But, where're TMAC, Kobe,Webber,KG, TD ( hope he's considered as American) ? Did they miss these players?
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| NBA Fan |
Posted
on 06-Sep-02 09:37 AM
Thanks for shading lite on us. Sure Pierce can't do it by himself. But he is not the best his position(SF), that's what i have been trying to say. You did mention TMAC and KOBEs' name. If they wanted to play for the US team; Pierce would not have been on the team.
Anyway eagerly waiting for the upcoming season.
GO Magic GO
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| DCer |
Posted
on 06-Sep-02 09:48 AM
US underestimated the world team and paid the price. it was great to see them lose. One more comment: Don't count Wizards out yet. They will make the playoff this time if MJ stays healthy. They almost made it last season despite injuries of MJ and Hamilton. Time for MJ to retire? Yeah, next season. Be prepared to see his magic this season though.
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