The Wire

At Long Last, MJ’s Comeback Fantasies Have Ended

CHN — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 07:00:40 -0700

by Marcel Mutoni
The inevitable took place yesterday, as Michael Jordan entered the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame. The GOAT wasn’t too excited, however, about dwelling on his past accomplishments. The man was too busy regretting the fact that he’s no longer an NBA player.
The Philly Inquirer has the quotes:
“This is kind of a love-hate thing for me,” Jordan said. “It’s a great compliment and great respect, but for me, I always wanted to be able to have you think that I could always go back and play the game of basketball. As long as you have that thought, you never know what can happen. You never know what my abilities can do.”
Is he talking comeback? “No, but I’d like for you to think that I am,” Jordan said. “So to me, the Hall of Fame is like, it’s over and done with. You can’t ever put a uniform back on. It’s the total end of your basketball career. It’s a great accomplishment and I know I don’t walk away from it, but I didn’t want to be up here so quickly.
“I wanted to be up here when I was 70 years old, 80 years old. But I’m 45 and I still think I can play. You guys don’t know if I can or can’t, but at least I’ve got you thinking that way.”
I think we can all breathe a sigh of relief now that Jordan has finally realized that playing hoops at the pro level is no longer an option, and certainly something no one would want to see.
Thanks for the memories, Mike.

Manu Ginobili Will See You Next Season

CHN — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 06:01:07 -0700

by Marcel Mutoni
The San Antonio Spurs are going to be in the Playoffs this season, but can we really expect anything meaningful from them - without the services of one Manu Ginobili? Um, that was a rhetorical question, kids.
The Spurs are all but toast, and this is why. From the San Antonio Express-News:
Tests conducted Monday in San Antonio revealed a stress fracture in the right distal fibula, the lower portion of one of the three bones that form the ankle joint.
As a result, Ginobili will miss the remaining six games of the regular season, beginning with tonight’s game against the Thunder in Oklahoma City, and all the playoffs.

To make matters worse, this aging, injury-riddled team will also be entering the postseason war with Tim Duncan’s health still a major concern. They’re currently the third seed in the West, with a half game cushion as division leaders.
We have the makings of one one long summer by the riverwalk.

The Reason Dwight Howard Won’t Win MVP: He’s Too Tall

CHN — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 07:01:11 -0700

by Marcel Mutoni
You could list any number of reasons why Dwight won’t get his hands on the League’s highest individual honor this season, and none of them would be as brilliant as the one his assistant coach, Patrick Ewing, provided when asked for his opinion on the award.
Perhaps getting it confused with the Dunk Contest, Ewing seems convinced that Howard’s physical appearance is working against him in the MVP voters’ minds. From Florida Today:
Patrick Ewing has a theory on why Orlando Magic do-it-all center Dwight Howard isn’t mentioned as a leading MVP candidate: He’s a big man.
“I think it’s because he plays the center position,” said Ewing, a Hall of Fame center with the New York Knicks and now a Magic assistant coach. “You guys look for that flash and dash. All the other guys who are in the race are all small guys. He’s a big guy who should be in there.”
Despite getting a record 3,150,181 votes to lead this season’s All-Star team, the Magic feel Howard has been getting an MVP snub. “He’s having an outstanding year,” Ewing said. “He should be definitely in the MVP race. Nobody’s really talking about him. He should be right up there with Kobe, LeBron and Wade.”
Of course, it goes without saying that throughout NBA history, big men have more or less dominated the award. Nice try, Pat.
Anyway, some midget from Cleveland is going up against the gigantic Howard tonight in Orlando, something you might want to tune in for.

Cavs/Wizards, Still a Rivalry to Some

CHN — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 06:01:12 -0700

by Marcel Mutoni
And by “some”, I mean members of the Washington Wizards organization, and the people who cover them in the media.
The war may long be over, but like those Japanese soldiers who didn’t get the word for a long time that WWII had wrapped up, the Wizards continue their endless battle against Cleveland. Last night, they notched yet another improbable win against the League’s best team.
The Washington Post attempts to make sense of things:
Gilbert Arenas had the funniest explanation to explain the Wizards two wins against Cleveland this season, even though he was only on the floor for one of the wins. “A broke clock’s right twice,” he said with a laugh.
But seriously, no matter how good the Cavaliers have been this season, there is one bottom-feeding team that is not afraid to go against them. The standings might tell a different story, but the rivalry isn’t dead, at least from the Wizards’ perspective. Cleveland was likely looking ahead to its game against Orlando on Friday, while this game represented the season, pretty much, for Washington.
“No matter when we play, if we have three players, 12 players, when we have to play Cleveland, we get up for it,” Arenas said. “It’s been a rivalry since Larry Hughes decided to go there. It’s always going to be a good game.”

Gil is right, of course. Who could ever forget Larry Hughes and his innumerable contributions to this ever simmering “rivalry”?

Brooklyn Folk Aren’t Big Fans of Magic Johnson

CHN — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 07:01:16 -0700

by Marcel Mutoni
Magic, as you know, is a wildly successful business man. According to certain Brooklyn residents, however, his companies aren’t exactly the best places to work for and don’t always do what’s ethical.
The Hall of Famer, who made a fortune by setting up shop in low-income areas, is being accused of taking advantage of poor people. The NY Daily News reports:
But in Brooklyn, they’ll be talking about how Johnson is the face of companies that take advantage of working-class families. “It’s a disgrace to see Johnson actively promoting businesses that we believe hurt low-income communities,” said Kyle Bragg, vice president of the Service Employees International Union Local 32BJ, which represents 70,000 New Yorkers.
Johnson’s real estate firm, Canyon-Johnson Urban Funds, is one of the companies that converted Brooklyn’s Williamsburgh Savings Bank into a luxury condo building. Local 32BJ officials said more than 90% of city luxury buildings hire union doormen, porters and gardeners, but Johnson and his partners in the building - rechristened One Hanson Place - have resisted efforts to unionize staff at the iconic building. One Hanson Place workers have to pay $360 a month for health care for each member of their family; they are also not offered pensions, job training and other benefits offered to union workers.
Johnson may be celebrated this weekend in Detroit, but his business ties have fans fuming in Brooklyn. “Magic Johnson should be ashamed of himself,” City Councilwoman Letitia James said at a demonstration organized by Local 32BJ at a Manhattan Jackson Hewitt location earlier this week. “There is nothing magic about what he does. What he does is prey upon poor people.”
Magic has yet to address the allegations, and one of his spokespeople declined to comment.

A.I.: Give Me a Starting Role or Give Me Retirement

CHN — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 06:01:07 -0700

by Marcel Mutoni
Allen Iverson let the world know his true feelings about being a sixth man for the Pistons, and in case you thought he was through with the venting, you clearly don’t know him well enough.
A.I. was at it again last night, more bitter than ever, following a 17 minute, four-point performance in yet another losing effort for Detroit.
The Sporting News and the AP bring us Iverson’s feelings (and not-so-subtle warnings) to whatever team decides to bring him into the fold next season:
“I’m in a position now that I’ve never been in my whole life,” Iverson said. “It’s harder than I thought it would be. With the back injury, I have to sit out at the start, then go in, then sit again. It’s tough to really get going. I take my hat off to the guys who can come off the bench and be effective. It’s tough for me. I’m struggling with it.”
“I’d rather retire before I do this again,” Iverson said. “I can’t be effective playing this way. I’m not used to it. It’s tough for me both mentally and physically. If I’m able to go out there, I should be able to get it done and I can’t right now. It’s my fault. I have to be able to overcome the adversity and do what I have to do. I just have to find a way to get it done. Not being 100 percent makes it harder and you can see that I’m not 100 percent.”
“I’m happy with my career and the things I’ve done in my career,” Iverson said. “I feel blessed that I’ve had the opportunity to accomplish the things that I’ve accomplished, to do the things that I’ve done. I would feel fine if I had to (retire).”

Retirement talk aside, it sounds as though Iverson wants to have it both ways. He says he’s not 100% healthy, and yet feels entitled to starters’ minutes.
I’d love to know which contender Iverson imagines will be willing to not only sign him next season, but also make him a cornerstone of their quest for a ring - something he has maintained is his number one priority, and a claim that is getting harder and harder to believe.

Lawrence Frank Might Want to Think About Updating His Resume

CHN — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 07:01:12 -0700

by Marcel Mutoni
Lawrence Frank’s status as the longest-tenured coach in the East might soon change, to that of a guy looking for work. At least, that’s the impression his boss gave to the local media when asked about Frank’s job security.
Rod Thorn attempted to be diplomatic, but his poker face failed him when discussing Lawrence Frank’s future (or lack thereof) in New Jersey. From the Star-Ledger:
“I can’t guarantee anyone will be here,” Thorn said Tuesday, when asked about Lawrence Frank’s job security. “It’s true. At the end of the year, we’ll assess what’s happened. We’ll have a full assessment, just like we did last year. But I would have said the same thing last year: I can’t guarantee anything or anyone on any level — player, coach or president — will be here.”
Thorn was reminded that he wasn’t asked about a player or the team president, and that he was leaving a very strong inference that Frank — the longest-tenured coach in the Eastern Conference — won’t be asked to return for the final year of his contract when the season ends in 15 days. He did not change his tone.
“All of us are part of what’s transpired this year, starting with myself, down through the players,” Thorn said. “As we do every year, when the season’s over, you look at the big picture, see where you could possibly make changes to get better, and you do what you have to do. There’s nothing to infer. We’re not finishing the way we’d like to finish. At the middle of the year, we were around .500, and since then we’ve struggled. We still have eight games, but we’re not finishing well. And this is what all organizations do, in virtually every area: Determine what went wrong, why it went wrong, how to get it better.”
With the Nets currenty 14 games below .500, this shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Couple that with the fact that the team can’t play defense to save its life - something Thorn is very keen on - and it becomes fairly obvious that change is needed in The Swamp.
Unfortunately for Lawrence Frank, that change likely includes him no longer being in the picture next season.

Shocker: Allen Iverson is Unhappy

CHN — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 06:01:14 -0700

by Marcel Mutoni
Except for perhaps the most unreasonably optimistic of Pistons fans, anyone following the Allen Iverson situation in Detroit had to know that things would come to a boil, and that A.I. would eventually reveal how he truly felt about coming off the bench.
The pivotal moment happened last night, after Iverson clocked just 18 minutes in yet another Pistons loss to the Cavs.
The Detroit News has the quotes:
“How many minutes did I play,” Iverson said after he scored 11 with three turnovers in 18 minutes. “It seemed way, way, way less than that. Eighteen minutes? Come on, man. I can play 18 minutes with my eyes closed. It’s a bad feeling, man. I’m wondering what they rushed me to get back for? For that?
“It’s a bad time for me mentally.”
“I am just trying to get through it without starting a whole bunch of nonsense,” Iverson said, after initiating the conversation about his playing time. “I’m looking at the big picture. If I vent my frustration then it’s like, given who I am, I’ll be the one everybody points the finger at. I am just going to try to laugh to stop from crying.”
Two games into his new role, and the guy is already sounding like a manic depressive. Oh, and did I mention that there are less than 10 games left in the regular season?
Deee-troit Basketball!

Examining the Kevin Garnett Injury Situation

CHN — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 07:00:54 -0700

by Marcel Mutoni
As Kevin Garnett misses yet another game (he’s expected to sit out the 15th contest out of the last 19 tomorrow night against Charlotte), people in Boston are growing increasingly nervous about his health (and the team’s chances) with the Playoffs nearing.
According to GM Danny Ainge, there’s nothing to worry about - the team is just being cautious with their big man - but that doesn’t stop some from dreaming up some doomsday scenarios for the men in green and white.
From the Boston Herald:
Garnett is almost 33 and already has played 5,000 more minutes than Larry Bird did before Bird’s body gave out. And with Garnett we’re not talking about Artis Gilmore minutes, either. We’re talking about a Steve Prefontaine pace: Just go ’til you drop. Pierce, 31, and Allen, 33, aren’t much different. There never was any question about the hearts of these champions; it’s the knees and ankles and lower backs that eventually would derail them. Happens to the best.
Meanwhile, the Cavs already have won 60 games and are coasting to the best record in the NBA. They are 35-1 at home. Their leader is 24 years old and about to win his first MVP. He’s tossing in underhanded, 75-foot shots for Steve Kroft on “60 Minutes.” His smiling face is on all the magazines. It’s LeBron’s time now, which puts in the Celtics in an interesting position as they head into the playoffs.
They’re underdogs now. Long shots to even get out of the East. You can almost hear Garnett now: No one respects us, no one thinks we can do it, no one gives us any credit at all. He has a new rallying cry, which is good because he needs one. Winning without a healthy Kevin Garnett is not possible. Not in the playoffs. Not a chance.

So, there’s that.
The injuries and physical breakdowns are precisely what everyone feared when this Celtic team was assembled, and with the postseason just around the corner, it’s not hard to understand why hoops fans in New England are having a tough time sleeping.

Andrew Bynum’s Idea of Rehab: Playmates!

CHN — Tue, 31 Mar 2009 06:01:15 -0700

by Marcel Mutoni
Now, before any of you get too emotional about a player whooping it up at The Mansion during his rehab from a serious knee injury, as his team’s title hopes hinge on the outcome of said rehab, do know this: Andrew Bynum is reportedly closer to returning than previously thought.
Ok, with that out of the way, we discuss the important stuff: Such as Bynum apparently testing the knee’s strength by carrying a Playmate on his shoulders. SI.com has the details:
While the Lakers were in Atlanta preparing for what would be an 86-76 loss to the Hawks on Sunday, Bynum was in Los Angeles mingling at a pajamas and lingerie party after the Playboy Golf Finals. Wearing a green smoking jacket and slippers, Bynum, whose injury status is generating daily headlines in Los Angeles, partied like a rock star near the infamous grotto.
He picked up Playmate Nicole Narain and placed her on his shoulders and got somebody to take a picture with his digital camera. Upper-body strength, check. He hopped over a velvet rope near the DJ booth so he could take a picture with Narain and other Playmates who ended up sitting on his lap. Jumping ability, check.
He sidestepped a few of the roaming cameras and got down with some Playmates on the checkered dance floor set up in the backyard. Lateral movement, check. Later, with lines around the bar getting longer, he pulled out a bottled beverage from one pocket and four plastic cups from another and offered up drinks to three Playmates who were with him. Ability to adjust to game situations, check.

Though he probably should be keeping a lower profile as he works to get back on the court before the Playoffs, it’s important to remember that the man is just 21 years old, and as such, will no doubt engage in questionable behavior from time to time.
Here’s to hoping he and the rest of the squad can get back to The Mansion in a couple of months for an even bigger celebration.