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.

How Big Was Will Bynum’s Record Performance?

CHN — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 14:12:27 -0700

by Ryne Nelson
Strictly looking at individual bodies of work this season, Will Bynum has been the Pistons’ second-best guard. It took a Rip Hamilton ejection and an injury to Allen Iverson, but when Bynum got on the court against the Bobcats, he showed just how valuable he’s been.
In the 4th quarter, he was all buckets passing Jerry Stackhouse and Isiah Thomas en route to becoming the Pistons’ record holder for points in a quarter. Twenty-six points in the 4th. Pistons beat reporter A. Sherrod Blakely had this to say on WGHN-AM about the performance:
“As great a scorer as Allen’s been throughout his career, bottom line, if you look at the body of work for this season, in Detroit, Will Bynum’s played better. And Will Bynum, if you’re basing it on how he’s performed, Will Bynum should get some minutes even when Allen returns.”
With the hype around Rodney Stuckey leading into the season, Stuckey’s inconsistent play as starter has disappointed fans this season. But at least he’s playing, unlike Iverson. Will Bynum’s stepped in perfectly as the do-everything backup in every situation he’s been asked to play in. Could Bynum’s permenant place in Detroit’s record book be wake up call for Coach Michael Curry?
Sure, Bynum hasn’t played 60 games this season yet, so it’d be premature to anoint him as the next anything in Detroit. But Bynum does have one thing going for him: he’s just about the only exciting player on the Pistons roster right now.

Zach Randolph Arrested on DUI Suspicion

CHN — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 11:34:11 -0700

by Ryne Nelson
There’s a blueprint for getting busted for drunk driving, and Zach Randolph followed it to the tee this morning. As TMZ reports, Randolph was…
1) Driving early in the morning. Check ( 2:25 a.m.).
2) In a flashy vehicle. Check (Bentley).
3) Unable to stay in one lane. Check.
5) Failing field sobriety tests. Check.
6) Reeking of alcohol. Game over.
Police spotted Randolph on the on the 405 Freeway after yesterday’s loss to the Lakers, and sent him to jail with a $5,000 bail.

What Shirts Are Players Wearing?

CHN — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 10:27:22 -0700

by Ryne Nelson
Is it the NBA’s goal to play in 100 percent organic cotton jerseys, have players lace up in sneakers made from trash, and shoot recycled Spaldings? Would players be willing to trade their gas-guzzling H2 hummers for Acuras? Not yet and probably not ever, but teams and players are at least sending the right message about the environment this week.
Mutoni gave us some quick details before, but you might be interested in some more info about the League’s first Green Week April 2-10:
“To further encourage fans to reuse and recycle during NBA Green Week, the NBA Store in New York City will host “Recycling Dreams,” a footwear drive to collect gently worn athletic shoes. Customers who bring in shoes will receive a 20 percent discount on their purchase of new athletic shoes. All donated footwear will go to Hoops 4 Hope, a global not-for-profit organization that supports youth development throughout southern Africa with programs that teach life skills through the game of basketball. In addition, the NBA Store, NBAStore.com, Dick’s Sporting Goods and select team retailers will feature the 100 percent organic cotton adidas shooting shirts, recycled Spalding basketballs, and Team Bean reusable shopping bags made from recycled materials, in addition to more environmentally friendly items, giving fans the opportunity to ‘buy green.’”
In truth, donating your old sneaks for an NBA Store discount is a fresh idea, but carbon credits and reusable shopping bags have questionable affects. Spreading the green message is really what counts, and the NBA has launched a pretty successful inaugural campaign. The League launched NBA Green, featuring everything from tips for fans to interviews with NBA players.
Oh, and if you happen to like the organic cotton shirt DWade is modeling at Heat home games, be sure to support the cause by purchasing a $25 Green Week t-shirt!

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”?

Tim Floyd Offered Arizona Job

CHN — Thu, 02 Apr 2009 09:03:45 -0700

by Ryne Nelson
Arizona hoped to replace Lute Olson with John Calipari, Jeff Capel or Rick Pitino — an elite coach for its storied program. After five months of searching, Arizona isn’t offering the job to any of its top choices. As the L.A. Times reports:
Tim Floyd, who took USC’s basketball program to new heights, was offered the Arizona job Wednesday, a source familiar with the situation said.
The source, who asked to remain anonymous as he was not authorized to speak about the situation, said that Floyd met with Arizona Athletic Director Jim Livengood and was offered the position. Floyd is believed to have 24 hours to make a decision.
Surely Floyd’s 49 wins as Bulls’ head coach from 1998-2002 isn’t the best sample of his work as a coach. If anything, Floyd’s experience in Chicago taught him that a team is only as good as its players. Since coming to USC in January 2005, he’s managed to recruit some of the nation’s best talent… but his unscrupulous measures earned him an unsavory reputation.
But look at what Floyd’s done in three years. He recruited a five-star recruit each year. He coached USC to three NCAA’s in a row — the first time the Trojans have been to the Dance that often in history. Southern California won the Pac-10 Tourney for the first time ever this year and battled Final Four-bound Michigan State to the wire, losing on some tough calls.
Tim Floyd is not a proven winner, but given the coaches who have turned down Arizona, it could be much worse. Right?

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.

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