Post by James on Mar 11, 2008 20:08:58 GMT -5
News and Notes from TC03
[/u][/size]The Celtics wanted to keep one of their dynamic duo (Bryant and Stojakovic), and deal away the other. Unfortunately for them, they traded Kobe Bryant (A- B+ B- B C B to A- A- B- B+ C C) for Manu Ginobili (an unchanged B- B+ C+ A- C- A after training camp) and kept Peja Stojakovic (B- A C- C+ C A to C+ A C- C+ C B). Why you would deal Kobe Bryant for anyone not named Dwyane Wade, Kevin Garnett or LeBron James is beyond me.
Mutumbo is serious about going back-to-back for the Miami Heat.
Dikembe Mutumbo came out of training camp an unchanged man (besides from a slight decrease in his inside rating). The 37-year-old defensive beast endured a terrific TC for a big man his age and should press on to help Miami to another championship ring in 2004. Meanwhile, Vince Carter picked up his defensive ratings whilst Ray Allen rose from the dead, going from C+ A- C+ B- C- C to B- A B- B C C. That Gasol trade looks really good for them now.
Baron Davis and Kobe Bryant are by far and away the best duo in the BBS. Both had incredible TC’s and will most likely torch opposing frontcourts for 30ppg apiece, per night (they came out like bandits from the Boston deal). The Nets then used the signing of Richard Hamilton to add Chris Webber to their already talented line-up and simultaneously, made them title favourites right alongside the Miami Heat.
It’s down to business for New York this year.
Stephon Marbury enjoyed one of the best training camps in the league going from an already impressive B B+ A- B C B to an incredible B- A- A A- C- B. Thanks to Steph, New York have escaped the contract year.
Although he’s now Vince Carter (sorry for bringing that up again), Rashard Lewis turned himself into a perinnial 25ppg scorer and star player by going up in his outside and defensive categories. Hopefully the Magic can add a top draftee and a big name FA during next years off-season to help Lewis out in Orlando.
Even Kirk himself knows that he is straight boss.[/I]
I hate to use a Nova term, but the Hinrich/Arenas combination in Philly is ‘straight boss’. Arenas will be playing the 2 this season with Hinrich a sure-starter at the point position. Both had tremendous training camps.
Horace Grant = Dead. Shamp Kemp = Kind of dead. Kevin Garnett = Same. Tim Thomas = Dead. Anthony Mason = Dead. What a boring TC for the Wizards.
Kiri showing off his 24 carrot golden cerial bowl he purchases every year with his pay-check.
Skillz came out of the draft a little bit weary with the Melo over Bosh selection however he came out of TC “relieved” with his choice. Bosh stayed the same while Melo improved his handling. That is the reason why I put the term “relieved” in inverted commas because Bosh still has a better rating line. In other news, Andrei Kirilenko showed one more time why he is the most overpaid player in the league whilst Rip Hamilton proved me wrong (I thought he was overpaid by NJ during free agency) by developing into one of the leagues premier outside scorers.
Although Earl Boykins stunk it up during TC, the explosion of Shawn Marion onto the super-star scene and the neutral training camp by Alonzo Mourning means that the Hornets will also come out of the contract year relativlety un-scaved. Although they would have preferred not to have dealt Rashard Lewis after his very nice TC, New Orleans should be a team who will challenge for the Eastern Conference crown this year.
Daniels accepts no responsibility for Plays gayness.
Stromile Swift didn’t get the memo. “Play is gay”. Josh Howard did though by busting up all over Play’s gay face. Bl Play.
TJ Ford was a great pick for the Cavaliers at 7. Zydrunas Ilgauskas didn’t reward them though for his contract renewal (by not moving). Carlos Boozer and Drew Gooden both became better reboudners but that’s about it for Cleveland.
Sheed can’t believe he has been placed in the same category as Andrei Kirilenko.
Rasheed Wallace, meet Andrei Kirilenko, Andrei Kirilenko, meet Rasheed Wallace (incase you didn’t get it, Sheed joined Kirilenko in the leagues most overpaid players club during the off-season).
Paul Pierce is a stud scorer now for the Bucks. He went up from B A- to B+ A in scoring. Even with that, I reckon the Bucks are regretting the Wallace for Richardson deal right now.
Even Krup agrees, tanking is so worth it.
T-Macs inside went down however he went up in handles and defense. If I were Toronto, I’d be a little bit annoyed to be honest. In other news, Tony Parker is rather good. He has had 2 rather weird training camps in his career however he had a very strong one this season going up in handles and defense.[/center]
