*Don’t be fooled by the courting of Phil Jackson. Despite some other teams getting into the fray, it will be either Los Angeles, New York or his home in Montana. Both the Knicks and Lakers can offer the money and prestige for running their franchises. All anyone else can offer is LeBron James. And Cleveland just doesn’t seem to be Phil’s kind of town. The Lakers need this more, since they have really fallen off the wagon and need something to reel them all back in. However, Phil has done that before and may not want to try to repeat something in a place he’s already been. And if he does sign with the Lakers...don't expect it to happen until after the new CBA has been reached.
*For all of the heat Kobe Bryant got for being "involved" in Laker dealings last offseason....LeBron James is pretty much doing the same thing. He will be "involved" in the hiring of their new GM and coach....and what players come and go. The Cavs angered James when they canned Paul Silas late in the season and the team still fell out of the playoffs. Now, LeBron James’ wants Seattle’s Nate McMillian to be his next coach...and Cavs brass might go after him to reel LBJ back into their good favor. James could roll out of there as a free agent in a few years and could demand a trade if things don’t get better. Kobe didn’t demand a trade nor did he try to pick a GM. And he had 8 playoff seasons, 6 All Star Games, and 3 NBA titles under his belt. LeBron just has two seasons.
*Speaking of coaches, what a free agent class, eh? With a sub-par free agent player class....the heat will come from these coaches changing spots. You have Phil Jackson’s name out there. Larry Brown’s name could join him as soon as Detroit’s season is over. Nate McMillian, current coach of the Northwest Division champ Sonics, is a ‘free agent’. Former Wolves coach Flip Saunders will get major run....as will former Blazers coach Mo Cheeks. Old coaches PJ Carlisemo, Eric Musselman, Sidney Lowe, Randy Wittman ....and assistants Mike O’Koren [UNC], Patrick Ewing, Tom Thibodeau, Jerry Sichting
*Speaking of Flip Saunders....he is in the running for the Minnesota Timberwolves job. Yeah, they fired him in the middle of last season but are open to hiring him back. The Wolves spin is "that is why Kevin McHale didn’t hire another coach". Apparently, after canning Flip...McHale took over the job so they could offer it back to him in the offseason???? Ummmm....ok.
*Brian Scalabrine’s take on former Nets player Alonzo Mourning: "You know what, as a teammate, he left us out like...he wasn’t playing at that same level. Maybe it’s his trainer, maybe the water - whatever the reason, he doesn’t get tired anymore."
*Good for Allen Iverson in pressing charges on a fan who threw a coin at Iverson after the Sixers-Pistons game in Auburn Hills this week. This marks the FOURTH incident in a year at the Palace. In last year’s NBA Finals, Karl Malone got into is with a fan seated in the stands. In November, well there was that brawl thingie. Then the bomb scares when the two teams matched back up. Now this coin thing. I’ve said it before...but the city of Detroit and it’s fans are really looking bad right now. I guess with no Red Wings this year...and no octopuses to throw...they are really in a funk.
*Qyntel Woods, the former Blazers player who they canned for allegations of dog fighting, is being sued by his attorney for non-payment of fees. Yeah, nothing better than to be sued by an attorney. Also, his vehicle [BMW] has been repossessed. So, while pictures of Kobe Bryant, LeBron James and Kevin Garnett are shown all through high school gyms of great high schoolers that made it....throw one of Woods [and Korleone Young and Leon Smith] up there too.
No comments:
Post a Comment