Imagine in any sport a player that just obliterated “your team” time after time, this one player just killed you. Insomuch when you hear just the name of this one player your feet start to ache as you legs shake and you can feel sweat trailing down the back of your neck. Do you dislike him? Do you hate him? What if he joins your beloved team?
Shawn Marion was that sort of player for the Dallas Mavericks, he is the part of the Alumni of University of Las Vegas Rebels and was drafted in the first round with the ninth pick by the Phoenix Suns in the 1999 NBA Draft. So far in short yet astonishing career he has had the most success as a Phoenix Sun where he helped them win game after game. Helping the Suns, becoming agruability one of the best offensive teams of all time. Doing great season after season but never being able to reach the so called “Promise Land”. The furthest they have reached is the Western Conference Finals. Marion is a good offensive threat but why many Maverick Fans fear him is because of this ability to hustle and his defensive versatility. Marion is a 6’7’’ 228 pound Small Forward but he was able to frustrate Maverick’s Superstar, Dirk Nowitzki who is 7’0’’ 245 pound Power Forward enough to make him miss a considerable amount of shots and make him work for his shots.
Now this trade involved four teams, Dallas Mavericks, Orlando Magic, Memphis Grizzlies, and Tornoto Raptors. In this trade the Raptors gained Devean George and Antoine Wright from the Mavericks and gained Hedo Turkoglu from the Magic. While losing Shawn Marion, Kris Humphries, and Nathan Jawai to Mavericks and some Cash to Orlando. The Grizzlies gained Jerry Stackhouse and some Cash from Mavericks and loss Greg Buckner to the Mavericks. The Magic gained Cash and lost Hedo Turkoglu to the Raptors. Finally, the Mavericks gained Shawn Marion, Kris Humphries, and Nathan Jawai from Raptors, and Greg Buckner from the Grizzlies. While losing Jerry Stackhouse to the Grizzlies, Devean George and Antoine Wright to the Raptors, and losing Cash to all the teams to make this trade happen.
Now personally, I think this will help the Mavericks the most because all they give up was Stackhouse, a player who didn’t feel respected whom because of that hardly played, Devean George, a player who wanted a bigger role then we could offer and is past his prime, and Antoine Wright, who looks like the guy the Mavericks will miss the most. However they received Marion, Small Forward from Raptors, Humphries, a player who is young a good hustler, Jawai, a center looking to make his name, and Buckner a ex-maverick, so you know he will ease up into the system.
This trade allows Josh Howard to play his prime position Shooting Guard and with that they could go bigger when they put Marion at Small Forward. It also allows them to run real fast with this small yet effective lineup: Jason Kidd at Point Guard, Jason Terry at Shooting Guard, Josh Howard at Small Forward, Shawn Marion at Power Forward, and Dirk Nowitzki at Center. Can you really love your enemies?
Friday, July 10, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Cummard: Draft Him or Not?
What if you had one dream in life but many others had that exact very same dream and only a handfill get selected but you been working your whole life and failed? Soon Lee Cummard will find out his destiny.
Cummard, the 6'7'' 185 pound Small Forward from Mesa, Arizona who played for the Brigham Young Cougars is trying to make it into the NBA. However before BYU Cummard went to BYU, he went to Mesa, Arizona where he was named the 2004 Arizona Player of the Year leading his team to the 5A State Championship, recording 20 points per game 5.5 rebounds per game, and 3.5 assists per game.
At BYU where he played for them for four years played in 131 games and started in 102 consecutive games. In his Junior year Cummard earned the honor of being the Co-Mountain West Player of the Year. In his Senior Year he got named to All-American teams by various sites such as foxsports.com and collegehoops.net and got named to first team Mountain West. Cummard also placed in top ten in four different statastical catergories. He was ranked top 19 in NCAA Seniors, top 72 in the top 100 draft prospects, and top 14 in Eligible Small Forwards, given to you by DraftExpress.com.
I became a BYU fan because of Cummard, I believe he is the ideal basketball player, his biggest weakness is his skinny body. However, he has tremendous basketball knowledge, he only takes high percentage shots. Many people today in our day of age in basketball likes to take shots that are difficult to make, but Cummard knows if you go through the play sooner or later there will be a high percentage shot. He is a true leader out there, because even through he is the best player on the team he's not afraid to give up ball if he sees someone who has a better shot then him.
Cummard does well at running without the ball and he knows how to get open. Cummard has good offense ability but he has even better defense ability. Not many guys can play both sides of the court, but Cummard can bring that to the team.
Unfortnatelty as the draft is behind us, we found out that Cummard wasn't drafted. But I expect him to be sign as a undrafted free agent, if he's not then the NBA is losing out on a great player, maybe he won't become an all-star but he would be a great starting role player. Their loss.
Cummard, the 6'7'' 185 pound Small Forward from Mesa, Arizona who played for the Brigham Young Cougars is trying to make it into the NBA. However before BYU Cummard went to BYU, he went to Mesa, Arizona where he was named the 2004 Arizona Player of the Year leading his team to the 5A State Championship, recording 20 points per game 5.5 rebounds per game, and 3.5 assists per game.
At BYU where he played for them for four years played in 131 games and started in 102 consecutive games. In his Junior year Cummard earned the honor of being the Co-Mountain West Player of the Year. In his Senior Year he got named to All-American teams by various sites such as foxsports.com and collegehoops.net and got named to first team Mountain West. Cummard also placed in top ten in four different statastical catergories. He was ranked top 19 in NCAA Seniors, top 72 in the top 100 draft prospects, and top 14 in Eligible Small Forwards, given to you by DraftExpress.com.
I became a BYU fan because of Cummard, I believe he is the ideal basketball player, his biggest weakness is his skinny body. However, he has tremendous basketball knowledge, he only takes high percentage shots. Many people today in our day of age in basketball likes to take shots that are difficult to make, but Cummard knows if you go through the play sooner or later there will be a high percentage shot. He is a true leader out there, because even through he is the best player on the team he's not afraid to give up ball if he sees someone who has a better shot then him.
Cummard does well at running without the ball and he knows how to get open. Cummard has good offense ability but he has even better defense ability. Not many guys can play both sides of the court, but Cummard can bring that to the team.
Unfortnatelty as the draft is behind us, we found out that Cummard wasn't drafted. But I expect him to be sign as a undrafted free agent, if he's not then the NBA is losing out on a great player, maybe he won't become an all-star but he would be a great starting role player. Their loss.
Friday, June 5, 2009
Offense VS Defence
After 2460 season games and over 60 playoff games the final series is finally underway. Where it's a match up between Offense versus Defense. Where Kobe Bryant, the Most Valuable Player (MVP) represents the offense. Bryant can pretty much score in any way possible, he's a legendary scorer. Bryant is averaging 30.1 points per game, 5.2 rebounds per game, 5.4 assists per game, 1.7 steals per game, .8 blocks per game in the 2009 playoffs. Dwight Howard, the Defensive Player of the Year, that respectively represents defense. He's one of the best defenders of known to man. Howard is averaging 21 points per game, 15.3 rebounds per game, 1.9 assists per game, .9 steals per game and 2.3 blocks per game in the 2009 playoffs. There is a saying that says offense wins games but defense wins championships. If that is true then the Orlando Magic will win the series but that's not to say that the Los Angeles Lakers have no defense because they actually have a first team defense on their team. On the other hand Orlando has three good scorers. No matter who wins we know it will be a great series and a unforgetabble series.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Players Becoming Management
We all know it took a lot out of Michael Jordan, arguably one of the best basketball players ever, to retire. He retired three times from basketball and he came back twice. So why is it so hard for players to give up playing, in other words what is waiting for them on the other side?
Management positions, Jordan is now a part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats and is acting as the Managing Member of Basketball Operations.
After 16 seasons with nine teams the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings where he played as a player/coach. The 3 time NBA Champion and one time all star, Sam Cassell decides to hang up basketball shoes for the time be and see how coaching works out for him with the Washington Wizards under Coach Flip Saunders.
There is however a link between Cassell and Jordan. Jordan came back in his second comeback with the Washington Wizards he was part of the management as well as one of their best players, he actually pushed for the trade with Detroit Pistions to essentially get Jerry Stackhouse for Rip Hamilton. After he retired the last time, he was fired from the Wizards, so there was obviously some altercation there.
Cassell was a legendary point guard, there is a reason why he won three championships. His game mainly consist of posting up other guards and hitting mid range jumpers often with hands in his face, but he also was a very consistent three point shooter and could make it rain from downtown in any game. We can tell by his leadership and his joking yet serious attitude that he's a great mentor and will be a great assistant for Saunders.
Quotester99
Management positions, Jordan is now a part owner of the Charlotte Bobcats and is acting as the Managing Member of Basketball Operations.
After 16 seasons with nine teams the Houston Rockets, Phoenix Suns, Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Los Angeles Clippers, Boston Celtics and Sacramento Kings where he played as a player/coach. The 3 time NBA Champion and one time all star, Sam Cassell decides to hang up basketball shoes for the time be and see how coaching works out for him with the Washington Wizards under Coach Flip Saunders.
There is however a link between Cassell and Jordan. Jordan came back in his second comeback with the Washington Wizards he was part of the management as well as one of their best players, he actually pushed for the trade with Detroit Pistions to essentially get Jerry Stackhouse for Rip Hamilton. After he retired the last time, he was fired from the Wizards, so there was obviously some altercation there.
Cassell was a legendary point guard, there is a reason why he won three championships. His game mainly consist of posting up other guards and hitting mid range jumpers often with hands in his face, but he also was a very consistent three point shooter and could make it rain from downtown in any game. We can tell by his leadership and his joking yet serious attitude that he's a great mentor and will be a great assistant for Saunders.
Quotester99
Monday, May 11, 2009
Nowitzki: A Jynx for the Mavs?
A few years ago a unofficial error was made that might of cost the Dallas Mavericks a NBA Championship, a few years later, same story. In Game 5 of the 2006 NBA Finals where the Dallas Mavericks were trying to get a win in Miami. Trying to stop them, Dwyane Wade drives towards the basket with one second left and gets fouled. The real controversy is how he got fouled. The referee said it was on Dirk Nowitzki who was barely in the play, the only person who had contact with Wade was Devin Harris who from the footage looks like all he did was touch his leg. Wade hit both free throws and won by one, which led to the Miami Heat's first NBA Championship.
Nuggets up by two games to none, the series gets shifted back to Dallas where it was a game where Mavericks were leading early in the first quarter but Carmelo Anthony tied it at the end of the first with a dunk.
Going into the second quarter Mavericks got off to another quick start with a five point lead but Nuggets took the lead five minutes left with a pair of Chauncey Billup's free throws and hang with a three point lead going into halftime.
In the third quarter Nuggets stretch their lead out to six until the mavs come back to bring it within one. Then the Nuggets stretch it to four and mavs come back within one. Finally Nuggets make the margin four again and Jason Kidd hits a buzzer beating two pointer to bring it within one.
In the fourth quarter, its a quarter of lead changes where the biggest lead is when Jason Terry with 31.1 seconds left hits a three to put Mavericks up by four. With 28.5 seconds left Anthony makes a dunk to bring within two and with six seconds left Antoine Wright is guarding Anthony and means to intentionally foul Anthony, but the referee doesn't call it and Anthony goes up for a three and with one second left he drains it and gives the Nuggets the lead by one. Nowitzki misses a desparation three to lose the game.
Later on the NBA apologizes and admits that they missed that intentional foul that could of saved the Mavericks.
Nowitzki has had some off court dealings with his girlfriend, he wanted to marry her but his family wanted Nowitzki to hire a investigator. It turns out that she had many unpaid bills. She was sent to jail. Nowitzki, the class act that he is, visited her in jail.
Its not sure Nowitzki is a jynx but a alternative solution might be Mark Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner. Rumors are, that the NBA hates Mark Cuban and fines him consistently and Mark Cuban is more then happy to pay the fines, "his latest act was tell Kenyon Martin's mom that Martin is a punk" It is possible that the Mavericks could be getting punished through games, through the referees because of Mark Cuban's behavior althrough it is very unlikely.
Nuggets up by two games to none, the series gets shifted back to Dallas where it was a game where Mavericks were leading early in the first quarter but Carmelo Anthony tied it at the end of the first with a dunk.
Going into the second quarter Mavericks got off to another quick start with a five point lead but Nuggets took the lead five minutes left with a pair of Chauncey Billup's free throws and hang with a three point lead going into halftime.
In the third quarter Nuggets stretch their lead out to six until the mavs come back to bring it within one. Then the Nuggets stretch it to four and mavs come back within one. Finally Nuggets make the margin four again and Jason Kidd hits a buzzer beating two pointer to bring it within one.
In the fourth quarter, its a quarter of lead changes where the biggest lead is when Jason Terry with 31.1 seconds left hits a three to put Mavericks up by four. With 28.5 seconds left Anthony makes a dunk to bring within two and with six seconds left Antoine Wright is guarding Anthony and means to intentionally foul Anthony, but the referee doesn't call it and Anthony goes up for a three and with one second left he drains it and gives the Nuggets the lead by one. Nowitzki misses a desparation three to lose the game.
Later on the NBA apologizes and admits that they missed that intentional foul that could of saved the Mavericks.
Nowitzki has had some off court dealings with his girlfriend, he wanted to marry her but his family wanted Nowitzki to hire a investigator. It turns out that she had many unpaid bills. She was sent to jail. Nowitzki, the class act that he is, visited her in jail.
Its not sure Nowitzki is a jynx but a alternative solution might be Mark Cuban, the Dallas Mavericks owner. Rumors are, that the NBA hates Mark Cuban and fines him consistently and Mark Cuban is more then happy to pay the fines, "his latest act was tell Kenyon Martin's mom that Martin is a punk" It is possible that the Mavericks could be getting punished through games, through the referees because of Mark Cuban's behavior althrough it is very unlikely.
Friday, May 1, 2009
Who will win this Unpredictable Series?
Have we ever seen a series as crazy as the (2) Boston Celtics and (7) Chicago Bulls series? Most would say it would be easy for Celtics after winning the title last season, but the Bulls have showed big hearts by forcing a total of seven overtime periods in six games. After stealing game one with the score of (105-103). The Celtics knew this wasn't going to be easy. The Celtics took back game two with the score of (118-115). They head to Chicago where in game three Celtics won it by (107-86). The Bulls even the series in game four (121-118). Heading back to Boston the Bulls knew this would be a crucial game, which they loss by two (104-106).
Now for game six it is a must win for Bulls and for the Celtics it's a win that could end the series. With 1:09 left in the fourth quarter Brad Miller hits a three to bring the bulls within two and with 29.7 seconds left miller again comes up big for the Bulls making a layup shot forcing it into overtime.
In the first overtime period the Bulls win procession and get off to a quick four point lead. However the Celtics retaliate with its own six point run led by Paul Pierce hitting four out of four free throws. Then with 23.5 seconds left John Salmons makes a drive into the lane forcing it into a second overtime.
In the second overtime period the Celtics win the tip and it is a quarter of trading baskets until Salmons hits a well covered three with 3:28 left and then Salmons hits a lay up with 2:00 left to give Bulls the lead by three. However 20.0 seconds left Ray Allen hits a three, wait no, the ref ruled it as a two. Was Allen's foot on the line? With much deliberation from both coaches and players, it is finally ruled a two, still giving Bulls a one point lead. They foul Miller to go to the free throw line, he hits both. Chicago is up by three then Allen with 7.6 seconds left hits a leaner three and forces it into a third overtime.
In the third overtime period the Bulls won the tip and this quarter is another overtime quarter of lead changes until 35.5 seconds left Joakim Noah stole the ball from Pierce and outran him for a fast break dunk and got fouled giving Pierce his sixth and final foul, Noah made the free throw giving the Bulls a three point lead. Later on that quarter Rajon Rondo tipped in his own miss to bring it within one. The Celtics made a stop and Rondo with 7.9 seconds left gets blocked by Derek Rose on a quick fade away. With 4.2 seconds left Rose gets fouled and misses both free throws. Rondo gets the ball and dribbles to half court and puts up a prayer right as the buzzer goes off and misses. Bulls won by one.
Game seven will return in Boston where the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics will face off. Like this whole series it really is unpredictable. However, what we do know is Pierce and Allen will be ready, although Kevin Garnett is out; this is still a great team. Will the Bull's heart's and energy be enough to contain them? Will the Celtics arise and become one step closer to its back to back championship run or would the Bulls overcome the Celtics and rise from the ashes and become one step closer to returning to the promise land. It should be a game for the ages.
Quotester99
Now for game six it is a must win for Bulls and for the Celtics it's a win that could end the series. With 1:09 left in the fourth quarter Brad Miller hits a three to bring the bulls within two and with 29.7 seconds left miller again comes up big for the Bulls making a layup shot forcing it into overtime.
In the first overtime period the Bulls win procession and get off to a quick four point lead. However the Celtics retaliate with its own six point run led by Paul Pierce hitting four out of four free throws. Then with 23.5 seconds left John Salmons makes a drive into the lane forcing it into a second overtime.
In the second overtime period the Celtics win the tip and it is a quarter of trading baskets until Salmons hits a well covered three with 3:28 left and then Salmons hits a lay up with 2:00 left to give Bulls the lead by three. However 20.0 seconds left Ray Allen hits a three, wait no, the ref ruled it as a two. Was Allen's foot on the line? With much deliberation from both coaches and players, it is finally ruled a two, still giving Bulls a one point lead. They foul Miller to go to the free throw line, he hits both. Chicago is up by three then Allen with 7.6 seconds left hits a leaner three and forces it into a third overtime.
In the third overtime period the Bulls won the tip and this quarter is another overtime quarter of lead changes until 35.5 seconds left Joakim Noah stole the ball from Pierce and outran him for a fast break dunk and got fouled giving Pierce his sixth and final foul, Noah made the free throw giving the Bulls a three point lead. Later on that quarter Rajon Rondo tipped in his own miss to bring it within one. The Celtics made a stop and Rondo with 7.9 seconds left gets blocked by Derek Rose on a quick fade away. With 4.2 seconds left Rose gets fouled and misses both free throws. Rondo gets the ball and dribbles to half court and puts up a prayer right as the buzzer goes off and misses. Bulls won by one.
Game seven will return in Boston where the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics will face off. Like this whole series it really is unpredictable. However, what we do know is Pierce and Allen will be ready, although Kevin Garnett is out; this is still a great team. Will the Bull's heart's and energy be enough to contain them? Will the Celtics arise and become one step closer to its back to back championship run or would the Bulls overcome the Celtics and rise from the ashes and become one step closer to returning to the promise land. It should be a game for the ages.
Quotester99
Why This Blog?
Hello, My name is Joshua Richard (author name) but you will know me as Quotester99 (blogger name). I am a sophomore at Brigham Young University- Idaho. I plan to be a high school basketball coach, a blogger, and a novelist.
I am writing about basketball, because I have such a pure love for it. One, Basketball is a great way for excercising and building bonds. Two, it can be a great such a confidence builder that can help you in other aspects of your life. Three, its a true measurer of how much a heart a player has. Four, it such great depth of poetry of how the coach can statergize and players can do unbelievable things with the ball, it is pure amazing. Five, it is a sport that the whole world has in common. There are so many other reason also, just too many to name.
I am excited to get this blog underaway and will appeciate any comments, hits, and followers i can receive. Thank you for your time.
Quotester99
I am writing about basketball, because I have such a pure love for it. One, Basketball is a great way for excercising and building bonds. Two, it can be a great such a confidence builder that can help you in other aspects of your life. Three, its a true measurer of how much a heart a player has. Four, it such great depth of poetry of how the coach can statergize and players can do unbelievable things with the ball, it is pure amazing. Five, it is a sport that the whole world has in common. There are so many other reason also, just too many to name.
I am excited to get this blog underaway and will appeciate any comments, hits, and followers i can receive. Thank you for your time.
Quotester99
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