Tony Parker Signs Extension With San Antonio

News broke yesterday that Tony Parker, San Antonio's All-Star and Former Finals MVP, has been given a 4 year, $50 million extension.  This takes away the distraction of Parker being an expiring contract, and it should solidify this team for now.  As for the deal itself, given Parker's quality and age, I think its a more than fair deal.  He'll be 33 when the deal ends.

Other players payed around the same per year?

• Josh Smith
• Rajon Rondo
• Luol Deng
• Rip Hamilton
• Ben Gordon
• David Lee
• Danny Granger
• Chris Kaman
• Andrew Bogut
• Emeka Okafor
• LaMarcus Aldridge
• Manu Ginobili

I'd rather have maybe three or four of the guys on that list over Tony Parker at full health.  Good extension for San Antonio, they've always been one of the better run front offices of the last decade.  And now that Parker has financial security, he can just worry about trying to get this team one more ring.

Programming Note: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Sorry John.  It's just too much work to do the recap every day.

Well after doing a few days of the Good, the Bad and the Ugly for every single team, each and every day, I think I'm going to have to call it quits on doing it daily, and for now at all, since if I do it, I want to be thorough.  It's a LOT of extra work to look at each game and analyze it each and every night, and one thing that its given me is a newfound respect for Kelly Dwyer of Ball Don't Lie and his fantastic Behind the Boxscores.

I don't want this blog to simply become a recap of each night's action, and if I continue with the series, that's basically what will happen.  I want to instead write because I want to write, not because I feel like I have to.  It was an interesting experiment, and perhaps one day if the Pick and Scroll grows larger I'll bring it back.

But for now its good night and good luck on that, and I'll now have more time to write about things other than just the nights action, which for the most part, the people that were really interested, already watched, or caught up for themselves.

Thanks to whoever did read the series and enjoyed it so far.  Hopefully you continue to read, and I'll be trying to get at least a piece or two out every weekday, but this time on broader subjects.

The Good, Bad and the Ugly: Oct. 29th, 2010

Even Kevin Love is terrified of his rebounding prowess.

The Good, Bad and the Ugly is the Pick and Scroll's way of looking at the previous nights games. We take a look at some (but not all) of the good, the not-so-good, and the downright atrocious for each team.

12 games last night, and there were quite a few good ones, and not ones you would expect either.

Sacramento Kings (1-1)

• The Good:  Francisco Garcia continues his great start to the season, scoring 18 points on 12 shots, and other than Tyreke Evans (1-2), was the only King to hit a three pointer (he hit 4-6).  Garcia contributed around the board as well, with 3 boards, 2 assists, 2 steals and a block as well in 31 minutes off the bench.  As a team the Kings did a good job on limiting turnovers, with only 12 all game.  
• The Bad: The defense was bad.  Both teams had a similar amount of fouls (32 for Sacramento, 30 for New Jersey), but the Nets were able to get a whole bunch of those as shooting fouls, thanks to the Kings not guarding penetration, and defending with their arms and not feet.  As such, the Nets got to the line 45 times and made 36 of them, a 19 point discrepancy.  There's the ball game.
• The Ugly:  The Kings (other than Garcia) could not buy a bucket from outside all game.  0-5 from three for both Beno Udrih and Omri Casspi, and the Kings as a team were 11-28 (39.3%) from 16-23 feet.

New Jersey Nets (2-0)

• The Good:  Brook Lopez was huge early, getting 19 points in the first half, and then Devin Harris stepped up late in the game with some huge shots and just great playmaking to bring the Nets back from down 8 with 3 minutes to go and win the game.  The Kings really didn't have an answer for Lopez, and Harris repeatedly took advantage of the Kings lackluster defense.
• The Bad: Terrence Williams was bad tonight, especially trying to run the team.  He only played 11 minutes, but still committed 5 turnovers and had 1 assist to show for it.  He also was a team worst -18.
• The Ugly:  The only reason the Kings were in this game and had a chance to win it was because of all the New Jersey turnovers, 26 in total.  Quite a few of them were just careless too, with moving screens galore.

The 22 other teams after the jump.

The Good, Bad and the Ugly: Oct. 28th, 2010

This tweet sums up this picture nicely.

The Good, Bad and the Ugly is the Pick and Scroll's way of looking at the previous nights games.  We take a look at some (but not all) of the good, the not-so-good, and the downright atrocious for each team.


Only two games tonight, but we saw the debut of John Wall and both Phoenix and Utah trying to get their first wins of the season.


Washington Wizards (0-1)

• The Good:  Perhaps the only bright spot in this whole game for the Wizards was Cartier Martin.  He was the only one who looked like he knew what he was doing out there, and he had a solid overall game, at least offensively.  The Wizards also did a pretty good job forcing turnovers, getting 10 steals, and forcing Orlando to commit 21 turnovers.
• The Bad:  John Wall's debut was terrible.  I tweeted this before the game, and it looks like I was right.  With Dwight at the rim, Wall was afraid to drive, and since he can't shoot, he was forced into a lot of bad jumpers.  14 points on 6-19 shooting, an inauspicious start for the rookie.  He did do a nice job distributing however with 9 assists, which looks even more impressive given the putrid quality of his teammates.
• The Ugly:  I could say just about everything, but I'm going to focus on the interior defense.  It was horrendous.  The Magic were able to get whatever they wanted inside (18-21 at the rim, 10-15 from within 10 feet), and none of the Wizards big men could do anything about it.  Hilton Armstrong was especially ineffective, playing 11 minutes, having two turnovers and five fouls.  

Orlando Magic (1-0)

• The Good:  The Magic ran their offense to perfection tonight, and their defense was excellent as well, thriving on the fact that Washington has hardly any shooters.  Vince Carter was spectacular, going for 18 points and only missing 4 shots in 25 minutes, Dwight Howard had 23 points and 10 boards with 3 blocks in 29 minutes on 7-9 shooting.  The rebounding battle was no battle at all either, as Orlando (53)more than doubled Washington's rebounds (25).
• The Bad:  Dwight Howard's FT shooting.  Dude needs to get better here.  He got to the line 19 times but only knocked down 9 of them.  He starts off with good form, but then ends up just doing a more pretty looking flick at the hoop than Shaq.  Extend that elbow, just like a jumper.  Use your legs.  I think with a new form at the line Dwight could hit 70%.
• The Ugly:  The Magic were a tad careless with the ball, getting 21 turnovers and only 20 assists.  That needs to tighten up.  As well as they played, they still have some work to do.

Utah and Phoenix after the jump.

The Good, Bad and the Ugly: Oct. 27th, 2010

No, Yao, you're not in a dream.  No, I can't believe Monta Ellis' efficiency either.

The Good, Bad and the Ugly is the Pick and Scroll's way of looking at the previous nights games.  We take a look at some (but not all) of the good, the not-so-good, and the downright atrocious for each team.

Yesterday featured 13 NBA games, so this is going to be a big post.  I hope the 15 of you that read it enjoy it or at least don't hate it.

Detroit Pistons (0-1)

• The Good:  Assists, turnovers and steals were good, with 21 assists to only 6 turnovers, and they also stole the ball 7 times.  Individually, Ben Gordon reminds of the old Ben Gordon, with 12 points on 6 shots.  They also did a good job getting to the line, for 30 attempts.  The bench probably played better than the starters.
• The Bad:  The defense was really bad, allowing New Jersey to shoot almost 49% from the field and 43% from three.  The starters also weren't anything special.  They weren't atrocious, but they just don't have a go-to player out there.  They got beat on the glass by 7, and remember those 30 FTA?  They only made 16 of them.
• The Ugly:  The first "Austin Daye as PF" experiment failed miserably, and he only had 4 points on 8 shots, with 3 boards.  Tracy McGrady was also bad off the bench, not scoring in his 13 minutes.

New Jersey Nets (1-0)

• The Good:  The offense and rebounding were two big positives for New Jersey.  Brook Lopez looked great, and Devin Harris had a stat line reminiscent of his All-Star year.  Rookie Derrick Favors also had a positive impact during his 20 minutes, almost posting a double-double.
• The Bad: New Jersey sent Detroit to the line too much.  It could've cost New Jersey the game if Detroit could've hit their free throws.
• The Ugly:  Travis Outlaw, 1-7 from the field, 5 points, 3 boards and 5 fouls in only 21 minutes. Ouch.

Rest of the teams after the jump.

The Good, Bad and the Ugly: Opening Night 2010

LeBron rates the Heat's performance last night

This is a feature I'll try to do every game day, highlighting some of the good, the not-so-good, and the downright ugly in the previous days NBA games.  Hopefully you guys enjoy it, and please leave feedback.

Miami Heat (0-1)

• The Good:  For Miami, the best thing I can say is that despite playing a pretty terrible game overall, because of the talent level on the team and the force of nature that is LeBron James, this game was still winnable in the final few minutes until Boston stepped up.  LeBron had a good scoring game, but his overall game was iffy, just like the Heat's.  Perhaps the only player that played a good game for Miami was Udonis Haslem.
• The Bad:  There is almost too much to list.  Chris Bosh and Dwyane Wade combined to shoot 7-27 for 21 points, the team itself had 15 assists to 17 turnovers, and the chemistry just wasn't there.
• The Ugly: The first half was utterly atrocious for Miami.  9 points in the 1st quarter and 30 total in the first half, on 26.8% shooting.  That's a worse quarter or half than the Miami team from last year, which if you'll remember, didn't feature Three of the best players in the league.

Boston Celtics (1-0)

• The Good:  Boston's team defense was great, as usual.  They spent most of the time focusing on LeBron, Wade and Bosh, trying to get the rest of the Heat to hurt them.  Despite a run from LeBron in the 3rd, the Celtics did a great job at handling the new big three.  Rondo was also excellent at distributing the ball, getting 17 assists, or two more than the entire Heat team.  Boston got good contributions from its own big three as well, and bench players Glen Davis and Marquis Daniels combined for the same amount of points as Wade/Bosh except on 10-12 from the field.
• The Bad: Free throws and Turnovers.  The Celtics only shot 64% from the line, and this can partly be blamed on Shaq not ever having given a damn about them and going 3-8.  The Celtics did a better job on turnovers in the 2nd half, but 18 is still far too many, with 7 by KG alone.
• The Ugly: Jermaine O'Neal and Nate Robinson were complete non-factors.  Robinson shot the ball 7 times in 10 minutes, despite only making two and missing both his 3PA.

Phoenix, Portland, Houston and Los Angeles after the jump.

Nostradumbass: The Pick and Scroll's 2010-11 Season Predictions

The 2010-11 NBA season is set to start tomorrow, and I for one can't wait.  We've waited long enough, but there is one thing we have to do before the season starts: Season Predictions!  Devin (predictions in blue) and I (predictions in red) have put together our predictions for the upcoming season on several topics, and we're laying it all out there.

Feel free to let us know what you think of our predictions in the comments below, or to make your own predictions.  Enjoy this season everyone, especially considering we might not have one next year.

2010-11 NBA Season as Predicted by NBA 2K11

I thought it would be interesting to simulate a season in NBA 2K11 and see how it turned out.  The results are interesting to say the least, and I wouldn't be surprised to see a few of the game's predictions come true.

After a jump, the results.

2010-11 Season Previews: Cleveland Cavaliers

Tell us how you really feel.

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team. We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best.  In the last of our previews, we'll look over Cleveland.  Can this team be any good now that Zydrunas Ilgauskas has left?  Oh and that LeBron guy too I guess.

2009-10 Record: 61-21
Additions: Byron Scott (Coach), Chris Grant (GM), Ramon Sessions (Trade), Ryan Hollins (Trade), Christian Eyenga (Draft from last year), Joey Graham (FA)
Subtractions: Danny Ferry (GM), Mike Brown (Coach), LeBron James, Shaquille O'Neal, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Delonte West, Sebastian Telfair, Danny Green

2010-11 Season Previews: Orlando Magic

Ripping your shirt open like that seems like it could get expensive.

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team. We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best. Let's talk about Orlando, two seasons removed from the NBA Finals and looking to get back, and this time, win.

2009-10 Record: 59-23
Additions: Quentin Richardson (FA), Chris Duhon (FA), Malik Allen (FA), Daniel Orton (Draft)
Subtractions: Matt Barnes, Anthony Johnson, Adonal Foyle, Stan Van Gundy's Turtlenecks

2010-11 Season Previews: Los Angeles Lakers

Crazy Uncle Ron-Ron, how I sort of, but not really, miss you.

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team. We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best.  As much as I personally hate to say it, the Lakers have been the best team in basketball two years running.  Does this team have enough gas left in the tank to get Phil his 4th three-peat?

2009-10 Record: 57-25
Additions: Matt Barnes (FA), Theo Ratliff (FA), Steve Blake (FA), Derrick Caracter (Draft), Devin Ebanks (Draft)
Subtractions: Adam Morrison, Jordan Farmar, Josh Powell, D.J. Mbenga

2010-11 Season Previews: Dallas Mavericks

Mark Cuban: Just living the dream.

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team. We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best. We've reached the Mavericks, that perennial 50+ win team (10 seasons in a row now).  They have plenty of talent, but is it enough to win the West and the contenders in the East?

2009-10 Record: 55-27
Additions: Tyson Chandler (Trade), Alexis Ajinca (Trade), Dominique Jones (Draft), Ian Mahinimi (FA), Brian Cardinal (FA), Steve Novak (FA)
Subtractions: Erick Dampier, Matt Carroll, Eduardo Najera, Tim Thomas

2010-11 Season Previews: Phoenix Suns

HOLY CRAP! The ball is coming at me guys! What do I do?!?!

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team. We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best. We're on Phoenix, a surprise Western Conference Finalist this year, can they surprise again despite losing Amar'e?

2009-10 Record: 54-28
Additions: Lance Banks (GM), Hedo Turkoglu (Trade), Josh Childress (FA), Hakim Warrick (FA), Gani Lawal (Draft), Matt Janning (FA)
Subtractions: Steve Kerr (GM), Amar'e Stoudemire, Leandro Barbosa, Lou Amundson, Jarron Collins, Taylor Griffin

2010-11 Season Previews: Utah Jazz

Loving the new Jazz uniforms.  Retro is back, and its awesome.

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team. We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best. The Jazz might've lost a few key players this offseason, but can their new acquisitions and a hungrier Deron Williams make up for it?

2009-10 Record: 53-29
Additions: Al Jefferson (Trade), Raja Bell (FA), Francisco Elson (FA), Gordon Hayward (Draft), Earl Watson (FA), Jeremy Evans (FA)
Subtractions: Carlos Boozer, Kyle Korver, Wesley Matthews, Kosta Koufos

2010-11 Season Previews: Denver Nuggets

Is it any wonder this guy once got kicked out of the league for substance abuse?

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team. We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best. Let's talk about the Nuggets, who can either end up being pretty good or not, depending on what happens with Carmelo.

2009-10 Record: 53-29
Additions: Masai Ujiri (GM) George Karl (return from battle with cancer), Al Harrington (FA), Shelden Williams (FA), Melvin Ely (FA), Eric Boateng (FA), Gary Forbes (FA)
Subtractions: Mark Warkentien (GM), Malik Allen, Johan Petro, Joey Graham, Coby Karl, Brian Butch

2010-11 Season Previews: Atlanta Hawks

We gave Joe Johnson how much money?!?

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team. We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best. This one is about the Hawks, enjoying a nice couple seasons as of late, but despite their talent, can they join the NBA Elite or will they be instead stuck in that 2nd tier?

2009-10 Record: 53-29
Additions: Larry Drew (Coach), Jordan Crawford (Draft), Pape Sy (Draft), Josh Powell (FA), Etan Thomas (FA)
Subtractions: Mike Woodson (Coach), Randolph Morris, Joe Smith, Mario West

2010-11 Season Previews: Portland Trailblazers

Pictured: Greg Oden

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team. We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best. The Blazers are up next, and they're sure to be good, but can they be healthy for once?

2009-10 Record: 50-32
Additions: Rich Cho (GM), Luke Babbitt (Draft), Armon Johnson (Draft), Elliot Williams (Draft), Wesley Matthews (FA), Moody Fernandez (evolved from Rudy Fernandez at level 25, learned Pout)
Subtractions: Kevin Pritchard (GM), Martell Webster, Juwan Howard, Travis Deiner, Jeff Pendergraph (tore ACL, likely out for season), Rudy Fernandez (bruised ego)

2010-11 Season Previews: Boston Celtics

No, I can't believe this actually happened either.

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team. We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best. We're on the Celtics, the defending Eastern Conference Champions.  Can they do it again, or has Father Time finally caught up to this bunch?

2009-10 Record: 50-32
Additions: Shaquille O'Neal (FA), Avery Bradley (Draft), Jermaine O'Neal (FA), Semih Erden (Draft), Luke Harangody (Draft), Delonte West (FA)
Subtractions: Rasheed Wallace, Tony Allen, Brian Scalabrine, Shelden Williams, Michael Finley, Olivier Lafayette, Tony Gaffney

2010-11 Season Previews: San Antonio Spurs

Bat-Manu

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team. We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best. We're doing the Spurs, trying to get one more title before Tim Duncan rides off into the sunset for good.

2009-10 Record: 50-32
Additions: Tiago Splitter (FA), James Anderson (Draft), Bobby Simmons (FA), Gary Neal (FA)
Subtractions: Roger Mason, Ian Mahinimi, Malik Hairston, Keith Bogans

2010-11 Season Previews: Oklahoma City Thunder

Kevin Durant calmly knocks down a three pointer while curing AIDS and ending poverty.

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team. We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best. We're on the Thunder, seemingly everyone's new favorite team (unless you're from Seattle).

2009-10 Record: 50-32
Additions: Cole Aldrich (Draft/Trade), Daequan Cook (Trade), Morris Peterson (Trade), Royal Ivey (FA)
Subtractions: Etan Thomas, Kevin Ollie, Kyle Weaver

Formally Introducing the Advanced Statistics Calculator

Over the past week, I've developed a calculator for several Basketball Advanced Statistics.  I did this after growing frustrated with having to calculate them by hand for preseason games.  During the regular season, http://www.basketball-reference.com/ and http://www.hoopdata.com/ do a wonderful job of providing these statistics on a per-game and season basis.

Still, having this calculator means that as long as you have the raw data, you can calculate advanced statistics for whatever you want.  Perhaps you want to know Brian Cook's eFG% when playing the Bobcats.  Why you would want that information, nobody knows, and you probably need to seek medical attention, but the fact is that you can.

The Calculator is still a work in progress, as I still have several major statistics I need to add to it.  It might take a while, but I'll get them up eventually.

Regarding Bill Simmons and Blake Griffin

Let me preface this by saying that for the most part, I enjoy Simmons' work.  He's an extremely funny guy and does know a lot about the game.  That being said, he does tend to make some outlandish statements sometimes. Ok, a lot of times.

Today, he made a few of those statements regarding Blake Griffin via a post at ESPN and on Twitter.

Here are his claims about Griffin, whom he rightly calls a beast:

• He would've been the 3rd best player on Team USA this summer.
• He's already the best finisher of any big guy in the league.
• He's already the second-best rebounder in the league behind Dwight Howard.
• He's already one of the 5 best PFs in the league.
• He's the best rookie to enter the league since LeBron
• He's plays with reckless abandon and is extremely exciting to watch

My first reaction is that two of those statements are true and the others are false.  I had the chance to watch Griffin in Sacramento when they blew out the Kings, and as I mentioned, he looked amazing. More than amazing in fact, and the box score backs it up.  But even with that I still have some trouble with Simmons statements.  Do his arguments have merit, or don't they?

2010-11 Season Previews: Miami Heat

"Tell you what Juwan, come back in 15 years and we'll see if we can sign you then"

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team.  We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best.  We're now on Miami, who if you haven't heard, managed an epic free agent haul, highlighted by Juwan Howard and Eddie House, along with a couple other guys too.

2009-10 Record: 47-35
Additions: LeBron James (FA), Chris Bosh (FA), Mike Miller (FA), Zydrunas Ilgauskas (FA), Eddie House (FA), Juwan Howard (FA), and whoever makes the team between Dexter Pittman (Draft) and Da'Sean Butler (Draft).
Subtractions: Jermaine O'Neal, Quentin Richardson, Michael Beasley, Dorell Wright, Yakhouba Diawara, Rafer Alston, Shavlik Randolph, Kenny Hasbrouck (Both Randolph and Hasbrouck can still make the team, but I doubt they do over Pittman or Butler).

Kings 116, Golden State 97: Game Recap

As I did for both Phoenix and Clippers fans, I'm going to do a recap of the preseason game yesterday from a Warriors perspective.  It's a shame that so many of these games aren't televised anymore.  I will give Warriors fans this though, a fair amount of them traveled all the way to ARCO to watch their Dubs play.  If you're interested in my Kings recap, its here.

The Warriors are still going to get out there and run with the best of them.  Keith Smart hasn't changed that.  Everyone in that lineup (other than maybe Biedrins or their other centers) has the ability to score in different ways and pass the ball.  During the times when they were flowing, particularly in the fast break, it was beautiful to watch.  The Warriors were also seemingly committed to playing defense surprisingly, and they were led in this regard (also surprising to me) by Monta Ellis.  Ellis and the rest of the Warriors did a great job at forcing turnovers, and collapsing the D, especially on Tyreke Evans.  The entire Warriors team did a great job at playing the passing lanes too.  You will not be able to throw a lazy pass or have a loose dribble around these guys, or they'll take advantage of it quickly.

The Warriors did have a couple problems though, and it mainly involved interior defense and perimeter shooting.  The Warriors definitely had an off-night from range, or this game might have gone a little differently. The Warriors had a lot more success in the mid-range.  As for interior defense, the Warriors couldn't handle the Kings big combo of DeMarcus Cousins and Carl Landry.  They did a good job collapsing when Tyreke drove, but Carl Landry kept beating David Lee with the same move, and DeMarcus was just way too powerful for any of the Warriors bigs, although Biedrins started off playing nice D on him with an early block. The Warriors had difficulty rebounding the ball as well, and once the bench came in, the offense got sloppy as well.

Still there was a lot to like about the game from the Warriors perspective, and after the jump I'll have player evaluations.

2010-11 Season Previews: Milwaukee Bucks

FEAR ME!

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team.  We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best.  Milwaukee was one of last season's surprise teams, but have they improved enough to hang with the heavy hitters in the East?

2009-10 Record: 46-36
Additions: Corey Maggette (Trade), Chris Douglas-Roberts (Trade), Jon Brockman (Trade), Larry Sanders (Draft), Darington Hobson (Draft), Drew Gooden (FA), Keyon Dooling (FA), Earl Boykins (FA)
Subtractions: Dan Gadzuric, Charlie Bell, Luke Ridnour, Kurt Thomas, Royal Ivey, Primoz Brezec, Darnell Jackson, Jerry Stackhouse

2010-11 Season Previews: Charlotte Bobcats

Gerald Wallace Facts. Read up.

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team, going in order from worst previous record to best.  Charlotte is coming off of its first ever playoff appearance in franchise history.  Can they do it again?

2009-10 Record: 44-38
Additions: Kwame Brown (FA), Shaun Livingston (FA), Dominic McGuire (FA), Sherron Collins (FA), Matt Carroll (Trade), Eduardo Najera (Trade)
Subtractions: Raymond Felton, Tyson Chandler, Alexis Ajinca, Stephen Graham, Theo Ratliff, Larry Hughes

2010-11 Season Previews: Houston Rockets

Houston, lets better hope we don't have a problem

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team.  We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best.  Let's head on over to China's favorite team, the Houston Rockets.

2009-10 Record: 42-40
Additions: Yao Ming (back from injury), Brad Miller (FA), Patrick Patterson (Draft), Courtney Lee (Trade)
Subtractions: Trevor Ariza, David Andersen

Clippers 120, Kings 88: Game Recap

Just like I did for Phoenix fans on Tuesday, I'm going to do a recap of the Kings-Clippers game for Clippers fans.  If you want my take on the Kings side of things (it was not good, let me tell you), head on over to Sactown Royalty and read it here.

I'd first off like to point out that the Clippers played a great game.  They clearly wanted this game more than the Kings did, they played much tougher D, applying full court pressure for a lot of the game, and on offense they moved the ball very well, reading the Kings defense like an instruction manual.  On rebounds and loose balls, they went after it.  There were several plays when Kings guys would either poke the ball away, or try to get an offensive board, but the Clippers never gave up on the play and usually got the ball back.  This was especially true of Blake Griffin.

And holy mother of God, Blake Griffin was a beast.  More on him and the other players after the jump.

2010-11 Season Previews: Chicago Bulls

Derrick will likely need to hand out quite a few of these shirts before his career is over

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to preview each team, and we're going in order from worst previous record to best.  Chicago was one of the more active teams this summer.  How much better did they really get?

2009-10 Record: 41-41
Additions: Tom Thibodeau (Coach), Carlos Boozer (FA), Ronnie Brewer (FA), Keith Bogans (FA), Kurt Thomas (FA), Omer Asik (FA), Kyle Korver (FA), CJ Watson (FA), Kyle Weaver (FA), Brian Scalabrine (FA)
Subtractions: Vinny Del Negro, Brad Miller, Kirk Hinrich, Hakim Warrick, Joe Alexander, Acie Law, Flip Murray, Jannero Pargo, Devin Brown, Chris Richard, Rob Kurz

2010-11 Season Previews: Memphis Grizzlies

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team.  We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best.  Now we take a look at Michael Heisley's Grizzlies, who exceeded expectations last year.  Can they do it again?

2009-10 Record: 40-42
Additions: Tony Allen (FA), Damien Wilkins (FA), Grevis Vasquez (Draft), Xavier Henry (Draft)
Subtractions: Steven Hunter, Ronnie Brewer, Marcus Williams, Jamaal Tinsley, Lester Hudson

Kings 109, Suns 95: Game Recap

I had the privilege of attending the Sacramento Kings and Phoenix Suns preseason game as a media member yesterday.  Due to the game not being televised, a lot of fans can't get a good idea of how their players performed other than from the Box Score.  My Kings-centric recap can be found here on Sactown Royalty, detailing how they performed in the game and how each player was.

As a courtesy to all the great Phoenix Suns fans out there and at the suggestion of Alex Laugan from Bright Side of the Sun, I'll try to provide a recap of how Phoenix and their players did last night, since there was no way to watch the game other than by being there.  More after the jump.

2010-11 Season Previews: Toronto Raptors

Ball

The NBA season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team.  We're going to go in order from worst record to best.  Now we're off to the strange land of Toronto, which lost its best player in Chris Bosh.  However, the Basketball Jones gained Trey Kerby.  Advantage: TBJ.


2009-10 Record: 40-42
Additions: Ed Davis (Draft), Solomon Alabi (Draft), David Andersen (Trade), Leandro Barbosa (Trade), Linas Kleiza (FA), Julian Wright (Trade)
Subtractions: Chris Bosh, Hedo Turkoglu, Rasho Nesterovic, Antoine Wright, Marco Belinelli, Patrick O'Bryant

2010-11 Season Previews: New Orleans Hornets

Man, New Orleans has some crazy popsicles

The NBA season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team.  We're going to go in order from worst record to best.  How should residents of the Big Easy be feeling about their team after a roller coaster ride of an offseason?


2009-10 Record: 37-45
Additions: Dell Demps (GM), Monty Williams (Coach), Trevor Ariza (Trade), Marco Belinelli (Trade), Willie Green (Trade), Jason Smith (Trade), Joe Alexander (FA), Pops Mensah-Bonsu (FA), Quincy Pondexter (Draft)
Subtractions: Jeff Bower, James Posey, Morris Peterson, Craig Brackins, Darius Songaila, Julian Wright, Darren Collison, Ike Diogu, Sean Marks