Posted by HoopsAvenue on November 9, 2008 under Atlanta Hawks, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, General NBA, San Antonio Spurs | 
We haven’t even gotten through the first two weeks yet and some things have happened that have taken even the most attentive NBA fans by surprise. Of course not everything has been a surprise. The Celtics and Lakers are in first place as expected, Dwight Howard and Lebron James continue to dominate, and Inside the NBA is as entertaining as ever, but this list takes a look at 5 things we didn’t see coming.
4. The Spurs are 1-4.
The Spurs are known for their slow starts, but this is ridiculous. Tim Duncan and Tony Parker are both putting up good numbers, but the Spurs can’t seem to guard anybody. They’ve only held 2 of their opponents under 100, at 98 and 99 points. That’s not the defense this team is known for. Now with Parker joining Ginobili on the injured list, things are not looking good in the city of the Alamo.
3. Tony Parker dropped 55 on the Timberwolves.
The T-Wolves aren’t exactly the best competition in the world, but since when did Tony Parker become MJ dropping the double nickel? For the last 3 years this guy has averaged just under 19 points per game, like clockwork. 18.9, 18.6, 18.8. He even opened the season with 32 and his season low was 22 in his first four games. Unfortunately, Parker is out the next 4 weeks with an ankle sprain. It’ll be interesting to see what kind of pace he can keep up when he returns.
2. The Atlanta Hawks are undefeated.
Don’t look now, but the Hawks are undefeated at 5-0. It was only last year this team finally moved past joke status to become and up-and-coming team, and now they are tops in the East?!? Ok, so it is only 5 games and they aren’t going to be the #1 seed in all likelihood, but they are among select company with the Lakers being the only other undefeated team (as of tipoff Sunday night). The Hawks have won at New Orleans and Orlando, too, so it’s not like they are beating up on chumps. Don’t be surprised if this team is hosting an opening round playoff series.
1. Allen Iverson traded to Detroit for Chauncey Billups, Antonio McDyess, and Cheick Samb.
Ok, if you predicted this, you must be Nostradamus because there’s no way I could imagine Chauncey Billups not wearing a Pistons jersey in early November. Iverson being traded? Eh, stranger things have happened, but if you told me he was traded I would assume he had a hissy fit first and refused to play. That was not the case. This was simply a straight-up blockbuster trade the Pistons and Nuggets both felt would improve their team in one way or another, on the court and/or in the balance sheet. It doesn’t surprise me the Pistons made a move as they needed to do try something new if they want to dethrone the Celts, but trading Billups was shocking. He’s a clutch performer and has even earned the nickname “Big Shot”. You usually don’t want to give up your team leader and go-to guy, but sometimes you have to to get a guy like Iverson. Kudos to the Pistons and Nuggets for shocking us with a big deal that makes sense on both sides early in the season rather than making us wait until the trade deadline like most teams do.
Posted by HoopsAvenue on October 28, 2008 under Atlanta Hawks, Charlotte Bobcats, Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Washington Wizards |
You saw HoopsAvenue’s Wizards preview the other day…now here are the rest of the Southeast Division. Check them out!
Atlanta Hawks
Matt McHale: Basketbawful
Hoopinion: Peachtree Hoops
Charlotte Bobcats
BrettL: Queen City Hoops
Ziggy: BobcatsPlanet
Miami Heat
Darren Heitner: SportsAgentBlog.com
Gregory Broome: The Peninsula is Mightier
Orlando Magic
Ben: Third Quarter Collapse
Washington Wizards
Rashad: Hoops Addict
HoopsAvenue: HoopsAvenue
Mike Prada: Bullets Forever
Truth: Truth About It Dot Net
Also see links to all the previews at CelticsBlog.com
Posted by HoopsAvenue on July 15, 2008 under Atlanta Hawks, General NBA, Golden State Warriors |
After leading the league in Field Goal Percentage this year, Warriors center Andris Biedrins is being courted by both the Warriors and Pistons in the free agent/trade market this off-season. Good numbers, good demand…makes you think Biedrins might get some respect, but not in Myrtle Beach where the Sun News made this little gaffe back in March:
Yeah, that “whoever” leading the league in FG% is Mr. Biedrins. C’mon, Sun News, we’d understand if you did that to Erick Dampier, but Biedrins is an up-and-coming player. You’re better than that!
Posted by HoopsAvenue on July 11, 2008 under Atlanta Hawks, NBA Rumors |
The dominoes are falling fast in free agency this summer. We’ve already got Gilbert Arenas re-signing in Washington, Elton Brand going to Philadelphia, Corey Maggette and Baron Davis swapping teams, and Lebron James going to New Jersey (oh wait, that’s not for 2 more years). Josh Smith, though, hasn’t made a decision yet. Mostly that’s because he’s just outside the top tier of free agents, but, after this season’s playoff performance, maybe he should be more of a priority? Regardless, the man is going to make big money and he’s still seeking a monster deal, and that is what makes his free agency so interesting. Nobody doubts Josh Smith’s athleticism or ability to put up numbers, but is he the kind of player that can carry a team? It looks like the Sixers don’t think so now that they passed up Smith and sunk their money into Elton Brand. Most teams would probably do the same going for the reliable big man over the flashy athlete.
So, the Hawks are facing a pretty big question these days as they try to decide what to do with Josh Smith. With the Clippers losing Brand and Maggette, they are probably going to make a big offer to Smith. They’re going to make a big offer, it’s just a matter of whether it goes to Smith or Emeka Okafor. Smith would seemingly be the better fit for the LA market and that seems to be how Donald Sterling makes his decisions most of the time. Now, Smith is restricted so assuming he does get a big offer from the Clippers, the Hawks would have 7 days to match it. Should the Hawks go all-in on Josh Smith?
If I’m the Hawks, I do it. It’s true Smith is young and mostly unproven, but we’ve seen what he can do in the playoffs and for the city of Atlanta. Barring an injury, there should be a lot of exciting games and a pretty good team in Atlanta for years to come. He is not going to be Lebron or Duncan, but neither is anyone else on the market right now and you can’t attract them to a listless franchise anyway. Atlanta probably never will be a championship team with Josh Smith as its centerpiece, but when you’re putting “championship” and “Atlanta” in the same sentence, you’re probably dreaming anyways. Don’t ruin a good thing, Hotlanta. Re-sign Josh Smith.
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