Archive for the 'Basketball' Category
Hrmmmm.
I remember catching one of the new ESPN segments where Bill Walton and Screamin A Smith talk back and forth about the current state of the NBA and sometimes actually agree with one another. It’s no secret among my friends, I’m a huge Bill Walton fan. Face it, the guy is a character still stuck in the 60’s. He speaks his mind, makes up words and always seems to be in the best mood. I’m pretty sure you can take a crap in his lunch and he still will smile, making light of the situation. Most recently, Walton called out Shaq exclaiming that if this works out in Phoenix, it’s a huge indictment of Shaq and how he has been dogging it all season in Miami. Essentially he calls it a lose-lose situation with the Big Fella, and I kinda agree. Shaq had the chance to respond to Walton and of course left plenty of quotes for you to chew on. From the East Valley Tribune…
“If I’m faking an injury, then (Walton’s) whole injury-plagued career is a fake,” O’Neal said. “We’re talking about someone who only played one or two seasons injury-free. One thing I really hate is a hypocrite.
“Mr. Walton has broken the big man’s ordinance code 225.27 — no big man under should talk about a big man above. It’s just not right and it’s disrespectful.”
I’m a huge Shaq fan but something isn’t sitting well with me and the way he left town. I’m sure more will unfold as the season goes on. Oh yeah, if you didn’t catch Shaq “trying” to practice with his new team, it’s quite humorous. Check it here.
I really couldn’t believe it when I read it. I mean seriously, what team would actually take on the kind of salary Shaq holds AND give up quality talent in return. Seems like it’s impossible, but Riley has worked magic before. Pending a physical, which could still be a huge hurdle considering the shape Shaq’s hip is in, he will be shipped to the Phoenix Suns in return for Shawn Marion and Marcus Banks. One has to wonder that if Shaq passes this physical with flying colors, that his injury this season could all be just a fabricated lie. With the removal of Shaq from the payroll, the Heat will be players in the free agent market in the offseason. That free agent class includes players like Gilbert Arenas, Baron Davis, Elton Brand, Shawn Marion, Antawn Jamison, Ron Artest and Corey Maggette.
If this deal does get done, relish this day as it could be the day Pat Riley saved the franchise. What’s your opinion on the Shaq deal? Did we do him dirty? Stay tuned Heat fans.
Update 11:39 AM: Apparently Shaq has already sent a message to Steve Nash. In a recent phone call to Steve Nash, Shaquille O’Neal assured the Phoenix Suns’ All-Star point guard, “I won’t let you down.” “I think this is going to bring a lot of life back to Steve,” a Suns source said. “He was very revved up after talking to Shaq.”
As much as I love Shaq, if he was faking this injury all season, I will lose alot of respect for the Big Daddy.
Little early morning entertainment for you here on Tuesday. Not sure how I missed this over the weekend but I guess I was too busy partying it up in the streets because the Heat snapped the 15 game losing streak. Apparently Dwyane Wade was overcome with joy after winning on Saturday that it felt like he had lost his virginity.
The great SportsbyBrooks has the audio courtesy of 790 The Ticket. You can check it below.
Yep, that’s our Wade Jones.
Hat tip to commenter Mike for the find.
By now I’m sure many of you have removed SporTech Matter from your feed readers, bookmarks and safe email recipient list. We didn’t die, we just multiply! I’ll be honest, South Florida Sports had me down and I needed a little getaway from the daily nuances that were associated with covering this god awful section of the country that has 4 professional sports teams. Combine that with extra stuff to do at work and just the fact I needed more of a life besides blogging and work, and you have the downtime for posting at SporTech Matter. Nevertheless I am back and ready to fire on all cylinders. Or as Chad Johnson would say…”Just give me a call Bill Parcells, stop playing around already!” Lots of stuff went down while I was away so let’s catch up with the most recent notes…
- The Dolphins went absolutely nutty hiring coaches and assistants from all over the NFL and College landscape. So just what did we score? David Lee named QB coach, Brian Gaine Named Assistant Director Of Player Personnel, Tony Sparano named head coach, Mike Maser named offensive line coach, James Saxon? runningbacks coach, Evan Marcus? strength and conditioning coach, Paul Pasqualoni as their defensive coordinator, Todd Bowles as assistant head coach/secondary, Kacy Rodgers as defensive line coach and David Corrao as defensive quality control coach, Karl Dorrell as wide receivers coach. Phew. Talk about a purge. Mary Kate doesn’t even understand a purge like that.
- Today one of the more intriguing rumors came up regarding the Dolphins and the number one overall pick in the draft. Oh I bet you didn’t guess it had to do with the Cowboys? The Boys two 1st rounders and Marion Barber for the 1st overall pick. Apparently the groundwork is in place. Will the Tuna get it done? Ronnie and Marion? What a combo!
- Heat Win! Heat Win! The embarrassment of having Dwyane Wade on your team and possibly breaking the expansion Heat’s record for most consecutive losses in a season would be the icing on the cake for this season. Hey guys guess what??? We haven’t even reached the All Star break yet!
- The Cats have been a feisty bunch lately. The injury bug has bit hard and forced the Cats to call up top prospect Shawn Matthias, the chip they acquired in the Todd Bertuzzi to Detroit deal last season. Shawn spent a little over a week up with the big club and netted 2 goals during his stay. Such a fun kid to watch on the ice.
- Huge ruckus was made the last week or so about the yearly Olli Jokinen trade rumors. Somewhere Mike Keenan is sitting in a dark room writing Mr and Mrs Mike Jokinen on wedding stationary as we speak. Reports said Olli demanded a trade, other reports refuted it. The Cats are at the break sitting in good position to take the divisions. They are notoriously better after the All Star break so things should start to get interesting. Head out to the BAC. They are giving away 20+ Sharp Aquos TV’s this weekend!
- Apparently the Marlins signed a 7′ tall ex-basketball player who up until a few weeks ago has been pitching with less than 100% vision. Yes you just read that correctly.
Hope everyone has been enjoying the New Year. Should be getting a steady dose from now on. One last note. I’m sure I’ve mentioned before I am an absolute music nut. If your a member of LAST.FM add me as a friend so I can get an idea of what kind of music my readers enjoy.
Thanks for sticking around during the downtime.
So there’s this h** at my school who claims to have f***** ricky davis and possibly Udonis Haslem about a week ago when the Heat were visiting Portland. I’m suspicious but what you think about these pictures she put on her facebook? btw she’s only 17…
I’ll wait to pass judgment regarding this story until a comment is made (if any) from Udonis Haslem and Ricky Davis. I’m pretty sure someone in the local media will get a hold of this and confront them at the next practice.
Seriously, what is Udonis and Ricky doing here? Pro athletes are really moronic. Not sure about anyone else but if I was getting paid like these guys, I would have no problem spending the night alone in my hotel room watching infomercials until the next game.
Or how about just hanging with some legal age chicks here?
Rest of the picture can be found over on MixMakers.net.
The Houston Chronicle reported that the Rockets would have some interest in trading for Heat guard Jason Williams, who has been inconsistent this season but has an attractive expiring contract. Another was mentioned in The (New York) Daily News, which claimed the Heat and Grizzlies are discussing a deal that would bring Mike Miller to Miami and send either Williams or Ricky Davis to Memphis.
The Heat has a number of needs, which include point-guard depth, a long-range shooter and help in the post. Riley recently said he anticipated there would be plenty of misinformation affiliated with the Heat’s interest.
”The real stuff, if anything happens, most people don’t know about it,” Riley said.
I’ve been reading and hearing from other sources that any Memphis deal would also include Stromile Swift. Regardless, the Heat need help from all around. Hopefully Riley can put together some crafty moves not including Udonis Haslem and Daequan Cook.
Read some other trade scenarios over on the MiamiHeatWave blog.