New Album & The Beginning of Basketball Season

[Steve Williams]

Report: Amar'e Stoudemire joins Steve Nash's coaching staff in Brooklyn

From NBA Twitter and media reports

One of the NBA's most famous pick-and-roll combinations is reuniting as coaches in Brooklyn.

Per Shams Charania of The Athletic, former NBA All-Star Amar'e Stoudemire will serve as an assistant coach on the Nets under their new coach, Steve Nash. Stoudemire and Nash were teammates on the Suns from 2004-10 as one of the league's most feared guard-big man combinations in the early 2000s.

Nash was hired to coach the Nets earlier this month in what will be his first head coaching job in the NBA. He spent the previous five seasons as a player development consultant with the Golden State Warriors, where he contributed to two championship teams and made four consecutive trips to The Finals.

Stoudemire played 14 season in the NBA, averaging 18.9 points, 7.8 rebounds, 1.2 assists and 1.2 blocks per game. He was the 2002-03 Rookie of the Year, a six-time All-Star and made the All-NBA team five times in his career as well. His last NBA season came in 2015-16, when he appeared in 52 games with the Miami Heat. He was then signed by the New York Knicks -- with whom he logged 4 1/2 seasons in the early 2010s -- in a ceremonial gesture by the team.

As a member the Knicks, Stoudemire averaged 17.3 ppg and 6.7 rpg in helping New York win the 2013 Atlantic Division title. From Nov. 28-Dec. 15, 2010, Stoudemire broke the franchise’s 48-year record held by Willie Naulls by scoring 30-plus-points in nine consecutive games.

Most recently, Stoudemire spent the last two seasons with Tri-State of the Big 3 league. Prior to that, he played two seasons for Hapoel Jerusalem in Israel, a team he owns a share of ownership in. He helped them to the 2016 Israeli Basketball League Cup and the 2017 Israeli League championship.

 

[Steve Williams]

I thought this helped to clarify things

NBA schedule debate: Pros and cons of a pre-Christmas start to the season

https://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/30174755/nba-schedule-debate-pros-cons-christmas-day-start

For me this is a big issue...... The move would mean that the break between the end of the 2019-20 season and beginning of the 2020-21 game schedule would be around 10 weeks, about half the typical amount of time.

 

[jadis]

Very energetic. I hope they can pull it off.

Steve, I think that is doable since baseball played 60 games and is now playing in World Series.

 

[Steve Williams]

Hakeem Olajuwon jumps into GOAT debate: ‘Jordan is a far superior player

Kurt Helin
Sat, October 24, 2020, 10:00 AM PDT

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/hakeem-olajuwon-jumps-goat-debate-170017184.html

 

[Steve Williams]

Steve, I think that is doable since baseball played 60 games and is now playing in World Series.

I understand Phil

For me it is the logistics of team travel in the midst of a pandemic .The bubble proved to be the safest way in sports to conclude the season. I thought the new season would start in January but I'm ready to do this again. Last season was a hoot with all of our thoughts and comments

 

[Steve Williams]

The Orlando bubble cost $200M!!!! but IMO worth every penny to finish the season without a single case

Report: NBA came in $1.5 billion under revenue projections in 2020

Chris Cwik
Yahoo Sports

Just how bad was the NBA impacted as a result of COVID-19? It reportedly came in $1.5 billion under revenue projections, according to the Associated Press.

That loss was the result of multiple factors, according to the AP.

Revenue projections for the league this season were missed by about $1.5 billion, the person said. The losses were the result of a combination of factors — the shutdown caused by the pandemic, the cancelation of 171 regular-season games, completing the season in a bubble at Walt Disney World without fans, the nearly $200 million price tag for operating that bubble and a yearlong rift with the Chinese government that saw NBA games not shown on state television there.
It shouldn’t necessarily come as a surprise NBA revenue was down in 2020. It likely won’t be the only sport to suffer a huge monetary loss due to the coronavirus. Every other major sports league has operated with limited or no fans at games. Seasons have been shortened, and some games have been postponed or canceled due to coronavirus outbreaks. The China situation is only issue listed above that is unique to the NBA.

Still, $1.5 billion is a staggering figure. In May, commissioner Adam Silver reportedly warned players revenue could be an issue, saying 40 percent of the NBA’s revenue comes from game nights in arenas, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski.

NBA commissioner Adam Silver prepared players for a potentially grim landscape amid the coronavirus pandemic, suggesting there are no guarantees when fans could fully return to NBA arenas next season.
Silver said that 40% of the league's revenue comes from money built around game nights in arenas.
“This could turn out to be the single greatest challenge of all our lives,” Silver told the players.
Silver made that statement before the NBA launched its Orlando bubble, which cost the league nearly $200 million.

Will the NBA’s revenue rebound in 2021?

Given that the coronavirus is still very much an issue in the United States, it’s tough to imagine NBA revenue bouncing all the way back in 2021. On Friday, the United States set a record for new coronavirus cases with more than 83,000 cases were reported.

It’s unclear how much that will impact the NBA next season. The league is still negotiating next season’s start date. It’s looking at Dec. 22, and there were rumors the NBA could try a later start date with the hopes teams could host fans at games in 2021, but the December rumors suggest the league knows that could be an issue due to the coronavirus.

If the NBA starts the 2020-21 season in December, that could set up the league for a normal October start for the 2021-22 season. It’s possible the NBA is hoping COVID-19 will be less of an issue by then.

 

[Steve Williams]

Pat Riley is still stinging form the defeat but I'm betting the Heat comer back power packed this coming season

Pat Riley on Lakers' NBA Finals win over Heat: 'There will be always be that asterisk'
Jack Baer
Writer
,
Yahoo Sports•October 24, 2020

The Los Angeles Lakers are NBA champions, and there is little reason to think that title wasn’t earned. The team was dominant before the COVID-19 hiatus, then looked similar dominant in the NBA playoffs at Walt Disney World.

However, Miami Heat president Pat Riley has something to say about the one series the Lakers didn’t win in five games.

Pat Riley: Heat could have pushed series to 7 games at 100 percent

In an interview with the Miami Herald, Riley was asked about the Heat’s six-game Finals loss. While he praised the Lakers and said they beat the Heat “fair and squarely,” he also used the word “asterisk.”

Specifically, Riley said he wondered what would have happened if the Heat had Bam Adebayo and Goran Dragic at 100 percent:

Reflecting on the six-game Finals loss, he said: “I would like to see what it would be like with everybody whole. We’ll get our chance again. The Lakers have the greatest player in the game today in LeBron [James] and Anthony Davis.
“They beat us fair and squarely. But there will be always be that asterisk; if we had Bam and Goran 100 percent — Goran was our leading scorer [entering the Finals] — it might have gone to a seventh game.”
The Heat lost both Adebayo and Dragic to injury in Game 1 of the Finals. Adebayo sustained a neck strain that kept him out until Game 4, while Dragic was out until the series-deciding Game 6 with a torn plantar fascia.

Even when each player returned, neither looked 100 percent upon returning. Given that the pair were in the Heat’s top three in both points and assists per game during the regular season (Adebayo led the team in rebounds as well), that was a big loss for the Heat.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, FLORIDA - OCTOBER 02: Goran Dragic #7 and Bam Adebayo #13 of the Miami Heat look on from the bench during Game Two of the 2020 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers at AdventHealth Arena at ESPN Wide World Of Sports Complex on October 02, 2020 in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
It might have been a different series with a full-strength Miami Heat. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
More
However, even if you accept the premise of a full-strength Heat being capable of beating the Lakers — the Heat aren’t exactly alone in losing an NBA Finals with significant players sidelined. Just look at last season, when the Golden State Warriors fell with Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson missing games. There was also the Cleveland Cavaliers falling in the 2015 Finals after losing Kevin Love and Kyrie Irving.

Even the Lakers might have had an excuse this year with Avery Bradley’s opt-out due to the pandemic, though that was obviously less impactful than the Heat’s losses.

It’s tough losing an NBA Finals with injury-created what-ifs, but we’d have to crank out quite a few more asterisks if that’s the standard we’re setting for championship legitimacy.

 

[jadis]

Hakeem Olajuwon jumps into GOAT debate: ‘Jordan is a far superior player

Kurt Helin
Sat, October 24, 2020, 10:00 AM PDT

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/hakeem-olajuwon-jumps-goat-debate-170017184.html

Hakeem Olajuwon jumps into GOAT debate: ‘Jordan is a far superior player

Kurt Helin
Sat, October 24, 2020, 10:00 AM PDT

https://www.yahoo.com/sports/hakeem-olajuwon-jumps-goat-debate-170017184.html

I agree with the writer, it's about 'eras' and 'categories'. This GOAT thing is even ill-defined, as to what criteria it takes to be THE GOAT. Of all time - that is a lot of 'time' to encompass. George Mikan, Bob Pettit, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, into the Bird, Magic, Jordan era, and thereafter. I'm baffled too that Kobe with 5 rings isn't in the mix of this GOAT talk. And Kobe played for one team, which meant the old school approach, stay with your team and make it work, not shop for a team with stars and superstars. That for me is an important criteria, if we're going to do the GOAT talk.

 

[Steve Williams]

I agree with the writer, it's about 'eras' and 'categories'. This GOAT thing is even ill-defined, as to what criteria it takes to be THE GOAT. Of all time - that is a lot of 'time' to encompass. George Mikan, Bob Pettit, Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Kareem Abdul Jabbar, into the Bird, Magic, Jordan era, and thereafter. I'm baffled too that Kobe with 5 rings isn't in the mix of this GOAT talk. And Kobe played for one team, which meant the old school approach, stay with your team and make it work, not shop for a team with stars and superstars. That for me is an important criteria, if we're going to do the GOAT talk.

BUT , at the end of the day the consensus seems to be overwhelmingly in favor of MJ

 

[Steve Williams]

Danny Green doubts LeBron will show up if NBA restarts in December​

Danny Green doubts LeBron will show up if NBA restarts in December - ESPN Video

Danny Green suggests LeBron James and other Lakers veterans would skip the first month of the NBA season if it tips off in December.

www.espn.com

 

[jadis]

So, no Goats.

Michael Jordan: Comparing across eras ‘unfair' in GOAT debate

In a years-old interview with Cigar Aficionado, Michael Jordan dismissed the notion of comparing great athletes across eras.

www.nbcsports.com

 

[christoph]

So, no Goats.

Michael Jordan: Comparing across eras ‘unfair' in GOAT debate

In a years-old interview with Cigar Aficionado, Michael Jordan dismissed the notion of comparing great athletes across eras.

www.nbcsports.com

So there will be several GoTt's: Greatest of THEIR time

 

[jadis]

So there will be several GoTt's: Greatest of THEIR time

I would agree more on that. And I'd say let it stop with Jordan.

 

[Steve Williams]

I can hardly believe this one.....Mke D'Antoni takes first chair to one of his players. God help KD and Kyrie

Mike D'Antoni reunites with Steve Nash as Nets' assistant coach​

Mike D'Antoni and Ime Udoka will join Brooklyn's coaching staff.​

Steve Nash and Mike D’Antoni, the player and coach that helped revolutionize NBA offense 16 years ago, have been reunited in Brooklyn. The team announced that D’Antoni, along with former Spurs and Sixers assistant coach Ime Udoka, will be an assistant under Nash with the Nets.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was first to announce the hires.

D’Antoni and Udoka join Jacque Vaughn, who coached the Nets in the NBA restart, on the coaching staff. A’mare Stoudemire will also serve as a player development assistant.

 

[Steve Williams]

I bet Harden would take this in a heart beat​

Stephen A. wants Morey to bring Harden to Philly​

Stephen A. wants Morey to bring Harden to Philly - ESPN Video

Stephen A. Smith suggest Daryl Morey should trade for James Harden even if the 76ers have to give up Ben Simmons.

www.espn.com

 

[Steve Williams]

Woj sees league and players eventually agreeing to start before Christmas​

Woj sees league and players eventually agreeing to start before Christmas - ESPN Video

Adrian Wojnarowski breaks down when the league could begin the 2020-21 season, saying he sees the league and players eventually agreeing to start before Christmas.

www.espn.com

 

[jadis]

I can hardly believe this one.....Mke D'Antoni takes first chair to one of his players. God help KD and Kyrie

Mike D'Antoni reunites with Steve Nash as Nets' assistant coach​

Mike D'Antoni and Ime Udoka will join Brooklyn's coaching staff.​

Steve Nash and Mike D’Antoni, the player and coach that helped revolutionize NBA offense 16 years ago, have been reunited in Brooklyn. The team announced that D’Antoni, along with former Spurs and Sixers assistant coach Ime Udoka, will be an assistant under Nash with the Nets.

ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski was first to announce the hires.

D’Antoni and Udoka join Jacque Vaughn, who coached the Nets in the NBA restart, on the coaching staff. A’mare Stoudemire will also serve as a player development assistant.

That's a lot of coaches, to mix into the collective 2 player/coaches. The league indeed has changed, but I don't see this for the better. Apparently Silver has run this league to such a profitable state that each team is just loaded with cash to throw and fill up their bench with coaches and assistants. Pretty soon, this game will not be called basketball.

 

[jadis]

It's all Business. The early bird gets the first worm.

"The latest power play from Rich Paul and Klutch Sports has yet again triggered grumbles from the agent’s rivals.

This time, it was a pro day organized by Paul for clients including potential top pick Anthony Edwards and Kentucky guard Tyrese Maxey on Thursday. The whole spectacle was nationally televised on ESPN2, and had some notable guests.

In attendance at the Sports Academy in Los Angeles were Klutch clients LeBron James and Anthony Davis, as well as Draymond Green, Tristan Thompson, Trae Young and Kentavious Caldwell-Pope."

Rich Paul, LeBron James fire back after agents grumble about their NBA draft pro day​

Jack Baer
·Writer
Sat, October 31, 2020, 9:31 AM GMT+8·3 mins read

Rich Paul, LeBron James fire back after agents grumble about their NBA draft pro day - Yahoo Sports

NBA agents haven't enjoyed watching the rise of Rich Paul and Klutch Sports with the support of LeBron James.

sports.yahoo.com

 

[Steve Williams]

Rockets hire coach Stephen Silas​

'nuff said

​

 

[jadis]

South Beach or City by the Bay?