Sixers take a powder in 2005 Draft

Anyone expecting the Sixers to uncover a gem with the 45th pick in the NBA draft yesterday has been in the sun too long. It was laughable how the prognosticators commented on the Sixers workouts of potential draftees. The insufferable analysis of the draft has become a big waste of time. The Sixers demonstrated their feelings about the draft with their pick of a 6'2" high school point guard with questionable skills. Their announcement of qualifying offers to Dalembert, Green and Korver left no doubt about thier feelings.






The Sixers are staying pat. They will survey the fodder that was not drafted yesterday and draw up invitations to camp this summer.

Who's telling these high school kids to enter the draft, when they don't have a snowballs chance in hell to be a lottery pick? It's crazy! Perhaps a better question is "What are their parents thinking?". Gerald Henderson's son, a high school standout from Blue Bell, PA opted to go to college instead. If that was not Dad's decision, I am sure it was his preference ... Thank goodness the age limit next year will curtail this madness.

Duncan answers critics with third Finals MVP

San Antonio Spurs, Tim Duncan, National Basketball Association - CBS SportsLine.com
I would be remiss if I did not comment on the Spurs' victory over the Pistons in game 7. Like I said in an earlier blog post, no one would be surprised if either team won. However the statistics were in San Antonio's favor.

That being said, riddle me this Batman? Did the Spurs win help or hinder the NBA? Did it help or hinder Tim Duncan's legacy. The later question was presented to some panelist on a radio talk show today. One panelist' answer was that it did neither. Tim Duncan gets the attention he demands, which for a introvert is not much. If it doesn't bother him, why should it bother anyone else.

What about the first question? My contention is that it's a hindrance. A champion in a small market speaks to parity perhaps, but not to ratings and not to national interest. It's hard to hate the Spurs, but its hard to love them either. Rating or nation wide attention needs one or the other. So how much could the win help the NBA.

Stick figure Bradley rides off quietly

Arizona Daily Sun-Stick figure Bradley rides off quietly LOL, The Shaun Bradley Era in Philadelphia was the end of innocense for me with regard to basketball. It was like the discovery that there is no Santa Claus. It became clear to me that me beloved team had no clue about basketball (at the time), that it was more about money than winning, that being over 7' tall was a skill in the NBA, but did not a franchise make. But I still love Christmas as do I basketball.

It has been 13 years since the Sixers tried to sell the lie that was Shaun Bradley. It's not his fault. He is what he is (stiff). Now he is about to retire, but I remember what it was like when I still believed.

Spurs 96, Pistons 95, OT - SPORTS - NBA - Comcast.net

Spurs 96, Pistons 95, OT - SPORTS - NBA - Comcast.net So the NBA finals has begun. Finally a game worth watching. Robert Horry is still a stiff. I don't care how many rings he has. History is littered with people how just happend to be in the right place at the right time. Exhibit A: Robert Horry.

Now, can the Pistons win in San Antonio? The 2-3-2 format creates a huge disadvantage to the team that has to win 3 games straight at home or face two straight elimination games on the road. Beating the same team 3 games in a row is no easy task. The team with the home court advantage has a greater edge than with the 2-2-1-1-1 format.

Iavaroni Interested in Portland Job

From the Santa Cruz Sentinel - AP Sports Ex Sixer Mark Iavaroni, is in the running for Mo Cheeks old job. The two played together on that famed 76ers championship team; Big Mo, Little Mo, the Doctor, Iavaroni and Andrew Toney. This has little to do with the fact that Blazers GM, John Nash, was an assistant GM during Iavaroni's star studded rookie season. Mark has paid his dues. He may be a good choice to join the new line of head coaches. I think the head coach recycle bin, Fratello, Karl, Jackson has not help the game move forward. Good luck to Mark.

Pistons Breeze Past Spurs, Detroit 102, San Antonio 71 ; Series Tied 2-2

Series Tied 2-2 Didn't I tell you this would happen. The series may really get started on Sunday. I might watch a little of the game. Check that. Maybe I can find it on the radio.

Stern points out owners' concessions in state of union

Stern points out owners' concessions in state of union - Are you watchin' this labor contract thing? I told you month's ago this has legs. Stern has laid down the gauntlet as June 30th. There are a host of issues on the table. One is the attempt to curtail the current trend of NBA standing for the National Babysitters Association. A minimum age of 20 years. I know all about the civil liberties agrument, but I am with the owners on this one. What do you think?

Win, or Else

CBS SportsLine.com: Win, or Else

There an old maxim in the playoffs;"The series really doesn't start until the home team loses". So here we are, as predicted. The Defensive minded Spurs against the defensive minded Pistons. Points are a premium. Wins look ugly ... losses are uglier.

Is anyone paying attention to this. I for one have a hard time watchin'. No it's not the droll personality of the Spurs or the whining of Larry Brown. It's ABC's production. This match-up is not one to be presented as an extended version of ESPN's SportCentre. Stuart Scott, spare me the cliche questions. Al Michaels, this is not a baseball game. Statistics don't matter. This is a game of heart. I hate the way Michaels calls games. He uses it as a stage to show us how smart he is. So much so, that Hubie Brown has little time to comment on what's happening ... the production stinks!

That said, the Pistions should win at home ... then the series can start.