Off Season Shenanigans
Yes, it's been a fun playoff season (albeit one without the Nets), but so much else is happening related to Netsland...
1) Richard Jefferson charged in Minnesota for choking a patron at a hotel (in a private party) back in the winter. He says the story is all wrong, he didn't choke anyone. Sounds like RJ's telling the truth on this one, and someone's looking for a quick payday, especially when the poor choking victim is claiming that RJ "grabbed the victim by the throat with both hands and began to choke him and the victim went unconscious for a small amount of time." RJ says the dude was drunk and he's got witnesses.
I'm with RJ on this one until proven otherwise. Jason Kidd he ain't...
2) The Rat got another hurdle out of the way when a higher court refused to dismiss a lower court ruling that essentially clears the way for condemnation to begin. Nice try by those rag-tag band of windmill tilters, but unfortunately, the Rat's got everyone in New York that matters on his side, and though the slowing economy and the lawsuits have hit him deeply in the pocketbooks, he's still got the wherewithal to pull it off. At least we think he does. Yes, it makes sense for the arena in Brooklyn to not be built, for the Nets to move to Newark, and all to be right with the universe. But at this point, no one wins that scenario, unless Ratner sells the damned team. Sure, things could change (hey, where was Jon Corzine's support when we needed it?), but don't hold your breath, Netsfans. And remember, when the Nets finally move to Brooklyn, I'm outta here.
3). Rod Thorn gave Kiki Vanderweighe more money, and a title that makes him the heir apparent today. Smart move, Kiki appears to know basketball talent (sure, the Russian kid whose name no one can spell was a mistake, but Rod's made a few doozies himself), seems willing to put in the work, and is motivated to rebuild the franchise. God bless 'em. Now get to work, Kiki!
4). Read with interest the other day how Gana Diop said he'd be willing to stick around if the offer were right. Well, don't hold your breath on that one - don't you think Mr. Desperate To Win A Title won't lure him back to Dallas with more money that Rod Thorn thinks is prudent? Of course, since Rod doesn't like to overpay (really, nor can he) any one of his bench players. Wonder if he and Boki will bolt when they get the expected insulting offers from the Nets. As long as we don't go back to 2004....
5). The Knicks need a new coach, and it appears that Donnie Walsh is getting vapor lock with all the possibilities. The front runner apparently remains Mark Jackson, local boy without a lick of coaching experience, but smart and savvy enough to motivate today's players to play the game the right way. But Mike (What Have You Done For Me Lately) D'Antoni is suddenly being fire saled in Phoenix, and Avery Johnson, fresh off two straight playoff collapses, is also looking for work, so suddenly there are two prime candidates the Knicks can overpay for 35 wins. Gonna take a lot of work to fix that mess...And won't it be ironic if the Knicks pick another candidate altogether (like Tom Thibodeau, who may have himself another month before he's available).
Go Byron Scott's Hornets - as much as I love to watch the boring same-ness of Tim Duncan, don't you want the Hornets to make it all the way to the Finals? It's been great basketball to watch.
OK, we're gonna look at the draft this weekend, no telling what we'll find there.
Back to your regularly scheduled off-season.
-Joe
1) Richard Jefferson charged in Minnesota for choking a patron at a hotel (in a private party) back in the winter. He says the story is all wrong, he didn't choke anyone. Sounds like RJ's telling the truth on this one, and someone's looking for a quick payday, especially when the poor choking victim is claiming that RJ "grabbed the victim by the throat with both hands and began to choke him and the victim went unconscious for a small amount of time." RJ says the dude was drunk and he's got witnesses.
I'm with RJ on this one until proven otherwise. Jason Kidd he ain't...
2) The Rat got another hurdle out of the way when a higher court refused to dismiss a lower court ruling that essentially clears the way for condemnation to begin. Nice try by those rag-tag band of windmill tilters, but unfortunately, the Rat's got everyone in New York that matters on his side, and though the slowing economy and the lawsuits have hit him deeply in the pocketbooks, he's still got the wherewithal to pull it off. At least we think he does. Yes, it makes sense for the arena in Brooklyn to not be built, for the Nets to move to Newark, and all to be right with the universe. But at this point, no one wins that scenario, unless Ratner sells the damned team. Sure, things could change (hey, where was Jon Corzine's support when we needed it?), but don't hold your breath, Netsfans. And remember, when the Nets finally move to Brooklyn, I'm outta here.
3). Rod Thorn gave Kiki Vanderweighe more money, and a title that makes him the heir apparent today. Smart move, Kiki appears to know basketball talent (sure, the Russian kid whose name no one can spell was a mistake, but Rod's made a few doozies himself), seems willing to put in the work, and is motivated to rebuild the franchise. God bless 'em. Now get to work, Kiki!
4). Read with interest the other day how Gana Diop said he'd be willing to stick around if the offer were right. Well, don't hold your breath on that one - don't you think Mr. Desperate To Win A Title won't lure him back to Dallas with more money that Rod Thorn thinks is prudent? Of course, since Rod doesn't like to overpay (really, nor can he) any one of his bench players. Wonder if he and Boki will bolt when they get the expected insulting offers from the Nets. As long as we don't go back to 2004....
5). The Knicks need a new coach, and it appears that Donnie Walsh is getting vapor lock with all the possibilities. The front runner apparently remains Mark Jackson, local boy without a lick of coaching experience, but smart and savvy enough to motivate today's players to play the game the right way. But Mike (What Have You Done For Me Lately) D'Antoni is suddenly being fire saled in Phoenix, and Avery Johnson, fresh off two straight playoff collapses, is also looking for work, so suddenly there are two prime candidates the Knicks can overpay for 35 wins. Gonna take a lot of work to fix that mess...And won't it be ironic if the Knicks pick another candidate altogether (like Tom Thibodeau, who may have himself another month before he's available).
Go Byron Scott's Hornets - as much as I love to watch the boring same-ness of Tim Duncan, don't you want the Hornets to make it all the way to the Finals? It's been great basketball to watch.
OK, we're gonna look at the draft this weekend, no telling what we'll find there.
Back to your regularly scheduled off-season.
-Joe
posted by Joe Netsfan at 10:35 PM
1 Comments:
"suddenly there are two prime candidates the Knicks can overpay for 35 wins."
LOL!!
If Mark Jackson gets the job, I will start watching the Knicks. I love that guy. I'll miss him in the announcer's booth.
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