NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.

Just how many old guys can the Celtics stock up on? Let’s see they have Grandpa Kevin Garnett, age 33 with 14 years in the league. Then there is Grandpa Paul Pierce, age 32 with 11 years in the league. Then there is Grandpa Ray Allen, whom they shopped around this winter, but nobody wanted a 3 point shooter that used a walker, soon to be age 34 with 13 years in the league. (Stats from NBA.com)

Now they reach for the geritol and sign Rasheed ‘Technical waiting to happen’ Wallace, age 35 in September with 14 years in the league.

Sure the Celtics won a title two years ago, because for some unknown reason nobody got injured. Last year was more reality than fantasy as Kevin Garnett was injured.

Unfortunately it is a fact of life for Hoop Stars in the NBA that age limits your jumping ability, your quickness, your hops (ability to jump fast), and leaves you more injury prone. Good Luck Boston on picking up an aging brooding Rasheed Wallace.

How will Rasheed Wallace get along in Boston?

Rasheed will always be remembered affectionately in Detroit for being a great teammate and delivering the 2004 title. Thank You, Rasheed.

And with Rasheed Wallace severing ties with the Pistons on Sunday by giving an oral commitment to sign with Eastern Conference rival Boston, the soul has left the building as well.
Multiple media outlets reported that Wallace, 35, agreed to the mid-level exception for $5.8 million per season, and it’s believed to be for two seasons.
source

Photo source Newscom

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Kevin Durant gives a thumbs up to the Thunder

Now can they bring the Thunder?

They even have team colors.

Team chairman Clay Bennett said the team colors will be blue, red and orange — blue to coincide with the main color of Oklahoma’s state flag and red and orange to reflect the colors of the sunset.

source

Guess what? They have TV in Oklahoma City. Not much though.

Last season, the team had eight nationally televised games with Durant playing in his rookie campaign. However, after finishing a franchise-low 20-62 last season, it’s no surprise Oklahoma City isn’t playing many games in prime time this season.

source

This team will rely heavily on youth including Kevin Durant. Here is a look at their draft picks.

DRAFT PICKS:

Russell Westbrook, G, 6-3, UCLA — Defensive-minded combo guard who the Sonics hope will develop into a defensive stopper.

Serge Ibaka, F, 6-10, Republic of Congo — Talented but unpolished front-court player who the team will keep in Europe and continue to develop. Pick acquired from Phoenix.

D.J. White, F, 6-9, Indiana — A good rebounder who can shoot and play with his back to the basket. Gives the Sonics another scoring option inside. Acquired from Detroit by the Sonics trading their 32nd and 46th picks.

Devon Hardin, C, 6-11, California — A long, athletic player who can block shots and potentially develop into a defensive presence inside for the Sonics.

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Kevin Durant skips for joy on learning his game is going to Oklahoma

Image details: Seattle SuperSonics v Denver Nuggets served by picapp.com

Maybe it was the okey dokey, but Seattle had to let them go.

The agreement ends a contentious relationship that culminated in a recent six-day federal trial over terms of the team’s KeyArena lease. The judge was scheduled to rule Wednesday afternoon.

The settlement calls for Sonics owner Clay Bennett and his Professional Basketball Club LLC to pay as much as $75 million to the city in exchange for the immediate termination of the lease. The team’s name and colors will be staying in Seattle.

“We made it,” Bennett said after stepping to an Oklahoma City podium featuring the NBA logo and the letters OKC. “The NBA will be in Oklahoma City next season.”

source

New owner wins over old owner.

It’s a victory for Bennett, who purchased the Sonics in 2006 from Starbucks Corp. Chairman Howard Schultz for $350 million, and will take the franchise to his hometown. Bennett faced harsh criticism in Seattle for his efforts in trying to build a new arena as a replacement for KeyArena, and the presumption he wanted to move the franchise all along.

Hey, the Seattle SuperSonics have stunk in recent history. Now they have a new city, new arena, new owner, and one of the best young players in Kevin Durant.

Let’s go Okie City Sonics!

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Carmelo Anthony with 2 of many. Make that many many.

Denver 168 Seattle 116

Yeah, that was the score with no overtimes.

Denver, a pretty much all offensive team anyway, put on a show against Seattle, a pretty much non-defensive team anyway.

The Nuggets had eight players score in double figures, led by Carmelo Anthony’s 26 and Allen Iverson’s 24. Martin had 23 points and Marcus Camby had a triple-double with 13 points, 15 rebounds and a career-high 10 assists.
source

Denver had a 48 point first quarter.

They won the game by 52 points.

The Nuggets had 44 assists.

Get this, Halftime Score 84 to 58.

What an unreal game.

Now back to reality. Denver has to play Detroit. There will be no 168 points scored in that game.

NBA Basketball Fan Question Do you like the new all scoring NBA?

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Kobe is flat out a great scorer

The Bulls have got to be wondering what they were thinking.

Hold on to Luol Deng and pass on Kobe Bryant?

Luol Deng. Now how many votes for the All Star team did he get? Hmm, there was that one from his mother. And that one from his agent.

Oh well, Luol is going to be great, right? Right?

Kobe is great and has been since the day he stepped on the court.

GM Mitch Kupchak should get more credit for not pulling off any deals.

Adrian Wojnarowski, Yahoo! Sports has compiled some first half of the season awards with the MVP being one of them. Let’s look at Adrian’s awards choices and why he feels that way.

Your intrepid author’s comments will be in italics.

Most Valuable Player: Kobe Bryant, Los Angeles Lakers

Sometimes, there are superstars due to win the Most Valuable Player Award. It is the year owed them. No one wants to hear this, but it’s true. Kevin Garnett has an MVP trophy. So does Dirk Nowitzki. Steve Nash has two. Once Shaquille O’Neal left, Bryant was considered an unworthy candidate because the Lakers were still losing. source

Adrian goes on to support his argument, by stating that LA winning in the West is far harder than Kevin Garnett winning in the East.

He also states that LeBron will win several MVP’s but this is just not the year for him to get support from his team.

It will be a great MVP race. Not like in past years where you arguable could have just handed the trophy to Shaq every year. In fact, it got to the point that someone had to get smoking hot to take the trophy away from Shaq.

For the first half of the season you have to go with Kobe.

Least Valuable Player: Vince Carter, New Jersey Nets Read more

NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.

Dwight Howard has tremendous upside

Normally the All Star game is not a big ticket with your intrepid author.

A game with little or no defense has a hard time holding my interest.

In fact, today’s basketball with all the rule changes towards offense has really bothered me in recent years.

But this year may be an exception. The league is just so filled with exceptional talent.

One starter in particular could become a dominant force in the NBA sooner than we think. That man would be Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic.

Hmm, may just have to tune in after all. Here are your vote getters.

The leaders of both the Eastern and Western Conference players for the second returns of the 2008 NBA All-Star voting program are attached:

2008 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING EASTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Kevin Garnett (Bos) 1,186,690; LeBron James (Clev) 1,005,733; Chris Bosh (Tor) 313,983; Paul Pierce (Bos) 268,926; Yi Jianlian (Mil) 192,828; Caron Butler (Was) 150,042; Hedo Turkoglu (Orl) 121,991; Tayshaun Prince (Det) 120,783; Rashard Lewis (Orl) 116,168; Antawn Jamison (Was) 106,370.

Guards: Dwyane Wade (Mia) 777,764; Jason Kidd (NJ) 559,333; Vince Carter (NJ) 468,051; Ray Allen (Bos) 464,810; Gilbert Arenas (Was) 422,463; Chauncey Billups (Det) 238,125; Michael Redd (Mil) 183,309; Richard Hamilton (Det) 121,663; Joe Johnson (Atl) 109,443; Andre Iguodala (Phi) 109,345.

Centers: Dwight Howard (Orl) 970,778; Shaquille O’Neal (Mia) 466,292; Rasheed Wallace (Det) 124,348; Ben Wallace (Chi) 114,245; Andrew Bogut (Mil) 100,622; Jermaine O’Neal (Ind) 89,900; Zydrunas Ilgauskas (Clev) 55,217; Emeka Okafor (Cha) 51,490; Zaza Pachulia (Atl) 43,036; Eddy Curry (NY) 37,252.

2008 NBA ALL-STAR BALLOTING WESTERN CONFERENCE

Forwards: Carmelo Anthony (Den) 767,722; Tim Duncan (SA) 722,059; Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 686,853; Carlos Boozer (Utah) 281,299; Josh Howard (Dal) 251,756; Shawn Marion (Pho) 240,752; Shane Battier (Hou) 227,112; Luis Scola (Hou) 222,896; Kevin Durant (Sea) 191,542; Grant Hill (Pho) 152,898.

Guards: Kobe Bryant (LAL) 941,716; Tracy McGrady (Hou) 663,141; Steve Nash (Pho) 526,493; Allen Iverson (Den) 514,291; Manu Ginobili (SA) 220,620; Jason Terry (Dal) 200,693; Baron Davis (GS) 194,048; Chris Paul (NO) 189,646; Tony Parker (SA) 183,173; Jerry Stackhouse (Dal) 178,152.

Centers: Yao Ming (Hou) 813,305;Amaré Stoudemire (Pho) 463,916; Erick Dampier (Dal) 171,386; Marcus Camby (Den) 161,807; Pau Gasol (Mem) 118,759; Mehmet Okur (Utah) 85,715; LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 69,691; Tyson Chandler (NO) 69,083; Andris Biedrins (GS) 67,862; Chris Kaman (LAC) 66,315.  source

NBA Basketball Fan Question Did your favorite player make the cut?

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NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.

Can Kobe Bryant keep on smiling?

No Bynum, no problem.

Just let Kobe take over and take over he did.

Kobe put up 48 on the Seattle Supersonics and pulled the game out in OT.

Kevin Durant shot a horrible 6 for 26 for Seattle.

Final Score - Lakers 123 - Sonics 121

The Lakers were recently dealt a severe blow when young center Andrew Bynum, the player not named later in the Kobe to the Bulls non-trade, injured his knee.

The Lakers had to come right back and play on the road again the night after the injury.

And if there is any doubt about whether Kobe Bryant is one of the best players in the league, if not the best, then Read more

NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.

Brandon Roy and Kevin Durant

Conventional wisdom, be as it may, does not always ring true.

Greg Oden is out with micro fracture surgery. Portland being a very young team and minus its big 7 footer should not be enjoying any success.

No, Portland should be looking forward to another high draft pick to complement Brandon Roy and Greg Oden. Maybe even a top 5 pick that would cement Portland as the team of the future.

Well, funny thing, no Greg Oden, no high draft pick and still Portland is winning. The future is unfolding right now.

Portland just won their 11th game in a row. Just where is this headed? Read more

NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.

Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo Sports lists his early trophy winners. Also included are NBA Obsessed views.

MVP: LeBron James, Cleveland. If you had any doubts about his sheer force, all you had to see was what the Cavaliers looked like without him on the floor for 5½ games. Without LeBron, the Cavs wouldn’t win the Big Ten. Seriously, he’s been playing on a level unseen in the sport in years. One of these years, he’s going to threaten Oscar Robertson’s feat of chasing a triple-double average for the season. source

NBA Obsessed view: Triple Double? Average a Triple Double? Big O did it in a different generation, so it is hard to compare. Most players never even get 1 Triple Double.

“Every year he has promised to come back better, and he’s done it again,” Cavaliers forward Donyell Marshall said.

Clearly, the Team USA experience has broadened James’ perspective on greatness. He’s used the time with the best players in the world to become a better shooter, and more determined defender. Like the Magic Johnsons and Larry Birds before him, James takes the time to add something to his game every offseason. That used to be the norm in the sport, but James is bringing it back.

NBA Obsessed view: One great thing about LeBron is his willingness to get better. This helps separate him from others.

Rookie of the Year: Kevin Durant, Seattle. Everyone knew he was an extraordinary talent, but lately Durant has shown flashes that simply leave you breathless. The next Jordan? Only LeBron was so good, so fast.

NBA Obsessed view: When they compare you to the incomparable LeBron, what more needs to be said. Read more

NBA Obsessed takes you into the hit and run game of NBA Basketball.

From ESPN Insider David Thorpe, he gives you his top 10 rookies in the NBA.

My comments will follow some of the rookies.

Here are my Top 10 rookies six weeks into the season:

(Previous rank in parentheses)

1. Kevin Durant, Sonics (2)
Finally takes over the top spot on the strength of blocking at least one shot in five straight games. That’s the stuff we’ve been waiting for. He’ll always put up scoring numbers because of his role in the offense and his talent, but engaging in the “effort” categories is most critical to his growth.

Kevin is awesome. Too bad he is on the Sonics. Saw him play my Spartys in college. The Spartans prevailed with mostly Ramar Morgan, current star of the MSU Spartans guarding Kevin. Kevin was a load. Shooting 3’s and driving to the hoop. MSU was lucky that it was early in Kevin’s career. He will be a special player his entire career.

2. Al Horford, Hawks (1)
Fouls kept him from playing much versus Dwight Howard, but he’s grabbed 10-plus boards in every other game in December. The play with T.J. Ford should not reflect poorly on this classy young man — no one will be happier upon Ford’s return than Horford.

Al played high school ball just down the road from MSU at Grand Ledge High School. His father was Tito Horford, a 7′ pro player in his own right. Al first decided to go to UM in Ann Arbor. MSU was busy pursuing Goran Sutan from Lansing Everett. Al then decommitted from UM and went to Florida.

3. Jamario Moon, Raptors (4)
Moon seems to be riding the rookie roller coaster down for a spell, with just six points and eight boards in his past two games. But he still plays good D. Read more

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