Hoops

Today is a day for ping pong balls

TR, what do you think is keeping the Bobcats from taking a big step forward and making the playoffs? I mainly see them when they play the Celtics, and they always play well. In fact, several of the most exciting regular season games in the past couple of years have been between these two teams.

I really like Wallace, and have picked him in my fantasy lineups for the last 2 or 3 years. Okafor is one of the better defensive big guys going around, Felton and DJ Augustin are both solid starting material and Bell and Diaw are talented vets.

Is it just a case of getting that offensive low post player to run their offence through? The Bobcats ownership probably can't afford it, but wouldn't it be great if they could win the Boozer sweepstakes!

I'm thinking they'd have to offer a contract starting at about $14m at the least. That would put them in luxury tax land though. They'd basically have to find a way to dump the salaries of Mohammed and Diop I think.

That was a good trade, gave the Bobcats someone to play defense on the wing, and Diaw is perfect for this team, will fill any role.

Good trade MJ, no one else will say it.

Who runs the point there, Felton?

Interesting thought Starvin Marv, but I don't see the Clippers being talked into handing over Griffin to OKC. Unless they are keen on multiple draft picks, the only other trade option is Durant. No way you give up Durant for Griffin.

I suppose you could make a pitch with Green and a couple of good draft picks. That *MIGHT* get it done if they were really lucky (would depend on what picks OKC can offer). But to quote 'Yes, Minister' that would be a COURAGEOUS decision by the Clippers GM.

Against that, Thabeet would seem the more logical fit for OKC anyway, giving them the defensive presence they need. More post-up offence from the PF position would be further down the list of what they need!

Thanks Beantown. I didn't realise his contract was that bad!

Mantis, Randolph has two years left. See Hoops Hype:
http://linky.com.au/cwfe7

On Thabeet, I just read this article by Chad Ford:
http://linky.com.au/y53f4

Ford says that Thabeet has polarised NBA opinions, and includes himself as one that was unsure about him until recently. However, he does go onto say that some of the things he has seen Thabeet doing recently have made him change his mind. These mainly seem to be anecdotes about Thabeet's hard work and determination. So there's one guy who has changed his mind. Or maybe he owed Thabeet's agent a favour? ;-)

As for just getting rid of Davis, Randolph etc.. It is gonna be mighty hard with those contracts.

Oden08, I liked the look of Thabeet when I saw him play a couple of late NCAA tournament games. He was a monster defensively and seemed to have the strength not to be pushed around. He was mechanical offensively, but still won position down low on a number of occasions, and showed he could make the jump hook fairly well.

It is always difficult to compare because the athleticism and size in the NBA is so much greater, but I think he has what it takes physically. Like so many guys, it will just comes down to desire and the ability to learn the pro game.

Kemp brings the sugar...lol

also about 15 trainees at low pay ala the kids.

DB5 - yeah the Bag o Donuts franchise owned by Kemp, Oliver Miller, Vin Baker and Eddy Curry. Oliver and Vin have the flour and bread market cornered, Kemp brings the 'sugar' and Curry knows how to market to the 'fat slobs' demographic.

Beantown, is Shawn Kemp looking at purchasing a team now??

With the Clippers young core of Griffin, Gordon and Thornton (and perhaps DeAndre Jordan) most teams would be feeling pretty good about their future. Not in Clipperland. I think their first offseason move should be to trade Donald Sterling for a bag of donuts.

Nobody wants Randolph! End of story.

What a disaster. The Clippers will find a way to screw things up - unfortunately it won't be in the draft, where they will select Griffin. I hope for Griffin's sake they can move Randolph, but who the hell is going to want his salary?

It would have to be a team that is going nowhere long-term, but desperate to win a little more short-term to get some bums on seats...Memphis maybe?

If Memphis takes Rubio, do they look to trade Conley? Perhaps back to the Clips as part of a Randolph deal? Conley would then be PG in waiting behind Baron Davis for a couple of years.

On the awesome side of the draft, it looks like the Thunder are now in the box seat to get Thabeet, who would be perfect for them at centre. All of a sudden, Westbrook, Green and Durant can gamble a lot more on defence, and then get out on the break more if Thabeet can get them stops at the rim.

Not enough room on the one team for Camby, Kaman, Randolph and Griffin.

My suggestion - they trade one of their bigs for Kirk Hinrich. And dump B-Diddy for whatever they can get to fill out their bench.

Griffin would be absolutely spewing that the Clips scored the #1 pick...

Just went through the NBA Lottery Wiki Article and the NBA.com article it links to at the bottom...

...the portion of my brain that dealt with Uni maths hasn't been that active for quite sometime.

Good breakdown of the Lottery Teams % chances of a #1 pick (250 in 1000, so 25%). Also cool conspiracy re: Ewing being drafted to the Knicks.

TR... your not trying to suggest old man Stern is weighting some knick balls????