Bits n Pieces

I have dinosaur thoughts at times, this is one of those times. I watched NBA-TV as Team USA was announced. I have no idea if this is a gold medal team or not but that's not the issue. I wish there was a method of reverting the professionalism that's become a part of the Olympics. No place is this more true than with basketball, I'm unsure when it first began or who to point the finger of blame. I love seeing good basketball played but is it necessary for nations of the world to utilize NBA players? The NBA game has evolved to the point there are several nations of the world a portion of their rosters comprised of NBA players as well. The clock can never be turned back, right or wrong we are locked in to this period of time.

The Battle of New York has officially begun, the turf war by the Knicks and Nets to claim basketball supremacy in "The Big Apple." The opening salvo might have been fired by the Nets when they re-signed Deron Williams, that event established their presence inside the city limits of NYC. This move was followed in quick succession by the Gerald Wallace signing and the trade for shooting guard Joe Johnson. The Knicks entered the Steve Nash sweepstakes and thought they had the upper hand however the Lakers did an end run and signed Nash out from under their nose. The Knicks response, they bargained for and secured Jason Kidd as their point guard next season. Jeremy Lin is the point guard and will be backed up by Kidd, at age 39 Kidd is still an upgrade over Baron Davis and Iman Shumpert. The wheeling and dealing is yet to be complete, Dwight Howard is still out there and claims he only wants to play for the Brooklyn Nets. Brooklyn's Spike Lee claims he will always remain a loyal fan of the Knicks, the jury might still be out for the balance of the New York City populace.

For the second time this year Magic Johnson and I are in disagreement. His view will gain more acceptance than mine because it's from him, my view is that of a fan. Magic says the Lakers should make the trade to acquire Dwight Howard, my view not so fast until we check the intangibles. If the trade were to occur as with anything connected with the Lakers eventually I'd accept it.

*Free throw shooting Bynum is .687 for his career and shot .692 this recent concluded season. Howard is a life-time .588 free-throw shooter who shot under .500 this past season. In close games the Lakers might be forced to take Howard out, remember Hack-a-Shaq how bout Hack-a-Howard?

*Howard had the higher scoring average 20.6 versus Bynum at 18.7, Bynum has better post moves and a variety of shots in his arsenal. It should be pointed out the Magic offense ran through Howard certainly not the case with Bynum.

*Numbers from this past season indicate Howard had a 2.7 rebound edge per game over Bynum. Blocked shots are a wash, this is an area we tend to think Howard would hold an edge, the numbers tell a different story the two are basically even.

*Surgery is always a question, can the athlete return to his previous form. Bynum has a history of injuries although he played throughout this shortened NBA season. As for Howard I have no medical training nor claim to however disk surgery really concerns me. There are a number of injuries that can impact the career of an NBA player back injuries (see Larry Johnson) certainly must be at the top of the list.

*The last issue is attitude, there is valid reason to question Bynum's sometimes juvenile attitude and approach to the game. Based on the 3-ring circus that existed in Orlando this past season I'm unsure anyone could claim Howard might be more adult than Bynum.

It appears the NBA might have the most varieties of player movement of all sports teams. In addition to the more familiar methods of movement the draft, free agency and player trades there is amnesty. News reports indicate the 76ers have amnestied Elton Brand, I thought this might be an ideal time to discuss amnesty. "Each team is allowed to waive a player without having their salary count toward the salary cap or luxury tax. One player can be waived prior to the start of any season through 2015–16, but each team is restricted to one "amnestied" player during that time. Only players signed prior to 2011–12 are eligible. Teams can claim an amnestied player at a reduced rate, with the waiving team responsible for paying the balance of the contract. The team with the highest bid acquires the player. If unclaimed, the player becomes a free agent. Teams over the salary cap can only acquire an amnestied player if he becomes a free agent, and the offer would be limited to the veteran's minimum contract." (Wikipedia)

News reports indicate Nets guard Deron Williams signed his 5-year $98M contract on an iPad. I don't own an iPad so I have no idea how they work or their capability. I thought signing a contract in that manner was certainly different and interesting. At this point in time it's difficult to speculate what technology might be in the year 2020.