Monroe: NBA's good, bad and ugly of the 2000s

[duncan228]

NBA's good, bad and ugly of the 2000s
Mike Monroe - Express-News

We’re not sure what to call the first decade of the 21st century, but it’s about to end, which seems an appropriate time to look back at some of the best, and worst, of the past 10 years in the NBA.

The good

Duncan’s near quad: There never has been a quadruple-double in an NBA Finals game. No player has been closer than Spurs power forward Tim Duncan during Game 6 of the 2003 Finals. Duncan’s 21 points, 20 rebounds, 10 assists and 8 blocks rival Walt Frazier’s 36-point, 19-assist, five-steal game in Game 7 of the 1970 series as the most dominating performance in a Finals closeout game.

Big Shot Rob: Take your pick of Robert Horry’s big 3-point daggers as the most clutch shot of the decade: His game-winner for the Spurs in Game 5 of the 2005 Finals, or his right place-at-the-right time triple for the Lakers that stunned the Kings in Game 4 of the 2004 Western Conference finals. Spurs fans, no doubt, prefer the shot that saved Game 5. Either way, Horry was the decade’s Mr. Clutch.

Kobe drops 81: Wilt Chamberlain’s 100-point game in 1962 may be the most unassailable record in league history, but the Lakers’ Kobe Bryant got closer than anyone on Jan. 22, 2006, when he dropped 81 on the Raptors. This was no selfish pursuit of statistics. The Lakers were down 18 in the third quarter when Bryant became unstoppable as he rallied his team. Final tally: 28 for 46 from the field; 7 of 13 on threes; 18 of 20 free throws and 55 points in the second half alone.

Going even more global: The decade featured the continuing globalization of the league, with stars from South America, Asia and Australia joining a steady stream of European talent. Yao Ming was, literally, the biggest international star to join the league. Manu Ginobili led a contingent of Argentine stars, just as Tony Parker was in the vanguard of an invasion of French talent. The NBA is a much better league as a result.

The bad

Referee Rotten: The integrity of the game was called into question when referee Tim Donaghy was shown to have bet on NBA games, including games he officiated. Donaghy cooperated with investigators, pleaded guilty to federal felony charges and served time. He continues to be a thorn in David Stern’s side, out of jail and alleging that referees routinely make calls out of bias and anger.

Team USA’s low ebb: The 1992 Olympic Dream Team established the dominance of American-born NBA players, but a sixth-place finish by Team USA in the 2002 World Championships in Indianapolis shocked red, white and blue fans. When the 2004 Olympic team finished third in Athens, major changes were made at USA Basketball, with more continuity and practice time for the U.S. team.

Practice??? Allen Iverson’s career should be measured by the number of points he scored and the number of times he played with injuries that would have sidelined less-compe ive superstars. Instead, it will be remembered most for the 13 times he uttered the phrase “We’re talking about practice!” in a rant after the 76ers were eliminated from the 2002 playoffs.

‘F’ in composition: We’re not sure who decided the leather NBA game ball was broken and needed fixing in 2006, but we think it was the marketing department at Spalding, which claimed its new balls, made of a composite material, needed no break-in period. Unfortunately, they needed a better feel, because players found them slippery and so abrasive, they caused tiny cuts to their hands. The league went back to leather balls on Jan. 1, 2007.

The ugly

Malice in the Palace: There have been lots of fights between, and among, players on the court in NBA games, but there never had been a near-riot until the ugly scene at The Palace of Auburn Hills on Nov. 19, 2004. What began with a shoving match between the Pistons’ Ben Wallace and the Pacers’ Ron Artest ended in chaos, with players spilling into the stands to confront angry fans. Mega-suspensions, including the remainder of the season for Artest, followed.

[duncan228]

NBA's worst moves of the decade
Mike Monroe - Express-News

The worst of the decade, in various categories:

Player trade: You probably expected this to be Memphis sending Pau Gasol to the Lakers for Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittendon, Aaron McKie, the draft rights to Marc Gasol and two future firsts, didn’t you? Compare that to the Hawks sending Rasheed Wallace to the Pistons for Lindsey Hunter, Chucky Atkins, Bob Sura and Zeljko Rebraca, and you see there is a true debate to be had. Our pick: ’Sheed to the Pistons.

City trade: A two-city race between Vancouver-Memphis and Seattle-Oklahoma City. If you like blues and barbecue, it’s an easy call.

Draft pick: Darko Milicic is the no-brainer draft bust of the decade. When you realize the Pistons could have had Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade or Chris Bosh, the fact Milicic never even became a regular reserve in Detroit makes him one of the worst picks in NBA history.

Free-agent signing: Maybe Ben Wallace’s experience in Chicago should be a warning to every team: Think twice before offering $60 million to a player your fans enjoyed hating when he played for your rival.

[Allanon]

Where would the Pistons be now if they had grabbed Melo or DWade?

That was one of those franchise changing events.

[Jacob1983]

What about the refs sucking ass in the 2002 WCF or 2006 Finals?

[MiamiHeat]

where is Kobe's rape case and the destruction of the Lakers ?

[scampers]

Where would the Pistons be now if they had grabbed Melo or DWade?

That was one of those franchise changing events.

Well, the Pistons did draft Darko and then went ahead and knocked the Lakers out of the Finals. (but not because of Darko, of course)

It's hard to think what the Pistons would of been like had they drafted someone other than Darko. The 2003-2006 Pistons were crazy fun to watch, Darko or no Darko.

Had Dumars drafted Melo, D-Wade, or Bosh, things might of looked considerably different during those years. But the good thing is that the Pistons would of had a franchise superstar. Not having one this decade has really hurt the team in the long run.

[Venti Quattro]

where is Kobe's rape case and the destruction of the Lakers ?

Just a blip on the radar

[Culburn369]

where is Kobe's rape case and the destruction of the Lakers ?

Twixt our 14th & 15th NBA Championship.

[Venti Quattro]

I'm trying to think, has there been a team sub .500 the entire decade?

The Bobcats.

[21_Blessings]

I'm trying to think, has there been a team sub .500 the entire decade?

The Clippers. Every decade.

[Venti Quattro]

The Clippers. Every decade.

The Clippers went 47-35 in 2006... the only year that they were better than the Lakers.

[lefty]

Big Shot Rob: Take your pick of Robert Horry’s big 3-point daggers as the most clutch shot of the decade: His game-winner for the Spurs in Game 5 of the 2005 Finals, or his right place-at-the-right time triple for the Lakers that stunned the Kings in Game 4 of the 2004 Western Conference finals. Spurs fans, no doubt, prefer the shot that saved Game 5. Either way, Horry was the decade’s Mr. Clutch

.

Monroe you stupid .

It was in 2002, not 2004


Also, how can you forget Horry's 1st clutch playoff shots in 1995 ????

- game 1 vs San Antonio
- game 3 vs Orlando

[Venti Quattro]

Yeah but they have not been around all 10 years. Only 5 or 6 right?

Yes sir

[jonnybravo]

.

Monroe you stupid .

It was in 2002, not 2004


Also, how can you forget Horry's 1st clutch playoff shots in 1995 ????

- game 1 vs San Antonio
- game 3 vs Orlando

1995 isn't in the 2000s...

[lefty]

1995 isn't in the 2000s...

I don't care; he could at least have mentioned how it all started