Lots to talk about here.
Plus a Q&A after his list.
I put it here even though the last question is about Duncan and the All Star Ballot. The rest of it belonged here.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/200...eys/index.html
Heaping helping of Turkeys
Counting down the 10 biggest NBA bird-brains of '07
Marty Burns
Now that we've awakened from our post-Thanksgiving tryptophan-induced coma (more powerful than a Knicks-T'wolves game on the satellite dish), it's time to dig into the mailbag and see what NBA fans are talking about.
But before getting to your questions, let's ring out the holiday weekend by playing an old Thanksgiving game. Yes, it's time to raise a glass and toast the NBA's biggest turkeys of this past year.
Here are my top 10, in reverse order of their turkey-ness...
10. The Dallas Mavericks -- It might seem a bit harsh, since they won 67 games during the regular season. But losing in the first round against the Warriors in the biggest upset in NBA playoff history -- and to their former coach Don Nelson -- has to put them on this list.
9. Dirk Nowitzki -- Like his team, he deserves credit for an amazing regular season. But his personal playoff crash-and-burn against the Warriors was just too spectacular, especially coming right after winning the MVP over Steve Nash.
8. Kobe Bryant -- His frustration is understandable. His desire to win is admirable. But trashing management and teammates to force your way out is a slap in the face to Lakers fans and only makes a trade that much harder.
7. Vladimir Radmanovic -- After he separated his shoulder while visiting Park City, Utah, over the All-Star break, the Lakers forward said the injury occurred when he slipped on some ice. Nobody believed him, including Phil Jackson, and Radmanovic eventually admitted he had been snowboarding. He wound up missing several weeks and was fined substantially.
6. Sonics ownership -- Frustrated by the city of Seattle's refusal to upgrade Key Arena, new owner Clay Bennett has filed to move the club to Oklahoma City. The NBA is now in danger of losing one of its great franchises, not to mention thousands of heartbroken Sonics fans.
5. Aubrey McClendon -- This energy tycoon, a part owner of the Sonics, deserves a special place all his own after telling an Oklahoma newspaper his group was hoping the team would eventually wind up in OKC. Gee, that's not what Bennett was telling the folks in Seattle.
4. Bonzi Wells -- The malcontent guard clashed with coach Jeff Van Gundy all season, then decided to quit on his team right before the playoffs. He had a similar blowup earlier in his career in Memphis, prompting the team to tell him to stay home during a playoff game.
3. Stephon Marbury -- His effort to market a $15 sneaker was admirable, but the hard-headed Knicks guard just couldn't get out of his own way. From his feud with coach Isiah Thomas to his tryst in the truck with the intern, it was a year to forget for 'Starbury.'
2. Isiah Thomas -- He followed up a 33-49 season and another trip to the draft lottery by being found guilty of sexual harassment, costing his boss $11.6 million in fines. Now his future in Gotham is uncertain as the Knicks appear headed for another free fall.
1. Tim Donaghy -- A no-brainer as the year's biggest turkey. He not only threw away a reported $260,000-a-year job and a promising career as an NBA referee, but he could have brought down an entire pro sports league. It's amazing the fallout hasn't been worse.
Did I miss anybody? How about your favorite turkeys (not including sportswriters)? Send them in and maybe I'll run them in a future mailbag.
In the meantime, let's get on to some questions...
I keep hearing rumors Isiah Thomas might get fired. Is [MSG president] Jim Dolan finally ready to pull the plug? And if so who would be in line to replace Thomas as coach and GM?
-- J. Arvey, Hammond, Ind.
It wouldn't surprise me. Thomas has been walking around like a man headed to the gallows ever since his conviction on the sexual harassment case. The Knicks' dismal record this season, and the Marbury incident, have only added to the gloom in the Garden. With the New York crowd booing on a nightly basis, Dolan might have to do something soon. As for replacements, Knicks assistant Herb Williams would be a fine choice to run the team as coach at least on an interim basis. For the role of team president, the names mentioned most often include former Nuggets GM Kiki Vandeweghe, current Knicks assistant GM (and former Raptors boss) Glen Grunwald and Pacers CEO Donnie Walsh.
I just got finished watching Shaq labor up and down the court for the Heat, and I can't help but wonder if he's washed up. He just doesn't seem to have it anymore. What do you think? Can he still be the World's Most Dominant?
-- Michael Martinez, Miami
We'll find as much WMD in Miami this season as we did in Baghdad. Shaq is 35, with a lot of mileage on those legs. It is unrealistic to expect him to play like he did even two or three years ago. That being said, he's still 7-foot-1 and 350 pounds with considerable skill and knowledge of how to play the game. He can be a factor the rest of the way. He'll have some big nights, now and then, such as Nov. 9 against the Suns when he had 25 points, 10 boards, three assists and three blocks. But he'll also have those nights of 10 points and three boards, like he did Nov. 14 against the Sonics. The bottom line is, if the Heat are going to get back in it, Dwyane Wade is going to have to do the heavy lifting.
What did you think of the Lakers' trading Brian Cook and Maurice Evans to the Magic for Trevor Ariza? I don't think it's going to placate Kobe Bryant. Is Mitch Kupchak just trying to make it look like he's staying busy?
-- S. Peterson, San Jose
It's a trade that won't tilt the balance of power in either the East or West but makes sense for both teams. With Tony Battie out for the season with an injury, and the slender Rashard Lewis manning the power forward spot, the Magic felt they needed another reserve big man. Cook was available, and his outside shooting touch (even if he wasn't showing it this season) should make him a good fit in coach Stan Van Gundy's system. Evans, meanwhile, fills Ariza's role as a backup to Hedo Turkoglu at the small forward spot. As for the Lakers, they pick up the best prospect of the three in Ariza. He can't shoot a lick, but he can defend and run the floor. It also saves L.A. some money since Ariza has just one more year (and $3.1 million) left on his deal while Cook is owed $10.1 million over the next three years.
Can the Wizards still make the playoffs now that Gilbert Arenas is going to miss the next three months because of knee surgery?
-- Marc G., Bethesda, Md.
The Wizards are toast. Unless GM Ernie Grunfeld pulls off some kind of major trade, I don't see Washington making the playoffs this season. Antonio Daniels is a competent point guard, but he's no Agent Zero. Plus, his move to the starting lineup leaves the bench too depleted. The real interesting thing will be to see whether Grunfeld decides to blow it up completely. Keep in mind, Antawn Jamison is a free agent after the season. Arenas had indicated he would opt out of his contract after the season to become a free agent as well. It might be time for the Wizards to make a major overhaul.
Sure, trading Marbury would be difficult, but isn't it viable if another GM is looking to dump bad contracts and/or malcontents?
-- Don Sindon, Albany, N.Y.
Yes, it's possible. In the NBA these days there is no such thing as an untradable player. Some team might want to take on Marbury knowing his contract comes off the books after next season. The '09 free-agent crop looks like it could be a good one, with several big-name players (including Kobe) having opt-out clauses that would make them free agents. The idea is that some team might decide to take Marbury's contract, which pays $21 million in that final season, then use it clear some significant cap room to make a run at one of those guys.
Any truth to the rumors that the Blazers might be interested in Marbury?
-- Kyle McPartlin, Bend, Ore.
The Blazers have been mentioned as a possibility, mainly because owner Paul Allen has the deep pockets to buy out Marbury (like he did for Steve Francis). But Blazers GM Kevin Pritchard has said he has no interest, and I believe him. For one, it's too early to know what the '09 free-agent class will look like. Plus, the Blazers or any team that might want to trade for Marbury's contract would still have to give up some players to make the contracts match up. Obviously the Knicks would have to be willing to accept those players (and their contracts) in return. It makes for a very difficult situation for Portland, or any other team.
Regarding your article about Bulls fans who want to see Kobe in Chicago, I feel it is ridiculous that the Bulls would not consider trading Luol Deng in the deal. What are your feelings on that? Do you believe the trade talks are truly over? How can the Bulls not exhaust all resources in order to get Kobe here?
-- Bill, Chicago
I went on record long ago saying I didn't think the Bulls would break up their core for Bryant. But the way Chicago has been playing this season, Bulls GM John Paxson is probably starting to have second thoughts. I wouldn't be surprised if the Kobe trade talks were resurrected at some point. But to me Chicago's real problem is it needs a big man who can score. Paxson might want to look in that direction instead.
There is one trade that may satisfy both Kobe and the Lakers. Memphis has a ton of young talent and could send a package of Mike Miller, Rudy Gay and Mike Conley Jr. (others may have to be included for salary cap purposes). This would give the Lakers a team that may not be able to compete for the West this season, but has a legitimate shot at being a contender in a couple of years with a lineup of Conley, Miller, Gay, Lamar Odom and Andrew Bynum.
The Grizzlies could still produce a lineup of Damon Stoudamaire/Kyle Lowry, Kobe, Hakim Warrick, Pau Gasol and Darko Milicic, with Juan Carlos Navarro and Stromile Swift coming off the bench. Is there any chance of the Grizzlies pursuing Kobe, and would Kobe be willing to take a deal to a small market?
-- Bill Lund, Eugene, Ore.
The key is Kobe would have to agree to it. Since he has a no-trade clause, he holds all the cards. He's the one who has listed Chicago as one of his destinations. It's not that other teams don't have players the Lakers would want; it's just that the Bulls have the players and they are on Kobe's list. The Grizzlies could certainly put together an attractive package for Kobe. The problem is that Kobe wouldn't agree to play in Memphis.
Should the slow start by Golden State be taken seriously? It seems like they've dug themselves a big hole.
-- Kevin D., Santa Monica, Calif.
It's way too early to count any team out of the playoffs just yet -- especially the Warriors. Last year they were so far out of the playoff picture at one point that even Nelson said he didn't think they could get in. Then they got hot and wound up breaking that long playoff drought. Golden State's problem is it might not be as good as it was last year. In this year's West, even a slight step back is likely to be fatal.
Kevin Martin is presently [fourth] in scoring (25.6 ppg), tied with Tracy McGrady. Is he All-Star material?
-- Ferdie Alayon, Sacramento
If Martin is No. 2 or No. 3 on the scoring charts when the coaches get their ballots in late January, he will have a shot. But with so many great point guards in the West, the coaches will probably only have room for two or three shooting guards. Kobe and McGrady probably will get starting berths, so that leaves maybe one reserve spot among Martin, Allen Iverson, Manu Ginobili and some others. It will be tough for Martin to beat out those guys, especially if Sacramento's record isn't good.
What did you think of the NBA's decision to switch Tim Duncan's All-Star ballot slot from center to forward, just so he can keep up his streak of consecutive All-Star starts?
-- Aodhan Ozawa, Sunnyvale, Calif.
I think somebody at the NBA screwed up. I guess we can add another turkey to this year's list, after all.
gee i thought duncan was switched to forward from center because...hes a forward and not a center. i must be a moronWhat did you think of the NBA's decision to switch Tim Duncan's All-Star ballot slot from center to forward, just so he can keep up his streak of consecutive All-Star starts?
I am oh-so-tired of media people kissing Kobe's ass. Here is an article which seems to trash Bryant, but in the same passage he is lauded for his desire to win.8. Kobe Bryant -- His frustration is understandable. His desire to win is admirable. But trashing management and teammates to force your way out is a slap in the face to Lakers fans and only makes a trade that much harder.
Excuse me?
There are, and have been, many elite players stuck in bad situations. Most of them don't endlessly about it the way Kobe did.
Two generations ago, the Lakers featured an all-time great guard and an all-time great center in the same line-up. They made it work then, but Kobe and Shaq could not, largely because "The Winner" couldn't stand to get second billing. Moreover, the media tells us over and over again that Kobe is the best player in the NBA. Why? Because he scores the most points. Interesting. That wasn't the barometer when Bird and Magic were known as the two best players in basketball, but Michael Jordan spoiled us all, I guess. The fact that Jordan was the best player in basketball while also leading the league in scoring must have escaped today's sportswriters.
Anyway, here is how that passage should have read:
8. Kobe Bryant -- His frustration is understandable, but many MVP-caliber players, past and present found themselves in similar cir stances and kept quiet about it. His desire to win is suspect. Trashing management and teammates to force your way out is a slap in the face to Lakers fans and only makes a trade that much harder, but clearly this is the modus operandi of one Kobe Bean Bryant.
....yeah that young Earvin Johnson got his coached fired when he demanded a trade as well.....oh, he's the best player....not just from the media standpoint, but from Coaches, players, gm's...you name it. Not for scoring points, but for playing D and getting his weak team into the playoffs the last couple of years.
He ran off Paul ing Westhead. History seems to side with Magic on that one. In any event, Magic didn't about Kareem or Worthy getting touches.....yeah that young Earvin Johnson got his coached fired when he demanded a trade as well.....
Funny, isn't it? Kobe gets tired of Shaq, gets him shipped out, then for some reason the Lakers are no longer the powerhouse they had been for the past five seasons. But Kobe wants to win. Riiiiiight.
I require proof of this. And if Kobe was such a difference maker, how come he couldn't finish off a 3-1 series lead against a Suns team, sans Amare?oh, he's the best player....not just from the media standpoint, but from Coaches, players, gm's...you name it. Not for scoring points, but for playing D and getting his weak team into the playoffs the last couple of years.
Two shots, buddy. Two shots. Spin it all you like.
I am surprised a Laker fan would say that Magic got Westhead fired. That was the news back then, but Westhead was breaking up the Lakers locker room, got kicked out of the playoffs the first full season, and started below expectations the following year.
Magic spoke out against a coach who was clearly leading the team in the wrong direction, and history proved him right, but management has gone on record and said that Westhead's days were numbered, regardless of whether Magic said anything to the press or not.
How much you believe that is up to you, I just find it amusing that a Laker fan would throw Magic under the bus so freely to protect Kobe.
I have to think this article was rushed since 9 & 10 and 5 & 6 are practically the same ing thing. Interesting topic, but he could have had two more interesting players, coaches, or league personnel in there instead of failing on the double whammy twice.
Joey Crawford for the Duncan ejection is one he could have included. I would say that since that occurred in a Spurs game, Marty Burns may not have known about that, but since he is doubly aware that the Mavs and Dirk had a good season, I think he does.
Tyrus Thomas for the "I'm just going to the slam dunk contest to pick up mah paycheck" comments. I'm sure there are better examples of NBA idiots to make up for his double whammies, but these two could have made the list easy.
Sports journalism continues to, by and large, suck quite a bit.
How could that list not include Amare Stoudemire and Boris Diaw? Those turkeys cost the Suns a championship, or so I hear.
Yeah Kobe and Magic were entirely different situations. Not saying Magic was a saint, but it was nowhere near what happened this offseason. Magic wanted the coach gone, while Kobe called out his teammates, GM, owner and his family, etc. Not at all similar IMO.
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