So, as promised, here is my revised order of how I see the west playing out this season based on off season moves made (or not made) to date. Continue Reading

Technorati Tags: Don Nelson, Golden State Warriors, Raptors Video, Sam Mitchell, TJ Ford

The Toronto Raptors (34-29) continue their five game, seven day road trip tonight against the Golden State Warriors (39-23).
This will be the second of a back-to-back for the Raptors. Last night they lost 117-108 to the Lakers in LA without Chris Bosh. TJ Ford scored a team high 28 points. Continue Reading

Man, I told y’all TJ is not feeling it. Mitchell blames the loss on not making shots again. Clearly the Raptors need to score more points than the other team to win, good strategy coach! Nelson has some interesting things to say about TJ, may have over shot, but I’ll take it. Not sure which defensive plan he was talking about though-they gave up 100, but whatever… Continue Reading

Sorry there was no pre-game work up, with an early start to the game, and being a Sunday and all…

The Warriors haven’t started the year great, but they were missing Jackson for the first 7 games. Don’t get it twisted, this team is badass. Why? Two words: Don Nelson. Great coach, top three for me in the league. He is a great tactician, makes great adjustments on the fly, has incredible strategy, and utilizes his players properly. Sam Mitchell should have taken some notes today, could have helped. Continue Reading

Great article about Don Nelson in the Washington Post…

Technorati Tags: Don Nelson, Washington Post

This is one of those games I wish I was at. People say the COY was a farce, well what about MVP? Just because Nash won it twice in a row, didn’t mean he didn’t deserve it this year (I would have voted for Nash if I had a vote to cast). Looks like Dwayne Wade was bang on in his rebuttal to Dirk Nowitzki about last years final. Screw Cuban…I BELIEVE!! Continue Reading

Congratulations are in order for Sam Mitchell. I definitely called this one wrong (I had Jerry Sloan). All the little things aside, to take 9 new players, and get them on the same page to win 47 games (increase of 20 from the previous year), win the Atlantic, and secure first round home court, is an incredible feet. The case Colangelo had to make for not renewing Mitchell’s contract just got a little harder today. I have been really thinking about this Mitchell situation hard over the last few months, and have come up with a list of things I would like to see addressed in the next coaching regime:

1. A defined/robust offensive system. High pick & roll, and sharing the ball are not an offensive system, unless you have the DNA of the Suns.

2. A commitment to the defensive end. Dare I say like when Kevin O’Neil was here. Granted defense was all he brought to the table, but still, it was good to see defense played.

3. Clearly defined expectations/roles for the players. Getting in and out of the dog house quickly do nothing but kill motivation.

4. Someone with enough credentials that bloggers, fans, media and the organization can not question his decisions (i.e. Don Nelson starting Al Harrington at centre, and people praising the move. If Mitchell started Humphries over a healthy Nesterovic, all hell would break lose)

5. A passionate person with a dope wardrobe. I have to give Mitchell credit: he always looked good, and his emotions/passion were very refreshing (that hug he gave MoPete after the shot of destiny gave me a lump in the throat).

As long as these items are addressed, and the coach is not another rookie head coach (Iavaroni anyone?), I don’t care who/what/where this guy comes from. He could even be the head coach from Benneton Treviso, who coincidently is rumored to be in the running.

Technorati Tags: Sam Mitchell, Bryan Colangelo, Jerry Sloan, Kevin O’Neil, Don Nelson, Al Harrington, Kris Humphries, Rasho Nesterovic, Morris Peterson, Iavaroni, Benneton Treviso

What a night! The Warriors made the Mavs look ordinary. The look on Cubans face the whole game was priceless. He looked like he was going to jump into the bench, and start cutting cheques to motivate the rest of the team. Nelson was masterful in his strategy. Like watching a well played game of risk…total domination. Avery had no answers. Forget the Suns, guess what the next cool thing will be? Small ball a la the Warriors. Continue Reading