For the Saturday November 10-Sunday November 18 Scores check either espn or foxsports
Hiring of Mike D'Antoni Pretty Good Move
By Chris Jackson Monday November 12, 2012
LOS ANGELES-How about this hiring of Mike D’Antoni for the
Lakers? Pretty good, right?
D’Antoni fit better for the Lakers. Phil Jackson was talking
about travel restrictions and in the long run that can affect the organization
because the Lakers would have an assistant coach be the head coach on away games
far away because of Jackson’s restrictions. And let’s face it, that wouldn’t
work.
Jackson also reported demands in the contract negotiations over
the weekend, according to his agent Trent Musburger. The demands were about
travel and D’Antoni didn’t have any demands. All he wanted was to be able to
coach. He didn’t care as much about certain things, like travel and money, while
Jackson did. But Jackson’s agent seems to think there wasn’t even any demands,
when ESPN claimed he did.
"There were no demands, outrageous or otherwise," Musburger
said. "To say that he wanted control or that he wanted a zillion dollars or that
he wanted equity, those were not topics discussed in the meeting between
Kupchak, Buss and Phil. If the Lakers didn't spread those things, the fact they
didn't take an affirmative stance to correct the record is very
troublesome."
But Musberger somewhat respects the decision to not hire Jackson
and his triangle offense.
"He didn't deserve the job, that's their decision. They can hire
whoever they wish. But don't say to someone you've got until Monday and then
roust him from slumber at midnight to say, 'By the way we hired somebody else.'
That's just not fair dealing and Phil deserved fair dealing. He's a good faith
person and he was dealt with poorly. It is indicative of the shabby way that
organization is being run."
While Jackson’s triangle would work in LA, especially with Pau
Gasol, it seemed to be the thing the Lakers organization wanted. D’Antoni brings
a more up-tempo style offense, which will work with Kobe, Dwight, and Nash. But
one might also have to wonder if it would work with Pau Gasol, who has proven
throughout his career to not have much speed or
endurance.
The triangle offense would benefit Gasol because of the way it
sets him up in the low post. But it’s not like he won’t work in D’Antoni’s
offense.
The one critique one might have with D’Antoni is his defense. He
has a history of being a poor defensive coach. Back when he was the Knicks
coach, he led them to have the 26thranked defense in the
league.
"After speaking with several excellent and well-respected
coaching candidates, Dr. Buss, Jim and I all agreed that Mike was the right
person at this time to lead the Lakers forward," Kupchak said in a statement
released by the Lakers, announcing D'Antoni's
hire.
"Knowing his style of play and given the current make-up of our
roster, we feel Mike is a great fit, are excited to have him as our next head
coach and hope he will help our team reach its full
potential."
And while Lakers fans were pushing for Phil, they need to
realize that there was many alleged demands Jackson had, which included money
and travel. But it’s not like they didn’t want him. But
D;Antoni would work better with the Lakers players, according to ESPN’s Chris
Broussard.
In the long run, D’Antoni was the better fit. Phil would only
have another year or two, especially with his health and all. And with D’Antoni,
there is many years, as long as he’s successful, to create success. It would be
easier for the players to learn D’Antoni’s system since there wouldn’t be a big
overhaul on the style of play, which there would be with Jackson’s triangle
offense. There would be minor tweaks to the style with D’Antoni’s style, but
there would be majoir changes with Jackson’s style of play. And let’s face it,
Lakers fans don’t want to wait months to fix the offense. They want it now. And
with D’Antoni, they’ll get it sooner because his style of play is easier to
learn, but don’t count on his defense.
· D’Antoni’s contract is a 3-year deal worth $12 million.
LOS ANGELES-How about this hiring of Mike D’Antoni for the
Lakers? Pretty good, right?
D’Antoni fit better for the Lakers. Phil Jackson was talking
about travel restrictions and in the long run that can affect the organization
because the Lakers would have an assistant coach be the head coach on away games
far away because of Jackson’s restrictions. And let’s face it, that wouldn’t
work.
Jackson also reported demands in the contract negotiations over
the weekend, according to his agent Trent Musburger. The demands were about
travel and D’Antoni didn’t have any demands. All he wanted was to be able to
coach. He didn’t care as much about certain things, like travel and money, while
Jackson did. But Jackson’s agent seems to think there wasn’t even any demands,
when ESPN claimed he did.
"There were no demands, outrageous or otherwise," Musburger
said. "To say that he wanted control or that he wanted a zillion dollars or that
he wanted equity, those were not topics discussed in the meeting between
Kupchak, Buss and Phil. If the Lakers didn't spread those things, the fact they
didn't take an affirmative stance to correct the record is very
troublesome."
But Musberger somewhat respects the decision to not hire Jackson
and his triangle offense.
"He didn't deserve the job, that's their decision. They can hire
whoever they wish. But don't say to someone you've got until Monday and then
roust him from slumber at midnight to say, 'By the way we hired somebody else.'
That's just not fair dealing and Phil deserved fair dealing. He's a good faith
person and he was dealt with poorly. It is indicative of the shabby way that
organization is being run."
While Jackson’s triangle would work in LA, especially with Pau
Gasol, it seemed to be the thing the Lakers organization wanted. D’Antoni brings
a more up-tempo style offense, which will work with Kobe, Dwight, and Nash. But
one might also have to wonder if it would work with Pau Gasol, who has proven
throughout his career to not have much speed or
endurance.
The triangle offense would benefit Gasol because of the way it
sets him up in the low post. But it’s not like he won’t work in D’Antoni’s
offense.
The one critique one might have with D’Antoni is his defense. He
has a history of being a poor defensive coach. Back when he was the Knicks
coach, he led them to have the 26thranked defense in the
league.
"After speaking with several excellent and well-respected
coaching candidates, Dr. Buss, Jim and I all agreed that Mike was the right
person at this time to lead the Lakers forward," Kupchak said in a statement
released by the Lakers, announcing D'Antoni's
hire.
"Knowing his style of play and given the current make-up of our
roster, we feel Mike is a great fit, are excited to have him as our next head
coach and hope he will help our team reach its full
potential."
And while Lakers fans were pushing for Phil, they need to
realize that there was many alleged demands Jackson had, which included money
and travel. But it’s not like they didn’t want him. But
D;Antoni would work better with the Lakers players, according to ESPN’s Chris
Broussard.
In the long run, D’Antoni was the better fit. Phil would only
have another year or two, especially with his health and all. And with D’Antoni,
there is many years, as long as he’s successful, to create success. It would be
easier for the players to learn D’Antoni’s system since there wouldn’t be a big
overhaul on the style of play, which there would be with Jackson’s triangle
offense. There would be minor tweaks to the style with D’Antoni’s style, but
there would be majoir changes with Jackson’s style of play. And let’s face it,
Lakers fans don’t want to wait months to fix the offense. They want it now. And
with D’Antoni, they’ll get it sooner because his style of play is easier to
learn, but don’t count on his defense.
· D’Antoni’s contract is a 3-year deal worth $12 million.
Monday November 12, 2012 Scores
Jazz 140 Raptors 133 2OT Bucks 105 76ers 96
Thunder 92 Pistons 90 Celtics 101 Bulls 95
Heat 113 Rockets 110 Timberwolves 90 Mavericks 82
Nuggets 100 Suns 110 Hawks 94 Trail Blazers 87
Thunder 92 Pistons 90 Celtics 101 Bulls 95
Heat 113 Rockets 110 Timberwolves 90 Mavericks 82
Nuggets 100 Suns 110 Hawks 94 Trail Blazers 87
Sunday November 11, 2012 Scores
Magic 74 Nets 82 Hawks 76 Clippers 89 Heat 86 Thunder 104
Cavaliers 91 Thunder 106 Kings 90 Lakers 103
Cavaliers 91 Thunder 106 Kings 90 Lakers 103
Saturday November 10, 2012 Scores
76ers 93 Raptors 83 Nuggets 107 Warriors 101 2OT Wizards 85 Raptors 89 Mavericks 97 Bobcats 101 OT
Timberwolves 80 Bulls 87 Pistons 82 Rockets 96 Celtics 96 Bucks 92 Suns 81 Jazz 94
Spurs 112 Trail Blazers 109
Timberwolves 80 Bulls 87 Pistons 82 Rockets 96 Celtics 96 Bucks 92 Suns 81 Jazz 94
Spurs 112 Trail Blazers 109
Friday November 9, 2012 Scores
Warriors 77 Lakers 101 Bucks 101 Wizards 91 Nets 107 Magic 68 76ers 106 Celtics 100
Mavericks 94 Knicks 104 Heat 98 Hawks 89 Rockets 85 Grizzlies 93 Bobcats 99 Hornets 107
Pistons 94 Thunder 105 Pacers 94 Timberwolves 96 Cavaliers 105 Suns 107 Spurs 96 Kings 86
Jazz 84 Nuggets 104
Mavericks 94 Knicks 104 Heat 98 Hawks 89 Rockets 85 Grizzlies 93 Bobcats 99 Hornets 107
Pistons 94 Thunder 105 Pacers 94 Timberwolves 96 Cavaliers 105 Suns 107 Spurs 96 Kings 86
Jazz 84 Nuggets 104
Thursday November 8, 2012 Scores
Thunder 97 Bulls 91 Clippers 103 Trail Blazers 90
Wednesday November 7, 2012 Scores
Cavaliers 96 Warriors 106 Suns 117 Bobcats 110 Wizards 94 Celtics 100 OT Pacers 86 Hawks 89
Nets 73 Heat 103 Grizzlies 108 Bucks 90 76ers 77 Hornets 62 Nuggets 93 Rockets 87
Magic 75 Timberwolves 90 Raptors 104 Mavericks 109 Lakers 86 Jazz 95 Pistons 103 Kings 105
Spurs 84 Clippers 106
Nets 73 Heat 103 Grizzlies 108 Bucks 90 76ers 77 Hornets 62 Nuggets 93 Rockets 87
Magic 75 Timberwolves 90 Raptors 104 Mavericks 109 Lakers 86 Jazz 95 Pistons 103 Kings 105
Spurs 84 Clippers 106
Tuesday November 6, 2012 Scores
Magic 93 Bulls 99 Raptors 88 Thunder 108 Pistons 97 Nuggets 109
Scores for Monday November 5, 2012
Jazz 94 Grizzlies 113 Pacers 79 Spurs 101 Timberwolves 107 Nets 96 Knicks 110 76ers 88
Suns 99 Heat 124 Trail Blazers 91 Mavericks 114 Warriors 92 Kings 94
Suns 99 Heat 124 Trail Blazers 91 Mavericks 114 Warriors 92 Kings 94
Loss of Brandon Rush Hurts Warriors
By Chris Jackson Sunday November 4, 2012
As most of you know, Warriors swingman Brandon Rush is out for
the year with a torn ACL he suffered on Friday against the Grizzlies. But the
question is how will the Warriors replace him?
Can they use their depth? They have Richard Jefferson who has
lots of veteran experience and leadership. You may also see rookie Harrison
Barnes get significantly more playing time. But should Barnes be expected to
replace Rush?
No. Barnes is the starter, but he isn’t the thunderous type of
scorer that Rush is.
No one on their roster is a scorer like Brandon Rush. And the
stats might not show that since he is a sixth man player that comes in in
situations where the Warriors need someone to score. And he fills that role
perfectly. And who will fill that role? No one to my knowledge. So losing Rush
hurts, especially to coach Mark Jackson.
“It’s a blow for us,” said coach Mark Jackson. “No question
about it.”
With swingman Brandon Rush out, it looks like there might be
some nights where Curry starts at point guard, Jarrett Jack starts at shooting
guard, and Klay Thomspon starts at small forward. Or Thompson will be at
shooting guard while Richard Jefferson will be at small forward. But usually
expect Curry at point, Thompson at shooting guard, and Harrison Barnes at small
forward.
Golden State can also explore the free agent market. But there
is no proven small forwards that are free agents. They could look at Josh
Howard, or former Warriors player Mickael Pietrus, but neither is real
impressive. And neither can put up the type of numbers Rush does when he comes
off the bench. Rush made 50 percent of his shots last year along with 45 percent
of this three’s. So no one can be as productive as that off the
bench.
“We need him, truth be told,”Jackson said. “What Rush brought to
this team was experience, scoring punch, prime-time
defense.”
And Harrison Barnes doesn’t have any of those qualities yet, but
it’s hard to tell. He obviously doesn’t have experience, since he’s a rookie and
he hasn’t shown his scoring punch or prime-time defense yet. But luckily the
Warriors have depth and many players they can go
to.
“We have depth,” Myers said.“We have players we like. They’re
young, but they need to grow up quickly. We have to do our due diligence. But
the truth is, we’re going to miss B-Rush no matter what direction we
go.”
If the Warriors were to make the players, the loss of Rush would
hurt. They would need his skill set in situations late in games. They would miss
his ferocious scoring in the key situations in playoff
games.
Now with Rush out, the Warriors will look to Harrison Barnes as
he tries to play the way Rush does. But don’t expect Barnes to do that. He’s
only a rookie. He can’t fill in Rush’s shoes right away, especially as a
rookie.
Expect the Warriors to struggle late in games without swingman
Brandon Rush. But don’t count them out just yet. They have a lot of depth, which
has helped them start out the season 2-1. If they wouldn’t have the depth they
have, they could be 0-3.
As most of you know, Warriors swingman Brandon Rush is out for
the year with a torn ACL he suffered on Friday against the Grizzlies. But the
question is how will the Warriors replace him?
Can they use their depth? They have Richard Jefferson who has
lots of veteran experience and leadership. You may also see rookie Harrison
Barnes get significantly more playing time. But should Barnes be expected to
replace Rush?
No. Barnes is the starter, but he isn’t the thunderous type of
scorer that Rush is.
No one on their roster is a scorer like Brandon Rush. And the
stats might not show that since he is a sixth man player that comes in in
situations where the Warriors need someone to score. And he fills that role
perfectly. And who will fill that role? No one to my knowledge. So losing Rush
hurts, especially to coach Mark Jackson.
“It’s a blow for us,” said coach Mark Jackson. “No question
about it.”
With swingman Brandon Rush out, it looks like there might be
some nights where Curry starts at point guard, Jarrett Jack starts at shooting
guard, and Klay Thomspon starts at small forward. Or Thompson will be at
shooting guard while Richard Jefferson will be at small forward. But usually
expect Curry at point, Thompson at shooting guard, and Harrison Barnes at small
forward.
Golden State can also explore the free agent market. But there
is no proven small forwards that are free agents. They could look at Josh
Howard, or former Warriors player Mickael Pietrus, but neither is real
impressive. And neither can put up the type of numbers Rush does when he comes
off the bench. Rush made 50 percent of his shots last year along with 45 percent
of this three’s. So no one can be as productive as that off the
bench.
“We need him, truth be told,”Jackson said. “What Rush brought to
this team was experience, scoring punch, prime-time
defense.”
And Harrison Barnes doesn’t have any of those qualities yet, but
it’s hard to tell. He obviously doesn’t have experience, since he’s a rookie and
he hasn’t shown his scoring punch or prime-time defense yet. But luckily the
Warriors have depth and many players they can go
to.
“We have depth,” Myers said.“We have players we like. They’re
young, but they need to grow up quickly. We have to do our due diligence. But
the truth is, we’re going to miss B-Rush no matter what direction we
go.”
If the Warriors were to make the players, the loss of Rush would
hurt. They would need his skill set in situations late in games. They would miss
his ferocious scoring in the key situations in playoff
games.
Now with Rush out, the Warriors will look to Harrison Barnes as
he tries to play the way Rush does. But don’t expect Barnes to do that. He’s
only a rookie. He can’t fill in Rush’s shoes right away, especially as a
rookie.
Expect the Warriors to struggle late in games without swingman
Brandon Rush. But don’t count them out just yet. They have a lot of depth, which
has helped them start out the season 2-1. If they wouldn’t have the depth they
have, they could be 0-3.