NBA: November 10th, 2002

[Andrew]

High scoring affair with the Clippers and Magic, in which the Clippers prevailed 120-117. Grant Hill playing like the Grant Hill who used to play for the Pistons, with 29 points (10/12 FG, 9/10 FT) 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Each team had 5 players in double figures, every starter for the Clips scored 16+. T-Mac led all scorers with 32.

Kings over the Hawks 105-97, C-Webb had 27 points and 3 blocks. Nice game from Reef, but Big Dog was fairly quiet on the scoring front, and had 6 turnovers.

Close game between NY and New Orleans that went into OT, with New Orleans pulling out the 97-91 victory thanks to another strong performance by Baron Davis. Former Hornet Lee Nailon had 18 points in 25 minutes for the Knicks.

[Bill Russell]

I just hope Grant Hill manages to get through a full season without getting hurt. He's just a very good player, people tend to forget how good he was before those ankles surgeries. I remember he was compared to Scottie Pippen when Pippen was playing in those Bulls' team with MJ, and SP was in his prime during that days.

Another quick note: Michael Olowokandi is playing really well... Will he resign? I dunno... But I will say it again, he's the key to the Clippers' hopes. The Clips have good subs at almost every other position, but they don't have nothing at backup C... Rooks is so old he makes me feel athletic, and I still see Ely as a PF.

[Andrew]

I think it would be in the Clippers' best interests to keep Kandi if they can get him for less than the max and avoid the luxury tax. Decent centres aren't exactly easy to come by, and right now I'd say Kandi is one of the few that can be placed under the category of "above average to excellent NBA centres".

[Bill Russell]

Exactly, and I would go as far as to say Olowokandi is worth like 7/9 million per year... IMO the Clips, if needed, could let guys like Maggette and/or Richardson/Piatkowski go away.

Did you see that link on The Sporting News' site (http:www.tsn.com/nba), where a guy says Eddy Curry is the next best C in the league... I know Olowokandi is like 6 years older than him, but there's a huge gap between those 2 players.[/url]

[Andrew]

Eddy Curry, best centre in the league? I'm a Bulls fan, but even so...no way. Most promising young centre, maybe, but best? Not exactly.

[Bill Russell]

Yeah, weird, huh?

Here's the link: http://www.sportingnews.com/voices/fans_view/20021110.html

Only a fan's view, though.

[Andrew]

Well, that's not so bad, rating him as having the best potential to be one of the next great centres, though I would certainly rank more established guys like Miller and Kandi above him right now.

[ilya]

T-Mac is definately playing GREAT right now

what abotu Jason Richardson of GS? he's having an awesome year!


My Portland Blazers are freakin killin... beat LA, lose to Nuggets, beat spurs.. what the heck? lol

[Andrew]

J-Rich is looking good early, if he keeps it up the Warriors might win a few. They still need a better starter at SF - perhaps it's time for Fortson to move on.

[MajaFiggaz_Early!]

If Lee continues to put up numbers He can be a nice candidate for 6th man, even though Ricky D, will win it.

[Nick]

I'm really supporting J-rich this year, i hope he does well...

[Andrew]

I just realised, this really should be named NBA: November 10th, 2002. I'm going by the current date in my timezone, when the games were actually played on the 10th. Oh well, you know what I mean.

Update: Title updated

[Clinton]

J Rich is already showing he is ready to be a star this year. He is one of the leaders of a young Warriors team, and along with Jamison one of the best young players in the league. He should definately be in the Dunk Comp again this year and I'd like to see someone beat him.

Clippers gotta keep Kandi!! How many good centres are there in the league. He is good already and is only going to get better. He can dominate the paint with his height,long arms and quickness. That is the last piece of the puzzle the Clips need to secure to have a contending team in the next few years.

Nailon should be starting for the Knicks. He can definately fill it up and he can rebound, exactly what they need. He and Thomas would be a great frontcourt pair.

[Matthew]

But if they start Nailon he may adapt his game to a starting role, then when Spree returns he(Nailon) will be forced back to the bench, which could be the adjustment which snaps him out of his hot streak.

Speaking of Spree, what are the chances of him being traded for Rose? I don't really like the possibility. Chicago is going good at the moment, why change it?

[Andrew]

I don't like the idea of that trade, Chicago has spent the last couple of seasons tinkering, and now they've put together a team that should show some signs of improvement. As usual there are questions about Jalen's attitude and selflessness, but they haven't even given him a full season yet. If they could tolerate Rodman, who was a great player but had a lot of baggage, they can give Rose a chance.

[Matthew]

Yeah definately, they need to let this team gel together. But also I don't think it's smart for the Bulls becuase Sprewell is much more of a scorer than Jalen Rose is. Jalen is more of a role player. So if they bring in Spree, that would mean less opportunities for Williams to create becuase the ball will be in Latrell's hands. But remember, this is Jerry Krause and Jerry Reindsorf, the 2 genius' who believed that hiring Tim Floyd was a better move for the franchise then re-siging Mike, Scottie, Phil and all the other players from that second three peat...

[Andrew]

Yeah, I'm just hoping they think it over before they pull the trigger. Or at the very least, someone else offers New York something more appealing and they withdraw the offer.

[Matthew]

Do you think that the Knicks will get a better offer for Spree? Perhaps they (The Knicks) should go after Jamal Crawford/ Marcus Fizer? I would prefer those guys in New York than Jalen, becuase New York needs some young players to build around. They can't try the quick fix option like they did with McDyess...

[Andrew]

The only saving grace from the gamble with Dyess is that Camby is also injured, so that trade's value will be determined by the rookies they swapped. Personally, I wouldn't trade anyone on the Bulls, but if I can take New York's perspective, Fizer probably wouldn't help that much since they already have a glut of players at PF/C who are undersized/around the same size. They need to look for size, or a bigger SF to replace Spree - a guy like Rose, but not Rose.

[Matthew]

Well, if they did trade Spree for Crawford and Fizer, Nailon could be slotted into the starting line up for the rest of the season, no questions asked, and they would have a good young point guard who can generate offense and create for Allan Houston. If the Knicks are going to trade Sprewell, they need to get young players who can develop. Getting Rose would mean maybe 5 more wins this season, but is that really worth it?

[Andrew]

I think if Spree is to be traded, it should be for a big man, with Nailon as his replacement for the season (and maybe longer) and look at getting a SF in the draft. What about dealing for Kandi?

[Matthew]

I guess Olowokandi would be on the table, but would Sterling take on Spree's contract? I don't think there are many options at the moment for him, and he is still a very good player so they shouldn't trade him just for the sake of doing so. Maybe they figure if they keep spree untill the offseason, then use him as bait for a sign and trade for a big free agent? Who honestly knows what Knicks management has up their sleave, assuming they have a plan at all.

[Andrew]

I don't think he can be traded so long as he's injured, but I agree keeping him for the mean time is probably better. The Knicks have banished him until he can make "a positive contribution", which he is certainly capable of doing. But you know NY management, they haven't exactly been in line for Executive of the Year in recent times.

[JuanDV]

I think it would be in the Clippers' best interests to keep Kandi if they can get him for less than the max and avoid the luxury tax. Decent centres aren't exactly easy to come by, and right now I'd say Kandi is one of the few that can be placed under the category of "above average to excellent NBA centres".

He's playon really, really nice!

[michael myers]

what, is this guy some tyron lue wannabe or something? white people with cornrows - it just doesn't mix