Hov's Kings - Retired

[Cruzerr]

Damn , I am stilling thinking what would be a good trade Im thinking of... letting this one slide

[hova-]

The 2012 draft class is said to be very weak and not very deep and there are only few guys who have the potential to be more than solid on pro level. One of them must be Alvin Lewis.

Lewis is the starting small forward on Mike Krzyzewski's Blue Devils squad and is going in his third and probably last season at Duke now.

When you talk about Lewis, you talk about one of the best athletes on college level. Lewis, standing at 6-8 and 244 lbs. can bench press up to 420 lbs. He does 25 reps on the 185 lbs. bench press, a number that is not topped by many players, even on pro level (Joey Graham holds the draft combine record with 26 reps - Blake Griffin does 22 reps).

Further, Lewis' vertical leap of 39 inches is higher than the one of guys like Griffin, Andre Iguodala or Russell Westbrook.

"I take pride in my body, and every time I go out on the court I want to destroy guys with my body", Lewis, a Washington native, says.

Lewis is right now averaging 18.5 points, 7.3 rebounds and 1.1 assists per game for his still unbeaten (5-0) Blue Devils. Coach Krzyzewski runs a lot of isolation plays for Lewis, who is despite his body more of a perimetre than a post-up player.

While he's unstoppable on the drive, exploding to the rim and absorbing contact, Lewis does neither possess a good shot nor does he understand how to pass the ball. Many say, his muscles destroyed his shooting form a few years ago.

"I don't care what people say", Lewis, who won two Slam Dunk Contests in a row, says. "I want to go out there and be fierce and tear apart your body. I don't want to take soft shots, I want to destroy my enemies".

Lewis' also is not a good one-on-one defender. He can keep up with quicker and bigger guys due to his physics, but he just has no understanding of the defensive game. His shotblocking and stealing is great because his timing seems okay, and he is just so physically superior.

Lewis is sure that he will leave college after this season "because with Lance gone I'm gonna win this damn thing for sure". While his potential is unlimited, it will be difficult for any coach to convince Lewis of how to play the right way, especially because his muscles seem to power him through college.

Let's see how things will turn out.

Strenghts: very strong, has a LeBron-like body ... despite all his strenght, he is still agile and quick ... good ball handling ... could be one of the best leapers the game has seen ... great size for a small forward ... good weak side defender ... knows how to finish strong ... absorbs contact on the drive like a few other do ... his aggressiveness fears opponents ... tough to stop one-on-one ... grabs a lot of rebounds because of his size and leaping ... good putback finisher ... 6% body fat ... creative scorer ... this guy has not been injured in his career yet... almost ambidextrous ...

Weaknesses: his shooting form looks bad and his shot isn't good at all ... not a high basketball IQ ... seems arrogant & uncoachable at times ... needs to work on his passing and court vision ... not a good team defender ... can be a leader, but sometimes his aggressiveness goes against his own team mates ...

[Justine.]

"Destroying enemies" I like his personality especially him having a freak vertical leap

[dare]

Lewis seems like a Darius Miles to me, athletic with good size.

BTW I do want to trade Nash but can't really think of any offer, maybe you can just post the possible trades then we will choose one via pm or a poll.

[hova-]

Justine., yeah, he actually has the "Flight White" dunk package.

dare, just post a team you think he'd fit into best. (via PM) You don't need to make exact offers, just a lil idea of the guys involved would be good.

About the Darius Miles thing - I think Lewis is a bit stronger, cause Miles to me always looked like a skeleton.

[hova-]

History repeats
November 26th --- Game vs Lakers @Staples Center

....

We had just checked in the hotel @L.A. and I decided to turn on the TV before going to bed. We were going to play the Lakers the day to come and things were pretty hectic as we also had a match the night before, against the Suns.

I just zapped into the ESPN news and was still thinking about the Phoenix game. Still suffering from injuries, we were not able to beat the Suns at home. The Suns – the weakest team in the league. Sure, they did better since they were under the rule of John Kuester, that old Dumars sucker, but honestly, we had the game under control for three quarters and lost it in the fourth like so often.

I was still pretty angry when I thought about the Suns game. Nash is nowhere near as good as he had been the years before and just when his name came to my mind, the ESPN NBA news were analyzing trade possibilities for Steve Nash.

Nash never said he wasn’t satisfied with his current situation in Phoenix, but somehow it seemed like a sure thing that he would get traded soon, even without him demanding such a move.

The latest news were that currently there are about four or five teams that would have an interest in acquiring the Canadian playmaker.

First of all, the Knicks. Donnie Walsh had seen his team struggling through the season so far, and with Chauncey Billups out with a wrist injury, the Knicks only were stumbling around .500. Nash in a line-up with Anthony and Meredith, and more importantly reunited with Stoudemire and D’Antoni, definitely sounded scary – at least for all the Eastern foes.

Another possibility was a trade to Portland. The Blazers were currently rocking one of the best squads in the West and only lacking of a true calibre point guard with Eric Maynor starting. But would Portland want to give up a key player in return? Roy? Wallace? Batum or maybe even Oden? Questionable but possible.

Next up – the Lakers. Our upcoming opponent kept struggling through the season. At 9-6, the Lakers did not really look like the team from a season ago, where they beat the Cs for the second time in a row in seven games. Kobe Bryant obviously had a great season, but the rest could not connect. The Lakers had reportedly signed Kwame Brown to a one-year contract and Mitch Kupchak and his co-executive Will Sit were trying everything to get the Lakers back on top. The Lakers have some talented players and despite Steve Blake and Derek Fisher running the point, definitely had interest in acquiring an ex-All-Star point guard.

Another beauty was the idea of reuniting Nash and Dirk in Dallas. A beauty for all Mavs fans – and admittedly also for me as a German native. The Mavs were having a solid season so far and Roddy Beaubois looked good at running the point, but still a real point guard could help the Mavs finally winning this ring.

The last ESPN trade scenario was Steve Nash joining the Rockets. Currently at 2nd place in the West, the Rockets definitely had a chance to win it all or at least make some noise in the Playoffs. Kyle Lowry is rock-solid and could be traded in combination with some talent like Chase Budinger, Patrick Patterson and some draft picks.

I switched off the TV. “Kwame Brown!? They gotta be kidding”, I mumbled while pulling the blanket over my nose.



Tie game! Beno Udrih just drained a wicked three pointer over Steve Blake that got the game tied at 99 with 12 seconds left on the clock. The Lakers called a time-out.

“We have them were we wanted them, just like last season. We gotta play D now and force Kobe to take a bad shot. We will win this thing and take another one at Staples Center guy. History repeats! Beat L.A. – let’s go.”

“1,2,3 – BEAT LA”, my team shouted. Tied at 99 with 12 seconds left, it was obvious who L.A. would go to – Mamba.

Kobe went to the right elbow and worked on Jarvis Hayes. He posted up, took a fade-away jumper. The ball had a crazy flight path. It was good D by Jarvis.

Kobe took two steps backward and watched his shot boucing off the ring with 2 seconds left. Overtime.

In OT it was Demarcus beasting as we indeed beat the Lakers @Staples Center, for the second time since I joined the Sonics.

Luis Chase was cheering when we went to the locker room. He could not play – but he wanted to be with the team and took the flight to L.A. Tyreke Evans wasn’t around, he stayed at home still dealing with his injured shoulder.

We were chanting “Beat L.A., Beat L.A.” on our way to the locker room. Kobe Bryant bulldozed his way to the Lakers’ locker scuffing his way through the media and past our locker. He had 34 points in the game but once again not enough help to transform his points into a W.

He looked pissed. The way they had been playing recently really hurt him - he just isn't used to losing. As he walked past us as we were chanting, I boxed him in his shoulder and said “Good game, man. Maybe you get some more help next time”.

Kobe looked at me, he knew that I was right. With a fierce twinkle in his eye he raised his index finger. “I tell you what, Hova, we'll meet three more times this season. I could destroy your lucky squad single-handedly, but next time we will have Nash on board and I swear, you will get blown out”.

Bryant rumbled away and he obviously knew more than me and even the media. Nash to L.A., oh my god …

[Cruzerr]

Wow, seems like Kobe went mad as hell. Beat them again and it would really anger him

[Justine.]

Excellent win over the Fakers! So the trade of Nash to L.A. is surefire?

[Fresh8]

KWAMEEEEEE!!!!

[puttincomputers]

Somehow I dont see Kobe and Nash Coexisting.

[kibaxx7]

Manfred +1.

[Axel The Great]

Huge upset win against the Lakers! And to add to that, you did it without Evans and Chase. Wonder where Nash will go, but I sure hope it's not LA.

[Martti.]

I see Lewis having a Desmond Mason type career.

[Houndy]

Nash to LA? Oh God.... Nice win over the dying Lake Show, without Reke and Chase.

[dare]

Yeah Nash to L.A, don't know if he can run the triangle but this is not reality so its a good thing.

[shadowgrin]

The Triangle doesn't need much of a PG and Nash has one of the best basketball IQ today, so even irl Nash will probably fit in.

[Valor]

With Nash's shooting abilities and, as shadow said, high basketball IQ, he'll be a good fit on the Lakers, except for his defense....

[shadowgrin]

except for his defense....

Derek Fisher sez hai.

[The X]

Lamrock, I have problems to play well over 48 minutes. I tend to lead at some point and then get crushed by a big run that I can't counter later on.

I have that issue too. In 2k11 you have to play every possession or you lose. I'm sure it's a different story if you have a good team, but with our teams the margin of error is so slim.

[Valor]

except for his defense....

Derek Fisher sez hai.

True true

Lamrock, I have problems to play well over 48 minutes. I tend to lead at some point and then get crushed by a big run that I can't counter later on.

I have that issue too. In 2k11 you have to play every possession or you lose. I'm sure it's a different story if you have a good team, but with our teams the margin of error is so slim.

Me too You can keep it close and good and then all of a sudden they go on this huge run and you just flat-out lose whatever happens

[hova-]

Hey guys, thanks for all the replies. It really feels good to see how much controversy the Nash to LA trade is causing in here. I will update this one tomorrow with all the infos and news about the whole trade stuff etc.

It amazes me to see how much you care about this multiverse thanks guys.

[The X]

Hey guys, thanks for all the replies. It really feels good to see how much controversy the Nash to LA trade is causing in here. I will update this one tomorrow with all the infos and news about the whole trade stuff etc.

It amazes me to see how much you care about this multiverse thanks guys.

I see the word is gaining some steam

[hova-]

Although he didn't look too happy during the photo session, Nash only had good words about the trade that brought him to L.A.


Nash lands in Hollywood in seven-player trade
November 26th, Posted 11:03 am

Rumours were spreading all season long about a potential Steve Nash trade and it did not take long to become reality. The NBA today announced that they have reviewed and authorized a deal that will send seven-time All Star Steve Nash to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Alongside Nash, the Lakers will also receive rookie guard Byron Turner and sophomore big man Garret Siler. The Phoenix Suns, who were refusing to trade Nash for almost a season now, finally pulled the trigger and will receive sophomore forward Devin Ebanks, veteran point guard Steve Blake, forward Luke Walton and rookie point guard Michael Green. Further the team will receive the 2012 first & second round draft pick of the Lakers.

"We are so glad to welcome another All-Star on our squad and really think that Steve will help us to bring back another trophy to L.A.", GM Mitch Kupchak said. Nash did not want to talk bad about his former team, but also admitted that he felt "there were not much chances to make the Playoffs this season". "I'm glad that we found a way that helps both teams and kind of improves my own situation", the Canadian point guard added.


Steve Nash is averaging 18.7 points and 6.6 assists per game shooting .438% from the field. The assists and shooting numbers are a career-low for the two-time MVP. At 37, Nash hopes to win a ring with Lakers just like other prominent players like Gary Payton or Karl Malone tried.
"For me, this does not look like Payton or Malone. He never forced to come here, but he's glad about the chance he has in Los Angeles. I don't like that Malone-Payton-Nash comparison", veteran forward Grant Hill said.

All in all, it's obvious that Nash will now play for the Champion instead of the worst team in the league, which will increase his chances of winning a ring big time. After this season, his contract (11.69M $) will expire, so far there were no words of how things will go one then.


Byron Turner was drafted by the Suns at the 38th position in the 2011 draft. Turner, 20 years old, has yet to play a game this season.


Garret Siler is a 6-11, 305 lbs. big man, who could help the Lakers in postseason as he has 6 fouls to give. He is averaging 2.9 points and 1.0 rebounds per game in 5.8 minutes this season shooting .785% from the field.

For the Suns, it is all about rebuilding and getting something in return for Steve Nash, whose contract will expire anyway. Resigning him looked highly unlikely.


Devin Ebanks is maybe the key talent of the deal for Phoenix. The 6-9 swingman only played 11.9 minutes per game for L.A. averaging 2.2 points and 1.9 rebounds per game. The 23 year old West Virginia alumni will definitely see more playing time with the Suns.


Steve Blake is already 31 years old, but will start at the point for Phoenix now. He has 3 years on his contract, but is quite cheap for a veteran point guard at 4M $ per year. Blake is averaging 7.2 points and 4.8 assists per game this season and was a good fit for the Lakers.


Luke Walton will most likely get bought out of his contract that is still running for two years worth 11.5M $. Walton only played 5.7 minutes per game for the Lakers this season and won't be part of the Suns' future. The Suns will try to buy him out of his contract, a move the Lakers should have done way before.


Michael Green is the second high potential player for the Suns. The 6-0 point guard who played alongside Alvin Lewis at Duke last year has everything a solid point guard in this league needs. The 21 year old only played 5.1 minutes per game for the Lakers and will be the backup for Steve Blake in Phoenix. He could later on replace Blake when his time has come.

The Suns further will get the Lakers' 1st and 2nd round draft pick of the upcoming draft and also receive cash considerations.

"We don't feel like we are the Grizzlies", Steve Kerr said after some comparisons with the Gasol-deal three years ago came up. "I personally don't think this move will make the Lakers champions, they already have a championship squad. Further we had almost no chance of resigning Steve, so we are glad to get something in return", Kerr added.



The Lakers are at 9-7 right now and needed to change something. Getting an 37-year old ex-All-Star could help them, but it's doubtful that Nash will lift them into contention heights. Maybe it's more of a psychological move as one of the best teams name-wise looks even better now. But questions must be raised if Nash will fit in the triangle. He's a good shooter which will definitely be important to punish double-teams, but Steve also wants the ball in his hands. A bit of a risky move by the Lakers, because it will change the way they're playing. But at 9-7 you gotta go some risks. Financially, the trade was even better for them as Nash's contract expires and Blake and Walton are out. Ebanks wasn't playing anyway. All in all, good job, Mitch Kupchak.


GRADE: The Lakers look better than before on paper. If this works out, the Nash-deal comes right after the Gasol-deal A-

The Suns have no chance to make the Playoffs and thus trading Nash was in inevitable. He would never ever have resigned with the team anyway. Getting Green and Ebanks as well as two draft picks (which won't be too high though) makes the deal even better for Phoenix. Walton will be bought out after this season and Blake can help a young team by running the point. On the one hand, this deal does not bring the Suns anything special, on the other hand, they basically give up a season that has already been given up before.


GRADE: It's a solid deal for Phoenix, because a Steve Nash without the chance to make the postseason does not bring them anything. At least they got something in return, which they had not after this season when Nash will be a free agent. B

[hova-]

The X, I thought it was a word used with comic books more often, but it fits great into the Dynasty story section


Okay guys, Steve at L.A.

I will tell you more about who gets rewarded for proposals later, cuz I don't have much time right now.

[Houndy]

Dang, Lakers with Nash look really good