Basketball Newsletter - February 1, 2000
So Michael Jordan made his first move as head of basketball operations for the Washington Wizards. Well, um, okay, he wasn't really there and didn't make the announcement, didn't have to break the bad news or do any of the other tough stuff that comes with such a lofty position. But on Saturday while Jordan was in Atlanta for the SuperBowl, the Wizards fired head coach Gar Heard. The news came out right after the lowly team won their 14th game of the season. That's right, after a WIN. Does that ache or what? Former Raptor coach Darrell Walker will become the team's interim coach (he's been coaching a team called the Rockford Lightning in the CBA. Whatever.) Walker was the 2nd choice after a deal with Golden State to get Rod Higgins, Jordan's golf buddy and former teammate, fell apart.
No one, including Heard, was surprised by the move. And really, the guy needs a break. He's toiled as a coach/assistant coach on some pretty awful teams; the 1993 Mavericks (egads!) were 9-44 when he was interim coach there.
As for the players, the perpetually pouty Rod Strickland will be a happier Wizard now. After all, none of the bad stuff this season has been his fault, don't you know?
And speaking of the Raptors...
So it's true, the people have spoken. Vince Carter is The Man(TM.) He received 1,911,973 votes in the All Star balloting and becomes the first Raptor ever to be among the chosen ones. Who did Mr. C beat in the voting? Superstars like Allen Iverson, Alonzo Mourning and Shaquille O'Neal. Not too shabby for a little Hogtown Lizard, eh?
See how the rest of the field shakes out:
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The Raptors have picked up their game recently. Maybe being kicked in the pants by last week's newsletter gave them something to think about! After a real dip in their play, 4 wins in a row at the critical midpoint shows this team can bounce back. And we've stopped hearing those Christie and T-Mac trade rumours too! Well, this week anyway.
And speaking of win streaks...
Going in to Monday night's game against the Bucks, the Grizzlies have a mild win streak going. 2 - count'em - 2 wins in a row. Let's pretend they beat Milwaukee. That's 3. Then let's look at their schedule after that:
Golden State (ugh!) Chicago (ack!) and Dallas (eep!) Could this be Vancouver's time? Will they put together the numbers that will make the rest of the league stand up and say, "hey, these Grizzlie dudes can really do that thing in the paint, man." Well, probably not. But CTVSportsnet.com's Paul Jay might just convince 'em:
"Next time someone asks you how the Grizzlies are doing, you can answer: 'They are having their Best Season Ever(TM).' Despite having the fourth-worst record in the league, their 11 wins and 31 losses puts them on pace for 22 wins in the season, surpassing their franchise best by 3 games."
Read more from Paul at:
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Who's hot
* Minnesota Timberwolves forward Kevin Garnett. During the team's recent five-game winning streak, Garnett averaged 27 points on 56 percent shooting, in addition to pulling down 11.2 rebounds.
* Golden State Warriors Power Forward Antawn Jamison. Huh? Well, when you play for one of the worst teams in the league, and you put up numbers like this: shooting 58% in three of the Warriors' past four games and averaging 34 points and 16 rebounds in the same span... well, you just know CTVSportsnet.com is going to honour you in this prestigious newsletter!
Who's not
* The L.A. Lakers. Maybe they've been believing their own press too much lately... "the best team since the Bulls..." "the new dynasty team of destiny..." etc etc. They've lost 3 of their last 4 which has allowed the Portland Trail Blazers to move within a half game of the league-leading Lakers. But don't look for this to last. The team is still awesome. We just had to put this powerhouse in the CTVSportsnet.com doghouse at least one time this year! And we're not going to mention anyone else either cuz we want this dubious honour to stand out like a sore butt cheek!
And another thing ...
30,000 and counting. This week Karl Malone became the third player in NBA history to score 30,000 points this week. He joins Wilt Chamberlain and career leader Kareem Abdul-Jabbar in the elite scoring group. Not bad for a 36-year-old, 15-year veteran.
On another Malone note, this year's All Star Game in Oakland will be the first time since 1996-97 that Malone will not start for the West. A bittersweet week for Karl, no?
What the fans are saying
We'll be keeping an eye on e-mail feedback and fan forums for comments from users, whether they be funny, smart or so dumb we can't but help make fun of them. Soon, we'll include an e-mail to send comments directly to the NBA newsletter.
Bill Buchan:
I just wish that someone in the Grizzlies organization would apologize for Mr. Harrington's comments Regarding "It's a sad day in Vancouver." I am offended. I have never heard such a thing from a "professional" in my life. I have never heard it from a Canuck player or Lion or a Canadian, or for that matter, a "Whitecap- 86er". What the hell is happening? I think that we, as fans help to pay their salaries (I know, a small part). I just thought that ANYONE would be happy to BE a professional player (there are a lot of them dying to make ANY team). The funny thing is.... What did Mr. Harrington think? that the Grizz would move to St. Louis THIS year? What a dummy! It would have been at least 2 years before they would move! I'd like to say that I am very proud that we have players like Sharif and Big Country (no matter what you'd say about Big Country.) At least they act like Professionals (they say the right things.) Even if they don't want to be here, they don't act like it or say it, for cryin out loud! THEY ARE our heart and soul! It's very disheartening for me to HAVE to route for "Othella" when he is at the foul line! Please Mr. Jackson, lets have SOME explanation (other than "he was homesick!")
Thanks for the opportunity to vent.
JuiCY:
Keep Doug Christie, keep McGrady, if you have to trade one of them to get the Point Guard....just forget it....the team needs these two players, Christie means more than everybody thinks...he does the little things that no one notices....he's a great defender and why not PLAY CHRISTIE at PG??? Christie has the ability to stick with the smaller point guards and can post up any guard and once he attracts double teams, he can dish it out to Curry or Carter for some easy baskets......trading Mookie for Doug.....thumbs down...keep the team the way it is...unless you can trade (for example) Yogi, John Thomas or a rarely used player for some experience for the bench.....