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March 19, 2008
Golden idea: Move Nuggets to East
I have a simple, practical solution to the playoff-seeding problem: David Stern should invoke executive power and immediately move the Denver Nuggets to the Eastern Conference.
OK, it’s neither simple nor practical. But it would be fair and right.
The standings are as skewed as they will ever be. Through Tuesday’s games, the Nuggets are 40-27, which would leave them out of the playoffs in the Western Conference. In the East, the Nuggets would have home-court advantage in the first round, as the fourth seed.
Meanwhile, a handful of Eastern Conference stiffs - Atlanta, New Jersey, Chicago and Indiana - are trying to back into the final playoff spot. (Until they break this four-and-counting losing streak, the Bobcats are sub-stiff level.)
Usually this is self-correcting; some mediocre team gets on a hot streak and finishes the season in the vicinity of a .500 record as the eighth seed. Right now Atlanta - nine games below .500 - has the East's eighth-best record with less than a month to play.
I would argue any of these teams is better off in the draft lottery - even a weighted lottery, with a remote chance at a top-three pick - than it would be matched with the Boston Celtics in a first-round playoff mismatch.
I thought about this recently while listening to various ESPN talking heads discussing the NCAA tournament field. Somebody suggested doubling the field. Another analyst countered that this was the year when there weren’t enough competitive at-large teams to fill a respectable 64-team field.
There are 16 teams in the NBA worthy of the playoffs. Unfortunately, it isn’t close to an eight-team split between conferences.
Posted by Observer Sports on March 19, 2008 at 12:49 PM | Permalink
Comments
I heartly support your idea Rick. In fact, since we're talking about moving things around...how bout we send ole Sean "Conastoga Wagon" May West...way way way West. In fact the NBA in Fiji might work. He and PGA "bad attitude" Vijay Singh can do local pineapple and sugar cane comercials together...assuming Sean doesnt eat all the product before filming. Sean's days in the NBA are numbered(how many games left till the end of the season?). He has tied up a valuable roster spot for 3 years and yielded nothing but increased instability to establishing a maturing lineup and team. And for what? In the hope he's going to be next years "Come back Kid"? Oh pleeeaaasssssse! The closest he'll see of getting that is being awarded poster boy for Paulines Chik'n an' Rib's Buffet House in Mt Gilead.
Send him to Fiji, the East will take Golden State and the world will be a happier place.
Posted by: Mike | Mar 19, 2008 2:06:57 PM
I HAVE AN IDEA TRADE THE BOBCATS FOR THE NUGGETS.
Posted by: D | Mar 19, 2008 2:44:08 PM
Moving the Nuggets to the East makes the NBA look stupid. If you're going to switch the teams around, do it how the MLB does it and just have two leagues with teams spread across the continent. Before you move the nuggets east, put Memphis, New Orleans or Minnesota in the east. Why? Because they are farther east than Denver.
Posted by: Jay | Mar 19, 2008 3:15:58 PM
And a lot of deserving Eastern teams were on the outside looking in during the 90's, when Jordan and co. dominated the league, and the East was a stronger conference which had many of the Eastern teams playing for runner-up. In 96, a 36-win Clipper team made the playoffs in the West, while a team with a winning record in the East missed the playoffs entirely.
It's cyclical, who cares.
Posted by: Will | Mar 19, 2008 3:41:15 PM
I agree with Will. Reorganization will only "solve" a temporary "problem." In a few years, it'll be the Hawks and Knicks whining about how they need to be moved to the West.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Mar 19, 2008 4:11:08 PM
Mr Proton...I read with interest your bloggers for many months. Am first from Mombai India. I would like to know why you have such noledge of the National Basketball in America? Do you follow professional basketball in India? In India we have no salary cap problems as we pay very little for our players. To have salary cap problems we would need maybe 8000 players on the team list. There would be no room on the bench. Maybe you can tell me also why you love this Rssian boy Primroze? Isnt this unnatural in a man world. Please tell me your answers here. Thank you
Posted by: Paresh | Mar 19, 2008 5:21:52 PM
Very impressive, tonight, how everybody's favorite TarCat, Ray Ray Felton, was able to turn the ball over not once, but on TWO CONSECUTIVE end-game possessions with the chance to tie the game. There's just not much more we could ask of a player who truly excels "down the stretch."
Posted by: Michael Procton | Mar 19, 2008 9:25:38 PM
In other news, Michael Proton's man crush, Primoz Brezec went off last night again. Another DNP-Coach's Decision, and this time in a 42 point blowout win for the Raptors. Not even garbage minutes for you lover Proton?
I did read that he missed the game Sunday because of a pulled groin. In related news, Michael Proton was in Toronto Sunday and likely was the groin puller.
Good job calling Proton out Paresh.
Posted by: Gary G | Mar 20, 2008 7:12:07 AM
I'm disappointed in you Procton. Good call on the so called point guard Felton, but how could you fail to call out Chuck Okafor for yet another pathetic, NBDL worthy performance?
Okafor
2 pts, 3 rebonds, 1 block, 20 minutes.
What gives? Even the biggest Okafor sympathizers can't deny that absolutely sucks ass. Dwight Howard money for this guy? I hope not.
Posted by: black bush | Mar 20, 2008 8:04:19 AM
Well, one might argue that the team has given up on coach V. Of course Jrich, Crash and Hammer came to play.
Posted by: apauldds | Mar 20, 2008 10:04:05 AM
First, I agree with Jay. If the NBA will ever think about moving a team from the West to the East, move either: New Orleans, Memphis or Minnesota. Even one of the teams in Texas will make a lot more sense and will be more comfortable than moving Denver.
Second the Bobcats now need to focus on getting a good lottery pick. The can keep losing as long as Dudley, Hollins, Caroll & Davidson get over 20+ minutes a game. I insist on playing Hollins & Dudley over 30 minutes for the rest of the season.
I do believe Okafor should be resigned, of course not for Howards money, but he might deserve two things: $70-75M/6-7Years and a personal big men coach. That has been the big difference between Howard & Okafor. For the last two years Howard have had Ewing as a personal Coach, Yao Ming have Hakeem, KG had Machale when he was in Minnesota and Duncan played with and had Robinson as a coach after Robinson retired. I don't think that all these big guys are the best in the league just for coincidence, coaching is a HUGE factor.
Talking about coaching, Charlotte should also rebuild their coaching staff. Vincent was a good assistant coach, but he is a horrible head coach, try to get Paul Silas or even Larry Brown. Look for a true good old PF/C to coach both Okafor and Mohamed. He might also help May, if there's a chance. Who can it be?...I'm not sure (The Bobcats Management should have more resources than I do to look for one), maybe: Mourning, Karl Malone, even a Derrick Coleman, Vlade Divac or Charles Oakley could share some hints and experience in a 1on1 basis. After all there are not to many big guys in the game and there are even less good big guys in the game. That's how come they all get good contracts even when they suck.
Also try to look for Beasley the PF from Kansas in the draft and a decent PG. Felton is not the best, but he is not the worst either. He would be a lot better if his big men were more consistent. But when Okafor or Mohamed shot for a 30% (which happens a lot) Felton's assist drop amazingly. A reliable big guy will also help him improve his Assist/Tover Ratio and also his confidence.
Posted by: Rob C | Mar 20, 2008 10:15:07 AM
I agree with almost everything you said Rob..except the Larry Brown part...LB is a quitter and the last thing we need is MORE inconsistency from the head coach! We need a coach that is going to come in and build, not run with things get bad or bolt after only a year...
I'll say it again...SILAS-SILAS-SILAS!!!
Posted by: Bobcat Terry | Mar 20, 2008 10:34:06 AM
Yeah, Okafor scored 2 points last night.
I can't believe he couldn't turn the one shot he took last night into 20 points. Unbelievable. What a loser.
In other news, Felton was second on the team in shots.....
Again.....
For like the 9th time in the past 11 games.....
Seeing as how his assists/game over the last 10 games is 7.5, as compared to 7.0 for his season total...why is it he needs to play PG for us again?
To take a lot of shots and average 0.5 assists more?
Note to Felton: this is why coaches keep playing you at SG.
Posted by: Will | Mar 20, 2008 10:49:08 AM
Does anyone know what kind of contract (length and value) Vincent was given? Not only have the players given up on this dweeb, now even the real fans are beginning to give up on this team. I'm seriously considering not renewing my season tickets and I am sure others are as well. Do you remember all the playoff talk by Vincent at the beginning of the year? I guess by his own determination, he is a failure. I'm not sure if MJ has the balls to fire his buddy. If he doesn't, this franchise is headed down the wrong path and will go into some serious debt. Bob Johnson is all about the dollars, so maybe he will step in and not allow that to happen. I agree with you Bobcat Terry, Silas is a GREAT choice... should have hired him last year.
Posted by: FuriousStyles | Mar 20, 2008 11:05:41 AM
You know, when Okafor hits every shot he takes once Felton is actually able to mange a pass to the post, it strikes me he should play more than 20 minutes. Maybe Vincent's under orders to limit his minutes. Keeping his stats down might be the best financial decision the franchise has ever made.
Posted by: Michael Procton | Mar 20, 2008 12:54:46 PM
2 things about all these Okafor excuses.
First, its time to give up the argument that the reason Okafor sucks is all the Bobcats staff's fault. Okafor works out every offseason with a guy named Hakeem Olajuwon. Ever heard of him? Yeah, he's pretty good. And as someone above mentioned if he can mentor Yao and is all the reason Yao is good, then why can't he help Okafor out? Because Okafor peaked in college. His game is the same now as it was then and it's not getting better.
Second, Procton, come on buddy. So you are now blaming Okafor's crap offensive game on Felton not passing him the ball? Seriously?? How did Othella Harrington manage to get off 4 shots in 9 minutes? That may be the worst excuse yet I've heard you or anyone else make for him. Okafor had 1 shot because he has ZERO low post moves and no offensive game.
Posted by: black bush | Mar 20, 2008 8:01:35 PM
Oh and 1 shot because he understandably got completely shut down by the dynamic front court trio of troy murphy, mike dunleavey, and some big old white dude named foster.
blahahahahahahahahahaha!
Posted by: black bush | Mar 20, 2008 8:04:32 PM
I am not a Friend of Mike. I am however a black man who wants to be hired by the bobcats. I have the most desired trait for BJ, I AM BLACK.
Mr. George Shinn is not afraid to hire a head coach a different color than himself. Does BJ have the balls to do the same. Better yet sell the team Bob to someone who gives a damn about charlotte. MJ you are Bob's show pony, get a clue and get lost.
Posted by: Black Man | Mar 20, 2008 11:33:59 PM
Who the hell gives a crap about the Bob's Cats?? They are pathetic! The minor league hockey team fills Bob's Arena better than they do. Pathetic!
Goooooooo Checkers!!!
Posted by: larry sprinkles | Mar 21, 2008 2:05:08 AM
Because half of those shots Harrington got came when Felton was out of the game?
hahaha
And Felton has zero offensive game, but we don't stop letting him shoot.
He has one of the worst FG% on the team, he has an atrocious 3pt% for someone who can "hit a three," he can't finish at the rim...yet he still takes the 2nd most shots on the team for 9 of the past 11 games.
Posted by: Will | Mar 21, 2008 11:15:25 AM
Will...he's learning! Will you not just give him a chance now that he's allowed to shine at his natural position???
Posted by: Michael Procton | Mar 21, 2008 12:56:32 PM
"Black Rush" Here are some details so next time you can talk with some supporting evidence. One thing is for Okafor to spend 2 months a year sharing some time with Hakeem, and another is hiring a FULL TIME Big Guys Coach like all the teams I mentioned in my prior comment did. What advantage can Okafor get from 1-2 months with Hakeem, if the rest of the year Paul Mokeski will flush all that knowledege down the toilet. Yes, Mokeski, Mr. 4pts 4rbds in 12 NBA Seasons, Mr. never been a good player and even less a coach in the NBA, other than some scouting.
Did you know that Okafor takes 40% less FG per game that all of those top big guys that we just mentioned, still he shoots for 51% and grab same or more rebounds that most of them per game. If Okafor gat the same 14-15 FG attempts per game that all the other Big Guys shoot, he would average at least 16-18pts with 11-13 rebs per game. that's good enough to be in the top 8 big men in the NBA in every stat. Right now just so you know he is among the top 12 in almost every stat. All of the other big guys are in winning teams, that build confidence, which is also a BIG FACTOR in Individual performance. I bet even he's Free throw % will improve with a Full Time 1on1 coaching with an experience big guy at least for the next 2-3 years. After that Okafor can be on his own, just like KG and Duncan are today.
Posted by: Rob C | Mar 21, 2008 12:59:15 PM
To compare Okafor to KG and Duncan is just ludicrous. He's not anywhere close to either of those guys in any aspect of the game.
Also Rob, did you ever consider that the reason Okafor doesn't "gat" more field goal attempts is because he has zero low post moves and his offensive game is non-existent??
Here is some supporting evidence for you. In last night's win, Okafor took 6 shots. Non-starter Dudley also took 6 (0-6, ouch), Mohammad took 9 (converting 8). So based on what you are saying the Bobcats guards are playing keep away from Okafor, and intentionally passing to the other low post players? That's insane dude.
Or perhaps you can just agree with me that the guy has no offensive game and he can't shoot or create his own shots? I seriously doubt the guards are running plays set up for Dudley, and he gets off 6 shots. I mean he can't even hit layups, misses dunks, and barely shoots 50% from the foul line so I cringe every time he gets fouled.
One last thing, please post the link that shows you Okafor is in the top 12 in the league in almost every stat. Just so you know, I think you are dead wrong about that, he's 7th in rebounding but what else? I also find it interesting that you think every other big man in the league is on a winning team. Wow. Must be a lot of 5'11 guys running around on all these losing teams.
Posted by: black bush | Mar 23, 2008 9:22:28 AM
Emeka Okafor:
750 REB (5th, NBA)
230 OREB (5th, NBA)
520 DREB (6th, NBA)
115 BLK (9th, NBA)
35 Double-Doubles (9th, NBA)
Thanks for shopping.
Posted by: Tyler Hansbrough | Mar 23, 2008 8:28:39 PM
Ahh I see, so Rob C = Tyler, you are the douche bag along with the other guy that have been posting all those crap comments. How old are you 7? Stop wasting peoples time little boy.
So let's see, top 12 in every stat huh? You've got 3 rebound stats idiot. Of course he's going to be top 12 in offensive rebounds...you can load that stat up when you are grabbing your missed layups, putting it up again, and missing again!
So basically you've got Choke a big time top performer in 3 stats, 2 of which are defense related. I'm sorry I'm not convinced so yes Tyler aka Rob C, I'll keep shopping.
I will give you one though that you failed to mention: he's 2nd in the entire league in having his weak pathetic shot blocked back in his face. Why didn't you include that one? Weak argument...
Posted by: black bush | Mar 24, 2008 7:59:15 AM
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