2013-14 NBA Thread part 1

Arne Duncan was a beast again in the celebrity game at All Star Weekend.

 

NBA ALL Star weekend aka Black Thanksgiving (/Wilbon) and no one posts?

 

I did not watch the All-Star game. I never do.

And the box score demonstrates why. Excluding three point shots the teams shot 105 of 142. There were 21 fouls and zero blocks. Obviously the palyers did not care enough to play defense. While I understand the motivations of the players if the palyers don't care neither do I.

But I was surprised that the game did not sell out. Attendance was 14,727.

 

When you don't sell out your All Star Game, there is something seriously wrong.

 

The look on Frank Vogel's face as he shared the stage with Diddy and Busta Button Rhymes was golden. Totally in his element.

 

Nerd! The guy has no right being in an NBA locker room, let alone on the bench, coaching a team.

 

The NBA's key demographic was watching the Olympics

 

Report is the Sixers send Evan Turner to Indiana for Danny Granger:

https://twitter.com/WojYahooNBA/status/436600603247403009

 

Jan Vesely out of Washington to Denver for Andre Miller

 

As a Pacers looser fanboi, I've gotta say -- I love this deal. As much I appreciate Granger being a steady, good presence in the Pacers' down post-brawl years, he just isn't finding his rhythm coming back as a bench player. He might be the Pacers' Wally Pipp, because if he doesn't get hurt, Paul George doesn't emerge as he has, and Lance Stephenson doesn't, either.

Speaking of Stephenson, I'm sure one of the reasons for this deal was to put Indiana in the best position possible to re-sign him, but I'm not sure that's going to be possible. George, Hibbert and West are all making well north of $10 million for at least the next two seasons, and George Hill isn't getting as much, but it's for a long period. Someone is going to throw crazy-ass money at Stephenson, and I'm not sure Indiana's going to be in any position to match. Actually, that's another reason I see Bird going all-in this year -- because he likely won't have Stephenson next year.

 

By the way, this makes for an even greater atmosphere in Philly when I bring my son there in March to watch Michael Carter-Williams and the Main Line Y All-Stars.

 

I am in shock that there's a belief out there that Evan Effing Turner could be the key to turning the tide against the Heat.

Turner is a decent matchup against LeBron James, but seriously, folks.