misterearl wrote:Thanks fishmike - it had to be said.

I would prefer you, and a few others, to have the media credential, laptop and the court side seat at The Garden. djsu's "live from section 404" was miles ahead of the redundant game reports in the newspapers... and he was sitting much farther back from the court. At least there would be a sincere effort to expand ones box of crayons

How guys like Berman can write without any serious critique is a mystery to me.

Especially THIS season of all seasons. It is about to be fun, stomach wrenching and entertaining. Isn't that what sports are all about?

Then again, it is the NYPost.

misterearl wrote:Speaking of yoots....

Let's jump in the Wayback Machine for the scouting report

6.9 225 and 24 years old

Offense: Gets about one third of his offensive from spot up opportunities and another quarter from fast breaks. Likes to play more uptempo, where he can play to his strengths. Not the greatest option in a structured environment. Displays a quick release on his jumper, but isn’t always consistent with his form or rhythm. Will take some shots from beyond the arc, but proves erratic at best. A mediocre catch and shoot option, especially since with a hand in his face. Doesn’t always show ideal perimeter footwork and will take off balance shots. Not a very good ball handler for a forward hurting his ability to create better looks for himself. Extremely questionable decision-making off the dribble and equally questionable results when pulling up. Lack of bulk and explosiveness have hurt his finishing ability. Struggles in traffic, but displays a solid left hand at the basket. Will get some chances to face up with the ball on the block and looks pretty smooth when he does. Hasn’t gotten to the line much in the NBA. Not an efficient player. Not too turnover prone, but not much of a passer either. Can make some tough plays look easy thanks to his terrific talent level, but has yet to polish his game to the point that he can consistently connect the dots.

Defense: Not a very good defender. Has good length and some athleticism, but struggles to create turnovers due to his lack of great quickness. Doesn’t show the best fundamentals or awareness. Has a hard time getting over screens. Lacks the speed to recover once he’s beat. Will try and get a hand up shooters, but won’t always get in a good stance, loses the ball on the weakside, and will get pushed around by bigger defenders. Not a terribly poor rebounder, but lacks the bulk to hold his own in the paint.

- DraftExpress.com

David Lee?

misterearl wrote:Thanks fishmike - it had to be said.

I would prefer you, and a few others, to have the media credential, laptop and the court side seat at The Garden. djsu's "live from section 404" was miles ahead of the redundant game reports in the newspapers... and he was sitting much farther back from the court. At least there would be a sincere effort to expand ones box of crayons

How guys like Berman can write without any serious critique is a mystery to me.

Especially THIS season of all seasons. It is about to be fun, stomach wrenching and entertaining. Isn't that what sports are all about?

Then again, it is the NYPost.

That paper is for entertainment, more then informative, it's the only reason I read it from time to time..

(quotations courtesy Posting and Toasting)

"... Timofey Mozgov had a few animalistic dunks and played generally well. The most surprising thing I saw was his passing. He got the ball in the high post at one point and held it for about two seconds before zipping a one-handed two-seamer to Walker, who was cutting baseline. Although Walker missed the lay-up, there was an audible reaction from the media contingent (read: Seth and me). He finished me off with a nice scoop pass underneath the basketball a few possessions later (again to Walker)."

AM: Mozgov will be starting. He has the work ethic to go along with his passion for learning the nuance of the stateside big man game. Herb Williams will help. An ambulatory Eddy Curry makes an excellent practice mannequin, just to approximate the girth of his opponents. The X-factor will be his rebounding. Fuggeadabout foul trouble, Mozgov will mesmerize the referees with his ablility to operate on both sides of the paint at once.

"Float like a butterfly, dunk like Chocolate Thunder"

"... Landry Fields continues to perform. I can't tell you he'll definitely get minutes or if he'll start or if he's an MVP candidate or anything else, but I will say (Reminder: It's only been one day) that he does not look a single step behind his wing counterparts."

AM: Ah, Landry Fields, reported to be stronger than in Las Vegas and he was not too shabby in Las Vegas. We all know Summer League is for Lavor Postell but Landry graduated from Stanford. You can't have enough smart guys on the floor at once in the fourth quarter.

"... Anthony Randolph looked like a gazelle running the floor, but he pulled up for jumpers too often for my liking. He looked like he was fading a little bit on the jumper, but it was definitely falling in both the half-court and in transition. On one or two occasions we saw him bring up the ball as well. While he didn't look like Chris Paul, he seemed certainly capable."

AM: Let my people run. In terms of ball handling, Anthony Randolph makes Anthony Mason look like Felton Spencer. You want some dishing and swishing? Run a cameo lineup with 6.11 Randolph at the two and 6.9 Shawne Williams a the point... just for kicks and giggles.

Hear me now and believe me later, the girly-men on the other side will not be laughing.

"Stoudemire already has some ideas of what the team will do in Europe, including attending fashion week in Milan and Paris."

"That will be a proud moment for those guys," D'Antoni said. "I want this to be a great experience for each individual. This can help them culturally and help them mature as a person and that's always good." Gallinari will serve as the unofficial tour guide in Milan, while newcomer Ronny Turiaf, who was born in Martinique and is a member of French national basketball team, takes over in Paris.

I may be a bit off base here but... a crew of twenty-somethings in Milan and Paris during Fashion week sounds like an excellent (cough) team-building exercise to me.

Does Ray Felton serve as wingman to Timofey Mozgov?

Let's track the assist totals.

"Gallinari will serve as the unofficial tour guide in Milan, while newcomer Ronny Turiaf, who was born in Martinique and is a member of French national basketball team, takes over in Paris."

The tourist activities that are initiated by the players will provide an opportunity to rehearse for the first west coast swing, four games in five nights, (Denver - Sacramento - Golden State - LAClippers) from November 16-20

Winning on the road is a huge step forward.

Wilson Chandler: "I felt in last couple of years it wasn’t my place to speak up more as a young player. Now being one of the second longest players here with the team. I will speak up more to build a team chemistry. I’m 100% now. I had three surgeries over the summer. I have been in here all summer working on getting right back. I’m just ready. I’m 100%. Last year I didn’t get a chance to play at a 100% level all season. So I’m definitely excited."

"I’m playing the 2 this year. So I feel I have a height advantage playing the two guard over a lot of 2 guards in this league. My strength and height helps playing the 2 guard. Maybe only to the exception of Kobe and D-Wade. For the most part I have the advantage against most 2 guards."

The process of this band of brothers becoming a team is a fragile one. Having the head start on training camp with voluntary workouts is a great sign of dedication. For his early September absence alone, Eddy Curry should be kept away from the active roster.

The games in Milan are a stylist touch. Travel is a wonderful thing and international travel is the best education any young person could have. Hopefully, the experience will forge new friendships that survive four game losing streaks, in hostile arenas, in the middle of Winter.

"In the meantime, D’Antoni is urging his players to get out of the hotel and soak up the city’s history and culture. Gallinari is also hosting a dinner for the players at an upscale restaurant frequented by soccer players and models."

“That shows the maturity of a group, when they can have fun, enjoy it and yet get their work done,” D’Antoni said. “And that’s what we expect them to do.”