You know how players have a salary cap? It's for competitive balance and all that, I suppose -- so rich, big market teams don't get too far ahead of relatively poor, small market teams. But if it's about competitive balance, TrueHoop reader Dustin wants to know, why can coaches be paid an infinite amount?
Trainer Dan Barto with a Joe Johnson anecdote: "The story goes that after two tremendous seasons at Arkansas JJ entered the Celtic organization with high hopes of learning and using his southern upbringing to stay humble. The bottom line is Joe Johnson's 48 games in Boston were long and scarring. Paul Pierce and Antoine Walker were hitting there stride and Boston was on the rise. Selecting a player with the 10th pick that played the same position as they did created a three man squeeze for playing time. Pierce a product of Inglewood, CA and Walker a product of Chicagoland played and practice with the only way you get out of those areas, attitude, aggressiveness and pride. Many practice hours and plane rides; Joe Johnson was the recipient of their wrath. Just like Michael Jordan was known for making practice and travel more competitive than the games, Walker and Pierce were storied to do the same. After being shipped to Phoenix before the trading deadline, Johnson moved on and Walker and Pierce lead the Celtics back to the Eastern Conference leader board. Pierce's and Walker's greatness can not be questioned and their tactics happen in every NBA franchise, however it seems now that someone with the size, speed, mindset and understanding of the game may have kept a diary of those days. Young and impressionable men always are looking for mentors and role models, though Pierce and Walker may not have known what they were doing at the time they may have created a monster."
Dave D'Alessandro of the Newark Star-Ledger: "Everyone assumes that experience is the most important ingredient to postseason success, but history is replete with examples of young legs prevailing against the old guard. Last year, it was the Chicago kids sweeping Shaq, and LeBron demolishing the Pistons. This year, it's Tony Parker vs. Steve Nash, and Paul vs. Kidd. Sometimes it's so one-sided you want to avert your eyes. Is it something to celebrate? Sure, if you happen to cheer for the victors. But if you watch just to root against Kidd -- and there are a few million inhabitants of this particular NBA precinct that have no trouble admitting to such jaundiced motives -- then the past 6 1/2 years didn't really mean much. The Germans have a word for it: schadenfreude. That smug pleasure one receives from someone else's misfortune. It's a waste of time. When Kidd's name comes up, the first association should be how he turned the most wretched franchise in professional sports into one that mattered -- for a while, anyway."
In the TrueHoop Stat Geek Smackdown, the new guy, Stephen Ilardi, is leading, having called both completed series correctly. He also, however, called for Utah to sweep Houston, which will hurt him.
Basketbawful: "It sure seemed like everybody and their brother wanted to label 'Melo's 'We quit' rant as a lack of maturity on his part, while Kobe's decimation of his teammates and Lakers management over he summer was just 'shaken' trees.' Oh, and of course Larry Bird's denunciation of his teammates as 'sissie'" and 'a bunch of women' during the 1984 NBA Finals is the stuff of legend. It's yet another case of the winning double-standard. If you are winning or have won in the past, you get a free pass to blast teammates or roast your team. But if you don't win ... if you can't even get out of the first round ... well, then, you're an immature malcontent who needs to shut his mouth."
Totally bitter, and very much PG-13 for language, send-off of the Nuggets from Straight Bangin': "These Nuggets were a disgrace to the sport. They didn't run an offense. They didn't play defense. They were stupid. They took cheap fouls. They committed every common, moronic mistake possible. And they were coached by a retread who has no business being a coach any more. Denver was offensive, playing a selfish and thoughtless style of basketball that made me viscerally upset as I watched it. I cannot properly express how poetic it is that such a vainglorious group of players has lost in such ignominious fashion. This was wonderful and well-deserved. Good riddance to such an affront."
Ken Berger of Newsday doesn't think Kevin Garnett will be suspended for putting his elbow in the chest of referee Eddie F. Rush: "After being separated from Pachulia, he tried to go after him again -- running his mouth the whole time. At this point -- and this is important -- Rush grabbed Garnett to keep him out of the fray. The way I see the video, Garnett didn't shove or elbow Rush. Instead, he pulled away demonstratively in an effort to break free of Rush's grasp. This should cost Garnett a fine, but not a suspension. Knowing how Stern views such things, I believe he will agree. "
Eddie Sefko of the Dallas Morning News: "Does Avery feel his job is in jeopardy? 'Um, I would hope not,'' he said. 'I love what I'm doing and I love the team. Right now I'm just focusing on trying to get this team to play as best we can and then whatever happens tomorrow, then we'll have to manage that part of it.'"
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