₦airaland Forum

doyin13:
@MILLCO

i don't think any of those drafts are as ridiculous as Dumars picking Milicic
above Carmelo Anthony, Chris Bosh, Dwayne Wade, David West.

Oh men I almost forgot about that! That was a uniquely boneheaded move . I think people don't get on him much about it becos he's won a championship recently.

chiogo:
And the Boston Celtics won!! Yay!! Lolz, y didn't I see this topic earlier??. Anywayz, am so happy 4 Celtics, I love my city! And _{Rajon Rondo}

LOL you are indeed late . But no worries, I held it down for beantown! World Champion Celtics!!! gosh that sounds good

SeanT21:
That is exactly what i am trying to say. I am pretty sure those players don't give a damn about winning the gold. They just want to overthrow each other on the court,get the paper and leave.

Well actually I meant the "good" kind of pride . Maybe not all of them as in it for the good of the country, but there's a couple of guys there I think have their hearts in the right place.

Can't believe you guys are on Sampras like that.       but its okay, I forgive you    

Perhaps Pete wasn't as versatile as some after him BUT whether or not the competition was comparable with whats out there today, fact is he still dominated his time. It's like trying to diminish Tigers' accomplishments by saying there isn't as much competition in golf hence his 14 majors titles.

doyin13:
@Jesoul

I want Federer to win it all. I want him to break that Sampras record as quickly as possible

I have always felt Sampras's game was too one dimensional to deserve such a record.

When Federer gets to 15 grand slams, it can be anybody's turn then.

I don't see anything stopping Roger from surpassing Sampras' record. Its impressive what's he accomplished, 12 titles in 6 years!   and he still has at least 5 more years of quality tennis to play. I think he'll eventually become the greatest of all time.
We're in for a repeat of last years final: Up Roger! down capris! 

#1- Coming to America!!!! I can repeat every line in this movie word for word

#2- Sister Act 1&2!!!! sing with me: joyful joyful Lord we adore thee, God of Glory . . .
then:

Rush Hour
The Mummy
The Matrix
The Bourne Identity
The fugitive/US Marshalls
Bringing down the house

by the way Safin is through. . . now that will be a good match to watch, Federer vs. Safin - I hope he brings his A-game against Fedex. . . _{but Fedex will still win anyways}

Hannibal:
Andy Murray should just win one set. . . .
Nadal is really shoving him around. . . .It's embarrassing.

hehe, win one set? that might be waaay too much to ask at the rate this match is going

This na the same Murray wey talk few days ago he could win the championship, maybe he should start with baby steps and win a set first against the big boys

iice:
[color=#9900ff]Yeah i know. I hope i get to watch the match of Serena and Zheng.[/color]

I don't suspect she should be too much trouble for Serena.

Federer sends Ancic packing without even breaking a sweat. this is too easy for him, he needs Nadal in the final to challenge him  . . . but first, Nadal/Murray

doyin13:
Kwame Brown could have been something. . . .Its a shame he paid
more attention to his local hamburger joint than to his jumphook.

Both he and Olowokandi are fighting for the title of biggest #1 pick bust of all-time. . . but Kwame is def winning!

I was watching the game on tv when he was booed everytime he touched the ball by his home crowd in LA last season. . . I felt bad for him, but it is his fault.

folahann:
@JeSoul

I'll agree with you a bit that it's not unique to Nigerian soccer

Take a look at part of the post
Nigeria is a country who is getting more pride from female football much more than men's football (i hope y'all agree with me to that)

They didn't travel with any fans group at all; that's sick

now that I agree with you and that is not good at all. At least show some gratitude and pride in what they've accomplished especially when they've been doing better than their male counterparts.

Forget the fact that it's their country; Nigeria won't have that much association behind our girls if they were playing in Naija.

If that be the case then that's just plain sad.

Apart from Under-17 boys (who use false ages) when was the last time the men won a major for Nigeria ^{they even failed to qualify for the last world cup & olympics}

Me sef I cannot remember when last

[quote author=A-40 link=topic=128608.msg2447020#msg2447020 date=1214939495]Haa this is getting interesting

@Jesoul
It will be embarassing,2004,2006 if USA don't win this then its official that they don't rule basketball no more[/quote]indeed it will be. . . especially after all this team talk and "time to reclaim" basketball etc. . . they will just return silently at night in shame.
Btw did u hear MarK Cuban a while ago saying the nobody cares about the olympics and that the players do it for the money? I would like to think they do it for pride.

millco88:
With all due respect to Kwame, he isn't worth a fine air on Beasley's ass.

Kwame was straight from high school. No one had seen him play against guys his own size and skill level, he didnt do very well. He was drafted on height alone and potential.

Beasley on the other hand has played a year in college and he had one of the best freshman seasons in recent memory. He was easily the best player in a much higher level of competition, can flat out score and rebound, something Kwame does neither of.

Beasley is more of a sure thing b/c he played and dominated in college. Kwame came straight out of HS. Nobody is really a sure thing, but he has a much much better chance than Kwame. Come on.

yeah I do agree Beasely has a better chance of becoming something. I just like to wait and see what happens.

yeah I know, it would be great if they could garner enough to competitively compete against each other but I guess its just too emotional. . . I would prob be the same if I were playing my sister or sibling

The problem is not unique to Nigerian soccer. . . it is the same in every sport and in every country where they have both male n female teams. It is just a fact of life, mens sports are more financed, watched, supported than womens sports. Infact the womens soccer league here WUSA, folded a couple years ago as they had no finance or support.

iice:
[color=#9900ff]LOL i hope they put on the good show this time.
I do think Venus is in poor form though. [/color]

If there's anything we know about Venus is that she gets better with each stage of the competition and she does not need to be in "top form" to pull off a win - remember her last title at wimbledon? no one saw that coming.

[quote author=A-40 link=topic=47073.msg2446799#msg2446799 date=1214936235]These cats just can't stand seeing our sisters dominate their Sport.Wimbledon have always been for the Williams i would be suprised if they didnt win it its in their DNA[/quote]

davidylan:
lol Men's tennis (Wimbledon especially) has been all Federer since 2002, i can't remember anyone of them wishing someone beat him earlier "for the good of the spectacle".

Abi oh! Don't mind them jare. They're all worshipping at the throne of Federer who's dominated tennis for a while now but yet they want to get upset at the prospects of an all-williams final which hasn't happened in a while. And who by the way wants to watch another of the boring "ovas or evas" bore us to death with their unattractive style of play?
and the funny thing is speaking of "for the good of the sport", the Williams probably draw the most attention/viewership to the womens game right now, I'm willing to bet the ratings are significantly better with them in the finals than any other bore out there.


Those tennis people can be so snotty and "elitist" and condescending. A-40 you're right they're probably upset the Williams are ruling their sacred sport, with little effort at that. Imagine what they coulda done if they'd not be sidelined with injury so much.
I bet part of their dislike might stem from Richard Williams who's been very open that he hates white people, saying once n i paraphrase "the white man never did anything good for me, all my life he hated me, and I hate him too!"

doyin13:
Una go fear fear. . . .

My pick for the Olympic title is Angola.

LOL. . . Angola for where? they will win when I am the queen of England.

[quote author=A-40 link=topic=128608.msg2446836#msg2446836 date=1214936718]Well there is only way to find out Mademoiselle and thats when the competition proper starts[/quote]sure thing Monsieur! I don't think they'll be able to hold their heads up if they return with anything less than gold.

davidylan:
the "pundits" like simon Reed arent saying amen to that.

they're cloaking their dislike for them by saying "it's for the good of the spectacle" - whateveh. I hope that is even more motivation for the williams. Barring injuries and "other intrests" they woulda solely dominated womens tennis the last decade n more.

[quote author=A-40 link=topic=128608.msg2446428#msg2446428 date=1214932308]@Jesoul
Hmm this is not Atlanta 96 or Barcelona 92 most teams have woken up and those European guys are good too i watch Euro league basketball and i know what i am talking about besides most of those Europeans are in the Nba so the gap is pretty close as we saw in the last Olympics and World Championships.USA is still favorite but they don't have to be complacent[/quote]Well you're right about the gap being much closer than the dream yrs. I know def the competition will be stiffer than yrs past but what I don't think is that egos will flare and get in the way. I think the leadership has succeeded in instilling the team-play, for the greater good concept in them.

davidylan:
One game at a time sis, they've still got Radwanska, Dementieva and Zheng/Vaidisova.

none of those girls scare me. It's going to be an all-Williams final - everyone say Amen! 

The journey ends tomorrow at the hands of the King, Nadal.

which kin king? I don't like capris  , so I don't mind if Murray pulls off an upset for the ages. All the brits are salivating at such a prospect. But its looking more n more like another nadal-federer final.

millco88:
Not quite. A Wade-Marion-Beasley tandem is quite formidable. [/b]Only few teams in league possess a trio of that caliber. But again, this is all pending a 100% Wade. He may have to refine his game a little bit.

the same Bease that is yet to play 1 second in the nba? Let us see him play first, then we can confidently say he's a team-changer.
Remember how over-hyped, espn-documentary specialed, drafted-by-MJ Kwame brown was? n he was supposed to be the great center the league had seen in years?
Until these rookies play and prove themselves, I don't buy into them at all.

But, overall I think the Heat need to stay patient. If they don't feel any of those players from my list will make this team a championship level team, don't go out and spend the money on them. [b]The main goal, or at least in Rileys mind is the 2010 FA class.

lol, if he sticks around long enough that is .

Miami probably has less of a chance as NJ n Clev to scoop up Lebron. Getting Bosh is not too far-fetched a dream BUT I don't think Toronto will be stupid enuff to allow him to relocate without a money fight.

[quote author=A-40 link=topic=143923.msg2446526#msg2446526 date=1214933338]And who told you Paul Allen will fold his arms and watch you guys buy the best players?[/quote]abi o! that's the thing. Many other (better) teams will be vying for these guys as well, it is a long way from being a slamdunk.

Hurray Venus for President! I mean Champion! The only thing standing in the way of another trophy for Venus or Serena - are each other.

davidylan:
Murray has put sand in my mouth . . . comes from 2 sets down to beat Gasquet! How did he do it?

Impressive victory. Look at the way one match has turned him from a brat into the savior of british tennis - again . . . hmm he better produce n not go the Henman route.

[quote author=A_K_O link=topic=146941.msg2442532#msg2442532 date=1214857169][center]B A S E D O N A T R You E S T O R Y[/center]
The following is not intended to poke fun but to expose reality and provoke thought.

This conversation took place in an office. Sister Mercy attends one of the big churches in Abuja, its name was witheld by the person that first told me the joke.

Sister Mercy: Ahmed good morning, how body now?
Ahmed: I dey, this yeye AC just dey cold me. . . shey nothing?
Sister Mercy: Ehn I just want ask you one small sometin. . . .you know, for our church we dey donate money for the victims of the pipe explosion in Lagos, so I just want give u this envelope, anything wey u fit ,
(cuts in)Ahmed: Ahn ahn you people, shey the one wey they dey collect for church no dey do you?, you wan to dey collect offering outside church again. . .
Sister Mercy: No haba now, I told you its for the victims.
Ahmed: So how much you don collect already
Sister Mercy: Ahn ahn that one no concern you, your own na just to contribute.
Ahmed: contribute ko, contribute ni, how much I fit give wey go solve another man's problem?
Sister Mercy: Nothing is too small for the Lord, besides, God looks at the heart not the amount. You know the bible says give and it will come back to,
Ahmed: I hear you; I hear you but my own be say, no be my N500 wey go solve their problem. In fact you people for that your church just dey disturb yourelfs. If I dey part of una, I go just tell d Pastor say make he sell one or two of His suits; that one fit solve their problem. . . .



Abi na lie?[/quote]Abeg no be lie jare! and if they decided to sell even just one of their cars, that one go fit feed a whole village for weeks! 

You know I don't think so.

I think this set of guys have had it beat into their brains that this will be a team effort. Coach K is also someone that is highly respected and they WILL listen to him - that makes a big difference. Besides, most of the fellas on the roster are okay guys character-wise - Bosh, Howard, Paul, those are good guys, their teammates love and speak well of them.

[quote author=A-40 link=topic=143923.msg2442277#msg2442277 date=1214854405]@Je-soul
I almost can't wait for the league to start again that is when D'Antoni would realise his mistake he would need more than Tylenol probably seom Prozac [/quote]LOL I guess he's more intrested in the dollars than his health

You wouldnt make a bad GM lol.

I know oh! thank you jare. Now all that's left is for us to convince one of the NBA teams of this fact . . .

I can't wait to see where Lebron will go i am sick of seeing that talented dude on a whack team

Lol, don't let SeanT hear you oh!

The jury is out on Carter to me he has always been an over rated NBA star no grit all he's got is a dunk and a few jump shots

overhyped and underacheived is what he is to me. Plus add to his list of shortcomings: he's a mama's boy too . . . I cannot stand mama's boys

millco88:
From the minute the Heat traded Shaq, Pat Riley and many of our fans started obsessing about how to land our next 20/10 post presence to complement Wade and make us champs again. Most experts and fans are of the opinion that the heat now have that 20/10 PF in the form of Michael Beasley -- and we have to assume Riley & Co believe so as well or else they wouldn't have taken him.

Now that Wade/Beasley are in place and should be fixtures for years to come, our focus MUST shift from the Boozer/Brand obsession of the past few months to giving Wade/Beasley exactly what they need to become champions. So what do we do? Who is this magical, signable player in 2009 who can come in and have such an impact . . .and who doesn't already play SG or PF where we are all set?

What we've all been missing (Riley too) is that probably a third (or even half) of the restricted guys on the market THIS offseason will just end up signing one-year tenders, and be UNRESTRICTED in 12 months. All are young/improving and fit with Wade/Beasley better than the older Boozer and Brand would. The list:

Restricted This Year - Maybe a Third/Half of Them UNRESTRICTED Next Year
- Josh Smith , taller, younger Marion --- absolutely ideal fit offensively and defensively
- Emeka Okafor , much needed defensive presence at center and under basket
- Andre Iguodala , awesome at SF next to Wade/Beasley
- Monta Ellis , ridiculous backcourt combo with Wade, can play 12 years with Beasley
- Andris Biedrins , top young center, hard to find, leaves money for another FA too
- Luol Deng , see Iguadola
- Ben Gordon , wouldn't fit as well as other guys, but deadly shooter and solid defender
- Jose Calderon , sets up Wade and Beasley for years like no one's business
- Louis Williams , cheaper than other guys, allowing us to sign two FAs
- Josh Childress , same as Lou Williams

Add that to unrestricted's next year who would fit for shorter term
- Baron Davis
- Lamar Odom
- Ron Artest (plus someone else)
- Allen Iverson
- Corey Maggette (could be FA next yr, we'll see)
- Andre Miller (plus someone else)
- Rasheed Wallace (plus someone else)
- Jason Kidd (bleh)

Plus some restricted's next year who are probably attainable with nice offer
- Marvin Williams
- Ray Felton
- Other dudes who would also leave us with money for someone else


Possible "Big 3s" Until Wade Retires
- Wade/Josh Smith/Beasley
- Wade/Beasely/Okafor
- Wade/Iguadola/Beasley
- Wade/Deng/Beasley

Possible "Big 3's" for Shortterm Title Runs
- Iverson/Wade/Beasley
- B Davis/Wade/Beasley
- Wade/Odom/Beasley
- Wade/Maron/Beasley , duh
- or a psychotic Big 4 of Wade/Artest/Beasley/RWallace

By rule, whatever restricted guys don't sign multi-year deals this year will be unrestricted free agents next year.

I listed I think 10 impact guys who are in that position this year, and it wouldn't be surprising to see a couple of them not being able to come to terms with their cheap-ass teams, thus being unrestricted when we have max cap space in 12 months.

I'd like to have Bosh in 2010 too. But if I'm sitting there in 2009 with max cap space and someone like Josh Smith is there for the taking, then I call him at the stroke of midnight and he wants to come to Miami and take what we have to offer, why should I pass on that 100% commitment from him to wait another year for like a 10% chance at Bosh? That would be a big mistake, IMO.

That's like when we had cap space for Brand/Odom in 2003, should we have said "No, let's just wait. We'll have even more cap space next year when Kobe Bryant's a free agent, so let's wait and roll the dice on him." Of course not. If Brand or Odom says they'll sign with you RIGHT NOW, you take that 100% commitment rather than wait another year for a 10% chance at Kobe. That's exacty what Riley did in 2003 fortunately, and will do again if presented the same decision in 2009.

As far as Riley saying "we need to protect our backside for 2010" , it's pretty obvious to me that means we're not going to take any more Banks-like contracts that will tie up the cap that summer JUST IN CASE WADE LEAVES and we need to use his resulting space to rebuild. In other words, don't take on any bad contracts and *assume* you'll just go over the cap to re-sign Wade in 2010 , You need to protect your backside in case he leaves, and if he does you need to have that $15 mill available to get someone else. Which you would have regardless of whether you got a big FA in 2009.

The phrase "protecting your backside in 2010" doesn't mean we're going to sit out free agency for the next two years. It just means if Wade decides to leave, we need to make sure we are $15 mill under the cap to replace him, which again we would be even if we maxed out someone in 2009. We'd have Beasley+2009max guy + a few scrubs, leaving plenty of space to replace Wade if he left.

I don't know, I guess we'll see how things play out. If Riley had no interest in a 2009 free agent, this thread wouldn't exist in the first place. The point of it was to look at other possible 2009 free agents beside Brand/Boozer, who Riley is rumored to be very interested in. If he had no interest in anyone until 2010, Brand and Bozer wouldn't even be in the equation to begin with.

THE FUTURE IS NOW

which kin long 'tori be this now? Do you work for the heat with this kind of prediction/analysis you've noveled here? I only have so much time in one day you know

Anyways if what you were trying to say is that the addition of a good free agent will lead to a dynasty in Miami, then you can say that for pretty much 1/3rd of the teams in the NBA. I don't think Wade will last too long, he's just not a durable player.

[quote author=A-40 link=topic=143923.msg2433436#msg2433436 date=1214671921]@Jesoul
D'Antoni i just hope he would be able to handle that pressure the guy seems a pretty low key dude and you know New York now? everyone and their grandma has an opinion on the Knicks[/quote]Just give him a few months, hehe, me I don't think he has the _____ to last in Zoo york. His only chance is to go sentimental and "win" the hearts of the fans so that they show him so mercy on the tabloids or else. . . he'll need ta keep the Tylenol bottle real close

[quote author=A-40 link=topic=143923.msg2433457#msg2433457 date=1214672330]I forgot to add the Vince Carter has been a disaster so far i think their chance of greatness has long passed them by they might not make it to the playoffs next season either and now they let go of Jefferson their GM should be fired[/quote]Yup Carter's time has come and gone with the wind. I don't see NJ being significant anytime soon. I'm not sure why they traded bonafide all-star Jefferson for an untested, unproven, who-knows-if-he'll-be-a-good-player Yi? Its times like this I think I could be a real good GM. . .

but you know what, I'm suspecting they're getting rid of contracts to open room for them to make a mega-freeagent deal - like perhaps Lebron in '10?

doyin13:
@A-40

my comparison might have been a tad facetious but I still maintain Marion's game isn't worth the
huge contract he has and his move to the Heat at the tail end of last season proved it.

He is athletic yes, defensively dynamic but he is no better than a good third option on a team.

I am yet to be convinced he can really create his own shots off the dribble.

A spot up shooter earning 19 mil per. . . . . . .Gimme a break jo

Hit the nail on the head!

So Millico when you say

millco88:
That Marion for Odom & Farmer deal is tempting.

a big mistake! switch Odom for another 2-3rd tier player to continue to live under the shadows of kobe?
What La needs is a bonafide & proven superstar that can hold his own. . . _{and will not succumb to bullying from kobe}

The heat are in my shit list because of Riley. What an opportunist.
He kicked Van Gundy out so he could take all the glory. Somebody say S-n-a-k-e

And can someone please tell me why Shawn Marion has such a huge contract.
All that money for a defensive stopper. I don't see James Posey getting anywhere
near what he gets. Nba is the league democracy forgot.

About the Nets. . . . . . .After all these moves, if they don't get Lebron in '10
ol boy, the owners will sure love to get rid of the team. Good young talent
though. oh yes, bloody Vince Carter who has morphed into a jumpshooter
should get shifted. To the Celtics hopefully.

Lol. . . You no well! Even if Ainge was having his worst, stupidest day he would not permit such an abomination to happen!

I think Posey is in for a nice contract after his play these past playoffs. He's proven his worth at just the right time. . . and speaking of overpaid players, that would include 75% of the knicks roster.

doyin13:
I see you are putting a spin on Stoudemire's move to power forward.
Its well known around the league Amare was lazy especially on the glass and
he hated to mix it with Tim Duncan.

Nothing worse than a lazy player my dear.

Spin ke? I live in the no-spin zone . Perhaps Amare has his shortcomings, I will still pick him over Yao to play center, 24-7,365, and I know YOU would too!

SeanT21:
okay, some love yao and some don't.

Lets talk about the olympics. I think the US can win if the players stop being too self-indulgent and play as a team.

Lebron James is the only person that is not selfish on the rooster.

If they play together, we can bring back the gold.

ah ah how you fit say that?
Jason Kidd, Chris Paul, Michael Redd, Dwyane Wade, Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh, Tayshaun Prince, Dwight Howard

I have not known any of the above fellas to possess the undesirable trait of selfishness. I'm not well acquianted with the make-up of the other intl' teams so I can't say how well usa matches up. Lets see after a game or two during the games. But it does seem like they're stressing team play- which is what wins. We'll see.

doyin13:
Stoudemire is such a great centre, Steve kerr had to go find a crumbling Shaq
so he could be moved to power forward. Even Amare knows he aint no centre.

Stevie made a reflex desperation move in response to LA scooping up Gasol. He shoulda left Amare squarely in the middle, he did very well in there and I'd still pick fury over softie

As for Chandler- -- - --na so so alley oop we go chop. averaging no greater than 10 points per
game isn't going to hack it babe.

na alley oop oh! Before the defense even has the time to set, before they know wetin happen Paul has already lobbed to Tyson and netted 2 pts and its back down the floor. Why else did they drive in at #2 in the west?

I did admit there is greater upside to Howards game, but right now, the NBA is MING-ING

Indeed it is! Stern drools over him along with Bill Walton all the time, but I no think say I go join that parade, I like my basketball aggresive and relentless and most of all furious!

millco88:
You have a superstar, another potential superstar, the perfect PG to complement Wade and a top 25 player in Marion. If we add a MLE center a la Diop, we can compete w/ the Big 3.

And I didn't even mention Haslem.

"potential" is the key word in there brotha and "If"
  Marion is a more than solid player, versatile I give you that
And I'm factoring in injury-prone Wade, who by the way will not be getting any rest this summer, showing up for the new season already partially spent, does not bode well for the heat.

[quote author=A-40 link=topic=143923.msg2430784#msg2430784 date=1214593801]I heard the Bulls picked Rose the Heat went for Beasley and OJ Mayo was drafted to Minnesota i hope that dude can focus on his basketball lol[/quote]I'm feeling MIN will make some noise next yr with all this young talent. I don't know about playoff chances though, west is dog eat dog right now.

@Jesoul
The Knicks need a trade like Zach Randolph needs a gastric bypass i look at that roster and its nothing to write home about D'antoni should have gone to the Bulls but i guess the Dollar bills where impairing his vison

Lol . . . ooh thats cold brotha, just cold, lol.  See him last night at the draft? looks like he's already putting on some extras. Not to worry, he'll lose it real quick as soon as the season and pressure starts - no be NY? he will taste it.

@gabe_logan
Crawford is decent so is Randolph thats when he is not shooting bricks Richardson left his best days behind at Phoenix and if you compare the material D'Antoni had at the Suns to what you Knickerbockers have then you wont be so optimistic maybe yall can make 35 wins and in the east you never know it might be enough to land you on 8th spot but with teams like Milwaukee,NJ and Atl around the chances are very slim

Speaking of NJ I was suprised to see them trade off Richard Jefferson.    the player they need to rid themselves of is Vince Carter. He has done absolutely nuthin for them since arriving. Not that long ago NJ was a force in the east with JKidd and Jefferson.