The current top-five players in the NBA according to RealGM's FIC, Chris Paul, Dwight Howard, Dwyane Wade, LeBron James, and Chris Bosh, were all on Team USA's 2008 Gold Medal team. How does the rest of the NBA rank?
The Cavaliers are leading the NBA in points per 100 possessions after finishing 19th in the category last season, which is a big reason why they are 2nd in our new rankings.
Monta Ellis is still at least a full month away from his return to the court for the Warriors, but he recently called RealGM with the full story behind his ankle injury.
Just three installments remain in the series, with this chapter housing names like Michael Jordan, Kevin McHale, and Carmelo Anthony. It was incredibly hard to leave off a number of players, and I’m sure after reading you’ll see exactly whom I decided skip over this time around.
Born within six months of each other in opposite corners of the world, two seven footers who are finalists for the Basketball Hall of Fame this fall are two of the best ever to play the center position.
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by Andrew Perna
I went to Ms. Scoop’s high school reunion (I’ll leave the year-mark out) on Saturday night. My class didn’t have one, which is unfortunate, but it’s funny how people remain the same over so many years.
Donnie Walsh is reportedly hoping to endStephon Marbury’s reign in New York on Monday. The general manager will attempt to come to an agreement with the point guard on some sort of severance package. This needs to end as soon as possible.
The Magic will be without guardMickael Pietrus for three-to-five weeks because of a thumb injury. Orlando was getting consistent production from the former Warrior, and his range will be sorely missed on offense. That means Dwight Howard will have to dominate even more, like he did against Indiana on Saturday night,
Jermaine O’Neal is struggling with knee and ankle injuries, something that should scare fans north of the border. I know Toronto is desperate to climb well above .500, but they might be better served allowing O’Neal to sit for a few weeks than force him back onto the court.
Jamal Crawford returned to New York for the first time on Saturday night in a Golden State loss. The crowd at Madison Square Garden gave him a standing ovation and the Knicks played a video tribute to the guard. Crawford played well, posting 21 points, 10 rebounds and 5 assists.
Andrew Bynum is playing through the pain of a bone spur in Los Angeles, and has remained fairly effective. There were definitely doubts about whether or not he would be as strong as he was last season before his knee injury. 12 points, 9 rebounds and 2.5 blocks per game has disproven that…
The Orioles have revisited talks with the Cubs regarding outfielder Felix Pie. Baltimore was interested in Pie last winter, and there are rumors that this deal could end up being a three-way that brings Jake Peavy to Chicago. That would make Mr. Piniella wrong.
Phil Hughes is focused on the 2009 season, but isn’t assured a slot in the Yankees’ rotation at this point. If New York signs three free agents that might push Hughes out, but ultimately, I believe that he’ll be in the top-five. He’s still young, so hopefully patience will prevail.
Blue Jays general manager J.P. Riccardi says that trading Roy Halladay makes no sense, which I tend to agree with. There were slight rumors that Toronto might shop Doc, which would be idiotic. He’s one of the best pitchers in all of baseball, and the Jays are already likely to lose A.J. Burnett.
Plaxico Burress may have played his final game with the Giants after a nightclub incident on Friday night that was highlighted by the receiver shooting himself in the leg. Plax was already out for Sunday’s game with a hamstring injury, but it could be his off-field issues that keep him off the field from here on out. Pain and simple, they don’t need him. Amani Toomer is rejuvenated (did you see that basket catch on a perfectly thrown ball by Eli?) and Dominek Hixon has yet to show just how good he is.
Linebacker Antonio Pierce was questioned by authorities regarding the shooting of Burress on Saturday. There have been numerous reports of Pierce’s involvement, but he was definitely with Plaxico out on the town in New York City. If he tried to help hide the weapon, which is one of the whispers I’ve heard, he could find himself in trouble as well.
Romeo Crennel reportedly needs to finish the season on a hot steak to keep his job in Cleveland. He’ll have to do so with Ken Dorsey, and not Brady Quinn (finger) or Derek Anderson (MCL) under center. The Browns looked good against the Colts on Sunday, but their schedule (Titans, Eagles and Steelers) is a tough one.
