Bookings
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Boston [-5.5] over PORTLAND
Boston can’t lose four in a row, can they? We can’t lose four in a row, can we? Don’t answer that.
[Current Record: 49-60-1 (45%) | Streak: 3 Losses | Mood: Wine Gums | Food: Wine Gums]
Comments (5)Buh, Buh, Book It!
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MIAMI [-2] over Philadelphia
What do we have to lose?
[Current Record: 49-59-1 (45%) | Streak: 2 Losses | Mood: Stirring | Food: Grilled Cheese]
Comments (7)Fri. Books
Making you money so you can redo the drywall …
Toronto [-5.5] over NEW YORK
[Current Record: 49-58-1 (46%) | Streak: 1 Loss | Mood: Swift | Food: Bread roll]
Comments (8)Ep. 262: Was This Trade Worth It?
The Basketball Jones — The Fix — Episode 262 (.mp3)
On today’s show, Skeets and I discuss the three team trade between Cleveland, Chicago and Seattle: Does this trade satisfy LeBron? Are Ben Wallace, Joe Smith, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West really an upgrade for the Cavs? Is Big Ben allowed to wear his headband? Did the Bulls take a step back? And much, much more.
We’ll pick our winners/losers of the trading season, hand out Wanker of the Week, and open the mailbag.
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(If it’s snowy where you live, wear black, you’ll stand out. If it isn’t snowy, brag about it.)
Photo: via Men.Style.Com
Comments (19)Book It!
Making you money so you can stock up on Jim Beam …
Miami [+10.5] over HOUSTON
[Current Record: 49-57-1 (46%) | Streak: 1 Win | Mood: Long | Food: Cashews]
Comments (5)Ep. 261: The Solar Eclipse
The Basketball Jones — The Fix — Episode 261 (.mp3)
On today’s show, Skeets and I discuss Shaquille O’Neal’s debut with the Suns: Why does Kobe have to be such a party pooper? Is Shaq making people eat their words? Isn’t it destiny these teams meet in the playoffs? We gear up for the trade deadline, discuss the outdoor game scheduled for the pre-season, and much, much more.
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(We don’t do exchanges. But, you can complain about it.)
Update: I didn’t see ESPN’s headline until after I put up this post.
Comments (23)Book Time Everybody!
Making you money so you can buy Skeets a shirt …
PHILADELPHIA [-6.5] over NY Knicks
[Current Record: 48-57-1 (46%) | Streak: 1 Loss | Mood: Sharp | Food: Bounty Chocolate Bar]
Comments (5)Just Another Take On The Shaquille O’Neal Trade
Shaq on the Suns, huh? It still seems so odd. I’m not sure how we’ll look back at this season and all its big trades, but is this a Hall of Famer being traded for what he’s done in the past, or will he be that missing link Phoenix needs?
The Suns have been very, very close the last few seasons. A basket here, some common sense by David Stern there, and we’d be talking about this run and gun Suns team as the one that finally won it all with no D. Trading for Shaq does not change the way we should look at this team. Just because one guy runs slower than the rest, it doesn’t make their style any slower. There is no 5 man fast break.
We all know the game slows down in the post season; defenses tighten up, fast break points decrease. Phoenix had a plodder starting for them in the playoffs last season. Similar to Shaq, Kurt Thomas was in the lineup to take up space, keep Amare Stoudemire out of foul trouble, defend and rebound. Shaq is there for all those reasons, and to add a little more offence. This team was still flying up the floor with Thomas and will continue to do so with Shaq. That’s if he can stay on that floor.
Shaq was brought in to do what he did against the Suns on November 9, 2007. He was a beast that night. He beat up Stoudemire so much that Amare got irritated and was tossed for arguing a call. I’m not sure how much Phoenix was swayed by Shaq’s 25 point, 10 rebound, 3 block performance, but it had to have left a mark on GM Steve Kerr. He’s not the only one (bottom) thinking Shaq has plenty left. I, myself, came away from that game totally convinced that The Big Diesel was back. As he makes this new pit stop, can we really doubt him if he is injury free?
As for right now, Shaq looks good in practice. He may be allowing the cameras to only turn on for the play or two he looks like the old Shaq, but either way, he seems pretty healthy. And this Suns medical staff knows injuries. From Amare’s knee, to Steve Nash’s back, to Grant Hill’s body, these guys have seen some ugly things. You have to assume if they give Shaq a good bill of health, they know something we don’t.
And, so does team management. Only one team gets to the top of the pile. It’s never been a question of talent in Phoenix but there has been something missing from their formula. When several talented teams are pulling for the same thing, there has to be an extra jolt of desire and swagger to get to that peak. Enter The Big Aristotle. Shaq might not make the difference on the court with his shooting or passing, but his teammates will play knowing they have a 4-time title winner riding with them. Shaq’s arrival may simply coincide with the ball finally bouncing Phoenix’s way in the playoffs, but sometimes you have to be good, or at least think you’re good, to be lucky.
Comments (5)Ep. 260: Can’t Dunk This
The Basketball Jones — The Fix — Episode 260 (.mp3)
On today’s show, Skeets and I return to discuss this weekend’s All-Star Slam Dunk competition: Did Dwight Howard actually dunk the ball? Did he mean to throw it home? Is the dunk contest back? Did it ever leave? We go 1-on-1, hear an idea about re-jigging the playoff format, and much, much more.
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(Like shopping? Me neither. This will be quick. Then, tell everyone how good you look.)
Comments (19)Back To Da Books
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PORTLAND [-4.5] over Sacramento
[Current Record: 48-56-1 (46%) | Streak: 1 Win | Mood: Hungry | Food: Edible Flowers]
Comments (8)About
The Basketball Jones is a NBA blog and podcast, written and recorded five times a week by J.E. Skeets, Tas Melas and Jason Doyle. Comments, questions and cold hard cash are always welcome and much appreciated. Contact us.
Podcast
Latest Episodes
- Ep. 329: Finals, Game 6 – Wednesday, June 18th
- Ep. 328: Finals, Game 5 – Monday, June 16th
- Ep. 327: Finals, Game 4 – Friday, June 13th
- Ep. 326: Finals, Game 3 – Wednesday, June 11th
- Ep. 325: Finals, Game 2 – Monday, June 9th