| 14 December 2010
1) The New York Knicks are 14-9 after only winning 29 game last season. Real or a mirage?
Rob: The Knicks are really better than last year. While no one is going to see them go deep into the playoffs, they are looking like a playoff team. No mirage there.
Don: It's no huge improvement to be better than the team they've had ... well, for the past couple of decades. But the Knicks have the basis of a pretty damn good team there. Imagine if they get Melo?
2) Does the New Orleans Hornets being bought by the NBA spell the end for them in New Orleans? What should the League do with the team?
Rob: In the plus column for NO, David Stern has as much respect for George Shinn as Kevin Garnett has for Charlie Villanueva. If the league can make the Bees successful in NO, Stern gets to make Shinn look bad and the commish has never had a problem with that. From a purely logical, financial point of view, the team is outta there ASAP. KC is where the smart money is going, but a little voice in my head keeps whispering "Vegas"...
Don: I like Stern as a Commish, I think he's done amazing things for the NBA... but I don't trust him as far as I could throw him. Thus, him saying "we'll work to keep the Hornets in New Orleans" has absolutely no cache with me. Want references? Ask Seattle.
Financially, the NBA stands to make a heap more money if the team's moved.
I think you'll see them move. Vegas... a second team in Chicago... there are quite a few cities that will pay the massive amounts required to get an NBA franchise.
3) Last week I asked for your surprise (for better or worse) team - this week, your surprise player.Rob: I'm pretty sure that I won't see this name from anyone else, so I'm going to put on my green-coloured glasses and say.... Shaq. The 18-4 Celtics (playing Charlotte as I'm writing) have become a better team this season and part of this is due to the Big Leprechaun. Most people outside of the fold, and a few inside it, thought that Shaq was going to be selfish, immature and tear the team apart. Instead, he has accepted his role, played the minutes, done his job, but maybe more importantly, has lightened things up a tiny bit and the team is responding.
Don: Surprising player... going with Ray Felton here. Leading the Knicks and lighting it up on a nightly basis. Who'd have thought he'd be one of the elite guards in the NBA this season?
4) Game of the week - pick the winner - Wed, Dec 15th - Boston @ New York?
Rob: Knicks aren't there yet. Celtics by 15.
Don: In the Garden (and there's only ONE 'Garden' now...): I think NYK are going to make a real game of it... but Boston prevail by 5 or less.
