2011 NBA Playoffs: Atlanta Hawks vs. Orlando Magic
Eric Engberg checks in with his preview of the Hawks/Magic match up in the first round of the 2011 NBA Playoffs.
Categories: Basketball, NBA, Sports Tags: 2011 NBA Playoffs, Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks, Basketball, Dwight Howard, Gilbert Arenas, J. J. Redick, Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams, NBA, Orlando Magic, Ryan Anderson
NBA Buzzer Beaters
The Pickle Barrel's Eric Engberg offers up some thoughts on the Bulls playoff chances, The Knicks and Carmelo Anthony, the Charlotte Bobcats, Kevin Love, and more.
Categories: Basketball, NBA, Sports Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Baron Davis, Basketball, Brandon Jennings, Carlos Boozer, Carmelo Anthony, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Dorrell Wright, Indiana Pacers, Joakim Noah, Joe Johnson, Kevin Love, Miami Heat, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, New York Knicks, Tyler Hansbrough
NBA: Turkoglu and Childress Going to Phoenix?
The Suns are on the verge of making a couple of deals to keep themselves competitive in the West. They are reportedly close to bringing Hedo Turkoglu and Josh Childress to Phoenix.
Categories: Basketball, NBA, Sports Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Basketball, Dwayne Jones, Hedo Turkoglu, Josh Childress, Leandro Barbosa, NBA, Phoenix Suns, Toronto Raptors
NBA: Joe Johnson Gets Max Offer From Atlanta
Joe Johnson received a max contract offer from the Atlanta Hawks Thursday. Is this the right move for the Hawks to make in light of Johnson's recent post season performance?
Categories: 2010 Free Agency, Basketball, NBA, Sports Tags: Atlanta Hawks, Basketball, Joe Johnson, NBA, NBA Free Agents
NBA: Breaking Down the First Round of the 2010 Draft
The 2010 NBA draft is in the books. Eric Engberg breaks down each of the 30 first round picks in last night's draft.
Categories: 2010 NBA Draft, Basketball, NBA, Sports Tags: 2010 NBA Draft, Al-Farouq Aminu, Atlanta Hawks, Avery Bradley, Basketball, Boston Celtics, Chicago Bulls, Cole Aldrich, Craig Brackins, Damion James, Daniel Orton, DeMarcus Cousins, Derrick Favors, Detroit Pistons, Dominique Jones, Ed Davis, Ekpe Udoh, Elliot Williams, Eric Bledsoe, Evan Turner, Golden State Warriors, Gordon Hayward, Greg Monroe, Greivis Vasquez, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, James Anderson, John Wall, Jordan Crawford, Kevin Seraphin, Larry Sanders, Lazar Hayward, Los Angeles Clippers, Luke Babbit, Memphis Grizzlies, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Patrick Patterson, Paul George, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, Quincy Pondexter, Sacramento Kings, San Antonio Spurs, Toronto Raptors, Trevor Booker, Utah Jazz, Washington Wizards, Wesley Johnson, Xavier Henry
2009 NBA Free Agency Preview
July 1 marks the beginning of free agency in the NBA. This year's market is not nearly as ballyhooed as next year's looks to be but there are still some guys out there who can help other teams. The Pickle is here to preview this year's free agent market.
Categories: Basketball, NBA, Sports Tags: Al Harrington, Allen Iverson, Anderson Varejao, Andre Miller, Atlanta Hawks, Basketball, Ben Gordon, Boston Celtics, Channing Frye, Charlie Villanueva, Charlotte Bobcats, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Dallas Mavericks, David Lee, Detroit Pistons, Eddy Curry, Free Agency, Glenn Davis, Golden State Warriors, Hedo Turkoglu, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Jamaal Tinsley, Jarrett Jack, Jason Kidd, Jerry Stackhouse, Josh Childress, Jrue Holiday, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Lakers, Marvin Williams, Mike Bibby, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Nate Robinson, NBA, New York Knicks, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Paul Milsap, Philadelphia 76ers, Portland Trail Blazers, Ramon Sessions, Rashad McCants, Rasheed Wallace, Raymond Felton, Ron Artest, Sacramento Kings, Shawn Marion, T. J. Ford, Toronto Raptors, Trevor Ariza, Utah Jazz
Breaking Down the 2009 NBA Draft
The 2009 NBA draft is in the books and the Pickle has the breakdown on how each team fared in the draft. Check out who the Pickle thinks got better and who could have done better.
Categories: 2009 NBA Draft, Basketball, NBA, Sports Tags: A. J. Price, Ahmad Nivins, Amare Stoudamire, Atlanta Hawks, Austin Daye, B. J. Mullens, Ben Gordon, Blake Griffin, Boston Celtics, Brandon Jennings, Charlotte Bobcats, Chase Budinger, Chauncy Billups, Chicago Bulls, Chinemelu Elonu, Chris Paul, Christian Eyenga, Cleveland Cavaliers, Courtney Lee, Dallas Mavericks, Danny Green, Dante Cunningham, Darren Collison, DeJuan Blair, DeJuan Summers, Demar DeRozan, Demarre Carroll, Denver Nuggets, Derrick Brown, Detroit Pistons, Earl Clark, Eddie House, Emir Preldzic, Eric Maynor, Gerald Henderson, Golden State Warriors, Goran Suton, Hasheem Thabeet, Henk Norel, Houston Rockets, Indiana Pacers, Jack McClinton, Jamal Crawford, James Harden, James Johnson, Jeff Green, Jeff Pendergraph, Jeff Teague, Jermaine Taylor, Jodie Meeks, Joe Johnson, Jonas Jerebko, Jonny Flynn, Jordan Hill, Jrue Holiday, Kevin Durant, Kevin Martin, Kirk Hinrich, Lester Hudson, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, Marcus Camby, Marcus Thornton, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Mike Bibby, Mike Miller, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Monta Ellis, Nando De Colo, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Nick Calathes, Oklahoma City Thunder, Omri Casspi, Patrick Beverley, Patrick Mills, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Randy Foye, Ricky Rubio, Robert Dozier, Rodrique Beaubois, Roy Hibbert, Russell Westbrook, Sacramento Kings, Sam Young, San Antonio Spurs, Sergio Llull, Sergiy Gladyr, Stephen Curry, Taj Gibson, Taylor Griffin, Tayshaun Prince, Terrence Williams, Tim Duncan, Toney Douglas, Toronto Raptors, Ty Lawson, Tyler Hansbrough, Tyreke Evans, Tyrus Thomas, Utah Jazz, Victor Claver, Washington Wizards, Wayne Ellington, Zach Randolph
Shaq on the Move Again; Crawford Going to the ATL?; Brand on the Block?
96xyuvm5ir Shaq is on the move again this time going to Cleveland. Jamal Crawford is rumored to be on the move again as well as trade talks heat up between the Hawks and Warriors. Danny Ainge continues to take shots at Rajon Rondo and Elton Brand and Tracy McGrady are said to be on the block. 96xyuvm5ir
Categories: Basketball, NBA, Sports Tags: Acie Law, Ainge takes shots at Rondo, Amare Stoudamire, Atlanta Hawks, Basketball, Ben Wallace, Boston Celtics, Charlotte Bobcats, Cleveland Cavaliers, Crawford going to Atlanta, D. J. Augustin, Danny Ainge, Dwight Howard, Elton Brand, Elton Brand on the trading block, Golden State Warriors, Houston Chronicle, Houston Rockets, Jamal Crawford, Joe Johnson, Kevin Garnett, Mike Bibby, NBA, Orlando Magic, Philadelphia Inquirer, Phoenix Suns, Rajon Rondo, Raymond Felton, Samuel Dalembert, Sasha Pavlovic, Shaq, Shaq traded to Cleveland, Shaquille O'Neal, Speedy Claxton, Steve Nash, Thaddeus Young, Tracy McGrady, Tracy McGrady on the trading block
NBA Draft Preview
The NBA draft is less than a week away and the Pickle is here to break it all down for you. Who is your favorite team looking at and where are your favorite players likely to end up? Read further to get the skinny on the upcoming NBA draft.
Categories: 2009 NBA Draft, Basketball, NBA, Sports Tags: 2009 NBA Draft, Acie Law, Andre Miller, Andrea Bargnani, Andres Nocioni, Atlanta Hawks, Austin Daye, B. J. Mullens, Basketball, Beno Udrih, Blake Griffin, Brandon Jennings, Brandon Roy, Brendan Haywood, Brook Lopez, Carlos Boozer, Charlie Villanueva, Charlotte Bobcats, Chase Budinger, Chicago Bulls, Chris Bosh, Chris Paul, Corey Brewer, DaJuan Summers, Dallas Mavericks, Darren Collison, David West, DeJuan Blair, Demar DeRozan, Demarre Carrol, Derrick Brown, Detroit Pistons, Devin Harris, Earl Clark, Emeka Okafor, Eric Maynor, Gerald Henderson, Gilbert Arenas, Golden State Warriors, Grant Hill, Hasheem Thabeet, Indiana Pacers, James Harden, James Johnson, Jason Kidd, Jason Thompson, Jeff Pendergraph, Jeff Teague, Jermaine O'Neal, Jerryd Bayless, Joakim Noah, Jonny Flynn, Jordan Hill, Josh Boone, Josh Heytvelt, Jrue Holliday, Kevin Durant, Kyle Lowry, Lamar Odom, Los Angeles Clippers, Lou Williams, Luke Ridinour, Marcus Thornton, Martell Webster, Memphis Grizzlies, Mike Bibby, Mike Conley, Milwaukee Bucks, Minnesota Timberwolves, Monta Ellis, NBA, NBA Draft, New Jersey Nets, New Orleans Hornets, New York Knicks, Nick Calathes, Oklahoma City Thunder, Omri Casspi, Patrick Mills, Philadelphia 76ers, Phoenix Suns, Portland Trail Blazers, Ramon Sessions, Randy Foye, Richard Hamilton, Ricky Rubio, Rodney Stuckey, Roy Hibbert, Russell Westbrook, Sacramento Kings, Sam Young, Sean Williams, Shaquille O'Neal, Shawn Marion, Spencer Hawes, Stephen Curry, Steve Nash, Taj Gibson, Tayshaun Prince, Terrence Williams, Toney Douglas, Toronto Raptors, Travis Outlaw, Trevor Ariza, Troy Murphy, Ty Lawson, Tyler Hansbrough, Tyreke Evans, Tyrus Thomas, Utah Jazz, Vince Carter, Washington Wizards, Wayne Ellington, Yi Jianlin
Is it Time to Abolish the NBA Age Limit?
As we head towards the NBA draft we are starting to hear the yearly chatter about how the NBA needs to abolish its age limit for entry into the draft. The main argument against the age limit is that guys like Kobe, LeBron, and Kevin Garnett did not need college ball to succeed at the NBA level. If these players have the talent to play in the NBA then we should let them. But, the problem being and a key argument for the age restriction, is that an overwhelming majority of these kids are not ready to play in the NBA straight out of high school.
Categories: 2009 NBA Draft, Basketball, College Basketball, NBA, Sports Tags: Abolish the age limit, Al Jefferson, Amare Stoudamire, Amir Johnson, Andray Blatche, Andrew Bynum, Atlanta Hawks, Basketball, Boston Celtics, C. J. Miles, Chris Paul, College Basketball, college players, Danny Granger, Deron Williams, Derrick Rose, Dwight Howard, Gerald Green, Golden State Warriors, high school players, J. R. Smith, Josh Smith, Los Angeles Lakers, Lou Williams, Martell Webster, Monta Ellis, NBA, NBA Draft, NCAA, O. J. Mayo, Portland Trail Blazers, Robert Swift, Sebastian Telfair, Shaun Livingston, Tracy McGrady
What the Pickle Learned from the 2009 NBA Playoffs
As the NBA Finals come to a close the Pickle has some thoughts of how the last six weeks of the season played out. First, and foremost, is that the Magic lost the championship moreso than the Lakers winning it. The Magic had ample opportunity to win the Finals only to blow it with an inability to hit free throws, bad turnovers, and an overall lack of ability when it came to closing out the Lakers in the second half.
The Pickle wishes the ESPN/ABC announcers would stop drooling over Kobe Bryant. It is simply annoying to hear announcers drone on about one player the entire game.
Either Dwight Howard is not as good as everyone thinks he is going to be or Patrick Ewing is simply stealing a pay check from the Magic. Ewing has been there for a couple of seasons and apparently the only thing he has taught Howard is a little running hook shot.
I have a sneaking suspicion that the Lakers are going to regret giving Andrew Bynum that big contract extension. He keeps getting hurt and boy did he fail to show up during the postseason.
Trevor Ariza is going to be in high demand this summer and some team will likely give him more money then they should thinking he is a budding star when he is really only ever going to be a nice role player/sixth man.
The Sixers are heading in the wrong direction. Andre Iguodala is not living up to the contract he got and Elton Brand struggled to find his niche on the team last season. Andre Miller is likely going to be playing elsewhere next season and they are likely stuck with Sam Dalembert’s contract for the time being.
Despite being the coach of the year Mike Brown needs to go and the Cavs need to find someone who knows what he is doing out there. The Cavs were just flat out embarrassed by the Magic in the Conference Finals. The Cavs will never win a title with Brown as the head coach nor will they win if LeBron has to rely on Zydrunas Ilgauskus and Delonte West to be the #3 scoring options.
Whatever happened to Daniel Gibson? Remember when he lit the Pistons up for 31 points in getting the Cavs to the Finals in the spring of ’07 and followed that up with 16 and 15 points in the first two games against the Spurs? Whatever happened to that player?
Carmelo Anthony is not going to win a championship until he decides he needs to play a little defense when it matters.
The Celtics look to have the makings of a one-and-done team. Kevin Garnett is clearly in the twilight of his career and the fact that he could not get his knee well enough to play in the playoffs does not bode well for the future of the team.
Rajon Rondo, Derrick Rose, Aaron Brooks, and Glenn Davis were the breakout players of the postseason. Rondo carried the Celtics past the Bulls in the first round and was arguably the best player through the first two rounds of the playoffs nearly averaging a triple double. Rose was better than I ever expected he would be and once he develops a NBA jump shot he will be truly dangerous. Brooks was written off as too small to be effective in the NBA but he had 4 20 point games in the playoffs averaging 18 a game against the Lakers. Davis was labeled as a guy carrying too much weight to play significant minutes in the NBA. Not only did he give the Celtics significant minutes in the postseason (36.4 minutes per game) but he scored 15.8 points as well including 5 20 point efforts.
Chris Paul and Hornets disappointed this spring. The Hornets were supposed to be one of the teams to beat this season only to see them flame out in the first round of the playoffs. One wonders if Paul just ran out of gas after playing for the Olympic team last summer.
I know the Pistons are high on Rodney Stuckey but I just do not see it, at least not yet anyway. He did show imrpovement this season but he was overmatched in the playoffs and just does not get to the line enough and does not have the jump shot needed to keep defenses honest on him. The Pistons may live to regret the Chauncy Billups deal for years to come.
Josh Smith is not nearly as good as he appears to think he is. I was excited to see the Sixers make a play for him last summer but after watching some of the Hawks playoff games I was not impressed with the way he carries himself on the court. He strikes me more and more as a guy who has immense talent but never puts it all together because he is not willing to put in the extra work to get himself and his team to the next level.
Why doesn’t Will Bynum get more playing time? He just seems to find ways to put the ball in the basket despite his physical limitations.
Joakim Noah actually looked like a NBA player at times during the Boston series. The Pickle is interested in seeing if he can carry that momentum over to next season and emerge as a double-double threat for the Bulls. Meanwhile Tyrus Thomas still looms as a bust for the Bulls.
Categories: Basketball, NBA, Sports Tags: 2009 Playoffs, Aaron Brooks, Andre Iguodala, Andre Miller, Andrew Bynum, Atlanta Hawks, Basketball, Boston Celtics, Carmelo Anthony, Chauncy Billups, Chicago Bulls, Chris Paul, Cleveland Cavaliers, Daniel Gibson, Delonte West, Derrick Rose, Detroit Pistons, Dwight Howard, Elton Brand, Glenn Davis, Joakim Noah, Josh Smith, Kevin Garnett, Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Mike Brown, NBA, New Orleans Hornets, Orlando Magic, Patrick Ewing, Philadelphia 76ers, Rajon Rondo, Rodney Stuckey, Samuel Dalembert, Trevor Ariza, Tyrus Thomas, Will Bynum, Zydrunas Ilgauskus
