The Hoop Doctors

NBA Playoffs 2012: Do You Believe in the Boston Celtics?

2012-05-28T15:48:43Z

May 28, 2012 – Dan Favale

The Celtics are too old, too inconsistent, too easy to exploit and simply not athletic enough. That’s what we’ve heard all season, but should we accept it?

Boston and Miami will tip-off their Eastern Conference Finals matchup Monday night, in what will be another chance for LeBron James to salvage his postseason image and a last stand for the Celtics.

Boston has to come to grips with the fact that this is indeed their last chance to win a title with their core four constructed the way it is. Rajon Rondo will be around next season, Paul Pierce is at least under contract, but both Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett are unrestricted free agents.

But does it really matter if this is the last stand or not? After all, the Celtics are being pitted against the Heat, a team who they have won three straight against, but a team who eliminated them from the playoffs in five games last year nonetheless.

Even without Chris Bosh, Miami is incredibly dangerous. James and Dwyane Wade can combine for 80-plus points on any given night and can each defend all five positions on the floor.

It’s scary, borderline disheartening for opponents, but it’s the truth. This is what Boston is up against—a younger, faster, more athletic squad who can only be beaten by themselves.

But is all hope lost?

We can harp on the three games that the Celtics won during the regular season, but in reality, they mean very little. Both James and Wade have a history of disinterest when nothing valuable is at stake. This time around, however, a trip to the finals is at stake, so you can bet they’ll be at the top of their game.

Yet there’s something we cannot neglect to acknowledge. The Celtics weren’t supposed to make it this far. They weren’t supposed to win their division and they weren’t supposed to post a 24-10 record after the All-Star break.

But they did, they have. There’s something almost magical about their last stand. It took them seven games to to eliminate what was supposedly an inferior 76ers team, but they still did it.

As Boston has shown time and time again, it’s not always about crushing your opponent or even looking good en route to a win. It’s about just winning, finding a way to snag a victory at all costs.

And that’s what the Celtics are good at it, keeping games ugly with stingy defense and a clock-managing offense. It limits the opportunities of their opponents and keeps them within striking distance even on a night when their struggling.

The Celtics can beat the Heat, we’ve seen them do it before. But this is different, this is the postseason version of Miami that Boston has yet to get the best of.

This is a new regime vs. an old regime, then being pitted against now.

And while sheer logic suggests the Celtics are all but done, they’re no ordinary underdog. They don’t just have a chip on their shoulder, but a sense of bitter reminiscence. Boston knows this its last chance to win with this team and enhance an already legendary resume.

The Celtics are hungry, perhaps even desperate, to usher out the current era with a bang; they won’t go down without a fight.

And when this much is at stake, and the will to win is this high, you have to believe.

Dan Favale is a firm believer in the three-pointer as well as the notion that defense doesn’t always win championships. His musings can be found at Bleacherreport.com in addition to TheHoopDoctors.com. Follow @danfavale on Twitter for his latest posts and all things NBA.

Follow @DanFavale

Experience Not the Biggest Factor as Spurs Defeat Thunder

2012-05-28T15:39:16Z

May 28, 2012 – R.S. De France

Going into game 1 of the Western Conference Finals, San Antonio Spurs’ Coach Gregg Popovich knew what he would get out of his best players, but not what he would get out of his bench.

And Popovich, Coach of the Year, had reason to be skeptical. The young Spurs players do not have a ton of playoff experience. Tiago Splitter, Kawhi Leonard, and Gary Neal combined have played in as many playoff games as the Thunder’s Kevin Durant (32).

As the Spurs beat the Oklahoma City Thunder in game 1, 101-98, Popovich found out what his bench and young players are made of. While the Spurs were led by Manu Ginobili (26 points), Tim Duncan (16), and Tony Parker (18); the Spurs’ bench outplayed the Thunder’s bench.

Ginobili’s buzzer beater:

The big differences in the game were the bench scoring—52 Spurs, 37 Thunder and rebounding, 50 to 43, Spurs.

While the Thunder’s bench featured the exploits of Derek Fisher (13) and James Harden (19), the Spurs’ youth and bench players provided a balanced attack. Splitter had 9 points and 6 rebounds; Neal scored 12; and Leonard 7 points and 7 rebounds.

What was most amazing about the Spurs win was that down 9 in the 4th quarter, it wasn’t Duncan, Ginobili or even Parker who made the difference. Down by 9, the Spurs’ Tiago Splitter (5 points in 4th quarter) and Gary Neal (7 points in 4th) went to work. The first time a Spur not named Splitter or Neal scored in the 4th was when Parker made a jumper to tie the game at 73.

So, while the Spurs veterans carried them home at the very end of the game, it was the unlikely and inexperienced young Spurs who got them in a position to win.

Rob S. De France is a College and University instructor of English Composition living in Los Angeles. He has a B.A. in English and an M.A. in Rhetoric, Composition, and Writing. De France has played, coached, and officiated competitive high school basketball in California for many years. Recently, De France, his wife, and another colleague started an internationally read magazine at Shwibly.com.

The Difference That Comes With a Rajon Rondo Game

2012-05-25T13:03:41Z

May 25, 2012 – Griffin Gotta

Saturday night, we’ll find out who moves on to face the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals. If it turns out to be the Philadelphia 76ers, it will mean an especially unexpected upset, even for how tame the Boston Celtics have shown to be on any given night. Injuries and depth issues are taking their toll on the Celtics; most frightening, though, is when their offense goes off the rails as it did in Game Six. In segments or full games like that one, they do not make things easy on themselves enough times to lend support to the vast amount of outside jumpers they like taking.

Still, the Boston Celtics, at home, are supposed to win Game Seven on Saturday somehow. And it’s hard to imagine them doing it without Rajon Rondo having one of his Rajon Rondo games. You know the type: When Rondo’s performance snares almost every aspect of a singular game in its grasp; when the Boston offense is vibrant and dangerous; when the game has life, as dictated by Rondo himself. A Rajon Rondo game is different from any other game in the league in which the point guard is in control of the action; that’s what makes it such profound, stop-and-see basketball when it actually does happen.

Derrick Rose, when he’s right, of course, has his finger on the pulse of everything going on with the Chicago Bulls because that’s the best option for them by a wide margin. Russell Westbrook attacks in the same vain as Rose, but his whirling dervish wrecking ball methods are part of a set of freelance techniques used by the Oklahoma City Thunder to keep their opponents nauseated; plus, even when he isn’t trampolining into the paint, his menacing jowl still lurks on the perimeter, looking to disrupt at any moment.

There’s also the sometimes overlooked Tony Parker, a more traditional score-first point guard than Rose or Westbrook, but someone who can grab hold of a game using precision and smarts (I mean come on, it’s the San Antonio Spurs here). Parker seeks out and then exploits favorable match-ups on the floor, as few can deal with his quickness off the dribble, over and over again until a change is forced to be made; likely freeing up a teammate in the process. More traditional still is Chris Paul, the all-controlling Los Angeles Clippers frontman who methodically walks the ball up court, pries open a defense with a crowbar, gets a good look at the situation and makes a decisive, reflexive choice; before you can sometimes understand what happened, it’s already over. Paul is in control because he needs to be, but like Rose, even the obviousness, when spiked with sheer ability, makes nothing as easy to figure out as it seems.

The list of names and styles of various point men throughout the NBA could continue on, but it’s all to say: A game with Rajon Rondo firmly at the controls is peerless. In Game Six, Rondo was out of it. His stat line was forgettable and Paul Pierce even tried snapping him out of it on the sidelines with a pep talk/head slap, to no avail. Why he wasn’t there is too far a jump into Rondo’s mind for anyone, but when he’s not aggressively trying to make the game bend to his will, the Celtics are too often left to Paul Pierce fallaways and Kevin Garnett jumpers — good if they’re falling, yet still maybe not good enough with the paper-thin depth in Boston.

It’s these games though, the proverbial Game Sixes of Rondo’s career, that make him so special. When going through a game that he’s simply uneventful in, when he’s out there but not really, that’s when your high tolerance for Rondo being everywhere and meaning everything to a game enters your system. Because when Rondo does rise to the occasion, all-systems-go, it can still be absolutely shocking to watch in comparison. Not because it’s unexpected — especially in a Game Seven, many will be (or should be) tuning in to see what sort of damage Rondo will do to a scoresheet — but because of how much it is, and how much Rondo can fulfill.

Part of the Rondo mystique and his personal assertion of control over a game is that when it’s there, it’s there in full, and when it’s not, it’s a ghost. You don’t get a Rajon Rondo game every time because, well, then it wouldn’t be a Rajon Rondo game. In the end, what makes Rondo so riveting is that when he’s pulling the strings the Celtics don’t make sense any other way, and when he’s absent nothing about that changes — it’s either watching him take over or waiting for him to. That they’re so lost without him, in turn keeping the need for a signature Rondo game on high at all times, means there will probably never be enough triple-doubles to satisfy our souls. The fact that we’ll still want, and expect, more is the control Rondo has on everyone.

Griffin Gotta contributes to The Hoop Doctors and is a co-managing editor of Straight Outta Vancouver on SB Nation. The story arcs and infinite weirdness of the NBA are addictions he deals with every day. Email him at griffingotta at gmail dot com.

Shaq Not Interested in the Orlando GM Job

2012-05-25T14:21:54Z

May 25, 2012 – The Hoop Doctors

When news broke that Shaq was a candidate for the Orlando Magic GM position, it caught us all off guard. Shaq and front office don’t necessarily roll off the tongue. But don’t worry, the big fella shot down those rumors.

‘When I first heard about the vacancy for the Orlando Magic general manager position, I was clearly intrigued,’ he said in a statement. ‘I was drafted by the Magic, I have a great love for the franchise, and I have made the city of Orlando my home. Additionally, I have great admiration and respect for the DeVos family. However, this is not a job I have an interest in pursuing

Source: nba.com

adidas Adds ‘Crazy Light 2′ to Miadidas

2012-05-25T13:30:23Z

May 25, 2012 – Ben Berry

adidas Basketball has taken big steps to be the leading developer of lightweight footwear; and not just in the basketball realm but in all sports with their adiZero line.

Starting with the skin that covers the upper, you could choose to go with either the standard material or decide to go with an embossed snake skin finish.

The color of the Stripes branding above the heel is also left up to you. As far as visual options seen from the top goes, you can select the color of the lining, tongue lining, laces (two sets so there is two choices), and eyelets. The Sprintframe, midsole, and outsole are also left up to your discretion in a few basic colors. You can, however, chose if you want a glow-in-the-dark sole or not so it’s give-and-take.

The deep adidas icon bank is credited to the licensing the have just between upcoming Olympic countries, but they have the NBA right now as well.

By offering the Crazy Light 2 on miadidas, a move also seen with the original Crazy Light, adidas continues to build the catalog available on their online customization program.

You can own your own custom pair of the adidas adiZero Crazy Light 2 made here on the miadidas website for $185.

Debating The Wacky 2012 NBA All Defensive Team Selections

2012-05-25T12:52:37Z

May 25, 2012 – Allen Moll

Not surprisingly, defensive oriented squads like Boston, Miami, and Chicago were well represented on the 2012 NBA All Defensive Teams. But, I’d be remiss if I didn’t comment on how some players were added to this year’s list that maybe shouldn’t have, as well as some that were voted a bit too low or overlooked altogether.

Case in point was the 2012 NBA Defensive Player of the Year, Tyson Chandler of the NY Knicks, who was voted onto the 2nd Team while Dwight Howard, who missed significant time at the end of the season was selected for the 1st team. Also, defensive stalwart Andre Iguodala of the 76ers, was not given enough votes to even make the 2nd Team. Wasn’t Iggy the the designated defensive stopper on our last Team USA squad? A few other obvious slights have to include Joakim Noah, Knicks rookie Iman Shumpert, Dwyane Wade, and Russell Westbrook. Somehow even Carlos Boozer got a vote……

With that being said, one really can’t argue with the 10 players that did make up the 2012 NBA All Defensive Teams as every player outside of arguably Luol Deng of Chicago are deserving of their selection. The recently announced 2012 NBA MVP Lebron James led all vote getters as the only player to top 50 Points. Serge Ibaka and Tony Allen make their first ever NBA 1st Team Defensive Selections. Ibaka led the league in blocks (3.65) while fellow 1st teamers Chris Paul led in steals (2.53), and Dwight Howard paced the Association in rebounds (14.5).

The voting panel consisted of the NBA’s 30 head coaches, who were asked to select NBA All-Defensive First and Second Teams by position. Coaches were not permitted to vote for players from their own team. Two points were awarded for a First Team vote and one point was awarded for a Second Team vote.

2012 NBA All Defensive 1st Team

F – Lebron James, Miami Heat – 53 Points(24 1st Place, 5 2nd Place)

F – Serge Ibaka, OKC Thunder – 47 Points(20 1st, 7 2nd)

C – Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic – 41 Points(16 1st, 9 2nd)

G – Chris Paul, LA Clippers – 35 Points(13 1st, 9 2nd)

G – Tony Allen, Memphis Grizzlies – 33 Points(13 1st, 7 2nd)

2012 NBA All Defensive 2nd Team

F – Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics – 26 Points(8 1st Place, 10 2nd Place)

F – Luol Deng, Chicago Bulls – 20 Points(6 1st, 8 2nd)

C – Tyson Chandler, NY Knicks – 36 Points(13 1st, 10 2nd)

G – Rajon Rondo, Boston Celtics – 29 Points(9 1st, 11 2nd)

G – Kobe Bryant, LA Lakers – 17 Points(7 1st, 3 2nd)

Other players receiving votes, with point totals (First Team votes in parentheses): Andre Iguodala, Philadelphia, 19 (4); Joakim Noah, Chicago, 14; Iman Shumpert, New York, 13 (4); Paul George, Indiana, 10 (2); Russell Westbrook, Oklahoma City, 9 (2); Josh Smith, Atlanta, 8 (2); Dwyane Wade, Miami, 5 (1); Thabo Sefolosha, Oklahoma City, 5 (1); Grant Hill, Phoenix, 5 (1); Tim Duncan, San Antonio, 5 (1); Avery Bradley, Boston, 3 (1); Marc Gasol, Memphis, 3 (1); Metta World Peace, L.A. Lakers, 3; Shawn Marion, Dallas, 3; Joe Johnson, Atlanta, 2, (1); Mike Conley, Memphis, 2; Derrick Rose, Chicago, 1; Jrue Holiday, Philadelphia, 1; Carlos Boozer, Chicago, 1; Luc Mbah a Moute, Milwaukee, 1.

Allen Moll has been a lifelong NBA and NCAA College Basketball fan who watches and studies games religiously, and coaches youth basketball in his native Lehigh Valley region of Pennsylvania. Allen has also provided content to Bleacherreport.com, Upperdeckblog.com, Cleveland.com, CSN Philly.com, Buckets Magazine, in addition to being a tenured NBA and NCAA columnist for TheHoopDoctors.com.

Wade Wears Pink Pants?

2012-05-25T13:24:10Z

May 25, 2012 – The Hoop Doctors

Dwyane Wade has always been a bit of a ‘fashionista’, but it takes a whole other level of humility and confidence to walk into a Game 6 NBA playoff game on National Television wearing….pink pants. These pants make me wish Stern had never banned the Wade facial band-aids. Lesser of two evils…

Don’t Count Out Steve Nash to the Knicks

2012-05-28T15:40:03Z

May 25, 2012 – Dan Favale

The New York Knicks just cannot catch a break.

Though it was believed to be a long shot, New York’s potential pursuit of Steve Nash took a crushing blow, amid a report that the veteran point guard has no interest in signing with Knicks.

But are we really to believe that?

No, at least not right now.

Nash essentially has two options, take the money Phoenix is offering and return to the Suns to finish out his career embracing the not-art of mediocrity, or take a pay cut to play for a contender. While we cannot rule out Nash taking the money, his failure to capture a title suggests the latter. And what organization would be a better fit than the Knicks at this point?

Nash has already suggested that he’ll consider signing with the Heat, but as talented as Miami’s roster is, and would be with Nash, he just isn’t a good fit for South Beach. The last thing the Heat need is another star who demands the ball. Nash is a bona fide facilitator, but so is LeBron James, and both he and Dwyane Wade prefer to create for themselves over off-ball movement.

The Mavericks are also an option, but barring a miraculous turn in their favor within the Dwight Howard sweepstakes, a reunion between Dirk Nowitzki and Nash won’t be enough to contend for a championship.

And then there’s the Knicks, the supposed team Nash isn’t interested in.

While New York’s chances at landing the star point man would undoubtedly be higher if Mike D’Antioni—a Nash favorite—was still at the helm, we cannot rule out a union between Nash and the Knicks just yet.

Not only is Nash familiar with and fond of Amar’e Stoudemire, but he would thrive alongside a proven slasher in Tyson Chandler. Carmelo Anthony’s improved spot-up shooting also indicates Nash would have a field day in transition, and beyond, with him has well.

Throw in the potential for the Knicks to retain bird rights for Jeremy Lin and Steve Novak, and you have a team built for Nash to run and transform into a well-oiled machine. Failing to keep the window of opportunity even slightly open for a chance like this would be a huge mistake on Nash’s part.

And that’s why we must take this recent report with a grain of salt. Nash is one of the smartest players in the game, and he’s not about to completely close the door on one of the best fits out there, especially before having an actual grasp on the situation at hand.

There’s a strong possibility Nash foregoes the opportunity, if it even arises, to sign with the Knicks. That said, there’s an even stronger possibility that this recent report is merely unsubstantiated fodder, holding little to no significance with regard to the eventual outcome of Nash’s impending free-agency.

Consider yourself warned.

Follow @DanFavale

THD Podcast Ep. 93: When Did Danny Granger Become a Tough Guy?

2012-05-25T00:22:24Z

May 25, 2012 – The Hoop Doctors

This week, Kevin Burke takes discusses the physical play in the Heat Pacers series and also looks ahead to the conference finals…

If you often find yourself too busy to watch The Hoop Doctors Podcasts, get them on the go for your iPhone or iPad! Subscribe to our Podcasts in the iTunes Directory, free of charge. Also, if you have any questions you’d like answered by Kevin on a future THD podcast episode, feel free to email them to admin@thehoopdoctors.com

LeBron, Kobe Headline 2012 All-NBA Teams

2012-05-25T00:02:49Z

May 24, 2012 – The Hoop Doctors

It’s tough to argue with some of these names but it’s certainly new to see some of them on these lists. Judging by these, the NBA has a bright future.

The Miami Heat’s LeBron James, the 2011-12 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player and winner of three of the previous four MVP awards, highlights the 2011-12 All-NBA First Team. James received 118 of a possible 120 first team votes. Joining James on the First Team are Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, Kevin Durant of the Oklahoma City Thunder, Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic, and Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers.

The All-NBA Second Team consists of guards Tony Parker of the San Antonio Spurs and Russell Westbrook of the Oklahoma City Thunder, forwards Blake Griffin of the Los Angeles Clippers and Kevin Love of the Minnesota Timberwolves, and center Andrew Bynum of the Los Angeles Lakers.

The All-NBA Third Team includes the Miami Heat’s Dwyane Wade and the Boston Celtics’ Rajon Rondo at guard, the New York Knicks’ Carmelo Anthony and the Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki at forward, and the Knicks’ Tyson Chandler at center.

Source: OregonLive

Win Free Tickets to Rakim Concert in NYC

2012-05-24T16:19:52Z

May 24, 2012 – The Hoop Doctors

**Click to Enlarge**

Best Shooters in the NBA [Graphic]

2012-05-24T14:42:30Z

May 24, 2012 – The Hoop Doctors

When they say a picture says a thousand words, it applies to this sort of infographic. Not only does the graphic list many of the players with the best shooting percentages in the NBA during the 2011-12 season, it shows the players with the highest efficiency at all the major spots on the floor. All the while representing it graphically in a way that is extremely easy to consume…

[H/T to Gawker for the graphic]

NBA Rumors: Why the Lakers Must Proceed With Extreme Caution

2012-05-24T15:22:52Z

May 24, 2012 – Dan Favale

For Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers, the day of reckoning is finally here. Again.

After another early postseason exit at the hands of a deeper roster, the Lakers are left mulling over where to go from here.

Do they break up their Big Three? Should Ramon Sessions be brought back? Is Andrew Bynum worthy of an extension? Do championship rings still come in Bryant’s size?

Not unlike last year, Los Angeles is staring down the barrel of a point guard problem. While Sessions instilled a degree of ball-movement into a stagnant offense, his playmaking abilities simply weren’t enough. He was clearly still adjusting to being a full-time starter when the Lakers were eliminated and the team is now tasked with deciding whether he’s worth investing more time and money in.

Sessions has hardly been given an opportunity to succeed before now. He was utilized as poorly as possible while with the Timberwolves, Bucks and Cavaliers, and the Lakers presented his first real chance to gain experience.

But was he promising to warrant a new contract, or is he a venture Los Angeles is better off moving on from?

And this is where the Lakers need to be careful, as they consider attempting to blow up their roster for a second straight year.

With word coming that Deron Williams has set the Lakers in his sights this summer, Los Angeles was seemingly sent into a frenzy. A point guard of his caliber is a clear upgrade over Sessions, and the possibility of him running an offense alongside Bryant boggles the mind.

But there’s a catch.

The Lakers are in no position to pursue Williams via free-agency. They would be forced to negotiate a sign-and-trade with the Brooklyn Nets, essentially meaning Pau Gasol would have played his last game in Los Angeles.

Is that the right move, the correct course of action to take? Is it finally time to dump Gasol once and for all?

Gasol’s future with the team is already up in the air, but is he worth trading for Williams? The Lakers deemed him expendable prior to this season with regards to Chris Paul, but is it worth trading big for small this time around? Does trading Gasol actually increase Los Angeles’ chances of winning a title?

The logical and somewhat impulsive money says yes. Williams is an All-Star caliber floor general in his prime while Gasol is a power forward on the wrong side of 30 with a deteriorating killer instinct.

But is dealing him, and essentially decimating the roster, the answer here?

Championship teams are built upon stars, but they are also built off continuity and stability. Look at the Spurs and the Thunder, two teams with an unwavering core that succeed through familiarity and well-thought bargain pick ups. And now, look at the Knicks, the Clippers or even the Heat, teams that have sought, and continue to seek, another superstar to propel them to a title.

Currently, the Lakers find themselves somewhere in between. Their Big Three has been in tact for quite some time, yet they have been toiling with disbandment for over year. And now, it’s finally time to pick a side of the fence.

Is Los Angeles better off attempting to trade Gasol for Williams or another prolific point guard, in hopes of salvaging what’s left of Bryant’s title window? Or is there something to be gained from becoming the first team to unconditionally back Sessions development while attempting to re-instill faith in a floundering big man?

Depending on which team is seen hoisting the Larry O’Brien Trophy into the air come this June, perhaps the Lakers will have their answer.

Follow @DanFavale

All-Defensive Teams Announced

2012-05-24T13:22:55Z

May 24, 2012 – The Hoop Doctors

The logical conclusion would be that the defensive player of the year would be named to the all-defensive 1st team. But that would be too easy. Tyson Chandler had the second team because the same people don’t vote on both.

Miami Heat forward LeBron James, winner of the 2011-12 Kia NBA Most Valuable Player Award, headlines the NBA All-Defensive First Team, the NBA announced today. James totaled 53 points overall, including 24 First Team votes. He was the lone player to top 50 points.

Joining James on the NBA All-Defensive First Team are forward Serge Ibaka of the Oklahoma City Thunder (47 points), guards Chris Paul of the Los Angeles Clippers (35 points) and Tony Allen of the Memphis Grizzlies (33 points), and center Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic (41 points). Ibaka and Allen earn First Team honors for the first time; Allen was an NBA All-Defensive Second Team selection last season.

James led the Heat to a 46-20 mark and the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference Playoffs. He paced the Heat in steals (1.9 spg) and defensive rebounds (6.4 drpg), and tied for the team lead in rebounds (7.9 rpg). With James leading the effort, Miami’s defense tied for fourth in opponent scoring (91.3 ppg), and ranked third in forced turnovers (16.6) and fifth in opponent field goal percentage (.434).

Ibaka paced the league in blocks (3.65 bpg) while Paul led in steals (2.53 spg). Howard was the league’s leading rebounder (14.5 rpg) as well as its top defensive rebounder (10.8 drpg). The Grizzlies allowed 96.0 points per 100 possessions with Allen on the court compared to 101.7 points per 100 possessions with him off.

The NBA All-Defensive Second Team consists of guards Rajon Rondo of the Boston Celtics and Kobe Bryant of the Los Angeles Lakers, center Tyson Chandler of the New York Knicks, and forwards Luol Deng of the Chicago Bulls and Kevin Garnett of the Boston Celtics.

Source: NBA.com

Orlando, Shaq to Discuss GM Job

2012-05-24T13:19:35Z

May 24, 2012 – The Hoop Doctors

Shaq makes it pretty well known that he’s not particularly fond of Dwight Howard. He has thought that Dwight was trying too hard to be just like him. So can you image the dynamic if he were Dwight’s GM? It would be an ugly situation to say the least. I’m not sure I follow their logic that Shaq as GM would help retain Dwight. The Orlando Magic front office is in disarray.

O’Neal, who began his legendary NBA career in Orlando, may meet with the Magic as soon as next week, sources told ESPN The Magazine’s Chris Broussard. While he has no front office experience, the Magic believe O’Neal’s presence within the organization could help them retain Dwight Howard.

Magic officials declined comment Wednesday night when asked about meeting with O’Neal, telling ESPN.com’s Marc Stein they will not be publicly discussing the process or timetable of their GM and coach searches in the wake of Monday’s dismissals of Stan Van Gundy and Otis Smith.

Source: ESPN