Welcome to another edition of NBA Nation Australia’s Roundtable! This week we’ll be tackling more hot topics from around the league including George Karl, the MVP award, the free agent debate in LA, most improved teams, Derrick Rose and Kobe’s mum (only because it’s Mother’s Day). We also welcome back podcaster and blogger Jabari Davis from The OpinioNation (theopnation.com), Brent Veale formerly of That Basketball Show and Tom Read from the #BelieveTheHype podcast!
After being fired from the role in 2010, following the Cleveland Cavaliers loss in the Eastern Conference semi finals, Mike Brown has been tentatively reinstated as head coach of the team following the firing of Byron Scott late last week. Lasting only 5 games with the Lakers in 2012/13, going 1-4, Brown was let go by the team leaving him open to further coaching opportunities. His record with the Cavaliers was very impressive taking the team to a 272-138 record in his first five seasons in the hot seat and this no doubt played into his hands as Cavs owner Dan Gilbert again exercised his intentions to re-hire Brown. It is unclear of what the impending deal’s parameters are in terms of longevity and payment, but we do know Brown will be charged with the task of leading this under-performing, yet talent-filled team back to relevancy. Brown was fired by the Lakers while still being owed in excess of $6 million, and has been on their payroll ever since. Many are speculating that this signing of Brown by another club will help the Lakers offset the money still owed to him and allow them a considerable amount of financial leg room when it comes to paying their coaches. Current coach Mike D’Antoni is owed a touch over $12 million by the Lakers, and should they decide to part ways with him (something the Lakers have stated would not happen), they would have more money to spend elsewhere. Only time will tell when it comes to the Lakers intentions, but for now it seems as though Mike Brown will attempt to pick up where he left off with his Cavaliers.
Nick C.
As reported late last week, the struggling Cleveland Cavaliers fired head coach Byron Scott following the culmination of what would be considered by the club and its fans a rather humiliating, disappointing season. The Cavs have been on a steady decline since the infamous departure of superstar LeBron James in early 2011, and have made every effort to get back to the playoffs by drafting young rookie star Kyrie Irving and re-building what many believe can be a competitive team going forward. This has not been the case recently, and the Cavs finished the 2012/13 season with a lowly 24-58 win/loss record, missing the playoffs and sparking the firing of Scott.
Ouch.
We all know King James has some hairline issues, so why not have a bit of fun with it? Color in your favorite LBJ Headband Position!
Welcome back for another edition of NBA Nation Australia’s Weekly Roundtable. This week we welcome to the table a good friend of ours, Nick Gelso. Nick Co-Host’s The Celtics Late Night Show on Boston Radio channel CLNS Radio. This we talk about the Pacers Away form, the Legend of LeBron, the struggling Mav’s, and a whole heap more.
1. Lebron James is in the midst of something special – 33 games in a row scoring 20 + points. What else does have to do to cement his place as one of the NBA greats? Is it all about Championships, or can we call LeBron a legend already?
Nick Caro: Nothing. Not to people who know what they’re talking about. Stars will always have their haters who wish nothing but disappointment on them, but the people who disagree with the fact that LeBron is a champion of the game are plain old nuts. Not only does he have the ability to change a game, he has just completed a year in which he won an NBA title, league MVP, finals MVP and Olympic Gold Medal. As mentioned in the question, he’s also on a 33 game streak scoring 22+. That’s ridiculous. Of course, the more championships LBJ wins the more people will have to accept the fact he is one of the best that’s ever played the game and it will go a long way to ensuring his legacy is upheld. Having said that people should know it already. C’mon, watch the guy play. It’s just mesmerising and he should be commended for that, not ridiculed. What LeBron did to Cleveland and ‘The Decision’ was horrible, but it’s time to move on, put it to bed and enjoy what may be one of the best careers we will ever see.
With the the season in full swing we have already seen some amazing performance’s from the NBA’s best.
Melo, Kobe, James, Paul, Rondo and Durant have all played out of their minds this season. We at NBA Nation Australia have taken a look over the league and wanted to suggest 3 candidates from each conference for MVP.
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Welcome to the first NBA Nation Roundtable for season 2012! We’re extremely excited to be back and to bring you new installments of our favorite segment. It’s been a turbulent start to the season and there’s plenty to talk about, so to help us discuss some of the bigger talking points we invited the lovely Jaimee Rogers of TAB Sportsbet along for the ride! Jaimee is a huge NBA fan and an avid Chicago Bulls supporter and you can follow her on Twitter @Jaimee_Rogers. We’re stoked to have you on board, Jaimee. Let’s get into it!
As we fast approach a new season we want to pass on some words of wisdom to you.
We all love a bet, a cheeky punt from time to time and what better time then the start of the NBA season. We think we have found a few options for you this season.
Things change quiet rapidly in the NBA, and many of us voice our opinions day in and day out pertaining to who may or may not win the Championship, take home MVP or make the playoffs. But yesterday, the yearly General Manager Poll (GM Poll) took place, with some interesting results coming from the men in charge, whom we very rarely hear from directly (unless you listen to anything Mark Cuban has to say). We though we’d take a quick look at, and briefly analyze how some of this year’s NBA GM’s view the league as it stands, and who they think might just walk away with a Championship under their belts. Here is a selection of votes from yesterday’s poll.
