Chisoxfn

That sounds awesome.

QUOTE(Steff @ Jan 25, 2006 -> 11:52 AM) No matter all the wrong Jeff has done me :rolly ... I still like him.

You guys are dead wrong. I fully understand its a business, but both parties screwed the pooch on this deal. First off Peja was informed via the media. Not classy or cool. I realize you have to get a deal done but when a player has demanded a trade typically they get say. Thats just the way it is. Personally I'd be all for suspending Artest without pay and all that, if he did something wrong this year. He didn't. The Pacers jumped the gun. You still have the right and obligations to communicate with an agent and give them some info (not when a name initially comes up) but its part of what makes a GM classy and well liked and another not. If you are honest with your players, you'll find out that you'll get more players interested in joining the organization. Why do you think no one wanted to come to the Bulls when Krause was here near the end. That and Jordan bad-mouthing us (freaking prick). Artest has a lot wrong with him, but just like the TO thing, the final straw was really weak. What TO said to finally get his ass kicked off the team was nothing, imo.

QUOTE(Soxbadger @ Jan 25, 2006 -> 10:39 AM) The difference between a team shooting bad and a team having good defense is which team you are rooting for. Thats true, but its like the Pistons when you shoot bad against them you know its there defense. They have proven its not a fluke. They flat out play great defense, same with the Spurs. Iowa this year has proven (based on that sick defensive field goal % they have) that they play good defense so in those cases I give the defense a nod (and sure I am biased, more than willing to admit that).

QUOTE(illinilaw08 @ Jan 25, 2006 -> 10:33 AM) Oh, I agree completely that LA would be the best spot for Artest. Not only is Kobe the type of player that could keep Artest in line, but it seems like Artest actually wants to be there. In addition, I agree with you that Kobe is one of the hardest working players in the league. As far as the Odom argument goes, I do agree that Odom's work ethic is questionable, but I really think the issue there is that Odom does not feel like he gets the ball enough and he is definitely pouting about it. I also think it is clear watching Lakers games that a lot of his teammates do not get along with Kobe. Now, don't get me wrong, in my opinion Kobe is the best player in the NBA, I just think that he is part of the reason Odom is pouting right now. An Artest-Odom swap makes sense for both teams. The whole teammate angle is over-rated, imo. I can tell you for a fact that Sasha (one of my favorite players on the Lakers), Mihm (one of the few guys that always plays hard; too bad he's in foul trouble often) and Devean George all love the guy. George and Kobe are very good friends and Kobe loves Sasha's toughness. Kobe isn't hated like most of you say. At times players get frustrated with him, but its because he expects a lot out of his mates (just like Jordan did). Guys like Odom won't like him because Kobe demands that you work hard. Same for Kwame (although he doesn't have any problems with Kobe). Kobe's a prick off the court but everything he does on the court is amazing. Case closed. But his wife is more of a prick.

I went with Diaw. Kaman is a close 2nd. That guy is quickly turning into an all around monster. Offensively he has some nice game and he's just a beast on the boards. Dalembert is also quality but I think he was solid last year, it was just he was hampered by the system a bit. Both him and Kaman are on my fantasy team and I'd love either of them on the Bulls. With either we'd be a playoff team.

s***, next Tuesday I start back up. Last semester of college and my schedule should be pretty relaxing. Got a 4 day weekend every week and one of my classes is softball and I'm taking one other 100 level class. Than I got my final cumalitive business class (basically covers all the stuff you learned) and one finance class. Gonna make sure I enjoy it, cause starting September I become a full time working stiff and college is gonna be the place I wish I still was, lol.

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Jan 25, 2006 -> 09:38 AM) Iowa will lose at Minnesota or Northwestern. Just cause it's Alford's style. Ya, those games scare me a lot. Especially NU, they've taken us to school year in year out at least once or so it seems. Just ask Dan, he loves rubbing it in. Luckily not as much as when his teams beat ISU.

QUOTE(Gene Honda Civic @ Jan 24, 2006 -> 10:46 PM) Well it's not like they got down by 17 with Davis using his players optimally or anything. (Ratliff got himself in trouble) Nobody should be surprised by the Hawkeyes holding a team to 37% from the field at home. Afterall, we are 4th in the country in defensive field goal percentage. The team everyone saw against MSU was not the team thats been playing most of the season. Iowa is a top defensive team and if Hansen stays out of foul trouble, we can match up with teams with one good big man. Thomas also played some nice defense throughout the game. Really impressed me using his body and strength and he was able to tip up and steal a few passes through the paint. We got that lead playing strong offensively (moving the ball around and taking our shot; something they've struggled with all year) while doing the usual on defense.

QUOTE(illinilaw08 @ Jan 25, 2006 -> 07:12 AM) I will grant you that Odom has looked lazy recently, but honestly I think it is beceause the two of them just do not get along. Odom looks more and more frusturated as the season has gone on by hi lack of touches. IMO Odom is the only player on the Lakers that really can make in impact in games aside from Kobe. As such, I could see an Odom for Artest trade happening at some point, assuming the Pacers would take Odom. Look at there record when Odom takes a lot of shots (I think its 15 or more). They haven't won one of those games. Odom is a douche. He's been it everywhere he was with the exception of 1 year in Miami. The reason he was cool in Miami was because he knew he was on real thin ice after being caught smoking pot a few too many times. I hate Kobe but at least Kobe works his ass off (hardest worker in the league) and leaves it all on the court. The fact that the two of them don't get along is because Kobe expects his teammates to work hard and give it there all. If they don't, might as well kick him out of town. At least with Artest there (if they made the Croshere/Artest for Odom deal) they'd have a guy that works very hard and gives it his all. Plus Kobe and Phil would hopefully be able to give him a decent support network.

QUOTE(kevin57 @ Jan 24, 2006 -> 01:48 PM) Party? Who Parties? What Quaterback of the Chicago Bears Would Ever Party? Orton should party it up with Slerms McKenzie

Alright, enoughs enough. I'm sticking up for Artest. The Pacers screwed him over in this. No one communicates with him, no one tells him (or his agent, who he's told is handling everything) about this move. They don't approach him and they don't communicate they just do it all behind his back. Plus the whole freaking reason Artest demanded a trade was because they went around his back and were trying to deal him to Sacremento earlier in the season. He didn't want to go there so he figured he could demand a trade and than find a way to get to a team he wants. Sure he's a crazy SOB, but I see nothing wrong with him trying to make sure he goes to a place he wants to play. The Pacers have the responsibility to talk to Ron's agent and he should be involved in this. They do that and he's probably already in Sacremento. They screwed the pooch and I'm sick of everyone slamming Artest. He's done a lot of stupid s***, but this wasn't his fault.

QUOTE(Rowand44 @ Jan 25, 2006 -> 08:06 AM) Coco is a pretty damn good defensive outfielder no matter what his zone rating says. He's a very good defensive leftfielder. Doesn't mean he'll be a great centerfielder. But I don't think he'll be bad either. I think its crazy to assume he'll be one of the best defensively.

QUOTE(redandwhite @ Jan 25, 2006 -> 07:21 AM) defensive ability in centerfield: crisp>damon please, pal, enough. Best centerfielder? Andruw Jones hammered the ball last year and we all know he's a stud defensively. Don't be so quick to assume that Crisp is going to be this amazing CFer defensively.

QUOTE(samclemens @ Jan 25, 2006 -> 06:55 AM) rose was a bum. always has been, always will be. what is this from him now, reverse psychology? "i dont really care anymore...i swear", like that will get him in? bottom line, rose gambled on his own team while he was a manager. absolutely dispicable. he should continue to be banned, even if it did take him 20+ years simply to come clean.

QUOTE(redandwhite @ Jan 24, 2006 -> 07:01 PM) your presence in this thread is... appreciated. what was the greatest thing before sliced bread? I'm gonna go with a loaf of bread for 1000, Mr. Trebec

Sweet. Baj is one of the classiest guys in the org and I can't wait for him to get a shot at the last bullpen spot this spring. Definately pulling for the man.

QUOTE(Steff @ Jan 20, 2006 -> 07:46 AM) Sympathy nod I suspect.. :rolly Don't worry Steff...I won't tell Jim that you were nominated for being a lefty on the board

QUOTE(Heads22 @ Jan 20, 2006 -> 09:18 AM) We got tired of Jason winning everything. I'm sick of that cali fruitcake.

Goldy and Deploder are both in a league of their own imo. But if it weren't for those two, Kalapse would have gotten my vote.

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Jan 24, 2006 -> 08:57 PM) I'm ripping him a new one tonight. Even Lavin, was quietly questioning the move, by commenting several times that the point was proven and he needed to go back to his big guns. Killingsworth did pass out of the post early in the game. I know one got picked off and I do remember at least one other, but I don't recall him being shot happy and shooting every time he got the ball. Early in the 2nd half Lavin was commending Davis for making the changes. This was when they were cutting the lead. Obviously Killingsworth sat on the bench to long and he is your best player (along with Vader), so he needs to be on the court. That said when he was out there (aside from the 1st minute or two in the game) he was getting destroyed by our defense and was turning it over/forcing shots while not recognizing the double team. He was really miffed and got taken out of his game. I don't think it cost ya guys the game (having him on the bench) and it could turn out to be a really good learning experience for Killingsworth.

QUOTE(aboz56 @ Jan 24, 2006 -> 06:03 PM) The Lakers won't trade Odom as part of a deal for Artest. If Artest comes in and f***s around they are screwed and have no other players besides Kobe. He's either bound for LA or Golden State IMO. Golden State I think would package Pietrus and Dunleavy in a deal for Artest. I'm not sure who the Lakers would give, but I just can't see Odom being involved unless the Lakers were getting other players besides Artest back in return. That was originally the case, but Kobe wants Odom out and to be honest I don't blame him. Odom doesn't have any work ethic and Kobe won't stand for that. Kobe may be a prick but he's the hardest worker in the league and he's not going to sit around and watch a teammate of his play lazy and thats what Odom does.

QUOTE(Rex Hudler @ Jan 24, 2006 -> 08:34 PM) The Iowa game was just ridiculous tonight. Greasy, did I miss something here? What the hell did Killingsworth do that was so bad to deserve to sit more than 10 minutes in the second half?? And Monroe? At one point, they had a lineup of Ratliff (4 fouls), Suhr, Calloway, Allen and Kline? How in the hell do you think you can win on the road in the Big Ten without ANY of your top six players in the game? Granted Strickland and White are hurt, but s***, you can't have Vaden, Killingsworth, Monroe AND Wilmont on the bench at the same freakin time!! Is there something else going on here or did the ghost of Bob Knight take over Davis tonight?? I can't believe we didn't get beat by freaking 30!!!! If it weren't for Vaden, you guys would have lost by 30. That guy was ridiculous.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Jan 24, 2006 -> 07:59 PM) Iowa continues to dominate at home. It was going to take a lot for them to blow this one in Iowa City, after that game in the Breslin Center. Sloppy game for the Hoosiers. The shooting's been falling back down to earth, percentage wise the past couple games. The defense couldn't do much without Killingsworth in the lineup. He doesn't do a whole lot on defense, because he's trying to stay in the game, but it keeps IU's perimeter defense much tighter. 62-51 with 2:11 left. We've got a shot, but not a big one with our foul trouble. This was about the loudest I've seen Carver Hawkeye in some time. The school needed this and it should be even louder this weekend against the Buckeyes. The Hawks got to turn that into a bigger home court advantage and thus far this year the team has played well at home. Big test on Saturday and the fans got to get better (definately were strong tonight).

QUOTE(SnB @ Jan 24, 2006 -> 07:16 PM) aigh, this is what i get for rooting/betting on IU. Why would you be rooting for them? They are atop the big 10, so I was thinking we did all the other big 10 teams a favor. Iowa played tremendously and aside from Vader being on fire (and some poor turnovers by Iowa) it would have been a total blowout. The game was never really close though. Iowa's defense absolutely shut down Killingsworth. I've long said Hansen (when not in foul trouble) is one of the best defensive big men in the country and when he's not in foul trouble, Iowa is an incredibly dangerous team. Real nice win and we protected home court. I'd have to say Iowa (and yes I'm biased) has more quality wins than any other unranked team. Now they got to focus on the Buckeyes, who are a damn good team as well (we play em this weekend). I'm hoping somehow I'll get to see a little part of this game while at Fest.