Lockouts Biggest Losers

Boston Celtics

It was in question if the Celtics had enough in the tank 2 years ago.  Last year, with teams re-tooled and re-structured, it became very apparent that the athleticism just wasn't there.  Rondo desperately needs to find his jumper, so even the President stops ragging on him.  If this team was any chance of survival, they are going to need to figure out a way to infuse some young talent fast.

Los Angeles Lakers

Another case of another team that really needs to try to win now and not later.  Kobe and Pau are not getting any younger, but I have a feeling a year off means that Bynum will get a lot heavier.  This team should do everything in its power to get a season because the window is closing.

Blake Griffin

Now three seasons into the NBA with only one under his belt.  The actual loser is probably the NBA fans since we rolled out a Kia to play defense and couldn't stop him.

Tim Duncan

Last year felt like one the last years for Tim.  Unfortunately, the team is struggling to find help around him as he is not the same player that he used to be.  The ironic twist could be a strike shortened season, which could completely play to the Spurs advantage.

TNT/ESPN/Every TV Station

The ratings for NBA games were climbing to record levels last season.  Games were seeing increases of audiences at 40%!  The stories of Lebron and Kobe, with Dirk stepping up, and the young talent piling in, the game never looked better, which leads to the biggest loser of all.


NBA Fans

The NFL ending the lockout acted like a tease.  The NBA lockout doesn't look close.  Somebody please fix this soon.

Rodman Still Shines on Hall of Fame Night

Dennis Rodman wore his traditional crazy garb when in came time to enter into the Hall this past week.  I think that Rodman is wildly colorful and eccentric.  He is proof that you can be anyone you want to be in the NBA and be completely respected as long as you bring the game to go with it.  I think if Rodman really wanted to blow the doors down, he would do something completely predictable and normal.  That would be the most unexpected.  But at its core, that is not what Rodman is about.  He is colorful and creative, open and energetic, and slightly disturbed.  

Rodman has always seemed like so many of his actions come from a place that may be guarded by inner demons.  Over time it seems like that place may be more and more comfortable than it used to be.  I hope that is the case.  He was always such a hard worker, immensely talented, and endlessly entertaining.  Congratulations, Worm.  The Hall of Fame just got a lot more colorful.

Lockout News and Notes on America's Team

Folks, it's been a while since we last talked. In the intervening months, the Lockout began and became entrenched, the Washington Wizards drafted the Big Smooch, and NBA players added a whole new interpretation to "getting boards."

Despite all of this, be assured that my thoughts have never been far from America's Team. My beloved Washington Wizards are, at long last, bearing the red, white, and blue once more. So without further ado, I present your August 2011 Washington Wizards Update, sponsored in part by the Government of the Phillipines.

(1) NBA Zone Press loves the Wizards' 2011 draft. Big Smooch, Chris Singleton, Shelvin Mack all have serious potential to be pieces on a contender: Smooch is an athletic freak who claims Blake Griffin is "The American Jan Vesely," Singleton has the tools to be an all-pro defensive stopper, and Mack is a quick and smart combo guard who played on two consecutive Butler teams that fought the odds to play in the National Championship.

More than anything else, though, I love the mentality these players bring. Vesely is young, motivated, and one of the rare Euros who seems to relish banging down low. Singleton is a gym rat and a film stud who approaches defense as something to be mastered, not an afterthought. And Mack brings much-needed big game experience to a young team that hasn't ever played in big games. The Wizards are young, hungry, and building a core for the future.

(2) Javale McGee is working hard this offseason:



(3) On day after Durant poured in a much-hyped 66 in Rucker Park, Nick Young dropped 60 in a Drew League game in LA.



(4) Finally, the Reason for Hope, aka the Future, aka your 2010-11 NBA Rookie of the Year (Real Rookies Category) shows why he's already one of the top 10 players in the league in terms of pure dirty athleticism:



And this, at the impact basketball training facility (starting at 0:55):



The Future is now, kids. Your Washington Wizards -- get ready, world.

Top 5 Destinations for Steve Nash

5.  New York Knicks 
 This might actually be a better fit than the next two teams, but Zone Press wants no part of it.  Nash and Amare reunited is appealling.  The addition of Carmelo makes for a high scoring team.  D'Antoni has obviously worked with Nash before, but who will stop anyone.  Amare is a better defender than people give him credit for, but between Nash, Carmelo, and Amare it seems like the basket will be pretty open.

4.  Minnesota Timberwolves
This rumor has had the most legs, but honestly I hope it doesn't happen for Nash's sake.  Really, what would the Timberwolves do with Nash.  He has to hold together a team with no center and 5 talented swing players with shared playing time. Granted, the outlet passes from Kevin Love will be awesome, and it would be great to give Rubio a mentor, but let's not waste the last years of Nash. 

3.  Orlando Magic
The Magic are bogged down with Gilbert Arenas contract.  Howard may be on the way out, but a year with Nash could really change things in Orlando.  With Nash at the point, the pick and rolls with Howard could be sensational.  I am imagining the dunks that will take place.  Not only that, but Nash will continue to add to the outside shooting that Stan Van Gundy craves.

2.  Los Angeles Lakers
The Lakers are getting a little older and a little jaded.  The effort last year was shaky and so was the performance.  The point guard play between Derek Fisher and Steve Blake was awful.  With the triangle offense on the way out, Nash could fit in perfectly with the veteran team.  Realistically, the Lakers only have one or two more chances to win.  Nash's outside shooting and play making could make that happen.

1. Atlanta Hawks
The Hawks need Steve Nash, and nobody is talking about it.  The Hawks have locked in Joe Johnson at numbers that are so absurd, we will certainly sink the franchise in 4 years.  I am so certain of this, I anticipate buying season tickets at a deeply discounted price.  With Nash the Hawks have a chance to win it all now, which would be a huge upgrade over their middling performance.  Also, Nash's presence in the locker room could make a huge difference for an often apathetic team.  The starting line-up of Nash, Johnson, Tayshaun Prince (another story for another post), Josh Smith, and Al Horford.  That is the real deal.

Been Away, but I'm Baaaack

NBA Zone Press has been on a bit of a hiatus.  Don't worry though, we haven't missed any games, and at this point it doesn't look like we will for a while.  Isn't that just predictable, NBA Zone Press jumps off the Presses and takes the web by storm only to have its main subject of focus removed from existence.  This only leads me to believe that 1. NBA Zone Press will come back with the NBA season better than Eddy Curry, 2. Lebron James will still be hated upon return, 3. We will discuss hypothetical trade options until every combination of trades has been exhausted.

I will promise you one thing.  NBA Zone Press will not write on the goings on of ball in the Land Far Away.  Deron Williams may be leading the charge for LFA "Land Far Away" Zone Press, but it will not happen.

So instead, incredibly late, NBA Zone Press will talk draft night!  Hindsight is 20/20, unless nobody has played a game, then we still have no idea!

NBA baby, we're going to talk about it!