November 18, 2008 3:14 pm  |  85 Comments

Links: The Dirty Thirty

It just doesn’t get any dirtier than this…

by Lang Whitaker

Welcome to Week Three of the Dirty Thirty, where the more things change, the more they stay the same. Last week’s rankings are here. This week’s rankings are ready for your perusal below…

[TABLE=30]

  • Add a Comment
    • Digg
    • del.icio.us
    • Facebook
    • Google
    • StumbleUpon
    • TwitThis
    • Yahoo! Buzz
    • Print this article!

This story is filed under: Blogs, Dirty 30, NBA, The Links

Read more like this in: Tags: ,

  • NACHOveli Posted: Nov.18 at 3:23 pm
    great list, i’d pay to see b diddy in quantum of sterling. cant wait for my suns to get after the lakers on thurs. oh, primero!!!

  • Ken Posted: Nov.18 at 3:24 pm
    It’s weird seeing NY so high again. It’s been like, 5 years since they were that high in the league.

  • Allenp Posted: Nov.18 at 3:24 pm
    There are a lot of horrible teams in the League right now.

  • K Holls Posted: Nov.18 at 3:25 pm
    Last!!!

  • Ryne Nelson Posted: Nov.18 at 3:25 pm
    I can see why the Jazz–despite seven wins, and dishing the Suns a *major* clobbering last night–are lower than 10 other teams, including the 5-4 Hornets. They’ve been injury-plagued all season. When Deron and Okur return, they’ll (hopefully) be a Top 10 fixture every week.

  • Moose Posted: Nov.18 at 3:27 pm
    Swift is one ugly dude, hair or not. Maybe they’ll win if the go back to Seattle . . . sigh.

  • Moose Posted: Nov.18 at 3:27 pm
    *they

  • Moose Posted: Nov.18 at 3:28 pm
    Injuries are hurting the league big time at the moment, pun intended.

  • Zee! Posted: Nov.18 at 3:32 pm
    Lake Show…All Day.

  • Ryne Nelson Posted: Nov.18 at 3:34 pm
    The Cavs are one Zydrunas Ilgauskas injury away from mediocrity. :-)

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.18 at 3:57 pm
    Great list. Only gripe is the Heat ranking. They are obviously better than the Bucks, Mavs, and Spurs as crazy as that sounds.

  • chris Posted: Nov.18 at 3:59 pm
    The cavs are one New Jersey signing away from obscurity.

  • Z Posted: Nov.18 at 4:01 pm
    Ryne, the Cavs need another big. JJ is not ready and I don’t believe in Sexyback. However, as opposed to most, I do like their 3-man rotation in the backcourt. I really like this team from 1 to 9. Sasha has to find a way to give Bron 10 minutes of rest per game.

  • Z Posted: Nov.18 at 4:07 pm
    CAN WE DEAD THE LEBRON JAMES’ FREE AGENCY THING UNTIL JULY 1, 2010 ?!
    Thanks.

  • tealish Posted: Nov.18 at 4:07 pm
    Still hating on the Detroit move, I see. The like the Dirty30, but I hope the Piston comment next time around can be about something other than the “true intentions” behind the AI-Billups trade.

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.18 at 4:08 pm
    That Pau pic is gangsta. lol

  • Ryne Nelson Posted: Nov.18 at 4:10 pm
    LeBron’s on a new level this year. Games seem like less like work than just having fun. I’d argue James could go 40+ minutes per night without slowing a single step come Playoff time.

  • Myles Brown Posted: Nov.18 at 4:18 pm
    I cant believe I agree with anything Patrick Reusse has to say. Actually, I said it first, so he agrees with me. As he should. But Lang linked to him anyway. Wah. I just want Flip back.

  • TADOne Posted: Nov.18 at 4:21 pm
    You want Flip back? Seriously?

  • Myles Brown Posted: Nov.18 at 4:24 pm
    Yes. He could find a system to develop the teams offensive potential and contrary to popular opinion, hes not a bad defensive coach. I dont think he ever shouldve been fired in the first place.

  • Myles Brown Posted: Nov.18 at 4:25 pm
    And hes certainly better than Randy Wittman and his career .324 winning percentage.

  • sparker Posted: Nov.18 at 4:33 pm
    lebarry

  • TADOne Posted: Nov.18 at 4:34 pm
    No argument there. I was against Detroit firing him, but he seemed to have worn out his welcome with Joe D. and the team. I wonder what he is doing these days?

  • Ryne Nelson Posted: Nov.18 at 4:37 pm
    I bet he’s taking a much-needed break from the game. If he wants to coach again, I’m sure he’ll have at least a handful of gigs open to him.

  • Myles Brown Posted: Nov.18 at 4:39 pm
    He lives in Minnesota…

  • hb Posted: Nov.18 at 4:42 pm
    moose ur a f@ggot

  • TADOne Posted: Nov.18 at 4:43 pm
    I had heard that his alma mater, Minnesota, was interested in speaking to him. Any truth? Has Tubby already worn out his welcome?

  • ciolkstar Posted: Nov.18 at 4:44 pm
    Devin Harris is killing it on my fantasy squad. Cubes may have done some “insider trading” before, but he definitely sold low on Harris. Not to mention he’s the only guy I’ve ever seen slow down Tony Parker. Lets go Hawks! I need Big Al and Joe Johnson to step it up this week, although JJ been’s pretty sick thus far. Looking for Melo to counce back, and convince Chauncey that Denver isn’t Detroit and he should be getting more than 12 shots and 15 ppg.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Nov.18 at 4:46 pm
    Also, what the hell is going on in DC? I hope Eddie Jordan rents. Free JaVale McGee!

  • TADOne Posted: Nov.18 at 4:52 pm
    Denver is 5-1 with Billups. He has been fine doing what he is doing.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Nov.18 at 4:53 pm
    I think rest during games is overrated. Van Gundy convinced me. I mean a guy might need to catch his breath, get a drink of water, etc..
    But think about it, does 3-5 minutes (180-300 seconds)of basketball 3-5 times weekly added up throughout the year make all that big a difference? If a guy is worn down he should sit out practices not during games, there are only so many minutes of game time to be played (or not played) while there are literally hours spent weekly practicing and working out. In short, Bron will be fine playing 40 minutes.

  • TADOne Posted: Nov.18 at 4:53 pm
    Eddie Jordan has worn out his welcome.

  • Myles Brown Posted: Nov.18 at 4:54 pm
    I dont know. I read that in the article, but I dont pay much attention to the Gophers. Ill ask around.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Nov.18 at 4:57 pm
    3 of the nuggs wins with Billups came against Memphis, Minnesota and the BETcats. They barely beat the Mavs (108-105), I’m just saying that Carmello is not yet involved enough in the Nuggs offense and part of that is on Chauncey. Melo only getting 12 shots up is not a good look for that team.

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.18 at 5:02 pm
    ciolkstar has a good point.

  • TADOne Posted: Nov.18 at 5:02 pm
    You can only play whomever is on the schedule. Any new face on a team, especially a PG, takes time to get acclimated. While not the toughest of competition, it is still impressive to be able to get your new team off to a good start and seeming to seamlessly fit in.
    As for Melo: That appears to be more him then what Chauncey is doing. I’ve been seeing Melo consistently settle for his jumper instead of being aggressive and getting down in the paint.

  • Ryne Nelson Posted: Nov.18 at 5:07 pm
    LeBron barely gets winded anymore. He’s the world’s best-conditioned basketball player.

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.18 at 5:11 pm
    I think the trade helps both teams but the Chancey factor in Denver is being a little overhyped right now.

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.18 at 5:12 pm
    @Ryne:Except when he’s at the line in a close game.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Nov.18 at 5:16 pm
    I do agree with you that a lot of Melo’s offensive struggles are on him TAD, I dont think he’s completely comfortable moving without the ball yet. But, I’ve watched a bunch of their games recently and Chauncey ignore’s Melo showing his hands, asking for the ball at the elbow. Part of a PGs description is knowing where guys like the ball. Part of what makes Melo such a good scorer is his iso game. I honestly think he’s been rushing/forcing some shots recently because he doesn’t know if/when he’ll get another opportunity. I’m not blaming Chauncey for all of Melo’s struggles, but I think they’re clearly still adjusting to each other/new roles. I also will not give Chauncey all the credit for this team getting some (albeit easy) recent wins.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Nov.18 at 5:18 pm
    AllenP convinced me recently. “Unstoppable” isn’t a strong enough word to describe Bron’s game right now, he actually is Jesus.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Nov.18 at 5:19 pm
    Bron is equal parts Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan and Shaq.

  • Russ Bengtson Posted: Nov.18 at 5:21 pm
    The Knicks should be ranked higher. Z-Bo is nasty.

  • Jackie Moon Posted: Nov.18 at 5:26 pm
    You are rockin the spreadsheet with aplomb, Lang.

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.18 at 5:30 pm
    Is Shaq the free throw shooting part?

  • awesomepossum Posted: Nov.18 at 5:38 pm
    Damno, those Knicks are flying high!

  • BETCATS Posted: Nov.18 at 5:50 pm
    Lang just done yall dirty.

  • ciolkstar Posted: Nov.18 at 5:56 pm
    No, Shaq is the beasting all over Kobe than asking how his ass tastes part.

  • Michael Lee Posted: Nov.18 at 5:58 pm
    Free Marbury lol

  • ciolkstar Posted: Nov.18 at 5:58 pm
    Its actually pretty funny that Bron’s 75% FT shooting is literally ONLY thing you can criticize about his game.

  • Russ Bengtson Posted: Nov.18 at 6:04 pm
    The ONLY thing? Let’s not get ahead of ourselves. He’s averaged 3-plus turnovers a game every year so far. He’s a terrible three-point shooter (9-37 so far this year, a career low). And he’s not exactly Scottie Pippen on the defensive end.

  • TADOne Posted: Nov.18 at 6:14 pm
    He also has a nasty habit of chewing on his fingernails.

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.18 at 6:15 pm
    When has Shaq ever “beasted” all over Kobe? You should minus Shaq from your comment and add Karl Malone. Nothing about LeBron makes me think of the Diesel. He never takes smaller guards into the post, which is another thing you can critize aobut his game.

  • TADOne Posted: Nov.18 at 6:20 pm
    In the media? On the mic?

  • BETCATS Posted: Nov.18 at 6:20 pm
    cio: yes, his jumpshot is not as efficent as it should be. Or so says the critics. But who needs a jump shot when dunking on clowns is easier than breathing?

  • Caleb Posted: Nov.18 at 6:22 pm
    The hornets just need to find their rhythm… It will happen, very soon.

  • BETCATS Posted: Nov.18 at 6:22 pm
    also, why did ESPN tell me Shaq wanted to go back to LA for a year after he becomes a free agent? Doesnt he realize that he would no longer be able to critize Kobe or Phil Jackson and he would have to be the reserve to the kid that put a wild crazy spin move on him in that Christmas game (yall call him Andrew Bynum)? Not a wise move, but ESPN makes a lot of stuff up.

  • BETCATS Posted: Nov.18 at 6:23 pm
    caleb, if they trade Chris Paul for Raymond Felton, it will happen. Trust me and do it after you become their GM. You will thank me later.

  • Caleb Posted: Nov.18 at 6:27 pm
    Hey I’d love to have Raymond Felton. As a back up.

  • TADOne Posted: Nov.18 at 6:29 pm
    Sean May would still suck.

  • BETCATS Posted: Nov.18 at 6:30 pm
    Give us Chris Paul and we will also throw in the Double Cheeseburger known as Sean May.

  • NBK Posted: Nov.18 at 6:30 pm
    @bet ESPN wanted you to react so you would keep reading there website, shaq is not even invited back to LA
    @Russ You handle the ball every possession for 42 minutes and don’t turn the ball over a couple of times. How many players have ever averaged under 2 TO while handling the ball every possession for 40+ minutes?

  • BETCATS Posted: Nov.18 at 6:31 pm
    Tad: Not as bad as Cuttino Mobley on Steve Frances ( I JUST WENT THERE )

  • Caleb Posted: Nov.18 at 6:32 pm
    The only way trading Chris Paul would make sense is if there was a “stupidest GM of the year” award that Jeff Bower was looking to win.

  • BETCATS Posted: Nov.18 at 6:32 pm
    NBK i will tell you who averaged under 2 TO’s in 40 minutes; JESUS

  • B. Long Posted: Nov.18 at 6:33 pm
    If LeBron ever develops a decent post game, starts shooting a better per. from 3, and starts hitting clutch free throws, he’ll be pretty much damn near unstoppable. Turnovers could go down as well but thats more Mike Brown’s fault for not actually designing a offense.

  • BETCATS Posted: Nov.18 at 6:34 pm
    Caleb, their is one, and since Isiah Thomas is gone, and Chris Mullin is gonna implode the entire G-State Warroirs by January if he knows they are gonna fire him, Bower would need to do that to pull ahead. Make him do it Caleb.

  • BETCATS Posted: Nov.18 at 6:35 pm
    If Lebron got Larry Hughes back, or Joe Smith back, or Antonio McDycce (not back), the Cavs would go to the finals agian.

  • Russ Bengtson Posted: Nov.18 at 6:36 pm
    Chris Paul averages a full turnover less than LeBron and might handle the ball even more.

  • BETCATS Posted: Nov.18 at 6:36 pm
    i am guessing everybody left after reading my Frances/Mobley comment? Pilgrims.

  • BETCATS Posted: Nov.18 at 6:37 pm
    Russ, but isnt that CP3’s job? To handle the ball and not turn it over? While all Lebron should have to do is recive a pass from said ball handler, then take 2-4 dribbles, followed by 1-2 steps, then a nasty dunk?

  • Russ Bengtson Posted: Nov.18 at 6:39 pm
    Which means LeBron should turn it over less. Look, ciolkstar said the ONLY (caps his) thing you can criticize him for is his free throw percentage, I’m saying there are several other things. That’s all.

  • BETCATS Posted: Nov.18 at 6:41 pm
    But the whole thing is, the Cavs dont have a ball handling Point Guard, they have a ball handling undersized Shooting Guard (Mo Williams), so Lebron is forced to be something he shouldnt have to be. But i see your point. That’s all.

  • WhaHuh Posted: Nov.18 at 7:16 pm
    correction BETCATS “then take 2-4 dribbles, followed by 3-4 steps, then a nasty dunk?” continue

  • SUNS4LIFE Posted: Nov.18 at 7:39 pm
    yeee nice list, i cant wait for suns-lakeshow on thursdya, gonna hopefully be one of the best games of the season.

  • Dacre Posted: Nov.18 at 7:56 pm
    You got Knicks way too low…below the Mavs…????!!! Seriously. They have D’Antoni now… OF COURSE THEY STOP PLAYING DEFENSE….But they are WINNING GAMES….and THAT is what the Knicks brought him in for.

  • Gaz Posted: Nov.18 at 9:09 pm
    @ BETCATS, well the Bobcats don’t get the ball too often, so at least they don’t need a designated ball handler…. just looking at the positives man.

  • BETCATS Posted: Nov.18 at 9:16 pm
    What? A whole team doesnt get the ball? You fail, Gaz, you fail.

  • Dwyane Posted: Nov.18 at 10:44 pm
    LANG WHERES MY GUNNIN DVD AND SHIRT?????I NEVER GOT IT YET??

  • LexaB Posted: Nov.19 at 5:25 am
    “Forget Jersey, Bron’s going to Branson, Missouri!”… Classic Lang!!! And BTW am I the only one feeling like the Hornets (not CP3, dont yell at me, that kid is da bomb for sure) are a little bit overrated and just had the year of their life last season???

  • underdog Posted: Nov.19 at 7:36 am
    Gasol looks like angry Tweety on that pic.

  • Dwyane Posted: Nov.19 at 6:32 pm
    never mind i got it today thanks lang

  • jaywhy Posted: Nov.20 at 9:36 am
    on the Suns comments - cuz they lead right from the get go… ;)

  • mdshuai Posted: Nov.20 at 1:37 pm
    Has anyone noticed that the Mavericks basically run one play every possession; and doesn’t it look incredibly similar to the offense the piston’s have run for Rip the last few years, ever since Rick Carlisle coached them? Someone needs to tell him that he’s not coaching the pistons anymore…or the pacers. He doesn’t have a catch-and-shoot jumpshooter whose gonna run hard off of screens to get open shots: he’s got a team of guys who are better with the ball in their hands. And could they please start giving Dirk the ball? He’s your best player, you should be running your offense THROUGH him, not around him.

  • ALLRIGHTS Posted: Nov.20 at 7:42 pm
    Lang hates Pistons- News Flash!

Comments