James Harden for the Olympics
How many G's do they take for the team? Well, you know Kobe's a lock. Iggy, Westbrook, Wade, EG seem like the only competition for him. I think he has a legit shot- Wade and Westbrook will probably be in as well. Iggy is possible- he made it last time, but I don't know much about what they prioritize for the olympics. So it's possible that Harden makes it. If not this olympics, then surely he'll be in the next games, because Bryant will be old, and Wade and Iggy could be done as well due to age (Iggy more likely done than Wade).
It doesn’t help that McGrady has failed to become the strong veteran voice in the locker room even as his body has failed him. He led a player revolt against Detroit Pistons head coach John Kuester in 2010-11 and then was far from a positive influence in Atlanta last season.
"He doesn't even look fatigued," said Miami coach Erik Spoelstra. "I mentioned to one of the coaches (doing scrimmage substitutions), 'Make sure you sub for Ray so he's not going the whole four quarters, playing the entire game.' (The coach) said, 'Does he even look tired?' I said, 'No, but we got to get him out to at least rest his legs.'"vafw3232323hh
Regardless of whether Lewis, who shot 23.9 percent from three-point range last season to drop his career percentage to 38.8, can regain his former stroke, the Heat have plenty of three-point possibilities. James talked about how they might play at times with one big man inside and four guys outside.sssssssssss
“Of course it’s on your mind, but at the same time you really can’t do much about it,” Gibson said. “You know you should have the agent take care of that, let the front office take care of that, so all you really have to focus on is playing basketball. That’s what you can control.”4e322dgf
“As soon as the season was over, [Thibodeau] just had me in here with him, and we just worked out almost every day, just trying to get ready for the USA,” Gibson said of his preparation for the 2012 USA Men’s Select Team. “I wanted to make a good impression for the USA camp, and he came down and watched every practice. I did a good job, got good feedback, and I feel positive about it.dfhd
So while Gibson looks to improve and play a bigger role as Chicago’s unquestioned sixth man this year, he’ll do so either as an imminent restricted free agent or as a re-upped veteran who will have the benefit of knowing his future with the organization.xvafafda
According to recent research, it is estimated that approximately 40 million American adults suffer from some form of anxiety disorder. That’s nearly 18 percent of the population over the age of 18. I assume that number is higher than most of us would have suspected; and I also assume the reason we underestimate the number of those afflicted is partly because so many of us that suffer from anxiety do so quietly and privately.dgf4w3
I certainly won’t attempt to speak for everyone battling the disease, but I will freely admit that one reason I rarely share my experiences with others is due to a certain level of shame/embarrassment that accompanies openly admitting that I occasionally become exceedingly anxious at the mere thought of seemingly mundane tasks that wouldn’t phase my wife or my five-year-old niece.fgsadfadfa
I certainly won’t attempt to speak for everyone battling the disease, but I will freely admit that one reason I rarely share my experiences with others is due to a certain level of shame/embarrassment that accompanies openly admitting that I occasionally become exceedingly anxious at the mere thought of seemingly mundane tasks that wouldn’t phase my wife or my five-year-old niece.hsdfgsg
For those not familiar with his background, White suffers from severe anxiety disorder. White, to his credit, has been extremely forthcoming about his illness (he even allowed a fascinating inside look into the gift and the curse that was the day he got drafted in to the NBA), which has obviously impacted all facets of his life, including traveling to and from games by plane while at Iowa State. fafdas
Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey, the man who made the final decision to draft White, was fully aware of the unique issues and potential problems the Rockets would face when they selected White with the 16th overall pick in June. Houston was getting one of the most talented and versatile young players on the planet (Royce, as a freshman, led his college team in points, assists, rebounds, blocks and steals), but they were also getting a young man that would have to deal with a unique set of challenges throughout is career.gdfsasd
Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey, the man who made the final decision to draft White, was fully aware of the unique issues and potential problems the Rockets would face when they selected White with the 16th overall pick in June. Houston was getting one of the most talented and versatile young players on the planet (Royce, as a freshman, led his college team in points, assists, rebounds, blocks and steals), but they were also getting a young man that would have to deal with a unique set of challenges throughout is career.gsdfa
The Blazers finished last season 28-38 and out of the playoffs for the first time in four years. They dismissed head coach Nate McMillan and let go of some of their more veteran players, choosing to build around Aldridge and swingman Nicolas Batum.
“Yeah, no team can discover a mismatch to our team,” Green said. “No matter if it’s me, Brandon (Bass), Kris Joseph, KG. We have guys who can play multiple positions, Courtney (Lee), and we can match with any team. So, it works to the best of our abilities to put a lineup out there that can guard anybody.”
Houston Rockets big man Greg Smith is facing the same sort of challenges that Gerald Green faced earlier in his career, but he’s not quite as far along in getting himself a guaranteed contract. In fact, Smith was invited to Rockets camp last year as well, but was cut three days before Christmas and the start of the 2011-12 lockout-shortened season.
“It feels good (to play power forward),” Varejao said. “But to me it is kind of the same playing power forward or center, so whatever coach needs and whatever he wants me to do, I will do it.”
Cavaliers head coach Byron Scott has a very young team with a number of high draft picks that need a lot playing time in order to develop and when the team drafted Tyler Zeller in June, he finally got a true center to work with.
“I think people did get a little spoiled,” Scott said. “Kyrie is just so different, too. The kid is just so talented, but if people remember, he didn’t just set the world on fire in his first game against Toronto. It took him a while, too. First picks, fourth picks, it really doesn’t matter. As long as you’re a rookie it’s going to take some time to adjust to the NBA style of basketball, period.”
Smart’s biggest challenge when he took over the Kings last year was to gain the trust of DeMarcus Cousins and help him grow into a player and a person who is a franchise cornerstone. That process got off to a great start last season, and Cousins seems to have taken the next step heading into the new season.
This could also turn into a blessing in disguise for Nowitzki’s teammates, as playing without him will force them to step up and not get used to relying on or being bailed out by him. The Mavericks aren’t going to have the level of success they want by just riding Nowitzki, he’s going to need help from the likes of Darren Collison, O.J. Mayo, Chris Kaman and the rest of the team. The more confident and capable they are, the better the Mavericks’ chances of contending in the West are.
I've been watching this guy play more and more lately and I've just been absolutely blown away. As an OKC fan, I can honestly say I'm more comfortable with the ball in his hands rather then Westbrook.
I really hope he gets the chance to represent our country in the Olympics. He plays defense, he's unselfish, and he seems like a really good teammate.
What are your guys thoughts? I know he's a finalist.. think there's any chance he makes the final cut?