I am a big fan of international basketball, and believe that at times it is underrated.... but the Rockets would beat Barca, and certainly would not get swept. I agree with some of your observations on international prospects.... but your above statement is just hyperbole.
I'm beginning to think we're all getting trolled by an otherwise knowledgeable internationally-obsessed fan.
First, we don't know that Morey actually did offer a kings ransom for Rubio... although I suspect he did. We don't know how good Rubio will be in the NBA until he actually comes over... the style of play is different here. Second, Cousins looked good last year... I would be happy if he were here... also he can play the 5. Third, don't forget that Morey tried to get Kevin Love before he busted out. He had an interest in Stephon Curry, Tyson Chandler and others... The interest in Ariza was interesting to me, I never thought he was good... but Morey did flip him for Lee... the Brad Miller signing was poor, but we had lost out on Chandler, and apparently Adelman really wanted Miller.... other than those, I can't really complain.
Not entirely sure, but I recall the package was for Brooks, Battier, and future pick for the 5th pick Rubio. Instead we got the 2nd pick Thabeet, Goran Dragic, and two 1st round picks instead.
Owner of Timberwolves says they are leaning towards keeping the pick right now. http://www.startribune.com/sports/wolves/122426364.html
Lets wait until they are under pressure with great offers on the table. Kevin Martin, Jordan Hill and the 23rd pick for the 2nd pick and their worst contract is the most i would give them.
His just trying to add more value to the pick. But any GM knows that the T-Wolves have no real options with that pick. The T-Wolves are already loaded at the position's that all of the available prospect can play at.
<iframe width="480" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aVabTr_Roxw?rel=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The Rockets could not win a game in a series with Barca. Sorry, but the Rockets are not in that class.
Yeah it was a preseason game where the Lakers played their starters in the 4th quarter. Where Fisher almost cried at the end of the game. Where Jackson yelled and cussed at his players on the bench after they lost and was mad with the media after the game also. Where Kobe said after the game Barca could easily compete with any NBA team....where Barca used an 11 man rotation in the game, etc. The Lakers were giving 3 times more effort in that game than in any of their NBA playoff games this season.
Kobe only played 25 minutes, but the Lakers tried 3 times as hard to beat Barcelona in preseason than any team in the playoffs? "Kobe Bryant played 25 minutes, compared to six on Monday in a loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves, as he recovers from knee surgery. Bryant went back into the game with 5:41 remaining in the fourth to join the other starters. '[The other starters] were going back in anyway and I wanted to go back in and do some more exercise," Bryant said. "I've had maybe three practices since training camp started. My knee was feeling good, my knee was feeling fine. I didn't have any pain or stiffness, so, when that happens you really got to stretch it out as much as you can and try to get in rhythm as much as you can, so that's what I wanted to do.'" "He is not ready to play. He went out there to show his goodwill for the fans and to support his team," Jackson said.
Barca used an 11 man rotation and played their bench more than the Lakers did. The Lakers starters, including Kobe were playing the 4th quarter, as the video posted even proves. And yes, the Lakers played much harder in that game than they did in any of their NBA playoff games. The video is proof of that. One more time, Barca used an 11 man rotation in that game. The Lakers admitted after the game they tried their best to win it.
lol, this was a tune up game for Kobe. You really think a healthy Kobe would only play 25 minutes, and not dominate Ricky Rubio and Juan Carlos Navarro?
