If Malone doesn't get a suspension for this one, the NBA has absolutely no cojones. This is the third playoff series in a row that he has deliberately injured someone. Does the league think it is getting better? Do they think that this can go on forever without someone accidentally getting seriously hurt? I'm talking about breaking bones, getting knocked unconsious, injuring spines/necks. Malone is an embarassement to the league. When will they treat him that way? The funniest thing about the gutless league management is that they come down like a hammer on aggressive personalities like Mark Cuban and Dennis Rodman who never hurt a single person, but when it comes to Malone, they consistently turn their backs. Players need protection from him on the court. The league won't help them. If I were the owner of a team that became Malone's punching bag, I would sue the league for inaction. The league allows Malone to play when they know about his tendencies for violence and they take no precautions. One other comment... why does Malone think he is a minority in the league? Why does he think he is tougher than anyone else? There are a lot of people in that league that could inflict severe damage on anyone else if they were so inclined. Any random 7 footer could do some serious damage if they decided to. Look at Bradley. Even Stickman was able to hurt Barkley who we all know DDT'd Shaquille once. Can you imagine the pain Yao could inflict if he decided he was going to lay out Malone? We're talking deadly elbow to the temple. Thank goodness Yao has some common sense and the ability to think about his actions and their consequences. Otherwise, he is a walking deadly weapon.
Pippen was a great player, but I think there is little doubt KG now is the better overall player than Pippen ever was. KG does not deserve mention with Shaq, Hakeem, Magic or Bird just yet, but if he wins the title he is with a group of players just below them like TD, Barkley, Malone, and above Pippen who never shed that "role player extrodinaire" tag.
jordan- pippen, rodman bird- mchale, parish isiah- lambeer, rodman, olajuwon- drexler, thorpe, sampson garnett no one until this year, and now he is in in the west finals tied 1 to 1 against 4 hall of fame players, 2 of which have never got a ring and want one bad. garnett is still young, when its all said and done you will be able to put him up there with those players.
I agree ... It's still too early to say he is as great as them, but I would want him on my team more than any other player in the league right now. With some luck in the playoffs over the next few years he might have a chance to be mentioned with all those guys.
Your label is terrible. Maybe you should think of a way to reclassify those players, maybe with the exception of Pippen. I especially don't understand the labeling of Tim Duncan as a role player--even an extraordinary one. The man is a two time MVP and two time world champion! Look at the team he had last year and I don't understand how carrying that team to a title would make him a role player. The same thing stands if Garnett makes it to the finals and wins the ring. I disagree with having Barkley and Malone in there too; as they clearly weren't role players in the prime of their careers.
Watching the game last night I think maybe the Wolves have figured out the Rocket’s secret to containing Shaq. Foul him EARLY and often. Make him earn every single one of his points from the free throw line. Don't ever give him a chance at any AND1's. For the past 5 games, the Spurs and Wolves waited until Shaq’s confidence level was high before fouling and by then it’s too late. They would wait until Shaq already had 20 points before fouling because by then he’ll already be in a rhythm and the pressure for him to make FT’s is off. If that happens he’ll make all of his free throws. I think this is what the Rockets did that was so effective. Anytime Shaq was even in the vicinity of the paint the Rockets fouled. He was never able to get into a rythm. Rarely was he able to shoot the ball on two consecutive trips down the court.
I never said that Pippen was a bad player, I just wanted to point out that he had a little more help than just Horace Grant. Yes, Kukoc was not an all-star but he was a very good role player. And I do think that the final play of the Knicks playoff game where Pippen decided to sit out does say a lot: 1) Phil thought that the Bull's best chance of winning was to have Kukoc shoot the final shot. Sure one can argue that Pippen would be covered but if MJ were playing then there is no way that MJ would not shoot the final shot. 2) His coach told him to inbound the ball and he refused and decided to sit out the final play of a playoff game. This is just absurd.
Part of the reason why he didn't get to shoot much is because his fadaway and hooks have been disabled by the lengthy Yao. IMO this is the main reason why Shaq didn't really get into a rhythm offensively. I bet you his percentage of his hooks and fadaway against Yao is about 10 percent from the floor. He doesn't have the moves to shoot over him...he's limited because he can only outpower him to score. It takes a toll if you try to outpower a 310 point 7'6" dude everytime you have the ball.
If they can suspend Artest for leaving the bench and coming back to avoid the suspension..."NBA trying to send a message"... then not suspend Malone for what he did.....NBA = Hypocrits(sp)
Yes he does. He goes to the hook and baseline fadaways quite often against inferior centers. It's not pretty but it's very effective.
I must admit, I've never seen that. He certainly has a hook shot, and a turnaround jumpshot occasionally. Mostly, whenever I have seen a game, it's drop-steps and spins. Obviously combined with an up-and-under move.
I wouldn't say that. Jefferson took one step onto the court, and Artest took a couple leaps toward midcourt before catching himself. The NBA is trying to enforce that rule as strictly as possible and have made it clear over and over again that it'll be letter of the law. Which does make it odd that they tend to be so limp when it comes to players actually fighting on the court. Walking 5 steps toward a skirmish when you're 30 feet away merits the same punishment as throwing an intentional elbow or thrown punch? Evan
I guess he's not really fading like a Garnet and Hakeem or even Yao...it is more like a turnaround jumpshot to the baseline with maybe a very slight fade..same thing to me..
The Lakers are still whining about how Shaq got suspended for saying the f word on TV and Francis got away.
why does flip play olwakanidi, this guy is garbage. Everytime i see him play he either turns it over, misses a shot, or doesent pass at all.
