Paul George: Better than Icarus

The initial reactions evolved from whispers, stunned silences, the Oh! My! God! That was awful looking, more whispers, and then carefully worded concern. Seeing a man's leg, upon landing, go from a straight line to a ninety degree angle of skin and bone is, as it should be, a shock to the system. And whatever we said, tweeted, or even yelled as we watched Paul George handle such catastrophe with relative calmness--perhaps as a result of the certainty that this was indeed terrible--surely sounded like an echo of whatever that tragic Greek figure Daedalus said, tweeted, or even yelled as his son Icarus plunged into the sea. Except Paul George wasn't exactly flying too close to the sun.

Paul George intimidating the hell out of Icarus.

Tyler Hansbrough's Very Good Terrible No Good Day

Within the team aspect of the game, there are individual victories and losses. This fact is hard to ignore, and this fact was on display this afternoon as the Indiana Pacers came within a few plays here and a few plays there of sending the city of Chicago into a frenzy not seen since the days when Mrs. O'Leary's cow was kicking over lanterns. Today the cow would have been former North Carolina standout Tyler Hansbrough, as he drained a countless number of eighteen foot jumpers in the face of a helpless Carlos Boozer.

Central Division Profiles: Danny Granger, the Hustler

Russ previewed the Central Division earlier, which was followed by a profile piece on Joakim Noah.  Now we've got the story of Danny Granger, who will either prove to be a franchise player or a fraud as the Indiana Pacers continue their search for respectability:

Danny always swore he could hear God whisper to him through the wood of a pool cue, or maybe it was money, or maybe the feeling of fresh bills in one's pocket is the same as being touched with the spirit, speaking in tongues and a choir full of angels.  Whatever it was, Danny liked it, felt in tune with it, and went from pool hall to pool hall in search of it, cocky as all get out.

NBA Preview Part 2: Central Division

NBA previews continue with a look at the Central Division. One correction from the Atlantic preview, I project the Celtics to win the division and get the 2nd seed in the East.  Now on to the Central.

1)  Cleveland Cavaliers
Last Year: 61-21, lost in Eastern Conference Semifinals

Additions: Ramon Session, Samardo Samuels, um....Joey Graham?
Subtractions: Lebron James, Delonte West, Shaquille O'Neal

Aftermath of the Darren Collison, Troy Murphy, and Trevor Ariza Trade

A wild pack of family dogs came runnin' through the yard

As my little sister played, the dogs took her away

And I guess she was eaten up okay....

--Modest Mouse, "Wild Pack of Family Dogs"

If I were one to speak in cliches, and maybe I am, I would respond to the four team, five player trade that went down yesterday as a sign of the times, that in moments of economic uncertainty fortunes are made and fortunes are lost.  Of course, that would all come off as hyperbole, seeing as how the biggest names in the trade were all essentially role players and second tier players, at best, and the fact that the teams involved were Indiana, New Orleans, Houston, and New Jersey would only add to the embellishment of what is essentially a story born out of the dog days of summer.  And perhaps it is in that phrase, dog days, that the heart of this story lies.

"Two on the Aisle": Busted Brackets

From time to time, we tend to use Ed Hopper paintings as a magnifying glass for studying the ins and outs of the NBA, and, with March Madness in full gear, the NBA becomes a fan of the drama much like the rest of us.

The Raiders Dysfunctional Companion: The OKC Thunder

Throughout the 2008 football season and much of the 2000's, the Oakland Raiders have taken their spot as America's most dysfunctional professional sports franchise. To be frank, there isn't a team that can even hold a candle to the malfunctional practices that are occuring in Alameda. But if we had to name the most dysfunctional team for the NBA, what team would it be?

It would be real easy to say the Knicks, but since Donnie Walsh and Mike D'Antoni took control of the franchise everything seems to working in their favor. Walsh got rid of Isaiah and a big chunk of terrible contracts. The last piece to be let go of is Starbury, which seems to be right around the corner. So most of the reprehensible figures have already left the Big Apple for new cities or are on the verge of leaving the city. D'Antoni is doing his part by getting the team to play as one, which is also the reason Stephon is looking for a buyout and referring to himself as a victim of war.

The Pacers also come to mind when thinking of dysfunctional franchises, but they too have bid adieu to their list of drama starters. Stephen Jackson, and the rest of the Club Rio Trio has been disbanded. Jermaine O'Neal and Ron Artest, of the Palace melee are balling elsewhere. So it seems as anyone on the team that was fond of guns, or would throw down at the drop of a cup are long gone from Indy. Well all but one of those guys is long gone, but Jamaal Tinsley is less of a risk when apart from his former teammates.

Since the Pacers and Knicks have both rited their ships for greener and drama-free pastures, what team could it be? How about the Oklahoma City Thunder? They certainly fit the bill. Evil owner. Check. City left in the dust. Check. Shady backroom dealings. Check. Good coaches fired for no reason. Check. Seriously John Wooden couldn't win with that team. Clay Bennett weasled his way out of a city that loved the Sonics for a city that loved the Hornets. Figuring OKC residents would fill the seats to watch anything with an NBA logo attached to it.

For the meantime they are correct in their assumptions, the Thunder are selling about 94% of their tickets. Which is a big boost when considering they only averaged 13,500 last season in Seattle and are selling about 19,000 this season. Also pretty good when considering the economic crisis. However the Thunder are currently 2-16, second to last in the league in scoring (They can thank Charlotte for not being last), and allow the fifth highest PPG average to its opposition. So I ask how long can you expect fans to keep up their excitement over a last place team that routinely gets blown out? Unlike the fans in Seatlle they have no attachment to this team.They have no reason to keep coming back.

So for the terrible way they left Seattle and the despicable product they are putting on the floor, I hereby name the Oklahoma City Thunder as the NBA's most dysfunctional franchise. Congratulations Al, you now have some company.

What are your thoughts? Do you think there is a more dysfunctional organization in the NBA? Let us know in the comment section.