No need for a Melo fellow.
“The Detroit Pistons would be crazy to break up their team by trading for Carmelo Anthony. That’s just too drastic a change. And if the Nuggets got guard Chauncey Billups in return, it would not work because Allen Iverson would be without the basketball.”
Bob, Aurora
Kiz: It’s hard to defend Melo on the accusations of his detractors. He commits way too many immature acts and plays defense without any real commitment. But I ask you this: Put Anthony on the Pistons, and what would his critics say when Melo wins a championship ring in 2009?
Rules can be bent.
“Referees have long admitted there is a code in the NBA. Star players can get away with certain offensive ‘moves’ that lesser players cannot. Stars should not foul out, because the fans came to see them play. When you see a star go from baseline to baseline and dribble the ball only three times, you know the rulebook has been eliminated. Frankly, I’d rather watch pro wrestling, although there is not as much physical contact as in the NBA.”
Dick, Loveland
Kiz: Here’s betting Kobe Bryant would not last 90 seconds with Kimbo Slice in a no-holds-barred brawl. And I’d wager a million Americans would pay $49.95 to see it.
Slaves to salary.
“How can you have bad blood in the NBA Finals and a rivalry between the Celtics and Lakers if you don’t have player loyalty? Most of these players would walk off the court and put on a different jersey in a heartbeat, if the money was right. It’s strictly a business now, not a game.”
Steve, Centennial
Kiz: Ray Allen is a good dude. But cut him open and he bleeds green. The color of money, not the color of the Celtics.
Sweet stench of success.
“I remember sitting in the hazy, old Boston Garden, watching John Havlicek, Bill Russell, Sam Jones, K.C. Jones and Bob Cousy play. I can still smell the place. Somehow, the TD Banknorth Garden just doesn’t have the same appeal.”
Bob, Arvada
Kiz: Why they ever called it the Garden was beyond me, because the scent of the old joint was an overpowering mixture of stale cigar smoke and a circus cage in desperate need of cleaning. But there were basketball ghosts in the rafters and a sense of basketball history in every corner, which is stronger stuff than any expensive wine poured in the luxury suites of a new arena that smells like big money.
Todd the untouchable.
“Why isn’t anyone talking about trading Todd Helton? What has he done for the Rockies lately? He is a huge financial burden and is simply not worth the money. For the last four or five years, his offensive numbers have pretty much gone down and down and down. Do Helton’s mediocre numbers in any way justify his high-flying salary? Or do we simply not talk about trading Helton, because nobody wants him, at any price?”
John, Littleton
Kiz: It’s impossible to unload a first baseman on pace for 18 homers and 70 ribbies, unless you’re in the mood to eat a big chunk of Helton’s $16.6 million salary. The Kid Rocks, however, would not have made the World Series without him, and seeing Helton happily carry his young daughter on his shoulders after clinching the National League pennant was priceless. Know what scares me? Team ownership will use the decline in Helton’s skills as an excuse not to give Matt Holliday a long-term contract.
Parting shot
And today’s parting shot is so loud it could wake the dead, by suggesting our local baseball team might be in more capable hands if it was managed by a guy who died in 1989.
“I believe this is why the Rockies come up short. They can’t play ball and have manager Clint Hurdle chew gum at the same time. Another observation: Get a new manager. Somebody go dig up Billy Martin.”
Richard, Johnstown
