MVN - Most Valuable Network

Happy Thanksgiving from Passion and Pride

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! As you all feast around your tables on this special day, take the time to show your appreciation for one another and for The One who provides all our needs. We are truly blessed to have the opportunity to share our loves with each other, and thank you for visiting this space where we can banter about hoops. My joy of writing about it comes from how much I love the game. Sports unities us all as part of the very fabric of humanity itself.

I’m going to be watching the Cowboys and rooting against them today. As an Eagles fan (and a secret Bills fan, my Dad’s site of the family is from SW New York State), the Cowboys represent a mortal enemy. The fact that T.O. is flying high for Dallas now eats at me. Why Andy Reid, Donovan McNabb and Co. let their egos get in the way, I do not know. T.O. was great, and yes - he’s right when he says that there is love in the boos. We miss you, T.O.! But that doesn’t mean we’re rooting for you. Boo Cowboys!

Speaking of boos, I hope you all got the chance to read this article from Tom Moore on Phillyburbs.com. It quotes Iguodala as saying, “It’s the same old thing. It’s like mass confusion out there on the court. The whole game, we were never really on the same page. They played basic basketball, and we just were awful…We suck in practice, too.”

I, for one, commend Andre for telling it like it is. How many times have we heard shallow responses from the Sixers like “we’re trying hard” and “we’re doing our best,” only to find more of the same? This team needs to make changes, and whether or not Mo Cheeks or Billy King want to admit it, it starts with them. Don’t put this on the players.

As for not putting it on the players, Sean Watts noticed that on Draft Express profile of O.J. Mayo, his worst case scenario is Willie Green. Not bad if Mo Cheeks is your coach!

Which situation is worse – the Knicks or the Sixers? I say the Sixers because it appears that the Knicks are closer to doing something about it. They’ve got one man acting as GM and coach, so it’s easy to place the blame. Father Knickerbocker’s Alex Benesowitz says they can’t wait any longer, while Tony Dileo of the Sixers says that they aren’t making any moves until the 20 game mark. In his debut for Father Knickerbocker, Alex suggested Jeff Van Gundy as the man to replace Isiah.

If you haven’t checked out the Carnival of the NBA, head on over to LOY’s Place, where “FLCeltsFan” hosted this Thanksgiving feast of basketball blogging. Passion and Pride is featured on the table. Thanks to LOY’s Place for reviving the Carnival!

As a bonus, consider this to be your MVN Basketball Carnival. Sixers fans, stay tuned at the end for a couple bonus pieces around the blogosphere. Feast on these tasty morsels of basketball blogging!

Who Is The Bigger Turkey?
In the main highlight on the NBA page, Stephen Jackson opens his mouth and bites off more than he can chew. He tries to take a bit out of Celtics nation, but comes across as a stuffed bird. Celtics17 got back on track against the Warriors.

Suns burn Kings (x2)
The Phoenix Suns had the pleasure of playing the Sacramento Kings twice this week and Born and Raised’s Steve Goldman had the pleasure of writing about it. To everyone’s surprise, the first one was a contest.

Spurs score season high, defeat Magic
The Spurs are starting to hit their stride with a dominating 128-110 win over the hottest team in the East. This is the difference between Tim Duncan having help in the middle vs. Dwight Howard…not.

Babblings: Warriors-Knicks
Taking to the Rack’s Steve Weinman was at Tuesday’s Warriors-Knicks game and he had plenty of insights into the drama that is the New York Knickerbockers. One observation among many: “The Knicks play no defense. None.”

Billups, Pistons, in ‘Giving’ Mood, Dust Knicks 98-86
In contrast to the Knicks selfish play, consider the Detroit Pistons who dusted them off Wednesday night. Motoring’s Mick Miller said, “Detroit’s “Mr. Big Shot” turned into “Big Share” with a 10 assist first quarter…”

Grizzlies fall to Raptors, Gasol looks lost
The Grizzlies lost to the Raptors Wednesday night, and Beale Street Beat’s Thomas McKee says that it’s time to trade Gasol. He looks lost and is too soft to be a “franchise player”. In addition, Mike Conley Jr. is out indefinitely with a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Memphis has seen better days, namely with Jerry West and Hubie Brown in charge…

Bosh Leads Raptors to 95-89 in Memphis
T.J. Ford sat out Wednesday night’s game with a stinger in his left arm. Jose Calderon got his first start of the season, while Darrick Martin got his first playing action of the season. Chris Bosh picked up where he left off against the Mavericks. Raptors Den’s Michael Montgomery has the Raptors recap.

Heat fold in crunch time, fall to lowly Hawks at home
When Dwayne Wade said that one player wouldn’t be able to turn around the Heat, he was referring to his return to the lineup and he’s been absolutely correct. The Heat lost to the visiting Hawks Wednesday night. Crazy from the Heat’s Alden Gonzalez says, “this one hurt.”

Nearly An Official Travesty
The Wizards pulled off the victory in overtime to win their sixth straight. They took care of business after an officiating call allowed the Bobcats the chance to take it into overtime. Whether you agree with the call or disagree probably depends on which team you root for. However, the guys at Les Bullez say that Wizards won’t be able to depend on Gilbert Arenas for 3 months, and he might be done for the season.

Shutting Down the Hibachi
The NBA Source’s Eric Thibault would have predicted that a player coming back too soon would have to miss significant time with corrective surgery. Arenas turned out to be that player. He also gives props to Chris Paul, tries to figure out which teams in the East cellar can get out of it, and calls the Lakers the surprise of the season.

Lakers Library’s Ed Ziti says that Kobe wants to stay in LA. You need to read it. See, there’s a brotherhood that makes it tough to leave. That’s the kind of thing we want to say about MVN basketball!

Who can argue with taking the Lakers? Ed says, “the trend is your friend.” What do you think about the trends so far this season? So far, so good for the Lakers.

Steve Weinman continues to bless us with the PickSix. Team TAB is trying to stay ahead of .500 He also gives the Lakers props.

Speaking of giving the Lakers props, Pacers Pulse’s Pete Dorchak is a little embarrassed with his Pacers effort against them Tuesday night. Oh, wait. Jamaal Tinsley is still your point guard.

Swarming the Ball’s Ryan Schwan might be a little paranoid of the injury bug, but the Hornets have plenty of sting this year. He previewed their matchup Wednesday night against the Pacers. Peja against his former team. Bet Jim O’Brien would love his three ball. Did I ever tell you I think Mike Dunleavy is horrible? Why he starts ahead of Marquis Daniels, I can’t figure out.

Also embarrassing are my Sixers. Passion and Pride newcomer Aarick Knighton shudders at the thought of a “tanking” it strategy. Me, I like Michael Beasley. Heck, I like Tyler Hansborough too if you really want to know.

If Tony Parker starts to dominate the league, we’re in trouble. Spur of the Moment’s Dave Thiessen had Wednesday night’s main highlight on the NBA page. I’m loving the Dwight Howard - Tim Duncan matchup. Except that it will be Fran Elson, Oberto, and whomever plus Duncan vs. only Howard.

Joe Boikess heads out the door, but previewed Wednesday night’s Mavs-Rockets game on ESPN. I’m not sure at what point that door is and if he’s really hit it yet. Speaking of hitting it, Jason Terry as a sixth man, props to Avery for that move. Surely more effective than Stackhouse, who I picked for sixth man. Whoops!

Matt Carter recapped the Mavs win Tuesday night over the Raptors. Joe says that Matt has the recap for Wednesday as well.  Showboating is the place to go for Mavericks coverage.

Where have you been, Dan Lucero! Nuggets win six straight and KMart looks like something Rosie O’Donnell would be proud to endorse…

BONUS SIXERS COVERAGE:

Ricky from Sixers4Guidos likes the red uniforms, but they signify a state of alert for Sixers fans.

Brian from Depressed Fan says that the Wizards don’t need Arenas. There will be plenty of garbage time this year for the Sixers. He says things could be worse, rooting for the Knicks.

Philadelphia Inquirer’s Marc Narducci recognized the need for changes and says that the Sixers have no defense for the lack of effort lately.

This entry was posted on Thursday, November 22nd, 2007 at 3:19 pm and is filed under Pacers Pulse, Pete Dorchak, Philadelphia Inquirer, Tom Moore, Joe Boikess, Showboating, Sixers, Lakers Library, Motoring, Mick Miller, MVN Basketball, Buffalo Bills, Ed Ziti, FLCeltsFan, LOY's Place, Willie Green, Carnival of the NBA, Mo Cheeks, Andre Iguodala, T.J. Ford, Terrell Owens, Marc Narducci, Marquis Daniels, Jamaal Tinsley, O.J. Mayo, Michael Beasley, Depressed Fan, Anthony Gilbert, Steve Goldman, Draft Express, Tony Dileo, Phillyburbs.com, Thanksgiving Day, Beale Street Beat, Alex Benesowitz, PickSix, Ricky, Deep Sixer, Rosie O'Donnell, Fran Elson, Tyler Hansborough, Alden Gonzalez, Swarming the Ball, Darrick Martin, Les Bullez, Jose Calderon, Crazy from the Heat, Born and Raised, Michael Montgomery, Kingly-1, Sean Watts, Aarick Knighton, Celtics17, The NBA Source, Ryan Schwan, Father Knickerbocker, Sixers4guidos, Phoenix Suns, Sacramento Kings, Los Angeles Lakers, Golden State Warriors, San Antonio Spurs, Denver Nuggets, Gilbert Arenas, Tim Duncan, New York, Dwight Howard, Eric Thibault, Jerry Stackhouse, Chris Paul, New Orleans Hornets, Memphis Grizzlies, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, Boston Celtics, Atlanta Hawks, Isiah Thomas, Toronto Raptors, Detroit Pistons, Dallas Mavericks, Houston Rockets, Washington Wizards, Miami Heat, Indiana Pacers, Tony Parker, Pau Gasol, Jim O'Brien, Jerry West, Dwayne Wade, Donovan McNabb, Taking it to the Rack, Passion and Pride, Gregg Kanner, Thomas McKee, Billy King, Dan Lucero, Kenyon Martin, Matt Carter, David Thiessen, Dallas Cowboys, Fabricio Oberto, Andy Reid, Spur of the Moment, Chris Bosh, Hubie Brown, Mike Conley Jr., Steve Weinman, Jason Terry, Peja Stojakovic, Stephen Jackson, Chauncey Billups, Jeff Van Gundy, Mike Dunleavy. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.