MVN - Most Valuable Network

My comments: I thanked the Nets for our new GM.

 My comments: While the move inspires confidence for many, the ownership in recent years has not. Larry Brown is still lurking in the shadows. It is wise to wait on result.  While I agree that burying King is not the answer (AG’s call to “check yourself” in the “Are you questioning my fanhood?” article IS in that regard), I think his tenure ran its course. The change the culture mandate finally made its way full circle.

My comments: The Magic have been the most impressive to me because their schedule in the early going has been more difficult than the Celtics.  Dwight Howard is an MVP candidate.

My comments: In my “dream come true”, the Sixers win the championship! Every year, baby. This move inspires confidence, but it will be interesting to see how Stefanski evaluates the players and the coach. It certainly seems like Mo will be replaced at the end of the season.  Allow me throw caution to the wind here. Larry Brown called every job he ever took his “dream job.” Nobody thought to ask if those dreams were good or bad though!

My comments: It’s hard to believe that just 4 seasons ago, these two teams were meeting for the Western Conference title.  Now, the power has shifted to Texas and Arizona.  The T-wolves were no match for the Lakers.  They really aren’t much of a match for any team in the league.

My comments: There’s something wrong with the Bobcats right now.  Sam Vincent replaced Primoz Brezec in the starting lineup with rookie Jared Dudley.  They signed Anderson Varajao to an offer sheet.  They will go as Raymond Felton goes, and he’s been playing poor as of late.

My comments: If this team is a legitimate contender, we will know by the end of this month.  With Chris Paul at the point, I’m leaning towards answering that with a “yes”.

My comments: Mark this down under another of Dan Fegan’s head scratchers.  He turns down the Cavs 3-year, $19 million dollar deal to accept an offer sheet of 3-years and $17.5 million.  Danny Ferry can simply match his own offer, which in essence, lowballs himself.  There’s more to it, and you can find out more in the comments on Cavs Attitude.  Thanks to Matt Bernhardt from Blog-a-bull for helping us digest this strange saga.

My comments: The Warriors model for success only works when the opposing team doesn’t have a dominate big man.  That’s only true for four teams, but the Magic are one of them.

My comments: Ed Stefanski was directly responsible for helping to build the Nets Eastern Conference title teams of 2002 and 2003.  In more recent memory, he drafted Sean Williams over Jason Smith and selected UConn teammates Marcus Williams and Josh Boone. He had a hand in drafting Nenad Krstic and Richard Jefferson, as well as trading for and resigning Vince Carter. And he signed Cliff Robinson about 13 times, give or take 10-12…Since he also has history with the Big5 schools and played for Penn. I wonder if he would be interested in trying to bring in another former Penn guy, Dave Wohl, who was with Boston last year under Doc Rivers?…Here’s another simple comparison for you. In the 2001 draft, Stefanski (director of scouting under Thorn) helped engineer the trade of the 7th pick (Seton Hall and Roman Catholic’s Eddie Griffin) to the Rockets in exchange for the 13th pick (Richard Jefferson), 19th pick (Jason Collins), and 24th pick (Brandon Armstrong). Gee, wasn’t Billy King trying to do the opposite with the 12th, 21st and 30th picks this year? Difference is that Stefanski gets what he wants accomplished, where Billy is left consoling himself that he did the best he could. In the end, the best wasn’t good enough…

My comments: Monday’s pass is really long.  Make sure you have a good block of time to read through it, if you haven’t already.  Thanks!

My comments: It’s tough being a sports fan in Miami right now, but welcome to where Sixers fans are.  Except that we didn’t win the 2006 title.  I wonder if their road is a good indicator of what to expect with the three-headed monster of the Boston Celtics?  We’ll get our first look at the Wachovia Center Wednesday night.

My comments: This season really can’t get much worse for Stephon Marbury.  I don’t think he’s as bad a player as people make him out to be.  Unfortunately, his father has seen him play his last game.  Thoughts and prayers go out to the Marbury family.

My comments: Welcome to the Eastern Conference, where you can be on the verge of getting fired one season and come back to win coach of the year honors the next.  After Sam Mitchell did the duties last season, Celtics coach Doc Rivers appears to be well on his way to performing his Mitchell impersonation.  He won Coach of the Month honors for November with the Celtics red hot start.  Maybe there is hope for Mo after all?  Can he be next season’s Mitchell-Rivers?