http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/4682 Recent articles about Theo Ratliff en-us The Pistons try to close out the Magic at home. Chauncey Billups is questionable tonight, but AccuScore still sees Detroit having the edge. Tue, 13 May 2008 16:06:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266561 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/266561 If you managed to find Game 1 of the Pistons-Magic series (and seriously, can anyone explain why the NBA lets Round 2 begin before Round 1 is finished?), you saw all of the things the Piston do that the Raptors don't and why the Magic were exposed in Game 1 for what they really are, pretenders. Now, it is far too easy to talk about the many ways in which the Pistons are better than the Raptors, it's not even fair to have that conversation on the whole. What is fair to look at is the attitude that was brought to Game 1 by the Pistons. To quote Rasheed Wallace (and really, is there a better guy to quote?), "You can't rattle us," Wallace said. "We ain't no punks." Wallace stepped in right off the start and made it clear how this series is going to be played. The Raptors can talk all they want about statement games and making statements, but when it comes right down to it, they don't have anybody who can step up and make a statement like that…well, at least nobody who anybody is going to believe. When Rasheed tells you that they "ain't no punks", you had better believe him. But as we saw many times with the Raptors this season, saying things and then going out and doing them are completely different matters. The Pistons beat down on the Magic and did not let Howard rule the interior like he did against the Raptors. They didn't buy into any of that "Superman" bull, they pushed Howard around, shoved him away from the basket, even had the guy's hand taped up by the end of the game. You could see the demoralized look on Howard's face, realizing that this wasn't going to be like playing the Raptors. To take a quote from the NBA's new darling, "I don't think I even looked up at the scoreboard for a while…[i]t's disappointing." Now does that sound like "Superman?" Does that sound like a guy who thinks that he is going to dominate the paint? No. Howard was not able to deal with the fact that the Pistons have some big boys who like to bang and aren't afraid of a little contact. Wallace, McDyess, Maxiell, Ratliff…those guys all don't mind getting rough if they have to. Now THAT'S the Legion of Doom. As Rip Hamilton said, "You can't rough up the game with us…[t]hey tried. We like it. We enjoy it. That's the way we want to play." If you want to make another comparison between the Raptors and the Pistons, take a look at what happened when Hedo went end to end for an uncontested dunk. How many times did we see that against the Raptors? Hedo looked like Clyde Drexler against the Raptors, taking the ball and gliding down the lane untouched, dropping 2 and then heading back for an easy time on defence. Let me tell you how many times that happened against the Pistons yesterday. Once. You know why? Because after it happened the first time, Flip Saunders called a timeout and read the team the riot act. I mean, the dude was livid. Flip understands that while the Most Improved Player of the Year is a good talent, there is no excuse for him going end to end for an easy dunk against you. That isn't even his game. When this happened against the Raptors, Sam Mitchell sat back and let it continue, allowing his players to try to find their own solution, which was not forthcoming. Let's just continue the comparison. The Magic only shot 18.8% from 3-point range yesterday, as the Pistons were up in their faces all night. There weren't many open looks, with the Pistons daring them to try to take them off the bounce. Just as you would think, the Magic couldn't put the ball on the ground and weren't able to create any offensive output. 73 points in the playoffs isn't going to cut it against anybody. Anyway, just a few thoughts I had when watching parts of this game. There are miles between the Pistons and Raptors, but the Raps would be wise to take a page or two out of their book. Sun, 04 May 2008 11:49:22 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263307 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/263307 After making my NBA playoff predictions yesterday, it's time to take a closer look at the Sixers series with the Pistons, which gets under way today. The Sixers have a tough road ahead if they want to get past Detroit, a veteran team who has been through the wars together and know what it takes to win in the playoffs. Philly will make the Pistons work for everything, never letting up until each game is over, but the Pistons are simply too good to be taken down by the Sixers. Prediction: There is a definite contrast in styles between these teams, with the Pistons playing a more methodical game and the Sixers looking to run the fast break every chance they get. Unfortunately for the Sixers, while the Pistons prefer to slow it down, they are versatile enough to run with Philly if they have to. Andre Iguodala can't guard both Rip Hamilton and Tayshaun Prince, so one of them will have a mis-match against Willie Green, something the Pistons will exploit every chance they get. The Pistons are simply too experienced to let an upstart team knock them off in the first round, so while the Sixers have been a great feel-good story this season, it looks like its all about to end after the Pistons win in 6 games. Click the link for a position by position breakdown Sun, 20 Apr 2008 12:06:56 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/247650 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/247650 When I heard the Wolves bought out Theo Ratliff's contract last night, I wondered why Minnesota did it. Ratliff had an expiring contract worth $11.66 million â€" the NBA equivalent of liquid gold. So I looked into the buyout to see if I could better understand it from Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor's point of view. Fri, 29 Feb 2008 14:10:35 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/174226 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/174226 One of the best rookies back in 97', All-Star back in 2000 during his best season of 20.3 PPG and 10.1 RPG. In 11 years he's played in Vancouver, Atlanta and Portland, all without reaching the playoffs, until he signed with the Kings almost 2 years ago. He's been involved in a few trades that made the NBA where it is today. Now, out for the season is what he's listed as. For Shareef, that's nothing. The Sacramento Bee reports that the powerr forward is starting to run again after undergoing 2 knee surgeries, the second one supposedly ending his season. He's only played 6 games totaling up to 10 points and rebounds. As of now the 31 year old, whose numbers have sharply decreased the past few years, said that he's said that he's not considering retirement and is hoping to be back by near the end of the season. He said, "It hasn't been microfracture (surgery), a torn ACL, or stuff like that. In my mind, I don't see why I can't get stronger, get really stronger, you know what I'm saying? That's just how I feel." Now don't underestimate this guy. This is a guy who broke his jaw playing for the Kings when he first signed, and was supposed to be out for a while. Instead he came back early and painfully played with his jaw wired shut for over a month and gave the Kings 12.3 PPG and 5 RPG through the whole season. This guy can play through injury, especially when he got knocked around a lot too. Did I mention he had to eat through a straw too? Liquid diets are no joke. Now if he did come back, he'd be a back-up behind Mikki Moore. He'd also be the only other post presence than Ron Artest. Shareef did a little bit of traveling in the NBA. He got drafted by the Vancouver Grizzlies in 96', where he teamed up with current teammate Mike Bibby. He also played with the gold medal winning Team USA in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. A year after that he was traded to the Atlanta Hawks for Brevin Knight, Lorenznen Wright, and rookie Pau Gasol. He's expressed Atlanta as the best stop of his career. Along with Jason Terry, he still didn't reach the playoffs during his 2 and a half year stay. He was traded with Theo Ratliff and Dan Dickau to the Portland Trailblazers for Rasheed Wallace and Wesley Person. Wallace was quickly traded to the Detroit Pistons. Shareef came off the bench for the Blazers, and in 2005 he was to be traded to the New Jersey Nets for a 1st round draft pick so they could trade the pick to the Suns for Leandro Barbosa. Because of scar tissue the Nets didn't want him anymore and he signed with the Kings, where he would be an important factor off the bench andwould play his only 6 playoff games in his career. Now he's on the road to recovery like many players were this year, and I wouldn't be surprised if he did come back this year. He won't play like his younger days, but if he can play like he did a few years ago, he can be a big help. Sun, 27 Jan 2008 00:08:07 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/100619 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/100619 In Sunday's weekly fantasy basketball column, FIO and TalkHoops.net writer Zach Harper clues you in on some possible fantasy free agents to lookout for in the coming week. Check out how these players could help your fantasy basketball squad. Mon, 12 Nov 2007 01:44:06 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/35584 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/35584 I had my doubts about the Kings' free agent picks the past few years, but left handed point guard Beno Udrih might be a good choice. I mean, we got someone who the Spurs said he was not developing fast enough, and he was waived by the T'Wolves out of all teams, and not only that, his finger on his shooting hand was broken when we got him. All of a sudden, he's the hero of the night. After losing a close game to the Cavs the night before, the Kings had to face T'Wolves standout Al Jefferson. Again the game went down to the wire as the Kings let the T'Wolves back into the game late. With the game tied at 93, Udrih who unexpectingly played 26 minutes score a long 2 pointer leaning in to put the Kings up. Brad Miller tipped in a shot to put in the dagger. Brad Miller is contributing offensively and defensively again, getting 12 points, 16 rebounds (7 offensive), and 3 blocked shots. Kenny Thomas had 6 points and 7 rebounds and John Salmons had 19 points. Kevin Martin got off to a slow start in the 1st half with 5 points, but exploded for 24 points in the 2nd half. I think he could have got 40 in the game but he was looking tired, and he should be, leading the NBA in minutes and 2nd in scoring behind Kobe Bryant. Also in the first half, it was a sign of things to come as Udrih and Spencer Hawes checked in at the same time. On a fast break, Udrih dished out his first of 2 assists to give Hawes his first and only basket of the night that he would attempt. Udrih also had 9 points and 5 rebounds. Minnesota was also playing good with Jefferson leading the way. He had 17 points and 12 rebounds. Theo Ratliff played better getting 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 6 blocked shots. He also fouled out. Rashad McCants had 16 points and 4 rebounds, and rookie Corey Brewer had 15 points and 8 rebounds. Greg Buckner dished out 5 assists, beating out point guard Sebastian Telfair by one. Although the Kings' have a 2-1 record at home, they were against the Sonics and T'Wolves, both of which are still looking for their 1st win. But both have standout talented players, the Sonics having Durant. In the win vs. the Sonics, the Kings came down by 20 and won. In this game, the Kings stayed close late in the game and won. They're really going to have to step up their game, visiting the Jazz and the T'Wolves. They are 0-3 on the road. Rebounds and assists are still a defficiency on their siide, but Udrih may help assists numbers go up. They've showed good prgress at home and look like they're ready to gear up for the road. The T'Wolves are just like the Sonics. Both are young teams trying to get their first win. I was surprised that Gerald Green and Antoine Walker didn't play. I wanted to see them play, they might have even changed the outcome of the game. Their next game is against the Kings on Wednesday, so they'll have a second chance for redemption. But I think their first win will come against the currently winless Wizards. Sun, 11 Nov 2007 15:08:55 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/35518 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/35518 Carmelo Anthony, Marcus Camby, and Allen Iverson are every bit as good and most likely better than Tim Duncan, Tony Parker, and Manu Ginobili.This is yet another game that proves it, as they almost by themselves defeated the entire Timberwolves squad.Unlike the Spurs top 3, the Nuggets top 3 sometimes have little help from the rest of their team. This game was a good example of that. You can find out anything and everything about the game and about the Nuggets at the link below.  Sat, 03 Nov 2007 06:46:58 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/34291 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/34291 A preview of the Nugget's first road game and the Timberwolve's first home game of the new season. Are the Nuggets a real threat to win the West or not? Are the young Wolves going to be a big surprise or not? The beginning of the answer to these questions will be determined tonight. Key player pics, the key matchup, the keys to victory for both teams, and overall predictions can be found in this article. The link is below. Fri, 02 Nov 2007 23:16:54 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/34254 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/34254 These first 3 add/drops were all made by the same teaminosity. The same team, I might addify, that picked up Matt Carroll before I could (after the news hit that Adam Morrison would be out for the season). Kyle Lowry (Mem - PG,SG) Add Anthony Parker (Tor - SG,SF) Drop Craig Smith (Min - SF,PF) Add Matt Carroll (Cha - SG,SF) Drop Theo Ratliff (Min - PF,C) Add Jose Calderon (Tor - PG) Drop Itchy trigger finger much? Kyle Lowry was a consensus pickup-of-the-day, but I also feel like it's jumping the gun and/or jumping on the bandwagon. I mean, in the second game of the double-header, he went from trip-dub and 44 minutes to 4/2/4 and 14 minutes. I guess the 2-4 from the field is better than Aaron Brooks 3-16, though. Not sure why you'd pick up both Theo and Craig Smith just because Ricky Davis and Mark Blount are gone. Minny did get Antoine Walker and Mike Doleac back… And there's still Big Al Jefferson who will be doing most of the damage down low anyway. Also, this particular foe/owner now has T-Rat as his second starting C (next to D-Diop). No personal offense intended (since this person is probably reading the blog), but these moves smack of a certain pre-season desperation, and there's a certain foreboding aura when knee-jerk moves come this early on. The following two drops were in a different league, but also made by a single teamination: Rashad McCants (Min - PG,SG) Add Dorell Wright (Mia - SG,SF) Drop Earl Watson (Sea - PG) Add Martell Webster (Por - SG,SF) Drop The Wright for McCants is kind of an enigma wrapped in a conundrum stylesque move. The thought process must run that McCants will be the Randy Savage in Minnesota since Davis is out, while Davis will now be gaffling minutes from Wright. I can't argue with the former, but I was actually thinking that with Walker out of Miami that Wright might see an increase in PT there. Of course, P-Rilez doesn't seem to be very fond of Wright despite the fact that the blogosphericalityness seems to think D-Wright should be playing more. Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:47:36 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/32833 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/32833 Back in the day, they may have been fantasy superstars. But today, you might want to reconsider drafting some of these guys in your fantasy basketball leagues. FIO staff writer Jorge Menocal gives you a few players who are no longer at the peaks of their games, and why you should stay away from drafting these washed-up vets. Tue, 21 Aug 2007 05:22:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/24430 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/24430 T- Money welcomed Redsarmy.com's John Karalis onto the show to answer seven serious questions on the Kevin Garnett trade. T- Money then gave headlines, answered your sports questions, and more. Sun, 05 Aug 2007 17:40:58 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/22319 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/22319 The Cincinatti Kid continues to be dissatisfied with the Kevin Garnett trade, noting that no NBA team has ever given up so much to accquire a single player. The previous record was held by Houston when they accquired Scottie Pippin from Portland. Wed, 01 Aug 2007 13:53:12 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/21800 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/21800 I know it's already been posted, but I had some additional feelings regarding this trade. First of all, the Celtics are now a legit contender in the East and will vie for the Eastern Conference Championship NOW. Big emphasis on the now aspect of this move, because they traded away all of their young talent to win now with KG, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. All three are by no means young, but they have a few good years left in them and as a tripod could really get Boston going again. However, was it at too much of a cost? 5 players (Sebastian Telfair, Theo Ratliff, Al Jefferson, Gerald Green, and Ryan Gomes) plus two 1st round draft picks. That's a lot of players they are parting with; is this just a quick fix, and if so, does anybody care? Tue, 31 Jul 2007 04:51:06 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/21621 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/21621 I have not had morning wood since the NBA lottery, which is a real problem. But out of nowhere, I had a wet dream last night picturing Kevin Garnett in a Celtics uniform, and now my dream is going to become a reality. For months now, long-time buddies Danny Ainge and Kevin McHale have been discussing a trade involving Kevin Garnett. The initial talks started around the draft when Ainge was trying to trade the Celtics pick for a veteran; Minnesota was looking to acquire another pick. Rumor has it that both GMs agreed to a deal that would send Garnett to Boston but Garnett vetoed the trade. The trade involved Al Jefferson, the #5 pick and Theo Ratliff. Mon, 30 Jul 2007 22:16:34 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/21585 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/21585