The Dribble

so the spineless Raptors go down in a heap (not so ironically) like roadkill and what bothered me was that an ugly game didn't get uglier.

Not sure if you follow me but...

Sam Mitchell's award got in the way of giving the Raptors a playoff identity as they rolled over early in the game and whimpered away like a dog beaten just too routinely

the coach of the year's cred has skyrocketed because of the turnaround Toronto showed during the regular season and he was awarded that honor in just fashion but one could argue that had he not been bestowed the distinction he may / should have sent out a goon for the same attention.

instead it's off to face elimination (or Siberia to help Ghearardini to look for another euro-import)

and still nobody is scared of the fightless Raptors

Jason Richardson, who has been nothing like last year's player is set to go back on the disabled list after beaking his hand (kicked by Pietrus as he was jumping for block) in a loss to the Sacaramento Kings. The latest setback should sideline him for about two months and will give him ample to recuperate from the arthroscopic surgery that has hindered him since the beginning of the season.

When u win 6 of your first 30 games u should get nervous and now at least for Fratello he can rest a little easier knowing that a decision has been made and that he has been let go becoming the first coaching casualty of the season.

The Grizzlies who just recently regained the services of their star player Pau Gasol still have major issues to deal with in struggling guards Damon Stoudamire and Eddie Jones but have loads of young potential just waiting for a shot at some playing time instead of the garbage minutes that Fratello was giving them.

McKee at the Grizz's MVN:





For Fratello however is it back to the broadcast booth or does he still feel the need to prove himself among the coaching ranks?


P.S.

Leaves me wondering what CantheCzar.blogspot is gonna do now that his wish has been granted?

Barring a trade of one of the Big Three one cannot expect the Nets to improve dramatically leaving them few options and an even bleaker future.

The front office is gonna have to get imaginative.



UPDATE:

Make sure to check out Si.com's Mannix and his take on the Nets and how it might be too late already.

A combination of Kwame Brown and Andrew Bynum would surely scare their share of opposing frontcourts yet despite the injury to PF/SF Lamar Odom, head coach Phil Jackson is reluctant to play both big men at the same time under the pretext that they slow down the rest of the team.

The Denver Nuggets seem to have the dates on their calendar mixed up somewhat and are treating their fans to an early Christmas present. Firstly last Saturday night they celebrated Boxing day way early in NYC and now Tuesday afternoon they opened their presents early and completed a trade that would be sending Joe Smith, Andre Miller and two first round picks to the Sixers for Allen Iverson and Ivan McFarlin



Skeets at the NBA Fanhouse:

Penny Hardaway is still hanging around the NBA scene and practiced yesterday with the Seattle Supersonics. He remained courtside as the hometown Grizz won in double overtime.

what can you say with just over a minute to go in the game between the visiting Nuggets and the Knicks a bench clearing brawl breaks out, spills into the stands and 10 players get ejected

PJ Brown wants out of Chi-town?

Now that his name has been mentioned in trade rumors (see Blog-A-Bull in a three way including PJ and Ai to Denver for Camby sending Miller & co. to Philly). PJ has come out and requested to be traded. Brown has been a model of consistency throughout his career and when given solid minutes he has averaged just under a double/double. A solid player who won't necessarily make the highlight reels he is loved by his coaches but has been hobbled somewhat by plantar fasciitis (who hasn't) this season and is averaging just 16.5 minutes per game.

Spending most of his time on the bench Corey Maggette is not having his best season.

So it's no surprise that the Clippers are shopping him around.

Wasn't aware of this but Chris Clarke at MVN's EOTB mentions that Corey's agent has asked for a trade

Until something happens you can always keep an eye on www.coreymaggette.com