We have too many 2/3 players.

[Guest]

I disagree...Rush is NOTHING.Isn't he another undersized SG but

doesn't even have the ability to play PG?

DJ's better than Rush...Fox isn't better than Ira...Theo is

better than Walker/Horry put together.Horry will have a

good game every once and a while,but he can't do it

everynight or Walker sure as hell wouldn't be starting.

They don't have Hunter anyone so take him off....Masden

sucks Richmond looked TERRIBLE WHEN he did play this

season...Shaw is as bad as Email and Murry was a decent

role player at one time but now he is trash.

[Guest]

In reply to:

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I disagree...Rush is NOTHING.Isn't he another undersized SG but

doesn't even have the ability to play PG?

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Get your facts straight, Rush was a STEAL....

In reply to:

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http://sports.espn.go.com/nbadraft/tracker/position

Kareem Rush

Birthdate: 10/30/80

NBA Position: Shooting Guard

College: Missouri

Class: Junior

Ht: 6-6

Wt: 214

Hometown: Kansas City, MO

High School: Pembroke Hill

AVG REB: 5.2, AVG AST: 2.5, AVG PTS: 19.8

USA Today

OVERVIEW: Rush is one of the best shooters in this class as he shot

over 42% from beyond the arc in three years at Missouri. Rush averaged

19.8 points to lead the Tigers and made 3.1 3-pointers per game. A

former Big 12 Conference Freshman of the Year, Rush averaged 21.1

points in his sophomore season and nearly led Missouri past Duke in a

second-round NCAA Tournament matchup. A lefthander, Rush averaged 17.3

points in leading the Tigers to the West Region final a year ago.

LIKELY DRAFT POSITION: Picks 13-16. Milwaukee, Indiana, Houston and

Philadelphia, who hold that set of picks in that order, are all strong

candidates to draft Rush. The LA Clippers (12) are a dark horse if

they feel they won't be able to afford to bring back Eric Piatkowski

this offseason.

COMPARATIVE UPSIDE: Ray Allen, Michael Dickerson

COMPARATIVE DOWNSIDE: Courtney Alexander

ROLE PROJECTION: Key reserve, future starter

POSITIVES: Rush is your prototypical shooting guard. He has size, a

good handle, pure shooting skills and the ability to create his own

shot. There's little reason to think he won't be successful at the

next level. Being a lefty should help him on the defensive end as

well. He's unlikely to ever be a great defender, but he has the

potential to be a solid one.

WHAT THEY'RE SAYING: "Kareem's a great shooter. He's strong, so

obviously he can go to the hole. Good finisher. He's what we

consider one of the top wing players in the draft." ˆ Denver Nuggets

assistant general manager Jeff Weltman

NBADraft.net

NBA Comparison: Allan Houston

Strengths: Quite possibly the top scorer returning to the college

game. When he's hot, watch out, the ball will find the net. Can score

in a variety of ways, and his outside J is money, as evidenced by his

higher shooting % behind the arch than in front of it. Not even the

athlete of undrafted brother of Jaron, but plays the game entirely

more cerebrally, and has a much better offensive game. Very smooth

player, good decision maker who plays under control. One of the best

jump shooters in the college game today.

Weaknesses: Must cut down on the turnovers. Passing and ballhandling

are aspects to work on. Not a mindboggling athlete. Also must become

better at taking games over in crunch time.

ESPN

Positives: Rush is a GM's dream at shooting guard. A lefty with a

lethal jump shot, the ability to create off the dribble and a scorer's

mentality. Very quick, with great leaping ability. Every scout used

the word "smooth" to describe his game. Attacks on defense. Good

rebounder. Picked up his game toward the end of the season.

Negatives: Rush did tend to sruggled when teams began to focus their

defenses around him this year. Not quite athletic enough to dominate

like Kobe or Paul Pierce. Tends to disappear for long stretches.

Though he's improved, he still struggles with his shot selection.

Summary: Last season, Rush was considered a sure-fire lottery pick.

Instead he returned for his junior season and was hot and cold for

Missouri this year. Strong workouts can help him work his way back

into the lottery. Otherwise he's looking at the mid-first round.

CNN/SI

Rush is a big-time scorer who can shoot threes or drive to the goal.

He's heady and tough, having played through some injuries in his

career that would have sidelined other people. Rush could use some

work on his ball-handling skills.

Fox Sports

The Raptors really wanted a point guard from the draft, but took Rush,

a big guard, instead. Clearly, they thought him a better player than

Illinois' Frank Williams or Gonzaga's Dan Dickau, the best of the

undrafted point guards at the time this pick was made. Rush was a

swingman at Missouri, but he's not going to play anything but big

guard for the Raptors. And remember, Dell Curry is nearly old enough

to be Rush's father, so the Raptors are going to need another big

guard soon.

CBS Sportsline

Sized perfectly for the NBA two-guard slot, Rush is a perimeter

shooter who can also get to the rim. He flourishes in the open court

and has a strong medium-range jumper -- a rarity these days. A strong

player who rarely gets out muscled, Rush rebounds very well from the

guard slot and is a terrific defender, especially on the open floor

where his speed helps him.

MSNBC

A go-to performer for three seasons in the Missouri frontcourt, Rush

spearheaded the Tigers to their first Elite Eight appearance since

1994 during his team-leading junior campaign. He immediately claimed a

prominent role in first-year coach Quin Snyder's offense as a freshman

in 2000, connecting on a squad-best 43 percent of his 108 3-point

attempts and leading MU with 18.2 points per game during Big 12 play,

despite sitting out an NCAA-mandated nine midseason contests. The

following year, torn ligaments in his left thumb sidelined him in the

middle of the conference schedule. After missing just seven games, he

returned to action sporting a splint and shooting as well as he had

prior to the injury. He finished his sophomore campaign averaging a

league-high 21.1 points per game, while ranking among the Big 12's top

10 in both 3-point (.448) and free throw (.800) proficiency. He capped

the year with a 29-point effort in Mizzou's second-round NCAA

tournament loss to top-seeded Duke. Completely healthy and eligible

last season, he started every Tiger contest, leading the squad with

19.8 points per game, while posting a career-best 111 treys, 89

assists and 39 steals. During pre-draft evaluation, Rush will have to

curtail his tendency to force plays; the type of on-court

decision-making that led to a team-high 190 turnovers over the last

two seasons.

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Rush compares to DD... Rush is better.

In reply to:

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Fox isn't better than Ira.

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What??? OH God.

In reply to:

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...Masden

sucks Richmond looked TERRIBLE WHEN he did play this

season...Shaw is as bad as Email and Murry was a decent

role player at one time but now he is trash.

---

But all those guys have been there and done that. The one player we have going for us that really matters is Toni. I will give you the Theo/Walker matchup..

However:

Fisher is better than DD.

DJ vs. Rush is yet to be seen. Rush was a steal.

Fox is much better than Ira... Poll the group, who would they rather have... Fox or Ira.

Horry vs. Hendu... Come on.

Theo vs. walker = Theo.

The only other player we have worth mentioning is Toni.

I won't mention George, Richmond, Murry, and all those other guys.

[Guest Walter]

When Shaq was out, who stepped up their scoring more? Kobe or ALL 3 of Horry, Fischer, & Fox?

First, the criteria for games is simple. Any game that Shaq DNP and Kobe did play counts. Those games are the 4 games from Dec. 25th through 30th; Jan. 2, 14, 16, 19, 23; the 6 games from Feb. 6th through 21st, and April 3rd and 5th. Any game missed by Fox, Fischer, or Horry was not counted against their scoring average. Secondly, the only possible way for one to assess this is to take the players scoring average during these games and compare this average to the player's season-long average. ***It must be noted that the season's stats include the stats compiled during the games Shaq DNP. THUS, if a player scores more PPG when Shaq DNP than for the season as a whole it necessarily follows that the margin of greater scoring is larger than the one reflected between games played without Shaq and the season (I can explain this more if anyone whould ask me too.).

Plyr__PPG without Shaq__PPG for season__Diff without Shaq

Kobe___28.53__________25.2___________+3.33

Fischer__9.7___________11.2___________-1.5

Fox_____9.06___________7.9___________+1.16

Horry___6.69___________6.8___________-0.11

Now for the scoring average difference without Shaq comparison between Kobe and Fischer, Fox, and Horry.

Kobe (+3.33) vs Fischer (-1.5) + Fox (+1.16) + Horry (-0.11)

Kobe (+3.33) vs Fischer, Fox, and Horry (-0.45)

Now, NO ONE would suggest that Kobe or any one player "scored enough to make up Shaq's portion" as Diesel accuses me of saying. However, when Diesel says

In reply to:

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"It's one of those other players or maybe all of them that steps up their game more than usually that really makes up the difference."

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HE CAN'T BE MORE WRONG!

The difference is SOMEWHAT (and I say "somewhat" because LA's scoring was lower and their record was not as good without Shaq suggesting that he was not made up for but his absence covered for) made up by team defense, experience, great coaching, and perhaps foremost by the overall play and increased scoring of their remaining superstar in Kobe. IN FACT, KOBE IS MAKING UP FOR THE LACK OF SCORING COMING FROM FISCHER, FOX, AND HORRY AS THEY SCORE LESS WHEN SHAQ DOES NOT PLAY THAN WHEN HE DOES!

Would Diesel like to eat his crow? Since he won't his response will most definately be the "Dumbest S I have ever heard...".

...

The crux still remains that while it is easier to replace the scoring of SAR or JT over Kobe or Shaq it is easier for Kobe or Shaq than SAR or JT to do the replacing. Horry, Fox, and Fischer are overall better defensively and more (championship) experienced players than the Hawks bench but they aren't significantly different (better or worse) in terms of ability as offensive players. Kobe makes up for the loss of Shaq's scoring AND Horry's, Fox's, and Fischer's when he is out. He doesn't replace it because nobody can, but he's the only GD one not making it worse.

And all this was about Ira remaining an intigral Hawk because of his offense (which is better than all 3 but Fischer) and 10% more efficient that all of Fox, Fischer, and Horry. Sure, Ira has limitations but they pale in comparison to Diesel's inability to look credible or intelligent.

W

[Guest]

Fox vs. Ira?people woudl say Fox just because they have seen

him play and nobody really knows who Ira is...duh.

I thought Rush was 6'4 or that is what I read somewhere.So

he isn't a undersized SG.I'll give you that one.

But if this guy was so great he would have been took higher

than he was.Compairing Rush to Allan Houston isn't much

to compare in my opinion.Houston is limited to just shooting.

Most every player is compaired to sombody.That doesn't

mean a whole lot until the guy plays a NBA game.

"Fisher is better than DD. "

That likely will not be the case.Fisher has a very limited game..

2assist and below aveage shooting overall and all the PG's

in the playoffs ran over him easy.Fisher can't even keep

up anymore.He might take a charge every now and then,

but his one on one defense is below average now probably

due to the foot injuries...

"I won't mention George, Richmond, Murry, and all those other guys. "

Tracy Murray?You mean Mr.Washington Wizard...He's been there

alright.....Richmond?Did you see him this year?He can't even shoot

that well anymore and that is what he used to be good at.Besides,

Richmond is used to losing as he done 95% of his career.

[Guest]

I think the best comparison for Ira is Bruce Bowen (see being resigned by the Spurs). Game, both offense and defense, is quite similar between the two....

[ATLien_]

I have one question Diesel. How can you say that Fisher is better than Dickau, but you are ready to trade JT and have DD start. I don't know about you, but I want someone better then Fisher at PG. The only reason LA gets away with it is because of Shaq and Kobe.

So the meat of my question is why are you so eager to trade JT and have DD starting if you think Fisher is better then him?

[Guest]

In reply to:

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Plyr__PPG without Shaq__PPG for season__Diff without Shaq

Kobe___28.53__________25.2___________+3.33

Fischer__9.7___________11.2___________-1.5

Fox_____9.06___________7.9___________+1.16

Horry___6.69___________6.8___________-0.11

[cyman3]

"Cyman, you change your name too damn much..."

-well, i know. ima stick to this one forever though (or i plan to)!

"Dickau/DJ/Ira/Hendu/Theo

vs.

Fisher/Rush/Fox/Horry/ and Walker"

Theo Ratliff is the only candidate who's even worthy of consideration to go play in an allstar game out of those 10 players. We can both agree that Theo is better than Walker (hopefully). Horry is better than Henderson (ill give u that). Horry has the better shooting touch but both Horry/Hendos defense arent going to scare any PFs in this league. I think Fox and Newble are about equal. Fox has been in the league longer, but Newble plays better GLUE-DEFENSE than fox. They both play terrific team defensive games, but when its straight up ONE-on-ONE... Newble is the better defender. Fox does have more offensive power, but hes no threat to any team in the NBA. I say its even.

Scoreboard for Forwards + center = 1.5 for hawks (theo + newble), 1.5 for Lakers (horry + fox)

"Fisher is better than DD.

DJ vs. Rush is yet to be seen. Rush was a steal."

How can u say Fisher is automatically better than Dickau and not say the same for Rush? U say that RUSH was a steal, and i agree. Yet Dickau was a steal at the last spot in the first round. Rumors had him ALMOST going as high as the 13th-16th pick.

Dont even bother looking at the comparisons. Im not saying that RUSH cant perform like Houston or Allen, its just that these days EVERYONE is being compared to an allstar. Dont be fooled. for ex- NBADRAFT.NET says KEN JOHNSON is compared to THEO RATLIFF. How about KWAME BROWN? Wasnt he the next kevin garnett? Garnett actually made an impact the first year he came out. Brown was ineffective his first year.

scoreboard for guards = too damn young/inexperienced to tell. Fisher is no God, but neither is DJ. Rush and DD are graded as incomplete (we gotta see b4 we can talk). Another TIE!

now the bench, Richmond and Hunter were good players and occasional allstars. But they arent capable of starting on ANY TEAM in the nba today. They are way past their prime. Richmond and Hunter dont scare off anybody in the NBA. Madsen/Medvenko are scrubs- thats all i gotta say. Shaw is probably only on the team just because the STAR player on the team (SHAQ) is very good friends with shaw. Hes EMMANUEL DAVIS with a friend named SHAQ. George is a good player, but not likely on the team after all is said and done (IMO). For argument sake, lets suppose hes going to resign. Isint Glover a poor-mans George? Our bench is A LOT better than LAKERS bench. We have 2 bench players that are capable of starting for couple teams in the NBA. LA only has one = GEORGE.

- Kukoc has more offensive ablities than any of the bench players u mentioned. He could start for several teams.

- Mohammed is a better rebounder than any of the bench players. He could start on many teams as well.

bench = HAWKS!

overall, we have a better starting lineup and bench lineup. Not "clearly better", but not exactly "barely better" either!

[Guest Walter]

"Make up for Shaq's 30 points" are not REMOTELY my words. Iin fact, I addressed the impossibility of that charge in several posts including the one you responded to.

At least Kobe didn't score LESS with Shaq out!!! GOOD GRIEF! You have to outright have NO ability to create your own shot if Shaq leaves and you score less despite the sum of 30 points worth of more scoring opportunities! The THREE players you insisted are

In reply to:

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"there to step up their (Kobe's or Shaq's) offense to make up for it..."

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can't [censored] score their season average with Shaq out. Kobe improves his enough to cover their sorry scoring asses in Shaq's absence and still provide another basket on top.

Whose your daddy? For one who accuses others of not watching a game, you can't analyze a [censored] thing right? All that "game watching" (snicker) just makes you look more ridiculous.

BTW, how do you dispute who scores more in Shaq's absence verses their season average without using stats to demonstrate who scores more? You're an idiot.

W

[Diesel]

Stepped up.

It's senseless to argue that Kobe or Shaq were the only ones to step up DA Statman... Because your own stats show that without Shaq, Kobe only stepped up 3-4 ppg total....

That's like 24 to 27.5 ppg.

Not enough to win a game.

[Diesel]

As a Starting PG, Fisher has 4 championship rings.

Need I say anymore?

I will give you this... Dickau remains to be seen AND the reports from others sound good. I preference everything about Dickau with this...

if he has a good summer (exhibition or preseason) season.

[Diesel]

The law of averages mandate that Kobe as a second option will score more with the first option gone.

As JT would score more with SAR gone.

However, the Lakers have a team that can overcome the loss of Shaq.

We don't have a team that can overcome the loss of SAR.

That's the BOTTOM Line.

No Need in looking for details, the details have been proven over the last 2-3 yrs.

I don't know where the water travels from the dead sea... But I know that water comes in and doesn't go out.

[cyman3]

"As a Starting PG, Fisher has 4 championship rings."

Since Fisher has 4 championship rings, he must be better than Stockton who has 0 championship rings.

C'mon Fisher was on a SLUMP through the playoffs- esp KINGS if i remember correctly. I think EMMANUAL DAVIS at starting PG for LAKERS could take them all the way!

[Guest Walter]

pathetic, embarassing, just plain sorry

Obviously "the Lakers have a team that can overcome the loss of Shaq" (during the regular season) AND the simultaneous collective reduction in offensive production from Fischer, Fox, and Horry THANKS TO KOBE BRYANT!

W

[Guest Walter]

Kobe stepped up OFFENSIVELY and he did so considerably considering his teamates, whom you laud for their ability to offensively step up (despite the fact that not one of them can create their own shot), STEPPED DOWN!

"Not enough to win a game?" Well, Fischer, Fox, and Horry sucked enough offensively minus Shaq to d@mn sure lose 'em without Kobe picking up their slack.

WEAK!

Get a clue.

W

[Hawksfreak]

In my mind is the hawks becuase we have experience and power on the bench thats can handle a lot of minutes.