This may be true. Honestly, the last time I actually sat down and watched a basketball game longer than 10 minutes was Game 7 vs. Boston. I'll tune in for 5 minutes now and then, but when I see the Sixers are down by 15 with 5 minutes left in the 3rd quarter, it's depressing.

Actually, I take that back. By pure chance, I turned on the Finals game about 6 seconds before LeBron's cramps. I watched that game because it was hilarious.
- jmatchett383

well. no offense to what the sixers are doing right now, but thats kind of unfair to judge the entire league by what they have going on right now. not that the sixers necessarily are playing the wrong way or lacking effort from what ive seen, but just the talent discrepancy is too great for them to keep things competitive most nights. and taking away that aspect really does suck the air out of most things.

a lot of the players do appear to be straight garbage as people. but, realistically, a lot of times that is going to happen when you infuse large amounts of money into a sector of people. but id say the nfl has caught them in that race. it does appear to be getting better, at least with the superstars. i could give a poop less about the vast majority of nba stars now, but its hard for me to look at guys like lebron or durant and call them thugs.

well. no offense to what the sixers are doing right now, but thats kind of unfair to judge the entire league by what they have going on right now. not that the sixers necessarily are playing the wrong way or lacking effort from what ive seen, but just the talent discrepancy is too great for them to keep things competitive most nights. and taking away that aspect really does suck the air out of most things.

a lot of the players do appear to be straight garbage as people. but, realistically, a lot of times that is going to happen when you infuse large amounts of money into a sector of people. but id say the nfl has caught them in that race. it does appear to be getting better, at least with the superstars. i could give a poop less about the vast majority of nba stars now, but its hard for me to look at guys like lebron or durant and call them thugs.
- stayinthefnnet

Lebron will never live down that "decision" show he did when he went to the Heat. He will forever be seen as a villain and a thug in the eyes of most average fans because of it. Fair or not that's the way it is. And because it's really easy to hate on the best player in the world. See Crosby, Sidney.

Lebron will never live down that "decision" show he did when he went to the Heat. He will forever be seen as a villain and a thug in the eyes of most average fans because of it. Fair or not that's the way it is. And because it's really easy to hate on the best player in the world. See Crosby, Sidney.
- JonnyHammerstix

oh. i know the supposed reasons he had for it and all. but i still think it was self serving, egotistical, and douchey.

i still think most of those things apply to lebron james.

hell, they apply to most professional athletes in some capacity.

but i dont see lebron beating his wife, constantly getting busted for drugs, brandishing guns in the clubs, becoming bankrupt.

Lebron will never live down that "decision" show he did when he went to the Heat. He will forever be seen as a villain and a thug in the eyes of most average fans because of it. Fair or not that's the way it is. And because it's really easy to hate on the best player in the world. See Crosby, Sidney.
- JonnyHammerstix

Hurt Clevelands feelings = Thug
Punch cab driver in the face = Leader

I'd go on another teams board and ask how easy it would be to move Amac. If we could swap the contracts with the Kings retaining the difference in salary, I think the Flyers are better off in that deal.
- aflyerpower8

Only because you don't realize how far Richards has fallen off. He's worse than Umberger at the moment. And his contract runs thru the rest of the decade.

Only because you don't realize how far Richards has fallen off. He's worse than Umberger at the moment. And his contract runs thru the rest of the decade.
- Feanor

It really is a shame to see. He was one of my all time favorite players. I do wonder how much of it is mental with him. He's won at every stage he's ever played. He has a big long contract already guaranteed for how ever many years left. He's probably lost his motivation as he has nothing left to achieve. Also add in some physical wear and tear over the years from the way he plays.

Hurt Clevelands feelings = Thug
Punch cab driver in the face = Leader
- PhillySportsGuy

What would you consider Ron Artest World Peace?

Also, Jermaine O'Neal was totally right to throw that right cross at the fan on the court. You go on the court and confront a player, you deserve what you get.

It really is a shame to see. He was one of my all time favorite players. I do wonder how much of it is mental with him. He's won at every stage he's ever played. He has a big long contract already guaranteed for how ever many years left. He's probably lost his motivation as he has nothing left to achieve. Also add in some physical wear and tear over the years from the way he plays.
- JonnyHammerstix

According to LA people, he was never the same player after Bergenheim concussed him.

I think he lost a lot of his physical edge after the David Booth hit. I would, too; he almost killed the guy.

It really is a shame to see. He was one of my all time favorite players. I do wonder how much of it is mental with him. He's won at every stage he's ever played. He has a big long contract already guaranteed for how ever many years left. He's probably lost his motivation as he has nothing left to achieve. Also add in some physical wear and tear over the years from the way he plays.
- JonnyHammerstix

Definitely has motivational issues in his current role. He's still definitely good enough to be a top 9 NHL center. Him moving on from the Kings is going to involve them eating salary, simple as that; no one wants touch that deal out right the way Richards has played the last two seasons.

Simple as that with Mike Richards. We don't need him here with Giroux, Couturier, and Laughton long term. Cousins is even having a really productive 2nd season.

What would you consider Ron Artest World Peace?

Also, Jermaine O'Neal was totally right to throw that right cross at the fan on the court. You go on the court and confront a player, you deserve what you get.
- jmatchett383

He's an absolute scourge of this planet. Like Bieber status in my opinion.

Definitely has motivational issues in his current role. He's still definitely good enough to be a top 9 NHL center. Him moving on from the Kings is going to involve them eating salary, simple as that; no one wants touch that deal out right the way Richards has played the last two seasons.

Simple as that with Mike Richards. We don't need him here with Giroux, Couturier, and Laughton long term. Cousins is even having a really productive 2nd season.
- mochoson

What if you put him on a 3rd line wing and used him as 2nd PP/PK player? Has he ever played wing?

What if you put him on a 3rd line wing and used him as 2nd PP/PK player? Has he ever played wing?
- jmatchett383

Didn't he play some Wing for Team Canada?

Didn't he play some Wing for Team Canada?
- MJL

Well, probably. But I meant for a prolonged stretch.

What if you put him on a 3rd line wing and used him as 2nd PP/PK player? Has he ever played wing?
- jmatchett383

He has. He's a much better center. He's way, way to slow.

He has. He's a much better center. He's way, way to slow.
- mochoson

Richards game was never about speed

Richards game was never about speed
- MJL

It was about coke, right?

It was about coke, right?
- hereticpride

Richards game was never about speed
- MJL

Nope, which is why he's always been more productive at center.

Richards game was never about speed
- MJL

uh huh

Nope, which is why he's always been more productive at center.
- mochoson

Because he liked coke and magic pills?

According to LA people, he was never the same player after Bergenheim concussed him.

I think he lost a lot of his physical edge after the David Booth hit. I would, too; he almost killed the guy.
- jmatchett383

Just youtubed that hit. He acted like a big baby after that clean hit.

Metta World Peace!

Artest gained fame playing in some of New York City's high profile summer basketball tournaments at Nike Pro City, Hoops in the Sun at Orchard Beach, Bronx, New York and Dyckman Park at Washington Heights, earning himself nicknames such as Tru Warier[4] and The New World Order, a name he received from Randy Cruz (one of the co-founders of the Hoops In The Sun basketball league at Orchard Beach in the Bronx, New York).

As a teenager, Artest was teamed with future NBA players Elton Brand and Lamar Odom on the same Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) team.[3]

Growing up, Artest witnessed the death of a fellow player on a basketball court in Niagara Falls, New York. "It was so competitive, they broke a leg from a table and they threw it, it went right through his heart and he died right on the court. So I'm accustomed to playing basketball really rough."[5] The player to whom Artest was referring was 19-year-old Lloyd Newton, who was stabbed in the back with a broken-off table leg during an altercation at a 1991 YMCA-sanctioned basketball tournament.[6]

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie
NHL escrow rate for 3rd quarter of season jumps to 16 per cent. It had been at 14 per cent in each of first two quarters.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie

The escrow rate is the percentage withheld from each NHL player's pay cheque to cover potential over-spending of NHL share of HRR by owners.

Call it "cap panic" if you want, but it's not a good sign for the Flyers, or any cap strapped team that might be looking to deal salary away.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie
NHL escrow rate for 3rd quarter of season jumps to 16 per cent. It had been at 14 per cent in each of first two quarters.

Bob McKenzie ‏@TSNBobMcKenzie

The escrow rate is the percentage withheld from each NHL player's pay cheque to cover potential over-spending of NHL share of HRR by owners.

Call it "cap panic" if you want, but it's not a good sign for the Flyers, or any cap strapped team that might be looking to deal salary away.
- Jsaquella

I don't see how a change in Escrow percentage, which is in place to ensure the correct split between the players and owners, will have an affect on trades. All that means is that the players are getting less money in their paychecks.

thread summary, please. thanks.