AGRI Biz

After surprisingly challenging the Los Angeles Lakers for about 30 minutes or so, the New Jersey Nets reverted to their familiar place as losers, this time 103-84. Truthfully, little that happens on the court for New Jersey matters this season. With all the expiring contracts and cheap, young talent on the roster, the Nets will be major factors in free agency next season. So while the Nets are atrocious, at ...

Offensive talent throughout the roster? Speedy guards who can push the tempo? Talented isolation scorers? Quick-handed defenders who can generate steals? The Golden State Warriors have the players tailored to executing Don NelsonÆs run amok game plan. Therefore, after Golden StateÆs 118-109 home loss to the Washington Wizards, the problem isnÆt with the players; itÆs with the philosophy. Less than five percent of Golden StateÆs shot attempts ...

While the Chicago Bulls were expected to take a leap and potentially compete for a middle seed in this yearÆs playoffs, theyÆve spent this fall wilting like autumn foliage. The BullsÆ 101-87 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers revealed their three biggest reasons why they havenÆt reared their horns this season. LetÆs examine them one by one. Derrick Rose Despite heaps of praise lavished on Derrick RoseÆs natural athletic ...

Awful shot selection? Effortless defense? Hidden agendas? No, the main thing on Washington’s itinerary during their 94-84 road win over Miami was winning basketball. Let’s examine each Wizards’ performance to see if there were any secret saboteurs suited up for Washington. Flip Saunders’ offense was extremely diverse with UCLA cuts, split-action, screen/rolls, handoff/rolls, and the occasional isolation on the strong side, with pin downs on the weak side. With ...

In the midst of a total youth movement, the Sacramento Kings are playing their best ball in over a year. Their 111-97 drubbing over the Knicks was partially due to New YorkÆs incompetence, but also to the young talent the Kings are beginning to acquire. LetÆs look at the individuals: Tyreke Evans is SacramentoÆs prized rookie, and while heÆs an uneven talent, heÆs a talent nonetheless. He has the ...

Mayday! Mayday! Going down! The New Orleans HornetsÆ season may only be nine games in, but after their awful 124-104 disaster in Phoenix, theyÆre clearly a team in distress. Whether or not their calls for help can be answered depends on the nature of their emergency. LetÆs take a look. Not counting the garbage time in the final quarter, New Orleans ran 63 designed plays by my ...

After dealing away Richard Jefferson, and letting go of Charlie Villanueva and Ramon Sessions, the Milwaukee Bucks appear to have one of the least talented rosters in basketball. Throw in the fact that Andrew Bogut is recovering from back surgery, and Michael Redd has been out, and the Bucks have the makings of a bottom-feeding basketball team. Yet after trouncing the listless Knicks 102-87 in a game that was ...

After jumping out to a 21-point lead, the Charlotte Bobcats tried their best to give away a surefire win. Too bad they were facing the equally inept Knicks, backing their way into a 102-100 double-overtime win that was high on drama, but low on crisp, clean basketball. While Larry Brown has the Bobcats trying to play the right way, and while the Bobcats do have some nice pieces, thereÆs ...

In recent years, the Utah Jazz have lacked athleticism in their frontcourt, have struggled on the road, and have been unable to avoid waves of injuries to key players. After losing in Denver to the Nuggets 114-105 on October 28, early returns on this yearÆs Jazz said that not much has changed. UtahÆs offense was okay in the gameùtheir defense was another story. Andrei Kirilenko and Ronnie ...

Despite the Orlando Magic being last seasonÆs Eastern Conference champions, a host of NBA followers believe the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers to be the seasonÆs top two beasts in the East. As it so happens, the scheduling gods decided to pit the two powerhouses against each other to tip off the 2009-2010 NBA campaign. While a single game is but a footstep in the marathon of the NBA ...