Arrowhead Pride

That's what I'm wondering

I imagine the bulk of this story was put together early this morning before that announcement became official? Just a guess.

Probably So

Unfortunately, I think the Chiefs are going to have a tough time competing with the hometown draw of Cleveland. Fortunately, there are plenty of other fish in the sea. But we’ll see how it shakes out.

Hometown draw

From the article:

Pioli, who was a pro personnel assistant here from 1992 to 1995, loved the city and the team. He also formed close relationships with people such as Indians general manager Mark Shapiro and would love to help rebuild the Browns the same way Shapiro has done with the Tribe and Danny Ferry the Cavs, sources said.

What about the Royals??

Danny Ferry?

The only thing that he’s done well was draft LeBron James…he’s spent the rest of his career surrounding James with role players and stiffs. LeBron James being stuck with the Cavs is like seeing a Ferrari entered in a demolition derby.

Let me fix that for you

~~The only thing that he’s done well was draft LeBron James.~~

The only thing the Cavs have done well is tank in 2002 to draft LeBron James :)

Cavs are balling...

Put some defensive stoppers around an all world scorer and surprise surprise, you’re 26-4.

Yep.

The Cavs are hot right now and are legit. The Cavs are my team. We’re going all the way!

I lived there as a kid...

nothing but love for Mark Price and Brad Daugherty.

Sweet.

LBJ made the NBA fun again for me. He, like Mike, can put a rubbish game on a highlight reel.

I Liked Mark Price

And Craig Ehlo and Larry Nance. Daugherty was okay, but he had so many injury issues.

Danny Ferry is like the Cleveland anti-Christ though. His horrible contract as a player handcuffed the Cavs for years and now his mediocre talent evaluation as a GM is holding back the best player of this generation.

Well, he did bring in Mo and Delonte

and this team is by far the best they have had. However, I’m sure we would both agree that it needs to be better for LeBron to stay.

I hate Ferry too..

more because he’d a Duke d-bag. But I like the moves he’s made. You could try to give LBJ another super star, but we saw how that worked out with AI and Melo. Instead, he has put together a top shelf defending team knowing that if they can make a stop LBJ can handle the scoring.
They’re not built as tight as the Blazers but I think they’ll go places this year.

Agreed.

Yeah, But

AI doesn’t share or play well with others, never really has. LeBron does. In fact, he’s really a more talented version of Magic Johnson…put him with some quality teammates who can score effectively in their own right (this does not include Larry Hughes) and he’ll turn them into stars. Put him with a bunch of role players and they’ll top out at solid.

I think they’ll do well in the regular season but they’re not built to succeed in the playoffs. They need another star to go with LBJ and I don’t think it’s Mo.

I take offense to that statement!

Magic was the consumate team player who made all his team mates better. Until Lebron plays all 5 positions on the court and wins a few championships, he is just a super talented player. No offense Llamuku, in my mind he truly hasn’t figured out how to finish out big games. He is just so dominant physically, he relies on that too much sometimes instead of his skill.

Wow, wow, wow...

the KID is only 24. I’d say he is making great strides.

You are right. Don't get me wrong, I am not denying his talent

He is a special player. But he is still learning, and his game is quite a bit different than Magic (my all time favortie player, which UCrawford knows that and he is a Celtics fan so i think he was digging a litte :),) because Magic was a true point guard and Lebron is more of a 2 or 3 player. He will end up being one of the all time greats, no doubt! But…

Lakers all the way! I was born in Cali, what can I say?

Touche!

I Wasn't Digging

I always respected Magic and would put him in the top 5 of all time (just ahead of Larry Bird, even though I love Larry Legend and the Celts). But I also think that when all is said and done LeBron is going to be in that pantheon and that his ceiling is actually higher than Magic’s (which isn’t a dig at Magic but a compliment to LeBron).

Point taken about the different positions, and LeBron’s got a long way to go before we can actually claim he is better than Magic (he certainly needs a couple of rings first). But of course, his career isn’t over yet. :)

And

LeBron hasn’t had a player comparable to Kareem with him either…or even James Worthy. Even Magic noted that he won five championships with Kareem and none without him. But we’ll see how LeBron does if he, Wade and Bosh end up with the Knicks in two years like the conspiracy theorists claim :)

Did Bosh just sign a 4-year

Like LeBron and Melo? So they could get out in 09?

Per Rotoworld

Bosh is able to opt out of his deal after the ‘09-’10 season. Same with LeBron and Wade. The conspiracy goes that the Knicks are essentially tanking the next two years by letting all their bad contracts play out so they can clear tons of cap space and sign all three for the ‘10-’11 season.

Yeah I've heard it

They didn’t sign max deals in 05-06 because the cap would be higher or something.

Not Sure How It Works

But those guys will all be in their prime that year. Combine those three with a couple of solid drafts and that’s going to be an almost impossible team to beat. Assuming Wade survives that long, of course. I’ve got my doubts about that and think he could have a very short career because of injuries.

So

Where’s Matt on an NBA discussion when you need him? :)

LeBron and Bosh I like

Melo needs to learn some D. Great scorer but I don’t think LeBron will need that. He needs a great kick out shooter.

But

He had Larry Hughes. :)

Uhhh, yea.

He’s the ticket.

Someone Had A Website While Hughes Was A Cav

It was titled “PleaseLarryHughesStopTakingSoManyBadShots”

Seriously…it tracked all the bad shots he took over the course of a season and just how terrible he was in relation to other guys at his position. :)

Website Name Corrected

“Please Larry Hughes Stop Taking So Many Bad Shots”

They just made it one word. :)

That is hilarious!

I hope Llamuku has gone to bed, so he doesn’t think we are dogging his team.

I'll Dog The Cavs

Only because I think Danny Ferry is a horrible GM whose screwups are continually covered by having LeBron on the roster.

Seriously, if it wasn’t for LBJ that’s a 15 win team.

Exactly.

LeBron is so gone.

Great point

Great Teams have great players. Magic was awesome, but he had some help. Needed it against Bird, Parrish, DJ, Ainge, McHale (best post moves ever), and those guys. He also wasn’t bad with A.C. Green and some average joes too.
Man, if Bosh and LeBron were together it wouldn’t even be fair. But I for one would like New York to have a good team again. It makes things more interesting.

No Kidding On McHale

That guy was a low-post scoring machine. Just unbelieveable footwork. Better than Hakeem (who I thought would have been the greatest power forward ever if he hadn’t had to play center).

Love the Dream

He was a phenomenal athlete. Says a lot about Jordan that a great center like him only won championships when Jordan wasn’t playing.

Jordan Was The Greatest

I’d put him ahead of Kareem, Wilt, Magic and Larry (who I’d rank in that order). Jordan was the most complete basketball player ever as far as I’m concerned…great at pretty much everything he did.

I’m so glad that he retired after hitting the shot to win his final championship ring and didn’t sully his legacy by playing for some crap team like the Wizards. :)

Ha, they were crap!

Old heroes trying to make new legends. I loved Magic’s style of play, Showtime was the Sh*t, but Jordan was the best all around for sure. His will was unstoppable.
My Dad always talks about how great West was, and the Big O, but I never saw those guys play.

I Was Too Young For West And Robertson

But West was a clutch player and you’re not going to hear me say anything bad about a guy who averaged a triple double like Robertson did.

Kareem was just such a dominant player for his career and he won championships in Milwaukee and L.A. (not to mention three at UCLA, and he didn’t lose a game of basketball until he got to college). Wilt had the misfortune of being the best player and best athlete in basketball of his generation and he was absolutely unbelieveable. If the refs had called the game fairly for him instead of letting him get the crap kicked out of him by opposing players he’d still have the scoring record.

I give West a ton of credit

for what he has done for the Lakers in acquiring great players over the years. He has an eye for talent and when he left for the Griz I was heartbroken. It is good to have him back in an advisory role.

We need somebody like that with the Chiefs. Just knows the kind of guys who can win you a championship.

Hasn't Worked Well For Memphis, Though

Turned out to be lightning in a bottle for West, I suppose. Plus, it’s a lot easier to get the top players to want to play in L.A. for the Lakers than for the Grizzlies. :)

Yeah, the Grizzles don't have quite the same draw!

Wilt Trivia

Did you know that Wilt Chamberlain was responsible for the rule change that required that free throws must be shot from a standing position behind the free throw line?

Before the rule change he was able to take a running start and dunk them (or lay them in). Tex Winter at Kansas State was the one who pushed that one through after realizing that Wilt would be able to shoot in the 90 percentile if he could dunk. :)

I did not know that

But watching old footage of Wilt is crazy. He was so far above ANY player in his time, it truly wasn’t fair. Nice Tex Winter reference. I like it.

You should so meet my Dad. He is the biggest b-ball fan of all time. He goes to everything:high school, college, pro, whatever. Here in a couple of weeks I think he even has tickets to go see your JayHawks in Lawrence (and he lives in Vegas), Then we have OK State tickets in Stillwater on the 10th and Tula/Memphis in Tulsa on the 12th I think. I am stoked. Then we finish out the week at the Chili Bowl in Tulsa.

Sounds Like A Packed Schedule

Yeah, I’d probably get along with your dad. To live in Kansas is to be a lover of hoops. :) When I was in the Army at basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood I actually got out of doing 1000+ pushups by challenging and beating my drill sergeant at basketball trivia. Stumped him on a three part question.

1) Who was the only losing coach in KU basketball history?

2) Who was the KU coach known as “The Father of Basketball Coaching”.

3) What three coaches who graduated from KU won over 600 games in the NCAA?

The first one is a real stumper

Just guessing, but Allen for #2, and I think I might know one of #3- Roy Williams?

I have no idea…

Please don't make me do 1000 push-ups!

The 1st one is James Naismith

PT is in the house!

I forgot he coached at KU. Nice one.

#2

Phog Allen, Ted Owens and (I think) Roy Williams…I thought he was close when he went to UNC.

Ahh

I meant #3 and now I realize it was what 3 coaches graduated from KU not coached there….

c'mon Primetime

You are the trivia guru! We Missouri boys can’t let UCrawford stump us! Not fair using Kansas trivia though…

How 'bout

Naismith
Phog Allen
Adolph Rupp, Larry Brown, and Roy Williams.

????

Close, But Wrong On The Coaches

1. Dr. James Naismith – inventor of the game of basketball.

2. Phog Allen – who also helped create the NCAA tournament.

3. Adolph Rupp, Dean Smith, and Ralph Miller (who everyone misses). Larry Brown and Roy Williams both graduated from North Carolina.

Although

Larry Brown and Roy Williams were both proteges of Dean Smith, who was himself a protege of Phog Allen.

The Missouri guys might not know this, but UNC and KU have a highly intertwined basketball tradition going all the way back to 1957 when KU (led by Wilt Chamberlain) lost to UNC in triple overtime in the national championship game. Dean Smith (who was on KU’s 1952 championship team) took over UNC’s program in 1961 and we’ve enjoyed close ties ever since (with a brief period of hostility following Roy Williams’ departure…which has largely dissipated after Roy showed up to cheer for KU at the 2008 NCAA final).

We also have ties to Kentucky, but they’re not friendly since they’re a bunch of dirty, racist cheats. :)

Dismiss UK for that

And accept Adolph Rupp???

Well, He Was A Great Coach

The question was just about who came out of the KU coaching tree, and Rupp came out of the tree and was a very successful coach.

At least the cheating didn’t happen under his watch. That was Eddie Sutton.

I was talking about the racism

Oh Well

It is Kentucky after all :)

Lived there for a couple of years in the late ’90s while stationed with the Army and I was surprised at how overtly racist people are there. They had nothing nice to say about Tubby Smith, and that was the season after he won them a national championship.

Tubby Wasn't All That

And he won with a team Pitino had put together. But when a guy wins a title, he deserves a grace period of at least two or three years after that.

Damn.

Not that close.

TheQ - December 30, 2008 reply

My Dad Actually Watched The 2008 NCAA Final With Hakeem

He was down in San Antonio for the game and my brother-in-law’s dad got him into the NBA skybox for the KU-Memphis game. Ended up watching it with Hakeem, Ewing, Riley, and Adrian Dantley.

Of course the rotten old bastard was completely engrossed in the game and forgot to get me an autographed picture from Hakeem (who was second favorite player after Bird). :)

That is inexcusable!

What an opportunity! Can your brother-in-law’s dad get us some March Madness skybox this season? J/K.

I would love a soccer ball signed by Hakeem. That would be cool.

That Would Be Cool

Sorry, but that skybox thing was a one-time deal…my brother-in-law’s dad only had connections in San Antonio and he completely lucked out that time. I actually had the opportunity to go but I had to buy the tickets for the Final before the tourney kicked off and I wanted to go watch it with my best friends in Lawrence instead. Wouldn’t have traded that for the world.

I’ve never let dad forget about his failure to get me a Hakeem autograph though. :) My brother-in-law’s highlight of the game was winning an argument about basketball with Dantley by predicting a KU comeback and victory (and that Memphis would choke on free throws).

Well, if you come up with some skybox tix

let me know. I love basketball because it fills the void in between football season! I am already looking forward to March. Perhaps the Tigers can give the JayHawks a run for their money this season? I think Mike Anderson is going to be a good coach.

I Think Anderson Will Be Solid

But that program’s just got so much work to do…the whole Quin Snyder/Ricky Clemons debacle really fucked them up.

But I always want the Big 12 teams to do well. A rising tide lifts all boats and all that.

Agreed. And I love it when the Big 12 kicks ass

I get to talk a ton of trash to my old man who is a UCLA guy and a Pac-10 homer. If Kansas winning last year was in my favor.

I know, but I had to give you a hard time

Had to stick up for my boy Magic. You Celtics fans and all just don’t get it:)

BTW, I still think the Celts are the best team in the league, Lakers and Cavs not withstanding. They play some incredible D, and they will be tough come playoffs. I am hoping for a rematch now that we have Bynum back. Get your popcorn ready!

Oh, I Get It

I’ve got nothing bad to ever say about Magic.

As for Bynum, we’ll see how he does. If he can stay healthy for a full season I really like his potential, but so far he can’t shake the injury bug.

I just hope he can somewhat negate Ganett.

We had no answer for him last year, and he is just too good. Actually I am not a fan or Pierce, but he was the best player in the NBA during those finals last year. Played out of his mind.

Garnett

Pierce Is The Man

That guy is the rich man’s version of Scottie Pippen.

Or (another crack pot theory)

Mayhew wasn’t the Lions first choice. They contacted Pioli, he shot them down and they promoted Mayhew.

It Would Make Sense

But I think that the Lions still ended up with a good deal. And they’ll have an edge when it comes to hiring a head coach as well because their GM’s already in place.

Yeah

Although, I suspect some of the better coaching candidates will wait it out and weight their options first.

*Weigh

So if Pioli goes to Cleveland

Who is the next big candidate? What is the guy from Pittsburgs name?

Doug Whaley

Or Ron Hughes. Or Kevin Colbert. All seemingly good candidates.

Kevin Colbert

That is someone who I think Clark will be looking at. He said he admires the Steelers Org.

Not sure why he would leave

He’s the de facto GM of one of the most successful and stable franchises in NFL history. He built a team that went to the Super Bowl just 3 years ago and has a team now that can make an argument for being the best in the game.

Tom Heckert

of the Eagles is in a similar position to Andy Reid as Pioli was to Bellichick and is said to want more control.

They might have a rabid fan base

but Cleveland is another one of these dying Rust Belt cities that is hemmoraging population and manufacturing jobs. I guess maybe Pioli’s wife might be pulling the strings on that, and rumors are he’d like to stay closer to the east coast, but I don’t see a more attractive job than GM in KC. The amount of money we have under the cap, the soon to be completed renovation to the most historical stadium in the NFL, a fanbase absolutely starving to deify anyone who can win us a friggin playoff game, and a stable of young talent that can, under proper management, turn it around a la Miami and ATL of this year.

They may be hemorrhaging population

But they can still support 3 major sports, which the Chiefs can’t.

Official Arrowhead Pride Parade - December 29, 2008 reply

Weeee know! They can't even support themselves!

You clearly don’t appreciate the MLS primetime so why would you appreciate the NBA or NHL?

If you’re going to tell us that the guy ‘responsible’ for 6th rounder Tom Brady, 7th rounder Matt Cassel, and 3rd rounder look out big tymer Kevin O’Connell thinks doucheboat extraordinaire Brady suzyfingers has got the QB situation in the mistake on the lake solved, you must be sorely mistaken primetime.

Always believin the hype PT.

Not hype

Just that his college statistics indicate that he’s got a good chance to be an above average NFL quarterback. Check out this post. Then look at Brady’s numbers.

I’m not basing it off hype.

Also, about that whole QB thing

I’m not sold on either QB currently in CLE. Brady Quinn was hardly Matt Ryan/Joe Flacco in his limited action this year. The verdict is out on him as much as it is on Thigpen.

Fair enough

But I would imagine the majority of scouts in the NFL would prefer Quinn’s traditional drop back style versus Thigpen whose only succeeded in a spread-like offense.

I'm Not Sold On Quinn

He had one good game before he got hurt and he barely threw any further than his tight end. The questions about Quinn’s accuracy are looking more and more legit.

His track record in college looks awfully good

His numbers compare well to QBs that are successful in the NFL. Though, it is the draft so who the hell knows…

Quinn is the QB equivalent of Gary Pinkle

in that he disappears in big games.

Bleedingredandgold - December 30, 2008 reply

"Thigpen whose only succeeded in a spread-like offense"

on a team with no run-game, even before he was placed there.

Yeah, I keep saying it. As long as Thigpen’s getting blamed for not succeeding where Huard & Croyle /both/ failed, and for pretty much the same reason, then I expect to keep repeating it.

The people who keep complaining that Thigpen not being able to make chicken salad out of chicken shit should either get a clue, or eat a plateful of the latter, after they get a chance to turn it into the former. Either that, or they should make up their minds on who they are blaming the losses on: TT, or Herm. Odd how people want to have it both ways.

Huard and Croyle

Huard isn’t part of this team’s future because he’s 36 (and got injured) and Brodie couldn’t stay on the field. Really, it had nothing to do with their ability.

Brady Quinn is a lock?

Better than Thigpen

And, yeah, I think Brady Quinn being there makes it very attractive.

No way.

With Thigpen’s experience, he will definitely be better than Quinn next year.

Perhaps,

even as a backup.

I would have to disagree

Quinn has more around him talent wise.

Of whom do you speak?

Braylon “No Hands” Edwards? I’d take Bowe and Gonzalez over all those Cleveland fools.

Dude, don't disrespect Winslow like that...

he’s a soldier after all…

A Soldier With A Malfunctioning Groin

Although I respect that he went public with the staph infection epidemic in Cleveland. There were so many reasons that Crennel and Savage deserved to get fired…minimizing a major health hazard for the players was definitely one of them.

Agreed

Bowe + Gonzalez > Edwards + Winslow

Really?

Edwards has been injured all season. I was referring to there team as a whole. Ala offensive line. Ours is just plain offensive.

I Don't Think Edwards Was Hurt That Badly

He had a foot thing to start the year, but that healed up early on.

He just took the lead

From T.O. for most drops over the last 2 years…

Yeah, and with Bowe having his

case of the drops he tops 1,000. I say he has more upside.

Edwards biggest injury...

was to his ego

LOL!

Yeah, they do have a better line.

What If Pioli is NOT Sold on Quinn

Then all of a sudden, he has controversy on his hands. Lets also not forget the hole the last GM dug for him with the signing of Derek Anderson. He could have two high priced busts on his hands and need another QB. That is a monstrousity of a situation to contemplate. Meanwhile, thanks to Thigpen’s last game, Pioli would have license to change the QB position the second he gets here without creating any controversy.

Unlikely

The Browns drafted Quinn in the 1st round 2 years ago. He’s not going anywhere. I think they made that pretty clear this season.

But that was the old regime

the point is that Pioli might not feel the same. Let’s remember, Brady Quinn fell like a rock in the draft. There might be a reason behind that. And even if Pioli does feel the same way, if Brady doesn’t show that it factor early on (let’s face it, he played for Notre Dame, they compete against military academies, not Big 12/SEC powerhouses), then you have two busts with contracts that no one is gonna pay. Huge cap hits to cut or trade. Meanwhile, KC is flush with cash like no other and he can come here and spend like congress and find a better QB than Quinn will ever be (I never drank that Kool-Aid).

I agree.

The Chiefs have set-up a really nice package for him if he chooses to accept. [cue the MI theme song]

I agree

Quinn has ability while Thigpen hasn’t even shown he can take a snap under center. TT regressed imo as he went along.

Official Arrowhead Pride Parade - December 30, 2008 reply

Oh, the PARADE thinks Primetime just made commenter of the week!

Explained...

and, yeah, I think Brady Quinn being there makes it very attractive.

Official Arrowhead Pride Parade - December 30, 2008 reply

Spin zone

The PARADE has me trapped.

thigpen better than quinn?

I don’t see how people can say this. Thigpen has done a good job in a spread style offense. It is still very unclear how and even if he can handle a normal pro style offense. I truly hope thiggy does good, but at least quinn proved himself in college.

WarChief - December 29, 2008 reply

Its simple

Red and gold colored glasses

I have been skeptical of Thigpen

I was excited like everyone else when he was in there. He brought a new drive and he plays hard. I am not willing to annoint him starter just yet. He deserves to be the man until we get something better though.

He needs some

competition in the QB spot to push him to be better (e.g., not lock onto his receivers). I think he has potential but he’s just as unproven as Quinn IMO.

I heard Lenny on the radio

He was talking about people around the league comparing him to Steve Young

Bleedingredandgold - December 30, 2008 reply

I posted a link

said he’s had a better “rookie” season than several high-end QBs – since his numbers are comperable to JaMarcus Russell’s, and when it comes to wins, JR had a 20th-ranked or so D to help him win 3 more games, as opposed to TT’s 30th (or so) D.

Nope, Chiefs fans demand instant success, even with the rest of the team having problems, and a coaching staff that they want to burn at the stake, before they will cut a “rookie” QB /one inch/ of slack.

After all, if Thigpen didn’t suck, he’d have made the coaching better, nd the defense better, and the special teams better…

But the TT haters don’t know what a scapegoat is, even when they are dragging it onto the altar, and slitting its throat for the sins of the multitude….

Not instant success

Just success.

Nope, Chiefs fans demand instant success, even with the rest of the team having problems, and a coaching staff that they want to burn at the stake, before they will cut a "rookie" QB /one inch/ of slack.

I want success so badly I want to assure ourselves of it and give us the best chance at a franchise QB because having one of those guys usually means a string of playoff seasons caliber seasons. It’s not about Thigpen. I can give you a million reasons why he will or won’t be a good NFL QB. But I’d rather just draft a guy and give him competition in camp. What’s wrong with competition? Who was the last QB to enter camp with no competition? Our buddy Croyle.

There

There's Nothing Wrong With Competition

The only time a QB controversy is a bad thing for a football team is when neither QB is that good. Every player in the NFL should be looking over his shoulder at who’s coming up from behind to take his job.

Unless you are on of the greats

then you don’t need someone else to make you better. You just want to be the best and the drive is to be better than the ones before you. I get the point thought that some players need help to be motivated.

And I Think Thigpen Is One Of Those Who Needs The Motivation

Anyone who thinks they’re entitled to the starting QB job after posting bottom 10 QB numbers needs to get a reality check in the form of competition.

Don’t get me wrong, I like Thigpen and think he has potential, but he’s a long way from showing that he’s the answer at QB instead of just a stopgap.

Possibly a Derek Anderson type

Fill the gap until the Rookie is ready.

Funny thing is we would all love to be wrong

I for one would love for Thigpen to prove us wrong. That would mean we have the man. I guess we will have to see.

I'd Love For Him To Step Up Too

He may have the ability. But he’s got a lot of work to do to prove that.

College will never

be the proving ground for NFL success.

Ironically about Thigpen

I think he would be better off without Herm because then he could get a legitimate QB coach to work with him. Herm is not letting his daddy Dick Curl go anywhere.

the comments on the Brown's Article

are loaded with Browns fans talking about getting Pioli and Marty as their Head Coach. Turns out two franchises are sharing similar dreams. That said, I don’t think putting those two together is necessarily a good idea.

schraggyj - December 29, 2008 reply

I think

A LOT of fans for various teams are having that dream. There’s a reason it’s called the “Dream Scenario” :)

Official Arrowhead Pride Parade - December 30, 2008 reply

Really...

the only thing that could improve that would be to add Brady Quinn to that threesome, isn’t that right Primetime?

Yes

Although, I think I would rather have Quinn as QB than Marty as coach.

No

I take that back. Although it’s tempting.

Brady Quinn?

Threesome?….Im in…oh lord that sounded too gay…

woodman212 - December 30, 2008 reply

Don't forget Leinart LOL!