Around the League: Week 11 1/5-1/11

[SDC]

at this point, the way phx is playing... at the end of the season, one of three things will happen:

either mcdo's gone, or horny's gone, or dragic is gone (from least likely to most likely)

THIS will not go on past this season.

[INFORMER]

Gasol has said one of the big factors in where he chose to play was the culture (plays, orchestras, etc) of the city. Another was the chance to compete for a Championship.

"I'm not happy just playing basketball. I have other interests and other wishes. Chicago had a lot to offer in that regard. I'm culturally very interested, so I'm sure that side of me is going to be fulfilled here in a big way."

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/ba ... story.html
http://probasketballtalk.nbcsports.com/ ... h-thunder/

No disrespect the city or the franchise, but I don't think he was getting either by coming here.

Well first, OKC isn't Phoenix. Secondly, it's one thing for Gasol to say he appreciates something about Chicago after he's chosen to sign there, it's another for him to enter free agency with a list of demands and ruling certain cities or markets out, which he did not. And let's not forget that Chicago was offering more than OKC.

[carey]

Well first, OKC isn't Phoenix. Secondly, it's one thing for Gasol to say he appreciates something about Chicago after he's chosen to sign there, it's another for him to enter free agency with a list of demands and ruling certain cities or markets out, which he did not. And let's not forget that Chicago was offering more than OKC.

I thought that was well known about him? He instagram's stuff all the time from various plays and events. There was even speculation that he would love to play in Toronto because of the culture. He's not a small market guy.

[Gladiator]

yeah, but he was open to playing for phoenix via a trade before last season's trade deadline. after mcdo dropped the ball, the first thing pau did after the offseason was rule phoenix out.

Serious question: did Gasol (or his people) say he was open to coming to Phoenix or was it coming from the Suns' side (organisation/Phoenix media/this board). I honestly can't remember.

[INFORMER]

Toronto isn't a large market. It may have diversity and culture, but it's not Chicago, LA or NY.

And Phoenix doesn't have plays and events?

[Superbone]

And Phoenix doesn't have plays and events?

They definitely have an orchestra. And yes, many plays, musicals, and events.

[INFORMER]

Cirque du Soleil apparently thinks Phoenix is worthy of it.

[virtual9mm]

Toronto isn't a large market. It may have diversity and culture, but it's not Chicago, LA or NY.

And Phoenix doesn't have plays and events?

Toronto's become a cosmopolitan city that rivals Chicago in many, many ways -- including culture and amenities. New York outpaces any other US city by far in terms of high culture -- LA has Hollywood and Chicago has the Second City, but that's more "low culture". And Toronto has a good amount of that as well.

And Phoenix isn't even on that map. I had a hard time finding food that would make my foodie Vancouverite girlfriend happy over Christmas, short of paying $400 at Mastro's (and that was an amazing meal). The quality of the cultural and cosmopolitan experience in a city like San Francisco or Vancouver simply cannot be compared to anything in Arizona. What AZ has is unparalleled sunshine, golf and outdoorsy stuff.

[virtual9mm]

And Phoenix doesn't have plays and events?

They definitely have an orchestra. And yes, many plays, musicals, and events.

The stuff in Phoenix besides the traveling stuff (e.g. Cirque du Soleil) is third-rate, unfortunately. That being said, some of the more specialized stuff (the native art galleries in Scottsdale, the Heard Museum, Taliesin West) is unquestionably first rate.

[SDC]

yeah, but he was open to playing for phoenix via a trade before last season's trade deadline. after mcdo dropped the ball, the first thing pau did after the offseason was rule phoenix out.

Serious question: did Gasol (or his people) say he was open to coming to Phoenix or was it coming from the Suns' side (organisation/Phoenix media/this board). I honestly can't remember.

it was from pau's camp, but i cant find the article right now.

[INFORMER]

And let's not forget Gasol was just fine playing in Memphis.

[Superbone]

And Phoenix doesn't have plays and events?

They definitely have an orchestra. And yes, many plays, musicals, and events.

The stuff in Phoenix besides the traveling stuff (e.g. Cirque du Soleil) is third-rate, unfortunately. That being said, some of the more specialized stuff (the native art galleries in Scottsdale, the Heard Museum, Taliesin West) is unquestionably first rate.

The Phoenix Symphony is excellent and definitely not third rate. There's also first-class jazz in Phoenix/Scottsdale.

[Mori Chu]

If he wanted an amazing cultural experience, maybe they could have taken Pau to Talking Stick Resort. Or The Room Store!

[SDC]

And let's not forget Gasol was just fine playing in Memphis.

until the grizzlies started losing, in pau's case. marc gasol is just fine playing in memphis. foreign players are really less about brands and more about winning. they are just happy and feel privileged to play in any nba team.

[SDC]

the suns actually moved up to the 10th spot in the stein power rankings. ask marc why...

http://espn.go.com/nba/powerrankings

[INFORMER]

Does anyone believe Atlanta can win the championship?

[Cap]

I hope the players believe it. And their parents.

[virtual9mm]

There's also first-class jazz in Phoenix/Scottsdale.

Really? Would love to know more!

[SDC]

Does anyone believe Atlanta can win the championship?

no, but they are playing the best basketball in the regular season right now.

[SDC]

does houston taking in josh smith's contract hurt their chances when they pursue dragic in the off season?