thegrahamcrackr
Registered User
Here is a topic that is never brought up. What player in the NBA grew up the most this season? I am not talking about on the court, but instead in the way their handle themselves off the court. To be considered, you have to improved (so you in other words, you had to be a punk last season).
Here are some ideas I came up with:
Carmelo Anthony - Denver Nuggets - 20 years old
Ok, I hate this guy. Everyone knows that much. However, I do have to commend him on turning himself around a bit. Last season, I was positive that he was going to be a grade A punk for his entire career. From sitting out, to publicly critisizing people picked ahead of him as Allstars - Carmelo acted like a baby. He even carried that personality into the summer.
Something happened this year though. After his DVD scandal (well, whatever it was) came out, Melo learned to keep his mouth shut. While his game needs to grow up more, I think he has improved dramatically over last season.
Gary Payton - Boston Celtics - 36 years old
What happened to the Gary Payton that mouthed off to everyone? Where is the Gary Payton that critisizes his coaches? Am I just to far away from Boston to hear his loud mouth? I mean really, did Payton quite down? If so, I have to say I am amazed. Even the possibility of this being true gets him on the list.
Ricky Davis - Boston Celtics - 25 years old
This is the same guy that cheated to try and get a tripple double. The guy that was traded out of Cleveland for the effect he was having on Lebron. He has turned himself into a seemingly good teammate, and a productive bench player that fits the system. Maybe it is Doc?
Erick Dampier - Dallas Mavericks - 29 years old
He is playing good in a non contract year. Something off the court had to have clicked.
Lamar Odom - Los Angeles Lakers - 25 years old
Technically he could have won this last season. I personally thought his stay in Miami was a fluke occurance, and that he would go back to suspensions returning to LA and not being the best player on the team.
Was I wrong or what. Not only has Odom stayed out of trouble, but he tries to play with Kobe even though their playing styles don't allow it. It amazes me that he hasn't pulled a Chucky Atkins and mouthed off about Bryant yet.
Jalen Rose - Toronto Raptors - 32 years old
Somewhere between Chicago and Toronto, Jalen Rose stopped caring. Usually this is a bad thing, but in the case of Rose it seems to have worked wonders. He will still go and produce to the best of his abilities on the court, but the attitude is gone. Instead of insulting teammates, he is making jokes to the media.
I actual like the guy now, something I thought was impossible a few years ago. Maybe Melo isn't doomed to stay on my hate list afterall....
OK, that is all I have right now. Feel free to add anyone else you can think of.
Here are some ideas I came up with:
Carmelo Anthony - Denver Nuggets - 20 years old
Ok, I hate this guy. Everyone knows that much. However, I do have to commend him on turning himself around a bit. Last season, I was positive that he was going to be a grade A punk for his entire career. From sitting out, to publicly critisizing people picked ahead of him as Allstars - Carmelo acted like a baby. He even carried that personality into the summer.
Something happened this year though. After his DVD scandal (well, whatever it was) came out, Melo learned to keep his mouth shut. While his game needs to grow up more, I think he has improved dramatically over last season.
Gary Payton - Boston Celtics - 36 years old
What happened to the Gary Payton that mouthed off to everyone? Where is the Gary Payton that critisizes his coaches? Am I just to far away from Boston to hear his loud mouth? I mean really, did Payton quite down? If so, I have to say I am amazed. Even the possibility of this being true gets him on the list.
Ricky Davis - Boston Celtics - 25 years old
This is the same guy that cheated to try and get a tripple double. The guy that was traded out of Cleveland for the effect he was having on Lebron. He has turned himself into a seemingly good teammate, and a productive bench player that fits the system. Maybe it is Doc?
Erick Dampier - Dallas Mavericks - 29 years old
He is playing good in a non contract year. Something off the court had to have clicked.
Lamar Odom - Los Angeles Lakers - 25 years old
Technically he could have won this last season. I personally thought his stay in Miami was a fluke occurance, and that he would go back to suspensions returning to LA and not being the best player on the team.
Was I wrong or what. Not only has Odom stayed out of trouble, but he tries to play with Kobe even though their playing styles don't allow it. It amazes me that he hasn't pulled a Chucky Atkins and mouthed off about Bryant yet.
Jalen Rose - Toronto Raptors - 32 years old
Somewhere between Chicago and Toronto, Jalen Rose stopped caring. Usually this is a bad thing, but in the case of Rose it seems to have worked wonders. He will still go and produce to the best of his abilities on the court, but the attitude is gone. Instead of insulting teammates, he is making jokes to the media.
I actual like the guy now, something I thought was impossible a few years ago. Maybe Melo isn't doomed to stay on my hate list afterall....
OK, that is all I have right now. Feel free to add anyone else you can think of.
just read on hoopshype.com that some of his teammates are upset because he didn't show up in about 2 weeks
