Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Boozer's knee surgery
What sets CJ Miles apart from the other starting four? He's the only one who hasn't missed games due to injury or illness. Deron Williams' shooting has been off since he came back from an ankle injury, and now the Jazz have learned Carlos Boozer might not be back until March due to the upcoming need for arthroscopic surgery on his knee, not to mention all the games missed by Mehmet Okur, Andrei Kirilenko, Paul Millsap, Kyle Korver, Matt Harpring, Brevin Knight and Jarron Collins. It means more minutes for rookie Kosta Koufos, so gee, if everyone's healthy in April, they should be a force to be reckoned with, but they've been playing .500 ball ever since Boozer went down, and if that trend continues, they might find themselves 14th seed in the lottery for the third time in six years.
Monday, December 22, 2008
Boozer's blunder
Carlos Boozer has been under constant suspicion since his arrival in Utah. After renegging on a wink-wink deal with Cleveland, he bolted to the Jazz for the money. Now everyone knows he's going to opt out of his deal this summer. It'd be financially unsound not to. He'll draw max money offers and he's likely to be the best free agent in the 2009 market.
Owner Larry H. Miller overreacted by calling it one of the dumbest 10 things he's heard any NBA player say in 20 years, when Boozer semi-concurred he would indeed opt out this summer. There are 76 media members for every NBA player, so there's always going to be constant contract questions. it gives a day or two of distraction to mull it over when a player dares confirm he might actually do what everyone expects him to do.
The problem for Boozer is two-fold. First Miller revealed that at one point, Boozer asked to be traded to a lower-altitude city nearer his Miami home. The other problem is this lingering injury he has. Last time Boozer had a lingering injury, a high hamstring, it kept him out for half the season, much longer than anyone thought a hammy should sideline someone. Now his quad injury keeps having his return date pushed back. Out for 2 weeks, out for 4 weeks. A third MRI scheduled because no one knows what's going on.
The Jazz have been riddled with injuries, and this should have been their year to really come together and build off last year's success, as the roster is pretty much intact. Many teammates have the option of opting out. Half the roster could be free agents this summer. Success breeds re-signings.
Now it looks like it's not just a given that Boozer will opt out, but every week it's more of a given he'll bolt for another town. Especially if he takes the rest of this year to rest his quad so he can give his new team his healthy self. Just when Stockton-Malone II was established, the Malone half wants to leave.
Owner Larry H. Miller overreacted by calling it one of the dumbest 10 things he's heard any NBA player say in 20 years, when Boozer semi-concurred he would indeed opt out this summer. There are 76 media members for every NBA player, so there's always going to be constant contract questions. it gives a day or two of distraction to mull it over when a player dares confirm he might actually do what everyone expects him to do.
The problem for Boozer is two-fold. First Miller revealed that at one point, Boozer asked to be traded to a lower-altitude city nearer his Miami home. The other problem is this lingering injury he has. Last time Boozer had a lingering injury, a high hamstring, it kept him out for half the season, much longer than anyone thought a hammy should sideline someone. Now his quad injury keeps having his return date pushed back. Out for 2 weeks, out for 4 weeks. A third MRI scheduled because no one knows what's going on.
The Jazz have been riddled with injuries, and this should have been their year to really come together and build off last year's success, as the roster is pretty much intact. Many teammates have the option of opting out. Half the roster could be free agents this summer. Success breeds re-signings.
Now it looks like it's not just a given that Boozer will opt out, but every week it's more of a given he'll bolt for another town. Especially if he takes the rest of this year to rest his quad so he can give his new team his healthy self. Just when Stockton-Malone II was established, the Malone half wants to leave.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
76ers fire Maurice Cheeks
I wonder if Elton Brand had been injured a week earlier, he would have a reprieve. An injury reprieve. But the Sixers were underachieving for the talent they have.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Kings fire Reggie Theus
I could understand firing PJ Carlesimo from the Thunder or Randy Whittman from the Timberwolves. I thought the firings of Sam Mitchell and Eddie Jordan were premature, but I guess I could see where they're coming from. But Reggie Theus getting whacked in Sacramento doesn't make sense to me. What have the Maloof brothers done to help Theus make it a winning team besides trade away Ron Artest for nothing? Is it part of a conspiracy to keep the Kings losers so they can try again to move the team to Las Vegas? No NBA season has ever seen five coaches whacked this early. Does this mean Marc Iavaroni (Grizzlies) and Mike Dunleavy (Clippers) whould start coming up with exit strategies? Just how comfortable is Larry Brown in Charlotte now that Jason Richardson is gone?
Even though the injury-riddled Jazz are only 15-10, may I once again make the case that it's a crime Jerry Sloan, who's only had one losing season in his twenty with the Jazz, has never won Coach of the Year?
Even though the injury-riddled Jazz are only 15-10, may I once again make the case that it's a crime Jerry Sloan, who's only had one losing season in his twenty with the Jazz, has never won Coach of the Year?
Monday, December 8, 2008
Fantasy Football d. Real NFL
As my fantasy football season winds down, with my 7-7 team just out of the playoffs (we had a lot of 7-7 teams), I realize now in the final two weeks that I'm not really up how the NFL teams are doing as I usually would be. Part of it is due to the death of NFL Primetime. I know The Blitz is similar, but it's just not the same. I'd much rather watch Chris Berman and Tom Jackson recap the day than Bob Costas, Keith Olbermann and Chris Collinsworth. (I love Costas, but his true calling is play-by-play). Another factor is that I don't watch football before church, and this year my church goes from 2:00 to 5:00pm, and then you get home, you have dinner, so only if the Sunday night game is must-see do I see much of it. The main factor though, is my fantasy team.
I would check individual stats daily. I couldn't have told you before looking it up today what the Jaguars records is, but I can tell you David Garrard and Maurice Jones-Drew had slow starts before coming into their stat stride, and Matt Jones has been a high-and-low receiver for them. I can tell you new coach Mike Singletary didn't do much for Frank Gore's scoring. I can tell you Kyle Orton was a godsend before his injury, and that weeks before it happened, I knew Derek Anderson and Jon Kitna would wind up getting benched. Kurt Warner would be the MVP if the Cardinals had a better record. What is their record, again? I can tell you the Dolphins defense wound up being better than the Colts. The Cowboys had frustratingly inconsistant receiving. Tony Gonzalez is still a kick-butt tight-end.
My two favorite teams, the ones I really followed, sucked this year. That may have been another factor. The Seahawks will never be able to avenge losing in the worst officiated Super Bowl of all time, and the Raiders really need Al Davis to go away. My third team used to be the 49ers, but that's tapered off every year since Steve Young left, and now I don't really care. My fourth team is now my third team, e.g. whoever plays the Broncos that week. My fourth team is whoever goes undefeated, and then they need to win the Super Bowl, because I want someone to shut up the 1972 Dolphins once and for all. Can you picture Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Steve Kerr, etc., publicly shipping champagne every time the last NBA team loses its 13th game, thus keeping their 70 win-team special?
I would check individual stats daily. I couldn't have told you before looking it up today what the Jaguars records is, but I can tell you David Garrard and Maurice Jones-Drew had slow starts before coming into their stat stride, and Matt Jones has been a high-and-low receiver for them. I can tell you new coach Mike Singletary didn't do much for Frank Gore's scoring. I can tell you Kyle Orton was a godsend before his injury, and that weeks before it happened, I knew Derek Anderson and Jon Kitna would wind up getting benched. Kurt Warner would be the MVP if the Cardinals had a better record. What is their record, again? I can tell you the Dolphins defense wound up being better than the Colts. The Cowboys had frustratingly inconsistant receiving. Tony Gonzalez is still a kick-butt tight-end.
My two favorite teams, the ones I really followed, sucked this year. That may have been another factor. The Seahawks will never be able to avenge losing in the worst officiated Super Bowl of all time, and the Raiders really need Al Davis to go away. My third team used to be the 49ers, but that's tapered off every year since Steve Young left, and now I don't really care. My fourth team is now my third team, e.g. whoever plays the Broncos that week. My fourth team is whoever goes undefeated, and then they need to win the Super Bowl, because I want someone to shut up the 1972 Dolphins once and for all. Can you picture Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippen, Steve Kerr, etc., publicly shipping champagne every time the last NBA team loses its 13th game, thus keeping their 70 win-team special?
Friday, December 5, 2008
NBA Western Conference Power Rankings
1. L.A. LAKERS (15-2) - Kobe & company look head and shoulders above everyone else. Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum are twin-towering nicely together, Vlad Radmanovic and Derek Fisher are deadly enough from outside, and the second unit remains an energy booster with Jordan Farmar and Trevor Ariza. I can't help but think Lamar Odom will be trade-bait in February, but do you even want to make a move with things running so smoothly as is?
2. DENVER (13-7) - Yes, Denver. Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups may have been the mutually beneficial trade in the past three years. Billups is that good steady point guard that makes everyone better while still getting his own. The West's elite point guard pool had been shrinking with the declining of Jason Kidd and Steve Nash, but Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Tony Parker now have to worry about Chauncey being in their Conference.
3. PORTLAND (14-6) - Greg Oden may not win Rookie of the Year (Rose and Mayo can duke that one out), but the team, the young promising team, is living up to its potential right on schedule. They're dangerous in the regular season.
4. NEW ORLEANS (10-6) - I read an article recently on the relationship Coach Byron Scott has with his players. Jason Kidd helped run him out of town after two trips to the Finals, and Scott this year doesn't seem to have the ear of his players. It doesn't mean Scott's going to get run out this year - his track proves he's a good coach - but CP3 and Scott don't seem to have the sympatico enjoyed by, say, Duncan and Popovich.
5. SAN ANTONIO (10-8) - The Spurs aren't about the regular season, but they lost more than they normally would if Parker & Ginobili hadn't been hurt. But they're ba-a-a-ack!
6. UTAH (12-8) - They are 20 games in. Their Big Four are Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko, and they've missed 30 games among them, not to mention crucial DNPs due to injury by roleplayers like Kyle Korver, Matt Harpring and Brevin Knight. D-Will still isn't 100%. But if they can get everyone back healthy, they're suddenly one of the deepest teams in the league, with all the extra time Paul Millsap, Ronnie Brewer, CJ Miles and Ronnie Price are getting. But home-court advantage will be important to this team come play-off time, and this looks like it'll be 2007 redux, with nine winning teams and only eight spots.
7. DALLAS (10-8) - Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, and Jason Terry are doing their parts, and Jason Kidd, while slower, is still a triple-double threat. The rest of the team, however, needs to step up. Stackhouse & Dampier are looking old, and Gerald Green hasn't been the most consistant player. And all of east Texas can just weep at what Devin Harris is doing in Jersey.
8. HOUSTON (12-7) - T-Mac's out for three weeks, but Luther Head's been pretty good taking the minutes.
9. PHOENIX (11-9) - Ah, Shaq. The other tragic trade of the West. The run-and-gunning offense is gone, as is D'Antoni. Amare's still got it, Nash hasn't slipped much, and yet, they don't have a prayer to get out of the first round as presently constituted.
and the rest...
10. GOLDEN STATE (5-13) - Their record is terrible, but the Jamal Crawford trade should make it better. Otherwise Nellie, who recently had a contract extension, should be moved.
11. SACRAMENTO (5-15) - Kevin Martin and Spencer Hawes and... yeah. They're going nowhere.
12. MINNESOTA (4-13) - Al Jefferson and Mike Miller are great on my fantasy team, but their record suggests that's about all this team has.
13. MEMPHIS (4-14) - Rudy Gay, OJ Mayo, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol... they need to overpay a starter free agent to get anywhere.
14. L.A. CLIPPERS (3-15) - Same old Clippers.
15. OKLAHOMA CITY (2-17) - They're averaging a win a month.
2. DENVER (13-7) - Yes, Denver. Allen Iverson for Chauncey Billups may have been the mutually beneficial trade in the past three years. Billups is that good steady point guard that makes everyone better while still getting his own. The West's elite point guard pool had been shrinking with the declining of Jason Kidd and Steve Nash, but Chris Paul, Deron Williams and Tony Parker now have to worry about Chauncey being in their Conference.
3. PORTLAND (14-6) - Greg Oden may not win Rookie of the Year (Rose and Mayo can duke that one out), but the team, the young promising team, is living up to its potential right on schedule. They're dangerous in the regular season.
4. NEW ORLEANS (10-6) - I read an article recently on the relationship Coach Byron Scott has with his players. Jason Kidd helped run him out of town after two trips to the Finals, and Scott this year doesn't seem to have the ear of his players. It doesn't mean Scott's going to get run out this year - his track proves he's a good coach - but CP3 and Scott don't seem to have the sympatico enjoyed by, say, Duncan and Popovich.
5. SAN ANTONIO (10-8) - The Spurs aren't about the regular season, but they lost more than they normally would if Parker & Ginobili hadn't been hurt. But they're ba-a-a-ack!
6. UTAH (12-8) - They are 20 games in. Their Big Four are Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko, and they've missed 30 games among them, not to mention crucial DNPs due to injury by roleplayers like Kyle Korver, Matt Harpring and Brevin Knight. D-Will still isn't 100%. But if they can get everyone back healthy, they're suddenly one of the deepest teams in the league, with all the extra time Paul Millsap, Ronnie Brewer, CJ Miles and Ronnie Price are getting. But home-court advantage will be important to this team come play-off time, and this looks like it'll be 2007 redux, with nine winning teams and only eight spots.
7. DALLAS (10-8) - Dirk Nowitzki, Josh Howard, and Jason Terry are doing their parts, and Jason Kidd, while slower, is still a triple-double threat. The rest of the team, however, needs to step up. Stackhouse & Dampier are looking old, and Gerald Green hasn't been the most consistant player. And all of east Texas can just weep at what Devin Harris is doing in Jersey.
8. HOUSTON (12-7) - T-Mac's out for three weeks, but Luther Head's been pretty good taking the minutes.
9. PHOENIX (11-9) - Ah, Shaq. The other tragic trade of the West. The run-and-gunning offense is gone, as is D'Antoni. Amare's still got it, Nash hasn't slipped much, and yet, they don't have a prayer to get out of the first round as presently constituted.
and the rest...
10. GOLDEN STATE (5-13) - Their record is terrible, but the Jamal Crawford trade should make it better. Otherwise Nellie, who recently had a contract extension, should be moved.
11. SACRAMENTO (5-15) - Kevin Martin and Spencer Hawes and... yeah. They're going nowhere.
12. MINNESOTA (4-13) - Al Jefferson and Mike Miller are great on my fantasy team, but their record suggests that's about all this team has.
13. MEMPHIS (4-14) - Rudy Gay, OJ Mayo, Mike Conley, Marc Gasol... they need to overpay a starter free agent to get anywhere.
14. L.A. CLIPPERS (3-15) - Same old Clippers.
15. OKLAHOMA CITY (2-17) - They're averaging a win a month.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Lower-bowl experience - Jazz d. Suns
Since 1995, I've been to about 12 Utah Jazz games, and they have never lost a game that I have attended. They even won both games I attended during their 26-56 season. My record is still intact, but last night for the first time I was able to sit in the lower bowl.
My sister got tickets through her work, and we went to courtside before the game as the Jazz were shooting. CJ Miles is 6'6" but when you see him in person, you realize how tall 6'6" really is. Then you see how thick the 6'7" Paul Millsap is.
And then you see just how huge the 7'1" Shaquille O'Neal really is. There were times it was Millsap's job to guard Shaq, and Shaq just dwarfs him. Reminded me of the NBA commercial of Shaq in front of Tony Parker, and the caption reads "Where fe fi fo fum happens." First time I've seen Shaq play live in about a decade.
So we sat in Row 21 behind the Phoenix bench. For my first Jazz game ever, I didn't feel the need to squint.
First quarter, CJ Miles was on fire, and good thing. The Jazz had 17 points and 13 were from CJ. Everything he threw up went in. Meanwhile Jarron Collins did what he does. Take a charge. Each game where he gets time, he draws an offensive foul. Otherwise he missed two shots from the same spot, and was then yanked for Kosta Koufos, who is getting a surprising amount of playing time. Doesn't bode well for Kyrylo Fesenko's future with this team.
Second quarter Andrei Kirilenko and Brevin Knight helped wake the Jazz up. They got some steals and made some shots that made the crowd stand up.
The most memorable moments for me came in the fourth quarter. Millsap on Shaq, Shaq spins for a dunk, and li'l Millsap blocks him. The crowd roars. Less than two minutes later, AK47 swats a Shaq shot out of bounds. Suns inbound it, get to Shaq, and AK blocks him AGAIN.
The Jazz won 109-97. I have Boozer on my fantasy team, so I was doubly pleased with him.
The Jazz are now 5-0 at home, and 2-4 on the road. Normally I'd be frustrated, but they've been injury-ridden. Deron Williams and Mehmet Okur didn't play, and AK's missed some games.
To Larry H. Miller, once more, the Jazz have never lost a game I've attended. I think I need some free season tickets.
My sister got tickets through her work, and we went to courtside before the game as the Jazz were shooting. CJ Miles is 6'6" but when you see him in person, you realize how tall 6'6" really is. Then you see how thick the 6'7" Paul Millsap is.
And then you see just how huge the 7'1" Shaquille O'Neal really is. There were times it was Millsap's job to guard Shaq, and Shaq just dwarfs him. Reminded me of the NBA commercial of Shaq in front of Tony Parker, and the caption reads "Where fe fi fo fum happens." First time I've seen Shaq play live in about a decade.
So we sat in Row 21 behind the Phoenix bench. For my first Jazz game ever, I didn't feel the need to squint.
First quarter, CJ Miles was on fire, and good thing. The Jazz had 17 points and 13 were from CJ. Everything he threw up went in. Meanwhile Jarron Collins did what he does. Take a charge. Each game where he gets time, he draws an offensive foul. Otherwise he missed two shots from the same spot, and was then yanked for Kosta Koufos, who is getting a surprising amount of playing time. Doesn't bode well for Kyrylo Fesenko's future with this team.
Second quarter Andrei Kirilenko and Brevin Knight helped wake the Jazz up. They got some steals and made some shots that made the crowd stand up.
The most memorable moments for me came in the fourth quarter. Millsap on Shaq, Shaq spins for a dunk, and li'l Millsap blocks him. The crowd roars. Less than two minutes later, AK47 swats a Shaq shot out of bounds. Suns inbound it, get to Shaq, and AK blocks him AGAIN.
The Jazz won 109-97. I have Boozer on my fantasy team, so I was doubly pleased with him.
The Jazz are now 5-0 at home, and 2-4 on the road. Normally I'd be frustrated, but they've been injury-ridden. Deron Williams and Mehmet Okur didn't play, and AK's missed some games.
To Larry H. Miller, once more, the Jazz have never lost a game I've attended. I think I need some free season tickets.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Jazz 1-4 road trip
It's hard to win on the road when 3 of your 4 best players aren't yet playing. So now they're 6-4.
Sunday, November 9, 2008
Jazz 5-1
The Jazz lost their first game of the season during the third quarter against the Knicks. Carlos Boozer was whistled for two quick fouls, adding up to his fourth with still 11 minutes to go in the third. It went downhill from there. Without Deron Williams there, Ronnie Price did what he could, but if he doesn't improve I can see him not playing at all when D-Will returns, with the backup point guard minutes going to Brevin Knight, who's been more solid.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Jazz go 4-0 w/o Deron Williams
True, they've played the Clippers twice, but they also beat the Nuggets and Blazers, and all without Deron Williams. Last night against the Blazers, Brevin Knight proved to be a steadier hand at point than Ronnie Price. The stats don't necessarily reflect that, but watching the game, the team in general looked more calm in the fourth with Knight. Carlos Boozer made some crazy shots, Paul Millsap played inspired D, and Andrei Kirilenko is a Sixth Man candidate.
Where the Jazz suffer right now is perimeter defense and their own perimeter shooting. That will improve a bit when D-Will comes back, but perimeter D was a weakness of theirs last year too.
Only three other teams remain undefeated. Lakers, Pistons, Hawks. Lakers have played the Clippers twice too. The Hawks beat the Hornets on the road. Now that's impressive.
Where the Jazz suffer right now is perimeter defense and their own perimeter shooting. That will improve a bit when D-Will comes back, but perimeter D was a weakness of theirs last year too.
Only three other teams remain undefeated. Lakers, Pistons, Hawks. Lakers have played the Clippers twice too. The Hawks beat the Hornets on the road. Now that's impressive.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Iverson-Billups trade
I think this trade helps Denver more than it helps Detroit. Denver now has the steady-handed veteran point guard it's craved ever since the morning after they traded away Andre Miller. George Karl has his Gary Payton.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
1 Down, 81 to go
Utah Jazz 98, Denver Nuggets 94
Both teams were without their best players (Gold-medalists Deron Williams and Carmelo Anthony), but I never doubted the Jazz wouldn't pull it out, even when it was tied in the fourth. Carlos Boozer started strong and didn't let up. Andrei Kirilenko seemed to enjoy his new role of leader of the second unit. Meanwhile the energy of the Nuggets was unfocussed at times, leading to turnovers and missed shots after each burst of scoring.
This game bodes well for the Jazz, in that they should be able to hold down the fort until D-Will rejoins them next week. Their next two games are against the Clippers.
Both teams were without their best players (Gold-medalists Deron Williams and Carmelo Anthony), but I never doubted the Jazz wouldn't pull it out, even when it was tied in the fourth. Carlos Boozer started strong and didn't let up. Andrei Kirilenko seemed to enjoy his new role of leader of the second unit. Meanwhile the energy of the Nuggets was unfocussed at times, leading to turnovers and missed shots after each burst of scoring.
This game bodes well for the Jazz, in that they should be able to hold down the fort until D-Will rejoins them next week. Their next two games are against the Clippers.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
NBA Preseason Rankings - West
Western
1. L.A. LAKERS - The last time the Lakers lost in an ugly Finals, the team blew apart. This time, Phil and Kobe aren't going anywhere. Their only off-season loss of note was Ronny Turiaf, and they'll be getting back a healthy Andrew Bynum. Kobe's the reigning MVP, and who's going to knock him off the mountain? The question is going to be chemistry. How will Bynum, Gasol and Odom all play together in the front-court?
2. UTAH - They went 38-16 after getting Kyle Korver, and since they only lost third-string point-guard Jason Hart for slight upgrade Brevin Knight, they should be able to keep that chemistry. This is still a young team, and all indications are that Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer can still get better. They need Mehmet Okur to start well, and they need CJ Miles to be a stable backup at the 3 until Matt Harpring gets back. They have two 7-foot projects in Kyrylo Fesenko and Kosta Koufos who will probably spend a lot of the season in the D-League unless the Jazz get a few more injuries.
3. NEW ORLEANS - They picked up James Posey and only lost PJ Brown. They have playoff experience. Chris Paul's the most explosive point guard in the game, and Tyson Chandler's one of the best defensive centers. They will have a good combo of outside shooting (Paul, Posey, Mo Peterson, Peja Stoyakovic) and inside scoring (Chandler, David West). But they need to find a consistant big-man player off the bench and hope that their frontline stays healthy.
4. HOUSTON - Ron Artest may be a head-case but he definitely improved Sacramento when he was there. Now that he's with a contender in Houston, I see him using this as his last real shot at a title. Not that he's that old, but really, if Yao and T-Mac still can't get out of the first round with him, what use is he? Brent Barry is there to provide outside shooting and a veteran example. Luis Scola's been a lucky pick-up. The question mark with them is health. Can all the main players stay healthy?
5. SAN ANTONIO - Four championships in seven years, and all those rings were in odd years. They can never be counted out until they lose in the first round. They won't have Manu Ginobili for a while with injuries, and that will affect their wins, which will ultimately affect their seeding. The main three are still solid, with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, but their surrounding cast is a year older without much youth on the bench.
6. PORTLAND - I see them making the jump. They faded a bit last year, but Greg Oden is here, LaMarcus Aldridge is a year better, Brandon Roy's a stud, they had a another great draft night. They'll love the playoffs but they have so much potential, I don't see them settling for a first-round exit.
7. PHOENIX - This will be the year the Suns set. I think this will be the year Steve Nash loses a step, and Shaq's not getting any better. However, if Amare Stoudamire and Leandro Barbosa are healthy, they should still get to the playoffs. But that will be it. They traded away a ton of draft picks to stay under the cap, but their cupboard's getting more and more bare.
8. DALLAS - Jason Kidd showed he could keep up with international competition, a crucial cog to getting the gold back for the USA. Now he'll get a full year to make sure he knows where Dirk Nowitzki likes the ball. They got DaSagna Diop back for defense. Their other pieces are still in place. Buuuut, there's no doubt in my mind the Kidd trade slammed the lid on Dirk ever getting his ring.
9. DENVER - I don't see how getting rid of Marcus Camby is going to make their chemistry or defense any better. They'll win a lot of games, and maybe even make the playoffs if Phoenix or Dallas falls faster than anyone thinks, but anything less than the second round will probably result in letting Iverson walk, or a George Karl firing, or both. But I think they'll need at least 48 wins to get to the playoffs and I don't see them quite getting there.
10. GOLDEN STATE - They lost Baron Davis, and they won't have Monta Ellis for a chunk of the season. They did get Corey Maggette, but he can't be The Guy. He's great if he's your third biggest star. But there's enough intriguing parts still there (Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Andris Biedrins, Marcus Williams, Marco Bellinelli) to do some runnin' damage.
11. L.A. CLIPPERS - Time for Al Thornton to be the man, now that Elton Brand is gone. Baron Davis is an upgrade at point guard, but I don't see the Clips being any better than last year.
12. MINNESOTA - Randy Foye, Al Jefferson, Mike Miller, Kevin Love, Ryan Gomes, Brian Cardinal... is it enough to make a jump? I doubt it.
13. MEMPHIS - Another team in that youth rebuilding mode. OJ Mayo should be a star, and running aside Mike Conley and Rudy Gay, it could happen in his rookie year. But outside that one neat year under Hubie Brown, this has been a losing franchise.
14. OKLAHOMA CITY - The fans will be there the first year, but even if Russell Westbrook is as good as they hope, how good can this team be? Two years from now, sure, but this year?
15. SACRAMENTO - Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia will keep them an occasional threat in games, but Brad Miller's declining and they don't have Bibby or Artest or Abdur-Rahim.
1. L.A. LAKERS - The last time the Lakers lost in an ugly Finals, the team blew apart. This time, Phil and Kobe aren't going anywhere. Their only off-season loss of note was Ronny Turiaf, and they'll be getting back a healthy Andrew Bynum. Kobe's the reigning MVP, and who's going to knock him off the mountain? The question is going to be chemistry. How will Bynum, Gasol and Odom all play together in the front-court?
2. UTAH - They went 38-16 after getting Kyle Korver, and since they only lost third-string point-guard Jason Hart for slight upgrade Brevin Knight, they should be able to keep that chemistry. This is still a young team, and all indications are that Deron Williams and Carlos Boozer can still get better. They need Mehmet Okur to start well, and they need CJ Miles to be a stable backup at the 3 until Matt Harpring gets back. They have two 7-foot projects in Kyrylo Fesenko and Kosta Koufos who will probably spend a lot of the season in the D-League unless the Jazz get a few more injuries.
3. NEW ORLEANS - They picked up James Posey and only lost PJ Brown. They have playoff experience. Chris Paul's the most explosive point guard in the game, and Tyson Chandler's one of the best defensive centers. They will have a good combo of outside shooting (Paul, Posey, Mo Peterson, Peja Stoyakovic) and inside scoring (Chandler, David West). But they need to find a consistant big-man player off the bench and hope that their frontline stays healthy.
4. HOUSTON - Ron Artest may be a head-case but he definitely improved Sacramento when he was there. Now that he's with a contender in Houston, I see him using this as his last real shot at a title. Not that he's that old, but really, if Yao and T-Mac still can't get out of the first round with him, what use is he? Brent Barry is there to provide outside shooting and a veteran example. Luis Scola's been a lucky pick-up. The question mark with them is health. Can all the main players stay healthy?
5. SAN ANTONIO - Four championships in seven years, and all those rings were in odd years. They can never be counted out until they lose in the first round. They won't have Manu Ginobili for a while with injuries, and that will affect their wins, which will ultimately affect their seeding. The main three are still solid, with Tim Duncan and Tony Parker, but their surrounding cast is a year older without much youth on the bench.
6. PORTLAND - I see them making the jump. They faded a bit last year, but Greg Oden is here, LaMarcus Aldridge is a year better, Brandon Roy's a stud, they had a another great draft night. They'll love the playoffs but they have so much potential, I don't see them settling for a first-round exit.
7. PHOENIX - This will be the year the Suns set. I think this will be the year Steve Nash loses a step, and Shaq's not getting any better. However, if Amare Stoudamire and Leandro Barbosa are healthy, they should still get to the playoffs. But that will be it. They traded away a ton of draft picks to stay under the cap, but their cupboard's getting more and more bare.
8. DALLAS - Jason Kidd showed he could keep up with international competition, a crucial cog to getting the gold back for the USA. Now he'll get a full year to make sure he knows where Dirk Nowitzki likes the ball. They got DaSagna Diop back for defense. Their other pieces are still in place. Buuuut, there's no doubt in my mind the Kidd trade slammed the lid on Dirk ever getting his ring.
9. DENVER - I don't see how getting rid of Marcus Camby is going to make their chemistry or defense any better. They'll win a lot of games, and maybe even make the playoffs if Phoenix or Dallas falls faster than anyone thinks, but anything less than the second round will probably result in letting Iverson walk, or a George Karl firing, or both. But I think they'll need at least 48 wins to get to the playoffs and I don't see them quite getting there.
10. GOLDEN STATE - They lost Baron Davis, and they won't have Monta Ellis for a chunk of the season. They did get Corey Maggette, but he can't be The Guy. He's great if he's your third biggest star. But there's enough intriguing parts still there (Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Andris Biedrins, Marcus Williams, Marco Bellinelli) to do some runnin' damage.
11. L.A. CLIPPERS - Time for Al Thornton to be the man, now that Elton Brand is gone. Baron Davis is an upgrade at point guard, but I don't see the Clips being any better than last year.
12. MINNESOTA - Randy Foye, Al Jefferson, Mike Miller, Kevin Love, Ryan Gomes, Brian Cardinal... is it enough to make a jump? I doubt it.
13. MEMPHIS - Another team in that youth rebuilding mode. OJ Mayo should be a star, and running aside Mike Conley and Rudy Gay, it could happen in his rookie year. But outside that one neat year under Hubie Brown, this has been a losing franchise.
14. OKLAHOMA CITY - The fans will be there the first year, but even if Russell Westbrook is as good as they hope, how good can this team be? Two years from now, sure, but this year?
15. SACRAMENTO - Kevin Martin and Francisco Garcia will keep them an occasional threat in games, but Brad Miller's declining and they don't have Bibby or Artest or Abdur-Rahim.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
BYU over UCLA 59-0
I had a chance to take my 14-year-old son to the 59-0 clobbering of UCLA by BYU. It was amazing. It was 7-0 after one quarter, but in the second quarter it felt like there was a turnover on every Bruin possession. Even the receiving team fumbled it to BYU. Four touchdowns in six minutes by the Cougars. I had to pass on the chance to go to the BYU-Wyoming game, where I missed a 44-0 shutout, because we were going to the Real Salt Lake-Chivas game.
It was my first chance to see an MLS game in person. I enjoyed the atmosphere. There were more people there than I thought would be. I didn't hear the final call, but I would've guessed 10,000 people in attendance. Real Salt Lake lost the game 1-0. They lost on a major miscue between the goalie and a defender, where they wound up colliding, leaving a Chivas player all alone to kick the game's sole goal.
Pretty much every sport is better when you see it in person.
It was my first chance to see an MLS game in person. I enjoyed the atmosphere. There were more people there than I thought would be. I didn't hear the final call, but I would've guessed 10,000 people in attendance. Real Salt Lake lost the game 1-0. They lost on a major miscue between the goalie and a defender, where they wound up colliding, leaving a Chivas player all alone to kick the game's sole goal.
Pretty much every sport is better when you see it in person.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
NFL Week 1
Based on the first week, I'd say no one knows nothing. Colts look bad, Eagles and Cowboys look great, Patriots lost Brady for the year.
Super Bowl prediction after Week 1: Dallas Cowboys over Pittsburgh Steelers.
Super Bowl prediction after Week 1: Dallas Cowboys over Pittsburgh Steelers.
Monday, August 4, 2008
The Boozer Dilemma
I would say many, maybe not most but getting there, many Jazz fans are resigned to the fact that Boozer will be bolting the Jazz in 2009. It's his M.O. If that's the case, that may be why the Jazz aren't trying too hard to trade AK47 away. (Kevin O'Connor tried to work out a sign-and-trade for Luol Deng, but that didn't go anywhere). I'm wondering if the Jazz in 2009, once Boozer leaves, decide to wait until the Class of 2010, or try to get a big trade going then. Amare Stoudamire, Chris Bosh, plenty of big power forwards in that class.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Ron Artest to Houston
The Rockets just got better. Their starting line-up will now be Rafer Alston, Tracy McGrady, Shane Battier, Ron Artest and Yao Ming. Now that should be a team that can get to the second round.
In exchange the Kings gets Bobby Jackson, Donte Green and the Rockets' 2009 1st round draft pick. With Kevin Martin, Quincy Douby, Jason Thompson, etc., the youth movement continues in Sac-Town.
In exchange the Kings gets Bobby Jackson, Donte Green and the Rockets' 2009 1st round draft pick. With Kevin Martin, Quincy Douby, Jason Thompson, etc., the youth movement continues in Sac-Town.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Jazz match offer for CJ Miles
The Utah Jazz have agreed to match the 4-year, $15 million deal for CJ Miles, amove that makes no sense ot me considering they already have Ronnie Brewer, Kyle Korver and Morris Almond at that position.
THe only way I can conceive it making sense is if they move Andrei Kirilenko or anticipate Matt Harpring's knees breaking down, and they move one of those guys to the 3 position. Now if the Jazz sign Kosta Koufos instead of sending him overseas for a year, the Jazz have all 15 roster spots filled.
If you don't improve, you get worse, and I can't say that swapping Jason Hart for Brevin Knight is enough improvement. Then again, none of the Western Conference playoff teams have really improved yet. Denver lost Marcus Camby. The Lakers may lose Ronny Turiaf and Sasha Vujacic. The Spurs lost Brent Barry. The Rockets gained Brent Barry, so that's a little bit of improvement. Dallas got DaSagna Diop back; that's nice. Midseason is a more likely candidate for when we'll see Pau Gasol-level moves.
THe only way I can conceive it making sense is if they move Andrei Kirilenko or anticipate Matt Harpring's knees breaking down, and they move one of those guys to the 3 position. Now if the Jazz sign Kosta Koufos instead of sending him overseas for a year, the Jazz have all 15 roster spots filled.
If you don't improve, you get worse, and I can't say that swapping Jason Hart for Brevin Knight is enough improvement. Then again, none of the Western Conference playoff teams have really improved yet. Denver lost Marcus Camby. The Lakers may lose Ronny Turiaf and Sasha Vujacic. The Spurs lost Brent Barry. The Rockets gained Brent Barry, so that's a little bit of improvement. Dallas got DaSagna Diop back; that's nice. Midseason is a more likely candidate for when we'll see Pau Gasol-level moves.
Monday, July 21, 2008
Will Childress go to Greece?
It's becoming more commonplace for foreign players to dabble in the NBA and then go back overseas. Jorge Garjabosa, Primoz Brezec, Sarunas Jackisevicius, and Bostjan Nochbar are all headed back overseas. Guys like Travis Hansen are finding they might as well stay overseas since they can make more than any NBA team would be willing to offer. Draft picks like Fran Vasquez and Tiago Splitter are signing mutli-year deals to stay away rather than come to the NBA. Now word has it Greece has offered Josh Childress a three-year $20 million deal. That will be really interesting. It will mean that the NBA has real competition for the talent.
It may mean next time there's a bargaining over the collective bargaining agreement, the players will have a little more leverage. "Hey if you don't want to lose all your sixth men to Europe, we need more leeway and cap space here." Owners may not like it, and some teams are losing money as is, but their paradigm is in for a big shift soon. If Childress takes the midlevel to stay rather than the extra $2 million a year to go to Greece, the NBA's bought it self a little time (and with no taxes and a weak dollar, the money's worth more over there).
It may mean next time there's a bargaining over the collective bargaining agreement, the players will have a little more leverage. "Hey if you don't want to lose all your sixth men to Europe, we need more leeway and cap space here." Owners may not like it, and some teams are losing money as is, but their paradigm is in for a big shift soon. If Childress takes the midlevel to stay rather than the extra $2 million a year to go to Greece, the NBA's bought it self a little time (and with no taxes and a weak dollar, the money's worth more over there).
Rocky Mountain Revue - Two games, two Jazz losses
I've watched both games on TV of the Utah Jazz going against different opponents. Right about now they miss Dee Brown, a point guard familiar with the offense to make everyone else look better. I would say Morris Almond is still looking good, and with CJ Miles getting a 4-year, $15 million deal with Oklahoma City, it looks like the Jazz now have an opening for their third-string shooting guard.
The two big men, rookie Kosta Koufos and 2nd year man Kyrylo Fesenko, don't look as ready as Almond to permanently occupy an NBA roster. I imagine unless the Jazz see serious improvement this fall, they'll keep Jarron Collins as their backup center, play a lot of Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap together as the 4 and 5, and let Koufos and Fesenko take turns playing for the Utah Flash, the Jazz's D-League team. It may also mean the Jazz look at Kurt Thomas or another veteran big man who can play the 4 or 5 to fill the 15th spot on the roster with a one-year mid-level deal.
The two big men, rookie Kosta Koufos and 2nd year man Kyrylo Fesenko, don't look as ready as Almond to permanently occupy an NBA roster. I imagine unless the Jazz see serious improvement this fall, they'll keep Jarron Collins as their backup center, play a lot of Carlos Boozer and Paul Millsap together as the 4 and 5, and let Koufos and Fesenko take turns playing for the Utah Flash, the Jazz's D-League team. It may also mean the Jazz look at Kurt Thomas or another veteran big man who can play the 4 or 5 to fill the 15th spot on the roster with a one-year mid-level deal.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Marcus Camby and James Posey
Two recent NBA transactions:
DENVER sends Marcus Camby to LA CLIPPERS for the option to switch second-round picks.
Who wins: Clippers, Hawks
Why: Nuggets got out a little from their luxury tax nightmare, but they gave away their best defender. Clippers meanwhile got Chris Kaman a heckuva backup center, and while it doesn't salvage their off-season, it softens the blow of losing Elton Brand and Corey Maggette.
And it just became that much more diffcult for the Clips to make Josh Smith an offer that the Hawks can't match.
----
BOSTON loses James Posey to NEW ORLEANS in free agency.
Who wins: Hornets*
Why: The Hornets just picked up the Sixth Man from the champion Celts, and what has been the knock on New Orleans? No bench. However, the salary cap is going to be an issue in 2009. If they win the championship next year, then salary cap shmalary shmap.
DENVER sends Marcus Camby to LA CLIPPERS for the option to switch second-round picks.
Who wins: Clippers, Hawks
Why: Nuggets got out a little from their luxury tax nightmare, but they gave away their best defender. Clippers meanwhile got Chris Kaman a heckuva backup center, and while it doesn't salvage their off-season, it softens the blow of losing Elton Brand and Corey Maggette.
And it just became that much more diffcult for the Clips to make Josh Smith an offer that the Hawks can't match.
----
BOSTON loses James Posey to NEW ORLEANS in free agency.
Who wins: Hornets*
Why: The Hornets just picked up the Sixth Man from the champion Celts, and what has been the knock on New Orleans? No bench. However, the salary cap is going to be an issue in 2009. If they win the championship next year, then salary cap shmalary shmap.
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Stay retired, Brett
I have two examples for Brett Favre I'd like him to think about.
Joe Montana with the Chiefs.
Michael Jordan with the Wizards.
Just stay retired. Let Aaron Rogers take over. He can still know he accomplished what Dan Marino and Jim Kelly could not.
Joe Montana with the Chiefs.
Michael Jordan with the Wizards.
Just stay retired. Let Aaron Rogers take over. He can still know he accomplished what Dan Marino and Jim Kelly could not.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Off-season NBA Power Rankings
(Never too early, especailly with drafts and trades changing the make-up).
1. BOSTON - The champs stay on top because the Big Three will all be back, and talented roleplayers will gladly take pay-cuts to be part of something special. But they really should try to keep James Posey.
2. L.A. LAKERS - Sure they got blown out of the building to lose Game 6, but this team did it without the services of Andrew Bynum, and they shouldn't have too hard a time getting free agents to want to sign now that they're a good team again.
3. SAN ANTONIO - They win championships in odd-numbered years, but they'll need a decent mid-level signing to stay up here. If they land Corey Maggette, they move up a spot.
4. DETROIT - Their starting five will always get them to the Eastern Conference Finals, but beyond that, they have one ring from Larry Brown's serendipitous year, where they ran past the toxic chemistry of the self-destructing Lakers. They fired Flip, but Joe Dumars has made it clear he's open to trade anyone.
5. UTAH - They have everyone back another year, but they should really try to upgrade the backup point guard position.
6. NEW ORLEANS - Their starting five is one of the best in the league, but they could use some more reliable bench players.
7. PORTLAND - They'll have Greg Oden, Rudy Fernandez and Jerryd Bayless to add to the already exciting core of Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Sergio Rodriguez and Travis Outlaw.
8. ORLANDO - Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis are a good 1-2 punch. So... do they have anything else the Bulls would want for Kirk Hinrich?
9. HOUSTON - Normally I would expect this to be the year Tracy McGrady makes the second round, as long as Yao's healthy. But then, maybe T-Mac is cursed. And does anyone think they'll get past the Lakers, Spurs, Jazz or Hornets if they meet them in the first round?
10. CLEVELAND - Their midseason trade was more of a trade sideways. Now they need to figure out if they want to make another big trade, see what they can get for Wally Szczerbiak and/or Ben Wallace.
11. NEW JERSEY - Devin Harris, Vince Carter, Yi Jianlian, Bobby Simmons, Nenad Krstic, Brook Lopez... They're becoming a different team, and that's a good thing.
12. PHOENIX - No Mike D'Antoni, no Shawn Marion, no reason to believe they'll be anything more than a first-round team at this point. Which still means 50+ wins.
13. WASHINGTON - Is Gilbert Arenas really worth $127 million? Probably not. But Rashard Lewis isn't worth $130 million and that didn't stop Orlando last year.
14. DALLAS - Mark Cuban is unafraid of crazy trades, so maybe he has one up his sleeve to undo the damage done by gutting their future for a slowing-down Jason Kidd. And hey, Rick Carlisle is a good coach.
15. TORONTO - It hurts that Jorge Garbajosa is outta here already, and that Andrea Bargnani hasn't shown much improvement, but I look for Jermaine O'Neal to rebound from last year now that he's in a new environment and has a big guy like Chris Bosh next to him.
16. DENVER - Kirk Hinrich, Raymond Felton and Andre Miller should be guys they should be trying to trade for. A team with Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony should be better than this. Carmelo's the one on the block, but I'm not so sure it shouldn't be AI they try to move.
17. PHILADELPHIA - The little team that could has the cap room to go after Josh Smith. If they land him, then the 76ers should repeat showing up in the playoffs.
18. CHICAGO - They have some resignings to do, but I expect them to make a good trade for Kirk Hinrich and get themselves back in the playoff hunt. Derrick Rose is great but can he have a Chris Paul-like rookie season?
19. L.A. CLIPPERS - Baron Davis and Elton Brand? Maybe the Clips can get back to the playoffs after all. But now it looks like Brand might go elsewhere, with money talking. Hopefully Eric Gordon is the type of player that negates the loss of Corey Maggette.
20. GOLDEN STATE - With Baron Davis gone, and a bunch of their players in free agency, it's going to be that much steeper an uphill climb to get back to the playoffs.
21. MILKWAUKEE - They have too much talent to lose as much as they did last year. RIchard Jefferson gives them another All-Star in the line-up, and Scott Skiles is the only coach to get the post-Jordan Bulls into the playoffs.
22. ATLANTA - They pushed the soon-to-be world champs to a seventh game. Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson are a solid backcourt. But they could likely lose Josh Smith, which would be a major blow.
23. NEW YORK - Good thing: they have Mike D'Antoni. Bad thing: they still have Stephon Marbury.
24. MIAMI - Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion, Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers... This team will not be as bad as last year's team.
25. MINNESOTA - Kevin McHale has actually accumulated some nice pieces. Al Jefferson, Randy Foye, Kevin Love, Mike Miller... These are pieces to play with.
26. CHARLOTTE - They got the point guard they wanted in DJ Augustin, but we still don't know if he'll be any better than Raymond Felton. And will Emeka Okafor be going away?
27. SACRAMENTO - They had a nice surge toward the end of the season, but they still look like a mess. Ron Artest has foreshadowed being a headcase again, talking about regretting not opting out, which means mid-season trade likely.
28. INDIANA - TJ Ford and Jarrett Jack are solid 1-2 upgrades at point guard, and Roy Hibbert will soften the blow of not having O'Neal any more.
29. MEMPHIS - They got OJ Mayo but gave up Mike Miller and Kevin Love for him. Still, with Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, Mayo, etc., they'll win some games. Some.
30. OKLAHOMA CITY - Russell Westbrook joins the black pit with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. But the fans will be vociferous that first year.
(Never too early, especailly with drafts and trades changing the make-up).
1. BOSTON - The champs stay on top because the Big Three will all be back, and talented roleplayers will gladly take pay-cuts to be part of something special. But they really should try to keep James Posey.
2. L.A. LAKERS - Sure they got blown out of the building to lose Game 6, but this team did it without the services of Andrew Bynum, and they shouldn't have too hard a time getting free agents to want to sign now that they're a good team again.
3. SAN ANTONIO - They win championships in odd-numbered years, but they'll need a decent mid-level signing to stay up here. If they land Corey Maggette, they move up a spot.
4. DETROIT - Their starting five will always get them to the Eastern Conference Finals, but beyond that, they have one ring from Larry Brown's serendipitous year, where they ran past the toxic chemistry of the self-destructing Lakers. They fired Flip, but Joe Dumars has made it clear he's open to trade anyone.
5. UTAH - They have everyone back another year, but they should really try to upgrade the backup point guard position.
6. NEW ORLEANS - Their starting five is one of the best in the league, but they could use some more reliable bench players.
7. PORTLAND - They'll have Greg Oden, Rudy Fernandez and Jerryd Bayless to add to the already exciting core of Brandon Roy, LaMarcus Aldridge, Sergio Rodriguez and Travis Outlaw.
8. ORLANDO - Dwight Howard and Rashard Lewis are a good 1-2 punch. So... do they have anything else the Bulls would want for Kirk Hinrich?
9. HOUSTON - Normally I would expect this to be the year Tracy McGrady makes the second round, as long as Yao's healthy. But then, maybe T-Mac is cursed. And does anyone think they'll get past the Lakers, Spurs, Jazz or Hornets if they meet them in the first round?
10. CLEVELAND - Their midseason trade was more of a trade sideways. Now they need to figure out if they want to make another big trade, see what they can get for Wally Szczerbiak and/or Ben Wallace.
11. NEW JERSEY - Devin Harris, Vince Carter, Yi Jianlian, Bobby Simmons, Nenad Krstic, Brook Lopez... They're becoming a different team, and that's a good thing.
12. PHOENIX - No Mike D'Antoni, no Shawn Marion, no reason to believe they'll be anything more than a first-round team at this point. Which still means 50+ wins.
13. WASHINGTON - Is Gilbert Arenas really worth $127 million? Probably not. But Rashard Lewis isn't worth $130 million and that didn't stop Orlando last year.
14. DALLAS - Mark Cuban is unafraid of crazy trades, so maybe he has one up his sleeve to undo the damage done by gutting their future for a slowing-down Jason Kidd. And hey, Rick Carlisle is a good coach.
15. TORONTO - It hurts that Jorge Garbajosa is outta here already, and that Andrea Bargnani hasn't shown much improvement, but I look for Jermaine O'Neal to rebound from last year now that he's in a new environment and has a big guy like Chris Bosh next to him.
16. DENVER - Kirk Hinrich, Raymond Felton and Andre Miller should be guys they should be trying to trade for. A team with Allen Iverson and Carmelo Anthony should be better than this. Carmelo's the one on the block, but I'm not so sure it shouldn't be AI they try to move.
17. PHILADELPHIA - The little team that could has the cap room to go after Josh Smith. If they land him, then the 76ers should repeat showing up in the playoffs.
18. CHICAGO - They have some resignings to do, but I expect them to make a good trade for Kirk Hinrich and get themselves back in the playoff hunt. Derrick Rose is great but can he have a Chris Paul-like rookie season?
19. L.A. CLIPPERS - Baron Davis and Elton Brand? Maybe the Clips can get back to the playoffs after all. But now it looks like Brand might go elsewhere, with money talking. Hopefully Eric Gordon is the type of player that negates the loss of Corey Maggette.
20. GOLDEN STATE - With Baron Davis gone, and a bunch of their players in free agency, it's going to be that much steeper an uphill climb to get back to the playoffs.
21. MILKWAUKEE - They have too much talent to lose as much as they did last year. RIchard Jefferson gives them another All-Star in the line-up, and Scott Skiles is the only coach to get the post-Jordan Bulls into the playoffs.
22. ATLANTA - They pushed the soon-to-be world champs to a seventh game. Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson are a solid backcourt. But they could likely lose Josh Smith, which would be a major blow.
23. NEW YORK - Good thing: they have Mike D'Antoni. Bad thing: they still have Stephon Marbury.
24. MIAMI - Dwyane Wade, Shawn Marion, Michael Beasley, Mario Chalmers... This team will not be as bad as last year's team.
25. MINNESOTA - Kevin McHale has actually accumulated some nice pieces. Al Jefferson, Randy Foye, Kevin Love, Mike Miller... These are pieces to play with.
26. CHARLOTTE - They got the point guard they wanted in DJ Augustin, but we still don't know if he'll be any better than Raymond Felton. And will Emeka Okafor be going away?
27. SACRAMENTO - They had a nice surge toward the end of the season, but they still look like a mess. Ron Artest has foreshadowed being a headcase again, talking about regretting not opting out, which means mid-season trade likely.
28. INDIANA - TJ Ford and Jarrett Jack are solid 1-2 upgrades at point guard, and Roy Hibbert will soften the blow of not having O'Neal any more.
29. MEMPHIS - They got OJ Mayo but gave up Mike Miller and Kevin Love for him. Still, with Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, Mayo, etc., they'll win some games. Some.
30. OKLAHOMA CITY - Russell Westbrook joins the black pit with Kevin Durant and Jeff Green. But the fans will be vociferous that first year.
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Is Arenas worth $127 million?
Due to the Warriors trying to land him, Gilbert Arenas has been offered a six-year $127 million deal to stay with the Wizards. Considering his injury history, and the fact that the Wizards need a lot more help to get a title, is it a wise investment to keep Agent Zero for $21 million a year? I think they will regret that signing down the road.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
#53 - Utah - Tadija Dragecivic (SF)
Did they say Slovenia? Another overseas stash. Good for them. Maybe in two years bring him over, as Kirilenko or Harpring is probably gone by them.
Mario Chalmers traded to Miami. Good trade for the Heat.
Mario Chalmers traded to Miami. Good trade for the Heat.
#44 - Utah - Ante Tomic (C)
I'm glad they used this pick on someone they can stash overseas for a couple years. The Jazz already have 14 guys on the roster, as they've drafted Koufos and CJ Miles is their only free agent. I was hoping Goran Dragis might fall to #53, but they still might get Anton Ponkrashov, a 6-7 Russian PG. Or they could waive Jason Hart and draft an American as their third point guard.
Second Round
#31 - Minnesota - Nikola Pekovic (C) - I've seen this written on a few blogs leading up to this.
I'm not going to do the second round since my wife's out and I need to get the kid in bed, and we'll never hear half these names again. I just looked at last year's second round and I don't remember almost half of those names.
Oh good. Seattle found a way to get rid of two of their four second-round picks... Well, DJ White can play behind Chris Wilcox and Nick Collison.
I'm not going to do the second round since my wife's out and I need to get the kid in bed, and we'll never hear half these names again. I just looked at last year's second round and I don't remember almost half of those names.
Oh good. Seattle found a way to get rid of two of their four second-round picks... Well, DJ White can play behind Chris Wilcox and Nick Collison.
#30 - Boston - JR Giddens (SG)
Stern's hearing the boos again.
Giddens was good at New Mexico.
And we're off to the speed round. Second round where only about five or six of the guys will still be in the league in five years.
Second round in 2003 had Mo Williams, Kyle Korver, Jason Kapono, Luke Walton, Keith Bogans, Matt Bonner, Steve Blake and Zaza Pachulia. The first round in 2003 had names like Zarko Cabarkaba, Mike Sweetney, Troy Bell, Reece Gaines, Zoran Planicic and Ndudi Ebi. It also had LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kirk Hinrich, TJ Ford, David West and Chris Kaman.
Giddens was good at New Mexico.
And we're off to the speed round. Second round where only about five or six of the guys will still be in the league in five years.
Second round in 2003 had Mo Williams, Kyle Korver, Jason Kapono, Luke Walton, Keith Bogans, Matt Bonner, Steve Blake and Zaza Pachulia. The first round in 2003 had names like Zarko Cabarkaba, Mike Sweetney, Troy Bell, Reece Gaines, Zoran Planicic and Ndudi Ebi. It also had LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Kirk Hinrich, TJ Ford, David West and Chris Kaman.
#29 - Detroit - DJ White (PF)
Good young blood in a needed position, though I don't he'll ever be more than a 10th, 11th, 12th guy on the bench.
#28 - Memphis - Donte Green (PF)
Huh. They took two power-forwards in Round 1, showing a lot of faith in Marc Gasol.
#27 - New Orleans* - Darrell Arthur (PF)
2007 - #27 - Arron Afflalo
2006 - #27 - Sergio Rodriguez
2005 - #27 - Linus Kleiza
2004 - #27 - Sasha Vujacic
You never know what you're going to get here.
Well, I'm happy for him.
He's really going to Portland. That is one deep young team.
2006 - #27 - Sergio Rodriguez
2005 - #27 - Linus Kleiza
2004 - #27 - Sasha Vujacic
You never know what you're going to get here.
Well, I'm happy for him.
He's really going to Portland. That is one deep young team.
#25 - Houston - Nicolas Batum (SF)
I read that the Spurs wanted this guy if they couldn't trade out of the first round. I think the Rockets might let him stay overseas a year.
Oh, Bucher's reporting about Arthur's possible kidney issues. He might slip to the second round at this rate, though Danny Ainge would be nuts to pass on him at #30.
I predict that despite what Tiago Splitter did, the Spurs pick another international guy to leave overseas. I've seen Nikola Pekovic, Omer Asik and Ante Tomic as possible stow-overseas names.
Oh, Bucher's reporting about Arthur's possible kidney issues. He might slip to the second round at this rate, though Danny Ainge would be nuts to pass on him at #30.
I predict that despite what Tiago Splitter did, the Spurs pick another international guy to leave overseas. I've seen Nikola Pekovic, Omer Asik and Ante Tomic as possible stow-overseas names.
#24 - Seattle - Serge Ibaka (C)
I like what Bilas said. "Forget about this guy for three years, he's going to stay in Spain..."
Good way for the team to save money as they try to move to Oklahoma City.
Wow, Houston would be a scary-good fit for Arthur.
Good way for the team to save money as they try to move to Oklahoma City.
Wow, Houston would be a scary-good fit for Arthur.
#23 - UTAH - KOSTA KOUFOS (C)
Wow, of all the projected first-round 7-footers, I thought for sure he'd be gone. He can duke it out with Fesenko for back-up minutes, and that's with them hoping Jarron Collins gets traded.
#22 - Orlando - Courtney Lee (SG)
Ah, a shooter. Yeah, JJ Redick should ask for a trade.
So the Jazz could get their power-forward insurance if they lose one or both of Boozer and Millsap in 2009, they can get that backup center they hope Fesenko could still be, or they could get a solid backup point guard in Mario Chalmers.
Drum rollllll.......
So the Jazz could get their power-forward insurance if they lose one or both of Boozer and Millsap in 2009, they can get that backup center they hope Fesenko could still be, or they could get a solid backup point guard in Mario Chalmers.
Drum rollllll.......
#21 - New Jersey - Ryan Anderson (PF)
Wow. Darrell Arthur is still there. Orlando would be a good fit. Looks like the Jazz are going to get Arthur or Koufos. Interesting.
#20 - Charlotte - Alexis Ajinca (C)
Dang, another guy I was hoping to slip to the Jazz is gone.
Jersey could take Darrell Arthur. I could see Courtney Lee or Chris Douglas-Roberts here too.
And Ric Bucher said Josh McRoberts is going to Indiana. There's an after-thought.
Jersey could take Darrell Arthur. I could see Courtney Lee or Chris Douglas-Roberts here too.
And Ric Bucher said Josh McRoberts is going to Indiana. There's an after-thought.
#19 - Cleveland - JJ Hickson (PF)
Well, they took a big guy, but now do I dare hope they Jazz can get a long-term solution to Boozer's backup (someone is going to overpay Paul Millsap in 2009)? Darrell Arthur just might be there.
I'm think Koufos goes at #20. I'm thinking Koufos for every spot until he's picked.
I'm think Koufos goes at #20. I'm thinking Koufos for every spot until he's picked.
TRADE!!!
And just like that, we get a surprise.
Portland trades Brandon Rush and Jarrett Jack to Indiana for Jerryd Bayless and Ike Diogu.
I agree with Mark on this one. It works for both teams. I thought Rush was a funny pick for Portland.
Portland trades Brandon Rush and Jarrett Jack to Indiana for Jerryd Bayless and Ike Diogu.
I agree with Mark on this one. It works for both teams. I thought Rush was a funny pick for Portland.
#18 - Washington - JaVele McGee (PF)
I've got to admit, there isn't that much surprise this draft. Jason Thompson is the closest thing to a spurprise, but logically, not really.
Now I would think Cleveland would take Arthur. Second guess is Koufos.
Now I would think Cleveland would take Arthur. Second guess is Koufos.
#17 - Toronto* - Roy Hibbert (C)
Well, Indiana went big, and they went with the more experienced big.
Dang, I was hoping he'd slip to the Jazz.
Dang, I was hoping he'd slip to the Jazz.
#16 - Philadelphia - Marreese Speights (PF)
Philly needed a power forward, so good for them.
Toronto's next, but it's for the Pacers, and my guess is Kosta Koufos.
Toronto's next, but it's for the Pacers, and my guess is Kosta Koufos.
#15 - Phoenix - Robin Lopez (C)
I think he's overrated, but good for Phoenix, getting more defensive-oriented.
#14 - Golden State - Anthony Randolph (PF)
This is a guy John Hollinger projected wouldn't do too well in the pros, so Nellie is the perfect make-or-break coach for a guy like him.
#12 - Sacramento - Jason Thompson (PF)
I thought he'd last longer and be a sleeper, but Reggie Theus wants to win now, not draft potential down the road.
#10 - New Jersey - Brook Lopez (C)
I think this twin from Stanford will have a little more impact than the last one they had.
#8 - Milwaukee - Joe Alexander (SF)
I thought since they got Richard Jefferson, they'd fill a different need, but this is a decent bench pick, I guess.
#7 - LA Clippers - Eric Gordon (PG/SG)
Danilo made a nice little suck-up "New York is the best city in the world" comment. I bet after the first game of the pre-season they'll love him.
So they took Gordon. Now the Clips have some tradeable assets.
So they took Gordon. Now the Clips have some tradeable assets.
#6 - New York - Danilo Gallinari (SF)
Wow, the Knicks fans hate this pick. But they'd boo anything short of "the Knicks trade Randolph and #6 to Miami for Michael Beasley and two future first round picks."
So D'Antoni played with his dad.
I do remember when New York cheered wildly for Maciej Lampe. How'd that work out?
So D'Antoni played with his dad.
I do remember when New York cheered wildly for Maciej Lampe. How'd that work out?
#5 - Memphis - Kevin Love (PF)
Westbrook - "I'm a point guard." Okay, so maybe they try it out.
Pineapple Express looks funny.
So Love is no surprise. Now we're in suspense where Lopez will go. Will the Knicks grab him and try to trade Curry? I know they desperately want to unload him or Randolph or both.
Pineapple Express looks funny.
So Love is no surprise. Now we're in suspense where Lopez will go. Will the Knicks grab him and try to trade Curry? I know they desperately want to unload him or Randolph or both.
#4 - Seattle - Russell Westbrook (PG/SG)
Wow. Consensus today seemed to be they'd take Lopez, but they went ahead and took the guard. Now with Durant at the 2, are they going to have Westbrook be their shoot-first point guard, or are they going to move Durant to the 3?
Annnnd Jeff Van Gundy is now saying what I was just thinking. I could do their job.
Annnnd Jeff Van Gundy is now saying what I was just thinking. I could do their job.
#3 - Minnesota - OJ Mayo (SG)
There. Time zone is Mountain.
I think I'd rather see Stephen A. Smith at the desk, spouting off. Let Mark Jackson do the boring interview stuff.
So far, no surprises.
I think I'd rather see Stephen A. Smith at the desk, spouting off. Let Mark Jackson do the boring interview stuff.
So far, no surprises.
#2 - Miami - Michael Beasley (PF)
I guess my time counter is on Pacific time.
It's almost as though Pat Riley is grudgingly taking Beasley. "I know he's good, but do I have to?"
These rebounding highlights look pretty cool.
It's almost as though Pat Riley is grudgingly taking Beasley. "I know he's good, but do I have to?"
These rebounding highlights look pretty cool.
#1 - Chicago - Derrick Rose (PG)
This New York crowd is brutal. I expect some "Donaghy" chants soon. Maybe a "Fire D'Antoni" chant. Good for Rose, going hometown like that.
Now we get a shot of the Bulls draft room as they golf-clap for each other.
Now we get a shot of the Bulls draft room as they golf-clap for each other.
David Stern booed - 5:36
But what else is new? If the Bulls draft Rose, aren't they required to trade Hinrich? What could Denver offer? Charlotte? Portland? The Clippers? Sacramento? Plenty of teams could use him.
NBA Draft - live - 5:29pm MST
Drinking game - Take one every time Jay Bilas says upside. You'll be under the table before they get out of the lottery.
I love the NBA Draft. It's like a second Christmas, where all your hopes and dreams for your team's future are wide open.
Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley are locked at #1 and #2, says everyone, but there's some speculation Minnesota might not take OJ Mayo at #3? I can see them taking him, turning around to someone a couple picks lower and saying, "What will you give us?"
I love the NBA Draft. It's like a second Christmas, where all your hopes and dreams for your team's future are wide open.
Derrick Rose and Michael Beasley are locked at #1 and #2, says everyone, but there's some speculation Minnesota might not take OJ Mayo at #3? I can see them taking him, turning around to someone a couple picks lower and saying, "What will you give us?"
More trades
ESPN.com is reporting the Nets are trading Richard Jefferson to Milwaukee for Yi Jianlian and Bobby Simmons. This would imply Joe Alexander is no longer a lock at #8.
The Nets are also looking to trade up, from #10 to Memphis's #5.
The Sonics will trade #4 to the L.A. Clippers for #7 and a future pick if OJ Mayo is off the board by #4.
Quelle surprise, Portland is working making a move.
San Antonio is actively trying to trade out of their pick.
All mock drafts are pretty oblitherated at this point.
The Nets are also looking to trade up, from #10 to Memphis's #5.
The Sonics will trade #4 to the L.A. Clippers for #7 and a future pick if OJ Mayo is off the board by #4.
Quelle surprise, Portland is working making a move.
San Antonio is actively trying to trade out of their pick.
All mock drafts are pretty oblitherated at this point.
NBA Mock Draft update
Some trades have gone down, and more rumors are a-swirling.
Here's my morning-of guesses.
1. CHICAGO - Derrick Rose - PG/6-3
2. MIAMI - Michael Beasley - PF/6-8
3. MINNESOTA - O.J. Mayo - SG/6-4
4. SEATTLE - Brook Lopez - C/7-0
5. MEMPHIS - Eric Gordon - SG/6-3
6. NEW YORK - Danilo Gallinari - SF/6-9
7. L.A. CLIPPERS - Russell Westbrook - PG/6-3
8. MILWAUKEE - Joe Alexander - SF/6-8
9. CHARLOTTE - Kevin Love - PF/6-9
10. NEW JERSEY - DJ Augustin - 5-11/PG - Traded to Portland for #13
11. INDIANA - Kosta Koufos - C/7-1
12. SACRAMENTO - Jerryd Bayless - PG/6-3
13. PORTLAND - Anthony Randolph - SF/6-8 - Traded to New Jersey for #10
14. GOLDEN STATE - Mario Chalmers - PG/6-2
15. PHOENIX - Brandon Rush - SG/6-6
16. PHILADELPHIA - Donte Green - 6-10/PF
17. INDIANA - Darrell Arthur - PF/6-9
18. WASHINGTON - Marreese Speights - PF/6-9
19. CLEVELAND - DeAndre Jordan - C/7-0
20. CHARLOTTE - Roy Hibbert - C/7-2
21. NEW JERSEY - Robin Lopez - C/7-0
22. ORLANDO - Courtney Lee - SG/6-5
23. UTAH - Alexis Ajinca - C/7-1
24. SEATTLE - Kyle Weaver - PG/6-2
25. HOUSTON - JaVale McGee - C/7-0
26. SAN ANTONIO - Jason Thompson - C/6-11
27. NEW ORLEANS - Nicolas Batum - SF/6-8
28. MEMPHIS - JJ Hickson - PF/6-9
29. DETROIT - Chris Douglas-Roberts - SG/6-7
30. BOSTON - Trent Plaistad - PF/6-10
I'm sure at least one more of those picks are traded tonight. Prime suspects: Miami, Seattle.
Here's my morning-of guesses.
1. CHICAGO - Derrick Rose - PG/6-3
2. MIAMI - Michael Beasley - PF/6-8
3. MINNESOTA - O.J. Mayo - SG/6-4
4. SEATTLE - Brook Lopez - C/7-0
5. MEMPHIS - Eric Gordon - SG/6-3
6. NEW YORK - Danilo Gallinari - SF/6-9
7. L.A. CLIPPERS - Russell Westbrook - PG/6-3
8. MILWAUKEE - Joe Alexander - SF/6-8
9. CHARLOTTE - Kevin Love - PF/6-9
10. NEW JERSEY - DJ Augustin - 5-11/PG - Traded to Portland for #13
11. INDIANA - Kosta Koufos - C/7-1
12. SACRAMENTO - Jerryd Bayless - PG/6-3
13. PORTLAND - Anthony Randolph - SF/6-8 - Traded to New Jersey for #10
14. GOLDEN STATE - Mario Chalmers - PG/6-2
15. PHOENIX - Brandon Rush - SG/6-6
16. PHILADELPHIA - Donte Green - 6-10/PF
17. INDIANA - Darrell Arthur - PF/6-9
18. WASHINGTON - Marreese Speights - PF/6-9
19. CLEVELAND - DeAndre Jordan - C/7-0
20. CHARLOTTE - Roy Hibbert - C/7-2
21. NEW JERSEY - Robin Lopez - C/7-0
22. ORLANDO - Courtney Lee - SG/6-5
23. UTAH - Alexis Ajinca - C/7-1
24. SEATTLE - Kyle Weaver - PG/6-2
25. HOUSTON - JaVale McGee - C/7-0
26. SAN ANTONIO - Jason Thompson - C/6-11
27. NEW ORLEANS - Nicolas Batum - SF/6-8
28. MEMPHIS - JJ Hickson - PF/6-9
29. DETROIT - Chris Douglas-Roberts - SG/6-7
30. BOSTON - Trent Plaistad - PF/6-10
I'm sure at least one more of those picks are traded tonight. Prime suspects: Miami, Seattle.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
NBA Mock Draft
After reading literally dozens of reports and projections, I'm making my own mock draft guess.
1. CHICAGO - Derrick Rose - PG/6-3 - The Bulls seems locked in here, and with Rose aboard, it makes Kirk Hinrich a valuable trading commodity, which they should use to get a better big man.
2. MIAMI - Michael Beasley - PF/6-8 - Even though Miami really wants Rose, it doesn't look like that will happen. I'm thinking they trade this, and I've seen sceanrios with Seattle, Memphis and the Clippers.
3. MINNESOTA - O.J. Mayo - SG/6-4 - Putting him with Randy Foye and Al Jefferson makes a talented core. But Al Jefferson was the center of a "talented core" for years in Boston and it didn't get anywhere, but you need to start somewhere.
4. SEATTLE - Brook Lopez - C/7-0 - Sonics' ownership seems determined to torpedo their relationship with Seattle, and while they really need a star point guard (Earl Watson/Luke Ridnour are not long-term solutions), I can see them drafting yet another center, though Lopez should be more effective than Robert Swift, Johan Petro and Mahmoud Sene.
5. MEMPHIS - Kevin Love - PF/6-9 - Assuming there are no trades, Love will be a good fit with the gutted Grizzlies. Time for Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, Mike Miller and crew to take on Portland for Best Young Team in the West.
6. NEW YORK - Jerryd Bayless - PG/6-3 - The Knicks have been dying for a better point guard than the shoot-first crew that have shuffled through there (Marbury, Francis, Robinson...), and if Bayless lips to here, I think they take. Rumor has it Mike D'Antoni might take a risk on the Italian star Danilo Gallinari, but they need that point guard in place.
7. L.A. CLIPPERS - Russell Westbrook - PG/6-3 - Here's another team looking for a point guard, where it's clear Shaun Livingston's body just won't let him do it.
8. MILWAUKEE - Joe Alexander - SF/6-8 - If Alexander is here, they take him. He's exactly what they want and need.
9. CHARLOTTE - Kosta Koufos - C/7-1 - The Bobcats want a center so they can move Emeka Okafor to the 4-spot. If Brook Lopez is available, they snatch him up here. They could take Koufos here, though it seems high. Then again, Rafael Araujo was high at #8 a few years ago. Big men often go sooner than they should.
10. NEW JERSEY - Danilo Gallinari - SF/6-9 - Annnnd Richard Jefferson is trade bait all summer.
11. INDIANA - Eric Gordon - SG/6-3 - He could be the point guard to finally bump Jamaal Tinsley out of there. DJ Augustin could go here too.
12. SACRAMENTO - Anthony Randolph - SF/6-8 - I can see him being a bust, but the Kings ain't been too bright lately.
13. PORTLAND - DJ Augustin - 5-11/PG - They have a lot of young pieces, so it wouldn't hurt to have more competition at point guard.
14. GOLDEN STATE - Donte Green - 6-10/PF - I've seen some centers go here, but I have a hard time seeing Nellie use them. Green has the body and style for a run-and-gun team, could be a good bench player for them.
15. PHOENIX - DeAndre Jordan - 7-0/C - Shaq's going to miss a few games, and it would behoove the Suns to groom a successor so they can keep Amare at the 4.
16. PHILADELPHIA - Brandon Rush - SG/6-6
17. TORONTO - Nicolas Batum - SF/6-8
18. WASHINGTON - Marreese Speights - PF/6-9
19. CLEVELAND - Darrell Arthur - PF/6-9
20. DENVER - JaVale McGee - C/7-0
21. NEW JERSEY - Roy Hibbert - C/7-2
22. ORLANDO - Courtney Lee - SG/6-5
23. UTAH - Alexis Ajinca - C/7-1
24. SEATTLE - JJ Hickson - PF/6-9
25. HOUSTON - Mario Chalmers - PG/6-2
26. SAN ANTONIO - Serge Ibaka - PF/6-11
27. NEW ORLEANS - Jason Thompson - C/6-11
28. MEMPHIS - Chris Douglas-Roberts - SG/6-7
29. DETROIT - Bill Walker - SF/6-6
30. BOSTON - Robin Lopez - C/7-0
Bubble players:
Ryan Anderson
Omer Asik
JR Giddens
Jamont Gordon
DeVon Hardin
Richard Hendrix
Nathan Jawai
Ante Tomic
Kyle Weaver
DJ White
1. CHICAGO - Derrick Rose - PG/6-3 - The Bulls seems locked in here, and with Rose aboard, it makes Kirk Hinrich a valuable trading commodity, which they should use to get a better big man.
2. MIAMI - Michael Beasley - PF/6-8 - Even though Miami really wants Rose, it doesn't look like that will happen. I'm thinking they trade this, and I've seen sceanrios with Seattle, Memphis and the Clippers.
3. MINNESOTA - O.J. Mayo - SG/6-4 - Putting him with Randy Foye and Al Jefferson makes a talented core. But Al Jefferson was the center of a "talented core" for years in Boston and it didn't get anywhere, but you need to start somewhere.
4. SEATTLE - Brook Lopez - C/7-0 - Sonics' ownership seems determined to torpedo their relationship with Seattle, and while they really need a star point guard (Earl Watson/Luke Ridnour are not long-term solutions), I can see them drafting yet another center, though Lopez should be more effective than Robert Swift, Johan Petro and Mahmoud Sene.
5. MEMPHIS - Kevin Love - PF/6-9 - Assuming there are no trades, Love will be a good fit with the gutted Grizzlies. Time for Mike Conley, Rudy Gay, Mike Miller and crew to take on Portland for Best Young Team in the West.
6. NEW YORK - Jerryd Bayless - PG/6-3 - The Knicks have been dying for a better point guard than the shoot-first crew that have shuffled through there (Marbury, Francis, Robinson...), and if Bayless lips to here, I think they take. Rumor has it Mike D'Antoni might take a risk on the Italian star Danilo Gallinari, but they need that point guard in place.
7. L.A. CLIPPERS - Russell Westbrook - PG/6-3 - Here's another team looking for a point guard, where it's clear Shaun Livingston's body just won't let him do it.
8. MILWAUKEE - Joe Alexander - SF/6-8 - If Alexander is here, they take him. He's exactly what they want and need.
9. CHARLOTTE - Kosta Koufos - C/7-1 - The Bobcats want a center so they can move Emeka Okafor to the 4-spot. If Brook Lopez is available, they snatch him up here. They could take Koufos here, though it seems high. Then again, Rafael Araujo was high at #8 a few years ago. Big men often go sooner than they should.
10. NEW JERSEY - Danilo Gallinari - SF/6-9 - Annnnd Richard Jefferson is trade bait all summer.
11. INDIANA - Eric Gordon - SG/6-3 - He could be the point guard to finally bump Jamaal Tinsley out of there. DJ Augustin could go here too.
12. SACRAMENTO - Anthony Randolph - SF/6-8 - I can see him being a bust, but the Kings ain't been too bright lately.
13. PORTLAND - DJ Augustin - 5-11/PG - They have a lot of young pieces, so it wouldn't hurt to have more competition at point guard.
14. GOLDEN STATE - Donte Green - 6-10/PF - I've seen some centers go here, but I have a hard time seeing Nellie use them. Green has the body and style for a run-and-gun team, could be a good bench player for them.
15. PHOENIX - DeAndre Jordan - 7-0/C - Shaq's going to miss a few games, and it would behoove the Suns to groom a successor so they can keep Amare at the 4.
16. PHILADELPHIA - Brandon Rush - SG/6-6
17. TORONTO - Nicolas Batum - SF/6-8
18. WASHINGTON - Marreese Speights - PF/6-9
19. CLEVELAND - Darrell Arthur - PF/6-9
20. DENVER - JaVale McGee - C/7-0
21. NEW JERSEY - Roy Hibbert - C/7-2
22. ORLANDO - Courtney Lee - SG/6-5
23. UTAH - Alexis Ajinca - C/7-1
24. SEATTLE - JJ Hickson - PF/6-9
25. HOUSTON - Mario Chalmers - PG/6-2
26. SAN ANTONIO - Serge Ibaka - PF/6-11
27. NEW ORLEANS - Jason Thompson - C/6-11
28. MEMPHIS - Chris Douglas-Roberts - SG/6-7
29. DETROIT - Bill Walker - SF/6-6
30. BOSTON - Robin Lopez - C/7-0
Bubble players:
Ryan Anderson
Omer Asik
JR Giddens
Jamont Gordon
DeVon Hardin
Richard Hendrix
Nathan Jawai
Ante Tomic
Kyle Weaver
DJ White
Friday, June 13, 2008
Game 4 / Bavetta / Detroit-Utah trade rumor
A lot of the pleasure from Game 4 was the big comeback story, but it was also that I was watching players play and coaches trying to out-maneuver each other, and the refs didn't really come into play.
---
ESPN.com is reporting that two ex-referees were asked by investigators about Dick Bavetta as much as they were Tim Donaghy. Among other controversial games, Bavetta was head ref of Game 6 of the 2002 Kings-Lakers series that Donaghy said was fixed. This is not going to be swept under the rug anytime soon.
----
Chad Ford is putting out this trade rumor: The Detroit Pistons to send Rich Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Aaron Afflalo to the Utah Jazz for Carlos Boozer, Ronnie Brewer, Jarron Collins and Morris Almond. I don't know if it makes either team better or worse. The Jazz would entertain the notion just because Boozer will likely opt out of his deal in 2009, and Deron Williams & Andrei Kirilenko will already be max-money makers.
The benefits for Detroit is that they've plateaued ever since Larry Brown left, and they needed a change. They get a two-time All-Star power forward in Boozer, two promising young shooting guards in Brewer & Almond, and a good locker-room guy in Collins. They get youth. The downside is their core still has good chemistry, and they're blowing it up, and who's to say they won't still lose Boozer in 2009? Does this look like an NBA championship line-up? Billips, Brewer, Stuckey, Boozer, Wallace.
The benefits for Utah is they get some more experienced guys (Utah's one of the youngest teams in the league, which L.A. was able to exploit), a solid shooting shooting-guard, the lankiest 3-4 tandem in the league (AK would move to the 4 spot, which was his before Boozer showed up), and a little more payroll flexibility. The downside is they lose a two-time All-Star power forward and their only low-post threat, and Almond looks like a guy who could really blow up after setting records in the D-League last year. Does this look like an NBA championship line-up? Williams, Hamilton, Prince, Kirilenko, Okur.
It would be quite the dice-roll for both teams.
---
ESPN.com is reporting that two ex-referees were asked by investigators about Dick Bavetta as much as they were Tim Donaghy. Among other controversial games, Bavetta was head ref of Game 6 of the 2002 Kings-Lakers series that Donaghy said was fixed. This is not going to be swept under the rug anytime soon.
----
Chad Ford is putting out this trade rumor: The Detroit Pistons to send Rich Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Aaron Afflalo to the Utah Jazz for Carlos Boozer, Ronnie Brewer, Jarron Collins and Morris Almond. I don't know if it makes either team better or worse. The Jazz would entertain the notion just because Boozer will likely opt out of his deal in 2009, and Deron Williams & Andrei Kirilenko will already be max-money makers.
The benefits for Detroit is that they've plateaued ever since Larry Brown left, and they needed a change. They get a two-time All-Star power forward in Boozer, two promising young shooting guards in Brewer & Almond, and a good locker-room guy in Collins. They get youth. The downside is their core still has good chemistry, and they're blowing it up, and who's to say they won't still lose Boozer in 2009? Does this look like an NBA championship line-up? Billips, Brewer, Stuckey, Boozer, Wallace.
The benefits for Utah is they get some more experienced guys (Utah's one of the youngest teams in the league, which L.A. was able to exploit), a solid shooting shooting-guard, the lankiest 3-4 tandem in the league (AK would move to the 4 spot, which was his before Boozer showed up), and a little more payroll flexibility. The downside is they lose a two-time All-Star power forward and their only low-post threat, and Almond looks like a guy who could really blow up after setting records in the D-League last year. Does this look like an NBA championship line-up? Williams, Hamilton, Prince, Kirilenko, Okur.
It would be quite the dice-roll for both teams.
Monday, June 9, 2008
Celtics up 2-0
There's a bit in Marc Cohn's song "Walking in Memphis" where he sings about a lady coming up to him and asking, "Are you a Christian?" and he sings "Ma'am, I am tonight!"
That's how I feel about my temporary Celtic-fan status. I love it. I love seeing Kevin Garnett on the brink of his first title after all those years of hard work. As a former Sonic fan, I'm happy for Ray Allen. I think of what Paul Pierce has been through, and here they are, up 2-0. And almost as important, Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson and the Lakers are losing.
That's how I feel about my temporary Celtic-fan status. I love it. I love seeing Kevin Garnett on the brink of his first title after all those years of hard work. As a former Sonic fan, I'm happy for Ray Allen. I think of what Paul Pierce has been through, and here they are, up 2-0. And almost as important, Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson and the Lakers are losing.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Pistons fire Flip Saunders
This is the second head coach in the last decade the Pistons have fired after the coach got that team to the Eastern Conference Finals. The logic I guess is that if Larry Brown could get a championship with this basic team, there must be another coach out there who can get another title out of them. That ignores how serendipitous the Larry Brown year was, running into a Laker team where Kobe and Shaq hated each other, Gary Payton's talent took a steep drop-off, and Karl Malone had injured his knee.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Fisher fouled Barry
Soooo... the NBA ruled a foul should have been called on Derek Fisher when he bumped Brent Barry with two seconds to go in the game. But c'est la vie, right? Does anyone doubt if it had been Kobe Bryant bumped by Tony Parker with two seconds to go, that foul would have been called? Maybe Joey Crawford shouldn't be reffing any playoff Spurs games, just like Dick Bovetta shouldn't ref any playoff Jazz games.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Lakers-Spurs, Celtics-Pistons
In the Lakers-Spurs series, I'm rooting for the Spurs. I think Manu Ginobili flops more than beach shoes, Bruce Bowen's a dirty defender, and "Big Shot Bob" is now "Cheap Shot Bob" for a reason, but I'd rather see them in the NBA Finals again for the fifth time in ten years than the Lakers.
In the Celtics-Pistons series, I'm rooting for the Celtics. If there's a ringless player in the NBA today I want to see win more than Kevin Garnett, I can't think of him now. Yeah, I want the Jazz to eventually get one, but that's more for Jerry Sloan than anyone else. For the players, KG has done his time and put forth the work.
In the Celtics-Pistons series, I'm rooting for the Celtics. If there's a ringless player in the NBA today I want to see win more than Kevin Garnett, I can't think of him now. Yeah, I want the Jazz to eventually get one, but that's more for Jerry Sloan than anyone else. For the players, KG has done his time and put forth the work.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Who's the 3rd best NBA draft prospect?
I remember before the LeBron James draft, the common consensus was that LBJ was #1, Carmelo Anthony was #2, Darko Milicic was #3, and then there was a big drop-off in talent. Detroit had just drafted promising rookie Tayshaun Prince the year before, so they went with big-man Milicic. But then #4 was Chris Bosh, #5 was Dwyane Wade, #6 was Chris Kaman (imagein what Detroit could have been with Kaman instead of Darko), #7 was Kirk Hinrich, #8 was TJ Ford, and down the road you still had Mickael Pietrus, Nick Collison, David West, Sasha Pavlovic, Boris Diaw, Travis Outlaw, Leandro Barbosa and Josh Howard, all of whom would have contributed more to Detroit in the time Milicic was there. (Wow, that was a draft. Second round had Jason Kapono, Luke Walton, Maurice Williams, Kyle Korver).
2004 - The third pick was Ben Gordon. Not bad, Chicago.
2005 - The third pick was Deron Williams. Stupendous. Utah thanks Atlanta, as does New orleans who took Chris paul at #4.
2006 - The third pick was Adam Morrison. Oh my. They passed on Brandon Roy for him.
2007 - Al Horford. He's going to be a star.
So in 2008, is it 7-footer Brook Lopez? Is it shoot-first point guard OJ Mayo, where best-case scenario, he's the next Dwyane Wade?
2004 - The third pick was Ben Gordon. Not bad, Chicago.
2005 - The third pick was Deron Williams. Stupendous. Utah thanks Atlanta, as does New orleans who took Chris paul at #4.
2006 - The third pick was Adam Morrison. Oh my. They passed on Brandon Roy for him.
2007 - Al Horford. He's going to be a star.
So in 2008, is it 7-footer Brook Lopez? Is it shoot-first point guard OJ Mayo, where best-case scenario, he's the next Dwyane Wade?
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