Thursday, July 23, 2009
Michael Vick should be reinstated
He did his time, so yeah, I think a 4-game suspension would be appropriate, and then Michael Vick can play in the NFL. Leonard Little killed someone, and he still got to play again.
...but don't trade Boozer for nothing
Here's a national story that gets why the Jazz would be better to keep Boozer than to give him away for table scraps.
I think they should try to trade him, but if they're trying to get 75 cents on the dollar and the only offers are 50 cents on the dollar, forget it. Play hardball and make him be a good team player so he can get his big money next year. He knows if he's toxic in the locker room this year, he'll just become the next Sprewell or Marbury.
I think they should try to trade him, but if they're trying to get 75 cents on the dollar and the only offers are 50 cents on the dollar, forget it. Play hardball and make him be a good team player so he can get his big money next year. He knows if he's toxic in the locker room this year, he'll just become the next Sprewell or Marbury.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Trade Carlos Boozer
I've been a supporter of Carlos Boozer. I was one of many who thought he sat out more games than he needed to when he pulled his hamstring his first year here, when the Jazz went 26-56 (the only losing season of Jerry Sloan's 21 years of coaching Utah). But when Booze came back and helped the Jazz get to 41-41 and then the next year get to the Western Conference Finals, I was on board.
When Boozer got injured again this year, many Jazz fans were saying he's a bum, get rid of him. He had to have surgery to get his knee fixed, but still many people thought he was dogging it. I would argue you're not dogging it when you have surgery, but still the Jazz were able to stay afloat. And then he came back and the chemistry fizzled, and the Jazz plummeted to eighth place and had a quick first-round exit to the eventual NBA Champs.
Even a week ago I was saying, give this lineup a chance. But it's all becoming clear what Boozer's doing.
Why would Carlos Boozer opt in when he's been saying for months he's going to opt out? Easy. His agent felt around in the market and saw no one was going to offer a max-deal to a guy who missed most of two of his past four seasons. So he opted in. He tried to get an extension with the Jazz, but they didn't give it to him. Now he's trying to force a trade. He won't go on any TV or radio show in Utah, but he's been heard everywhere from Chciago to D.C. that he's going to be traded "any second now."
In truth, everything I'm reading from the Jazz side of things says nothing is imminent. Boozer wants to be traded, and by spouting off daily, he's weakening the Jazz's position on what they can get back for him. And why wouldn't he? It means whatever team he goes to won't have to lose as many pieces to get him. He even said new Yortk is one place the Jazz might trade him to, even though he knows there's not a chance in hell the Jazz would do that, as they own the 2010 New York first-round pick.
Many teams would and should jump at the chance to get him. His two healthy Jazz years resulted in him going to the All-Star game. He's an Olympic gold-medalist. When healthy, he's a 21-point, 11-rebound guy. Most importantly, there's only one year left on his deal.
But he's burning his bridge in Utah. It's clear from the comments of his Jazz teammates that most of them would like to have him just go away, including Deron Williams.
So what or who should the Jazz go for?
Right now the rumor is a three-way deal with Miami and Memphis that would send Boozer to Miami while the Jazz get back Udonis Haslem. Haslem's a decent piece to a team, but my hope is that if the Heat are going for Odom and Boozer, the Jazz can get Miami to trade for Michael Beasley and Mark Blount.
Other possibilites (that do work out cap-trade-wise):
-Orlando - Boozer for Marcin Gortat & Mickael Pietrus.
-Chicago - Boozer for John Salmons & Tyrus Thomas.
-Atlanta - Boozer & CJ Miles for Joe Johnson & Mario West.
-Charlotte - Boozer & CJ Miles for Boris Diaw & Raja Bell.
-Dallas - Boozer for Josh Howard.
-Golden State - Boozer for Corey Maggette & Kelenna Azubiuke.
When Boozer got injured again this year, many Jazz fans were saying he's a bum, get rid of him. He had to have surgery to get his knee fixed, but still many people thought he was dogging it. I would argue you're not dogging it when you have surgery, but still the Jazz were able to stay afloat. And then he came back and the chemistry fizzled, and the Jazz plummeted to eighth place and had a quick first-round exit to the eventual NBA Champs.
Even a week ago I was saying, give this lineup a chance. But it's all becoming clear what Boozer's doing.
Why would Carlos Boozer opt in when he's been saying for months he's going to opt out? Easy. His agent felt around in the market and saw no one was going to offer a max-deal to a guy who missed most of two of his past four seasons. So he opted in. He tried to get an extension with the Jazz, but they didn't give it to him. Now he's trying to force a trade. He won't go on any TV or radio show in Utah, but he's been heard everywhere from Chciago to D.C. that he's going to be traded "any second now."
In truth, everything I'm reading from the Jazz side of things says nothing is imminent. Boozer wants to be traded, and by spouting off daily, he's weakening the Jazz's position on what they can get back for him. And why wouldn't he? It means whatever team he goes to won't have to lose as many pieces to get him. He even said new Yortk is one place the Jazz might trade him to, even though he knows there's not a chance in hell the Jazz would do that, as they own the 2010 New York first-round pick.
Many teams would and should jump at the chance to get him. His two healthy Jazz years resulted in him going to the All-Star game. He's an Olympic gold-medalist. When healthy, he's a 21-point, 11-rebound guy. Most importantly, there's only one year left on his deal.
But he's burning his bridge in Utah. It's clear from the comments of his Jazz teammates that most of them would like to have him just go away, including Deron Williams.
So what or who should the Jazz go for?
Right now the rumor is a three-way deal with Miami and Memphis that would send Boozer to Miami while the Jazz get back Udonis Haslem. Haslem's a decent piece to a team, but my hope is that if the Heat are going for Odom and Boozer, the Jazz can get Miami to trade for Michael Beasley and Mark Blount.
Other possibilites (that do work out cap-trade-wise):
-Orlando - Boozer for Marcin Gortat & Mickael Pietrus.
-Chicago - Boozer for John Salmons & Tyrus Thomas.
-Atlanta - Boozer & CJ Miles for Joe Johnson & Mario West.
-Charlotte - Boozer & CJ Miles for Boris Diaw & Raja Bell.
-Dallas - Boozer for Josh Howard.
-Golden State - Boozer for Corey Maggette & Kelenna Azubiuke.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
NBA Western Conference Power Rankings
Western Conference
I don't see this year playing out like last year, where you had the Lakers, and then eight more good teams, and then six lousy teams. I see it being tighter all the way around.
1. L.A. LAKERS - Swapping Trevor Ariza for Ron Artest might sound like a good idea to some, but Ron-Ron's numbers show that while he's a very good individual defender, he's way overrated as a team defender. Plus why is taking so long to re-sign Lamar Odom? It couldn't be because Jerry Buss doesn't want to pay all that luxury tax, could it? Doubtful. I bet they get Odom signed, and they'll be a very good team, but I can see Artest as a wedge come spring.
2. SAN ANTONIO - They had the steal of the summer in landing Richard Jefferson and they had a pick like DeJuan Blair fall to them in the second round. Unbelievable. The window's now open an extra year or two for Tim Duncan to get his fifth ring.
3. DENVER - They've had their taste of the playoffs, and now they'll want more. Chauncey Billups will continue to be the Man, while Carmelo provides the Stats. Looks like they'll even get to keep the shotblocking Birdman for a decent price. Oh, and getting Ty Lawson on draft night? Very good move.
4. UTAH - Last year's roster lost more games to injuries than any other team in the league. This year the gang will all be back, so if they can stay healthy, great things should happen. But it looks like the front office may try to move Carlos Boozer in the last year of his deal in a bid to keep Paul Millsap. Personally I hope they re-sign Sap, but keep this roster until the regular season and see how it does before they make any moves.
5. PORTLAND - They lost out on Hedo Turkoglu, which would have been huge, but they still have time to make some moves (Lamar Odom? David Lee?), and if they don't, well, Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge will be a year better, and anything Greg Oden can give them will be gravy.
6. NEW ORLEANS - As constitued, this is a good team, but it'll still likely get blown up so the Hornets can save some money. Tyson Chandler will probably be moved, and that will annihilate any chances of getting out of the first round.
7. HOUSTON - So they have no idea if they'll get Yao Ming this season, and they don't know how much heart Tracy McGrady is going to play with in the final year of his deal on a team that did better without him than with him. Trevor Ariza is a good free-agent land for them.
8. DALLAS - Jason Kidd's not getting any younger. Heck, neither's Dirk Nowitski.
9. GOLDEN STATE - I believe Stephen Curry will have the type of star-making year that he's able to get this team back to at least flirting with the playoffs. They still have a ton of talent.
10. PHOENIX - They have Steve Nash and Jason Richardson, and they might trade away Amare Stoudamire to save some money. Yeah, that's not much of a team. Steve Kerr destroyed this franchise with the Shaq-for-Marion trade.
11. OKLAHOMA CITY - James Harden is the type of rookie that should help this young team start winning some games. But with all that cap-space, they need to land a good free-agent for that final nudge of progress.
12. MEMPHIS - They're certainly be a better rebounding team with Zach Randolph and Hasheem Thabeet. But Mike Conley needs to show he can be a star point guard with this many weapons (Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Marc Gasol...) at his disposal.
13. L.A. CLIPPERS - Baron Davis to Blake Griffin. Sounds good, but we are talking about the Clippers.
14. MINNESOTA - If Ricky Rubio doesn't want to go there, they need to salvage this somehow. Talks with New York should heat up. They can't let Rubio become the next Fran Vasquez.
15. SACRAMENTO - So now they have Kevin Martin and Tyreke Gibson. Good luck.
I don't see this year playing out like last year, where you had the Lakers, and then eight more good teams, and then six lousy teams. I see it being tighter all the way around.
1. L.A. LAKERS - Swapping Trevor Ariza for Ron Artest might sound like a good idea to some, but Ron-Ron's numbers show that while he's a very good individual defender, he's way overrated as a team defender. Plus why is taking so long to re-sign Lamar Odom? It couldn't be because Jerry Buss doesn't want to pay all that luxury tax, could it? Doubtful. I bet they get Odom signed, and they'll be a very good team, but I can see Artest as a wedge come spring.
2. SAN ANTONIO - They had the steal of the summer in landing Richard Jefferson and they had a pick like DeJuan Blair fall to them in the second round. Unbelievable. The window's now open an extra year or two for Tim Duncan to get his fifth ring.
3. DENVER - They've had their taste of the playoffs, and now they'll want more. Chauncey Billups will continue to be the Man, while Carmelo provides the Stats. Looks like they'll even get to keep the shotblocking Birdman for a decent price. Oh, and getting Ty Lawson on draft night? Very good move.
4. UTAH - Last year's roster lost more games to injuries than any other team in the league. This year the gang will all be back, so if they can stay healthy, great things should happen. But it looks like the front office may try to move Carlos Boozer in the last year of his deal in a bid to keep Paul Millsap. Personally I hope they re-sign Sap, but keep this roster until the regular season and see how it does before they make any moves.
5. PORTLAND - They lost out on Hedo Turkoglu, which would have been huge, but they still have time to make some moves (Lamar Odom? David Lee?), and if they don't, well, Brandon Roy and LaMarcus Aldridge will be a year better, and anything Greg Oden can give them will be gravy.
6. NEW ORLEANS - As constitued, this is a good team, but it'll still likely get blown up so the Hornets can save some money. Tyson Chandler will probably be moved, and that will annihilate any chances of getting out of the first round.
7. HOUSTON - So they have no idea if they'll get Yao Ming this season, and they don't know how much heart Tracy McGrady is going to play with in the final year of his deal on a team that did better without him than with him. Trevor Ariza is a good free-agent land for them.
8. DALLAS - Jason Kidd's not getting any younger. Heck, neither's Dirk Nowitski.
9. GOLDEN STATE - I believe Stephen Curry will have the type of star-making year that he's able to get this team back to at least flirting with the playoffs. They still have a ton of talent.
10. PHOENIX - They have Steve Nash and Jason Richardson, and they might trade away Amare Stoudamire to save some money. Yeah, that's not much of a team. Steve Kerr destroyed this franchise with the Shaq-for-Marion trade.
11. OKLAHOMA CITY - James Harden is the type of rookie that should help this young team start winning some games. But with all that cap-space, they need to land a good free-agent for that final nudge of progress.
12. MEMPHIS - They're certainly be a better rebounding team with Zach Randolph and Hasheem Thabeet. But Mike Conley needs to show he can be a star point guard with this many weapons (Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Marc Gasol...) at his disposal.
13. L.A. CLIPPERS - Baron Davis to Blake Griffin. Sounds good, but we are talking about the Clippers.
14. MINNESOTA - If Ricky Rubio doesn't want to go there, they need to salvage this somehow. Talks with New York should heat up. They can't let Rubio become the next Fran Vasquez.
15. SACRAMENTO - So now they have Kevin Martin and Tyreke Gibson. Good luck.
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