I'm going to assume that Kyle Korver does not opt out, and that Okur and Boozer do. The Jazz would have to give up Okur and Millsap to keep Boozer, and I think they'd rather keep Okur and Millsap. They need to keep two of those three.
For next season the Jazz will have under contract Deron Williams, Andrei Kirilenko, Ronnie Brewer, CJ Miles, Kosta Koufos, Matt Harpring, Kyle Korver and Kyrylo Fesenko (assuming the Jazz pick up his $810,000 option.) Those salaries add up to $50.39 million. Now assume the salary cap for 2009-2010 is going to be $69 million. Some speculation is it could go as low as $68 million, but let's be a bit generous.
The 20th pick in the NBA draft gets $1.32 million. Salary total for 9 players is now at $51.71. Add two minimum wage players for $550,000 apiece. $52.81. So, can Okur and Millsap be retained for $16.19 million?
Okur is going to want at least $11 million the first year. At least. Millsap is going to want $7 or $8 million.
The only way I see it working is if the Jazz can get someone under the cap (like Oklahoma City) to take CJ Miles ($3.7 mil) in a trade for a second-round pick. Assume another minimum wage pick, and now they have $19.34 million. $11 million for Okur and $8 million for Millsap.
Done.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
So who's in the NBA draft again?
With the Jazz doomed to have their first first-round exit from the playoffs since John Stockton's retirement, the Jazz find themselves in a position they weren't supposed to be in. They have a first-round pick. This pick was traded away when they swapped Gordon Giricek for Kyle Korver, but it was protected up to #22. Surely the Jazz were going to compete for the Northwest Division title and finish with a record that would put them lower than #22, right?
Well, now they have the 20th pick. So what might they do with it?
Let's assume everyone who can opt out does, leaving the Jazz with less than half their roster signed. What do they do?
They could go point guard. Either Stephen Curry or Jeff Teague will likely be available, and they could groom him into the solid backup that neither Brevin Knight or Ronnie Price have proved to be, and both of them will be free agents.
Center? The Jazz are always looking for big men, and they could get another OSU player with BJ Mullens. Okur might walk, but I can see the Jazz matching whatever offer he can find within reason. Jarron Collins and/or Kyrylo Fesenko won't be back.
Power forward. One of Carlos Boozer or Paul Millsap will be gone next year, so the Jazz need to think about their bench. Tyler Hansbrough should be there, and he's the height (6'8") the Jazz have found success in their rebounders. Kentucky's Patrick Pattersen may fall to them too.
Wingman? I seriously doubt this. Unless they plan to let Kyle Korver and Morris Almond walk, and trade away C.J. Miles, this is the last position they need to look at.
Personally I can see the Jazz using the pick in a trade more than anything else, and I hope it's not one of those give-away-for-free Phoenix type trades either.
Andrei Kirilenko, CJ Miles and the #18 pick to Sacramento for the #1 pick! heh heh
Well, now they have the 20th pick. So what might they do with it?
Let's assume everyone who can opt out does, leaving the Jazz with less than half their roster signed. What do they do?
They could go point guard. Either Stephen Curry or Jeff Teague will likely be available, and they could groom him into the solid backup that neither Brevin Knight or Ronnie Price have proved to be, and both of them will be free agents.
Center? The Jazz are always looking for big men, and they could get another OSU player with BJ Mullens. Okur might walk, but I can see the Jazz matching whatever offer he can find within reason. Jarron Collins and/or Kyrylo Fesenko won't be back.
Power forward. One of Carlos Boozer or Paul Millsap will be gone next year, so the Jazz need to think about their bench. Tyler Hansbrough should be there, and he's the height (6'8") the Jazz have found success in their rebounders. Kentucky's Patrick Pattersen may fall to them too.
Wingman? I seriously doubt this. Unless they plan to let Kyle Korver and Morris Almond walk, and trade away C.J. Miles, this is the last position they need to look at.
Personally I can see the Jazz using the pick in a trade more than anything else, and I hope it's not one of those give-away-for-free Phoenix type trades either.
Andrei Kirilenko, CJ Miles and the #18 pick to Sacramento for the #1 pick! heh heh
Monday, April 20, 2009
Lakers beat Jazz easily
The Jazz have been stumbling as of late anyway, but with no Mehmet Okur, they had no prayer against the Lakers for Game 1. The Lakeshow got everything they wanted, and with no Okur to spread the floor, Pau Gasol and Andrew bynum were able to hang out in the paint.
Carlos Boozer still got his points, but he's 6'8", Paul Millsap is 6'7", and Gasol and Bynum are both 7-footers. This would mean they'd need AK47 to be his old help-defense self, but that guy disappeared once the long contract was signed. Remember when Kirilenko was in the Top 5 in the league for blocks and steals? Yeah, thems were the days.
Carlos Boozer still got his points, but he's 6'8", Paul Millsap is 6'7", and Gasol and Bynum are both 7-footers. This would mean they'd need AK47 to be his old help-defense self, but that guy disappeared once the long contract was signed. Remember when Kirilenko was in the Top 5 in the league for blocks and steals? Yeah, thems were the days.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Utah Jazz's downhill spiral
This was supposed to be the most talented Jazz team assembled since John & Karl had their dreams crushed by the Bulls. Three former All-Stars on the team (Boozer, Kirilenko, Okur) and a fourth guy that should be (Deron Williams). Talented youngsters that play above their draft status (Ronnie Brewer, Paul Millsap). One of the best catch-and-shoot three-point aces in the game (Kyle Korver). Not to mention C.J. Miles, Matt Harpring, and Brevin Knight, making this one of the deepest teams in the league. If only they could get over their injuries.
If the Jazz get bounced in the first round by the Lakers, which they almost certainly will, this will make it the most disappointing Jazz season since their 26-56 abhorration. Many guys will be free agents, or have potential to be. Assumign those who can opt out, will, that would leave the team with Williams, Kirilenko, Brewer, Miles, Harpring, and Kosta Koufos. A roster of 15 down to 6. Factor in a first-round pick they thought they would lose but is now protected, and that's 7. so who of the 9 comes back?
The biggest three are Boozer, Okur and Millsap. No way all three will be back, as D-Will and AK-47 are already on max contracts. Boozer has had injuries hamper three of his four seasons here. He might want max money but his health demonstrates that only a foolish team should give it to him. Okur won't make much more on the open market than he already makes, but he and his agent might decide that this year is a better time to go shopping than the Class of 2010. Millsap meanwhile has shown when he gets the time he's worth more than a midlevel.
Something has soured in the chemistry of this team. Boozer came back in the middle of a 12-game winning streak, but their efforts have clearly lacked in the past three weeks. Their rebounding is down, their opponents' scoring is up.
I think it's hurt them to not have Larry H. Miller around to push them. The coach is the main guy, but it's as though he's been tuned out. But LHM had the clout to say "I personally am paying you millions. Now where's your effort?"
Lakers in 5.
If the Jazz get bounced in the first round by the Lakers, which they almost certainly will, this will make it the most disappointing Jazz season since their 26-56 abhorration. Many guys will be free agents, or have potential to be. Assumign those who can opt out, will, that would leave the team with Williams, Kirilenko, Brewer, Miles, Harpring, and Kosta Koufos. A roster of 15 down to 6. Factor in a first-round pick they thought they would lose but is now protected, and that's 7. so who of the 9 comes back?
The biggest three are Boozer, Okur and Millsap. No way all three will be back, as D-Will and AK-47 are already on max contracts. Boozer has had injuries hamper three of his four seasons here. He might want max money but his health demonstrates that only a foolish team should give it to him. Okur won't make much more on the open market than he already makes, but he and his agent might decide that this year is a better time to go shopping than the Class of 2010. Millsap meanwhile has shown when he gets the time he's worth more than a midlevel.
Something has soured in the chemistry of this team. Boozer came back in the middle of a 12-game winning streak, but their efforts have clearly lacked in the past three weeks. Their rebounding is down, their opponents' scoring is up.
I think it's hurt them to not have Larry H. Miller around to push them. The coach is the main guy, but it's as though he's been tuned out. But LHM had the clout to say "I personally am paying you millions. Now where's your effort?"
Lakers in 5.
Friday, March 6, 2009
If the NBA Playoffs started this second
IF THE PLAYOFFS STARTED THIS SECOND
The standings will be different in a few hours, but what if they started right now?
EAST
1-CLEVELAND v. 8-MILWAUKEE - The Bucks gets slaughtered. Cavs in 4, maybe 5.
2-BOSTON v. 7-PHILADELPHIA - KG's injured, but the Big Three are still determined to be a dynasty, not a one-season wonder. (*cough* Heat! *cough*) Celtics in 5.
3-ORLANDO v. 6-DETROIT - This will actually be interesting. They're a better team without Allen Iverson. Yes, they don't have Billups, but Orlando doesn't have Jameer Nelson either. Dwight Howard will have to work for his numbers against Rasheed Wallace, but he'll still get them. More intriguing would be watching Tayshaun Prince keeping Rashard Lewis out of it, and Rip Hamilton trying to out-shoot Hedo Turkoglu. But Flip Saunders is gone. Magic in 7, or 5 if A.I. is back.
4-ATLANTA v. 5-MIAMI - There will be at least one game that the Hawks should win that they lose because Dwyane Wade carries his team on his back singlehandedly. Heat in 7.
1-CLEVELAND v. 5-MIAMI - LeBron and D-Wade. Only one has a ring. Mwa ha ha! Cavs in 6.
2-BOSTON v. 3-ORLANDO - Very intriguing. I think Stan Van Gundy's a better X-and-O coach than Doc Rivers. I never thought Doc was that great a coach, but if you suddenly have Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, well, they coach themselves, and no other teammate is going to try to be selfish on the court with them. Who's hungrier? Celts. I like Rondo over Alston in the point-guard match-up, I like Howard over Perkins in the center match-up (heh). Bench play is a little deeper in Orlando but not by much. When in doubt... Celtics in 7.
1-CLEVELAND v. 2-BOSTON - Mo Williams is better on offense; Rondo is better on defense. LeBron and KG will be epic. I think they're really close, but I'll go with defense. Celtcs in 6.
WEST
1-L.A. LAKERS v. 8-DALLAS - The Mavericks will split the 2 in L.A., then the Lakers will split the two in Dallas. Dirk will be broken by the home loss. Lakers in 6.
2-SAN ANTONIO v. 7-PORTLAND - The young Blazers could put a scare in to the Spurs, but if the Spurs Big Three all play, no chance. Spurs in 5.
3-DENVER v. 6-UTAH - Tonight's game may serve as a preview, but the Jazz are too deep for the Nuggets. Jazz in 6.
4-NEW ORLEANS v. 5-HOUSTON - There are a few teams the Rockets could beat in the first round, but this is one that could give them fits. CP3 can run circles around Aaron Brooks, and Tyson Chandler won't be a pushover for Yao. Ron Artest and Shane Battier can keep David West off his game here and there. Rick Adelman and Byron Scott will make for a good coaching duel. Both teams are hot right now. Tough one, but Hornets in 7.
1-L.A. LAKERS v. 4-NEW ORLEANS - Epic. Too bad Andrew Bynum is out. Yes, Pau Gasol has been just fine getting things done, but I see match-up issues here. Kobe Bryant will have at least two 40-point games. Lakers in 7.
2-SAN ANTONIO v. 6-UTAH - The Spurs have held the Jazz's number for over a decade, but the Spurs are finally old enough, and the Jazz's young guys are finally just seasoned enough for the series to go in Jerry's kids' favor. Jazz in 6.
1-L.A. LAKERS v. 6-UTAH - I know I'm wearing homer glasses here, but with the Jazz finally healthy, their record belies how good they really are. The L10 column is a better tell where they stand, and they've already shown they know how to beat the Lakers. Jazz in 6.
NBA FINALS: BOSTON v. UTAH
The standings will be different in a few hours, but what if they started right now?
EAST
1-CLEVELAND v. 8-MILWAUKEE - The Bucks gets slaughtered. Cavs in 4, maybe 5.
2-BOSTON v. 7-PHILADELPHIA - KG's injured, but the Big Three are still determined to be a dynasty, not a one-season wonder. (*cough* Heat! *cough*) Celtics in 5.
3-ORLANDO v. 6-DETROIT - This will actually be interesting. They're a better team without Allen Iverson. Yes, they don't have Billups, but Orlando doesn't have Jameer Nelson either. Dwight Howard will have to work for his numbers against Rasheed Wallace, but he'll still get them. More intriguing would be watching Tayshaun Prince keeping Rashard Lewis out of it, and Rip Hamilton trying to out-shoot Hedo Turkoglu. But Flip Saunders is gone. Magic in 7, or 5 if A.I. is back.
4-ATLANTA v. 5-MIAMI - There will be at least one game that the Hawks should win that they lose because Dwyane Wade carries his team on his back singlehandedly. Heat in 7.
1-CLEVELAND v. 5-MIAMI - LeBron and D-Wade. Only one has a ring. Mwa ha ha! Cavs in 6.
2-BOSTON v. 3-ORLANDO - Very intriguing. I think Stan Van Gundy's a better X-and-O coach than Doc Rivers. I never thought Doc was that great a coach, but if you suddenly have Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, well, they coach themselves, and no other teammate is going to try to be selfish on the court with them. Who's hungrier? Celts. I like Rondo over Alston in the point-guard match-up, I like Howard over Perkins in the center match-up (heh). Bench play is a little deeper in Orlando but not by much. When in doubt... Celtics in 7.
1-CLEVELAND v. 2-BOSTON - Mo Williams is better on offense; Rondo is better on defense. LeBron and KG will be epic. I think they're really close, but I'll go with defense. Celtcs in 6.
WEST
1-L.A. LAKERS v. 8-DALLAS - The Mavericks will split the 2 in L.A., then the Lakers will split the two in Dallas. Dirk will be broken by the home loss. Lakers in 6.
2-SAN ANTONIO v. 7-PORTLAND - The young Blazers could put a scare in to the Spurs, but if the Spurs Big Three all play, no chance. Spurs in 5.
3-DENVER v. 6-UTAH - Tonight's game may serve as a preview, but the Jazz are too deep for the Nuggets. Jazz in 6.
4-NEW ORLEANS v. 5-HOUSTON - There are a few teams the Rockets could beat in the first round, but this is one that could give them fits. CP3 can run circles around Aaron Brooks, and Tyson Chandler won't be a pushover for Yao. Ron Artest and Shane Battier can keep David West off his game here and there. Rick Adelman and Byron Scott will make for a good coaching duel. Both teams are hot right now. Tough one, but Hornets in 7.
1-L.A. LAKERS v. 4-NEW ORLEANS - Epic. Too bad Andrew Bynum is out. Yes, Pau Gasol has been just fine getting things done, but I see match-up issues here. Kobe Bryant will have at least two 40-point games. Lakers in 7.
2-SAN ANTONIO v. 6-UTAH - The Spurs have held the Jazz's number for over a decade, but the Spurs are finally old enough, and the Jazz's young guys are finally just seasoned enough for the series to go in Jerry's kids' favor. Jazz in 6.
1-L.A. LAKERS v. 6-UTAH - I know I'm wearing homer glasses here, but with the Jazz finally healthy, their record belies how good they really are. The L10 column is a better tell where they stand, and they've already shown they know how to beat the Lakers. Jazz in 6.
NBA FINALS: BOSTON v. UTAH
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
NBA Power Rankings
My Latest NBA Power Rankings
I took advantage of having NBA TV, watching more games and highlights of games. Alas, it is over.
Eastern
1. BOSTON - KG, Pierce, and Ray all look determined to be a dynasty. Not a one-and-done champion like the Heat. They want to be the first team since the Shaq-Kobe Lakers to win repeat championships.
2. CLEVELAND - Man, the Jazz had Mo Williams at one point and let him walk away for nothing because they still had Raul Lopez. Heh. I know there's a lot of speculation that Lebron is going to leave in 2010, but if the team he's surrounded with now is winning, and especially if he gets ring in the next two years, why would he leave? Money. If he cares more about money than winning, he'll head to New York. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him stay.
3. ORLANDO - Dwight Howard is a younger, slimmer, in-shape Shaq, which is scary for everyone else. They have a pretty versatile supporting cast too, with different guys stepping up on different nights. Rafer Alston should be serviceable since Jameer Nelson is out, but at this point I don't see the Magic beating the Cavs or the Celtics.
4. ATLANTA - There's the top three in the East, and then here on the second tier, the Hawks rule the roost. Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson are deadly from outside, making it easy for Al Horford and Josh Smith to have their nights. The Hawks took the Celts to the mat last year, and they're a better team this year.
5. MIAMI - Too soon to tell if the Jermaine O'Neal trade is going to work out for them, but Dwyane Wade has been proving nightly why he's one of the best in the league.
6. DETROIT - They're like the Spurs of the East, but with fewer rings. Until they get knocked out in the first round, it's foolish to sleep on the Pistons. And yet they're another year older, and the A.I.-Billups trade has worked out a lot better for the Nuggets than the Pistons. If they get the wrong match-up, they could easily be bounced in the first round.
7. INDIANA - Danny Granger's injury hurts them. Now is not the time for them to be dropping games they otherwise would win if their star player was healthy.
8. PHILADELPHIA - Elton Brand = free-agent bust. I thought it was a good move at the time, but it just didn't work out.
9. CHICAGO - I think the trades they've made helps them this year. Brad Miller's back in his old stomping ground, John Salmons boosts the backcourt (in fact, they now have the luxury of a clogged backcourt), and they'll be in better shape salary-wise down the road.
10. MILKWAUKEE - Had they been healthy all year, they'd be pencilled in for at least a seventh seed in the playoffs, but alas, the Injury Bug has bitten often. I didn't expect much noise from them at the trade deadline. This summer is when more important decisions will be made.
11. NEW JERSEY - The Nets added by not subtracting. They needed more front-court help, but if they'd jettisoned Vince Carter, they would have sent the signal they're giving up on making the playoffs. Devin Harris and Vince Carter have proven to be a deadly backcourt duo, but I think it'd be good for the young players on the team to experience the playoffs again, even if it's a first-round stomping.
12. NEW YORK - They kept David Lee and added Larry Hughes, who can make up for a bit of the scoring they lost when they traded away Jamal Crawford. The playoffs are still a possibility; in fact, a realistic possibility, as Chris Wilcox can be that seventh-eighth guy, where Malik Rose couldn't.
13. TORONTO - Maybe Marion can give them a boost, but it's going to take a lot of luck for them to make it to the eighth seed. I think Chris Bosh is just going to play out his contract and skedaddle in 2010. Which means Marion is a priority re-sign this summer.
14. CHARLOTTE - When your head coach is in his late 60's, do you really want to continue in rebuilding mode? And yet, whoever the eighth seed is will have a losing record, so they still have a chance. A small small chance.
15. WASHINGTON - Thanks for nothing, Agent Zero.
Western
1. L.A. LAKERS - Until they lost Andrew Bynum, they looked unstoppable for a return to the NBA Finals. But with Bynum out, and no Ronny Turiaf to fall back on, I guess they're hoping Josh Powell can give a little. Getting rid of Radmanovic means Lamar Odom gets more time. I don't see the Lakers losing the #1 seed, but it might be closer that it would have been had Bynum not gone down.
2. SAN ANTONIO - They're pacing themselves. This is what the Spurs do. They bounce around in the middle of the pack for a while and then their winning trajectory slowly goes up, and then they have a great April and become that team no one wants to face. Too bad they couldn't pull off the Vince Carter trade though.
3. NEW ORLEANS - Awkwaaaard. Tyson Chandler was gone, and this team instantly became a first-round exit. But now Chandler is back. If he can stay healthy, they're deadly. If his turf toe or other injuries sideline him, well, the Hornets have a great starting five but they're still not that deep. Chris Paul will singlehandedly win them some game, and it'll be considered a disappointment if they don't at least make the second round.
4. DENVER - All hail Chauncey Billups. This talented team just needed the right leader, and they found him. He turned Nene into a beast, he made Kenyon Martin relevant again, but most importantly, he helped Carmelo get his numbers and win at the same time.
5. UTAH - They beat the Lakers and Celtics without Carlos Boozer, and now they get him back. As long as injuries finally leave them alone, they should be scary good in the playoffs. The trouble is they still need to prove they can win on the road. Injuries can be blamed to a degree for their 9-17 road record, but really, they've lost a lot of games in single digits they should have won. D-Will's playing like he takes it personally he wasn't invited to All-Star weekend, which is a good thing.
6. PORTLAND - They have the pieces in place. They'll scare someone in the first round, but I don't see much beyond that. Next year, though, look out.
7. HOUSTON - It seems like the Rockets and the Suns are fighting to avoid the playoffs, but I see Yao Ming keeping his team in it. They lose T-Mac for the year, they traded Rafer Alston for Kyle Lowry... yeah, I see them trading T-Mac in the summer for some pieces, and doubling-down on Aaron Brooks.
8. DALLAS - Thanks to the events in Houston and Phoenix, this is the lowest seed I see the Mavs getting in the playoffs. They had a rough start to the season, but it's come together nicely as of late.
9. PHOENIX - They didn't trade Amare Stoudamire but they lost him for the remainder of the regular season anyway. I don't think Steve Nash, Shaquille O'Neal and Jason Richardson are going to be enough to get them out of ninth place, which is where they sit now.
10. GOLDEN STATE - Irrelevant. They'll score in bunches and might get an occasional upset, but without a strong point guard, they're like a bunch of Gungans running around in circles.
11. MINNESOTA - Kevin McHale's been an improvement as coach, but losing Al Jefferson for the year means another season hoping they land in the top three in the lottery.
12. MEMPHIS - Giving away Kyle Lowry for a pick at the bottom of the first round doesn't seem too smart.
13. L.A. CLIPPERS - I wonder if Baron Davis lays awake night going, "Yes, I have my millions, but am I really going to be stuck as a Clipper for the rest of my career?"
14. OKLAHOMA CITY - Tyson Chandler would have been a nice boost for a hopeful future. How happy could Thunder fans possibly be that they wound up with Malik Rose instead?
15. SACRAMENTO - Well, they still have Kevin Martin... and that's about it.
I took advantage of having NBA TV, watching more games and highlights of games. Alas, it is over.
Eastern
1. BOSTON - KG, Pierce, and Ray all look determined to be a dynasty. Not a one-and-done champion like the Heat. They want to be the first team since the Shaq-Kobe Lakers to win repeat championships.
2. CLEVELAND - Man, the Jazz had Mo Williams at one point and let him walk away for nothing because they still had Raul Lopez. Heh. I know there's a lot of speculation that Lebron is going to leave in 2010, but if the team he's surrounded with now is winning, and especially if he gets ring in the next two years, why would he leave? Money. If he cares more about money than winning, he'll head to New York. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see him stay.
3. ORLANDO - Dwight Howard is a younger, slimmer, in-shape Shaq, which is scary for everyone else. They have a pretty versatile supporting cast too, with different guys stepping up on different nights. Rafer Alston should be serviceable since Jameer Nelson is out, but at this point I don't see the Magic beating the Cavs or the Celtics.
4. ATLANTA - There's the top three in the East, and then here on the second tier, the Hawks rule the roost. Mike Bibby and Joe Johnson are deadly from outside, making it easy for Al Horford and Josh Smith to have their nights. The Hawks took the Celts to the mat last year, and they're a better team this year.
5. MIAMI - Too soon to tell if the Jermaine O'Neal trade is going to work out for them, but Dwyane Wade has been proving nightly why he's one of the best in the league.
6. DETROIT - They're like the Spurs of the East, but with fewer rings. Until they get knocked out in the first round, it's foolish to sleep on the Pistons. And yet they're another year older, and the A.I.-Billups trade has worked out a lot better for the Nuggets than the Pistons. If they get the wrong match-up, they could easily be bounced in the first round.
7. INDIANA - Danny Granger's injury hurts them. Now is not the time for them to be dropping games they otherwise would win if their star player was healthy.
8. PHILADELPHIA - Elton Brand = free-agent bust. I thought it was a good move at the time, but it just didn't work out.
9. CHICAGO - I think the trades they've made helps them this year. Brad Miller's back in his old stomping ground, John Salmons boosts the backcourt (in fact, they now have the luxury of a clogged backcourt), and they'll be in better shape salary-wise down the road.
10. MILKWAUKEE - Had they been healthy all year, they'd be pencilled in for at least a seventh seed in the playoffs, but alas, the Injury Bug has bitten often. I didn't expect much noise from them at the trade deadline. This summer is when more important decisions will be made.
11. NEW JERSEY - The Nets added by not subtracting. They needed more front-court help, but if they'd jettisoned Vince Carter, they would have sent the signal they're giving up on making the playoffs. Devin Harris and Vince Carter have proven to be a deadly backcourt duo, but I think it'd be good for the young players on the team to experience the playoffs again, even if it's a first-round stomping.
12. NEW YORK - They kept David Lee and added Larry Hughes, who can make up for a bit of the scoring they lost when they traded away Jamal Crawford. The playoffs are still a possibility; in fact, a realistic possibility, as Chris Wilcox can be that seventh-eighth guy, where Malik Rose couldn't.
13. TORONTO - Maybe Marion can give them a boost, but it's going to take a lot of luck for them to make it to the eighth seed. I think Chris Bosh is just going to play out his contract and skedaddle in 2010. Which means Marion is a priority re-sign this summer.
14. CHARLOTTE - When your head coach is in his late 60's, do you really want to continue in rebuilding mode? And yet, whoever the eighth seed is will have a losing record, so they still have a chance. A small small chance.
15. WASHINGTON - Thanks for nothing, Agent Zero.
Western
1. L.A. LAKERS - Until they lost Andrew Bynum, they looked unstoppable for a return to the NBA Finals. But with Bynum out, and no Ronny Turiaf to fall back on, I guess they're hoping Josh Powell can give a little. Getting rid of Radmanovic means Lamar Odom gets more time. I don't see the Lakers losing the #1 seed, but it might be closer that it would have been had Bynum not gone down.
2. SAN ANTONIO - They're pacing themselves. This is what the Spurs do. They bounce around in the middle of the pack for a while and then their winning trajectory slowly goes up, and then they have a great April and become that team no one wants to face. Too bad they couldn't pull off the Vince Carter trade though.
3. NEW ORLEANS - Awkwaaaard. Tyson Chandler was gone, and this team instantly became a first-round exit. But now Chandler is back. If he can stay healthy, they're deadly. If his turf toe or other injuries sideline him, well, the Hornets have a great starting five but they're still not that deep. Chris Paul will singlehandedly win them some game, and it'll be considered a disappointment if they don't at least make the second round.
4. DENVER - All hail Chauncey Billups. This talented team just needed the right leader, and they found him. He turned Nene into a beast, he made Kenyon Martin relevant again, but most importantly, he helped Carmelo get his numbers and win at the same time.
5. UTAH - They beat the Lakers and Celtics without Carlos Boozer, and now they get him back. As long as injuries finally leave them alone, they should be scary good in the playoffs. The trouble is they still need to prove they can win on the road. Injuries can be blamed to a degree for their 9-17 road record, but really, they've lost a lot of games in single digits they should have won. D-Will's playing like he takes it personally he wasn't invited to All-Star weekend, which is a good thing.
6. PORTLAND - They have the pieces in place. They'll scare someone in the first round, but I don't see much beyond that. Next year, though, look out.
7. HOUSTON - It seems like the Rockets and the Suns are fighting to avoid the playoffs, but I see Yao Ming keeping his team in it. They lose T-Mac for the year, they traded Rafer Alston for Kyle Lowry... yeah, I see them trading T-Mac in the summer for some pieces, and doubling-down on Aaron Brooks.
8. DALLAS - Thanks to the events in Houston and Phoenix, this is the lowest seed I see the Mavs getting in the playoffs. They had a rough start to the season, but it's come together nicely as of late.
9. PHOENIX - They didn't trade Amare Stoudamire but they lost him for the remainder of the regular season anyway. I don't think Steve Nash, Shaquille O'Neal and Jason Richardson are going to be enough to get them out of ninth place, which is where they sit now.
10. GOLDEN STATE - Irrelevant. They'll score in bunches and might get an occasional upset, but without a strong point guard, they're like a bunch of Gungans running around in circles.
11. MINNESOTA - Kevin McHale's been an improvement as coach, but losing Al Jefferson for the year means another season hoping they land in the top three in the lottery.
12. MEMPHIS - Giving away Kyle Lowry for a pick at the bottom of the first round doesn't seem too smart.
13. L.A. CLIPPERS - I wonder if Baron Davis lays awake night going, "Yes, I have my millions, but am I really going to be stuck as a Clipper for the rest of my career?"
14. OKLAHOMA CITY - Tyson Chandler would have been a nice boost for a hopeful future. How happy could Thunder fans possibly be that they wound up with Malik Rose instead?
15. SACRAMENTO - Well, they still have Kevin Martin... and that's about it.
Monday, February 2, 2009
A super Super Bowl
Two good Super Bowls in a row? Wow. Growing up I remember more often than not, the Super Bowl was a blow-out. Sometimes that'd be cool, like watching Joe Montana and the 49ers pile on John Elway and the Broncos to the tune of 55-10, but if they were two teams I didn't care much about, it made the whole thing anticlimactic. I think that's one factor why Super Bowl commercials became so big. Some years they really were more entertaining than the game.
At my house, we wound up rooting for the Cardinals. It's an underdog thing. And for me, I still feel like the Steelers stole one from the Seahawks three years ago. We cheered widly when Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner looked like they pulled off the upset of the year. And the Cards were two inches away from getting a second safety in the game. But you have to hand it to Big Ben. The Steelers defense has been touted all year but they needed their offense to get the win.
At my house, we wound up rooting for the Cardinals. It's an underdog thing. And for me, I still feel like the Steelers stole one from the Seahawks three years ago. We cheered widly when Larry Fitzgerald and Kurt Warner looked like they pulled off the upset of the year. And the Cards were two inches away from getting a second safety in the game. But you have to hand it to Big Ben. The Steelers defense has been touted all year but they needed their offense to get the win.
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Jazz injury woes continue
The Utah Jazz have played 43 games, have a record of 25-18, and are currently 7th in the West. This is remarkable considering the amounts of games their players have missed:
Carlos Boozer - 31 games
Deron Williams - 13 games
Mehmet Okur - 8 games
Paul Millsap - 6 games
Andrei Kirilenko - 5 games
Ronnie Brewer - 1 game
CJ Miles - 3 games
Kyle Korver - 4 games
Matt Harpring - 14 games
Brevin Knight - 6 games
Boozer and Williams have only played two games together. They have yet to play a game with their top seven players all healthy.
Now their pattern now seems to be following what it's been the past year or two. Win at home (17-4), lose on the road (8-14). They'yre still only 3 games out of 2nd int he West, and this is a team that need home-court advantage. If Boozer can come back for the last 25-30 games of the season, they'll be a force, and with half of their roster becoming free agents this summer, this is the year they need to make a splash.
Carlos Boozer - 31 games
Deron Williams - 13 games
Mehmet Okur - 8 games
Paul Millsap - 6 games
Andrei Kirilenko - 5 games
Ronnie Brewer - 1 game
CJ Miles - 3 games
Kyle Korver - 4 games
Matt Harpring - 14 games
Brevin Knight - 6 games
Boozer and Williams have only played two games together. They have yet to play a game with their top seven players all healthy.
Now their pattern now seems to be following what it's been the past year or two. Win at home (17-4), lose on the road (8-14). They'yre still only 3 games out of 2nd int he West, and this is a team that need home-court advantage. If Boozer can come back for the last 25-30 games of the season, they'll be a force, and with half of their roster becoming free agents this summer, this is the year they need to make a splash.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Utah beats Alabama, exposes BCS
NOW can we get a playoff system for college football? Can you imagine the NFL looking at the teams that made the playoffs and just saying, "Okay, we'll have the Titans play the Giants, and that will be the champion. The rest of you, thanks for your efforts."
The Utah Utes are the only undefeated college football team out there. They beat schools from three different BCS conferences. They deserve to at least be co-champions with whoever wins the Florida-Oklahoma game. It still amazes me that the champion for college football more closely resembles judging for ice-skating than the NFL.
Every year there's debate over who the best teams are, who should be national champions. End the debate and have a playoff system. It's stupid every year we say "This team should have had a shot" and then someone who disagress can bring up stats and tradition and whatever, but that's just it. It's debate. It's an intellectual exercise. It's not a real way to determine a football champion.
The Utah Utes are the only undefeated college football team out there. They beat schools from three different BCS conferences. They deserve to at least be co-champions with whoever wins the Florida-Oklahoma game. It still amazes me that the champion for college football more closely resembles judging for ice-skating than the NFL.
Every year there's debate over who the best teams are, who should be national champions. End the debate and have a playoff system. It's stupid every year we say "This team should have had a shot" and then someone who disagress can bring up stats and tradition and whatever, but that's just it. It's debate. It's an intellectual exercise. It's not a real way to determine a football champion.
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