Oden and Durant bad for the NBA?






Don't be intimidated by my photo shopping ability. In case you couldn't tell, those are horns and that is in direct retaliation to the fire and brimstone being spewed by NBA analysts from the East coast.

I understand that everyone has a bias in some way shape or form. It come come up due to location, religion, race, gender, etc. But, I am somewhat surprised to the reaction of two great players coming to the Pacific Northwest. I understand that the East is weak and that these players could help the right side of the coast out but top picks don't guarantee anything. Drafting is always a crap shoot and who knows how good these kids will turn out. Rather than point a finger at bad coaching and management, people will continue to bring up luck amongst other excuses.

My take you ask? I say be happy we might bring more attention to the sport we love. I also say be happy that basketball in Seattle might be saved. The NBA just needs to make sure to get these kids on TV for the East coasters of the world and make sure they market them as much as possible along with their other young stars. Also East Coasters, stop referring to Seattle as an afterthought in terms of big markets. I seem to recall a lot of people enjoying the exploits of the reign man and the glove not too long ago.

Save the Sonics!



Being born and raised in Phoenix, the only real tie I have to the Sonics is on a rivalry basis. I always respected their teams and I grew up as a great fan of Gary Payton. I remember running around on the basketball court at ten with my bright green GP jersey on. I have recently moved to the Seattle area and the future of the team is uncertain. I can't imagine my Suns potentially moving to Oklahoma City after I've spent years cheering my heart out for them in the good times and the bad. There is hope now that it looks like Kevin Durant will be playing here and if management is smart and can work a deal for Rashard Lewis, things could be looking up very quickly. People in the area are fighting for their Sonics and I know I want to watch NBA on a yearly basis and I feel all of their pain. So, I think everyone that cares about the NBA or basketball needs to go to Save our Sonics and let their voices be known. I understand the state's perspective on potentially overtaxing people due to the numerous arenas in recent years but they need to think about the history involved here with the most successful team in Seattle sports history.

Joakim Noah Under the Spotlight




While I will have some interest in the remainder of the postseason, I would be lying if I said that it was still very interesting considering the fact that the Suns have been eliminated. The horror!!

I'm better now...

Well, my mind has drifted off to draft land once again and if lady luck is with the Suns, they can land an upper tier lottery pick. Then again, the Hawks could end up with a top three pick and the Suns disappointment will just keep on rolling. Besides my pessimism, I've been trying to figure out the best fit for the Suns. I've looked at everyone from Yi Jianlian to Corey Brewer. One thing keeps coming up in studying the draft that somewhat irks me is the consensus on Joakim Noah right now.

By all accounts, had Joakim Noah declared last year for the draft, he would have been the first pick. He was the MVP of the tournament last year and scouts were declaring him either a taller Andrei Kirilenko, Tyson Chandler with a higher bball IQ or Marcus Camby with better distribution skills. Defying all logic at the time, Joakim returned to school to take another run at history. While he did the admirable thing, of course all this brought upon himself was a much brighter spotlight.

All scouts have pointed out is his lack of a jumpshot, his narrow shoulders that don't look like they could hold much more weight, his lack of a post game, etc. Where they see a lack of growth, they are not seeing what they have loved about him all along. He plays with incredible fire and is a vocal leader. He attacks the glass, runs the floor like a deer,plays great defense, handles the ball well and can distribute. His game will expand more and more once he gets out of the Florida system. He was lucky enough to play with some amazing talents but now his game can flourish and expand. Chad Ford and Jonathon Givony have reported how hard he is working out in California right now and the weight and jumpshot shouldn't be far behind with his fire.

My main point of contention with this is that he is being, and I am copyrighting this term, Leinarted. This also may have to become Quinned. Matt Leinart was passed on by team after team after he returned to USC for his senior year. Suddenly he was too slow and his arm wasn't strong enough. Teams like Oakland passed on him even though they needed a quarterback. Yes I know this is a football analogy but it is what comes to mind. All I am saying is that teams are overthinking everything with Joakim right now. How often do athletic seven footers that play their ass off every night come along? To top it off he is a leader and has a lot of charisma. I, for one, would love the Suns to get him and I think that any team that gets him will be lucky to have him.

Commissioner for a Day

All of this talk about rules and suspensions and then listening to David Stern made me realize that the NBA needs a change. While the league is making money annually, many fans are still being turned off by many things. If I were somehow handed the reigns for one day, how would I handle this? I've thought about this long and hard and here are my thoughts.

1) Clean Up the Officiating

While the NBA can continue to say they have the best officials in the world, we as fans know that is not correct. While we may have a bias towards our team, anybody that watches the games consistently will tell you that the only thing that is consistent about officiating in today's NBA is the inconsistency. It may be drastic but the NBA should rid itself of all the officials that have been working for an extended period of time. They are jaded by the game and the money and new blood needs to be implemented. I say look to the NBDL, College and Europe for officials. I tell them to call the game down the middle and to not think about how famous a certain player is. Also, I understand the playoffs are more intense so they should let them play but anything that is over the line means automatic ejection, (cough,cough, Bruce Bowen). Here are some other rules within the game that I would change:

A) Flopping should be an offense. We don't want the league to go all futbol on us. I say if you flop once, you get a warning. If you do it again, it is a technical and the other team gets a foul shot.

B) A travel is a travel. I understand you can't call them all but it would be nice to see the league not allow players to dance all over the floor. These guys have been playing forever and should understand that three or four steps or picking up your pivot foot is not allowed.

C) The bench fight rule should still remain but it should be clarified. If players leave the bench and touch anyone or get in anyone's face, they are suspended one game. As coach Mike and Bill Simmons stated, it is human nature to want to be there for your friends and teammates.

D) Complaining should be allowed to a point. It is fine to be emotional but not after every call that goes against you. Also, superstars should not be devoid of T's just due to their status.

2) Hire all new Advertising and PR people for the league. While the league continues to pump out video of the game in the 50's accompanied by music from 1985, it just makes me feel they have no idea who their demographic is. The league is full of young and hip people that should be put to the forefront of everything. Allow their personalities to shine and allow them to wear what they want on the sidelines. Highlight them in commercials and create new video packages with modern players and updated music. We should never forget our past but we need to highlight what is good about the present and future as well.

3) Change the arena environment. I'm fine with the big introductions but I'm tired of the dancers and the music being played during the game. I want to hear the crowd "ooo" and "ahh" and I want to hear them boo the enemy and cheer on the home team. You go to a game to let loose and scream, not to be told when to cheer and to have to yell over Guns N Roses.

This is all I can think of right now that really bothers me about the game. I love basketball but I feel that the NBA allows politics and money to get in front of the essence of the game. It's time to get the corrupt feel out of everything and to allow the fans to really know the players and have a more enjoyable game experience.

Catching Up With Bad Predictions!

Awards are being passed out in the NBA just about every day right now and I thought it would be a good time to look back at my predictions and see how things turned out.

Rookie of the Year Prediction: Adam Morrison

Rookie of the Year Winner: Brandon Roy

Morrison seemed like a safe pick at the beginning of the season because the Bobcats needed someone to market and someone that could score. Unfortunately, neither has been the case thus far for Ammo.

Roy was supposed to be the safest pick in the draft and he looks more and more like it every day. He is poised and versatile and you can't have enough players like that in the modern NBA.


MIP Prediction: Josh Smith

MIP Winner: Monta Ellis

While Josh had a good year and showed those flashes of brilliance at the end of the year, Monta was a surprise to almost everyone. He brought that Allen Iverson type little man scoring to the table nightly. He should only continue to improve in Nellie's uptempo style.


Defensive Player of the Year Prediction: AK47

Defensive Player of the Year: Marcus Camby

I picked one often injured player to win while another won. It's sad that AK isn't getting minutes at the four where he could flourish as a weak-side defender. Hopefully he ends up on a team where he can because Boozer is the man in Utah from here on out.

As for Marcus, I'm happy that he was healthy for a year and was able to showcase his immense shot blocking ability.


Coach of the Year Prediction: Brian Hill

Coach of the Year Winner: Sam Mitchell

The Magic made the playoffs but underachieved and Brian may be on the way out. Sam looked like he was on the way out but ended up having a great year. There is still the perception out there he isn't a great coach and I know Iavaroni is high on their wish list. How crazy would it be to see a coach of the year in the D league the year after?

6th Man of the Year Prediction: Leandro Barbosa

6th Man of the Year Winner: Leandro Barbosa


It's been a pleasure to watch Leandro grow into a star over the years and I'm so happy that he achieved this award. I only hope he can give the Spurs troubles like he did to most of the league.


As for MVP and the Finals, it looks like it may be Dirk but it has not been announced yet and the Suns are alive but we all know the Heat aren't going back. So, it looks like I ended up with one right! YES! I'll be back with more playoff and award chatter later.