Uh-Oh!
Write it down, stamp it, seal it and call your grandma and tell her that Derrick Rose is ROY.
Monday, December 01, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
Crawford for Harrington??
I saw this trade come through on the wire and I don't know what to think. I can somewhat see this from Golden State's standpoint being that Crawford can fill it up and we all know that Nellie likes him some runnin and gunnin. Then again, they have been playing well and the time that players like Anthony Morrow is getting right now is so valuable. Hopefully this won't disrupt team chemistry too much and they can continue to spread the wealth. This will either go very well for them or very bad and I don't really see an in-between. This could be a dynamic back court with Crawford and Ellis running the show, Maggette and Jackson on the wings and Latvian rebounding machine manning the middle. Or this will turn into Crawford gunning too much, Ellis being pissed about a lesser team role, Maggette's leg falling off and Jackson stabbing somebody. Stay tuned...
As for the Knicks, this has to be strictly a salary move. Maybe they just looked around and said, "@#$% it". This means less minutes for David Lee and can someone explain to me why he isn't playing? Is it because he doesn't have a good enough J for coach D? Also, this means more Nate Robinson and I think that is frightening. This is more of a salary cap move than anything else and if I'm the Knicks and I continue to stink, does a great city really justify a high profile signing?
What are you thoughts Knicks and Warriors fans if there are any out there that read the blog?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Al Holy Horford!
Cruising around the boxscores last night, I came across an insane line. Al Horford had 27 points, 17 rebounds and 6 blocks. He got more looks with Josh Smith being out but Horford has produced more than I thought he would coming out of college. I knew he was talented and had an NBA body but of the big three from Florida (I can't stop saying "big three"!), I thought that Noah would be the best pro and that Brewer could even end up being better than big Al in the end. Boy was I wrong.
While Al continues to rack up double-doubles, Noah just drinks and smokes pot in the streets and Corey Brewer, last I checked, still weighs 111 pounds. This could all turn around of course with a little maturation. Al was obviously ahead of the game physically and is off to an early lead in NBA success among the Florida boys. We'll see how it all turns out but Al is the anchor of an undefeated team and his success needs to be recognized.
-Aaron
Cruising around the boxscores last night, I came across an insane line. Al Horford had 27 points, 17 rebounds and 6 blocks. He got more looks with Josh Smith being out but Horford has produced more than I thought he would coming out of college. I knew he was talented and had an NBA body but of the big three from Florida (I can't stop saying "big three"!), I thought that Noah would be the best pro and that Brewer could even end up being better than big Al in the end. Boy was I wrong.
While Al continues to rack up double-doubles, Noah just drinks and smokes pot in the streets and Corey Brewer, last I checked, still weighs 111 pounds. This could all turn around of course with a little maturation. Al was obviously ahead of the game physically and is off to an early lead in NBA success among the Florida boys. We'll see how it all turns out but Al is the anchor of an undefeated team and his success needs to be recognized.
-Aaron
NEW SHOW IN TOWN
I was quite excited for my first serving of "Fan Night" on NBATV. A matchup of two of the best teams in the league and a clear choice of the best game of the night - by the fans. Not that I was not flipping over to the amazingly entertaining matchup of the Spurs and Knicks... because I wasn't.
Frankly I really wasn't watching that much of the Lakers and Mavs either, because even though I was, I could not wait to get back to the studio crew of Ahmad Rashād, Gary Payton and Chris Webber.
As much as I love the crew of Chuck, Kenny and Erny, I have never been as captivated as I was by the riveting smack flowing back and forth between The Glove and C-Webb, not to mention the greatest unintentional humor of Rashād trying to keep up. Which is the nice way of me saying Rashād had not been blacker since he popped out of the womb.
Charles may have moves, but GP is a bad Mo'Fo.
Listening to GP and C-Webb do the highlights, was in fact the highlight of my evening. GP had a constant chirp to him. Making sounds I had never heard telecast. While C-Webb could have been called C-Smooth. Offering up a dose of truth to each of The Glove's indiscernible calls.
Whoooooooo... Oh na, son... Oh na... Why you trying to block dat? Why even jump? What you thinkin? No business... dont you know who dat is?
(what i was able to make of GP)
Throwing it down like a man. Cause thats how a man does it.
(C-Webb offered, making me realize Lebron dunking was a life lesson)
I have never asked for much in life, but I remember a Christmas wish list back in 1995 where all I wanted was Sports Center to be done on BET... Well, thanks to NBATV, I did not even have to fake cancer.
Rob McElhenney is going to hell...
I could go on and on about Rashād slinging jive and suddenly acquiring a slur of the street, but really that would be a detractor from the beauty that is the chemistry between GP and C-Webb. How no general manager had the where with all to match these two is beyond me; from the description of New York's salary cap struggles and doomed breakdown of Eddy Curry to their top ten highlight analysis, my life is forever changed in the best way.
Thank you NBATV - See you next Tuesday...
- PALKA
I was quite excited for my first serving of "Fan Night" on NBATV. A matchup of two of the best teams in the league and a clear choice of the best game of the night - by the fans. Not that I was not flipping over to the amazingly entertaining matchup of the Spurs and Knicks... because I wasn't.
Frankly I really wasn't watching that much of the Lakers and Mavs either, because even though I was, I could not wait to get back to the studio crew of Ahmad Rashād, Gary Payton and Chris Webber.
As much as I love the crew of Chuck, Kenny and Erny, I have never been as captivated as I was by the riveting smack flowing back and forth between The Glove and C-Webb, not to mention the greatest unintentional humor of Rashād trying to keep up. Which is the nice way of me saying Rashād had not been blacker since he popped out of the womb.
Charles may have moves, but GP is a bad Mo'Fo.
Listening to GP and C-Webb do the highlights, was in fact the highlight of my evening. GP had a constant chirp to him. Making sounds I had never heard telecast. While C-Webb could have been called C-Smooth. Offering up a dose of truth to each of The Glove's indiscernible calls.
Whoooooooo... Oh na, son... Oh na... Why you trying to block dat? Why even jump? What you thinkin? No business... dont you know who dat is?
(what i was able to make of GP)
Throwing it down like a man. Cause thats how a man does it.
(C-Webb offered, making me realize Lebron dunking was a life lesson)
I have never asked for much in life, but I remember a Christmas wish list back in 1995 where all I wanted was Sports Center to be done on BET... Well, thanks to NBATV, I did not even have to fake cancer.
Rob McElhenney is going to hell...
I could go on and on about Rashād slinging jive and suddenly acquiring a slur of the street, but really that would be a detractor from the beauty that is the chemistry between GP and C-Webb. How no general manager had the where with all to match these two is beyond me; from the description of New York's salary cap struggles and doomed breakdown of Eddy Curry to their top ten highlight analysis, my life is forever changed in the best way.
Thank you NBATV - See you next Tuesday...
- PALKA
Monday, November 10, 2008
ROY???
No disrespect intended here but I didn't think OJ Mayo would produce like this, this quickly. I've gotten so caught up in the rightful hype of Derrick Rose and Mike Beasley that I drifted away from OJ. I have followed OJ closely for years as the child prodigy from West Virginia that was playing varsity ball as an 8th grader. I think after hearing about questionable attitude issues, switching schools and then going to LA, I thought he had gotten too big for himself.
Then stories started leaking out about his work ethic at USC being exceptional and the same thing was echoed during workouts and by coach Mike in Memphis currently. His numbers are backing up the hype as well. The last three games, he's put up 28, 20 and 31 points. I understand that they were playing teams like Golden State and Sac Town but those are impressive numbers nonetheless. It's an early season but he's averaging 19 on the season and shooting a respectable 44%. At the end of the year, he may not win ROY but he should be in consideration and I wouldn't be shocked at all if he keeps putting up numbers like he is. He'll get plenty of time on a bad Memphis team to showcase his all around game.
-Aaron
No disrespect intended here but I didn't think OJ Mayo would produce like this, this quickly. I've gotten so caught up in the rightful hype of Derrick Rose and Mike Beasley that I drifted away from OJ. I have followed OJ closely for years as the child prodigy from West Virginia that was playing varsity ball as an 8th grader. I think after hearing about questionable attitude issues, switching schools and then going to LA, I thought he had gotten too big for himself.
Then stories started leaking out about his work ethic at USC being exceptional and the same thing was echoed during workouts and by coach Mike in Memphis currently. His numbers are backing up the hype as well. The last three games, he's put up 28, 20 and 31 points. I understand that they were playing teams like Golden State and Sac Town but those are impressive numbers nonetheless. It's an early season but he's averaging 19 on the season and shooting a respectable 44%. At the end of the year, he may not win ROY but he should be in consideration and I wouldn't be shocked at all if he keeps putting up numbers like he is. He'll get plenty of time on a bad Memphis team to showcase his all around game.
-Aaron
Sunday, November 09, 2008
The Spanish Inquisition
I've sat back and watched in amazement as the game I love so much has grown on a world wide scale. It never ceases to amaze me how players from all corners of the globe end up in the NBA with the longest of shots and they not only make it but they succeed. I remember watching in amazement as players from outside our soil like Dirk or Manu not only did well but played at an All-Star level in the NBA and proved that region does not designate aptitude on the playing court. For years, the Argentineans proved this as much as anybody but right now, Spain is taking the torch from all comers as the top country in the world outside the good ol' USA that is producing basketball talent.
We all have seen the exploits of Pau Gasol but they are so many other players that have done well for themselves on the NBA hardwood. Jose Calderon finally got the starting nod in Toronto and he's averaging a nifty 16 and 10 per game thus far in the great white north. Down in Memphis, Pau's brother Marc is averaging 10 and 8 on the season and had a monster game against Golden State in which he put up 27 an 16. Up here in the Pacific Northwest, Rudy Fernandez picked right back up where he left off in the Olympics and is averaging 14 points a game playing along side fellow countryman Sergio Rodriguez.
Now, this may not seem rare as we've seen waves of talent come from regions like Serbia, Lithuania, Brazil, the aforementioned Argentina, Italy, etc. Some hot prospects come out but as you've seen in recent times, new countries emerge as a hotbed of talent and it seems that the big names from those given regions dry up over time. What began with Pau seven-years ago is just getting bigger. Rudy and Marc just came to the States and the upcoming class of players looks very strong as well.
Ricky is tall!
I've mentioned and awed at the exploits and poise of Ricky Rubio and he showcased this in the Olympics. He could very well be a number one pick once he comes out and any team that grabs him is getting something truly special. Beyond Ricky though, you have fantastic players on the horizon like Victor Claver, Sergio Lull and Pablo Aguilar. All this talent in a large but not quite that large region got me thinking, why is there SO much talent in a small pool?
I think all of this can be traced back to their own shores. In 1992, the original Dream Team was created and the world took notice. In Barcelona, people were able to watch all time great players like MJ, Barkley, Magic and Stockton take center court and dominate. It was awe inspiring as a fan but I could also imagine seeing it for the first time. Imagine the first time you saw Jordan levitate, or Magic no look somebody. Those things resonate forever and they obviously did with the Spanish people as well. It can be no real surprise to anyone either that the ACB league in Spain is the hardest in the world to play in outside the NBA and is also the most organized. While many, including myself may cringe at the image of David Stern, the Dream Team and his reach across borders was a brilliant concept that is paying off in spades now. They have structure and passion for basketball in Spain and the results are telling.
So, the next time you hear a Spaniard's name called during the draft or on Sportscenter, remember that this is just the beginning. Players will continue to roll in from around the globe but Spain will remain the second best country outside our borders at producing basketball talent. This may all change of course but for the time being, viva Espana!
-Aaron
I've sat back and watched in amazement as the game I love so much has grown on a world wide scale. It never ceases to amaze me how players from all corners of the globe end up in the NBA with the longest of shots and they not only make it but they succeed. I remember watching in amazement as players from outside our soil like Dirk or Manu not only did well but played at an All-Star level in the NBA and proved that region does not designate aptitude on the playing court. For years, the Argentineans proved this as much as anybody but right now, Spain is taking the torch from all comers as the top country in the world outside the good ol' USA that is producing basketball talent.
We all have seen the exploits of Pau Gasol but they are so many other players that have done well for themselves on the NBA hardwood. Jose Calderon finally got the starting nod in Toronto and he's averaging a nifty 16 and 10 per game thus far in the great white north. Down in Memphis, Pau's brother Marc is averaging 10 and 8 on the season and had a monster game against Golden State in which he put up 27 an 16. Up here in the Pacific Northwest, Rudy Fernandez picked right back up where he left off in the Olympics and is averaging 14 points a game playing along side fellow countryman Sergio Rodriguez.
Now, this may not seem rare as we've seen waves of talent come from regions like Serbia, Lithuania, Brazil, the aforementioned Argentina, Italy, etc. Some hot prospects come out but as you've seen in recent times, new countries emerge as a hotbed of talent and it seems that the big names from those given regions dry up over time. What began with Pau seven-years ago is just getting bigger. Rudy and Marc just came to the States and the upcoming class of players looks very strong as well.
Ricky is tall!
I've mentioned and awed at the exploits and poise of Ricky Rubio and he showcased this in the Olympics. He could very well be a number one pick once he comes out and any team that grabs him is getting something truly special. Beyond Ricky though, you have fantastic players on the horizon like Victor Claver, Sergio Lull and Pablo Aguilar. All this talent in a large but not quite that large region got me thinking, why is there SO much talent in a small pool?
I think all of this can be traced back to their own shores. In 1992, the original Dream Team was created and the world took notice. In Barcelona, people were able to watch all time great players like MJ, Barkley, Magic and Stockton take center court and dominate. It was awe inspiring as a fan but I could also imagine seeing it for the first time. Imagine the first time you saw Jordan levitate, or Magic no look somebody. Those things resonate forever and they obviously did with the Spanish people as well. It can be no real surprise to anyone either that the ACB league in Spain is the hardest in the world to play in outside the NBA and is also the most organized. While many, including myself may cringe at the image of David Stern, the Dream Team and his reach across borders was a brilliant concept that is paying off in spades now. They have structure and passion for basketball in Spain and the results are telling.
So, the next time you hear a Spaniard's name called during the draft or on Sportscenter, remember that this is just the beginning. Players will continue to roll in from around the globe but Spain will remain the second best country outside our borders at producing basketball talent. This may all change of course but for the time being, viva Espana!
-Aaron
Saturday, November 08, 2008
POSTED BY PALKA
When not shooting kids, Al Powell/Carl Winslow loves eating twinkies. Deep fried.
FLAT FEET SYNDROME
Playing on your heels... Playing like you enjoyed election night a little too much...
Playing with FLAT FEET.
At what point as a coach do you just acknowledge your team does not have it for the night?
NEVER.
On Friday night, the Suns were Sgt. Al Powell, a desk jockey. A flat footed squad unqualified for the court.
Watching the game on Season Pass, I had no problem sacrificing a night on the town to listen to Stacey King, Neil Funk, and Ronny Garretson's whistle. (No, really, Stat just went to the line again.) They called a decent game, if not a cultural mash-up as King continued to sing Ludicrous while Rose threw it down on Leandro Barbosa, a man who looks lost if not bewildered as to what his role is with the "new" old Suns, and Funk wanted to bring back Johnny Cash, I suppose to match the dark sleep Phoenix conceded to on the third game of a four game Eastern Conference road swing.
That was disgusting.
Not to be deterred, and believing Stacey's proclamation that the Suns are not a team you sleep on, I stuck around to watch a game that pushed every one of my basketball passion buttons.
I understand sometimes it just is not your night. I understand when another team is shooting the lights out, there is not a lot you can do. What I do not understand is the Flat Feet Syndrome which can completely sabotage a team. Where does the hunger go? Where is the pride?
It is not by good fortune that every loose ball is going to one side, it is that only one side wants that loose ball. Only one side cares. Nothing is more infuriating to see.
At one point, I saw Raja Bell get mad. He pulled up hit a three, and tried to stoke the flames of a melancholy squad. When that fell short, after the 200th turnover of the night, he dove in at Rose's body on an extremely frustrated reach in, but a poignant effort to say he would not quit, even if short 20 points. His attempts to ignite the pride in his squad, though, fell on deaf ear. This was a night of Flat Feet. A night the Suns feel short of the qualifications needed to participate on a professional level.
In a 3rd quarter interview Kerr excused the team. "There will be nights like this while we transition" (to paraphrase). Funk, the Bulls play-by-play was more critical, saying he never liked Terry Porter's offense.
Frankly, what I saw had little to do with the sets; it had little to do with new rotations. It had all to do with effort, and the Suns gave none.
To come home with a split would be a major let down, after starting off 2-0 on this swing. And, yes, I realize they are only 6 games deep in the season, but I refuse to be so cynical as to just accept that "there will be nights like this".
Terry Porter was a fierce competitor, and that attitude needs to be a foundation in this squad if they wish to take on the likes of Los Angeles, a team that does not seem to be taking any nights off. As Porter brings his squad into Milwaukee, his former stomping grounds, on the second night of a double header, and last game of the swing, lets all pay attention to the energy level. Lets watch to see if the squad reacts with a determined first quarter, playing on their toes, and going for each ball as if it were theirs. Set the tone early, Terry. Instill the nightly passion that you played with and do not let this veteran laden team be satisfied at any moment.
Flat feet syndrome... be gone.
When not shooting kids, Al Powell/Carl Winslow loves eating twinkies. Deep fried.
FLAT FEET SYNDROME
Playing on your heels... Playing like you enjoyed election night a little too much...
Playing with FLAT FEET.
At what point as a coach do you just acknowledge your team does not have it for the night?
NEVER.
On Friday night, the Suns were Sgt. Al Powell, a desk jockey. A flat footed squad unqualified for the court.
Watching the game on Season Pass, I had no problem sacrificing a night on the town to listen to Stacey King, Neil Funk, and Ronny Garretson's whistle. (No, really, Stat just went to the line again.) They called a decent game, if not a cultural mash-up as King continued to sing Ludicrous while Rose threw it down on Leandro Barbosa, a man who looks lost if not bewildered as to what his role is with the "new" old Suns, and Funk wanted to bring back Johnny Cash, I suppose to match the dark sleep Phoenix conceded to on the third game of a four game Eastern Conference road swing.
That was disgusting.
Not to be deterred, and believing Stacey's proclamation that the Suns are not a team you sleep on, I stuck around to watch a game that pushed every one of my basketball passion buttons.
I understand sometimes it just is not your night. I understand when another team is shooting the lights out, there is not a lot you can do. What I do not understand is the Flat Feet Syndrome which can completely sabotage a team. Where does the hunger go? Where is the pride?
It is not by good fortune that every loose ball is going to one side, it is that only one side wants that loose ball. Only one side cares. Nothing is more infuriating to see.
At one point, I saw Raja Bell get mad. He pulled up hit a three, and tried to stoke the flames of a melancholy squad. When that fell short, after the 200th turnover of the night, he dove in at Rose's body on an extremely frustrated reach in, but a poignant effort to say he would not quit, even if short 20 points. His attempts to ignite the pride in his squad, though, fell on deaf ear. This was a night of Flat Feet. A night the Suns feel short of the qualifications needed to participate on a professional level.
In a 3rd quarter interview Kerr excused the team. "There will be nights like this while we transition" (to paraphrase). Funk, the Bulls play-by-play was more critical, saying he never liked Terry Porter's offense.
Frankly, what I saw had little to do with the sets; it had little to do with new rotations. It had all to do with effort, and the Suns gave none.
To come home with a split would be a major let down, after starting off 2-0 on this swing. And, yes, I realize they are only 6 games deep in the season, but I refuse to be so cynical as to just accept that "there will be nights like this".
Terry Porter was a fierce competitor, and that attitude needs to be a foundation in this squad if they wish to take on the likes of Los Angeles, a team that does not seem to be taking any nights off. As Porter brings his squad into Milwaukee, his former stomping grounds, on the second night of a double header, and last game of the swing, lets all pay attention to the energy level. Lets watch to see if the squad reacts with a determined first quarter, playing on their toes, and going for each ball as if it were theirs. Set the tone early, Terry. Instill the nightly passion that you played with and do not let this veteran laden team be satisfied at any moment.
Flat feet syndrome... be gone.
Tuesday, November 04, 2008
Iverson on the Go!
Well, the Billups move happened much sooner than I anticipated. I thought I would look sharp if he were moved later in the year but I didn't see this one coming at all. I've sat back and watched initial reactions and thought about it myself. I think initially, this trade helps Denver. They needed a steady hand to right the ship and Chauncey can more than do that with his experience and abilities. Iverson will provide scoring but I don't really know if I like his dynamic on that team. Detroit is built upon team first and selfless play and even though AI plays his heart out, I still see him wanting and needing to be that number one guy. This move was really made for down the road though. This gives Stuckey a chance to shine and ensures that Maxiell and Johnson get the burn they need to develop their skills. This also gives Detroit a shot at free agency come 2010. So, Denver will shine now but if the youngins' get it done and grow and a big name free agent comes to Michigan, they will look like the big winners down the road.
-Aaron
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
The New Season is Here! The New Season is Here!
With the new season upon us, it's time to move ahead, wash away memories of last season and start anew. With these new changes comes a little different format. Beyond just writing more, I will be going back and forth with my best basketball buddy on the planet, John. We will co-write some pieces, have our own posts, or just respond to one another. If anything, it will be fun to actually print some of the discussions we have over cocktails. In this post, I will give my predictions on various awards and champs and John will respond with his thoughts as well. Let the discussions and season begin! FINALLY!
Lets start out with some seeding predictions for the East and West.
West
1. Lake Show - While I hate to do this with an admitted bias, I must. They all seemed to gel well and with less pressure on Kobe and a healthy Bynum back, they should be really tough to beat. The only thing that could come back to haunt them is the hectic schedule Kobe has been playing with. He's too proud to sit and his body may be feeling it come April.
2. Hornets - This team needs health to survive and potentially win it all but what team doesn't? CP3 will only be better which is scary, Chandler and Wright should continue to improve and the addition of Posey provides insurance if Peja somehow hurts his back due to too much hair gel.
3. Jazz - The Jazz should be playing sweet Jazz flute ala Ron Burgondy. Williams and Boozer will still be a force but they have great depth with a healthy and fit Okur, an improving Ronnie Brewer and the junk man AK47.
4. Rockets - This is a team that will show flashes early but injuries will haunt them in the end. Artest may stay healthy physically, not mentally, but that doesn't mean that T Mac and Yao will still be there with him. At some point they will be proclaimed the best team in all the land and they will fade come playoff time due to the injuries I referenced. Also expect 1,000,000 references to the "Big 3" this year.
5. Spurs - They will go through some pains without Manu for sure but Pop and this smart bunch always find a way. They will cruise and turn it on come March like they always do.
6. Suns - This is another team that will struggle initially with a new style of play and personnel. Age can always be a factor but added depth and a coach that uses a bench will help these worries.
7. Blazers - This years sexy pick. Everybody and their mama has the Blazers being successful with their uber talented young core. They will have ups and downs but they will end up being somewhere in the middle as they learn more about the game and their team in general.
8. Dallas - They have slipped a lot and they regret the Devin Harris trade no matter what they say but they still have a lot of talent and Diop is back to help secure a weak defensive front line.
East
1. Boston - I don't expect a slip with KG and Paul Pierce around. They will be pushed nightly but they still have the "Big 3", I even said it, but they have depth even without Posey around. Losing him could hurt come playoff time but they will still own the regular season.
2. Philly - Take a good up and coming team and drop one of the best post players in the league on their roster and you get a much improved squad. They are a bit of a sexy pick this year too but it is hard to overlook their abundance of young talent ala Portland.
3. Detroit - This is a team that will struggle initially to find an identity. A new coach and new roles within the team will cause a little chaos, even for a team that knows one another so well. Just wait for a Chauncey Billups/Rodney Stuckey starting conversation come March. Just you wait...
4. Cleveland - Williams will help but Lebron will continue to run wild. If his Olympic play is an indication of things to come, watch out. This could be the season that not only makes him memorable but legendary.
5. Orlando - This team is still lean on point guards but Dwight Howard is still a force of nature.
6. Toronto - I expect a solid season from JO and an All-Star season from Chris Bosh and Calderon. They seem hungry and if Bargnani plays up to his potential, could be scary come playoff time.
7. Atlanta - This is a hit or miss pick. They will either play to their potential or injuries will catch up with Bibby and Speedy again and they will sorely miss the bench production of Childress.
8. Bulls - They will have a fun open style with Vinny in house and it should be fun to watch players like Rose, Thomas and Noah grow. Kirk should have a great year and I expect a big bounce back from Deng.
Champ??
I hate to admit it but I think that this is LA's year. If they stay healthy, there is no reason that they shouldn't be able to hang with any team on any given night. Kobe could fade and make this tough but he should have enough around him to help ease that burden.
Awards
MVP - This is Lebron's year all the way. He will put up 30, 7, and 7 and play much improved defense. If he gets rolling, the Cavs could be really tough to beat come playoff time.
Defensive Player of the Year - I am going out on a limb and picking a wild card here. I think Josh Smith takes it this year. If Atlanta makes the playoffs again and he puts up his insane numbers per the norm, he has to be in this discussion. He is a force when motivated.
Sixth Man - I am going out on a limb and taking Louis Williams here. He will put up big numbers off the bench in Philly and I see them as a top tier team in the East this season. All he needs is eyes on him when he plays which he will have now.
Most Improved Player - Andrew Bynum will walk away with this. He will be healthy and motivated on a very good team. This is his to lose.
Coach of the Year - This always seems to go to the coach that has a team that improves the most. Congrats Maurice Cheeks!
Rookie of the Year - I wouldn't normally go with a point guard but I think Rose will get the time and enough points to win this award and take it from Mike "Be Easy" Beasley.
With the new season upon us, it's time to move ahead, wash away memories of last season and start anew. With these new changes comes a little different format. Beyond just writing more, I will be going back and forth with my best basketball buddy on the planet, John. We will co-write some pieces, have our own posts, or just respond to one another. If anything, it will be fun to actually print some of the discussions we have over cocktails. In this post, I will give my predictions on various awards and champs and John will respond with his thoughts as well. Let the discussions and season begin! FINALLY!
Lets start out with some seeding predictions for the East and West.
West
1. Lake Show - While I hate to do this with an admitted bias, I must. They all seemed to gel well and with less pressure on Kobe and a healthy Bynum back, they should be really tough to beat. The only thing that could come back to haunt them is the hectic schedule Kobe has been playing with. He's too proud to sit and his body may be feeling it come April.
2. Hornets - This team needs health to survive and potentially win it all but what team doesn't? CP3 will only be better which is scary, Chandler and Wright should continue to improve and the addition of Posey provides insurance if Peja somehow hurts his back due to too much hair gel.
3. Jazz - The Jazz should be playing sweet Jazz flute ala Ron Burgondy. Williams and Boozer will still be a force but they have great depth with a healthy and fit Okur, an improving Ronnie Brewer and the junk man AK47.
4. Rockets - This is a team that will show flashes early but injuries will haunt them in the end. Artest may stay healthy physically, not mentally, but that doesn't mean that T Mac and Yao will still be there with him. At some point they will be proclaimed the best team in all the land and they will fade come playoff time due to the injuries I referenced. Also expect 1,000,000 references to the "Big 3" this year.
5. Spurs - They will go through some pains without Manu for sure but Pop and this smart bunch always find a way. They will cruise and turn it on come March like they always do.
6. Suns - This is another team that will struggle initially with a new style of play and personnel. Age can always be a factor but added depth and a coach that uses a bench will help these worries.
7. Blazers - This years sexy pick. Everybody and their mama has the Blazers being successful with their uber talented young core. They will have ups and downs but they will end up being somewhere in the middle as they learn more about the game and their team in general.
8. Dallas - They have slipped a lot and they regret the Devin Harris trade no matter what they say but they still have a lot of talent and Diop is back to help secure a weak defensive front line.
East
1. Boston - I don't expect a slip with KG and Paul Pierce around. They will be pushed nightly but they still have the "Big 3", I even said it, but they have depth even without Posey around. Losing him could hurt come playoff time but they will still own the regular season.
2. Philly - Take a good up and coming team and drop one of the best post players in the league on their roster and you get a much improved squad. They are a bit of a sexy pick this year too but it is hard to overlook their abundance of young talent ala Portland.
3. Detroit - This is a team that will struggle initially to find an identity. A new coach and new roles within the team will cause a little chaos, even for a team that knows one another so well. Just wait for a Chauncey Billups/Rodney Stuckey starting conversation come March. Just you wait...
4. Cleveland - Williams will help but Lebron will continue to run wild. If his Olympic play is an indication of things to come, watch out. This could be the season that not only makes him memorable but legendary.
5. Orlando - This team is still lean on point guards but Dwight Howard is still a force of nature.
6. Toronto - I expect a solid season from JO and an All-Star season from Chris Bosh and Calderon. They seem hungry and if Bargnani plays up to his potential, could be scary come playoff time.
7. Atlanta - This is a hit or miss pick. They will either play to their potential or injuries will catch up with Bibby and Speedy again and they will sorely miss the bench production of Childress.
8. Bulls - They will have a fun open style with Vinny in house and it should be fun to watch players like Rose, Thomas and Noah grow. Kirk should have a great year and I expect a big bounce back from Deng.
Champ??
I hate to admit it but I think that this is LA's year. If they stay healthy, there is no reason that they shouldn't be able to hang with any team on any given night. Kobe could fade and make this tough but he should have enough around him to help ease that burden.
Awards
MVP - This is Lebron's year all the way. He will put up 30, 7, and 7 and play much improved defense. If he gets rolling, the Cavs could be really tough to beat come playoff time.
Defensive Player of the Year - I am going out on a limb and picking a wild card here. I think Josh Smith takes it this year. If Atlanta makes the playoffs again and he puts up his insane numbers per the norm, he has to be in this discussion. He is a force when motivated.
Sixth Man - I am going out on a limb and taking Louis Williams here. He will put up big numbers off the bench in Philly and I see them as a top tier team in the East this season. All he needs is eyes on him when he plays which he will have now.
Most Improved Player - Andrew Bynum will walk away with this. He will be healthy and motivated on a very good team. This is his to lose.
Coach of the Year - This always seems to go to the coach that has a team that improves the most. Congrats Maurice Cheeks!
Rookie of the Year - I wouldn't normally go with a point guard but I think Rose will get the time and enough points to win this award and take it from Mike "Be Easy" Beasley.
Thursday, May 22, 2008
I'm Back!!
First of all, I want to apologize to the two people that read my blog for the long delay. I've had a ton of things going on in everyday life but I am alive and kicking and have many things on my mind. It may be a little Suns-centric but you understand the bias.
Coach Mike
My first thoughts go back to Mike D'Antoni. While I have always respected his offensive vision and class, I have to say that many of his coaching tactics had worn thin. While I appreciate the beauty of what the Suns offense once was, I had to come to a hard realization that it was never going to get us the ring. While we were quick, we were small and couldn't board or contest shots on the interior. Even with the speed we had on the exterior, our man-to-man defense was poor and while Shawn and Raja have the ability, it wasn't there every night. It also didn't hurt that coach Mike stubbornly played a short bench and refused to acquiesce to another teams style. This became increasingly more apparent watching Greg Popovich pick us apart systematically again and then watch the Spurs play various styles. I wish coach Mike the best of luck but a lot of these issues will come to light soon enough under the spotlight that is New York media.
The Draft
I'm not one to bring up conspiracy theories, but how does Chicago get the first pick in the draft? I used to laugh at people when they would question this but with the smoke and illusion the NBA puts behind the lottery process, it's hard not to question this. A team with a 1% chance ends up with the top pick and they have a shot at a local stud in Derrick Rose. Of course it sounds like the Bulls may like Beasley but that could be tactics regardless. Speaking of all these players..
While everyone is familiar with Rose and Beasley, there are a few players that I am man crushing on right now that I feel would not only be good for the Suns but will become very good pros.
Joe Alexander
I was really impressed with Joe's game this year. His athleticism is off the charts but there are other aspects of his game that I really enjoy. First of all, he plays hard, all the time. I always respect players like this, especially the ones that have a bit of a chip on their shoulder. Secondly, being that he has only been playing for five years, his game has a ton of upside. I hate to sound cliché, but I could see his handle, mid-range jump shot and overall basketball sense growing game by game. I think he's going to be a gamer and I would be surprised if he wasn't in the long run.
Nicolas Batum
I've had my eye on Nicolas for a few years now. NBADRAFT.NET pointed him out and his dominating performance during the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in 2006 where he was the tournament MVP. I've heard comments about him drifting in games but I have a different perspective then others in this discussion. In the games that really counted, like the game against Maccabi this year, he stepped his game up. He is always big when he has to be and when you combine that with his athleticism and just overall skills at the tender age of 19, he has tremendous potential.
I'll have more on the draft as it approaches and I promise to post more often.
First of all, I want to apologize to the two people that read my blog for the long delay. I've had a ton of things going on in everyday life but I am alive and kicking and have many things on my mind. It may be a little Suns-centric but you understand the bias.
Coach Mike
My first thoughts go back to Mike D'Antoni. While I have always respected his offensive vision and class, I have to say that many of his coaching tactics had worn thin. While I appreciate the beauty of what the Suns offense once was, I had to come to a hard realization that it was never going to get us the ring. While we were quick, we were small and couldn't board or contest shots on the interior. Even with the speed we had on the exterior, our man-to-man defense was poor and while Shawn and Raja have the ability, it wasn't there every night. It also didn't hurt that coach Mike stubbornly played a short bench and refused to acquiesce to another teams style. This became increasingly more apparent watching Greg Popovich pick us apart systematically again and then watch the Spurs play various styles. I wish coach Mike the best of luck but a lot of these issues will come to light soon enough under the spotlight that is New York media.
The Draft
I'm not one to bring up conspiracy theories, but how does Chicago get the first pick in the draft? I used to laugh at people when they would question this but with the smoke and illusion the NBA puts behind the lottery process, it's hard not to question this. A team with a 1% chance ends up with the top pick and they have a shot at a local stud in Derrick Rose. Of course it sounds like the Bulls may like Beasley but that could be tactics regardless. Speaking of all these players..
While everyone is familiar with Rose and Beasley, there are a few players that I am man crushing on right now that I feel would not only be good for the Suns but will become very good pros.
Joe Alexander
I was really impressed with Joe's game this year. His athleticism is off the charts but there are other aspects of his game that I really enjoy. First of all, he plays hard, all the time. I always respect players like this, especially the ones that have a bit of a chip on their shoulder. Secondly, being that he has only been playing for five years, his game has a ton of upside. I hate to sound cliché, but I could see his handle, mid-range jump shot and overall basketball sense growing game by game. I think he's going to be a gamer and I would be surprised if he wasn't in the long run.
Nicolas Batum
I've had my eye on Nicolas for a few years now. NBADRAFT.NET pointed him out and his dominating performance during the Albert Schweitzer Tournament in 2006 where he was the tournament MVP. I've heard comments about him drifting in games but I have a different perspective then others in this discussion. In the games that really counted, like the game against Maccabi this year, he stepped his game up. He is always big when he has to be and when you combine that with his athleticism and just overall skills at the tender age of 19, he has tremendous potential.
I'll have more on the draft as it approaches and I promise to post more often.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Just Saying
Of course when you boldly predict things before the season you know you will most likely be wrong but it's nice to be right from time to time. Case in point, Andrew Bynum.
As the season began, it looked like LaMarcus Aldridge was going to run away with the Most Improved Player award, but times, they are a changing. It's hard to accept but a Laker is really improving and that is improving their chances in the West. While Andrew is averaging a very good 12.5 points and 10 boards a game, you have to look at recent times to appreciate where he is going. He keeps surpassing his career high in points and he recently did that against my Suns with 28 points and 12 boards. He had 24 and 11 against the Sixers and 17 and 11 against the Warriors. He is becoming more of a focus of the Lakers offense and there is no telling where his numbers will go. So, for the time being, at least one prediction looks safe.
Of course when you boldly predict things before the season you know you will most likely be wrong but it's nice to be right from time to time. Case in point, Andrew Bynum.
As the season began, it looked like LaMarcus Aldridge was going to run away with the Most Improved Player award, but times, they are a changing. It's hard to accept but a Laker is really improving and that is improving their chances in the West. While Andrew is averaging a very good 12.5 points and 10 boards a game, you have to look at recent times to appreciate where he is going. He keeps surpassing his career high in points and he recently did that against my Suns with 28 points and 12 boards. He had 24 and 11 against the Sixers and 17 and 11 against the Warriors. He is becoming more of a focus of the Lakers offense and there is no telling where his numbers will go. So, for the time being, at least one prediction looks safe.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Player To Watch:Austin Daye
While flipping the channels around this weekend, I happened upon a Gonzaga game up here in Washington. I've always been a fan of their hustle and the great coaching of Mark Few, so I stopped to watch for a bit. I was mostly following Matt Bouldin who looked solid last year and I was also curious to see if the Freshman Austin Daye would get some burn. Austin almost went to my Alma mater ASU and I was wondering what my Devils would be missing. I had heard that he was lighting up summer leagues in LA and after watching him for a while, I can see why. While he is SUPER skinny and has tunnel vision a bit, his fearless attitude on offense is surprising for a Freshman. He can handle at 6'9/6'10, has good range on his J, can get up and down the floor quickly, has freakishly long arms which leads to blocks and steals and he plays with fire. As you can tell, I came away impressed and I will be keeping an eye on this kid for the remainder of what may be his only year at Gonzaga.
While flipping the channels around this weekend, I happened upon a Gonzaga game up here in Washington. I've always been a fan of their hustle and the great coaching of Mark Few, so I stopped to watch for a bit. I was mostly following Matt Bouldin who looked solid last year and I was also curious to see if the Freshman Austin Daye would get some burn. Austin almost went to my Alma mater ASU and I was wondering what my Devils would be missing. I had heard that he was lighting up summer leagues in LA and after watching him for a while, I can see why. While he is SUPER skinny and has tunnel vision a bit, his fearless attitude on offense is surprising for a Freshman. He can handle at 6'9/6'10, has good range on his J, can get up and down the floor quickly, has freakishly long arms which leads to blocks and steals and he plays with fire. As you can tell, I came away impressed and I will be keeping an eye on this kid for the remainder of what may be his only year at Gonzaga.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Tis that season again! It's time to stare deeply into my crystal ball and wrongly predict another NBA campaign. Well, maybe I will get one or two right somewhere along the way. Let's begin, shall we?
Rookie Of The Year: Yi Jianlian
I would have never guessed that I would go in this direction but after looking at his preseason numbers, the fact that he will start and that he is 32 years old, I think this has become a pretty safe bet. Durant is the sexy pick here but Yi has a lot more experience and this will be extremely valuable against the crafty and stronger NBA vets.
Most Improved Player: Andrew Bynum
Who will win the award for having better stats due to actually getting playing time this year? I think Bynum is that guy. He came into the league at a SUPER young age and has shown flashes of brilliance along the way. Now, with some real playing time, he should start to put up great numbers along the line of Andris Biedrins last year. Someone like Ronnie Brewer may step up as well but my money is on Bynum for now.
Defensive Player of the Year: Bruce Bowen
Year after year I keep predicting the sexy candidate but Bowen is always a safe bet to finish in the top three. As long as the NBA keeps letting the guy use every old school tactic in the book, he will be a tough defender. He's the old man at the park that holds, grabs and gets in your head and before you know it, completely shuts you down. I tip my cap to the guy for being able to do this for so many years and chances are, his name will be called at the end of this year for the first time. Can you believe the guy has never won the award??
6th Man of the Year: Leandro Barbosa
Historically speaking, the 6th Man award changes hands almost every year. But, Leandro is a perfect bench player ala Bobby Jackson or Vinnie Johnson. He comes into the game hot and can just dominate offensively. Coach Mike loves this guy and he will get every opportunity to win this award again.
MVP:KG
I think this year will be the celebration of KG. The guy has been dominating the league for years on teams that had less than stellar talent. Now, in a lesser conference and with real talent alongside him, he will shine. The wins will come and on a national level, people will see his amazing all around game. I've always been a big fan of his effort and game and his reward will come this year in the form of an MVP trophy.
Coach Of The Year: Rick Adelman
The Rockets are the sexy pick this year which makes me not want to do this but I can just see the team playing well under a more open offense that Adelman will implement. He's been through the wars with the Blazers and the Kings and there is no reason to think that a team with Yao, Tmac and other solid player like Wells and Scola can't provide great success as well.
Finals: Spurs and Celtics
Every year I try to predict this and every year as of late, I pick the Suns to get here. This year, I am going against conventional wisdom with the hope that things go in the opposite direction. That being said, this Finals match up just makes sense. The Spurs just continue to get it done and the only thing that can stop them is themselves and maybe the Mavs if they get lucky. As for the Celtics, I don't see much competition beyond the young Bulls. It would be a thing of beauty to watch KG get to the Finals and just play his heart out every night. In the end though, no three players are better than the entire sum of a quality team. Spurs in 6 and it will be hard to see the pain in true champions like KG, Pierce and Allen's eyes when it all comes to an end.
Rookie Of The Year: Yi Jianlian
I would have never guessed that I would go in this direction but after looking at his preseason numbers, the fact that he will start and that he is 32 years old, I think this has become a pretty safe bet. Durant is the sexy pick here but Yi has a lot more experience and this will be extremely valuable against the crafty and stronger NBA vets.
Most Improved Player: Andrew Bynum
Who will win the award for having better stats due to actually getting playing time this year? I think Bynum is that guy. He came into the league at a SUPER young age and has shown flashes of brilliance along the way. Now, with some real playing time, he should start to put up great numbers along the line of Andris Biedrins last year. Someone like Ronnie Brewer may step up as well but my money is on Bynum for now.
Defensive Player of the Year: Bruce Bowen
Year after year I keep predicting the sexy candidate but Bowen is always a safe bet to finish in the top three. As long as the NBA keeps letting the guy use every old school tactic in the book, he will be a tough defender. He's the old man at the park that holds, grabs and gets in your head and before you know it, completely shuts you down. I tip my cap to the guy for being able to do this for so many years and chances are, his name will be called at the end of this year for the first time. Can you believe the guy has never won the award??
6th Man of the Year: Leandro Barbosa
Historically speaking, the 6th Man award changes hands almost every year. But, Leandro is a perfect bench player ala Bobby Jackson or Vinnie Johnson. He comes into the game hot and can just dominate offensively. Coach Mike loves this guy and he will get every opportunity to win this award again.
MVP:KG
I think this year will be the celebration of KG. The guy has been dominating the league for years on teams that had less than stellar talent. Now, in a lesser conference and with real talent alongside him, he will shine. The wins will come and on a national level, people will see his amazing all around game. I've always been a big fan of his effort and game and his reward will come this year in the form of an MVP trophy.
Coach Of The Year: Rick Adelman
The Rockets are the sexy pick this year which makes me not want to do this but I can just see the team playing well under a more open offense that Adelman will implement. He's been through the wars with the Blazers and the Kings and there is no reason to think that a team with Yao, Tmac and other solid player like Wells and Scola can't provide great success as well.
Finals: Spurs and Celtics
Every year I try to predict this and every year as of late, I pick the Suns to get here. This year, I am going against conventional wisdom with the hope that things go in the opposite direction. That being said, this Finals match up just makes sense. The Spurs just continue to get it done and the only thing that can stop them is themselves and maybe the Mavs if they get lucky. As for the Celtics, I don't see much competition beyond the young Bulls. It would be a thing of beauty to watch KG get to the Finals and just play his heart out every night. In the end though, no three players are better than the entire sum of a quality team. Spurs in 6 and it will be hard to see the pain in true champions like KG, Pierce and Allen's eyes when it all comes to an end.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Birthday Wishes!
On the eve of my 27th birthday, I have many wishes for the upcoming basketball seasons in both college and the NBA. Let's take a peak into my fantasy land...
I'm wishing that a team steps up and represents college hoops as well as the Florida Gators did. While people can grow tired of seeing repeat champions, you have to respect a team that hustles, plays defense and plays with an overall passion. The team that could fill this role in the upcoming year is UCLA.
I also wish for a player to capture the nations consciousness like Kevin Durant did last year. While I'm a bit down on the character of players like OJ Mayo and Michael Beasley, they have the type of talent to get viewers to tune in.
I wish for an NBA champion to be decided by the play on the court rather than politics or bad officiating. I don't want to see a player rewarded free throws because of star status or a team punished because of another team's actions. There should be a clear champion and no doubt in anyone's mind.
I wish people in the United States would love basketball as much as myself. While I enjoy football, baseball and many other sports, I'm tired of basketball continually being third fiddle. I'm happy to see the rest of the world coming along for the ride and I hope in time that Sportscenter will lead off with basketball highlights instead of a discussion about the Giants and Falcons during the fall.
I wish NBA players would stop thinking about dollar signs and endorsement deals so the game could be played in an unselfish manner and so the negative perception of the NBA as a whole would disappear. Casual fans only see the Kobe's and Carmelo's instead of Steve Nash, Dwayne Wade, Tim Duncan and many other great ambassadors for the game.
I wish the NBA would call traveling consistently... Seriously, just one time.
I wish an NBA trade that is rumored would happen at least one time. I don't know if I can handle another Shawn Marion for any player in the league scenario.
Finally, I just wish for a good season with some parody and good games played well and good health to all those involved. Get well Greg Oden!
On the eve of my 27th birthday, I have many wishes for the upcoming basketball seasons in both college and the NBA. Let's take a peak into my fantasy land...
I'm wishing that a team steps up and represents college hoops as well as the Florida Gators did. While people can grow tired of seeing repeat champions, you have to respect a team that hustles, plays defense and plays with an overall passion. The team that could fill this role in the upcoming year is UCLA.
I also wish for a player to capture the nations consciousness like Kevin Durant did last year. While I'm a bit down on the character of players like OJ Mayo and Michael Beasley, they have the type of talent to get viewers to tune in.
I wish for an NBA champion to be decided by the play on the court rather than politics or bad officiating. I don't want to see a player rewarded free throws because of star status or a team punished because of another team's actions. There should be a clear champion and no doubt in anyone's mind.
I wish people in the United States would love basketball as much as myself. While I enjoy football, baseball and many other sports, I'm tired of basketball continually being third fiddle. I'm happy to see the rest of the world coming along for the ride and I hope in time that Sportscenter will lead off with basketball highlights instead of a discussion about the Giants and Falcons during the fall.
I wish NBA players would stop thinking about dollar signs and endorsement deals so the game could be played in an unselfish manner and so the negative perception of the NBA as a whole would disappear. Casual fans only see the Kobe's and Carmelo's instead of Steve Nash, Dwayne Wade, Tim Duncan and many other great ambassadors for the game.
I wish the NBA would call traveling consistently... Seriously, just one time.
I wish an NBA trade that is rumored would happen at least one time. I don't know if I can handle another Shawn Marion for any player in the league scenario.
Finally, I just wish for a good season with some parody and good games played well and good health to all those involved. Get well Greg Oden!
Monday, October 08, 2007
Player to Watch
Every year the Suns have a shot at a lottery pick, I obsess about those first thirteen picks. Who will go where? What do the Suns need? Somewhere along the way I find a player I am insanely intrigued by like Sergio Rodriguez or Shaun Livingston in the past. This year, that man, er, teenager, is Serge Ibaka. Apparently, I can only like players that have names that begin with "Serg"..
I watched the video above after reading about this kid via NBADRAFT.NET and Draftexpress and I've been fascinated ever since. Keep in mind that he is seventeen,(21 in Mutombo years), and 6'10. Look at his speed from end to end, his touch with his jumper, his insane leaping ability and best of all, hustle and fire on the boards or as a weak-side defender.
He is firing up draft boards across the net and it won't be long before Chad Ford has a blog declaring Serge the next Reign Man or Amare Stoudemire. I don't know what he will become and a lot of this will be on him to continue to work on his game and learn how to properly utilize his obvious gifts. Being that he plays in Spain, at least the coaching and competition should help prepare him for just that. Keep your eye on this kid because I wouldn't be shocked to hear his name called in the late lottery, hopefully by the Suns, on draft night.
Every year the Suns have a shot at a lottery pick, I obsess about those first thirteen picks. Who will go where? What do the Suns need? Somewhere along the way I find a player I am insanely intrigued by like Sergio Rodriguez or Shaun Livingston in the past. This year, that man, er, teenager, is Serge Ibaka. Apparently, I can only like players that have names that begin with "Serg"..
I watched the video above after reading about this kid via NBADRAFT.NET and Draftexpress and I've been fascinated ever since. Keep in mind that he is seventeen,(21 in Mutombo years), and 6'10. Look at his speed from end to end, his touch with his jumper, his insane leaping ability and best of all, hustle and fire on the boards or as a weak-side defender.
He is firing up draft boards across the net and it won't be long before Chad Ford has a blog declaring Serge the next Reign Man or Amare Stoudemire. I don't know what he will become and a lot of this will be on him to continue to work on his game and learn how to properly utilize his obvious gifts. Being that he plays in Spain, at least the coaching and competition should help prepare him for just that. Keep your eye on this kid because I wouldn't be shocked to hear his name called in the late lottery, hopefully by the Suns, on draft night.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Tis the offseason and the trade rumors and speculation continually fly around to keep bored basketball geeks like myself preoccupied. I normally scoff at most because they are simply rumors but there are some trades that come around from time to time that actually make sense. I saw one today and after reflecting on it and hearing peoples reactions, I have several thoughts.
VS.
I think the general reaction to a trade by most fans from what I have seen is usually looked at from both a homer and perception level. What I mean by this is that when there is a deal involving your team, especially a good player on your team, almost no trades are good enough due to someone being a homer and also the stigma that surrounds that player. This stigma is what gets people into the All-Star game every year despite the fact that someone else played better. For Suns fans, Shawn is a consecutive All-Star while AK47 is a crier that had a down season last year. To truly analyze a trade though, you need to break the players down from their salary to their personality to fully understand if the trade is either good or bad. Let's look at Shawn and Andrei.
Offense:
Both players are fast and explosive and excel on the break and slashing to the basket. Neither of them really has a J to speak of but Shawn hits from the line at a pretty good clip. Andrei is the better ball handler and passer while Shawn struggles to create his own shot for himself and others. This is close to a wash but I give the slight edge to..
Winner
AK47
Defense:
Both of these players can be a nightmare on D due to their length and athleticism. Andrei isn't far behind Shawn in steals but the Matrix is consistently in the top five in this category. As far as blocks, AK47 may be the best weak-side shot blocker in the game. The game is the living embodiment of Mr. Fantastic and he does a fantastic job off the ball anticipating. I've always felt Shawn is overrated in man-to-man defense but he is quicker laterally and does a little better job with perimeter coverage. This is really tough but when healthy, AK47 is a defensive player of the year candidate.
Winner
AK47
Rebounding:
This is a contest that Andrei can't win. Shawn is one of the best rebounding small forwards in the history of the NBA and his quick leaping ability makes him a terror on the glass.
Winner
The Matrix
Health:
This is another no contest as of right now. While Shawn has more years and minutes on his 29 year old body, Andrei has been more injury prone thus far in his career. Shawn is truly an iron man but at 26, Andrei could greatly improve this perception of him.
Winner
The Matrix
Salary:
Shawn is the more expensive player right now and he is coming up on an extension in his contract. While he may feel that he is still worth maximum dollars, his playoff performances and lack of growth in his game offer a different visual. AK47 is a little bit cheaper and if he can put up comparable numbers to two years ago, is worth the money due to the difference he makes on the defensive side of the ball.
Winner
AK47
Chemistry:
Before this past season, I had not heard a peep about Kirilenko. He seemed like a tough player that just played hard every night. With his lack of minutes and move from the four to the three, the frustration grew and there was an obvious rift between he and Sloan. Shawn has supposedly had issues with being third fiddle on the Suns for years and has openly questioned whether or not he would be appreciated elsewhere. In both cases, there is obvious tension between these players and their teams.
Winner:
Tie
Looking at all these scenarios, it's apparent that when healthy, Andrei Kirilenko provides better defense and offense while Shawn is a better rebounder and is more durable. The Suns have a reliable player but they have glaring holes on their interior with a lack of shot blocking and there are also those whispers about chemistry problems. In the end, I would take the risk on Kirilenko and play him at the four again and watch the numbers pile up while he runs beside Steve Nash. People are too easily forgotten and at 26, there is still a lot of potential for AK47 to find.
VS.
I think the general reaction to a trade by most fans from what I have seen is usually looked at from both a homer and perception level. What I mean by this is that when there is a deal involving your team, especially a good player on your team, almost no trades are good enough due to someone being a homer and also the stigma that surrounds that player. This stigma is what gets people into the All-Star game every year despite the fact that someone else played better. For Suns fans, Shawn is a consecutive All-Star while AK47 is a crier that had a down season last year. To truly analyze a trade though, you need to break the players down from their salary to their personality to fully understand if the trade is either good or bad. Let's look at Shawn and Andrei.
Offense:
Both players are fast and explosive and excel on the break and slashing to the basket. Neither of them really has a J to speak of but Shawn hits from the line at a pretty good clip. Andrei is the better ball handler and passer while Shawn struggles to create his own shot for himself and others. This is close to a wash but I give the slight edge to..
Winner
AK47
Defense:
Both of these players can be a nightmare on D due to their length and athleticism. Andrei isn't far behind Shawn in steals but the Matrix is consistently in the top five in this category. As far as blocks, AK47 may be the best weak-side shot blocker in the game. The game is the living embodiment of Mr. Fantastic and he does a fantastic job off the ball anticipating. I've always felt Shawn is overrated in man-to-man defense but he is quicker laterally and does a little better job with perimeter coverage. This is really tough but when healthy, AK47 is a defensive player of the year candidate.
Winner
AK47
Rebounding:
This is a contest that Andrei can't win. Shawn is one of the best rebounding small forwards in the history of the NBA and his quick leaping ability makes him a terror on the glass.
Winner
The Matrix
Health:
This is another no contest as of right now. While Shawn has more years and minutes on his 29 year old body, Andrei has been more injury prone thus far in his career. Shawn is truly an iron man but at 26, Andrei could greatly improve this perception of him.
Winner
The Matrix
Salary:
Shawn is the more expensive player right now and he is coming up on an extension in his contract. While he may feel that he is still worth maximum dollars, his playoff performances and lack of growth in his game offer a different visual. AK47 is a little bit cheaper and if he can put up comparable numbers to two years ago, is worth the money due to the difference he makes on the defensive side of the ball.
Winner
AK47
Chemistry:
Before this past season, I had not heard a peep about Kirilenko. He seemed like a tough player that just played hard every night. With his lack of minutes and move from the four to the three, the frustration grew and there was an obvious rift between he and Sloan. Shawn has supposedly had issues with being third fiddle on the Suns for years and has openly questioned whether or not he would be appreciated elsewhere. In both cases, there is obvious tension between these players and their teams.
Winner:
Tie
Looking at all these scenarios, it's apparent that when healthy, Andrei Kirilenko provides better defense and offense while Shawn is a better rebounder and is more durable. The Suns have a reliable player but they have glaring holes on their interior with a lack of shot blocking and there are also those whispers about chemistry problems. In the end, I would take the risk on Kirilenko and play him at the four again and watch the numbers pile up while he runs beside Steve Nash. People are too easily forgotten and at 26, there is still a lot of potential for AK47 to find.
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
The Scandal!
While most people are acting as if they just found out soylent green is people over this whole scandal, I'm actually excited for what I feel will be sweeping changes. In a move that shouldn't be that shocking, being that sports and gambling go hand in hand, Tim Donaghy made the league have to self reflect and hopefully create a league that is officiated in an even manner. The league can deny that things are called evenly now but anyone that watches the game consistently or even casually knows that stars get calls in order to keep them on the court which gives people their monies worth and that home teams get calls so the fans remain relatively happy. I understand that people will always have a bias due to personal opinion but it would be nice to watch a game and just see it called down the middle. Some people will always see issues with officiating due to their own bias and it being subjective but people seem to respect the way the college game or even the high school game is called. This will help get people beyond the conspiract theories and then they can focus on the overall lack of fundamentals instead. Well, that's a whole other story for another day.
While most people are acting as if they just found out soylent green is people over this whole scandal, I'm actually excited for what I feel will be sweeping changes. In a move that shouldn't be that shocking, being that sports and gambling go hand in hand, Tim Donaghy made the league have to self reflect and hopefully create a league that is officiated in an even manner. The league can deny that things are called evenly now but anyone that watches the game consistently or even casually knows that stars get calls in order to keep them on the court which gives people their monies worth and that home teams get calls so the fans remain relatively happy. I understand that people will always have a bias due to personal opinion but it would be nice to watch a game and just see it called down the middle. Some people will always see issues with officiating due to their own bias and it being subjective but people seem to respect the way the college game or even the high school game is called. This will help get people beyond the conspiract theories and then they can focus on the overall lack of fundamentals instead. Well, that's a whole other story for another day.
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Some draft thoughts
I needed a day to regain my composure after the Suns sold away another first round draft pick in order to save money. I understand wanting to keep a team intact and keep your payroll down but why would you trade away a player you could simply stash in Europe for another year? The Spurs have ridden the stash a player routine for years and I don't know why more teams don't do it. It helps your payroll in the now and eventually you have a seasoned player that can come over and play immediately. They did it again this year with Tiago Splitter and I have a feeling I will be cursing at the screen at him in the near future. Seriously though, it is more jealousy than hate. Can you says Patriots of the NBA? And breathe... On to the rest of my draft thoughts.
1)I will be person number 1000000000000 to say that Portland is doing a nice job. While it is hard to say if every young prospect pans out, they have enough around that a few could be very good. I really like their nucleus and I would be surprised if they weren't in the playoffs next year.
2)I can't stand it when players make demands on where they want to go. People were fearing that Yi wouldn't play in Milwaukee and my only response is, who is this guy? I understand that he has a lot of potential and I've studied his game a bit but what ever happened to feeling honored to just get a shot in the NBA? I didn't like it when Steve Francis, a great player at Maryland, demanded a trade from Vancouver. I really don't like it when a player from a very weak Asian league acts as if he can't play in a place that doesn't fit his exact needs.
3)Speaking of Yi, does anyone find it odd that the Sonics passed on a guy that could have been HUGE in the Asian community of Seattle. I know it may be a bit redundant with Durant but so is Green and Lewis. I'm thinking more and more that the Sonics simply have no desire to stay in this city which is a shame.
4)Atlanta really missed the boat on Conley. I really like Horford but I'm beginning to see a reoccurring theme with the Hawks. They just keep drafting players that play a similar position until one pans out. Law could be a solid pro but he will not distribute enough to their athletic wings and it will cause an offense that should be breaking to bog down.
5)Brandon Wright could be great in Golden State. Nellie is great at working with young players and finding their strengths and he could find a great role in the Warriors break neck offense with Wright. He's a little ways off due to his body and maturity but in a year or two, he could be a steal considering they gave up a player that they really didn't want to begin with in Richardson.
6)As you've seen before, I'm a big Noah fan. Skiles will love that kid and he should be able to fill the role that Ben Wallace will have difficulty doing soon in the rebounding and weak-side help department.
7)While I may bag on the Suns at the beginning of this post, I can't bag on their pick of Alando Tucker so much any more. I wasn't pumped about it initially due to the anger coming from dealing the 24th pick but I really like what he brings to the table. Every year a great college player like him slips due to a lack of something but people tend to lose the fact that he was GREAT for a very good program at Wisconsin, has great athleticism and is a high quality person to boot. Dudley was picked earlier under similar circumstances and I have a feeling if Alando had attended the predraft camp as well, he would have probably gone in that spot. People value upside and think within the box a bit too much. The game is evolving and traditional viewpoints don't always hold true.
8)I really like Byars and I can't believe that Portland got both him and McRoberts in the second round. Josh was a number one recruit at one point and sometimes people can be better pros than college players. That front line of Oden, Aldridge, Frye and him looks pretty imposing.
I will not grade teams because noone knows for certain how any of these picks will pan out. Some players that were supposed to be great will fail and players that were supposedly doomed turn out to be great. This draft did have a lot of potential thought and in the coming years, this draft as well as 2003 will probably be the drafts that define the next ten years of basketball.
I needed a day to regain my composure after the Suns sold away another first round draft pick in order to save money. I understand wanting to keep a team intact and keep your payroll down but why would you trade away a player you could simply stash in Europe for another year? The Spurs have ridden the stash a player routine for years and I don't know why more teams don't do it. It helps your payroll in the now and eventually you have a seasoned player that can come over and play immediately. They did it again this year with Tiago Splitter and I have a feeling I will be cursing at the screen at him in the near future. Seriously though, it is more jealousy than hate. Can you says Patriots of the NBA? And breathe... On to the rest of my draft thoughts.
1)I will be person number 1000000000000 to say that Portland is doing a nice job. While it is hard to say if every young prospect pans out, they have enough around that a few could be very good. I really like their nucleus and I would be surprised if they weren't in the playoffs next year.
2)I can't stand it when players make demands on where they want to go. People were fearing that Yi wouldn't play in Milwaukee and my only response is, who is this guy? I understand that he has a lot of potential and I've studied his game a bit but what ever happened to feeling honored to just get a shot in the NBA? I didn't like it when Steve Francis, a great player at Maryland, demanded a trade from Vancouver. I really don't like it when a player from a very weak Asian league acts as if he can't play in a place that doesn't fit his exact needs.
3)Speaking of Yi, does anyone find it odd that the Sonics passed on a guy that could have been HUGE in the Asian community of Seattle. I know it may be a bit redundant with Durant but so is Green and Lewis. I'm thinking more and more that the Sonics simply have no desire to stay in this city which is a shame.
4)Atlanta really missed the boat on Conley. I really like Horford but I'm beginning to see a reoccurring theme with the Hawks. They just keep drafting players that play a similar position until one pans out. Law could be a solid pro but he will not distribute enough to their athletic wings and it will cause an offense that should be breaking to bog down.
5)Brandon Wright could be great in Golden State. Nellie is great at working with young players and finding their strengths and he could find a great role in the Warriors break neck offense with Wright. He's a little ways off due to his body and maturity but in a year or two, he could be a steal considering they gave up a player that they really didn't want to begin with in Richardson.
6)As you've seen before, I'm a big Noah fan. Skiles will love that kid and he should be able to fill the role that Ben Wallace will have difficulty doing soon in the rebounding and weak-side help department.
7)While I may bag on the Suns at the beginning of this post, I can't bag on their pick of Alando Tucker so much any more. I wasn't pumped about it initially due to the anger coming from dealing the 24th pick but I really like what he brings to the table. Every year a great college player like him slips due to a lack of something but people tend to lose the fact that he was GREAT for a very good program at Wisconsin, has great athleticism and is a high quality person to boot. Dudley was picked earlier under similar circumstances and I have a feeling if Alando had attended the predraft camp as well, he would have probably gone in that spot. People value upside and think within the box a bit too much. The game is evolving and traditional viewpoints don't always hold true.
8)I really like Byars and I can't believe that Portland got both him and McRoberts in the second round. Josh was a number one recruit at one point and sometimes people can be better pros than college players. That front line of Oden, Aldridge, Frye and him looks pretty imposing.
I will not grade teams because noone knows for certain how any of these picks will pan out. Some players that were supposed to be great will fail and players that were supposedly doomed turn out to be great. This draft did have a lot of potential thought and in the coming years, this draft as well as 2003 will probably be the drafts that define the next ten years of basketball.
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Sweatin' To the Combines
Every year, like a moth to a flame, I eagerly await the results from the predraft camp. I like to see who can jump out of the gym, who's actually four inches shorter than their college listed height and who can't bench 185 pounds. I'm interested in this but I don't think teams should take much stock in this beyond height, weight and wingspan. Those stats could help dictate a position for a player and could either hinder or help them. The NBA is full of dynamic athletes but on the court statistics are what teams should really focus on. People who think Durant's stock should slip due to this are crazy just like anyone that passed on Josh Howard because they wanted potential rather than results. This all goes back to my post about Joakim earlier and I'm afraid someone will take Yi, who could be very solid, over a player that has a much slimmer chance of failing. I get excited about potential as well but how many teams do we need in the league like Atlanta or Boston that are full of potential and nothing else?
Every year, like a moth to a flame, I eagerly await the results from the predraft camp. I like to see who can jump out of the gym, who's actually four inches shorter than their college listed height and who can't bench 185 pounds. I'm interested in this but I don't think teams should take much stock in this beyond height, weight and wingspan. Those stats could help dictate a position for a player and could either hinder or help them. The NBA is full of dynamic athletes but on the court statistics are what teams should really focus on. People who think Durant's stock should slip due to this are crazy just like anyone that passed on Josh Howard because they wanted potential rather than results. This all goes back to my post about Joakim earlier and I'm afraid someone will take Yi, who could be very solid, over a player that has a much slimmer chance of failing. I get excited about potential as well but how many teams do we need in the league like Atlanta or Boston that are full of potential and nothing else?
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