http://www.yardbarker.com/ncaa_basketball/articles/Young_McRoberts/15947
Oden's entries on yardbarker.com are fun to read and he sounds like a pretty cool guy (I mean, after all, he actually ENJOYED playing pool basketball with Josh McRoberts' high school posse).
But my opinion of Oden rises even higher now that I know he was born in Buffalo, New York and still lists Buffalo as his home town!!!
HM
Friday, June 29, 2007
Lottery Picks -- My Thoughts On Their NBA Futures
1. Greg Oden -- NBA all-star, likely Hall of Fame player
2. Kevin Durant -- multiple time all-star, borderline HOF
3. Al Horford -- multiple time all-star
4. Mike Conley -- very good NBA starter, occasional all-star
5. Jeff Green -- 30 minutes a game for a bad team, 17 minutes a game for a playoff team
6. Yi Jianlian -- HOF player if able to play against a chair or guys 25% younger than he. Honestly, never saw the guy play. If he is 23 years old, he will be similar to Green.
7. Corey Brewer -- many year NBA starter, not an all-star
8. Brandan Wright -- 38 minutes a night for a bad team, 25 a night for a playoff team
9. Joakim Noah -- see Jeff Green
10. Spencer Hawes -- will follow the career path of Big Country Reeves, adequate for 5 years then out of the league
11. Acie Law IV -- bench guard throughout his career -- 2007's Antonio Daniels
12. Thaddeus Young -- good 7th man
13. Julian Wright -- long-time NBA starter
14. Al Thornton -- Al Thornton = Harold Miner
HM
2. Kevin Durant -- multiple time all-star, borderline HOF
3. Al Horford -- multiple time all-star
4. Mike Conley -- very good NBA starter, occasional all-star
5. Jeff Green -- 30 minutes a game for a bad team, 17 minutes a game for a playoff team
6. Yi Jianlian -- HOF player if able to play against a chair or guys 25% younger than he. Honestly, never saw the guy play. If he is 23 years old, he will be similar to Green.
7. Corey Brewer -- many year NBA starter, not an all-star
8. Brandan Wright -- 38 minutes a night for a bad team, 25 a night for a playoff team
9. Joakim Noah -- see Jeff Green
10. Spencer Hawes -- will follow the career path of Big Country Reeves, adequate for 5 years then out of the league
11. Acie Law IV -- bench guard throughout his career -- 2007's Antonio Daniels
12. Thaddeus Young -- good 7th man
13. Julian Wright -- long-time NBA starter
14. Al Thornton -- Al Thornton = Harold Miner
HM
Analyzing 3 Draft Day Trades
1) Ray Allen to Boston (with Big Baby Davis) for Wally, Delonte West, and Jeff Green.
A trade that helps neither team very much. I saw Jeff Green's workout for the Wolves -- not good. So if the primary reason Seattle is doing the deal is to get Green (who will........what? Back up Kevin Durant?) then they are gonna be SOL. Wally is a good player if he ever stays healthy, but again, small forward, I would imagine that they want Durant playing that position, correct? They ceratinly don't want Durant guarding the BEST forward on the other team, do they? If they play him with Wally they will have no choice but to do so. I like the Delonte West acquisition. Look at his similarity scores on http://www.basketball-reference.com. First 4 most similar seasons? Dennis Johnson. He may start for Seattle if they move Ridnour.
Boston? Well, um, they pick up $50MM plus in salary over the next three years for a 32 year old off guard when they already have $75MM dedicated to Paul Pierce over the next 4 years? Do these players games compliment one another? Clearly not. I will say this. At least Allen has a positive assist-turnover ratio, which the Celts badly need. The Celts also put a ton of eggs into the Rajon Rondo basket.
Looking down the road, what do the Celts tell Al Jefferson when it is time to re-up? "Well, Al, we wouldn't trade you for Kevin Garnett, but you want $10MM a year? Come on. You aren't that good..." So put Al in at $10MM a year. Rondo, if he is good at all, has them by the balls in 2 years, so he is seeking $7 or 8MM. Things are heading for a hard landing in Boston.
Grade -- Seattle -- C minus -- I really hate the Jeff Green pick, and Wally does not figure to do much for them if Durant is good. They trade an NBA all-star for two guys who will be backups plus Delonte West. at least they dropped some salary.
Boston -- D -- You give away an NBA level point guard, a high level outside shooter and the #5 pick for a guy who is gonna be old very shortly. If you look at Ray's similarity scores, the guys he is similar to who have played well for 2-3 years after age 31: Alex English, Gary Payton.
Things could have been way worse for Boston had the #5 pick been anyone other than Jeff Green (who will never be a starter on a team with championship potential).
2. Portland sends Zach Randolph, Dan Dickau and Fred Jones to New York for Steve Francis and Channing Frye.
Isiah gets a guy who can go 20-10. Look at Zach's similarity stats. There are a lot of "Karl Malone" entries on there!! Zach has four primary issues: 1) off-court issues with the law; 2) terrible defender (.2 blocks a game terrible); 3) terrible and unwilling passer; and 4) owed $61MM OVER THE REST OF HIS CONTRACT!!! So, where would the perfect spot for Zach be??? Sleepy town where he can play with a giant center who doesn't need the ball much -- oops, that would be Portland. Now, instead, he goes to New York where he will play with Eddy Curry. Eddy's primary problems -- see 2, 3 and 4 above. Oh well......
Grades -- Knicks -- B -- Hey, they were going to cut Francis per reports as recently as April. Frye went backwards in year 2. They gave up nothing for a guy who can go 20-10. Hopefully his 20 games of injuries and Curry's 20 games of injuries won't overlap.
Blazers -- D+ -- Rumor is that they will buy out Francis and he will never play up there. They get the Charmin soft Frye who will never play because they have LaMarcus Aldridge and Oden. So, they gave away a very good player for basically nothing. They don't get an F because they dropped salary and kept Zach 3,000 miles away from Oden.
3. Charlotte trades Brandan Wright to Golden State for Jason Richardson --
For once we get to see an MLB-type of trade, since the Bobcats are so far under the cap that they can take on JRich's $50MM in salary for nothing in return.
Must be a proud day for Tom Izzo as his two short-timer Spartans (JRich and Zach) get their bloated salaries dumped for basically nothing in the same day.
Grades -- Charlotte -- D -- They don't know what the eff they are doing. That much is clear. What did the Bobcats really need? Someone like Joakim Noah -- tall, charismatic, athletic, active, hard worker. What DON'T they need? -- an off guard who is overpaid and plays with a questionable work ethic. So they draft Wright (might be good, might not) and then deal him for JRich?? Why? If this is all there is, we might as well start moving the club to OK City tomorrow.
Golden State -- B+ -- dumped a salary of a guy whom they have 10 of, picked up a guy with potential whom Bill Simmons says will be the key chip in getting Yi Jianlian out of Milwaukee and into the Bay area. MILLIONS of dollars can be had if this can go through. Even if they have to keep Wright, they don't have nearly as many of him (Al Harrington is similar but Al rarely stays around for multiple years) and the jury is out on whether he can harness his talent.
A trade that helps neither team very much. I saw Jeff Green's workout for the Wolves -- not good. So if the primary reason Seattle is doing the deal is to get Green (who will........what? Back up Kevin Durant?) then they are gonna be SOL. Wally is a good player if he ever stays healthy, but again, small forward, I would imagine that they want Durant playing that position, correct? They ceratinly don't want Durant guarding the BEST forward on the other team, do they? If they play him with Wally they will have no choice but to do so. I like the Delonte West acquisition. Look at his similarity scores on http://www.basketball-reference.com. First 4 most similar seasons? Dennis Johnson. He may start for Seattle if they move Ridnour.
Boston? Well, um, they pick up $50MM plus in salary over the next three years for a 32 year old off guard when they already have $75MM dedicated to Paul Pierce over the next 4 years? Do these players games compliment one another? Clearly not. I will say this. At least Allen has a positive assist-turnover ratio, which the Celts badly need. The Celts also put a ton of eggs into the Rajon Rondo basket.
Looking down the road, what do the Celts tell Al Jefferson when it is time to re-up? "Well, Al, we wouldn't trade you for Kevin Garnett, but you want $10MM a year? Come on. You aren't that good..." So put Al in at $10MM a year. Rondo, if he is good at all, has them by the balls in 2 years, so he is seeking $7 or 8MM. Things are heading for a hard landing in Boston.
Grade -- Seattle -- C minus -- I really hate the Jeff Green pick, and Wally does not figure to do much for them if Durant is good. They trade an NBA all-star for two guys who will be backups plus Delonte West. at least they dropped some salary.
Boston -- D -- You give away an NBA level point guard, a high level outside shooter and the #5 pick for a guy who is gonna be old very shortly. If you look at Ray's similarity scores, the guys he is similar to who have played well for 2-3 years after age 31: Alex English, Gary Payton.
Things could have been way worse for Boston had the #5 pick been anyone other than Jeff Green (who will never be a starter on a team with championship potential).
2. Portland sends Zach Randolph, Dan Dickau and Fred Jones to New York for Steve Francis and Channing Frye.
Isiah gets a guy who can go 20-10. Look at Zach's similarity stats. There are a lot of "Karl Malone" entries on there!! Zach has four primary issues: 1) off-court issues with the law; 2) terrible defender (.2 blocks a game terrible); 3) terrible and unwilling passer; and 4) owed $61MM OVER THE REST OF HIS CONTRACT!!! So, where would the perfect spot for Zach be??? Sleepy town where he can play with a giant center who doesn't need the ball much -- oops, that would be Portland. Now, instead, he goes to New York where he will play with Eddy Curry. Eddy's primary problems -- see 2, 3 and 4 above. Oh well......
Grades -- Knicks -- B -- Hey, they were going to cut Francis per reports as recently as April. Frye went backwards in year 2. They gave up nothing for a guy who can go 20-10. Hopefully his 20 games of injuries and Curry's 20 games of injuries won't overlap.
Blazers -- D+ -- Rumor is that they will buy out Francis and he will never play up there. They get the Charmin soft Frye who will never play because they have LaMarcus Aldridge and Oden. So, they gave away a very good player for basically nothing. They don't get an F because they dropped salary and kept Zach 3,000 miles away from Oden.
3. Charlotte trades Brandan Wright to Golden State for Jason Richardson --
For once we get to see an MLB-type of trade, since the Bobcats are so far under the cap that they can take on JRich's $50MM in salary for nothing in return.
Must be a proud day for Tom Izzo as his two short-timer Spartans (JRich and Zach) get their bloated salaries dumped for basically nothing in the same day.
Grades -- Charlotte -- D -- They don't know what the eff they are doing. That much is clear. What did the Bobcats really need? Someone like Joakim Noah -- tall, charismatic, athletic, active, hard worker. What DON'T they need? -- an off guard who is overpaid and plays with a questionable work ethic. So they draft Wright (might be good, might not) and then deal him for JRich?? Why? If this is all there is, we might as well start moving the club to OK City tomorrow.
Golden State -- B+ -- dumped a salary of a guy whom they have 10 of, picked up a guy with potential whom Bill Simmons says will be the key chip in getting Yi Jianlian out of Milwaukee and into the Bay area. MILLIONS of dollars can be had if this can go through. Even if they have to keep Wright, they don't have nearly as many of him (Al Harrington is similar but Al rarely stays around for multiple years) and the jury is out on whether he can harness his talent.
Supreme Court -- Racial Discrimination OK in the North; "Must Sell Coach purses for $4,000" also OK
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/washington/articles/2007/06/29/justices_in_shift_reject_2_race_based_school_plans/?page=2
Court held that Seattle and Louisville couldn't place students by race in different schools because these districts weren't southern districts with a history of discrimination.
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/06pdf/06-480.pdf
Court decided that if a supplier or manufacturer wants to tell its distributors that they must sell something at a very high price, the distributor has no choice but to charge that very high price (at least under anti-trust law).
So, class, what have we learned? 1) Louisville and Kentucky -- no history of racial discrimination. 2) Hey, the antitrust law were never designed to help consumers not pay artificially inflated prices for goods.
Welcome to The Bush Court.
Court held that Seattle and Louisville couldn't place students by race in different schools because these districts weren't southern districts with a history of discrimination.
http://www.supremecourtus.gov/opinions/06pdf/06-480.pdf
Court decided that if a supplier or manufacturer wants to tell its distributors that they must sell something at a very high price, the distributor has no choice but to charge that very high price (at least under anti-trust law).
So, class, what have we learned? 1) Louisville and Kentucky -- no history of racial discrimination. 2) Hey, the antitrust law were never designed to help consumers not pay artificially inflated prices for goods.
Welcome to The Bush Court.
NFL Europe -- Dead
http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2920738
Look, let's face it, you don't fold a league that has an overwhelming level of fan support and corporate support. So cut the crap Commish. The league never averaged 20,000 fans a game and by the end of the league (recently dubbed "NFL Europa" -- clever) 5 of the 6 teams were in Germany with one in Amsterdam.
This is basically like starting a new U.S. league and having 5 of the 6 teams located in Texas with one in St. Louis.
So how does the NFL reward the Germans (their only remaining fans)? With a regular season game....................in London...........Arg.
HM
Look, let's face it, you don't fold a league that has an overwhelming level of fan support and corporate support. So cut the crap Commish. The league never averaged 20,000 fans a game and by the end of the league (recently dubbed "NFL Europa" -- clever) 5 of the 6 teams were in Germany with one in Amsterdam.
This is basically like starting a new U.S. league and having 5 of the 6 teams located in Texas with one in St. Louis.
So how does the NFL reward the Germans (their only remaining fans)? With a regular season game....................in London...........Arg.
HM
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Trade Rumors -- From a Yahoo Sports Report
The New Jersey Nets delivered a proposal of Richard Jefferson, Nenad Krstic and Jason Collins to the Pacers for Jermaine O'Neal, multiple league sources said Thursday. Krstic is rehabilitating a torn ACL suffered early last season, but is expected to be back for the start of the season. There isn't any draft day urgency to the deal because no picks are involved, so if the scenario does advance, sources expect it would not happen until July.
HM Response -- um, WHAT!?!?! Would I trade Richard Jefferson straight up for Jermaine O'Neal? No. I keep Jefferson. Then you ask me to throw in BOTH of my centers? For a guy who never has NEVER had an assist-to-turnover ratio equal to 1 to 1? (lest you think that this is an impossible feat -- Shaq's CAREER a-to ratio is almost 1 to 1 and he has done it has been 1-1 or better 8 times. for god's sake, Vin Baker did it twice!!).
Nets need size, but come on. This is the best you can do for 2 starters and a guy who can play 25 minutes a game?
• The Portland Trail Blazers and New York Knicks have had serious discussions about a trade that would send Zach Randolph and Martell Webster to the Knicks for Steve Francis and Channing Frye. Other parts have been included in proposals, but all combinations include Randolph.
HM's response -- I say that there is no way this is true unless Isiah has been secretly fired or Zach has just recently been sentenced to prison. Hmmmmm, you are Portland, you trade a guy who can get 20+ a night and a young player who might become very, very good for the worthless Steve Francis (formerly as good as Gilbert Arenas, now as good as Eric Snow/Clint Richardson -- http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/f/francst01.html)? Then you say, "Well, hey, we get Channing Frye!" Which skill set is it that you like about Channing Frye? His 43% shooting? His averaging 26 minutes a night for one of the league's worst teams? His 5 fouls for every blocked shot? His unbelievably soft court presence?
Come Watch a Man's Life Fall Apart Before His Very Eyes
http://winningtheturnoverbattle.blogspot.com/2007/06/you-can-party-with-daequan.html
For $20 you may only get soft drinks and light appetizers, but you can watch on the big screen as Daequan learns that maybe he has overestimated his worth..........
For $20 you may only get soft drinks and light appetizers, but you can watch on the big screen as Daequan learns that maybe he has overestimated his worth..........
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Guys I Like, Guys I Don't
I Like -- Oden, Conley, Horford, Brewer, Brandan Wright (below #6), Spencer Hawes (below #10).
I Don't Care For -- Durant being judged as Oden's NBA equal (he won't be), Jeff Green, Joakim Noah above #10 (he will get picked above #10 because so many teams have a specific need that he fills), Julian Wright above #15, Al Thornton above #15.
Look for These Guys to Move Up -- McRoberts to around #20-22 (someone will say "he is almost 7' and can actually catch the ball, how bad can he be?"), Alondo Tucker to around #18-21 --- every year a senior suddenly moves way up because one GM has him high on his board -- I think it will be Tucker this year);
Stanko Barac and Aaron Gray (both are 7 feet tall, both have some offensive skill, both will try hard -- I say late first or very early 2nd for both guys).
Brady Quinn award, guys who I see dropping out of Round 1-- Daequan Cook, Tiago Splitter -- I just don't see what great NBA-level skills Cook brings to the game. After January 1, Cook had no game above 13 points for the rest of the year -- averaged under 10 PPG for the year and got 2 in the title game.
Tiago Splitter scouting report per nbadraft.net:
Weaknesses: Not a prolific offensive player … Despite his height and quickness, Splitter is not much of a shot blocker … Tends to get frustrated when played physically in the low post … This has led some to question his mental toughness … Throughout his career he has had health trouble so there’s the concern that he could be an injury prone player in the NBA’s 82 game schedule … Must improve on his upper body strength. How big he can actually get is questionable … This impacts him offensively when he fails to finish after contact occurs … Despite being one of the most talented players on the court, he tends to defer to teammates and lacks aggressiveness … Surprisingly he shows mediocre consistency shooting from mid-range … Not a great free throw shooter … Still prone to fundamental lapses as he doesn’t always secure rebounds which enable easy steals for opposing teams … Tends to get out-muscled for rebounding position by stronger opposing forwards …
Boy, where do I sign up for a guy who is poor both offensively AND defensively AND who may not be healthy enough to play???
I Don't Care For -- Durant being judged as Oden's NBA equal (he won't be), Jeff Green, Joakim Noah above #10 (he will get picked above #10 because so many teams have a specific need that he fills), Julian Wright above #15, Al Thornton above #15.
Look for These Guys to Move Up -- McRoberts to around #20-22 (someone will say "he is almost 7' and can actually catch the ball, how bad can he be?"), Alondo Tucker to around #18-21 --- every year a senior suddenly moves way up because one GM has him high on his board -- I think it will be Tucker this year);
Stanko Barac and Aaron Gray (both are 7 feet tall, both have some offensive skill, both will try hard -- I say late first or very early 2nd for both guys).
Brady Quinn award, guys who I see dropping out of Round 1-- Daequan Cook, Tiago Splitter -- I just don't see what great NBA-level skills Cook brings to the game. After January 1, Cook had no game above 13 points for the rest of the year -- averaged under 10 PPG for the year and got 2 in the title game.
Tiago Splitter scouting report per nbadraft.net:
Weaknesses: Not a prolific offensive player … Despite his height and quickness, Splitter is not much of a shot blocker … Tends to get frustrated when played physically in the low post … This has led some to question his mental toughness … Throughout his career he has had health trouble so there’s the concern that he could be an injury prone player in the NBA’s 82 game schedule … Must improve on his upper body strength. How big he can actually get is questionable … This impacts him offensively when he fails to finish after contact occurs … Despite being one of the most talented players on the court, he tends to defer to teammates and lacks aggressiveness … Surprisingly he shows mediocre consistency shooting from mid-range … Not a great free throw shooter … Still prone to fundamental lapses as he doesn’t always secure rebounds which enable easy steals for opposing teams … Tends to get out-muscled for rebounding position by stronger opposing forwards …
Boy, where do I sign up for a guy who is poor both offensively AND defensively AND who may not be healthy enough to play???
Bucks' Needs at #6
I forgot about the Bucks (see below for other teams):
http://aol.nba.com/bucks/stats/
Wow. Outrebounded by 4 a game, blocks number for the Bucks - 2.7 a game. For opponents -- 5.3. OUCH!!!!!!!!!!! Top shotblocker??? Brian Skinner with 64. They had only 4 guys on the roster with over 20 total blocks for the year!! (Michael Redd?? 9. That's right. 9 blocks. Let's pick any crappy defensive player you can think of.......um, Kyle Korver..........hold on............20 in only 200 more minutes for the year). Andrew Bogut -- 66 games, 35 blocks, 216 fouls. Over 6 fouls per block.
So, needs -- any big man who can rebound and play defense and who will intimidate on D.
Guys Who fit the bill -- Joakim Noah, maybe Mike Conley (can help keep guys out of the lane at least)
Guys Who Don't -- basically anyone else. If Noah or Conley isn't there at #6, look for the Bucks to try to move the pick.
http://aol.nba.com/bucks/stats/
Wow. Outrebounded by 4 a game, blocks number for the Bucks - 2.7 a game. For opponents -- 5.3. OUCH!!!!!!!!!!! Top shotblocker??? Brian Skinner with 64. They had only 4 guys on the roster with over 20 total blocks for the year!! (Michael Redd?? 9. That's right. 9 blocks. Let's pick any crappy defensive player you can think of.......um, Kyle Korver..........hold on............20 in only 200 more minutes for the year). Andrew Bogut -- 66 games, 35 blocks, 216 fouls. Over 6 fouls per block.
So, needs -- any big man who can rebound and play defense and who will intimidate on D.
Guys Who fit the bill -- Joakim Noah, maybe Mike Conley (can help keep guys out of the lane at least)
Guys Who Don't -- basically anyone else. If Noah or Conley isn't there at #6, look for the Bucks to try to move the pick.
ESPN Report -- Hawks Screw Up Garnett Deal
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=2919016
With Ainge saying the #5 is off the board, and with the Hawks ownership refusing to participate in the Garnett/Stoudamire deal, it looks like KG may stay in Minnesota at least past draft day.
Oh well. I was really hoping I could see Anthony Johnson in a Wolves uni!! I guess I will have to settle for Troy Hudson.
One interesting radio rumor -- Ricky Davis and the #7 pick for Ron Artest and the #10 pick. Go Wolves!!!
HM
With Ainge saying the #5 is off the board, and with the Hawks ownership refusing to participate in the Garnett/Stoudamire deal, it looks like KG may stay in Minnesota at least past draft day.
Oh well. I was really hoping I could see Anthony Johnson in a Wolves uni!! I guess I will have to settle for Troy Hudson.
One interesting radio rumor -- Ricky Davis and the #7 pick for Ron Artest and the #10 pick. Go Wolves!!!
HM
Atlanta Hawks Draft Needs
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/stats?team=atl
Pretty straightforward -- they have a poor assist-to-turnover ratio and they shoot poorly, particularly from 3. They also have the worst coach in the league, but I assume they will continue to do nothing about that.
Guys Who Fit Their Needs -- Al Horford (low post scorer, high percentage), Mike Conley (point guard), if reports are true, Yi Jianlian (good shooter), Corey Brewer, Spencer Hawes
Guys Who Don't -- Joakim Noah, both Wrights (Julian and Brandan)
Pretty straightforward -- they have a poor assist-to-turnover ratio and they shoot poorly, particularly from 3. They also have the worst coach in the league, but I assume they will continue to do nothing about that.
Guys Who Fit Their Needs -- Al Horford (low post scorer, high percentage), Mike Conley (point guard), if reports are true, Yi Jianlian (good shooter), Corey Brewer, Spencer Hawes
Guys Who Don't -- Joakim Noah, both Wrights (Julian and Brandan)
Boston Celtics -- Draft Pick Based Upon Need
http://aol.nba.com/celtics/stats/
A good rebounding team, a decent shooting team, good steals numbers. So why do they suck so bad? Their assist-to-turnover ratio is DREADFUL, leading to a much better shooting percentage for opponents. It also doesn't help that they don't block many shots.
Needs -- a great point guard, a scorer who has a high assist-to-turnover ratio (unlike Paul Pierce or Al Jefferson), a huge shotblocker.
Guys Who Fit the Bill at #5 -- Conley, Al Horford -- sadly, neither may be available -- so I finally understand their possible pick of Jeff Green or Yi Jianlian. Both handle the ball pretty well (Green over 3 assists a game last year). The drawback is, I don't think they are good enough scorers that they would handle the ball all that much, and certainly neither can play point.
Guys Who Don't -- Corey Brewer, Al Thornton, Noah, Hawes
Side Note -- Kevin Garnett and the Celts would be a perfect match. KG gives them a key guy with a high assist-to-turnover ratio while the guys they have are far more athletic than their Wolves counterparts.
A good rebounding team, a decent shooting team, good steals numbers. So why do they suck so bad? Their assist-to-turnover ratio is DREADFUL, leading to a much better shooting percentage for opponents. It also doesn't help that they don't block many shots.
Needs -- a great point guard, a scorer who has a high assist-to-turnover ratio (unlike Paul Pierce or Al Jefferson), a huge shotblocker.
Guys Who Fit the Bill at #5 -- Conley, Al Horford -- sadly, neither may be available -- so I finally understand their possible pick of Jeff Green or Yi Jianlian. Both handle the ball pretty well (Green over 3 assists a game last year). The drawback is, I don't think they are good enough scorers that they would handle the ball all that much, and certainly neither can play point.
Guys Who Don't -- Corey Brewer, Al Thornton, Noah, Hawes
Side Note -- Kevin Garnett and the Celts would be a perfect match. KG gives them a key guy with a high assist-to-turnover ratio while the guys they have are far more athletic than their Wolves counterparts.
Memphis Grizzlies Pick Based Upon Needs
http://aol.nba.com/grizzlies/stats/.
As you might imagine from their record, the Grizzle need just about everything. They can't rebound, get steals or blocks, or do much else.
But the Grizzle's most glaring weakness is the huge number of players they have who give them NOTHING in steals + blocks. Hakim Warrick (reputation as a leaper) 0.37 blocks a game in 26 minutes a night. They get 2 s+b a game less than opponents. They got Rudy Gay for Shane Battier. Gay had good steals+blocks numbers, but those numbers were worse than ANY season Shane Battier ever had in Memphis.
In short, they are extremely poor defensively and they need size. Their point guard play is not great in name (Atkins and Stoudamire) but those two actually each had very good numbers!!! (2.5 to 3 assists per turnover).
Guys who meet their needs at #4 -- Noah, Brewer, Wright, maybe even Jeff Green
Guys who don't fit the bill -- Mike Conley (whom everyone has them picking), Al Horford, Yi Jianlian
As you might imagine from their record, the Grizzle need just about everything. They can't rebound, get steals or blocks, or do much else.
But the Grizzle's most glaring weakness is the huge number of players they have who give them NOTHING in steals + blocks. Hakim Warrick (reputation as a leaper) 0.37 blocks a game in 26 minutes a night. They get 2 s+b a game less than opponents. They got Rudy Gay for Shane Battier. Gay had good steals+blocks numbers, but those numbers were worse than ANY season Shane Battier ever had in Memphis.
In short, they are extremely poor defensively and they need size. Their point guard play is not great in name (Atkins and Stoudamire) but those two actually each had very good numbers!!! (2.5 to 3 assists per turnover).
Guys who meet their needs at #4 -- Noah, Brewer, Wright, maybe even Jeff Green
Guys who don't fit the bill -- Mike Conley (whom everyone has them picking), Al Horford, Yi Jianlian
Minnesota Timberwolves Pick Based Upon Needs
http://aol.nba.com/timberwolves/stats/
The numbers over 82 games do not lie. Wolves are short on 1) offensive rebounding; 2) steals; 3) blocks; 4) 3 point shooting attempts. They also turn the ball over a lot despite playing at a pace below league average.
So, your needs based upon these numbers: athletic players who can get steals and blocks and hit the offensive glass, guys who can space the floor and hit the three on a consistent basis, a point guard who can handle the ball and cut down the turnovers.
Yet one report I saw had Kevin McHale telling a reporter that the Wolves really needed more inside post play!!! Um, no.
Guys who fit the bill at #7 -- Joakim Noah (gives S+B and boards), Brandan Wright (same) Corey Brewer (good defender, good range), Mike Conley, Jr.
Guys who are "amazing" because they offer (per Neal Page) "none of that" -- Spencer Hawes, Yi Jianlian
If all are available -- I think ya gotta choose Wright. He may be Ed O'Bannon, but he could be Chris Bosh or Zach Randolph if he improves and matures.
Of course a true "need" pick would require them to deal the pick for a new GM or coach.
The numbers over 82 games do not lie. Wolves are short on 1) offensive rebounding; 2) steals; 3) blocks; 4) 3 point shooting attempts. They also turn the ball over a lot despite playing at a pace below league average.
So, your needs based upon these numbers: athletic players who can get steals and blocks and hit the offensive glass, guys who can space the floor and hit the three on a consistent basis, a point guard who can handle the ball and cut down the turnovers.
Yet one report I saw had Kevin McHale telling a reporter that the Wolves really needed more inside post play!!! Um, no.
Guys who fit the bill at #7 -- Joakim Noah (gives S+B and boards), Brandan Wright (same) Corey Brewer (good defender, good range), Mike Conley, Jr.
Guys who are "amazing" because they offer (per Neal Page) "none of that" -- Spencer Hawes, Yi Jianlian
If all are available -- I think ya gotta choose Wright. He may be Ed O'Bannon, but he could be Chris Bosh or Zach Randolph if he improves and matures.
Of course a true "need" pick would require them to deal the pick for a new GM or coach.
KG Blog
http://www.iheartkg.blogspot.com/
If you want to keep up with Garnett trade rumors, that is your spot.
By the way, explain to me how Phoenix/MN/Atlanta can do a three-way deal!?!?!? The Hawks aren't going to trade Joe Johnson (their only good player) and no one wants Speedy Claxton. So, the remainder of the Hawks entire roster has salary of only $28MM this year. EVERY SINGLE GUY COMBINED!!!
So, Wolves move KG at $25MM and take back salaries of $25MM, but the Hawks get Amare Stoudamire???????? Where is all of the salary coming from? I am willing to be educated on this, but come on..........
If you want to keep up with Garnett trade rumors, that is your spot.
By the way, explain to me how Phoenix/MN/Atlanta can do a three-way deal!?!?!? The Hawks aren't going to trade Joe Johnson (their only good player) and no one wants Speedy Claxton. So, the remainder of the Hawks entire roster has salary of only $28MM this year. EVERY SINGLE GUY COMBINED!!!
So, Wolves move KG at $25MM and take back salaries of $25MM, but the Hawks get Amare Stoudamire???????? Where is all of the salary coming from? I am willing to be educated on this, but come on..........
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Famous Pro Wrestlers Since 1985 Who Have Died Before the Age of 50
Source: http://prowrestling.about.com/od/whatsrealwhatsfake/a/wrestlersdeaths.htm
A number of these guys were named to Pro Wrestling Illustrated's 2003 list of the best wrestlers of all-time: http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm
Chris Von Erich - 21
Mike Von Erich - 23
Louie Spiccoli - 27
Art Barr - 28
Gino Hernandez - 29
Jay Youngblood - 30
Rick McGraw - 30
Joey Marella - 30
Ed Gatner - 31
Buzz Sawyer - 32
Crash Holly - 32
Kerry Von Erich - 33
D.J. Peterson - 33
Eddie Gilbert - 33
The Renegade - 33
Owen Hart - 33
Chris Candido - 33
Adrian Adonis - 34
Gary Albright - 34
Bobby Duncum Jr. - 34
Yokozuna - 34
Big Dick Dudley - 34
Brian Pillman - 35
Marianna Komlos - 35
Pitbull #2 - 36
The Wall/Malice - 36
Leroy Brown - 38
Mark Curtis - 38
Eddie Guerrero - 38
Davey Boy Smith - 39
Johnny Grunge - 39
Vivian Vachon - 40
Jeep Swenson - 40
Brady Boone - 40
Terry Gordy - 40
Bertha Faye - 40
Billy Joe Travis - 40
Chris Benoit - 40
Larry Cameron - 41
Rick Rude - 41
Randy Anderson - 41
Bruiser Brody - 42
Miss Elizabeth - 42
Big Boss Man - 42
Earthquake - 42
Mike Awesome - 42
Ray Candy - 43
Nancy Benoit (Woman) - 43
Dino Bravo - 44
Curt Hennig - 44
Bam Bam Bigelow - 45
Jerry Blackwell - 45
Junkyard Dog - 45
Hercules - 45
Andre the Giant - 46
Big John Studd - 46
Chris Adams - 46
Mike Davis - 46
Hawk - 46
Dick Murdoch - 49
Jumbo Tsuruta - 49
Rocco Rock - 49
Sherri Martel - 49
A number of these guys were named to Pro Wrestling Illustrated's 2003 list of the best wrestlers of all-time: http://www.100megsfree4.com/wiawrestling/pages/pwi/pwi500yr.htm
Chris Von Erich - 21
Mike Von Erich - 23
Louie Spiccoli - 27
Art Barr - 28
Gino Hernandez - 29
Jay Youngblood - 30
Rick McGraw - 30
Joey Marella - 30
Ed Gatner - 31
Buzz Sawyer - 32
Crash Holly - 32
Kerry Von Erich - 33
D.J. Peterson - 33
Eddie Gilbert - 33
The Renegade - 33
Owen Hart - 33
Chris Candido - 33
Adrian Adonis - 34
Gary Albright - 34
Bobby Duncum Jr. - 34
Yokozuna - 34
Big Dick Dudley - 34
Brian Pillman - 35
Marianna Komlos - 35
Pitbull #2 - 36
The Wall/Malice - 36
Leroy Brown - 38
Mark Curtis - 38
Eddie Guerrero - 38
Davey Boy Smith - 39
Johnny Grunge - 39
Vivian Vachon - 40
Jeep Swenson - 40
Brady Boone - 40
Terry Gordy - 40
Bertha Faye - 40
Billy Joe Travis - 40
Chris Benoit - 40
Larry Cameron - 41
Rick Rude - 41
Randy Anderson - 41
Bruiser Brody - 42
Miss Elizabeth - 42
Big Boss Man - 42
Earthquake - 42
Mike Awesome - 42
Ray Candy - 43
Nancy Benoit (Woman) - 43
Dino Bravo - 44
Curt Hennig - 44
Bam Bam Bigelow - 45
Jerry Blackwell - 45
Junkyard Dog - 45
Hercules - 45
Andre the Giant - 46
Big John Studd - 46
Chris Adams - 46
Mike Davis - 46
Hawk - 46
Dick Murdoch - 49
Jumbo Tsuruta - 49
Rocco Rock - 49
Sherri Martel - 49
Chris Benoit and The Fallen Angel -- Thoughts of A Wrestling Fan
http://www.tmz.com/2007/06/26/world-wrestling-deaderation/
Look, I have no idea why Chris Benoit killed his wife and 7 year old child, waited a day, then killed himself. I do know that religion was involved (generally a bad thing -- bibles were laid near the victims) and that Benoit was, of course, an awful steroid abuser.
That said, the only thing that makes this any different from any of the other 25 recent deaths of 40ish year old men and women associated with wrestling is this: a 7 year old kid died.
Will this be enough to make anyone seriously inquire into the world of professional wrestling? I mean, Rude died, Hennig died, Elizabeth died, Sheri Martel died, Hawk died, Dino Bravo died, Bam Bam Bigelow died, Yokozuna died, Eddie Guererro died, Big Boss Man died, crap, the whole friggin Von Erich family (except one?) died.
Nope. NO ONE CARES!!!
Imagine that in baseball every good to great player hanging on toward the end of their career started dying -- Sosa, Bonds, Clemens, Frank Thomas, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux -- then Mark McGwire died and Juan Gonzalez and Rafael Palmeiro died.
Do you think that we wouldn't have SOME sort of investigation into why all of these freaking people were dying so young and what we could do about it or learn from it?
The truth is, pro wrestlers are disposable to polite society. There are probably fewer people in power who care if these folks die than care if chickens or dogs die fighting. I could understand the malaise except for two things: 1) these are VERY famous people with a lot of money -- no one wants to know how they are dying so young and what is causing it? and 2) isn't pro wrestling the PERFECT situation for us to assess athletes' health problems caused by steroid use and excessive use of pain killers??? I mean, everyone claims "You can't know what steroid use does because you can't get an adequate sample of steroid users." Bullshit. Take 100 guys who have donned the tights for 6+ years and test their bodies -- see what you find. The fact is, steroids are horribly damaging and we know that because we know what they do to wrestlers' bodies!!
In short, this story will disappear in a month. If there were no kid involved, it would take a week. That is yet another tragedy.
HM
Look, I have no idea why Chris Benoit killed his wife and 7 year old child, waited a day, then killed himself. I do know that religion was involved (generally a bad thing -- bibles were laid near the victims) and that Benoit was, of course, an awful steroid abuser.
That said, the only thing that makes this any different from any of the other 25 recent deaths of 40ish year old men and women associated with wrestling is this: a 7 year old kid died.
Will this be enough to make anyone seriously inquire into the world of professional wrestling? I mean, Rude died, Hennig died, Elizabeth died, Sheri Martel died, Hawk died, Dino Bravo died, Bam Bam Bigelow died, Yokozuna died, Eddie Guererro died, Big Boss Man died, crap, the whole friggin Von Erich family (except one?) died.
Nope. NO ONE CARES!!!
Imagine that in baseball every good to great player hanging on toward the end of their career started dying -- Sosa, Bonds, Clemens, Frank Thomas, Tom Glavine, Greg Maddux -- then Mark McGwire died and Juan Gonzalez and Rafael Palmeiro died.
Do you think that we wouldn't have SOME sort of investigation into why all of these freaking people were dying so young and what we could do about it or learn from it?
The truth is, pro wrestlers are disposable to polite society. There are probably fewer people in power who care if these folks die than care if chickens or dogs die fighting. I could understand the malaise except for two things: 1) these are VERY famous people with a lot of money -- no one wants to know how they are dying so young and what is causing it? and 2) isn't pro wrestling the PERFECT situation for us to assess athletes' health problems caused by steroid use and excessive use of pain killers??? I mean, everyone claims "You can't know what steroid use does because you can't get an adequate sample of steroid users." Bullshit. Take 100 guys who have donned the tights for 6+ years and test their bodies -- see what you find. The fact is, steroids are horribly damaging and we know that because we know what they do to wrestlers' bodies!!
In short, this story will disappear in a month. If there were no kid involved, it would take a week. That is yet another tragedy.
HM
Monday, June 25, 2007
Sam Smith -- Garnett for Nothing
Per Sam Smith's NBA rumor mill:
All the particulars aren't established, but the basics are the Suns get Garnett, the Celtics get Shawn Marion and the Timberwolves get the No. 5 pick, the Hawks' unprotected first-round pick for next season, which the Suns hold, the Suns' two firsts this year (No. 24 and 29) and the expiring contracts of Kurt Thomas and Theo Ratliff.
Excuse me?
So.............you trade your franchise's best player, the repeat rebounding champion and a guy who led the league in Efficiency (and was 2nd team all-NBA) for: two guys whom you should cut, Corey Brewer, Alondo Tucker, Josh McRoberts, and a chance to select high in 2008 (Chase Budinger anyone?).
You now are capped out because you STILL have $23MM of worthless power forward salaries, Troy Hudson, Marko Jaric and Mark Blount. You have a million guys on your roster (don't forget, you still have your own #7 pick) and your starting lineup is:
Starters -- Foye, Ricky Davis, Blount, Brewer, Juwan Howard
Bench -- T-Hud, Hassell, Spencer Hawes??, Jaric, Craig Smith
McCants, Tucker, Madsen, McRoberts, Ratliff???
And in 2008 you can add Budinger and cut, um, Howard??
I mean, come ON!!! That deal and that proposed team SUCK. They suck worse than any iteration of the Wolves since 1994-95. I cannot express how strongly this team would suck.
If you are going to do THIS deal, instead do what Bill Simmons suggests and throw all of your bad salaries into a hat and pick up the phone and call Isiah. "Zeke, I will give you Garnett, but you have to take Troy, Marko and Blount. I will take Stephon, Francis, and Malik Rose and 2 #1s." At least then in 2 years you are able to bid on free agents.
HM
Chauncey Billups -- Free Agent Evaluation
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/b/billuch01.html
Does someone (Milwaukee??) offer Chauncey a max deal? Remember, a max deal is something like The Devil's $15-16-17MM deal if you have Chauncey's years of NBA service.
Now look at Chauncey's player similarity scores (towards the bottom of the page) -- Steve Nash pre-MVP, Kirk Hinrich, Rod Strickland, Terry Porter -- all good players, but certainly not max contract guys at the times they were playing similar to Chauncey.
More concerning is Chauncey's mediocre playoff numbers in 2007 -- 5 assists to 3 1/2 turnovers? Pretty good.......for a power forward...........Never a great mid-range shooter, and his three-point shooting is good, not great. Not a shutdown defender by any means.
Ultimately Chauncey may need Detroit -- he gets guarded by the worst guard defender (can't put that guy on Rip) and he gets to bomb a ton of 3s with the hope that he gets hot and makes some.
HM's Market Value for Chauncey -- maybe $9MM to start, might be worth $10MM to Detroit.
Does someone (Milwaukee??) offer Chauncey a max deal? Remember, a max deal is something like The Devil's $15-16-17MM deal if you have Chauncey's years of NBA service.
Now look at Chauncey's player similarity scores (towards the bottom of the page) -- Steve Nash pre-MVP, Kirk Hinrich, Rod Strickland, Terry Porter -- all good players, but certainly not max contract guys at the times they were playing similar to Chauncey.
More concerning is Chauncey's mediocre playoff numbers in 2007 -- 5 assists to 3 1/2 turnovers? Pretty good.......for a power forward...........Never a great mid-range shooter, and his three-point shooting is good, not great. Not a shutdown defender by any means.
Ultimately Chauncey may need Detroit -- he gets guarded by the worst guard defender (can't put that guy on Rip) and he gets to bomb a ton of 3s with the hope that he gets hot and makes some.
HM's Market Value for Chauncey -- maybe $9MM to start, might be worth $10MM to Detroit.
Fabricio Oberto -- Restricted Free Agent
http://basketball-reference.com/players/o/obertfa01.html
Soooooooooooo, you want to throw some big cash at Fabricio Oberto?? Know this:
1) Actually a better OFFENSIVE player than defender -- 1 to 1 assist to turnover, 56% from the floor. As a defender, even jacking up his numbers on a "per 40 minutes" basis, he only gets 1.4 steals+blocks and would average 6.2 fouls if he stayed on the floor for 40 minutes. So, almost 9 fouls committed per every block.
2) His similarity scores are guys like Iavaroni and DeClerc and Carl Herrera. Now, there are a few glimmers of hope in there (A.C. Green, Dale Davis) but it seems like he is basically a mediocre grinder than you can get with a good low-first pick in the NBA draft basically any year.
Soooooooooooo, you want to throw some big cash at Fabricio Oberto?? Know this:
1) Actually a better OFFENSIVE player than defender -- 1 to 1 assist to turnover, 56% from the floor. As a defender, even jacking up his numbers on a "per 40 minutes" basis, he only gets 1.4 steals+blocks and would average 6.2 fouls if he stayed on the floor for 40 minutes. So, almost 9 fouls committed per every block.
2) His similarity scores are guys like Iavaroni and DeClerc and Carl Herrera. Now, there are a few glimmers of hope in there (A.C. Green, Dale Davis) but it seems like he is basically a mediocre grinder than you can get with a good low-first pick in the NBA draft basically any year.
KG For Al Jefferson and the #1
Now, I recently saw where 90% of Celtics fans disapproved of the idea of trading Al Jefferson and the #5 pick in the 2007 draft to get Garnett. 90%....
Al has never played 82 games in a season and he is young!! How much/well will he play when his body starts breaking down under the weight? Al is a 68% free throw shooter. Assist-to-turnover is not close to 1-to-1. Blocks per foul? Not even 1 block for every 2 fouls. Steals? Few. Shooting range? None.
The draft sites seem to have the Celts taking Jeff Green (can Ricky Green be had as a free agent? Is Shacky Green still alive? They already have Gerald Green.).
Jackie McMullen on ESPN the other day almost had a stroke when the KG-Al-#5 topic was mentioned, "It is Al OR the #1, not BOTH!!!! Al OR not AND!!! Let me be clear!!"
OK, OK, OK, Jackie. I guess we are clear. The Celts figure that they are dealing with McHale so they can screw Minnesota by offering either an unproven oft-injured foul prone undersized center for KG or, say..................Jeff Green!?!?
But if the deal from Boston is basically Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, and Al Jefferson for KG, I politely pass and leave Danny Ainge to explain to his fans why they could have had KG but instead preferred Jeff Green.
Enjoy.
HM
Al has never played 82 games in a season and he is young!! How much/well will he play when his body starts breaking down under the weight? Al is a 68% free throw shooter. Assist-to-turnover is not close to 1-to-1. Blocks per foul? Not even 1 block for every 2 fouls. Steals? Few. Shooting range? None.
The draft sites seem to have the Celts taking Jeff Green (can Ricky Green be had as a free agent? Is Shacky Green still alive? They already have Gerald Green.).
Jackie McMullen on ESPN the other day almost had a stroke when the KG-Al-#5 topic was mentioned, "It is Al OR the #1, not BOTH!!!! Al OR not AND!!! Let me be clear!!"
OK, OK, OK, Jackie. I guess we are clear. The Celts figure that they are dealing with McHale so they can screw Minnesota by offering either an unproven oft-injured foul prone undersized center for KG or, say..................Jeff Green!?!?
But if the deal from Boston is basically Theo Ratliff, Sebastian Telfair, and Al Jefferson for KG, I politely pass and leave Danny Ainge to explain to his fans why they could have had KG but instead preferred Jeff Green.
Enjoy.
HM
Going Up, Going Down
Based upon a quick review of NBA Draft sites, it appears that:
Draft Stock Rising: Jeff Green (Boston said to love him -- "OK, Celt fans, we can't get KG or Marion, but we can get a tweener to back up Paul Pierce!!!")
Rising: Mike Conley -- even nbadraft.net has him now going top 6
Rising -- Al Thornton -- sure he is an indifferent rebounder and defender......and passer....and ballhandler.........but dammit! put him in a two-on-two drill and he will dunk over everyone!! (OK, everyone 6'8" and under).
Draft Stock Falling: The Big Chinese guy -- now dropping through the top 9, dropping, dropping, you can almost hear Brady Quinn saying "hang in there."
Spencer Hawes -- at 7'1", maybe being outboarded 9-6 by a 6'7" white teammate over the course of the entire year eventually drops your stock???
Brandan Wright -- once a consensus #3 to the Hawks, now one site has him at #4 to the Grizzle (now they will have the right-handed and left-handed version of Hakim Warrick) and one has him at #6 to the Bucks
Could Wright fall to Minny at #7? If so, do they still take Corey Brewer? Stay tuned.
HM
Draft Stock Rising: Jeff Green (Boston said to love him -- "OK, Celt fans, we can't get KG or Marion, but we can get a tweener to back up Paul Pierce!!!")
Rising: Mike Conley -- even nbadraft.net has him now going top 6
Rising -- Al Thornton -- sure he is an indifferent rebounder and defender......and passer....and ballhandler.........but dammit! put him in a two-on-two drill and he will dunk over everyone!! (OK, everyone 6'8" and under).
Draft Stock Falling: The Big Chinese guy -- now dropping through the top 9, dropping, dropping, you can almost hear Brady Quinn saying "hang in there."
Spencer Hawes -- at 7'1", maybe being outboarded 9-6 by a 6'7" white teammate over the course of the entire year eventually drops your stock???
Brandan Wright -- once a consensus #3 to the Hawks, now one site has him at #4 to the Grizzle (now they will have the right-handed and left-handed version of Hakim Warrick) and one has him at #6 to the Bucks
Could Wright fall to Minny at #7? If so, do they still take Corey Brewer? Stay tuned.
HM
Ron Artest to Minnesota?
http://www.sactownroyalty.com/story/2007/6/25/95830/4795
You have to like: 1) that the guy concedes that it is a weak rumor; and 2) that he rips McHale.
You have to like: 1) that the guy concedes that it is a weak rumor; and 2) that he rips McHale.
Eddie Murphy -- Daddy
http://news.aol.com/entertainment/movies/articles/_a/dna-proves-eddie-murphy-is-babys-father/20070622133909990001
In his defense, he initially thought she was a transvestite hooker in need of a ride.............Spice up your life!
In his defense, he initially thought she was a transvestite hooker in need of a ride.............Spice up your life!
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Jeff Green, Al Horford and Mike Conley
My thoughts:
1) Jeff Green is not a huge wide guy. He cannot play much big forward for you. He has a decent left hand and handles the ball OK. What is most concerning about Green is that he has a flat shot and carries the ball down by his ear while shooting. Any decent player trailing him on the right side has a good chance at bothering that shot.
Green uses a ton of spin and wrist flick on his jumper and it gets flatter and flatter as he gets tired.
Anyone who picks Green will have to get him out in the open court and use his athletic gifts, but I don't see him having high-level NBA scoring skills right away. Would be a poor pick for the Wolves at #7.
2) Al Horford -- on the other hand, Al Horford is a huge monster of a man (almost 6'10" with basketball shoes on, 245 lbs.). While he has a strange Rasheed Wallace-looking shot (fades back and to the left, gets up on his tippy toes, holds the ball over his head almost at arm's length), it seems to go in. This is probably due to the fact that he has great hands and a great feel as a scorer.
The only question I would have on Horford is his ability to score inside over bigger guys (Garnett, Sheed, guys who are basically 7') and his ability to defend extremely quick athletic players.
That said, I don't see how the guy gets past the 4th pick in the draft. His footwork in the post is impecable and his hands are very solid.
3) Mike Conley -- reportedly cramped up during Bucks workout and shot the ball very poorly at another workout. I don't think it matters.
Conley compares his game to Tony Parker's. I certainly hope Conley is a better on the ball defender, but let's suppose for a minute that Mike Conley just sucks on offense and cannot shoot or score at all. What is his downside? Derek Fisher? Avery Johnson? If you are a winner and a good strong defensive guard who can handle the ball, you are going to be a very good NBA contributor for many, many years.
www.nbadraft.net STILL has the Hawks getting Mike Conley way down at #11. That, folks, is just not going to happen. If it does, the Hawks need to have a ticker tape parade down Peachtree....
1) Jeff Green is not a huge wide guy. He cannot play much big forward for you. He has a decent left hand and handles the ball OK. What is most concerning about Green is that he has a flat shot and carries the ball down by his ear while shooting. Any decent player trailing him on the right side has a good chance at bothering that shot.
Green uses a ton of spin and wrist flick on his jumper and it gets flatter and flatter as he gets tired.
Anyone who picks Green will have to get him out in the open court and use his athletic gifts, but I don't see him having high-level NBA scoring skills right away. Would be a poor pick for the Wolves at #7.
2) Al Horford -- on the other hand, Al Horford is a huge monster of a man (almost 6'10" with basketball shoes on, 245 lbs.). While he has a strange Rasheed Wallace-looking shot (fades back and to the left, gets up on his tippy toes, holds the ball over his head almost at arm's length), it seems to go in. This is probably due to the fact that he has great hands and a great feel as a scorer.
The only question I would have on Horford is his ability to score inside over bigger guys (Garnett, Sheed, guys who are basically 7') and his ability to defend extremely quick athletic players.
That said, I don't see how the guy gets past the 4th pick in the draft. His footwork in the post is impecable and his hands are very solid.
3) Mike Conley -- reportedly cramped up during Bucks workout and shot the ball very poorly at another workout. I don't think it matters.
Conley compares his game to Tony Parker's. I certainly hope Conley is a better on the ball defender, but let's suppose for a minute that Mike Conley just sucks on offense and cannot shoot or score at all. What is his downside? Derek Fisher? Avery Johnson? If you are a winner and a good strong defensive guard who can handle the ball, you are going to be a very good NBA contributor for many, many years.
www.nbadraft.net STILL has the Hawks getting Mike Conley way down at #11. That, folks, is just not going to happen. If it does, the Hawks need to have a ticker tape parade down Peachtree....
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
From hoopsworld.com -- Kobe Acting Pissed
If I had a lot of money, I would pay a lot of money to get this video.
I enjoy Kobe's statement to Lakers fans, "Get a Bulls jersey." So there you go, K -- you get to root shamelessly for Kobe as he tries to usurp Jordan's legend in Chicago! Enjoy!
One thing I will agree with The Devil on -- the Lakers seem to think that they can acquire all-star and Hall of Fame level talent without moving Andrew Bynum. Why? I mean, if Andrew Bynum is so awesome that you won't trade him for Jason Kidd or Jermaine O'Neal or KG or various others, why don't you just go to The Devil and say, "Kobe, this guy is a young Shaq. Just give him a couple years!" It all makes no sense. But anything that makes Kobe look bad is Ok with me. Here is the cut-and-paste of the key parts of the item:
Recently Basketball News was approached with the opportunity to purchase video footage featuring Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant. In what was apparently a chance encounter outside of a Newport Beach deli, Bryant spoke openly about his frustration with the team's personnel decisions.
It is outside of our journalistic ethics to obtain a video for money. However, the owners of the clip are committed to making the content public.
Having turned away a lucrative offer (by an unknown party) to destroy the tape, the group has put the video on the market to the highest bidder.
Whether they make a little bit, or as one of the gentlemen indicated, "more than a little bit," eventually it will make headlines.
I have seen the video. Bryant is wearing a red shirt and sunglasses. Apparently the videographer and Bryant frequent the same establishment and are on general speaking terms.
While the conversation was purported to have lasted approximately 15 minutes, the video is brief. It was taken with a digital camera and leaves no doubt that it is in fact Bryant.
Interspersed with numerous cuss words, Bryant discusses the Lakers' decision not to trade Andrew Bynum to the New Jersey Nets at the trade deadline in February.
"Ship his [rear end] out. We're talking Jason Kidd," said Bryant. "They didn't want to do that. That's why we're in this [messed up] position."
The footage was shot in early June, close to the date when Bryant went on numerous radio stations to express his unhappiness in the team's direction . . . and ultimately demand a trade.
In addition to the video the group has an audio clip captured on a cell phone on June 10th.
Bryant is approached with the query, "Please tell us you're staying!"
His response: "Get a [Chicago] Bulls uniform fellas."
The "Kobe Video Guys", as they wish to be called, feel the "public has a right to know." Justifying their individual pursuit, they feel Bryant has no reasonable expectation of privacy. He was speaking openly in front of a camera without any request of confidentiality.
For more (loads slowly): http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_22362.shtml
I enjoy Kobe's statement to Lakers fans, "Get a Bulls jersey." So there you go, K -- you get to root shamelessly for Kobe as he tries to usurp Jordan's legend in Chicago! Enjoy!
One thing I will agree with The Devil on -- the Lakers seem to think that they can acquire all-star and Hall of Fame level talent without moving Andrew Bynum. Why? I mean, if Andrew Bynum is so awesome that you won't trade him for Jason Kidd or Jermaine O'Neal or KG or various others, why don't you just go to The Devil and say, "Kobe, this guy is a young Shaq. Just give him a couple years!" It all makes no sense. But anything that makes Kobe look bad is Ok with me. Here is the cut-and-paste of the key parts of the item:
Recently Basketball News was approached with the opportunity to purchase video footage featuring Los Angeles Lakers All-Star Kobe Bryant. In what was apparently a chance encounter outside of a Newport Beach deli, Bryant spoke openly about his frustration with the team's personnel decisions.
It is outside of our journalistic ethics to obtain a video for money. However, the owners of the clip are committed to making the content public.
Having turned away a lucrative offer (by an unknown party) to destroy the tape, the group has put the video on the market to the highest bidder.
Whether they make a little bit, or as one of the gentlemen indicated, "more than a little bit," eventually it will make headlines.
I have seen the video. Bryant is wearing a red shirt and sunglasses. Apparently the videographer and Bryant frequent the same establishment and are on general speaking terms.
While the conversation was purported to have lasted approximately 15 minutes, the video is brief. It was taken with a digital camera and leaves no doubt that it is in fact Bryant.
Interspersed with numerous cuss words, Bryant discusses the Lakers' decision not to trade Andrew Bynum to the New Jersey Nets at the trade deadline in February.
"Ship his [rear end] out. We're talking Jason Kidd," said Bryant. "They didn't want to do that. That's why we're in this [messed up] position."
The footage was shot in early June, close to the date when Bryant went on numerous radio stations to express his unhappiness in the team's direction . . . and ultimately demand a trade.
In addition to the video the group has an audio clip captured on a cell phone on June 10th.
Bryant is approached with the query, "Please tell us you're staying!"
His response: "Get a [Chicago] Bulls uniform fellas."
The "Kobe Video Guys", as they wish to be called, feel the "public has a right to know." Justifying their individual pursuit, they feel Bryant has no reasonable expectation of privacy. He was speaking openly in front of a camera without any request of confidentiality.
For more (loads slowly): http://www.hoopsworld.com/article_22362.shtml
Vin Baker -- Still A Drunk
No word on whether this will encourage Kevin McHale to sign him again in 2007-08 to offer "veteran leadership."
As always in these situations, AC/DC is appropos; while Baker was being questioned, he was probably humming along:
Whiskey, gin and brandy
With a glass I'm pretty handy
I'm trying to walk a straight line
On sour mash and cheap wine
So join me for a drink boys
We're gonna make a big noise
So don't worry about tomorrow
Take it today
Forget about the cheque;
We'll get hell to pay...............Have a drink on me...
KG Trade to Boston -- Well I was Close!
http://celtics.bostonherald.com/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1007207.
I would much rather have Wally and give them Marko Jaric instead of going on the cheap and getting the cell-phone-dialing Telfair, but hey! The deal is almost as I imagined it.
The Celts would also have to agree to give us back the #1 we foolishly gave them in the Davis/Blount deal.
HM
I would much rather have Wally and give them Marko Jaric instead of going on the cheap and getting the cell-phone-dialing Telfair, but hey! The deal is almost as I imagined it.
The Celts would also have to agree to give us back the #1 we foolishly gave them in the Davis/Blount deal.
HM
Tiger Woods -- New Dad
It's an Asian-Black-Swedish girl! Sam Alexis Woods.
http://sports.aol.com/golf/story/_a/tigers-wife-gives-birth-to-their-first/20070618225009990001
Tiger is demanding that no one give the girl any clothes stating "little Angel" -- lest someone pronounce that "an-Hell".........
http://sports.aol.com/golf/story/_a/tigers-wife-gives-birth-to-their-first/20070618225009990001
Tiger is demanding that no one give the girl any clothes stating "little Angel" -- lest someone pronounce that "an-Hell".........
Monday, June 18, 2007
KG to the Eastern Conference???
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/06/18/kevin-garnett-reportedly-available/
As a season ticket holder, I would like to see the locals trade KG if they could get: 1) excellent young players, 2) a high #1 in 2007 and a future #1 to make up for the ones we will be losing shortly, and 3) some salary cap relief (for example, the departure of Troy Hudson or Marko Jaric).
The 3 teams with high picks in 2007 and excellent young players are Boston, Atlanta and Chicago. The Knicks have no 2007 pick and I really don't like any of their young players, either.
To move KG and $6MM worth of shit, you have to take $25MM to $31MM in salary back. The Knicks can easily put together $30MM of contracts, but I hate all of their guys.
So, Bulls/Atlanta/Chicago would be my front runners.
The Hawks' 3rd pick, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and Speedy Claxton would have some appeal, but there isn't enough salary there coming our way.
According to the salaries I see on www.hoopshype.com (those numbers are not always 100% accurate), the Celtics could offer a deal involving Theo Ratliff, Wally, Al Jefferson, Gerald Green and the Celts' high #1 -- toss in a #1 from someone else or forgive the Wolves that awful decision to give Boston the #1 for Ricky Davis and Mark Blount, and the deal works out pretty well.
Celts would get KG and Marko.
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/06/18/kevin-garnett-reportedly-available/
As a season ticket holder, I would like to see the locals trade KG if they could get: 1) excellent young players, 2) a high #1 in 2007 and a future #1 to make up for the ones we will be losing shortly, and 3) some salary cap relief (for example, the departure of Troy Hudson or Marko Jaric).
The 3 teams with high picks in 2007 and excellent young players are Boston, Atlanta and Chicago. The Knicks have no 2007 pick and I really don't like any of their young players, either.
To move KG and $6MM worth of shit, you have to take $25MM to $31MM in salary back. The Knicks can easily put together $30MM of contracts, but I hate all of their guys.
So, Bulls/Atlanta/Chicago would be my front runners.
The Hawks' 3rd pick, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams and Speedy Claxton would have some appeal, but there isn't enough salary there coming our way.
According to the salaries I see on www.hoopshype.com (those numbers are not always 100% accurate), the Celtics could offer a deal involving Theo Ratliff, Wally, Al Jefferson, Gerald Green and the Celts' high #1 -- toss in a #1 from someone else or forgive the Wolves that awful decision to give Boston the #1 for Ricky Davis and Mark Blount, and the deal works out pretty well.
Celts would get KG and Marko.
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/06/18/kevin-garnett-reportedly-available/
Pat Forde -- Tiger Not What He Once Was
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/columns/story?columnist=forde_pat&id=2907506&sportCat=golf
The statistics I saw over the weekend that was most interesting to me is that Tiger DOMINATES major championships where the par is 72 (i.e., where there are 4 Par 5s on the course) but is far less dominant on par 70 or par 71 courses. I do not recall the exact stats, and I don't have time to look them up. But they were astonishing -- something like 9 or 10 of Tiger's majors have come on par 72 courses while he has been just simply very good on the courses with fewer par 5s.
This gives some credence to those who have always claimed that Tiger's true strength is not his mental toughness or some sort of Zen deal, but rather the simple fact that he can outdrive people and hit his long irons very long and straight, making par 5s into par 4s for him and netting him several shots a round that others cannot match.
Food for thought.
The statistics I saw over the weekend that was most interesting to me is that Tiger DOMINATES major championships where the par is 72 (i.e., where there are 4 Par 5s on the course) but is far less dominant on par 70 or par 71 courses. I do not recall the exact stats, and I don't have time to look them up. But they were astonishing -- something like 9 or 10 of Tiger's majors have come on par 72 courses while he has been just simply very good on the courses with fewer par 5s.
This gives some credence to those who have always claimed that Tiger's true strength is not his mental toughness or some sort of Zen deal, but rather the simple fact that he can outdrive people and hit his long irons very long and straight, making par 5s into par 4s for him and netting him several shots a round that others cannot match.
Food for thought.
Chauncey Billups -- A Milwaukee Buck?
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/06/16/chauncey-billups-to-the-bucks-rumor-returns/
From a salary standpoint, it does make a lot of sense -- the Bucks can get their salary number as low as $31,000,000, far below the cap. http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/milwaukee.htm. Assume that they went to $14MM on Chauncey. Would the Pistons be willing to go up to $65MM in payroll to keep a guy who has played poorly in two straight Eastern Conference finals??? Ultimately, the Pistons cannot allow another guy to leave for nothing. They'd have to sign Chauncey, even if it was to send him elsewhere...
From a salary standpoint, it does make a lot of sense -- the Bucks can get their salary number as low as $31,000,000, far below the cap. http://www.hoopshype.com/salaries/milwaukee.htm. Assume that they went to $14MM on Chauncey. Would the Pistons be willing to go up to $65MM in payroll to keep a guy who has played poorly in two straight Eastern Conference finals??? Ultimately, the Pistons cannot allow another guy to leave for nothing. They'd have to sign Chauncey, even if it was to send him elsewhere...
The Old "Barry vs. Lance Armstrong" Issue
http://sports.aol.com/fanhouse/2007/06/17/barrys-world-the-difference-between-barry-bonds-and-lance-arms/
An issue I have addressed a few times. Since I asm not a racist, I am in the Barry camp on this one!
An issue I have addressed a few times. Since I asm not a racist, I am in the Barry camp on this one!
Friday, June 15, 2007
My Prediction -- Phil Mickelson makes the Cut
http://www.thegolfchannel.com/core.aspx?page=10100&select=9622&select2=0&select3=1&v.pos=397&h.pos=0
Phil struggled in at +11 and is right now below the "projected cut" of +10 being listed by most sites.
I say that, while he will not be in the top 60, Phil will make the weekend based upon being within 10 shots of the lead.
Aaron Baddeley and Justin Rose are in at +2. Paul Casey shot a 66 today (he is at +3 overall) -- goes to show you that the course is not impossible to play (as some have opined).
But I doubt that the second round leader will be any better than +1. Nick "The Quick" Dougherty is currently at -3, but that cannot possible continue. I predict that maybe one guy overtakes Rose and Bads and then only by one stroke. +1 plus 10 strokes = +11.
HM
Phil struggled in at +11 and is right now below the "projected cut" of +10 being listed by most sites.
I say that, while he will not be in the top 60, Phil will make the weekend based upon being within 10 shots of the lead.
Aaron Baddeley and Justin Rose are in at +2. Paul Casey shot a 66 today (he is at +3 overall) -- goes to show you that the course is not impossible to play (as some have opined).
But I doubt that the second round leader will be any better than +1. Nick "The Quick" Dougherty is currently at -3, but that cannot possible continue. I predict that maybe one guy overtakes Rose and Bads and then only by one stroke. +1 plus 10 strokes = +11.
HM
Byron Houston -- Couldn't Have Won "The Contest"
http://newsok.com/article/3066344. I am surprised that his eyes aren't half-closed in this mug shot!
Perhaps Byron's serial masturbation could be helped out if he were to listen to the cautionary Seinfeld tale of the great hand model -- Ray McKigney:
Photographer: You know who's hands they remind me of? (Pauses for effect) Ray McKigney. (The woman nods as the man looks off into space) Man: Ugh.. Ray. Photographer: He was it. George: Who was he?
Photographer: The most exquisite hands you've ever seen.. Oh, he had it all. George: (Hands still out, even though they've stopped looking at them) What happened to him? (Obviously a touchy subject, the woman coyly walks over to the photographer, and they both occupy themselves. The man is left to tell George the answer to his question)
Man: (Clears throat) Tragic story, I'm afraid. He could've had any woman in the world.. but none could match the beauty of his own hand.. and that became his one true love.. (Long pause) George: You mean, uh..? Man: Yes. he was not.. master of his domain. George: (Makes a gesture saying he understands. The man nods) But how.. uh..? Man: (Quick, to the point) The muscles.. became so strained with.. overuse, that eventually the hand locked into a deformed position, and he was left with nothing but a claw.
Cavs -- The Worst?
Well, it has come down to this: Were the 2001-02 Nets the worst NBA finalist ever (OK, since 1979), or have they been supplanted by the 2006-07 Cavs?
Both were swept. Neither really had much of a chance to win a game (Cavs led in the 4th in Game 4, Nets led in Game 3). Both had glaring weaknesses, and both were badly outclassed.
I have reviewed the roster of the 2001-02 Lakers -- Shaq, The Devil, a younger Robert Horry, a deteriorating-but-adequate Rick Fox, the decent Derek Fisher, Brian Shaw off the bench.
The 2006-07 Spurs feature Duncan & Parker (hardly Shaq and Kobe in their primes), Ginobili, an older Robert Horry, Oberto, and aged Michael Finley.
SO>>>>>>>>>>>???????????????????????
Yes. In my opinion, the Cavs are the worst ever NBA Finalist post-1979. They played a worse team than did the 2001-02 Nets. They were more poorly coached than those Nets. Their star player (James -- 36%) played worse than did the Nets' star (Kidd, who had a triple double one game and a double-double two others). The Cavs had no one who played as well in any game as did Kenyon Martin (who went for 35 in one Lakers tilt).
So, I love you Cavs, but your team is the worst NBA Finalist ever in what I consider to be the modern era of NBA basketball.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Mike James versus Juwan Howard -- What to Expect
Per his entry at www.basketball-reference.com the Wolves traded for Mike James coming off a Joe Dumars/Isiah Thomas/Jason Terry type year with Toronto. In 2006-07 they got a Howard Eisley/Sam Vincent/Negele Knight type year out of James. Not quite what they bargained for.
By acquiring Howard, the Wolves acquire a guy who has two basic skills -- he can hit an open jumper, and he can hit the defensive glass. So, basically, they acquired a VERY poor man's KG.
Howard's deficiencies -- old, rarely gets an offensive board, mediocre assist man, and NEVER gets a steal or a block (one of the worst in the league at his height in these defensive stats).
So, Houston is getting the bigger upside, the Wolves are getting the smaller headache.
By acquiring Howard, the Wolves acquire a guy who has two basic skills -- he can hit an open jumper, and he can hit the defensive glass. So, basically, they acquired a VERY poor man's KG.
Howard's deficiencies -- old, rarely gets an offensive board, mediocre assist man, and NEVER gets a steal or a block (one of the worst in the league at his height in these defensive stats).
So, Houston is getting the bigger upside, the Wolves are getting the smaller headache.
Lowpost.net Names Me Somewhere Between 99th and 114th best Hoops Blogger
http://lowpost.net/blogs/30 see also the 90-day rankings.
Luckily, I provide more entries per week than the NBA Macedonia guy's Blog!
When you are about 107th best, you try harder!!!
Oh, and something I have meant to say for quite some time -- http://www.lowpost.net/ is one of the greatest non-porn sites on the entire Internet!!
HM
Luckily, I provide more entries per week than the NBA Macedonia guy's Blog!
When you are about 107th best, you try harder!!!
Oh, and something I have meant to say for quite some time -- http://www.lowpost.net/ is one of the greatest non-porn sites on the entire Internet!!
HM
Wolves Note
Just went and picked new seats for the Wolves. I was informed that the Rockets will also take Justin Reed off our hands and deal him somewhere else. Visual notes:
1) Fred Hoiberg standing around in shorts, doing nothing. Obviously has learned at the feet of McHale.
2) Not one person (fan or employee) seemed sad to see Mike James go.
1) Fred Hoiberg standing around in shorts, doing nothing. Obviously has learned at the feet of McHale.
2) Not one person (fan or employee) seemed sad to see Mike James go.
Almost Forgot -- Dale Earnhardt, Jr. Signs On to Carry California Drivers' Jocks
Dale Sr. must now be spinning in his grave to hear that Carolina's alleged pride, Dale, Jr., is going to be teammates (slash lovers?? -- probably not) with Californians Jeff Gordon and Jimmy Johnson.
Since both Cali boys have far superior records to those of the supposed Southerner (Gordon, 79 wins, Johnson 27, Dale............er.......17), it would appear to me that Dale Jr. is basically the Luc Longley of his new team. He may get some wins, when the other guys let him win.
So "Congrats!!!" fans of Dale, Jr. Your boy has deserted you. Next up -- he moves to L.A. and insists upon being called "Rainbow Warrior, Jr."
Since both Cali boys have far superior records to those of the supposed Southerner (Gordon, 79 wins, Johnson 27, Dale............er.......17), it would appear to me that Dale Jr. is basically the Luc Longley of his new team. He may get some wins, when the other guys let him win.
So "Congrats!!!" fans of Dale, Jr. Your boy has deserted you. Next up -- he moves to L.A. and insists upon being called "Rainbow Warrior, Jr."
Steve Aschburner -- Ranking the Coaches
http://sports.aol.com/nba/story/nbafinals/_a/popovich-marches-to-front-of-nba/20070613130609990001
Ranking ANYONE below Mike Woodson is a cruel, cruel shot (not that Wittman deserves much better, but come on! No one has crippled his team's chances of winning more than Woodson).
Proving that Asch used to follow the Wolves, he absolutely DETROYS Flip Saunders (8 spots below Nate McMillan, 10+ below Lawrence Frank!). Let's see, hmmm, Flip's career -- three overall #1 seeds, three overall conference finals. Nate's? Um, not so much -- played Stephen Graham over Martell Webster and then cut Graham!
Ranking ANYONE below Mike Woodson is a cruel, cruel shot (not that Wittman deserves much better, but come on! No one has crippled his team's chances of winning more than Woodson).
Proving that Asch used to follow the Wolves, he absolutely DETROYS Flip Saunders (8 spots below Nate McMillan, 10+ below Lawrence Frank!). Let's see, hmmm, Flip's career -- three overall #1 seeds, three overall conference finals. Nate's? Um, not so much -- played Stephen Graham over Martell Webster and then cut Graham!
Asch's 10, 9, 7 -- Nate McMillan, Sam Mitchell, Lawrence Frank. Um, OK. Total NBA Conference Finals for those guys -----that would be ZERO. Byron Scott -- 2 NBA finals. Larry Frank takes over for him and immediately gets the squad eliminated in the conference semis. Nets add Vince Carter for basically nothing -- get worse.
I am sure that Boston and Philly fans will be surprised to learn of the wizardry of Jim O'Brien -- place in the same category as Rick Adelman, George Karl and Don Nelson!!!!!!!! Whoa!! Rick Adelman -- teams won 50 games 9 times. Career .610 winning percentage, 2 NBA finals.
O'Brien -- teams never won 50 games in a season. Career playoff record is sub-.500. Fired after one year with Philly. Almost as good as three potential HOF coaches? Um, doubtful.
Not Mike Brown's Biggest Fan
http://dimemag.com/2007/06/14/firing-mike-brown/#more-476
Wow. Direct....
Brown reaches the Finals and his head is being called for. Atlanta retains Mike Woodson and Minnesota retains Randy Wittman. Hmmmm??????
Wow. Direct....
Brown reaches the Finals and his head is being called for. Atlanta retains Mike Woodson and Minnesota retains Randy Wittman. Hmmmm??????
Mike James to Houston for Juwan Howard
http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/bk/bkn/4888588.html
If true (and not including, for example, another #1) this is a good start to the Wolves' off season. Get rid of one of your 11 point guards and get a guy who is old, but who can still give you 20+ minutes a night in the frontcourt.
Rumor is that Justin Reed may also be tossed into the deal (and I don't care either way since I want him cut anyway).
Now the Wolves have used up one bargaining chip (James) and they still have two (McCants -- not a PROVEN failure -- and Ricky Davis -- a loser, but puts up good stats).
Next step, offer McCants and/or Ricky and one of the awful contracts (Blount, Hudson, Jaric) to someone for a really bad contract. Larry Hughes? Troy Murphy? Steve Francis?
HM
If true (and not including, for example, another #1) this is a good start to the Wolves' off season. Get rid of one of your 11 point guards and get a guy who is old, but who can still give you 20+ minutes a night in the frontcourt.
Rumor is that Justin Reed may also be tossed into the deal (and I don't care either way since I want him cut anyway).
Now the Wolves have used up one bargaining chip (James) and they still have two (McCants -- not a PROVEN failure -- and Ricky Davis -- a loser, but puts up good stats).
Next step, offer McCants and/or Ricky and one of the awful contracts (Blount, Hudson, Jaric) to someone for a really bad contract. Larry Hughes? Troy Murphy? Steve Francis?
HM
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Bush To Continue to Twist GOP Arms on Immigration Bill
A good summary of the problems with the bill:
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/06/why_the_immigration_bill_faile.html
For a less technical analysis, let me explain:
A) The Bush administration favors a bill that will allow people who are currently illegal immigrants to obtain amnesty and become citizens, despite the fact that these people have completely flouted our laws and show absolutely no remorse for doing so.
B) Most current U.S. citizens were brought up with the understanding that you are supposed to obey the law in order to be rewarded by the government.
C) The people who are here illegally increase the labor pool and, therefore, decrease the wages paid for jobs that are otherwise available to lower middle class Americans. These lower middle class Americans are (quite often, especially in the South) Republican voters.
D) Granting amnesty to 12MM illegal immigrants will not help those immigrants in the long run. In the short run they become legal citizens and have greater bargaining power for wages and benefits, but they will soon be replaced by newer, hungrier illegal immigrants who will work for the lowest wages and fewest benefits. In 10-20 years those newer illegal immigrants will say, "There are too many of us to kick out, give us amnesty" and the whole thing comes full circle.
Basic truth -- If ANY bill is referred to as a "George W.Bush/Ted Kennedy Bill" it is, per se, a terrible bill. Two of the least talented political hacks of the past 40 years combine to shove something down your throat? Beware.
That said, here is what GWB is telling GOP Senators right now: "Our fat-cat corporate donors need this bill so they can continue to get labor at $2 an hour. You want that campaign cash? Start playing ball."
http://www.realclearpolitics.com/articles/2007/06/why_the_immigration_bill_faile.html
For a less technical analysis, let me explain:
A) The Bush administration favors a bill that will allow people who are currently illegal immigrants to obtain amnesty and become citizens, despite the fact that these people have completely flouted our laws and show absolutely no remorse for doing so.
B) Most current U.S. citizens were brought up with the understanding that you are supposed to obey the law in order to be rewarded by the government.
C) The people who are here illegally increase the labor pool and, therefore, decrease the wages paid for jobs that are otherwise available to lower middle class Americans. These lower middle class Americans are (quite often, especially in the South) Republican voters.
D) Granting amnesty to 12MM illegal immigrants will not help those immigrants in the long run. In the short run they become legal citizens and have greater bargaining power for wages and benefits, but they will soon be replaced by newer, hungrier illegal immigrants who will work for the lowest wages and fewest benefits. In 10-20 years those newer illegal immigrants will say, "There are too many of us to kick out, give us amnesty" and the whole thing comes full circle.
Basic truth -- If ANY bill is referred to as a "George W.Bush/Ted Kennedy Bill" it is, per se, a terrible bill. Two of the least talented political hacks of the past 40 years combine to shove something down your throat? Beware.
That said, here is what GWB is telling GOP Senators right now: "Our fat-cat corporate donors need this bill so they can continue to get labor at $2 an hour. You want that campaign cash? Start playing ball."
Cavs -- Worst Finalist Ever?
From a blogger who is suggesting that the Cavs bloody Tony Parker when he drives to the hoop:
I don't care about any fines or suspensions or developing a reputation as a dirty team. It all beats developing a reputation as the worst team to ever play in the NBA Finals.
So, Cavs? Worst ever? I generally do not venture back prior to 1979-80 when analyzing basketball. The entry of Bird and Magic into the NBA revitalized the game and basically ushered in the new NBA. I also will not include a strike year like 1999. So, post-1979, Cavs -- worst ever in finals in a non-strike year?
I have identified 6 serious contenders for this spot: 1981 Rockets, 1994 Knicks, 2001 Sixers, 2002 Nets, 2003 Nets, 2007 Cavs.
Houston certainly deserves some consideration since they were 40-42, but they had Moses Malone and they beat L.A. in a 2 out of 3 first round series. Their overall "RPI" on basketball-reference.com was 13th in the league, so they may technically be the worst (Allan Leavell anyone?). But I just cannot abuse a team that was pre-expansion and that was led by a guy who went 28 & 15 for the year. Plus they took 2 games from Boston in the finals.
The 1994 Knicks were the ugliest finals team I ever had to watch. They eked past the Jordan-less Bulls and past the Pacers and somehow lost to the very mediocre Houston club that had Hakeem and not much else. But their overall RPI for the year was 5th best.
The 2001 Sixers had Iverson and some good defenders and rebounders (Lynch, McKie, Snow) and the next year they went 43-39 and barely made the playoffs. They didn't exactly beat a murderer's row of playoff opponents -- Pacers (led by Isiah), Raptors, Bucks -- on their way to falling to L.A. 4-1.
The 2002 Nets (pictured) featured three starters softer than sour cream (Kittles, MacCulloch, Van Horn) and many games their best playoff clutch performer was Lucious Harris. They beat Isiah's Indiana club (barely), Charlotte (that's right, Charlotte), and Boston to earn the right to be swept by the Lakers.
The 2003 Nets weren't much better and they were 10th in the league in RPI (defeating Milwaukee, Boston and Detroit on the way to the ugliest Finals of all-time versus the Spurs).
And we know that the Cavs (7th best RPI) are poorly coached and really don't have all that much talent. Then you add in that they beat injured Washington, the Nets, and Flip Saunders to reach the finals.
OK, push comes to shove, rating them best to worst:
6. 1994 Knicks -- hate to admit it, but they weren't as wretched as I recall
5. 1981 Rockets -- they had one of the 10-12 best players of all-time, beat the defending champs and showed up for the finals.
4. 2003 Nets -- jettisoned Van Horn and were playing a young Richard Jefferson more. Won 2 games in the finals.
3. (for now) -- 2007 Cavs -- they could move up or down depending upon how well they play. If they get two games maybe they move up out of the worst 6 altogether and we put someone in like the 1996 Sonics! They get swept, they are in danger of being at first or second worst.
2. 2001 Sixers -- Their own performance the next year and the years to follow indicates that they got lucky and rode Iverson's wave past a bunch of mediocre (Raptors/Bucks) or poorly-coached (Pacers) teams to the Finals where their Game 1 luck couldn't carry over as they were dispatched courtesy of Tyronn Lue and the Lakers.
1. 2002 Nets -- They beat Isiah's Pacers (note a pattern here), the Hornets and Boston (who, by the by, traded Joe Johnson that year for Rodney Rogers and Tony Delk to power their playoff run). They reached the NBA Finals and were swept by the Lakers. While only one game was a blowout (Game 2) I do not recall ever thinking that the Nets had any chance to upset the Lakers or even to take more than 1 game. Coach Byron Scott was so unhappy with Keith Van Horn's play that the Nets traded the Finals starter (and Tod MacCullough) in early August of 2002 for Dikembe Mutombo.
Um, Thoughts?
http://www.styledash.com/2007/06/05/c-string-to-replace-g-string/
My first thought -- How can something red or black be deemed "invisible"?
HM
My first thought -- How can something red or black be deemed "invisible"?
HM
Interesting Bonds Chart
http://www.baseball-reference.com/friv/scomp.cgi?I=bondsba01:Barry+Bonds&st=career&age=-33
The gist: if you take Bonds' numbers pre-roids (pre-1998) and add them to the average numbers for similar great players when they were older than 33, Bonds ends up at 559 HRs. So, he is an easy first ballot HOF player, but does not even come close to Aaron,
Ruth or Mays for home runs.
Now, the argument FOR Bonds' decision to take roids comes pretty clearly from the Rafael Palmeiro numbers shown on the same chart. Palmeiro -- nowhere near Bonds' class as a hitter -- put up HR numbers at age 33+ that are every bit as good as Ruth, Mays and Aaron over the same age range. In other words, Bonds saw he was being passed by guys like Raffy, Sosa, McGwire, Juan Gonzalez, etc. He felt he had no choice. Right or wrong..............
The gist: if you take Bonds' numbers pre-roids (pre-1998) and add them to the average numbers for similar great players when they were older than 33, Bonds ends up at 559 HRs. So, he is an easy first ballot HOF player, but does not even come close to Aaron,
Ruth or Mays for home runs.
Now, the argument FOR Bonds' decision to take roids comes pretty clearly from the Rafael Palmeiro numbers shown on the same chart. Palmeiro -- nowhere near Bonds' class as a hitter -- put up HR numbers at age 33+ that are every bit as good as Ruth, Mays and Aaron over the same age range. In other words, Bonds saw he was being passed by guys like Raffy, Sosa, McGwire, Juan Gonzalez, etc. He felt he had no choice. Right or wrong..............
Monday, June 11, 2007
David Beckham -- Staying in Europe??
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/6739101.stm
As I have opined in the past, it must be very difficult to evaluate the worth of David Beckham. He is not particularly fast or good at ball handling. He is not a tough defender. And he is not always very motivated. He isn't an explosive or prolific goal scorer.
But every game that I have ever seen him play has featured at least one great pass (usually two or three) that have a chance to lead to a goal. In a game where 1-nil is a very common score, that is an invaluable skill.
I can't think of a comparison for any other sport. Maybe, I guess, if you had a guy who was a 95% free throw shooter in the NBA. You could always get him the ball at the end of games and he would win you the game. Something like that.
Anyway, Beckham is almost certainly headed to L.A. anyway, but I do enjoy the comments in the article where he was ripped for being so horrible and now he is suddenly a savior again.
As I have opined in the past, it must be very difficult to evaluate the worth of David Beckham. He is not particularly fast or good at ball handling. He is not a tough defender. And he is not always very motivated. He isn't an explosive or prolific goal scorer.
But every game that I have ever seen him play has featured at least one great pass (usually two or three) that have a chance to lead to a goal. In a game where 1-nil is a very common score, that is an invaluable skill.
I can't think of a comparison for any other sport. Maybe, I guess, if you had a guy who was a 95% free throw shooter in the NBA. You could always get him the ball at the end of games and he would win you the game. Something like that.
Anyway, Beckham is almost certainly headed to L.A. anyway, but I do enjoy the comments in the article where he was ripped for being so horrible and now he is suddenly a savior again.
Fixing the Wolves
I have already said that it is impossible, but I am invigorated by this warm weather, so let me try.
Step 1 -- package Ricky Davis (1 year left at $7MM) with one of the following: Blount, Troy Hudson, Marko Jaric, Mike James. Sell it as "you want an affordable guy who may give you cap relief if nothing else? You take one of the other guys."
Then you go shopping for an overpaid big man. Troy Murphy, Ike Diogu and David Harrison in return? Look, James has been a terrible fit in MN. Indiana gave up all of their athletes to GState, maybe they want one back in Ricky?
You are now at least able to bring 3 guys over 6'6" off the bench and have some frontcourt depth. I will guess that the Pacers take James and Ricky.
Step 2 -- cut a bunch of guys -- Bracey Wright is already gone. Justin Reed should follow him out the door -- here is $3MM, please go away. Mark Madsen? Congrats, you are now an NBA assistant coach. Eddie Griffin -- take this $2.9MM and a free video player.
Step 3 -- Get Larry Hughes. Now, I have repeatedly stated how bad Larry Hughes sucks, and he has $37MM left on his deal. But you tell Cleveland that they can have Craig Smith or Rashad McCants but must take two of these three -- Blount, Jaric and Hudson.
I will guess that Cleveland takes McCants, Blount and Jaric.
Now, after you do all of this, here is where you sit:
Starters -- Randy Foye, Larry Hughes, Troy Murphy, Garnett, Hassell
Bench -- Craig Smith, Ike Diogu, David Harrison, Troy Hudson.
Step 4 -- Acquire 4 Good Players in the Off-season:
You have the #7 overall pick. You badly need an athletic player and/or some size. Make a good selection. www.nbadraft.net has the following guys still available at #7: Corey Brewer, Jeff Green, Al Thornton, Spencer Hawes, Mike Conley.
Hawes is big, and all of the other guys are quick athletic players. Let's say you get Spencer Hawes at 6'11", 250. He goes on your bench and now you have 6 guys on your roster 6'6" or bigger.
Your final 3 spots (out of 13 spots) will be: Your second-round pick (Alando Tucker, Marcus Williams?) a free agent swingman, and either a big man project or a veteran shooter (is Voshon Lenard still alive?).
Now, you still have a terrible coach, but you have the possibility of actually fielding 5 NBA-level starters (Foye, Hughes, Murphy, Garnett, your draft pick or your free agent).
So, there you go.........easy as that............
Step 1 -- package Ricky Davis (1 year left at $7MM) with one of the following: Blount, Troy Hudson, Marko Jaric, Mike James. Sell it as "you want an affordable guy who may give you cap relief if nothing else? You take one of the other guys."
Then you go shopping for an overpaid big man. Troy Murphy, Ike Diogu and David Harrison in return? Look, James has been a terrible fit in MN. Indiana gave up all of their athletes to GState, maybe they want one back in Ricky?
You are now at least able to bring 3 guys over 6'6" off the bench and have some frontcourt depth. I will guess that the Pacers take James and Ricky.
Step 2 -- cut a bunch of guys -- Bracey Wright is already gone. Justin Reed should follow him out the door -- here is $3MM, please go away. Mark Madsen? Congrats, you are now an NBA assistant coach. Eddie Griffin -- take this $2.9MM and a free video player.
Step 3 -- Get Larry Hughes. Now, I have repeatedly stated how bad Larry Hughes sucks, and he has $37MM left on his deal. But you tell Cleveland that they can have Craig Smith or Rashad McCants but must take two of these three -- Blount, Jaric and Hudson.
I will guess that Cleveland takes McCants, Blount and Jaric.
Now, after you do all of this, here is where you sit:
Starters -- Randy Foye, Larry Hughes, Troy Murphy, Garnett, Hassell
Bench -- Craig Smith, Ike Diogu, David Harrison, Troy Hudson.
Step 4 -- Acquire 4 Good Players in the Off-season:
You have the #7 overall pick. You badly need an athletic player and/or some size. Make a good selection. www.nbadraft.net has the following guys still available at #7: Corey Brewer, Jeff Green, Al Thornton, Spencer Hawes, Mike Conley.
Hawes is big, and all of the other guys are quick athletic players. Let's say you get Spencer Hawes at 6'11", 250. He goes on your bench and now you have 6 guys on your roster 6'6" or bigger.
Your final 3 spots (out of 13 spots) will be: Your second-round pick (Alando Tucker, Marcus Williams?) a free agent swingman, and either a big man project or a veteran shooter (is Voshon Lenard still alive?).
Now, you still have a terrible coach, but you have the possibility of actually fielding 5 NBA-level starters (Foye, Hughes, Murphy, Garnett, your draft pick or your free agent).
So, there you go.........easy as that............
Torii Hunter -- "African-American Players too Expensive"
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2897303
Torii is a nice pleasant guy (unlike the stereotype of black players set out by Gary Sheffield in his recent comments) and he is getting a complete free pass from the national and local media on this absurd comment.
The basic Torii Hunter comment is "It is all economics. African-Americans cost $2MM to sign, while similar Latinos can be had for $2,000." OK, here goes:
The 7th pick in the entire MLB draft gets about a $2.3MM signing bonus. So, yes, if you are Prince Fielder, you cost $2MM to sign: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19103767/ And the Brewers, knowing he was good and knowing he was black (I assume they knew this -- his dad is black and played in the majors) signed Prince and he now stars for them.
What if you are NOT the #7 player in the entire nation who plays baseball? Well, even guys picked way up in the mid-second round get only about $400,000 to $500,000 to sign: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19103767/. That is, by my analysis, nowhere near $2MM.
Once you get to the 10th round, signing bonuses range from $150,000 all of the way down to $3,000: http://www.redraiders.com/stories/060907/bas_060907013.shtml. So, you are one of the 400 best players in the nation -- you get offered $3,000.
1) Starting point -- unless Torii Hunter believes that all black players are worthy of early first-round money, it is completely untrue that it costs $2MM to sign a black ballplayer.
2) Even if it does cost $2MM to sign a black ballplayer, clubs will gladly do so to get a great player like Prince Fielder. The Brewers did not pass over Prince Fielder so they could sign a $2,000 Hispanic player. They signed Prince AND a $2,000 Latino player.
3) Think of some of the big battles over the years for great athletic talent: Joe Mauer -- chose baseball; Danny Ainge -- chose baseball, Chris Weinke -- chose baseball, Dave Winfield -- baseball; Bo Jackson -- played a lot of baseball; Deion Sanders -- played a lot of baseball; Jeff Samardzija (Notre Dame Wide Receiver) -- plays baseball.
Baseball has shown no hesitation in signing guys who will cost a lot of money, even if it means competing with other sports. Sometimes baseball has paid big money for crappy baseball players (Ainge, Weinke). Jeff Samardzija has been so brutal in the low minors that he is now in the bullpen: http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Jeff%2520Samardzija&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=502188
4) Assume that once you clear Round 10 (recall, signing bonuses as low as $3,000 in round 10) -- you have 100 MLB-level black prospects and 100 MLB-level Latin American prospects. Given the uncertainties of the minor league system, do you just completely discard the 100 black prospects? No. You sign them. You pay them next to nothing (like you pay the white kids and the Hispanic kids and anyone else wants to try the minors and who has modicum of talent).
5) Imagine if John Rocker came out and said the following: "White guys dominate MLB because all the black guys are greedy and mouthy guys who show no respect for managers -- they all want $2MM just to sign. That leaves only the Hispanic guys, and it is kinda nice to have them around because they are so docile. But I imagine a world in which there are no African-American players -- and I see that coming in 10 years."
Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would have work for 2 straight years.
But let Gary Sheffield and Torii Hunter combine to say almost exactly the same thing -- media curls up into a ball and does nothing.
Torii is a nice pleasant guy (unlike the stereotype of black players set out by Gary Sheffield in his recent comments) and he is getting a complete free pass from the national and local media on this absurd comment.
The basic Torii Hunter comment is "It is all economics. African-Americans cost $2MM to sign, while similar Latinos can be had for $2,000." OK, here goes:
The 7th pick in the entire MLB draft gets about a $2.3MM signing bonus. So, yes, if you are Prince Fielder, you cost $2MM to sign: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19103767/ And the Brewers, knowing he was good and knowing he was black (I assume they knew this -- his dad is black and played in the majors) signed Prince and he now stars for them.
What if you are NOT the #7 player in the entire nation who plays baseball? Well, even guys picked way up in the mid-second round get only about $400,000 to $500,000 to sign: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19103767/. That is, by my analysis, nowhere near $2MM.
Once you get to the 10th round, signing bonuses range from $150,000 all of the way down to $3,000: http://www.redraiders.com/stories/060907/bas_060907013.shtml. So, you are one of the 400 best players in the nation -- you get offered $3,000.
1) Starting point -- unless Torii Hunter believes that all black players are worthy of early first-round money, it is completely untrue that it costs $2MM to sign a black ballplayer.
2) Even if it does cost $2MM to sign a black ballplayer, clubs will gladly do so to get a great player like Prince Fielder. The Brewers did not pass over Prince Fielder so they could sign a $2,000 Hispanic player. They signed Prince AND a $2,000 Latino player.
3) Think of some of the big battles over the years for great athletic talent: Joe Mauer -- chose baseball; Danny Ainge -- chose baseball, Chris Weinke -- chose baseball, Dave Winfield -- baseball; Bo Jackson -- played a lot of baseball; Deion Sanders -- played a lot of baseball; Jeff Samardzija (Notre Dame Wide Receiver) -- plays baseball.
Baseball has shown no hesitation in signing guys who will cost a lot of money, even if it means competing with other sports. Sometimes baseball has paid big money for crappy baseball players (Ainge, Weinke). Jeff Samardzija has been so brutal in the low minors that he is now in the bullpen: http://www.minorleaguebaseball.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?n=Jeff%2520Samardzija&pos=P&sid=milb&t=p_pbp&pid=502188
4) Assume that once you clear Round 10 (recall, signing bonuses as low as $3,000 in round 10) -- you have 100 MLB-level black prospects and 100 MLB-level Latin American prospects. Given the uncertainties of the minor league system, do you just completely discard the 100 black prospects? No. You sign them. You pay them next to nothing (like you pay the white kids and the Hispanic kids and anyone else wants to try the minors and who has modicum of talent).
5) Imagine if John Rocker came out and said the following: "White guys dominate MLB because all the black guys are greedy and mouthy guys who show no respect for managers -- they all want $2MM just to sign. That leaves only the Hispanic guys, and it is kinda nice to have them around because they are so docile. But I imagine a world in which there are no African-American players -- and I see that coming in 10 years."
Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would have work for 2 straight years.
But let Gary Sheffield and Torii Hunter combine to say almost exactly the same thing -- media curls up into a ball and does nothing.
Friday, June 08, 2007
Cubs -- Crybabies
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2897647
Off the record it is rumored that Zambrano added, "But Barrett cried a whole lot more cuz I had really kicked his effing ass!!! Yeah, boy!"
Off the record it is rumored that Zambrano added, "But Barrett cried a whole lot more cuz I had really kicked his effing ass!!! Yeah, boy!"
Betting on the Political Nomination
http://128.255.244.60/pricehistory/PriceHistory_GetData.cfm (Romney about 4 to 1, Rudy 5 to 1, McCain 7 to 1, "someone else" about 2.5 to 1)
http://128.255.244.60/pricehistory/PriceHistory_GetData.cfm (Clinton 2 to 1, Edwards 16 to 1, Obama 3.5 to 1, someone else -- 8 to 1)
How badly are things going for you if you are John Edwards and people are TWICE as likely to invest in an "anyone else" candidate than they are in you????
http://128.255.244.60/pricehistory/PriceHistory_GetData.cfm (Clinton 2 to 1, Edwards 16 to 1, Obama 3.5 to 1, someone else -- 8 to 1)
How badly are things going for you if you are John Edwards and people are TWICE as likely to invest in an "anyone else" candidate than they are in you????
Mitt Romney -- His Mormon Teachings?
Mitt is 60. So he was born in 1947. From 1947 through 1978, the Mormon Church taught that black people were inferior because they were descendants of Cain (whose nose God pushed in as a punishment for Cain killing Abel):
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,878674,00.html
http://www.realmormonhistory.com/god&skin.htm
The Mormons also believe that the current leader of their church Gordon B. Hinckley is a prophet of God and receives revelation from God to direct their church, and lead them to "knowledge of the Son of God." In other words, Gordon B. Hinckley of Salt Lake City, Utah is Mitt Romney's "Pope."
So, African-Americans and Catholics.......ya gonna vote for Mitt Romney?
http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,878674,00.html
http://www.realmormonhistory.com/god&skin.htm
The Mormons also believe that the current leader of their church Gordon B. Hinckley is a prophet of God and receives revelation from God to direct their church, and lead them to "knowledge of the Son of God." In other words, Gordon B. Hinckley of Salt Lake City, Utah is Mitt Romney's "Pope."
So, African-Americans and Catholics.......ya gonna vote for Mitt Romney?
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Kathy Griffin/Ann Coulter -- Appeal to Conservatives
http://video.bravotv.com/player/?id=114961#videoid=114965.
Fast forward to 2 minutes left in this section of the video (or if you get the general Web site, it is Part 4 of the routine).
Someone had to say it...........
Fast forward to 2 minutes left in this section of the video (or if you get the general Web site, it is Part 4 of the routine).
Someone had to say it...........
Ann Coulter
I am trying hard to find the Kathy Griffin commentary on Ann Coulter being the fantasy of Rummy and Cheney, but I did find this:
NBA Finals -- 5 reasons
Why the Spurs Will Win:
1) They have Tim Duncan who is the best big man in the game.
2) They have played against better competition all year long and in the playoffs.
3) They have three excellent offensive weapons while Cleveland has 1.
4) Cleveland is a less talented and worse-coached team that plays the exact same style of ball. You generally never want to play someone who does what you do, only better and with superior personnel.
5) Mike Brown will use up all of his timeouts by the early 3rd quarter of every game.
Why the Cavs Will Win:
1) They have LeBron who is the best player in the game.
2) While offensive-oriented teams get frustrated with the Spurs' ability to stymie offensive sets, the Cavs basically run no offense whatsoever. So, it is impossible for the Spurs to "take the Cavs out of their offense" unless they can find a way to keep LeBron from holding the ball for 18 seconds of the shot clock while no one else does anything. One psychological advantage for SA goes completely out the window.
3) So far in the playoffs the Cavs have outrebounded opponents by 4 (almost 5) a game. The Spurs have actually been outrebounded (while playing non-physical teams like the Suns and Jazz). The Cavs may very well be able to outboard the Spurs.
4) The teams played twice in the regular season -- Cavs won both times.......once in a slower game, once in a faster game.
5) 2-3-2 format favor the road squad. If the Cavs have 3 wins before Game 6, can you bet against LeBron winning one of the last two by himself?
Any reader predictions?
1) They have Tim Duncan who is the best big man in the game.
2) They have played against better competition all year long and in the playoffs.
3) They have three excellent offensive weapons while Cleveland has 1.
4) Cleveland is a less talented and worse-coached team that plays the exact same style of ball. You generally never want to play someone who does what you do, only better and with superior personnel.
5) Mike Brown will use up all of his timeouts by the early 3rd quarter of every game.
Why the Cavs Will Win:
1) They have LeBron who is the best player in the game.
2) While offensive-oriented teams get frustrated with the Spurs' ability to stymie offensive sets, the Cavs basically run no offense whatsoever. So, it is impossible for the Spurs to "take the Cavs out of their offense" unless they can find a way to keep LeBron from holding the ball for 18 seconds of the shot clock while no one else does anything. One psychological advantage for SA goes completely out the window.
3) So far in the playoffs the Cavs have outrebounded opponents by 4 (almost 5) a game. The Spurs have actually been outrebounded (while playing non-physical teams like the Suns and Jazz). The Cavs may very well be able to outboard the Spurs.
4) The teams played twice in the regular season -- Cavs won both times.......once in a slower game, once in a faster game.
5) 2-3-2 format favor the road squad. If the Cavs have 3 wins before Game 6, can you bet against LeBron winning one of the last two by himself?
Any reader predictions?
Mystery Celeb
She has a history of appearing nude, intentionally or not, pre-implants or post-implants. I have never seen her look anything like this! though. Maybe she isn't drunk for once in her young life.
Who is the mystery celeb???
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Kangaroos, Evolution and Mike Huckabee
http://lefarkins.blogspot.com/2007/06/one-percent-doctrine-creationist.html.
Sigh. Mike Huckabee must be so proud of those floating Kangaroos!! His performance at the GOP Debate last night shocked me -- not so much by the fact that he thinks the world may or may not have been created in 6 24-hour days and may or may not be 6,000 years old (saddle up the stegasaurus, honey, we're going to the Creation Museum in Kentucky), but by the fact that none of his GOP counterparts were willing to stand up and say, "No. I am not a complete buffoon. I think there is a God, but I don't think he started the earth 6,000 years ago when 99.9% of scientists think that cannot possibly be."
But let's assume that you take the view that all we know about biology and chemistry and physics and astronomy is complete crap. How do you reach the conclusion that because you were raised Christian that you KNOW how the world was created and how old it is? Look at the numerous Creation Myths that we have from other religions or cultures: http://www.crystalinks.com/creationcountries.html
But no. The earth could not possibly have been formed by a monster carving new humans out of wood or a God breaking an egg in half and making the world. Or an advanced race of aliens creating life here.
No. It had to be a piece of clay and a rib of that piece of clay -- Adam and Eve -- who gave birth to everyone and everything.
While there weren't any black people or aboriginals or Native Americans or Asians or Hispanics before the Great Flood (about 3,000-4,500 years ago), they all evolved (that is right, evolved by "natural selection" -- http://creationwiki.org/Races) after the Tower of Babel incident.
So, if Mike Huckabee or Sam Brownback does believe that the world was created in 6 days, he also believes that he and, say, Kim Jong-Il are distant relatives and that as recently as 3,000 (to 4,500) years ago, Kim Jong-Il's folks (Noah's descendants and Mike and Sam's relatives as well) moved to Korea and developed different characteristics based upon the climate of Korea.
That is what Young Earth Creationists believe. Noah had kids, the kids all went to the Tower of Babel, got all their languages mixed up, and then wandered around to different places.
Once Noah's kids got to where they were going, over a period of 2,000 or less years (remember significantly B.C. we have recorded history and drawings and paintings of people who look Asian and people with dark black skin) the process of natural selection changed them from short, white-looking folks with stocky builds and short arms to, in some cases, extremely dark-skinned people who look like Manute Bol. So -- Jackie Mason to Manute Bol in 2,000 years -- very believable. Monkey to man in 4,500,000 years -- no way.
So, if a Young Earth Creationist tells you he doesn't believe in evolution, ask him if he believes in natural selection. If he is from the Deep South, then (for fun) ask him if he and (fill in name of someone he hates of a different race) are blood relatives. His answer to both should be yes.
Sigh. Mike Huckabee must be so proud of those floating Kangaroos!! His performance at the GOP Debate last night shocked me -- not so much by the fact that he thinks the world may or may not have been created in 6 24-hour days and may or may not be 6,000 years old (saddle up the stegasaurus, honey, we're going to the Creation Museum in Kentucky), but by the fact that none of his GOP counterparts were willing to stand up and say, "No. I am not a complete buffoon. I think there is a God, but I don't think he started the earth 6,000 years ago when 99.9% of scientists think that cannot possibly be."
But let's assume that you take the view that all we know about biology and chemistry and physics and astronomy is complete crap. How do you reach the conclusion that because you were raised Christian that you KNOW how the world was created and how old it is? Look at the numerous Creation Myths that we have from other religions or cultures: http://www.crystalinks.com/creationcountries.html
But no. The earth could not possibly have been formed by a monster carving new humans out of wood or a God breaking an egg in half and making the world. Or an advanced race of aliens creating life here.
No. It had to be a piece of clay and a rib of that piece of clay -- Adam and Eve -- who gave birth to everyone and everything.
While there weren't any black people or aboriginals or Native Americans or Asians or Hispanics before the Great Flood (about 3,000-4,500 years ago), they all evolved (that is right, evolved by "natural selection" -- http://creationwiki.org/Races) after the Tower of Babel incident.
So, if Mike Huckabee or Sam Brownback does believe that the world was created in 6 days, he also believes that he and, say, Kim Jong-Il are distant relatives and that as recently as 3,000 (to 4,500) years ago, Kim Jong-Il's folks (Noah's descendants and Mike and Sam's relatives as well) moved to Korea and developed different characteristics based upon the climate of Korea.
That is what Young Earth Creationists believe. Noah had kids, the kids all went to the Tower of Babel, got all their languages mixed up, and then wandered around to different places.
Once Noah's kids got to where they were going, over a period of 2,000 or less years (remember significantly B.C. we have recorded history and drawings and paintings of people who look Asian and people with dark black skin) the process of natural selection changed them from short, white-looking folks with stocky builds and short arms to, in some cases, extremely dark-skinned people who look like Manute Bol. So -- Jackie Mason to Manute Bol in 2,000 years -- very believable. Monkey to man in 4,500,000 years -- no way.
So, if a Young Earth Creationist tells you he doesn't believe in evolution, ask him if he believes in natural selection. If he is from the Deep South, then (for fun) ask him if he and (fill in name of someone he hates of a different race) are blood relatives. His answer to both should be yes.
Bill Simmons -- Didn't Call LeBron All Hype; Won't Apologize
I guess that someone in Ohio echoed my statement that Simmons should apologize to LeBron or stop supporting him now.
Simmons' reply? He never said that, plus he won't apologize for saying it:
Decide for yourself:
Item 1 -- Key Quotes from Simmons' "Thumbs Down" on LeBron after the all-star game, Feb. 2007:
Simmons' reply? He never said that, plus he won't apologize for saying it:
Decide for yourself:
Item 1 -- Key Quotes from Simmons' "Thumbs Down" on LeBron after the all-star game, Feb. 2007:
Here's what I know. I had four conversations with connected NBA people over the weekend that centered around the same themes:
LeBron isn't playing nearly as hard as he did last season;
it looks like his only goal right now is to get his coach fired;
he's regressing as a basketball player ......................;
he has an overrated sense of his own worth and his own impact in the sports world...................;
[he has benefitted from puff pieces written to suck up to him]
he doesn't have the same relentless drive to keep dominating everyone like Wade and Kobe have;
we're much closer to LeBron re-enacting the career arc of Martina Hingis, Eric Lindros and Junior Griffey than anyone realizes.
Simmons ends with -- This will evolve into THE dominant NBA story of the next two months. You watch.
So, correct me if I am wrong, but Simmons said in February of 2007 that LeBron doesn't play hard, is getting worse as a basketball player, has a big head, basically is lazy while on the court (or at least not driven to play up to whatever limited ability he has left), and that the dominant story in the NBA from Feb. to April would be that LeBron basically sucks and his career arc will be similar to Martina Hingis and Eric Lindros!!!
There is no denying it. That is what he said.
Item 2 -- Simmons Gets Called On His Abuse of LeBron
Speaking of Bron, Kevin from Cleveland passed this along: "Here's a link from the News-Herald, a local paper just east of Cleveland, in which sportswriter Roger Brown puts you at No. 3 on the list of the six people who have done the most damage to their reputations since the Cavs-Pistons series. Here's what he wrote:
"Simmons spent months ripping and mocking James as an overhyped fraud -- and gained lots of national attention in the process. But after James' historic Game 5 performance, Simmons scrambled to save face in embarrassing fashion. He wrote a column on LeBron that was more slobbering and fawning than a 13-year-old girl writing a fan letter to Justin Timberlake."
Sorry, I have to respond to this one. First of all, if Roger can produce anything I've ever written that called him LeBron an "overhyped fraud," I will send him a $200 check to double the salary that the News-Herald is paying him every week. I think he has me confused with Charley Rosen.
Second, I love the idea that me "ripping" LeBron gained me national attention ... really? From who? Did I happen to be in a coma at the time? I criticized him in my Anna K. column from Miami (and rightfully so, Bron mailed in a game on national TV); my All-Star column from Vegas (where Bron's lack of enthusiasm for the season was a major topic, and if you don't believe me, check out the ESPN.com column by Brian Windhorst from March once LeBron started playing hard again, and this from a writer who's covered LeBron for his entire career); when LeBron made the absurd "global icon" comment; and a couple of times during the playoffs when Bron-Bron didn't seem properly enthused by the proceedings (and he wasn't). I don't regret a single thing I wrote about LeBron in the past year. Everything still stands.
So, in Bill Simmons' world, saying that someone isn't trying hard, is getting worse at basketball, isn't very driven to succeed, and has an overinflated view of his place in sports (powered in part by the media's articles rating him so highly) isn't calling him an overhyped fraud.
Well, I guess he didn't use the words "overhyped fraud" (note Simmons' decision to add quotation marks when he says that he never called LeBron an "overhyped fraud" -- Sure I said it, but I never used the exact words).
How about predicting that LeBron would melt down for two consecutive months and that it would be THE story of the NBA? How about stating that LeBron would follow the career path of Martina Hingis (no career major wins after age 19; basically out of contention at age 23) and Eric Lindros (best season at age 22, not a big factor in the league after age 26)? Isn't that basically stating that LBJ's best days are ALREADY behind him and if you haven't been paying attention you missed them?
What Simmons ought to say is, "My all-star column was wrong. LeBron has proven he isn't an overrated player who is getting worse and who will be a non-factor in the league very shortly." Instead he tries to waffle and play both sides........ala Kobe Bryant's recent "trade me don't trade me debacle." Embarrassing........
Can You Smell What The Rock Is Cooking?
His own dinner.............
http://news.aol.com/entertainment/movies/articles/_a/the-rock-separates-from-his-wife/20070603081709990001
Dwayne stated once that he met his future wife while on the way to a sex party at Miami U. and he was so taken with her that he never went to the party. I guess he wishes now that he had just kept right on walking.......
http://news.aol.com/entertainment/movies/articles/_a/the-rock-separates-from-his-wife/20070603081709990001
Dwayne stated once that he met his future wife while on the way to a sex party at Miami U. and he was so taken with her that he never went to the party. I guess he wishes now that he had just kept right on walking.......
Mea Culpa On The Last Entry
Shaq -- FIVE (not 4) times leading his team to the finals -- I forgot his finals appearance with Orlando in 1995.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Top 50 on Active Scoring List Analysis
LeBron has brought his team to the NBA Finals and he is the #1 player on that team. So, I already did the entry of "times past the first round" to show how LeBron has already passed several league luminaries. Now I move on to this list and analyze this question:
Of the top 50 current active NBA scorers (total points, not PPG) how many times have these guys been the #1 guy on an NBA finals club? The answer:
Duncan -- 4 times
Shaq -- 4 times ( and no, I will not toss The Devil a bone)
Richard Hamilton -- 2 times (you could argue just once, but I think he was their go-to guy both times)
Jason Kidd -- 2 times
Gary Payton -- maybe once (Kemp could argue)
AI -- once
Dirk -- once
Included on the top 50 list with no times leading his club to the finals as the best guy -- Kobe, KG, Webber, Ray Allen, Stephon, Finley, Pierce, T Mac, Vince, Zo, Grant Hill, Brand, Marion, Bibby, Nash, Jermaine O'Neal, Arenas
The Pistons have 5 guys on their roster in the top 50 active guys in points scored!! Chauncey, Rip, Sheed, Webber and McDyess. Nice coaching, Flipper...
On the list (egad!) -- Kevin Willis (7th), Doug Christie (49th -- does WANTING to play make you "active"?), Juwan Howard, David Wesley, Joe Smith.
Much to be said for longevity, I guess.
Assuming (as I do) that the top 50 points scored guys are some of the most successful current NBAers with any tenure, LBJ has now had a better playoff result as the #1 star than all but 4 of the guys.
Of the top 50 current active NBA scorers (total points, not PPG) how many times have these guys been the #1 guy on an NBA finals club? The answer:
Duncan -- 4 times
Shaq -- 4 times ( and no, I will not toss The Devil a bone)
Richard Hamilton -- 2 times (you could argue just once, but I think he was their go-to guy both times)
Jason Kidd -- 2 times
Gary Payton -- maybe once (Kemp could argue)
AI -- once
Dirk -- once
Included on the top 50 list with no times leading his club to the finals as the best guy -- Kobe, KG, Webber, Ray Allen, Stephon, Finley, Pierce, T Mac, Vince, Zo, Grant Hill, Brand, Marion, Bibby, Nash, Jermaine O'Neal, Arenas
The Pistons have 5 guys on their roster in the top 50 active guys in points scored!! Chauncey, Rip, Sheed, Webber and McDyess. Nice coaching, Flipper...
On the list (egad!) -- Kevin Willis (7th), Doug Christie (49th -- does WANTING to play make you "active"?), Juwan Howard, David Wesley, Joe Smith.
Much to be said for longevity, I guess.
Assuming (as I do) that the top 50 points scored guys are some of the most successful current NBAers with any tenure, LBJ has now had a better playoff result as the #1 star than all but 4 of the guys.
Happy Birthday to PAR
Although there are downsides to being Hispanic (Sheff says you are per se easily-controlled, you may occasionally get your Chicago-area prescriptions filled in Spanish), I really have to say that being able to claim any connection with Salma Hayek is a super bonus.
So Happy Birthday to my old, er, I mean, long-time friend PAR. It was around 17 years ago that a guy came up to me at the law firm and said, "So, you ACTUALLY LIKE pro wrestling!?!? Really??" My knowledge of Frank DeFalco sealed the deal and we have been friends ever since.
Age -- 45 or so.
Strengths -- very sarcastic, clever, Jason Kidd type point guard
Secret Strength -- has a mass hypnosis mechanism that makes every female friend of mine who has ever met him say, "My lord is HE good looking........Annnnnnnnnnnnnd YOU guys are friends?"
Some Salma pics for you, sir.....
Monday, June 04, 2007
Scoop Jackson on LeBron Plus my TV analysis
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=jackson/070604&sportCat=nba
I now may have become the only blogger to have praised BOTH Scoop and Jason Whitlock in 2007.
What is clear is that the NBA just HAS to benefit from not getting Detroit/Spurs again: http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000956870&imw=Y. I mean, the Pistons are a worthwhile TV draw -- when the public has a strong opinion about the Pistons' OPPONENT (e.g., Lakers, Heat, etc.).
The Spurs are only a worthy TV draw when they can be played off against a more glamorous team (generally the Lakers have played the role, but Dallas or Phoenix will do).
What the TV rating really need the most is a split of games 1 and 2 with LeBron playing unbelievably in the Cavs' win. This can set up the big water cooler talk of "he is overrated and a gunner" against "my lord, he could actually do this all by himself."
Unfortunately, luck has not generally been on the league's side, so we will probably get two early 70-68 games where Mike Brown and Pop have their teams take turns sl------o------w---l-----y walking the ball up the court. Win or lose, this awful style of ball tarnishes LeBron's image and makes people turn the games off for all 7 games.
For the good of the league, the games need to be above 90 points for each squad. If the NBA really has the power to control games, this is their #1 opportunity to help themselves out.
I now may have become the only blogger to have praised BOTH Scoop and Jason Whitlock in 2007.
What is clear is that the NBA just HAS to benefit from not getting Detroit/Spurs again: http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1000956870&imw=Y. I mean, the Pistons are a worthwhile TV draw -- when the public has a strong opinion about the Pistons' OPPONENT (e.g., Lakers, Heat, etc.).
The Spurs are only a worthy TV draw when they can be played off against a more glamorous team (generally the Lakers have played the role, but Dallas or Phoenix will do).
What the TV rating really need the most is a split of games 1 and 2 with LeBron playing unbelievably in the Cavs' win. This can set up the big water cooler talk of "he is overrated and a gunner" against "my lord, he could actually do this all by himself."
Unfortunately, luck has not generally been on the league's side, so we will probably get two early 70-68 games where Mike Brown and Pop have their teams take turns sl------o------w---l-----y walking the ball up the court. Win or lose, this awful style of ball tarnishes LeBron's image and makes people turn the games off for all 7 games.
For the good of the league, the games need to be above 90 points for each squad. If the NBA really has the power to control games, this is their #1 opportunity to help themselves out.
The True Heros of Cleveland
The team that went 17-65 and allowed the Cavs to draft LeBron James.
(Personal note -- the coaching on this squad must have been absymal -- the talent was not that awful.........except for the point guard position......)
2002-03 Cavaliers
Coached by John Lucas and Keith Smart
(Listed in order of minutes played)
Ricky Davis
Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Carlos Boozer
Jumaine Jones
Dajuan Wagner
Darius Miles
Smush Parker
Milt Palacio
Chris Mihm
Tyrone Hill
DeSagana Diop
Bimbo Coles
Tierre Brown
Michael Stewart
(Personal note -- the coaching on this squad must have been absymal -- the talent was not that awful.........except for the point guard position......)
2002-03 Cavaliers
Coached by John Lucas and Keith Smart
(Listed in order of minutes played)
Ricky Davis
Zydrunas Ilgauskas
Carlos Boozer
Jumaine Jones
Dajuan Wagner
Darius Miles
Smush Parker
Milt Palacio
Chris Mihm
Tyrone Hill
DeSagana Diop
Bimbo Coles
Tierre Brown
Michael Stewart
Gary Sheffield -- Latinos Easier to Control Than Black Players
"I called it years ago. What I called is that you're going to see more black faces, but there ain't no English going to be coming out. … [It's about] being able to tell [Latin players] what to do -- being able to control them," he told the magazine.
"Where I'm from, you can't control us. You might get a guy to do it that way for a while because he wants to benefit, but in the end, he is going to go back to being who he is. And that's a person that you're going to talk to with respect, you're going to talk to like a man.
"These are the things my race demands. So, if you're equally good as this Latin player, guess who's going to get sent home? I know a lot of players that are home now can outplay a lot of these guys."
According to a 2005 report by the University of Central Florida Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, only 8.5 percent of major leaguers were African-American -- the lowest percentage since the report was initiated in the mid-1980s. By contrast, whites comprised 59.5 percent of the majors' player pool, Latinos 28.7 percent and Asians 2.5.
HM's Comments:
1) I guess that Sheffield could point to his own ridiculous comments as evidence of his claim that African-American players are hard to control...
2) Do you really want to stereotype TWO different groups of people with one comment to the press? I mean, have you learned nothing from past media blow-ups by others?
3) Sheffield doesn't know what he is talking about. We have seen that in the past 10 years African-American kids play even high school baseball at a very low rate, for example: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007704150417. When Sports Illustrated reviewed the matter years ago, it noted that of the top 100 or so high school players in the nation around 10 were African-Americans. There weren't Dominican players taking these "slots." The rankings of high school players didn't address how well they could be controlled. The fact is, as we sit here today, African-American kids aren't playing much baseball.
Why? Well, THAT is a subject I would like to hear Sheff discuss -- he is always good for a laugh.
HM
"Where I'm from, you can't control us. You might get a guy to do it that way for a while because he wants to benefit, but in the end, he is going to go back to being who he is. And that's a person that you're going to talk to with respect, you're going to talk to like a man.
"These are the things my race demands. So, if you're equally good as this Latin player, guess who's going to get sent home? I know a lot of players that are home now can outplay a lot of these guys."
According to a 2005 report by the University of Central Florida Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport, only 8.5 percent of major leaguers were African-American -- the lowest percentage since the report was initiated in the mid-1980s. By contrast, whites comprised 59.5 percent of the majors' player pool, Latinos 28.7 percent and Asians 2.5.
HM's Comments:
1) I guess that Sheffield could point to his own ridiculous comments as evidence of his claim that African-American players are hard to control...
2) Do you really want to stereotype TWO different groups of people with one comment to the press? I mean, have you learned nothing from past media blow-ups by others?
3) Sheffield doesn't know what he is talking about. We have seen that in the past 10 years African-American kids play even high school baseball at a very low rate, for example: http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007704150417. When Sports Illustrated reviewed the matter years ago, it noted that of the top 100 or so high school players in the nation around 10 were African-Americans. There weren't Dominican players taking these "slots." The rankings of high school players didn't address how well they could be controlled. The fact is, as we sit here today, African-American kids aren't playing much baseball.
Why? Well, THAT is a subject I would like to hear Sheff discuss -- he is always good for a laugh.
HM
Billy Donovan -- Repeat Quitter???
Quit on Florida, now quitting on the Magic??? Perhaps he realized that other NBA clubs can pay players TOO whereas in college..............
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2892334
http://sports.espn.go.com/ncb/news/story?id=2892334
Sunday, June 03, 2007
Mitch Albom On The Pistons Plus HM on Flip Saunders
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070603/COL01/706030722
I will concede -- I was wrong: 1) The Pistons did not win; and 2) the Pistons quit in the same cowardly manner that the Jazz did.
HM on Flip Saunders:
1) Terrible playoff coach -- there just is no avoiding this label. Lost all of the time in MN, lost to the Old Folks Home known as the Heat in 2006 and lost to LeBron and 5 guys off the street in 2006. Had the best team twice......couldn't win.
2) Never gets anything out of his bench -- problem in Minny, always blamed on the GM; now a problem in Detroit -- anyone gonna blame Dumars? Doubt it.
3) Seemingly unable to make ANY defensive game plan adjustment during a game. Gibby is hitting wide open 3's -- how about having his guy stay at home? How about making him drive? Nope and nope.
4) Chauncey becomes a free agent and I doubt he hangs with Flip -- remember that Flip was asked in MN "if we keep Chauncey will you start him over Terrell Brandon?" Answer -- "I doubt it." Flip much prefers a very set offense with set plays -- not exactly what Chauncey runs.
5) Pistons acquired Webber (still a top 80 NBA player) at mid-season for nothing. How much longer can they expect guys to come there for nothing and help them when Flip just pisses away the playoff chance every year?
6) Flip looks terrible. I am sorry. He is heavy. His forehead is so wrinkled that he looks like Ric Flair circa 1992. If he stays in Detroit for 2 more years, he may end up looking like those "Lincoln ages during the civil war" portrait demonstrations we saw in history class. He will soon look about as much like a former D-1 point guard as Denny Green looks like a former D-1 running back.
I will concede -- I was wrong: 1) The Pistons did not win; and 2) the Pistons quit in the same cowardly manner that the Jazz did.
HM on Flip Saunders:
1) Terrible playoff coach -- there just is no avoiding this label. Lost all of the time in MN, lost to the Old Folks Home known as the Heat in 2006 and lost to LeBron and 5 guys off the street in 2006. Had the best team twice......couldn't win.
2) Never gets anything out of his bench -- problem in Minny, always blamed on the GM; now a problem in Detroit -- anyone gonna blame Dumars? Doubt it.
3) Seemingly unable to make ANY defensive game plan adjustment during a game. Gibby is hitting wide open 3's -- how about having his guy stay at home? How about making him drive? Nope and nope.
4) Chauncey becomes a free agent and I doubt he hangs with Flip -- remember that Flip was asked in MN "if we keep Chauncey will you start him over Terrell Brandon?" Answer -- "I doubt it." Flip much prefers a very set offense with set plays -- not exactly what Chauncey runs.
5) Pistons acquired Webber (still a top 80 NBA player) at mid-season for nothing. How much longer can they expect guys to come there for nothing and help them when Flip just pisses away the playoff chance every year?
6) Flip looks terrible. I am sorry. He is heavy. His forehead is so wrinkled that he looks like Ric Flair circa 1992. If he stays in Detroit for 2 more years, he may end up looking like those "Lincoln ages during the civil war" portrait demonstrations we saw in history class. He will soon look about as much like a former D-1 point guard as Denny Green looks like a former D-1 running back.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Simmons' Blog Entry Post-Game 5
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/index?name=simmons&entryDate=20070601
I am still awaiting the Bill Simmons apology to Lebron. Simmons ignores the fact that he has ripped LeBron all year and even compared his career to Martina Hingis's (ouch, ouch, ouch). He does not say he is sorry for that. Instead, he brings up an old column in which he lauds LeBron's athletic ability.
Follow the link and you will see that the column also says LeBron is a worse defender than Bird or Magic (again, ouch, ouch) and that Kobe Bryant is a better player.
So, I think that Simmons has forfeited his right to praise LeBron. You can't call a guy Martina Hingis and say he is a complete non-factor on defense and then praise him. There has to be an apology "I was wrong" in there an "I am sorry" an "I shouldn't have said that."
Still waiting.....
I am still awaiting the Bill Simmons apology to Lebron. Simmons ignores the fact that he has ripped LeBron all year and even compared his career to Martina Hingis's (ouch, ouch, ouch). He does not say he is sorry for that. Instead, he brings up an old column in which he lauds LeBron's athletic ability.
Follow the link and you will see that the column also says LeBron is a worse defender than Bird or Magic (again, ouch, ouch) and that Kobe Bryant is a better player.
So, I think that Simmons has forfeited his right to praise LeBron. You can't call a guy Martina Hingis and say he is a complete non-factor on defense and then praise him. There has to be an apology "I was wrong" in there an "I am sorry" an "I shouldn't have said that."
Still waiting.....
McDyess -- Will Not Be Suspended For Game 6
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2007/news/story?id=2890248
Ok, explain this one to me? Robert Horry body checks Steve Nash who flops his tiny butt onto the sideline in hopes of getting an ejection. Horry -- 2 game suspension.
McDyess almost killed the 6'10" Varajoa (sp?) and he gets???....................that would be NOTHING. Wow.
I looked at some Detroit Web sites -- all have to toss in something about LeBron getting "superstar calls." I think that these fans are flashing back to Wade last year because LeBron got exactly NO calls last night:
1) Rasheed hauls him down by the left wrist -- ruled a clean block.
2) After James is fouled by Webber, two seconds later as LeBron walks away Richard Hamilton takes his forearm and whacks LeBron hard across the neck and back of his head -- no call. Announcer, "LeBron better not retaliate or he is gone."
3) Jason Maxiell sees LeBron is sliding around him for the game winner -- hacks LeBron across the left arm and chest -- no call.
4) James dunks on Prince -- Prince pushes him to try to push him past the basket -- no call.
I think the league, much as it wants to see LeBron do well, really doesn't want to see a Spurs 4-0 sweep in the finals. The Pistons will get every possible chance to win the East, as is evidenced by the discrepancy between Horry and McDyess.
HM
Ok, explain this one to me? Robert Horry body checks Steve Nash who flops his tiny butt onto the sideline in hopes of getting an ejection. Horry -- 2 game suspension.
McDyess almost killed the 6'10" Varajoa (sp?) and he gets???....................that would be NOTHING. Wow.
I looked at some Detroit Web sites -- all have to toss in something about LeBron getting "superstar calls." I think that these fans are flashing back to Wade last year because LeBron got exactly NO calls last night:
1) Rasheed hauls him down by the left wrist -- ruled a clean block.
2) After James is fouled by Webber, two seconds later as LeBron walks away Richard Hamilton takes his forearm and whacks LeBron hard across the neck and back of his head -- no call. Announcer, "LeBron better not retaliate or he is gone."
3) Jason Maxiell sees LeBron is sliding around him for the game winner -- hacks LeBron across the left arm and chest -- no call.
4) James dunks on Prince -- Prince pushes him to try to push him past the basket -- no call.
I think the league, much as it wants to see LeBron do well, really doesn't want to see a Spurs 4-0 sweep in the finals. The Pistons will get every possible chance to win the East, as is evidenced by the discrepancy between Horry and McDyess.
HM
Simmons' Blog Before Game 5
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/blog/index?name=simmons&entryDate=20070531
I suppose that this is almost the long-awaited apology to LeBron, but not quite. His analysis of Cleveland's "offense" is hilarious (and familiar) as is the Drew Gooden commentary.
I suppose that this is almost the long-awaited apology to LeBron, but not quite. His analysis of Cleveland's "offense" is hilarious (and familiar) as is the Drew Gooden commentary.
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