...To a complete jackass.
http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/articles/200a8/06/29/bryant_isnt_flagging/
To be fair, figuring out how you're going to spin murdering basketball in Cleveland has got to be time consuming.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Looking at the Draft Day Deals
What separates the NBA from the other professional sports is the perception that anyone can be traded at any time. You could argue that the same occurs in Baseball, but oftentimes when a star is traded, prospects are going the other way. You have to be a pretty dedicated fan to know what prospects are within your favorite team's system, let alone in every other teams. It takes too much work to evaluate a baseball trade, but then again I am really lazy.
After the flurry of trades from last off-season and this past season, there could be a good amount of trades coming at us this off-season. Before I speculate about trades that will never happen, lets take a look at the trades that did go down on Thursday.
The Bucks send Yi Jianlian & Bobby Simmons to the Nets for Richard Jefferson.
I'm still clueless as to how the Nets couldn't secure a the #8 pick in this deal, or a future 1st, or at least the right to swap picks at some point with the Bucks. RJ was one of the better players in the league last year, and you've got to think the Nets undersold him. I'm also disappointed Mike D'Antoni isn't the coach of the Bucks, they'd be obscenely fun to watch now.
On the other side, I only watched Yi a handful of times last year, but looking at his splits he severely declined as the season progressed and its not as if he was going nuts in the first place. I suppose that he may have been miserable in Milwaukee and now that he's playing in one of his "preferred markets" that he could take steps in the right direction.
Along with the cap room angle, I feel like the Nets now have another major selling point to lure LeBron in 2010. Being Yi Jianlian's teammate from a financial standpoint can't be a bad thing. Just look back to how McGrady's jersey sold once he became Yao's teammate. If LeBron really wants to be the richest man in the world, getting his foot in the door in the Chinese market is a step in the right direction.
The Biggest loser in all of this is Cleveland (even beyond the LeBron angle). If the rumors that were being tossed around are correct, they were relatively close to getting Michael Redd from the Bucks and I don't see how that could possibly happen now that the Bucks could conceivably make a run at the playoffs.
Advantage: Bucks (unless LeBron signs with the Nets in 2 years)
The Grizzlies send Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal & Jason Collins to the Timberwolves for OJ Mayo, Marko Jaric, Antoine Walker & Greg Buckner.
Yesterday I posted a link that had comments from T'Wolves fans that were livid over this trade. They have just got to be used to complaining at this point, because I love this deal for the Wolves. No way in hell that OJ Mayo was excited to play in Minnesota. Even if he did show up, Foye, McCants & Jaric all are similar players anyway.
Not only did the wolves pick up an underrated player in Mike Miller, but they also ditch Jaric's terrible contract. Outside of Corey Brewer, the Wolves are horrific defensively, but they should be entertaining offensively. So long as Love doesn't put on weight in preparation for a cold winter, I don't see how they loose in this deal.
Outside of using Mayo to bait Pat Reily into dealing Beasley, I don't get this at all for the Grizzlies. They're a team who's trying to cut costs, but talking Jaric isn't helping. Mayo isn't that much more talented then Love to justify this. I'm just glad Chris Wallace isn't screwing up some other team now.
Advantage: Wolves
The Blazers send Brandon Rush, Jarrett Jack and Josh McRoberts to the Pacers for Jerryd Bayless and Ike Diogu.
TJ Ford has got to be excited to play with another Point Guard who he may or may not be better then. Brandon Rush is going to be a fantastic 4rth/5th wheel for a good team. I don't understand some teams rationale for drafting projects with a 5% chance of turning out well over solid rotation guys like Rush (I'm looking in the Bobcats & Kings general direction).
The Blazers probably could have gotten more for Zach Randolph last year, but other then that any other move they've made is seemingly favorable. The typical rookie struggles that a Point Guard goes through should be lessened for Bayless since Brandon Roy can bring the ball up the floor. While he learns to run the offense, he can just concentrate on being a shooter as Roy sets up the offense (at least thats the route I'd go). Diogu should also be a nice lift off the bench as well.
Advantage: Blazers
The Pacers send Jermaine O'Neal & Nathan Jawai to the Raptors for TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Roy Hibbert & Maceo Baston.
Knowing that they could have gotten Gerald Wallace for Ford, I'd think the Raptors would have gone for that deal before this one and then had Rasho's contract to move at the deadline, but this is still a decent deal for them. O'Neal was obviously miserable and should come back and play well for the Raptors, so long as he's not injured.
The problem with the deal is that O'Neal is an overrated rebounder. I used to watch Antoine freaking Walker muscle him around under the hoop for rebounds. Either O'Neal or Bosh have to step up on the glass and given both of their demeanors, I'm less then optimistic.
It's hard to evaluate this for the Pacers because they're so hopelessly screwed right now. Ford is one of the few legit Point Guards in the league, but he's also shown he can be a malcontent. I'd be hard pressed to tell you that they could have gotten more for JO though, so this has got to be seen as at least a partial win for them. The fact that they got a 1st round pick in addition to Ford is amazing.
Advantage: Raptors (addition by subtraction)
After the flurry of trades from last off-season and this past season, there could be a good amount of trades coming at us this off-season. Before I speculate about trades that will never happen, lets take a look at the trades that did go down on Thursday.
The Bucks send Yi Jianlian & Bobby Simmons to the Nets for Richard Jefferson.
I'm still clueless as to how the Nets couldn't secure a the #8 pick in this deal, or a future 1st, or at least the right to swap picks at some point with the Bucks. RJ was one of the better players in the league last year, and you've got to think the Nets undersold him. I'm also disappointed Mike D'Antoni isn't the coach of the Bucks, they'd be obscenely fun to watch now.
On the other side, I only watched Yi a handful of times last year, but looking at his splits he severely declined as the season progressed and its not as if he was going nuts in the first place. I suppose that he may have been miserable in Milwaukee and now that he's playing in one of his "preferred markets" that he could take steps in the right direction.
Along with the cap room angle, I feel like the Nets now have another major selling point to lure LeBron in 2010. Being Yi Jianlian's teammate from a financial standpoint can't be a bad thing. Just look back to how McGrady's jersey sold once he became Yao's teammate. If LeBron really wants to be the richest man in the world, getting his foot in the door in the Chinese market is a step in the right direction.
The Biggest loser in all of this is Cleveland (even beyond the LeBron angle). If the rumors that were being tossed around are correct, they were relatively close to getting Michael Redd from the Bucks and I don't see how that could possibly happen now that the Bucks could conceivably make a run at the playoffs.
Advantage: Bucks (unless LeBron signs with the Nets in 2 years)
The Grizzlies send Kevin Love, Mike Miller, Brian Cardinal & Jason Collins to the Timberwolves for OJ Mayo, Marko Jaric, Antoine Walker & Greg Buckner.
Yesterday I posted a link that had comments from T'Wolves fans that were livid over this trade. They have just got to be used to complaining at this point, because I love this deal for the Wolves. No way in hell that OJ Mayo was excited to play in Minnesota. Even if he did show up, Foye, McCants & Jaric all are similar players anyway.
Not only did the wolves pick up an underrated player in Mike Miller, but they also ditch Jaric's terrible contract. Outside of Corey Brewer, the Wolves are horrific defensively, but they should be entertaining offensively. So long as Love doesn't put on weight in preparation for a cold winter, I don't see how they loose in this deal.
Outside of using Mayo to bait Pat Reily into dealing Beasley, I don't get this at all for the Grizzlies. They're a team who's trying to cut costs, but talking Jaric isn't helping. Mayo isn't that much more talented then Love to justify this. I'm just glad Chris Wallace isn't screwing up some other team now.
Advantage: Wolves
The Blazers send Brandon Rush, Jarrett Jack and Josh McRoberts to the Pacers for Jerryd Bayless and Ike Diogu.
TJ Ford has got to be excited to play with another Point Guard who he may or may not be better then. Brandon Rush is going to be a fantastic 4rth/5th wheel for a good team. I don't understand some teams rationale for drafting projects with a 5% chance of turning out well over solid rotation guys like Rush (I'm looking in the Bobcats & Kings general direction).
The Blazers probably could have gotten more for Zach Randolph last year, but other then that any other move they've made is seemingly favorable. The typical rookie struggles that a Point Guard goes through should be lessened for Bayless since Brandon Roy can bring the ball up the floor. While he learns to run the offense, he can just concentrate on being a shooter as Roy sets up the offense (at least thats the route I'd go). Diogu should also be a nice lift off the bench as well.
Advantage: Blazers
The Pacers send Jermaine O'Neal & Nathan Jawai to the Raptors for TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Roy Hibbert & Maceo Baston.
Knowing that they could have gotten Gerald Wallace for Ford, I'd think the Raptors would have gone for that deal before this one and then had Rasho's contract to move at the deadline, but this is still a decent deal for them. O'Neal was obviously miserable and should come back and play well for the Raptors, so long as he's not injured.
The problem with the deal is that O'Neal is an overrated rebounder. I used to watch Antoine freaking Walker muscle him around under the hoop for rebounds. Either O'Neal or Bosh have to step up on the glass and given both of their demeanors, I'm less then optimistic.
It's hard to evaluate this for the Pacers because they're so hopelessly screwed right now. Ford is one of the few legit Point Guards in the league, but he's also shown he can be a malcontent. I'd be hard pressed to tell you that they could have gotten more for JO though, so this has got to be seen as at least a partial win for them. The fact that they got a 1st round pick in addition to Ford is amazing.
Advantage: Raptors (addition by subtraction)
Friday, June 27, 2008
The Day After Yesterday Links
- The T'Wolves fans are less than psyched today. Apparently T'Wolves fans call Kevin McHale, "McFail." I'm eternally greatful to Mr. McHale, but I'll now be incorporating this nickname into my daily life whenever talking about the GM stage of his life.
- Kings fans love Jason Thompson.
- The Charlotte Bobcats have a blog???
- The six Asians in Milwaukee are bummed.
- Heat fans are diving headfirst into the Mike Beasley era.
- Sam Presti is not a fan of 2nd rounders.
- Blazers fans are going to be insufferable in about 3 years.
- Kings fans love Jason Thompson.
- The Charlotte Bobcats have a blog???
- The six Asians in Milwaukee are bummed.
- Heat fans are diving headfirst into the Mike Beasley era.
- Sam Presti is not a fan of 2nd rounders.
- Blazers fans are going to be insufferable in about 3 years.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
ALLRIGHT
We get it Portland, you're going to be really really good.
C- Oden
PF - Aldridge
SF- Outlaw
SG- Roy
PG- Blake
C- Pryzbilla
PF- Frye
PF- Diogu
SF- Webster
SG- Fernadez
PG- Bayless
PG- Rodriguez
F/C- Dorsey
Along with 10+ million in expiring in the form of Raef LaFrentz and whatever other foreigners Paul Allen bought. Re-fucking-diculous.
Note to Laker Laker fans who are penciling yourselves in for the next 5 championships, look at that freaking roster, know that they can make a major move for a star PG or wing with Raef's expiring or just sit on it and have more then enough for a max contract next off-season. 3 months is more then enough for the rest of Kobe's teammates to remember he's a total prick.
C- Oden
PF - Aldridge
SF- Outlaw
SG- Roy
PG- Blake
C- Pryzbilla
PF- Frye
PF- Diogu
SF- Webster
SG- Fernadez
PG- Bayless
PG- Rodriguez
F/C- Dorsey
Along with 10+ million in expiring in the form of Raef LaFrentz and whatever other foreigners Paul Allen bought. Re-fucking-diculous.
Note to Laker Laker fans who are penciling yourselves in for the next 5 championships, look at that freaking roster, know that they can make a major move for a star PG or wing with Raef's expiring or just sit on it and have more then enough for a max contract next off-season. 3 months is more then enough for the rest of Kobe's teammates to remember he's a total prick.
Draft Thoughts (11-20)
Pick # 11, the Pacers select Jerryd Bayless
The Ginn: Man, this is AWESOME, because TJ is gonna be angry because Bayless will be stealing his minutes. Does Stephen A have to ask every guard if he's really a point guard?
Pick # 12, the Kings select Jason Thompson
The Mighty Horse: What what in the what what?
TG: I think Bilas just tied the record for the most times saying the word "Solid"
Pick # 13, the Blazers select Brandon Rush
TG: Just what they need, another Brandon.
Pick # 14, the Warriors select Anthony Randolph
TMH: He looks like he should be wearing suspenders with a trapper keeper under his arm.
TG: I love that the Warriors have every single freaking player up for FA. The last time the Warriors went with potential, it was Patrick O'Bryant how'd that work out?
TMH: He's still hoping Nellie decides to dress him. Chris Mullin is hilarious, I think he's drunk through the 1st round and sobers up in time for the 2nd round. Thats the only explanation.
TMH: I just realized something, GS has now drafted guys who are 6'10 and under 200lbs in consecutive years, well played Mullin, well played.
Pick # 15, the Suns select Robin Lopez
TMH: Best. Shaq sidekick. EVER.
Pick # 16, the 76ers select Marresse Speights
TG: He reminds me of the college player who can dominate someone smaller than him because he's bored, but put him up against real competition and he's going to cave.
Pick # 17, the Pacers select Roy Hibbert
TMH: The Wizards had better take Arthur, we don't need LeBron having any talented teammates.
Pick # 18, the Wizards select JaVale McGee
TG: I really like JaVale except for his eyebrows... he needs to clean those up
TMH: Has espn hit the quota of WNBA mentions yet?
TG: No, you need 1/13.4 minutes
Pick # 19, the Cavs select, JJ Hickson
TMH: Thank God.
TG: I love how much Vitale hates Euro players.
TMH: Vitale hearts diversity. I think he just said "Darko" 30 times in that rant.
Pick #20, the Bobcats selects, Alexis Ajinca
TMH: Michael Jordan remembers that he hired Larry Brown right?
TMH: I'm smart enough to know when I can't make anymore comments on the rest of the players in the first round. On the plus side, I'm 90% sure I studied more tape on this draft then Michael Jordan did.
The Ginn: Man, this is AWESOME, because TJ is gonna be angry because Bayless will be stealing his minutes. Does Stephen A have to ask every guard if he's really a point guard?
Pick # 12, the Kings select Jason Thompson
The Mighty Horse: What what in the what what?
TG: I think Bilas just tied the record for the most times saying the word "Solid"
Pick # 13, the Blazers select Brandon Rush
TG: Just what they need, another Brandon.
Pick # 14, the Warriors select Anthony Randolph
TMH: He looks like he should be wearing suspenders with a trapper keeper under his arm.
TG: I love that the Warriors have every single freaking player up for FA. The last time the Warriors went with potential, it was Patrick O'Bryant how'd that work out?
TMH: He's still hoping Nellie decides to dress him. Chris Mullin is hilarious, I think he's drunk through the 1st round and sobers up in time for the 2nd round. Thats the only explanation.
TMH: I just realized something, GS has now drafted guys who are 6'10 and under 200lbs in consecutive years, well played Mullin, well played.
Pick # 15, the Suns select Robin Lopez
TMH: Best. Shaq sidekick. EVER.
Pick # 16, the 76ers select Marresse Speights
TG: He reminds me of the college player who can dominate someone smaller than him because he's bored, but put him up against real competition and he's going to cave.
Pick # 17, the Pacers select Roy Hibbert
TMH: The Wizards had better take Arthur, we don't need LeBron having any talented teammates.
Pick # 18, the Wizards select JaVale McGee
TG: I really like JaVale except for his eyebrows... he needs to clean those up
TMH: Has espn hit the quota of WNBA mentions yet?
TG: No, you need 1/13.4 minutes
Pick # 19, the Cavs select, JJ Hickson
TMH: Thank God.
TG: I love how much Vitale hates Euro players.
TMH: Vitale hearts diversity. I think he just said "Darko" 30 times in that rant.
Pick #20, the Bobcats selects, Alexis Ajinca
TMH: Michael Jordan remembers that he hired Larry Brown right?
TMH: I'm smart enough to know when I can't make anymore comments on the rest of the players in the first round. On the plus side, I'm 90% sure I studied more tape on this draft then Michael Jordan did.
Draft Thoughts (6-10)
Ginn decided not to big time me and we're talking via MSN, here's the transcript,
Pick # 6 by the Knicks: F Danilo Gallinari
The Ginn: Gallinari's atrocious English is clearly winning them over.
The Mighty Horse: Ouch, he didn't even get a cheer out of the hack "New York is the best city in the world" crack
TG: I like when they panned to the guys making fun of his english
TMH: New York City: Where Xenophobia Happens
Pick # 7 by the Clippers: G Eric Gordon
TG: Why is it that off the bench combo guards are inevitably named Gordon? Here's the biggest question to me... now that the Bucks filled their SF spot, Alexander seems like a poor pick. Do the Bucks dare go Lopez here?
TMH: I suppose if they really have adopted Scott Skiles "survival of the fittest" mentality could make him and Bogut fight to the death for a roster spot.
TG: Jesus Christ, White Coat with Black pants/Tie.... sorry Eric, doesn't work.
TMH: tsk, tsk.
TMH: Jeff Van Gundy clearly hates Mike D'antoni, he's trying to convince him Stephon Marbury is a great NBA point guard
Pick # 8 by the Bucks: F Joe Alexander
TG: If Joe Alexander's nickname is Vanilla Sky, he's completely boned
Pick # 9 by the Bobcats: G D.J. Augustin
TG: ... REALLY, D.J. Augustin??? Geez Lopez, cry it out. I've just decided that Lopez does not deserve to be an NBA player.
TMH: Not that it matters since whoever they take will play a collected 17 minutes next year since Larry Brown hates rookies
TG: now.. HOW do YOU look FORWARD to PLAYING for LARRY Brown.
TG: Stephen needs to either build up to his crescendo, or keep it even, he's just too fucking insane.
TMH: He's from the STREETS.
Pick # 10 by the Nets: C Brook Lopez
TMH: If the Bobcats had drafted him, his & Morrison's "flow" would've synced up, so its for the best that they didn't end up on the same roster.
Pick # 6 by the Knicks: F Danilo Gallinari
The Ginn: Gallinari's atrocious English is clearly winning them over.
The Mighty Horse: Ouch, he didn't even get a cheer out of the hack "New York is the best city in the world" crack
TG: I like when they panned to the guys making fun of his english
TMH: New York City: Where Xenophobia Happens
Pick # 7 by the Clippers: G Eric Gordon
TG: Why is it that off the bench combo guards are inevitably named Gordon? Here's the biggest question to me... now that the Bucks filled their SF spot, Alexander seems like a poor pick. Do the Bucks dare go Lopez here?
TMH: I suppose if they really have adopted Scott Skiles "survival of the fittest" mentality could make him and Bogut fight to the death for a roster spot.
TG: Jesus Christ, White Coat with Black pants/Tie.... sorry Eric, doesn't work.
TMH: tsk, tsk.
TMH: Jeff Van Gundy clearly hates Mike D'antoni, he's trying to convince him Stephon Marbury is a great NBA point guard
Pick # 8 by the Bucks: F Joe Alexander
TG: If Joe Alexander's nickname is Vanilla Sky, he's completely boned
Pick # 9 by the Bobcats: G D.J. Augustin
TG: ... REALLY, D.J. Augustin??? Geez Lopez, cry it out. I've just decided that Lopez does not deserve to be an NBA player.
TMH: Not that it matters since whoever they take will play a collected 17 minutes next year since Larry Brown hates rookies
TG: now.. HOW do YOU look FORWARD to PLAYING for LARRY Brown.
TG: Stephen needs to either build up to his crescendo, or keep it even, he's just too fucking insane.
TMH: He's from the STREETS.
Pick # 10 by the Nets: C Brook Lopez
TMH: If the Bobcats had drafted him, his & Morrison's "flow" would've synced up, so its for the best that they didn't end up on the same roster.
Draft Thoughts (picks 1-5)
- How cute, Derrick Rose's senile Grandmother calls him “Pooh” because he likes sweets. Her rationale for calling him this is that Winnie the Pooh loves Honey. Hey Grandma Rose, here's an idea, start making sense. Sweets are candies or confections. The only way honey is involved is if its baked in one of the confections, so unless your grandson hangs around with a fidgety rabbit, an annoying pig or a prick donkey, Pooh isn't applicable. I could throw in any number of horrific racial comments here, but since classy is in the title of our blog, I'll be the bigger man and avoid any of these comments.
- Hopefully the picks of Michael Beasley & Brook Lopez are spread out as much as possible. I think if Jay Bilas has to talk about each of their wing spans within 15 minutes of each other, he'll whip it out and start openly masturbating. Poor Stu Scott's glass eye will even prohibit him from looking away.
- OJ Mayo's devious glasses plan backfired, it quelled any reservations Kevin McHale had about him not wanting to play in Minnesota. The “emotional” embrace between him and his mother was about as believable as anytime ABC/ESPN/TNT showed one of those pre-taped segments showing how much Kobe loved his teammates.
- Someone should tell Russell Westbrook that there's a good chance he'll be playing in Oklahoma City within the next two years. That someone should also then point out to Russell where Oklahoma City is on a map. That'll be sure to end the smile he's “had since yesterday.”
- Oh no, Love goes to the Grizz and I've been told by my friend who lived in Memphis that there are amazing barbecue restaurants throughout the city. This could end poorly.
- Hopefully the picks of Michael Beasley & Brook Lopez are spread out as much as possible. I think if Jay Bilas has to talk about each of their wing spans within 15 minutes of each other, he'll whip it out and start openly masturbating. Poor Stu Scott's glass eye will even prohibit him from looking away.
- OJ Mayo's devious glasses plan backfired, it quelled any reservations Kevin McHale had about him not wanting to play in Minnesota. The “emotional” embrace between him and his mother was about as believable as anytime ABC/ESPN/TNT showed one of those pre-taped segments showing how much Kobe loved his teammates.
- Someone should tell Russell Westbrook that there's a good chance he'll be playing in Oklahoma City within the next two years. That someone should also then point out to Russell where Oklahoma City is on a map. That'll be sure to end the smile he's “had since yesterday.”
- Oh no, Love goes to the Grizz and I've been told by my friend who lived in Memphis that there are amazing barbecue restaurants throughout the city. This could end poorly.
Pre-Draft Show Thoughts
- It seems an intern with a sense of humor has placed a Nick Collison jersey behind Colleen Dominguez.
- I hope the Knicks trade David Lee, I always wanted to watch someone kill Stu Scott with their bare hands. Wouldn't it be in Mark Jackson's best intrest to facilitate this riot, as a giant “fuck you” to his hometown team who didn't want him even though he basically said he'd work for free?
- The New York Liberty just got a bigger cheer then the Knicks and I couldn't be happier.
- I hope the Knicks trade David Lee, I always wanted to watch someone kill Stu Scott with their bare hands. Wouldn't it be in Mark Jackson's best intrest to facilitate this riot, as a giant “fuck you” to his hometown team who didn't want him even though he basically said he'd work for free?
- The New York Liberty just got a bigger cheer then the Knicks and I couldn't be happier.
It's (usually) The Most Wonderful Day of The Year
For the first time I can remember, I haven't been rocking back and forth in anticipation all day today. The giddiness of watching the Celtics win the Championship first hand still lingers.
I'm hoping my lowered expectations will translate into a 2005-like draft experience for me (the Celts drafted Gerald Green, who had been projected in the top 5. Little did I know there was good reason for a free-fall. Other then being a throw in for KG, his greatest contribution was his phenomenal natural shocker). We'll call this the Matrix corollary, where lowered expectations lead to a 10x better experience in the long run. By the way, this corollary refers to the motion picture, not Shawn Marion.
Anyway, here's my quick criminally uniformed opinion on various draft issues,
- I like Rose, more then Beasley, but the way the Heat are treating Beasley is ridiculous. I feel like Riley is doing Beasley a favor by acting like he raped an entire group of boy scouts. He might be completely immature, but in the long run, hearing about how terrible of a person he is because he liked to party is a good thing...maybe.
- Just so we're clear Pat Riley, Michael Beasley is a terrible person, but you're in love with OJ Mayo? Were you so entrenched in researching Beasley's past that you're just assuming OJ is a swell guy? Do yourself a favor and call Tim Floyd.
- Kevin Love should be at worst a good bench player, and I really believe he'll be a really nice 4rth or 5th banana, but god help him if he goes to Milwaukee. Watching his fast ascent to 375 lbs would probably sell Comcast's NBA package for me.
- I hope to god ESPN.com has made a mistake, because if I'm reading this correctly Anthony Randolph is 6'10 197 lbs and he's still a top 10 pick? People were making jokes about Durant being a stick figure last year and he had 20 lbs on this guy.
That's it for now, I've gotta go. It seems OJ Mayo has gone with the ingenious idea of getting a pair of reading glasses from Wallgreens to make himself look more upstanding. I'm now compelled to listen to every word he says.
I'm hoping my lowered expectations will translate into a 2005-like draft experience for me (the Celts drafted Gerald Green, who had been projected in the top 5. Little did I know there was good reason for a free-fall. Other then being a throw in for KG, his greatest contribution was his phenomenal natural shocker). We'll call this the Matrix corollary, where lowered expectations lead to a 10x better experience in the long run. By the way, this corollary refers to the motion picture, not Shawn Marion.
Anyway, here's my quick criminally uniformed opinion on various draft issues,
- I like Rose, more then Beasley, but the way the Heat are treating Beasley is ridiculous. I feel like Riley is doing Beasley a favor by acting like he raped an entire group of boy scouts. He might be completely immature, but in the long run, hearing about how terrible of a person he is because he liked to party is a good thing...maybe.
- Just so we're clear Pat Riley, Michael Beasley is a terrible person, but you're in love with OJ Mayo? Were you so entrenched in researching Beasley's past that you're just assuming OJ is a swell guy? Do yourself a favor and call Tim Floyd.
- Kevin Love should be at worst a good bench player, and I really believe he'll be a really nice 4rth or 5th banana, but god help him if he goes to Milwaukee. Watching his fast ascent to 375 lbs would probably sell Comcast's NBA package for me.
- I hope to god ESPN.com has made a mistake, because if I'm reading this correctly Anthony Randolph is 6'10 197 lbs and he's still a top 10 pick? People were making jokes about Durant being a stick figure last year and he had 20 lbs on this guy.
That's it for now, I've gotta go. It seems OJ Mayo has gone with the ingenious idea of getting a pair of reading glasses from Wallgreens to make himself look more upstanding. I'm now compelled to listen to every word he says.
The O'Neal Raptors Era
As a Raptors fan, I need to analyze this from my side. My initial reaction was one of pain and suffering. Obviously this is not because of TJ Ford being gone. The anti-TJ bandwagon began when I was swimming in a lake one long weekend to see Benjamin running out having just heard the latest news on the radio.
Now, let me try and talk myself into Jermaine O'Neal. I will completely omit every negative aspect of this deal to help my delusional mind accept him.
1. Defense:
J.O. can at least play man to man defense against a Center and is a good shot blocker. God bless Bosh and his hops, but he doesn't block any shots. JO may be an average rebounder, but that's a step up from Rasho and Bargnani. His creeky knees affecting his defense and rebounding does not worry me.
2. Offense:
J.O. Did average 20/10 for his prime. His low shooting percentage does not worry me.
3. Intangibles:
J.O. was miserable in Indiana with how terrible that team was. A change of scenery should revitalize him to the player he was in his prime. Even then he doesn't have to be the star of this team, but just a strong second fiddle. I'm not worried about the palace incident, his love of strippers or that he pouted through an injury a lot like Vince Carter used to do for us.
4. Economics:
J.O. may be making 47 million over the next two years, but it's only two years! And it's not like we can't use that expiring contract next year should we need to. He can't imagine he'll get an extension anywhere near his current contract. I'm not worried that he ate up all the cap we had for this year to make a move on another big name.
See, I'm not worried at all! I don't know why I ever doubted this trade. O'Neal's not washed up.... well, maybe he is, but it's not like we gave up a lot.
Now, let me try and talk myself into Jermaine O'Neal. I will completely omit every negative aspect of this deal to help my delusional mind accept him.
1. Defense:
J.O. can at least play man to man defense against a Center and is a good shot blocker. God bless Bosh and his hops, but he doesn't block any shots. JO may be an average rebounder, but that's a step up from Rasho and Bargnani. His creeky knees affecting his defense and rebounding does not worry me.
2. Offense:
J.O. Did average 20/10 for his prime. His low shooting percentage does not worry me.
3. Intangibles:
J.O. was miserable in Indiana with how terrible that team was. A change of scenery should revitalize him to the player he was in his prime. Even then he doesn't have to be the star of this team, but just a strong second fiddle. I'm not worried about the palace incident, his love of strippers or that he pouted through an injury a lot like Vince Carter used to do for us.
4. Economics:
J.O. may be making 47 million over the next two years, but it's only two years! And it's not like we can't use that expiring contract next year should we need to. He can't imagine he'll get an extension anywhere near his current contract. I'm not worried that he ate up all the cap we had for this year to make a move on another big name.
See, I'm not worried at all! I don't know why I ever doubted this trade. O'Neal's not washed up.... well, maybe he is, but it's not like we gave up a lot.
What is Classy
Classy is a perfectly executed fast break.
Classy is picking your opponent up after a hard foul.
Classy is the oh so boring Gregg Poppovitch.
Classy is the loud home building.
Classy is a nicely polished championship ring.
The purpose of this blog is to add yet another NBA based blog to the internet world. Two intelligent fans from different countries with different perspectives. Why did we launch it today? Because the draft is like Christmas morning. I never sleep well the night before, and I am constantly dreaming about it.
Was that pretentious? I think it came off a little pretentious for a first posting.
Classy is picking your opponent up after a hard foul.
Classy is the oh so boring Gregg Poppovitch.
Classy is the loud home building.
Classy is a nicely polished championship ring.
The purpose of this blog is to add yet another NBA based blog to the internet world. Two intelligent fans from different countries with different perspectives. Why did we launch it today? Because the draft is like Christmas morning. I never sleep well the night before, and I am constantly dreaming about it.
Was that pretentious? I think it came off a little pretentious for a first posting.
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