Signed and Traded

2008 NBA Mock Draft: Names Edition

2008-06-17T19:28:00.000-07:00

As we all know, names are the biggest predictor of success in the NBA. Who will be the most successful? Read on and see...s.

1: Chicago Bulls: O.J. Mayo
The consensus number one name in the draft. O.J. Mayo is also part of this complete and balanced breakfast.

2: Miami Heat: Kevin Love
Damn you James of Calgary, you took my joke! A Heat 69 Love jersey = MONEY~!

3: Minnesota Timberwolves: Rockminn Dillard
Minnesota is looking to put together a solid foundation for the future. Where better to start than Rockminn?

4: Seattle Supersonics: Jerryd Bayless
I'm a little biased here. However, as a bonus, this could actually be where JerryD is drafted.

5: Memphis Grizzlies: Luc Richard Mbah a Moute
Good news: Memphis gets a great name. Bad news: No one will ever hear from Luc Richard again. Well, until he's traded to the Brooklyn Nets for Maurice Ager, Keith Van Horn, and two picks. More on this later.

6: New York Knicks: Jorge Lebron
I wouldn't put it past James Dolan to draft this guy, only to say he got Lebron.

7: Los Angeles Clippers: Josh Love
Poor Clippers. Just like they are number two in LA, they got the number two guy named Love.

8: Milwaukee Bucks: Jaaron Greene
Good name, plus it fits the Bucks name. Greene Bucks.

9: Charlotte Bobcats: Kojo Mensah
Very good name, and the smartest name in the draft.

10: New Jersey Nets: Chris Douglas-Roberts
Along with Steve Kirkpatrick of the Penn State Nittany Lions, another three first names in a row guy. Not bad, you can do the "string together a bunch of random first names" routine.

11: Indiana Pacers: Brandon Rush
Good thing the Pacers get Rush. I hear the Douchebag Radio Hosts were looking to trade up to 12 to get him.

12: Sacramento Kings: Marreese Speights
You gotta love those "Random sounds strung together" names.

13: Portland Trail Blazers: Sasa Cuic
Here's a name that's already being compared Sasha Vujacic.

14: Golden State Warriors: Aleksandar Ugrinoski
Looking to go international even more, Golden State could unknowingly spark a wave of "U Grin" smiley face signs.

15: Phoenix Suns (from Atlanta): Jadranko Jusufagic
Underrated name. Looks like Portland sparked a run on foreigners.

16: Philadelphia 76ers: JaVale McGee
Philly going with a strong FOUR capital-lettered-name, tied for tops amongst potential draftees.

17: Toronto Raptors: Robert Krabbendam
If Toronto can convince him to put umlauts over the a's, he can be a force.

18: Washington Wizards: Gal Mekel to be traded to CLE
19: Cleveland Cavaliers: Curtis Muse to be traded to WAS
For Cleveland, they can beat the WNBA to having a Gal in the league. The WNBA folds shortly after.
The Wizards get their Muse that hopefully for them directs them to a title.

20: Denver Nuggets: Trent Plaisted
For my friends in Colorado, the Nuggets totally get Plaisted. Plastered and Wasted.

21: New Jersey Nets (from Dallas): Brandon Cotton
Jersey gets a little cotton for their Nets.

22: Orlando Magic: Jermain Raffington
Good name misspelling. Underrated and a long name, too. Good wingspan.

23: Utah Jazz: Derrick Caracter
Now the Jazz can go "Hey, I told you our team had Caracter!" over and over. I really hate that kind of thing. Grrrr.

24: Seattle SuperSonics (from Phoenix): Tearon Hill
Some sources say that the Sonics have agreed to draft Hill as long as he changes his first name to "T-Ron"

25: Houston Rockets: Damiano Verri
"Verri" good jokes abound, but much fewer than stupid Utah. Failed petition to allow "666" as a legal uniform number caused his stock to drop.

26: San Antonio Spurs: Angel Alamo
No joke necessary. Whoops, the Spurs just flopped, they get two free throws.

27: New Orleans Hornets: DeAndre Jordan
No truth to the rumors that Jordan will go the D'Brickshaw route and add an apostrophe. D'Andre Jordan would have gone higher.

28: Memphis Grizzlies (from L.A. Lakers): Eric Gordon
If the Grizz are dumb enough to trade Pau Gasol for nothing, they are dumb enough to pick an overrated player and a boring name in Eric Gordon.

29: Detroit Pistons: Jamont Gordon
Detroit ending the "-ordon" run. Jamont is a pretty good first name.

30: Boston Celtics: Jari Vanttaja
I love those Nordic names.

Round 2
31: Minnesota Timberwolves (from Miami): Josh Akognon
32: Seattle Supersonics: Viktor Dubovitskiy
33: Portland Trail Blazers (from Memphis): Kosta Koufos
34: Minnesota Timberwolves: Antonio Kellogg
35: Los Angeles Clippers: Sadell Ayala
36: Portland Trail Blazers (from New York): Serge Ibaka
37: Milwaukee Bucks: Bart Jilisen
38: Charlotte Bobcats: Fabricio Vay
39: Chicago Bulls: Raed Mostafa
40: New Jersey Nets: Courtney Pigram
41: Indiana Pacers: Alexis Ajinça
ç ALERT! ç ALERT!

42: Sacramento Kings (from Atlanta): James Davis
43: Sacramento Kings: Sammy Monroe
Sacramento thought they were getting two greats, but they flipped the first and last names. Too bad.

44: Utah Jazz (from Philadelphia): Stephen Weigh
45: San Antonio Spurs (from Toronto): Ante Tomic
46: Seattle SuperSonics (from Portland): Danilo Gallinari
47: Washington Wizards: Kiwan Smith
48: Phoenix Suns (from Cleveland): Nicolas Batum
49: Golden State Warriors: D.J. Augustin
50: Seattle SuperSonics (from Denver): Keith Brumbaugh
51: Dallas Mavericks: Mario Chalmers
Possible Super Mario alert...

52: Miami Heat (from Orlando): John Riek
53: Utah Jazz: Kalen Grimes
54: Houston Rockets: Devino Williams
55: Portland Trail Blazers (from Phoenix): Jerome Habel
56: Seattle SuperSonics (from New Orleans): Takais Brown
57: San Antonio Spurs: Gordon Watt
58: Los Angeles Lakers: Nathan Jawai
59: Detroit Pistons: Tom Garlepp
60: Boston Celtics: Paul Graham III
And we end with an Obligatory Numbered Name Suffix. Happy drafting, NBA Teams!

Fuck you Dirk,

2008-04-22T19:53:00.001-07:00

Signed
Chris Paul.

Why would Dirk act like the Hornets were a warmup. Stupid german bastard.

Maybe it's time for Cuban to go ahead and buy the Cubs...he needs another loser franchise to finish his set.

Playoff Predictions

2008-04-17T08:34:00.000-07:00

Here come my picks for the NBA Playoffs. As opposed to making Wimbledon picks in an NBA blog.

Starting in the East, because the East won this year's All-Star Game. This time, it counts!!

Eastern Conference First Round

#8 Atlanta Hawks vs #1 Boston Celtics

Also known as The Big Three (or the Boston Three Party) vs. The Kind of Talented A Few (or the Atlanta Obscure Civil War Battle). Atlanta might give Boston a scare... by coming within five in one game.

Celtics in 4.

#7 Philadelphia 76ers vs #2 (and I do mean number two.) Detroit Pistons

The Pistons were the Sixers' last win this year. As much as I want the Sixers to win this series, the Pistons will be the Sixers' last win of the playoffs as well.

Pistons in 6. Ergh... I feel dirty.

#6 Toronto Raptors vs #3 Orlando Magic

Every playoffs has that one series. This is that series. Mainly because screw you Orlando for ducking out on the Sixers. Big fat loserfaces.

Magic in 7.

#5 Washington Wizards vs #4 Cleveland Cavaliers

LeBron James is good at basketball. Do you really think he's going to let Gilbert Arenas beat him?

Cavaliers in 5.

Western Conference First Round

#8 Denver Nuggets vs #1 Los Angeles Lakers

I see an upset in this series. Not the Lakers losing the series, but no incidents from Carmelo Anthony.

Lakers in 5.

#7 Dallas Mavericks vs #2 New Orleans Hornets

Dirk Nowitzki? More like Dork No Win Series!... *cough* Anyway, yeah, New Orleans is going to win this series. Take that, Mark Cuban! Or should I say, Mork Cube Van!... yeah, I'll go now.

Hornets in 6.

#6 Phoenix Suns vs #3 San Antonio Spurs

Last year's series between these two teams was so full of crap. It was so evident that the league wanted to have the Spurs win last year. The Steve Nash nose in game 1, the Tim Donaghey game, the absolutely stupid decision to suspend Diaw and Stoudemire for walking 20 feet in support of the 2 time MVP who was cheap shotted by a role player. If there's a such thing as karma, the Suns will win the whole (fkn) thing this year. For this round, though, they'll have to settle for...

Suns in 6.

#4 Utah Jazz vs #5 Houston Rockets

The Rockets have home-court advantage in this series. Will the be screwed out of this series like they were last year? Will Tracy McGrady finally shed that unfair label of never winning a playoff series? I say yes.

Rockets in 7.

Conference Semifinals

#4 Cleveland Cavaliers vs #1 Boston Celtics

Last year, LeBron made the finals. He didn't have to face the Boston Celtics. Maybe when he gets some good players he'll win it all. Until then...

Celtics in 6.

#3 Orlando Magic vs #2 Detroit Pistons

Why does Detroit always go to the Eastern Conference Finals? Because they always face teams like Philly and Orlando in the first two rounds.

Pistons in 5.

#6 Phoenix Suns vs #1 Los Angeles Lakers

Now this should be a fun series. The Suns lost down the stretch to good teams. The Lakers to bad ones. The Suns aren't bad, so the Lakers will win.

Lakers in 7.

#5 Houston Rockets vs #2 New Orleans Hornets

Now that T-Mac has won a series, I can pick the Hornets to win one. Well, two.

Hornets in 5.

Conference Finals

#2 Detroit Pistons vs #1 Boston Celtics

In poker, five of a kind always beats three aces. Not in this series.

Celtics win the East in 7.

#2 New Orleans Hornets vs #1 Los Angeles Lakers

Have you wanted to see the old Celtics/Lakers rivalry get underway again? So has David Stern. Sorry Mr. Paul. Next year will be yours. Maybe.

Lakers win the West in 7.

Los Angeles Lakers vs Boston Celtics

The series that Nielsen wanted to see! The Celtics were 2-0 vs. the Lakers this year, but both meetings were before 2008, before they got Pau Gasol for pretty much free. This should be a good series but only because it doesn't involve the Spurs or Pistons. Anyway, my winner of the 2008 NBA Finals...

The Boston Celtics, in 7 games.

Bonus prediction: Ratings of 2008 WNBA Finals: 0.00.

2 Notes 2 Revive

2008-04-15T18:45:00.000-07:00

1) Damn bad call last night in the Cavs/Sixers game. You can't just say no foul, then all of a sudden decide to make it a foul. Gaaaah

2) Note to Philadelphia sportscasters: Stop naming multiple players "Player of the Game". I get it, you like team efforts. If you want it that way, just say that the Philadelphia Phillies or whatever team the Philadelphia Team of the Game.

Who's gonna win the West?

2008-04-03T17:51:00.000-07:00

The power is in the west. The same place it has been now for a decade it seems. The teams there continually get stronger, while in the east teams who were once powerhouses *cough Miami* are now pathetic. So it only goes to serve that I'd predict who will win the west when the playoffs roll around.

Two months ago, I predicted how I thought the seeds were gonna go...

1. Spurs
2. Suns
3. Mavs
4. Jazz
5. Hornets
6. Lakers
7. Warriors
8. Blazers

If things end right now..I would have gotten only one correct (Jazz at 4).

As of right now...

1. NO
2. Spurs
3. LA
4. Jazz
5. Suns
6. Houston
7. Mavs
8. Denver

If things end that way the playoffs should be a shootout....and however the standings turn out, every game is important as there are only 8 (or so) games left, and the separation from 1 to 9 in the west is only 7 1/2 games.

So who is gonna come out of the west?

NO really have a ton of gunners but Im not sure they can stand up in a series against a team the caliber of the Spurs. Chris Paul is gonna have to have a huge series if they end up playing against the Spurs or Suns at any time in the playoffs, and I really dont think they are ready yet.

Denver has a team full of go to guy's and nobody who wants to distribute the ball or play defense, so you can take them out of the finals equation already.

Without Dirk, the Mavs are already eliminated.

Houston has shown that although they had an amazing run midseason, they obviously peaked too early. Houston this year is obviously the Lindsey Lohan of basketball, starting off quick, blowing up way too early in the season (much like Lohan around the Mean Girls time when her tits weren't all cancery looking and she hadnt lost all that weight due to the yayo) and now will never return to the glory they once had.

That leaves five teams that I think could still win the west...

1. Spurs. Cmon. Isn't this what they do? They win games and do it without making jerks of themselves and somehow stay under the radar for most of the season in the flashy west. They've won 8 in a row and play the best defense in the west. No one wants to open up a series at San Antonio (32-6 at home).

2. Suns. I really liked the Shaq trade. I still do. He's turned Amare into an unstoppable force, they can play any style basketball they want. Steve Nash is in the twilight of his greatness (1 more great year tops). But they still have to play four teams in the western playoff hunt so they cant relax quite yet because they have to play for seed. They can win on the road or at home. This is the team I think wins the west and eventually the title.

3. Utah. Very quiet team. But dont tell anyone but they are unbeatable at home (34-4 home record). Problem is, they eventually are gonna have to play on the road (16-22 road record). Derron Williams is the new Jason Kidd, except he can shoot. Mehmet Okur somehow proved me wrong and has shown me that he deserves his entire contract. They are tough rebounders and like physical play. Which is very much so different from the majority of the west who prefer flash over hard nosed hustle.

4. LA. Kobe is the best player in the league. He can win games consistently alone. Problem is he has a great supporting cast around him. Since they stole Pau Gasol, they've shown they have the tools. Andy Bynum is the lynch pin here. If he can come back and play at 100% the Lakers may be unstoppable. By the way, how's this for a random playoff prediction...Vlad the Impaler goes for thirty at least once in th playoffs.

5. Warriors. I know they aren't even in as of right now. But if they do get in, they have the experience to win in the playoffs (remember last year). For some reason every team in the league wants to try and outrun them and play small, which no one can do. I know that this is the last team I'd want to be playing in a game 7, because odds are if they take you to 7, your entire team is exhausted, and the Warriors have played balls out up and down the court all year.

When it's all said and done I like the Suns and I have for three months...but it wont be an easy road.

My favorite inside the NBA segment ever.

2008-03-28T05:31:00.000-07:00

MONSTER JAM!

2008-03-26T18:32:00.000-07:00

You may expect me to make a post about the Sixers win here. Uh uh. This is a post about the best power-ups in the classic video game NBA Jam Tournament Edition. They will be rated on:

1) Usefulness (0 to 10) and
2) Awesomeness (0 to 10)

The 3: Three Point Shooting Rating Upgrade

In theory, you should be better at threes after getting this powerup. Well, doesn't work as well as you'd expect. You can still miss open 3's from a normal range with this power-up. Even if you have a good 3 point shooting player like Miller.

USEFULNESS: Not as strong as I'd like it to be. 3/10. I'd recommend giving the player a free three point shot from beyond halfcourt for each 3 picked up.

AWESOMENESS: Not really awesome, you can shoot threes anytime. 2.5/10.

The D: Megadunk

Now THIS is some good stuff. You can dunk from anywhere, even 99% court. This is especially awesome if you have hotspots on, since the hotspot will still count if you dunk from it.

USEFULNESS: 99% of the time the dunk will go in for an easy 2, or even up to an easy 8 (or 9 if you play 32X). I'd've loved for dunks from 3 point range to be 3 points but oh well. 9/10.

AWESOMENESS: Come on. A 90 foot somersaulting funk dunk? AWESOME. 10/10.

The P: Power Push

You get a bonus in power. Also, when you push someone, they'll go about 50 feet. Not a huge difference but it's okay.

USEFULNESS: Seems to be good, but not an automatic that you'll stay up or that they'll go down and lose the ball. 6.5/10.

AWESOMENESS: It's great to push someone a long way. Not so much when you get the P and you lose possession somehow. 7/10.

The T: Infinite Turbo

You get infinite turbo, but not the On Fire benefits.

USEFULNESS: You get infinite turbo. Not too bad. 7/10.

AWESOMENESS: No fire makes it a bit disappointing. 4/10.

The F: On Fire

The player getting this becomes "on fire" for a bit. It is not extinguished when an opponent makes a basket. You also get infinite turbo.

USEFULNESS: Much better than the T, since you get the bonuses in shooting etc that regular fire gets you. 9.5/10

AWESOMENESS: A smoking hot basketball and a burnt rim. Very awesome. 9/10

The S: Super Speed

You can run around the court faster than anyone, even if they're using Turbo.

USEFULNESS: Really useful if you can control it, especially if you see an 8 point hotspot. 9/10.

AWESOMENESS: Also pretty awesome, but you don't get a good visual so I can't give it too good a rating. 8/10.

The B: Bomb

The only instant power-up. All three players other than you fall to the ground and if they have the ball, lose possession.

USEFULNESS: Pretty useful if you're in the right spot for it. 8/10.

AWESOMENESS: Good sound effect for it, but hurting your teammate hurts the score a bit. 8/10.

So in order of best to worst, we have D (19/20), F (18.5), S (17), B (16), P (13.5), T (11), and in last place, the 3 (5.5). Ha ha, the 3 point powerup sucks. All hail the Megadunk!

I LIke Rasheed Wallace. (There, I said it)

2008-03-23T05:36:00.000-07:00

All the time I hear people talking about how much they dislike Rasheed Wallace. They generally site him as a 'crybaby' or 'sore loser' who can't control his emotions. People like to bitch about his bad attitude and his constant arguments with referees and abundance of technical fouls as fodder for dislike.

I, am not one of these people. I think Rasheed's antics come form the fact that he hates to lose. If Michael Jordan wouldn't have been so fucking bland and afraid of offending anyone so he could make more money hawking fucking underwear, he too would have had the same bad attitude people perceive in Sheed.

Wallace's numbers aren't astounding. On his career he averages 15 and 7. And people only seem to remember Wallace's ability to run his mouth and get T'ed up, especially in Portland. I'm not condoning the guy's anger issues, just saying that the good he has done for a team like Detroit (who for the umpteenth season in a row is leading the East) far outweighs the occasional technical foul.

No one seems to remember that Rasheed not only leads the best team in the east on the floor, but also off the court and on the bench. People close to the league know Sheed has a penchant for funny antics. Need Proof? Check Sheed messing with (#2 on my all time favorite players list) Reggie Miller during a pregame segment for Inside the NBA. Youtube has apparently taken down the video or I can't find it. But earlier this year Sheed manufactured a firing line of Tayshaun Prince, Billups, and himself throwing basketballs at someone during a live pregame interview. And it's funny to watch.

Maybe it's just my penchant for liking players who don't sit idly by when they feel a referee is making a mistake. Maybe I'm just a fan of rebels. But I wish the Pacers had 5 guys with the winning attitude that Rasheed has. Who can blame someone for hating losing down to his very soul? Wallace wants to win so bad he has to vent frustration after or sometimes during a loss. Without him Detroit wouldn't be nearly as effective. Because at 6'10" and 230 pounds, the guy is a great defender (a necessity in Detroit), he can play with his back to the basket, or he can face up and hit a three pointer. Add that to the fact that he gives Detroit a perceived 'mean-streak', and that honestly everyone else on the team loves him. Most importantly, his numbers don;t matter to him so long as the Pistons are piling up wins.

To summarize, Rasheed Wallace is an immature asshole, but he's the kind of immature asshole that every team in the league would kill to have at this point.

How To Appreciate DeShawn Stevenson and His Beard

2008-03-20T13:36:00.000-07:00

Read this. Anytime someone gives the Global Icon shit, I'm on board. God bless you, DeShawn Stevenson.

Bron Bron is a tremendous douchebag. I know it. You know it. DeShawn Stevenson knows it.

Fifty Point Zero

2008-03-19T18:49:00.000-07:00

Allen Iverson did today what he did many times before, and that is watch the Sixers fans in attendance go home happy. (Doesn't that sound like an AP article or something?) Anyway, the Sixers fans welcomed AI back with cheers aplenty, and with good reason. He was a typical Philly kind of guy, an underdog who goes hard and boos Santa Claus. Sure, there may not be any evidence that he booed any fat men wearing red, but hey, it's my post. :-P

The memories of AI's 60 point game vs Orlando, his game winning steal and layup against Washington, his crossover on MJ, and his entire 2001 season will be ingrained in my head for as long as I like basketball, and it was great to hear the Philly fans cheer AI.

As for the game tonight, the Sixers are now 34-34, and will probably finish 5th, 6th, or 7th in the East. It's evident that the Sixers are inconsistent, so they probably won't win against Boston or Detroit. I don't think LeBron will let Philly beat him, so the only realistic choice that I think the Sixers can beat is Orlando. With the way the other teams have been playing, though, I fear the Sixers might be playing too well to be against a flawed enough opponent in the playoffs, but too bad to win anything.

But at least they beat the Spurs. God, I hate that team.

What Are We Talking About?

2008-03-19T16:49:00.000-07:00

Tell 'em Allen!

Never.not.funny.

If AI has contributed anything to the world, it's "not a game...not a game...PRACTICE." Forget his 28 ppg career average. The above is what I'll always remember the guy for.

Things are starting to look up in Indy!

2008-03-17T14:59:00.001-07:00

Great news today for fans (like me) of the Indiana Pacers! Untradeable contract and walking injury Jamal Tinsley and his dread headed friend Marquis Daniels have managed to miss a trial for a bar fight at the Indy hotspot The 8 Seconds Saloon last year. The two only need to stay out of trouble for the next two years (Not fucking likely!), serve 32 hours of community service, and Tinsley must complete what prosecutors are calling a behavior modification program.

This is the first good news out of Indy since about 2001 concerning it's professional basketball squad which now only has to worry about the fact that Shawne Williams associates and loans out his vehicles to suspected murderers.

As far as I can tell since "The Malice at the Palace" the Pacers have managed to morph into A Diet version of Portland from three years ago. What sucks is is Artest wouldn't have gone ass over the edge crazy, the Pacers were the best team in the East that year and maybe in the league. I don't think there is any doubt that that incident changed the face of basketball in Indianapolis.

Not only that, but somehow, the Pistons have manged to grow stronger as a team as the Pacers have slowly fallen apart piece by piece. They were forced to firesale out Stephen Jackson and Al Harrington for two tall white shooters and Ike Diogu. Dunleavy has looked good in stretches but obviously has no affinity for the defensive end of the court where he casually slacks off on every possession. Murphy was supposed to be the kind of big man who could dominate in the East, but he turned out to be an extremely awkward shooter who doesn't take the time to rebound. Diogu was supposed to the deal breaker in the trade, as his potential seemed to be through the roof. But he gets limited minutes and doesn't shine in the least while on the floor.

In the meantime, Jackson leads Golden State to the playoffs last year (and likely this year), with Harrington logging major minutes and playing very well.

To add insult to the multiple injuries Jermaine Oneal has suffered through, the Pacers may be just good enough to make the playoffs in the plain awful East this year. If that happens that means no lottery pick (any help would be good help), and without cap room or a tradeable contract, odds are this is the same Pacers team we'll be likely to see for at least another year, maybe two.

So what are the Pacer's options?

1. Start throwing games. You owe it to us as fans to lose to make the team better. We've already given up on you this year, and pretty much hate your guts (I'm looking at you JO and you too Tinsley). We want DJ Augustin or Roy Hibbert on the team. We like guys that hustle and plays good fundamental basketball.

2. You could also do us the favor and get rid of #7 in the offseason. The Knicks have expressed interest. Not that I foresee David Lee coming to town (although my fingers are crossed). Whatever it takes to get out from under our "franchise" player. I use that term loosely as Jermaine only gets paid "franchise" money. He lacks the ability to play more than 50 games a year, and even then bitches all summer about being on a losing squad. He's probably the worst leader the Pacers could have gotten after Reggie Miller retired.

3. Please PLEASE, resign Danny Granger to a long term extension. He's well liked, he plays hard, he isn't injury prone, and he's actually a good all around ball player. He's the kind of guy who should thrive in an environment like Indy, where basketball is held on a pedestal.

Whatever you do (now I'm looking at you Mr. Walsh, and I am bowing at your knees Mr. Bird) don't sit there with your hands in your pockets. We need good basketball in Indy.

21?! Seriously?!

2008-03-15T12:53:00.000-07:00

Friday night the Rockets pulled off their 21st consecutive win. Thats right. 21 wins in a row. In Houston. The second longest win streak in NBA history belongs to a team that is led by Sleepy McGrady. Not only that but they've managed an amazing 9 straight wins with All Star Center Yao Ming sitting out with a stress fracture in his foot. The Rockets have rolled into a tie for first place in the West with the Lakers, who could become #22 on Sunday. I cant help but wonder how a team like Houston is doing this. Mind you, their best player is Tracy McGrady who is averaging less ppg this year than he has since 00-01 and whose rebounds per game is is at it's lowest since his rookie season.

What sets the Rockets apart? I really can't say. A couple of weeks ago I said I thought they were pretenders. But without Yao, the team seems to have gotten stronger (ala Ewing theory, thanks Bill Simmons). When you watch the Rockets one thing always stands out. There is always a role player who steps up and makes a big impact playing what seems to be over his head. Last night said role player was a guy named Mike Harris. Harris has played only 3 NBA games in his life, and yet to watch him do everything right last night he looked like a veteran role player that any team in the league would kill to have. 12 points and 4 boards do not seem like big numbers. But at the end of the third quarter Harris added 10 quick points extending the Rockets lead to 13, at 77-64.

But you can't just put all the credit on a no namer like Harris. The Rockets have been exceptionally lucky. This team has gotten amazing effort out of their role players, and they prove why role players are so important to good NBA teams. I've often wondered why teams almost always chose talent over determination and hustle. Houston is quite the opposite. Shane Battier is not the kind of guy who is flashy. But night in and night out, he consistently hustles up and down the floor, and seems to be a great locker room guy. Exactly the type of guy to help along rookie standout Carl Landry (who has missed four straight now). Look at Luis Scola. He isn't going to impress anyone with a behind the back pass, but he makes great decisions.

Somehow Houston has figured out what Detroit has known now for four years. That a team full of hard workers will beat team's full of egos 9 times out of 10 in the modern NBA.

I can't say for sure right now if Houston is the best team in the NBA (I didnt think they'd make the playoffs as recent as two months ago). But they certainly are the kind of team that every basketball fan should appreciate watching every chance they get.

Big numbers in stats, contracts, and the L column.

2008-03-14T21:11:00.000-07:00

I live in Portland, and I have been in multiple arguments about Zach Randolph. I happen to believe that he is possibly the most useless 20-10 player ever. It always gets Z-Bo loyalist's up in arms when I say that. My answer to them is always to look at the current version of the Trailblazers. In Randolph's old position of Power Forward, the Blazers have LaMarcus Aldridge. Randolph had himself a nice season last year. He put up 23.6 points and 10.1 rebounds a game. Aldridge is averaging 17.4 Points and 7.4 rebounds. The Blazers have already won more games this year than all of last year, in a more competitive conference.

There are tons of guys like this in the NBA. Randolph is just the poster boy. My favorite part about it is he got traded to the team in the league that seems to horde these guys, the Knicks. Fantasy basketball doesn't see what guys like Stephon Marbury, Shareef Abdur Raheim, and Vince Carter do to hurt their team, it just sees the numbers.

I remember when columnists used to say that Abdur Raheim was the best player in the NBA to never play for a winner. I bought it. Then he got traded over and over again and he never won. It is because they are guys who no winning team would want. Guys who demand the ball and need to get their stats to be happy never win. Winning is about sacrifice and doing what it takes to win.

Vince Carter took his Raptors team to the Eastern Conference Finals against the Sixers early in his career and he looked like he was going to be special. Years later he hasn't been on another good team and he actually quit on the Raptors by his own admission. It said a lot when a winner like Charles Oakley called him out after that series when Carter complained of having too much pressure on him. Carter was later traded to the Nets who went to consecutive NBA finals appearances before he arrived and haven't done much but collapse since. Carter was just signed to a huge 60 million dollar contract and is having a rotten season on a bad team.

Currently I can think of quite a few player whom I would never take on my team, here are a few:
Zach Randolph
Stephon Marbury
Joe Johnson
Vince Carter
Jason Williams
Rashard Lewis
Kenyon Martin
Cory Maggette
Darius Miles
Eddy Curry
Larry Hughes
Antoine Walker
Erick Dampier
Stromile Swift
Charlie Villanueva
Shareef Abdur Raheim

to name a few, there are many more, and a few stars who the jury is still out on like, Gil Arenas, Jermaine Oneal, and Tracy McGrady.

Give me a guy like Manu Ginobili who goes all out on every play and even works hard at flopping over Cory Maggette who will put up 35 and lose by 20.

Sixers over Bulls. Also: Watch Shaq Airball a Free Throw!

2008-03-14T20:39:00.000-07:00

As a Sixers fan, I was going to have this post use the title "A Tale of Two Games" in obvious cliche about how the Sixers played in both previous games, at Detroit and at Chicago. About how after an uplifting win against arguably (not by me, but by others) the best team in the Eastern Conference, they can get blown out by da Bullss. But then they went and dropped 40 in the 4th quarter to Chicago's 20 to win the game 110 to 106. Way to go, jerks, and ruin my idea. The gall of you guys, winning like that.

Anyway, I can still say a few things. They were able to get that 20 point differential in the fourth quarter because...

1: They were able to force seven Chicago turnovers in the fourth, while turning the ball over no times themselves.
2: Shooting 14 of 16 from the free-throw line in the quarter, and
3: Not giving up despite a 16 point deficit after three quarters.

Now, the play in the first three quarters was bad, but a tough win like this, coupled with the huge win against the Pistons, gives me hope for the future of this team. I don't think they're going to win the NBA title this year, or even next year, but the Sixers are in a much better place than they were with Billy "Role Players Overpaying" King.

Also, this game is proof that free throws are important. So make them, please, unlike some people we could name. Hint hint Shaq.

Making Their Mark

2008-03-14T12:02:00.000-07:00

There have been a number of poor free throw shooters throughout the history of the NBA. For all his incredible skills, Wilt shot just 51% for his career, ensuring Shaq won't be the only 7' Hall of Fame center to make basketball fans everywhere wince.

In today's NBA, two guys stand above the rest when it comes to atrocious free throw shooting: Ben Wallace and Chuck Hayes. See here for evidence of Hayes' prowess and here for one of the worst airballs ever from Ben Wallace.

After watching those videos it's hard to imagine how things could get any worse. Well, let me introduce you to Chris Dudley, the gold standard for terrible free throw shooting:

By all accounts a great teammate and all around good guy, Dudley made an art out of poor free throw shooting. He suited up for Phoenix for one year and we watched him make just 39% of his attempts.

In the previous video I linked to, Doug Collins describes Chuck Hayes' motion as having a hitch. Dudley's free throw motion had enough hitches in it to hook a lot full of trailers to it.

The next time you're shooting hoops, settle in at the line. Then do your best to struggle in finding the right spot for the ball over your head. Now twist your wrist awkwardly and freeze. Next, extend your arms and lock your elbows but DO NOT release the ball. Finally, forget everything you were ever taught about rolling the ball off your fingertips and following through with your wrist, and chuck the ball at the hoop.

You still wouldn't be close to duplicating the great Chris Dudley.

If it weren't for his lack of ability at the free throw line (and that he went to friggin' Yale!,) Chris Dudley would be nothing more than a footnote in NBA history. Way to make your mark, Chris.

College Basketball thoughts with emphasis on how it affects the pros.

2008-03-14T10:21:00.000-07:00

Tyler Hansbrough and/or Kevin Love; where do they fit in today's NBA?

The two are arguably the best big men in the country in college basketball. (With respect to Michael Beasley who doesn't apply to this argument because he will the the Number 1 pick). Psycho T and Love are both dominant college big men with the standard questions from the pro's; Non athletic, hard working, undersized, smart ball players who typically can't/won't produce in the NBA.

The list is a mile long....Mark Madsen, Shawn Bradley, Troy Murphy, Michael Doleac, Cherokee Parks, Rafael Arujo, Nick Collison, and you can make a case for Christian Laettner, Keith Van Horn, and Raef LaFraentz with respect to how highly they were drafted. There are tons of African American players that are on the same level as these guys, but there are few(zero?) caucasian big men that can do what Amare Stoudemire can do.

I think that Love and Hansbrough have a few things going for them, notably the fact that they are very strong in certain areas that are valuable in the pros.

I think that Hansbrough has such a good motor that he can be effective in a league where so many players coast for large parts of games (and if you are a Knick, for seasons). He has a decent mid range jumper and his athleticism is under rated with respect to defensive ability. He doesn't have the vertical explosiveness to compete with the Amare Stoudemire's and KG's of the league, but he can stay in front of and cause problems for second tier Power Forwards like Zach "Cheeseburgers" Randolph. Psycho T reminds me a lot of David Lee from New York. Energy and desire will carry you a long way if it is used correctly.

Love, is basically a fundamental text book. I don't know that I have seen a big man who is so fundamentally sound since Tim Duncan. The scary thing about him is that he is 18yrs old. I think that Love would be different in how he is used in the league than Hansbrough. He is a very good shooter out past college 3 point range, I have seen him hit threes with men in his face. His form is really good. He has an incredible ability to start a fast break due to his passing. I have seen him throw 3 quarter court outlet passes on a dime. He is also a good post passer. Defensively i don't think he will ever be above average in the NBA. He looks more like he is 6'8" than his listed 6'10", and while he has long arms, I don't see him being able to guard Carlos Boozer, Tim Duncan, or even LaMarcus Aldridge.

The bottom line with Love and Hansbrough is that there is a place for them in the league, as long as the teams that draft them don't get too excited about their college production. They could go in the first round, although picking either one in the lottery would be a mistake. Teams that pick in the lottery, have real needs, and they need to be looking for guys who can start and potentially play a ton of minutes. Hansbrough and Love should get drafted somewhere in the 20's. Each is a proven winner who understands roles and the little things that can be done to help a winner. Think about a guy like Hansbrough on the Suns or Golden State....he would probably play about 18-20 minutes a night with high energy not kill the team defensively. I would also like him on the Spurs as a dose of youth for their team full of old men. Love would be a great fit with the Lakers, he would be very effective in the triangle offense as a passer and jump shooter. He could also help a team like the Hornets giving Chris Paul an effective pick and roll player. On either team he could play about 15-20 minutes a night and not kill them defensively because those teams have other big men who can help out.

From what I can see I think that the best case scenario for Hansbrough would be a David Lee, Reggie Evans, Dennis Rodman(probably not, but possible), Jeff Foster type player. If he goes to the right team he could really have a nice career. Love could be at best a Brad Miller, David West type, but more likely a Raef Lafrentz pick and pop guy, and he will be an effective player on a good team

In other words both of these guys will be players you hate to have to play against, but love if they are on your team. When the Knicks draft Love to further clog their middle and the Hawks draft Hansbrough to complete their 3-4 tweener lineup we won't hear of them again.

Both players should have good careers in the NBA as long they are drafted in a smart fashion and teams don't take them 3rd overall like LaFrentz or 2nd like Shawn Bradley.

Test

2008-03-13T16:37:00.000-07:00

blah blah blah blah blah blah blah

TrueHoop