What The Hell Is This An All NBA Blog?

I know it's my third post of the day and it's about basketball, again. So sorry but this should be my last one today (unless I can't sleep and crank out that draft review). This post may have a little more merit to it than the D-Wade love letter and the haterade post on NBA officials and Paul Pierce.
What happened to the New Orleans Hornets? I believe they got an undeserved self worth and lost faith in their coach and have a poorly put together team. These may not be the correct answers and a lot will be revealed this off season when they make some moves. But what I really want to go over is how a mini-blow up of the team could do wonders.
First we gotta resolve this coaching matter, Byron Scott is out. It's that simple, they could take some college coach for all it matters, he has to go. Also correct me if I am incorrect, but isn't Eddie Jordan out there in coaching free agency? He was good in Washington, seeing as he had to deal with Agent Zero and multiple injuries every year. I think he would be a good fit for building this new New Orleans team.
Now to the demolition. This rooster is very, very poor. Everyone but Chris Paul is expendable (yes I realize that includes David West, I'll get to that in a bit). Unfortunately they can't just go out and sell everyone, so some of the trash will have to stay. Really what we are looking to do is get rid of the major salaries of Tyson Chandler and Peja Stojakovic. Main needs if you succeed at shedding those salaries, a backup point guard, a starting shooting guard or small forward and a center and some backup big men. Those role players that are left can stay or be used as pieces in some trades. I'll toss around some of the possible trades first, remember I didn't really check these salary-wise, just whether or not it is a feasible trade for both parties. My first and favorite possible trade is Tyson Chandler and the Hornets 1st round pick to the Wizards for Andray Blatche, Nick Young, and either Haywood or Darius Songaila to make the salaries work. This is a possible trade, I like to think that the Wizards would like to upgrade their center spot. But they are giving up a lot of young talent so maybe even throw in Julian Wright for a kicker. If the trade goes through the Hornets get a young starting 2-guard a young center/forward that can play an uptempo game and an extra big man for depth.
Another decent sounding, possible trade scenario is Tyson Chandler and Julian Wright or that 1st round pick again for Rip Hamilton. Then trading David West to Golden State for Andris Biedrins. Golden State gets a perfect power forward for their offense and the Hornets get a good, young, decently priced center. And in Detroit they finally get a legit center and another pick and maybe even a young, energetic forward.
Two less likely trade options would be to get J. R. Smith or Amare Stoudemire. I realize that with those above trades they still have a fairly high salary figure, other moves would have to be made. Maybe just dump Peja for expiring deals and move Posey to the small forward spot. Things of that nature. Now for a mixed free agent/trade deal. Sign and trade Paul Milsap of the Jazz with David West. Get a younger player, better rebounder, for about the same price. It's a hard call, I might do that though.
Free agents to look at hopefully you were able to shed some salary. Brandon Bass, Jamal Crawford and Trevor Ariza are all possible starters for this team if they dump some of their higher salaried players. Bass will most likely re-sign with Dallas, Ariza will most likely look for a big deal like Ben Gordon will and Crawford might find a nice home for relatively cheap if he decides to opt out. And just some other potential backup players that could be signed: Chris Wilcox and Drew Gooden, hopefully no one decides to overpay them, and Zaza from the Hawks are all nice options for backup big men.
Then there is the draft and decent, coachable players will be available when they pick if one of these trades didn't happen. But you really gotta get rid of at least two of the three big salaries cause this team isn't working right. And with those top two trades I proposed, you could always even try to package say James Posey and Antonio Daniels for an overpaid and expiring salary small forward or backup players who can start until you get a rookie or in 2010 when there are more players available. Also if they made any of those trades up top and can not get rid of a couple higher salaried players (like the few they have in the 5 mil range), then maybe you just trade Peja for an expiring salary, or even get a good deal for him as well. But blowing up this team now is for the best so that Chris Paul in his prime has a stellar team around him, not a bunch of aging bums.

posted by: Jason

Mmm NBA Officials

Hey NBA you want people to stop criticizing your officials? Get some who can see, read and react, know the rulebook, or any-fucking-thing. Dwight Howard man-bows Dalembert in the head and no one sees it or replays it? At least he got suspended afterwards. Rondo straight clubs Brad Miller, almost knocks the guy out and the NBA declares it is not even a flagrant foul, no suspension, not even a fine. That is horrible, that is not even favoritism of the refs. That is just plain, old helping out the defending champs as much as possible. If you watch one quarter of a Bulls/Celtics game you will see the refs actually don't wear their whistle when the Bulls are on offense and when the Celtics are trying to score the whistle blows before the player is even touched. This is more despicable than the pick up games we play.

Also: I have now realized that Paul Pierce has taken the trophy of Man I Hate The Most In Sports from Brett Farve. If you don't know how much I hate Brett Farve than whatever I will not speak about him, other than he single handedly beats my fantasy football team every year no matter what. And he had to get released just so we can have another NFL off season all about him, that ignorant fuck. Anyways back to Pauly, if you have one spot on the floor that you can make it from, good for you. If that's the only place you ever shoot from, ever, stop it and retire. Also if your gonna grow piss poor sideburns, at least make them identical. You make millions of dollars but you can't afford to pay someone to properly shave your face?

Also Also: that NFL Draft review should be coming. I just go deep in the draft so I'm trying to make it not a book and a half.

posted by: Jason

Letter Time

The following is a letter to Dwyane Wade.

Dear Mr. Wade,

I know you have a lot of pride and skill and want to win a championship no matter what. However, you must take a look at your team and also listen to your aching body. So what if you beat the Hawks and get bounced next round. You've already made your comeback and shown us that the Heat are not bottom dwellers anymore. You can barely walk on to the court cause you have carried this team all year. Please just take it easy the rest of the series. If your team steps and wins one, so be it, but you need to relax and take a load off. We can't have you injured next year. Next year sounds far off, but it's time to rest and heal. Then, if that young core steps up and you add another veteran or two, you can make your NBA Finals push. Plus if those lazy ass bums don't make strides in their respected games and the front office still doesn't give you shit to work with, you've got the off season to sign a fat contract with another team. Or you sign a slightly less fat contract with a real contender. Just think about it, do you really wanna flame out before you get ten years in this league or do you want to be considered greatness? Thanks a bunch.

Love,
Your Biggest Crush, Jason

P.S.

And for the rest of you, I don't even like baseball, so make this off season eventful.

NFL Draft 2009

Just an update here. We will have a draft retrospective later. No need updating right now wanna wait. May or may not do a Day 1 and Day 2 thing, probably will combine them. Also may or may not do it as like a live blog update thingy. We shall see...

Funny NBA Commercials

I love, yes love, this commercial for Vitamin Water with Steve Nash being super funny.



Also this blast from the 2007 past with Adam Morrison and his moustache.

The Cavs Lose To The Wiz

How am I not shocked at this terrible news that my favorite team not only loses to the second to worst team in the NBA but loses it's 13 game winning streak too. It was all because of one man and that man is Gilbert Arenas. His presence lifts the Wiz hopes and gives them stability at the point guard position. I believe he scored 11 points and dished 10 dimes in 33 minutes all the while being afraid to drive cause of potential contact. Those are pretty good stats seeing as it's only his second game back going against guys in post season form.
Now this isn't all that damaging the Cavs know they are set, it was a sort of trap game with Orlando coming up tonight. But what does bug me is that two or so years ago I made a push for the Cavs to go after Gilbert. I believe we could have had a team this good for a few years now espescially if Gilbert stayed heathly with us which I assume he would. Now how would he fit in being the second guy remains to be known, but I almost think it would be like a good, friendly competition between him and LeBrownie. Constatly one-uping each other for an entire season and it's win win with them being on the same team. As good as Mo Williams has been, Gilbert would have been better. He would have had to take a pay cut yes, and unless we signed him when he was a free agent that would have been a hard pick up to make. Maybe we even steal Antwain Jamieson because of him too. That gives us an extremely good team. The only potential weak link is the two guard spot which is lackluster as of now. Also I still believe we should have traded for Joey Graham, maybe he is not as good a shooter but I think he is an upgrade over Delonte.
All I am trying to say here, is that this team is good but could have been much better. If I was Danny Ferry, I would have LeBronwie texting and calling Arenas the whole year before he was a free agent saying how great a team they could have if he signed with the Cavs. Then you have a team that is definatly in the running for a championship instead of a team that can still be beat by the team with the most losses in the league.
posted by: Jason

Quick Hits

Now I know there hasn't been much of anything to differentiate this blog from all the other countless sports blogs there is out on the internet. Not to mention that the podcast is coming along slowly. In fact I can't recall that there has even been one dirty word yet! Shit! What are we doing you may be asking. Well here is a little something to prove we are different, if not better, than those other guys.

(AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

Take a look at that picture. It's a picture of celebration and defeat, but you gotta look deeper to notice the little things that make it stand out and actually bother me. Here's the six things that either shock or awe me:

1. First up on the list I of course have to go with this guy. Yes to the untrained eye he is a Celtics fan with damn good seats celebrating a game winning shot. But look closer and you can see that this man is posing. He thought that was the perfect time to bust out his Freddie Mercury move. You may not be able to tell in this photo but he is even eyeing the camera! This is an attention seeking man if there has ever been one.


2. Now I hate to call people out on not knowing anything about sports, because I happen to know way more than I should. It's hard for me to pick out the casual fan from the guy who doesn't know anything. However this guy knows nothing. Even if he is a dedicated Bobcats fan and there is .1 seconds left on the clock, there is no reason to be clapping and cheering. I bet this guy thinks there is another 3 quarters to go.

3. Ladies and gentlemen this is Ray Allen. You should know that, he obviously just hit a game winning shot. But look at him, he is a 34 year old man. When I'm 34, I would be amazed if I am that jacked after shooting 3 cans of Red Bull in to my arm. I guess sports can really get some guys going. Congrats Ray you barely beat a team in 2 OT's that is fighting for one of the last playoff spots in the East.


4. A picture of Ray Allen's feet. Look at them. The man is walking on air! I can't even say anything else about this.





5. This picture almost saddens me. I'm a fan of Gerald Wallace, I mean this guy got some broken ribs thanks to Andrew Bynum and came back just weeks later. He's an athletic do-it-all kinda player. But you got to show more emotion when you basically just got kicked out of the playoff race. Step up and be a leader please.

6. Now for the last little noteworthy note. This bitch wore purple to the game. Maybe I'm wrong and she's a Bobcats fan and got mixed up and thought Ray Allen missed his shot. But chances are that she just wore purple cause it looked good and is cheering to get out of there finally. Either way if the guy she's with gets laid after then it's a success story in my mind.



Also for good measure:
I'm a firm believer that Delonte West is an elf and this photo is all the proof I need. Now that was a fun post. I hope I didn't offend anyone too bad, remember it's just for shits and giggles. Oh and to raise our dirty word count to three on the year. You can always e-mail me suggestions and/or comments at: portugalthecountry@yahoo.com


posted by: Jason