We Are All Witnesses To Horrible Team Play

Sorry LeBron all those dreams and hopes of championships were dashed in a myriad of match-up problems, bad coaching, bad officiating all over and horrible play from team mates. Now I know that the series isn't over and am still an advocate that it will now go seven games, cause if one player can carry a team from a 3-1 defect, it is LeBron James.

In trying to figure out the reason for this sudden collapse, there seems to be no one real answer just a bunch of bad scenarios adding up. Mike Brown is, and always was, a horrible head coach. As a defensive coordinator he would be ideal, but his substitutions and "plays" are all from the mind of a high school basketball team that loses games. Joe Smith needs more floor time covering Rashard Lewis, Delonte should be on Courtney Lee and James on Hedo. Do not double and triple Dwight every time he touches the ball! Stay on your man, every once in awhile have a man step out and double, but make Howard beat you himself without these extra freebie 3 pointers. Wally has seen far to much floor time as has Sasha who is still way too streaky night to night. The small line-up works well in short bursts, but have the big men rotate more often to keep them fresh. We all realize that Wallace is a horrible offensive option but he is the best defender on Howard and if you sub in Joe Smith with him then you get another decent to good offensive look. Also Mike Brown needs to grow a sack and set in and tell James no when he starts to take over the fourth quarter. Every game this series he has taken seemingly every shot in the fourth, while wasting as much clock as possible. I realize that your team isn't that good, but they aren't even getting shot attempts in the fourth! That is a horrendous stat. Also, what happened to that "team comradery?"

If the Cavs win this series and then win the finals nothing will be changed by Danny Ferry, which will turn out to be a mistake. If we lose I know he will try to blow it up and get whatever he can to please LeBron. Now I have had quite a few posts on what the Cavs should do so this one will be shorter and sweeter. Rip Hamilton is an unlikely possibility to get. The next best thing would have to be Iggy, and he is more attainable than one may think. Currently he plays the small forward spot and currently Andre Miller is a free agent seriously thinking about Portland this offseason. So what does it all mean? Trade Mo Williams and Delonte West to them for Iggy that way they get a starting one and two guard, considering Delonte would surely beat out Willie Green. Now they still have Lou Williams and Elton Brad is coming back so they can slide Thaddeus Young in to a more natural spot at the three and have a flexible line-up where they can go big and small. What we get is a legit proven scorer who needs a main man to take pressure off him and can create his own shot and for others. Not to mention he is young and a damn good defender. Two minor problems, would Philly really want to trade their star player and the Cavs lose both potential starting point guards. Well remember when the Celtics threw Rondo in to the starting line-up? The Cavs could easily do this with Daniel Gibson. Now I really wanted to see improvements in his play this year, but he seems to have gotten worse. Acquiring Mo and Being injured most of the year seem to me to be the main problems. I think give him the starting job and he will flourish and develop and if he doesn't then the draft and free agency are always available. Regardless Cleveland's "offense" doesn't run through the point anyways it runs through James and Iggy would also be able to help out in running the show.

Free agency has several hidden gems, that would help this new team. Re-signing Andy for cheap would be great and getting Z to use his ETO and also take less money would be amazing. If not I would not be afraid to put him and Ben Wallace on the block and at the least shed those salaries. If Andy doesn't re-sign so power forward/center free agents possibilities would be Leon Powe, Brandon Bass, Chris Wilcox, Marcin Gortat and possibly even Rasheed Wallace (which would be weird and may actually kill the team so I pray he stays a Piston). Don't like the idea of Boobie running the show, well if we give Mo to Philly they have no reason to re-sign Andre Miller who would be a pretty good veteran to get back in Cleveland. Or there is always Raymond Felton that we could take a chance on but he may get a bigger than expected payday from the Bobcats so I don't see that happening. A back up swing man for James that isn't named Wally would help. Marvin Williams would likely get a good payday from the Hawks, Josh Childress may be a better idea anyways, if he decides to come back. My favorite idea is still Joey Graham and trading Sasha for him is still a good idea, it would give us extra cap room or at least take us down from being in the luxury tax. Linas Klezia is another possible hidden gem that no one seems to notice.

The draft is where we could actually hit big, or not hit at all because Danny Ferry's track record is a sad, sad sight. Would really love Stephen Curry as our young developing point guard, even over Boobie, and if somehow we can trade up I would in a second. I would get players James like this year, while creating a good all around team too, and Curry is a player James likes. We would have to take either a center, power forward or point guard in case Boobie does not work out with our first pick. There are no centers worth the pick and a player that should be around that I'd really like to have is Tyler Hansbrough. Why would a team not want a proven winner, who has done a lot with a little in terms of athleticism, has a good size and hustles always on the court? He could become a starter, I won't say he will be a star, but he'll get his points cause of a nice developing jump shot and his defense will be good because he hustles. Playing with James and now Iggy will help him get open looks and he can rebound and is a smart player who will learn anything he needs quickly. With the second pick just go to trade it or look for size in a center that can learn under Z hopefully, or be a piece in a trade.

Other than that I'm sure that with the great amount of point guards in this year's draft that some will slip to free agency. Find them, sign them, develop them. Go for producers in college, like Scottie Reynolds and Dominic James who are being help back by scouts because of size and other such trivial things. Trades of Ben Wallace and potentially Z will have to happen because of how bad they hurt the team overall. Hopefully a serviceable big man can be had in return, if not Ben Wallace needs to be dumped for salary cap reasons. Maybe Chris Bosh can be had with his contract and that little switcheroo of Sasha and Joey Graham. Some current free agents like Patrick Ewing Jr, Chris Richard, Mike Sweetney and Austin Croshere are all better twelve men than Lorenzen Wright.

posted by: Jason

Don't Hurt Mo

picture from espn.com

Mo Williams has been, lackluster this postseason. Seems to be proving that it took a few injuries to other players for him to make the all-star team a little more correct. It's obvious, really, what he's doing wrong now and what he was doing right in the regular season. I see him come down the floor. look for LeBron, if James says no then he seems to just rush to the hoop or chuck up something awful or make an errant pass, the list goes on. The main thing is that he knows it is playoff time and because of that he's rushing, trying to make six points on one possession.

It's not all his fault though, when you give some thought to it. James also knows it's the playoffs and so he seems to have devolved back to his older, ball hogging-self. Which is in part to team mates performing horribly, and that's another thing throwing Mo off. He is used to dishing to Delonte and Z and seeing them make open jumpers, none of that is happening with any regularity this series. Also this is Mo's first time this deep in the playoffs, he's not used to it and he has never seen another team play this hard, like the Magic are currently doing.

One would have to think or hope that because he's going through his trials and tribulations now, he will be improved when we advance and in next years playoffs. That's a very good possibility, we have all seen Boobie go from a bench warmer to a clutch three-point assassin in just one series. So maybe this getting beat up causing him to guarantee a win will cause him to get it right and stick to his game (and hopefully fix this hitch in his shooting). But if not then he does have next year to prove himself again, because his contract keeps him here for at least one more year. But say he doesn't work out again, that is when trades become possibilities. Realistically though, trading anyone to keep LeBron could happen next year. Everyone should give him this learning experience and realize he can only improve or be traded. If there is a scapegoat needed, look at Delonte and his just as horrible play, compared to JR Smith's stepped up play. Then realize that he was a possibility to pick up, even a year ago for cheap.

Two links to leave you with: Ball Don't Lie is Yahoo Sports basketball blog and is actually very entertaining. Remember that commercial where LeBron dreams he's a star football player? Me too so read this somewhat biased ESPN article on that exact possibility.

posted by: Jason

Trade Magic

Let's say Toronto is ready to trade Bosh next year. Why wouldn't the Nuggets go all out and trade K-Mart and a 1st and even a 2nd rounder for him? He would fit in perfectly for them, keeping them athletic, fast and giving them another legit scoring threat. Their defense would be pretty mediocre but their offense would be putting up like 130 a night easily. Also Bosh is better off defending the big men like Duncan in the west than Martin is anymore. And he can be the finesse to Nene's power.
Why would Toronto do this trade? Well they get back a proven veteran starter at the same position and they get extra picks to rebuild around the young core of Calderon and Bargnani. It's a very possible trade as long as the Raptors realize Bosh is out after this year, especially because next years draft has to be a lot better than this years so those picks have more meaning.
Now why should Bosh stay in Denver? He can team up with the other other guy from the 2003 draft. All everyone talks about is LeBron and Wade and you and I and everyone knows it. But this team wins a lot of games and would click quickly with Billups running the group and they get more mentally stable without Martin. This is a legit championship team for years to come as long as they get a young back-up point guard soon to learn under Horse-Teeth Billups.
It's just a thought but if I were the Nuggets GM, multiple calls would be made to Toronto directly after the season.

posted by: Jason

Minor Notes On The Eastern Conference Finals

Mickael Pietrus is slowly becoming the new James Posey and seems to be relishing in this new role, being hated by every opposing teams' fans.

Dwight Howard's one "post move" where he lowers his head and just elbows and shoulders everyone out of his way is completely and utterly ridiculous. As in illegal and should get the whistle blown every time he does it, but the NBA loves him to much to do that. Which brings me to the next point...

Should the Orlando Magic and Dwight Howard get the dirty team/player tags? Because they are not playing very nice and their whole "Fuck the Cavs, I'm Dwight/Hedo/Skip To My Lou/Mickael/Courtney" attitude is very unearned. Congrats you beat a down and out Boston team in seven games that the Cavs would have beat in four. They are playing a form of team ball that includes players getting theirs which is not really a good thing. Rashard is the only one that seems to be about the team, it was better when Jameer was running the point.

I've said it before and I'll say it again, the Cavs are not a good team. Being deep with a bunch of sixth men and role players isn't the same as having a big three or even a big two. Delonte is proving my point that he is horrible and Z is proving another of my points that he is too old to play against Howard, not to mention he is missing his shots. We are playing two players a total of 27 mil to sit on the bench! Also Mo Williams seems to be proving my point that having a playoff veteran like Rip Hamilton or a clutch scorer and defender like Iggy would be a better option for the Cavs.

As off right now the Cavs and the Lakers are the two worse teams remaining. Both Denver and Orlando are more talented all around and deeper teams.

What happened to Boobie? I know he was hurting about his foot, but I think he is also hurting about Mo Williams. Because maybe he thought he could win the starting job or now he's sad cause he is no longer LeBron's butt buddy. This needs to change he was always clutch. Even though he's a one trick pony, he knows a good trick and that's making threes rain.

The Cavs are making the match-up problems they already had even worse. LeBron's too busy trying to be a free safety to cover Alston and Delonte can not cover Hedo. Not to mention Z is awful against Dwight, Andy's style of play tends to get him in foul trouble against him and he is too slow to cover Rashard. Ben Wallace knows what to do but then again on offense he's retarded.

Stan Van Gundy is a mess, unfortunately Mike Brown is, and always has been, an even bigger mess. He can't coach a team he can ask them to do things that they may or may not do.

Having said all this I still believe the Cavs will show up and finish off the Magic with three straight wins. It's just a matter of pride and we've been there before, even though it was a fluke.

posted by: Jason

Drastic Reactions

I did not get to see the Nuggets/Lakers game last night or even the highlights yet. However I did get these three pictures and can only assume the following: Kobe flew, Pau killed two men and George Karl wept.I got these pictures off espn.com so I'm sure they are copyrighted to Reuters or AP.


Also the Cavs bandwagon went from full to empty to half filled to empty to people hanging off the bus since this series started. I've stayed on the whole time and have to say after witnessing LeBron's shot that this series is over. It's gonna be the Cavs in 6 because they will drop one in Orlando.

Quotation

"Offensively, we were stagnant at times, maybe because I felt the hot hand, I got back to the one-on-one play that I had in the past. But I felt I had it going individually.''

- LeBrownie basically saying "I know what I did was wrong, but come on I'm LeBron James mother fucker!"

What Cleveland Should Do This Off Season

Here's what I've learned this basketball season: the Cavs are the deepest team in the league, which is a main reason as to why they'll win the title this year. However another thing I have learned is that being extremely good with your starting five is better than being 10 players deep. So what does this mean for Cleveland this year? That instead of paying Ben Wallace, Wally and Z superstar money when you could pay Andris Biedrins a fair contract, Andre Iguodala a bit overpriced contract, and LeBron that money and use the rest on some quality bench players. Basically use the Boston and San Antonio ideal, which is the new two running back ideal in the NFL. Many teams are doing it, not so many are successful.
Well let's talk about the possibilities. I've been saying that Z is on his way out for four years now, and for four years he has proven me wrong. Well sort of, he is definitely not as solid as he was two years ago but that mid-range shot he has and his defense help out a lot. Getting Andris, even if this is the only move they make it will dramatically improve their future. He has that stellar defense already and maybe even better rebounding. All he needs to do is learn that mid-range shot and we are set for 9 million for six years! Hopefully they are able to keep Z and relieve themselves of Ben Wallace and his terrible contract. And hopefully Z will use his early termination option and re-sign for cheap along with Anderson Varejao. Even if they don't, finding filler big men that will sign for less than they should will be easy with a slumping economy and the chance to win multiple titles while playing with LeBrownie.
Next would be Mo Williams, as good as a pick-up he was, you have to wonder how much better the Cavs would be with say Rip Hamilton or Kevin Martin. Trading Mo for either of those players would dramatically increase the long term future and winning multiple titles. Rip brings some sweet shooting and a winning pedigree, while Kevin Martin doesn't have the winning pedigree, he is a younger offensive powerhouse. I would like Iggy better but I don't think he is anywhere near as available as Rip or Martin. Just do the whole Celtics thing and put the young point guard (Boobie Gibson) to run the show, with little responsibility.
If getting one of these players isn't possible, whether salary-wise or you gave up all your picks for Andris, then maybe JR Smith is still able to be stolen. Why wouldn't Delonte West and JJ Hickson's "potential" for Smith be a good trade for both teams? The Nuggets get some more mental stability (the "get mine" players on that team are numerous) and a little salary cap relief at the least. Maybe throw in a future 2nd round pick with it. Plus his salary is still fairly cheap and he is a bonafide scorer. That young core would be able to grow in to multiple titles together, maybe even would take price cuts to stick together.
At the least I would like for them to get Andris and then sign Joey Graham cause he's a better backup than Wally. Trade Sasha for Joey if you have to. If your one of those fans for the team chemistry who thinks all this is just horrid, let me ask this: Is improving your team at the expense of a few players really gonna cause your team to implode and not win games? Sure I will agree losing Z would hurt and losing Andy and Mo Williams would hurt a little less but hurt none the less. Getting all of this to happen in one off season is very unlikely, but I'd like to think getting at least Andris is very likely and Joey Graham is a more than serviceable back-up. The draft is also another thing we would need to utilize seeing as we haven't had many picks in the last five years and some of them have been very bad choices.
Using conventional wisdom, none of this will happen. So say they take it normal and easy this off season, here is a quick draft and free agent strategy. Going after Joey Graham instead of Wally is still possible and re-signing Andy becomes a top priority. Then drafting Tyler Hansbrough is a possibility at our spot and a good choice seeing as he will be twice the player Darnell Jackson and JJ Hickson will ever become. For the second round pick we are looking at players like Jodie Meeks, Tyler Smith, AJ Price and any potential centers, or even a trade with someone else. If we draft Hansbrough, then trying to trade Ben Wallace and his huge contract along with JJ Hickson or Darnell Jackson, Sasha and our second round pick are all good ideas. Picking up Scottie Renyolds or Dominic James, both of which probably will not be drafted, could be a good idea to push or at least back up Boobie and Mo.

posted by: Jason

Quick Hits

Before I delve deep in to the potential goodness that is to come, let me do a quick survey of Carmelo Anthony. To me he seems to be quite the copy of Paul Pierce. That same all around scoring ability is my main point. You can just see 'Melo developing that same shot and style Pierce has now, once he starts to get a little older and calm down. In fact he is such a potential Paul Pierce doppelganger that I even see him in green in some years. As good as this Nuggets team is, it has peaked this year. K-Mart is too old be be his old self, Nene has hit his player ceiling and worst, Billips is on the decline and can't keep this pace up much longer. The long term future of this team is not that promising, so when Pierce accepts a smaller role or retires in Boston, why wouldn't they look towards Anthony. He may catch the Big Three in their last years then get to carry those bench players and up and coming draft picks to a six seed in the East.

Now I can't wait until the next round of the playoffs. These series' have seemed to drag on forever and just are not interesting anymore. I want to see Nuggets v. Lakers and Cavs v. Boston right away. These two series' are going to bring some memorable moments, just wait.

posted by: Jason

Quick Hits

I am severely disappointed in the reviews of hard fouls in these playoffs. Boston has gotten away beating and throwing opposing teams players all over the place, at home and on the road. How much longer will they me allowed to man-handle the league? At some point, even if you are the biggest Boston fan ever, you have got to say that this is enough. I love the psychical play as much as everyone else, but Boston is getting away with murder while other teams are going to jail for driving under suspension. It is pathetic that the league has not stepped in and stopped or suspended one of them yet. I get it KG is gone, so that means you can throw players, elbow them in the throat and whack them in the head and give them stitches?

Now on a softer note, if I owned a team I would most definitely play the song "Under Pressure" for opposing team's free throws. That would just make my night, to here that song while their doing their little routines they all have, then just throw up a brick.

All NBA Night

Decided to do a little live blog on the games tonight since I finally got to watch them alone and unbothered. Unfortunately the fact that I have a life did manage to get in the way bit as I missed the end of the Cavs game and the first half of the Denver game. This post will probably appear to be very long, but it is an easy read so please read on and comment at will. Now let us start off with the Cleveland game.

I previously mentioned that the Hawks should put Josh Smith on LeBron, but Marvin Williams is healthier than previously thought and I really like what he can do to slow down The King. Forgot to mention that if that match up happens and Lebron guards Smith, than that's a good match up for the Cavs defensively as well.

Ben and I have an argument over Mo Williams and his pull up jump shot on fast breaks. We've determined the fact that we must watch different versions of the game as I think he makes like 90% of them and Ben has yet to see him make any. Well I saw he just made one, need an official stat on this...

Really like how that ref handled getting pummeled by man child Josh Smith. Make the call then deal with the injury, must be one of the few good refs around.

Apparently everyone but Josh Smith knows that he is better at going to the rim than shooting and they make a note of it whenever he shoots the ball and misses. I realize taking bad shots is a terrible idea and he does take quite a few bad ones, but why fault a guy apparently trying to be something more than a slasher. He just needs some more work, needs someone he respects to tutor him.

I first said Cavs will win in 5 but I now feel this series could go six games if Atlanta keeps it together and sticks to their game. Playoffs Mo Williams and playoffs Mike Bibby are a wash, Joe Johnson has the advantage over Delonte, Marvin Williams is good against LeBron but the advantage is definitely James there, Josh Smith wins over the combo of Ben Wallace and Andy and Z over Horford is actually a wash in my mind.

Quick note, why don't the Rockets release McGrady and trade Artest for a great 2 guard since they have a defensive stopper in Shane Battier? I really want to be a GM if you couldn't tell.

Joe Johnson is extremely good. Unfortunately he is one of those Brandon Roy or Yao Ming types where he isn't a complete leader and motivator. And while talking about Roy
it's kind of amazing to me how some young players react to being a leader well (LeBron) and others just falter and hurt their teams because of it (Bosh and Andrea Bargnani, sorry raptors fans).

Another quick note, if Rondo gives another hard foul like his two in the bulls series and does not get a flagrant and either an ejection and fine or one game suspension and fine I will completely lose the little faith I have in David Stern and begin sending in my resume for commissioner of the league.

If you have a teammate in front of you and LeBron baring down on a fast break why don't you just have the teammate shield you then move and not foul while you set up and take the charge? Sure you may get knocked out, but I doubt LeBron would notice in time and that is a realistic way to stop those two points. At the least it makes him look at you go around and adjust his shot.

Al Horford just pump faked his defender, the guy he faked to, the rest of his team, the camera man, and anyone within 1,000 feet of him and best of all sunk the 15 footer after the fake.

I should mention I am not, repeat am not, listening to Austin Carr broadcast this game. I can not stand him, his retardedness, or his cliche sayings. However I like that he brings something to the games other than another lame, mailed in broadcast.

Love the Heineken Biz Markie and Dos Equis beer commercials almost as much as I hate seeing the Meet the Browns and House of Payne ads twice every break.

Even though I criticize Delonte a lot and hate that he's a kebler elf with aids, he does play well in the Cavs system. I'd just really like to see a Kevin Martin or Rip Hamilton there instead.

Halftime: It seems to me that those tight ass headbands cause a little bit of problems. Yes they keep sweat out and make certain players look better if you will. But they have that stupid logo on them, which was a good move by David Stern. My main worry though is that they seem like they will cause a mass outbreak of receding hairlines. Have the NBA research team investigate, or just E:60. I know they're hurting for material.

Quick thought that the Cavs should go after Brandon Bass and try to get Joey Graham on the cheap this off season instead of resigning Wally like I know they will.

Mike Fratelli just said Andy's shot looks like Reggie Miller's... ... (one set of ellipses was not enough for that statement).

I can't believe anyone can catch LeBrons passes, especially Wally. They are just lasers coming at you.

Josh Smith's vertical is like 50 feet straight up from a stand still. I just saw him get alley op'd a foot away from the basket and he slammed it super flush. And LeBron's must be 51 feet cause he just 1-up'd Smith. Also I just broke the record for lamest exaggerations and worst spellings of one up and alley op in one bullet point!

Why have there been so many moving screens in these playoffs? I can't believe the refs haven't caught at least one or two of them yet. And why are so many players getting stitches? I know there are "hard playoff fouls" but at some point someone has to step in and say "Hey, that's a no-no."

I still hate that LeBrownie decides to take the ball up so much and that Mo, Delonte and Boobie are so ohk with letting him do that. I would almost say it completely ruins the Cavs offense. But the offense is to give him the ball as soon as possible anyways, let him waste the shot clock, find an open spot and be ready for one of his laser passes.

I feel bad cause about 3 years ago I said Z was done as a starter. He was slow, out of gas and not performing well. Now look at him, he is revived with a winning team and this new love for the game in the Cavs locker room. I'm actually glad I was wrong, but they still need a young replacement sometime soon.

Just kind of realized that everyone on Hotlanta is pretty ugly now that I get a real good look at them. But then again I'd never bad mouth the God King Xerxes. Go watch the movie 300 and tell me Al Horford isn't that guy. Fucking told you so.

Game is getting lame, woah! Big collision with Smith, LeBron and Wally. The fans start chanting Wal-ly Wal-ly, I am sad at this.

The game is all but said and done for so I think I need a game break. Was gone a little longer than expected, Cavs win 99 to 72. Come back and it's third quarter one minute left in the Denver
vs. Dallas game.

Can I just say I love the runner and the tear drop. Easily my two favorite shots in basketball. Wish they were used more often but they seem unreliable for most people just like
going glass is. You either have those shots or you miss them.

J. J Barea is like Dan Dickau or Steve Blake. He's not really good at anything, just plain mediocre all around. But really gives hope to short white guys everywhere that they too can be in the NBA.

I didn't really know that Denver ran the fast break. I should have realized this sooner I suppose cause their bigs run the floor well. And glad to see Nene come back strong, I thought he might be down and out after back to back injury plagued seasons.

Have to say that there seems to be a revival in shot blocking and just all around defense. the NBA isn't really a copycat league but people are actually learning how well defense helps your team.

The Nuggets appear to be on a tear and I would not be surprised at all if there was a Rockets vs. Denver Western Conference finals.

It's game over and Denver wins, not to exciting of a series so far. I thought it might be, hope it picks up a bit.

Ohk that was a fun adventure in live blogging. May do these more often and I swear I meant to do it for the NFL Draft but that's the past so let's move on.

posted by: Jason

Alright NFL Fans, You Win

I can't sleep and am as sick as the devil so all the NFL fans reading get lucky (kinda) as I am going to post my Draft Recap/Grade. But it is going to be very angry seeing as this draft was just jaw dropping in the terrible choices and all around ridiculousness.
Round One - Right off the bat we have terrible pick number one by the Lions signing another lackluster quarterback with no help around him. Rams make a safe pick with a guy I really like. The Chiefs have the first mini-shocker by taking Tyson Jackson instead of Aaron Curry, he fits a bit better I suppose. Seahawks waste no time in this pick taking Curry. Jets get the other lackluster quarterback who is secretly a project but no one will admit it. Bengals seem to forget about character problems around draft time and take another "good locker room guy" with Andre Smith. For some reason Al Davis really is crazy and takes Day Hey Bey, love the player hate the spot however I remember the 'Fins took Tedd Ginn at this spot before and this pick looks amazing now. Jags take a tackle Monroe, cool I guess. Packers take a need Raji, over the best available, cool again. 49ers get lucky and snag Crabtree, hope he becomes T.O all over again. Bills take a project DE in Aaron Maybin, he can get the quarterback, sometimes. Broncos take best available which is secretly a need since their running backs break like kindling. hope Moreno doesn't suffer the same fate. Redskins take Orakpo, Saints take Jenkins, this is a wash on how less I could care. Texans piss off a defensive coordinator by taking the more experienced Cushing over the guys son Mathews, nice. Chargers pray to get lucky again and take the soon to be shitty Larry English, I could play for NIU. Bucs take the obligatory over-rated project QB in Josh Freeman, only cause Raheem Morris coached at Kansas State, amazing pick guy. Broncos again take need and best available with Robert Ayers, not sexy pick, but smart one potentially. Eagles try to duplicate Desean Jackson's success by taking his clone in Jeremy Maclin. Lions waste their second first rounder on tight end Pettigrew, super nice. Browns trade down to take center Alex Mack, 4 more years til the next coaching change. Maybe Charlie Weis will be available this time. Vikings take Harvin, I don't mind this pick, however I don't know where it will get them. Should have just traded for more picks. Ravens take Oher, could still care less. Falcons take Peria Jerry still have 12 holes on the defense, but I like them, kinda. Miami doesn't heed my advice and takes Vonte Davis, still not a bad pick. Packers are back and get Mathews when they could have waited. Colts take a Colts-type player with Donald Brown, still not shocked, still hate this draft. At least I have stuff to talk about, too bad I erased the conversation Ben and I had, it was good. If I took the time this post would have been good, but way to long. Still is to long, also sucks, deal with it. Bills take a center Eric Wood, guess it was a need what do I care. Giants take Nicks, he's big and dumb not big and amazing like Burress was. Titans take Kenny Britt, it is a pretty fitting pick, lame, but fitting. Same with the Cards' taking Beanie Wells. And then the Steelers cap it off taking an undersized DT.
That first round was so horrid I can't go on, however I can give you some of my potential steals of the draft. Corner back Kevin Barnes from Maryland going in the third round, he'll be a stud starter soon. Cornelius Ingram, but everyone knows this by now, he will be great. Actually that fifth round he went in has a lot of talent in it so look for some of those players to break out. Ricky Jean-Francois went in the seventh round, he seems primed for a nice career. Nothing amazing though. And lastly will be Day Hey Bay going at number seven. If he actually develops and Russel learns how to throw to anyone he could be the premier receiver in the NFL. And I'm sorry folks, I know this post sucks and should be better. It does not reflect the standards of this blog whatsoever and there should not be anymore lame duck posts like this again.

posted by: Jason

I'm The Next Young GM

So with my normal hyper-active sports-minded mind I have devised a few plans for two teams in the east and one in the west. Basically the Hawks and Bulls will be knocking down my down asking for me to run them in to champions.
I'll go from worst to best team and start in the west with OKC and their dire need of a big man. Trade for Samuel Dalembert. This probably sounds horrible to you I know, but let me explain. This is basically the same trade as the Tyson Chandler one that was cancelled, only potentially better in the long run. There is a ton of cap space in OKC and expiring contracts to boot. Dalembert wants out of Philly and they want him gone too. So if your OKC you get a shot blocking, veteran 7-footer with a bad salary for two years. He has a mediocre offensive game and rebounding talent. I also personally think that he would thrive in a new situation, he got that bug contract for a reason if you remember, he was developing quite nicely. But with the young scoring talent already in place in the Thunder-dome he just needs to be there with his defense and to help guide Hasheem Thabeet along. Now you see where I am going? Plus in two years when he is a free agent why wouldn't he resign for cheap and be part of a two headed monster at center on a contending team?
Now for the Bulls, building on their recent successes. Ben Gordon is a free agent and John Salmons is going to be one soon. Why not let Ben and this huge ass, expensive deal he will want walk and resign Salmons at a respectable price for a few more years? With Gordon you get a ridiculous undersized scoring guard who doesn't do much else but is very good at what he does and is pretty clutch. With Salmons you get more size the potential to go off if he knows he is the man and better all around play. Plus with Kirk coming off the bench that is a good three man guard rotation. Rose, Salmon, Deng Thomas and Noah is a good young starting five. Ty Thomas and Noah will need paid soon so a lower salaried Salmons helps that cause too. With the abundance of scoring guards that seem to come out of college ball, I think they could even draft a young guy to slowly replace that Ben Gordon swagger and maybe even be good enough to trade Kirk somewhere for a big man. The downside, Salmon's production drops up, he's not clutch or can't accept this role. You have to play Ben Gordon again and he remembers you never paid him and goes off for 98 points on your face, twice.
Lastly is just a minor suggestion for the Hawks. Their two best players are Joe Johnson and Josh Smith who at at the positions of the two worst players on the Cavs: Ben Wallace and Delonte West. Exploit this the best you can, except Marvin Williams is hurt and that leaves no one to guard LeBrownie, so what do they do? Put Smith on LeBron, he's big, has speed, he's athletic and a good shot blocker. It is worth a try and just insert a manageable Zaza against big Z for the center battle with Horford at the power forward if needed.
After I mentioned this to Ben he declared that I should be the Commissioner for the East and David Stern the Commissioner for the West and we wage war For a few years before he dies of a stroke. Also I am very sorry about the NFL Draft recap, it may or may not appear on here. It's playoff basketball what do you want from me honestly?

posted by: Jason