Monta Ellis may be my favorite player in the league now. It was Dwyane Wade but he won a title and is popular, same with Carmelo who I just started liking this year watching that super sweet scoring. Then there's Corey Brewer who isn't much yet also I'm just a sucker for bigs that can dribble and I really like Brandon Jennings. It's just I like rooting for underdogs and finding players people don't know about, so Monta Ellis somewhat fits that bill. You know if I like a player he's gotta be kinda good and Monta's better than kinda good. He earns that 11 million that he makes, mind you, and any publicity on his talent is well deserved. He's no all world defender and is most definitely not a great leader. However, he can handle the ball score with mid-range and drive like few others. Were I making a team I would pick him for a second banana which is were he fits best. He had a great role coming in for Baron Davis and putting shooters around him is smart since he isn't the best three baller. He can handle the point, just not those leadership responsibilities. Basically he is an offensive machine, you plug the right pieces in and he will contribute and play hard every night. I don't want to gush about him too much, likewise I don't want to bash his deficiencies, so I'll leave it here for now and end with this disgusting spin move of his.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Trade Bait With the Cavaliers
"It’s funny how you think about the ones you’ve had. It’s always the ones who get away you can’t forget" - Chuck Palahniuk
I assume Chuck is referring to lovers had and lost in that quote. But it stays to true to players on teams as well. There's that ghost trade that would have brought a superstar and a decade of Championships to your team, or at the least your favorite role player coming to your favorite team. This is a story about those lost lovers and potential loves, the ones we've had I seem to have forgotten...
I've been lobbying for the Cavs to secure a solid point guard for five years now. Having starting point guards of Eric Snow, Damon Jones and Larry Hughes would be the only reasoning I need.
When Gilbert Arenas was a free agent I pleaded for them to throw all the money at him. Watching LeBron and Gil go at it and put on a show one upping each other would be amazing to watch every night. Now knowing about him injuries and gun totting make that hard to justify, but you have to remember he was coming off constant game winners, unlimited range and was considered a top 10 player. He got that payday for a reason my friends. Besides maybe on the Cavs he doesn't have the surgeries and legal problems.
Before the Magic beat them and made the Finals and everyone found out about them and before the Mo Williams trade happened, Jameer Nelson was playing his little heart out and no one knew it. I begged them to trade for him because his game play was a great fit for a Cavs point guard. Plus he was teammates with Delonte West and maybe he helps him keep his cool and not go crazy every off season. He could drive and shoot the three and throw stellar alley oops. Needless to say he stayed with the Magic and they beat us and he made the All-Star team. He did get hurt and still isn't back up to par yet, but once again maybe he stays healthy on the Cavs.
My last wish was for them to make a huge deal. Trade for an Andre Iguodala or Amare Stoudemire or Josh Smith (who was very attainable for awhile) or Kevin Martin, just any big name that we had a great opportunity to steal with those expiring contracts. Then pull what the Celtics did with Rajon Rondo and start Boobie Gibson at the point. Remember that Boobie just killed Detroit with LeBron and was a head filled with confidence and Cleveland loved him and we paid him like he was going to be our new second star. Then we trade for Mo, regulate him to the bench, kill all that confidence and he gets injured. Starting him with one of those All-Star caliber players and LeBron is a perfect situation for him. He does a little on the job training, keeps his confidence and that killer shot then hopefully blossoms much like Rondo. As you can see by his play now that he's been starting for them recently, that my assumptions are probably correct. Besides LeBron takes the ball up half the time anyways.
But maybe I was wrong with the pursuit of a great point guard for the Cavs. Maybe the main thing they needed was a great off guard. With LeBron taking most of the ball handling duties anyways the point guard is an afterthought in their system. I think that my last idea was probably the most beneficial in the long run. I mean it's not like they're getting Chris Paul in any trades so stick with Daniel Gibson or Delonte and run with a better quality perimeter player beside him. This idea sounds like a better option to me. Maybe I am wrong, but seeing as they are playing fine without Mo currently because Boobie is doing well. That and they are searching for another star player (Amare or Jamison are the flavors of the week for us again), I think it's safe to say we could have done well with me handling the general manager duties. The only two players I would have seriously targeted and gone after in the draft are Stephen Curry last year and Evan Turner this year. Mainly because they need help outside. I'm wishing they would have tanked last year or traded for Steph somehow and he is playing better every night. He had that connection to LeBron where 'Bron went and watched him and would have fit right in with them. Then I was hoping Evan Turner's broken back would have knocked him down to the Cavs but he's already back to form and playing stellar ball again. So I know he's going in the top three and the Cavs are once again not tanking for me so we have no chance to get him. I do think that Stephen Curry was someone the Cavs could/should have made a deal to move up and get. I think Mo Williams is alright but not worth the 8 million he is earning. Also I agree Cleveland has a need for a big man because, despite the amount of bigs they have on the roster, there is no future center there. Regardless Clevelanders, say hello to Kevin Martin.
My potential deal is trading Mo Williams for him straight up. We could throw in cash or a pick and/or another player (Danny Green/Anthony Parker) to make them bite. Might even be able to snag Donte Greene or another decent young player from them. The Kings do it because Tyreke Evans isn't a point guard and Mo is a great shooter to put next to him at two guard. Basically we trade an All-Star sub for a "franchise guy." Neither player rightfully deserves those titles, but Martin has a real chance to become and All-Star playing on this team. He's a shooter, has length at the guard position and he is young. The knock that he doesn't play defense doesn't matter because they could be protect him with our other defenders. Not only is he someone LeBron could defer to, he's someone LeBron should defer to in certain situations. He is from Ohio and is a pretty good piece to build around should LeBron actually leave. Also getting Amare, Chris Bosh or better yet David Lee next year is still a possibility with Kevin Martin.
I feel that in football when you restart, you take whatever is the best of what's left after cutting off the fat, and rebuild it wither it's the offense or defense. Then once one side of the ball is done you do the other. It's the same in basketball, you can do the back court or front court. They still have the deep bench, some players can be used to trade for a center if they miss out on one in free agency. Then you look for the draft, trades and free agency for the big man of the future. Maybe sign a Mike Miller for extra depth, still have the player from the Congo they drafted last year as another potential trade chip, except no one remembers he even exists.
EDIT/UPDATE: Gah! Click here Kevin Martin was just traded for T-Mac and Carl Landry! You're telling me that they wouldn't have rather taken Mo Williams and JJ Hickson? He could have been a Cav! Now he'll just fade into obscurity in Houston because no one's watching.
posted by: Jason
I assume Chuck is referring to lovers had and lost in that quote. But it stays to true to players on teams as well. There's that ghost trade that would have brought a superstar and a decade of Championships to your team, or at the least your favorite role player coming to your favorite team. This is a story about those lost lovers and potential loves, the ones we've had I seem to have forgotten...
I've been lobbying for the Cavs to secure a solid point guard for five years now. Having starting point guards of Eric Snow, Damon Jones and Larry Hughes would be the only reasoning I need.
When Gilbert Arenas was a free agent I pleaded for them to throw all the money at him. Watching LeBron and Gil go at it and put on a show one upping each other would be amazing to watch every night. Now knowing about him injuries and gun totting make that hard to justify, but you have to remember he was coming off constant game winners, unlimited range and was considered a top 10 player. He got that payday for a reason my friends. Besides maybe on the Cavs he doesn't have the surgeries and legal problems.
Before the Magic beat them and made the Finals and everyone found out about them and before the Mo Williams trade happened, Jameer Nelson was playing his little heart out and no one knew it. I begged them to trade for him because his game play was a great fit for a Cavs point guard. Plus he was teammates with Delonte West and maybe he helps him keep his cool and not go crazy every off season. He could drive and shoot the three and throw stellar alley oops. Needless to say he stayed with the Magic and they beat us and he made the All-Star team. He did get hurt and still isn't back up to par yet, but once again maybe he stays healthy on the Cavs.
My last wish was for them to make a huge deal. Trade for an Andre Iguodala or Amare Stoudemire or Josh Smith (who was very attainable for awhile) or Kevin Martin, just any big name that we had a great opportunity to steal with those expiring contracts. Then pull what the Celtics did with Rajon Rondo and start Boobie Gibson at the point. Remember that Boobie just killed Detroit with LeBron and was a head filled with confidence and Cleveland loved him and we paid him like he was going to be our new second star. Then we trade for Mo, regulate him to the bench, kill all that confidence and he gets injured. Starting him with one of those All-Star caliber players and LeBron is a perfect situation for him. He does a little on the job training, keeps his confidence and that killer shot then hopefully blossoms much like Rondo. As you can see by his play now that he's been starting for them recently, that my assumptions are probably correct. Besides LeBron takes the ball up half the time anyways.
But maybe I was wrong with the pursuit of a great point guard for the Cavs. Maybe the main thing they needed was a great off guard. With LeBron taking most of the ball handling duties anyways the point guard is an afterthought in their system. I think that my last idea was probably the most beneficial in the long run. I mean it's not like they're getting Chris Paul in any trades so stick with Daniel Gibson or Delonte and run with a better quality perimeter player beside him. This idea sounds like a better option to me. Maybe I am wrong, but seeing as they are playing fine without Mo currently because Boobie is doing well. That and they are searching for another star player (Amare or Jamison are the flavors of the week for us again), I think it's safe to say we could have done well with me handling the general manager duties. The only two players I would have seriously targeted and gone after in the draft are Stephen Curry last year and Evan Turner this year. Mainly because they need help outside. I'm wishing they would have tanked last year or traded for Steph somehow and he is playing better every night. He had that connection to LeBron where 'Bron went and watched him and would have fit right in with them. Then I was hoping Evan Turner's broken back would have knocked him down to the Cavs but he's already back to form and playing stellar ball again. So I know he's going in the top three and the Cavs are once again not tanking for me so we have no chance to get him. I do think that Stephen Curry was someone the Cavs could/should have made a deal to move up and get. I think Mo Williams is alright but not worth the 8 million he is earning. Also I agree Cleveland has a need for a big man because, despite the amount of bigs they have on the roster, there is no future center there. Regardless Clevelanders, say hello to Kevin Martin.
My potential deal is trading Mo Williams for him straight up. We could throw in cash or a pick and/or another player (Danny Green/Anthony Parker) to make them bite. Might even be able to snag Donte Greene or another decent young player from them. The Kings do it because Tyreke Evans isn't a point guard and Mo is a great shooter to put next to him at two guard. Basically we trade an All-Star sub for a "franchise guy." Neither player rightfully deserves those titles, but Martin has a real chance to become and All-Star playing on this team. He's a shooter, has length at the guard position and he is young. The knock that he doesn't play defense doesn't matter because they could be protect him with our other defenders. Not only is he someone LeBron could defer to, he's someone LeBron should defer to in certain situations. He is from Ohio and is a pretty good piece to build around should LeBron actually leave. Also getting Amare, Chris Bosh or better yet David Lee next year is still a possibility with Kevin Martin.
I feel that in football when you restart, you take whatever is the best of what's left after cutting off the fat, and rebuild it wither it's the offense or defense. Then once one side of the ball is done you do the other. It's the same in basketball, you can do the back court or front court. They still have the deep bench, some players can be used to trade for a center if they miss out on one in free agency. Then you look for the draft, trades and free agency for the big man of the future. Maybe sign a Mike Miller for extra depth, still have the player from the Congo they drafted last year as another potential trade chip, except no one remembers he even exists.
EDIT/UPDATE: Gah! Click here Kevin Martin was just traded for T-Mac and Carl Landry! You're telling me that they wouldn't have rather taken Mo Williams and JJ Hickson? He could have been a Cav! Now he'll just fade into obscurity in Houston because no one's watching.
posted by: Jason
Random Thoughts While Watching Cavs - Magic
I really do not know how to title or word these posts. I mean the title says what they are, that and parts of an always ongoing sports conversation between Ben and I. I'll try to make them cohesive and together the best that I can. So shall we get down to the business? I would like to note that some of these notes might be a little old but just read and love it.
***
First some notes on the Portland Trail Blazers of all teams. Ben loves them and the Bulls therefore I have to hear about and watch them far too much. Andre Miller dropping 52 is not something I hate, everyone seems to think he's trade bait but he is good for that team. His jumpers ugly but he's helping them stay together for now, Steve Blake runs a better offense but Andre scores when they need it. He did it shooting two pointers and driving the lane, he did it shooting 22 for 31 (I remember Devan Downey of South Carolina fame shooting about 33 shots a few nights earlier and beating Kentucky only scoring 32 or so and shooting a hell of a lot more threes, this is why I hate Devan by the way) and only had 2 turnovers while holding the ball practically all night. I don't know if he brought his ball from home or what but that was a damn good show to watch. If there's one fault I believe he only had 2 assists, but the Blazers as a team only had like 10 total and it's hard to get assists when your point guard has to score 52 points. Also how key was that Juwan Howard signing? Who would they sign off the street to start at center if not for him? Not to mention he is playing pretty decent.
Watching the Blazers vs. Thunder the other night I witnessed a certain Dante Cunningham being a nice looking player for the Blazers. He hits jumpers, is an active rebounder and has some nice cuts, which is something I love to see. The reason I watched that game, other than Ben being over was to see Nicholas Batum (who I read was playing like a Scottie Pippen, one of my favorite players) defend this young, athletic Okies team. When I see him come out and start off defending Russel Westbrook I got so happy to see a big man able to do that. I was thinking this will be my new favorite player an all-world, 5 positions defending player. Then the game went on, he was timid and on offense he was shooting 3's and missing and didn't want to dribble at all. Then it happens, he makes some great dunks, hits a 3, shows some confidence and gets put on Kevin Durant. He moved his feet well and stayed in front of him, didn't commit cheap fouls, contested every shot; looked really good. Ben's thoughts on Batum: "I dunno. He looked like he has a pretty big dick, he's just a little scared to use it 'cause he's French." Couldn't have said it better myself. So here's to hoping he develops his offense a little more, keeps getting minutes and gains that confidence and possessive quality he needs.
Seeing that brings me the pains of wishing to see another point forward that is capable and good. LeBron started at point guard and did a good job of it and basically plays that role every night but in a different sort of way than Scottie did. I believe Batum could become that, in college Corey Brewer was that and maybe he can still develop in to it (I so hope so), I'd say KD could do it to and maybe Galinari as well. I'll even throw out another name I like, Donte Greene of the Kings. Here's his line against the Knicks the other night: 40 mins, 9-12 shooting, 4-5 from three for 24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. I saw him defend Kobe really well in that game they played awhile backs when everyone was sucking Tyreke Evans' dick. I think he could be a good player with some more playing time, but he needs to stay consistent. Also I don't know how well he handles the ball, and you say he's 6'11 but he is a short 6'11 trust me.
***
While talking about versatile forwards let me show you the current scoring leader board:
LeBron James - 29.8
Kevin Durant - 29.7
Carmelo Anthony - 29.5
Now normally I wouldn't give a hoot about this list but for some reason this year it's intriguing to me. I actually hope they all end in a tie or Carmelo wins it since he seems to be slipping in the MVP race while LBJ and KD are gaining steam. I once mentioned that small forward is the easiest position to plug someone in and have them be good. You look for system guys, or guys who can kind of do it all like Luol Deng or Gerald Wallace. You don't always need production out of this position and can do just find placing a defender in that spot. I still believe all that to be true, however those guys on that list are starting to show a change of not just good, but great forwards being key cogs on a team.
***
I think I should mention a congrats to Stephen Curry on his triple-double, still making me wish the Cavs finagled a way to steal him. Just like I'm thinking of ways for us to steal Evan Turner this year. Can you imagine? Steph Curry, Evan Turner, LeBron James and Z with Delonte West and Jawad Williams and Anderson Varejao on the bench.
***
I have to mention, after that probably poorly received message about Haiti a few posts ago, that I love all these Haitian names. Samuel Dalembert, Pierre Garcon, it's the sweet sounding French name without being gay. Which reminds me Mickael Pietrus is an overrated defender much like James Posey is. Just because you helped hold LeBron to only 30 points in a playoff game doesn't mean you are a stellar defender.
***
I think that Denver should figure out a way to get rid of Kenyon Martin for Tyrus Thomas. I feel that a mix of 'Melo and Ty Thomas would be a good way for the Cavs to replace LeBron's production. But they cannot trade him and I feel he might stay here anyways, so the Nuggets should get Ty while he's on the outs in Chicago. He has shown flashes of brilliance and likes starting, giving him a new situation with a player who was also a knucklehead but got it together might help him. Then again Earl "Jr." Smith is still a bozo so maybe it would be a downfall.
***
Now on to the Cavs - Magic game
I hate how this series is now considered a rivalry after last years playoffs. I know that the Detroit and Wizard ones are dead but this isn't anything, yet. I also still hate JJ Hickson still, but he's playing well. He needs to be consistent from game to game and quarter to quarter. I like Jawad Williams, I like his size and shooting. I like him being a friendly rival with LBJ in high school, I like his college background. He's one of those glue guys for them and plays his position on the team very well. I find myself wishing we had traded for Shaq last trade deadline after watching the two games against the Magic and Cavs. I feel like he would have been a great help and we might have won the title or gone to the Finals again. Although we still had no answer for Rashard Lewis and Hedo playing together. I still like Rashard's shot. It's long and takes a second or two but his arms are so long it's probably unblockable. I feel like trading for Jameer Nelson would have been better than getting Mo Williams. When healthy he is a near perfect fit for our "offense" and has that history with Delonte, so maybe he doesn't go crazy every off season. He's quick, young and can shoot the three and drive to the basket. Unfortunately now he only shows glimpses of what he was before his injury. Hopefully he gets all healed soon.
I wish more players would make the cuts JJ and Andy make when LeBron drive. He always hits them for easy lay-ins. I know it's not the same but I make the same cuts when I play and they always, always, always work. Movement without the ball is such an underrated attribute. The Cavs should go with the small line-up more often, it's very versatile. Maybe Mike Brown is saving it for games that matter though I'm not sure. Apparently there's a trade that is all but a done deal involving the Knicks, Rockets and Wizards where the Wiz get Al Harrington. This is important because it would allow them to trade Antwan Jamieson. I'm still not positive if he would be a great fill for the Cavs in the long run. I think he's better than keeping JJ Hickson. He can shoot and will expire in a few years. But Troy Murphy can also shoot and rebound and is expiring this year which I like much better.
Haven't watched to much of the second half of the game, been writing this post, now it's tied. Good thing Ben said he fell asleep so I don't feel like I've missed anything. LeBron's range is... any. I hate the lack of travel and carry calls in the NBA, Ben and I routinely watch people dribble and make the calls. Usually it sounds something like, "carry, carry, carry, travel." Just saying we know the refs can't count, but now they might be going blind as well. Likewise I hate all the extra calls in the paint and superstars getting extra calls and that stupid thing where you're holding the ball and the defender has his hand near the guys chest and then they swipe up like they're shooting and get that call. I'm just saying the refs need to let them play a little more, fouls slow the game down and now have become game plans, like hack-a-Shaq or getting Dwight in foul trouble. Maybe I've just been watching too much college ball where they don't call any fouls in the paint. LeBron makes some crazy shots, Cavs play defense, he misses the triple-double by 2 rebounds and throws a lazy pass that gets picked off for no reason to make the final 115-106.
***
Here's another pretty clever Vitamin Water ad featuring my homeboy, Steve Nash:
posted by: Jason
***
First some notes on the Portland Trail Blazers of all teams. Ben loves them and the Bulls therefore I have to hear about and watch them far too much. Andre Miller dropping 52 is not something I hate, everyone seems to think he's trade bait but he is good for that team. His jumpers ugly but he's helping them stay together for now, Steve Blake runs a better offense but Andre scores when they need it. He did it shooting two pointers and driving the lane, he did it shooting 22 for 31 (I remember Devan Downey of South Carolina fame shooting about 33 shots a few nights earlier and beating Kentucky only scoring 32 or so and shooting a hell of a lot more threes, this is why I hate Devan by the way) and only had 2 turnovers while holding the ball practically all night. I don't know if he brought his ball from home or what but that was a damn good show to watch. If there's one fault I believe he only had 2 assists, but the Blazers as a team only had like 10 total and it's hard to get assists when your point guard has to score 52 points. Also how key was that Juwan Howard signing? Who would they sign off the street to start at center if not for him? Not to mention he is playing pretty decent.
Watching the Blazers vs. Thunder the other night I witnessed a certain Dante Cunningham being a nice looking player for the Blazers. He hits jumpers, is an active rebounder and has some nice cuts, which is something I love to see. The reason I watched that game, other than Ben being over was to see Nicholas Batum (who I read was playing like a Scottie Pippen, one of my favorite players) defend this young, athletic Okies team. When I see him come out and start off defending Russel Westbrook I got so happy to see a big man able to do that. I was thinking this will be my new favorite player an all-world, 5 positions defending player. Then the game went on, he was timid and on offense he was shooting 3's and missing and didn't want to dribble at all. Then it happens, he makes some great dunks, hits a 3, shows some confidence and gets put on Kevin Durant. He moved his feet well and stayed in front of him, didn't commit cheap fouls, contested every shot; looked really good. Ben's thoughts on Batum: "I dunno. He looked like he has a pretty big dick, he's just a little scared to use it 'cause he's French." Couldn't have said it better myself. So here's to hoping he develops his offense a little more, keeps getting minutes and gains that confidence and possessive quality he needs.
Seeing that brings me the pains of wishing to see another point forward that is capable and good. LeBron started at point guard and did a good job of it and basically plays that role every night but in a different sort of way than Scottie did. I believe Batum could become that, in college Corey Brewer was that and maybe he can still develop in to it (I so hope so), I'd say KD could do it to and maybe Galinari as well. I'll even throw out another name I like, Donte Greene of the Kings. Here's his line against the Knicks the other night: 40 mins, 9-12 shooting, 4-5 from three for 24 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. I saw him defend Kobe really well in that game they played awhile backs when everyone was sucking Tyreke Evans' dick. I think he could be a good player with some more playing time, but he needs to stay consistent. Also I don't know how well he handles the ball, and you say he's 6'11 but he is a short 6'11 trust me.
***
While talking about versatile forwards let me show you the current scoring leader board:
LeBron James - 29.8
Kevin Durant - 29.7
Carmelo Anthony - 29.5
Now normally I wouldn't give a hoot about this list but for some reason this year it's intriguing to me. I actually hope they all end in a tie or Carmelo wins it since he seems to be slipping in the MVP race while LBJ and KD are gaining steam. I once mentioned that small forward is the easiest position to plug someone in and have them be good. You look for system guys, or guys who can kind of do it all like Luol Deng or Gerald Wallace. You don't always need production out of this position and can do just find placing a defender in that spot. I still believe all that to be true, however those guys on that list are starting to show a change of not just good, but great forwards being key cogs on a team.
***
I think I should mention a congrats to Stephen Curry on his triple-double, still making me wish the Cavs finagled a way to steal him. Just like I'm thinking of ways for us to steal Evan Turner this year. Can you imagine? Steph Curry, Evan Turner, LeBron James and Z with Delonte West and Jawad Williams and Anderson Varejao on the bench.
***
I have to mention, after that probably poorly received message about Haiti a few posts ago, that I love all these Haitian names. Samuel Dalembert, Pierre Garcon, it's the sweet sounding French name without being gay. Which reminds me Mickael Pietrus is an overrated defender much like James Posey is. Just because you helped hold LeBron to only 30 points in a playoff game doesn't mean you are a stellar defender.
***
I think that Denver should figure out a way to get rid of Kenyon Martin for Tyrus Thomas. I feel that a mix of 'Melo and Ty Thomas would be a good way for the Cavs to replace LeBron's production. But they cannot trade him and I feel he might stay here anyways, so the Nuggets should get Ty while he's on the outs in Chicago. He has shown flashes of brilliance and likes starting, giving him a new situation with a player who was also a knucklehead but got it together might help him. Then again Earl "Jr." Smith is still a bozo so maybe it would be a downfall.
***
Now on to the Cavs - Magic game
I hate how this series is now considered a rivalry after last years playoffs. I know that the Detroit and Wizard ones are dead but this isn't anything, yet. I also still hate JJ Hickson still, but he's playing well. He needs to be consistent from game to game and quarter to quarter. I like Jawad Williams, I like his size and shooting. I like him being a friendly rival with LBJ in high school, I like his college background. He's one of those glue guys for them and plays his position on the team very well. I find myself wishing we had traded for Shaq last trade deadline after watching the two games against the Magic and Cavs. I feel like he would have been a great help and we might have won the title or gone to the Finals again. Although we still had no answer for Rashard Lewis and Hedo playing together. I still like Rashard's shot. It's long and takes a second or two but his arms are so long it's probably unblockable. I feel like trading for Jameer Nelson would have been better than getting Mo Williams. When healthy he is a near perfect fit for our "offense" and has that history with Delonte, so maybe he doesn't go crazy every off season. He's quick, young and can shoot the three and drive to the basket. Unfortunately now he only shows glimpses of what he was before his injury. Hopefully he gets all healed soon.
I wish more players would make the cuts JJ and Andy make when LeBron drive. He always hits them for easy lay-ins. I know it's not the same but I make the same cuts when I play and they always, always, always work. Movement without the ball is such an underrated attribute. The Cavs should go with the small line-up more often, it's very versatile. Maybe Mike Brown is saving it for games that matter though I'm not sure. Apparently there's a trade that is all but a done deal involving the Knicks, Rockets and Wizards where the Wiz get Al Harrington. This is important because it would allow them to trade Antwan Jamieson. I'm still not positive if he would be a great fill for the Cavs in the long run. I think he's better than keeping JJ Hickson. He can shoot and will expire in a few years. But Troy Murphy can also shoot and rebound and is expiring this year which I like much better.
Haven't watched to much of the second half of the game, been writing this post, now it's tied. Good thing Ben said he fell asleep so I don't feel like I've missed anything. LeBron's range is... any. I hate the lack of travel and carry calls in the NBA, Ben and I routinely watch people dribble and make the calls. Usually it sounds something like, "carry, carry, carry, travel." Just saying we know the refs can't count, but now they might be going blind as well. Likewise I hate all the extra calls in the paint and superstars getting extra calls and that stupid thing where you're holding the ball and the defender has his hand near the guys chest and then they swipe up like they're shooting and get that call. I'm just saying the refs need to let them play a little more, fouls slow the game down and now have become game plans, like hack-a-Shaq or getting Dwight in foul trouble. Maybe I've just been watching too much college ball where they don't call any fouls in the paint. LeBron makes some crazy shots, Cavs play defense, he misses the triple-double by 2 rebounds and throws a lazy pass that gets picked off for no reason to make the final 115-106.
***
Here's another pretty clever Vitamin Water ad featuring my homeboy, Steve Nash:
posted by: Jason
Monday, February 8, 2010
Step Back Three
Forgive me for being a few days late on this, but those 'Nola jerseys that the Hornets have worn for their past few games are hot. I saw that they were going to wear them this year but missed the first game against the Bobcats. Glad to catch them playing the Magic, watching Collison play like a veteran and Peja play like he was still 28 or so years old. They actually look alright in game motion too, might have to buy one...posted by: Jason
A Validating Win
It would seem that putting up Super Bowl predictions eluded us this year. We are quite busy anymore and rarely talk sports, if we get any free time we actually you know go out and play basketball. Our games are picking up very nicely by the way. Anyways I know I personally picked the Saints to win it and wither Ben did or if you believe me posting this after the big game, you cannot deny we were rooting for them that whole game. My love for New Orleans extends for a few reasons, back in 2007 after the hurricane and when both the Saints and the Hornets made that city come together and be winners for once That and I actually like most of the team, that's hard for me to do nowadays and the playing style.But I am so over that feel good story, I'm also over Haiti (call me a terrible human being all you want, we have raised so much more money for them and have helped them out more than we ever helped New Orleans), I am more elated for this win because of what it does to Drew Brees' career. He's been an overachiever for years and has deserved at least one league MVP, if not two. So while he is recognized at some level, this win should finally put him in that upper pantheon of star quarterbacks, no longer is he under Peyton after beating him like that. Can we really blame him for coming up short those past few years? He made that whole team overachieve and was stuck with a sub par defense and learning how to incorporate their big name, Reggie Bush, into the offense.
Now all that is gone and he is one of the best quarterbacks of this generation. Better than that always angry Phillip Rivers kid who replaced him in San Diego. Better than Eli Manning who, while being a slightly above average quarterback, doesn't deserve all that money he been given. He's better than Big Ben who rode a running game and defense and good receivers and an under rated line to a couple Super Bowl wins.
My main question is what do they do know? They are undoubtedly going to lose several of those free agents (retain Pierre Thomas, he's amazing, also Darren Sharper is an obvious player to pay), they can no longer be underdogs but I bet they'll still play like they are and will some of that home crowd go away or will it get stronger? Well my real hope is that they add another offensive weapon, strangely enough. What are the Colts going to do with that receiving corps? It seems to me that as long as Anthony Gonzalez is back and healthy with no problems that they like him, Reggie Wayne, Dallas Clark and Austin Collie all better than they like Pierre Garcon. Well I happen to like Pierre Garcon as a number two option and I think a trade of Devrey Henderson for Pierre would be perfect. Gives the Colts a speedy, consistent, veteran number two and gives the Saints a number two that is more than a just speed guy. Combine the two Pierre's please, it will be beneficial for you, trust me. Then draft defense and offensive line and shop that Jeremy Shockey contract, he's garbage. Also I would like to mention that, no matter how much I always have liked Tracy Porter, he blew some coverage earlier and that pick certainly did make up for it. Actually that's all secondary stuff, the real question is how amazing is Garrett Hartley? Probably the best kicker in the league. I mean no one could make field goals in the post season and Chad Ocho Cinco was a close second best kicker.
Congratulations to the Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints.
P.S. Just a nice article about NBA and overpaying players. Also can't remember if I linked to this awesome dunk by Corey Brewer over Derek Fisher from awhile back, but it's worth a look. Ahh Corey Brewer, how I still love you.
posted by: Jason
Monday, February 1, 2010
Quotable
I had a dream last night where Aaron Brooks hit a game winning three against the Wizards which because of the win sent Tracy McGrady to the Wiz. I want to elaborate on this. Let's say we have a dream league with no salary cap and each team has to offer up one player per year and whoever wins that game gets to choose to keep that player or send him to the other team or ship their player off. Like say Kobe Bryant was offered up in that Grizzlies game the other night. The Griz won and could have just stole one of the best players ever. You could argue it'd make good teams better and bad teams worse. But I believe teams would play hard to keep their elite players and we could throw in some rules. Like every team gets one exemption every five years where they can veto the opposing team taking a player or giving a player and we wouldn't include rookies or sophomores because that could get brutal and you wouldn't be able to offer up the same shitty player/contract every year. I don't know it was a dream scenario that I thought sounded pretty neat. Maybe it's an awful idea but it would make for a few regular season games to mean more.
* * *
Doesn't the Cavs win streak without Mo Williams prove how little value he brings to the team?
I witnessed Hasheem Thabeet get pushed off of his screen by Jamario Moon. This does not bode well for his future, but his decent looking jumper and free throw shooting does.
I'm convinced Trevor Ariza is the worst player in the league right now after watching him play against the Suns. He was lauded as a 3 baller and a defender while on the Lakers... well when you take away all 7-footers he was playing with and Kobe Bryant both his offense and defense take a huge hit. He uses his length alright on the perimeter and in the post but is just a gambler and without bug men to save him when he messes up he looks poor. And he became a shot maker after hitting something like 47% of his threes in the playoffs. Well I'm assuming he was so open because of Kobe and the feared big men and had the confidence because he was a nobody and also going to guess he didn't shoot that many of them (I was wrong he attempted about 3.5 a game). Well now that he's "the man" on the Rockets he's taking those threes and missing, a lot. According to basketball-reference.com he is shooting 30% from three and only 37% from the field. These are horrible percentages for a shooting guard which is what he mostly plays, and I'll even give him the fact that he should be judged as a small forward where his percentages are still terrible! In a league where Coby Karl can get 15 points 7 assists and 7 rebounds for the Warriors, Ariza kills his team and is the worst player in the NBA currently. I mean Chase Bundinger pushes him for minutes. Which sucks for the Rockets because they got some good players like Aaron Brooks.
* * *
Some thoughts on Channing Frye
Jason: I imagine guarding Channing Frye shooting threes is like me (5'9) guarding that 6'4 kid in that pickup game last week.
Ben: Yeah probably.
Jason: I feel immensely bad for everyone that he has splashed on now.
* * *
Maybe there will be no correlation, but with Chandler Parsons stepping up and hitting game winners all of a sudden, maybe it's alright to compare him to having a future NBA career kinda like Mike Miller's. Just throwin' it out there, 'cause I like my Florida boys, winners or not.
* * *
And here, just go and read about a baby terrorizing Hornets fans.
posted by: Jason
* * *
Doesn't the Cavs win streak without Mo Williams prove how little value he brings to the team?
I witnessed Hasheem Thabeet get pushed off of his screen by Jamario Moon. This does not bode well for his future, but his decent looking jumper and free throw shooting does.
I'm convinced Trevor Ariza is the worst player in the league right now after watching him play against the Suns. He was lauded as a 3 baller and a defender while on the Lakers... well when you take away all 7-footers he was playing with and Kobe Bryant both his offense and defense take a huge hit. He uses his length alright on the perimeter and in the post but is just a gambler and without bug men to save him when he messes up he looks poor. And he became a shot maker after hitting something like 47% of his threes in the playoffs. Well I'm assuming he was so open because of Kobe and the feared big men and had the confidence because he was a nobody and also going to guess he didn't shoot that many of them (I was wrong he attempted about 3.5 a game). Well now that he's "the man" on the Rockets he's taking those threes and missing, a lot. According to basketball-reference.com he is shooting 30% from three and only 37% from the field. These are horrible percentages for a shooting guard which is what he mostly plays, and I'll even give him the fact that he should be judged as a small forward where his percentages are still terrible! In a league where Coby Karl can get 15 points 7 assists and 7 rebounds for the Warriors, Ariza kills his team and is the worst player in the NBA currently. I mean Chase Bundinger pushes him for minutes. Which sucks for the Rockets because they got some good players like Aaron Brooks.
* * *
Some thoughts on Channing Frye
Jason: I imagine guarding Channing Frye shooting threes is like me (5'9) guarding that 6'4 kid in that pickup game last week.Ben: Yeah probably.
Jason: I feel immensely bad for everyone that he has splashed on now.
* * *
Maybe there will be no correlation, but with Chandler Parsons stepping up and hitting game winners all of a sudden, maybe it's alright to compare him to having a future NBA career kinda like Mike Miller's. Just throwin' it out there, 'cause I like my Florida boys, winners or not.* * *
And here, just go and read about a baby terrorizing Hornets fans.
posted by: Jason
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