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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Here's another pretty clever Vitamin Water ad featuring my homeboy, Steve Nash:
posted by: Jason
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