"My father will tell you that while other kids were watching Big Bird, I was watching Larry Bird."

I love me some Kevin Love and so this article on ESPN is obviously gonna get linked to on my this here blog. And now here's the link.

-Jason

Goddamn Earl

JR Smith hits a crazy 360 lay-in on Tim Duncan

-jason

Jamaal Charles For MVP?

Here is a good ESPN Insider article on Jamaal Charles, luck for you all I'm all about free speech:

It's been a good 10 days for Jamaal Charles. On Dec. 11, Charles signed a five-year, $32.5 million contract extension with the Kansas City Chiefs that guarantees him $13 million. On Sunday, Charles busted off the longest run of the weekend, an 80-yard scamper that helped seal a crucial 27-13 victory over the St. Louis Rams.

And today, he's hit another milestone with our two major metrics: According to DYAR (our player valuation metric, explained in depth here), Charles is the best running back in football this season. While DVOA (explained more here) has suggested that he's been the best per-play back in the NFL for a fair amount of the season, his performance against the Rams pushed him ahead of Arian Foster as the overall leader in rushing DYAR.

He won't be getting any bonuses for finishing in that spot, but you don't need advanced metrics to realize what a great season he's having. Charles is now averaging 6.4 yards per carry, something that no other running back has done with 200 or more carries in a season. Barry Sanders? Eric Dickerson? Adrian Peterson? Charles is doing more on a per-carry basis than any of them ever did. His 36.0 percent DVOA would also rank as the best performance by a back in a single season since 1993, the beginning of the DVOA Era.

The only reason Charles doesn't get recognition as the league's best back, of course, is Todd Haley. Although Haley deserves credit for assisting in the turnaround of Kansas City football over the past year and a half, his refusal to unleash Charles upon the league is mind-boggling. A look at the numbers makes comparisons between him and teammate Thomas Jones laughable. It's very clear that the Chiefs need to stop fooling around and give Charles the bulk of the workload -- now.

Most of the reasons given for the near-equal split of the carries between Jones (212 rushing attempts) and Charles (203 attempts) are nebulous. Jones is a reliable veteran and he's great in the locker room, but that doesn't make him a superior option at running back. Besides, it's not like Charles doesn't have safe hands: Jones has one fumble on 202 touches this year, but Charles has just one more on 228 touches.

Consider their performances in similar situations: On first-and-10, Jones has 105 carries for 515 yards and 11 conversions for a first down or touchdown, an impressive average of 4.9 yards per carry. Charles' 89 first-down carries have produced 683 yards and 19 conversions for an average of nearly 7.7 yards per attempt. That's better than some teams' passing games.

Jones is regarded as an effective goal-line back because of his gaudy touchdown totals, but research in Football Outsiders Almanac 2010 revealed Jones to be a consistently mediocre goal-line back who had one of the worst performances in league history for the New York Jets in 2007. Despite that, the team continues to pound the ball with Jones inside the goal line without getting very much in return. On his 15 carries inside the opposition's 5-yard line this year, Jones has five touchdowns and a first down. Charles, meanwhile, has three touchdowns on four such carries. In "power" situations, carries on third or fourth down with 2 yards or fewer to go for a first down (or 2 yards to go for a touchdown on first or second down), Jones has converted on 8 of 16 attempts. Charles is 5-for-7.

In addition to being the more productive receiver, Charles is by far the more explosive back. He has nine carries of 20 yards or more, while Jones has just three. Unlike some boom-or-bust backs, though, consistency isn't an issue for Charles. Our success rate metric measures how effective players are at keeping the team "on schedule" toward a new set of downs and, by that measure, 59 percent of Charles' runs have been successful, the second-best rate in the league. Only Chris Ivory has been better. Jones is in 18th place among qualifying backs, at 48 percent.

The only thing that stands out as an obvious reason to keep Jones in the fold is durability. Jones has been a sturdy back throughout his entire career, while Charles really only spent half of last season as the primary back for his team. You can make the anecdotal case that Charles benefits from the frequent breathers he gets, but there's also the anecdotal stories about running backs "getting into a rhythm" with regular work. Either way, even if Charles lost 10 percent of his value with an increase in his workload, he would still be a far better option than Jones has been this season. Charles deserves the plaudits he's received for a great season, but Haley's decision to limit his workload is keeping Charles from being recognized as an MVP candidate.

Update: Here's a link to another good ESPN article on this cool college player.

-jason

A Sweet Picture Of Grant Hill Riding A Horse

That is all.

-jason

MMA

Pettis is the shit right now, if you don't know, go watch this video and check that off the cage kick.

Then I was taking a look back on the NFL season and I thought I would give a link to Pro Football Referance and have you guys look at the passing stats this year. Not Phil Rivers killing it but the QB's who have started a game this year. What a mess.

-jason

An NFL Post!!?

First a super awesome play and then celebration right here by Desean Jackson

Second I am in love with Barry Cofield's taser sack dance, can't find a video though.
EDIT: Found the video here.

And finally get fucked Jay Cutler!

But here is the meat of this post. I am a Dolphins fan and I love Ronnie Brown, but he just isn't right anymore. He's missing that burst through the hole he used to have. Now in Madden I stole Jammal Charles from the Chiefs, it's pretty apparent they aren't going to let him leave this off season, but another young back destroying it this year is Darren Mcfadden. He looks alot like old Ronnie, not the fastest or the most powerful, but able to do it all. Not to mention he is familiar with the Wildcat. Now I think a change of scenery would be very nice for Mr. Mcfadden and I hope some way some how the Dolphins know this as well and make a play for him.

-Jason

Miami

Quick Hits

I get first bowl hit after a dolphins loss. On a sidenote Suh from the Lions is a bad man.

-Jason

Hey ladies...

Notes From The City Versus The Lake

"They should have a reality show where David Lee just follows Monta Ellis around on his normal business, and he should just make sure to follow Ellis around on the court and clean everything up."



-Jason

Bear-Giants

This was crazy.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-game-highlights/09000d5d81b0d380/Giants-defense-steps-up

I love Barry Cofields tazer sack dance.

-Jason

The Dismal Dolphins Post

Brett Farve Sucked Last Night

He actually put me to sleep, then again so did the Saints. And why do I know Boise so well? I was honestly breaking down their offense and players all game.
-Jason

College Football

I don't watch college football's first week, it just is not very good. Most times week two still isn't good. Then again Boise vs VT is gonna very good tomorrow and i will watch that

-Jason

Rough Start

Nice look Tim, further evidence to back up my belief in God if he is ever successful in the NFL.
Anyway I came across a quote too good not to share. Here it is courtesy of Micheal Irving: "I remember when I was inducted into the Hall of Fame and they gave me my Hall of Fame yellow blazer. I wore it for two straight days. Finally my wife was in bed and said she wanted to make love but that I had to take the coat off. I refused and kept the blazer on because I wanted to perform like a Hall of Famer on the field and off."
Thank you that is all.

-Jason

Ok

I know, I know, it's been awhile now. I am completely and honestly sorry. I should have written about "The Decision," and what the Cavs should do now, and a preview of the Dolphins, and summer league and lots more. I am extremely busy so I haven't had time! The most Ben and I do is have hour long text-talks about sports while we are both at work. It's rough. Anyway I would like to inform you that I cannot wait til football starts up, the down period between that and basketball is far too long. I'm going to be in three fantasy football leagues, so you guys can get updates on how pissed I am that I'm losing because of Brett Farve again. Also I already know what the Cavs are going to do this offseason now that Dan Gilbert went back to being only partially insane. Here is my insider information, the Cavs will sign Richard Jefferson! Think about it, he's a washed up talent at one of many positions of need for them, no one else is interested and they have cap room to get him. Well that is all for now.

EDIT/UPDATE: It appears San Antonio resigned RJ, good for them? Anyways I just want to say I hope the Cavs are awful get the 1st overall pick (which they should since David Stern rigs it every year anyway) and draft Kyle/Kyrie Irving. First of of he's seemingly the next in line of stud point guards the draft has been having, secondly he has two names which means when he gets indicted for raping an 12 year old he should have a good alias.

- Jason

LeBron News

Just kidding, but Ben and I have been talking about how he wants to hire Kevin Pritchard and I think he's overrated. I'm not going to use this post to have that whole discussion but I will use it to say what the Cavs really need out of a GM. They need a hard ass. Some one who will go out of his way to humble LeBron. When asked about him, instead of sucking him off in front of the media say something like "We'd love to have LeBron back, but if not we have plenty of options to keep this team a contender. That's what you have to remember it's a team game not just one player." Just so James can get a bit of his own medicine. Come in with a coach who's got a game plan on defense and offense. Be aggressive, get proven players who aren't 34. Finally fucking use the draft again. This is what I want out of our new GM. And if we don't get LeBron back, trade Mo and Jamison for Monta Ellis and Biendris and get defensive stoppers all around them and whenever you play James make sure he doesn't score.

-Jason

Quick Hits

So I don't remember if I have posted it here before but the Cavs have lost to the team that went to or won the Finals for like the past 4 or 5 years. That's a stat that ESPN should run. Also talking to Ben he said Landon Donovan is the Kobe Bryant of soccer. I responded by saying I don't think there is a player in any sport like Kobe and I don't know if we are realizing how good he really is.

Now I, like the rest of you, can't wait for Madden '11 so I can take the 'Fins to the Superbowl. But in talks with Ben about the Bears his enthusiasm for them was far too great. It seems to me that optimism in the offseason is like masturbation. Yeah it feels good, but in the end your just stroking yourself. Either stroking your dick or your own brain into thinking your team will win it all. I know the Dolphins have a poor defense. I just hope the corners improve and Dansby has a trickle down effect making everyone better.

-Jason

Yes

No words.

Let me just say a few words, about how I really, really, really want Ron Artest's Game 7 jersey. And if it end up on eBay, I'm putting alot of money on it. Major banks, I'm looking for that loan.

-Jason

Some Nice Little Videos

First Tony Allen is playing out of his fucking mind double blocking Pau Gasol.



Here's the link if the video is messed up.

I always liked Penny's Hardaway's game. I imagine that if i were 6'7 my game would be like his.



Again the link if the video doesn't work.

Isn't That A Foul?

Big Baby Gets Knocked Out

No explanation needed:



Link if that doesnt work.

Also some amazing college hoopsters.

-Jason

Bash Bash Bash

I haven't liked Jim Rome since he first said "Welcome, what is up? I'm Jim Rome." In fact I don't know what qualifies him to host that TV show. He only shows up half the time, I feel like I'm better suited to have that show. Anyway I am a little perturbed this time because he went out and said Danny Ferry is a good general manager. And if you all remember that's another job I'm currently applying for. This is the same GM who failed to surround LeBron with youth to grow with, failed to bring in good, big name free agents and has most likely failed to keep LeBron in Cleveland past six years. The only way Danny can redeem himself is if he somehow tricks LeBron with a secret clause or something and then is sacrificed but keeps James in Cleveland. I'll talk about him like a war hero after he is feed to the wolves.

Jim Rome I'm coming for you and Danny Ferry don't forget to watch your back too, I can multitask like a motherfucker.

-Jason

Craig Sager Style Watch

Craig wore this beauty again last night for the Lakers/Suns game:

All I really have to say is Craig, no, please stop.

Also a cool link for player or team hotspots.

-Jason

The Death of Pro Basketball in Cleveland

Let's just say watching that Game 6 as a Cavs fan was horrible. It was close enough that you watched the whole game, but the whole time you knew it was a murder. Now I was going to write about how LeBron did not put up a lackluster Game 5. However I didn't watch that game nor do the stats back my argument. But I know for damn sure that he would not give up like that. Just call it quits and walk away from this season because he didn't want to carry this team anymore and wait and start anew next year. Boston was just a better team. Not even better coached, better voiced in the locker room maybe.

Can we even blame LeBron? Danny Ferry did nothing for help. He kept bringing in aged veterans that no one else was pursuing and people kept telling him good job. He had no idea how to build a team. LeBron should have been surrounded with youth and developed with a group of players like Durant is currently doing. Instead he got garbage with a coach who should be no higher than defensive assistant. He's yet to learn post moves, or any real offense at all, because there never has been an offense other than stand around and watch LeBron. Then what did he do for us fans? Even as a kid fresh out of high school he came in and carried this team, willed us to a Finals appearance by himself (Boobie helped a little) gave us hope that Cleveland would hoist a Championship banner soon.

Now we expect him to stay? I know that I would leave in a heartbeat. There's no easy way to fix what has already been done. It'll take a lot of maneuvering to get a champion-caliber team back in place if he leaves or stays. We need youth and coaching and a whole new team basically. It will still be a sad day when he leaves even though I can agree with that move. We've all taken him for granted and expected the world of him. He delivered a lot of it, at least what he could. How you can will a team to the league's best record and then lose to an old Boston team is still dumbfounding. Why didn't he just take control of the team from Mike Brown? Why didn't he go off like he did against the Pistons years back? He seems a bit bored with that. He wants help from someone or somewhere. He can't be everything.


Now what do the Cavs do when we see this new number 6 barreling down at us? I was gonna say fuck it, sign and trade for all the league's best defensive stoppers and don't let LeBron score when he comes to town. But that's quite an expensive personal vendetta. They could try to scrap together a team and give money to one or two of the other big name free agents. That will just be another roster of first or second round playoff fodder though. You have to blow up the whole team and start over with a youth movement and a new head coach. Now if he's willing to stay, that's even harder to do than sitting through 5 years of 25-30 wins a year. You need a point guard, a real one. New Orleans seems to be in chaos, mortgage everything but LeBron and a pick and get Chris Paul. Then go into this especially deep free agency and throw money around on another one of these good free agents that could get max money elsewhere but comes here to form a new "Big Three." Maybe Amare', maybe a shooting guard, I like the idea of a good, young big man. Then bring in youth and role players and you can go with that team which would likely in two years get strong enough to compete for the title legitimately.

Is any of this plausible? I really don't know. I would have done things way different and LeBron would be set here right now. Saying that, a whole lot is possible in the NBA and with the salary cap lowering there is even more players that are attainable. That being said I am going to finish up my application for general manager of the Cavs and hope for the best. Also may I say that I still will be and always will be a Cavs fan regardless of what transpires in the next few months.

Link: ESPN and their super lame "LeBron Tracker" almost as bad as "The LeBocale."

-Jason

Read

I've always believed building a team around a small forward is the hardest thing to do and this may well prove me right. Also I should be writting and posting a little article on this overblown LeBron debacle going on right now.

-Jason

Problem City

I have a bit of a problem with Rondo's triple double against the Cavs last night. No it's not that me Cavs have no way of stopping him, it's that 5 of his 18 rebounds were off blocked shots. Now maybe it's just me but a blocked shot is a blocked shot, meaning the shot attempt is now canceled and it's a loose ball. So I will go ahead and suggest a new stat for the NBA; picked up loose ball. When someone causes a steal but cant come up with the ball or after someone tips out a rebound. The person who causes the loose ball gets the steal/rebound/block and the person who collects the loose ball gets what we'll call a pickup. That way we can give hustle players who are often underrated another stat to make them look good and have a way of seeing who has good basketball IQ or is just in the right place at the right time. Anyways Rondo's final stat line: 29 points 13 assists 13 rebounds and at least 5 pickups. Also why couldn't Rajon have become a Cav instead of signing that extension?

-Jason

Suggestion

I would strongly suggest everyone find a way to watch the 30 for 30: Run Ricky Run. It's a very compelling, easy watch and I hope they will do a follow up on it. Maybe it's my love for the 'fins or finally an explanation for this oddball superstar and his retirement (which I hated, but could understand) or maybe it is because he thinks about things in a different way much like myself. Anyways it is a great watch, look for it to re-run.

-Jason

Quotes

This quote is different because it's from me.

"I should like Russel Westbrook more but I don't. I hate that when I watch him play he gets a steal and runs down the floor then Durant comes in yelling for the ball like a mad man and Russ just gets a sad look and throws it off the backboard for a sick oop."

-Jason

Oh NBA Playoffs and NFL Draft

So normally around this time there would have been about three posts on Dolphins mock drafts, but there's been a lot of real work to do so I haven't had the chance. Besides the NBA playoffs have been really fun so far. I mean did you see LeBron own James Johnson with that dunk from nowhere? Crazy, crazy things are happening. Anyways back to the good old NF of L. One thing I would like to post on is Brandon Marshall becoming a Dolphin. The day before it happened Ben and I were talking about how he was still available for not too bad a price and I said I was going to call up the Tuna and have him pull the trigger on a trade. Well he did and it only cost two second rounders, then we flip Ginn for a 5th. I would have liked to keep him as a kick and punt returner only, just to anger him a bit. Anyways now the Dolphins have to come away with at least two starters on defense in this draft. Obviously Dan Williams the DT from Tennesse is the main target. Some other names I like are Jerry Hughes, Joe Haden and Brandon Spikes. I think Joe Haden is going to be a great corner and that Sean Smith is better suited at safety, but they're unlikely to make that move. I know they just gave Dansby big bucks, but Brandon Spikes is a player and a playmaker and then they could move Channing Crowder outside or trade him. There may be more to this post later.

posted by: Jason

Judging The Bulls Celtics Game

I'm watching this game for Ben, he is in Columbus and wants updates. I've hated on the Bulls most of this year, but decided this game could give me reminders from last years stellar playoff series. It's really not, at least so far. It brings up questions of what they should do this offseason after they inevitably get bounced in the first round. Questions about the coach and yeah he's gotta go. This just hasn't been a good year and he's got to be the scapegoat. Bring in a defense minded coach who will let them run a more up-tempo offense to go with it. As for personal decisions, obviously get Dwyane Wade if you can, if not no biggie you have a great core there just need a few additions. You can see how much they miss a scorer and shooter now that Ben Gordon is gone. But you can't pay him how much Detroit did, he just isn't worth that much. My top target for them is Carlos Boozer or Zach Randolf or David Lee. They need that 20 and 10 post player and both Booz and Z-Bo and Lee have decent jumpers and post play and would be a godsend for Derrick Rose and a pick and roll or pick and pop. That also always them to bring Taj who is starter quality off the bench and they have to resign Brad Miller to back up Noah too. Need to either draft or find a backup point guard and another backup wing player or forward or center. I don't know if they can draft a starter at shooting guard, so maybe free agency is the way to go for now. If they spend the big money on a power forward then go after a say JJ Reddick or Ronnie Brewer as a good quality starter. The reason I've ignored small forward is because I still like Loul Deng. He's been injured but he got this big contract because he was a damn good player and showed it again for a bit this year. You just have to hope he stays healthy.
You still have James Johnson behind him too. For the draft I'm looking at Xavier Henry or Jordan Crawford for shooting guard and maybe a Sherron Collins as a backup point guard.

posted by: Jason

Spinning Jumpers

A couple of nice spin move to jumpers, first by Carl Landry then a smoth one by LeBron.



posted by: Jason

Tourney Time

Here are three brackets I made. I don't know anything and they will all lose, I'm too high on the 'Cuse and too low on Kansas, oh well.

Bracket 1

Bracket 2

Bracket 3

As for some more meat to this post I'd like to send out a few public service announcements. First if you're taking 26 shots in a game, you better have a hot hand and you better hit at least 12 of them. I don't want to see 9 for 24 shooting performances, you need to stop if you aren't hitting. Which brings me to part number two, Devan Downey of South Carolina is a member of the shoot a lot club. I dislike him as a prospect and would like to challenge him to a game of one on one. Basically this is because I was trashing Devan while Ben was glorifying him for beating Kentucky and I said I could score on him (join the Facebook group).

The next thing I was going to say is how disgusted I am with Chicago's lineup these past few games. That shows a terrible general manager. Lots of teams, especially this year, have injuries. You have to game plan for it and make a solid, complete roster. The Bulls haven't and made a starting lineup of this: Jannero Pargo, Flip Murray, Acie Law, Taj Gibson and Brad Miller. That's just a horrible set of starters.

Also while arguing about the NIT Tourney (Ben likes watching players we are probably better than, I think a tourney for losers is stupid), I thought it would be a good idea to do that for the pros. Have the teams in the lottery play a single elimination tournament for the top overall pick. Best records get a bye week, so it prevents tanking kind of, and put the games on TV to make some extra money. The lottery is random and dumb anyways, teams tank, this is a pretty fun fix for that.

posted by: Jason

Monta Ellis Angry

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.

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

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.

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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.

***

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

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

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

Real Quick Hit To The Chinstrap

Getting right to it:

I absolutely hate Adrian Peterson after this year, never really cared before but I'm sick of him being played up as a stud. He vulture's half his touchdowns, fumbles all day and they put in Chester Taylor for critical moments.

Second I like Pierre Thomas because he gets it done as a Saints back. I do, however, hate how half his touchdowns require him leaping and landing on his head and/or back and therefore injuring him. I mean did you see the slow motion replay where Chad Greenway blasted him first right on the chinstrap then followed through to the ball jarred it loose and Pierre still held on for the conversion? That was beautiful and I hope I can find the video of it later.

EDIT: Here is what I presume and hope is a link to said video.

I always think of Marques Colston as one of the better receivers in the league but he had a sub par game and that disappoints me. And why didn't any other teams just blitz and beat the shit out of that old prick all year? That's what you got to do hit him; hard and late, take the flag. Just hurt him because he needs to go away.

posted by: Jason

Cavs - Lakes

I will actually be watching the game tonight. I have not had the chance to watch nearly as many games as I had hoped to, but tonight is a special occasion. I usually couldn't care less for superstars facing off, even though when LeBron and Kobe do it seems to be bigger than basketball itself. I am drawn tonight though, after viewing the game the two teams played on Christmas day. It was splendid and stellar, me being a Cavs fan of course, but watching the foam fingers fly towards the end of the game was almost beautiful to watch for me. Here's hoping for a similar outcome tonight (and maybe me live-blogging about the game).

So far the only things that have excited me this game are LeBron jumping into the stands, which somehow elicited a conversation about his penis size between Ben and I, comparing Kobe and LeBron's "moves" (LeBron's foot shuffle and Kobe's up and down and up and down and up and down act) and Z making a three. Why isn't he in the 3-point contest, he's 9-16 this year on them and that would get me to actually watch it. Please NBA make that happen and while you're at it do not put Eric "I have an attitude problem no one talks about" Gordon in the dunk contest and make Monta Ellis an All-Star.

A few more things, I somewhat love/hate how the Cavs get up for big games. I would be much more understanding of this trait had they fucking won a championship or something. You can't rest on your laurels if you don't have any to rest on. I hate J.J. Hickson. Yes at first I hated him but then he seemed to be coming around, but now I just hate him again. He is and always will be a nobody, trade him. Finally I think I'll become a fan of the Pacers, I need that terrible rebuilding team to root for and it could be them. It was the Warriors but they are forever terrible. The Pacers have decent pieces, terrible uniforms and no other fans. Just need a really terrible year the rest of this year or some luck in the lottery to get John Wall and I'll be in love (or when the Nets get Mr. Wall go ahead and trade for Devin Harris). And now for a little treat:

This dunk isn't spectacular because he is dunking on Goran Dragic (who gets surprisingly high up in the air, just need to put your hand on the ball or at least his arms kid). It's so great because it is a complete vertical leap. He stops sets his feet and leaps straight up in the air instead of a running jump. Plus he then throws it down with strenght and authority and doesn't hold onto the rim making this slam look even prettier.

P.S. I decided today that if I were to coach or run a college basketball team I would assemble my teams like this: 4 great shooters with lots of range, one of which who can play the 4 spot, 2 guys that can penetrate and create on their own, one legit-ish, post up big man, 2 more big men with a little range all of which need to be able to rebound and defend my paint, and the rest would be guys to replace said players and maybe if I'm at a good school and could get great recruits then I'd have a 4 or 5 star guy somewhere in there no matter his playing abilities or style. They all have to defend and rebound and pass well, and make them run and if they don't score in transition go for give and goes, screens and ball movement (all simple things) in my half court offense, occasionally going to the big men and my slashers to keep the defense honest. My reasoning for all the shooters and only one big man? No big men do anything in college. The zones are so good that you really need shooters so the more the merrier and any big man can be defended because of the more psychically defense in college.

EDIT: I don't know why the video is posted twice and it wont get fixed, sorry.

posted by: Jason

Exciting News!

First off it's Benny Boy's first co-post on the blog, yay! Second, we have the equipment to record podcasts finally! We may finally be in big business here at 4th and 20.

Ohk so let's get down to it. Everyone has their own personal favorite players that aren't actually famous and may not even play. Besides Juan Dixon and Dallas Baker my next favorite has to be Ricky Davis. You may remember his quote about LeBron James, well he seems to have more insight that I would love to hear about. Instead of butchering a story I will post this link to a great story from ESPN's Daily Dime. That my friends, is Ricky giving great advice about being a selfish asshole and having it work.

So the following is a slightly edited conversation between Ben and I about a potential trade between the Rockets and the 76ers:

Jason: So the Rockets might trade T-Mac to the Sixers for Iggy and Speights. That's so one-sided
Ben: Ya, salary dump?
J: But they're giving up a young player it doesn't make sense, so it probably won't happen. On the plus side if it does, the Rockets are my sleeper team in the west.
B: Would Iggy play small forward?
J: Two guard and Ariza goes back to SF I assume.
B: Ah that answers my next question. Ew at T-Mac and A.I. together in Philly.
J: I know right? What's the good for the Sixers? They get an older, more offensive Iggy who's coming off knee surgery and doesn't play D plus they lose a young gun.
B: Right. Just ew at Philly, poor Eddie Jordan.
J: Yeah well I don't know. It can't happen right? This is the NBA, the NBA makes sense, this trade doesn't.
B: I'm not sure. Just because the NBA makes sense doesn't mean teams don't do stupid things i.e Memphis and Pau Gasol.
J: They did get Marc Gasol and cut salary and some decent picks though.
B: Yeah, I don't know. Too bad I hate the Sixers cause those jerseys are legit.

That is just a preview of the many great podacsts that are soon to come.

Also just need to say that Bernard Pollard; part of the reason Wes Welker torn his knee up (I still love my Wesley) and the reason Tom Brady's knee died. Why, Miami would you not sign this guy with your safetys being the most piss poor group except for the Bears? And while I'm at it let's move Sean Smith to safety and draft Joe Haden or Brandon Spikes or someone good.

posted by: Jason and Ben