[About this Section] An occasional look at some people hat realy just like alike one aother. Enjoy!
Above its the Hawks' Josh Smith. Below, rapper 'The Game'
Saturday, February 23, 2008
Saturday, February 16, 2008
Bibby to the ATL?
Seems like the Hawks have FINALLY gotten a starting pg. After passing on CP3 and D-Will, the Hawks now have a star pg in Bibby and did not really give up much accoring to the early reports. According to the reports, Bibby will be traded for the expiring contracts of Ty Lue, Lorezan Wright, Sheldon Williams, and Anthony Johnson.
This is a steal for the Hawks. Most expected them to atleast have to give up Josh Childress, a possibly decent future star in the NBA. But alas, they did not give up their core, and add a piece that may actually help them be competetive in the silly East. As long as they can get atleast a 6th seed, it isnt inconcievable that they may actually win a series. The Hawks have a shot. [Think about that. Also note that a 50 win team may miss the playoffs in the west.]
Finally, I dont know anyone else that may be more disappointed than LBJ. He's now feeling what Kobe was feeling the last couple of years. If all it took was some expiring contracts, im not sure why the Danny Ferry did not attempt to work something out. But for now, a pleasents tory for the maligned ATL sports scene.
This is a steal for the Hawks. Most expected them to atleast have to give up Josh Childress, a possibly decent future star in the NBA. But alas, they did not give up their core, and add a piece that may actually help them be competetive in the silly East. As long as they can get atleast a 6th seed, it isnt inconcievable that they may actually win a series. The Hawks have a shot. [Think about that. Also note that a 50 win team may miss the playoffs in the west.]
Finally, I dont know anyone else that may be more disappointed than LBJ. He's now feeling what Kobe was feeling the last couple of years. If all it took was some expiring contracts, im not sure why the Danny Ferry did not attempt to work something out. But for now, a pleasents tory for the maligned ATL sports scene.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
Another trial they must endure.
While im freezing in the cold, sitting outside my classroom, waiting for it to begin, I might as well write a bit, to excersize my subpar skills. [I actually envy that guy in the picture, as atleast he has a fire, where I have a laptop for heat]
Now on to the news. The shocking and deflating news for Lakers fans has just been confirmed. Now I doubt Kobe would actually miss 6 weeks but then is another trial for the Lakers team that has been very much tested, whether it be through a trade demand or through Kwame Brown with 7 turnovers in a minute. Just when it seemed bright, this happens. Now, I am no expert, but I have no doubt that Kobe Bryant would return in fewer than six weeks if he actually elected to get surgery. But, with Ariza and Bynum still out, the Lakers may suffer in the ever so tight West. But alas, time will tell. As a laker fan, I hold the rosiest outlook. My scenerio: Kobe plays through this, improves on his fg% by taking better shots and leads the Lakers to the promised land. As fierce a competitor as Kobe is, I would not put it past him to make himself better even through pain.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
jk Jason Kidd?
Marc Stein, [no its not Ric Bucher so we cant ignore it], first reported that Jason Kidd had finally got his wish to play for the Mavs. Next, came the frenzy of both positive and negative views. It looked like this would actually happen, a third mega deal in less than two weeks. But Davean George happened. Yes, I said Devean George. O, and he followed it up with a 0-11 effort against the Trail Blazers.
Why and how would George do such a thing? George possessed the ability to veto trades from a RARE provision for people that have signed a second contract, a 1 year contact in George's case, with the same team to have such a right. Now, why would George do this? He is 30. He is probably going to get one more decent contract so he wants to make the most of it. Thus, he believes that playing in Dallas, especially due to the injury to Josh Howard, will get him more exposure and thus more money. Furthermore, George would lose his bird rights if he were traded. Thus, only a team under the cap or a rare team that will risk the luxury tax to use the mid level exception would be able to sign him. However, in Dallas, since Dallas can go over the cap to sign him, it would be easier to facilitate a sign and trade. However, this may come back to bite him is say, Avery Johnson decided toplay hardball and not play him.
Can the deal proceed without George? Yes. Is it probable without him? Probably no. Cuban, for all his spending, is reluctant to pony up the some 20 mil it would cost him to sign Kieth Van Horn to trade him and the Nets are not really enamored with the prospect of getting the extra year on Trenton Hassell and Dallas would be more reluctant to trade him than George. Nets would have decent cap room, probably around the 12-15 mil range if they let Harris walk after next season or perhaps even that much or more this summer if they can more Vince Carter and get some expiring contracts. For New Jersey this is a solid deal, with them getting a 10 year younger, 2 PER better, almost .100 better shooting PG, who has a much better defensive efficiency according to Hollinger. For Dallas, they get the leadership and now have a core that may be able to content with the powered West and may be able to seize the small window they have.
Why and how would George do such a thing? George possessed the ability to veto trades from a RARE provision for people that have signed a second contract, a 1 year contact in George's case, with the same team to have such a right. Now, why would George do this? He is 30. He is probably going to get one more decent contract so he wants to make the most of it. Thus, he believes that playing in Dallas, especially due to the injury to Josh Howard, will get him more exposure and thus more money. Furthermore, George would lose his bird rights if he were traded. Thus, only a team under the cap or a rare team that will risk the luxury tax to use the mid level exception would be able to sign him. However, in Dallas, since Dallas can go over the cap to sign him, it would be easier to facilitate a sign and trade. However, this may come back to bite him is say, Avery Johnson decided toplay hardball and not play him.
Can the deal proceed without George? Yes. Is it probable without him? Probably no. Cuban, for all his spending, is reluctant to pony up the some 20 mil it would cost him to sign Kieth Van Horn to trade him and the Nets are not really enamored with the prospect of getting the extra year on Trenton Hassell and Dallas would be more reluctant to trade him than George. Nets would have decent cap room, probably around the 12-15 mil range if they let Harris walk after next season or perhaps even that much or more this summer if they can more Vince Carter and get some expiring contracts. For New Jersey this is a solid deal, with them getting a 10 year younger, 2 PER better, almost .100 better shooting PG, who has a much better defensive efficiency according to Hollinger. For Dallas, they get the leadership and now have a core that may be able to content with the powered West and may be able to seize the small window they have.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
POW and The Superman
If anything can bring me back, its some ridiculous deals in the NBA. Luckily for me, we have two. Before I ramble on, I think its worth noting how rare this is. When was the last time two legitimately franchise changing players were traded within a week of one another? Same thing can be said about the ridiculous Western Conference this year that has precipitated these moves. The tenth best team in the West has a notably better record and is notably better than the fourth best team in the East. TENTH. Its going to be remarkable and sad to see two more than capable teams missing out, but I digress.
The Pau Gasol trade is what i would call a double addition trade. The first addition comes from the fact that Pau is a world class player, the leader of one of the best national teams, as well being a solid 18 and 8 player. He was the franchise player in Memphis and landed in Los Angeles which possesses the Mamba as the franchise player. Furthermore, when healthy, Andrew Bynum also has the potential to be a #2 option, thus taking even more pressure away from Pau. Then, we must note that the lakers are getting a boost by the simple subtraction of Kwame Brown. The much maligned Brown could be counted on dropping a few passes and missing a few layups per game. No wonder the Lakers looked much better in the game w/o him and before Pau arrived.
Since Pau has arrived, many things could be noted about the Lakers game. (Hey, Im writing this in an insanely boring class so lay off my diction) First, Pau can draw fouls. I don't think many anticipated this but this aspect of his game, the quick first step he has, and his ability to utilize a variety of shots and moves creates trouble for the opposition. Next, Pau's length allows him to finish, in a way Kwame Brown probably could not even fathom. However, Pau's interior D is questionable, although the return of Trevor Ariza (seemingly forgotten to most of the major bloggers) and 'Drew (as Kobe calls him) should help.
The other major trade, the BIG fella going to the run run run run run Suns is much more interesting. Does Shaq have enough left? Who knows. However, what is known is that Shaq's defense had been declining rapidly and it seems unreasonable to look at him as a defensive and rebounding specialist as the Suns want him to be. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets in foul trouble quickly. shaq's fouls per minute has reached the highest point of his career. (It is worth noting that Mark Blount is playing better than Shaq was at the center position. On the bright side, Pheonix does get a piece to contend with in playoff time once the run run run style fails. Only time will tell what this means for the Suns, but the simple thought that they did this to react to something done by the lakers makes me, as a laker fan, happy.
The Pau Gasol trade is what i would call a double addition trade. The first addition comes from the fact that Pau is a world class player, the leader of one of the best national teams, as well being a solid 18 and 8 player. He was the franchise player in Memphis and landed in Los Angeles which possesses the Mamba as the franchise player. Furthermore, when healthy, Andrew Bynum also has the potential to be a #2 option, thus taking even more pressure away from Pau. Then, we must note that the lakers are getting a boost by the simple subtraction of Kwame Brown. The much maligned Brown could be counted on dropping a few passes and missing a few layups per game. No wonder the Lakers looked much better in the game w/o him and before Pau arrived.
Since Pau has arrived, many things could be noted about the Lakers game. (Hey, Im writing this in an insanely boring class so lay off my diction) First, Pau can draw fouls. I don't think many anticipated this but this aspect of his game, the quick first step he has, and his ability to utilize a variety of shots and moves creates trouble for the opposition. Next, Pau's length allows him to finish, in a way Kwame Brown probably could not even fathom. However, Pau's interior D is questionable, although the return of Trevor Ariza (seemingly forgotten to most of the major bloggers) and 'Drew (as Kobe calls him) should help.
The other major trade, the BIG fella going to the run run run run run Suns is much more interesting. Does Shaq have enough left? Who knows. However, what is known is that Shaq's defense had been declining rapidly and it seems unreasonable to look at him as a defensive and rebounding specialist as the Suns want him to be. I wouldn't be surprised if he gets in foul trouble quickly. shaq's fouls per minute has reached the highest point of his career. (It is worth noting that Mark Blount is playing better than Shaq was at the center position. On the bright side, Pheonix does get a piece to contend with in playoff time once the run run run style fails. Only time will tell what this means for the Suns, but the simple thought that they did this to react to something done by the lakers makes me, as a laker fan, happy.
Back from hibernation
Just a quick post for my (2?) readers that I shall be back blogging soon and very soon. Sorry if you came here only to find nothing but stupid predictions and a very good one in telling the Pats not to make Super Bowl plans. (Seriously, whoever tries to trademark things directly related to a win, like say 19-0, is just asking for bad Karma) Anyway, hope my (2?) readers enjoy the future activity.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)