Follow up question:
No apology necessary and I would love to have a Mojito with you at the DM offices.
I feel a little warmer about said trade after your breakdown. Now, I have a related follow-up question.
Even considering that the Cavs’ backcourt is somewhat crowded and has some good balers the frontcourt has some very capable balers but the circumstance is somewhat weaker (either youth, age/health, depth), do you think the more pressing need for them is actually at the 2 or is it the 4 or at least somewhere in the frontcourt for some low block scoring/depth/defense?
I love AV and there are things BW (D, intimidation, rebounding) and Z (shot, O/D rebounding) can bring to the table but that also come with serious limitations but non have any low block scoring. Expecting that from the rookie Hickson is not wise. There isn’t much depth if one or any go down. It seems as if all the Cavs’ frontcourt guys are situational or role players. There isn’t one that is a complete, all-around, strong D/O, size, athleticism, health, scoring, etc. in the bunch.
Of course, the 2 position is exactly the same: role players, each guy has strengths and weaknesses and not one all-around good baler. But, the rest of the backcourt is very good.
What about AK 47 at the 4? He brings some scoring, athleticism, D. Or some others at the 4 or 5 I have heard thrown about: Okafor.
LeDirk
Dos Minutos responds:
My initial inclination is that Kirilenko is not a great fit for the Cavs because he struggles on the offensive end of the court - he isn't a good jump shooter, or creative with his dribble, and he has no post up game. He is actually the opposite of Carter - he is more adept at running cuts and receiving the ball on the move to finish inside.
On the other hand, the Cavs frontcourt is thin, and Kirilenko is an excellent and versatile defender. He certainly is a far better player than Ben Wallace at this point. If I couldn't have Carter and Kirilenko, I think I would go for Carter by a hair.
Okafor is a no brainer - he would give them a little low post offense, he is an excellent rebounder, and a goaltender at the rim. He may underperform his contract a little, but I don't think the Cavs have the juice to get him.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
"Ask Dos Minutos"
Today's question comes from "D in Cincinnati:"
You never responded to my inquiry regarding a Cavs dead line trade for VC. I don’t like him much but could see him helping a little but not a “guarantee” that would put the Cavs over the top or make them that much better. How do you see it and why?
D
You never responded to my inquiry regarding a Cavs dead line trade for VC. I don’t like him much but could see him helping a little but not a “guarantee” that would put the Cavs over the top or make them that much better. How do you see it and why?
D
Dos Minutos Responds:
First of all, I would like to apologize profusely for not answering your question in more timely fashion - I do not remember receiving it.
I do think Vince Carter would be a tremendous fit for the Cavs. He is an excellent shooter who would be even more effective when he did not have to create his own shot. He is a veteran who is not scared in big moments, though his rate of success is not necessarily that high - but with LeBron those situations would be few and far between for VC. Also, the Cavs run a very stationary, motionless offense with LeBron doing a lot of dribbling and driving from the top while the wings space the court - this fits well with VC, who is not particularly effective at running cuts, since he jogs them at half-speed.
He is also bigger than Delonte West or Daniel Gibson, which would give them a more favorable matchup against bigger two guards defensively, though defense is not necessarily his strong suit either.
Although Carter seems happiest when expectations are low, the optimist in me wants to believe that he has an untapped reserve of competitive fire welled deep within him somewhere, and that a run with LeBron could bring that out.
I think the Nets would be happy to exchange Vince for cap space and a #1 somewhere around the trading deadline, after he has helped them to maintain some competitive standing for a good portion of this year. I give this the thumbs up. I think the Cavaliers can win the championship as presently constituted - how good was Varejo in the 4th quarter against Boston opening night? - but I do expect them to make a deal, and this one would be great, and I'd be willing to swallow the extra years of Vince's contract to make the run right now.
Thanks for your question, D., and we hope to see you at the Dos Minutos offices sometime in the near future, when you will be welcomed with a warm handshake and a mojito.
Knicks 120 Heat 115
6 Thoughts
1) The biggest problem the team has - and it is a huge problem - is defensively. They can't stop anyone at the rim. Haslem, Beasley, and Marion were all bullied inside by David Lee, Wilson Chandler, and Zach Randolph, who are not a collective Murderer's Row of inside players. This puts added pressure on the perimeter guys not to get beat - and they aren't particularly strong at that either.
2) The rookies: Beasley was tentative about shooting the ball and looked very nervous, finishing with just 9 points. Tough to remember he is only 19 - he will be fine. Chalmers, on the other hand, saw the ball go in early and became energized, finishing with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists. Most importantly, just 1 turnover. He looked like an above-average NBA point guard athletically. Excellent beginning for him.
3) You have to admire Mike D'Antoni's commitment to pushing the ball up the court and shooting open shots. It places constant pressure on the defense. Particularly impressive was the last play of the first half when on a missed Mario Chalmers free throw, a Knick flew up each wing on a fly pattern - one got the pass and drew a foul from Chalmers, the shooter, who was forced to try to get back after shooting a free throw. Clearly a designed play demonstrating the Knicks commitment to run at all costs.
4) Dwyane looked healthy and lively, but frustrated. He continued a trend he developed last year of dribbling out of good midrange jumpers in to traffic. Needs to establish that mid-range jumper as a weapon again.
5) The Heat was 3-19 from 3 before Daequan Cook made 3 in the waning moments. It is probably the worst roster of three point shooters in the league.
6) Mark Blount had one rebound in 9 minutes - to be fair, it was in traffic. He almost had another one, but Shawn Marion tipped it away from him.
Next game: Friday vs. Sacramento
1) The biggest problem the team has - and it is a huge problem - is defensively. They can't stop anyone at the rim. Haslem, Beasley, and Marion were all bullied inside by David Lee, Wilson Chandler, and Zach Randolph, who are not a collective Murderer's Row of inside players. This puts added pressure on the perimeter guys not to get beat - and they aren't particularly strong at that either.
2) The rookies: Beasley was tentative about shooting the ball and looked very nervous, finishing with just 9 points. Tough to remember he is only 19 - he will be fine. Chalmers, on the other hand, saw the ball go in early and became energized, finishing with 17 points, 7 rebounds, 8 assists. Most importantly, just 1 turnover. He looked like an above-average NBA point guard athletically. Excellent beginning for him.
3) You have to admire Mike D'Antoni's commitment to pushing the ball up the court and shooting open shots. It places constant pressure on the defense. Particularly impressive was the last play of the first half when on a missed Mario Chalmers free throw, a Knick flew up each wing on a fly pattern - one got the pass and drew a foul from Chalmers, the shooter, who was forced to try to get back after shooting a free throw. Clearly a designed play demonstrating the Knicks commitment to run at all costs.
4) Dwyane looked healthy and lively, but frustrated. He continued a trend he developed last year of dribbling out of good midrange jumpers in to traffic. Needs to establish that mid-range jumper as a weapon again.
5) The Heat was 3-19 from 3 before Daequan Cook made 3 in the waning moments. It is probably the worst roster of three point shooters in the league.
6) Mark Blount had one rebound in 9 minutes - to be fair, it was in traffic. He almost had another one, but Shawn Marion tipped it away from him.
Next game: Friday vs. Sacramento
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Roster Questions on the Eve of a New Season
Joel Anthony
What we know: he is a scrappy, undersized shot blocker
Question: will he ever develop enough offense to get him on the court?
Marcus Banks
What we know: he can create his own shot and score, and is a pest defensively
Question: can he be consistent enough to warrant significant minutes?
Michael Beasley
What we know: can score from the high post, wing, and at the rim, with either hand - he is a 20 point game waiting to happen
Question: can he contribute defensively and stay on the court by avoiding the foul trouble that plagues so many rookies?
Mark Blount
What we know: started two exhibition games in which he combined for one rebound, and went rebound-less in a third off the bench
Question: is he conscious?
Mario Chalmers
What we know: he is quick and can get to the rim, and is a gambler defensively
Question: can he limit his turnovers enough to be a long-term asset?
Daequan Cook
What we know: he has a beautiful looking stroke
Question: can he figure out how to get quality shots so that the beautiful stroke translates in to baskets?
Yakhouba Diawara
What we know: he can't shoot
Question: can he be a lockdown defender of use in spot minutes?
Udonis Haslem
What we know: will start at center and though he is severely undersized he will battle opposing big guys with everything that he has
Question: how much of a toll will the beating he inevitably is going to take affect him over the course of the season?
James Jones
What we know: out until at least midseason
Question: what kind of dresser will he be on the bench? Suits? Sweater and slacks?
Shaun Livingston
What we know: he sees the court well, understands how to play the point guard position
Question: will he regain enough athleticism to compete in the NBA?
Jamal Magloire
What we know: before he broke his hand, he still stunk
Question: how quickly will the hand heal and allow him to come back and stink some more? Will he stink at the exact same level, or will the broken hand make him even stinkier?
Shawn Marion
What we know: he has looked awkward offensively, but he is the Heat's best defender and rebounder
Question: will his trade value be worth more than the cap room Miami will gain by holding him and letting his contract expire at the end of the season? he will be the subject of constant rumors until the trade deadline passes
Chris Quinn
What we know: he can make open shots, but is not athletic enough to compete in the NBA on a regular basis
Question: how much will he play? If the answer is anything more than spot minutes, that is a very bad sign for Miami
Dwyane Wade
What we know: he was fantastic in the Olympics, fantastic in the preseason, and has regained the athleticism that he was forced to play without last year
Question: can he play 75 + games? for Miami to be at all competitive, he will have to
Dorell Wright
What we know: he is a little stiff coming back from knee surgery, and has never had a sustained stretch of success in the league - still, he is the one player on the roster who could conceivably significantly outperform expectations
Question: can he reinvent himself as a high energy/defensive stopper/ball acquisition guy? in previous seasons he has tried to play like a wing scorer - but he needs to be active in the painted area at both ends of the floor to be of value
Erik Spoelstra
What we know: the players seem to like him
Question: can he fashion a legitimate identity and rotation for the team that allows them to be competitive most nights?
Season Predictions: 31-51, 11th in the East; Marion traded at deadline for two competent contributors and a #1 draft pick ; Wade plays 68 games; Beasley averages 16 and 7; Dorell Wright and Livingston are non-factors; Chalmers shows enough to possibly be the long-term answer at point guard
What we know: he is a scrappy, undersized shot blocker
Question: will he ever develop enough offense to get him on the court?
Marcus Banks
What we know: he can create his own shot and score, and is a pest defensively
Question: can he be consistent enough to warrant significant minutes?
Michael Beasley
What we know: can score from the high post, wing, and at the rim, with either hand - he is a 20 point game waiting to happen
Question: can he contribute defensively and stay on the court by avoiding the foul trouble that plagues so many rookies?
Mark Blount
What we know: started two exhibition games in which he combined for one rebound, and went rebound-less in a third off the bench
Question: is he conscious?
Mario Chalmers
What we know: he is quick and can get to the rim, and is a gambler defensively
Question: can he limit his turnovers enough to be a long-term asset?
Daequan Cook
What we know: he has a beautiful looking stroke
Question: can he figure out how to get quality shots so that the beautiful stroke translates in to baskets?
Yakhouba Diawara
What we know: he can't shoot
Question: can he be a lockdown defender of use in spot minutes?
Udonis Haslem
What we know: will start at center and though he is severely undersized he will battle opposing big guys with everything that he has
Question: how much of a toll will the beating he inevitably is going to take affect him over the course of the season?
James Jones
What we know: out until at least midseason
Question: what kind of dresser will he be on the bench? Suits? Sweater and slacks?
Shaun Livingston
What we know: he sees the court well, understands how to play the point guard position
Question: will he regain enough athleticism to compete in the NBA?
Jamal Magloire
What we know: before he broke his hand, he still stunk
Question: how quickly will the hand heal and allow him to come back and stink some more? Will he stink at the exact same level, or will the broken hand make him even stinkier?
Shawn Marion
What we know: he has looked awkward offensively, but he is the Heat's best defender and rebounder
Question: will his trade value be worth more than the cap room Miami will gain by holding him and letting his contract expire at the end of the season? he will be the subject of constant rumors until the trade deadline passes
Chris Quinn
What we know: he can make open shots, but is not athletic enough to compete in the NBA on a regular basis
Question: how much will he play? If the answer is anything more than spot minutes, that is a very bad sign for Miami
Dwyane Wade
What we know: he was fantastic in the Olympics, fantastic in the preseason, and has regained the athleticism that he was forced to play without last year
Question: can he play 75 + games? for Miami to be at all competitive, he will have to
Dorell Wright
What we know: he is a little stiff coming back from knee surgery, and has never had a sustained stretch of success in the league - still, he is the one player on the roster who could conceivably significantly outperform expectations
Question: can he reinvent himself as a high energy/defensive stopper/ball acquisition guy? in previous seasons he has tried to play like a wing scorer - but he needs to be active in the painted area at both ends of the floor to be of value
Erik Spoelstra
What we know: the players seem to like him
Question: can he fashion a legitimate identity and rotation for the team that allows them to be competitive most nights?
Season Predictions: 31-51, 11th in the East; Marion traded at deadline for two competent contributors and a #1 draft pick ; Wade plays 68 games; Beasley averages 16 and 7; Dorell Wright and Livingston are non-factors; Chalmers shows enough to possibly be the long-term answer at point guard
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Shaq
I will always love Shaq but, honestly, isn't there anyone who can get him to be quiet? Who do you think will get tired of his yapping first: the fans, the other players, Arizona sportwriters, or Suns management? I am voting for `all four at the same time,' and I put the over/under for that date at December 15th.
By the way did sportswriter Paul Coro anticipate a lot of people reading his article would be unfamiliar with the term "shogun?" - see his "note" below.
Shaq says he's 'shogun' of centers
Suns star, 36, believes he still is best big man
116 commentsby Paul Coro - Oct. 27, 2008 09:21 PMThe Arizona Republic
Note: "Shogun" is the Japanese word for commander.
The Big Cactus was planted in the Sonoran Desert to make the Suns the best.
Shaquille O'Neal can talk the topic of supremacy, having climbed the NBA mountaintop four times and believing that he still sits above all centers.
"Because I've done the most," O'Neal said. "I'm not worried about guys winning dunk contests and doing stuff like that. You still have to outdo the shogun to become the shogun. When I leave, it'll be because my time is up, not because someone is outplaying me or someone has done more than me. The only one who has even done close, and I don't really consider him a center, is Mr. (Tim) Duncan. Any other center, the things that they have done, I invented."
In his 17th season, O'Neal has the perspective of having logged more games (1,042) than any active NBA player for the first time in his career.
"I just try to pace myself every 20 games," O'Neal, 36, said. "When I was younger, I had a different mentality, so I really haven't mastered the mentality of being an old guy yet."
Suns coach Terry Porter has talked about picking spots in certain back-to-back situations to hold out O'Neal, particularly against a team without a conventional big man.
"Of all the big guys in this league, he's probably got the most wear and tear just because he's been pounded on for so long," Porter said.
Missing one-third of the games in the past three seasons will attest to that. O'Neal calls his recent years' problems "knickknack" injuries that he can avoid under Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson's unique approach.
The Suns are going to lean on O'Neal's 325-pound frame.
Porter believes in a low-post presence to force defenses to commit to doubling or playing one-on-one coverage.
"Like I always tell the guys, I'm lifetime 55-60 percent down there," O'Neal said. "I ain't going to be shooting jumpers. I ain't going to be facing up. So if I get a guy on my back, I'm going to take the high-percentage shot. If I get doubled, I'm going to get everybody else involved. That's how you win. You've got to go through the big man."
O'Neal said he told Suns General Manager Steve Kerr he would oblige with nights off if requested but he wouldn't be the one asking for any. After finishing tied with Amaré Stoudemire last season for the second most fouls per game in the NBA, O'Neal is more concerned with staying in games. He said this new Suns defensive scheme exposes him to fouls more often.
Many cite a decrease in O'Neal's jumping ability. This is no revelation for him.
"I've just got to try to be smarter," he said.
"I really didn't start winning until I started losing my lift. When I was doing all the spectacular (stuff), I was going home early, too. The day I got 30 and 31, started losing my lift and started getting smarter, that's when I started winning. Jumping high and being exciting is not going to get you a win. It may get you some press, but it's not going to get you where the shogun is at."
By the way did sportswriter Paul Coro anticipate a lot of people reading his article would be unfamiliar with the term "shogun?" - see his "note" below.
Shaq says he's 'shogun' of centers
Suns star, 36, believes he still is best big man
116 commentsby Paul Coro - Oct. 27, 2008 09:21 PMThe Arizona Republic
Note: "Shogun" is the Japanese word for commander.
The Big Cactus was planted in the Sonoran Desert to make the Suns the best.
Shaquille O'Neal can talk the topic of supremacy, having climbed the NBA mountaintop four times and believing that he still sits above all centers.
"Because I've done the most," O'Neal said. "I'm not worried about guys winning dunk contests and doing stuff like that. You still have to outdo the shogun to become the shogun. When I leave, it'll be because my time is up, not because someone is outplaying me or someone has done more than me. The only one who has even done close, and I don't really consider him a center, is Mr. (Tim) Duncan. Any other center, the things that they have done, I invented."
In his 17th season, O'Neal has the perspective of having logged more games (1,042) than any active NBA player for the first time in his career.
"I just try to pace myself every 20 games," O'Neal, 36, said. "When I was younger, I had a different mentality, so I really haven't mastered the mentality of being an old guy yet."
Suns coach Terry Porter has talked about picking spots in certain back-to-back situations to hold out O'Neal, particularly against a team without a conventional big man.
"Of all the big guys in this league, he's probably got the most wear and tear just because he's been pounded on for so long," Porter said.
Missing one-third of the games in the past three seasons will attest to that. O'Neal calls his recent years' problems "knickknack" injuries that he can avoid under Suns head athletic trainer Aaron Nelson's unique approach.
The Suns are going to lean on O'Neal's 325-pound frame.
Porter believes in a low-post presence to force defenses to commit to doubling or playing one-on-one coverage.
"Like I always tell the guys, I'm lifetime 55-60 percent down there," O'Neal said. "I ain't going to be shooting jumpers. I ain't going to be facing up. So if I get a guy on my back, I'm going to take the high-percentage shot. If I get doubled, I'm going to get everybody else involved. That's how you win. You've got to go through the big man."
O'Neal said he told Suns General Manager Steve Kerr he would oblige with nights off if requested but he wouldn't be the one asking for any. After finishing tied with Amaré Stoudemire last season for the second most fouls per game in the NBA, O'Neal is more concerned with staying in games. He said this new Suns defensive scheme exposes him to fouls more often.
Many cite a decrease in O'Neal's jumping ability. This is no revelation for him.
"I've just got to try to be smarter," he said.
"I really didn't start winning until I started losing my lift. When I was doing all the spectacular (stuff), I was going home early, too. The day I got 30 and 31, started losing my lift and started getting smarter, that's when I started winning. Jumping high and being exciting is not going to get you a win. It may get you some press, but it's not going to get you where the shogun is at."
Monday, October 27, 2008
2008-9 NBA Predictions
If you take out last season, I have correctly predicted the finalists and eventual champion in each season since 2006-7. And, I still contend that Phoenix could have won last year had they not made the Marion-Shaq trade.
Eastern Conference
Non-playoff teams (from best to worst):
Washington Wizards - Gilbert's career in jeopardy.
Charlotte Bobcats - Larry Brown makes Emeka Okafor the centerpiece of a tough defensive, but low scoring team
Miami Heat - Better off letting Marion's contract expire than trading for more bad money at the deadline for a futile playoff run
New Jersey Nets - Vince Carter doesn't make it to the end of season, goes to Cleveland or Los Angeles for expiring dollars
Indiana Pacers - Tough time stopping people
Milwaukee Bucks - Will Richard Jefferson hate Michael Redd as much as he did VC?
New York Knicks - Will try to get Zach Randolph off early in the season, move him to a sucker
Playoff teams (best regular season record to worst):
Detroit Pistons - Model of consistency
Orlando Magic- Coach Schlumpy gets his team to 58 wins
Cleveland Cavaliers - Tread water first half, add Vince Carter at trading deadline for expiring money and first rounders; outside possibility at trade deadline: Shaq - I strongly advise against this
Boston Celtics - Health will be an issue
Philadelphia 76ers - Start slowly as Brand re-acclimates to NBA, come on in second half
Toronto Raptors - I love Kapono
Chicago Bulls - I picked them to go to the Finals last year; that didn't work out - I would have picked them higher but Larry Hughes' injury turned out to be not as bad as originally thought
Atlanta Hawks - Josh Smith got a big new contract, but Joe Johnson is their best player
First Round
Detroit over Atlanta
Orlando over Chicago
Cleveland over Toronto
Philly over Boston
Second Round
Detroit over Philly
Cleveland over Orlando
Eastern Final
Cleveland over Detroit
Western Conference
Non-playoff teams (from best to worst):
Denver Nuggets
LA Clippers
Minnesota Timberwolves
Golden State Warriors
Sacramento Kings
Oklahoma Thunder
Memphis Grizzlies
Playoff teams (best regular season record to worst):
LA Lakers - Answers all over the court and on bench, plus Lamar Odom's expiring contract to move
Utah Jazz - Most physical team in basketball, again, as always
Houston Rockets - Artest stays, relatively, mellow
New Orleans Hornets - Get the feeling they are one more big-time player away
Phoenix Suns - On the power of Nash and Stoudamire, only - Shaq plays less than 50 games with minimal effectiveness
Dallas Mavericks - They rue the day they made the Jason Kidd trade already; Devin Harris is imperfect, but they should have gotten more
San Antonio Spurs - Health issues all season
Portland Trailblazers - Brandon Roy and I have interpersonal issues
First Round
Lakers over Portland
Utah over Spurs
Houston over Dallas
Phoenix over New Orleans
Second Round
Lakers over Phoenix
Houston over Utah
Western Final
Lakers over Houston
NBA Finals
Cleveland over Lakers
Season and Finals MVP: Lebron James
Rookie of Year: Derrick Rose
Most improved player: Rodney Stuckey
Player most likely to be arrested on a game night: Jamal Tinsley
Player most likely to be compared to a Hispanic Wilt Chamberlain: Brook Lopez
Dark horse to get moved to a contender at the trade deadline and make a huge difference: Richard Jefferson to Lakers for Lamar Odom's expiring contract
Most passes that go untouched by any player on the court before hitting a spectator: Marcus Banks
Player most likely to underperform expectations this season: Andrew Bynum
Runner up: Rajon Rondo
Player most likely to overperform expectations this season: Stephon Marbury
Runner up: Emeka Okafor
Eastern Conference
Non-playoff teams (from best to worst):
Washington Wizards - Gilbert's career in jeopardy.
Charlotte Bobcats - Larry Brown makes Emeka Okafor the centerpiece of a tough defensive, but low scoring team
Miami Heat - Better off letting Marion's contract expire than trading for more bad money at the deadline for a futile playoff run
New Jersey Nets - Vince Carter doesn't make it to the end of season, goes to Cleveland or Los Angeles for expiring dollars
Indiana Pacers - Tough time stopping people
Milwaukee Bucks - Will Richard Jefferson hate Michael Redd as much as he did VC?
New York Knicks - Will try to get Zach Randolph off early in the season, move him to a sucker
Playoff teams (best regular season record to worst):
Detroit Pistons - Model of consistency
Orlando Magic- Coach Schlumpy gets his team to 58 wins
Cleveland Cavaliers - Tread water first half, add Vince Carter at trading deadline for expiring money and first rounders; outside possibility at trade deadline: Shaq - I strongly advise against this
Boston Celtics - Health will be an issue
Philadelphia 76ers - Start slowly as Brand re-acclimates to NBA, come on in second half
Toronto Raptors - I love Kapono
Chicago Bulls - I picked them to go to the Finals last year; that didn't work out - I would have picked them higher but Larry Hughes' injury turned out to be not as bad as originally thought
Atlanta Hawks - Josh Smith got a big new contract, but Joe Johnson is their best player
First Round
Detroit over Atlanta
Orlando over Chicago
Cleveland over Toronto
Philly over Boston
Second Round
Detroit over Philly
Cleveland over Orlando
Eastern Final
Cleveland over Detroit
Western Conference
Non-playoff teams (from best to worst):
Denver Nuggets
LA Clippers
Minnesota Timberwolves
Golden State Warriors
Sacramento Kings
Oklahoma Thunder
Memphis Grizzlies
Playoff teams (best regular season record to worst):
LA Lakers - Answers all over the court and on bench, plus Lamar Odom's expiring contract to move
Utah Jazz - Most physical team in basketball, again, as always
Houston Rockets - Artest stays, relatively, mellow
New Orleans Hornets - Get the feeling they are one more big-time player away
Phoenix Suns - On the power of Nash and Stoudamire, only - Shaq plays less than 50 games with minimal effectiveness
Dallas Mavericks - They rue the day they made the Jason Kidd trade already; Devin Harris is imperfect, but they should have gotten more
San Antonio Spurs - Health issues all season
Portland Trailblazers - Brandon Roy and I have interpersonal issues
First Round
Lakers over Portland
Utah over Spurs
Houston over Dallas
Phoenix over New Orleans
Second Round
Lakers over Phoenix
Houston over Utah
Western Final
Lakers over Houston
NBA Finals
Cleveland over Lakers
Season and Finals MVP: Lebron James
Rookie of Year: Derrick Rose
Most improved player: Rodney Stuckey
Player most likely to be arrested on a game night: Jamal Tinsley
Player most likely to be compared to a Hispanic Wilt Chamberlain: Brook Lopez
Dark horse to get moved to a contender at the trade deadline and make a huge difference: Richard Jefferson to Lakers for Lamar Odom's expiring contract
Most passes that go untouched by any player on the court before hitting a spectator: Marcus Banks
Player most likely to underperform expectations this season: Andrew Bynum
Runner up: Rajon Rondo
Player most likely to overperform expectations this season: Stephon Marbury
Runner up: Emeka Okafor
Friday, October 24, 2008
Jeff Van Gundy on Heat
Thanks to my sportswriter friend Scott who participated in an ESPN conference call with Jeff Van Gundy and passed along JVG's comments:
"I think the Heat could make the play-offs. To do that, Wade would have to be healthy and dominant but, if he is healthy, I see no way he doesn't play well. Sean Marion has yet to play well for Miami, either at the end of last season or through the pre-season so far. He doesn't have one skill offensively you can go to so he has to play off the other players. He was at his best at Phoenix as a 4 man. Beasley can score and get shots off, but obviously the point guard situation is up in the air. Haslam can defend a lot of different centers but at 6ft7, 6-8, he has trouble somewhat against the great big centers. He can only do so much against them. I think overall the team will make a nice jump. Eric Spoelstra is a dynamic young coach who, as long as he's given the opportunity to be the voice of the franchise, can develop into an outstanding NBA coach."
"I think the Heat could make the play-offs. To do that, Wade would have to be healthy and dominant but, if he is healthy, I see no way he doesn't play well. Sean Marion has yet to play well for Miami, either at the end of last season or through the pre-season so far. He doesn't have one skill offensively you can go to so he has to play off the other players. He was at his best at Phoenix as a 4 man. Beasley can score and get shots off, but obviously the point guard situation is up in the air. Haslam can defend a lot of different centers but at 6ft7, 6-8, he has trouble somewhat against the great big centers. He can only do so much against them. I think overall the team will make a nice jump. Eric Spoelstra is a dynamic young coach who, as long as he's given the opportunity to be the voice of the franchise, can develop into an outstanding NBA coach."
Randy Nesbit
Nobody recruits Tennessee retirement communities better than Randy Nesbit. Word is he beat out Bruce Pearl at UT for an 83 year old Korean War vet point guard with lightening quickness and a minor case of dementia.
In the meantime, I see Kenny Mink more as a facilitator than a scorer, and his post defense, obviously, is very strong.
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/8710842/Senior-season:-73-year-old-laces-up-the-hightops
In the meantime, I see Kenny Mink more as a facilitator than a scorer, and his post defense, obviously, is very strong.
http://msn.foxsports.com/cbk/story/8710842/Senior-season:-73-year-old-laces-up-the-hightops
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Duff McKagan on McIlvaine pt. 2
Whoops, there's more!!!
JD, Frisco: How in the name of all that is holy could the city of Seattle let the Sonics go to Okla-freakin-homa? In your words, how did it come to this?
Duff McKagan: Well, again, I think it started with Mcilvane. I really think that. That was the start of the downward spiral. Letting McMillan go to the Trailblazers. That took the wind out of the spirit of that team. I think you can argue the voters in Seattle had voted in a bond issue for Safeco and Quest and by the time the issue came for a new arena, which we don't need by the way, Key Arena is killer, the voters just said screw you. As a Sonics fan, I still can't believe they are gone. It's pathetic that could happen here. We have a great basketball town. Other teams just couldn't win at Key Arena. JD, I just don't know how it could happen.
JD, Frisco: How in the name of all that is holy could the city of Seattle let the Sonics go to Okla-freakin-homa? In your words, how did it come to this?
Duff McKagan: Well, again, I think it started with Mcilvane. I really think that. That was the start of the downward spiral. Letting McMillan go to the Trailblazers. That took the wind out of the spirit of that team. I think you can argue the voters in Seattle had voted in a bond issue for Safeco and Quest and by the time the issue came for a new arena, which we don't need by the way, Key Arena is killer, the voters just said screw you. As a Sonics fan, I still can't believe they are gone. It's pathetic that could happen here. We have a great basketball town. Other teams just couldn't win at Key Arena. JD, I just don't know how it could happen.
Duff McKagan on Shawn Kemp
Former Guns 'n' Roses member and current Velvet Revolver member Duff McKagan with a unique perspective on the downfall of the near great Shawn Kemp and Gary Payton Sonic team. I, personally, had forgotten all about Jim McIlvaine.
Tom (Princeton, NJ): Would you compare the Scott Weiland-era in Velvet Revolver to the Shawn Kemp-era in Seatle? It was fun, unpredictable, and successful....but in the end was too destructve and volatile for its own good?
Duff McKagan: Right. Well, that season, 95 or 96, after we went to the Finals, the following season I got season tickets. That's when McIlvane came in and got more money than Kemp. Although Kemp was trying to be cool, he was ticked off they peeled of 12 large for that guy. I think it drove Kemp to just being more visible with his drinking and week and stuff.
Tom (Princeton, NJ): Would you compare the Scott Weiland-era in Velvet Revolver to the Shawn Kemp-era in Seatle? It was fun, unpredictable, and successful....but in the end was too destructve and volatile for its own good?
Duff McKagan: Right. Well, that season, 95 or 96, after we went to the Finals, the following season I got season tickets. That's when McIlvane came in and got more money than Kemp. Although Kemp was trying to be cool, he was ticked off they peeled of 12 large for that guy. I think it drove Kemp to just being more visible with his drinking and week and stuff.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Heat 102 Grizzlies 85
They didn't win a preseason game last year, and hadn't won one this year, so this has to represent some progress, although it was against arguably the worst in the league, without their best player, Rudy Gay. Still, I'll take it.
Finally, Beasley, Haslem, and Marion started in the frontcourt. Beasley got 2 fouls in the first couple of minutes and had to sit down. Foul trouble limited him to 20 minutes, which will most probably be his biggest problem this season - but in that time he scored 19 points, 9 in the fourth quarter. Wade continued his strong play with 25 pts, 5 rebs, and 6 assists.
Surprisingly, Chalmers showed some life: 9 assists and 6 boards to go with 7 points in 29 minutes for MC. Quinn started but played only 15 minutes; Banks played 30 in addition to Chalmers' 29. Shaun Livingston is scheduled to try to play later this week in one of the final two exhibitions.
-----------------
Odds and Ends:
Dos Minutos favorite names:
1) By a wide, wide margin: Kenny. Kenny's that I have known and loved: Plumber, Ken Howard, my uncle Ken, belligerent Jew Kenny Israel, The Posner, Kenny from the Real World. I am conditioned to like anyone named Kenny, and I have never disliked anyone named Kenny.
2) Gavin.
Dos Minutos least favorite name:
1) Eric or, alternately, Erik. You know who you are. There is only one palatable Eric: Webster.
-------------------
More Odds and Ends:
Each time you copy a computer file to disc, a little sharpness gets lost in the translation. That is why The Captain and I prefer to keep our pornography on our hard drives. Copying it to disc and losing some of the sharpness takes the romance out of it.
--------------------
This week's book review:
From Roosevelt to Truman: Potsdam, Hiroshima, and the Cold War by Wilson Miscamble.
Miscamble writes sympathetically about Truman, essentially arguing that his decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was appropriate in light of the circumstances because: 1) it is a reasonable expectation that some lives - both American and Japanese - may have ultimately been saved by the action, 2) he could not have survived, politically, a ground invasion, and 3) Japan abandoned any claim to the moral high ground through its atrocities in China.
Miscamble also applauds Truman's efforts in the immediate aftermath of the German surrender. Although he may have appeased Russia for a few moments longer than Miscamble would have liked, ultimately his decision to stifle Russian attempts to expand their influence beyond Eastern Europe was effectively executed, and laid the groundwork for U.S. policy over the next four decades, ultimately resulting in the fall of the Soviet Empire.
Miscamble does not assign any great intellect to Truman, but considers him resourceful enough to be effective. A well argued book, with a wealth of resources to potentially investigate for further research. Miscamble is Australian, though he has lived in the United States for many years - he is a professor at Notre Dame. He will be lecturing at my school tomorrow - if Thor has any specific questions for a fellow "expat" he should please forward it to me.
Finally, Beasley, Haslem, and Marion started in the frontcourt. Beasley got 2 fouls in the first couple of minutes and had to sit down. Foul trouble limited him to 20 minutes, which will most probably be his biggest problem this season - but in that time he scored 19 points, 9 in the fourth quarter. Wade continued his strong play with 25 pts, 5 rebs, and 6 assists.
Surprisingly, Chalmers showed some life: 9 assists and 6 boards to go with 7 points in 29 minutes for MC. Quinn started but played only 15 minutes; Banks played 30 in addition to Chalmers' 29. Shaun Livingston is scheduled to try to play later this week in one of the final two exhibitions.
-----------------
Odds and Ends:
Dos Minutos favorite names:
1) By a wide, wide margin: Kenny. Kenny's that I have known and loved: Plumber, Ken Howard, my uncle Ken, belligerent Jew Kenny Israel, The Posner, Kenny from the Real World. I am conditioned to like anyone named Kenny, and I have never disliked anyone named Kenny.
2) Gavin.
Dos Minutos least favorite name:
1) Eric or, alternately, Erik. You know who you are. There is only one palatable Eric: Webster.
-------------------
More Odds and Ends:
Each time you copy a computer file to disc, a little sharpness gets lost in the translation. That is why The Captain and I prefer to keep our pornography on our hard drives. Copying it to disc and losing some of the sharpness takes the romance out of it.
--------------------
This week's book review:
From Roosevelt to Truman: Potsdam, Hiroshima, and the Cold War by Wilson Miscamble.
Miscamble writes sympathetically about Truman, essentially arguing that his decision to drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was appropriate in light of the circumstances because: 1) it is a reasonable expectation that some lives - both American and Japanese - may have ultimately been saved by the action, 2) he could not have survived, politically, a ground invasion, and 3) Japan abandoned any claim to the moral high ground through its atrocities in China.
Miscamble also applauds Truman's efforts in the immediate aftermath of the German surrender. Although he may have appeased Russia for a few moments longer than Miscamble would have liked, ultimately his decision to stifle Russian attempts to expand their influence beyond Eastern Europe was effectively executed, and laid the groundwork for U.S. policy over the next four decades, ultimately resulting in the fall of the Soviet Empire.
Miscamble does not assign any great intellect to Truman, but considers him resourceful enough to be effective. A well argued book, with a wealth of resources to potentially investigate for further research. Miscamble is Australian, though he has lived in the United States for many years - he is a professor at Notre Dame. He will be lecturing at my school tomorrow - if Thor has any specific questions for a fellow "expat" he should please forward it to me.
Friday, October 17, 2008
James Jones Injured
My friends, when you only have the money to sign one free agent, and you spend it all on James Jones to be a designated perimeter shooter to space the floor for Dwyane Wade, and then James Jones ruptures a tendon in his shooting wrist and is out for three months, that is a bad thing, right?
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3646906
James Jones is the only professional jump shooter on the roster. I think he would have finished a lot of games: Wade handling the ball up top, James on one wing, maybe Quinn or Banks on another wing, with Beasley and Haslem.
This forces Yakhouba Diawara or Daequan Cook to play minutes at small forward, at least until Dorell Wright is back. Diawara is a non-shooter, non-scorer. Daequan Cook is fabulously athletic and has a beautiful stroke, but hasn't yet figured out what a quality shot is, or how to get it. Neither of them is an NBA rotation player. Not even remotely.
In history thesis news:
I am looking for a history thesis topic that can eventually be turned in to a book. Plumber had an excellent idea today about Japanese Americans' experiences during World War II, specifically that their tenacity and vigor in fighting against Japan allowed them to be more easily re-assimilated back in to American culture after their unfair stint in internment camps. It is a great idea that warrants more thought.
Anyone who has any ideas about this topic, or others, please post them or forward them to me.
Two other thoughts on this:
1) This book will just be a precursor to my master work, which will be an epic novel set in the Mennonite community in Belize. Think of it as a cross between From Here to Eternity and any Graham Greene novel.
2) The current leader in the clubhouse for a thesis topic is "The Big Green Monster: A Cliometric Look at Fenway Park's Left Field Wall from 1904-2008."
http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3646906
James Jones is the only professional jump shooter on the roster. I think he would have finished a lot of games: Wade handling the ball up top, James on one wing, maybe Quinn or Banks on another wing, with Beasley and Haslem.
This forces Yakhouba Diawara or Daequan Cook to play minutes at small forward, at least until Dorell Wright is back. Diawara is a non-shooter, non-scorer. Daequan Cook is fabulously athletic and has a beautiful stroke, but hasn't yet figured out what a quality shot is, or how to get it. Neither of them is an NBA rotation player. Not even remotely.
In history thesis news:
I am looking for a history thesis topic that can eventually be turned in to a book. Plumber had an excellent idea today about Japanese Americans' experiences during World War II, specifically that their tenacity and vigor in fighting against Japan allowed them to be more easily re-assimilated back in to American culture after their unfair stint in internment camps. It is a great idea that warrants more thought.
Anyone who has any ideas about this topic, or others, please post them or forward them to me.
Two other thoughts on this:
1) This book will just be a precursor to my master work, which will be an epic novel set in the Mennonite community in Belize. Think of it as a cross between From Here to Eternity and any Graham Greene novel.
2) The current leader in the clubhouse for a thesis topic is "The Big Green Monster: A Cliometric Look at Fenway Park's Left Field Wall from 1904-2008."
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Re-ask Ira
This is a new feature of the blog where we print a question asked of Heat beat writer Ira Winderman and re-answer it here because Ira's answer was unsatisfactory. Here is a link to Ira's Q + A page: http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/sfl-askira,0,3595666.story?page=1.
Q: Now that Haslem is back, how is he looking at center? Also, did Coach mention anything about starting Haslem, Marion and Beasley? -- Bob.
A: Bob, my friend, great question. Haslem did not play much center in the second exhibition game against the Nets (he sat out the first one). UD is undersized for the power forward spot, really, so center is even more of a stretch size-wise. However, I don't think it makes any sense to do anything but start UD, Beasley, and Marion up front. Whatever his defensive shortcoming may be, the Heat need Beasley's ability to create shots with the first group. I think Quinn is going to start ahead of Banks because he provides more ability to space the floor, and turns it over less. But if you start Quinn, Wade, Marion, Haslem, and Blount, where are the shots going to come from? They are going to run a lot of pick and rolls with Wade and Blount, I would imagine, and defenses are going to jump Wade and leave Blount to shoot the 18 footer. I don't know how attractive an option that is. Beasley gives them a couple of additional options. He can certainly play screen and roll, and he demonstrated pretty good ability to post up in the second Net game. And you can dump it to him at the high post and let him work. You can't really bring Haslem or Marion off the bench - UD because you need his defensive presence, and Marion because he would flip out. So I think you just start all three - it may not work either, but I think that is what you try first. If other teams want to force feed the post to start the game, let them try it - that's not the forte of most teams anyways.
(for the record: Ira believes that Spoelstra is going to try to play Joel Anthony more in the middle for defensive purposes and is leaning against playing UD in the middle much - I don't think that makes sense if UD, Marion, and Beasley are your best three forwards)
In other news:
Is Barack Obama already the greatest black American? In my house, of course, we are often divided amongst racial lines, but I think we agree that Obama may have already eclipsed Martin Luther King Jr. for the top spot. If he were to win in November, he certainly would assume that mantle. The greatest white American ever? 1920's golfing legend Ben Hogan.
Q: Now that Haslem is back, how is he looking at center? Also, did Coach mention anything about starting Haslem, Marion and Beasley? -- Bob.
A: Bob, my friend, great question. Haslem did not play much center in the second exhibition game against the Nets (he sat out the first one). UD is undersized for the power forward spot, really, so center is even more of a stretch size-wise. However, I don't think it makes any sense to do anything but start UD, Beasley, and Marion up front. Whatever his defensive shortcoming may be, the Heat need Beasley's ability to create shots with the first group. I think Quinn is going to start ahead of Banks because he provides more ability to space the floor, and turns it over less. But if you start Quinn, Wade, Marion, Haslem, and Blount, where are the shots going to come from? They are going to run a lot of pick and rolls with Wade and Blount, I would imagine, and defenses are going to jump Wade and leave Blount to shoot the 18 footer. I don't know how attractive an option that is. Beasley gives them a couple of additional options. He can certainly play screen and roll, and he demonstrated pretty good ability to post up in the second Net game. And you can dump it to him at the high post and let him work. You can't really bring Haslem or Marion off the bench - UD because you need his defensive presence, and Marion because he would flip out. So I think you just start all three - it may not work either, but I think that is what you try first. If other teams want to force feed the post to start the game, let them try it - that's not the forte of most teams anyways.
(for the record: Ira believes that Spoelstra is going to try to play Joel Anthony more in the middle for defensive purposes and is leaning against playing UD in the middle much - I don't think that makes sense if UD, Marion, and Beasley are your best three forwards)
In other news:
Is Barack Obama already the greatest black American? In my house, of course, we are often divided amongst racial lines, but I think we agree that Obama may have already eclipsed Martin Luther King Jr. for the top spot. If he were to win in November, he certainly would assume that mantle. The greatest white American ever? 1920's golfing legend Ben Hogan.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Nets 94 Heat 92 - It could be a long year...
Thoughts from the Heat's loss to the nets in London:
-Miami was almost impossibly bad in the first quarter. Scored only two field goals, I believe, and had close to double digit turnovers. Went incredibly long stretches without an open look at the basket. Many, many possessions ended without a shot at all. Started Wade, Banks, Marion, Haslem, and Blount, which is most probably the lineup that they will start the season with.
-Wade was awful in the first half. Forced plays that weren't there, turned the ball over at an alarming rate. Kept jumping in the air in traffic, hanging, and trying to spit the ball out late, usually with disastrous results. Wouldn't shoot the jumper. Did get to the line a little.
-Banks was equally terrible early. Couldn't get the offense organized. They ran a lot of high pick and rolls with Banks and Blount, but this rarely, if ever, created open shots. Banks spent a lot of time over dribbling.
-There is no defined role for Marion in the half court. He spends a lot of time motionless on the perimeter. When he cut, he often served only to clog the middle. He has no off the dribble game. Much like the Shaq situation last year, Marion's situation has the potential to get ugly for the franchise. He is an outstanding role player who is a former all-star. He whined his way out of a great situation in Phoenix because he wanted to touch the ball more. His skill set doesn't encourage a lot of touches, even on a lesser team. He is in a contract year so he will want to post numbers, but since he is unlikely to post numbers, and may not look particularly good in this system, his trade value may go down the more he plays. It still was a great trade because Marion's contract expires a year before Shaq's, and he is still a more productive player than Shaq. But it may be a loonnnngggg wait for Marion's contract to run out at the end of this year; he won't be happy, the Heat won't be happy; nobody will be happy. On the positive side, if Shaq were still here this year it is likely I would have immolated myself by this point.
-Mike Beasley looked good again. Scored easily, 12 points in 26 minutes. He got his own shots. They struggled to get him the ball. He rebounded better - 11 - and was aggressive, and showed stronger jumping ability. Twice took 50-50 rebounds away from the much larger Brook Lopez, and finished a huge alley-oop dunk. For a 19 year old kid, he has looked fabulous in his first couple of outings. He probably should start ahead of Marion, really, because they need his ability to create to help Wade, especially when playing teams that have a wing they can hide him against. For instance, he could play Yi - anyone who isn't inclined to drive, Mike could handle.
-In the second and third quarters Miami showed a little spunk, pressuring the ball effectively and turning the Nets over. Wade and Banks were particularly active, and Banks started to get to the rim, finishing with 19 points, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 1 turnover. He has the physical skills necessary to compete as a starter, but he lacks the ability to get others involved 0 no one really receives the ball in rhythm from him. Also, for Miami to be effective pressuring the ball consistently, they need to have a goaltender or two behind them, and they don't have anything resembling that.
-Daequan Cook has not learned what a quality shot is. He loves the quick pull-up three off the catch. He is not ready for regular minutes yet.
-Joel Anthony showed some spunk, but he is small and horrific offensively. David Padgett doesn't possess the athleticism to compete.
For Plumber: "Meet the Nets, pt 2"
-Devin Harris is going to score a lot, but I question his ability to run an offense. He looks shot first, not a real deft passer.
-For his first time out there, I though Brook Lopez did fine. He looked horribly nervous at first and dropped the first three entry passes they threw him. He also was tentative around the rim and didn't finish plays with vigor. But he looked NBA center sized, and rebounded well for the most part. He looks a little slow footed to be a defender, and he will certainly foul a lot as a rookie. But if learns to go to the rim strong, I think he will be a pretty good player. Even if he doesn't, he will still be a serviceable backup.
-Chairman Yi knocked down a bunch of jumpers early. He has a beautiful release. Wasn't very active in other ways.
-Lawrence Frank loves Trenton Hassell, a more experienced version of Antoine Wright.
In other news:
It occurs to me that, to my knowledge, I have never seen an uncircumcised penis. I have spent a lot of time in locker rooms, dormitories, etc, so it would seem likely that I have had opportunities to do so, but to my knowledge I never have. I think a major factor is my vision. Without my glasses I would really have to get close to check out a penal head-covering - and I don't need my glasses to get to the w.c. in a locker room, etc, so I would rarely be wearing them in there. The Captain tried to describe to me what they look like, but I am not sure I got the right picture. We both agreed that I could probably google "uncircumcised penis" and have thousands of pictures in a matter of seconds, but that seemed like cheating, and somehow unsatisfying. I don't even actually know what sort of individual would be likely to have an uncircumcised penis. Somehow I feel like Bill Clinton might have a big fleshy uncircumcised penis, but I don't know. Also, I don't even know how to spell it - I needed spell check to let me know to take out the "z" and replace it with an "s" at the end.
-Miami was almost impossibly bad in the first quarter. Scored only two field goals, I believe, and had close to double digit turnovers. Went incredibly long stretches without an open look at the basket. Many, many possessions ended without a shot at all. Started Wade, Banks, Marion, Haslem, and Blount, which is most probably the lineup that they will start the season with.
-Wade was awful in the first half. Forced plays that weren't there, turned the ball over at an alarming rate. Kept jumping in the air in traffic, hanging, and trying to spit the ball out late, usually with disastrous results. Wouldn't shoot the jumper. Did get to the line a little.
-Banks was equally terrible early. Couldn't get the offense organized. They ran a lot of high pick and rolls with Banks and Blount, but this rarely, if ever, created open shots. Banks spent a lot of time over dribbling.
-There is no defined role for Marion in the half court. He spends a lot of time motionless on the perimeter. When he cut, he often served only to clog the middle. He has no off the dribble game. Much like the Shaq situation last year, Marion's situation has the potential to get ugly for the franchise. He is an outstanding role player who is a former all-star. He whined his way out of a great situation in Phoenix because he wanted to touch the ball more. His skill set doesn't encourage a lot of touches, even on a lesser team. He is in a contract year so he will want to post numbers, but since he is unlikely to post numbers, and may not look particularly good in this system, his trade value may go down the more he plays. It still was a great trade because Marion's contract expires a year before Shaq's, and he is still a more productive player than Shaq. But it may be a loonnnngggg wait for Marion's contract to run out at the end of this year; he won't be happy, the Heat won't be happy; nobody will be happy. On the positive side, if Shaq were still here this year it is likely I would have immolated myself by this point.
-Mike Beasley looked good again. Scored easily, 12 points in 26 minutes. He got his own shots. They struggled to get him the ball. He rebounded better - 11 - and was aggressive, and showed stronger jumping ability. Twice took 50-50 rebounds away from the much larger Brook Lopez, and finished a huge alley-oop dunk. For a 19 year old kid, he has looked fabulous in his first couple of outings. He probably should start ahead of Marion, really, because they need his ability to create to help Wade, especially when playing teams that have a wing they can hide him against. For instance, he could play Yi - anyone who isn't inclined to drive, Mike could handle.
-In the second and third quarters Miami showed a little spunk, pressuring the ball effectively and turning the Nets over. Wade and Banks were particularly active, and Banks started to get to the rim, finishing with 19 points, 4 assists, 4 steals, and 1 turnover. He has the physical skills necessary to compete as a starter, but he lacks the ability to get others involved 0 no one really receives the ball in rhythm from him. Also, for Miami to be effective pressuring the ball consistently, they need to have a goaltender or two behind them, and they don't have anything resembling that.
-Daequan Cook has not learned what a quality shot is. He loves the quick pull-up three off the catch. He is not ready for regular minutes yet.
-Joel Anthony showed some spunk, but he is small and horrific offensively. David Padgett doesn't possess the athleticism to compete.
For Plumber: "Meet the Nets, pt 2"
-Devin Harris is going to score a lot, but I question his ability to run an offense. He looks shot first, not a real deft passer.
-For his first time out there, I though Brook Lopez did fine. He looked horribly nervous at first and dropped the first three entry passes they threw him. He also was tentative around the rim and didn't finish plays with vigor. But he looked NBA center sized, and rebounded well for the most part. He looks a little slow footed to be a defender, and he will certainly foul a lot as a rookie. But if learns to go to the rim strong, I think he will be a pretty good player. Even if he doesn't, he will still be a serviceable backup.
-Chairman Yi knocked down a bunch of jumpers early. He has a beautiful release. Wasn't very active in other ways.
-Lawrence Frank loves Trenton Hassell, a more experienced version of Antoine Wright.
In other news:
It occurs to me that, to my knowledge, I have never seen an uncircumcised penis. I have spent a lot of time in locker rooms, dormitories, etc, so it would seem likely that I have had opportunities to do so, but to my knowledge I never have. I think a major factor is my vision. Without my glasses I would really have to get close to check out a penal head-covering - and I don't need my glasses to get to the w.c. in a locker room, etc, so I would rarely be wearing them in there. The Captain tried to describe to me what they look like, but I am not sure I got the right picture. We both agreed that I could probably google "uncircumcised penis" and have thousands of pictures in a matter of seconds, but that seemed like cheating, and somehow unsatisfying. I don't even actually know what sort of individual would be likely to have an uncircumcised penis. Somehow I feel like Bill Clinton might have a big fleshy uncircumcised penis, but I don't know. Also, I don't even know how to spell it - I needed spell check to let me know to take out the "z" and replace it with an "s" at the end.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Nets 100 Heat 98 (ot)
Brief thoughts about the Heat's game in Paris yesterday:
-Dwyane Wade looked very healthy. He pushed the ball in transition and dunked easily. Drew fouls. Made two threes. I forgot how good he is when healthy - the Olympics reminded me a little, but seeing him in a Heat uniform doing it again was a good reminder.
-Yakhouba Diawara has already become my least favorite player. Started at small forward. He has good size and is athletic. But he shoots the ball towards the basket, hoping it might go in. And, he shot a lot. I can't believe he is going to play once the regular season starts.
-Beasley. Positives: He scores really easily. His best qualities are his decisiveness with the ball, his quickness, and the fact that he can finish with either hand. He had 21 points in 28 minutes. When he faces up at the elbow or the short wing, there are not a lot of defenders, even in the NBA, who can handle him. Incredibly coordinated.
Negatives: He didn't really post up at all, all his offense came off the dribble from the mid-range area. He doesn't seem to jump exceptionally well. Actually, he jumps quickly, but not powerfully - he didn't finish a few plays at the rim that I thought he should have. He is going to struggle to stay on the court, like a lot of young big guys, because he fouls a lot. He isn't big.
Overall: This was my first time watching him against NBA players. People have most often compared him to Glen Robinson or Derrick Coleman. I see the Glen Robinson comparison a lot- like Robinson, Beasley has an innate sense of how to create his own shot. He toyed with Stromile Swift during one stretch, spinning by him for layups twice, then hitting a quick jumper in his face. Though he is long-armed, overall he isn't big like Derrick Coleman, he isn't going to control the paint on either end. He played more like a 3 or a small ball 4 than a power 4. My hope is that as he matures (still only 19), he becomes a little more physical. Pretty good start. He can score in the NBA right now.
-Chalmers isn't even close to being ready to play in the NBA. He struggled to get the offense started against presssure. He reached on defense. He didn't make open shots when he had them. He did show plus quickness. He isn't going to see minutes when the season starts. Marcus Banks outperformed him easily - I thought Banks was okay, got in to the paint and found people for jumpers a couple of times, which is a weakness of his.
-Marion was about what I would expect. It can be disconcerting to watch him play because he is very awkward in the half-court. Shot a lot of odd looking floaters of the dribble, but with decent success. Rebounded and was generally around the ball.
-If possible, Jamal Magloire was even worse than I thought. Checked in to the game in the first quarter, screened for Chalmers, rolled down the lane, Emcee threw him a pass which hit Magloire's right hand, then his head, then his left hand, then fell out of bounds. And that was his best play. Mark Blount was mediocre - showed flashes of life, then would disappear.
"Meet the Nets" (for Plumber)
-Devin Harris looked quick and ready to go.
-Vince Carter left the game early with a strained hamstring on a play where drove and twisted to avoid contact.
-CDR was fantastic, scored 18 points in 28 minutes, including 10 in one second quarter burst. He is long and crafty. He doesn't jump well - he has an old man's game, but he is very proficient with it. He is going to be a productive bench player for a long time in this league.
-Josh Boone looked lively and ready to go.
-Sean Williams looked about the same as last year. He is supremely athletic, but at times wanders and makes odd decisions. Will make a nice jumper, then shoot a turnaround off the backboard at thirty miles an hour. Also, still has the general detached demeanor of a serial ax murderer.
-Ryan Anderson looked better than I thought. He isn't really athletic enough to jump out at you. However, he seemed to have a good feel for the game, and his stroke looked nice. There might be a place for him in the league eventually.
-Neither the Chairman Yi nor Brook Lopez played which was disappointing.
-It is hard to believe that one team has accumulated Jarvis Hayes, Trenton Hassell, and Bobby Simmons at the small forward spot. If any team is looking for a backup level small forward with NBA experience but no overwhelmingly positive skills, this is the team to call.
Finally: Play-by-play announcer Mark Jones termed Mike Beasley's problems as "shenanigans" and "hi-jinxs." Mami and I felt those were inappropriate terms for a black man to be using, but then, that's Mark Jones.
-Dwyane Wade looked very healthy. He pushed the ball in transition and dunked easily. Drew fouls. Made two threes. I forgot how good he is when healthy - the Olympics reminded me a little, but seeing him in a Heat uniform doing it again was a good reminder.
-Yakhouba Diawara has already become my least favorite player. Started at small forward. He has good size and is athletic. But he shoots the ball towards the basket, hoping it might go in. And, he shot a lot. I can't believe he is going to play once the regular season starts.
-Beasley. Positives: He scores really easily. His best qualities are his decisiveness with the ball, his quickness, and the fact that he can finish with either hand. He had 21 points in 28 minutes. When he faces up at the elbow or the short wing, there are not a lot of defenders, even in the NBA, who can handle him. Incredibly coordinated.
Negatives: He didn't really post up at all, all his offense came off the dribble from the mid-range area. He doesn't seem to jump exceptionally well. Actually, he jumps quickly, but not powerfully - he didn't finish a few plays at the rim that I thought he should have. He is going to struggle to stay on the court, like a lot of young big guys, because he fouls a lot. He isn't big.
Overall: This was my first time watching him against NBA players. People have most often compared him to Glen Robinson or Derrick Coleman. I see the Glen Robinson comparison a lot- like Robinson, Beasley has an innate sense of how to create his own shot. He toyed with Stromile Swift during one stretch, spinning by him for layups twice, then hitting a quick jumper in his face. Though he is long-armed, overall he isn't big like Derrick Coleman, he isn't going to control the paint on either end. He played more like a 3 or a small ball 4 than a power 4. My hope is that as he matures (still only 19), he becomes a little more physical. Pretty good start. He can score in the NBA right now.
-Chalmers isn't even close to being ready to play in the NBA. He struggled to get the offense started against presssure. He reached on defense. He didn't make open shots when he had them. He did show plus quickness. He isn't going to see minutes when the season starts. Marcus Banks outperformed him easily - I thought Banks was okay, got in to the paint and found people for jumpers a couple of times, which is a weakness of his.
-Marion was about what I would expect. It can be disconcerting to watch him play because he is very awkward in the half-court. Shot a lot of odd looking floaters of the dribble, but with decent success. Rebounded and was generally around the ball.
-If possible, Jamal Magloire was even worse than I thought. Checked in to the game in the first quarter, screened for Chalmers, rolled down the lane, Emcee threw him a pass which hit Magloire's right hand, then his head, then his left hand, then fell out of bounds. And that was his best play. Mark Blount was mediocre - showed flashes of life, then would disappear.
"Meet the Nets" (for Plumber)
-Devin Harris looked quick and ready to go.
-Vince Carter left the game early with a strained hamstring on a play where drove and twisted to avoid contact.
-CDR was fantastic, scored 18 points in 28 minutes, including 10 in one second quarter burst. He is long and crafty. He doesn't jump well - he has an old man's game, but he is very proficient with it. He is going to be a productive bench player for a long time in this league.
-Josh Boone looked lively and ready to go.
-Sean Williams looked about the same as last year. He is supremely athletic, but at times wanders and makes odd decisions. Will make a nice jumper, then shoot a turnaround off the backboard at thirty miles an hour. Also, still has the general detached demeanor of a serial ax murderer.
-Ryan Anderson looked better than I thought. He isn't really athletic enough to jump out at you. However, he seemed to have a good feel for the game, and his stroke looked nice. There might be a place for him in the league eventually.
-Neither the Chairman Yi nor Brook Lopez played which was disappointing.
-It is hard to believe that one team has accumulated Jarvis Hayes, Trenton Hassell, and Bobby Simmons at the small forward spot. If any team is looking for a backup level small forward with NBA experience but no overwhelmingly positive skills, this is the team to call.
Finally: Play-by-play announcer Mark Jones termed Mike Beasley's problems as "shenanigans" and "hi-jinxs." Mami and I felt those were inappropriate terms for a black man to be using, but then, that's Mark Jones.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Scooter Barry Explanation
The Captain has already complained about the inclusion of Scooter Barry on the all-time Jewish basketball team list. It is a legitimate complaint because Scooter Barry is not Jewish. However, I felt like the team needed a competent guard who could at least get us in to our offensive sets, and Scooter Barry filled that role for the 1991 NCAA champion Kansas team led by Danny Manning, and coached by Larry Brown, who happens to be Jewish himself. Also, in fairness to me, I took the least talented Barry brother, just so the other teams wouldn't complain - if I go Jon Barry, of course, the blacks and Catholics are going to complain because he is too good, and I am going to have to take him off the team anyways.
Happy Yom Kippur
On this most holy of Jewish holidays, we here at Dos Minutos would like to say "Sha'na tov'a" to our Jewish friends and family.
It seems appropriate to mention here that, of course, many Jews were amongst the earliest great basketball players in our country. Here at the Jewish Basketball Hall of Fame ( http://www.brandeis.edu/jewishfilm/Catalogue/films/jewishbasketball.htm) many of the early greats are remembered.
It seems criminal, though, that Dolph Schayes would be on the list, but not his son Danny Schayes, who enjoyed an 18 year NBA career.
It would tough to make an all-time Jewish team from the list of greats at the website, if only because I only know who about three of them are. I am going to go with Dolph Schayes at center, use my half-Jewish heritage to make a discretionary selection of Danny Schayes at the power forward, and put Irv Bemoras at the other forward spot. In the backcourt I will go with Irwin Blumenreich and Scooter Barry.
Also seems appropriate to mention the firing of Elgin Baylor from the Clipper organization. Players like Baylor built their careers by dunking on less athletic Jews, and eventually forced them out of the game. Unfortunate but, still, in light of thousands of years of serious, serious oppression this is the least of our problems.
First televised Heat pregame today, 2pm, vs the Nets from Paris. Tivo set, full report tomorrow.
It seems appropriate to mention here that, of course, many Jews were amongst the earliest great basketball players in our country. Here at the Jewish Basketball Hall of Fame ( http://www.brandeis.edu/jewishfilm/Catalogue/films/jewishbasketball.htm) many of the early greats are remembered.
It seems criminal, though, that Dolph Schayes would be on the list, but not his son Danny Schayes, who enjoyed an 18 year NBA career.
It would tough to make an all-time Jewish team from the list of greats at the website, if only because I only know who about three of them are. I am going to go with Dolph Schayes at center, use my half-Jewish heritage to make a discretionary selection of Danny Schayes at the power forward, and put Irv Bemoras at the other forward spot. In the backcourt I will go with Irwin Blumenreich and Scooter Barry.
Also seems appropriate to mention the firing of Elgin Baylor from the Clipper organization. Players like Baylor built their careers by dunking on less athletic Jews, and eventually forced them out of the game. Unfortunate but, still, in light of thousands of years of serious, serious oppression this is the least of our problems.
First televised Heat pregame today, 2pm, vs the Nets from Paris. Tivo set, full report tomorrow.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
From Ira Winderman
Q: David Padgett looked pretty good. What are the chances the Heat keeps him? -- Moshe.
A: Better than they were before the Pistons game. Reports of Jamaal Magloire's demise might not have been greatly exaggerated.
Exactly.
A: Better than they were before the Pistons game. Reports of Jamaal Magloire's demise might not have been greatly exaggerated.
Exactly.
Monday, October 6, 2008
First Exhibition Game
Thoughts:
1) Not televised. Honestly, who can blame anyone for this? I can only make it through a half of exhibition games in the best of times.
2) Beasley, 16 and 6 on 6-11 in 21 minutes. 13 points in the 3rd quarter, playing with Wade and Marion. Good start. Hasn't proven he can't score yet.
3) Daequan Cook - somehow got up 15 shots in 30 minutes. Getting loose early. Only made 4, though.
4) Quinn got hurt, Chalmers turned the ball over a bunch. Quite a battle for that point guard spot.
Two other thoughts:
1) Traveling to Europe for the week to play the Nets, one game in Paris, one game in London. Quite a treat for European sports fans. Jamal Magloire is from Canada, so there is at least a chance he might speak French. Those games will be on NBA tv.
2) I was never a fan of Shaun Livingston when I watched him on the Clippers. Always seemed a little awkward to me, and lacked explosion. In his defense, he is big, and he was only 21 at the time, so I agree with taking the low risk shot on him. Maybe he can be a big guard in the Ron Harper post-knee surgery mode someday.
In political news:
An acquaintance of mine dated Sarah Palin in college at the University of Idaho. He asserts the following:
1) When they were at Idaho, it was back in the days when they still had the Big Sky conference, not the Mountain West like now. He says the rivalries were a lot more intense then.
2) He says that the dumb thing is mostly an act to seem cute.
3) She is actually pretty cool - when they broke up (it was totally mutual), she had left a bunch of cds at his apartment. Mostly like The Smiths, The Cure, Morrissey, etc. When she asked him if she could come get them, he lied and said that he couldn't find them anywhere. Even though she must have known that they were there, she just kind of let it slide...
1) Not televised. Honestly, who can blame anyone for this? I can only make it through a half of exhibition games in the best of times.
2) Beasley, 16 and 6 on 6-11 in 21 minutes. 13 points in the 3rd quarter, playing with Wade and Marion. Good start. Hasn't proven he can't score yet.
3) Daequan Cook - somehow got up 15 shots in 30 minutes. Getting loose early. Only made 4, though.
4) Quinn got hurt, Chalmers turned the ball over a bunch. Quite a battle for that point guard spot.
Two other thoughts:
1) Traveling to Europe for the week to play the Nets, one game in Paris, one game in London. Quite a treat for European sports fans. Jamal Magloire is from Canada, so there is at least a chance he might speak French. Those games will be on NBA tv.
2) I was never a fan of Shaun Livingston when I watched him on the Clippers. Always seemed a little awkward to me, and lacked explosion. In his defense, he is big, and he was only 21 at the time, so I agree with taking the low risk shot on him. Maybe he can be a big guard in the Ron Harper post-knee surgery mode someday.
In political news:
An acquaintance of mine dated Sarah Palin in college at the University of Idaho. He asserts the following:
1) When they were at Idaho, it was back in the days when they still had the Big Sky conference, not the Mountain West like now. He says the rivalries were a lot more intense then.
2) He says that the dumb thing is mostly an act to seem cute.
3) She is actually pretty cool - when they broke up (it was totally mutual), she had left a bunch of cds at his apartment. Mostly like The Smiths, The Cure, Morrissey, etc. When she asked him if she could come get them, he lied and said that he couldn't find them anywhere. Even though she must have known that they were there, she just kind of let it slide...
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
Mark Blount
There is no real reason for Mark Blount to stink. In '03-'04, he averaged 10 and 7 in 29 minutes a game for Boston and shot 56% from the floor. That was the year that earned him his current contract which will pay him 7.9 million this year, and a similar amount next year. That offseason, he flirted with the Heat, who reportedly offered him a full midlevel contract - he ended up going back to Boston for quite a bit more. Promptly, his rebound rate plunged nearly two rebounds a game, in similar minutes, and has remained there ever since.
(In a related story, rebuffed in their efforts to sign Blount, the Heat swapped Caron Butler and Lamar Odom for Shaq, and ended up winning a title two seasons later.)
Why does Blount stink? Though he is 32, he doesn't yet suffer from a lack of athleticism - he runs the court well, and his jumping ability is suprisingly good. Every eighth game he will catch a ball moving to the hoop and dunk it with extreme authority. And, while he is legitimately big, he is not overly out-of-shape or leaden-footed (see upcoming post on Jamal Magloire). He obviously possesses superior hand-eye coordination for his size, as evidenced by his ability to shoot from distance. It doesn't make any sense that the guy doesn't rebound (or block shots).
At the beginning of last season I asked Mami what was going to happen when the Heat realized that the best way for them to play was to sit Shaq, play Blount, and let he and Wade play high screen and face? Was Riley going to have the cohones to sit Shaq down? But even with Shaq's deterioration, it never happened because Blount didn't offer anything - 8 points and 4 rebounds in 22 minutes per game, with essentially the worst shooting percentage in his career, with most of his minutes late in the season, after Shaq had moved on and the season had already descended in to hell.
It wouldn't be nearly as much of an issue if the Heat didn't need something from that spot this year. While Haslem, Beasley, and Marion offer a variety of skills at the other forward positions, none of them are legitimately big. Udonis is going to be forced in to the unfortunate position of having to defend far bigger guys all year at the center spot. It is going to kill him - and force the Heat to double the post constantly, which means open shots all over the place. Thus, it is going to irk me all year that Mark Blount doesn't help. I don't like to label guys as lazy or unfocused - to me that is usually just a lazy way to characterize a guy who doesn't have the athleticism or skill set to compete - but I think Blount does have the necessary skills to be, at a minimum, competent. The evidence would suggest that he is lazy and unfocused, which is unfortunate for the Heat, and for Mami, at whom I will be complaining constantly all year whenever I see Blount line drive another quick, long jumper off the back iron.
In other news:
Two well-worn topics of pop culture today in the Dos Minutos office:
1) O.J. - Since nobody was killed, why can't we - society - just agree that we got off easy this time and let O.J. go without a trial?
2) Kevin Federline - Isn't it hard to believe that he was a backup dancer? I mean, does he look like a guy who can dance? Or is coordinated in any way? As The Captain points out: "A lot of people have started out as backup dancers and used that as a stepping stone to better entertainment careers. If Federline hadn't married Britney, I don't think he would have been one of those people." Plus, aren't most of those people women?
(In a related story, rebuffed in their efforts to sign Blount, the Heat swapped Caron Butler and Lamar Odom for Shaq, and ended up winning a title two seasons later.)
Why does Blount stink? Though he is 32, he doesn't yet suffer from a lack of athleticism - he runs the court well, and his jumping ability is suprisingly good. Every eighth game he will catch a ball moving to the hoop and dunk it with extreme authority. And, while he is legitimately big, he is not overly out-of-shape or leaden-footed (see upcoming post on Jamal Magloire). He obviously possesses superior hand-eye coordination for his size, as evidenced by his ability to shoot from distance. It doesn't make any sense that the guy doesn't rebound (or block shots).
At the beginning of last season I asked Mami what was going to happen when the Heat realized that the best way for them to play was to sit Shaq, play Blount, and let he and Wade play high screen and face? Was Riley going to have the cohones to sit Shaq down? But even with Shaq's deterioration, it never happened because Blount didn't offer anything - 8 points and 4 rebounds in 22 minutes per game, with essentially the worst shooting percentage in his career, with most of his minutes late in the season, after Shaq had moved on and the season had already descended in to hell.
It wouldn't be nearly as much of an issue if the Heat didn't need something from that spot this year. While Haslem, Beasley, and Marion offer a variety of skills at the other forward positions, none of them are legitimately big. Udonis is going to be forced in to the unfortunate position of having to defend far bigger guys all year at the center spot. It is going to kill him - and force the Heat to double the post constantly, which means open shots all over the place. Thus, it is going to irk me all year that Mark Blount doesn't help. I don't like to label guys as lazy or unfocused - to me that is usually just a lazy way to characterize a guy who doesn't have the athleticism or skill set to compete - but I think Blount does have the necessary skills to be, at a minimum, competent. The evidence would suggest that he is lazy and unfocused, which is unfortunate for the Heat, and for Mami, at whom I will be complaining constantly all year whenever I see Blount line drive another quick, long jumper off the back iron.
In other news:
Two well-worn topics of pop culture today in the Dos Minutos office:
1) O.J. - Since nobody was killed, why can't we - society - just agree that we got off easy this time and let O.J. go without a trial?
2) Kevin Federline - Isn't it hard to believe that he was a backup dancer? I mean, does he look like a guy who can dance? Or is coordinated in any way? As The Captain points out: "A lot of people have started out as backup dancers and used that as a stepping stone to better entertainment careers. If Federline hadn't married Britney, I don't think he would have been one of those people." Plus, aren't most of those people women?
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