Ok, so I really suck at updating this blog. I'm sorry reader(s), but at least I have something to say today.
MLB
What do I think 2009 will have in common with 1997 and 2003? A World Series champion from Miami is the answer to that question. Yes, after two weeks, I've hopped on the Marlins bandwagon to win it all. Every six years it seems as if an out-of-nowhere Marlins team will put together the right mix of youth and experience to win it all. This year is no different.
They have a top flight pitching staff to go along with probably the second best player in baseball. If it makes you think I'm nuttier, I think they will end up facing another out of nowhere team like the Blue Jays, in the World Series. Stay tuned.
NBA
Cavs vs. Lakers is pretty much a done deal now. The only thing LA has to do is maintain. Cleveland still has to get past Orlando, but besides that it should be a cake walk. As for Boston, they're losing to the Bulls in 6.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Baseball Preview ... Kinda
As the Braves and Phillies open up the season, like right now, i figured it would be apropos for me to drop a little preview on you. No, not the kind that will predict a Cubs/Red Sox World Series that will never, ever happen. This is the kind where I say 10 things I think will happen, that of course won't.
10. The Nationals will be one of the worst teams in baseball history. They can't hit, pitch or play defense. Their only significant signing was Adam Dunn, who will hit .240, give you 40 HRs, a lot of walks and a lot of strikeouts. He's also an atrocious defender.
9. That said, the Nats will sign San Diego State pitcher Steven Strasburg to a record contract ($20-25 M) and he'll pitch before the season is over. By the time this team gets to September, they're going to need him to pitch to get people in the stands.
8. Speaking of phenoms, Matt Wieters is the real deal. Check out his numbers from his first season of pro ball, which was last year (peep his 2009 projections as well). Insane.
7. Either the Red Sox or Yankees will not make the playoffs this year. Again.
6. Manny will make a legitimate run at .400 this year. He's 0ne of the greatest hitters of all time, just past his prime but still deadly. He also happens to play in one of the worst divisions in baseball. Look for him to be around .400 through the summer.
5. B.J. Upton will be a 30/30 guy this year. He's ready to finally live up to his full potential.
4. Hanley Ramirez will make a run at 40/40. If he were a better defender, he would be one of the two or three best players in baseball. He might be anyway.
3. There will be another steroids bombshell during the season. I hate to bring up a downer, but its going to happen. I just hope its Schilling.
2. C.C. Sabathia will regret not being in the NL. Especially the NL Central, which will continue to suck.
1. Albert Pujols will continue to be the best player in baseball. Nuff said.
10. The Nationals will be one of the worst teams in baseball history. They can't hit, pitch or play defense. Their only significant signing was Adam Dunn, who will hit .240, give you 40 HRs, a lot of walks and a lot of strikeouts. He's also an atrocious defender.
9. That said, the Nats will sign San Diego State pitcher Steven Strasburg to a record contract ($20-25 M) and he'll pitch before the season is over. By the time this team gets to September, they're going to need him to pitch to get people in the stands.
8. Speaking of phenoms, Matt Wieters is the real deal. Check out his numbers from his first season of pro ball, which was last year (peep his 2009 projections as well). Insane.
7. Either the Red Sox or Yankees will not make the playoffs this year. Again.
6. Manny will make a legitimate run at .400 this year. He's 0ne of the greatest hitters of all time, just past his prime but still deadly. He also happens to play in one of the worst divisions in baseball. Look for him to be around .400 through the summer.
5. B.J. Upton will be a 30/30 guy this year. He's ready to finally live up to his full potential.
4. Hanley Ramirez will make a run at 40/40. If he were a better defender, he would be one of the two or three best players in baseball. He might be anyway.
3. There will be another steroids bombshell during the season. I hate to bring up a downer, but its going to happen. I just hope its Schilling.
2. C.C. Sabathia will regret not being in the NL. Especially the NL Central, which will continue to suck.
1. Albert Pujols will continue to be the best player in baseball. Nuff said.
Friday, March 27, 2009
Sportsology on Corruption
The Yahoo! Sports article about Jim Calhoun’s cheating scandal is getting a lot of publicity. I came across a Jason Whitlock article which talked about the true lack of interest on the NCAA’s part when it comes to cleaning up recruiting.
When I started reading the comments, with people accusing Yahoo! of yellow journalism and saying these kids aren’t getting ripped off because they’re getting a free education, etc., it reminded me of this Joe Posnanski (fast becoming my favorite sportswriter) blog post. In it, he talks about the role of sports journalist. Is it to entertain, enlighten or do a little bit of both?
Personally, I looked at sports journalism as something in between the two fields, but only because they cover entertainers for a living. I love to read the investigative pieces, especially about the increasingly shady recruiting practices, but apparently people don’t care.
Or maybe people’s perspectives are backwards. For starters, its really unfair and naïve to view the degree that the big-time college athlete receives as being on par with the degree you and I may receive, especially in modern terms. Most of these kids aren’t smart enough to get into these schools (and like Nate Miles, a lot of them probably wouldn’t even graduate from high school without their athletic prowess), but we expect them to succeed in the classroom anyway? On top of a demanding athletic schedule, which is the equivalent of a full time job?
Plus, when you look at the value of a college degree, versus the amount of dollars generated, it’s not an even trade off. Look at it like this:
Say you work at a huge company with hundreds of thousands of employees that makes billions of dollars a year. At this company, everyone in upper management might be millionaires, but people actually creating the product barely make 30K (kind of like most companies today anyway). Keep in mind that on your current work experience will only bring you success in a few, focused industries.
At this point, you might say “I’m getting screwed.” But you stay at the company anyway, because after three or four years you might be able to move on to another company making even more money than your current supervisors.
But out of your hundred thousand dollar company, only a few hundred will ever get that million dollar gig, and most of those who get the job will be fired after a year or two. This is the college athlete’s situation in a nutshell.
I guess this is like the rest of us, minus the promise of being a millionaire. Far from slaves, when these kids throw away their education at middle or high school levels, for all intensive purposes at least, these “student athletes” are banking on million dollar careers to supplement their lack of earning ability doing anything outside of sports. Most of these kids are in this predicament only because of the promise of millions.
On top of that, they’re spurned on by people who are only in their lives to make money off their ability to shoot a jumpshot. This is where things get different for the student athlete than you and I. When you’re punching the clock at your 50k/year gig, you probably don’t have dozens of people around fighting over the few hundred bucks you have left over each check after paying bills and student loans.
Another way to look at the corruption in college hoops is to look at the corruption in the nation. Do you really think Jim Calhoun didn’t know his assistants were in communication with the kid Miles, his family and that agent/advisor? If so, you’re pretty naïve.
When it comes to a recruit of that caliber, Calhoun was probably peppering his coaches with questions about Miles every day. The likelihood of his coaches being able to report on what they were doing with Miles, without mentioning the things that are infractions, is once again highly unlikely. I can go on and on about the scumbag Calhoun, but that’s not the point.
The point is when money is involved; you can’t expect someone to do the right thing or the care about the human condition. In all industries, especially in 2009 America, cash is king. It even happens with the kids who pay for their own education. Universities don’t care about their education, they want the money. That’s why they let these money-making kids enter their school even though they don’t stack up academically. Sometimes, these kids even have criminal records, making them dangerous for other students to be around.
The coaches, agents, runners and “advisors” are no different from the people who ruined Wall St. and AIG. Everyone else be damned, they want to be paid. We not only need to reform Wall St. and college sports, I think it’s time for nationwide reform. We can’t be stupid anymore and expect people to do the right thing when there’s millions of dollars on the line. Either that or we can just say screw it, ditch the idea of a republic or democracy and become a nation of “everyman for himself.”
Going back to my point about journalism, with the amount of money and people involved, it's hard (for me at least) to look at sports as just entertainment. It's a business that is not very similar to the games we grew to love as kids. This is why I'm passionate as ever about investigative sports journalism and why it's heartbreaking for me to read people's indifferent comments.
Or maybe it's time for me to change the way I look at things.
When I started reading the comments, with people accusing Yahoo! of yellow journalism and saying these kids aren’t getting ripped off because they’re getting a free education, etc., it reminded me of this Joe Posnanski (fast becoming my favorite sportswriter) blog post. In it, he talks about the role of sports journalist. Is it to entertain, enlighten or do a little bit of both?
Personally, I looked at sports journalism as something in between the two fields, but only because they cover entertainers for a living. I love to read the investigative pieces, especially about the increasingly shady recruiting practices, but apparently people don’t care.
Or maybe people’s perspectives are backwards. For starters, its really unfair and naïve to view the degree that the big-time college athlete receives as being on par with the degree you and I may receive, especially in modern terms. Most of these kids aren’t smart enough to get into these schools (and like Nate Miles, a lot of them probably wouldn’t even graduate from high school without their athletic prowess), but we expect them to succeed in the classroom anyway? On top of a demanding athletic schedule, which is the equivalent of a full time job?
Plus, when you look at the value of a college degree, versus the amount of dollars generated, it’s not an even trade off. Look at it like this:
Say you work at a huge company with hundreds of thousands of employees that makes billions of dollars a year. At this company, everyone in upper management might be millionaires, but people actually creating the product barely make 30K (kind of like most companies today anyway). Keep in mind that on your current work experience will only bring you success in a few, focused industries.
At this point, you might say “I’m getting screwed.” But you stay at the company anyway, because after three or four years you might be able to move on to another company making even more money than your current supervisors.
But out of your hundred thousand dollar company, only a few hundred will ever get that million dollar gig, and most of those who get the job will be fired after a year or two. This is the college athlete’s situation in a nutshell.
I guess this is like the rest of us, minus the promise of being a millionaire. Far from slaves, when these kids throw away their education at middle or high school levels, for all intensive purposes at least, these “student athletes” are banking on million dollar careers to supplement their lack of earning ability doing anything outside of sports. Most of these kids are in this predicament only because of the promise of millions.
On top of that, they’re spurned on by people who are only in their lives to make money off their ability to shoot a jumpshot. This is where things get different for the student athlete than you and I. When you’re punching the clock at your 50k/year gig, you probably don’t have dozens of people around fighting over the few hundred bucks you have left over each check after paying bills and student loans.
Another way to look at the corruption in college hoops is to look at the corruption in the nation. Do you really think Jim Calhoun didn’t know his assistants were in communication with the kid Miles, his family and that agent/advisor? If so, you’re pretty naïve.
When it comes to a recruit of that caliber, Calhoun was probably peppering his coaches with questions about Miles every day. The likelihood of his coaches being able to report on what they were doing with Miles, without mentioning the things that are infractions, is once again highly unlikely. I can go on and on about the scumbag Calhoun, but that’s not the point.
The point is when money is involved; you can’t expect someone to do the right thing or the care about the human condition. In all industries, especially in 2009 America, cash is king. It even happens with the kids who pay for their own education. Universities don’t care about their education, they want the money. That’s why they let these money-making kids enter their school even though they don’t stack up academically. Sometimes, these kids even have criminal records, making them dangerous for other students to be around.
The coaches, agents, runners and “advisors” are no different from the people who ruined Wall St. and AIG. Everyone else be damned, they want to be paid. We not only need to reform Wall St. and college sports, I think it’s time for nationwide reform. We can’t be stupid anymore and expect people to do the right thing when there’s millions of dollars on the line. Either that or we can just say screw it, ditch the idea of a republic or democracy and become a nation of “everyman for himself.”
Going back to my point about journalism, with the amount of money and people involved, it's hard (for me at least) to look at sports as just entertainment. It's a business that is not very similar to the games we grew to love as kids. This is why I'm passionate as ever about investigative sports journalism and why it's heartbreaking for me to read people's indifferent comments.
Or maybe it's time for me to change the way I look at things.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Two Links 3/25
You know how ESPN was trying to make a big deal about T.O. missing some voluntary minicamps? Turns out he's in DC receiving an award for raising awareness about Alzheimer's disease.
Good job ESPN. With all the Matt Jones/Donte Stallworth/Pac Man Jones types running around, you continue to try to paint T.O. as the bad guy of the NFL, despite the fact that he's a model citizen off the field.
Sure he's paranoid and he wants the ball too much, but I'd rather have a guy making $10 mil per that wants the ball every time than a guy making $2 M and could care less about getting on the field.
The other link I wanted to share is about college hoops sleezeball Jim Calhoun and his staff at UConn committing major recruiting violations in pursuit of a kid so troubled that he was booted off campus before the season started. What a jerk.
Good job ESPN. With all the Matt Jones/Donte Stallworth/Pac Man Jones types running around, you continue to try to paint T.O. as the bad guy of the NFL, despite the fact that he's a model citizen off the field.
Sure he's paranoid and he wants the ball too much, but I'd rather have a guy making $10 mil per that wants the ball every time than a guy making $2 M and could care less about getting on the field.
The other link I wanted to share is about college hoops sleezeball Jim Calhoun and his staff at UConn committing major recruiting violations in pursuit of a kid so troubled that he was booted off campus before the season started. What a jerk.
Thursday, March 19, 2009
March Madness Preview
Ok, so I've been gone for over a month. Explanation? I don't really have one, other than the fact that I was seriously considering starting a podcast. But, as a few of my friends have pointed out, I have a gift for writing and people like to see what I think about sports. Therefore, for the third year in a row, here are my March Madness picks.
East Region
Teams that could go deep
Pittsburgh – I love their starting five, especially Sam Young and Dejuan Blair. Foul trouble or injuries could be a problem for this team, but if they avoid either then they should be Final Four lock.
Duke – I love the way this Duke team played down the stretch. They seem to really enjoy playing with each other, they are a solid defensive team and Gerald Henderson is a superstar.
Nova – You know Jay Wright’s teams are going to have good guard play. The difference with this team is they have good post play as well.
Teams that could fall earlyXavier – They played crappy down the stretch and aren’t really as talented as last year’s team or even the team before that.
Florida State – I can see them running out of gas after they went pretty deep in the ACC tourney.
UCLA – They aren’t as good as they normally are. Basically a live-and-die jump shooting team with one good shooter.
Mid-Major Report
VCU – They are a very popular pick to upset UCLA, which makes me a little nervous. They aren’t as deep as the VCU team from a few years ago, but Eric Maynor is even better.
Portland State – I don’t know why, but I like them.
American – They’re getting a raw deal playing Villanova in what is essentially the Wildcats home court.
Midwest Region
Teams that could go deep
Louisville – I like this team a lot. They can run, they play good defense, and they can shoot. Their only weakness is a true post presence, at least on offense, as Samardo Samuels hasn’t been as good as advertised. However, there aren’t many teams that can exploit them in the post, and none of them are in this bracket.
Wake Forest – They always play well against good teams. However, they seem to overlook some of the smaller guys which makes them susceptible for an upset. If they can avoid dropping to a low seed early, they could challenge Louisville.
West Virginia – They were probably the second or third best team in the Big East down the stretch. Look for them to make another run this year.
USC – They are the classic team that seemed to finally get it together down the stretch. Adjusted for pace, they are a top 20 defensive team and have won 5 in a row. Good down low with Taj Gibson and good on the perimeter with Daniel Hackett.
Teams that could fall early
Michigan St. – I always pick them to lose early, for whatever reason.
Kansas – I think they’ve already maxed out.
Mid-Major Report
Siena – They are a popular pick to upset Ohio State, except they are playing in Dayton. They waxed a very good Niagara team in the MAAC championship.
North Dakota State – Great offensive team + great story x underrated = recipe for an upset.
Cleveland State – They should give Wake some trouble, but I don’t seem them beating the Deacs.
South Region
Teams that could go deep
North Carolina – Same old story for the Heels; a lot of offense, just enough d. The most talented team in the country would be the favorite if it wasn’t for injuries.
Gonzaga – This team is Mark Few’s most talented team so far at Gonzaga. However, they draw UNC in the Sweet 16, which might be the only thing in their way from a Final Four berth.
Arizona St. – I don’t know why, but I really, really like this team. Harden and Pendergraph are one of the best combo’s in college hoops.
Oklahoma – No depth, but their Top 7 can play with anybody in the nation. Plus Blake Griffin could start on any NBA team right now, no kidding.
Teams that could fall early
Syracuse – I’m never a Syracuse fan, and I can see them running out of gas after last week.
Illinois – They aren’t very good to begin with, and their best player is hurt.
Mid-Major Report
Butler – They are starting to get a Gonzaga-type rep, where we expect them to be good every year.
Western Kentucky – Pick them to beat Illinois.
Akron – Don’t know much about these guys.
Stephen F. Austin – Believe it or not, they’re a Top 20 defensive team. Expect them to come away with a victory.
West Region
Teams that could go deep
UConn – They could go deep, but don’t expect them to go all the way without Dyson.
Washington – One of the best teams in the country you’ve probably never seen. Also one of the fastest paced Pac-10 teams and a team with the size and depth to knock of Uconn before they get to Memphis.
Missouri – 40 Minutes of Hell is alive and well with this team.
Memphis – I never like Memphis, but after last year I can’t sleep on them anymore.
Teams that could fall early
Purdue – Too hurt this year.
Mid-Major Report
BYU – Solid every year out of the underrated MVC.
Northern Iowa – Solid team out of the underrated again ‘Valley.
Utah St – One of those experienced mid-major teams that racks up a lot of wins in-conference and is usually good for a win or two in the dance.
Final Four
Louisville vs. Missouri
Pitt vs. UNC
Championship
Louisville vs. UNC
Champs
Louisville – Louisville is the best team in the nation now, and they don’t have any injuries or glaring weaknesses. That separates them from the rest of the pack this year.
Top 10 Teams to Win it All
Louisville – Best team in the nation for the last 1/3 of the season.
UNC – Best team in the nation for the first 1/3 of the season.
Pitt – Best team in the nation for the middle 1/3 of the season.
Memphis – It’s hard to knock Calipari’s program, at least for on the court reasons.
Missouri – Reminds me a lot of the Arkansas team that won it all, minus the Corliss Williamson presence.
Wake Forest – If Teague and Aminu come back, they’ll win it all next year.
Washington – Quietly one of Lorenzo Romar’s most talented teams this decade.
Duke – This Duke team is a lot different from the ones that flopped in recent years.
Villanova – Love the guard play, but I don’t see anybody out of that Top 8 really making a run.
Oklahoma – Anything is possible when you have the best player in the country.
East Region
Teams that could go deep
Pittsburgh – I love their starting five, especially Sam Young and Dejuan Blair. Foul trouble or injuries could be a problem for this team, but if they avoid either then they should be Final Four lock.
Duke – I love the way this Duke team played down the stretch. They seem to really enjoy playing with each other, they are a solid defensive team and Gerald Henderson is a superstar.
Nova – You know Jay Wright’s teams are going to have good guard play. The difference with this team is they have good post play as well.
Teams that could fall earlyXavier – They played crappy down the stretch and aren’t really as talented as last year’s team or even the team before that.
Florida State – I can see them running out of gas after they went pretty deep in the ACC tourney.
UCLA – They aren’t as good as they normally are. Basically a live-and-die jump shooting team with one good shooter.
Mid-Major Report
VCU – They are a very popular pick to upset UCLA, which makes me a little nervous. They aren’t as deep as the VCU team from a few years ago, but Eric Maynor is even better.
Portland State – I don’t know why, but I like them.
American – They’re getting a raw deal playing Villanova in what is essentially the Wildcats home court.
Midwest Region
Teams that could go deep
Louisville – I like this team a lot. They can run, they play good defense, and they can shoot. Their only weakness is a true post presence, at least on offense, as Samardo Samuels hasn’t been as good as advertised. However, there aren’t many teams that can exploit them in the post, and none of them are in this bracket.
Wake Forest – They always play well against good teams. However, they seem to overlook some of the smaller guys which makes them susceptible for an upset. If they can avoid dropping to a low seed early, they could challenge Louisville.
West Virginia – They were probably the second or third best team in the Big East down the stretch. Look for them to make another run this year.
USC – They are the classic team that seemed to finally get it together down the stretch. Adjusted for pace, they are a top 20 defensive team and have won 5 in a row. Good down low with Taj Gibson and good on the perimeter with Daniel Hackett.
Teams that could fall early
Michigan St. – I always pick them to lose early, for whatever reason.
Kansas – I think they’ve already maxed out.
Mid-Major Report
Siena – They are a popular pick to upset Ohio State, except they are playing in Dayton. They waxed a very good Niagara team in the MAAC championship.
North Dakota State – Great offensive team + great story x underrated = recipe for an upset.
Cleveland State – They should give Wake some trouble, but I don’t seem them beating the Deacs.
South Region
Teams that could go deep
North Carolina – Same old story for the Heels; a lot of offense, just enough d. The most talented team in the country would be the favorite if it wasn’t for injuries.
Gonzaga – This team is Mark Few’s most talented team so far at Gonzaga. However, they draw UNC in the Sweet 16, which might be the only thing in their way from a Final Four berth.
Arizona St. – I don’t know why, but I really, really like this team. Harden and Pendergraph are one of the best combo’s in college hoops.
Oklahoma – No depth, but their Top 7 can play with anybody in the nation. Plus Blake Griffin could start on any NBA team right now, no kidding.
Teams that could fall early
Syracuse – I’m never a Syracuse fan, and I can see them running out of gas after last week.
Illinois – They aren’t very good to begin with, and their best player is hurt.
Mid-Major Report
Butler – They are starting to get a Gonzaga-type rep, where we expect them to be good every year.
Western Kentucky – Pick them to beat Illinois.
Akron – Don’t know much about these guys.
Stephen F. Austin – Believe it or not, they’re a Top 20 defensive team. Expect them to come away with a victory.
West Region
Teams that could go deep
UConn – They could go deep, but don’t expect them to go all the way without Dyson.
Washington – One of the best teams in the country you’ve probably never seen. Also one of the fastest paced Pac-10 teams and a team with the size and depth to knock of Uconn before they get to Memphis.
Missouri – 40 Minutes of Hell is alive and well with this team.
Memphis – I never like Memphis, but after last year I can’t sleep on them anymore.
Teams that could fall early
Purdue – Too hurt this year.
Mid-Major Report
BYU – Solid every year out of the underrated MVC.
Northern Iowa – Solid team out of the underrated again ‘Valley.
Utah St – One of those experienced mid-major teams that racks up a lot of wins in-conference and is usually good for a win or two in the dance.
Final Four
Louisville vs. Missouri
Pitt vs. UNC
Championship
Louisville vs. UNC
Champs
Louisville – Louisville is the best team in the nation now, and they don’t have any injuries or glaring weaknesses. That separates them from the rest of the pack this year.
Top 10 Teams to Win it All
Louisville – Best team in the nation for the last 1/3 of the season.
UNC – Best team in the nation for the first 1/3 of the season.
Pitt – Best team in the nation for the middle 1/3 of the season.
Memphis – It’s hard to knock Calipari’s program, at least for on the court reasons.
Missouri – Reminds me a lot of the Arkansas team that won it all, minus the Corliss Williamson presence.
Wake Forest – If Teague and Aminu come back, they’ll win it all next year.
Washington – Quietly one of Lorenzo Romar’s most talented teams this decade.
Duke – This Duke team is a lot different from the ones that flopped in recent years.
Villanova – Love the guard play, but I don’t see anybody out of that Top 8 really making a run.
Oklahoma – Anything is possible when you have the best player in the country.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
2009's Should Be All-Star Reserves
As you can see, I went small with both teams and had to get creative with the East roster. Amare is stealing Shaq's all-star spot while there are a bunch of guys who could make a case for AI's guard spot in the East. Besides those two, I really don't have any beef with the starters.
Western Conference
PG – Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs – 20.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 6.6 apg. Quietly, Tony is averaging career high’s in points and assists per game.
SG – Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers – 22.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.3 apg. Portland, by far, is the most enjoyable team to watch in the league this year. They’re young, they have depth, they play smart and hard, and Brandon Roy is likely to drop 50 on you if you’re not ready.
SF – Kevin Durant, OKC – 24.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.6 apg. Last I heard he was buried in obscurity somewhere in the mid-west. At least he might have come on TV by now if they were still the Sonics.
PF – Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks – 26 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.5 apg. Dirk is still bringing it in Dallas.
C – Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers – 17.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 3.4 apg. I had to reward the Lakers with a 2nd all-star.
PG – Chauncey Billiups, Denver Nuggets (32 games) – 18.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 6.9 apg. His trade to Denver has changed the fortunes of Denver and Detroit’s season and future.
PF – Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz – 15.7 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 2.1 apg. I know Al Jefferson’s numbers are better, but P-Mill gives you a double-double every game he starts and Utah deserves an all-star.
Close Calls: Al Jefferson, Minnesota Timberwolves; Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix Suns; Deron Williams, Utah Jazz; Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets; LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trailblazers
Eastern Conference
PG – Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets – 21.8 ppg, 3 rpg, 6.4 apg. He’s cooled off a bit, but he’s still having a career year and is worthy of the trip to Phoenix.
SG – Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks - 21.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 6 apg. Joe is finally getting his due around the league as one of the game’s best players.
SF – Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics - 19.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.7 apg. The Truth is leading the Celtics back to the Eastern Conference Finals, if not the NBA Finals.
PF – Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers – 26.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.4 apg. Had to get the 4th best Small Forward in the league here somehow.
C – Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors – 23.1 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2.6 apg. His team is horrible, but so are the Eastern Conference centers behind Dwight Howard.
PG – Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic – 17.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.3 apg. A jump shooter hitting 50% of his FGs. Needless to say, he’s been on a year-long hot streak.
PG – Mo Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers – 16.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4 apg. Had to reward the Cavs with two players and sense Big Z is on the shelf he gets the nod.
Close Calls: Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic; Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic; Ray Allen, Boston Celtics; Vince Carter, New Jersey Nets; Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards; Caron Butler, Washington Wizards
Western Conference
PG – Tony Parker, San Antonio Spurs – 20.3 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 6.6 apg. Quietly, Tony is averaging career high’s in points and assists per game.
SG – Brandon Roy, Portland Trailblazers – 22.3 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.3 apg. Portland, by far, is the most enjoyable team to watch in the league this year. They’re young, they have depth, they play smart and hard, and Brandon Roy is likely to drop 50 on you if you’re not ready.
SF – Kevin Durant, OKC – 24.7 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.6 apg. Last I heard he was buried in obscurity somewhere in the mid-west. At least he might have come on TV by now if they were still the Sonics.
PF – Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks – 26 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 2.5 apg. Dirk is still bringing it in Dallas.
C – Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers – 17.5 ppg, 9.1 rpg, 3.4 apg. I had to reward the Lakers with a 2nd all-star.
PG – Chauncey Billiups, Denver Nuggets (32 games) – 18.9 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 6.9 apg. His trade to Denver has changed the fortunes of Denver and Detroit’s season and future.
PF – Paul Millsap, Utah Jazz – 15.7 ppg, 9.7 rpg, 2.1 apg. I know Al Jefferson’s numbers are better, but P-Mill gives you a double-double every game he starts and Utah deserves an all-star.
Close Calls: Al Jefferson, Minnesota Timberwolves; Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix Suns; Deron Williams, Utah Jazz; Carmelo Anthony, Denver Nuggets; LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trailblazers
Eastern Conference
PG – Devin Harris, New Jersey Nets – 21.8 ppg, 3 rpg, 6.4 apg. He’s cooled off a bit, but he’s still having a career year and is worthy of the trip to Phoenix.
SG – Joe Johnson, Atlanta Hawks - 21.7 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 6 apg. Joe is finally getting his due around the league as one of the game’s best players.
SF – Paul Pierce, Boston Celtics - 19.3 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 3.7 apg. The Truth is leading the Celtics back to the Eastern Conference Finals, if not the NBA Finals.
PF – Danny Granger, Indiana Pacers – 26.1 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.4 apg. Had to get the 4th best Small Forward in the league here somehow.
C – Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors – 23.1 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2.6 apg. His team is horrible, but so are the Eastern Conference centers behind Dwight Howard.
PG – Jameer Nelson, Orlando Magic – 17.1 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.3 apg. A jump shooter hitting 50% of his FGs. Needless to say, he’s been on a year-long hot streak.
PG – Mo Williams, Cleveland Cavaliers – 16.6 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 4 apg. Had to reward the Cavs with two players and sense Big Z is on the shelf he gets the nod.
Close Calls: Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic; Hedo Turkoglu, Orlando Magic; Ray Allen, Boston Celtics; Vince Carter, New Jersey Nets; Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards; Caron Butler, Washington Wizards
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Why LeBron should go to New York
The NBA's renaissance in the 80s and 90s was fueled by likable characters and media creations, like Bird, Magic and Jordan. This has been well documented.
This left them vulnerable when those stars faded away and the league's image plummeted, culminating with the infamous Brawl at the Palace between the Pacers and Pistons.
Luckily for David Stern, an influx of young talent has become to filter into the league. Most of the stars, like Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh and Chris Paul are equal parts talented and likable. They avoid trouble and seem to be homebodies and gym rats. Others, like Carmelo Anthony have come across some trouble, but not anything extremely damaging.
Yet, the NBA seems to be putting most of its eggs in the basket which is King James. LeBron has avoided trouble too, save for some speeding tickets, is one of the three or four best players in the league and is backed by shoe giant Nike. Plus, he's going to be this year's league MVP by default (sort of like Kobe last year).
However, LeBron's potential as an anti-hero is more intriguing to me. For starters, he's pretty much a jerk. This year alone, he's waxed poetically about his desire to play in New York, dissed Charles Barkley for crticizing him about it, cut staff from one of his philanthropic organizations and used the phrase "crab dribble" while whining about getting a traveling call against him in a play where he clearly took at least 3 steps.
This is why LeBron should go to New York.
In New York, he'll get the A-Rod treatment: major contract, major endorsements, major scruitiny and hate from everyone else in the country. In New York, he'll get the intense media pressure and harsh fans that an arrogant guy like him deserves.
Additionally, the league will be forced to stop trying to make us love him the same way we did Jordan. What's the point? People tune in just as much, if not more, to see the villain go down as they do to watch the hero triumph over evil.
Imagine LeBron's Knicks in a few years in the Eastern Conference finals against Dwight Howard's Magic, or (better yet for the NBA) the Celtics Big Three going for a final championship run.
As good as a potential 7 game series between the Cavs and Celtics this year seems, the problem the league will have will be finding the bad guy. While James is the obvious choice, do they want to go that route? Probably not.
That's too bad, because out of all the guys the media wants us to hate, he's the big name that deserves to be booed the most.
This left them vulnerable when those stars faded away and the league's image plummeted, culminating with the infamous Brawl at the Palace between the Pacers and Pistons.
Luckily for David Stern, an influx of young talent has become to filter into the league. Most of the stars, like Dwight Howard, Chris Bosh and Chris Paul are equal parts talented and likable. They avoid trouble and seem to be homebodies and gym rats. Others, like Carmelo Anthony have come across some trouble, but not anything extremely damaging.
Yet, the NBA seems to be putting most of its eggs in the basket which is King James. LeBron has avoided trouble too, save for some speeding tickets, is one of the three or four best players in the league and is backed by shoe giant Nike. Plus, he's going to be this year's league MVP by default (sort of like Kobe last year).
However, LeBron's potential as an anti-hero is more intriguing to me. For starters, he's pretty much a jerk. This year alone, he's waxed poetically about his desire to play in New York, dissed Charles Barkley for crticizing him about it, cut staff from one of his philanthropic organizations and used the phrase "crab dribble" while whining about getting a traveling call against him in a play where he clearly took at least 3 steps.
This is why LeBron should go to New York.
In New York, he'll get the A-Rod treatment: major contract, major endorsements, major scruitiny and hate from everyone else in the country. In New York, he'll get the intense media pressure and harsh fans that an arrogant guy like him deserves.
Additionally, the league will be forced to stop trying to make us love him the same way we did Jordan. What's the point? People tune in just as much, if not more, to see the villain go down as they do to watch the hero triumph over evil.
Imagine LeBron's Knicks in a few years in the Eastern Conference finals against Dwight Howard's Magic, or (better yet for the NBA) the Celtics Big Three going for a final championship run.
As good as a potential 7 game series between the Cavs and Celtics this year seems, the problem the league will have will be finding the bad guy. While James is the obvious choice, do they want to go that route? Probably not.
That's too bad, because out of all the guys the media wants us to hate, he's the big name that deserves to be booed the most.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Championship Weekend Quick Hit
Sorry for the lack of a preview, but I've been tied up the past few days. Take Arizona and Pittsburgh if your gambling, and expect to see them in Super Bowl XL whatever it is.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
Et Tu Jodie Meeks?
And just like that, Jodie Meeks has put himself in the middle of the Player of the Year race in college hoops. I missed last night's game, unfortunately, and the only time I saw Kentucky this year they looked like crap against North Carolina.
Little did I know, Kentucky was on a bit of a roll and has only lost four games this season, all to decent opponents, and have a better record (so far) than Tennessee. I had a chance to watch this game, but opted to catch the Lakers and Rockets instead, because I assumed Kentucky was a crappy team. I definitely should've done my research.
Fortunately for Kentucky and Meeks, they're both back on the scene. Well Meeks is on the scene for the first time this year. He's averaging 25.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, and 1.9 apg thank you, and is definitely in the Top 5 for POY now. Here's my list to date:
1. Blake Griffin - 22.4 ppg, 13.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.5 bpg, 65% FG, 60% FT.
2. Stephen Curry - 28.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 6.7 apg, 3.1 spg, 45% FG, 36% 3PT, 85% FT.
3. James Harden - 23.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.7 apg, 2.1 spg, 56% FG, 42% 3PT, 76% FT.
4. Luke Harangody - 24.8 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.4 spg, 1 bpg, 50% FG, 81% FT.
5. Jodie Meeks - 25.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.5 spg, 48% FG, 44% 3PT, 91% FT.
Little did I know, Kentucky was on a bit of a roll and has only lost four games this season, all to decent opponents, and have a better record (so far) than Tennessee. I had a chance to watch this game, but opted to catch the Lakers and Rockets instead, because I assumed Kentucky was a crappy team. I definitely should've done my research.
Fortunately for Kentucky and Meeks, they're both back on the scene. Well Meeks is on the scene for the first time this year. He's averaging 25.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, and 1.9 apg thank you, and is definitely in the Top 5 for POY now. Here's my list to date:
1. Blake Griffin - 22.4 ppg, 13.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.5 bpg, 65% FG, 60% FT.
2. Stephen Curry - 28.5 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 6.7 apg, 3.1 spg, 45% FG, 36% 3PT, 85% FT.
3. James Harden - 23.1 ppg, 5.8 rpg, 4.7 apg, 2.1 spg, 56% FG, 42% 3PT, 76% FT.
4. Luke Harangody - 24.8 ppg, 12.7 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.4 spg, 1 bpg, 50% FG, 81% FT.
5. Jodie Meeks - 25.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.5 spg, 48% FG, 44% 3PT, 91% FT.
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Quick Hits 1/13
MLB
I haven’t spent much time on baseball this off-season, as the Yankees have made a big splash with their signings, while no one else has really stirred up the pot. I feel like more teams are going to go the Rockies/Tampa Bay route or even the Phillies route in the coming years than try to emulate the Yankees/Mets/Red Sox route which has only really worked for the Red Sox.
Of course the Yanks have abandoned building from the ground up by signing C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Texiera, three of the four biggest names on the market. The other free agent of mega-value is Manny Ramirez, who seems have little options besides the Dodgers right now.
Being in the D.C. area, I don’t understand why they aren’t throwing him $100 for four years. As of now, they have no one on the team that’s going to put butts in the seats and their farm system isn’t as stocked as small market teams like the Rays/Rockies who’ve made recent runs, perennial small-market contenders the Twins and A’s or even their pseudo-rival 30 minutes to the north, Baltimore, who have the best prospect in the game besides Tampa’s David Price; phenom catcher Matt Wieters.
Honestly, if they don’t do something this off-season, the future of baseball in our nation’s capital could become shaky.
NCAA B
With Stephen having another shaky big-stage performance and Blake Griffin seemingly running away with the national player of the year race, I’m suspending the Curry Watches until he really blows up again. In between updates, you can assume he’s going to score 25-35, get 6-8 dimes, 3 or 4 boards and a few steals per game.
As for my loyal readers, I’ve been watching more college basketball than I have in a long time, so my post-season predictions should be head on.
NBA
I still want to go in depth in my player rankings, which might need some tinkering now that Kevin Martin is back and Boozer is out for a long time. I also want to do a bench and coach ranking first, then compare where teams rank in my opinion to where they actually are.
I apologize for taking up so much of your time with an “experiment” that may only be of interest to me.
NFL
Hopefully I’ll have enough time to crank out a conference championship preview later on this week, although I’ll say now I’m leaning towards Philly and Pittsburgh.
However, Philly’s not a lock as Arizona’s defense is making big plays and putting their offense in great positions. Arizona’s resurgent running game has been greatly overstated I think (86 yards, 3.1 ypc in their win over Atlanta, 145 yards, 3.4 ypc versus Carolina) as it’s the defense that has been behind Arizona’s playoff run. That, and stupid defense on Larry Fitzgerald.
Meanwhile, the Ravens are playing bonecrushing defense, as Ed Reed and the boys are dragging their offense along another title run like they did in 2000. The difference in the two runs maybe in QB experience, as an experienced Trent Dilfer is better than a decent, potential-filled-but-definitely-overrated-at-this-stage-in-his-career, Joe Flacco.
I haven’t spent much time on baseball this off-season, as the Yankees have made a big splash with their signings, while no one else has really stirred up the pot. I feel like more teams are going to go the Rockies/Tampa Bay route or even the Phillies route in the coming years than try to emulate the Yankees/Mets/Red Sox route which has only really worked for the Red Sox.
Of course the Yanks have abandoned building from the ground up by signing C.C. Sabathia, A.J. Burnett and Mark Texiera, three of the four biggest names on the market. The other free agent of mega-value is Manny Ramirez, who seems have little options besides the Dodgers right now.
Being in the D.C. area, I don’t understand why they aren’t throwing him $100 for four years. As of now, they have no one on the team that’s going to put butts in the seats and their farm system isn’t as stocked as small market teams like the Rays/Rockies who’ve made recent runs, perennial small-market contenders the Twins and A’s or even their pseudo-rival 30 minutes to the north, Baltimore, who have the best prospect in the game besides Tampa’s David Price; phenom catcher Matt Wieters.
Honestly, if they don’t do something this off-season, the future of baseball in our nation’s capital could become shaky.
NCAA B
With Stephen having another shaky big-stage performance and Blake Griffin seemingly running away with the national player of the year race, I’m suspending the Curry Watches until he really blows up again. In between updates, you can assume he’s going to score 25-35, get 6-8 dimes, 3 or 4 boards and a few steals per game.
As for my loyal readers, I’ve been watching more college basketball than I have in a long time, so my post-season predictions should be head on.
NBA
I still want to go in depth in my player rankings, which might need some tinkering now that Kevin Martin is back and Boozer is out for a long time. I also want to do a bench and coach ranking first, then compare where teams rank in my opinion to where they actually are.
I apologize for taking up so much of your time with an “experiment” that may only be of interest to me.
NFL
Hopefully I’ll have enough time to crank out a conference championship preview later on this week, although I’ll say now I’m leaning towards Philly and Pittsburgh.
However, Philly’s not a lock as Arizona’s defense is making big plays and putting their offense in great positions. Arizona’s resurgent running game has been greatly overstated I think (86 yards, 3.1 ypc in their win over Atlanta, 145 yards, 3.4 ypc versus Carolina) as it’s the defense that has been behind Arizona’s playoff run. That, and stupid defense on Larry Fitzgerald.
Meanwhile, the Ravens are playing bonecrushing defense, as Ed Reed and the boys are dragging their offense along another title run like they did in 2000. The difference in the two runs maybe in QB experience, as an experienced Trent Dilfer is better than a decent, potential-filled-but-definitely-overrated-at-this-stage-in-his-career, Joe Flacco.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Really Quick Thought
Sorry guys, but I've been slacking this week. I owe you all a Curry watch, and explanation of my NBA lists, a college football recap, an NFL playoff thought or two and a college hoops update.
But alas, I have no time. I did want to say that tonight's Celtics/Cavs game is the game of the year so far. In the previous NBA Game of the Year so far, the Lakers topped the Celts in LA on Christmas, and started the Celtics free fall.
Meanwhile, the Cavs are still rolling, have the best record in the East and are 18-0 at home.
This game is important because with a win, the Cavs can assert their dominance in the East and stake a claim that they are indeed ready for primetime. A Celtics loss would really accentuate the team's free fall and put more pressure on Danny Ainge to sure up the bench.
However, a Celtics win would show that they aren't ready to cede their dominant Eastern Conference role to the Cavs, and probably help them regain their momentum. A Cavs loss would place them back behind Boston, and put them down 0-2 in the season series.
If this game lives up to its potential, we could be talking about the ramifications of it up into the all-star break.
But alas, I have no time. I did want to say that tonight's Celtics/Cavs game is the game of the year so far. In the previous NBA Game of the Year so far, the Lakers topped the Celts in LA on Christmas, and started the Celtics free fall.
Meanwhile, the Cavs are still rolling, have the best record in the East and are 18-0 at home.
This game is important because with a win, the Cavs can assert their dominance in the East and stake a claim that they are indeed ready for primetime. A Celtics loss would really accentuate the team's free fall and put more pressure on Danny Ainge to sure up the bench.
However, a Celtics win would show that they aren't ready to cede their dominant Eastern Conference role to the Cavs, and probably help them regain their momentum. A Cavs loss would place them back behind Boston, and put them down 0-2 in the season series.
If this game lives up to its potential, we could be talking about the ramifications of it up into the all-star break.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
NBA Center Rankings
Part 5.
30. Robert Swift, OKC – 3.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 0.5 apg, 1 bpg, 51% FG, 60% FT. Thank God for Krstic.
29. Aaron Gray, Chicago Bulls – 4.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 49% FG, 60% FT. At least Pitt is #1 in the nation in college ball.
28. Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers – 5.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.7 apg, 51% FG, 60% FT. He does play hard.
27. Jared Jeffries, New York Knicks – 5.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.3 apg, 43% FG, 56% FT. The only other team he plays center for in the NBA is Golden State.
26. Joel Anthony, Miami Heat – 3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.4 apg, 1.6 bpg, 47% FG, 62% FT. Never heard of him until this year.
25. Matt Bonner, San Antonio Spurs – 7.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.1 apg, 52% FG, 47% 3PT, 86% FT. Gotta love the big man that can hit the three.
24. Erick Dampier, Dallas Mavericks – 5.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1 apg, 1.3 bpg, 66% FG, 56% FT. Love the field goal percentage and the fraternity.
23. Andray Blatche, Washington Wizards – 9.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.7 apg, 47% FG, 78% FT. He’ll hit an occasional three when he’s on, but if he gave a consistent effort he’d be a lot higher on this list.
22. Samuel Dalembert, Philadelphia 76ers – 5.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 0.2 apg, 1.5 bpg, 46% FG, 71% FT. His contract might’ve ultimately led to Billy King’s demise.
21. Greg Oden, Portland Trailblazers – 8 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 0.7 apg, 1.2 bpg, 53% FG, 64% FT. He may not be great, but he’s a great guy to have in your rotation.
20. Tyson Chandler, New Orleans Hornets – 8.8 ppg, 8 rpg, 0.5 apg, 1.5 bpg, 55% FG, 53% FT. For some reason, most of his numbers are way down this year.
19. Jermaine O’Neal, Toronto Raptors – 14 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.9 bpg, 48% FG, 80%FT. Still kind of effective, not even 31 yet.
18. Brad Miller, Sacramento Kings – 12.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.4 apg, 47% FG, 39% 3PT, 78% FT. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him playing valuable minutes on a contender in the next few years.
17. Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets – 10.3 ppg, 8 rpg, 0.8 apg, 1.9 bpg, 47% FG, 79% FT. Already playing better than their former starting center, who was also a twin from Stanford.
16. Kendrick Perkins, Boston Celtics – 8.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.8 bpg, 60% FG, 58% FT. Fits in perfectly with the rest of Boston’s starting 5.
15. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies – 11.3 ppg, 7 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.1 bpg, 52% FG, 71% FT. That Lakers trade for his brother doesn’t look like the steal we thought it was now that he’s in the NBA too.
14. Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks – 11.5 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2 apg, 1 bpg, 56% FG, 58% FT. On pace to have his first double-double season.
13. Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers – 11.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.8 bpg, 53% FG, 66% FT. I’m interested to see what his ceiling is. The numbers aren’t going to be there now, because of whom he plays with, but what would he do on a team like Minnesota?
12. Nene, Denver Nuggets – 14.7 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.3 spg, 1.5 bpg, 62% FG, 73% FT. He’s having a career year for a Nuggets team that looks like it might be able to make a run this year (finally).
11. Emeka Okafor, Charlotte Bobcats – 13.8 ppg, 11 rpg, 0.6 apg, 1.8 bpg, 58% FG, 58%FT. A consistent double-double guy for Larry Brown’s team.
10. Mehmet Okur, Utah Jazz – 16.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.8 apg, 48% FG, 37% 3PT, 80% FT. He is another reason why Utah has been able to keep moving along despite Boozer and D-Will’s injury woes.
9. Andris Biedrins, Golden State Warriors – 14.2 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 2 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.5 bpg, 55% FG, 56% FT. Without him, there’s no way Nellie’s style would even be remotely effective with the roster he has in Oaktown.
8. Rasheed Wallace, Detroit Pistons – 12.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1 spg, 1.6 bpg, 42% FG, 38% 3PT, 76% FT. He could be a 20 and 10 guy if he wanted to.
7. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks – 11 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.6 bpg, 52% FG, 72% FT. He doesn’t get a lot of shots, and maybe this is too high for him, but he’s been outstanding for the Hawks this year.
6. Zydrunas Ilgauskus, Cleveland Cavaliers – 13.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.3 bpg, 52% FG, 84% FT. One of the hardest things about this list is the numbers. His numbers aren’t as good as some of the guys he’s a head of (#7 and 8 are in this boat too), but he does the more with his opportunities.
5. Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix Suns – 17.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.5 bpg, 59% FG, 60% FT. Shhhh. Shaq is having his best season since he helped D-Wade bring the championship to Miami.
4. Marcus Camby, Los Angeles Clippers – 12 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.8 bpg, 52% FG, 75% FT. It’s pretty hard to beat a double-double with three blocks a game.
3. Al Jefferson, Minnesota Timberwolves – 22.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.8 bpg, 50% FG, 77% FT. The best player in the league none of us really get to see.
2. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets – 19.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.7 bpg, 52% FG, 88% FT. You already know what you’re going to get from Yao every year; 20, 10 and at least 20 games on the shelf.
1. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic – 20.1 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, 3.5 bpg, 56% FG, 57% FT. His numbers are every similar to the numbers Shaq put up in his rookie year, which shows how dominant Shaq really was. However, D-Ho is at about 50% of his potential right now, and is far and away the best center in the league, which is scary.
Shaq (92-93) 23.4 ppg, 13.9 rpg, 1.9 apg, 3.5 bpg, 56% FG, 57% FT.
30. Robert Swift, OKC – 3.4 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 0.5 apg, 1 bpg, 51% FG, 60% FT. Thank God for Krstic.
29. Aaron Gray, Chicago Bulls – 4.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, 1.1 apg, 49% FG, 60% FT. At least Pitt is #1 in the nation in college ball.
28. Roy Hibbert, Indiana Pacers – 5.7 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.7 apg, 51% FG, 60% FT. He does play hard.
27. Jared Jeffries, New York Knicks – 5.6 ppg, 4.6 rpg, 1.3 apg, 43% FG, 56% FT. The only other team he plays center for in the NBA is Golden State.
26. Joel Anthony, Miami Heat – 3 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 0.4 apg, 1.6 bpg, 47% FG, 62% FT. Never heard of him until this year.
25. Matt Bonner, San Antonio Spurs – 7.9 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 1.1 apg, 52% FG, 47% 3PT, 86% FT. Gotta love the big man that can hit the three.
24. Erick Dampier, Dallas Mavericks – 5.4 ppg, 8.1 rpg, 1 apg, 1.3 bpg, 66% FG, 56% FT. Love the field goal percentage and the fraternity.
23. Andray Blatche, Washington Wizards – 9.5 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 1.7 apg, 47% FG, 78% FT. He’ll hit an occasional three when he’s on, but if he gave a consistent effort he’d be a lot higher on this list.
22. Samuel Dalembert, Philadelphia 76ers – 5.7 ppg, 8.3 rpg, 0.2 apg, 1.5 bpg, 46% FG, 71% FT. His contract might’ve ultimately led to Billy King’s demise.
21. Greg Oden, Portland Trailblazers – 8 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 0.7 apg, 1.2 bpg, 53% FG, 64% FT. He may not be great, but he’s a great guy to have in your rotation.
20. Tyson Chandler, New Orleans Hornets – 8.8 ppg, 8 rpg, 0.5 apg, 1.5 bpg, 55% FG, 53% FT. For some reason, most of his numbers are way down this year.
19. Jermaine O’Neal, Toronto Raptors – 14 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.9 bpg, 48% FG, 80%FT. Still kind of effective, not even 31 yet.
18. Brad Miller, Sacramento Kings – 12.1 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 3.4 apg, 47% FG, 39% 3PT, 78% FT. Wouldn’t be surprised to see him playing valuable minutes on a contender in the next few years.
17. Brook Lopez, New Jersey Nets – 10.3 ppg, 8 rpg, 0.8 apg, 1.9 bpg, 47% FG, 79% FT. Already playing better than their former starting center, who was also a twin from Stanford.
16. Kendrick Perkins, Boston Celtics – 8.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.8 bpg, 60% FG, 58% FT. Fits in perfectly with the rest of Boston’s starting 5.
15. Marc Gasol, Memphis Grizzlies – 11.3 ppg, 7 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.1 bpg, 52% FG, 71% FT. That Lakers trade for his brother doesn’t look like the steal we thought it was now that he’s in the NBA too.
14. Andrew Bogut, Milwaukee Bucks – 11.5 ppg, 10.6 rpg, 2 apg, 1 bpg, 56% FG, 58% FT. On pace to have his first double-double season.
13. Andrew Bynum, Los Angeles Lakers – 11.9 ppg, 8.2 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.8 bpg, 53% FG, 66% FT. I’m interested to see what his ceiling is. The numbers aren’t going to be there now, because of whom he plays with, but what would he do on a team like Minnesota?
12. Nene, Denver Nuggets – 14.7 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1.3 spg, 1.5 bpg, 62% FG, 73% FT. He’s having a career year for a Nuggets team that looks like it might be able to make a run this year (finally).
11. Emeka Okafor, Charlotte Bobcats – 13.8 ppg, 11 rpg, 0.6 apg, 1.8 bpg, 58% FG, 58%FT. A consistent double-double guy for Larry Brown’s team.
10. Mehmet Okur, Utah Jazz – 16.9 ppg, 8.4 rpg, 1.8 apg, 48% FG, 37% 3PT, 80% FT. He is another reason why Utah has been able to keep moving along despite Boozer and D-Will’s injury woes.
9. Andris Biedrins, Golden State Warriors – 14.2 ppg, 11.9 rpg, 2 apg, 1.4 spg, 1.5 bpg, 55% FG, 56% FT. Without him, there’s no way Nellie’s style would even be remotely effective with the roster he has in Oaktown.
8. Rasheed Wallace, Detroit Pistons – 12.3 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1 spg, 1.6 bpg, 42% FG, 38% 3PT, 76% FT. He could be a 20 and 10 guy if he wanted to.
7. Al Horford, Atlanta Hawks – 11 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.6 bpg, 52% FG, 72% FT. He doesn’t get a lot of shots, and maybe this is too high for him, but he’s been outstanding for the Hawks this year.
6. Zydrunas Ilgauskus, Cleveland Cavaliers – 13.8 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.3 bpg, 52% FG, 84% FT. One of the hardest things about this list is the numbers. His numbers aren’t as good as some of the guys he’s a head of (#7 and 8 are in this boat too), but he does the more with his opportunities.
5. Shaquille O’Neal, Phoenix Suns – 17.2 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.5 bpg, 59% FG, 60% FT. Shhhh. Shaq is having his best season since he helped D-Wade bring the championship to Miami.
4. Marcus Camby, Los Angeles Clippers – 12 ppg, 13.5 rpg, 2.3 apg, 2.8 bpg, 52% FG, 75% FT. It’s pretty hard to beat a double-double with three blocks a game.
3. Al Jefferson, Minnesota Timberwolves – 22.8 ppg, 10.4 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.8 bpg, 50% FG, 77% FT. The best player in the league none of us really get to see.
2. Yao Ming, Houston Rockets – 19.8 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.6 apg, 1.7 bpg, 52% FG, 88% FT. You already know what you’re going to get from Yao every year; 20, 10 and at least 20 games on the shelf.
1. Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic – 20.1 ppg, 13.6 rpg, 1.4 apg, 3.5 bpg, 56% FG, 57% FT. His numbers are every similar to the numbers Shaq put up in his rookie year, which shows how dominant Shaq really was. However, D-Ho is at about 50% of his potential right now, and is far and away the best center in the league, which is scary.
Shaq (92-93) 23.4 ppg, 13.9 rpg, 1.9 apg, 3.5 bpg, 56% FG, 57% FT.
Monday, January 5, 2009
NBA Power Forward Rankings
Part 4
30. Craig Smith, Minnesota Timberwolves - 8.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.5 apg, 51% FG, 68% FT. Keeping the seat warm for K-Love.
29. Yi Jianlian, New Jersey Nets – 9.7 ppg, 6 rpg, 1 apg, 39% FG, 39% 3PT, 79% FT. Maybe he’ll become a decent role player some day.
28. Ben Wallace, Cleveland Cavaliers – 3.2 ppg, 7 rpg, 0.7 apg, 1 spg, 1.8 bpg, 45% FG, 44% FT. At this point in his career, it’s probably better if he’s coming off the bench, but he has found a good niche with the Cavs.
27. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Milwaukee Bucks – 8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1 apg, 1.1 spg, 45% FG, 76% FT. Charlie Villanueva is the more talented player at this position for the Bucks, but Scott Skiles likes this guy.
26. Tyrus Thomas, Chicago Bulls – 7.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 0.8 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.7 bpg, 41% FG, 80% FT. Wouldn’t it be nice if they had LaMarcus Aldridge?
25. Brandan Wright, Golden State Warriors – 8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1 bpg, 56% FG, 75% FT. With Nellie’s weird rotations it’s hard to figure out what he is.
24. Hakim Warrick, Memphis Grizzlies – 11.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.8 apg, 50% FG, 72% FT. Stromile Swift 2.0.
23. Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets – 12.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.6 spg, 1.3 bpg, 51%FG, 59% FT. His athleticism is still decent, but at this point of his career (and his salary) people’s perceptions about Kenyon are more about what he isn’t (an elite player) than what he is (a good rotation guy).
22. Jeff Green, OKC – 16.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.2 spg, 46% FG, 40% 3PT, 75% FT. A bit undersized to play the four, he has steadily improved as this season has progressed.
21. Spencer Hawes, Sacramento Kings – 11.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.7 bpg, 44% FG, 35% 3PT, 75% FT. A future double-double guy with outside touch, his development is definitely intriguing.
20. Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat – 11.1 ppg, 9 rpg, 1.2 apg, 50% FG, 71% FT. Solid player, and worth a lot more bang for buck than they’re getting from The Matrix.
19. Luis Scola, Houston Rockets – 11.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1 spg, 50% FG, 74% FT. One of the best players most people have never heard of.
18. Troy Murphy, Indiana Pacers – 11.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 43% FG, 38% 3PT, 70% FT. I have an affinity for double-double guys that can hit the three.
17. Boris Diaw, Charlotte Bobcats – (11 games) 15.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 5.2 apg, 50% FG, 56% FT. Give him a starting spot and voila, he’s back to putting up numbers similar to his breakout year in Phoenix (05-06), when he filled him for Amare and put up 13, 7 and 6.
16. David Lee, New York Knicks – 14.8 ppg, 11 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.1 spg, 57% FG, 74% FT. Everybody loves him except for D’Antoni, who believe it or not, wants him to play more D.
15. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trailblazers – 17.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.1 bpg, 47% FG, 75% FT. His improvement is one of the reasons why the Blazers seem poised to return to the playoffs.
14. Elton Brand, Philadelphia 76ers – 15.9 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.4 bpg, 45% FG, 68% FT. He doesn’t look the same, and in the few games I’ve seen him play he’s been called for the most traveling calls I’ve ever seen.
13. Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks – 15 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.8 apg, 47% FG, 23% 3PT, 67% FT. Effective with Atlanta, I’m resigned to the fact that he’s never going to become the dominant two-way player he can become.
12. Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic – 19.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.3 spg, 44% FG, 41% 3PT, 85% FT. Although he’s not a great defender, Lewis is a good fit for this team.
11. Tayshaun Prince, Detroit Pistons – 14.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.1 apg, 45% FG, 37% 3PT, 80% FT. His numbers aren’t as good as some of the other guys in his area, but he was on the “Redeem Team” for a reason; he’s the total package. He can score inside and out, defend littles and bigs, rebound and pass.
10. Zack Randolph, Los Angeles Clippers – (14 games) 23.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 49% FG, 37% 3PT, 75% FT. He’s better than you want to think he is.
9. David West, New Orleans Hornets – 19.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.1 bpg, 49% FG, 89% FT. Head and chemistry issues aside, him and Z-Bo are a virtual tie for the 10th best player in the best position in basketball, at least from a Top 11 perspective.
8. Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz – 20.5 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1 spg, 56% FG, 73% FT. Before he got hurt, he was doing his thing. I was really torn between putting him or Millsap on this list (who would’ve been 16, btw).
7. Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards – 20.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2 apg, 1.2 spg, 46% FG, 30% 3PT, 77% FT. He and Caron are one of the best one-two punches surrounded by the worst group of guys.
6. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers – 17.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1 bpg, 56% FG, 80% FT. His numbers would be better on a worse team, like Memphis.
5. Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns – 21.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.1 bpg, 56% FG, 83% FT. As good as he is, you have to wonder if this is his peak, or if there’s another level he can get to.
4. Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors – 23.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2.4 apg, 49% FG, 81% FT. Like Amare, this might not be his ceiling.
3. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks – 26 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.6 apg, 47% FG, 37% 3PT, 90% FT. Is Dirk underrated?
2. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics – 16.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.4 bpg, 53% FG, 84% FT. He might be at the beginning of the “downside” of his career, but there’s only one guy in the league you’d take over him at the four.
1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs – 20.9 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.7 bpg, 52% FG, 69% FT. Still the best.
30. Craig Smith, Minnesota Timberwolves - 8.8 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 1.5 apg, 51% FG, 68% FT. Keeping the seat warm for K-Love.
29. Yi Jianlian, New Jersey Nets – 9.7 ppg, 6 rpg, 1 apg, 39% FG, 39% 3PT, 79% FT. Maybe he’ll become a decent role player some day.
28. Ben Wallace, Cleveland Cavaliers – 3.2 ppg, 7 rpg, 0.7 apg, 1 spg, 1.8 bpg, 45% FG, 44% FT. At this point in his career, it’s probably better if he’s coming off the bench, but he has found a good niche with the Cavs.
27. Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Milwaukee Bucks – 8 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 1 apg, 1.1 spg, 45% FG, 76% FT. Charlie Villanueva is the more talented player at this position for the Bucks, but Scott Skiles likes this guy.
26. Tyrus Thomas, Chicago Bulls – 7.9 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 0.8 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.7 bpg, 41% FG, 80% FT. Wouldn’t it be nice if they had LaMarcus Aldridge?
25. Brandan Wright, Golden State Warriors – 8 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1 bpg, 56% FG, 75% FT. With Nellie’s weird rotations it’s hard to figure out what he is.
24. Hakim Warrick, Memphis Grizzlies – 11.6 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 0.8 apg, 50% FG, 72% FT. Stromile Swift 2.0.
23. Kenyon Martin, Denver Nuggets – 12.4 ppg, 6.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.6 spg, 1.3 bpg, 51%FG, 59% FT. His athleticism is still decent, but at this point of his career (and his salary) people’s perceptions about Kenyon are more about what he isn’t (an elite player) than what he is (a good rotation guy).
22. Jeff Green, OKC – 16.2 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.2 spg, 46% FG, 40% 3PT, 75% FT. A bit undersized to play the four, he has steadily improved as this season has progressed.
21. Spencer Hawes, Sacramento Kings – 11.1 ppg, 7.2 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.7 bpg, 44% FG, 35% 3PT, 75% FT. A future double-double guy with outside touch, his development is definitely intriguing.
20. Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat – 11.1 ppg, 9 rpg, 1.2 apg, 50% FG, 71% FT. Solid player, and worth a lot more bang for buck than they’re getting from The Matrix.
19. Luis Scola, Houston Rockets – 11.3 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 1.4 apg, 1 spg, 50% FG, 74% FT. One of the best players most people have never heard of.
18. Troy Murphy, Indiana Pacers – 11.5 ppg, 11.8 rpg, 2.5 apg, 43% FG, 38% 3PT, 70% FT. I have an affinity for double-double guys that can hit the three.
17. Boris Diaw, Charlotte Bobcats – (11 games) 15.6 ppg, 7.5 rpg, 5.2 apg, 50% FG, 56% FT. Give him a starting spot and voila, he’s back to putting up numbers similar to his breakout year in Phoenix (05-06), when he filled him for Amare and put up 13, 7 and 6.
16. David Lee, New York Knicks – 14.8 ppg, 11 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.1 spg, 57% FG, 74% FT. Everybody loves him except for D’Antoni, who believe it or not, wants him to play more D.
15. LaMarcus Aldridge, Portland Trailblazers – 17.1 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.1 bpg, 47% FG, 75% FT. His improvement is one of the reasons why the Blazers seem poised to return to the playoffs.
14. Elton Brand, Philadelphia 76ers – 15.9 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1.4 bpg, 45% FG, 68% FT. He doesn’t look the same, and in the few games I’ve seen him play he’s been called for the most traveling calls I’ve ever seen.
13. Josh Smith, Atlanta Hawks – 15 ppg, 6.9 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.5 spg, 1.8 apg, 47% FG, 23% 3PT, 67% FT. Effective with Atlanta, I’m resigned to the fact that he’s never going to become the dominant two-way player he can become.
12. Rashard Lewis, Orlando Magic – 19.6 ppg, 6.2 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.3 spg, 44% FG, 41% 3PT, 85% FT. Although he’s not a great defender, Lewis is a good fit for this team.
11. Tayshaun Prince, Detroit Pistons – 14.6 ppg, 7.3 rpg, 3.1 apg, 45% FG, 37% 3PT, 80% FT. His numbers aren’t as good as some of the other guys in his area, but he was on the “Redeem Team” for a reason; he’s the total package. He can score inside and out, defend littles and bigs, rebound and pass.
10. Zack Randolph, Los Angeles Clippers – (14 games) 23.1 ppg, 9.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 49% FG, 37% 3PT, 75% FT. He’s better than you want to think he is.
9. David West, New Orleans Hornets – 19.7 ppg, 7.1 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1.1 bpg, 49% FG, 89% FT. Head and chemistry issues aside, him and Z-Bo are a virtual tie for the 10th best player in the best position in basketball, at least from a Top 11 perspective.
8. Carlos Boozer, Utah Jazz – 20.5 ppg, 11.7 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1 spg, 56% FG, 73% FT. Before he got hurt, he was doing his thing. I was really torn between putting him or Millsap on this list (who would’ve been 16, btw).
7. Antawn Jamison, Washington Wizards – 20.8 ppg, 9.5 rpg, 2 apg, 1.2 spg, 46% FG, 30% 3PT, 77% FT. He and Caron are one of the best one-two punches surrounded by the worst group of guys.
6. Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers – 17.6 ppg, 8.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1 bpg, 56% FG, 80% FT. His numbers would be better on a worse team, like Memphis.
5. Amare Stoudemire, Phoenix Suns – 21.8 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1.1 spg, 1.1 bpg, 56% FG, 83% FT. As good as he is, you have to wonder if this is his peak, or if there’s another level he can get to.
4. Chris Bosh, Toronto Raptors – 23.5 ppg, 9.8 rpg, 2.4 apg, 49% FG, 81% FT. Like Amare, this might not be his ceiling.
3. Dirk Nowitzki, Dallas Mavericks – 26 ppg, 8.7 rpg, 2.6 apg, 47% FG, 37% 3PT, 90% FT. Is Dirk underrated?
2. Kevin Garnett, Boston Celtics – 16.2 ppg, 8.8 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.2 spg, 1.4 bpg, 53% FG, 84% FT. He might be at the beginning of the “downside” of his career, but there’s only one guy in the league you’d take over him at the four.
1. Tim Duncan, San Antonio Spurs – 20.9 ppg, 10.3 rpg, 3.3 apg, 1.7 bpg, 52% FG, 69% FT. Still the best.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
NBA Small Forward Rankings
Part 3
30. Bobby Simmons – New Jersey Nets – 7.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.4 apg, 39% FG, 40% 3PT, 81%FT. Yikes.
29. Nicolas Batum – Portland Trailblazers – 4.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.9 apg, 43% FG, 38% 3PT, 69% FT. Doesn’t play much now, even though he starts, and will play a lot less when Martel Webster comes back from injury. He has a lot of potential though.
28. Jamario Moon – Toronto Raptors – 6.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.3 spg, 1 bpg, 45% FG, 34% 3PT, 82% FT. He can jump and defend, plus you always have to root for the guys that took the road less traveled to the league.
27. C.J. Miles – Utah Jazz – 10 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 49% FG, 41% 3PT, 84% FT. He’s a good glue guy for Utah and apparently fits in with what Jerry Sloan wants to do.
26. Quentin Richardson – New York Knicks – 12 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1 spg, 40% FG, 35% 3PT, 80% FT. We share the same birthdate.
25. Luke Walton – Los Angeles Lakers – 3.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.8 apg, 39% FG, 26% 3PT, 8-8 FT. He didn’t play much in the beginning of the year, as he was in Phil Jackson’s dog house. A good enough rotation player, who knows where he or his minutes will end up as the season moves along.
24. Grant Hill – Phoenix Suns – 9.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.1 spg, 51% FG, 30% 3PT, 78% FT. It was nice to see him get a few healthy years in Phoenix as his star-crossed career winds down.
23. Ryan Gomes – Minnesota Timberwolves – 9.9 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.8 apg, 42% FG, 37% 3PT, 73% FT. A versatile defender and scorer, while the casual NBA fan has probably never even heard of him.
22. Michael Finley – San Antonio Spurs – 10.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.7 apg, 44% FG, 38% 3PT, 77% FT. He spent the best years of his career in obscurity in Phoenix and in the collective shadows of Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash in Dallas. Now he’s a merely a serviceable role player for the Spurs.
21. Peja Stojakovic – New Orleans Hornets – 13.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.3 apg, 41% FG, 43% 3PT, 86% FT. He can still shoot, but he just isn’t healthy enough to be the guy the Hornets need him to be at the three.
20. Thaddeus Young – Philadelphia 76ers – 12.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1 spg, 47% FG, 33% 3PT, 74% FT. Young is turning in to a nice player in Philly. Don’t be surprised if he supplants the other A.I. as the Sixers go-to guy.
19. Shane Battier – Houston Rockets – 7.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 42% FG, 40% 3PT. Perhaps the league’s ultimate glue guy, he still starts and gets 30 minutes a game despite the team’s off-season acquisition of Ron Artest.
18. John Salmons – Sacramento Kings – 19.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.1 spg, 49% FG, 41% 3PT, 81% FT. With Kevin Martin on the shelf for most of the season, Salmons is making the most of a bad situation by putting up career numbers.
17. Al Thornton – Los Angeles Clippers – 16.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1 spg, 1 bpg, 44% FG, 24% 3PT, 77% FT. It’s going to be interesting to see how he develops on those bad Clipper teams.
16. Luol Deng – Chicago Bulls – 13.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1 spg, 44% FG, 33% 3PT, 80% FT. Deng has been steadily regressing since his breakout 2006-07 season, which is a bad sign for Bulls fans.
15. Marvin Williams – Atlanta Hawks – 13.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.6 apg, 47% FG, 38% 3PT, 81% FT. Although he’ll never make fans forget the Hawks picked him over Chris Paul, he’s at least gotten himself out of Sam Bowie territory.
14. Richard Hamilton – Detroit Pistons – 17.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 45% FG, 36% 3PT, 89% FT. The Pistons have been playing a whole lot better since going to a small-ball lineup of Rip, A.I., Stuckey, Tayshaun and Sheed.
13. Shawn Marion – Miami Heat – 11.7 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.3 spg, 1.2 bpg, 46% FG, 21% 3PT, 73% FT. I’m sure the Suns are way happier that he’s in Miami than he is that he got traded at this point.
12. Hedo Turkoglu – Orlando Magic – 17 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.1 spg, 40% FG, 34% 3PT, 83% FT. Hedo’s a big part of the ever improving and increasingly gelling Orlando Magic nucleus.
11. Stephen Jackson – Golden State Warriors – 19 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.9 apg, 1.3 spg, 39% FG, 28% 3PT, 81% FT. Getting traded to Oakland not only is one of the best things that happened to Captain Jack’s career, when you include his lack of off-season issues since arriving in the Bay Area, it might have saved his life.
10. Gerald Wallace – Charlotte Bobcats – 16.7 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.4 rpg, 1.9 spg, 1 bpg, 47% FG, 28% 3PT, 79% FT. Easily the least known and least wanted franchise player in the NBA.
9. Richard Jefferson – Milwaukee Bucks – 17.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1 spg, 43% FG, 40% 3PT, 79% FT. Richard isn’t having the type of season you would think he’d have as the guy with the Bucks.
8. Rudy Gay – Memphis Grizzlies – 19.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.3 spg, 44% FG, 31% 3PT, 81% FT. After a slow start, it seems like he and O.J. Mayo are finally learning how to play well together.
7. Josh Howard – Dallas Mavericks – 18.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 45% FG, 35% 3PT, 76% FT. Unfortunately, he’s becoming known more for off-season gaffes than his play
6. Caron Butler – Washington Wizards – 21 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.6 spg, 47% FG, 31% 3PT, 87% FT. Without Caron and Jamison, I’m not sure the Wizards wouldn’t still be winless right now.
5. Kevin Durant – OKC – 23.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.2 spg, 1 bpg, 46% FG, 42% 3PT, 84% FT. Its one thing to be on a bad team in Seattle but its far worse to be on one of the worst teams in NBA history in Oklahoma City. At least he might get the chance to run with Blake Griffin next year.
4. Danny Granger – Indiana Pacers – 24.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1 spg, 1.3 bpg, 46% FG, 38% 3PT, 85% FT. If this guy isn’t an all-star …
3. Paul Pierce – Boston Celtics – 18.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.1 spg, 42% FG, 37% 3PT, 85% FT. The truth, and still number three, although by this time next year he’ll likely be number five.
2. Carmelo Anthony – Denver Nuggets – 20.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1 spg, 42% FG, 43% 3PT, 79% FT. His scoring is down, but Melo is becoming a more complete player and is doing more to help his team win.
1. LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers – 27.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 6.4 apg, 2 spg, 1.1 bpg, 51% FG, 28% 3PT, 78% FT. Happy 24th Birthday King James!
30. Bobby Simmons – New Jersey Nets – 7.2 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 1.4 apg, 39% FG, 40% 3PT, 81%FT. Yikes.
29. Nicolas Batum – Portland Trailblazers – 4.7 ppg, 2.5 rpg, 0.9 apg, 43% FG, 38% 3PT, 69% FT. Doesn’t play much now, even though he starts, and will play a lot less when Martel Webster comes back from injury. He has a lot of potential though.
28. Jamario Moon – Toronto Raptors – 6.9 ppg, 4.2 rpg, 1.2 apg, 1.3 spg, 1 bpg, 45% FG, 34% 3PT, 82% FT. He can jump and defend, plus you always have to root for the guys that took the road less traveled to the league.
27. C.J. Miles – Utah Jazz – 10 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 49% FG, 41% 3PT, 84% FT. He’s a good glue guy for Utah and apparently fits in with what Jerry Sloan wants to do.
26. Quentin Richardson – New York Knicks – 12 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1 spg, 40% FG, 35% 3PT, 80% FT. We share the same birthdate.
25. Luke Walton – Los Angeles Lakers – 3.5 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 1.8 apg, 39% FG, 26% 3PT, 8-8 FT. He didn’t play much in the beginning of the year, as he was in Phil Jackson’s dog house. A good enough rotation player, who knows where he or his minutes will end up as the season moves along.
24. Grant Hill – Phoenix Suns – 9.7 ppg, 4.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.1 spg, 51% FG, 30% 3PT, 78% FT. It was nice to see him get a few healthy years in Phoenix as his star-crossed career winds down.
23. Ryan Gomes – Minnesota Timberwolves – 9.9 ppg, 4 rpg, 1.8 apg, 42% FG, 37% 3PT, 73% FT. A versatile defender and scorer, while the casual NBA fan has probably never even heard of him.
22. Michael Finley – San Antonio Spurs – 10.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.7 apg, 44% FG, 38% 3PT, 77% FT. He spent the best years of his career in obscurity in Phoenix and in the collective shadows of Dirk Nowitzki and Steve Nash in Dallas. Now he’s a merely a serviceable role player for the Spurs.
21. Peja Stojakovic – New Orleans Hornets – 13.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 1.3 apg, 41% FG, 43% 3PT, 86% FT. He can still shoot, but he just isn’t healthy enough to be the guy the Hornets need him to be at the three.
20. Thaddeus Young – Philadelphia 76ers – 12.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 1.1 apg, 1 spg, 47% FG, 33% 3PT, 74% FT. Young is turning in to a nice player in Philly. Don’t be surprised if he supplants the other A.I. as the Sixers go-to guy.
19. Shane Battier – Houston Rockets – 7.6 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 42% FG, 40% 3PT. Perhaps the league’s ultimate glue guy, he still starts and gets 30 minutes a game despite the team’s off-season acquisition of Ron Artest.
18. John Salmons – Sacramento Kings – 19.7 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 3.1 apg, 1.1 spg, 49% FG, 41% 3PT, 81% FT. With Kevin Martin on the shelf for most of the season, Salmons is making the most of a bad situation by putting up career numbers.
17. Al Thornton – Los Angeles Clippers – 16.7 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 1.5 apg, 1 spg, 1 bpg, 44% FG, 24% 3PT, 77% FT. It’s going to be interesting to see how he develops on those bad Clipper teams.
16. Luol Deng – Chicago Bulls – 13.3 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1 spg, 44% FG, 33% 3PT, 80% FT. Deng has been steadily regressing since his breakout 2006-07 season, which is a bad sign for Bulls fans.
15. Marvin Williams – Atlanta Hawks – 13.8 ppg, 6.3 rpg, 1.6 apg, 47% FG, 38% 3PT, 81% FT. Although he’ll never make fans forget the Hawks picked him over Chris Paul, he’s at least gotten himself out of Sam Bowie territory.
14. Richard Hamilton – Detroit Pistons – 17.2 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.2 apg, 45% FG, 36% 3PT, 89% FT. The Pistons have been playing a whole lot better since going to a small-ball lineup of Rip, A.I., Stuckey, Tayshaun and Sheed.
13. Shawn Marion – Miami Heat – 11.7 ppg, 9.2 rpg, 1.9 apg, 1.3 spg, 1.2 bpg, 46% FG, 21% 3PT, 73% FT. I’m sure the Suns are way happier that he’s in Miami than he is that he got traded at this point.
12. Hedo Turkoglu – Orlando Magic – 17 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.1 spg, 40% FG, 34% 3PT, 83% FT. Hedo’s a big part of the ever improving and increasingly gelling Orlando Magic nucleus.
11. Stephen Jackson – Golden State Warriors – 19 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.9 apg, 1.3 spg, 39% FG, 28% 3PT, 81% FT. Getting traded to Oakland not only is one of the best things that happened to Captain Jack’s career, when you include his lack of off-season issues since arriving in the Bay Area, it might have saved his life.
10. Gerald Wallace – Charlotte Bobcats – 16.7 ppg, 7.9 rpg, 2.4 rpg, 1.9 spg, 1 bpg, 47% FG, 28% 3PT, 79% FT. Easily the least known and least wanted franchise player in the NBA.
9. Richard Jefferson – Milwaukee Bucks – 17.7 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 2.2 apg, 1 spg, 43% FG, 40% 3PT, 79% FT. Richard isn’t having the type of season you would think he’d have as the guy with the Bucks.
8. Rudy Gay – Memphis Grizzlies – 19.6 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1.3 spg, 44% FG, 31% 3PT, 81% FT. After a slow start, it seems like he and O.J. Mayo are finally learning how to play well together.
7. Josh Howard – Dallas Mavericks – 18.5 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 1.7 apg, 45% FG, 35% 3PT, 76% FT. Unfortunately, he’s becoming known more for off-season gaffes than his play
6. Caron Butler – Washington Wizards – 21 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 4.5 apg, 1.6 spg, 47% FG, 31% 3PT, 87% FT. Without Caron and Jamison, I’m not sure the Wizards wouldn’t still be winless right now.
5. Kevin Durant – OKC – 23.5 ppg, 5.6 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.2 spg, 1 bpg, 46% FG, 42% 3PT, 84% FT. Its one thing to be on a bad team in Seattle but its far worse to be on one of the worst teams in NBA history in Oklahoma City. At least he might get the chance to run with Blake Griffin next year.
4. Danny Granger – Indiana Pacers – 24.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1 spg, 1.3 bpg, 46% FG, 38% 3PT, 85% FT. If this guy isn’t an all-star …
3. Paul Pierce – Boston Celtics – 18.2 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 3.8 apg, 1.1 spg, 42% FG, 37% 3PT, 85% FT. The truth, and still number three, although by this time next year he’ll likely be number five.
2. Carmelo Anthony – Denver Nuggets – 20.8 ppg, 7.4 rpg, 3.4 apg, 1 spg, 42% FG, 43% 3PT, 79% FT. His scoring is down, but Melo is becoming a more complete player and is doing more to help his team win.
1. LeBron James – Cleveland Cavaliers – 27.5 ppg, 6.7 rpg, 6.4 apg, 2 spg, 1.1 bpg, 51% FG, 28% 3PT, 78% FT. Happy 24th Birthday King James!
Monday, December 29, 2008
NBA Shooting Guard Rankings
Part two of my NBA player rankings, with apologies to the injured (Kevin Martin, Mike Dunleavy Jr., etc.) I must say, the position is a lot weaker than you would think, as the demise of the center has been widely documented.
30. Donte Jones – Denver Nuggets – 5.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.8 apg, 44% FG. He only starts over J.R. Smith because George Karl hates Smith, but ultimately Smith gets most of the playing time.
29. DeShawn Stevenson – Washington Wizards – 7.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.2 apg, 31% FG, 28% 3PT, 54% FT. His numbers are pretty miserable, but he plays hard for them.
28. Damien Wilkins – OKC – 5.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.2 apg, 32% FG, 38% 3PT, 83% FT. Yikes.
27. Marco Belinelli – Golden State Warriors – 9.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 47% FG, 37% 3PT. Will likely be glued to the bench when Monta Ellis returns.
26. Rasual Butler – New Orleans Hornets – 8.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.7 apg, 1 spg, 42% FG, 42% 3PT, 74% FT. He’s a good three-point shooter on a team with a lot of open looks via CP3.
25. Francisco Garcia – Sacramento Kings – 11.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1 spg, 1 bpg, 41% FG, 33% 3PT, 81 % FT. He’s a decent guy to have in your rotation.
24. Raja Bell – Charlotte Bobcats (8 games) – 8.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 39% FG, 43% 3PT. A Larry Brown guy on the downside of his career playing for Larry Brown, which means he’ll still get minutes.
23. Keith Bogans – Orlando Magic – 6.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 0.9 apg, 37% FG, 34% 3PT, 85% FT. He gets bonus points for a rep as a good defender.
22. Wilson Chandler – New York Knicks – 14 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1 spg, 1 bpg, 42% FG, 30% 3PT, 80% FT. I wonder what his numbers would look like with any team in the league besides these guys.
21. Anthony Parker – Toronto Raptors – 9.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 39% FG, 44% 3PT, 80% FT. I thought he would play better than he has so far and I’m guessing the Raptors did too.
20. Eric Gordon – Los Angeles Clippers – 9.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1 spg, 43% FG, 36% 3PT, 80% FT. With a stroke that pretty, it’s a wonder his shooting percentages are so low.
19. Mike Miller – Minnesota Timberwolves – 10.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 48% FG, 39% 3PT, 74% FT. He’s still a productive player and would probably be a better fit with a winning team, as the T’Wolves would be better served seeing what they have in McCants, Foye, Telfair, etc.
18. Ronnie Brewer – Utah Jazz – 12.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.9 spg, 47% FG, 25% 3PT, 69% FT. A solid defender and a good athlete, he’s a great compliment to Deron Williams running the point.
17. Marquis Daniels – Indiana Pacers – 16.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.1 spg, 47% FG, 19% 3PT, 75% FT. I probably like this guy a lot more than I should.
16. Roger Mason – San Antonio Spurs – 12.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 45%FG, 47% 3PT, 87% FT. I like this guy a lot more than I should too.
15. Delonte West – Cleveland Cavaliers – 12.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.5 spg, 45% FG, 39% 3PT, 85% FT. Believe it or not, the Cavs have a pretty solid team around LeBron James. While the king is playing as good as ever, it’s been the improved play of his sidekicks that make them a Top 3 team.
14. Andre Iguodala – Philadelphia 76ers – 15.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.6 spg, 44% FG, 24% 3PT, 73% FT. About that contract …
13. Ben Gordon – Chicago Bulls – 21 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.9 apg, 45% FG, 43% 3PT, 85% FT. A hell of a scorer and not much else.
12. Jason Terry – 20.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.4 spg, 47% FG, 36% 3PT, 86% FT. The Jet is having a career year in Dallas. The big difference between him and Ben Gordon is defense.
11. Jason Richardson – Phoenix Suns (5 games) – 16.8 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg, 46% FG, 73% FT. Although I wasn’t a fan of this trade, I must admit this was a hell of an upgrade over Raja Bell.
10. Michael Redd – Milwaukee Bucks – 18.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1 spg, 40% FG, 34% 3PT, 86% FT. He’d probably love to be LeBron’s sidekick right about now.
9. Allen Iverson – Detroit Pistons (24 games) – 18.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5.7 apg, 1.8 spg, 43% FG, 35% 3PT, 84% FT. I wonder how much longer he’s going to play, as his contract expires at the end of this season.
8. O.J. Mayo – Memphis Grizzlies – 20.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.1 spg, 46% FG, 41% 3PT, 89% FT. Although he’s a ballhog, Mayo has played a lot better than I expected him to.
7. Ray Allen – Boston Celtics – 18.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 50% FG, 40% 3PT, 92% FT. Still has the prettiest stroke in the game.
6. Tracy McGrady – Houston Rockets – 15.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.7 apg, 1.1 spg, 40% FG, 40% 3PT, 83% FT. Sometimes I wonder if he wants it. Between the first round woes and the injury woes, it just seems like he doesn’t always go hard.
5. Vince Carter – New Jersey Nets – 23 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1 spg, 46% FG, 40% 3PT, 80% FT. In a season where most people expected him to mail it in, the back court duo of him and Devin Harris has arguably been the best in the east.
4. Joe Johnson – Atlanta Hawks – 23.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.7 apg, 1.2 spg, 45% FG, 36% 3PT, 82% FT. The Hawks hot start has him finally getting the shine he deserves.
3. Brandon Roy – Portland Trailblazers – 23 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.3 apg, 1 spg, 47% FG, 37% 3PT, 84% FT. After dropping 52 on the Suns the other day, the world finally knows who Brandon Roy is.
2. Dwyane Wade – Miami Heat – 28.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 6.9 apg, 2.2 spg, 1.6 bpg, 49% FG, 25% 3PT, 75% FT. He’s been the MVP of the league right now, and is closing the gap between him and you know who as the league’s best two guard.
1. Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers – 26.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.5 spg, 47% FG, 33% 3PT, 87% FT. All he needs is a non-Shaq title to solidify his status in the NBA Top 10 all-time.
30. Donte Jones – Denver Nuggets – 5.7 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 0.8 apg, 44% FG. He only starts over J.R. Smith because George Karl hates Smith, but ultimately Smith gets most of the playing time.
29. DeShawn Stevenson – Washington Wizards – 7.1 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.2 apg, 31% FG, 28% 3PT, 54% FT. His numbers are pretty miserable, but he plays hard for them.
28. Damien Wilkins – OKC – 5.1 ppg, 1.9 rpg, 1.2 apg, 32% FG, 38% 3PT, 83% FT. Yikes.
27. Marco Belinelli – Golden State Warriors – 9.2 ppg, 1.7 rpg, 1.8 apg, 47% FG, 37% 3PT. Will likely be glued to the bench when Monta Ellis returns.
26. Rasual Butler – New Orleans Hornets – 8.4 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 0.7 apg, 1 spg, 42% FG, 42% 3PT, 74% FT. He’s a good three-point shooter on a team with a lot of open looks via CP3.
25. Francisco Garcia – Sacramento Kings – 11.4 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 1.7 apg, 1 spg, 1 bpg, 41% FG, 33% 3PT, 81 % FT. He’s a decent guy to have in your rotation.
24. Raja Bell – Charlotte Bobcats (8 games) – 8.9 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.1 apg, 39% FG, 43% 3PT. A Larry Brown guy on the downside of his career playing for Larry Brown, which means he’ll still get minutes.
23. Keith Bogans – Orlando Magic – 6.3 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 0.9 apg, 37% FG, 34% 3PT, 85% FT. He gets bonus points for a rep as a good defender.
22. Wilson Chandler – New York Knicks – 14 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 2.0 apg, 1 spg, 1 bpg, 42% FG, 30% 3PT, 80% FT. I wonder what his numbers would look like with any team in the league besides these guys.
21. Anthony Parker – Toronto Raptors – 9.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 39% FG, 44% 3PT, 80% FT. I thought he would play better than he has so far and I’m guessing the Raptors did too.
20. Eric Gordon – Los Angeles Clippers – 9.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 1.8 apg, 1 spg, 43% FG, 36% 3PT, 80% FT. With a stroke that pretty, it’s a wonder his shooting percentages are so low.
19. Mike Miller – Minnesota Timberwolves – 10.7 ppg, 5.9 rpg, 3.7 apg, 48% FG, 39% 3PT, 74% FT. He’s still a productive player and would probably be a better fit with a winning team, as the T’Wolves would be better served seeing what they have in McCants, Foye, Telfair, etc.
18. Ronnie Brewer – Utah Jazz – 12.7 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 2.7 apg, 1.9 spg, 47% FG, 25% 3PT, 69% FT. A solid defender and a good athlete, he’s a great compliment to Deron Williams running the point.
17. Marquis Daniels – Indiana Pacers – 16.1 ppg, 5.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 1.1 spg, 47% FG, 19% 3PT, 75% FT. I probably like this guy a lot more than I should.
16. Roger Mason – San Antonio Spurs – 12.2 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 2.0 apg, 45%FG, 47% 3PT, 87% FT. I like this guy a lot more than I should too.
15. Delonte West – Cleveland Cavaliers – 12.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 3.6 apg, 1.5 spg, 45% FG, 39% 3PT, 85% FT. Believe it or not, the Cavs have a pretty solid team around LeBron James. While the king is playing as good as ever, it’s been the improved play of his sidekicks that make them a Top 3 team.
14. Andre Iguodala – Philadelphia 76ers – 15.2 ppg, 6.5 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.6 spg, 44% FG, 24% 3PT, 73% FT. About that contract …
13. Ben Gordon – Chicago Bulls – 21 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 3.9 apg, 45% FG, 43% 3PT, 85% FT. A hell of a scorer and not much else.
12. Jason Terry – 20.9 ppg, 2.8 rpg, 3.7 apg, 1.4 spg, 47% FG, 36% 3PT, 86% FT. The Jet is having a career year in Dallas. The big difference between him and Ben Gordon is defense.
11. Jason Richardson – Phoenix Suns (5 games) – 16.8 ppg, 6 rpg, 2 apg, 46% FG, 73% FT. Although I wasn’t a fan of this trade, I must admit this was a hell of an upgrade over Raja Bell.
10. Michael Redd – Milwaukee Bucks – 18.5 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1 spg, 40% FG, 34% 3PT, 86% FT. He’d probably love to be LeBron’s sidekick right about now.
9. Allen Iverson – Detroit Pistons (24 games) – 18.1 ppg, 3.7 rpg, 5.7 apg, 1.8 spg, 43% FG, 35% 3PT, 84% FT. I wonder how much longer he’s going to play, as his contract expires at the end of this season.
8. O.J. Mayo – Memphis Grizzlies – 20.1 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 3.0 apg, 1.1 spg, 46% FG, 41% 3PT, 89% FT. Although he’s a ballhog, Mayo has played a lot better than I expected him to.
7. Ray Allen – Boston Celtics – 18.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 2.6 apg, 50% FG, 40% 3PT, 92% FT. Still has the prettiest stroke in the game.
6. Tracy McGrady – Houston Rockets – 15.9 ppg, 4.8 rpg, 4.7 apg, 1.1 spg, 40% FG, 40% 3PT, 83% FT. Sometimes I wonder if he wants it. Between the first round woes and the injury woes, it just seems like he doesn’t always go hard.
5. Vince Carter – New Jersey Nets – 23 ppg, 4.9 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1 spg, 46% FG, 40% 3PT, 80% FT. In a season where most people expected him to mail it in, the back court duo of him and Devin Harris has arguably been the best in the east.
4. Joe Johnson – Atlanta Hawks – 23.2 ppg, 4.7 rpg, 5.7 apg, 1.2 spg, 45% FG, 36% 3PT, 82% FT. The Hawks hot start has him finally getting the shine he deserves.
3. Brandon Roy – Portland Trailblazers – 23 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 5.3 apg, 1 spg, 47% FG, 37% 3PT, 84% FT. After dropping 52 on the Suns the other day, the world finally knows who Brandon Roy is.
2. Dwyane Wade – Miami Heat – 28.9 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 6.9 apg, 2.2 spg, 1.6 bpg, 49% FG, 25% 3PT, 75% FT. He’s been the MVP of the league right now, and is closing the gap between him and you know who as the league’s best two guard.
1. Kobe Bryant – Los Angeles Lakers – 26.3 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 4.2 apg, 1.5 spg, 47% FG, 33% 3PT, 87% FT. All he needs is a non-Shaq title to solidify his status in the NBA Top 10 all-time.
Friday, December 26, 2008
Happy Boxing Day!
I just wanted to give Dwyane Wade props for helping out a South Florida family that was devastated by an accident this Christmas. Read about it here.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
NBA Point Guard Rankings
First and foremost, I'm bored at work. Second, I want to rank all of the positions, but I may or may not get around to doing it. Third, I didn't include injured players (Arenas, Monte Ellis), so don't ask about them. Without further ado, here are my point guard rankings for each current starting point guard in the league.
30. Mike James – Washington Wizards – (7 games with Washington) 10.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.6 apg, 37% FG, 38% 3PT, 1.3 spg. Mike James is fairly useless as a point guard. He can’t really shoot, he’s not that quick anymore and he looks to get his shot off first. If he’s your starting or backup point guard you’re in trouble.
29. Rafer Alston – Houston Rockets – 12.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.3 spg, 38% FG, 38% 3PT, 83% FT. Skip would be a great backup point guard. He can hit open shots and put up points in a hurry. If he’s your starting guard, good luck. He can’t really defend and he’s not a true point guard.
28. Kyle Lowry/Mike Conley – Memphis Grizzlies – Lowry – 7.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.6 apg, 42% FG, 30% 3PT, 85% FT. Conley – 8.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.5 apg, 42% FG, 37% 3PT, 78% FT. Both of these guys have a lot of talent and a lot of work to do to improve. Neither of them will get much better as long as they are literally splitting minutes at the point. Conley gets a little more than 25 minutes a game, Lowry gets a little more than 22, which gives you about 48 a minutes, or a full game.
27. Mario Chalmers – Miami Heat – 9.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.9 spg, 42 % FG, 36% 3PT, 72% FT. He’s a decent enough scorer and a good enough defender to play this role for a while in Miami.
26. Luke Ridnour – Milwaukee Bucks – 10.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.4 apg, 1.4 spg, 41% FG, 30% 3PT, 87% FT. He’s a good free-throw shooter.
25. Russell Westbrook – The Old Sonics – 13.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.6 spg, 38% FG, 28% 3PT, 80% FT. He’s going to be a pretty good sidekick for Durant in the future. If they get Blake Griffin next year, they might start to show us a little something.
24. Beno Udrih – Sacramento Kings – 11.9, 3.1 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 47% FG, 23% 3PT, 83% FT. He will likely be lower on this list next year.
23. Steve Blake – Portland Trailblazers – 11.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1 spg, 44% FG, 43% 3PT, 85% FT. He doesn’t have to do much on this team besides hit open shots and give the ball to Brandon Roy.
22. Randy Foye – Minnesota Timberwolves – 14.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1 spg, 40% FG, 26% 3PT, 85% FT. Unfortunately, he’ll always be linked to Brandon Roy, as the Portland start was originally headed here after the draft.
21. Chris Duhon - New York Knicks – 11.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 8.6 apg, 1 spg, 42% FG, 38% 3PT, 88% FT. He’s putting up sick numbers in Mike D’Antoni’s system, which is a perfect fit for a former Duke point guard with a decent jumper.
20. Derek Fisher – Los Angeles Lakers – 11.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.1 spg, 42% FG, 44% 3PT, 92% 3PT. This spot might be a little high for him, but you can say he gets extra credit for his intangibles and his proven playoff experience.
19. T.J. Ford – Indiana Pacers – 14.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 5.3 apg, 1.1 spg, 43% FG, 37% 3PT, 93% FT. He’s playing decent with the Pacers, but he could be so much better with a decent jumpshot.
18. Mike Bibby – Atlanta Hawks – 15.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 46% FG, 43% 3PT, 78% FT. Sometimes he seems like he’s on the downside of his career, sometimes he looks the same as he did in the Sactown glory days.
17. Jameer Nelson – Orlando Magic – 17 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.4 apg, 1.3 spg, 53% FG, 43% 3PT, 85% FT. Jameer is having his best season in the league by far. His improvement is perhaps the most underrated reasons why Orlando is a Top 5 team this year. I guess its better late than never.
16. Andre Miller – Philadelphia 76ers – 15.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 6.2 apg, 44% FG, 84% FT. He’s currently leading the team in points and assists, somehow.
15. Jose Calderon – Toronto Raptors – 12.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 8.8 apg, 1 spg, 48% FG, 45%3PT, 100% FT (60-60). If he was a tad bit more aggressive, he’d be an awesome player. He’s still one of the few pure point guards in the league.
14. D.J. Augustin – Charlotte Bobcats – 13 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 4.5 apg, 41% FG, 42% 3PT, 93% FT. D.J.’s slowly becoming the Bobcats go-to guy.
13. Jamal Crawford – Golden State Warriors – (16 games with GSW) 19.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.1 spg, 40% FG, 30% 3PT, 90% FT, one 50 point game. He’s one of the hardest players to rank. Is he a 1 or a 2? Once you finally decide to put him somewhere, then you have to actually rank him, which is a tough task in itself.
12. Rodney Stuckey – Detroit Pistons – 11.9 ppg, 3 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 49% FG, 42% 3PT, 75% FT. Leads the team in assists, shooting and steals.
11. Rajon Rondo – Boston Celtics – 11.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 7.4 apg, 2.4 spg, 54% FG, 29% 3PT, 66% FT. He’s really coming into his own this year, and has 4x5 potential everytime he steps on the court.
10. Derrick Rose – Chicago Bulls – 17.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 6.1 apg, 1 spg, 47% FG, 32% 3PT, 81% FT. He's playing 1,000 better than I expected.
9. Baron Davis – Los Angeles Clippers – 18 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 8.1 apg, 2spg, 37% FG, 30% 3PT, 78% FT. Baron just doesn’t look right this year. Maybe he’ll turn it around in the second half of the season.
8. Mo Williams – Cleveland Cavaliers – 15.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.1 apg, 48% FG, 36% 3PT, 95% FT (61-64). He’s been the perfect sidekick for LeBron. He can be a ball distributer, a spot-up jump shooter, a drive and kick point guard and a flat out scorer, making him one of the most versatile guys in the league in terms of scoring.
7. Jason Kidd – Dallas Mavericks – 9.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 8.3 apg, 2.5 spg, 43% FG, 40% 3PT, 79% FT. Seven might be a little high for him at this point, honestly. However, there still aren’t many guys better at getting everybody involved than him, which is still the point of being a point.
6. Chauncey Billups – Denver Nuggets – (25 games) 18.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 6.8 apg, 1.4 spg, 43% FG, 42% 3PT, 89% FT. He’s turned around Denver’s season and perhaps the fortunes of Coach George Karl and forward Carmelo Anthony. At this stage in his career he’s become a true point and you can see the difference his leadership has made for his hometown team.
5. Devin Harris – New Jersey Nets – 24 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 6.8 apg, 1.5 spg, 47% FG, 33% 3PT, 85% FT. Jason Who? He’s 6th in the league in scoring and 11th in assists. Lucky for him, he got out of Dallas and on a team that needs him to be this good.
4. Tony Parker – San Antonio Spurs – 21.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 6.6 apg, 51% FG, 33% 3PT, 80% FT. I wonder how much shine Tony would get if he played on his own team?
3. Steve Nash – Phoenix Suns – 15.5 ppg, 3 rpg, 8.5 apg, 48% FG, 42% 3PT, 94% FT. He might be here only because he’s my second favorite player, but he’s clearly on the decline now. Those years when he was the best in the game sure were fun though.
2. Deron Williams – Utah Jazz – 14.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 9.7 apg, 1 spg, 43% FG, 30 % 3PT, 83% FT. He’s been hobbled by an ankle injury all year, but most NBA fans know what he brings to the table.
1. Chris Paul – New Orleans Hornets – 20.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 11.7 apg, 3.2 spg, 51% FG 38% 3PT, 88 % FT. He was 2nd in the MVP race last year and his numbers are up across the board. What more can I say?
30. Mike James – Washington Wizards – (7 games with Washington) 10.9 ppg, 3.1 rpg, 2.6 apg, 37% FG, 38% 3PT, 1.3 spg. Mike James is fairly useless as a point guard. He can’t really shoot, he’s not that quick anymore and he looks to get his shot off first. If he’s your starting or backup point guard you’re in trouble.
29. Rafer Alston – Houston Rockets – 12.1 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.3 spg, 38% FG, 38% 3PT, 83% FT. Skip would be a great backup point guard. He can hit open shots and put up points in a hurry. If he’s your starting guard, good luck. He can’t really defend and he’s not a true point guard.
28. Kyle Lowry/Mike Conley – Memphis Grizzlies – Lowry – 7.2 ppg, 2.4 rpg, 3.6 apg, 42% FG, 30% 3PT, 85% FT. Conley – 8.1 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 3.5 apg, 42% FG, 37% 3PT, 78% FT. Both of these guys have a lot of talent and a lot of work to do to improve. Neither of them will get much better as long as they are literally splitting minutes at the point. Conley gets a little more than 25 minutes a game, Lowry gets a little more than 22, which gives you about 48 a minutes, or a full game.
27. Mario Chalmers – Miami Heat – 9.9 ppg, 2.7 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1.9 spg, 42 % FG, 36% 3PT, 72% FT. He’s a decent enough scorer and a good enough defender to play this role for a while in Miami.
26. Luke Ridnour – Milwaukee Bucks – 10.5 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 5.4 apg, 1.4 spg, 41% FG, 30% 3PT, 87% FT. He’s a good free-throw shooter.
25. Russell Westbrook – The Old Sonics – 13.3 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 4.6 apg, 1.6 spg, 38% FG, 28% 3PT, 80% FT. He’s going to be a pretty good sidekick for Durant in the future. If they get Blake Griffin next year, they might start to show us a little something.
24. Beno Udrih – Sacramento Kings – 11.9, 3.1 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 47% FG, 23% 3PT, 83% FT. He will likely be lower on this list next year.
23. Steve Blake – Portland Trailblazers – 11.5 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 4.4 apg, 1 spg, 44% FG, 43% 3PT, 85% FT. He doesn’t have to do much on this team besides hit open shots and give the ball to Brandon Roy.
22. Randy Foye – Minnesota Timberwolves – 14.2 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1 spg, 40% FG, 26% 3PT, 85% FT. Unfortunately, he’ll always be linked to Brandon Roy, as the Portland start was originally headed here after the draft.
21. Chris Duhon - New York Knicks – 11.9 ppg, 3.9 rpg, 8.6 apg, 1 spg, 42% FG, 38% 3PT, 88% FT. He’s putting up sick numbers in Mike D’Antoni’s system, which is a perfect fit for a former Duke point guard with a decent jumper.
20. Derek Fisher – Los Angeles Lakers – 11.1 ppg, 2.6 rpg, 3.2 apg, 1.1 spg, 42% FG, 44% 3PT, 92% 3PT. This spot might be a little high for him, but you can say he gets extra credit for his intangibles and his proven playoff experience.
19. T.J. Ford – Indiana Pacers – 14.5 ppg, 4.4 rpg, 5.3 apg, 1.1 spg, 43% FG, 37% 3PT, 93% FT. He’s playing decent with the Pacers, but he could be so much better with a decent jumpshot.
18. Mike Bibby – Atlanta Hawks – 15.9 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 5.0 apg, 1.4 spg, 46% FG, 43% 3PT, 78% FT. Sometimes he seems like he’s on the downside of his career, sometimes he looks the same as he did in the Sactown glory days.
17. Jameer Nelson – Orlando Magic – 17 ppg, 3.5 rpg, 5.4 apg, 1.3 spg, 53% FG, 43% 3PT, 85% FT. Jameer is having his best season in the league by far. His improvement is perhaps the most underrated reasons why Orlando is a Top 5 team this year. I guess its better late than never.
16. Andre Miller – Philadelphia 76ers – 15.1 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 6.2 apg, 44% FG, 84% FT. He’s currently leading the team in points and assists, somehow.
15. Jose Calderon – Toronto Raptors – 12.9 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 8.8 apg, 1 spg, 48% FG, 45%3PT, 100% FT (60-60). If he was a tad bit more aggressive, he’d be an awesome player. He’s still one of the few pure point guards in the league.
14. D.J. Augustin – Charlotte Bobcats – 13 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 4.5 apg, 41% FG, 42% 3PT, 93% FT. D.J.’s slowly becoming the Bobcats go-to guy.
13. Jamal Crawford – Golden State Warriors – (16 games with GSW) 19.3 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 4.9 apg, 1.1 spg, 40% FG, 30% 3PT, 90% FT, one 50 point game. He’s one of the hardest players to rank. Is he a 1 or a 2? Once you finally decide to put him somewhere, then you have to actually rank him, which is a tough task in itself.
12. Rodney Stuckey – Detroit Pistons – 11.9 ppg, 3 rpg, 5.1 apg, 1.4 spg, 49% FG, 42% 3PT, 75% FT. Leads the team in assists, shooting and steals.
11. Rajon Rondo – Boston Celtics – 11.6 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 7.4 apg, 2.4 spg, 54% FG, 29% 3PT, 66% FT. He’s really coming into his own this year, and has 4x5 potential everytime he steps on the court.
10. Derrick Rose – Chicago Bulls – 17.5 ppg, 3.8 rpg, 6.1 apg, 1 spg, 47% FG, 32% 3PT, 81% FT. He's playing 1,000 better than I expected.
9. Baron Davis – Los Angeles Clippers – 18 ppg, 3.4 rpg, 8.1 apg, 2spg, 37% FG, 30% 3PT, 78% FT. Baron just doesn’t look right this year. Maybe he’ll turn it around in the second half of the season.
8. Mo Williams – Cleveland Cavaliers – 15.8 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 4.1 apg, 48% FG, 36% 3PT, 95% FT (61-64). He’s been the perfect sidekick for LeBron. He can be a ball distributer, a spot-up jump shooter, a drive and kick point guard and a flat out scorer, making him one of the most versatile guys in the league in terms of scoring.
7. Jason Kidd – Dallas Mavericks – 9.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 8.3 apg, 2.5 spg, 43% FG, 40% 3PT, 79% FT. Seven might be a little high for him at this point, honestly. However, there still aren’t many guys better at getting everybody involved than him, which is still the point of being a point.
6. Chauncey Billups – Denver Nuggets – (25 games) 18.1 ppg, 2.2 rpg, 6.8 apg, 1.4 spg, 43% FG, 42% 3PT, 89% FT. He’s turned around Denver’s season and perhaps the fortunes of Coach George Karl and forward Carmelo Anthony. At this stage in his career he’s become a true point and you can see the difference his leadership has made for his hometown team.
5. Devin Harris – New Jersey Nets – 24 ppg, 3.3 rpg, 6.8 apg, 1.5 spg, 47% FG, 33% 3PT, 85% FT. Jason Who? He’s 6th in the league in scoring and 11th in assists. Lucky for him, he got out of Dallas and on a team that needs him to be this good.
4. Tony Parker – San Antonio Spurs – 21.2 ppg, 3.2 rpg, 6.6 apg, 51% FG, 33% 3PT, 80% FT. I wonder how much shine Tony would get if he played on his own team?
3. Steve Nash – Phoenix Suns – 15.5 ppg, 3 rpg, 8.5 apg, 48% FG, 42% 3PT, 94% FT. He might be here only because he’s my second favorite player, but he’s clearly on the decline now. Those years when he was the best in the game sure were fun though.
2. Deron Williams – Utah Jazz – 14.4 ppg, 2.9 rpg, 9.7 apg, 1 spg, 43% FG, 30 % 3PT, 83% FT. He’s been hobbled by an ankle injury all year, but most NBA fans know what he brings to the table.
1. Chris Paul – New Orleans Hornets – 20.2 ppg, 5.3 rpg, 11.7 apg, 3.2 spg, 51% FG 38% 3PT, 88 % FT. He was 2nd in the MVP race last year and his numbers are up across the board. What more can I say?
Abbreviated Curry Watch
I’d be remiss if I didn’t talk about Curry’s off night the other day. Right now, this Davidson team might not make it past the first or second round in the NCAA if they can’t find a sidekick for Stephen. Right now, it’s like he’s playing point and the two at the same time. However, Saturday’s 5-26 performance against Perdue will probably be his worst of the season, and if he goes pro after this year, his career.
Two more of my favorite players, Eric Maynor and Blake Griffin, had pedestrian games in Saturday’s VCU/Oklahoma matchup.
Seth Curry’s getting a little more shine as well.
Two more of my favorite players, Eric Maynor and Blake Griffin, had pedestrian games in Saturday’s VCU/Oklahoma matchup.
Seth Curry’s getting a little more shine as well.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
The BCS's BS is starting to make me sick
I came across this excellent article by Dan Wetzel about how big of a big money industry the Bowl System is, and how they are basically ripping the NCAA (and in some instances taxpayers) off.
Now, I've gone on record a trillion times saying that I'm not in favor of anything more than a "Plus 1" in college football, because I like the pressure of teams needing to win out to go to the title game. Most years, there are only three or four teams with a legitimate shot.
USC is probably the best team in the nation right now, and probably won't even finish in the Top 3 at the end of the year. However, I'm not sad for them at all. They have so much talent that they have no business losing to anybody, including a good but not great Oregon State team on the road.
However, some of the things pointed out in this article are pretty shameful, you should check it out.
** FYI ** ESPN owns and operates six bowl games: the Papajohns.com Bowl, New Mexico Bowl, Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, Las Vegas Bowl, Armed Forces Bowl and the St. Petersburg Bowl.
Check out the date these things were founded:
Papa John's Bowl - Started 2006 in Birmingham, Alabama. This year they get Rutgers (7-5) and NC State (6-6).
New Mexico Bowl - Started 2006 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This year's matchup is Fresno State (7-5) and Colorado State (6-6).
Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl - Started 2002 in Honolulu, Hawaii. This year's match up is Notre Dame (6-6) and Hawaii (7-6).
Las Vegas Bowl - Started in 1992 in Las Vegas. This year they get BYU (again [4 straight years], which is strange considering the Mormon background of BYU juxtaposed with Sin City. They're 10-2) and Arizona (7-5).
Air Force Bowl - Started in 2003 in Fort Worth, Texas. This year's game features Houston (one of your few chances to see a black head coach this year, 7-5) and Air Force (8-4) in a rematch.
magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl - Started in 2008 in St. Pete. Great ESPN, exactly what we needed, another bowl. Let me guess ESPN, you're going to get the home town team in there too. What a surprise, South Florida (7-5) and Memphis (6-6) kicks off this great tradition. And what the hell is a "magicJack" anyway?
Now, I've gone on record a trillion times saying that I'm not in favor of anything more than a "Plus 1" in college football, because I like the pressure of teams needing to win out to go to the title game. Most years, there are only three or four teams with a legitimate shot.
USC is probably the best team in the nation right now, and probably won't even finish in the Top 3 at the end of the year. However, I'm not sad for them at all. They have so much talent that they have no business losing to anybody, including a good but not great Oregon State team on the road.
However, some of the things pointed out in this article are pretty shameful, you should check it out.
** FYI ** ESPN owns and operates six bowl games: the Papajohns.com Bowl, New Mexico Bowl, Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl, Las Vegas Bowl, Armed Forces Bowl and the St. Petersburg Bowl.
Check out the date these things were founded:
Papa John's Bowl - Started 2006 in Birmingham, Alabama. This year they get Rutgers (7-5) and NC State (6-6).
New Mexico Bowl - Started 2006 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This year's matchup is Fresno State (7-5) and Colorado State (6-6).
Sheraton Hawai'i Bowl - Started 2002 in Honolulu, Hawaii. This year's match up is Notre Dame (6-6) and Hawaii (7-6).
Las Vegas Bowl - Started in 1992 in Las Vegas. This year they get BYU (again [4 straight years], which is strange considering the Mormon background of BYU juxtaposed with Sin City. They're 10-2) and Arizona (7-5).
Air Force Bowl - Started in 2003 in Fort Worth, Texas. This year's game features Houston (one of your few chances to see a black head coach this year, 7-5) and Air Force (8-4) in a rematch.
magicJack St. Petersburg Bowl - Started in 2008 in St. Pete. Great ESPN, exactly what we needed, another bowl. Let me guess ESPN, you're going to get the home town team in there too. What a surprise, South Florida (7-5) and Memphis (6-6) kicks off this great tradition. And what the hell is a "magicJack" anyway?
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Quick Hits 12/16
NCAA F
Charles Barkley is right to be ashamed of his Alma Mater and Auburn fans are right to be outraged. Hiring Gene Chizik over Turner Gill is inexcusable. It’s a bad move that will probably blow up in Auburn’s face, just like firing Tommy Tubberville was a bad move in the first place.
However, this may be a blessing in disguise for Gill. With Florida, LSU, Alabama and Georgia seemingly poised to dominate the SEC for the next few years, Auburn would’ve been a bad job for Gill. Anything less than an SEC championship within two or three years would’ve had him on the hot seat by year four.
This is the biggest by product of the black head coach problem in college football: most black coaches are pushed to bad jobs, fail in bad situations and fade in to oblivion. Heck, Buffalo was a bad job, but Gill made it work.
At Auburn, he probably would’ve gotten about the same chance to fix their program as Ty Willingham had at Notre Dame. And while Auburn is a much better program than Mississippi State, Gill would’ve been in a similar position at Auburn as Sylvester Croom was with MSU as the first black coach in the SEC. Croom couldn’t compete with the bigger SEC schools for talent, and therefore his teams couldn’t compete on the field. He just resigned after his first season, even though he’s won the conference’s Coach of the Year award during his tenure.
Gill will definitely get a shot to coach “big time” college football. For his sake, hopefully its at place where he’ll be in a position to really win.
NBA
The reason why the Celtics are even better than they were last year is definitely Rajon Rondo, which should go without saying. While he’s not a pure point guard, he’s developed into the player the Celtics need him to be: a consistent scoring threat, good rebounder, serviceable passer and tenacious defender.
And really, he wasn’t that bad last year and the Celtics had no need to waste the time and money they did on Sam Cassell. Check out what Rondo is doing this year though:
10.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 7.4 apg, 2.3 spg, 51.3 fg%.
Those are solid numbers across the board.
While I’m definitely enjoying the regular season so far, the inevitable Eastern Conference finals between Cleveland and Boston will certainly be something to watch.
NCAA B
Stephen Curry continues to dazzle. In case you missed it, over the weekend Curry dropped 41 pts, 4 rebs, 6 asts and a steal on Chattanooga over the weekend in a 100-95 Davidson victory. Curry hit 11-22 shots, 5-11 from downtown and added another 14 from the line (on 18 attempts).
At the point, with apologies to James Harden from Arizona State, the Wooden Award is a two horse race between Curry and Blake Griffin. Here’s the tale of the tape as of 12/15
Curry – 9 games, 31.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 6.8 apg, 2.9 spg, 48% fg, 39% 3p5, 85% ft – remember he had a 0 point game where he was 0-3.
Griffin – 10 games, 23.1 ppg, 15.1 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.9 spg, 1.1 bpg, 68% fg, 62% ft
** Bonus Seth Curry Watch ** 22 pts, 1 reb on 8-13 shooting (4-8 3pt) and 2-2 from the line in a December 15th victory against Anderson (SC), whoever they are.
NFL
Kudos to ESPN for blowing the T.O/Dallas/Romo/Witten situation out of proportion. You ever notice that whenever Dallas loses, T.O. is mad? Anybody at the Worldwide leader ever think that maybe this guy just wants to win and maybe he thinks the best way for Dallas to win is for him to always have the ball?
The biggest difference between this situation and the Philly and San Fran situations involving Owens and QB’s is that he’s not questioning Romo’s character, ability or physical condition. This time, he was just politicking for the ball more and wondering if there’s a reason why he’s not getting the rock all the time. (Of course, its probably because he’s always among the lead leaders in drops, which he will fail to recognize).
Regardless, the two best teams in the league are Pittsburgh and Carolina, who both have chances to exert themselves as the true top dogs in the conference this week, with games against Tennessee and Carolina.
Charles Barkley is right to be ashamed of his Alma Mater and Auburn fans are right to be outraged. Hiring Gene Chizik over Turner Gill is inexcusable. It’s a bad move that will probably blow up in Auburn’s face, just like firing Tommy Tubberville was a bad move in the first place.
However, this may be a blessing in disguise for Gill. With Florida, LSU, Alabama and Georgia seemingly poised to dominate the SEC for the next few years, Auburn would’ve been a bad job for Gill. Anything less than an SEC championship within two or three years would’ve had him on the hot seat by year four.
This is the biggest by product of the black head coach problem in college football: most black coaches are pushed to bad jobs, fail in bad situations and fade in to oblivion. Heck, Buffalo was a bad job, but Gill made it work.
At Auburn, he probably would’ve gotten about the same chance to fix their program as Ty Willingham had at Notre Dame. And while Auburn is a much better program than Mississippi State, Gill would’ve been in a similar position at Auburn as Sylvester Croom was with MSU as the first black coach in the SEC. Croom couldn’t compete with the bigger SEC schools for talent, and therefore his teams couldn’t compete on the field. He just resigned after his first season, even though he’s won the conference’s Coach of the Year award during his tenure.
Gill will definitely get a shot to coach “big time” college football. For his sake, hopefully its at place where he’ll be in a position to really win.
NBA
The reason why the Celtics are even better than they were last year is definitely Rajon Rondo, which should go without saying. While he’s not a pure point guard, he’s developed into the player the Celtics need him to be: a consistent scoring threat, good rebounder, serviceable passer and tenacious defender.
And really, he wasn’t that bad last year and the Celtics had no need to waste the time and money they did on Sam Cassell. Check out what Rondo is doing this year though:
10.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg, 7.4 apg, 2.3 spg, 51.3 fg%.
Those are solid numbers across the board.
While I’m definitely enjoying the regular season so far, the inevitable Eastern Conference finals between Cleveland and Boston will certainly be something to watch.
NCAA B
Stephen Curry continues to dazzle. In case you missed it, over the weekend Curry dropped 41 pts, 4 rebs, 6 asts and a steal on Chattanooga over the weekend in a 100-95 Davidson victory. Curry hit 11-22 shots, 5-11 from downtown and added another 14 from the line (on 18 attempts).
At the point, with apologies to James Harden from Arizona State, the Wooden Award is a two horse race between Curry and Blake Griffin. Here’s the tale of the tape as of 12/15
Curry – 9 games, 31.9 ppg, 3.0 rpg, 6.8 apg, 2.9 spg, 48% fg, 39% 3p5, 85% ft – remember he had a 0 point game where he was 0-3.
Griffin – 10 games, 23.1 ppg, 15.1 rpg, 2.5 apg, 1.9 spg, 1.1 bpg, 68% fg, 62% ft
** Bonus Seth Curry Watch ** 22 pts, 1 reb on 8-13 shooting (4-8 3pt) and 2-2 from the line in a December 15th victory against Anderson (SC), whoever they are.
NFL
Kudos to ESPN for blowing the T.O/Dallas/Romo/Witten situation out of proportion. You ever notice that whenever Dallas loses, T.O. is mad? Anybody at the Worldwide leader ever think that maybe this guy just wants to win and maybe he thinks the best way for Dallas to win is for him to always have the ball?
The biggest difference between this situation and the Philly and San Fran situations involving Owens and QB’s is that he’s not questioning Romo’s character, ability or physical condition. This time, he was just politicking for the ball more and wondering if there’s a reason why he’s not getting the rock all the time. (Of course, its probably because he’s always among the lead leaders in drops, which he will fail to recognize).
Regardless, the two best teams in the league are Pittsburgh and Carolina, who both have chances to exert themselves as the true top dogs in the conference this week, with games against Tennessee and Carolina.
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