Allow me to make something crystal clear; the Warriors will not make the NBA Finals in the next three years. There is no reason to think the Warriors are going to be better than the Lakers over that span of time (not to mention the Spurs, Nuggets and Hornets). As a result, before any moves are made the Warriors’ front office must ask themselves the following question, “Will this move make us the best we can be in 2012/2013?” With this thought in mind, let’s look at the three potential moves the Warriors could possibly make to maximize their ability to win the NBA Championship in 2013.
Move #1 – Do not do anything
The fact of the matter is that this team has a really good (not great) young nucleus. If they don’t make any other changes over the off-season, I promise you they win at least 5 more games next season if not 10. Why is everyone in such a hurry to make a trade? The Warriors have the unique opportunity to grow organically by building team chemistry through years of experience on the court. Besides a true IT player, the team has all the pieces to become a tough team to beat by the 2010/2011 season. They have veteran leadership in Stephan Jackson, length down low in Biedrins and Wright, solid bench players in Maggette and Turiaf and, most importantly, two potential IT players in Monta and Randolph. All of these guys are locked up through the 2010/2011 season which means the current team could develop together for three full seasons. There is no reason to think this group of players cannot develop into a formidable unit in two or three seasons. If Randolph or Monta become IT players the Warriors are a contender as early as the 2011/2012 season.
(Did I mention Stephen Curry is the ultimate wild card? I would argue the Warriors don’t even need him to turn into anything more that a sharp shooter to become legitimate playoff team by 2010/2011.)
Move #2 – Sign ZaZa Pachulia
The Warriors need to give Turiaf and Biedrins some help down low and the answer is to find a discount power forward that can play defense and rebound. ZaZa Pachulia is their guy. He is only 25 years old and he does not need the ball on offense to remain happy. Last year, he gave the Hawks 6.2 ppg and 5.7 rpg in 19 minutes a game! The only guy that average more rebounds than 5.7 per game last season on the Warriors was Biedrins. Throw him into the rotation with Turiaf, Wright and Biedrins and the front line could be set for at least the next three seasons.
(You also have to love that this guy looks like a bar room brawler)
Move #3 – Trade Brandan Wright for Marc Gasol
Everyone wins with this trade. The Grizzles get the long athletic power forward that is a perfect compliment for Hasheem Thabeet (who they actually think is good) and the Warriors get a 7’1” banger down low. Even though I like Wright’s game, he does not have the handles to play the three and we already have a long skinny left hander playing the 4 or 5 so Wright is redundant. Similar to Pachulia, Gasol is tough and is a great rebounder. Both teams win in this trade.
(The more I think about this trade, the more I love it. Not only does Gasol give the Warriors much needed toughness, but he also is the perfect foil for his brother, Pau. Who is going to guard Pau Gasol better than his younger brother?)
Questions I want answered by you the reader
* Who would you rather have – Kevin Love or Marc Gasol?
* With 6 seconds left and you are down by 1, do you trust Amare to win the game for
you?
* What rookie is more marketable than Stephan Curry?
* If you are going to trade one of your young players, doesn’t it make more sense to trade Monta?
* When is Cohan going to give Warriors season ticket holders the $3 mm he promised them last fall?
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Wire Check - 6/30/09
Baseball
* Repeat after me - "Mentioning Matt Cain in the same breathe as Tim Lincecum is insulting"
* Good article in about aging players and how 33 is the magic number for position players who don't take steroids. Is it possible that the Renteria could look worse than it did a day ago? The answer is YES.
* Chances of the Giants screwing up the Lincecum contract situation ... 95%.
Basketball
* Why do the Warriors need Amare? Will someone please answer that question for me. I just don't get it.
* The best part of this article is this "C.J. Watson is a restricted free agent, meaning the Warriors have the right to match any offer he receives." Isn'y this the next article on C.J. Watson ... The Warriors have decided not to match Oakland Tech's offer of $25,000 a year to C.J Watson to coach their boys basketball team.
Soccer
* From the writer who said the Magic were going to win the Finals because Dwight Howard can dunk hard, here is his next great article ... the importance of women's soccer.
Football
* Interesting story about Alex Smith
* Repeat after me - "Mentioning Matt Cain in the same breathe as Tim Lincecum is insulting"
* Good article in about aging players and how 33 is the magic number for position players who don't take steroids. Is it possible that the Renteria could look worse than it did a day ago? The answer is YES.
* Chances of the Giants screwing up the Lincecum contract situation ... 95%.
Basketball
* Why do the Warriors need Amare? Will someone please answer that question for me. I just don't get it.
* The best part of this article is this "C.J. Watson is a restricted free agent, meaning the Warriors have the right to match any offer he receives." Isn'y this the next article on C.J. Watson ... The Warriors have decided not to match Oakland Tech's offer of $25,000 a year to C.J Watson to coach their boys basketball team.
Soccer
* From the writer who said the Magic were going to win the Finals because Dwight Howard can dunk hard, here is his next great article ... the importance of women's soccer.
Football
* Interesting story about Alex Smith
Monday, June 29, 2009
Wire Check - 6/29/09
Baseball
I'm starting to worry about Kawakami, he's being too positive lately.
Tough news for one of the A's promising young starters. Looks like Tommy John for Josh Outman.
During this time of tainted sluggers and records, Gwen Knapp goes back to 61* and says that Cooperstown should induct Roger Maris.
Basketball
If you missed it yesterday, Kawakami updated the Amare/Warriors situation and threw a new name into the mix, last year's #2 pick, Michael Beasley. Pure speculation on TK's part, but very interesting. RT is going to put together his own piece on the Warriors' trade options this offseason for tomorrow or Wednesday.
Football
Matt Barrows eases your offseason 49ers needs with an in-depth look at the D-Line. Part 2. I know this is only his second season, but this is a make or break year for Balmer. He needs to be starting by the second half of the season or it's going to be tough to dodge the Bust label. First round picks are supposed to have the ability to get on the field quickly. Barrows mentions Balmer has been working out with justin Smith, so if he still can't make the starting lineup with a high motor mentor like Smith?
Soccer
I went to Santa Cruz, which was foggy, instead of watching the US-Brazil Confed Cup final. Nuff said, right? Nope. Props to Ann Killion, though as she actually follows soccer.
Hockey
The Bay Area/Country seemed amp'd for the NBA Draft/Trades involved on Thursday, but what about the NHL draft? Purdy says it was a bore for the Sharks, but the off season could get more exciting...
I'm starting to worry about Kawakami, he's being too positive lately.
Tough news for one of the A's promising young starters. Looks like Tommy John for Josh Outman.
During this time of tainted sluggers and records, Gwen Knapp goes back to 61* and says that Cooperstown should induct Roger Maris.
Basketball
If you missed it yesterday, Kawakami updated the Amare/Warriors situation and threw a new name into the mix, last year's #2 pick, Michael Beasley. Pure speculation on TK's part, but very interesting. RT is going to put together his own piece on the Warriors' trade options this offseason for tomorrow or Wednesday.
Football
Matt Barrows eases your offseason 49ers needs with an in-depth look at the D-Line. Part 2. I know this is only his second season, but this is a make or break year for Balmer. He needs to be starting by the second half of the season or it's going to be tough to dodge the Bust label. First round picks are supposed to have the ability to get on the field quickly. Barrows mentions Balmer has been working out with justin Smith, so if he still can't make the starting lineup with a high motor mentor like Smith?
Soccer
I went to Santa Cruz, which was foggy, instead of watching the US-Brazil Confed Cup final. Nuff said, right? Nope. Props to Ann Killion, though as she actually follows soccer.
Hockey
The Bay Area/Country seemed amp'd for the NBA Draft/Trades involved on Thursday, but what about the NHL draft? Purdy says it was a bore for the Sharks, but the off season could get more exciting...
Friday, June 26, 2009
Wire Check - 6/26/09
Basketball
* The Warriors have some guts for once and took a decent player (they still should have taken DeRozan).
* Griffin is a rich man's Kevin Love and a poor man's Dwight Howard ... what does that mean? He will never be an IT player.
* Trading for Amare is one of the worst ideas the Warriors have had in at least 6 months. The only reason I want the Warriors to trade for Amare is so I can write an article calling it one of the worst trades in recent NBA history.
* Kawakami nails it with this article.
Baseball
* Today's pointless Giants article about a player who will not be on the team next year.
* Last time I checked, I wrote this article the day he was signed.
Hockey
* The Sharks are not talking about how the draft will not solve the problem of chocking in the playoffs.
* The Warriors have some guts for once and took a decent player (they still should have taken DeRozan).
* Griffin is a rich man's Kevin Love and a poor man's Dwight Howard ... what does that mean? He will never be an IT player.
* Trading for Amare is one of the worst ideas the Warriors have had in at least 6 months. The only reason I want the Warriors to trade for Amare is so I can write an article calling it one of the worst trades in recent NBA history.
* Kawakami nails it with this article.
Baseball
* Today's pointless Giants article about a player who will not be on the team next year.
* Last time I checked, I wrote this article the day he was signed.
Hockey
* The Sharks are not talking about how the draft will not solve the problem of chocking in the playoffs.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
Christmas Day for Warriors Fans (Part 2 of 2)
(In Part 1, I discussed the players I like, dislike and strongly dislike in the 2009 NBA Draft. In Part 2, I will discuss the top 5 players I would like to see the Warriors pick and why.)
Before we get to the top 5, let me further explain my philosophy on the NBA Draft. Every lottery team needs to ask themselves the following question before they make their selection – “Can I see this player turning into an IT player?” If the answer is “No” then you should not pick him. I hate the concept of picking based on need and not on potential stardom. Some of the best players of all-time (Kobe, Garnett, Michael) have been passed on because a team “needed” a point guard or a center. Until David Stern or one of his underlings is not running the NBA, there is no reason to select anyone who doesn’t have a high ceiling with a lottery pick. With that being said, let’s take a look at what should be the top 5 players on the Warriors draft board.
5. James Harden
How talent poor is the 2009 NBA Draft? I have James Harden in my Warriors top 5. I said in part 1, I think Harden is destined for the middle level exception. However, he does have a little Paul Pierce in him. He can score from anywhere and only needs a little bit of space to get his shot off. The biggest question is not his talent but his drive to be great. In college, he played with the motivation of a stoned-sloth and allowed his immense amount of talent to separate him from other players. The reality is that some guys are motivated by money and turn into completely different players once their pay check is tied to how many points they score. While I don’t believe this to be the case with Harden, he does have a higher ceiling than anyone else besides our top four.
Why he works for the Warriors: Put it this way, he doesn’t fit in their immediate plans but if he starts to exhibit the potential many have pinned on him, the Warriors won’t need Azubuike.
(Did I mention this is a bad Draft)
4. Earl Clark
Either Earl Clark or Terrence Williams will be seen as a steal 5 years from now. I am leaning towards Clark because of his size and unique talent. When the biggest question about a guy is his off the court problems, he is my guy. Similar to DeMar DeRozan, he has a sky is the limit ceiling. He can handle the ball, rebound and has a 7’2” wing span. Clark is the definition of a high risk, high reward player.
Why he works for the Warriors: The two things the Warriors have going for them when it comes to dealing with young trouble makers is Nellie and Capt. Jack. Nellie’s tough love seemed to motivate Randolph to work harder and I know it made him a better player. If you are going to give Jackson a ridiculous extension, you might as well let him use his mentoring skills on a player like Clark.
3. Tyreke Evans
This guy is not a freakish athlete but he does possess all the skills that could make him a great player in the Association. He can handle the ball, shoot over point guards and finish around the basketball. I would consider him a more motivated James Harden that can handle the ball. If he can deal with the rigors of playing point guard in the NBA, he will create all kinds of match-up problems for opposing teams that do not have big point guards because of his size and strength.
Why he works for the Warriors: He is strong enough to guard an NBA shooting guard which should mitigate one of the Warriors biggest problems which is Monta Ellis on the defensive end.
2. DeMar DeRozan
There has been a lot of talk about how DeRozan did not put up the numbers that was expected of him when he was at USC. While some attribute his low production to a lack of talent, I have a different take. He played on a very dysfunctional USC team that was full off selfish players that played with OJ Mayo jealousy the entire season. The last thing Daniel Hackett and Taj Gibson were going to do was watch another freshman hurt their chances of playing in the NBA. As a result, the team had no flow and a coach that did a lot more recruiting than coaching.
DeRozan is the type of freakish athlete that excels at the NBA level and there is every reason to believe he could blossom into a great player. There is no denying the huge risk that he represents because of his lack of production at USC but his upside is enormous. You can teach people how to be great athletes but you can teach them how to shot. DeRozan is the definition of the type of risk NBA GMs should take when picking #7 in the draft. When you ask the question - “Can I see this player turning into an IT player?” The answer is YES!
Why he works for the Warriors: The Warriors have not had an IT player that cannot only score but defend his position since … Tim Hardaway?
1. Ricky Rubio
Simply put, he has the most upside in this draft. There isn’t one player (including Griffin) that could be a regular All-Star more than Rubio. He has been playing pro basketball for years and playing it well. If he comes anywhere close to living up to expectations as a passer, he will improve everyone around him and, almost more importantly, sell a lot of tickets. Until hand checking is allowed back in the NBA, Rubio is the top pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.
Why he works for the Warriors: He works in everyway possible. He is a pure point guard that can create open looks for their solid wing players. He is not a great on ball defender which is also not a huge problem for the Warriors if they start playing Biedrins and Turiaf together down low. There is no reason the Warriors should not trade up to get him.
(The Clippers should trade Griffin for Rubio and another player. Of course, this trade makes too much sense for the lowly Clippers)
Random Draft Thoughts
* Every scout agrees that Griffin and Thabeet are offensively challenged. If they go 1 and 2 in the draft, isn’t this like saying the top two picks in the MLB draft can’t hit a fastball?
* How good of a couch is Roy Williams? He has won two National Championships with basically low first round talent.
* If the Warriors take Jordan Hill, I may turn my allegiance to a NBDL team.
* Is Kevin Love really that much better than Tyler Hansbrough?
* Rubio will regret the day he said he was willing to play in Sacramento over OKC.
* Did I mention that taking Jordan Hill would be a huge mistake?
Before we get to the top 5, let me further explain my philosophy on the NBA Draft. Every lottery team needs to ask themselves the following question before they make their selection – “Can I see this player turning into an IT player?” If the answer is “No” then you should not pick him. I hate the concept of picking based on need and not on potential stardom. Some of the best players of all-time (Kobe, Garnett, Michael) have been passed on because a team “needed” a point guard or a center. Until David Stern or one of his underlings is not running the NBA, there is no reason to select anyone who doesn’t have a high ceiling with a lottery pick. With that being said, let’s take a look at what should be the top 5 players on the Warriors draft board.
5. James Harden
How talent poor is the 2009 NBA Draft? I have James Harden in my Warriors top 5. I said in part 1, I think Harden is destined for the middle level exception. However, he does have a little Paul Pierce in him. He can score from anywhere and only needs a little bit of space to get his shot off. The biggest question is not his talent but his drive to be great. In college, he played with the motivation of a stoned-sloth and allowed his immense amount of talent to separate him from other players. The reality is that some guys are motivated by money and turn into completely different players once their pay check is tied to how many points they score. While I don’t believe this to be the case with Harden, he does have a higher ceiling than anyone else besides our top four.
Why he works for the Warriors: Put it this way, he doesn’t fit in their immediate plans but if he starts to exhibit the potential many have pinned on him, the Warriors won’t need Azubuike.
(Did I mention this is a bad Draft)
4. Earl Clark
Either Earl Clark or Terrence Williams will be seen as a steal 5 years from now. I am leaning towards Clark because of his size and unique talent. When the biggest question about a guy is his off the court problems, he is my guy. Similar to DeMar DeRozan, he has a sky is the limit ceiling. He can handle the ball, rebound and has a 7’2” wing span. Clark is the definition of a high risk, high reward player.
Why he works for the Warriors: The two things the Warriors have going for them when it comes to dealing with young trouble makers is Nellie and Capt. Jack. Nellie’s tough love seemed to motivate Randolph to work harder and I know it made him a better player. If you are going to give Jackson a ridiculous extension, you might as well let him use his mentoring skills on a player like Clark.
3. Tyreke Evans
This guy is not a freakish athlete but he does possess all the skills that could make him a great player in the Association. He can handle the ball, shoot over point guards and finish around the basketball. I would consider him a more motivated James Harden that can handle the ball. If he can deal with the rigors of playing point guard in the NBA, he will create all kinds of match-up problems for opposing teams that do not have big point guards because of his size and strength.
Why he works for the Warriors: He is strong enough to guard an NBA shooting guard which should mitigate one of the Warriors biggest problems which is Monta Ellis on the defensive end.
2. DeMar DeRozan
There has been a lot of talk about how DeRozan did not put up the numbers that was expected of him when he was at USC. While some attribute his low production to a lack of talent, I have a different take. He played on a very dysfunctional USC team that was full off selfish players that played with OJ Mayo jealousy the entire season. The last thing Daniel Hackett and Taj Gibson were going to do was watch another freshman hurt their chances of playing in the NBA. As a result, the team had no flow and a coach that did a lot more recruiting than coaching.
DeRozan is the type of freakish athlete that excels at the NBA level and there is every reason to believe he could blossom into a great player. There is no denying the huge risk that he represents because of his lack of production at USC but his upside is enormous. You can teach people how to be great athletes but you can teach them how to shot. DeRozan is the definition of the type of risk NBA GMs should take when picking #7 in the draft. When you ask the question - “Can I see this player turning into an IT player?” The answer is YES!
Why he works for the Warriors: The Warriors have not had an IT player that cannot only score but defend his position since … Tim Hardaway?
1. Ricky Rubio
Simply put, he has the most upside in this draft. There isn’t one player (including Griffin) that could be a regular All-Star more than Rubio. He has been playing pro basketball for years and playing it well. If he comes anywhere close to living up to expectations as a passer, he will improve everyone around him and, almost more importantly, sell a lot of tickets. Until hand checking is allowed back in the NBA, Rubio is the top pick in the 2009 NBA Draft.
Why he works for the Warriors: He works in everyway possible. He is a pure point guard that can create open looks for their solid wing players. He is not a great on ball defender which is also not a huge problem for the Warriors if they start playing Biedrins and Turiaf together down low. There is no reason the Warriors should not trade up to get him.
(The Clippers should trade Griffin for Rubio and another player. Of course, this trade makes too much sense for the lowly Clippers)
Random Draft Thoughts
* Every scout agrees that Griffin and Thabeet are offensively challenged. If they go 1 and 2 in the draft, isn’t this like saying the top two picks in the MLB draft can’t hit a fastball?
* How good of a couch is Roy Williams? He has won two National Championships with basically low first round talent.
* If the Warriors take Jordan Hill, I may turn my allegiance to a NBDL team.
* Is Kevin Love really that much better than Tyler Hansbrough?
* Rubio will regret the day he said he was willing to play in Sacramento over OKC.
* Did I mention that taking Jordan Hill would be a huge mistake?
Christmas Day for Warriors Fans (Part 1 of 2)
For die-hard Warriors fans, the Baron Davis led 06-07 Warriors team ruined our annual holiday which is the NBA Draft. Luckily for us, the 08-09 Warriors lived up to expectations and failed to make the playoffs. As a result, I get to write this two-part NBA Draft preview.
In part 1, we will look at a few of the players that are making headlines this week. Each of the selected players will be put into a group that (I believe) accurately predicts where they should be drafted based on their actual potential.
Group 1: Should not right be drafted in the first round let alone the lottery
Hasheem Thabeet
I am so sick of people comparing this guy to Diekmbe Mutumbo. From his first day at Georgetown, Mutumbo gained satisfaction in blocking shots and reminding opposing players that he owned the paint with his signature finger wag. Later on, he developed a serviceable offensive game and was at his best when he teamed up with Allen Iverson to make the NBA Finals in 2001. Thabeet has nothing that even resembles the fire or the pride in his game needed to be successful at the highest level. All you need to know about Thabeet is that he was so broken up by his team’s loss at the Final Four that he sat in the stands during the National Championship game wearing sunglasses with a big smile on his face. He could be out of the league in 5 years. Where is the upside?
Jordan Hill
Let me get this straight – Jordan Hill is a 6’9” power forward who is (“in theory”) a top 5 pick yet his team barely made the NCAA tournament and were dominated by their rivals (ASU) during his time at U of A. At best, he is good everything, great at nothing. Sounds like the perfect franchise player to me! Can you say Jared Jefferies?
(Brandon Jennings would have made this list but he is no longer projected as a lottery pick)
Group 2: Could be a productive NBA player but not worth the pick they will be taken at
Blake Griffin
Maybe I am missing something but isn’t Blake Griffin a poor man’s Dwight Howard.
Freakish Athleticism: Check
No Jumper: Check
Low Basketball IQ: Check
Never going to be a go team player at the end of the game: Check
Don’t get me wrong, I know the guy is going to average 10 and 10 but he is not going to pay the dividends that teams should expect from the number one pick overall.
Stephen Curry
Why does everyone think Curry is going to be this great point guard? He has been a scorer his entire life and now he is going to be asked to distribute the ball at the highest level of basketball on the planet. Not exactly the easiest transition. The majority of great point guards in the league played point guard in college and the best exception to that statement is Rajon Rondo. However, how good would Rondo be if he was drafted by the Bucks? Think about it. Again, I think Curry will be a decent NBA player but stardom seems far from likely.
(More on Rondo, Danny Ainge would not be shopping the guy if he was as good as the media makes him out to be.)
James Harden
There is a very good chance that James Harden could have the mid-level exception named after him when his career is over. Remember Will from Good Will Hunting? Of course you do. Well, James Harden will be Will Hunting’s equivalent in the NBA. Harden has borderline All-Star talent with zero desire to do anything more than give B+ effort and collect $5 mm a year. There is no doubt in my mind that one team will be tricked into picking him in the top 5.
Group 3: The NBA is a star driven league and these guys could become “IT” players
DeMar DeRozan
Besides Ricky Rubio, who in this draft has a higher ceiling than DeMar DeRozan? The guy has an NBA body right now and is a super athlete. He is not nearly as polished as O.J. Mayo was when he came out but is a better athlete and could be viewed as having more potential. As long as David Stern is running the NBA, you will always need IT players to win the NBA Championship and DeRozan is one of the few players in this draft that could develop into an IT player.
Tyreke Evans
All I should have to say is 6’5” 195 lbs. and he plays the point. What you need to know about him besides being a big PG is that he can distribute the ball and has the potential to cause all kinds of match-up problems if he is selected by a team with an above-average point guard. There are very few teams that can boast two proven ball handlers on the perimeter and Evans could provide certain teams with that type of versatility. Similar to DeRozan, he has a higher ceiling than most players that are projected to go in the lottery.
Ricky Rubio
His ceiling is a taller version of Steve Nash (two-time MVP). I don’t understand how he is not the automatic #2 pick. How exactly can the Grizzles justify to their fans taking Thabeet over Rubio? Numerous players on the Redeem Team raved about his skills in Beijing and yet some NBA GMs are afraid to take him. Not only does he have the potential to be a great player, but he will also increase ticket sales which will offset the money you might have to pay to get him out of Spain. Nobody is going to go out and buy season tickets to see James Harden or Jordan Hill but they will to see Rubio. Besides Griffin, Rubio is hands down the best pick a team can make in the 2009 NBA Draft.
(Part 2 will focus on the Warriors and their draft “situation”)
In part 1, we will look at a few of the players that are making headlines this week. Each of the selected players will be put into a group that (I believe) accurately predicts where they should be drafted based on their actual potential.
Group 1: Should not right be drafted in the first round let alone the lottery
Hasheem Thabeet
I am so sick of people comparing this guy to Diekmbe Mutumbo. From his first day at Georgetown, Mutumbo gained satisfaction in blocking shots and reminding opposing players that he owned the paint with his signature finger wag. Later on, he developed a serviceable offensive game and was at his best when he teamed up with Allen Iverson to make the NBA Finals in 2001. Thabeet has nothing that even resembles the fire or the pride in his game needed to be successful at the highest level. All you need to know about Thabeet is that he was so broken up by his team’s loss at the Final Four that he sat in the stands during the National Championship game wearing sunglasses with a big smile on his face. He could be out of the league in 5 years. Where is the upside?
Jordan Hill
Let me get this straight – Jordan Hill is a 6’9” power forward who is (“in theory”) a top 5 pick yet his team barely made the NCAA tournament and were dominated by their rivals (ASU) during his time at U of A. At best, he is good everything, great at nothing. Sounds like the perfect franchise player to me! Can you say Jared Jefferies?
(Brandon Jennings would have made this list but he is no longer projected as a lottery pick)
Group 2: Could be a productive NBA player but not worth the pick they will be taken at
Blake Griffin
Maybe I am missing something but isn’t Blake Griffin a poor man’s Dwight Howard.
Freakish Athleticism: Check
No Jumper: Check
Low Basketball IQ: Check
Never going to be a go team player at the end of the game: Check
Don’t get me wrong, I know the guy is going to average 10 and 10 but he is not going to pay the dividends that teams should expect from the number one pick overall.
Stephen Curry
Why does everyone think Curry is going to be this great point guard? He has been a scorer his entire life and now he is going to be asked to distribute the ball at the highest level of basketball on the planet. Not exactly the easiest transition. The majority of great point guards in the league played point guard in college and the best exception to that statement is Rajon Rondo. However, how good would Rondo be if he was drafted by the Bucks? Think about it. Again, I think Curry will be a decent NBA player but stardom seems far from likely.
(More on Rondo, Danny Ainge would not be shopping the guy if he was as good as the media makes him out to be.)
James Harden
There is a very good chance that James Harden could have the mid-level exception named after him when his career is over. Remember Will from Good Will Hunting? Of course you do. Well, James Harden will be Will Hunting’s equivalent in the NBA. Harden has borderline All-Star talent with zero desire to do anything more than give B+ effort and collect $5 mm a year. There is no doubt in my mind that one team will be tricked into picking him in the top 5.
Group 3: The NBA is a star driven league and these guys could become “IT” players
DeMar DeRozan
Besides Ricky Rubio, who in this draft has a higher ceiling than DeMar DeRozan? The guy has an NBA body right now and is a super athlete. He is not nearly as polished as O.J. Mayo was when he came out but is a better athlete and could be viewed as having more potential. As long as David Stern is running the NBA, you will always need IT players to win the NBA Championship and DeRozan is one of the few players in this draft that could develop into an IT player.
Tyreke Evans
All I should have to say is 6’5” 195 lbs. and he plays the point. What you need to know about him besides being a big PG is that he can distribute the ball and has the potential to cause all kinds of match-up problems if he is selected by a team with an above-average point guard. There are very few teams that can boast two proven ball handlers on the perimeter and Evans could provide certain teams with that type of versatility. Similar to DeRozan, he has a higher ceiling than most players that are projected to go in the lottery.
Ricky Rubio
His ceiling is a taller version of Steve Nash (two-time MVP). I don’t understand how he is not the automatic #2 pick. How exactly can the Grizzles justify to their fans taking Thabeet over Rubio? Numerous players on the Redeem Team raved about his skills in Beijing and yet some NBA GMs are afraid to take him. Not only does he have the potential to be a great player, but he will also increase ticket sales which will offset the money you might have to pay to get him out of Spain. Nobody is going to go out and buy season tickets to see James Harden or Jordan Hill but they will to see Rubio. Besides Griffin, Rubio is hands down the best pick a team can make in the 2009 NBA Draft.
(Part 2 will focus on the Warriors and their draft “situation”)
Wire Check - 6/25/09
Basketball
* How do you know your NBA franchise is a joke? When they have a huge advertisement for a Hanna Montana concert on their main page.
* CRAWFORD IS GONE! CRAWFORD IS GONE! I guess the Hawks were unwilling to send us a bag of Sour Cream and Cheddar Ruffles so they sent us players instead.
* Besides educated basketball fans, who doesn't think taking Jordan Hill with the 7th pick is a good idea?
* Who is the worst GM in the league? Hint: He has the best player on his team.
Soccer
* The biggest upset in sports this year.
Baseball
* Giants win, A's lose all in one article.
* I am going to make a prediction right now. The Giants third round pick this year (Chris Dominguez) is going to make the major leagues.
* How do you know your NBA franchise is a joke? When they have a huge advertisement for a Hanna Montana concert on their main page.
* CRAWFORD IS GONE! CRAWFORD IS GONE! I guess the Hawks were unwilling to send us a bag of Sour Cream and Cheddar Ruffles so they sent us players instead.
* Besides educated basketball fans, who doesn't think taking Jordan Hill with the 7th pick is a good idea?
* Who is the worst GM in the league? Hint: He has the best player on his team.
Soccer
* The biggest upset in sports this year.
Baseball
* Giants win, A's lose all in one article.
* I am going to make a prediction right now. The Giants third round pick this year (Chris Dominguez) is going to make the major leagues.
Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Wire Check - 6/24/09
Basketball
Kawakami examines the Warriors' case for drafting Stephen Curry.
From yesterday, Kawakami compares and contrasts the Spurs and Warriors after the Spurs were able to unload three expiring contracts to add Richard Jefferson.
Bruce Jenkins says Jordan Hill will be the Warriors' pick, if they pass on a point guard.
Baseball
Matt Downs is still playing 2B for the Giants and not Kevin Frandsen. RT steps back from the ledge.
Ricky Henderson is a great interview, Hall of Fame even.
The A's 1989 reunion party wasn't a bash, probably because the Bash Brothers weren't there.
Baggs makes the case for Pablo Sandoval to be an All-Star. Baggs makes another good point, sorry RT, that there should be a Bay Bridge trophy that one team keeps from season to season.
Football
The 49ers are who they will be on opening day.
What to do with Vernon Davis? Kevin Lynch takes a closer look.
Practive squad eligible 49ers.
Miscellaneous
This press conference remix is making the rounds, so I might as well link to it. Broadway Joe and T-Pain need to do an album!
Kawakami examines the Warriors' case for drafting Stephen Curry.
From yesterday, Kawakami compares and contrasts the Spurs and Warriors after the Spurs were able to unload three expiring contracts to add Richard Jefferson.
Bruce Jenkins says Jordan Hill will be the Warriors' pick, if they pass on a point guard.
Baseball
Matt Downs is still playing 2B for the Giants and not Kevin Frandsen. RT steps back from the ledge.
Ricky Henderson is a great interview, Hall of Fame even.
The A's 1989 reunion party wasn't a bash, probably because the Bash Brothers weren't there.
Baggs makes the case for Pablo Sandoval to be an All-Star. Baggs makes another good point, sorry RT, that there should be a Bay Bridge trophy that one team keeps from season to season.
Football
The 49ers are who they will be on opening day.
What to do with Vernon Davis? Kevin Lynch takes a closer look.
Practive squad eligible 49ers.
Miscellaneous
This press conference remix is making the rounds, so I might as well link to it. Broadway Joe and T-Pain need to do an album!
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Wire Check - 6/23/09
Basketball
Tim Kawakami's Warriors Draft Scenario #2, DeMar DeRozan. Remember when the Warriors drafted Anthony Randolph even though they already had Brandon Wright? This is like that, again.
Gwen Knapp kicks some dirt on Donald Fehr after he announced his retirement yesterday, but the link is worth clicking for the McGwire picture reward.
Warriors Fast Break Blog looks at rookie playing time under Don Nelson. No bueno.
Baseball
I smell a September call up, don't you?
The Giants may have lost to the A's lsat night, but they've won the more important matchup. 1989 team reunion attendance! FACE, A's fans!
Tim Kawakami's Warriors Draft Scenario #2, DeMar DeRozan. Remember when the Warriors drafted Anthony Randolph even though they already had Brandon Wright? This is like that, again.
Gwen Knapp kicks some dirt on Donald Fehr after he announced his retirement yesterday, but the link is worth clicking for the McGwire picture reward.
Warriors Fast Break Blog looks at rookie playing time under Don Nelson. No bueno.
Baseball
I smell a September call up, don't you?
The Giants may have lost to the A's lsat night, but they've won the more important matchup. 1989 team reunion attendance! FACE, A's fans!
Monday, June 22, 2009
Wire Check - 6/22/09
Tennis
Fear not, Tennis fans! Bruce Jenkins has your Wimbledon preview! Can you name more than 10 people who like Tennis? Bruce Jenkins, Ted Robinson, maybe Ralph Barbieri, umm, Mike and the Mad Dog, I think and that's all I can manage.
Baseball
Will Clark played with the Giants for only seven seasons, but he is my favorite Giant and the favorite of most Giants fans of my era. Why? I don't know exactly what it was, but it's all over this article.
Sandoval batted clean up and, what happened, Scott Ostler? He "cleaned up." Let me get this straight. The Giants' best hitter still hit well batting fourth instead of third or fifth? I have to sit down.
In slightly less shocking news, Moneyball: The Movie, is pretty much done.
Randy Winn: The Bad News, trade value might be negative. The Good News, he won't be a Giant next year.
Nobody writes about the A's. I'm actually beginning to feel a little sorry for A's fans. Not even their beat writers do post game notes. So, here are the MLB standings, enjoy the analysis, A's fans.
Basketball
Nelson? Riley? Rowell? Cohan? Who is running things in Oakland? Monta Ellis.
Kawakami's first installment of Warriors' draft scenarios(NBA draft is Thursday), today's episode: Jordan Hill
Money Quote:
Fear not, Tennis fans! Bruce Jenkins has your Wimbledon preview! Can you name more than 10 people who like Tennis? Bruce Jenkins, Ted Robinson, maybe Ralph Barbieri, umm, Mike and the Mad Dog, I think and that's all I can manage.
Baseball
Will Clark played with the Giants for only seven seasons, but he is my favorite Giant and the favorite of most Giants fans of my era. Why? I don't know exactly what it was, but it's all over this article.
Sandoval batted clean up and, what happened, Scott Ostler? He "cleaned up." Let me get this straight. The Giants' best hitter still hit well batting fourth instead of third or fifth? I have to sit down.
In slightly less shocking news, Moneyball: The Movie, is pretty much done.
Randy Winn: The Bad News, trade value might be negative. The Good News, he won't be a Giant next year.
Nobody writes about the A's. I'm actually beginning to feel a little sorry for A's fans. Not even their beat writers do post game notes. So, here are the MLB standings, enjoy the analysis, A's fans.
Basketball
Nelson? Riley? Rowell? Cohan? Who is running things in Oakland? Monta Ellis.
Kawakami's first installment of Warriors' draft scenarios(NBA draft is Thursday), today's episode: Jordan Hill
Money Quote:
(Again, hate to do the negative thing, but just for comparison’s sake, Ike Diogu was a 22.6/9.75 guy in his third and final season at Arizona State. That’s a bad comparison for any Hill drafting, I realize.)
Friday, June 19, 2009
Wire Check - 6/19/09
Basketball
All it takes is a little cynical speculation by Kawakami and the TK haters flood the comment boards. Seriously, read a few of the comments below the post, those people are insane!Even if yo believe that RileSon flew to Memphis just to tell ME he's their cornerstone and massage his ego, you should realize that is outside normal opporating procedure.
Adam Lauridsen with a nice overview of Nellie's draft history and preferences.
Football
When Scott Ostler is taking dumps on your team, that's pretty much the bottom of the barrel, right?
Baseball
Orlando Cabrera says he sucks right now. Edgar, do you have something to say for yourself?
From Rob Neyer's Friday Filberts, Ben Zobrist is leading the AL in Slugging. Almost as surprising, Torii Hunter is second.
All it takes is a little cynical speculation by Kawakami and the TK haters flood the comment boards. Seriously, read a few of the comments below the post, those people are insane!Even if yo believe that RileSon flew to Memphis just to tell ME he's their cornerstone and massage his ego, you should realize that is outside normal opporating procedure.
Adam Lauridsen with a nice overview of Nellie's draft history and preferences.
Football
When Scott Ostler is taking dumps on your team, that's pretty much the bottom of the barrel, right?
Baseball
Orlando Cabrera says he sucks right now. Edgar, do you have something to say for yourself?
From Rob Neyer's Friday Filberts, Ben Zobrist is leading the AL in Slugging. Almost as surprising, Torii Hunter is second.
Thursday, June 18, 2009
Wire Check - 6/17/09
Soccer
* If you like soccer, you cannot miss FC Barcelona's visit to the Bay Area.
Baseball
* The Giants have been secretly shopping Sanchez for two years and they have been holding out for a bag of Sour Cream and Cheddar Ruffles but the best offer they got was day old Cheetos. As a result, they realized is a mediocre pitcher and might be moving him to the bullpen.
* This is what Mel Hall's lawyer said after they handed him a 45 year prison sentence for rape: "For all the good this man has done in his life, it seems like this was an excessive verdict" HE RAPED A 12 YEAR OLD GIRL AND RUINED HER LIFE FOREVER!!! This guy should be in jail for saying that.
* Extra Baggs asks (in theory) a rhetorical question: "Can any matchup in baseball be more entertaining than Tim Lincecum vs. Vladimir Guerrero?". Lincecum v. Pujols, Manny v. Santana, Verlander v. A-Rod, King Felix v. Cabrera ... I guess nobody told a guy whose job is to watch baseball that Vlad is washed up.
* You should be kicked out of baseball if you give up a home run to Rajai Davis.
Football
* Great players do the work to be great ... JaMarcus Russell talks about it. I would like to thank my parents for not making me a Raiders fan.
Basketball
* Jonny Flynn is better than Jordan Hill but not that much better.
* If you like soccer, you cannot miss FC Barcelona's visit to the Bay Area.
Baseball
* The Giants have been secretly shopping Sanchez for two years and they have been holding out for a bag of Sour Cream and Cheddar Ruffles but the best offer they got was day old Cheetos. As a result, they realized is a mediocre pitcher and might be moving him to the bullpen.
* This is what Mel Hall's lawyer said after they handed him a 45 year prison sentence for rape: "For all the good this man has done in his life, it seems like this was an excessive verdict" HE RAPED A 12 YEAR OLD GIRL AND RUINED HER LIFE FOREVER!!! This guy should be in jail for saying that.
* Extra Baggs asks (in theory) a rhetorical question: "Can any matchup in baseball be more entertaining than Tim Lincecum vs. Vladimir Guerrero?". Lincecum v. Pujols, Manny v. Santana, Verlander v. A-Rod, King Felix v. Cabrera ... I guess nobody told a guy whose job is to watch baseball that Vlad is washed up.
* You should be kicked out of baseball if you give up a home run to Rajai Davis.
Football
* Great players do the work to be great ... JaMarcus Russell talks about it. I would like to thank my parents for not making me a Raiders fan.
Basketball
* Jonny Flynn is better than Jordan Hill but not that much better.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Wire Check - 6/17/09
Basketball
The Monta Situation has not diffused over time. Kawakami runs down the options that face the Warriors heading into the draft regarding The Monta Situation. Let me float my own theory out there. Riley and Nelson heard the grumblings of ME and decided to preemptively strike before Monta's trade value plummeted by him demanding a trade through the media. Rileson flew out to Memphis and massaged ME's ego and said his best option was to tow the line while Rileson look for the best deal. Rileson told ME that if he demands a trade publicly, it will make things exceedingly more difficult to move him, so they come up with some BS story about not drafting another play making guard. Aren't you supposed to draft play makers in the Top 10? Very suspicious to say the least.
Kawakami's then expands on how The Monta Situation and other actions since the back-stabbing of Mullin have reverberated around the league, and not in a good way, at all.
Kevin Love tweeted that his coach, Kevin McHale, was going to be fired and broke the story. How is it different than some unknown front office source leaking that info to someone in the media? This isn't an issue of Kevin Love mis-twittering(?), it's ownership's fault for taking too long to pull the trigger publicly.
Mark Purdy spotlights a rookie free agent with tremendous measurables, but a lot of baggage, tasered by police baggage, to hurdle before he makes it.
Football
Frank Gore and Moran Norris are BFFs! Isn't it strange? A tailback and his lead blocker becoming friends? Weird, right? I know.
Thanks for mailing it in, Ratto. You told us nothing and nothing.
Bsaeball
Sammy Sosa. Tested positive. For PED's in 2003. I guess someone has to write something, but this:
Hockey
The Sharks are in the mix for a Swedish goalie.
The Monta Situation has not diffused over time. Kawakami runs down the options that face the Warriors heading into the draft regarding The Monta Situation. Let me float my own theory out there. Riley and Nelson heard the grumblings of ME and decided to preemptively strike before Monta's trade value plummeted by him demanding a trade through the media. Rileson flew out to Memphis and massaged ME's ego and said his best option was to tow the line while Rileson look for the best deal. Rileson told ME that if he demands a trade publicly, it will make things exceedingly more difficult to move him, so they come up with some BS story about not drafting another play making guard. Aren't you supposed to draft play makers in the Top 10? Very suspicious to say the least.
Kawakami's then expands on how The Monta Situation and other actions since the back-stabbing of Mullin have reverberated around the league, and not in a good way, at all.
Kevin Love tweeted that his coach, Kevin McHale, was going to be fired and broke the story. How is it different than some unknown front office source leaking that info to someone in the media? This isn't an issue of Kevin Love mis-twittering(?), it's ownership's fault for taking too long to pull the trigger publicly.
Mark Purdy spotlights a rookie free agent with tremendous measurables, but a lot of baggage, tasered by police baggage, to hurdle before he makes it.
Football
Frank Gore and Moran Norris are BFFs! Isn't it strange? A tailback and his lead blocker becoming friends? Weird, right? I know.
Thanks for mailing it in, Ratto. You told us nothing and nothing.
Bsaeball
Sammy Sosa. Tested positive. For PED's in 2003. I guess someone has to write something, but this:
If Sosa had any chance for a Cooperstown induction, Tuesday's development seriously hurt.Sosa had almost no chance for Cooperstown before Tuesday's development and all Tuesday did was give the BBWAA more ammunition to continue being holier than thou.
Hockey
The Sharks are in the mix for a Swedish goalie.
Tuesday, June 16, 2009
Wire Check - 6/16/09
Baseball
* Am I the only one saying here we go again?
* Just in case you were wondering ... Billy Beane signed this guy over Tim Hudson, Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Jermaine Dye, Johnny Damon ... the man is a genius alright.
Soccer
* The red card against the US yesterday was borderline criminal.
Football
* In the world of stupid headlines, this headline is one of the worst. However, you do get a picture of what the new Niners stadium might look like.
Basketball
* What you need to take from this is that NOBODY wants to play for the Warriors. Will somebody rich please buy the team ... PLEASE!!
* Headline 5 years from now: After two years on the bench for the T-wolves and 3 years on 3 different Euro league teams, Patty Mills agrees to become an assistant head coach at St. Marys.
* Am I the only one saying here we go again?
* Just in case you were wondering ... Billy Beane signed this guy over Tim Hudson, Jason Giambi, Miguel Tejada, Jermaine Dye, Johnny Damon ... the man is a genius alright.
Soccer
* The red card against the US yesterday was borderline criminal.
Football
* In the world of stupid headlines, this headline is one of the worst. However, you do get a picture of what the new Niners stadium might look like.
Basketball
* What you need to take from this is that NOBODY wants to play for the Warriors. Will somebody rich please buy the team ... PLEASE!!
* Headline 5 years from now: After two years on the bench for the T-wolves and 3 years on 3 different Euro league teams, Patty Mills agrees to become an assistant head coach at St. Marys.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Wire Check - 6/15/09
Basketball
"See what you get Warriors? See what you get when..." you suck for more than a decade? We are subjected to articles about how the Lakers can maintain their roster for another C-h-a-m-p-i-o-n-s-h-i-p run. I hate the Lakers.
In actual Warriors news, MTII promotes the idea of drafting Stephen Curry and if not, at least make the Knicks pay to get him. I'll say this about that. Even if Stephen Curry's basketball IQ is the complete opposite of Mikael Pietrus' Bball IQ, he's too small to match with Monta. Just for fun, let's look at how a Monta/Curry starting lineup would matchup against the World Champion Lakers.
PG Curry 6'3 180 v. Derek Fisher/Jordan Farmar 6'1 210/6'2 180
SG Ellis 6'3 180 v. Kobe 6'6 205
SF Jackson 6'8 215 v. Ariza 6'8 210
PF Randolph 6'10 210 v. Gasol 7'0 250
C Biedrins 6'11 240 v. Bynum 7'0 285
This is from Friday, but apparently it doesn't matter if Janny Hu is on vacation or not, you won't get a lot of substance from the Warriors writers.
Bruce Jenkins points out that all of Kobe's rings have come against sucky Eastern teams: Old Pacers, AI and the Sixers, JKidd and the Nets and the Magic.
Baseball
Nate Shierholtz hit an inside the park HR and had a nice assist from right field and he's from Danville. Giants fans, get your hopes up!! This guy must be the real deal.
RIP Eric Chavez' baseball career.
"See what you get Warriors? See what you get when..." you suck for more than a decade? We are subjected to articles about how the Lakers can maintain their roster for another C-h-a-m-p-i-o-n-s-h-i-p run. I hate the Lakers.
In actual Warriors news, MTII promotes the idea of drafting Stephen Curry and if not, at least make the Knicks pay to get him. I'll say this about that. Even if Stephen Curry's basketball IQ is the complete opposite of Mikael Pietrus' Bball IQ, he's too small to match with Monta. Just for fun, let's look at how a Monta/Curry starting lineup would matchup against the World Champion Lakers.
PG Curry 6'3 180 v. Derek Fisher/Jordan Farmar 6'1 210/6'2 180
SG Ellis 6'3 180 v. Kobe 6'6 205
SF Jackson 6'8 215 v. Ariza 6'8 210
PF Randolph 6'10 210 v. Gasol 7'0 250
C Biedrins 6'11 240 v. Bynum 7'0 285
This is from Friday, but apparently it doesn't matter if Janny Hu is on vacation or not, you won't get a lot of substance from the Warriors writers.
It would probably be something like: the rights to Hill and Corey Maggette for the rights to Williams, an easily bought-out contract from Jerry Stackhouse and a future first-round pick.Are you kidding me? Of course I'm in! By all accounts this is not a great draft after the first two picks. Isn't it a no-brainer to make that trade if it means moving Corey Maggette and his $40MM over the next four years for one year and $7.5MM of Jerry Stackhouse?
You still in?
Bruce Jenkins points out that all of Kobe's rings have come against sucky Eastern teams: Old Pacers, AI and the Sixers, JKidd and the Nets and the Magic.
Baseball
Nate Shierholtz hit an inside the park HR and had a nice assist from right field and he's from Danville. Giants fans, get your hopes up!! This guy must be the real deal.
RIP Eric Chavez' baseball career.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Wire Check - 6/12/09
Baseball
Bruce Jenkins is bitching about the Giants' 6-4 road trip? The game to bitch about was the first game in Washington where the bullpen blew the game for Lincecum.
Gwen Knapp points out the hypocrisy that is the NCAA.
Some guy (is Susan Slusser on vacation?) tries to produce some smack about the Giants to hyoe up A's-Giants this weekend. FAIL!
In Baggs' post game notes, a quote from Nate Schierholtz sums up the whole Bay Area-Giants-A's vibe.
Hockey
Something just doesn't sound right reading Ratto's head line. Just keep those 2 girls away from that 1 cup. Ratto seems to be hinting that the Sharks may have been passed by several teams in the west, with or without Marleau.
Basketball
The Warriors need a PG and this is the draft to get one. Kawakami on the latest PGs to workout with the Warriors.
MTII takes a closer look at potential Warriors' draft pick, Brandon Jennings. Thompson sums up what the Warriors choices are:
Football
Matt Maiocco wraps up the latest round of 49ers OTAs with some interesting stuff about QBs coach Mike Johnson.
Bruce Jenkins is bitching about the Giants' 6-4 road trip? The game to bitch about was the first game in Washington where the bullpen blew the game for Lincecum.
Gwen Knapp points out the hypocrisy that is the NCAA.
Some guy (is Susan Slusser on vacation?) tries to produce some smack about the Giants to hyoe up A's-Giants this weekend. FAIL!
In Baggs' post game notes, a quote from Nate Schierholtz sums up the whole Bay Area-Giants-A's vibe.
Schierholtz said he went to more A’s games, but he was a bigger Giants fan.
Hockey
Something just doesn't sound right reading Ratto's head line. Just keep those 2 girls away from that 1 cup. Ratto seems to be hinting that the Sharks may have been passed by several teams in the west, with or without Marleau.
Basketball
The Warriors need a PG and this is the draft to get one. Kawakami on the latest PGs to workout with the Warriors.
MTII takes a closer look at potential Warriors' draft pick, Brandon Jennings. Thompson sums up what the Warriors choices are:
The question is going to become what the Warriors want most: a playmaker who can’t shoot (Jennings), an excellent shooter who isn’t really a true point (Stephan Curry), a shooting guard with some point guard skills (Evans), a prototype NBA point guard who needs a lot of development (Holiday), an undersized, hard-nosed PG (Flynn), or a veteran off another roster.
Football
Matt Maiocco wraps up the latest round of 49ers OTAs with some interesting stuff about QBs coach Mike Johnson.
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Wire Check - 6/11/09
Baseball
- You will see me write this for the next 10 years. The stupidest thing the Giants front office did was not have the guts to trade Matt Cain after or during the 2009 season. Welcome to J-Rich in 2004 Bay Area sports fans.
- Giants could be contenders ... if they had Manny coming off of suspension in July. Instead they may have the chance to not win the World Series by losing in October instead of September.
- A's lose to the Twins in front of a crowd smaller than a Stanford basketball game against Washington State.
Soccer
- News Flash: US soccer blows. In other news, every other country sucks at their 5th most popular sport.
Basketball
- Jrue Holiday would not be a bad pick.
Football
- Wait, Darren McFadden should play better before he tries to lead!? Thank you Captain Obvious
- Niners are allowed to take chances which sounds like a good thing to me.
- You will see me write this for the next 10 years. The stupidest thing the Giants front office did was not have the guts to trade Matt Cain after or during the 2009 season. Welcome to J-Rich in 2004 Bay Area sports fans.
- Giants could be contenders ... if they had Manny coming off of suspension in July. Instead they may have the chance to not win the World Series by losing in October instead of September.
- A's lose to the Twins in front of a crowd smaller than a Stanford basketball game against Washington State.
Soccer
- News Flash: US soccer blows. In other news, every other country sucks at their 5th most popular sport.
Basketball
- Jrue Holiday would not be a bad pick.
Football
- Wait, Darren McFadden should play better before he tries to lead!? Thank you Captain Obvious
- Niners are allowed to take chances which sounds like a good thing to me.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Wire Check - 6/9/09
Baseball
- The A's have won 7 straight and could finish second in the AL West this season.
- Funny story about the first pick in the MLB Draft.
- I guess having a mistress can come back to haunt you.
- Bruce Jenkins has determined that no amateur player was worth a $1 mm signing bonus. If A-rod was not worth $1 mm at 18 what is Renteria worth at 33??
- Hilarious article about the clown that is Aubrey Huff.
Football
- Some guy named Dashon Goldson is playing well in Niners camp. Football season is too far away to care ... I know, I am not allowed to hate on the NFL if I want to consider myself American.
Golf
- The real story is that Cam Inman is still allowed to write after picking the Magic because Dwight Howard can dunk.
- The A's have won 7 straight and could finish second in the AL West this season.
- Funny story about the first pick in the MLB Draft.
- I guess having a mistress can come back to haunt you.
- Bruce Jenkins has determined that no amateur player was worth a $1 mm signing bonus. If A-rod was not worth $1 mm at 18 what is Renteria worth at 33??
- Hilarious article about the clown that is Aubrey Huff.
Football
- Some guy named Dashon Goldson is playing well in Niners camp. Football season is too far away to care ... I know, I am not allowed to hate on the NFL if I want to consider myself American.
Golf
- The real story is that Cam Inman is still allowed to write after picking the Magic because Dwight Howard can dunk.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Wire Check - 6/4/09
Football
* You have to love a guy writing for the first major newspaper that will likely go out of business who rips a city for not getting a new stadium.
* David White suggests patience when looking at Heyward-Bey. I suggest a new pair of hands and better route running. We will see who is right.
Soccer
* As long as we continue to get killed by inferior countries, soccer is never going to be big in the United States.
Basketball
* I think I might have a case for plagiarism against Kawakami
* Cam Inman has decided that the reason the Magic are going to beat the Lakers is because Dwight Howard is charismatic and dunks hard. Impressive argument counselor.
Baseball
* A's win ... nobody cares.
* Great trade yesterday by the Giants. It is about time they started aggressively going after a young hitter. (sarcasm)
* A national look at what the Giants need. HINT: it's not pitching
* You have to love a guy writing for the first major newspaper that will likely go out of business who rips a city for not getting a new stadium.
* David White suggests patience when looking at Heyward-Bey. I suggest a new pair of hands and better route running. We will see who is right.
Soccer
* As long as we continue to get killed by inferior countries, soccer is never going to be big in the United States.
Basketball
* I think I might have a case for plagiarism against Kawakami
* Cam Inman has decided that the reason the Magic are going to beat the Lakers is because Dwight Howard is charismatic and dunks hard. Impressive argument counselor.
Baseball
* A's win ... nobody cares.
* Great trade yesterday by the Giants. It is about time they started aggressively going after a young hitter. (sarcasm)
* A national look at what the Giants need. HINT: it's not pitching
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Quick NBA Finals Thoughts
* I’ve told my brother, I’ve told my Dad, I’ve told the guy down at Pete’s, I said “IT” to anyone who will listen (Koski is sick of hearing about it…) … you cannot win the NBA championship with at least one “IT” player and most champs have two. Dwight Howard is the best the Magic have to offer when it comes to an “IT” player, but his offensive game is far from polished. The Lakers have the greatest scorer of all-time and if Howard is an “IT” player then Pau Gasol is because what Gasol lacks in athleticism he easily makes up for in scoring ability. Like it or not, the NBA is a star driven league, all the way from its marketing strategy to its champions.
* All this talk about Kobe being the best player of all time is ridiculous. He is the best scorer this game has ever seen, but he should never be in the same conversation as Magic or MJ (to name a two better all around players. To be considered the best, you have to do more than score and play good defense. Kobe has questionable leadership ability and has given up on his teammates numerous times throughout the year/playoffs. Anyone with half a brain knows that Magic and MJ were the complete package. Kobe is not.
* No matter who wins this series, the 2008-09 NBA Champions will go down as one of the worst champions in recent memory. (I would even take the ’04 Pistons over either of these teams)
* Prediction: Lakers in 6
* In the spirit of accountability, I chose the Lakers at the start of the season to win the NBA championship … against the Sixers. You can’t get them all right.
* All this talk about Kobe being the best player of all time is ridiculous. He is the best scorer this game has ever seen, but he should never be in the same conversation as Magic or MJ (to name a two better all around players. To be considered the best, you have to do more than score and play good defense. Kobe has questionable leadership ability and has given up on his teammates numerous times throughout the year/playoffs. Anyone with half a brain knows that Magic and MJ were the complete package. Kobe is not.
* No matter who wins this series, the 2008-09 NBA Champions will go down as one of the worst champions in recent memory. (I would even take the ’04 Pistons over either of these teams)
* Prediction: Lakers in 6
* In the spirit of accountability, I chose the Lakers at the start of the season to win the NBA championship … against the Sixers. You can’t get them all right.
Wire Check - 6/3/09
Baseball
The Bay Area could feature two upper echelon starting rotations in the near future. However, as Ray Ratto points out, "The A's, in short, are repelling more people than they are attracting."
Third base has been very ugly for the A's and Matt Holliday would rather be traded to a contender than rot on the A's. Well, if he wants to get traded, he should probably start hitting home runs and up his trade value. Billy Beane will try and get as much value from Holliday as possible and if Beane can't get what he wants in a trade he'll hold onto Holliday and take the draft pick when Holliday leaves as a free agent in the winter.
As the Big Unit targets win #300, Cam Inman looks at former players who came close, but failed to hit milestones. I think my favorite is, "Dale Murphy (398, retired after hitting 0 home runs in 26 games with 1993 Colorado Rockies)" I used to despise Dale Murphy, because he was on the Braves, and the Braves were in the same division as the Giants way back when and he was their best player. You have to give him credit for trying and then realizing if you go homerless in 26 games, 13 at Coors Field, it's probably time to hang 'em up.
Mark Purdy's Top Ten Bay Area related milestones.
Basketball
Really, Scott Ostler? Really? You're going to critique Stan Van Gundy's coaching? After he's knocked off the defending champs and the team with the best record in the regular season to reach the finals? "Ideally, timeout speeches inspire the players to think." Umm, usually timeouts are to stop the other team's momentum, or to draw up a play a the end of the game. This is the NBA. The players are PROFESSIONALS. They know what is required.
Is it just me or are journalists the only ones really upset about the LeBron James thing? Sure, it was poor sportsmanship, but it seems that it's only a story because by walking out of the media, King James made it harder for them to do their jobs.
Football
Jerry Mac has some statistical markers for Raiders fans to keep an eye on.
Nate Clements is missing OTAs with pneumonia.
The Bay Area could feature two upper echelon starting rotations in the near future. However, as Ray Ratto points out, "The A's, in short, are repelling more people than they are attracting."
Third base has been very ugly for the A's and Matt Holliday would rather be traded to a contender than rot on the A's. Well, if he wants to get traded, he should probably start hitting home runs and up his trade value. Billy Beane will try and get as much value from Holliday as possible and if Beane can't get what he wants in a trade he'll hold onto Holliday and take the draft pick when Holliday leaves as a free agent in the winter.
As the Big Unit targets win #300, Cam Inman looks at former players who came close, but failed to hit milestones. I think my favorite is, "Dale Murphy (398, retired after hitting 0 home runs in 26 games with 1993 Colorado Rockies)" I used to despise Dale Murphy, because he was on the Braves, and the Braves were in the same division as the Giants way back when and he was their best player. You have to give him credit for trying and then realizing if you go homerless in 26 games, 13 at Coors Field, it's probably time to hang 'em up.
Mark Purdy's Top Ten Bay Area related milestones.
Basketball
Really, Scott Ostler? Really? You're going to critique Stan Van Gundy's coaching? After he's knocked off the defending champs and the team with the best record in the regular season to reach the finals? "Ideally, timeout speeches inspire the players to think." Umm, usually timeouts are to stop the other team's momentum, or to draw up a play a the end of the game. This is the NBA. The players are PROFESSIONALS. They know what is required.
Is it just me or are journalists the only ones really upset about the LeBron James thing? Sure, it was poor sportsmanship, but it seems that it's only a story because by walking out of the media, King James made it harder for them to do their jobs.
Football
Jerry Mac has some statistical markers for Raiders fans to keep an eye on.
Nate Clements is missing OTAs with pneumonia.
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Wire Check - 6/2/09
Football
Gavin Newsom doesn't like the 49ers.
Dre Bly is excited to be a 49er ... fans not so much.
I think I read this story every year about the Raiders.
Baseball
John Shea says RJ could be the last 300 game winner. Sabathia might have something to say about that.
I would rather be an A's fan than a Sharks fan because at least I can expect to lose.
Is there any way the Giants cannot take a guy named Grant Green!? Anyone who has been to North Beach knows what I am saying.
Basketball
Patty Mills is staying in the NBA draft ... no word on which Euro team he will play for next year.
Gavin Newsom doesn't like the 49ers.
Dre Bly is excited to be a 49er ... fans not so much.
I think I read this story every year about the Raiders.
Baseball
John Shea says RJ could be the last 300 game winner. Sabathia might have something to say about that.
I would rather be an A's fan than a Sharks fan because at least I can expect to lose.
Is there any way the Giants cannot take a guy named Grant Green!? Anyone who has been to North Beach knows what I am saying.
Basketball
Patty Mills is staying in the NBA draft ... no word on which Euro team he will play for next year.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)