Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Friday, January 27, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
He's Got Baron Davis Eyes
To the tune of "She Got Bette Davis Eyes." TD3Q's first parody song.
He's Got Baron Davis Eyes
His beard is long and black.
His jaw is huge in size.
His hands demand the ball.
He's got Baron Davis eyes.
He'll dish the ball down low..
You won't have to think twice.
He's as pure as Eric Snow.
He's got Baron Davis eyes.
And he'll tease you,
He'll straight freeze you.
All the better just to beat you.
Sometimes he tries hard,
And he knows just what it takes to be a point guard.
He's got Rajon Rondo stand-off sighs,
He's got Baron Davis eyes.
He'll let you take the three.
He doesn't play defense.
He'll fall down on the floor.
He got Baron Davis eyes.
He'll take a tumble on you,
Flop like he were dice
Until you argue with the ref
He's got Baron Davis eyes.
He'll expose you,
When he goes through,
The defense won't know who he throws to.
He's ferocious, and he knows just what it takes to be a point guard.
All the Knicks think he's a nice guy
He's got Baron Davis eyes.
And he'll fall down.
He's a tall clown.
And he plays in a big time ball town.
He's a weird card,
And he knows just what it takes to be a point guard.
Knicks fans hope that he tries
He's got Baron Davis eyes.
Monday, December 26, 2011
Tuesday NBA Throw-Up: Opening Day Edition
After watching Opening Day in this short but sweet NBA Season, many interesting thoughts are dancing in our heads, and like itchy algae of the brain, we scratch our opinions into a new edition of NBA Throw-Up.
The Knicks are the team to beat in the Atlantic Division. Say what you will about Boston's established chemistry, the upcoming addition of all-star Paul Pierce, the bright edition of Brandon "Delicious" Bass, or Rondo's emergence as the Celtics' leader, they simply aren't going to win as many games as the New Yorkers. There are a few NBA cities that are feeling the excitement of a promising new basketball season, cities that haven't felt this way in a long time, and New York is among them (Minneapolis is also). With a full season (or semi-full, what with the lockout taking its toll) ahead of them to hammer out the details, to determine an ideal rotation, and get to injured guys back into the mix (we all know that when Baron Davis feels the pressure of a good situation, he tends to rise to the occasion), the Knicks should find themselves on par, if not above the Boston Celtics in the final playoff seeding. With a serious lack of front-court depth, the Boston team of leprechauns are finally poised to fall out of contention. The Knicks, on the other hand, are heading in a different direction. Lead by Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, the boys from Manhattan have all the upside, and while they might not be able to overcome the powerhouse Heat or Bulls, the Knicks are knocking on all the right doors, while Boston will be holding on for dear life like an elderly geezer water-skiing.
The Dallas Mavericks looked bad. And not just bad. The Mavs looked really bad. In their 105-94 loss to the Miami Heat, only Jason Terry showed the heart and drive that made Dallas the champions we've all grown so fond of (unless you haven't). Dirk Nowitzki looked a step slow all night, and for a guy who plays a step slow anyway, this additional slow step is an early season concern. Certainly Germany's darling will find his way back to elite greatness, because that's what he is, but with reports of him taking three months away from basketball and exercise, the guy looked somewhat scrawny and awkward out there, more so than we've come accustomed to. And while Dirk isn't the guy to worry about, as we should all expect him to find his game in a relatively short span of early season games, it's the rest of the Mavericks that gave me the worry worms deep down in my guts. Jason Kidd is set to turn 39 in March. After giving Dallas everything during the playoffs last year, is it possible that he's slipped into a mental ease of dedication? Lamar Odom will become a reliable force for Dallas, but he's not the defensive anchor that Tyson Chandler was. Brendan Haywood isn't either (in fact, Brendan Haywood might just be the worst starting center in the Western Conference). Vince Carter doesn't even like basketball all that much, and his attitude will certainly affect his playing time, as it appears Vince is already on some sort of leash held by Coach Rick Carlisle. It's going to be a long season, one full of bumps for the champs. If they hope to repeat some of their success from last year, they'll need to figure some things out, things that at this point seem to be completely mysterious and potentially improbable.
The Miami Heat are still the villains of the NBA. Regardless of how people perceive Kris Humphries, Miami and their monopoly of guys named Dwyane or LeBron can't escape the hate. We've noticed James trying his darndest to smile into the camera, to wish us a Merry Christmas, to create whisperings of how he's a real stand-up guy, of how he loves Ohio and loves people everywhere, and of how he just wants to be our friend. Tough break, sinister LeBron. You made your bed, now you sleep on it. You don't want basketball fans to hate your guts? Maybe you shouldn't have quit on Cleveland. Maybe you shouldn't have formed a super-core super-team with your pals. Sure, it's all good for you to do whatever you want in free agency, that's your right as a businessman (because as the players reiterate pretty constantly, the NBA IS a business. But don't come crying to Jim Grey or Michelle Tafoya about how it's unfair that everybody hates your guts, because like love, or fear, or excitement, hate and dislike are organic feelings that occur through a process of logical brain-chemistry. And although LeBron and his Heat teammates are heavy favorites to win it all next spring, it won't be James's championship like it would have been in Cleveland. It'll be like NSYNC winning a Grammy. Manufactured success, the kind that makes people angry. The kind that breeds negativity. LeBron can try as hard as he wants to get us back. He can make the "sincere" commercials that he's suddenly so fond of. He can do charity work until his thumbs fall off. But that guy ditched his chances to be one of the noble greats. And the NBA is a better place because of it. We all love to hate in sports, and thanks to James, we have as huge of a target to aim our disdain towards as any I can ever remember.
It sure was strange watching Kobe Bryant fumble away the victory that seemed almost in hand for his Lakers against the Bulls. Up by 6 with under a minute to go, the Lakers looked poised to win the season opening against Derek Rose and the defending number 1 of last year's Eastern Conference. Luol Deng missed the next shot for the bulls, and a defensive rebound would have sealed the deal, but Deng wasn't blocked out and he got the offensive board and quickly put in a bucket near the hoop. To make matters worse, Pau Gasol (who had a poor game with only 14 points and 8 rebounds on lousy percentages) fouled Deng for a 3-point play which Luol converted. Lakers lead cut in half to 3. After running some clock, the Lakers ended the following possession with a Bryant miss which was collected by Deng. In some sort of foolish attempt to take possession away from Luol, Kobe fouled the Bulls' forward, and with Los Angeles in the penalty, it stopped the clock and gave Chicago two free points (as Deng converted on both free throws), cutting the lead down to one. Next came the real head scratcher. With Kobe receiving the ball near the mid-court sideline, he picked up his dribble and stood still for a few moments, expecting a foul. When he suddenly realized that the Bulls were trapping him, he panicked and tried to pass it to Gasol, who was as surprised as the rest of us. Deng was right there to slap the pass away and grab possession for the steal. As the final seconds ticked away, Chicago got the ball to its leader, Rose, who hit an incredibly difficult shot in the lane to take the lead. With one final chance, Bryant dribbled the ball down the court, and forgetting that he had teammates, took the shot into 3 Bulls defenders, getting his attempt at victory blocked with ease by Deng. A very entertaining finish to a great game, it was all the right moves by Deng and all the wrong ones by Bryant that delivered Chicago a 1-0 record.
The Clippers have the depth to make some noise in the playoffs. As long as they can stay healthy, and if they can develop the team-first chemistry needed to win, something that a guy like Chris Paul is an expert in creating, the Clips of Los Angeles have the pieces to succeed THIS SEASON. The Western Conference is as up-in-the-air as ever, and as a result we're poised for an extremely entertaining campaign on the horizon. The clear-cut favorite from most experts is Oklahoma City, but right behind them it's a shifty free-for-all. Dallas, the champs, lost key contributors (Chandler, Stevenson, Barea, and even Peja) and brought in a lesser talented import of players. While watching them play basketball against Miami, I noticed Brian Cardinal, airballing a three pointer, playing 14 minutes, and I thought to myself, this is not the recipe for winnings basketball. But anyway, alongside Dallas in the wide-open West are the Spurs, who are a year older (and they were old as hell last year). The Grizzlies are about as talented as the rest, but lack the winning experience that most think is necessary to go to the Finals. The Lakers are suddenly in disarray, and their talent isn't what it used to be. Portland is always a candidate to surprise some folks, and if they can finally stay healthy they might be able to make a rumble in Rip City. And right in with this group sits the Clippers. With brainy veterans Paul and Chauncey Billups running the show for Los Angeles, I wouldn't put it past them to challenge the Thunder (or whomever it may be) for the Western Conference Title.
The Knicks are the team to beat in the Atlantic Division. Say what you will about Boston's established chemistry, the upcoming addition of all-star Paul Pierce, the bright edition of Brandon "Delicious" Bass, or Rondo's emergence as the Celtics' leader, they simply aren't going to win as many games as the New Yorkers. There are a few NBA cities that are feeling the excitement of a promising new basketball season, cities that haven't felt this way in a long time, and New York is among them (Minneapolis is also). With a full season (or semi-full, what with the lockout taking its toll) ahead of them to hammer out the details, to determine an ideal rotation, and get to injured guys back into the mix (we all know that when Baron Davis feels the pressure of a good situation, he tends to rise to the occasion), the Knicks should find themselves on par, if not above the Boston Celtics in the final playoff seeding. With a serious lack of front-court depth, the Boston team of leprechauns are finally poised to fall out of contention. The Knicks, on the other hand, are heading in a different direction. Lead by Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire, the boys from Manhattan have all the upside, and while they might not be able to overcome the powerhouse Heat or Bulls, the Knicks are knocking on all the right doors, while Boston will be holding on for dear life like an elderly geezer water-skiing.
The Dallas Mavericks looked bad. And not just bad. The Mavs looked really bad. In their 105-94 loss to the Miami Heat, only Jason Terry showed the heart and drive that made Dallas the champions we've all grown so fond of (unless you haven't). Dirk Nowitzki looked a step slow all night, and for a guy who plays a step slow anyway, this additional slow step is an early season concern. Certainly Germany's darling will find his way back to elite greatness, because that's what he is, but with reports of him taking three months away from basketball and exercise, the guy looked somewhat scrawny and awkward out there, more so than we've come accustomed to. And while Dirk isn't the guy to worry about, as we should all expect him to find his game in a relatively short span of early season games, it's the rest of the Mavericks that gave me the worry worms deep down in my guts. Jason Kidd is set to turn 39 in March. After giving Dallas everything during the playoffs last year, is it possible that he's slipped into a mental ease of dedication? Lamar Odom will become a reliable force for Dallas, but he's not the defensive anchor that Tyson Chandler was. Brendan Haywood isn't either (in fact, Brendan Haywood might just be the worst starting center in the Western Conference). Vince Carter doesn't even like basketball all that much, and his attitude will certainly affect his playing time, as it appears Vince is already on some sort of leash held by Coach Rick Carlisle. It's going to be a long season, one full of bumps for the champs. If they hope to repeat some of their success from last year, they'll need to figure some things out, things that at this point seem to be completely mysterious and potentially improbable.
The Miami Heat are still the villains of the NBA. Regardless of how people perceive Kris Humphries, Miami and their monopoly of guys named Dwyane or LeBron can't escape the hate. We've noticed James trying his darndest to smile into the camera, to wish us a Merry Christmas, to create whisperings of how he's a real stand-up guy, of how he loves Ohio and loves people everywhere, and of how he just wants to be our friend. Tough break, sinister LeBron. You made your bed, now you sleep on it. You don't want basketball fans to hate your guts? Maybe you shouldn't have quit on Cleveland. Maybe you shouldn't have formed a super-core super-team with your pals. Sure, it's all good for you to do whatever you want in free agency, that's your right as a businessman (because as the players reiterate pretty constantly, the NBA IS a business. But don't come crying to Jim Grey or Michelle Tafoya about how it's unfair that everybody hates your guts, because like love, or fear, or excitement, hate and dislike are organic feelings that occur through a process of logical brain-chemistry. And although LeBron and his Heat teammates are heavy favorites to win it all next spring, it won't be James's championship like it would have been in Cleveland. It'll be like NSYNC winning a Grammy. Manufactured success, the kind that makes people angry. The kind that breeds negativity. LeBron can try as hard as he wants to get us back. He can make the "sincere" commercials that he's suddenly so fond of. He can do charity work until his thumbs fall off. But that guy ditched his chances to be one of the noble greats. And the NBA is a better place because of it. We all love to hate in sports, and thanks to James, we have as huge of a target to aim our disdain towards as any I can ever remember.
It sure was strange watching Kobe Bryant fumble away the victory that seemed almost in hand for his Lakers against the Bulls. Up by 6 with under a minute to go, the Lakers looked poised to win the season opening against Derek Rose and the defending number 1 of last year's Eastern Conference. Luol Deng missed the next shot for the bulls, and a defensive rebound would have sealed the deal, but Deng wasn't blocked out and he got the offensive board and quickly put in a bucket near the hoop. To make matters worse, Pau Gasol (who had a poor game with only 14 points and 8 rebounds on lousy percentages) fouled Deng for a 3-point play which Luol converted. Lakers lead cut in half to 3. After running some clock, the Lakers ended the following possession with a Bryant miss which was collected by Deng. In some sort of foolish attempt to take possession away from Luol, Kobe fouled the Bulls' forward, and with Los Angeles in the penalty, it stopped the clock and gave Chicago two free points (as Deng converted on both free throws), cutting the lead down to one. Next came the real head scratcher. With Kobe receiving the ball near the mid-court sideline, he picked up his dribble and stood still for a few moments, expecting a foul. When he suddenly realized that the Bulls were trapping him, he panicked and tried to pass it to Gasol, who was as surprised as the rest of us. Deng was right there to slap the pass away and grab possession for the steal. As the final seconds ticked away, Chicago got the ball to its leader, Rose, who hit an incredibly difficult shot in the lane to take the lead. With one final chance, Bryant dribbled the ball down the court, and forgetting that he had teammates, took the shot into 3 Bulls defenders, getting his attempt at victory blocked with ease by Deng. A very entertaining finish to a great game, it was all the right moves by Deng and all the wrong ones by Bryant that delivered Chicago a 1-0 record.
The Clippers have the depth to make some noise in the playoffs. As long as they can stay healthy, and if they can develop the team-first chemistry needed to win, something that a guy like Chris Paul is an expert in creating, the Clips of Los Angeles have the pieces to succeed THIS SEASON. The Western Conference is as up-in-the-air as ever, and as a result we're poised for an extremely entertaining campaign on the horizon. The clear-cut favorite from most experts is Oklahoma City, but right behind them it's a shifty free-for-all. Dallas, the champs, lost key contributors (Chandler, Stevenson, Barea, and even Peja) and brought in a lesser talented import of players. While watching them play basketball against Miami, I noticed Brian Cardinal, airballing a three pointer, playing 14 minutes, and I thought to myself, this is not the recipe for winnings basketball. But anyway, alongside Dallas in the wide-open West are the Spurs, who are a year older (and they were old as hell last year). The Grizzlies are about as talented as the rest, but lack the winning experience that most think is necessary to go to the Finals. The Lakers are suddenly in disarray, and their talent isn't what it used to be. Portland is always a candidate to surprise some folks, and if they can finally stay healthy they might be able to make a rumble in Rip City. And right in with this group sits the Clippers. With brainy veterans Paul and Chauncey Billups running the show for Los Angeles, I wouldn't put it past them to challenge the Thunder (or whomever it may be) for the Western Conference Title.
Friday, December 23, 2011
BASKETBALL REASONS !!!
It was the story that grabbed everyone’s attention, superstar point guard Chris Paul was traded to the mighty LA Lakers for star forwards Pau Gasol, Khloe Kardashian, and Lamar Odom. Within the hour the news wire was red hot with Laker title talk and even hopes of acquiring center Dwight Howard from the Magic. In addition to the Lakers and Hornets, the Houston Rockets were also in the mix and were trading several more players to acquire Pau Gasol. This was quickly developing into the biggest story of not only the new season but potentially the next several years.
The three-team trade was:
Los Angeles: Chris Paul
New Orleans: Khloe Kardashian, Lamar Odom, Luis Scola, Kevin Martin, and Goran Dragic.
Houston: Pau Gasol
Jim and I were hot on the trail of our first big post of the new season… I immediately starting working on graphics and Jim on the story:
Chris Paul is playing for the Lakers next season. Unstoppable flashbacks are hitting everyone. The Lakers franchise over the last 30 years: Lakers draft Magic Johnson (winning time), Lakers sign Shaquille O'Neal and draft Kobe Bryant (winning time), the Lakers trade nobodies and prospects for Pau Gasol (winning time)... Chris Paul is the same as everyone else. He's suddenly living in one of the country's biggest hotspots. He's suddenly living in a sweet house like the one Robert Altman lived in. He's playing the role of co-superstar leader with Kobe Bryant in his mid-30s. A passing of the torch is in the works.
As I kept checking for updates, I noticed a comment somewhere that the deal wasn’t exactly done and that some important people were complaining about something. Oh well, I thought and continued working. An hour later Jim told me, “the deal is dead.” I thought he was joking, and really didn’t want to believe him. I couldn’t understand how the breaking news story was suddenly unbroken. So what happened?!
All trades must be approved by the league, and apparently NBA commissioner David Stern did not approve the deal. I was further reminded that last year the NBA purchased the New Orleans Hornets because of problems with the ownership. As a result, NBA commissioner David Stern was also the acting president of the Hornets and Chris Paul's future.
Further stories surfaced that in the final meetings to approve the new NBA labor deal, many league owners were furious over the Lakers acquiring Chris Paul and potentially landing Dwight Howard. Michael Jordan and Mark Cuban were names mentioned, but then Dan Gilbert the “Lebron's Spurned Lover (owner)" of the Cleveland Cavaliers show the show by leaking his thoughts to the press:
Commissioner,
It would be a travesty to allow the Lakers to acquire Chris Paul in the apparent trade being discussed. This trade should go to a vote of the 29 owners of the Hornets.
… I just don't see how we can allow this trade to happen. I know the vast majority of owners feel the same way that I do. When will we just change the name of 25 of the 30 teams to the Washington Generals?
Please advise...
Dan G.
The next day an NBA league official gave a statement that changed it all:
“Not true that owners killed the (3-team) deal. It wasn’t even discussed at the Board meeting… League office declined to make the trade for BASKETBALL REASONS.”
-Tim Frank
Nobody knew what the hell Basketball Reasons were then, and I only have bizarre theories on what they are now. BASKETBALL REASONS!
The next BASKETBALL REASONS we knew Khloe Kardashian and Lamar Odom were traded to the Dallas Mavericks for a single draft pick. As a Dallas Mavericks homer, I NOW LOVED BASKETBALL REASONS! The NBA Champion Mavericks had committed to a semi rebuilding project that involved not resigning several key players from their roster. But in one felled swooped, they snatched a gem… all due to BASKETBALL REASONS!
It was sealed, Chris Paul was not going to be an LA Laker and attention was now turned towards a trade for Dwight Howard. Players like Nene Hilario, David West, and other dynamic free agents were still on the market too. Everyone was waiting for the rest of the dominoes to fall…
And just like that, Chris Paul was heading back to LA, but this time it was a trade to the cross gym rivals, the LA Clippers! CP3 was now paired with dunk champion Blake Griffin and company. I bet Blake Griffin loves BASKETBALL REASONS too. Along the way, the Clippers also landed veteran guard Chauncey Billups, forward Caron Butler, and resigned their young dunking center DeAndre Jordan.
Interestingly enough, after all the hurt feelings… the Clippers and Lakers played all their starters in the first preseason game and put on a show. It was simply awesome.
NOW WE ALL HAVE "BASKETBALL REASONS" TO BE EXCITED!
The NBA is back on Christmas day featuring:
BOSTON CELTICS at NEW YORK KNICKS – 12:00 PM
MIAMI HEAT at DALLAS MAVERICKS – 2:30 PM
CHICAGO BULLS at LA LAKERS – 5:00 PM
ORLANDO MAGIC at OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER – 8:00 PM
LA CLIPPERS at GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS – 10:30 PM
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes: NBA Style
We're only a few moments away from the Christmas kick-off to this strange NBA season. Just like every other year, a bunch of players are going to step it up this go-around, bust out of mediocrity, join the fold of big-time production, while others who have been near the top, having brought it for a while, will undoubtedly drop off and become mere memories of what once was. It's time to take a look at the players who we can expect to emerge as very good, or even great players, and also the players who will fail to mimic their past successes. And with these changes come new expectations for them and their respected teams.
Expect Major Stuff From:
Marcus Thornton, Sacramento Kings
Thornton has done it before, coming out of nowhere to score baskets in bunches. His abilities to shoot from anywhere, drive and finish, and pass with a decent degree of effectiveness. Basically, this guy can score, and the only thing holding him back in years past was lack of minutes/lack of confidence. With a new contract, and a starting gig in Capitol City, Thornton will get his fair share of minutes in the intriguing Kings' back-court. Expect 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists per game.
DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
Like Thornton, Jordan's first couple years in the NBA came without a consistent role in the clumsy Clippers' rotation. He's always been seen as a project center, with a lot of potential to anchor a team's defense by swatting shots and boxing out 2-3 guys at a time. Last year, with Chris Kaman finding himself with constant nagging injuries, Jordan was finally given a legitimate shot to start in the middle, and as a result he blocked 142 shots. With Kaman's trade to the Hornets, Jordan is the man now, Dawg, and along with similar block totals, the arrival of Chris Paul should help his offensive game as well. Expect 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game.
CJ Miles, Utah Jazz
Miles was sort of a weird player last year. Often in Jerry Sloan's doghouse, his conditioning and work ethic were often questioned by those close to the Utah fold. Also playing behind Andrei Kirilenko and Raja Bell, while fighting for minutes with rookie fan-favorite Gordon Hayward, Miles was about as inconsistent as they come. With Kirilenko in Russia, Raja Bell suddenly an old man, and with Miles showing at training camp with a much more muscular frame with less body fat, maybe the shenanigans that Sloan saw in Miles are a thing of the past. His starting lineup spot may or may not be official, but his minutes in the rotation will definitely be higher this year. His offensive abilities will rival Devin Harris for most important in Utah's back-court. Expect 17 points, 2 three-pointers, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block per game.
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Paul George grew 2 inches since last season, and the 22 year old guard/forward for the Indiana Pacers will be stepping into a meaningful role for a team that many (including us) think will contend for a middle seed in the Eastern Conference. Paulie G. is going to focus his attention on defense, where his length and quickness allows him to guard anyone on the court outside of centers and some power forwards. What's intriguing about Paulie G. is his new-found confidence, which is creating a buzz in Indianapolis. In the preseason he was seen making 3s, slashing with and without the ball, finishing at the rim, and knocking down pull-up jumpers from all around. His offense was sharp, and it complimented the other guys in the starting lineup. With Mike "Floppy Hair" Dunleavey going to the Bucks, and Brandon Rush going to the Warriors, an opening for meaningful minutes are on the horizon for Paulie G., and I expect him to succeed with them. Expect 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block per game.
Other guys to bust out in big ways: Greg Monroe (Detroit), Jodie Meeks (Philly), Norris Cole (Miami), and Tyler Hansborough (Indiana)
Expect Significant Decline From:
Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
Pau had one of the worst playoff series of all time last spring against the Champion Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 13.1 points in the series, shooting under 43%. Gasol, a career .522 shooter, looked miserable out there, a shadow of the guy who won rings alongside Kobe and Phil. He was outmatched by Dirk Nowitzki in every aspect of play, and Dirk, a guy nobody ever thought of as a great defender, was able to get stops on the regular when Pau tried to bring it. So certainly Gasol will be heading into the new season with a giant chip on his shoulder, ready to prove that his Lakers are still the team to beat out West. But then came a failed trade to the Rockets due to Basketball Reasons, and suddenly his homeboy Lamar is in Dallas. Heading into the new season, the Lakers have never needed Pau Gasol to play great basketball as they do right now. Kobe is another year closer to his swan song, and although an equally large amount of pressure is on Andrew Bynum, his inevitable injury problems will leave the ball in Gasol's hands down low. I for one, think he's bound for more of what we saw against Dallas. Expect 17 points, 9 rebounds, and a much lower field goal percentage than what we're used to seeing from Pau.
Chauncey Billups, Los Angeles Clippers
Billups has bought into what Coach Vinny Del Negro is selling, finding himself as the starting shooting guard for the biggest splashers this NBA off-season. They traded away a big chunk of last year's rotation for point guards Chris Paul and Billups, and the dynamic of the roster now headlines with Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan. Not to mention Caron Butler, who will now start at small forward. Butler is a good player, but can sometimes bog down the offense with one-on-one isolation plays. Del Negro will have to figure out how to utilize the new players while featuring Blake Griffin and CP3 as the go-to-guys. With Billups, who admits that one of his past strengths was being bigger and stronger than opposing point guards, now finds himself smaller than his shooting guard match-ups. Already having lost a speed-step in the last year or two, Billups will likely see the ball less in his hands and more in Paul's. As a result, Billips is likely to become a 3-point shooter and little else. Expect 15 points, 4 assists, and not much else per game.
Channing Frye, Phoenix Suns
Frye has been quite the player for Phoenix for the last two seasons. He's capable of leading the league in 3-pointers, with his size and high release, he knocks down nearly 200 long-balls annually. This year, however, there's more competition on the Suns for playing time at the center and power forward positions. Marcin Gortat has shown that he's deserving of starter minutes, getting it done on both ends of the floor. Hakim Warrick isn't necessarily a great player, but he's certainly capable, and will take some minutes from Frye. Throw into the mix a more mature Robin Lopez and a promising young rookie in Markieff Morris, and add it up with Frye's usual early season struggles (this preseason he scored a total of 8 points on 1 of 14 shooting (with 6 free throws). The Suns are certainly fading from our minds, and Steve Nash is another guy that we could make the case for inclusion in this declining list of players, but Nash is too old and too amazing to write negatively about. Expect 13 points, 6 rebounds, and little else per game.
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
This one is maybe a little too bold, a little too stretchy, a tad bit on the wild side, but I've got this weird hunch that Doc Howard is going to let this season affect his game. I'll be the first to admit that once he finds his way to New Jersey, or Dallas, or Lakers Land, his attitude and insanity will go from negative to positive (gotta love that positive insanity), but until that day rises with old Papa Sunshine from the East, Doc Howard will be mired in a slump (according to his normal standards). Decline seems realistic, even if it's temporary. He'll probably play a similar breed of defense that we're used to, and his stats will project as such, but his outstanding field goal percentage, I think, will be lower than usual. Maybe I'm nuts, but I'm just not crazy about Orlando or Doc Howard this year. The supporting cast looks weak, and defenses will be able to focus on double and triple teaming the big fella. I expect his numbers to resemble those of his first three seasons in the NBA rather than his last three (.550ish instead of .620ish) up until he gets traded. His preseason showed us that his mind is somewhere else, as the Orlando Magic that was competing for an Eastern Conference title are now firmly off in the sunset. Expect 20 points, 13 rebounds, 2 blocks, and bad free throw shooting to go with a significant drop in field goal percentage.
Now get ready for a fun-filled Christmas Day! As we ignore our relatives and sit firmly glued to our television screens, just as Saint Nick and some of the taller elves always intended.
Expect Major Stuff From:
Marcus Thornton, Sacramento Kings
Thornton has done it before, coming out of nowhere to score baskets in bunches. His abilities to shoot from anywhere, drive and finish, and pass with a decent degree of effectiveness. Basically, this guy can score, and the only thing holding him back in years past was lack of minutes/lack of confidence. With a new contract, and a starting gig in Capitol City, Thornton will get his fair share of minutes in the intriguing Kings' back-court. Expect 19 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists per game.
DeAndre Jordan, Los Angeles Clippers
Like Thornton, Jordan's first couple years in the NBA came without a consistent role in the clumsy Clippers' rotation. He's always been seen as a project center, with a lot of potential to anchor a team's defense by swatting shots and boxing out 2-3 guys at a time. Last year, with Chris Kaman finding himself with constant nagging injuries, Jordan was finally given a legitimate shot to start in the middle, and as a result he blocked 142 shots. With Kaman's trade to the Hornets, Jordan is the man now, Dawg, and along with similar block totals, the arrival of Chris Paul should help his offensive game as well. Expect 11 points, 11 rebounds, and 2 blocks per game.
CJ Miles, Utah Jazz
Miles was sort of a weird player last year. Often in Jerry Sloan's doghouse, his conditioning and work ethic were often questioned by those close to the Utah fold. Also playing behind Andrei Kirilenko and Raja Bell, while fighting for minutes with rookie fan-favorite Gordon Hayward, Miles was about as inconsistent as they come. With Kirilenko in Russia, Raja Bell suddenly an old man, and with Miles showing at training camp with a much more muscular frame with less body fat, maybe the shenanigans that Sloan saw in Miles are a thing of the past. His starting lineup spot may or may not be official, but his minutes in the rotation will definitely be higher this year. His offensive abilities will rival Devin Harris for most important in Utah's back-court. Expect 17 points, 2 three-pointers, 4 rebounds, 1 steal, 1 block per game.
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Paul George grew 2 inches since last season, and the 22 year old guard/forward for the Indiana Pacers will be stepping into a meaningful role for a team that many (including us) think will contend for a middle seed in the Eastern Conference. Paulie G. is going to focus his attention on defense, where his length and quickness allows him to guard anyone on the court outside of centers and some power forwards. What's intriguing about Paulie G. is his new-found confidence, which is creating a buzz in Indianapolis. In the preseason he was seen making 3s, slashing with and without the ball, finishing at the rim, and knocking down pull-up jumpers from all around. His offense was sharp, and it complimented the other guys in the starting lineup. With Mike "Floppy Hair" Dunleavey going to the Bucks, and Brandon Rush going to the Warriors, an opening for meaningful minutes are on the horizon for Paulie G., and I expect him to succeed with them. Expect 14 points, 7 rebounds, 1 steal, and 1 block per game.
Other guys to bust out in big ways: Greg Monroe (Detroit), Jodie Meeks (Philly), Norris Cole (Miami), and Tyler Hansborough (Indiana)
Expect Significant Decline From:
Pau Gasol, Los Angeles Lakers
Pau had one of the worst playoff series of all time last spring against the Champion Dallas Mavericks. He averaged 13.1 points in the series, shooting under 43%. Gasol, a career .522 shooter, looked miserable out there, a shadow of the guy who won rings alongside Kobe and Phil. He was outmatched by Dirk Nowitzki in every aspect of play, and Dirk, a guy nobody ever thought of as a great defender, was able to get stops on the regular when Pau tried to bring it. So certainly Gasol will be heading into the new season with a giant chip on his shoulder, ready to prove that his Lakers are still the team to beat out West. But then came a failed trade to the Rockets due to Basketball Reasons, and suddenly his homeboy Lamar is in Dallas. Heading into the new season, the Lakers have never needed Pau Gasol to play great basketball as they do right now. Kobe is another year closer to his swan song, and although an equally large amount of pressure is on Andrew Bynum, his inevitable injury problems will leave the ball in Gasol's hands down low. I for one, think he's bound for more of what we saw against Dallas. Expect 17 points, 9 rebounds, and a much lower field goal percentage than what we're used to seeing from Pau.
Chauncey Billups, Los Angeles Clippers
Billups has bought into what Coach Vinny Del Negro is selling, finding himself as the starting shooting guard for the biggest splashers this NBA off-season. They traded away a big chunk of last year's rotation for point guards Chris Paul and Billups, and the dynamic of the roster now headlines with Paul, Blake Griffin, and DeAndre Jordan. Not to mention Caron Butler, who will now start at small forward. Butler is a good player, but can sometimes bog down the offense with one-on-one isolation plays. Del Negro will have to figure out how to utilize the new players while featuring Blake Griffin and CP3 as the go-to-guys. With Billups, who admits that one of his past strengths was being bigger and stronger than opposing point guards, now finds himself smaller than his shooting guard match-ups. Already having lost a speed-step in the last year or two, Billups will likely see the ball less in his hands and more in Paul's. As a result, Billips is likely to become a 3-point shooter and little else. Expect 15 points, 4 assists, and not much else per game.
Channing Frye, Phoenix Suns
Frye has been quite the player for Phoenix for the last two seasons. He's capable of leading the league in 3-pointers, with his size and high release, he knocks down nearly 200 long-balls annually. This year, however, there's more competition on the Suns for playing time at the center and power forward positions. Marcin Gortat has shown that he's deserving of starter minutes, getting it done on both ends of the floor. Hakim Warrick isn't necessarily a great player, but he's certainly capable, and will take some minutes from Frye. Throw into the mix a more mature Robin Lopez and a promising young rookie in Markieff Morris, and add it up with Frye's usual early season struggles (this preseason he scored a total of 8 points on 1 of 14 shooting (with 6 free throws). The Suns are certainly fading from our minds, and Steve Nash is another guy that we could make the case for inclusion in this declining list of players, but Nash is too old and too amazing to write negatively about. Expect 13 points, 6 rebounds, and little else per game.
Dwight Howard, Orlando Magic
This one is maybe a little too bold, a little too stretchy, a tad bit on the wild side, but I've got this weird hunch that Doc Howard is going to let this season affect his game. I'll be the first to admit that once he finds his way to New Jersey, or Dallas, or Lakers Land, his attitude and insanity will go from negative to positive (gotta love that positive insanity), but until that day rises with old Papa Sunshine from the East, Doc Howard will be mired in a slump (according to his normal standards). Decline seems realistic, even if it's temporary. He'll probably play a similar breed of defense that we're used to, and his stats will project as such, but his outstanding field goal percentage, I think, will be lower than usual. Maybe I'm nuts, but I'm just not crazy about Orlando or Doc Howard this year. The supporting cast looks weak, and defenses will be able to focus on double and triple teaming the big fella. I expect his numbers to resemble those of his first three seasons in the NBA rather than his last three (.550ish instead of .620ish) up until he gets traded. His preseason showed us that his mind is somewhere else, as the Orlando Magic that was competing for an Eastern Conference title are now firmly off in the sunset. Expect 20 points, 13 rebounds, 2 blocks, and bad free throw shooting to go with a significant drop in field goal percentage.
Now get ready for a fun-filled Christmas Day! As we ignore our relatives and sit firmly glued to our television screens, just as Saint Nick and some of the taller elves always intended.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
TD3Q's "Just a Peek": Eastern Conference Edition
Out East, a cold zone, a land of regret, where teams slither around, slapping each others hands away from their cookie pots. Where the team owners sit around in dilapidated old offices, like mobsters in glossy restaurants, giving their title of leadership a bad reputation. It's in the Eastern Conference, in this, the shorter, but sweeter 2011-2012 NBA season, where we challenge ourselves to reveal insightful data and proficient concepts.
There are three different groups that teams fall into heading into the season. There are the horrible teams (in the East, there are horrible teams everywhere), the good teams, and the teams that have a shot at actually singing along to Freddy Mercury next June, Larry O'Brien Trophy in hand.
Group One: Teams that Stink
Cleveland, Charlotte, and Toronto are going to stink. Cleveland won't stink quite as bad as last year's last place team, mired in a marathon season, their first without LeBron James. Hey, it got them the number one pick. They drafted a point guard named Kyrie Irvin. Someday he'll probably be pretty good. Their owner is an emotional roller coaster. Now they'll go out there and lose most of their games, as will the Raptors and the Bobcats. And that's all there is to it.
Group Two: Teams that Are Good
Next we examine our second group, the good teams, those middle-of-the-pack squads that bring the fight with some interesting ideas and game plans, who shift around like loose matter, winning more games than they lose. Highlighting this fun bunch, the Philadelphia 76ers.
Philly's identity has entered Jrue Holiday, where the young point guard finds comfort in leading. With a veteran team, a potentially big year from Elton Brand, and a core that's used to each other, the Sixers are poised for a jump in the standings. They'll find themselves just on the outside, looking in at the real-deal contenders.
Atlanta seems determined to ignore the fact that they need a real starting center, as they'll continue to use Al Horford and Josh Smith out of position. Losing Jamal Crawford and giving Jeff Teague the keys in his second year will result in a slight regression, and the Hawks are going to be looking somber at times. Pouting is contagious, and Atlanta might lead the league in it this year. Don't get too attached to the Hawks. That's my advice.
Orlando is destined for implosion. I hesitate to say too much, but that place is done for. I'm sorry, I've said too much.
With Deron Williams coming off having his number retired in Turkey, he and the Nets seem to have a World Class point guard running the show. With the most important Russian person as the team owner, there truly is a whiff of mobster stuff in the New Jersey Nets inner circle. They should be able to attract one or two New York lovers to join the fold. Doc Howard seems to think it would be fun to join the Nets. There's plenty to like about a team that's been really lousy for a bunch of years, but the fancy future that comes with winning a championship definitely won't be unfolding in Stink Town this season. Maybe in a few years in Brooklyn.
Indiana was a nice story last season, sneaking in the playoffs and putting up a tiny fight against the Chicago Bulls. This season they've got an improved roster, ongoing development of some mighty important youngsters (Hibby, Paul George (George is poised to really play like a winner in a much bigger role), and Darren Collison. Pacers looking cool!
Andrew Bogut was in a constant bad dream last season, what with his elbow sending enormous amounts of pain into his whole body. Well, he's smiling again, something he never did, not even once, last season. He's claiming that the pain has subsided, and the hallucinations have stopped completely. Can Brandon Jennings take the next step? I honestly don't know. Stephen Jackson is getting old. Beno Udrih is getting cold. Drew Gooden is getting bold. And that's the Bucks news I've been told.
Washington and Detroit are lucky to be associated with this group, the second group, the one that has all the mediocre to pretty good teams. Truth is, Detroit and Washington are still pretty lousy. Detroit seems to be the worst managed team in the East. Somehow Joe Dumars was given a lifetime free pass and he's gone insane and now all he wants to do is try to screw things up. After signing two of the biggest busts to lucrative long-term deals last off-season (Charlie V. and Benny G.), they went ahead and gave Tayshaun Prince a big new contract. On the plus side, we get to watch Greg Monroe do some things. But although Monroe is cool, Detroit as a whole will be fortunate to contend for the playoffs. Washington even more so.
Group 3: Contending
I'm giving the New York Knicks some sort of weird benefit of the doubt on this one. They signed a champion center in Tyson Chandler, and they'll have all season to figure it out with some insane offensive firepower of one-two punch Carmelo Anthony and Amar'e Stoudemire. They're one of those teams that gets what they want, and it wouldn't be surprising to see them land some more talent as time shoves forward relentlessly. Baron Davis is already on board, and who knows, maybe even some good players will join also.
Boston looks to get back on the saddle after their banged and bruised bodies lost in last season's semis to the Miami Heat. The series wasn't very close, so Boston's got a lot to prove if they want to stay in the title picture. Miami seems too strong for an old leathery team like Boston. And the sad news regarding their young forward, Jeff Green, and his heart issue keeping him off the court this season, will definitely affect their bench rotations. Boston is probably more in the Philadelphia boat this year, a fitting scene, considering their close bond from the way-back-when (Colonial Times).
So you take out all the teams that I've already mentioned and you get the two heavy weights. You get Chicago, and you get Miami. You know the story, I don't need to candy coat any of it for you. Chicago got Rip Hamilton. Miami got Shane Battier. Chicago has the MVP, D-Rose, and Miami has the Super-Star Super-Core with LeBron, Wade, and Shane Battier. Hopefully we'll get to watch the two teams in this season's Eastern Conference Finals (either that or Pacers/Bucks is a close second).
But that's a long way down the road. In the meantime, let's just sit back, relax, rest easy on the sorrow, child, and let the Triple Dribble be your guide. Look for it, midway through the 3rd Quarter. Don't blink or you'll miss it.
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