Tags: Basketball, Sports, warriors, Work
Hmm.
Monday, July 26th, 2010Warriors Summer League Impressions
Monday, July 19th, 2010
I watch summer league every year, but I really wouldn’t recommend it to others. Summer league is low budget NBA- lesser announcing, lesser players, lesser camerawork. It’s just not that great to watch.
Nonetheless, for a die-hard Warriors fan like myself, it’s a way to get a start on building hope for the next year, seeing what might be, irrelevant as Summer League really is. This year was about checking out Brandan Wright, the Warriors long, athletic, skinny PF, or otherwise the guy that’s not Anthony Randolph.
I still have a lot of optimism for Wright- he came into the league with a lot of talent, he played great in camp last fall and looked like he was ready to bust out, but then he got injured and sat the year out.
Now, he’s in danger of being a journeyman bust, rather than being the young stud we all hoped for.
My notes from the first 3 Warriors Summer League games, including the third game with #1 overall pick John Wall:
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I was a little disappointed with Brandan Wright. Overall, he looked a little bit slow, didn’t work super hard. He didn’t play fierce or super aggressive. I noticed that he cannot finish with his right hand (he’s left handed), which looked really odd when he’s attacking the right side. He didn’t set such good picks, he wasn’t so quick on the pick and roll and he cannot handle the ball. He didn’t box out well, especially in the first game. During the broadcasts, the announcers talk about how the ball comes off his hand in a horizontal spin instead of with normal backspin. So that’s all the negativity. In Brandan’s defense, he looked much better in the second game than in the first, and a lot of this could be attributed to just getting the feel of the game back. On the pick and roll, a lot of times, the passers would overlook him or simply couldn’t get him the ball. He had a good stat line without being a ball hog, and he showed his length with 3 blocks in the first game. It’s obvious that despite his flaws, there weren’t people who could stop him, and that probably shows his talent. Unfortunately, Brandan only played 1.5 games, sitting out the second half of the second game, and not playing the rest of the summer league. If Brandan can regain his confidence and start attacking, he will be ok. I believe, Warriors style!
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Again, Summer League really doesn’t mean anything. It can show if you have some talent, but it doesn’t show how you’d in a real NBA game because Summer League is more like pickup, a bit unorganized in terms of team play. I remember watching Andris Biedrins his first two years, and he was absolutely terrible, there is no way you would have watched him and thought he could play. Summer League isn’t good for big men unless you can go crazy blocking shots or you have a good point feeding you (see John Wall to JeVale McGee this year).
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Anthony Morrow and Anthony Randolph have the two highest all time scoring games in Summer League history, both occurring last summer in back to back games.I saw both games, and Randolph didn’t even look that good, it was just more that the competition wasn’t there. Morrow was just lights out, and this is where you could see the structure of Summer League defenses let him have enough room where he could get the ball and his shot off at will. In the Regular Season, Morrow would get shut down completely for long stretches because he was getting smothered defensively.
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Reggie Williams: A lot of people liked how Reggie played, but I didn’t think it was so hot. It was a bit up and down, and I kind of feel like his stats were just part of the competition, rather than him dominating. Reggie was not so good on the pick and roll, and he definitely took a lot of shots, not necessarily with great shot selection either.
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Of the rest of the Warriors guys, only Andre Brown stood out. Really active, both offensively and defensively, a lot of energy. This is kind of how I wanted Wright to play. Brown didn’t have the skills Wright has, but you could tell he was busting ass.
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John Wall looked solid in his pro debut. You can tell he has some legit things going for him, he can just glide through traffic in both half and full court. Kind of like his back-court mate Gilbert Arenas. JeVale McGee was ridiculous, using his length and athleticism to just dunk on people. I thought McGee would be the next Patrick O’Bryant, but to his credit, he’s not. Whether he can fully capitalize on the talent, well, having John Wall around doesn’t hurt.
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LeBron, the new-look Miami Heat, and All the Thoughts About Them
Sunday, July 11th, 2010Why LeBron why?
LeBron’s decision to leave the Cavs has been depressing for me, but I don’t even like the Cavs, I just like LeBron and the idea of LeBron and the Cavs, and the entire story behind it. For more, see the documentary, More than a Game, which is about LeBron’s high school team, and growing up in Akron, Ohio. Him staying in Cleveland and being a legend is just a great story, and I’ve been a fan of his since he was in High School (hmmmm). Loyalty, community, team.
So with LeBron, Bosh, and Wade making their super trio, I have the following thoughts, most of which have been said by many.
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It sucks for Cleveland to have him leave, but what was probably the douche part was not telling Cleveland in advance or doing the show to collective break their hearts
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At the same time, he did use the opportunity to get advertising and give over $2 million dollars to the Boys and Girls club. Good stuff.
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I respect the decision. He has a right to make it.
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But he gave up money.
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He gave up the legacy. The legend.
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It’s not even going to be his team. It will always be Wade’s.
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If you were on the Miami Heat last year, how dissed do you feel? Maybe they didn’t have a lot of talent, but Chalmers is the only one left. Everyone else was strategically removed or left out. It’s like Wade saying (so what if he’s not management, his moves have that responsibility), “All you guys are chumps. I’m building my own team suckers.”
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The Cavs are in contention for the #1 overall pick next year. Maybe that gives a good reason why LeBron left, but at the same time, the Cavs built this team to give LeBron a chance to win. They made those trades (whether good or not, that’s different), took on salary to sacrifice the longer term to make sure he could have support. They fired Mike Brown for him. Danny Ferry, gone, for him. Mo Williams said, The person that I feel most sorry for is mike brown. He is a really good coach. And LeBron left anyway. Which leads me to…
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David Falk has a really good point in his book when he says that athletes don’t use their power enough. He gave an example in which Joe Dumars, as a player, refused to tell front office staff the team really respected one coach over another. Players want to stay out of it. But isn’t that what being a leader is about? If you really want to win, and you’re not exactly an idiot about this sport you play, you should be able to give your recommendation on whom you respect and whom you think can motivate you. LeBron really wanted to win? And he’s a real leader? Then he should have influenced the front office to do what he thought what get it done. Period. This is no different from work. If you are a high level employee, and you just blame the people above you for your failures (by leaving, that is what he is saying) and leave instead of trying to fight it out, doing what you can, not just from the pure work, but also giving your opinions, influencing others, then you’re really not a leader. You really aren’t doing everything you can to make it happen. That’s what true responsibility and leadership mean. If LeBron did do all this and they told him to go away, fine, that’s on the Cavs.
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I can’t find myself rooting for this new Heat team. I hope they don’t win championships, and that in 4 years, they all opt out again amid the pressure that everyone says they are busts. And Miami suffers. Yes, I have plenty of time to change my mind and not care, but there is just something wrong about seeing LeBron leave Cleveland. And it depresses me. (On the good side, my relentless optimism / ignorance about the Warriors is returning)
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If they do win a championship, I hope it’s not with Pat Riley.
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David Lee is a Warrior and Why I Hate “Lee” (as a name) [Childhood Scars]
Saturday, July 10th, 2010
Image via Wikipedia
David Lee is going to be a Warrior (see: Golden State Warriors set to announce trade for David Lee on Friday), with the deal reported at 6 years, 80 million.
I like David Lee a lot, but I do hate the name Lee. Both as a First and Last name. And people with the name Le (Vietnamese last name), but pronounce it Lee, like Cung Le (or at least the announcer did during his last Strikeforce match). It is actually pronounced more like “lay” as in Lay’s Potato Chips.
When I was in summer school one year (sometime either 4th or 5th grade), there was a white kid named Lee (obviously) who would bully me. Not even sure it was bullying for money, he would just always flick my ears, and that would be super annoying (and painful) to me.
So I really hated that guy. And this is probably why the name when associated with white people annoys me.
For me, Lee is an Asian name (In Vietnamese, it’s actually Ly), and that surely, is just silly and wrong. Nonetheless, that’s a knee-jerk feel that I can’t get rid of rather than something based on intelligence. So I hate all non-Asian Lee. Robert E. Lee. Lee Majors, Lee Smith.
Anyway. And know there’s David Lee.
Here’s the projected lineup after the trade:
- PG: Stephen Curry – will be better than Steve Nash
- SG: Monta Ellis – if he can get back to playing off the ball, with less turnovers, this guard tandem will be amazing
- SF: Reggie Williams? They need a superior perimeter defender here, even if just in the Thabo or Bowen mode. I wonder if a Battier trade is possible. Reggie is a good talent, but not sure if a 6’3 guy without insane length or athleticism should be your SF. (edit: July 11. I was wrong, Reggie does have really good length, he has a 6’9 wingspan. But he’s also a true 6’3)
- PF: David Lee
- C: Andris Biedrins – can he be the 15 point 11 rebound pick and roll cleanup monster of two years ago, or will he let his free throw struggles affect his aggressiveness and confidence as he did last year.
I’ve linked some of the pro and cons of the trade by Marcus Thompson and Tim Kawakami.
The ultimate conclusion is this, David Lee is a good player. In fact, I didn’t even know he was an All Star last year. Anthony Randolph has the talent to be an amazing player. The fact that I’m torn on whether this is a good trade or not, probably means that it’s a fair trade on both sides.
I mentioned before I like David Lee a lot. He hustles, he’s athletic, he can finish- he is just an extremely efficient and skilled offensive player, including passing the ball (3.5 assists per game last year as a Center, including 1.5 Assist – 1 TO ratio). On defense, the experts agree that he isn’t so great, but he does rebound, and he does work hard, hustling and diving everywhere.
I actually don’t think this trade comes down to David Lee. I think it comes down to everyone else.
Particularly Brandan Wright. Wright’s just one of the forgotten worries because when the season starts he won’t have played in regular season NBA game for 2 and a half years. But he’s super-talented, super long, but if he can show he’s the real deal, we can all not worry about the trade. (I do wonder though, why couldn’t they trade Randolph for Kevin Love straight up? What also pains me is seeing Michael Beasley go to the Wolves for a second rounder. Why can’t he be a Warrior?)
What’s actually more unfortunate is that they also had to give away Turiaf, a great backup center, and Azubuike, a great swingman off the bench whom I expect to continue to improve. Hopefully, Udoh can a great defensive player with a solid mid-range jumper (I doubt his overall post play), and not just another Shelden Williams / college dominator.
So here we are again: I’m optimistic about the Warriors, because I can’t help it. I wanted the Warriors to make something happen, and they have.
Now if they can find a way to get Battier….and Udoh and Wright can pan out, and we’d have a pretty damn good team. Or at least a fun one.
Here’s a mix of David Lee highlights that shows his overall talent level:
Tags: Basketball, childhood, David Lee, warriorsRelated posts
I Join a Basketball League, Fun and Losing Ensue
Wednesday, June 23rd, 2010
Over the last two months, a bunch of friends who play together joined a league organized by Dillon Berner, the Basketball Coach at Saigon Sports Academy. Each Sunday afternoon, each team had a game. Referees, FIBA rules, 40 minute games, 4 quarters, everything regulation. The total length of the league was two months, and the fee to use the indoor court at ACG International School came out to about $25 per person, and we had around 10 people on the team (some players left the team).
By the way, the picture above is me, but is not me playing in the league. It’s just a picture of me playing at Phu Tho, but there are no pictures of me in the league (Thanks to Hai for the photo). Why?
I think we finished 0-10.
Seriously.
Once again (I guess once is not correct, but many times) proving that any team with me is going to lose.
Rather than go deeply into why we lost all our games (we are collectively short, we are not that skilled, for most of us, this was a rare occasion playing organized basketball), I just want to talk about my own personal highlights. Don’t worry, there weren’t a lot. I probably scored 10 points comb combined in all the games, and I did play a good deal of minutes. I think I shot 50% on free throws, and I taking 4 of them.
My memories:
- Against the Japanese team, their center had a fast break and I was either the only one back, or the one focused on stopping him. I have been keeping in mind to take charges, so I positioned myself, stood straight up and he rammed right into me. He was probably at least 6’3, whereas I am 5’6. We both fell down, he was on the ground a lot longer than me (wimp!), and I realized he had kneed me. It was a pretty deep knee, and I’m still hurting. Unfortunately, I also got charged for the block. So why am I talking about getting injured while getting a foul called on me? Because I don’t want to be a soft basketball player, I don’t want to back down. I want to give a challenge, but not necessarily be sloppy, foul prone, but I want people to give me respect that I am not afraid of anyone.
- Against Coach Berner’s team (keep in mind that this team and the Japanese team were two of the three best teams in the league), same situation as with the Japanese team. Their big center is coming down, I take the charge. This one I am fairly certain I had the right positioning, but I still get the foul called on me, and their big guy, out of control, just barrels into me full speed. A few days later, I realize I have a bruised ribs in my upper chest and it’s really difficult to breath deeply and super painful to laugh or sneeze. I end up missing a week because of this injury.
- Against the Japanese team, we were playing man defense and I handled their Point Guard. I got run into a pick (unfortunately, no one on my team warned me), and I knew they were going to do a pick and roll. I bounced off the pick, went to the roll guy as he got the pass and went up for a simple layin, and blocked him. I got called for the foul though. I’m not sure if I did foul him, but I definitely had him, he definitely thought he was completely free. The odd thing about this was I’m not sure why the guy on my team (not even sure who had him) wasn’t the one also defending the layin- I was the one who ate the pick. Anyway, I was impressed with myself on that one.
Overall, I didn’t score a lot of points because I am not so comfortable in terms of finding my own shoot in that kind of 5 on 5 setting with such size and skilled players in the league. I’m not a great shooter, I’m more of a driver, but with most teams playing Zone against us, it was really hard to find the spacing to drive in. Instead, I tried to focus on setting picks, getting people some space to shoot, and competing on defense, trying to make sure I always got back.
We definitely got better as time went on, getting a better feel of how real basketball is played, and by the end, I felt like I was in really good shape, could compete on every play, and even when we would lose by 30 points (ex. something like 50 – 20).
We had the most losses in the league, no just because we lost all our games, but we would try to play multiple games per Sunday if an opportunity arose. There were other teams who completely quit the league, and then there would be teams with no one to play. So we stepped up. And lost. But we never backed down.
Our Team Name? Weekend Warriors.
I had a good time. I hear a new league starts in July, not sure if our team is down for it, but I wouldn’t mind at all- it definitely motivates me to find a way to keep practicing and get better. It’s gotten me to try to focus on every play, really work, really not be lazy.
Tags: acg, Basketball, saigon sports, VietnamRelated posts
Last Thoughts Before the NBA Draft 2010 (Warriors Fail Again?)
Monday, June 21st, 2010(Edit, June 22: Marcus Thompson, beat writer for the Warriors in the Bay Area, says all the same things I do: http://www.ibabuzz.com/warriors/2010/06/21/draft-week-warriors-hoping-for-help/)
We’re a few days away from the draft and much of what I said last month hasn’t changed.
Here are some notes on what I think will go down:
- By the way, that’s the Warriors new logo on the left. Not bad right? I still prefer the original “City” logo though.
- #1 Wizards will get John Wall. Wizards have now screwed (not directly) Warriors twice, first taking Gilbert Arenas, then taking John Wall.
- #2 76’ers should take Evan Turner, but rumors since new coach Doug Collins likes Derrick Favors more. Plus consider in the Dalembert trade to the Kings, and well, 76’ers should at least explore a trade to get maximum value if they won’t get Turner. Say….a trade with the Warriors.
- #3 Nets will pickup Turner or Favors. Simple.
- #4 Here’s where I have seen a lot of different things. Some say the Timberwolves would pickup DeMarcus Cousins, which means they would have to trade Kevin Love or Al Jefferson. I don’t buy this. As DraftExpress says, they compare Cousins to a taller Al Jefferson, and to have two really good low post players? There have been other reports they are taking Wesley Johnson, period. Let’s go with that, it makes much more sense.
- #5 Some say the Kinds would go for Greg Monroe instead of Cousins. Who knows.
#6 Warriors – here we are. If Cousins drops, take him. I say this even though I think there’s a 75% chance Cousins becomes a NBA journeyman bust. 15% chance he becomes a solid starter, like Andris Biedrins, never fulfills his potential, but does good things. 10% chance he becomes an All Star. But for the Warriors, they have to take him. He has the most talent, by far, of anyone left. Who else should they get? Monroe? Where would he play? If the Warriors don’t make any trades, he’s going to find time behind Randolph, Biedrins, Wright, and Turiaf? Tough. As for Al-Farouq Aminu, he’s another young, athletic, talented underweight power forward type with a long wingspan- that’s exactly what Randolph and Wright are. To me, that’s just too much. Make some trades, break things up, try to move up, bring someone in that you will at least play and give 20 minutes a game to. Otherwise it’s just flashes of young undeveloped, risky, talent, something the Warriors are every year. If Larry Riley thinks he may not be around after the ownership change, he might as well take risks. Not doing idiotic things, but show some risk, make things happen, show that you can do something. Some of what he can do will be restricted in terms of trading contracts, sure, but doing nothing for a lousy team definitely means “What, I can’t do better than you? You did nothing.” to a new owner.
(Edit: June 22. I saw a note that Cousins could care less about joining the Warriors. Well, neither did Curry. I think that worked out for us)
Whom I’d really like to see as a Warrior is Cal Point Guard Jerome Randle, last year’s Pac-10 Player of the Year. Yes, he’s small, but he’s not Mugsy-size either, and he can do everything in terms of the skill set really well, pass, shoot, shoot with deep range, run a team. He’s extremely quick and he did great at the Portsmouth Invitational. Draft Express has him ranked as the 2nd best PG in this draft, even though he’s projected to go really late in the second round or not at all.
He can be a Warrior. The Warriors need a good true backup PG, and no reason why Randle can’t be him.
A couple of videos:
Related posts
Volunteering at Warriors Basketball Camp for Disadvantaged Youth
Sunday, June 20th, 2010
Last weekend, I had a chance to volunteer as a coach in the Warriors Basketball Camp for Disadvantaged Youth, run by Dillon Berner from Saigon Sports Academy.
I actually thought I would be there for a few hours, not knowing much about the camp and the program when I volunteered to help. I ended up spending almost a whole day there, starting from 8AM, walking to ACG International School from my apartment in District 2.
About 100 disadvantaged youth from Saigon were bussed in to spend two days at ACG learning about and playing basketball. Many had never played before, my guess this was more about providing a positive experience to many young kids who have started a difficult life.
I’m not particularly good at basketball, nor would I say I’m an expert in knowledge, but I had a lot of fun working with a number of the kids one on one. I’m much more comfortable teaching 1:1 than I am in groups.
Coach Dillon put together a lot of impressive sponsors for the event; each kid slept over, had all meals taken care of, but also got a full set of clothes, including shoes, which were sponsored by Puma and Reebok.
Very cool and impressive stuff. Of course, I wish I could join a basketball camp where I could learn how to get better.
Other images from the event (go here for the gallery):
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ESPN Insider Silliness
Thursday, June 10th, 2010Around NBA Draft time, that’s when I’m like a cocaine addict (actually, I wouldn’t know). I have to read every tidbit of news about what the Warriors are going to do- I am an endless optimist, at least on certain topics.
At this time of year, I also start considering ESPN Insider. A lot.
So there I was tempted to subscribe to see Chad Ford’s newest mock draft, hoping it would suggest the Warriors getting Evan Turner.
Looking at the 2 year subscription, $59.95, ah I guess that’s ok. But then when I saw the other option:
Do Your Part – Give Up Your Hardcopy & Go Green!
ESPN Insider/ESPN Magazine Digital Version – Biennial – $59.95
First of all, I didn’t even know biennial is what you call 2 years. Secondly, I am all down for helping the environment, but it’s the exact same price as the paper version.
As Jimmy would say, “Do MY part? Why don’t you go do YOUR part?” You want me to save you money with less printing and you’re charging me the same. You could also least contribute $10 of that amount to environmental causes, instead of trying to guilt-trip people.
In addition, before this, I saw Insider’s special offer. 1 Year Membership + 2010 World Cup for the 360 for 59.95. That seemed good. Of course, they’re smart and hide the prices of all the other packages so you can’t immediately compare. Which of course I did. And ultimately, I’m there for the Insider subscription, not to be upsold on the game. The 1 year with game is the same cost as the 2 year. And while I’m not going to argue that overall, the 1 year is a good value, it turns me off because the 1 year is the same price as the 2 year, and there is no option to go 1 year without the “great value” package.
WTF ESPN Insider.
Well, I still haven’t subscribed. Additionally, I can’t read the paper version of the magazine since I live in Vietnam.
You almost had me ESPN. But then you threw it all away. Shame, I actually was half-excited to think I would get 2010 World Cup too. I would like to see the conversion numbers though, maybe I’m one of the few who didn’t go for it.
Tags: Basketball, draft, espn, evan turner, jimmy, nba, Sports, warriorsRelated posts
NBA Draft Time! (My Ideas to Revamp the Warriors starring Elton Brand)
Thursday, May 27th, 2010
Image via Wikipedia
It was another losing Warriors season, so that means this is my highlight. Again.
I say that every year. No seriously, check out my posts from previous years:
2009:
- http://www.ispithotfire.com/2009/06/06/with-the-7th-pick-in-the-2009-nba-draft-the-warriors-select/
- http://www.ispithotfire.com/2009/06/26/nba-draft-time/
2008:
- http://www.ispithotfire.com/2008/06/05/the-nba-lottery-is-a-sham/
- http://www.ispithotfire.com/2008/06/26/the-nba-draft-is-here-almost/
Normally, I’d review my predictions and assessments from previous years, but that would make this post too long. To sum-up, Anthony Randolph still may be Stromile Swift, I still think Ricky Rubio will be fantastic, I didn’t have any idea Stephen Curry would be…Stephen Curry-Nash, and Michael Beasley has been disappointing.
Here’s the Warriors situation:
- Need a new owner
- Got screwed in the draft. Again.
- The Warriors have great depth and skill at the 1,2,3 positions: Stephen Curry, Monta Ellis, Corey Maggette, Reggie Williams, Kelenna Azuibuike, CJ Watson (free agent), Anthony Morrow.
- The Warriors are young.
Needs:
- Defense: Rebounding, Perimeter Lockdown, Interior Defense. They can already shoot 3’s, slash, and penetrate as well as any other team.
- Monta Ellis is a tremendous talent, but he needs to learn to play off the ball. If he can, I think that’s a 5-10 win gain for the Warriors. Seriously. His stats are amazing, he just needs to be able to get them while playing naturally with Curry’s. If he can do that, watch out!
- Anthony Randolph to learn the game, gain some basketball IQ
- Brandan Wright to play like he should. I’m a believer!
- Andris to gain his mojo (aggressiveness back)
The Draft:
- John Wall: won’t be a Warrior
- Evan Turner: maybe there’s a chance? Trade scenarios below, he would help in rebounding, perimeter lockdown. Evan Turner is what Anthony Randolph could end up being, but in SF/SG size. Turner is all that, right now.
- DeMarcus Cousins: this guy is the ultimate risk, the ultimate question is regardless of attitude, immaturity, whatever. Does he have a motor? Does he work on every play? If so, I say take the risk, if not, then pass. No one wants to pass up on the next Amare, but GMs know that Amares are rare, so the odds are good they will survive. I always think of Eddy Curry when I think of Cousins.
- Derrick Favors: worth the risk, big time finishing big man who can rebound and defend.
- Wesley Johnson: can defend, run, dunk, shoot 3’s. Compared to Shawn Marion. Do it.
- Cole Aldrich: if he were black, he’d be worth more in my mind. Then again, if he were black maybe he’d be Shelden Williams. If he could be a 30 minute, 10 point 12 rebound, 2 blocks, he’d be the old Andris. So at his best he could be a more physical Andris, which we could use if that’s what he is.
Unfortunately, with the #6 pick, the Warriors don’t seem to be able to get any of those guys except for Aldrich, and I doubt Aldrich is a less foul-prone, better defending Andris who can also run the floor just as well. Everyone else in the draft can’t play immediately for the Warriors, and they don’t need more young wait-and-see talent. The #6 for me is a freebie, give it away to anyone to make a deal.
We’ll have to look for trades. Stephen Curry is untouchable. I like Monta, but he has some serious weaknesses, but he also has a lot of heart. I think the Warriors need to combine the pick with somebody to go for someone. The rest of the players that they can get at #6 are too young, skilled with some question marks. That’s like every Warrior already. Warriors, when not injured, actually have too many players to develop.
Make something happen! I say this every year about the Warriors, when you suck every year, you might as well risk a ton, because you can always still suck. And yet the Warriors never do anything. And suck. That is a lot of sucking. Suck. Suck. Suck.
So, the potential trades: (I’m going to pretend I’m like Vinh in Fantasy Basketball)
- 76ers: Andris Biedrins + Corey Maggette + #6 Pick to the 76ers for Elton Brand and #2 Evan Turner. http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.php?tradeid=5523004
- 76ers: Elton Brand + #2 (Evan Turner) for Kelenna Azuibuike + Andris Biedrins + Anthony Randolph + #6 http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.php?tradeid=5529562
- 76ers: Andre Iguodala for Monta Ellis + #6 http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.php?tradeid=5529551
- Timberwolves: Al Jefferson for Monta Ellis + #6: http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.php?tradeid=5529535
- Grizzlies: OJ Mayo + #4 (Wesley Johnson / Demarcus Cousins / Derrick Favors) for Monta Ellis + #6
- Heat: Michael Beasley for Anthony Randolph
With the 76’ers, I think they’re open to something if you take Elton Brand. I have no idea what’s wrong with Brand, whether he’s just done, or it’s the system he’s in. I like to think he has a physical 15 pts/9 boards/1.5 blocks in him every 30 minutes since he’s only 31, but look what happened to Jermaine O’Neal. Nonetheless, of the three trades I’m thinking of, #2 probably is the best.
In Trade #2, the 76ers get Andris (he’s still only 24, and his contract is not ridiculous as long as last year was a fluke), Kelenna (good athletic swingman off the bench with a great contract, 1 year left at low dollars), and Anthony Randolph (the talent). They trash Brand and give up Turner, but still get a #6- yes it’s a lousy #6. All 3 Warriors can play up tempo in the 76ers system, only Andris has the long term deal and it’s around half the dollars per year of Brand’s. Warriors get a hopefully, not trashed Elton Brand, good low post and physical presence, but they get Evan Turner, whom they need a ton. He’s a perfect SF for them, can defend, rebound, pass. It’d be AMAZING!
In Trade #1, the 76ers get Maggette and Andris. Now that I think about it, this trade just wouldn’t go through. Next.
Trade #3: Iguodala for Monta Ellis + #6. Iguodala is great for the Warriors, a guy who can finish, defend, and pass. Curry to Iggy! The 76’ers get fairly good value with the extra #6 (so they’d have both the #2 + #6 in this year’s draft for rebuilding), and the contracts are the same. I like this trade a lot as well.
Trade #4: Same trade as trade 3 but for Al Jefferson. Can Al play up tempo? I don’t give a crap. He’s a super skilled post big man who can rebound. Not necessarily a great defender, but improving. Rumors are Timberwolves are open to moving him, and this is the only deal that makes sense in talent. The Wolves need perimeter offense (uh, see Flynn and Corey Brewer, and then look at their bench) and excitement, Ellis gives that. #6 pick is pretty high, all considering. Replace #6 with Randolph, I still do the deal.
Trade #5: They were rumors that the Grizzlies proposed Mayo and Thabeet for Monta before the trade deadline, and the Warriors said no. Why? Not sure. But Mayo has the size and talent to be just as good as Monta on offense (maybe he’s better already) and much better on defense. Instead of Thabeet, replace him with the #4 and the Warriors give the #6. If the Grizzlies really like Monta that much, this deal should seem fine. Warriors use the #4 on Wesley Johnson, and suddenly, they’re much better defensively, and not as undersized. And damn exciting. Incidentally, I am not sure how they could propose this deal, because I couldn’t get it to work work financially. So maybe it was a lie.
Trade #6: Not so many people are high on Beasley anymore, a lot of players from that draft have vaulted over him. Quite possibly including Anthony Randolph. I think it’s just a matter of time for Beasley- his skills are there, maybe he just lacks confidence, he doesn’t know how to play with Wade, not sure. But there’s a reason why he was considered along with Rose to be the top talents in the draft. He’s a guy, if he ends up averaging 20/10, you think, that’s all? Would I trade AR + #6 for Beasley? Maybe, but that seems a bit much. It depends on if Nelson thinks he can manage him and unlock his potential. Also, get him to play better D. I would rather do Beasley + Mario Chalmers for AR + #6. Warriors could use a solid, distributing backup PG who can also defend and shoot the 3. (I couldn’t make this trade work financially, but I think it wouldn’t be too difficult)
More about the Warriors and the Draft from me to come, I can almost guarantee it.
Tags: Basketball, draft, nba, warriors
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