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.

LogoPrimary 300x329 thumb Last Thoughts Before the NBA Draft 2010 (Warriors Fail Again?)

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:

videod2cd500f306f Last Thoughts Before the NBA Draft 2010 (Warriors Fail Again?)
video5b1d4b38d053 Last Thoughts Before the NBA Draft 2010 (Warriors Fail Again?)
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21.06.2010 Basketball View Comments

ESPN Insider Silliness

Thursday, June 10th, 2010

Around 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.

2010-06-10_18-46-41-364

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.

2010-06-10_18-55-17-852In 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.

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10.06.2010 Basketball, Sports View Comments

NBA Draft Time! (My Ideas to Revamp the Warriors starring Elton Brand)

Thursday, May 27th, 2010
Duke University basketball fans cheer on Elton...

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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:

2008:

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)

  1. 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
  2. 76ers: Elton Brand + #2 (Evan Turner) for Kelenna Azuibuike + Andris Biedrins + Anthony Randolph + #6 http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.php?tradeid=5529562
  3. 76ers: Andre Iguodala for Monta Ellis + #6 http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.php?tradeid=5529551
  4. Timberwolves: Al Jefferson for Monta Ellis + #6: http://www.realgm.com/src_checktrade.php?tradeid=5529535
  5. Grizzlies: OJ Mayo + #4 (Wesley Johnson / Demarcus Cousins / Derrick Favors) for Monta Ellis + #6
  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.

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27.05.2010 Basketball View Comments

NBA Jam is Coming Back, and I Want it! [Everlasting Childhood]

Friday, April 2nd, 2010
NBA Jam Marquee.

Image via Wikipedia

I am not a very excitable person (a friend used to call me Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh). But…………I am ready for the return of NBA Jam! READY! Let’s do it! (Jimmy Thong Tran and I were talking about this last week.)

Announce the Xbox 360 version already! (Wii version official for December 2010, others later)

I won’t even pirate it. Give me a Special Edition, Special Limited Edition, Special Limited Slam Dunk Edition, whatever, I am ready to spend my cash for something ultimately worthless.

I have a history of it.

The Year: 1994. I was in the 8th grade in San Jose. I had $70 in life savings. I had heard of NBA Jam, I think I had played it maybe once in the arcades, and wasn’t any good at it, but loved the idea of the game. Dunks! NBA Stars! Cool effects like the players would get bigger as they got closer to the screen! Boomshakalaka!

Then Andy convinced me somehow to get the game with him, and I said yes. The game was $70. Seriously. Think of how much that is.

Actually, why bother, here’s the information from The Inflation Calculator:

What cost $70 in 1994 would cost $100.03 in 2009.

Yikes.

There was a preorder program at Oakridge Mall at Software Etc (now Gamestop). Put your name down for a copy of NBA Jam (SNES or Genesis version ok), and get a special package right away:

  • Small pack of NBA Jam basketball cards (maybe 3 or 6 cards? Can’t remember)
  • NBA Jam mini-pennant, a few inches long
  • NBA Jam Button
  • NBA Folded mini-poster
  • Paper Box that held it all in

If you don’t remember, the Jam Session cards were the super long ones that wouldn’t fit in a normal card binder. Super annoying, the failed precursor to wide-screen.

NBA Jam Session Cards002

Nonetheless, it was all free, you got the bonus pack immediately, and you didn’t have to put money down, so we did what anyone do in that situation. We came back repeatedly before the game came out, and racked up the free stuff. Suckers! We probably ended up with 5-10 preorder bonus packs. In fact, I am sure I still have at least one of everything at home, but since I’m in Vietnam, I can’t take a picture of it all.

Back to topic, we had preordered a bunch and the day to purchase I finally arrived. $70? I spent it. Andy and I went to the mall after school, got the game and came back to Silverleaf Park to pick up my sister. Late.

Maybe an hr late.

She was 7.

And all alone in the park.

I told her not tell Dad, because I knew I was in big trouble.

She did anyway. Which was the right move. Sorry sis! Sorry Mom and Dad! As punk as I am now, I was certainly one back then.

Lifetime savings gone for a game I didn’t particularly enjoy in the arcades. Buying games that I end up never playing. Big theme of my life.

NBA Jam, though, I played. Wasn’t allowed to play games? Too bad, I snuck it in anyway.

Loved it. That 2010-value of $100 was well spent. I put in the hrs, did everything you could do in the game, figured out the hacks, tried out all the cheat codes, etc. My team: Chicago Bulls with Pippen and Grant. Use Pippen and when in trouble (getting blocked or couldn’t dunk for some reason, pass it out to Grant. In the original Jam for SNES, you could pass it out to virtually any CPU teammate and they’d shoot really well). And it’s true, defense does win championships. Even in NBA Jam.

A couple of years later, I ended up selling the game for $22 to one of those used game shops you’d see advertised in game magazines like GamePro or EGM.

Since then, I’ve played Tournament Edition, Hangtime, and then the next-gen versions of NBA Jam, even NBA Ballers, but none of it was good as the original. Later versions become too bloated, just more features with not more fun. I’ve even gone back to the original SNES version via emulator every 4 or 5 years. NBA Street was probably the best successor to NBA Jam, but it’s certainly much more complicated.

I’ll remember the halftime video for the SNES version until I die:

video55d55911f904 NBA Jam is Coming Back, and I Want it! [Everlasting Childhood]

And here’s the trailer and a hands-on article for the new NBA Jam:

videobe3bc8961666 NBA Jam is Coming Back, and I Want it! [Everlasting Childhood]

From: http://www.joystiq.com/2010/03/31/nba-jam-wii-preview/

Hands-on: NBA Jam

by Griffin McElroy writer rss NBA Jam is Coming Back, and I Want it! [Everlasting Childhood] { Mar 31st 2010 at 3:00AM } Featured Story Nintendo

gamnbajamlogo580 NBA Jam is Coming Back, and I Want it! [Everlasting Childhood]

You need to get the preconception that NBA Jam is part of the rigid “sports game” genre out of your mind right this second. I can understand why you might possess this notion: for gamers whose youths were spent mastering the original game’s showboating mechanics, Jam is one of the few franchises they can call up when accused of not playing sports games. For folks unfamiliar with the franchise, one might logically associate a bouncy, orange sphere with its eponymous sport: “basketball.”
Yet, based on my time with EA Canada’s Wii-make of NBA Jam earlier this month, I don’t think the “sports game” archetype — a turn-off for many non-sports enthusiasts — is an accurate descriptor for what’s going on here. Jam is a “party game” and will likely overtake Rock Band and Boom Blox as my entertainment of choice while hosting a social gathering. Provided, of course, attendees are prepared to get buffeted with an unstoppable deluge of smack talk.

Gallery: NBA Jam
    nbajam031210001 thumbnail NBA Jam is Coming Back, and I Want it! [Everlasting Childhood]nbajam031210002 thumbnail NBA Jam is Coming Back, and I Want it! [Everlasting Childhood]nbajam031210003 thumbnail NBA Jam is Coming Back, and I Want it! [Everlasting Childhood]nbajam031210004 thumbnail NBA Jam is Coming Back, and I Want it! [Everlasting Childhood]nbajam031210005 thumbnail NBA Jam is Coming Back, and I Want it! [Everlasting Childhood]nbajam031210006 thumbnail NBA Jam is Coming Back, and I Want it! [Everlasting Childhood]

So little of the NBA Jam you were likely familiarized with 17 years ago (seriously, it’s been 17 years) has changed in the series’ upcoming iteration. Obviously, the visuals have received a significant upgrade — backgrounds, courts and players’ bodies are rendered in 3D, and look inoffensive enough. However, each player’s head is rendered in 2D, and constantly oscillates between a myriad of still expressions and faces. (You haven’t lived until you’ve seen Shaq’s “dunk face.” It is priceless.)
Other than that, the experience remains unaltered. Controls are intuitive and accessible, mirroring those of the original. You can move, pass, swipe or shove (to steal) and use turbo with button presses on the Wiimote and Nunchuck. Shooting and dunking require you to flick the Wiimote into the air to first jump, and then flick it forward to execute the shot or dunk. As in the original game, it’s important to time your shot just right, and these Wiimote controls actually felt pretty natural when it came time to put some points on the board.

nba jam preview 033010 NBA Jam is Coming Back, and I Want it! [Everlasting Childhood]

“Natural” really is the key word when describing the quick match I was placed into during my demo of the game. After about 2 minutes, fellow Jam enthusiast Kevin Kelly and I were executing offensive maneuvers that befuddled our rivals. After our eleventh fist bump, which occurred the third time the announcer informed us one of our players was “on fire,” the game’s exhilarating powers began to take root.
Though Jam is very much designed as a party game, EA Canada will include 2 campaign gametypes to help retain lonesome players’ interests. One mode, called “Remix Tour,” was mentioned during my preview but not detailed. (We’re hoping for DJ Hero peripheral functionality.) The other, “Classic Campaign,” will pit you against other teams on a tournament ladder, occasionally forcing you to play “boss fights” against legendary (and unlockable) classic players.
There are so few intellectual properties in the gaming world I can think of that would allow a remake of a 17-year-old game to lack any substantial changes whatsoever, and still end up on top of my list of most anticipated games. Based on my preview, NBA Jam seems like a vehicle for potent doses of nostalgia, but more importantly than that, it seems outrageously fun.

——–

Oh yeah, I’m excited! Time to get the emulator running….

NBA Jam Reaction

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02.04.2010 Basketball, Video Games View Comments

NBA Draft Time! (Time for Warriors FAIL)

Friday, June 26th, 2009

It’s draft time!

(Yes, I scheduled this post to go up right before the draft)

I can accept the Warriors won’t find a way to get my new mancrush Ricky Rubio, so the only other person who I’m interested in is Terrence Williams. He’s athletic, can really pass (5 assists per game in college, most PGs can’t even do that), and can defend. He could be the next Iguodala (very similar skill set coming out of college) or maybe even Sprewell (people may say I’m crazy, but Sprewell was rated low in college) He can’t shoot or really score, but I think he can develop that, and when you’re on a Don Nelson team, if you can run, dunk, defend, and pass, you’ll be fine. The Warriors could use more passing and defense anyway even if its considered a reach to get him at #7. He played 4 years at a big basketball program (Louisville), so I think he can step in and contribute immediately.

And yeah, can he dunk……

In the last few drafts, here’s whom I wanted for the Warriors

  • 2008: Kevin Love. Good!
  • 2007: Don’t remember. Probably Yi or Corey Brewer. Oops.
  • 2006: LaMarcus Aldridge and then Rudy Gay when I saw him slipping. Grizzlies got him so the Warriors ended up with Patrick O’Bryant. Enough said. 2006 was seriously a weak draft.

What the Warriors need to do this offseason:

  • Trade Jamal Crawford or Corey Maggette. Either would be pretty good as an offense only 6th man. Unfortunately, the Warriors have both, and they both make a ton of $. No way Crawford opts out.
  • Keep Brandan Wright. They can’t get good trade value out of him anyway, so might as well give him some more opportunities. He’s not like O’Bryant who was lazy and never could play, Wright’s been injured, but has shown promise.
  • Warriors just need to get rid of swingmen. They have plenty of good ones, and they’re probably going to draft another one anyway. So try to burn through Kelenna Azubuike and Marco Belinelli if you have to, even if I do like both of them. There’s just only so much playing time to be had. I would guess Kelenna has the most value of the Warriors guards, considering talent, potential, and current salary. Morrow is worth holding on to over Kelenna to see how far he can improve.
  • Here’s the list of shooting guards (including non-true points) and small forwards they have that are pretty decent and could probably play 20 minutes a game on a good team: Azubuike, Maggette, Crawford, Stephen Jackson, Anthony Morrow, Monta Ellis, Marco Belinelli and (maybe he’s a stretch at the moment). That’s 7 guys! You basically add two more guys, and that’s a normal NBA rotation. But out of all them, only Jackson defends, and none really can run the team. They need to find a way get rid of at least 2 of these guys (or maybe 3 if they draft another one)

Predictions! This is all just for fun, like I know anything.

  • The Warriors will disappoint me, and do none of the above
  • Blake Griffin will not be the best player to have come out of this draft
  • There will be no crazy draft deals, though I want there to be. Shake it up! [Edit: I wrote this before the Jefferson and Miller/Foye deals. I guess I was wrong, those were some decent deals]
  • At least 3 of the highly touted lottery PGs (Rubio, Brandon Jennings, Stephen Curry, JRue Holiday, Jonny Flynn, Tyreke Evans) will suck (never be starters on a decent team- Sebastian Telfair is an example) or not play that position (that only applies for Tyreke really).
  • When I think of Stephen Curry, I think of BJ Armstrong. That’s based on nothing other that ill informed perceptions though. DraftExpress really likes him, so I’d be willing to believe in him as a Warrior
  • Ty Lawson, the 7th of the 6 lottery PGs, will be a better player than at least two of the PGs who go in front of him
  • Updated busts, these are the lottery guys who I guarantee (again, means nothing, but I say it like it does) will be full time starters in the NBA fo r a decent team:
  • Jordan Hill -  people think he should go to the Warriors. I don’t know if he’s any good, but I do know he’s an athletic rebounding power forward who can’t shoot, pass, rely on a good low post game, or play good defense. Yeah, he maybe has a better body than Anthony Randolph and Brandan Wright, but is he really any more talented?
  • Hasheem Thabeet – Hasheem will almost have to be a starter by default because he’s 7’3 and a Center, but will not live up to his top 3 draft ranking
  • DeMar DeRozan – people should stop using the Vince comparison.
  • Gerald Henderson – went to Duke. I’m just saying…..
  • 3 of the PGs above
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26.06.2009 Basketball View Comments

With the 7th Pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, The Warriors Select…

Saturday, June 6th, 2009
Ricky Rubio defendido por Maurice Whitefield d...

Image via Wikipedia

Ricky Rubio! (pictured)

Oh I wish.

Time to share my love of the NBA Draft again.

About 3 weeks left. The Warriors, as usual, are absolute trash, and as usual, did not get lucky and move up in the draft. They are also over the cap, have a coach who will bail anytime now, have a front office that is basically evil, and there is no hope for the fans.

So I am depressed.

But here’s a list of players I like, and to be balanced, players I simply don’t like, picking not just from the low ranked players, but also trying to predict busts from the top.

FTW! I mean, For the Warriors!

Legit:

  • Ricky Rubio, PG (ranked in the top 2): 18 year old PG. Can legitimately defend, has good size and is a true PG. I would temporarily forgive the Warriors for their sins if they moved up and got him. I would almost move back to the US and buy an 8 game ticket package- that’s how excited I’d be. Of course, Rubio’s agent, Dan Fegan, hates the Warriors front office, and the front office, him, so Warriors fans are again f*cked.
  • DeJuan Blair, PF PITT (top 15): He mauled Hasheem Thabeet head to head even though he’s about 8 inches shorter. He’s got a great wingspan and a motor. I really like guys who work it and bust ass.
  • Ty Lawson, PG UNC (top 20): a part of me wonders if he is like Greg Anthony- looks better than he is because of his great teammates (Anthony played with Stacey Augmon and Larry Johnson), but I think he will be much better than the spot he’s picked at. I really wonder why he’s rated so low, and I don’t buy the argument of size because other players (Flynn, Jennings) are small as well but ranked much higher. Lawson has improved every year, played great in UNC’s championship run, and is a good leader.

To me everyone else is a crap shoot, and I don’t really care who the Warriors pick if these guys aren’t it. What I really hope for is they blow up the team. When you’re crap, the worse case that can happen is you’re still crap. And the Warriors have been crap so long, as long as they don’t trade or sign 30 year olds, I say just risk it. Go get Chris Bosh for one year if that’s somehow possible. Everyone can go as far as I’m concerned, but especially Monta, Corey Maggette, and Jamal Crawford. I’d take Baron back, no hesitation, even if he is showing alarming signs of slowing down. And I hope that Randolph, Brandan Wright, and Macro Belinelli (he plays defense now), can be given starting roles to show what they can really do. I love Andris as well, but he can go if necessary.

Busts:

  • Hasheem Thabeet, C UCONN (ranked in the top 4): DraftExpress, which knows what it’s talking about, says this for Hasheem’s best case scenario: Samuel Dalembert. Also, I’ve learned my lesson from Emeka Okafor, another UCONN guy, and Okafor was much better in college than Thabeet was. I expect Okafor to be better than Thabeet in the pros as well. So I expect Thabeet to be something in the middle of Michael “Kandi Man” Olowokandi and Okafor. So, like DraftExpress said, Samuel Dalembert.
  • DeMar Derozan, SG USC (top 15): Everyone compares him to Vince Carter. Sounds great, but Vince actually lit it up and stayed at UNC for three years. He could also dribble. Derozan cannot. In fact, no one says anything much about him other than he can dunk like Vince. What I really want to ask is, what’s the difference between Derozan and James White? Other than the fact Derozan hangs out with Master P and Lil Romeo, and because he’s only played 1 year, people still think he has potential.

I guess talking about just 5 players isn’t a real commitment, but this year’s draft class is just so bad. People feel it’s a bad draft, and I could easily say I think guys like Tyreke Evans, Brandon Jennings, and Jonny Flynn won’t pan out, but I don’t have a strong feeling either way, so I’ll stop here. I’m not even sure I’m high on Blake Griffin (can he be THAT much better than Carlos Boozer?) or Jordan Hill, either. James Harden should be a solid pro-I don’t think people think he will be a superstar, but he surely won’t be trash. (If you look at his good combine numbers, though, it looks like he’s a much better athlete than he’s given credit for) Austin Daye, I think he definitely has bust on him, as does BJ Mullens, but I don’t want to talk about people outside of the top 10 so much – just too easy to say those guys could be busts. Just to clarify, most of these guys I haven’t even watched play, but just using what I’ve seen in years past in terms of projections vs reality and trying to understand what’s most likely to happen here.

So those are my thoughts for this year, but let’s do a quick review of what I said last year just to show how dumb I am. The Warriors picked the player (Anthony Randolph) I hated most but he ended up being considered one of the best in terms of talent. Really came on strong at the end of last year. My thoughts last year were:

My hopeful Warriors-to-be:

  • Kevin Love, 6?9 270 PF from UCLA
    • Love’s name is suggestive conditioning if you were to believe in Malcolm Gladwell. I haven’t seen him play, but to me, he’s a bruiser with skills. Won’t be a great athlete, but will work and isn’t afraid to kick some a**. Good passer, can do the dirty work. (2009 Update: GOOD CALL, after a slow start, he really showed what he can do)
  • OJ Mayo, 6?4 PG from USC
    • Sure, my attitude on him essentially changed 360 degrees after I learned he was super smart. Nonetheless, when you watch him in highlights, he just seems like he’s super smooth. Would love to have him, would have to trade up big time for him, but maybe he could be Baron’s replacement. (2009 Update: GOOD CALL)
  • Michael Beasley, 6?9 235 PF from Kansas State
    • He only had better numbers playing with lousier teammates in the same conference than Kevin Durant last year. He’s way out of reach for the Warriors, but he’d be insane as a Warrior. Of course, people have been mentioning Derrick Coleman with Beasley, so that’s a bit scary. (2009 Update: TOO EARLY TO TELL)
  • Robin Lopez, 7?0 255 C from Stanford
    • Not a fan of his brother’s, but Robin is suppose to be more athletic, and very good defender. Just poor offensively. He’s definitely within range for the Warriors, they’d probably be stretching to get him, but I wouldn’t mind if they traded down to get him. (2009 Update: TOO EARLY TO TELL)

Who, please, DO NOT PICK:

  • Anthony Randolph, 6?10 200 PF from LSU
    • When Tyrus Thomas came out a couple of years ago, I said another “Stromile Swift”. He’s from LSU, tall, thin, and athletic, and missing a ton of skills. Some people said that too, but most people said, “he’s gonna be great!” 2 years later, Stromile Swift ring a bell?
    • Anthony Randolph: Tall. Thin. Athletic. LSU. Missing a lot of skills. Like the other guys, bolting way early for the draft. Stromile Swift Part 3. Write it down. (2009 Update: WRONG or still too early to tell- I read Lamar Odom saying,”Hall of Fame” potential)
  • Joe Alexander, 6?8 230 SF from WV
    • a white Jason Richardson who can’t shoot (2009 Update: GOOD CALL but still early)
  • DeAndre Jordan, 7?0 250 C from Texas
    • The talent of a Jordan with the work ethic of (a dead) Andre the Giant. Laziness + Talent = Big Fat Ass.
  • Every other center in the draft, including Brook Lopez, Roy Hibbert, JaVale McGee, Kosta Koufos. Every one of them sounds like bench warmer to me. At least Robin could be a quality 20-25 MPG backup defensive center. (2009 Update: Brook is legit, looks like I am flat out wrong on him. JaVale looks ok, but he did play on a terrible team. Roy and Kosta had their moments, and Robin was out of the loop mainly. Overall, TOO EARLY TO TELL)
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06.06.2009 Basketball View Comments

The NBA Draft is Here! (Almost)

Thursday, June 26th, 2008

I’m waiting for a conference call with my bosses at home, so I’m reading some more about the draft (I’m obsessed) in the meantime.

Reading the Great Draft Debate ’08: Simmons and Ford make their lottery picks.

Since they’re doing in-depth analysis and comedic jabs, I’ll do my own of what they say (less of the funny, unfortunately)

Bill Simmons on Michael Beasley:

Beasley is a superb scorer and rebounder, but from what I’ve seen, he doesn’t give you anything else — he’s the kind of guy who puts up a 27-12 and gives up a 26-11 on the other end. He doesn’t seem to have any leadership qualities whatsoever. Do you honestly see him leading an NBA champion some day?

Think about Kobe in 1996 when he got drafted out of high school. We could have said the same back then (and maybe could say it now, ouch). Kobe took a while before he became the noted defender he is now as well. Mike Beasley IS 19 YEARS OLD.

(I am a Beasley fan, by the way, but not against Rose. I think they’ll both be fine)

One thing that stood out for me with Beasley is that he has a negative rep for being immature and a big joker, but when asked about it he said something like “Yeah, I’m a little immature sometimes, but what do you expect? I’m 19. I act like a normal 19 year old because that’s what I am”.

To me, that’s mature. Seriously.

About Kevin Love, I think he will prove to be fine athletically. He has a 35 inch vertical, he’ll get in better shape and lose more weight/get stronger, and he seems like someone who kicks ass, a bruiser with skills and brain. Carlos Boozer (seems amazing he was a 2nd rounder now, especially when he had a fabulous college career) isn’t the greatest athlete ever either, but people seem to think he’s good. Kevin Love, if he’s black, people don’t complain as much, honestly I believe that.

About Derrick Rose:

I loved Derrick Rose at first sight. He’s a great and selfless teammate; he’s a franchise point guard entering a league in which point guards have become inordinately valuable; he’s got a great name (never underestimate the value of a great name); he was the best player on an extremely successful college team; and in short, after watching him a few times, I would have bet my life on him making multiple All-Star appearances (barring injury).

I agree. I kind of feel like a good name, as retarded as that sounds (of course, Blink backs me up on this too) really makes a difference. Joe Smith, Bimbo Coles, didn’t work out so well for those guys did they?

Anyway, my perspective on the Warriors in the draft (8 hours away!)

I want the Warriors to pull a major trade, but it’s really not going to happen. Realistically. But I’m hoping. Kevin Love. OJ Mayo. Michael Beasley (it’d be like Webber/Nelson Part 2).

Here’s what will likely go down:

Kosta Koufos: heard he got really good workouts, but what bothers me most is that he’s not an aggressive player. Some snippets from Draft Express’ stats analysis of him:

  • Kosta Koufos and DeAndre Jordan all struggled to find the open man out of double teams.
  • (Free Throws Attempted Per 40 Mins) Kosta Koufos ranks last of all the centers, a surprising number for a player with his plethora of skills on the offensive end.

Jason Thompson: A lot of people are saying the Warriors like him a lot. He’s got good size, but went to a small school, and so a lot of people thinking he’s a reach at 14. If the Warriors like him a lot though, they WILL pick him, Don Nelson does not give a crap. He drafted Latrell Spreewell in 1992. I was 11 and listened to it on the radio. I remember Jim Barnett (I think) had to go to the bathroom or something and then when he came back everyone talked about Spree, with no one really knowing a whole lot on him.

2 years later. Spree was a superstar.

Anyway, I’d rather they reach and get Thompson because Nelson is a supreme talent evaluator, and if they get him, that means he knows something.

Brandon Rush:

Good player on both sides of the ball, can shoot, athletic. I’d be fine with this pick, he’d probably be better than people think of him now if he starts with the Warriors. Maybe I’m thinking Latrell again.

The truth is I trust any pick made by Don Nelson. (ignore Chris Mullin as GM, though Chris is getting better for sure)

If as Chad Ford says about the Grizzlies:

If that’s the case, why is he trying to give away the No. 5 to anyone who’ll take Brian Cardinal in a deal?

Marco + #1 for the #5 + $10M trade exception + Brian Cardinal. The Custodian comes home where it all started! Warriors get Kevin Love.

And on the Warriors:

The other guy I like for them is Chris Douglas-Roberts, a really quirky offensive player who will succeed only with a specific kind of coach: Someone who loves isolation matchups and pitting good one-on-one players against guys who have no chance of guarding them. You know, someone exactly like Don Nelson.

I like the Douglas-Roberts pick. Don’t mind it for the same reasons as with Brandon Rush.

Russell Westbrook: Just watch the video and let your jaw drop:


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26.06.2008 Basketball View Comments

The NBA Lottery is a Sham

Thursday, June 5th, 2008

3 years ago, I told John Tam (Lakers bandwagon fan) Andrew Bynum would a big piece of cr*p after seeing a pre-draft picture of himself posing in a mirror on his Myspace. It was his avatar!

But I was wrong.

It happens all the time, what do I really know about basketball. Even experts know little when it comes to the draft.

But I love the draft. It makes me excited. I’ve seen one in person, the 1994 Glenn Robinson (Big Dog) one in Indianapolis. I was 13, don’t remember so much from it, but the fans loved it when Damon Bailey got selected by the Pacers.

I’m not sure why people go crazy over the NFL Draft because 1) too f*cking long 2) most of these players will turn out to be nobodies.

In the NBA Draft, though, there’s only about 20 players you need to pay attention to, and you actually watch exciting highlights throughout the show. There’s nothing exciting about watching most football players’ highlights unless you’re watching a pancake-on-your-ass mix.

The draft itself, the lottery process, is a sham. I can say this because I, like all hardcore Warriors fans have experienced a ton of failure, both on the court (13 years of no playoffs), on the court (Latrell vs PJ), and in the lottery balls (13 years of no playoffs, 1 #1 pick in 1995, after that, never did well in the lottery or the actual draft).

Some history first. When Patrick Ewing was going to be the consensus #1 pick in 1985, the New York Knicks essentially tanked to make sure they’d have the worst record in basketball. There was no lottery back then, so they’d get Ewing.

After that embarrassment, the NBA instituted the lottery, which all NBA non-playoff teams took part in, to basically say, you’re not cheating to get the top pick.

This was fine until 1993.

In 1993, the Orlando Magic got the #1 pick for the second straight year (in 1992, they got Shaq). People complained because the crappiest teams weren’t getting the pick. (if I remember right, the Magic should have had the 10th pick or so)

Of course, I would argue that meant the lottery was doing exactly what it was supposed to do. Randomize the draft placement process so there was no way of a sure thing. Motivate teams to keep working hard because losing games wasn’t going to help.

After this, the NBA changed the lottery so it was much more slanted towards the crappy teams, much less position shifting.

This hasn’t stopped tanking. The Celtics have done it (at least) twice, once to go for Tim Duncan a decade ago, and again last year to get Greg Oden/Kevin Durant. They failed. They seem to be ok somehow now though.

And the way the balls are assigned is BS as well. It only goes on the previous year. Why is this bad? The Spurs were terrible for 1 year because David Robinson was injured. Not retired, just injured. They get the #1 pick and choose Tim Duncan. 4 championships. They were fantastic before that year, and fantastic afterwards. And they got the #1 pick.

The Heat won the Championship 2 years ago. They have Dwyane Wade. Shawn Marion. And now they’re going to add Michael Beasley/Derrick Rose.

How about the Warriors? The Warriors were terrible for 13 years IN A ROW

2008-05-30_22-46-09-498

Look at the chart. Ever since 1995′s #1, the Warriors have never done better than their draft position. 11 straight times, nothing.

Can anyone dare to claim that the Warriors got justice in the draft, which is meant to help crappy teams build? Yes, the Warriors did plenty to screw themselves over, but the draft process helps teams who tank (I have wished for the Warriors to tank many years) as well as doesn’t distinguish between teams who have been bad for a while versus a team with just bad luck and got whooped.

My solution: assign the balls on the combined records of the last 3 seasons. Also return the lottery to it’s pre-Magic odds. More movement, more unpredictability, but at the same time “reward” those who have stunk it up for a while.

That said, along with my wrongful-Andrew Bynum defamation, here are my picks for this year:

My hopeful Warriors-to-be:

  • Kevin Love, 6’9 270 PF from UCLA
    • Love’s name is suggestive conditioning if you were to believe in Malcolm Gladwell. I haven’t seen him play, but to me, he’s a bruiser with skills. Won’t be a great athlete, but will work and isn’t afraid to kick some a**. Good passer, can do the dirty work.
  • OJ Mayo, 6’4 PG from USC
    • Sure, my attitude on him essentially changed 360 degrees after I learned he was super smart. Nonetheless, when you watch him in highlights, he just seems like he’s super smooth. Would love to have him, would have to trade up big time for him, but maybe he could be Baron’s replacement.
  • Michael Beasley, 6’9 235 PF from Kansas State
    • He only had better numbers playing with lousier teammates in the same conference than Kevin Durant last year. He’s way out of reach for the Warriors, but he’d be insane as a Warrior. Of course, people have been mentioning Derrick Coleman with Beasley, so that’s a bit scary.
  • Robin Lopez, 7’0 255 C from Stanford
    • Not a fan of his brother’s, but Robin is suppose to be more athletic, and very good defender. Just poor offensively. He’s definitely within range for the Warriors, they’d probably be stretching to get him, but I wouldn’t mind if they traded down to get him.

Who, please, DO NOT PICK:

  • Anthony Randolph, 6’10 200 PF from LSU
    • When Tyrus Thomas came out a couple of years ago, I said another “Stromile Swift”. He’s from LSU, tall, thin, and athletic, and missing a ton of skills. Some people said that too, but most people said, “he’s gonna be great!” 2 years later, Stromile Swift ring a bell?
    • Anthony Randolph: Tall. Thin. Athletic. LSU. Missing a lot of skills. Like the other guys, bolting way early for the draft. Stromile Swift Part 3. Write it down.
  • Joe Alexander, 6’8 230 SF from WV
    • a white Jason Richardson who can’t shoot
  • DeAndre Jordan, 7’0 250 C from Texas
    • The talent of a Jordan with the work ethic of (a dead) Andre the Giant. Laziness + Talent = Big Fat Ass.
  • Every other center in the draft, including Brook Lopez, Roy Hibbert, JaVale McGee, Kosta Koufos. Every one of them sounds like bench warmer to me. At least Robin could be a quality 20-25 MPG backup defensive center.

Check out some highlights of the top names in the draft this year:

video8c9ea69752f4 The NBA Lottery is a Sham

Oh yeah, if you’re a big draft guy, check out:

  • www.nbadraft.net: click to find the articles, but their mock drafts always end up being supremely accurate right before the draft. I’m impressed every year
  • www.draftexpress.com: I love this site, I’ve been wondering if I should donate $10 just to help them out.
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05.06.2008 Basketball View Comments

Jose Calderon to Raptors: It’s Him or Me – EmptyTheBench.com

Sunday, May 18th, 2008

 

We interrupt your normal NBA playoff programming for the following announcement: Toronto Raptors PG Jose Calderon has had it up here with coming off the bench. As a soon-to-be restricted free agent, he also wants a significant raise in salary. And as a little icing on his homemade cake of discontent, it sounds like he’s been daydreaming about choking T.J. Ford.

“I would like to start and that’s the most important thing,” Calderon is quoted as saying in yesterday’s edition of the Spanish daily sports newspaper El Mundo Deportivo, a sentiment he first shared with visitors to his website. “I’ve been two years with [Ford] but I don’t know if I could be another year because things would have to change.”

Jose Calderon to Raptors: It’s Him or Me – EmptyTheBench.com

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Come on, Warriors! Jose Calderon, a Warrior!

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18.05.2008 Basketball View Comments

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