Friday, July 11, 2008
S.O.S.
It pains me to write this about a player I have admired since his days at Duke. A seemingly stand up guy who was on the verge of doing the right thing. After two bad breaks, literally, with Shaun Livingston's knee exploding and Elton Brand's tendon snapping the Clippers went from Western Conference contender to the cellar in a hurry. Then they actually caught a break, with Don Nelson benching Baron Davis in a must win game, Baron opting opt of Golden State and taking a contract with the Clippers. Wow, the Clips will be relevant again! In the words of Lee Corso "not so fast my friend". Enter David Falk, and the plan went through the shredder. The excuse to date is "LAWYER LANGUAGE"!!! Are you serious? Do you expect us to buy that? What "language" could possibly be in the contract that was so appalling and if there was something, why not disclose it? Let us stick with the nuts and bolts of the issue. Falk claimed Brand was opting out so the Clippers could be more attractive to other free agents and create a contender. Mission accomplished, Baron Davis arrives and all that is needed now is to ink up the cornerstone, Elton Brand. Inexplicably Falk sends EB to Philly and the dance is over. Yes, I think Falk is to blame here. Perhaps because he could not land EB the 120m deal his ego was bruised and he sent Brand to the East Coast. That theory seems a lot more believable than "Lawyer Language". Bloody sad. The only thing left for the Clippers at this point is to move back to San Diego. One can dream, right?
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Top 5 Draft Day Winners & Losers
WINNERS
1. Brooklyn. I might be on an Island on this one but the Nets scored big. First one must realize only ONE thing matters over the course of the next two seasons, preparing for the arrival of King James. On draft night the Nets acquired three athletic big men, Yi Jianlian @ 6'11 via trade, Ryan Anderson @ 6'10 via the 21st pick & most importantly a very tough Brook Lopez @ 7'1 via a steal with the 10th pick in the draft. All three of these men will be 22 years of age the summer The King signs his 6 year max contract with the Brooklyn Nets. The next order of business is to sign Devon Harris to a long term deal. Lebron James, Devon Harris and Brook Lopez is the foundation, throw in the athletic young PF's they acquired on draft night and I can't help but feel giddy if I'm a Nets fan.
2. Chicago. Derrick Rose, enough said.
3. Toronto. I'm thinking about Bosh, O'Neil & Bargnani in the front court, Calderon & Parker in the back court. That is an enormous & athletic starting 5 with Kapono, Delfino & Moon off the bench. The Raptors are built for the postseason.
4. Miami. It is Michael Beasley, just scares the hell out me seeing him in South Beach.
5. Portland. Eventually we will see Jarryd Bayless as the starting PG and Steve Blake coming off the bench, an absolute perfect fit for this squad. Portland just keeps getting better and better ....
LOSERS
1. Charlotte. Thankfully North Carolina has college basketball. A point guard was not the biggest need & they didn't even take the best one available!! Interior muscle was a must and Brook Lopez somehow slipped to the 9 spot and Charlotte takes DJ Augustine. Go Tar Heels!
2. Minnesota. OJ Mayo & Al Jefferson, how the hell can you pass up on that?
3. Memphis. I don't like it, I just don't like it. I can only imagine Mayo hates it worse than I do.
4. Dallas. I want to revisit why Dallas does not have a pick in the 08 draft, they traded away Devon Harris & their 1st round pick for Jason Kidd.
5. Phoenix. It's not exactly that I don't like the pick, it would just make alot more sense if Shawn Marion were still on the roster. Who cares if Robin Lopez and Shaq Fu will become best buddies, they are not going to win anything. Yes, I am still bitter.
1. Brooklyn. I might be on an Island on this one but the Nets scored big. First one must realize only ONE thing matters over the course of the next two seasons, preparing for the arrival of King James. On draft night the Nets acquired three athletic big men, Yi Jianlian @ 6'11 via trade, Ryan Anderson @ 6'10 via the 21st pick & most importantly a very tough Brook Lopez @ 7'1 via a steal with the 10th pick in the draft. All three of these men will be 22 years of age the summer The King signs his 6 year max contract with the Brooklyn Nets. The next order of business is to sign Devon Harris to a long term deal. Lebron James, Devon Harris and Brook Lopez is the foundation, throw in the athletic young PF's they acquired on draft night and I can't help but feel giddy if I'm a Nets fan.
2. Chicago. Derrick Rose, enough said.
3. Toronto. I'm thinking about Bosh, O'Neil & Bargnani in the front court, Calderon & Parker in the back court. That is an enormous & athletic starting 5 with Kapono, Delfino & Moon off the bench. The Raptors are built for the postseason.
4. Miami. It is Michael Beasley, just scares the hell out me seeing him in South Beach.
5. Portland. Eventually we will see Jarryd Bayless as the starting PG and Steve Blake coming off the bench, an absolute perfect fit for this squad. Portland just keeps getting better and better ....
LOSERS
1. Charlotte. Thankfully North Carolina has college basketball. A point guard was not the biggest need & they didn't even take the best one available!! Interior muscle was a must and Brook Lopez somehow slipped to the 9 spot and Charlotte takes DJ Augustine. Go Tar Heels!
2. Minnesota. OJ Mayo & Al Jefferson, how the hell can you pass up on that?
3. Memphis. I don't like it, I just don't like it. I can only imagine Mayo hates it worse than I do.
4. Dallas. I want to revisit why Dallas does not have a pick in the 08 draft, they traded away Devon Harris & their 1st round pick for Jason Kidd.
5. Phoenix. It's not exactly that I don't like the pick, it would just make alot more sense if Shawn Marion were still on the roster. Who cares if Robin Lopez and Shaq Fu will become best buddies, they are not going to win anything. Yes, I am still bitter.
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