Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Wow. That Would be Crazy.

NBA.com has a page up right now detailing what happened when they let NBA Live 09 simulate the upcoming season. It's funny and a little insane and there would be some serious craziness if things really shook out like that in the East. Check it out.



Monday, September 29, 2008

Josh Howard is Sorry

ESPN is reporting that Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard is apologizing for "everything that's happened in the past five months."

Thanks, Josh. That whole $700 billion dollar bail-out thing had me worried. I'm glad you took responsibility. All those Chinese babies with the tainted milk probably appreciate your apology too. And when I quit my job at the beginning of June and shook my life around like dice in a Yahtzee cup - man, I've been waiting for you to step up on that one.

But seriously, I don't think Howard has anything to apologize for. No harm came to anyone as a result of his activities over the past five months, as far as I'm aware. So in my book there's no need to say you're sorry.

In my opinion, I think we owe you an apology, Josh. I'd like to speak for many when I say we're sorry. We're sorry that you've grown into adulthood with some bad misconceptions. It's unfortunate that you have not been taught that reckless actions, like street racing, could put many people (in addition to yourself) in harm's way. Even if you think it's weak to be concerned with other people's safety, why don't you care more about your own health? Why don't you care that you have been gifted with physical ability surpassing billions of people? Not only do you participate in dangerous driving, but you do damage to your lungs and possibly your brain when you smoke weed. I'm sorry that no one ever took the time to explain that to you, or if they did, I'm sorry that they didn't make you realize that they were telling you that because they cared about you. I'm on no soapbox. I've done both of those things that you did, Josh. I was lucky enough to either realize on my own or have people help me understand that I was putting myself in danger by participating in those activities. I was lucky enough that my mistakes weren't on the news. So I think we should be sorry for making a big deal out of things that are hopefully youthful indiscretions.

The thing that people have really wanted to talk about is your comment on the Star-Spangled Banner. I'm a white guy but, in a way, I share your sentiment. I stand up at a game when the lights go down and they want to perform the Star-Spangled Banner. I can show that much respect. But I don't put my hand on my heart and I don't sing. In my opinion, and an unpopular one it's sure to be, that level of involvement crosses over from respect to jingoism. I choose silence as a commentary on my disappointment with the American government, and my belief that our nation's leaders have failed to lead for many, many years. Now, my opinion my be just as hated as the one that you expressed. The difference though is that I've explained myself a little, and could explain my position further if questioned. I'm sorry for you that your political leaders, teachers, friends, and your parents have not helped you develop an eloquence that would have allowed you to make a statement on the dissonance between race relations and American patriotism. Instead, your statement that you don't participate because you're black comes across as being simple, ill-informed, and nonsensical. Really, I suppose, that's exactly what it is, and that's why I think the apology is owed to you, not the other way around. You're young and full of opinions that you don't yet have the experience and wisdom to be quoted on in a national forum. It's everyone else's fault that you were quoted anyway. Not yours. I'm also sorry that angry and ignorant commentary was directed at you after those comments were made public that probably made you feel somewhat justified in making them. As a nation, and as human beings, we should all be above that.

Apologize only to yourself for making choices that diminish your self-worth. Seek out the wisdom of books and people who have lived through harder things than you have. No one can tell you that your opinions are wrong, but you should come to the argument with the proper tools to defend those opinions.

Friday, September 26, 2008

So long, White Chocolate

The word out of L.A. this evening is that Jason Williams is hanging up his sneakers after a ten-year career in the NBA. I only knew Jason's game from the 05-06 Heat, but from what I've read, he was a real show-off. I mean that in a good way. Williams was probably not the ideal point guard and was probably a coach's nightmare, but I'll always have some appreciation for him because of that title run he made with Miami.

So, Jason, if you're really going away for good, I wish you the best. You helped make my little brother (a Heat fan) love the game of basketball, and I appreciate you doing that. Maybe you looked at the situation you were going into with the Clippers and realized that your best days in the NBA were behind you. Just remember, no matter what anyone might say about your career now that it's over, you were a champion. Good luck.

Sunday, September 21, 2008

Who I Want to Win

Some people only watch one particular team. If that team isn't playing, the rest of the basketball world makes no difference to them. I consider that to be an emotional attachment without context. I'm interested in the records of at least half the league, either hoping they win or hoping they don't. Mostly, though, the team that I'm pulling for is directly related to who they are playing. I'd like to put my preferences in a list form, as best as I can. If you're at the top of the list, I want you to win. If you're at the bottom, I hope you lose. So if team 8 plays team 12, I'm hoping team 8 wins. If team 12 plays team 17, I'm hoping team 12 wins.

Here's what I'm feeling right now, before the first game happens. This is subject to change during the course of the season.

  1. Spurs
  2. Trailblazers
  3. Heat
  4. Wizards
  5. Cavaliers
  6. Celtics
  7. Knicks
  8. Suns
  9. 76ers
  10. Rockets
  11. Thunder
  12. Grizzlies
  13. Bucks
  14. Timberwolves
  15. Raptors
  16. Magic
  17. Hawks
  18. Bobcats
  19. Hornets
  20. Bulls
  21. Nets
  22. Warriors
  23. Clippers
  24. Pacers
  25. Lakers
  26. Nuggets
  27. Kings
  28. Pistons
  29. Mavericks
  30. Jazz
These are not predictions! Not power rankings! I know the Jazz could stomp most of the teams listed above them, so could the Mavs and Pistons and Lakers. This is just how the season would shake out if I had my choice. I'm a little iffy on that 1-2 combo. I really like the way the Blazers are going to come out this year.

If it all turned out the way I wanted, either the Spurs or the Blazers would face the Suns in the Western Conference Finals, with the Suns losing in 7. The east would have Miami and D.C. face off for 6 games (it's almost funny to type that). The winner of the west would win the finals in 4 games.

However, if I were going to make predictions now, before the first game even tips off, this is my guess:

The Eastern Conference will find the Pistons facing the Cavaliers. Although the Cavs will make a dominant push through the play-offs, the Pistons will recognize that their championship window is closing and dig down deep to overcome Cleveland in six games.

In the West, youth causes serious upsets. Despite the notion that they're too inexperienced to go deep into the postseason, the Trailblazers (passing the Spurs in a surprising 4 games) enter the Conference Finals against the also young Hornets (dispatching the Lakers in six games). Hornets win in five and proceed to the Finals, where Detroit closes a five-year gap in championship celebrations.

In June, we can probably all look back at this and have a good laugh.

Monday, September 15, 2008

Offseason Activity

I'm breaking my silence a little to drop a few lines on offseason drama. There won't be too much of this kind of thing on my blog once my special project ramps up in October, but one of my friends is looking for something to read, so he's nudged me into posting this. As always, I'd love to have you make your own comments in response to what I have to say.

First, here's some things that haven't happened...yet.

Miami trades...

As of this writing, Miami hasn't done a thing to bring in any real help. They got Beasley in the draft (unproven, immature?), brought in Magloire (washed up, inflated ego?), and resigned Quinn (pretty much a bench guy), but everyone has expected them to make a deal that has yet to materialize. With Beasley, Marion, Haslem, and Dorell Wright all apparently having some value as trade pieces, Miami has done surprisingly little to improve at point guard and center. My guess is that Riley wants to see this team perform, and see if his guys will step up where needed. I think also he's eager to see what kind of rapport the players develop with Spoelstra in his new role as head coach. Once we're a few months in, Riley can re-examine the Heat's assets and liabilities, gauge the likelihood of a contribution from Alonzo Mourning, and capitalize on other teams' dissapointing starts.

Ben Gordon plays for...

Ben Gordon is in a terrible spot. It's called "Chicago." Ben wants money that the Bulls don't want to spend, and they seem perfectly willing to say "Alright, Ben. I guess we'll catch you later" because they know he's not worth as much as he wants, they know no other team can pay him what he wants, and they totally caught his agent bluffing on the whole playing-in-Russia thing. That team is in bad shape. They absolutely fell apart last year, they have poor team chemistry, and they're going to be working with a brand-new coach. There's also a young new guard in town who comes with the pressure of being the number one draft pick. It's going to be absolutely crucial, I think, for the coach to connect with the young guys in a way that Skiles couldn't. He has to inject a stronger sense of team into the Bulls or they're going to continue sucking. Gordon needs to decide if he wants to be a part of their rejuvenation, and if so he needs to accept less money and dedicate himself to being a positive component. If he can't make that choice, I think the Bulls would be happy to decide to leave him waiting at the curb.

Remember that lousy GM?

Now that the Isaiah era is over in New York, Walsh and D'Antoni are going to be trying like hell to fix his mistakes. Marbury is problem number one, Z-Bo is problem number two. Here's the thing with Randolph: the only reason he made it to New York was because Isaiah didn't have the sense to say no. Portland had a young team with a lot of promise, Randolph was locker room cancer, and they decided to get that guy the hell away fom the young, good players that they had assembled. Everyone knew Randolph was trouble, but Isaiah didn't care. I don't think Portland could have unloaded his issues on anyone else. True, they had to take Steve Francis, but they just bought out his trouble-making ass for a lot less than they would have paid to waive Randolph and the Blazers got Channing Frye out of it! I think that Donnie Walsh sees himself in a situation similar to Portland's when they dumped Zach. I think that he would prefer to get rid of Marbury and Randolph both and never think of them again. I'm sure, though, that he doesn't want to spend money to get rid of them knowing that another GM will pick them up at a bargain rate and he'll have nothing to show for it. The Knicks are going to have to find a way to convince some team that the risk is worth it, and that means playing these guys. Regardless of how they produce, though, the Knicks aren't going to keep either player any longer than they have to.

I'll throw some more opinions out in a few days. Talk to you soon.

Tuesday, September 9, 2008

Things to come...

I just wanted to make a quick post here for a short announcement. I've been purposely quiet on this page since the end of last season. I wanted to take some time to think about my approach to this blog and how I could make a unique niche for myself in the over-populated world of basketball/NBA/sports blogs. The web is full of them, really. I've come up with something that I think is pretty interesting, and I've had a lot of fun thinking up my particular approach. I'll go into more detail at a later date, but I hope it's something that a lot of people can enjoy. If it's not to your taste, there's plenty of other websites out there for you to visit. I'll be silent here for the rest of the month, but you (and I!) should expect posts every day beginning in October. I hope to see you then.