I apologize for my recent leave of absence as I have been very busy. Recently there has been some big names switching teams and were going to break those trades down. Let's start with the biggest one; 'Melo to the Knicks.
Carmelo Anthony to the New York Knicks. Just one word can describe that and that word is wow. Wow describes everything about this trade. The fact that the Knicks are on the way back is mind-blowing in its self. The fact that they gave up the nucleus of their team; Gallinari, Felton, and Chandler when they could of just waited until the summer is both retarded and smart. The fact that the acquisition of Chauncey "Big shot" Billups is being overlooked is insane. In the two games since acquiring 'Melo and Billups the Knicks are 1-1 but are giving up 111.5 ppg ; that's just terrible. The fact of the matter is, the Knicks will never be able to contend without playing some defense. Whether they get CP3 or Deron Williams, until they start playing defense, they have about the same chances of winning the title as Darko Milicic has at being an all star.
While some people have scoffed at the Deron Williams to NJ trade thinking that he'll just bolt in free agency in 2012. Not so fast, in 2001 a certain point guard named Jason Kidd got traded from Phoenix to NJ and everybody thought he would leave. He didn't and instead lead the Nets to the finals for two straight years and signed a 6 year extension with them. The reason they got to that point was being agressive. They brought in Richard Jefferson, who turned out to be a great player for them. The Nets could do the same because of owner Mikhail Prokhorav and his five year plan. DWill to the Nets will either be the greatest thing to ever happen to NJ or it will blow up in their faces, either way it should be fun to watch.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Saturday, February 12, 2011
The Rise of DeMarcus Cousins
DeMarcus Cousins, all around beast. Whether it's pounding the ball down inside, hitting a close to medium range jumper, or even a three pointer, DeMarcus can do it all. While some have compared him to a Derrick Coleman; a lot of talent and poor work ethic, Cousins can still overcome his poor work ethic with dedication and the right mindset.
Even with all of his issues Cousins is still probably the most talented player to come out of last years draft. Cousins is currently averaging 13.9 points per game and 8 rebounds per game while only getting a mere 26 minutes on a nightly basis. When Cousins receives more than 30 minutes per game he averages 21.1 ppg and 10.5 rpg. So let's say you compare those numbers to a, uhh, I don't know, a Pau Gasol? Gasol averages 18.8 ppg and 10.4 rpg at 37 minutes a night. When Cousins gets more than 30 minutes, his numbers are better than Gasol's. Look, I'm not saying that he is a better player than Gasol, but the numbers don't lie.
While Cousins has a lot of potential, his game still needs a lot of work. For example, in just 26 minutes a game he averages almost three turnovers. Cousins is a center, center's are supposed to shoot a high percentage, but I guess Cousins didn't get the memo; he is shooting just 43% from the floor. Additionally Cousins gets to emotional when he plays. He is one bad call away from disappearing from the game.
Despite all that, Cousins is still a double double waiting to happen.Whether he turns into a Derrick Coleman or becomes that second coming of Chris Webber, we won't know for a while. Until then, let's just sit back and watch a very talented player turn into a very great one.
Even with all of his issues Cousins is still probably the most talented player to come out of last years draft. Cousins is currently averaging 13.9 points per game and 8 rebounds per game while only getting a mere 26 minutes on a nightly basis. When Cousins receives more than 30 minutes per game he averages 21.1 ppg and 10.5 rpg. So let's say you compare those numbers to a, uhh, I don't know, a Pau Gasol? Gasol averages 18.8 ppg and 10.4 rpg at 37 minutes a night. When Cousins gets more than 30 minutes, his numbers are better than Gasol's. Look, I'm not saying that he is a better player than Gasol, but the numbers don't lie.
While Cousins has a lot of potential, his game still needs a lot of work. For example, in just 26 minutes a game he averages almost three turnovers. Cousins is a center, center's are supposed to shoot a high percentage, but I guess Cousins didn't get the memo; he is shooting just 43% from the floor. Additionally Cousins gets to emotional when he plays. He is one bad call away from disappearing from the game.
Despite all that, Cousins is still a double double waiting to happen.Whether he turns into a Derrick Coleman or becomes that second coming of Chris Webber, we won't know for a while. Until then, let's just sit back and watch a very talented player turn into a very great one.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
The Future of the Celtics
Right now the favorites to go to the NBA Finals have to be the Spurs and the Celtics. Both teams are fundamentally sound and each team's players know their roles. Both teams have an aging core, but they also have a few good young players. Both teams have to be wondering how long they can continue to contend with an aging roster. The past and present for both teams has been marvelous, but what lurks around in the future is a huge unknown. So let's look into the future of the Celtics.
The Celtic's big three: Allen, Pierce, and Garnett are 35, 33, and 34 years old. That is what I call an aging core. Despite that, the Celtics are first in the Eastern Conference playoff seedings and have a record of 38-13. Now matter how much you doubt them, they still come through every year. But, somewhere from next season to two seasons from now we can expect the demise of the Celtics. It has to happen, their is no way this team can still perform at this level, just can't happen. Which is why I think the Celtics should trade either Pierce, Allen, or Garnett after this year for a young stud. Who might be this young stud? Well, there are a lot of candadites like Monta Ellis, Andre Iguadola, Kevin Love (Garnett could end his career in the place that started it), Kevin Martin, etc.
A Monta Ellis trade could work considering that the Celtics tried trading for him before last seasons trade deadline. It's becoming clear that a Curry-Ellis backcourt is just not for the best and both players would benefit by not playing on the same team together. While a Curry-Ellis backcourt might not've worked a Rondo-Ellis backcourt just might. Could you imagine Rondo's facilatating with Ellis's scoring? Scary stuff.
Andre Iguadola going to the C's might work, but they would probably wouldn't want to take on Iguadola's huge contract. Perhaps the most interesting trade proposal is Kevin Love to the Celtics. The T'wolves are currently 13-39 and Love's talents are going to waste up there. What about if the C's trade Garnett, some draft picks, and cash to the T'wolves for Love? Sounds interesting
No matter what happens in the future for the Celtics, the present is wonderful and could get even better if they beat the Lakers tongiht at home.
The Celtic's big three: Allen, Pierce, and Garnett are 35, 33, and 34 years old. That is what I call an aging core. Despite that, the Celtics are first in the Eastern Conference playoff seedings and have a record of 38-13. Now matter how much you doubt them, they still come through every year. But, somewhere from next season to two seasons from now we can expect the demise of the Celtics. It has to happen, their is no way this team can still perform at this level, just can't happen. Which is why I think the Celtics should trade either Pierce, Allen, or Garnett after this year for a young stud. Who might be this young stud? Well, there are a lot of candadites like Monta Ellis, Andre Iguadola, Kevin Love (Garnett could end his career in the place that started it), Kevin Martin, etc.
A Monta Ellis trade could work considering that the Celtics tried trading for him before last seasons trade deadline. It's becoming clear that a Curry-Ellis backcourt is just not for the best and both players would benefit by not playing on the same team together. While a Curry-Ellis backcourt might not've worked a Rondo-Ellis backcourt just might. Could you imagine Rondo's facilatating with Ellis's scoring? Scary stuff.
Andre Iguadola going to the C's might work, but they would probably wouldn't want to take on Iguadola's huge contract. Perhaps the most interesting trade proposal is Kevin Love to the Celtics. The T'wolves are currently 13-39 and Love's talents are going to waste up there. What about if the C's trade Garnett, some draft picks, and cash to the T'wolves for Love? Sounds interesting
No matter what happens in the future for the Celtics, the present is wonderful and could get even better if they beat the Lakers tongiht at home.
'Melo to the Lakers?
That's right, Carmelo Anthony could be a Los Angles Laker!!!!!! The idea of 'Melo on the Lakers is a tantalizing one especially with Kobe Bryant not getting any younger and LA needing a new star to build around. Who better to fill that role than 'Melo?!?! While it may not be the best trade for this year considering that they would have to give up Andrew Bynum, it would be great for years to come. Let's take a look at some of the issues that this trade can bring.
Will 'Melo be able to live in Kobe's shadow?
This is an interesting question because it seems no matter where 'Melo would go he would either have to share the spotlight or be in someones shadow. If he goes to the Knicks he would have to play with "The Savior." Amare Stoudemire (although I don't know what he saved, his team is two games above .500 in the crappy east). If he ends up in LA, then he would have to live in Kobe's gigantic shadow. Would 'Melo be ok with it? Would Kobe feel threatened by them adding another star? Those were questions that still need to be answered.
How will this affect Gasol?
If the Lakers were to give up Andrew Bynum straight up for 'Melo the Lakers starting lineup would look something like this: Fisher, Bryant, 'Melo, Odom, Gasol. Two things wrong with that lineup; one, Odom would have to play extensive minutes at the power forward, now that is fine, but the reserves at that position would be awful. Two, Pau Gasol is soft as it is, do you really want him playing 35 plus minutes at the center position every night? That is not even his natural position and he is definitely not a bruiser type in the middle. Pau is a finesse player, not a bruiser.
Will this deal even happen?
The Lakers and Nuggets are only in preliminary talks and this deal is still a long shot to happen. The Knicks are still the odds on favorite to get 'Melo. 'Melo just recently said "I'm gonna take a real hard look" at signing the 3 year 65 million dollar contract. In other words, if you're a Nuggets fan, it's a start in the right direction. The next most likely scenario is him going to New Jersey. Even if the Nets trade for him near the trade deadline, their still is a very high chance he'll walk at the end of the year.That's why this contract is the key to everything.
This deal is till a long shot to happen, but you can't help but wondering what a Kobe and 'Melo tandem will look like.
Will 'Melo be able to live in Kobe's shadow?
This is an interesting question because it seems no matter where 'Melo would go he would either have to share the spotlight or be in someones shadow. If he goes to the Knicks he would have to play with "The Savior." Amare Stoudemire (although I don't know what he saved, his team is two games above .500 in the crappy east). If he ends up in LA, then he would have to live in Kobe's gigantic shadow. Would 'Melo be ok with it? Would Kobe feel threatened by them adding another star? Those were questions that still need to be answered.
How will this affect Gasol?
If the Lakers were to give up Andrew Bynum straight up for 'Melo the Lakers starting lineup would look something like this: Fisher, Bryant, 'Melo, Odom, Gasol. Two things wrong with that lineup; one, Odom would have to play extensive minutes at the power forward, now that is fine, but the reserves at that position would be awful. Two, Pau Gasol is soft as it is, do you really want him playing 35 plus minutes at the center position every night? That is not even his natural position and he is definitely not a bruiser type in the middle. Pau is a finesse player, not a bruiser.
Will this deal even happen?
The Lakers and Nuggets are only in preliminary talks and this deal is still a long shot to happen. The Knicks are still the odds on favorite to get 'Melo. 'Melo just recently said "I'm gonna take a real hard look" at signing the 3 year 65 million dollar contract. In other words, if you're a Nuggets fan, it's a start in the right direction. The next most likely scenario is him going to New Jersey. Even if the Nets trade for him near the trade deadline, their still is a very high chance he'll walk at the end of the year.That's why this contract is the key to everything.
This deal is till a long shot to happen, but you can't help but wondering what a Kobe and 'Melo tandem will look like.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Monday, February 7, 2011
Zach Randolph should be an Allstar
The smooth lefty of the Memphis Grizzlies has the reputation of putting up big numbers for losing teams and being a bad influence in the locker room. Some of that may be true, but you can't say that this year with his Grizzlies 27-25 and half a game back of the eight seed in the powerful western conference. His team has also won three in a row at home and have a huge game with the Lakers tonight at home. Let's put it this way, the Grizzlies are currently the ninth seed in the western conference with a record of 27-25. In the eastern conference the current number seven seed is the Philadelphia Sixers whose record is 23-27. If Randolph and the Grizzlies were playing in the eastern conference I guarantee you he would get more attention and be an all star.
Randolph is currently averaging 20.3 points per game and 13.3 rebounds per game. He is basically putting up the same numbers scoring wise as Kevin Love (21.3 points per game) and almost the same amount of rebounds per game as well (Love has 15.6 rebounds per game). Also, Love's T'wolves are currently 11-39 versus Randolph's Grizzlies at 27-25. When you have guys like Tim Duncan getting in instead of Randolph, you've got a problem. I understand Tim Duncan is one of the greatest players to play the game and the Spurs have the best record in the league, but this isn't a lifetime achievment award this is the 2011 Allstar game. Duncan is currently averaging 13.5 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game, thats not even close to Randolphs' number's. The all star game is about excitement, but let's face it Duncan has never been an exciting player nor will he ever be (hence his nick name "The big fundamental.")
Look, does Randolph have a bad reputation? Of course. But is he an all star? Of course.
Randolph is currently averaging 20.3 points per game and 13.3 rebounds per game. He is basically putting up the same numbers scoring wise as Kevin Love (21.3 points per game) and almost the same amount of rebounds per game as well (Love has 15.6 rebounds per game). Also, Love's T'wolves are currently 11-39 versus Randolph's Grizzlies at 27-25. When you have guys like Tim Duncan getting in instead of Randolph, you've got a problem. I understand Tim Duncan is one of the greatest players to play the game and the Spurs have the best record in the league, but this isn't a lifetime achievment award this is the 2011 Allstar game. Duncan is currently averaging 13.5 points per game and 9.3 rebounds per game, thats not even close to Randolphs' number's. The all star game is about excitement, but let's face it Duncan has never been an exciting player nor will he ever be (hence his nick name "The big fundamental.")
Look, does Randolph have a bad reputation? Of course. But is he an all star? Of course.
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