Celtics trade Rajon Rondo to Sacramento. Picks 21 and 22 to Orlando.
Sacramento trades Tyreke Evans, 5th pick to Orlando.
Orlando trades Dwight Howard to Boston.
Why for Sacramento
Reportedly Tyreke Evans does not get along with Demarcus Cousins and Sacramento wants to separate them. They don’t really like anyone at pick 5, and do not need to get any younger. There is pressure to win there and Rondo makes them a fringe playoff team and is a piece to attract free agents.
Why for Boston
They get Dwight, and could create money to try and sign Deron Williams. Should Deron not sign they could sign Steve Nash to the mid-level exception. Additionally, Ray Allen may be more tempted to return with Rondo gone, (a rumored feud between the two is a reason Ray is believed to be not returning to the Celtics) and Nash or Williams running the point. Should the Celtics miss out on both, Avery Bradley could be the starting point guard opening a starting spot for Ray at the 2. Signing Dwight long-term is obviously the risk here.
Why for Orlando
They get away from the Dwight saga and pick up franchise cornerstone in Tyreke Evans. They then have the 5th, 19th, 21th and 22nd picks to rebuild in a very deep draft. Trading up a definite option. They also save about 13 million in salary.
Well this blog is about the chaos that is the National Football League coaching carousel. You’ll notice this blog is written like a drunken game of 7 Degrees of Kevin Bacon, flip and tuck your Tebowners and lets get this thing started.
I can not for the life of me remember more questionable firings than the ones I’ve seen over the last two weeks.
It starts with Raheem Morris, whom in his first full season as a head coach and starting 10 rookies on the season led the Bucs to a 10-6 season. This season after a big win vs. New Orleans in week 6 the Bucs dropped every game the rest
You deserve better my friend.
of the way. Which begs the question, is it altogether that surprising that the Bucs suffered a collective sophomore slump?
Let’s look at the facts, they play in the best division in football, and they’re one of the youngest teams in the league with 10 rookies starting last year, and two rookie pass rushers in Adrian Clayborn and Daquan Bowers. If I was the GM of the Bucs I’m going to stick by all the young players Morris helped develop, and give my young coach (younger than Ronde Barber) another chance, a scapegoat is not necessarily always needed.
I’m a firm believer in the sophomore slump, and that certainly contributed in Tampa. It could be argued the same in St. Louis but the Rams were doomed from the start.
I know a lot about the Rams because my buddy Siff loves the Rams. Really not worth it to explain why, just know it’s not because he thinks the uniforms are pretty.
He was dead-set on the Rams winning the division and at first I was with him. That division is worse than Tobias Funke’s acting career and I thought Steven Jackson’s desire to get to the playoffs for the first time in his career would be enough to get it done; but then I looked at their schedule.
Week 1 – The Dream Team
Week 2- At NYG
Week 3- Baltimore
Week 4- Washington (At the time looked like the only cupcake, but they were undefeated going into this game.)
Week 5-Bye
Week 6- At GB
Week 7- At Dallas
Week 8- New Orleans (W)
At the beginning of the year, I said St. Louis will be 1-6 after 8 weeks. Did they really have a shot at winning making the playoffs at that point? Actually they did, that division was won at 7-9 last year. 6-3 the rest of the way was certainly conceivable but injuries to Sam Bradford and the Niners success ruined any chance of that.
Steve Spagnoulo earned a pass this season in my opinion, he lost his franchise QB and said qb’s back-up (A.J. Feeley) so he was forced to sign a guy off the waiver wire, that look like the team mascot (Kellen Clemmens) to be his new starting QB and somehow he’s still expected to compete at the highest level? The Rams defense looked much improved and they acquired an offensive weapon for Bradford in Brandon Lloyd, if next year they are able to keep the o-line healthy and if say hypothetically they use their #2 pick on a toy (Justin Blackmon) for Bradford, isn’t Spagnoulo looking at coach of the year in 2012. Instead Jeff Fisher will probably get the credit for what Spagnoulo built. Want to know how I know I’m right? No one in their right mind would spurn south beach for the gateway city unless he knew he had the ability to build something special.
The offensive coordinator for the Rams this season was the original St. Lunatic, Josh McDaniels. (Much love to Murphy Lee.) He left, and is already advising the
Brilliant mind, ugly smile
Patriots and will assume the departing Bill O’Brien’s duties next season.
If you’re prepared for a totally biased rant and terrible journalism read the next paragraph other wise just skip it. Choose your own ending.
Bill O’Brien is from Andover, which means he’s an awful person. He comes from a culture that is entirely wrong. Don’t believe me go to an Andover sporting event, the parents boo kids and when they get older they hold them back so they can dominate high school sports. These are people whom actually complained about their sons being suspended for forcing their teammates to eat Wet Biscuits. Finding a nice person in Andover is like finding an African-American person at a Red Sox game. So ask me, do I expect screaming, probably an ass-hole Bill O’Brien to be a supportive, charismatic leader that can lead Penn State out of the darkest moment in the history of sports? Absolutely and unequivocally no! Andover brought us Wet Biscuit’s, Penn State brought us Sandusky, sounds like a match made in heaven.)
*Note There is zero connection between O’Brien and Andover High School, he actually went to St. Johns, but is that honestly that much better?
For the Patriots its a win-win the Patriots get back their expert play caller and Belichick gets another mind in the college ranks that he can pick about prospects he should draft. (I’m sure he’ll still refuse to draft a pass rusher.)
The Patriots beat the Oakland Raiders this season and I feel the firing of their coach Hue Jackson is the worst firing of all. Like it or not, the Raiders committed to Hue Jackson when they gave him the go ahead to trade for Carson Palmer giving up their first and 2nd rounder in the process. I mean how nonsensical does it sound looking back on it, that the Raiders so desperate to make the playoffs mortgaged their future and now they’re ready to call it quits. Is Al Davis channeling his son’s spirit or does he have a big ego. Read this => http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/news?slug=ms-silver_oakland_raiders_hue_jackson_mark_davis_011112
There have been some good decisions made however, Belichick disciple Romeo Crennel in Kansas City is a good hire just think, even Belichick stunk in Cleveland! And Crennel earned the job by defeating the Packers and the Tim Tebow Experience. (I also like the Mike Mularkey hire but I couldn’t find a connection, so lets pretend I didn’t mention it.)
Former Chiefs coach, Marty Schottenheimer got unfairly fired after he went 14-2 in 2006. Under Norv Turner in 2007, the Chargers went 11-5 in 2007 and didn’t win the Superbowl, which is of course a primary reason Marty was fired. In 2008, Norv won the division at 8-8 and then won the division again in 2009 at 13-3. The Chargers won zero Superbowls, but Turner got a new deal. (Last time I checked 14-2 is better than 13-3) The last two seasons, despite being in a mediocre division in which t
So much old man swag, Marty's now Coach and GM of the Virginia Destroyers whom are in the UFL not "The Replacements" or "Any Given Sunday" like i'm sure you assumed.
he Chargers are by far the best team on paper they have put up records of 9-7 and 8-8 respectively. Someone tell me how Norv Turner still has a job, it’s not like the Chargers should be surprised, Norv had posted a 49-59-1 record in Washington that included one playoff season in 7 years. He then went on to coach Oakland to a 9-23 record. He has lost 100 games in his career, thats impressive, because last time I checked the NFL plays once a week, 4 months a year. While Norv is on his last shot with his third team, guys like Jackson, Morris and Spagnuolo are shown the door. Some guys have all the luck (Not Andrew.)
P.S. How generic is the title of this blog? On a scale of John Smith to Average Joe I would rate it a solid Guest2. I used coaching carousel too… where is my creativity at?
I’m going to keep this short and to the point. College is kicking my ass in this first week, you ever read Astronomy, Communication Law and Communication Disorders simultaneously? And that’s just 3 of my 5 classes. Blogging may just be kept to a friday thing. I have 4 other posts I want to write but alas this all I have time for.
Here are my brief NFL predictions.
AFC
Bengals (6) at Texans (3)
Everyone wants to write the Texans off but I’m not going to do so. It doesn’t matter who the QB for the Texans is when you have the running game they do, and it especially doesn’t matter when you are playing the Bengals who were torched last
After a disappointing regular season, expect AJ to go H.A.M. Courtesy of the Vegas News.
week by Ray Rice and Ricky Williams for 200 plus yards. Also, this is the Texans first ever home playoff game, the atmosphere is going to put even the Superdome home-field advantage to shame. (Ironic reference considering Reliant Stadium is where most Hurricane Katrina evacuees fled to.) Look for Andre Johnson, the Texans greatest player, to make a big play in this one.
Steelers (5) at Broncos (4)
This game is going to be ugly. A hobbled Roethlisberger without Rashard Mendenhall vs. Tebow whom is playing the worst football of his or maybe anyone’s career? I’d rather watch Whitney. The MVP of this game will be Matt Prater who will hit 3 field goals from 40 plus yards. Final score 9-7 Broncos. Heil Tebow!
If this holds true, this sets up Patriots-Broncos and Ravens-Texans next week or as I like to call it, lets just simulate because we know the home teams are going to win.
Ravens-Pats looks like an inevitability at this point, if the Patriots can protect Brady they will win. I think they get it done and advance to the Super Bowl, call me a homer if you want, but I believe the Patriots, Ravens AFC Championship is all but a formality due to how bad the other 3 teams are. (Although counting out Roethlisberger is a terrible idea.)
NFC
Lions (6) at Saints (3)
A battle of two 5,000 yard QB’s as Matt Stafford leads the Lions to their first playoff game since Pokemon ruled America. I think the Lions are more talented than the Saints, but since when has the most talented team ever won the Superbowl? (Cue Rex Ryan shaking his head.) You don’t beat the Saints at home, it’s as simple as that.
Falcons (5) at Giants (4)
Weather is actually not going to be that bad, and even if it was, would you want to tackle Michael Turner in a cold weather game?
I like the Falcons, but I think if both teams bring their A games the Giants would persevere. Sure, both teams won’t play their best game, so that’s moot point, but I like the Giants odds of getting pressure on Matty Ice more.
This sets up Packers-Giants and Saints-49ers. We saw the Giants come close to beating the Packers, but I can’t see them getting the victory at Lambeau. I’m a huge Niners supporter, but they have not looked good these last two weeks and I don’t know if they can just turn on the switch. But I want to keep the theme, home-team wins again. Then I like the Packers to beat the Niners in a game in which the Niners make the Packers look mortal to the point that the Pats are favored in the Superbowl.
As to a Patriot-Packer prediction? Will cross that bridge when we get there.
P.S. I took the home-team in every single game, despite thinking the road team could win at each one. I wouldn’t be surprised if I got every single pick wrong. I’m going to a publish a post at some point about things I’ve predicted right and things I’ve been wrong with.
News is a few days old but I’m assuming none of my readers are aware. Gerald Green and 4 others were cut by the Lakers before the season started. He missed this dunk in the Lakers scrimmage. (Without converting dunks did he really stand a chance?)
Gerald Green Syndrome needs to be up there with AIDS, Cancer, Herpres you name it. We must find a cure.
P.S. This post is less than 100 words, a nice change from the 1800 word monstrosities I’ve been putting up lately.
Bill Simmons was my hero. I read his stuff because we’re practically identical. Born and bred in Massachusetts, his fondest memories are of going to sporting events with his father. Blessed to have season tickets, (like myself) he developed a devotion to sports (especially the Celtics) and sought to have a career in which he could funnel that passion into beautiful art. Blending together pop culture and sports, his writing is exactly what I find enjoyable in life and something I saw as “well if this guys doing it why can’t I?” So, I decided I wanted to be a journalist like Bill, my hero.
Then tonight, it all changed. So what happened? What could make me do this complete 180, and turn a man from idol into someone I don’t respect. Answer’s simple, as much as he pretends, Bill Simmons isn’t a journalist.
Tonight I was writing my NBA Award Predictions and I decided to do some research on Norris Cole. Turns out Norris Cole was taken one selection after the Celtics took JaJuan Johnson with the 27th pick of the 1st round so I tweeted at my idol.
Jordan-Giddens of course refers to when Danny Ainge selected JR Giddens in the draft with raw big man DeAndre Jordan available. Jordan would’ve provided the Celtics much needed size and is a lot of people’s front runner to win NBA’s most improved player this year.
Bill wasn’t on twitter at the time however, next time he tweeted was 2 hours later when he tweeted;
Point being, sports wasn’t on his mind. So I tweeted my original tweet at him again. The times are off because I screen shot the picture above 11 minutes after I screen shot this one, but I promise, I tweeted this at him two minutes after his tweet above.
5 minutes later by some divine miracle, the Sports Guy came up with this gem of a tweet.
See Bill, a journalist cites his sources. There is an ethics to this profession that maybe you have forgotten since your brief stint at the Herald. This is the 3rd time you have taken my idea and used it as your own. The best part about you not RTing me is you messed it up like you always do, you are looking for JaJuan Johnson not JuJuan. I thought for a second, just maybe you screwed someone else out of this tweet so I searched @sportsguy33 on twitter and this was the only tweet that came up, kind of ironic.
Bill I’ll give you credit, you connect with your fans through the mailbag, but you haven’t responded to someone or retweeted someone in recent memory. I or others whose ideas you call your own could have received 100 +’s RT’s from you RTing them. You clearly have no idea what that means to a young journalist or any journalist for that matter. Maybe you should watch Season 5 of the Wire again, you remember Scott Templeton? Enjoy Hollywood man.
P.S. Choate Academy is the only thing that could make your voice sound that that hilarious.
Individual awards in sports are discussed so much that we forget that they mean nothing more than a title and an incentive in the athletes contract…
Who am I kidding, individual awards are everything, especially in the NBA a sport in which on any given night one guy can put the team on his back and lead them to glory. The kind of machismo moments only a sport like basketball can provide – rim rattling dunks, buzzer beaters, never ceasing trash-talk and lots of stare downs. In my opinion these guys will be the best of the best.
Defensive Player of the Year
Favorites
Dwight Howard C Magic (For Now.) Even if he’s not trying, Dwight will probably block more than 2 shots a game and rebound in the double digits as well. He’s won the last 3, so he might as well be the favorite again.
Tyson Chandler C NYK. Remember when KG came to the Celtics and everyone preached about him changing the “defensive culture” of the Celtics and he won DPOTY off of that logic like it was some kind of bizarre campaign slogan? Tyson Chandler has the same opportunity with the Knicks.
LeBron James F Heat. He’s the best defender in the league, plain and simple. Could easily win the award if he wants to. Last year he had the lowest opponent FG pct of any player.
Dark Horse
Tony Allen G Grizzlies. Had a coming out party in the Playoffs last year by his ability to play guys of virtually any size. Best exemplified by the Oklahoma City series where he would put the clamps down on the 6 foot 3 inch Russell Westbrook and then switch out on the 6 foot 10 inch Kevin Durant and fluster him as well. Made the all NBA defensive team last year and finished 5th in defensive player of the year voting. I recommend you follow his twitter, @aa000G9, I don’t know what it means and I’m willing to bet he doesn’t either. Read his tweets, you’ll catch my drift.
Others: DeAndre Jordan,
My Pick
This could be total homerism, but I’m going with Rajon Rondo. The Celtics are going to have to play in the low 90′s if they want to win games. Rajon is going to be pressing all game long to try and create instant offense for a team desperate to try and score points. We saw it versus the Knicks where he got 5 steals off of pure aggressiveness and anticipation. I think Rajon can potentially steal 3 balls a game this season and we all know how good of a rebounder he is for his size. He’s the heart and soul of that defense now, not Garnett
Most Improved Player
Favorites
DeAndre Jordan C Clippers. Guy was just given a 4 year 40 plus million dollar contract after averaging just 7 points and 5 rebounds last year. The high flyer has a high ceiling one that should be reached with those 5 point guards they now have. Jordan averaged 1.8 blocks per game in just about 25 minutes of action per game last season and will be a legit contender for DPOTY. Watch this video it’s pretty cool, pay attention to how Jordan and Caron Butler realize they can’t be pumped because they have to care about Eric Gordon’s feelings. Then notice how Blake Griffin only cares about winning.
Evan Turner (SG Sixers) and John Wall (PG Wizards). After pretty disappointing rookie years, the #2 and #1 pick in the 2010 draft need to take the next step. Will be tough for Turner as he is stuck behind Jodie Meeks, but if he plays like Evan Turner can, he instantly becomes the best player on a potential playoff team. Wall is the franchise and should he make the Wizards relevant will be a definite front runner.
Dark Horse
To find a dark horse Most Improved Player, one must scavenger the depth charts of nearly every team in the league because honestly an award like this is 100 % based upon being given an opportunity and seizing it.
Beasley likes to smoke the Pot. Via Basketball Jones
Lately the award has been more about taking your game to the next level and winning than going from a 4 PPG to a 15 PPG on a bad team. I wanted to pick Greg Oden, but alas he had a setback. ( I know shocking right?) Guys like DeMar Derozen, Jerryd Bayless, Eric Gordon and Marcus Thornton aren’t going to win it on a losing team. A Denver Nuggets player could be a potential winner; either Aaron Afflalo, Ty Lawson or Danillo Gallinari will play at an all-star level. I like Lawson the most of the three but I feel like he may have already arrived and may not get consideration. I like Michael Beasley to follow Kevin love’s example under the well respected Rick Adelman. Another dark horse is the Magic’s Ryan Anderson.
My Pick
I like every guy I mentioned, I’m even tempted to go with Rondo again but its got to be DeAndre Jordan. He’s the Clippers only big and I’d nominate myself if I was playing with he-who-must-not-be-named. (Not Voldemort.)
Rookie of the Year
Favorites
Kyrie Irving PG Cavaliers. He is the Cleveland Cavaliers, he will have all the opportunity in the world to fail/succeed. I’m skeptical, I’m not sure how much a 19 year old kid who missed most of his college career will fare as the savior
I have a facebook friend in common with Kyrie, so I can poke him. You jelly? Via the AP
with out a training camp. Also back-up Ramon Sessions will steal a lot of minutes if Byron Scott is trying to win games, which after all is what coaches try to do.
Kemba Walker PG Bobcats. Which is why I like this guy, DJ Augustin is still the starter, but Kemba is older and I like his ability to transition with out training camp better than Kyrie.
Dark Horse
This guys not really a dark horse anymore, Norris Cole arrived tonight vs. the Celtics. He has the confidence and swagger that only comes with staying 4 years in college. (He’s only 3 years younger than LeBron! )Winning matters a lot to these voters, it may be enough to swing the vote for Cole. (P.S. Really can’t wait for all the rappers to drop this guy’s name in their songs. (i.e. J. Cole for name reasons and every other rapper seems to be a Heat fan.)
My Pick
I really want to go with a Timberwolf, but it appears Luke Ridnour and JJ Barea will take too many of Ricky Rubio’s minutes and the same goes for Derrick Williams who is playing behind Wesley Johnson, Michael Beasley and Kevin Love. (Anthony Randolph also still lingers.) I want to pick Norris Cole but all I see is a young Eddie House, I’m picking Kemba, but if Derrick Williams gets the minutes its his award to lose.
6th Man
Favorites
James Harden G/F OKC. The guy may not start but everyone knows he finishes. Picked 3rd in the draft a few years back, Harden is selfless and comes off the bench to be the guy. Every team wishes they had the luxury of a bench scorer like Harden. If
This would be the background of BeantownSwag had Danny pried Harden away in the Perkins deal like he originally wanted.
this was the Wire, (I love the Wire, go watch it) he’d be Royce… there is no way he should lose, but he just might if someone is willing to sell his soul to dethrone him. (Carcetti.)
Brandon Bass PF Celtics. Acquired from the Magic for Glen Davis and Von Wafer, he is deadly in the pick and pop with Rondo already and will only get better the more he plays with him. He is literally the Celtics bench offense, unless Keyon Dooling is left wide open.
The Mavericks. It must be so fun watching this team scrimmage. Arguably their bench is better than their starting lineup. For example, tonight Lamar Odom, Jason Terry and Vince Carter came off the bench while Delonte West, Shawn Marion and Jason Kidd started. If I had told you which three started would you have honestly known or would you have guessed haphazardly? Terry and Odom are always contenders for this award. (I understand they’re not playing well right now.)
Dark Horse
Well there are a lot of rookies playing bench roles that I already mentioned, but again that problem called not-winning (Sheening) lingers ominously. Could this be Norris Cole’s opportunity to get some hardward? My dark horse is Psycho-T, Tyler Hansbrough, I think Indiana is going to be a very good team and he thrives off of being on a winning team.
My Pick
I’m taking Harden. #FearTheBeard
Coach of the Year and Executive of the Year
Favorite/ Dark Horse
None this things a crap-shoot, Jerry Sloan never won one, Sam Mitchell has. If you exceed expectations you are a contender. The other way of course is winning your conference.
My Thoughts
I’d pick Pacers coach Frank Vogel, but I think the Pacers will get an award and it will be given to Larry Bird for executive of the Year. (I don’t think Neil Olshey deserves it for the Clippers as that was more Stern’s doing than his.) I think Doc Rivers and Gregg Popovich will get a lot of credit for keeping their teams relevant, but I’m picking Nuggets coach George Karl who will continue to blend his young talent perfectly and will create a winner.
(You’ll notice the MVP format is a lot different than the other awards, I started these before the season started and got side tracked. I like the other format better. (Hence why I put it last, it looks and sounds like poop, but why revise.)
Most Valuable Player
Criteria: Not necessarily the best statistical player, but the guy that means the most to a winning team’s success.
Contenders
Lebron James
Dwayne Wade
Kevin Durant
Derek Rose
Chris Paul
Rajon Rondo
Kobe Bryant
Carmelo Anthony
Dirk Nowitzki
Who Wins?
I think Harden and Westbrook take away some of Durant’s shots resulting in Melo winning the scoring title. Melo will pair that title with close to 10 boards a game. The Knicks inferiority to the Heat and Bulls as well as sharing the scoring load with Amare Stoudemire will eliminate him from winning however. Lebron and Wade share the same dynamic as last year which I feel will wrongly cost LeBron the MVP yet again. The Celtics finishing 4th will keep Rondo out of the MVP talk and Kobe’s there just as a tribute to his legacy. Chris Paul’s the real x-factor, but I think Rose will edge him and Durant whose team’s record will make him the challenger and will repeat as MVP of the NBA. (Everyone always forgets about Dirk . )
In sum, there will be a lot of deserving guys for MVP this year but this is how they will finish.
Derek Rose
Kevin Durant
Carmelo Anthony
Lebron James
Chris Paul
Review of the Picks
MVP= Derek Rose
DPOTY= Rajon Rondo
COTY= George Karl
EOTY= Larry Bird
ROTY= Kemba Walker, Derek Williams
6th Man= James Harden
NBA Champion
If you read my previous predictions, you’d know I picked a Heat-Thunder NBA Finals like nearly everyone else. I got the Heat.
Thanks for reading, would love to hear comments or if you shared the link!
P.S. I think Dwayne Wade is the best player in the NBA and I didn’t give him any love at all. Awards are odd.
Okay so I didn’t like the format of my Eastern Conference Predictions, so I’m going for a completely new look in these predictions. I’ll give you the abridged version first. But please do read the rest. It took me a few hours to write. Award predictions coming up shortly.
Who will win the west? The Thunder
What team that made the Playoffs last year (besides the Hornets) is least likely to make the playoffs? The Nuggets. (Don’t judge keep reading!)
What team that didn’t make the playoffs last year is most likely to make the playoffs? The Clippers.
Who is your surprise team? The Golden State Warriors.
What team is most likely to go out and make a big trade? The Lakers with Dwight Howard, but wouldn’t be surprised if the Clippers, Jazz, and Grizzlies made significant deals.
What teams need to scrap what their doing and start rebuilding? Rockets, Suns.
All-Star Team
G- Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Russell Westbrook, Manu Ginobili, Steve Nash
Mavericks- I know they got destroyed today and they lost enough players to form an expansion team but you don’t just write off the defending champions, I don’t care what the situation is. The Mavs have like 9 or 10 guys that have been all-stars or fringe all-stars at some point in there career. If the old-men can get some of Ponce de Leon’s juice in their gatorade cooler they can get back to the NBA Finals. Key additions: Lamar Odom, Vince Carter, Delonte West. Key Departures: Tyson Chandler, Caron Butler, Deshawn Stevenson, JJ Barea.
Thunder- With this AAU style jam-packed schedule young teams like the Thunder are at a huge advantage. A full year of Kendrick Perkins implementing his toughness on the rest of the roster can only help Durant and company. James Harden makes the leap and the Thunder win the west. Key Additions: None Key Departures: None
Clippers- Chris Paul makes average players better it’s going to be scary what he can do with the athletic young front court of the Clippers. Lost in the shuffle is the huge addition of Caron Butler. I think the Clippers need to make a trade though. 5 point guards who deserve playing time; Chauncey Billups, Eric Bledsoe, Randy Foye, Paul and Mo Williams. Another shooting guard and another big in the rotation would elevate this team to favorite. Key Additions: Paul, Butler, Billups. Departures: Eric Gordon, Al Farouq-Aminu. ( Note from me: From this point on not mentioning additions mentioned in the blurb.)
The 2nd tier
Lakers- David Stern’s veto killed this team’s chemistry and forced Lamar Odom to decide he didn’t want to honor his contract. (More like Kim than Khloe, I knew it.) For what ever reason they dumped him on a western conference rival, they also lost Shannon Brown to a division rival. They replaced these two guys with Josh McRoberts and Andrew Goudelock. Kobe’s already got a bad wrist and Gasol knows he’s not wanted. I think the Lakers only shot at furthering their title window is acquiring Dwight Howard. Key additions: Troy Murphy, Jason Kapono, Key Departures: ^
Spurs- Great coach, cast of aging guys that have won it before. Also have some underrated young guys in James Anderson and rookie Kawhi Leonard. You can never count them out. Key additions: T.J. Ford. Key Departures: None
Grizzlies- Get to add a healthy Rudy Gay and Xavier Henry to the team that became the nation’s darlings during their Cindarella run in the NBA playoffs last year. Have a log jam on the wings, would love to see them somehow upgrade their talent, wouldn’t be surprised to see Rudy get dealt. (Not what I’d do.) Key Additions: Josh Selby Key departures: Greivis Vasquez, Shane Battier.
Trail Blazers- Brandon Roy retiring is one of the saddest things I’ve ever seen in the sport. It’s sucks when a league with an image problem in the eyes of the season ticket holders (older white men) loses such a genuinely good guy. The Trailblazers may have lost their best player but they are certainly still talented, Ray Felton and Gerald Wallace have all-star potential and Lamarcus Aldridge can do it all at the power forward position. Add in dynamic wings like Jamal Crawford, Nicolas Batum and Wesley Matthews and veterans like Marcus Camby and Kurt Thomas and the Blazers are certain to be in the mix. If Greg Oden contributes anything that could potentially push them into the next group. Key additions not mentioned: Nolan Smith Key Departures: None
Nuggets- No stud player, but a bunch of above average ones, wouldn’t be surprised if the mile high men finish ahead of every team in the second tier. I think they’re built for the 66 game grind of the regular season and could finish as high as 2nd. I like the other 6 teams better in a series though, they don’t have that guy who can win you a game in the 4th quarter. Key additions: Kenneth Faried, Jordan Hamilton, Corey Brewer. Key Departures: J.R. Smith
The Will Hunting Divison (Self explanatory right?)
Warriors- One of the best home court advantages in the NBA, one of the quickest backcourts, a coach eager to prove himself – I like the Warriors. Mark Jackson may turn Stephen Curry into an elite point guard and if Monta Ellis can refrain from taking dick pics (allegedly) he could make a run at the scoring title. David Lee, Andris Biedrins, Ekpe Udoh and Kwame Brown is not the worst front court to ever make the playoffs and don’t forget we’ve seen Golden State get it done as an 8 seed before. Key Additions: Kwame Brown, Klay Thompsen, Brandon Rush. Key Departures: Louis Amundsen
Kings- Don’t love Jimmer Fredette, but love him and Marcus Thornton as undersized shooting guards that can play alongside Tyreke Evans. (Also love watching him Jerk ) Evans is maybe the most underrated playmaker in all of basketball and his size allows him to cover 2 guards and let undersized shooting guards cover the 1. Kings also got a steal of a trade in trading Omri Casspi for JJ Hickson whom they pair up with the incredibly talented yet immature Demarcus Cousins. Also they are of course playing to stay in their city. Holy youtube overload. Key Additions: Fredette, Chuck Hayes, Travis Outlaw, John Salmons, Tyler Honeycutt Key Departures: Beno Udrih… Wait I mentioned Beno Udrih? I got to include this. Loved this video as a kid.
The Brett Favre Division (These teams were made in the attempt to win now with the result being they’re old and not going to win a championship. I feel like I should include Monta Ellis…)
Suns- Suns have two old and very likable guys, Steve Nash and Grant Hill. Unfortunately those two guys are also the Suns best players. Dynamic back-up point guard and Suns best scorer Aaron Brooks is stuck in China for the season. I wonder if this is the year Steve Nash is traded to a contender. Key Additions: Shannon Brown, Sebastian Telfair, Markieff Morris. Key Departures: Aaron Brooks
Rockets- The core of the team knows they aren’t wanted thanks to David Stern’s veto. Team’s actually not that old but it is made up of a lot of guys who would be role players on other teams. I also don’t understand the Rick Adelman firing. I’m guessing this team gets broken up at some point this year, no playoffs for the Rockets. Key additions: Jonny Flynn, Marcus Morris. Key departures: Yao Ming (Does that count?)
Lottery Bound
Timberwolves- Shocking right? The Wolves in the Lottery. They’ll be lonely with out their old pals the Clippers but change is good, unless your Obama. (I’m still leaning Obama in 2012, the republican debates only role is to provide fodder for SNL. I can’t imagine one of these doofuses running our country.) I mean the Wolves have three players that have very similar games in Beasley, Derek Williams (Not the one who got expelled from my school) and Anthony Randolph. Maybe Rubio’s the savior, but I’m willing to bet JJ Barea has a better season than him. I do believe in Adelman but I’m not holding my breath for a surprise season from the Twolves.
Can't wait for Kevin Love to be a free agent. The Summer of Love will be something.
The Wolves can’t look forward toward the lottery because their pick was owned by their good friend the Clippers as compensation for Sam Cassell back in 05′! (Not going to even bother making a joke about that, it speaks for itself that the TWolves finally ran out of protection on the pick.) That pick was of course traded to the Hornets. Whom will have possibly two top 3 picks. (Read More about the Hornets below.) The TWolves do own the 1st round pick of the team below. Key Additions not mentioned: Brad Miller Key departures: Sebastian Telfair
Jazz- The Wolves will not be receiving that pick because it’s top 14 protected and judging by this article posted 2 hour ago by the local Jazz media, the Jazz will be in that group. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700210075/Who-will-be-the-Utah-Jazzs-starting-5.html I thought I waited too long to write this preview, but I mean I beat the Jazz to picking a starting lineup?! I’m speechless, unfortunately for the Jazz Jerry Sloan, Karl Malone, John Stockton and Deron Williams are not walking through that door – although Malone did try to volunteer as coach. The team has some great size in young forwards in Derek Favors, Paul Millsap, Al Jefferson, Enes Kanter and Gordon Heyward. I think I may have found a trading partner for the Grizzlies…
Josh Howard in Mormon Utah sounds like an Oxygen reality show waiting to happen.
Key Additions: Alec Burks, Josh Howard and Jamaal Tinsley. Key departures: none
Hornets- Jarret Jack is not Chris Paul just an FYI. Eric Gordon is a nice player and will get the opportunity to seize the role as primary scoring option. It’s a clear rebuilding year for the team from the Bayou as they will look to come into next year with a nucleus of Gordon, Al Farouq-Aminu and the two lottery picks of the 2012 draft. Key additions: Chris Kaman. Key Departures: Chris Paul.
Again stay tuned for awards predictions, and if you read all of this thank you so much for reading.
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