Linsanity
These days I cannot go an hour without texting/tweeting/emailing and/or chatting to a friend about Jeremy Lin. I will not try to recap everything he has done over the past week and a half - as I am pretty sure ESPN has beat that one to death - but I am very impressed with his play, his composure, and what he means to the sport and to society. America is desperate for a "winning story" these days. We saw it a few months back with "Tebowmania," but I think - at least if Lin continues to propel the New York Knickerbockers to victory - that Lin's story is on a totally different level. As Bill Simmons points out in mailbag today, Tebow was a stud athlete on every level, and was not exactly overlooked. Lin was overlooked, twice, this past summer, and one time it was by one of the headiest general managers in the NBA - Daryl Morey. Like Tebow, Lin is a high-character individual and a devout Christian. Like Tebow he is also a winner. However, what Lin has done to differentiate himself from Tebow is put up jaw-dropping numbers, while at the same time continually leading his team to Ws. Add to that the fact that he is the first Asian-American player in the NBA, and you have the perfect Disney sports movie lined up. But for the fact that Asian-Americans are marginalized in Hollywood, Disney would already be shooting this movie.
With all the negative stories that come out of the sports world, it is refreshing that sports fans have been treated to not one, but two, stories about underdogs who take the reins of a woebegone franchise, and lead them to victory. But, unless Tim Tebow comes back next season and starts completing passes, and making his teammates better - as Lin does night in and night out - Lin is the more sensational story. (Side note: I think the Lin-Tebow story is ripe for parody. Wouldn't they break the unintentional comedy scale as a "buddy cop duo?")
Fake Trades
I have a lot of friends who are fans of the Los Angeles Lakers. I am also a fan of the L.A. Lakers, though my fandom is a bit more tempered than my comrades who cry every time the purple and gold lose. From what I understand, a lot of people in L.A. are clamoring for the Lakers to make a big move, setting them up to be in a position to contend for the NBA Title this season (let's face it, as currently constructed, the Lakers are not going to win a title.) I am of the mindset that the Lakers should actually try not to make the playoffs, thereby securing a lottery pick, in the best draft in years. Taking that logic one step further, this would likely allow the Dallas Mavericks to make the playoffs, thereby sending their 2012 first round pick (top-20 protected) to the Lakers. Were the Lakers to have, say, the 14th and the 21st pick in a loaded draft, I can easily see them landing two stud players who, combined with other young talent, like Andrew Bynum, could have a lasting impact on a franchise that needs to remain relevant (particularly in a town that is turning toward Clipperdom.)
Nevertheless, Laker fans want to win now. And, with that in mind, I have constructed a few trades - some of which you have likely seen before - that the Lakers could/should make, to ensure victory this season (and perhaps in the future.)
Trade #1: Something Realistic
Lakers Get: Luis Scola (HOU), Dwight Howard (ORL) and Hedo Turkoglu. Scola replaces 70% of what Pau Gasol does. Howard is an upgrade from Andrew Bynum. Turkoglu, gives the Lakers some much needed outside shooting, and ball handling, and allows the Lakers to have a trigger-man on offense (something they have been sorely lacking since Odom was sent to Dallas.)
Rockets Get: Pau Gasol (LAL). The Rockets need a star, and they get a star. They now have a strong starting-five of Kyle Lowry, Courtney Lee, Chase Budinger, Pau Gasol, Samuel Dalembert with a lot of young assets.
Magic Get: Andrew Bynum (LAL) and Kevin Martin (HOU). The Magic are going to lose Dwight, so why not get a strong center to replace 80% of what he does (and, shh, this is a secret: he's an upgrade on the offensive end) and a stud shooting guard to boot. The Magic can essentially run the same offense with Bynum that they do with Howard, and now they can look to move some of their flotsam (Jason Richardson's miserably new contract comes to mind, as does Chris Duhon) while already ridding themselves of Turkoglu's nasty deal. This allows them to amnesty one of the aforementioned toxic assets (Richardson, Duhon, maybe even Nelson)
Trade #2: Lakers' Fans Wet Dream
Lakers Get: Deron Williams (NJ) and Dwight Howard (ORL). They automatically have the best three-man core in the NBA with a great distributor/scorer (Williams), elite scorer (Bryant) and elite rebounder/defender (Howard.) Enough said. It is not happening though. So cool your jets Laker fans.
Nets Get: Pau Gasol (LAL). If the Nets do not get Howard this season, Williams is going to Dallas (the worst kept secret in the NBA.) So, why not get rid of him now, and get an All-NBA power forward to play alongside Brook Lopez when he is healthy.
Magic Get: Andrew Bynum (LAL). See above.
Trade #3: Building for the Future
Lakers Get: Josh Smith (ATL), Michael Beasley (MIN), Derrick Williams (MIN), Malcolm Lee (MIN) and Minnesota's 2013 First Round Pick. The Lakers get younger at power forward (Smith) and establish more of a defensive mindset in doing so. They also acquire a young combo-forward (Williams) who looks to have a promising career in the NBA, and will be an upgrade over the Metta World Peace-Walton-Ebanks-Barnes Pu-Pu platter at the small forward position. They get a young point guard (Lee) who may give them something, and another asset (Minny's 2013 1st-Rounder) that may help them down the road. Beasley is a risk worth taking, as he might be able to provide a spark off the bench for a team in desperate need of a bench presence, and they would own his Bird rights, thereby allowing them to resign him for a franchise-friendly number. I think this is a big win for the Lakers as they also free themselves of Walton's contract, allowing them to amnesty Metta World Peace.
Timberwolves Get: Pau Gasol (LAL) and the Lakers 2012 2nd Round Draft Pick. They trade a bunch of small pieces - many of whom do not fit together - for a stud big man, who gets to reunite with his countryman (Rubio) and another strong big man (Love - who plays further from the basket, thereby allowing Gasol to operate below the free-throw line) on a team run by an offensive genius (Rick Adelman.) They would have a strong core with Rubio-Love-Gasol and spare parts, and maybe they strike gold with a couple of 2nd round picks down the road.
Hawks Get: Luke Walton (LAL), Anthony Randolph (MIN) and Nikola Pekovic (MIN). The Hawks get rid of a big contract (because Joe Johnson is virtually unmovable, Smith has to be the one to go) and immediately amnesty Walton, thereby picking up two young assets in Randolph and Pekovic. Pekovic is a starting-caliber center, who, paired with Horford, would combine to make a formidable front court. Randolph is still young, and still has upside, and could be a jack-of-all trades for a team that desperately needs something new. The big win here for Atlanta is moving Horford to his natural position of power forward, when he returns from injury, and absolving itself of nearly $10 million in contract guarantees.
Finishing Note: NBA Inequities
The NBA is a league of have and have nots. Just look at the disparity in talent between the Charlotte Bobcats and the Miami Heat. Case closed. However, what bothers me, is that a team can buy out a player, and that the same player can then go ahead and play for the team of his choosing, essentially making two salaries. In this case, the player is Chris Kaman, who is rumored to be heading to Miami after a buyout from the New Orleans Hornets. While this move would, in my opinion, guarantee the Heat the championship this season (Kaman is a great low-post player and rebounder and a competent defensive big man) the bigger issue is that the Hornets (who, by the way are owned by the NBA) would be giving up one of the biggest assets they acquired from the LA Clippers (in the Chris Paul deal) for nothing. Sure, they might save a million dollars or so, but wasn't the hold up on the Chris Paul deal always about inequity? Given that Eric Gordon is out for the season (and seemingly never healthy) and unlikely to sign with the Hornets for the long term; that Al-Farouq Aminu is a bit player; and that the Timberwolves 2012 1st Round Pick is likely going to be a late-lottery pick at best, how is the Clipper's accepted-offer for Chris Paul in any way, shape or form, better than what the Lakers/Rockets could have guaranteed.
Now, one of the primary pieces from that deal is going to be bought out of his deal (allowing him to walk away with 90% of what he is owed) and the league-owned Hornets will be left with squat.
Sometimes the NBA makes me happy, and proud, to be a fan (see: Lin, Jeremy). Other times, I am able to see through the facade of bullshit that continually comes out of the league office, which ruins the integrity of the sport.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Thursday, February 9, 2012
All Star Selections
With few exceptions in the sports world, nothing angers me more than the "fan vote" for the All-Star team. This seemingly harmless idea resulted in players like Steve Francis and Tracy McGrady consistently being voted to start for the Western Conference in the annual inter-conference layup line that is the All-Star game (though much of that has to do with Yao Ming's success in the NBA and David Stern allowing international fans to vote as well... as if the Chinese manipulating their currency and owning half of our debt wasn't enough, they force us to endure "Stevie Franchise" as an All-Star starter?)
Knowing this, I was not surprised when the All-Star starters were announced last week. The Eastern Conference will feature Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade in the back court and LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard up front. Aside from Anthony (more on him later) all of these choices make sense. Derrick Rose is arguably the best point guard in the NBA (it's either him or Chris Paul, who will be starting for the Western Conference) while James and Howard are the best players at their respective positions. Despite missing a good deal of time earlier this season, Wade is still the best shooting guard east of The Staples Center.
The Western Conference will pit the dynamicLaker back court of Kobe Bryant and the aforementioned Chris Paul, while Andrew Bynum, Kevin Durant and Blake Griffin round out the starting five. With the exception of Griffin, the Western starters all make sense. Andrew Bynum is the second best best pure center in the game, plain and simple. Outside of LeBron James, Kevin Durant is the best small forward. As for the best guards in the NBA, I think a two-on-two match up pitting Kobe Bryant and Chris Paul against Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose - with bragging rights on the line - would be incredibly entertaining. As with the Eastern squad, the Western Conference team left me with only one question mark: Blake Griffin?
Let's start out east with Carmelo Anthony. While no one can realistically deny his talent, Carmelo Anthony is not a worthy starter. He is currently shooting worse than 40.0% from the field, and below 30.0% from behind the three-point line. His 22.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game is his lowest since his sophomore season in the league. Add to that the fact that he is an atrocious defender and is not a power forward, and it is quite clear that this spot is best reserved for someone else. And that someone, at least in my humble opinion, is Chris Bosh. Unlike Anthony, Bosh has played in every one of his team's games, and has done so in an incredibly efficient manner (averaging over 19 points and nearly 8 boards a night, while shooting over 50.0% from the field.) Bear in mind that Bosh is posting said averages while playing "third fiddle" on a very strong Miami Heat team, while Anthony is the number one option on a 8-13 Knicks team that will not be a contender for anything this Spring.
On the left coast, Blake Griffin is starting because he is a human highlight reel. His 21 point-11 rebound/game average is nice, but he is a woeful defender, and is being outplayed by a worthy adversary who have been overlooked. Kevin Love, averaging 25 points and nearly 14 rebounds per game while shooting over 37% from beyond the three-point arc, has vastly improved as a defender, and is no longer a liability on that end of the floor for the Minnesota Timberwolves. His team is also on the verge of playoff contention, and it didn't require adding an all-world point guard (Paul) to ensure that his team would be competitive this year.
Comparing Anthony with Bosh and Griffin with Love, it is quite clear why Carmelo and Blake were selected... they are brand names, and while Bosh and Love provide a lot of no-nonsense, winning plays, they do not play with as much flash as Anthony and Griffin. Given that it is an all-star game, I suppose I can live with that justification.
Soon the coaches will have their chance to fill out the remaining seven roster spots for each conference. Given that it is their job to know, coaches tend to have a better handle on who is truly deserving of being selected to an all-star team. Nevertheless, I have made it my job to comment on everything-NBA, and below I have made my selections for the Eastern and Western Conference reserves. I have accounted for little more than player statistics and the system they play in, and I have tried to discount career numbers and players that fit a certain position. Comment as you want, deride as you may, but I firmly believe these reserves are deserving of a trip to Orlando later this month.
Eastern Conference Reserves:
Guards: Rajon Rondo, Deron Williams and Brandon Jennings. The first two were no-brainers. But Jennings' personal success this season has really helped Milwaukee in Bogut's absence.
Forwards: Andre Iguodala, Paul Pierce and Chris Bosh. Iguodala was the toughest choice of the three, but I feel that he has been a more integral player in his team's success this season than Luol Deng, the only other forward I gave heavy consideration to.
Center: Roy Hibbert. With appologies to Tyson Chandler, the Indiana Pacers have played beyond expectations this season, and Hibbert is a big reason why. Additionally, an 8-13 Knicks team really does not need more than one representative at the All-Star game.
Western Conference Reserves:
Guards: Russell Westbrook, Steve Nash and Tony Parker. While Nash is the only "pure" point guard of the three, all have excelled this season, and all three deserve a spot on the Western Conference bench.
Forwards: Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol. All three could start (though Gasol is definitely on the decline) and all three will get a lot of burn in Orlando.
Center: Marc Gasol. He has been able to hold down the fort in Zach Randolph's absence from Memphis, and his numbers back up the story. Without him, Memphis would be a very mediocre team.
Knowing this, I was not surprised when the All-Star starters were announced last week. The Eastern Conference will feature Derrick Rose and Dwyane Wade in the back court and LeBron James, Carmelo Anthony and Dwight Howard up front. Aside from Anthony (more on him later) all of these choices make sense. Derrick Rose is arguably the best point guard in the NBA (it's either him or Chris Paul, who will be starting for the Western Conference) while James and Howard are the best players at their respective positions. Despite missing a good deal of time earlier this season, Wade is still the best shooting guard east of The Staples Center.
The Western Conference will pit the dynamic
Let's start out east with Carmelo Anthony. While no one can realistically deny his talent, Carmelo Anthony is not a worthy starter. He is currently shooting worse than 40.0% from the field, and below 30.0% from behind the three-point line. His 22.3 points and 5.9 rebounds per game is his lowest since his sophomore season in the league. Add to that the fact that he is an atrocious defender and is not a power forward, and it is quite clear that this spot is best reserved for someone else. And that someone, at least in my humble opinion, is Chris Bosh. Unlike Anthony, Bosh has played in every one of his team's games, and has done so in an incredibly efficient manner (averaging over 19 points and nearly 8 boards a night, while shooting over 50.0% from the field.) Bear in mind that Bosh is posting said averages while playing "third fiddle" on a very strong Miami Heat team, while Anthony is the number one option on a 8-13 Knicks team that will not be a contender for anything this Spring.
On the left coast, Blake Griffin is starting because he is a human highlight reel. His 21 point-11 rebound/game average is nice, but he is a woeful defender, and is being outplayed by a worthy adversary who have been overlooked. Kevin Love, averaging 25 points and nearly 14 rebounds per game while shooting over 37% from beyond the three-point arc, has vastly improved as a defender, and is no longer a liability on that end of the floor for the Minnesota Timberwolves. His team is also on the verge of playoff contention, and it didn't require adding an all-world point guard (Paul) to ensure that his team would be competitive this year.
Comparing Anthony with Bosh and Griffin with Love, it is quite clear why Carmelo and Blake were selected... they are brand names, and while Bosh and Love provide a lot of no-nonsense, winning plays, they do not play with as much flash as Anthony and Griffin. Given that it is an all-star game, I suppose I can live with that justification.
Soon the coaches will have their chance to fill out the remaining seven roster spots for each conference. Given that it is their job to know, coaches tend to have a better handle on who is truly deserving of being selected to an all-star team. Nevertheless, I have made it my job to comment on everything-NBA, and below I have made my selections for the Eastern and Western Conference reserves. I have accounted for little more than player statistics and the system they play in, and I have tried to discount career numbers and players that fit a certain position. Comment as you want, deride as you may, but I firmly believe these reserves are deserving of a trip to Orlando later this month.
Eastern Conference Reserves:
Guards: Rajon Rondo, Deron Williams and Brandon Jennings. The first two were no-brainers. But Jennings' personal success this season has really helped Milwaukee in Bogut's absence.
Forwards: Andre Iguodala, Paul Pierce and Chris Bosh. Iguodala was the toughest choice of the three, but I feel that he has been a more integral player in his team's success this season than Luol Deng, the only other forward I gave heavy consideration to.
Center: Roy Hibbert. With appologies to Tyson Chandler, the Indiana Pacers have played beyond expectations this season, and Hibbert is a big reason why. Additionally, an 8-13 Knicks team really does not need more than one representative at the All-Star game.
Western Conference Reserves:
Guards: Russell Westbrook, Steve Nash and Tony Parker. While Nash is the only "pure" point guard of the three, all have excelled this season, and all three deserve a spot on the Western Conference bench.
Forwards: Kevin Love, LaMarcus Aldridge and Pau Gasol. All three could start (though Gasol is definitely on the decline) and all three will get a lot of burn in Orlando.
Center: Marc Gasol. He has been able to hold down the fort in Zach Randolph's absence from Memphis, and his numbers back up the story. Without him, Memphis would be a very mediocre team.
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