As you could probably tell from my pick by pick draft blog, I am estatic about the Knicks landing Z-Bo (Zach Randolph). The Knicks traded Channing Frye and Stevie Franchise for him, which equates to nothing. The offensive low post is dominant, and Isaiah gets an A for his draft day dealings. The Knicks have a young nucleus now, with Crawford, Curry, Randolph, Lee, etc. (average age 25.9 years old). And a roster that can grow together. So enough gushing about Isaiah, and let's start piling on the GM's who have no balls.
There are three GMs who are former Celtics that I want to go after. Danny Ainge, Kevin McHale, and Larry Bird. The reason I do this is because some writers, commentators, etc. do not go after these guys for the crap that they put together year after year. First up, Danny Ainge. Out of the three GMs, he is the one that is in a big market, and he's heard the critics. The only thing I can say about Ainge is that there is something about his personality that players don't like. Robert Horry threw a towel in his face, when Ainge was coaching the Suns. Shawn Marion doesn't want to play for Ainge (nobody in the league wants to goto Boston). Garnett vetoed his trade to Boston. Ainge reminds me of Bobby Valentine. He's got a great mind for his sport, but the other intangibles that he lacks make players not want to play for him. That will be the reason why Ainge leaves this job, or any other jobs he may have. (I do like the Allen trade, only if he gets a power forward/center thats established, without giving up Al Jefferson...otherwise, I hate it).
P.S. - It is becoming more evident that Darko Milicic is going to command 7+ million dollars a year. He shouldn't get it, but will...Ainge will explore a sign and trade for Darko, in a gamble. I don't think is worth it, but this has Danny Ainge written all over it.
Next on the chopping block, Kevin McHale. There was recently a poll, or some statistical bullshit, that said McHale one of the best GMs in sports. He is the worst, period. I was a big supporter of what he was doing when he had Garnett and Marbury. He made two (easy) decisions to draft them, and then Stephon asked for a trade. McHale had his hand forced, and proved he wasn't shrewd with handling trades, signings, etc. He now needs to trade his all world power forward to make things right. But, this is a guy who gets pennies on the dollar for his trades. Then there is the Joe Smith debacle, where the Wolves lost a bunch of picks, for making an illegal agreement. So here is my statistical bullshit to prove my point:
Picks since 98:
1998 Radoslav Neseterovic (17th Pick)
1999 Wally Szczerbiak (6th Pick)
2005 Rashad McCants (14th Pick)
2006 Randy Foye (7th Pick)
2007 Corey Brewer (7th Pick)
I don't like the Brewer pick, because Joakim Noah would have a bigger impact, and is more unique, as a player.
Signings by McHale
-2002: Wally Szczerbiak gets 6 years and $63 million
-2003: Michael Olowokandi gets 3 years and $16.2 million
-2004: Troy Hudson gets 6 years and $37 million
-2004: Trenton Hassell gets 6 years and $26.1 million
-2005: Mark Madsen gets 5 years and $10 million
Gross. Nuff Said.
Next. Larry Legend.
I know he had to trade Ron Artest, for Peja Stojakavic, who left as a free agent. I know the city of Indianapolis, didn't like Jax, but to trade a guy like Al Harrington with Stephen Jackson is ludicrous (he traded a draft pick to get Al Harrington). These two moves have totally removed the legitimacy from the Pacers franchise. He basically traded Ron Artest, Al Harrington, a lottery pick, Sarunas Jasikeivicius, and Stephen Jackson for Troy Murphy, Ike Diogu, and Mike Dunleavy Jr. As Bill Walton would say, "That is HOOOOOOOOOOOOOORRRIBLE." I like the fact the Pacers are down on their luck, and thats probably why I wrote this article.
Now to the GM's that rolled aces on Thursday:
Michael Jordan (Bobcats) - Got Jason Richardson and Jared Dudley
Kevin PritchaRd (Blazers) - Got the 2006 McDonalds All-American Team
Isaiah Thomas (Knicks) - Ensured an eastern conference crown for the next 4 years.
Enough N.B.A., for now.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
A New Day, A New Era - Curse of the Celtics - Darko to Celts
Friday, June 29, 2007
Greg Oden touching the white stuff
I hope that Oden learns from Len Bias, and doesn't inhale too much white stuff.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
NUMBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBAAAAA!!!!! TWOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO-THRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wilson Chandler...I'm happy...KNICKS ARE BACK!!!! WHERE'S VEGAS?!?!?!?!!??!?!?!!!?!!!!?!?
Kobe steals the show again...pick 20
Didn't he interrupt his free agent year? I love Kobe, just like my boy Joe, he must interrupt this draft to displease his pleasure of the franchise, and use Jim Gray as the facilitator...if this season proved anything, it proved the GM is your best player, the GM is the guy who is the P.R. for the player, and Kupchak plays the part...I like players who do this, because they put the pressure on some of these lazy G.M.'s...Knicks coming up next...Zach Randolph, WHUTWHUT!!!!!!!!
Knicks get Zach Randolph
Great trade...our low post is sick...I'm calling people, drunk, telling them to suck my dick...hahahahahahahhhaahah- Knicks just added a guy whos 23.6ppg and 10 boards...i like 20 and 10 guys, and I LIKE BEER!!! Another Fat Tire!!!!!
#12 - Sixers - Thaddeus Young
I'm done analyzing (until #23)...I like Thaddeus, but I woulda pick Al Thornton...
#11 - Hawks - Acie Law - Stephen A. Yell Count
A point guard with balls. ATL needed a point, and Acie had a bad bitch with him. He'll like the ATL.
Suit Grade - 8 - Olive green never goes outta syle
Stephen A. Yell Count:
4...Noah doesn't fit a need...that's where my closure comes from (for the Knicks trade, we have their need)...thank you Stephen A.
#10 Spencer Hawes - Kings
Like Brad Miller #2...this is what the heyday of the Kings was about, big men who got skillz..
Suit grade - 0 - goofy, white guy
#9 - Chicago Bulls - Joakim Noah
Attitude, intangibles, and bravado...something every team in the lottery could use. I like this pick. He's a winner, and it provides me closure for the Eddy Curry trade (I would rather have Curry, than Tyrus Thomas and Noah).
Suit grade - 10 - Bowtie, pinstriped suit - nice!!!
#8 - Bobcats - Brandon Wright
1. I think MJ23 is banging Rachel Nichols 2. I think that there is a great Carolina attitude that is going on with the Bobcats. This team is getting better.
Stephen A. - "We know that Brandon right has skillz. We know!" - his count is up to 3
Suit grade - Brown and pink - 2
Somebody get me a Fat Tire
#7 - T'Wolves - Corey Brewer
"The drunken dribbler" is going to need to be drunk during the Minnesota winter. I give it ten minutes before K.G. bursts into the Minnesota war room, and kills Kevin McHale.
Another brown suit - suit grade 1
#6- Bucks - Yi Jianlian
Do the math (not a chinese joke (yes it is))...Yi is the best available...Jay Bilas called him 50 Cent (I'll take you to the eggroll shop)...I'm getting drunk, but I swear I heard this...
The Bucks are going to keep Yi, and not trade him, which is great for the Chinese population of Milwaukee...
Suit grade - 4.... i'm waiting for Noah
#5 Sonics (from Celtics) - Jeff Green
May be one of the best in the draft, because his game is soooo deep. He can do anything, has size, and should get better. Durant and Green, Seattle will be in the pacific northwest to stay... they saved their franchises future in Seattle.
Suit grade - 6...it looks better next to Sonics
I am enjoying this tirade by Joe, he is sooooooo pissed. The Celtics f'd up
#4 - Grizz - Mike Conley Jr.
Mike Conley, Mike Miller, Rudy Gay, Pau...four of my favorite guys to watch. I like this pick. The Griz also get Mike Conley Sr. A combo of a good point and a good patriarch for the next 10 years in Memphis. He's also an emerging agent, and guys trust him.
Suit Grade: 5...boring shit brown
Atlanta #3 - Al Horford
I guess his talent was too overwhelming for the Hawks to take Conley...I am waiting for the other shoe to drop, and see what happens with the eleven pick. He's a beast, and I hope he enjoys the strip clubs in da ATL...
Suit grade - 7 black... good so you don't see the stripper's lipstick on your neck
Sonics #2 - Durant and a Trade
Durant number 2 to the Sonics...and they get Wally Sczerbiak, Delonte West, and the 5, for Ray Allen... two great moves. My Celtics fan friend just calls me and says, "Mark my words! I wanted the Chinaman!!!!" This has been a great draft so far for having two predictable picks. I think Danny Ainge is trying to load the western conference, and that helps my Knickies. LOLOOOOLOLOLOLOLOLO...I wanna be a G.M....LOLOLOLOLLOLLLOL!!!!
Suit Grade 5 - Boring Beige...his game is a ten though
David Stern - On the Podium
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!
Blazers - Greg Oden #1
I not going to analyze what this pick means basketball wise right now, because I did that in my mock draft. There is also no drama with this pick. The drama, lies in one thing. How many commercials can he get with that big ass gap in his teeth. Also, if he didn't play basketball, you would think that he was a big retard. I hope that he pans out, though. He seems comfortable with with his future stardom, and I know he is going to a team that is poised (in three years) to win in three years.
Suit grade: 4 (out of 10): Pretty conservative...if I knew that Portland was going to have white draft hats, I would have a white suit. He went with navy blue.
Stephen A. - "You can't teach seven feet! You can't teach seven feet!"...i'll give him his second yelling point, because he repeated him self in his normal tone
Tirico - "He wanted to be a dentist (proceeded by laughing)" LOLOOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL!!!!! How can't you refer to the gap.
Oh Shit..Dickie V is on this, too...
Not only am I going to have a headache tomorrow...but Dickie V. vs. Stephen A. is in effect... I need to turn the stereo reciever down to 3 so I don't blow my speakers
Stephen A. Count
He just yelled about what the Celtics should do...so his yelling count is at 1...he used the word "hoodwinked" (aggressively), and I don't its the last time we heard that word...Hoodwink count at 1
Draft Time
Stay with Laredo Slider because we live pick by pick coverage...the picks start getting run off in the next 45 minutes and we'll be on top of the picks, trades, hideous suits, and Stephen A. Smith tantrums. The ESPN panel tonight are: Jay Bilas, Stephen A. Samuel Jackson, Mark Jackson, Rick Bucher, and Andy Katz, with Mike Tirico moderating... Let's get draft happy, and drunker than the fans at The Garden!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
Why women like to throw the word "stalker" around
I do live in Hollywood, and actually met this young woman (Alyssa Milano, for those without dicks), and she hugged me. I think that when she hugged me, i gave her the impetus to have a Black Bat in her hand, like she does in the last picture (yes, capitalizing Black Bat is grammatically correct, for me). When I talked to her, she said she didn't like the Mets, and I wonder if she is doing this to send me a message. My bail will probably be set at $50,000 the first time, and if I take a couple of years off, I hope everybody understands.
Back to the Knicks Pick...Wilson Chandler
I am looking at how the draftboards (nbadraft.net, draftexpress.com) look and I getting nervous about the Knicks pick. I only worry because, in this draft, there may be a future all-star at this stage, and I don't want to see Isaiah not nab him. Isaiah is a good drafter, and he claims he is going to take the best prospect this year, maybe a guy who is going to take a couple of years to come along. That's good news, because Thomas is already looking to the post Marbury/Francis era (not sayin' i wanna see Steph go, but...). The Knicks claim to be looking for a shooter, but Thomas says there are no "Allan Houston's" in the draft. It's hard to ignore my first prospect ,for the pick at 23, Morris Almond:
He has a sweet stroke, and it's hard to ignore his shooting percentage, his shooting volume, and his scoring average in college (26.4 ppg, .456 3pt FG%). He has flawless mechanics, too (I wish he played for a better program than Rice, because I can't find any thing on YouTube about him. It looks like Belinelli may go higher, so the only other prospect, at this point, that I would consider is Almond. Isaiah may be playing possum in saying there are no good shooting prospects, but is ceiling may not be as high as Wilson Chandler:
I was going to go into other guys, but as soon as I though about who Wilson Chandler is, and who he gets compared to, I want to end with the best possible talent availible at 23. When I say who Chandler is, I say a guy who is a sophmore who played in a crap program. I think the GMs in the NBA are looking for the winning intangible that has translated to some of the leagues good, young stars (Boozer, Hinrich, E. Brand, Deron Williams, etc.). That's probably the easiest way to draft; draft a good guy, from a good program. When you're in the lottery. At the 23, Isaiah knows he needs to be agressive, and hit the lottery.
When people describe Chandler's athleticism, there is one name they associate, comfortably, with him. Shawn Marion. Nuff said. I envision an athletic, gritty, defensive team, when this roster hits its peak. Lineups with Balkman, Jeffries, Chandler, Lee, etc. in them. I see matchups problems, for other teams. It would also soften the blow when the Knicks lost Trevor 'Da Riza' Ariza. I now, officially, have changed my pick endorsement to Chandler.
Wilson Chandler #22
Monday, June 25, 2007
NBA Draft - Rest of the first round
I was reading my predictions from Saturday, and I decided it was time to take two days off. Not only did I concoct a trade that was total fantasy, I also tried to figure a way write my name in the first round. I was hoping Kevin McHale would read this, draft me, I could go to Minny and go clubbing with Mark Madsen. So here is the picks for the rest. I will be short because, one pick, the 23, deserves more attention than the others (the Knicks pick here).
So here we go
15 - Detroit - Ye Li
Le is like Yi, unknown and Asian. The only thing that separates the two is that Yi is packing rice, and Le has a rice patty. Okay, so Ye Li is a woman. If Detroit were to draft her, they could have the inside track once Yao Ming is a free agent (they're engadged). The Detroit Police will also have a new deterrent to crime, and she could probably play QB for the Lions.
"Who Faaarrrdddett?"
"Buy NOW!!! Or get out of Paint!!!"
While were alienating women athelete's, let's go a step further, Kim Clijsters about to kiss Geoffrey the Giraffe, from Toys R Us fame (or is that Linsay Davenport. I wish tennis used astroturf so I could make a carpet reference):
16 Washington - Curtis Allgier
Curtis is leading the penal league in steals, tats, shooting percentage, and already has an endorsement deal with Arby's (who doesn't), and he hates black people, so he might be a good front office guy when he retires (or Oval Office guy)...He insists if Washington drafts him, they will have to change their name back to the Bullets. If you haven't heard, this guy broke out of jail, by stealing a gun from an officer and shooting him, stole a car, went to Arby's where he was apprehended, sitting on the toilet after eating a Bacon Beef n' Cheddar (the last part isn't completly true). But what is true is this guy thought he was gonna be able to hide in the public after escaping. His perimeter elusiveness is exactly what the Bullets need :
"THAT wasn't ME! It was my Twin!!!"
17 through 22 - Scrub-ass teams drafting Scrub-Ass Players
23. Knicks (WHUUUUUUUUUUUTTTT!!!!!!) - Marco Belinelli
I think that this is exactly who the Knicks need to change their culture a bit more. I like the fact that he's a 6-6 shooting guard, who can actually shoot...he's a younger draftee (at 21), and scouts have been comparing to Ray Allen, and Manu "I Look Like I Should Be Spinning Pizzas" Ginobilli. Isaiah wants to have a shooter that can play off of Curry, and I think that he's the guy. I'm already coming up with nicknames like Marco "The Knicks are down by 30 so it's time to empty the bench and put in" Belinelli. He's a couple years away, but I trust Isaiah to do well in the draft, because that's the one thing he is good at. Video montage pleeeeeeeze (Marco in action, minute and a half long, only three plays):
After the 23rd pick, I predict that Knicks fans will cause a riot, and the rest of the draft will be cancelled.
Saturday, June 23, 2007
Laredo Slider's draft predictions and trades - Lottery
Okay, the draft is five days away, and here are my predictions (not what should happen as a popular espn columnist wrote earlier this week) Thanks to hoopshype, draftexpress, and NBA draft for some insight, but my board is going to differ from them all:
1. Blazers - Greg Oden
This isn't as much of a no brainer, as previously thought, after Oden's workout this week. He was winded, and nervous, and Kevin Durant wowed the Blazers yesterday (this is looking like Bowie-Jordan in '84...Portland taking the big man...another obscure team picking the guy with no ceiling)...I would be so nervous with this pick. The reason I would pick Oden is because he is a big, and LaMarcus Alderidge and Oden can be the most dominant combo in the west for 15 years...
2. Sonics - Kevin Durant
I shouldn't have to explain myself with this one. The Sonics have picked centers in the last three drafts. It would be funny if Oden slipped to them. They could get a ring, in that scenario, sooner than later.
3. Hawks - Mike Conley Jr. (and Sr.)
I'm proud of this pick, because neither Draftexpress.com or NBADraft.net, have this as Atlanta's selection (they both have Al Horford here). The reason Atlanta has to pick Conley is because that is the position that they need the most, and they could redeem themselves for the Chris Paul debacle. How are they going to draft a power forward when they have Sheldon Williams ready to contribute (he is the reigning rookie of the month)? They can't, but what they can do is have David Stern make another trip to the podium and announce that they pulled off a deal to get Leandro Barbosa, Boris Diaw, Marcus Banks, Eric Piatkowski, the #24 and #29 picks (from the Suns) for the #11, Speedy Claxton, Salim Stoudamire, and ZaZa Pachulia (this trade works: RealGM.com trade i.d. 3998223). This would address needs for both teams. The Suns would get relief (and a replacement) from the dumb signing of Marcus Banks, it will give them a building block for the future (if they wanted to trade Marion, for luxury tax reasons)in the #11, a spotup shooter to replace Barbosa, in Salim Stoudamire, and would give them a young banger that's a better option than Pat Burke (a little relief for the aging Kurt Thomas, too). The Hawks get two guys who go right into the rotation, in Barbosa and Diaw, and two picks in a deeeeeeep draft. They will also get the presence of Mike Conley Sr., which is important because the Hawks need a family identity, a organizational attitude, or some sort of lineage to hang their hats on.
The Hawks would look like this, if everything falls into place:
Conley Jr.
Joe Johnson
Josh Smith
Boris Diaw
Sheldon Williams
Barbosa
Josh Childress
I'll go over the Suns lineup when they pick at 11.
4. Grizzlies - Al Horford
A good piece to put next to Pau. It will give them a good baseline/low post presence...now they need to see if they can get into the east...
5. Celtics - Brandon Wright
Both draft web sites have Jeff Green in this slot (if the Celtics trade the pick, this would be viable)...It would be better for the Celts to get a big to go alongside Jefferson. If I were Danny Ainge, I would make a trade down for Al Thornton, and bring in a player to compliment Pierce, while he is in his prime. There seem to be no trade partners though, except for Suns, and I already made a deal for them. Sorry, Jose
6. Bucks - Spencer Hawes
If I'm a team in a blue collar town with a blue collar big man (Andrew Bogut), I would add another blue collar big man. Hawes has a skill set that would fit, too. The Bucks are set on the perimeter, and with two offensively gifted big men, who aren't afraid to mix it up, they would be my surprise team of the east next year.
7. T'Wolves - Joakim Noah
If I were to put any of these personalities next to KG, it would have to be Noah. The Wolves only have a couple of guys above 6-10, and its a no brainer to add the championship pedigree that Noah possess. He is one of the guys who won't stop working once he gets his first payday.
8. Bobcats - Nick Young
The only position where they could truly upgrade is shooting guard. Young's length and all around game are perfect for a team who has a ton of athleticism. His offensive game is deep, too. He could handle the full guard duties of handling the ball and running the offense. Doesn't seem super flashy, and played under a great college coach in Tim Floyd. The Bobcats, by the way, are not that far away from making some noise in the east (neither is my men's league team).
9. Bulls - Coery Brewer
He could be a chip in a trade. He could be a replacement if the Bulls decide to move Ben Gordon, and promote Selfolosha to the starting spot (in this scenario the Bulls would score 70 points a game). The Bulls m.o. seems to build around defense, and the addition of Brewer would make their D air tight.
10. Kings - Jeff Green
The Kings will probably explore a trade for Ron Artest this summer, and since Green plays the same position, and somehow he slipped down my mock draft, the Kings will take him. I do think that the Kings should use this pick, and Mike Bibby, to bring in a player like Pau Gasol (Memphis wouldn't take Bibby, so there would probably be a third trade partner, maybe the Cavs)
11. Suns (from Hawks in my mock trade) Yi Jianlian
If he pans out, this could be a devastating addition to the most athletic frontcourt ever. This would be a good wait-and-see spot for Yi to go to as well. They would have their replacement for Diaw, and be more formidable in the half court (in time).
Potential Lineup
Nash
Bell
Marion
Thomas
Stoudamire
Yi
Claxton
James Jones
Pachulia
Which brings me to two points (1) the Suns may make the trade (or maybe picking for the Hawks) before my supertrade is announced and, (2) the Suns may make another trade to get some luxury tax relief...
12. Sixers - Al Thornton
A great compliment to the athletic A.I. (Andre Iguodala), Thornton is the best available, and Philly can draft at any position, except shooting guard...
13. Hornets - Rodney Stuckey
This scoring machine would be a great compliment to Chris Paul...even though he is the biggest gamble of any of the picks. The Hornets are set at the point, three, four, and the five. So they gotta take the risk and hope for the best. He could very well be the steal of the draft.
14. Clippers - Acie Law IV
I don't think there would be a better rookie-vet pairing than Law and Cassell. Javaris Crittenton could go here, but he's too much of a project for a Clips team looking to win right now. The Clips missed the swagger of Sam Cassell last year, and there wasn't a better clutch player in college than Law.
This is how the lottery will shake out, in my opinion...Tomorrow, I will get into the rest of the first round, with a endorsement to who my team, the Knicks, should pick.
Fill In the Caption Contest
How come they never have a fill in the caption contest for pictures like this:
Does the Commish know about this?...Should they just suspend Artest now for the year?...isn't this conclusive evidence in the year 2007 (in the court of public opinion)? Is that Ben Wallace's house? Is that David Stern's house? Scarry...
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Don't Call the Cops, I know she is 17, but.....
I found this on a website looking for... well who the hell cares...
I hope that my buddy appreciates this because this was the only way I could write him into a blog (he's wanted to be in one badly)...this happens to be one of his favorite....golfers... we'll just call him Jose
Magic Numbers - the Hall of Fame Edition
Last night, Slammin' Sammy Sosa hit his 600th homerun. Although Sammy (at the height of his steriod binge, i mean vitamin B binge) was one of the most visually awe inspiring athletes, will he make the Hall of Fame? Well I say no. A lot of people are going to say that he hit a magic number, a hundred home runs ago, and it's automatic (the magic numbers were 500 homers, 300 wins, 3000 K's, 3000 hits). Now there is no magic number for home runs, 300 game winners will be a thing of the past (pitchers will throw less and less innings in a career), and the other two magic numbers, K's and hits, are still in tact.
The one thing that is becoming a trend of the steroid era is the fact that we have compilers who have passed the magic numbers, and aren't better baseball players than guys who are just short of the Hall. The baseball writers know this, and thats why Mark McGwire did not get voted in last year (baseball may have known of this trend happening before with Jose Canseco getting close to 500 HRs, I'm not saying that he was black listed, but that's a good argument for it). I'm going to take four players that have, or will shatter baseball's magical 500 home run plateau: McGwire, Sosa, Sheffield, and Palmeiro (i'm leaving Bonds off this side, because he would be a Hall of Famer, steroids or not), and putting them against four guys who may never make the Hall, but were close, and still have a shot: Keith Hernandez, Don Mattingly, Albert Belle, and Andre Dawson. The only reason I pick these guys, are because they were either the best at their positions (which they all were at one point, or another), and their numbers were more impressive given the time period. The first group probably would get more votes, among a panel of fans/fantasy baseballers in 2007, but the second group are the better players. Here's why:
The first group has a total of one MVP's - Sosa in '98...the one gauge in baseball that tells of dominance are MVP's-one man has more than three... so i take 4 guys who have slugged 500 hr's and theres only one steroid induced MVP
The latter group has three MVP's (one each, except for Belle, who finished in the top 3 of voting in three consecutive years...Palmiero never finished top 4 in voting)
The first group has four gold gloves, three from Palmeiro, one from McGwire. Palmeiro won one in a year where he played 28 games in the field! But we'll count it.
The second group has 28 gold gloves (Dawson 8, Mattingly 9, Hernandez 11, Belle 0), we'll count all of those, because they're legit...
The fact that Gary Sheffield is still playing at a high level, also has to be considered. Where is he going to end up? He hasn't had a string of Hall of Fame years. He hasn't been the dominating figure that an Albert Belle was, or an Andre Dawson, during a whole decade. Individual HR and RBI numbers can't be the reason anybody gets into the Hall of Fame...most the HR chart toppers have 3,000 hits...or score a ton of runs, and that's where everybody on both sides falls short (except Palmeiro at 3020 hits). So if anybody gets in out of all eight of the guys, it maybe Palmeiro. But as a voter, I must look at the fact that he never finished in the top four of MVP voting, and is only a four time all star. His numbers are a sign of the times. The steroid era has caused the numbers to get thrown out of wack. I don't think that any of these guys are going to the Hall, because the writers don't want to see them go, but if any of these players are deserving, it has to be the second group of players. The great thing about the Hall are the high moral, and baseball standards. The first group isn't going to get elected based on moral standards of the game...the second group maybe didn't cheat enough...
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Omar's Pitch To Johan
Johan Santana went tonight against the Mets at Shea, and the Mets might have tampered with him...They let him pitch a complete game shutout without a fight, and let him run around the bases, like it was the Dynamets Dash (when the Mets used to let kids run around the bases after a Sunday game)...Santana will be a free agent after the '08 season, and the Mets will be one of his suitors (he will probably get one of the richest pitching contracts in history)...for those who don't know, Santana is second all-time in winning percentage for pitchers...The good thing, as a Mets fan, is that we are one of 6 teams that can offer the richest pitching contracts in history, and the Twins can't...So if I'm Mr. Santana, what am I looking for, when I become a free agent, outside of the big money...I would be looking for a team that has a Latin influence, which the Mets have...I would be looking for run support, which the Twins don't have...I would be looking for a big ballpark and centerfielder that gives me the same feel of the security that Torii Hunter gives me (Hunter may be gone before the deadline this year, and is a free agent after the season), Beltran is a gold-glove centerfielder, and I want to live in one of the great cities in the world...the Metrodome is a bandbox, so I would like to play in a spacious new stadium (Citi Field and New Yankee Stadium will be opening in the '09 season)...well, I would like to play in the National League, because no DH will allow my really low e.r.a. get even lower, and I get to hit (I happen to be a really good hitter)...so that leaves the Mets as my best availible destination...This is one big reason why Pedro needs to show he has 3, or more, years left...Santana wants legitimacy as he gets ready to make his Hall of Fame run, and having HOF pitchers, and a strong Pedro will be one of the best reasons for Johan to come to NY...I am now naming Laredo Slider as the Home of the Johan Santana to the Mets Campaign...now its up to Fred Wilpon to ante up and make it a reality
Monday, June 18, 2007
What kind of Blog Junkie am I? West Coast Edition
Sorry for the hiatus, but there this weekend was a busy one...really, I was hungover on Sunday morning, and I wasn't intending on posting on Saturday (due to two events unfolding on Sunday, the U.S. Open, and Mets-Yankees)...this weekend was a classic sports weekend, one of the best, and even included an appearance from our boy, Pacman...
So...where do I start? It's gotta be Mets-Yankees, and yes I am a huge Met fan (i had baseballs autographed by Kelvin Torve, Pat Howell, Shawn Hare, and Chris Donnells, even though I lost 'em, by playing with 'em)...i hate the Yankees, but there is no franchise, in the world, that compares, and I want my franchise to be just like the Yankees (I love the history of baseball, it fills up probably half of my head, which means that a quarter of my brain has Yankee history in it)...going into game 1, I realized that there is a good chance that the Mets could be humbled this weekend...the first game was a beauty with Roger Clemens locking up with Oliver Perez in a good pitchers duel...a decent amount of baserunners, and action, with the game ending up 2-0 Mets...the second game was a mess with the Yankees winning 11 to 8, and they won on Sunday night as well 8 to 2...I don't want harp on these games, because they were predictable... a hot team ran into a cold team and took two outta three, just like their first series...but there are a couple of things the Mets must do:
(1) Get rid of Heilman
For an eighth-inning setup man...he doesn't miss as many bats as I would like...he has a good sinker that gets ground balls, as long as he keeps it down, and has a good change..but these aren't working on a regular basis, which means he is a good seventh-inning guy...Rick Peterson has done a good job with him, but before Rick Peterson, he was absolutely meat...trade him now while his stock is high enough to get something of value...
(2) Do Not Trade Carlos Gomez
So Peter Gammons comes on ESPN and says that there are talks about the Mets trading for Mark Buherle, or Brad Lidge (to steal a line from one of my favorite radio personalities, Joe Beningo: "By the way, when has Peter Gammons ever been right.") ... the thing is, as a big market team, we shouldn't have to trade to get guys like these two...we can get them in free agency, when we need to...i would like to get guys like this, but not a the cost of a guy who looks like he's gonna be 20-45 for years to come...
(3) Mets fans, don't panic
We've been here before, and this team is too good to finish second...we can be spoiled by last year's cake walk...a little adversity will tell us what we have for the long haul, and Omar will have a better idea how to make his melting pot better...
U.S. Open
The other great watch of the weekend was Tiger Woods, and the U.S. Open...i enjoyed this event not only because we had a chance to see Tiger come from behind, and win for the first time ever, but I was so hung over, and there is nothing more relaxing than watching (listening) to golf, on a beanbag chair...the only thing I will say is that the courses in the U.S. Open shouldn't play so rigid (that 17 was brutal), and congrats to the guy who won....whatever his name was....
The Stephen Jackson Awards UPDATE!!!!!
Stephen Jackson pleaded guilty to whatever he did last...he's avoiding one year of jail, if the judge accepts the plea bargain...which means that (1) its good to have a good lawyer, and (2) he's going to need the lawyer again, soon...
Pacman is going to steal the show this summer, as he was involved with another shooting at a strip club...and again, he wasn't the trigger man, etc...it seems somebody from his crew fired shots at somebody else and the cops are looking for him to ask him some questions...some scenario it seems from last time... but if he gets himself banned for life from the NFL, we are going to name this award after him, kind of a lifetime achievement award...Good Luck, Pacman!!!
It's kind of a sad story, but J.R. Smith, of the New Orleans Hornets, might have lock up the SJA based on the fact that he may be tried for vehicular homicide in the accident that claimed the life of his best friend, in N.J.... Both were thrown out of Smith's Yukon after Smith ran a stop sign...I'm not going to make light of this situation but let me call in Andrew Bogut, of the Milwaukee Bucks, to tell you how it is in the N.B.A., and why the league still has a bunch of knuckle heads in it:
"The public's image of NBA players is true," he says. "A lot of them get caught up in the hype and do video clips with rappers and all that crap. They want bling bling all over themselves and drive fast cars. But that's just the way the culture is in America - if you've got it flaunt it and if you don't, you can't."
There are guys who drop a hundred grand for a chain. The public's got it right - a lot of NBA stars are arrogant and like to spend lots of money and have lots of girlfriends and all that.(Sydney Morning Herald)
Bogut is quickly becoming one of my favorite (favourite) players...he seems to get it, and is a rugged center who doesn't get much press...he does everything asked of him, and will be a problem for a lot of teams in the future...I'll assign points for J.R. Smith's mishap in the next update, which if you ask Bogut, will probably be tomorrow...
Friday, June 15, 2007
NBA Summer - Stephen Jackson Award
A new award was created by me, in honor of the fun that is the summer in the NBA, and the player who is gonna make the most noise this summer, Stephen Jackson...the award is going to the player (retired or active) who gets arrested the most, kills the most people, or just does something of idiotic proportion...since the NBA summer officially starts today, I wanna kick off with our first contestants:
What do these two people have in common:
no...they aren't Isaiah's newest reclamation projects (not yet at least), they aren't the same person (no, all black people don't look alike), but they are the charter members of the N.B.A.'s newest fraternity...Power Forwards Who Like to Jerk Off While Driving...Eddie Griffin (left) and Byron Houston happened to be doing the ol' pick and roll, and got caught by police...Last year, Griffin was drunk, crashed his car, and left the pornos on his front seat ("Anal Action" and "Privates")...there were witnesses, and Griffin tried to pass off the accident as trying to get his cell phone, which fell into his lap (after this, I played NBA 2K7 and changed E.G.'s ball handling rating to 99)...Houston (Oklahoma State's All Time leading scorer) was caught on Wednesday AFTERNOON (like there is an acceptable time to beat off and drive), and when he has pulled over, his underwear was on the floorboard! I don't imagine that this is the last time it will happen with a basketball player, because they like Escalades with DVD players in the dash, and white broads who are take back shots and face shots...
So I'm going to give 2 points to Byron Houston in the SJA race so far...Eddie Griffin gets a half point for being connected in some f'd up way...I have a feeling we will have a couple of more entries before the end of July, so stay posted...
Thanks David Stern - I Found My New Crack
The N.B.A. finals concluded last night, and I realized we have officially seen the worst season of pro basketball, period...It was so bad, the guys on the ABC Halftime Show were killing the game, not worried about anybody turning it off, because they never started watching...I had to watch, because I'm a fan of the sport...I wanted to see Timmy D pull down an M.V.P., but that didn't happen (the problem with Duncan not winning the M.V.P. is that people will say that he isn't the reason the Spurs win championships...the big man gets soooooo disrespected...Shaq was the MVP two years ago, but Nash won, and Shaq was the reason that the Heat got where they did last year...In know D Wade had a big finals, but getting there, Shaq was huge)...so then the only thing I was waiting for was the celebration once the Spurs won...It was one of the worst celebrations ever...they need to re-sign Stephen Jackson for some good ol', straight up, ignorance, during the post game celebration...I could see TP giving his acceptance speech, with Stephen Jackson droppin' N-bombs in the background that could be heard on national television(Props for Stephen Jackson for having top stories in basketball every summer, and fall...Strip club shoot outs, brawls...I wonder if he has looked into dog fighting he would be a perfect fit...he'll goto jail this summer...oh yeah, why hasn't that strip club video been released yet?!?!? That would be a permanent addition to my MySpace page)
the only "clapping" Stephen Jackson does, without being arrested
...David Stern has f'd up the product soooo much that I went to OnDemand to find something to watch to make me forget the debacle I witnessed...I went to the H.B.O. section. and found a show called 'John from Cinncinnati'...H.B.O. hit another home run...I don't think it hit me that the Sopranos are over, but this show is really good...It's about a surfing family from Imperial Beach, CA...this guy comes from outta nowhere, and miracles are happening all over the place...throw in Al Bundy, in a leading role, and some other degenerates in a seedy hotel, and you got yourself a hit...David Stern could learn a lot from the way H.B.O. does things...they don't limit their writers, or actors, with censorship...David Stern does...they sell their product for 15 dollars a month...to go to an N.B.A. game costs 250 dollars...they appease the people on the East and West Coast with different feeds...David Stern seems to not care about the East at all, starting playoff games at 9:30 at night...David Stern better come up with a plan because next year will be a long year...I'm afraid he's pushing me closer to watching 'The Gilmore Girls' (Artis is in that, right?)
more like Gilmores' Bitches and Ho's...
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Draft News, Trade News - NBA
Bud and the Giambino
I Can't Put My Finger On It, But These Guys Just Don't Look Natural Anymore
It's amazing how the course of Major League Baseball has changed the outlook we have towards competition...I'm not playing baseball currently (even though I should be, I just don't listen as well as my Latino counterparts), but if I were, I would feel I have the licence to cheat as much as I want...Load bats, sandpaper, KY Jelly on the ball, I would try it all...Baseball will reward you for cheating...I think people want to see the product of cheating...example A: "Eight Men Out" is a good movie, about cheating in baseball, that made money at the box office, and later on video (do they even have VHS in Iran?)..."The Kid From Left Field" is a cute baseball movie, that went directly to T.V., and it made jack (Even though it may have had the best formula of any movie, EVER... Arnold Jackson is playing a kid named J.R., who has a hunch regarding baseball, and gets to be manager of the Padres...oughta happen)...So steroids are front and center now...people use them, but if they don't admit it, there is always a shred of doubt that they are innocent...Barry Bonds is "O.J. Innocent", he sure as hell did it, but until he admits it, there is nothing Bud Selig can do...so here comes Jason Giambi, who has realized during his time in New York with the New York media, that it doesn't pay to tell half-truths when interviewed...He said: "I was wrong for doing that stuff. What we should have done a long time ago was stand up -- players, ownership, everybody -- and said: 'We made a mistake.' Steroids and all of that was a part of history." So he basically told the truth...So does Bud Selig address these obvious problems, does he poll his owners to figure out if they knew their players were doing steroids? Does he threaten franchises, like the King of the NFL, Mr. Goodell? No... he threatens to suspend Giambi (for not participating in Sen. George Mitchell's probe, which is another joke)...Selig must have been embarrassed...He was embarrassed on Capitol Hill, he was embarrassed by Jose Canseco, and he's afraid of getting embarrassed by Barry Bonds (which happened already)...the commish is afraid of certain players, and people...Wait until this newer steroid case outs some names, and then the case after that, which is inevitable...the lesson is simple, try it at work: If you cheat, don't say anything...unless they think you're crazy, like Gary Sheffield, then you can say what you want, due to the fear you'll deliver an asswhoopin'...
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
No Porn or DIE!!!!
Just had to comment on the current state of life over in the Middle East, how far they are progressing to bring freedom to Iraq (how's that goin' for ya??), and how far away they are from freedom in Iran...The Iranian Government declared today that "producers of pornographic works and main elements in their production are considered corrupter of the world and could be sentenced to punishment as corrupter of the world." According to the Quran being a "corrupter of the world" is the highest form of crime...What does that mean? If you say "sex!!!", the government can imprison you for one year, or they'll kill you...Just don't bring your laptops to Iran...I can imagine it now...A guy in court because of the suspicion of having porn, and the judge having to use a butter knife to pry the tape out of the VCR (does Iran have VCR's yet?)...this is rediculous, but I thought of an idea (if I ran this by the Prez, he would probably do it, I would do it if I were a lame duck): Mail pornos (preferably gay porn with a guy in it dressed up as Bin Laden) to Ayatollah Khamenei, call the cops on him, and poof!, a lot of problems disappear...
This Thing Of Ours
Lemme tell you a couple of three things: In North Jersey, we have this family (not a glorified crew, thank you very much, Mr. Leotardo) that you get into, and if you're lucky you end up able to walk, and not in some swamp off the Turnpike...check that, you will end up in the swamp off of the Turnpike...16W to be exact...you see, this is where the New York Football Giants play, and when you play for the New York Football Giants, you are playing for one of the oldest, roughest families in North Jersey...Jessie Armstead, one the most heralded members of the linebacking corps in the late 90s, signed a one-day contract today, so he could retire as a Giant...the one thing we had to do to allow Jessie on the roster was "take care of" FB Jim Finn...he was in surgery today, and if he flips to Philly, he can go f himself...Fogetaboutit! Oh yeah, thanks Jessie...you will always be a Giant...and only call me from payphones!
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Yay...for Phil McCracken (Hellmuth)
As a poker player, there isn't one person I would like to bust more than Phil Helmuth (not including Jessica Alba, in a private home game of strip poker)... He won his 11th bracelet and that tops two lists...He has the most bracelets of any poker player, and the most braclets of any a-holes...not that he's a bad person, but such a whinner at the table...
Last year I shared a limo with Jeff Madsen, to go to a celebrity poker event...he just got his first cash of 2007 out of the way, in the seven card stud, high/low, and I hope he goes on to have a more historic run this year...
I actually wrote the words Phil Helmuth and stud in the same entry... I must be tired...till tomorrow....LS
The Night in Sports 6/12/07
This happens to be one of the best nights you could hope for on a Tuesday night...During the day, the only thing that really happened was Pacman Jones dropped his appeal (You know, stripclub, money coming from ceiling, people stealing it, people getting shot)... When I think of the follies of Pacman Jones, I think that he shouldn't be suspended the whole year...Let's look at the three other cases the NFL has to handle this year... One, Chris Henry, drinking with underage girls in a hotel room, suspended 8 games...Two, Michael Vick, dog fighting, not suspended yet...Three, Tank Johnson, has a small arsenal in his house, goes to jail, suspended 8 games...Pacman? He basically tried to entertain onlookers with a surreal display of dollars coming from the heavens, while professional dancers did their tribal dances, in the moonlight of Las Vegas...a little altercation ensued...and bam, the whole year?!?!? I'm all for cleaning up sports, but not when (1) The suspension doesn't fit the crime and (2) when one man takes the fall for everybody else... Basically, if those ho's and their promoters wanted the money they shoulda went to Pacman's room, and asked him for the $81,000...Yes, the promoters would have a cap in 'dey ass, and the ho's would be all about $200, for the next hour, richer, but they got greedy and tried to steal from Pacman!! Pacman probably got suspended, because he was supposed to see Mr. Goodell, and went to a strip club the night before, but c'mon, can't you hook a brother up with 8 game suspension?!?!
Now that Pacman is off the keyboard (thank you, Pacman, for your proper grammar, and not "setting up shop" on my block), Justin Verlander has to get props for his no-no...this fool was throwing 101 up to the last batter...Word on the street is that Gary Sheffield was told by management to tell Verlander to throw the No-No...For you who don't know, Sheff is the only black player who can be told what to do, and tells everybody what to think, and do...In part, he is right...I asked a black guy to shut the f up in a movie theater, he got louder, at me (suprisingly)...I told a Latino guy in the same theater to be quiet, and that mother hit me in the head with a baseball bat, and took my wallet...i know what guy i would sign, i would rather have a guy who can hit and steal...anyways , the Detroit Tigers seemed to be ready for another series run...as long as they can find all these black guys sitting at home who are better than the Latinos in the MLB, AAA, AA, A, etc.
(This brings me to the point I think Sheff was trying to make...The black people in baseball now, just don't speak English...scientifically, who fits the prototype black person: Tiger Woods or Alfonso Soriano??? If you have to be from the U.S.A. to be black, then sorry white people, Steve Nash and Dirk aren't yours...there are officially zero white people in the NBA)
Who's the black guy? Well, black guys like cars, gold and platinum, and white girls...that might be Tiger's saving grace.
Finally, LeBron's run seems to be over...Duncan is putting the finishing touches on a Spurs-esque, late 90s victory...(Tony Parker just nailed a three, and then they showed Eva Longoria...I think that ABC is going to start a reality series of their newlywed summer...Tim Duncan will show up to the house, and instead of Tony saying "Holy Shit, the best big man in the last 15 years is in my house", he'll say, "Gotta bang out my piece of ass wife, and wipe my ass with hundred dollar bills...Oui Oui!" I'll then get in my car, and try to drive to France, to f-up Tony Parker! (How did I stay away from the Cleveland Steamer joke?)) The problem for the NBA is that the best teams, are too good at defense...It's almost unbearable to watch...The court needs to get bigger (which is almost impossible, due to the configurations of NBA arenas), but these teams didn't get over a hundered points, each, in any game so far, that isn't a fun thing to watch...and the Finals haven't been competative...there needs to be changes...David Stern needs to realize that the short term money isn't worth it...he needs to establish a loyal fan base, by making the games start earlier, and making the season and playoffs shorter (in terms of days, not games)...and the salary cap needs to be revised to increase player movement, and to allow teams to keep their stars...I can't believe that the Suns might trade Shawn Marion, just so they can make a profit next year, and not get shafted by the luxury tax...and if the commish wants Kobe on the Knicks, he needs to step in and make it happen (pleeeeeeeeeze, i'll crawl back to NY for him... )
I'm out like Eva Longoria, after she realized Tony Parker hit her off with a cleveland steamer....
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