Upside and Motor

When One Blog Closes...

2008-10-26T02:49:00.002-05:00

...another blog opens. Behold, the new and improved Upside and Motor:

UPSIDE AND MOTOR DOT COM.

I know, I know. These are exciting times. But update your RSS feeds everyone, change your bookmarks and your blogrolls, and go check out the new site. It's all nice and purty-like, and U&M is a member of the new Bloguin network along with some other quality bloggers.

Thanks for tagging along for the ride, readers. Hopefully this is only the beginning.

These Are Selfish Times

2008-10-25T00:56:00.003-05:00

What happened to Isiah Thomas today is not easy to digest. I think that's largely because on a very personal level, it makes me come to terms with the fact that it's not easy to be Isiah.

Here you have a guy that did a truly terrible job in almost all capacities with the Knicks. He embarrassed one of the league's most storied franchises on and off the court. He was eventually relieved from his post (although fully compensated). He is still employed by the team; he's basically paid to hang out in his office, do a little work, and stay away from the players.

That must be the life, right? No more overwhelming expectations and responsibility, just collect that paycheck and live the sweet life of making a living while being around the sport that you love. For an NBA legend, life sure seems easy.

Obviously, it's not. Everyone is bad at something. Isiah just happens to be bad at certain things he believes that he should have natural talent in. For one minute, put yourself in Isiah's shoes. Not just in the "Oh, even I could be a better GM!" kinda way, but I mean really empathize with the guy. Being a general manager is not an easy task. Add in the most critical media center in the world and you've got a disaster just waiting to happen. Every misstep is ridiculed, every mistake is magnified. But the thing that really makes it difficult to live in Zeke's shoes is a unanimous agreement of just how bad he was at his job. By the end of the Isiah era in NYC, there were no loyalists left. Everyone who had once supported Isiah had taken a step back, retracted their opinions, and crossed the line in the sand. You were either with Isiah or against him, and Isiah, after Dolan finally crossed that line, stood completely alone. "No man is an island." Well, no man wants to be an island. Some are forced to be one due to circumstance or misfortune. Isiah is by no means a victim in all this; he played a very active role in his own downfall. But the power of public opinion and the power of the media likely weighed heavily on one of the most confident and proud (or arrogant, depending on how you see it) players to ever wear an NBA uniform in a league full of confident and proud players.

To really put things in perspective, I thought about this blog. Writing about the NBA is the biggest hobby I have these days; it plays a huge role in my life, in ways both direct and indirect. I like my writing and I think I'm pretty good at this gig. But what if the general public (the readers) came to a concensus that I was the single worst NBA blogger on the entire interwebs. That's a crushing blow in and of itself, enough to make anyone cave in upon themselves, crush their confidence, and seriously make them investigate who they are and where they're going. Then, tack on the fact that all of my peers, all of those around the basketball blogosphere, generally consider me a laughingstock, a disgrace, and a punchline. I would exist only as a cheap joke. Finally, you take both of those substantial ego bruises and you make them omnipresent. Everytime I turn on the TV, some smartass SportsCenter anchor is cracking a joke at my expense. I get in the car and the local sports talk radio stations are skewering me, ripping me apart sentence by sentence. I open up the paper every day and there are criticisms of my daily actions, my decisions, and my logic. Compound all of this with entire websites dedicated to just how bad I am at doing something I love and personally feel that I'm pretty decent at, and you start to comprehend the tip of Isiah's iceberg.

Isiah dug his own grave in more ways than any of us can possibly begin to imagine. But he's human. Somewhere underneath the fame and the disconnect this is a proud man who puts up with shit from the peanut gallery daily. Regardless of whether that entails petty, witty remarks or violent, ardent disdain, that kind of life wears you down and it pierces you.

Those in Thomas' family are denying the reports' validity outright, and most of the MSM outlets are still publishing conflicting reports about what exactly happened. Most are carefully tiptoeing around the term "suicide," and that's understandable. But if Thomas did indeed overdose on sleeping pills, I don't see how it was accidental. You don't accidentally pop ten Lunesta in your mouth and call it a night, even if your better judgment has repeatedly been questioned.

Even if the reports are found to be false, this incident has definitely had an effect on me, just as it should have an effect on all of you. These are people, people. They can take jokes and they can dish it out just like we can. But at the end of the day, the human psyche is a very fragile thing.

ATTN Advertisers: This is How You Market a Video Game

2008-10-25T00:05:00.002-05:00

I. Have. No. Words.

Okay, I have a few: this is awesome.

And a tip of the hat to BDL.

Season's Greetings: Charlotte Bobcats 2008-2009 Season Preview

2008-10-24T01:43:00.004-05:00

Welcome! Come one, come all, to the main event! It's season preview time, and Upside and Motor is ready to rock your world. The previews will be both concrete and lyrical in this magical world, both by numbers and by prose. To take a look at all the previews, click here.

Straight Up

Straight Up features all the stuff you actually want to see in your team previews: who are the new kids on the block, who skipped town, and where the team stands for the upcoming season. Along with my projection and standing for the upcoming season, it'll also feature three individual awards: Team MVP (let's not get into the debate over exactly what that means), the Most Important Reserve, and the Most Unheralded Asset.

Projected Record: 38-44 (3rd in the Southeast Division, 9th in the Eastern Conference)
Off-season Acquisitions: D.J. Augustin, Alexis Ajinca, Shannon Brown, healthy Sean May, healthy Adam Morrison
Notable Losses: Jeff McInnis (THANK THE BASKETBALL GODS)

2008-2009 Team MVP: Gerald Wallace - Emeka Okafor would be very difficult to replace. Raymond Felton has become a part of this team and sometimes even plays as well as his talent indicates he should. Jason Richardson provides the otherworld scoring punch...but this team just seems 'off' when Gerald's not around. That's why this team has been in a continuous state of disarray practically since inception; Wallace hurls himself at the basket, in front of defenders, and into brick walls. Sometimes that means a shoulder injury and sometimes that means a concussion. Either way, the 'Cats just don't...pounce?... the same way without him.

Most Important Reserve: D.J. Augustin - The youngin's important, no matter how you slice it. Larry Brown pushed for Augustin over Lopez, so barring implosion he is going to be the point guard of this team. Sorry, Ray :( But Augustin's play and development will be essential to Charlotte's success both in the short-term and the long-term. Let's see what you've got.

Most Unheralded Asset: Jason Richardson - Like it/respect it/understand it or not, he's one of the league's most talented two-way players, especially compared to the rest of the shooting guard crop. Yes, I said two-way. And yes, I said most talented. J-Rich can be hellish on D at times (I mean that in a good way), and while he may not be the most disciplined defender in the world, his athleticism helps him compensate. You don't need me to tell you what this guy can do on offense: he throws it down with such force and such style and he shoots the hell out of the ball from deep. You can argue that he's not worth his contract, but you cannot say that this guy isn't a helluva offensive talent and anything less than a solid defender. I simply will not stand for it!

Poetry in Motion

Photo from Getty Images.

Poetry in Motion will feature my feeble attempts at mimicking the sonnets of one William Shakespeare, complete with a weak, liberal interpretation of iambic pentameter and an identical rhyme scheme. As they say, the NBA imitates art...I mean poetry...err, life imitates the NBA...or I imitate poetry while writing about the NBA. Something like that. Either way, each preview will contain two sonnets: one focusing on a wider, team outlook and another focusing on the roles and futures of individual players. Revel! Criticize! Enjoy!

My friends: four score and seven years ago,
Larry Brown brought forth on this continent
A new/old strategem, troubled although
Conceived in lib'rty; brought his play'rs' torment.
Now he's engaged in a difficult trial,
Testing whether this team, or any team,
So youthful, lotteried, and versatile,
Can long endure playoff contending dreams.
In a larger sense, they must dedicate
Themselves to the playoff frontier,
And though we may forget the lengthy wait
We can never forget what they did here.
The 'Cats will be a team of playoff worth,
A little luck will earn a playoff berth.

The 'Cats are more than "America's Team,"
Each part as interesting as the whole,
Whether the rookie D.J. Augustin,
Or big Nazr, the offensive black hole.
Gerald "Crash" Wallace is all that is man,
And J-Rich nothing short of fantastic,
But who can forget where it all began?
'Meka's shot-blocking makes me ecstatic.
It's do or trade for young Raymond Felton,
And he's fully equipped to succeed,
It would be a shame if he was dealt when
The Charlotte Bobcats finally do the deed.
It doesn't stop there: Dudley, AmMo, May,
There's something beautiful 'n the disarray.

Player Preview Spotlight: Adam Morrison

Photo from Getty Images.

The Player Spotlight feature highlights just one of the many cogs that make up the team. They may not be the best player on the team and they may not be the most recognizable (or who knows, they may be both), but I can guarantee that they're interesting. Their game, their on-court persona, their role within the greater scope of the team. Something about the player in the spotlight deserves your attention, and as usual, I'm more than willing to point it out to you.

I know, I know, there's been much ado about both Morrison good ol' J.J. Redick lately, but for some strange reason I feel compelled to put digital ink to page on The Stache. There are basically three viewpoints when it comes to Morrison (Adam, not Van):

1. Dude, he was the worst player in the league. He's white, he's unathletic, and he's a waste of space. Cut him loose, man, just cut him loose. I mean the guy cried because he lost. Seriously.

2. Dude, sometimes rookies have bad years. It's cool. He was a great scorer in college, and he can be a good scorer in the pros if you just give him time. I know the he cried, but it's only because he's so passionate about the game!

3. Dude, I heard that guy sucks...and didn't he cry?

So yeah, there may be some nuances of argument that I'm neglecting, but you get the gist of it. I'm sure you'll find out shortly which camp I fall into.

His rookie year was certainly abyssmal. Catastrophic. Jeff McInnis-ian. There may not be a word in the English language that accurately describes just how awful it was. But year one is in the books, year two went down the drain, and now year two part B is about to begin. All I ask is this: what reason is there to cast Morrison aside now? Since when is one season an accurate sample size to determine a player's worth? Morrison won't be a star, and I wouldn't dare try to convince you that he will be. All I ask is that he be given a shot as a rotation player, because frankly, I think that's his place in the league. He's talented. So are plenty of other role players. Low-end projection, I think he could be a valuable reserve. He won't do anything groundbreaking aside from break off a high-scoring game every once in awhile, but he can help teams win games. High-end, I think he could be a very capable sixth man. I'm not sure that he'll ever reach the level of an above average starter, but allowing him to play off the bench grants him some wiggle room against the weaker competition of the second unit while still allowing him the time to fully utilize the many facets of his offensive game.

It's so easy to give up on Morrison right now. I know MJ isn't a fan anymore, and Woj wrote yesterday that the GOAT's trying to use the preseason to improve Morrison's trade value. That's perfectly fine. Morrison doesn't have to be a Bobcat. But he does have a place on a roster. Give him his year of being caught like a baby deer in the headlights of an Escalade. No one said the translation process was going to be easy. But Morrison's work ethic is the stuff of legend, and he's characteristically painted as a "student of the game." He's not withering away into nothingness just as he's not exploding into stratospheric levels of production, but he is improving, and this year will be markedly better than theyearthatshallnotbenamed.

Basketball is a game of positive feedback loops, after all. If you make shots and score well, then your all-around game becomes infused with an extra energy. You feed off your own success. That extra boost gets you more opportunities to score and increases your assertiveness, likely helping you to get to the foul line or to the basket. So on and so forth. Morrison's caught somewhere in the opposite cycle: his shot doesn't hit, so he collapses in upon himself. I sincerely think he's trying to jump-start his game, at times even just throwing up shots to see what can go in. But as a rookie with a "college game" in a league of a completely different style and much more capable defenders, you can't expect that to work. Give it time, man. Give it time.

And yeah, yeah, he cried.

Season Previews, F'real

For those poor, conservative souls trapped in normativity, I'll make sure to send you to a few places where you can read through more conventional, in-depth season previews. Most of these links will be from team bloggers whose trade is knowing what there is to know about their respective teams, so tell your ears to perk up; it's time to listen.

Queen City Hoops
Bobcats Planet
Ball Don't Lie

Ah, General Managers, How I Love Thee

2008-10-22T21:42:00.003-05:00

There's been a lot of linking around the interwebs today to the infamous GM survey. I just wanted to take a minute of your time to point out a few of the highlights:

Which player does the most with least?
1. Bruce Bowen -- 12.5%
2. Reggie Evans -- 8.3%
Steve Nash -- 8.3%
Fabricio Oberto -- 8.3%
Mehmet Okur -- 8.3%
Luke Walton -- 8.3%
Others receiving votes: Shane Battier, Carlos Boozer, Udonis Haslem, LeBron James, Andre Miller, Paul Millsap, Kendrick Perkins, Luis Scola, Robert Swift, Kurt Thomas, David West

Okay, Bowen, Nash, Boozer, all the usual suspects, check, check...wait, LeBron fricking James? The guy is 6'20'' with arms the size of tree trunks, can crush a car with sheer will, and runs like a some combination of a cheetah, a gazelle, and a swan. My first instinct is that this is a joke. It has to be a joke. But I refuse to believe that GMs have a sense of humor.

Which rookie is the most athletic?
1. Derrick Rose -- 33.3%
2. Russell Westbrook -- 25.9%
3. Joe Alexander - 18.5%
4. Anthony Randolph -- 7.4%
Others receiving votes: Jerryd Bayless, Goran Dragic, DeAndre Jordan, Courtney Lee

This one I just couldn't believe. To prove myself wrong, I set out to watch some youtube highlight reels of Goran, and let me just say this: poppycock. Some of his moves are nice, but athletic? Eh? Really, now? When your highlight package includes you shooting a free throw, I refuse to include you in this category.

Which head coach makes the best in-game adjustments?
1. Gregg Popovich -- 28.0%
2. Larry Brown -- 20.0%
3. Rick Carlisle -- 12.0%
4. Eddie Jordan -- 8.0%
Don Nelson -- 8.0%
Doc Rivers -- 8.0%
Jerry Sloan -- 8.0%
Others receiving votes: Rick Adelman, Phil Jackson

Pwahahahahahahahahahahahaha. Eddie. Jordan. BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Which active player will make the best head coach someday?
1. Eric Snow -- 24.0%
2. Sam Cassell -- 16.0%
3. Derek Fisher -- 12.0%
4. Darrell Armstrong -- 8.0%
Steve Nash -- 8.0%
Jacque Vaughn -- 8.0%
Others receiving votes: Shane Battier, Raja Bell, Luol Deng, Keyon Dooling, Chris Paul, Kurt Thomas

I'm not quite sure what to make of these. There's obviously a lot of point guards, some of the veteran players who characteristically play with intelligence, and then randomly, Deng and Dooling just thrown in there. As if it were nothing. Frankly I have no idea how these two would do as coaches, but I also have no idea how they made this list. Odd.

Who is the toughest player in the NBA?
1. Ron Artest -- 37.0%
2. Kobe Bryant -- 14.8%
3. Matt Harpring -- 7.4%
Chris Paul -- 7.4%
5. Manu Ginobili -- 5.6%
Others receiving votes: Raja Bell, Bruce Bowen, Joey Dorsey, Kevin Garnett, Allen Iverson, Kenyon Martin, Andres Nocioni, Ben Wallace

Maybe it's just me, but the original K-Mart always struck me as a puppy dog in the body of a really big puppy dog. Awww, Kenyon just blocked a shot twice, sending it out of bounds. Aww, Kenyon's trying to guard Kobe. Aww, Kenyon's trying to pick fights to prove how tough he is. Maybe I'm being a little presumptuous (as always), but I just get this vibe from K. I'm not trying to pick a fight with the guy (good God, no), but I'm lightly placing it out there that it may, possibly, maybe, be a bit of an act.

Blogger Previews: Northwest Division

2008-10-22T11:08:00.001-05:00

Denver Nuggets

Jeremy: Pickaxe and Roll
Nick Sclafani: The Nugg Doctor

Minnesota Timberwolves

Derek Hanson & Staff: TWolves Blog
Andrew Thell: Empty the Bench
wyn: Canis Hoopus

Oklahoma City

xphoenix87: BallerBlogger
Zorgon: Blue Blitz
Royce: The Thunderworld

Portland Trail Blazers

Mookie: ...a stern warning
Benjamin Golliver: Blazers Edge
Coup and SJ: Rip City Project

Utah Jazz

UtesFan89: The Utah Jazz
Basketball John: SLC Dunk

Also see links to all the previews at CelticsBlog.com

Let Me Point You in the Direction of Some Coherent Writing

2008-10-22T11:00:00.002-05:00

Me. Real previews. Over at HP. Raptors and Blazers. Go read. Now.

The 1st Annual Upside and Motor Fantasy Basketball Classic

2008-10-21T02:47:00.004-05:00

Almost two months ago, I sent an email to some of the most esteemed bloggers around the 'sphere to gauge interest in a bloggers-only fantasy basketball league. Those select few were invited to the 1st Annual Upside and Motor Fantasy Basketball Classic. 16 of the internet's best will be representing themselves and their blogs in some "friendly" competition that's sure to be awfully interesting.

The league is in traditional, 9-category (Points, rebounds, assists, steals, blocks, threes, field goal %, free throw %, turnovers) head to head format. But, there's a bit of a different spin: the active roster will only feature 6 spots: the traditional five positions and one Utility spot to be filled with any one player. Meet the competitors (in alphabetical order) (team names in bold and italics):

Will Brinson (FanHouse): Welcome to the Vujchine. A gentleman and a scholar, Brinson is a former fantasy "expert," and the first of many FanHousers.
Loren (PurePoint): Gerald Green's Sock. Loren's underground. And something tells me that he's not only down with that, but that he embraces it. Power to you, Loren, and stick it to the man.
Corn (Hardwood Paroxysm): Maxiell's Baby Food. He probably hates you. But not as much as he hates Jeff McInnis. Resident badass.
Chip Crain (3 Shades of Blue): Hoosier Haddadi. Blogosphere "nice guy" who was doped up on medicine during the draft.
Graydon Gordian (48 Minutes of Hell, Hardwood Paroxysm): The Iceman Cometh. Graydon Gordian's a real cool cat with a lot of this and a lot of that, which may or may not be enough for the rest of us to forgive him for being a Spurs fan. Graydon unfortunately couldn't make it to the draft, so his team was drafted by Robo-Graydon (aka Yahoo player rankings).
Trey Kerby (The Blowtorch): PeelerDeleDumasLLC. Trey is a folk hero. Plain and simple. Evidence: he's too good for a FaceBook profile. Instead, he has a fan page. I'm weaving my own "W.W.T.D.?" bracelet right now.
Holly MacKenzie (SLAM Online, Hardwood Paroxysm): StackJaxxx. Trying her best to make sure this isn't a boys' club (no girlz allowed!!), Holly probably assembed the most ridiculously awesome team in the modern fantasy sports era. She is too cool for school.
Rob Mahoney (Upside and Motor, Hardwood Paroxysm): Popeye Jones All-Stars. Yours, truly.
Matt McHale (Basketbawful, Deadspin): The Basketbawfuls. The Bawfulness himself. Needs no introduction.
Ryan McNeill (Hoops Addict): Cabbage Blatche Kids. Fresh off his D-League tryout injury, Ryan may have to undergo arthroscopic surgery. He's currently seeking a second opinion. Didn't actually draft Blatche.
Matt Moore (Hardwood Paroxysm, Ridiculous Upside, FanHouse): Neto's Happy Hour. The self-proclaimed "worst fantasy player of all-time" missed the first few round of the draft after falling victim to a cat nap. The computer responded with spite, picking Kobe Bryant and coming dangerously close to picking up Vince Carter. Technology is cruel indeed.
Ryne Nelson (SLAM Online, Odenized): Ryne @ SLAM. The guy turned blogger turned video powerhouse turned phenom. Ryne's a swell guy, and contrary to popular belief, did not draft Greg Oden.
Ben Q. Rock (Third Quarter Collapse): Free Marcin. May or may not have a man-crush on Jameer Nelson. Regardless, the highly esteemed TQC should serve as a shining example of exactly what an excellent team blog should look like.
Rohan (At the Hive): At the Hive. He unfortunately had named his team "The Fighting Chris Pauls"...and then got the 14th pick in the draft. Ouch. Thought about drafting Ryan Bowen, but decided against it.
Matt Watson (Detroit Bad Boys, FanHouse): Witty Team Name. Voted "Most Likely to "Accidentally" Draft Arron Afflalo in the First Round," resident Pistonian, and y'know, a damn fine writer.
Tom Ziller (Sactown Royalty, FanHouse, The Sporting Blog, The Once and Future King): Shock and Hawes. The man, the myth, the legend. Wins the award for the best team name.

This motley assortment of basement-living blogger types completed an epic 12-round, 16 team draft. These are the results by round:

Round 1
1.	Chris Paul	FreeMarcin
2.	Kobe Bryant	Neto's Happy...
3.	Amare Stoudemire	Gerald Green...
4.	LeBron James	PopeyeJones ...
5.	Dirk Nowitzki	The Basketba...
6.	Shawn Marion	PeelerDeleDu...
7.	Josh Smith	WelcomeToThe...
8.	Elton Brand	The Iceman C...
9.	Dwyane Wade	Cabbage Blat...
10.	Chris Bosh	Maxiell's Ba...
11.	Kevin Garnett	Witty Team Name
12.	Tim Duncan	Ryne @ SLAM
13.	Allen Iverson	Shock & Hawes
14.	Kevin Martin	At the Hive
15.	Dwight Howard	StackJaxxx
16.	Carlos Boozer	Hoosier Haddadi

Round 2
1.	Deron Williams	Hoosier Haddadi
2.	Steve Nash	StackJaxxx
3.	Chauncey Billups	At the Hive
4.	Al Jefferson	Shock & Hawes
5.	Baron Davis	Ryne @ SLAM
6.	Caron Butler	Witty Team Name
7.	Danny Granger	Maxiell's Ba...
8.	Pau Gasol	Cabbage Blat...
9.	Marcus Camby	The Iceman C...
10.	Joe Johnson	WelcomeToThe...
11.	Jose Calderon	PeelerDeleDu...
12.	Rashard Lewis	The Basketba...
13.	Yao Ming	PopeyeJones ...
14.	Rudy Gay	Gerald Green...
15.	David West	Neto's Happy...
16.	Andrew Bynum	FreeMarcin

Round 3
1.	Jason Richardson	FreeMarcin
2.	Paul Pierce	Neto's Happy...
3.	Brandon Roy	Gerald Green...
4.	Antawn Jamison	PopeyeJones ...
5.	Andre Iguodala	The Basketba...
6.	Rasheed Wallace	PeelerDeleDu...
7.	Jason Kidd	WelcomeToThe...
8.	Carmelo Anthony	The Iceman C...
9.	Gerald Wallace	Cabbage Blat...
10.	Devin Harris	Maxiell's Ba...
11.	Mehmet Okur	Witty Team Name
12.	Vince Carter	Ryne @ SLAM
13.	Hedo Turkoglu	Shock & Hawes
14.	Michael Redd	At the Hive
15.	Kevin Durant	StackJaxxx
16.	Mike Dunleavy	Hoosier Haddadi

Round 4
1.	LaMarcus Aldridge	Hoosier Haddadi
2.	Stephen Jackson	StackJaxxx
3.	Tyson Chandler	At the Hive
4.	Emeka Okafor	Shock & Hawes
5.	Andrew Bogut	Ryne @ SLAM
6.	Corey Maggette	Witty Team Name
7.	Andris Biedrins	Maxiell's Ba...
8.	Josh Howard	Cabbage Blat...
9.	Ron Artest	The Iceman C...
10.	Al Horford	WelcomeToThe...
11.	Chris Kaman	PeelerDeleDu...
12.	Mo Williams	The Basketba...
13.	Andre Miller	PopeyeJones ...
14.	Mike Miller	Gerald Green...
15.	Lamar Odom	Neto's Happy...
16.	Peja Stojakovic	FreeMarcin

Round 5
1.	David Lee	FreeMarcin
2.	Brad Miller	Neto's Happy...
3.	Jermaine O'Neal	Gerald Green...
4.	Jamal Crawford	PopeyeJones ...
5.	Ray Allen	The Basketba...
6.	Greg Oden	PeelerDeleDu...
7.	Tony Parker	WelcomeToThe...
8.	Jason Terry	The Iceman C...
9.	Tracy McGrady	Cabbage Blat...
10.	Andrei Kirilenko	Maxiell's Ba...
11.	T.J. Ford	Witty Team Name
12.	Luol Deng	Ryne @ SLAM
13.	Randy Foye	Shock & Hawes
14.	Michael Beasley	At the Hive
15.	Zach Randolph	StackJaxxx
16.	John Salmons	Hoosier Haddadi

Round 6
1.	O.J. Mayo	Hoosier Haddadi
2.	J.R. Smith	StackJaxxx
3.	Richard Hamilton	At the Hive
4.	Samuel Dalembert	Shock & Hawes
5.	Leandro Barbosa	Ryne @ SLAM
6.	Richard Jefferson	Witty Team Name
7.	Kevin Love	Maxiell's Ba...
8.	Raymond Felton	Cabbage Blat...
9.	Francisco Garcia	The Iceman C...
10.	Troy Murphy	WelcomeToThe...
11.	Ben Gordon	PeelerDeleDu...
12.	Zydrunas Ilgauskas	The Basketba...
13.	Gilbert Arenas	PopeyeJones ...
14.	Kenyon Martin	Gerald Green...
15.	Mike Bibby	Neto's Happy...
16.	Kirk Hinrich	FreeMarcin

Round 7
1.	Marvin Williams	FreeMarcin
2.	Al Harrington	Neto's Happy...
3.	Beno Udrih	Gerald Green...
4.	Jamario Moon	PopeyeJones ...
5.	Anthony Parker	The Basketba...
6.	Ronnie Brewer	PeelerDeleDu...
7.	Thaddeus Young	WelcomeToThe...
8.	Shane Battier	The Iceman C...
9.	Charlie Villanueva	Cabbage Blat...
10.	Raja Bell	Maxiell's Ba...
11.	Rodney Stuckey	Witty Team Name
12.	Al Thornton	Ryne @ SLAM
13.	Amir Johnson	Shock & Hawes
14.	Joakim Noah	At the Hive
15.	Rajon Rondo	StackJaxxx
16.	Jeff Green	Hoosier Haddadi

Round 8
1.	Ramon Sessions	Hoosier Haddadi
2.	Tayshaun Prince	StackJaxxx
3.	Manu Ginobili	At the Hive
4.	Mike Conley	Shock & Hawes
5.	Jameer Nelson	Ryne @ SLAM
6.	Nene Hilario	Witty Team Name
7.	Rafer Alston	Maxiell's Ba...
8.	Luke Ridnour	Cabbage Blat...
9.	Ryan Gomes	The Iceman C...
10.	Boris Diaw	WelcomeToThe...
11.	Travis Outlaw	PeelerDeleDu...
12.	Marcus Williams	The Basketba...
13.	Derrick Rose	PopeyeJones ...
14.	Nick Collison	Gerald Green...
15.	Blake Ahearn	Neto's Happy...
16.	Grant Hill	FreeMarcin

Round 9
1.	Antonio McDyess	FreeMarcin
2.	Jerryd Bayless	Neto's Happy...
3.	Paul Millsap	Gerald Green...
4.	Monta Ellis	PopeyeJones ...
5.	Drew Gooden	The Basketba...
6.	Rudy Fernandez	PeelerDeleDu...
7.	Jason Maxiell	WelcomeToThe...
8.	Ricky Davis	The Iceman C...
9.	Andrea Bargnani	Cabbage Blat...
10.	Brandon Bass	Maxiell's Ba...
11.	Yi Jianlian	Witty Team Name
12.	Shaquille O'Neal	Ryne @ SLAM
13.	Tyrus Thomas	Shock & Hawes
14.	Louis Williams	At the Hive
15.	Kelenna Azubuike	StackJaxxx
16.	Luis Scola	Hoosier Haddadi

Round 10
1.	Spencer Hawes	Hoosier Haddadi
2.	Hakim Warrick	StackJaxxx
3.	Sean Williams	At the Hive
4.	Andray Blatche	Shock & Hawes
5.	Wilson Chandler	Ryne @ SLAM
6.	Kyle Korver	Witty Team Name
7.	Daniel Gibson	Maxiell's Ba...
8.	Chris Wilcox	Cabbage Blat...
9.	Matt Barnes	The Iceman C...
10.	Russell Westbrook	WelcomeToThe...
11.	Brook Lopez	PeelerDeleDu...
12.	Chris Duhon	The Basketba...
13.	Nate Robinson	PopeyeJones ...
14.	Mickael Pietrus	Gerald Green...
15.	Elton Brown	Neto's Happy...
16.	Jeff Foster	FreeMarcin

Round 11
1.	Derek Fisher	FreeMarcin
2.	Alando Tucker	Neto's Happy...
3.	Kendrick Perkins	Gerald Green...
4.	Roger Mason	PopeyeJones ...
5.	Rashad McCants	The Basketba...
6.	Linas Kleiza	PeelerDeleDu...
7.	Mario Chalmers	WelcomeToThe...
8.	Earl Watson	The Iceman C...
9.	Andres Nocioni	Cabbage Blat...
10.	DeShawn Stevenson	Maxiell's Ba...
11.	Eric Gordon	Witty Team Name
12.	Antonio Daniels	Ryne @ SLAM
13.	Luther Head	Shock & Hawes
14.	Cuttino Mobley	At the Hive
15.	Marc Gasol	StackJaxxx
16.	Jordan Farmar	Hoosier Haddadi

Round 12
1.	Udonis Haslem	Hoosier Haddadi
2.	Stephon Marbury	StackJaxxx
3.	Maurice Evans	At the Hive
4.	Donte Greene	Shock & Hawes
5.	Ronny Turiaf	Ryne @ SLAM
6.	Darko Milicic	Witty Team Name
7.	Joe Smith	Maxiell's Ba...
8.	Jason Kapono	Cabbage Blat...
9.	Ben Wallace	The Iceman C...
10.	Sasha Vujacic	WelcomeToThe...
11.	Eddy Curry	PeelerDeleDu...
12.	Anderson Varejao	The Basketba...
13.	Erick Dampier	PopeyeJones ...
14.	Sebastian Telfair	Gerald Green...
15.	Trevor Ariza	Neto's Happy...
16.	Anthony Carter	FreeMarcin

Or, if you want to see how each team turned out:

FreeMarcin (Ben Q.)
1.	(1)	Chris Paul
2.	(32)	Andrew Bynum
3.	(33)	Jason Richardson
4.	(64)	Peja Stojakovic
5.	(65)	David Lee
6.	(96)	Kirk Hinrich
7.	(97)	Marvin Williams
8.	(128)	Grant Hill
9.	(129)	Antonio McDyess
10.	(160)	Jeff Foster
11.	(161)	Derek Fisher
12.	(192)	Anthony Carter

Neto's Happy Hour (Moore)
1.	(2)	Kobe Bryant
2.	(31)	David West
3.	(34)	Paul Pierce
4.	(63)	Lamar Odom
5.	(66)	Brad Miller
6.	(95)	Mike Bibby
7.	(98)	Al Harrington
8.	(127)	Blake Ahearn
9.	(130)	Jerryd Bayless
10.	(159)	Elton Brown
11.	(162)	Alando Tucker
12.	(191)	Trevor Ariza

Gerald Green's Sock (Loren)
1.	(3)	Amare Stoudemire
2.	(30)	Rudy Gay
3.	(35)	Brandon Roy
4.	(62)	Mike Miller
5.	(67)	Jermaine O'Neal
6.	(94)	Kenyon Martin
7.	(99)	Beno Udrih
8.	(126)	Nick Collison
9.	(131)	Paul Millsap
10.	(158)	Mickael Pietrus
11.	(163)	Kendrick Perkins
12.	(190)	Sebastian Telfair

PopeyeJones AllStars (Rob)
1.	(4)	LeBron James
2.	(29)	Yao Ming
3.	(36)	Antawn Jamison
4.	(61)	Andre Miller
5.	(68)	Jamal Crawford
6.	(93)	Gilbert Arenas
7.	(100)	Jamario Moon
8.	(125)	Derrick Rose
9.	(132)	Monta Ellis
10.	(157)	Nate Robinson
11.	(164)	Roger Mason
12.	(189)	Erick Dampier

The Basketbawfuls (Matt McHale)
1.	(5)	Dirk Nowitzki
2.	(28)	Rashard Lewis
3.	(37)	Andre Iguodala
4.	(60)	Mo Williams
5.	(69)	Ray Allen
6.	(92)	Zydrunas Ilgauskas
7.	(101)	Anthony Parker
8.	(124)	Marcus Williams
9.	(133)	Drew Gooden
10.	(156)	Chris Duhon
11.	(165)	Rashad McCants
12.	(188)	Anderson Varejao

PeelerDeleDumasLLC (Trey)
1.	(6)	Shawn Marion
2.	(27)	Jose Calderon
3.	(38)	Rasheed Wallace
4.	(59)	Chris Kaman
5.	(70)	Greg Oden
6.	(91)	Ben Gordon
7.	(102)	Ronnie Brewer
8.	(123)	Travis Outlaw
9.	(134)	Rudy Fernandez
10.	(155)	Brook Lopez
11.	(166)	Linas Kleiza
12.	(187)	Eddy Curry

WelcomeToTheVujchine (Brinson)
1.	(7)	Josh Smith
2.	(26)	Joe Johnson
3.	(39)	Jason Kidd
4.	(58)	Al Horford
5.	(71)	Tony Parker
6.	(90)	Troy Murphy
7.	(103)	Thaddeus Young
8.	(122)	Boris Diaw
9.	(135)	Jason Maxiell
10.	(154)	Russell Westbrook
11.	(167)	Mario Chalmers
12.	(186)	Sasha Vujacic

The Iceman Cometh (Graydon)
1.	(8)	Elton Brand
2.	(25)	Marcus Camby
3.	(40)	Carmelo Anthony
4.	(57)	Ron Artest
5.	(72)	Jason Terry
6.	(89)	Francisco Garcia
7.	(104)	Shane Battier
8.	(121)	Ryan Gomes
9.	(136)	Ricky Davis
10.	(153)	Matt Barnes
11.	(168)	Earl Watson
12.	(185)	Ben Wallace

Cabbage Blatch Kids (Ryan)
1.	(9)	Dwyane Wade
2.	(24)	Pau Gasol
3.	(41)	Gerald Wallace
4.	(56)	Josh Howard
5.	(73)	Tracy McGrady
6.	(88)	Raymond Felton
7.	(105)	Charlie Villanueva
8.	(120)	Luke Ridnour
9.	(137)	Andrea Bargnani
10.	(152)	Chris Wilcox
11.	(169)	Andres Nocioni
12.	(184)	Jason Kapono

Maxiell's Baby Food (Corn)
1.	(10)	Chris Bosh
2.	(23)	Danny Granger
3.	(42)	Devin Harris
4.	(55)	Andris Biedrins
5.	(74)	Andrei Kirilenko
6.	(87)	Kevin Love
7.	(106)	Raja Bell
8.	(119)	Rafer Alston
9.	(138)	Brandon Bass
10.	(151)	Daniel Gibson
11.	(170)	DeShawn Stevenson
12.	(183)	Joe Smith

Witty Team Name (Watson)
1.	(11)	Kevin Garnett
2.	(22)	Caron Butler
3.	(43)	Mehmet Okur
4.	(54)	Corey Maggette
5.	(75)	T.J. Ford
6.	(86)	Richard Jefferson
7.	(107)	Rodney Stuckey
8.	(118)	Nene Hilario
9.	(139)	Yi Jianlian
10.	(150)	Kyle Korver
11.	(171)	Eric Gordon
12.	(182)	Darko Milicic

Ryne @ SLAM (guess?)
1.	(12)	Tim Duncan
2.	(21)	Baron Davis
3.	(44)	Vince Carter
4.	(53)	Andrew Bogut
5.	(76)	Luol Deng
6.	(85)	Leandro Barbosa
7.	(108)	Al Thornton
8.	(117)	Jameer Nelson
9.	(140)	Shaquille O'Neal
10.	(149)	Wilson Chandler
11.	(172)	Antonio Daniels
12.	(181)	Ronny Turiaf

Shock & Hawes (GodZiller)
1.	(13)	Allen Iverson
2.	(20)	Al Jefferson
3.	(45)	Hedo Turkoglu
4.	(52)	Emeka Okafor
5.	(77)	Randy Foye
6.	(84)	Samuel Dalembert
7.	(109)	Amir Johnson
8.	(116)	Mike Conley
9.	(141)	Tyrus Thomas
10.	(148)	Andray Blatche
11.	(173)	Luther Head
12.	(180)	Donte Greene

At the Hive (Rohan)
1.	(14)	Kevin Martin
2.	(19)	Chauncey Billups
3.	(46)	Michael Redd
4.	(51)	Tyson Chandler
5.	(78)	Michael Beasley
6.	(83)	Richard Hamilton
7.	(110)	Joakim Noah
8.	(115)	Manu Ginobili
9.	(142)	Louis Williams
10.	(147)	Sean Williams
11.	(174)	Cuttino Mobley
12.	(179)	Maurice Evans

StackJaxxx (Holly)
1.	(15)	Dwight Howard
2.	(18)	Steve Nash
3.	(47)	Kevin Durant
4.	(50)	Stephen Jackson
5.	(79)	Zach Randolph
6.	(82)	J.R. Smith
7.	(111)	Rajon Rondo
8.	(114)	Tayshaun Prince
9.	(143)	Kelenna Azubuike
10.	(146)	Hakim Warrick
11.	(175)	Marc Gasol
12.	(178)	Stephon Marbury

Hoosier Haddadi (Chip)
1.	(16)	Carlos Boozer
2.	(17)	Deron Williams
3.	(48)	Mike Dunleavy
4.	(49)	LaMarcus Aldridge
5.	(80)	John Salmons
6.	(81)	O.J. Mayo
7.	(112)	Jeff Green
8.	(113)	Ramon Sessions
9.	(144)	Luis Scola
10.	(145)	Spencer Hawes
11.	(176)	Jordan Farmar
12.	(177)	Udonis Haslem

You can expect weekly standings with some commentary, as well as some other features on some of the other blogs. I fully expect to be trash talked to near-death. Lessgo!

But fist, a closer look at my team:

PopeyeJones AllStars (Rob)
1.	(4)	LeBron James
2.	(29)	Yao Ming
3.	(36)	Antawn Jamison
4.	(61)	Andre Miller
5.	(68)	Jamal Crawford
6.	(93)	Gilbert Arenas
7.	(100)	Jamario Moon
8.	(125)	Derrick Rose
9.	(132)	Monta Ellis
10.	(157)	Nate Robinson
11.	(164)	Roger Mason
12.	(189)	Erick Dampier

LeBron James - LeBron was an easy pick at #4, after Paul, Amare, and Kobe were off the board. He gives me a nice cushion in pretty much every category except for TOs, 3's, FG%, and FT%. Despite playing multiple teams every year since LeBron's rookie year, I have never had him on a team. I'm pretty pumped, to say the least.
Yao Ming - I decided to go with a center with my second pick, because I figured the options would be pretty limited later. Yao provides points, rebounds, blocks, FG%, and FT%, meaning I may actually be able to win one of the percentage categories if the rest of the roster pans out.
Antawn Jamison - Power forward is one of the most important positions in fantasy basketball, and Jamison is top-notch. He doesn't turn the ball over much (meaning even with LeBron and Yao, I can win on a good week), he's set to see his points and rebounds stay at ridiculous levels with Gilbert still injured, and he bolsters my team in points, rebounds, FT%, and steals.
Andre Miller - Both guard positions were a need for me at this point, so I decided to go with the position that is more difficult to fill. Miller and LeBron are a nice assists tandem, and Miller scores and rebounds reasonably well for his position.
Jamal Crawford - Poised for a nice year under D'Antoni, in spite of his early struggles with the system. Crawford can score, score, score, is a willing passer (and has point guard eligibility), and can rack up the steals. Although, with this pick I'm basically punting FG%.
Gilbert Arenas - I thought I'd take a chance on Gil. If he works out, I'll have a valuable trade chip in him or Miller. If not...well, I'll be in a bit of trouble.
Jamario Moon - Moon was the best available option at bolstering rebounds, steals, and blocks with just one pick. Tack on the fact that the rotation in Toronto is as shallow as ever, and Moon seems poised to only see more time this season.
Derrick Rose - I don't usually like to pick rookies, but Rose is just too talented to pass up. He'll score decently and provide some assists, but what I'm really counting on him for are the steals. Rose, let me introduce you to the world of kleptomania.
Monta Ellis - I think this is where I went crazy. If both he and Gilbert return to form, my roster is ridiculous. If not...again, I'm basically screwed. But think about this: supposing I can tread water until the playoffs, I'd enter the playoffs with a starting lineup of Arenas, Ellis, LeBron, Jamison, and Yao, with Andre Miller/Jamal Crawford in the Util spot. Assuming they're all healthy, that is ridiculous.
Nate Robinson - I like Nate's potential as a heavy rotation player or a potential starter once Duhon inevitably screws things up in NYC. If not, I hope he'll at least be an attractive trade chip to let me grab a need later. I'm not sure why I didn't go for depth here, considering I already have too many point guards. But at this point in the draft, like I said, I think I've already gone insane.
Roger Mason - I'm kind of banking on him gaining status as a shooting guard. Right now he's solely a point, which doesn't really help me. But if he starts in Ginobili's stead (signs indicate that he will), he should gain SG eligibility in no time. Could turn out to be a good value pick.
Erick Dampier - I need depth at center and power forward, and I didn't have many options. If Yao gets injured, I'm screwed. This roster has a lot of work to do.

Season's Greetings: Washington Wizards 2008-2009 Season Preview

2008-10-21T01:29:00.004-05:00

Welcome! Come one, come all, to the main event! It's season preview time, and Upside and Motor is ready to rock your world. The previews will be both concrete and lyrical in this magical world, both by numbers and by prose. To take a look at all the previews, click here.

Straight Up

Straight Up features all the stuff you actually want to see in your team previews: who are the new kids on the block, who skipped town, and where the team stands for the upcoming season. Along with my projection and standing for the upcoming season, it'll also feature three individual awards: Team MVP (let's not get into the debate over exactly what that means), the Most Important Reserve, and the Most Unheralded Asset.

Projected Record: 41 37 39-43 (2nd in the Southeast Division, 8th in the Eastern Conference)
Off-season Acquisitions: JaVale McGee, Juan Dixon, Dee Brown
Notable Losses: Roger Mason

2008-2009 Team MVP: Caron Butler - A healthy Gilbert changes things up a bit, but this is Caron Butler's team. The things he can do with the ball are phenomenal, and he's a game-changer on the defensive end as well. He's tough as...Tough Juice, a leader, and an elite player. Can't ask for much more than that. Oh yeah, and his blood may or may not be entirely made up of Mountain Dew. At least, until recently. Damn you, healthy diets!

Most Important Reserve: Andray Blatche - Nick Young and Juan Dixon are important in terms of the scoring they can provide, but few have as much weight on their shoulders as Blatche. Gilbert's injury garners most of the attention, but Haywood's injury may actually be just as detrimental. Gil has the chance to return and make an impact this season. Without him, the Wizards proved they can still stay competitive, especially if the matchups favor them (looking at you, Celtics). You can make up for the scoring you lose when Gil goes down. It's not easy, but it's possible. You can't easily replace the size and balance that Haywood provides this team. We'll see what Etan Thomas can do, but a lot is going to come down to what Blatche can provide. He's had his time to develop and it's time to cash in; the Wiz need to know what they have in Blatche.

Most Unheralded Asset: Antonio Daniels - It's not easy to keep the boat from a'rockin' in Gil's absence, but Daniels does so easily. He's a veteran presence and a calming presence in a topsy-turvy world, and one that should be much appreciated.

Poetry in Motion

Photo from Getty Images.

Poetry in Motion will feature my feeble attempts at mimicking the sonnets of one William Shakespeare, complete with a weak, liberal interpretation of iambic pentameter and an identical rhyme scheme. As they say, the NBA imitates art...I mean poetry...err, life imitates the NBA...or I imitate poetry while writing about the NBA. Something like that. Either way, each preview will contain two sonnets: one focusing on a wider, team outlook and another focusing on the roles and futures of individual players. Revel! Criticize! Enjoy!

The Wizards are officially cursed,
All conspiracy theorists, unite!
Arenas is out, and that's only the first,
Of the inj'ries that mark the Wizards' plight.
E'en at full strength the Wiz may have been outmatched,
An increasingly competitive East,
But they'd be playoff bound, no string's attached,
Now they find their playoff chances decreased.
It's no sure thing for this Washington team,
They'll have to claw and fight all season long,
And if Gil returns to his form supreme,
The Wiz may be unexpectedly strong.
I mean, the season's not o'er yet, I guess,
But the Wiz will have to do more with less.

It is hard to find a stronger trio,
Than Caron Butler, Antawn, and Gilbert,
Dropping thirty, for them, is like a free throw,
To these maestros, each game is a concert.
Young is fantastic, on offense at least,
DeShawn's antics a welcome diversion,
Andray Blatche shows that he could be a beast,
But his bursts are followed by reversion.
Antonio Daniels is essential,
In a world where Arenas is sidelined,
Pecherov ponders the existential,
Because he and the bench are intertwined.
A roster of players, characters, all,
But in D.C., the writing's on the wall.

Player Preview Spotlight: Antawn Jamison

Photo from Getty Images.

The Player Spotlight feature highlights just one of the many cogs that make up the team. They may not be the best player on the team and they may not be the most recognizable (or who knows, they may be both), but I can guarantee that they're interesting. Their game, their on-court persona, their role within the greater scope of the team. Something about the player in the spotlight deserves your attention, and as usual, I'm more than willing to point it out to you.

Antawn Jamison is both lauded and ignored. I think of all places to be in the NBA, Jamison's position (and it is by no means unique to only him) is one of the most complex, both in terms or on-court production and role in the greater scheme of the organization. Antawn is an All-Star, but he's the third best player on his team. He averages 20-10, but he's not larger than life. He's not a household name. But he produces tirelessly, creating opportunities for his team, scoring in a plethora of ways, and offering only all of himself. He doesn't complain and he doesn't squabble. Antawn Jamison is not petty or cocky, he is not overbearing or unforgiving. The guy is a leader. And on a team that features Gilbert Arenas, there needs to be a reserved leader who guides the team by example.

So often we talk about the "consummate professional," and Jamison very much embodies that ideal. He's active in the community, he's active on the boards (arguably the most workman-like task on the hardwood), and though he's capable of being a team's primary scorer, he doesn't demand the ball. Gilbert Arenas and Caron Butler are immense talents. Truly immense. But Jamison is a different kind of beast that those two couldn't even hope to become. Jamison's nature is at once a blessing and a curse, an intersection of talent, production, leadership, and subordinance. Antawn is every bit as capable of being a primary scorer as Gilbert or Caron. I know it seems like it can't be true or shouldn't be true, but it is. Gil may be more exciting and Caron more rugged, but in terms of shear output Jamison can put points up with the best of them. Jamison may not necessarily match Arenas point for point, but the nature of the difference in their methods would surely favor Antawn. Agent Zero is clearly capable of coexisting with other stars, as is Jamison. The difference is that Gilbert succeeds in spite of other capable players around him. He wants the ball in his hands. He needs the ball in his hands. I'm not saying that he never passes, because it's obvious that he does. That dominant on-court identity is blessed, but also draining. And, although it seems infinite in nature, it is certainly limited. In his own way, Arenas is limited by his dominance, limited by the very thing that gives him strength.

I'm not saying that Antawn's game isn't limited in its own way, because it most certainly is. But the "limitations" of Antawn's game are merely extensions of his ability to not only coexist with his teammates' successes, but thrive. Jamison feeds off of the energy and play of his 'mates with the screens, the offensive rebounds, the cuts down the lane. His role on this team (and on the Mavs, for that matter) doesn't require him to create. So what does he do? He takes the role the team gives him, and he creates anyway. You can't just say he's like Marion, because he's not. Both are excellent in complimentary roles, but their games just aren't similar enough to warrant the comparison. Jamison defines his own on-court destiny through his flurry of floaters and runners, an array of jumpshots and post moves. He takes these aspects of his game, the more dominant traits of his on-court persona, and uses them to enhance his subordinate scoring role. That is a truly unique player. Jamison gets his props for what he does, but he isn't idolized like Arenas, or Wade, or even Marion. Part of me wonders why that is, and part of me already knows the answer.

Season Previews, F'real

For those poor, conservative souls trapped in normativity, I'll make sure to send you to a few places where you can read through more conventional, in-depth season previews. Most of these links will be from team bloggers whose trade is knowing what there is to know about their respective teams, so tell your ears to perk up; it's time to listen.

Hardwood Paroxysm
SLAM
Ball Don't Lie

Season's Greetings: Miami Heat 2008-2009 Season Preview

2008-10-21T00:54:00.002-05:00

Welcome! Come one, come all, to the main event! It's season preview time, and Upside and Motor is ready to rock your world. The previews will be both concrete and lyrical in this magical world, both by numbers and by prose. To take a look at all the previews, click here.

Straight Up

Straight Up features all the stuff you actually want to see in your team previews: who are the new kids on the block, who skipped town, and where the team stands for the upcoming season. Along with my projection and standing for the upcoming season, it'll also feature three individual awards: Team MVP (let's not get into the debate over exactly what that means), the Most Important Reserve, and the Most Unheralded Asset.

Projected Record: 38-44 (T-3rd in the Southeast Division, T-9th in the Eastern Conference)
Off-season Acquisitions: B-Easy Mike Beasley, Superintendent Mario Chalmers, James Jones, Jamaal Magloire (sigh...), Yakhouba Diawara
Notable Losses: Ricky Davis, Jason Williams, Earl Barron, Stephane Lasme, Kasib Powell

2008-2009 Team MVP: Dwyane Wade - Respect.

Most Important Reserve: Michael Beasley/Udonis Haslem - Signs point to Beasley starting the season on the bench, but you have to think that he'll be starting by season's end. Be it Beasley or Haslem though, they'll have to provide an awful lot off the bench because frankly, there's not much there.

Most Unheralded Asset: James Jones - Well yeah, he's injured. Assuming he makes a full recovery, he can be a great asset for this team. A great shooter from the small forward position will do wonders to complement Wade, especially one who's game seems to fit the Miami gameplan for the position to a T.

Poetry in Motion

Photo from Reuters.

Poetry in Motion will feature my feeble attempts at mimicking the sonnets of one William Shakespeare, complete with a weak, liberal interpretation of iambic pentameter and an identical rhyme scheme. As they say, the NBA imitates art...I mean poetry...err, life imitates the NBA...or I imitate poetry while writing about the NBA. Something like that. Either way, each preview will contain two sonnets: one focusing on a wider, team outlook and another focusing on the roles and futures of individual players. Revel! Criticize! Enjoy!

The Miami Heat: renaissance by fire,
Last season's worst gains D-Wade and Beasley,
Davis deserted and J-Will retired,
The bench talent was left lacking; measly.
But it's good to know it can't get much worse,
Even if they're point-less and have no center,
With big additions, their fortunes reversed,
E'en if the current team isn't a winn'r.
Make no mistake: this squad is electric,
Even if they're not to be playoff bound,
Wade's a monster; Marion eclectic,
They're sure to amaze, amuse, and confound.
Not rebuilding, not contenders; between,
But anything is better than fifteen.

Wade is harder, better, faster, stronger,
To a degree that would make Daft Punk proud,
Sure, Beasley may be "the man" no longer,
But he'll succeed as much as he's allowed.
Marion's an asset: in game, in trade,
He'll help this team one way or the other,
They need young pieces to build around Wade,
And thus, their true potential discover.
For now, the supporting cast is quite thin,
In quality, though not in quantity,
Banks, Quinn, Chalmers, Blount, Anthony, Haslem,
Will play the 1 and 5 by committee.
An interesting roster, to be sure,
This Miami team will win as it matures.

Player Preview Spotlight: Michael Beasley

Photo from AP.

The Player Spotlight feature highlights just one of the many cogs that make up the team. They may not be the best player on the team and they may not be the most recognizable (or who knows, they may be both), but I can guarantee that they're interesting. Their game, their on-court persona, their role within the greater scope of the team. Something about the player in the spotlight deserves your attention, and as usual, I'm more than willing to point it out to you.

My relationship with one Michael Beasley has been a complicated one. At K-State, it was hard to ignore the stats and the highlights. Beasley was an incredible scorer and an incredible rebounder, but I took both of those things with a grain of salt. The ways in which he scored screamed college ball: flat footed rebounds and putbacks, shooting over shorter defenders, generally being more athletic than whoever was guarding him. Plus, with the rebounding, Beasley happened to play in the Big 12, the conference where having a real center is for suckers. Most of the teams in the conference rely on the small forward or power forward to pick up the rebounding slack, and Beasley was no exception. In so many runs, Beasley was the biggest player on the floor for his team. So you take that rebounding by position garbage and you throw it out the window...at least in regard to his college stats. He'll still be a good positional rebounder in the NBA, he just happens to play power forward.

The big question is: if his game is so "college ball," how is it going to translate to the NBA style? How is this guy going to succeed on the pro level if he relied so much on his height and athleticism in the NCAA? It's easy, actually: Beasley has incredible basketball instincts. This guy is a machine who was put on this earth to play basketball. He knows where to be on offense to get the ball and he knows where to be to help facilitate the flow of the offense. He knows where to be on defense to deter his opponent, even if he has a reputation for not always giving maximum effort. He instinctively knows where to be when the shot goes up. Center or no center, his college rebounding numbers were phenomenal. Fluke or no fluke, you don't get those kinds of numbers without having a good knowledge of the game.

The scoring will come naturally for B-Easy. He's a dead-eye shooter from midrange, and hopefully he'll develop some consistency on that NBA three. He has nice skills inside, but he's not particularly savvy as a back to the basket player. The nice thing about this team is that it doesn't matter. Wade is dynamic as a slasher, but he's also money in the low block/baseline area. The stepback jumper and the turnaround bank shot that Wade has in his arsenal give the Heat a Jordan-esque (yeah, I said it) post-up guard. I think that was the mistake that a lot of people made coming out of the 2003 draft. LeBron was supposed to be the new Jordan, and in some ways he is. He is "the chosen one," he's ascended to the best in the game, and a larger than life player and personality. He's as much icon as he is superstar. But LeBron's game is much more Magic than it is Jordan. Only if Magic was a truly ongodly freak of an athlete and a ridiculous scorer. Wade's game screams Jordan to me: one part wreckless, two parts unstoppable. Early in his career he didn't have the range (some might argue that he didn't late in his career, either), but he was still unguardable. You knew he was going to take it hard to the rim or take that pull-up jumper, but there was just nothing you could do. Carmelo is probably Bird, only more athletic and with less fire. Anthony has plenty of pride but none of the raw desire that made Bird one of the feistiest to play the game and undoubtedly willed him to win after win. But purely in terms of how his game manifests itself on the court, Melo definitely resembles Larry Legend. He doesn't have as much skill around the basket in terms of variety, but he's quicker and relies just as much on his midrange game. What's ironic is that Melo is about as thug life as it gets, while Bird is the ideal rural white player. Both home-grown, but each in their own way. I have no idea where all this puts Chris Bosh.

But the point of all of this is that Beasley need not be a "traditional" pivot. In fact, he's set to be a more offensively focused Shawn Marion. I doubt he will ever be the tenacious defender that Marion has become, but likewise Marion won't ever be the offensive dynamo that Beasley can potentially be. The thought of a developed B-Easy and Wade in his prime should be terrifying, especially with a serviceable point (Chalmers?) and center on the roster. Right now, that's the dream. This team isn't ready, but unlike last season, they're not lost, either. Marion, Wade, and Beasley are all proud players, and they'll insure that though the Heat falter, they won't freefall. Then, once Marion departs for different pastures (not necessarily greener), the new era will truly be underway. Get your Tivos ready, NBAers.

Season Previews, F'real

For those poor, conservative souls trapped in normativity, I'll make sure to send you to a few places where you can read through more conventional, in-depth season previews. Most of these links will be from team bloggers whose trade is knowing what there is to know about their respective teams, so tell your ears to perk up; it's time to listen.

Hardwood Paroxysm
Deadspin/Basketbawful
Ball Don't Lie

Season's Greetings: Orlando Magic 2008-2009 Season Preview

2008-10-20T02:29:00.000-05:00

Dwight Howard, sans cape, is still a hero,

For his teammates, the game’s a shooting drill,

Of course: when he takes flight, look out below!

He dominates through talent, might, and will.

As a team, the Magic stand just as tall,

A power among powers in the East,

The roster is built for the playoff haul,

In May we will see the true beast unleashed.

We’ve known that they’re good, but are they good enough,

The road to the Finals a bumpy one,

Come playoffs we’ll see if they have the right stuff.

One thing’s for sure: they’ve only just begun.

Now, the only option is to contend,

Same for all teams who can pass, score, defend.

I think I’ve flattered Dwight Howard plenty,

Besides: you know the man, you know his game,

Remind yourself – he’s just over twenty,

He has the gift, the drive, the height, the frame.

Sure, Rashard may be underutilized,

Much of the burden is on Hedo’s back,

The threesome leaves defenses brutalized

Punch-drunk from dunks and a long-range attack.

Jameer Nelson comes and goes with the wind,

Pietrus is a welcome addition,

J.J. Redick is simply chagrined,

Gortat’s a promising Magician.

Lee, Bogans, Cook, Battie, and what else?

A shallow roster is, itself, a cell.

Player Preview Spotlight: Rashard Lewis and Hedo Turkoglu (A Dialogue)

Photo from AP.

The Player Spotlight feature highlights just one of the many cogs that make up the team. They may not be the best player on the team and they may not be the most recognizable (or who knows, they may be both), but I can guarantee that they're interesting. Their game, their on-court persona, their role within the greater scope of the team. Something about the player in the spotlight deserves your attention, and as usual, I'm more than willing to point it out to you.

(The Scene: After Magic practice during training camp. The gang has just completed a laborious day of scrimmaging, defensive drills, and playbook analysis. As the team leaves from the film room, Hedo Turkoglu jogs down the hall to catch up to Rashard Lewis.)

Hedo: Rashahrd! Rashahrd! Wait up for one second, please!

Rashard: Yeah, yo Hedo, what's up?

Hedo: I just talked to Coach and he wanted me to tell you tatt I'm going to be playing da power forwarrrd poseetion on #6 and #8.

Rashard: ...That's kinda weird, but hey, whatever coach w-...wait a minute, those are the plays where I get to dribble.

Hedo: Yeah, about tatt...since I'm the Most Eemproved Player, I dec-, I mean we decideed tatt I should probably be doeeng all of tee dreebuhling from now on. It only makes sense. I'm tryeeng to become a point garde, you know.

Rashard: Well, I mean I don't want -- did you just say point guard?

Hedo: Of course.

Rashard: ...Alriiiight...well, like I was saying, I don't want to be a problem or anything-

Hedo: (Cryptically) No. No you do not want problem. I am sure of tatt.

Rashard: ...uhh, yeah, I don't want any problems here. So where is the 3 on those sets?

Hedo: You seet in tee corner and launch da tree point jumpers.

Rashard: Aww come on, man! That's the exact same thing I've got on #2-#5! I'm telling you, I can post up, I've got a nice pull-up, I've been working on my handle--

Hedo: Ey, ey, its not my deceesion. Coach said that I deeseyrve to shoot more, and dat you should be more weelling to be a team player. Nobody likes cancer, Rashahrd.

Rashard: Cancer? What???

Hedo: You know, how do you say, team...cancer...disease...

Rashard: Oh, you mean like a cancer to the team. I don't really think that I'm doing anything that hurts the te-

Hedo: Alright, eyggcellent. I'm glad to hear tatt you're on board. I shall see you later, Rashahrd.

Rashard: Well, that's not really what I was-

Hedo: (Glares.)

Rashard: Ye--yes, yes sir.

(End.)

*Oh, and yes, before you ask: Hedo Turkoglu really does speak like a cross between Count Chocula/Bela Lugosi and Vladamir Putin. Well, kind of. OK, maybe a little bit.

Season Previews, F'real

For those poor, conservative souls trapped in normativity, I'll make sure to send you to a few places where you can read through more conventional, in-depth season previews. Most of these links will be from team bloggers whose trade is knowing what there is to know about their respective teams, so tell your ears to perk up; it's time to listen.

Ball Don't Lie

Season's Greetings: Atlanta Hawks 2008-2009 Season Preview

2008-10-20T02:15:00.002-05:00

Welcome! Come one, come all, to the main event! It's season preview time, and Upside and Motor is ready to rock your world. The previews will be both concrete and lyrical in this magical world, both by numbers and by prose. To take a look at all the previews, click here.

Straight Up

Straight Up features all the stuff you actually want to see in your team previews: who are the new kids on the block, who skipped town, and where the team stands for the upcoming season. Along with my projection and standing for the upcoming season, it'll also feature three individual awards: Team MVP (let's not get into the debate over exactly what that means), the Most Important Reserve, and the Most Unheralded Asset.

Projected Record: 34-48 (5th in the Southeast Division, 12th in the Eastern Conference)
Off-season Acquisitions: Mo Evans, Flip Murray, Thomas Gardner, Othello Hunter, Randolph Morris
Notable Losses: Josh Childress, Salim Stoudamire

2008-2009 Team MVP: Joe Johnson - The team comes and goes as JJ comes and goes. He creates for his teammates, goes nuts on unsuspecting defenders, and is generally a badass. But at the same time, he's not a point guard. He will be unselfish and he will help to facilitate the offense, but it's important that expectations be put on him as a scorer that distributes rather than a distributer who can score.

Most Important Reserve: Mo Evans - Josh Childress left some big shoes to fill. Mo Evans can't fill them. But boy, will it be fun to watch him try!

Most Unheralded Asset: Marvin Williams - I guess? The Hawks are actually pretty heralded all around these days, at least where it's deserved. The first round of last year's playoffs were a nice stage for Joe Johnson to do his bit, YouTube has been friendly to Josh Smith, and Al Horford had a ridiculous amount of support for the Rookie of the Year race last year. But Marvin Williams often seems like the odd man out in a lot of ways, and that's pretty unfortunate. The guy got stuck in the wrong draft class and was probably chosen by the right team, but he's a solid all-around player who's learning the game and improving. I don't know if he'll ever be that McGrady-Garnett lovechild a lot of folks invisioned, but he's an integral part of this team and has a long career ahead of him.

Poetry in Motion

Photo from Getty Images.

Poetry in Motion will feature my feeble attempts at mimicking the sonnets of one William Shakespeare, complete with a weak, liberal interpretation of iambic pentameter and an identical rhyme scheme. As they say, the NBA imitates art...I mean poetry...err, life imitates the NBA...or I imitate poetry while writing about the NBA. Something like that. Either way, each preview will contain two sonnets: one focusing on a wider, team outlook and another focusing on the roles and futures of individual players. Revel! Criticize! Enjoy!

The Hawks fin’lly broke through to the playoffs,
But Cinderella went home at ten ‘til,
Josh Smith may have gotten his big payoff,
Others move forward, Hawks on a treadmill.
They lost Josh Childress and signed stop-loss guards,
But the conference betters by the day,
Though they’re hardly battered, beaten, or marred,
Their postseason hopes have been led astray.
They’re still in the fight for the final spot,
But Josh and Joe will need to be unreal,
The Hawks will disappoint more oft than not,
Falling just short of the playoff ideal.
Don’t buy those playoff tickets yet, Hawks fans,
Wait ‘til your team gets a coach or a plan.

For a team with dim hopes for the season,
The players are just electrifying,
Hating Josh Smith falls just short of treason,
If you don’t think Horford’s f’real, you’re lying.
Marvin is solid, will only improve,
Joe Johnson is one cool customer,
Bibby somehow helps the team find its groove,
Going by the beat of his own drummer.
Mo and Flip will shoot, shoot, and shoot some more,
In classic Salim Stoudamire fashion,
There’s so much on this roster to adore,
Worst case: they’ll excite and play with passion.
Explosive, dynamic, and enthralling,
Flawed, linear; mediocrity calling.

Player Preview Spotlight: Acie Law IV

Photo from Getty Images.

The Player Spotlight feature highlights just one of the many cogs that make up the team. They may not be the best player on the team and they may not be the most recognizable (or who knows, they may be both), but I can guarantee that they're interesting. Their game, their on-court persona, their role within the greater scope of the team. Something about the player in the spotlight deserves your attention, and as usual, I'm more than willing to point it out to you.

When you talk about Acie Law's play, you have to be willing to take a fluid approach. After all, the guy has only played 56 games in his professional career, and just over 850 minutes.

But anyone who watched just a few games of Law's college career should be eager to tell you that he's a wonderful fit for the Hawks. This should probably be Mike Bibby's last season as a Hawk, and so it's incredibly important that Atlanta look forward to what kind of player should be filling that starting point guard role. Bibby's obviously had some success, but remains a bit of a shadow of his former self. He has trouble creating (good) shots for himself, has never been all that great as an individual playmaker, and his defense is average on a good day. But surrounded by a lineup featuring Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams, Josh Smith, and Al Horford, Bibby seems to fit in relatively well. All three forwards can provide some helpside shot blocking when Bibby inevitably loses his man, and Joe Johnson remains a strong one on one defender to contain a scorer at the 2. On offense, Johnson's ability to set up his teammates or create for himself or others based on penetration and drawing extra defenders. But, like so many other teams with do-it-all shooting guards, a competent point guard is essential to ensure that the playmaker has his legs and his wind at the end of the game, and to relieve some of the halfcourt pressure.

But this is about Acie. He's a scoring point guard, plain and simple, and no one will ever mistake him for anything else. He's not going to be the CP or the Deron that the Hawks missed out on in the draft, but he can still be an excellent player, especially with this core. Law is an excellent shooter even if he didn't show it last season, he's an able and willing passer (he just happens to be better at scoring), and just as important: he's a leader. Oh, and he just happens to have ice water flowing in his veins while he waits anxiously to rip out his opponent's heart.

He's already nailed a "dagger" three pointer from the corner this preseason. So the question becomes, what can Law offer this year? Well, as usual, that depends. Law was one of the most capable PGs coming out of the 2007 draft class: he was unable to be rattled, his jumper was silky smooth, and he was a mature 22 year-old. But then the unrattleable was rattled, and the rock steady, mature floor general looked very green. I wouldn't count on a repeat in year two.

He's not ready to be a starter yet, but he's probably a better alternative than Speedy Claxton (Who isn't?). He'll provide nice support for the Hawks this year off the bench and hopefully he'll tighten up the screws and figuring out his place in this league. That jumpshot and that leadership are pro-quality, make no mistake. It's just a matter of time before Law is a SportsCenter top 10 mainstay and a quality starter.

...Can you imagine four generations of your family being named Acie?

EDIT: Some essentail Acie Law reading.

Season Previews, F'real

For those poor, conservative souls trapped in normativity, I'll make sure to send you to a few places where you can read through more conventional, in-depth season previews. Most of these links will be from team bloggers whose trade is knowing what there is to know about their respective teams, so tell your ears to perk up; it's time to listen.

Ball Don't Lie
SLAM

Outlet Pass (8/20/08)

2008-10-20T00:01:00.001-05:00

Stephen Jackson not only thinks the Warriors will make the playoffs, but notably leaves New Orleans off his list of playoff teams. He also throws out there that the Warriors should go after Marbury if the Knicks cut him loose, and that Boom heading to Clipperland worked out well for both parties. These are the reasons why I have come to love Stephen Jackson.
If you thought your fantasy leagues were a little heated, imagine if the entry fee was $100,000 with a $1 million purse on the line. Wouldn't you just love to see a lopsided trade or a corrupt commish in that league?
Delonte West is being treated for a mood disorder. This certainly won't be surprising to some people, but it's also not something to kid around about. Good luck, Delonte: we're all rooting for you.
This is the best thing I can remember reading on the internet since the end of last season. While I love seeing GODE at his invincible, inimitable finest, it's good to see the soft underbelly of a young guy poised to face an enormous amount of pressure in his rookie year. The interview is as much about Oden as it is about the Blazers, and as is the case with most things: there's a certain beauty in the vulnerability.
James Jones is going to be out for a spell. Spoelstra, D-League. D-League, Spoelstra. I hope you two will become fast friends.
Arron "Spell Check" Afflalo has been pumpin' up the volume in the preseason while the rest of us have been gushing about Maxiell, Amir, and Stuckey in our season previews. Touche, Arron. Touche.
The Wizards are really going to miss Brendan Haywood. Etan Thomas helps, but in the long run it's not going to help much. Javale McGee has been nice for the Wiz in the preseason so far, but he's not any kind of solution to Washington's center troubles at the moment. Entering 2008-2009, the Wizards were supposed to be solid/great at the two most important positions on the floor: point guard and center. glhf, Wizards.
Baron Davis isn't wasting any time: he could be out up to six weeks with a finger injury. Somewhere in the world, Don Nelson and Stephen Jackson sit together in big comfy chairs wearing smoking jackets, smokin' down a stogie, cackling.
It's all about the injuries this week. Deron Williams sprained an ankle in a preseason game against Chicago. No biggie, right? Well, apparently Deron was a little too preoccupied with his injury to bother with SLC's beat writers. To message boarders everywhere: do your job, and spread the word: OMG DERON'S OUT FOR THE SEASON!!!
Gallinari could be starting his career in the D-League, which is pretty awesome (to everyone except Danilo, who seems less than thrilled at the prospect). The Knicks have never used the D-League before, and an NBDL team getting such a high draft pick is unprecedented. Ewing Jr. could be headed that way too, making the Reno Big Horns a pretty exciting team this season.
FreeDarko's season previews of every single game are absolutely remarkable. Bang up job, gents.

Dan Dickau Waived After Just Two Preseason Games

2008-10-19T20:47:00.003-05:00

Photo from AFP.

...It's things like this that make it so easy to be an NBA blogger. The punchlines just write themselves, I tell ya.

Don't let the world get you down though, Dan. I know Atlanta didn't like you, and Portland didn't like you, and New Orleans didn't like you, and Portland still didn't like you, and...you know where I'm going with this. But the point is: you'll always have a special place in my heart. Somewhere between Keon Clark and Darvin Ham, there's a little nook with your name on it. Come back home, Dan. Come back home.

Central Division Blogger Previews

2008-10-17T10:00:00.003-05:00

Chicago Bulls

Nels: Give Me The Rock
Matt: Blog-a-Bull

Cleveland Cavaliers

Rock: Waiting For Next Year
FTS: Fear The Sword
David Friedman: 20 Second Timeout
Amar Panchmatia: Cavalier Attitude

Detroit Pistons

Brian Spencer: Empty the Bench
Natalie Sitto: Need4Sheed.com
Matt Watson: Detroit Bad Boys

Indiana Pacers

Tom: Indy Cornrows

Milwaukee Bucks

Jeramey Jannene: The Bratwurst
Frank Madden: BrewHoop

Fitting a Really Fat, Square Peg into a Round Hole

2008-10-16T19:13:00.002-05:00

Photo from Getty Images...annnnnd it totally makes me think that Reggie was grabbing something he shouldn't have.

Just so you know, I'm pretty sure that I advocated trading Randolph to Memphis for god knows what in the name of cap space. Boy do the Knicks need that. But after seeing Randolph's production in the early going (I know, it's pre-season), to say I'm having second thoughts is an understatement.

The slated starting lineup is Duhon, Crawford, Richardson, Lee, and Randolph. There are some pretty glaring problems with that, and only one of them is named Chris Duhon. The other may or may not start with a Q and rhme with Linton Fichardson. I thought that long lost Ninja Turtle Zach Randolph might be among that group, but the more I hear from D'Antoni and the more I read about him in camp and beyond, I'm convinced this guy can not only play in D'Antoni's system, but thrive in it. I remember Will Leitch saying that as American fans of sports, we love redemption stories. We love giving everyone that isn't named O.J. or John Rocker a second chance to correct their mistake. With Zach, I guess you could argue that he's made quite a few mistakes and is probably on his fourth or fifth chance by now. But with the coaching situations in Portland and then in New York, I'm not sure how much deterrence he actually had. This is 100% wholesome assumption, but if that is indeed the case, is it possible that all Zach needed was the right coach?

Conditioning is a problem, but from what I understand, the effort is there. Zeebo is running and he's running hard. There will be criticisms about how he stops the ball, but I don't consider that to be as much of an issue. The guy can flat out score, and you're naive if you thought there weren't any ball-stoppers in Phoenix (don't make me play that rhyming game again). The important thing is that he's moving on the offensive end and not camping down on the block or in the high post. If Randolph is setting picks, cutting down the lane, or even flaring out on the pick and pop, he will be successful this season.

There's a strong chance that I'll look back on this post in a few months and either insist that I had hit my head that day or just deny that it ever happened. I hope not, but c'mon, this is Zach Randolph. But I've considered the Knicks opener a must-see since they hired Pringles, and this only fuels my desire to see just what this team can do. This team will be bad, and sometimes they'll be downright awful, but the valuation of Wilson Chandler, Nate Robinson, and David Lee along with seeing how Jamal Crawford, Quentin Richardson, and now Randolph operate within the system make the old look, new era Knicks interesting, at the least.

Season's Greetings: Cleveland Cavaliers 2008-2009 Season Preview

2008-10-16T00:59:00.005-05:00

Welcome! Come one, come all, to the main event! It's season preview time, and Upside and Motor is ready to rock your world. The previews will be both concrete and lyrical in this magical world, both by numbers and by prose. To take a look at all the previews, click here.

Straight Up

Straight Up features all the stuff you actually want to see in your team previews: who are the new kids on the block, who skipped town, and where the team stands for the upcoming season. Along with my projection and standing for the upcoming season, it'll also feature three individual awards: Team MVP (let's not get into the debate over exactly what that means), the Most Important Reserve, and the Most Unheralded Asset.

Projected Record: 51-31 (2nd in the Central Division, T-4th in the Eastern Conference)
Off-season Acquisitions: Mo Williams, J.J. Hickson, Lorenzon Wright, Darnell Jackson
Notable Losses: Joe Smith, Damon Jones, Devin Brown, Dwayne Jones

2008-2009 Team MVP: LeBron James - I hear he's pretty good.

Most Important Reserve: The Boobie Gibson/Delonte West Two-headed Whirling Dervish of Shooting, Swagger, and Unadulterated Awesome - Nothing more need be said. But I will anyway: these guys are good basketball players, similar, and just the kinds of weapons LeBron needs. It's likely that the Cavs will start Wally at the two, so Boobie and Delonte will be gunning it from the pine and giving opposing head coaches headaches as their backups match-up against these two.

Most Unheralded Asset: Zydrunas Ilgauskas - The man is a machine. To get reliable production from the center position like Z has given the Cavs over the last decade is simply unheard of in today's NBA outside the typical powerhouse bigs. You expect that kind of consistency from a franchise center, not an oft-overlooked Vrussian Kosmonaut who is flat out better than you think.

Poetry in Motion

Photo from Getty Images.

Poetry in Motion will feature my feeble attempts at mimicking the sonnets of one William Shakespeare, complete with a weak, liberal interpretation of iambic pentameter and an identical rhyme scheme. As they say, the NBA imitates art...I mean poetry...err, life imitates the NBA...or I imitate poetry while writing about the NBA. Something like that. Either way, each preview will contain two sonnets: one focusing on a wider, team outlook and another focusing on the roles and futures of individual players. Revel! Criticize! Enjoy!

Offensive sets? LeBron, LeBron, LeBron,

No matter how you stack it, they’re simple.

On the fast break? LeBron, LeBron, LeBron,

Mo Williams’ presence is just a dimple.

Okay, a bit more: the guy is a stud,

But does that change Mike Brown’s offensive schemes?

Defense is nice, but the O is a dud,

Despite the presence of talent supreme.

Good D and LeBron always have a shot,

Even as the East gets strong’r by the day,

But it’s not what they are, it’s what they’re not

That could keep them from playing in late May.

This team is still solid, don’t get me wrong,

But I fear for them in an East so strong.

King LeBron James: you may have heard of him,

He’s only the best player in the game,

But from seven down the pickings are slim,

So many who can’t live up to their names.

Boobie’s got “it” and a nice paycheck, too,

He’s poised for a year of hitting big threes,

What will J.J. do in his Cavs debut?

Delonte West fills my heart with much glee.

Z is a rock; ever reliable,

But can Ben and Wally provide value?

Combined with LeBron, undeniable,

This squad, Mo-enhanced, are contenders true.

The Cavs potential rests on broad shoulders:

Lebron’s one year better, one year older.

Player Preview Spotlight: Sasha Pavlovic

The Player Spotlight feature highlights just one of the many cogs that make up the team. They may not be the best player on the team and they may not be the most recognizable (or who knows, they may be both), but I can guarantee that they're interesting. Their game, their on-court persona, their role within the greater scope of the team. Something about the player in the spotlight deserves your attention, and as usual, I'm more than willing to point it out to you.

Sasha Pavlovic is a ghost. For a year he seemed a Cleveland mainstay, teaming up with LeBron to bring the Cavs to the Finals. He was praised as a defender and an outside shooter, and seemed to complement James reasonably well. But just a few months and one holdout later, and Sasha is no longer a relevant part of the roster. Sure, he still gets minutes, and he put up comparable stats in '07-'08. But something was off. Sasha played differently, he played less efficiently (the notable statistical differences lie in his percentages), and he vanished without a trace. His minutes are forgotten as soon as he leaves the floor.

Were the Cavs that bad in 2007-2008 that they needed an irrelevant player to start for them at shooting guard? It's possible. Was Sasha's commitment to defense and tenacity some kind of media construction to make sense of how the Cavaliers were beating a team of the Pistons' caliber? Frankly, I don't know. Superficially, only two major events happened between Sasha's "breakout" year and the shade of his former self we saw last season: Sasha held out on his contract, and he grew out his hair (be careful, Boris Diaw). Somehow that development, as well as a few trades, shifted him from the starting two to fourth string behind West, Gibson, and Wally.

If Sasha's tale tells us anything, it speaks to the unspeakable unpredicatability of this business. As fans, we love to hear of competitive battles for the starting spot, the drama of the conflict between the two players, and the ultimate triumph and coronation of one player over the other. But a proud, tenacious player who was once the starter on an NBA Finals team finds himself buried within the depth chart of that same team just over a year later.

It also speaks volumes to the importance of timing and rhythm. The dance of basketball requires precision and practice in order to be executed to perfection (or even executed at an acceptable level), and Pavlovic's hold-out put him in a very uncomfortable situation. Not only does it unnecessarily create a divide between him and the rest of the roster, but it also creates a more real separation in terms of on-court chemistry and the ability to execute to the team's specifications. Conditioning is a big factor in such situations. But Pavlovic wasn't playing enough minutes to really be winded out there. Instead, he just seemed to have lost everything that made his game important. There was no tenacity and there was no emotion. Sometimes Sasha would seem stoic, but I'll be damned if you couldn't see the anger or the frustration written all over his face. He was Nocioni on ritalin in terms of his on-court personality. I mean that in both the most positive and the most negative ways possible.

But this...this is why no one dreams of being a defensive specialist. Even the most glamorous among them are either batshit crazy or tired journeymen who happened to find their niche. In the current evolution of the game, if you can't score, you are a liability. If you can't create your own shot in some way, you are a liability. And only certain teams are good enough to overcome that at one position, much less at multiple positions. In an earlier post I mentioned that if, as a young player, you can score, then you will have a place in this league. You may not always get minutes and it may not always be easy, but there will be a place for you on a roster. Contrast that with Pavlovic, who is under the Cavs employ for this season and next. Assuming he mimics last season's production and effort; would anyone be surprised if he disappeared into the sunset, free to roam the land of eternal free agency while he waits for Kevin McHale to return his calls? I don't think it's that big of a stretch, especially considering the constant influx of new, young, talent with seemingly endless potential to succeed on both ends of the court. I'm not saying the upcoming draft classes are all that strong, but a young player with "upside" usually triumphs over a known commodity that can only operate as a deterrent (Pavlovic isn't really a "stopper") and a spot up three point shooter.

I look forward to seeing whether ALEKSANDAR "Sasha" Pavlovic can re-establish his place on this team and in the league. I look forward to seeing if he can overcome his anti-Jerome James disappearance following playoff relevance. And I look forward to seeing whether or not Pav can prove me wrong outright about defensive specialists and their place in this league.

Season Previews, F'real

For those poor, conservative souls trapped in normativity, I'll make sure to send you to a few places where you can read through more conventional, in-depth season previews. Most of these links will be from team bloggers whose trade is knowing what there is to know about their respective teams, so tell your ears to perk up; it's time to listen.

Ball Don't Lie
Waiting for Next Year
Cavalier Attitude
Fear the Sword

Season's Greetings: Chicago Bulls 2008-2009 Season Preview

2008-10-14T03:23:00.009-05:00

Straight Up

Straight Up features all the stuff you actually want to see in your team previews: who are the new kids on the block, who skipped town, and where the team stands for the upcoming season. Along with my projection and standing for the upcoming season, it'll also feature three individual awards: Team MVP (let's not get into the debate over exactly what that means), the Most Important Reserve, and the Most Unheralded Asset.

Projected Record: 36-46 (4th in the Central Division, 10th in the Eastern Conference)
Off-season Acquisitions: Derrick Rose, Omer Askin, Elton Brown
Notable Losses: JamesOn Curry...if in your world you somehow consider him to be notable

2008-2009 Team MVP: Luol Deng - Deng will need to re-establish himself as a star. In the 2007 playoffs he was a hot ticket, lighting up everyone in sight. But he was derailed last season due to a variety of factors. A healthy Deng will make Derrick Rose's life easier, and should translate into a Bulls team that doesn't freefall into oblivion.

Most Important Reserve: Ben Gordon - Gordon's auditioning for damn near every GM in the league right now, trying to prove that he's worth what he says/insists/pleads/hopes he is. A motivated Gordon will likely mean consistent effort on both ends of the court, which will also serve to give Jerry Reinsdorf and John Paxson a good slap in the face.

Most Unheralded Asset: Kirk Hinrich - Last year was a big step back for Kirk, and he finds his value at an all-time low. But his ability to make plays from the shooting guard position is going to help ease Rose into the groove, and his ability to defend bigger guards as well as (hopefully) shoot over them will make him one of the most important Bulls this season.

Poetry in Motion

Photo from Getty Images.

Poetry in Motion will feature my feeble attempts at mimicking the sonnets of one William Shakespeare, complete with a weak, liberal interpretation of iambic pentameter and an identical rhyme scheme. As they say, the NBA imitates art...I mean poetry...err, life imitates the NBA...or I imitate poetry while writing about the NBA. Something like that. Either way, each preview will contain two sonnets: one focusing on a wider, team outlook and another focusing on the roles and futures of individual players. Revel! Criticize! Enjoy!

After last year, it can’t get any worse,

It’s funny how the first pick changes things,

The Bulls are hoping for fortunes reversed,

Don’t mean a thing if they ain’t got that swing.

The Bulls need to be confident again,

If they are to rise from the East’s cellar,

Addition of Rose; improvement within

Will decide if they are poor or stellar.

Del Negro needs some time to make things right,

And bandage up Chicago’s flaws exposed,

Not this season, but the future is bright,

Great expectations for young Derrick Rose.

Expect the “new” Bulls to be much improved,

But no dancing in Chi to the playoff groove.

Luol Deng found his rising star smothered

The culprit? Injuries, timing, rhythm,

But this season you should see another

For Mister Deng it’s time to sink or swim.

Ben Gordon is living out of his car,

Tyrus Thomas still always looks confused,

One Joakim Noah is truly bizarre,

I mention how much I hate Larry Hughes?

Hinrich will need to adapt to the two,

Otherwise he’ll be trade rumor fodder,

Surprise, Drew Gooden’s career seems askew,

Rose is Chicago’s new Harry Potter.

The wiz kid has great years ahead of him,

The Bulls desp’rately need their roster trimmed.

Player Preview Spotlight: Drew Gooden

Photo from SI.

The Player Spotlight feature highlights just one of the many cogs that make up the team. They may not be the best player on the team and they may not be the most recognizable (or who knows, they may be both), but I can guarantee that they're interesting. Their game, their on-court persona, their role within the greater scope of the team. Something about the player in the spotlight deserves your attention, and as usual, I'm more than willing to point it out to you.

I don't really like Drew Gooden all that much. His game is too simple (and not effective enough to be some sort of anomaly), and frankly he isn't all that interesting. The only reason Gooden makes headlines anymore is to talk about facial hair or neck patches. Still, I think the guy gets a bit of a bad rap because his production statistically seemingly outweighs his on-court impact. Does Gooden seem like a double-double waiting to happen? I'll admit that even I'd be pessimistic if I didn't know about his unusual ability to pile up the boards. But when we talk about Shawn Marion, that ability is due to his athleticism, court savvy, and instincts. It, along with his defense and ability to create offensively, is what makes Marion a great player and a standout. But Gooden, despite averaging more than 8.5 rebounds per game over the last four years, is still seen as a bit of a fluke. They guy plays less than thirty minutes a game, and still manages to pile up impressive numbers in most relevant categories. On top of that, he has a surprisingly low turnover rate that is on par with the elites of his position such as Garnett and Duncan. You may have heard of them.

If you turn to the tape, his game is fairly limited. A lot of his scoring opportunities come off of offensive rebounds, which is a skillin and of itself -- one which is highly valued in all non-Drew Gooden contexts. He's not a reliable low post back-to-the-basket scorer, and a lot of teams don't need him to be. Well, the Bulls do, but you can't always get what you want. Besides, I'd consider him infinitely more likely to back down his defender and throw a hook shot over them than Tyrus Thomas is. So there. Defensively, Gooden is a capable defender. There are times where quicker players can get around him and there are times where he doesn't close out well on the fadeaway in the post, but I would not call him below average on that end. Add on his more than passable defensive rebounding and you would seem to have the makings of a great player.

Numbers can be deceptive but they can also be incredibly useful, and I fear that an irrational general dislike for Gooden's play may have skewed how the general public feels about him. He doesn't have Carl Landry's plucky heroism or Shawn Marion's freakish hops, but if you look beyond the soup-catcher and the stigma you might find yourself a pretty useful basketball player.

Season Previews, F'real

For those poor, conservative souls trapped in normativity, I'll make sure to send you to a few places where you can read through more conventional, in-depth season previews. Most of these links will be from team bloggers whose trade is knowing what there is to know about their respective teams, so tell your ears to perk up; it's time to listen.

Hardwood Paroxysm
Give Me the Rock
Blog-a-Bull

Season's Greetings: Indiana Pacers 2008-2009 Season Preview

2008-10-13T17:12:00.004-05:00

Straight Up

Straight Up features all the stuff you actually want to see in your team previews: who are the new kids on the block, who skipped town, and where the team stands for the upcoming season. Along with my projection and standing for the upcoming season, it'll also feature three individual awards: Team MVP (let's not get into the debate over exactly what that means), the Most Important Reserve, and the Most Unheralded Asset.

Projected Record: 40-42 (3rd in the Atlantic Division, 8th in the Eastern Conference)
Off-season Acquisitions: T.J. Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, Maceo Baston, Roy Hibbert, Brandon Rush, Jarett Jack, Josh McRoberts, "Eddie Jones" (soon to be waived), Austin Croshere
Notable Losses: Jermaine O'Neal, Shawne Williams, Kareem Rush

2008-2009 Team MVP: Danny Granger - It's tough not to like him. He plays intelligently, his off-court life is invisible (a big improvement for this franchise), and most importantly: he's ridiculously productive, especially when you consider how young he is. I keep trying to find reasons to not believe in him, but I just...I just can't. rob + dannygranger 4ever <3 style="font-weight: bold;">

Most Important Reserve: Jarrett Jack - It will be important that the uptempo attack the Pacers employ won't miss a beat when Ford takes a breather or misses a game here and there due to injury, and Jack needs to be able to fill that void. He's a solid all-around player and tougher than you'd think, but he could definitely cut down the unforced errors. This season should be a good one for Jack, who is much more within his comfort zone as a backup.

Most Unheralded Asset: Roy Hibbert - He's an NBA-ready shot blocker and an active force in the paint on D. His offensive game still has a long way to go, but he can still be productive as a rookie and he's not afraid of anyone.

Poetry in Motion

Poetry in Motion will feature my feeble attempts at mimicking the sonnets of one William Shakespeare, complete with a weak, liberal interpretation of iambic pentameter and an identical rhyme scheme. As they say, the NBA imitates art...I mean poetry...err, life imitates the NBA...or I imitate poetry while writing about the NBA. Something like that. Either way, each preview will contain two sonnets: one focusing on a wider, team outlook and another focusing on the roles and futures of individual players. Revel! Criticize! Enjoy!

Here we find the Pacers, one trade later,

Jermaine O’Neal is nowhere to be found,

An opportunity to be greater,

Despite the loss of a big man, renowned.

So much depends on young Danny Granger,

He’s shown that he’s ready to heed the call,

But T.J. Ford must not be a stranger

If Indy is to go to a run from a crawl.

One year ago they were just short of eighth,

With Ford and O’Neal nowhere in sight,

Attention Pacer fans: just keep the faith,

A prophet foretold – I HAVE SEEEEEEEN THE LIGHT!

Hear the gospel the Pacers are preaching,

This year, a playoff berth they'll be reaching.

In Pacerland, it’s all about rebirth,

Granger: the phoenix to rise from the flames,

T.J. will help; the quickest man on earth,

Happens to be a point who helps win games.

Mike Dunleavy has finally found his fit,

Troy Murphy too; he plays his role with poise,

Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert are legit,

Foster brings da funk, Rasho brings da noise.

Tinsley isn’t welcome here anymore,

But Ford and Jack are here to fill the void,

The team needs to develop that rapport

If a playoff spot is to be enjoyed.

Count on this squad for the seven or eight,

Granger’s a ball’r, and he’s not going to wait.

Player Preview Spotlight: Mike Dunleavy

Photo from AP.

The Player Spotlight feature highlights just one of the many cogs that make up the team. They may not be the best player on the team and they may not be the most recognizable (or who knows, they may be both), but I can guarantee that they're interesting. Their game, their on-court persona, their role within the greater scope of the team. Something about the player in the spotlight deserves your attention, and as usual, I'm more than willing to point it out to you.

I thought the following would be an appropriate soundtrack for this spotlight: "Mike Dunleeevay" by fiasco626 and an unidentified friend:

He may not look it, but Mike Dunleavy is an enigma. AN ENIGMA, I tell you. Or at least he's always been one to me. In Golden State, it was easy to feel like he took himself way too seriously. Maybe that's the kind of melodrama that comes with being a semi-bust, but it made him easily hateable. I mean, do you remember that time he exploded against the Mavs over an offensive foul? But then, these little things start to seep into my psyche. Dunleavy laughing and messing around with his teammates. Dunleavy in a funny Duke student video (I can't seem to find it, anyone know what I'm talking about?). Dunleavy making a hilarious face while being completely plastered. Dunleavy throwing a comment about his soft Irish skin into a postgame interview. Dunleavy wearing an amazing leisure suit for retro night. I don't know if it's because he was traded to Indiana or if it was because he finally got that hair cut, but something changed. I don't know if it was Dunleavy, but I know that my perception of him has definitely taken a new shape. Say what you will about my assumptions; I guess I assumed a certain translation of Dunleavy's on-court persona in Golden State from his off-court persona. That's the tricky thing about the fanhood/blogging game -- those without access are forced to form their own ideas through the questions of others. It's not that their questions aren't good or that I could do any better. They're just not my questions, and as such I walk away with certain impressions.

Part of me will always smile upon his woeful years with the Warriors, where he was a guy you didn't want to leave open. But there was always that other side: the one that chimed in "But aww, it's just Mike Dunleavy..." No longer. Last season, Dunleavy played and started in every single game, and posted career high averages in every significant category aside from rebounds (and that includes all attempts and all percentages). My instinct is to say that he has reinvented himself with Indy, but that's not really true. Aside from some natural maturity, Dunleavy hasn't really changed his game from his Warrior days. But the offensive schemes Jim O'Brien employed gave Duns the opportunity he desperately needed. For one, I'm grateful. His new approach to the game has transformed him from that dick who needs to lighten up to a player I can't wait to watch next season. The Warriors-Pacers semi-blockbuster that featured Stephen Jackson, Al Harrington, Mike Dunleavy, and Troy Murphy seemed like a no-brainer for the Dubs. Two talented players who can give you something on both ends for two overpaid former Warrior "building blocks." Dunleavy will have to show us that same effectiveness this season if he's going to earn that very, very substantial paycheck, but he certainly got off on the right foot. Granger's going to get the spotlight from here on out, and T.J. Ford will certainly get his fair share of attention. But just as essential to the Pacer resurgence is good ol' Mike Dunleavy, Jr.

And if for some reason you didn't watch that video I embedded above, go watch it. Now.

Season Previews, F'real

For those poor, conservative souls trapped in normativity, I'll make sure to send you to a few places where you can read through more conventional, in-depth season previews. Most of these links will be from team bloggers whose trade is knowing what there is to know about their respective teams, so tell your ears to perk up; it's time to listen.

Hardwood Paroxysm
SLAM
Deadspin

Season's Greetings: Detroit Pistons 2008-2009 Season Preview

2008-10-13T01:05:00.006-05:00

Straight Up

Straight Up features all the stuff you actually want to see in your team previews: who are the new kids on the block, who skipped town, and where the team stands for the upcoming season. Along with my projection and standing for the upcoming season, it'll also feature three individual awards: Team MVP (let's not get into the debate over exactly what that means), the Most Important Reserve, and the Most Unheralded Asset.

Projected Record: 58-24 (1st in the Central Division, 2nd in the Eastern Conference)
Off-season Acquisitions: Kwame Brown (no punchline needed), Walter Sharpe, Rodney Stuckey's swagger
Notable Losses: Flip Saunders

2008-2009 Team MVP: ~~Kwame Brown~~ Chauncey Billups - Shouldn't surprise you. Year in and year out, Chauncey is the key cog of this team. 'Sheed may bring the unbridled passion and "wild card" status, but the heady play of Billups anchors this team on both ends.

Most Important Reserve: Jason Maxiell - I tend to agree with the metrics when I say that Amir Johnson will be an incredibly productive basketball player. But, he will make mistakes in his first season of serious playing time. On top of that, Wallace and McDyess aren't exactly spring chickens anymore. Either one of those guys could taper off a bit or see some nagging injuries. Maxiell may have been "snubbed" in terms of the starting 4, but his value on this team is incredibly apparent. Plus, I'm afraid of him.

Most Unheralded Asset: Walter Hermann - Fabio had a very productive stretch during his rookie year in Charlotte, but fell out of favor with new Bobcats' coach Sam Vincent and found himself struggling for time in Detroit as well. I'd be willing to bet that he wasn't up to the Pistons' defensive standards. But with a training camp in Detroit under his belt and the franchise looking to change things up, Hermann could see his fair share of opportunities this season.

Poetry in Motion

Photo from Getty Images.

The more things change the more they stay the same,

The Pistons are “imploding,” “falling apart,”

And they’re still at the top of the game,

Same old story; for Detroit, it’s an art.

But despite all of this, something is new,

Top-heavy Pistons a thing of the past,

The second unit brings depth and youth accrued,

Who hope to end the Pistons troubled past.

They consistently win, but they falter

‘Haps “troubled’s” unfair to the bottom tier,

It pains to fall just short of the altar,

But maybe ’09 is the Pistons’ year.

They’re worthy, they’re smart, they play as a team,

Never count out a Motor City dream.

From top to the bottom this team is strong,

Chauncey Billups as the head of the snake,

When he’s on his game, Rip can do no wrong,

An all-star backcourt does a contend’r make.

Sheed provides the heart and the timely D,

And Tayshaun provides the yin to his yang,

Amir Johnson has finally been freed,

Maxiell and Stuckey lead the bench gang.

But Mickety-Mac, Mickety-Mac-Dyess,

Hermann, and Affalo make their depth great,

Michael Curry’s job will be to entice

This abled roster before it’s too late.

Is inconsistency still Detroit’s foe?

The more things change, the more they…well, y’know.

Player Preview Spotlight: Kwame Brown

Photo from SI.

The Player Spotlight feature highlights just one of the many cogs that make up the team. They may not be the best player on the team and they may not be the most recognizable (or who knows, they may be both), but I can guarantee that they're interesting. Their game, their on-court persona, their role within the greater scope of the team. Something about the player in the spotlight deserves your attention, and as usual, I'm more than willing to point it out to you.

I hate Kwame Brown. I think everyone does by now. Usually high draft picks who fall short of their promise still maintain some sort of cheeky charisma. Call it sympathy, call it pity, call it good ol' comedy. Whatever you want. But aside from being a punchline for how much I despise MJ as a suit, Kwame is utterly useless to me.

His time for excuses is over. I don't want to hear about the pressure of going #1 overall, coming straight out of high school, or small hands. When you somehow coax one of the greatest GMs in the game today to dish out some serious dough to put you in his team's uniform, you better produce. I'll be damned if Joe D's reputation is tarnished based on Kwame's account. My desire to see Brown ~~succeed~~ not suck lies solely in my interest in the Pistons team as a whole; a bizarre group of castaways and misfits who exude confidence, arrogance, competence, inconsistency, splendor, and ruin. That bundle of contradictions is exactly what I love about basketball, and Kwame is poised to piss all over the footsteps of my church. I am not a Pistons fan, per se. Sometimes I actively root against them. But as far as characters go in this wacky world we call the NBA, entire teams simply do not get much better. It only makes it that much better that Detroit is so successful and unsuccessful, so content in their accomplishments and so desperate to recreate and validate the joys of 2004.

So Kwame: don't screw this up. Don't be a waste of space. Do you think you can manage that? Do you think you can live up to the lowest of low expectations?

Outlet Pass (10/13/08)

2008-10-13T00:05:00.000-05:00

Rick Carlisle gets his guy. I'm not sure what Shawne Williams is going to offer the Mavs at this point or where he lies on the depth chart due to how deep the Mavs are at the wing positions. The interesting thing is that despite all that depth, they still face the glaring weakness of being able to put a productive two guard on the floor who can effectively guard a dynamic scorer from the position. I'm not saying it's easy, but there needs to be improvement.
D'Antoni went on a bit of a rant the other night on his teams' oft-criticized defense. Knickerblogger notes that the Suns were more average than bad on that end, and you've gotta feel for the guy; high volume points allowed turned the Suns defense into a punchline and a tagline, the easy way out for picking against the Suns and in turn, D'Antoni. I'd think it's probably a little old by now.
Shortly after reading this, Jose Calderon reportedly said "Well...shit."
Gilbert's interview with SLAM that hit the net last week is absolutely ridiculous. Nuts. Batso. And it reminded me of something that Truth About It also mentioned: Gil and Jamison have a pretty strong relationship. In terms of their on-court chemistry, that translates into something special.
The Clippers hate old people. Well, Elgin Baylor thinks so at least. But you'd have to think that his potential case would be hurt a bit by the team's trade for Marcus Camby. Or employing Sam Cassell. C'mon Elgin, seriously?
There have been whispers flying under the radar, but perhaps it's time that we seriously consider Kansas City as a potential NBA destination. It's no Vegas and it's certainly not China. The road to NBA basketball in KC is a long one, but fill up your tank and check your tires -- there aren't many NBA-worthy markets in the country left unexplored besides KC.
Miss you, buddy. Don't forget to write!
Pre-season is a strange time, filled with bizarre offensive explosions, unexpected struggles, abnormally cold temperatures, and plenty of minor injuries. Everyone's thankful for getting rid of the rust before the season starts up for real, but the Miami Heat should be especially thankful. I know it's not very nice to wish misfortune on other human beings, but Miami? The basketball gods may have just done you a huge favor.
The more he writes, the more I'm convinced that Jamal Crawford's blog is the best player blog this side of Gil. It's not the most well-written blog in the world, but he oozes an honesty and a sincerity that makes it awfully hard to root against the guy...not that you ever wanted to anyway.
Monta Ellis, please rise. The Warriors Management has sentenced you to thirty games suspension without pay...which is a lot more money than you'd think. Ziller also points out that for a guy who has been making the money of a second round pick (which Monta was, of course), this one definitely stings.
Rookies are always looking to get noticed. You want your coaches, your peers, and the fans to take note of what you're doing on the court and respect you. Bill Walker has been getting some attention of the SportsCenter variety, but he may be getting a lot more of this kind of attention if he isn't careful.

Blogger Previews: Southwest Division

2008-10-11T22:25:00.002-05:00

Dallas Mavericks

Jake Kerr: Mavs Moneyball

Houston Rockets

grungedave and UofTOrange: The Dream Shake

Memphis Grizzlies

Joshua Coleman: 3 Shades of Blue

New Orleans Hornets

Rohan: At the Hive
ticktock6 & mW: Hornets Hype
Ryan Schwan & Ron Hitley: Hornets247.com

San Antonio Spurs

Graydon Gordian: 48 Minutes of Hell

Also see links to all the previews at CelticsBlog.

Season's Greetings: Milwaukee Bucks 2008-2009 Season Preview

2008-10-10T13:58:00.005-05:00

Straight Up

Straight Up features all the stuff you actually want to see in your team previews: who are the new kids on the block, who skipped town, and where the team stands for the upcoming season. Along with my projection and standing for the upcoming season, it'll also feature three individual awards: Team MVP (let's not get into the debate over exactly what that means), the Most Important Reserve, and the Most Unheralded Asset.

Projected Record: 31-51 (5th in the Central Division, 14th in the Eastern Conference)
Off-season Acquisitions: Joe Alexander, Malik Allen, T.J. Cummings, Matt Freije, Adrian Griffin, Ron Howard, Richard Jefferson, Damon Jones (temporarily), Kevin Kruger, Tyronn Lue, Luc Richard Mbah a Moute, Luke Ridnour, A Partridge in a Pear Tree
Notable Losses: Yi Jianlian, Bobby Simmons, Mo Williams, Desmond Mason, Royal Ivey, Awvee Storey, Jake Voskuhl, Michael Ruffin

2008-2009 Team MVP: Michael Redd - This one's a given. The guy's a dynamite scorer and the leader of this team whether you like it or not. He'll need to be all-world if the team is going anywhere. They're not. But he'll still be an all-league talent and a hell of a shooter.

Most Important Reserve: Charlie Bell? Luke Ridnour? Man, I don't even know. Strange times in Milwaukee.

Most Unheralded Asset: Andrew Bogut - He made big strides on defense last year, and that side of his game will be nurtured under Scott Skiles. He probably won't ever be the focal point of a team, but centers who can score effectively in the post, rebound, block shots, and give high fives to invisible teammates are hard to come by these days.

Poetry in Motion

Photo from AP.

Scott Skiles is preaching defense in Milwaukee,

But staying healthy all season is key;

No more sprains, spasms, and ankles balky,

For the Bucks to reach mediocrity.

Redd will shower down shots from all over,

And Jefferson will still fly to the rim,

But, long as the D remains bipolar,

Contenders will dismiss them on a whim.

There’s a lot to like, and reason to hope,

Just don’t expect much out of these Bucks yet,

They’re trying to reverse this downward slope,

In the new, improv’d East, they’re far from a threat.

For now, a step forward will be enough,

Making the playoffs would be far too tough.

Can Redd be “the man”? The jury’s still out,

But his shooting is undeniable,

Bogut’s emergence has removed some doubt

As his game becomes more reliable.

R-Jeff, if nothing else, is consistent,

Hyper-active on both sides of the ball,

Charlie V must learn to be persistent;

The mental game has been his tragic flaw.

Ramon Sessions is a revelation,

Alexander will be…interesting…

Provided you don’t have high expectations

Or minutes in key stretches investing.

1A and 1B will shoulder the load,

Unless Villanueva soon explodes.

Player Preview Spotlight: Michael Redd and Richard Jefferson

The Bucks have fallen into an unfortunate trap: that of the almighty PPG. It's important that your core players be able to score the ball in some way, whether through setting up their own shot, hitting a three from the corner, or taking it all the way to the basket. And as long as the winner of the game is still decided by the team that scores the most points, general managers, fans, and scouts will continue to be deceived by the potential of points scored. The Rookie of the Year award stands testament to this, as it pretty much depends solely on whichever rookie has the opportunity to score the most points. It's not the rookie that is the most efficient. It's not the rookie with the biggest impact. But the rookie that puts the ball in the hoop the most. Flawed logic, to be sure, but it is what it is.

And early in a player's career, they're often evaluated just as superficially. If you can score, you show "potential." If you can't, you're a role player. It's a simple formula that's made its way into collective basketball psyche. And, it's exactly where we find Richard Jefferson and Michael Redd.

The biggest criticism of Redd since his emergence is that his game doesn't facilitate being a primary option on offense. For what it's worth, I don't think Redd has been given a fair shake; if Redd had been surrounded by a few players whose talents didn't duplicate his own in the way that Mo Williams' did, we may be looking at a very different Bucks team today. But as it stands now, Michael Redd cannot lead this team as currently constructed to ours measures of success. Mostly because he and Richard Jefferson represent the same type of player: a player best suited as a primary scorer who can do a little bit of everything (see: the craftsman). Their skills are exceptional, but they need a contrast, not redundancy, to be successful. So often they are misconstrued as "complimentary players" because they need other talent around them to succeed. But could the same not be said of Kobe Bryant, Tim Duncan, or Kevin Garnett? Or anyone to ever play the game for that matter? You need players of diverse skill sets who excel in different areas in order to succeed in this game, and the Bucks have done a great job of...well, not doing that.

They traded for Charlie Villanueva, who has a lot of "potential." But he's not the kind of player who's going to thrive alongside Redd and Jefferson. They drafted Joe Alexander, and I'm not sure what his role is supposed to be on this team. I've gone through a bit of a change of heart concerning Joe: at first what I decided was versatility, athleticism, and reason to be optimistic was later morphed into a lack of a coherent on-court identity. If expectations are true, the Bucks used the eighth pick in the draft on a hustle player who could score, but can't. Basically, they drafted Shawn Marion without the Shawn Marion.

So Milwaukee is staring down the barrel of having just two semi-stars (who may have been superstars in some alternate universe) and an ocean of "potential," with no real short-term means to right the ship. Scott Skiles has a long road ahead of him, and this year is only the beginning.

Season's Greetings: Toronto Raptors 2008-2009 Season Preview

2008-10-10T11:28:00.007-05:00

Photo from Getty images.

Poetry in Motion will feature my feeble attempts at mimicking the sonnets of one William Shakespeare, complete with a weak, liberal interpretation of iambic pentameter and an identical rhyme scheme. As they say, the NBA imitates art...I mean poetry...err, life imitates the NBA...or I imitate poetry while writing about the NBA. Something like that. Either way, each preview will contain two sonnets: one focusing on a wider, team outlook and another focusing on the roles and futures of individual players. Revel! Criticize! Enjoy!

And then there was one, a point guard departs,

It’s a new day and in Jermaine they trust,

But is this fading star the missing part?

If not, Raptors to Raptors, dust to dust.

With Jose Calderon they made their point,

A smart player who runs the team with ease.

Be weary: lest the Raptors disappoint,

O’Neal must play the role that this team needs:

Share the load, body up, and block shots too,

The newest Rap may guide Toronto’s fate,

For Bosh alone cannot giants subdue,

True tests against Eastern powers await.

This team may yet surprise you with its fire,

For more than playoff spots this team aspires.

All roads go through Chris Bosh: the man, the myth,

But depth, no doubt, will be their biggest flaw,

Barring unworldly seasons first through fifth,

This squad is not prepared to win it all.

Kapono and Parker will stretch the D,

While J.O. and C.B. get down inside,

Bargnani’s development will be key,

To pres’rve what little he has left of pride.

Super Jamario is set to fly,

But will he learn to stay down on pump fakes?

Playoff success will their season define,

J.O., Bosh, Jose won’t have what it takes.

A great, new step in the right direction,

The Raps are poised for a resurrection.

Player Preview Spotlight: Anthony Parker and Jason Kapono

Photo from Reuters.

So I guess I cheated on this one, choosing two players for the spotlight. But alone, Kapono and Parker are ordinary. They're decent players, sure, but it's the contrast between them that makes them intriguing.

Let me start this spotlight off on a ridiculous tangent: After the industrial age, a lot of American thinkers turned to the realm of anti-Modernism. A sense of nostalgia, simplicity, and fear of what the 'age of the machine' might bring sparked backlash against the factory system, and a cry from the elite classes to abandon the American system of manufacturing in favor of a readoption of "the craftsman."

So what the hell does a snapshot of American history and industry have to do with Canada's foremost team of basketballers? If you haven't figured it out already, Jason Kapono is a cog in the American system of manufacturing and Anthony Parker is the craftsman.

The American system was so effective because of its divergence from the traditional model in terms of structure and setting. By utilizing an assembly-line method and a primitive version of interchangable parts, unskilled laborers were rotated in and out with the assignment of completing their leg of the manufacturing process. Now, while it seems intuitive to call Jason Kapono a craftsman due to his ungodly ability to shoot from long range (it is certainly a craft, and he is certainly a skilled individual), think of the "craft" in terms of producing the variety of skills necessary to succeed in basketball. Kapono is incredible and efficient at doing one thing, but his skill alone does not win games. It helps, certainly. But Kapono also can't create his own shot or defend particularly well, meaning that in comparison to more complete swingmen he may indeed be classified as "unskilled" in the general sense. So Kapono needs those other parts in order to help assemble a coherent, complete whole of a game. He needs the open shots from double teams. He needs the set ups from his point guard. He needs all of those other contributions from the rest of the assembly line to assemble his product.

Contrast that with Anthony Parker. Parker, in total, has a more "complete game." He can set up his own shot, he's a better passer, he has a pretty good stroke on his jumper, and he's a decent defender. The problem with craftsmen, however, is that they can't all be good. You can try to build clocks for so long and it will certainly get easier, but maybe you're just not very good at assembling a particular series of gearse and cogs just right. Improvement is implied, but you may never have that mastery that the "unskilled worker" has; say what you will about the mindlessness of an assembly line, but I can guarantee that after even a short time working in such a situation, the worker becomes so incredibly effective and efficient and performing their one task, that a craftsman couldn't even hope to match them. Parker's an average player, but fancies himself among the most skilled of craftsmen. His moves resemble Kobe, but he doesn't grasp that everyone can't be fricking Kobe. This is exactly why the American system of manufacturing won out and produced three times as much as the traditional system. There are some craftsmen who are revolutionaries. There are some who are adept. And then there's the rest, a motley assortment of mediocrity, failure, and unfulfilled potential that generally produce more slowly or churn out inferior product.

This isn't meant to be gushing on Kapono and ripping on Parker, although I realize it's kind of sliding in that direction. Both players are severely flawed; Kapono in his one-dimensionality and Parker in the fact that he simply tries to do too much. One isn't necessarily that much better than the other, despite the fact that Kapono excels at one thing while Parker represents a jack of all trades ideal. But the most important thing to come to terms with is that there is a need for both of them. The efficiency of the manufacturing system is unparalleled, but there are some tasks that simply cannot be completed in such contexts. Craftsmen assemble parts of the whole to be pushed into the system and in turn, become part of the assembly line themselves, in a sense. In the context of the Raptors, it works out the same way. Kapono's determination to shoot the damn rock privileges him to succeed as a part of the whole, but Parker himself benefits from Kapono's production while simultaneously facilitating his ability to get off the shot. Basketball is truly a beautiful industry.

So Yeah, About That...

2008-10-09T02:10:00.002-05:00

Hey, remember that time where I said previews would start again on Thursday? OK, so you know I'd never lie to you guys. Well, I mean I kinda did this time, but it was sort of accidental.

In short: midterms > season previews. I wish it weren't the case, but it is. Sigh.

After two days off the job, there's going to be some serious catching up to do. Here is the remaining schedule of previews in case you're looking out for a particular team:

10/10: Raptors, Bucks, Pistons
10/13: Pacers, Bulls, Cavs
10/14: Magic, Hawks, Heat
10/15: Wizards, Bobcats, Grizzlies
10/16: Mavs, Spurs
10/17: Rockets, Hornets
10/20: Thunder, Blazers
10/21: Nuggets, Wolves
10/22: Jazz, Kings
10/23: Suns, Clippers
10/24: Warriors, Lakers

Sorry for the delay, folks.