tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69025722008-07-26T00:07:59.941-07:00Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comBlogger436125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-36591320316298963212008-07-25T14:16:00.000-07:002008-07-25T14:26:50.939-07:00

Ian Thomsen challenged the NBA to innovate in his column: Take a fresh approach to its game presentations. Remember the long-ago time when throwing T-shirts into the stands and airing video of dancing fans on the scoreboard were swell new ideas? They are neither new nor swell any longer. In fact, they drive my crazy. During timeouts, I twitch and writhe like Chief Dreyfus in the presence of

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-23049711846237558142008-07-23T11:27:00.001-07:002008-07-23T11:43:08.796-07:00

Golden State (and the Los Angeles Clippers) has had the most active off-season. While I don't think any of it matters, as I think Golden State is in a battle with Denver for the 9th best team in the Western Conference (Lakers, Hornets, Spurs, Jazz, Trailblazers, Rockets - assuming Yao and TMac are healthy, Suns and Mavs are almost play-off locks in my mind, unless someone suffers an early

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-55002176112917646832008-07-21T11:20:00.000-07:002008-07-21T11:43:14.573-07:00

In my morning search through the Internet, I saw a post on the UCLA fan site about Lute Olson. UCLA fans love to hate Olson; I follow the UCLA site as an alumnus, but I like Olson (although, not as much after the way he handled the Jim Rosborough situation). The post referred to a Jason Whitlock column. i like some of Whitlock's stuff and dislike other stuff, but I think he is one of the better

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-10217293083474228742008-07-16T22:28:00.000-07:002008-07-16T22:32:37.465-07:00

Watch out Western Conference. New Orleans made the biggest move (positive) out West thus far in the off-season by signing James Posey. Posey is an up-grade at the 2 and now the Hornets have great wing depth, shooting and athleticism with Posey, Julian Wright, Morris Peterson and Peja Stojakovic. If the Hornets re-sign Jannero Pargo, they might have to be the favorites in the West (especially if

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-54252231513862669472008-07-15T18:05:00.000-07:002008-07-15T18:11:39.172-07:00

I watched the New York Liberty play the Connecticut Sun and am hurrying to get upstairs to see the second half of the San Antonio Silverstars versus the Phoenix Mercury. I used to wish that ESPN would televise NBA Summer League games. Now, I am glad to watch the WNBA on television rather than the NBA Summer League. While the Summer League was disastrous yesterday, from what I saw, today's game

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-47869553029594412922008-07-15T14:08:00.000-07:002008-07-15T14:13:09.992-07:00

In September 2006, many journalists wrote about the eventual hiring of a European coach to coach an NBA team. Many assumed the coach would be Serbian. The knowledgeable writers suggested someone like Ettore Messina, Head Coach of CSKA Moscow and an advisor to Cleveland's Mike Brown (they left the NBA summer league together last night). I suggested David Blatt or Gordon Herbert. Now, Herbert is

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-89789274579598744002008-07-15T12:19:00.000-07:002008-07-15T12:40:31.117-07:00

I flew to Las Vegas to watch a day of the NBA Summer League. Wow. The Cavaliers played the Knicks in the first game. I swear that if you put the And1 team on the floor and went shirts and skins, you could not tell which team was which and the level of play would not deteriorate any further. Las Vegas as a city must appreciate bad basketball more than any city on earth. The gym was packed during

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-51709651285554776092008-07-11T11:01:00.000-07:002008-07-11T11:08:08.882-07:00

As a follow-up to the comments about my blog, "Can your combo guard run the point?" I added another blog on my other site titled, "Point Guard Play and Perceptual and Cognitive Skill Development." I was also interviewed by Blazer's Edge about the article generally, but Jerryd Bayless specifically. If anyone knows any research - books or articles - pertaining to personality characteristics,

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-67755278025054912952008-07-09T14:27:00.000-07:002008-07-09T14:41:53.350-07:00

Anyone think that the L.A. Clippers would have traded the #7 pick and a future 1st Rounder for Seattle's pick at #4 (as rumored on draft day) and selected UCLA's Kevin Love if the Clippers knew Brand could not be trusted? Baron Davis, Cuttino Mobley, Al Thornton, Kevin Love and Chris Kaman would be better than what they have right now, with Josh Powell and Tim Thomas fighting to start at PF at

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-53254096227789781122008-07-08T23:37:00.000-07:002008-07-08T23:58:12.816-07:00

Apparently, Golden State signed Corey Maggette who happens to play the same position as the Warriors top two players, Stephen Jackson and Monta Ellis. While many Warriors' fans have clamored for more rebounding and interior defense, this move is smart. Phoenix, in its attempts to win a championship, nullified its competitive advantage by attacking its weaknesses, which moved it closer to the

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-5473437597284589772008-07-04T10:52:00.000-07:002008-07-04T10:59:56.793-07:00

In the lead up to the draft, talk centered on college combo guards moving to the point in the NBA. Will your combo guard make the transition? I answer the question here, where I write about the "Personality of a Point Guard." Also, on the topic, I have to comment on Brandon Jennings. I knew someone would go straight from high school to Europe eventually. Makes too much financial sense. However,

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-28518659951083977242008-07-02T14:43:00.001-07:002008-07-02T14:57:49.160-07:00

The NBA apparently wants to raise the age limit to 20-years-old, which would have eliminated nearly half of this year's 1st Round draft picks. The NFL already requires three years of college before a player can enter the draft, while Major League Baseball has a loophole - either go pro out of high school or play three years of college ball. However, if a player resides outside the U.S., all

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-40800529066082279652008-07-01T19:04:00.001-07:002008-07-01T19:30:28.797-07:00

Last year, after the draft, I wrote that I did not believe the Warriors improved their team compared to the rest of the Western Conference. Angry Warrior fans wrote in protest, believing Brandon Wright, Kosta Perovic, Stephan Lasme and Austin Croshere would solidify the interior and Belinelli would replace Jason Richardson. Now, after losing Baron Davis, and drafting another skinny project, are

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-58229631303610989772008-06-30T15:24:00.000-07:002008-06-30T16:06:38.541-07:00

After last week's NBA Draft, I read the minute by minute coverage on SacTown Royalty, which was quite funny. Beyond the humor, I was struck by the knowledge of some of the fans, both of the players in the draft and the history of the Kings. Over the weekend, I read the latest issue of ESPN the Mag which includes a small tidbit about the book the Wisdom of Crowds in relation to the problems with

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-50132372424582020422008-06-28T22:27:00.000-07:002008-06-28T22:36:01.251-07:00

I saw Gunnin' for that #1 Spot tonight, an interesting look at some of the top high school and college players in the country. After watching the Elite 24 game, there shold have been little argument: Michael Beasley showed by far the most talent, and he was hilarious too. Without Beasley's antics, I'm not sure if there is a movie. My favorite part of the movie, however, was listening to the

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-31679216395310999062008-06-27T11:03:00.000-07:002008-06-27T11:22:45.846-07:00

I just read Chad Ford's draft analysis. Unlike some, I generally like the information Ford provides, even though I have no idea how a job as a professor in Hawaii translates into being an NBA insider. I do, however, have a problem with the selectivity with which he likes upside. I just see some incongruity in his analysis, which is common among most who attempt to read the future. He gave the

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-39063303816443753122008-06-27T00:00:00.000-07:002008-06-27T00:34:31.593-07:00

Admittedly, I know very little about Jason Thompson from Rider, the Sacramento Kings 1st Round pick. However, I did see him play in one game in his conference tournament and was underwhelmed. I hoped D.J. Augustin would fall to the Kings. My second choice, based on who I thought would be available, was Kansas Darrell Arthur. I never even considered that the Kings would take Thompson. I like

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-47639172407043929982008-06-26T14:10:00.000-07:002008-06-26T14:36:38.518-07:00

Since Kevin Prichard took over the Trailblazers, I have been a closet Blazers' fan. I like the team that he has put together. As the draft starts in two hours, I had this thought: The Blazers have two picks. They do not have a lot of room for new players and nobody available at #13 is really going to make an impact this year. Plus, they add two great rookies in Greg Oden and Rudy Fernandez.

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-30518135465462392712008-06-24T08:01:00.000-07:002008-06-24T08:12:09.140-07:00

If I directed USA Basketball, I would select a team with different pieces, not an All-Star team. Here is a look at a quickly throw together team: Starters PG: Deron Williams Kidd has experience, but Williams and Paul are at the top of their game. I want Paul off the bench as a change of pace guard, so I start Williams. SG: Kobe Bryant Still believe he's the best in the game SF: Stephen Jackson I

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-49730020367406002702008-06-23T15:20:00.000-07:002008-06-23T15:37:12.617-07:00

Hopefully Coach K and Team USA learn something from the European Championships which are now in the Semi-Finals. Portugual, Croatia, Spain and the Netherlands clinched their groups with one game remaining. In the third game of group play, each team's coach made the prudent decision to rest many of its top players. In the Quarterfinals, only Spain survived, in a penalty kick shootout, to reach

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-86130456137948872892008-06-12T11:19:00.000-07:002008-06-12T11:28:39.513-07:00

In my original mock draft, I had O.J. Mayo at #6 to the New York Knicks. However, the more I think about the NBA and the NBA Draft, I realized that if I was the Chicago Bulls General Manager, I would pick O.J. Mayo first. In my eyes, Brook Lopez is free-falling too. Why? Last year, in my 2007 NBA Draft Preview, I picked Kevin Durant first and explained: I draft Durant here for one reason:

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-82174782250689009902008-06-11T00:05:00.000-07:002008-06-11T00:20:00.293-07:00

In all the hoopla of re-living the 1980's and trying to turn KG vs Kobe into Bird vs Magic, has anyone noticed how poorly played this series is? If this was San Antonio vs Detroit, that's all anyone would talk about. All we hear is that nobody wants to see a Detroit vs San Antonio series because they play "boring" basketball. I'd take "boring" over poorly played any day. Tonight's game was awful

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-47065679820400892512008-06-08T23:42:00.000-07:002008-06-08T23:50:57.192-07:00

Why does the media overreact so much when the home team wins the first two games? When New Orleans beat San Antonio in games 1 and 2, it was like the series was over. Then, Game 2 is a "must win" for the Lakers? I don't understand. It used to be that the media said the series did not really start until a road team won. What changed? When does Rajon Rondo start to hear his name among the best

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-30377041077081192662008-06-05T11:20:00.001-07:002008-06-05T11:39:36.391-07:00

ESPN asked some athletes to pick the world's best athletes. Not unexpectedly, they picked athletes with whom they are most familiar who play sports they either play, played or would like to have played. Their top five: 1. LeBron James (22) 2. Tiger Woods (19) 3. Kobe Bryant (7) 4. Dwight Howard (4) 5. LaDainian Tomlinson (2) I have argued for over a year on my other blog and in my newsletter

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6902572.post-32706149101004136242008-06-02T11:02:00.001-07:002008-06-02T11:21:34.092-07:00

My earliest memories of watching basketball on television are the Lakers vs. Celtics series. But, am I the only one not buying the never-ending hype for this series? The Lakers and Celtics were rivals in the 80's when Magic Johnson and Larry Bird carried their rivalry from the NCAA Final Four into the NBA, back when players went to college for four years, entered the NBA a stars, not potential

Brian McCormickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01617359625832911440noreply@blogger.com