Just Blaze

Is it really over..? If you know me, you would know that I love Brandon Roy. Brandon Roy has been and will always be one of my favorite players ever. I was a little heartbroken when I heard the news of his retirement. I've been watching him since he first entered the league. The first time I watched him play was in his second game of his NBA career - against the Warriors. He only had 19 points that game, but to me it seemed like he just kept scoring and scoring. My favorite game that I watched of him was when he hit that game winner in Houston in overtime. I remember watching it and going crazy because Yao Ming had just got an and-1 on the play before and there was only 0.8 seconds left. Following a Blazers' timeout, Roy launched a shot from about 35 feet and hit it - nothing but net. I remember being really happy when he made his first all-star game too. It breaks my heart that I won't be able to watch him anymore or play with him in that NBA 2K ish anymore either. Brandon Roy wasn't just amazing on the court, but an amazing person off the court as well.  If you follow Brandon, you'd know that he is a very humble person. Despite the adversity he faced in his short (but unforgettable) career, he always worked hard and it's just sad to see that his career is ending the way it is.  But... I guess that's just how life is sometimes. Thanks though. Thanks for the memories, Brandon Roy.

I know I'm a little late with this Brandon Roy retirement stuff, but I'm on that finals grind right now. Just an update though... but season previews should be coming out soon-ish? After finals? Anson's gonna be in the mother land till post-Christmas. Stay tuned though and thanks for reading. I really do appreciate it.

Sting of Regret

As you all should know by now, Chris Paul was supposed to be traded Thursday night to a certain L.A. team. To me, this trade makes no sense whatsoever (for the Hornets and the Rockets anyways). Why trade Chris Paul for Kevin Martin, Luis Scola, Goron Dragic, and a bag of candy? Why? Why when you can get so much more with Chris Paul. Don't take this the wrong way, the players that were supposed to go to New Orleans are above average players. However, if you're going to trade a superstar... why not get a superstar in return? If you're going to rebuild, why not trade for a superstar in the making? Why not trade for a Rajon Rondo or a Stephen Curry? Why not? Why trade for a collection of players that aren't going to turn your team into contenders? It perplexes me to no end.

If you're the Rockets, why do you trade a 20 point scoring machine and your most productive player for a player who choked in the playoffs and didn't show up when it counted? Sure, Gasol was playing pretty well in international play, but who doesn't?! Well now, you're thinking I'm crazy because why would everyone play amazingly well when it's the best in the world facing off. Right, but... have you ever heard of Ruben Boumtje-Boumtje? My point exactly. Boumtje-Boumtje was a star in international play, but in the NBA, homeboy was just another scrub sitting at the end of the bench. What's that you say? That's only one player? Fair enough. What about Carlos Arroyo? Is he a superstar in the NBA? Didn't think so. Stop hating on Gasol? Fine. At least he still gets women right? Right...! Honestly though, I have no idea what Darryl Morey is doing in Houston. You get rid of your most promising player and you rid yourself of your key players just to acquire a grizzly, frothy-bearded man who really can't carry such a load? Come on now. Really Mr. Morey?

Now, for the Lakers. This trade still doesn't really make sense either. Sure, you get Chris Paul and Kobe in the same back court. Great. Does this mean championships? It can, but only if the other pieces of the puzzle come too. If the Lakers also somehow managed to trade for the second coming of Shaq, this makes more sense (cents) than Bill Gates and Steve Jobs combined! BUT! Orlando is NOT giving up Dwight for Andrew Bynum. It's NOT going to happen! Dream all you want, but it's not going to happen! Orlando wants Dwight. Orlando believes they can make Dwight stay. Since L.A. won't be getting Dwight, what do they have left? No Lamar and no real offensive threat. All you have is Chris Paul and Kobe. Can two guys really bring you a championship without role players? Ask D-Wade and Baby Bronbron. They know all about it. Who's going to be your third biggest scorer? Bynum? Sure, but is he better than Chris Bosh? Not that I know of. Is Metta World Peace going to save you? Umm... no. Just stop. So what else do you have? A dried up fish, Chris Brown, and Luke? Cause that's really going to win you a championship. Right...

I know this is completely irrelevant to everything you just read, but does one James Harden beard plus one Greg Oden beard equal one Baron Davis beard? Hahah. Hit the comments and as always, thanks for reading.

5 Things: Preseason Headlines (Part 2)

Before I start, for all my Warrior fans who are all excited about trading for CP3, I just want to give a quick opinion on all that talk. It will be a HUGE mistake if we do it. Paul will leave for a bigger market after the season if we don't get an extension, I guarantee that, and his knees may still give out one season if he miraculously re-signs then you're left with what? Tyson Chandler also has maybe one or two more good seasons left in him before he is done, and you want to pay him at least $10 million per year for probably four seasons?? Why give up Steph, Klay, and Udoh, and possible draft picks (sorry, they don't really matter unless we suck) for all that? It's just not reasonable, especially in a season where the Western Conference is as weak as it will be in years and we actually have a current roster good enough to possibly be as high as a fifth seed (You're thinking 5th?? Look at the West, trust me). I have a ton of confidence that Steph can and will be that franchise point guard for us, and Mark Jackson will be able to get him to that next level. The only thing we really need is a center (not from this year's free agency) and of course for the last three years I have been saying, Monta has to go...but I'm done ranting about us possibly tossing our future away for one mediocre playoff season with Chris Paul. Here's part 2 folks, enjoy...
 
3. The End of an Era / The New Era: If the lockout had taken away an entire season, it would have also taken away the opportunity for NBA fans to watch and appreciate the final run to a title of some of the older, dominant teams in the last decade. Those teams, I'm talking about are the Spurs and Celtics. For the Mavericks, they've accomplished the goal of a title and partying with Lil Wayne before their window closed, and there doesn't seem to be a sense of urgency for them to repeat this year as they've exceeded the expectations of the potential in their roster. We may possibly be watching Jason Kidd's final season, Jason Terry's last productive season before his career winds down like Bobby Jackson's, and possibly Dirk slowing down as well this season. It's ok for the Mavs, they're a veteran roster that will continue to change and compete because Mark Cuban is their owner. As for the Spurs and Celtics, this season will be it for their title aspirations. These two teams have combined for four championships (Celtics only 1) in the last decade and how they try to win their last title before their window closes will be interesting to see because the way they were eliminated from the playoffs last season made it seem like their time had already run out. Both teams have stuck to the core of their roster so far, and if it remains the same for the rest of the year, appreciate the games the Spurs and Celtics are televised in because we may be watching the end of a decade of brilliant robotic basketball from Tim Duncan and crew, and the end of an era of the first assembled super team.

Although I mention the end of an era of two great franchises in the league, last season's playoffs offered previews of a new era of basketball led by teams with young and exciting stars. These teams included the Chicago Bulls. Oklahoma City Thunder, and Memphis Grizzlies (ok Zach Randolph isn't young, but how can you not like Z-Bo and his squad??) These three teams are the future of the league that will compete against the new super teams that will develop in the near future (Knicks, Lakers, Nets, along with the Heat). If the Bulls can add some scoring help (Jason Richardson!!) for the MVP, they will certainly be ready to compete with the Miami Heat for the Eastern Conference crown and an NBA title this year. The Oklahoma City Thunder are another team on its way to being a yearly contender for an NBA title. With Durant and Westbrook locked down for the next few years, they will continue to be a top team in the league as long as their two superstars learn to play together and build chemistry. Lastly the Grizzles remind me of a team that can build themselves the way the Spurs did for the last decade. Gasol and Randolph can be a poor man's combo of Robinson and Duncan and they are a Monta Ellis (Please GSW do it!!) or OJ Mayo reaching full-potential away from being scary good. Two other teams to lookout for this year: Indiana Pacers (David West + Paul George actually playing like the next T-Mac = contender, only if these two things happen) & Los Angeles Clippers (BLAKE GRIFFIN & Eric Gordon too). The future of the league is looking very bright and heading into this season, there may be a couple teams making their final run at a championship, but there will be many making their first run en route to many at an NBA championship and it should be fun to watch.   

2. Like Mike: When the Los Angeles Lakers were swept emphatically out of the Playoffs in the conference semi-finals last year no one could really understand what had happened. The 2010 champs looked terrible and the team looked to be heading in a free-fall. Shannon Brown may have slept with Pau Gasol's girlfriend which caused him to play like a pussy in the playoffs. The chemistry of the team was in shambles as Andrew Bynum told reporters the players did not trust each other. Derek Fisher looked really old, and most importantly, Kobe's fatigue finally caught up to him. Kobe looked tired and hurt all year. We never got the vintage Kobe performance we were accustomed to seeing during the season or playoffs and it seemed as if his best days were behind him. Phil Jackson seemed to have lost control of his team and with his retirement, Mike Brown now takes over these issues. 

These issues in Tinseltown make for a very intriguing season for the Lakers however. It will be interesting to see how the Lakers bounce back and how Kobe plays with a healthy body and an offseason of extended rest which he has not had in years. It's hard to believe that he won't come into this season hungrier than ever for that sixth ring to match Jordan, looking to prove he can win without Phil, and showing he is still the best player on the planet. Kobe will be the main focus and he will show up this year, but there are still many questions lingering for the rest of the team: Is Mike Brown the right choice as the head coach? Can Steve Blake actually assume the role of Steve Kerr? Will the 2010 Pau Gasol return? Will Dwight Howard arrive by the deadline? Can the reincarnation of Dennis Rodman finally show up in the form of Metta World Peace?  All that remains to be seen, but it should be a Hollywood season as expected. 

1. The Real World - South Beach (Season 2): The video was just a summary of the regular season for the Miami Heat last year and we all know what happened in the Playoffs and how their season ended. Hate them or love them, the Miami Heat are great for the NBA. They are a reality television show with a ton of star power, and play the role of a villain excellently. They are fun to watch and they were the reason the league hit a peak in popularity that had been missing since the days Michael Jordan played. In season two of the campaign to win "not 5...not...6...not 7" championships, the Heat's storyline will be how they can overcome their collapse against the Mavs and return to the Finals and win their first title. Their season will once again be filled with a ton of drama and excitement, and even the little things like bumping the coach (purposely or accidentally) will once again be placed under a microscope and analyzed in all ways. The Heat this season should be a much better team with an upgraded roster (trade for Kaman with Mike Miller!! Do it.) and there should not be a period where the guys need to adjust to playing with each other this year. They have too much talent and LeBron can only fail for so long before he finally comes through right? There are no excuses this season for not winning a championship, but the possibility that the Heat may fail makes them that intriguing and must-see TV.   

Top team breakdowns/season predictions and Warriors' season preview post will hopefully come from Josh sometime soon. I would love to post about it, but I'm leaving the country on the day free agency officially begins and won't be back until after the season has started, so I will not have time to write about who went where and how it impacts a team. Maybe I will be able to post something within the next few weeks, we'll see. Happy Holidays everyone and thanks for reading.

5 Things: Preseason Headlines (Part 1)

The NBA is back, the NBA is back! Christmas day is definitely going to be a wonderful day. In all honesty I don't think I have missed the league as much as I probably should. There have been plenty of other sports that have kept me occupied. Through the lockout, Sundays have become a sacred day of watching football and doing nothing at all but regretting dropping Andy Dalton from my fantasy team after the week 1... I'd say my love for the NFL hasn't been this strong since the beginning years of high school. College football still needs a playoff system, but it has still been a solid year (Bayou Bengals!), and college basketball is filled with a bunch of Anthony Davis's unibrow and extra talent this year thanks to the lockout. With that being said, it doesn't mean I didn't miss the league. I miss Monta throwing up 25 shots a game en route to another Warriors loss. I miss Kevin Love gobbling up them double-doubles. I miss the Blake Show. I miss Doc Rivers's in-game huddles. I miss Delonte West. I miss and will continue to miss J.R. Smith until March. I miss hating Kobe Bryant, but having him make me respect his game and understand he has been the greatest basketball player in my lifetime since Michael Jordan. I miss Rondoooooooo and Kevin Durant. I miss watching LeBrick James choking when it matters the most. I just missing watching basketball played at the highest level.

What do I anticipate? I'll expand on that in future posts, but I do expect an entertaining season. Momentum left from the ending of last season will be lessened because of the lockout and players will probably be rusty with quality of play not being great until February-March. Some good players like Wilson Chandler may not be on an NBA roster until March, but this year will still be great, like every year. Here are a couple of things to look forward to when the season tips off:   

5) Collective Bargaining & Rambling About My Ideal League: I don't really care to talk about the collective bargaining agreement, and all I know is that the players pretty much still got screwed in terms of revenue sharing, the owners also did not get everything they wanted either, both sides lost, but the fans won. Small market teams will still be unable to keep up with big market teams, star players have a greater incentive to stay with the team that drafted them, but they can still go wherever they please, which they will do and it is wonderful. I despise the creation of superteams, but they're great for the league and fun to watch, and I could care less about the small market teams. Their owners are stingy (yes, Michael Jordan that includes you, Robert Sarver, etc.) and even if they have money to spend on elite players, they don't do it anyways. Currently, only two small market teams matter to the league, the Spurs (Once Duncan retires, will they still matter though?) and the Thunder. My plan: eliminate the small market teams like the Raptors, Bobcats, Bucks, and it pains me to say it...the Kings, and two other useless franchises in the future too. Have a 24 team league, have a draft of those players with a lottery system similar to the NBA draft, worst team has best odds of acquiring Brandon Jennings or Tyreke Evans?? Which equates to less crappy owners, no DJ Mnebga's on rosters, more mid-level teams acquiring good players, more fans for their market, and an ability to compete against the bigger market teams like the Knicks, Heat, Lakers, etc. It's wishful thinking and definitely not happening, but wouldn't that be great?

4) Trade Winds: I'm pretty sure for any NBA fan, you already know that the summer of 2012 is going to have a pretty good free agency class. That is if these potential free agents are not traded by this year's deadline. Everyone already knows the three big names: Deron Williams, Dwight Howard, and Chris Paul, and trade rumors have already been swirling about two of them. Deron Williams opting out does not mean anything, it's only a more lucrative move for him and I expect him to re-sign with the Nets once the season is over. If you're expecting Dwight Howard to get traded early this season or anytime during the season, don't get your hopes up. Even though Dwight does not want to be a Magic, the Magic still want Dwight. There is no way they will trade him at least until after the all-star break (this year's game is in Orlando). There are plenty of potential suitors for Dwight: Clippers, Knicks, Nets, and Lakers, but I do not see the Magic dealing Dwight until they have no choice but to sign and trade him to a team in the summer. The Magic's plan is to make some more roster adjustments (amnesty Gilbert Arenas or Hedo Turkoglu? Sign Jared Dudley, Arron Afflalo?) and make a run at a title to show Dwight that they're a franchise trying to put the pieces around him to succeed. I don't believe they will convince him to stay, but in any circumstance, the Magic will lose because it is only a matter of time before Dwight leaves Orlando.

The one guy who will likely be traded this season however, is Chris Paul. The Hornets are not competing for a title this year, David West should pack his bags for Indiana if he knows what's best, and Paul has made his intentions clear, he wants to play for the Knicks. Dell Demps understands the situation and he has been working hard to find a good deal. If I'm the Hornets, I do what I told the Nuggets to do last year with Carmelo (which they did not do), and trade Paul to wherever they please. Excuse my French, but fuck where Chris Paul wants to go. If a team wants to risk acquiring him without a guaranteed extension and they still offer a package of young talent and draft picks, do it. The Hornets do not owe Chris Paul anything anymore and their main concern should be to do anything possible to build a young roster appealing enough to keep the team in New Orleans when they are sold.

I'm fed up with these superstars all being best friends and wanting to play with each other instead of competing against each other, and it's sad to see Chris Paul become one of them. It's understandable that CP3 wants to play with a better supporting cast and he deserves it, but I've played this scenario enough in 2K to know, CP3, Melo, and Amare together still won't win them a championship until they learn how to play team defense and not until Mike D'Antoni coaches a team other than the Knickerbockers. We saw it last year, three superstars on one team is very fun to watch, but it does not make chemistry and everyone else on the team better. Paul choosing the Knicks is not a bad decision and I do not knock him for wanting to play in the mecca of basketball with two of the top 10 players in the league, but I believe there is one team who has been inquiring about Paul's services that would suit him best for the situation now, the Boston Celtics.

The one aspect making Paul difficult to trade will be the same with Melo last year. He won't sign an extension unless it's the Knicks or Lakers. The Knicks have nothing to offer this season, and would actually be much better suited to wait and sign Paul for a discounted contract in the summer and the Lakers would seem like the most logical trading partner for the Hornets to acquire  Andrew Bynum, but would the Lakers be willing to give up a franchise center (which comes about every 5 years) in return for a franchise point guard (which comes about every 2 years)? If I'm LA, I will only trade Bynum for Howard and acquire a serviceable point guard in that deal as well...Jameer Nelson. Which makes the Boston Celtics the most fitting team to acquire CP3. I know Paul said he will not sign an extension with Boston, and the C's are hesitant to trade for him unless he does sign an extension, but why not make the move? There is also no way if the C's acquire him he would quit playing and be lackadaisical for a year. KG, Allen, and Pierce would not let that happen. I love Rajon Rondo and he is the second-most important player to the Celtics behind Kevin Garnett, but If the Celtics have the opportunity to have Paul lead the team for just one season they have to take that chance.This team has one last run in them this season, and after that it's time to blow up the team and rebuild anyways. There's nothing to lose and three scenarios can happen if this trade is made:
  
Best-Case Scenario - Paul wins a championship with the Celtics, loves the tradition and culture of the team and decides to stay. Rebuilding is not as necessary with Paul Pierce and Jeff Green back, possibly one more year of KG, and Paul being the new franchise player.

OK Scenario - Paul wins a championship with the Celtics, but decides to leave. In the end they still won a title which is the ultimate goal. Rebuilding begins and Celtics feature Jeff Green and Paul Pierce as their best players the following season.

Worst-Case Scenario - Paul leads the team to a loss in the playoffs or finals, and decides to leave. Rebuilding begins and Celtics feature Jeff Green and Paul Pierce as their best players the following season.

Of course the C's would love to avoid the worst-case scenario with Paul, but with Rondo running the team that worst-case scenario will most likely happen and rebuilding with Rondo, Pierce, and Green is still not ideal. If the Celtics are going to lose in the playoffs, they might as well start everything over, keeping only Paul Pierce if he wants to stay and having Rondo on the team would make things more difficult. Chris Paul will make the Celtics a true championship contender, and it certainly means throwing all your chips in for ONE CHAMPIONSHIP. Rondo will be good for New Orleans. He'll still attract fans, he'll get to be the star player of a franchise and get the recognition that comes with it (which he does not get in Boston), and the Hornets can probably acquire some good young prospects in the trade as well (most likely a 3-team deal). I think that everyone involved can benefit from this trade. The Celtics have a legitimate title shot which is all they should be looking for. Rajon Rondo loses the most, but can become a star in New Orleans. The Hornets will have Rondo to lead their young team in the future. Lastly, Chris Paul can possibly win a title with the C's or leave and join the Knicks or whichever team he pleases after. 

I would love to talk more about trades like Rudy Gay for Monta Ellis?? But I'll save it for another time. I know 5 things in 2 parts is pretty ridiculous, but I know attention span is lacking and the trade portion of this post was pretty long. Check back tomorrow for Part 2!

Ten Things: Blow Up Edition (Part 2)

 5) Andrew Bynum, C (LAL): Isn't this picture funny? I once wrote a very long post about how these two centers should trade teams and it would benefit both teams because let's be honest, Dwight Howard is leaving the Magic after this season, and I really don't think Kobe likes Bynum that much. Did you know that this is Bynum's 7th season and he's only 24?? Since Dwight isn't arriving in Tinseltown this year, Bynum will have to be a big part of the Lakers this season if they want to get back to championship form. Bynum has gotten better every season thanks in large part to Kareem Abdul-Jabar and his ability to bulk up from a skinny 270 to a strong 285. However, he hasn't been on the court enough to produce for the Lakers. Knee injuries have bothered him almost every year (he averages only 55 games a season, played only one entire season) and because of that, it usually takes him some time to get adjusted to his role. This season, Bynum will have to be more of a focus in the offense with both Kobe and Pau Gasol a year older, he will have to be an enforcer in the paint with Gasol on defense, and he will have to return to his 2009-10 form and be even better if the Lakers want to have a chance at returning to championship glory. The key to Bynum having a breakout season is just staying healthy and hopefully this lockout will give him enough rest so us basketball fans can see his true potential come into fruition.  

4) Serge Ibaka, F (OKC): Air Congo is one of the most perplexing players in the league for me to evaluate when I watch him. Since his rookie season I've thought to myself, if this guy can put it all together, he will be one scary player. However, I see him as a guy that just won't ever get there. He'll be super athletic but I don't think he'll ever round out his game. In year two, the promise he showed was even greater, and once again I was second-guessing him fully reaching his potential. Ibaka became a starter in the second half of last season, and he showed a nice touch from 15 feet, would've led the league in blocks if he had started from game 1, and he is definitely going to be a part of the KD/Westbrook (maybe CP3 instead?) wrecking crew for many years to come. I'm convinced that Ibaka can reach an all-star level and if the Thunder are to get to the Finals this year, he will have to be great. All he's done to prove himself is work hard this summer as well. He played with the Gasol brothers (I pray to the basketball gods hoping he learned a Gasol hook shot, please!) and the Spanish national team and he's currently playing with Real Madrid in Spain. Ibaka is playing against the best competition possible right now and hopefully he'll be ready to take his game to the next level in you guessed it...year 3. 

 3) James Harden, G (OKC): Is there an Oklahoma City Thunder bias for ranking Ibaka fourth and Harden third? Absolutely, but the two have been playing this summer just as much as their team leader, Mr. Durant, and Harden has looked real good. Harden has been a big part of the Drew League and other all-star games this summer, where he's put up numbers like 29, 48, and 51. He is a lethal scorer and he's only started 5 games in his career...5 games?? No knock on him, but Jodie Meeks who was in the same draft class has started 64 games in his career...That's ridiculous! If Scott Brooks doesn't start Harden this year he needs to be fired. While everyone was busy complaining about Russy taking too many shots in the playoffs and criticizing the poor interior defense of Perkins & Ibaka against Z-Bo & Dirk, they failed to notice Harden's brilliance and how important he is to the team when he's on the court (Game 4 against the Mavs last year). He can run the offense (Thunder's biggest weakness), he spaces the floor with his 3-point shooting which allows Westbrook & Durant to play 1-on-1, and he can create his own shot. Is he a liability on defense? Yeah, but that's why they acquired Perkins and have Ibaka to protect the paint. Harden averaged 12 ppg in 27 mpg last year. If he gets 10 more minutes per game, boom squared can definitely average 18 a game, possibly 20. Do the right thing Scotty Brooks and start Harden and that sexy beard, please.     

2) Tyreke Evans, G (SAC): For the 2010 Rookie of the Year, 2011 was a year he'd probably like to forget. Like most NBA players, he went through the so-called "Sophomore Slump" but in large part it was due to a plantar fasciitis injury that plagued him all season. Tyreke looks healthy again and I truly believe this will be the year we see 23-7-6 from him. Tyreke will also be taking on a much bigger role this season and most likely that will be at the point guard position because Marcus Thornton is still on the team and with the arrival of The Jimmer, Evans will have to run the offense. It shouldn't be a problem though because he has been a more productive player in his career as a primary ball-handler, and he'll have plenty of weapons on the wings and the post (DeMarcus Cousins, J.J. Hickson, & Jason Thompson) to help him thrive. The shooting guard position has been on the decline in the last few years with only Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade being the only superstar shooting guards in the league, but who's next? Manu Ginobili? Too old. Monta Ellis? Still too one dimensional. It used to be Brandon Roy, but his injury has dropped him out and I believe in Tyreke's third season he'll be ready to claim that status as the 3rd best shooting guard in the league. His jumper will be better, he'll have to become a playmaker, and could he possibly mold himself into the new Penny Hardaway? I think so. He will be an all-star this season and Mr. Euro-Step will be the leader in the revival of the cow bells in Sacramento. Look out for him to "Reke Havoc" this year.

1) John Wall, G (WSH): Last season, we saw one of John Calipari's point guards blow up on his way to his first MVP and this year will be the blow up for another one of his past point guards, the Dougie King, John Wall. Unlike Mr. Rose however, I believe that Wall will reach his superstar status a year earlier. Wall is one of those new breed of point guards in the league that is slowly starting to revolutionize the point guard position. Last year we saw Russell Westbrook and Derrick Rose use their incredible athleticism and speed to fill up the stat sheet on a nightly basis, and Wall will follow suit. If Blake Griffin wasn't a rookie last season, Wall would have been the rookie of the year, and his solid season (16-5-8) wouldn't have been overlooked. This summer Wall has looked excellent playing in the NC Pro-Am League and the numerous all-star games set up by the players which included a 50-point effort. He's improved his jump shot immensely and that incredible athleticism hasn't gone anywhere. The Wizards team has gotten better as well with the addition of the man with the most swag on draft night, Jan Vesely, and the best defender of the draft, Chris Singleton. JaVale McGee is a year older and hopefully better, Jordan Crawford is a nice prospect, and hopefully Andray Blatche and Nick Young learn the concept of team basketball. They also have Rashard Lewis who is expendable and if he stays on the team can spread the floor. With all his weapons, Wall should have an amazing season (I say...22-7-10) and if he can get the Wizards to the playoffs I predict a possible all-NBA team. Who doesn't want to see him dougie after dunking on Chris Bosh in the first round of the playoffs? 
           

Ten Things: The Blow Up Edition (Part 1)

Happy opening night everybody, I hope you all enjoyed the Mavs/Bulls & Thunder/Lakers tonight. That dunk by D-Rose on Tyson Chandler was amazing and Kobe's game-winner at the buzzer?? Speechless...oh wait that's right, the lockout is still going on that was just my imagination of how tonight should have been. Just last Thursday night, I thought like the rest of you, that the lockout could very well be over by Friday morning. Once again, after many hours of negotiating and "progress," the meetings ended with no agreement and the lockout continued. This time the inability to agree on a new deal has officially taken away the possibility of a full season. A shortened season means less basketball and less opportunities to see the development of some of the up-and-coming players in the league. There definitely isn't a lack in young talent in the league right now and these will be the ten guys that you might want to consider having on your fantasy when/if the season begins. Too bad we won't get to see a full season of their progress, but in the words of J. Cole, these guys are about to blow up... 

10) DeAndre Jordan, C (LAC): Pop quiz! Which Los Angeles Clipper dunked the most in the NBA last season per possession? If you answered Blake Griffin, sorry that's incorrect. The correct answer is DeAndre Jordan. Any real basketball fan knows DeAndre puts people on posters, but DeAndre can do much more than dunk. He's an excellent rebounder and shot blocker as well. Filling in for the often-injured Chris Kaman last season, he averaged 8.2 ppg, 8.2 rpg, and 2 bpg in only 27 minutes per game for the final 2 months of the season. Give the man an offseason to work on the skill portion of his game and an extra 10 minutes per game and we're looking at someone who can average a double-double easily. Jordan has worked hard to remove the label of "immature" and "lazy" coming out of college which made him slide to the 2nd round of the 2008 draft (8th best player in the class of 2007) and he is due to reward the Clippers for their partience. Of course Jordan's progression all depends on what the Clippers do with Chris Kaman. The perfect plan for the Clips? Trade Kaman to the Miami Heat for Mike Miller, Udonis Haslem, and Joel Anthony (The Clips can waive Haslem and he can go back to Miami, don't worry Heat fans). Mike Miller will contribute in LA and most importantly the "Dunk Show" starring Jordan and Blake Griffin will broadcast for 70 games? 60 games? 50 games? Regardless of how many games, warning to all centers and power forwards playing the Clippers next year, watch your head.

9) Derrick Williams, F (Min): If I'm wrong on this one, anyone that reads the blog can blast me in the future, but Derrick Williams is going to be a superstar in this league. He's an underrated jump shooter (it will get better) and he's too big to be defended by a 3 and too quick to be defended by a 4. His skill and size, and that sneaky athleticism will make him one of the toughest players to guard, and he's on the perfect team. Perfect team you're asking? Perfect team made by the Kahhhhhnnnn?? Possibly, if he can get rid of the right players (Beasley, Ridnour, Tolliver, Webster, & Darko Nipples) and get a decent center...maybe Nene and a good bench in return. You might be looking at the most fun team to watch in the league besides the other team in LA. You have a starting 5 with Ricky Rubio, Wes Johnson, D-Will, Kevin Love <3, & Nene, with Derrick Williams and Kevin Love being the focus and Wes Johnson possibly being a primary scorer for the team. I'm not saying Williams will be an immediate all-star this season, but in time he will be, and this season he will put up numbers, he'll be really good, and he'll be the rookie of the year, guaranteed. Bill Simmons seems to agree with me on this one (scroll to #16 &17), and as long as I have his blessing then it's ok. If Williams lives up to the hype I'm giving him, then sorry Cleveland, next year's draft? Here's to hoping Kyrie will be good too.

8) OJ Mayo, G (Mem): For OJ, this is long overdue, and his "blow up" needs to come now. There are no more excuses. There weren't any for his disappointing season last year (benched for Tony Allen) and there won't be any for him this season. He needs to become the lead perimeter scorer for his team or at least be the sidekick in perimeter scoring to Rudy Gay. The third overall pick in the 2008 draft, Mayo has been disappointing so far in his career and instead of living to the phenom hype he had as a high school player, he's slowly becoming the new J.R. Smith. (high-volume shooter, low-percentage scorer) I love J.R., but he's supposed to be better than that. His numbers have gotten worse each season (rookie year: 82 games started 18.5 ppg, last year: 17 games started,11.3 ppg) and it's time for him to turn it around. I've always been high on OJ (Me in 2008 college bracket: USC in the Final Four = USC eliminated in the 1st Round...) and I'm not going to give up on him yet. He will be the starting shooting guard on the Grizzlies this year and he will become that scorer, I promise on behalf of OJ's talents.  

7) Jrue Holiday, G (Phi): Year 3...year 3 is usually the year when an up-and-coming player separates himself from being good in the league to being great and Holiday is one of four guys to be listed coming from the draft class of '09 that is on his way to being great. In his 2nd season, almost all his production doubled from his rookie season and that was due to an improved jump shot and becoming the starting point guard of the team. Holiday's game has really developed since his subpar Freshman season at UCLA when he paired up with Darren Collison forming the darkest backcourt in college history. His struggles in college weren't really his fault though because he was playing out of position and his game was better-suited for the pros anyways. Holiday was the Sixers second best player last year averaging 14 ppg, 6.5 rpg, & 4 rpg and he's only going to get better this season. His length makes him one of the best perimeter defenders in the league and the point guard of the future in Philly should have no problems getting work done this year. 

6) Ty Lawson, G (Den): If you ask me who the fastest point guard in the NBA is today, I will tell you it is Ty Lawson. No one can run 94 ft. down one end and back to the other faster than Lawson, not even the league's MVP. Lawson is another one of those 3rd year guys that is ready to make his mark in the league and last season we only got a little taste of what he's capable of. This season there's no Chauncey and there's no Raymond Felton in the way. The starting job (Andre Miller? Never) is his to take and so is the keys to the team. Lawson will be depended on to provide high energy with highlight plays, and push the tempo, while being the leader of the team. He is guaranteed a much larger role this year especially since J.R. Smith, Wilson Chandler, and Kenyon Martin will not be able to return from China until March, and Nene isn't guaranteed to be back, leaving Aaron Afflalo and Danillo Gallinari as the only significant players guaranteed to return when the season starts. I can still remember Lawson as a Freshman at UNC and his game has come a long way since. He once could not shoot a three to save his life and now he is one of the deep threats in the league. His speed has not changed and for a 5'10 point guard, he has some major bounce. Look for his game to round out this year and he sure won't be rusty when the season does begin because he's currently playing in Lithuania. When you watch the Nuggets this year, recognize that tiny blur in the crazy Nikes.


Enjoy the new music on the side & check back tomorrow for Part 2....