On Vacation
Tomorrow, I'll be heading off on vacation. I'm going to the lovely island of Nantucket, off the coast of Massachusetts. I've been going there my whole life, and I cannot wait to go again. I'll be there for a week. However, since I want my vacation to actually be a vacation, I'm not going to post that often, if at all. You can still get updates from me through my Twitter page, and I'll still be doing things for GiantsGab, so I won't be disappearing entirely. Here are some links to tide you over while I enjoy the warm sun and beaches. Don't miss me too much...
Great Suits From The NBA Draft
Don't Expect Tiger To Be Social Activist--From Jason Whitlock
GiantsGab Position-By-Position Breakdown (what, I do need some sort of shameless plug)
An Important Game In US Soccer History--From Dan Wetzel
and, finally:
Thanks for returning to The Blog of Champions!
2009 NBA Draft Grades, Thoughts, Etc
There are no stars in this draft, except for Griffin. Let's give grades:
San Antonio Spurs: A+
You have to include the Richard Jefferson deal in this. That gives them another scorer to take pressure off of Duncan and Co. But they also made one of the best picks of the night in selecting DaJuan Blair. He may be small, but he's tenacious, and a monster on the boards. Jack McClinton can shoot the lights out. And they have good development player in Nado De Colo from France. This is a team, with the new additions, that can make a run at the Lakers. Tremendous draft.
Philadelphia 76ers: A
They got very lucky when Jrue Holiday fell into their laps. I thought for sure he was a lottery pick. Holiday can start now at point, and contribute. Andre Miller might not be back. He and Elton Brand will make for a fun team to watch. Even though it was their only pick, they made the most out of it.
Memphis Grizzlies: A
I'm not entirely sold on Hasheem Thabeet. I think he can be a big shot blocker, but I don't know if he will score. However, DeMarre Carroll will provide a ton of energy off the bench. And Sam Young was one of the steals of the draft. Young is just solid, and he will the sixth man on this team. If Thabeet becomes what we think he can be, this is a tremendous draft.
LA Clippers: A
They took the best guy in the draft. 'Nuff said.
Denver Nuggets: A
Great job of them getting Ty Lawson, who will provide a new dimension to the offense.
Phoenix Suns: A-
Earl Clark is the next Lamar Odom. Taylor Griffin provides toughness off the bench. And they might be getting Steph Curry. Losing Shaq will hurt offensively, and if they trade Stoudamire, they will be lacking. But Curry and Clark can score. They will be important.
Utah Jazz: A-
I always love the Jazz's drafts. They get Eric Maynor, who will be solid backup for Deron Williams. Goran Suton will play in the league for 10 years as an outside shooting big man. Great pick.
Oklahoma City Thunder: A-
James Harden will be a great 2 guard to go with an impressive nucleus. BJ Mullens is a project, but he has size and talent. Good picks
Cleveland Cavaliers: B+
Shaq was the biggest get of the night. I don't know much about Christian Eyenga. But Danny Green will be solid pro.
Charlotte Bobcats: B+
Gerald Henderson will probably start at some point this year. Derrick Brown provides versatility. Two guys who will contribute. That's what you want from a draft.
Atlanta Hawks: B+
They finally took a Wake Forest point guard. Jeff Teague is not Chris Paul, but he's still really, really good. He could start from day 1. Sergiy Gladyr is a nice project.
Indiana Pacers: B+
Hansbrough might've been taken too high, but he will play for a long time. AJ Price is a solid backup at the point.
New York Knicks: B
Jordan Hill fits perfectly into their high tempo system. You have to think they will try and trade for Rubio. Toney Douglas can score and defend. Darko Milicic is interesting. He obviously talented, and can fit in their system. I'm not sold on it, but their draft picks were good.
Milwaukee Bucks: B
Brandon Jennings can score. He might be cocky, but he can score like Allen Iverson. Jodie Meeks is a scoring machine.
New Jersey Nets: B
I don't necessarily agree with trading Vince Carter, although Courtney Lee was a nice get in that deal. Terrence Williams has a ton of talent. He can play three spots, and will compliment Devin Harris nicely.
Portland Trail Blazers: B
Victor Claver will be stashed overseas. Jeff Pendergraph and Patty Mills will be great off the bench. Dante Cunningham has skills too.
Sacramento Kings: B-
I do like Tyreke Evans, and I think he will be a very good player. Omri Casspi is another player who will be stashed overseas. Jon Brockman provides toughness inside, even if he's a bit undersized.
Toronto Raptors: B-
If DeMar DeRozan becomes a great player, this is great draft. However, he has work to do, and didn't necessarily dominate at USC. A gamble, but a guy with a ton of upside.
Chicago Bulls: B-
James Johnson and Taj Gibson were solid picks. They can provide depth off the bench, and should be able to contribute.
Boston Celtics: B-
Lester Hudson can score. Not bad for a second rounder.
Dallas Mavericks: C+
Nick Calathes is the best pick of their draft, even if he's heading to Greece. Other picks were just okay.
Detroit Pistons: C+
Austin Daye might spell the end for Tayshaun Prince. He's lanky, needs to add weight, but can score. DaJuan Summers was a really good pick. They're botht inconsistent, though.
Golden State Warriors: C+
The only reason this is lower, is because they might trade Steph Curry. Stoudamire can score, but he's one and done. Curry would've fit great with Monta Ellis.
Houston Rockets: C+
I really like them getting Chase Buddinger. Jermaine Taylor will score off the bench. I would've like to seen more front court help with the constant injuries to Yao.
Miami Heat: C
Patrick Beverley has a chance to be solid. Robert Dozier is just okay. Not great, not terrible.
New Orleans Hornets: C-
Darren Collison will be a great backup for Chris Paul. Marcus Thornton can score off the bench. They probably should've gotten front court help.
Minnesota Timberwolves: F
I just don't get it. I like Rubio. And I like Flynn. Just not together. You can't play with two point guards. Unless there is a trade in the works, it doesn't make sense. Then they draft Wayne Ellington, who's a good player, but he'll never see the floor with the two point guard system. It doesn't make sense. There has to be trade in the works. They may see Rubio as a two guard, but I don't. Doesn't make sense. Really don't get. Worst draft of the night by far.
No picks, or otherwise inconsequential: Lakers, Wizards, Magic
Some teams really helped themselves, some teams made it worse.
RIP Michael Jackson
I'm still stunned. Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, died yesterday. He was 50. For all the mystery that has shrouded his life in recent years, for all the antics, he is still the greatest entertainer of our time. His songs are so amazing. It's weird. I had just gotten back into Jackson music. I was planning on purchasing a ticket for his upcoming tour. His death is so shocking. 50. About to embark on a worldwide tour. And, I'm having a hard time writing this post. I've written posts like these before. I've written about death before. I've seen death before. But for this post, tears are rolling down my face. For this post, I'm struggling for words. For this post, I'm suddenly realizing the loss of a pop legend. Maybe it didn't hit me yesterday. Maybe I was too stunned. Maybe I didn't want to believe it. I don't know. But I know now that my emotions are getting the better of me. I don't know if this post is doing him justice. I don't think any post can. Michael Jackson, for all his downfalls, is a beloved figure. Rest in Peace, Michael. May the world remember for your terrific music. May the world remember you for how you changed music. May the world remember you forever.
Cavs Get Shaq
We had talked earlier about the rumored Shaq to Cavs deal. Now it's done. The Cavs get Shaq for Ben Wallace Sasha Pavlovich, and other considerations. It makes sense for both teams. The Suns get salary relief with the expiring contracts of Wallace and Pavlovich, while the Cavs get LeBron help on the offensive end. We saw in the Magic series how LeBron couldn't do it on his own. Now with Mo Williams and Shaq, the Cavs are poised for a title run. Great deal.
And now, we should be seeing a lot more of this (hopefully):
Iowa High School Football Coach Shot, Killed
Ed Thomas, football coach at Aplington-Parkersburg High in Parkersburg, Iowa, 2005 High School Coach of the Year, was shot and killed. The lead suspect is a former player under Thomas. Thomas was 58. High School coaches and teachers can often have a profound impact on who we are, and can be positive influences on us. Ed Thomas was that kind of guy. His program produced 4 NFL players, Casey Wiegmann of the Denver Broncos; Jared DeVries of the Detroit Lions; Brad Meester of the Jacksonville Jaguars; and Aaron Kampman of the Green Bay Packers. All had tremendous things to say about Thomas:
"[Thomas] has done so much for me personally and professionally just as well as he's done for everybody that's gone through there," Meester said in a statement. "One of the big things he's done for everybody, it's not so much the Xs and Os that he taught us about football but it's the stuff that he taught us that pertains to real life, it's about being men, that has meant so much. He taught us so many things. He taught us things like hard work, just taking pride in what we do and the value of family. He treated each and every one of us like we were his kids."
"Coach Thomas was very special to me and many other young men from the Aplington-Parkersburg communities," Kampman said in a statement. "His legacy for many will be associated with his tremendous success as a football coach. However, I believe his greatest legacy comes not in how many football games he won or lost but in the fact that he was a committed follower of Jesus Christ. He lived his life trying to exemplify this faith and convey those values to those under his influence."
I'm not sure of the motives of the killer; I don't know if we can ever be sure. It does seem that there is something off with the killer, and maybe that explains it. I don't know. But, I've said it on the blog before, and it's a question that may seem naive, but it's so complicated: Why do bad things happen to good people? It may seem like a question a 5 year old would ask, but if it was, why hasn't it been answered. It doesn't make sense. If you do good things, you should be rewarded, not killed. If you do bad things, you should be punished. It's simple. Yet, it never seems to happen that way. It never seems to go the way we all thought it would. Ed Thomas seems like a great coach, but an even better person, who has shaped the lives of many young men. And now he gets killed. The logic doesn't make sense to me, and I fear it never will. While Brian Grant is fighting Parkinson's, while Nick Adenheart gets killed after the best start of his young career, while Ed Thomas is being shot, bad guys are getting away with murder. So tell me this: What are the people living a good life doing wrong, and what can we do to fix it. I'm tired of hearing stories like this, much like I'm tired of hearing PacMan Jones getting opportunity after opportunity. Eventually, I believe, this stuff balances itself out. As for now, however, I'm left searching for something that I don't even know exists. RIP, Ed Thomas.
Flyers-Bruins Winter Classic
The NHL announced its plans for next season's Winter Classic, and it's the Flyers vs the Bruins at Fenway Park. Personally, I was pulling for Rangers-Bruins in Yankee Stadium, but Fenway Park is going to be awesome, with two teams who hate each other. The Winter Classic has quickly become one of my favorite events of the season, and this one is going to be great again. Great job, NHL
Our 2nd NBA Mock Draft
This is our 2nd NBA Mock Draft. We're including the recent T-Wolves-Wizards trade, which gave the Wolves the 5th AND 6th pick.
1. Clippers
Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma
2. Grizzlies
Hasheem Thabeet, C, UCONN
3. Thunder
James Harden, SF, Arizona State
4. Kings
Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain
5. Wolves
This is the pick they recieved in the deal with the Wizards.
Tyreke Evans, PG/SG, Memphis
6. Wolves
Stephen Curry, SG, Davidson
7. Warriors
Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy
8. Knicks
Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse
9. Raptors
DeMar DeRozan, SF, USC
10.Bucks
Jrue Holliday, PG/SG, UCLA
11. Nets
Terrance Williams, SG, Louisville
12.Bobcats
Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona
13. Pacers
Ty Lawson, PG, UNC
14. Suns
Gerald Henderson, SG, Duke
15. Pistons
DeJuan Blair, PF, PITT
16. Bulls
Earl Clark, PF, Louisville
17. 76ers
Jeff Teague, PG, WAKE
18. Wolves
BJ Mullens, C, Ohio St.
19. Hawks
Eric Maynor, PG, VCU
20. Jazz
Austin Daye, SF, Gonzaga
21. New Orleans
Sam Young, SF, Pitt
22. Mavs
Darren Collison, PG, UCLA
23.Kings
Tyler Hansbrough, PF, UNC
24. Blazers
Omri Casspri, SF, Spain
25. Thunder
Toney Douglas, SG, Florida St.
26. Bulls
DeMarre Carrol, PF, Missouri
27. Grizzlies
Wayne Ellington, SG, UNC
28. Wolves
Jonas Jerebko, SF,Sweden
29. Lakers
James Johnson, PF, Wake Forest
30. Cavs
Chase Budinger, SF, Arizona
Flames Hire Brent Sutter
After resigning from the Devils saying he missed his family, Brent Sutter is back coaching for the Calgary Flames. But, Sutter's brother, Daryl, is GM. I guess he really did miss his family. I have a problem with this. Sutter resigned with one year left on his contract. The Flames fired Mike Keenan on May 22nd. Sutter resigned on June 10th. Seeing a pattern? Yeah, thought so. Brother's are allowed to be close, and I'm sure this has been a dream of theirs. But to dishonor a contract to jump ship? Even when the Flames are on the road just as much as the Devils and away from his family? Next time Brent, man up. Say why you really wanted to leave. Don't make up some excuse. Sure, he misses his family. Every coach does. But he's still away from them half the year. Granted, Calgary is closer to his home in Red Deer, Alberta than Newark is, but the point remains. Take responsibility for your actions. Be honest and forthright. Don't cop out. Maybe Sutter will succeed in Calgary. Maybe the Devils will be better off without him. Maybe this will all work out. I don't know. What I do know is that Sutter went about this the wrong way.
Glover Wins US Open
After rain delays, darkness delays, the US Open that never seemed like it would end crowned its champion. His name? Lucas Glover. No, not Tiger, or Phil. Lucas Glover, 29, who hadn't won a tournament since 2005, won the US Open. Crazy. While some were hoping for Mickelson to win, for his cancer stricken wife, a very good guy won. Glover, who took time away from the sport after struggling, made all the shots when he had to, held off a surging Mickelson, and fought off two great rounds from Ricky Barnes.
There was part of me that thought Tiger would win, or at least make it interesting. He missed too many putts to do so. Still, it was a great US Open, filled with mud, rain, darkness, and an unlikely champ.
Jim Brown Attacks Tiger and Jordan For Not Being Social Activists
Jim Brown, one of the best running backs of all time, is coming after Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan for not being social activists. He had this to say to Bryant Gumbel on Real Sports (Bill Russell also chimes in):
Brown: “There are one or two individuals in this country that are black that have been put in front of us as an example. But they're basically under a system that says, ‘Hey, they're not gonna do a certain thing.’ Yes, that disappoints me because I know they both know better.”
Gumbel: “Tiger and Michael?”
Brown: “ Yeah, I know they both know better, OK. And I know they both can do better without hurting themselves.”
Brown: “You know what’s so interesting about Tiger to me? If it was just a matter of me looking at an individual that's a monster competitor, this cat is a mamajama; he is a killer. He'll run over you, he'll kick your ass. But as an individual for social change, or any of that kind of ----? Terrible. Terrible. Because he can get away with teaching kids to play golf, and that's his contribution. And in the real world, man, I can't teach no kids to play golf and that's my contribution, if I got that kind of power.”
Russell: “We’re losing a whole generation of kids. And, I for one, would not give up on them. And Jim will not give up on them because we know that when we were kids, there were certain influences that made our lives livable.”
Gumbel: “Why did you choose to get so intimately involved with helping young black men who were engaged in gang warfare?”
Brown: “Because simply, it’s the most devastating culture to come along that affects black people in a long time. How can we act like we don’t see young black men killing each other? Rome is burning and so there can be no education, there can be no economic development, there can be no family structure. There can be nothing as long as we allow this particular culture to exist.
This discussion brings up many questions. One, should athletes be used for social change? Is their role as players meant for advocating for human/civil rights, or are they meant to just play? What is their best role? I believe that they should do both. They play, obviously, but they have this platform from which to speak from. They have kids who look up to them, listen to them, worship them. If they don't use it, they're cheating the world, because it could be a better place. However, and this is where I disagree with Jim Brown, you have to be comfortable in that role. You have to be able to a star on the field and off, and for some, like Tiger and Jordan, they just aren't comfortable. There's not always going to be the athlete who is both great on the field, and has the charisma to bring about social change off it. Who is that player? I don't know. The name that comes to mind is LeBron James. He is great on the court, and seems to have an affable personality off it. Tiger and Jordan, they don't necessarily have it. But if a player has the ability, they should speak out on what they believe is right.
