The Summer of 2010; Or, NBA Free Agency
July 1st. This date has been circled on my calender for some time. NBA free agency. But not just any NBA free agency period. Potentially the best ever. LeBron James, Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Joe Johnson, Carlos Boozer, Amare Stoudmire, and more. It's an All-Star list. Some of the best players in the game. And there are many teams interested. I'd like to play a game called: Where do the free agents land? It should be fun.
KNICKS: LeBron and Bosh
Maybe this is just wishful thinking on the part of a disgruntled Knick fan, but it makes a lot of sense. The most marketing opportunities are in NYC. And I don't think this is a basketball decision as much as it is a business decision for LeBron. If it was a basketball, he would be in Cleveland. They have the best team right now. And, he could've picked Tom Izzo as his coach. But, he didn't. LeBron wants to be LeKing of everything, and he does that by playing in New York. What's better: A billboard in downtown Cleveland, or one in Times Square? Cleveland's a nice city, but it ain't the Big Apple. He wins a championship in Cleveland, he's a king. He wins one in New York, and he's a God. LeBron reminds me a lot of A-Rod. They want the spotlight. They need the spotlight. They can only toil in smaller markets for so long. LeBron wants to win, and he wants to win in New York. He wants to be the biggest athlete in the world, and you do that by playing in New York, in Madison Square Garden. LeBron is smart. He knows the business opportunities are in New York.He knows he can bring Bosh with him. He knows he can win a title. It's the right financial decision. And that, more than anything, is what free agency is about.
BULLS: Joe Johnson and David Lee
They'll give JJ a max contract, and give Lee good money too. This will make them a really good team. Derrick Rose, Joe Johnson, Luol Deng, David Lee and Joakim Noah is a pretty good starting 5. That team can easily contend. It's not LeBron and Bosh, but it's not terrible.
MIAMI: Wade and Amare
Wade won't leave Miami. They'll do a sign and trade for Stoudmire, and that's a great inside out force. With a supporting cast of Quentin Richardson and Michael Beasley, it's a pretty good team. It's not the home run of Wade, LeBron and Bosh, but it's a standup triple. Can't ask for more than that.
NETS: Carlos Boozer
Boozer is the consolation prize, but it's not a bad one. Devin Harris is one of the best young point guards, and Brook Lopez is one of the best young centers. Add in a scoring threat down low like Boozer, and your team is instantly better. Boozer and Harris could be the new Boozer and Williams.
Those are the major free agents, and the major teams. IT could go down a lot differently than this. But, this is my best guess. Stay tuned. It should be fun.
Thanks for returning to The Blog of Champions!
NBA Draft Grades
This is one of my favorite columns to write each year. Yesterday was the 2010 NBA draft, and with any draft, the day after means grades. Here are mine (in alphabetical order)
ATLANTA HAWKS: B+
They get Jordan Crawford from the Nets, and select Pape Sy from Senegal in the 2nd round. Don't know much about Sy, but Crawford can score. He's a perfect replacement for Joe Johnson, if he leaves. Crawford is a perfect fit.
BOSTON CELTICS: A
The Celtics have been drafting well of late, and this year is no exception. Avery Bradley is a perfect combo guard--can back up Rondo and Allen, and can hold his own when out there. Good scorer, good defender. They also selected Luke Haragody. He can fill the Rasheed Wallace role. I think Haragody is a perfect fit to the C's.
CHARLOTTE BOBCATS: INC
No picks this draft
CHICAGO BULLS: A+
No, they didn't select anyone. But they sent the 17th pick (Kevin Seraphin) and Kirk Heinrich to the Wizards for cap space. They can use that space to sign to marquee free agents. This is an up-and-coming team. If they add LeBron and Bosh, or Wade and Bosh, or any two marquee players, they could compete for a title.
CLEVELAND CAVALIERS: INC
No picks this draft
DALLAS MAVERICKS: B-
They obtained Dominique Jones in a trade with Memphis. He can score the rock. He's not a great shooter, but he can get to the rim, and make shots when he has to. For late in the draft, that's not bad at all.
DENVER NUGGETS: INC
No picks this draft.
DETROIT PISTONS: A+
They get Greg Monroe at 7 overall, the most pro ready big man. He's a great passer in the low post. Monroe can start right away, put up points, and help Rip Hamilton and Ben Gordon get some points as well. Terrico White is a potential steal at 36. Tremendous physical tools, and can play both guard spots.
GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS: C
I love Epke Udoh, just not at 6, and not when Greg Monroe is on the board. Udoh is long, and is an active defender. Can run the floor, block shots, rebound, etc. But he has limited offensive potential. He's not going to be a 20-10 guy. He'll be a defensive stud, but that's not what the Warriors into. He can run the floor with them, but he can't finish. The better pick would've been Monroe.
HOUSTON ROCKETS: B+
Patrick Patterson is a fine player, who can bang inside, and score too. He's going to have a long career. Not a star, but a solid contributor.
INDIANA PACERS: B-
High risk, high reward. That's the Pacers' draft. Paul George, drafted 10th, is a reach, but he has limitless potential. He has to put it all together. Can he do it in the pros? Remains to be seen. Lance Stephenson is the same type of player. All the potential, just hasn't put it together yet. If these guys can reach their potential, this will be a home run. Magnum Rolle is a solid shot blocker ( and has an awesome name).
LOS ANGELES CLIPPERS: A+
Best draft, in terms of talent obtained, of the night. Al-Farouq Aminu is a potential star, a springy athlete who can play the 3 or 4. Eric Bledsoe would've been a top 5 pick had he not been overshadowed by John Wall. Willie Warren has top 10 potential, but struggled last year. This could be a huge draft for the Clips. With Blake Griffin coming back, and studs in Eric Gordon and Chris Kaman, the Clippers could make some noise this year.
LOS ANGELES LAKERS: A
They don't need much, but they get two guys with a lot of upside. Devin Ebanks is a great defender who can guard four spots, and has some offensive game. Derrick Caracter has a lot of talent, and is starting to get the mental part down. They don't need to contribute this year, so they can develop. Could be a great draft, considering these were 2nd round picks.
MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES: B
Xavier Henry could be the replacement for Rudy Gay. He has a similar skill set, but is a bit raw. Greivis Vasquez may not be the best athlete, but he brings it on a nightly basis. I like the Vasquez pick better than Henry. Henry has a ways to go.
MIAMI HEAT: A
They clear cap space, and get three players who can contribute in the 2nd round. Not terrible. They could potentially afford three max free agents. If Da'Sean Butler can return from his injury, it's an even better draft.
MILWAUKEE BUCKS: C
Larry Sanders is an okay pick. Not a huge fan. Darington Hobson and Keith "Tiny" Gallon could be steals.
MINNESOTA TIMBERWOLVES: B
Wes Johnson has star potential. Lazar Hayward is a head-scratcher, especially at 30th.
NEW JERSEY NETS: A-
Derrick Favors is raw, but has the most upside of anyone. Damion James can probably start right away, and play the 4.
NEW ORLEANS HORNETS: B+
Craig Brackins can score from the 4. Not a great defender. Quincy Pondexter has experience and can light up the scoreboard. Their offense got much better
NEW YORK KNICKS: C-
Andy Rautins is a really good pick, but Landry Fields was a huge reach. Devin Ebanks would have been a better pick.
OKLAHOMA CITY THUNDER: A
Cole Aldrich could be the missing piece inside. Tibor Pleiss and Latavious Williams are projects, but have potential. Another good draft for OKC.
ORLANDO MAGIC: B
High risk, high reward. Daniel Orton has limitless potential, but only averaged 3 points a game in college. He has a ways to go, but will learn under Dwight Howard. Stanley Robinson is a great athlete, but needs to improve his game. Both could be in the D-League.
PHILADELPHIA 76ERS: A
Evan Turner is a great player, the college player of the year. Not a great fit, but he can play so many positions, that it doesn't matter.
PHOENIX SUNS: B
Two bangers in Gani Lawal and Dwayne Collins. Not enough to replace Amare Stoudmire, but will help.
PORTLAND TRAIL BLAZERS: B-
Luke Babbitt is best pure shooter. Elliot Williams was a reach. Armon Johnson has potential.
SACRAMENTO KINGS: A
High risk, high reward. DaMarcus Cousins has all the talent, needs to get his head right. Hassan Whiteside is best pure shot blocker in draft, but needs to mature and fill out. If they develop, two tremendous big men.
SAN ANTONIO SPURS: A-
James Anderson is a steal at 20. He can start at the 2 right away. Another great draft by the Spurs.
TORONTO RAPTORS: B-
Ed Davis is thin and raw, but has the skill set. Solomon Alabi has a lot of talent, but concerns with his knee.
UTAH JAZZ: B
Gordon Hayward is a perfect fit for the Jazz. Jeremy Evans is training camp fodder.
WASHINGTON WIZARDS: A
They got the best player in John Wall.
Is LeBron LeDone In Cleveland?
Now that LeBron and the Cavs have been eliminated by the Celtics, the speculation as to where LeBron will end up next season begins. It will be all-consuming. It will be all we hear about. It will make us beg for Brett Favre news.
But, before I discuss where he may end up, the topic of quitting needs to be addressed. Because the Cavs, for all intents and purposes, quit. Gave up. There was no urgency. There was no desperation. There was no effort. The Celtics are a smart basketball team, but they aren't on the same talent level as the Cavs.
Did LeBron quit? LeBron was content to settle for jump shots, or pass off to a teammate who wasn't really open. A great player not only elevates his game when it matters most, he elevates the game of others. He doesn't settle. He attacks. He doesn't blame his teammates, or his coach when things go bad. He blames himself. LeBron did not act like a great player in this series. He acted like a prima donna who was just a little tired of the dull lights of Cleveland. LeBron didn't want it enough. LeBron wanted out.
Of course, not all of this is LeBron's fault. The acquisition of Shaq was an ill-advised move. Antwan Jamison has done nothing since his arrival. Mike Brown insisted on guarding Kevin Garnett with Shaq, and not Anderson Varejao. JJ Hickson didn't even see the floor. This wasn't all the fault of LeBron.
But, being the star player, LeBron will get the blame. LeBron will be vilified for not taking over, for not being Like Mike. It will be LeBron's fault that the team gave up. It will be LeBron's fault that Shaq was guarding KG. It will be LeBron's fault for Mo Williams' inconsistency. It always has been. And it always will be.
LeBron may have had a triple-double, but that doesn't matter, not with 9 turnovers, not with him barking at teammates, not with him deferring to others. This is LeBron's team. He makes it go.
But, now, it isn't LeBron's team. Just as fast as he ripped off the 23 jersey, his tenure with Cleveland ended. He's not coming back. Not with the big lights of New York and Chicago calling his name. Not with endless marketing opportunities at his beck and call.
LeBron will be wooed, wined and dined by adoring cities. He can take his time. He can milk it. He's being pursued. That's what LeBron wants.
So yes, LeBron is LeDone in Cleveland. He played his last game, wore that jersey for the last time. He'll move on to the Big Apple or the Windy City and be very happy. But, LeBron wasted his time in Cleveland. Not because he didn't get a championship. Titles are crap shoots. Luck has never been on Cleveland's side anyway. No, LeBron wasted his time because he didn't become Like Mike, not with his deference, not with his shaky leadership. We've seen flashes of Jordan. But, right now, Kobe is more Like Mike than LBJ is. LeBron may one day become the Next One, the one that we say, "There goes LeBron James, the greatest basketball player who ever lived". Until then, we're left with the bitter taste of a narcissistic quitter.
It’s Baseball Season
I love baseball. I love the pace, the strategy. But, I don't get involved--fully--until hockey season is over. I've been spoiled the past couple of years, because the Rangers have been in the playoffs. They've had some intense series. Even when they've been eliminated, I'm still watching. Combine that with the NBA playoffs, and baseball takes a back seat.
This season feels different. The Rangers aren't that good. They may make the playoffs, but even if they do, they aren't going to go very far. I haven't been invested at all in the NBA this year. I'll watch the conference finals and league finals, but other than that, the NBA hasn't really been on my radar.
So, as I deal with the reality that is the Rangers, my mind wanders towards baseball. A couple months earlier. Which is great. In my spare time, I start thinking about Yankee lineups. Matchups. Yankee competitors. How will the bullpen be constructed? What should the lineup be?
Normally, this mental exercise happens this time of year, but it's never at this depth. I think about it, of course. I'm a Yankee fan. But, it's more casual. My mind is more focused on Ranger line combinations. And while I still think about that, my mind is shifting towards baseball. It's a nice change.
The weather here in New York is starting to get nicer, the snow is melting, the sun is shining. You turn on the TV and there's spring training baseball. You turn on the radio and there's baseball. It's here. In a few weeks, it will all start for real. Until then, we can enjoy thinking about baseball, dreaming about it. It's here.
He’s Baaack!
The Answer is Back in Philadelphia, and guess what; he's starting.
"I feel like I am home," Iverson said at shootaround. "Just seeing people I'm accustomed to seeing, seeing the reporters, seeing some of the fans when I go out to eat. Just the smell of Philadelphia when I go outside."
I've smelled Philadelphia, it doesn't smell that good. All kidding aside, I have no idea what this move does for the 76ers. Other than publicity, Iverson will not make this team a playoff team. So, what's the upside? More fans in seats. More jerseys sold. Other than that, nothing. This is a marketing ploy. A good one, but still a marketing ploy. It should be treated as such.
Ron Artest Admits To Drinking During Halftime Of Games
Lakers forward Ron Artest admitted in an interview that he used to drink alcohol during halftime of games:
"I used to drink Hennessy ... at halftime," Artest said in an interview with the Sporting News, which is publishing the story in its Dec. 7 issue. "I [kept it] in my locker. I'd just walk to the liquor store and get it."
Artest said he drank when he played with the Bulls. I'm shocked that he admitted it. Considering Artest's past transgressions, it's not surprising. As Artest said himself:
"When I was a 19-year-old father, whew. I was a single pimp! I was wild," he told the magazine. "A lot of marijuana and alcohol -- even before [that age]. ... I [still] party and I have fun, but not like I used to. I used to drink every night and party every night."
I think on many levels, it's sad that he did this. A famous NBA player getting drunk and high every night. Partly, it's because he felt invincible. Who's going to deny him drugs and alcohol? That said, the NBA, and all sports leagues, need to a better job of making the dangers of drugs and alcohol known to its players. If they don't, more and more players will make these sorts of admissions.
Lawrence Frank Fired
In news that surprises no one, Nets head coach Lawrence Frank has been fired, following the team's 0-16 start. Assistant coach Tom Barrise will be the interim coach.
Honestly, I don't know what took the Nets so long. He was 0-16! Obviously, something wasn't working. The Nets season is a lost cause, but they could've got the ball rolling with the firing earlier. Hopefully, for the Nets' sake, it gives them the kick they needed.
Nate Robinson, For The Loss
Nate Robinson can be an exciting basketball player. Great dunks. Can take over a game. But then there are things like this that make you shake your head:
How stupid can you be? This is why the NBA is losing so many people. The players play stupid. No one wants to see that.
So Going To Europe Was A Good Idea For Brandon Jennings
You remember the story of Brandon Jennings. High school basketball superstar, he learned his craft in Europe instead of college. It was met with criticism, praise, and everything in between. If there were any doubters, Jennings proved them wrong. Last night against the Warriors, Jennings dropped 55 points. 55. One of the best for a rookie in a single game ever. This was also his 7th game. He also was scoreless in the first quarter.
I wonder if we'll start to see more and more players follow in Jennings' footsteps. The competition is better, and they aren't being weighed down by the hardships of college life (which, if there is any for athletes, it's not much). As Jennings proved, it can work.
LeBron Wants The NBA To Retire 23…But Not For Him
LeBron James wants the NBA to recognize the number 23...but for him. He wants it to honor Michael Jordan. And he wants all players to join him in not wearing 23.
"If you see 23, you think about Michael Jordan," James said, according to The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer. "You see game-winning shots, you think about Michael Jordan; you see guys fly through the air, you think about Michael Jordan; you see fly kicks, you think about Michael Jordan. He did so much, it has to be recognized, and not just by putting him in the Hall of Fame."
LeBron would change to number 6, the number he wore in the Olympics. Apparently, he has until March 5th to change his number. If he does, will these players follow suit?
| Stephen Graham | Bobcats |
| C.J. Watson | Warriors |
| Marcus Camby | Clippers |
| Jodie Meeks | Bucks |
| Devin Brown | Hornets |
| Toney Douglas | Knicks |
| B.J. Mullens | Thunder |
| Lou Williams | 76ers |
| Jason Richardson | Suns |
| Martell Webster | Trail Blazers |
| Kevin Martin | Kings |
| Wes Matthews | Jazz |
I think the NBA should retire 23. After all, he is the greatest player ever. The NHL did it with Wayne Gretzky. The MLB did it for Jackie Robinson. Now, the skeptic in me thinks that this could be a marketing ploy. After all, the number 6 jersey would go flying off the shelf. So, I bring it to you: Do you support the retiring of number 23?
