Weak Draft, but Strong Trade Rumors

The 2009 NBA Draft class is one of the weakest in recent memory. At the best, there are five legit players this year and by legit I mean constant starters on a good team. Only Griffin has true potential to be a perennial all-star.

The other four guys are Stephen Curry (was born to do nothing but SCORE), Ricky Rubio (unparalleled vision), James Harden (solid, under control perimeter player - think a homeless man's Brandon Roy), & Johnny Flynn (self-motivated gamer, check out his dime video draft diary here).

Apparently has a problem with following workout instructions, Brandon Jennings twitter game would be more prolific than his NBA career. And looking at his playing time overseas (or lack thereof) I'm not too sure he can run an NBA team better than he runs his mouth.

Hasheem Thabeet as a top 5 pick would be a bust. No offensive game or a skill set to indicate he can harness an offensive game. Plus his 7-3 frame wouldn't be as dominant defensively to warrant a top draft pick.

Tyreke Evans apparently stood tall in the PG workouts, but ummm why wouldn't he? He is 6'5 after all and NOT a point guard - not in the NBA.

However, if you're like the Hawks and think that Jamal Crawford is possibly a solution at the point then...

Trade rumors are still pouring with a Tracy McGrady deal getting the most steam today. Word is there's been a ton of interest from other teams about acquiring the once legit superstar, namely the Phoenix Suns. One scenario was a straight swap for J-Rich while the other was a T-Mac, Carl Landry and Aaron Brooks for Amare Stoudamire & Leandro Barbosa. Although no particular deal is certain, a T-Mac trade at this point seems highly likely so watch this space. Read More...

Top 5 Tweets of the Week

What up fellas? Today I'm introducing a new feature for the blog.
The NBA has taken over the tweet-scene as current players like Dwight Howard, retired legends such as Kareem Abdul-Jabber, TV personalities like Kenny Smith, and even sports columnists like your boy Bill Simmons are all over twitter these days.

As my twitter feed follows almost all of these guys (and I even have a follow from Ron Artest himself) - each week I shall bring to you guys the top 5 tweets of the week right here. There's no better way to get insights, analysis/news and even some laughs from around the league.

5. "NBA front office moves are like highly anticipated rap albums....they always get leaked! Congrats eddie jordan..."

Sixers G Andre Iguodala using a metaphor to introduce his new coach...think there's rap album in the works for Iggy? <- Perfect rap name right there. 4. "As always, thank u to the fans. Now I'm gonna tear into all this Willy Wonka candy I got. Nerds & Sweet Tarts for days! LOL. Thanks WW."

Lakers F Lamar Odom on how he plans to celebrate the series win against Denver. How can a professional athlete get to eat all that sweet stuff and still be able to perform on such a high level? Talk about having your cake and eating it too...smh.

3. "Check out Football for Good videos...SHOWDOWN JUNE 24th Boi!!! http://www.facebook.com/ste..."

Suns G Steve Nash - I put this here because, I find it sooooo funny how this multi all-star and 2 time MVP in BASKETBALL, is ALL ABOUT soccer during his offseason. Most people don't know, but he grew up playing soccer and his father played in the English Premier League. Steve himself plays in a summer league every year in New York, and he hosted a charity event that soccer great Thierry Henry attended as well as other NBA players like Baron Davis and Jason Kidd.

2. "Brilliant brilliant brilliant game by Kobe tonight. In my opinion, his 2nd-best ever behind G4 Sac '01: http://tinyurl.com/4ahyuz .... In Denver's defense, this series could have turned out differently if Chauncey Billups was still alive."

The "Sports Guy" Bill Simmons himself back to his old habits (I'll explain) - ABOUT 5 minutes before he made that post, I had just put up a tweet that read "Kobe's best playoff performance since the Shaq era, but also one of Billup's worst in his playoff career" ...see, I told y'all this guy was a mind thief.

1. "Follow my nigga @Jesus_M_Christ. Who knew they had wireless in heaven!!"

The ever so candid and entertaining Rockets F Ron Artest...one of the funniest guys in the league hands down.

I'll be back next weekend for more tweets of the week!
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Finals Prediction & LBJ FTW!!

Four great teams, four games played and there's still no clear read on what two would be duking it out for the title come June - but before we get to that, no NBA media outlet or independent blogger like myself can possibly put out something today without starting with...

The Chosen One ... well according to the Cleveland fans. Once it happened I text my boy and fellow basketball pundit, Mr. Hixon, to say "that was LeBron's 'shot over Ehlo' moment." Being the LBJ hater that he is, he was quick to displace that notion saying that MJ's shot was way more important - And I agree, but you can't ignore the similar shot angle along with LeBron's zealous celebration afterwards. PLUS it happened in the same city exactly 20 years ago. A bit freaky don't you think?

Cavs - Magic
With that being said though, I have no idea who wins this series. IF the Magic play like this consistently, they would be your NBA champions but when you doubt them like I do, then you know that's a big if. The 3 point % would eventually even out, but if they defy all knowledge and/or rookie Courtney Lee plays like he did in the 4th quarter, then that's as disturbing as Eminem has looked during his return for non-Orland fans. Speaking of, Relapse is great body of music for Slim-Shady fans - the track Beautiful is destined to tab a grammy nod or two, so you should take a listen.

Lakers - Nuggets
Just like in the East, the lower seeded team in the Western Conf. Finals has been the better team. But on this side of the bracket, Denver would pull of the upset for two reasons - I trust the Nuggets' leaders, Chauncey and the FINALLY GROWN UP (knock on wood) Carmelo Anthony more so than I trust Hedo & Rashard, plus I'm a Lakers hater. Denver has to feel good about outplaying the Lakers in the first 2 games and now having home-court (a place they've won 16 straight) for games 3 & 4. This would be a good time to point out that CARMELO ANTHONY is outplaying KOBE BRYANT thus far...yes check it, more points, way better FG%, more assists & rebounds too. COME ON BLACK WEASEL!!

Final Thoughts
The draft lottery was this past week, and they were no big winners - only a BIG loser in consensus #1 pick Blake Griffin. I don't care how talented the kid is, the Clippers are cursed and even Griffin knows this. Read More...

Kobe's Documentary & Game 7s Predictions

Kobe Bryant - You Fail.

Did anyone else see that Kobe piece (of garbage) that aired on ESPN last night? - No, not the whole thing, I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. You know when something's is so bad that you have to make fun of it to get through? Yeah that's what me and my boy Chad were doing like midway through the documentary. "What a great leader!!!" Chad exclaimed with sarcasm so easy to spot even a...........(speaking of, does anyone else break dance when the money-staring Geico commercials come on? ...Just me? K, same response I got when I asked everyone on my aim list.) Back to the piece though, this has to be the worst possible guy you can choose to commentate for a documentary - the guy has nothing but trite statements and cliches come out his mouth. Ever watch Kobe during an interview and you could almost see him preparing his lines before hand. I'm not even going to blame Spike Lee, because apparently Kobe bribed him into taking "creative" control of the project unless he wouldn't do it - and my friends, creative it definitely wasn't. Hey what do you know, guess he is just selfish off the court as well.

Game 7s.

Now lets talk about Kobe (and his Lakers) GETTIN' WORKED!!! by a totally undermanned Rockets team. This would be the biggest upset in recent history probably right up there with the Nuggets over Seattle, and the Warriors over the Mavs if the Rockets can pull off a miracle in a couple hours. I really do wish they could though, and here's why - this Lakers team has lacked intensity and unity all throughout the playoffs, and a gritty game 7 win over the Rockets could change all that. As much as I hate to say it, no team can beat the Lakers if they play with those two components - it would be like awakening the sleeping giant. I really don't expect LA to lose though, but then again I said the same for Game 4 and 6... As for the other series in Beantown, logic says the Celtics win. But I think their Game 7 luck has run out, and here's why - of the 3 game 7s they've played in the past 2 post-seasons, this is the first time they are the inferior team. Orlando knows this and if they play like it tonight, assistant coach Patrick Ewing would get a few more headlines - and maybe a head coaching job finally?!?!?.....nope? yeah didn't think so neither.

Stay thirsty my friends. Read More...

Kobe Bryant aka The Black Weasel & JR Smith JR

Kobe Taking More (Cheap) Shots

No, I'm not saying Kobe should have been suspended for his elbow to the "R" on Artest's jersey, but Mr. Bryant is a flat out punk when it comes to physical play. This isn't the first time Kobe hit his opponents with subtle jabs and elbows, he even did the same to Shane Battier - one of the league's classiest players - in the series opener. Right after last night's game though, I was fuming to my boy Stephane about the Black Weasel's antics and he responded saying "oh you mean he was being smart?" ...Yes I agree it was a smart tactic, but it was also a cheap shot. Jordan got under his opponents skin by talking trash and in the eloquent words of Eddie House "busting their ass." This is just one of the few reasons Kobe isn't liked by his fellow players and sometimes even his own teammates...Don't believe me? Just ask Shaq, Reggie Miller or my main man Chris Childs.

JR Smith JR

Lost in all the fights and suspension hoopla yesterday was the ejection of Rockets Guard Von Wafer - by his OWN coach. Apparently, a distraught Wafer had words with Coach Adelman and the Rockets Head Coach soon had enough and sent him to the showers early. For those that don't know, this kid Wafer has a trail of attitude problems that is very like the old (knock on wood) JR Smith in Denver. Both former McDonald's All-Americans, great talents with range and crazy hops, but also possess the same knucklehead mentality that has slowed down both their careers significantly. But here's to hoping that this was just a hiccup in what has been a very successful season for Von so far. The Rockets without Tracy McGrady need all the fire power they can get, so keep your head in the game young gun. Read More...

Blogging Live From Heat @ Hawks Game 5

Pre-Game

• Both teams just came out the tunnel...flames went up in the air for the hawks. Didn't David Stern, who happens to be in the building tonight, ban that? Hmmm...Wade seems to be moving gingerly already, but feare not Miami fans - Dorell Wright is suited up tonight YAY!!

• The whole arena is in white tonight, and even though I'm going for D-wade's boys, its great to witness Atlanta really turning into an NBA city again, the atmosphere is great in here...Oh oh, here comes Spirit The Hawk...I'm scared :(

1st Half

• D-wade's laid out on the floor after head on collision with Josh Smith...this is not good...he hasn't moved in 2 minutes....the Heat can't even compete without Wade..ok now he's finally getting up and walking with his own straight but headed straight to the locker room...Miami fans like my buddy Rocky must be pissing in his pants right about now

• J-Smoove just made a nice 1 hand bounce pass to Evans for the dunk, but its so funny how scared this crowd gets when Josh tries attempting things he shouldn't i.e shooting 3's and handling the ball...D-wade's back in the game and immediately gets in a scramble with Solomon Jones, 4 players got a technical for the ensuing scuffle...be back in the 2nd half, battery's low

• The crowd is going crazy as Al Horford takes his free throws on one leg...he made the second one and leaves to a standing O from the fans, even I stood up for that one. Been a a ton of hard fouls, but the Hawks are in total control as this awfully resembles game 1...I was at that game too, think I'm the jinx?

2nd Half

• Another possible injury, J. O'neal is the 3rd player to hit the deck tonight...the Heat were on a mini-run until James Jones tightly closed out J.Smith - 1 second later and J.Smith was all in O'neal's kitchen ...14 pt. Game now - there is hope!

• I honestly wish Josh Smith made that between the legs slam for 2 reasons - the SELLOUT Crowd would have exploded and the Heat would have left Atlanta wit h their egos totally smashed...but another Heat - Hawks game I attended and another early exit after a blowout...appreciate y'all for following tonight's game here but maybe I should stop this live blogging thing. We out.

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Weekend Round-Up: Kobe, D-Rose vs. Rondo, And What Happened to the Hornets??

Finally! The weather in Atlanta seems stable and today marked my last day of classes as an undergrad - well excited as I'm sure you can imagine. Speaking of, there were no shortages of thrills this weekend in the NBA playoffs.

• Celtics - Bulls: After I tagged it the "Celtics-Hawks series of this year" our boy Bill Simmons put out an article the next day trying to one-up me saying the series was One for the Ages - what a rip off. Anyway, Game 4- instant classic. But despite the U-CONN boys hitting all the big shots, its the two young point guards that intrigue me the most. On one side you have Rajon Rondo - role player type skills but is playing like an ALL-STAR (he's AVERGAING a Triple Double folks!) And on the other hand, there's Derrick Rose who is clearly the most talented young PG in the game not named Chris Paul or Deron Williams, but he sometimes defers too much and resembles a role player. Talk about role reversal - in any event, whatever you do DO NOT MISS Game 5 I warn you.

• Cavs - Pistons: 2 words - HANDLED BUSINESS. Yes the Pistons already booked their plane tickets sometime in mid February, and yes Cleveland is clearly the superior team, but that didn't stop the Cavs from doing what they were supposed to do, and that's a quality of a championship caliber team.
  

• Lakers - Jazz: My friends (such Kobe lovers) were all in my ear of how great a performance Kobe had in the game 4 win (38 pts) but honestly, I expected more from him (45 at least). He didn't have to, so that was a good sign for you Laker fans, but potential trouble looms when looking at Andrew Bynum's decrease in production and minutes. 5 pts, 2.5 rebs in 16 minutes isn't going to help LA win the title. Mark my words.
  

• Hornets - Nuggets Series: Now at least resembles a battle. A ton of physical play in game 3 and the Hornets finally pulled one out even though I SWEAR they tried gift-wrapping it to an addres in the Rocky Mountains. The win however hasn't done much for New Orleans in terms of who wins the series and it certainly doesn't make me stop wondering what happened to the guys from the Big Easy. It's just a year ago when they were the up and coming young team in the league with the best point guard in the game, but now they wouldn't defeat any other team in the Western playoffs brackets. To make things even MORE confusing, CP3 is having an even better season...can the subtraction of Jannero Pargo have meant so much? Or is it Coach Bryon Scott? Wasn't Posey supposed to help? The Injury big perhaps? You tell me...
  

• Hawks - Heat: Not yet set on my prediction for tonight's game, but I'd say this - If Jermaine O'Neal keeps putting up stats (21.5 pts, 8 rebs) like he has over the past 2 games, then the Cavs might lose two games in the 2nd round AT LEAST. I'll be Blogging Live from Phillips Arena at Game 5, so they better not be any more wild animals disfunctions this time around, I don't play that. We out. :-)

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Tracy McGrady Does It Again

Like seriously, who is this guy's PR agent?

How does he go on record to pick the Lakers as the NBA Champions this season while the team that he is a part of and pays him over $20 million is in the midst of a playoff battle? Not even teammate Ron Artest could believe McGrady didn't choose the Rockets, saying "Tracy didn't say that, you know, he didn't say that. He didn't say that..."

But despite the disbelief, this is what Tracy McGrady has done throughout his career. Just as he put up huge points in an Orlando jersey and was continously on the sidelines for a large part of his Rockets career, T-Mac has been just as consistent when it comes to saying things he shouldn't.

• April 2003 - After his Magic team takes a 3-1 series lead against the Detriot Pistons, T-Mac said "...It feels so good to finally be in the 2nd round" The Pistons then go on to complete the 4-3 comeback. That started a run of 6 straight conference finals for the boys from Motown, while T-Mac had just begun saying dumb stuff.

• April 2007 - T-Mac tells everyone that it's on him if the Rockets don't advance past the first round. After taking a 3-2 series lead against the Jazz, the Rockets once again slip up to lose the series in 7, leaving a disgruntled T-Mac in tears at the podium.

• 2006 - Present - The injuries came one after another for McGrady, from back to knee problems. During this span, T-Mac always felt the need to let it known to the public how NOT healthy he was time and time again. He did it so much that it just began sounding like excuses. To cap it off, just before his micro-fracture knee surgery that has him on the shelf right now, T-Mac took it upon HIMSELF without informing his coach or team, to tell the wolrd he was "done"
  

By the way, I'm a huge T-Mac fan, but no superstar of his stature has ever been so stupidily candid when speaking to the press. He's had tons of issues with his back and knees, people have sometimes questioned his heart, but I'm really worried about this guy's mouth. Read More...

Early Draft Entries, Tonights' Game Predictions & Shaq Tweets

What's good peoples...I'd like to start of by pointing out that the Bulls-Celtics Series is the Hawks-Celtics Series of this years playoffs. You did yourself a SERIOUS disservice if you didn't watch the UCONN alumni battle between Ray Allen (28 2nd half pts) and Ben Gordon (42 pts). I still think the Celtics win it in 6/7 games, but now the Bulls BELIEVE. Now to the my main thoughts for the day...

Early Draft Entries

• RICKY RUBIO!! (that's going to be the new GINOBILI chant) has declared for the draft - and that's huge for a draft class with very little to be excited about. I see him as the next MJ...yes I said, the next Mark Jackson...not exactly all-star but a very capable Point Guard.

Game 2s Tonight

• Lakers and Cavs breeze through their games once again, while it would be a much tighter game in Portland, but the Rockets steal it and take a 2-0 series lead. However Houston fans, don't get too excited. Those Rockets have a knack for jumping out the gates early in the playoffs before they slip up and go fishing yet again.

The Real Shaq

• Apparently, Shaq is on his way to becoming a sheriff, but didn't he get his honary badge taken away after the Kobe diss? He tweets wayyy too much by the way, but the Big Aristotle did drop another clever qoute through his twitter feed. Enjoy...

The only absolute as it petains to human performance is that your performance will vary. Shaquille oneal

Be back tomorrow for more LIVE Blogging from Heat-Hawks Game 2

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Hip-Hop & The NBA: Meet Joe Beast

Cavs bigman Joe Smith apparently has put pen to paper for a "Playoff Rap" for his team. The former #1 pick under his rap moniker, Joe Beast, insists he is not to be compared with other NBA Stars that have tried stepping up to the mic.

"I'm not like the rest though, not like them," Smith raps. "I put my heart in this. I put my soul in this. So before you classify me with the rest - don't do it. I want you to be open-minded."

That got me thinking of who the best NBA hip-hop artist in the last 20 years is.

• Kobe Bryant had a couple of songs, most popular was this one with Tyra Banks.

• Ron Artest did a little something with his record label Tru Warier and even once wanted to take a break from basketball to focus on his rap career - what a character.
  

• Tony Parker released a whole album in his native tongue French.
  

• Chris Webber who once dated Tyra Banks, had a couple songs in the 90's and was also active in the studio - producing this beat on a Nas track a few years back.
  

• Everyone remembers his Kobe jive last summer, but Shaquille O'Neal is probably the most successful of these hoopers at rhyming. His debut album, Shaq Diesel, went platinum and released 4 more albums after that. He aslo had a decent song with Nate Dogg some years back that I actually became fond of.

I'd personally have to give the dge to Shaq cause of his longevity, but I'm curious to see what Joe Beast sounds like. At least would give him props for trying to rally his troops.

Ending on a totally different note - the funniest youtube video of this past week, Enjoy.

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Live Thoughts @ The Heat-Hawks Game 1

I'll be updating Live from the game, stay tuned...

*Had some technical difficulties at the game, but here are my thoughts as they transpired

• Pre-Game: When is the media going to take note of D-Wade's "head in the rim" new pregame routine?
• 1st Qtr: D-Wade just reminded me why i'm at this game - so I could be there when amazing happens. He just exploded of the baseline, extended and threw it down on Zaza. AMAZING.
• 2ND QTR- from the start, the Hawks fans has been into it...speaking of the Atlanta crowd - looking around in here, I notice why Wade declared a no going out policy for the Heat players. ATL's best 6th man = the women and MAGIC CITY.
• 2ND QTR - Josh Smith is taking over (2 alley oops so far), D-Wade is turning over (at least 5 turnovers so far)
• 2ND HALF - Never got closer than a 19 point game, and Michael Beasley just said hello to J-Smooth's little friends. Yet another Smith highlight, yet another Alley-oop...think his leaping ability was in the Heat's scouting report? Well, so I thought...Be back for Game 2.
  

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Simmons is a Criminal

Basically, after reading some of his stuff (mainly on the NBA) on ESPN, it's clear to me that the Sport's Guy is a biter. He always finds a way to steal my thoughts and put it out there before I can because of my limited resources..today, I say NO MORE. From here on out, this would be like my personal NBA Diary where I just write down my thoughts as they come, so the rest of the world witness robbery every time our boy Bill puts pen to paper.

Thoughts For The Day

1. D-Rose is definitely going to be an All-Star - had better rookie seasons than both CP3 & D-Will, but can't quite tell if he's going to be ever legitimately challenge either of the two for top PG in the league during their careers. He would definitely be up there though.
2. Spurs - Mavs series although highly competitive is probably the least interesting after Orlando - Philly.
3. The Cavs over the passed 3 seasons have OVERACHIEVED in the playoffs after having mediocre regular seasons. But since they clearly OVERACHIEVED this season, is there another level for them to reach this post-season?

That's all that's on my mind for now. Read More...