THE NBA Draft Recap

Well...Here we go......I have mannyyyy points here....I'll go team-by-team....

• My Hawks- Ummm...did nothing...I hate life....
• Boston- I loved the JR Giddens pick at 30....very ballsy by Danny Ainge...guy has top 20 talent but has had off the court stuff....I really think he can contribute and will beat out Tony Allen for the backup minutes right away....They also have another potential steal in Bill Walker at 47 who will boom or bust most likely with a decent boom possibility if his knee holds up....
• Charlotte- I can't get behind the DJ Augustin pick at 9....I wouldn't have been as outraged had Brook Lopez not been on the board here....I don't necessarily think Felton is the answer, but I don't really think Augustin is either and Okafor remains companion-less up front...They also picked Alexis Ajinca (he of 5 ppg in Europe) at #20 and that's a project at the very least....love the Kyle Weaver pick in Round 2...seems like a Larry Brown guy...
• Chicago- Derrick Rose pick...I don't love it...I don't even like it...but I like the player....maybe they'll flip Hinrich or Gordon for a big man....I know nothing about Omer Asik....lol
• Cleveland- JJ Hickson is a guy I really like but he's nowhere near ready....I guess Cleveland thinks they have the ability to bring him along slowly...but Lebron needs help...like now?
• Dallas- Bleh...2nd round only...Shan Foster is a nice college player...won't pretend to know much else
• Denver- Gave away #20 to Charlotte for cash....I guess they think they're set...laughter....
• Detroit- 3 2nd rounders...very unlikely to do alot....
• Golden State- Anthony Randolph at #14...I don't like it in any way.... he's the same athletic long forward type as Wright last year...and he's even farther behind skill-wise....Eventually he'd fit their system, but by the time he's ready (if ever) Nellie will be gone anyway....hated this pick
• Houston- After a night of dealing....they ended up with Donte Greene and Joey Dorsey....I like the Greene gamble a little bit, but I would've gone Darrell Arthur in that spot....Joey Dorsey seems like a shorter, but more athletic Luis Scola to me...except less skilled....so I don't really know what they want him to do for them
• Indiana- In the span of a day or so, Indiana pretty much flipped its roster....getting rid of Jermaine O'neal and Ike Diogu and getting back TJ Ford, Jarrett Jack, Josh McRoberts and 2 1st round picks in Brandon Rush and Roy Hibbert....I'm on record to an unabashed Roy Hibbert detractor...I don't think he's an NBA center....but I do like Brandon Rush quite a bit, have been a supporter of TJ Ford's, and McRoberts I still think has a chance to contribute....That said, acquiring Jarrett Jack is moot unless they deal Tinsley...and the Diogu loss could hurt them if he blossoms like he could...overall, I'm less than enthralled, but at least they unloaded JO's mega deal
• LA Clippers- Eric Gordon at 7....I don't see him as an NBA star...more of a gunner/tweener 6th man type...but I could be very wrong as NBA GMs disagree....I would've definitely gone with Jerryd Bayless there if i was Elgin Baylor....DeAndre Jordan is a good gamble at #35 as some say he is the most physically gifted athlete in the whole draft when you factor his size...and he can learn behind Kaman
• LA Lakers- No first rounder (see Pau Gasol deal) and Joe Crawford in the 2nd...thanks for playing...
• Memphis- Well these guys were really busy.....They basically got rid of Mike Miller, Jason Collins, and Brian Cardinal and got back Marko Jaric (and his ridiculous deal) and Antoine Walker...but they got a guy in OJ Mayo that they clearly valued well above that of anybody else (since they dealt Miller)....I don't really understand the glut of guards they have now...but maybe they believe in Marc Gasol?
• Miami- Well at first I didn't like the Beasley pick....then I realized there was really nothing short of trading out of that pick that they could do (other than maybe Brook Lopez, but na)...and the fact that they got a possible 1st-round talent in Chalmers at PG saved their draft to me....
• Milwaukee- I really liked the deal to get Richard Jefferson..and then they went and ruined it by drafting back-to-back SFs on a SF-laden team...I think they're trying to be the Hawks...did they hire Billy Knight? I like Alexander too....but where does he play now?
• Minnesota- They got my favorite player in Love (not the best player, but my favorite) and got the perimeter shooter they needed in Mike Miller...I actually like what McHale did overall...but they still have too much of their time riding on Foye and Telfair....and I don't know how Love and Jefferson will mesh together
• New Jersey- They might have had my favorite draft itself....though I hated the Richard Jefferson move (unless they are utterly convinced Lebron is coming in 2010)....Brook Lopez is a steal at 10, Ryan Anderson is a steal at 21, and CDR is a steal anywhere in the 2nd round...that's all there is to it...value at all 3 picks
• New Orleans- Sold their only pick...end of discussion
• New York- They went with Gallinari at #6....I didn't hate the pick for the simple reason of they didn't like the guards available and the only one worthy of that pick (Bayless) can't run that system....or at least that's what I gather....He's a versatile, long Euro with a reported mean streak..I can get down with that
• Orlando- Only one pick...they went with Courtney Lee at 22...Lee is a scorer out of W. Kentucky that immediately might upgrade them at the 2 (by far their weakest spot) and he's also a more than adequate defender...I liked it
• Philly- My first thought was "why not darrell arthur?" but Speights is bigger and Arthur may be too much like Thaddeus Young...they could use the muscle....
• Phoenix- Robin Lopez is a defender/role player for sure....but that's what they need to spell Shaq...so he fits a need....I would've probably gone Darrell Arthur here too....
• Portland- This team literally scares the heck out of me now....Jerryd Bayless coming in alongside Brandon Roy, Greg Oden, and Lamarcus Aldridge....scary...At first I didn't like them trading Darrell Arthur to get Nicolas Batum, but now that I think about it....where was Arthur going to play? I'd take the flier on Batum possibly become their future starter at the 3...
• Sacto- Boy Jason Thompson at 12 seems like a reach...I haven't seen enough to really know but all indications are he's not NBA-athletic...They might save some face with Sean Singletary in the 2nd round as I think he has a shot to contribute (since they are point guard-less)
• San Antonio- Really George Hill (yes, youve never heard of him) over Mario Chalmers? Yes, yes, yes....RC Buford is to be trusted blindfolded...that's as good as he's been...
• Seattle- I'm a big Westbrook fan because of the defensive end...but I'd be wary of him being your team leader and point guard....haven't seen the skillset to this point....DJ White could be a solid contributor down the line...
• Toronto- I can't really comment on the 2nd round choice of Nathan Jawal...being honest
• Utah- Grabs Kosta Koufos late in the first....I'm not a big fan of his game...but he fits well with the Utah big man mold a la Okur....Could be good value
• Washington- Javale McGee seems like a reach to me....another long, athletic, under-developed big man....shocking

Other notes:

• Steals of the draft: Jerryd Bayless to Portland, Darrell Arthur to Memphis, Mario Chalmers to Miami, CDR to New Jersey
  
• Utter Reaches: Jason Thompson, Anthony Randolph, Javale McGee, Alexis Ajinca

To conclude, if I can recommend one Sports Guy column all year....it's the NBA Draft Diary...it's all sorts of laughter...and even an informed opinion or two...just a recommendation....he'll probably take shots at Chad Ford too....and that's always fun

6/26: Draft day, Brandon Jennings, etc.

Well I'm pretty much 100% NBA Draft today...obviously...

• A big pre-draft trade seems to have gone down....Jermaine O'Neal to Toronto for TJ Ford, the infamous Rasho Nesterovic and the #17 overall pick....I don't really like this deal for Toronto at all...but it doesn't seem unfair rather more like it didn't really fit for the Raptors...I dont like the prospects of teaming JO and Bosh together especially since they can't possibly afford to give up on Bargnani yet...I do like the deal for Indy b/c they unload that ridiculous contract (though Ford is overpaid) and now can try and run with TJ instead of the enigmatic Tinsley....Pretty much a wash, but Indy now has 2 picks in the top 20 to look for a big man....
• All this outrage about Beasley possibly being passed on by Miami...I have no reservations here at all...I like when GMs take a stand against guys they don't particularly like and go against the consensus....That said, I'd sure as hell trade out of that pick if I wasn't taking Beasley b/c they need more than one piece anyway....
• Denver just handed over the #20 pick to Charlotte for a future #1? Hmmm...seems like they could've used that...lol
• There aren't a whole lot of rumors around this time that can be considered 'credible' but this Baron Davis to Detroit one seems outlandish to me....Can't see Joe D pulling that trigger...
• Brandon Jennings (on the heels of being unable to declare) is supposedly STRONGLY considering going to Europe instead of going to college at Arizona....big blow to Arizona #1 if he does...and also, a conceivable to David Stern and the boys if this becomes a trend....I'm interested to see how this one plays....

That's all I got...will try and do a pretty detailed recap....

2008 NBA Draft...My Way

Okay...Coming to you live from Jasper, Georgia....Hurray! lol I'm going to be running the 1st round of the NBA Draft....Picking for every team who they SHOULD pick (not who they WILL pick)....Ready...GO

1. Chicago takes Michael Beasley- First let me say I'm not totally sold here on Beasley from the character to the whole combo-forward thing....to being a lefty forward and playing no defense....but he fits Chicago 100x better than Derrick Rose would and if Chicago has needed one thing with this particular group of guys they have now...it's a post scorer and Beasley is certainly capable of being that for them.....All this changes if they move Kirk Hinrich but until then...the pick is Beasley


2. Miami takes Derrick Rose- Pat Riley is utterly amazed with how lucky he feels here to get Rose....this might be the fastest pick in the history of the league if Chicago takes Beasley...the Heat want a backcourt mate for D-Wade and this is certainly their #1 target....if Rose goes one, look for Miami to try and get out of this pick and move down for Mayo or Bayless


3. Minnesota takes OJ Mayo- This is a legitimately difficult call for me because none of the "elite" prospects fit Minnesota's need for a big-time post guy to pair with Jefferson...they have a plethora of swingmen and there really isn't a legit #1 PG prospect after Rose...so they'll take the best overall guy in Mayo and see what happens....maybe he can play the point after all since I'm not sold on Randy Foye or Sebastian Telfair as long-term options....


4. Seattle takes Jerryd Bayless- I'm pretty sure Seattle would or should covet OJ Mayo at this pick...but if he's gone when it gets to them...I see them going the way of Bayless IF they feel he's a PG prospect in any way...I generally don't like the 6'4 combo-guard thing...but Seattle needs another scoring option alongside Durant and Bayless can certainly do that...He's also a west-coast guy and would fit in well with the system...allowing the versatility of Durant to shine along a guy like himself


5. Memphis takes Kevin Love- The Grizz really need a power forward to pair with Rudy Gay and I like Love more than Gallinari here....he's the kind of fundemental guy they lack up front....That said, #5 is too high for him...so I'd try to move out of this pick really....


6. New York takes DJ Augustin- First off, I'm not really sold on DJ as an elite NBA PG...he's too small....but he's also very strong and heady....and Mike D'Antonio is in need of a crafty, smart PG more than any other coach in the league....if they could move down, and still get Augustin, I'd do it...but I'd take him here if necessary


7. LA Clippers take Russell Westbrook- I love this pick for LA....they need an athletic guard in the worst way...he went to college down the street...and if Shaun Livingston ever re-emerges (suspect at best) he'd be a great complement to him....In general, I really like Westbrook's game...he's an elite-level defender, and if he could possibly translate as an NBA PG this pick is even easier...but LAC needs help at both guard spots, and he's the guy


8. Milwaukee takes Joe Alexander- I have mixed feelings here....Milwaukee has no glaring "need" as they are fairly mediocre across the board....the one need I see is at the point but they seem to believe Ramon Sessions is the guy....and there isn't a PG to be taken here anyway...so I'll go with Alexander who, from all reports, was the fastest riser in the draft...he should be an upgrade at either forward spot...
9. Charlotte takes Brook Lopez- Remember when I said the thing earlier about the fastest run to the draft podium? This might break it...they've been widely rumored to be trying to move Emeka Okafor to the 4 permanently and this would allow them to do so....I'm not the biggest Lopez fan but he seems to be a polished low-post scorer and would complement Okafor nicely in the future...they'd be ecstatic to grab him at 9
10. New Jersey takes Darrell Arthur- As it stands currently, they are shopping Richard Jefferson...if they trade him, this pick becomes Gallinari instantly...but until then, I have to pick someone up front and this is the guy I like the most of the remaining players (not saying a whole lot)....He just won a national title...played in big-times and reportedly has...wait for it...UPSIDE! lol First mention....
11. Indiana takes Robin Lopez- Yea...I hate this pick...but with nothing at center outside of Troy Murphy who's consistently hurt and the fact that they are shopping J O'Neal openly...I'll go with the big role player in Lopez with that big-time motor...Almost went the way of Mario Chalmers here...but I don't think they'll do it...
12. Sacramento takes Mario Chalmers- Quick...name Sacramento's PG options after Beno Udrih leaves...Anthony Johnson? Laughter...Chalmers is the #1 PG left here and that's the instant pick...I don't see him as a star but rather potentially one of those good leader/very good defender type PGs...something the NBA is missing right now even
13. Portland takes Brandon Rush- 3 Jayhawks in the lottery...interesting...it scared the life out of me when I agreed with both Chad Ford and Bill Simmons on this..before reading them...Rush is the guy here because he doesn't want/need the ball...will hustle for you and fits nicely in the 3 spot with Travis Outlaw for now....The only missing link for Portland is still the PG and they've been reportedly talking to Memphis about Mike Conley...my goodness....
14. Golden State takes Danilo Gallinari- Honestly I don't see a possible scenario in which he actually lasts this long....in fact Portland would take him I'm sure at 13....but this guy would be great in GS or even PHX at 15....Fits the style...can run the floor...has a reported mean streak...Love this guy here

Okay we're out of the lottery.....and I'm out of time...will fill in the rest accordingly if I have time...Enjoy draft week

6/24: Team USA Revealed, NBA Draft, etc.

Wait...basketball content?! To quote Marv Albert..."YES!"

To start things off....here is your 2008 Beijing Olympic Team for USA Men's Basketball....

• PG: Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Jason Kidd
• SG: Kobe Bryant, Dwyane Wade, Michael Redd
• SF: Lebron James, Tayshaun Prince
• PF: Carmelo Anthony (he's not a 4, but they've stated he'll play 4), Carlos Boozer, Chris Bosh
• C: Dwight Howard

So I have a couple issues.....

1. Jason Kidd doesn't need a roster spot with Williams and Paul aboard...and now that he has one...he doesn't need to play...he's not the Jason Kidd we all remember
2. The noticeable lack of a 2nd legit big to complement Dwight Howard...I know Amare wasn't available, but really Chris Bosh backup center? Oh well, I guess it is FIBA rules after all....
3. Apparently the "12th man" selection was Prince over Tyson Chandler....which I kind of understand because I strongly believe you need defensive-minded role players on teams with this many stars....but once again (combining points 1 and 2)....pull Kidd off and insert someone like the widely-mentioned Tyson Chandler for front-court depth...or even trot out Greg Oden if he's healthy just to have someone for Dwight to practice against...

All that said... This team wins gold without hesitation simply because I don't think Kobe lets them lose (much like in Olympic qualifying where he took his defense/supporting activities to a ridiculous level)...There are certainly flaws to this team i.e. I hate Lebron and Wade's games in this type of setting and they are prominently involved, etc. but they won't be big enough.....

Now that that's over and done with......

• Mock drafts abound as the NBA Draft nears....in looking at Chad Ford's at ESPN....there were alot of things that made me scratch my head.....The Derrick Rose to Chicago selection makes literally no sense to me unless they move Kirk Hinrich for a post scorer....I understand you want the home guy and they like him, but Beasley fits their glaring need that they've had for multiple seasons (post scorer) and seems like a slam dunk for them.....That, coupled with Miami at #2 needing/coveting Rose and it just makes too much sense for it actually to do down that way......If I have time tomorrow or Thursday (working alot), I will be giving you my 1st round mock (at least through the lottery) of what teams SHOULD be doing....
• Carmelo Anthony suspended 2 games for DUI earlier in the year....2 games huh?...laughter....
• I got a text from my incomparable friend Ryan yesterday reading...."holy s*** King Felix hit a grand slam off Johan"....ummm, yea...he did....
• College World Series update....Just kidding....PING! But on a side note it's great to see these UGA College baseball fans coming out of the woodwork.....except I detest it

Wow, long today...more later

6/23: Wimbledon, Melo, Braves....

Just a few thoughts...

• I literally couldn't care one inkling about Wimbledon.... it used to be the one tennis event I knew I was watching at least part of...now? No interest...the sport is dead to me really
• The Cubs are ludicrous at home....14 in a row at home? 8 total losses at home? Crazy numbers....they are running on all cylinders in Wrigley right now....and that's a good looking baseball team
• The Nuggets reportedly are going to hold on Carmelo Anthony for at least another season (or part of the season)....I have no issue here, but they need to remake that supporting cast....badly....it's consistently mediocre (or even paltry) effort on the defensive end is more of a coaching thing than anything else (I'm on record for the firing of George Karl) but if you're going to keep Karl you need self-motivated defenders... and they have exactly 2 (Camby and Iverson) and Iverson isn't exactly considered to be getting younger or more sound defensively
• Mark Teixeira lives and breathes! And boy did the Braves need his 3 bombs yesterday when they trotted out a lineup sans Chipper Jones, Jeff Francoeur, and Yunel Escobar all at once... Speaking of Francoeur, I'm an unabashed fan of his....reasonably I'd have to say most of this is my hometown link...but the other part is a mesmerizing arm and a free-swinging mindset that I admire....but only to a point.... I'm going to need more soon....

That's it for now...enjoy the beginning of the week

6/19: Tiger, etc.

Well most of you know where I'm headed....REALLY!?!!?

• Really Tiger? You just played 91 holes of championship golf with a torn ACL?! oh yea...and he won...For everyone that doesn't think golf is necessarily "athletic" I almost tend to agree...but when you break it down, it's ridiculous what he did....the average championship golf course is approx. 7000 yards long....that's 21000 feet or approx. 4 miles (without extra walking just to get around) and Tiger walked these 4 miles 5 days straight while wrenching his knee with torque to achieve his maximum swing.... Sorry for the enthusiasm on this one but I'm completely amazed that he did this....
• All that said...Tiger is out for the entire rest of 2008 including missing a major for the first time ever...I'm going to be really interested to see how the PGA Tour lines up without him in a showcase event like that....The one thing I don't need is 100 pieces on Tiger during that event...but they're definitely coming....
• Really Willie Randolph? You're surprised you got fired even though it had been one of the most piped rumors in all of sports for months now....and you're team utterly collapsed since last September...I, for one, don't think it's his fault as much as Omar Minaya's but when you are good, and suddenly you are not anymore....people turn to the manager...especially in New York....
• Really NBA world? It matters somehow that Michael Beasley is 6-7 in his socks? Put me on the other side....there has actually been an emergence of quality undersized PF's lately...and he has by far the most talent of this whole group of player....I don't really like him to be a legit NBA star, but that's not because he's 6'7 instead of 6'9....
• Really media? The first thing we report about Javon Walker following him being viciously attacked and beaten to a pulp is that he'll still be reporting to training camp? I like the NFL as much as the next guy (okay, probably more...just because I'm me) but when I read that, I wanted to vomit....like...hey Javon, how are you feeling?

That's it for today....

6/18: LA Rolls Over, Javon Walker, etc.

Well, you know where I'm going here.....

• Kobe and the Lakers utterly rolled over last night....that's the headline for me...yes, I know it's usually inappropriate to cite the losing team in a game such as this (the clincher) but I'm going to go ahead and get it out of the way....Worst effort I've seen in a NBA Finals clincher in my lifetime....All that needs to be said....Now to the champs.... Boston got 90 from the KG/Pierce/Allen/Rondo quartet that has led them all year (including a crazy 20 shot attempts from Rajon Rondo, but I won't kill him, they won by 40).... Granted, it might've helped if 75% of the TVs in America weren't off already but KG turned in a series-saving (for himself) performance with 26 and 14 on 10-18 FG and you already know about Paul Pierce....series MVP who took his game to heights unseen by even the Sports Guy Bill Simmons (who's column is likely to be a must-read today)....
• And so the NBA season ends.... and to the Draft we go! It never stops where I come from....but I always have a hard time going from game talk to draft talk where people like Chad Ford actually become semi-relevant...

Other things...

• Raiders WR Javon Walker robbed and beaten at gunpoint in Vegas.... there seems to be a highly increased likeliness of this kind of thing happening lately....pretty troubling...but something tells me there weren't alot of precautions taken here when reading the time of day/location in Vegas/etc.....Do better folks....
• The day after the Tiger US Open win... I read 3 different pieces mentioning it as either the "likely" or "the" best US Open ever....word? Golf isn't exactly a sport that lacks history....slow it down...and Tiger's 97 Masters win still far outshadows this win simply for what it meant to the sport....

That's it for now...enjoy the day... 

6/17: Tiger pulls it out....and more

• Tiger once again added to his enormous legacy yesterday...gutting out 19 holes on one leg to win yet another major...this after not playing a single round of golf in approximately 2 months since the Masters.....He's the greatest athlete (not named Jordan or Gretzky, that's a different discussion) that I've ever witnessed first hand and the single most dominant golfer ever.....there...i said it
• Willie Randolph gets canned...the world saw this coming....I'm behind the move b/c A) I hate the Mets, and B) You just can't tank like they have and keep your job....
• Chipper Jones down to .403...and that's a slump-ended number.....laughter....still don't think he has a shot at .400 but .375-ish is perfectly within reason the way he's swinging the bat....
• Why was Chien-Ming Wang running the bases again?
• My blogging equal Ryan rejoices! Chase Budinger going back to Arizona...yes, i know they lost Bayless....but incoming PG Brandon Jennings will fit that hole nicely.....the UNC Trio (Lawson, Ellington, and Green) all return....couldn't tell you why Danny Green even declared...but that said, they are loaded going forward....go back to school Bill Walker! I don't see why you'd leave when you get your shot to be the man (and you have 1 leg now)
• The Team USA Beijing Basketball roster will be released this week....I'm actually anxiously waiting this....dear God I need Chris Paul as the starting PG...Jason Kidd is a shell of himself...and while he fits (sorta) in international play....he still can't shoot a lick and has lost 2 steps....And no, I have no idea why I care about this...but I do

That'll do it for now...outta time...until next time....OH yea....I think Kobe does something crazy tonight in Game 6....with a little help from the famous NBA refs taking this one to Game 7...just a hunch

6/16: Lakers Rebound, Tiger Sinks One, etc.

• The Lakers push the series back to Boston....but boy was it ugly....I was really underwhelmed with the Lakers' performance in a must-win type of game last night...and yes, they won...but they didn't look in sync at all...Kobe was out of it through out (after the 1st 10 min or so) and that type of effort means they go home in 6 on Tuesday night in Boston...I don't think Boston is in any real trouble unless Kobe goes literally insane in Boston and carries them on his back (and Lamar Odom being alive might help)
• Tiger Woods attempted (and even succeeded somewhat) in taking the limelight from the Finals all the way up to his ridiculous clutch draining of a 12-footer for the tie to force the playoff...and I don't see any scenario barring being unable to walk (not that far-fetched) that he loses to Rocco Mediate in what amounts to a match play event

Not alot of time today...but back from Kentucky where I spent 3 full days without internet....wow, so brutal

6/12: Game 4 Preview, Braves, etc.

Tonight is Game 4 of the Finals and suddenly the key is Rajon Rondo's ankle...with the way Doc Rivers keeps throwing Sam I Am out there, they really need a healthy Rondo for the rest of the time....For LA, they have to get SOMETHING tangible from Gasol and/or Odom or they'll be in a 3-1 hole....should be an interesting game as multiple national writers have predicted an "ESPN Classic" worthy game....

• The Braves staff is in shambles....Tom Glavine and Jair Jurrjens both went down in the span of a day....including Jurrjens getting hurt while coming down the dugout steps....laughter...MLB Recap: Ryan Dempster dominates the Braves....and Dan Uggla is tearing up the league...and ya know....the Tigers are coming I think....
• Jonathan Ogden retires.....I think he's probably a hall-of-famer as he's been at the top of his position for over a decade....
• Local program Georgia State (with its newly forming football program) has gone in the direction of former Alabama coach and long-time TV guy Bill Curry...I love the hire...he brings instant credibility....
• Well thank goodness Chad Johnson is in camp...whew....almost was a controversy (insert sarcastic tone)
• I finally got to read my first Rick Reilly piece for ESPN...he's still Rick Reilly...never been the biggest fan of his...but he's probably in the top 4 right now as far as "famous" sports writers with Wilbon, Kornheiser, and Bill Simmons....and ESPN has them all if they need to use them

6/11: LA Chalks, Donaghy, etc.

• LA gets on the board in Game 3 behind Kobe's 36 and a little help from Boston.....Pierce and KG go a combined 8/35 from the field (while still having every play drawn for them, namely Pierce from what I've heard)....Sasha Vujacic's 20 was enormous....during one sequence early he hit 2 straight Kobe-like cross-over step-back jumpers that had me saying "wow"....I loved KG taking 21 shots...but you gotta make more than 6...I never envisioned a scenario in which Gasol and Odom would combine for 13 points...in a win....unless, of course, Kobe had like 60...so the fact that they stole this one bodes well
• Tim Donaghy drops another bomb...saying games were basically fixed through Ref/NBA conspiring during the 2002 and 2005 playoffs...if this thing sticks, it's going to kill the league....but only to a point....there have been allegations (and even evidence) of this type of thing for years and it hasn't done too much damage, but it'd be interesting to see how a scandal like this would be handled by the almighty David Stern....
• Tom Glavine goes to the DL....again....man, that's weird...the guy never gets hurt....but he's old so that'll happen...and oh yea, the Braves home/road split is still absolutely laughable....25-11 home and 7-22 road....I've never seen anything like it

More later

6/10: Game 3, Griffey, etc...

I'll lead with the Association...since it's the finals and all....

• Game 3 tips tonight....and the pressure is squarely on LA....one misstep at home and this thing is pretty much over and done with....for the record, I really don't like the 2-3-2 format....makes it too much about momentum.....I think Kobe goes for 40+ tonight and the Lakers win going away....and the officiating crew tonight consists of BOTH Joey Crawford AND Bennett Salvatore....paging David Stern...don't make it SO obvious brother....

Other things....

• Ken Griffey Jr. hits his 600th.....he's still the best baseball player I've ever seen firsthand and the best player of this generation (until A-Rod passes him...soon)...congrats to the former "Kid"
• 2 NFL Things (Ryan, shield your eyes).....Michael Strahan retires....finally...he's the Brett Favre of the defensive side of the ball...only not as ridiculous.....and Cedric Benson is cut by Chicago....bout time...guy is a certified clown
• Agent Zero opts out...saw this coming a mile away...but coming off the way he looked in the playoffs (and what is now a history of leg issues)...I'd be interested to see what the market looks like
• Really ESPN? We're leading with Donovan McNabb having shoulder tendinitis? On the day of an NBA Finals game....during baseball season?
• Oh yea...to close...Tiger is winning the US Open....Just so you guys know

6/9: Sorry for the absence

This will still be short as I am crazy busy...but we're off....

• Boston holds off LA late to win 108-102 in Game 2.....Leon Powe is the story here for me...how bout 21 points in under 15 minutes of play? Ridiculous numbers from a guy who has literally caught DNP's in other playoff games....congrats to Leon...A score in the 100's would seem to favor LA which just tells you how well Boston was playing last night....Kobe got his 30...but he hasn't been as dominant as I would've guessed he'd be.....Yes, he only took 4 shots....but Rajon Rondo coming through with 16 assists....that's good enough for a victory pretty much every time....but alas, the series doesn't start until someone wins a road game...and for LA (and my pick's) sake....I hope it doesn't "start" in Game 3....
• Big Brown lost....not shocked at all...it's horse racing...what does anyone really know?
• Rafael Nadal flat-out lights up Roger Federer on clay...and he showed it again winning in straight sets at the French....I probably wouldn't have even mentioned this (b/c I don't care) but Nadal beat him 6-0 in the 3rd...I've never seen/heard of Federer not taking a game in a set.....
• Lastly (for today)....a little love for Jim McKay who passed away this weekend....at 86, he has been out of the sporting consciousness for a quite a little time now....but I can recall numerous times catching things either live as a youngster or on ESPN classic with McKay at the controls....and he'd guide you effortlessly through a broadcast....and yes, I pay attention to things like this....Rest in Peace sir....

6/5: Red Wings, NBA Finals, etc.

• Tonight kicks off the signature event in the NBA calendar....the NBA Finals....and this year, the hype will (and has been) off the map ridiculous because of the matchup....Sportscenter is on the scene live in Boston and that's just one of the indicators....I'm already on the record with Lakers in 6...I think Kobe is too much for Boston to handle, and KG hasn't shown me that "I'm gonna eat you up" late game instinct in these playoffs.....for Boston to win, Paul Pierce has to be outstanding throughout.....for the Lakers, I think the x-factor is Lamar Odom who played extremely well at times in the Spurs series, and when he is good, the Lakers seem virtually unbeatable....Enjoy the finals

Moving on....

• Detroit Red Wings win the Stanley Cup....I didn't catch a whole lot of this...thanks again Versus....but it seems that the veteran, battle-tested team won out in the playoffs....shocking...
• John Smoltz is done for the year.....this one hurts me as I live and die with Smoltz when he's on the mound...he's been the consummate pro for nearly 20 years in Atlanta and I wish him in the best in both his rehab, and whatever he does afterwards.....
• On that same note....the Braves cannot seem to win a close ballgame....and at this point, it is literally ridiculous to blow games in the fashion that they are blowing them.....
• The USGA/PGA is pretty ballsy....really? We're gonna pair Tiger and Phil together in the 1st round at Torrey Pines? I think they are trying to break the record for most people following one group....this will look like Arnie's Army compared to the rest of the course

More later...

Some ramblings.....

Been real busy...but here's a couple mentions....

• This Joba Chamberlain to the rotation thing....please cease with the coverage...if he was on the Rays (who are much better than the Yankees) this would've gotten 1 mention way down the page....
• The Pistons fire Flip....I'm cool with the move because it shows Joe D is quite serious about winning titles and titles alone....but seems a bit strong off 3 conference finals in a row....Michael Curry huh? Maybe he'll be great...but he seems a little fresh for that....
• Randy Johnson in 2nd place on the all-time K list....nobody's been more dominant since I've been watching baseball....his only blemish has been a lack of clutch performances (outside of the 01 playoffs)...but sure-fire 1st-ballot HOF
• Legendarily good hockey game last night...it's a shame it was on Versus....
• I'd choose to use Draft Express and NBADraft.net's mocks over that of Chad Ford's...but that's just me....Pavel Podkolzine anyone?
• This Jay Bruce guy.....might wanna watch him...lol...I've never seen a burst onto the scene like this in baseball...he's been absolutely unreal.....expect some 0-4s soon though...law of averages
• I'm a shameless endorser of Bill Simmons but this is a great week to be a loyal reader...if you can weed through the homer-ism for the Celtics....the guy has great insights and is entertaining.....if you're a true hoop-head.....hit up ESPN's Truehoop with Henry Abbott for all things Finals....

6/1: A pretty light day....

The ushering in of June starts the dog days of my sporting calendar....basketball is coming to an end and football doesn't start until the end of August....let the games begin

• Manny Ramirez hits #500......on the same day as Ken Griffey, Jr. goes for #599....For my money, these are the best hitters from each side of the plate in their generations so it's only fitting they were going for milestone HR numbers on the same day....Manny is still underrated since he's a legit. madman.....
• Jay Bruce ripped the Braves' hearts out with his first career HR in walk-off fashion.....last time there was a buzz this big about a prospect in his first week was when Jeff Francoeur went ballistic upon his callup....and Bruce is outhitting that pace already....
• A man named Usain Bolt broke the 100m world record running a 9.71 or 9.72 (it's been reported differently)....It's a shame that this is no longer top news in a sport riddled by performance-enhancing drug controversy....because the "Fastest Man in the World" title used to mean something....
• And another on the line of "Used to mean more" things.....Detroit takes a 3-1 Stanley Cup lead on Pittsburgh....Although I think this series is doing good things for the state of the league in general (Crosby, etc.), they still have a ways to go.....i.e. get an actual TV deal....before they are back
• Jason Taylor calls a news conference....maybe to announce he wants out? or retires? or....???? I have no clue....

Counting down the days until Thursday's NBA Finals tip....