Tuesday, January 19, 2010

Your 2009-10 NBA All-Stars....

Greetings all... this has become a yearly undertaking for me... Simply, I'm picking what SHOULD be the 2 All-star rosters... I'm a believer that each starting unit should feature PG/SG/SF/PF/C... Everything else is interchangable (the West doesn't need a backup center with Duncan and Dirk on the roster) but none of this Kobe/T-mac starting backcourt stuff... Oh yeah, and I disregarded whether the starters were on the ballot or not (i.e. Kaman) East first...

East Starters
  • PG - Rajon Rondo - 14 pts/10 ast/2.5 stls/53% FG... The one and only all-star worthy point guard in the East for me... His assists numbers are through the roof, he's an extremely versatile/occasionally dominant defensive guard, and he's become a real floor general in the last season-plus... a non-decision for me... he's the guy
  • SG - Dwyane Wade - 27 pts/6 ast/5 rebs/1.9 stls/46% FG.... a "down" year for Wade (laughable really lol) compared to last year still nets a fairly ridiculous stat line despite his career low FG%... he's taking more jumpers this year (my conspiracy theory is to save himself from injury for his upcoming FA season), but he's far and away the best guard in the East
  • SF - Lebron James - 30 pts/8 ast/7 rebs/1.5 stls/51% FG... Best player in the world with Kobe taking the injury/age step-back... consistently amazing to the point where people have become ho-hum on him... and that's a testament... The most obvious pick on the board
  • PF - Chris Bosh - 24 pts/11 rebs/52% FG - Has risen his game to another level this year (his FA year no less), and the Raps are playing very well recently... easily the best PF in the East and has joined the Duncan/Dirk tier IMO
  • C - Dwight Howard - 17 pts/13 rebs/2.5 blocks/61% FG - Best center on planet earth by a wide margin... Dominant defender.... a cut above

East Reserves

  • G - Joe Johnson - 21 pts/5 rebs/5 asts/45% FG - Contrary to popular belief, he hasn't raised his game this year (in fact, he may be a shade worse), but he's still the main cog on a likely 50+ win team and the 2nd best 2-guard in the ravaged East...
  • G - Derrick Rose - 19 pts/6 asts/4 rebs/47% FG - This one surprised me as much as any that I selected... the lack of East guards is STRIKING this year (as evidenced by the fact I only picked 4 guards on a 12 person team) and Rose is the only non-Rondo PG that I didn't cringe at... he's the best player his team and has raised his game lately (coinciding with a leap by the Bulls)
  • F - Paul Pierce - 19 pts/5 rebs/4 ast/47% FG - He was the last guy to make this team... shocking when you see the other names right? This spot was going to Stephen Jackson until I realized Jackson's efficiency level was well below Pierce's and he had missed even more games... PP is still the center of that Boston offense, and has had to pick it up despite health issues... I'm in for another year
  • F - Gerald Wallace - 19 pts/11 rebs/1.7 stls/1.1 blks/48% FG - I had a feeling there would be a Bobcat on the squad... Wallace has been fantastic... top 5 in the league in rebounds from a 3/4 hybrid player... playing lock-down D and has Charlotte contending for the 5 seed in the East... easy pick
  • F - Antawn Jamison - 23 pts/9 rebs/48% FG - I really, really, really didn't want to pick a lowly Wizard... but Jamison has been fairly awesome this year... factor in what Gil has or hasn't given... Caron Butler's passion for clanking mid-range Js.... and a refusal to play the kids... and Jamison is the only reason they aren't in Nets territory....
  • F - David Lee - 19 pts/11 rebs/56% FG - He's not a center... so stop it... he's like 6'7 and doesn't defend the center position... but he has been quite efficient/good on offense, and gets the nod as the leading scorer/rebounder for a playoff contender (laughter ensues)... still can't defend a soul... but the options are limited and I refuse to include Josh Smith with his rebounding numbers
  • C - Al Horford - 14 pts/10 rebs/1 stl/1 blk/58% FG - I'm as shocked as you are... I had Lopez and Bogut penciled in here.... until I started breaking it down... Horford's #'s are comparable to Bogut's despite far less offensive focus (Horford is scarily efficient offensively) and Horford is the better defender... Lopez is a more polished offensive option (19/9/49%) but his efficiency level is down and is a non-factor in games when he doesn't get touches... Horford defends 3 positions (and really 5 since Mike Woodson has an insane affinity for switching on screens)... all that to say... this isn't the homer pick that it looks like... but yes, I'd still trade Horford for Lopez if Mike Woodson didn't coach the team I root for

Missed the cut: Danny Granger (injuries), Brook Lopez (Nets lol), Stephen Jackson (only 30 GP), Andrew Bogut, Josh Smith (haterade)

West Starters

  • PG - Steve Nash - 19 pts/11 asts/53% FG/43% 3-pt/94% FT - Look at those % splits... that's INSANITY... No, i'm not saying Nash is a better basketball player than Chris Paul...he's not... but he's played 10 more games than Paul this year, and with his splits and the Suns record, it was impossible to keep Nash out of this spot...
  • SG - Kobe Bryant - 28 pts/5 rebs/5 asts/1.8 stls/46% FG - Best 2-way perimeter player in the league... numbers off a shade (i'll attribute to the finger/back troubles), but never a doubt who lands here....
  • SF - Kevin Durant - 29 pts/7 rebs/48% FG/36% 3-pt/87% FT/1 blk - This was a tight one... If I didn't believe in the 1/2/3/4/5 positions for these games... Dirk lands here ahead of Durant... and even with it... Melo is putting up gawdy stats.... but Durant is 1) more efficient, 2) shown to NOT be a defensive liability whereas Melo is consistently Iso'd, and 3) more durable (Melo has missed 6 games).... done and done...
  • PF - Tim Duncan - 20 pts/10 rebs/2 blks/55% FG - The big fundamental is simply that... I know Dirk's offensive game speaks for itself, and I've even come around on Dirk as his career continues... but Duncan is still an elite defender (whereas Dirk is still below average), and has carried the Spurs on his back... You aren't talking me out of it...
  • C - Chris Kaman - 20 pts/9 boards/1.4 blks/51% FG - Tough call here... but Kaman has been very good since the jump of the season... and I don't believe that Amare is in any way/shape/form a center... so here it is... I'm even waving my 2 center rule in the West because there are like 7-8 quality, healthy centers in the entire league

West Reserves

  • G - Chris Paul - 20 pts/11 asts/2.3 stls/49% FG - Best PG alive... no help around him... can control an entire game without scoring a point... do I need to go on?
  • G - Brandon Roy - 23 pts/5 rebs/5 asts/48% FG - One of the best crunch-time guys in the L... the 3rd best 2-guard in the league behind Kobe/Wade (and the gap is shrinking)... captain of the "most unstoppable end of game play" with Aldridge...
  • F - Dirk Nowitzki - 25 pts/8 rebs/1 stl/1 blk/48% FG/38% 3-pt/88% FT - 2nd best % splits in the league behind Nash... the most diversified offensive game from a forward in the league today... I've come around on him a little... and I'm a self-proclaimed Dirk-hater... easy choice
  • F - Carmelo Anthony - 30 pts/6 rebs/1.2 stls/47% FG - If only he defended... that's all I'll say about Melo..... waiting.... Okay, I can't just stop there... but he's a top-tier offensive talent (leading scorer in the L, etc.)... and deserves to be here
  • G - Deron Williams - 19 pts/10 asts/4 rebs/50% FG/40% 3-pt - Consensus top 3 PG with Nash and CP3... somehow this guy has never been an all-star? That ends this year... at least it should... Floor leader of a playoff team in the West (and best player) that has never played with even an above-average wing guy on top of that... Put him in
  • G/F - Tyreke Evans - 21 pts/5 rebs/5 asts/1.5 stls/46% FG - I'm against the customary rookie snub... Look at Tyreke's numbers.... then look at his team's turnaround (15 wins already... only 17 all last year)... then realize he's the focal point of the offense and often guards the opposition's best perimeter guy... he should be here...
  • F - Zach Randolph - 21 pts/12 rebs/51% FG/81% FT - I needed a Grizzly... No really... this last spot was a debate between Randolph, Mayo and Gasol... Seems funny right? The Grizz are 22-18 (24-58 last year) and Randolph is throwing up ridiculous numbers (#4 in the L in boards, #15 in points) and doing what he does best... I didn't have it in me to ignore the way he's acclimated himself to that team, and I couldn't leave Memphis without a guy...

Just missed the cut: Marc Gasol (would be the #2 Center), Pau Gasol (injuries), Amar'e Stoudemire, Monta Ellis, OJ Mayo, Carl Landry, Carlos Boozer

Oh and in case you were wondering... the West roster is deeper to the point of hilarity...

Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Kiffin to SC....and some Ramblings

Well this will be a short one... but the main topic of conversation at the moment is....
  • Lane Kiffin to USC.... this struck me as an outlandish choice by SC.... Kiffin is a living, breathing NCAA investigation who is pathologically unable to shut his mouth.... why would a school that has been embroidered in their OWN investigations go after a guy like Kiffin? It makes no sense to me.... On the one hand, Kiffin is a west-coast guy who has shown the ability to recruit both at SC and in his one Tennessee season, and he's a young guy who can keep the Carroll "persona" going... but I don't think that outweighs the ridiculousness of how he carries himself... Free Matt Barkley....

Other stuff...

  • Hey... Mark McGwire did steroids.... hm....
  • Charles Woodson named Defensive player of the year.... well, obviously Charles Woodson is my favorite college athlete ever (for obvious reasons, somehow eclipsing Mike Hart, Jalen Rose, Shane Battier, and Jason Avant even) and was absolutely amazing this year... I don't think he's the best pure cover guy in the game, but he made the most plays (9 INT, 3 for TD) and was incredibly flexible/versatile covering slot-guys and even playing safety at times when called upon....
  • Of all the teams for Detroit to beat... it had to be Washington right?.... I can't decide how I'd rank the Pistons/Wiz/Nets trio right now.... but I honestly believe there are 11 teams in the West (The top 8, NO, Utah, and even the Clippers right now with Memphis not far off) better than everyone but the top-4 in the East...it's laughable...
  • I think there are 8 people on Planet Earth outraged by the Hawks bringing back Mario West... and I'm one of them... come on.... should've just kept Othello Hunter for that matter
  • On the newly forming Bosh-for-Bynum rumor... I like it for both teams to a point... but I still don't think it ever happens... that Bosh/Gasol front-court would have some kinks to work out... but my goodness...

That'll do it...

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

A little football....

Greetings... I realize there's been little to no football content so I figured I'd dabble in a little now that the BCS title game is here, and it's accompanied by the 1st round of the NFL Playoffs.... to the games, first to the college variety...
  • First tonight's Orange Bowl... Georgia Tech and Iowa... This will be short since I don't really care about non-title bowl games.... I like Georgia Tech because Iowa can't score... I keep hearing how Ricky Stanzi is the difference for Iowa... but that would be an oversight since... ya know... Ricky Stanzi isn't good at football.... GT 31-17
  • And the big one.... Alabama and Texas for the marbles... Classic old school matchup of 2 big-name programs with star power on both sides... Colt McCoy, the nation's career leader in wins, and Jordan Shipley, the consensus most consistent receiver in the land on side.... Marc Ingram, the reigning Heisman winner, Rolando McClain, probably the best linebacker in the country, Terrence Cody, the nation's premier run-stopper, and Javier Arenas, the best combination DB/return man in the country..... Insane talent on both sides... For the record, I thought TCU was the best team in Texas all year... and haven't been overly impressed with the Longhorns in the 4-5 times I've seen them... I'm picking Alabama despite the ongoing Heisman curse b/c I think they can run it effectively and Texas hasn't seen a defense like this.... Alabama 27-20

To the NFL matchups....

  • Jets/Bengals - The worst matchup of the playoffs.... without question... in fact, if I had to say who I think the worst 2 teams in the playoffs are, these are them.... Mark Sanchez is not to be trusted... ESPECIALLY on the road in the playoffs... but the Jets have one of the league's best running games, an elite defense and some momentum... for Cincy? The better QB, a rejuvenated back in Benson, and the pleasant news that Chad will in fact be in the lineup... oh, and homefield.... translation: Bengals
  • Eagles/Cowboys - Man I hate rematches from Week 17...so clearly there HAD to be 3 of them this week... I love, love, love the Eagles in this matchup... better defense, more experienced (and IMO better) QB... got a look at what the Cowboys are last week... and can't overlook how the Cowboys always seem to die... can't get past it... Would it surprise me if Dallas won? Not at all... they have tons of talent, they're playing at home, and Philly looked awful last week... but I'll take Philly
  • Ravens/Pats - As of Sunday morning, I was picking the Pats to go to the Super Bowl... the Welker injury changes that... BUT it doesn't change that they're winning this game.... Brady and Moss are there, Julian Edelman is shockingly competent in the slot, and I simply don't trust Joe Flacco on the road.... Couple that with the Pats 8-0 home record, HOF coach, and Tom freaking Brady? Pats by double digits...
  • Pack/Cardinals - Game of the weekend.... Because the game is in Zona (which is patently absurd btw, why should they be rewarded for being in a pathetic division?! sigh... don't get me started), this one gave me some pause... Arizona was there and playing at a high level last year, they are slightly better at running the ball, but Warner has taken a small step back, and Boldin is likely to miss the game... that's a crushing blow... it enables full-time doubles on Fitz, and takes away their best YAC guy... for GB, Aaron Rodgers has been unbelievably good in the 2nd half of the year, Ryan Grant is a 1200+ yard back, and they have quietly one of the better WR tandems in the league... add in a devastating defense with personal favorite Charles Woodson taking half of the field away (and nobody to take advantage of the other CB sans Boldin).... Pack, Pack, Pack....

Guess I better get in a Super Bowl pick.... (with NO conviction at all btw).... Colts over Packers....