Quick Hitters

• Byron Scott was canned today after a dismal start. I predicted this firing on Sunday with Timbo while we brokered our Wade/Bosh trade. Who didn't see this one coming though?? I have said it here in this blog that the Hornets overachieved last season with 49 wins. They do not have that sort of talent. They have Chris Paul and David West. The rest of the team, yes, I'm including Okafor, is simply not that good. Peja is over the hill. They were starting Julian Wright. They have Hilton Armstrong and Devin Brown and Darius Songalia and James Posey....come on. Despite the lack of talent, Chris Paul was able to lead this team to the playoffs last year. I don't know how he did it. What I do know is that this team had quit on Byron Scott this year. You can see it in the way they play. They don't care and with their lack of talent - if they aren't trying - they don't have the skill to win a game.
• The Wade/AR for Bosh/Rose trade appears to be working out for both teams. Randolph really likes Brussels and has back to back double-doubles since his arrival. Wade only dropped 41 pts in his debut for Tim. And similarly, Bosh and Rose have been very good and Golden has gained close to 100 points in the standings since their arrival. Of course, a big factor after Randolph was shipped out of town was I had to play Landry and Dampier this week to try and get some boards. Damps had a 20 rebounds game and Landry has scored 20 points in both his games. So, maybe Timbo wins the 2 for 2 trade, but the Golden 12 man team appears to be the early winner as well.
• Speaking of trades...am I the only one who didn't get the Kevin Martin & Travis Outlaw for Beno Udrih and Danilo Gallinari trade? Yes, K-Mart gets hurt A LOT, but is that all that a potential 25+ppg guy gets now?? I mean, in 8 weeks time, when K-Mart returns, Beno will be useless. As it stands now, he's still a 12 & 5 guy. And I'm not sold on Danilo. Sure, he can shoot...but what else does he do really well? He's shooting 43%, doesn't rebound, steal or block very well...but he can shoot 3's and score. Plus, he is only $2 bucks. I just would have thought Kevin Martin would have been worth more than Danilo and Beno.
• OK, I'll admit it, I didn't think Brandon Jennings would be this good. He just dropped 32 and 9 on Chauncey Billups and company. Seeing him play (thank you Score court surfing) I am impressed by the kid. Plus, he is born the same day as me...that must mean something right?
• Yuma is struggling. Period. And injuries, I think, can be a reason. Redd, Murphy, Nate, and now even Mr. Underachiever of the year, Al Jefferson, will miss some time. Poor Chubby. Not the way he wanted his return to the JBL to go. Maybe a working lap top in Vegas in 2010 will make everything better.
• I'm still getting the odd Idaho offer. When I say odd, yes I mean ridiculous, but I was referring more to the quantity offers as opposed to the usual low quality. Looking at that roster - how many guys would you really want? I would guess maybe 5-6 guys have value while the rest are just really bad filler. Don't get me wrong, every JBL team requires filler. It's just how good is it? Idaho's 5th guard is Chris Duhon (look at those %'s). Yowzers.
• Woo is quietly making his move up the JBL Standings. This despite him missing his big gun Pau Gasol. Look out, Seoul is coming.
• Seoul and Golden hooked up on their annual bench fodder trade...Corey Brewer for Anthony Parker. Brewer can bring steals, upside, and depth to Seoul while Parker brings his 3PT% to Golden. Win-Win I say.
• So now that Byron Scott has been canned - who's next? Don Nelson has to be a prime candidate. His team is imploding and he doesn't play his young talent. Minny just hired Rambis so he's safe. NY is paying D'Antoni 8 million bucks and are using his '7 Seconds or Less' in attempt to bring in a high priced FA in 2010 - so he's not going anywhere. What about Lawrence Frank in New Jersey? I think he's doing a fine job actually - and they are win less. But seriously, no Devin Harris and no talent - how are they supposed to win a game. They are developing Lee, CDR, Lopez, and Williams for the future and what if Jay-Z was somehow able to convince his buddy Lebron to join the Brooklyn Nets in 2010.
• Elton Brand is done.
• I can't wait for tonight's Suns vs. Lakers matchup. Both teams have been playing amazing. No Gasol for LA. Is Bynum playing? I think the Suns will be tough to handle despite playing the 2nd half of a back-to-back. But Kobe and Artest can be tough to handle. Pumped for this game.
• Who are the top Free Agents in the JBL?? Well, I would think close eyes will be kept on things in New Orleans now that Scott is gone. GM Jeff Bower's taking over and his job is on the line as it's pretty clear he assembled this no talent team. Good luck Jeff. JBL owners will be watching though to see if Bower makes any changes to the roster. Will Devin Brown be a factor? Will Julian Wright play? Can Ike Diogu help? Other FA's around the league appear pretty thin right now but with injuries coming and teams shuffling their lineups due to severe cases of losing (ie. Knicks playing Toney Douglas) there will be loads of Free Agents with value in the near future.
• How about some quick picks for Fantasy All-Stars that are a lot better than I expected...Centers -Chris Kaman and Joakim Noah. Forwards - Jason Thompson, Mareese Speights, Luol Deng...Guards - Jason Richardson, Lou Williams and Brandon Jennings. I know I forgot lots of guys...these were just off the top of my head.

Anyways, that's all for now...