So, where will Lebron sign?? Who really knows? Only he does....of course. I thought I would look at the possibilities and why or why not he would sign in these destinations.
CLEVELAND
The reasons to sign in Cleveland? Money. As I understand it, LBJ could sign a 6 year - 125 million dollar deal while he could only get 5 yrs and 90 million elsewhere. I don't care how much money these guys make - an extra 35 million dollars always comes in handy. Plus, with the Cavs saying they are not interested in signing and trading him - it kinda of forces LBJ to make a decision about that 35 million right away. Now, that being said, if Lebron chooses to leave - the Cavs MUST sign and trade him or else their fans will revolt!! Furthermore, the Cavs aren't entirely terrible. Remember, they won 60 games last season and won the East. Can't a nucleus of LBJ, Antawn, and Mo Williams make some noise?? They could tweak the roster with Shaq and Big Z's expiring deals. So, the Cavs aren't that far away. Finally, let's remember that Lebron is an Ohio native. That has to be worth something.
Why won't LBJ resign in Cleveland?? Well, because most professional athletes love the limelight and he's no different. He wants to be under the brightest lights. That could be NY or Chicago or LA. Also, the Cavs loaded up this season and yet they still failed miserably in the playoffs. They fired their GM. They fired their coach. It appears they are waiting for a reason to rebuild. That can't be overly encouraging to LBJ.
NEW YORK
The case for NY - they are the big market. They can build whatever kind of team Lebron wants. They can attract all the FA's if he goes there. Win or lose - LBJ could play for Mike D'Antoni and put up MONSTEROUS stats (which you know he cares about). Lots of reasons for him to be in NY.
The case against NY - they suck! They have no current talent and are starting from scratch. What is the tradition of NY being a winning franchise?? That goes back to the mid 90's and they didn't even win. How much pressure would LBJ be under in this city??
NEW JERSEY
The case for NJ - they have a new billionaire owner, a new coach, in 2 years they will move to Brooklyn. Part owner Jay Z is best buddies with LBJ. They have a pretty impressive nucleus with Harris, Lopez, Favors, Terrence Williams and they have 30 million dollars available this summer. They don't have the history in the NBA (they made their noise in the ABA days) so LBJ could make his own mark with this club.
The case against NJ. Well, for starters, it's still New Jersey. They have zero tradition. They have traditionally always sucked. NJ is not the biggest market (until they move to Brooklyn) and LBJ might not get the sponsorship deals because of it. Despite a good young core, they have zero playoff experience.
MIAMI
The case for Miami - well, there is that Dwyane Wade guy. Florida is a tax free state. LBJ would essentially be playing for the legendary Pat Riley. Rumours are that Wade/LBJ/Bosh could join forces in Miami. This is essentially what Payton and Malone tried to do with the Lakers years ago - except they were past their prime. Miami could be amazing if the 3 guys joined forces. Even if it's just Wade and LBJ, that's a pretty good start to a team.
The case against Miami. Well, what's the negative? I guess you could argue that Wade and LBJ are both ball dominant players and couldn't co-exist...really? Is that it?
LA CLIPPERS
The case for the Clippers. They play in the Staples Centre. They are in the big market. They have a pretty decent young nucleus with Eric Gordon, Blake Griffin, Kaman, Aminu. They have Baron to run to show (not actually saying that's a good thing). They have the players and they have the city. Anything is possible.
The case against LA. Well, it could be argued that playing in the Staples Centre (sharing it with Kobe) is a negative. Is the town big enough for LBJ and Kobe? Another huge negative has to be that the team is owned by Donald Sterling. Do they even have a coach right now? Also, if LBJ moved out West it's a lot tougher just to make the playoffs. I honestly believe James stays in the East as the road to the finals is easier. I just don't think this town is big enough for 2 major stars and I don't think LBJ wants to move to the Western Conference.
CHICAGO
The case for the Bulls. The history. The championships. An amazing city!! A new coach. A potentially fantastic nucleus. The ability to bring in another maximum player. A potential starting lineup of Rose, James, Deng, Bosh/Amare/Boozer, and Joakim Noah. Chicago really has it all to offer.
The case against the Bulls. Does anyone want to follow in the footsteps of the King. Michael Jordan once owned this city and has a statue recognizing his accomplishments outside the arena. Does LBJ want to be compared to MJ? What if he doesn't bring 6 NBA titles to Chicago? Does that mean he's not as good a player? Does anyone want to try and live up to the expectations? That's the only drawback to Chicago - Jordan's legacy.
So, where does LBJ land?? I honestly have no idea and could see any of these teams landing him. I guess I should predict where he goes...so, I'll rank these teams from 1 to 6.
1. Miami (he joins forces with Wade in the tax free haven)
2. Chicago (best opportunity to win right away)
3. Cleveland (money, money, and money)
4. New Jersey (a chance to build his own legacy)
5. New York (no supporting cast)
6. Los Angeles (LBJ doesn't want to share the town with Kobe)
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Sunday, June 27, 2010
My Take on the 2010 Draft...
OK, so the 2010 NBA Draft was the other night and that is sort of the official "better get ready for the JBL season" signal. I spent draft night at Timmy P's with Tuna and Hildy. We did a little mock draft and Hildy predicted the best out of the 4 of us. Anyways, it's time to figure out who the best NBA prospects are for the JBL season...
Here we go...
#1 - Wizards - John Wall. Everything you read and hear about this kid is that he is unreal. He's a Derrick Rose/Deron Williams type player. To me, that means he will be good. My concern is that he could be on a Wizards team that also features Gilbert Arenas. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't know Gilbert at all. Never met the man. But the thing is, he thought it would be funny to point a gun at his buddy as a joke. Does that sound like a "normal" human being? No. I don't think so. Wall has all the potential to lead a rebuilding Wizards team next season. Wall and Blatche could be the building blocks for years to come. He should be the highest paid Rookie in the JBL draft in 10/11.
#2 - 76ers -Evan Turner. Everything I've read is that he is the most NBA ready rookie. He is being compared to Brandon Roy. He is probably going to start for Philly at SG from day one. All good signs for him to be a Fantasy factor next season. So, Turner and Iggy are very similar players, so what. The 76ers should be a very fast paced team with Jrue, Evan, Iggy, and Thad running the show. Evan has great potential to be a fantasy factor next year.
#3 - Nets - Derrick Favors. His fantasy potential depends on what NJ does in Free Agency. Do they sign a Boozer/Lee/Bosh?? If they don't, then Favors has a chance to start right away - although I would think they would like to build his confidence a little before they throw him into the fire. The kid is only 18 years old (19 in July). He has loads of potential and should be drafted during the JBL draft.
#4 - T-Wolves - Wesley Johnson. The Wolves took a SF out of Syracuse who can shoot the 3 ball. They have been lacking a SF (Gomes was OK) and Johnson could start from day one. But what else can he do?? Is he really going to be a fantasy factor next season? I guess a lot depends on what they do with Al Jefferson. Loads of rumors that MINN is trying to trade him. You would think they will get the job done at some point. I'm not big on Wesley Johnson, but he could be a nice 5th forward that can help in 3PT%.
#5 - Kings - DeMarcus Cousins. Mr. Head Case is apparently one of the best prospects based on physical talent alone. He's 6'11 and weighs almost 300 pounds. He averaged 15 and 10 at Kentucky last season and he only played 25 minutes a game!! Here's the issue - the kid knows he's good and doesn't appear to be too motivated. Can he keep his weight down? Can he be controlled? As Bill Simmons mentioned in one of his latest articles - here is a bad attitude kid that doesn't do drugs or alcohol nor has he had a troubled youth. So, as Bill says, he's a 'natural' head case. Oh oh. Cousins should be in Sactown this season but he will contend for minutes with Sammy D, Jason Thompson, and Carl Landry. He'll be drafted, but I think he's more of a long term investment.
#6 - Warriors - Epke Udoh. Never heard of him. Apparently he's a defensive monster. Well, that could be good because the Warriors currently don't play any defense. Here's the dilemna with this kid - Don Nelson is still the coach in GS. He either loves rookies (Curry) or hates them (Randolph). So, where will Nelson land on Udoh?? I think he's worth picking for sure...but he could also be an early season cut if he doesn't get any playing time.
#7 - Pistons - Greg Monroe. Good pick for Detroit because their current stable of big men is sorely lacking. Ben Wallace, Jason Maxiell, Charlie V, and Jonas Jerebko don't scare many opponents. Monroe should play right away and could be a nice depth big man for a fantasy team. Heck, he may even be a starter at some point this season.
#8 - Clippers - Al Farouq Aminu. Apparently he's quite an athletic dude. He's more defensive minded and likely would be the 5th option in LAC. Maybe he could get some steals and blocks but I don't see him contributing much right away.
#9 - Jazz - Gordon Hayward. Go figure, the Jazz picked a white guy!! Will he start from day one?? Everyone raves about his shooting yet I see he only shot 29% from downtown last season. He did shoot 44% the year before. Where would he fit into the Jazz offense?? If Boozer leaves could Hayward be a 3rd or 4th option?? I am already figuring that Crikker will be all over this kid during the draft.
#10 - Pacers - Paul George. George is a 6'9 small forward. I guess someone should have told Larry Bird that they already have a pretty good SF named Danny Granger on their team. I don't get this pick at all. How does George find any minutes - unless the Pacers are moving Granger to NJ for Devin Harris (rumor)...Unless there are some personnel changes in IND I don't see how George is a fantasy factor at all.
#11 - Thunder - Cole Aldrich. A defensive big man that the Thunder have been craving. He could start from day one. He can rebound and block shots. That's all the Thunder need him to do. He should be drafted in the JBL and could be a gem in the rough. Ultimately, it will be big to see who gets the starting nod in OKC. Will it be Krstic, Aldrich, or super-sleeper Serge Ibaka??
I haven't done enough research on the other 1st round picks to be able to comment on them...
Summer League starts this week and July 1st is just 4 days away....
Excitement is just around the corner!!
Here we go...
#1 - Wizards - John Wall. Everything you read and hear about this kid is that he is unreal. He's a Derrick Rose/Deron Williams type player. To me, that means he will be good. My concern is that he could be on a Wizards team that also features Gilbert Arenas. Now, don't get me wrong, I don't know Gilbert at all. Never met the man. But the thing is, he thought it would be funny to point a gun at his buddy as a joke. Does that sound like a "normal" human being? No. I don't think so. Wall has all the potential to lead a rebuilding Wizards team next season. Wall and Blatche could be the building blocks for years to come. He should be the highest paid Rookie in the JBL draft in 10/11.
#2 - 76ers -Evan Turner. Everything I've read is that he is the most NBA ready rookie. He is being compared to Brandon Roy. He is probably going to start for Philly at SG from day one. All good signs for him to be a Fantasy factor next season. So, Turner and Iggy are very similar players, so what. The 76ers should be a very fast paced team with Jrue, Evan, Iggy, and Thad running the show. Evan has great potential to be a fantasy factor next year.
#3 - Nets - Derrick Favors. His fantasy potential depends on what NJ does in Free Agency. Do they sign a Boozer/Lee/Bosh?? If they don't, then Favors has a chance to start right away - although I would think they would like to build his confidence a little before they throw him into the fire. The kid is only 18 years old (19 in July). He has loads of potential and should be drafted during the JBL draft.
#4 - T-Wolves - Wesley Johnson. The Wolves took a SF out of Syracuse who can shoot the 3 ball. They have been lacking a SF (Gomes was OK) and Johnson could start from day one. But what else can he do?? Is he really going to be a fantasy factor next season? I guess a lot depends on what they do with Al Jefferson. Loads of rumors that MINN is trying to trade him. You would think they will get the job done at some point. I'm not big on Wesley Johnson, but he could be a nice 5th forward that can help in 3PT%.
#5 - Kings - DeMarcus Cousins. Mr. Head Case is apparently one of the best prospects based on physical talent alone. He's 6'11 and weighs almost 300 pounds. He averaged 15 and 10 at Kentucky last season and he only played 25 minutes a game!! Here's the issue - the kid knows he's good and doesn't appear to be too motivated. Can he keep his weight down? Can he be controlled? As Bill Simmons mentioned in one of his latest articles - here is a bad attitude kid that doesn't do drugs or alcohol nor has he had a troubled youth. So, as Bill says, he's a 'natural' head case. Oh oh. Cousins should be in Sactown this season but he will contend for minutes with Sammy D, Jason Thompson, and Carl Landry. He'll be drafted, but I think he's more of a long term investment.
#6 - Warriors - Epke Udoh. Never heard of him. Apparently he's a defensive monster. Well, that could be good because the Warriors currently don't play any defense. Here's the dilemna with this kid - Don Nelson is still the coach in GS. He either loves rookies (Curry) or hates them (Randolph). So, where will Nelson land on Udoh?? I think he's worth picking for sure...but he could also be an early season cut if he doesn't get any playing time.
#7 - Pistons - Greg Monroe. Good pick for Detroit because their current stable of big men is sorely lacking. Ben Wallace, Jason Maxiell, Charlie V, and Jonas Jerebko don't scare many opponents. Monroe should play right away and could be a nice depth big man for a fantasy team. Heck, he may even be a starter at some point this season.
#8 - Clippers - Al Farouq Aminu. Apparently he's quite an athletic dude. He's more defensive minded and likely would be the 5th option in LAC. Maybe he could get some steals and blocks but I don't see him contributing much right away.
#9 - Jazz - Gordon Hayward. Go figure, the Jazz picked a white guy!! Will he start from day one?? Everyone raves about his shooting yet I see he only shot 29% from downtown last season. He did shoot 44% the year before. Where would he fit into the Jazz offense?? If Boozer leaves could Hayward be a 3rd or 4th option?? I am already figuring that Crikker will be all over this kid during the draft.
#10 - Pacers - Paul George. George is a 6'9 small forward. I guess someone should have told Larry Bird that they already have a pretty good SF named Danny Granger on their team. I don't get this pick at all. How does George find any minutes - unless the Pacers are moving Granger to NJ for Devin Harris (rumor)...Unless there are some personnel changes in IND I don't see how George is a fantasy factor at all.
#11 - Thunder - Cole Aldrich. A defensive big man that the Thunder have been craving. He could start from day one. He can rebound and block shots. That's all the Thunder need him to do. He should be drafted in the JBL and could be a gem in the rough. Ultimately, it will be big to see who gets the starting nod in OKC. Will it be Krstic, Aldrich, or super-sleeper Serge Ibaka??
I haven't done enough research on the other 1st round picks to be able to comment on them...
Summer League starts this week and July 1st is just 4 days away....
Excitement is just around the corner!!
Saturday, June 26, 2010
The Final Cuts....
Well, we are down to 4 days before off-season trading could potentially begin. We have 5 teams (including myself) still needing to make some drops before July 1st.
We saw Chilliwack release Antawn Jamison this evening. This gets him down to 5 players. Jamison would have been $26 bucks - which isn't necessarily a bad price - it's just that Benny has 5 better options for protection. I think the drop was a wise move.
Bangkok dropped Jonny Flynn tonight as well. He didn't have to, but he did. I would be hard pressed to see Bangkok make any off season trades with the 4 keepers he has coming back (Curry, Westbrook, Gay and Kaman). Flynn never had a shot cracking that roster.
Still to drop players: Belgrade (2 drops required), Juan (2), Yuma (2), Golden (1), and Maui (1).
I can walk through my mind set of Golden's final cut from 6 players down to 5. There are several ways I could go here....
1) Drop Josh Smith. He would be $48 bucks after all. How much would he go for on draft night? $50? $55? Maybe even $60 bucks? Is he that much of a bargain? Now, that being said, he is a top Fantasy player and he could be worth the most as far as trade value this off-season....
2) Darren Collison - this one is simple...do I believe Collison or Chris Paul will be traded this off-season? If the answer is yes - I keep Collison. If the answer is no and those 2 PG's are on the same roster - then Collison is not worth the $15 bucks.
3) Carl Landry. He would be $10 bucks. A relatively solid player in Sacramento that last year averaged 18 and 6 with the Kings. The problem with Carl is that he doesn't do a whole lot of other things and that the Kings brought in Samuel Dalembert and DeMarcus Cousins this off-season. Plus, they still have Jason Thompson. How many minutes are there for Landry to shine??
For now, I will hold on to Rose, Deng, and Brooks. Here's my 2 cents on them...
Rose - could be on the East's best team next season if July goes well for the Bulls. He should improve his game next season and for $29 bucks could still be a valuable asset.
Deng - If the Bulls go big and land Lebron I would imagine he would come in sign-and-trade form which would mean Luol is on his way to Cleveland. Deng is one of those do-it-all fantasy guys who could be a bargain for $17 bucks. Plus, he is the blackest man in the NBA since the recently departed Manute Bol.
Brooks - MIP last season should have his big man Yao to pass to next season. Aaron isn't the greatest PG but his ATO numbers should improve in 10/11 with the return of Yao. And for $16 bucks it's not like he's a huge risk.
So...who will be Golden's final 5 going into July 1st??? I think this blog post has made up my mind....
We saw Chilliwack release Antawn Jamison this evening. This gets him down to 5 players. Jamison would have been $26 bucks - which isn't necessarily a bad price - it's just that Benny has 5 better options for protection. I think the drop was a wise move.
Bangkok dropped Jonny Flynn tonight as well. He didn't have to, but he did. I would be hard pressed to see Bangkok make any off season trades with the 4 keepers he has coming back (Curry, Westbrook, Gay and Kaman). Flynn never had a shot cracking that roster.
Still to drop players: Belgrade (2 drops required), Juan (2), Yuma (2), Golden (1), and Maui (1).
I can walk through my mind set of Golden's final cut from 6 players down to 5. There are several ways I could go here....
1) Drop Josh Smith. He would be $48 bucks after all. How much would he go for on draft night? $50? $55? Maybe even $60 bucks? Is he that much of a bargain? Now, that being said, he is a top Fantasy player and he could be worth the most as far as trade value this off-season....
2) Darren Collison - this one is simple...do I believe Collison or Chris Paul will be traded this off-season? If the answer is yes - I keep Collison. If the answer is no and those 2 PG's are on the same roster - then Collison is not worth the $15 bucks.
3) Carl Landry. He would be $10 bucks. A relatively solid player in Sacramento that last year averaged 18 and 6 with the Kings. The problem with Carl is that he doesn't do a whole lot of other things and that the Kings brought in Samuel Dalembert and DeMarcus Cousins this off-season. Plus, they still have Jason Thompson. How many minutes are there for Landry to shine??
For now, I will hold on to Rose, Deng, and Brooks. Here's my 2 cents on them...
Rose - could be on the East's best team next season if July goes well for the Bulls. He should improve his game next season and for $29 bucks could still be a valuable asset.
Deng - If the Bulls go big and land Lebron I would imagine he would come in sign-and-trade form which would mean Luol is on his way to Cleveland. Deng is one of those do-it-all fantasy guys who could be a bargain for $17 bucks. Plus, he is the blackest man in the NBA since the recently departed Manute Bol.
Brooks - MIP last season should have his big man Yao to pass to next season. Aaron isn't the greatest PG but his ATO numbers should improve in 10/11 with the return of Yao. And for $16 bucks it's not like he's a huge risk.
So...who will be Golden's final 5 going into July 1st??? I think this blog post has made up my mind....
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Offseason Trading Prep - Part 2
OK, first of all, I want to mention the Sammy Dalembert trade today. I had just commented on him yesterday in my blog, and now, he's traded to Sacramento. Great trade for the Kings in my opinion. They give up Andres Nocioni (bench fodder and he wanted out) and Spencer Hawes (classic underachiever). Sammy D has had his issues over his 8 seasons in Philly - but he brings some toughness and defense to a Kings team that desperately needed his blocks. Great job for the Kings. Plus, if he doesn't work out, his contract is expiring soon anyways.
Alright, on to the other 6 JBL teams and their current roster situations as we approach July 1st.
Juan de Fuca (3) - The Mamas have narrowed their choices for 5 spots down to 7 players. Morrow, Blair, Camby, Gallinari, Wallace, Randolph and Monta Ellis. This would be a tough decision for any owner, let alone a 3-headed one...Who will be the final 2 cuts?? Who provides the best value? Where does Anthony Morrow play next season? Can Camby stay healthy? Does Blair play a bigger role next season? Can Wallace repeat his 09/10 season? Can Zach stop dealing drugs? And will Monta be in GS? I could argue for any of them. Personally, if I had to drop 2 guys to get down to 5 players before July 1st - I would cut Morrow (one dimensional and unknown role) and Blair (still an unknown). But man, tough call.
Yuma Thurmans (3) - Chubby has cut his choices down to 7. Still 2 more guys to release before July 1st. Of the remaining options I really think Jason Terry and Rip Hamilton will be released. They really aren't undervalued at their current prices. I think the top 3 potential keepers are David Lee (he's a lock), Brendan Haywood (depending on where he lands), and Corey Maggette ($9 bucks for a big time scorer is a good price). Now, if Tony Parker gets moved out of SA, then I would think George Hill would certainly draw into the equation. S-Jax is a nice player but his %'s are killer - I would think he could be had on draft night for a similar price.
Maui Ribs (2) - Trevor's new home town (where he got married) must be excited to see what kind of product he will put on the floor. Trev's not the 1st team from the Hawaiian Islands - do we all remember Chuck Stanley and his Hilo High Water squad from the late 1990's?? Anyways, Trev has narrowed his choices down to 6 players. I think ultimately, no matter what happens on NBA draft night, Amare will be the one released. No matter where he plays next season - he won't be worth $65 bucks. I think the 2 leading contenders for protection are Varejao and Frye. Both could be starters next season. I've often wondered what kind of numbers Varejao could put up with big minutes. He's been stuck behind Big Z and Shaq and has never had a chance to shine. Frye could start in Phoenix if Amare leaves. Another option could be Tayshaun Prince. He had a horrible season last year and could be poised for a bounce back season. He may also have ticked of Trev enough to be dropped altogether.
Brussels Muscles (2) - Look, this one is simple. It's Durant. It's Tyreke. Those are his keepers. Don't bother making him a trade offer. Those are his building blocks. Tim is expecting HUGE things in 10/11 and his success will greatly depend on those two young studs. End of story.
Belgrade Zombies (1) - Which one player will Marko keep?? At the moment, he has reduced his roster to 7 players so he still has 2 more to drop. What's taking so long with the release of Aldridge?? We all know he's not worth $45 bucks! And Drew Gooden? Can't he always be had late in a JBL draft for under $10 bucks?? Those would be my 2 cuts anyways. That would get the roster down to 5 choices for 1 spot. Eric Gordon, Carmelo, Boozer, Udrih, or Ilyasova. I would rank them this way...
1) Carmelo - one of the best scorers in the league
2) Boozer - a new zip code could motivate the beast
3) Gordon - coming off a down year he could be ready to excel under a new coach
4) Ilyasova - someone has to take the PF spot in Buck-land
5) Udrih - solid player but is he really the one player you want to say you protected?
Idaho (0) - you have nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nadda. No keepers for you!
So, there you have it...still a few drops to be made in the JBL. I think by this time next week (post NBA draft) a few more players will be dropped. For example, if Darren Collison hasn't been traded - he will likely be cut by Golden.
Anyways, that's all for now...other than I should mention VEGAS HAS BEEN BOOKED!!!!! Good job Rick for getting it done...It appears Rick is bunking with Pat and Phil and my room will be myself, Benny, Trev and Timmy (just like our Portland roadie 2 years ago). So excited to have the 4 of us back together on a roadie again.
Alright, on to the other 6 JBL teams and their current roster situations as we approach July 1st.
Juan de Fuca (3) - The Mamas have narrowed their choices for 5 spots down to 7 players. Morrow, Blair, Camby, Gallinari, Wallace, Randolph and Monta Ellis. This would be a tough decision for any owner, let alone a 3-headed one...Who will be the final 2 cuts?? Who provides the best value? Where does Anthony Morrow play next season? Can Camby stay healthy? Does Blair play a bigger role next season? Can Wallace repeat his 09/10 season? Can Zach stop dealing drugs? And will Monta be in GS? I could argue for any of them. Personally, if I had to drop 2 guys to get down to 5 players before July 1st - I would cut Morrow (one dimensional and unknown role) and Blair (still an unknown). But man, tough call.
Yuma Thurmans (3) - Chubby has cut his choices down to 7. Still 2 more guys to release before July 1st. Of the remaining options I really think Jason Terry and Rip Hamilton will be released. They really aren't undervalued at their current prices. I think the top 3 potential keepers are David Lee (he's a lock), Brendan Haywood (depending on where he lands), and Corey Maggette ($9 bucks for a big time scorer is a good price). Now, if Tony Parker gets moved out of SA, then I would think George Hill would certainly draw into the equation. S-Jax is a nice player but his %'s are killer - I would think he could be had on draft night for a similar price.
Maui Ribs (2) - Trevor's new home town (where he got married) must be excited to see what kind of product he will put on the floor. Trev's not the 1st team from the Hawaiian Islands - do we all remember Chuck Stanley and his Hilo High Water squad from the late 1990's?? Anyways, Trev has narrowed his choices down to 6 players. I think ultimately, no matter what happens on NBA draft night, Amare will be the one released. No matter where he plays next season - he won't be worth $65 bucks. I think the 2 leading contenders for protection are Varejao and Frye. Both could be starters next season. I've often wondered what kind of numbers Varejao could put up with big minutes. He's been stuck behind Big Z and Shaq and has never had a chance to shine. Frye could start in Phoenix if Amare leaves. Another option could be Tayshaun Prince. He had a horrible season last year and could be poised for a bounce back season. He may also have ticked of Trev enough to be dropped altogether.
Brussels Muscles (2) - Look, this one is simple. It's Durant. It's Tyreke. Those are his keepers. Don't bother making him a trade offer. Those are his building blocks. Tim is expecting HUGE things in 10/11 and his success will greatly depend on those two young studs. End of story.
Belgrade Zombies (1) - Which one player will Marko keep?? At the moment, he has reduced his roster to 7 players so he still has 2 more to drop. What's taking so long with the release of Aldridge?? We all know he's not worth $45 bucks! And Drew Gooden? Can't he always be had late in a JBL draft for under $10 bucks?? Those would be my 2 cuts anyways. That would get the roster down to 5 choices for 1 spot. Eric Gordon, Carmelo, Boozer, Udrih, or Ilyasova. I would rank them this way...
1) Carmelo - one of the best scorers in the league
2) Boozer - a new zip code could motivate the beast
3) Gordon - coming off a down year he could be ready to excel under a new coach
4) Ilyasova - someone has to take the PF spot in Buck-land
5) Udrih - solid player but is he really the one player you want to say you protected?
Idaho (0) - you have nothing. Zero. Zilch. Nadda. No keepers for you!
So, there you have it...still a few drops to be made in the JBL. I think by this time next week (post NBA draft) a few more players will be dropped. For example, if Darren Collison hasn't been traded - he will likely be cut by Golden.
Anyways, that's all for now...other than I should mention VEGAS HAS BEEN BOOKED!!!!! Good job Rick for getting it done...It appears Rick is bunking with Pat and Phil and my room will be myself, Benny, Trev and Timmy (just like our Portland roadie 2 years ago). So excited to have the 4 of us back together on a roadie again.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Offseason Trading Prep - Part 1
OK, so it's June 16th and the NBA draft is just a week away....
Also, JBL rosters are being trimmed down to 5 players each to prepare for July 1st off season trading. Most of the JBL teams are cutting down to 6 or 7 players waiting to see what happens in the NBA draft before making those last few cuts...
So, I thought I would look at the current state of the JBL rosters and then look at some of the NBA prospects that could be fantasy factors next season in the JBL....
Here we go....I'll list the team with the number of keeper spots available and then discuss who is still on their roster...
Seoul Brothers (4) - our defending champ has made his cuts down to 5 players. He has Nene and Bogut (who I believe to be locks to return). Then he has Lebron, Corey Brewer and Marcus Thornton. Will Woo keep LBJ for $83?? Not sure. I still believe that's a bargain (again, the old days of the JBL had 7-8 players going for $100 bucks). Brewer and Thornton are the wild cards. If Minny drafts Wesley Johnson at #4, does that spell the end of Brewer's fantasy value?? And what about Thornton in NO? He had a wicked 2nd half of the season, but is he really worth $15 bucks?
Golden Showers (4) - I've narrowed my roster down to 6 guys and I am waiting to see if NO moves Darren Collison. I also have Aaron Brooks and Derrick Rose as PG keepers. Up front I have Carl Landry, Luol Deng, and Josh Smith. Josh would be $48 bucks to protect but his all round numbers get me excited. My concern is the coaching change in ATL and the uncertainty of what happens when Joe Johnson leaves town. Does that mean Smoove is more or less valuable? And what if Collison was traded to NYC to play in D'Antoni's system? Lots of question marks with this roster still and 1 of the 6 has to be cut still before July 1st. Who will it be?? I'm thinking either Landry or Collison. Well, definitely Collison is he is still in New Orleans.
Bangkok Fighters (4) - One of the early favorites for next season has his roster down to 5 already. He has short-listed Stephen Curry, Jonny Flynn, Westbrook, Rudy Gay, and Chris Kaman. I believe Flynn will ultimately be the odd man out but maybe Bangkok makes a move during the off season. This team's 4 man keeper potential is awesome and that's why Rick is finally a pre-season favorite. I guess a little depends on where Rudy Gay lands this off season. He's a restricted FA and the Grizzlies say they'll match any price - but will they??? What if a JBL team swooped in on July 1st and made Bangkok a good offer for Gay before they knew where Gay will end up. It could be a risk/reward scenario for both Bangkok and the offering team. I believe that Curry, Westbrook, and Kaman are untouchables.
Chilliwack Offs (4) - Benny has narrowed it down to 6 players. Conley, Bargnani, Jamison, AK47, Noah, and Marc Gasol have been shortlisted. I think Gasol and Bargnani are locks. I guess a lot depends on off season moves for certain teams. Is Jamison still LBJ's sidekick in Cleveland?? Or is Antawn the man? And who will his coach be? A defensive minded guru or a wide open run and gunner? That could have a big factor on whether 'Twan is worth the $26 bucks. What about AK47 for $11 dollars? Is he a starter again in Utah? Will he be traded because his 17 million dollar contract is expiring after next season? He has always been a Benny favorite and stat-stuffer. Will Conley continue his slow rise? Can Noah be the huge force again next season? Can Noah do it if Boozer/Bosh/Amare arrive in Chicago?? Benny will have a tough decision on which player gets cut before July 1st - unless some trades happen during the NBA draft - which is very possible.
French Lick Celtics (3) - the roster has been trimmed to 5 already. Billups, K-Mart, Paul Pierce, Dalembert and Millsap are the contenders for 3 spots. As I had mentioned numerous times during the 09/10 season, I always felt Hildy's team was built for the now and not so much for the future. Looking at these potential keepers, I will say that again. There aren't any stud keepers here (at least at bargain basement prices). I certainly think Pierce is undervalued and gets a spot. I believe that once Boozer moves on and Millsap becomes the starter in Utah he will be a force. Who gets the 3rd spot though?? Does Sammy D get moved somewhere? Does he need to be moved now that Doug Collins is coaching in Philly? Is K-Mart really a bargain at $14? Doesn't he always go around that price? And is Billups worth $34? Another year older? I think Sammy D is the likely winner for the 3rd spot and could be the most popular for potential trades due to his $7 dollar keeper value for all those blocks.
Arctic Circle Jerks (3) - another team trimmed and ready to go (just like all of Tuna's dates). Jamal Crawford, The Beasley, Al Harrington, Al Horford, and Kevin Love are the contenders for 3 spots. Crikker loves the Love and he will be back. He should also garner the most trade interest as he's a good bargain at that price (especially if Minny moves Big Al). Crawford for $10 could be great if Joe Johnson leaves. Crawford may not shoot the ball that well, but he can easily score 20ppg. And for 10 bucks, that's a good deal. Is Beasley worth $12 if he stays in Miami? What if he's traded? What does that do to his value? Is Horford worth $31 bucks? I love Big Al, but that's probably right around where he should land on draft night. Or is he worth more with a new coach and JJ leaving town? And what about Harrington? Always a prolific scorer - he always seems to go for cheap because of his lack of %'s and those other stat categories. Plus, at $20 bucks is that a bargain for Al?? I have to say I was shocked to see Nash released. I thought he would still be a bargain at $39 bucks and would have at least garnered some trade interest from other JBL franchises. Tough call here in Arctic. I would call it a lock to see Love back but those other 2 spots are a toss up. Maybe a 2 for 1 offer (for Love) would entice Arctic to the trade table?
So there are the top 6 teams from last season reviewed....stay tuned for the rest asap....
Also, JBL rosters are being trimmed down to 5 players each to prepare for July 1st off season trading. Most of the JBL teams are cutting down to 6 or 7 players waiting to see what happens in the NBA draft before making those last few cuts...
So, I thought I would look at the current state of the JBL rosters and then look at some of the NBA prospects that could be fantasy factors next season in the JBL....
Here we go....I'll list the team with the number of keeper spots available and then discuss who is still on their roster...
Seoul Brothers (4) - our defending champ has made his cuts down to 5 players. He has Nene and Bogut (who I believe to be locks to return). Then he has Lebron, Corey Brewer and Marcus Thornton. Will Woo keep LBJ for $83?? Not sure. I still believe that's a bargain (again, the old days of the JBL had 7-8 players going for $100 bucks). Brewer and Thornton are the wild cards. If Minny drafts Wesley Johnson at #4, does that spell the end of Brewer's fantasy value?? And what about Thornton in NO? He had a wicked 2nd half of the season, but is he really worth $15 bucks?
Golden Showers (4) - I've narrowed my roster down to 6 guys and I am waiting to see if NO moves Darren Collison. I also have Aaron Brooks and Derrick Rose as PG keepers. Up front I have Carl Landry, Luol Deng, and Josh Smith. Josh would be $48 bucks to protect but his all round numbers get me excited. My concern is the coaching change in ATL and the uncertainty of what happens when Joe Johnson leaves town. Does that mean Smoove is more or less valuable? And what if Collison was traded to NYC to play in D'Antoni's system? Lots of question marks with this roster still and 1 of the 6 has to be cut still before July 1st. Who will it be?? I'm thinking either Landry or Collison. Well, definitely Collison is he is still in New Orleans.
Bangkok Fighters (4) - One of the early favorites for next season has his roster down to 5 already. He has short-listed Stephen Curry, Jonny Flynn, Westbrook, Rudy Gay, and Chris Kaman. I believe Flynn will ultimately be the odd man out but maybe Bangkok makes a move during the off season. This team's 4 man keeper potential is awesome and that's why Rick is finally a pre-season favorite. I guess a little depends on where Rudy Gay lands this off season. He's a restricted FA and the Grizzlies say they'll match any price - but will they??? What if a JBL team swooped in on July 1st and made Bangkok a good offer for Gay before they knew where Gay will end up. It could be a risk/reward scenario for both Bangkok and the offering team. I believe that Curry, Westbrook, and Kaman are untouchables.
Chilliwack Offs (4) - Benny has narrowed it down to 6 players. Conley, Bargnani, Jamison, AK47, Noah, and Marc Gasol have been shortlisted. I think Gasol and Bargnani are locks. I guess a lot depends on off season moves for certain teams. Is Jamison still LBJ's sidekick in Cleveland?? Or is Antawn the man? And who will his coach be? A defensive minded guru or a wide open run and gunner? That could have a big factor on whether 'Twan is worth the $26 bucks. What about AK47 for $11 dollars? Is he a starter again in Utah? Will he be traded because his 17 million dollar contract is expiring after next season? He has always been a Benny favorite and stat-stuffer. Will Conley continue his slow rise? Can Noah be the huge force again next season? Can Noah do it if Boozer/Bosh/Amare arrive in Chicago?? Benny will have a tough decision on which player gets cut before July 1st - unless some trades happen during the NBA draft - which is very possible.
French Lick Celtics (3) - the roster has been trimmed to 5 already. Billups, K-Mart, Paul Pierce, Dalembert and Millsap are the contenders for 3 spots. As I had mentioned numerous times during the 09/10 season, I always felt Hildy's team was built for the now and not so much for the future. Looking at these potential keepers, I will say that again. There aren't any stud keepers here (at least at bargain basement prices). I certainly think Pierce is undervalued and gets a spot. I believe that once Boozer moves on and Millsap becomes the starter in Utah he will be a force. Who gets the 3rd spot though?? Does Sammy D get moved somewhere? Does he need to be moved now that Doug Collins is coaching in Philly? Is K-Mart really a bargain at $14? Doesn't he always go around that price? And is Billups worth $34? Another year older? I think Sammy D is the likely winner for the 3rd spot and could be the most popular for potential trades due to his $7 dollar keeper value for all those blocks.
Arctic Circle Jerks (3) - another team trimmed and ready to go (just like all of Tuna's dates). Jamal Crawford, The Beasley, Al Harrington, Al Horford, and Kevin Love are the contenders for 3 spots. Crikker loves the Love and he will be back. He should also garner the most trade interest as he's a good bargain at that price (especially if Minny moves Big Al). Crawford for $10 could be great if Joe Johnson leaves. Crawford may not shoot the ball that well, but he can easily score 20ppg. And for 10 bucks, that's a good deal. Is Beasley worth $12 if he stays in Miami? What if he's traded? What does that do to his value? Is Horford worth $31 bucks? I love Big Al, but that's probably right around where he should land on draft night. Or is he worth more with a new coach and JJ leaving town? And what about Harrington? Always a prolific scorer - he always seems to go for cheap because of his lack of %'s and those other stat categories. Plus, at $20 bucks is that a bargain for Al?? I have to say I was shocked to see Nash released. I thought he would still be a bargain at $39 bucks and would have at least garnered some trade interest from other JBL franchises. Tough call here in Arctic. I would call it a lock to see Love back but those other 2 spots are a toss up. Maybe a 2 for 1 offer (for Love) would entice Arctic to the trade table?
So there are the top 6 teams from last season reviewed....stay tuned for the rest asap....
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