Week 12 Ahead...

As we approach the midpoint of the JBL/NBA season we saw a blockbuster trade on Sunday. Seoul traded away Kobe, Garnett and Kevin Martin for Lebron. Does that seem like a lot to give up for Lebron? Or is that really just indicating how good of a fantasy season he's really having? Should I break down the deal? Do we really want to know why each side did this trade? I don't. At the midway point I think this is a good trade for both teams. Why not make this deal? Both Seoul and MBB are in the middle of the pack. As they were currently constructed neither was a likely money spot contender. So why not make this deal?

MBB has been kicked in the nuts this year with Kevin Love's injuries and poor shooting. He just added 3 guys to a roster that still featured Jerryd Bayless and Meyers Leonard. The #6 pick in our JBL Rookie Draft finally hits the Free Agent wire. That's now 5 lottery picked rookies that have failed to hold down a roster spot. MBB has been hovering in the 6-9 range all year and by adding 3 players he may be able to push for a top 5 spot. On the other hand, he might not. But at least he's trying. If he doesn't make this deal he hovers in mediocrity. With the trade, who knows, maybe he goes up, maybe he goes down. There's no risk at this time.

And you knew Seoul was going to continue to shake and bake like Ricky Bobby this season. The Brothers team is underachieving (or maybe it's just the owner that's underachieving?) and was destined to be split up. Lebron is a likely 'keeper' candidate in Seoul as Phil will likely build around the King and a General (Greivis) for next season. Woo is abandoning scoring and focusing on the other 6 categories. Of course, Lebron had a wonderful debut tonight for Seoul.

Big Baby made his return for the Showers tonight. I didn't think I would miss the fat slob but his 16 and 8 averages were missed over the last 4 weeks. He only played 18 minutes tonight and the Magic still lost but at least he appears to be ready to play. I was watching the tweets all day wondering if I was going to play him or have to start my least favorite player these days (Alexey Shved). My love affair with the Russian has hit the skids due to his horrible, and I mean horrible, shooting %'s. Watching the T-Wolves game tonight made me think he needs glasses or something. His shots are way off.

The other frustrating rotation player these days is Danny Green. He's still the starter in SA but manages just 20 minutes it seems. This weeks Golden role player will be Carlos Delfino. He's one of the streakiest shooters out there so I'll see if he sinks or helps me this week.

Tonight is one of those nights of why I traded for Russell Westbrook.

Dion Waiters is having a big game for Idaho. 33 points and good shooting? Oh wait, it is against the Kings. The kick in the nuts part is that he didn't get him in his lineup. Idaho also chose to bench Al Jefferson this week as he only played 2 games. Well, in his first game he went for 23 and 11 vs. the Heat. That's a second kick to the nards my friend.

Is anyone else surprised that General Greivis got 5 of 10 votes in the most recent poll?

I'm obviously closely watching the situation with Kings and their potential sale to Seattle billionaire Chris Hansen. If and when it happens, I do plan on being in the Key Arena on opening night. Trevor and I were there on that final night when we watched a young Durantula light up the Mavericks while desperate fans chanted 'Save our Sonics' and we plan on being there when the Sonics come back to life. Which, according to this website, has already happened. www.sonicsfever.com

Some random stat lines and observations from around the Association:

Big game for DeMarcus in Brussels. 26pts, 14rebs, 6/3ato, 2stl, 3blk. Nice.
Chris Bosh had 1 rebound tonight.
Jan Vesely had 10 points, 7 rebs, and 4 assists in 25 minutes.
Nikola Vucevic had his 7th double-double in a row tonight.
Carlos Boozer is quietly effective these days.
Jason Terry doesn't fit in Beantown.
Ersanity might not exist anymore.

NBA teams that need a shake up:

- Jazz - too many big men. Favors needs to be let loose. Going nowhere with this bunch
- Bucks - point proven again - a small back court of Ellis and Jennings does not work
- Bobcats - they need a proven scorer - not 12 guys to play 24 minutes each
- Pistons - time to let the young big man loose. Prince should go to a contender.
- Suns - they seem disinterested already. Dragic seems bored or is just a sore loser. Not a franchise changer
- Magic -veterans galore (Davis, Nelson, Turkoglu) to trade to contenders for young, cheap talent.

That's all for tonight...enjoy the week ahead.