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!!
Sunday, June 27, 2010
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....
Thursday, May 27, 2010
New Team in the JBL????
Could it be? Really? Who is it? The who? Who's the new guy? Well, the new guy isn't new at all. Maybe new and improved? Who knows. After a futile season in Boston (who would support the Pancakes when the Celtics are there?), the Pancakes are no more. They have relocated...to the warm, sandy beaches of Maui where they will forever be known as the Maui Ribs. Congrats Trevor on getting hitched! Maybe Nadine will change your JBL fortunes forever? Hey, look at my track record - pre-marriage = 2 titles and post-marriage = 5 titles. So, it can happen. Congrats and good luck to the Maui Ribs. Just typing Ribs is making me hungry.
PS - I really look forward to your logo....
PS - I really look forward to your logo....
Monday, May 24, 2010
JBL Offseason Trivia
OK, I have a few minutes...so why not do some JBL off season trivia. And no peaking back to the website!!!
Q1. In the last 5 seasons, who has won the most JBL titles??
A1. Seoul has won 3 of the last 5. (Golden has won the other 2)
Q2. Which JBL team has finished in 5th place in four of the past five JBL seasons?
A2. The French Lick Celtics have just missed a JBL money spot in 4 different seasons. (His other finish was 8th place)
Q3. Between Bangkok, Brussels, Idaho, and Trevor's numerous teams - who has the highest finish in the JBL standings over the past 5 years.
A3. Despite two 12th place finishes, Trevor's Pancakes have one 2nd place finish to their credit. (Bangkok's best is 3rd; Brussels is 3rd; and Idaho's is 4th)
Q4. What is Golden's worst finish over the past 5 seasons?
A4. 2nd (3 times). 6 years ago the Golden squad finished 4th. Golden's worst finish was a 10th place debacle back in the 90's.
Q5. Who was the highest scoring PG in the NBA last season?
A5. Derrick Rose was the surprise PPG leader amongts PG's with a 20.8 average.
Q6. 3 players in the 2009/10 season had 20 assists in a game. Name them....
A6. Nash (twice), Darren Collison, and Will Bynum
Q7. 3 players blocked 8 shots in a single game last season. Name them...
A7. Dwight Howard, Anthony Randolph, Andris Biedrins
Q8. 4 rookies had triple-doubles in 2009/10. Name them...
A8. Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry, Darren Collison, and Terrence Williams
Q9. Who led the NBA in steals last season?
A9. Yes, it was Rajon Rondo.
Q10. Who made the most Free Throws last season??
A10. Kevin Durant made 756. The 2nd best was Lebron at 593. Wow, KD, you get to the line and you make them pay!
Q11. Who led the NBA with 295 turnovers last season? Nash or Howard?
A11. Oh Steve, you shouldn't have. Our Canadian kid has the honor for most TO's in 09/10.
Q12. Who are the 3 second round draft picks from 2009 that made a significant impact to their teams last season?
A12. DeJuan Blair, Marcus Thornton, and Jonas Jerebko. (I'm not gonna make the case for AJ Price in Indiana, because, well, it's AJ Price)
That's all for now....remember, clean up your roster so when July 1st comes we'll be ready for off-season trading. Try and get your rosters down to 6 players.
Q1. In the last 5 seasons, who has won the most JBL titles??
A1. Seoul has won 3 of the last 5. (Golden has won the other 2)
Q2. Which JBL team has finished in 5th place in four of the past five JBL seasons?
A2. The French Lick Celtics have just missed a JBL money spot in 4 different seasons. (His other finish was 8th place)
Q3. Between Bangkok, Brussels, Idaho, and Trevor's numerous teams - who has the highest finish in the JBL standings over the past 5 years.
A3. Despite two 12th place finishes, Trevor's Pancakes have one 2nd place finish to their credit. (Bangkok's best is 3rd; Brussels is 3rd; and Idaho's is 4th)
Q4. What is Golden's worst finish over the past 5 seasons?
A4. 2nd (3 times). 6 years ago the Golden squad finished 4th. Golden's worst finish was a 10th place debacle back in the 90's.
Q5. Who was the highest scoring PG in the NBA last season?
A5. Derrick Rose was the surprise PPG leader amongts PG's with a 20.8 average.
Q6. 3 players in the 2009/10 season had 20 assists in a game. Name them....
A6. Nash (twice), Darren Collison, and Will Bynum
Q7. 3 players blocked 8 shots in a single game last season. Name them...
A7. Dwight Howard, Anthony Randolph, Andris Biedrins
Q8. 4 rookies had triple-doubles in 2009/10. Name them...
A8. Tyreke Evans, Stephen Curry, Darren Collison, and Terrence Williams
Q9. Who led the NBA in steals last season?
A9. Yes, it was Rajon Rondo.
Q10. Who made the most Free Throws last season??
A10. Kevin Durant made 756. The 2nd best was Lebron at 593. Wow, KD, you get to the line and you make them pay!
Q11. Who led the NBA with 295 turnovers last season? Nash or Howard?
A11. Oh Steve, you shouldn't have. Our Canadian kid has the honor for most TO's in 09/10.
Q12. Who are the 3 second round draft picks from 2009 that made a significant impact to their teams last season?
A12. DeJuan Blair, Marcus Thornton, and Jonas Jerebko. (I'm not gonna make the case for AJ Price in Indiana, because, well, it's AJ Price)
That's all for now....remember, clean up your roster so when July 1st comes we'll be ready for off-season trading. Try and get your rosters down to 6 players.
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Surprise - Offseason Post
Wow, it's only May and I'm already thinking about the JBL draft in October. Why? Maybe it's because the NBA lottery was yesterday. To every one's surprise, the team with the worst record (Nets) didn't win the lottery. The Wizards pulled off the upset and grabbed the #1 spot and the 76ers moved up to #2. The poor Nets fell to #3 with the TimberWolves and Kings rounding out the top 5.
So, from everything I've seen and read, the obvious top 2 picks are John Wall and Evan Turner. I have actually seen them both play during the NCAA Tourney as well as a couple of regular season college games. Wall has been described as a hybrid of Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose while Turner is being described as the next Brandon Roy. So, based on that, I would say these 2 guys are cream of the crop type rookies. From what I've seen, the rest of the top picks have some risk to them and there are no sure things.
So, do the Wizards take Wall or Turner? They already have Arenas. Can Wall and Arenas co-exist? I don't think they care. I think they take John Wall all the way. The 76ers, if they keep the pick, would then take Evan Turner and have this freakishly athletic team when they run out Holiday, Turner, Iguodala, Young, and whoever. Rumours are already floating that the T-Wolves want to move up from #4 to grab Turner at the #2 spot. Who do they offer up? Big Al? Love? Can Love and Big Al actually play together?? If they don't believe they can - then they should consider making a move for Turner.
The other names being mentioned for top 5 consideration are Derrick Favors, DeMarcus Cousins, Wesley Johnson and some other dudes. I definitely have my work ahead of me to figure out who these guys are and what kind of pro's they will be.
Brussels contacted me today with an idea about JBL keepers. He proposed that JBL keepers should be allowed to be protected for up to 5 years (instead of our current 2 year system). We use to have this waaaaay back in the day. Some JBL owners quit the league when this rule was around. I get Tim's point about 'building a dynasty', but I also see the frustrating point of never being able to get your hands on a guy because one owner keeps him forever. We ultimately went away from this rule and tweaked it to 2 year protection with the 3rd year seeing the player go back in the JBL draft but the last owner having the "right to match". So, Rajon Rondo, who has already been protected twice, goes back in the JBL draft this season. French was his last owner. Rondo is auctioned off and goes for $35 bucks say....then French would have the ability to buy back Rondo for $1 dollar more. The same problem arose - you could never get your hands on a guy. I told Tim to post an article on the JBL site and post a poll and gauge the interest of the owners. I can argue either way. On the one hand, I like the idea of continuity and building a dynasty but I also would like to have a chance to own Stephen Curry before I die. If Bangkok could keep him for 5 years -none of us would ever get him. I realize I could make a trade for him - but that becomes pretty difficult the better Curry gets. Why would Bangkok trade Lebron for Curry really??? Curry is $15 and Lebron is $80 say....so wouldn't you rather have Curry AND Nowitzki over just Lebron? Anyways, will be interesting to see if Timbo follows through and it will be interesting to see how the guys vote....you know me, I'm all for the JBL and if that's what the masses want, we should do it. However, if I was a betting man, I would say it would be hard to pass a 5 year keeper rule.
So, when do we open the offseason trading?? I guess we have to get teams to release some players. I think if every team got to 6 players or less then we could open it up. Poor Idaho, no keepers for you. Brussels has his 2 keepers. Bangkok, Golden, Seoul, French and a few others have short-listed their rosters. If other teams started to cut guys from their squads, we could open offseason trading again.
Is anyone actually watching the NBA playoffs?? I love the NBA, but their playoffs just take too long. I really want the Suns to reach the finals, but it appears the Lakers will not allow it. It looks like we are going to get another Lakers vs. Celtics finals. Which I am OK with. Classic rivalry. Also, it means we'll get some good quotes from Bill Simmons.
It looks like the JBL could be expanding to 13 teams next season. Juan de Fuca ownership has another 2 buddies who want to share a team. They will even come to Vegas for the 20th JBL draft. I've been assured by the other Asians in the pool that these are quality guys who are really into Fantasy Football but definitely know their NBA stuff as well. Plus, it's rumoured their white guys - but I have not been able to confirm or deny this. They would be another 'out-of-province' owner as they too are back east in Ontario (I believe). All other indicators say that all the current JBL teams will be back (Marko is confirmed and Trevor has to come back for the 20th season). Of course, Trev has to move out of the Boston as the Pancakes have not been kind to him. Now that he's a married man - he needs a new place to call home. Maybe I'll remind him now so he has no reason not to have a new team name by the time October rolls around. I also think we'll have a pretty good turnout in Vegas - maybe 8-9 guys ultimately make it - which would be really cool. I guess I need to start checking into hotels with conference rooms with WI-FI so we can all use our laptops again (Hey Trev - don't forget your powercord and Pat, make sure you have a non-secure laptop).
Anyways, thought I would chime in here. My apologies to everyone for not doing an end of season review article. There just wasn't enough time to do one. I will do my best to post on here now and again with my offseason thoughts....
Oh, it looks like we're doing a NBA draft party at Tim's pad in June. That will be cool.
So, from everything I've seen and read, the obvious top 2 picks are John Wall and Evan Turner. I have actually seen them both play during the NCAA Tourney as well as a couple of regular season college games. Wall has been described as a hybrid of Dwyane Wade and Derrick Rose while Turner is being described as the next Brandon Roy. So, based on that, I would say these 2 guys are cream of the crop type rookies. From what I've seen, the rest of the top picks have some risk to them and there are no sure things.
So, do the Wizards take Wall or Turner? They already have Arenas. Can Wall and Arenas co-exist? I don't think they care. I think they take John Wall all the way. The 76ers, if they keep the pick, would then take Evan Turner and have this freakishly athletic team when they run out Holiday, Turner, Iguodala, Young, and whoever. Rumours are already floating that the T-Wolves want to move up from #4 to grab Turner at the #2 spot. Who do they offer up? Big Al? Love? Can Love and Big Al actually play together?? If they don't believe they can - then they should consider making a move for Turner.
The other names being mentioned for top 5 consideration are Derrick Favors, DeMarcus Cousins, Wesley Johnson and some other dudes. I definitely have my work ahead of me to figure out who these guys are and what kind of pro's they will be.
Brussels contacted me today with an idea about JBL keepers. He proposed that JBL keepers should be allowed to be protected for up to 5 years (instead of our current 2 year system). We use to have this waaaaay back in the day. Some JBL owners quit the league when this rule was around. I get Tim's point about 'building a dynasty', but I also see the frustrating point of never being able to get your hands on a guy because one owner keeps him forever. We ultimately went away from this rule and tweaked it to 2 year protection with the 3rd year seeing the player go back in the JBL draft but the last owner having the "right to match". So, Rajon Rondo, who has already been protected twice, goes back in the JBL draft this season. French was his last owner. Rondo is auctioned off and goes for $35 bucks say....then French would have the ability to buy back Rondo for $1 dollar more. The same problem arose - you could never get your hands on a guy. I told Tim to post an article on the JBL site and post a poll and gauge the interest of the owners. I can argue either way. On the one hand, I like the idea of continuity and building a dynasty but I also would like to have a chance to own Stephen Curry before I die. If Bangkok could keep him for 5 years -none of us would ever get him. I realize I could make a trade for him - but that becomes pretty difficult the better Curry gets. Why would Bangkok trade Lebron for Curry really??? Curry is $15 and Lebron is $80 say....so wouldn't you rather have Curry AND Nowitzki over just Lebron? Anyways, will be interesting to see if Timbo follows through and it will be interesting to see how the guys vote....you know me, I'm all for the JBL and if that's what the masses want, we should do it. However, if I was a betting man, I would say it would be hard to pass a 5 year keeper rule.
So, when do we open the offseason trading?? I guess we have to get teams to release some players. I think if every team got to 6 players or less then we could open it up. Poor Idaho, no keepers for you. Brussels has his 2 keepers. Bangkok, Golden, Seoul, French and a few others have short-listed their rosters. If other teams started to cut guys from their squads, we could open offseason trading again.
Is anyone actually watching the NBA playoffs?? I love the NBA, but their playoffs just take too long. I really want the Suns to reach the finals, but it appears the Lakers will not allow it. It looks like we are going to get another Lakers vs. Celtics finals. Which I am OK with. Classic rivalry. Also, it means we'll get some good quotes from Bill Simmons.
It looks like the JBL could be expanding to 13 teams next season. Juan de Fuca ownership has another 2 buddies who want to share a team. They will even come to Vegas for the 20th JBL draft. I've been assured by the other Asians in the pool that these are quality guys who are really into Fantasy Football but definitely know their NBA stuff as well. Plus, it's rumoured their white guys - but I have not been able to confirm or deny this. They would be another 'out-of-province' owner as they too are back east in Ontario (I believe). All other indicators say that all the current JBL teams will be back (Marko is confirmed and Trevor has to come back for the 20th season). Of course, Trev has to move out of the Boston as the Pancakes have not been kind to him. Now that he's a married man - he needs a new place to call home. Maybe I'll remind him now so he has no reason not to have a new team name by the time October rolls around. I also think we'll have a pretty good turnout in Vegas - maybe 8-9 guys ultimately make it - which would be really cool. I guess I need to start checking into hotels with conference rooms with WI-FI so we can all use our laptops again (Hey Trev - don't forget your powercord and Pat, make sure you have a non-secure laptop).
Anyways, thought I would chime in here. My apologies to everyone for not doing an end of season review article. There just wasn't enough time to do one. I will do my best to post on here now and again with my offseason thoughts....
Oh, it looks like we're doing a NBA draft party at Tim's pad in June. That will be cool.
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