That y’all find your game in 2009. (Actually, that might be a wish for myself.)
As for last night...well, there was no blood. But the Erz did look like the Washington Generals out there. Ugh.
Three other quick hoops notes before I sign off for the holiday break:
1. How psyched are you for this Christmas Day “rematch” game? On a scale from 1 – 10, I’m at about an 8.5.
2. Why isn’t anyone talking about the Spurs this year? Everyone is finally healthy, they’re playing very well, Pop is Pop, etc. From what you read, you’d think the C’s, Lakers, and Cavs are the only legit teams in the L.
3. A personal plea: Can the members of the sports media please stop referring to the Lakers as “the Lake Show”? It doesn’t even make sense. There is no lake. This isn’t the “Showtime” Lakers, so I object to that allusion. Stop trying to force something just ‘cause you think it sounds cool. It’s a name rendered from nothing — just metered verse with no cartilage. As nicknames go, it’s a flaccid dong (read: it’s just not working...and embarrassing).*
With that, I wish you a happy and healthy holiday week, UDawg. I’m not a religious guy, but any inklings of peace on earth and good will toward men is cool by me. Plus, it’s fun to watch the wide-eyed kids opening their gifts.
Peace,
G.
* Add this to the flaccid dong list: the Flyers being referred to as “the Fly Boys.” Just awful.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
The Boston Ass Whippers
Not looking forward to tonight’s game. At all.
Once when I was a kid, I was out with my parents and did something “bad,” so my dad told me in the car that I was going to get the belt when we got home. Now, the actual belting wasn’t so bad (as beltings go), but the anticipation of the belting near made me sick. Just sitting there in that quiet car...no radio, no conversation, no nothing...just the hum of rubber rolling steadily on the asphalt...my stomach aching...just waiting, waiting, waiting to get my ass whipped.
That’s kinda how I feel right now, waiting for this game tonight. Just how bad could it be? Might broken bones come piercing through flesh? Might bashed-out teeth fly falling to the pine? Might Sammy cry? Might Dre quit in the 3rd quarter and walk off, never to play another game in a Sixers uni? Might BK inexplicably get rehired on the spot by Snider? It feels like even my darkest nightmares are distinct possibilities tonight.
Ugh. Let’s just get this shit over with. Please, please.
On a related note, what was going on in that press conference after the C’s beat the piss out of the Knicks the other night? Check it out (below): KG and PeePee responding to the press off a script. Who’s writing this stuff for them? Did the C’s front office hire a PR firm to handle players’ press conferences specifically? Notice how they both repeat the new tagline of “pursuing the perfect game.” The organization is now molding the personalities of 10+ year veteran ballers to match the “brand” of the team? What the hell is going on here? I hope this doesn’t indicate some sick new trend that’s about to descend on the L.
P.S. Addendum on my last EB/Iggy post: U, my point, though not terribly clear, is that I agree with you fully that need a real 2-guard and that Iggy can never fill that role. Moreover, Iggy will likely never quite be the fully realized throat-cutter SF we envisioned...and all the while, Young Thaddeus is waiting in the wings! I like Thaddeus’s potential more than Iggy’s jumper (or anything else he does for that matter).
As for EB, yes the window of opportunity is narrow, and in retrospect maybe this signing wasn’t the wisest move. But now you gotta work with what you got. No, the Sixers haven’t managed to succeed with him yet. But by contrast, look how much worse the Clips are without him. Good golly. You can build around EB — you just need to do it quickly.
Once when I was a kid, I was out with my parents and did something “bad,” so my dad told me in the car that I was going to get the belt when we got home. Now, the actual belting wasn’t so bad (as beltings go), but the anticipation of the belting near made me sick. Just sitting there in that quiet car...no radio, no conversation, no nothing...just the hum of rubber rolling steadily on the asphalt...my stomach aching...just waiting, waiting, waiting to get my ass whipped.
That’s kinda how I feel right now, waiting for this game tonight. Just how bad could it be? Might broken bones come piercing through flesh? Might bashed-out teeth fly falling to the pine? Might Sammy cry? Might Dre quit in the 3rd quarter and walk off, never to play another game in a Sixers uni? Might BK inexplicably get rehired on the spot by Snider? It feels like even my darkest nightmares are distinct possibilities tonight.
Ugh. Let’s just get this shit over with. Please, please.
On a related note, what was going on in that press conference after the C’s beat the piss out of the Knicks the other night? Check it out (below): KG and PeePee responding to the press off a script. Who’s writing this stuff for them? Did the C’s front office hire a PR firm to handle players’ press conferences specifically? Notice how they both repeat the new tagline of “pursuing the perfect game.” The organization is now molding the personalities of 10+ year veteran ballers to match the “brand” of the team? What the hell is going on here? I hope this doesn’t indicate some sick new trend that’s about to descend on the L.
P.S. Addendum on my last EB/Iggy post: U, my point, though not terribly clear, is that I agree with you fully that need a real 2-guard and that Iggy can never fill that role. Moreover, Iggy will likely never quite be the fully realized throat-cutter SF we envisioned...and all the while, Young Thaddeus is waiting in the wings! I like Thaddeus’s potential more than Iggy’s jumper (or anything else he does for that matter).
As for EB, yes the window of opportunity is narrow, and in retrospect maybe this signing wasn’t the wisest move. But now you gotta work with what you got. No, the Sixers haven’t managed to succeed with him yet. But by contrast, look how much worse the Clips are without him. Good golly. You can build around EB — you just need to do it quickly.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Dominant Forces
I think I'm 148 degrees into a 180 on my feelings about the Elton Brand signing. And it's not the slow start. This summer I felt pretty good about the aggressive move Stefanski made to get EB. I thought that we needed to establish a real low post offense if we wanted to cross the threshold of possible contention. It was a more mature look for our young, scrappy, atheltic squad.
While I have not eschewed all this sound thinking in one fell swoop, I have got a new (old) theory on what it really takes to contend. Basically, you gotta have a Dominant Force on your team. If you don't, you can't consistently get the big baskets and big stops in the biggest games. So, what is a Dominant Force? Simply put, it's a player who can have his way no matter what when he really needs or wants to. Now, let's distinguish what we're talking about here. Jamal Crawford is a guy who can light it up, take over for stretches of a game, even dominant an entire game, but he is not a Dominant Force. Dominant Force guys can do what Crawford did the other night on the biggest stages. By definition, Dominant Force guys are not one-way players. If you're a liability 50% of your time on the court, you can't be a Dominant Force. This doesn't mean you have to All-World on both sides of the ball, but you have to be superlative on one and at least competent on the other.
So who are the Dominant Force guys in the league right now?
Kobe, Flash, Lebron, CP3, PeePee, Fundamentals, and possibly a couple others. As you can see, it's not a long list. There's one guy on the cusp in my opinion, and that's Dwight Howard. He could be a decent impression of Shaq as soon as this playoffs. A guy who used to be, and still might be, is T-Mac. Now mind you, all these guys haven't done it all deep in the playoffs. It's not only guys who have proven it. Dominant Forces are guys you know, given the opportunity, could impose their will on games in the latest parts of the season. AI was a Dominant Force.
So why am I talking about all this? Until a team has one of these guys, they are not a true contender. You may be eager to say something about the Pistons in 05. Chauncey was a Dominant Force in the clutch at that time, and that's all they needed because their defense was so ridiculously tight.
What I'm afraid of, is that I'm going to like the Sixers better without EB over the next month or so. I think I already do (and it's not just the win streak). If EB is not a game changer for our team, why not let Marresse Speights start at that 4 for 1/30th of what EB makes? I like his promise, more thanI like Elton's jumper. Why not trade EB for expiring contracts, picks and/or cheaper talent, and wait until we can go after a Dominant Force? I know it's early to call for EB to be traded. I know Stefanski will never admit a mistake this early. I just feel like a supervisor who's made a bad hire. When that new person ain't right, you usually know almost immediately, but you wait because it seems wrong to pass judgement that quickly. But you know, and you feel like you have to "give them a chance" even though it's an exercise by which they will hang themselves with the rope they've been given. You know what I'm talking about. EB is feeling a little C-Webbish to me. Not the crybaby ways, but the disappointing free agency big man who's past his prime. Honestly, this has less to do with Elton than it does with the Sixers. It's not him, it's us. We're not there, and overpaying him won't help us get any closer. Even though Iggy's overpaid, he's the one you keep out of those two. With EB, we're a disappointment for the next couple of seasons. Without him, we're a young, promising team waiting for the right thing to happen. We're us last year. Watching a team like that feels more fun than watching one doomed to let us down.
And just to be clear, I don't think this is about the summer of 2010. I think there are a couple of players already in the league who could become Dominant Forces, but are not there yet. Danny Granger and Brandon Roy come to mind. Given the right environment OJ Mayo could have the potential. It think it's about looking for one of those guys at the end of their rookie contract, or doing whatever needs to be done to get high enough in the draft if we feel we've identified one. I admit this strategy doesn't not feel nearly as concrete or satisfying as stealing EB from the Clips did. It's one where we we know we'll be good, but waiting for that missing piece. And, of course, you can't wait too long or folks lose steam. I just feel like getting a mulligan with Wally Szebriak's contract wouldn't be a bad way to go. I think an undue pressure would be released.
While I have not eschewed all this sound thinking in one fell swoop, I have got a new (old) theory on what it really takes to contend. Basically, you gotta have a Dominant Force on your team. If you don't, you can't consistently get the big baskets and big stops in the biggest games. So, what is a Dominant Force? Simply put, it's a player who can have his way no matter what when he really needs or wants to. Now, let's distinguish what we're talking about here. Jamal Crawford is a guy who can light it up, take over for stretches of a game, even dominant an entire game, but he is not a Dominant Force. Dominant Force guys can do what Crawford did the other night on the biggest stages. By definition, Dominant Force guys are not one-way players. If you're a liability 50% of your time on the court, you can't be a Dominant Force. This doesn't mean you have to All-World on both sides of the ball, but you have to be superlative on one and at least competent on the other.
So who are the Dominant Force guys in the league right now?
Kobe, Flash, Lebron, CP3, PeePee, Fundamentals, and possibly a couple others. As you can see, it's not a long list. There's one guy on the cusp in my opinion, and that's Dwight Howard. He could be a decent impression of Shaq as soon as this playoffs. A guy who used to be, and still might be, is T-Mac. Now mind you, all these guys haven't done it all deep in the playoffs. It's not only guys who have proven it. Dominant Forces are guys you know, given the opportunity, could impose their will on games in the latest parts of the season. AI was a Dominant Force.
So why am I talking about all this? Until a team has one of these guys, they are not a true contender. You may be eager to say something about the Pistons in 05. Chauncey was a Dominant Force in the clutch at that time, and that's all they needed because their defense was so ridiculously tight.
What I'm afraid of, is that I'm going to like the Sixers better without EB over the next month or so. I think I already do (and it's not just the win streak). If EB is not a game changer for our team, why not let Marresse Speights start at that 4 for 1/30th of what EB makes? I like his promise, more thanI like Elton's jumper. Why not trade EB for expiring contracts, picks and/or cheaper talent, and wait until we can go after a Dominant Force? I know it's early to call for EB to be traded. I know Stefanski will never admit a mistake this early. I just feel like a supervisor who's made a bad hire. When that new person ain't right, you usually know almost immediately, but you wait because it seems wrong to pass judgement that quickly. But you know, and you feel like you have to "give them a chance" even though it's an exercise by which they will hang themselves with the rope they've been given. You know what I'm talking about. EB is feeling a little C-Webbish to me. Not the crybaby ways, but the disappointing free agency big man who's past his prime. Honestly, this has less to do with Elton than it does with the Sixers. It's not him, it's us. We're not there, and overpaying him won't help us get any closer. Even though Iggy's overpaid, he's the one you keep out of those two. With EB, we're a disappointment for the next couple of seasons. Without him, we're a young, promising team waiting for the right thing to happen. We're us last year. Watching a team like that feels more fun than watching one doomed to let us down.
And just to be clear, I don't think this is about the summer of 2010. I think there are a couple of players already in the league who could become Dominant Forces, but are not there yet. Danny Granger and Brandon Roy come to mind. Given the right environment OJ Mayo could have the potential. It think it's about looking for one of those guys at the end of their rookie contract, or doing whatever needs to be done to get high enough in the draft if we feel we've identified one. I admit this strategy doesn't not feel nearly as concrete or satisfying as stealing EB from the Clips did. It's one where we we know we'll be good, but waiting for that missing piece. And, of course, you can't wait too long or folks lose steam. I just feel like getting a mulligan with Wally Szebriak's contract wouldn't be a bad way to go. I think an undue pressure would be released.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Oh, great...
I actually think this will help the team gel. Facing a bit adversity could make them play better. Speights will get some time to show what he can do. They can also slide Thad to the 4 and run when they need to get some baskets. Problem is, that's not the long-term plan.
Monday, December 15, 2008
Mo out. Eddie Jordan in?
Well, it happened. And now Stephen A. is prophecizing that Eddie Jordan will eventually be named the new Sixers head coach.
I don't know, man. EJ certainly overachieved in D.C. last year with Gil out. But this season has been a mess. Historically, while he's achieved some great things as an ASSISTANT coach, he's done very little at the helm.
Look at his head-coaching record:
-- 518 games
-- .444 win %
-- 4 playoff appearances
-- 3 first-round exits
Not exactly Red Auerbach numbers.
I do believe that EJ can help get this offense clicking. But will he stress an overall improvement in jump shooting? Will he stress D? Will he stress ball protection? These are all things that are killing the Sixers right now, and Fast Eddie doesn't really seem like the man who'll provide the needed remedies. Jot me down as "concerned."
As a final note, I thought this kid's analysis was particularly insightful:
I don't know, man. EJ certainly overachieved in D.C. last year with Gil out. But this season has been a mess. Historically, while he's achieved some great things as an ASSISTANT coach, he's done very little at the helm.
Look at his head-coaching record:
-- 518 games
-- .444 win %
-- 4 playoff appearances
-- 3 first-round exits
Not exactly Red Auerbach numbers.
I do believe that EJ can help get this offense clicking. But will he stress an overall improvement in jump shooting? Will he stress D? Will he stress ball protection? These are all things that are killing the Sixers right now, and Fast Eddie doesn't really seem like the man who'll provide the needed remedies. Jot me down as "concerned."
As a final note, I thought this kid's analysis was particularly insightful:
Friday, December 12, 2008
Remembering the "Van Gundy" Game
All right, I'm gonna use all this JVG talk to make a tenuous jump to this video, just so we can enjoy watching Jordan going nuts in his late-prime. A couple of things to add here:
1. Notice that, despite Jordan having a blissful game, the Bulls rarely get more than 4, 5, or 6 points ahead of JVG's Knicks. Huh. MJ went for 51 one this night...and the Bulls only won by one.
2. Hey, it's young(er) Doc Rivers! He's almost as bad a play-by-play guy as he is a coach. (Great ironic moment here, too: Verne Lundquist mentions that, earlier that day, JVG was watching a bunch of people reading Phil Jackson's book, Sacred Hoops, and he commented: "I can summarize that book in one quick swoop: 23." And Doc chuckles and says, "Yeah, there is some truth to that!" That is funny. And so is this: I can summarize your success, Doc, with three quick swoops: 34, 5, and 20.)
1. Notice that, despite Jordan having a blissful game, the Bulls rarely get more than 4, 5, or 6 points ahead of JVG's Knicks. Huh. MJ went for 51 one this night...and the Bulls only won by one.
2. Hey, it's young(er) Doc Rivers! He's almost as bad a play-by-play guy as he is a coach. (Great ironic moment here, too: Verne Lundquist mentions that, earlier that day, JVG was watching a bunch of people reading Phil Jackson's book, Sacred Hoops, and he commented: "I can summarize that book in one quick swoop: 23." And Doc chuckles and says, "Yeah, there is some truth to that!" That is funny. And so is this: I can summarize your success, Doc, with three quick swoops: 34, 5, and 20.)
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
No Mo'
So, I said a while back in one of our back-and-forths that Mo may be the problem with this team. Namely, his lack of passion and ability to get guys fired up. He doesn't have the temperment needed to get guys attention and get in their ass when he doesn't have it. Pressure is beginning to mount on the front office. First it's the "Who's in the Hot Seat?" articles. Next thing, you're getting called to the GM's office for a sit-down.
If we don't go on a winning streak int he next 2-3 weeks, I don't believe that Eddie will hesitate to pull the plug. At this point, I don't think I could be mad at the move. Mo has a new piece to add in Elton. Guys gotta gel. But, the team seems to be unable to establish any sense of progress, consistent or otherwise. They're staggalatin' at this point. From jump I said they're gonna need 25 games just to learn how to play together. We're about there, and things still ain't right and don't look like they're getting any righter. Another personnel move or two could help, but I think this coaching issue is still at the heart of our problems. Mo's got a lot of talent to work with. My gut is that other coaches in the league could come in here, take this roster and build a sense of momentum. Sometime soon it could be time to make the switch. We upgraded the roster. Now, we gotta get a general who can take us to the next level. We're not getting enough out of Iggy, Lou or most of our roster. Willie Green is about the only guy outplaying his expectations right now. Our defense still ain't ready (Sammy for Sheed or Camby could really help here), and our offense is stale. Mo's not hitting the mark on any of his benchmarks.
The problem I see is that there are no great coaching options right now. No guy is just sitting out there waiting for the right situation (a la Rick Carlisle last year). Firing Mo, just to let an assistant take over doesn't make sense (especially with Mo's freshly inked contract). Letting Mo stink it up for the rest of the year, and watching the team regress really doesn't make sense. Do we go get a Eddie Jordan and give him a shot? What to do? Let's help Stefanski think this one through.
If we don't go on a winning streak int he next 2-3 weeks, I don't believe that Eddie will hesitate to pull the plug. At this point, I don't think I could be mad at the move. Mo has a new piece to add in Elton. Guys gotta gel. But, the team seems to be unable to establish any sense of progress, consistent or otherwise. They're staggalatin' at this point. From jump I said they're gonna need 25 games just to learn how to play together. We're about there, and things still ain't right and don't look like they're getting any righter. Another personnel move or two could help, but I think this coaching issue is still at the heart of our problems. Mo's got a lot of talent to work with. My gut is that other coaches in the league could come in here, take this roster and build a sense of momentum. Sometime soon it could be time to make the switch. We upgraded the roster. Now, we gotta get a general who can take us to the next level. We're not getting enough out of Iggy, Lou or most of our roster. Willie Green is about the only guy outplaying his expectations right now. Our defense still ain't ready (Sammy for Sheed or Camby could really help here), and our offense is stale. Mo's not hitting the mark on any of his benchmarks.
The problem I see is that there are no great coaching options right now. No guy is just sitting out there waiting for the right situation (a la Rick Carlisle last year). Firing Mo, just to let an assistant take over doesn't make sense (especially with Mo's freshly inked contract). Letting Mo stink it up for the rest of the year, and watching the team regress really doesn't make sense. Do we go get a Eddie Jordan and give him a shot? What to do? Let's help Stefanski think this one through.
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Monday, December 1, 2008
Free Steph?
Where do you fall in the Starbury saga?
Has he been given a fair shake? It doesn't seem like it to me. If not, does he deserve one?
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
THE scariest player in the L.
Yeah, we're going to be hearing analysts and beat writers talk about the possibility of Bron going to NYC (Knicks or Nets) as a free agent for the next 2 years. Get used to it. He's the single scariest player in the league right now. Sorry Kobe. If the Erz wind up evolving enough to scratch into the playoffs, I'll be more nervous about them potentially playing the Cavs in Round 2 than about them playing the Lakers in the Finals -- and the Lakers are a much better all-around team.
Just look at what LBJ has slapped together so far THIS SEASON. In just 14 games. Jesus Christ on crutches.
Just look at what LBJ has slapped together so far THIS SEASON. In just 14 games. Jesus Christ on crutches.
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Monday, November 24, 2008
Friday, November 21, 2008
No Comment, Just Sharing
From Bill Simmons latest column......
I thought Warren Sapp summed it up well:
"Donovan, your legacy will be throwing up in the Super Bowl, Rush Limbaugh and now -- not knowing there were ties!!!"
I'd also throw in Campbell's Chunky Soup commercials, but, yes, that's probably it.
I thought Warren Sapp summed it up well:
"Donovan, your legacy will be throwing up in the Super Bowl, Rush Limbaugh and now -- not knowing there were ties!!!"
I'd also throw in Campbell's Chunky Soup commercials, but, yes, that's probably it.
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
A few words on EMPATHY.
We haven’t had nearly enough philosophy on this blog, so here goes...
I’ve long understood the value of empathy, and have generally viewed it as a trait of the altruist. It is easy, for example, to hate your enemy; but if you can truly understand your enemy, to see from his vantage point, to feel his emotion in a visceral way — and if he can do likewise with regard to you — then the possibility of a dialogue emerges. And forget enemies; how much damage do we inflict on our benevolent relationships due to an inability to hear one another? Throughout history, countless arguments between spouses, between parents and children, between workers and their bosses, etc., have been punctuated by one yelling to the other, directly or silently, “Why aren’t you LISTENING to me?!” Understanding in lieu of judgment. It may be the source of all resolution — and the source, then, of all major interpersonal and social progress. Empathy’s sediment is integral to the monolith of enlightenment.
But is empathy something we should expect only from the enlightened? Or is it, rather, something we should demand of and expect from each one of us — the way we do nonviolence and respect for property? Are we committing a kind of moral crime by not striving to understand the other? By living in our own heads, dishing out silent verdicts, engineering unspoken distances between one another? Ironically, by elevating ourselves above the mass of humanity on the hierarchical moral ladder, when the very quintessence of morality is to see the other as your equal?
I’ve long understood the value of empathy, and have generally viewed it as a trait of the altruist. It is easy, for example, to hate your enemy; but if you can truly understand your enemy, to see from his vantage point, to feel his emotion in a visceral way — and if he can do likewise with regard to you — then the possibility of a dialogue emerges. And forget enemies; how much damage do we inflict on our benevolent relationships due to an inability to hear one another? Throughout history, countless arguments between spouses, between parents and children, between workers and their bosses, etc., have been punctuated by one yelling to the other, directly or silently, “Why aren’t you LISTENING to me?!” Understanding in lieu of judgment. It may be the source of all resolution — and the source, then, of all major interpersonal and social progress. Empathy’s sediment is integral to the monolith of enlightenment.
But is empathy something we should expect only from the enlightened? Or is it, rather, something we should demand of and expect from each one of us — the way we do nonviolence and respect for property? Are we committing a kind of moral crime by not striving to understand the other? By living in our own heads, dishing out silent verdicts, engineering unspoken distances between one another? Ironically, by elevating ourselves above the mass of humanity on the hierarchical moral ladder, when the very quintessence of morality is to see the other as your equal?
Monday, November 17, 2008
The Big Dirty a.k.a. Shaq the Enforcer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXuolMTzuz0&feature=related
Have we now entered the dangerous 'Shaq realized he can't play so he's just going to intimidate opponents' phase of Shaq's career?
Wasn't he flinging around Rockets' players the other night?
They need to bring Barkley back so someone can step to this dude. In today's NBA, is there anyone with the cajones to answer Shaq's demand for satisfaction? I can't think of one. Who really wants some from an old, bitter 360 pound has-been? This is like when Andre the Giant was drunk during matches.
Have we now entered the dangerous 'Shaq realized he can't play so he's just going to intimidate opponents' phase of Shaq's career?
Wasn't he flinging around Rockets' players the other night?
They need to bring Barkley back so someone can step to this dude. In today's NBA, is there anyone with the cajones to answer Shaq's demand for satisfaction? I can't think of one. Who really wants some from an old, bitter 360 pound has-been? This is like when Andre the Giant was drunk during matches.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Class of '09
Much will be written over the next few months about some very exciting names in the free agent class next summer. Unfortunately, the biggest of those names (Kobe and Booz) won't be in play for the 28 or 29 teams in the league. Both these guys have early termination options on their contracts. Restricted free agents usually need to be paid more than market value in order to lure them away from their current team. Plus, no one's really jumping off that list as a great addition. Ranking in the top of the unrestricted free agents are a couple of very dubious investments, Lamar Odom and Ron Artest. So, let's say the Sixers keep Dre' through the end of the season, make their run, see what happens and let his contract expire. In that case, what would they do in July?
I'm not sure, but there are a couple of interesting possibilities. The two I will hit quickly here both have to do with Detroit. Sheed and AI will both be available come next summer. Could either one possibly have a role on our 2009 Philadelphia 76ers? My partner in crime Greg thinks that Sammy needs to go - that he's unreliable and soft in the paint. Sheed is unreliable, but he's not soft in the paint. If Sammy can't hack it, could Sheed be a lockdown big who could compliment Elton in the paint and spread the offense with his shooting? He does have strong Philly roots (shout out to Gratz High). He could definitely handle our media and fanbase. He would be a veteran presence on a team that has to make it's run in the next 2-3 years. A 3 year, $15-18 M deal might not sound bad for one last crack at a ring.
The other guy I mentioned is Chuck. If Iggy scares us into believing that he's not worth $80M, would we consider moving him if we can find a taker and bringing back the guy who brought tats and cornrows to professional sports? Would he come home for Dre' money over 3 years? If shot creation and ball handling is what AI2 lacks, would the original AI be a fit replacement?
Imagine the team with either one of these deals made:
Sheed, Elton, Thaddeus, Iggy and a midlevel pg.
or
Sammy, Elton, Thaddeus, AI and Miller or whatever we could get back in the Iggy deal or the draft.
Like either of these teams better than the other? Like either of them better than what we currently have? For me, option B's not drivin' me crazy, but option A is kinda' alright.
I'm not sure, but there are a couple of interesting possibilities. The two I will hit quickly here both have to do with Detroit. Sheed and AI will both be available come next summer. Could either one possibly have a role on our 2009 Philadelphia 76ers? My partner in crime Greg thinks that Sammy needs to go - that he's unreliable and soft in the paint. Sheed is unreliable, but he's not soft in the paint. If Sammy can't hack it, could Sheed be a lockdown big who could compliment Elton in the paint and spread the offense with his shooting? He does have strong Philly roots (shout out to Gratz High). He could definitely handle our media and fanbase. He would be a veteran presence on a team that has to make it's run in the next 2-3 years. A 3 year, $15-18 M deal might not sound bad for one last crack at a ring.
The other guy I mentioned is Chuck. If Iggy scares us into believing that he's not worth $80M, would we consider moving him if we can find a taker and bringing back the guy who brought tats and cornrows to professional sports? Would he come home for Dre' money over 3 years? If shot creation and ball handling is what AI2 lacks, would the original AI be a fit replacement?
Imagine the team with either one of these deals made:
Sheed, Elton, Thaddeus, Iggy and a midlevel pg.
or
Sammy, Elton, Thaddeus, AI and Miller or whatever we could get back in the Iggy deal or the draft.
Like either of these teams better than the other? Like either of them better than what we currently have? For me, option B's not drivin' me crazy, but option A is kinda' alright.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Big Time Players
Last night against the unbeaten Hawks who gave Boston fits last April, PP hit a 3 to win the game with 0.5 seconds left.
Last night, to seal the victory late in the 4th quarter while fighting off ridiculously tight defense from James Posey, Kobe Bryant hit a poorly considered, off balance fade away from 5 solid feet behind the 3 point line.
For the beneift of the Hive crowd Kobe left his hand in the post J arch that you do when you put it in someone's eye as he skipped backwards towards his bench and the Hornets called time. PP, for his part, did the muscle flex with the scream aimed at the rafters.
The NBA, where superstars having something to prove 3 weeks into the season happens.
Last night, to seal the victory late in the 4th quarter while fighting off ridiculously tight defense from James Posey, Kobe Bryant hit a poorly considered, off balance fade away from 5 solid feet behind the 3 point line.
For the beneift of the Hive crowd Kobe left his hand in the post J arch that you do when you put it in someone's eye as he skipped backwards towards his bench and the Hornets called time. PP, for his part, did the muscle flex with the scream aimed at the rafters.
The NBA, where superstars having something to prove 3 weeks into the season happens.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Sixers vs. Jazz (11/11/08)
Never thought I’d say this, but...Elton Brand reminds me of C-Webb. Not the old, crippled C-Webb WE had, but the younger Sacramento version -- a passing/scoring forward who could work the high post, command a double-team, and facilitate your offense. Hmm.
He ain’t a banger. And as we already know, neither is Sammy. So really, we got no one to lock down the middle. Not good.
Umi and I went to the Center and caught the Sixers on a poor shooting night, which was a good thing. Strong shooting can hide other offensive weaknesses -- like sloppy ball protection, lousy communication and choppy ball movement, and piss-poor rebounding. (Yeah, Sammy had 11 rebounds, but just about every one of those either fell into his hands off a weird bounce, or he was able to pick it out of the air with his height; dude gets position on NO ONE.) So we saw some concerning blemishes live and in full-irritated-color.
This offense simply doesn’t know what it’s doing. Sure, they get out on the break well (when they’re rebounding, that is). But they don’t know what to do in the half-court. At all. They have no pick-and-roll skills. They don’t have a 2-guard who runs off screens to get open. They’re getting no second-chance points, which means they’re giving up the ball too much on the offensive end (...and that doesn’t even count the 17 turnovers they coughed up).
This is what I saw over and over again last night: ‘Dre bringing the ball up, and four guys hanging around the perimeter, lost for what to do.
I’m going to allow myself to be less-than-measured here and ask some possibly too-dramatic questions:
1. Is Mo the right coach for this team?
2. How much do we need ‘Dre? (Strange question to ask after a night where he led the team with 25 and 6. But if you do run your offense through Brand, which they kind of have to, how important is the PG position? $10M/year important?)
3. Who can we sucker into trading for an “athletic, shot-blocking center,” so we can clear Sammy’s $10M off our books and get something that works instead?
4. Why isn’t Speights getting more minutes? He gets position in the paint and has shooting range out to 12-15 feet. Am I missing something?
5. Why is Willie Green getting ANY minutes?
6. Why are ‘Dre and Lou Williams on the floor together so much?
Let’s say hypothetically, the front office was able to trade Sammy to Chicago for Ben Gordon (not beyond the realm of possibility), and ‘Dre to Miami (who is desperate for a pure PG) for Udonis Haslem and a draft pick. Your starting five would look like this:
1 – Lou Williams
2 – Ben Gordon (running off screens for catch-and-drive/shoot)
3 – Iggy (playing his natural position)
4 – Brand (running the offense from the high post)
5 – Haslem
With Thaddeus, Reggie Evans, and Speights coming off the bench (plus Rush and/or Donyell in reserve if you need to spread the floor and/or nail a couple 3s). Add a coach who stresses perimeter D and knows how to use screens and picks (whether that’s Mo or someone else).
To quote Martin Landau from Entourage, “Does that sound like something you’d be interested in?”
He ain’t a banger. And as we already know, neither is Sammy. So really, we got no one to lock down the middle. Not good.
Umi and I went to the Center and caught the Sixers on a poor shooting night, which was a good thing. Strong shooting can hide other offensive weaknesses -- like sloppy ball protection, lousy communication and choppy ball movement, and piss-poor rebounding. (Yeah, Sammy had 11 rebounds, but just about every one of those either fell into his hands off a weird bounce, or he was able to pick it out of the air with his height; dude gets position on NO ONE.) So we saw some concerning blemishes live and in full-irritated-color.
This offense simply doesn’t know what it’s doing. Sure, they get out on the break well (when they’re rebounding, that is). But they don’t know what to do in the half-court. At all. They have no pick-and-roll skills. They don’t have a 2-guard who runs off screens to get open. They’re getting no second-chance points, which means they’re giving up the ball too much on the offensive end (...and that doesn’t even count the 17 turnovers they coughed up).
This is what I saw over and over again last night: ‘Dre bringing the ball up, and four guys hanging around the perimeter, lost for what to do.
I’m going to allow myself to be less-than-measured here and ask some possibly too-dramatic questions:
1. Is Mo the right coach for this team?
2. How much do we need ‘Dre? (Strange question to ask after a night where he led the team with 25 and 6. But if you do run your offense through Brand, which they kind of have to, how important is the PG position? $10M/year important?)
3. Who can we sucker into trading for an “athletic, shot-blocking center,” so we can clear Sammy’s $10M off our books and get something that works instead?
4. Why isn’t Speights getting more minutes? He gets position in the paint and has shooting range out to 12-15 feet. Am I missing something?
5. Why is Willie Green getting ANY minutes?
6. Why are ‘Dre and Lou Williams on the floor together so much?
Let’s say hypothetically, the front office was able to trade Sammy to Chicago for Ben Gordon (not beyond the realm of possibility), and ‘Dre to Miami (who is desperate for a pure PG) for Udonis Haslem and a draft pick. Your starting five would look like this:
1 – Lou Williams
2 – Ben Gordon (running off screens for catch-and-drive/shoot)
3 – Iggy (playing his natural position)
4 – Brand (running the offense from the high post)
5 – Haslem
With Thaddeus, Reggie Evans, and Speights coming off the bench (plus Rush and/or Donyell in reserve if you need to spread the floor and/or nail a couple 3s). Add a coach who stresses perimeter D and knows how to use screens and picks (whether that’s Mo or someone else).
To quote Martin Landau from Entourage, “Does that sound like something you’d be interested in?”
Monday, November 10, 2008
Da Iggles
It's time for Andy Reid to go back to his job selling pretzels at the Linc. He's had a good run, but really.... When every game your team loses for 5 years is for the same 3 reasons, it's time to stop coaching.
Thursday, November 6, 2008
The 80 Million dollar man
Iggy gave us 2 points last night.
Now, I've been saying since the end of last season that Thaddeus will be better than AI2 when it's all said and done. I just don't expect it to happen in the first 2 weeks of this season. I figured he's got a little catchin' up to do. Iggy better figure out how to earn his keep, or he'll be on the first thing smokin' come the deadline. I know it's early to get on Iggy, but damn G. Act like you just got paid. Make me believe, at least a little it.
Now, I've been saying since the end of last season that Thaddeus will be better than AI2 when it's all said and done. I just don't expect it to happen in the first 2 weeks of this season. I figured he's got a little catchin' up to do. Iggy better figure out how to earn his keep, or he'll be on the first thing smokin' come the deadline. I know it's early to get on Iggy, but damn G. Act like you just got paid. Make me believe, at least a little it.
Who’s #1?
Wait, wait. Rodney Stucky HAS to give up his #3 to A.I., right? I mean, RIGHT???
I just checked the Pistons roster, and it has Stucky keeping his number and A.I. picking up Chauncey's old #1. That’s just wrong, Yo.
I just checked the Pistons roster, and it has Stucky keeping his number and A.I. picking up Chauncey's old #1. That’s just wrong, Yo.
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
HOPE!
“The biggest race problem we had to start was not with the white voters,” Mr. Axelrod said, “but with African-American voters, a deep sense of skepticism that this might happen.”
Since last night I've considered writing about several different themes related to the election. As I was reading the NY Times this morning I came across this quote and think it offers a great place to start.
Like people who have had their hearts broken by a lover, it has been hard for many Black people to believe in the promise of Barack Obama's candidacy. We didn't want to let ourselves believe, even if all signs pointed in the right direction, that this thing could actually work out. I can not speak for all Black people, but I will say this about myself: only after Iowa did I even concede that it was possible. Even after finally putting down the Clinton machine, it was still hard to imagine it really happening.
For me, watching President-elect Obama give his acceptance speech last night was profoundly surreal. It was a moment not grounded in the present, but instead like a glimpse into the future. As a Black man I am proud of what my brother has done. He ran a better campaign by all measures than anyone in history. And he is, undoubtedly, the right man for the right time. But more than anything, I'm proud of us, as Americans. We proved something to ourselves yesterday. Instead, of punching our way through the darkness of fear and ignorance, we have decided to not give up hope on being our best selves, and finding our way in the world in that mode. We restored ourselves yesterday; gave ourselves yet another shot at getting the American Dream right. I'm more proud than I've ever been to be from this place. And I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I needed help getting here. I'd be lying if I said that, after electing Bush in the first place, I wasn't ready to write us off as a hopelessly lost if we made the same mistake again. I was not in a place of fighting ceaselessly to make sure that we didn't do it again. Michelle Obama hit it on the head about a half year ago when she said that Black people were scared to believe it was possible, and that's why they weren't supporting her husband like htey should. She was right. And I know that because I got angry at first when she said it. But it was the call to action that I needed, maybe many of us needed. In a way, I feel that I was late to my own party. But that's ok because that's what truly great leaders do. They make people believe in themselves in a way that they never have before.
I feel like this election has been our Civil Rights Movement. A defining moment of struggle (without the same tremendous level of sacrifice). We canvassed and prayed and hoped and donated, and now have achieved something that seemed hardly possible to most even as recent as a year ago. And like the fight against racism going all the way back through previous generations, it has been a fight fought by people off all types working hand in hand. When I take a step back and look at the history, I almost wonder why I didn't believe from the very beginning. I think now that we've had this victory, hope is something that will stay inside me.
Obama believed from the beginning that it could happen, even if he wasn't sure it would. That's his greatness, and why the American people love him before he's even "done anything". He's already done something no one else has been able to do for what feels like a long time. He described himself once as a conduit, saying that his presence allows people who wouldn't normally to come together come together. He hasn't just been galvanizing people in his camp. He's allowing people to dream, cross lines... feel a part of a whole. It speaks to our purest social instincts as human beings. It's something that the entire world hears and needs. It is not him who will make a better future, it is us. That's the hope.
Since last night I've considered writing about several different themes related to the election. As I was reading the NY Times this morning I came across this quote and think it offers a great place to start.
Like people who have had their hearts broken by a lover, it has been hard for many Black people to believe in the promise of Barack Obama's candidacy. We didn't want to let ourselves believe, even if all signs pointed in the right direction, that this thing could actually work out. I can not speak for all Black people, but I will say this about myself: only after Iowa did I even concede that it was possible. Even after finally putting down the Clinton machine, it was still hard to imagine it really happening.
For me, watching President-elect Obama give his acceptance speech last night was profoundly surreal. It was a moment not grounded in the present, but instead like a glimpse into the future. As a Black man I am proud of what my brother has done. He ran a better campaign by all measures than anyone in history. And he is, undoubtedly, the right man for the right time. But more than anything, I'm proud of us, as Americans. We proved something to ourselves yesterday. Instead, of punching our way through the darkness of fear and ignorance, we have decided to not give up hope on being our best selves, and finding our way in the world in that mode. We restored ourselves yesterday; gave ourselves yet another shot at getting the American Dream right. I'm more proud than I've ever been to be from this place. And I'd be lying if I didn't admit that I needed help getting here. I'd be lying if I said that, after electing Bush in the first place, I wasn't ready to write us off as a hopelessly lost if we made the same mistake again. I was not in a place of fighting ceaselessly to make sure that we didn't do it again. Michelle Obama hit it on the head about a half year ago when she said that Black people were scared to believe it was possible, and that's why they weren't supporting her husband like htey should. She was right. And I know that because I got angry at first when she said it. But it was the call to action that I needed, maybe many of us needed. In a way, I feel that I was late to my own party. But that's ok because that's what truly great leaders do. They make people believe in themselves in a way that they never have before.
I feel like this election has been our Civil Rights Movement. A defining moment of struggle (without the same tremendous level of sacrifice). We canvassed and prayed and hoped and donated, and now have achieved something that seemed hardly possible to most even as recent as a year ago. And like the fight against racism going all the way back through previous generations, it has been a fight fought by people off all types working hand in hand. When I take a step back and look at the history, I almost wonder why I didn't believe from the very beginning. I think now that we've had this victory, hope is something that will stay inside me.
Obama believed from the beginning that it could happen, even if he wasn't sure it would. That's his greatness, and why the American people love him before he's even "done anything". He's already done something no one else has been able to do for what feels like a long time. He described himself once as a conduit, saying that his presence allows people who wouldn't normally to come together come together. He hasn't just been galvanizing people in his camp. He's allowing people to dream, cross lines... feel a part of a whole. It speaks to our purest social instincts as human beings. It's something that the entire world hears and needs. It is not him who will make a better future, it is us. That's the hope.
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Let it be, oh please let it be.
It's Tuesday, people. Get out there and get your Obama on.
Sing it, Sam...
Sing it, Sam...
Monday, November 3, 2008
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Polarized.
“I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.”
Scanning the news headlines this morning, my wife reported to me that a plot to assassinate Barack Obama was broken up by Federal agents yesterday.
After a reflexive ache in my chest faded, I responded, “Well, that was inevitable. He’s such a —” I was going to say, “polarizing character.” But I stopped myself, realizing how ridiculous that would sound. Like there are millions of Americans pacing around right now, chewing their fingernails, thinking: “Goddamn you, Obama, and your universal health care!”
But in reality, he is a polarizing character, insofar as his race. Sadly, 40 years after MLK gave that historic speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial, ours is still a nation that, to a large degree, refuses to judge a man by the content of his character, but rather by the irrelevant color of his skin.
Yes, this is obvious. But for awhile, I’d forgotten about that truth. This morning, I was again reminded.
There’s a cold storm falling on Philadelphia today. And with my eyes reopened, the darkened sky seems all the more dreary.
Scanning the news headlines this morning, my wife reported to me that a plot to assassinate Barack Obama was broken up by Federal agents yesterday.
After a reflexive ache in my chest faded, I responded, “Well, that was inevitable. He’s such a —” I was going to say, “polarizing character.” But I stopped myself, realizing how ridiculous that would sound. Like there are millions of Americans pacing around right now, chewing their fingernails, thinking: “Goddamn you, Obama, and your universal health care!”
But in reality, he is a polarizing character, insofar as his race. Sadly, 40 years after MLK gave that historic speech in front of the Lincoln Memorial, ours is still a nation that, to a large degree, refuses to judge a man by the content of his character, but rather by the irrelevant color of his skin.
Yes, this is obvious. But for awhile, I’d forgotten about that truth. This morning, I was again reminded.
There’s a cold storm falling on Philadelphia today. And with my eyes reopened, the darkened sky seems all the more dreary.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Hoops will have to wait...
Bill Simmons, Allen Iverson, Elton Brand, etc., will have to wait till tomorrow.
For now, let's channel our karmic energies into support for the Phils. It's been 25 years since this fine city had a world championship in any sport. (Man, read that sentence again. That's just awful. We deserve better. This ain't Cleveland.)
Some of Tug McGraw's ashes were scattered on the mound the other night. I love that. I love that Tim McGraw and the Phillies organization took steps to tie the past with the present. (I also love how Lefty threw out the first pitch the other night. Am I the only one who sees shadows of Carlton in Cole Hamels?)
Anyway...
May Hamels throw 10 Ks tonight. May our bats be mighty. May the Fightin' Phils live up to their name.
(Man, I love October. Go Phils!)
For now, let's channel our karmic energies into support for the Phils. It's been 25 years since this fine city had a world championship in any sport. (Man, read that sentence again. That's just awful. We deserve better. This ain't Cleveland.)
Some of Tug McGraw's ashes were scattered on the mound the other night. I love that. I love that Tim McGraw and the Phillies organization took steps to tie the past with the present. (I also love how Lefty threw out the first pitch the other night. Am I the only one who sees shadows of Carlton in Cole Hamels?)
Anyway...
May Hamels throw 10 Ks tonight. May our bats be mighty. May the Fightin' Phils live up to their name.
(Man, I love October. Go Phils!)
What can we reasonably expect?
The SportsGuy, Bill Simmons, as a part of his recent fantasy basketball article said that Elton Brand looked terrible in the preseason. Then he re-emphasized terrible. Then he said the following:
"Again, that Sixers team worries me. Too many expectations, too many guys making big money, too many guys who have never won anything, not enough crunch-time guys ... and here's Miller entering a contract season without an extension after everyone else got paid. Yikes."
Have we been drinking the Kool-Aid? Cus personally, I'm still hyped and can't seem to talk myself out of my enthusiasm.
"Again, that Sixers team worries me. Too many expectations, too many guys making big money, too many guys who have never won anything, not enough crunch-time guys ... and here's Miller entering a contract season without an extension after everyone else got paid. Yikes."
Have we been drinking the Kool-Aid? Cus personally, I'm still hyped and can't seem to talk myself out of my enthusiasm.
Sunday, October 26, 2008
The NBA: Where legends dying in a very public, ugly way happens
Apparently, on Friday police in West Chester, NY filed a report that a 47 year old male was taken from Isiah Thomas' house due to an overdose of sleeping pills. When asked by reporters about the incident Thomas denied it was him. He claimed instead it was his 17 year old daughter who had the accidental overdose. Thomas' son, Joshua (20) confirmed his dad's story. West Chester police when asked again about the report said they couldn't imagine why Thomas would try to "throw his daughter under the bus", but that they "know the difference between a 47 year old black male and a young black female".
Honestly, I don't know whether to rant, make a joke or just take a moment of silence. I'm just gonna' leave it for a moment. But I mean, damn. If Zeke did really frame his daughter to protect his own image, what do you say about a guy like that beyond the obvious? If true, you're gonna' watch his games on Classic with a different eye now. He may as well have been using steroids. His character issues are that distorting.
Honestly, I don't know whether to rant, make a joke or just take a moment of silence. I'm just gonna' leave it for a moment. But I mean, damn. If Zeke did really frame his daughter to protect his own image, what do you say about a guy like that beyond the obvious? If true, you're gonna' watch his games on Classic with a different eye now. He may as well have been using steroids. His character issues are that distorting.
Friday, October 24, 2008
Hindsight is 20/20
As we head into the 2008-2009 basketball season, how would you say we did in the Allen Iverson trade? When it happened, you thought we got 40 cents on the dollar. What would you call it now?
Thursday, October 23, 2008
The Big Questions.
Here’s our boy Brand, straight making the fool out of Jermaine O’Neal. Nasty, indeed.
So, the big questions:
1. How much of a difference does Brand make?
2. Will Iggy finally make “the leap” this year?
3. What kind of evolutions can we expect from Thaddeus and Louis?
4. ‘Dre: is he staying?
5. Assuming we can now play both in transition and in the half court (the latter thanks to Brand), can we beat Cleveland, Detroit and Boston, respectively, in a multi-game playoff series?
So, the big questions:
1. How much of a difference does Brand make?
2. Will Iggy finally make “the leap” this year?
3. What kind of evolutions can we expect from Thaddeus and Louis?
4. ‘Dre: is he staying?
5. Assuming we can now play both in transition and in the half court (the latter thanks to Brand), can we beat Cleveland, Detroit and Boston, respectively, in a multi-game playoff series?
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