Biggest Losers of 2010 NBA Off-Season

July 26, 2010

This summer has been one of the craziest for off-season moves thus far in the NBA. College phenomenon John Wall was selected first overall in the draft, LeBron James left Cleveland to form a “three-headed-monster-super-team” in Miami, Chris Paul is looking to get out of New Orleans, the Golden State Warriors get a new owner, players are bracing for a 2011 lockout, and superstar veterans like Shaq, Allen Iverson, and Tracy McGrady have yet to find a team.

There have been beneficial decisions, questionable decisions, and decisions that still need to be made in the upcoming weeks, but here are the five biggest losers of the 2010 off-season (in order from “there goes 15 wins next season” to “wow we really screwed this franchise over for years to come”).

5. Dallas Mavericks

Although they were able to trade for Tyson Chandler, solidifying their front court with Dirk Nowitzki and Erik Dampier who both resigned their contracts, this move in no way helps their quest for a championship. Chandler is a 12th man for an All-Star team at best, and Dirk and Jason Kidd are only getting older. Not the right move for Big D this summer. They needexplosive, young guards to fuel this team of veterans in order to get to Championship caliber. (hint hint Devin Harris-nice move Mark Cuban).

09-10 record: 55-27, Projected 10-11 record: 48-34

Projected starting lineup:

PG Jason Kidd

SG Caron Butler

SF Shawn Marion

PF Dirk Nowitzki

C Tyson Chandler

4. Toronto Raptors

The Raptors not only lost arguably the best and most athletic pure big-man in the entire NBA in Chris Bosh, but they also lost one of the best role players in Hedo Turkoglu. They missed making the playoffs last year by one game, and losing their two best players will hurt them immensely.

09-10 record: 40-42, Projected 10-11 record: 29-53

Projected starting lineup:

PG Jose Calderon

SG Leandro Barbosa

SF Demar Derozan

PF Amir Johnson

C Andrea Bargnani

3. New Jersey Nets

Classic Nets. After their near-record breaking record of 12-70, their misfortune continued when they failed to land the number one overall pick in the draft. They got the third pick, and messed it up by drafting Georgia Tech freshman power-forward Derrick Favors. They passed up on Wesley Johnson, and Xavier Henry, two shooting guards which should have been at the top of their to-do list. Even drafting a big-man they passed up on arguably the best player out of the draft in DeMarcus Cousins. Favors is unproven. New Jersey also failed to land any of the top free agents. Newsflash: Self-made multi-billionaires who can’t type or don’t use e-mail, does not help a declining NBA franchise.

09-10 record: 12-70, Projected 10-11 record: 19-63

Projected starting lineup:

PG Devin Harris

SG Courtney Lee

SF Terrence Williams

PF Derrick Favors

C Brook Lopez

2. Minnesota Timberwolves

Hands down the worst decision in NBA history was made this July when T-Wolves General Manager David Kahn signed THE biggest bust in NBA history; Darko Milicic. They inked him to a five-year deal, and Kahn was quoted comparing him to Chris Webber and Vlade Divac. Milicic was drafted second overall in the 2003 draft, after LeBron James, and drafted before Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh, Carmelo Anthony, Chris Kaman, and Kirk Hinrich. He has career averages of 5 ppg and 4 rpg. If there was an award for Worst GM Who Never Ceases to Hurt a Team, David Kahn would have three-peated by now. He is also responsible for screwing up the Ricky Rubio deal, and getting rid of Kevin Garnett. In the famous words of Bill Simmons: KAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHN!!!!!!!!

The Man, The Myth, The Legend

09-10 record: 15-67, Projected 10-11 record: 18-64

Projected starting lineup:

PG Johnny Flynn

SG Wesley Johnson

SF Corey Brewer

PF Kevin Love

C Darko Milicic (haha)

1. Cleveland Cavaliers

We are all witnesses. To the biggest turnaround in NBA franchise history since LeBron was drafted in 2003. After losing their home town hero, and the best athlete they will ever have in the history of Cleveland sports, the Cavs will plummet to the bottom of the Eastern Conference as they also failed to resign big-men Zydrunas Ilgauskas and Shaquille O’Neal. This is a heartbreaker for Cleveland, going from an NBA powerhouse to a 20-30 win team for years to come. Nothing will ever be more damaging to a sports franchise than what happened to Cleveland this summer.

09-10 record: 61-21, Projected 10-11 record: 30-52

Projected starting lineup:

PG Mo Williams

SG Anthony Parker

SF Antawn Jamison

PF Anderson Varejao

C JJ Hickson

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WIN HEAT TIX, VIP PARKING, & LEBRON SIGNED JERSEY

July 21, 2010

Charitybuzz.com is auctioning off a package which includes: four (4) lower-level seats to a Miami Heat game for the 2010-2011 season, VIP parking and a LeBron James Miami Heat signed jersey.

All proceeds go to Russell Simmons’ charity which is the Rush Philanthropic Arts Foundation.

Items donated by the Alonzo Mourning Charities.

CLICK HERE TO CONTINUE TO AUCTION

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Who will win the Eastern Conference?

July 20, 2010

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Why DeMarcus Cousins Will Win Rookie of the Year

July 18, 2010

Sign in which he wrote: Goofy

In the 2010 Vegas Summer League, 19-year-old Demarcus Cousins was a man among boys. Although it is only the Summer

League, he proved himself to be a deadly threat amongst the rest of the young-guns in the rookie class.

Cousins, out of the University of Kentucky was selected fifth overall in this year’s NBA Draft by the Sacramento Kings. This was a highly questioned pick as some thought he could go second overall, but most thought his immaturity and personality would drop him towards the second round. Being one full year removed from high school, most consider him a regular immature kid trapped in a GIANTS body.

He has proved his doubters wrong in this years Summer League, being the offensive and defensive catalyst for his team. He is displaying assets of his game that no one imagined he would have, being the extremely immature 19-year old that he is. He not only has been scoring in the low post effectively, but he has been able to show his range around the perimeter, make flashy and instinctive passes, and display his underrated footwork.

To quote Detroit Pistons team president Joe Dumars, “Demarcus Cousins has unlimited potential.”

Through the six summer league games, he lead the Kings in almost every stat category. Points (16 per game), rebounds (11 per game), steals (1.6 per game), minutes (30 per game), and personal fouls belong to him (5.4 per game-Summer League allows 10). The ones he doesn’t lead; blocks (1.2 per game) and assists (2.2 per game), he is second on the team.

His heroics started when he debuted against the Detroit Pistons for 14 points and 10 rebounds. The next day, against the Lakers he had 19 points and 12 rebounds.

The next day, he put on a show and exploded against the Minnesota Timberwolves for 22 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals, and the game winning shot. The big boy called for it in crunch time, and delivered.

His streak of double-doubles would continue against the Toronto Raptors finishing with 16 points and 12 boards in the Kings first loss. Against the Chicago Bulls, he had 10 points and 7 rebounds in a one point victory. In the sixth and final game of the Summer League, Cousins played well below his potential, scoring only 6 points, and grabbing only 6 rebounds. He also went 1-12 from the floor which was a surprise to many. One thing he will need to work on his not letting performances andshooting slumps like these get to his head and effect him, which is common in all rookies and young inexperienced players.

Cousins was also recently named the 2010 Vegas Summer League Top Rookie. His partner in crime at Kentucky, John Wall (averaging a league high 23.5 points per game and nearly 8 assists per game), was named 2010 Summer League Most Outstanding Player.

He may not be able to drink or gamble, but this kid will win rookie of the year and with reigning rookie of the year Tyreke Evans at his side, the Kings could turn out to be a .500 team and possibly sneak into the playoffs as the eight-seed. He will be a dominant force down low all year, probably averaging around a 15 and 10 all year. DeMarcus Cousins is the real deal.

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DREAM BIG: Matt Janning Out of Northeastern Making Name for Himself

July 16, 2010

Matt Janning.

Who?

Exactly.

Standing 6’4’’, this slim shooting-guard is making the most out of his post-graduate summer. Janning played four years at Northeastern University, where he averaged 15 points per game his senior year.

Before this summer he was only a local celebrity, known mostly just around the Boston area, and no where else. He is quickly making a name for himself as an un-drafted player trying to make an NBA roster.

The past few weeks his game has intrigued the likes of many scouts, coaches, general managers and players. Trying to prove he can play at the highest level, Janning had a short stint in the Orlando Summer League with the Boston Celtics, where he averaged 11.5 points per game and 5 rebounds per game over two games. He then got an opportunity with the Phoenix Suns in the Vegas Summer League, playing along side Scottie Reynolds, Gavin Edwards, Taylor Griffin, and Marcus Johnson to name a few. Playing for Phoenix, he averaged 10 points per game and 6 rebounds per game. All eyes were on Janning when he lead the team in scoring with 22 on 9-14 shooting against the Cleveland Cavaliers in a 93-82 loss on July 14th.

This hardworking young guard who has a great feel for the game, got offers to come back and join the Celtics and Suns in the fall for their training camp.

Keep an eye out for him towards the start of the season, he could be filling out a roster and playing with the big boys. If he does not make a roster, he WILL be playing overseas professionally or in the D-League. Gotta love the small town heroes making it big.

Comparison: Hybrid Jon Scheyer/Gordon Hayward

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Why LeBron James Is Not A Selfish *******

July 13, 2010

As inarguably the biggest LeBron James fan in the state of Connecticut, I could honestly say I’m not surprised by all the new-born LeBron haters. Following his decision Thursday night, I have been dealing with so much criticism that it made me want to come off my four-month-long hiatus of blogging. Coming from the most biased perspective on the face of the earth, here are 6 reasons why LeBron made the right decision and the haters need to stop hating:

1. Dethroning the King

Ever since the summer of 2003, upon LeBron’s high school graduation, he had drawn up a hype that was larger than life and even several comparisons to Michael Jordan. Two MVP awards, six All-Star selections, six All-NBA selections and a career scoring average of 28ppg later, it doesn’t take a blind man to realize he is not, or ever will be Michael Jordan. It doesn’t even need to take seven years to realize this. To the haters: No one will ever have the career Jordan had, he was never chasing him. To say something like “he’ll never be like Mike” or “he’s not as good as Jordan,” is completely idiotic, because we all know that. Thats not his goal. In any attempt at becoming an all-time great, LeBron is now giving up his legacy as his usual one-man show, to win NBA Championships. He will no longer be the one-man superhero trying to lead his team so he can make a name for himself.

2. No More MVPs

With Chris Bosh on one side, and Dwyane Wade on his other side, there is basically a negative percent chance, that LeBron James will ever win another NBA MVP trophy. The next six most-valuable-players will not and most certainly cannot come from the Miami Heat. Take any one of the stars off the team, and you still have an incredible squad probably winning over 50 games. Take Kevin Durant off the Thunder, or Dwight Howard off the Magic, or Chris Paul off the Hornets, or Brandon Roy off the Blazers, and those teams would be in trouble. To the haters: If LeBron was stuck up and selfish, he would stay with the Cavs or go to a place where he could carry a team himself and reign as the MVP.

3. Lower Individual Statistics

This “selfish asshole” is now going to a team to play with a guard who averages 26ppg and a forward who averages 20ppg and 10rpg. Without a doubt, LeBron’s career averages of 28ppg, 7rpg, and 7apg will significantly go down over the next six years in Miami. To the haters: If he cared so much about his surreal statistics night in and night out, he clearly would not have teamed up with Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh.

4. Going To Be Hated Where Ever He Goes

Can’t make everyone happy. Stay in Cleveland and be hated by some of the biggest markets in the country (Chicago, New York, Miami, Los Angeles). Leave Cleveland, be hated by the whole world. Pretty self explanatory. Lose-Lose situation. To the haters: Keep on not appreciating one of the greatest athletes our generation will ever see.

5. Best Opportunity to Win

During his overblown “decision” (yes I’ll admit the whole show was too much) LeBron was quoted saying “winning is huge for me.” He said he wanted to win now, and win in the future. That clearly eliminates Cleveland, and although many would not like to think it, it probably eliminates New York. This leaves Chicago or Miami. To the haters: Is it that bad he’d rather team-up with Bosh and D-Wade than Derrick Rose and Joakim Noah? Regardless, either team will finish top three in the Eastern Conference.

6. Winning Comes First

When LeBron made his decision, it was clear that he chose winning over money, and over loyalty (sorry Cleveland). Had he chosen the money, like most big-time superstar athletes demand nowadays, he would have ended up with a max-deal in Cleveland worth $120 million for the next six years. He knowingly wanted to accept less money just so he could have the best chance at winning ($100 million over six years in Miami). And clearly winning is more important to him than being loyal to his hometown of Akron and the city of Cleveland. To the haters: Had he been another selfish, typical, overpaid professional athlete, he could have stuck with Cleveland, or been paid the whole world in New York City.

__________________________________________________________________________________________

Give the guy a break. Winning rings is all professional athletes want to do. Sure two of the top three basketball players are teaming up for the first time in NBA history (and three of the top ten players), but don’t fault LeBron James for wanting to win.Cleveland I know it hurts, but be thankful for the past 7 years, you guys will probably never not get anything like it ever again. One game I already have circled on my calendar: Miami at Cleveland. Over the next 6 years the three stars will share in Miami, I predict 3 NBA Championships for the Miami Heat.

Haters next stop: South Beach


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2010 Sweet 16 Preview

March 22, 2010

With the Kansas Jayhawks out of the picture, this tournament has “March Madness” written all over it. Here’s my take on the upcoming Sweet 16 match-ups this Thursday and Friday. I’ll start with Thursday’s regional semi-finals from the East and West Regions, located in Syracuse and Salt Lake City:

March 25, 2010 (East & West Regions)

5 Butler Bulldogs vs. 1 Syracuse Orange (Salt Lake City, Utah 7:07)

’Cuse has too many ways to hurt opponents. Andy Rautins and Wesley Johnson, combined for 55 in their win over Gonzaga. They also have Rick Jackson and Scoop Jardine off the bench who are just as good as any starting players on any other team. No Arinze Onawaku? Who cares. Without Kansas in the tournament anymore Syracuse should absolutely steam roll any team that comes in their way. They will be playing on April 5th in the 2010 National Championship game.

11 Washington Huskies vs. 2 West Virginia Mountaneers (Syracuse, New York 7:27)

This will be the game where Washington proves how bad the Pac-10 really is at basketball (finally). I like WVU in this one. They have too much going for them: Devin Ebanks, and a red-hot Da’Sean Butler. Although I do hate the Big East as well, WVU will advance.

6 Xavier Muskateers vs. 2 Kansas State Wildcats (Salt Lake City, Utah 9:37)

Jordan Crawford’s (yes the guy who dunked on LeBron last summer) heroics end here. Too much athleticism by KSU and too much of a dominating back court in guards Jacob Pullen and Denis Clemente. KSU advances to Elite 8.

12 Cornell Big Red vs. 1 Kentucky Wildcats (Syracuse, New York 9:57)

Let’s be real people, Ryan Wittman, Cornell’s savior will miss shots. Unfortunately for team’s like Wisconsin and Temple, he did not miss, and Cornell scored every possession. The smart, white boys’ run will also end here. Kentucky’s style of game will prove far more athletic than Cornell’s. And do I even need to mention John Wall, DeMarcus Cousins, and Eric Bledsoe….woops.

March 26, 2010 (Midwest & South Regions)

6 Tennessee Volunteers vs. 2 Ohio State Buckeyes (St. Louis, Missouri 7:07)

Too much Evan Turner, too much Jon Diebler. Buckeyes advance. Don’t expect this one to be close.

10 St. Mary’s Gaels vs. Baylor Bears (Houston, Texas 7:37)

This will be the first time Omar Samhan and the Australian crew will see a team with far more athleticism than they have ever seen. Quincy Acy, LaceDarius Dunn, Tweety Carter, and Ekpe Udoh of the Bears should be able to give the sharp-shooting Gaels a dose of reality. Needless to say, I would be SHOCKED if the “slipper still fits” for this Cinderella story, especially since Baylor literally has home court advantage, in Houston. Ekpe Udoh…meet your toughest task….Kyle Singler.

9 Northern Iowa Panthers vs. 5 Michigan State Spartans (St. Louis, Missouri 9:37)

Hopefully, this is the end of Ali Farokhmanesh, because I am personally tired of him and his entire team. Go back to your home in Cedar Falls, Iowa you overgrown lumberjack. But putting all bracket-ruining biases aside, the experience brought forward by Raymar Morgan, Darrell Summers, and head coach Tom Izzo should be enough to power the Spartans to the Elite 8.

4 Purdue Boilermakers vs. 1 Duke Blue Devils (Houston, Texas 9:57)

As much as this pains me, the Dookies are one of the best teams in college basketball. I would go as far as saying top-two in the nation. Too much Kyle Singler, too much Nolan Smith, too much Jon Scheyer, too much Brian Zoubek, too much Coach K. They’ve got too much going for them, for them to possibly slow down. Although the Boilermakers were my dark-horse for a final-four run, Duke will advance.

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With Kansas Eliminated, The Sky Is the Limit For John Wall and Kentucky

March 21, 2010

Saturday night a number one seed in the NCAA Tournament was knocked out in the second-round for the first time since 2004. The Kansas Jayhawks fell to nine-seeded Ali Farokhmanesh and the Northern Iowa Panthers by a score of 69-67. These over-grown axe-men and lumberjacks have recently won over the hearts of many Americans.

With Kansas no longer in the picture, Kentucky has a clear cut path to a National Championship. Not one team can stop them, especially the way they have been playing as of late.

Coming off a 29 point first-round victory over East-Tennessee State (yes that’s a real college) and a 30 point blow out of ACC powerhouse Wake Forest, the Wildcats are playing unselfish, team basketball. They are looking like the Kentucky Wildcats we’ve seen all season.

With many doubters second-guessing the Wildcats because of their inexperience, they have continued to prove their haters wrong. Their youth in All-Americans John Wall and Demarcus Cousins has yet to show a downside. They even have a third freshman stud, Eric Bledsoe, a sharp shooting dark-horse who is always over looked due to Wall and Cousins, who are both going top-three in this year’s NBA Draft in June.

The youth has proved more beneficial as opposed to Bill Self’s experienced Kansas team with Sherron Collins and Cole Aldrich, who have been through it all, in their illustrious four-year careers.

Now that the hype of Kansas is gone, it is safe to say Kentucky is the best team in basketball, nobody will beat them, they will win the National Championship.

Head coach John Calipari’s unfathomable recruiting with this freshman class will payoff April 5th, and bring Kentucky Basketball back to where it used to be.

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Hottest Team In Basketball: Mavericks Win 10 Straight

March 6, 2010

Ever since the February 18th NBA trade deadline, the Dallas Mavericks have not lost a game. Their last loss came on the 16th of February in a 13 point loss to Kevin Durant and the Oklahoma City Durants.

Could this be because Dirk Nowitzki is putting up MVP-like numbers (29 ppg during this streak), like he always does? Or maybe the fact that Jason Kidd, at 36 years of age, is playing like he is 25 again, averaging 14 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists per game during this win streak. Don’t forget the key addition of two-time All-Star Caron Butler, who is a living hell for any defender, and big-man Brendan Haywood. Since their arrival at the trade-deadline, the Mavericks are 10-1, and riding a 10-game win streak.

Whatever it is that is surging the Mavericks, they could not be defeated, Friday night against the Sacramento Kings, even with the loss of probable 6th Man of the Year and team’s second leading scorer (OFF THE BENCH) Jason Terry, and Haywood, who is averaging a 10 points and 10 rebounds per game since arriving in Big D. Both were out due to injury.

They were also without head coach Rick Carlisle, who was ejected after his second technical foul, in the second quarter while arguing numerous non-calls on Nowitzki. You tell ‘em Rick.

Friday night, Nowitzki, who cashed in for 31 points and 12 boards was the hero along with rookie Roddy Beuabois. Beaubois, who averages a mere 11 minutes per game, had to fill in for Terry and scored 22 points in 24 minutes off the bench. This ignited the Mavs to a 108-100 scrappy win over the Tyreke Evans and the Kings.

R-BB’s* performance proved pivotal in the Mavs’ success. The promising young-gun energized the team.

With R-BB having the game of his life/career, their line-up was extremely altered. Getting significant playing time at the shooting-guard position, this caused the Mavs to play small. One of their best combinations they found was when they had back-up point-guard JJ Barea playing point-guard, R-BB at the two, and Kidd playing small-forward. This also caused starting small-forward Shawn Marion to switch between small-forward and center.

The game came down to the wire, as it was within two points, with 1:36 left to go, but the Mavs snuck away with their 10th straight, leading the NBA in active win streaks.

R-BB had 17 points in 30 minutes of play the game prior to this against the Minnesota Timberwolves, so as the Mavs continue to roll, look for R-BB to get some serious playing time, with the two-week absence of Terry.

As long as the Mavs topple the Chicago Bulls tonight, which shouldn’t be too hard, I see a potential 15-game win streak for the Mavs. Chicago being 11, then Minnesota again, and then they play host to the New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks and Bulls once again. These should all be easy wins, but reality will kick in on the 20th when they match up against the Boston Celtics. Enjoy it while it lasts Big D.

*I’m referring to Roddy Beaubois as R-BB from now on. Nobody wants to type “Beaubois” ten times in one column. Nobody.

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LeBron To Switch From 23 to 6

March 2, 2010

No matter where Mr. James decides to sign this summer, one thing will be different about him next year. He will wear a different number on his jersey.

LeBron recently submitted the paperwork to the NBA, and is waiting the approval to switch from 23 to 6.

Although he has recently ignited “23’s” popularity, he will be switching to 6, which he was worn in international play with Team USA in the Olympics and in the FIBA Tournaments.

Rumors were flying around the league in the beginning of the seasons when James proposed the idea of a league-wide “23” retirement in honor of Michael Jordan, who revolutionized the game of basketball, and the number “23”. LeBron is taking the first step towards doing so.

The league does not have to approve his request, but upon doing so would provide the opportunity to hit the jackpot on additional jerseys sales. Also, if they were to approve his change of number, and he follows through with it, he would have to remain with the Cleveland Cavaliers (sorry NYK fans).

Not only is 6 his Olympic number, but it is the date in which his first son was born, and the number of the month in which his second son was born. Also, his second favorite player growing up, Julius Erving, spent the majority of his career sporting numero seis.

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