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NBA Draft Grades: Atlantic Division
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Drafts, Editorial, NBA,
I know what you’re thinking - “What the hell took you so long to get these NBA Draft grades out?” Well, I’ve been so immersed with watching the World Cup (and, yeah, I know I haven’t been writing about that either, but I find myself enjoying it way too much, I’m “spent” as Austin Powers used to say, to write about it; don’t worry, I’ll do up a Finals preview), being in TWO heated fantasy baseball matchups with archrivals, and doing several fantasy football mocks, I just had to put the old orange roundball on the side for a minute. But, don’t worry, I’m on top of it like Zach Braff on any chick he was fortunate enough to be on top of… Natalie Portman? Mandy Moore? How’d that happen?!?!?!
Well, at least, Braff didn’t draft Renaldo Balkman.
BOSTON CELTICS:
Who They Ended Up With: PG Rajon Rondo, PF Leon Powe, PG Sebastian Telfair (via trade), PF/C Theo Ratliff (via trade), PF Brian Grant (via trade)
Comments: At first, I liked the trade to get Telfair from the Portland Trailblazers because as good as Delonte West was, he’s not really a point. I was really excited thinking of how West would flourish even more from the two spot as he didn’t have to worry about creating for his teammates anymore. But then the Celtics drafted Rajon Rondo, another point guard. They definitely are stocking up on PGs for Allen Iverson. Hopefully, the deal gets done for the Celtics or they’ll look dumb. But, getting Leon Powe was a great value pick. Too bad he’ll probably be coming off the bench. However if Ryan Gomes can come out of nowhere, so can Powe.
Final Grade: Incomplete, depending on what happens with AI.
NEW JERSEY NETS:
Who They Ended Up With: PG Marcus Williams, PF/C Josh Boone, SG Hassan Adams
Comments: Man, were the Nets lucky sons of biznitches or what? Williams was pretty much ranked as the number one point guard in the draft and he falls all the way to number 22 because of conditioning questions, as well as that stealing of laptops incident last year. Okay, I understand. But, Williams is as gritty as they come, can find the open man, and is a clutch performer. Learning behind Jason Kidd will only help Williams become the Black Steve Nash (how funny does that sound?). Nash sat behind Kidd back in Nash’s first go-around with the Suns and look at him now. Boone will be good, eventually, as he’s just too talented not to succeed. He just needs to play with a little more fire. Understand, I’ve followed Hassan Adams since his high school days and I love him as a player, but in Jersey with Richard Jefferson and Vince Carter, I’m not sure if he’ll stick.
Final Grade: A
Click to continue reading NBA Draft Grades: Atlantic Division
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Open The Wallets: NBA Free Agency Signings
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Editorial, NBA, News,
With Free Agency season open, some NBA teams are shelling out the dough for players they hope will fulfill their needs for the coming season. Here’s a recap of millionaire ballers that just got richer.
BREAKING OUT TO A NEW TEAM
Peja Stojakovic signs with the New Orleans Hornets
This deal makes a load of sense. The Hornets get a legitimate scoring threat from the perimeter who is easily capable of averaging 20+ points per game in Stojakovic. What does Stojakovic get? A super-talented point guard that will penetrate, draw the defense, and pass off the ball to the open man in Rookie of the Year, Chris Paul. Win-win, if you ask me. Although, I’m sure the Indiana Pacers are cursing Stojakovic right now after he kept saying he wanted to re-sign with them. C’est la vie. That’s the business of the NBA.
Vladimir Radmanovic signs with the Los Angeles Lakers
Sorry, had to go with the Serbs back-to-back. Radmanovic, a one-dimensional player (three-points galore), hopes that the Zen Master, Phil Jackson can ramp up his game and make him a monster on the boards and down in the post… okay, I’m TOTALLY kidding here. That will never happen. Never.
Click to continue reading Open The Wallets: NBA Free Agency Signings
Here is the National League All-Star team that will try to stop the blood from dripping anymore with a ninth straight American League win. Hopefully, the hometown Pittsburgh crowd will help get the N.L. over the hump.
KEY:*=Starter; I=Injured; IR=Injury Replacement; BA=Batting Average; HR=Homerun; RBI=Runs Batted In; ERA=Earned Run Average; SV=Saves; ASGA=All Star Game Appearance
NOTE: Stats are through July 1st
Catcher
*Paul Lo Duca, New York Mets .288 BA; 3 HR; 25 RBI; 4th ASGA
Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves .354 BA; 5 HR; 23 RBI; 1st ASGA
First Baseman
*Albert Pujols, St. Louis Cardinals .320 BA; 27 HR; 72 RBI; 5th ASGA
Lance Berkman, Houston Astros .319 BA; 22 HR; 71 RBI; 4th ASGA
Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies .284 BA; 28 HR; 69 RBI; 1st ASGA
Second Baseman
*Chase Utley, Philadephia Phillies .300 BA; 16 HR; 49 RBI; 1st ASGA
Dan Uggla, Florida Marlins .307 BA; 13 HR; 44 RBI; 1st ASGA
Click to continue reading 2006 National League All-Star Team
Does time fly or what? The All-Star game results have been announced and the baseball season rolls by quickly as we are now approaching the unofficial half-way point of the season. Doesn’t Spring Training seem like it was just a month ago? In any case, this season’s All-Star game in Pittsburgh, PA, will once again determine home-field advantage for the World Series. The American League will be going for its 9th straight win.
KEY:*=Starter; I=Injured; IR=Injury Replacement; BA=Batting Average; HR=Homerun; RBI=Runs Batted In; ERA=Earned Run Average; SV=Saves; ASGA=All Star Game Appearance
NOTE: Stats are through July 1st
Catcher:
*Ivan Rodriguez, Detroit Tigers .298 BA; 7 HR; 38 RBI; 13th ASGA
Joe Mauer, Minnesota Twins .392 BA; 5 HR; 40 RBI; 1st ASGA
First Baseman
*David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox .276 BA; 26 HR; 75 RBI; 3rd ASGA
Paul Konerko, Chicago White Sox .314 BA; 20 HR; 63 RBI; 3rd ASGA
Jim Thome, Chicago White Sox .292 BA; 27 HR; 68 RBI; 5th ASGA
Second Baseman
*Mark Loretta, Boston Red Sox .317 BA; 3 HR; 34 RBI; 2nd ASGA
I-Robinson Cano, New York Yankees .325 BA; 4 HR; 27 RBI; 1st ASGA
IR-Jose Lopez, Seattle Mariners .282 BA; 9 HR; 57 RBI; 1st ASGA
Click to continue reading 2006 American League All-Star Team
American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. East
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Fantasy, MLB, News,
BALTIMORE ORIOLES
Nick Markakis has been on a tear, going 20 for his last 46, raising his average from .227 to .270. While it will guarantee him playing time, don’t rush to pick him up. Only 3 of those 20 hits have been for extra-bases, 2 doubles and a triple. He is just 22 years old and though a nice prospect, his power is not major-league caliber yet. For now this makes him a singles hitter without much speed.
Is Corey Patterson for real? We have seen several periods where he looks like he is going to be a superstar, only to see him completely collapse. No one has ever questioned his speed. He is very fast and knows how to steal a base. He is generating less power than a few years ago. When he hit 24 home runs in 2004, he also had 33 doubles and 6 triples. This season his 9 home runs have been accompanied by just 9 doubles and 1 triple. In the past his downfall has been plate patience and making contact. For the month of May his batting eye was .50, way above his previous numbers. But since June 11, he has just 1 walk while striking out 12 times. In his previous four major league seasons his contact rate was between 73% and 77 %. For 2006, his contact rate is 82%. These gains might be real, as he is still making good contact, 84% rate, in that same June 11th to present period where his plate patience has eroded. If you are an owner of Patterson and need speed, stay with him. However if you are comfortable with your SB totals and don’t want to gamble that he is falling back into bad habits, now is the time to deal him.
In his Orioles debut of 4.1 innings, Russ Ortiz allowed 3 ER, 9 hits and 4 walks, while striking out just one hitter. Although Ortiz enjoyed his best seasons in Atlanta with Leo Mazzone as his pitching coach, the Mazzone magic will not work this time around. His command is beyond repair.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. East
Trading Places: Charlie Villanueva and T.J. Ford
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Editorial, NBA, Trades,
The Toronto Raptors traded PF Charlie Villanueva to the Milwaukee Bucks for PG T.J. Ford on Friday night. The trade helps both teams fulfill needs on their roster.
Free agent Mike James, a standout PG for the Raptors last season, will likely come at too high a price for the Raptors. So, acquiring Ford, a player who came back last season from a serious spinal cord injury the season before, makes a lot of sense. In fact, Ford may eventually end up being a better fit for Toronto. Averaging 12.2 points and 6.6 assists, Ford’s ability to run a break, penetrate and find the open man will better utilize the shooters on the team, players such as Morris Peterson and newly drafted, Andrea Bargnani.
Bargnani, this season’s number one overall draft pick is commonly compared to the Dallas Mavericks’ Dirk Nowitzki - a 7-foot perimeter player that can fill it up from the outside. Ford’s ability to break a defense down with his dribble and then dish it off will be more than welcome by Bargnani’s waiting hands. Mike James, was a score-first PG and had a career year. Somewhere out there, an NBA team is ready to overpay for his services. Believe me, the T-Dot will be happy to have Ford. Unfortunately, Ford comes at a high price - PF Charlie Villanueva.
Villanueva proved his critics wrong by the end of the season as he proved a viable and versatile player, finishing the season averaging 13.0 points and 6.4 rebounds. He was able to score from all over the floor and clean the glass with deftness. He’ll fit in well with the Bucks, complementing C Andruw Bogut and SG Michael Redd.
Both Ford and Villanueva should thrive with their new teams - Ford racking up the assists by dropping dimes to Chris Bosh, Bargnani, and Peterson. Villanueva should continue his progress and build on last season’s rookie breakout. Again, the trade makes sense for both, but I think the Bucks make out on this deal in the whole scheme of things. It’s hard to find a player as versatile as Villanueva, especially almost being 7-feet!
NBA Draft Recap - From a NW biased perspective
Posted by Sean O'Connor Categories: Drafts, Editorial, NBA,
Top Four Reasons the NBA Draft Didn’t Go As I Hoped
1. Adam Morrison to the Charlotte Bobcats.
The Bobcats will never be on tv in Seattle. Check that, they will be on TV twice – once when they play the Supersonics in Seattle and once when Seattle plays out there.
2. Sonics Draft Sene.
The Sonics might as well have thrown in the towel with that pick – Who? From where? Was Kevin Bacon involved in recruiting this cat?
3. Boston Celtics Gears Up to Make a Run at Iverson (And Trades Away Dan Dickau).
First, I don’t think Sebastian Telfair is the answer to anyone’s point guard problems. Second, Allen Iverson and Paul Pierce on the same team… now that would set basketball back 10 years.
4. Trailblazers Draft Gone Awry.
I was really hoping the Zers would become my team by picking Adam Morrison and turning things around under new ownership. Nope.
My resolution – order the expanded digital cable package so I can watch European soccer all winter on Fox Sports Soccer.
American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. West
Posted by Tom Massimo Categories: Fantasy, MLB, News,
SEATTLE MARINERS
After writing in this column last week that Kenji Johjima’s power was limited, he goes off and hits four homers during the week, with two of them being in baseball’s toughest park on hitters, Petco Field. If anything, he has shown to be a streaky power hitter.
After a slow start, Chris Snelling is now hitting .271 in Triple-A. If Jeremy Reed continues to struggle, Snelling could see some time in center field in the second half of this season. He has been extremely injury prone, but could be a productive major-league hitter if given the opportunity.
A hot streak has seen Adrien Beltre’s average rise from the low .200’s to .258. Use that as an opportunity to trade him. His power is still below average for a cornerman and batting second in the order has limited his RBI chances.
Jarrod Washburn has the shaky skill set of a fly ball pitcher with low a K/9 rate. The only places where those skills can be effective long-term are in spacious stadiums such as his home field of Safeco Field. His home/road ERA split of 3.97/5.70 plays this out. If you are desperate, you can use him in home starts or pitcher-friendly road stadiums, but avoid him in hitter’s parks.
Click to continue reading American League Fantasy Notes: A.L. West
NBA Draft Preview: Top Five Power Forwards and Centers
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Drafts, NBA,
Banging down low, fighting in the box, scoring in the post, and denying shots from the other team with an emphatic block are jobs designated to the bigs of the frontline. Check out the top five power forward and center prospects in this year’s draft.
NOTE: Due to time constraints, I am combining this position without blurbs. Just being honest. To get in depth analysis on the other positions, either scroll down or click on the appropiate position - Point Guard; Shooting Guard; Small Forward.
Power Forwards
1. Tyrus Thomas, Louisiana State University, 6’9”, 215 lbs.
2. Andrea Bargnani, Italy, 7’0”, 225 lbs.
3. Shelden Williams, Duke University, 6’9”, 250 lbs.
4. Cedric Simmons, North Carolina State University, 6’9”, 233 lbs.
5. Josh Boone, University of Connecticut, 6’10”, 237 lbs.
Others to consider:
James Augustine, University of Illiinois; Justin Williams, University of Wyoming; Kevin Pittsnogle, West Virginia University; Tai Gray, University of Oklahoma
Centers
1. LaMarcus Aldridge, University of Texas, 6’10”, 237 lbs.
2. Patrick O’Bryant, Bradley University, 7’0”, 260 lbs.
3. Hilton Armstrong, University of Connecticut, 6’10”, 240 lbs.
4. Paul Davis, Michigan State University, 6’11”, 270 lbs.
5. Saer Sene, Senegal, 7’0”, 229 lbs.
Another to consider:
Ryan Hollins, UCLA
NBA Draft Preview: Top Five Small Forwards
Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: Athletes, Drafts, NBA,
These are the wing players that are usually the marksmen from the outside. However, don’t fall asleep on them on the perimeter because they will go baseline on you and show you they aren’t all that “small.” Here are the top five small forward prospects in this year’s draft.
1. Adam Morrison, Gonzaga University, 6’8”, 205 lbs.
Morrison AKA The Stache led the nation in scoring and can flat out score. He’s as unathletic as you get, but he can score off the dribble against very good defenders, and of course shoot the lights out from anywhere on the perimeter. He’s relentless and flat out can put the ball in the basket. However, he doesn’t really put that offensive effort on the defensive end and he’ll almost definitely have problems guarding players on the NBA level. His ability to score, his seemingly endless energy, and will to win will hopefully help cover that deficiency.
2. Rudy Gay, University of Connecticut, 6’9”, 220 lbs.
Before the college season started last year, Gay was being spoken of very highly. We’re talking being player of the year, the number one overall pick in the draft, etc. While he star has gotten a bit dirty, it’s still shining bright enough for Gay to be an early to mid-lottery pick, based on his upside. He has taller than average wing height, an excellent wingspan, and explosiveness. And he can jump out of the gym, as they say. He also has a pretty good stroke from the outside. A big drawback is that Gay sometimes gets lax and just coasts, not actively looking for the ball in half-court sets.
3. Rodney Carney, University of Memphis, 6’7”, 205 lbs.
Carney is another physical and athletic freak. Quickness, explosiveness, length, strength, great first step, and a sweet shot are all attributes given to Carney. But, Carney doesn’t have much of a handle and his defense is predicated on how he’s going offensively.
4. Thabo Sefolosha, Switzerland, 6’7”, 205 lbs.
Sefolosha is a slasher and benefits in making good decisions with the ball because of his point guard days in the junior levels of the Italian league. He’s a smooth player and seems to play with a chip on his shoulder, which should translate well as far as demeanor goes in integrating into the NBA. He’s not the typical European softy. He’s a bit thin and will have to adapt to playing on a higher plane due to NBA-level competition.
5. P.J. Tucker, University of Texas, 6’5”, 220 lbs.
Tucker is an intense competitor and likes to get down and dirty, especially on the offensive end, which brings Tucker to the line. He has a solid handle and can score in the box. He isn’t a great shooter, but his competitiveness and tenacity are pluses.
Others to consider:
Renaldo Balkman, University of South Carolina; Marcus Vinicius, Brazil
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