By Rick Morris
It's on like radon! NBA free agency is upon us at midnight EDT on July 1. While this crop of players pales in comparison to the Lebron/Wade/Bosh/'Melo/etc. group that could become available next summer, it's no disgrace to be overshadowed by what could be the greatest crop on the market in history. The players who sign contracts in the days ahead could still end up tipping the balance of power for the coming season. Here are the positions of note, from the strongest to the weakest:
Small Forwards: What a group! Hedo Bird, Lamar Odom, Al Harrington and Bad Mamma-Jamma Artest can all be big difference-makers in this league. Marvin Williams may never live up to the billing, but he can definitely be a necessary secondary part on a championship team. Trevor Ariza is only scratching the surface of what he can do. Shawn Marion is regressing faster than the level of public sympathy for Joe Jackson right about now. Linas Kleiza will probably never be much more than he is right now. Josh Childress may be coming back from Europe, although the Hawks retain some qualified rights to him.
Point Guards: Dear Romey, Jason Kidd and Mike Bibby are as good as it gets, Sincerely 2001. Raymond Felton probably has the best long-range potential of any of the quarterbacks hitting the market, but he's got more of a "really nice" upside rather than "really bitchin.'" Shouldn't preclude a "really bitchin'" payday, though, given the other choices. Andre Miller is hanging in well for his age, but getting up there in age, Nate Robinson is a poor man's Van Exel, Ramon Sessions will get overpaid for being a good role player and Jarrett Jack/CJ Watson "are what they are." Oh, and Steph Marbury is still nuts.
Power Forward: David Lee and his likely contract will be too rich for the Knicks, so he'll be moving on for big money. Charlie Villanueva is leaving Milwaukee, so he'll end up in a much better situation, potentially Cleveland. Old Sheed, Big Baby, Leon Powe, Drew Gooden, Hakim Warrick and Brandon Bass round out a mediocre group.
Shooting Guards: Kobe's not going anywhere, so let's not even seriously include him with the potentials here. On a thin market, Ben Gordon is in the right place at the right time as somebody who still (at least defensively) computes as a "tweener" is going to get paid solely on his sweet scoring ability. It's way downhill from there. AI better PRACTICE (WE TALKIN' ABOUT PRACTICE) his humility, because he'll be taking what he can get even in a down market. The immortal Marquis Daniels, great-in-small-bursts Flip Murray, one-dimensional Eddie House, late-blooming Dahntay Jones and tragically-named Von Wafer round out the position.
Centers: Sideshow Bob Varejao and his soulmate Birdman Anderson headline an awful group. Antonio McDyess and (not the cop-slapper) Zaza comprise the next tier. From there, it's strictly role players at best: Marcin Gortat, Eddy Curry and Rasho Nesterovic. Yikes!
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
NHL free agency preview
By Rick Morris
NHL free agency begins at Noon EST on July 1 and a circus will ensue as per usual. Courtesy of HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY 2009, here is our preview of what lies ahead.
Coming a year after a thin 2008 free agent crop, the 2009 group will be welcomed by GMs across the league who dream of drastically upgrading their rosters with one great summer. “Nossa”-yelling know-nothings aside, it is clear how much last summer’s marquee free agent Marian Hossa brought to the Detroit Red Wings for at least most of their impressive season. This year, he is joined by a much deeper class of unrestricted free agents examining the possibilities on the market. The jockeying should be very interesting for a number of reasons, not least of which the one involving a lower salary cap than many teams might have anticipated last year at this time. Here is how the different positions rate, from best to worst in terms of potential impact players:
Right Wing: This year, Hossa is one of more than a few great options for teams seeking scoring punch from the right wing. Since there is a good chance that he is staying in Detroit, the plethora of top-notch stars really benefits the rest of the league. How about these names: Marian Gaborik, Martin Havlat, Brian Gionta and Daniel Sedin? There’s also some some other decent options who could be envisioned to fill spots on a #2 line under certain circumstances: Nik Antropov, Alexei Kovalev, Petr Sykora and Bill Guerin. There’s also some decent depth players out there like Mikael Samuelsson and David Moss. No question, this position is the deepest and the best this summer.
Defense: Jay Bouwmeester is a rare bird, a high-upside youngster just coming into his own hitting the market at a prime point in his career. Scott Niedermayer is a legit Hall-of-Famer with some gas left in the tank, but he isn’t judged to be very likely to leave Anaheim. The pool of defensemen worthy of skating on a #1 or #2 combo doesn’t stop there: Jordan Leopold, Mike Komisarek, Mattias Ohlund and Rob Blake.
Center: This position and left wing are fairly interchangeable; while there are fewer impact players available here, they should deliver more punch. Henrik Sedin may well end up with his twin bro somewhere once again, and what a great opportunity that would be for a team with sufficient cap room. Mats Sundin proved last year that he was willing to leave Toronto for the right situation and if he decides to keep playing, there are many situations that might stack up nicely for him. Saku Koivu is hard to envision anywhere but Montreal — but as Sundin proved last summer, nothing is forever.
Left Wing: The two most coveted players at this position will be Mike Cammalleri and Erik Cole. Alex Tanguay, intriguing youngster Tomas Kopecky and the venerable Keith Tkachuk will also be judged to have some value.
Goalie: When the two best players available are ones that their own teams have figured that they can live without, that pretty much says it all. Nikolai Khabibulin and Manny Fernandez both still have some good play ahead of themselves, but they are going to benefit greatly from a market that will be insanely distorted in terms of supply and demand. The “Bulin Wall” looks likely to come up a huge financial winner in free agency just like he did last time.
NHL free agency begins at Noon EST on July 1 and a circus will ensue as per usual. Courtesy of HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY 2009, here is our preview of what lies ahead.
Coming a year after a thin 2008 free agent crop, the 2009 group will be welcomed by GMs across the league who dream of drastically upgrading their rosters with one great summer. “Nossa”-yelling know-nothings aside, it is clear how much last summer’s marquee free agent Marian Hossa brought to the Detroit Red Wings for at least most of their impressive season. This year, he is joined by a much deeper class of unrestricted free agents examining the possibilities on the market. The jockeying should be very interesting for a number of reasons, not least of which the one involving a lower salary cap than many teams might have anticipated last year at this time. Here is how the different positions rate, from best to worst in terms of potential impact players:
Right Wing: This year, Hossa is one of more than a few great options for teams seeking scoring punch from the right wing. Since there is a good chance that he is staying in Detroit, the plethora of top-notch stars really benefits the rest of the league. How about these names: Marian Gaborik, Martin Havlat, Brian Gionta and Daniel Sedin? There’s also some some other decent options who could be envisioned to fill spots on a #2 line under certain circumstances: Nik Antropov, Alexei Kovalev, Petr Sykora and Bill Guerin. There’s also some decent depth players out there like Mikael Samuelsson and David Moss. No question, this position is the deepest and the best this summer.
Defense: Jay Bouwmeester is a rare bird, a high-upside youngster just coming into his own hitting the market at a prime point in his career. Scott Niedermayer is a legit Hall-of-Famer with some gas left in the tank, but he isn’t judged to be very likely to leave Anaheim. The pool of defensemen worthy of skating on a #1 or #2 combo doesn’t stop there: Jordan Leopold, Mike Komisarek, Mattias Ohlund and Rob Blake.
Center: This position and left wing are fairly interchangeable; while there are fewer impact players available here, they should deliver more punch. Henrik Sedin may well end up with his twin bro somewhere once again, and what a great opportunity that would be for a team with sufficient cap room. Mats Sundin proved last year that he was willing to leave Toronto for the right situation and if he decides to keep playing, there are many situations that might stack up nicely for him. Saku Koivu is hard to envision anywhere but Montreal — but as Sundin proved last summer, nothing is forever.
Left Wing: The two most coveted players at this position will be Mike Cammalleri and Erik Cole. Alex Tanguay, intriguing youngster Tomas Kopecky and the venerable Keith Tkachuk will also be judged to have some value.
Goalie: When the two best players available are ones that their own teams have figured that they can live without, that pretty much says it all. Nikolai Khabibulin and Manny Fernandez both still have some good play ahead of themselves, but they are going to benefit greatly from a market that will be insanely distorted in terms of supply and demand. The “Bulin Wall” looks likely to come up a huge financial winner in free agency just like he did last time.
Sunday, June 28, 2009
FDH Fantasy Newsletter: Volume II, Issue XXVI
By Rick Morris
For the most part, we keep our fantasy content on our fantasy website and fantasy blog and keep this site for content on all subjects. It allows our readers to find specific content more easily that way. However, it has come to our attention that because our new fantasy sports newsletter is published on the older Blogger platform that our readers may be limited in their ability to subscribe to it. There does not appear to be a way to have content on the FantasyDrafthelp.com blog forwarded to an aggregate news reader -- however, we know that we have that ability here. So we will link to that newsletter each week right here when it is published. Here is this week's newsletter.
For the most part, we keep our fantasy content on our fantasy website and fantasy blog and keep this site for content on all subjects. It allows our readers to find specific content more easily that way. However, it has come to our attention that because our new fantasy sports newsletter is published on the older Blogger platform that our readers may be limited in their ability to subscribe to it. There does not appear to be a way to have content on the FantasyDrafthelp.com blog forwarded to an aggregate news reader -- however, we know that we have that ability here. So we will link to that newsletter each week right here when it is published. Here is this week's newsletter.
RIP Ed McMahon/Farrah Fawcett/Michael Jackson
By Rick Morris
Assuming that no other celebrities pass from the scene in the next few days, we have rarely if ever seen a better example of the "deaths in threes" theory -- nor a more eclectic triad -- than what happened this week with Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. In one of the all-time examples of "jumping the gun," The FDH New York Bureau emailed me right after Farrah's demise proclaming the celebrity threesome to be Farrah, Ed and former pro wrestler and announcer Billy Red Lyons. If only that had held up for Jacko's sake!
Taking them in the order they passed away ...
Ed McMahon is best remembered for his time on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, but he actually had lead and supporting roles in many prominent TV programs over the years. Speaking more directly to his worth as a person, however, were his roles in support of the annual Jerry Lewis Telethon and his long tenure in the military helping to defend this country (including World War II and the Korean War). In recent years, health and financial woes had been battering him at various times.
Here is an obituary video produced by the Associated Press.
Farrah Fawcett had a long career in Hollywood, but was fated to always be best known for her breakout performance on Charlie's Angels back in '76-77 when she was THE female on everyone's lips. In my early, early youth, I remember a relative who almost never owned any trendy T-shirts who wore a Farrah Fawcett T-shirt. It was as if there was no free will involved in the process; everyone just bought in because they were so much into the image she created.
Tiring almost immediately of that image, though, she set out to try to escape it. She would have mixed success in this regard, as she came to be regarded as an underrated actress, although she clearly aspired to more than that. Late in life, however, she found what might have been her most important role as an advocate for patients' rights when she was victimized by jerks at the UCLA Medical Center who leaked her health information to the National Enquirer. The State of California passed a law protecting the rights of others in the same situation when she personally spearheaded the movement. She fought through her bouts with cancer very bravely and was an example of courage to others in that regard.
For a look at Farrah at the height of her fame, here is a TV feature with Telly Savalas in 1978 narrating about the phenomenon.
Michael Jackson may have been the most famous man in the world. Comparisons were often made creatively to Elvis (not least of which because he at one point married Elvis' daughter!) and now, sadly, will be made in terms of how their personal sagas ended.
Because the "backlash culture" has become a staple of the Internet, it has already become fashionable to decry the vast coverage of his death because of his personal misdeeds. Indeed, radio host Mike Gallagher was in full shock-jock mode on Friday calling him a monster and a child molester. In so doing, he unknowingly revealed his ignorance of the Christian truths he was claiming to defend, as the notion that MJ may have passed without "settling his spiritual tab" would only be a subject of sadness and sympathy to any true Christian. It is worth noting as well -- not as a means of defending anything he may have done with any of the boys who stayed with him, because any of those deeds surely would be the most vile ones possible -- that he was severely scarred by what could only be termed severe abusiveness by his father when he was young. As studies have shown, child abuse breeds further child abuse as the cycle repeats itself with the victim becoming the perpetrator -- a notion worth remembering in terms of trying to reconcile our feelings about this man even slightly.
And as much of a cliche as it is, it really is true that we have to separate the man from the music when sorting out our feelings on his passing. He really was a genius, creating some of the most durable melodies in history and in some ways helping to create the bridge of black culture to the rest of society -- first with the Jackson 5 in the early '70s and later with the monster crossover success of Thriller that is credited with singlehandedly integrating MTV in its early days. So it's possible to feel sadness over this event without feeling a pathetic kinship to someone we never personally knew; it's possible to feel some loss because his music is inevitably intertwined with so many memories in our lives. Personally, I liked his music better before he moved away from more organic-sounding instrumental backing in the late '80s, but everyone has their preferences.
Here are my five favorite tunes from him over the years: Wanna Be Starting Something, Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, ABC (Jackson 5) and the criminally underrated PYT and Torture (Jacksons).
Hopefully as time goes by, it will be easier to remember the man for what he achieved creatively rather than the circus his life had become over the past two decades.
The one common thread between Ed, Farrah and Michael was undoubtedly that they were American originals. We're not going to see anybody exactly like them anytime ever again! RIP to three legends with a capital "L."
Assuming that no other celebrities pass from the scene in the next few days, we have rarely if ever seen a better example of the "deaths in threes" theory -- nor a more eclectic triad -- than what happened this week with Ed McMahon, Farrah Fawcett and Michael Jackson. In one of the all-time examples of "jumping the gun," The FDH New York Bureau emailed me right after Farrah's demise proclaming the celebrity threesome to be Farrah, Ed and former pro wrestler and announcer Billy Red Lyons. If only that had held up for Jacko's sake!
Taking them in the order they passed away ...
Ed McMahon is best remembered for his time on The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, but he actually had lead and supporting roles in many prominent TV programs over the years. Speaking more directly to his worth as a person, however, were his roles in support of the annual Jerry Lewis Telethon and his long tenure in the military helping to defend this country (including World War II and the Korean War). In recent years, health and financial woes had been battering him at various times.
Here is an obituary video produced by the Associated Press.
Farrah Fawcett had a long career in Hollywood, but was fated to always be best known for her breakout performance on Charlie's Angels back in '76-77 when she was THE female on everyone's lips. In my early, early youth, I remember a relative who almost never owned any trendy T-shirts who wore a Farrah Fawcett T-shirt. It was as if there was no free will involved in the process; everyone just bought in because they were so much into the image she created.
Tiring almost immediately of that image, though, she set out to try to escape it. She would have mixed success in this regard, as she came to be regarded as an underrated actress, although she clearly aspired to more than that. Late in life, however, she found what might have been her most important role as an advocate for patients' rights when she was victimized by jerks at the UCLA Medical Center who leaked her health information to the National Enquirer. The State of California passed a law protecting the rights of others in the same situation when she personally spearheaded the movement. She fought through her bouts with cancer very bravely and was an example of courage to others in that regard.
For a look at Farrah at the height of her fame, here is a TV feature with Telly Savalas in 1978 narrating about the phenomenon.
Michael Jackson may have been the most famous man in the world. Comparisons were often made creatively to Elvis (not least of which because he at one point married Elvis' daughter!) and now, sadly, will be made in terms of how their personal sagas ended.
Because the "backlash culture" has become a staple of the Internet, it has already become fashionable to decry the vast coverage of his death because of his personal misdeeds. Indeed, radio host Mike Gallagher was in full shock-jock mode on Friday calling him a monster and a child molester. In so doing, he unknowingly revealed his ignorance of the Christian truths he was claiming to defend, as the notion that MJ may have passed without "settling his spiritual tab" would only be a subject of sadness and sympathy to any true Christian. It is worth noting as well -- not as a means of defending anything he may have done with any of the boys who stayed with him, because any of those deeds surely would be the most vile ones possible -- that he was severely scarred by what could only be termed severe abusiveness by his father when he was young. As studies have shown, child abuse breeds further child abuse as the cycle repeats itself with the victim becoming the perpetrator -- a notion worth remembering in terms of trying to reconcile our feelings about this man even slightly.
And as much of a cliche as it is, it really is true that we have to separate the man from the music when sorting out our feelings on his passing. He really was a genius, creating some of the most durable melodies in history and in some ways helping to create the bridge of black culture to the rest of society -- first with the Jackson 5 in the early '70s and later with the monster crossover success of Thriller that is credited with singlehandedly integrating MTV in its early days. So it's possible to feel sadness over this event without feeling a pathetic kinship to someone we never personally knew; it's possible to feel some loss because his music is inevitably intertwined with so many memories in our lives. Personally, I liked his music better before he moved away from more organic-sounding instrumental backing in the late '80s, but everyone has their preferences.
Here are my five favorite tunes from him over the years: Wanna Be Starting Something, Don't Stop Til You Get Enough, ABC (Jackson 5) and the criminally underrated PYT and Torture (Jacksons).
Hopefully as time goes by, it will be easier to remember the man for what he achieved creatively rather than the circus his life had become over the past two decades.
The one common thread between Ed, Farrah and Michael was undoubtedly that they were American originals. We're not going to see anybody exactly like them anytime ever again! RIP to three legends with a capital "L."
Saturday, June 27, 2009
Transformers 2: Revenge of the Blockbuster
By Samantha Jones
Wednesday evening, I was FINALLY able to see the new Transformers sequel. It had been out for almost a whole 24 hours and I hadn’t seen it yet.
Disturbing, I know.
After the complete gloriousness of the first Transformers movie, I was chomping at the bit to see the next one. I watched every trailer posted, read every article I could get my hands on, and scoured websites for spoilers. I had to know if it was going to live up to the first one.
I was not disappointed.
First, let’s have a talk about Shia LeBeouf. I remember watching this kid on “Even Stevens” where he was the annoying little brother. Oh, how far you have come, Shia. He’s gone from the Disney Channel, to being one of the hottest things in Hollywood. Every time I mention Transformers (and it comes up a lot) to any woman I know, the first words out of their mouth are, “Oh my God, Shia is soooo hot!” While I do agree that the man is cute as hell, the fact that he’s a fantastic actor overshadows the importance of looks. He’s got great comedic timing and, from what I’ve heard, does as many of his own stunts as possible. The way his career is building, I believe that he’s the next Harrison Ford. He’s done the Jack Ryan style movies (Eagle Eye), my generation’s version of Star Wars (Transformers – all we need is one more to make a tremendous trilogy!), and Indiana Jones. Just you wait. He’s the next Indiana Jones, I promise.
Next, CG. Now, I have to admit, I had a headache by the end of this movie. The CG is flawless, unlike a certain X-Men movie that came out earlier this year, but in some of the battles, there are so many intricate moving parts on the robots that it’s hard to keep track of everything that’s going on. I was sitting at the back of the theatre where it’s usually easier to see it all, but it still caused some eye strain. This is definitely one of those movies that you’ll want to see at least twice, just to catch everything. There is so much action and so many jaw-dropping moments, it’ll make your head spin.
The old cast comes back (minus John Voight, Rachael Taylor, and Anthony Anderson), and you get to see a bit more of each character. Sam Witwicky’s parents (Kevin Dunn and Julie White) play a bigger role. Julie White’s performance at the beginning is something that I order you not to miss. John Turturro makes a hilarious appearance. Talk about range with this guy. He’s funny as hell but when he needs to be serious – look out. Josh Duhamel (or Dahumamumamel as my husband calls him) returns as Captain Lennox is great for some “Hell yeah! Go good guys!” style fist pumping.
There are a few things that I didn’t like about the movie. There is a scene with the Decepticon Devistator that I find completely uncalled for. I don’t want to give anything away, because it does warrant a cheap laugh. Next, there are two characters, Mudflap and Skids. They do make for some great comic relief. But, if you were expecting to take the kiddies to see this one, you may want to see it first to determine if you want them to hear some of the language these twins use. I thought it was unnecessary that they talk this way.
Lastly, my favorite part – the music. My favorite boys in the music biz, Linkin Park, put together the soundtrack, which could not have made me happier. They made their offering with one of my new favorite songs “New Divide” which is heavily featured throughout the movie in an orchestral form. The soundtrack features other bands such as Green Day, Staind, Theory of a Deadman, Cavo (you MUST check these guys out), and Cheap Trick with a cover of the Transformers theme. The music really amps up the boundless amounts of action. You go buy now!
So, in summation...Go see Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, but leave the brood at home. It’s a great for a date or to see with a bunch of your buddies. This Transformers is all grown up.
Wednesday evening, I was FINALLY able to see the new Transformers sequel. It had been out for almost a whole 24 hours and I hadn’t seen it yet.
Disturbing, I know.
After the complete gloriousness of the first Transformers movie, I was chomping at the bit to see the next one. I watched every trailer posted, read every article I could get my hands on, and scoured websites for spoilers. I had to know if it was going to live up to the first one.
I was not disappointed.
First, let’s have a talk about Shia LeBeouf. I remember watching this kid on “Even Stevens” where he was the annoying little brother. Oh, how far you have come, Shia. He’s gone from the Disney Channel, to being one of the hottest things in Hollywood. Every time I mention Transformers (and it comes up a lot) to any woman I know, the first words out of their mouth are, “Oh my God, Shia is soooo hot!” While I do agree that the man is cute as hell, the fact that he’s a fantastic actor overshadows the importance of looks. He’s got great comedic timing and, from what I’ve heard, does as many of his own stunts as possible. The way his career is building, I believe that he’s the next Harrison Ford. He’s done the Jack Ryan style movies (Eagle Eye), my generation’s version of Star Wars (Transformers – all we need is one more to make a tremendous trilogy!), and Indiana Jones. Just you wait. He’s the next Indiana Jones, I promise.
Next, CG. Now, I have to admit, I had a headache by the end of this movie. The CG is flawless, unlike a certain X-Men movie that came out earlier this year, but in some of the battles, there are so many intricate moving parts on the robots that it’s hard to keep track of everything that’s going on. I was sitting at the back of the theatre where it’s usually easier to see it all, but it still caused some eye strain. This is definitely one of those movies that you’ll want to see at least twice, just to catch everything. There is so much action and so many jaw-dropping moments, it’ll make your head spin.
The old cast comes back (minus John Voight, Rachael Taylor, and Anthony Anderson), and you get to see a bit more of each character. Sam Witwicky’s parents (Kevin Dunn and Julie White) play a bigger role. Julie White’s performance at the beginning is something that I order you not to miss. John Turturro makes a hilarious appearance. Talk about range with this guy. He’s funny as hell but when he needs to be serious – look out. Josh Duhamel (or Dahumamumamel as my husband calls him) returns as Captain Lennox is great for some “Hell yeah! Go good guys!” style fist pumping.
There are a few things that I didn’t like about the movie. There is a scene with the Decepticon Devistator that I find completely uncalled for. I don’t want to give anything away, because it does warrant a cheap laugh. Next, there are two characters, Mudflap and Skids. They do make for some great comic relief. But, if you were expecting to take the kiddies to see this one, you may want to see it first to determine if you want them to hear some of the language these twins use. I thought it was unnecessary that they talk this way.
Lastly, my favorite part – the music. My favorite boys in the music biz, Linkin Park, put together the soundtrack, which could not have made me happier. They made their offering with one of my new favorite songs “New Divide” which is heavily featured throughout the movie in an orchestral form. The soundtrack features other bands such as Green Day, Staind, Theory of a Deadman, Cavo (you MUST check these guys out), and Cheap Trick with a cover of the Transformers theme. The music really amps up the boundless amounts of action. You go buy now!
So, in summation...Go see Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, but leave the brood at home. It’s a great for a date or to see with a bunch of your buddies. This Transformers is all grown up.
Friday, June 26, 2009
NHL Entry Draft: videos of top prospects
By Rick Morris
One of our fellow members of The 21st Century Media Alliance, Sportsology, is delivering live NHL Entry Draft coverage this weekend from the scene in Montreal -- text AND audio content, analysis AND interviews! Check it out whenever you can and be sure to be clutching a copy of our jointly-produced HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY 2009 when you do! Also, here's the TSN Draft Tracker.
Here are videos of the top stars in tonight's draft:
Matt Duchene
Victor Hedman
Nazim Kadri
Evander Kane
Magnus PaajarviSvensson
Brayden Schenn
Jordan Schroeder
John Tavares
One of our fellow members of The 21st Century Media Alliance, Sportsology, is delivering live NHL Entry Draft coverage this weekend from the scene in Montreal -- text AND audio content, analysis AND interviews! Check it out whenever you can and be sure to be clutching a copy of our jointly-produced HOCKEY DRAFTOLOGY 2009 when you do! Also, here's the TSN Draft Tracker.
Here are videos of the top stars in tonight's draft:
Matt Duchene
Victor Hedman
Nazim Kadri
Evander Kane
Magnus PaajarviSvensson
Brayden Schenn
Jordan Schroeder
John Tavares
Thursday, June 25, 2009
NBA Draft liveblogging Part XXI - NY/LA deal?
By Rick Morris
As always tonight, we will lead off an update with a link to HOOPS DRAFTOLOGY 2009, our draft guide and the videos we posted of the top players in this draft. We'll also throw in a link to the CBS Draft Tracker.
The LA Lakers are rumored to be moving this pick to the Knicks, but they just picked up combo guard Toney Douglas. He would be a better fit in La La Land given the New York backcourt situation.
Leave it to Danny Ferry after the triumph of the Shaq trade to step on his johnson with a first-round pick like he always does. Christian Eyenga comes over from the third division of a Spanish league and doesn't have the size upgrade needed at SG for the Cavs. Our Senior Editor Jason Jones is similarly upset. Quoting his text message to me just now, "F$%& that Spurs mentality bull$@#$!"
As always tonight, we will lead off an update with a link to HOOPS DRAFTOLOGY 2009, our draft guide and the videos we posted of the top players in this draft. We'll also throw in a link to the CBS Draft Tracker.
The LA Lakers are rumored to be moving this pick to the Knicks, but they just picked up combo guard Toney Douglas. He would be a better fit in La La Land given the New York backcourt situation.
Leave it to Danny Ferry after the triumph of the Shaq trade to step on his johnson with a first-round pick like he always does. Christian Eyenga comes over from the third division of a Spanish league and doesn't have the size upgrade needed at SG for the Cavs. Our Senior Editor Jason Jones is similarly upset. Quoting his text message to me just now, "F$%& that Spurs mentality bull$@#$!"
NBA Draft liveblogging Part XX - Bulls take another 4
By Rick Morris
As always tonight, we will lead off an update with a link to HOOPS DRAFTOLOGY 2009, our draft guide and the videos we posted of the top players in this draft. We'll also throw in a link to the CBS Draft Tracker.
Another power forward for the Bulls? Well, they'll have plenty of internal competition now that Taj Gibson is in the mix. We said it before the draft and it bears repeating: while this draft is thin in megastars, there are plenty of guys who will go mid-to-late first round and maybe even in the second round who will be useful rotation players. Gibson should be one of them.
DeMarre Carroll then goes #27 to Memphis, thus delivering some more needed size up front. Neither he nor Tha Beet has a ton of offensive skills, but they can be useful rotation parts. Unfortunately for soccer boy, though, you might want a TWINGE of offense with the second pick overall!
Now at #28, Wayne Ellington goes to Minnesota. Not another point guard? Well, I guess he's going to play center!
As always tonight, we will lead off an update with a link to HOOPS DRAFTOLOGY 2009, our draft guide and the videos we posted of the top players in this draft. We'll also throw in a link to the CBS Draft Tracker.
Another power forward for the Bulls? Well, they'll have plenty of internal competition now that Taj Gibson is in the mix. We said it before the draft and it bears repeating: while this draft is thin in megastars, there are plenty of guys who will go mid-to-late first round and maybe even in the second round who will be useful rotation players. Gibson should be one of them.
DeMarre Carroll then goes #27 to Memphis, thus delivering some more needed size up front. Neither he nor Tha Beet has a ton of offensive skills, but they can be useful rotation parts. Unfortunately for soccer boy, though, you might want a TWINGE of offense with the second pick overall!
Now at #28, Wayne Ellington goes to Minnesota. Not another point guard? Well, I guess he's going to play center!
NBA Draft liveblogging Part XIX - Mullens lands in Big D
By Rick Morris
As always tonight, we will lead off an update with a link to HOOPS DRAFTOLOGY 2009, our draft guide and the videos we posted of the top players in this draft. We'll also throw in a link to the CBS Draft Tracker.
Boy, we expected BJ Mullens to fall when he missed going to Detroit at #15, but this was pretty severe for somebody who still potentially has a really nice ceiling - #24 to Dallas. Good team and good situation -- a team with a gaping hole in the pivot since forever -- and it has the makings of a nice "Twin Towers" situation if he can realize any of his potential before Dirk Diggler gets much older. That might be a big "if," though. Ultimately, the Mavs were unlikely to end up with a player with this much room for growth this late in the draft, so much like Philly, they ended up with a good value.
The Thunder with a curveball at #25! Rodrigue Beaubois ends up in Oklahoma City, which should not be a big surprise since GM Sam Presti comes out of the San Antonio tree that prizes the international players. Once he's in the mix, existing PG Westbrook will probably be more of a combo guard, I would suppose.
As always tonight, we will lead off an update with a link to HOOPS DRAFTOLOGY 2009, our draft guide and the videos we posted of the top players in this draft. We'll also throw in a link to the CBS Draft Tracker.
Boy, we expected BJ Mullens to fall when he missed going to Detroit at #15, but this was pretty severe for somebody who still potentially has a really nice ceiling - #24 to Dallas. Good team and good situation -- a team with a gaping hole in the pivot since forever -- and it has the makings of a nice "Twin Towers" situation if he can realize any of his potential before Dirk Diggler gets much older. That might be a big "if," though. Ultimately, the Mavs were unlikely to end up with a player with this much room for growth this late in the draft, so much like Philly, they ended up with a good value.
The Thunder with a curveball at #25! Rodrigue Beaubois ends up in Oklahoma City, which should not be a big surprise since GM Sam Presti comes out of the San Antonio tree that prizes the international players. Once he's in the mix, existing PG Westbrook will probably be more of a combo guard, I would suppose.
NBA Draft liveblogging Part XVIII - Viva Omri!
By Rick Morris
As always tonight, we will lead off an update with a link to HOOPS DRAFTOLOGY 2009, our draft guide and the videos we posted of the top players in this draft. We'll also throw in a link to the CBS Draft Tracker.
Omri Casspi is headed for Sacramento. Well, it's clear that the Kings won't be playing under sharia law this season! With his similarities to Andres Nocioni, it's a curious pick -- although team practices sure will be interesting.
As always tonight, we will lead off an update with a link to HOOPS DRAFTOLOGY 2009, our draft guide and the videos we posted of the top players in this draft. We'll also throw in a link to the CBS Draft Tracker.
Omri Casspi is headed for Sacramento. Well, it's clear that the Kings won't be playing under sharia law this season! With his similarities to Andres Nocioni, it's a curious pick -- although team practices sure will be interesting.
NBA Draft liveblogging Part XVII -
By Rick Morris
As always tonight, we will lead off an update with a link to HOOPS DRAFTOLOGY 2009, our draft guide and the videos we posted of the top players in this draft. We'll also throw in a link to the CBS Draft Tracker.
What do you get the young team that's got everything? A Euro who won't be contributing at all for quite awhile ... ooohkay. Victor Claver will not be in the picture for awhile. Well, if any team can afford to do that, it would be Portland.
Shaq is now being interviewed on ESPN and started by paying respects to Michael Jackson. I half-expected Lisa Salters to bust out with, "What? The King of Pop is dead? Why didn't anyone tell us?" Shaq struck a fairly humble tone about fitting in with the Cavs, even holding out the potential of coming off the bench. Well, fat chance of them calling his bluff on that willingness!
As always tonight, we will lead off an update with a link to HOOPS DRAFTOLOGY 2009, our draft guide and the videos we posted of the top players in this draft. We'll also throw in a link to the CBS Draft Tracker.
What do you get the young team that's got everything? A Euro who won't be contributing at all for quite awhile ... ooohkay. Victor Claver will not be in the picture for awhile. Well, if any team can afford to do that, it would be Portland.
Shaq is now being interviewed on ESPN and started by paying respects to Michael Jackson. I half-expected Lisa Salters to bust out with, "What? The King of Pop is dead? Why didn't anyone tell us?" Shaq struck a fairly humble tone about fitting in with the Cavs, even holding out the potential of coming off the bench. Well, fat chance of them calling his bluff on that willingness!
NBA Draft liveblogging Part XVI -
By Rick Morris
As always tonight, we will lead off an update with a link to HOOPS DRAFTOLOGY 2009, our draft guide and the videos we posted of the top players in this draft. We'll also throw in a link to the CBS Draft Tracker.
Boy, ESPN's still just refusing to go anywhere near the elephant in the room, the passing of Michael Jackson. How far are they going to take this? If a player gives a shout-out to MJ in one of their insipid little interviews, are they going to cut his mic? Of course it's not sports-related, but in this media culture, some stories are just absolutely bigger than life. We'll be talking about this for years to come and ESPN is pretending it didn't happen in a vain attempt to keep it from overshadowing this horrible draft. Unbelievable.
Back to the draft -- the run on point guards implausibly kept going with the Hornets' selection of Darren Collison. Memo to the Hornets: you're not so loaded that you can afford to use this pick on Chris Paul's backup. They're clearly not any closer to rejoining the tier of super-teams in the West.
As always tonight, we will lead off an update with a link to HOOPS DRAFTOLOGY 2009, our draft guide and the videos we posted of the top players in this draft. We'll also throw in a link to the CBS Draft Tracker.
Boy, ESPN's still just refusing to go anywhere near the elephant in the room, the passing of Michael Jackson. How far are they going to take this? If a player gives a shout-out to MJ in one of their insipid little interviews, are they going to cut his mic? Of course it's not sports-related, but in this media culture, some stories are just absolutely bigger than life. We'll be talking about this for years to come and ESPN is pretending it didn't happen in a vain attempt to keep it from overshadowing this horrible draft. Unbelievable.
Back to the draft -- the run on point guards implausibly kept going with the Hornets' selection of Darren Collison. Memo to the Hornets: you're not so loaded that you can afford to use this pick on Chris Paul's backup. They're clearly not any closer to rejoining the tier of super-teams in the West.
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