Who to draft first Kobe Bryant or Deron Williams?
Kobe is the safer and more well rounded fantasy player but choosing Deron is also a solid way to go. There fantasy ADP (average draft position) are both around picks 5-8.
Case for Kobe: Kobe played in all 82 regular season games averaging 26.8 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.9 rebounds, 1.5 steals and 1.4 threes per game. However, he elevated his game in the playoffs averaging 34 points in the conference finals and 32.4 points with 7.4 assists in the NBA Finals. Kobe contributes in almost every category and is a safe top 5 pick. Even though he is getting older his skills are not diminishing and his fantasy numbers remain great as he is evolving into better teammate.
Case for Deron: Williams is the second point guard taken after Chris Paul. Williams played in 68 games last season due to a sprained ankle he suffered early in the year. He averaged 19.4 points, 10.7 assists (second in the NBA), 1.3 steals and 1 three per game. In his last eight games …
C- Emeka Okafor
If you’re looking for a real, dominant center to hold down those REB and BLK numbers, look no further than Emeka Okafor. Long stamped with the “underachiever tag”, a trade to new Orleans could be exactly what Okafor needs to break through. Chris Paul helped transform Tyson Chandler, an athletic big man with relatively few offensive skills, into a double-double machine. Emeka was a double-double machine without the star pg(no disrespect to Ray Felton, he’s my boy). In the last 3 seasons, Okafor has eclipsed the 750 reb and 135 blk thresholds, including seasons of 875 rebounds and over 170 blocks. He also puts up a more than respectable 56% from the field. Last year, Chris Bosh shot 48% from the field and blocked 77 shots, just to put things in perspective. Don’t overpay for points at the C position.
PF- Luis Scola
With Yao slated be out most of if not the whole season, Luis Scola is an absolute no-brainer. Last year, Scola had the 11th most rebounds in the league. Safe to …
The San Antonio Spurs released former University standout Jack McClinton on the eve of training camp. McClinton is the all time 3-point percentage leader in ACC history and was selected by the Spurs in the second round of the 2009 NBA Draft (51st overall). He struggled in the Vegas Summer League but has the potential to light it up as he had consecutive 30-point games against Wake Forest, Duke and North Carolina. He averaged 19.3 points during his junior year while shooting 45% from downtown. The Spurs added NBA veterans Keith Bogans and Dwayne Jones which was a reason he asked for his release.
Before the NBA Draft, there were rumors that Knicks Head Coach Mike D’Antoni praised the 24-year old shooting ability. Donnie Walsh should bring in him in and compete for a spot as the Knicks released sharp shooter Morris Almond.
Recently, I watched some punk from Boston named Rice get inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame. It took him every single one of his 15 eligible years to finally get voted in. This makes me upset. Here’s why…………
Let’s compare these two statistics. The first set is Jim Rice. The second set is a player who retired in 2000 who has not even come up in the discussion. He too was one of the most feared hitters in his decade. And like Rice, he had a tumultuous relationship with the media. Let’s compare.
Rice: 16 Seasons 2089 Games 1249 Runs 382 HR 1451 RBI .298 AVG 670BB .502 SLG .854 OPS
Player B: 12 Seasons 1539 Games 974 Runs 381 HR 1239 RBI .295 AVG 683 BB .564 SLG .933 OPS
Jim Rice was an 8 time all star and has an MVP award. Albert Belle only went to 5 all-star games, but he was as good a hitter as any during the 90’s. His career OPS is almost 80 points higher than Rice’s, and he drew …
Donnie Walsh has had discussions with Von Wafer, according to the guard’s agent. Wafer averaged a career high 9.7 points for the Rockets last season. The five-year pro was on the Knicks summer league roster last season but found his niche with Houston. The former second round pick shot 45% from three last season and would provide the Knicks with another shooter off the bench. New York could offer Wafer a one-year deal worth the biannual exception (about $2.9 million).
Fast forward to about 65 minutes and listen to me (7/23/09 http://www.blogtalkradio.com/realsportstalk/2009/07/24/Real-Sports-Talk
Here are some feasible and some ridiculous ideas for the Knicks to consider. It’s already known that Eddy Curry and Jared Jeffries have player options for the 2010/11 seasons, and most likely, since no other teams will pay them what our amazing Knicks pay them, they will take these options and literally screw the Knicks into possible century-long shittyness. Here’s some moves the ‘Bockers can attempt.
1. Eddy Curry and Larry Hughes(NY) <——> Tracy McGrady(HOU)
The salaries match up perfectly. Hughes can score and can play some decent defense, and the Rockets seem to have differences with Mr. Mac. With Yao out for an extended period of time, the new, slim Eddy(He lost 50 pounds) could actually be useful somewhere other than closing time at China Buffet.
2. Jared Jeffries(NY) <—–> Mike James(WASH)
James is the odd, old man out now that Washington has healthy Gilbert and Randy Foye. They can use some depth in the 3/4 spot, and the Knicks happen to have a clusterf*ck since we drafted Hill and Galinari in back to back drafts.
3. Eddy Curry …
Here’s 10 facts about our old. buddy Jerome James who we miss greatly.
10. Jerome James won the Heisman without ever going to college.
9. When Jerome goes to Hooter’s, he order’s the whole Buffalo.
8. Jerome James leaps tall infants in a single bound.
7. Jerome is never late…..everyone else is just early.
6. You know the answer to Final Jeopardy last night? Jerome James
5. Jerome once blocked 200 shots in the first half of a high school basketball game.
4. Jerome James was Gatorade High School player of the year….in kindergarten.
3. What do you get when you cross Michael Jordan and Bill Russell? Jerome James
2. Jerome James clotheslined his Grandma when she was going for a layup.
1. Jerome James’ 100m Dash times:
With the wind: 10.4 sec
Against the wind: 11.8 seconds
After a cheesesteak: 2.4 nanoseconds.
The NBA draft is just around the corner, which is a good time to reminisce about some major draft blunders. In order from 5 to 1. Okay let’s do this.
5- 1998. Los Angeles Clippers. Round 1. Pick 1. Michael Olowokandi (Pacific)
Usually, when you have the first pick in the BASKETBALL draft, you don’t choose a SOCCER player. The Kandi Man only played a handful of organized basketball when the Clipp-Show decided to put all of it’s eggs into the Kandi basket. Looks like those eggs were soft-boiled, as Olowokandi isn’t even playing anymore, while draft-mates Vince Carter, Antawn Jamison, Mike Bibby, and Dirk Nowitzki are supposedly playing O.K. So I hear.
4- 2001. Washington Wizards. Round 1. Pick 1. Kwame Brown (Glynn Academy)
New GM Michael Jordan wanted to make a big splash by drafting a HS player first overall. And he did make a splash. Right into a pool of crap. Brown is lazy and soft, a deadly combination. He also sucks, which …
Somehow I lucked into a split season ticket situation for next year. 4 games, I get to pick which ones. Basically, a father and son like the Jets but don’t want to go to every game. The only catch is that the Carolina and Jacksonville games are spoken for. Is that a catch? With the AFC East being once again incredibly competitive and Rex Ryan’s promise of a new style of football, I’ve spent some serious time debating which games I should go to.
First choice- and this one’s a no brainer- the Patriots are coming to town in week two for the Jets home opener. Rex Ryan vs Bill Bellicheat, round one- FIGHT! This game will bond coaches, payers, and fans for we will stand together against the tyranny of that state just North of Rhode Island. Tom Brady’s twice surgically repaired knee will be tested as will our revamped secondary I’m sure. Maybe they’ll actually serve beer at this game.
One player I truly can’t stand …
Fantasy Playoffs
Teams with five games: Chicago, Phoenix
Teams with four games: Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Detroit, L.A. Clippers, L.A. Lakers, Miami, Minnesota, New York, Philadelphia, San Antonio, Washington
Guards
Keyon Dooling (Nets)- Dooling has started the past four games with PG Devin Hariss sidelined with a shoulder injury. Last week as the starting PG he averaged 15.8 points, 6.5 assists and shot 60% from the field in four games. Dooling recorded season-highs in minutes (40:42) and points (19) against the Cavs yesterday.
Antoine Wright (Mavs)- Wright has been in the starting lineup since January 6th. He has averaged 12 points and made five three-pointers over this past five games. He played a season-high (40:23) minutes against the Hawks last Thursday.
Honorable mention: Arron Afflalo (Pistons)
Forwards
Julian Wright (Hornets)- Wright has been in the starting lineup since March 5th. He blocked a season high four shots vs. the Warriors yesterday. The second-year player scored eight points, pulled down seven boards and recorded four steals against the Grizzlies last Friday.
Joe Smith (Cavs)- Smith is averaging modest points (7) and rebounds …
Teams with four games: Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, Denver, Golden State, Houston, Memphis, Miami, Milwaukee, New Jersey, Oklahoma City, Phoenix, San Antonio, Washington
Guards
Charlie Bell (Bucks)- Over his past five games Bell has averaged 16 points, one steal and has made 15 three-pointers. In 11 games last month he played 27 minutes per game and hit a season high five three-pointers last Friday.
Courtney Lee (Magic)- Lee has started the past six games and has scored in double-figures in five of them. The rookie averaged 1.1 steal and 1.5 three-pointers made per game and played and 29:48 minutes per game in February.
Honorable mention: Larry Hughes (Knicks)
Forwards
James Singleton (Mavs)- Over his past five games Singleton is averaging 11 points, 11.6 rebounds and shooting 61% from the field. He pulled down a season high 16 rebounds yesterday against the Raptors. He also blocked three shots last Saturday vs. the Thunder.
Dominic McGuire (Wizards)- McGuire has started every game for the Wizards since December 23rd. In 12 games last month he averaged 7 rebounds, 1.7 blocks and shot …
Dear Santa,
I know it’s last minute but this year I’ve got a really important item I need to add to my wish list. Actually, I need you to put it at the top. I’ve analyzed the playoff standings, read all the local sports pages, and I’ve come to the conlusion that you and your reindeer are the Jets’ only hope of making the playoffs. So if you can find it somewhere in your jovial heart to give us one very unlikely Christmas Miracle we promise to put out wings and beer next year instead of cookies and milk. Even those of us who don’t celebrate Christmas will do it. Kwanzanites, Jews, Muslims, Agnostics, Branch Davidians, Scientologists- there are Jets fans of all faiths, shapes, and sizes and we’ve really had a rough couple of months.
I know the team itself might not look like they deserve it, but Belichick cheats so neither do the Patriots. Ever been to Boston? Grumpy, wicked Retaaahhds everywhere… Stay away Santa, trust me….
