Wednesday, January 30, 2008

More Than Basketball

-Jason Kidd on the trading block huh?....I would be surprised of 2 things of this situation...1-that Kidd actually gets traded here as opposed to the summer....and 2-that NJ actually trades Kidd and gets anything more than warm bodies..some of the deals that have been thrown out are terrible..like Stackhouse is the main part of a trade?...who would want him for one the best PG's in the history of the league..I mean..he isnt what he used to be(but still the best rebounding guard you'll ever see)..

-Looking at the attendance in the NBA...very interesting http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/attendance

...despite being terrible..Chicago still has the 2nd best attendance on average at home..Indiana and New Orleans?....whats up?...one has the of the best PGs like...now...and the other..well..anyways...maybe the Katrina thing has a big effect on that...but then again...they werent doing so well in Charlotte either...I may place blame on the owners here in that one...


-As a Seattle Mariner fan as long as I've been involved in baseball,I've always had a critical eye since '01 when..well..I wont get into that..but as we've fallen into the bottom of the standings...there has always been a little promise here and there..last year was the real step forward coming in 2nd in the AL West and just missing the playoffs..well the big move for us this year is adding young,left hander Erik Bedard in exchange for Adam Jones,our prized prospect.I'm semi torn because our weakness was our starting pitching...no secret there..so we'll easily upgrade in that department...but we arent very young..other than our players up the middle..everyone is in their 30s...you have to have a mix of veteran and youth to win...and with this trade we would give up a young kid and a starter this year...but...left handed pitching is super hard to find...especially as a starter...I dont know...

-My Super Bowl coverage will only go for this entry only..a few things..


  • When I initially brought up the topic of Colts/Pats for the Super Bowl..it was.."well since Freeney was out...there wouldnt be anyone to pressure Brady"...now..that its the Giants and Pats..its "Belichick has 2 weeks to prepare for that D-line,Brady wont be touched"...I guess we throw out the stat of Giants leading the lead in Sacks?..cool

  • This...Spygate thing...will not go away to me..I've read this article more than once http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=easterbrook/070925 and anyone thinking there wasnt anything fishy going on here may have to re-evaluate critical thinking.Someone needs to let me know if the rule is "If you dont say it,it didnt happen"...just let me know and I'll let it go...I guess these are the same people who believed Bush with the Iraq Wa....I mean..war on terrorism...back to the story..everyone who has told me they could have went undefeated without the cameras...well...why did they have them?..or the people say it was only once...well...very very few people get caught breaking the rules the 1st time..and that was the 1st game against the Jets!..why wouldnt you use that against the Panthers..or Rams..or Eagles?..not alot of sense is made of cheating for a 1-0 record over the chance to win a Super Bowl...I mean..I would!..the biggest problem in the media today is that there are so many stories that its literally "Here today,gone today" so everyone cant process the better stories compared to the lesser stories(ie:Brady's ankle update)..someone needs to let me know something..or I guess I will go on and just dance around giving the Pats credit...just like the world did to this story...

-The Rookie/Sophomore game rosters have been announced for the All Star Game...
Sophs
Brandon Roy
LaMarcus Aldridge
Rajon Rondo
Daniel Gibson
Jordan Farmar
Rudy Gay
Andrea Bargnani
Ronnie Brewer
Paul Millsap

Rookies
Kevin Durant
Jeff Green
Al Horford
Luis Scola
Mike Conley
Juan Carlos Navarro
Yi Jianlian
Sean Williams
Jamario Moon

Roy may not play depending if he made the West squad..but everything looks to be in order(reaching on Bargnani though)...the Rookie team I'm going to need either Jeff Green or Luis Scola out and Joakim Noah in...

College games to look for:

-(#14)Stanford at Washington(Thurs 10:30)-Big men are the immovable objects in basketball...Brook Lopez in one corner...Jon Brockman in the other...ding!...both are very very talented...just dont look elsewhere for help.

-Arizona at USC(Thurs 10:30)-Should be entertaining...Mayo vs Bayless..no need for anything else.

-Arizona at UCLA(Sat 9pm)-Its more a hope thing...Arizona has the talent to compete...its on the road..at one the top teams in the nation...the injury bug has hit UCLA recently..but they still were beating people even without much of their frontcourt..I dont think there is an answer for Kevin Love here.


NBA games worth watching:

-Lakers vs Pistons(Thurs 7:30)-Its a less stellar matchup now without Bynum,but with Kobe you always have punchers chance to win

-Spurs vs Suns(Thurs 10:30)-Well this one is definitely not the heavyweight matchup without Tony Parker...but the Suns arent exactly stopping people defensively...so it should be interesting for a little while.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Standing Glance(West)

The west is stacked this year..as of right now anyways...so much so,you actually have to look at more than stats..heres the breakdown

1a.New Orleans 31-12...Uh..to be perfectly honestly...there isnt a weakness here..statistically..19-0 when scoring 100+,good both home and away(15-7,16-5),12-8 against .500 and above teams,5-1 in games decided by 3 points or less....I could keep going guys..it wild...Chris Paul really IS this team...you look at the talent of this team...Tyson Chandler,Peja Stojakovic,David West...all good talent...but outside of that?....Mo Pete?..Jannero Pargo?...see the talent level drop?....the only thing I would worry about is the health of majority of these players falls into question..they all have missed significant time last year and they were in the playoff hunt then...other than that....watch out.

1.b.Phoenix 32-13...this is another team where statistically there isnt anything to complain about..I could put it on the style of play,but everyone has their reasons...anyways...they are 30-6 when scoring 100+..the only knocks I have would be a lack of defense...now I know,I know...they "dont play defense" at all...well I'll contest that they do play defense,they just have alot more possessions than other teams...but I just leery of post defense mainly...Amare and Skinner arent getting it done for me...mainly Amare...his lack of defense I'm thinking will be the downfall of the Suns(other than a freak injury to Nash)..next time a Suns game is on tv and if they are playing someone with a post presence,just watch how many times Amare is beat for a score...someone with his athletic skill set is leaving me with something less than desired.

3.Dallas 29-13...statistically...fine...but after last years...upset(?) they are no longer judged by what they do in the regular season...and looking at the roster...if they run into Golden State again..I dont see them getting out of the 1st round again...they just dont have that player that has the mark of "this isnt going to happen to us" on their roster..Josh Howard is sort of that player..but he can still disappear for stretches and that type of player cant do that..if nothing is traded for...its when they lose,not if...

4.Denver 26-18..I would be a tad shocked if this team ended up with home court in the 1st round..but they are going to need it..they are only 7-11.its good to have 2 25+ scorers on the same team..it is also great to have a defensive player of the year winner leading the league in blocks and up there in rebounds...but outside of that?...alot of gaps..Kenyon Martin and Nene are decent players but nowadays they are too easily connected with "out 3-5 weeks"..and a team who loves to run and score,the refusal to play JR Smith is a bit baffling considering he can....you guessed it...run and score.Linas Kleiza has the potential to become that 3rd scorer..but I think he may be a year away from a consistency standpoint..I dont know if this team has another year

5.San Antonio 28-14..I think this is the team to take Denver's spot..but they have their share of weaknesses as well...8-12 vs .500+ teams..and losing close games(3-4) arent a mark of a championship team right now...I think the thing that sticks out to me is the less than stellar road record(8-9) thats fine for a middle of the road team,but for a championship team you need to have a much better road record.I would assume once their big 3 gets completely healthy(or are they now?) these statistics will improve.

6.LA Lakers 27-14..This is a team that could either make the playoffs and do damage..slide out to the 8 seed and get bounced...or slide out completely and pick in the lottery...it all depends on Andruw Bynum....hes a real center..which nearly everyone doesnt have..so..if he can come back,and be as effective as he was pre-injury(thats the kicker) they can really do some damage..if everyone can avoid the freak injuries...they'll be fine....I know one thing...I dont want to see Kobe in the playoffs when he has talent..

7.Golden State 26-18..this is the wildcard team...you dont want to see them because they play at Phoenix-like speed,but the difference is that at any point in time the Mike Martz of basketball(Don Nelson sorry) can put out 4 guards and say "run".I think they may be more style than substance though..when the opponent scores 100+ they are 13-18..and thinking about it...the team is built for 100+ games...all in all they are good for entertainment...not much else.

8a.Portland 25-18...I wont go into how much of a surprise team this is...beating a dead horse at this point...but this is a pretty good team,but I(the Portland fan) would expect this team to drop off a bit...the road record isnt so great(8-14)...when they go against good competition its a coinflip basically(12-12)..but there are reasons why they could hang around..they win the close games(3 pts or less,5-0) and when they score 100 they are 13-3..with all that said,I feel this young team will hit a slight wall eventually and slide a bit..and in this conference you cant slide from the bottom.

8b.Utah 25-18..This is the enigmatic team to me of the bunch...they have the star point guard(Deron Williams) the workhorses(Boozer,Millsap and Harpring) the glue guys who do everything(Kirilenko and Brewer) and the shooters(Okur and Korver)....so....whats up?...the road record(7-15) is the glaring issue..but other than that..all the other stats are in line(20-8 scoring 100+,10-8 vs .500 comp)..but yet...theres something missing...I think its the lack of consistent wingplay offensively and in crunch time who do you go to?....Williams can create for himself but he's still learning and its hard to go to any post presence in the closing seconds...so you really cant rely on anyone else for the win....

I hope I cleared up somethings for you...and if not..thats okay

Saturday, January 26, 2008

Standing Glance(East)

It seems alot of people want to already talk playoffs prior to February,dont know why but fine..lets break it down as of right now..

In the East:
#1.Boston 34-7...they are a balanced team home and away(19-4,15-3)..they are a defensive team so when teams score over 100 pts they are only 2-3 and when the games are close(3pts or less) they are only 4-3.

#2.Detroit 31-13...they are very much like Boston being balanced road and away,that comes with experience..they are built on defense as well so when opponents get over 100 they are in a bit of trouble at 5-7.

#3.Orlando 27-18....now this is where it gets interesting...while Orlando has an impressive road record at 17-10..the home record(10-8) leaves something to be desired..the whole point of being a 3 seed is getting HOME court lol..see?..they too have issues with teams over 100pts(9-14) but with Hedo,Rashard Lewis and whoever playing the shooting guard,they have issues defending...see the catch?..it is encouraging that they are 4-0 in OT though.

#4.Washington 23-18...this team is a little more misleading because they are missing Gilbert who would help them in the backcourt..but they are solid at home(14-8) and average on the road(9-10)...another stat that was stood out to me was that against .500 or better teams they are 6-11...ew..

#5.Toronto 24-19..this is hard for me..being a card carrying fan and all..but I'll give it a go..they are honest home and away(13-8,11-11)...and when they are playing .500+ teams they are average at 12-12...I've digressed on whos better Calderon or TJ...they both do things that the other cant do and would help the team if they both were healthy..

#6.Cleveland 23-19...Lebron,I mean the Cavs are less than stellar on the road(10-12)...another stat that is interesting is that they are pretty good against average and above teams(12-9)..with the roster that they have...you have to say that Lebron is the answer for anything good going on there..

#7.Atlanta 18-21..goodness..below .500 teams...in the hunt...whatever..the Hawks arent very good away from Phillips at 6-12.Other stats to pay attention to..0-3 in OT..7-4 when they reach 100 pts and 2-11 when the other team hits 100

#8a Indiana 19-26..the stat that caught my eye was the amount of times they've let teams score over 100 points(31,10-21..no one else in the league has 28 yet) but when they score 100 they are 16-12..I would like to know who is scoring all these points?..Jermaine been in and out...Granger..Dunleavy......and thats the list...interesting...

#8b New Jersey 18-25...if there is ever a 2nd edition of this I doubt NJ will be around..they've lost 8 in a row..we all know that Vince has officially mailed it in for the season(again) but the stat that baffles me is when they lead the other team in rebounds...they are..11-12....want to explain how that happens?..on the bright side they can win close games 3 or less(6-2) but I can see that happening very often..

Western Conference coming tomorrow..

Wednesday, January 23, 2008

Randoms

When I was watching the New Jersey/Sacramento game last night(terrible game btw) I was thinking.."hm...who has the best backcourts in the league?"...he's the list:

-New Jersey's Jason Kidd and Vince Carter...everyone loves all world guard Jason Kidd,but Vince Carter is the one people kind of roll their eyes at..but when he's at a high level he's still an elite shooting guard

-Detroit's Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton...this duo still together flies under the radar because of what that whole 5 has accomplished..but both can hit big shots,defend and lead..

-Golden State's Baron Davis and Monta Ellis...Monta still isnt a household name and is a tad undersized,but both are super tough guards to handle when they are running up the court..defense is a question,but they play at such a fast pace,it gets overlooked.

-San Antonio's Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili..this is the standard to me...nitpickers would say that Manu doesnt start or whatever...but thats not on him as a player...thats a lack of scoring off the bench,he still gets starters minutes...and who gets the ball in the final few seconds left..Tony is one of(if not the) fastest guards in the league and mixed with Duncan...it just isnt fair

-Sacramento's Mike Bibby and Kevin Martin...this was the reach for me...they havent had any really accomplishments..or alot of experience together with Kevin's emergence as a 20pt scorer..but if Sacramento decides to keep Bibby..they could be onto something..

I read on Yahoo that SI did a poll of 200+ NBA players..about "Who does the least with the most talent?"lol....and these are the results..
-Kwame Brown 17%
-Tim Thomas 10%
-Eddy Curry 7%
-Vince Carter 6%
-Darko Milicic 5%

Sounds about right...lol

NBA games to look for:
-Tonight-Lakers at Spurs 9pm-Can team play of Kobe over come the definition of team in the Spurs?

-Friday-Orlando at Detroit 7pm-Orlando stole one at home on a GW shot by Rashard Lewis in OT on Monday..I'm sure Detroit wont let it happen again..

-Lakers at Dallas-Dallas is playing pretty good ball right now(Stop rolling your eyes,I know,I know) but I dont know if it is enough to stop Kobe


College games to note:

On Thursday:

-#3 Duke at Va Tech(7pm),anytime Duke comes to town ACC opponents usually play up to the challenge,anything can happen

-#7UCLA at Oregon(10:30pm) UCLA is reeling after an upset at home by rival USC,but if UCLA is as good as they everyone says they are,they will shake it off and start again...Oregon has the wing players to make the game competitive...oh..and freshman Kevin Love is from Oregon,shunned the Ducks for the tradition of UCLA... just to make it interesting


On Saturday:

-Gonzaga at #1Memphis(12pm),Gonzaga has the talent level Memphis has..last year the game went down to the wire in Washington...expect nothing less here

-UConn at #8 Indiana(1pm), UConn kind of flies under the radar due to inconsistent play,but they are capable of the upset.

You're Outta There!

Ever watch your favorite basketball team play alot?....I'm sure you do...so you should know your players pretty well...so lets say your team is healthy and the coach puts out a player in a non blowout situation...and you shout out "Why is he in the game!?....he doesnt do anything!"...well..for me since I watch any team playing..I say that alot..so that prompted me to create this...its my list of players that I've actually watched who should be out of NBA arenas all together..they should be in the D-League or at the Y...either due to a lack in skill level or age:
Mario West(Hawks)-Skill
Othella Harrington(Bobcats)-Age
Derek Anderson(Bobcats)-Age
Adrian Griffin(Bulls)-Age
Viktor Khryapa(Bulls)-Skill
Eric Snow(Cavs)-Age
Ira Newbie(Cavs)-Skill
Donyell Marshall(Cavs)-Age
Juwan Howard(Mavs)-Age
Jose Juan Barea(Mavs)-Skill
Von Wafer(Nuggets)-Skill
Patrick O'Bryant(Warriors)-Skill
Troy Hudson(Warriors)-Age
Stephen Graham(Pacers)-Skill
Aaron Williams(Clippers)-Both lol
Quinton Ross(Clippers)-Skill
Josh Powell(Clippers)-Skill
Darko Milicic(Grizzlies)-Skill
Smush Parker(Heat)-Skill
Michael Ruffin(Bucks)-Both
Mark Madsen(T'Wolves)-Skill
Michael Doleac(T'Wolves)-Age
Malik Allen(Nets)-Age
Jason Collins(Nets)-Skill
Ryan Bowen(Hornets)-Skill
Jerome James(Knicks)-Both
Brian Cook(Magic)-Skill
Kevin Ollie(Sixers)-Age
Calvin Booth(Sixers)-Both
Tauren Green(Blazers)-Skill
Justin Williams(Kings)-Skill
Darrick Martin(Raptors)-Age
Ronnie Price(Jazz)-Skill

I think the hardest selection for me was the omission of Kwame Brown(Lakers)..his lack of skill has been WELL documented since he's been in the league..but despite all of his negative attributes(Terrible hands,always hurt,lack of post moves) I still think he could be better somewhere down the line...but he was the closest of in or out.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

-This topic was from last thursday when it was brought up on the aftershow on TNT...why isnt Rasheed Wallace dominating like he did that night more often? He dropped 36pts and 9rebs seamlessly from everywhere...he hit 3 3's,9 of 11 FTs and 12 of his 24 shots...all on Tim Duncan..odd right?..but when you really think back on it...he's always been content with playing a team game, even to a detriment sometimes.In UNC he was cool with Jerry Stackhouse and Jeff McInnis sometimes shooting the team out of a close game even though he shot over 60% from the field that year(Btw its still an ACC record)..the 2 years he was at his statistical apex(2000-01,01-02) he only averaged a shade over 19pts,around 8rebs and somewhere around 2 or 3 asts per game but yet were swept in the 1st round both times(By LA no less,remember that '00 15pt choke?...I do)..Granted these Portland teams were stacked to the point of Jermaine O'Neal couldnt get any playing time,but he was their best player but never got into the mode of go-to player.In Detroit they won the championship his 1st year there,but since...ehh...specifically the last few years when the one man shows of Lebron and Wade were beating on them...he was content putting up under 15 a game while being guarded by Drew Gooden and Udonis Haslem....see where I'm going with this?....mindset is everything..

-Sadly Andrew Bynum got hurt(with an injury I still have never heard of) which costs him and the Lakers around 8 weeks of his time..I havent looked at the schedule yet,but if the schedule is hard,the fall job may begin...I think Kobe can save them...or hold them above water, but I think the team balling we've been hearing about all year may have to take a backseat for a little while...only to be shown on Monday that Kobe is going to try what I said(Shot 44 times...for 48pts,which was his 1st 40 pt game this year...only to nudge out the Sonics by 2...uh oh)...all they have to do is hold down the fort until he comes back...that is all...The one comment that I had to laugh at was Phil Jackson(talking about Bynum's knee) said "Yeah,he's had problems with his knees since he was a kid".......isnt he like 20?....so what..like...last year?


With the All Star game in under a month..I felt I should have a pick listing of who I thought should go..and who shouldnt...since I converse regularly with my good friend Brad about topics like this all the time,I asked him to partake in a selection as well,to see how far off we could be....so here it is..
My All Star selections
East:
Kidd/Billups
Wade/Joe/Redd

Lebron/Butler/Jefferson

KG/Bosh
Howard/J O'Neal
Kidd is the best in the east to me...I think the only person I felt shouldnt go is Wade,but thats for another entry..another snub for me was Pierce

West:
Nash/Paul/Baron
Kobe/Iverson/Roy
Dirk/Melo
Duncan/Boozer

Yao/Amare
I decided that Deron Williams will have to wait another year for an all star game...Baron Davis means everything to the Warriors...him not going with the year he's having would be a travesty,to me..I can play Dirk at 3 since he's really a 3 anyways...I think the hardest pick for me was Brandon Roy or Shawn Marion...and I went with Roy...playoff talk was a year early for them and he's the reason why...he has to go

Brad's selections:
East:
Kidd/Billups
Wade/Joe/Redd
Lebron/Butler/Pierce
Garnett/Bosh
Howard/JONeal

(His explanation)


Redd and Pierce are the last 2 for me.....Gave the nod to Pierce over
Richard Jefferson b/c of the fact that the nets are atrocious and jefferson's
numbers are actually down other than scoring. Pierce too important to a
team with a great record. Redd in there mostly due to lack of options
although he's having another good year; wasn't another big guy worth
putting on the team and couldn't bring myself to give Jose Calderon the
nod. Rest are self-explanatory though I'm close to making Joe the
starter at the 2 this year.


West:
Paul/Nash/Deron
Kobe/Iverson/Roy
Melo, Dirk
Duncan/Boozer
Yao/Amare

(His explanation)
I had to take 3 point guards because of the wealth of talent and couldn't
really grab 4 so Baron is the most obvious snub. Deron and Brandon Roy
are the final 2 adds. Brandon Roy marginally over Shawn Marion who
isn't having his best season by any means and Roy has done too much to
ignore in carrying Portland to a playoff record (so far). Deron
Williams gets the nod over Baron in the closest call of all.
Better FG% and more assists swing me toward Deron in a more methodical style not
necessarily conducive to numbers. The other controversial selection is
Dirk at the 3 over someone like Marion. First of all, Dirk is a totally
perimeter player and 2nd of all the game is "forwards" based and not
necessarily SF/PF and he's versatile. That said, I'd start Duncan and
Boozer if the SF/PF system was taken away as I feel they are the 2 best
forwards in the West overall but since Boozer can't play the 3 in any
way, I go with Melo followed by Dirk. Amare takes the slight edge over
Pau gasol and the breakout Chris Kaman due to consistency and team
success (despite the lack of D)

-I recently saw an interview about Caron Butler and they showed his stats...
I was shocked of what he is putting up this year..so I looked and looked and came up with a
short list of underrated players in the league
-Maurice Williams,Bucks-He's the reason Milwaukee got rid of TJ Ford..he's averaging 17pts,
a shade under 7 asts and shoots a decent percentage across the board,name the 6 best PGs in
the league,he's number 7
-David West,Hornets-Chris Paul isnt the only reason the New Orleans is really good this year(but
he should take alot of credit anyways lol) anyways he's averaging 19 and 9 which seems a little
pedestrian..but I woke up on him when he dropped 40 on Pau Gasol with no Chris Paul and they
won by 2..you can wake up too
-Andris Biedrins,Warriors-Hes the lone big man for Golden State...no really...thats it...but anyways
he shoots over 60% from the field(shhh about the FT%)..and so what he only averages 10pts and
9.5rebs...Don Nelson plays with the center spot so much,Mickael Pietrus(whos 6-6,215lbs) has started
more than once at center and have Biedrins come off the bench(let that sink in for a second)
-Caron Buter,Wizards-I had to add him right?...he's the reason I started this list...anytime your
best player goes down,your place in the standings usually follows suit...no no..Caron has stepped
up his game in just about every aspect of his game to hold down the fort(20-17 as of presstime)
until(or if?) Gilbert comes back..they could still make it to the playoffs without him...
thats saying something.
College Games to Watch -ASU@Cal(Thursday-10:30pm) Pendergraft vs Anderson..dont say who -Norte Dame@Georgetown(Saturday-Noon) -Clemson@Duke(Saturday-6pm) -USC/UCLA(Saturday-3:30pm) I dont think USC can win...but the prospect of Mayo vs Love will warrent watching

Monday, January 7, 2008

NBA Thoughts:
-I believe one of the biggest differences in the Phoenix Suns is Grant Hill... for better and worse..good because it gives the Suns another ball handler other than Steve Nash,but at the same time it stunts the growth of Leandro Barbosa..he averaged a career high 4 asts last season and thats down to a little under 3...he is also shooting a career low from behind the 3pt line(shade under 36% vs 43% last year) and FT(under 75% from around 85 last year)...Another difference is the small lineup they use...Amare cant play center...he just can't...his defense is spotty at best and when players like Chris Bosh and Andrew Bynum are having field days on you..something has to change...last year they had Kurt Thomas but he didnt start that many games..it was Boris Diaw who contributed at center..but it seems that Boris has ballooned himself(since his contract) into an Eddy Curry state where the coach can barely play him for long stretches..Brian Skinner helps..but he cant be relied upon all the time

-I watched the majority of Minnesota/Dallas Sunday afternoon and I must say....Minnesota is terrible...I mean Randy Wittman must have used every player he physically could...and everyone looked so ineffective...and that was just offense..on defense they had very little resistance...Jason Terry,Josh Howard and Dirk were just jogging around screens and shooting...it was like a mild practice with a fairly decent crowd..I thought to myself a zone could be more effective..something,anything..they tried that..nothing..then it hit me you have to have players who know how to play a zone...they are young...way too young..but with all the same players...allow me to explain...you have your undersized power forwards..in Craig Smith(6'7), Mark Madsen(6'9) and Ryan Gomes(6'7)...swingmen who shoot alot but do little to nothing else(Gerald Green,Rashad McCants and Antoine Walker) and then players who can do something well..but not on offense(Sebastian Telfair and Corey Brewer)..How does McHale still have a job?...atleast they aren't Miami..who they beat the other night by 10 with Wade playing..


-Can someone tell me why Aaron Brooks is playing over Mike James and Steve Francis?....I cant think of the last time I saw Stevie now that I think about it...I mean I like Brooks over the ballhogging James or Francis...but..Tracy McGrady is hurt and neither of these guys can get off the pine at all?...interesting..

-Remember when Orlando couldn't be stopped?...well...those times(like last year) have come and gone...apparently they can't get any production out of their backcourt..JJ Reddick cant get into the game,Jameer Nelson can't play defense?...and Kenyon Dooling just cant(Noticeable oversights would be Keith Bogans and Maurice Evans...do I have to say why?)...

College Basketball Thoughts:
-Starting on the west(shock) Gonzaga has talent to go pretty far in the tourney this year..but for some reason I see them not winning the WCC for the at-large bid...make sense?...stay tuned for that...just a little stat to throw out...Jeremy Pargo is shooting 58% from the Free Throw line....

-This just in....Arizona is wildly inconsistent...they just lost(like...just now) to Arizona State...let that sink in....9th place out of 10 last year ASU...oh boy..I mean...you dont have Bayless...he's still out with the sprained knee...we're losing like that?...wow....show me the panic button please...

-From the limited diversity of teams that I've seen this year(I blame ESPN so far) these are teams that interest me that arent ranked
-Oklahoma
-Cal
-Oregon
-I cant add any ACC or Big East teams because they've all been dissected multiple times over..that list should grow though

-Oh yeah...has anyone seen Washington State play yet?...no....didnt think so...

-I knew Kansas State's Michael Beasley was a monster...but I didnt know he was 5th in the nation in points and 1st in rebounds...just take a minute and think of the number of people who play D-1 basketball....done yet?....its alot...and hes good

-Games I'm playing attention to coming up
*USC/Washington St 10pm thursday(stay up!)
*UConn/Georgetown(GU wasnt as dominate as I thought they would be...UConn has talent)
*Washington State/UCLA(For the Pac-10...might be the lowest scoring Pac-10 game ever...too much defense played)