Best viewed in Firefox.

A simple expectation
Thursday, November 29, 2007

Just like any other site with a passing interest in the NBA, we dabbled in forecasting the NBA season (although chickened out of any WRG-branded predictions and left it to other blogs to make the actual calls). So here's this site's first real prediction: Some Free Darko readers won't like this post.

As a curmudgeon who thinks there's too much focus on the future at expense of the present, I just read an ambitious FD post on why predictions detract from our fandom with interest; it's a good point, even if the author, a new FD writer named Krolik, somewhat buries it in his prose. But to the evidence that Krolik marshals to make his point, to the conclusions he eventually draws...I'll respectfully disagree.



The article starts well. Krolik addresses how the art of predicting outcomes has become increasingly part of sports culture and, simultaneously, the ease in now holding a Barkley accountable for claiming that Yao would bust or calling out Bill Simmons for his regularly awful football picks thanks to video and the Internet's long memory. This is an intriguing duality and probably worthy of more exploration.

But as Krolik moves on to how predictions affect individual fandom, I think he starts to lose the thread. For example, he's a fan of LeBron James for actually living up to his hype but doesn't equally enjoy Kobe and Dwayne Wade, who rival LeBron's status as King. The first point makes perfect sense; the second--that because Kobe and Wade threaten the "prediction" of LBJ being the best, they're non-grata--stretch the details to fit the argument. Whether it's the Yankees versus the Red Sox or boring straight arrow Superman versus a more compelling Batman--don't we all love our heroes and hate their rivals, regardless of a predictive element?

Krolik also discusses how Yao and Dwight Howard get celebrated while a guy like Carlos Boozer--enjoying a stellar start to the season--falls under the radar for "his 2nd-round pedigree and injury-plagued early prime years [that] have relegated him to being interesting mostly as LeBron's lost companion." Couldn't it be more simple than that? Boozer plays in small-market Utah, which wasn't counting on him until last year, whereas the Magic and the Rockets have built their teams around their big men. Plus, the uber-athletic Howard and unique Yao are eye-catching players; Boozer's awesome and can finish like few big men, but I personally find him less interesting to watch.

Krolik closes by urging readers to set aside pre-existing prejudices in favor of "liberated fandom"--to watch without predictions of a player's ability hampering the enjoyment of their game. It's a fair point and I'd agree...except I think the post confuses "predictions" with "expectations." To predict implies an act of forecasting a player or team's performance or outcome, and while fans may do this on a limited basis with their favorites, very few would admit to having concrete opinions on how any given player should perform. To expect, meanwhile, is far more passive and that's where most sports fans fall. As a result, it's very easy to set aside "prejudices and vendettas," because for the most part, fans have very few.

Thus, when Krolik implies that a guy like Kwame Brown is more compelling than an Earl Boykins, he's right, but for the wrong reasons. It's not because "we all make predictions, many of them positive, about guys who have hype built up around them as soon as they come into the league, so we magnify their triumphs and faults because at some level it's a reflection of whatever thoughts we formed about them." It's much simpler than that. When we look at a Kwame, we see what could have been: His unrealized potential, all the players the Wizards passed on to select him at #1. When we look at an Earl Boykins, we see an undrafted free agent who's getting the most out of his talent, and a guy that cost his teams nothing. Fans always will be haunted by unmet expectations with Kwame; unless he signs an exorbitant contract, we'll never have any with Earl Boykins.

Rather, it's often the guys who's come out of nowhere who become the most intriguing stories of the season.

Here in D.C., there's just as much buzz about the emergence of Andray Blatche as there is about All-Star Caron Butler's excellent play. Sacramento's thrilled to have picked up Beno Udrih off the scrap heap. And especially, Krolik's argument that Jamario Moon (exceeding expectations) isn't getting enough attention while a sub-par Kevin Durant receives inordinate coverage doesn't fly for the following reasons:

1. Isn't the story of Durant failing to meet early expectations as the franchise savior just as compelling as Moon's emergence, if not more so and albeit in a different way?
2. The season's all of a month old--isn't coronating Jamario after 14 or so games, predicting his greatness, exactly the mistake we should avoid? It's a nice story, but let's not get carried away, because...
3. Isn't Jamario Moon already getting copious amounts of attention, especially given his role (swingman and rotation player for the Raptors) as opposed to Durant (feature player and potential franchise for the Sonics)? Presently, the rotating headline stories/pictures on NBA.com go 1) Dwight Howard's 39 points against Seattle 2) LeBron's injury against the Pistons and 3) Moon's emergence. That's pretty heady company for an undrafted rookie to keep.

Being intrigued by a story like Moon's doesn't equal real investment in a player, of course. Krolik is correct: As a rule, fans -do- care more about superstars and phenoms than the fringe guys. Why? It has far less to do with predictions or assumptions, or some hype coefficient that multiplies how intriguing we find someone. It's because an Oden or Durant might win you a championship. No knock to Moon or Boykins, but they probably won't.

Krolik's a skilled writer and the entire FD crew is worthy of much respect, so here's hoping they continue exploring what this rise of predictions/the focus on next means for fans and how we interpret what we watch. For starters, I'll throw out one idea that bears discussion: What drives media outlets to issue so many predictions when we can so easily revisit wrong-headed forecasts or call them out for changing them?

Or perhaps, an even more salient question: At the end of the day, why am I so critical of one half-decent post? I guess I expect so much of Free Darko.

Labels: Free Darko, overcomplicating arguments, predictions

posted by Doctor Dribbles @ 04:17, ,

Sometimes, the best trades are the ones you don't make: The Dream Shake
Sunday, November 25, 2007

We're a month into the season, and the We Rite Goode crew want to be responsible journalists actually blog about something, so we're revisiting a number of pressing questions, but answering them in total roundabout, WRG-style.

First up: Why isn't Kobe out of L.A. yet?

A star must be traded.

That was the mandate facing one GM. His future Hall-of-Famer was feuding with the owner and calling the GM incompetent to the press. The guy's teammates were muttering off-the-record about greed and ego. The team seemed locked in the middle of the West, far behind the real contenders.

Sound familiar?

Clearly, we're describing Kobe Bryant...except we're not.

No--we're flashing back 15 years to a star from the '90s. A player who had yet to win an MVP; a guy who was seen as unable to make his teammates better.

Rack your brain. It's not Karl Malone. Nor Patrick Ewing. Not Charles Barkley, although that guess would be a good one, since trade talk for both swirled that summer of 1992.

Instead, it's...Hakeem Olajuwon. What, the legendary Dream, you say? We'll let journalist Eddie Sefko take it away:

Dateline: May 31 1992
"Everytime you turn around, there is another piece of conjecture about what the Rockets will do with Hakeem Olajuwon.

Last week, Mike Fratello was quoted as saying one of the reasons he did not want the Rockets' coaching job was because the club was 99-percent certain Olajuwon would be traded.

The guess here is that it's more like 100 percent.

The Rockets have been calling around the league offering Olajuwon. Their first question to prospective takers is if there are any untouchables on their squad.

If there are, the Rockets move on."

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now, with the benefit of hindsight, we all know that Olajuwon remained in Houston for another nine years before swan-songing in Toronto (about the time Sefko moved from the Houston Chronicle to the Dallas Morning News, where he would become part of press conference infamy.)

But to Sefko's credit, he was just parroting the conventional wisdom: Things did look pretty grim between Olajuwon and Rockets management. Hakeem had worn down after carrying the load alone for years; Ralph Sampson's career flamed out early, leaving lunchpail power forward Otis Thorpe as Olajuwon's best sidekick.

Existing tension escalated during that spring of 1992; although a team doctor reported he was OK to play, Hakeem said that a hamstring injury had yet to heal and sat out for two games, prompting Rockets management to issue a three-game suspension. Upon his return, Olajuwon called the owner a coward and the GM a fool, demanding a trade. For their part, the Rockets encouraged reports that Hakeem was greedy and not a team player. A divorce seemed imminent, if not necessary.

And while teams lined up for an Hakeem deal--among them, the Sonics, the Clippers, and the Heat--keep in mind, Hakeem wasn't universally viewed as a savior. One Seattle columnist argued that pairing Olajuwon with Shawn Kemp would be a mistake, as Hakeem never made other players better and had terrible practice habits. Behind a healthy Olajuwon, the Rockets had been just .500 in two of the three previous years; not to mention, it was also the era of the forward-guard (Jordan, Bird, Magic), and dominant big men weren't seen as necessary for a championship any more.

So what happened? Well, the Rockets never ended up making a deal, considering they were getting just pennies on the dollar. Perhaps the best proposal was from the Heat, who offered Rony Seikaly, Willie Burton, and Brian Shaw--or in today's terms, Zydrunas Ilgauskas, Gerald Green, and Marko Jaric for a Tim Duncan-level talent.

At first, the shadow of a trade (or failure to make one), hung over the Rockets; by the end of December, the team sat at 14-16, in the midst of a seven-game losing streak. But whether it was the criticism, the challenge--something in Olajuwon caught fire, and soon, the Rockets did too. The team ended up with 55 wins and the first division title since prototype Twin Towers Sampson and Olajuwon led the Rockets to the 1986 Finals. And even though Michael Jordan's Bulls won the 1993 NBA title in a threepeat, it was Olajuwon who finished second to Charles Barkley for that year's MVP.

It was agreed: Rather than get dealt out of Houston, Olajuwon put the trouble behind him and had his finest season to-date, pushing his performance to the next level.



It was enough to get Hakeem his first Defensive Player of the Year nod, and he built on the performance to win MVP (and carry his team to a championship) in 1994.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

It's kind of surprising. We think of Hakeem Olajuwon now as a fully formed superstar--cool and calm, using his Dream Shake to outplay Patrick Ewing in 1994, David Robinson and Shaq in 1995. But not long before...he was a hot-headed center who had all the talent, but hadn't quite put everything together.

As fans, playing with counterfactual history can be way too tempting--and sometimes the answers are far too easy. Would Chris Webber have emerged as an All-NBA performer had the Wizards not jettisoned him to Sacramento, revitalizing his career? At the very least, keeping Webber hardly could have gone worse for D.C. than trading him for a fossilized Mitch Richmond and sinking into the 20-win range. In the case of the Rockets and Olajuwon, the odds that the team and the player could have enjoyed better mutual (two championships) or individual success, had they parted ways, seems slim.

All this to say that, burned bridges or not, occasionally playing on auto-pilot, maybe Kobe Bryant can still write a whole new chapter in L.A. Unlike the young Hakeem, no one doubts that Kobe has championship mettle. And he clearly has another gear; after last year's all-star break, Kobe was on fire, averaging nearly 37 ppg. Watching a few early games this year, Kobe's clearly not in attack mode yet, possibly because he doesn't really want to be.

Of course, this whole post assumes that a Kobe trade, if not highly probable, is at least still possible. And where you stand on that likely depends on where you get your NBA news. Tom Ziller at the Fanhouse said over the summer that it wasn't going to happen; just one month ago, ESPN conveyed that a Kobe trade was still all-but-certain.

For our part, we cop to reading Simmons and Hollinger, so think (as they do) that Kobe trade talk isn't finished, despite the Lakers' early success. The team will hit a skid--maybe the current two-game losing streak, as of this writing, turns into six--and the buzz that the team isn't going anywhere will grow. Or, as beat writers feed the beast, reporters following the team will keep pecking away until someone hits on something juicy and reignites the story all over again.

But at the end of the day...

• Can anyone give the Lakers equal value for Kobe? (No.)
  
• Can Kobe go to a situation that will give him better odds for a title? (Probably not.)
  
• And have superstars ever mended fences before and helped elevate a middling team to the Finals? (...Do we really need to answer that again?)

Labels: Hakeem Olajuwon, Kobe Bryant, NBA, Questions

posted by Crucifictorious @ 01:00, ,

Dances with ... Rays?
Friday, November 9, 2007

Stop the presses - the Tampa Bay Devil Rays have finally figured out what they need to push them over the edge from flat-out abysmal to modestly mediocre:

posted by Pedro Cerrano @ 08:13, ,

Making lists to hate on lists

The MSM has proclaimed the 10 Most Marketable Players in the NBA and fellow blog You Been Blinded isn't impressed. And on the one hand, I'm on YBB's side. First of all, making lists totally belongs to bloggers; if the MSM takes that away from us, what are we left with? Linking to YouTube?

But second, I'm strongly opposed to lists that proclaim to be authorative, without offering up some clues to a methodology. Feel my righteous indignation, MSNBC! Sure, anybody can make a list of his favorite five Mexican restaurants; if you're purporting to tell me the best five Mexian restaurants, though, you'd better provide some explanation. Which this MSM writer does not do. (And who is this "David Sweet" character, anyway? Does Darren Rovell know someone's trying to steal his gig?)

That said.

I actually think it's a pretty good list, from #1 (King James) to #10 (Eduardo Najera)...the writer may have no consistent "marketability" formula, but I buy the anecdotal evidence he's collected. Beyond his domestic popularity and snazzy new commercials, Dwyane Wade seems assured of #2 with his overseas reach factored into the mix. Sixth-ranked Yao and #9 Yi sound like safe bets after reading about the building audience in China. And sure, a coach today would pick #5 Kobe over #4 Shaq to take the last shot...but if you were selecting the lovable center of an ad campaign, designed to reach middle America, wouldn't you take the popular Big Aristotle over the slippery Mamba?

YBB throws out a few potential omissions like Steve Nash, Gilbert Arenas, and Allen Iverson...but who would you drop from the list in their place? Nash is an intriguing individual, but not exactly a Taurus pitchman; I'm a strong believer that perceptions of Gilbert's popularity are exaggerated thanks to the blogosphere; and AI's marketability potential/problems are well-documented.

Certainly, the MSM's list doesn't match with the top jersey sales in the NBA...but it shouldn't, because jersey sales don't equal marketability. Rather, the only metric measured by jersey sales is the number of folks who believe that for fashion/luck/team support, plopping $70 down to wear one guy's name on their back is a good investment. Sure, one could infer some correlation with being marketable, but the rationale behind buying a jersey is a lot different than buying a sports drink or a pair of pants.

That said, shouldn't the baseline for marketability be whether a player has his own breakfast cereal? Talk about commanding mindshare--if I had to stare at a box of Zo's O's every morning, I'd be intimidated into buying whatever Zo ordered me to.

(YBB also does the world a favor by naming those unloved by the Mad Men. But Oleksey Pecherov among the least marketable players in the NBA?? Clearly YBB haven't seen his star-making performance. Keep those fingers crossed--Wiz fans may have a viable Big Gheorghe II. And those smells-like-cabbage-commercials can rake in serious green.)

Labels: NBA

posted by Doctor Dribbles @ 04:50, ,

Getting real: NBA Central Division preview
Monday, November 5, 2007

If you've somehow missed all the NBA previews--or are simply jonesin' for more--top bloggers helped We Rite Goode boil the season down to a few catchy soundbites that can be used to impress at cocktail parties or keggers. After you've read our methodology here, finish off our team-by-team previews with a look at the mighty midwest match up between Motown and the Second City...to say nothing of a lurking LeBron.

1. Chicago Bulls
Ben Go, Thank You Isiah

Forget what I want them to do; here's what they will do: Happily, the Bulls should meet most of my great expectations. They will win 55 games. Luol Deng will make the All-Star team (not a lot of great 3s in the East), but Ben Gordon won't (a glut of good 1s and 2s.) As for the playoffs, sure, what the hell, they'll make the Finals.

Reasoning: Based on their points scored and points against, the Bulls should have won 55 games last year. Defensively, the Bulls match up well against the Celtics, with their lone Achilles' heel, the under-sized Ben Gordon, unlikely to be outmuscled by Rondo. (Oh, and by the way, Posey still sucks.) The Pistons, specifically Billups, remain a threat in that regard, but sooner or later, youth demands to be served. Unless Lebron goes absolutely, Jordanesquely apeshit (feasible, but not assured), I like Chicago.

As for the Finals, for now, I'd just be happy to be there. For now.

2. Detroit Pistons
Natalie Sitto, Need 4 Sheed

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: The Pistons will win 52 games, and end up Eastern Conference Champs. Jason Maxiell will turn heads this season and Rasheed Wallace will lead the league in technical fouls. Flip Saunders will be considered a good coach who has difficulty making adjustments in the Playoffs.

That said, don’t count them out.

Reasoning: This team has made the Eastern Conference Finals the past five seasons. Their core is still together, but nothing significant has changed to put them over the top, unless the Pistons youth astonish us.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavalier, Yaysports!
[Editor's note: The Cavalier was tied up at the last-minute with a certain movie he's working on, so gave us the OK to just adapt an earlier NBA preview].

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: 51 wins, but we’re apathetic about this team and the season. While personnel is a problem, the bigger problem was getting an offensive system in place, which could’ve been done but wasn’t (As far as we can tell so far).

Reasoning: Publicly, the Cavaliers want to win a championship. Privately (and none of them will say it out loud or to each other), they’ll feel lucky to get back to the Finals. They had an easy road, the only good (ie watchable) basketball they played all year was the Spurs game in November and the Pistons series. But as always, if LeBron decides he wants to go hardcore, all predictions are voided. The man can do anything when he decides he wants it, and everyone else falls in line.

4. Indiana Pacers
Cornrows, Indy Cornrows

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Win 42 games and sit on the fence of the playoffs. Health issues have been an annual problem, so a few key injuries into the equation keeps the Pacers in the NBA's no man's land.

Reasoning: Jim O'Brien has had a great impact on the culture and style of play already. But they will run at a talent deficit in many games, so if a few injuries pop up to further increase that deficit, they can still play hard but end up not winning enough to make the playoffs now that the Eastern Conference has more contenders than playoff spots available.

5. Milwaukee Bucks
Frank, BrewHoop.com

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Win 40 games, battle for the 8 spot and get annihilated in the first round. If they get there.

Reasoning: The Bucks have plenty of young talent, and the return of Simmons and Mason should provide a veteran boost. But while Mo, Bogut, Villanueva and Yi all have star "potential," at least two of them will need to get there in a hurry if the Bucks want to become real contenders in the improved East. Combine the uncertainty of the team's youth with the continued threat that Bobby Simmons' foot will fall off, and it's clear Krystkowiak will be earning his paycheck if the Bucks return to the postseason.

Labels: BrewHoop, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Indy Cornrows, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA preview, Need 4 Sheed, Thank You Isiah, Yaysports

posted by Crucifictorious @ 08:23, ,

If I could pick a team...
Friday, November 2, 2007

Do we have any more readers? Fifty-six previews later, I think you've all been pummeled into submission. Agh, even I can't take reading our own website anymore.

When it comes to the NBA this year, We Rite Goode is strictly agnostic--we've got Celtics, Sixers, and Wizards fans, among others--but there's one squad that's won me over. A team that, if they had their druthers, would come to town and put on a show.

No, not a Phoenix Suns run n' gun--we're talking full song and dance, Singin' in the Rain type of performance. But someone call the doctor (doolittle), because the need to groove is catching, from the star to the owner...to the fans?



Yes, the Mavs' special kind of razzle-dazzle is my cup of tea. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to get back to watching High School Musical.

Labels: Dallas Mavericks, ludicrous videos, NBA preview

posted by Doctor Dribbles @ 17:00, ,

Wishful thinking: NBA Central Division preview

If you've somehow missed all the NBA previews--or are simply jonesin' for more--top bloggers helped We Rite Goode boil the season down to a few catchy soundbites that can be used to impress at cocktail parties or keggers. After you've read our methodology here, finish off our team-by-team previews with a look at the mighty midwest match up between Motown and the Second City...to say nothing of a lurking LeBron.

1-T. Chicago Bulls
Ben Go, Thank You Isiah

What they need to do to make me happy: Win 55 games and the Central Division. Should they meet in the Playoffs, finally vanquish (and preferably humiliate) the Detroit Pistons. Make the NBA Finals. Ben Gordon and Luol Deng make the All-Star team.

Reasoning: Last year, the Bulls won 49 games, and with their young core maturing, no significant personnel losses and the addition of Joakim Noah, improvement is to be expected, nay, demanded. Another playoff loss to the Pistons would be devastating, casting into serious doubt the patient (not to say pussified) strategy of GM John Paxson in failing to trade for a bona-fide All Star. I currently endorse this strategy, but another bouncing by Sheed and the boys would send me careening wildly into mindless, petty-resentment-filled blatherings, a la Jay Marriotti.

1-T. Detroit Pistons
Natalie Sitto, Need 4 Sheed

What they need to do to make me happy: The Pistons need to win at least 55 games, and the NBA Championship. Amir Johnson and Jason Maxiell will have breakout seasons. Tayshaun Prince will finally make the All Star team. Sheed and Flip Saunders are going to become such good friends that they are going to be roomies on the road.

Reasoning: The Pistons have had the team and the pieces in place to win the NBA Championship each season since they won it in 2004. Sheed, Rip, Chauncey, Tayshaun and McDyess are a hell of a starting five no matter who you ask and the bench is more solid than in seasons past.

3. Cleveland Cavaliers
The Cavalier, Yaysports!
[Editor's note: The Cavalier was tied up at the last-minute with a certain movie he's working on, so gave us the OK to just adapt an earlier NBA preview].

What they need to do to make me happy: 51 wins, but perhaps they could also give over 60% effort for more than one playoff series - that way they’ll be better AND I won’t have to boycott watching them for over half the season like 06-07.

Reasoning: I’m not entirely thrilled to have the same team back, but I’m also realistic enough to know there wasn’t much to be done. Danny Ferry has shown that he’s not going to just go spend the MLE and sign guys like Sasha Pavlovic and Anderson Varejao simply to appease message board posters, bloggers, and ESPN columnists. They’ll look to improve on last year through improvement of young players (LBJ, Boobie Gibson) and the idea of having a team that knows each other, ie chemistry.

4-T. Indiana Pacers
Cornrows, Indy Cornrows

What they need to do to make me happy: Win 45 games, make the playoffs and deliver at least a competitive playoff series. Also, I'd like to see a strong effort consistently and a more entertaining style of play, with Jermaine O'Neal staying healthy and playing at an All-Star level.

Reasoning: Despite all of the drama last year, there was enough talent to be a playoff team until several injuries destroyed those chances. Jim O'Brien brings an uptempo style that will improve the pace of play and then entertainment value. If Marquis Daniels stays healthy, he will stun people this year and be a strong Sixth Man of the Year candidate.

4-T. Milwaukee Bucks
Frank, BrewHoop.com

What they need to do to make me happy: The maturing triumvirate of Mo Williams, Michael Redd and Andrew Bogut leads the Bucks to 45 wins and the second round, shocking all the experts who do their best to ignore the Bucks' existence. Larry Krystkowiak brainwashes the Bucks into playing defense, rebounding from time to time and getting their bigs more involved offensively. Yi Jianlian shows flashes of greatness while managing to hold his own on both ends.

Reasoning: Getting Redd, Mo, Bogut, Bobby Simmons, and Charlie Villanueva healthy along with the additions of Desmond Mason and Yi means the Bucks can actually field a team this year. The other Coach K looks like he could be a less ornery, slightly less bald Scott Skiles, which is exactly what a team as defensively atrocious as the Bucks needs. Andrew Bogut looks ready to break into 15/10, marginal all-star territory.

Labels: BrewHoop, Chicago Bulls, Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Indiana Pacers, Indy Cornrows, Milwaukee Bucks, NBA preview, Need 4 Sheed, Thank You Isiah, Yaysports

posted by Crucifictorious @ 16:11, ,

Getting real: NBA Northwest Division preview

If you've somehow missed all the NBA previews--or are simply jonesin' for more--top bloggers helped We Rite Goode boil the season down to a few catchy soundbites that can be used to impress at cocktail parties or keggers. After you've read our methodology here, go with us from the Atlantic--where nearly all the teams have hopes of a playoff push--to a division where a few teams have set their sights somewhat lower.

1. Utah Jazz
UtesFan89, Win Or Go Home

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: 48 or 49 wins max, then knocked out in the 2nd round. Booze and Deron play at All-Star level, but one of them gets snubbed due to either the depth of All-Star talent at their positions, or simply because they play for the Jazz. Okur regains his shot when he's not forced to play defense... and plays great defense but loses his shot when he does that. Larry H. Miller forces AK into Sloan's offense (which could force Sloan into post-season retirement). Brewer impresses, but Sloan finds some reason (youth?) to bench him. man-crush and Flop continue to get minutes (along with Giricek) over the youngsters, further proving that Sloan couldn't care less about the future and the kids' development. Hart and Price are adequate at times, but largely disappointing.

Reasoning: Booze and Deron remain All-Star caliber...but Sloan's love for man-crush will backfire when man-crush throws some games away (literally) at the end, as will the decision to play Giricek/Price/Hart over the defensively talented Brewer at the 2. He also hates youngsters, so Brewer, Almond, and Fesenko will get used to the bench, while Giricek, man-crush, and Flop Collins all get undeserved minutes. The youngsters' lack of development will hurt even more later in the season, when the worn-down starters need a break but Sloan doesn't trust his bench enough. Incorporating AK into the offense is a big mistake--watching him shoot jumpers is like being punched in the gut...repeatedly--and will cut shots for the better options. The average Hart and Price are a noticeable drop-off after Deron heads to the bench. In the playoffs, the Jazz have enough talent to spring a first-round upset, but aren't good enough to beat the top 3 yet, even if the Warriors' upset of the Mavs got them to the conference finals. Okur's shot plays hide-and-seek like it did last year, as he'll be worn out by the defensive effort to stop Yao or Duncan.

2. Denver Nuggets
Howie, NBA Basketball and Other Unrelatedness

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Win 44 games, get 7th seed, lose to the Mavs in the first round and Nene misses 30 games.

Reasoning: Basically, this team still didn't get the memo that they really need reliable defense to get past the Spurs, Mavs, Suns (love Camby to death..he's but one man). If they can't figure it out, my hopes of them advancing are as high as someone coming to save the Saskatchewan citizens from the wild cocker spaniels running a muck (will someone please someone call the SPCA?!)

3. Portland Trailblazers
Zach Landres-Schnur, The Big Picture

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Win between 25 and 35 games. Miss the playoffs. Make fans beg for an MLB team in Portland.

Reasoning: The West is loaded, the top overall pick won't play a minute and more injuries are inevitable. It's gonna be B-Roy's team, and, alone, I don't think he can get them to .500.

4. Seattle Supersonics
Seth Kolloen, Enjoy the Enjoyment

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Try every legal maneuver possible to steal our team--but, at the same time, offer the best sports ticket in town.

Reasoning: If this is the last year we watch Sonics basketball, at least we're going out on a high note, with a twice-weekly performance by the most exciting teenage basketball player on the planet. 82 games (fingers-crossed) of Kevin Durant is enough to get even the most cynical fans excited.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Hall, TWolvesBlog.com

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Jefferson will make a smooth transition to the Western Conference, Foye will have a mostly-successful season as the starting point guard, McCants will be streaky, and Green will continue to demonstrate his “low basketball IQ.” The jury will remain out on Wittman.

Reasoning : Jefferson has historically been strong against the West, and Foye has the tools to be a dynamic point guard. McCants, since returning from injury, has been up and down on an almost-nightly basis, and I’m not confident about Wittman’s ability to improve Green’s decision-making skills. Finally, over Wittman’s career in this league, he’s shown no signs that he can be a successful head coach in the NBA.

Labels: Denver Nuggets, Enjoy the Enjoyment, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA preview, Portland Trailblazers, Seattle Supersonics, The Big Picture, TheHypeGuy.com, TWolvesBlog.com, Utah Jazz, Win or Go Home

posted by Crucifictorious @ 12:35, ,

Wishful thinking: NBA Northwest Division preview
Thursday, November 1, 2007

If you've somehow missed all the NBA previews--or are simply jonesin' for more--top bloggers helped We Rite Goode boil the season down to a few catchy soundbites that can be used to impress at cocktail parties or keggers. After you've read our methodology here, go with us from the Atlantic--where nearly all the teams have hopes of a playoff push--to a division where a few teams have set their sights somewhat lower.

1. Utah Jazz
UtesFan89, Win Or Go Home

What they need to do to make me happy: 53 or so wins would be nice, plus a repeat trip to the Western Conference Finals, maybe even a trip to the NBA Finals. Deron and Booze play at All-Star level, Okur finds the shot that abandoned him in the playoffs, AK learns that basketball is a team game and stops complaining, and Brewer develops into an above-average 2 and/or 3. Meanwhile, 'Sap develops a jumper, Almond and Fesenko replace man-crush (Harpring) and Flop (Collins) in the rotation, while Hart and Price solidify the back-up point guard spot.

Reasoning: Even though the Jazz might've over-performed last year, a step up would be nice (if unlikely). Deron and Booze are both All-Star caliber, while Brewer has impressed in the pre-season and he's easily the best defender at the 2. 'Sap's been working on his jumper this off-season, and if Almond develops this year, it could mean less of man-crush and more of a Brewer/Almond combo at the 2/3. Hart and Price improve after a bad pre-season and make it a bit less of a loss when Deron takes a breather. That's what they're paid to do.

2. Denver Nuggets
Howie, NBA Basketball and Other Unrelatedness

What they need to do to make me happy: Win 52 games, get the fifth seed, make it out of the 1st round, have Kenyon Martin become a even an inkling of his ghost-self, Melo winning the scoring chip and finally, solve the problem of overpopulation of pets in Saskatchewan

Reasoning: Saskatchewan pets are out of control! And uh--yeah-- don't look now, but Carmelo Anthony is close to suffering the KG T-Mac Curse of Round One Exit Oblivion or (KGTMCROEO for short). But with the boost of the FIBA win, getting to play with AI from the start, and having healthy teammates for more than 30mins month should bode well for the playoff hopes of Mr. Anthony.

3. Portland Trailblazers
Zach Landres-Schnur, The Big Picture

What they need to do to make me happy: Win 40 games, keep me thinking playoffs until the last week of the season and Brandon Roy needs to be an All-Star, averaging a 20+ points and 5+ rebounds. LaMarcus Aldridge and Channing Frye need to make me not long for Oden and Martell Webster needs to start playing like the Lottery pick that he was.

Reasoning: Making the playoffs is an unreasonable goal. In the loaded West, the Blazers won't be able to sneak in...they're just too many teams in front of them. So to see them compete and keep fans entertained until the end would be satisfying enough, with anything more being a bonus. And with B-Roy the returning ROY, I want more. I'm greedy. I don't give a fuck. Give me a triple-double every night.

* Zach wants the world to know: He's more of a B-Roy fan than a Trailblazer expert. But who can blame him?

4. Minnesota Timberwolves
Anthony Hall, TWolvesBlog.com

What they need to do to make me happy: I honestly don't care about wins and losses for this season- I just want to see Al Jefferson establish himself as an All-Star caliber big man, Randy Foye to successfully take the reigns as the point guard of the future, Rashad McCants to have a breakout season, and Gerald Green to start making smarter decisions. Oh yeah, I also want Randy Wittman to show that he can actually coach in this league.

Reasoning: Wolves fans aren't expecting their team to be anywhere near playoff contention, so this season is all about making strides to improve the future situation in Minnesota. If our core of young players can have strong seasons, everyone will feel much, much better about the future of this team.

5. Seattle Sonics.
Seth Kolloen, Enjoy the Enjoyment

What they need to do to make me happy: Not move.

Reasoning: Yeah, I'm sure you're annoyed with at least one of your team's coach, GM, best player, or dance squad, but consider this: We Sonics fans are staring into the eyes of Death. And his name is Clay Bennett. Bennett's suing the city of Seattle to get out of his Key Arena lease--if he wins, kiss 40 years of living and dying with Seattle's first professional sports team goodbye. Makes that shitty trade you're lamenting look pretty insignificant by comparison, don't it.

Labels: Denver Nuggets, Enjoy the Enjoyment, Minnesota Timberwolves, NBA preview, Portland Trailblazers, Seattle Supersonics, The Big Picture, TheHypeGuy.com, TWolvesBlog.com, Utah Jazz, Win or Go Home

posted by Crucifictorious @ 19:34, ,

Getting real: NBA Atlantic Division preview

If you've somehow missed all the NBA previews--or are simply jonesin' for more--top bloggers helped We Rite Goode boil the season down to a few catchy soundbites that can be used to impress at cocktail parties or keggers. After you've read our methodology here, Meanwhile, every team in this preview post--save one--has hopes of the playoffs. Yes, we must be discussing the Atlantic division.

1. Boston Celtics
Steve Weinman, Taking it to the Rack

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: 57 wins, tops in the East, but sadly, they will be defeated in the Eastern Conference Finals when they run out of timeouts in the third quarter in successive losses in the final two games of the series.

Reasoning: You really need me to say it? Doc. Rivers.

2. Toronto Raptors
Marcel Mutoni, Slam Online/FanHouse

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Barring serious injury to Bosh or Bargnani, this team will win 45-50 games in the East and cruise into the post-season.

Reasoning: I truly believe - due to reasons stated above - that making the Playoffs for the Raptors is a given in 2008; what they do once they get there (and who they face) is where the real test begins. They should be able to snatch second place in the Atlantic division (first will go to Boston), and once the dust settles, they'll be one of the top 5 five teams in the suddenly-relevant East.

3. New Jersey Nets
Thum Chee Hang, Hooplah Nation

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Win less than 41 games and prove John Hollinger correct. Lottery time = OJ Mayo?

Reasoning: Rj and J Kidd land themselves into injury land agan, Krstic's recovery rate is slower than the word slow. Slow start just like the past few seasons.

4. New York Knicks
Mike K., Knickerblogger.net

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: The Knicks will probably win 37 games and miss the playoffs as Zach Randolph & Eddy Curry escort opponents to the hoop. In an overcrowded roster Lee is barely able to match his minutes from last year, Balkman becomes lost on the bench. And Jerome James uses up a roster spot for 200 meaningless minutes.

Reasoning: New York has the Statue Of Liberty, the Empire State Building, Wall Street, and the U.N. We have museums, a million restaurants, and an efficient mass transit system. We're not on any major fault lines, there are no active volcanoes near by, and we rarely have hurricanes or tornadoes. God has to find some way to punish us.

5. Philadelphia 76ers
Jon Burkett, Passion & Pride/MVN Basketball

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: 30-34 wins, miss the playoffs and lose the draft lottery, no beard for Korver, Lou Williams plays 18-24 minutes, Alan Henderson signs several 10 day contracts, and Iguodala averages 19-20, 5, 5, 2 and misses out on an all-star berth.

Reasoning: Billy King is still the general manager. It has a trickle-down effect throughout the organization. This is an evaluation year for everybody. The question then becomes, who is making the evaluation? The fans can be harsh in Philly. It will be another trip to mediocrity for the Sixers.

Labels: Boston Celtics, FanHouse, Hooplah Nation, MVN Basketball, NBA preview, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, SLAM Online, Taking it to the Rack, Toronto Raptors

posted by Crucifictorious @ 15:20, ,

Wishful thinking: NBA Atlantic Division preview

If you've somehow missed all the NBA previews--or are simply jonesin' for more--top bloggers helped We Rite Goode boil the season down to a few catchy soundbites that can be used to impress at cocktail parties or keggers. After you've read our methodology here, Meanwhile, every team in this preview post--save one--has hopes of the playoffs. Yes, we must be discussing the Atlantic division.

1. Boston Celtics

2. Toronto Raptors
Marcel Mutoni, Slam Online/FanHouse

What they need to do to make me happy: 45-50 wins and a tightly contested series in the second round of the Playoffs. Considering the talent, coaching, and experience on this team, this is a completely reasonable request. In fact, I just hi-fived myself for being so reasonable and level-headed.

Reasoning: Dino-Bosh is on the cusp of superstardom (Chris, this means you have to stop using public transportation. That's for mere mortals, my man); Bargnani is a cold-blooded assassin; Sam Mitchell has everyone's respect; the GM is not only a Euro-finding genius, but the man is damn good dresser; and it's important to keep in mind that this team came within one botched last-second play of forcing the much-more experienced Nets into a game 7 in last year's Playoffs. They're ready to take the next step.

3. New Jersey Nets
Thum Chee Hang, Hooplah Nation

What they need to do to make me happy: Win more than 45 games and make the conference finals at least, skin the Knicks during the regular season, and waive Jason Collins (impossible tho)

Reasoning: Three straight years of conference Semis, and I've had enough of it. It's either Finals or bust.

4. New York Knicks
Mike K., Knickerblogger.net

What they need to do to make me happy: A winning season and a Game 6. David Lee wins 6th man of the year. Renaldo Balkman earns the small forward starting role. Oh, and Jerome James gets cut.

Reasoning: Knick fans have suffered 6 straight losing seasons, 100 million cap jokes, Howard Eisley, a sex scandal, and Stephon Marbury's YouTubisms. To be happy I want a winning season, and some playoff excitement. I don't want to just make the playoff, because I still remember when the Nets kicked the Knicks (and Tim Thomas) in the ass in 2004. Lee would be starting for a half dozen NBA teams, and Balkman is a defensive force on a team starving for defense.

5. Philadelphia 76ers
Jon Burkett, Passion & Pride/MVN Basketball

What they need to do to make me happy: At least 1 win, team misses the playoffs and wins the draft lottery, Kyle Korver grows a killer beard (beards are in!), Lou Williams plays 30+ minutes per game, half the roster gets dealt for a legitimate power forward, and we keep Iguodala and he averages 20+ points, 6+ rebounds, 6+ assists, and 2+ steals in earning himself an All-Star berth in New Orleans.

Reasoning: Let's be honest, expectations haven't been this low since Shawn Bradley was anoited savior of the franchise. Unlike the dismal teams of the mid-90s, this team can actually look spectacular in losing games. So, if we must lose, let's lose in style and go for a lottery pick!

Labels: Boston Celtics, FanHouse, Hooplah Nation, MVN Basketball, NBA preview, New Jersey Nets, New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers, SLAM Online, Taking it to the Rack, Toronto Raptors

posted by Crucifictorious @ 11:39, ,

Getting real: NBA Pacific Division preview

If you've somehow missed all the NBA previews--or are simply jonesin' for more--top bloggers helped We Rite Goode boil the season down to a few catchy soundbites that can be used to impress at cocktail parties or keggers. After you've read our methodology here, check out what bloggers see in store for Kobe, Baron, and Bibby.

1. Phoenix Suns
Steve Goldman, Born and Raised


2. Golden State Warriors
Ty Keenan, Plissken at the Buzzer


2. Los Angeles Lakers
Carter Blanchard, Plissken at the Buzzer

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: Limp in to the postseason at around .500 before a frustrating first-round loss to Phoenix for a third straight year. Bynum, while improved, fights for minutes with Kwame who still can't catch a pass and Mihm who looks rusty throughout the year. At some point, Kobe goes Mayo and randomly punches Sasha in the face.

Reasoning: The frontcourt will continue to be injury-prone and defensively-questionable, Fisher will be too old while Crittenton and Farmar will be too young, and Sasha probably deserves it on some level.

4. The best NBA team in Los Angeles--the L.A. Clippers
Clipper Steve, Clips Nation

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: There are actually two possible non-playoff scenarios, one that would still make me relatively happy, and the other that is the most likely. If the team were to start the season 4-20 without Brand, the Elton would take his sweet time coming back, and indeed they would finish near the bottom of the league. The silver lining on that turd of a season would be a high draft pick. More likely, the hole will be big, but not so big that Brand doesn't rush back - it'll be hard to keep him off the court anyway. A late season push will come up short, the Clippers will win 38 games and once again have the 17th best record in a league with 16 playoff teams. Hello 14th pick in the draft. Again. In this scenario, the team will also fail to develop their young players adequately - Thornton, Paul Davis and Josh Powell will be getting splinters in their butts while Ruben Patterson racks up big minutes in his one season stopover in LA.

Reasoning: Hey, it's the Clippers right? In 25 years, they've had things go reasonably well exactly once. Coach Mike Dunleavy Sr. has done a poor job of drafting talent and a worse job of developing it in four years on the job - his tendency is to play veterans, and he's got plenty to choose from with Patterson, Cat Mobley and Sam Cassell on this roster. They'll work hard, and they'll battle. But without Brand and with Cassell turning 38 in November, they simply won't have the talent on the floor to compete in the early going. They'll dig themselves a big whole in the 2 to 4 months Brand is out. But they'll be too proud (or too stupid) to tank outright and grab those ping pong balls.

5. Sacramento Kings
Tom Ziller, Sactown Royalty

Forget what they need to do; here's what they will do: 30ish wins, with an All-Star bid for Kevin Martin and a debatable return on Mike Bibby's head.

Reasoning: Reggie Theus is not Jesus, sorry. Kevin Martin seems primed for worldwide respek', and Bibby's cap number is too ornery to get a perfect package in return... so I assume at least another season of crap contract or a couple years of mediocrity will make the return flight in Sacramento.

Labels: Born and Raised, Clips Nation, Golden State Warriors, Los Angeles Clippers, Los Angeles Lakers, NBA preview, Phoenix Suns, Plissken at the Buzzer, Sacramento Kings, Sactown Royalty

posted by Crucifictorious @ 07:30, ,

Web This Blog

Talk back

Tell us when we've gotten it rite or totally aired at we dot rite dot goode at gmail dot com.

Links

Round the 'webs

• Deadspin
• Mr. Irrelevant
• The Daily Fix
• Awful Announcing
• The Big Picture
• Yahoo!: Ball Don't Lie
• Empty the Bench

Greater tidal basin area

• D.C. Sports Bog
• Stet Sports Blog
• Bullets Forever
• Wizards Insider
• THE WIZZNUTZ
• truthaboutit.net
• DC Pro Sports Report
• It Never Rains in College Park

Ballin'-Eastern

• Hooplah Nation
• Indy Cornrows
• KnickerBlogger.net
• BrewHoop
• Need 4 Sheed
• Passion & Pride
• Right Down Peachtree
• Queen City Hoops
• The Howeva Files
• Thank You Isiah

Ballin'-Western

• Clips Nation
• Enjoy the Enjoyment
• Golden State of Mind
• Mavs Moneyball
• Sactown Royalty
• Shades of Blue
• TWolvesBlog.com
• Win Or Go Home

Ballin'-General

• True Hoop
• Celtics Blog: Around the NBA
• Hardwood Paroxysm
• SLAM Online
• NBA Basketball and Other Unrelatedness
• The Basketball Jones
• Free Darko
• PhDribble
• Plissken at the Buzzer
• I Ball For Real
• Adonal Obsessed
• NBA FanHouse
• The Picksix: NBA Handicapping
• Yaysports!

Referential

• Baseball-Reference
• Baseball Prospectus
• Basketball-Reference
• Basketball Prospectus
• Ballhype

Essential

SportsPickle.com

The Onion

Fire Joe Morgan

Introducing Liston

Previous Posts

• Sympathy for the bedeviled
• Bad signs for your professional NBA point guarding...
• Take your marks: Olympic Blogs
• Are you smarter than Chris Paul?
• Rankings: The 7th Man of the year (oh, and MVP, too)
• End-of-season Basket-Blogger Rankings
• From Michael to Eddie: Jordan, five years gone
• Bench those nasty thoughts
• My name is Juan Dixon
• Don't buy what Cuban's smoking

Archives

• May 2007
• June 2007
• July 2007
• August 2007
• September 2007
• October 2007
• November 2007
• December 2007
• January 2008
• February 2008
• March 2008
• April 2008
• May 2008
• August 2008
• July 2009
• November 2009
• Current Posts

Powered By

© 2007 We Rite Goode | Thoughts on sports, news, and other stuff, without the grammer. Or spelling. | Blogger Templates and GeckoandFly.
No part of the content or the blog may be reproduced without prior written permission.