My name is Juan Dixon
Saturday, April 5, 2008

This is my view of the court, most of the night. As a fifth guard for the Detroit Pistons, I play about 12 minutes a game.

But it wasn't always like this.
















As a college star, I used to get a lot of floor burn.
Six years ago this week, I even had my shining moment.


But that was just college, experts said. I wouldn't make it in the NBA; they claimed I was too small, that my jumper was too weak. Guys like Rod Grizzard and Steve Logan were ahead of me on the draft boards.

But one man believed. He plucked me in the draft, thinking I was worthy to sit at his side.
Looking back, my years in D.C. were good ones. The team wasn't great, but expectations were low and the town loved my effort and work ethic. When we finally made the playoffs, I even played a starring role, bringing fans to their feet.



Still, I wanted to get paid. And the Trailblazers obliged, to the tune of $8 million over three years.


My days in Portland were happy, at first; I ended up starting at shooting guard most nights, and Coach McMillan loved my guts and grit.



It didn't last, though. The team was awful, and everyone said that a skinny, short combo guard was part of the problem. So we drafted Brandon Roy and gave more time to Jarrett Jack. I fell out of favor by midseason and got shipped to Canada.

It felt like I'd been elbowed aside.

Toronto was sort of like Portland; things started well, but my time to shine quickly faded. After a year in the T.dot, I got dealt to Detroit; now, I sit behind rookies Arron Affalo and Rodney Stuckey, who sit behind Richard Hamilton and Chauncey Billups.

And that takes us back here.


Six years in the League, and I'm officially a journeyman guard.

But I'm not ashamed.

Draft experts said I'd be a second-round pick; the Wizards took me after the lottery. GMs said I was too small to stick in the league; I've outlasted bigger, more-hyped guards like Dajuan Wagner, Qyntel Woods, and Jiri Welsch. And maybe I'm a fifth guard, but it's on a team with a chance for a title. A team that's eyed me for more than a year.

This could be it for me in the NBA, though. My contract's up this summer, and who knows where I'll land next. The bottom of an NBA roster, at best; Europe, most likely.

Still, fans won't soon forget my heart and hustle. My drive in carrying the Terps, my hard work to carve an NBA niche. At least for a day, my praises will be sung.

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posted by Crucifictorious @ 20:20, ,


Getting real: NBA Atlantic 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, 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.

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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
Steve Weinman, Taking it to the Rack

What they need to do to make me happy: In some regards, they already have, simply by initiating a culture change this off-season and making the team relevant again. But basketball-wise, this team needs to win a title, plain and simple.

Reasoning: Yes, it's lofty, especially with San Antonio, Phoenix and Dallas showing no signs of slowing down. But when you mortgage your future -- most especially fifteen years of Al Jefferson and this year's number five pick -- you have to be putting yourself in a position to make a legitimate run at a title. That's all there is to it.

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!

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posted by Crucifictorious @ 11:39, ,


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