With Mavs depression hitting in, I've decided to start looking towards the future. I was bummin yesterday when I started to look at the draft and then remembered that we traded away our pick in the Kidd deal.
BUT THEN!!
I found out that the pick is lotto protected! Woo!!
In addition to Hasheem Thabeet, the 7'3'' shot blocker from UConn, I have found a new guy that I happen to have just fallen in love with.
His name is Serge Ibaka...and as you might have guessed he's African, from Congo actually. Here's a video of him playing against 5th graders.
Taking him #13 or 14 - late lotto - would be too high but if Los Maverickos did fall out of the playoffs dropping back from that spot, picking up extra pick(s) and then grabbing Ibaka late first-early second would be the shiz.
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Mavs
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Early Baseball Look
Just had my 2008 College Baseball Draft Rankings posted up on Project Prospect.
I was proud of the work I was able to do last year leading up to the MLB draft and this year the draft coverage will be much, MUCH deeper. There are a few guys I already think I missed on (underrating Jarrod Parker and Jordan Zimmerman and overrating Wes Roemer.) I will still have my Ranger based coverage on here but the majority of the work will be on Project Prospect.
I was proud of the work I was able to do last year leading up to the MLB draft and this year the draft coverage will be much, MUCH deeper. There are a few guys I already think I missed on (underrating Jarrod Parker and Jordan Zimmerman and overrating Wes Roemer.) I will still have my Ranger based coverage on here but the majority of the work will be on Project Prospect.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
It's Finally Done
One really funny note from Cuban's blog : "The difficult. Saying goodbye to Devin, Gana and Trenton. All 3 are great guys in every way...I also think this will be a great chance for Mo Ager to start fresh."
Not so much Ager love huh? I guess they wanted Less Ager!!!!!! hahahahahahahahhahaahahahah!
I'm hilarious
**Sorry. This entire situation has driven me insane.**
I love the Mavericks for their player development philosophy and progressive attitudes in every facet of the game as much as for their success, or affinity for players, or Avery, or the fact that their my home town team.
I love the Mavs. I will always love the Mavs. It angers me when I see something that I've invested so much emotionally in doing something that hurts it.
Jason Kidd is at best a small marginal upgrade at PG and quite possibly a small downgrade. This teams' offense was an elite unit...when everyone was healthy.
January 27th may be the worst day in recent Maverick history. On that day Devin Harris got hurt.
Stack, Damp, Josh, Diop, and Dirk have all missed time and/or been at <100% for almost all of the time between now and then. Since that time Dallas has struggled some on the court. The half court offense has stagnated with JJB running the point. Defense has suffered. There has seemed to be less joy. LA and Pheonix both made splashy moves that got the talking heads on ESPN gushing about their new improved - or "improved" in the case of the Suns' - rosters and all but gaven them the trophy.
I believe Cuban and Donnie and the rest of the Mavs brass got suckered into making a panic move. At least half of the top 8 guys were banged up or MIA, they didn't play as well as they are capable - but still better than anyone in Miami or New York or half a dozen other NBA cities wish their teams could play - they wanted to get back into the limelight.
More from Cubes, "I think the spark and excitement that JKidd will bring is more than just what his talent offers. There is a reason why Kobe and Lebron were lobbying management to bring JKidd in. We think he will recharge the batteries of not just our players, but the organization, fans, media and even merchandise and advertising sales."
I'm not mad at Cuban for saying that. He's a business man so of course this a good short term move for him.
I can't just look at the trade with those green colored glasses though.
The idea that once the deal Mavs and Nets played just the tip with the deal, and it was reported as "imment" that they couldn't go back. I call bullshit. Mo Ager is the only guy in the deal that hasn't been traded in his career...is it really going to effect his game that much?
Maybe Devin sulked upon first hearing the news. Would you want a leader on your team to be happy about going from a team with a legit shot of winning it all to a team where the 6K fans in their old high school gym every night are just wondering about ping pong balls? He's a pro, he could have been just fine back here. Pandora's box wasn't opened. Ask Tony Parkder how it feels to be a young PG on a championship level team and your organization almost bring in Jason Kidd to usurp you.
I love Jason Kidd. I honestly think that he may be the greatest point guard of all time, at least top 3 and in the discussion. He's unquestionablly the best all around 1 of my generation. Him being a former Mav I got to see him up close at the beginning of his career and have followed him closely ever since.
He's a much better passer than Devin. But that's the only spot where we can expect a huge improvement. J-Kidd is the best rebounding PG who's not 6'9'' of all time, but almost all of those boards are defense and Dallas is a really good defensive rebounding team. Maybe loosing Diop - a fantastic rebounder - the Mavs will send Dirk upcourt faster leaving open boards for Kidd to try and start a fast break. Do you really think Avery is going to tell Dirk not to rebound? Me either. Kidd's rebounding numbers are already way down since Josh Boone has been back in the lineup; without him NJ was one of the worst rebounding teams in the league...lots of loose boards for Kidd to pick up.
As bad a shooter as Harris is, Kidd is worse. He releases the ball too low and too far out in front of him, he has a line drive stroke that has always kept down his FG%. Kidd doesn't have the speed to drive past really quick guards anymore, so people leave him space to brick 20 footers. Kidd is still a good defender but will have problems against the Tony Parkers, Chris Pauls, and Steve Nashs of the world. He can D up bigger guards like nobody's business and post up smaller guards offensivley but the Mavs just traded away the best defensive 1 in the league for a guy who was better...5 years ago. Kidd's turnover rate has spiked significantly this year.
Maybe Jason will hope in the 'Juvination Machine and be amped up to play D against the elite guards in the West. Maybe Dallas will get out and run more, and actually be able to run a pick and roll in a halfcourt set. Maybe Kidd will hit those shots in clutch times like he's done so often before. Maybe his playoff savy-ness and guts and heart and determination and sheer strength of will will take this team to the promise land. Maybe Dallas has another trade in the shadows to bring in some depth on the front line, a defensive presense down low. I sure hope.
But I wouldn't have traded a 24 year old PG who's one of the top 6-7 in the league with potential to be top 3 AS WELL AS my best low post defender - in the conference where I could concievably have to play some combination of David West, Tyson Chandler, Carlos Boozer, Amare, Shaq, Bynum, Gasol, and Tim Duncan just to get to the finals - AND two first round picks just to find out when my team was already championship caliber and my window in which I could realistically win it all was at least 3 years longer before the trade than after.
Not so much Ager love huh? I guess they wanted Less Ager!!!!!! hahahahahahahahhahaahahahah!
I'm hilarious
**Sorry. This entire situation has driven me insane.**
I love the Mavericks for their player development philosophy and progressive attitudes in every facet of the game as much as for their success, or affinity for players, or Avery, or the fact that their my home town team.
I love the Mavs. I will always love the Mavs. It angers me when I see something that I've invested so much emotionally in doing something that hurts it.
Jason Kidd is at best a small marginal upgrade at PG and quite possibly a small downgrade. This teams' offense was an elite unit...when everyone was healthy.
January 27th may be the worst day in recent Maverick history. On that day Devin Harris got hurt.
Stack, Damp, Josh, Diop, and Dirk have all missed time and/or been at <100% for almost all of the time between now and then. Since that time Dallas has struggled some on the court. The half court offense has stagnated with JJB running the point. Defense has suffered. There has seemed to be less joy. LA and Pheonix both made splashy moves that got the talking heads on ESPN gushing about their new improved - or "improved" in the case of the Suns' - rosters and all but gaven them the trophy.
I believe Cuban and Donnie and the rest of the Mavs brass got suckered into making a panic move. At least half of the top 8 guys were banged up or MIA, they didn't play as well as they are capable - but still better than anyone in Miami or New York or half a dozen other NBA cities wish their teams could play - they wanted to get back into the limelight.
More from Cubes, "I think the spark and excitement that JKidd will bring is more than just what his talent offers. There is a reason why Kobe and Lebron were lobbying management to bring JKidd in. We think he will recharge the batteries of not just our players, but the organization, fans, media and even merchandise and advertising sales."
I'm not mad at Cuban for saying that. He's a business man so of course this a good short term move for him.
I can't just look at the trade with those green colored glasses though.
The idea that once the deal Mavs and Nets played just the tip with the deal, and it was reported as "imment" that they couldn't go back. I call bullshit. Mo Ager is the only guy in the deal that hasn't been traded in his career...is it really going to effect his game that much?
Maybe Devin sulked upon first hearing the news. Would you want a leader on your team to be happy about going from a team with a legit shot of winning it all to a team where the 6K fans in their old high school gym every night are just wondering about ping pong balls? He's a pro, he could have been just fine back here. Pandora's box wasn't opened. Ask Tony Parkder how it feels to be a young PG on a championship level team and your organization almost bring in Jason Kidd to usurp you.
I love Jason Kidd. I honestly think that he may be the greatest point guard of all time, at least top 3 and in the discussion. He's unquestionablly the best all around 1 of my generation. Him being a former Mav I got to see him up close at the beginning of his career and have followed him closely ever since.
He's a much better passer than Devin. But that's the only spot where we can expect a huge improvement. J-Kidd is the best rebounding PG who's not 6'9'' of all time, but almost all of those boards are defense and Dallas is a really good defensive rebounding team. Maybe loosing Diop - a fantastic rebounder - the Mavs will send Dirk upcourt faster leaving open boards for Kidd to try and start a fast break. Do you really think Avery is going to tell Dirk not to rebound? Me either. Kidd's rebounding numbers are already way down since Josh Boone has been back in the lineup; without him NJ was one of the worst rebounding teams in the league...lots of loose boards for Kidd to pick up.
As bad a shooter as Harris is, Kidd is worse. He releases the ball too low and too far out in front of him, he has a line drive stroke that has always kept down his FG%. Kidd doesn't have the speed to drive past really quick guards anymore, so people leave him space to brick 20 footers. Kidd is still a good defender but will have problems against the Tony Parkers, Chris Pauls, and Steve Nashs of the world. He can D up bigger guards like nobody's business and post up smaller guards offensivley but the Mavs just traded away the best defensive 1 in the league for a guy who was better...5 years ago. Kidd's turnover rate has spiked significantly this year.
Maybe Jason will hope in the 'Juvination Machine and be amped up to play D against the elite guards in the West. Maybe Dallas will get out and run more, and actually be able to run a pick and roll in a halfcourt set. Maybe Kidd will hit those shots in clutch times like he's done so often before. Maybe his playoff savy-ness and guts and heart and determination and sheer strength of will will take this team to the promise land. Maybe Dallas has another trade in the shadows to bring in some depth on the front line, a defensive presense down low. I sure hope.
But I wouldn't have traded a 24 year old PG who's one of the top 6-7 in the league with potential to be top 3 AS WELL AS my best low post defender - in the conference where I could concievably have to play some combination of David West, Tyson Chandler, Carlos Boozer, Amare, Shaq, Bynum, Gasol, and Tim Duncan just to get to the finals - AND two first round picks just to find out when my team was already championship caliber and my window in which I could realistically win it all was at least 3 years longer before the trade than after.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Return of J-Kidd
This from Devin Harris' wiki page "Devin Lamar Harris (born February 27, 1983, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American basketball player for the New Jersey Nets." at 2:39pm on 2/13. Hurray for the immediate news cycle we now live in. Before this trade is done, it is done.
ESPN: "Although sources say that the teams are still sorting out final details, this deal was described as "imminent" by multiple sources close to the process after negotiations moved to an advanced stage Tuesday night. The deal -- salvaged from talks on a three-way trade with Portland that developed and fizzled quickly two weeks ago -- has Dallas sending 24-year-old point guard Devin Harris, veteran swingman Jerry Stackhouse, the expiring contracts of center DeSagana Diop and swingman Devean George and guard Maurice Ager to New Jersey for Kidd and forward Malik Allen. "
Devin, Diop, George, Mo and Stack for Kidd and Malik Allen.
I don't like this trade. I don't like getting 10 years older at the 1 spot. Even though Kidd is an upgrade over Devin, Devin is really good and has taken a huge step forward this season after being given the big contract extension. Devin Harris kills Tony Parker. This team was developed in order to beat the Spurs, and this team would beat the Spares in a 7 game series. I have total faith in that. I think that this team, pre trade, is a championship calliber team. Apparently Donnie Nelson doesn't. I hate making a panic move. The Lakers and Suns add big names but Shaq is 50 years old and a terrible fit for their scheme, Pau is soft and has never won a playoff game - not series....GAME! in his life. The Mavs may have opened the window a little larger for themselves this year, but they slammed it shut 3 years from now.
I don't like loosing Diop, who plays D on Duncan better than almost anyone in the league. The Lakers and Suns just added bigs and we're now stuck with Erica Dampier, and .... Ju Ho?? Bass who would stomped by Shaq... Malik Allen - who apparently is an professional basketball player?
I hate losing Stack. He gives us scoring and toughness off the bench. The Nets may buy him out - and I assume that there is a tacit agreement in place for this deal to go through that the Nets will buy out Stack's contract and he will return to the Mavs after 30 days.
Lets look at the crux of this deal... Kidd and Devin.
While Mr Triple Double is approaching is 35th year on earth, he's still a great, GREAT point guard.
Kidd's passing ability is legendary but his rebounding is his most remarkable skill. Last season he set a modern era record for short guy rebouding, grabbing 13.2 % of his teams boards, while his rate is down slightly this year (12.6) it is still the good for 4th on the list.
The Nets are not a very good team, they have been outscored by 3.6 points per 100 possesions with Kidd on the floor. With Kidd sitting on the bench they have been outscored by 10.6 pp100p. With Kidd on the floor the Nets have scored an average of 105.6 pp100p, without Kidd just 96.8.
Despite Kidd's defensive rep, he has lost at least half of step over the years. He now longer has the footspeed to stay in front of the quickest guards. He can switch onto big SG's ... Kobe?
Kidd however has always been a poor shooter, and is having a really bad season shooting the ball. The Nets as a team shoot much better when Kidd's on the floor than not (47.8% - 44.9%)
** Question from JJ, "How were the Nets able to acquire Kidd for Stephon Marbary, and we have to give up sooooo much for an older Kidd who's now about to be past his prime???"
Kidd's not the problem...in two years Kidd's the problem.
Devin is one of the best young PG's in the league. He's a human blur, he consistantly gets to the rack -- something Kidd doesn't do -- and he's actually an elite defender. He's a solid passer, but a great drive and dish PG who's just getting better.
If Dirk was three years older I think this move makes sense (like Pheonix adding an old Shaq to team with old Nash...didn't we not sign Nash because we didn't want an old PG?!??!?!?!?!?????) Dallas was set to make a run over the next 4-6 years but now we're just looking at the next 1-2 years.
If we win a ring this year the deal is ok. But there will always be the what if's with Devin making East All-Star teams over the next decade and in 2 years when JJB is our starting PG all we can do is look to the rafters, reflect, and then ponder why we are now wasting the last few years of Dirk and Josh's prime.
ESPN: "Although sources say that the teams are still sorting out final details, this deal was described as "imminent" by multiple sources close to the process after negotiations moved to an advanced stage Tuesday night. The deal -- salvaged from talks on a three-way trade with Portland that developed and fizzled quickly two weeks ago -- has Dallas sending 24-year-old point guard Devin Harris, veteran swingman Jerry Stackhouse, the expiring contracts of center DeSagana Diop and swingman Devean George and guard Maurice Ager to New Jersey for Kidd and forward Malik Allen. "
Devin, Diop, George, Mo and Stack for Kidd and Malik Allen.
I don't like this trade. I don't like getting 10 years older at the 1 spot. Even though Kidd is an upgrade over Devin, Devin is really good and has taken a huge step forward this season after being given the big contract extension. Devin Harris kills Tony Parker. This team was developed in order to beat the Spurs, and this team would beat the Spares in a 7 game series. I have total faith in that. I think that this team, pre trade, is a championship calliber team. Apparently Donnie Nelson doesn't. I hate making a panic move. The Lakers and Suns add big names but Shaq is 50 years old and a terrible fit for their scheme, Pau is soft and has never won a playoff game - not series....GAME! in his life. The Mavs may have opened the window a little larger for themselves this year, but they slammed it shut 3 years from now.
I don't like loosing Diop, who plays D on Duncan better than almost anyone in the league. The Lakers and Suns just added bigs and we're now stuck with Erica Dampier, and .... Ju Ho?? Bass who would stomped by Shaq... Malik Allen - who apparently is an professional basketball player?
I hate losing Stack. He gives us scoring and toughness off the bench. The Nets may buy him out - and I assume that there is a tacit agreement in place for this deal to go through that the Nets will buy out Stack's contract and he will return to the Mavs after 30 days.
Lets look at the crux of this deal... Kidd and Devin.
While Mr Triple Double is approaching is 35th year on earth, he's still a great, GREAT point guard.
Kidd's passing ability is legendary but his rebounding is his most remarkable skill. Last season he set a modern era record for short guy rebouding, grabbing 13.2 % of his teams boards, while his rate is down slightly this year (12.6) it is still the good for 4th on the list.
The Nets are not a very good team, they have been outscored by 3.6 points per 100 possesions with Kidd on the floor. With Kidd sitting on the bench they have been outscored by 10.6 pp100p. With Kidd on the floor the Nets have scored an average of 105.6 pp100p, without Kidd just 96.8.
Despite Kidd's defensive rep, he has lost at least half of step over the years. He now longer has the footspeed to stay in front of the quickest guards. He can switch onto big SG's ... Kobe?
Kidd however has always been a poor shooter, and is having a really bad season shooting the ball. The Nets as a team shoot much better when Kidd's on the floor than not (47.8% - 44.9%)
** Question from JJ, "How were the Nets able to acquire Kidd for Stephon Marbary, and we have to give up sooooo much for an older Kidd who's now about to be past his prime???"
Kidd's not the problem...in two years Kidd's the problem.
Devin is one of the best young PG's in the league. He's a human blur, he consistantly gets to the rack -- something Kidd doesn't do -- and he's actually an elite defender. He's a solid passer, but a great drive and dish PG who's just getting better.
If Dirk was three years older I think this move makes sense (like Pheonix adding an old Shaq to team with old Nash...didn't we not sign Nash because we didn't want an old PG?!??!?!?!?!?????) Dallas was set to make a run over the next 4-6 years but now we're just looking at the next 1-2 years.
If we win a ring this year the deal is ok. But there will always be the what if's with Devin making East All-Star teams over the next decade and in 2 years when JJB is our starting PG all we can do is look to the rafters, reflect, and then ponder why we are now wasting the last few years of Dirk and Josh's prime.
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