Monday, December 29, 2008 - Winning isn't Everything?

-My internet has been down, but as the old saying goes, "down but not out".
-Best name for Andrea Bargnani so far, BarKwame. I, for one, have not fully given up on this kid, but I just can't see him reaching his potential in Toronto.
-If you were ever to visit a website on this blog, it should be this one: type in www.0and16.com into your browser. And in a move that shocked no one, the Lions have fired Rod Marinelli.
-You've got to be wondering what the Steelers were thinking playing Ben Roethlisberger after knowing that he's been taking a beating all year. For Pittsburgh's sake, let's hope the concussion isn't too serious.
-For anyone who cares about hockey, the Canadian World Juniors crushed Kazakhstan 15-0 yesterday. Is a lame Borat reference necessary?
-In what is most likely a first for a Scott Boras client, Mark Texeira had been offered more money ($185 million from the Washington Nationals) and took the Yankees offer which was $5 million less.
-Here's a scary stat:The combined win percentage of MLSE teams being the Leafs, Raptors, Marlies and Toronto FC (totalling the most recently completed or season in progress) is .383 nearing the end of '08.
-Tickets for the six Los Angelas Kings home games in Jan. (some in the lower bowl) can be purchased for a mere $11.50, against good/high-profile teams such as the Ducks, Devils etc, at that.
-The Lakers ended the Celtics' 19 game winning streak on Christmas Day at the Staples Center. Is there anyone in the world who thinks these two won't be back in the NBA Finals this year?
-The elephant in the room for the Yankees is where will Derek Jeter play when his defense inevitably goes from mediocre to terrible? With Mark Texeira in the mix, no chance first base is an option.
-Brett Favre is contemplating retirement, but this time around, I'm thinking not a whole lot of people care...
-Tampa Bay Bucs' Greg White has legally changed his name to Stylez G, White.
-Wayne Rooney did a little Christmas shopping this year totalling just half a million Canadian dollars.
-In what was a great year for sports, AskMen.com has compiled a Top 10 Sports moments of 2008, and one could make an argument for a couple of other great sports moments.

Sunday, November 23, 2008 - Personal

-Early Sunday start for the Toronto Raptors as they host the Celtics at the ACC. Props to Jin from Raptorschat for the inspiring graphic.
-Quirky fact of the day: Manchester United's Gary Neville's father's first name is Neville.
-The New England Patriots are 6-0 in games where they have won the coin toss, and 0-4 in ones that they did not.
-Not nearly as hyped as the Superbowl, but Canada's own Grey Cup kicks off tonight - Canadians can watch the game online.
-Wendel Clark Night is a huge rip-off of the Yankees' Jason Giambi mustache promo. And retiring the jersey of a blue collar fan favourite, c'mon, who's next Tie Domi? Just for that, I'm glad the Leafs lost. And how fitting it was, that they used the song Dream On to go along with the "highlights" of #17's career.
-P.J Carlesimo was fired by the Oklahoma City Thunder after a dismal 1-12 start for the newly named franchise. I guess you could say he "choked".
-Michael Vick put family pets in rings with pit bulls and "found it funny" when they would get seriously injured according to a witness. This man is just seriously disturbed.
-Idiot(s) of the day goes to the students tossing snowballs at the Notre Dame football players in the game against Syracuse. And it didn't just stop there, the tools started to throw them at the NBC cameramen and even the county police officers. How on earth do these jackasses get into college?
-Stephon Marbury "refused" to suit up when the Knicks were with all but seven players after the big day of trades, according to Mike D'Antoni, but Starbury has a different take on the story.
-Terrell Owens is standing by his criticisms of the Cowboys' offensive schemes and how adjustments haven't been made to adapt to teams. Toss up: who's the bigger problem to their team at this point, T.O or Ocho Cinco?

Friday, June 27, 2008 - NBA Draft Night

-Get ready for an All-NBA Draft blog.
-Derrick Rose goes #1 to the Chicago Bulls, which creates a log jam at the PG slot for the Bulls, meaning Chris Duhon or Kirk Hinrich will be expendable.
-The Charlotte Bobcats will make the NBA playoffs next year - pending the health of Emeka Okafor, Sean May and Adam Morrison. They selected my boy, DJ Augastin out of Texas to back up Raymond Felton, Kyle Weaver and France's Alexis Ajinca, a 7'0-er with a 7'8 wingspan.
-Can't go wrong with either Brook or Robin Lopez. Although you can make the argument for who is in the better environment. Brook will be getting more PT in New Jersey, but Robin will get the opportunity to play behind Shaquille O'Neal and alongside Amare Stoudamire and Steve Nash.
-Dick Vitale is a little too enthusiastic for my liking...
-So, the Heat select Michael Beasley, even after Pat Riley's negative comments. Once again, we will have to wait and see if he stays a Heat.
-Joe Alexander becomes the first Taiwan born player to be drafted.
-Kosta Koufos will fit in well with the Utah Jazz, playing behind Mehmet Okur. Good selection by the Jazz.
-The Seattle Supersonics once again draft another project big man, selecting Serge Ibaka, who will try to stand out among the other young prospects: Saer Sene, Robert Swift, Johan Petro and Jeff Green.
-The New York Knicks went out of their comfort zone and drafted international player Danilo Gallinari out of Italy at #6, who experts say won't be ready for at least a few years. Not good news for Knicks fans.
-Holy sassy molassy, Stuart Scott actually makes a solid point. Forget Rose, Beasley and Mayo, last years' overall #1 pick Greg Oden is the favourite to win ROY.
-The Portland Trailblazers will be downright scary next year, with Greg Oden making his debut and all-star guard Brandon Roy. They added Jerryd Bayless, Nicolas Batum and Brandon Rush from the draft to their already loaded bench.
-The Pistons know how to draft. Joe Dumars' recent draftees? Rodney Stuckey, Aaron Affalo and Jason Maxiell - all solid rotation players. Some less recent draft picks include: Tayshaun Prince and Mehmet Okur. Other than Stuckey, all of the players were selected from 23rd overall to the second round. This year, Dumars selected DJ White out of the rough with the second last pick in the first round, but traded the pick to Seattle for their pick and a future second rounder.
-Huge surprise, Chris Douglas-Roberts falls all the way down to 40 - where the New Jersey Nets selected him. Side note, one more pick and he could have been in a Raptors uniform. Raptors end up taking Australian, Nathan Jawai, who probably won't end up being a rotation player. Still feeling really bitter that CD-R was one pick away...
-Stopped watching after the 41st pick - as the second round is usually a crap-shoot anyhow. But don't tell that to Gilbert Arenas, Carlos Boozer, Michael Redd, Manu Ginobili etc.

07/08 End of Season Grades - Toronto Raptors

End of season grades for the 07/08 Toronto Raptors...

Sam Mitchell - C+
-With an upgraded roster, the Smitch somehow managed to do worse this season, than last year. A few losses here and there, and the Raptors realistically could have missed the playoffs. Poor play-calling, misuse of players (see: Jason Kapono), unorthodox coaching tactics (Bargnani and the silent treatment), inconsistent and often perplexing line-up changes, need I say more?

Rasho Nesterovic - B
-The team's best low-post defender but isn't getting any younger. Played awesome basketball when Bosh was out.

Chris Bosh - A
-The guy needs help. Period.

T.J Ford - B-
-Lost his job due to injury (Al Horford incident), and struggled in his return. Gets unwarranted slack for his PR and overall demeanor, mainly due to the media and typical fairweather internet fans.

Jamario Moon - B
-improved his shooting % and shot-selection greatly in the second half of the season. Needs to utilize his athleticism much, much more in the areas of slashing (went to the charity stripe once in a blue "Moon") and offensive rebounding.

Anthony Parker - C+
-Has clearly lost a step, and unfortunately, isn't the same Anthony Parker from last year. He should not be a regular starter, however; coming off the bench, he could serve as a solid rotation player.

Jose Calderon - B+
-The "Derek Jeter" to Ford's "A-Rod" personality. Improved in a lot of areas of his game, but still, a defensive liability. His A/TO Ratio is impressive, but at times, he needs to be more aggressive offensively on fast-break opportunities - whether it is 3-on-3, 2-on-2, whatever. In layman's terms, he needs to take more risks and not let the assist:turnover ratio impact his decisions.

Carlos Delfino - C+
-This year's Morris Peterson, in terms of consistency. When things were going well for him, he looked like a superstar, but when his shots weren't falling, he looked like a D-Leauger. Fell in love with the 3-pointer way too often but for what it's worth, for 2 second rounders, he was a steal.

Andrea Bargnani - C
-Struggled all season long (minus the first few games). Here's hoping for a "Brandon Roy" type break-out season next year for Il Mago. He's got the skills, and just needs the PT. Fans need to be patient with the kid, he's only what, 22? Call it cliche but big men DO take some time to develop.

Jason Kapono - B
-Underutilized due to Moon playing 30 minutes a night...

Primoz Brezec - D
-Picked up on the trade deadline day, for Juan Dixon. Not much of a need to resign him, other than for entertainment purposes in garbage time. The guy learned English through conversations with Stephen Jackson and Ron Artest (in his time as a Pacer) as well as Hip-Hop. Enough said.

Kris Humphries - D
-Another garbage time player. Needs to stop taking shots like he's Kobe Bryant. You're a role-player Kris, your job is to rebound, block-shots and do the dirty work for the other Chris, you know, our true franchise player. So get it through your head, you hack.

Joey Graham - D
-Has about as much confidence as a girl with a zit on prom-night, as well as a very low basketball I.Q. At this point, I've lost all faith in Joey. His brother Stephen Graham could probably outplay the guy. No doubt, he'll be cut this off-season.

Darrick Martin - D-
-D-Mart was done, plain and simple - it was about time he retired. Chucking is not an NBA skill.

Thoughts on the first-round of the NBA playoffs...

From another blog of mine,

East:

Celtics vs. Hawks
-7 games? Don't make me laugh. Wait, nevermind.
-real physical series - both sides. Nice to see Zaza Pachulia not back down from Kevin Garnett. It's the NBA playoffs, show some emotion.
-Josh Childress in a Raptors uniform next season. Make it happen B.C. The guy's been compared to Tayshaun Prince in terms of team value, which is a fair comparison. Just a solid, underrated player who could fill a lot of the Raptors' gaping holes.
-Hawks get crushed in game 7. Way to show some passion and desire. Marvin Williams pulls a "Horford" on Rajon Rondo - that's not passion - that's pure bush league.

Cavaliers vs. Wizards
-the much anticipated match-up between Soulja Boy and Jay-Z.
-would I call this a rivalry? No, the Wizards need to actually win a series for it to be a rivalry.
-Lebron gets roughed up by the Wizards and that's how it should be. You don't allow players to waltz in the paint coming out unscathed in the playoffs. Foul them hard. Dare the wimps (such as Vince Carter) to enter the paint again.
-are the Wizards a better team without Arenas?
-the Deshawn Stevenson, "I can't feel my face" thing got old, real fast.

Magic vs Raptors
-Dwight Howard averaged 20 and 20 in the series. The guy's a beast, man-child, Superman, whatever.
-finally, Sam Mitchell decides to play Jason Kapono. A little too late Smitch.
-some of the bi-polar Raptor fans on the team forums are requesting the trade of Chris Bosh. Ridiculous.
-This could be the end of either T.J Ford or Jose Calderon. If you're the G.M, who would you choose?
-if indeed Sam Mitchell gets the axe, word is Mike D'Antoni is on the market.

Pistons vs. 76ers
-Sixers steal game one, yet the Pistons didn't seem fazed at all.
-Tayshaun Prince did an excellent job defending Andre Iguadala. He's tall, about 6'9, and really lanky. A match-up nightmare for most SG/SF's in the league, on both ends of the floor.
-Mo Cheeks did an amazing job this year coaching the young Sixers. Big time ups.

West:

Lakers vs. Nuggets
-Nuggets get swept which was a little surprising. I had them getting at least one game at home. Lakers did what they were expected to do, and there's not much more to say.
-Allen Iverson wants the team to focus on defense next year. I laugh at the thought of Carmelo, AI and J.R Smith playing gritty defense for 48 minutes. Camby, K-Mart and Najera are the only true defensive minded players on the team, so I wish them luck.

Jazz vs Rockets
-T-Mac still remains a second-round virgin.
-But I've gotta give the Rockets some credit, they didn't go down without a fight. Skip, Scola, Battier and the crew, scratched and clawed all the way through the series, however, in the end - Jerry Sloan's boys executed like they always do - and put an end to the Rockets' semi-magical season.*
-It will be interesting to see (depending on Yao's health, as always) how the Rockets will play next season.

*Aside from the Yao season ending injury, it was an amazing season for the Rockets' organization.

Spurs vs. Suns
-Phoenix TO's late in the final game were painfully costly.
-After the thrilling game one of the series, I thought for sure this game would go at least 7.
-So who's to blame, Shaq? Nash? Steve Kerr? Pat Burke? Why must there always be just one guy to blame, is this not a team sport?
-The window of opportunity for the "Nash era" of Suns is closing quickly, and I think that next season is their last legit chance at contending.

Hornets vs. Mavericks
-Huge Jason Kidd fan, but I'll be the first to admit that he's lost a step. No way he can play heavy minutes dueling MVP candidate Chris Paul in the playoffs.
-Dirk the choke? If Dirk doesn't get to at least the conference finals next year, I might start believing the Dirk haters' in that "he's not a winner".
-Mark Cuban's wasn't too thrilled with the second consecutive first round playoff loss, and Avery Johnson became the scapegoat. Saw that coming from a mile away.

And, finally:
Second round series to watch: Spurs vs. Hornets. Should be a fun series to watch, especially the Chris Paul - Tony "Longoria" Parker match-up.