Well it's definitely the dog days of summer. Its the day after the baseball all-star game, which means there is literally NOTHING to watch on TV tonite, so I thought I would jump on here and vent about one recurring thought that ran through my mind while out of the country last week.
I find that when I'm on vacation, particularly out of the country, Sportscenter is as refreshing as a poolside pina colada. All of a sudden, this becomes my connection to "the real world." No, not CNN to catch up on current events, not what's happening with the economy, or Michael Jackson's white kids, but rather, how many hits Ryan Braun had vs. the Dodgers last night.
After a long day at the beach or chillin at the pool, when I get back up to my hotel room to relax before it's time to head out to dinner, I grab that germ-infested remote control and surf through the channels until I come across the 6pm Sportscenter. When your in a small Caribbean island like St. Maarten, as sad as it sounds, seeing Brian Kenny's face is like finding a crumpled $5 bill in the jeans you just took out of the laundry machine.
Conversely, if I miss Sportscenter for 2 days, its like I've been living in a tent in the outback of Australia for a month! There is a strange sense of panic that can set in. A thousand questions run through my head: Did the Brewers get swept? Did Chipper Jones get hurt again? Have the Hawks traded Josh Smith? Has Tim Tebow cured cancer yet? An hour in my hotel room with Sportscenter on the tube is like being debriefed in the Pentagon with the latest Mid-East intel. I feel current and ready to continue my vacation.
Well, that's all for tonight. The second half of the baseball season begins tomorrow. There are going to be some fantastic pennant races down the stretch. NBA summer leagues are heating up, and it's always fun to get an early peak at this year's crop of rookies. Of course there is never a dull moment in the NFL, on and off the field, and college football practice is weeks away.
I'll do my best to stay topical, update the blog a few times per week and of course, keep one eye on Sportscenter.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Weekend Thoughts
The holiday weekend got off to a bang with the return of Manny Ramirez to the Dodger lineup. In his second game back, he went yard for the Dodgers even though the team lost the game to the Padres. It will be interesting to see how well he plays the rest of the season, now that he's off the woman's fertility drug he tested positive for back in May. I can hear it now...the next time he has a dust up with an umpire, the announcers will say, "perhaps it's that time of the month for Manny." The drug was also known to delay puberty in boys, which clearly explains why he hasn't grown up yet.
The unfortunate shocker over the weekend without question was the murder of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair. So many thoughts run through your mind when you hear, "he was killed." Was it an accident? Wrong place, wrong time? However, as this story began to unfold, the shock became greater and greater. McNair was one of the most respected players in the league and by all accounts, a community guy and family man. Once word got out that he was quietly "dating" a 20 year old waitress he met at a Dave & Busters, it was like a blow to the gut of everyone who thought they knew the real Steve McNair. I feel terrible for the pain and suffering the family is going through right now. What makes it worse is on top of that pain is humiliation. This story is going to unfold through the media and I get the sense the details are only going to be more sensational with each passing day. Whenever I hear about stories like this I can't help but think about the proverb: "You're judged by the company you keep." Just tragic all around....
On a much more positive note, the Wimbledon Gentleman's Championship Sunday morning (and well into the afternoon) was one for the ages! I set my alarm for 9am sharp to watch American Andy Roddick battle living legend Roger Federer. I wasn't anticipating much of a fight and quite frankly thought I'd be out of the house in time for Sunday brunch. However, Roddick was on his game and his 1st serve was spot on. Roddick will look back 10 years from now and remember that 2nd set tiebreaker, in which he held a commanding 6 pts to 2pts lead (it's the first one to 7pts by the way). All he needed was one big serve to go up 2 sets to 0. This would have certainly increased his chances against Goliath. However, proving why he is as mentally tough as anyone to ever play sport (yes, the same level as Tiger and Jordan), Federer rallied and went on to win the 2nd set tie break. I will give Roddick credit. He could have easily mailed it in the rest of the match, but this was a different Roddick over the past 2 weeks in London. He stayed toe-to-toe with Federer all the way to the final game of the 5th set, finally falling 16-14. Roger Federer has certainly made his case for "best ever" in the sport. It's always tough to compare players from one generation to the next, however, it's clear that for this generation, Federer reigns supreme. We probably never thought another Sampras would come around and break his record of 14 grand slam titles, however, it's the old cliche in sports - records are meant to be broken. The question is, might there be some young kid out there right now, whether it be in the States or in Europe, who could be the Federer for the next generation. One things for sure, Federer isn't done winning Slams!
Manny, McNair and Federer. Three greats in their respective sports. All in the news this weekend for different reasons. In sports, sadly, image can be everything. Manny is looking to rebuild his, McNair's is slowly unraveling, and Federer's continues to grow.
Have a great week. I'm on vacation this Thursday through next Monday. I probably won't be updating my blog, unless of course you want to hear about St. Maarten!
The unfortunate shocker over the weekend without question was the murder of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair. So many thoughts run through your mind when you hear, "he was killed." Was it an accident? Wrong place, wrong time? However, as this story began to unfold, the shock became greater and greater. McNair was one of the most respected players in the league and by all accounts, a community guy and family man. Once word got out that he was quietly "dating" a 20 year old waitress he met at a Dave & Busters, it was like a blow to the gut of everyone who thought they knew the real Steve McNair. I feel terrible for the pain and suffering the family is going through right now. What makes it worse is on top of that pain is humiliation. This story is going to unfold through the media and I get the sense the details are only going to be more sensational with each passing day. Whenever I hear about stories like this I can't help but think about the proverb: "You're judged by the company you keep." Just tragic all around....
On a much more positive note, the Wimbledon Gentleman's Championship Sunday morning (and well into the afternoon) was one for the ages! I set my alarm for 9am sharp to watch American Andy Roddick battle living legend Roger Federer. I wasn't anticipating much of a fight and quite frankly thought I'd be out of the house in time for Sunday brunch. However, Roddick was on his game and his 1st serve was spot on. Roddick will look back 10 years from now and remember that 2nd set tiebreaker, in which he held a commanding 6 pts to 2pts lead (it's the first one to 7pts by the way). All he needed was one big serve to go up 2 sets to 0. This would have certainly increased his chances against Goliath. However, proving why he is as mentally tough as anyone to ever play sport (yes, the same level as Tiger and Jordan), Federer rallied and went on to win the 2nd set tie break. I will give Roddick credit. He could have easily mailed it in the rest of the match, but this was a different Roddick over the past 2 weeks in London. He stayed toe-to-toe with Federer all the way to the final game of the 5th set, finally falling 16-14. Roger Federer has certainly made his case for "best ever" in the sport. It's always tough to compare players from one generation to the next, however, it's clear that for this generation, Federer reigns supreme. We probably never thought another Sampras would come around and break his record of 14 grand slam titles, however, it's the old cliche in sports - records are meant to be broken. The question is, might there be some young kid out there right now, whether it be in the States or in Europe, who could be the Federer for the next generation. One things for sure, Federer isn't done winning Slams!
Manny, McNair and Federer. Three greats in their respective sports. All in the news this weekend for different reasons. In sports, sadly, image can be everything. Manny is looking to rebuild his, McNair's is slowly unraveling, and Federer's continues to grow.
Have a great week. I'm on vacation this Thursday through next Monday. I probably won't be updating my blog, unless of course you want to hear about St. Maarten!
Friday, July 3, 2009
"Free" for the Rich
It's rather appropriate that NBA Free Agency begins just 3 days before July 4th because we've seen quite the fireworks from coast to coast already. However, if your a fan of a team that wasn't in the playoffs last year, or your team just squeezed in through the back door, you might be knocking on that door a little harder next April begging to get invited to the party.
I don't recall an off season where the elite teams from the year before all made major roster moves by adding big time stars, enhancing their already dangerous rosters. Many of the top teams from last year (based on record) have all added critical pieces: Lakers - Artest, Cavs - Shaq, Orlando - Vince Carter, Spurs - Richard Jefferson. As I type this column, the Celtics are in heavy discussions to add Rasheed Wallace to their squad. The only top team from last year that hasn't made any meaningful moves is Denver.
So what does all this say about the state of the NBA? Do we say the league is healthy? To use a college analogy: do we say it's "top heavy?" In these tough economic times is it simply the case of the rich getting richer? The teams listed above all have a strong fan base, more importantly, a large season ticket base. A large season ticket base equals stability. It allows for owners to make moves without worrying too much about the repercussions. Conversely, if you are the Milwaukee Bucks or Charlotte Bobcats, you have to scratch and claw to sell out a few games per year and hope that a big time free agent will want the challenge of turning around your franchise.
Keep in mind, this is a league with a salary cap. Every owner has the same budget to spend. However, some owners (the ones with the strong season ticket base) have no problem going over budget and paying the luxury tax. So how does a Minnesota or Sacramento level the playing field? How do you convince a star free agent to come to your city? Hope and promise? Free agents, for the most part, are looking to play for a winner (unless your last name is Ariza). If that is the general philosophy, then how do the bad teams get better? Or more important - competitive. Their only hope is to draft well. If you're consistently a bad team, who can't land free agents, it's so important to draft well and efficiently. You cannot afford to blow a lottery pick (i.e. Sheldon Williams in Atlanta). You must hope that you find that next diamond in the rough and use that player, that chip, to once again sell "hope and promise" to a free agent.
In the meantime, the top seeds from last year continue to make improvements to enhance and stabilize their position as a "contender" for the upcoming season.
They say there is no 'free lunch' in life. However, for the NBA elite, there is 'free agency'.
I don't recall an off season where the elite teams from the year before all made major roster moves by adding big time stars, enhancing their already dangerous rosters. Many of the top teams from last year (based on record) have all added critical pieces: Lakers - Artest, Cavs - Shaq, Orlando - Vince Carter, Spurs - Richard Jefferson. As I type this column, the Celtics are in heavy discussions to add Rasheed Wallace to their squad. The only top team from last year that hasn't made any meaningful moves is Denver.
So what does all this say about the state of the NBA? Do we say the league is healthy? To use a college analogy: do we say it's "top heavy?" In these tough economic times is it simply the case of the rich getting richer? The teams listed above all have a strong fan base, more importantly, a large season ticket base. A large season ticket base equals stability. It allows for owners to make moves without worrying too much about the repercussions. Conversely, if you are the Milwaukee Bucks or Charlotte Bobcats, you have to scratch and claw to sell out a few games per year and hope that a big time free agent will want the challenge of turning around your franchise.
Keep in mind, this is a league with a salary cap. Every owner has the same budget to spend. However, some owners (the ones with the strong season ticket base) have no problem going over budget and paying the luxury tax. So how does a Minnesota or Sacramento level the playing field? How do you convince a star free agent to come to your city? Hope and promise? Free agents, for the most part, are looking to play for a winner (unless your last name is Ariza). If that is the general philosophy, then how do the bad teams get better? Or more important - competitive. Their only hope is to draft well. If you're consistently a bad team, who can't land free agents, it's so important to draft well and efficiently. You cannot afford to blow a lottery pick (i.e. Sheldon Williams in Atlanta). You must hope that you find that next diamond in the rough and use that player, that chip, to once again sell "hope and promise" to a free agent.
In the meantime, the top seeds from last year continue to make improvements to enhance and stabilize their position as a "contender" for the upcoming season.
They say there is no 'free lunch' in life. However, for the NBA elite, there is 'free agency'.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
I Heard A Rumor.....
It's one of the juiciest words in sports - "Rumor." It gets fans jacked up, adrenaline pumping, and in many cases, has the ability to cripple your work day and cause you to focus all your time surfing the internet looking for confirmation.
Free Agency period and Trade Deadline are words that are typically synonymous with rumors. With the NBA free agency period starting tomorrow (July 1st), there are rumors-a-plenty around the internet. The latest one in my world here in Atlanta is Josh Smith for Amare Stoudamire. The minute I read that rumor I began to check every website I have bookmarked in my "Sports" folder to see if there is any truth to it. In this day of blogs, columnists, talk shows, google, I'm convinced if you search long and hard enough, you will find whatever you want to believe "might happen" for your team.
Rumors give fans hope for the most part. They signify change and make you believe for just a few minutes that the general manager of your team actually has a pulse. Rumors mean change is coming. However, rumors can also give fans ulcers. Depending on the sport and the city you live in, that "change" can provoke thoughts like, "here we go again." Try being a Pittsburgh Pirates fan. Every time a player gets good, the rumors start that the front office is going to move that star player to a contender. Conversely, if you are a Yankee fan, every Winter you get to read rumors that your team is going after "All Star (insert position and name here)."
For every trade rumor or free agent signing rumor there is a fan that "loves it" and a fan that "hates it." That's what makes sports so compelling. One guys trash is another guy's treasure. In the span of 20 minutes, I heard 4 callers on the local sports station in Atlanta be divided down the middle about bringing Amare Stoudamire to Atlanta for Josh Smith.
There is also something very satisfying amongst friends when you are the first one to break a sports story. Once a rumor becomes "fact", it's a fierce competition to see who can get the email out first with the news. There is a sense of accomplishment, achievement. In your own sad way, you feel like you broke a story. The reality is, you were the one guy in your circle of friends that clearly wasn't doing much work in the office and probably had more time on your hands than your boss would like.
So over these next few weeks of NBA Free Agency period, I urge you all to scour the internet. Read the rumors freely and dream about what could be for your favorite team.
Time to get back to my commercial real estate world. Rumor has it, my boss doesn't want us blogging at work......
Free Agency period and Trade Deadline are words that are typically synonymous with rumors. With the NBA free agency period starting tomorrow (July 1st), there are rumors-a-plenty around the internet. The latest one in my world here in Atlanta is Josh Smith for Amare Stoudamire. The minute I read that rumor I began to check every website I have bookmarked in my "Sports" folder to see if there is any truth to it. In this day of blogs, columnists, talk shows, google, I'm convinced if you search long and hard enough, you will find whatever you want to believe "might happen" for your team.
Rumors give fans hope for the most part. They signify change and make you believe for just a few minutes that the general manager of your team actually has a pulse. Rumors mean change is coming. However, rumors can also give fans ulcers. Depending on the sport and the city you live in, that "change" can provoke thoughts like, "here we go again." Try being a Pittsburgh Pirates fan. Every time a player gets good, the rumors start that the front office is going to move that star player to a contender. Conversely, if you are a Yankee fan, every Winter you get to read rumors that your team is going after "All Star (insert position and name here)."
For every trade rumor or free agent signing rumor there is a fan that "loves it" and a fan that "hates it." That's what makes sports so compelling. One guys trash is another guy's treasure. In the span of 20 minutes, I heard 4 callers on the local sports station in Atlanta be divided down the middle about bringing Amare Stoudamire to Atlanta for Josh Smith.
There is also something very satisfying amongst friends when you are the first one to break a sports story. Once a rumor becomes "fact", it's a fierce competition to see who can get the email out first with the news. There is a sense of accomplishment, achievement. In your own sad way, you feel like you broke a story. The reality is, you were the one guy in your circle of friends that clearly wasn't doing much work in the office and probably had more time on your hands than your boss would like.
So over these next few weeks of NBA Free Agency period, I urge you all to scour the internet. Read the rumors freely and dream about what could be for your favorite team.
Time to get back to my commercial real estate world. Rumor has it, my boss doesn't want us blogging at work......
Monday, June 29, 2009
Random Thoughts From the Weekend
I had my father in town this past weekend. Always a good time, but I will be honest, 3 days is plenty. By Sunday after lunch, I'm looking at my watch thinking, "What time is his flight?" Is it rude to drop him off at the airport 3 hours early? Will he buy my story that the Atlanta airport is a zoo and on Sundays you really need to give yourself about 3 hours to get through security etc..?"
Needless to say, here are some random thoughts from the weekend that passed:
- By Wednesday of this week, will anyone be talking about USA Soccer, until the World Cup 2010? Will FIFA ban those really annoying horns the fans blow for THE ENTIRE MATCH?
- Watching Tim Wakefield throw a knuckle ball live is fun for about 1 inning. After that, it's pretty boring in person. Especially when its 96 degrees outside, and you're sitting motionless in the stands praying for some excitement....
- Is there a more classic/traditional order at a steakhouse than: Caesar salad, filet, side of some type of potato? Perfect. That was my meal Saturday night at BLT Steak in Atlanta.
- Interleague play works. Crowds continue to show up in baseball stadiums all summer long for the rare chance to see players/teams that don't roll thru town otherwise.
- What caused my current cold? Too much air conditioning or sleeping with the fan on?
- I get the sense, this year's Wimbledon is a battle of "who want's to face Roger Federer in the Finals?"
- Sad news about Yao Ming - out for all of next year....career in jeopardy!?! Devastating news to the Rockets franchise!
- Watched TAKEN on DVD (had seen it at the movies). "I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you." WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE GREAT SCENES....
- Fighting a cold, keeping this short...on way to the gym. Is that smart? Never know if working out is bad when you are fighting a cold?
I will have better stuff later in the week..i promise..it's the dog days of summer for cryin out loud!
Needless to say, here are some random thoughts from the weekend that passed:
- By Wednesday of this week, will anyone be talking about USA Soccer, until the World Cup 2010? Will FIFA ban those really annoying horns the fans blow for THE ENTIRE MATCH?
- Watching Tim Wakefield throw a knuckle ball live is fun for about 1 inning. After that, it's pretty boring in person. Especially when its 96 degrees outside, and you're sitting motionless in the stands praying for some excitement....
- Is there a more classic/traditional order at a steakhouse than: Caesar salad, filet, side of some type of potato? Perfect. That was my meal Saturday night at BLT Steak in Atlanta.
- Interleague play works. Crowds continue to show up in baseball stadiums all summer long for the rare chance to see players/teams that don't roll thru town otherwise.
- What caused my current cold? Too much air conditioning or sleeping with the fan on?
- I get the sense, this year's Wimbledon is a battle of "who want's to face Roger Federer in the Finals?"
- Sad news about Yao Ming - out for all of next year....career in jeopardy!?! Devastating news to the Rockets franchise!
- Watched TAKEN on DVD (had seen it at the movies). "I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. If you are looking for ransom, I can tell you I don't have money. But what I do have are a very particular set of skills; skills I have acquired over a very long career. Skills that make me a nightmare for people like you. If you let my daughter go now, that'll be the end of it. I will not look for you, I will not pursue you. But if you don't, I will look for you, I will find you, and I will kill you." WILL GO DOWN AS ONE OF THE GREAT SCENES....
- Fighting a cold, keeping this short...on way to the gym. Is that smart? Never know if working out is bad when you are fighting a cold?
I will have better stuff later in the week..i promise..it's the dog days of summer for cryin out loud!
Friday, June 26, 2009
Thoughts from the NBA Draft
Rather than do the typical team grades for each team, I will offer up a few quick comments on things that stood out from last night's draft:
My first thought was, the chair Mark Jones was sitting in looked really big for him. I find Stuart Scott to be rather annoying and his left eye is getting tougher and tougher to look as each month passes by. I would have liked to have seen Hubie Brown on the coverage last night. Mark Jackson didn't appear comfortable. Perhaps another college coach on the set would have been a nice compliment to Jay Bilas too.
The New York city crowd was in it's usual rare form. Right on cue they booed the Knicks draft selection (apparently that's a yearly right of passage for Knicks fans). The biggest chant of the night was "Adam Silver! Adam Silver!" He is the nerdy, bald-headed NBA Deputy Commission left with the responsibility of announcing the 2nd round selections, while David Stern nestles up to the Madison Square Garden Bar for the rest of the night. I was a little disappointed to not see David Stern announce the first selection of the draft wearing a white glove on his hand to honor the passing of Michael Jackson.
How about Brandon Jennings?!? His agent Bill Duffy advised him not to show up to the Draft festivities because he couldn't guarantee him a 1st round selection. So Brandon watched the draft from his hotel room. Well, Brandon got selected 10th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks and, man would I have liked to been in the hotel room when that happened. You can just see Bill Duffy calling up there, "Brandon, put the room service burger down, put on that suit I bought you, and get your a*s in a cab immediately!" Next I envision Bill Duffy in the back room begging, pleading with David Stern to allow his "lottery client" a chance to walk the stage, shake Mr. Stern's hand and sit in the really big chair with Mark Jones. This kid looks like trouble already. He had a sh*t-eating grin on his face and when asked if he regretted playing overseas, just said, "I still went in the top10." Welcome to the NBA Mr. Jennings, now meet one of the toughest, hard-nosed coaches in the league - your coach - Scott Skiles.
Obviously the Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to make up for lost time at the point guard position. After taking Rubio and Flynn back-2-back, coaches around the league began looking through their playbooks: "Hmmm....a 2-point guard offense? I can't seem to find the pages for that one." Time will tell how that works out. Considering Rubio can't shoot, I would expect Flynn to play more 2-guard. This could be genius or a complete disaster with ego's clashing and one of them demanding a trade by Christmas.
Michael Jordan, once again had a questionable draft night - selecting Duke's Gerald Henderson. Although it wasn't hard to predict since rumor has it, Jordan only watched 2 players work out for the franchise, one was Henderson, the other was believed to be Adam Morrison's brother.
Ty Lawson learning under Chauncey Billups excites me. Terrance Williams replacing Vince Carter in New Jersey intrigues me. Three years from now we might say Toronto got a steal landing DeMar DeRozan at #9. Minnesota swung and missed with Rashad McCants...in the on deck circle: Wayne Ellington.
There are plenty of 2nd round picks that could be of some real value to a lot of teams. I like Sam Young with Memphis and DeJuan "keep me away from the burritos" Blair in San Antonio. Jodie Meeks should have stayed at Kentucky - as he went #41 to the Milwaukee Bucks. With Larry Bird going "white" in the first round, selecting Tyler Hansbrough, he had to address his PG situation in the 2nd round, and probably did as well as he could snagging AJ Price from UCONN. The last player selected in this year's draft is a hell of an athlete - Robert Dozier, going to Miami. D.Wade better point this kid right to the weight room.
Like most drafts, we can't grade this one until probably 3 years from now. Free Agency officially begins July 1st. Until then, it's baseball and the smell of college football right around the corner.
My first thought was, the chair Mark Jones was sitting in looked really big for him. I find Stuart Scott to be rather annoying and his left eye is getting tougher and tougher to look as each month passes by. I would have liked to have seen Hubie Brown on the coverage last night. Mark Jackson didn't appear comfortable. Perhaps another college coach on the set would have been a nice compliment to Jay Bilas too.
The New York city crowd was in it's usual rare form. Right on cue they booed the Knicks draft selection (apparently that's a yearly right of passage for Knicks fans). The biggest chant of the night was "Adam Silver! Adam Silver!" He is the nerdy, bald-headed NBA Deputy Commission left with the responsibility of announcing the 2nd round selections, while David Stern nestles up to the Madison Square Garden Bar for the rest of the night. I was a little disappointed to not see David Stern announce the first selection of the draft wearing a white glove on his hand to honor the passing of Michael Jackson.
How about Brandon Jennings?!? His agent Bill Duffy advised him not to show up to the Draft festivities because he couldn't guarantee him a 1st round selection. So Brandon watched the draft from his hotel room. Well, Brandon got selected 10th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks and, man would I have liked to been in the hotel room when that happened. You can just see Bill Duffy calling up there, "Brandon, put the room service burger down, put on that suit I bought you, and get your a*s in a cab immediately!" Next I envision Bill Duffy in the back room begging, pleading with David Stern to allow his "lottery client" a chance to walk the stage, shake Mr. Stern's hand and sit in the really big chair with Mark Jones. This kid looks like trouble already. He had a sh*t-eating grin on his face and when asked if he regretted playing overseas, just said, "I still went in the top10." Welcome to the NBA Mr. Jennings, now meet one of the toughest, hard-nosed coaches in the league - your coach - Scott Skiles.
Obviously the Minnesota Timberwolves are trying to make up for lost time at the point guard position. After taking Rubio and Flynn back-2-back, coaches around the league began looking through their playbooks: "Hmmm....a 2-point guard offense? I can't seem to find the pages for that one." Time will tell how that works out. Considering Rubio can't shoot, I would expect Flynn to play more 2-guard. This could be genius or a complete disaster with ego's clashing and one of them demanding a trade by Christmas.
Michael Jordan, once again had a questionable draft night - selecting Duke's Gerald Henderson. Although it wasn't hard to predict since rumor has it, Jordan only watched 2 players work out for the franchise, one was Henderson, the other was believed to be Adam Morrison's brother.
Ty Lawson learning under Chauncey Billups excites me. Terrance Williams replacing Vince Carter in New Jersey intrigues me. Three years from now we might say Toronto got a steal landing DeMar DeRozan at #9. Minnesota swung and missed with Rashad McCants...in the on deck circle: Wayne Ellington.
There are plenty of 2nd round picks that could be of some real value to a lot of teams. I like Sam Young with Memphis and DeJuan "keep me away from the burritos" Blair in San Antonio. Jodie Meeks should have stayed at Kentucky - as he went #41 to the Milwaukee Bucks. With Larry Bird going "white" in the first round, selecting Tyler Hansbrough, he had to address his PG situation in the 2nd round, and probably did as well as he could snagging AJ Price from UCONN. The last player selected in this year's draft is a hell of an athlete - Robert Dozier, going to Miami. D.Wade better point this kid right to the weight room.
Like most drafts, we can't grade this one until probably 3 years from now. Free Agency officially begins July 1st. Until then, it's baseball and the smell of college football right around the corner.
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