I’m better late than never; here’s your All-Second-Quarter Team for fantasy baseball weeks 7-12. Rankings are based on accumulated stats from May 12, 2008 through June 22, 2008 (For a statistics glossary, click here. In terms of K/BB, anything above .55 is acceptable. In terms of OPS, anything above .790 is adequate).
FIRST TEAM
C-- Brian McCann was the #1 catcher in the first quarter and #1 in the second quarter. The only catcher of the M+M+M+M boys that wasn’t kept in our league. Led all catchers with 8 homeruns and had an OPS of .965
1B—Adrian Gonzalez tied for first with 12 homeruns at the position and was second in RBIs with 36. His batting average, on-base and SLUG are still much better on the road then at home, but the run production is about the same and he’s more patient at home, in terms of BB/K, than on the road.
2B—Ian Kinsler and this shouldn’t be too much of a surprise. We all know Kinsler is good and it was just a matter of time that he would go on a tear like he did in the 2nd quarter. A .925 OPS and a BB/K of .73 made for a successful 2nd quarter. He also swiped 10 bags, as he tied for 2nd with Brian Roberts in that category.
SS—Jose Reyes climbed his way to the top spot in the position. Very familiar territory for this phenomenal offensive juggernaut as his .910 OPS, his 6 homeruns, 18 RBIs, and 14 stolen bases was the model of consistency at the position.
3B—Continuing the theme of players being in familiar territory at the #1 spot in their position, Alex Rodriguez’s 2nd quarter not only reminds people why he’s arguably the best 3B, but also the best player in MLB as well. A .83 BB/K, 10 homers (2nd), 30 RBIs (tied for 1st), 1.166 OPS, but the most surprising stat was his 8 stolen bases (1st). He’s pretty good.
LF—Jose Guillen walked the walk after telling his Royal teammates they were a bunch of babies. He walked once and struck out 25 times, but with a .360 batting average (kind of fluky if you consider his .04 BB/K ratio), and a .997 OPS, Guillen was literally hitting everything in sight. 41 league leading RBIs and 16 doubles (1st) solidified his spot at the top. His year-to-date numbers, however, show a mediocre player and this stretch could be as good as Guillen gets for the rest of the season. Don’t go near him!
CF—Carlos Beltran: .889 OPS with a 1.19 BB/K ratio to go along with 8 homers and 29 RBIs and 7 stolen bases. That’s why he gets paid the big bucks!
RF—J.D. Drew came up big with David Ortiz out for a huge chunk of the quarter. With an OPS of 1.225 and walking as much as he struck out, he was able to hit 11 homeruns and knock in 27. His patience also allowed him to hit .351.
DH—Grady Sizemore finally makes his way to one of my articles. OPS of .894 and a respectable K/BB ratio (.70) produced 11 homeruns and 21 RBIs and even stole 10 bases. Has the best chance to join the 30-30 club as far as OFs go.
SECOND TEAM
C-- Russell Martin and Joe Mauer were only a point away from each other so both players deserve a mention. Both will be making the All-Star game. Special note should be taken to Martin’s .888 OPS and his 3 stolen bases in the quarter (tied for 1st). Mauer walked a whopping 23 times to blow by the competition in that category and his BB/K ratio was a very impressive 2:1.
1B—Ryan Howard tied Gonzalez for the homerun lead at the position with 12 and led all 1B with 45 RBIs. His batting average probably made 5X5 leaguers crazy and he struck out a position high 53 times, but with a .936 OPS and the big time run production he achieved in the quarter, you can live with a “few” whiffs.
2B—Let’s take a quick glance into memory lane; “he is susceptible to long slumps just based on his alarming strikeout rate alone.” Well Dan Uggla’s strikeout totals are UGLY (BB/K of .40 is just bad and he’s on pace to strikeout 150+ times this season after whiffing 47 times in the 2nd quarter), but despite his “philosophy” on hitting (to paraphrase his most recent Sports Illustrated appearance of seeing ball and hitting it as hard as he can), 12 homeruns (#1 at the position) and 30 RBIs (#2) are similar numbers that Adrian Gonzalez attained. His .309 batting average is very surprising and clearly opposite of the prediction that I made for him in the 1st. Most impressive still was his OPS of 1.068. When a 2B is hitting like a big-time power corner infielder or outfielder, a few swing and misses is a small sacrifice you pay for the big reward of a homerun. Plus, I can see him finishing with a .285 batting average. .300+ is definitely wishful thinking.
SS—Jimmy Rollins didn’t do anything spectacular in the 2nd quarter. He wasn’t among the elite in terms of power numbers and his .795 OPS leaves an empty space in your stomach, but he did walk more than he K’d out and had position leading 15 stolen bases, WITHOUT GETTING CAUGHT ONCE!
3B—Ryan Braun, a.k.a. The Hebrew Hammer, might exclusively play LF, but he qualifies at the hot corner. League leading 13 homeruns, 30 RBIs, 28 runs, and 3 triples, along with a .959 OPS adds up to an impressive quarter. However, A-Rod basically took back what was his. Plus when a player has a K/BB of .27 like Braun did in the 2nd quarter, just the fact that he was #2 at the position points to his superior hitting ability. Now imagine how good he would be if he could take some pitches!
LF—Randy Winn only drove in half the runs that Guillen did in the quarter, but a .324 batting average, to go along with a .930 OPS, and a 1.38 BB/K ratio shows that Winn was the more steadier, better long-term selection than Guillen. However, I think Winn hit his peak during this stretch of the season, but can still be a serviceable OF for your fantasy team.
CF—Josh Hamilton had better power numbers than Carlos Beltran, but with a .34 BB/K ratio, he proves to the rest of us once again that he’s only human. He led all CFs with 12 homeruns and 37 RBIs, nevertheless. Not too shabby!
RF—Shane Victorino, qualifies at the position, the “Flying Hawaiian” was a top 2 CF for most of the 2nd quarter until Beltran went on a tear. Regardless, his patience at the plate (1.21 BB/K) and a .375 on-base% allowed him to score 34 runs (led all RFs.), and steal 12 bags (good for 3rd place behind Ellsbury and Ichiro).
DH—Milton Bradley has always had talent, but has had, to put it lightly, “issues” with authority, fans, and most importantly, injuries. Staying relatively healthy for the quarter, he registered an OPS of 1.23 and showed off his hitting eye with a .85 BB/K ratio. 10 homeruns and 28 RBIs is nothing to sneeze at either.
MISSING THE CUT
C—Geovany Soto made the second team last quarter at this position, but a meager .236 batting average and .713 OPS to go along with an embarrassing BB/K ratio add up to the miserable 2nd Quarter Soto had. Despite his struggles, he is your NL starter at catcher.
1B—Lance Berkman and Albert Pujols, as great as they are, couldn’t keep up the pace of their monster 1st Quarters. Berkman “only” hit 8 homeruns for the quarter, but he was the third best 1B in quarter #2. Pujols was battling a calf injury for most of June and only registered 90 at bats, but still hit 9 homeruns and had an OPS of 1.134! Imagine if he were able to reach 130+ at bats that most of the other players attained in the quarter. Should be interesting to see who comes out on top in Quarter #3.
2B—Chase Utley, what happened? Well, his OPS of .857 is still good, but not as good as the OPS posted by Kinsler and Uggla. He was only 4 points from taking the #2 spot from Uggla. Nevertheless, his .714 BB/K, 9 homers and position leading 35 RBIs has him in place to be back at the top spot at least by the time quarter #3 is over and done with.
SS—Hanley Ramirez got off to a hot start, but a BB/K of 1:2 and the lack of contact (resulting in a .255 batting average), and only 12 RBIs despite 8 homers led Rollins and Reyes to take over the top two spots. 42 K’s in the 2nd quarter (2nd in the position) and only 6 stolen bases let a few owners down, but 31 runs scored (2nd), and 8 homeruns (1st) foreshadows an even better 3rd quarter.
3B—Chipper Jones, despite his great batting eye (1.50 BB/K) and his wonderful OPS (1.084), and flirting with a .400 batting average (.385 for the 2nd quarter); he only finished as the #4 slot at the position. 6 homeruns and 17 RBIs was the low mark for this high-powered position and might have explained why he didn’t dominate like he did in the 1st. 30 BBs meant a higher on-base, but less chance that he could do damage with the bat.
As for the overrated “Greek God of Walks,” Kevin Youkilis (or “You Kill Us”) finished with 5 homeruns, 17 RBIs (low for the position), 7 BBs (why even have that nickname in the first place?), a .23 BB/K (very un-God-like), and an .821 OPS, a far cry from his .996 OPS from the 1st quarter. It’s a shame that he was in the All-Star game this year and that is why that game shouldn’t decide who gets home-field advantage for the World Series.
LF—Matt Holliday spent a good portion of his 2nd quarter on the DL with a hamstring injury and only was credited with 94 official at bats. There is no doubt that Holliday would’ve been mentioned in the top 2 of the list had he stayed healthy as he was crushing the ball when he got off the DL in mid June. He should be back in his rightful spot by the end of the 3rd quarter.
Pat Burrell, his batting average dipped down to .244, but it wasn’t because of his strikeouts. A .93 BB/K rate is still pretty good and his .921 OPS was great. Burrell, is a run-producing slugger who didn’t knock in many runs last quarter (16 RBIs). When Burrell isn’t hitting homeruns or driving in runs, he’s not doing much of anything else. He doesn’t hit for much contact (13 singles in the 2nd), and only scored 18 runs. Burrell seems to be going through a stretch of bad luck, but his skill set is good to this author’s surprise. Continue to be patient with him.
CF—Nate McLouth had a decent BB/K ratio (.625), but a huge dip in the OPS (.828 in the 2nd quarter) is a big reason why he was only the 7th best CF in the fantasy world. Hopefully he won’t continue to dip any further.
RF—Xavier Nady saw his OPS dip all the way down to .822 and only drove in 15 RBIs, half of what he did in the 1st quarter. Carlos Quentin also saw his OPS drop all the way down to .857, but he managed to walk as much as struck out, proving once again he has one of the best hitting eyes in baseball. Plus he hit 8 homeruns and drove in 27, similar numbers he posted in the 1st. He’ll be fine.
DH—Derrek Lee had relatively ordinary numbers in the 2nd quarter. Starting with a .271 batting average, he saw his OPS drop to middle infielder levels at .762 while his BB/K ratio was at a very low .42. Conor Jackson, after getting many kudos in the 1st quarter disappointed once again in the 2nd. 2 homeruns and 10 RBIs is just not going to get it done. A .381 on-base% shows some hope and still has a good batting eye that just screams better numbers.
Next up, the pitchers....
As Written By,
Felipe Melecio
Thursday, July 31, 2008
2008 NBA Draft Diary - Part VII
By Felipe Melecio
2008 NBA Draft:
26th PICK—George Hill from IUPUI, who has a 6’9” wingspan. Stu: Hill can score, board, and dish (the Spurs got the next Jason Kidd?)
Bilas: Could be special player (at this point, anything coming out of Bilas’ mouth should be taken with a grain of salt).
Stu: Has 3% body fat (most of it on his wingspan).
Best of all, he has NO WEAKNESS. This guy could be the best guy selected so far! The Spurs did it again!
Interesting Fact: Joe Alexander was the only 20+ year-old player to be selected in the top 10. It’s like the NBA went from drafting high school players to selecting virtual 5th year Seniors—in high school.
Andy Katz: Kansas coach, Bill Self and the University itself said that Arthur tested fine medically at KU and the kidney should be a non-issue.
Well, if the NBA says it’s a problem, then it’s a problem. NBA wins.
27th PICK—Darrell Arthur, gets the pity selection. EVERYONE REJOICE! It took Arthur so long to get selected that there’s a kid who’s already sleeping at his table. Obviously, it was well past his bedtime.
Bilas: “Could really run” and “Move and slide his feet” (he can do the “running man,” “the electric” and “cha-cha slide” and can “moonwalk” with the best of them).
--“Can use both hands around the rim” (why not just say he’s ambidextrous?)
--Has a “little hook” that he uses around the rim and possesses with him the required “good turn around jump shot.”
WEAKNESS: None were mentioned—but we all know that when you have kidney issues, any other weaknesses are meaningless in comparison.
Cut to Stern giving Arthur a pity applause. That’s what this kid needs, huh?
The Hornets, who selected Arthur, don’t even want him as right away, it is reported that he’s being traded to Portland [but at this point, its all irrelevant because he ended up getting traded to Memphis, via Houston. Look it up].
In what could be Stephen A. Smith’s last interview of the night, he frankly asks Arthur what is going with his kidney. Arthur responds by saying that his medical tests came back fine, but NBA must not have gotten the results. Boo-yah, NBA! This kid is mad and has something to prove! (assuming his kidney holds up, of course).
28th PICK—Donte Green as he was projected by some mock drafts to be picked 14th overall. Maybe he has kidney problems too.
Stu: Green was born in Germany, lived in Japan, and now resides in Baltimore (geez, how many schools did he attend?).
Bilas: Not ready for the NBA (doh!) but he does have the tools, nay, lots of tools. However, he needs to find the key to the toolbox first.
It’s like I stopped watching the NBA draft and now I’m getting flashbacks of Home Improvement episodes rushing through my head.
29th PICK—What can the Pistons do to get past the Conference Finals?
Jax: The Pistons need a player that can post-up (that’s one opinion)
Jeff: With all those Eastern Conference finals, that’s a pretty good achievement that should be celebrated (I agree, but no one ever remembers the team that loses in the Conference Finals. And that is why Jeff is not coaching anymore).
Stu: Pistons need to get a little younger (well, it is the NBA draft. You can put a bunch of names on a dart board, blindfold yourself, and shoot three darts and you can unwittingly stumble upon three players who will lower your team’s average age. Stu Scott, a.k.a. “Mr. Obvious.”
D.J. White, your Big 10 player of the year
Stu: He’s full of intensity, huh Bilas?
Bilas: When White came out of high school, he reminded me of James Worthy (my mouth is agape. Interesting note, in September of 2006, http://nbadraft.net was comparing White to Wayne Simien. White was a sophomore by then. So he went from being Worthy to Simien. Sad, but true).
--He’s not the same athlete he used to be (again, he went from Worthy to Simien).
--“Nice turnaround jump shot” (THEY ALL DO!)
Stu just mentioned Isaiah Thomas (whether it was by accident or not is anyone’s guess) and the New York boo machine is rolling. To stop the boos, Stu responds, “Come on, don’t boo Isaiah.” I disagree; boo until your throat can’t boo any longer.
Stu: Do the Pistons trade any of their four best players (wow, how the mighty Pistons have fallen).
Jax: Joe Dumars’ phone is on the hook (because Dumars has trouble keeping the phone on the hook? Because Dumars doesn’t believe in telephones so he never has it on, but has it on now because his team needs to get to the Finals again?)
And now, it is time for the Champion Celtics to make their selection. While they’re on the clock, the fellows who have been broadcasting and analyzing the draft talk some Celtic basketball with the viewers at home.
Jeff: The Celtics must sign Posey. He has tenacity! (I didn’t realize that Posey was the unofficial third member of Tenacious D).
Bilas: The 30th pick is not about the player, but about gaining assets (you know, I’m trying to enjoy the draft without Bilas putting some economic spin to it).
Five minutes have been up. Please, Mr. Stern, announce the pick already!
Bilas: I’m shocked to see how young this draft is (he seriously didn’t see it coming?)
[At this point, 11 freshmen were selected; a new NBA draft record]
Here comes Stern and a lot of boos from the stands as the hated Celtics are comfortable with their selection.
30th PICK—J.R. Giddens, your 2008 Mountain West Conference Player of the Year. You know, many people thought that Chris Douglas-Roberts would be selected by the Celtics with the 30th pick. Perhaps the Celtics wanted a Senior classman on their team. I guess it does pay to stay in school!
Bilas: “Very talented player” and can hit “deep shots” (so the guy can drink, but what about his game?)
And that wraps up the 1st Round of the 2008 NBA draft. But I can’t finish this diary without mentioning Dickey V’s last appearance of the night. You’d think that it would be past his bedtime, but apparently it’s not. Quick highlights:
--Dickey V looks very mad as he goes into his “potential, potential, potential” rant.
--Wants more proven players selected (it’s an amateur draft!)
--Winners of this year’s draft were the New Jersey Nets because they selected Ryan Anderson (guy who can score, but can’t play defense. Nice!) and Brook Lopez (a big man who CAN’T REBOUND!). He also thought the Suns were winners because they picked Robin with their 1st round pick (so Shaq can teach him how to pace himself in the regular season so he can be well rested in time for the NBA playoffs. Although, from a fantasy standpoint, if Shaq is injured all season long, Robin is too young to be injured for an extended period of time. Therefore, Robin becomes a fantasy basketball commodity because he’ll see some time at Center for the Suns. Eureka!).
--Dickey V is sick of kids going to college for one year. He was mad for many years because high school kids were by-passing college to go straight to the pros. Now that these same kids are going to college for one year, he’s still mad. There’s just no pleasing this man!
--How is it that Andre Jordan, Mario Chalmers, and Chris Douglas-Roberts are not drafted yet??? Dickey V is boiling! (by the way, if CDR’s people are smart, they would look for a nice endorsement deal from some CD-R company so he can be their spokesman. Where are my kudos?).
--One final note, Dickey V thinks UNC will be the #1 team in the nation for the upcoming college basketball season, much to the delight of one Stu Scott. Why am I not surprise that Dickey V is picking an ACC team for the #1 spot again?
As written by,
Felipe Melecio
Currently Thankful of: Donny Rodriguez for inviting me to watch the draft at his house. Check him out at http://www.myspace.com/woodsugars
Currently Digging: The band Between the Buried and Me (I swear, everything they touch turns into gold).
Currently Playing: Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift (already have logged in 24 hours game play—and counting!)
2008 NBA Draft:
26th PICK—George Hill from IUPUI, who has a 6’9” wingspan. Stu: Hill can score, board, and dish (the Spurs got the next Jason Kidd?)
Bilas: Could be special player (at this point, anything coming out of Bilas’ mouth should be taken with a grain of salt).
Stu: Has 3% body fat (most of it on his wingspan).
Best of all, he has NO WEAKNESS. This guy could be the best guy selected so far! The Spurs did it again!
Interesting Fact: Joe Alexander was the only 20+ year-old player to be selected in the top 10. It’s like the NBA went from drafting high school players to selecting virtual 5th year Seniors—in high school.
Andy Katz: Kansas coach, Bill Self and the University itself said that Arthur tested fine medically at KU and the kidney should be a non-issue.
Well, if the NBA says it’s a problem, then it’s a problem. NBA wins.
27th PICK—Darrell Arthur, gets the pity selection. EVERYONE REJOICE! It took Arthur so long to get selected that there’s a kid who’s already sleeping at his table. Obviously, it was well past his bedtime.
Bilas: “Could really run” and “Move and slide his feet” (he can do the “running man,” “the electric” and “cha-cha slide” and can “moonwalk” with the best of them).
--“Can use both hands around the rim” (why not just say he’s ambidextrous?)
--Has a “little hook” that he uses around the rim and possesses with him the required “good turn around jump shot.”
WEAKNESS: None were mentioned—but we all know that when you have kidney issues, any other weaknesses are meaningless in comparison.
Cut to Stern giving Arthur a pity applause. That’s what this kid needs, huh?
The Hornets, who selected Arthur, don’t even want him as right away, it is reported that he’s being traded to Portland [but at this point, its all irrelevant because he ended up getting traded to Memphis, via Houston. Look it up].
In what could be Stephen A. Smith’s last interview of the night, he frankly asks Arthur what is going with his kidney. Arthur responds by saying that his medical tests came back fine, but NBA must not have gotten the results. Boo-yah, NBA! This kid is mad and has something to prove! (assuming his kidney holds up, of course).
28th PICK—Donte Green as he was projected by some mock drafts to be picked 14th overall. Maybe he has kidney problems too.
Stu: Green was born in Germany, lived in Japan, and now resides in Baltimore (geez, how many schools did he attend?).
Bilas: Not ready for the NBA (doh!) but he does have the tools, nay, lots of tools. However, he needs to find the key to the toolbox first.
It’s like I stopped watching the NBA draft and now I’m getting flashbacks of Home Improvement episodes rushing through my head.
29th PICK—What can the Pistons do to get past the Conference Finals?
Jax: The Pistons need a player that can post-up (that’s one opinion)
Jeff: With all those Eastern Conference finals, that’s a pretty good achievement that should be celebrated (I agree, but no one ever remembers the team that loses in the Conference Finals. And that is why Jeff is not coaching anymore).
Stu: Pistons need to get a little younger (well, it is the NBA draft. You can put a bunch of names on a dart board, blindfold yourself, and shoot three darts and you can unwittingly stumble upon three players who will lower your team’s average age. Stu Scott, a.k.a. “Mr. Obvious.”
D.J. White, your Big 10 player of the year
Stu: He’s full of intensity, huh Bilas?
Bilas: When White came out of high school, he reminded me of James Worthy (my mouth is agape. Interesting note, in September of 2006, http://nbadraft.net was comparing White to Wayne Simien. White was a sophomore by then. So he went from being Worthy to Simien. Sad, but true).
--He’s not the same athlete he used to be (again, he went from Worthy to Simien).
--“Nice turnaround jump shot” (THEY ALL DO!)
Stu just mentioned Isaiah Thomas (whether it was by accident or not is anyone’s guess) and the New York boo machine is rolling. To stop the boos, Stu responds, “Come on, don’t boo Isaiah.” I disagree; boo until your throat can’t boo any longer.
Stu: Do the Pistons trade any of their four best players (wow, how the mighty Pistons have fallen).
Jax: Joe Dumars’ phone is on the hook (because Dumars has trouble keeping the phone on the hook? Because Dumars doesn’t believe in telephones so he never has it on, but has it on now because his team needs to get to the Finals again?)
And now, it is time for the Champion Celtics to make their selection. While they’re on the clock, the fellows who have been broadcasting and analyzing the draft talk some Celtic basketball with the viewers at home.
Jeff: The Celtics must sign Posey. He has tenacity! (I didn’t realize that Posey was the unofficial third member of Tenacious D).
Bilas: The 30th pick is not about the player, but about gaining assets (you know, I’m trying to enjoy the draft without Bilas putting some economic spin to it).
Five minutes have been up. Please, Mr. Stern, announce the pick already!
Bilas: I’m shocked to see how young this draft is (he seriously didn’t see it coming?)
[At this point, 11 freshmen were selected; a new NBA draft record]
Here comes Stern and a lot of boos from the stands as the hated Celtics are comfortable with their selection.
30th PICK—J.R. Giddens, your 2008 Mountain West Conference Player of the Year. You know, many people thought that Chris Douglas-Roberts would be selected by the Celtics with the 30th pick. Perhaps the Celtics wanted a Senior classman on their team. I guess it does pay to stay in school!
Bilas: “Very talented player” and can hit “deep shots” (so the guy can drink, but what about his game?)
And that wraps up the 1st Round of the 2008 NBA draft. But I can’t finish this diary without mentioning Dickey V’s last appearance of the night. You’d think that it would be past his bedtime, but apparently it’s not. Quick highlights:
--Dickey V looks very mad as he goes into his “potential, potential, potential” rant.
--Wants more proven players selected (it’s an amateur draft!)
--Winners of this year’s draft were the New Jersey Nets because they selected Ryan Anderson (guy who can score, but can’t play defense. Nice!) and Brook Lopez (a big man who CAN’T REBOUND!). He also thought the Suns were winners because they picked Robin with their 1st round pick (so Shaq can teach him how to pace himself in the regular season so he can be well rested in time for the NBA playoffs. Although, from a fantasy standpoint, if Shaq is injured all season long, Robin is too young to be injured for an extended period of time. Therefore, Robin becomes a fantasy basketball commodity because he’ll see some time at Center for the Suns. Eureka!).
--Dickey V is sick of kids going to college for one year. He was mad for many years because high school kids were by-passing college to go straight to the pros. Now that these same kids are going to college for one year, he’s still mad. There’s just no pleasing this man!
--How is it that Andre Jordan, Mario Chalmers, and Chris Douglas-Roberts are not drafted yet??? Dickey V is boiling! (by the way, if CDR’s people are smart, they would look for a nice endorsement deal from some CD-R company so he can be their spokesman. Where are my kudos?).
--One final note, Dickey V thinks UNC will be the #1 team in the nation for the upcoming college basketball season, much to the delight of one Stu Scott. Why am I not surprise that Dickey V is picking an ACC team for the #1 spot again?
As written by,
Felipe Melecio
Currently Thankful of: Donny Rodriguez for inviting me to watch the draft at his house. Check him out at http://www.myspace.com/woodsugars
Currently Digging: The band Between the Buried and Me (I swear, everything they touch turns into gold).
Currently Playing: Final Fantasy Tactics A2: Grimoire of the Rift (already have logged in 24 hours game play—and counting!)
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
2008 NBA Draft Diary - Part VI
By Felipe Melecio
2008 NBA Draft:
21ST PICK—Ryan Anderson, who Bilas reminds everyone that he “Doesn’t move feet well on D” and he needs more strength (a guy who can’t play defense and is weak and soft? Another guy who’ll fit right in with his new team). Bilas did marvel at Anderson’s offensive game (so he’s another Adam Morrison, except Anderson is not a lottery pick). Bilas went on to compare him to Troy Murphy. Hey, Murphy, when healthy, could hold his own. And I saw a game where Anderson torched DePaul all game long. They couldn’t find an answer for the guy. This pick is not too shabby, except that he can’t play defense, but I think the Nets will give him ample opportunity to succeed.
Orlando is on the clock and Jeff wants to make a prediction; “Orlando needs a backup PG.” Nooooo! They need a PG who can play better than Jameer Nelson, but they’re not going to find anyone this late in the draft to do that. Nelson has been a sort of an enigma in our league as the last two owners who drafted this guy have been disappointed with his play and have been more than happy to trade him away.
22nd PICK—Courtney Lee, your Sun-Belt player of the year and the 2nd leading scorer of that conference.
BILAS: “Tough as nails” (whoa, don’t mess with him!).
--“Developed every year” (or was it the fact that the competition got worse?)
--“Solid player” (I’m thinking that when Bilas has run out of things to say, he just goes ahead and finishes with the very vague “solid”).
--“NBA ready” (yeah, we’ll see).
Jeff just swung and missed on a fat joke that was targeted at his brother, Stan. Jeff’s Joke-O-Meter is also at .000.
Kiki Vandeweghe, part of the Nets front office. is being interviewed. Kiki highlighted the following points:
--They needed a change (you think?)
--He is excited to have big men who can put the ball in the basket (but are soft on defense and have a hard time rebounding. Continue, please).
--He was happy that these same big men have mid- to long-range jumpers (So the plan was to get as many Vladimir Radmanovic-like players as possible?).
The Utah Jazz are on the clock and Jeff lets it be known that “No softies are allowed to play under [coach Jerry] Sloan. Only tough guys need apply.”
23rd PICK—Kosta Koufas as Bilas describes him as a “finesse center” with good hands and a “good turn-around jumper” (oh Bilas, I bet you say that about all the boys!). He’s not a great athlete.
NEEDS TO WORK ON: REBOUNDING, DEFENSE, AND PASSING. This guy is the antithesis of a “Jerry Sloan player.” Jeff, I thought only tough guys can play for Sloan?
24th PICK—Seattle has six picks in this draft, which means we get to see a lot of Kevin Durant. That’s always a good thing. In the meantime, to pass the time, the panelists discuss Seattle’s roster and Jax just made a Ricky Ricardo reference (“they got some ‘splaning’ to do”) that had everybody on the panel laughing (Jeff should hire Jax’s writer). Serge Ibaka from Congo was drafted.
Fraschilla: Likely to stay in Spain for 3-4 years. He’s very athletic.
MUST IMPROVE: EXPERIENCE (how does one improve on experience? And I wasn’t the only one perplexed as I can hear Jeff and Jax baffled on that “attribute.”
Stan Van Gundy is being interviewed and Jeff wants to know why his own brother didn’t tell Jeff that he would draft Courtney Lee. Stan pretty much told Jeff to stop his whining. I must say for a guy who usually looks very fat and bloated, Stan looks pretty thin in this interview. Stan also made a fat joke, about himself no less, which had everyone laughing. Jeff needs to hire his brother’s writer as Stan has been on camera for a few minutes and his Joke-O-Meter is already at 1.000!
The Houston Rockets are on the clock and Stu has something on his mind: How’s Yao’s recovery going?
Jeff: I think he’s healing well (Dr. Jeff?)
Stu: Isn’t he playing for China for the upcoming Olympics
Jeff: He will, healthy or not, because he has great pride in his country (I remember that when the Rockets and the Chinese Government were negotiating Yao’s contract, the Chinese made sure that Yao’s participation with the national team would be mandatory. So I don’t think it’s about pride as it is about obligation. Get it right, Jeff!).
25th PICK—Nicolas Batum, an All-Star in the French League (finally an International player with some credentials).
Fraschilla: He’s just not Athletic, but NBA athletic (insert your own punchline now).
--Doesn’t have great escape ability (last I checked, he’s not a QB and this isn’t the NFL draft. Get it right!)
--Needs to toughen up (surprise!)
--He’s super-duper athletic (I don’t think he mentioned that one before).
--He predicts that Batum will be in the NBA in 2 years. That’s actually better than the 3-4 year waiting period on the other International players. I’m actually starting to buy the hype on this player. Oh, oh.
It gets worse, Ric Buchner is back to slap me across the face: The reason Darrell Arthur is still in the green room and on his third pack of gum is because NBA teams are being scared away by possible kidney problems. WOW, Buchner does it again! My face is numb.
Meanwhile, D’Antoni is now being interviewed as he now has to defend the Gallinari pick:
--“Most talented player”
--“He’ll be tough”
--“Was picked because of talent” and not because of any family affiliations
I don’t think Knick fans are buying it
Next: 26-30
2008 NBA Draft:
21ST PICK—Ryan Anderson, who Bilas reminds everyone that he “Doesn’t move feet well on D” and he needs more strength (a guy who can’t play defense and is weak and soft? Another guy who’ll fit right in with his new team). Bilas did marvel at Anderson’s offensive game (so he’s another Adam Morrison, except Anderson is not a lottery pick). Bilas went on to compare him to Troy Murphy. Hey, Murphy, when healthy, could hold his own. And I saw a game where Anderson torched DePaul all game long. They couldn’t find an answer for the guy. This pick is not too shabby, except that he can’t play defense, but I think the Nets will give him ample opportunity to succeed.
Orlando is on the clock and Jeff wants to make a prediction; “Orlando needs a backup PG.” Nooooo! They need a PG who can play better than Jameer Nelson, but they’re not going to find anyone this late in the draft to do that. Nelson has been a sort of an enigma in our league as the last two owners who drafted this guy have been disappointed with his play and have been more than happy to trade him away.
22nd PICK—Courtney Lee, your Sun-Belt player of the year and the 2nd leading scorer of that conference.
BILAS: “Tough as nails” (whoa, don’t mess with him!).
--“Developed every year” (or was it the fact that the competition got worse?)
--“Solid player” (I’m thinking that when Bilas has run out of things to say, he just goes ahead and finishes with the very vague “solid”).
--“NBA ready” (yeah, we’ll see).
Jeff just swung and missed on a fat joke that was targeted at his brother, Stan. Jeff’s Joke-O-Meter is also at .000.
Kiki Vandeweghe, part of the Nets front office. is being interviewed. Kiki highlighted the following points:
--They needed a change (you think?)
--He is excited to have big men who can put the ball in the basket (but are soft on defense and have a hard time rebounding. Continue, please).
--He was happy that these same big men have mid- to long-range jumpers (So the plan was to get as many Vladimir Radmanovic-like players as possible?).
The Utah Jazz are on the clock and Jeff lets it be known that “No softies are allowed to play under [coach Jerry] Sloan. Only tough guys need apply.”
23rd PICK—Kosta Koufas as Bilas describes him as a “finesse center” with good hands and a “good turn-around jumper” (oh Bilas, I bet you say that about all the boys!). He’s not a great athlete.
NEEDS TO WORK ON: REBOUNDING, DEFENSE, AND PASSING. This guy is the antithesis of a “Jerry Sloan player.” Jeff, I thought only tough guys can play for Sloan?
24th PICK—Seattle has six picks in this draft, which means we get to see a lot of Kevin Durant. That’s always a good thing. In the meantime, to pass the time, the panelists discuss Seattle’s roster and Jax just made a Ricky Ricardo reference (“they got some ‘splaning’ to do”) that had everybody on the panel laughing (Jeff should hire Jax’s writer). Serge Ibaka from Congo was drafted.
Fraschilla: Likely to stay in Spain for 3-4 years. He’s very athletic.
MUST IMPROVE: EXPERIENCE (how does one improve on experience? And I wasn’t the only one perplexed as I can hear Jeff and Jax baffled on that “attribute.”
Stan Van Gundy is being interviewed and Jeff wants to know why his own brother didn’t tell Jeff that he would draft Courtney Lee. Stan pretty much told Jeff to stop his whining. I must say for a guy who usually looks very fat and bloated, Stan looks pretty thin in this interview. Stan also made a fat joke, about himself no less, which had everyone laughing. Jeff needs to hire his brother’s writer as Stan has been on camera for a few minutes and his Joke-O-Meter is already at 1.000!
The Houston Rockets are on the clock and Stu has something on his mind: How’s Yao’s recovery going?
Jeff: I think he’s healing well (Dr. Jeff?)
Stu: Isn’t he playing for China for the upcoming Olympics
Jeff: He will, healthy or not, because he has great pride in his country (I remember that when the Rockets and the Chinese Government were negotiating Yao’s contract, the Chinese made sure that Yao’s participation with the national team would be mandatory. So I don’t think it’s about pride as it is about obligation. Get it right, Jeff!).
25th PICK—Nicolas Batum, an All-Star in the French League (finally an International player with some credentials).
Fraschilla: He’s just not Athletic, but NBA athletic (insert your own punchline now).
--Doesn’t have great escape ability (last I checked, he’s not a QB and this isn’t the NFL draft. Get it right!)
--Needs to toughen up (surprise!)
--He’s super-duper athletic (I don’t think he mentioned that one before).
--He predicts that Batum will be in the NBA in 2 years. That’s actually better than the 3-4 year waiting period on the other International players. I’m actually starting to buy the hype on this player. Oh, oh.
It gets worse, Ric Buchner is back to slap me across the face: The reason Darrell Arthur is still in the green room and on his third pack of gum is because NBA teams are being scared away by possible kidney problems. WOW, Buchner does it again! My face is numb.
Meanwhile, D’Antoni is now being interviewed as he now has to defend the Gallinari pick:
--“Most talented player”
--“He’ll be tough”
--“Was picked because of talent” and not because of any family affiliations
I don’t think Knick fans are buying it
Next: 26-30
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
2008 NBA Draft Diary - Part V
By Felipe Melecio
2008 NBA Draft:
16th PICK—Marreese Speights as for a second, I thought the 76ers were selecting Maurice Cheeks. At 6’10” 245 lbs. Gabe decides to give his two cents; “this guy should be playing football.” Thank you, Gabe.
Bilas: “Good post moves” but MUST IMPROVE: CONDITIONING as Bilas is left to wonder “what kind of motor does he have?” Not much of one if he’s fat is what I think. No one is too excited for this pick I noticed.
17th PICK—Roy Hibbert as Stern proclaims that “Roy is not here.” I’m thinking had Hibbert declared for the NBA draft last season, he would’ve been invited to go to New York and would’ve been taken in the top 10. You see what happens when you stay in school, kids?
Stu: “He’s a BIG man!” Wow, Stu is on fire! Boo-yah! (Kill me!).
Bilas: “Little turn around jump shot in the paint” (probably the only thing that can be considered “little” on this guy. I’m starting to think that if you can spin and shoot without falling on your butt, you can easily impress Bilas).
--“Can’t change hands” (I’m sure Hibbert likes his hands just the way they are).
--Come on Bilas, finish strong! “He’s really, really solid.” I think Hibbert should’ve really, really left school after last season.
Stu: “Nicknamed ‘Big Stiff’ when he first arrived at Georgetown.” So is that what the ladies called him at Georgetown? I’m jealous...
Cut to Brook Lopez being WIRED for ESPN’s draft telecast as he lets it be known that the draft is “so boring.” Someone remind him that he’s in the right kind of draft, please!
While the Wizards decide how they’ll ruin that franchise, Stu is interviewing Phoenix Suns’ coach Terry Porter. How can newly drafted Robin Lopez benefit in Phoenix? Porter replies, “He’ll learn a lot from Shaq.” Is that a good thing?
18th PICK: JaVale McGee out of Nevada, the same school that Nick Fazekas went to. Donny and I weren’t too interested that him and his mom become the first WNBA, NBA mother-son tandem. This is me celebrating—hip, hip, hoorah! (no CAPS needed). At 7 feet, 237 lbs. the Wizards decided that having two big stiffs like Brendan Haywood and Etan Thomas wasn’t enough. A third big stiff was needed on the roster and Hibbert was already gone.
Ric Buchner chimes in (always happy to hear from Ric because every time he has breaking news, its usually something crazy that makes you feel like you have just been slapped across the face). There’s a big trade involving the Pacers and the Blazers as Ike Diogu and Jerryd Bayless (along with Josh McRoberts. Hold for laughter), have been traded from the Pacers for Jarrett Jack and Brandon Rush. WOW, I feel like someone just slapped me across the face (see? I told you!)
And now we have Darrell Arthur, still waiting in the green room for a team to select him, anxiously chomping on a piece of gum. I’m embarrassed for him. Bilas doesn’t understand. He says he “has a good turnaround jumper” (dammit, according to Bilas, everyone has a “good turnaround jumper!”). Jax, a former 18th overall draft pick thinks he best qualifies to talk to Arthur, but I’m betting Arthur doesn’t want to hear from him at this moment. Jax’s best advise “get a new piece of gum and enjoy it.” Again, Jax makes it sound easy, but he forgets how few people in this world are as tough as Jax, much less a young 20 year-old whose ability is being questioned. Calm down, Jax!
19th PICK—J.J. Hickson as Bilas tells us that he “has an NBA body” and “can overpower opponents down low.” Ok, but I bet he will find it very hard to “overpower” in the NBA. MUST WORK ON: WORK-ETHIC. I’m done with this pick.
20th PICK—Michael Jordan has another 1st round pick in this year’s draft and I’m left wondering how he’ll further ruin this team. Remember, in order to get this pick from Denver, they had to give up a “future protected 1st round pick.” Here’s what our experts think:
Jax: They have to go big!
Bilas: (not one to be one-upped) They have to go Center-big (hahahahaha!)
David Stern: Alexis Ajinca, Center from France
Bilas:--“Big AND long... makes basketball look like a Nerf ball.” NEEDS: Strength and weight (of course!)
Fran Fraschilla: Not productive in French league (at least The Rooster was productive in Triple-A Italy last season). There’s also a concern that since the Euro is stronger than the dollar, he might never play with the Bobcats. So Michael picked a guy who might not play in the NBA because he makes too much money in Europe. Sounds like Ajinca has Jordan’s business savvy, but not even a single-digit percentage of Michael’s desire. Do I hear the toilet flush for this franchise? Oh, it’s just Gabe getting out of the bathroom.
Andy Katz interview with Bayless as Katz asks him when did he find out about the trade. Bayless should’ve said, “When Ric Buchner reported it earlier. I was so shocked! Its as if someone had slapped me across the face.”
The New Jersey Nets are on the clock with the 21st pick. Any thoughts, gentlemen?
Jax: “Team is trying to get better” (as opposed to getting worse? Oh wait; I remember when a certain team got worse when they traded away Elton Brand to the Clippers. I don’t want to talk about it).
Stu: How close are they to the elite in the East? (my thoughts? Not very).
Jax: Maybe not an elite team in the East, but they could make the playoffs (shoot, that’s true about any team in the East. Even the Knicks have a chance to make the playoffs out of the East with a losing record).
Stu: The Nets are younger and bigger with Lopez (yes, but apparently they’re still a mediocre team).
Next: 21-25
2008 NBA Draft:
16th PICK—Marreese Speights as for a second, I thought the 76ers were selecting Maurice Cheeks. At 6’10” 245 lbs. Gabe decides to give his two cents; “this guy should be playing football.” Thank you, Gabe.
Bilas: “Good post moves” but MUST IMPROVE: CONDITIONING as Bilas is left to wonder “what kind of motor does he have?” Not much of one if he’s fat is what I think. No one is too excited for this pick I noticed.
17th PICK—Roy Hibbert as Stern proclaims that “Roy is not here.” I’m thinking had Hibbert declared for the NBA draft last season, he would’ve been invited to go to New York and would’ve been taken in the top 10. You see what happens when you stay in school, kids?
Stu: “He’s a BIG man!” Wow, Stu is on fire! Boo-yah! (Kill me!).
Bilas: “Little turn around jump shot in the paint” (probably the only thing that can be considered “little” on this guy. I’m starting to think that if you can spin and shoot without falling on your butt, you can easily impress Bilas).
--“Can’t change hands” (I’m sure Hibbert likes his hands just the way they are).
--Come on Bilas, finish strong! “He’s really, really solid.” I think Hibbert should’ve really, really left school after last season.
Stu: “Nicknamed ‘Big Stiff’ when he first arrived at Georgetown.” So is that what the ladies called him at Georgetown? I’m jealous...
Cut to Brook Lopez being WIRED for ESPN’s draft telecast as he lets it be known that the draft is “so boring.” Someone remind him that he’s in the right kind of draft, please!
While the Wizards decide how they’ll ruin that franchise, Stu is interviewing Phoenix Suns’ coach Terry Porter. How can newly drafted Robin Lopez benefit in Phoenix? Porter replies, “He’ll learn a lot from Shaq.” Is that a good thing?
18th PICK: JaVale McGee out of Nevada, the same school that Nick Fazekas went to. Donny and I weren’t too interested that him and his mom become the first WNBA, NBA mother-son tandem. This is me celebrating—hip, hip, hoorah! (no CAPS needed). At 7 feet, 237 lbs. the Wizards decided that having two big stiffs like Brendan Haywood and Etan Thomas wasn’t enough. A third big stiff was needed on the roster and Hibbert was already gone.
Ric Buchner chimes in (always happy to hear from Ric because every time he has breaking news, its usually something crazy that makes you feel like you have just been slapped across the face). There’s a big trade involving the Pacers and the Blazers as Ike Diogu and Jerryd Bayless (along with Josh McRoberts. Hold for laughter), have been traded from the Pacers for Jarrett Jack and Brandon Rush. WOW, I feel like someone just slapped me across the face (see? I told you!)
And now we have Darrell Arthur, still waiting in the green room for a team to select him, anxiously chomping on a piece of gum. I’m embarrassed for him. Bilas doesn’t understand. He says he “has a good turnaround jumper” (dammit, according to Bilas, everyone has a “good turnaround jumper!”). Jax, a former 18th overall draft pick thinks he best qualifies to talk to Arthur, but I’m betting Arthur doesn’t want to hear from him at this moment. Jax’s best advise “get a new piece of gum and enjoy it.” Again, Jax makes it sound easy, but he forgets how few people in this world are as tough as Jax, much less a young 20 year-old whose ability is being questioned. Calm down, Jax!
19th PICK—J.J. Hickson as Bilas tells us that he “has an NBA body” and “can overpower opponents down low.” Ok, but I bet he will find it very hard to “overpower” in the NBA. MUST WORK ON: WORK-ETHIC. I’m done with this pick.
20th PICK—Michael Jordan has another 1st round pick in this year’s draft and I’m left wondering how he’ll further ruin this team. Remember, in order to get this pick from Denver, they had to give up a “future protected 1st round pick.” Here’s what our experts think:
Jax: They have to go big!
Bilas: (not one to be one-upped) They have to go Center-big (hahahahaha!)
David Stern: Alexis Ajinca, Center from France
Bilas:--“Big AND long... makes basketball look like a Nerf ball.” NEEDS: Strength and weight (of course!)
Fran Fraschilla: Not productive in French league (at least The Rooster was productive in Triple-A Italy last season). There’s also a concern that since the Euro is stronger than the dollar, he might never play with the Bobcats. So Michael picked a guy who might not play in the NBA because he makes too much money in Europe. Sounds like Ajinca has Jordan’s business savvy, but not even a single-digit percentage of Michael’s desire. Do I hear the toilet flush for this franchise? Oh, it’s just Gabe getting out of the bathroom.
Andy Katz interview with Bayless as Katz asks him when did he find out about the trade. Bayless should’ve said, “When Ric Buchner reported it earlier. I was so shocked! Its as if someone had slapped me across the face.”
The New Jersey Nets are on the clock with the 21st pick. Any thoughts, gentlemen?
Jax: “Team is trying to get better” (as opposed to getting worse? Oh wait; I remember when a certain team got worse when they traded away Elton Brand to the Clippers. I don’t want to talk about it).
Stu: How close are they to the elite in the East? (my thoughts? Not very).
Jax: Maybe not an elite team in the East, but they could make the playoffs (shoot, that’s true about any team in the East. Even the Knicks have a chance to make the playoffs out of the East with a losing record).
Stu: The Nets are younger and bigger with Lopez (yes, but apparently they’re still a mediocre team).
Next: 21-25
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Taking On The Challenge: RotoBowl '08!
Welcome Ultimate Fantasy Sports Fans!
EJ Fulbright here, letting you know that I'll be bringing you a new running diary about my newest fantasy experience.
The Ultimate Fantasy Sports Site has been invited to take up the challenge of RotoBowl '08!
Thanks so much to Matthew Falkow over at RotoBowl (http://www.rotobowl.com/).
If you're not familiar with the RotoBowl tournament, here's the rundown:
Rotobowl is a huge fantasy football tournament that starts off each year with some amazing live draft parties (currently in Atlantic City, NJ and Baltimore, MD, but coming soon to a major city near you!). I'm not going to have the pleasure of attending one of these amazing draft parties, but if you get the opportunity, I highly recommend it. These parties are a blast! Live drafts are held at these parties (in addition to bikini contests, after parties, and lots of food, drinks and fun!), and if you can't make a live draft party (like me), you can participate in an online draft. There are groups of 12 teams and you have to win your league then win the championship tournament in order to win the $20,000 grand prize. (entry fees for the tournament are $250 each)
Of course, yours truly is gunning to win (because, why play if you're not playing to win, right?). This will be an interesting journey, and I'll let you guys know what my thought process is as I prepare for the draft and go through each week competing in the tournament. Hopefully, with all my skill (and an INSANE amount of luck ;) The Ultimate Fantasy Site can go down in history as the 2008 Rotobowl Champion!
The draft is scheduled for early September. Look out competitors . . . you better believe The Ultimate Fantasy Site will be ready!
If you have questions about the tournament and want to find out how to participate, go to http://www.rotobowl.com/ and check out Matthew's site.
Enjoy!
EJ Fulbright
Editor-in-Chief, The Ultimate Fantasy Site
C0-Host, The Ultimate Fantasy Sports Show Live!
EJ Fulbright here, letting you know that I'll be bringing you a new running diary about my newest fantasy experience.
The Ultimate Fantasy Sports Site has been invited to take up the challenge of RotoBowl '08!
Thanks so much to Matthew Falkow over at RotoBowl (http://www.rotobowl.com/).
If you're not familiar with the RotoBowl tournament, here's the rundown:
Rotobowl is a huge fantasy football tournament that starts off each year with some amazing live draft parties (currently in Atlantic City, NJ and Baltimore, MD, but coming soon to a major city near you!). I'm not going to have the pleasure of attending one of these amazing draft parties, but if you get the opportunity, I highly recommend it. These parties are a blast! Live drafts are held at these parties (in addition to bikini contests, after parties, and lots of food, drinks and fun!), and if you can't make a live draft party (like me), you can participate in an online draft. There are groups of 12 teams and you have to win your league then win the championship tournament in order to win the $20,000 grand prize. (entry fees for the tournament are $250 each)
Of course, yours truly is gunning to win (because, why play if you're not playing to win, right?). This will be an interesting journey, and I'll let you guys know what my thought process is as I prepare for the draft and go through each week competing in the tournament. Hopefully, with all my skill (and an INSANE amount of luck ;) The Ultimate Fantasy Site can go down in history as the 2008 Rotobowl Champion!
The draft is scheduled for early September. Look out competitors . . . you better believe The Ultimate Fantasy Site will be ready!
If you have questions about the tournament and want to find out how to participate, go to http://www.rotobowl.com/ and check out Matthew's site.
Enjoy!
EJ Fulbright
Editor-in-Chief, The Ultimate Fantasy Site
C0-Host, The Ultimate Fantasy Sports Show Live!
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
2008 NBA Draft Diary - Part IV
By Felipe Melecio
2008 NBA Draft:
12th PICK—Stern comes out and we’ve noticed that he’s stumbling and stammering a lot in this draft. He’s getting too old. Jason Thompson, 6’11” and 250 lbs. Bilas just describes him as “solid.” There’s real trouble brewing when Bilas can’t muster the energy to hype a player up. MUST IMPROVE ON: POST-DEFENSE. Again, just another player that will fit in with his new team (in this case, the Kings).
Stu wants to talk now: Brings up the fact that Thompson wants to be a broadcaster one day and joked that he will be helping out ESPN’s telecast starting in the 2nd round. Talk about a room getting very quiet. That brings Stu’s Joke-O-Meter to .000.
13th PICK—Donny’s guy Brandon Rush gets picked. At 6’6” how’s that for a real “tall guard?” Finally, after all the Combo Guard hype, a real shooting guard is taken. I don’t know how he’ll fit in Portland because they have plenty of guys just like him (Outlaw, Webster, Roy, etc.), but whether Rush is better than most is all for naught at this point [and not just because he’ll get traded soon]. At any rate, for a draft that was supposed to be “deep” a lot of teams are opting to pick up backups. That’s my take so far at least.
Bilas: “A really good prospect. Has smoothness to his game.” Oooh, smoothness, eh? There’s more: “Can guard multiple positions.” Wow, tell me more! NEEDS TO WORK ON: ASSERTIVENESS. Huh? That’s an attribute? I know of “Aggressiveness” in hockey, but I don’t think the NBA wants players to be fighting. There’s no 5 minute majors in basketball. Notch this up to Bilas reaching for criticism here. I turned to Donny, “this guy might be the best player right now.” Donny, of course, agreed.
14th PICK—Anthony Randolph gets selected as Stu was given the green light to say the following: “Golden State goes big and young!” (Brigham Young?). Bilas: In his last 9 games, he averaged 20.1 PPG (that’s a heck of a resume). Oh, but the following is where Bilas shines. Please, read on:
--Has great “Linear Extent in Space.” (He’s either trying to be the next Bill James for aspiring NBA draft gurus or he’s really pulling out terms out of his butt. I’m thinking more of the latter than the former. I’m not impressed).
--Talented young prospect (aren’t they all?)
--Can rebound, can block, he can play (holy moley, he’s Tyrus Thomas, but with some offensive game. I know Randolph has game because he was able to prove it in NINE GAMES!)
--Needs to hit the weights (of course) and learn how to play in the NBA
Ok, I’m confused with that last statement, but there’s no time for me to mull it over because DICKEY V is on the air. Awesome, baby!
Vitale: YOU DON’T NEED A DR. IN HOOPOLOGY TO COME OUT OF HARVARD (I’m sorry?)
--Seattle might regret not getting Love (echoing Donny’s sentiments from earlier in the night)
--Just compared the Knicks selection of The Rooster as being the same incident that the Pistons were a part of when selecting Darko Milicic.
--Surprise Pick: Jason Thompson and demands that Reggie Theus gets a contract extension because of it (is he serious or did Dickey V just pull out the sarcasm on us?).
--Finally, what I was able to decipher from Dickey V. was that he was getting upset because most, if not all, of these picks were purely based on “Potential, potential, potential!” Someone please explain to Vitale what an amateur draft is, please!
Bilas just announced his best available list for the 15th pick as being “mostly big guys.” Thanks for the update, Bilas.
15TH PICK—Robin Lopez. I guess he didn’t have to wait too long. He’s now attempting to find his brother as he really doesn’t like being separated from him for too long.
BILAS: He’s defensive-oriented, has BIG hands, and is learning how to use his left-hand (I turn to Donny and Gabe and tell them “so am I.” That got a nice chuckle going in the room. I must say, I’m proud of my achievement).
Bilas is still talking?: Will bring energy (that’s good because with these gas prices...), will get better, has a chance to improve on offensive end.
That’s some big time hype for a player selected 15th overall. Come on, Bilas! Finish this off right! Bilas: “He’s solid.” That’s it? All that for a “solid” player?
Stu: How will he play without his brother? (Why even ask that, anyway? Who cares?)
Robin’s turn to sit on the hot seat across the Little Man Who Met His Waterloo A Long Time Ago, Stephen A. Smith: THIS MAN IS BOLD as Smith points to Robin. No Stevie A., you’re bold!
Cut to the Lopez mom being interviewed and she’s a pretty tall woman. I turn to Donny and Gabe and proclaim that “the Lopez bros. came out of the womb 7 feet tall!” That got the biggest laugh of the night. It’s pretty much all downhill from here. Cut to a bathroom break.
Next: 16-20
2008 NBA Draft:
12th PICK—Stern comes out and we’ve noticed that he’s stumbling and stammering a lot in this draft. He’s getting too old. Jason Thompson, 6’11” and 250 lbs. Bilas just describes him as “solid.” There’s real trouble brewing when Bilas can’t muster the energy to hype a player up. MUST IMPROVE ON: POST-DEFENSE. Again, just another player that will fit in with his new team (in this case, the Kings).
Stu wants to talk now: Brings up the fact that Thompson wants to be a broadcaster one day and joked that he will be helping out ESPN’s telecast starting in the 2nd round. Talk about a room getting very quiet. That brings Stu’s Joke-O-Meter to .000.
13th PICK—Donny’s guy Brandon Rush gets picked. At 6’6” how’s that for a real “tall guard?” Finally, after all the Combo Guard hype, a real shooting guard is taken. I don’t know how he’ll fit in Portland because they have plenty of guys just like him (Outlaw, Webster, Roy, etc.), but whether Rush is better than most is all for naught at this point [and not just because he’ll get traded soon]. At any rate, for a draft that was supposed to be “deep” a lot of teams are opting to pick up backups. That’s my take so far at least.
Bilas: “A really good prospect. Has smoothness to his game.” Oooh, smoothness, eh? There’s more: “Can guard multiple positions.” Wow, tell me more! NEEDS TO WORK ON: ASSERTIVENESS. Huh? That’s an attribute? I know of “Aggressiveness” in hockey, but I don’t think the NBA wants players to be fighting. There’s no 5 minute majors in basketball. Notch this up to Bilas reaching for criticism here. I turned to Donny, “this guy might be the best player right now.” Donny, of course, agreed.
14th PICK—Anthony Randolph gets selected as Stu was given the green light to say the following: “Golden State goes big and young!” (Brigham Young?). Bilas: In his last 9 games, he averaged 20.1 PPG (that’s a heck of a resume). Oh, but the following is where Bilas shines. Please, read on:
--Has great “Linear Extent in Space.” (He’s either trying to be the next Bill James for aspiring NBA draft gurus or he’s really pulling out terms out of his butt. I’m thinking more of the latter than the former. I’m not impressed).
--Talented young prospect (aren’t they all?)
--Can rebound, can block, he can play (holy moley, he’s Tyrus Thomas, but with some offensive game. I know Randolph has game because he was able to prove it in NINE GAMES!)
--Needs to hit the weights (of course) and learn how to play in the NBA
Ok, I’m confused with that last statement, but there’s no time for me to mull it over because DICKEY V is on the air. Awesome, baby!
Vitale: YOU DON’T NEED A DR. IN HOOPOLOGY TO COME OUT OF HARVARD (I’m sorry?)
--Seattle might regret not getting Love (echoing Donny’s sentiments from earlier in the night)
--Just compared the Knicks selection of The Rooster as being the same incident that the Pistons were a part of when selecting Darko Milicic.
--Surprise Pick: Jason Thompson and demands that Reggie Theus gets a contract extension because of it (is he serious or did Dickey V just pull out the sarcasm on us?).
--Finally, what I was able to decipher from Dickey V. was that he was getting upset because most, if not all, of these picks were purely based on “Potential, potential, potential!” Someone please explain to Vitale what an amateur draft is, please!
Bilas just announced his best available list for the 15th pick as being “mostly big guys.” Thanks for the update, Bilas.
15TH PICK—Robin Lopez. I guess he didn’t have to wait too long. He’s now attempting to find his brother as he really doesn’t like being separated from him for too long.
BILAS: He’s defensive-oriented, has BIG hands, and is learning how to use his left-hand (I turn to Donny and Gabe and tell them “so am I.” That got a nice chuckle going in the room. I must say, I’m proud of my achievement).
Bilas is still talking?: Will bring energy (that’s good because with these gas prices...), will get better, has a chance to improve on offensive end.
That’s some big time hype for a player selected 15th overall. Come on, Bilas! Finish this off right! Bilas: “He’s solid.” That’s it? All that for a “solid” player?
Stu: How will he play without his brother? (Why even ask that, anyway? Who cares?)
Robin’s turn to sit on the hot seat across the Little Man Who Met His Waterloo A Long Time Ago, Stephen A. Smith: THIS MAN IS BOLD as Smith points to Robin. No Stevie A., you’re bold!
Cut to the Lopez mom being interviewed and she’s a pretty tall woman. I turn to Donny and Gabe and proclaim that “the Lopez bros. came out of the womb 7 feet tall!” That got the biggest laugh of the night. It’s pretty much all downhill from here. Cut to a bathroom break.
Next: 16-20
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
2008 NBA Draft Diary - Part III
By Felipe Melcio
2008 NBA Draft:
8th PICK—Turns out Joe Alexander was born in Taiwan and can speak Mandarin. Remember in last year’s draft when Yi Jianlian didn’t want to be part of the Bucks’ organization because the Asian population wasn’t as big as it was in L.A., N.Y.C., or Hong Kong? You’d think Yi would’ve felt better about Milwaukee with Alexander on board, but alas, he was shipped to New Jersey before the draft.
Cut to a shot of Alexander in college, SLAMMING IT DOWN. Wow, talk about white men jumping! Cut to the NBA draft audience and there’s a guy holding up a “Vanilla Sky” poster, an obvious reference to Alexander. If it wasn’t for Gallinari’s nickname of The Rooster, Alexander would be ahead in the “best rookie nickname pool.” Cut to another shot of Alexander showing a pretty mediocre turn around jumper, which Bilas points out is, “a nice turnaround shot.” In college it WAS “a nice turnaround shot,” but in the NBA, that shot is going to get blocked every time. At least the dude can jump.
9th PICK—D.J. Augustine is 5’11”. There’s so many things that are wrong with this selection that I don’t even know where to start. You think, I’m confused and upset, you should’ve seen Brook Lopez’s face when Augustine was selected and not him. First of all, Augustine is 5’11”. Not a concern? Ok, how about the fact that the Bobcats already have a “franchise” PG in Raymond Felton. I think Bilas just mentioned that Augustine will make a good back up to Felton. WHAT? Since when do teams start selecting backup players in the top 10 of the NBA draft? Seriously, what is going on here?
10th PICK—Brook Lopez gets selected as Robin looks sad that his brother leaves the family table to get to the podium with Stern. Twins are a mysterious bunch, aren’t they? Here’s some more Bilas facts on Brook:
--Brook “ plays bigger than he really is” (apparently Brook can play as if he were 8 feet tall. The NBA could use another clumsy giant to their roster of players).
--His draft stock dropped because he didn’t test well in the Orlando workouts (as a former Stanford student that was probably the only test he failed all year).
--Needs to work on REBOUNDING (a guy who plays like he’s 8’ can’t board? Breathe-in, breathe-out...)
Quick interview with Robin where he tells the TV audience that he can’t wait for his name to get called. Keep waiting. Stevie A. is now interviewing Brook and I swear, both of these guys sound like cavemen. Absolutely deep grunting noises come out of their mouths when they try to talk.
Jax wants to chime in (let him!): The Nets, a weak team that was soft in the middle last year just fixed their problem by picking Brook. Yep, getting a tall and clumsy center who CAN’T REBOUND fixed the Nets’ problems alright. Although, the Nets did have problems rebounding so Brook will fit right in.
11th PICK—Jerryd Bayless is picked up by the Pacers which is very strange seeing that the Pacers, before the draft, received T.J. Ford in a trade. They also have Jamaal Tinsley, but I figure if the Pacers are as frustrated with Tinsley as his fantasy basketball owners, he’s probably long gone. I figure Indiana have themselves an insurance policy if Ford isn’t healthy for the season. Or maybe the Pacers want Bayless and Ford in the same backcourt. Interesting.
Bilas: “Great work ethic and he really wants to be good” (doesn’t everybody?).
Jax mentions that Bayless can score, and score in bunches (again, a glorified Ben Gordon).
NEEDS TO WORK ON: PASSING. How can a PG/Combo guard have trouble PASSING THE BALL. Are they just reaching for criticism here or is he really this bad? Oh wait, he’s just another Ben Gordon. I guess it makes sense.
Next: 12-15
2008 NBA Draft:
8th PICK—Turns out Joe Alexander was born in Taiwan and can speak Mandarin. Remember in last year’s draft when Yi Jianlian didn’t want to be part of the Bucks’ organization because the Asian population wasn’t as big as it was in L.A., N.Y.C., or Hong Kong? You’d think Yi would’ve felt better about Milwaukee with Alexander on board, but alas, he was shipped to New Jersey before the draft.
Cut to a shot of Alexander in college, SLAMMING IT DOWN. Wow, talk about white men jumping! Cut to the NBA draft audience and there’s a guy holding up a “Vanilla Sky” poster, an obvious reference to Alexander. If it wasn’t for Gallinari’s nickname of The Rooster, Alexander would be ahead in the “best rookie nickname pool.” Cut to another shot of Alexander showing a pretty mediocre turn around jumper, which Bilas points out is, “a nice turnaround shot.” In college it WAS “a nice turnaround shot,” but in the NBA, that shot is going to get blocked every time. At least the dude can jump.
9th PICK—D.J. Augustine is 5’11”. There’s so many things that are wrong with this selection that I don’t even know where to start. You think, I’m confused and upset, you should’ve seen Brook Lopez’s face when Augustine was selected and not him. First of all, Augustine is 5’11”. Not a concern? Ok, how about the fact that the Bobcats already have a “franchise” PG in Raymond Felton. I think Bilas just mentioned that Augustine will make a good back up to Felton. WHAT? Since when do teams start selecting backup players in the top 10 of the NBA draft? Seriously, what is going on here?
10th PICK—Brook Lopez gets selected as Robin looks sad that his brother leaves the family table to get to the podium with Stern. Twins are a mysterious bunch, aren’t they? Here’s some more Bilas facts on Brook:
--Brook “ plays bigger than he really is” (apparently Brook can play as if he were 8 feet tall. The NBA could use another clumsy giant to their roster of players).
--His draft stock dropped because he didn’t test well in the Orlando workouts (as a former Stanford student that was probably the only test he failed all year).
--Needs to work on REBOUNDING (a guy who plays like he’s 8’ can’t board? Breathe-in, breathe-out...)
Quick interview with Robin where he tells the TV audience that he can’t wait for his name to get called. Keep waiting. Stevie A. is now interviewing Brook and I swear, both of these guys sound like cavemen. Absolutely deep grunting noises come out of their mouths when they try to talk.
Jax wants to chime in (let him!): The Nets, a weak team that was soft in the middle last year just fixed their problem by picking Brook. Yep, getting a tall and clumsy center who CAN’T REBOUND fixed the Nets’ problems alright. Although, the Nets did have problems rebounding so Brook will fit right in.
11th PICK—Jerryd Bayless is picked up by the Pacers which is very strange seeing that the Pacers, before the draft, received T.J. Ford in a trade. They also have Jamaal Tinsley, but I figure if the Pacers are as frustrated with Tinsley as his fantasy basketball owners, he’s probably long gone. I figure Indiana have themselves an insurance policy if Ford isn’t healthy for the season. Or maybe the Pacers want Bayless and Ford in the same backcourt. Interesting.
Bilas: “Great work ethic and he really wants to be good” (doesn’t everybody?).
Jax mentions that Bayless can score, and score in bunches (again, a glorified Ben Gordon).
NEEDS TO WORK ON: PASSING. How can a PG/Combo guard have trouble PASSING THE BALL. Are they just reaching for criticism here or is he really this bad? Oh wait, he’s just another Ben Gordon. I guess it makes sense.
Next: 12-15
2008 Preseason Fantasy Football Team Previews: Green Bay Packers
NFC North (Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings)
Green Bay Packers Fantasy Preview:
Are any other fantasy football owners as sick of Brett Favre as I am? I mean, I loved watching the guys play as much as anyone, but come on! He's been holding this franchise hostage for years now. This has gotten real old real fast. Just release the guy already and let's move on!
(ok. My Favre rant is over. Please, Mr. Goddell, make the Pack trade this guy! Back to the preview)
This team was extremely young last year at many of the skill positions, and somehow it all came together. So much so, that this team was disappointed it missed the Super Bowl game (now that's coming together!). So many things went right for this team last year. Start with a bounce back season from the afore mentioned Brett Favre (who I'd just as soon stop mentioning in relation to this team!), add surprising performances from both WR Greg Jennings (920 yards, 12tds) and RB Ryan Grant (1100+ total yards, 8 tds), and top it off with a stellar defensive showing, and you had the making of a Super Bowl contender.
Then the Brett Favre Show started again. Will he or won't he? Again. Yawn.
Now, (I just can't see any way Favre is under center for this team this year or ever again) Aaron Rodgers is the man. He still has some great offensive weapons in Jennings and WR James Jones, as well as the sure-handed but aging WR Donald Driver. Grant returns to build off his amazing season last year, and this offense is once again primed to be a good one. The major question mark will be how well will Rodgers fill the enormous shoes of Brett Favre? This team will only go as far as Rodgers takes them, and it could be a true boom or bust season for Rodgers in his first chance to lead this team. Expect Rodgers to be hot and cold this season and probably best suited to be a #2 QB as opposed to your #1.
This defensive unit was pretty stout last season, and seems to be coming on as one of the better units in the league, having given up only 18.2 points per game last year. They have a strong secondary with CB Charles Woodson and CB Al Harris returning, and they have DE Aaron Kampman putting pressure on the quarterback up front along with LBs AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett. This defense should again be worthy of a draft pick and starting position in a 12 team or larger league.
Green Bay drafted WR Jordy Nelson and QB Brian Brohm in the second round. Neither should see extended playing time this season. Neither will 3rd round pick TE Jeremichael Finley. Don't look for any standout rookies from the Pack this year.
Fantasy Surprise for 2008: Ryan Grant, RB
I can see this team throwing the ball a little less and running a little more to give Rodgers a chance to get comfortable being the new team leader. That directly benefits Ryan Grant, who should easily top 1000 yards this year and could come close to double digit touchdowns. He's being drafted pretty highly so far this year, but he's one of the few RBs left out there that isn't in a RBBC. If Grant is your #1 RB, you'll probably be in good shape. If he's your #2 (and he stays healthy), you're probably in great shape to make the playoffs.
Fantasy Disappointment for 2008: Greg Jennings, WR
Jennings scored 12 tds last season with Brett Favre throwing him the football. He really came on the scene with a bang, but I just can't see him getting the same amount of production with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. I see the ceiling for Jennings this year at around 1000 yards and 7 tds, which would still be a pretty good season for a WR, but not what owners who saw him last year will expect. Temper your expectations when drafting Jennings this year. . . he's bound to have a drop-off.
Best Fantasy Draft Value for 2008: Brett Favre, QB ?
Green Bay Packers Fantasy Preview:
Are any other fantasy football owners as sick of Brett Favre as I am? I mean, I loved watching the guys play as much as anyone, but come on! He's been holding this franchise hostage for years now. This has gotten real old real fast. Just release the guy already and let's move on!
(ok. My Favre rant is over. Please, Mr. Goddell, make the Pack trade this guy! Back to the preview)
This team was extremely young last year at many of the skill positions, and somehow it all came together. So much so, that this team was disappointed it missed the Super Bowl game (now that's coming together!). So many things went right for this team last year. Start with a bounce back season from the afore mentioned Brett Favre (who I'd just as soon stop mentioning in relation to this team!), add surprising performances from both WR Greg Jennings (920 yards, 12tds) and RB Ryan Grant (1100+ total yards, 8 tds), and top it off with a stellar defensive showing, and you had the making of a Super Bowl contender.
Then the Brett Favre Show started again. Will he or won't he? Again. Yawn.
Now, (I just can't see any way Favre is under center for this team this year or ever again) Aaron Rodgers is the man. He still has some great offensive weapons in Jennings and WR James Jones, as well as the sure-handed but aging WR Donald Driver. Grant returns to build off his amazing season last year, and this offense is once again primed to be a good one. The major question mark will be how well will Rodgers fill the enormous shoes of Brett Favre? This team will only go as far as Rodgers takes them, and it could be a true boom or bust season for Rodgers in his first chance to lead this team. Expect Rodgers to be hot and cold this season and probably best suited to be a #2 QB as opposed to your #1.
This defensive unit was pretty stout last season, and seems to be coming on as one of the better units in the league, having given up only 18.2 points per game last year. They have a strong secondary with CB Charles Woodson and CB Al Harris returning, and they have DE Aaron Kampman putting pressure on the quarterback up front along with LBs AJ Hawk and Nick Barnett. This defense should again be worthy of a draft pick and starting position in a 12 team or larger league.
Green Bay drafted WR Jordy Nelson and QB Brian Brohm in the second round. Neither should see extended playing time this season. Neither will 3rd round pick TE Jeremichael Finley. Don't look for any standout rookies from the Pack this year.
Fantasy Surprise for 2008: Ryan Grant, RB
I can see this team throwing the ball a little less and running a little more to give Rodgers a chance to get comfortable being the new team leader. That directly benefits Ryan Grant, who should easily top 1000 yards this year and could come close to double digit touchdowns. He's being drafted pretty highly so far this year, but he's one of the few RBs left out there that isn't in a RBBC. If Grant is your #1 RB, you'll probably be in good shape. If he's your #2 (and he stays healthy), you're probably in great shape to make the playoffs.
Fantasy Disappointment for 2008: Greg Jennings, WR
Jennings scored 12 tds last season with Brett Favre throwing him the football. He really came on the scene with a bang, but I just can't see him getting the same amount of production with Aaron Rodgers at the helm. I see the ceiling for Jennings this year at around 1000 yards and 7 tds, which would still be a pretty good season for a WR, but not what owners who saw him last year will expect. Temper your expectations when drafting Jennings this year. . . he's bound to have a drop-off.
Best Fantasy Draft Value for 2008: Brett Favre, QB ?
I know. I'm being a hypocrite. I want the saga over and I wish they'd release him already. However, how can you bet against Favre coming back with another team (Minnesota, maybe?) for one last hurrah? Favre will be a draft afterthought, and if you can snag him late in your draft, it might pay huge dividends. That is, if he actually gets his release. Just about everyone else on the team should be drafted just about where they belong, but Favre has the chance to really outshine whatever draft position he is currently getting. If you can snag him late and stash him, it is highly advised.
2008 Preseason Fantasy Football Team Previews: Chicago Bears
NFC North (Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings)
Chicago Bears Fantasy Preview:
The Chicago Bears provided fantasy football owners and Chicago Bears fans with some colossal disappointments last season. From highly touted (and highly drafted) RB Cedric Benson (who was recently released, btw, just in case you were living under a rock) who was a huge fantasy football bust to QB Rex Grossman who temporarily lost his starting job to WR Bernard Berrian (who simply didn't have anyone to consistently get him the ball), there was plenty of disappointment to go around. Even K Robbie Gould had a down season compared to 2006. Only WR/KR Devin Hester and the Bears defense came through last year, and Should do so again this year. The QB situation is still a mess, with strong armed, but grossly (pun intended) inaccurate Rex Grossman the starter and Kyle Orton backing him up. Gone are WR Mushin Muhammad (back to Carolina), RB Cedric Benson (released because he couldn't stay off the sauce) and WR Bernard Berrian (Minnesota). New faces this season include WR Marty Booker (Miami) and WR Brandon Lloyd (Washington). Time will tell if these guys can gel with WR Mark Bradley and TE Greg Olsen. Newly drafted RB Matt Forte takes over for Benson along with RB Adrian Peterson (the other one) and possibly newly signed (but still on the mend) RB Kevin Jones (Detroit). Will any of these guys make this offense perform any better than last year? Again, time will tell. Are any of these guys draftable in this offense with this offensive line? Well, I wouldn't mortgage the farm for any of them, including Forte.
The Bears defense is the strength of this team, and if KR/WR Devin Hester's stats are part of the defense in your league, this should still be a highly sought after unit. The bears should get a healthy LB Brian Urlacher and LB Lance Briggs returning, although they lost S Adam Archuletta, DT Darin Walker and LB Brendon Ayanbadejo. Even with these defections, this is still a top 5 defense, and should be drafted accordingly.
This draft may make or break the Bears, as 2nd rd pick RB Matt Forte has been handed the starting job. As Forte goes, the Bears offense may go, considering this is a run-oriented offense. Forte was a beast at Tulane last year (2,127 yards rushing), and could really spark this offense to great things. However, if the offensive line doesn't open some holes for him, he might as well be Cedric Benson (ok. not really). 3rd Rd pick Earl Bennett (Vanderbilt) has a chance to grab some playing time on this team with the players in front of him, but I think he's still a year or two away from fantasy respectability. Snag Forte in the mid to later rounds of your draft if he's available, but leave Bennett on the waiver wire.
Fantasy Surprise for 2008: Rex Grossman, QB
I'm going out on a limb here, and even though I don't like him very much, I think this might be the year that Rex Grossman gets his act together. The coaching staff has been working on his decision making this offseason, and he has some good (not great, but good) targets that can get open and catch the ball. If these guys come together and Grossman takes just a decent step forward, he will be worthy of at least a bench spot. Since I don't expect much from this offense, that would be a surprise to me!
Fantasy Disappointment for 2008: Matt Forte, RB
Don't get me wrong. I like Forte. I think he has the tools to be a good one. However, I don't like the fact that he's being forced to take the starting role in this offense. It doesn't look much like a recipe for success, and until Rex Grossman proves he can keep defenses honest, it just doesn't bode well for the rookie. I think Forte will be decent to good this season, but I think a good #2 RB is probably his ceiling for this year. Draft him, just don't over draft him because he's now the starter on this team.
Best Fantasy Draft Value for 2008: Bears Defense
On this team, about the only one you can reasonably rely on to produce is the Bears defense, and I'm just not comfortable picking anyone else to produce on this team until I see something. If you're spending a precious draft pick on a Chicago Bear, make sure its the defense. Anyone else will be a crap-shoot at best, and you should proceed with caution. The Bear's defense should again be one of the league's best and a great option for your fantasy team.
Next Up: Green Bay Packers
Chicago Bears Fantasy Preview:
The Chicago Bears provided fantasy football owners and Chicago Bears fans with some colossal disappointments last season. From highly touted (and highly drafted) RB Cedric Benson (who was recently released, btw, just in case you were living under a rock) who was a huge fantasy football bust to QB Rex Grossman who temporarily lost his starting job to WR Bernard Berrian (who simply didn't have anyone to consistently get him the ball), there was plenty of disappointment to go around. Even K Robbie Gould had a down season compared to 2006. Only WR/KR Devin Hester and the Bears defense came through last year, and Should do so again this year. The QB situation is still a mess, with strong armed, but grossly (pun intended) inaccurate Rex Grossman the starter and Kyle Orton backing him up. Gone are WR Mushin Muhammad (back to Carolina), RB Cedric Benson (released because he couldn't stay off the sauce) and WR Bernard Berrian (Minnesota). New faces this season include WR Marty Booker (Miami) and WR Brandon Lloyd (Washington). Time will tell if these guys can gel with WR Mark Bradley and TE Greg Olsen. Newly drafted RB Matt Forte takes over for Benson along with RB Adrian Peterson (the other one) and possibly newly signed (but still on the mend) RB Kevin Jones (Detroit). Will any of these guys make this offense perform any better than last year? Again, time will tell. Are any of these guys draftable in this offense with this offensive line? Well, I wouldn't mortgage the farm for any of them, including Forte.
The Bears defense is the strength of this team, and if KR/WR Devin Hester's stats are part of the defense in your league, this should still be a highly sought after unit. The bears should get a healthy LB Brian Urlacher and LB Lance Briggs returning, although they lost S Adam Archuletta, DT Darin Walker and LB Brendon Ayanbadejo. Even with these defections, this is still a top 5 defense, and should be drafted accordingly.
This draft may make or break the Bears, as 2nd rd pick RB Matt Forte has been handed the starting job. As Forte goes, the Bears offense may go, considering this is a run-oriented offense. Forte was a beast at Tulane last year (2,127 yards rushing), and could really spark this offense to great things. However, if the offensive line doesn't open some holes for him, he might as well be Cedric Benson (ok. not really). 3rd Rd pick Earl Bennett (Vanderbilt) has a chance to grab some playing time on this team with the players in front of him, but I think he's still a year or two away from fantasy respectability. Snag Forte in the mid to later rounds of your draft if he's available, but leave Bennett on the waiver wire.
Fantasy Surprise for 2008: Rex Grossman, QB
I'm going out on a limb here, and even though I don't like him very much, I think this might be the year that Rex Grossman gets his act together. The coaching staff has been working on his decision making this offseason, and he has some good (not great, but good) targets that can get open and catch the ball. If these guys come together and Grossman takes just a decent step forward, he will be worthy of at least a bench spot. Since I don't expect much from this offense, that would be a surprise to me!
Fantasy Disappointment for 2008: Matt Forte, RB
Don't get me wrong. I like Forte. I think he has the tools to be a good one. However, I don't like the fact that he's being forced to take the starting role in this offense. It doesn't look much like a recipe for success, and until Rex Grossman proves he can keep defenses honest, it just doesn't bode well for the rookie. I think Forte will be decent to good this season, but I think a good #2 RB is probably his ceiling for this year. Draft him, just don't over draft him because he's now the starter on this team.
Best Fantasy Draft Value for 2008: Bears Defense
On this team, about the only one you can reasonably rely on to produce is the Bears defense, and I'm just not comfortable picking anyone else to produce on this team until I see something. If you're spending a precious draft pick on a Chicago Bear, make sure its the defense. Anyone else will be a crap-shoot at best, and you should proceed with caution. The Bear's defense should again be one of the league's best and a great option for your fantasy team.
Next Up: Green Bay Packers
2008 NBA Draft Diary - Part II
By Felipe Melecio
2008 NBA Draft:
4TH PICK-- Russell Westbrook
FELIPE: Kevin Durant is happy, so I'm happy (he's on my fantasy basketball keeper NBA team. EJ is jealous, I know he is!)
DONNY: They should've gotten Kevin Love. Love and Durant down on the boards! Are you kidding me?
FELIPE: Guess the Sonics got tired of Earl Watson and Luke Ridnour playing two-headed PG.
DONNY: I'm sure Oklahoma City is going to get sick of triple teams on Durant at the post.
FELIPE: Suddenly, I'm not so happy anymore
The Not-so-Stellar TV Personality known as Stephen A. Smith has an interview with Westbrook. He informs the rookie that Durant was smiling when he was selected (with those types of hard-ball questions and comments, we're kind of perplexed as to why he got demoted). Cut to Durant, with a mike in his face. He is being asked why he was smiling when Westbrook was picked. His reply; He's a great defensive player and he's great on offense (that's the best scouting report of the night thus far. I love Durant!).
5TH PICK—Kevin Love-- Stu let's us know that it is the first time that back-to-back UCLA Bruins are picked since 1969, when “some guy named Lew Alcindor was picked #1 overall.” (Nobody plays the role of dumb-founded sports-anchor better than Stu. People think his bread-and-butter is “Boo-yah!” but making me believe that he is dumber than a brick—it’s as if he wasn’t really acting at all. Vintage Stu. Vintage! He’ll be annoying me all night long).
Bilas has something to say, “Love doesn't run pretty,” but he is an accurate passer (wow, he sounds like a pocket QB. Maybe he should play in the NFL). ESPN shows footage of K-Love draining full court shots and Stu and Bilas are absolutely amazed. Shoot, even I’m starting to believe in the hype. I’m thinking if the Grizzles want to utilize Love to his full potential, they should amend the “3-point shot from full-court” into their playbook for the upcoming season. However, I’m worried that Love can only drain those shots from out-of-bounds AND if he gets a running start. I don’t think baskets made from out-of-bounds count in the NBA and a running start might get him a traveling violation [YES, I’m aware that he would later get traded that same night. We have all summer to discuss this and all other trades].
Bilas adds that Love has potential to be a double-double player. Does Bilas know that he would have to average over 10 rebounds per game (RPG) to be considered a double-double player? I believe he can get 10 points—wait, unless he means 10 assists. With his accurate passing, it just might happen!
The Easily Expendable Stephen A. Smith lets the TV audience know that he met up with Love’s family in the elevator. I’m sure the family felt that they were stuck with Smith in the elevator....
...apparently father, Stan Love, loved to show son, Kevin, the history of the NBA by showing him footage of players he used to play with and against as a player—especially of tall white guys who don’t “run pretty.” Hope springs eternal.
Okay, moving on... where’s Ol’ Dirty when I need him?
Oh, the Knick fans are getting rowdy. Their team (and I do use that term loosely) are getting ready to kick off the Donnie Walsh/Mike D’Antoni era with this selection. Coming to the podium is David Stern and I must say he doesn’t look very “Stern-like.” Usually Stern just walks to the podium like he owns the building and his farts don’t stink. Not this time, though. Stern looks too frightened to read the selection and is already looking for Russ Granik to read the selection for him—except that he’s retired now. Well a Commish has to do what a Commish has to do (just ask Michael Chiklis).
6th PICK—Danilo Gallinari and a cascade of boos come down from the stands. Some Knick fans are surprised at the pick, despite report after report saying that the Knicks would select the Italian player. And they call themselves the most knowledgeable NBA fans in the world. “Basketball Mecca” my.... anyway, Knick fans are very mad at this pick. Someone just mentioned that Gallinari is not even 20 years-old yet, but is a good player to build a program around. Really? What about an NBA team?
Let it be known that this officially marks the first (of many) appearances in tonight’s telecast of one Fran Fraschilla, the International players’ scout. His studies have shown the following (and I will count the number of strikes that Knick fans are tallying in their heads):
--Gallinari will be ready in 2-3 years (Strike 1)
--Can be as big as Tiki Barber or Derek Jeter in New York (Strike 2, that’s near blasphemy and I don’t think Gallinari will play in the NFL or MLB)
--His nickname, get ready ... The Rooster (Strike 3. A riot must have ensued somewhere). The Rooster? That’s way too easy, even for me.
Gallinari gets his first real test as an American pro basketball player as he undergoes his right of passage with the mandatory Stephen A. Smith interview. It really doesn’t matter as the overflow of boos from the Knick fans nearly mutes whatever Gallinari had to say (something about being a basketball player who just plays. At least I know he can put together an English sentence. Better than Stephon Marbury at least).
Jax makes his first appearance in this article and he wants the rookie to just ignore the boos and just play. Well, that’s easier said than done, especially when you’re 2-3 years from being ready and will probably be playing overseas anyway. I think Jax takes his toughness for granted. Nobody can be tough like Jax. That’s why his name is JAX.
ESPN reports before the draft from Chad Ford and the like mentioned that Gallinari was not the next “Darko” because unlike Milicic, who spent most of his time on the bench at the time he was drafted by the Pistons, Gallinari was playing heavy minutes in one of Italy’s toughest leagues. This also from http://nbadraft.net/ “Last year got some minutes in the tough 4th Italian division, this year will play much more against older and tougher players. Next year could go to play in Italy's 1st division and be acquired by a top level team.” So this kid is progressing. Just don’t try to explain to Knick fans. Before the next pick was selected, they have already given the Knicks’ an “F” on their “Draft Grade.” Such a hasty bunch, those Knick fans are.
7th PICK—So there’s this NBA draft going on and it involves other teams who reside outside of New York. Eric Gordon, who spurned the University of Illinois to go to Indiana, spurned the Hoosiers to enter the NBA (good luck Coach Crean indeed)—welcome to NBA purgatory, or as Stern calls them, the L.A. Clippers. Sports Illustrated considered Westbrook, Mayo, Gordon, and Bayless as the best point/combo guards in this year’s draft outside of Rose. Bayless is the last one left from the list. Stu chimes in saying Gordon “is a big guard.” (6’3” is a big guard? I always thought that Ron Harper was a pretty big guard at 6’6”. I just don’t know what represents a “big guard” anymore....).
Bilas has something to say: Gordon has an “elongated wingspan” (whoa, he went from describing every single player to being “long” or just having a “long wingspan” to “elongated wingspan!” The evolution of Bilas is a sight to see. I’m wondering if Gordon can actually fly with an “elongated wingspan.”). He adds that because he played in the Big 10 last season, he can definitely adjust to “grind-out games” (that’s why I don’t watch the Big 10). He can score from anywhere, but turns over the ball too much and he needs to work on his ball-handling skills (basically, he’s a glorified version of Ben Gordon).
Cut to Donnie Walsh, who’s being interviewed—by someone. The question: Why Danilo Gallinari? The response, “he has an unusual package.” Dear lord, how did he get through customs? Isn’t that an Orange to Red Level Terrorist Threat? I just came back from four different airports, and “unusual packages” are supposed to be reported to TSA or some other government authority figure. I asked my buddy Gabe (Donny’s roommate and also in attendance for the NBA draft, despite being in his own little world) if this “unusual package” could very well be a serious terrorist threat (and who better to ask than Gabe; part of the U.S. Marine Corps). He just kept shaking his head and giving me the “Gabe Look of Disapproval.” (Well it was either this or make connections to this “unusual package” and his nickname, The Rooster. After all, this is a family article).
Next: Picks 8-11
2008 NBA Draft:
4TH PICK-- Russell Westbrook
FELIPE: Kevin Durant is happy, so I'm happy (he's on my fantasy basketball keeper NBA team. EJ is jealous, I know he is!)
DONNY: They should've gotten Kevin Love. Love and Durant down on the boards! Are you kidding me?
FELIPE: Guess the Sonics got tired of Earl Watson and Luke Ridnour playing two-headed PG.
DONNY: I'm sure Oklahoma City is going to get sick of triple teams on Durant at the post.
FELIPE: Suddenly, I'm not so happy anymore
The Not-so-Stellar TV Personality known as Stephen A. Smith has an interview with Westbrook. He informs the rookie that Durant was smiling when he was selected (with those types of hard-ball questions and comments, we're kind of perplexed as to why he got demoted). Cut to Durant, with a mike in his face. He is being asked why he was smiling when Westbrook was picked. His reply; He's a great defensive player and he's great on offense (that's the best scouting report of the night thus far. I love Durant!).
5TH PICK—Kevin Love-- Stu let's us know that it is the first time that back-to-back UCLA Bruins are picked since 1969, when “some guy named Lew Alcindor was picked #1 overall.” (Nobody plays the role of dumb-founded sports-anchor better than Stu. People think his bread-and-butter is “Boo-yah!” but making me believe that he is dumber than a brick—it’s as if he wasn’t really acting at all. Vintage Stu. Vintage! He’ll be annoying me all night long).
Bilas has something to say, “Love doesn't run pretty,” but he is an accurate passer (wow, he sounds like a pocket QB. Maybe he should play in the NFL). ESPN shows footage of K-Love draining full court shots and Stu and Bilas are absolutely amazed. Shoot, even I’m starting to believe in the hype. I’m thinking if the Grizzles want to utilize Love to his full potential, they should amend the “3-point shot from full-court” into their playbook for the upcoming season. However, I’m worried that Love can only drain those shots from out-of-bounds AND if he gets a running start. I don’t think baskets made from out-of-bounds count in the NBA and a running start might get him a traveling violation [YES, I’m aware that he would later get traded that same night. We have all summer to discuss this and all other trades].
Bilas adds that Love has potential to be a double-double player. Does Bilas know that he would have to average over 10 rebounds per game (RPG) to be considered a double-double player? I believe he can get 10 points—wait, unless he means 10 assists. With his accurate passing, it just might happen!
The Easily Expendable Stephen A. Smith lets the TV audience know that he met up with Love’s family in the elevator. I’m sure the family felt that they were stuck with Smith in the elevator....
...apparently father, Stan Love, loved to show son, Kevin, the history of the NBA by showing him footage of players he used to play with and against as a player—especially of tall white guys who don’t “run pretty.” Hope springs eternal.
Okay, moving on... where’s Ol’ Dirty when I need him?
Oh, the Knick fans are getting rowdy. Their team (and I do use that term loosely) are getting ready to kick off the Donnie Walsh/Mike D’Antoni era with this selection. Coming to the podium is David Stern and I must say he doesn’t look very “Stern-like.” Usually Stern just walks to the podium like he owns the building and his farts don’t stink. Not this time, though. Stern looks too frightened to read the selection and is already looking for Russ Granik to read the selection for him—except that he’s retired now. Well a Commish has to do what a Commish has to do (just ask Michael Chiklis).
6th PICK—Danilo Gallinari and a cascade of boos come down from the stands. Some Knick fans are surprised at the pick, despite report after report saying that the Knicks would select the Italian player. And they call themselves the most knowledgeable NBA fans in the world. “Basketball Mecca” my.... anyway, Knick fans are very mad at this pick. Someone just mentioned that Gallinari is not even 20 years-old yet, but is a good player to build a program around. Really? What about an NBA team?
Let it be known that this officially marks the first (of many) appearances in tonight’s telecast of one Fran Fraschilla, the International players’ scout. His studies have shown the following (and I will count the number of strikes that Knick fans are tallying in their heads):
--Gallinari will be ready in 2-3 years (Strike 1)
--Can be as big as Tiki Barber or Derek Jeter in New York (Strike 2, that’s near blasphemy and I don’t think Gallinari will play in the NFL or MLB)
--His nickname, get ready ... The Rooster (Strike 3. A riot must have ensued somewhere). The Rooster? That’s way too easy, even for me.
Gallinari gets his first real test as an American pro basketball player as he undergoes his right of passage with the mandatory Stephen A. Smith interview. It really doesn’t matter as the overflow of boos from the Knick fans nearly mutes whatever Gallinari had to say (something about being a basketball player who just plays. At least I know he can put together an English sentence. Better than Stephon Marbury at least).
Jax makes his first appearance in this article and he wants the rookie to just ignore the boos and just play. Well, that’s easier said than done, especially when you’re 2-3 years from being ready and will probably be playing overseas anyway. I think Jax takes his toughness for granted. Nobody can be tough like Jax. That’s why his name is JAX.
ESPN reports before the draft from Chad Ford and the like mentioned that Gallinari was not the next “Darko” because unlike Milicic, who spent most of his time on the bench at the time he was drafted by the Pistons, Gallinari was playing heavy minutes in one of Italy’s toughest leagues. This also from http://nbadraft.net/ “Last year got some minutes in the tough 4th Italian division, this year will play much more against older and tougher players. Next year could go to play in Italy's 1st division and be acquired by a top level team.” So this kid is progressing. Just don’t try to explain to Knick fans. Before the next pick was selected, they have already given the Knicks’ an “F” on their “Draft Grade.” Such a hasty bunch, those Knick fans are.
7th PICK—So there’s this NBA draft going on and it involves other teams who reside outside of New York. Eric Gordon, who spurned the University of Illinois to go to Indiana, spurned the Hoosiers to enter the NBA (good luck Coach Crean indeed)—welcome to NBA purgatory, or as Stern calls them, the L.A. Clippers. Sports Illustrated considered Westbrook, Mayo, Gordon, and Bayless as the best point/combo guards in this year’s draft outside of Rose. Bayless is the last one left from the list. Stu chimes in saying Gordon “is a big guard.” (6’3” is a big guard? I always thought that Ron Harper was a pretty big guard at 6’6”. I just don’t know what represents a “big guard” anymore....).
Bilas has something to say: Gordon has an “elongated wingspan” (whoa, he went from describing every single player to being “long” or just having a “long wingspan” to “elongated wingspan!” The evolution of Bilas is a sight to see. I’m wondering if Gordon can actually fly with an “elongated wingspan.”). He adds that because he played in the Big 10 last season, he can definitely adjust to “grind-out games” (that’s why I don’t watch the Big 10). He can score from anywhere, but turns over the ball too much and he needs to work on his ball-handling skills (basically, he’s a glorified version of Ben Gordon).
Cut to Donnie Walsh, who’s being interviewed—by someone. The question: Why Danilo Gallinari? The response, “he has an unusual package.” Dear lord, how did he get through customs? Isn’t that an Orange to Red Level Terrorist Threat? I just came back from four different airports, and “unusual packages” are supposed to be reported to TSA or some other government authority figure. I asked my buddy Gabe (Donny’s roommate and also in attendance for the NBA draft, despite being in his own little world) if this “unusual package” could very well be a serious terrorist threat (and who better to ask than Gabe; part of the U.S. Marine Corps). He just kept shaking his head and giving me the “Gabe Look of Disapproval.” (Well it was either this or make connections to this “unusual package” and his nickname, The Rooster. After all, this is a family article).
Next: Picks 8-11
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
2008 NBA Draft Diary - Part 1
By Felipe Melecio
My buddy Roy and I have had the following argument since the Chicago Bulls were awarded the first pick of the 2008 NBA draft: he would argue that the Bulls need a low-post presence and that Kansas State’s Michael Beasley would be the perfect fit for this team who is already full of guards. I would counter with the impact that Chris Paul and Deron Williams have had on the New Orleans Hornets and Utah Jazz respectively and that the Bulls would vastly benefit to have a true point guard (PG) on the team. Kirk Hinrich is really a shooting guard (SG), Ben Gordon is your typical scorer off the bench, and Chris Duhon should not be starting on any NBA team. I explain that the way the NBA works is as follows: unless you have a Jordan, Kobe, LeBron, etc. on the roster, teams NEED a true PG to have some semblance of success to their season. Look at the playoff teams from the Eastern Conference this season. Only three teams, in my opinion, had star (or semi-star) “pass first” true PGs: The Pistons, Raptors, and 76ers. All other teams depended on guys like Pierce, James, Arenas, and Johnson not only as primary scoring options, but as primary playmakers as well. The Magic were the only team to make the playoffs with a less than adequate backcourt. In the Western Conference, of the nine winning teams in that conference, six had good to great starting “true” PGs. The three teams that didn’t depended on the following players: Kobe, McGrady, and a combination of Anthony and Iverson. Even the three of the top four teams in the WEST were lead by Tony Parker, Williams, and Paul. Lack of true, pass-first, playmaking point guards in the EAST might have explained that Conference’s mediocrity. That’s why I thought the Bulls should draft Derrick Rose. Beasley might be the inside presence the Bulls have been looking for, but someone has to feed him inside. Even if the Bulls don’t get a player to score inside, Rose will still find open teammates the way Paul and Williams do (I’m salivating here!).
The Bulls have drafted “back-to-the-basket” players before. Eddy Curry was one, but I really don’t want to talk about him. They did have Elton Brand for two seasons and his rookie year was painful to watch (for starters--he would constantly get blocked in the paint), but by mid-season, he was very well on his way to averaging 20 points/ 10 rebounds a game. Roy would cite that as a major reason for the Bulls to select Beasley. However, for the sake to feed my ever growing curiosity, let’s investigate how the L.A. Clippers have benefited from having Brand on the team, because of his 20/10 ability. The Clips have only average 36 wins (going back to the 2001-2002 season, but not including this season) since Brand was traded from Chicago. The one year the Clips made the playoffs with Brand, he set a career high of 24.7 points per game (PPG). That was also Sam Cassell’s first season with the Clippers and the last time he would come close to playing a full NBA season. So Brand only made the playoffs because the team had a playmaking threat at PG in Cassell. Funny how that works, huh? The final kicker was that after being measured in an NBA draft camp, Beasley came out to be only 6’7”. First thing I thought to myself was, “Oh no! We have another Danny Fortson!” He somehow went back to being 6’8” but his “lack of height” was enough even to turnoff my buddy Roy. We never had this discussion again.
And with that mentality coming into the NBA draft, I now bring you back to June 26, 2008. I’m at my friend’s Donny Rodriguez’s, home located near the corner of Western and Division here in sweet home Chicago (after six days in Seattle, I dearly missed the old city). He was nice enough to buy pizza, beer, and be my primary audience to my jokes (some would actually make it to this piece).
You have your prologue, the setting, and now on to ESPN’s televised coverage of the 2008 NBA draft:
The following takes place before any selections take place: David Stern comes out, Donny is digging his tie (by the end of the night, I would be amazed at Donny’s fashion sense). The totalitarian leader with the title of NBA Commissioner comes out and informs us that the Bulls—yes!—have five minutes to make their selection--huh? I turned to Donny and we both agreed that the Bulls had weeks to decide on Rose, but Donny put it best by saying that the five minutes were just a formality. So now we have five minutes to put up with the gentlemen who will be delivering the NBA draft all night long (the thought alone makes me want to shudder like Sideshow Bob after he gets hit in the face with a rake). ESPN really went all out to bring you their “A” list of NBA ‘experts” for this one. Hubie Brown? Scoop Jackson? Matt Winer? Michael Wilbon? Mike Tirico? Nope, we get, starring from right to left: Stuart Scott (a.k.a. Stu), Mark Jackson (a.k.a. Jax), Jeff Van Gundy (just Jeff), and Jay Bilas (or Bilas for short). For example, they gave a recap of the Bulls' season (please don't remind us), the fact that they have too many guards (duh!), and Stu's reasoning behind the Vinnie Del Negro coaching hire was due in part because of the latter's “Single-digit handicap golf score.” (breathe-in, breathe-out Felipe. Don’t get angry; breathe-in, breathe-out...)
1ST PICK--Mercifully, Stern comes out to announce that the Bulls have selected Derrick Rose with the first pick.
Cut to a shot of the Bulls' War Room where everybody from GM John Paxson and maybe the equipment manager are clapping and cheering because they just realized they couldn't mess this pick up even if they had tried. The right choice was Rose.
We also noticed that Stephen A. Smith has been relegated to do player interviews in between picks with the new draftees. How the LOUD and obnoxious have fallen! Wasn't Stu doing this last year? I want to say he was because how else would we understand the recently drafted, mostly black players talking without Stu translating for us? Can someone please verify? I also noticed that Stu was promoted to lead anchor of the NBA draft. Barry Melrose becoming the Tampa Bay Lightning’s new head coach got more fanfare than Stu hosting this year’s NBA draft. Who says that the NHL is irrelevant (Tiger Woods doesn’t count)?
2ND PICK-- Michael Beasley, despite talks that Dwyane Wade was getting very close with O.J. Mayo and trying to convince Pat Riley to select him with the #2 pick overall, the Heat went another direction and selected the “big” guy from K-State (they'll survive). ESPN informs us that he went to six different schools from 8th -12th grade (maybe he was an Army brat?).
FELIPE: I swear he looks very slow.
DONNY: He looks pretty quick to me AND he's a scoring machine. Plus his mom is hot. I think Paxson might've dropped the ball.
Paxson is being interviewed and is letting the TV audience know that Rose will not be pressured to step in right away to produce and be a team leader. Nevertheless it's implied that he will—or else Paxson is out of a job.
3RD PICK: O.J. Mayo-- Bilas chimes in, “Mayo was able to shut down Jerryd Bayless last season.” (ummm, that's because he's better than Bayless).
FELIPE: I think he has the best beard in this draft, hands-down.
DONNY: Yeah, dude's dapper. He's wearing a hounds-tooth, button-down. Classy!
FELIPE: It's from all that money he was making at USC. Good for him.
Pat Riley is being interviewed in regards to the Beasley pick. He pretty much just told Dwyane Wade NO on O.J. Mayo. That's why Riley continues to have an NBA job!
Next: Picks 4-7
My buddy Roy and I have had the following argument since the Chicago Bulls were awarded the first pick of the 2008 NBA draft: he would argue that the Bulls need a low-post presence and that Kansas State’s Michael Beasley would be the perfect fit for this team who is already full of guards. I would counter with the impact that Chris Paul and Deron Williams have had on the New Orleans Hornets and Utah Jazz respectively and that the Bulls would vastly benefit to have a true point guard (PG) on the team. Kirk Hinrich is really a shooting guard (SG), Ben Gordon is your typical scorer off the bench, and Chris Duhon should not be starting on any NBA team. I explain that the way the NBA works is as follows: unless you have a Jordan, Kobe, LeBron, etc. on the roster, teams NEED a true PG to have some semblance of success to their season. Look at the playoff teams from the Eastern Conference this season. Only three teams, in my opinion, had star (or semi-star) “pass first” true PGs: The Pistons, Raptors, and 76ers. All other teams depended on guys like Pierce, James, Arenas, and Johnson not only as primary scoring options, but as primary playmakers as well. The Magic were the only team to make the playoffs with a less than adequate backcourt. In the Western Conference, of the nine winning teams in that conference, six had good to great starting “true” PGs. The three teams that didn’t depended on the following players: Kobe, McGrady, and a combination of Anthony and Iverson. Even the three of the top four teams in the WEST were lead by Tony Parker, Williams, and Paul. Lack of true, pass-first, playmaking point guards in the EAST might have explained that Conference’s mediocrity. That’s why I thought the Bulls should draft Derrick Rose. Beasley might be the inside presence the Bulls have been looking for, but someone has to feed him inside. Even if the Bulls don’t get a player to score inside, Rose will still find open teammates the way Paul and Williams do (I’m salivating here!).
The Bulls have drafted “back-to-the-basket” players before. Eddy Curry was one, but I really don’t want to talk about him. They did have Elton Brand for two seasons and his rookie year was painful to watch (for starters--he would constantly get blocked in the paint), but by mid-season, he was very well on his way to averaging 20 points/ 10 rebounds a game. Roy would cite that as a major reason for the Bulls to select Beasley. However, for the sake to feed my ever growing curiosity, let’s investigate how the L.A. Clippers have benefited from having Brand on the team, because of his 20/10 ability. The Clips have only average 36 wins (going back to the 2001-2002 season, but not including this season) since Brand was traded from Chicago. The one year the Clips made the playoffs with Brand, he set a career high of 24.7 points per game (PPG). That was also Sam Cassell’s first season with the Clippers and the last time he would come close to playing a full NBA season. So Brand only made the playoffs because the team had a playmaking threat at PG in Cassell. Funny how that works, huh? The final kicker was that after being measured in an NBA draft camp, Beasley came out to be only 6’7”. First thing I thought to myself was, “Oh no! We have another Danny Fortson!” He somehow went back to being 6’8” but his “lack of height” was enough even to turnoff my buddy Roy. We never had this discussion again.
And with that mentality coming into the NBA draft, I now bring you back to June 26, 2008. I’m at my friend’s Donny Rodriguez’s, home located near the corner of Western and Division here in sweet home Chicago (after six days in Seattle, I dearly missed the old city). He was nice enough to buy pizza, beer, and be my primary audience to my jokes (some would actually make it to this piece).
You have your prologue, the setting, and now on to ESPN’s televised coverage of the 2008 NBA draft:
The following takes place before any selections take place: David Stern comes out, Donny is digging his tie (by the end of the night, I would be amazed at Donny’s fashion sense). The totalitarian leader with the title of NBA Commissioner comes out and informs us that the Bulls—yes!—have five minutes to make their selection--huh? I turned to Donny and we both agreed that the Bulls had weeks to decide on Rose, but Donny put it best by saying that the five minutes were just a formality. So now we have five minutes to put up with the gentlemen who will be delivering the NBA draft all night long (the thought alone makes me want to shudder like Sideshow Bob after he gets hit in the face with a rake). ESPN really went all out to bring you their “A” list of NBA ‘experts” for this one. Hubie Brown? Scoop Jackson? Matt Winer? Michael Wilbon? Mike Tirico? Nope, we get, starring from right to left: Stuart Scott (a.k.a. Stu), Mark Jackson (a.k.a. Jax), Jeff Van Gundy (just Jeff), and Jay Bilas (or Bilas for short). For example, they gave a recap of the Bulls' season (please don't remind us), the fact that they have too many guards (duh!), and Stu's reasoning behind the Vinnie Del Negro coaching hire was due in part because of the latter's “Single-digit handicap golf score.” (breathe-in, breathe-out Felipe. Don’t get angry; breathe-in, breathe-out...)
1ST PICK--Mercifully, Stern comes out to announce that the Bulls have selected Derrick Rose with the first pick.
Cut to a shot of the Bulls' War Room where everybody from GM John Paxson and maybe the equipment manager are clapping and cheering because they just realized they couldn't mess this pick up even if they had tried. The right choice was Rose.
We also noticed that Stephen A. Smith has been relegated to do player interviews in between picks with the new draftees. How the LOUD and obnoxious have fallen! Wasn't Stu doing this last year? I want to say he was because how else would we understand the recently drafted, mostly black players talking without Stu translating for us? Can someone please verify? I also noticed that Stu was promoted to lead anchor of the NBA draft. Barry Melrose becoming the Tampa Bay Lightning’s new head coach got more fanfare than Stu hosting this year’s NBA draft. Who says that the NHL is irrelevant (Tiger Woods doesn’t count)?
2ND PICK-- Michael Beasley, despite talks that Dwyane Wade was getting very close with O.J. Mayo and trying to convince Pat Riley to select him with the #2 pick overall, the Heat went another direction and selected the “big” guy from K-State (they'll survive). ESPN informs us that he went to six different schools from 8th -12th grade (maybe he was an Army brat?).
FELIPE: I swear he looks very slow.
DONNY: He looks pretty quick to me AND he's a scoring machine. Plus his mom is hot. I think Paxson might've dropped the ball.
Paxson is being interviewed and is letting the TV audience know that Rose will not be pressured to step in right away to produce and be a team leader. Nevertheless it's implied that he will—or else Paxson is out of a job.
3RD PICK: O.J. Mayo-- Bilas chimes in, “Mayo was able to shut down Jerryd Bayless last season.” (ummm, that's because he's better than Bayless).
FELIPE: I think he has the best beard in this draft, hands-down.
DONNY: Yeah, dude's dapper. He's wearing a hounds-tooth, button-down. Classy!
FELIPE: It's from all that money he was making at USC. Good for him.
Pat Riley is being interviewed in regards to the Beasley pick. He pretty much just told Dwyane Wade NO on O.J. Mayo. That's why Riley continues to have an NBA job!
Next: Picks 4-7
Saturday, July 5, 2008
2008 Preseason Fantasy Football Team Previews: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
NFC South(Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Tampa Bay Bucs Fantasy Preview:
Astute fantasy football owners had to appreciate the Bucs last year. Even though injuries and age decimated many of their projected stars (most notably RB Cadillac Williams), there was at least one gem on this team that some owners snatched on their way to the playoffs. Earnest Graham took over in week 6 and never looked back, rushing for 898 yards and 10 tds while starting in only 10 games. He was so impressive that the Bucs recently signed him to a 3 year, 11 million dollar contract extension, so he figures prominently in their current and future plans. As for the rest of the skill positions . . . eh. Jeff Garcia returns from a decent season to again lead the squad (and at age 38, how many good seasons can he have left in him?), Joey Galloway returns as the lead receiver (and at age 37, how many seasons does he have left?) along with (32 year old) Ike Hilliard and chronic underachiever Michael Clayton. The main reason this team won the NFC South and made the playoffs last year was a surprising defensive performance from a veteran group. The team added retread RB Warrick Dunn (who at age 33 probably doesn't have much left either) to back up Graham while Cadillac Williams rehabs, and also brought in veteran WR (and proven knuckle-head) Antonio Bryant, TE Ben Troupe, and S Eugene Wilson. It is doubtful if any of these additions will make any significant fantasy impact for the team this year. This is a team that could gear up for 1 more playoff run, or a team that could really implode as a lot of veteran players ride off into the sunset.
The defense was the strength of this team last year, and should once again be a strength. CB Ronde Barber will get some assistance this year with newly drafted 1st rd pick Aqib Talib (if he can get his head on straight), and this unit should still be able to put pressure on the QB with LBs Barrett Ruud and Derrick Brooks. It would not be a stretch for this unit to end up in the top 10 fantasy defenses. This is a great later rounds pick for a fantasy defensive unit.
As mentioned earlier, 1st rd pick CB Aqib Talib should be a good one. If he can get his act together mentally, he can put his immense talent to good use. Also drafted in rd 2 was WR Dexter Jackson, who could push for playing time and kick returning duties. Other than that, there doesn't look to be anyone worthy of fantasy consideration, and neither of these players should have a considerable fantasy impact this year.
Fantasy Surprise for 2008: Earnest Graham, RB
I like Earnest Graham. I think he has a chance to really come on the scene this year, now that he is the undisputed starter. Cadillac Williams may be back sometime later in the year, but he is coming off of a serious knee injury and may not be back to regular form anytime this year. Graham's only competition are Warrick Dunn and 7th rd draft pick Cory Boyd. With an older Jeff Garcia directing the offense and suspect WR talent, look for Graham to be the beneficiary and have a stellar year. He'll make a great #2 RB and a borderline #1.
Fantasy Disappointment for 2008: Jeff Garcia, QB
At age 38, I just can't see Garcia having too many good years left, even in a contract season. He used to be known as an "athletic" QB, and now he is just known as an "intelligent veteran", which means he's gotten old and slow. He has never had the best arm, and he has questionable talent around him at WR (with the possible exception of almost as old Joey Galloway). He was decent last year, but not great, and its not out of the realm of possibility that he is replaced sometime this season with one of the other many QBs on this roster. Leave him on the waiver wire.
Best Fantasy Draft Value for 2008: Bucs Defense
There just aren't many options to choose from here. If you're looking for draft value, look no further than the Bucs defense. There are few options here that will give you any value whatsoever, but the Bucs defense should be a quality choice late in your draft. They have a chance to finish in the top 10 or higher, and they will be around long after the Steelers, Patriots, Vikings, Chargers and Bears are chosen. Pick them late and you should feel good about your defensive position all season long.
Next Up: Chicago Bears
Tampa Bay Bucs Fantasy Preview:
Astute fantasy football owners had to appreciate the Bucs last year. Even though injuries and age decimated many of their projected stars (most notably RB Cadillac Williams), there was at least one gem on this team that some owners snatched on their way to the playoffs. Earnest Graham took over in week 6 and never looked back, rushing for 898 yards and 10 tds while starting in only 10 games. He was so impressive that the Bucs recently signed him to a 3 year, 11 million dollar contract extension, so he figures prominently in their current and future plans. As for the rest of the skill positions . . . eh. Jeff Garcia returns from a decent season to again lead the squad (and at age 38, how many good seasons can he have left in him?), Joey Galloway returns as the lead receiver (and at age 37, how many seasons does he have left?) along with (32 year old) Ike Hilliard and chronic underachiever Michael Clayton. The main reason this team won the NFC South and made the playoffs last year was a surprising defensive performance from a veteran group. The team added retread RB Warrick Dunn (who at age 33 probably doesn't have much left either) to back up Graham while Cadillac Williams rehabs, and also brought in veteran WR (and proven knuckle-head) Antonio Bryant, TE Ben Troupe, and S Eugene Wilson. It is doubtful if any of these additions will make any significant fantasy impact for the team this year. This is a team that could gear up for 1 more playoff run, or a team that could really implode as a lot of veteran players ride off into the sunset.
The defense was the strength of this team last year, and should once again be a strength. CB Ronde Barber will get some assistance this year with newly drafted 1st rd pick Aqib Talib (if he can get his head on straight), and this unit should still be able to put pressure on the QB with LBs Barrett Ruud and Derrick Brooks. It would not be a stretch for this unit to end up in the top 10 fantasy defenses. This is a great later rounds pick for a fantasy defensive unit.
As mentioned earlier, 1st rd pick CB Aqib Talib should be a good one. If he can get his act together mentally, he can put his immense talent to good use. Also drafted in rd 2 was WR Dexter Jackson, who could push for playing time and kick returning duties. Other than that, there doesn't look to be anyone worthy of fantasy consideration, and neither of these players should have a considerable fantasy impact this year.
Fantasy Surprise for 2008: Earnest Graham, RB
I like Earnest Graham. I think he has a chance to really come on the scene this year, now that he is the undisputed starter. Cadillac Williams may be back sometime later in the year, but he is coming off of a serious knee injury and may not be back to regular form anytime this year. Graham's only competition are Warrick Dunn and 7th rd draft pick Cory Boyd. With an older Jeff Garcia directing the offense and suspect WR talent, look for Graham to be the beneficiary and have a stellar year. He'll make a great #2 RB and a borderline #1.
Fantasy Disappointment for 2008: Jeff Garcia, QB
At age 38, I just can't see Garcia having too many good years left, even in a contract season. He used to be known as an "athletic" QB, and now he is just known as an "intelligent veteran", which means he's gotten old and slow. He has never had the best arm, and he has questionable talent around him at WR (with the possible exception of almost as old Joey Galloway). He was decent last year, but not great, and its not out of the realm of possibility that he is replaced sometime this season with one of the other many QBs on this roster. Leave him on the waiver wire.
Best Fantasy Draft Value for 2008: Bucs Defense
There just aren't many options to choose from here. If you're looking for draft value, look no further than the Bucs defense. There are few options here that will give you any value whatsoever, but the Bucs defense should be a quality choice late in your draft. They have a chance to finish in the top 10 or higher, and they will be around long after the Steelers, Patriots, Vikings, Chargers and Bears are chosen. Pick them late and you should feel good about your defensive position all season long.
Next Up: Chicago Bears
Thursday, June 26, 2008
2008 Preseason Fantasy Football Team Previews: New Orleans Saints
NFC South (Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
New Orleans Saints Fantasy Preview:
After a magical "return to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina" season in 2006, 2007 left fantasy football players who relied on the Saints feeling not so holy. When Deuce McAllister went down, Reggie Bush was exposed as someone who couldn't carry the load. Marques Colston didn't get going until later in the year. Drew Brees still had a banner year, but it didn't translate into wins on the football field. However, this team returns enough fire power to be a good fantasy producer in 2008. If McAllister can return to form, he will take pressure off Reggie Bush and allow Bush to be the effective lightning threat this team needs. They also need to get improved seasons from WR David Patten and TE Eric Johnson. In the weak NFC South, it shouldn't take much for the Saints to get back on track and have another run to the playoffs while putting up a ton of points in coach Sean Payton's offense. From a fantasy perspective, this should be a team that produces some good prospects for your team.
Defense was not a strong point for the Saints last year (or the year before). Even when this offense was scoring tons of points, the defense couldn't consistently stop anyone. There was a heavy emphasis placed on defense in the draft this year, and the team acquired standout linebacker Jonathan Vilma from the NY Jets. However, until this unit actually shows us something consistently, they are better left on the waiver wire.
DT Sedrick Ellis and CB Tracy Porter were this team's 1st and 2nd round draft picks respectively. Neither player will make a significant fantasy impact for your squad this year. However, look for a splash from 2nd year WR Robert Meachem, who missed all of last year with injury and who has looked really good so far this offseason.
Fantasy Surprise for 2008: Robert Meachem, WR
The 2nd year WR out of Tennessee had high promise coming into the season last year, but a knee injury derailed his rookie year completely. He has been getting high praise from both the coaching staff and QB Drew Brees this offseason, and he appears to have learned enough to make a contribution this year. He may not be quite ready for prime time, but could produce enough to become a good complement to Marques Colston and a decent #3 WR for your fantasy team.
Fantasy Disappointment for 2008: Reggie Bush, RB
Reggie Bush has a lot of speed and skill, but I'm just not sure he has what it takes to really be a star in the league. He has been largely underwhelming since joining the league, and proved last year that he can't carry the load by himself. If Deuce McAllister can't return to form from injury, Bush will once again be exposed as someone who is a spot player at best. He should still produce good numbers and be a decent higher round draft pick, but temper your expectations and try to take him after round 4 or 5, or you'll probably regret it.
Best Fantasy Draft Value for 2008: Drew Brees, QB
Even with Marques Colston starting off the season slowly, and losing both WR Robert Meachem and RB Deuce McAllister, Brees had a career season last year, and should only get better in 2008. His numbers should land him in or very near the top 5 overall fantasy QBs next year, and his draft value will be much better than that of QBs such as Tony Romo, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. If you can snag Brees in rounds 3-5, you should be in a position to build a championship team with great picks at RB or WR in the earlier rounds.
Up Next: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
New Orleans Saints Fantasy Preview:
After a magical "return to New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina" season in 2006, 2007 left fantasy football players who relied on the Saints feeling not so holy. When Deuce McAllister went down, Reggie Bush was exposed as someone who couldn't carry the load. Marques Colston didn't get going until later in the year. Drew Brees still had a banner year, but it didn't translate into wins on the football field. However, this team returns enough fire power to be a good fantasy producer in 2008. If McAllister can return to form, he will take pressure off Reggie Bush and allow Bush to be the effective lightning threat this team needs. They also need to get improved seasons from WR David Patten and TE Eric Johnson. In the weak NFC South, it shouldn't take much for the Saints to get back on track and have another run to the playoffs while putting up a ton of points in coach Sean Payton's offense. From a fantasy perspective, this should be a team that produces some good prospects for your team.
Defense was not a strong point for the Saints last year (or the year before). Even when this offense was scoring tons of points, the defense couldn't consistently stop anyone. There was a heavy emphasis placed on defense in the draft this year, and the team acquired standout linebacker Jonathan Vilma from the NY Jets. However, until this unit actually shows us something consistently, they are better left on the waiver wire.
DT Sedrick Ellis and CB Tracy Porter were this team's 1st and 2nd round draft picks respectively. Neither player will make a significant fantasy impact for your squad this year. However, look for a splash from 2nd year WR Robert Meachem, who missed all of last year with injury and who has looked really good so far this offseason.
Fantasy Surprise for 2008: Robert Meachem, WR
The 2nd year WR out of Tennessee had high promise coming into the season last year, but a knee injury derailed his rookie year completely. He has been getting high praise from both the coaching staff and QB Drew Brees this offseason, and he appears to have learned enough to make a contribution this year. He may not be quite ready for prime time, but could produce enough to become a good complement to Marques Colston and a decent #3 WR for your fantasy team.
Fantasy Disappointment for 2008: Reggie Bush, RB
Reggie Bush has a lot of speed and skill, but I'm just not sure he has what it takes to really be a star in the league. He has been largely underwhelming since joining the league, and proved last year that he can't carry the load by himself. If Deuce McAllister can't return to form from injury, Bush will once again be exposed as someone who is a spot player at best. He should still produce good numbers and be a decent higher round draft pick, but temper your expectations and try to take him after round 4 or 5, or you'll probably regret it.
Best Fantasy Draft Value for 2008: Drew Brees, QB
Even with Marques Colston starting off the season slowly, and losing both WR Robert Meachem and RB Deuce McAllister, Brees had a career season last year, and should only get better in 2008. His numbers should land him in or very near the top 5 overall fantasy QBs next year, and his draft value will be much better than that of QBs such as Tony Romo, Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. If you can snag Brees in rounds 3-5, you should be in a position to build a championship team with great picks at RB or WR in the earlier rounds.
Up Next: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
2008 Preseason Fantasy Football Team Previews: Carolina Panthers
NFC South (Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
Carolina Panthers Fantasy Preview:
Last season was a fantasy football season to forget for the Panthers. What started out as such as promising season for WR Steve Smith and QB Jake Delhomme quickly turned to disappointment once Delhomme went down. After that, Steve Smith disappeared, and pretty much took everyone else with him. With David Carr, Vinny Testaverde, and undrafted rookie Matt Moore under center, things didn't go as planned for the Panthers for the rest of the season. Injuries shut down a pretty promising defense, and overall, left the season a huge disappointment. Gone are defensive stalwarts DE Mike Rucker, LB Dan Morgan, & DT Kris Jenkins. Gone are offensive contributors RB DeShaun Foster, QBs David Carr and Vinny Testaverde, and WRs Keary Colbert and Drew Carter. The team invested heavily in RB Jonathan Stewart (1st rd, 13 overall), and brought back WR Mushin Muhammad (who had arguably his most fantasy relevant years in Carolina). They brought in WR DJ Hackett from Seattle and RB LaBrandon Toefield from Jacksonville to add offensive depth. However, none of these things will make much of a difference without a healthy Jake Delhomme. If he remains healthy, this team will make another run for the playoffs and many of these guys will again be fantasy relevant. If not, it will be another long year for the Panthers. Look for the former, and for a bounce back season for all-star WR Steve Smith.
There is no question that injuries and a stagnant offense destroyed this defense last year, which is a shame when you consider what they have been over the last few years. They lost a few big names, but the pieces are still there for this to be a good fantasy defense. Julius Peppers should have a much better year this year, and I expect this defense to at least be fantasy relevant. Should you draft them? That remains to be seen. Just keep them on the radar.
There was only 1 draft pick that fantasy owners will care about this year: RB Jonathan Stewart. At 5'11" and 235 lbs, Stewart is the big bruising back this team has missed since Stephen Davis, and his skills (1700+ yards & 11 TDs his senior season at Oregon) should translate into nice fantasy production on this team next year. 1200 yards and 8TDs are not out of reach for Stewart, even in a time share with DeAngelo Williams, and he should make an good #2 RB as a rookie.
Fantasy Surprise for 2008: Jake Delhomme, QB
Not much of a surprise here. When Jake Delhomme went down last year, this team was done. It was Jake that almost single-handedly won this team a Super Bowl in 2004, and his absence was the reason for this team's dreadful performance on the field last season. If Delhomme returns for a full season, this team will thrive. Delhomme was on the verge of a great season last year before injury, and if he picks up where he left off, he will put up #1 QB numbers. You should be able to grab him in the mid to late rounds of your draft as a #2, or as a low end #1 if you wait too long to grab a starting QB. He shouldn't disappoint in 2008.
Fantasy Disappointment for 2008: DeAngelo Williams, RB
Williams just can't seem to catch a break. There was talk of him getting more carries last season when DeShaun Foster didn't seem very effective, but that never really materialized. Now, going into the off season, he seems as if he'd get a chance to be a feature back, but the team drafts Jonathan Stewart to handle the load. He may have speed to burn, but he won't get the opportunities to make the most of it. He is oozing with potential, but unless Stewart goes down, he'll have to settle once again for being a change of pace guy. If he rushes for more than 5 TDs this year, he should consider himself extremely fortunate.
Best Fantasy Draft Value for 2008: Steve Smith, WR
Steve Smith started the season on fire last year, catching 16 passes for 281 yards and 4 TDs. Unfortunately, once Jake Delhomme left, so did his production. As a result, he probably left a bad taste in the mouths of many fantasy owners, which will push his draft value down. However, with Delhomme back under center, and with DJ Hackett and Mushin Muhammad helping take defensive pressure away from him, Smith should again have top 3 WR numbers, and will be a steal if drafted in the 3rd round or later. There's a reason he was being discussed last year as the best WR in the game. Don't forget that on draft day.
Up Next: New Orleans Saints
Carolina Panthers Fantasy Preview:
Last season was a fantasy football season to forget for the Panthers. What started out as such as promising season for WR Steve Smith and QB Jake Delhomme quickly turned to disappointment once Delhomme went down. After that, Steve Smith disappeared, and pretty much took everyone else with him. With David Carr, Vinny Testaverde, and undrafted rookie Matt Moore under center, things didn't go as planned for the Panthers for the rest of the season. Injuries shut down a pretty promising defense, and overall, left the season a huge disappointment. Gone are defensive stalwarts DE Mike Rucker, LB Dan Morgan, & DT Kris Jenkins. Gone are offensive contributors RB DeShaun Foster, QBs David Carr and Vinny Testaverde, and WRs Keary Colbert and Drew Carter. The team invested heavily in RB Jonathan Stewart (1st rd, 13 overall), and brought back WR Mushin Muhammad (who had arguably his most fantasy relevant years in Carolina). They brought in WR DJ Hackett from Seattle and RB LaBrandon Toefield from Jacksonville to add offensive depth. However, none of these things will make much of a difference without a healthy Jake Delhomme. If he remains healthy, this team will make another run for the playoffs and many of these guys will again be fantasy relevant. If not, it will be another long year for the Panthers. Look for the former, and for a bounce back season for all-star WR Steve Smith.
There is no question that injuries and a stagnant offense destroyed this defense last year, which is a shame when you consider what they have been over the last few years. They lost a few big names, but the pieces are still there for this to be a good fantasy defense. Julius Peppers should have a much better year this year, and I expect this defense to at least be fantasy relevant. Should you draft them? That remains to be seen. Just keep them on the radar.
There was only 1 draft pick that fantasy owners will care about this year: RB Jonathan Stewart. At 5'11" and 235 lbs, Stewart is the big bruising back this team has missed since Stephen Davis, and his skills (1700+ yards & 11 TDs his senior season at Oregon) should translate into nice fantasy production on this team next year. 1200 yards and 8TDs are not out of reach for Stewart, even in a time share with DeAngelo Williams, and he should make an good #2 RB as a rookie.
Fantasy Surprise for 2008: Jake Delhomme, QB
Not much of a surprise here. When Jake Delhomme went down last year, this team was done. It was Jake that almost single-handedly won this team a Super Bowl in 2004, and his absence was the reason for this team's dreadful performance on the field last season. If Delhomme returns for a full season, this team will thrive. Delhomme was on the verge of a great season last year before injury, and if he picks up where he left off, he will put up #1 QB numbers. You should be able to grab him in the mid to late rounds of your draft as a #2, or as a low end #1 if you wait too long to grab a starting QB. He shouldn't disappoint in 2008.
Fantasy Disappointment for 2008: DeAngelo Williams, RB
Williams just can't seem to catch a break. There was talk of him getting more carries last season when DeShaun Foster didn't seem very effective, but that never really materialized. Now, going into the off season, he seems as if he'd get a chance to be a feature back, but the team drafts Jonathan Stewart to handle the load. He may have speed to burn, but he won't get the opportunities to make the most of it. He is oozing with potential, but unless Stewart goes down, he'll have to settle once again for being a change of pace guy. If he rushes for more than 5 TDs this year, he should consider himself extremely fortunate.
Best Fantasy Draft Value for 2008: Steve Smith, WR
Steve Smith started the season on fire last year, catching 16 passes for 281 yards and 4 TDs. Unfortunately, once Jake Delhomme left, so did his production. As a result, he probably left a bad taste in the mouths of many fantasy owners, which will push his draft value down. However, with Delhomme back under center, and with DJ Hackett and Mushin Muhammad helping take defensive pressure away from him, Smith should again have top 3 WR numbers, and will be a steal if drafted in the 3rd round or later. There's a reason he was being discussed last year as the best WR in the game. Don't forget that on draft day.
Up Next: New Orleans Saints
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Micro to Macro: The Jay Bruce Episode
So I’ve been talking about my fantasy baseball team, the Black Hole Army, which resides in this 12-team, fantasy point, head-2-head keeper league. I have been linking my team so people can see the roster, but have realized that our league might not allow outsiders to look on OR if you don’t have a www.sportsline.com ID, then you can’t get access to my league. So I will quickly rundown my club right now:
C- Victor Martinez
1B- Joey Votto
2B- Chase Utley
SS- Orlando Cabrera
3B- Ryan Braun
LF- Carlos Quentin
CF- Shane Victorino
RF- Jeff Francoeur
DH- Josh Hamilton
P- Jason Bergmann
P- Chad Billingsley
P- John Danks
P- Shaun Marcum
P- Dustin McGowan
P- James Shields
P- Brandon Webb
Bench—Brian Fuentes, Jon Rauch, George Sherrill, Justin Upton, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Nick Swisher.
YES, the same Nick Swisher who I finally gave up on last week is back with the team almost 7 days later. I was mulling Swisher, Cody Ross, Fred Lewis, Luke Scott, and plenty of others, but after dissecting every possible scenario, it seemed it was best to give Swisher another chance. And of course, I had to cut Kevin Slowey as his two-start performance in week 10 was—well, let’s just say Slowey was the big disappointment in my life this week. YES, it’s that serious! I already gave Slowey his 15 minutes of fame in my column last week so that’s all I want to say about him. So after cutting what’s-his-name, I dig around the waiver wire in search for a new RF as Francoeur is really struggling in the past two weeks. So I’m off to finding a replacement RF and come up with those names mentioned. I started with Fred Lewis and I like his speed (great guy for stolen bases roto-leaguers, in case you missed it. He’s only owned in 23.2% of ESPN leagues and only in 28% of Sportsline leagues), but the guy bats left-handed and doesn’t hit lefties very well (.167 average, .557 OPS) and he’s facing Greg Smith and Dana Eveland this week and those guys are both LHP. So I passed on Lewis. Next comes Ross, who is crushing the ball the past two weeks, but then I saw the scheduled starters he was facing this week against the Phillies and Reds and I had to pass. Then I saw Scott, but after seeing Scott’s best career numbers vs. Swisher’s best career numbers, I saw that they were pretty similar to each other. The final kicker for Swisher was that he had a more favorable schedule than Scott, so I picked him up. However, the whole point was to replace Francoeur for fantasy week #11 and none of these guys made me feel comfortable to insert into the starting lineup. With Swisher, I’m hoping that his batting tear from week #10 finally jump starts his season. I’m afraid that Swisher has become that girl you want to break up with, but had a hard time dumping her, and when you finally did, couple of months later, you were back together again. The way I see it, if Swisher falters, there’s plenty of guys to replace him with.
Moving on, you guys already know that Troy Tulowitzki is on my DL-slot (I can’t wait for him to come back!) and rounding out the roster are minor leaguers Carlos Carrasco, pitcher from the Phillies’ organization and Matt Wieters, catcher from the Orioles farm system. As you can see, Carrasco is striking out a lot of guys, but his walk rate is getting close to that magical number of 3.5 (or as I like to call it, “flirting with disaster”), has a batting average against of .271 and has a WHIP of 1.38. Very disappointing numbers, but I’m hoping that he can turn into, get ready, Edinson Volquez. Looking at Volquez’s numbers, when he started his professional career, Volquez would give up hits in bunches. In an ironic twist, Volquez’s walk rate was very low. It wasn’t until 2006 until his hit rate went down, but his walk rate went up. When he was at Single-A Bakersfield in 2007, he registered a mediocre WHIP of 1.34, which isn’t too far off Carrasco’s WHIP. So here’s hoping Carrasco can cut back on the walks, the hits, and have his K/9 rate soar him into the Phillies’ rotation.
Wieters was the O’s top pick in last year’s draft and has an OPS of 1.018, has a K:BB ratio that’s close to 1, a .344 batting average and has 13 homers with 35 RBIs. I’m hoping Wieters becomes the next Victor Martinez, but I’m aware that young catchers take long to develop their offensive game when they get called up to the Majors as pitching and defense take top priority over hitting. There are plenty of examples of young catchers who are struggling offensively this season so far: J.R Towles, Jeff Clement, Jeff Mathis, heck John Buck was supposed to be a hot-shot catcher 3-4 years ago and is just finally hitting above .250 this season. Remember Toby Hall was the premiere catcher in the minor leagues in the Tampa Rays’ farm system earlier this decade? He was supposed to be the next best catcher as soon as he arrived into the Majors. Well, it’s 2008 and now he’s the White Sox’s backup catcher. That being said, I’m hoping his hot start in the minors does help him develop into the next V-Mart in 2-3 years so this is obviously a long-term project.
However the other reason I’ve settled on Wieters is because there are no big name minor leaguers available in my league. Jay Bruce, Clayton Kershaw, David Price and Homer Bailey were already owned in the off season, while Justin Masterson was picked up way back in April. Even I stuck with Eric Hurley and Gio Gonzalez before replacing those two with Carrasco and Wieters. With the league being so competitive, it has become almost difficult to pick up a top-notch prospect during the season because they’re all gone long before any buzz is generated in the rest of the fantasy world, let alone the regular, non-fantasy baseball world. You almost have to project the next group of top prospects for next year to catch a decent minor leaguer. So Wieters is on my roster until I find that next top-of-the-line prospect, but it is admittedly getting harder to do so and even though Wieters is a catcher, his numbers right now are still impressive, regardless of position. Even Baseball America has Wieters as their #3 prospect in their latest “hot sheet.”
And finally, I will like to end this week with the emergence of Jay Bruce into the foreground of fantasy baseball. When I’m not writing articles, I hit the fantasy forums, most notably, Yahoo! Answers. The controversy surrounding this guy was amusing to read since his call up. There were owners who wanted to trade him while his stock was high as they didn’t think he could keep up his torrid pace. There were owners who were willing to sell their entire team to build their ball club around him—some of those owners were in non-keeper leagues though. Some owners were willing to trade more established players on their team for help in other positions or categories and insert Bruce into their active/starting lineup. And then there were owners who were willing to stash away Bruce on their bench, like money hungry misers in hopes that he becomes a stud by the end of this season. And there were plenty of owners who refused to pick him up as they didn’t believe in the hype that this kid was generating, the recent success was too small of a sample to see if he could provide a consistent performance for the rest of 2008 and took a wait-and-see approach to this kid—some of those owners could use a guy like Bruce for their struggling team, but sometimes, old habits are hard to break. At any rate, if you didn’t have Bruce by May 26, 2008 or so, there was a good chance that you were not going to pick him up in the next few days following that date. As of this writing, Bruce is owned in 96% of Sportsline leagues (in my league, the owner who picked up Bruce stashed him in his minor league slot—LAST SEASON).
Now, I’m not going to explain this guy’s history, background, or pedigree. Let’s face it, this guy has pedigree, he’s not a fluke, he’s not all hype (you want to go after hype, go see Andruw Jones and the big fat contract he was given by the Dodgers). No sir! Gentlemen, what this kid has created since he was drafted in 2005 was “buzz.” Heck, the buzz peaked after spring training, when many baseball “experts” thought that the Reds should have started the season with Bruce as their starting CF. It was just a matter of time when he would be called up by the Reds this season. So we established that Bruce is real. Is he an elite player? No, not yet. Is he the 2008 version of Ryan Braun? Nope, now you’re just comparing apples and oranges. What Braun did in 2007 as a rookie is rare and placing those kinds of expectations on this 21-year-old are just not fair. So what is he? Bruce is a highly touted prospect who got called up in late May and he’s going to have to learn the MLB game as much as any rookie who gets called up during the season. If you can get “a lot” for him in a trade, good for you, but if you’re the one seeking Bruce, don’t go overboard, even if you’re in a keeper league. Trades are supposed to be fair for both sides. One owner at Yahoo! Answers tried to deal Cole Hamels (or Ervin Santana), Takashi Saito and Jose Reyes for Jay Bruce, Mariano Rivera, and Kelly Johnson. Talk about reaching for a player! Even if this were a keeper league, you’re only getting one good, “ideal” keeper player and giving up two elite super studs in Hamels and Reyes? The owner trying to acquire Bruce was no longer sold on the “Bruce Buzz”, but was buying the “hype.” Just because you see one player on ESPN’s SportsCenter 100 times on a given week (because they re-air episodes all morning long of course), doesn’t make him the premiere fantasy player in our fantasy world. Let ESPN try to sell you hype. In the fantasy world, you have to go with the “buzz” that a player creates, wherever he plays. There are a lot of hot-shot prospects that come up every year and its great to pick them up before anybody else in your league, but you have to limit your expectations. Once you start thinking that you have the second coming of Fernando Valenzuela or Ryan Braun, you just bought into your own hype of that player and the hype that was sold to you by outside forces. One should notice buzz and try to control hype (by the way, the buzz vs. hype argument was adapted from a recent Stephen King column in Entertainment Weekly. Here’s a quick synopsis of said article).
So what can you expect from Bruce the rest of this season? As of this writing, Bruce was on pace to reach 154 at bats, score 33 runs, hit 7 home runs, reach 26 RBIs, and steal 4 bases. His projected numbers coming into the 2008 campaign are as follows: 200 at bats, score 25 runs, hit 7 homers, reach 28 RBIs, and steal 6 bases. So even though he’s off to a hot start in his MLB career, he’s still only on pace to reach his projected numbers, not surpass them. And it looks like Bruce has already hit a rookie wall of sorts as his last 6 games, he’s only hit .268, with a laughable .666 OPS. Bruce does have as many walks as strikeouts, but due to a small sample of that ratio, it doesn’t mean he necessarily has a good approach or plate discipline, but it does mean he has a good contact rate (after all, he is hitting .391 thus far). Nevertheless, in the minors, he did put up a dangerous walk/strikeout ratio. He struck out 106 times in 2006 and a combined 135 times at three different stops in 2007. Whatever “rookie wall” or slump he encounters this season will not be short-lived if he continues to strikeout like he did in the minors.
So that’s my rant on Jay Bruce. He’s good, he’s real, he has pedigree, the tools to be a successful Major Leaguer. Is he going to undergo some growing pains? You bet. If I had Bruce, in a non-keeper league, I would keep him around based purely on potential. If somebody is foolish to offer me Cole Hamels, though, I would hit the accept button in record time!
At this point, I must mention that I will not submit an article next week as I will be on vacation in good old Seattle, WA. The highlight of the trip will definitely be visiting gorgeous Safeco Field. Too bad the Mariners are out of town, but the way they’ve been playing, they might as well move to Oklahoma with the Supersonics. Until then, you can catch me at Yahoo! Answers until June 17 and you should consider yourself lucky if you receive my help.
As written by,
Felipe Melecio
Currently Listening To: Red I Flight, “Of Myth and Men”
Looking Forward To: Trip to beautiful Seattle, WA
Really Enjoying: Euro2008 (Go Spain!)
C- Victor Martinez
1B- Joey Votto
2B- Chase Utley
SS- Orlando Cabrera
3B- Ryan Braun
LF- Carlos Quentin
CF- Shane Victorino
RF- Jeff Francoeur
DH- Josh Hamilton
P- Jason Bergmann
P- Chad Billingsley
P- John Danks
P- Shaun Marcum
P- Dustin McGowan
P- James Shields
P- Brandon Webb
Bench—Brian Fuentes, Jon Rauch, George Sherrill, Justin Upton, Jarrod Saltalamacchia, and Nick Swisher.
YES, the same Nick Swisher who I finally gave up on last week is back with the team almost 7 days later. I was mulling Swisher, Cody Ross, Fred Lewis, Luke Scott, and plenty of others, but after dissecting every possible scenario, it seemed it was best to give Swisher another chance. And of course, I had to cut Kevin Slowey as his two-start performance in week 10 was—well, let’s just say Slowey was the big disappointment in my life this week. YES, it’s that serious! I already gave Slowey his 15 minutes of fame in my column last week so that’s all I want to say about him. So after cutting what’s-his-name, I dig around the waiver wire in search for a new RF as Francoeur is really struggling in the past two weeks. So I’m off to finding a replacement RF and come up with those names mentioned. I started with Fred Lewis and I like his speed (great guy for stolen bases roto-leaguers, in case you missed it. He’s only owned in 23.2% of ESPN leagues and only in 28% of Sportsline leagues), but the guy bats left-handed and doesn’t hit lefties very well (.167 average, .557 OPS) and he’s facing Greg Smith and Dana Eveland this week and those guys are both LHP. So I passed on Lewis. Next comes Ross, who is crushing the ball the past two weeks, but then I saw the scheduled starters he was facing this week against the Phillies and Reds and I had to pass. Then I saw Scott, but after seeing Scott’s best career numbers vs. Swisher’s best career numbers, I saw that they were pretty similar to each other. The final kicker for Swisher was that he had a more favorable schedule than Scott, so I picked him up. However, the whole point was to replace Francoeur for fantasy week #11 and none of these guys made me feel comfortable to insert into the starting lineup. With Swisher, I’m hoping that his batting tear from week #10 finally jump starts his season. I’m afraid that Swisher has become that girl you want to break up with, but had a hard time dumping her, and when you finally did, couple of months later, you were back together again. The way I see it, if Swisher falters, there’s plenty of guys to replace him with.
Moving on, you guys already know that Troy Tulowitzki is on my DL-slot (I can’t wait for him to come back!) and rounding out the roster are minor leaguers Carlos Carrasco, pitcher from the Phillies’ organization and Matt Wieters, catcher from the Orioles farm system. As you can see, Carrasco is striking out a lot of guys, but his walk rate is getting close to that magical number of 3.5 (or as I like to call it, “flirting with disaster”), has a batting average against of .271 and has a WHIP of 1.38. Very disappointing numbers, but I’m hoping that he can turn into, get ready, Edinson Volquez. Looking at Volquez’s numbers, when he started his professional career, Volquez would give up hits in bunches. In an ironic twist, Volquez’s walk rate was very low. It wasn’t until 2006 until his hit rate went down, but his walk rate went up. When he was at Single-A Bakersfield in 2007, he registered a mediocre WHIP of 1.34, which isn’t too far off Carrasco’s WHIP. So here’s hoping Carrasco can cut back on the walks, the hits, and have his K/9 rate soar him into the Phillies’ rotation.
Wieters was the O’s top pick in last year’s draft and has an OPS of 1.018, has a K:BB ratio that’s close to 1, a .344 batting average and has 13 homers with 35 RBIs. I’m hoping Wieters becomes the next Victor Martinez, but I’m aware that young catchers take long to develop their offensive game when they get called up to the Majors as pitching and defense take top priority over hitting. There are plenty of examples of young catchers who are struggling offensively this season so far: J.R Towles, Jeff Clement, Jeff Mathis, heck John Buck was supposed to be a hot-shot catcher 3-4 years ago and is just finally hitting above .250 this season. Remember Toby Hall was the premiere catcher in the minor leagues in the Tampa Rays’ farm system earlier this decade? He was supposed to be the next best catcher as soon as he arrived into the Majors. Well, it’s 2008 and now he’s the White Sox’s backup catcher. That being said, I’m hoping his hot start in the minors does help him develop into the next V-Mart in 2-3 years so this is obviously a long-term project.
However the other reason I’ve settled on Wieters is because there are no big name minor leaguers available in my league. Jay Bruce, Clayton Kershaw, David Price and Homer Bailey were already owned in the off season, while Justin Masterson was picked up way back in April. Even I stuck with Eric Hurley and Gio Gonzalez before replacing those two with Carrasco and Wieters. With the league being so competitive, it has become almost difficult to pick up a top-notch prospect during the season because they’re all gone long before any buzz is generated in the rest of the fantasy world, let alone the regular, non-fantasy baseball world. You almost have to project the next group of top prospects for next year to catch a decent minor leaguer. So Wieters is on my roster until I find that next top-of-the-line prospect, but it is admittedly getting harder to do so and even though Wieters is a catcher, his numbers right now are still impressive, regardless of position. Even Baseball America has Wieters as their #3 prospect in their latest “hot sheet.”
And finally, I will like to end this week with the emergence of Jay Bruce into the foreground of fantasy baseball. When I’m not writing articles, I hit the fantasy forums, most notably, Yahoo! Answers. The controversy surrounding this guy was amusing to read since his call up. There were owners who wanted to trade him while his stock was high as they didn’t think he could keep up his torrid pace. There were owners who were willing to sell their entire team to build their ball club around him—some of those owners were in non-keeper leagues though. Some owners were willing to trade more established players on their team for help in other positions or categories and insert Bruce into their active/starting lineup. And then there were owners who were willing to stash away Bruce on their bench, like money hungry misers in hopes that he becomes a stud by the end of this season. And there were plenty of owners who refused to pick him up as they didn’t believe in the hype that this kid was generating, the recent success was too small of a sample to see if he could provide a consistent performance for the rest of 2008 and took a wait-and-see approach to this kid—some of those owners could use a guy like Bruce for their struggling team, but sometimes, old habits are hard to break. At any rate, if you didn’t have Bruce by May 26, 2008 or so, there was a good chance that you were not going to pick him up in the next few days following that date. As of this writing, Bruce is owned in 96% of Sportsline leagues (in my league, the owner who picked up Bruce stashed him in his minor league slot—LAST SEASON).
Now, I’m not going to explain this guy’s history, background, or pedigree. Let’s face it, this guy has pedigree, he’s not a fluke, he’s not all hype (you want to go after hype, go see Andruw Jones and the big fat contract he was given by the Dodgers). No sir! Gentlemen, what this kid has created since he was drafted in 2005 was “buzz.” Heck, the buzz peaked after spring training, when many baseball “experts” thought that the Reds should have started the season with Bruce as their starting CF. It was just a matter of time when he would be called up by the Reds this season. So we established that Bruce is real. Is he an elite player? No, not yet. Is he the 2008 version of Ryan Braun? Nope, now you’re just comparing apples and oranges. What Braun did in 2007 as a rookie is rare and placing those kinds of expectations on this 21-year-old are just not fair. So what is he? Bruce is a highly touted prospect who got called up in late May and he’s going to have to learn the MLB game as much as any rookie who gets called up during the season. If you can get “a lot” for him in a trade, good for you, but if you’re the one seeking Bruce, don’t go overboard, even if you’re in a keeper league. Trades are supposed to be fair for both sides. One owner at Yahoo! Answers tried to deal Cole Hamels (or Ervin Santana), Takashi Saito and Jose Reyes for Jay Bruce, Mariano Rivera, and Kelly Johnson. Talk about reaching for a player! Even if this were a keeper league, you’re only getting one good, “ideal” keeper player and giving up two elite super studs in Hamels and Reyes? The owner trying to acquire Bruce was no longer sold on the “Bruce Buzz”, but was buying the “hype.” Just because you see one player on ESPN’s SportsCenter 100 times on a given week (because they re-air episodes all morning long of course), doesn’t make him the premiere fantasy player in our fantasy world. Let ESPN try to sell you hype. In the fantasy world, you have to go with the “buzz” that a player creates, wherever he plays. There are a lot of hot-shot prospects that come up every year and its great to pick them up before anybody else in your league, but you have to limit your expectations. Once you start thinking that you have the second coming of Fernando Valenzuela or Ryan Braun, you just bought into your own hype of that player and the hype that was sold to you by outside forces. One should notice buzz and try to control hype (by the way, the buzz vs. hype argument was adapted from a recent Stephen King column in Entertainment Weekly. Here’s a quick synopsis of said article).
So what can you expect from Bruce the rest of this season? As of this writing, Bruce was on pace to reach 154 at bats, score 33 runs, hit 7 home runs, reach 26 RBIs, and steal 4 bases. His projected numbers coming into the 2008 campaign are as follows: 200 at bats, score 25 runs, hit 7 homers, reach 28 RBIs, and steal 6 bases. So even though he’s off to a hot start in his MLB career, he’s still only on pace to reach his projected numbers, not surpass them. And it looks like Bruce has already hit a rookie wall of sorts as his last 6 games, he’s only hit .268, with a laughable .666 OPS. Bruce does have as many walks as strikeouts, but due to a small sample of that ratio, it doesn’t mean he necessarily has a good approach or plate discipline, but it does mean he has a good contact rate (after all, he is hitting .391 thus far). Nevertheless, in the minors, he did put up a dangerous walk/strikeout ratio. He struck out 106 times in 2006 and a combined 135 times at three different stops in 2007. Whatever “rookie wall” or slump he encounters this season will not be short-lived if he continues to strikeout like he did in the minors.
So that’s my rant on Jay Bruce. He’s good, he’s real, he has pedigree, the tools to be a successful Major Leaguer. Is he going to undergo some growing pains? You bet. If I had Bruce, in a non-keeper league, I would keep him around based purely on potential. If somebody is foolish to offer me Cole Hamels, though, I would hit the accept button in record time!
At this point, I must mention that I will not submit an article next week as I will be on vacation in good old Seattle, WA. The highlight of the trip will definitely be visiting gorgeous Safeco Field. Too bad the Mariners are out of town, but the way they’ve been playing, they might as well move to Oklahoma with the Supersonics. Until then, you can catch me at Yahoo! Answers until June 17 and you should consider yourself lucky if you receive my help.
As written by,
Felipe Melecio
Currently Listening To: Red I Flight, “Of Myth and Men”
Looking Forward To: Trip to beautiful Seattle, WA
Really Enjoying: Euro2008 (Go Spain!)
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