ArmChairGM is a pretty cool wiki based website, where users write their own sports articles and comment and critique other people's articles. I've signed up and I'm giving that site a try.
Here is my profile:
http://www.armchairgm.com/User:T_Roz
It links to the 3 articles I've written on that site (2 of them copied from here).
Here is the newest article I've written:
http://www.armchairgm.com/Article:Sam_He_Is
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
How the Celtics Should Handle Sam Cassel (and the rest of their lineup).
Sam Cassel is a veteran point guard with 2 NBA championship rings who knows how to win. But he hasn’t been brought in to lead the Celtics, Kevin Garnett can handle that just fine. And he hasn’t brought in to score points, the Big Three handle most of that thank you. He hasn’t even been brought in to play starting point guard, Rajon Rondo has been stellar all year. So why do the Celtics need Sam Cassel?
The Celtics have no back up point guard. Watching Eddie House try to break the press this year has been abysmal. House has contributed to the Celtics in other ways this year, providing instant offense off the bench, which isn’t easy to do. But House is a 2 guard, not a point guard. The Celtics have looked discombobulated with Rondo off the floor, even utilizing Ray Allen as a glorified point guard in spots, but that is about to change.
With the recent addition of Cassel and PJ Brown, the Celtics lineup looks something like this:
PG: Rajon Rondo, backed up by Cassel, Gabe Pruitt.
SG: Ray Allen, backed up by Eddie House, Tony Allen.
SF: Paul Peirce, backed up by James Posey, Brian Scalabrine.
PF: Kevin Garnett, backed up by Big Baby Davis, PJ Brown.
C: Kendrick Perkins, backed up by Leon Powe, Scott Pollard.
I say “something like this” because Tony Allen can play the 3, Scalabrine can play the 4, PJ Brown can play the 5, etc. But case in point, the Celtics have some options. How should they be handled?
The only action Gabe Pruitt should see for the rest of the season should be as a human victory cigar. Rondo is young and needs all the experience he can get come playoff time. Rondo should continue to see 30 or more minutes per game, leaving 15 or so minutes for Cassel. That’s enough time a game for him to stay in shape, contribute, take some shots, stay happy, and learn his role with the team.
With Cassel on the floor, Eddie House can now spell Ray Allen at the 2. Ray has been more influential than a lot of people have noticed this year, some of the Celtics toughest games, and losses, have come during games where Ray has struggled. Overall, Ray has been playing great, but the Celtics need those legs to stay strong in the post season. Ray Allen should not see more than 30 minutes a game for the rest of the season. This previously would have been impossible, but now there are two viable back up options for Ray.
I feel the same way about Paul Peirce, 30 minutes, max. James Posey will be crucial come playoff time because of his defensive abilities, but for the regular season 9 minutes each for him and Scalabrine is just fine.
The power forward situation is the exact same, and now it’s even deeper. KG is fierce, but he already strained his ab muscle earlier this season, keep him at 30 minutes per game. Big Baby has played great for the Celtics all season, 13 minutes for him and 5 for PJ Brown is just fine.
It seems that Perkins in the Celtics starting center, regardless of how good Leon Powe plays, but in reality I feel like they should split time. 20 minutes each, definitely not more than that for Perkins. The defenses of opposing teams don’t bother to cover him most time, daring him to take foul line jumpers, which he doesn’t. Scott Pollard has been nursing an injury as of late, so he can rest until the playoffs, where he’ll be used sparsely anyways. The remaining minutes at center can be picked up by Big Baby, or PJ Brown, with Scalabrine covering a few more minutes at power forward.
Limiting the numbers of the starters this way will keep their legs fresh. The Celtics suddenly find themselves with one of the deepest benches in the league, and essentially they have the number 2 spot in the East wrapped up. Unlike Cleveland, the new additions to the Celtics are not starters, and it won’t take long for the team to gel completely. If Doc Rivers and the Celtics are serious about a championship run this season, and there’s no reason to think the top team in the East won’t have a shot after the bloodbath the West champion will have to go through, then it’s time to start planning for it.
The Celtics have no back up point guard. Watching Eddie House try to break the press this year has been abysmal. House has contributed to the Celtics in other ways this year, providing instant offense off the bench, which isn’t easy to do. But House is a 2 guard, not a point guard. The Celtics have looked discombobulated with Rondo off the floor, even utilizing Ray Allen as a glorified point guard in spots, but that is about to change.
With the recent addition of Cassel and PJ Brown, the Celtics lineup looks something like this:
PG: Rajon Rondo, backed up by Cassel, Gabe Pruitt.
SG: Ray Allen, backed up by Eddie House, Tony Allen.
SF: Paul Peirce, backed up by James Posey, Brian Scalabrine.
PF: Kevin Garnett, backed up by Big Baby Davis, PJ Brown.
C: Kendrick Perkins, backed up by Leon Powe, Scott Pollard.
I say “something like this” because Tony Allen can play the 3, Scalabrine can play the 4, PJ Brown can play the 5, etc. But case in point, the Celtics have some options. How should they be handled?
The only action Gabe Pruitt should see for the rest of the season should be as a human victory cigar. Rondo is young and needs all the experience he can get come playoff time. Rondo should continue to see 30 or more minutes per game, leaving 15 or so minutes for Cassel. That’s enough time a game for him to stay in shape, contribute, take some shots, stay happy, and learn his role with the team.
With Cassel on the floor, Eddie House can now spell Ray Allen at the 2. Ray has been more influential than a lot of people have noticed this year, some of the Celtics toughest games, and losses, have come during games where Ray has struggled. Overall, Ray has been playing great, but the Celtics need those legs to stay strong in the post season. Ray Allen should not see more than 30 minutes a game for the rest of the season. This previously would have been impossible, but now there are two viable back up options for Ray.
I feel the same way about Paul Peirce, 30 minutes, max. James Posey will be crucial come playoff time because of his defensive abilities, but for the regular season 9 minutes each for him and Scalabrine is just fine.
The power forward situation is the exact same, and now it’s even deeper. KG is fierce, but he already strained his ab muscle earlier this season, keep him at 30 minutes per game. Big Baby has played great for the Celtics all season, 13 minutes for him and 5 for PJ Brown is just fine.
It seems that Perkins in the Celtics starting center, regardless of how good Leon Powe plays, but in reality I feel like they should split time. 20 minutes each, definitely not more than that for Perkins. The defenses of opposing teams don’t bother to cover him most time, daring him to take foul line jumpers, which he doesn’t. Scott Pollard has been nursing an injury as of late, so he can rest until the playoffs, where he’ll be used sparsely anyways. The remaining minutes at center can be picked up by Big Baby, or PJ Brown, with Scalabrine covering a few more minutes at power forward.
Limiting the numbers of the starters this way will keep their legs fresh. The Celtics suddenly find themselves with one of the deepest benches in the league, and essentially they have the number 2 spot in the East wrapped up. Unlike Cleveland, the new additions to the Celtics are not starters, and it won’t take long for the team to gel completely. If Doc Rivers and the Celtics are serious about a championship run this season, and there’s no reason to think the top team in the East won’t have a shot after the bloodbath the West champion will have to go through, then it’s time to start planning for it.
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Spygate and the Media
Throughout the entire NFL season, the major story pounded into the ground by the Media was the Patriots and Spygate. Many members of the Media, special to ESPN’s Gregg Easterbrook as TMQ among the loudest, called for Bill Belichick to explain what happened. Yes, the steepest fine in the history of the National Football League will cause quite a stir, but many people were not happy with Belichick’s quick statement that it was a “misinterpretation of the rule”, and the story continued to be told almost daily as a simple regurgitation of information with nothing new for months.
On February 18th the Boston Globe ran a story with Belichick finally answering questions about the scandal. Here’s an excerpt from the article:
“The rule states: “Any use by any club at any time, from the start to the finish of any game in which such club is a participant, of any communications or information-gathering equipment, other than Polaroid-type cameras or field telephones, shall be prohibited, including without limitation videotape machines, telephone tapping, or bugging devices, or any other form of electronic devices that might aid a team during the playing of a game”
Belichick felt the Patriots' actions were in compliance with NFL rules, saying, "My interpretation was that you can't utilize anything to assist you during that game. What our camera guys do is clearly not allowed to be used during the game and has never been used during that game that it was shot.” ”
Throughout the entire season members of the Media questioned how Belichick, not only one of the greatest minds in football but one of the game’s greatest studiers, wouldn’t know the rule. Those members of the Media were also quick to point out Belichick was a known winner, and willing to get every advantage possible.
Do I believe Bill Belichick that this was his interpretation of the rule? In so many words, yes. I believe it is much more likely that he felt that way, as opposed to blatantly cheating and then going back into the rule looking for a potential loophole, only to find a pretty nice explanation waiting for him. However, what I really think happened, is that he read the rule, and said “We can use this”. Like a clever lawyer he read, and re-read the rule, manipulating the words and determining there was a gray area, a gray area he decided to exploit. Does this make it okay? Sure. You do whatever you can within the rules of the game that gives your team the best advantage. If taking the most time to study the most film gave the Patriots an advantage during this or any other season, then congratulations Patriots.
The Boston Globe, one of the most circulated newspapers in the United States (in or near the top 10 depending on the data) ran this story, and it was barely a blip on the radar. There were no articles on ESPN about this new development in the story, no opinions to be spread this time. The story was pounded into us for the better part of 5 months, and now all the Media has asked for is there, but this time there’s no whistle blowers, no one to jump on board, simply because the public is tired of the story. The Media took a hot story, shoved it down our throats, then turned away when the first interesting development in 5 months happened.
Not surprisingly many members of the Media are still writing stories about Matt Walsh, the man who claims to have physical evidence that proves the Patriots cheated, eventhough he can't show anyone or even tell anyone what the evidence is. That’s the thing about the Media, they love a good scandal.
On February 18th the Boston Globe ran a story with Belichick finally answering questions about the scandal. Here’s an excerpt from the article:
“The rule states: “Any use by any club at any time, from the start to the finish of any game in which such club is a participant, of any communications or information-gathering equipment, other than Polaroid-type cameras or field telephones, shall be prohibited, including without limitation videotape machines, telephone tapping, or bugging devices, or any other form of electronic devices that might aid a team during the playing of a game”
Belichick felt the Patriots' actions were in compliance with NFL rules, saying, "My interpretation was that you can't utilize anything to assist you during that game. What our camera guys do is clearly not allowed to be used during the game and has never been used during that game that it was shot.” ”
Throughout the entire season members of the Media questioned how Belichick, not only one of the greatest minds in football but one of the game’s greatest studiers, wouldn’t know the rule. Those members of the Media were also quick to point out Belichick was a known winner, and willing to get every advantage possible.
Do I believe Bill Belichick that this was his interpretation of the rule? In so many words, yes. I believe it is much more likely that he felt that way, as opposed to blatantly cheating and then going back into the rule looking for a potential loophole, only to find a pretty nice explanation waiting for him. However, what I really think happened, is that he read the rule, and said “We can use this”. Like a clever lawyer he read, and re-read the rule, manipulating the words and determining there was a gray area, a gray area he decided to exploit. Does this make it okay? Sure. You do whatever you can within the rules of the game that gives your team the best advantage. If taking the most time to study the most film gave the Patriots an advantage during this or any other season, then congratulations Patriots.
The Boston Globe, one of the most circulated newspapers in the United States (in or near the top 10 depending on the data) ran this story, and it was barely a blip on the radar. There were no articles on ESPN about this new development in the story, no opinions to be spread this time. The story was pounded into us for the better part of 5 months, and now all the Media has asked for is there, but this time there’s no whistle blowers, no one to jump on board, simply because the public is tired of the story. The Media took a hot story, shoved it down our throats, then turned away when the first interesting development in 5 months happened.
Not surprisingly many members of the Media are still writing stories about Matt Walsh, the man who claims to have physical evidence that proves the Patriots cheated, eventhough he can't show anyone or even tell anyone what the evidence is. That’s the thing about the Media, they love a good scandal.
Friday, February 22, 2008
The Cavs Improve at the Deadline
A major trade went through yesterday, reportedly 1 minute before the trade deadline. This really shakes things up for the Cavs. They bring in Wally Szczerbiak, a former all star who can contribute offensively, and Ben Wallace, a former all star who can contribute defensively, along with the underrated combination of Delonte West and Joe Smith. The Cavs sent away Drew Gooden, Cedric Simmons, Ira Newble, Shannon Bown, Donyell Marshall, and the disappointing Larry Hughes. They dumped a bad contract, and shipped away other expiring ones, yes they picked up 2 fairly horrible contracts, but the Cavs upgraded at every position. Truthfully, I would rather have every player the Cavs got on my team than other player in the trade. This makes the Cavs very formidable.
The amazing thing about this team now, with much thanks to LeBron’s versatility, is the different lineups they can play. They can go big, LeBron, Wally, Anderson Varejao/Joe Smith, Wallace, and Big Z, where the smallest player on the court is Wally at 6 foot 7. Or they can go with a smaller lineup, Daniel Gibson, West, LeBron, and 2 of the previous big men. They now have flexibility in who they can have on the floor, allowing them to match up favorably with a lot of elite NBA teams right now. If you were to examine a lot of other rosters player for player, the Cavs would lose 4 to 1 a good portion of the time, and yet you still like their team because LeBron is at the helm.
At the very least, come playoff time there will be a lot of exciting NBA matchups. For now we have a few weeks of interesting basketball to watch and see some new teams learn how to gel and play together.
The amazing thing about this team now, with much thanks to LeBron’s versatility, is the different lineups they can play. They can go big, LeBron, Wally, Anderson Varejao/Joe Smith, Wallace, and Big Z, where the smallest player on the court is Wally at 6 foot 7. Or they can go with a smaller lineup, Daniel Gibson, West, LeBron, and 2 of the previous big men. They now have flexibility in who they can have on the floor, allowing them to match up favorably with a lot of elite NBA teams right now. If you were to examine a lot of other rosters player for player, the Cavs would lose 4 to 1 a good portion of the time, and yet you still like their team because LeBron is at the helm.
At the very least, come playoff time there will be a lot of exciting NBA matchups. For now we have a few weeks of interesting basketball to watch and see some new teams learn how to gel and play together.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Kurt Thomas to the Spurs: Best Move of the Year.
After a week of “The West is wide open now” conversations the Spurs were tired of listening and went out and made themselves the front runners yet again for the NBA Championship. We heard the talk, “The Spurs will turn it up towards the end of the season”, but they haven’t looked quite right all year.
Yesterday the Spurs acquired Kurt Thomas from the Sonics for Brent Barry, Francisco Elson, and a 2009 first round pick. Brent Barry has been valuable in the Spurs previous championship runs but the West is bigger this year, and where Kurt Thomas used to be valuable guarding Tim Duncan, now he will be valuable saving him on defense. Kurt Thomas can be an effective offensive player (8 points, 9 rebounds), but he’s been brought in to guard Shaq, Gasol, and Boozer et al during what will be a tough playoff run for all the West teams. Fantastic management by the Spurs, this is a great move.
This Spurs management has been out done by only…the Sonics. Wow. In the past 7 months they have turned a 2009 conditional second round pick (via the Magic) into Brent Barry, Francisco Elson (for a total of $8.5 million of expiring contracts), and a first round pick in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Thus, the Sonics have been able to build a core of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, this year’s lottery pick, and 3 upcoming picks in the 20s with emerging Chris Wilcox (age 25, 13 points, 7 rebounds), Delonte West (still only 24), and the possibility of Luke Ridnour screwing his head on straight (age 27), and they have one of the brightest futures in the NBA. And on top of all of that, they’ve done it while isolating their fan base by trying to fleece the city of Seattle and preparing a move to Oklahoma City, a city full of rabid fans just waiting for a team (as we witnessed with the Hornets). Just read that again, that’s how it’s done.
***Update***
With the big three team trade mentioned above in the next post, the Sonics moved Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak for the $10+ million of expiring contracts in Adrian Griffin, Donyell Marshall, and Ira Newbell. I don't like the loss of West, he really has the opporunity to become a player, however the Sonics continue to strenghten their position in the future of the NBA with a dwindling salary and 13 draft picks in the next 3 years.
Yesterday the Spurs acquired Kurt Thomas from the Sonics for Brent Barry, Francisco Elson, and a 2009 first round pick. Brent Barry has been valuable in the Spurs previous championship runs but the West is bigger this year, and where Kurt Thomas used to be valuable guarding Tim Duncan, now he will be valuable saving him on defense. Kurt Thomas can be an effective offensive player (8 points, 9 rebounds), but he’s been brought in to guard Shaq, Gasol, and Boozer et al during what will be a tough playoff run for all the West teams. Fantastic management by the Spurs, this is a great move.
This Spurs management has been out done by only…the Sonics. Wow. In the past 7 months they have turned a 2009 conditional second round pick (via the Magic) into Brent Barry, Francisco Elson (for a total of $8.5 million of expiring contracts), and a first round pick in 2008, 2009, and 2010. Thus, the Sonics have been able to build a core of Kevin Durant, Jeff Green, this year’s lottery pick, and 3 upcoming picks in the 20s with emerging Chris Wilcox (age 25, 13 points, 7 rebounds), Delonte West (still only 24), and the possibility of Luke Ridnour screwing his head on straight (age 27), and they have one of the brightest futures in the NBA. And on top of all of that, they’ve done it while isolating their fan base by trying to fleece the city of Seattle and preparing a move to Oklahoma City, a city full of rabid fans just waiting for a team (as we witnessed with the Hornets). Just read that again, that’s how it’s done.
***Update***
With the big three team trade mentioned above in the next post, the Sonics moved Delonte West and Wally Szczerbiak for the $10+ million of expiring contracts in Adrian Griffin, Donyell Marshall, and Ira Newbell. I don't like the loss of West, he really has the opporunity to become a player, however the Sonics continue to strenghten their position in the future of the NBA with a dwindling salary and 13 draft picks in the next 3 years.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Zach Thomas and the Patriots
The Patriots have offered newly released linebacker Zack Thomas a deal. Terms of the deal have not been disclosed, and Thomas has not accepted it yet, so nothing is official. However, this was so obvious, I am actually angry I didn’t mention it earlier. It was the first thing everyone I know said when he was released.
This from a friend: “Obviously, the Pats do this all the time. Here’s to Ray Lewis in 2012!”
Of course the reality of the situation is the Pats will expect Thomas to take a pay cut to play for the perennial contender, and Thomas’ agent is Drew Rosenhaus, so you see where I’m going with this…
This from a friend: “Obviously, the Pats do this all the time. Here’s to Ray Lewis in 2012!”
Of course the reality of the situation is the Pats will expect Thomas to take a pay cut to play for the perennial contender, and Thomas’ agent is Drew Rosenhaus, so you see where I’m going with this…
Monday, February 18, 2008
Kidd to Mavs Not Dead Yet
So Dallas really wants to land Jason Kidd. To replace both Devean George and Jerry Stackhouse in the deal, the Mavs want to sign and trade Keith Van Horn. The Mavs have his rights because he never officially filed retirement papers with the league. Van Horn would still need to pass a physical in order for the trade to go through, so can someone please contact the Mavs if he fails: I’m available, my doctor has cleared me for physical activity. I’ll take the 4.3 million and call it a day just as well as Van Horn.
This new trade shows you just how much Dallas wants Kidd. I believe including Van Horn means the Mavs will pay out another 8.6 million this year, his salary plus luxury tax. But then, why still include Diop in the deal? Keep Diop and stay bigger, all the Nets want is cap space anyway. I thought perhaps the Mavs knew more about Nick Fazekas (6 foot 11, rides the bench mostly) than we did, but reports are he’ll be cut to make room on the roster for the deal. So this deal moves two 7 footers away from the Mavs in a big Western conference, and this trade is as confusing as ever.
This new trade shows you just how much Dallas wants Kidd. I believe including Van Horn means the Mavs will pay out another 8.6 million this year, his salary plus luxury tax. But then, why still include Diop in the deal? Keep Diop and stay bigger, all the Nets want is cap space anyway. I thought perhaps the Mavs knew more about Nick Fazekas (6 foot 11, rides the bench mostly) than we did, but reports are he’ll be cut to make room on the roster for the deal. So this deal moves two 7 footers away from the Mavs in a big Western conference, and this trade is as confusing as ever.
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