Khandor’s Sports Service, Games Of The Day
June 15th, 2009KSS GOTD Selections. Available each day. Click on the link.
As of July 02, 2009:
#1 MLB [2009] 
, #2 NBA [2008-2009] 
, #6 NFL [2008-2009].
Where the Magic should go next, if they choose not to match a contract offer for Gortat
July 3rd, 2009According to a report published today …
Commited? Gortat to tour Mavs facility
Marcin Gortat, Orlando’s Back-up Center extraordinaire, could well be heading toward the Lone Star state, if the Magic decline the opportunity to match the contract he is offered by the Dallas Mavericks.
Would this really be a bad thing, however, from Orlando’s perspective?
Especially, in light of their recent trade for Vincent Lamar Carter … and the courtship of the Turkish Michael Jordan which is taking place right now across the breadth of the NBA?
Hmmm …
Yours truly thinks, perhaps, not.
Marcin Gortat is about to sign a major new contract [say, in excess of $5.0 M/yr] to become a key player for a new team that expects him to perform at a certain level of production each and every night in the NBA, against the best players in the world … coming off a season during which he performed like this: 2008-2009 Season Statistics.
Now, this corner happens to like Mr. Gortat’s individual game a great deal but a move like that would make zero sense, from Orlando’s POV if, instead, the reigning Eastern Conference Champs could secure the services of another highly cost effective replacement Back-up Center … at a substantially lower rung on the pay scale … who just happens to be available, right now, also as a Restricted Free Agent, for a team that will have significant difficulty in paying him more money than he received last season, as the #3 Center on their depth chart.
Which player might this be?
If the Magic decline to match the contract offered to Mr. Gortat by the Mavericks and, instead, offer a new contract of their own to a highly serviceable Back-up Center by the name of Johan Petro … what might it do for Orlando’s ability to:
1. Resign Hedo Turkoglu;
and, then,
2. Present their fans with the following roster:
STARTERS
Jameer Nelson
Vince Carter
Hedo Turkoglu
Rashard Lewis
Dwight Howard
KEY SUBS
Anthony Johnson
JJ Redick
Mickael Pietrus
Ryan Anderson
Johan Petro
in an effort to win next year’s NBA Championship.
While one man’s steak is most definitely another man’s hamburger …
It says in this corner that Johan Petro [at @ $3.0 M/yr] … from a dollar for dollar perspective … would actually be a better Back-up Center [to Dwight Howard] in Orlando this coming season than would Marcin Gortat [at something more than $5.0 M/yr].
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Where the Lakers should go next, if Ariza bids adieu
July 2nd, 2009According to different on-line reports published yesterday …
Trevor Ariza is now actively looking for greener pastures in which to ply his trade next season.
According to yours truly THAT specific move would be a colossal mistake in judgment … should he land anywhere but in Cleveland, as the principal side-kick to King James.
At present, Mr. Ariza is in the perfect situation for himself … playing and developing his skills at the side of Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, Derek Fisher, Andrew Bynum, Luke Walton, Sasha Vujacic, Jordan Farmar, et al., under the expert leadership of the ZenMaster.
Should he choose to give THAT up … in wanton pursuit of greed “more money” … and touch-down with a different team, other than the Cavaliers … there’s a more than fair chance he will play the remainder of his career without winning another NBA Title.
That said …
If you look at this list of current Free Agents [courtesy of the excellent blog nbaroundtable, operated by Dave]:
2009 NBA Free Agent List - Part Two
… and you’ve actually taken the time to read some or all of what’s been written on various web sites under the name of “khandor” … you should be able to identify those few names which the Lakers SHOULD actively pursue, as a cost-effective replacement for a highly serviceable Wing player like T-Ariza … who seems to be lacking a certain measure of humility and intelligence, at this most interesting stage of his still young career in the NBA … given the financial crunch that Los Angeles finds itself in at the present time.
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Q1. Can you guess those few names correctly?
A1. Methinks, at least, some of you have the ability to do just THAT.
[Hint: Who are the long, relatively athletic Wing players on that list that can defend multiple positions, rebound, run the floor, make occasional jump shots, pass and cut within the Triangle Offense and, perhaps most importantly, also assume a deferential role with the Lakers to the personalities of Black Mamba, et al., at a salary level which would allow LA to keep the rest of their team intact for the coming campaign, in pursuit of back-to-back championships? It really shouldn't be that difficult to figure out.]
PS. The irony involved in a situation like THAT … i.e. for Raptors fans … would simply be outrageous.
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Answers [spelled in reverse]: semaJ, notelgniS; oiramaJ, nooM; tnarG, lliH; yeoJ, maharG; and, yendoR, yenraC.
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Recent Update
* PLEASE NOTE: On the other hand, should T-Ariza actually end up with an outfit like the Portland Trail Blazers, in place of, let’s say, Hedo Turkoglu … that would mean that both he and Kevin Pritchard are, in fact, as smart as this corner of the net had previously given them credit for being.
Lee or Varejao good fits with Raptors’ Bosh
July 2nd, 2009Earlier this spring, yours truly was asked to provide an example of the type of player who SHOULD be obtained by the Raptors in a trade which involved Andrea Bargnani, as a possible #4/PF to play beside Chris Bosh [as the Dino's main-frame Center]. The two names that came to mind straight away were Anderson Varejao [unrestricted] and David Lee [restricted], both of whom are designated as Free Agents at the moment.
Two years ago, as a restricted free agent, the Cavaliers took a long time bringing Varejao into the fold, only doing so after a protracted hold-out. This past season he played as a Starting #4/PF for Cleveland, riding shot-gun for LeBron James, to the tune of 66 W’s in the regular season campaign. As a 27 year old player, going into his 6th season in the NBA, Varejao [6-10, 260] is the sort of effective, role-playing, garbage man who could excel beside Bosh, in a number of different ways [e.g. Offensively, Defensively and in terms of Rebounding].
Right now … in the aftermath of trading for the Big Diesel … the Cavs are in the market for a wing player with solid defensive skills, big game experience and a lively pair of legs with the ability to re-energize their offense without needing the ball in his his hands a great deal of the time.
Do the Raptors have a player on their roster, at the moment, who fits the bill, in this regard … that could possibly be used in a sign and trade to secure the services of Mr. Varejao in return?
By chance … Yes, they do.
His name happens to be Shawn Dwayne Marion … and he’s a perfect fit for Cleveland to complete their roster, hunting for their 1st NBA Title next spring. He is an under-sized, highly energetic #4/PF, who would thrive playing beside [and between] King James and Shaq Daddy.
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A second good option for the Raptors is David Lee.
Raps setting their sights on Knicks’ big man Lee
The Raptors are widening their NBA free-agent search that now includes one of the more intriguing players on the market.
Capping a whirlwind 24 hours to open the negotiating period, league sources say Toronto is trying to obtain David Lee, an energetic rebounder who is a New York Knicks restricted free agent.
The sources couldn’t say whether the move on Lee would be a straight offer or whether it would be a sign-and-trade transaction with any of Toronto’s current free agents …
Lee, 26, had a breakout year with the Knicks last season, averaging 16 points and 11.7 rebounds a game. He had a salary of just about $1.8 million (all figures U.S.) and is seen as one of the top young free agents out there; he’s a restricted free agent so if Toronto were to simply make an offer and not try to engineer some sign-and-trade transactions, the Knicks could match it.
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Instead of chasing after a good but older player with their available money this summer … e.g. Hedo Turkoglu [age 30] … the Raptors would be much further ahead if they pursued either Anderson Varejao or David Lee AND then used him as their Starting Power Forward beside Chris Bosh [C] this season.
If the Raptors would have just drafted Derrick Brown last Thursday night …
1 Jose Calderon
2 Anthony Parker
3 DeMar DeRozan
4 Carlos Delfino
5 Derrick Brown
6 Reggie Evans
7 Anderson Varejao or David Lee
8 Chris Bosh [Center]
9 Andrea Bargnani
that’s the sort of 9-Man CORE GROUP which could:
* Win their fair share of regular season games this coming season
* Convince CB4 to re-sign with the Raptors next summer
* Be the foundation of a solid contending team in the EC for the next decade.
By initiating legitimate discussions with Danny Ferry and Donnie Walsh there are all sorts of possibilities which exist for Bryan Colangelo to improve the Raptors this off season … including possible trades involving other talented young players - e.g. Andrea Bargnani, Danilo Gallinari, Wilson Chandler, JJ Hickson and Danny Green - on each of their respective rosters.
Memo to Kevin Pritchard: Land mines abound, best be careful where you tread
July 1st, 2009KD smacks one over the fence today …
Does Portland know that Hedo Turkoglu is 30?
31, by the time the playoffs start next season.
Portland? By the time the playoffs start in 2010?
Brandon Roy, 25. LaMarcus Aldridge, 24. Rudy Fernandez, 25. Greg Oden, 22. Travis Outlaw, 25.
And when those players are in their primes? 2014 or so? Hedo’s going to be well past his, at age 35. And this was a guy who was made to already look old and slow up against Trevor Ariza in this year’s Finals.
So why, exactly, is Portland throwing its free agent booty at Hedo?
What am I missing here? The team was, statistically, the best offensive team in the NBA last year. Possession to possession, nobody scored more. Defense is this team’s weakness, so they’re spending all sorts of dough on a defensive liability?
The team, for years, has been one of the better closing squads in the NBA. They don’t make a lot of comebacks, not with Nate McMillan’s snail-slow pace, but with Travis Outlaw and Brandon Roy in the fold, they do just about lead the league in game-cinchers in the last 90 seconds. Statheads can talk about Carmelo Anthony, TV talking heads can talk up Kobe Bryant, but no team is better in the clutch than the Portland Trail Blazers.
And they’re trying to add a guy who made his hay as a late-game finisher? Read that again. His value is inflated because of his late-game heroics. The team would be overpaying for something it already has in spades.
What is wrong with this picture?
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Agreed, 100%.
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Related:
ROI - Reviewing and rating current NBA Free Agents
July 1st, 2009There’s a tonne of information on-line right now but this one, courtesy of John Schuhmman, is as sound and concise as any:
Position-by-position: Top 5 free agents
As we’ve seen in the NBA Draft over the years, the best strategy is usually to take the best player available. You never know how draft picks will turn out, so selecting the guy closest to a sure thing, even if you’ve already got a similar player on your roster, is often the prudent way to go.
In free agency, though, teams pretty much know what kind of player they’re getting. Teams have seen what these guys can do and are able to better evaluate what they’re capable of and what they can bring to their team.
So the next few weeks will be about finding the right fit, both on the court and on the payroll.
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By position, the following players are under-rated [#, indicates where they should be ranked] in this year’s Free Agent class, according to yours truly:
POINT GUARDS
* Ramon Sessions [#1]
* Jarret jack [#2]
* CJ Watson [#6]
OFF GUARDS
* Anthony Parker [#1]
SMALL FORWARDS
* None
POWER FORWARDS
* Antonio McDyess [#3]
* Brandon Bass [#7]
* James Singleton [#9]
CENTERS
* Johan Petro {#4]
ROI - How a legend thinks
July 1st, 2009Eighteen holes with Jerry West
Excerpt #1. The playoffs can become a sore point for West, a 14-time All Star, who, despite nine trips to the NBA Finals, remains haunted by his inability to collect more than one ring as a player, that coming in 1972 against the New York Knicks.
“It’s left a huge scar on me, huge,” West said. “I’m not going to ever forget that till the day I die.”
Excerpt #2. Looking back, West wishes he could have dealt with the stress better, and enjoyed the experience more.
“When you know you have a good team, you’re always worried about the little unknowns,” he said.
Excerpt #3. On the 18th green, he needed a 10-footer for his par. He missed.
“I’m not leaving till I make it,” he said. He made it on his fourth attempt.
Raptors’ best possible line-up, as of June 30, 2008
June 30th, 2009While some might enjoy the endless speculation about which free agents might be interested in what teams, and vice versa, prior to July 1 [the start date to the annual Free Agency feeding frenzy in the NBA], yours truly prefers to take a different approach.
At 12:01 AM of the big “first day”, here is what this corner sees as the most effective 12-man line-up for the Raptors, if the 2009-2010 regualar season was to begin play today:
Option One - Conventional NBA Line-up
STARTERS
1 Jose Calderon [guaranteed contract]
2 Anthony Parker [unrestricted]
3 Shawn Marion [unrestricted]
4 Chris Bosh [guaranteed contract]
5 Andrea Bargnani [guaranteed contract]
KEY SUBS
6 Roko Ukic [guaranteed contract]
7 DeMar DeRozan [guaranteed contract] *
8 Carlos Delfino [qualifying offer extended]
9 Reggie Evans [guaranteed contract]
EXTRAS
10 Marcus Banks [guaranteed contract]
11 Quincy Douby [guaranteed contract]
12 Pops Mensah-Bonsu [qualifying offer extended]
13 Kris Humphries [guaranteed contract]
14 Nathan Jawai [guaranteed contract]
15 Patrick O’Bryant [guaranteed contract]
Option Two - khandor’s Preferred Line-up
STARTERS
1 Jose Calderon [guaranteed contract]
2 Anthony Parker [unrestricted]
3 Carlos Delfino [qualifying offer extended]
4 Marion [unrestricted]
5 Bosh [guaranteed contract]
KEY SUBS
6 Roko Ukic [guaranteed contract]
7 DeMar DeRozan [guaranteed contract] *
8 Reggie Evans [guaranteed contract]
9 Andrea Bargnani [guaranteed contract] *
EXTRAS
10 Marcus Banks [guaranteed contract]
11 Quincy Douby [guaranteed contract]
12 Pops Mensah-Bonsu [qualifying offer extended]
13 Kris Humphries [guaranteed contract]
14 Nathan Jawai [guaranteed contract]
15 Patrick O’Bryant [guaranteed contract]
[Legend: * - Scorer off the bench]
Factors to be considered, re: Option Two
No. 9 [overall] 1st Round Draft Picks that come into the NBA after playing only 1 season of NCAA D1 level basketball have no business as a Starting Player in the NBA.
Gradually introduce DeMar DeRozan to the rigors of the NBA game.
Shawn Marion is a natural #4/PF in the NBA.
Chris Bosh is a natural #5/Center in the NBA.
By bringing DeRozan and Bargnani off the bench, it provides the Raptors with a more balanced line-up overall and scoring prowess for their 2nd Unit.
Surrounding Bosh with four players like Calderon, Parker, Delfino, and Marion would allow the Raptors to play small [i.e. with multiple "shooters" on the floor], while emphasizing Pick & Roll/Pop basketball with CB4 and a multi-pronged “Drive & Kick” game.
Keep Bosh from becoming fatigued and/or incurring serious injuries by having him split time on the floor with Bargnani at the #5/C position [i.e. 28 MPG for Bosh; 20 MPG for Bargnani].
Limit Bosh & Bargnani’s individual defensive assignments to the opponent’s Best Big Man, leaving Marion to defend against their top #4/PF.
Limit the opportunities for Bargnani [Back-up Center] to be called for too many Personal Fouls.
Provide maximum Rebounding opportunities for Reggie Evans [Back-up PF].
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Now … it is going to be most interesting to see what the Raptors actual line-up will look like in the fall when the team breaks from Jay Triano’s first full training camp, as their new permanent head coach, with Bryan Colangelo set to start his 4th full year as their GM.
NBA Jeopardy … The ANSWER is: With the Cavaliers or the Heat
June 30th, 2009The QUESTION is … for, let’s say, approximately $6.4 M …
What two NBA franchises would Allen Iverson, possibly, be the best fit with at this stage of his career?
[i.e. based strictly on their respective player rosters and regardless of any Salary Cap/Luxury Tax restraints on a 1 year contract]
SCENARIO ONE
If the Cavaliers are truly serious about trying to win the 2009-2010 NBA Championship, then Cleveland needs to ratchet up its Offense with a line-up that looks like this:
STARTERS
PG - Allen Iverson [UFA, high cost]
OG - Anthony Parker [UFA, medium cost]
SF - Lebron James
PF - Anderson Varejao
C - Shaquille O’Neal
KEY SUBS
PG/OG - Mo Williams or Daniel Gibson
OG/SF - Keith Bogans [UFA, low cost]
SF/PF - JJ Hickson
C - Zydrunas Ilgauskas
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SCENARIO TWO
If the Heat are truly serious about trying to reach the 2009-2010 NBA Finals, then Miami needs to ratchet up its Offense with a line-up like this is:
STARTERS
PG - Allen Iverson [UFA, high cost]
OG - Dwyane Wade
SF - Jamario Moon [UFA, low cost]
PF - Udonis Haslem
C - Jermaine O’Neal
KEY SUBS
PG - Mario Chalmers
OG - Daequan Cook
SF - Michael Beasley
PF - Joel Anthony
C - Chris Mihm [UFA, low cost]
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For a single season … a move like that would still leave Miami and/or Cleveland in the free agent sweepstakes expected to take place next summer [i.e. 2010] … while giving their respective teams a definite boost this year, in an effort to reach their specific goal.
Are either of these two situations likely to occur next month?
Hmmmm …
[Probably not ... although either one would certainly be very interesting to see materialize this summer.]
ROI … re: NBA related Talent Identification and the musings of one HP
June 29th, 2009FYI and reading pleasure …
An Open Letter to the Memphis Grizzlies
Hilarious Excerpt #1. I even tolerated the insane teasings toward the OJ-Mayo-As-A-Point-Guard fiasco, or as I like to call it, “The Turnover Manifesto.”
Hlarious Excerpt #2. I begged you, pleaded with you. I used podcasts, blogposts, emails to people who know you, to try and steer you from this course of action. But you wouldn’t listen. And look what you have to show for it.
A seven foot pogo stick with a Twitter account [i.e. Hasheem Thabeet].
Hilarious Line #3. Lots of people question the 6′5” player [i.e. Tyreke Evans] with killer explosiveness with insane ability to get to the rim who also happened to come out of the same program as this year’s Rookie of the Year who was also a point guard and which happens to be located in the same city as your damn franchise ensuring that you would have at least had a player on the squad that someone would know.
Hilarious Line #4. I’d love to tell you that it’s not you, it’s me. But that’s a lie. It’s you.
Hilarious Excerpt #5. I’ll call you when I reach my mother’s.
Bye, Memphis.
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Matt Moore is one of the most prodigous writing talents in the literary basketball business today. Would only he be able to drop his penchant for excessively curse-laiden “flavourful” language, on occasion, when his blood pressure is on the rise, he should be a daily read for anyone who follows the NBA game.
Laugh, cry, or vilify, but … at all times … it’s done while bringing a smile to your face. Get to know his name, folks. It says here, he is someone who is going far, in this here game.
Related:
