Ball Thoughts

-Big game tonight at Cameron as Duke takes on Miami.  Grudge match.  The Dukies were blown out in Miami.  Will Kelly lace them up for the Blue Devils?

-Gonzaga is not for real.                                            

-Georgetown may be the class of the Big East. Louisville is coming on strong. 

-My how NC State has fallen.  Bubble team?

-Look for a classic team Final Four: Indiana, Duke, Georgetown, and a non-classic team in Oklahoma State.  Marcus Smart is a fav of mine.

-Memphis and Indiana are hard teams to watch in the regular season.  Both teams are plodding and play great defense with above average rebounding.  The caveat is that everyone man’s up in the playoffs so look for these teams to underwhelm in the playoffs.

-Denver has a similar problem given it’s up tempo style of play.  Look for them to be eliminated early.

-Thinking the Lakers catch Houston and get the eighth seed in the West.  The Rockets are still too inexperienced with the exception of a still very young Harden. 

-Tony Parker is out four weeks with an ankle sprain.  I think the Spurs will keep it together and at worst lose a playoff seed in his absence.  They will need him ready to roll for the playoffs or they will be toast.

-Loved the Miami Heat Harlem Shake.  Costumes were amazing. 

-Rudy Gay has now been indoctrinated to the Toronto losing ways.  Welcome to Raptorland! 

-Valiciunas is an impressive rook.  Loves to bang.

-The Bradely Beal/John Wall backcourt has potential. 

-Doug Collins sealed his exit in Philly with some midweek diatribes to the media.  Young ears tire of his act after a few seasons.

-What happens with the hairdo freak?  Does Bynum stay in Philly? Do they want him after trading for a dude who is out all year?  Does he hit the open market and leave?  Guy seems to be a giant douche.  

Dimes

COLLEGE

-Nerlens Noel, the prize of the next NBA draft, went down with a torn ACL last night.  Forcing these guys to go to college for one year is looking more ridiculous as time spills on.  Nerlens probably leaves Kentucky next week and starts rehabbing once his surgery is done.  To stay qualified for his one year with the Wildcats Noel took maybe one class?  His draft stock might fall a little but he still will be a high lottery pick.

-Big Ten teams are hammering each other.  Michigan was the latest victim, getting walloped by Michigan State last night.  Indiana seems to have regained its position of dominance in the conference.

-I wonder if Miami can pull it off and produce in big games.  The conference and NCAA tournament are coming up.  The Hurricanes have never been to these heights before.  Be wary of the ledge. 

-Final Four- Indiana, Duke, Michigan State, Florida

PRO

-Rudy Gay is proving to be a closer, something the Raptors have sorely lacked over the last decade.  Sure the win was over a depleted Nuggets roster but a W is a W. 

-Amir Johnson has improved at a steady pace over the years and deserves due credit. 

-Indiana is a tough physical team.  That being said it was a pleasure seeing the Raptors match their physicality and pull out a win last Friday night.

-Tyler Hansborough is the dirtiest player in the league.  Lambeerish. 

-Lebron has been on an unreal record setting pace over the last six scoring 30 plus and shotting 60 percent plus over that span.  The shooting has been astounding and I am amazed that Wilt Chamberlain did not hold the record.  Seems like he should have had 30 in a row.

-Jordan/James comparisons keep popping up.  Not yet Lebron! 

-What a streak for the Celtics!  This team is either on fire or ice cold. 

-Golden State is crashing.  The heightened defensive effort we saw earlier in the year is gone.  Pretenders.

-Look for the Clips to start teasing us and entering the West race. 

Ball Thoughts

-The Clippers are looking like the Clippers of old.  Losing with regularity.  Chris Paul has been out for far too long with a knee cap bruise.  It has to be something more serious.  Let’s take them off the title Thang

contention list. 

-Memphis has taken themselves out of the running with the Gay trade or have they?  Things may take a bit of time to settle down but Prince may actually be more beneficial to the team than Gay.  A savvy vet who will make the right play help to emphasize their interior strength.  It all will hinge on the maturity and development of Conely.  Can he and the Grizz shock some folks in the playoffs. 

-Chicago and Indiana are unreal great defensive teams.  Granger and Rose are still out.  I hope Rose comes back at the same level athletically.  Jimmy Butler has been a pleasant surprise for the Bulls.  All Indiana does is continue to win games.  George is a star.  I think Granger should be traded for pieces, I have never loved his shot first hero ball mentality.  Hibbert is overpaid, let’s face it he will never be who we thought he might develop into.  And the Pacers continue to give the Heat problems.  Either Chicago or Indiana is going to give the Heat/Knicks a very big scare if not an elimination from this years playoffs.  Book it.

-Who are the Brooklyn Nets?  I have no idea.  Lopez looks like the second coming some nights.  Sell this teams chances.

-Danny Ferry should be dealing in Atlanta.  This team is finished.  For the love of god unload Josh Smith and get some pieces.  Can you imagine how infuriating it would be to coach Smith?  Loafers delight. 

-Not sure what to make of the Celtics run without Rondo.  Terry is put in better situations without Rondo around.  Pierce, of the old man’s game, has been a treat this year.  I expect they will fall back to earth.  If I was Ainge I would be dealing.  What’s the point of an #8 seed?  The roster is old it is time to rebuild.  The aged pieces have to be dealt.  Sad truth. 

-Dwight Howard is who we thought he was.  A goof with no heart. 

-The Lakers will make the playoffs despite the mess it’s been.  They have been playing better ball.  Earl Clark is gives them youth and athleticism something they sorely lack. 

-That was a youthful Kobe facial in Brooklyn. 

-Last nights Golden State/Houston game was fun.  Reminded me of Doug Moe ball. 

-Bogut is key for the Warriors.  If he gets back to form, watch out. 

-OKC and SAN are lonely at the top of the West as the rest have fallen.

-Kentucky is creeping back onto the scene behind the swatting of Nerlens. 

-Kind of wish a team would step up and dominate in NCAA ball but then I realize it will make for a remarkable tourney.

-Ohio State is bothersome.  Thomas has a limited game and I find it shocking that this chucker gets the praise he does.

-Love Oklahoma State.  Smart is a star and Nash reminds me of Metta World Peace. 

-New Final Four: Indiana, Oklahoma State, Butler, Kansas.  

Gay To TO

Rudy Gay is officially a Raptor.  Finally they have a coveted small forward.  As I have said before the only way for Toronto to acquire talent is through trade or draft.  High name free agents are not coming to Toronto.  Coloangelo, atrocious GM, rolled the dice with this one.  The future will tell as to whether this deal works out for Toronto.  Let’s look at the pieces. 

                Rudy Gay is very talented yet very overpaid for two more years.  He is having a bad season so he was bought for a low price.  He is a good friend of Kyle Lowry, who becomes the man at point guard for Toronto, this chemistry should help.  He is paid like a #1 and wants to be a #1.  Can he be a star?  Toronto is banking on it. 

                The Rap lost Calderon and Davis in the deal.  Both were a pleasure to watch.  Davis finally got some minutes this year due to injuries and was impressive.  However, his rookie deal was up and Toronto was going to lose him for greener pastures in the coming years.  Plus with JV and Bargs coming back soon his minutes were sure to drop.  Caderon was a surprisingly solid point guard for eight seasons in Toronto.  His contract was expiring and the Raptors were sure to let him walk over the summer.  Davis and Calderon were good players on their way out and the cost of losing them was an overpaid wild card in Rudy Gay. 

                With the deal the Raptors roster is very redundant.  Derozean and Gay are the same type of player with Gay being a superior version of the two.  Both are slashers who shoot poorly from three and are below average defenders.  Derozean was just signed to a monstrous extension! Yikes! Now Demar needs to be dealt.  Bargnani as well has to be dealt at the very least before next season.  Dealing the pussy cat Andrea must be priority number one for Colangelo and I believe the Raptors board must have told him that if Gay comes Andrea must be dealt.  Fields is also overpaid and a new home for him is needed.  There isn’t much financial flexibility for the Raps.  Yikes! 

                If the above mentioned are dealt there might be some hope with the deal.  This deal is a predicated on what happens next with the roster.  If players are dealt it looks promising.  If not? Yikes! 

                The combinations with Gay playing some power forward are intriguing.  Lowry, Ross, Demar, Gay, and Johnson?  Very athletic!  As long as Demarr and Bargs are dealt I think I am behind this deal.  Building around Lowry, Ross, Gay, and JV seems the way to go.  Add Johnson to the mix and I would like to see what happens. 

                Standing wise the deal goes two ways.  The Raps either remain an 8 to 10 seed or they make some trades and build around the ones they should and they elevate to a 4 or 5 seed. 

                Memphis has taken themselves out of the West race with the deal.  Prince may help a bit but its over for the Grizz.  The financial realities are harsh for the small market teams. 

                Detroit may join the race for #8 in the East.  Calderon should help their bigs.  This summer Joe Dumars will have some cap space but given his record in free agency, is this a good thing?  

All Star Reserve Insanity

Deng over Lopez?
Randolph over Gasol?

Pucklife

HOCKEY HOCKEY!  Is back!  Yippee!  Go Bruins!  Go Sens!  Should be a wild condensed schedule infused year.  I am shocked given the stupidity of the lockout that the fans have come back and the games have been so entertaining.  The players certainly seemed to chomping to get back at it!!!!

CBB Thoughts

1.       Duke got destroyed last night by Miami.  It was unwatchable baby.  Look for the Blue Devlis to fall off as Miami, North Carolina, and NC State gain some steam.

2.       Miss you Ryan Kelly. 

3.       Michael Carter Williams has a true baby face. 

4.       This year is wide open.  There is no dominant team. 

5.       Loving the Kentucky struggles!  Brings a smile to my face to see the agent Calipari fail. 

6.       Final Four:  Butler, Oregon. NC State,  VCU