Saturday, July 19, 2014
Thursday, July 17, 2014
The Grizzlies Big Market off season
LeBron James has officially made his decision. And free agency...which has been held hostage by said James the past two weeks...has officially resumed. With most of the big puzzle pieces in place, we can get a better picture of what the 2014-15 NBA rosters will look like.
Folks down in Bluff City, Tennessee are liking what they see.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the obvious off season winners, and one could argue that the Grizzlies were...quietly... second best in that regard. Memphis was able to add depth at positions, while addressing needs at other positions....all while staying true to their Grit & Grind philosophy.
Most importantly, Memphis put themselves in a position to obtain their ultimate goal this year.
For starters, the Grizzlies were able to retain the services of their best player, and face of the franchise Zach Randolph. A move that made sense on and off the court. On the court, you return a top ten power forward to your lineup. A player that's still capable of getting you 20/10 for the next couple of years. Off the court, it's endearing to the community...and sends a message that Memphis is a worthy destination.
Hard to make that sales pitch if your best players are always bolting.
From a financial perspective, Randolph's team friendly 2 year 20 million dollar extension won't leave Memphis cash strapped going forward.
In the draft, Memphis was able to add depth, while filling a need. First round pick Jordan Adams, a shooting guard from UCLA, gives the Grizzlies a much needed swing man that can shoot the 3. Memphis ranked dead last in 3 pointers attempted and made last year.
But it was another stat that made Adams leap off the page....
He led the Pac- 12 in steals per game. The Grizzlies pride themselves on great defense, finishing no lower than 4th in the league in steals three of the past four years. Tops in the league in 2010, and 2011..........
..................... sorry, I was just imagining a point guard trying to dribble through a Jordan Adams / Tony Allen half court trap......
OK, moving on.
In the second round the Grizzlies selected Memphis native Jarnell Stokes, who grew up a big fan of the team...and it's style of play. Stokes took that Grit & Grind mentality to the University of Tennessee, where he was one of only three players to average a double double in division I conference play last year. He also became the school's all time leader in offensive rebounds.
And he played just over two years.
A Memphian indeed, the Grizzlies were the third best offensive rebounding team in the league last year. Stokes will be the prototypical Z-Bo protege, hopefully playing well enough to bring Randolph's minutes down over the course of the season.
Sealing the deal on an already successful run so far, the Grizzlies replaced departing sharp shooter Mike Miller with Vince Carter...who just signed a three year free agent deal.
First of all, kudos to owner Robert Pera for not allowing Miller to "decision" them while he figured out if he could reunite with LeBron. Acting swiftly on Carter was a wise move.
Although he's no longer half man half amazing, Carter brings a skill set to the table the Grizzlies sorely missed in last year's playoffs.....a clutch three point shooter off the bench that can create his own shot. That's where Carter is an upgrade over Miller, he can still put the ball on the floor and create if he's run off the three point line.
Vinsanity led the league in three pointers made from a bench player the last two years, with over 300. We also know that he's not afraid to take, and make the last shot.
Ain't that right Manu Ginobli?
All in all, a great off season for a small market team like Memphis. Not only do they keep themselves Western Conference competitive after posting consecutive 50 plus win seasons, but they also keep themselves in play for the ultimate prize.
Marc Gasol.
The best center in the NBA will be the crown jewel of next year's free agent class. He has a rare ability to make bruit force play look graceful. He can bang in the paint, rebound, shoot the floater, hit his free throws, pass like a guard, and defend like a center.
Although Memphis cannot officially start negotiations with Gasol until December, they have certainly given him every reason to stay. If the Grizzlies want to compete with the big boys, then they have to do what the big boys do.
So far so good, Mr. Pera.
Folks down in Bluff City, Tennessee are liking what they see.
The Cleveland Cavaliers are the obvious off season winners, and one could argue that the Grizzlies were...quietly... second best in that regard. Memphis was able to add depth at positions, while addressing needs at other positions....all while staying true to their Grit & Grind philosophy.
Most importantly, Memphis put themselves in a position to obtain their ultimate goal this year.
For starters, the Grizzlies were able to retain the services of their best player, and face of the franchise Zach Randolph. A move that made sense on and off the court. On the court, you return a top ten power forward to your lineup. A player that's still capable of getting you 20/10 for the next couple of years. Off the court, it's endearing to the community...and sends a message that Memphis is a worthy destination.
Hard to make that sales pitch if your best players are always bolting.
From a financial perspective, Randolph's team friendly 2 year 20 million dollar extension won't leave Memphis cash strapped going forward.
In the draft, Memphis was able to add depth, while filling a need. First round pick Jordan Adams, a shooting guard from UCLA, gives the Grizzlies a much needed swing man that can shoot the 3. Memphis ranked dead last in 3 pointers attempted and made last year.
But it was another stat that made Adams leap off the page....
He led the Pac- 12 in steals per game. The Grizzlies pride themselves on great defense, finishing no lower than 4th in the league in steals three of the past four years. Tops in the league in 2010, and 2011..........
..................... sorry, I was just imagining a point guard trying to dribble through a Jordan Adams / Tony Allen half court trap......
OK, moving on.
In the second round the Grizzlies selected Memphis native Jarnell Stokes, who grew up a big fan of the team...and it's style of play. Stokes took that Grit & Grind mentality to the University of Tennessee, where he was one of only three players to average a double double in division I conference play last year. He also became the school's all time leader in offensive rebounds.
And he played just over two years.
A Memphian indeed, the Grizzlies were the third best offensive rebounding team in the league last year. Stokes will be the prototypical Z-Bo protege, hopefully playing well enough to bring Randolph's minutes down over the course of the season.
Sealing the deal on an already successful run so far, the Grizzlies replaced departing sharp shooter Mike Miller with Vince Carter...who just signed a three year free agent deal.
First of all, kudos to owner Robert Pera for not allowing Miller to "decision" them while he figured out if he could reunite with LeBron. Acting swiftly on Carter was a wise move.
Although he's no longer half man half amazing, Carter brings a skill set to the table the Grizzlies sorely missed in last year's playoffs.....a clutch three point shooter off the bench that can create his own shot. That's where Carter is an upgrade over Miller, he can still put the ball on the floor and create if he's run off the three point line.
Vinsanity led the league in three pointers made from a bench player the last two years, with over 300. We also know that he's not afraid to take, and make the last shot.
Ain't that right Manu Ginobli?
All in all, a great off season for a small market team like Memphis. Not only do they keep themselves Western Conference competitive after posting consecutive 50 plus win seasons, but they also keep themselves in play for the ultimate prize.
Marc Gasol.
The best center in the NBA will be the crown jewel of next year's free agent class. He has a rare ability to make bruit force play look graceful. He can bang in the paint, rebound, shoot the floater, hit his free throws, pass like a guard, and defend like a center.
Although Memphis cannot officially start negotiations with Gasol until December, they have certainly given him every reason to stay. If the Grizzlies want to compete with the big boys, then they have to do what the big boys do.
So far so good, Mr. Pera.
How can you not be happy for Cleveland?
Cleveland wins!
Wow, what an eight week ride for a city that has always been synonymous with losing. A city where black cats roam the fields and arenas. A city that has not only gone 50 years without winning a title of any sort, but has also endured more than it's share of gut wrenching sports disappointments.
Old school sports fans remember the 80's Marty Schottenheimer led Cleveland Browns. Not once, but twice did they lose in dramatic fashion in back to back AFC championship games. First was John Elway's 98 yard masterpiece (the drive) in 1987. Not to be outdone, and with a minute left in regulation, Ernest Byner fumbled away the game tying touchdown as he drove toward the end zone in 1988.
Seven years later the owner moved the team to Baltimore. Moved the team? The Cleveland Browns ARE the NFL, and so are their fans. Everyone knows who you are talking about when you mention the dog pound.
As a born and raised Nashvillian, I would be devastated if the Titans relocated. And we've had them for less than 20 years. I now live in Dallas, and as much as they complain about Romo, the city would be on suicide alert if the Cowboys moved to Los Angeles.
But I digress.
The minute they touched down in Baltimore, the (now) Ravens draft Johnathan Ogden and Ray Lewis. Two Hall of Famers. Two Super Bowl victories.
Wow.
An empathetic pat on the back....followed by...."damn that's messed up"...is all a non Browns fan can muster as consolation.
And it's not like the basketball gods have been any nicer.
Who can forget Michael Jordan's series clinching free throw line pull up jumper over Cleveland's Craig Ehlo in the 1989 NBA playoffs. The Bulls went on to own the 90's. The Cavaliers, who were a young and upcoming team at the time, faded into oblivion as the millennium came to a close.
In 2003, Cleveland struck gold, drafting the best high school player that most of us have ever seen in LeBron James. Like the Browns, LeBron left the city high and dry. And like the Ravens, he has two rings to show for it.
"Damn that's messed up"...says the non Cleveland fan.
But if the past eight weeks are any indication, it seems as if Cleveland is finally starting to catch some breaks.
It started in May. Johnny Manziel fell to the bottom of the first round where Cleveland was able to snatch him up...after initially passing on him with their earlier first round pick. A Heisman trophy winner, Manziel has the intangibles to be a great player. Don't know if he will, but at least there's hope.
Shortly after, the NBA basketball gods pulled Cleveland's ping pong ball last in this year's draft. Andrew Wiggins was the prize. Now let's rewind to this time last year. Wiggins was widely considered the best high school player to come along since you know who, and was universally destined to be a star. Yea, that Andrew Wiggins. Even if the Cavaliers trade him (as rumored to Minnesota for Kevin Love), Cleveland still gets in return an All Star power forward.
That in itself is a nice run.
Then came today's news that the most polarizing athlete in the world is coming home...with a message of..."I missed you...and I'm coming home to finish what we started."
A win for the rejected.
If this were a movie you'd be all teary eyed by now. How can you not be happy for Cleveland?
Thursday, July 10, 2014
Titans should embrace pre season power ranking
Ah yes...it's almost here. You know the new NFL season is rapidly approaching when the annual pre season power rankings are released. Pro Football Talk, a credible source, just released it's rankings....and Tennesseans had to run their pointer finger way down the list before they landed on their beloved Titans.
30th to be exact. And for the casual fan, there are only 32 teams in the league.
Ouch.
Naturally, Titans fans flooded local sports talk radio stations today to voice their displeasure. After all, Tennessee hasn't had a top 5 pick in almost a decade. And sure, you won't mistake the Titans for the Patriots, but they certainly aren't NFL vulture food either. 30th is way too low right?
Wrong.
We have to remember, this a pre season ranking...for the 2014-15 season only. And coming into this season, the Titans have more question marks than the Riddler.
For starters, there has been a complete overhaul on the coaching staff. Tennessee will not only have to learn a new offense (again), but they are also changing from a 4-3 defense to a 3-4 defense. Yes, there has been a huge upgrade at the coaching position....on both sides of the ball. But that's not a tangible change to voters, that doesn't necessarily reap instant rewards.
Not quite the same as replacing Tim Tebow with Peyton Manning.
New head coach Ken Whisenhunt will be given time to place his stamp on this team. But at this point, we really have no clue how...or it if will all come together this season.
Nate Washington, Kendall Wright, Delanie Walker, Bishop Sankey, Justin Hunter.......
Who are they?
They are the key skill position players for the Titans offense this year. Aside from locals, and fantasy football junkies, no one has ever heard of any of these names.
The Titans most recognizable face the past few years is now toting the rock in New York. Say what you want about CJ, but his name alone would've bumped us up to at least....28. And I'm not taking shots at Johnson, I'm just pointing out the fact that the starting offense is a question mark as well. Yes, the players are all talented and capable of getting it done on Sundays. But it's the unknown.
And it's a pre season ranking.
On defense, their best and most recognizable player (pro bowl cb Alturan Verner) bolted this off season via free agency. Which leaves the defensive unit in the same conundrum as the offense...a group of "no name" but talented players adjusting to an entirely new scheme. We have no frame of reference on whether or not a star is on that side of the ball.
Last but not least, the qb position. There is an injury prone starter returning from season ending injury, and a free agent back up that hasn't played a meaningful down in....in.....
While we wait.
Third on the depth chart is a rookie sixth round pick...not exactly reassuring when your back up played in half the games last year.
People who closely follow the Titans know that we were grossly out coached last year. Something that should not happen with this new regime. We know we're going to improve...over time. We just don't know if it will be right away.
30th isn't disrespectful. It's the harsh perspective from an outsider looking in. But it's also an opportunity for Tennessee to play with no pressure, no expectations. Make no mistake about it, there is a rebuilding project going on in Nashville this fall. We're going to have to prove we're better than the third worse team in the league....on the field. And we will...just give it time.
Plus...it's just a pre season ranking.
LeBron James: this decision far more important
And.....we wait. The NBA free agency period officially began on July 1st, but let's be honest, it doesn't really start until LeBron James makes his decision. The league's balance of power is once again in LeBron's pre game powder filled palms.
And for good reason.
Prior to James' arrival in Cleveland in 2003, the Cavs were an NBA wasteland. Overnight, they became the darlings of the ABC game of the week. They also routinely won division titles and made the playoffs. Prior to James' arrival in Miami in 2010, the Heat were a "where are they now" franchise. Now, they could potentially go to five straight NBA Finals. Oh, and they both made money. Lots and lots of money.
So it's easy to see why fans, mostly in Miami and Cleveland, are sitting on pins and needles until LeBron breaks his silence. A player of his caliber could change the fortune of your team for years to come. NBA owners are even more interested in LeBron's decision.
And it has nothing to do with on the court fortunes.
The Big 3's decision in 2010 was the perfect ammunition the owners needed to lock the players out the following summer. The owners wanted a bigger piece of the annual revenue pie, and a harsher luxury tax for exceeding the salary cap. It's message was framed under the "competitive balance" mantra, but it was really an attempt to bring spending down around the league....at the player's expense.
Which brings us back to LeBron, and his "post lock out" decision.
As the best player in the world, and the face and voice of the league, it's imperative that James understands the impact his decision will have on not just future free agents, but the next collective bargaining agreement as well. There's a lot more at stake than who wins next year's title this time.
If James, let's say, decides to take a massive pay cut to team up with other stars...who also take massive pay cuts,...then score a huge win for the owners. That's what the lock out was intended for....for the cost cutting to come at the expense of the players.
Players who already negotiated to give away 6% of their revenue to continue playing.
For high profile players with tremendous earning opportunities off the court, it's easy to shave four, five million dollars off your annual salary. For the hundreds of other players, that's not so easy to ask. Plus their capacity to seek max deals would be hindered over time. Not to mention the fact that it would totally cripple any leverage the players union would have when time to negotiate a new deal.
If James, let's say, makes good on his demands to only accept a max deal for his services, while putting the pressure on the owner to pony up on the luxury tax to acquire the necessary pieces, then score a huge victory for the players union.
In 2010, the Big 3 basically did Miami a solid. LeBron, in his thirst for a title, gave up money for the ring, And it worked. But last season the Heat fired the first shot, letting veteran Mike Miller go in a cost cutting move. His services were sorely missed in the Finals.
Lebron must have been thinking..."so I'm giving up money and you're (Miami) not?"
James isn't ignorant to the fact that a franchise that only has one division title in it's history sold for 2 billion dollars this year. He also knows that a new TV deal is on the horizon, so the money is there. Most importantly, LeBron knows there is an owner out there thirsty enough to meet his demands...to pay the necessary tax for everyone to get their money. That is...if that owner wants to "win".
Lebron can send a statement, he can tell the NBA owners that a title will cost you this time. He's the only player in the league powerful enough to do it.
Regardless of his decision, his new destination, I hope LeBron remembers that the guy on the end of the bench was locked out too.
And for good reason.
Prior to James' arrival in Cleveland in 2003, the Cavs were an NBA wasteland. Overnight, they became the darlings of the ABC game of the week. They also routinely won division titles and made the playoffs. Prior to James' arrival in Miami in 2010, the Heat were a "where are they now" franchise. Now, they could potentially go to five straight NBA Finals. Oh, and they both made money. Lots and lots of money.
So it's easy to see why fans, mostly in Miami and Cleveland, are sitting on pins and needles until LeBron breaks his silence. A player of his caliber could change the fortune of your team for years to come. NBA owners are even more interested in LeBron's decision.
And it has nothing to do with on the court fortunes.
The Big 3's decision in 2010 was the perfect ammunition the owners needed to lock the players out the following summer. The owners wanted a bigger piece of the annual revenue pie, and a harsher luxury tax for exceeding the salary cap. It's message was framed under the "competitive balance" mantra, but it was really an attempt to bring spending down around the league....at the player's expense.
Which brings us back to LeBron, and his "post lock out" decision.
As the best player in the world, and the face and voice of the league, it's imperative that James understands the impact his decision will have on not just future free agents, but the next collective bargaining agreement as well. There's a lot more at stake than who wins next year's title this time.
If James, let's say, decides to take a massive pay cut to team up with other stars...who also take massive pay cuts,...then score a huge win for the owners. That's what the lock out was intended for....for the cost cutting to come at the expense of the players.
Players who already negotiated to give away 6% of their revenue to continue playing.
For high profile players with tremendous earning opportunities off the court, it's easy to shave four, five million dollars off your annual salary. For the hundreds of other players, that's not so easy to ask. Plus their capacity to seek max deals would be hindered over time. Not to mention the fact that it would totally cripple any leverage the players union would have when time to negotiate a new deal.
If James, let's say, makes good on his demands to only accept a max deal for his services, while putting the pressure on the owner to pony up on the luxury tax to acquire the necessary pieces, then score a huge victory for the players union.
In 2010, the Big 3 basically did Miami a solid. LeBron, in his thirst for a title, gave up money for the ring, And it worked. But last season the Heat fired the first shot, letting veteran Mike Miller go in a cost cutting move. His services were sorely missed in the Finals.
Lebron must have been thinking..."so I'm giving up money and you're (Miami) not?"
James isn't ignorant to the fact that a franchise that only has one division title in it's history sold for 2 billion dollars this year. He also knows that a new TV deal is on the horizon, so the money is there. Most importantly, LeBron knows there is an owner out there thirsty enough to meet his demands...to pay the necessary tax for everyone to get their money. That is...if that owner wants to "win".
Lebron can send a statement, he can tell the NBA owners that a title will cost you this time. He's the only player in the league powerful enough to do it.
Regardless of his decision, his new destination, I hope LeBron remembers that the guy on the end of the bench was locked out too.
Tuesday, July 1, 2014
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Mavs: Cuban learning from past mistakes
When you think about this year's NBA playoffs, you think of the San Antonio Spurs...and their dismantling of LeBron James and his Miami Heat. A close second would be cramp gate, then Donald Sterling. What should come second is game 7 between the Spurs and the Mavericks in this year's first round.
It seems like eons ago now, but Dallas...for the most part...outplayed San Antonio in that series. And if not for the Mavs 4th quarter shooting slump in game 1, then who knows how these playoffs would have turned out. One thing's for sure, we'd have to scrap that list I just mentioned and start from scratch.
Yep, Dallas was just that close.
While scrolling through twitter the other day, I came across a quote from Mavs owner Mark Cuban that froze my thumb in it's tracks. His comments regarding Dallas' approach to this year's free agent feeding frenzy...
"I think some of these guys are opting out just to create leverage, and they'll go back. Then there's some that really want to go to different teams. We'll try to put ourselves in position to get them."
Translation...."I'm not blowing up a good thing again."
In the aftermath of the Mavericks first world title, Cuban essentially threw a hand grenade into the locker room....jettisoning off player after player in an attempt to clear up cap space. His goal was to land one of the many prized free agents that hit the market the past few summers.
Well...those prized free agents chose other destinations, and Cuban was forced to build his roster from the clearance rack. Memo to head coach Rick Carlisle, with what you've done with those last few rosters, it's time to talk highest paid coach in the league money my brotha....
But I digress.
It's hard to fault Mark Cuban for his approach. Free agency is like the lottery, you have to be in it to win it. And he did it to make his team better in the long run, a lot more than most fans can say about their owner. Looking back, I'm sure the only thing he wishes he would have done different was to have a plan B.
Which brings me back to his comments.
This time Cuban went out and got some insurance first, bringing back center and fan favorite Tyson Chandler last week in exchange for some role players. This immediately upgrades them on the defensive side of the ball, where they need help the most.
It sounds like Cuban isn't falling for the old LeBron banana in the tailpipe trick again. Instead, he's turning his focus to building on the pieces he has in place. Cuban has a playoff roster, a state tax free location, and 26 million dollars in monopoly money (cap space).
Curious to see how he plays his hand this time around. Let the free agent games begin! follow @plcolter
It seems like eons ago now, but Dallas...for the most part...outplayed San Antonio in that series. And if not for the Mavs 4th quarter shooting slump in game 1, then who knows how these playoffs would have turned out. One thing's for sure, we'd have to scrap that list I just mentioned and start from scratch.
Yep, Dallas was just that close.
While scrolling through twitter the other day, I came across a quote from Mavs owner Mark Cuban that froze my thumb in it's tracks. His comments regarding Dallas' approach to this year's free agent feeding frenzy...
"I think some of these guys are opting out just to create leverage, and they'll go back. Then there's some that really want to go to different teams. We'll try to put ourselves in position to get them."
Translation...."I'm not blowing up a good thing again."
In the aftermath of the Mavericks first world title, Cuban essentially threw a hand grenade into the locker room....jettisoning off player after player in an attempt to clear up cap space. His goal was to land one of the many prized free agents that hit the market the past few summers.
Well...those prized free agents chose other destinations, and Cuban was forced to build his roster from the clearance rack. Memo to head coach Rick Carlisle, with what you've done with those last few rosters, it's time to talk highest paid coach in the league money my brotha....
But I digress.
It's hard to fault Mark Cuban for his approach. Free agency is like the lottery, you have to be in it to win it. And he did it to make his team better in the long run, a lot more than most fans can say about their owner. Looking back, I'm sure the only thing he wishes he would have done different was to have a plan B.
Which brings me back to his comments.
This time Cuban went out and got some insurance first, bringing back center and fan favorite Tyson Chandler last week in exchange for some role players. This immediately upgrades them on the defensive side of the ball, where they need help the most.
It sounds like Cuban isn't falling for the old LeBron banana in the tailpipe trick again. Instead, he's turning his focus to building on the pieces he has in place. Cuban has a playoff roster, a state tax free location, and 26 million dollars in monopoly money (cap space).
Curious to see how he plays his hand this time around. Let the free agent games begin! follow @plcolter
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