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
Sunday, June 29, 2014
Monday, June 23, 2014
Heat fans hope karma isn't a....
There is an old saying, the way you get them...is the way you'll lose them. If you meet a person as the result of them cheating on someone, then it's highly likely they'll cheat on you too. At least that's the way the saying goes. And it's hard to sympathize with someone when their mate....who has a history of cheating...cheats on them. As we say back home...
Charge it to the game.
Miami Heat president Pat Riley must not be aware of this, because he sounded like a jilted lover in his post Finals beat down press conference.
His quote regarding the Big 3...aka Lebron James...
"You gotta stay together, if you've got the guts. You don't find the first door and run out of it".
Oh really Pat Riley? Was that your recruiting pitch to LeBron when he opted out of his contract with Cleveland?
Of course not, but Riley is not alone. I scoured through several South Florida sports talk radio stations the past few days, and Heat fans seem to share his sentiment. King James needs to show some loyalty.
You can't have it both ways.
In the aftermath of LeBron's decision...I saw a lot of jerseys being burned...and none of those people were in Miami. Heat fans could care less about the Cavaliers fans who had their hearts ripped out by their hometown hero. In fact, what we saw from Miami, was what amounted to an opening act at the Grammy Awards. There was music, smoke, lighting, and LeBron (I mean the Big 3) standing on stage.
Miami's new trophy piece.
Fast forward to today, and things have changed....just like all relationships change over time. Wade looks done, the team looks old, and Miami is starting to resemble the last team that LeBron left. Savannah James, LeBron's wife, stirred the pot yesterday by posting an Instagram picture that suggested the family may be returning home to Akron Ohio soon. She later went on to clarify that she was simply talking about a return home for the summer.
Like Heat fans believe that.....
What fuels the paranoia for Heat fans is the fact that..they know LeBron is capable of jumping ship...because he jumped to them. "It will never happen to me"...has turned into..."You gotta stay together...you don't find the..."
OK...I'll digress.
No one knows what LeBron will ultimately do, but if he does jump ship then Heat fans should expect zero sympathy. Like the old saying goes...
"You knew who LeBron was before you signed him...charge it to the game."
follow @plcolter
Charge it to the game.
Miami Heat president Pat Riley must not be aware of this, because he sounded like a jilted lover in his post Finals beat down press conference.
His quote regarding the Big 3...aka Lebron James...
"You gotta stay together, if you've got the guts. You don't find the first door and run out of it".
Oh really Pat Riley? Was that your recruiting pitch to LeBron when he opted out of his contract with Cleveland?
Of course not, but Riley is not alone. I scoured through several South Florida sports talk radio stations the past few days, and Heat fans seem to share his sentiment. King James needs to show some loyalty.
You can't have it both ways.
In the aftermath of LeBron's decision...I saw a lot of jerseys being burned...and none of those people were in Miami. Heat fans could care less about the Cavaliers fans who had their hearts ripped out by their hometown hero. In fact, what we saw from Miami, was what amounted to an opening act at the Grammy Awards. There was music, smoke, lighting, and LeBron (I mean the Big 3) standing on stage.
Miami's new trophy piece.
Fast forward to today, and things have changed....just like all relationships change over time. Wade looks done, the team looks old, and Miami is starting to resemble the last team that LeBron left. Savannah James, LeBron's wife, stirred the pot yesterday by posting an Instagram picture that suggested the family may be returning home to Akron Ohio soon. She later went on to clarify that she was simply talking about a return home for the summer.
Like Heat fans believe that.....
What fuels the paranoia for Heat fans is the fact that..they know LeBron is capable of jumping ship...because he jumped to them. "It will never happen to me"...has turned into..."You gotta stay together...you don't find the..."
OK...I'll digress.
No one knows what LeBron will ultimately do, but if he does jump ship then Heat fans should expect zero sympathy. Like the old saying goes...
"You knew who LeBron was before you signed him...charge it to the game."
follow @plcolter
Sunday, June 22, 2014
Grizzlies can't afford to mess this up
The Finals are officially in the books, and so is the 2013-14 season. But if you thought the NBA would quietly fade away into the summer night, think again. Their highly anticipated off season is rapidly approaching, and the "who's going where" rumors are flying around like mosquitoes at a barbecue.
The Heat's Big 3, New York's Carmelo Anthony, and Minnesota's Kevin Love have dominated the headlines the past week. But down in Bluff City, another decision has to be made...and the Grizzlies can't afford to mess this up.
Because if they do...all hell is gonna break out in Memphis.
Zach "Z-Bo" Randolph can opt out of the final year of his deal (worth 16.5 mil) on June 30th, and it would behoove the Grizzlies organization to make sure that he not only stays in Memphis...but finishes his career there.
For several reasons....
For starters, the obvious on court production. Z-Bo is one of the best power forwards in the league today, and still has two to three highly productive years left in him. If you throw out the 2012 season where he missed 54 games with a knee injury, Randolph has averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Grizzlies. He also shows up in the post season, averaging 19 and 10 in all of the franchise's playoff victories. Other teams know this as well...so there will be no shortage of pursuers if he decides to test the free agent market. A player of Randolph's skill and experience could put a potential contender over the top.
Off the court, failing to secure Z-Bo's services beyond this season would be a public relations nightmare in Memphis...and the fallout could reach catastrophic proportions.
Prior to Randolph's arrival in 2009, the city of Memphis had....well let's just they didn't have the best image....as a team or a city. Often characterized by their flaws, the most a non Tennessean could say about Memphis was...
"Oh yea...that dangerous blues city that's always on First 48".
But Z-Bo didn't see it that way. As soon as he touched down in the Bluff City there was a connection....a love at first sight if you will. Randolph embraced the beauty and charm of the blue collar town...and would publicly praise the "tough image" the city was known for. He saw a lot of himself in Memphis...as his professional reputation was in need of it's own makeover.
Randolph, through his actions on and off the court, told the world that..."We are Memphis...We don't Bluff...and if you play us...be prepared for a fight!" He literally flipped the city's perception of the team, and to a larger degree, of themselves. Grit & Grind is now the first thing casual fans think about when they think of Memphis. Locals love the new identity, and they wear it with pride. National television is not just chronicling murder mysteries there anymore, they're broadcasting live from the Western Conference Finals...and they have Z-Bo to thank. That's why he's the face of the franchise. This isn't just some free agent....there is a bigger picture at play.
Randolph himself has stated from the start that he loves the city, and would love to retire in Memphis. I genuinely believe him. So if this thing goes awry, then the Grizzlies have no one to blame but themselves when fans stay away in droves. Current owner Robert Pera was not there when Grizzlies home games looked like a scene out of the movie Semi Pro. You could literally hear sneakers squeaking from the upper level prior to Randolph's arrival in 09.
Also at steak is the ability to attract quality free agents. If a small market team wishes to stay competitive in the NBA, then they must retain their star players. San Antonio and OKC have done a great job of that, and are reaping success. Minnesota, for whatever reason, can't. (Stephon Marbury, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Love). They also haven't made the playoffs since....since....
You get my point.
Free agents will stay away from teams that seem unwilling to retain it's stars. In today's NBA, the best players are all taking less in an attempt to latch on with a winner. A Z-Bo-less Memphis makes for an unattractive destination. And you (Pera) still have Marc Gasol's contract to address at some point this season. Gasol and Randolph are not only the best power forward / center combo in the league, they are also close friends. Good luck with your sales pitch to Gasol if Z-Bo walks.
Randolph wants to stay, and Memphis has the wherewithal to make it happen while staying competitive. A no brainier right?
Then again...we are talking about the Grizzlies front office. follow @plcolter
The Heat's Big 3, New York's Carmelo Anthony, and Minnesota's Kevin Love have dominated the headlines the past week. But down in Bluff City, another decision has to be made...and the Grizzlies can't afford to mess this up.
Because if they do...all hell is gonna break out in Memphis.
Zach "Z-Bo" Randolph can opt out of the final year of his deal (worth 16.5 mil) on June 30th, and it would behoove the Grizzlies organization to make sure that he not only stays in Memphis...but finishes his career there.
For several reasons....
For starters, the obvious on court production. Z-Bo is one of the best power forwards in the league today, and still has two to three highly productive years left in him. If you throw out the 2012 season where he missed 54 games with a knee injury, Randolph has averaged 18 points and 11 rebounds for the Grizzlies. He also shows up in the post season, averaging 19 and 10 in all of the franchise's playoff victories. Other teams know this as well...so there will be no shortage of pursuers if he decides to test the free agent market. A player of Randolph's skill and experience could put a potential contender over the top.
Off the court, failing to secure Z-Bo's services beyond this season would be a public relations nightmare in Memphis...and the fallout could reach catastrophic proportions.
Prior to Randolph's arrival in 2009, the city of Memphis had....well let's just they didn't have the best image....as a team or a city. Often characterized by their flaws, the most a non Tennessean could say about Memphis was...
"Oh yea...that dangerous blues city that's always on First 48".
But Z-Bo didn't see it that way. As soon as he touched down in the Bluff City there was a connection....a love at first sight if you will. Randolph embraced the beauty and charm of the blue collar town...and would publicly praise the "tough image" the city was known for. He saw a lot of himself in Memphis...as his professional reputation was in need of it's own makeover.
Randolph, through his actions on and off the court, told the world that..."We are Memphis...We don't Bluff...and if you play us...be prepared for a fight!" He literally flipped the city's perception of the team, and to a larger degree, of themselves. Grit & Grind is now the first thing casual fans think about when they think of Memphis. Locals love the new identity, and they wear it with pride. National television is not just chronicling murder mysteries there anymore, they're broadcasting live from the Western Conference Finals...and they have Z-Bo to thank. That's why he's the face of the franchise. This isn't just some free agent....there is a bigger picture at play.
Randolph himself has stated from the start that he loves the city, and would love to retire in Memphis. I genuinely believe him. So if this thing goes awry, then the Grizzlies have no one to blame but themselves when fans stay away in droves. Current owner Robert Pera was not there when Grizzlies home games looked like a scene out of the movie Semi Pro. You could literally hear sneakers squeaking from the upper level prior to Randolph's arrival in 09.
Also at steak is the ability to attract quality free agents. If a small market team wishes to stay competitive in the NBA, then they must retain their star players. San Antonio and OKC have done a great job of that, and are reaping success. Minnesota, for whatever reason, can't. (Stephon Marbury, Kevin Garnett, Kevin Love). They also haven't made the playoffs since....since....
You get my point.
Free agents will stay away from teams that seem unwilling to retain it's stars. In today's NBA, the best players are all taking less in an attempt to latch on with a winner. A Z-Bo-less Memphis makes for an unattractive destination. And you (Pera) still have Marc Gasol's contract to address at some point this season. Gasol and Randolph are not only the best power forward / center combo in the league, they are also close friends. Good luck with your sales pitch to Gasol if Z-Bo walks.
Randolph wants to stay, and Memphis has the wherewithal to make it happen while staying competitive. A no brainier right?
Then again...we are talking about the Grizzlies front office. follow @plcolter
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Sunday, June 15, 2014
From Pauley Boy to P.L. Colter...a father's influence
When I think about my dad, I think about sports. When I think about sports....I think of my dad...and all of the awesome quality time we shared when I was growing up. And sports was front and center.
My dad was a great high school running back, and a great athlete overall. His first two children were boys...me being the second...and you could tell right away that his Dami Boy and Pauley Boy were going to be mini mi's. He loved talking sports...all things sports....all the time. He was so passionate and enthusiastic about it, it couldn't help but rub off. He particularly loved the college and NFL pre game shows....especially the segment where they picked the week's winners. He'd have me and my brother play along, and he would record our standings...just like on tv. But we couldn't just "guess" a team, we had to say why...just like the on air analyst.
Now, my brother and I are competitive about everything. Always have been, are still today, and always will be. What brothers aren't though right? As the younger brother, nothing made my Monday morning better than winning the predictions that week. As the older brother, there was no way he was going to lose to me. To encourage our new found enthusiasm, my dad would bring home the NFL weekly magazine, and that was our study guide. We had to do our own research.
The seeds of P.L. Colter were officially planted.
My brother and I would read those magazines front to back, and back again. We'd keep our notes in a secret place and be ready to rumble come game time. Before long, we had our own little pre game show in the living room every Sunday...and we loved every minute of it.
My dad turned the field next to our house into a home football stadium. We (cousins included) hosted "home games" against kids from other neighborhoods. We had our plays and everything! lol. My parents put a basketball goal up in our back yard. My dad taught me and my brother the game back there. And there was no pavement...it was a dirt yard! Can you imaging how the three of us looked when we came back into the house after kicking up dust for hours?
And we did that every day in the summer time. He never got tired of playing....dirty or not.
Over the years my brother and I continued to talk sports with ole pops, and it was literally the glue that held us together through the various ups and downs of life. Still to this day, when I sit down to write a blog, I can hear pops say...
"So who you got this week Pauley Boy?" lol Happy Fathers Day Leon Colter
follow @plcolter
My dad was a great high school running back, and a great athlete overall. His first two children were boys...me being the second...and you could tell right away that his Dami Boy and Pauley Boy were going to be mini mi's. He loved talking sports...all things sports....all the time. He was so passionate and enthusiastic about it, it couldn't help but rub off. He particularly loved the college and NFL pre game shows....especially the segment where they picked the week's winners. He'd have me and my brother play along, and he would record our standings...just like on tv. But we couldn't just "guess" a team, we had to say why...just like the on air analyst.
Now, my brother and I are competitive about everything. Always have been, are still today, and always will be. What brothers aren't though right? As the younger brother, nothing made my Monday morning better than winning the predictions that week. As the older brother, there was no way he was going to lose to me. To encourage our new found enthusiasm, my dad would bring home the NFL weekly magazine, and that was our study guide. We had to do our own research.
The seeds of P.L. Colter were officially planted.
My brother and I would read those magazines front to back, and back again. We'd keep our notes in a secret place and be ready to rumble come game time. Before long, we had our own little pre game show in the living room every Sunday...and we loved every minute of it.
My dad turned the field next to our house into a home football stadium. We (cousins included) hosted "home games" against kids from other neighborhoods. We had our plays and everything! lol. My parents put a basketball goal up in our back yard. My dad taught me and my brother the game back there. And there was no pavement...it was a dirt yard! Can you imaging how the three of us looked when we came back into the house after kicking up dust for hours?
And we did that every day in the summer time. He never got tired of playing....dirty or not.
Over the years my brother and I continued to talk sports with ole pops, and it was literally the glue that held us together through the various ups and downs of life. Still to this day, when I sit down to write a blog, I can hear pops say...
"So who you got this week Pauley Boy?" lol Happy Fathers Day Leon Colter
follow @plcolter
Friday, June 13, 2014
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Now hiring...no experience required
The readers of my generation have more than likely had one...two...five...six jobs in their lifetime. Throughout your resume building journey, you also have more than likely encountered a company with a high turnover rate. A high turnover rate means that a company can't seem to retain it's employees, whether through termination or resignation. The cause is usually the pay (or lack of), the working environment, or a combination of the two.
Either way...it's a bad stigma to have. Serious candidates with aspirations to land somewhere and grow are typically scared off by the reputation. And it's ten times worse at the management level. Those companies are often forced to hire the lower echelon outside candidates, or hire from within...and pray that the lack of management experience doesn't come back to bite them.
Welcome to the NBA.
It's no coincidence that three of the four longest tenured NBA head coaches have championships (Gregg Popovich SA, Rick Carlisle DAL, Erik Spoelstra MIA). The fourth has Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook (Scott Brooks OKC).
The other 26 coaches should keep a packed suitcase by the bed. It's not a matter of if...it's when. Losing coach...and yes you too winning coach...don't forget to pack your phone charger.
Thirteen teams hired new coaches last off season. Thirteen!....and nine of them had no prior experience at the position. This off season, three more first time head coaches were hired...and we've yet to see what the Lakers and Cavaliers do. That's 12 first time head coaches and counting in a calendar year.
So what gives? Why the high turnover rate? Is it the money?...is it the conditions?
Well, we know that NBA head coaches have guaranteed salaries. So if they get fired, they still get paid (except for rare exceptions). Plus, they can still go out and find another paying gig. These coaches are cashing out...and staying out.
So it has to be the conditions.
We've previously discussed how free agency has turned the NBA into a player's league. To win you need players, and to get them, you have to acquiesce to their demands. Even if it conflicts with the coach. And speaking of player coach riffs, when's the last time it resulted in the player leaving...and not the coach?
While I wait...
I just looked up a list of current NBA coaches to date...and I didn't recognize 13 of the names. I didn't know who coached 13 NBA teams, and I watch religiously. But I could probably rattle off 13 former coaches that appear on tv and radio every day. And not just scrub coaches, I'm talking about winners. Any one of them could probably coach the Bucks, Raptors, or any of the other 26 teams if they wanted to.
They just don't want to.
The word is out now..."Nah man...you don't want to work for them..." College coaches must have heard the whispers, they're saying no left and right now. And like any company with a high turnover rate, the NBA is now forced to hire the lower echelon coaching candidates with little to no experience...which is good for the candidates.
So if you're looking for a job, the NBA is accepting applications. follow @plcolter
Either way...it's a bad stigma to have. Serious candidates with aspirations to land somewhere and grow are typically scared off by the reputation. And it's ten times worse at the management level. Those companies are often forced to hire the lower echelon outside candidates, or hire from within...and pray that the lack of management experience doesn't come back to bite them.
Welcome to the NBA.
It's no coincidence that three of the four longest tenured NBA head coaches have championships (Gregg Popovich SA, Rick Carlisle DAL, Erik Spoelstra MIA). The fourth has Kevin Durant and Russel Westbrook (Scott Brooks OKC).
The other 26 coaches should keep a packed suitcase by the bed. It's not a matter of if...it's when. Losing coach...and yes you too winning coach...don't forget to pack your phone charger.
Thirteen teams hired new coaches last off season. Thirteen!....and nine of them had no prior experience at the position. This off season, three more first time head coaches were hired...and we've yet to see what the Lakers and Cavaliers do. That's 12 first time head coaches and counting in a calendar year.
So what gives? Why the high turnover rate? Is it the money?...is it the conditions?
Well, we know that NBA head coaches have guaranteed salaries. So if they get fired, they still get paid (except for rare exceptions). Plus, they can still go out and find another paying gig. These coaches are cashing out...and staying out.
So it has to be the conditions.
We've previously discussed how free agency has turned the NBA into a player's league. To win you need players, and to get them, you have to acquiesce to their demands. Even if it conflicts with the coach. And speaking of player coach riffs, when's the last time it resulted in the player leaving...and not the coach?
While I wait...
I just looked up a list of current NBA coaches to date...and I didn't recognize 13 of the names. I didn't know who coached 13 NBA teams, and I watch religiously. But I could probably rattle off 13 former coaches that appear on tv and radio every day. And not just scrub coaches, I'm talking about winners. Any one of them could probably coach the Bucks, Raptors, or any of the other 26 teams if they wanted to.
They just don't want to.
The word is out now..."Nah man...you don't want to work for them..." College coaches must have heard the whispers, they're saying no left and right now. And like any company with a high turnover rate, the NBA is now forced to hire the lower echelon coaching candidates with little to no experience...which is good for the candidates.
So if you're looking for a job, the NBA is accepting applications. follow @plcolter
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
