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February
17, 2008 ...Suddenly I’m not wild about the Kings recent
trade. That is because Sacramento waived
Justin Williams to
make roster room. Hopefully there is a salary cap reason that I do not
understand behind this. Like maybe - more cap room becomes available in the
summer when the larger contract of Lorenzen Wright or Ty Lue comes off the Kings books. That said - I feel like
the Kings just made a major mistake. Williams career .527 efficiency rating
would rank him 21st among all Power Forwards currently playing. His rebounds
per minute are simply ‘off-the chart’. He is only 23 years old. I think he
should have been playing all-the-time, all along. He can’t shoot to save his
ass but neither could Ben Wallace or Dennis Rodman. The Kings always have shooters due
to the way they scout. In the Petrie era there are more ‘skill’ guys than
‘athletes’. It has long been my opinion that you CAN play with four skilled
players, and one guy that that plays the way Justin Williams plays. Time will
tell—but I’m saying Justin Williams will be heard from in the NBA. Is the
extra money for the cap really worth keeping Wright or Kenny Thomas, or Shareef Abdur-Rahim ahead of Justin? ...For the record -
I am a bit of a Dahntay Jones fan
too. Unquestionably - I would have waived Wright for sure. Over the last two
seasons his efficiency has slipped to a pitiful .307. February
16, 2008 ...The Kings traded Mike Bibby to Atlanta for Shelden Williams, and the expiring contracts of Anthony Johnson, Ty Lue, and Lorenzen Wright. I think this is a GREAT trade for
Sacramento. Finally, the Kings will have a legitimate Power Forward in
Williams. The Duke standout is in his second year and he has been playing
with a group of excellent rebounders that may have eaten into his overall
efficiency so far in his early pro career. Along with Justin Williams - Shelden will be the Kings best
rebounder. But Shelden brings much more to the party. He is solid around the
hoop offensively; right handed but uses his left well. He is a man. Sometimes
he just wrestles the ball away the way Ben Wallace would.
He is bigger, and he wants it more. Shelden Williams in a Kings uniform is a
double-double waiting to happen. Defensively—he was known as the Landlord at
Duke. He blocked 422 shots in four NCAA seasons. Williams doesn’t have much of a face up
game. He is decent at best at the foul line. He shot 69% from the line in
college. What Shelden does do—is he always gives an honest effort. He has the
ability, and strength to succeed in the NBA. His defense and rebounding will
always be there and any offense should be a bonus. Some look at Williams as a
plodder - but he recovers too quickly to be labeled as such. Only the third
player in NCAA history to score 1500 points, grab 1000 rebounds, block 350
shots and pick up 150 steals, along with David Robinson and Pervis Ellison. February
15, 2008 ...We watched the NBA All-Star Rookie vs. Sophomore
game tonight and a great question was posed by Kenny “The Jet” Smith. He asked both Charles Barkley and Ernie Johnson who they would select to start a
franchise if they had one choice from both teams. Barkley and EJ both
answered, “Brandon Roy”. It
is a tough question indeed but I think I still believe Kevin Durant has the brightest upside. I still
think Durant will get stronger—and when he does his jumper will be more
consistent, and his ability to get hoops closer to the hole will flourish.
Roy is great though, and I think he along with Rudy Gay, Jordan Farmar, Sean Williams, and Paul Millsap are guys with a chance to be
All-Star type players. ...Which
players were on the Rookie roster last year—but did not graduate to the
Sophomore roster this year? That would be Jorge Garbajosa (injured),
Adam Morrison (injured),
Randy Foye (just
back from injury), and Marcus Williams (just
back from injury). How did Andrea Bargnani make
the Soph. team? I like Tyrus Thomas, Craig Smith, and Josh Boone better. ...Which rookies should have
been playing this year but were snubbed? Thaddeus Young of
Philly should have been there. I also think Joakim Noah should have played. Why are those
rosters limited to just nine players? February
14, 2008 ...I snuck up to Tahoe for a couple nights. Last
night I wagered on some games with Orlando, and Detroit getting me win$. The
Warriors didn’t cover for me with a two point win over Phoenix. I needed two
and a half. ...But overall the trip was good. I watched a bit of the
Duke-Maryland game, and some of the Vanderbilt smack down on Kentucky.
...Kudos the other night to Sean McDonough who
said outright that the officials should be ashamed of themselves for their
horrible whistle blow on a non-foul that decided the Georgetown-Villanova
game Monday night. Bill Raftery and Jay Bilas were being diplomatic when McDonough stepped in to
tell the truth. ...The Mavs really think they can win it all now? I guess I
don’t see it that way. ...Hopefully you are hip to Purdue freshman Robbie Hummel. This kid is THE reason why Purdue
is better than it has been in ages. ...The best part of the recent Grammy
Awards was the John Mayer guitar
solo on Alicia Keys’ No
One. I was excited to see The Time
back together again but they were not given enough TIME to percolate like I
know they can. ...
Alyssa Milano will
coach a team in the
NBA
All-Star Celebrity Game Friday night at 4 PM (Pacific). |
