tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-52161221195607084232024-03-21T18:42:31.746-04:00That's the DaggerA blog about the NBA, the game, and the people who play itSteven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.comBlogger15125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216122119560708423.post-29820500285398914232011-02-07T15:30:00.000-05:002011-02-07T15:30:03.184-05:00Western Conference Playoffs: Race to the Eighth<a href="http://savingtheskyhook.com/2011/02/07/racetotheeighth/">Western Conference Playoffs: Race to the Eighth</a>Steven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216122119560708423.post-59546238644934312862011-02-03T14:46:00.000-05:002011-02-03T14:46:04.023-05:00Remember to Check out Saving the Skyhook <a href="http://savingtheskyhook.com/">http://savingtheskyhook.com/ </a>and FanSided for more great storiesSteven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216122119560708423.post-69960552399395009852011-02-03T14:44:00.000-05:002011-02-03T14:44:08.290-05:00Game Preview: Spurs versus Lakers<a href="http://savingtheskyhook.com/2011/02/03/game-preview-spurs-versus-lakers/">Game Preview: Spurs versus Lakers</a>Steven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216122119560708423.post-34092598397529273242011-02-02T14:54:00.000-05:002011-02-02T14:54:34.719-05:00Quick Hits: Random Thoughts on the NBA and Other Stuff<a href="http://savingtheskyhook.com/2011/02/02/quickhits1/">Quick Hits: Random Thoughts on the NBA and Other Stuff</a>Steven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216122119560708423.post-23215040110548836422011-02-01T14:36:00.000-05:002011-02-01T14:36:08.550-05:00Lakers Look to Shake Things Up<a href="http://savingtheskyhook.com/2011/02/01/lakers-look-to-shake-things-up/">Lakers Look to Shake Things Up</a>Steven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216122119560708423.post-32486915485348073812011-01-31T21:08:00.000-05:002011-01-31T21:08:38.698-05:00OJ Mayo: Where Do We Go From Here?<a href="http://savingtheskyhook.com/2011/01/31/oj-mayo/">OJ Mayo: Where Do We Go From Here?</a>Steven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216122119560708423.post-32869106861983361862011-01-29T19:35:00.000-05:002011-01-29T19:35:54.185-05:00Here Come the Bulls: Why the Bulls are Ready to Contend<a href="http://savingtheskyhook.com/2011/01/29/here-come-the-bulls-why-the-bulls-are-ready-to-contend/">Here Come the Bulls: Why the Bulls are Ready to Contend</a>Steven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216122119560708423.post-55058607194987960612011-01-28T14:24:00.002-05:002011-01-28T14:24:29.761-05:00Catch me at the up and coming website <a href="http://www.savingtheskyhook.com/">www.savingtheskyhook.com</a> part of the FanSided networkSteven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216122119560708423.post-66460060810309502952011-01-28T11:48:00.000-05:002011-01-28T11:48:10.790-05:00Heroes and Zeros<a href="http://savingtheskyhook.com/2011/01/28/heroesandzeros/">Heroes and Zeros</a>Steven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216122119560708423.post-32503276708198582132011-01-27T11:21:00.000-05:002011-01-27T11:21:48.566-05:00No Respect: All Star Snubs and Other Stories<a href="http://savingtheskyhook.com/2011/01/27/no-respect-all-star-snubs-and-other-stories/">No Respect: All Star Snubs and Other Stories<br /></a>Steven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216122119560708423.post-69370249312893326042011-01-20T17:05:00.002-05:002011-01-20T22:52:05.965-05:00What if...What if every player in the NBA was currently in their prime? Who would be the best team? OK, OK, it's glaringly obvious that the Boston Celtics would be number one. But who would round out the top five?<br />
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First, let me set some ground rules. By prime, I obviously mean the peak of that player's career. The period of time when a player peaks statistically. So for example, for Shaquille O'Neal it would be the 1999-2000 season. 29.7 points 13.6 rebounds with 3.8 assists. So by prime, I don't necessarily mean the player's best season, but the years in which they peaked. So, for Shaq I would say from the 1999-2000 season, till about the 2002-2003 NBA season. What a surprise, the Lakers won three titles during that span!<br />
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I obviously don't have a crystal ball, so for rookies and young players, the best I can do is use their current NBA experience as their prime. So for all intents and purposes, Derrick Rose's prime stretches from the 2008-2009 season until this season. I'm sure he hasn't reached his prime yet, but it's difficult to predict how well he will perform when he does. <br />
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<b>#5 Detroit Pistons</b><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLepkmnEUYzu4BBbPvAalfXa8HGcWY4T5Jt2dCLdgSqcX-IPAj4MpJmf7IX5RIEjqOVbdBvjZYVbqiqa2ma4c1SYKrPK4WhDNqsB20AlMikzVwlk8MVFomlknLetXMFflzl-9j9feSY4lp/s1600/b1535762.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLepkmnEUYzu4BBbPvAalfXa8HGcWY4T5Jt2dCLdgSqcX-IPAj4MpJmf7IX5RIEjqOVbdBvjZYVbqiqa2ma4c1SYKrPK4WhDNqsB20AlMikzVwlk8MVFomlknLetXMFflzl-9j9feSY4lp/s320/b1535762.jpg" width="248" /></a></div><br />
This is one of those teams that has guys who have plenty of league experience mixed with young talent. But it doesn't go anywhere. Now if these players were all in their primes, that would be a different story.<br />
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The best player on this team would obviously be Tracy Mcgrady. Enough said. His years in Orlando and first year in Houston were mind blowing. In 2002-2003 he averaged 32.1 points, 6.5 rebounds and 5.5 assists. Those numbers are Jordan-esque. Seeing T-Mac play today is sad, considering how good he once once.<br />
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The club is anchored defensively by Ben Wallace at center. Ben Wallace has four Defensive Player of the Year awards, and has been on five All NBA teams. In 2002-2003 he averaged a whopping 15.4 rebounds per game. That's scary good. That's along with 3.2 blocks that same year.<br />
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Rounding out the team are Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Ben Gordon, with the former two having championship experience with the Pistons. Ben Gordon won the 2004-2005 Sixth Man of the year award for his work off the bench. That's a pretty damn good team when you think about it.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlcl8bpAtM2INVLHWTA6jN4TFrk4JwFkiyq9QN-bA9DU5cr3IGO6LEAIqNiovUl1vjCXEeKFawEi0S_ebjv5s8kUNimHAIe-Yharxt0Pd8ql1XjEcQHGdNk1PFIXfopM2FquZc87FiAPe/s1600/Pau-Gasol-Kobe-Bryant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAlcl8bpAtM2INVLHWTA6jN4TFrk4JwFkiyq9QN-bA9DU5cr3IGO6LEAIqNiovUl1vjCXEeKFawEi0S_ebjv5s8kUNimHAIe-Yharxt0Pd8ql1XjEcQHGdNk1PFIXfopM2FquZc87FiAPe/s320/Pau-Gasol-Kobe-Bryant.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<b>#4 Los Angeles Lakers</b><br />
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The Lakers are a curious case, since they have many players who are at the tail end of their careers, but can still ball. Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol and Lamar Odom, still put up great numbers night in, night out, but they're all in their thirty's and have seen better days. Kobe Bryant, in 2005-2006 averaged 35.4 points, but I don't think I need to go through Kobe Bryant's stats, everyone knows how great he is already.<br />
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I think the lesser known Lakers are what brings my point across. Journey man Theo Ratliff was pretty good during his days in Philadelphia. His best year there he averaged 12.7 points, 8.3 rebounds with a league leading 3.7 blocks. He's also made 2 All Defensive teams. And who can forget Ron Artest? These days he's better used as comedic relief, but during his prime he's made four All Defensive teams, including the 2003-2004 Defensive Player of the Year award. Add to the mix Andrew Bynum, who's had a good, albeit, injury riddled career, I think this Lakers team would be the fourth best team in the league if all the players were in their prime.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98lT440WLIpZVlYT0z533yuYcS-Jb5Unl5fNKNAkJW_fTFnYVFuQb3AunqLqlUKn7yjovkRCG4mm-0zOmdfXBX7_o99-QHZs_vfqpm_Gwbdp2hEakzZYrf405vph18Dcj9WeKFP_xVK6d/s1600/x610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98lT440WLIpZVlYT0z533yuYcS-Jb5Unl5fNKNAkJW_fTFnYVFuQb3AunqLqlUKn7yjovkRCG4mm-0zOmdfXBX7_o99-QHZs_vfqpm_Gwbdp2hEakzZYrf405vph18Dcj9WeKFP_xVK6d/s320/x610.jpg" width="250" /></a></div><br />
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<b>#3 San Antonio Spurs</b><br />
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This is another team that scares me to think how good they would be if all players were in their prime, because as of today the team sits atop the Western Conference standings with ridiculous 36-6 record. Tim Duncan has taken a backseat role this year as well. Imagine if this team was in their prime with Duncan as their best player? Scary good.<br />
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The thing that matters most to this Spurs team is it's role players. Richard Jefferson averaged a career high 22.6 points in 2007-2008 for New Jersey and would be a very good shooter for this team. Antonio McDyess during his prime years in Denver, was an excellent rebounder and could score inside efficiently. He averaged 20.8 points to go along with 12.5 rebounds in his peak 2000-2001 season. He would be an excellent backup for Tim Duncan.<br />
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Add all that in with the consistent Tim Duncan, who has been in his prime for pretty much his whole career it seems, except this year, and the consistency of Manu Ginobili off of the bench and you have a winner. Just not quite as good as their cross state rivals...<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDp72fW4-26dVhFLRHvDbXfcGndFZomDoffqOPsbYKEVGDr8zKlYKy2cQp7xjuTcp_GLRzoSlc3Otz8h0gi9OHdUKSzlnGCR3CIro2Lv-oLYktiZbj9v15AP8bnFjv91aEJ4uVdHfnoJ9Y/s1600/Jason_Kidd-220x300.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDp72fW4-26dVhFLRHvDbXfcGndFZomDoffqOPsbYKEVGDr8zKlYKy2cQp7xjuTcp_GLRzoSlc3Otz8h0gi9OHdUKSzlnGCR3CIro2Lv-oLYktiZbj9v15AP8bnFjv91aEJ4uVdHfnoJ9Y/s1600/Jason_Kidd-220x300.jpg" /></a></div><br />
<b>#2 Dallas Mavericks</b><br />
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Dirk Nowitzki. Jason Kidd. Shawn Marion. Caron Butler. Jason Terry.<br />
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I almost put the Mavericks in at #3 until I remembered just how good they would be if all their players were in their prime. This team could shoot circles around almost any team in the NBA. Dirk Nowitzki is a former MVP who still is in his prime, in my opinion. Jason Kidd is a triple double threat, and provides tough defense at the point guard position. Shawn Marion has been part of two All NBA teams during his days in Phoenix with Steve Nash. Caron Butler is a very complete all around player. Jason Terry was a good scorer and even averaged 7.4 assists one year with Atlanta.<br />
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This team is so good at every position, not to mention the center position anchored by Tyson Chandler, who threw down countless ally-oops during his days with the Hornets, and Brenden Haywood, who has been disappointing this year but was serviceable during his prime. <br />
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The team also has a few good young players, such as Rodrigue Beubois, who had a good second half last season as a rookie. Jose Juan Barea is also a decent back up point guard for this team. You also have the shooting touch of DeShawn Stevenson off the bench, who averaged as much as 11.2 points during his prime years in Washington. This all makes for a team that can put a ton of points on the board, but also win with a defensive guard like Jason Kidd running the show at the point.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3629vEjcpY9Z7Owm8JQKBWzMhnS4ymGjHt1H7dMhYUcOuzvbf6ZqAhHMsrr2eHltBPCbZ8ajtZBCvieYPFVVvDUeKWLZtcxqTj85QZe1EcibEMXhQJwtwcgGxZkuoos6YDVvPEgDirfm4/s1600/af888eee3dcda4ca88c8b8a69dca4d91f069d15e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3629vEjcpY9Z7Owm8JQKBWzMhnS4ymGjHt1H7dMhYUcOuzvbf6ZqAhHMsrr2eHltBPCbZ8ajtZBCvieYPFVVvDUeKWLZtcxqTj85QZe1EcibEMXhQJwtwcgGxZkuoos6YDVvPEgDirfm4/s320/af888eee3dcda4ca88c8b8a69dca4d91f069d15e.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><b><br />
</b><br />
<b>#1 Boston Celtics</b><br />
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Finally the moment we've all been waiting for! Wait, I told you they were #1 in the first paragraph? Well that's because it's so obvious. Let me run this down...<br />
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Kevin Garnett, Shaquille O'Neal, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, Jermaine O'Neal, and Paul Pierce all on the same team? That's just not fair! This would be the best team, hands down, if all their players were in their primes. Do I really have to go on? Just for fun I'll add up all the accolades those six players have accumulated in their careers.<br />
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<b>52 All Stars </b><br />
<b>32 All NBA team selections</b><br />
<b>15 All Defensive team selections</b><br />
<b>2 MVP awards </b><br />
<b>4 Finals MVP awards</b><br />
<b>8 NBA Championships combined. </b><br />
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And you know what? <i>Probably</i> one more championship each, if every player in the league was in their prime. <br />
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All statistical information courtesy of <a href="http://www.basketball-reference.com/">www.basketball-reference.com</a> <br />
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If I forgot any teams, or if you think another team deserves to be in the top 5, let me know what you think in the comments, or on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/thatsthedagger">@thatsthedagger </a>Steven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216122119560708423.post-76668821728056261302011-01-18T14:05:00.000-05:002011-01-18T17:06:19.631-05:00The New Show in Town<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
The Big Clipper. High Griffinition. The Human Youtube Video.<br />
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It doesn't matter what you call Blake Griffin, you love him. How could you not? Blake Griffin has taken the league by storm. He's not just the best rookie, it's debatable that he's one of the leagues best power forwards this season. His recent 47 point 14 rebound game was one of the best performances of a player at any position this season. Did I mention he shot 19 for 24 that game? What's more important, is that he's putting up great numbers, and his team is starting to win. While the team started 1-13, they have managed to go 7-3 in their last ten games, with quality wins over the Miami Heat, the Denver Nuggets and their rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHQRdPxPwsKO606-KUgfCZD7gXglG_U3HvMpsIqXgiC1sO9H2eaNc-U1VtKx3Xvkl-CSTIxwOfg02bebbjumrAqW1NUSmPjjA5RwwwUWZmX1NWfojib19gFJxLe8amRCKweyxybFpDW2i/s1600/griffindunk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqHQRdPxPwsKO606-KUgfCZD7gXglG_U3HvMpsIqXgiC1sO9H2eaNc-U1VtKx3Xvkl-CSTIxwOfg02bebbjumrAqW1NUSmPjjA5RwwwUWZmX1NWfojib19gFJxLe8amRCKweyxybFpDW2i/s320/griffindunk.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
But that's not why I like Blake Griffin. Griffin has taken all the negative energy from the summer, what with the Miami Heat, and Carmelo Anthony and all, and has given people something positive to talk about. Why talk about how much you hate the Miami Heat, and LeBron, when you can watch Blake Griffin dunk on Timofey Movgoz? He's something this league needs. Him and Kevin Durant are the saviors of the NBA, in a time with so much uncertainty and negativity. <br />
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If Griffin were smart, he would stay with the Clippers his whole career. I feel that once Kobe retires, the keys to the city will be handed over to young Griffin. The Clippers are a good young team, with a solid young core that can make the playoffs as early as next season. Eric Gordon, Deandre Jordan, Eric Bledsoe and Al Farouq Aminu, are all younger than 23 years old. That's a solid young core for a team with plenty of cap space. With Kobe Bryant, Pau Gasol, Lamar Odom, and Derek Fisher, getting up there in age, the championship window for the Lakers is dwindling quickly. The Spurs aren't getting any younger, with Tim Duncan and Manu Ginobili poised to retire soon. This all adds up to the Clippers, and Blake Griffin, being the kings of the West in the near future.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_922200785" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="260" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL0zJv6YkzlpF7lbUkBmCx2iBx9p13ZmYU2KtvWTzHQ2wMpw2fgpLRlqCMSk94ufZXqVoZmSOyAaNTzPp5KJac_0lQV1emDgP4xFEo-qdc17dSn7E631MfO07wH85KGwwD7lpDAvPN6MaK/s320/laclippers.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">As long as Baron Davis doesn't ruin it for them.</td></tr>
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So how big can the legacy of Blake Griffin get? Blake Griffin's eye popping dunks will bode well for the internet age. The video, uploaded by the NBA, of Blake dunking on Timofey Movgoz and Danilo Gallinari, has almost 1.5 million views. Websites like Twitter and Youtube crash when Blake throws down. Sports channels can be guaranteed at least one Griffin dunk highlight, every time the Clippers play. That's why Blake is so important to the NBA. He gets people talking. He gets young children interested in the game. He's loved in a way that is reminiscent of LeBron before he got vilified for leaving Cleveland. With a strike looming, former heroes becoming villains, and aging superstars getting geared for retirement, Blake Griffin can become a force in the NBA as powerful as one of his highlight reel dunks.<br />
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Follow my Twitter for more updates: <a href="https://twitter.com/thatsthedagger">https://twitter.com/thatsthedagger </a>Steven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216122119560708423.post-36919145980428079272011-01-14T14:56:00.000-05:002011-01-17T20:17:14.920-05:00Why a Salary Cap in Baseball Would be RidiculousTwo things happened today that made me want to write about the salary cap in the MLB. For one, the Yankees are paying Rafael Soriano $35 million for three years to be their set up man. And secondly, Minnesota just signed Jim Thome to a one year contract worth $3 million plus incentives. Oh <i>that</i> Jim Thome. The one who hit .283 with 25 homers in just 276 at bats.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-P3wQKC63mULpaDyLqe7G5KZilZ0snxrGb3co5ZJHFyuLGxxvij0jXUwHaErivTM9QscS5Dsz2-Ch3vKougRRsYPtYgK-apnFykleFbSAQAxRJJVwjder6vy07kZVCSFUswIZjAVq7ytD/s1600/alex-rodriguez.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-P3wQKC63mULpaDyLqe7G5KZilZ0snxrGb3co5ZJHFyuLGxxvij0jXUwHaErivTM9QscS5Dsz2-Ch3vKougRRsYPtYgK-apnFykleFbSAQAxRJJVwjder6vy07kZVCSFUswIZjAVq7ytD/s320/alex-rodriguez.jpg" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'M KING OF THE WORLD!</td></tr>
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Well, the idea of a salary cap in baseball has been kicked around by fans for quite a while now. With the offseason the Red Sox just had who can blame those who support it. OK fair enough. But I'm going to break down three reasons why things are fine the way they are. <br />
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1. People complain about the Yankees and the way they callously overspend year after year, on players that, let's face it, WOULD NEVER MAKE THAT MUCH MONEY PLAYING ELSEWHERE. That's right I'm looking at you Derek Jeter. Would any team have shelled out $51 million for a player who is clearly in his decline? That's right. The answer is no. But we all knew Mr. November was going to sign with the Yankees. And we also knew that they could afford him. But therein lies the problem with the Yankees. They spend vast amounts of money on players that wouldn't make nearly as much playing elsewhere. So when you complain about the Yankees spending, just sit back and relax, because in the next few years they are going to be in hell. Alex Rodriguez is in decline, same with Jeter, their outfield is laughable compared to other teams, and they just spent $35 million on Rafael Soriano to be their set up man. So we can't complain about the Yankees and their riches anymore. They don't know how to spend their money. When you complain about the Yankees just remember that Alex Rodriguez will be making $20 million in 2017.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6oGLqQLPV-8xTx6T2IGrB-BRR7JU5uru9GvXBSi_8g-zDV1miQHZ4kZ91g5rfXUuSz8o-0WJkXSRd6Sd2lvBavqiCAZb6kDp1cDgHd62AriEqnYgkxCES2h689787UpQYlKnFKfaMVoY/s1600/joe-maddon_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6oGLqQLPV-8xTx6T2IGrB-BRR7JU5uru9GvXBSi_8g-zDV1miQHZ4kZ91g5rfXUuSz8o-0WJkXSRd6Sd2lvBavqiCAZb6kDp1cDgHd62AriEqnYgkxCES2h689787UpQYlKnFKfaMVoY/s320/joe-maddon_2.jpg" width="232" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martin Scorsese is that you? </td></tr>
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2. So we covered the posterboys for the salary cap in baseball talk. Now lets look at the posterboys of the draft. The Tampa Bay Rays. Who will always be the Devil Rays in my heart. Last year the Rays spent $72,323,471 on payroll. That's 19th in the league! Yes, this is the same team that won the AL East last season. This is the same team that has more draft picks by the second round in the upcoming draft than the Detroit Tigers have, until the TENTH ROUND! This is an organization that's Triple-A team can probably smoke the Pittsburgh Pirates. Teams like the Rays and to a lesser extent the Blue Jays are what I call asset collectors. They build up on prospects, use those prospects to make trades, or let the prospects carry the team to a World Series berth (Evan Longoria comes to mind). So the Rays were perennial losers up until 2008 when they made it to the World Series. And coming off a season in which they won 96 games, they lost Soriano, Carl Crawford, Matt Garza and Carlos Pena, among others. In the MLB you get picks back when a Type A free agent signs with another team, so yes, look forward to more years in which the Rays are right back in the playoffs and maybe even the World Series.<br />
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3. Remember I mentioned the Minnesota Twins before? That brings me to my third point. The Twins got Jim Thome on a bargain. An absolute bargain for a guy who hit 25 homers the year before. Teams can take notes from the Twins. Any team in the AL could have had Thome. He was one of the best designated hitters last season. But the Twins got him for a bargain. The Blue Jays have been notorious for this the past few seasons as well. The Jays signed Marco Scutaro to a bargain deal, he performed well, and signed with the Red Sox after his breakout season. The Jays got draft picks back. The Jays also traded Brandon League for Brandon Morrow last year. And look how that turned out. Morrow had 178 strikeouts last season and cost the Jays $400 000. Sometimes teams need to make decisions on low risk guys. They might turn into a gem. Or you could be like the Yankees and overpay guys. But hey, how many playoff appearances have the Jays had in the last ten years? Maybe I'm just bitter.<br />
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Remember as always to follow me on Twitter <a href="http://twitter.com/thatsthedagger">http://twitter.com/thatsthedagger</a>Steven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216122119560708423.post-83944601176288221772011-01-13T15:57:00.002-05:002011-01-20T22:35:12.281-05:00Melo Trade TalkAnd to think this could have all been over in September. <br />
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Why is it that these days the drama in the NBA lasts weeks, and weeks, and weeks? Why did we have a "Summer of LeBron"? Why do players like Chris Bosh feel the need to throw an entire fan base under the bus on Twitter? Why do we have every player in the NBA linked to "express a desire" to play for the New York Knicks?! Why? Because YOU the fan want it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Admit it you love this guy.</td></tr>
</tbody></table> Which brings us to Carmelo Anthony. For the past six months or so (has it really been that long?!) we have had to endure Melo to the Nets, Melo to the Knicks, Melo to the Timberwolves (I am NOT making this up) rumors. But you know what? You LOVE it. And so do I. Which is why I am going to break down the trade talks.<br />
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Well, by now we have all heard about the Melo to the Nets trade that has been kicking around for the last week. Melo to New Jersey along with Chauncey Billups and Richard Hamilton. That would have been swell if it was 2003. Imagine if Melo had been drafted second overall by the Pistons instead of Darko Milicic? Now THAT'S a team. Instead why not have Melo play with what used to be Rip Hamilton (someone who makes people say "remember when he was good?") and Chauncey Billups who has let it be known that he wants to be bought out. So let's break this New Jersey team down shall we?<br />
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A center who doesn't rebound OR play defense: Brook Lopez.<br />
A power forward who turned it up after he started dating Kim Kardashian: Kris Humphries.<br />
Then at small forward: Carmelo "I love New York" Anthony.<br />
The starting shooting guard who hasn't been relevant since 2008: Rip Hamilton<br />
And finally a point guard who doesn't want anything to do with New Jersey. Chauncey Billups. Might I add born and raised in Colorado?<br />
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Is that a team that can win in the next 3 years? I highly doubt it. Not with the Miami Heat, Orlando Magic, Chicago Bulls, and hell, even the New York Knicks all with better rosters than that.<br />
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So what should Melo do?<br />
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He should follow his heart. Play for a team that he wants to play for. Endure the rest of the season in Denver, and sign with the Knicks in 2011 free agency. Sure he stands to lose a couple million due to the new CBA, but hell, isn't it worth it when he could be playing for New freakin' Jersey? Would you want to play in New Jersey? Sure they're moving and all, but look at that roster! What has Prokhorov's billions got them so far? Anthony Morrow? Travis Outlaw? Come on. If you already have earned 100 million dollars in your short career wouldn't you rather play for a team that you want to play for? Of course you would. And of course Melo does. Which is why Carmelo Anthony will be a New York Knick next season. <br />
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Remember to follow me on twitter @thatsthedaggerSteven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5216122119560708423.post-17097105453874872582011-01-13T15:13:00.000-05:002011-01-17T20:11:15.722-05:00WelcomeWelcome to my blog. Hopefully this is the thing that gets me a job in journalism someday. But until then, I will write about the NBA and to a lesser extent the MLB. The blog will involve talking about the game, the players, my favourite teams, and all the latest trade talk. Hope to write a new entry sometime next week, but check back here soon!<br />
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You can follow me on twitter @thatsthedaggerSteven Gelishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09354916255403679881noreply@blogger.com0