NBA Free Agency is officially under way.
And some teams didn’t waste any time making moves.
Watch today’s episode to find out where Chris Paul is now, and why Jrue Holiday may be the reason his new team wins the 2021 NBA Title….
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Draft night, in any sport, is a special time….
Everyone becomes an expert for a day. Thursday night’s NBA Draft was no different.
Before these prospects ever step foot on an NBA court, “experts” think they know (definitively) who will be a bust,or a superstar.
They don’t know. I don’t either, but I’m going to give you my best (educated) guess.
To see the entire draft results, click here.
#1
Deandre Ayton was selected with the #1 overall pick in the 2018 NBA Draft by the Phoenix Suns. Considering Ayton was an Arizona Wildcat, this should be a seamless transition. Ayton can be summed up in two words; physical specimen.
At 7’0″, 261 pounds, Ayton should contribute at the NBA level immediately. While I like Ayton’s game, I believe the Sacramento Kings were gifted the best player in the draft.
#2
Marvin Bagley III. What experts call unpolished, I call raw talent. Bagley’s game fits the NBA perfectly. He is a skilled scorer and rebounder with a high motor. His energy level, and ability to outwork opposing big men, will lead to a long, successful career in the NBA. The Phoenix Suns may regret passing on Bagley.
#3
The Dallas Mavericks must love them some Luka Doncic. They traded the rights to Trae Young, and their 2019 protected (top-five) 1st round pick, for Doncic. I don’t care who you are, international players are a complete mystery. The track record of players from other countries is less than stellar, and all of the tape in the world can’t paint the whole picture. The NBA and international games differ so greatly, international stars either excel right away, or crash and burn.
There’s no in between.
By the way, Trae Young will be the biggest BUST in this draft!!
The New York Knickerbockers
Por fin, I am NOT mad about a Knicks’ 1st round pick; Kevin Knox. While I believe Collin Sexton is a star in the making, the Knicks couldn’t pick a player who wasn’t available (Sexton went 8th to the Cleveland Cavaliers). The Knicks’ only other option was to choose Mr. injury-in-waiting, Michael Porter Jr. The Knicks, as well as 12 other teams, felt Porter Jr.’s injury was too risky to gamble on, as he fell to the 14th pick (Denver Nuggets).
The question is: Will Michael Porter Jr. be the next Joel Embiid, or Greg Oden??
You know where the comment section is. USE IT!!!!
You can find me on the Radio as well. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’m on live, every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. Each show is also broadcast on Facebook Live via: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.
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Tuesday night fixed my relationship….with my couch.
See, my couch and I haven’t been spending a lot of time together lately. Oh, I’ve been watching sports, just not from the comfort of my favorite a** groove. Life, as they say, is getting in the way (a beautiful thing). Well Tuesday, thunderstorm and all, brought rest, relaxation, and a historic triple-double to my living room.
LeBron
LeBron’s teammates suck!!
LeBron gives everything, every night. Unfortunately, with this cast of characters he calls teammates, it’s (too) often not enough. Now, you can blame LeBron for that too (if you hate him), and assume LeBron constructed this roster. But let’s pretend (just until the end of this article) the general manager isn’t a figurehead.
LeBron James recorded his 3rd postseason 40-point triple-double Tuesday night. That’s a record.
42 points, 12 assists, 10 rebounds, and 1 block wasn’t enough to steal home-court advantage from the Boston Celtics. Maybe it’s because LeBron and Kevin Love combined for 64 points, while their nine teammates combined for 30 points. If only there was video evidence of an “expert” crowning the Cavaliers ‘Champs of the East’ at the trade deadline….
(Watch the first two minutes)
If Stephen A. Smith mentioned Rodney Hood’s length, athleticism, and defensive ability one more time I would have puked everywhere.
Tuesday night’s game, in a nutshell:
The LeBrons had three players score in double digits. The Celtics had six.
LeBron taking a Jayson Tatum shoulder to the face didn’t help either….
It’s LeBron against the world. Plain and simple. JR Smith had one of his classic 0-7 games. Larry Nance Jr. didn’t score. And Jordan Clarkson didn’t even play. The result: 107-94, Celtics. 2-0, Celtics.
This series, by no means, is over. As a wise man once told me, “A playoff series doesn’t start until a home team loses a game.”
Mediocrity Is A Way Of Life
The NBA Draft Lottery was selected Tuesday night. My New York Knicks stayed put, in the ninth spot. Good, but not great. Even if they had the #1 pick, which went to the Phoenix Suns, they’d screw it up. The success of the Knicks is dependent on competent leadership, not high draft picks. As long as they’re devoid of the former, they’ll forever dominate the ninth pick in the draft.
Here is the complete list of the NBA Draft Lottery.
While the Suns are happy, they sported the league’s worst record, so they shot even-par Tuesday night. The big winner was the Sacramento Kings. The Kings, who finished tied for the sixth worst record, landed the #2 pick. Now, all they have to do is stay out of their own way.
Will the LeBrons still win this series?? Who should be the #1 pick in the NBA Draft?? Tell me in the comment section below.
You can find me on the Radio as well. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’m on live, every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. Each show is also broadcast on Facebook Live via: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.
Since you LOVE my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! NOW GO TELL ALL OF YOUR FRIENDS!!
Greatness. Sustained excellence. A career of incredible achievements. The 13 newest members of the Basketball Hall of Fame share this common thread. The 2018 Hall of Fame Class is highlighted by:
Jason Kidd, Steve Nash, Ray Allen, and Grant Hill
The other inductees include:
Maurice Cheeks, Tina Thompson, Lefty Driesell, Charlie Scott, Rick Welts, Rod Thorn, Dino Radja, Katie Smith, and Ora Mae Washington
Jason Kidd (1994-2013)
Jason Kidd was a walking triple-double. He is currently 3rd on the all-time triple-double list (107), behind Oscar Robertson and Magic Johnson. Playing for the Dallas Mavericks, New Jersey Nets, Phoenix Suns, and New York Knicks during his career, Kidd won one NBA Championship (2011; Dallas Mavericks).
Steve Nash (1996-2014)
Steve Nash, like Jason Kidd, is a top-10 point guard of all-time. Winning back-to-back MVPs in 2005 and 2006, the only thing missing from Nash’s resume is an NBA Championship. Nash averaged double-digit assists seven times during his career and is regarded as one of the best shooters the game has ever seen. He ranks 9th all-time on the 3-point % leaderboard (42.78%), and 1st all-time on the free throw % leaderboard (90.43%).
Grant Hill (1994-2013)
Grant Hill was LeBron James before LeBron James. Through Hill’s first six seasons in the NBA (with the Detroit Pistons), Hill averaged 21.6 points, 7.9 rebounds, 6.3 assists, and 1.6 steals. And then, injuries took over. Hill would play just 47 games combined over the next three seasons. While he had a nice resurgence later in his career, and played until he was 40 years old, I’m not convinced he deserves to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Ray Allen (1996-2014)
Ray Allen played an integral part in multiple championships, in multiple cities. First with the Boston Celtics. And later with the Miami Heat. Regarded as one of the best shooters of all-time, Ray Allen hit big 3-pointer after big 3-pointer throughout his career. Nobody was more active in trying to find an open shot. Memories of Allen running off screen after screen for an open shot continue playing in my head. Allen also ranks 7th all-time on the free throw leaderboard (89.39%).
The official induction ceremony will take place on September 7th, 2018 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
Do you think the NBA Hall of Fame got it right?? Tell me in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
The sports world is full of surprises. Breaking news, notes, drama, and shocking revelations. Some stories create smiles. Others, induce vomit. I prefer the former.
The NBA Is A Joke
We’ll get the ‘projectile vomit story’ out of the way. The NBA season, barring MAJOR injury, is predetermined. No one has a fighting chance against the Golden State Warriors. Last season, with the addition of Kevin Durant, the Bay Area Dynasty went from really freakin’ good to absolutely unstoppable. And it’s made the NBA virtually unwatchable.
And the latest rumor, ends with a clean up on aisle 7….
Lebron James can become a free agent after this season. The world will wait with bated breath when he decides where to play. Someone couldn’t wait that long. Allegedly, Lebron James is willing to play for the Golden State Warriors.
Wait, WHAT?!?!?!?!
I understand the concept, “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em.” But, what value would a championship have if your starting 5 consists of the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 12th, and 16th ranked players in the league?? It was bad enough when Kevin Durant joined ’em, but this would take pathetic to a new level. For everyone’s sake, hopefully this is a silly rumor by an attention seeking “sports journalist”.
NBA Trade Deadline Approaches
Entrenched in the playoff picture, the New Orleans Pelicans bolstered their frontcourt on Thursday. After losing All-Star center, DeMarcus Cousins, for the season, the Pelicans needed to recoup some size, scoring, and rebounds. While you can’t replace Cousins, Nikola Mirotic is not the worst consolation prize in the world.
Pelicans Get: Nikola Mirotic
Bulls Get: Omer Asik, Tony Allen, Jameer Nelson, and a 2018 1st Round Pick (Top-5 protected)
Surrendering a 1st round pick was the only way New Orleans could get out from under Omer Asik’s contract (owed $20.7 million through 2019). With this move complete, the Pelicans can now make a run at Greg Monroe, who was recently bought out by the Phoenix Suns.
The question is: Will it be enough to keep the Pelicans in the Western Conference Playoffs?
MLB Protective Netting
Eureka!! Major League Baseball has finally decided to take fan safety seriously. As of Opening Day of the 2018 season, all 30 MLB teams will have protective netting extended past the dugouts. After MLB made a league wide suggestion in 2015 that all teams extend their netting, it is no longer optional.
Although I’m not happy a handful of fans were injured in 2017 due to foul balls and flying bats, I’m glad no one was killed due to MLB’s shortsightedness. Now, fans can go back to ignoring the action on the field. Because, ya know, whatever’s on their cell phone is very important.
If Lebron James signs with the Warriors, will you continue watching the NBA?? If so, please visit the Psych Ward, then explain yourself in the comment section below….
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports.
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
You’ve done it again Thursday.
My thumb was reacquainted with the ‘Prev Ch’ button. Football to basketball, basketball to football, NFL Network and TNT got my ratings Thursday night (until I fell asleep on the couch). To the hardwood we go….
NBA Finals Preview??
Thursday’s nights matchup between the Boston Celtics and Golden State Warriors pinned the 2 best records in the NBA against each other. The Warriors were winners of 7 straight, as they travelled to Beantown to take on the red hot Celtics (winners of 13 straight).
The Warriors looked like the Warriors, carrying a 17-point lead past the midway point of the 3rd quarter. Then, Jaylen Brown happened. Over a 49 second span, Brown scored 8 consecutive points. After learning of his best friend’s death just hours prior to tip-off, Brown played inspired basketball (22 points and 7 rebounds). He dedicated his performance to Trevin Steede.
The Celtics didn’t win their 14th straight game because they scored 142 points. They won because they do something that’s very rare in the NBA. The play defense. They held a Warriors team, that’s averaging 117.5 points per game, to 88 points. Unbelievably impressive, but I wouldn’t expect Stephen Curry, Klay Thompson, and Draymond Green to shoot a combined 11 for 43 (25.5%) from the field again — ever.
The Celtics will revel in their 92-88 victory during their day off on Friday. They’ll seek their 15th straight win on Saturday against the hapless Atlanta Hawks (3-12).
A 4th Quarter To Forget
Marcus Mariota let’s it fly. Rishard Matthews comes down with the deep bomb, scampering 75-yards for a touchdown. That’s one way to start the 2nd half. 16-7 became 16-14 in the blink of an eye. And just like that, we had a football game on our hands. Or so we thought. The Titans final 3 possessions: punt, interception, interception. That, plus Antonio Brown’s 3-touchdown night, put the game out of reach in the 4th quarter. 17 unanswered points brought the totality of destruction to 40-17.
The Steelers now own an AFC best record; 8-2. That is, until the New England Patriots play on Sunday. As for the Titans, they drop to 6-4, leaving the door wide open for the Jacksonville Jaguars to grab an AFC South division lead.
You Scored How Many Points?!
Chris Paul made his return to the court Thursday night. After missing 14 games with a knee injury, Paul played 21 minutes against the Phoenix Suns. Effective minutes I’d call them.
Chris Paul’s Evening: 11 points, 10 assists, 4 rebounds, and 2 steals.
Paul was merely a pedestrian contributor to the absolute smack down the Rockets laid on the Suns. He was 1 of 7 players to score in double figures, led by James Harden’s 48 points. The Rockets set a franchise record Thursday night, scoring 90 points in the 1st half.
No need to readjust your spectacles. The Houston Rockets scored 90 points in the 1st half. I know the Suns are bad, but that’s absurd. The final score of 142-116 included 6 Rockets’ going a perfect 35 for 35 from the free throw line. Only Clint Capela would miss a free throw (0-3).
Harden, Paul, and company will look to improve on their 12-4 record when they take on the Memphis Grizzlies Saturday. Paul will look to ramp up his minutes, while Harden continues his MVP charge.
What were you watching Thursday night?? Tell me about it in the comment section below.
You can now find me on the Radio too. Download the TuneIn Radio App and search OWWR. I’ll be on live every Wednesday from 6:10 P.M. – 8:00 P.M EST. I also broadcast every show on Facebook Live via my DaveTalksSports.com Facebook Page: http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports .
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like my page on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. You can also Subscribe to my YouTube Channel: DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading!! Now go tell all your friends!!
Apparently this is what it’s all about. Who can build the most Super, Super-Team of them all?? As the dust settles from the Golden State Warriors steamrolling through the NBA Playoffs, en route to their 2nd championship in 3 years, everyone is trying to ‘keep up with the Joneses’. And since Kevin Durant declined his player option on Monday in order to re-sign with the Warriors, the dynasty is in full effect.
According to Chris Haynes of ESPN, Durant will take a $4 million “pay cut” to give the franchise the flexibility to keep their roster intact. So, why doesn’t everyone just play for free?? Players make so much money in endorsements their NBA salaries are fairly insignificant anyway. Then the NBA can rename the East All-Stars the Cavaliers and the West All-Stars the Warriors. Isn’t that where we’re headed anyway?!
Side Note: Who fires their General Manager 3 days before the NBA Draft?!
2nd Side Note (?): Who fires their General Manager without consulting their superstar, Lebron James?!?!
Oh, that would be Cleveland Cavaliers owner, Dan Gilbert. Ya know, the guy who ran Lebron James out of town 7 years ago. Well evidently he had so much fun running the best player of this generation out of town the first time, he plans to do it again. Really, really smart….
Lebron had reportedly been lobbying for Cavaliers’ General Manager, David Griffin’s job prior to his firing. So now, it looks like the Cavaliers are trying to make amends. We must build a Super-Team so powerful that Lebron James will never leave again. Fasten your seat belts and lock your doors because we’re entering Rumor Town.
The latest rumor in the NBA Super-Team Saga is the Cavaliers are looking to complete a 3-team trade for Jimmy Butler. Reportedly, the Cavaliers don’t have enough assets to complete this trade with the Chicago Bulls, so they’ve gotten the Phoenix Suns thrown into the mix. If this rumor holds true (which rarely is the case), the trade would look as follows:
These talks are preliminary, as their are many other teams involved in the Jimmy Butler sweepstakes. This is assuming the Bulls are even looking to trade Butler in the first place. I know it’s hard to believe, but some reporters will make up trade rumors just to get attention. Crazy, right??
Jimmy Butler is one of the best two-way players in the NBA. If the Cavaliers can pull off a trade of this magnitude, they would be a few role-playing big men away from being real contenders for a championship. *Not fake contenders like they were last year.
Another big name, who’s actually on the trading block, is Paul George. George informed the Pacers he would become a free agent following the 2017-2018 season. While I can’t imagine the Indiana Pacers are thrilled about losing a top-20 talent, they should appreciate George saying, “trade me now, so you don’t get left empty-handed”. Because no one wants to lose Shaquille O’ Neal to free agency……
Nice work Orlando Magic.
Paul George has expressed his desire to play for the Los Angeles Lakers. They have young prospects and draft picks to offer, so it is a plausible scenario. However, the rumors now involve the Los Angeles Clippers, the Boston Celtics, and the Cavaliers. George will undoubtedly be dealt sooner rather than later. The only question is; Where??
Thursday’s NBA Draft should be exciting, as many players could be on the move. No matter what each team does, they will operate with only one thing in mind; create the next Super-Team.
How do you feel about Super-Teams in the NBA?? Like them, love them, or hate them?? Let your feelings out in the comment section below.
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. You can also follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!
And the winner of the 250 Million Dollar Lottery is……….The Boston Celtics?! Yes, you heard that right. The team set to take on former lottery prize Lebron James in the Eastern Conference Finals was awarded the #1 overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. And there’s no cash by the way, only the rights to Markelle Fultz out of the University of Washington. Hey Danny Ainge, how’s the view from up there?? Ainge, the President of Basketball Operations for the Celtics, orchestrated a masterful trade with the Brooklyn Nets back in 2013. The Nets received Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett (both were WAY past their prime) for a pile of players and future draft picks. Enter last night’s lottery win by the Celtics. Paul Pierce didn’t wait long to say you’re welcome.
As with any lottery, there must be winners and losers. First, let’s take a look at the lottery results:
1. Celtics (via Nets)
2. Lakers
3. Sixers (via Kings)
4. Suns
5. Kings (via Sixers)
6. Magic
7. Timberwolves
8. Knicks
9. Mavericks
10. Kings (via Pelicans)
11. Hornets
12. Pistons
13. Nuggets
14. Heat
Thanks to this ridiculous system, the winners and losers are self-explanatory. Land above your projected draft spot..you’re a winner, fall below your projected draft spot..you’re a loser. Of course, none of this guarantees you a superstar player. The Knicks can attest to that (I wonder what Frederic Weis is doing right now?).
Sooooooo, why does the NBA select the draft order this way rather than award the best pick to the team with the worst record? The answer is simple; MONEY. Amidst a so far underwhelming NBA playoffs, the NBA machine has people talking about the draft, and the draft lottery, and the draft combine, and that kid with the expensive shoes (no I will not say his name here). Ratings, the all-mighty money grab, ratings, and more ratings. That’s what it’s all about. And once the buzz around the draft lottery ends, the Cavaliers/Warriors saga will commence. And once the NBA Finals is over, the actual draft will happen. And once the draft is over, free agents will be on the move. Hmmmmm..sound familiar? Seems like the NBA is doing their best NFL impersonation. Good for you Adam Silver, good for you.
The biggest winners of the night included the Boston Celtics (obviously) and the Los Angeles Lakers. The Lakers received the #2 overall pick. If the Lakers had fallen outside of the top 3, they would have lost their pick to the (Orlando) Magic, so it’s a good thing Magic (Johnson) is on their side. And now for my favorite part of the program..THE LOSERS!! The biggest loser Tuesday night was the Phoenix Suns, as they dropped 2 spots (from #2 to #4). So much for Tank Mode.
And last but certainly not le…Oh okay, maybe they are least. Enter my New York Knicks. They can’t win right. They can’t draft right. They can’t tank right. And they certainly can’t get lucky right. The Knicks fell 1 spot from #7 to #8. I know it’s only 1 spot, but it’s just another bump in a long line of bumps in Knicks history. Let’s see how Phil Jackson screws this up. Hey Phil, Danny Ainge is running a General Managers Camp. I heard it’s a great way to improve your people skills. Want me to sign you up?? As for players we can land come draft day, the Knicks should have their choice between French guard Frank Ntilikina and NC State guard Dennis Smith Jr. As long as we don’t draft another big man, I won’t lose my mind.
Did you watch Tuesday night’s NBA Draft Lottery? Who do you want the Knicks to draft? Tell me in the comment section below.
Since you enjoy my writing, follow me over to intheneutralzone.com where I am a contributing author there as well. You can also follow me on twitter @DaveEttinger2 or like me on Facebook at http://www.Facebook.com/DaveTalksSports. Thanks for reading, and I hope you enjoyed it!
Dave Talks Sports 