According to ESPN.com the Celtics deal for Kevin Garnett is final. This gives the Celts three all-star players in Garnett, Paul Pierce, and Ray Allen. It also makes them a lock for the 2002 NBA Title. The upside of the deal is that it makes Boston an immediate favorite in the weak Eastern Conference, and gives them a shot, be it a long one, at winning the title, and they get rid of gun specialist Sebastian Telfair. On the downside, Danny Ainge gave up promising PF Al Jefferson, dunk specialist Gerald Green, and role guy Ryan Gomes. Also going to Minnesota are a future first round pick (possibly two depending on what report you read) and the expiring contract known a Theo Ratliff. I'm not as upset about losing Green as I am Jefferson and Gomes. Jefferson is blossoming into a great low post scorer, and his defense was improving. But he is still young and the team probably wouldn't be able to contend this year with him still developing. As for Gomes, I think they could have done this deal with giving him up. Gomes is a good guy to have come off the bench, he plays hard and he can rebound.
After this deal this is how the team looks: Kendrick Perkins/Garnett/Pierce/Allen/Rajon Rondo with Tony Allen, Big Baby Davis, Gabe Pruitt, Brandon Wallace, Leon Powe and Brian Scalabrine coming off the bench. If Rondo plays like he did the second half of last season and not like he has in the summer league, Boston maybe all set at PG. However, as insurance I think Ainge should try to get a veteran PG, maybe Brevin Knight. The center position is thin, there is no backup to Perkins, who should be a backup on a good team. As for the bench, T. Allen looked good last year before tearing his ACL on a freak play, and hopefully he will be healthy in time for the season.
After that there are three rookies, Davis, Pruitt, and Wallace, and a couple of power forwards. Powe has shown good hustle and good rebounding when he has played, and Scalabrine, well he is a poor man's Walter McCarty.
Final analysis of the trade: It helps Boston short term, especially if they can get another PG. However, it might cripple them down the line. This trade, along with the one made for R. Allen on draft night removes most of the young talent Ainge had put together. If the Celtics don't make a run at the title this year or next, Ainge should be on the hot seat, if he isn't already. Overall I like the move because it makes the Celtics watchable again, and they hopefully won't go on an 18 game losing streak this season.
Of course none of this matters if Doc Rivers is still the head coach.
Butters
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Sunday, July 29, 2007
The Patriot Preview
The ending of the last season for the Patriots left a sour taste in the fans, and I'm sure the team's mouth. There are certain points of the game that I remember yelling at the TV. One that sticks out is Reche Caldwell (aka cocaine eyes) dropping a pass when there was no one within about ten yards of him. The other is Brady making an uncharacteristic mistake at the end of the game. To try to prevent this from happening again Scott Pioli and Bill Belichick went out and brought in a very talented receiving corps. From last year, when their leading receiver had 61 catches, and no one else on the team had more than 50. Now they had former pro bowler Randy Moss. I think this was a great, low risk move. Adding a guy with that kind of talent for a 4th round pick is a deal you have to make. Moss, who has had some troubles in the past, restructured his contract after the trade to allow the Pats to have more cap flexibility. The Patriots also added Wes Welker, who excels in the slot, in a trade with division rival Miami. Via free agency the Patriots signed burner Donte Stallworth, and Kelly Washington, who happened to be the one Bengal that didn't go to jail. With these additions and guys like Troy Brown and Jabar Gaffney, who came on strong in the playoffs, the Pats shouldn't have problems getting the ball downfield. And hopefully no room for a certain cocaine eyed receiver. Grade at WR: A+
At QB there is Tom Brady. I don't think I need to say anything else. Grade at QB: A
The backfield should be held down by second year back Laurence Maroney, who shared carries with Corey Dillon last season before suffering an injury and 3rd down back Kevin Faulk. There have been questions concerning Maroney's health, but this blogger thinks that he will stay healthy, and will have a breakout year. Grade at RB: B+
At tight end that Pats made a low key move by replacing Daniel Graham with Kyle Brady. The Pats have good depth here as well. Benjamen Watson should have a good year with the additions at WR, and before breaking his foot, David Thomas was starting to make a name for himself. Grade at TE: A
The offensive line returns five starters from last year and also includes depth, with guys like Russ Hochstein who can play multiple positions on the line. Grade for O-Line: A
The defensive line has three first round picks starting across it. It starts with end Richard Seymour, who constantly draws double teams from opposing O-Lines. In the middle is run stuffer Vincent Wilfork and next to him is Ty Warren. Like most positions on the team there is a lot of depth here as well. Backup Jarvis Green was third on the team in sacks last year with seven. Mike Wright can fill in at tackle and end when need be. Grade for D-Line: A
Early on in free agency Scott Pioli made a splash by signing LB Adalius Thomas. Adding Thomas to an already strong set of LBs should make the Pats tough to run on. With Mike Vrable and Tedy Buschi patrolling the middle of the field, with Junior Seau backing them up should make it tough to go up the middle, and with Thomas and the athletic Rosevelt Colvin on the outside gives the Pats speed on the edge. Grade for LBs: A
The secondary is a bit of an uncertainty. Can Rodney Harrison and Eugene Wilson stay healthy? Will Brandon Meriweather be able to step in and play right away? Will Asante Samuel sign? Who will step up to become the #2 corner, possibly #1 if Samuel holds out? I am hoping Ellis Hobbs is able to pick up his game at corner to compliment Samuel (assuming he signs). With veteran Tory James signed to help give depth at corner. If Harrison can stay healthy, New England has depth at safety with Wilson, Meriweather and Artrell Hawkins to go along with Harrison. Grade (if Samuel signs): B+. Grade (if Samuel doesn't sign): B-.
During their three superbowl runs, special teams played a huge part in the success of the team. After some early struggles last season Stephen Gostowski came into his own and out of that other guy's shadow as the kicker. He hit a couple of big kicks in the playoffs, including the one that gave New England the lead in San Diego. Punter Josh Miller returns after going on the IR last season. Ellis Hobbs earned the kick return job during the playoffs by making a couple of long returns, and Kevin Faulk and Troy Brown hold down the punt return duties. Speacial teams grade: A
This team is loaded with talent and depth. In my opinion the only thing that could hold them back from a perfect season is their schedule. It is among the toughest in the league. The three most important games in my eyes: San Diego in week two, the Chargers are out for revenge for the Pats celebrating on their field after the playoff game. In week nine the Patriots travel to Indianapolis for their annual match up. This should be a classic and I hope the Pats are able to get some revenge for the AFC Title Game. Week sixteen vs. the Dolphins. If the Pats can get through the first fourteen games without a loss, division rival and the team with only undefeated record in history come to Foxborough. The Dolphins have been known undefeated streaks to keep their record alive. If the Pats are undefeated this could be and interesting game.
My prediction for their season: 14-2, superbowl champs (I'm not biased at all, don't look at me that way)
Butters
At QB there is Tom Brady. I don't think I need to say anything else. Grade at QB: A
The backfield should be held down by second year back Laurence Maroney, who shared carries with Corey Dillon last season before suffering an injury and 3rd down back Kevin Faulk. There have been questions concerning Maroney's health, but this blogger thinks that he will stay healthy, and will have a breakout year. Grade at RB: B+
At tight end that Pats made a low key move by replacing Daniel Graham with Kyle Brady. The Pats have good depth here as well. Benjamen Watson should have a good year with the additions at WR, and before breaking his foot, David Thomas was starting to make a name for himself. Grade at TE: A
The offensive line returns five starters from last year and also includes depth, with guys like Russ Hochstein who can play multiple positions on the line. Grade for O-Line: A
The defensive line has three first round picks starting across it. It starts with end Richard Seymour, who constantly draws double teams from opposing O-Lines. In the middle is run stuffer Vincent Wilfork and next to him is Ty Warren. Like most positions on the team there is a lot of depth here as well. Backup Jarvis Green was third on the team in sacks last year with seven. Mike Wright can fill in at tackle and end when need be. Grade for D-Line: A
Early on in free agency Scott Pioli made a splash by signing LB Adalius Thomas. Adding Thomas to an already strong set of LBs should make the Pats tough to run on. With Mike Vrable and Tedy Buschi patrolling the middle of the field, with Junior Seau backing them up should make it tough to go up the middle, and with Thomas and the athletic Rosevelt Colvin on the outside gives the Pats speed on the edge. Grade for LBs: A
The secondary is a bit of an uncertainty. Can Rodney Harrison and Eugene Wilson stay healthy? Will Brandon Meriweather be able to step in and play right away? Will Asante Samuel sign? Who will step up to become the #2 corner, possibly #1 if Samuel holds out? I am hoping Ellis Hobbs is able to pick up his game at corner to compliment Samuel (assuming he signs). With veteran Tory James signed to help give depth at corner. If Harrison can stay healthy, New England has depth at safety with Wilson, Meriweather and Artrell Hawkins to go along with Harrison. Grade (if Samuel signs): B+. Grade (if Samuel doesn't sign): B-.
During their three superbowl runs, special teams played a huge part in the success of the team. After some early struggles last season Stephen Gostowski came into his own and out of that other guy's shadow as the kicker. He hit a couple of big kicks in the playoffs, including the one that gave New England the lead in San Diego. Punter Josh Miller returns after going on the IR last season. Ellis Hobbs earned the kick return job during the playoffs by making a couple of long returns, and Kevin Faulk and Troy Brown hold down the punt return duties. Speacial teams grade: A
This team is loaded with talent and depth. In my opinion the only thing that could hold them back from a perfect season is their schedule. It is among the toughest in the league. The three most important games in my eyes: San Diego in week two, the Chargers are out for revenge for the Pats celebrating on their field after the playoff game. In week nine the Patriots travel to Indianapolis for their annual match up. This should be a classic and I hope the Pats are able to get some revenge for the AFC Title Game. Week sixteen vs. the Dolphins. If the Pats can get through the first fourteen games without a loss, division rival and the team with only undefeated record in history come to Foxborough. The Dolphins have been known undefeated streaks to keep their record alive. If the Pats are undefeated this could be and interesting game.
My prediction for their season: 14-2, superbowl champs (I'm not biased at all, don't look at me that way)
Butters
Thursday, July 26, 2007
The Deadline is Approaching
With the non-waiver trade deadline coming in five days, and my beloved Red Sox sitting in 6.5 games up on New York, there are few moves that the Sox need to make. The most important thing is that they get rid of Wily Mo Pena. This would not only do the team good, but a fresh start somewhere else might give Wily Mo a chance to play everyday, and to find some of that potential he has. Trading Pena leaves the Red Sox needing a fourth outfielder. They have a couple of options when it comes finding a replacement. Sitting in AAA are three outfielders, Brandon Moss, David Murphy, and Jacoby Ellsbury, that could fill the void. However, I would like to see a veteran outfielder come in. Reggie Sanders of Kansas City, or Bobby Kielty, who was recently designated for assignment could come cheap. Kielty might be released if the A's fail to trade him ten days from when he was designated. Of those two, I would prefer Kielty, he is younger, can hit left handed pitching, and Sanders has been troubled by injuries the past couple of seasons. Another thing I would like to see the Sox do is to trade, or designate Eric Hinske for assignment, and replace him with Kevin Millar. They both play similar postions, 1B/corner outfield. Hinke's defense, especially in the outfield is better, but if the Sox acquire another OF that shouldn't matter/ However, Millar has won a World Series with the Sox, and he can bring a certain clubhouse presence that could help the team in the long run. Also, Hinske is hitting .205/.302/.420 (avg, OBP, slg.) while Millar is batting .270/.386/.433. Millar would also come cheap and be an upgrade over the current backup 1B. With the bullpen taking shape, the rotation getting stronger from the minors, and Curt Schilling due back from the DL, this Sox team could make a great run at another championship.
Butters
Butters
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
My first post
First of, I would like to say welcome to those of you reading my new blog. I will be updating this as I have time (which is a lot), or as I feel (which will probably be bi-daily).
Anyway, a couple of quick thoughts about the past couple days in baseball before I go to bed. First off I would like to congratulate Jon Lester for his performance tonight against Cleveland. I know previous athletes have come back from cancer before, but that doesn't make it any less special when it happens again. It also gives guys like Rick Reilly something to write about for his column no one reads. It was also nice to see the Red Sox win again, and see Crisp and Lugo stay hot.
During the Sox vs. Sox game on Saturday on Fox, which is bad enough itself, they kept interrupting the game to show each of Barry Bonds' at-bats. This would be ok, maybe, if Bonds was about to break or tie the record. However, he was/is three short, but Fox insisted on showing each of his at-bats. Word to Fox, Barry Bonds is shown enough on ESPN, as well as other sports stations, and we don't need to see every homerun leading up to 755 then 756. While I am on the topic of Bonds, when he does break the record Bud Selig HAS to be there. This is the biggest record in baseball, tainted or not. Selig can't turn his back on this due to steroid suspicion because he did nothing to prevent steroid use until it was brought up in front of Congress.
Butters
Anyway, a couple of quick thoughts about the past couple days in baseball before I go to bed. First off I would like to congratulate Jon Lester for his performance tonight against Cleveland. I know previous athletes have come back from cancer before, but that doesn't make it any less special when it happens again. It also gives guys like Rick Reilly something to write about for his column no one reads. It was also nice to see the Red Sox win again, and see Crisp and Lugo stay hot.
During the Sox vs. Sox game on Saturday on Fox, which is bad enough itself, they kept interrupting the game to show each of Barry Bonds' at-bats. This would be ok, maybe, if Bonds was about to break or tie the record. However, he was/is three short, but Fox insisted on showing each of his at-bats. Word to Fox, Barry Bonds is shown enough on ESPN, as well as other sports stations, and we don't need to see every homerun leading up to 755 then 756. While I am on the topic of Bonds, when he does break the record Bud Selig HAS to be there. This is the biggest record in baseball, tainted or not. Selig can't turn his back on this due to steroid suspicion because he did nothing to prevent steroid use until it was brought up in front of Congress.
Butters
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
