new link: www.thaumaturgus.org/sundance

see you there.

Awhile back while eating lunch at Savoy Kitchen, my brother and I were discussing one of our great loves, the breathtakingly spectacular athleticism of the NBA.  Dispersed in between discussing the disappointment of the Warriors, the surprising year the Knicks have had, and the general ineptitude of various front offices (such as the Clippers, everyone loves making fun of the Clippers), we eventually began to discuss some of the young up and coming players in the league.  We wondered, what a team would look like if you had to build it without the benefit of an All-Star (or someone like Deron Williams who should have been an All-Star by now) while also being saddled with a 40 million dollar cap.  In comparison, the current cap for the year 2008-2009 season is set at 58.86 million dollars.  We figured this would be an interesting challenge, but further restrictions prevented us from having the same player on both our teams.  If this weren’t the case, there are a number of players on his team I would gladly take, such as my man Rudy Fernandez.  For a further explanation of the rules, visit ezracrow. org, where he so eloquently gives a comical and thorough breakdown of the restrictions imposed.  So, without further ado, Team Sundance:

Given the ridiculously small cap, the obvious focus was placed on young players who could not only perform now, but had the potential for growth.  As such, the team is incredibly young with an average age of 23.5.  However, a few seasoned vets were chosen to provide leadership and stability for such a team flush with so much youth.  Effort and intelligence on the defensive end of the floor was a primary focus, with offensive ability, but not necessarily refinement, was a close second.  While Team Sundance has the athleticism to fly up and down the court, the presence of only one truly dominant shot blocker puts a premium on these players to remain disciplined on defense in order to contain some of the more explosive backcourts in the league.

Starting Five

Greg Oden (C) – While essentially a rookie, Oden brings athleticism, strength, shot-blocking, and rebounding to the team.  While he has shown flashes of an offensive game, that aspect of his game is incredibly raw.  Being a rook, his game has been inconsistent, but he has certainly displayed in spurts why he was billed as the best center prospect to come out of college since Patrick Ewing.  While he’s currently sharing center duties with Joe Pryz(however you spell his last name), I’m confident that he’ll meet his vast potential, provided he stays healthy through the course of his career.  While much has been made of his injury woes, I choose to see Oden like the athletic freak of nature that was on display at Ohio State.  With Al Horford taken by Ezra, and our mutual dislike of Andrew “I look like Tracy Morgan” Bynum, I had to take the big man out of Portland and hope he wasn’t the afflicted by the same injury bug that bit Sam Bowie and Bill Walton.  Being a Dubs fan, Andris Biedrins was a possibility here as well, but he makes $9 million a year.

Danny Granger (PF) – Danny Granger is placed at PF largely due to the fact that I wasn’t a fan of the many of the power forwards that I could afford under the cap.  However, at 6-08 and 228 lbs., he has the size to at least play the position part time.  With that being said, he’s a proven scorer who gives maximum effort on the defensive side of the floor as well.  As a proven three point threat, he has the ability to spread the floor for some of the athletic slashers on the roster.  Although his rebounds are down this year, that is more of a symptom of being forced to take a larger scoring load in Indiana’s offense with the injury of Mike Dumbleavy (Dubs fan unite!).  His ability to block shots is a valuable asset to a team that only boasts Oden as a means of intimidation for opposing slashers at the rim.  When playing at SF, his size and athleticism are invaluable against most of the small forwards in the league today, although he may have problems guarding quicker players at that position.  As the current number one scoring option on this team, as well as being one of the few true veterans, he will be asked to provide leadership on and off the court.

Thaddeus Young (SF) – A long super-athlete, Young plays solid defense, but has the potential to be great if he works at it.  With the ability to handle, score, and run the floor, Young is a great asset to have, even at the tender age of 20.  With Granger, Calderon, and Mayo on the team, he won’t be required to take on a great scoring load, but he has the potential to blossom into an incredibly potent offensive threat.  Although he is on a team (76ers) that has not seemed to be able to find their identity with the addition of Elton Brand, he has shown that his play in his rookie year was a sign of better things to come.

OJ Mayo (PG) – While he is undersized for the position, I happen to be a big fan of the much hyped and versatile Mayo.  Who can’t love a player who has an incredible work ethic, plays both sides of the floor, can play both guard positions, and always looks to improve his game?  Although he certainly has his flaws, such as the often mentioned curious inability to draw fouls at a high rate, he has a sweet J that should serve him and the team well.  Already an effective offensive performer, averaging 20 points a game for Memphis, I see him eventually growing into the role of the go-to scorer on this squad, and unlike Mr. PER, I do see star talent with OJ.  Originally, during the first conception of this team, I had envisioned JR Smith at this position, but as it becomes readily apparent that he is a headcase, I went with the rookie who has demonstrated a higher level of maturity and grit than his counterpart in Denver.  I always wanted a long range bomber at the 2, and at over 40% from 3, Mayo fits the bill perfectly with his unlimited range.  Already a good and willing defender at the age of 21, Mayo should blossom into something special in the coming years.

Jose Calderon (PG) – My favorite European import after Manu and Rudy Fernandez.  The man can shoot (46.2% from 3), handle the rock, facilitate, and his basketball acumen is off the charts.  Unfortunately, he isn’t the greatest defender at the 1, but his ability to facilitate, run the offense, and keep his teammates involved make him incredibly valuable on a first unit that would benefit greatly from a steady hand, especially in the half court.  With a salary of over 7 million, he is easily the most expensive player on the roster, justifiably so because he may very well be the most important.  While I was thinking about going with Devin Harris at the point, he isn’t nearly the facilitator or the 3 point threat that Calderon is.  Despite the fact that Ricky Rubio (who I’m a fan of) demonstrated his precocious talent in the gold medal match in Beijing, I can’t help but think if Calderon was playing, the game would have been even greater to watch.  Finally, the team needs a floor general who doesn’t back down from anybody, and I loooove how he doesn’t take any sh*t from KG.

The Bench

With the bench, the focus was placed on size, defensive tenacity, and shooting.  Marc Gasol is a great low-post defender, albeit not a particularly intimidating shot blocker.  He also provides some offense with his short-range hooks and his ability to crash the offensive glass.   Along with Carl Landry, his toughness is invaluable for a team that could use a mean streak down low, especially with Granger playing out of position at the 4.  While Gasol’s greatest value lies in his defense on opposing centers, Landry provides defensive versatility on a front line that aside from the two 7-footers, does not possess an abundance of height.  With quick feet, he is also capable of guarding opposing wings if the need arises.   Leon Powe provides energy off the bench, a chamiponship ring, and a maturity that belies his years.  While he has only shown flashes with his limited minutes on the Celtics, I’m a big Leon Powe fan.  The man deserves a great deal of respect for coming back from multiple knee surgeries.  Darrell Arthur rounds out the front line.  He demonstrated a refined post game at Kansas, and has displayed he can be effective on a young Memphis team, but truthfully he may not see a great deal of time on this roster.

Luc Mbah a Moute provides toughness, length, and defense at SF, but is pretty much useless offensively.  He’s on the team for his D, low salary, and because he’s a Prince of Cameroon.  Sasha Vujacic provides depth at the two.  The Machine is a legitimate three point threat, but it’s his pesky defense that makes me a fan.  While he’s fairly pricey with a $4 million price tag, his experience last year when the Lakers went to the finals will be invaluable on a team that has players that have never played in a pressure filled environment.  A valuable asset off the bench, his work ethic also makes him one in the locker room as well.  Plus, any dude that rocks a purple headband has gotta have big @$$ b@lls.

Rajon Rondo bring championship experience, slashing ability, and most of all, may very well be among the best defensive pg’s in the league, despite his small size.  His presence on the team convinced me that Devin Harris was ultimately redundant.  While he doesn’t seem to be the scorer Harris is, he’s a better facilitator, and his long arms and athleticism make him just as capable of a defender.  Rondo not only impressed in the Finals last year, but he has consistently shown marked improvement in his play every year.  This year, he has emerged as perhaps one of the Top-10 point guards in the league.  The only criticism of Rondo that can be made is his inconsistent jumper.  However, on a team with this many 3 point threats, that problem is effectively erased because of all the space he has on the floor to zoom around with his quickness and speed.  Nick Young and Sergio Rodriguez round out the second unit.  Young can score, but he does little else.  In any case, on this team, both will receive very little playing time.

The Grant Hill Exception

Grant Hill (SF) – Hill is on this team for one reason.  He’s f**king awesome!!!!  I was allowed to pick him up, even though he made the All-Star team even as late as 2005.  The grace, athleticism, ball handling, basketball IQ…this man was DOMINANT during his prime.  Check out his stats during his days in Detroit.

I don’t think I’ll ever truly forgive the Detroit fans that were calling him out for being injured.  The man played on a broken ankle and ruined his hall of fame career because of all the accusations of him being soft.  His pops was a 3 time all-pro running back, one of the toughest positions to play in football, and people thought he was soft?!?  In any case, Grant Hill has always been one of my favorite players, and I just had to have him on this team to provide some much needed veteran leadership.  And deep down, I think if he’s given the minutes and a free flowing system, he can still ball with the best of them.  At least in spurts.

Yeah I hear you all saying “he’s old now, he’s playing being behind Matt frickin’ Barnes of all people,” but dude…the man can ball.  Plus, he’s an inspiring figure and a leader in his community.

And if you still doubt, check out some of his highlights.  GRANT HILL’S #$^%@#%$! AWESOME!!!!  Yes he makes my knees buckle like a little school girl.  -.-

Fin.

For Team Crow Click Here

Anyways, I’m going to try to make a concerted effort to update this blog.  Perhaps post a few of the things that Castor and I giggle incessantly about.

P.S.  House is a wussy.  I demand Huddy.  And yes, I realize how girly I just sounded.

P.P.S. I really wish I could change the pinkish reddish link colors on this theme.

Every so often in your life, you meet challenges that punch you in the face and run off in a random direction, but not before taking possession of your family jewels in the process. This such challenge was presented to me in the form of the Nike 10K Human Race. Now, many of you may be thinking that running a 10K is a relative cakewalk. After all, how difficult could 6.2 miles of LA pavement be? For a more polished physical specimen, this 10K would undoubtedly be that proverbial cakewalk. Unfortunately for me, I am far from being a polished physical specimen. Although I lack the literary prowess to accurately convey various painful experiences that my legs felt that fateful night, I believe the picture below says it all.

who is this frail creature you ask? unfortunately it is i, the all too skinny, hopelessly out of shape version of me.

I seriously look like I’m about to collapse on the spot. Now, why put up this embarrassing shot of a man (more like a boy really) who looks like he’s about to make a face plant within the next 30 seconds? Call it a source of motivation. Because quite honestly, that picture sickens me. So if the cost of reaching my physical goals is to stare at that depressing image over and over again, I guess I’m just going to have to take it.

Anyhow, on another note, with the upcoming election on the forefront of the minds of many Americans, I guess I’ll put in my two cents. With the slew of Republican attack ads on Obama demonstrating that they are obviously still holding onto the brand of negative and manipulative politics of the past 8 years, I wonder how the polls still show that McCain and Obama are still neck at neck. It bothers me that Americans so easily fail to see the issues and are continually duped by the hate mongering and lies of the Republican party. How was Sarah Palin’s speech during the Republican National Convention considered to be such a hit by so many Americans? It’s a shame because the speech told me nothing about her except that she’s a hockey mom, whatever the hell that is supposed to mean. The entire speech was just a hate filled attack on Obama, full of distorted facts and manipulative lies. How is someone who has only been the mayor of small city and the governor of Alaska for less than two years even remotely qualified for job of Vice President? Anyhow, here are some links that I found to be informative about the race in general.

http://mudflats.wordpress.com/2008/08/29/what-is-mccain-thinking-one-alaskans-perspective/

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/09/mccain-ad-cites-articles_n_125218.html

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/09/11/sarah-palins-charlie-gibs_n_125772.html

Oh, and in terms of the Olympics (I know, a little late), but the gold medal match between the US and Spain was AWESOME. Why Pau Gasol can’t play like that in the NBA is beyond me. Favorite moments for me: Kobe saving the day, and Rudy Fernandez with a NASTY dunk over Dwight Howard. You can count me a Rudy Fernandez fan already.

kobe kobe kobe

rudy!

Til next time.

Bad picture, but I guess it will have to do. The only reason we went was because a good friend was walking the same day.

Now, after a tough year in the Big Apple, it’s time to enter the real world and work on my career in California.

My thoughts on the Olympics super quickly:
Phelps is awesome. Yang Wei was impressive. The Spanish basketball team is simply stupid. Usain Bolt is ridiculous, a man that big should not be able to move that fast. China, like la novia de mi hermano said, a little too obsessed with presenting a perfect image. But I’ve been enjoying the games. Quite a bit.

Anyways, this is just a first post of the random thoughts on my mind for the time being. I suppose this will eventually transform into a blog about my experiences as a first year teacher and other random tidbits of the upcoming year.

“There is nothing impossible to him who will try.” - Alexander the Great