Joel Embiid, Dario Saric, Ben Simmons, Markelle Fultz. Just uttering those names excites me as a Sixers fan. Oh, and don't forget the most cap room in the NBA, a #1 protected Lakers pick in 2018 and a #1 protected Kings pick in 2019. It is easily the most excited I have been as a fan since the Sixers went to the NBA Finals in 2001.
This was a bitter, rugged, painful road, but I feel a sense of pride that I was able to endure it with all of the other Sixers fans. The journey is just as important in life as the destination. There is a reason daring(and possibly insane?) people risk their lives every single year scaling Mount Everest, which is statistically the most dangerous thing a human being can do. If you could just take a teleporter and appear at the peak of the mountain, no one would any desire to do such a thing. People do it because it's dangerous and incredibly difficult and trying. People do it because few in this world can claim such a feat. They do it because it gives them a great deal of pride that they were able to overcome one of planet earth's greatest challenges. I feel that way about being a fan during the era of 'The Process'. This level of tanking was unprecedented throughout NBA history, and their level of losing was close to it. It took every ounce of sports fan strength to stomach it. I'm glad I did and I wouldn't change it for anything.
Philadelphia had the longest four sport championship drought between 1983 and 2008. It was a bitter pill to swallow for Philly sports fans, but one thing it accomplished was make us more appreciative of how hard it is to win a championship. Anytime you endure adversity in life, it makes you appreciate the little things. Then once you get over the hump, it's nothing but pure elation. Ask the 2+ million fans who stormed Broad Street on October 31st, 2008. The Sixers didn't take any shortcuts. They didn't lure some hometown superstar from another team to come home and save the franchise. They didn't have a superstar already who could attract other stars to come play here. The Sixers built this roster from scratch. Through draft picks, trades, a few signings here and there, and lots and lots of losing.
As a gamer, if you've ever played The Elder Scrolls series, you'd understand. It's an open-world video game where you can go anywhere and do anything. You start off with basically nothing and have to build up your character as you progress in the world. It sucks starting off with rags as clothing and crappy iron swords, but what makes it so much fun is building yourself up from nothing, the character progression as you advance, and seeing the final result hundreds of hours later. Progression keeps us motivated and interested in life. Like watching a painting or sculpture come together bit by bit.
With all that said, there's a fine line between journey and hell. If you knew you had to run across a bed of hot coals that lasted forever, no one would do it. That's sadistic. If this tanking went on forever, over time it would have become unbearable and even the most steadfast of fans would have checked out eventually. It didn't, though. The hard part is over. We reached the other side. And when we (hopefully) reach the pinnacle of success one day, we can look back and say we all endured 'The Process' together.
Monday, June 26, 2017
Saturday, June 24, 2017
The Universe(and Bryan)(and Sam) rewarded the Sixers with Markelle Fultz
I'm an avid fan of science. Specifically physics. I believe that our universe was created by a series of coincidences and blind chance. That in the formation of our universe, when matter and anti-matter were cancelling each other out, just enough matter somehow luckily made it through unscathed, which allowed the existence of all matter in our amazing universe that we have today. I believe that in this endless star ocean, that things tend to even out... that the scales tend to balance. Science and nature seem to always find a way to even things out and provide symmetry. Mankind wouldn't have come to exist without it. This very principle trickles down to this incredibly insignificant thing that we all seem to love called sports. The stars had to align so to speak, for the Sixers to have any shot at winding up with Markelle Fultz to complete their trio of young superstar prospects. Let's take a look at all the things that had to go right for the Sixers to end up with him.
The Lakers pick had to not convey to the Sixers for 3 straight years
The famous Lakers pick that the Sixers acquired in the Michael Carter Williams trade, was top 5 protected in 2015, top 3 protected in 2016, and top 3 protected in 2017. For the Sixers to have been able to trade up to #1 and take Fultz, the pick needed to not convey in at least the first two years, and very likely the third, because Boston right now seems to covet future assets a great deal. The chances of the Lakers pick not conveying all those times is somewhere around 21%. It was highly unlikely that in 3 separate chances, the pick wouldn't convey to the Sixers once. Oh, and maybe a little "convincing" to the commissioner from Magic Johnson when he apparently guaranteed to head coach Luke Walton that they'd be keeping the pick. If the pick conveyed in 2015, the Sixers would have likely ended up with Emmanuel Mudiay, likely Kris Dunn if it conveyed in 2016, and if it conveyed this year who the hell knows. Mudiay and Dunn are both point guards, and with either of them on the roster, who knows if they even consider the pursuit of Markelle Fultz a priority.
The picks needed to swap
The Kings had a 10% chance at jumping into the top 3. It happened. Otherwise, the Sixers would have been left with just the #5 overall pick, making the price to jump up to #1 even steeper, and less likely Boston would even consider it. Praise Hinkie.
Boston had to get the #1 overall pick
The Celtics are one of the few teams(if any) that would have traded out of the top spot. Historically, it rarely happens in the NBA, and it takes a team that is obsessed with kicking the can down the road and amassing future assets to strike a deal. The Celtics happened to be that team, and sure, they had the best odds at getting the pick, but it was still an only 25% chance, and after a decade of the team with the best odds not getting the #1 pick, this was the 3rd year in a row it happened. Hey, Mr. Universe, are you trying to balance things out again???
The Kings needed to trade DeMarcus Cousins
Let's face it, the Kings wouldn't have tumbled down the standings after actually flirting with the 8th seed in the playoffs for a while there, had they not traded Cousins. They got rid of their superstar and the team fell apart. It pushed the Kings down the standings right into that sweet #8 spot that happened to be the perfect place to jump into the top 3, allowing the trade to happen.
The Lakers needed to go on a late-season winning streak
The Lakers were an abysmal team all season, especially after they dealt Lou Williams right before the trade deadline. They were nip/tuck with the Suns all season long for that #2 spot. The Lakers clinched the 3rd spot in the lottery by going on an unlikely 4 game winning streak, WHILE PLAYING RON ARTEST IN THE 4TH QUARTER TO TANK no less, and one of those wins was a buzzer beater on a broken play by De'Angelo Russell. If the Lakers had finished in the #2 spot, they would have fallen to #4(instead the Suns did) and the Sixers would have received the pick. If this happens, who knows if Boston is as interested in that pick in trading down from #1.
The Kings needed to lose the final game and the Mavs needed to win it
The Kings and Mavs were tied with the same records headed into the final game of the season. The Kings ended up losing their game and the Mavs ended up winning it. By the way, as badly as the Lakers tanked at the end of the season, no one tanked as hardcore as Mark Cuban and the Mavs, who basically played their bench for the entire 2nd half of each game in the final 2-3 weeks of the season. However, as luck would have it, the Mavs and their bench win on the road in Memphis-who is a playoff team, and the Kings lost. Had the results been reversed, the Mavs would have finished 8th, the Kings 9th, and the Mavs would have jumped into the top 3. That means no swap and no #1 pick for the Sixers.
The universe needed to do its thing
When you break it all down, you see how amazing it is that the Sixers are sitting here today with Markelle Fultz, who is the perfect fit next to Embiid and Simmons, and the high-level scoring guard this team has needed since Allen Iverson was traded. In a city that seems to pout and moan about our luck all the time, Philadelphia got extremely lucky here, people. Remember, it seems just like yesterday where grumpy fans and radio hosts were whining about the Lakers pick not conveying after every lottery. "We're never gonna get the pick! Who knows if we even get a better player than MCW!" Turns out, the pick not conveying ended up being a blessing in disguise. What seemed unlucky ended up turning into one of the luckiest things that happened to the franchise in 30 years.
We're also fortunate that in this specific draft, when the assets were ripe for trading, that a player like Fultz was available. You never know what the strengths and weaknesses of each draft will be, and for this draft to have a guard, which was our biggest need, sitting at the top made is very fortunate. And to take it one step further, the Sixers were very lucky to get top 3 picks for 4 straight years, and the Sixers got the #1 rated player in 3 of them. All of which were very strong drafts. If their tanking had happened in another set of years, they may not have the franchise-altering talents that they have right now. For all the criticisms about how tanking "doesn't guarantee anything!" the Sixers came out FAR AND AWAY on the lucky end of the spectrum. Almost too lucky. Did Harris sell his soul like Brad Lidge did in 2008 for a perfect season? Josh Harris has three #1 picks in the last calendar year between the Sixers and Devils(speaking of selling your soul).
Our fan base suffered through a lot. Four years of horrible basketball, and in the one season that showed promise, Ben Simmons got hurt on the final play of the final practice before the season kicked off. Joel Embiid was dominating and creating a buzz in the city we haven't had since Allen Iverson, and he comes down from a dunk, his knee buckles, and his season ended. Jerryd Bayless hurt his wrist in camp and missed practically the entire season. Robert Covington hurt his knee. Oh, and don't forget we suffered through Jahlil Okafor. I said all year long that the sports gods owe us. No one deserved to suffer that badly, we needed to be rewarded with the #1 pick. And while we didn't get #1 in the lottery, a million things had to go right for the Sixers to trade up and take Fultz, and by Zeus they did. Our luck was balanced. The universe had spoken. Symmetry... just like we deserved.
Enjoy, Philadelphia. This is our time.
The Lakers pick had to not convey to the Sixers for 3 straight years
The famous Lakers pick that the Sixers acquired in the Michael Carter Williams trade, was top 5 protected in 2015, top 3 protected in 2016, and top 3 protected in 2017. For the Sixers to have been able to trade up to #1 and take Fultz, the pick needed to not convey in at least the first two years, and very likely the third, because Boston right now seems to covet future assets a great deal. The chances of the Lakers pick not conveying all those times is somewhere around 21%. It was highly unlikely that in 3 separate chances, the pick wouldn't convey to the Sixers once. Oh, and maybe a little "convincing" to the commissioner from Magic Johnson when he apparently guaranteed to head coach Luke Walton that they'd be keeping the pick. If the pick conveyed in 2015, the Sixers would have likely ended up with Emmanuel Mudiay, likely Kris Dunn if it conveyed in 2016, and if it conveyed this year who the hell knows. Mudiay and Dunn are both point guards, and with either of them on the roster, who knows if they even consider the pursuit of Markelle Fultz a priority.
The picks needed to swap
The Kings had a 10% chance at jumping into the top 3. It happened. Otherwise, the Sixers would have been left with just the #5 overall pick, making the price to jump up to #1 even steeper, and less likely Boston would even consider it. Praise Hinkie.
Boston had to get the #1 overall pick
The Celtics are one of the few teams(if any) that would have traded out of the top spot. Historically, it rarely happens in the NBA, and it takes a team that is obsessed with kicking the can down the road and amassing future assets to strike a deal. The Celtics happened to be that team, and sure, they had the best odds at getting the pick, but it was still an only 25% chance, and after a decade of the team with the best odds not getting the #1 pick, this was the 3rd year in a row it happened. Hey, Mr. Universe, are you trying to balance things out again???
The Kings needed to trade DeMarcus Cousins
Let's face it, the Kings wouldn't have tumbled down the standings after actually flirting with the 8th seed in the playoffs for a while there, had they not traded Cousins. They got rid of their superstar and the team fell apart. It pushed the Kings down the standings right into that sweet #8 spot that happened to be the perfect place to jump into the top 3, allowing the trade to happen.
The Lakers needed to go on a late-season winning streak
The Lakers were an abysmal team all season, especially after they dealt Lou Williams right before the trade deadline. They were nip/tuck with the Suns all season long for that #2 spot. The Lakers clinched the 3rd spot in the lottery by going on an unlikely 4 game winning streak, WHILE PLAYING RON ARTEST IN THE 4TH QUARTER TO TANK no less, and one of those wins was a buzzer beater on a broken play by De'Angelo Russell. If the Lakers had finished in the #2 spot, they would have fallen to #4(instead the Suns did) and the Sixers would have received the pick. If this happens, who knows if Boston is as interested in that pick in trading down from #1.
The Kings needed to lose the final game and the Mavs needed to win it
The Kings and Mavs were tied with the same records headed into the final game of the season. The Kings ended up losing their game and the Mavs ended up winning it. By the way, as badly as the Lakers tanked at the end of the season, no one tanked as hardcore as Mark Cuban and the Mavs, who basically played their bench for the entire 2nd half of each game in the final 2-3 weeks of the season. However, as luck would have it, the Mavs and their bench win on the road in Memphis-who is a playoff team, and the Kings lost. Had the results been reversed, the Mavs would have finished 8th, the Kings 9th, and the Mavs would have jumped into the top 3. That means no swap and no #1 pick for the Sixers.
The universe needed to do its thing
When you break it all down, you see how amazing it is that the Sixers are sitting here today with Markelle Fultz, who is the perfect fit next to Embiid and Simmons, and the high-level scoring guard this team has needed since Allen Iverson was traded. In a city that seems to pout and moan about our luck all the time, Philadelphia got extremely lucky here, people. Remember, it seems just like yesterday where grumpy fans and radio hosts were whining about the Lakers pick not conveying after every lottery. "We're never gonna get the pick! Who knows if we even get a better player than MCW!" Turns out, the pick not conveying ended up being a blessing in disguise. What seemed unlucky ended up turning into one of the luckiest things that happened to the franchise in 30 years.
We're also fortunate that in this specific draft, when the assets were ripe for trading, that a player like Fultz was available. You never know what the strengths and weaknesses of each draft will be, and for this draft to have a guard, which was our biggest need, sitting at the top made is very fortunate. And to take it one step further, the Sixers were very lucky to get top 3 picks for 4 straight years, and the Sixers got the #1 rated player in 3 of them. All of which were very strong drafts. If their tanking had happened in another set of years, they may not have the franchise-altering talents that they have right now. For all the criticisms about how tanking "doesn't guarantee anything!" the Sixers came out FAR AND AWAY on the lucky end of the spectrum. Almost too lucky. Did Harris sell his soul like Brad Lidge did in 2008 for a perfect season? Josh Harris has three #1 picks in the last calendar year between the Sixers and Devils(speaking of selling your soul).
Our fan base suffered through a lot. Four years of horrible basketball, and in the one season that showed promise, Ben Simmons got hurt on the final play of the final practice before the season kicked off. Joel Embiid was dominating and creating a buzz in the city we haven't had since Allen Iverson, and he comes down from a dunk, his knee buckles, and his season ended. Jerryd Bayless hurt his wrist in camp and missed practically the entire season. Robert Covington hurt his knee. Oh, and don't forget we suffered through Jahlil Okafor. I said all year long that the sports gods owe us. No one deserved to suffer that badly, we needed to be rewarded with the #1 pick. And while we didn't get #1 in the lottery, a million things had to go right for the Sixers to trade up and take Fultz, and by Zeus they did. Our luck was balanced. The universe had spoken. Symmetry... just like we deserved.
Enjoy, Philadelphia. This is our time.
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
Almost a week before the NBA Draft thoughts and updated big board
The rumors are swirling fast and furious a little over a week before the NBA Draft, aaaaaaaaaaand I suspect almost all of them are complete and total garbage. The first rumor is that the Kings are considering trading 5 and 10 to get the 3rd pick from the Sixers. I never bought into this rumor when it was first floated out weeks ago. The Kings are reported to be heavily interested in De'Aaron Fox and want to secure the ability to draft him. For one, he'll very likely be available with the 5th pick, so trading up is unnecessary. Secondly, the Kings are so far from contending, they need to add as many talented players as they can. Sacrificing another lottery pick to move up two spots for the 3rd pick seems like overkill for them. Oh, and as bad as Vlade Divac is at his job, there is this thing called personal pride, and I highly doubt he wants to get ripped off in another trade with the Sixers.
I don't even think it makes that much sense for the Sixers either... if they have a guy they highly covet at #3. The Sixers are loaded with young players and picks already, it's far more important they add the superior talent, than settling for lesser talent and more players. However, if their favorite player is someone they think would be available at 5, that changes things obviously.
Count me as someone who still doesn't buy the Lakers passing on Lonzo Ball for Josh Jackson. I have no doubts they are probably intrigued by Jackson's talents, but Ball is a perfect fit for them. As much as I don't like his form, he can shoot, and the Lakers desperately need shooting. He also gives them that floor general they lack. Watching the Lakers this past season way more than I should have to follow their draft pick status, they have no idea where they are going or what they're doing on the court. They have no direction and Ball would bring that instantly. I just don't see where Josh Jackson fits on their roster unless they truly don't care about fit at all and want to throw a bunch of guys together. He plays the same position as Ingram, and even if they moved Josh Jackson to the 2 they'd still have a horrible shooting lineup. Plus, the Lakers seem to think Paul George ending up there eventually is a formality at this point. If that ends up being the case, where does Jackson fit in 2018-19? I think the Lakers still take Ball at 2, and then the draft gets serious with the Sixers at 3.
Where do the Sixers go at 3? My gut still says Jackson, but I haven't been able to shake this Jayson Tatum feeling I've had for a week or so now. All this talk about "shooting" and "fit" coming from the Sixers whenever they speak has altered my thinking a bit. Plus, Jayson Tatum is the safe and "least sexy" pick of any potential pick at 3, and doesn't it always seem like when it's time to get super excited about the Sixers, something always happens to derail it? Ben Simmons getting hurt before the season, Embiid getting hurt after dominating as a rookie, Okafor not getting traded when it was looking like a trade was imminent, etc. Embiid is healthy, Simmons is healthy, so what could derail our excitement more than a pick that is considered least sexy? I'm not saying Tatum would be a bad pick, he could very well end up being better than Jackson, but it would leave a lot of Sixers fans feeling very "meh" heading into the summer leagues. Right now all we have is excitement headed into the season. My gut tells me the top 3 guys in consideration at 3 will be Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum, and Dennis Smith Jr. If Lonzo Ball falls, insert him into the mix too.
Current big board:
1. Markelle Fultz
2. Josh Jackson
3. Dennis Smith Jr.
4. Jayson Tatum
5. Lonzo Ball
6. Malik Monk
7. Jonathan Isaac
8. De'Aaron Fox
9. Frank Ntilikina
10. Donovan Mitchell
I don't even think it makes that much sense for the Sixers either... if they have a guy they highly covet at #3. The Sixers are loaded with young players and picks already, it's far more important they add the superior talent, than settling for lesser talent and more players. However, if their favorite player is someone they think would be available at 5, that changes things obviously.
Count me as someone who still doesn't buy the Lakers passing on Lonzo Ball for Josh Jackson. I have no doubts they are probably intrigued by Jackson's talents, but Ball is a perfect fit for them. As much as I don't like his form, he can shoot, and the Lakers desperately need shooting. He also gives them that floor general they lack. Watching the Lakers this past season way more than I should have to follow their draft pick status, they have no idea where they are going or what they're doing on the court. They have no direction and Ball would bring that instantly. I just don't see where Josh Jackson fits on their roster unless they truly don't care about fit at all and want to throw a bunch of guys together. He plays the same position as Ingram, and even if they moved Josh Jackson to the 2 they'd still have a horrible shooting lineup. Plus, the Lakers seem to think Paul George ending up there eventually is a formality at this point. If that ends up being the case, where does Jackson fit in 2018-19? I think the Lakers still take Ball at 2, and then the draft gets serious with the Sixers at 3.
Where do the Sixers go at 3? My gut still says Jackson, but I haven't been able to shake this Jayson Tatum feeling I've had for a week or so now. All this talk about "shooting" and "fit" coming from the Sixers whenever they speak has altered my thinking a bit. Plus, Jayson Tatum is the safe and "least sexy" pick of any potential pick at 3, and doesn't it always seem like when it's time to get super excited about the Sixers, something always happens to derail it? Ben Simmons getting hurt before the season, Embiid getting hurt after dominating as a rookie, Okafor not getting traded when it was looking like a trade was imminent, etc. Embiid is healthy, Simmons is healthy, so what could derail our excitement more than a pick that is considered least sexy? I'm not saying Tatum would be a bad pick, he could very well end up being better than Jackson, but it would leave a lot of Sixers fans feeling very "meh" heading into the summer leagues. Right now all we have is excitement headed into the season. My gut tells me the top 3 guys in consideration at 3 will be Josh Jackson, Jayson Tatum, and Dennis Smith Jr. If Lonzo Ball falls, insert him into the mix too.
Current big board:
1. Markelle Fultz
2. Josh Jackson
3. Dennis Smith Jr.
4. Jayson Tatum
5. Lonzo Ball
6. Malik Monk
7. Jonathan Isaac
8. De'Aaron Fox
9. Frank Ntilikina
10. Donovan Mitchell
Monday, June 12, 2017
Why Kevin Durant isn't a true NBA champion
The majority of misguided sports fans will tell you a champion is any player who wins a championship. The majority of fans would be wrong. A champion is someone who defies the odds to come out on top. Winning is only meaningful if the path is difficult and trying. That's what makes winning special. The road, not the finish. For the Warriors, this path was not. Kevin Durant, one of the NBA's 3 best players joined the NBA's best team(despite losing in the Finals the previous season) to bolster his chances at winning a title. There is nothing wrong with him doing so, it was his right. He is not a "coward" and is not "weak" for exercising his right to pick what team he wants to play for. Unfortunately, one thing he also is not is a champion. Jumping on the wagon of a 73 win team to coast through the finish line does not make you a champion. Not by my standards.
Do you feel satisfied if you win a game in Madden playing on rookie difficulty? Or win a game on Halo using mods or exploits? Would you feel like you conquered your bully at school if you brought Conor McGregor with you to help beat him up? The satisfaction in victory is directly proportional to the challenge it takes to get there, and to the Warriors this season, there was no challenge. Kevin Durant's legacy has not changed, and he has not joined another tier as a player. No more respect should be given to him than there was 2 weeks or even a year ago. He was a great player before he joined Golden State, and he is a great player now. However, a champion he is not. Not by my standards.
The same applies to other athletes, not just Kevin Durant. LeBron James won his first real NBA championship last season with the Cavaliers. The ones in Miami don't count for the same reason they don't count for Durant. Plus the fact that both of their "championships" in Miami were fixed by the league to get LeBron his ring, per reliable sources close to the situation. However, LeBron returning home against the odds, to lead a team himself and bring a championship to Cleveland was something for the ages. The pressure of lifting the longest "curse" in American Professional Major sports was about as real as a championship can get. Will Durant ever be able to accomplish something similar? He certainly has the talent. I'd like to see it, but until then his "championship ring" is going to be decorated with cubic zirconia instead of diamonds. A cheap imitation of the real thing. Much like this "accomplishment."
Do you feel satisfied if you win a game in Madden playing on rookie difficulty? Or win a game on Halo using mods or exploits? Would you feel like you conquered your bully at school if you brought Conor McGregor with you to help beat him up? The satisfaction in victory is directly proportional to the challenge it takes to get there, and to the Warriors this season, there was no challenge. Kevin Durant's legacy has not changed, and he has not joined another tier as a player. No more respect should be given to him than there was 2 weeks or even a year ago. He was a great player before he joined Golden State, and he is a great player now. However, a champion he is not. Not by my standards.
The same applies to other athletes, not just Kevin Durant. LeBron James won his first real NBA championship last season with the Cavaliers. The ones in Miami don't count for the same reason they don't count for Durant. Plus the fact that both of their "championships" in Miami were fixed by the league to get LeBron his ring, per reliable sources close to the situation. However, LeBron returning home against the odds, to lead a team himself and bring a championship to Cleveland was something for the ages. The pressure of lifting the longest "curse" in American Professional Major sports was about as real as a championship can get. Will Durant ever be able to accomplish something similar? He certainly has the talent. I'd like to see it, but until then his "championship ring" is going to be decorated with cubic zirconia instead of diamonds. A cheap imitation of the real thing. Much like this "accomplishment."
The Warriors are the most overrated team of this generation
Just like older sports fans have blinders on about the greatness of "their day" and refuse to acknowledge newer-generation players as being the greatest, younger fans have their own sets of blinders. In an age of social media, fancy gadgets, forms of entertainment on-demand, this has become an impatient, antsy, and OCD generation. In movies and TV people want dragons, mechs, CGI, and superheroes with powers. In technology people want virtual reality, portability, multiplayer battles epic in scale. And in sports people want fast and furious offenses. That's why the Warriors appeal to our younger generation. They are like a shiny object being dangled in the water. All the fish flock to it. The Warriors run up and down the court and shoot a lot of 3's. They pass, and cut, and area always on the move. They are OCD sports fan's dream. So it's easy to see why fans 40 and under might find them incredibly appealing and be partial to the Warriors, possibly rating them as the greatest team to ever play in the NBA. The problem is, the facts, match-ups, and stats simply don't back it up. The Warriors are a tremendous team, but when people start referring to them as "the greatest team in the history of professional sports!" that is when it's time for level-headed people to reel them back in and whip out the overrated tag.
On the surface, before losing game 4 "Fo Fo Fo Fo" sounded impressive, because it's never been done. However, considering that the NBA has only adopted the 7-7-7-7 format recently, and was 5-7-7-7 for quite a while before that, many of the NBA's great teams were not even eligible for "Fo Fo Fo Fo" anyway. Plus, their road to their championship was not all that impressive. The Trailblazers were average at best, and playing with an injured Jusuf Nurkic. The Jazz were were a little bit better, but playing with a gimpy Rudy Gobert. Then, of course, the Spurs were up 25 points in game 1 in Golden State, and lost their best player and MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard to an injury, while already missing arguably their best player in Tony Parker. I suspect the series would have gone 6 games with Kawhi Leonard playing, and with Gregg Popovich's coaching prowess able to match the Warriors with creative adjustments. The Warriors most assuredly would have won the first two rounds anyway, likely both still sweeps, but the conference finals would have been much closer, and the road certainly would have been tougher. Part of the backing of the "best ever" narrative is predicated on the easy road the Warriors had getting there, while people forget the road wasn't easy just because of the talent of Golden State, but because of the lack of talent and/or injuries of their opponents. The Cavaliers are a quality opponent, but don't forget, they finished 2nd in the East for a reason. Their defense has been poor all season long, and stylistically, they are a bad match-up for Golden State whose strength is their offense. The argument that the Cleveland is a juggernaut team that the Warriors are handling is just not true. Not to mention that if not for a late-game meltdown in game 3, this series would have been tied 2-2. This series is a lot closer than let on.
One area where I can say the Warriors rank among the best ever is on the offensive end. They are one of the most dynamic and explosive offenses you will ever see. They are not a complete team though, at least comparing them to all-time great teams in terms of rebounding and defense. Their defense was exposed quite a bit in game 4, allowing an inconceivable 86 first half points, and almost 140 for the game. Their defense allowed an average of 105 ppg on the season. Fine for today's NBA, but not even close to some of the best defensive teams throughout history. They have one great individual defender in Draymond Green. Klay Thompson is as solid as they come as a defender, but the over-eagerness to fellate the Warriors has people using hyperbole and exaggerations when analyzing his defense. The same goes for Kevin Durant. He has improved dramatically as a defender, but he is still far from what I'd call "great." If I'm going to start throwing around "best ever" labels, then that team has to be great or close to great in every single facet of the game. The Warriors are not. Not that the level of Jordan's Bulls, Magic's Lakers and Shaq's Lakers, Duncan's Spurs, among other historic teams.
Our younger generation prefers the sexier and sleeker tablet or Microsoft surface to a bigger and bulkier desktop that is infinitely more powerful in the same way that they prefer the eye candy of the Golden State Warriors over some superior, but less attractive teams of days past. Are they a sensational team? Of course. Best ever. Not so fast.
On the surface, before losing game 4 "Fo Fo Fo Fo" sounded impressive, because it's never been done. However, considering that the NBA has only adopted the 7-7-7-7 format recently, and was 5-7-7-7 for quite a while before that, many of the NBA's great teams were not even eligible for "Fo Fo Fo Fo" anyway. Plus, their road to their championship was not all that impressive. The Trailblazers were average at best, and playing with an injured Jusuf Nurkic. The Jazz were were a little bit better, but playing with a gimpy Rudy Gobert. Then, of course, the Spurs were up 25 points in game 1 in Golden State, and lost their best player and MVP candidate Kawhi Leonard to an injury, while already missing arguably their best player in Tony Parker. I suspect the series would have gone 6 games with Kawhi Leonard playing, and with Gregg Popovich's coaching prowess able to match the Warriors with creative adjustments. The Warriors most assuredly would have won the first two rounds anyway, likely both still sweeps, but the conference finals would have been much closer, and the road certainly would have been tougher. Part of the backing of the "best ever" narrative is predicated on the easy road the Warriors had getting there, while people forget the road wasn't easy just because of the talent of Golden State, but because of the lack of talent and/or injuries of their opponents. The Cavaliers are a quality opponent, but don't forget, they finished 2nd in the East for a reason. Their defense has been poor all season long, and stylistically, they are a bad match-up for Golden State whose strength is their offense. The argument that the Cleveland is a juggernaut team that the Warriors are handling is just not true. Not to mention that if not for a late-game meltdown in game 3, this series would have been tied 2-2. This series is a lot closer than let on.
One area where I can say the Warriors rank among the best ever is on the offensive end. They are one of the most dynamic and explosive offenses you will ever see. They are not a complete team though, at least comparing them to all-time great teams in terms of rebounding and defense. Their defense was exposed quite a bit in game 4, allowing an inconceivable 86 first half points, and almost 140 for the game. Their defense allowed an average of 105 ppg on the season. Fine for today's NBA, but not even close to some of the best defensive teams throughout history. They have one great individual defender in Draymond Green. Klay Thompson is as solid as they come as a defender, but the over-eagerness to fellate the Warriors has people using hyperbole and exaggerations when analyzing his defense. The same goes for Kevin Durant. He has improved dramatically as a defender, but he is still far from what I'd call "great." If I'm going to start throwing around "best ever" labels, then that team has to be great or close to great in every single facet of the game. The Warriors are not. Not that the level of Jordan's Bulls, Magic's Lakers and Shaq's Lakers, Duncan's Spurs, among other historic teams.
Our younger generation prefers the sexier and sleeker tablet or Microsoft surface to a bigger and bulkier desktop that is infinitely more powerful in the same way that they prefer the eye candy of the Golden State Warriors over some superior, but less attractive teams of days past. Are they a sensational team? Of course. Best ever. Not so fast.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
I consider Kaepernick not being on an NFL team petty, but also don't have an issue with it
As the Colin Kaepernick saga rages on, I've found myself distancing myself from what I consider a boring story. However, boredom has evolved into annoyance, and I guess I feel that getting my opinion on the matter off my chest will be the best way to wipe my hands of this and forget about it entirely.
With each passing week, the growing sentiment from media and fans alike is that Kaepernick is being "blacklisted" and some teams flat out refuse to sign him because of him kneeling during the national anthem to make a statement about our country's social issues and police violence. For the record, I never had a problem with what he did. I personally find the issue of police violence in this country overblown, and being that social media covers every corner of the world every second, it just appears there is more police violence today than there used to be. However, that is another debate for another time. Even if I disagree with Kaepernick's stance, police violence against innocent people is an issue nonetheless, and I have no problem with him exercising his right to do what he felt is right. I wouldn't call myself a "Kaepernick supporter" either, I was kind of ambivalent on the matter. I never really cared all that much about it to be honest.
If the owners are conspiring against him collectively, then I have a major issue with it. That's completely disgraceful, it's collusion, and they should be called out on it and there should be an investigation into the matter. It's also unlikely to be the case. What's more likely is whether it's public pressure, or personal feelings on his political beliefs, organizations are individually choosing not to sign him. Is it petty to hold someone's political beliefs, which is their right to express, against them? Absolutely. Is it what I'd consider wrong? No. Just like it was Kaepernick's right to express himself, it's the right of the owners and organizations not to want him. If I owned a business and was interviewing candidates, if one of the candidates stood for something I vehemently disagreed with, I wouldn't hire them. Even if they were fully qualified for the job. We all have principles, and the rest of the world doesn't have to agree with them, but it's our right as individuals to have those principles.
The owners are not "depriving him of the ability to work" like many have been saying. He's free to work wherever he wants, but he needs to be selected from a group of candidates for the job just like any other job. Not wanting him because of whatever perceived "risks" he comes with is no different than a team not signing a player because of an injury history. The player may be totally healthy, but there are concerns about him suffering injuries years prior. Does it suck? Of course, but that's life. If organizations feel they will lose ticket sales or ratings because of a signing, it's the prerogative of the owners to be uneasy about bringing that player in. The NFL is a business after all. Do I agree with it? No, but I think people in this country need to be more accepting of other's beliefs even if we disagree with them. Just like people who didn't agree with Kaepernick kneeling, but accepted his right to do so, I think others should be more accepting of how owners view the situation even if you disagree with it. It's hypocrisy to want rights and freedoms, but try to force people to think a certain way. It's a hive mind mentality, it's dangerous, and sets a bad precedent. "I think the most un-American thing you can say is 'You can't say that.'" said Garrison Keillor.
What I do have a problem with is certain people using Colin Kaepernick as a means to promote their agenda. I feel people are more concerned about getting their political and social agenda out there than seeing Kaepernick actually get a job, and they are using Kaepernick's situation as a slimy way to promote their agenda. I read an article earlier today that accused the NFL owners of being "Trump supporters and "racists" and the league being "anti-black." Really? You mean the league that gave convicted felon Michael Vick a second chance? Scumbag and woman-beater Greg Hardy a second chance? A league that selected Joe Mixon in the 2nd round of the NFL draft? The facts don't back up these baseless claims. Also, last time I checked, until all the owners make it publicly known who they voted for, all of it is mere speculation.
In a social media age where faux outrage is the thing, and people are constantly combing the internet for stories to stand behind to make their agendas look more legit, Colin Kaepernick's story was Christmas come early. Anyone who wanted to go on a tangent that had a deep-seated issue with the NFL and its owners now have something new to use to add fuel to the fire. I personally tend not to go on tirades against people I don't even know, but hey, that's just me.
Ultimately, it's just an unfortunate situation all around, but I stop going farther than that. Business can be cut-throat, as we all know. The NFL especially so. It's hard to take a stronger stance until there is physical and tangible proof of something unsavory and conspiratory going on. For now, the NFL world awaits the next QB to tear an ACL for the discussion to heat up again, and the outrage is on the ready.
With each passing week, the growing sentiment from media and fans alike is that Kaepernick is being "blacklisted" and some teams flat out refuse to sign him because of him kneeling during the national anthem to make a statement about our country's social issues and police violence. For the record, I never had a problem with what he did. I personally find the issue of police violence in this country overblown, and being that social media covers every corner of the world every second, it just appears there is more police violence today than there used to be. However, that is another debate for another time. Even if I disagree with Kaepernick's stance, police violence against innocent people is an issue nonetheless, and I have no problem with him exercising his right to do what he felt is right. I wouldn't call myself a "Kaepernick supporter" either, I was kind of ambivalent on the matter. I never really cared all that much about it to be honest.
If the owners are conspiring against him collectively, then I have a major issue with it. That's completely disgraceful, it's collusion, and they should be called out on it and there should be an investigation into the matter. It's also unlikely to be the case. What's more likely is whether it's public pressure, or personal feelings on his political beliefs, organizations are individually choosing not to sign him. Is it petty to hold someone's political beliefs, which is their right to express, against them? Absolutely. Is it what I'd consider wrong? No. Just like it was Kaepernick's right to express himself, it's the right of the owners and organizations not to want him. If I owned a business and was interviewing candidates, if one of the candidates stood for something I vehemently disagreed with, I wouldn't hire them. Even if they were fully qualified for the job. We all have principles, and the rest of the world doesn't have to agree with them, but it's our right as individuals to have those principles.
The owners are not "depriving him of the ability to work" like many have been saying. He's free to work wherever he wants, but he needs to be selected from a group of candidates for the job just like any other job. Not wanting him because of whatever perceived "risks" he comes with is no different than a team not signing a player because of an injury history. The player may be totally healthy, but there are concerns about him suffering injuries years prior. Does it suck? Of course, but that's life. If organizations feel they will lose ticket sales or ratings because of a signing, it's the prerogative of the owners to be uneasy about bringing that player in. The NFL is a business after all. Do I agree with it? No, but I think people in this country need to be more accepting of other's beliefs even if we disagree with them. Just like people who didn't agree with Kaepernick kneeling, but accepted his right to do so, I think others should be more accepting of how owners view the situation even if you disagree with it. It's hypocrisy to want rights and freedoms, but try to force people to think a certain way. It's a hive mind mentality, it's dangerous, and sets a bad precedent. "I think the most un-American thing you can say is 'You can't say that.'" said Garrison Keillor.
What I do have a problem with is certain people using Colin Kaepernick as a means to promote their agenda. I feel people are more concerned about getting their political and social agenda out there than seeing Kaepernick actually get a job, and they are using Kaepernick's situation as a slimy way to promote their agenda. I read an article earlier today that accused the NFL owners of being "Trump supporters and "racists" and the league being "anti-black." Really? You mean the league that gave convicted felon Michael Vick a second chance? Scumbag and woman-beater Greg Hardy a second chance? A league that selected Joe Mixon in the 2nd round of the NFL draft? The facts don't back up these baseless claims. Also, last time I checked, until all the owners make it publicly known who they voted for, all of it is mere speculation.
In a social media age where faux outrage is the thing, and people are constantly combing the internet for stories to stand behind to make their agendas look more legit, Colin Kaepernick's story was Christmas come early. Anyone who wanted to go on a tangent that had a deep-seated issue with the NFL and its owners now have something new to use to add fuel to the fire. I personally tend not to go on tirades against people I don't even know, but hey, that's just me.
Ultimately, it's just an unfortunate situation all around, but I stop going farther than that. Business can be cut-throat, as we all know. The NFL especially so. It's hard to take a stronger stance until there is physical and tangible proof of something unsavory and conspiratory going on. For now, the NFL world awaits the next QB to tear an ACL for the discussion to heat up again, and the outrage is on the ready.
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