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
Wednesday, June 14, 2017
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.
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
Until the Phils can figure out how to develop and draft talent, they'll never be in control of their own destiny
As the Phillies fall to 17-33, off to a historically bad start, one cannot help but question the future of this organization that was regarded as extremely bright a mere 3 months ago. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but I have serious questions, concerns, and doubts about when the Phillies will once again become a contender.
The best organizations in baseball are built through their farm systems with homegrown talent. It's the safest and most efficient way to build a consistent contender. To stay successful and competitive, you need young cost-controlled talent waiting in the wings. It gives you options and flexibility across the board. When aging players hit the free agent market, it allows you to bring the next player up to replace them, and peace of mind that you can stay away from long-term contracts that move you closer to luxury tax territory and will likely be paying for past production. Teams with deep and talented farm systems never have to worry about being desperate. They don't have to stress about striking gold in free agency and having a 200 million dollar player buying their sales pitch over those of several other teams. They don't have to lose sleep over injuries, knowing that if a key player goes down, they can bring up talent from the minors to hold the fort until they heal up. And they also don't have to be concerned about being able to acquire a key talent at the trade deadline for a pennant run. As long as teams value your farm system highly, you will always be in the mix every July.
Unfortunately to have a great farm system, you need to both draft and develop players well. The fact is, the Phillies have not developed a star-caliber prospect since Cole Hamels in 2006. The list of failed prospects are numerous. Domonic Brown, Joe Savery, Phillippe Aumont, Freddy Galvis, J.C. Ramirez, Tyson Gillies, Darin Ruf, Jesse Biddle... and on and on. Their draft history has not been good either, to put it lightly. Since 2006 some of their recent high draft picks include: Joe Savery, Anthony Hewitt, Larry Greene Jr., Jesse Biddle, and Cornelius Randolph. You can also include J.P. Crawford, who was regarded as the Phillies' best prospects for years now, until recently falling down the list with a horrendous start to his 2017 season. The promise to this farm system is quickly fading, as with it goes the promise of the Phillies turning things around any time soon.
The problem is the Phillies have no elite talent in their farm system. They don't have any Mike Trouts, Manny Machados, Bryce Harpers, Aaron Judges or Carlos Correas. They don't have any young talents to rejuvenate both the energy of the team, and the fan interest in the team. They have no one to hang their hat on as an organization. As it appears currently, the future of this organization almost rides solely on the outcome of the 2018-19 MLB free agent class. MacPhail and Klentak have been putting money away for years to give them a chance to offer Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and others mega contracts possibly upwards of 400 million dollars. I'm not so confident in this strategy. Why would any elite players want to join a floundering organization when they can go to another major market team like the Yankees or Red Sox also willing to break the bank, and most-assuredly be willing to go over the dreaded luxury tax for such talents. The Phillies' future will hinge on the shaky ground of the mind of a free agent. Their chance to add a star will rise or fall with a simple decision.
I'm sure they'll be able to lure some players with all the money they've stockpiled, but stars win in sports, and if they strike out in free agency like their 2017 lineup is currently striking out in May, then the turning point for this organization could be pushed back for another 3-5 years or more. See, that's why the Phillies are in a bad spot. They no longer control their own destiny by being unable to draft and develop talent. And until they figure out a way to do so, their prospects of contending will be pushed back indefinitely. The Phillies would have never won a World Series if they didn't draft and develop Pat Burrell, Jimmy Rollins, Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, and Chase Utley. If they don't get back to that level of drafting and developing, they won't any time soon.
I don't know how to fix it. I wish I did. I hate to use this term, but the Phillies need a culture change. Right now they mimic the tendencies of bad organizations. Even when the logic is sound, and they mean well, they still find a way to screw up. Nothing in the organization is going well right now. Usually, to turn it around it takes a major front office shakeup. Would Middleton be willing to pull the plug on MacPhail and/or Klentak? I doubt it. But they need to figure out something, because until then, and only then, the entire fate of the franchise will be riding on something totally out of their hands. Scary stuff.
The best organizations in baseball are built through their farm systems with homegrown talent. It's the safest and most efficient way to build a consistent contender. To stay successful and competitive, you need young cost-controlled talent waiting in the wings. It gives you options and flexibility across the board. When aging players hit the free agent market, it allows you to bring the next player up to replace them, and peace of mind that you can stay away from long-term contracts that move you closer to luxury tax territory and will likely be paying for past production. Teams with deep and talented farm systems never have to worry about being desperate. They don't have to stress about striking gold in free agency and having a 200 million dollar player buying their sales pitch over those of several other teams. They don't have to lose sleep over injuries, knowing that if a key player goes down, they can bring up talent from the minors to hold the fort until they heal up. And they also don't have to be concerned about being able to acquire a key talent at the trade deadline for a pennant run. As long as teams value your farm system highly, you will always be in the mix every July.
Unfortunately to have a great farm system, you need to both draft and develop players well. The fact is, the Phillies have not developed a star-caliber prospect since Cole Hamels in 2006. The list of failed prospects are numerous. Domonic Brown, Joe Savery, Phillippe Aumont, Freddy Galvis, J.C. Ramirez, Tyson Gillies, Darin Ruf, Jesse Biddle... and on and on. Their draft history has not been good either, to put it lightly. Since 2006 some of their recent high draft picks include: Joe Savery, Anthony Hewitt, Larry Greene Jr., Jesse Biddle, and Cornelius Randolph. You can also include J.P. Crawford, who was regarded as the Phillies' best prospects for years now, until recently falling down the list with a horrendous start to his 2017 season. The promise to this farm system is quickly fading, as with it goes the promise of the Phillies turning things around any time soon.
The problem is the Phillies have no elite talent in their farm system. They don't have any Mike Trouts, Manny Machados, Bryce Harpers, Aaron Judges or Carlos Correas. They don't have any young talents to rejuvenate both the energy of the team, and the fan interest in the team. They have no one to hang their hat on as an organization. As it appears currently, the future of this organization almost rides solely on the outcome of the 2018-19 MLB free agent class. MacPhail and Klentak have been putting money away for years to give them a chance to offer Bryce Harper, Manny Machado, and others mega contracts possibly upwards of 400 million dollars. I'm not so confident in this strategy. Why would any elite players want to join a floundering organization when they can go to another major market team like the Yankees or Red Sox also willing to break the bank, and most-assuredly be willing to go over the dreaded luxury tax for such talents. The Phillies' future will hinge on the shaky ground of the mind of a free agent. Their chance to add a star will rise or fall with a simple decision.
I'm sure they'll be able to lure some players with all the money they've stockpiled, but stars win in sports, and if they strike out in free agency like their 2017 lineup is currently striking out in May, then the turning point for this organization could be pushed back for another 3-5 years or more. See, that's why the Phillies are in a bad spot. They no longer control their own destiny by being unable to draft and develop talent. And until they figure out a way to do so, their prospects of contending will be pushed back indefinitely. The Phillies would have never won a World Series if they didn't draft and develop Pat Burrell, Jimmy Rollins, Cole Hamels, Ryan Howard, and Chase Utley. If they don't get back to that level of drafting and developing, they won't any time soon.
I don't know how to fix it. I wish I did. I hate to use this term, but the Phillies need a culture change. Right now they mimic the tendencies of bad organizations. Even when the logic is sound, and they mean well, they still find a way to screw up. Nothing in the organization is going well right now. Usually, to turn it around it takes a major front office shakeup. Would Middleton be willing to pull the plug on MacPhail and/or Klentak? I doubt it. But they need to figure out something, because until then, and only then, the entire fate of the franchise will be riding on something totally out of their hands. Scary stuff.
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
Sixers NBA Draft musings and thoughts for May
On May 16th, the Sixers missed out on the grand prize of the 2017 NBA Lottery, by landing the #1 overall pick and being in the position to draft Washington's Markelle Fultz. Fultz would have been the absolute perfect fit for the Sixers. He's a great compliment skill-wise to Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, and he would have conceivably given them their 3rd superstar-caliber prospect to round out their own young 'Big 3' and put the finishing touches on The Process. Alas, that did not happen, and the Sixers find themselves sitting at #3 overall, and with a plethora of options. I'll spend the rest of this post breaking down how I feel about where they are, what options they have, and where they should go from here.
To start, I think this draft class is overrated. I've heard numerous respected basketball people and pundits declare this class as the best draft class since LeBron, Wade, Melo, and Bosh in the 2003 NBA Draft. I could not disagree more. I don't even think this draft class is as good as the Wiggins, Parker, Embiid draft class of 2014. I feel this class has a lot of good talent, but not a lot of superstar talent. Markelle Fultz is the only player in this class that I feel relatively strongly about becoming that level of special. Besides him, I see a lot of talented players who have major flaws and questionable upside.
Positionally, this draft fits the Sixers needs very well. It is loaded with guards and wing players in the top 10. Unfortunately, aside from Markelle Fultz(who is likely out of reach) and Malik Monk, most of these players lack the skill the Sixers need most: shooting. Whether it be Lonzo Ball's form; Josh Jackson's hitch in his jumper; Tatum, Isaac, or Smith Jr's shooting percentage; there are questions with all of their shooting abilities. Granted, some more than others, but there are few "sure-things" as shooters in the top of this draft. This puts the Sixers in a precarious position, because they have stressed pushing more toward 'need' in current and future drafts, so ideally they'd like to come out of that 3rd pick with a player who fits their needs both positionally and in terms of skill, but that is unlikely to be the case. Do you target the player who best fills a need? Do you simply take the highest rated player even if he lacks a skill that best fits your team? The Sixers have a lot of things to figure out before June 22nd. The good news for Bryan Colangelo is thanks to the assets Sam Hinkie left behind, he has a lot of options available to him.
With there being no perfect fit at 3, the Sixers could just bite the bullet on Josh Jackson's jumper and hope they can fix the mechanics in his shot, paving the way for him to become the star-caliber scoring wing they so desperately covet. This staff has done wonders to develop the likes of TJ McConnell, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Joel Embiid, Robert Covington, among others. If they can even get Josh Jackson's 3 pointer to league average, he'd be well worth the 3rd overall selection. I think the Sixers are going to put more of an emphasis on workouts this year than they have recently and will be monitoring their shooting drills extra closely this year. I'll predict right now that regardless of his he performs in his other areas, if Josh Jackson shoots terribly in his workout with the Sixers, I don't think they are going to draft him. I'm basing that off of absolutely nothing other than a gut feeling, but with there being no far and away clear #3 pick, I can't see them picking a guy who bombed his shooting drills in his workout considering how badly this team needs shooting.
If I'm the Sixers I think the best option is a trade. So, I'll break down my thoughts on each scenario:
OPTION #1: TRADING UP
The Sixers can't afford to screw this pick up. They have to come out of draft night with a really good player. To me, there is just too much of a risk to stay at 3 and take a player who has glaring flaws. The first thing I would do would be to call Ainge in Boston and see what it would take to get up to #1 and draft Markelle Fultz. The trade scenario batted around this week is the 3rd pick, the 2018 Lakers pick, and Dario Saric for Fultz. I'd consider it. I love Dario Saric, but you can find 6th men in future. Especially if Fultz forms a star trio with Simmons and Embiid, the Sixers will become an attractive destination for those types. Knowing Ainge, he will probably ask for more than that, but that deal is where I'd draw the line in the sand. Fultz is really good, but not worth depleting your assets for.
OPTION #2: TRADING THE PICK FOR AN ESTABLISHED STAR
Next, I would call around the league and try to land a star-level guard or wing talent in a package with the #3 pick. Would the Bulls part with Jimmy Butler? Would the Pacers part with Paul George? If so, would he agree to a contract extension with the Sixers? Highly highly doubtful, but can't hurt to make the call.
OPTION #3: TRADING DOWN(BUT NOT TOO FAR)
Lastly, I'd try to trade down. Would Sacramento offer #5 and #10 for the 3rd pick? Would a team like Orlando or the Knicks offer their picks and a future unprotected 1st rounder to jump to #3? They would likely only bite if there was a player they absolutely loved at #3. If the picks are good enough, I'll take the extra picks in a move-down if there is no clear consensus at 3rd overall. With the Sacramento deal, you still get a player at 5 who is in the same tier as the player you'd get at 3, but you increase your chances of coming out of the draft with a gem by getting another pick in the top 10. In the other scenario, you drop down a few spots, still likely get a player in the same tier, while bolstering flexibility for either future trades or drafts.
Usually by draft night, I'm 100% settled on the player I want. I have a feeling this year, draft night will begin and I'll still not be sold on any one player at 3. I just hope Bryan Colangelo is creative enough to explore every available option, because coming out of that draft with a 3rd star-level player will likely and mercifully put The Process to bed for good so we can start some serious winning.
Ah, who am I kidding The Process will never die.
MY 2017 SIXERS BIG BOARD AS OF 5/24/17
1. Markelle Fultz
2. Josh Jackson
3. Dennis Smith Jr.
4. Jayson Tatum
5. Jonathan Isaac
6. Lonzo Ball
7. Malik Monk
8. De'Aaron Fox
9. Frank Ntilikina
10. Justin Jackson
To start, I think this draft class is overrated. I've heard numerous respected basketball people and pundits declare this class as the best draft class since LeBron, Wade, Melo, and Bosh in the 2003 NBA Draft. I could not disagree more. I don't even think this draft class is as good as the Wiggins, Parker, Embiid draft class of 2014. I feel this class has a lot of good talent, but not a lot of superstar talent. Markelle Fultz is the only player in this class that I feel relatively strongly about becoming that level of special. Besides him, I see a lot of talented players who have major flaws and questionable upside.
Positionally, this draft fits the Sixers needs very well. It is loaded with guards and wing players in the top 10. Unfortunately, aside from Markelle Fultz(who is likely out of reach) and Malik Monk, most of these players lack the skill the Sixers need most: shooting. Whether it be Lonzo Ball's form; Josh Jackson's hitch in his jumper; Tatum, Isaac, or Smith Jr's shooting percentage; there are questions with all of their shooting abilities. Granted, some more than others, but there are few "sure-things" as shooters in the top of this draft. This puts the Sixers in a precarious position, because they have stressed pushing more toward 'need' in current and future drafts, so ideally they'd like to come out of that 3rd pick with a player who fits their needs both positionally and in terms of skill, but that is unlikely to be the case. Do you target the player who best fills a need? Do you simply take the highest rated player even if he lacks a skill that best fits your team? The Sixers have a lot of things to figure out before June 22nd. The good news for Bryan Colangelo is thanks to the assets Sam Hinkie left behind, he has a lot of options available to him.
With there being no perfect fit at 3, the Sixers could just bite the bullet on Josh Jackson's jumper and hope they can fix the mechanics in his shot, paving the way for him to become the star-caliber scoring wing they so desperately covet. This staff has done wonders to develop the likes of TJ McConnell, Timothe Luwawu-Cabarrot, Joel Embiid, Robert Covington, among others. If they can even get Josh Jackson's 3 pointer to league average, he'd be well worth the 3rd overall selection. I think the Sixers are going to put more of an emphasis on workouts this year than they have recently and will be monitoring their shooting drills extra closely this year. I'll predict right now that regardless of his he performs in his other areas, if Josh Jackson shoots terribly in his workout with the Sixers, I don't think they are going to draft him. I'm basing that off of absolutely nothing other than a gut feeling, but with there being no far and away clear #3 pick, I can't see them picking a guy who bombed his shooting drills in his workout considering how badly this team needs shooting.
If I'm the Sixers I think the best option is a trade. So, I'll break down my thoughts on each scenario:
OPTION #1: TRADING UP
The Sixers can't afford to screw this pick up. They have to come out of draft night with a really good player. To me, there is just too much of a risk to stay at 3 and take a player who has glaring flaws. The first thing I would do would be to call Ainge in Boston and see what it would take to get up to #1 and draft Markelle Fultz. The trade scenario batted around this week is the 3rd pick, the 2018 Lakers pick, and Dario Saric for Fultz. I'd consider it. I love Dario Saric, but you can find 6th men in future. Especially if Fultz forms a star trio with Simmons and Embiid, the Sixers will become an attractive destination for those types. Knowing Ainge, he will probably ask for more than that, but that deal is where I'd draw the line in the sand. Fultz is really good, but not worth depleting your assets for.
OPTION #2: TRADING THE PICK FOR AN ESTABLISHED STAR
Next, I would call around the league and try to land a star-level guard or wing talent in a package with the #3 pick. Would the Bulls part with Jimmy Butler? Would the Pacers part with Paul George? If so, would he agree to a contract extension with the Sixers? Highly highly doubtful, but can't hurt to make the call.
OPTION #3: TRADING DOWN(BUT NOT TOO FAR)
Lastly, I'd try to trade down. Would Sacramento offer #5 and #10 for the 3rd pick? Would a team like Orlando or the Knicks offer their picks and a future unprotected 1st rounder to jump to #3? They would likely only bite if there was a player they absolutely loved at #3. If the picks are good enough, I'll take the extra picks in a move-down if there is no clear consensus at 3rd overall. With the Sacramento deal, you still get a player at 5 who is in the same tier as the player you'd get at 3, but you increase your chances of coming out of the draft with a gem by getting another pick in the top 10. In the other scenario, you drop down a few spots, still likely get a player in the same tier, while bolstering flexibility for either future trades or drafts.
Usually by draft night, I'm 100% settled on the player I want. I have a feeling this year, draft night will begin and I'll still not be sold on any one player at 3. I just hope Bryan Colangelo is creative enough to explore every available option, because coming out of that draft with a 3rd star-level player will likely and mercifully put The Process to bed for good so we can start some serious winning.
Ah, who am I kidding The Process will never die.
MY 2017 SIXERS BIG BOARD AS OF 5/24/17
1. Markelle Fultz
2. Josh Jackson
3. Dennis Smith Jr.
4. Jayson Tatum
5. Jonathan Isaac
6. Lonzo Ball
7. Malik Monk
8. De'Aaron Fox
9. Frank Ntilikina
10. Justin Jackson
Monday, May 15, 2017
Philadelphia sports has it going on, if only the fans would open their eyes to see it
If there's one thing I think all human being on the planet earth can agree with, it's that incessant whining is never not annoying. Even if someone has something legitimate to bitch about, we still don't like to hear them go on and on about it every single day for hours on end. In comes Philly sports fans circa 2017:
"When will we ever win again in Philadelphia???"
"Philly sports hasn't won a playoff round since 2012!"
"Philly sports are so bad right now!"
You hear these sentiments peppered about the Philadelphia sports airwaves and streets almost everyday. There is a film of negativity and cynicism that has coated the populace, and is suffocating our fans to the point where some reek of complete and utter desperation. It's almost like the fans have dug themselves into a hole of misery so deep, that they aren't even considering the option of trying to find a way out. Like a death row inmate in solitary confinement who has been resigned to his fate.
It's a shame our city has been overtaken by this, because there is a lot of greatness in Philadelphia right now, and if people would just muster up the strength to search for it, you'd find it's staring you right in the face. I can't remember the last time I was this excited to be a Philadelphia sports fan. Excitement is oozing out of my pores for what is to come. I have news for you, 90% of sports cities in this country would kill to have what we have right now. Philadelphia has 3 players in this city who have the kind of talent and ability to where at some point in their careers, they could be considered the best players in their entire sports. They are Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Carson Wentz.
Joel Embiid had a historic rookie campaign(albeit for only 31 games) but even so, he put up numbers that most rookies could only dream of. Historic numbers rivaling some of the NBA's all-time greats, while on a minutes restriction. It would not be ridiculous to argue that he is one of the 3 most talented big men who has ever graced the NBA. Ben Simmons is a unique talent. He handles the basketball like a shooting guard, he passes like a point guard, and he has the body of a power forward. Oh, and has the athleticism and leaping ability to compare to some of the league's best. Carson Wentz, based on certain statistical categories had one of the best rookie QB seasons in NFL history. He was surrounded by minimal talent and was impressive all the way through, especially for a guy coming out of D1AA. If not for all eyes on Dak Prescott in Dallas, who was in a much more favorable situation, more eyes would have been all over Carson Wentz's phemonal rookie season. You can make a case with all things considered, it was the best in Eagles franchise history. And to throw one more name into the mix, let's not forget Ivan Provorov, who quickly adapted to the NHL as one of the game's most promising defensemen, and has potential to be one of the very best in the league for a long time to come. The fact is, not many cities in this country have the type of elite talent waiting in the wings that our city has.
With all 4 franchises on the right track, we are set up for greatness with all of our teams for years to come. On top of it, they've been fun and competitive each night for well over a year now. The time for misery is over.
"B...b...but Embiid gets hurt!"
"B...b...but Ben Simmons' jump shot!"
"B...b...but Carson Wentz sails some passes!"
Shhhhhhhhh.
You're doing it again, Philadelphia. Harping on the negative. You can do the same thing with any rookie. I could have criticized Ryan Howard's weight, or mediocre defense at first base. I could have harped on Cole Hamels coming into the league without a monster secondary pitch after his changeup. I could have brought up Allen Iverson's porous defense over and over again. Philadelphia didn't do any of that. This city used to focus on the positives, not the negatives. I don't know what has made us into this. This city has had tough stretches before. The 70's, the early 90's. We feel defeated, and that is a shame, because you are going to miss some great stuff going on in this city, stuff that is already going on as I type this.
Philadelphia boasts to be "all about championships." Remember all the times people spoke about how getting to NFC Championship games weren't good enough? "All I want is a Superbowl!" Remember when the Sixers couldn't sell out playoff games of teams led by Andre Iguodala? "We know they aren't winning a championship anyway, so why pay money?" Now, the city's sports teams have finally collectively embraced the desire to build teams that can win titles, and we have turned our backs on them. For shame. Building championship teams takes time. You can't just snap your fingers and skip over the rebuilding process. That isn't how it works. Wouldn't you love to just start a business and skip to the part where you become a billionaire? It doesn't work that way. Building a corporate empire takes time. You build up your company bit by bit. That is how things work in the real world.
So, I have news for you Philadelphia. It's time to shake that "woe is me" attitude, and start embracing the greatness that Philly sports is evolving into. If not, then when we start averaging two parades a year for the next decade, then do all of us grateful fans a favor and stay home. Sit on your couch and whine about how "The Eagles only won the Superbowl by a field goal!" or "The Sixers only won the NBA Finals in 5 games and couldn't pull off the sweep!" Keep your whiny, miserable asses away from the rest of us, and don't bring us down.
"When will we ever win again in Philadelphia???"
"Philly sports hasn't won a playoff round since 2012!"
"Philly sports are so bad right now!"
You hear these sentiments peppered about the Philadelphia sports airwaves and streets almost everyday. There is a film of negativity and cynicism that has coated the populace, and is suffocating our fans to the point where some reek of complete and utter desperation. It's almost like the fans have dug themselves into a hole of misery so deep, that they aren't even considering the option of trying to find a way out. Like a death row inmate in solitary confinement who has been resigned to his fate.
It's a shame our city has been overtaken by this, because there is a lot of greatness in Philadelphia right now, and if people would just muster up the strength to search for it, you'd find it's staring you right in the face. I can't remember the last time I was this excited to be a Philadelphia sports fan. Excitement is oozing out of my pores for what is to come. I have news for you, 90% of sports cities in this country would kill to have what we have right now. Philadelphia has 3 players in this city who have the kind of talent and ability to where at some point in their careers, they could be considered the best players in their entire sports. They are Joel Embiid, Ben Simmons, and Carson Wentz.
Joel Embiid had a historic rookie campaign(albeit for only 31 games) but even so, he put up numbers that most rookies could only dream of. Historic numbers rivaling some of the NBA's all-time greats, while on a minutes restriction. It would not be ridiculous to argue that he is one of the 3 most talented big men who has ever graced the NBA. Ben Simmons is a unique talent. He handles the basketball like a shooting guard, he passes like a point guard, and he has the body of a power forward. Oh, and has the athleticism and leaping ability to compare to some of the league's best. Carson Wentz, based on certain statistical categories had one of the best rookie QB seasons in NFL history. He was surrounded by minimal talent and was impressive all the way through, especially for a guy coming out of D1AA. If not for all eyes on Dak Prescott in Dallas, who was in a much more favorable situation, more eyes would have been all over Carson Wentz's phemonal rookie season. You can make a case with all things considered, it was the best in Eagles franchise history. And to throw one more name into the mix, let's not forget Ivan Provorov, who quickly adapted to the NHL as one of the game's most promising defensemen, and has potential to be one of the very best in the league for a long time to come. The fact is, not many cities in this country have the type of elite talent waiting in the wings that our city has.
With all 4 franchises on the right track, we are set up for greatness with all of our teams for years to come. On top of it, they've been fun and competitive each night for well over a year now. The time for misery is over.
"B...b...but Embiid gets hurt!"
"B...b...but Ben Simmons' jump shot!"
"B...b...but Carson Wentz sails some passes!"
Shhhhhhhhh.
You're doing it again, Philadelphia. Harping on the negative. You can do the same thing with any rookie. I could have criticized Ryan Howard's weight, or mediocre defense at first base. I could have harped on Cole Hamels coming into the league without a monster secondary pitch after his changeup. I could have brought up Allen Iverson's porous defense over and over again. Philadelphia didn't do any of that. This city used to focus on the positives, not the negatives. I don't know what has made us into this. This city has had tough stretches before. The 70's, the early 90's. We feel defeated, and that is a shame, because you are going to miss some great stuff going on in this city, stuff that is already going on as I type this.
Philadelphia boasts to be "all about championships." Remember all the times people spoke about how getting to NFC Championship games weren't good enough? "All I want is a Superbowl!" Remember when the Sixers couldn't sell out playoff games of teams led by Andre Iguodala? "We know they aren't winning a championship anyway, so why pay money?" Now, the city's sports teams have finally collectively embraced the desire to build teams that can win titles, and we have turned our backs on them. For shame. Building championship teams takes time. You can't just snap your fingers and skip over the rebuilding process. That isn't how it works. Wouldn't you love to just start a business and skip to the part where you become a billionaire? It doesn't work that way. Building a corporate empire takes time. You build up your company bit by bit. That is how things work in the real world.
So, I have news for you Philadelphia. It's time to shake that "woe is me" attitude, and start embracing the greatness that Philly sports is evolving into. If not, then when we start averaging two parades a year for the next decade, then do all of us grateful fans a favor and stay home. Sit on your couch and whine about how "The Eagles only won the Superbowl by a field goal!" or "The Sixers only won the NBA Finals in 5 games and couldn't pull off the sweep!" Keep your whiny, miserable asses away from the rest of us, and don't bring us down.
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