Real Deal

Technically, they will all start talking on July 1st...so for that first week, we will start getting ideas as to where each will go. And within that first week (before the 8th), we may even know where a couple are headed. We do every year.

LOL...well, okay.

"LeBron broken elbow, put cast on it. Kobe broken finger, put ring on it." "Someone else take the last shot. LOL JK." "It's OK Ray Allen, I've shot 0-13 before. LOL JK." Those were the three funniest for me.

I was reading around RealGM the other day, and it doesn't seem like very many people know who George is. He can be a really, really good player in this league, and I'm not surprised that he's starting.

Forgot to post it, but just so you know, Richard Dumas ball-faked Charles Barkley in practice, and Charles flinched, big time. Dumas was a rookie at the time, Barkley was rich and considered the second best player in the NBA (after Jordan). The teammates all laughed at Barkley, because Chuck did it to Dumas at random times every now and then, since he was a rook. Fact is, Kobe was pissed, he was focused on ripping Barnes' throat out, and he wasn't paying attention to anything else. Even when he was making $1.3 million a year in 1999, he was acting that way towards players.

I never said that about Karl. I stated that missing Karl was part of the reason they lost in the first round...but that they wouldn't have defeated the Lakers either way, and I figured that was pretty obvious. And of course, losing Phil makes a difference...but I'm not going to say it means we don't three-peat next season.

Farmar and Brown would rather create their own shot against an NBA elite defensive player. Neither of them know what teamwork is...can't even swing the ball when they are in the game. I never said anything about us being fine if Phil leaves, but it's not like we'd miss the playoffs.

Looks like three picked Favors (including you).

Good to see him in the summer league. I figured someone would call. Now it's up to him to drop that extra weight and stay healthy.

http://www.realgm.com/src_wiretap_archives/67450/20100625/sherron_collins_gets_shot_with_bobcats

And Hobson as well.

Honestly, if I was running the team, I would go right after a big in free agency...meaning Bosh, Amare or Boozer. Who wouldn't want to team with Wall? It may be a long shot, but even Lee will be available, and not all of these guys are going to get the contracts they desire. Blatche has shown potential, but man, I just don't like the attitude.

Wall, Turner, Johnson...but there will be more than three.

Yeah, Davis was basically a top three pick before the injury and the ugly season UNC had. Wall, Turner, Davis, Favors...then everyone else. Johnson climbed, Cousins' stock rose, Davis dropped...and by the time the draft rolled around, decent teams had a shot at getting a very good power forward. I like Davis as a pro, and I like him as a Raptor. Toronto needs him up front, especially if they plan on running Bargnani at center. It can definitely work; the Jazz have played Okur at center, Boozer at the four...and while Boozer plays little to no defense, he can rebound the ball extremely well, and Davis will give you that, shot-blocking and help defense. Assuming Bosh is gone (I really don't see him coming back), you can focus on developing the players you have, namely Davis and DeRozan, and crossing your fingers for Bargnani to show even more improvement. I'm still not fond of your point guard rotation, though...not sure what's going to happen there, but I don't think Calderon belongs anymore. You have a few spots on the floor that lack defense, and if you want to contend (or at least be a good playoff team), you need to close all but one of those up, at least. The point guard position is the one you'd want to do that with, especially when you consider who all Calderon has to defend these days (Rondo, Nelson, Rose to name a few out East). Of course, re-signing Bosh would be fantastic.

We weren't supposed to repeat this season, actually...we were supposed to be an entirely different team, and all of that good stuff. Heard it all before. Losing Farmar and Brown means nothing. Farmar is a horrible defensive player, dude has no lateral quickness and loses his man more than imagined. Brown is suddenly more into becoming the next Human Highlight Reel, attempting difficult, contested shots and trying to put out that one monster play that he never converts...not to mention his defense has taken a hit, also. Farmar belongs in New York, running back and forth for D'Antoni. Shannon Brown should probably go with him. Our main concerns are playing defense at the point, making more of our open jumpers, and rebounding (maintaining our rebounding advantages). Farmar and Brown do nothing for us, and that's why our bench was sitting in the bottom five all year in scoring, and why they blew double-digit leads within minutes.

How much have you seen of Fields, though? I don't think I'd be too excited. He's athletic, and that's about it. I've set myself up for that one-trick pony so many times, most recently with James White. The Knicks did get one person good for their system, though, and that's Rautins...but the only problem is, he really doesn't have an NBA skill other than shooting the long three (NBA range). I know most of you are familiar with someone out in Orlando that came out of Duke with the same glaring skill, and he had to adjust his game. I don't know if Rautins can really adjust. Keep in mind that there are a LOT of shooters that get cut from NBA teams, or never get a call back. If Rautins wants to make the cut and become a productive role player, he's going to have to shoot the NBA three BETTER than just "good" once he suits up for the Knicks. I'm pretty sure he shot 40% in college, and he's easily one of the best shooters out of the 2010 class, but where he was picked tells you just how important it is to be more than just a one-trick pony. By the way, I read that the Knicks are going to grab Jerome Jordan for cash considerations. Could be a good move. I think they should've went big with both of their 2nd round picks, to be honest.

Good call.

Guys, stop jumping at each others' throats from topic to topic. It's happening too often.

Bell wouldn't want to play the point. Phoenix asked him to try it out when Barbosa was bouncing off the walls, but he stated a couple of times that it just wasn't the position for him. Plus, he's not quick enough to defend at the position, nor can he make any sort of a post entry pass. Turnover city if he's asked to bring the ball up the court and initiate the offense. Those claims that the Lakers don't want (or need) a true point guard...that's all BS. It would be nice to have one. The triangle requires five willing and able-bodied passers, and it's not a must that we have a pure point...but we would benefit from it. Blake would be fantastic, since Hinrich is most likely out of the question (due to the trade and us saving money).

He had to go through speech therapy when he was younger...was in some sort of an accident or something. I don't remember.

Well, thanks for taking it as a joke. I'd tell you how to change it back, but we all know you're the expert at it. BUUUUURRRRNNNNN.

Probably done as a joke by one of the mods, but I'm suggesting it doesn't continue. Funny the first time.

That was the backhand they gave him, though...firing him ON draft day, but forcing him to actually participate tonight, and help select those draft picks. "Hey Pritch...you're going to be fired tonight, but first, you're going to improve our team as much as possible through the 2010 draft."

Not bad at all. Miami was careful not to trip on their own feet, and they stuck with players that are able to come in and exceed expectations, rather than just meet them. You'll see this most with Butler and Pittman. A good draft keeps a Dwyane Wade happy.