Built Ford Tough

So it only took 2 years, but it looks like the Mike Miller Miami thought they were signing finally showed up. #betterlatethanever

The Miami crowd really shouldn't be cheering Perkins picking up his 5th. Having him on the floor is better for Miami than having him on the bench.

Brooks really needs to throw the towel in on this Perkins/Ibaka frontcourt. Perkins is just straight up useless in this series without Miami having a back-to-the-basket low post big and Ibaka guarding Battier (or Miller or any other 3 point shooter) just doesn't work since his natural reaction is to always fade into the paint to provid help on these drives. It is leading to way too many open 3's for the Heat.

Its only about the 3rd time the Thunder have tried to intentionally foul James and it hasn't been called. Harden did it once after getting blown by, Westbrook just did it there and I believe Ibaka did another time. The funny thing is that it actually worked out better for Miami on 2 of those 3 times since it ended up with baskets immediately after.

So I finally figured out my schedule for this upcoming week which will allow me to finally set some deadlines. I work from 1 to 9:30 PST time on Thursday. I'll still run this competition, but unlike the past two years I'll be creating the thread with all the mocks a bit earlier than I usually do and I won't have the results tallied until I get home from work. With that said, for everybody entering the competition, try to have your mocks sent to me by 11:59 PM PST on Wednesday. I'll make the thread before I go to bed that night. Once I make the thread, all mocks are final and I won't be accepting new mocks or allow any edits to any that have been entered. I'll tally the results when I get home and should have the scores posted by around 11PM PST (give or take) Thursday night. Is that ok with everybody?

Both Ford and Steve Kyler of Hoopsworld are reporting that the Celtics have promised Royce White and will pick him with their 21st pick. While it does sound like the Celtics have promised him, even if they haven't he has received a promise from somebody. He cancelled all his remaining workouts and isn't talking to anybody. Other teams who have shown a lot of interest in him are Indiana, Atlanta and Golden State. EDIT: Amick is reporting that White has not received a promise from Boston.

Well, yeah, the situations aren't exact. What they are, though, is two teams who made a bunch of "win now" moves a year or two before they should've and it resulted (or will result in Washington's case) in them wasting away at .500 with no way to improve their roster. Washington has John Wall, which is better than anything Charlotte had, but it is still a far cry from having a legit core established like you should before making these types of moves. The only thing that will prevent this trade from not being a complete and utter disaster is if Beal actually becomes the ridiculous "Ray Allen meets Eric Gordon" comparisions that people have been throwing out there. Really, though, what are the chances of that happening? The Wizards won't bottom out as badly as Charlotte did this past year, but I'd be very surprised if in two years, once Ariza and Okafor are gone, that they won't be right back flirting for a top 5 pick unless Wall turns into Derrick Rose and Beal is a stud. At the end of the day, they should've just stood pat for at least another year. I know they wanted to add vets, and I really liked the Nene trade, but this is just overkill.

I can understand that. The part that I don't like about tying up all of their money is that they can't make those moves that the Cavs have done the past two years where they absorb a contract in order to pick up an asset. That is the best way for these small market teams to go about their business. Tying up all of your cap space into average veterans is just a terrible idea unless you already have a great core established, which Washington definitely does not. I don't see them trading it at all. Correct me if I am wrong, but depending on their MLE usage, won't they have to amnesty Blatche just to avoid paying luxury tax in a year or two? I haven't looked it up myself, but I do believe that is what will happen assuming no real cost saving moves are made. I'm really glad you brought up the Bobcats because they were the inspiration behind me writing this. They were in the exact same position that the Wizards were in before. Then they dealt a lottery pick for Richardson, made a move for Stephen Jackson and acquired all of these pricey vets well before they had an established core in place (I believe their core at the time was Okafor, Felton and Wallace). They made these win now moves way too early, tied up all of their flexibility and for what? A 44 win team who was swept in the first round. Fast forward a few years later and they are coming off of the worst season in NBA history and are looking at a rebuild that will take at least 3 years before they even have a core to build around. Washington is doing the exact same thing that the Bobcats did and I hate to say it (well, not really, haha) but in 3 years time, I'd be shocked if they aren't right back in the position they were in this past year with John Wall and nothing else.

Earlier this morning, the Washington Wizards and New Orleans Hornets completed a trade sending Rashard Lewis' mammoth contract and the 46th pick in the draft to New Orleans in exchange for small forward Trevor Ariza and big man Emeka Okafor. For New Orleans, the logic of this trade is easy to understand. After having traded away disgruntled superstar Chris Paul prior to the start of 2011-2012 season, the Hornets were clearly entering into a rebuilding phase. The team has also finally been sold to New Orleans Saints owner Tom Benson after being league-owned since December of 2010. Previous owner George Shinn was forced to sell the team due to financial difficulties. The Hornets can buy out the final year of Lewis' contract of $13.95 million and, by doing so, they will free up roughly $30 million over the next two years. Owning the first pick in the 2012 NBA Draft, what better time than now to rid themselves of long-term salary commitments and rebuild the team from the ground up around future first overall pick Anthony Davis? For Washington, it is more difficult to wrap your head around their rationale for making this trade. On paper, it is easy enough. Okafor and Ariza are both veteran players who are above-average defenders. For a Wizard team who was ridiculed for being immature, unprofessional and poor defensively for much of this past season, it would make sense why they felt the need to go out and get some veteran leaders in that locker room. However, Washington is now facing a team that is going to be very hard pressed to score points. They have very little perimeter shooting, which will allow opposing teams to pack the paint to take away John Wall's drives or Nene's post opportunities. The likely solution to the lack or floor spacing will be the Wizards drafting shooting guard Bradley Beal. But, one player won't be able to solve this problem when the rest of the roster consists of poor shooters. Washington is a team who's biggest problem this year was the ability to shoot the ball and space the floor. This trade not only doesn't improve their shooting woes, it actually makes them more pronounced. Despite the likely offensive struggles, the biggest problem with this trade for the Wizards is that they have completely ruined their flexibility for the next two seasons by taking on the inflated contracts Okafor and Ariza both possess. Even if the Wizards use their amnesty clause on Andray Blatche, they still will not have cap flexibility to improve their roster. The Wizards will now be out of the running on any big free agents, as they will only have their mid-level exception to use. They won't be able to absorb a contract while picking up a solid player. They won't be able to be a factor in amnesty waivers either. Their ability to add any impact talent to their roster has basically been nullified by going out and trading for Ariza and Okafor. Don't get me wrong, Ariza and Okafor are solid players and many contending teams would love to have what they bring to the table—although not necessarily at their price. The problem is that the Wizards are far from a contending team. The best-case scenario for the Wizards is that they sneak into the playoffs as a low seed and promptly get blown out in the first round. The problem is, we've seen Ernie Grunfeld make this kind of trade before. After an abysmal 19-win season, the Wizards traded their fifth overall selection to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Mike Miller and Randy Foye. The thinking was that Foye and Miller would be the missing pieces and make the Wizards legitimate contenders in the East. Fast forward three years later, and both Foye and Miller are on new teams while Ricky Rubio, who Minnesota selected with that fifth overall pick, is one of the best young players in the NBA. You would think Grunfeld would learn his lesson from that disastrous trade, yet here we are seeing history repeat itself. Now the Wizards are stuck without cap flexibility and overpaid for non-impact talent, all to be a .500 team at best. In a weak Eastern Conference, they will be too good to add an impact player via the draft, but will be too bad to make any noise in the playoffs. In other words: welcome to basketball purgatory, Washington. http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1230023-washington-wizards-enter-into-nba-purgatory-after-trade-with-new-orleans-hornets

So, basically, what Broussard is saying: Deron may re-sign with the Nets. Dalls is their biggest competition. The Nets may sign and trade him if he leaves. In other news, Chris Broussard just reported that the sky is blue.

Sounds like Hennigan may be the Magic's guy. Given the timing of this, I think it is safe to say Hennigan will be the guy. I can't see Orlando waiting much longer to make a decision with the draft a week from tomorrow and then free agency getting underway basically immediately afterwards. Given the situation in Orlando, I think you have to get a gm in there soon because you can't go into this summer without a plan in place and that plan should ideally start with the draft.

Some info that isn't specifically refering to Toronto (although one does) but if true, will have a large impact on them regardless: Even though Lillard is in the mix for the Raptors, this could be great for Toronto if Lillard impressed the Kings enough to have them pick him. If the Kings are sold on him, it would open up the potential of a trade up to 5th and the Raptors drafting Barnes, just as long as MKG goes to Cleveland at 4. If Portland is set on Drummond, which isn't a stretch given their need for a big, and the Kings feel they could still get Lillard at 8 (Golden State doesn't seem likely to pick him) then the Raptors may be able to work something out with the Kings for Barnes, who I believe is definitely at the top of Colangelo's list. Barnes cancelling a workout in Sacramento is worth mentioning here as well and could play a factor in this hypothetical situation of mine. Of course nothing is set in stone and more than anything, this is hopeful thinking on my part given how much I like Barnes. Now for stuff that directly mentions Toronto: Take it for what it is worth. I honestly don't have a real feel for which way Toronto is leaning. I could be convinced that anyone of Lillard, Lamb, Waiters or Rivers are at the top of their board at 8. The only thing I am sure of is that if Barnes were to fall the Raptors would grab in hin a heartbeat, but Barnes won't fall (no way GS passes him up at 7). Could I buy that Waiters if the Raptors guy at 8? Definitely. I could also say the same thing for Lillard, Lamb or Rivers as well. One thing about Waiters, though. He is definitely not a point guard. No way do I see him playing the point in the NBA based on what I've seen from him. EDIT: Just an FYI, Kyler doesn't exactly seem to be the most in touch person around. Hoopsworld has never been considered as the most credible site out there (not saying they make shit up, but they aren't nearly as in the loop as many others) so take all this for what it is worth.

I wouldn't be too worried about Charlotte taking Beal. Jordan loves Henderson and all of buzz around Charlotte (from what I've read at least) is that their board consists of Robinson, MKG and Barnes in some order. I doubt Beal was ever really in the mix for Charlotte. As for the trade, Washington better hope that Wall drastically improves and becomes a franchise player and Beal is able to develop into a legitimate 2nd option. If that doesn't happen, we can officially welcome them to basketball pugatory.

If it is actually something that is fixable with surgery and isn't a degenerative condition that will shorten his career (like Brandon Roy's knees) then I really don't see why people think he will free fall down the draft board. Sure, he would likely be out for a large portion of next season, but is that really enough to make a guy who has been considered a lottery pick for the past 2 years now fall into the 20's? It sure as hell isn't enough to me. The only thing that would scare me about Sully's back is if it will be something that will potentially shorten his career. If it is something that is fixable with surgery, this is honestly a complete non-issue to me.

You will definitely have plenty of those moments in the 3rd season, assuming you don't read the books prior to watching the season. From what I gather the 3rd book will be split into two season (or making season 3 and the first half of season 4 the 3rd book and the second half of season 4 the 4th book) and if they do extend the 3rd book into two seasons (or even 1.5 seasons) the 3rd season finale will be a much greater "oh shit" moment than anything in the first or second season, assuming it ends where I think it will (and I see no reason why it shouldn't). The 3rd book is most people's favourite and there is a lot of shit that goes down that will make Ned's death seem like a "meh" moment.

While I agree they aren't anywhere close to the player Kidd is, that doesn't mean having Kidd as a mentor wouldn't help him out tremendously. Westbrook will never be a pass first point guard like Kidd is, nor do I think anybody expects him to develop into that kind of a player, but that doesn't mean he can't learn how to pick his spots better, manage the game better and improve as a playmaker by having Kidd on the roster. It would help his game a lot to work with a guy like that despite their very different styles. Problem is that Durant has no post game. You can throw him in the post, but when great defenders like James and Battier are guarding him they will push him out so far from the block and make him catch the ball too far away to actually post up. Even if he does get position, what exactly does his post game consist of? Turning and shooting over the top and a fadeaway jumper. That is it. Even if you want to use him in the post as a magnet to draw the defense in (sort of like how Miami used LeBron in the first half) it doesn't work because he doesn't have the vision or passing ability to find the open man off of the double despite his ability to see over the top. Last season after losing in the Finals James realized how important a post game is and added it to his game over the summer. I'm sure Durant will do the same, after how Miami has basically gotten a 3-1 lead by controlling the post game. It really isn't that hard to understand why Durant wasn't guarding LeBron to start the game. He can't and because he can't, he is always picking up cheap fouls. Durant has the physical tools to guard LeBron, but he just doesn't have the instincts and mental capacity to guard him without picking up fouls. It was either take your chances with Sefolosha guarding him (and Harden, I guess, but that was just a stupid move putting him on James) or leaving Durant on him and watch him get into foul trouble for the 3rd straight game.

Scratch that, he may need Tommy John after all after getting a second opinion. He doesn't have a tear, but the severity of the sprain means that surgery may still be necessary. If he decides not to have surgery he runs the risk of worsening the injury during rehab and if that happens he would have no choice but to have TJS. The talk is it may be better for him to just have it now than roll the dice with it. Awesome. PS: Drabek underwent his TJS earlier today and there were no complications.

Amick also mentioned it but he says that as far as he knows, Barnes hasn't received a promise (at least for now). It is interesting that he is cancelling a workout for the Kings, though, especially since he has already worked out for a team below them (was in Toronto last week). It seems strange that he would cancel that workout unless his agent has gotten confirmation that he won't fall past Cleveland at 4. That would make sense, but according to what I've read, the Cavs were more impressed by Bradley Beal when the two of them worked out against each other on Saturday, and speculation is that Beal is on top of the Cavs wishlist. Anyways, this is all speculation on my part, for all I know, something came up and he will just reschedule a workout for the Kings at a later date.

The Raptors last big group workout will be on Thursday. It will include a bunch of bigs and they are: Jared Sullinger Terrence Jones Perry Jones John Henson and they are trying to get Jeremy Lamb back to Toronto after his workout was shortened due to rolling his ankle. I'm not sure if he will be there or not.

While I'm not saying it isn't impressive because it certainly is, but I can understand where ECN is coming from. How many no hitters have we seen this year already? This is the 2nd perfect game (correct me if I'm wrong) and we aren't even at the halfway mark of the season. I don't want to downplay the accomplishment because it is still a very impressive thing to do, but with the amount of no hitters, perfect game and near perfect games or no hitters, I do agree that the alure isn't what it once was. With that said, Cain's performance was remarkable. Certainly one of the best I've seen. The only thing negative I can think of is the lineup it was done against, but it is still impressive regardless.

I'm pretty sure that a lot of people aren't really surprised by this. I remember there were concerns about his back as far back as last year when he had some problems with it. It may scare off some teams, but I think a lot of people who were really in on Sullinger were already aware of this anyways, so I doubt he falls too much. I don't think he falls past the Sixers or Rockets at 15 or 16. The absolute latest I see him dropping would be to the Magic at 19, but that would honestly shock me if he fell that far. At the end of the day, I still think he is a lottery pick or taken with one of the first two post-lottery picks.

Some signings over the past few days: Brad Sturat signed with the Sharks for 3 years at $3.6M per (Detroit traded his rights to SJ). Josh Harding re-signed with Minnesota for 3 years at $1.9M per. Darren Helm re-signed with Detroit for 4 years at $2.125M per. Erick Karlsson re-signed with Ottawa for 7 years at $6.5M per. Some other news: Teemu Selanne is expected to return for another year. Bob McKenzie thinks Bobby Ryan is back on the market and could be moved. Darren Dreger just said on That's Hockey that Rick Nash could be moved as early as the draft, but Columbus may want to wait until Parise signs before dealing him. Daniel Alfredsson is going to start his off-season workout and if he feels good he will return for another season.

http://bringbackthebuzz.files.wordpress.com/2012/06/175tmm-st-138-jpeg1.jpg Thoughts? The blue ones really remind me of the Mavs from a stylistic standpoint (font and number placement). They are better than the old ones at the very least.

While I do agree that he had some questionable calls go against him (and one absolutely awful one [4th foul on Wade]), the Thunder's best player needs to stop reaching on defense and he won't be sitting on the bench in foul trouble. The way he is defending LeBron is basically asking to be in foul trouble. You can't play defense with your hands like Durant has been doing for the past two games. Even if you aren't committing a foul, by constantly reaching he is looking like he is committing a foul, which, in today's day and age, is basically just as bad as actually committing a foul. He can get away with playing this type of defense against most people because of his length and athleticism, but not against LeBron. I really do hope he can stay on the floor more for the rest of the series, though. The game certainly isn't as entertaining with him on the bench.

He has had 1 good half this series. He scored 17 points in the first half of game 2. He has scored 18 points total in the other 5. He has been garbage in this series. It isn't even the scoring either, his defense has been bad (in large part due to him constantly flopping to try and draw calls) and his playmaking has been nearly non-existent (tonight was the only night he did anything in that regard). From what I've seen, he definitely needs to play a lot better than what he has shown so far in this series. But I know Westbrook is the whipping boy for OKC. I'm not saying he has played great either, because he certainly hasn't, but he has been much, much better than Harden has in this series.