Bless my palm with SILVER baby..<Summer break...>

[Fresh8]

Lets get the next seasson started weaver!

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

There's the off season coverage first...

Just something in the draft recap I've got to finish before posting... should be soon

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

NLSC Insider Report – End of Season:



NFL – New York Giants:

The Giants were on the beginning of a rebuilding stage in the 04 season, and it showed on grass and turf… They finished the regular season with a record of 6-10-0, finishing last in the NFC East, despite being 6-5-0 at some point and having hopes to reach a wildcard berth into the playoffs. A 0-5-0 finish to the season had them finishing last, though, and hoping to continue on with the rebuilding, helped by the #6 overall pick they acquired the rights to.

The team’s MVP was veteran 33 year old QB Kurt Warner, who finished the season with 3495 yards passing, 21 touchdowns and 14 interceptions, keeping last year’s #1 overall pick, Eli Manning on the bench, groomed for one of the next two seasons, despite his humongous salary. Warner even was selected for the Pro-Bowl at Hawaii.

This year’s Lombardi trophy was won by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who had a 11-5-0 regular season but stormed though the playoff games and convincingly defeated a Kansas City Chiefs side 24-10 at the Super Bowl in Jacksonville.







NHL – New York Rangers:

The Rangers were hoping for a playoff run, and that was the clear goal of the team’s owner going into the regular season. Up until midway into the calendar, they were standing around the 4th place in the East, but then a collapse ensued and had the proud New York franchise tumbling down towards the bottom of the pit. Free Agent signings like Paul Karyia and blockbuster trades involving names like Scott Niedermayer only temporarily boosted morale, but results did not improve.

A month before the end, the Rangers were sitting at an embarrassing 13th out of 15 Eastern teams, but they closed out their season with 8 consecutive victories, threatening the Atlanta thrashers for the 8th playoff seed in the East, only barely missing out in the end.

The Rangers’ MVP for the 04/05 season was veteran forward Jaromir Jagr, the highest paid player in the league. The rest of the guys must start earning their salary and living up to their great reputation, though, if the team is going to make the post-season next year.

This year's Stanley Cup was won by the surprising Phoenix Coyotes, after a marvelous season that saw them finish 1st in the entire NFL at the end of the regular season, and proceeding to defend their home advantage throughout the playoffs.

[pHLo]

damn... what an idea ^^
i love this stuff, it's really cool

even if i don't know any of theses players, i like your coverages

just keep it on (and on and on and......)

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

damn... what an idea ^^
i love this stuff, it's really cool

even if i don't know any of theses players, i like your coverages

just keep it on (and on and on and......)

I've done NFL and NHL coverages before in my Golden State dynasty... You night want to check that out, as well

Off-season coveraghe for the Knicks coming up soon... and it's big...

[pHLo]

yeah.. i'm sorry for not checking ur golden state dynasty...
it must be because of the warriors...
how is it possible to be a warrioirs fan ??? ^^
u're not from Golden State, right ? so... what's up ? xD

i must admit i'm a Raptors fan, even if they don't do that good in real life, it's because of the country... Canada did always fascinate me...
and since it's the only canadian team now, the Raptors are my team

now u gotta explain why u stick to the Warriors...

btw. i love this NHL-pic where the goalie lies on his back... that's kinda funny

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

how is it possible to be a warrioirs fan ??? ^^
u're not from Golden State, right ? so... what's up ? xD

Well, love is hard to explain... maybe it's because the first NBA game I ever saw on TV was Warriors vs. Knicks in 1988... don't even remeber who was playing, but I was rooting for Golden State since then...

btw. i love this NHL-pic where the goalie lies on his back... that's kinda funny

No one on the team would scratch his back, so he decided to rid himself of the itch on his own...

[pHLo]

good one...
not the best way do defend the goal

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

Yup. As I have repeatedly stated on the past, the best way to defend your goal in hockey is to hire a 700 pound ex-Sumo wrestler and just heve him sit there. There would be no holes for the puck to go through....

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

June 1, 2005

In preparation for the NBA draft that will take place in about 2months from now, our scouts have spent a great time during last season scouting the mainland and abroad for potential drafteed. New York owns the 17th and 47th overall picks, and will look to address some roster weaknesses with those two selections.

Rumors from Antonio Davis’ circle state that he is contemplating on retiring this summer. While Antonio himself has not come to me with his final decision, we must prepare for his potential absence. Davis is 36 years old and it is possible that missing out on the title at the last moment has affected his desire to play the game for on emore year. His contract guarantees him over 25 million over the next 2 years and I am not sure he is going to pass that up for a chance to spend time with family friends. Hey, I know I wouldn’t…

Another need of our team is the SG spot, with Houston being 34 years old and only Eric Piatkowski as a true SG backing him up. Even if The Pike is definitely staying in New York since he is now a town hero after his unbelievable series-deciding three pointer against the Celtics, he cannot be counted upon to be the sole backup for a 34 year old with injury history…

In addition, the team lacks a true backup center. Brian Grant is good in filling up holes, but he does not have the size of a Center to go up against bigger men.

So, in conclusion, the needs we must address are, in order of importance:

1) backup SG/PG potential to become a starter in 2 years when Houston leaves/retires.
2) Backup PF/C in case A. Davis retires.

[-BHZMAFIA-]

You have to do your homework this off-season on finding a good SG and PF. I'll say go with a project type player thats around the mid to high 50 area and see if you can make him a great player in a couple of years.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

I'll say go with a project type player thats around the mid to high 50 area and see if you can make him a great player in a couple of years.

That's difficult considering this is a very weak draft class... there aren't many players around 55 beyond the top 10 prospects, so I'll be happy with a guy 1round 51-53 and good potential...

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

July 2 , 2005


Today the annual draft lottery took place , and it yielded the following results:



The Utah Jazz must be feeling very unlucky, having 25 % chance of getting no 1 and instead winding up with no 4. Atlanta jumped from second to first, and Milwaukee from third to second.

New Orleans was lucky enough to select 3rd overall, after being touted as 5th, while the Charlotte Bobcats lost on place and slipped from 4th to 5th.
The rest of the teams will select with the statistically expected order.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

July 3 , 2005



Today is the first day in a week we will be using to call draft prospects for individual workouts. First in line is Colin Thurman, SG, 6’3”,21 years old, 207 lbs, with average potential and projected to go somewhere in the Top 10.

The scouting report on Colin says he is one of the best shooters in the college game, with excellent ball handling skills, quickness and speed to boot. He is also very durable and does not tire easily. Weaknesses include very poor rebounding skills and questionable passing selection. He is also not very keen on driving to the basket.



I really like this kid more upon seeing him up close. He reminds me of Ben Gordon a lot, as he can dribble, shoot , and dunk. We had him play a little one-on-one against Allan Houston and he really made the veteran work to win 11-7. The only problem is he is only 6’ 3” and can’t pass well enough to be a PG. He is projected to go in the Top 10, but if he’s available by the 17th pick, I’ll probably grab him first.




July 4, 2005

This time we bring another kid in for a workout, again a SG. It’s Eddie Wong , SG, 186 lbs, 6’ 2”, 22 years old, with Good Potential and Projected as a Top 15 pick.
This is another undersized SG, shorter but with better passing skills than Thurman. He is just an average shooter, but extremely fast, athletic, and uses a killer drive to score against bigger men in college. Let’s see how he fares.



A good workout, with Allan Houston once more volunteering to test this kid out. Wong is very athletic for a white guy, and verified all the good things the scouts had to say about him. Problem is, he’s too small and weak to play the SG position in the NBA, with that weakness overshadowing his advantages. He did make Allan sweat though, losing only 11-7 too.

[COOLmac©]

white guys can jump!!!
i hope you can grab wong....he sounds promising enough

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

July 5, 2005


This time it’s Adofo Malone, SG , 217 lbs, 6’ 3”, 20 years old, average potential, projected Top 15.

Adofo, nicknamed “Bad Do-fo”, is a speedy and athletic shooting guard, with very good passing skills that will probably allow him to switch to PG once in the pros. He is below average as a shooter, though, and not very quick of the dribble for a man of his athletic gifts. He can dunk like crazy though.

–

I liked Adofo’s upside. This 20 year old is very strong for his size and age, and in addition to his jumping skills, he plays as if he’s a lot taller than 6’3”. He is still raw though, with a very poor jump shot. I liked him better than Wong, but not Thurman. If he was listed as ‘good’ potential, I’d rate him above Wong. With ‘average’,I’m not sure yet.





July 6, 2005


Today we bring in a young giant. He’s Adelaja Price, C, 298 lbs, 7’4”, 21 years old, with Good Potential and is projected to go somewhere towards the end of the first round. “Ade” is a tower of a man, with very good jumping and blocking skills. Those two combined with his height would make him a great defensive weapon in the pros if developed properly. He is also fairly good in scoring from the inside… The main concern about him is that he has not learned how to use his 298 lbs of body mass to outmuscle opponents,something he needs to work on if he hopes to be a good center in the pros.

–

Ade is a defensive monster and can only get better given his obvious commitment and work ethic. Think Shwan Bradley with passion and you’ll get the picture. The thing is, he is so unpolished offensively that he couldn’t score even if his life depended on it at this point. Though I like him, I do believe he is a reach with the 17th pick.


- Also today was the day I was informed about two if my players’ decisions about their future in the pros. Both Antonio Davis and Derrick Coleman called me themselves to inform me that they would be retiring and would not be back with the team for the 05/06 season. Derrick Coleman I would not resign anyway, but Davis is a PF/C that may not exactly be worth his huge contract, but he definitely was a great asset to the team coming off the bench last season, helping enormously in our great playoff run. He will be missed both as a player and as a person. Fare thee well, Antonio…

Here’s a list of all the players who won’t be back for the next season. Some good vets there, and solid contributors to the team. Reggie Miller and Gary Payton were All-Stars who had great seasons up until the season that just ended. Reggie averaged 19.7 ppg at the age of 39. All of these guys will be missed, definitely…

–

[The X]

damn Eric Piatowski screwed me out of being a rookie

damn Nebraskans to heel

nice run by the Knicks though....you did very well and Lady Luck failed at the last hurdle....

nice work though....

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

Nah, I'll take Nabraska over California every day...

Maube I'll use your CF in my GS 05 rookie class

[John WB]

Nice off-season coverage so far.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

July 7, 2005


Another rookie was in today. Christopher Tshibaka, SF, 255lbs, 6’7”, 22 years old, Good Potential, Projected as a late 1st Round pick.

Chris is a Chinese/American kid who grew up in Japan and played there for 4 years before declaring this year. Chris is ranging from average to good in just about everything, but is it enough to make it in the NBA?



Tim Thomas came to the practice court to help with the evaluation and proceeded to totally destroy the kid’s morale defeating him 11-1. Tshibaka is fast and athletic for a white guy, but he’s a god-awful dribbler and shooter. I didn’t see much in him that I like, will only pick him if nothing better is available.




July 8, 2005


Another SG brought in: Tomaki Rice, SG, 186lbs, 6’2”, 22 years old, Good potential, Projected: late 1st Round

Tomaki “Mack” Rice has not been scouted enough , but shows potential due to his jumping ,dribbling, dunking and offensive awareness skills . the rest are a mystery and that’s why I wanted to see him up close.

–

Holy Crap!!! This kid is far better than I expected. He has hops, can out dribble anybody, and his first step could break Ron Artest’s ankles. And the dunks he made on Allan Houston… Wow.
He’s not perfect though. His shooting mechanics need addressing, and he has inside scoring consistency issues, not to mention he’s a tweener at 6’2” . I’d rate him only behind Thurman, though.




July 9, 2005


Last day of the rookie workout today and we bring in a 2nd round prospect: Timothy Russell, C, 253lbs, 7’ 3”, 20 years old, Good Potential, Projected as a Late 2nd Round pick.
Timothy is raw on both ends but has the size, timing and jumping ability to be a good shot blocker.



Tim had a very good workout. He’s a great shot blocker, fairly quick for his size, and can put the ball in the basket in more than one ways. He’s definitely a favorite to be picked up in the second round by the Knicks.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

July 10, 2005


Today it’s officially the free agent resigning period. The Knicks had 4 players with expired contracts to consider for resigning



Of those four, I only consider Trevor Ariza a must-keep. The fact that he is asking less than 1 million per year for the next 7 years, in addition to tha fact that he is only 20 with great upside, make me want to just give him what he wants and be over with it quickly. Let’s see how this goes. Troy Bell is young and talented, but he did not show much during his stay in NY. The rest two guys will be let go.


Later tonight I found out that Larry Hughes will leave the Washington Wizards to test the Free Agent waters.


July 13, 2005


In what comes as a surprise, Pau Gasol did not agree terms with the Grizzlies about a new contract extension, so he too will be a FA player in a little while, and one of the most coveted ones if I may add. Too bad we are so way over the cap to pursue him, he would be an excellent addition to the Knicks.




July 14, 2005


I received an e-mail from Trevor Ariza’s agent this evening saying that his client has agreed to thecontract terms I offered. Trevor will be with the Knicks for the next 7 years , at only 910 k per year. Remind me to not hire this guy if I ever need an agent…






July 23, 2005

Today was the last day of the free agent resigning period and there were no real surprises in the last 10 days, as all of the leagues super- and semi- stars were resigned by their respective teams, except Gasol, Hughes and Latrell Sprewell.

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

July 24 , 2005


THE NBA DRAFT : Top 10 Analysis



1. ATLANTA HAWKS – Alonso Dent,21, SG 5’ 11” (!!!) 199lbs, Kansas, 65 overall rating – Draft Grade: A-

With the first choice of the 05 draft, the Hawks select this pint-sized combo guard out of Kansas. While a selection of a 5’11” guy who is more of a shooting guard than a playmaker seems crazy at first, it is justified. Alonso led the Jayhawks to 2 final fours and one National Championship during his 3 year tenure, averaging 28.8 ppg in his junior year. Plus, he has shown leadership qualities and can pass fairly well to be considered a PG at the next level. He’s not fast like Iverson, but is very strong for his size(think David Wesley) and one of the best three-point shooters in the country.






2. MILWAUKEE BUCKS – Kobe Lawson,18, C 7’ 1”, 252lbs, Palm Hines HS, VA – 61 overall rating – Draft Grade: A

The Bucks probably hit the jackpot with Lawson and made the best out of their draft choice. Lawson and Dent were battling it out for the #1 spot all summer, but to the joy of Milwaukee, Atlanta picked the short guy. Kobe( his name is actually Corbin but he changed it to Kobe because he likes you know who…) is a high school kid , only 18 years old, but with an NBA ready body and a good character. He can rebound with the best, and can put the ball in the basket when in the post. His defense is lacking but that can only improve with time. Given his excellent potential, expect Kobe to be one of the dominant Centers in the league in 2 or 3 years.






3. NEW ORLEANS HORNETS – Tanel Greig,19, SG 6’ 2”, 192lbs, Rustavi, Georgia – 60 overall rating – Draft Grade: D

Tanel was born in Georgia of the former Soviet Union, and has played for Maccabi Tel Aviv of Israel during the past two years,being a solid performed and scorer for the two time Euroleague Champions. Greig is more of a shooting guard than a playmaker, though, not showing the leadership or passing skills to warrant him being a good point guard in the NBA. He is hard-working and talented, though, and if one thing is certain is that he’ll continue to get better, given his only 19 years of age.





4. UTAH JAZZ – Colin Thurman, 20, SG 6’ 3”, 207lbs, Cincinnati – 61 overall rating – Draft Grade: B

Colin was the premier shooter in the college game during the past two years, leading Cincinnati to the Championship game this spring, were they lost to Alonso Dent’s Jayhawks. Colin can shoot lights out consistently, and is quite fast running up and down the court. His passing options need addressing, though, and he still needs to work a bit on his shot selection.





5. CHARLOTTE BOBCATS (Traded to Washington for Juan Dixon ) – Hubert Cantrell, 19, PF 6’ 8”, UNLV – 56 overall rating – Draft Grade: F (for trading him away)

Picking high flying white boy and Nevada native Cantrell was a smart move by the Cats, but trading him away to Washington for Juan Dixon and cash considerations was not. Hubert is a freshman who lit up his conference with some amazing dunks and blocks, being very fast and athletic for a Caucasean. Weaknesses include poor free throw shooting and only average rebounding ability.






6. LA CLIPPERS – Ivan Zyuzin, 21, PF 6’ 9’’, Kaunas, Lithuania – 54 overall rating – Draft Grade: D-

Ivan is Russian, born in Lithuania and raised in Italy, were he has been playing professionally for the past 3 years at Benneton Treviso. He’s a strong Power Forward that can post up and shoot the mid range jumper, while being an adequate defender to boot. Weaknesses include lack of quickness, focus and work ethic.





7. TORONTO RAPTORS – Alex Ledyard, 18, SG 6’ 2”, Coventry, England – 58 overall rating – Draft Grade: A-

Alex is the best basketball product to come out of Great Britain since John Amaechi, only with tons more of potential. Ledyard played at this years McDonald’s and woed scouts with his basketball IQ and passion on the court. He is also very athletic and fast, while a more than adequate passer too. He is still raw, and lacks consistency on his jumper, but being only 18 and the youngest player in this year’s draft class, thinks look good for the future.






8. SEATTLE SONICS – Julian Chan, 22, SG 6’ 2”, Yokohama, Japan – 51 overall rating – Draft Grade: D-

This Chinese/Japanese youngster was predicted as a 15-20 pick prior to the proceedings, but the Supersonics decided to reach for him at no 9. Julian is below average shooter and passer, and does not show the athletic ability that would make up for his shortcomings. He is a hard worker, though, and a good character that will not cause any trouble. Still, in most scouts’ minds, this was a big reach.





9. PORTLAND BLAZERS – Hasani Willis, 21, PF 6’ 10”, Purdue, 54 overall rating – Draft Grade: C

Hasani was the best scorer to play for Purdue since Glenn Robinson, averaging 23.2 points per game in his junior season. He is tall, and a good defender, but scouts worry about his extremely lanky and fragile physique. The NBA’s rigorous season and it sphysical game might prove too much for Willis, plus the Blazers really didn’t need another PF after retaining both Randolph and Reef.




10. GOLDEN STATE WARRIORS – Chris Cummings, 19, SF 6’ 9”, Texas, 56 overall rating – Draft Grade: B-

With this pick, the Warriors appear to finally give up on grooming Mike Dunleavy as their future star, especially considering that Mickeal Pietrus started the second half of the past season at SF. Cummins is a big and strong combo forward, who can jump for boards and play hustle defense, while being able to run the court very well for his bulk. Shooting is below average, and dribbling skills need work.

[John WB]

So you're not going to use real draft picks at all?

[AlwaysWhat,NeverWhy]

Not this year, anyway...

[misow]

nice presentation