Liveblogging the NBA Draft... with beer!
Jun. 26th, 2008 07:26 pmOkay, so it's actually Strongbow cider. But beer sounds cooler and you know it.
So this is the night when the NBA drafts its rookies, and I drink and yell at the tv a lot. I don't really know how the picks are going to shake out, but I will make a few guarantees for draft night: Jay Bilas will say dumb shit. Dick Vitale will say really dumb shit. Stephen A. Smith will say dumb shit, but I will forgive him because he makes me laugh and because there's always the chance he might look at Dickie V and say "that crazy old white man, he's on crack."
Booing David Stern! Something that all NBA fans can agree on!
Blahblahblah bullshit blahblahblah my global empire blahblahblah I swear the games aren't fixed. Shut up, Stern.
If the crowd is going to yell funny shit, they could at least bother to enunciate so I can hear it.
I really do not get why everyone's having such a fit over Derrick Rose. He's a point guard. And I love to watch point guards, but let's be honest, and this is coming from the world's biggest Steve Nash fangirl here, point guards don't win championships. At least not these days. Iverson, Kidd, Nashie-poo honey-buns... You know what they have in common? No championships. You know who does have a championship? Rajon Rondo. Not to diss Rondo, I think he's terrific, but that wasn't exactly a point guard-led team, you know?
Oh good, Michael Beasley went second. Pat Riley does still have brain cells. Good to know.
John Paxson: yet another former NBA player who doesn't actually know shit about running a team, despite being white. And before you give me shit about being racist, I'd like to point out it's not my fault every team assumes white guys know what they're doing in the front office. I give you Kevin McHale, Larry Bird, and I guess I can't say Danny Ainge anymore, so I'll say Kevin McHale again, because he deserves it for the mess he's made in Minnesota. And that's just former Celtics of the '80s.
Though I've got plenty of concerns about OJ Mayo, he has given us the first good suit of this draft. Why is his mom wearing a prom dress? When Tim Floyd says he didn't know about the NCAA violations, he's full of shit. OJ's rep walked in his office and said "OJ wants to play here for a year so he can start marketing himself." That's what we call a red flag. Though to be fair, I'd probably have an ego the size of Manhattan if I'd been in Sports Illustrated since I was a preteen.
James just pointed out that I don't follow college basketball enough to know who these guys are, so why am I interested? Because it's an excuse to drink and yell at the tv. And I will go on the record as saying I may just be a drunk fan, but I could still do better than half the GMs in the league. Well, not really. But I still think I could do better than Kevin McHale.
James: "Why does nobody care about Memphis?"
Me: "Because they SUCK and don't want to win and traded Pau Gasol for spare change."
James: "Did they really?"
Me: "No, Kwame Brown. Same thing really."
I wonder if there has ever been a Knicks pick the MSG crowd hasn't booed... I miss the "Fire Isiah" chants though. As bad as Isiah sucked, I hated to see him go. He was the best soap opera going.
The Rooster?! Congratulations Daniel "Boobie" Gibson, you no longer have the worst nickname in the NBA.
I only just now found out about the Yi-Simmons-Jefferson trade. Either ESPN sucks or I'm not paying attention.
Gee Brook Lopez, how does it feel to go from projected third pick to actual tenth?
Blah blah blah. I must be losing interest because I learned a lesson last year and am not expecting a Vandy player to get drafted just because he was SEC Player of the Year. More beer!
Phoenix fans, what do we end up getting in the Joe Johnson trade? The twin brother of the guy who fell from third to tenth. If I weren't drinking already, I'd start now. TRADE NASH!!!
I predict Portland just got the steal of the draft with Darrell Arthur.
So this is the night when the NBA drafts its rookies, and I drink and yell at the tv a lot. I don't really know how the picks are going to shake out, but I will make a few guarantees for draft night: Jay Bilas will say dumb shit. Dick Vitale will say really dumb shit. Stephen A. Smith will say dumb shit, but I will forgive him because he makes me laugh and because there's always the chance he might look at Dickie V and say "that crazy old white man, he's on crack."
Booing David Stern! Something that all NBA fans can agree on!
Blahblahblah bullshit blahblahblah my global empire blahblahblah I swear the games aren't fixed. Shut up, Stern.
If the crowd is going to yell funny shit, they could at least bother to enunciate so I can hear it.
I really do not get why everyone's having such a fit over Derrick Rose. He's a point guard. And I love to watch point guards, but let's be honest, and this is coming from the world's biggest Steve Nash fangirl here, point guards don't win championships. At least not these days. Iverson, Kidd, Nashie-poo honey-buns... You know what they have in common? No championships. You know who does have a championship? Rajon Rondo. Not to diss Rondo, I think he's terrific, but that wasn't exactly a point guard-led team, you know?
Oh good, Michael Beasley went second. Pat Riley does still have brain cells. Good to know.
John Paxson: yet another former NBA player who doesn't actually know shit about running a team, despite being white. And before you give me shit about being racist, I'd like to point out it's not my fault every team assumes white guys know what they're doing in the front office. I give you Kevin McHale, Larry Bird, and I guess I can't say Danny Ainge anymore, so I'll say Kevin McHale again, because he deserves it for the mess he's made in Minnesota. And that's just former Celtics of the '80s.
Though I've got plenty of concerns about OJ Mayo, he has given us the first good suit of this draft. Why is his mom wearing a prom dress? When Tim Floyd says he didn't know about the NCAA violations, he's full of shit. OJ's rep walked in his office and said "OJ wants to play here for a year so he can start marketing himself." That's what we call a red flag. Though to be fair, I'd probably have an ego the size of Manhattan if I'd been in Sports Illustrated since I was a preteen.
James just pointed out that I don't follow college basketball enough to know who these guys are, so why am I interested? Because it's an excuse to drink and yell at the tv. And I will go on the record as saying I may just be a drunk fan, but I could still do better than half the GMs in the league. Well, not really. But I still think I could do better than Kevin McHale.
James: "Why does nobody care about Memphis?"
Me: "Because they SUCK and don't want to win and traded Pau Gasol for spare change."
James: "Did they really?"
Me: "No, Kwame Brown. Same thing really."
I wonder if there has ever been a Knicks pick the MSG crowd hasn't booed... I miss the "Fire Isiah" chants though. As bad as Isiah sucked, I hated to see him go. He was the best soap opera going.
The Rooster?! Congratulations Daniel "Boobie" Gibson, you no longer have the worst nickname in the NBA.
I only just now found out about the Yi-Simmons-Jefferson trade. Either ESPN sucks or I'm not paying attention.
Gee Brook Lopez, how does it feel to go from projected third pick to actual tenth?
Blah blah blah. I must be losing interest because I learned a lesson last year and am not expecting a Vandy player to get drafted just because he was SEC Player of the Year. More beer!
Phoenix fans, what do we end up getting in the Joe Johnson trade? The twin brother of the guy who fell from third to tenth. If I weren't drinking already, I'd start now. TRADE NASH!!!
I predict Portland just got the steal of the draft with Darrell Arthur.
The Celtics were celebrating on the tv and I thought I just couldn't be any happier...
...and then the camera cut to Kobe Bryant stalking off the court...
...Best of both worlds!!
ETA: Phil Jackson on the tv, answering stupid questions over the din of celebrating Celtics fans while gritting his teeth and looking like he's about to go postal. IT GETS BETTER AND BETTER!!
...and then the camera cut to Kobe Bryant stalking off the court...
...Best of both worlds!!
ETA: Phil Jackson on the tv, answering stupid questions over the din of celebrating Celtics fans while gritting his teeth and looking like he's about to go postal. IT GETS BETTER AND BETTER!!
Be glad you're not here.
Jun. 17th, 2008 09:33 pmGame 6 of the NBA Finals and everyone here at Casa Kellinator is really hoping the Celtics close it out tonight. Me because I just want the Celtics to win already, and James and the cats because they're tired of me screaming at the TV.
I will say there's nothing like Celtics vs. Lakers in the Finals... but with Kobe on the Lakers, it's like an epic battle of good vs. evil. KOBE SUCKS!!
I will say there's nothing like Celtics vs. Lakers in the Finals... but with Kobe on the Lakers, it's like an epic battle of good vs. evil. KOBE SUCKS!!
more basketball
May. 29th, 2008 09:02 pmI've got the Lakers-Spurs pregame on right now, mainly because the Lakers can close out the series tonight and therefore this could be my last chance to see Charles Barkley on TNT until next season.
I think somebody needs to give Charles Barkley his own channel where he can rant about whatever shit he wants to all day. Because I would watch that shit all the damn time. Get me them socks!
I think somebody needs to give Charles Barkley his own channel where he can rant about whatever shit he wants to all day. Because I would watch that shit all the damn time. Get me them socks!
I hate the Spurs.
Apr. 30th, 2008 12:38 amDammit, Steve. You do not get eliminated in April. (You also do not get eliminated in June because you're not playing then in the first place, but that's beside the point.)
This sucks.
I really think Phoenix had finally gotten over the hump with the Spurs last year, but then Amare and Diaw got suspended (which is totally bullshit; this week KG got less for more) and it was like it broke their spirit and then it was just one bad break after another. One of the ESPN guys said Phoenix was the team who could not get a lucky break.
I'm going to go cry in my fruit juice now.
This sucks.
I really think Phoenix had finally gotten over the hump with the Spurs last year, but then Amare and Diaw got suspended (which is totally bullshit; this week KG got less for more) and it was like it broke their spirit and then it was just one bad break after another. One of the ESPN guys said Phoenix was the team who could not get a lucky break.
I'm going to go cry in my fruit juice now.
Sweet, sweet justification.
Jul. 24th, 2007 11:09 amWow. I'm checking out David Stern's press conference on ESPN.com and he looks ROUGH. He's also not making a whole lot of sense in my opinion; he just brought up 9/11, for heaven's sake. Wow, I might actually feel bad for him if he hadn't insisted on acting like such a complete and total power-mad douchebag.
For those of you who don't pay attention to the NBA, which is 99.5% of my friendslist, what I'm going on about is the fact that late last week, the FBI alleged that a NBA referee, Tim Donaghy, had been betting on the games he officiated and was linked to a points-shaving Mob operation. And the overwhelming reaction from NBA watchers was not "I can't believe this!", but "I figured. Which ref was that again?" I'm not even going to both posting all the links to the commentary saying just that. I will invite you to imagine what happened to my blood pressure when I found out that Donaghy called game 3 of the Suns-Spurs series this spring that had me swearing the fix was in.
OMG is he now trying to claim that even though a ref was on the take from the mob there really wasn't that much of a difference? I think he's trying to put everyone to sleep before they can ask any hard questions.
Anyway, the best part so far has been David Stern claiming that "This was an ISOLATED INCIDENT involving ONE INDIVIDUAL" at the same time that Donaghy is offering to name names.
Oh, now he's trying to blame the FBI for all of this. Don't ask me how.
So what I'm really trying to figure out is, why would the Mob be rooting for the Spurs? At least until this postseason, the Spurs were supposed to be "classy." Maybe Bruce Bowen reminds them of Luca Brazi.
For those of you who don't pay attention to the NBA, which is 99.5% of my friendslist, what I'm going on about is the fact that late last week, the FBI alleged that a NBA referee, Tim Donaghy, had been betting on the games he officiated and was linked to a points-shaving Mob operation. And the overwhelming reaction from NBA watchers was not "I can't believe this!", but "I figured. Which ref was that again?" I'm not even going to both posting all the links to the commentary saying just that. I will invite you to imagine what happened to my blood pressure when I found out that Donaghy called game 3 of the Suns-Spurs series this spring that had me swearing the fix was in.
OMG is he now trying to claim that even though a ref was on the take from the mob there really wasn't that much of a difference? I think he's trying to put everyone to sleep before they can ask any hard questions.
Anyway, the best part so far has been David Stern claiming that "This was an ISOLATED INCIDENT involving ONE INDIVIDUAL" at the same time that Donaghy is offering to name names.
Oh, now he's trying to blame the FBI for all of this. Don't ask me how.
So what I'm really trying to figure out is, why would the Mob be rooting for the Spurs? At least until this postseason, the Spurs were supposed to be "classy." Maybe Bruce Bowen reminds them of Luca Brazi.
I know what you're thinking: She's liveblogging the draft? Is she on crack? There's no actual basketball involved! True, but if you're a devotee of Spoiled Millionaires Theater, there's hardly a better show than the NBA draft. All the teams, making stupid decisions, at the same time. If you like schadenfreude, it's a smorgasboard.
BTW, the predraft show is so not worth watching, but it totally would be if Stephen A. Smith would respond to Dick Vitale's criticism of Stephen A.'s statement that this draft is not as deep as the 2003 draft by saying "that crazy old white man, he's on crack."
7:33 PM: Man, it's awesome seeing David Stern look all uncomfortable when the crowd boos. I'd make up a draft drinking game at this point, except 1). there's probably already one and 2). if I played it I'd probably be too shitfaced to post by the time they got to the sixth pick.
7:36: You know, I like Greg Oden, I really do. He seems like a very nice young man (even if he looks like a nice old man. Dag, yo). And I like his suit, too. Portland better trade Zack Randolph before he can be a bad influence.
7:37: This is just to remind you that the main reason anyone watches the draft (next to the schadenfreude) is the suits. So far this draft class seems to be going with classy and sedate, except for Joakim Noah. Trust me, Joakim, you're a big deal. You don't have to wear seersucker to get attention.
7:39: Awww, Greg Oden has a cold and is trying not to give it to David Stern. Isn't that sweet? If I were there and I had a cold, I'd be hacking all over him. And muttering "this is for my boys in Phoenix, jackass."
7:41: Ray Allen to Boston? I guess they really do want to make Paul Pierce happy.
7:42: Kevin Durant at two, duh. Focusing on the suits alone, I gotta give the edge to Oden. Now that's a number-one-pick suit.
7:44: Man, I wish I had TiVo so I could fast-forward through Jay Bilas. Duke-boy, you're a wanker.
7:48: And the Hawks draft... another forward! See, this is why when a co-worker asked if I thought the Hawks could pull it off tonight, I said "hell no."
7:53: I know I already said it, but I'll say it again: Jay Bilas is an idiot.
7:56: At least Boston is trading their pick, which is good because that means they can't fuck it up.
7:58: Stephen A. is making fun of Boston. Gotta love him.
8:02: Awww, after four championships, Timmy Duncan gets his own "it takes five" commercial. How cute. See, the problem with Kevin Garnett's commercial was every time KG said "it takes five," I yelled, "yeah, and your team won't get them for you!" at the screen.
8:04: And the Milwaukee Bucks take the chance on provoking the international incident by drafting Yi Jianlian. I must say, he's much hotter and more stylist than I expected, even if I am irritated with his whole get-to-pick-my-own-team attitude. Oh lord, one of the commentators just said "Yao is old school, Yi is new school. Yi is 50 Cent." I may have to punch my TV.
8:09: Stephen A. is now implying that Del Harris is out to screw his own kid. Wow, I'm glad he's here, because everyone else is BOR-ING.
8:10: How sad is it that in the past three years, the Grizzlies have made the playoffs more than the Timberwolves?
8:11: Okay, I think I have to like Corey Brewer now. He's from a farm in Tennessee. Wow, other than him being an athletic black soon-to-be-multimillionaire, and me being a fat clumsy broke pasty white girl, it's just like we're twins!
8:17: You know, someone really should have noticed by now that Michael Jordan really sucks at the front office. Two words: Kwame Brown.
8:18: See? Yet another North Carolina link. Jordan may have been a genius with the basketball, but he isn't very original when it comes to the front office.
8:22: Now the crowd is mocking Isiah. I love this game.
8:24: James asked me for a prediction on this pick and I said "Maybe Noah." I'm SO glad I was right, because now hopefully they won't feel the need to show his ugly-ass seersucker suit every three minutes. And I like Noah. I really do. But that suit... I think he might be trying to be ironic, but whatever he's doing, it isn't good.
8:28: Joakim uses Bumble and Bumble in his hair? That might be worse than Mark Miller's headband. I do not want NBA players to have better-styled hair than I do. Not that this is saying much.
8:32: Should we take bets on how long until Ron Artest gets medieval on Spencer Hawes' ass? And the lottery has its Token White Guy.
8:33: Stuart Scott to Spencer Hawes: "What do you say when you hear Jay Bilas say you're not a good athlete?" Me, speaking for Spencer Hawes: "Jay Bilas is a douche."
8:34: Oh yeah, Spencer Hawes is the guy who wants to tell everyone how much he loves George W. Bush. I think I might send Ron Artest twenty bucks to kick his ass.
8:39: I must be hallucinating. I thought I heard them say the Hawks didn't draft another forward.
8:53: Am I the only one who thinks it's ridiculous to say that a college senior has done all the growing he's going to and that's why you draft four-year-olds, for their "upside"? That's ridonkulous.
8:59: I cannot believe Stephen A. just said that Mike Dunleavy is going to get control of the Clippers this year. He lost it more than a year ago. Even Elton Brand was ignoring him.
9:00: Stuart Scott to Al Thornton: "The high picks are 19. You're 24. How is your age going to affect you in the locker room?" Me as Al Thornton: "I can drink and they can't." James as Al Thornton: "Those guys will pay me to get them alcohol." I don't have the heart to tell him that those guys won't have any problem getting their own alcohol.
9:02: You know what's REALLY ridonkulous? The fact that it's taken an hour and a half to get halfway through the first round.
9:03: I am totally amused that Henry Abbott from TrueHoop is now referring to David Lee (former Gator, current Knick, rebounds a lot, is the rare white guy who doesn't suck) as "the Gatorfather."
9:06: I don't think I've ever heard of Rodney Stuckey, but I like his suit.
9:08: Stuckey wears #3 because Dwayne Wade is his idol. I feel REALLY old.
9:12: I'm really happy for Nick Young, but I wish his mic had been working.
9:14: OH NO HE DI'INT. Isiah just traded for Zach Randolph. Now the Knicks have yet another trainwreck with a big contract on their hands and the Knick fans are CHEERING? They must have all started smoking crack to deal with the nightmare that is Isiah.
9:23: I have to give props to any player who goes to the effort of coming to the draft on his own. Plus, Marco Belinelli is hawt.
9:25: Lakers on the clock! Man, I hope something ridiculous happens.
9:30: Oh my gosh, Stephen A. just came thisclose to telling Dickie V he's on crack.
9:32: Oh pleasepleaseplease don't make my man Derrick Byars go to New York. He's a good guy, he doesn't deserve this.
9:37: "We acknowledge that we have had a meeting..." Man, Mitch Kupchak really sucks.
9:40: Stephen A. just said Mitch Kupchak looked like he was about to cry and then he totally dogged on the Buss family. Have I mentioned that I love Stephen A.?
9:45: Am I the only one who's wondering why everyone's carrying on about Sean Williams being such a risk when the NBA's love affair with weed is so well-documented?
9:48: I've now officially started screaming at the TV about WHY WON'T YOU FUCKERS DRAFT DERRICK BYARS. Vandy gets no respect. Also, I'm having trouble explaining to James why I don't want Derrick to go to the Knicks. I would have thought he would have figured that out by now.
9:49: On the other hand, if Derrick sticks around long enough, the Suns might draft him, and that would RULE.
9:50: Spike Lee is right: Isiah does know how to draft. Unfortunately for the Knicks, that's the ONLY thing he knows how to do.
9:52: Oh thank God. The Knicks didn't draft Derrick.
9:53: James: "Why were the fans booing the commissioner?" Me: "I don't know. There are so many good reasons."
9:54: I'm now trying to explain to James that just because I don't know what "second jumpability" is doesn't mean I'm uninformed. It means Jay Bilas is making shit up.
10:20: Well, now at least Derrick Byars is sitting on top of the "Best Available" board.
10:25: OMG. Derrick Byars is the best player left... and Phoenix is on the clock. COME ON, STEVE KERR!!! DO THE RIGHT THING!!!
10:30: FUCK. Steve Kerr... you're on notice!
10:37: Okay... the first round is over and it's now official: Everyone hates Vanderbilt. Teams would rather draft Finnish guys no one's ever heard of than the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year. That's the Player of the Year picked OVER those guys from Florida who went in the top ten. I hate everyone. Oh well. At least Derrick has a real degree from Vanderbilt to fall back on.
11:17: Jay Bilas just FINALLY mentioned he's surprised Derrick hasn't been drafted yet.
11:18: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!! Portland just drafted Derrick Byars... and ESPN immediately pushed him aside to talk about the Jason Richardson trade. Fuckers. That said, I think this is a WONDERFUL outcome for Derrick, aside from the loss of guaranteed money that the first round would have brought. He can hang out with Greg Oden...
11:20: Oh, FUCK THAT. Derrick's getting traded to the Sucktastic Sixers for one of those foreign guys no one's ever heard of AND cash. Talk about adding insult to injury. I quit. I'm going to go look for more alcohol. Motherfuckers.
BTW, the predraft show is so not worth watching, but it totally would be if Stephen A. Smith would respond to Dick Vitale's criticism of Stephen A.'s statement that this draft is not as deep as the 2003 draft by saying "that crazy old white man, he's on crack."
7:33 PM: Man, it's awesome seeing David Stern look all uncomfortable when the crowd boos. I'd make up a draft drinking game at this point, except 1). there's probably already one and 2). if I played it I'd probably be too shitfaced to post by the time they got to the sixth pick.
7:36: You know, I like Greg Oden, I really do. He seems like a very nice young man (even if he looks like a nice old man. Dag, yo). And I like his suit, too. Portland better trade Zack Randolph before he can be a bad influence.
7:37: This is just to remind you that the main reason anyone watches the draft (next to the schadenfreude) is the suits. So far this draft class seems to be going with classy and sedate, except for Joakim Noah. Trust me, Joakim, you're a big deal. You don't have to wear seersucker to get attention.
7:39: Awww, Greg Oden has a cold and is trying not to give it to David Stern. Isn't that sweet? If I were there and I had a cold, I'd be hacking all over him. And muttering "this is for my boys in Phoenix, jackass."
7:41: Ray Allen to Boston? I guess they really do want to make Paul Pierce happy.
7:42: Kevin Durant at two, duh. Focusing on the suits alone, I gotta give the edge to Oden. Now that's a number-one-pick suit.
7:44: Man, I wish I had TiVo so I could fast-forward through Jay Bilas. Duke-boy, you're a wanker.
7:48: And the Hawks draft... another forward! See, this is why when a co-worker asked if I thought the Hawks could pull it off tonight, I said "hell no."
7:53: I know I already said it, but I'll say it again: Jay Bilas is an idiot.
7:56: At least Boston is trading their pick, which is good because that means they can't fuck it up.
7:58: Stephen A. is making fun of Boston. Gotta love him.
8:02: Awww, after four championships, Timmy Duncan gets his own "it takes five" commercial. How cute. See, the problem with Kevin Garnett's commercial was every time KG said "it takes five," I yelled, "yeah, and your team won't get them for you!" at the screen.
8:04: And the Milwaukee Bucks take the chance on provoking the international incident by drafting Yi Jianlian. I must say, he's much hotter and more stylist than I expected, even if I am irritated with his whole get-to-pick-my-own-team attitude. Oh lord, one of the commentators just said "Yao is old school, Yi is new school. Yi is 50 Cent." I may have to punch my TV.
8:09: Stephen A. is now implying that Del Harris is out to screw his own kid. Wow, I'm glad he's here, because everyone else is BOR-ING.
8:10: How sad is it that in the past three years, the Grizzlies have made the playoffs more than the Timberwolves?
8:11: Okay, I think I have to like Corey Brewer now. He's from a farm in Tennessee. Wow, other than him being an athletic black soon-to-be-multimillionaire, and me being a fat clumsy broke pasty white girl, it's just like we're twins!
8:17: You know, someone really should have noticed by now that Michael Jordan really sucks at the front office. Two words: Kwame Brown.
8:18: See? Yet another North Carolina link. Jordan may have been a genius with the basketball, but he isn't very original when it comes to the front office.
8:22: Now the crowd is mocking Isiah. I love this game.
8:24: James asked me for a prediction on this pick and I said "Maybe Noah." I'm SO glad I was right, because now hopefully they won't feel the need to show his ugly-ass seersucker suit every three minutes. And I like Noah. I really do. But that suit... I think he might be trying to be ironic, but whatever he's doing, it isn't good.
8:28: Joakim uses Bumble and Bumble in his hair? That might be worse than Mark Miller's headband. I do not want NBA players to have better-styled hair than I do. Not that this is saying much.
8:32: Should we take bets on how long until Ron Artest gets medieval on Spencer Hawes' ass? And the lottery has its Token White Guy.
8:33: Stuart Scott to Spencer Hawes: "What do you say when you hear Jay Bilas say you're not a good athlete?" Me, speaking for Spencer Hawes: "Jay Bilas is a douche."
8:34: Oh yeah, Spencer Hawes is the guy who wants to tell everyone how much he loves George W. Bush. I think I might send Ron Artest twenty bucks to kick his ass.
8:39: I must be hallucinating. I thought I heard them say the Hawks didn't draft another forward.
8:53: Am I the only one who thinks it's ridiculous to say that a college senior has done all the growing he's going to and that's why you draft four-year-olds, for their "upside"? That's ridonkulous.
8:59: I cannot believe Stephen A. just said that Mike Dunleavy is going to get control of the Clippers this year. He lost it more than a year ago. Even Elton Brand was ignoring him.
9:00: Stuart Scott to Al Thornton: "The high picks are 19. You're 24. How is your age going to affect you in the locker room?" Me as Al Thornton: "I can drink and they can't." James as Al Thornton: "Those guys will pay me to get them alcohol." I don't have the heart to tell him that those guys won't have any problem getting their own alcohol.
9:02: You know what's REALLY ridonkulous? The fact that it's taken an hour and a half to get halfway through the first round.
9:03: I am totally amused that Henry Abbott from TrueHoop is now referring to David Lee (former Gator, current Knick, rebounds a lot, is the rare white guy who doesn't suck) as "the Gatorfather."
9:06: I don't think I've ever heard of Rodney Stuckey, but I like his suit.
9:08: Stuckey wears #3 because Dwayne Wade is his idol. I feel REALLY old.
9:12: I'm really happy for Nick Young, but I wish his mic had been working.
9:14: OH NO HE DI'INT. Isiah just traded for Zach Randolph. Now the Knicks have yet another trainwreck with a big contract on their hands and the Knick fans are CHEERING? They must have all started smoking crack to deal with the nightmare that is Isiah.
9:23: I have to give props to any player who goes to the effort of coming to the draft on his own. Plus, Marco Belinelli is hawt.
9:25: Lakers on the clock! Man, I hope something ridiculous happens.
9:30: Oh my gosh, Stephen A. just came thisclose to telling Dickie V he's on crack.
9:32: Oh pleasepleaseplease don't make my man Derrick Byars go to New York. He's a good guy, he doesn't deserve this.
9:37: "We acknowledge that we have had a meeting..." Man, Mitch Kupchak really sucks.
9:40: Stephen A. just said Mitch Kupchak looked like he was about to cry and then he totally dogged on the Buss family. Have I mentioned that I love Stephen A.?
9:45: Am I the only one who's wondering why everyone's carrying on about Sean Williams being such a risk when the NBA's love affair with weed is so well-documented?
9:48: I've now officially started screaming at the TV about WHY WON'T YOU FUCKERS DRAFT DERRICK BYARS. Vandy gets no respect. Also, I'm having trouble explaining to James why I don't want Derrick to go to the Knicks. I would have thought he would have figured that out by now.
9:49: On the other hand, if Derrick sticks around long enough, the Suns might draft him, and that would RULE.
9:50: Spike Lee is right: Isiah does know how to draft. Unfortunately for the Knicks, that's the ONLY thing he knows how to do.
9:52: Oh thank God. The Knicks didn't draft Derrick.
9:53: James: "Why were the fans booing the commissioner?" Me: "I don't know. There are so many good reasons."
9:54: I'm now trying to explain to James that just because I don't know what "second jumpability" is doesn't mean I'm uninformed. It means Jay Bilas is making shit up.
10:20: Well, now at least Derrick Byars is sitting on top of the "Best Available" board.
10:25: OMG. Derrick Byars is the best player left... and Phoenix is on the clock. COME ON, STEVE KERR!!! DO THE RIGHT THING!!!
10:30: FUCK. Steve Kerr... you're on notice!
10:37: Okay... the first round is over and it's now official: Everyone hates Vanderbilt. Teams would rather draft Finnish guys no one's ever heard of than the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year. That's the Player of the Year picked OVER those guys from Florida who went in the top ten. I hate everyone. Oh well. At least Derrick has a real degree from Vanderbilt to fall back on.
11:17: Jay Bilas just FINALLY mentioned he's surprised Derrick hasn't been drafted yet.
11:18: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!!!!! Portland just drafted Derrick Byars... and ESPN immediately pushed him aside to talk about the Jason Richardson trade. Fuckers. That said, I think this is a WONDERFUL outcome for Derrick, aside from the loss of guaranteed money that the first round would have brought. He can hang out with Greg Oden...
11:20: Oh, FUCK THAT. Derrick's getting traded to the Sucktastic Sixers for one of those foreign guys no one's ever heard of AND cash. Talk about adding insult to injury. I quit. I'm going to go look for more alcohol. Motherfuckers.
pre-draft trade musings
Jun. 28th, 2007 01:13 pmJust because the season is over, doesn't mean I'm going to shut up about the NBA (or that you're going to comment on it).
First of all, I was completely amused by the trade suggestions from various sports columnists that the Lakers should trade Kobe to the Suns, because last year a co-worker asked me what did I think it would be like if Kobe and Steve Nash were on the same team, and I concocted the following scenario, which is funnier if you hold up your hands and flap them like they're sock puppets, and funnier still if you grab some yarn and tape a moptop to the hand you've designated as Nash:
Nash: Hey Kobe, I've organized a team dinner tonight after the game. Wanna come?
Kobe: Black Mamba doesn't do team dinners! *flounces off*
Just try it. Make your hand flounce. It's fun.
And then for added fun, take the moptop off your Nash hand and designate it as Raja Bell. Then proceed to beat the hell out of Kobe. (As much as I hate Kobe, I would love to see him teammates with Bell so Raja could clothesline his ass on a regular basis.)
But I for one am much more interested in the proposed trades to bring Kevin Garnett to Phoenix (he and Steve are buddies, apparently). And honestly, I think I like the idea of parting with Amare Stoudemire better than losing Shawn Marion. Is Amare more of a talent? Undoubtedly. But he's also an egomaniac who's apparently been bad for team chemistry and skipped the last team meeting of the season. I've always had a sinking feeling that Amare could at some point go Ron Artest levels of crazy, and what I'm seeing from him (including a bizarre interview where he said he'd rather have Kobe than Nash and Nash gets too much attention, leading one member of the Suns to comment "What do you expect from a guy who chooses a jersey number of one?"), isn't inspiring me to revise that opinion.
Nash. Garnett. It would be the feel-good story of the year. At least until David Stern goes off his meds again.
First of all, I was completely amused by the trade suggestions from various sports columnists that the Lakers should trade Kobe to the Suns, because last year a co-worker asked me what did I think it would be like if Kobe and Steve Nash were on the same team, and I concocted the following scenario, which is funnier if you hold up your hands and flap them like they're sock puppets, and funnier still if you grab some yarn and tape a moptop to the hand you've designated as Nash:
Nash: Hey Kobe, I've organized a team dinner tonight after the game. Wanna come?
Kobe: Black Mamba doesn't do team dinners! *flounces off*
Just try it. Make your hand flounce. It's fun.
And then for added fun, take the moptop off your Nash hand and designate it as Raja Bell. Then proceed to beat the hell out of Kobe. (As much as I hate Kobe, I would love to see him teammates with Bell so Raja could clothesline his ass on a regular basis.)
But I for one am much more interested in the proposed trades to bring Kevin Garnett to Phoenix (he and Steve are buddies, apparently). And honestly, I think I like the idea of parting with Amare Stoudemire better than losing Shawn Marion. Is Amare more of a talent? Undoubtedly. But he's also an egomaniac who's apparently been bad for team chemistry and skipped the last team meeting of the season. I've always had a sinking feeling that Amare could at some point go Ron Artest levels of crazy, and what I'm seeing from him (including a bizarre interview where he said he'd rather have Kobe than Nash and Nash gets too much attention, leading one member of the Suns to comment "What do you expect from a guy who chooses a jersey number of one?"), isn't inspiring me to revise that opinion.
Nash. Garnett. It would be the feel-good story of the year. At least until David Stern goes off his meds again.
There are 10.6 seconds left to go in Game 3 of the NBA finals, and San Antonio is leading Cleveland by a possession, 73-70. And I just realized to my utter shock that I really don't give a damn. Like, it's not even a case of not caring who wins. It's just that the game is so ugly and so messy and so bland that I really just can't bring myself to pay any attention even though usually I love these tense moments at the end of games.
OMG these announcers SUCK. The crowd just started screaming as one "LET'S GO CAVS" and do they stop telling their boring stories/making their inane comments so we can vicariously enjoy the crowd and the atmosphere and the sheer joy of being a fan? Nooooooo. Then they wouldn't get as much face time.
Maybe I just can't really enjoy playoff basketball in the end because of the style of play. That "defense wins championships" cliche -- I'm starting to wonder if it's really just code for "you can't survive the long playoffs unless you 1). have a significant goon factor and 2). are so afraid of losing that you play cheap basketball, like the game in the '40s where one team was so desperate they just held the ball as long as they could and that was why the shot clock had to be initiated because the game was so bad people were reading the newspaper during the game." I mean, if I wanted to see people beat the hell out of each other, I'd watch boxing, which at least has footwork.
It just drives me nuts because I believe basketball is so beautiful to watch when it's graceful, and I hate to see it when it's ugly. I want to watch a game where both teams know what they're doing, instead of just trying to fake each other out with sloppy play.
Maybe what bothers me about the Spurs is that they are so coolly businesslike, that it just doesn't seem like a team to me. I like my romanticized childlike version of sports. Dynasties used to be cool, like the Celtics and the Bulls! I'm so sick of hearing about the San Antonio dynasty because it's BORING!
*watches last six seconds* Holy shit. This is just a mess. Who takes any joy in watching this? Sloppy basketball, bad officiating, game ending on a disputed call -- WTF?!
I think I'm on to why David Stern makes his wacko proclamations on high. When he announced the dress code and got all the media attention in October, of all times, he got the taste for it and decided if he made decisions that were good for the league, he would just fade into the background, while if he made ones that made people question his sanity, well then people would always be talking about him. I'm on to you, David Stern. You're an attention whore. Man, I hope nobody tells you about LiveJournal.
OMG these announcers SUCK. The crowd just started screaming as one "LET'S GO CAVS" and do they stop telling their boring stories/making their inane comments so we can vicariously enjoy the crowd and the atmosphere and the sheer joy of being a fan? Nooooooo. Then they wouldn't get as much face time.
Maybe I just can't really enjoy playoff basketball in the end because of the style of play. That "defense wins championships" cliche -- I'm starting to wonder if it's really just code for "you can't survive the long playoffs unless you 1). have a significant goon factor and 2). are so afraid of losing that you play cheap basketball, like the game in the '40s where one team was so desperate they just held the ball as long as they could and that was why the shot clock had to be initiated because the game was so bad people were reading the newspaper during the game." I mean, if I wanted to see people beat the hell out of each other, I'd watch boxing, which at least has footwork.
It just drives me nuts because I believe basketball is so beautiful to watch when it's graceful, and I hate to see it when it's ugly. I want to watch a game where both teams know what they're doing, instead of just trying to fake each other out with sloppy play.
Maybe what bothers me about the Spurs is that they are so coolly businesslike, that it just doesn't seem like a team to me. I like my romanticized childlike version of sports. Dynasties used to be cool, like the Celtics and the Bulls! I'm so sick of hearing about the San Antonio dynasty because it's BORING!
*watches last six seconds* Holy shit. This is just a mess. Who takes any joy in watching this? Sloppy basketball, bad officiating, game ending on a disputed call -- WTF?!
I think I'm on to why David Stern makes his wacko proclamations on high. When he announced the dress code and got all the media attention in October, of all times, he got the taste for it and decided if he made decisions that were good for the league, he would just fade into the background, while if he made ones that made people question his sanity, well then people would always be talking about him. I'm on to you, David Stern. You're an attention whore. Man, I hope nobody tells you about LiveJournal.
Pacino moment!! "Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in!"
That damn NBA. I've actually done a fairly good job of keeping my pledge to not watch the rest of these tainted playoffs, when my favorite punching bag comes to the rescue with a metric fuckton of the wanktastic drama that makes it Spoiled Millionaires Theater!
Kobe Bryant throws hissy fit, demands trade
Oh, how sweet it is... Karma train, choo choo choo choo! Wow! Kobe must really hate not hearing his name on SportsCenter during the playoffs! I guess he doesn't want to be The Man that bad after all!
While I don't doubt that Jerry Buss didn't want to pay Shaq, Kobe's been caught not telling the truth too many times for me to put much stock in what he says. And not only is he demanding a trade, he wants to pick the team too! Is that your entitlement complex in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?
Man, I couldn't write it this entertaining. Kobe doesn't want to sleep in the bed he's made. Oh BWAHAHAHAHAAAAA.
That damn NBA. I've actually done a fairly good job of keeping my pledge to not watch the rest of these tainted playoffs, when my favorite punching bag comes to the rescue with a metric fuckton of the wanktastic drama that makes it Spoiled Millionaires Theater!
Kobe Bryant throws hissy fit, demands trade
Oh, how sweet it is... Karma train, choo choo choo choo! Wow! Kobe must really hate not hearing his name on SportsCenter during the playoffs! I guess he doesn't want to be The Man that bad after all!
While I don't doubt that Jerry Buss didn't want to pay Shaq, Kobe's been caught not telling the truth too many times for me to put much stock in what he says. And not only is he demanding a trade, he wants to pick the team too! Is that your entitlement complex in your pocket, or are you just happy to see me?
Man, I couldn't write it this entertaining. Kobe doesn't want to sleep in the bed he's made. Oh BWAHAHAHAHAAAAA.
I've wasted far too much time this morning trying to make a suitable David Stern macro: Im in ur league, fixin ur games. Finally I gave up and decided to just bitch about it here.
If the Suns can't pull this out, I'm boycotting the rest of the playoffs. Not that that will really be a challenge, as the only other interesting team out West (the Warriors) has already been eliminated and the entire Eastern Conference is really just a long way of saying "sleeping pill." Actually, you guys would probably like that, as then I would probably stop posting about the NBA ad nauseum.
Come on, Steve. Don't make me look like an idiot for telling everyone I know that you're going to find a way out of this.
If the Suns can't pull this out, I'm boycotting the rest of the playoffs. Not that that will really be a challenge, as the only other interesting team out West (the Warriors) has already been eliminated and the entire Eastern Conference is really just a long way of saying "sleeping pill." Actually, you guys would probably like that, as then I would probably stop posting about the NBA ad nauseum.
Come on, Steve. Don't make me look like an idiot for telling everyone I know that you're going to find a way out of this.
Unsent Letters, NBA playoffs edition
May. 16th, 2007 01:19 pmDear Steve Nash,
Wow. I am so sorry I doubted you, Steve My Man. At some point during the regular season I looked at you looking pissed on the TV and promptly told James, "The Suns are going to win it all this year, because Steve Nash is PISSED." I'm sorry I forgot about that for a while this week. What you did Monday night was freakin' spectacular. And even though that asshat David Stern has screwed the Suns, I know you're going to find a way to pull it out tonight. Go Suns!
Love love love,
Your Number-One Crazy Obsessed Fan
PS -- I never thought I'd see you go after another player, but when you tried to take Robert Horry's head off? Totally hot.
Dear Robert Horry,
Wow, what a shame. You had like the best current nickname in the NBA -- Big Shot Bob -- and you had to go and change it to Cheap Shot Bob, which let me tell you doesn't sound nearly as cool. Plus, you tried to turn Steve Nash into Canadian bacon. Therefore, in addition to being a thug on general principle, you're a thug who tried to kill my basketball boyfriend, which means I double don't like you. Pbbbbthp.
No love,
A Basketball Fan (and Somewhat Rabid Fangirl)
Dear San Antonio Spurs,
Wow. I've given you the benefit of a doubt for a long time because you used to be pretty classy, but now I'm with Amare. Dirty!
Go take a bath or something,
Not Amused
Dear David Stern,
Wow. You used to be the official Best Commissioner In Sports, but I'm starting to think you just got lucky hanging on to Bird, Magic, and Jordan's coattails. You've been getting increasingly erratic and draconian over the past few years, and now you've allowed the Spurs to play you, or is it pay you? And what do you have against the Suns anyway? All they ever did to you was make basketball interesting again and make your ratings go up. Are you actually trying to kill the NBA? Because I remember who watched the last Spurs-Pistons finals: NO ONE. I POOP ON YOU.
If I had a cock, I'd tell you to suck it,
Pissed, and Not Just Because I Like the Suns
Dear Eastern Conference,
Wow. You are boring. Like, watching the paint dry boring. I guess you guys must be in a hurry to get the games over with so you can go home and watch the real playoffs.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaawn,
An Irritated East-Coaster
Dear Kobe,
Wow. You have nothing to do with the playoffs at this point, but I just wanted to let you know I still hate you.
No love,
Laker-Hater and Proud of It
Wow. I am so sorry I doubted you, Steve My Man. At some point during the regular season I looked at you looking pissed on the TV and promptly told James, "The Suns are going to win it all this year, because Steve Nash is PISSED." I'm sorry I forgot about that for a while this week. What you did Monday night was freakin' spectacular. And even though that asshat David Stern has screwed the Suns, I know you're going to find a way to pull it out tonight. Go Suns!
Love love love,
Your Number-One Crazy Obsessed Fan
PS -- I never thought I'd see you go after another player, but when you tried to take Robert Horry's head off? Totally hot.
Dear Robert Horry,
Wow, what a shame. You had like the best current nickname in the NBA -- Big Shot Bob -- and you had to go and change it to Cheap Shot Bob, which let me tell you doesn't sound nearly as cool. Plus, you tried to turn Steve Nash into Canadian bacon. Therefore, in addition to being a thug on general principle, you're a thug who tried to kill my basketball boyfriend, which means I double don't like you. Pbbbbthp.
No love,
A Basketball Fan (and Somewhat Rabid Fangirl)
Dear San Antonio Spurs,
Wow. I've given you the benefit of a doubt for a long time because you used to be pretty classy, but now I'm with Amare. Dirty!
Go take a bath or something,
Not Amused
Dear David Stern,
Wow. You used to be the official Best Commissioner In Sports, but I'm starting to think you just got lucky hanging on to Bird, Magic, and Jordan's coattails. You've been getting increasingly erratic and draconian over the past few years, and now you've allowed the Spurs to play you, or is it pay you? And what do you have against the Suns anyway? All they ever did to you was make basketball interesting again and make your ratings go up. Are you actually trying to kill the NBA? Because I remember who watched the last Spurs-Pistons finals: NO ONE. I POOP ON YOU.
If I had a cock, I'd tell you to suck it,
Pissed, and Not Just Because I Like the Suns
Dear Eastern Conference,
Wow. You are boring. Like, watching the paint dry boring. I guess you guys must be in a hurry to get the games over with so you can go home and watch the real playoffs.
Yaaaaaaaaaaaawn,
An Irritated East-Coaster
Dear Kobe,
Wow. You have nothing to do with the playoffs at this point, but I just wanted to let you know I still hate you.
No love,
Laker-Hater and Proud of It
O ye of little faith...
May. 8th, 2007 09:51 pmThe sports media has righteously pissed me off in the past couple of days by carrying on like Phoenix got blown out of the gym by the Spurs in game 1. Phoenix barely lost, and I still say they wouldn't have if they just could have gotten Steve Nash's nose to stop bleeding. Jeez, how often do two point guards bump into each other and come out looking like boxers? And Steve had that blood gushing out of his nose and still hit the game-tying three. And then tried to run back out on the court -- never mind what his coach said -- with the blood gushing. Tell me that's not an MVP.
Marc Stein and company are carrying on like all is over because Steve called out his teammates. No. Steve smells blood. Steve is pissed as hell that he got kept out of the end of the game and he's going to make San Antonio pay. The Spurs have championships. They're old, they're tired, and they're bored. And Steve is hungry.
I saw it on his face walking into the gym with all those stitches in his nose. Oh, Steve! Let me kiss it and make it better!
Marc Stein and company are carrying on like all is over because Steve called out his teammates. No. Steve smells blood. Steve is pissed as hell that he got kept out of the end of the game and he's going to make San Antonio pay. The Spurs have championships. They're old, they're tired, and they're bored. And Steve is hungry.
I saw it on his face walking into the gym with all those stitches in his nose. Oh, Steve! Let me kiss it and make it better!
Because I need a little distraction, I'm going to try a little experiment tonight: Liveblogging the Suns/Lakers game.
Oh yeah, and I'm going to be drinking while I do it. I thought about taking a swig every time Kobe takes a shot, but I don't really want to give myself alcohol poisoning.
10:47 PM: One of the announcers just said this game was about the Lakers' "competitive spirit and energy." It should be a short game then.
10:48: James on Kobe's foul: "That's not a good way to start the game." Also, he looked up from his video game long enough to announce the Suns' uniforms are ugly.
10:50: Suns lead 11-0. What were they saying about competitive spirit and energy?
10:52: "Kobe cannot worry about the psyche of his teammates." Hey, why would he start now?
10:56: Missed the past four minutes because I misplaced my drink, stood up to look for it, and accidentally kicked it over. And I was still sober when I did this. Maybe this whole thing wasn't the best idea I've ever had.
11:05: Steve is so cute when he chews on his lip like that. Man, why did I think this would be a good game for my first liveblog? It's just going to turn out like Game 2 did and by halftime I'll have nothing to write about besides how many ways can I say "Kobe suuuuucks."
11:09: Never mind me. What will the announcers be talking about by midnight?
11:11: AIR-BALL!! AIR-BALL!!
11:14: "The Suns have now won seven consecutive quarters." I think TNT has a supercomputer dedicated to spitting out meaningless basketball stats.
11:18: Now the announcers are going on about how Kobe must be getting frustrated. Hey, he was the one who wanted to be The Man.
11:20: James: "What's wrong?" Me: "I can't think of anything interesting to write."
11:22: "The Lakers are trying to stay in this series." Not very hard.
11:23: "The Lakers have never been swept in the first round." James: "Well, they're about to be."
11:26: The only way I could give a shit about Jack Nicholson's birthday cake is if Duff from Ace of Cakes made it. Duff = TEH SEX.
11:27: They just said Phil Jackson was reminding Kobe that "great players make their teammates better." I truly think Phil is trying to give Kobe a nervous breakdown.
11:32: Katie objects to my liveblogging because she's trying to sleep on the mousepad.
11:36: James wants to use the computer and my liveblogging is pretty damn lame and nobody else on my flist care about the NBA anyway, so I hereby declare this liveblogging a failure. If anyone needs me, I'll be getting my drink on.
Oh yeah, and I'm going to be drinking while I do it. I thought about taking a swig every time Kobe takes a shot, but I don't really want to give myself alcohol poisoning.
10:47 PM: One of the announcers just said this game was about the Lakers' "competitive spirit and energy." It should be a short game then.
10:48: James on Kobe's foul: "That's not a good way to start the game." Also, he looked up from his video game long enough to announce the Suns' uniforms are ugly.
10:50: Suns lead 11-0. What were they saying about competitive spirit and energy?
10:52: "Kobe cannot worry about the psyche of his teammates." Hey, why would he start now?
10:56: Missed the past four minutes because I misplaced my drink, stood up to look for it, and accidentally kicked it over. And I was still sober when I did this. Maybe this whole thing wasn't the best idea I've ever had.
11:05: Steve is so cute when he chews on his lip like that. Man, why did I think this would be a good game for my first liveblog? It's just going to turn out like Game 2 did and by halftime I'll have nothing to write about besides how many ways can I say "Kobe suuuuucks."
11:09: Never mind me. What will the announcers be talking about by midnight?
11:11: AIR-BALL!! AIR-BALL!!
11:14: "The Suns have now won seven consecutive quarters." I think TNT has a supercomputer dedicated to spitting out meaningless basketball stats.
11:18: Now the announcers are going on about how Kobe must be getting frustrated. Hey, he was the one who wanted to be The Man.
11:20: James: "What's wrong?" Me: "I can't think of anything interesting to write."
11:22: "The Lakers are trying to stay in this series." Not very hard.
11:23: "The Lakers have never been swept in the first round." James: "Well, they're about to be."
11:26: The only way I could give a shit about Jack Nicholson's birthday cake is if Duff from Ace of Cakes made it. Duff = TEH SEX.
11:27: They just said Phil Jackson was reminding Kobe that "great players make their teammates better." I truly think Phil is trying to give Kobe a nervous breakdown.
11:32: Katie objects to my liveblogging because she's trying to sleep on the mousepad.
11:36: James wants to use the computer and my liveblogging is pretty damn lame and nobody else on my flist care about the NBA anyway, so I hereby declare this liveblogging a failure. If anyone needs me, I'll be getting my drink on.