So the votes have been tallied and Colonel Mustard (a.k.a. OJ Mayo) is among those left off the list after the first cut for Team USA. Other notables left behind were Gerald Wallace (who some of you call “Crash”), the youngster JaVale McGee and Tyreke Evans cuz of his bum ankle.
I had half of them right but Tyreke was a gimme cuz of the injury sustained on day one of Team USA tryouts/practice. I was interviewing Kevin Love after practice and Tyreke was right next to me. When I got done I said to Tyreke “Man, that SUCKS. First day and all. You gonna be ok?” and he said “
“Naaah this won’t keep me down.”
Guess not, son. L Rest up. The Arco Arsenal needs you.
I was VERY surprised that they took Danny Granger. As great of a kid as he is and such an easy interview, he really didn’t set the camp on fire in any way. He was very in the background doing a lot more facilitating and watching than anything. I remember talking to Chris Sheridan from ESPN on the last day before the big game and he said “Granger really saved himself today.” I guess that lasting impression was what really resonated with the judge and jury that is Jerry Colangelo and Coach K.
Jeff Green is another on that really didn’t stand out during the week. Granted he is a major part of the Thunder Threesome but that’s more of a OKC and regular NBA season thing. They’ve really tried to break that group up and make them play with people they’re unfamiliar with. In watching him, his game was kinda lackadaisical in comparison to say, JaVale McGee who, every time you turned around, was dunking on someone.
I really didn’t have much interaction with Gerald Wallace but in comparison to the other big men out there, he really seemed a step slower than all those guys. Maybe what Coach K is looking for is speed and youthful exuberance and if that’s the case, GW is not your guy.
Coach K in the presser went so far as to say that they were pretty much looking to dominate with their speed and precision in shots on the fly. Sort of a “kill em with quickness” type of thing. He also made special mention of Kevin Love’s abilities in the following statement:
“Kevin is very consistent. What he does, he does EVERY DAY. He’s easy to play with. He stretches the defense. He’s a good outside shooter. He’s a 3 pt shooter and he’s a very good rebounder.”
It comes as no surprise that both Kevin’s made the team nor Derrick Rose. Coach K made a funny in the middle of the presser saying:
“Jerry, myself and Derrick are all from Chicago…but that’s not why he made the Final 15.”
Anyone who saw D-Rose play for 5 minutes knew he was a lock so let’s just be done with that conversation.
I AM surprised that they didn’t take JaVale McGee. He was impressive in Summer League but just as impressive for a rookie in Team USA tryouts. He was really hustling; blocking a lot of shots and with his great size came a lot of great dunks. It looks as though Coach K is leaning towards playing “Small-Ball” in the World’s. We’ll see how that works out for them.
Boston & I will hopefully be covering the NYC tryouts/practice that start August 10th. We will keep you posted on our activities.
For all that has been said this past week from us about Team USA basketball, it comes to down to right now for a few of the participants.
I’ve just been informed that cuts will be made at noon EST and that a special teleconference for the press will be set up for us to listen in on it.
The list will be sliced to 15 names. My take on who will stay and who will go is the following:
IN:
Chauncey Billups
Eric Gordon
Rudy Gay
Russell Westbrook
Andre Iguodala
Lamar Odom
Brook Lopez
Rajon Rondo
Kevin Love
Derrick Rose
OJ Mayo
Stephen Curry
Kevin Durant
Tyson Chandler
JaVale McGee
OUT:
Tyreke Evans
Danny Granger
Jeff Green
David Lee (obviously)
Gerald Wallace
I will have my interview with Jerry Colangelo from this past week transcribed and up a little later but for know that I am POSITIVE that the Kevin’s are a shoe-in J
Our broadcasts have been silent for the past few weeks as we re-charged the batteries (our batteries run on vodka and beer) and took our talents to places like Vegas (Boston’s talent: losing at blackjack).
But now we’re back and ready to start broadcasting again. We’ll kick it off tonight when Sports Illustrated’s Chris Mannix joins us at 9pm EST.
We met Chris will covering Summer League & Team USA Basketball. We’ll take a few minutes to talk about what he’s seen from Team USA and who he thinks has a shot at making the team.
And we spread our wings to talk a little football and Dez Bryant’s refusal to act like a rookie and carry Roy Willams’ pads… and we’ll look at that 17-year, $102 million contract the New Jersey Devils tried to slip through the NHL’s 5-hole.
Plus, we play a new game. It’s called “Who’s dumber? David Kahn or….” Here’s a hint: No matter who the “or” is… chances are the answer is gonna be David Kahn.
Easily one of my favorite interviews of the week has come from Chauncey Billups. He’s the oldest player on the squad and the only player short of Lamar Odom born in the 70’s. Chris Tomasson from AOL Fanhouse asked Russell Westbrook why he calls Chauncey “OG” and besides looking at him like he was a narc and giving him a sideways glare that implied “Why do you wanna know?” we all know why Chauncey sits at the head table on this team.
I asked him: What’s it like playing with so many young guys? Is it a lot of pressure to be the veteran or do you embrace the role?
“It’s like Daddy Day Care, man.”
I followed up with: “You and Lamar are the only ones born in the 70’s and he’s only a month shy of 1980.”
His response:
“I think Russell, who just turned 21….this is so funny…This is my 14th season. So that means, at 7 or 8 yrs old, I was coming into the league when these guys were in kindergarten. I was comin into the NBA. That just blows my mind man.”
He didn’t seem worried about the lack of playoff experience or international play that comes with this roster. He told me he felt that Coach K had everything under control in dealing with people’s strengths and weaknesses and playing time.
“He doesn’t play guys extended minutes…23-24 mins? “I was just talking to Lamar earlier. One of the good things about it is that you really don’t have to play tired . That’s when you get the fall-out, that’s when you get the turnovers, inefficiencies all the way down. You’ve got so much energy and so much YOUTH, when you’re tired you don’t have to play. You never have to take plays off. You can go two minutes full out, you’ve got another guard who will come in who will give a great effort. That’s a luxury, for sure
He went on to say:
“Obviously I’ve always believed that experience is the best teacher but we wont have the opportunity to go thru too many bumps, ya know. One bump and you’re home, you’re outta the tournament so I think just us stressing the importance of every game and every quarter. I think one thing Coach K has done a great job of saying “yeah we play 4-10 minute quarters but EVERY QUARTER IS A GAME. Just like in the NBA you play the last 2 mins, the last 3-4 minutes you play a lot harder than you would’ve in the 2nd or 3rd quarter. Every single quarter has to be that last 2 mins and I feel that that’s going to keep everybody pretty sharp.”
Every player I interviewed all said that they wanted to take the most from Chauncey’s game. He seems to be most well-respected and liked guy in the squad. Turning the tables on that, I asked HIM which of the guards he felt the best matched up with and whose game he admired the most.
‘It’s early but there’s 5 PGs that all really play well together. Rondo, myself, D-Rose, Westbrook and Steph Curry and all of us really play well together. I think as a point guard you’re used to controlling the ball at all times so quite naturally some of us will be playing OFF the ball…..so you’ve gotta find a way to be effective off the ball. It’s a challenge for a point guard.”
On day 3 I asked him who he thought deserved to make the team the most and he told me Kevin Love. I couldn’t agree more.
[Kevin Love} was great today. He was getting’ rebounds, makin the extra play just knowing how to play the game. He’s a young fella but he has a great feel for the game. I think that’s something that’s always underestimated.”
Along those lines we talked about competitive spirit and how it seems to be a hot button issue these days given the Lebron “Situation”. I asked him “Do you think a competitive spirit is something you’re BORN WITH or something that you kind of start to gather as you start to win….As if it were a drug and you want more of it.”:
“For the most part I think that’s something that’s in you. You know what I’m saying? I really believe that I don’t think you can really be TAUGHT TO have that drive. You can be coached to get better but that’s something that I believe that is in your DNA. I really do.”
I guess only time will tell if LBJ shows it’s in his DNA.
Extended interview with Chauncey during pre-game media is below:
July 21, 2010 at 5:45 pm · Filed under Uncategorized
The first day’s practice is in the bag for Team USA and already there’s a man down due to injury. As some of you may know, Amar’e Stoudamire was told by his newfound team the New York Knicks that he was not allowed to play for Team USA due to concerns over the possibility of an injury that would cause the Knicks to be in jeopardy of being able to insure his contract Apparently David Lee dislocated his finger and will be out until Wednesday pending further examination. Nobody is quite sure how it happens but David told ESPN’s Kurt Helin, “I looked down and my finger was completely turned to the side. It’s possibly a tendon or a dislocation of some sort. It’s something I’ve got to go have looked at either way.”
As it stands he is on his way up to the Bay Area to have his finger examined and Coach K is hoping to have him back Wednesday.
In the meantime, one of my favorite players and people, Kevin Love has made some great first impressions. Friend of mine and friend of the show, NBAtv’s Rick Kamla, was quoted as saying “I think Kevin Love could be the sleeper now that Amar’e is out.” I certainly agree.
Speaking with K-Love for a few minutes after the game while both knees were wrapped in outrageously large bags of ice, we discussed his enthusiasm to be a part of this special ensemble of people in the basketball community. He’s very honored for the opportunity that’s been presented and hopes to take a lot away from the veterans. One thing in particular he mentioned was that he tries to “take away as much as [he] can from a mental aspect from a guy like Tyson Chandler. The guy’s been around awhile.” Also he made mention of David Lee as “the kind of guy with a similar game that I look at and try to emulate.”
The learning experience is such a huge part of this for the younger guys like Kevin. When asked who is his hardest defender, he said, “Guys vary.. you play against a guy like Brook Lopez or JaVale McGee, they’re solid. ‘Bout 7’1, big dudes. Then you’ve got guys like Rudy Gay and Jeff Green, you’re gonna get different looks from different guys but I think it’s good for me defensively.”
It’s only Day 1 and already we had Tyreke tweak his ankle, David Lee jack his finger (non-shooting hand though, thank god) and Amar’e told that his knee is not suitable for extra curricular shenanigans. I can hardly wait to see what is in store for today.
According to our good friends Marc Spears & David Aldridge, Ray Allen’s comin back and for just the amount I thought it’d be for. A cool 10 million this year and an option for another 10 next year. Looks like the band is back together and all set for revenge with Doc & Danny at the helm.
Still no word on Scalabrine. I’m waiting with baited breath. I don’t know about you.
C’mon Ainge. Show the Ginger some love and let’s nip this thing in the bud.
So, it’s official. LeBron will be making a spectacle of himself, er, uhhh, his CHOICE, on a nationally televised press conference. It’s all set to go down at 9pm EST on ESPN. No word on who is hosting or where it is slated to be held but you can rest assured that if LeBron doesn’t opt to stay in CLEVELAND, someone will attempt to burn his house down.
I want it known that I have said for MONTHS that despite all this “Summit Speculation” nonsense, I think LeBron will end up in New Jersey. My reasoning has always been that Prokhorov will open up the checkbook and give him ANYONE HE WANTS. Luxury tax be damned. Also, he will find him a coach that demands respect from not only him but the rest of the squad. Something Mike Brown could never really pull off. Avery Johnson, although not the GREATEST coach, will demand respect from LeBron and with the right group around him, they have a fighting chance, especially considering the East is wide open.
I have had an additional theory for a few weeks now that I’d like to share with you. Given that Chris Bosh has said that he will not go some place that does not have a true center in place because he wants to be a 4, I believe New Jersey REMAINS a viable option for him because Brook Lopez is a GREAT center. A sign and trade with the Nets for DEVIN HARRIS put them in contention for another piece of the pie if the Raptors are dumb enough to actually part with Bosh on that kind of arrangement.
(UPDATE: Bosh has announced that he will be signing with Wade in Miami. It still doesn’t make sense to me considering he insisted on having a center in place and let’s face it, Joel Anthony, isn’t it. As much as I love him and he’s my PEOPLE (UNLV Represent!), he’s just NOT THAT GUY. We’ll see what shakes out).
Granted, my “prediction” is nothing more than a guessing game like everyone else’s but if you think about it, it makes SOME sense. You never know what Prokhorov is capable of. Crazier things have happened in the NBA. Need I remind anyone of, what I refer to as, “The Ham Sandwich Deal” involving Pau Gasol to the Lakers? He was traded for roughly a ham sandwich and the only person who got a happy ending was The Spaniard himself. Como se dice “BLING a ring RING!?”
Karalis and I have been going back and forth for weeks on the “Would you leave money on the table?” issue and it all came to a head the other night with the Amar’e signing. Coming from a place of having PLAYED professional ball, he says he wouldn’t. I say you should and my reasoning behind it is simple: If you WIN and turn a franchise around, if you take less money up front, you’re going to make up for it in the long run with how your record shakes out to display. Back end bonuses and all the love in endorsements that you won’t get if you go someplace that’s a nowhere franchise.
(UPDATE: Bosh will be leaving money on the table, without a doubt. Keeping in mind that it cost him an egregious amount of money that he “left on the table” having to live in Toronto and deal with that exchange rate but this is another issue altogether. @redsarmy and I just had the conversation that I BELIEVE he is attempting to ride the coat-tails of D-Wade and make up for lost time in his reputation and lost money by going to Florida, a state with no state income taxes)
My prediction for NJ is that they get Lebron and throw about $10m at Ray Allen.
Meanwhile, I will sit back and laugh for another 24 hours at the circus that is and enjoy this month’s episode of CmonSon (which you just HAVE to see…below) featuring a bit on LeBron James as well as a few other NBA ballers. Thank you to Mr. Ed Lover for the use of his video courtesy of CmonSonOnline.com.
Anyone who knows me knows about the downright SEIZURE I go into upon mention of the words “Kwame Brown”. It’s a four-letter word in my household and you will not utter unless you like to get dealt with.
Roughly two years ago to this day, I nominated Kwame Brown for “The Luckiest Bastard In The NBA” in a piece I did for Yardbarker. It seems that luck really IS in the air this past week for what I called “The D-List All-Stars” and Kwame may continue his streak of being on impressive teams while he remains over-paid and under-enthusiastic.
On that note, it appears that Mr. Butterfingers is being pursued by, wait for it ……… the CELTICS.
Christmas just came in June but apparently Santa is feeling EXTRA generous this year.
Ooooooooh-WEEEEEEEEE.
Where do I even begin on how much joy that gave me and how hard I laughed? I even felt inclined to call @RedsArmy at the office just to give him hell. I think the mere idea gave him HIVES.
The meeting is scheduled for today in Orlando with Doc & Danny.
Danny is said to have stated to the Boston Herald: “We’re checking out a lot of possibilities — it’s still very early in the process,”
Meanwhile, no meeting has been scheduled with that other middle-clogging center who also played for my beloved Lakers. A.K.A. Shaq Fatty. Well, so there’s that, I suppose. Nice to know the C’s are only looking to over-pay ONE overweight and over-the-hill big man while they wait out poor Perk .
Clean-up: Aisle KWAME!
Kwame’s spent the last two seasons with the Pistons, averaging 3.3 points and 3.7 rebounds in 13.8 minutes per game in 2009-10. He’s averaging only 6.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in his nine-year career. I wish I knew how much he’s made in his career so I could break it down by how many points he’s actually scored. SMH
Let’s just say that during “The Ham Sandwich Trade of 2008”, Stephen A. Smith, as much as I’ve gone in on him this week for his pitiful attempts at the last “I told you so” in Lebronageddon, might’ve been onto something way back when. Too bad the Pistons didn’t listen. Hope Danny Ainge reads my blog!
I want it known that I have said for MONTHS that despite all this “Summit Speculation” nonsense, I think Lebron will end up in New Jersey. My reasoning has always been that Prokhorov will open up the checkbook and give him ANYONE HE WANTS. Luxury tax be damned. Also, he will find him a coach that demands respect from not only him but the rest of the squad. Something Mike Brown never could really pull off.
My prediction for NJ is that they get Dwade, AND Lebron. They’ve got some young talent they can offload and maybe make up the difference on and maybe even bring in some veteran guys to bring up the rear.
It’s 12:01. It’s officially July 1st. Let’s get it on.
