Spmusic Mondays: Bacon In The Pan!
(1 Cent): Staying Afloat
It's been a good week of NBA basketball ... and my Lakers are doing a tad better than treading water. It has been unpredictable, though (almost MLB playoff unpredictable) with the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns well below .500 ... which is fine by me. I'm sure they'll get it together soon, but every game counts. Whether you lose now or lose in early April, a loss is a loss ... and it seems as though the Lakers are intent on proving many of the "prognosticators" and analysts wrong by winning; even without Kobe at 100%.
The two biggest issues thus far have been the absurd rate referees are calling technical fouls (and tossing players from games) and the way the new ball has effected the game.
The games I've watched haven't been that bad (luckily) ... but if you read the scoring sheet, there have been copious amounts of techs given out, which I'm sure slows the game down a bit. The games I watched on TV included a couple of weird techs given out, just for reacting to a call, which I feel to be (for the lack of a better word) stupid. Especially when there seems to be preference to certain players (i.e. Tim Duncan). Tim "I Haven't Fouled Since I Entered The NBA" Duncan has boiled egg eyes after every call and talks and talks and talks ... yet, no whistle. Everywhere I read about this subject, people just want consistency ... that seems like a valid desire.
The issue about the new ball to me seems more cut and dry. I've noticed a lot more slippage while people are driving to the hoop ... and the ball comes off the rim very oddly. There's not much of a bounce to it ... just ask Vince Carter (see highlights of his game tying 3 pointer). It seems like shots that shouldn't go in do and shots that should go down don't. I can't really put my finger on it ... but there is a noticeable difference. I wish I could feel and play with one of those new balls (maybe I'll purchase one) and see how really different it is. I suppose playing with the different types of synthetic balls throughout my life, it wouldn't be too much different -- I just want to see how.
(2 Cent): Shut Up You Stupid Voice!
Again, no artist worth a CD purchase for me last week, but I did see comedic genius Will Ferrell's newest movie Stranger Than Fiction, which I must say, was phenomenally good.
This latest project is very different than the 'regular' Ferrell movie of, say, Ricky Bobby. Even so, I had plenty of laughs because of the dialogue, the situations, and c'mon, it's still Will. Furthermore, the movie had some great themes (i.e. purpose of life moments, integrity of men, the use of time, etcetera) that allows the viewer to experience different levels of enjoyment.
I would have to say Will does a great job of acting -- not just being funny, which he is wonderful at -- but true, emotional based acting. This, along with the aid of Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, create the foundation for a truly celebrated motion picture. I'm biased; I like Will Ferrell to no end ... I give it an 8.5 out of 10.
(1/2 Cent): The Commencement Of Domination
As you may have guessed, our fantasy basketball team Busdrivers VI -- named back when J.H. and I were barely in high school ... because we take you to school ... and it's the 6th installment of our joint venture -- took my other friend J.D.'s team out last week, pretty soundly. Our team put up a much better fight, thanks in large part to not having a bunch of stiffs playing (see: last Monday's column). Actually, we scored the second most points in the league this past week, trailing by only a point. This was even without Amare Stoudamire, who averaged over 28 fantasy points for the week. Needless to say, he's starting this week.
I was also able to pull off a trade with another team in the league. It was a two for two deal, first proposed from him. He wanted to have PG Mo Williams and SF Quentin Richardson for his PG Stephon Marbury and PG Speedy Claxton (yes, he goes by an adjective for a first name). Well, I liked the fact that he was willing to give up Starbury ... but I wasn't going to bite on Claxton when, 1) he was injured, B) even when healthy he's not a useful fantasy player, and third I'm greedy. So, I counter offered my same two players but switched Speedy for SF Corey Maggette. And, of course, he went for it.
Now, when doing trades, I try to do a couple of things. First and foremost, I try to "sell high and buy low." In this example, Q has been playing out of his mind for the past 6 games and has been basically even with Marbury; when Marbury starts playing like his usual self (i.e. 18 points and 8 assists a game), advantage will be mine. Maggette had been playing better than Mo, is projected higher, and is just all-around better. I don't know what else to say there. Plus one for the Busdrivers.
Next, I try to get the best player involved in the trade. In this case, if I was to unbiasedly rank all four players, I would put them in this order: Marbury, Maggette, Richardson, and Williams. That's being real -- check last year's stats, the year before that, and even projected '06-'07 stats, and it would be the same. Since I feel I get the two best of the four, it's almost a no-brainer. Score another for the Busdrivers.
Lastly, which is a bonus, I love trading players I found in the Free Agent (FA) list for players that went high in the draft. In this case, the first day we were allowed to pick up FA's, Richardson and Williams were 2 of the 6 players I coveted (I received 4 of them). The reason I wanted them was because I knew they were both going to start (which is another way I draft people -- only choose starters ... unless the 6th man gets starters minutes, a la Maggette). Stephon Marbury, in the draft that went by CBS rankings (unless the team owner ranked his own list like my friend J.D. did for 150 players) was picked in the 3rd round ... which means he's a really good player. Corey Maggette went in the 6th round, which means he's a decent to good player (there's 13 rounds total). In essence, I traded two guys that nobody had high enough in their rankings to draft (out of 156 players drafted) and traded them for a guy who went in the Top 36 and Top 72. I say that's the trifecta for the Busdrivers.
In this week's game, we're playing the guy who scored 1 fantasy point (FP) more than we did ... of course, that was without Stoudemire's 28 FP's (the guy we started in his place had like 11 FP's). I'm feeling a lot better about this team ... if we stay healthy (note: the guy I just traded for last week, Richard Jefferson, had a level two ankle sprain ... I'm not a doctor, but 'ouch') I think we have a good chance again this year to win it all. Ahh ... I love it when I'm in the honeymoon phase of the season. Remember how optimistic I am now -- this tune can change come March of '07. As for now, I'm liking the odds ... I would totally double down right now if I was in Vegas. Totally.
Week 2: W - 308.25 to 255.5 ... W-L Record: 1-1
Week 2 Fantasy Stud: Dwayne Wade (MIA, G) -- 48 fantasy point average (FPA)
Week 2 Fantasy Dud: Francisco Elson (SA, C) -- 11 FPA (Note: He was dropped off the team)
Week 2 Notable Free Agent Pick Up: Ryan Gomes (BOS, F) --30 FPA last week
Click back for this week's Pet Peeve Thursday. Thanks for reading ... have a great week!
HCP
It's been a good week of NBA basketball ... and my Lakers are doing a tad better than treading water. It has been unpredictable, though (almost MLB playoff unpredictable) with the Dallas Mavericks and the Phoenix Suns well below .500 ... which is fine by me. I'm sure they'll get it together soon, but every game counts. Whether you lose now or lose in early April, a loss is a loss ... and it seems as though the Lakers are intent on proving many of the "prognosticators" and analysts wrong by winning; even without Kobe at 100%.
The two biggest issues thus far have been the absurd rate referees are calling technical fouls (and tossing players from games) and the way the new ball has effected the game.
The games I've watched haven't been that bad (luckily) ... but if you read the scoring sheet, there have been copious amounts of techs given out, which I'm sure slows the game down a bit. The games I watched on TV included a couple of weird techs given out, just for reacting to a call, which I feel to be (for the lack of a better word) stupid. Especially when there seems to be preference to certain players (i.e. Tim Duncan). Tim "I Haven't Fouled Since I Entered The NBA" Duncan has boiled egg eyes after every call and talks and talks and talks ... yet, no whistle. Everywhere I read about this subject, people just want consistency ... that seems like a valid desire.
The issue about the new ball to me seems more cut and dry. I've noticed a lot more slippage while people are driving to the hoop ... and the ball comes off the rim very oddly. There's not much of a bounce to it ... just ask Vince Carter (see highlights of his game tying 3 pointer). It seems like shots that shouldn't go in do and shots that should go down don't. I can't really put my finger on it ... but there is a noticeable difference. I wish I could feel and play with one of those new balls (maybe I'll purchase one) and see how really different it is. I suppose playing with the different types of synthetic balls throughout my life, it wouldn't be too much different -- I just want to see how.
(2 Cent): Shut Up You Stupid Voice!
Again, no artist worth a CD purchase for me last week, but I did see comedic genius Will Ferrell's newest movie Stranger Than Fiction, which I must say, was phenomenally good.
This latest project is very different than the 'regular' Ferrell movie of, say, Ricky Bobby. Even so, I had plenty of laughs because of the dialogue, the situations, and c'mon, it's still Will. Furthermore, the movie had some great themes (i.e. purpose of life moments, integrity of men, the use of time, etcetera) that allows the viewer to experience different levels of enjoyment.
I would have to say Will does a great job of acting -- not just being funny, which he is wonderful at -- but true, emotional based acting. This, along with the aid of Dustin Hoffman and Emma Thompson, create the foundation for a truly celebrated motion picture. I'm biased; I like Will Ferrell to no end ... I give it an 8.5 out of 10.
(1/2 Cent): The Commencement Of Domination
As you may have guessed, our fantasy basketball team Busdrivers VI -- named back when J.H. and I were barely in high school ... because we take you to school ... and it's the 6th installment of our joint venture -- took my other friend J.D.'s team out last week, pretty soundly. Our team put up a much better fight, thanks in large part to not having a bunch of stiffs playing (see: last Monday's column). Actually, we scored the second most points in the league this past week, trailing by only a point. This was even without Amare Stoudamire, who averaged over 28 fantasy points for the week. Needless to say, he's starting this week.
I was also able to pull off a trade with another team in the league. It was a two for two deal, first proposed from him. He wanted to have PG Mo Williams and SF Quentin Richardson for his PG Stephon Marbury and PG Speedy Claxton (yes, he goes by an adjective for a first name). Well, I liked the fact that he was willing to give up Starbury ... but I wasn't going to bite on Claxton when, 1) he was injured, B) even when healthy he's not a useful fantasy player, and third I'm greedy. So, I counter offered my same two players but switched Speedy for SF Corey Maggette. And, of course, he went for it.
Now, when doing trades, I try to do a couple of things. First and foremost, I try to "sell high and buy low." In this example, Q has been playing out of his mind for the past 6 games and has been basically even with Marbury; when Marbury starts playing like his usual self (i.e. 18 points and 8 assists a game), advantage will be mine. Maggette had been playing better than Mo, is projected higher, and is just all-around better. I don't know what else to say there. Plus one for the Busdrivers.
Next, I try to get the best player involved in the trade. In this case, if I was to unbiasedly rank all four players, I would put them in this order: Marbury, Maggette, Richardson, and Williams. That's being real -- check last year's stats, the year before that, and even projected '06-'07 stats, and it would be the same. Since I feel I get the two best of the four, it's almost a no-brainer. Score another for the Busdrivers.
Lastly, which is a bonus, I love trading players I found in the Free Agent (FA) list for players that went high in the draft. In this case, the first day we were allowed to pick up FA's, Richardson and Williams were 2 of the 6 players I coveted (I received 4 of them). The reason I wanted them was because I knew they were both going to start (which is another way I draft people -- only choose starters ... unless the 6th man gets starters minutes, a la Maggette). Stephon Marbury, in the draft that went by CBS rankings (unless the team owner ranked his own list like my friend J.D. did for 150 players) was picked in the 3rd round ... which means he's a really good player. Corey Maggette went in the 6th round, which means he's a decent to good player (there's 13 rounds total). In essence, I traded two guys that nobody had high enough in their rankings to draft (out of 156 players drafted) and traded them for a guy who went in the Top 36 and Top 72. I say that's the trifecta for the Busdrivers.
In this week's game, we're playing the guy who scored 1 fantasy point (FP) more than we did ... of course, that was without Stoudemire's 28 FP's (the guy we started in his place had like 11 FP's). I'm feeling a lot better about this team ... if we stay healthy (note: the guy I just traded for last week, Richard Jefferson, had a level two ankle sprain ... I'm not a doctor, but 'ouch') I think we have a good chance again this year to win it all. Ahh ... I love it when I'm in the honeymoon phase of the season. Remember how optimistic I am now -- this tune can change come March of '07. As for now, I'm liking the odds ... I would totally double down right now if I was in Vegas. Totally.
Week 2: W - 308.25 to 255.5 ... W-L Record: 1-1
Week 2 Fantasy Stud: Dwayne Wade (MIA, G) -- 48 fantasy point average (FPA)
Week 2 Fantasy Dud: Francisco Elson (SA, C) -- 11 FPA (Note: He was dropped off the team)
Week 2 Notable Free Agent Pick Up: Ryan Gomes (BOS, F) --30 FPA last week
Click back for this week's Pet Peeve Thursday. Thanks for reading ... have a great week!
HCP
posted by HCP @ 3:26 PM
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