Spmusic Mondays: You Did What With Who?
(1 Cent): What's Most Valuable?
The ongoing debate about whether or not Steve Nash deserves a third straight league MVP award had me question what others have questioned before: exactly what does the word "valuable" denote?
I understand Nash is the point guard on the most efficient offensive team in the NBA; he leads the NBA in assists per game; he makes people on his team better ... yada, yada, yada. Nash is valuable -- but the most valuable player in the entire league?
If you had to choose one player right this second to start a team with would it be Steve Nash? Really? A thirty-three (as of next month) year old point guard over Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, or Carmello Anthony? Don't get me wrong -- I like Nash a lot. I just don't understand why people say he makes other players around him better when it's most likely the Phoenix Suns' system that makes everyone better. Consider this:
-- The Dallas Mavericks' last season with Nash at the point had a 52-30 regular season record while getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs; the next season without Nash they went 58-24 and made it to the second round of the playoffs. Does that mean Jason Terry, Dallas' point guard after Nash left and now, is better than Nash? The Mavericks had a better record and made it further in the playoffs with Terry ... (yes, that's sarcasm).
-- Last I looked, the Mavs had a very deep team in Nash's last year with them ('03-'04): Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley (the third of the 'Big 3'), Antawn Jamison, Antonie Walker, Josh Howard (though in his rookie season), Marquis Daniels (also a rook). This line-up has similar firepower -- if not more -- to what Nash has now in Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Leandro Barbosa, Boris Diaw ... uh ... Raja Bell? Why didn't Nash average 11.5 assists per game with all of these scorers?
-- The year before Nash, then Suns guard Joe Johnson had 16.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, and 4.4 apg ... the year with Nash, Johnson had 17.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, and 3.5 apg ... BUT, the next year ('05-'06) when Johnson went to Atlanta, he had 20.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, and 6.5 apg ... so ... he didn't improve that much with Nash but had a big jump in ppg and apg without Nash ... hmmm ... I thought Nash made everybody better?
Okay, I'm done playing Devil's advocate; the main thing to look at is what system Nash is playing in. You can't convince me that if in '03-'04 the Mavs had current Phoenix head coach Mike D'Antoni, they would not have been better than they were. Can you imagine running and gunning with Nowitzki, the less old Finley, Jamison, the pre-suck Walker, with rookie legs of Howard and Daniels? Other than Stoudemire and Marion, isn't that a much better supporting cast than Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, Leandro Barbosa, Jumaine Jones, James Jones?
To me, it comes down to the team's system ... and D'Antoni has a great system that Nash is able to thrive in and allows others to thrive in. Does this make Nash valuable or D'Antoni valuable? Can Nash take over a game on both ends of the floor in crunch time? Can he guard the opposing team's best player (assuming it's not a PF or C)? Does his system make him an MVP?
I'm not saying that Nash is a bad choice, per se, but I do believe there are much better choices. If there was a way to define this word "valuable" it would also give more of a guideline for voters to make choices. Nash is good ... I just don't think he's three straight MVP good.
(2 Cent): Greatest Show Ever!
The program on VH1 entitled The (White) Rapper Show has to be the highest form of unintentional comedy ever produced. You have to see it for yourself.
I can't tell you how much I laughed straight through the whole show ... somewhere 2Pac and Biggie are rolling in their graves. It's like a segregated American Idol mixed with whack Hip Hop and no shame. It's great.
My absolute favorite character (yes, it's a reality show but he's a character in my book) has to be this dude named John Brown -- no, I didn't not make the name up. All he talks about is this "ghetto revival" and some type of "movement" and how he is the "King of the Burbs" ... it's almost sad to see that he's so real about it ... which makes it so hilarious.
I can't even begin to explain each of the "contestants" ... so I'm going to link you to a web site that allows you to view for yourself:
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/white_rapper/114047/episode_characters.jhtml
If you need a quick pick-me-up after a long day (or week) of feeling lousy, just turn this show on and get that confidence boost you need!
(1/2 Cent): Where's My Dang Trophy?
They should just stop the (fantasy) season now. It's over. All over ... unless I keep taking on injuries.
The Busdrivers rolled to their 7th straight victory over the team that is 2nd in the league in scoring. The only negative news is that New Jersey Nets forward Richard Jefferson is going to be out for at least 6 weeks as he is to undergo surgery on his ankle (to remove some bones spurs or something crazy). He finished the week averaging 28.75 fantasy points (FP's) and will be missed.
Luckily, on the 1st of the year, I picked up forward David West who started playing again earlier than expected. I'm starting him for this upcoming period; he has shown he is back by averaging a whopping 38.5 FP's in his first week back. So, exit Jefferson and enter West. What a pick up.
In essence, the Busdrivers shouldn't miss a beat and might actually do better with West ... and when Jefferson comes back, we should be that much stronger. As for now, keep bringing on the chumps! Actually, I play my friend J.D.'s team for the second time this week ... let's hope he brings a little more fire than the 258.33 FP's he scored last week.
In my estimation, I would say out of the 10 games (weeks) left in the season, there are 2 teams that could give us a good game ... which means, like every other basketball season, this year will come down to injuries. The Busdrivers are #1 in record, in scoring, in power rankings, you name it. The only thing that will prevent us from winning the championship is if we take on too many star players being injured. I hate it. I live the fantasy sport Groundhog's Day.
Week 12: W - 354.67 - 320.08 ... W-L Record: 10-2 (First in division; first in league)
Week 12 Fantasy Stud: Dwayne Wade (G, MIA): 54.25 FP's
Week 12 Fantasy Dud: Kyle Korver (F, PHI): 22..5 FP's ... it's not too shabby, but he did score the least out of any starter ... and was promptly dropped (we run a tight ship)
------------
Something might come up in my life that could change how many entries I do for Two And A Half Cents ... I could be looking at a writing/editing position for a local magazine. Cross your fingers for me ... I need a break!
Thanks for the read ... make sure to write your comments and questions and craziness to HCP2007@gmail.com or click the Comments link below See ya Thursday!
HCP
The ongoing debate about whether or not Steve Nash deserves a third straight league MVP award had me question what others have questioned before: exactly what does the word "valuable" denote?
I understand Nash is the point guard on the most efficient offensive team in the NBA; he leads the NBA in assists per game; he makes people on his team better ... yada, yada, yada. Nash is valuable -- but the most valuable player in the entire league?
If you had to choose one player right this second to start a team with would it be Steve Nash? Really? A thirty-three (as of next month) year old point guard over Kobe Bryant, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, Dirk Nowitzki, Tim Duncan, Kevin Garnett, or Carmello Anthony? Don't get me wrong -- I like Nash a lot. I just don't understand why people say he makes other players around him better when it's most likely the Phoenix Suns' system that makes everyone better. Consider this:
-- The Dallas Mavericks' last season with Nash at the point had a 52-30 regular season record while getting bounced in the first round of the playoffs; the next season without Nash they went 58-24 and made it to the second round of the playoffs. Does that mean Jason Terry, Dallas' point guard after Nash left and now, is better than Nash? The Mavericks had a better record and made it further in the playoffs with Terry ... (yes, that's sarcasm).
-- Last I looked, the Mavs had a very deep team in Nash's last year with them ('03-'04): Dirk Nowitzki, Michael Finley (the third of the 'Big 3'), Antawn Jamison, Antonie Walker, Josh Howard (though in his rookie season), Marquis Daniels (also a rook). This line-up has similar firepower -- if not more -- to what Nash has now in Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion, Leandro Barbosa, Boris Diaw ... uh ... Raja Bell? Why didn't Nash average 11.5 assists per game with all of these scorers?
-- The year before Nash, then Suns guard Joe Johnson had 16.7 ppg, 4.7 rpg, and 4.4 apg ... the year with Nash, Johnson had 17.1 ppg, 5.2 rpg, and 3.5 apg ... BUT, the next year ('05-'06) when Johnson went to Atlanta, he had 20.2 ppg, 4.1 rpg, and 6.5 apg ... so ... he didn't improve that much with Nash but had a big jump in ppg and apg without Nash ... hmmm ... I thought Nash made everybody better?
Okay, I'm done playing Devil's advocate; the main thing to look at is what system Nash is playing in. You can't convince me that if in '03-'04 the Mavs had current Phoenix head coach Mike D'Antoni, they would not have been better than they were. Can you imagine running and gunning with Nowitzki, the less old Finley, Jamison, the pre-suck Walker, with rookie legs of Howard and Daniels? Other than Stoudemire and Marion, isn't that a much better supporting cast than Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, Leandro Barbosa, Jumaine Jones, James Jones?
To me, it comes down to the team's system ... and D'Antoni has a great system that Nash is able to thrive in and allows others to thrive in. Does this make Nash valuable or D'Antoni valuable? Can Nash take over a game on both ends of the floor in crunch time? Can he guard the opposing team's best player (assuming it's not a PF or C)? Does his system make him an MVP?
I'm not saying that Nash is a bad choice, per se, but I do believe there are much better choices. If there was a way to define this word "valuable" it would also give more of a guideline for voters to make choices. Nash is good ... I just don't think he's three straight MVP good.
(2 Cent): Greatest Show Ever!
The program on VH1 entitled The (White) Rapper Show has to be the highest form of unintentional comedy ever produced. You have to see it for yourself.
I can't tell you how much I laughed straight through the whole show ... somewhere 2Pac and Biggie are rolling in their graves. It's like a segregated American Idol mixed with whack Hip Hop and no shame. It's great.
My absolute favorite character (yes, it's a reality show but he's a character in my book) has to be this dude named John Brown -- no, I didn't not make the name up. All he talks about is this "ghetto revival" and some type of "movement" and how he is the "King of the Burbs" ... it's almost sad to see that he's so real about it ... which makes it so hilarious.
I can't even begin to explain each of the "contestants" ... so I'm going to link you to a web site that allows you to view for yourself:
http://www.vh1.com/shows/dyn/white_rapper/114047/episode_characters.jhtml
If you need a quick pick-me-up after a long day (or week) of feeling lousy, just turn this show on and get that confidence boost you need!
(1/2 Cent): Where's My Dang Trophy?
They should just stop the (fantasy) season now. It's over. All over ... unless I keep taking on injuries.
The Busdrivers rolled to their 7th straight victory over the team that is 2nd in the league in scoring. The only negative news is that New Jersey Nets forward Richard Jefferson is going to be out for at least 6 weeks as he is to undergo surgery on his ankle (to remove some bones spurs or something crazy). He finished the week averaging 28.75 fantasy points (FP's) and will be missed.
Luckily, on the 1st of the year, I picked up forward David West who started playing again earlier than expected. I'm starting him for this upcoming period; he has shown he is back by averaging a whopping 38.5 FP's in his first week back. So, exit Jefferson and enter West. What a pick up.
In essence, the Busdrivers shouldn't miss a beat and might actually do better with West ... and when Jefferson comes back, we should be that much stronger. As for now, keep bringing on the chumps! Actually, I play my friend J.D.'s team for the second time this week ... let's hope he brings a little more fire than the 258.33 FP's he scored last week.
In my estimation, I would say out of the 10 games (weeks) left in the season, there are 2 teams that could give us a good game ... which means, like every other basketball season, this year will come down to injuries. The Busdrivers are #1 in record, in scoring, in power rankings, you name it. The only thing that will prevent us from winning the championship is if we take on too many star players being injured. I hate it. I live the fantasy sport Groundhog's Day.
Week 12: W - 354.67 - 320.08 ... W-L Record: 10-2 (First in division; first in league)
Week 12 Fantasy Stud: Dwayne Wade (G, MIA): 54.25 FP's
Week 12 Fantasy Dud: Kyle Korver (F, PHI): 22..5 FP's ... it's not too shabby, but he did score the least out of any starter ... and was promptly dropped (we run a tight ship)
------------
Something might come up in my life that could change how many entries I do for Two And A Half Cents ... I could be looking at a writing/editing position for a local magazine. Cross your fingers for me ... I need a break!
Thanks for the read ... make sure to write your comments and questions and craziness to HCP2007@gmail.com or click the Comments link below See ya Thursday!
HCP
posted by HCP @ 11:15 AM
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