NBA Picks and Trade Talk

By Dan Rodgers

I want to give a quick opinion on a few of the more notable trades that were pulled off in the NBA:

Wizards get: Nene, Brian Cook, future 2nd rounder
Clippers get: Nick Young
Nuggets get: JaVale McGee, Ronny Turiaf

This trade puzzled me because I'm not quite sure what the Wiz had in mind. They gave LA a young scorer to help replace Billups. They helped the Nuggets get younger and more athletic at the forward/center position. The Wizards got a quality veteran center, but they aren't in a win-now mode. Good move for LA/Denver, we will have to wait and see for Washington.

The Lakers situation is complicated because they pulled one trade to acquire Ramon Sessions and one to get rid of Derek Fisher. The Lakers didn't give up much in the trades talent-wise, but they did give up lottery protected first round picks. Still, Fisher is old and was a defensive liability. Sessions gives them more athleticism on both ends of the floor.

Warriors get: Andrew Bogut, Stephen Jackson
Bucks get: Monta Ellis, Kwame Brown, Ekpe Udoh

If Bogut can stay healthy, the Warriors will greatly benefit from this deal. They have a ton of scorers and could afford to deal Ellis. Bogut will solidify the defense in the paint and allow David Lee to play the four all the time. The Bucks dealt their injury-prone center for a scorer to complement Brandon Jennings. I think the deal is much safer for the Bucks but fairly even all-around.

Rockets get: Marcus Camby
Blazers get: Hasheem Thabeet, Johnny Flynn, 2012 second round pick

This deal presents incredible upside for the Blazers. They traded a 38-year-old center for a 25-year-old center and a 23-year-old guard, both of whom showed flashes of greatness in college. Thabeet hasn't been too much of an opportunity so he isn't a bust yet. Flynn averaged over 13 ppg and 4 apg as a rookie and hasn't been given a fair chance since then. Not to mention, who knows about the draft pick. Houston is clearly in a win-now mode, while Portland probably thinks they can win now and get younger at the same time. I think Houston might have been trade-raped... but only time will tell.

Picks:

Cleveland Cavaliers @ Philadelphia 76ers -9 = The 76ers get Andre Iguodala back tonight and Spencer Hawes is returning to form since returning from injury. The Cavs aren't a very good team and have lost three in a row. Starting center Anderson Varejao is still out with an injury and Jamison will be playing hurt. Philly hasn't been as good since their hot start, and needs to get these important home wins over bad teams as they are in a tight division race with the Celtics. I think Philly blows out the Cavs tonight as the Sixers have the youth to run with the Cavs and the experience to outlast them and pull away.

Minnesota Timber Wolves @ Memphis Grizzlies -5.5 = The Grizz have beaten the Wolves at home nine out of the last 10 times, including six in a row. Memphis lost the first three game of their road trip before posting an impressive win at the Lakers. They should carry that momentum back home as Minnesota will be without their starting center Pekovic and likely J.J. Barea as well. They will also obviously be without Ricky Rubio who is out for the season with a torn ACL. I think that Memphis found their stroke against LA and should go to work offensively against a Minnesota team that has allowed at least 100 points in four out of their last five games.

Enjoy the NIT games as well...

Rodgers That

No CBB Tonight... But We Still Have the NBA!

By Dan Rodgers

I know I've been struggling in my NBA picks recently (a pathetic 3-7 in my last 10), but I feel a turnaround tonight. We don't have any college basketball tonight as the brackets are all set and the first batch of play-in games is tomorrow, as well as the NIT.

There are a few NBA games that caught my eye and here's my take on them:

Milwaukee Bucks -3 @ New Jersey Nets = I know that I've been getting killed by taking road favorites, but I think this is a rare exception. The Nets are one of two teams (Hornets) that tend to play better on the road. New Jersey only has four wins at home, while 10 have come on the road. Like just about every other NBA team, Milwaukee plays better at home, but they've won two in a row, three of four, and put up 100+ points in three straight games. Ersan Ilyasova is playing lights out for the Bucks as they try to get by without Andrew Bogut. Ilyasova had 29 points and 25 rebounds in Milwaukee's last game against New Jersey. The Nets are coming off another home loss and will be without Mehmet Okur, Brook Lopez and possibly Deron Williams. CORRECT

Charlotte Bobcats @ New Orleans Hornets -7 = I know this is a huge spread between two terrible teams. I also know that I just spoke poorly about the Hornets at home, but they are playing the Bobcats! The Hornets look to put get their third two-game winning streak of the season, while Charlotte has lost three straight (including a 27-point beat-down handed out by OKC). I don't see any reason for the Hornets to not continue to build confidence and look for Chris Kaman to have another solid game in the paint. INCORRECT - one of the worst basketball games you will have ever seen...

Washington Wizards @ San Antonio Spurs -14 = The last time I picked against the Wizards they won outright. However, they are on the road against one of the best teams in the West so I just don't see that happening. The Spurs, who will be getting Tony Parker back, look to rebound from a 120-108 loss to the Clippers and the Wizards are a good team to get your act together against. I expect a very complete game and a solid defensive effort from this veteran San Antonio team. CORRECT - WOW! What a nail-biter...

Detroit Pistons @ Utah Jazz -6.5 = This is an interesting game because the Pistons have somehow won three in a row (all at home). The Jazz are coming off back to back road losses and find themselves on the outside looking in for the playoff race in the West. Utah is a damn good home team (14-6) and even though the Pistons are playing well, they might just be what the doctor ordered considering how terrible they are on the road (3-15). Expect a big night from Millsap who has is averaging a double-double in his last few games against Detroit. CORRECT

Enjoy the games tonight and make sure to fill out your brackets!

Rodgers That

Everyone Loves the Big East Tourney

By Dan Rodgers

I am going to come back to this post and update it a little bit later today. I just wanted to post my pick for the UConn/WVU game.

Connecticut -2 vs. West Virginia = UConn has won their last two games, including a blowout against DePaul yesterday in the first round. Jim Calhoun is back and I think he is the difference. West Virginia just had a solid win at South Florida to end the regular season, but USF struggles offensively. UConn is experienced and they were just in this position last season and I think that gives them a huge advantage. Look for them to get it done again today. CORRECT - are you kidding me? This game was incredibly exciting... even more so because we came out on top!

Expect more later today...

UCLA -12 vs. USC = Southern Cal is a top football program in the nation, but they are in the cellar of the Pac-12 and rarely provide anything cheer-worthy. UCLA has been playing fairly well recently even though they are having an down season. USC constantly gets destroyed and there is no reason to expect anything less tonight. UCLA needs to win the conference tournament if they want to make the NCAA tournament so they should leave it all on the court. CORRECT

South Florida -2 vs. Villanova = Nova is having an extremely disappointing season. Usually, when a team sweeps Nova, it's something to be proud of and put on your NCAA tournament resume, unfortunately for USF, that's not the case this season. The Bulls need to win tonight and possibly in the next round to try to get off the bubble. They are a solid defensive team and are desperate for a win. CORRECT

Central Michigan vs. Toledo -2.5 = The Rockets gave us a scare the other night when they blew a double digit lead. Thankfully, they ended the game on an 8-0 for the easy cover. The Chippewas are terrible this season so Toledo should find similar success tonight. They split during the regular season, but I'm not concerned especially because the conference tournament is in Ohio. CORRECT

NBA

L.A. Lakers -7 @ Washington Wizards = I would be surprised if lightning struck the same place twice. Kobe was off in the beginning of the game last night. He should be fine tonight since he switched back to his original mask, and the Wizards are a team I could've added to the list with Charlotte and Detroit. However, I'm sure the Lakers want to prove last night was a fluke so they shouldn't let up on the gas. Not crazy about this one though. INCORRECT - don't even get me started...

I'm confident that tonight will be better... and if it isn't... I might have to stop picking!

Rodgers That

Wall to Washington?

By Dan Rodgers

Tonight is the NBA Draft and it is a fairly exciting time in the Baltimore/D.C. area because the Washington Wizards hold the first overall pick of the draft. John Wall is the projected first pick (even though I disagree), and many people think that the Wiz should take him.

I think a better pick would be Ohio State's Evan Turner. He won the award for the best college player, and I believe he is more NBA ready. Besides, Turner has great size (6' 7") and can play the guard or forward positions. That is a much more pressing need for them assuming Gilbert Arenas reverts back to pre-gunman form. Gil can be a great play-making point guard and even though Wall is a great player, he is going to realize that he can't run over, through, and past everyone in the NBA.

The 76ers have the second pick and what they plan to do is also very interesting. They have Jrue Holiday, a young rising point guard, and Andre Iguodala at the two position (he can play the three). Evan Turner would be a nice addition and upgrade over starting small forward, Jason Kapono. However, if the Wizards draft Turner, is Philly going to draft Wall just because he is the best available?

This should be an interesting night. ESPN @ 7:00 don't be late!

Rodgers That

Bmore Fan Post: Wizards from Baltimore?

By Dan Rodgers

Yesterday I posted something on Bmore Fan and I am curious what you guys think about it. Are the Wizards the team you root for if you're from Baltimore? I mean, they are from Washington.

Rodgers That

Wizards to pick first

By Dan Rodgers

Well, the NBA Draft Lottery is over the even though it started out chalk, there was a ton of excitement.

The Wizards (10.3%) won the first overall pick. A fairly large surprise considering there were four teams with better odds then them. Behind them, an even bigger surprise, the Philadelphia 76ers (5.3%) with the second pick. The team with the best chances, the New Jersey Nets (25.0%) received the third pick of the draft.

The rest of the board is as follows:

(1) Wizards 10.3 %
(2) 76ers 5.3 %
(3) Nets 25.0 %
(4) T-wolves 19.9 %
(5) Kings 15.6 %
(6) Warriors 10.4 %
(7) Pistons 5.2 %
(8) Clippers 2.3 %
(9) Jazz 2.2 %
(10) Pacers 1.1 %
(11) Hornets 0.8 %
(12) Grizzlies 0.7 %
(13) Raptors 0.6 %
(14) Rockets 0.5 %

Personally, unless I am in desperate need of a franchise point guard, I want to second overall pick. John Wall will most likely be the first pick, and Evan Turner will be second. So unless you need a point guard, picking second and taking Turner ensures that the team made the right selection. We'll see what happens in the draft in about a month.

Rodgers That

Cleveland Cavaliers (8-3) at Washington Wizards (2-6)

By Leatherworld

Hey everyone,

This is my first post, and it’s going to be an important one. Tonight the Cavs and Wizards face off at the Phone Booth on ESPN.

The Wiz have been off to a slow start, and most of this blame lies with their inability to stay healthy. It should be interesting to see how Antawn Jamison responds after being on the sideline for the last 5 weeks with a shoulder injury. Agent Zero seems to be fully healed from the knee injury that kept him out all last season, and the decision to trade away their first round draft pick to receive Randy Foye and Mike Miller has looked like a good one.

The Cavs have been on a hot streak since losing their first two. LeBron James has been playing well and Shaq looks like he can still be a force inside. The addition of Shaq and Anthony Parker really give the Cavs other offensive threats to complement LeBron. Unfortunately for the Cavs, they’ll be without Anderson Varejao and Shaq tonight, so the younger guys are going to have to step up.

If the Wizards want to get back in the win column, they’ve got to get Jamison involved in the offense, and they’ll have to play the strength of the guards. Defensively, they must contain LeBron and force him to make jumpers.

LINE: Cavs -4

Pick: Cavaliers: 90 Wizards: 93

Flashin' the Leather

Miami Heat (4-1) at Washington Wizards (2-3)

By Dan Rodgers

It is a Wednesday night in early November and the Washington Wizards are hoping for a better season than last (19-63). Gilbert Arenas is back and healthy; however, the Wizards can’t help but get bit by the injury bug as Antawn Jamison is out for the first 10 or so games of the season. Andray Blatche is one of the temporary replacements. While Jamison is clearly the better offensive player, Blatche brings a strong defensive presence to the floor that the Wizards lack with Jamison in the lineup. Blatche is receiving starter’s minutes with Jamison out and does have some potential on the offensive side of the ball. He averages 16.0 points-per-game, setting his career high on Halloween against New Jersey putting up 30 points in a 19 point Wizards victory.

Now that we have a bit of background on the Wizards we’ll talk about the Heat game. Upon Mike and mine’s arrival in D.C. we get to out seats about 15 minutes before game time. A girl and her camera man approach us and ask to put us on the JumboTron before the game. Obviously we agree and at the conclusion of the interview the girl offers us FLOOR SEATS! Unreal, yes I know. However, after we get down to the floor with a bunch of fans cheering for us, we are lead to our seats which are located in the 100-level section. Unfortunate, yes I am aware. Well, 100-level seats are good enough and we were damn close to the action.

The Wiz got off to an extremely slow start and the Heat most definitely capitalized. Miami was up 27-8 with 3:30 left in the first quarter, but the Wizards were able to cut the 19 Miami lead to 14 at the end of the first. The second quarter was all about Washington climbing back from the early deficit. Washington showed some signs of life as the cut the lead to nine and trail by single digits at the half. The Wizards owned the third quarter as they rallied behind Arenas’ 11 points in the quarter. Somehow, the Wizards started playing defense and outscored the Heat by nine in the quarter to tie the game going into the forth.

Even though Washington showed a lot of heart coming from a large first quarter deficit, the story of this game was Dwayne Wade and not capitalizing on Miami’s mistakes. The crucial momentum shift in this game was actually with :44 remaining in the game. It was tied at 89-89 and Stevenson steals the ball and drives to the hoop. He is unable to convert but does draw a foul. He missed both free throws and then Wade went right down the court to hit the go-ahead jumper with 24.9 seconds to go. Washington is unable to tie the game on their opportunity and has to foul. That was all she wrote as Miami stole one on the road, 93-89.

Washington Stat Line:

Arenas: 32 points, 3 assists

Haywood: 16 points, 11 rebounds

Butler: 13 points, 10 rebounds

Miami Stat Line:

Wade: 40 points, 5 assists, 4 rebounds

Richardson: 19 points, 9 rebounds

Haslem: 13 points, 7 rebounds

The Wizards have no chance at the playoffs this season, especially considering Mike Miller went down with a shoulder injury in the fourth quarter, if they can’t consistently produce points. Arenas can’t be the whole offense and the team is lacking in the assist department (15). This team better get their act together if they want to fight in an Eastern Conference that lacks in quality depth once you get past the big three (Orlando, Boston, Cleveland). Best of luck to them. Who knows, maybe the Wiz can get through this season without a devastating injury, oh wait, Jamison and Miller. My bad.

Rodgers That