(Editor's Note: I'm going to be out of town for a couple days. Let Arichmix's tribute to the the worst free throw shooter of all time hold you over in my stead. One love.)

Chris Dudley is an enigma. Of all the scrubs in the history of organized sport, the one known as "C-Duds" may be the hardest to peg. On one hand, the man was almost fully incompetent on offense and watching him shoot free throws was like playing ball with a cruel friend who enjoyed imitating Helen Keller. However, how many scrubs can say that they averaged 9 rebounds a game starting every game in a season for a team, and how many more can say that they started in the Finals for their team? Not many, that's how many. So therefore Chris is either a very good scrub or a really bad regular player. But for the sake of argument for the Scrubdown, Chris Dudley is a damn good scrub.

While Dudley had a long, fulfilling 17 year career, the only years that really mattered were the three he spent with the Knicks. Before he arrived, the Knicks were in desperate need of a backup center for Patrick Ewing. When they acquired Dudley, what they wanted was a backup big man for their superstar. What they got was one of the greatest horrible Knicks that the franchise has ever seen, and a memorable member of the legendary Knicks of the late 90's.

From the outside looking in, one may wonder why Dudley is well-regarded by Knick fans the way he is. He simply seems like a roster filler/bad role player. Aka a scrub. However as previously stated, Dudley was a special kind of scrub. He was the kind of scrub who worked as hard as anybody, but never got better in his areas of weakness. Which include everything except defense, rebounding, cheering, and being white. However, as chronically bad as he was in all areas aside from those four, he was still a rotation player during his tenure with the Knicks. Oh, and how his play brought countless oohs and aahs, shocks and laughs. Mainly laughs.

Being the token white player on a Knick team teemed with badasses in all three of his seasons with the team seems like an unnatural fit for a guy like Dudley. After all, he does not embody the typical NBA player or for that matter, the typical 90's Knick when you look at his resume. He was the first and thusfar only NBA player who attended Yale, he was a diabetic, and dammit just look at him:

However, despite his polite demeanor, charitability, and his unthreatening appearance, Dudley was just as much a part of the thuggish ruggish Knicks of the 90's as any of the other members. Dudley hustled for rebounds with a DavidLeeesque tenacity, was undaunted on defense going up against premiere big men in the NBA, and never backed down. You want proof you say? Well, proof will be provided my skeptical friend.

The setting is the Knicks playing the Lakers in Los Angeles. Shaquille O'Neal, one of the best players in the league at that time, goes up and throws down a dunk and pushes Dudley to the floor on the way down. One may expect Duds to just take it, but no. Dudley picks up the ball and throws it at Shaq. May I repeat. He throws the fucking ball at Shaq. What's even more impressive is that considering his awful free throw shooting, the ball actually hit him. This video is in Spanish, but you don't need a phd in Espanol to understand what's going on.

That is Chris Dudley right there.

Now, anything discussing Chris Dudley would not be complete without mentioning the one key component that made Duds so unique. The one thing that constantly brings Dudley's name up even in today's NBA games. His wonderfully fantastic ability to be so bad at shooting free throws. If they statisticized air-balled free throws, Dudley would be the NBA career and season leader. It was truly amazing. At times, he had the worst form imaginable, and other times, he'd shoot with Houston-esque form. But consistently, the freebies would not go in. Ever. They never ever went in. Well, they did go in 45 percent over his career, but still they did not go in. The man missed 17 of 18 free throws in a game one time. He should be inducted into the hall of fame on that alone.

That's what made Dudley so special and have such a place in our hearts. Having such tireless effort and energy, but still not being very good whatsoever. Dudley started the last two games in the 1999 NBA Finals for us. The Knicks lost both of those games. However, despite being overmatched completely in that series, the Knicks and Dudley still gave it their all. Being the only scrub as far as I know to start in an NBA Finals, Dudley has done rather well for himself. Despite never being the most talented player on the court (ever), Dudley will always be a bright, shining example of how hard work and hustle can turn even the most untalented, uncoordinated longshot into one of the greatest scrubs in NBA history, who will provide us with a lifetime of cheers and laughs. Huzzah.

Source

Posted: 5:51 PM- There won't be anybody questioning C.J. Miles' decision to skip the Rocky Mountain Revue any longer. Now the Jazz's biggest concern is whether Miles will be playing for another team entirely this season.     Miles signed a four-year, $15 million contract with Oklahoma City, sources said Friday. Utah will have seven days to decide about matching the offer sheet and keeping the restricted free-agent guard.     The Jazz will have to take into account the luxury-tax implications of matching the offer, especially with young guards Ronnie Brewer and Morris Almond already on their roster. Miles averaged 5.0 points and played in 60 games last season.     Miles would be able to compete for a starting job with the newly relocated Oklahoma City team, which went 20-62 last season in Seattle but is building around top draft picks Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook.     "I'd be excited for C.J.," Deron Williams said. "I want him back here in the baddest way. I think he can be a great player for us if he gets the opportunity. I don't think he's ever been really given an opportunity to come in and prove himself."     Troy Weaver, who spent four years as the Jazz's director of player personnel and head scout, left in May to become Oklahoma City's assistant general manager. Although Weaver liked Miles, Oklahoma City general manager Sam Presti was said to have driven the deal.     Even though he has played three seasons, Miles was the 14th youngest player in the NBA last season. The 21-year-old was a second-round pick by the Jazz in 2005, part of the last class of high school players able to enter the draft.     He showed flashes of his potential during a 10-game stretch at the end of December and beginning of January. With Gordan Giricek banished by Jazz coach Jerry Sloan, Miles stepped in and averaged 10.5 points on 55.6 percent shooting.     But Miles found himself the odd man out of the rotation after Kyle Korver's arrival in a trade with Philadelphia. He bounced game to game from the end of the bench to the starting lineup as an injury replacement for Brewer or Andrei Kirilenko.     The Jazz and Miles also were at odds over his decision to skip the Revue both this summer and last. Miles' camp saw it as an injury risk with potentially millions at stake as a free agent; Sloan saw it as the wrong decision for a young player trying to develop.     This week, Sloan described Miles as having been "way, way behind" at the start of training camp last year. Miles' representatives believed he was punished for the decision and questioned why it was being revisited months into last season.     Williams said he thought Sloan "held it against [Miles] a little bit last year" that he didn't play in the Revue while adding that Miles "put himself in a position to get a lot of money in this league, and I think a lot of people speak highly of him."     "I think people think that C.J. was just not going to get any offers or he's just sitting at home, but he works out hard every day," Williams said. "I talk to him once a week and he's always working out, always getting better."     When he was in New York as part of a USA Basketball promotional trip, Williams said "a lot of guys, LeBron [James] and some of those other guys, were saying how impressed they were with C.J."     What was missing was evidence that some team was prepared to make Miles a serious offer. He returned to the Jazz last season on a $945,610 qualifying offer. But that all changed Friday.     Miles' offer from Oklahoma City is on par with what Detroit's Amir Johnson (three years, $11 million) and Washington's Andray Blatche (five years, $15 million) signed for last summer. The two were fellow high school players and second-round picks along with Miles.     The offer to Miles is guaranteed for three years with a fourth-year team option. It is said to dwarf previous multiyear contracts the Jazz had talked about with Miles, believed to be worth no more than $4 million for two years.     Jazz general manager Kevin O'Connor said, "If he does get an offer sheet, we'll look at what the numbers are and we'll make some determination." O'Connor added: "There's very few restricted free agents who have signed yet. They are the last ones to sign."

What do you guys think, I personally think the Jazz should match the offer sheet and try to keep him, he can be a special player in the future.

Sup fellas. This is the third game of the 2008 Knicks Summer League. We've split the first two games 1-1, and it's coming down to the wire! This may very well be the most significant of all these insignificant games in terms of unimportant momentum needed to finish out the rest of this meaningless mini-season. Today we'll be facing D'Antoni's former team's team, the Phoenix SummerSuns, who also maintain a 1-1 record. Introductions!

SummerKnicks starters: Mardy Collins, Von Wafer, Anthony Roberson, Wilson Chandler, Paul Miller

Rounding out the SummerKnicks: Antonio Graves, Dan Grunfeld, Marcus Hall, Delonte Holland, Brandon Hunter, Antione Johnson, Zhang Songtao, Renaldo Balkman, Nate Robinson, Danilo Gallinari (italicized means injured)

SummerSuns starters: DJ Strawberry, Alando Tucker, Marcus Vinicius, Judson Wallace, Robin Lopez

Rounding out the SummerSuns: Jiri Hubalek, Taquan Dean, Justin Cage, Jared Jordan, Vladimir Golubovic, Ekene Ibekwe, Ivan McFarlin

Continue reading this post »

The Packers want Favre to go to an AFC team or stay with them as Aaron Rodgers' backup. As far as AFC teams go, the Ravens may be the best fit. They are a good team that have a closing window and needed help on offense. They still have a great running game and defense, but their passing game needs help. Brett can provide that and make us contenders again. So yeah, we should go for Favre.

Ahh, summer. The magical months in which the weather is lovely, the school is non-existent, and need for clothing and productivity disappears. And as always (or at least since a few years ago) we have Summer League basketball. An enchanting time in which young players, fringe NBA players, hasbeens, and wannabes get their chance to spin. This is the first SL game with our beloved Knicks, squaring off against the Summer version of the Cleveland Cavaliers.

SummerKnicks starters: Anthony Roberson, Mardy Collins, Wilson Chandler, Renaldo Balkman, Danilo Gallinari

Errbody else on the SummerKnicks: Dan Grunfeld, Antonio Graves. Marcus Hall, Delonte Holland , Brandon Hunter, Antoine Johnson, Paul Miller, Von Wafer, Anthony Roberson, Zhang Songtao

SummerCavs starters: JJ Hickson, Mike Green, Darnell Jackson, Romel Beck, Billy Thomas (you haven't heard of any of those people either right?)

Errbody else on the SummerCavs: Robert Traylor (!), Jawad Williams, Lance Allerd (deaf dude), Will Conroy, Dru Joyce, Yohann Sangare, Wayne Simien, Romeo Travis, Clay Tucker

Continue reading this post »

Link

Quarterback Trent Dilfer, who helped the Ravens win the Super Bowl in the 2000 season and played the last of his 13 NFL seasons with the San Francisco 49ers

The former Fresno State player said a recent injury to his Achilles' tendon helped him make up his mind.

"I was going to retire anyway. This just gives clarity to the situation," Dilfer, 36, told reporters on a conference call in Stateline, Nev., promoting the 19th annual American Century Celebrity Golf Championship, which begins tomorrow at Lake Tahoe.

Dilfer completed 55.5 percent of his passes for 20,518 yards in his career. He threw 113 touchdown passes and 129 interceptions.
last year, announced yesterday that he is retiring from football. <!-- END rail -->

In 2000, Dilfer replaced Tony Banks as the Ravens' starter at midseason, going 11-1 as the team beat the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.

In his first start, he ended the team's three-game losing streak and its 21-quarter touchdown drought with a pass to Brandon Stokley in a 27-7 road win over the Cincinnati Bengals.

Dilfer struggled with accuracy at times that season. He threw for 1,502 yards with 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions.

"We all know I'm not Joe Montana," Dilfer said after the Ravens' 34-7 title win over the Giants. "But we'll recognize that for an eight-month period, we did something pretty special."

In the offseason, the Ravens signed Elvis Grbac, a Pro Bowl quarterback, instead of Dilfer, who became the only quarterback in NFL history to win a Super Bowl and lose his starting job before the next season.

Dilfer expressed his displeasure with the decision over the years, directing most of his anger toward then-coach Brian Billick before apologizing to him last year. He still disagrees with the decision but is content to blame the Ravens organization instead of Billick.

After winning the Super Bowl, Dilfer bounced from Seattle (2001-2004) to Cleveland (2005) to San Francisco.

Continue reading this post »

Hello fellow Raven fans. Today is the first of a multi-part series in which I examine the draft from the Ravens' perspective and how it could have been done better. Why start with 2001? I'm not sure, but it seems like a good year considering it was the first draft after our Super Bowl win. So enjoy the analysis.

#31 - Todd Heap - Tight End - Arizona State 

Other players available at the pick: Drew Brees, Chad Johnson, Matt Light, Kris Jenkins, Ken Lucas

Best choice? Heap was a good pick. He has been one of the better tight ends in the league and a mainstay of the Ravens offense since he has been drafted by them, but tight ends can be had from other places than a first round pick. Given, they may not be as dominant as Heap was for us, but our shortcomings at quarterback and wide receiver have been rampant for years, so Brees or Johnson would have been better picks for us. Still, a solid pick.

#62 - Gary Baxter - Cornerback - Baylor

Other players available at the pick: Adrian Wilson, Steve Smith, Derrick Burgess, William Peterson, Kareem McKenzie

Best choice? Yeah...no. Baxter was not bad for us, and now he's a not-bad nickel for the Browns, though injury-plagued. We simply could have done better. Getting Adrian Wilson here and drafting Ed Reed next draft would have been the greatest safety tandem, nay greatest thing in the history of the world. As far as cornerbacks, Peterson would have been a better choice and Smith would have really helped out our offense as well. Decent, but could have been a lot better.

#93 - Casey Rabach - Center - Wisconsin

Other players available at the pick: Anthony Henry, Rudi Johnson, Matt Stewart

Best choice? Not really. Rabach never really started for us. But he did provide us with one way you know you have total dominance over your crosstown rival team: they sign our backup center to make their starting line better. So that's nice. Henry woulda been a good pickup for us, really improving our secondary.

#126 - Edgerton Hartwell - Linebacker - Western Illinois

Other players available at the pick: Jerametrius Butler, Jarrod Cooper, AJ Feeley

Best choice? Eh, maybe. Hartwell wasn't bad for us during his tenure here and he'll be back in the NFL this season with the Raiders after a year without a team. So maybe Hartwell was the best choice, but the other players mentioned wouldn't be bad backups for us.

#161 - Chris Barnes - Running Back - New Mexico State

Other players available at the pick: Rodney Bailey, Chris Cooper, Ellis Wyms, Kevin Kasper

Best choice? No. It just wasn't. Barnes was totally irrelevant for us, and some of these guys would have bolstered our defense, or offense in Kasper's case.

#194 - Joe Maese - Center/Long Snapper - New Mexico

Other players available at the pick: TJ Houshmandzadeh, Renaldo Hill, Kynan Forney

Best choice? I'll be honest, I don't know much about Maese. The only thing I know about him is that he was the bald dude who was the lowest rated player (overall) in Madden 2004. So...he wasn't a good pick. Those three would have been far better.

#231 - Dwayne Missouri - Defense End - Northwestern

Other players available at the pick: Joe Tafoya, Terdell Sands, Marlon McCree

Best choice? Nah. Many of us know Missouri as "Little defensive endgine that could" from the Ravens edition of "Hard Knocks". A heartwarming story, true. But a good pick? Not really. Tafoya and Sands have proven to be good defensive linemen in the league, and would have been better choices for the Ravens.

So, for a team that has been one of the better drafting teams since their inception into the league, this has been one of their weaker drafts. Overall grade for the Ravens' 2001 Draft: B-

What would have given the Ravens the best possible draft:

#31 - Drew Brees

#62 - Adrian Wilson

#93 - Anthony Henry

#126 - Edgerton Hartwell

#161 - Ellis Wyms

#194 - TJ Houshmandzadeh

#231 - Terdell Sands

The Ravens will move starting cornerback Samari Rolle inside as a nickel back on passing situations, according to Rolle. He will continue to be the starter in base defense, but the Ravens feel more comfortable moving him inside this year because of several free agent additions. It's a good move for the Ravens because Rolle will easily match up with any No. 3 receiver or H-back.

Link

What do you guys think of this move? Samari is one of my favorite players in the NFL, but I suppose it's time for a change because he hasn't really done too well recently. He may be a pretty good fit at nickel because while he doesn't have the speed he used to that made him a great starting corner, playing nickel may be good for him because he still has good ball instincts so he can rack up the deflections and interceptions. Hopefully, Fabian Washington can put the talent he has to work and be a solid starting corner next to CMac.

Hey guys, this is my first crack at the ever-popular mock draft, doing the entire first round. Lemme know what you think, especially regarding the Knicks pick because that's one where everybody seems to have a different opinion on. (Note: Thanks to mightykingcrayo for filling me in on a crucial mistake, all better now)

1. Chicago Bulls - Derrick Rose - PG - Memphis - You look at the talent that Chicago has up and down their roster, and you look at the needs they gotta fill, point guard has to be at the top of that list. Michael Beasley's talent is undeniable, but as far as forwards go, I think they're too committed to Luol Deng and Ty Thomas at the 3 and 4, and their inconsistency at the point guard position has a total need for them to take DRose.

2. Miami Heat - Michael Beasley - SF/PF - Kansas State - With Rose off the board, they'll gladly take a much-needed scorer to take some of the load off of Dwyane Wade. Also, with Beasley on board, they'll have a solid core of three players: Wade, Marion, and Beasley to help build the team around.

3. Minnesota Timberwolves - Brook Lopez - C - Stanford - This team has started every single player they have last season, so they need consistency more than anything. Rashad McCants is getting better so he's their 2-guard of the future, and Foye seems to be their choice for future point guard. Also, they're dedicated to Corey Brewer considering they took him in the top 10 last season, and while Al Jefferson is the [expletive], he is a power-forward, not a center. So they need a true center and Lopez can provide that for him, oozing with potential which a young team needs and loves.

4. Seattle/Oklahoma City Supersonics/Tornados - Jerryd Bayless - PG/SG - Arizona - God knows where this team is going to be next season, but one this is certain: if your starting guard rotation involves Earl Watson, a 6-9 140 pound rookie who really isn't a guard, and Damien Wilkins, you aren't going to win very many games. Bayless gives them help at both guard positions depending on where they play him and his scoring ability can help take some of the load off of Kevin Durant.

5. Memphis Grizzlies - OJ Mayo - PG/SG - USC - The [expletive]fest known as the Grizzlies need major help. They could go with a forward here, but with Rudy Gay and Hakim Warrick already there, I think guard and center is a bigger need for them. They have a lot of young good guards like MC Jr., Javaris Crittenton, Juan Carlos Navarro, and Kyle Lowry, but they've had no consistency at that position, so Mayo could be that guy for them.

6. New York Knicks - Joe Alexander - SF/PF - West Virginia - One major sleeper in this draft, Alexander can help the Knicks establish a true smallball team, having him at the power forward, Lee at center, and Wilson Chandler at the 3-spot. They'll have to make quite a bit of moves to really run with this roster, but Alexander can provide an opportunity for the Knicks to not suck for the future.

7. LA Clippers - Russell Westbrook - PG/SG - UCLA - With the Clippers having their frontcourt well established with Thornton-Brand-Kaman, they need to look to help in their backcourt. Whether Corey Maggette will be a Clipper all of next season and if Shaun Livingston will come back strong, if at all, are both pressing questions for the Clippers, so picking up Westbrook to play at the 1 or the 2 would be a good move for them.

8. Milwaukee Bucks - Danilo Gallinari - SF/PF - Italy - The Milwaukee Bucks are just a big question mark in general. God knows what they're going to do with this pick, but Charlie Vilanueva and Desmond Mason are probably not their longterm answer at the 3-spot, so they'll take Gallinari and he'll refuse to play for them probably. Can't say I blame him.

9. Charlotte Bobcats - Anthony Randolph - SF/PF - LSU - The Bobcats are going to be a good team. They have a good young point guard (Raymond Felton), a good scoring leader (J-Rich), a star forward who can do it all at this point (Gerald Wallace) and a young big man who people are hating on now for no reason (Emeka Okafor). 4 of the 5 keys for success. Now, they need a solid forward who can spread the floor for them and take some of the scoring load off of their stars. Look for Charlotte to make the playoffs next season.

10. New Jersey Nets - Kevin Love - PF - UCLA - Sean Williams may very well be their center of the future, instead of power forward because who knows if Nenad can get it done there. With Williams at the 5, Love can come in and have an immediate impact at the power forward spot.

11. Indiana Pacers - Eric Gordon - SG - Indiana - Mike Dunleavy Jr. is not a shooting guard and he certainly is not a starting player in the NBA. They'll take Gordon both to solidify their shooting guard position and take the "hometown" favorite so maybe people will care about the team again. But people won't care about you guys again.

12. Sacramento Kings - Donte Green - SF/PF - Syracuse - Who knows if Artest is going to be there or not next season, and the Kings are pretty solid at the PG, SG, and C spot, so they need help at the forward which Green can provide.

13. Portland Trailblazers - DJ Augustin - PG - Texas - Many have the Blazers taking a center at this spot to back up Greg Oden, but I think that the Blazers can't get too far with Steve Blake running their show. And that's not a knock on Blake who is a good point guard, he just isn't the floor general to help take a team to the next level in a loaded Western Conference. But DJ Augustin is.

14. Golden State Warriors - DeAndre Jordan - C - Texas A&M - For a team that is loaded with swingmen and combo-guards, they really need more depth at the center spot to compete with the big-men in the West. Sadly, my boy Patrick O'Bryant isn't getting it done as much as I wanted him to, so they may look to this young, potential-filled lad to back up Biedrins.

15. Phoenix Suns - Chris Douglas-Roberts - SG/SF - Memphis - Phoenix needs help on defense. Getting rid of Shawn Marion was kind of a knuckle-headed move which puts them in need of a guy who can defend the opposing 2s and 3s. CDR is that guy, and while this is a little high for him, Phoenix really needs a player like him.

16. Philadelphia 76ers - Darrell Arthur - PF - Kansas - Doing this pick can open up a lot of options for Philly. They can move Iguodala to the shooting guard, Thaddeus Young to the 3 and Arthur at power forward. Or they can move Young to the bench and keep their starting lineup from last season with Arthur starting at the 4. If Dalembert gets traded, Arthur may be able to fill in at center, but that could be a reach.

17. Toronto Raptors - Nicolas Batum - SG/SF - France - Toronto loves international players, which Batum is. He's young and can start out as a backup to Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon until Toronto feels he's ready to be a starter. Putting him at small forward can move Andrea Bargnani to power forward which is more his natural position.

18. Washington Wizards - JaVale McGee - C - Nevada - Wizards have been in need of a real center since like Wes Unseld. Brendan Haywood has gotten better this season, but he simply can't be the starting center on a team that seriously wants to win the finals. McGee is an intriguing prospect who can start out backing up Haywood, but has the potential to be a big part of this team's future.

19. Cleveland Cavaliers - Brandon Rush - SG/SF - Kansas - Cleveland's gotta put some real talent around LeBron James and Wally Szczerbiak or Sasha Pavolvic as the starting shooting guard simply won't get it done. Rush has the ability to start next to James and do well in that role with the other two as backups, or work slowly into the offense, but be a very good reserve rookie.

20. Denver Nuggets - Mario Chalmers - PG - Kansas - The Denver Nuggets have been starting Anthony Carter at the point guard spot for this season. Which means that they need a lot of help at the point guard spot. Chalmers is a good defender, something the Nuggets need on the perimeter, and he's not a bad passer. Turnovers could use some work though, but that goes for the entire Nuggets team.

21. New Jersey Nets - Roy Hibbert - C - Georgetown - Getting both Arthur and Hibbert solidifies the frontcourt for the Nets for years to come when you put them along with Nenad and Williams.

22. Orlando Magic - Davon Jefferson - SG/SF - USC - Maurice Evans and Keith Bogans have been the Magic starters at the shooting guard spot this season. Which means they need a goddamn shooting guard. Jefferson is kind of a sleeper, but his athleticism and potential can be big for the Magic in the future.

23. Utah Jazz - Jason Thompson - PF/C - Rider - As much as I love Memo Okur, the Jazz need a traditional big man if they want to win the finals. Not necessarily a new starting center, but another big man, one who plays like a big man should, to give matchup problems for other teams. Thompson can be a great backup for Okur and can fill in well when the Jazz need extra help in the low post.

24. Seattle Supersonics - Kosta Koufos - C - Ohio State - The Seattle Supersonics have been drafting project centers for the last 5 or so years now. Why change a perfectly good thing?

25. Houston Rockets - Robin Lopez - PF/C - Stanford - Although they continued their winning streak quite lovely after Yao went down, the injury has shown that the Rockets need a real big man as their reserve, not an undersized power forward being thrust in the role. Lopez provides not only that, but also a high energy player when everybody is healthy for Houston.

26. San Antonio Spurs - Courtney Lee - SG - Western Kentucky - Michael Finley probably won't be with the Spurs much longer, Brent Barry is a question mark as well, so San Antonio needs to find a young wing player to take over for either of them. Lee is a great shooter and a solid defender, and that's all San Antonio needs out of any wing player.

27. New Orleans Hornets - Bill Walker - SG - Kansas State - Morris Peterson and Bonzi Wells have been their starting shooting guards for the season. Dammit, you get the point. Walker provides better depth at a position in which they lack it.

28. Memphis Grizzlies - Devon Harding - PF/C - California - It's still a question whether Darko can be a quality starting big man in the NBA and drafting Harding gives Memphis options in case he can't and depth in case he can.

29. Detroit Pistons - Marreese Speights - PF - Florida - The Pistons have done well in the last draft with their 2 first round picks, getting two good young guards. Now they have to get younger and better at the forward spot. Speights may go higher, but with other teams needing guards and centers more, it's very likely that he falls to Detroit.

30. Boston Celtics - Nathan Jawai - C - Australia - With PJ Brown's retirement imminent, the Celtics need help at the backup center spot. Powe and Big Baby are good, but they're power forwards and undersized at the center spot, so they need a true center to back up Perkins. Jawai isn't the most polished of all players, but he'll give them defense and another big body, which will be just fine.

From The Four Point Play

This is just fanstastic. The Ravens are having two new mascots, two baby ravens that are about three weeks old. And they're taking submissions as to what to name them. I chose the names Ray-Ray and C-Mac. Not the most creative, true, but I think they'd be good names for them. So submit your names to them and share what ones you sent, hopefully they'll be great mascots.

Here's the link to make your submission

Editor's Note: Thanks to Arichmix for contributing this profile on a lesser-known lottery prospect. There are still posts to be done if any of you are interested. Enjoy.

via graphics8.nytimes.com

Hello, fellow Knick fans. Today on Know the Prospect, I have been given the honor of discussing with you potential Knick draftee, Joe Alexander. I'm sure you have pressing questions about this fella, but I am determined to answer them all.

Who is Joe Alexander?

Very good question. Joe Alexander is a 6'8 hybrid of power forward ability, small forward ability, and pure, raw athleticism. He is a junior at West Virginia, but only 20. Fun facts: he was born in Taiwan and lived there, in Beijing and in Hong Kong for eight years, and moved to America when he was a junior in high school. He is also fluent in Mandarin. That can come in very useful playing for the Knicks. I like this guy already.

What can Joe do well and what can Joe do not well?

Alexander is described as a player that can defend quite well and hit the mid-range jumper. He has great leaping ability which allows him to get dunks and blocked shots quite nicely. Also, terms used to described other players such as "scrappy" and "a hustler" fully apply to Joe, as coaches love his intensity and whatnot. But it's not all fun and happiness and lollipops, there are some aspects to his game that could use improvements as well. His three-point shot is kinda weak, and even though he's very athletic, whether he has the lateral quickness to defend NBA small forwards is questionable. And there's that nagging "he's too raw, not polished enough" factor that it may take some time for him to develop, but he still has the whole upside thing working for him. Also, his free-throw shooting wasn't that good early on in his West Virginia career, but it has gotten better, so that's good. He apparently has "ice water in his veins" or something, because he is very cool in the clutch, which can come in handy if the Knicks collapse late and need a big basket as has been the case over the last 6 years.

Why should we care?

You should care quite a bit because Joseph here can be a very good fit for the Knicks. As previously stated, he is an athletic 6'8 combo forward, and with D'Antoni on board, that may provide a high-flying, fun-and-gun, other hyphenated adjectived style of basketball. A frontcourt of Chandler at the 3, Alexander at power forward, and Lee at center is so D'Antonitastic, that it has to work. Also, he's supposed to be a high-character guy who always gives it his all, thus helping this team stop it's recent spell of laziness and douchiness. Even though he is listed as a SF/PF, we may be better off playing him at the power forward spot so that his speed on defense won't be a concern and we can start both Lee and Chandler.

Can this white boy dunk?

In a word, hell yes.

Does Joe Alexander have any nicknames?

Joe already is a nickname for Joesph, dumbass. And if that doesn't work for you, Joey might do the trick. However, we need something more, his nickname is apparently "The Hammer", which I have to admit, is pretty good. Perhaps if really starts wreaking havoc (in a good way), "Alexander the Great" may suffice. Oh, you're so versatile, Joe Alexander.

Why should we or why shouldn't we draft Joe Alexander?

Let's start with why we should not draft Joe Alexander. I can only think of a handful of small reasons. One is that if Jerryd Bayless falls to number 6, I don't think we have a choice other than to draft him. Also, if we aren't able to move Zach and/or Eddy before the season starts, we're stuck with a giant clusterfuck at the 4/5 spot, and not playing either of them would just lower their trade value further once we reach the trade deadline, screwing us over even more. But other than that, he seems like he'd be our guy. He's young, athletic, has a good set of skills that we need, and best of all, has a good attitude and work ethic. Also, it'd be the ultimate nail in Isiah's coffin that we draft a member the race that he despises the most once we get rid of him. He will break down in tears and possibly kill Zach Randolph, both of which are acceptable. So, Joe "The Hammer" Alexander seems perfect for us in every way. Good job, Joe.

From The Four Point Play, enjoy fellas. Feel free to criticize and disagree with what I said, just don't be overly critical and be all "This sh*t was terrible, I'm going to kill you while you're sleeping tonight, author guy," considering it's my first all (mostly) cerebral "article" (I'm not entire sure whether to call it an article, post, collection of thoughts...oh well).

Honorable mention: Russell Westbrook - Point Guard/Shooting Guard - UCLA
Dude is a beast, I wouldn't mind if the Knicks drafted him. That is all.

10. OJ Mayo - Point Guard/Shooting Guard - USC
Many will be shocked to find such a talented and hyped prospect so low on this list. I was never on the OJ Mayo bandwagon and always thought he would he would be a Marbury/Francis-esque player in the league (not a good thing really). This is actually the closest I have ever been to supporting an OJ Mayo to the Knicks movement ever. Pretty much, I gotta put him here because if the Knicks actually do draft him, I'll feel like a jackass for being against it the whole time. But come on! His name is OJ Mayo, which translated from slang into English is Orange Juice Mayonnaise. If the Knicks do take him, he'll walk into practice the first day and introduce himself saying, "Hi everyone, I'm OJ Mayo," and Jerome James will eat him thinking it was a giant hybrid of orange juice and mayonnaise, which ironically is his thirst quencher during games. What then? We just wasted our first round pick. Thanks a lot, Donnie Walsh, you're doing a fantastic job so far.

9. Davon Jefferson - Small Forward - USC
At first glance, this fella may appear to be a clone of our very own Wilson Chandler. A 6'8, young small forward whose not incredibly polished, but has great athleticism and potential. But such terrific qualities are the reason that he would be a good fit for us. With D'Antoni as our coach, athleticism is a must and he has a much better jumpshot than most of our players, so he's a guy we can kick it out to with confidence. With him, we can run the offense featuring two small forwards who have the ability to do well at other positions, a la any combination of Shawn Marion, Raja Bell, Boris Diaw, James Jones, and Grant Hill.

8. Jason Thompson - Power Forward/Center - Rider
Thompson is another guy who can fit in well with the style that the Knicks may be running in this upcoming season. He is an athletic big who can run the floor well and defend both power forwards and centers. Can hit the midrange J pretty well for a big, which is a must for D'Antoni ball, and he played 4 years of college ball, so he is experienced, but he is only 21 years old which is as old as some freshmen at the moment (see: Jefferson, Davon). He's not the best post player, but if he was our starting big next to Lee, it wouldn't be necessary because Lee can dominate the post, and Thompson can take care of the area outside the paint on offense.

7. DeAndre Jordan - Center - Texas A&M
At the start of the season, I thought Jordan would be the best player in this draft after Derrick Rose. Yes, I bought into the hype. However, I'm not totally off his bandwagon. With our young roster, a project big like him wouldn't be a totally bad idea at this point. He compliments Lee's skills very well, being a legit seven footer, a beast on defense, and can run the floor with the best of them. He seems like a guy who can really do especially well in our system, a la Amare Stoudemire.

6. Donte Green - Small Forward - Syracuse
This will be a good pick depending on whether we decide to go with a somewhat more traditional lineup or all-out small ball. If we choose the latter, Green is perfect for the situation. A starting front-court of Chandler, Green, and Lee at center is a team that is the definition of run and gun. Green's combination of athleticism and outside shot is hard to ignore, and his defense is underrated. While he isn't a guy who if we draft will be "the guy" for our team, he will be somebody who can be a part of a great and exciting lineup.

5. DJ Augustin - Point Guard - Texas
The first point guard mentioned here, so you may assume that I believe that the Knicks need a point guard more than other positions. But that debate is up in the air. I just think that DJ has the chance to be the point guard of the future for the team. He's one of the few pure point guards in this class outside of Derrick Rose, and he has that floor general quality. Yeah, he's a little bit on the short side and he's not the best athlete, but he can drive to the basket very well and his jumpshot is not bad. Also, he kinda looks like Deron Williams, one of the best point guards in the NBA. So maybe this is god's way of telling us that DJ Augustin will be one of the best point guards in the NBA soon.

4. Anthony Randolph - Small Forward/Power Forward - LSU
Take everything I said about Donte Green, multiply it by 1.5 and throw in some better defense. But take away a few points because I've had enough of people with last name Randolph on the Knicks.

3. Joe Alexander - Small Forward/Power Forward - West Virginia
Take everything I said about Donte Green, multiply it by 1.75, take away a few inches of height, throw some mad power forward skillz on that grill, caucasianize that shiznit, and bam! You have the third best prospect likely available at the 6 spot.

2. Danilo Gallinari - Small Forward - Italy
Now, I like to consider myself as an NBA redneck (as much as it pains me to say this). I do not like a lotta foreign players in the NBA (even though I myself am an immigrant), or at least during the draft because I don't want the Knicks to take 'em. This may be due to bad experiences I have had with foreign players as a Knick fan (Wikipedize the 2003 NBA Draft, I don't want to discuss it), but this may all change with Gallinari. His ability is undeniable, D'Antoni has a habit of working very well with international players, and he can fit into any system the Knicks want to run very well.

1. Jerryd Bayless - Point Guard/Shooting Guard - Arizona
This guy is a beast. Don't give me that bull about we don't know if he is a point guard or a shooting guard, he is a flat-out stud. The fact that he has the skills to play both positions for our team is promising, and the way he can run the floor is perfect for D'Antoni and the other group of players who fit into D'Antoni ball. He's athletic, but can also hit the jumper well, and he is not bad on defense (definitely better than most of our current guards on D). Just a straight-up beast, and perfect guy to help rebuild the Knicks.

via www.nypost.com

Yes, in this time of great change for the Knickerbockers, what with the spankin' new coach, the biggest news in my world is David Lee's flashy new mohawk. Apparently, it's some deal with his Vitamin Water sponsorship and the site they sponsored where you cut his hair and shit. I was kinda hoping for dreads myself. Full story/coverage on the link below

Full story/coverage of the event here

Editor's Note: Big thanks to Arichmix for penning up this recap of last night's shitfest. Enjoy.

Well..that was fun. Haha, just kidding, it was disgusting. For all those lucky ones who missed it, or those pain-loving types, here's the two-and-a-half hour shitfest that is a New York Knick game, condensed into a neat bullet list. How delightful.

Editor's note: Our embedded correspondent Arichmix checks in with his recount of deadline day. Belated P&T New Year's resolution: more liberal use of the word "vanillaify".

It is the NBA trade deadline day, 7:00 A.M. EST. Isiah Thomas is in his office hooking up the seventh phone line in his office, in case several teams send him offers at once.

Isiah: OK, I'm ready for you, fellow NBA general managers...let the trades pour in!

8:00 A.M. EST

Isiah: Any minute now, I'll be getting my first trade offers, this is so exciterific!

9:00 A.M. EST

Isiah: The other general managers are probably just waking up, that's why they haven't called me yet. Ha ha ha! I laugh at them, that is why I am so much better. I'm gonna ask Dolan to have a statue of me put outside of MSG.

2:00 P.M. EST, nobody has called Isiah yet, and he has not moved from his seat an inch

Isiah: Maybe they're just a little bit shy...I'll initiate.

Isiah calls the Cavs general manager, Danny Ferry

Isiah: Hello, Daniel.

Ferry: Hey, Isiah. (thinking to himself, "Fuck yes! Isiah is on the line! Larry Hughes, yo punk ass is out of herr!) What can I do for you?

Isiah: I'm thinking about making a trade. Try to help both of us.

Ferry: Continue.

Isiah: What do you think of Eddy Curry, Nate Robinson, and Wilson Chandler for your boy LeBron?

Ferry: Is this a joke?

Isiah: Ok ok, you high-roller...I'll throw in Mardy Collins.

Ferry: That doesn't really help.

Isiah: OK...what if instead of Eddy, I'll give you Randolph Morris.

Ferry: Who?

Isiah: How about Nate Robinson?

Ferry: I think we're done he-

Isiah: Wait, wait! OK, how about you propose a deal?

Ferry: (immediately) Larry Hughes for David Lee!

Isiah: I like it, I like it...I was thinking our team could use some more color anyways, David is vanillaizing our chocolate vessel of NBA talent.

Ferry: I agree, it would be best for him to move here.

Isiah: I still think it is a bit unfair somehow....I know, I'll send you guys a first round pick as well!

Ferry: Are you serious?

Isiah: OK, fine. Two first round picks, just do the trade please!

Ferry: Agreed, the league will review it, but I think it can be done.

Isiah: If not, I'll give you this Balkman kid as well.

Danny Ferry wets himself with joy

Isiah: OK, see you around...(hangs up phone) Sucker. Making trades is fun...I want more!

Isiah calls the Portland GM, Kevin Pritchard.

Isiah: Kevin! Good to talk to you again.

Kevin: Isiah, I am done making deals with you, my team is playing well, our future is looking good, I don't want to make a trade.

Isiah: But I need Darius Miles on my team!

Kevin: What?

Isiah: Yes, I think he really fills some voids on our team that I think require filling. I like to call him a "void-filler" of sorts.

Kevin: I suppose...but I don't really want any of your players. To be honest, pretty much all of them suck.

Isiah: I see. How about this Renaldo fella that the fans seem to enjoy so much? I don't particularly care for him though, he's spunky and he likes his oatmeal lumpy. There is no room for him here.

Kevin: Renaldo for Miles...I like it. OK, I agree...(thinks to himself, "What the hell, might as well take a chance")...Can I have a first round pick also?

Isiah: Done. But I want Josh McRoberts!

Kevin: Hell yea, take his pasty ass.

Isiah: Oh damn...he's white isn't he? Well, he's too good to pass up, I'll take him to a tanning booth, nobody will ever know.

Kevin: Sure...ok. Bye, Isiah.

Isiah: Goodbye Kevin. (Hangs up phone) Damn, I am invincible!

James Dolan walks in

JD: Now Isiah, I'll admit that you're good...but people can still see you.

Isiah: Damn.

JD: It's okay. How have the trades gone?

Isiah: Fantabulous! I sent David Lee and two picks away for Larry Hughes, and that big-nosed fellow and a first round pick for Darius Miles and Josh McRoberts whose whiteness I will cure soon enough.

JD: Excellent! I see a lifetime contract in your future, Isiah.

Isiah: Score! I still think we need one more void filled. We could use a player from the Rockets...perhaps a player that was drafted with the 2nd pick of the 1999 Draft whose name for some reason can not be stated neither now nor never.

JD: Well, just trade one of the malcontents here. Nate or Mardy or Morris or Jamal or Fre-

Isiah grabs Dolan by the throat and pins him down on his desk

Isiah: We are never, I repeat never, trading Fred!

Fred: (underneath Isiah's desk) I agree!

JD: OK, OK! Any more matters you wish to discuss?

Isiah: Yes, I think a statue of me in front of the Garden would be a perfecterrific idea.

JD: I agree, that sounds great. But what do you think it should look like?

Isiah: I think Fred here has a good idea. Show him your tattoo, Freddy.

Fred: Yes, sir.

Fred shows Dolan his chest which has a tattoo of a shirtless Isiah on top of a unicorn holding a trident with the unicorn standing atop a white person

JD: I like it, very true to life.

Isiah's phone rings

Isiah: Hello?

Voice on other end: Hello, this is David Stern. I am the commissioner of the NBA.

Isiah: Davey! What's going on my saltineian brother?

Stern: Well, I see here that you have made two trades which are not only very stupid, but impossible by the league rules.

Isiah: But I need those trades!

Stern: Trust me, I think you're better off not doing these.

Isiah: But I was just about to trade Eddy for Vince Carter and make the greatest team of all time!

Stern: Sorry, but you just can't do all of these trades. And now the deadline has passed, so you can't even do that Vince Carter deal.

Isiah: I'll give you a first round pick.

Stern: What?

Isiah: OK, I'll give you two first round picks and this kid Wilson Chandler.

Stern: This conversation is over.

Isiah: No, it is not! This conversation is not over until I say it is over!

David Stern hangs up, Isiah stays on the phone complaining for two more hours to nobody, followed by an hour of awkward silence

Isiah: Now it's over. (hangs up)

All right, my first crack here at the game recap diary. Sucks it had to come after yet another blown lead that culminated in a Knick loss. But that is just the bottom line, there was far more to this game than the Knicks losing another game they should not have.

Editor's Note: How to get your diary on to the main page: mention Brian Greene. Show some love for the Summer League Knicks!

No, not the real all-star game, you know the one that people watch. I'm referring to the (get ready...) 2nd Annual NBDL All-Star Game Extravaganza!!

Yes, indeed, you can, as I have, vote for all the former Knick summer-leaguers and preseason standouts you know, remember, and love. Go on now and lend your support to:

Brian Greene - He's gonna get the place LIFTED

Roderick Wilmont - I always knew he'd make it to an All-Star ballot

Elton Brown - Rumor has it that Isiah was willing to sign Brown to a long-term deal with the Knicks, but the league didn't allow lifetime contracts anymore (after the little known Isiah attempt to make sure we never lose Jerome), and Zeke wouldn't allow anything less.

Walker Russell Jr. - Ooh, fun. Everybody, let's post our favorite Walker Russell Jr. moment! Mine was when he played for the Knicks in summer league and then preseason, only to be cut along with Allan Houston, subsequently making the NBDL and being so spectacular that he made the NBDL All-Star game ballot. Remember those times?

Ali Berdiel - Puerto Rican, not Jewish....sorry, we almost made it (and be "we", I'm speaking, of course, as an Indian with a decent number of Jewish friends)

Cornelius "Scooter" McFadgon - OK, he was never really associated with the Knicks...but come on! His name is Cornelius McFadgon...with "Scooter" as his nickname! You can't make up a more delightful name.

So there you have it, the best and brightest from the Knick hopefuls (and Scooter McFadgon). Even though our memories of them are mainly thinking "Who the hell is this guy?" when Clyde or Breen said their names, they're still members of the Knick family (and have stretch marks from Isiah and Steph to prove it) and gosh darn it, we should support 'em!

Vote for them here: http://www.nba.com/dleague/allstar2008/asb/ballot.html

While you're at that link, feel free to enjoy some of the other names that popped up on the ballot, I know I did. Sadly, it's only televised for you NBATV having bastards, but that's probably because they feel the rest of the world just isn't ready...for Scooter.