SB Nation User Blog: BeLEGENDelliAllDay

Chad and Matt Cassel

BeLEGENDelliAllDay — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:15:58 -0000

Hey people,

First time poster, but fairly long time reader. I had a question about our man Chad, and I was wondering what you all thought about it.

I know he's been pretty effing good this year, but what do you think the timetable for a guy like that is? He is 32, and has had major shoulder surgery on an arm that was a little weak to begin with. When he came in, I looked at him as a stopgap guy (god knows we've had a few), but with his play this season I am starting to look at him differently. Basically, coming off Matt Cassel's brilliant performance, do you think there will be interest from us when he becomes available this offseason? I am tempted to say yes, because, while Chad has been very solid, I'm just not sure how much longer he can keep it up. Cassel has good size, can make all the throws, and is much younger and injury free (especially b/c he has barely played since high school). Do you guys think we'll have interest? Or, are we happy with Chad-O for as long as he can, and then the Chad Henne era? Obviously, MC would be expensive, and potentially risky, but he sure looks like a starting qb for me (granted, I'm biased b/c I'm a Trojan).

I really enjoy reading all the interesting content on this site, and just wanted to see what everyone thought. Peace.

Dan

A (Gulp...) Trade Idea

BeLEGENDelliAllDay — Fri, 11 Apr 2008 07:28:00 -0000

Hey, guys. I'm a long time GSOM reader, and haven't contributed in a while, but for the past couple of days, I have been thinking about a possible draft day trade, and I wanted to see what you guys thought about it.
I went to college in New Orleans, and a bunch of my boys are from Miami. I was talking to a couple of different friends who said that they have heard that Riley is highly interested in trading his top pick, as he is in win now mode. He thinks that he can pull off a Celtic like turnaround and would be more than willing to trade the pick.
Heres where GSW can come in. How would you feel about trading Baron to Miami for a package built around the number one pick (this would OBVIOSLY only happen post-lottery, if Miami secures the #1 pick)? We would use the pick on Derrick Rose. It's hard to see exactly how the numbers would work on the trade machine, b/c so many guys have trade restrictions. It would be easier if Baron opted out of his current deal, and we set up a sign and trade w/ Miami. In return, we would get Derrick Rose, Dorrell Wright (who would get re-signed by the Heat and traded), Deaquan Cook, and cash. This trade could work for a few reasons.
Why we do it...
1. I expect Nellie to leave in the offseason, and pass the reins to a younger coach (hopefully Keith Smart). Beacuse of his age and pedegree, Nelson is clearly in win now mode. If he leaves, we will not have to worry about appeasing him, and we can have KS or whoever in for the long hall.
He'll have a core nucleus of Monta, AB, Rose, and Wright and we should get solid contributions from young players like Bukie, Dorrell, Cook, the #14 pick, and CJ.We'll also get solid veteran leadership for 2 years from Stack and Al. I think this nucleus could turn into quite a ball club in a few years.

It would significantly lower our cap number, and give us more flexibility in bringing back Monta and AB (maybe, just maybe MP as well). We would also be able to sign a decent midlevel guy and be in decent shape.
The team, how it is currently built and coached, will not win the title or even be a contender. As much as I love Baron (he's been my favorite ALL-TIME player since UCLA), he is just at a different point in his career than these other guys. I think a team built around the young guys could possibly challenge in a few years.
Derrick Rose really is THAT good. Though nothing is a sure thing (see: Williams, Jay), Derrick Rose is as close as you get. He is a big (6-4, 180), strong lead guard with amazing quickness and athletisism. He is extremely unselfish and always got his teammates involved at Memphis, though he could usually get his own shot off whenever he wanted. Also, for Monta Ellis to be your 2 guard, you must have a big, physical point guard, and DR fits the bill perfectly. By watching CP3 and DWill turn thier teams around at an early age, you can see how much a player like that can effect thier team. By all acounts, many won't be surprised if he could have a simmilar impact on a team than those 2.

Why Miami does it.

Pat Riley is not going to be walking the sidelines for too many more years, especaially with losing teams, and he has said publically he wants to win RIGHT NOW. A lineup of Baron, Wade, Marion, Haslem, and whoever is definatley good enough to make the playoffs. They will also be a popular veteran free agent destination if they show that they contend, which they should. Though I don't think acquiring Baron improves them as drastically as the KG deal did, I think it really gives them the chance to compete in the conference.
I know how much Baron loves Cali, but I think that he would be happy and effective in South Beach. If he opts-out and renegotiates his contract, he will get one last solid pay day. Also, in the East he would definatley make all-star teams, and be able to go deeper in the playoffs, while playing against lesser competition most nights (more Eastern teams). He also gets to play for a legendary coach and play with two excellent players in Marion and Wade. Also, Miami is Miami, so it's not like he's being sent to Minnesota.
From a business perspective, it makes sense. I have been to a game at AA Arena in Miami last year, and when the team is good the place is crazy. Miami fans are notoriously fickle (besides when related to the U), and they need to fill that building, which a team of Baron, the Matrix, and Wade could definatley do.

I understand that the concept of trading Baron Davis is repugnant to many GSW fans, myself included, but I think that this move could be the right thing for both teams. And I'll tell you what, I think Miami does it. I'm not sure if we have the balls to give up such a proven player and fan favorite for a 19 year old, but I think there is a chance.
Miami gets a team that will sell tickets, jerseys, and get thier team deep into the playoffs. We get a young roster, filled with upside, that will be able to compete with the Portlands, New Orleanses, and The Utahs in a few years. Also, that might be the best time to be peaking, as some of the "Old Guard" Western Powers, such as San Antonio, Pheonix, and Dallas start to get a little older.

Like I said, this is just an idea that I had, and I wanted to see what you guys thought of it. I love this website, and have read since before "We Believe(d)". Peace, dan

Heres what our depth chart would look like if the trade happend.
Derrick Rose (19)/ CJ Watson (23)
Monta Ellis (22)/ Buike (24)/ Bellinelli (21)/ Deaquan Cook (20)
S Jax (Late 20's)/ Dorell Wright (22)/ Matt Barnes (Whatever)
Harrington (Late 20's)/ Brandan Wright (19)
Biendris (21)/ POB (re-signed b/c Nellie was leaving) (whatever)
Plus whoever we get at 14 (nbadraft.net says we get Robin Lopez)

That is a team that could be a little scary in three years....
The Heat get a depth chart of
Baron/ Marcus Banks/ Chris Quinn
Wade/ Ricky Davis
Marion/
Haslem/ Mark Blount
Eroll Baron/

They have a bunch of players coming off the books regardless of trades (J-Will, Ricky Davis, Zo, Smush etc.), and I think that they will be able to sign some quality veteran free agents with this base and the teams location.

OT- Remembering Sean Taylor...

BeLEGENDelliAllDay — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 23:09:52 -0000

I know this has little to nothing to do with GSOM, but I think that when something like this happens in the sports world, we can all sympathize. As I am sure everybody knows, the world lost a brilliant young football player, and, contrary to popular belief, lost a great young man, who was determined to succeed, not only in football, but in life. I got a pretty decent insight into who Sean was as a player, and as a person in a most unexpected way. When I was a Freshman, one of the guys in my fraternity, a junior, remarked to me one night that he knew Sean really well. Actaully, he was the fullback who blokced for Sean at (I think) Gulliver High School in Miami. At this time both him and the whole U of Miami team was getting villianized as thugs by the national media (to be fair, Sean has been in trouble with the law, throughout his Redskins career). My buddy painted a totally different picture of Sean. John is a chubby, quiet, shaggy haired Cuban guy, the seeming polar opposite to the "outlaw/thug" image that the media painted of him. They were extremely close friends, who hung out whenever they could (Sean actually came and hung out with us in New Orleans once), and John told me as someone who wasn't changed at all by fame. Sean described him, as someone totally devoted to the circle of people close to him, who John said he would do anything for. In a way his generosity and devotion to his friends came back to hurt him in some instances, because he would do anything to protect those he loved, even if that meant fighting for them. He also told me that once Sean's court case finally got resolved, that he said that he was going to now devote all of his time to his girlfriend, his daughter, and the rest of his family and becoming the best football player he could.

I just wanted to post this because I feel like I got that chance to hear about the personal side of this guy in ways I otherwise would not have. I think it is easy for people to right off circumstances such as Sean or Darrent Williams' as just "what happens to people who are/ behave like thugs" and with Sean (and probably Darrent) that is totally untrue. He was a guy who touched all of those around him, and it is a tragic loss for not only those who knew and loved him, it is a tragedy for those who didn't know him (like me), those who loved watching him doing what he loved to do, and for all the future sports fans who will never get to see him use his unbelievable physical talents on the field which God meant for him to play on.
Rest in Peace Sean Taylor.
I Hate This Senseless Violence, Dan

Rasheed Wallace (Not Trade Idea)

BeLEGENDelliAllDay — Fri, 16 Nov 2007 16:12:19 -0000

I got, like most of ya'll, watched the Detriot game last night, and I had a couple of questions/ comments about the game in general, especially about Sheed.

Either Fitz or Barnett said something that was really interesting last night. He basically said, "Tell me what Rasheed Wallace does not do that Garnett does, and Sheed has the ability to hit the three, which KG doesn't". Though almost nobody would argue that Sheed is at KG's level, but it is an interesting point. At about half (I think) the cost, how would ya'll say that Sheed stacks up to KG? Besides the intangibles, which KG dominates at, why do you think Sheed is rarely mentioned as one of the elite players?
As Sheed was killing us in the low post late in the ballgame, why was Al guarding him with Dre on Nazr? Isn't that what Biendris is supposed to excel at (especailly because Al is usually trashed for his d)? Nazr is a complete offensive non-factor, and they were running the o through Wallace? Wouldn't you want your best post defender on him, especailly if we were only double teaming when he put the ball on the floor? Is Andris not our best post defender? Someone please explain this to me....
Lastly, not to state the obvious, but how much do we need a low post threat, especially late in the game, when players have tired legs. As a guard, I remember when we would play full games in high school, as the game went on, especailly when I was doing a lot of penetrating, it got so much tougher to slash to the hoop, as well as hit the three ball because of fatigue. Is there any guy available who you think could solve this problem. I am not saying "Let's sign Boozer" or something ridiculous, but is there a guy we could find who could help us here. If not, I think we keep losing these close games against teams who have the ability to pound it inside (and having Jax or JRich back won't do a damn thing).

Sorry for the moster diary, but I've been thinking about this since last night....peace, dan

A few notes/ questions?

BeLEGENDelliAllDay — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 21:06:47 -0000

Firstly, still no news on the Varajeo/ Pavolvoic signings? If they do not sign by the time the season starts (3 hours or so), what happens to them? Are the unrestricted? Any shot Andy comes here? Do they just not play this year? Someone help me cuz I'm confused.

Also, OptionShrute's man-crush Jackie Butler is officially an unrestricted FA, any word on whether the dubs have interest or even whether he would be a good fit. He kinda reminds me of Tractor Traylor. Not a good thing.

Also, someone threw around Bernard Robinson's name is a possible trade proposal. Now that he's a fa, any shot of him coming on?

Is it too late to add free agents? My head hurts.

Looking for help, dan

Can you feel it?

BeLEGENDelliAllDay — Tue, 30 Oct 2007 05:50:48 -0000

I have loved the dubs for a long time, but I gotta say this is most excited I've been for a season opener ever. Maybe its the fact that Dunleavy no longer will be in uni, but I am hyped for this game. Expectations are through the roof, and though I'm not dumb enough to think we will reach them all, I think this team should be able to put together a nice season. Lord knows I need it. My favorite NFL team since I was a kid, the Dolphins, are 0-8. My USC Trojans are crashing to earth harder than Joe Johnson in playoffs three years ago. The A's are mediocre, and my favorite soccer team is 18th out of 20 in the league. This has been the worst sports year of my life, but I know the dubs can turn this year around. Though this diary is basically pointless, I just gotta say how fired up I am for tomorow and the next 81 (and beyond)....peace, dan

HUMOR: I know this a "family site"....

BeLEGENDelliAllDay — Wed, 12 Sep 2007 02:04:12 -0000

But this is too good to pass up. I don't know if many of you guys have seen this, but oft-discussed possible Warrior aquisition Darko Millicic was a little upset with the refs who called the Serbia v. Greece game, and he had some choice words for them.

Quick warning: If you are offended by foul language, sorry, but this is way too crazy for ya'll not to see....And OZ, this is all stuff that is heard every day on the school yard or the blacktop. Please keep that in mind before you delete my post. Peace, Dan

========================================

[Moderator's Note, by OptionZero:]

Link removed. The diary can stay up for discussion about Darko's rant, but upon consultation with The Powers That Be,...the content's not appropriate for our site.

Hollinger's View Of Warriors Off-Season

BeLEGENDelliAllDay — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 19:54:12 -0000

Don't know if any of ya'll care, but John Hollinger of ESPN ranked us second to last (in front of Seattle) in the quality of our off-season.

Link: http://insider.espn.go.com/nba/insider/columns/story?columnist=hollinger_john&page=offseasondecl iners

29. Golden State Warriors
(added Brandan Wright and Marco Belinelli; lost Jason Richardson)

The Warriors can salvage their offseason if they can pull off a deal for Kevin Garnett or leverage their assets to get a similar wattage star.

But at the moment it seems they'll have an awful lot of trouble replicating the magical ending to last season. Richardson was hurt much of the season but his return was one of the biggest keys to Golden State's awesome stretch run. Now the Warriors are without him and might lose two other key wings in unsigned free agents Mickael Pietrus and Matt Barnes.

Folks are talking up Belinelli as a quality replacement for Richardson after his scorching hot summer league effort. However, his European numbers say he's not all that, and I trust those results a lot more than five pick-up games against the league's B-listers. Maybe Belinelli will be the exception who blows away his translated European stats, but I wouldn't bet on it. As for Wright, I like him as a prospect but his time is likely a couple years down the road, as his body fills out and he better learns how to tap his undeniable potential."

Though I don't always put a ton of stock in hollinger, he does make some decent arguments.....What do ya'll think of this....do you think he's right, wrong?
peace, dan

Pierre Pierce

BeLEGENDelliAllDay — Tue, 10 Jul 2007 17:08:05 -0000

Yo, after watching the game last night, I came away very impressed by Pierre Pierce. I know he basically never passed (missed a wide-open Belinelli a few times), but you have to remember that this is summer league and (besides not really have a real offense to run) he wanted to show the coaches that he could hold his own. I think it is pretty natural for a young player to be somewhat selfish in these situations. However, I was very impressed by his pressure defense, size, and ability to finish. Put it this way, if I was playing a pick-up game, I would take him about over Patrick O'Bryant (though the tallest guy I usually play with is 6'7, I still would take Pierce). I think that this guy should get an invite to camp, at least because of his heart, toughness, and pure ability. I was also impressed w/ Powell's boards, d, and even his offensive game....Lastly, is there a way to transfer the rest of POB's money to Brian Cusworth, because that guy is a superstar in the making...did you see that attempted charge he took?....one of the ugliest things i've ever seen...anyway, ya'll think pierre pierce has any chance of running with us this year? peace, dan (the artist formally known as dnalvare)