So as I tend to do, I got really hammered during last nights Spurs/Suns game.  And after the game I started telling anyone who would listen how bad the Suns are and how it's the most one-sided "rivalry" ever.  So then today I'm following the Sportsguy's chat and not doing anything cuz I'm hungover and those are tougher when you get older.  Then, out of nowhere, this pops up:

Chris (Carson City, NV): Hey, has any "rivalry" over the past 10 years been as much of a one-sided beat down as Spurs/Suns? I almost feel bad for Nash and them. Almost.

 Bill Simmons: (2:22 PM ET ) Agreed. It's definitely "feud" and not a "rivalry."

So yes, I apparently submitted a question mocking the Suns, blacked it out, and then got it answered anyways.  What a great day!

Who says blacking out leads to bad things?

Okay, so I kinda ignored the begining of the NBA season because my precious Bills were 5-1, but now that their season has effectively ended (who the fuck settles for a 46 y ard field goal into swirling wind with a minute left on the clock.  I hope Dick Jauron goes to whatever hell has already been reserved for Dirk and Avery...), I'm ready to get amped up for the Spurs odd year title win.  With that in mind, I think this thread should be for reasons why we're retardidly optimistic after the first 10 games.  My reasons:

An honest to goodness 4th option!  Seriously!  Roger Mason gives us an extra scoring option we haven't had since, what, Stephen Jackson?  And that was back before Manu and Tony were Manu and Tony.

A real backup point guard.  Down the stretch and in the playoffs we're only going to need 10 minutes per night or so, possibly less, if Tony's healthy.  And for the first time in years, I won't have to watch the spurs field a PG that I'm convinced I could take off the dribble.  Drunk.  I could drunkenly take JV off the dribble.  He's that fucking bad.

We're 5-5 without one of the 10 best players in the game and one of the 25 best players in the game.  Think about that.  We're currently in playoff contention and we're going to add one of the best PGs in the game and a player who would be the best player on at least 20 teams to our rotation.

So even though we have rebounding problems, those are my reasons why I'm wildy, blindly, stupidly, irrationally optimistic.

PS: sorry if this has been covered before, I really thought my football team wouldn't suck for the first time in the 2000's.  I was wrong.  At least Timmy won the CY Young.

PPS: are we still allowed to swear?  If not, I'm sorry.  You can take it out matthew and replace it with words like "oh butternuts" or something else.

Saw this today on CNNSI:

http://www.fannation.com/truth_and_rumors/view/77150

on the one hand, I don't want to rush Manu back early and see him get hurt again.  On the other hand, if he is good to go early, then that's fine by me.  The scrubs are fun and all, but I'm ready for the big three as soon as possible.  Just think.  When manu returns, we could be in for a manu-mason rotation at the 2 and see very little of fin. 

Then again, I'm not sure what I'd do without Fin to yell at as he clanged 3 after 3 after 3...

Anyone going to be around for the draft?  I've been avoiding all basketball related stuff, but recently I've come out of denial and am hoping we actually draft someone we can use next year.  Gosh, that would be superswell!  I want Chris Douglas-Roberts.  A wing who can slash and score?  Yes please.  Chad Ford seems convinced that we're taking Nicolas Batum, who is apparently still a work in progress.  I'm okay with that if we can bring him over next year (like we did with Tony), but I'm sick of these pick and stashers.  Scola and Splitter should have taught us something.

So anyways, anyone else going to be around for the draft?  Any good players we should draft I don't know about?

http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/8165266/Kobe,-Lakers-turn-it-on-when-they-have-to

This column is only mildly annoying until the end.  Check this out:

"The Spurs, meanwhile, have now given up their biggest playoff lead since Stats Inc. started keeping records back in 2002. Their last worst loss came in 2003, when they squandered a 19-point advantage to the Dallas Mavericks.

That was a long time ago, though. The Spurs were younger, and I can't help but think, more resilient. A team that never seems to fold collapsed in historic fashion Wednesday night.

"Hurts like hell," said Popovich. "

What the fuck??

1.  We were more resilient in 2003??  Really?  Did he black out the second round?  Did he just get assined to the NBA beat?

2.  He's taking Pop's statement to mean we're dismayed.  Has he ever met Pop?

3.  We never fold?  We fold once a series annually to the Nuggets.  That or the "wordmichaelhasbanned" game always occurs. 

Sorry, but I somehow avoided a hangover this morning, and I was happy, but now I have a headache.  And it's Kreigel's fault.

This has to be said.

Goddamnit, we're the goddamn spurs.  The motherfucking Spurs.  The 4 titles in 9 year Spurs.  It's our fucking time.  I was there in 2002.  I was there in 2004.  We've paid our dues as the team that gets crushed by the talented vets.  The team that coulda/shoulda/woulda, but didn't.  Now, it's our fucking turn.  It's our turn to win a series the other team thinks it deserves.  Our turn to leave a young and talented team scratching their heads and wondering what happened.

So no more worrying.  No more complaining.  We're the goddamn Spurs.  This is our series.  This is our fucking  series.  We take game 6.  Then we cut their hearts out.  It's our turn.  Christ Paul is a great talent, but it's not his time yet.

It's ours.  Let's act like it.

And yes, I'm drunk.

This is one of the coolest things I've seen in a while.

http://theassociation.blogs.com/the_association/2008/04/photos-when-dun.html

Basically, Timmy had something to say towards the end of the second OT and everyone, even the reserve players, came over to listen.  It's really cool.

I need twenty four more words and that is annoying and I have to keep typing and D'antoni sucks and I hope he loses his job.  HA!

Suns 96
Spurs 79

Sorry this took so long.  I originally wanted to see if there was a story for why Manu was on the bench as the fourth quarter wound down.  Was Pop mad at him?  Was he hurt?  Has Pop finally gone batshit insane and decided that Fin is our best 2guard?  I needed to know what was going on.  Then my life was busy for a day or so.

Well, we all know that Manu got hurt basically 3 seconds after he checked in, which explains the 3-12 (0-4 from triple land).  To be fair to Manu, he took 2 last second, full-court shots in the second and third periods (so he was really just 3-10).  It also explains this loss for me.  See, we started off good, holding them to 16 points in the first quarter.  However, they managed to tie the game by halftime on Raja's 24-foot shot with 2 seconds left.  They had a four point lead by the end of the third period, and it all just fell apart in the fourth.  The problem was, without Manu, we just don't have the talent to beat the suns.  Our scheme is nice, and Timmy is still Timmy (though he didn't play a great game either, just an okay one for him), but we need Manu to beat the good teams.  The league is just too deep right now.  Unfortunately, we didn't have Manu at 100%.  Groin injuries are probably the second most debilitating muscle to movement (ab pulls are the worst.  If you disagree, you've just never had one).  Hopefully he'll get better before the playoffs, or we are in a bit of trouble.

As for our players, I'll start with Tony.  He seemed to have a great first quarter (5-7, 10 points, 2 assists), but I do worry if his style freezes up our ball movement too much.  Well, mostly I'm just concerned about him not passing the ball to Manu enough.  I get the idea that he and Timmy are supposed to start us off, but once Manu comes of the bench, he needs to have the ball.  However, this has been touched upon, so I won't bitch too much.  Besides, Manu was injured, so he gets a slight pass tonight.  And he shot 9-17 for 20 points, but you'd like it if you PG could get more than 4 assists(esp when he has 3 turnovers).  And yes, I have watched Tony play before, I know this is what he does.  Just saying is all...
At least he does seem to be healthy.  So that's nice...

As for Timmy, I know he led the game with 23 points and 10 rebounds, but he shot 9-21.  Is he practicing bankers before the playoffs?  I know he wasn't our problem, and had to do more than usual because of Manu's injury, but the refs were calling fouls.  He shouldn't have been shooting open bankers when Shaq and Amare are both in foul trouble.  Still, he's never let us down (even the last couple years when we lost, he hit that forgotten great shot, and had a great game in the game 7 loss), so I'll trust him to lead us in the playoffs until he gives me a reason not to.

Though please drive more Timmy, your FT percentage is up this year!

Also, fuck Shaq.  I like how he saves up his energy for the games against us (he shot 7-9 last night) because he was brought here to beat us.  Hey, guess what fat boy, you can't take games off to rest up for us in the playoffs.  So while he made us look bad on this night, he won't be having any 7-9 games in a game 6 or 7 should we meet in the playoffs.  Shaq is a mirage.  He won't be able to rest in the playoffs and he will fall off.

Michael Finley continued to not be a corpse.  4-5 including 2-2 in triple land and no turnovers!  I'd like it if he could get more than 1 rebound, but let's take baby steps.  If he can continue to shoot above 33%, then I'll be happy.  

Ime Udoka (who I was happy about signing the moment we did) continues to provide the little things.  He only shot 1-3, but pulled down 6 rebounds, which was second on our team and two better than their creampuff of a PF.  I really like him and I'm starting to think he should take a bit more of Bowen's time (especially if Bowen keeps shooting 2-8).  Of course, Bowen is also one of those guys I'll trust in the playoffs until he gives me a reason not to.

And Kurt Thomas needs to find his shot.  We can't have games where he doesn't score.  That's just not good.

Three Stars:

3.  Timmy.  They weren't efficient, but his 23 points was a game high and he also got his 10 boards.
2.  Steve Nash.  10 assists and 0(!) turnovers is pretty good.  If we meet in the playoffs, I hope Tony head butts him again and draws a foul.
1.  Shaq.  7-9 from the animated corpse.  That's fine, there's no resting in the playoffs douche bag...
   

sorry, i stole this from mavs moneyball comments, cuz it made me laugh:
"and they barely won in a home game over us. I like our chances, and we're still growing as a "new" team after a trade. It went right down to the line and Avery's idiocy. Too bad, we're stuck with the inept coach though.

How about this trade?

Mavs: send Avery Johnson and a first rounder
Spurs: send Gregg Poppovich."

I know Pop does weird things, but I wuvs him!

Spurs 89
Hawks 74

So nobody else was set to write a recap, at least that I was aware of, so I figured I'd do one.  Again, like last time, I didn't get to watch the actual game, but considering we shot 1/17 in the first quarter, that's probably a good thing.  The basic game flow was we sucked a big dick in the first quarter.  No, seriously.  5 Points.  1/17 Shooting.  I think that Powell, Stampler, and 3 smurfs picked at random (other than Hefty Smurf, cuz he was strong and could play decent in the post) could have matched that.  Then we won the second quarter by 4, the third quarter by 16, and the route was on.  This game reminded me of my NBA Live '07 season where I sim the first couple quarters, then, if I'm losing, I play the fourth and win it.  I'm on pace for 70 wins (though I have Duncan, Howard, a fake player who was the fourth overall pick, and Ben Gordon (godblesstheEAtradeengine)).  Anyways, in the same vein, I think the Spurs didn't do shit, and then made up for it.  Also, Timmy hit 13/16 FTs.  If Timmy hits 13 free throws against you, it's just not your night.

Compared to recently, Manu played a shit game.  And yet, I'd argue this game was almost as good as the rest.  See, Elias Sports compared Manu's recent run to Shaq (and then Hakeem before him), but I'd compare it more to Kobe.  Remember in 2003, when Shaq was out and Kobe went on that ridiculous run of 40 points in like 9 straight games?  Well, Manu's streak was similar.  The difference is, our guys are winners, not me-first guys.  Whereas the talent of Kobe and Shaq pushed the two apart, Timmy and Manu only give a shit about winning.  I'm convinced that either of them would be happy with a 1/9 for 4 points performance in a finals game 7 if their team won the championship.  Oh, they wouldn't be happy with their play, but they'd be happy to win.  And that's why we should be happy.  Our version of Shaq/Kobe, or Jordan/Pippen (or etc), only gives a shit about winning.  They like each other and they will never complain about personal stats.

Anyways, that's why I enjoyed this game from Manu.  He only shot 4/13 overall, 1/7 inside the arc, yet he did the little things.  He had 5 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals.  Not an overwhelming stat line, I grant you, but he does the little things.  There's a reason he finished with a team high +20 (and I don't even take plus/minus that seriously for a single game).  Honestly, everyone at this page loves Manu's 30/10 games, or whatnot, but I enjoy the games where he struggles because, even then, he finds ways to leave his imprint on the game.  Like game 3 against the Cavs last year, where he score 7 points, but they were all in the last few minutes.  Also, he made up for that the next night.

Timmy was a God, as usual.  He led the team with 23 points (on 9 shots!) and 10 rebounds.  This is the thing about Timmy.  Manu's ceiling is higher, and so are a lot of players, but he will never no-show.  Even his bad games are 19-9.  Simmons once called him the Russell Crowe of the NBA and I agree completely.  The weird thing was he finished with a +4 for the game.  I wanted to attribute this to the first quarter, but Manu played more of the first than Timmy did, so that's no excuse.  Here's my excuse:

Manu is an amazing player, but teams will always game plan for Timmy.  Thus, when Timmy goes out, so do the best players on the other team (unless we're playing the Lakers or cavs, where the star plays 44 minutes).  Timmy doesn't get run against the second team unless he gets the first team in foul trouble.  The same can't be said for Manu.  I'm not attacking Manu here, just defending Timmy.  Remember, his stats are always accumulated against the other team's best.  That's not always true for Manu and Tony.

Speaking of Tony, he played much better.  He shot like 33% or so in the first half (I saved the halftime stats, but my comp crashed and I lost them), but finished at 7/16.  He was a lucky bounce away from 50%.  He also had 9 assists, though only 2 went to Manu (both were for 3's, but I'm sure people will bitch that he won't pass to Manu).  I read that Tony says he is okay (http://www.mysanantonio.com/sports/basketball/nba/spurs/stories/MYSA022508.07C.SpursNotebook_0225.en .3bafeff.html).  So I hope this is true.

Other thoughts:
Someone said they'd like Josh Smith to be on our team, but I cannot agree.  The dude is talented as fuck, but he's always got a frown on.  I see him as the same as JR Smith.  Talented as Hell, but not a team-first guy.  We have our trio for the next 3 years, we need roll players.  If He would accept being a roll player, great, but he won't.

Then again, my second favorite player on the Spurs is already Tiago Splitter (read a scouting report, he's a great position defender apparently!).

Michael Finley shot 4/11, 1/6 from downtown.  Rinse, wash, repeat.  I'd love to badmouth him, but he'll hit a big 3 in the playoffs.  I know he will.  In fact, he'll wait till I start swearing at him, and hate him, and we need the three to win, and then he'll nail it.  It's what he does, cuz he thinks it's funny.  Fucker...

Kurt Thomas had 9 rebounds, 3 offensive.  I'm telling you, he's going to be a bigger add than Pau "Oh my god, don't touch me!  Isn't this flag basketball???" Gasol will be.  Also, I'm drunk...

The Hornets lost.  We're legitly in first.  I'm so close to pretending we're Goldberg at this point and saying that the Lakers are next.

Robert Horry had 5 rebounds and hit his only 3.  He also shot 1/4 and bricked both his FTs.  I'm not unconvinced that he's playing this season on a dare.  Also, like Finely, he'll wait till I'm swearing at him, and then hit a big three.  I hate the old players on our team...  I fucking hate them.

We're in first by a game and a tie-breaker.  I like it.

Three stars:

3.  Mike Bibby.  He shot 1/11 and was a -8.  However, he looks like batboy (http://www.fif3.com/pics/people/batboy.jpg), so that earns my respect.
   
2.  Tony Parker.  15 and 9.  And Manu shot 4/13.  Plus, he had the fake tan rocking from what I hear...
   
1.  Tim Duncan.  I'm wearing my Duncan Jersey.  It's the only sports jersey I own apart from the ones from the teams I played on.  Timmy is the shit, and don't you ever fucking forget it.  Also, 13/16.  
   

Spurs 98
Hornets 89

So I didn't get to watch this game, which is a shame.  It sounded like a good game.  So forgive me for not being able to write on the game flow to much.  Basically, we took a double digit lead into halftime, they came back once or twice in the third quarter, and then Manu put them away in the fourth.  However, I didn't get to watch any of this...

Instead, I get to cobble together some thoughts via popcornmachine, espn play-by-play, and the highlights from sportscenter, which always cover the important stuff, and not just the flashy dunks.  Honestly, I think that's the reason I like Timmy so much.  He's so good, they're forced to show a highlight of him or two, and that takes away flashy dunk tv time.  Fortunately, the anchors all seemed to fall over each other praising Manu (did you know he's shooting 60% from 3 point land in the last five games?).  Which is understandable.  The man is playing great lately.  I dunno, I just don't get as worked up over it.  If Timmy drops a 25-15 game, it's a great game, but it's not exactly unknown.  In the same way, I kind of expect this type of play from Manu.  I guess not at this volume, but that's to be expected with Tony slowly coming back.  Plus, I'm really starting to think this repeat means more to these guys than they'll ever admit, which is why Timmy and Manu are getting so much time lately.  Hey, fine by me...  

That said, apparently the 12 assists was a single-game record from Manu, so maybe I'm just starting to take him for granted...

Anyways, the big story from this game, at least in my opinion, wasn't Manu.  I felt the real story was Chris Paul.  Well, actually, Chris Paul's 4 assists.  I mean, in the games leading up to this, he had assist totals of 11 (against us in the blowout), 17, 12, 19, 6(against Utah, who apparently own him via D Williams), 9(to go along with 42 points), 16, 14, 10, 11, and 11.  Even in the Utah game, which got all the talking heads babbling about how Deron Williams owns him, he had 6 assists.  We held him to 4.  Here, unfortunately, is where my inability to watch the game limits me.  Did we just contain him well (ie, let him get his points and prevent his passing?) or did he play terribly?  Or is it both?  I have to be honest, the last time we played them, when they destroyed us, I was legitimately worried.  So I'd love to take the 4 assists as a sign that we've figured him out.  However, I didn't see the game, so I can't say for sure.

What I can say for sure is we're back in first thanks to a 2-1 series advantage over the Hornets ( we get a final shot at them on Wednesday March 12).  I was going to say we are in first for the first time in over a year ( world championships notwithstanding), but I forgot we started off 15-3 before we started getting injured ( and even then, Manu and the roll players got us wins over Dallas (before they decided to ruin their season) and Utah to get us to 17-3).  However, I've decided early season doesn't count, and after last season when we were down by 10 games before we started to play well, I'm enjoying being near the top of the standings.  They've been playing so well lately that, while I'd like to get Barry back cuz he's fun, I don't think we need him.  I honestly think we can match up with any team and, as long as Tony can get back to 90% before playoffs, we have the best trio in the league.

Other thoughts:
I really wanted to give Timmy the first star (but Manu's 12 assists make it impossible even for me).  However, he played a great, and stat-filling, game.  25-11-6-4-1 is nothing to sneeze at.  He even made all(!) his freethrows.  

One reason I don't take plus/minus too seriously: our team leader?  Robert Horry, at +15 (Mighty Mouse was second at +12).  I guess they're more useful over a long time (for the record, we're being outscored by 1 point when muffs is in and outscoring the other team by 6.3 when he's out over the whole season), but too often a single player is affected by bad players he's surrounded by (as even Manu fans are learning this season).

Michael Finley shot 1-5.  I missed him, glad he's back.  To be fair, he only played 11 minutes.  I'm sure he could have mustered up a 2-12 if given enough time.  

Tony played.  Umm, that's good.  He got in 30 minutes, but only shot 4-13.  I'm hoping he's just shaking the rust off and isn't still hurt.  I have to imagine that's the case, since he could have played last game, but Pop didn't want to pull the trigger (thus telling me they didn't rush him back).  Then again, maybe he won't be perfectly healthy again this year.  That'd be a downer...

Anyways, This was a big win for us.  And it's nice being back in first place.

PTR required 3 stars:

3.  Chris Paul.  Still had 27 points on 11-23 shooting.  Also led his team with a -11 for the game.  Good thing I don't take plus/minus seriously...
2.  Tim Duncan.  I'm really tempted to give it to him, after all the times Stampler wrongly gave it to Manu (like last year when he was a Jacques Vaughn foul away from a triple double in game 6), but Manu was too impressive.  Still, I can only see his numbers improving with the addition of KT.  It'll be nice to have a center that can't be ignored completely by the other team's defense.
1.  Manu, for reasons I'm sure everyone already knows.  Plus, he set his personal record for assists.  He did have more turnovers than Timmy and Tony combined though, so he needs to work on that...
   

Celtics 98
Spurs 90

My computer crashed twice while I was writing this.  An omen?

Was it just me, or was this game exactly the same as the NY Knicks game, except this time Fin's last second shot rimmed out (espn's play by play claims it was Ginobili, but I checked the tape and it was Fin).  The two teams played close for the first half, but in the second half, the Celtics would take the lead, the Spurs would close, and then the Celts would expand again.  Then, just like other recent games, the Spurs would close at the end, only this time the big shot didn't go down.  
I'd like to think our boys are giving it their all, but they seem to play close, or even lose close, no matter who they're playing and I worry that they're playing down to their competition.  I sure hope not, or if so, that they'll at least fix it in the last month or two (like last year when they started destroying everyone and finished with the highest scoring differential).
Other Observations:

·    If we have Parker and they have Garnett, I really think we win.  Big Baby played well (3-6, 9 points, 8 rebounds, good d on Timmy, and some clutch plays late (such as the rebound and putback on that missed Posey 3 that gave them a 4 point lead with 3:30ish left)).  Don't get me wrong, KG puts up better stats, but Davis wasn't a detractor.  Contrast that with Mighty Mouse and Jacque (16 points on 5-17 shooting combined).  Injured Tony plays better than that.  Tony in a wheelchair at least matches it.  I think it's becoming more and more obvious that Tony has joined Timmy and Manu as a guy whose absence drastically affects the team.  We may not even be an elite team without him.  Maybe I'm late to the party on this, but it needs to be said.  We are not the same team without Tony and we shouldn't expect the spurs to play like the Spurs.
·    Timmy played well.  He was our best player today (22-14-6 with only 3 turnovers), but he only shot 10-20.  It was helped by the fact that apparently he was only fouled 1 time in the first 3 quarters, but when he's matched up with a fat rookie, I'd expect more from him than running jumpers and such.  I think it would have also helped if guys who don't play the 2 could knock down shots.  They were able to soft double team him as soon as he got it.
·    Manu played okay, though he's not as good when we're using him as the de facto point guard.  Too many times he would try to drive, only to have everyone collapse on him, and his passes would bounce off of players hands (6 turnovers, though I'm going to blame him for the pass off Timmy's face).  Still, until we got into intentional foul time, he was pretty clutch from downtown (5-11, though the last two were bad shots where he was trying to draw fouls), and was our offense for the first 6 minutes of the game.
·    Finley played well.  19 points on 8-13 shooting and 6 rebounds?  Nice job old man!  Also, does anyone else notice he always seems to jump sideways when he shoots?
·    Paul Pierce can play.
·    Sadly, if we meet up with them in games that count, Bruce won't be guarding Ray Allen.  I understand why, and it's a good decision, but I always loved watching Bruce mess with Ray.  Maybe we can put him on Ray when Pierce rests, just for nostalgia...
·    Honestly, we were out-rebounded 46-37, committed 9 more fouls (though the end of the game slants that number), and shot 21 fewer free throws.  They even had more assists than us (24-20), which is sad since we're the "extra pass" team and they're the stand around and watch Paul dribble team.  And yet we were a missed Fin 3 from tying it up.  

Anyways, I swore I wouldn't give up on the spurs this year if the big 3 were healthy going into the playoffs after watching last year, and I won't.  Besides, I don't think this is the worst thing that's ever happened to a team (it's not like we lost to the Nets by 19).  As long as we get healthy, I think we're okay, but it would be nice to see the roll players step up and start making open shots off the double teams Manu and Timmy draw.  It's getting to the point where, other than Manu and Timmy, I actually prefer Fin to shoot over anyone else during crunch time.

Oh, and could Bonner get some PT next game?  That'd be nice too...

A while back Matthew promised us shirts.  He has not delivered on this promise.  I want shirts.  I have a reunion coming up and I want to annoy everyone by wearing as much Spurs-related apparel as I can.  A PTR shirt would be the best because then I'd get to explain it and thus annoy everyone further by talking spurs.
My point is, shirts?

Hey Matthew or Aaron, have you guys seen this:
http://myespn.go.com/blogs/truehoop/0-28-415/I-m-Betting-Again.html

You should bet him when they play the Spurs.  I'd do it, but:

1.  I suck at writing.
   
2.  I don't have a blog.

A season preview courtesy of deadspin.  I like the logic.  The offense will blossom because an entire city's psyche rests on it.  I agree.

http://deadspin.com/sports/nfl-season-preview/nfl-season-preview-buffalo-bills-286318.php

thhhhhhrrrrrrreeeeeeeeee hhhuuuunnndddrrrrrrreeeeeddddddd ccchhhhhhaaaarrrrrraaaaaaaccccctttttteeeeeeeeerrrrrrssssss

Some awesome tidbits from peter king's monday morning quarterback:

"c. It would be impossible to look more like a football player, on and off the field, than Paul Posluszny, the Buffalo rookie middle linebacker. I saw his second and third practices as a pro. He moves with confidence and aggressiveness before and after the snap.

d. Next big offensive line star in the NFL: Buffalo left tackle Jason Peters."

AND

"2. I think in the practices I saw, J.P. Losman looked better in Buffalo than Ben Roethlisberger looked in Pittsburgh. That's not to dog Big Ben either, because he looked fine adjusting to Bruce Arians' new offense. But on successive plays into a stiff breeze at St. John Fisher College on Friday afternoon, Losman completed a 47-yard go route to Roscoe Parrish, then pump-faked to the right and lasered a 32-yarder up the left sideline to Lee Evans. Never thought I'd say this, but the Bills have their quarterback of the future in Losman."

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/peter_king/07/30/mmqb/4.html

I know we all already knew this, but it's nice to see mainstream guys take notice.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/0720kurttraded-CR.html

This is the most hilarious thing ever.  The Suns gave Seattle 2 first round picks to take the only player on their roster who can stand near Tim Duncan and not be made to look utterly rediculous.  Oh, Thomas looked rediculous, but not utterly rediculous.

Thank you Steve Kerr and the Suns front office!

http://www.brightsideofthesun.com/story/2007/5/21/125445/227

Dude?  This is among the sadder things I've seen in my life.  I mean, it's one thing to complain you got screwed, but to make up fake stories about your team winning?  Jeeze...

My favorite part is where it mentions that the Phoenix bench scored 54 points.  Right.  Their amazing bench.  That didn't play in game 5.
It's sad in a way...

Holy crap, check out this tidbit from Marc Stein:
"The next dunk thrown down by Amare Stoudemire, Shawn Marion or any other Sun you want to name will be the Suns' first dunk of the series."

Don't get me wrong, I'm not taking a shot at the suns or anything, but man, that is amazing.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/playoffs2007/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&id=2863651&lpo s=spotlight&lid=tab1pos1

Just to give credit where it's due, at least Simmons made a half-decent title pick.

"Jim, Boston Massachusetts: Hey Bill, who ya got wining the NBA finals?

 Bill Simmons: All right, here's my pick: I was going to take SA over Detroit, but since I picked SA over Cleveland before the season started, I'll stick with that one. What the hell? Stranger things have happened than a one-man team making the Finals in a subpar conference."