SB Nation User Blog: Norsktroll

Rival-watch Mavs: "I can't get a handle on this team"

Norsktroll — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 17:53:50 -0000

Rival-watch Mavs: "I can't get a handle on this team"

Interesting new article from one of the editors at Mavs Moneyball summing up a situation in which some games look great and others horrible, with key players out or not performing and an unstable rotation. The team is currently standing at 8-8 and will likely continue to battle with some others (Suns, Warriors, Nuggets, Hornets, us?...) for one of the lower playoff spots. At the moment it might look like the Blazers are above of this fray, but we are no way near safe yet.

Stephen A. Smith understands Greg Oden and Cowherd still doesn't (radio transcript)

Norsktroll — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 18:39:21 -0000

This post is my transcript from a clip of thursday's "The Herd with Colin Cowherd" on ESPN radio with guest analyst Steven A. Smith. Cowherd has been highly critical of Greg Oden recently, and starts the segment again with a rant on Greg's offense. But Smith doesn't bite. While I'm quite often not in agreement with "Screaming" A. Smith when he is on TV posturing for attention, he does know basketball and this thoughtful answer makes perfect sense to me.

Here is the original audio dowload (they first talk about the LeBron situation, then Greg, then the Lakers).

Cowherd: "You know we said about Greg Oden, we got this theory, that if somebody can match him in body weight or within 10 pounds, he is really struggling offensively. When he can play against a European center, a 4 trying to be a 5, then he'll get his double figures. But offensively, Steven A., he is a tough watch. He is clumsy, he is remedial. I wonder if the Blazers aren't watching him and wondering 'wow, should we lower our expectations'?"

Smith: "Well maybe they are. I think it's too soon to tell. I think when you draft a guy like Greg Oden, despite him being awkward, you have to remember the national championship game when Ohio State lost to Florida. He looked sensational in that game. I think he had like 25 and 12 in that game going against Joakim Noah and all of those boys. Florida was a juggernaut. We all knew that. But you know Greg Oden he is ambidextrous, he could score with his left hand, his right hand, he had the jump hook going for him and what have you.

Offense is something that's developed over time, tutelage, and what have you. It's rare that you can find a seven footer that focuses on defense, and blocking shots. And if Greg Oden is somehow able to give that to you, then Portland is so extremely formidable. And I'd say that you put them ahead of Golden State, ahead of Denver, ahead of even Dallas to propel them to the NBA playoffs.

I mean, this is what you bring a big man into the NBA to do for you. When somebody is willing to focus on defense and rebounding and blocking shots you can teach the rest of that stuff. Certainly, you look at Patrick Ewing, [when] he came out of University of Georgetown, his offensive repertoire was not that significant. He was brought in, he was considered a force to be reckoned with, because he focused on defense, rebounding and blocking shots and everybody knew that would resurrect this franchise. No one knew that Patrick Ewing would ultimately develop the jump shot that he ended up developing from the baseline, that 12 foot baseline jumper that was so prolific for him.

So, in Greg Oden I'm quite sure time will tell... I think injuries have been an impediment to him more than anything else because he hasn't had an opportunity to be out on the floor receiving the tutelage that is necessary. But once that happens I think he will be just fine, because I think Nate McMillan and his staff know what they are doing.

Cowherd: Steven A. Smith, it's the Herd on ESPN radio, he has addressed LeBron, Greg Oden, we move to the Lakers who are 12 and 1...

ESPN's Marc Stein on top 20 expiring contracts feat. Raef

Norsktroll — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 03:47:13 -0000

ESPN's Marc Stein on top 20 expiring contracts feat. Raef

9. Raef LaFrentz (Portland Trail Blazers)
Expiring Salary: $12,722,500
Soon to be traded? UNLIKELY Edit: Update -> Likely

Stein Version 2: "The consensus as of Thanksgiving was that the Blazers would move LaFrentz only if they could get back an undeniable impact player or a top-notch veteran point guard who doesn’t carry a long-term contract, such as Kidd or Bibby. Blazers front-office boss Kevin Pritchard then revealed over the weekend that he actually plans to be more aggressive than that with LaFrentz’s contract, which will be largely covered by insurance payments once LaFrentz misses the first 41 games of the season with an ongoing shoulder problem. Pritchard referred to LaFrentz’s deal as "the card I want to play," but another option is moving the likes of Sergio Rodriguez, Channing Frye and Ike Diogu (although teams prefer to ask for Travis Outlaw). Hanging onto the LaFrentz card and letting him come off the payroll at season’s end might help the Blazers when they have to start paying the talented kids on the roster soon to be looking for contract extensions."

Please vote: Highest trade value

Norsktroll — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 20:00:53 -0000

Oh great, another trade post. Well, not really, but it plays into that aspect of the game. In light of the ongoing trade rumors and the deadline coming faster than one might think with a lot of questions still open, I would like to see a little clearer taking into account the opinions of the Blazer's Edgers (and guests from other team sites?). The result should give us a little ranking of who arguably has the highest trade value. Unfortunately with these polls on SBN there is no way like on some ESPN polls to sort the options in the order you think is right which probably would provide a more precise result. So if everyone votes for the same option, too bad, but that's also a result.

This is not about who you think is likely to be traded and who isn't (but it informs that). Or who you want to vote off the island and who you want to keep. Just give your honest assessment: Who or what generates most interest on the open market. Would a GM rather want to have our first round pick, a certain player from our bench because he could be a starter elsewhere and has a fair price, or a big expiring contract for whom he has to give up at least one or two pretty big ticket players to match salaries.

I exclude the "Big Three" who - lets be serious - won't be traded this year and would only further distort the results. We don't need to find out that Roy has more trade value than Ike. Two or three other players are also highly unlikely to be traded, but they are included nonetheless.

"I wouldn't trust him to walk my dog across the street" - Stephon Marbury about coach...

Norsktroll — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 15:33:48 -0000

"I wouldn't trust him to walk my dog across the street" - Stephon Marbury about coach Mike D'Antoni.

New York Post

Rudy, Sergio, Batum, Raef for Deng, Hinrich... a fine holiday selection of dumb message board trade ideas

Norsktroll — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 23:35:37 -0000

Some of which wouldn't work to begin with - like the one in the title even if we wanted that so much. No? As per tominhawaii's request...

I was going to watch the Seahawks game, and after the first drive, I think I’m just going to go to bed. Will someone write a fanpost that will tick off a bunch of people, so that I’ll have something to read when I get to work tonight? Trade Roy for Baron Davis or something like that. It might help if you make up a name like bdizzleistheshizle or something like that.

...here is a variation: A collection of slightly controversial trade ideas involving the Blazers - as collected from various message boards (well, mainly from ESPN since those guys often provide trade machine links and I don't have to recreate them). Originally I wanted to save that as a feature for before the trade deadline. But why not laugh already and let these genius ideas that all involved teams should be stoked to make go to waste unnoticed by Blazer's Edge?

If you had one of these ideas - I am sorry for mocking it. Some might become true. Until then I pity you, fool™!

How would Bill Simmons say? These are all real ideas from real readers/posters in no particular order.

Blazers board: Jason Terry is our answer at point guard. And I can't wait for Hedo to become a free-agent, so get him now.
Magic board: Another one who thinks we can't wait to get Hedo
Blazers board: Why have Bayless, Blake and Channing when you can have Nash? Orlando should also be stoked about this.
Blazers board: Rudy, Outlaw, Bayless, draft picks for Kevin Durant (hint: this one doesn't even work on the trade machine)
A beautiful mind: "2 trades ....1st kincks wanna get rid of marbury so here we go....outlaw , pryzbilla, lefrentz for marbury and david lee.....2nd portland trades marbury and 1st rounder to kings for brad miller and kenny thomas.......keys for portland miller and lee coming off bench ( or also can start if needed) . the other way of making this work if other parties blink a little is, include sergio in knicks deal and outlaw in kings deal, they might like that better. just a thought on making this blazer team have a little more experience an better for playoffs."
Bobcats board: This trade is now out the window after the Harrington deal. Too bad, it would have been so nice to get The Stache, Sean May and a draft pick who has yet to make a field goal. For so *cough* little.
Heat board: Shawn Marion is our savior (and trading for upcoming unrestricted free agents is fun - see Turkoglu, Hedo).
Suns board: Barbosa in the house?
Another Magic board idea: Apparently we have a need for Brian Cook (or rather - they have a need for a backup point guard)
Nuggets board: Channing Frye to Denver - using a trade exception to absorb the contract - for a first round pick (or the right to swap picks). At least that is an original plan.
Bulls board: Everybody likes Rudy (well, this one actually has some merit)
Bulls board: LMA or Thomas? Both! And Captain Kirk!
Sacramento board: We need Brad Miller. We need Brad Miller.
Raptors board: GMs are so dumb. I can't believe nobody had this idea before. KP, we get BOSH!!!
Who knew getting LeBron was so easy. Pick up the phone KP, do it, do it now!
Trade Nate for Avery (hmm, where is that option on the trade machine)

To finish, I really liked this reply on the general forum in a typical "Oden is a bust" post:

SirToonces	Post #6: Nov 13, 7:00 am
Total Posts: 4480	Oden looks the next coming of Kwame Brown. actually, here in Portland, he's known as the next coming of Sam Bowie.

SirToonces

Post #6: Nov 13, 7:00 am

Total Posts: 4480

Oden looks the next coming of Kwame Brown.

actually, here in Portland, he's known as the next coming of Sam Bowie.

By the time you have finished reading this, Greg will have one more foul

Norsktroll — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 14:28:05 -0000

I know, I know, it's early in the season, the sample size of 9 games is very small, Greg is learning and improving as I type, and we don't want to put more pressure on him. I don't want to be the bearer of bad news regarding Greg. And as long as he plays 20 minutes like he does now with Joel still taking the majority, it's not a major problem although it does cost points. But it will be if we want him to play 30 or eventually 35 minutes on occasion:

Foul trouble

We feared it since his few games in Summer League 2007, when Greg collected fouls like eagle scouts collect badges. He was very young, he had an infection, his knee might already have been hurt. Now we start to know. So far this season, he averages 3.7 PFs per game in just under 20 minutes of action. That's not good. In fact, it puts him in the "Top 10" of foul collectors per game (#7, a list featuring a lot of big men - yet a little surprisingly led by Danny Granger). And he is surrounded by guys who often play much more minutes to collect their high numbers of fouls. If Greg played 36 minutes, he would have close to 7 fouls (already fouled out). If hypothetically he could play 48 minutes, he would have 9 fouls (#20). Yeah, fellow rookie Roy Hibbert would be worse with 11. But we don't want Greg to be Roy Hibbert, right? We want him to be a dominant center, not afraid to mix it up under the basket and still be able to stay in the game. Notice that per 48 minutes, no other top big man is on the first page (top 50). Shaq comes in at 90, Joel at 100, Howard at 179. KG and Duncan are not even among the first 300 NBA players in terms of personal fouls.

The refs might give stars a bonus now and swallow their whistle. But stars were not stars in their first season. So what have other dominant big guys of the past averaged in their rookie season per the shorter and somewhat more accurate 36 minutes according to basketball-reference.com?

Oden: 6.8 so far

Shaq: 3.8

Howard: 3.1

Duncan: 2.9

Mourning: 3.9

Ewing: 3.9

Olajuwon: 4.2

Mutombo: 3.6

Robinson: 3.1

(Bowie: 4.5. A joke, just kidding. But you get the point that they all had managable foul trouble)

And for most of these guys, their numbers in that foul category tended to get even better after that. They might have had more experience from college, a little easier opposition, whatever. At his rate, Greg collects 6.8 fouls per 36 minutes and thus would have already been benched or even fouled out. That has to stop, if he wants to collect points and rebounds anywhere near what they achieved. He has to get smart about when to stay away, and when and how to get to work in the post. Luckily, it's a skill that can be improved. Preferably now.

SI Thanksgiving feel-good story: Turns out Derrick Coleman was only lazy on the floor

Norsktroll — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 16:24:24 -0000

SI Thanksgiving feel-good story: Turns out Derrick Coleman was only lazy on the floor

The man who disappointed many for not fully using his talents as an NBA player (to put it mildly) is now leading by example in his old neighborhood around Linwood Street in Detroit, putting the money he earned to good use to improve it.

Devin Harris continues to receive rave reviews

Norsktroll — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 20:51:54 -0000

Devin Harris continues to receive rave reviews

He leaves the vocal leadership to Vince Carter, but leads the team by example.

Junk drawer 11/22 - enlightenment edition

Norsktroll — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 14:36:07 -0000

A friend who is a renowned psychology teacher told this funny story last week about how he became "enlightened" through meditation:

Last year he travelled quite extensively through the US. He gave talks, and used that time also as a form of retreat, focusing on meditation techniques, yoga, etc. At one time he came back home to his family in Israel. His apartment is high up in a twenty story building, from where he can overlook the sea and the mountains, virtually both ends of the small country. He is a morning person, so he usually wakes up before the rest of the family, sits on the sofa and takes in the breathtaking view out of the big glass panel windows. After this particular trip, he sat again there in the morning, and looking outside suddenly all the colors seemed so much brighter. The world seemed so much clearer. And he said to himself "wow, I must have become enlightened". He had read about this experience in his research and talking to spiritual people (like Buddhist lamas) that when you become enlightened everything becomes clearer and the world even more beautiful than it already is. As he was sitting there, he was very glad that after many years he had finally reached this stage of clarity. He started to act differently, not telling anybody, feeling that enlightened people don't go around telling others they are enlightened.

The next morning he woke up, he sat there again doing his ritual observation of the mountains in the distance, and had the same feeling of "wow, the world has become so beautiful. I'm enlightened". This went on for a couple of days. Then one day he sat with his wife in the lounge, just chatting while he was looking outside, she was looking outside. And she said "you know, while you were away, after that long time, I was finally able to clean the windows."

"WHAT?!"

She replied: "You know, I was never able to get out there, but I got this new machine, the two-sided machine with a magnet, and I finally cleaned the window." So much for his enlightenment.

He said this experience told him that maybe there is enlightenment, he doesn't know. But he understood that there is no good and bad meditation. That the key is not about reaching the stage when everything becomes so clear. A quicker path to this might be to just clean your window. It's about being present, in the here and now, struggling with it, and when we lose our focus on the breath and on the thought, bringing it back. That's how we exercise our mind to be more focused, to be more mindful.

Be mindful today.

SB Nation User Blog: Norsktroll

Rival-watch Mavs: "I can't get a handle on this team"

Rival-watch Mavs: "I can't get a handle on this team"

Stephen A. Smith understands Greg Oden and Cowherd still doesn't (radio transcript)

ESPN's Marc Stein on top 20 expiring contracts feat. Raef

ESPN's Marc Stein on top 20 expiring contracts feat. Raef

Please vote: Highest trade value

Who or what has the highest trade value (total outstanding salaries incl. options)

"I wouldn't trust him to walk my dog across the street" - Stephon Marbury about coach...

Rudy, Sergio, Batum, Raef for Deng, Hinrich... a fine holiday selection of dumb message board trade ideas

By the time you have finished reading this, Greg will have one more foul

SI Thanksgiving feel-good story: Turns out Derrick Coleman was only lazy on the floor

SI Thanksgiving feel-good story: Turns out Derrick Coleman was only lazy on the floor

Devin Harris continues to receive rave reviews

Devin Harris continues to receive rave reviews

Junk drawer 11/22 - enlightenment edition