Why do the Hornets do the deal?

1) Paul himself will not anchor this team to the playoffs and there's nobody you can bring in relevent enough to help do so. Especially with the cap space.

2) This would be the best reasonable package you can get and the Warriors are "willing to do anything and everything" to revive hoops here in the Bay Area.

3) The players: 

Monta Ellis - One the best, if not the best, pure penetrator's in the NBA. Can get to the basket at will and is only 24. Will be a perennial All-Star.

Anthony Randolph - I'm sure you've seen him play at LSU. The kid's only 20 YEARS OLD and LOADED with potential. He showed that at the end of last year and went on to have an EXPLOSIVE Summer League. Not having the season I hoped thus far, but you can blame that on his playing time and Nellie and Smart's hatred for the poor kid.

Andris Biedrins - Will give you a double double every single night. One of the best rebounders in the league. One of the best attitudes in the NBA. Only 23 years old with 6 years of NBA experience.

1) What do Hornet fans think? 

2) If this is not enough, what else would you want?

   Jamarcus this Jamarcus that... we all know or assume that he's incapable of being a starting NFL QB, nonetheless be a QB on a losing team with as much crap-credential as you can dream of. For everyone else that thinks he still has a chance to be a star? Get off that boat.

   He just doesn't have that special QB mentality and there's nothing we can do about it. Ever since we chose him ahead of Calvin "MegaTron" Johnson, I continuously told anybody that at least watched the NFL that we had made a franchise-changing selection. Reason for that? He's a COLLEGE STAR, not a NFL STAR. Any QB in college that has an incredible arm like Russell will have that success in the college game, let alone Russell having an NFL WR in Bowe by his side along with a top-notch defense.

   Another thing was his leadership/mentality to become a better player. I just didn't see that in him, even in his ESPN montages leading to the draft. But, it IS AL DAVIS and we can only hope he makes better decisions because the truth is that he will not leave until.. you know. 

   Now, I want to know your opinions on next years NFL Draft. Before you go Scarface on me, i'm doing this because I know there are SOME Raider fans out there that must be wondering what we will be doing in next years draft. Especially when some Raider fans across the nation and beyond are starting to sink in on the JaMarcus Bust-Wagon. I'm not on that train yet, I still believe he can be a good QB on a good team, but not a franchise QB on a team like the Raiders.

   I want to get your opinions on who YOU want to "target" in next years draft considering we get a top 7-8 pick. Now I capitalized "YOU" because what NFL fans think of as a great choice differentiates dramatically to what Al Davis and the Raider organization thinks, ala Heyward-Bey.

Jimmy Clausen - I don't want to judge him based on this weeks clutch drive, but damn this kid was C.L.U.T.C.H this week. 

Sam Bradford - He's the best QB in the nation right now, bar none. Hope he bounces back right after his injury.

Tim Tebow - I am skeptical of his pure QB skills but you can not question his mentality and his leadership he brings to a team. Something Russell can greatly improve on.

Jevean Snead - In my opinion, more NFL ready than his former teammate McCoy.

Colt McCoy - Good QB, but still question his mobility inside the pocket and decision-making.

Arrelius Benn - More NFL ready than Bryant in my opinion.

Dez Bryant - Better NFL potential than Benn.

First of all, congratulations on one heck of a draft picking up Harden and Mullens. Secondly, i'm actually a GSW fan but as a fan of the NBA in general, you have to admire what Presti has been able to do in OKC. Not only does he have a pure direction in where the team is going, but he's good at executing and getting the job DONE. I've been a HUGE fan of Westbrook since UCLA, being a UCLA alumni myself. I truly beleive the Thunder have the BEST CORE IN THE NBA BAR NONE.  I love how you guys are addressing the needs in the offseason (Millsap). That's pretty much all I know about OKC, so that's why I need help, lol. I want to be a fan of such a young up and coming team like OKC so help fill me in. Nicknames? Things I need to know before I get bashed for saying it? Culture? Thanks in advance.

First of all, I think the Wizards are a couple of role players and veterans away from being legitamate contenders in the Eastern Conference. That being said, on behalf of myself (Golden State Of Mind not yet consulted). I would like to propose a trade.

This all came to mind when I heard that your guys are shopping the pick, supposedly. Also due to the fact that I beleive you guys are a veteran away from being a top tier team in the NBA, which would leave me talking about the 5ht pick.

1) Arenas is one of the top players (not just PG's) in the league. He just needs to find out a way to stay healthy.

2) Caron Butler from what i've seen is the vocal leader of this team and some say is stuck between SG and SF. Stephen Jackson would be a great fit. He can pass the ball and play some PG to take burden off of Arenas. Great defender and is ALSO a vocal leader.

3) Depth is a major issue on this team and a prolific scorer coming off the bench would help A LOT. Corey Maggette would bring in some instant energy and scoring off the bench.

4) An extremely weak draft in the sense of talent. #5 wouldn't have that much of an impact on this team with potential 09-10 All-Star talent in Arenas, Butler, and maybe Jamison. We're talking about a BETTER 07 Playoff Warrior team.

PG: Arenas, James, Dixon

SG: Jackson, Young

SF: Butler, Maggette

PF: Jamison

C: Haywood, McGee, Thomas

It would be a step in the right direction as your 3 All-Stars are 3-4 years until they reach the end of their primes. Just look at the Celtics, traded young for veterans to eventually win a championship.

We, on the other hand, are a MESS, We need to find a direction. We go young and that's it.

The Trade Specifications:

WAS trade #5, Songalia, Stevenson, Blatche, Pecherov, and McGuire to GS for Jackson and Maggette.

I am one of many who can't wait until the 49ers pre-season game. It's fun to think about our rookies proving Kiper, McShay, the rest of the Raider haters wrong. It's fun to think that McFadden had a tremendous rookie season despite being plauged with a turf toe and an average O-Line.  Imagine the damage D-Mac wil manifest with his health at 110% and a much improved O-Line. Not to mention the WR threat DHB. McFadden will be running through some open seas in the trenches this season due to all the talent we have on our offense. It's fun to reminisce about last seasons wonderful ending with much improvement yet to come in the near future. It's fun to wonder how much of an improvement Cable will bring to the Raiders with a full season.

Q: Did you visit Alameda?

Shaughnessy: No I have not.

Q: Have you heard from the Raiders at all?

Shaughnessy: You know, I talked to them, you know, at the game and the combine so I’ve been in contact with them.

Q: Are recent injuries a concern, or in the past?

Shaughnessy: I think they’re all behind me. I played this season, you know, I got through it. Right now, I feel the best I’ve ever felt so . . .

Q: Numbers down, how much of that the broken leg?

Shaughnessy: I don’t know, I’d say it’s a little bit and you know, I don’t know, I played for four years. I think people like, I established at Wisconsin so you know, things happen, people run other ways. You get, I don’t know, you know?

Q: Know anything about the Raiders and your chances?

Shaughnessy: Well I’m not sure but I talked to Coach Board and he said you know, he wants me to come in, you know, and give it a shot, you know, and compete for playing so that’s what I’m going to do, come in and give my hardest.

Q: At your best, what do you bring to the table?

Shaughnessy: You know, I think my speed and athleticisim, you know, and my motor.

Q: Areas to improve?

Shaughnessy: You know, I don’t know, you know. I’m just looking forward, you know, to getting in there and learning from the people that are there and you know just getting better as a player.

Q: Long night when not drafted on first day?

Shaughnessy: It wasn’t too bad, you know. I sort of wanted this whole process to be a surprise you know. Obviously, me and my agent talked about certain things I knew I’d be going you know today but you know I really wasn’t too worried.

Q: Who is your agent?

Shaughnessy: Rich Rosa at Eastern Athletic Sports.

Q: Left end or right side?

Shaughnessy: I played both and I played a little tackle in a three-man front technique personnel.

Q: Board give any specificis? Mention they need a new right end because Burgess is done?

Shaughnessy: Not yet, you know, probably a little when I meet him we’ll talk more about that stuff.

Q: Any Raider memories?

Shaughnessy: You know, growing up, you know, I watched as much football, I never had a favorite team, so I just always watched any team. Obviously, it’s my favorite team now, you know?

Q: Where were you when drafted?

Shaughnessy: I was at home with my parents and friends.

Q: Can you help the run defense, did Board say as much?

Shaughnessy: He hasn’t talked to me about it yet but I feel like I can help out with that, definitely.

I really don't want to get into specifics on my inevitable frustrations from yesterday's mocking of a draft for the Oakland Raiders. Reason being, you all know as Raider fans why frustration was upon most of us yesterday, so why waste my time. Secondly, I'd like to be the first person to state that if i could have traded our draft scenerio for another team's, then it would be the Cincinnatti Bengals.

They had a wonderful draft. Maybe it was luck that Smith fell to 6 (right before us), luck that landed them Maualuga at 38 (two picks before us), and Michael Johnson in the third round (right before us).

My frustration comes from the fact that our draft coud have gone like this so far.

1. Eugene Monroe

2. Everrette Brown

3. Ramses Barden

5. Michael Mitchell

Point blank, we just don't have the luck in our front office. I'm not personall putting a bounty on Al Davis, I just think it's time for the old geezer to step down as the Raider's owner...