So, I've been playing a lot of NBA 2k12 recently and I pretty much exclusively use the Phoenix Suns in Association Mode since I preform rosterbations that should never been mentioned in a public forum or even out loud.

The thing I've noticed is that most teams have A LOT of Jersey's to choose from. Whether it be old retro jerseys, Latin Night Jerseys, those Green Jersey's that seemingly every team sports now, or old ABA Jerseys. The Suns, however, are not one of these teams. I mean, even the Timberwolves have more jerseys. The Game has our current jerseys, one Latin Night, and a home and away jersey from the pre-1992 Western Font days.

The point I'm getting to is that I'm just so bored with our current jersey design. I mean, I feel like we just need to mix things up. Maybe go retro every now and again and bust out the old Western jerseys or bring back a black alternate that could have have purple/orange lettering with white accents or white lettering with purple/orange accents. Maybe make the grey on either of our away uniforms be the primary color instead. Hell, why not just a whole new uniform design? Maybe a more modern version of the original Western-Style Jerseys. I wouldn't even be opposed to rockin' the flammin' 90's jerseys every now and then.

I mean, I can't be the only one that is bored with our current uniform design, right? What does everyone else think about it?

Here are a few random uniform designs from around the web:

http://tinyurl.com/nashgrey

http://tinyurl.com/nashblack

http://tinyurl.com/nashblack2

http://tinyurl.com/shaqbw

It's getting down to the nitty-gritty, folks. We have 12 games left and we are three games back from obtaining a playoff spot. I'm going to take a look at our remaining schedule, as well as the remaining schedule's of Houston, New Orleans, Memphis, and Portland. 

We'll start with team currently slotted in the sixth seed, The Portland Trailblazers. 

Portand Trailblazers (41-30, currently 4.5 games ahead of Phoenix)

1. VS San Antonio 
2. @Oklahoma City
3. @San Antonio
4. @New Orleans
5. vs Oklahoma City
6. vs Dallas
7. vs Golden State
8. @Utah
9. vs LA Lakers
10. vs Memphis
11. @Golden State

 The Blazers basically have only two gimme games vs Golden State and With how close seeding is at the top of the conference, I expect Dallas and LA to be battling it out till the end and San Antonio will probably shift to neutral within the next week or so. Realistically, Portland could finish these last 11 games as bad as 4-7 or even worse.  *Prediction: 4-7* with a finishing record of *45-37*
New Orleans Hornets (40-31, currently 3.5 games ahead of Phoenix)

1. @Utah
2. @Phoenix
3. @LA Lakers
4. vs Portland
5. vs Memphis
6. vs Indiana
7. vs Houston
8. vs Phoenix
9. @Memphis
10. vs Utah
11. @Dallas

Every single team on this list is either .500 or better or in the Playoffs. Yes, they have nice little home stand in the middle but the words New Orleans Hornets and Home Court advantage don't exist together. They have a horrid fan base and that's being overly-gracious. The only possible gimme I see here is their last game at Dallas, assuming they have their seeding locked up which might not happen since they are only 1.5 games back of LA. The Hornets have the best defense in the Western Conference, but over their last games they are 5-5 and in Western Conference play are 22 and 20. *Prediction: 5-6* with a finishing record of *45-37*
Memphis Grizzlies (40-32, currently 3 games ahead of Phoenix)

1. @Chicago
2. vs San Antonio
3. vs Golden State
4. @New Orleans
5. vs Minnesota
6. vs LA Clippers
7. vs Sacramento
8. vs New Orleans
9. @Portland
10. @LA Clippers

Out of all of the remaining schedules The Grizz by far have the easiest with 5 games versus teams that are under 500 (and I'm talking WAAAAY under 500). The Grizz are in a mini hot streak right now, winning six our their last ten and three in a row. Rudy Gay hasn't played a game since February 15th and in that time the Grizzlies have gone 9-6 and pulled off some impressive victories over San Antonio, Dallas, and most recently, Boston. With that being said, I am basically saying the Grizz are a lock to make the playoffs barring a total meltdown or injury to Zach Randolph. *Prediction: 7-3* with a finishing record of *47-35*
Houston Rockets (38-34, currently one game ahead of the Phoenix Suns)

1. @Miami
2. @New Jersey
3. @Philadelphia
4. vs San Antonio
5. vs Atlanta
6. vs Sacramento
7. @New Orleans
8. vs LA Clippers
9. vs Dallas
10. @Minnesota 

Out of Houston's ten remaining opponents, Six are above the .500 mark. Five games on the road, five games at home. It's tough to know what Pop and the Spurs will be doing by April First and if Dallas will still be fighting for seeding by April 11th. With that being said, Houston is currently the team that no one wants to play. They've won five in a row and seven out of ten. They are third in the league in scoring at 105.8 per, seventh in rebounding at 42.6 per and can make defensive stops when it counts.  With how well  the Rockets have been playing and looking at their schedule I would not be surprised seeing them sneak into the playoffs and causing a tough first round match up against whoever they play. *Prediction: 7-3* with a finishing record of *45-37*
Phoenix Suns (Currently 36-34)

1. vs New Orleans
2. vs Dallas
3. @Sacramento
4. vs Oklahoma City
5. vs LA Clippers
6. vs San Antonio
7. @Chicago
8. @Minnesota
9. @New Orleans
10. @Dallas
11. vs Minnesota
12. vs San Antonio

Obviously, David Stern totally hates us. A five game road trip in the middle of the schedule, 3 of which are games against opponents with 49 or more wins. Basically, we have four games that are for sure in our favor (Minnesota twice, Clippers, Sacramento). Besides that, we are going to have to play at another level. Oklahoma City is scary but I think Channing Frye is going to have some revenge in his mind for dislocating his shoulder, also it's at home. We have two games against New Orleans who only beat us last time by five points and that was without Channing Frye and Steve Nash. If we're lucky, Dallas will have clinched the second or third seed by the April 10th game and San Antonio will for sure have the number one seed locked April, 13th... They might even have it by April 3rd. I have to say I love the way are we playing right now though, Gortat is a double-double machine, Channing Frye doesn't just have ice going through  his veins, the dude is so damn clutch HE DOESN'T EVEN HAVE VEINS!!!! Steve Nash's shooting stroke is back and Aaron Brooks is going to provide that instant-offense spark off of the bench. This team takes every game down to the brink and I think they will end the season the same way. Then again, you just never know with this team but I have a feeling that Hill and Nash are going to rally the troops and make what maybe Nash and Hill's last playoff run in a Suns uniform. *Prediction 9-3* with a finishing record of *45-37*

So, what we have is this: Portland: 45-37

New Orleans: 45-37

Memphis: 47-35

Houston: 45-37

Phoenix: 45-37 

Phoenix is currently 1-1 versus New Orleans with two games remaining, 1-3 versus Portland, and 2-1 versus Houston.  Phoenix NEEDS to beat New Orleans both times to own the tie breaker over them.

Portland is 1-2 versus New Orleans with one game remaining, 3-0 versus Houston, and 4-0 versus Phoenix.

Houston is 1-2 versus Phoenix, 0-3 versus Portland, and 1-2 versus New Orleans with 1 game remaining.

And just in case Memphis collapses: 1-2 versus Phoenix, 1-1 versus Portland with 1 game remaining, 1-3 versus Houston, 0-2 versus New Orleans with two games remaining. 

New Orleans: 1-1 versus Phoenix with 2 games remaining, 2-1 versus Portland with one game remaining, 2-1 versus Houston with one game remaining, 2-0 versus Memphis with two game remaining. 
3 Playoff seats for 5 teams....What do YOU think is going to happen? 

After tonight's game, I was pondering this question and even started a topic about it in the game thread. Where does Marcin Gortat rank among NBA centers? Currently, he has a PER Ratings (Player Efficiency Rating) of 17.72 which places him 10th in league, in front of such centers as Emeka Okafor, Marc Gasol, Andrew Bogut, and David Lee. A rebound rate (or rebound percentage) The Hammer currently sits 11th among qualified centers at 17.7, which puts him ahead rebounding greats Ben Wallace (17.2, ranked 13th), David Lee (15.3, ranked 30th), Al Jefferson (16.0, ranked 24th), Roy Hibbert (15.2, ranked 31st) and Nene (14.0, ranked 36). Gortat also ranks 11th in true shooting percentage and 13th in value added despite the fact he only has a usage rate of 11.3  which is ranked 46th of 50 NBA centers....Basically, he's awesome. 

On a side note, Channing Frye ranks last among qualified center with an 11.9 rebounding rate, and Robin Lopez is five spots ahead of him at 12.4 

So, now here comes the fun part where all of you rank who you consider to be the game's top centers and where our Polish hero ranks on that list. Keep in mind age, injury, and current contract status. Also, I ask you limit the list to players who are listed as NBA Centers as their primary position or are listed in John Hollinger's Center List. 

http://tiny.cc/hollingerper

This will be the first installment in the "I know what we did, how about the rest of the west?" series. I will be covering the key addition and subtraction of the rest of the west and provide a brief analysis. First, we are starting with the Pacific and the World Champion Los Angeles Lakers. I'll be right back as I'm going to go puke real fast after typing that sentence. 

Los Angeles Lakers

Current Laker Roster: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/roster?team=lal

Key Additions: Steve Blake 
Key Subtractions: Jordan Farmer
Projected Line up: PG-Fisher SG-Bryant SF-Artest PF-Gasol C-Bynum

Analysis: The Lakers lose a tough front line defender off the Bench in Farmar in favor of Steve Blake AKA Suns Master Pwner. Blake will bring consistent three point shooting (39.3% for his career) and be able to distribute the ball more than Farmar. (4.8 APG For Blake 1.8 for Farmar). I also think Blake may eventually become the Lakers starting point guard in favor of Derek Fisher who can't buy a shot unless it's in the playoffs. All in all, I think this move may be bigger than people expect as it will spread the floor out more for the Lakers. So, pretty much The Lakers are still going to be the Lakers and that sucks for the rest of us. 

Los Angeles Clippers

Current Clipper Roster: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/teams/lac/roster

Key Additions: Blake Griffin (Injury), Ryan Gomes, Randy Foye, Eric Bledsoe, Brian Cook (LOL, JK)
Key Subtractions: Steve Blake, Travis Outlaw
Projected Line up: PG-Davis SG-Gordon SF-Butler PF-Griffin C-Kaman

Analysis: Originally considered to be a key player in this years Free Agent Frenzy the Clippers chose the conservative route. No, they didn't get Lebron James but they did add two really solid players in Randy Foye and Ryan Gomes. Ryan Gomes is a versatile player who can play 2-4. He is basically like Travis Outlaw plus forty pounds and some serious defense. He will add some much needed depth and toughness to this team. Randy Foye is an explosive scorer off the bench who can be your primary ball handler or be a very effective shooting guard, Think Barbosa. Through the draft The Clips got their guy in Eric Bledsoe. He's the Clippers version of Earl Clark in a point guards body. He could either contribute right away with his speed and quick first step or warm the bench all year. The Biggest addition will be last years overall first pick in Blake Griffin who missed all of last year due to injury. All reports on his recovery are great and he will be expected to be their starting PF. Along with Kaman he will be a terror on the glass and a match up nightmare for any team. This is my pick for the surprise team of 2010. At the very least their line up and rebounding will cause headaches for Suns fan. I would not be surprised to see this team make the playoffs next year. The biggest question will be whether or not Baron Davis is going to show up and be this team's superstar like he is capable of. 

Sacramento Kings
Current Roster: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/roster?team=sac
Key Additions: Samuel Dalembert, Demarcus Cousins
Key Subtractions: Spencer Hawes, Andres Nocioni
Projected Line up: PG-Evans SG-Garcia SF-Casspi PF-Landry C-Dalembert 

Analysis: This team is young and exciting. While, they did lose Nocinoi who is a nice all around guy there is a lot of confidence that Omri Casspi and Donte Greene will be an exciting tandum at the three. In a move that suprised a few people, the Kings sent Spencer Hawes along with Nocioni to the Sixers for Samuel Dalembert in return. What they lose in Hawes is a center who can shoot it from anywhere on the court and is a decent rebounder. What they gain in Dalembert is a big, tall athletic center who rebounds like it is nobodies business and plays tremendous post defense. He is also a guy you don't have to run plays for because he gets them all on second chance points. I feel this is another team who with Dalembert and their young talent will improve a lot from last year. They perhaps wont contend this year but they are not far off. 

Golden State Warriors
Current Roster:  http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/teams/roster?team=gsw
Key Additions: David Lee, Charlie Bell, Dan Gadzuric, Dorell Wright 
Key Subtractions: Corey Maggette, Ronny Turiaf, Anthony Randolph, Kelenna Azubuike 
Projected line up: PG-Curry SG-Ellis SF- Wright PF-Lee C-Biedrins 

Analysis: With Anthony Morrow going to New Jersey and CJ Waston still being a RFA there are still some holes on this roster. The Warriors seemingly blew up last years roster and traded away some talented guys in favor of more stable veterans in guys like Charlie Bell and Dan Gadzuric. I thought bringing in David Lee was a smart move despite giving up  Randolph, Azubuike and a scrapster in Ronny Turiaf  for him. Lee will have the same if not better numbers as last year and his defensive defencies will be covered up by Biedrins and his 1998 Gelled Spikey hair look. While Mr. Maggette has all of the talent in the world, he has a poor work ethic and has caused some grumblings in every club house he has been. I think with his departure it will allow more touches for Stephen Curry which is always a good thing. Dorrell Wright will bring solid defense and athleticism at the three spot and will fit well into Nellie's chaotic small ball offense.  Overall, I don't think this team isn't a playoff team but I believe they will be a lot better than last years version. I LITERALLY CAN'T WAIT to see The Warriors and Suns play this year. I wouldn't be surprised to see these teams each having 140 points in the fourth quarter. 

So, all in all this division has improved, especially the non-playoff teams. Unfortunately,  the Lakers are still going to be the Lakers and we still can't rebound. Overall, this will be a fun division to watch and I'm quite looking forward too it. I see a nice comfy second place Pacific finish for us this year. 

Projected Standings:
1. LA Lakers
2. Phoenix Suns
3. LA Clippers
4. Golden State Warriors
5. Sacramento Kings

What do you guys think about this years transaction by the Pacific? Am I absolutely insane for using Playoffs and Clippers in the same sentence? 

By the way, Andris Biedrins managed to PULL THIS OFF!!!!!!!!!!!

via ahedofmytime.files.wordpress.com

Well Folks it's mid march and we're in the middle of a usual western conference home stretch battle. Lets take a look at our remaining schedule as well at our foes remaining schedule and try to get a sense of where we'll finish. I'm not sure if any of you have taken a look at our remaining schedule but It's a DOOZEY to say the least. Don't judge me for saying DOOZEY....I've never said it before but I decided to take a walk on the danger side and give it a try.

Continue reading this post »

The trade I have been dreaming about is one where we don't have to rebuild, we get to save money.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yzjjnop

The Suns send Amare Stoudemire, Jason Richardson, and Earl Clark (Gulp!) to the Wiz

The Wiz send Antwan Jaminson, Caron Butler, and Mike Miller to the Suns.

Why I like this trade: We get two players who I think would fit perfectly in our up-tempo offense, both which are locked up for a few years. We get a rental on Mike Miller till the season is over and shed his 10 million dollars. We Keep Nash and the fan base happy and still have a shot at the playoffs.

Why I dislike this trade: We don't get any picks or young players. We also lose a very raw talent in Earl Clark. (Butler is 29, Jaminson is 33).

I just think these players are perfect for us, Caron can play pretty good defense and Jaminson replaces Amare for the fraction of the cost, none of the players clog the lane or demand the ball in there hand in order to be effective. Caron would also take the stress off of Grant's Aging knee's and add more depth off of our bench.

For The Wizard on the other hand, they receive a motivated Amare who already said he would like to play in DC, a nice young piece in Earl Clark and Richardson's scoring and bloated contract which comes off the books next year. They have the chance to re-sign Amare, who if they feel different could be the new face of the franchise and also have a bevy of contracts coming off the books this year.

Mike James-$6,466,600(WTF?)

Brendan Haywood- $6,000,000(Who, I think is the perfect center to team with Amare,  he blocks shots, rebounds and doesn't demand the ball.)

Randy Foye-$3,575,761

DeShawn Stevenson-$3,883,929

Fabricio Oberto-$1,990,000

Javaris Crittenton-$1,477,920

Total Amount:$23,394,210

They are currently 23 million over the payroll so this would bring them to even, plus Amare's 17.7 off the book they would be under the payroll by $17,700,00(Approx). This is before even mentioning the scenario that Gilbert's contract comes off the books, so add Gilberts current $16,192,080 they would be $33,829,080 dollars under the cap(Approx). So, in one summer with a lottery pick and huge cap space could litterally change the landscape of the Organization.

A trade that makes us better for the foreseeable future and inject some new blood in the franchise as well as the money we save, we may get to keep our draft picks this year (yay!). A trade that gives Washington a new face and blows up the old face. If they lose out on Amare, they save mega bucks with him and trading J-Rich's valuable expiring deal and with the bad blood that Washington president and Gilbert have, gives them mega cap space in a loaded free agent market as well as having a lottery pick, have the ability to change the culture of the suffering franchise in one summer.

While, most of you might be more interested in a trade with Miami, Houston, Golden State or New Jersey, this is just my opinion and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that this happens.

back ups:

(My back up favorite and more likely to happen is Amare for Q-Rich's expiring deal and Michael Beasley)

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yzjjnop

We save three million off the bat, as well as the nostalgia in seeing Q-Rich once again in a Suns uniform..Hold on, let me collect my emotions. Oh, did I mention we get to shed his 8.77 million dollar contract?

Amare Stoudemire to Golden State for Anthony Randolph, Corey Maggette, and Speedy Claxton's expiring deal.

http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=yhn5no4

Corey Maggette seems like a rejuvenated player to me, getting boards and getting to the line 10 times a game. If his name wasn't Corey Maggette he would be getting all-star merit but because he is who he is, he will always have the slacker label. Maybe playing for a contender for a change would light a fire under him and I'm not even mentioned the mega upside of Randolph.