SB Nation User Blog: jpgarfunkle

Sacramento Kings Scout at the game last night

jpgarfunkle — Sun, 16 Mar 2008 19:21:53 -0000

This probably happens every game. But I still felt like making a diary of what I noticed.

I got ahold of some tickets last night from Pepsi through work. I sat in Section 102, Row 8 and I was in seat 13. I was behind the Grizzlies bench.

This guy had a media card pinned up on his chest that said his name(which I can't remember) and that he was a Sacramento Kings scout.

He was sitting in my row and he was in seat like 4 or 5.

Now I didn't pay attention to what he was doing all game because I was to busy enjoying the game. But I did notice this.

EVERY and I mean EVERY single Memphis timeout he watched that huddle like a hawk. I watched him during one timeout and he didn't blink once. Their Memphis coach would get his chair and sit down in it and face it towards the crowd and would draw up plays on his white board. From where I was sitting I couldn't see the exact plays, but I was able to see his movements with his pen, and I could read his lips. After the coach would get up or stop talking with the players the scout would jot some notes on his paper. Now during timeouts where the Memphis Grizzlies were not drawing up plays or what not the scout would pay attention to whatever timeout activities were going on, like shirt throwing or cheerleaders or whatever.

I noticed that he jotted down notes more so then others on these three players. (Again it could be purely coincidental because I wasn't watching him the entire game)

But I saw him write up on

Kyle Lowry
Hakim Warrick
Andris Biedrins

I wish I could have gotten some info out of scout. If he was looking for potential players to acquire or just scouting for this/next year or what.

Al Harrington might need Offseason Surgery?

jpgarfunkle — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 19:22:12 -0000

Just stumbled across this short blurb on Hoopsworld. The headline says he will need offseason surgery but later it changes its tune.

You will have to scroll about halfway down.

http://www.hoopsworld.com/HeadlineStories.asp?hd=20080121&lc=NBA#STORY_4871

...

It turns out that a knuckle at the base of his right index finger was injured when New Orleans guard Chris Paul slapped away Harrington's hand-check Jan. 4. Harrington said he thought the finger might have dislocated momentarily and then popped back into place. It feels somewhat like an injury he sustained three years ago.....Harrington plans to have the knuckle examined more closely after the season.

So its obviously not bad enough right now to cause serious problems. But it is something to keep on eye on and monitor from this point forward.

I've never had a dislocated finger on my shooting hand before, but I would imagine at times it could be quite bothersome on catching passes and shooting the rock.

Miami and Atlanta to replay last 51.9 seconds

jpgarfunkle — Sat, 12 Jan 2008 10:18:50 -0000

Talk about strange. The Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat will replay the last 51.9 seconds of a ball game they had earlier this year at a metting in March. Have to say this is the first time I have ever seen something like this happen before. Atlanta is fighting for a playoff spot and if they end up losing this could come back to bite them in the butt big time.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3192421

For the first time since 1982, the NBA is sending two teams back to the court for a do-over.

The Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat must replay the final 51.9 seconds of their game last month because the official scorer ruled incorrectly that Shaquille O'Neal fouled out, the league said Friday.....The NBA said the replay will be held before the teams' next scheduled game: March 8 in Atlanta. Play will start from the time after O'Neal's disputed sixth foul, with the Hawks leading 114-111.

This all seems pretty huge, I did not see the game or anything about it so I can't comment on it. But it will be interesting. Discuss

Jazz add some three point shooting

jpgarfunkle — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 09:31:43 -0000

Well the slumping Utah Jazz made a trade this morning. Looks like they really wanted to get rid of the menace Giricek and added some three point pop to the lineup.

The Philadelphia 76ers acquired guard Gordan Giricek and a first-round draft pick from the Utah Jazz for guard Kyle Korver on Saturday.

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3172562

I don't know if the Jazz acquired any different #1 picks in the past so I assume they are moving over their own.

It does give the 76ers some cap flexibility after this season. Giricek is on a 1 year contract, while Korver is a on a 4 year contract. I wonder if this is the start of some player dumps by the 76ers.

I hope this trade doesn't jump start the Jazz and gets them back on an up swing, but I just can't help but think that it is going to help just by getting rid of the hassle Giricek around the team.

Anybody post this? Monta Strained Back Muscle

jpgarfunkle — Sat, 12 May 2007 05:01:23 -0000

I saw this morning but didn't have a chance to post it. The article talks about the struggles of Monta Ellis so far in the playoffs. But this paragraph really caught my eye.

In spite of the rough times, Ellis said his confidence hasn't dipped. He noted Wednesday that he strained a muscle in his back while reaching up to sign an autograph before Game 1, but sounded Thursday as if he is ready to make an impact.

So how long does a strained muscle usually affect someone? How severe is it? Sort of reminds me of when Mark McGwire(How do you spell his name?) threw his back out while doing dishes.

Short Statement from Stern regarding the GSW/Dal Series

jpgarfunkle — Sat, 05 May 2007 18:37:04 -0000

David Stern was asked while watching the Raptors and Nets game what his thoughts were on the 8 vs 1 matchup over in the west and the outcome.

http://www.realgm.com:80/src_wiretap_archives/45958/20070504/stern_says_best_of_seven_first_round_wa s_supposed_to_prevent_upsets/

"They were never supposed to," said Stern. "The four out of seven was supposed to make sure that the better team won."

My response to all of this.

I'm not just saying this as a lifetime GSW fan. But upsets and unforseen outcomes are great for TV audiences. If everything went 'according' to plan what fun would that be? What fun would it be to watch the games and go to the arenas(of course outside of the fans of the team(s) that are winning).

It makes it easier for a casual fan, or of a fan of NBA basketball in general to watch playoff games of teams that are not their own. You never know whats going to happen, you never know who is going to win and how. And well lets all face it. Society loves the underdog story, the out of nowhere team, or the out of nowhere player who put in dues and went through adversity and is making it.

If nothing else after this series the Dallas fan base will still be in full affect. The GSW fan base is now in full swing and everyone is talking about the crowd and how it will affect the games and what not. That has to be good for NBA basketball overall. Stern will atleast now have one other city or impactful fan base where he can make some money for himself and the league.

I have no idea about the ratings, or where to get them. But I am curious to see how this playoff series stacks up with the other first round playoff series this year.

I just think overall as a whole it is better for the NBA.

If say Orlando knocked off Detroit in the first round this year, I think the same general buzz would be happening over there.

Care to share yours?

Poll

Will David Stern try to make adjustments to playoffs next year?

No

35 votes

Yes

11 votes

46 votes | Poll has closed

Completed League Deadline Trades

jpgarfunkle — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 18:24:54 -0000

First trade.

Dallas trades Anthony Johnson to
Atlanta for Atlanta's #2 pick.

Second trade*Yet to be confirmed* Saw it in an ESPN Chat.

Toronto trades Fred Jones
Portland trades Juan Dixon.

Trade one is completed, looking for confirmation on the 2nd. If the 2nd is true that means no Pietrus and Foyle to Portland deal.

Melvin Ely to the Spurs on the cheap

jpgarfunkle — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 20:42:42 -0000

Not saying he is a super monster. But someone the Warriors were hot on during the offseason. Is a post player and would have been nice to acquire.

He is going on the cheap. Eric Williams(an expiring contract) and 2009 2nd round selection(and if its Spurs you would think its low) and cash(I would guess 3 million) for Melvin Ely.

http://www.charlotte.com/mld/charlotte/sports/basketball/nba/charlotte_bobcats/16689620.htm

I would have liked to have him join the team. We really need some front court help.