Practice for Big Shot

on the outset, one would assume that granting a disgruntled star's wish to be traded usually bodes well for the team that is ridding themselves of complacency. but that might not be the case this time around.

for the record, i am a giant fan of Mr. Chauncey, but i've never been a George Karl fan and i certainly don't think Carmelo will ever contribute to leading his team to a championship. everyone thought this summer when Joe Dumars said he was looking to trade one of the pieces of his team's foundation, "What are you doing? you can't really break up the most underrated backcourt of Billups/Hamilton can you?". and so when Dumars brought in a notoriously undersized shooting guard to his blue collar Pistons, it seemed like a desperate attempt for a fading team that was trying to take a final gasp of air before their time was up. lots of teams do it - trade for a superstar or a big name - to ressurect the franchise. Lakers did it with Malone and Payton, the Blazers did it with Pippen, and my Clips tried it with Dominique - and none of those worked out too well.

so, on second glance, i think Detroit comes out on top and we might see the last hurrah (and it might be a BIG HURRAH ) out of AI. now it might be a one year rental to free room next year for the Pistons, but it might also work real well. As for Billups, the West is tough and i think that he certainly fits Karl's style more than AI did, but it won't result in playoff wins.

excited to see the Allen to Rasheed lobs and especially Hamilton and AI giving defenses fits. plus, AI always looked weird in yellow and baby blue and playing in a city like Denver - AI is an East Coast dude, and i think it's a better match.

Boom Dizzle

Tonight is the beginning of something special. Click here for a preview of tonight's big game.

Fearless Skinless Boneless Forecast

The Halfcourt Set

The MOB, among many other things, is a ruthless, unbiased evaluator of truth.  No doubt your local newspaper and 2nd-favorite blog have indicated that this fall is a watershed moment in American politics, and while that is undeniable, very few are talking about the shift of power about to take place in the NBA.  And I'm not talking about the cockamamy notion that the Leastern Conference will rival the Western for supremacy, I'm talking about the the Battle for Los Angeles.  You heard it hear first - the Clippers will beat the Lakers in the playoffs and shock the city, state, country, world, galaxy, universe, etc.  

Baron Davis just makes plays.  He's never had a big man like he has now - and he has two of 'em.  The team has the right mix of young legs and experienced leadership.  Al Thornton is the right player at the right time, who will absolutely dominate while defenders are double-teaming Boom and the bigs.  Ricky Davis has been a victim of lousy circumstances ever since he entered the Association, and is a changed man, a changed 6th Man (of the Year).  Shoot - he cut off his 'rows - if that doesn't mean he's ready to get serious I don't know what is.   Eric Gordon is like the Microwave on steroids.  Not somebody you want handling your food, but somebody you want handling the scoring when you need double digits in a hurry.  This team is deep and talented, unlike any Clippers squad ever assembled.  There is no precedent.  Stay tuned... Staples Center has a new owner.

Putbacks

• The Jazz are in trouble.  Looming contract issues are not good for a team, even if Jerry Sloan is coach.
  
• Shaquille O'Neal has one more season in him.  Just when everyone is writing off the Suns, they will finally live up to past year's expectations.
  
• The Spurs are done.  For all of Duncan's accolades, it's Manu who made this team great.
  
• Look for LeBron to win the MVP.  Mo Williams helps them run a bit more, and that will get them the #1 overall seed in the East.
  
• The Raptors stun LBJ and the Cavs in the first round.
• LeBron sets his sights on NJ.  Governor of Ohio asks for help from FEMA. 
• The Mavs are done.  Not the right personnel.  They missed their window.
  
• Detroit will realize they missed their window, too.  Mavs-Pistons trade coming?
  
• The Hornets had their healthiest season in franchise history last year.  If that happens twice ia row, they'll be back in the mix.  But Peja is no iron man and Posey is not the reason the Heat and Celtics won NBA titles.  Hornets slide back to the pack.
  
• Elton Brand turns out to be washed-up and overpaid.  The Sixers are a colossal disappointment.  Nobody in Philly cares, still soaked in World Series' champagne.
  
• The Blazers will be good, but not great.  No experience on that team.
• Dwayne Wade and Dwight Howard, Flash and Superman, star in an amazing all-Florida EC final.  
• Not only does T-Mac get out of the first round, but the Rockets go all the way.  How do you not like a team won 22 in a row last season who now adds Artest to the mix?  Incredible season in store for them.