Random Thoughts and Observations: Free For All Edition

NBA DRAFT LOTTERY

THE NBA WON IT'S OWN LOTTERY

Let me start off by saying I am actually a fan of the NBA Draft Lottery. I think it is a good system that doesn't reward teams for throwing their season, because it doesn't guarantee them the top pick like the NFL draft does. It's not a perfect system, it surely has flaws, but I think it is best for the NBA.

Having said that....


Let the conspiracy theories begin! 

We'll never know if the 2012 NBA Draft was actually rigged, but it didn't look good when the Hornets (who had a 13% chance, and are also NBA owned at the moment but are completing a deal to be sold to Tom Benson, current owner of the New Orleans Saints) ended up with the #1 pick.

Before the season started, David Stern vetoed a trade that would have sent Chris Paul from the NBA owned Hornets to the Los Angeles Lakers citing basketball reasons for his decision. Later, Paul was sent to the Los Angeles Clippers.

The basketball reasons for the vetoed trade were that the Hornets would be stuck with big contracts that clogged up cap space which would result in driving away buyers to purchase the franchise. Valid point...but still a little fishy.

When a buyer was found (Benson) was the #1 pick guaranteed to him as part of the incentive to buy the struggling franchise?...possibly. When the pick was announced he didn't seem too excited that he just defied the odds and secured Anthony Davis from Kentucky. Probably because he already knew the pick was his.


Conspiracy theories aside, and in the NBA's defense, the team that finished with the worst record hasn't won the Lottery since the Magic drafted Dwight Howard first overall in 2004. The Bobcats not getting the top pick was just, unfortunately, bad luck.

....or basketball reasons 




NBA PLAYOFFS

REFEREES


I will never say that a referee lost a game for a team...ever. However, they can definitely make an NBA game unwatchable.

The Miami Heat are a better team than the Boston Celtics. They will win the series and move on to the NBA Finals regardless of what the referee calls. Having said that, Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals was a disgrace that I had a hard time watching. 

With the game tied and about 1:30 left, Rajon Rondo drives to the basket and gets clubbed over the head by Udonis Haslem...no call. A GIGANTIC missed call that would have put the momentum on Boston's side. Instead, Miami gets the rebound, and Dwyane Wade finishes a 3-point play on the other end.


of course there is no accountability from the referees, all they have to say is that they missed it. REALLY?! Three NBA officials missed a guy getting wacked across the face as he goes up for a lay up? Three officials, six eyes, and no one saw it....

My biggest complaints with NBA officiating:


1. Fouls are called differently in the 1st quarter than they are in the 4th quarter.


2. Calls are made based on what officials "think" is going to happen, instead of what actually happens. (i.e. LeBron on a fast break is going to be a foul every single time, even if he gets the ball stripped.)

3. Delayed fouls are called when the official waits to see if the shot is made or not.

4. "Superstar treatment" LeBron shot 24 free throws in game 2...enough said. I can't stand watching when one player plays by a different set of rules than everybody else. (this goes for everyone: Rose, Durrant, Bryant, etc. not just LeBron.)

TONY PARKER AND THE SPURS

People were complaining that this guy made the All-Star team back in February...they look pretty stupid now. 

As Parker goes, so do the Spurs and this guy is playing out of his freaking mind right now. He did hit a little bump with Thabo Sefalosha guarding him in Game 3, but expect Parker to adjust and bounce back.

My only knock on Tony Parker......How do you cheat on Eva Longoria!?!?

The Spurs are the definition of team basketball, and Gregg Popovich deserves every recognition he has ever received. He gets players to play as a team within his proven system, that has taken his team to a record of 10-1 so far in the postseason.




ERIC SPOELSTRA

I can't figure out how this guy is an NBA coach. I don't think any of his players can either.


If in fact the Miami Heat go on to win the NBA Finals Spoelstra should receive the most minimal credit possible. Anyone can coach this team, and I mean that 100% literally.


If you need proof, listen in when TNT and ESPN to their "wired" segments when you can listen in on the timeout huddle or half time speeches. You will hear relevant basketball strategy from Doc Rivers, Gregg Popovich, and sometimes Scott Brooks. Then you get Spoelstra who says "we gotta play better" or "we have to start making shots" or even one time he said verbatim "let's get it poppin'" no wonder his players don't take him seriously. He is a spectator with a front row seat.




RAJON RONDO

The most underrated point guard in the league hands down.


It's hard to believe that Rondo was in the middle of trade rumors during the season. He is the reason the Boston Celtics are where they are right now making it to the Eastern Conference Finals.


Rondo has cemented his name in the elite point guard conversations with her performance in Game 2 putting up freakish numbers: 44 points on 16/24 shooting, 8 rebounds, 10 assists, and 3 steals.


That isn't a player you look to trade.




MAJOR LEAGUE BASEBALL


FIRST PLACE TEAMS


Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers, Washington Nationals.


With the exception of the Texas Rangers, if you had predicted any of these teams at first place in their respective divisions then you are awesome. Of course it's still very early in a long season, but these teams are definitely exceeding expectations thus far.




BIG SPENDERS


There hasn't been any team more disappointing than the Los Angeles Angels and the Detroit Tigers.


After their big free agent signing of Albert Pujols and Prince Fielder, both teams have come out of the gate struggling mightily. 


Fortunately for the Angels they have righted the ship and got back .500, but they are pretty much fighting for a Wild Card spot barring a big turnaround and the Texas Rangers coming back to earth.


The Tigers have a bit more pressure on them seeing that they play in a weak division that they should dominate.




UNDER THE RADAR

Of course I am an Angels fan, but I promise I'm not being a homer. Check out these numbers from these Angel relievers/closers by committee. 


Scott Downs: 18 IP, 0 RUNS, 0.00 ERA


0 runs allowed. What more needs to be said? Downs was the only reliable reliever that the Angels had until they made a trade with the San Diego Padres for Ernesto Frieri.


Ernesto Frieri: 23.2 IP, 1.14 ERA, 43 K'S


SINCE JOINING ANGELS: 12 IP, 0 RUNS, 0.00 ERA, 0 HITS


0 runs...not even a single hit. These numbers are ridiculous and are not being talked about at all. 


No reliever has better numbers than Downs or Frieri, and it's a shame that they probably won't make the All-Star team despite having better numbers than anyone who does.


Gotta love that East Coast bias.