I could very easily split what follows into two separate posts, but there is just so much going on today that I have to get it all out of my head.  Now, just as I'm about to click the publish box, I see that a blockbuster trade involving Boris Diaw (one of My Guys) is about to be completed in the NBA.   While I still love Diaw as a player, this trade is an absolute heist for the Phoenix Suns!  More detailed thoughts on the deal tomorrow...





Although dunking the ball and hanging on the rim for a few seconds is still Dwight Howard's signature move, there is no denying that he is putting up phenomenal numbers so far this year.   Through the first quarter of the season, DHo is averaging 21.2 ppg, 14.5 rpg and 4.0 bpg for the 17-5 Orlando Magic.   I had an opportunity to draft Howard at the end of the 2nd round for the second consecutive season, but passed due to his inability to shoot free throws.  As I suspected, Howard is once again awful from the line (currently clanking along at 56%) but his dominance on the defensive end of the floor will likely lead the Magic to a 3rd seed in the East... 






After a lengthy hiatus, the award winning SDSG Q&A is back today with three questions from my loyal and faithful readers...


Dear San Diego Sports Guy,

The Timberwolves announced that Kevin McHale is following in Isaiah Thomas’s footsteps and leaving the front office to coach the “talent” that he has assembled on the floor.  With McHale’s move to the bench, I think the title of “worst GM in the NBA” is officially up for grabs.  It will be difficult for anyone to top Thomas’s uncanny ability to trade emerging talent in exchange for high-priced, long-term contracts.  It will be equally difficult for any GM to define themselves with trades as horrific as McHale’s Joe Smith fiasco and the Kevin Garnett giveaway.  Most GM’s can’t execute a single move as bad as what Thomas and McHale accomplished with regularity.  Who do you think are now the top 3 contenders for worst GM in the NBA?  Do you think any of those three will ultimately be able to rise to the legendary status achieved by Thomas and McHale?   Or will the NBA go through years of malaise following this golden age of GMs, similar to what happened in tennis following the McEnroe-Connors era?

Sincerely,
Tom Carvel

Tom,

Thanks for the great questions and in due time I'll address all of them.  However, I'll answer one right now:  Unequivocally,  John Paxson is the worst  GM in the NBA.   Now that Herman Munster has returned to the bench to coach the Timberwolves, Paxson Jr. is in a league by himself.   His blunders over the years are criminal and should result in jail time.  If it wasn't for that lucky ping pong ball in the last draft lottery that resulted in the selection of Derrick Rose, Paxson would already be out of a job.  Thanks to Rose, the Bulls are chugging along at 10-11 and will be in contention for a playoff berth all year. 

SDSG




Dear SD Sports Guy,

The Mike D'antoni era in New York seems to be going well.  So well, in fact, that LeBron will need to seriously consider the Knicks in 2010.  Given that D'antoni has the Knicks playing near .500 with an even worse roster than they had last year, it's safe to assume that the Knicks will be a playoff-type team by the time that LeBron has to make a decision in 2010.  Assuming that the Knicks are a .500+ team pre-LeBron, would LeBron be a legitimate threat to average a triple-double on good team playing D'antoni's up-tempo game?  He certainly would be the league's top scorer if he played on a team that averaged 10+ points per game more than his Cavs.  Perhaps I'm being too much of a homer for the Knicks, but if I'm LeBron, I like the idea of playing for a high-scoring team that makes my personal stats more historic.

Sincerely,
Bo Kimble


Bo,

Dare I say it, but the Knicks are a borderline playoff team this season...and they don't even have a legitimate center.  Even without the team's two top scorers, Zach Randolph and Jamal Crawford,  D'Antoni has a shorthanded squad playing very competitive basketball.  Chris Duhon is the second coming of Steve Nash in D'Antoni's system and there is no doubt in my mind that LeBron will be headed to the Big Apple in 2010.  He'll also likely bring a 6'10" friend with him...either Amare Stoudemire or Chris Bosh.  The future is very bright for Knicks fans and it's hard to believe that there are now only a few last remnants left from Isiah's path of destruction.  Once Stephon Marbury, Eddy Curry and Jerome James are gone (perhaps by the end of the year),  Isiah will only be a faint memory.  By the way, I loved watching you play at LMU and wish you had a better NBA career. 

SDSG    

SD Sports Guy,

What do you think about putting together a rankings of all the local bball announcing teams?  Obviously, Milwaukee Bucks announcers John McGlocklin and Jim Paschke are near the bottom.  The reason I bring it up is:

1)  Portland ’s play-by-play guy ordered his second extra-large soda and the color guy said, “You make caffeine nervous.”

2)  Charlotte ’s color guy describing how Jared Dudley anticipated the pass, got the steal, then “took 9 months to get down to the other end of the court for a layup.”

Much better than McGlocklin’s daily, “How could they call that on the Bucks?  That’s a terrible call.  The officials just took the enjoyment of the game away.” 

Ronnie B.          Los Angeles, CA 



Ronnie,

I think Johnny Mac and Paschke were announcing back when the gentle giant, Paul Mokeski, was sporting a perm, weren't they?  I can't believe the vanilla twins are still around.  That's a great idea, but I don't have the NBA League Pass and can't hear all of the local announcers.  Instead, over the next few weeks I'll try to comment on a couple of the national announcing teams.  Something tells me that I'm going to have a thing or two to say about Jeff Van Gundy and Mark Jackson. 


SDSG    







Apparently, someone forgot to tell Glen "Big Baby" Davis that there is no crying in basketball.  Here is the aptly named Davis in the YouTube clip of the week shedding a tear or two after receiving a tongue lashing from Kevin Garnett...




Sideline reporter Stacey Dales will not be returning to ESPN in 2009.  Evidently Ms. Dales was miffed because other "talent" flew first class and Stacy was forced to endure the ignominy of sitting with the riffraff in the back of the plane... 







From Donovan to Plaxico to Blago...the boneheads are certainly out in force trying to one up each other.   Corruption is commonplace in Illinois (particularly in the windy city), but this guy seems to have taken it to an entirely new level... 







Seven years and $161 million, huh?  Apparently, the New York Yankees are now making a play for A.J. Burnett as well.  That should set them back at least another $85 million or so.   Let's see, that comes to about a quarter of a billion dollars for a couple of pitchers. Evidently the economic woes in this country don't apply to the Yanks...







As the SDSG first reported shortly after Thanksgiving, the "major league" baseball team in town will soon have a new owner with local ties.  Please note that major league is in quotations because once Jake Peavy is dealt, this team will be more like a very good AAA ball club.  Now I'm told the final obstacle that's holding up the announcement is the new owner's desire to change the name of the team.  Apparently, this new owner whom we'll call IJ is concerned that the current nickname connotes a predilection for pederast priests.  IJ believes that a play on the word compadre brings to mind a more wholesome image and the paperwork to officially change the team's name to the San Diego Qualcommpadres is currently on Commissioner Bud Selig's desk...