Nighly Nugz

• As I watch Boozer completely abuse Gooden it's difficult for me not to wonder, "What if?" I have the sneaking suspicion LeBron has had that same thought.
  
• Deron Williams is a flat out beast. You can go back and fourth between Chris Paul and Williams but my money is with Williams. Their passing skills are both brilliant but Williams shoots the mid and trey better. Plus I like Williams' combination of size and quickness. You have a better chance of keeping Rosie out of the kitchen than Williams out of the lane.
  
• How has Sloan never won coach of the year?
• The Jazz are for real. If AK-47 can learn to accept his role as defensive stopper and complementary offensive player watch out. This team is hungry.
  
• How has Damon Jones gone through his career without someone bashing him in that fat mouf? It's amazing to watch how highly he regards himself. Damon, you blow...you always have.
  
• The Cuba/MJ commercials make me uncomfortable. I'm not sure why, they just do.
  
• The Cavs just don't impress me. Gibson, Hughes, James, Gooden, and Ilgauskas. You kidding me?
• I just noticed that when LeBron sits out he places his mouthpiece inside of his headband, resting against his dome. Yep you heard me. In his sweaty, nasty, headband. When he checked back into the game he just pulled it out and "POP" shoved it in his mouth. Didn't even wipe it off. Now that's gansta.
  

Fantasy Flash

There won't be any draft analysis but I have some rankings for you to chew on.

Bloods:

1) Mix-A-Lot Posse: Once Wade gets back this is a solid team. Stole AK-47 at the end of the 9th. Somebody tell Mix that Curry averages more TOs than dimes, blocks, and steals...combined.

2) Wig Splitters: Older than Stephen A. Smith's act but if healthy one of the top teams. Second center could make or break this squad.

3) Skrillas: Can Josh Smith, KG, and AI2 make up for Frye, Lee, West, and Korver? Only to a point. Skrillas is always there and will be again.

4) 40s: Great backcourt...terrible frontcourt. Gotta love Kaman and Joe Johnson this year.

5) Fancy Feast: Da Rook is ready to hand himself the title. Relax. Some solid guys but more holes than K-Mart's kneecaps.

6) WCD: Howard and Ben? Take cover when they head to the line. Nocioni, Warrick, and Miller in the starting lineup mean WCD watches the playoffs.

Crips:

1) BMF: BMF comes back into the league with a bang. A nice squad but is there enough big man stats with those forwards? TBD.

2) Death Row: A talented team once Bargnani qualifies for center and Bibby get healthy. It's been a long time since Death Row made the playoffs. Is this the year we see them again?

3) Revolution: Revolution's sub during the draft cost him. However the league's most active owner will make certain that it's working by the end of the year.

4) '64 Impalas: A solid team once the starting lineup gets sorted out. A long as the owner stays clear of ceiling fans Impalas are a lock for the playoffs.

5) Buddha Train: Tough draft for Buddha Train. LeBron may have been able to get Cleveland to the playoffs but he has no chance with this unit.

6) Balboa: #1 pick is a curse and Balboa has had it two years in a row. Drafting Shaq in the 6th didn't help either. Even with a bottle of olive oil Balboa won't slide into the playoffs.

Stay Tuned

No posts in a few days because yours truly is studying up for his fantasy draft on 10/29. I pick 6th in a twelve team league. Stay tuned for a full analysis of winners and losers.

Stuckey Update: Out 6 Weeks After Surgery

ESPN.com reports:

Detroit Pistons guard Rodney Stuckey had surgery on his broken left hand Thursday and is expected to be out for about six weeks.The rookie from Eastern Washington injured his hand in Detroit's final exhibition game Wednesday night. He averaged 12.1 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 1.3 steals in eight games.

Bummer of a start for the Pistons. They were hoping to incorporate Stuckey right out of the gate. After cries of fatigue following each of the last two seasons, Flip Saunders seems intent on getting the Pistons' youth some burn. Amir Johnson anyone?

Stuckey Breaks Hand in Final Exhibition

FSN has confirmed that Rodney Stuckey did in fact break his hand during the Pistons' final exhibition game. He is scheduled to see a hand specialist tomorrow for further evaluation. Stuckey was projected to be a critical cog in the Pistons' rotation this season, backing up both Rip and Chauncey. Hopefully the break isn't too bad and the rook can resume practice soon.

Heat/Wolves Deal Going Down?

Marc Stein from ESPN.com writes:

Sources told ESPN.com that the Heat will soon complete a trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves to acquire swingman Ricky Davis and center Mark Blount. The latest incarnation of the deal, according to one source, has Miami sending Antoine Walker, Michael Doleac, and Wayne Simien to the Wolves for Davis and Blount.

It's no secret that Pat Riley was ticked at how out of shape Walker was coming into camp. With this move Miami gets rid of some unwanted baggage and gains that 3rd scoring option they've been lacking since O'Neal came into town.

Funny thing is that Riley wasn't a big fan of Davis back when he played for the Heat in 00-01. It'll be interesting to see how this plays out as the season goes on. I anticipate some fireworks before it all gets sorted out. However, don't let Davis' checkered past cloud your mind about this trade. This is great for Miami. When he's focused (Shaq has a way of bringing out the best in guys) Davis' combination of play making and scoring can give the opposition absolute fits. Let's not forget about Blount either. I know, he grabs about as many boards as Nate Robinson, but he shoots the 15 footer as good as any 5 in the league. He'll be able to give Shaq some solid rest, especially while Zo is getting dialysis.

KoMe Bryant...The Saga Continues

Peter Vecsey of the New York Post wrote today:

As for Bryant, he isn't going anywhere unless Jackson says so. Evidently the entire Buss family - Jerry and Jim, not just Jeanie - has given Jackson personnel power. Everyone working together suddenly rubberizes Kobe's crutch that the front office is the problem. Not anymore. Meaning, the only way Bryant will be traded is he decides not to play defense and team ball.

It's nearly impossible to know what's fake, real, imagined or wishful thinking. So many people are offering so much conflicting info, and Bryant's mind has been known to swivel 180 degrees during one interview.

Bottom line, if Bryant sincerely wants out of L.A., he should stop trying to play GM and waive his no-trade clause.

As much as it pains me to say this I agree with Vecsey. It's just like KoMe to demand a trade, offer the front office zero flexibility in trade options, and then act like punk while playing the martyr. If Vescey truly believes that Bryant's only saving grace is playing defense and team ball then kiss him goodbye. He hasn't attempted to do either since Shaq left town. Is there a more selfish SOB in the NBA?

J-Smooth

Looking at the boxes and came across these numbers from J-Smooth: 24 pts, 11 boards, 6 dimes, 4 blocks, and a trey. He also had 5 TOs but you can almost live with that after posting those other digits. He got 40 minutes tonight and I expect him to get that kind of burn this season. Sure it's the preseason but in 9 category leagues this guy is going to be off the charts.

Morrison Likely Done for the Year

ESPN on Adam Morrison's knee. J-Rich and G-Force have just climbed a couple notches on my predraft rankings and for anyone who had drafted these two this is music to your ears. In deep leagues, if Walter Hermann and Matt Carroll weren't on your radar, they need to be.

He'll never admit it but I have the sneaking suspicion Sam Vincent is a tad relieved as well. It was going to be his job to figure out how to find burn for the defensively deficient Morrison. Recall that in his new role as the Bobcats' "final decision maker" Jordan took Morrison 3rd overall in 2006. It'll be interesting to see just how many chances this kid gets before Jordan is forced to eat crow.

Just how bad is Morrison's D? Well he blew his knee out checking Luke Walton. Nuff said.

I HATE SHAQ...

I can't even begin to count the number of times my friends and family have heard me utter those words. It's 1992, I'm watching the draft, and Orlando's pending selection has all the suspense of watching the Chicago Bulls on ESPN Classic. Yeah, yeah, Simmons (as if he'll read this) I know. You hooked up Orlando vs. Chicago circa 1995. But before then has Jordan ever lost on Classic? Oh I digress. That's another post for another day.

Stern, keep it in your pants!

"With the first pick of the 1992 NBA draft the Orland Magic selects Shaquille O'Neal from Louisiana State University." Is it me or do Shaq and Stern share the longest handshake in history? By my count there are 34 shakes between the two. 34! To put this in perspective extend you hand and perform the handshake motion 34 times. Ridiculous. As an extra bonus pay attention to Stern’s left hand during the shake…very suspicious. This will not be the last of their awkward exchanges.

I'm not sure if it was the moment Shaq was selected ("Who me?") or shortly thereafter when my disdain for the almighty Diesel affixed itself to my soul. I can't put my finger on the when but throughout his career I've known why. Oh I've known why. I've had countless arguments with friends, strangers, and whoever else was base gobblin' him at the time. While everyone loved his goofy, child-like persona I saw lack a focus and immaturity. "He'll never win a title acting like a clown all the time." Others marveled at his power and inside dominance. I’d respond, "If he's so damn dominant, how come he's never led the league in blocks, boards, or selected defensive MVP?" And for a time there was always, "How many titles does he have?" When LA brought in Rice I knew that argument was gone so I hated him because Buss bought him a title. And don't even get me started about free throws. "It's not his fault. His hands are too big." For fu*ks sake that's the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Give me a hundo mil, a solid month of practice, and I'll flick popcorn kernels into Stewart Scott's lazy eye from 15 feet.

The hate was deep. Not LL Cool J vs. Kool Moe D type hate but it was bitter. By the way, LL is one most underrated rappers of all time. Only he could pull of "I Need Love" and make it work. Think I'm kidding. Picture Eminem, Kanye, or DMX...no way. Or even better, imagine 50 and that lisp of his spittin “Clean and unsthoiled yet sthweaty and wet/I sthwear to you thith is sthomething I’ll never forget…bing, bing, bing…”

From The Man of Steel to Robin

Fast forward to the 2006 NBA Finals. Miami had just wrapped up their first title and Stern is presenting the Finals MVP trophy. The awkwardness of these situations makes them priceless. It's like a beauty pageant with all the contestants trying to feign they're not dying to hear their name. But this one was awkward for a different reason. Everyone knew Wade was the MVP. But did Shaq? The Daddy had won the MVP in all three of his previous finals victories and here we were on live TV, witnessing the changing of the guard. It seems great athletes are often the last to recognize their descent and I was focused on studying his reaction. Would he be shocked? Noticeably disappointed? I can't think of another moment in sports when this shift was so transparent. It was literally playing out on stage before everyone's eyes. Imagine ABC televising the meeting when SI told Heidi Klum that she couldn't be in the swimsuit edition anymore because Bar Refaeli (sitting across the table) was taking her spot. This is what we were watching.

As Stern starts to conclude his modified "star of stars" speech (I'm convinced he only has one speech that gets slightly tweaked each time) Shaq inexplicably begins to reach for the MVP trophy. This is like watching a train wreck and I'm loving every minute of it. Stern, noticeably thrown by Shaq's advances, still manages to declare D Wade the MVP then begins to hand him the trophy only to have it hijacked by O'Neal! At this point my hands are on my head, my mouth is open, and my heart is pumping faster than Yao's pituitary. I'm praying the Big Aristotle raises the trophy only to realize in mid celebration what's happened. My hopes are crushed. Shaq collects the hardware in one swift motion and with that classic grin, graciously hands it to Wade.

I Am a Fu*ken Moron

Something happened at that exact moment. I was flooded with regret. The feelings hit me like a head butt from Oliver Miller (Stay tuned for top 10 domes in the NBA). What have I done? For 14 years I've criticized Shaq's every word, performance, and decisions. For 14 years I've taken pleasure in his failures, disappointments, and misfortunes. For 14 years I've been a damn fool. I failed to appreciate one of the most talented and genuine basketball players of all time. And now his career is almost over.

As Shaq's career comes to an end I feel compelled to savor all his goofy antics and flashes of brilliance. The monster dunks. The silly celebrations. The classic quotes. But he’s changed a lot since 1992. The trigger-quick reactions of his youth are no longer there. He's matured, becoming more methodical and calculated. And with it better decision making. I get the sense we're on similar paths. I’m Sorry Shaq.