After reading today's Chronicle sports page, my wife asked me if Bob Meyers, the Warriors GM, had a Jesus complex. She was referring to him signing Nick Young. Was he considering waving a healing hand over the edgy, undisciplined, defensively challenged, three point shooter and resurrecting his career the way the Dubs did for JaVale Magee? The answer was a confident yes. But, I suspect, that unlike in the case of Magee, the healer will be Draymond Green who will be "in Nick's face" is he doesn't play Warrior D, which does not mean on the occasion when the spirit moves him.
Lots of noise about Young, but let's not forget the signing of Omri Casspi. It's my opinion that Omri will be the player of the two who will do something (not sure what) that will win a game or two for the Dubs. Unlike Young, Casspi has a high basketball IQ and is a committed and tough defender. He will also, on occasion, put his head down and drive the paint. And finish. Solid acquisition, Good going Bob.
Out of the bay and up the Sacramento River to Golden One Arena, Valde Divac and his Sacramento Kings team have signed two vets who will be crucial in two way in the coming season. Because Zach Randolph and George Hill are vets who still have game. They can be counted on as starters and consistent point producers. Such consistency might not be possible,otherwise, on a team of mostly rookies and sophs. While producing, they will also be able to mentor the rookies and sophs. Labiseere can learn a great deal from the tricky wide body of lefty Randolph. And the Kings' promising rookie point guard, D'Andre Fox and soph, Buddy Heild will grow under the guidance of George Hill, a consummate professional.
Just a thought. Isn't it time to give Seattle a franchise and put the Timberwolves where they belong, in the Eastern Conference. If my geography is correct, Minneapolis is east of the Mississippi River.
Gordon Hayward can't do anything but help the Celtics. However, from what I've seen in the NBA Summer League, the Celts' first round pick Jayson Tatum might very well be the true game changer, if not this year, certainly the following season. Tremendous talent. Lot's of Grant Hill in him with a little Scotty Pippen mixed in.
Sure looks like the Heat wound up with a winner in Bam Adebayo. How do you go wrong with a BAM? Ad man's dream name. And the Pistons' Luke Kennard has skills I didn't realize he had. He reminds me a lot of Chris Mullins. Utah has a potential star in Donovan Mittchell. So, a little less pain after Hayward's departure. Markelle Foltz of the 76ers seems to be getting more comfortable with each game, but I'm not sold, not yet, until he has to make his moves against elite defenders. I can't help distrusting a poor free throw shooter, especially one from the guard spot who naturally winds up going to the line frequently. TJ Leaf is going to help lessen the sting of losing Paul George. So far, it does indeed look like a good draft crop. May their stalks grow strong and unselfish.
Still love to see a four point line. I'll take comments nay or aye.
Baseball season is in mid season. So, here's a nifty poem about the game. Giants and As not faring so well.
In My Meanest Daydream By Gary Gildner
I am throwing hard again
clipping corners, shaving
letters, dusting off
the heavy sticker crowding clean-up
clean down to his smelly socks -
& when my right spike hits
the ground he's had his look
already & gets
hollow in the belly -
in my meanest daydream I let fly
a sweet stream of spit, my catcher
pops his mitt
& grins
& calls me baby.
1 comment:
Distrust a poor free throw shooter? Does the name Joe Caldwell ring a bell? I always suspected, with no scientific evidence, that Caldwell was at ease while in motion but was somehow unnerved when he stood alone at the foul line. Other than sitting in a doctor's office before the doctor comes in, standing alone at the free throw line is probably as isolated as a person can get.
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