Mr. Armchair Speaks: The Mocketity Mock of All Mock Drafts

Mr. Armchair Speaks: The Mocketity Mock of All Mock Drafts: "It’s well documented that this year’s NBA Draft Class is among the worst in NBA History. The draft classes of Brad Daugherty (1986), Derri..."

The Mocketity Mock of All Mock Drafts

It’s well documented that this year’s NBA Draft Class is among the worst in NBA History.  The draft classes of Brad Daugherty (1986), Derrick Coleman (1990), and Kenyon Martin (2000) all think this draft class sucks.  But while there may only be about 2-3 all-star caliber players in this draft class, there are some players that should develop into solid contributing NBA players.  But even if guys like Perry Jones from Baylor, Harrison Barnes from UNC, and Jared Sullinger from Ohio State hadn’t returned to school and decided to enter the draft, this class would still be considered one of the worst classes in the modern era.  We all have our theories as to why this is so (can anyone say one-and-done rule!!); the draft is still the most cost efficient and logical way for teams to improve.   

With a class this bad and teams having to offer guaranteed contracts to first round picks, I would anticipate a lot of movement and trades to happen during this draft.  Teams are desperately trying to spin their first round pick into a contributing, veteran player; but teams are finding it difficult because no one wants any of these college kids on their team.  Another aspect to consider is the expiring CBA (set to expire June 30^th) and the pending lockout of the players by the owners, which is all but inevitable.  If the lockout is anything like it was in 1998, and we have a shorten NBA season, front offices will be asked to put together their team in a hurry, with limited training camp and preseason.  If we are going to see the same fate this upcoming season as in 1998, then I think front offices will do as much preparation as possible before the CBA expires to get their team ready and set, so that when basketball does resume, they are not scrambling to fill roster spots with D-leaguers, or overpay for washed up veterans.  So in hindsight, this draft, while littered with mediocre talent, could become one of the more important drafts in recent history.    

So without further ado, presented by yours truly, the mocketity mock of all mock drafts. 

1.       Cleveland Cavilers – Kyrie Irving, PG  Duke
Analysis:  All but confirmed that this pick will happen, Irving is the best and most talented player in the draft.  The Cavs get a solid point guard that they can build around and help lead this team back to prosperity.  But wouldn't it be something if they took Derrick Wiliams?? 

2.       Minnesota Timberwolves – Derrick Williams, SF-PF  Arizona
Analysis:  Not as talented as Irving, but may have a more immediate impact in the league.  He can play both the small and the power forward positions.  This pick is supposedly up for trade and could provide major fireworks.  They can also draft Enes Kanter here and shock the world.   

3.       Utah Jazz – Brandon Knight, PG  Kentucky
Analysis:  It’s either Brandon Knight or Enes Kanter.  The Jazz don’t love any prospects really, but after trading Deron Williams mid-season, I see Knight getting drafted here.  Knight is a big PG and can play behind Devin Harris until he is ready to assume the duties.   

*UPDATE*  Enes Kanter, C Turkey
Analysis:  They must feel that they can get a quality PG with their #12 pick. 

4.       Cleveland Cavilers – Enes Kanter, C  Turkey
Analysis:  Cleveland may be looking to move this pick, but if they stay here, they take Kanter to go along with Irving.  Kanter is the best center in the draft and will compliment Irving nicely.  Valanciunas is also high on their board, but not coming over next year won’t fly with Cavs’ fans. 

*UPDATE*  Jonas Valanciunas, C  Lithuania
Analysis:  WHY, WHY, WHY???  I don’t know.  A team so bad wants to wait a year or longer. 

5.       Toronto Raptors – Jan Vesely, SF  Czech Republic
Analysis:  They want Brandon Knight bad.  If Knight is gone, they take Vesely here.  Toronto’s GM likes drafting tissue soft Euro players.  Toronto fans will either erupt with anger of this pick, or shrug their shoulders as its business as usual.  Kemba Walker could land here as well.

*UPDATE*  Brandon Knight, PG  Kentucky
Analysis:  The player they wanted all along falls to them. 

6.       Washington Wizards – Kawhi Leonard, SF  San Diego State
Analysis:  Kawhi may be a hidden jewel in this draft.  He has a huge wing span and plays with a lot of heart and toughness, two attributes that you can’t coach and love having on your team.  Also watch for Klay Thompson to go here, as shooting guard Nick Young is a free agent. 

*UPDATE*  Jan Vesely,  SF Czech Republic
Analyst:  He is a better athlete than Kawhi Leonard and can run the floor better with John Wall.

7.       Sacramento Kings – Kemba Walker, PG  UCONN
Analysis:  Many, many options with this pick.  If they stay here, Sacramento is in desperate need of leadership and Kemba is a natural born leader.  He can get to the rack with ease and hit a jumper on command.  Kawhi Leonard could also land here if he falls.  Sleeper pick: Jimmer!!! 

*UPDATE*  Kawhi Leonard, SF San Diego State
Analysis:  As much as I want to leave Kemba here, the Kings can’t pass on Kawhi’s potential.   

*UPDATE*  Charlotte Bobcats - Bismack Biyombo, PF Spain
Analysis:  MJ likes to draft risk/reward players i.e. Adam Morrison and Kwane Brown.      

8.       Detroit Pistons – Bismack Biyombo, PF  Spain
Analysis:  Detroit supposedly wants Kemba in the worst way so that they can move Rodney Stuckey to the 2-guard.  If Kemba is gone, Biyombo is their guy.  A Ben Wallace comparison, he would add additional size to the front line and can play next to last year’s rookie Greg Monroe. 

*UPDATE*  Kemba Walker, PG  UCONN
Analysis:  The Pistons get there point guard and can now move Rodney Stuckey to the 2-guard.

*UPDATE*  Tristan Thompson, PF Texas
Analysis:  Size rules and questions about Kemba's health starts to scare off teams. 

9.       Charlotte Bobcats – Tristan Thompson, PF  Texas
Analysis:  Whoever they pick, it will be MJ making the call.  Charlotte is also on the Kemba bandwagon, but Kemba won’t get pass Detroit.  Thompson is a solid big man who they can play at the 4 and allow them to move Boris Diaw to the 3.  Biyombo can also go here too. 

*UPDATE*  Kawhi Leonard, SF  San Diego State
Analysis:  Adding Biyombo and Leonard will bloster their weak front line.

10.   Milwaukee Bucks – Klay Thompson, SG  Washington State
Analysis:  Thompson is the best shooting guard in the draft and would complement Brandon Jennings nicely.  He also could be the best shooter in the draft and would help stretch the floor for the Bucks, who haven’t had a good shooter on their team since Michael Redd was healthy. 

*UPDATE*  Sacramento Kings - Jimmer Fredette, PG  BYU
Analysis:  The owners get there guy and the front office saves face by drafting Jimmer, but not too high.
11.   Golden State Warriors – Alec Burks, SG  Colorado
Analysis:  The Warriors can go in several directions.  They really want Klay Thompson, but if gone, can add to the front line with players like Jonas Valanciunas, Marcus Morris, or Biyombo.  They add Burks, who is a slashing 2 guard and allows them to explore trades for Monta Ellis.   

*UPDATE*  Bismack Biyombo, PF  Spain
Analysis:  Warrior draft yet another PF who can hopefully develop and provide some interior D.

*UPDATE*  Klay Thompson, SG  Washington State
Analysis:  The 2-guard with great size and shooting ability they coveted from the beginning.

12.   Utah Jazz – Chris Singleton, SF  Florida State
Analysis:  Andrei Kirilenko is a free agent (but still has the greatest contract with his wife!!) and while everyone in Utah may want Jimmer Jammer, Singleton is the best pick here.  He is a solid defense and could take over the role left behind by Kirilenko as that lock-down defender.

*UPDATE*  Jimmer Fredette, PG  BYU
Analysis:  Provo goes bananas!!!! 

*UPDATE*  Kemba Walker, PG  UCONN
Analysis:  Heart are broken across Utah as Jimmer is gone, but the front office gets their guy.

13.   Phoenix Suns – Jimmer Fredette, PG  BYU
Analysis:  This is the perfect landing spot for Jimmer.  He is the exact same type of player that Steve Nash was coming out of Santa Clara.  Jimmer could be tutored by Nash on how to be an effective PG in the NBA while still being an efficient scorer.  Plus, have you been to Scottsdale?

*UPDATE*  Chris Singleton, SF  Florida State
Analysis:  The Suns plan on waiving Vince Carter, leaving only Jared Dudley as their only SF. 

14.   Houston Rockets – Jonas Valanciunas, C  Lithuania
Analysis:  This is the basement for Valanciunas.  While he probably won’t come over to the States this upcoming season, causing him to fall this far, Houston is for whatever reason committed to giving Yao one last chance, so they can sit and wait for Valanciunas. 

*UPDATE*  Nikola Vucevic, C  USC
Analysis:  The Rockets can’t keep running out Chuck Hayes and a broken foot to play Center.

15.   Indiana Pacers – Tobias Harris, PF  Tennessee
Analysis:  Indiana is praying that Jimmer falls to them.  I don’t see that happening as there are enough teams that want him ahead of Indiana.  So when in doubt, draft a big man.  Harris is a polished big man who could complement to rough style of Tyler Hansbourgh.     

*UPDATE*  Markieff Morris, PF  Kansas
Analysis:  They apparently like him better than his brother. 

16.   Philadelphia 76ers – Marcus Morris, PF  Kansas
Analysis:  The Sixers are trying desperately to get out of the horrible contract that is Elton Brand.  Morris would be a good fit, as he has a nice outside jumper to go along with his rebounding skills.  Jordan Hamilton could also go here, as they also try to trade Andre Iguodala.

17.   New York Knicks – Nikola Vucevic, C  USC
Analysis:  Supposedly they are trying to move up for Jimmer, as it is what the owner wants to do.  If their basketball people have any say, they would draft Vucevic.  He’s the last 5 on the board.  The Knicks have no true 5 as Ronny Turiaf or Amare share the position currently.

*UPDATE*  Alec Burks, SG  Colorado
Analysis:  The Knicks need players who can shoot and stretch the floor. 

18.   Washington Wizards – Markieff Morris, PF  Kansas
Analysis:  Unlike his twin brother, Markieff is more of a banger in the paint.  He would be a nice fit with JaVale McGee and if they do indeed draft Kawhi Leonard at #6, Washington would be a force on the boards from all front line positions.  Marshon Brooks is also a possibility here. 

*UPDATE*  Tobias Harris, PF  Tennessee
Analysis:  The Wizards continue to add to their front line. 

19.   Charlotte Bobcats – Jordan Hamilton, SF  Texas
Analysis:  They traded Gerald Wallace mid-season and we all know what you are going to get from Stephen Jackson, so SF is a need position.  Texas Forever lives in Charlotte if they do follow up their Tristan Thompson selection with Hamilton.  They can grab a PG here as well.    

20.   Minnesota Timberwolves – Donatas Montiejunas, PF  Lithuania
Analysis:  The Timberwolves are always good for drafting a Euro in a draft.  Montiejunas offers great size and if he can’t come over this year, it wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.  Markieff Morris could also go here as well if he falls.     

21.   Portland Trail blazers – Kenneth Faried, PF  Morehead State
Analysis:  Other than Irving and Williams go 1-2, this has been the most consistent pick in all my rough mock drafts.  While Portland already has LaMarcus Aldridge, they have no solid backup for him.  Faried is a monster rebounder, something the Trail Blazers need on their front line.     

22.   Denver Nuggets – Iman Shumpert, PG  Georgia Tech 
Analysis – Raymond Felton is not happy being a backup to Ty Lawson and Lawson is clearly going to be the starter next season.  If, or when, the Nuggets trade Felton, they will need a backup PG and Shumpert is climbing up draft boards.  Shumpert could go as high as the Knicks.

23.   Houston Rockets – Tyler Honeycutt, SF  UCLA
Analysis – The Rockets traded Shane Battier mid-season and need to fill the void at SF.  Honeycutt is an athlete small forward who is a better player than he has shown while at UCLA.  Shumpert or Reggie Jackson could also go here to provide the backup PG they need as well.

24.   Oklahoma City Thunder – Kyle Singler, SF  Duke
Analysis – All signs point to this being a promise pick, assuming they don’t “sell” this pick or trade for a veteran.  The Thunder are in need of a quality backup for Durant.  Singler can be a contributor off the bench and provide some outside shooting.  They can also pick up a big man.

25.   Boston Celtics – Jon Leuer, PF  Wisconsin
Analysis – It was pretty obvious that Boston missed the presence of Kendrick Perkins in the middle.  Leuer is a beast in the middle who could maybe convert to the Center position and fill the void left by the Perkins trade and Krstic signing overseas.  A combo guard is also a need. 

*UPDATE*  Marshon Brooks, SG  Providence
Analysis:  Ray Allen can’t play forever.  Stay local with a combo guard. 

26.   Dallas Mavericks – Nikola Mirotic, SF  Serbia
Analysis – The Mavericks are in no immediate need for help from a first round draft pick.  They are a prime candidate to “sell” eerrrr “trade” this pick.  If they do keep it, I see them taking a Euro that they can keep overseas for a while and let him develop.    

27.   New Jersey Nets – Jeremy Tyler, PF  Japan
Analysis – The Nets are going to need a PF now that Kris Humphries will soon fall victim to the curse that is becoming a Kardashian.  As evidence, see Mr. Lamar Kardashian.  Brook Lopez is going to need help in the paint and Tyler is a ready player having played in Japan professionally. 

28.   Chicago Bulls – Marshon Brooks, SG  Providence
Analysis – Chicago needs a shooting guard in the worst way and while Marshon is more of a combo guard, he can definitely score the ball.  Marshon could also serve as a backup for Derrick Rose.  They could sell this pick, but Chicago could actually use a talent influx.

*UPDATE*  Nolan Smith, PG-SG  Duke
Analysis:  Can backup both guard positions and adds depth. 

29.   San Antonio Spurs – Justin Harper, PF  Richmond
Analysis – Time has run out on the Spurs.  They need to seriously consider blowing things up and start over.  They are trying move up in the draft to get better talent, but as of now, we’ll have them here taking Harper.  This makes sense as Duncan isn’t the same contributor anymore.

30.   Chicago Bulls – Davis Bertans, SF  Latvia
Analysis – The second of two first round picks, Chicago can afford to use this pick on a Euro and maybe have him stay overseas until he is ready to come over.  Remember, they did finish first in the East, so while they could use the talent provided with this pick, it’s not a necessity.                   


 Mr. Armchair Speaking

Mr. Armchair Speaks: Why Jimmer Mania Could Be Coming to Sacramento

Mr. Armchair Speaks: Why Jimmer Mania Could Be Coming to Sacramento: "A question was pose to me by my great friend, and the consummate ladies man I might add, Adam Slavin, about Jimmer Fredette and him possibly..."

Why Jimmer Mania Could Be Coming to Sacramento

A question was pose to me by my great friend, and the consummate ladies man I might add, Adam Slavin, about Jimmer Fredette and him possibly being drafted by the Sacramento Kings in the upcoming NBA Draft.  The Kings had Jimmer in two weeks ago for a workout and sources say they came away more impressed with him as a player than they originally had.  He apparently showed that he is a much better athlete than scouts had thought and showed that he can indeed play the point in the NBA.  The big nack on Jimmer was that the style of basketball he played in college would not translate to how the point guard position is played in the NBA; the position he will most likely be playing.  While in college, Jimmer was a scoring guard who could shoot the lights out when open and set up for jump shots.  But in his workout with the Kings, and apparently other teams are starting too notice as well, Jimmer can indeed play the point in the NBA.  He is showing in workouts that he is a better ball handler and passer than he displayed in college.  He is moving up draft boards quickly and is becoming the big question mark of the draft.  Where will Jimmer land? 

For the most part, his ceiling is as high as the Kings at #7.  And while drafting Jimmer may not be the best basketball decision the Kings could make, it’s definitely one that the Kings’ brass is going to have to consider.  On ESPN.com, Chad Ford wrote a little piece on the Kings possibly drafting Jimmer.  To paraphrase:    

"So would the Kings take a player at No. 7 whom most have as a late lottery pick? Yes and no. It's complicated.
Fredette isn't the top-rated guard on their board -- Brandon Knight is. Kemba Walker also has fans in the organization, but it's much closer between the two players. The Kings may feel that a bigger need is at the 3, and either Kawhi Leonard or Jan Vesely should be on the board there.
But that's half the story. The other half is the Maloofs, who are getting more involved in the Kings' front office. I'm told the owners are the ones who are pushing hard for Jimmer, and they may get their way.
I'm not sure they're wrong in pushing for him. Although it might be "high" for Fredette, he would be a good fit in Sacramento with Tyreke Evans. If you believe he can play the point, the Kings could have one of the most lethal scoring backcourts in the NBA down the road."

This is what I take away from that.  The Maloofs want Jimmer because they know he will put the casual fans in the seats, thereby making them lots and lots of money.  And in a time when the Kings need to make a splash and create noise, it’s not out of the realm for the Kings to consider this course of action.   To translate, it’s a real possibility that the Kings draft Jimmer Fredette.  The Kings would draft Jimmer because in a time when the Kings finances aren’t the best and they are trying to generate revenue to built a new sports and entertainment complex, they could market the hell out of Jimmer and make some good money. 

Darren Rovell with CNBC’s sports business was interviewed on The Rise Guys radio show a few days ago about this very topic.  He said that the Kings would definitely see a spike in revenue from the “Jimmer” factor if they did indeed draft him; and if the Kings are indeed wanting to make a move that would be in the best business interest of the team, drafting Jimmer may be that move.  Now it's not my contension that Jimmer is going to come in and completely sell out games all by himself, but I do think more people would come to Kings home games just to see him.  Also, people would buy all sorts of merchandise that had him on it, like t-shits and jerseys.  That’s all revenue errand for the Maloofs and Kings.  It’s a circumstance that the Kings have to look into, considering the hype he received in college and how much of a polarizing figure he was for college basketball. 

It’s like when the Kings drafted Bobby Hurley out of Duke.  He was a highly touted point guard and a very recognizable figure.  People loved him and went to games just to see him.  This is a similar situation.  This is the most important season and time in Kings’ basketball history; which is why the need to draft someone who has a high name ID, high character, and is someone who could create a buzz, is all that much more important.  If the Kings were to draft some tissue soft player from Europe or a no-name small college player, then start the season 2-15, all the good will and momentum that was built up this offseason to keep the Kings and for the new sports and entertainment complex push will all be for not.  The Kings this offseason had a huge spike in season tickets and game packages sells.  They have to consider bringing in someone who the people want to see.  People in Sacramento want to see Jimmer!!  It may not be the best basketball move the Kings could make, but often times we hear of sports talked about as a business; and it may be in the best interest of the Kings as a business.    

I’ve said all along that I would like the Kings to draft UCONN point guard Kemba Walker.  He is a natural leader who led his UCONN Huskies to the NCAA Tournament Championship, and the Kings are desperate for leadership from anyone.  But for other reason that are non-basketball related is why Jimmer Mania could be coming to Sacramento. 

Mr. Armchair Speaking   

Mr. Armchair Speaks: I Guess I Just Like Seeing I'm Not Alone

Mr. Armchair Speaks: I Guess I Just Like Seeing I'm Not Alone: "I’m not the biggest proponent of our local newspaper (The Sacramento Bee), but since it’s the only paper we have, I pick it up or go online ..."

I Guess I Just Like Seeing I'm Not Alone

I’m not the biggest proponent of our local newspaper (The Sacramento Bee), but since it’s the only paper we have, I pick it up or go online and read it every now and then.  I’m also not the biggest fan of their sports page either.  For us long-time Sacramentians, when you think about all of the now famous sports writers who started their careers at the Sacramento Bee that have since moved on to bigger and better gigs, it makes you wonder how good this paper and sports section really used to be.  Reporters like Damon Hack and Sam Amik now write for Sports Illustrated, Scott Howard-Cooper writes for NBA.com, Mark Kriedler has a morning sports radio show and guest writes for ESPN.com, and who can forget Marty Mac, all once wrote columns and articles for the Sac Bee.

I’m not here to slam every sports reporter currently at the Sac Bee.  I like Jason Jones a lot and his coverage of the Kings.  I enjoy Matt Barrows and his coverage of the 49ers.  And for the most part, I read columns by Marcos Breton.  He has kind of branched off from just covering sports and now writes on all aspects of Sacramento news, but once in a while, he’ll pop off about something sports related, and half the time, I’ll agree with him.  However, the piece below that he wrote is phenomenal in my opinion.  Not that I want to use my blog to re-post other people’s work, but this I felt I had to share, not only because I agree with him and feel it’s a good read, but it’s also validation for a piece that I wrote a while back.  My man, The Professor, and I engaged in a good debate about this very topic. 

I wrote a piece called “I Might Be In The Minority, But I See Where Brian Sabean Was Coming From” and it focused on the Posey/Cousins collision at home plate and Giants General Manager, Brian Sabean’s comments that followed.  At the time, I was excused of being a “Homer” for calling out Cousin’s for his actions, calling for a rule change, and defending Sabean’s point of view for his comments.  The column below I think furthers my points.  Or maybe I guess I just like seeing I’m not alone. 

Mr. Armchair Speaking

Marcos Breton: Marlins' fortunes turned after Posey collision

mbreton@sacbee.com

Published Friday, Jun. 17, 2011

Call it the curse of baseball ignorance.

Ever since Scott Cousins slammed into Giants catcher Buster Posey, breaking Posey's leg and ending his season, Cousins' Florida Marlins have plunged into the toilet. On Thursday, they lost their seventh straight after starting June with an eight-game skid.

The Marlins' sudden demise has the feel of deserved karma. For many reasons, it seems right that it is the Marlins and not the Giants who are suffering in the standings in the wake of Cousins-Posey.

It feels good, too, for those of us who think baseball should protect catchers from needless collisions.

The Giants remain in first place despite losing one of the brightest stars in baseball in Posey, and second baseman Freddy Sanchez as well.

But the Marlins? They would be 0-16 in June but for a 6-4 win over Arizona June 10. When they left San Francisco on May 26, Florida was 29-19 and only a game behind the Philadelphia Phillies for tops in the National League East.

They've gone 3-19 since and have lost six consecutive series since sweeping the Giants in three games. The Marlins have plunged to 11 1/2 games behind a Phillies team that completed a four-game sweep of Florida on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Cousins is on the disabled list.

Some would dismiss this reversal of fortune as coincidence. The Marlins are young. They have a rookie manager and have been without ace Josh Johnson and star Hanley Ramírez for long spells. They've gotten terrible pitching.

Whatever.

The Marlins' meltdown is satisfying because it makes you stop and think – and stopping and thinking have been in short supply in baseball since the Cousins-Posey collision.

The national discussion was so disappointing in the wake of that fateful play May 25. Anyone who questioned whether baseball should consider rules to protect catchers was labeled a wimp. The Giants were cast as emotional whiners for expressing frustration at losing a 24-year-old star with the tools to be a once-in-a-generation talent.

In the national media, Cousins was portrayed as a victim who was only "playing the game the right way" when he lowered his shoulder into Posey and shattered his left leg and ankle ligaments.

I read tweets and comments from writers who referred to Posey as a villain for declining to speak with Cousins when the 26-year-old Marlins bench player called Posey to apologize.

And when Giants general manager Brian Sabean made coarse comments about Cousins on live radio, Sabean was destroyed in the national press.

We in the media say we want baseball people to tell the truth. But when they do, we crush them.

Baseball is a thinking person's game, but the culture of the game sometimes discourages thought – as in the classic line in "Bull Durham" when Kevin Costner says, "Don't think, just throw."

In this case, it was, "Don't stop to consider a better way of protecting players. Cling instead to century-old ideas of machismo."

Cousins had room to slide and score but chose to go through Posey to win a game. Many – myself included – initially played it off as: "Just baseball."

But why?

Why do those of us who love baseball cling to old attitudes as Catholic bishops cling to canon law?

All changes in baseball – integration, free agency, interleague play, the wild card and steroid testing – were initially viewed with disdain by many in the baseball press and public.

When Steve Wilstein of the Associated Press found now-banned performance-enhancing substances in Mark McGwire's locker at the height of McGwire's fame and wrote about it, Wilstein was slammed by the public and even some colleagues in the press.

How do we feel about McGwire and performance-enhancing substances now?

Many of us rushed to the conclusion that Cousins meant no harm when that wasn't the salient point.

What matters is that his collision with Posey was unnecessary. Yet in current baseball rules, players such as Cousins can be reckless, thoughtless and legal.

That's dumb.

What would be lost if, like in college baseball, catchers weren't allowed to block the plate and runners weren't allowed to destroy catchers?

Not much.

Maybe now that the emotion of Cousins-Posey has subsided we can think about the issue rationally.

In late May, the thinking was that the Giants were in trouble while the Marlins were rising.

According to published accounts, the young Marlins celebrated sweeping the Giants by feasting on In-N-Out burgers as they left San Francisco with heavy recriminations in their wake.

They've fallen apart since then, while the Giants have persevered.

It makes you think.

© Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.

Mr. Armchair Speaks: Completing Baseball's Trifecta

Mr. Armchair Speaks: Completing Baseball's Trifecta: "Two of baseball’s most historic and hallowed franchises will be squaring off in a weekend series that I’m sure will draw some attention, not..."

Completing Baseball's Trifecta

Two of baseball’s most historic and hallowed franchises will be squaring off in a weekend series that I’m sure will draw some attention, not because of the play on the field, but because of who they are.  This weekend, the New York Yankees will be traveling to Chicago to take on the Cubs in an Interleague series.  While the Yankees are playing solid baseball and contending for the American League East Division title, the Chicago Cubs are once again dying a slow death at the bottom of the Nation League Central Division.  However, because the New York Yankees are in fact, the New York Yankees, and the Chicago Cubs fans resent any team that has a championship, this series should bring out the best that baseball enthusiast have to offer.  But what caused me to write this pierce was not that the teams are playing each other or how well or bad they are playing, but this weekends' series brings about fond memories of a life-long goal of mine that is still in the process of becoming complete.  

As a baseball enthusiast, I made a personal promise to myself that before I die, I would attend one game at each of baseball’s sacred grounds:  Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, and Old Yankee Stadium.  When thinking about the history and tradition that has occurred within those outfield walls leaves me mouth agape.  The events and moments that have occurred their makes’ me wonder what it would have been like to live in the olden times.  Lou Gehrig’s speech, Babe Ruth calling his shot, Roger Maris hitting 61*, and Yastrzemzski pushing his ball fair are all lasting moments in baseball history.  Walking around these stadiums is like a historian going to Gettysburg and walking the battle field (which I haven't done but think is pretty awesome in its own right).  For me however, I’m 2/3 of the way there. 

My personal promise to myself first started with Old Yankee Stadium.  While Wrigley and Fenway are very cool in their own right, for me, Old Yankee Stadium is the Mecca.  We all know the history and tradition that comes with the pin stripes so I won’t dwell on it.  Not only was I in Old Yankee Stadium and that they are a team I am a fan of, but I was in Old Yankee Stadium for what was going to be the last game ever played there.  Now half way converted into a parking lot, walking through the doors of the Old Yankee Stadium brought about a sense of total nostalgia that I will never fully be able to explain.  Knowing that it was going to be the last home game ever played there was equally eerie.  Babe Ruth pounded homers from the batter’s box, Lou Gehrig stood on the field and proclaimed “I am the luckiest man on Earth,” Mantle and DiMaggio roamed the outfield, Rivera running out from center field to “Enter Sandman,” and Der-ek Je-ter rang through the stadium.  We had perfect seats out in the center field bleachers right above Momument Park and the bullpens.  Mrs. Loveseat took many of photos of me with a dumbfound look on my face.  The whole experience of taking the subway to the game, walking around the stadium, the pre and post game celebrations made this a truly epic event in my sporting life.    

Last year, Labor Day weekend, I had to pleasure of attending a game at Wrigley Field.  Mrs. Loveseat and I planned a little mini vacation to Chi-town and in our quest to find some decent Cubs tickets, it turned out that her Uncle had a friend with season tickets that he could float us for a game.  Wrigley Field is simply awesome.  What makes Wrigley Field, Wrigley Field, is the atmosphere surrounding the field.  Along with taking the “L” to the game, many people told us that we had to get in the vicinity of the ballpark a few hours early to get the full experience of Wrigley Field and the area known as “Wrigleyville.”  There are many bars and restaurants that align the streets of Wrigleyville and street officials even close down streets so that people can “walk freely” to and from bars to ballpark.  This is the same field were Ruth called his shot and Bartman caught the most important foul ball in history.  Seeing the ivy along the outfield walls and the seats atop the apartment complexes that tower over the field is a sight onto itself.

Remember I said that I was only 2/3's of the way there.  The one place I have yet to make my way too, but I’m planning on it in the very near future, is Fenway.  I want to see the monster with my own eyes and walk down and touch Pesky’s Pole.  I want to see the batter’s box that Williams’ hit .400 in and where Yastrmezsky fans his ball fair.  And lastly, I want to sing “Sweet Caroline” at the bottom of the 7^th inning during the stretch.  I hear tickets are hard to come by, as Red Sox fans are among the most deadhard of them all, and almost ever give up tickets.  But I vow to find a way to get into the ballpark and watch a Red Sox game.  And of course, I will do whatever I can to make it a Yankees v. Red Sox game, because if you are going to watch one game at Fenway, why not make it a game featuring baseball's greatest rivalry.  I'll be sporting my Jeter #2 t-shirt of course.  How much beer do you think will get thrown on me?   

One of the reasons why we love baseball is because of its long history and tradition that lives on.  And with baseball slowing coming to grips with the modern era and the need to build bigger and shinier stadiums, it's pretty cool that some things remain as they were when this beautiful game first in its glory years.  When we have an opportunity to live through the past and be a part of history, it’s something that we all should take advantage of.  That is the driving force for me in completing baseball's trifecta.  

Mr. Armchair Speaking            

Mr. Armchair Speaks: The Mavs Brought Their Talents to South Beach, And...

Mr. Armchair Speaks: The Mavs Brought Their Talents to South Beach, And...: "I'm not going to talk too much about the Dallas Mavericks winning the NBA Championships and try to depict how their fans must be feeling. I..."

The Mavs Brought Their Talents to South Beach, And Won an NBA Championship!!

I'm not going to talk too much about the Dallas Mavericks winning the NBA Championships and try to depict how their fans must be feeling.  I'm going to leave that up to my #1 Dallas Mavericks' Fan, The Professor, as his words will paint a much better picture of the raw emotion he and the rest of the Dallas Mavericks' fans are probably feeling right now.  I'm anticipating a very eloquent and poetic blog from him.  I'll wait with anticipation to read it and should you guys.  Check it out along with his other fantastic post Here. 

Just some quick highlights about what we learned from this NBA Finals. 

1.  This was an awesome NBA Finals!!!  This is what the NBA exactly needed.  I think the NBA was getting a little complaisant and it needed something to energize its fan base.  Yeah last summer's free agency got a lot a hype and pub, but this NBA Finals really re-energized the NBA juices for a lot of people, including this blogger.  It reminded us that NBA basketball really is a great game and great sport to watch.  Every game of this NBA Finals was so captivating and exciting that I really think the NBA added to their fan base, converting a lot of casual NBA fans too real followers now.  Now if they can only settle the upcoming labor issues with the expiring CBA, they can really grow as a sport.

2.  Dirk is a baller!!!  Dirk Nowitzki really established himself amongst the NBA's elite with his performance in this NBA Finals.  Before this series, Dirk was always thought of as a very good player, but no one was ever ga-ga over him.  Everyone knew his game and knew what he was capable of, but that didn't include leading his team to the NBA Finals, much less actually winning it.  He was always thought of as a "1A" type player, meaning that for Dallas to go any further than they already have, they would need a superstar to be their #1 player, with Dirk as a "1A" type player.  Dirk silenced those critics and has started a new debate; where do we put him among the NBA's greatest.  Mark Jackson at the end of the game said that Dirk now belongs among the top 20 greatest players of all-time.  Can we argue with him after this NBA Finals???

3.  Chris Bosh must be the greatest BFF in the world!!!  Everyone knew that LeBron and D-Wade were close friends and during last summer's free agency period, it would be that friendship that would ultimately bring LeBron to Miami.  But Chris Bosh??  Really??  Bosh was a nice player in Toronto and would demand a high paying contract due to the market value.  No one really knew where Bosh would land, but when talks started to surface that he would go wherever LeBron and D-Wade landed and join them as a package deal, that made heads scratch.  That came out of deep left field.  We all knew that they were drafted in the same draft class and knew each other, but for him to be lumped in with LeBron and D-Wade to form the new Ross, Chandler, and Joey was beyond me.  There is a saying that if you are not the smartest guy in the room, surround yourself with the smartest people in the room so that they make you look like you are the smartest.  Somehow, Bosh was able to do this with LeBron and D-Wade.  Maybe a better example is the last line of the movie "The Usual Suspects" when Verbal Kent says, "The greatest trick the Devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn't exist."  Well, not to say that Chris Bosh is the devil, but that may now be the second greatest trick ever pulled, after what Bosh was able to pull on LeBron, D-Wade, and the rest of the Miami Heat; convincing them that he was needed to win an NBA Championship.   

4.  Who is LeBron???  LeBron is not who we thought he was.  I did my previous blog post on this topic so I'm not going to continue to pile on the man, but he really changed a lot of peoples perception of him as a player with his performance in these Finals, especially with his play in the 4th quarter and crunch time.  If LeBron had any semblance of a 4th quarter in Games 2,4, and 5, then Miami would already be crowned the champions. But he didn't, and now the Heat are the first losers of the NBA.  Listen, LeBron is a freakish athlete.  He is the most gifted athlete in the game right now.  But when you bring upon yourself the attention that LeBron has, you are expected to produce like a superstar and the best player in the game in crunch time.  If it's personal or mental with him and something was getting to him to cause these lapses in the 4th quarter and crunch time, you need to bring me something more than that. The best player in the game can't use that as an excuse.  Mental shutdowns can't occur.  What do you do during winning time??  That's what differentiate a good player from a superstar.  A superstar wants to be on the foul line for the game winning free throws.  A superstar wants the ball in his hands for that last shot.  A good player, defers to the superstar.

5.  The littlest guys on the court always have the biggest hearts!!!  I'm going to let the play of Jason Terry and JJ Barea speak for themselves.  I'll only say that I have a new found respect for Jason "JET" Terry.  Who gets a tattoo of the Larry O'Brien trophy on their right bicep before the season started and then goes on to actually win it?  Heart!!!  JJ Barea, all 6'0" of him (measured probably while wearing stilettos) was always near the ball and or on the ground fighting for it.  Heart baby!!!

6.  GO BEARS!!!  J.Kidd finally got his ring!!!  Cal Bears unite!!!  Top 3 greatest PG of all-time.  Second all-time in assist, third all-time in steals, and the most impressive stats, third all-time in three-pointers made.  THIRD ALL-TIME IN THREE POINTERS MADE!!!  This coming from a guy who used to be called "ason Kidd" because he had no "J".  A triple-double threat on any given night.  Great player to watch.

7.  Mavs in 6, what a call!!!  Proof, Memorial Day (May 31st), Rick Mizuno present.  Dialog:
Rick:  What's your prediction for the NBA Finals??
Mr. Armchair:  Mavs in 6.
Rick:  Really, how so??
Mr. Armchair:  Well, the Mavs will win one in Miami, most likely Game 2 (bing), then they will go home to Dallas to win 2 of 3 there (bing), and then judging by how well they play on the road, and knowing that they can't let the series go to a Game 7, the Mavs will win Game 6 (BING!!!!) to win the championship.

To be fair, I wasn't too confident in that prediction and told him that I wouldn't put too much money on that.  But hey, why make predictions if you are not going to gloat about it when you get it right.

8.  Validation prevails!!!  Before these NBA Finals started I wrote a piece about how I would be rooting for the Dallas Mavericks because I believe that when you have no rooting interest in any of the teams involved, then you should root for the validation of the careers of veterans.  Now, Dirk Nowitzki, Jason Kidd, Shawn Marion, and Jason Terry's careers are now validated by them winning an NBA Championship. 

 
That is all I have for you.  Congratulations again to the Dallas Mavericks players and organization, my friend and fellow blogger The Professor (again check out his blog Here), and the rest of the Dallas Mavericks' fans out there who are celebrating their NBA Championship.  The Mavs brought their talents to South Beach, and won an NBA Championship.


Mr. Armchair Speaking