NBA Draft...

Solid Picks...

1. Tyler Hanborough-He has done it every year against top competition, played hurt, and still been the heart and soul of a championship team...He can be a double double player...


2.Dejuan Blair- Forget his size, he has a great wing span, has shown he can play against bigs, and is determined to prove people wrong. I see a Barkley like game...


3. Ty Lawson- He stayed a year and led the Tar Heels to the National Championship...he is quick, makes teammates better, has a good shot, and most importantly does not turn the ball over...


4. Jeff Teague- Kinda like OJ Mayo/ Wade type...not as good...but same type of game...the guy gets to the rim, put the ball in his hands, and he can create for others...he is a scorer pure and simple...



5. Johnny Flynn- My favorite PG in this years crop...plays great D, he is quick, and loves taking a big shot...


Sleepers

1. Jack McClinton- McClinton has a great jumpshot, and a great handle, much better than Curry...but his size hurts him...so scouts question whether he can play...Sad really, he has shown what he can do, but he did not have the national stage like some others did, in the right situation with playing time...he is a great pick...

2. Danny Green- Green is a great pick for a championship caliber team...he is a Bowen clone...he brings championship pedigree from the best program in college basketball, plays lockdown defense, and hits the open three...oh and did I mention he works out constantly to improve his game...

3. Jodie Meeks- The guy played great in the SEC, has a sweet stroke, yet people are knocking his ability to get to the rim...I have heard this before, but he improved dramatically, and clearly showed he is a scorer and it should translate into the NBA. His shot shot should open the floor, as well as his ability to come off screens.


Overrated...
Not trying to be top heavy...but I have seen these guys play...and the pub they are getting does not match their value...

1. Ricky Rubio- No jump shot, cant play defense, not a leader yet teams want him...why? He fits perfect with NY. He will thrive with D'Antoni...anywhere else, as the Olympics showed...eh...BUST

2. Hasheem Thabeet- I don't understand this one. No there are not many big men coming out. Only he and BJ Mullens are really projected to be in the lottery. Fact is he does not have much of an offensive game, but can play D. He does not have the dominant potential of Greg Oden, and you see what happened. I say complete bust.

3. Stephen Curry- Curry is a sensation. I have learned my lesson. There are guys like him that come out each year. They have great tournaments, and teams get enamoured (re: Sean May). However, how good is shot is will depend on the team that drafts him. A team like Minnesota with Al Jefferson and Kevin Love to open the floor would be fantastic but he would have to play the point, which he wants...will be interesting...I see him be a servicable player, but he is not Reggie Miller, more of a Kenny Smith, or hell just like his dad, but more quickness.

4. Blake Griffin- Why? Last year we had BEasy...The diff? One guy says all the right things, the other likes to socialize and party...They both measure smaller than they are, however Griffin is not Beasely...His game is predicated on a floor game around the basket...he is not versatile, is not a shooter...think of a poor mans Carlos Boozer...Will it translate into the NBA when he is not playing lesser talent?

5. Gerald Henderson- Why are Duke players still drafted? Do I need to go through a list of names that have failed in the NBA...


Thoughts on Shaq Trade...BOUT TIME...it will work in Cleveland simply because LeBron is not Wade, he is not Kobe...their egos will not clash...yet...when they win the title next year we shall see, but by then LeBron will be packing for NY (right?)...LeBron is a great passer who trusts his teammates, Shaq should love him...

If they won 66 games without Shaq...now with him is 70 possible?


Added: Amare on the Block for TMac...Why? The HEAT can obviously pull the trigger and send Jermaine O'neal...same contract...22million...add Chalmers and Haslem...same deal...Amare is playing with Wade...Wade gets his wish...I dont understand...I would think Amare controls the cards...well see...

One of The Good Guys

Saw this story about Cook...sad...but nice of him to reach out...

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/columnists/sfl-hyde-heat-daequan-s062409sbjun24,0,3397664.column

Tyler Hansbrough...best player in College Basketball

All I gotta say...The guy is a stud...so underrated...you have bums...go top 10 every year based on potential, wing span, height, etc. I could make a list of this just from Duke...hell I throw in Marvin Williams too, but I told everybody he was overrated, but Tyler will be steady and solid, so why not take him?

Points, D, Rebounds, Leadership...Lottery Rumblings...he will be in the green room, and I am glad he deserves it...

The Yardhouse...

Overrated...

But did have a good time...Lou & Brit were happy...got to see Ruben and Katie...so its all good

http://www.yardhouse.com/default.asp


My NBA Draft thoughts to come...Macys Sale FANtastic...in the meantime I am off to play ball...

The Hangover...

Saw The Hangover lats night...WOW...Great flick...even more so with the Wedding coming up...depicts my wedding party and I pretty good, but guys please...I want Mike Tyson at my bachelor party...

I haven't seen some funny movies in a while, and now in the past year, I get this and Forgetting Sarah Marshall...Great Stuff...I dont want to give stuff away...but seriously go see it...

Interesting stuff this morning...but then again what a Cutie...

http://www.miamiherald.com/486/story/1100573.html

I have a some questions...

1. Obviously they did not just meet and say hey lets get married...clearly they met while he was a priest...so how is this allowed by any church?

2. Why is their license free? Why are we paying?

3. How is it that the Episcopalians specifically allow this?

4. A Lexus? Really?

Quite a couple of days...

Winston Churchill once said, " If you're going through hell, then keep going."

No doubt about it...some people can try to take you down, those around you down, but you must do what you can to keep your head up, keep strong, and stand up straight. If you do that, those around you will follow suit...

These past few days have taught me a great deal...not about myself...but about the the lengths that others will travel to tarnish, hurt, and ruin the lives of others...

I say this...I mean this...our legal system is quite flawed, it is not something I did not know before, my entire family is apart of it...it is part of the reason I became/ am disenchanted with it...it is a political tool, yet I find it sad how no one cares, and refuses to fix it...

My one hope...when all is said and done...

"And if a man cause a blemish in his neighbour; as he hath done, so shall it be done to him;
Breach for breach, eye for eye, tooth for tooth: as he hath caused a blemish in a man, so shall it be done to him again."
- Bible, Leviticus (ch. XIX, v. 19-20)

Life...

So its Monday...not too bad...some people won't go away...not matter what you do...no matter what you say...no matter what they take or what they do...

Oh well...

Saw Doubt over the weekend...it puts the situation in perspective...there is always Doubt...you simply never know...the one you think is evil may not be...meanwhile innocence is lost...as always children are in the middle, quite sad actually...

I can quote this movie to death and how it relates...if some listen, things improve, if not...

Sister James: I don't think Father Flynn did anything wrong.
Sister Aloysius Beauvier: You just want things to be resolved so you can have simplicity back.

Mrs. Miller: Sister, I don't know if you and me are on the same side. I'll be standing with my son and those who are good with my son. It'd be nice to see you there.....

All else is good...been playing ball...joined Netflix...gotta say...wtf took so long? When I haven't heard of a movie, there is something wrong...got some stuff coming to me including some documentaries I've been wanting to see that didnt come out locally, so good stuff...

Lakers...

So Phil wins 10...am I impressed? Not really...sad I know, but the guy has had the greatest player of his generation if not ever (Jordan), the most dominant player of his generation (Shaq), and then now he has the greatest player in the game (Kobe)...so say what you will, as for me, nah...

Props to Kobe and LO...the 'the Black Mamba' needed this...

The Bridal Shower...

Its been a pretty hectic...running around...spent Friday setting up...Saturday harassed by women...and Today I get to clean up...

Hey all in all...Alex had fun...at least it seemed like...I babysat...lol...Most of all...Thanks for the presents...

Some thoughts on Obama

Why Obama will be great...

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/opinions/barack-obama-is-no-ronald-reagan---yet/article1175534/

Its funny...I deal with very close minded people on a daily basis...I am not mentioning any names...they know who they are...but facts are facts...opinions are opinions....

Obama has mentioned the name Jesus Christ more in his first five months, than Bush Jr did his entire two terms as president...I find this interesting considering Republicans thrive on the Catholic foundation...

Obama clearly is a man who believes...not in politics, but believes in what he feels is 'right', and what is 'left' to be done, must be done, however it must be accomplished will be. The problem will come with gathering opposition from both sides to agree and come to an accord, so everyone is working as one.

I do agree with naysayers that temp jobs are not the answer, they may stimulate the economy for the time being, but more than likely what happens is government contracts are given to outside contractors not local workers.

It should be interesting to see how things go from here...I am amazed how vocal some of his detractors are...or should I say those from the right...Where were you when Cheney was dragging Bush to the ground?

btw...how is Cheney all of a sudden out of his bunker and talking???

Js Mind...Part Deux...or for Wednesday...

Yesterday I ranted on attendance...today...I'll touch a little on corporate sponsorships...

Nationally, sponsorship by North American companies is expected to grow 2.2 percent in 2009, the smallest rate in 24 years, according to IEG, which tracks sponsorships, though it still grew.

Dolphin Stadium is now Landshark Stadium....

The Heat meanwhile, have a new LED display outside of the AAA, which not only displays upcoming events, but is also for advertisers to display their logos and advertisements to cruise passengers and those driving on Biscayne Blvd So far Bacardi, Baptist, Miller Lite, and more have signed up.

''Brands are rejecting cookie-cutter proposals that don't deliver on a brand experience and add value,'' said Giles Woodyer, brand director for Bombay Sapphire, a brand in Bacardi's portfolio. ``Right now it's a buyer's market. Event organizers need to prove they can really truly assist in bringing a brand to life.''

Nationally, its even more complicated...banks, which are dying, struggling, need help...well...

Bank of America is by far the worst: they are the "official" bank of MLB, NFL, Nascar, 08 Olympics, some teams, etc etc etc. After receiving 45 billion in bailout money, they spent 10 million at this years Super Bowl hosting parties

http://abcnews.go.com/Blotter/story?id=6782719


CitiGroup paid 400 million for a 20 year deal with the Mets for their naming rights deal...

Wachovia extended its deal with the PGA Tour through 2014

I could go on and on...but yea....corporate sponsorships seem just fine in all facets to me...

http://www.mypage.com/smallbiznet/weblog/501304/content/South+Florida+events+struggle+to+hold+on+to+corporate+sponsors

http://images.businessweek.com/ss/08/07/0723_subprime_stadiums/index.htm

Random Thoughts...

The trip was a fantastic getaway...its always nice to escape from the world around you...be it reality, psychos, moms, weddings lol, whatever the case may be...

Job search...

Sucks...

The recession? What Recession? Quite amazing how things work...Ive seen internships, full-time jobs being turned into two part-time jobs...there is no recession...What is going on is companies taking advantage of irresponsible banks and and their mortgage crisis. If I use my industry, sports as an example, please bear with me, but facts are facts.

MLB
Baseball's attendance is on par with last year, which is pretty incredible considering both the Yankees and Mets moved into smaller stadiums and drastically increased prices. FYI...the Marlins are averaging more fans this year than last year...

To make this even more astounding, the 2008 Major League Baseball regular season ended with total attendance of 78,614,880, marking the second-highest overall single-season total in baseball history. Recession?

http://www.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090430&content_id=4496158&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/attendance?sort=home_avg&year=2008&seasonType=2

NBA
Attendance with NBA teams is the same as it was last season...The article proves its not about a big city or success when selling tickets, Philly is doing bad, yet Oklahoma city is doing good...

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/19/sports/basketball/19fans.html


NHL
Hockey has grown dramatically, even deciding to challenge the NBA Finals, and it saw a record attendance in 2009.

http://www.nhl.com/ice/news.htm?id=417969


NFL
In and interesting twist, the NFL saw its attendance just about even, but the Dolphins, attendance was off dramatically from the year before...however I do not think this is the economy, rather the poor 2007 season, which probably lead to many ticket cancellations.


http://www.sportsbusinessdaily.com/article/126559

I could go on to other sports like Nascar, Golf, Tennis, and the like...but I think you get the idea...

Maybe I'll look into revenue from Nike and Adidas, see where that falls too...this was curious...just because I hear owners, people, etc. say how much they are struggling...Locally the Miami Heat are in a hiring freeze, saying they lost money....Teams make money when they are sold...the Arisons bought the HEAT for 33 million in 88, and in 12/08 according to Forbes the HEAT was worth 393 million... the Marlins continually say they lose money and need a stadium, yet ppl forget Loria was given the team at a substantial discount, and the team is now worth double what he paid...

I'm Back

details to come...

Conan...

Is it just me, or does Conan look nervous during his monologue...

When he does skits, interviews, he is too busy to care, but during the monologue, he seems preoccupied with what the audience thinks...complete opposite of what we are used to with Conan, who at times bombs jokes on purpose...

Also what's up with Andy Richter...awful...

I really hope this is just the first week jitters...not Corporate Conan...

It Was Only A Matter of Time

http://www.courant.com/sports/basketball/sun/hc-wnba0602.artjun02,0,1606509.story

http://blogs.usatoday.com/thehuddle/2009/03/nfl-might-consi.html

So now that the NBA crossed over (clearly they are using the WNBA as guinea pigs), it is only a matter of time before instead of HEAT on the jersey it says LA CARRETA.

I understand the move, fact is Nascar, soccer, golf, tennis, etc. all do participate in sponsorship, why not the rest of pro sports.

Problem will come when guys like Kobe, Lebron, Garnett, who have big money deals with Nike or Adidas have to wear something that their company does not like.

NBA Finals: Lakers vs. Magic

Lakers in 6...

I should've mentioned this earlier...

I picked the Lakers last year to make the Finals...

I picked them this year to win it all...and I am not changing it now...

The King Dethroned, SVG, and some thoughts on the Draft

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/06/01/AR2009060102949.html

JVG said it best...Either you shake hands win or lose, or dont shake hands ever...well put

Btw, must say, major props to SVG for taking the Magic to the Finals. Should be a great series. Shaq is going through hell right now. Kobe on one side, SVG on the other. No win situation, someone will win without him, who will he criticize then? Who does he want to see win less? I gotta think its Kobe...


http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009/writers/george_dohrmann/04/27/jeremy.tyler/index.html

"Only In America"

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/breaking-news/story/1077340.html

Something to think about nina

I forgot to add, nice to have some freedom, especially since my other site was stolen, more on that another day, another time...

Anyways, isnt it f'd up that it is impossible to get a job. I must say, politics or no politics the more educated you are the harder it is to find a job...as the Great Don King said "Only In America"

Hola

Welcome to Js Page...i like this much better than Twitter...MUCH better...

I can do as I please...this will updated...hopefully regularly...I'm hoping to have some time...

I'll keep everybody updated on everything from the Day of Reckoning, to the everyday stuff like playing ball, to the job hunt...its all gravy

Until then there is some pretty interesting stuff going on...I loved this story from the Herald the other day...

http://www.miamiherald.com/news/southflorida/story/1076480.html

I pose the question, is the church a business? Is it in it for the money? Sure seems like it...