Monday, March 28, 2011
Quick Link
With March Madness rolling along, there isn't much NBA news. I also have been busy so I haven't gotten a new Best Value rankings out in a bit. But I came across this article by Ian Thomsen of Sports Illustrated talking about what NBA scouts look out for during the NCAA Tournament, and I thought it was interesting. I like to watch college basketball also so I can get a feel for who the players going into the draft are. I like to know the rookies before they become rookies. So here it is, it is a pretty quick read too.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
I Was Wrong
OK, I will admit it, sometimes I have been wrong about how good or bad NBA players would become. Nobody really knows on draft day who will pan out as a good player and who won't. Everybody tries to get the best players they can, but even the professionals are wrong a lot of the time. I specifically am talking about Tyler Hansbrough, the 2nd year forward for the Indiana Pacers.
Last Sunday, in New York to face the Knicks, he scored a career high 29 points. Last night, also against the Knicks but in Indianapolis, he topped that by setting a new career high of 30 points. He has scored at least 20 points in 5 straight games, the most by any Pacers player this year.
I'm not saying that he is the new star of the team, but what I am saying is that I, like most analysts, thought he would never be anything more than a role player off the bench. I thought his game would not translate to the pro game from college because he relied so much on his physicality at the University of North Carolina and he is smaller than most NBA power forwards. I figured he would have a career much like Jeff Foster, a descent player for 11 years with the Pacers. He does the dirty work down low getting rebounds and putbacks for his points, but doesn't create his own shot very often. Yes, I knew Hansbrough had more offense, but I did not think it was that much better than Foster. But Hansbrough has proved to everyone that his mid-range jump shot is above-average and when he gets the ball he is usually looking to score. He looks for contact down low so he can get to the free-throw line. In fact, he is 3rd on the team in free-throws attempted and free-throw percentage despite being 7th on the team in minutes played this year. He is also 3rd on the team in field-goal percentage, hitting about 46% of his shots. He is also 3rd on the team in offensive rebounds, which allows him to get a lot of put-backs, which is what I thought most of his game would consist of.
So yes, I am wrong about some players (I also thought Roy Hibbert was a bad pick for the Pacers, and that Emeka Okafor would be better than Dwight Howard), but so is everybody else. All I can do is continue to watch, and see what happens, but that will not keep me from trying to figure out the draft.
Last Sunday, in New York to face the Knicks, he scored a career high 29 points. Last night, also against the Knicks but in Indianapolis, he topped that by setting a new career high of 30 points. He has scored at least 20 points in 5 straight games, the most by any Pacers player this year.
I'm not saying that he is the new star of the team, but what I am saying is that I, like most analysts, thought he would never be anything more than a role player off the bench. I thought his game would not translate to the pro game from college because he relied so much on his physicality at the University of North Carolina and he is smaller than most NBA power forwards. I figured he would have a career much like Jeff Foster, a descent player for 11 years with the Pacers. He does the dirty work down low getting rebounds and putbacks for his points, but doesn't create his own shot very often. Yes, I knew Hansbrough had more offense, but I did not think it was that much better than Foster. But Hansbrough has proved to everyone that his mid-range jump shot is above-average and when he gets the ball he is usually looking to score. He looks for contact down low so he can get to the free-throw line. In fact, he is 3rd on the team in free-throws attempted and free-throw percentage despite being 7th on the team in minutes played this year. He is also 3rd on the team in field-goal percentage, hitting about 46% of his shots. He is also 3rd on the team in offensive rebounds, which allows him to get a lot of put-backs, which is what I thought most of his game would consist of.
So yes, I am wrong about some players (I also thought Roy Hibbert was a bad pick for the Pacers, and that Emeka Okafor would be better than Dwight Howard), but so is everybody else. All I can do is continue to watch, and see what happens, but that will not keep me from trying to figure out the draft.
Monday, March 14, 2011
Bracket Contest
Ok, I did create a Bracket group on Yahoo! Anyone can join, here is the info you need.
http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/t1/register/joinprivategroup_assign_team?GID=121463&P=flagrantfoul
Click on that link. The group's name is Flagrant Foul. The ID# is 121463. And the password is flagrantfoul
So join if you want, I don't know if there is a limit to how many people can join, so sign up quickly. The first 4 games start on Tuesday the 14th.
I don't have any prizes to give away, so this is just for bragging rights.
http://tournament.fantasysports.yahoo.com/t1/register/joinprivategroup_assign_team?GID=121463&P=flagrantfoul
Click on that link. The group's name is Flagrant Foul. The ID# is 121463. And the password is flagrantfoul
So join if you want, I don't know if there is a limit to how many people can join, so sign up quickly. The first 4 games start on Tuesday the 14th.
I don't have any prizes to give away, so this is just for bragging rights.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Best Value Teams pt. 12
Not a lot of change in this week's rankings, nobody moved more than 4 spots. So I don't have much to say about it this week. Just check it out for yourself.
Biggest improvement: Blazers, Knicks, Clippers (+3)
Biggest decline: Mavs (-4)
Rank-Team-Projected Wins-Cost per Win-(Last rankings)
1. Bulls - 59 - 931,278.25 (1)
2. Spurs - 67 - 1,036,701.97 (2)
3. Thunder - 53 - 1,084,509.40 (3)
4. Heat - 55 - 1,196,497.29 (4)
5. Nuggets - 48 - $1,372,310.27 (6)
6. Celtics - 60 - $1,381,787.47 (5)
7. Hornets - 47 - $1,456,070.34 (9)
8. Blazers - 47 - $1,492,461.49 (11)
9. Hawks - 47 - $1,507,985.13 (7)
10. Knicks - 44 - $1,513,115.68 (13)
11. Suns - 43 - $1,528,810.09 (10)
12. Mavs - 59 - $1,530,332.76 (8)
13. Grizzlies - 45 - $1,549,634.71 (12)
14. Lakers - 57 - $1,606,485.25 (14)
15. 76ers - 43 - $1,613,028.98 (15)
16. Clippers - 31 - $1,678,238.26 (19)
17. Magic - 51 - $1,747,835.22 (16)
18. Jazz - 42 - $1,760,940.07 (17)
19. Rockets - 41 - $1,770,429.37 (20)
20. Warriors - 37 - $1,816,014.32 (21)
21. Pacers - 34 - $1,893,188.85 (18)
22. Bobcats - 34 - $1,959,096.29 (22)
23. Bucks - 33 - $2,110,458.55 (24)
24. Nets - 27 - $2,188,463.70 (26)
25. Pistons - 29 - $2,273,028.31 (25)
26. Kings - 19 - $2,317,399.79 (23)
27. T-Wolves - 21 - $2,530,493.43 (27)
28. Wizards - 21 - $2,829,680.05 (28)
29. Raptors - 23 - $3,021,949.78 (29)
30. Cavs - 15 - $3,550,934.33 (30)
Biggest improvement: Blazers, Knicks, Clippers (+3)
Biggest decline: Mavs (-4)
Rank-Team-Projected Wins-Cost per Win-(Last rankings)
1. Bulls - 59 - 931,278.25 (1)
2. Spurs - 67 - 1,036,701.97 (2)
3. Thunder - 53 - 1,084,509.40 (3)
4. Heat - 55 - 1,196,497.29 (4)
5. Nuggets - 48 - $1,372,310.27 (6)
6. Celtics - 60 - $1,381,787.47 (5)
7. Hornets - 47 - $1,456,070.34 (9)
8. Blazers - 47 - $1,492,461.49 (11)
9. Hawks - 47 - $1,507,985.13 (7)
10. Knicks - 44 - $1,513,115.68 (13)
11. Suns - 43 - $1,528,810.09 (10)
12. Mavs - 59 - $1,530,332.76 (8)
13. Grizzlies - 45 - $1,549,634.71 (12)
14. Lakers - 57 - $1,606,485.25 (14)
15. 76ers - 43 - $1,613,028.98 (15)
16. Clippers - 31 - $1,678,238.26 (19)
17. Magic - 51 - $1,747,835.22 (16)
18. Jazz - 42 - $1,760,940.07 (17)
19. Rockets - 41 - $1,770,429.37 (20)
20. Warriors - 37 - $1,816,014.32 (21)
21. Pacers - 34 - $1,893,188.85 (18)
22. Bobcats - 34 - $1,959,096.29 (22)
23. Bucks - 33 - $2,110,458.55 (24)
24. Nets - 27 - $2,188,463.70 (26)
25. Pistons - 29 - $2,273,028.31 (25)
26. Kings - 19 - $2,317,399.79 (23)
27. T-Wolves - 21 - $2,530,493.43 (27)
28. Wizards - 21 - $2,829,680.05 (28)
29. Raptors - 23 - $3,021,949.78 (29)
30. Cavs - 15 - $3,550,934.33 (30)
Friday, March 11, 2011
March Madness
OK, let's go ahead and talk about the elephant in the room. College basketball has one thing that is clearly better than the NBA: March Madness. During this time of year, even I put the NBA on the back-burner so I can watch a lot of college ball. Let's break down the reasons for this.
One of the big reasons why March Madness has a hold on the country is because of the number of teams involved. If you are a Division 1 team, you are involved in it, even if it isn't the NCAA Tournament. Every conference tournament champion (or regular season champ if there is no conference tourney) gets to go to the "big dance" that is the NCAA tournament. This gives everybody at least an outside shot at making it. So at the beginning of March, every fan in America can believe they have a chance to make it. Eventually it gets widdled down to 68 teams in the NCAA Tournament. Lots of teams are on the "bubble" to make it in as an at-large bid, meaning they didn't win their conference but could still get selected. So being on the bubble and waiting nervously to see if your team made it during selection Sunday (this Sunday) adds to the excitement.
Another big reason for the craziness and excitement of March Madness is the one-and-done formula mixed with quick back-to-back games. Win or go home. 68 teams start the tourney, only 32 make it to Saturday or Sunday of the first week, and only 16 make it to the next week. So enormous pressure is on each and every team. One mistake can cost you your season. This also allows for "Cinderellas" or underdogs to advance past where most people think they should. If a team gets on a hot streak, they can go far and be the little school that shocks the world. Americans love to root for the underdog, so even if their particular team is out of the tourney already, they can cheer for upsets still to make things interesting.
One more quick reason for March Madness success is the timing of it all. It all fits into about a one-month window where there is very little other sports going on. The NBA is in the regular season, and baseball is in pre-season spring training. But football is in the offseason and nobody cares about hockey or soccer.
And finally, I think the most important reason why March Madness reigns supreme during this time of year is gambling. Everybody can fill out a bracket and nobody is ever perfect on it. Even if you don't bet money, you still fill out a bracket just for bragging rights. But many people have office pools, or similar bets with friends to see who can guess the best. Also, many websites have contests that give away prizes for the winners. And of course, actual gambling is huge as usual.
If I had more followers I would try to set up a group on yahoo or something so we could all put our brackets in and see who does the best, but I dont' think that will happen this year. But I still hope you fill out a bracket on your own, sit back, and enjoy the games. BOILER UP!!
One of the big reasons why March Madness has a hold on the country is because of the number of teams involved. If you are a Division 1 team, you are involved in it, even if it isn't the NCAA Tournament. Every conference tournament champion (or regular season champ if there is no conference tourney) gets to go to the "big dance" that is the NCAA tournament. This gives everybody at least an outside shot at making it. So at the beginning of March, every fan in America can believe they have a chance to make it. Eventually it gets widdled down to 68 teams in the NCAA Tournament. Lots of teams are on the "bubble" to make it in as an at-large bid, meaning they didn't win their conference but could still get selected. So being on the bubble and waiting nervously to see if your team made it during selection Sunday (this Sunday) adds to the excitement.
Another big reason for the craziness and excitement of March Madness is the one-and-done formula mixed with quick back-to-back games. Win or go home. 68 teams start the tourney, only 32 make it to Saturday or Sunday of the first week, and only 16 make it to the next week. So enormous pressure is on each and every team. One mistake can cost you your season. This also allows for "Cinderellas" or underdogs to advance past where most people think they should. If a team gets on a hot streak, they can go far and be the little school that shocks the world. Americans love to root for the underdog, so even if their particular team is out of the tourney already, they can cheer for upsets still to make things interesting.
One more quick reason for March Madness success is the timing of it all. It all fits into about a one-month window where there is very little other sports going on. The NBA is in the regular season, and baseball is in pre-season spring training. But football is in the offseason and nobody cares about hockey or soccer.
And finally, I think the most important reason why March Madness reigns supreme during this time of year is gambling. Everybody can fill out a bracket and nobody is ever perfect on it. Even if you don't bet money, you still fill out a bracket just for bragging rights. But many people have office pools, or similar bets with friends to see who can guess the best. Also, many websites have contests that give away prizes for the winners. And of course, actual gambling is huge as usual.
If I had more followers I would try to set up a group on yahoo or something so we could all put our brackets in and see who does the best, but I dont' think that will happen this year. But I still hope you fill out a bracket on your own, sit back, and enjoy the games. BOILER UP!!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Best Value Teams pt. 11
After the last couple weeks of trades and free agent signings, a lot has changed in the world of NBA team salaries. Only 5 teams did not have any change to their salaries: Lakers, Magic, 76ers, Pistons, and Pacers.
There were many small changes, but I think only four big changes that need to be identified. The Mavs just signed free agent Corey Brewer to a 3 year contract. This bumps their payroll up $2.5 mil, which makes them the 2nd highest payroll in the league, moving ahead of Orlando and only trailing the Lakers. The Carmelo trade makes up the last 3 big changes. As I said last week, the Nuggets saved around $25 mil from the trade, including luxury taxes. It saved them about $18 mil on their payroll for this season, while costing the Knicks $8.5 mil and the T-Wolves around $8.2 mil. So that one trade has changed the rankings significantly.
Only 6 teams, Bulls, Spurs, Kings, Wizards, Raptors, and Cavs, hold the same spot in the rankings as they did in the last one.
For only the 2nd time, and the 1st since early December, there is no team with a losing record ahead of a team with a winning record in the rankings. This proves that it is better to spend a little more money and win, than try to save money and lose.
Biggest improvement: Nuggets (+14)
Biggest decline: Knicks (-8), Warriors (-7)
Rank-Team-Projected Wins-Cost per Win-(Last rankings)
1. Bulls - 57 - 963,954.68 (1)
2. Spurs - 68 - $1,021,456.35 (2)
3. Thunder - 52 - $1,105,365.35 (4)
4. Heat - 57 - $1,154,541.93 (3)
5. Celtics - 62 - $1,337,213.68 (7)
6. Nuggets - 48 - $1,372,310.27 (20)
7. Hawks - 49 - $1,446,434.71 (6)
8. Mavs - 61 - $1,480,157.92 (10)
9. Hornets - 46 - $1,487,724.04 (8)
10. Suns - 44 - $1,494,064.41 (12)
11. Blazers - 46 - $1,524,906.30 (9)
12. Grizzlies - 44 - $1,584,853.68 (11)
13. Knicks - 42 - $1,585,168.81 (5)
14. Lakers - 57 - $1,606,485.25 (13)
15. 76ers - 42 - $1,651,434.43 (18)
16. Magic - 52 - $1,714,223.00 (17)
17. Jazz - 42 - $1,760,940.07 (15)
18. Pacers - 36 - $1,788,011.69 (19)
19. Clippers - 29 - $1,793,978.83 (16)
20. Rockets - 40 - $1,814,690.10 (22)
21. Warriors - 36 - $1,866,459.17 (14)
22. Bobcats - 35 - $1,903,122.11 (21)
23. Kings - 21 - $2,096,695.05 (23)
24. Bucks - 31 - $2,246,617.16 (25)
25. Pistons - 29 - $2,273,028.31 (24)
26. Nets - 24 - $2,462,021.67 (27)
27. T-Wolves - 19 - $2,796,861.16 (26)
28. Wizards - 20 - $2,971,164.05 (28)
29. Raptors - 22 - $3,157,311.14 (29)
30. Cavs - 16 - $3,329,000.94 (30)
There were many small changes, but I think only four big changes that need to be identified. The Mavs just signed free agent Corey Brewer to a 3 year contract. This bumps their payroll up $2.5 mil, which makes them the 2nd highest payroll in the league, moving ahead of Orlando and only trailing the Lakers. The Carmelo trade makes up the last 3 big changes. As I said last week, the Nuggets saved around $25 mil from the trade, including luxury taxes. It saved them about $18 mil on their payroll for this season, while costing the Knicks $8.5 mil and the T-Wolves around $8.2 mil. So that one trade has changed the rankings significantly.
Only 6 teams, Bulls, Spurs, Kings, Wizards, Raptors, and Cavs, hold the same spot in the rankings as they did in the last one.
For only the 2nd time, and the 1st since early December, there is no team with a losing record ahead of a team with a winning record in the rankings. This proves that it is better to spend a little more money and win, than try to save money and lose.
Biggest improvement: Nuggets (+14)
Biggest decline: Knicks (-8), Warriors (-7)
Rank-Team-Projected Wins-Cost per Win-(Last rankings)
1. Bulls - 57 - 963,954.68 (1)
2. Spurs - 68 - $1,021,456.35 (2)
3. Thunder - 52 - $1,105,365.35 (4)
4. Heat - 57 - $1,154,541.93 (3)
5. Celtics - 62 - $1,337,213.68 (7)
6. Nuggets - 48 - $1,372,310.27 (20)
7. Hawks - 49 - $1,446,434.71 (6)
8. Mavs - 61 - $1,480,157.92 (10)
9. Hornets - 46 - $1,487,724.04 (8)
10. Suns - 44 - $1,494,064.41 (12)
11. Blazers - 46 - $1,524,906.30 (9)
12. Grizzlies - 44 - $1,584,853.68 (11)
13. Knicks - 42 - $1,585,168.81 (5)
14. Lakers - 57 - $1,606,485.25 (13)
15. 76ers - 42 - $1,651,434.43 (18)
16. Magic - 52 - $1,714,223.00 (17)
17. Jazz - 42 - $1,760,940.07 (15)
18. Pacers - 36 - $1,788,011.69 (19)
19. Clippers - 29 - $1,793,978.83 (16)
20. Rockets - 40 - $1,814,690.10 (22)
21. Warriors - 36 - $1,866,459.17 (14)
22. Bobcats - 35 - $1,903,122.11 (21)
23. Kings - 21 - $2,096,695.05 (23)
24. Bucks - 31 - $2,246,617.16 (25)
25. Pistons - 29 - $2,273,028.31 (24)
26. Nets - 24 - $2,462,021.67 (27)
27. T-Wolves - 19 - $2,796,861.16 (26)
28. Wizards - 20 - $2,971,164.05 (28)
29. Raptors - 22 - $3,157,311.14 (29)
30. Cavs - 16 - $3,329,000.94 (30)
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