League Update: Wednesday Waiver Wire with the Brazillian Blur

Lots of action since the last waiver wire update a week ago.  3 games last night featuring a lot of interesting producers coming from league powerhouses (Celtics) and bottom-dwellers (Cavs).

League Pick'em: Introductions / Week 1

Hi League,

We are 1.5 hours away from the tip-off of the first game of the NBA season.  As promised in my initial introductions to the league, I wanted to find ways to keep everyone engaged to the basketball season and to "enjoy playing at the pool" more than you have ever before.  With that in mind, I decided to create a simple, on-going mini-game, within our fantasy league.

Every week, I will select 10 NBA games and 1 match-up between teams in our fantasy league.  I will post them on the blog sometime on Saturday/Sunday or maybe Monday at midnight, depending on how crazy my social life becomes (it isn't and it won't change, so probably saturday evening).

By Monday 9pm, if you feel compelled, you can submit your prediction (on the blog post for that week) of the 10 winners of the league games and the winner of the "Match-Up of the Week".  I will try to pick some exciting NBA games for us to tune in to and also select match-ups between all the teams in our league so that everyone gets a chance to be on the hot-seat with the rest of the league monitoring your battle for that week.  Think of the league matchup, like our version of Monday Night Football.

For your visual learners, an example of the Mini game for this week which I should have sent out by Sunday night for this week:

Pick 10 of the Week
Oct.30
1)Wiz @ Cavs
2) Mavs @ Lakeshow
3) Celts @ Heat

Oct. 31
4) Nuggs @ Sixers
5) Pacers @ Raps
6) Rockets @ Pistons
7) Spurs @ Hornets
8) Kings @ Bulls
9) Mavs @ Jazz
10) Memphis @ Clippers

Matchup of the Week
Sleeper Squad v. k1d k0be

An example response, which would be posted on the comments section of the blog post:

Team name: skiptomylou
pick 10 choices:
cavs, lake, heat, nuggs, raps, rockets, spurs, bulls, mavs, clippers

motw:
Sleeper Squad

 It's that simple! Of course, it is in no way obligation or cost your fantasy team anything in the league (besides me frowning at you of course).  However, I will keep a running scoreboard in the blog of who has the most correct pick'ems (1 pt for NBA games correctly chose, and 3 points for the match-up of the week choice selected correctly, 2 points for a tie).

At end of the season, besides the winner of the league gaining all those cool prizes I listed previously, I will also present the winner of this mini-game with a fresh gift that you wont want to miss out on.  trust me.

Hit me up if you guys have any questions!

Mikhail Prokhorov's a really good Interviewee

With all the mystique and supposed shadiness of his business dealings, I gotta give it to Brooklyn Nets owner Mikhail Prokhorov, he really is a one-man quote machine.  I've taken the liberty of cutting out some memorable parts of his New York Post interview with Steve Serby.  See them after the jump.

 

League Update: What's at stake?

With the season nearly upon us, I thought I'd remind all 10  members of the league of what you are literally and figuratively battling for.

1) The redundant title of "Best Fantasy Basketball Owner For The Best Fantasy League Ever".
2) Rasheed Wallace's Undisputed Champion of the World Title Belt.

3) Newly Single and Former Mrs. Sasha Vujacic, Maria Sharapova's, praise and adoration.
4) The recognition as the champion of this fantasy league in the last season that David Stern is NBA commissioner.
5) Get to sing the Shiva song as loud as you want.
6) Be referred to as the fantasy Jerry Colangelo, Bob Ferry, Geoff Petrie for your shrewdness in managing a fictional team.  (If preferred, other nicknames available include MJ-hates-me, Jerry Krause, or "Jerry's my dad", Bryan Colangelo) .
7) Maybe a step closer to getting that invitation to the Kobe System conference
8) To be like Bron and take a moment of humility and grace and fill it with the words "it's about damn time"
10) $120 for 1st place, $60 for 2nd place, $20 for 3rd place, and for everyone else, a season of precious memories.

Manu and Captain Jack are Zorro and the Joker

Not to be outdone by the young bucks in the NBA nowadays with their Halloween costumes dedicated to classic hip hop artists (Damian Lillard), or their childhood heroes (Ty Lawson), or even as Business Lebron (Andrew Bynum) and possibly Pharrell Williams (Dorrell Wright), league grandpas Manu Ginobli and Stephen Jackson really got in the spirit of the holidays with their costumes this year.

Check out Manu's pencil-stache and Jackson's impeccable makeup.

via project spurs

League Update: Laker Gang Trades With Challah

Huge trade this morning as Laker Gang traded Marc Gasol, Kevin Garnett, J.J. Redick to  Challah in exchange for Tony Parker, Carmelo Anthony and Zach Randolph.

Report: Eddy Curry is Probably Starting For the Mavericks On Tuesday

According to fan nation, Eddy Curry will be the starting center for the Mavericks at least for the opening day game against the Lakers.

  

Video: Another Reason to Watch the Clippers Bench This Season

Caron Butler, everybody. 



via TBJ

League Update: Beasley for Collison Trade

In an effort to address needs that each team felt they had before the start of the season, Sleeper Squad and Challah have swapped Darren Collison for Michael Beasley.

League Update: Second Trade Completed Between Sleeper Squad and the Replacements

Only a couple minutes after the first trade went through this Thursday, Sleeper Squad and the Replacements, made another trade to complete a total of a 10 men swap (Involving 11 player transactions, but Joe Johnson was traded twice ).

Tweet: David West Shows How Ridiculously High Gerald Green Jumps

Last Friday, Indiana Pacer, David West tweeted a photo from Pacer teammate, Paul George's instagram account of newest Pacer, Gerald Green recreating his memorably cute cupcake candle blowing" dunk from 2007.

Video: Best Combo of Music Used On An Andre Drummond Highlight Reel

With the season starting in about 3 days, that Andre Drummond highlight reel that you have been waiting for is finally out on youtube.

Flashback Fridays: NBA Rookie Game 1997

With Kobe going into his 17th season, thought I'd post this gem from when those old guys Nash, Allen and Camby were young whipper-snappers.

League Update: Sleeper Squad and The Replacements Complete Major Deal / kobeking Lookin' to Shake Things Up

First trade of this league has gone through with Sleeper Squad and The Replacements.

As a result of the deal, The Replacements has dropped Jason Richardson.  Neither team looks to be done as Replacements had updated his trading block to include the following:

Sleeper Squad is still in looking to move a couple more pieces  as he seems to be trading in his high-ceiling potential guys for players with histories of production.

Also, kobeking is displeased with the projected numbers for his drafted team and has made a couple serious offers that would address some glaring holes in his current roster.

specifically, he is looking to upgrade rebounds and 3-pointers.  

Tweet: Steve Nash Makes Pretty Witty Comparisons

"Proud to share the @SInow cover with @DwightHoward. In related news: We're 0-6 this preseason. #covergirls" 

League Update: Wednesday Waiver Wire featuring Jeremy Lin Pun

Yesterday was the first day free agents could be added to rosters and there were plenty of additions.   Challah, skiptomylou, the team formerly known as The Flash (now The Replacements, Clipper Nation, kobeking, gmachine and Sleeper Squad all made additions to their team.

Still  a couple more preseason games to go.  Keep your eyes peeled for those Jeremy diamonds Lin the rough.

Players to Watch:

Marvin Williams - SF - UTA
Chandler Parsons - SF, PF - HOU
Kemba Walker - PG - CHA (Still on Waivers)
Gerald Henderson - SG, SF - CHA

Report: Lebron James could dish out 20 assists

 Lebron is getting a lot of love from Dukies, from teammate Shane Battier saying that James is one of the few mentally tough superstars who could have played as a blue devil, to current and longtime Duke head coach, Mike Krzyzewski , claiming that it shouldn't suprise anybody this season if Lebron decides to get his Scott Skiles on. 

Highlight: Gordon Hayward introduces Victor Claver to the NBA

Gordon Hayward reminding us that he's not prejudiced.  Heat-of-the-playoff hunt, or preseason.  Pass from Earl Watson or Mo Williams.  Better-known swing-men like Paul George or rookie Spainards.  He'll dunk off his right foot on the left-side of the basket all the same.
 

League Update: skiptomylou and Clipper Nation discussing swapping point guards

Rumor is that skiptomylou is trying to acquire Rajon Rondo from Clipper Nation. The primary asset in the deal? Newly re-acquired Phoenix Sun, Goran Dragic.

Dragic has been predicted as a fantasy gem because of the expected increased responsibilities as the undisputed lead guard in Phoenix  However, as much  promise and potential as Goran provides, Rajon Rondo has backed it up with quality albeit not elite production over the past 4 seasons.

This past season, Rondo hit a career high in assists, but saw a decrease in his steals/g, decrease in fg and ft % while turning the ball at the highest rate in his young career.  With the departure of Ray Allen (whom, Rondo was known to have clashed with), and young weapons Jeff Green, Avery Bradley, Brandon Bass taking on more court-time with Rondo, this is a polarizing year if you are considering the pros and cons of owning him on your fantasy squad.  

His impact on the C's has gotten to the point where teams are now making him a focus of defensive schemes. He is no longer the afterthought point guard who was only expected to bring the intangibles and feed the Big 3.  Expect that with the more purposeful game plans directed at slowing down Rondo, he will have to make some adjustments from his previous role where he routinely flirted with a triple-double.  His focus on the Celtics squad this year will still to be the blistering force of a play-maker but also the steadying influence with the younger Celtics.  However, playing with a younger core group of guys might also mean Rondo takes a giant leap in his fantasy production as Chris Paul did with the Hornets in 08-09. 

Video: Russ Westbrook Drives a Tour Bus Like How He Drives to the Basket

Kudos to producers at ESPN for picking out Russ' biggest strength and also his biggest weakness.

The i-have-no-conscience-please-quit-waving-at-me-kevin, straight line drive to the basket.

Regardless, I am excited for the NBA season to start. 8 days and counting. 

League Update: gmachine is taking offers

If you are looking for an upgrade and have a top point guard and/or small forward you would be willing to part with, gmachine is entertaining all proposals.

As you can see from the graphic above, gmachine is coming off a season where he did not finish #1 in any of his public leagues.  Not content with being fantasy basketball's version of the 90's Utah Jazz, gmachine is looking to move talent around to get that elusive championship not 2, 3, or 4 seasons from now, but right now.

Keep in mind that from discussions I have recently had with him, he is very confident in his team's ability to compete in all categories for this league's head to head matchup format, so he will not consider any low-ball offers.

Player to Watch: Jeff Green, Early Season Feel Good-Story

As reported via green street,

Since being called the most impressive player in the preseason by coach Doc Rivers, Jeff Green is quickly becoming an early candidate for feel-good story of the year.

Highlight: Iguodala from Koufos

Looks like Iggy's adjusting well to playing in the western conference.

Everyone, please note that the play started with the vicious board from the only c-walking Mediterranean center in the NBA.  Please tell me how George Karl can keep Kosta off the court when he shows off those kind of fundamentals. (Sorry Javale and k1d k0be). Keep your eyes on Mr. Koufos, league gm's.

League Update: Trade's Rejected - The Flash Looking to Deal / R.O.J.T. turns down Sleeper Squad

If you guys haven't noticed yet, The Flash has just rejected a trade from Sleeper Squad where The Flash would send his first and second overall picks for S.S's first two picks as well.

Although this trade was rejected with no reasoning given, The Flash has stated his desire to part with both these players.

Besides his bias toward certain players who kill him in NBA 2k (Andrew Bynum), The Flash is interested in all offers at this point.

League Update: Post-Draft Results

Exciting morning as the first major step in the season occurred with the 2012-2013 Draft.  Sausage mcmuffins and hard-boiled eggs were provided to the participants who came armed with their laptops and excel docs.

I forgot that I had prepared to yell out may the odds be ever in your ever, but you guys get the idea.


Round by round coverage after the jump.

Flashback Fridays: Inside Stuff highlights

Since most of us grew up in the 90's when Inside Stuff was basically the best thing on Saturday mornings next to Saved by the Bell and Recess.

via Oakley&Allen
check em out for more good stuff

Report: Vince Carter on being Jason Terry

Mavs blog is reporting that Vince Carter is trying to get their fans to forget all about that other headband-wearing swing guard that used to come off the bench for them.  In fact, Vince's super-cool response when asked about him taking on the sixth-man role occupied by the Jet for the past eight years?

 “I’m down for it,”

Report: How to Replace Love's Production

Already dealing with the injury of their charming spanish point guard, the T-wolves are going to be without their all-NBA and top 5 overall in fantasy rankings, power forward, Kevin Love for the next 2 months. 

This definitely throws a kink in the plans of fantasy GM's everywhere, as Mr. Love was already being counted on for a solid 20 - 10 and a most righteous-looking beard this season.  Aren't you glad the league draft is THIS Saturday and not the last?

Wipe away your tears, fans of K-Love, Timberwolves, and Old-school big men, there are still plenty of players to look to for the same production that we have grown accustomed to .  For your fantasy-playing analysis, I've provided a list of players who could most likely replace Kevin Love in the three areas he has been leading the league in.

Game Recap: Clippers v. Jazz

I definitely subscribe to the school of thought that any analysis from preseason games as a reflection of a team's future success is as accurate as judging a child's ability to tie their shoes with their future IQ.  There are way too many other factors that could come into play and there are probably a bunch of future geniuses who wear velcro shoes and curly laces.  It's far too early to tell. 

However, if you watched last night's pre-season game, you would probably make the conclusion that the Clippers bench is not only crazy athletic, but they are going to keep the Clips in so many close games this year.  CP3 and the rest of the starters are really going to be able to rest down the stretch and when they have had their fill of Gatorade, check back in and finish off teams.

Introductions: "The Best Fantasy League Ever"

Just about every guy I know plays some form of fantasy sports (the sport/game/nerdy hobby of drafting real-life players onto your team and comparing your team's statistics versus others).

It was only recently, while reminiscing and trading war stories with a friend about playing fantasy basketball that I realized that this game that we play provides the same range of enjoyment comparable to hanging out by the pool on a hot summer day.

If  you sit around in your sweatpants and don't even suit up in your fave pair of billabongs to just dip your feet in the pool, than you can expect to have no fun at all.  What if you decide to follow Stevie Franchise's example below and dive on in?  Well, you see that face.