Brookyln Nets Have a Shiny New Mascot

I guess part of Mikhail Prokerov's dry humor is to subtly change the team's name, starting with the mascot choice as seen below.  Not that great of a funny, but much better than how the owners chose to not-so-subtly leave New Jersey.

via nets daily, this new mascot was supposed to take over for the old Nets mascot, the cuddly Sly the Silver Fox, to match the team's team new jerseys, arena and point guard.

As cool as it is to have Knight as a mascot (my junior high mascot was a knight), the Nets aren't the only team in the NBA to have a mascot that makes no sense (see Wizards and their jolly blue guy, G-wiz).  I guess it is hard to find a character to represent "Nets", just like its hard to represent "Heat" (goofy bird with the appropriately pun-ed name, Burnie), or "Magic" (Stuff the Magic Dragon).   

I hope NBA teams stick with the sesame street characters like G-wiz.  I personally am not a fan of a medieval soldier leading me in cheers.  Also, can you imagine a soldier getting a bro-hug from Jay-z?

Happy Monday everybody. I leave you with Burnie and the mascot of Toronto, Drake.

Player to Watch: JJ Redick and his Growing Fantasy Value

It is early in the season and besides the usual suspects, Lebron and Chris Paul, highlighting the top 10 in fantasy production, there are also players with some suspiciously attractive numbers.

For example, you have Mike Dunleavy Jr. and Mo Williams at 2 and 6 (2012-2013 overall fantasy value), overachieving for their respective teams.

Conventional wisdom would say that neither of these guys are number 1 options on their squads and thus should not be counted on to keep this blistering pace in their contributions. Unless monta ellis, bjennings in milwaukee and al jefferson, paul millsap, all decide to fall off the face of the earth, dunleavy and mowill should be coming back down to earth in week 2.

On the other hand, you have players like JJ redick who has always been a role player in the NBA his whole career, but now hes being counted on to produce on a team that needs his scoring and in a system (jacque vaugn's free-flowing offense) where he is thriving.

Here are some historical instances for you to ponder when considering whether or not to keep your eye on Redick.  Keep in mind that the guys listed below such as Zach Randolph and Michael Redd were seen as good players but never considered go-to guys until they had their huge years on their dismal lottery teams.


Jamal Crawford and Zach Randolph - NY Knicks - 2007-2008
Al Harrington - NY KNicks - 2008-2009
Michael Redd - Milwaukee Bucks 2002-2003

as you can see, the following season, things changed for Redd:

 It's only been 2 games, but JJ Redick has the same opportunity that Crawford had in New York playing alongside Z-bo in 07-08 and with him and Al Harrington in 08-09.  Redick probably won't produce like Redd did, but he is worth considering if you are looking to fill a role in that SG position with an emphasis on %'s, 3PTM and low turnovers.

edit
gmachine picked him up Monday morning after I had this written up on Sunday might.  GJ, gabey.

edit x2
it was actually the replacements, sorry and good pick-up don.  

League Pick'em: Week 2

What up week 2 league-ers!

Lots of underdog victories in the first week of the season.  Clearly everyone was homering it up with the lakers pick, but I'm right with you guys.  No way I would have the lakeshow 1-3 by the end of the week while dallas is 2-1.  Some other suprises included the Rockets/Harden's hot start as well the youthful Hornets losing at the buzzer to the Spurs and then winning their next two games.  Make your picks with this new resurgence of teams in mind!

Recap

Pick 10 of the Last 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

Results:

 In descending order,

team name: Rob

pick 10 choices:
wiz, lakers, heat, nuggets, pacers, rockets, spurs, kings, mavs, memphis

 Total Points: 4

 Team name: kobeking

Pick 10 Choices:
Cavs, Lakers, Celts, Nuggets, Pacers, Rockets, Hornets, Kings, Jazz, Clippers.

MOTW: Sleeper Squad

Total Points: 5

 team name: skiptomylou

pick 10 choices:
cavs, lakers, celtics, nuggets, pacers, pistons, spurs, bulls, jazz, clippers

motw:
Sleeper Squad 

 Total Points: 6

Team Name: The Replacements

Pick 10 Choices: 1) Cavs 2) Lakers 3) Heat 4)Nuggets 5)Pacers 6) Rockets 7)Spurs 8) Kings, 9)Mavs 10) Clippers

MOTW: Sleeper Squad (hands down)  ^these type of comments on your picks are hilarious in hindsight

Total Points: 7

tied for first place

Team name: Sleeper Squad.

Pick 10 Choices:
Cavs, Lakers, Heat, Nuggets, Pacers, Rockets, Spurs, Bulls, Jazz, Clippers.

MOTW: Sleeper Squad  

Total Points: 8

team name: gmachine

pick 10 choices:
cavs, lakers, heat, nuggets, pacers, pistons, spurs, kings, jazz, clippers

MOTW:k1d k0be

 Total Points: 8

Pick 10 for the Week (P10)

 Home team is always the second team listed.

11/5
Knick v. Sixers
Pacers v. Spurs
Blazers v. Mavs
Warriors v. Kings

11/7
Suns v. Bobcats
Nets v. Heat

11/8
Clippers v. Blazers

11/9
Jazz v. Nuggets

11/10
Lakers v. Kings

Match-up of the week (MOTW)

gmachine v. skiptomylou

Flashback Fridays: Eddie Jones as a Laker

Once upon a time, there was a shooting guard called the most complete Laker and all-around player in the NBA.  No, not young KB, but Eddie Jones.

With the Lakers starting the season 0-3, I was reminded of the first lottery pick that the Lakers ever had in Eddie Jones (Andrew Bynum was the 2nd).  Who knows, maybe this revamped laker squad might do well to tank a year, grab some young talent in the 2013 draft to go along with Dwight, Pau, and a savvy veteran Kobe (think of Kareem at the tail-end of his career), and go for the title next year. #lafanspanicking