Thursday, June 29, 2006
So last night was the 2006 NBA draft. As a fan of the New York Knicks, who just suffered through an unmitigated disaster of a season, I was actually looking forward to this. Forget about Isiah Thomas the coach (debatable success) or free-agent-signing/trading GM (questionable success) for a moment, and reflect on his laudable draft track record entering the draft:
He selected Damon Stoudamire and Jimmy King (1995), Marcus Camby ('96) and Tracy McGrady ('97) in Toronto, and then Trevor Ariza (2004), Channing Frye, Nate Robinson and David Lee (all '05) for the Knicks thus far. Wrapping up the throwaway second-round pick of a Fab Five leftover (King) in aluminum foil, the Toronto group consists of a superstar and two long-term legit NBA starters; all three players remain in the league nine years later, and they all start. While it's still early to make a call on the Knicks' foursome, Ariza was regarded league-wide as a steal at the time of the draft and throughout his two years in the league; Frye has flashed star potential, and Robinson and Lee are clearly both rotation players in the league, Lee as a do-everything hustle player, Robinson a sparkplug off the bench. Nearly every one of those picks was questioned at the time it was made.
Which brings us to this year. And the tremendous draft-day slide of Marcus Williams, who was widely expected to be in the lottery. With the Knicks selecting 20th, the selection had "best available player" written all over it. I was convinced Isiah would go insane and take Williams or Rajon Rondo (if only for the name -- can that guy be anything BUT a pro basketball player?) Maybe even Josh Boone if he were feeling tall.
And then he picked Renaldo Balkman.
The NIT MOP.
Boos rained down from the Garden crowd. But they might as well have been jeering WHOOOO?
He followed up by selecting Mardy Collins from Temple, who has been widely compared to Aaron McKie, with the 29th pick. That choice made (and makes) sense, a good combination of need (backcourt stopper/big guard) and talent (some projected him in the lottery).
But Chad Ford's analysis on ESPN.com summarizes the intial post-draft reaction to Balkman:
"I understand why Thomas likes Renaldo Balkman -- he's the anti-Knick. He's a hard working, blue-collar athlete who scraps and fights for everything he gets. He doesn't want to shoot 20 times a game and doesn't have a 40-man entourage whispering in his ear about how great he is.
But I just don't think Balkman has the talent to warrant a first-round selection. He might have the right attitude, but I can't see him as anything more than a marginal role player in the NBA.
Given who was on the board when Thomas selected Balkman -- including Marcus Williams, Rajon Rondo and Shannon Brown -- I think this was a wasted pick."
But I woke up at 5:30 this morning, and began reading all the New York papers for draft reaction, as well as doing a little research on Balkman. While Ford's harsh assessment could prove true, I discovered some interesting things. Balkman was not listed in the NBA draft media guide, which featured 133 players, and won the NIT Most Outstanding Player award purely for his defense (same article). He was also the best player at the Orlando pre-draft camp. And Thomas revealed that the Phoenix Suns wanted to take Balkman with the 27th pick.
This last part is the kicker, and the whole reason I hate Isiah Thomas. And this is hate in the "I hate girls and keep coming back" sense, not the "I hate the Yankees" sense. Because -- as with almost every other move and accompanying explanation Thomas has made -- this is just reasonable enough to make you think, "Yeah ... Yeah! ... YEAH! I get it! I see where he's going. This could work."
But why should we believe Thomas? Who says Phoenix would have drafted him? That's a pretty convenient excuse, but it's got no legs like the guy in Kids. Except for one thing: Phoenix promptly traded out of the first round. Thomas could actually be right. Just like he might be every time he makes one of these crazy moves or signings that don't seem to work out. The difference here is with his draft track record, you have to give him the benefit of the doubt. And that sucks. Because right now, this is one crazy draft pick.
NOTE: This article ran in the New York Post the day after I blogged this. What can ya do, besides revel in how good the Knicks will be in NBA 2k7, where you don't have to worry about players pining for minutes or not playing hard (or a bunch of rabid fans out for your blood)?
He selected Damon Stoudamire and Jimmy King (1995), Marcus Camby ('96) and Tracy McGrady ('97) in Toronto, and then Trevor Ariza (2004), Channing Frye, Nate Robinson and David Lee (all '05) for the Knicks thus far. Wrapping up the throwaway second-round pick of a Fab Five leftover (King) in aluminum foil, the Toronto group consists of a superstar and two long-term legit NBA starters; all three players remain in the league nine years later, and they all start. While it's still early to make a call on the Knicks' foursome, Ariza was regarded league-wide as a steal at the time of the draft and throughout his two years in the league; Frye has flashed star potential, and Robinson and Lee are clearly both rotation players in the league, Lee as a do-everything hustle player, Robinson a sparkplug off the bench. Nearly every one of those picks was questioned at the time it was made.
Which brings us to this year. And the tremendous draft-day slide of Marcus Williams, who was widely expected to be in the lottery. With the Knicks selecting 20th, the selection had "best available player" written all over it. I was convinced Isiah would go insane and take Williams or Rajon Rondo (if only for the name -- can that guy be anything BUT a pro basketball player?) Maybe even Josh Boone if he were feeling tall.
And then he picked Renaldo Balkman.
The NIT MOP.
Boos rained down from the Garden crowd. But they might as well have been jeering WHOOOO?
He followed up by selecting Mardy Collins from Temple, who has been widely compared to Aaron McKie, with the 29th pick. That choice made (and makes) sense, a good combination of need (backcourt stopper/big guard) and talent (some projected him in the lottery).
But Chad Ford's analysis on ESPN.com summarizes the intial post-draft reaction to Balkman:
"I understand why Thomas likes Renaldo Balkman -- he's the anti-Knick. He's a hard working, blue-collar athlete who scraps and fights for everything he gets. He doesn't want to shoot 20 times a game and doesn't have a 40-man entourage whispering in his ear about how great he is.
But I just don't think Balkman has the talent to warrant a first-round selection. He might have the right attitude, but I can't see him as anything more than a marginal role player in the NBA.
Given who was on the board when Thomas selected Balkman -- including Marcus Williams, Rajon Rondo and Shannon Brown -- I think this was a wasted pick."
But I woke up at 5:30 this morning, and began reading all the New York papers for draft reaction, as well as doing a little research on Balkman. While Ford's harsh assessment could prove true, I discovered some interesting things. Balkman was not listed in the NBA draft media guide, which featured 133 players, and won the NIT Most Outstanding Player award purely for his defense (same article). He was also the best player at the Orlando pre-draft camp. And Thomas revealed that the Phoenix Suns wanted to take Balkman with the 27th pick.
This last part is the kicker, and the whole reason I hate Isiah Thomas. And this is hate in the "I hate girls and keep coming back" sense, not the "I hate the Yankees" sense. Because -- as with almost every other move and accompanying explanation Thomas has made -- this is just reasonable enough to make you think, "Yeah ... Yeah! ... YEAH! I get it! I see where he's going. This could work."
But why should we believe Thomas? Who says Phoenix would have drafted him? That's a pretty convenient excuse, but it's got no legs like the guy in Kids. Except for one thing: Phoenix promptly traded out of the first round. Thomas could actually be right. Just like he might be every time he makes one of these crazy moves or signings that don't seem to work out. The difference here is with his draft track record, you have to give him the benefit of the doubt. And that sucks. Because right now, this is one crazy draft pick.
NOTE: This article ran in the New York Post the day after I blogged this. What can ya do, besides revel in how good the Knicks will be in NBA 2k7, where you don't have to worry about players pining for minutes or not playing hard (or a bunch of rabid fans out for your blood)?
Thursday, June 22, 2006
A confidence booster after offering a preview of my latest poem:
blewsmokeatyou (11:17:46 PM): I like it a lot.
blewsmokeatyou (11:20:10 PM): I really hope one day to see you at a reading.
blewsmokeatyou (11:20:13 PM): Pimping your book.
blewsmokeatyou (11:20:19 PM): To a million screaming gfans.
The Swill Barber (11:22:39 PM): haha
The Swill Barber (11:22:49 PM): in time perhaps
blewsmokeatyou (11:24:01 PM): It will happen. I believe it.
The Swill Barber (11:29:07 PM): here's to hoping i follow through
blewsmokeatyou (11:29:14 PM): You will.
blewsmokeatyou (11:29:16 PM): I think so.
blewsmokeatyou (11:17:46 PM): I like it a lot.
blewsmokeatyou (11:20:10 PM): I really hope one day to see you at a reading.
blewsmokeatyou (11:20:13 PM): Pimping your book.
blewsmokeatyou (11:20:19 PM): To a million screaming gfans.
The Swill Barber (11:22:39 PM): haha
The Swill Barber (11:22:49 PM): in time perhaps
blewsmokeatyou (11:24:01 PM): It will happen. I believe it.
The Swill Barber (11:29:07 PM): here's to hoping i follow through
blewsmokeatyou (11:29:14 PM): You will.
blewsmokeatyou (11:29:16 PM): I think so.
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
Check it out: the Brooklyn boy has a new entry up on OverheardinNewYork.com. That was from my foray into the city two weekends ago. Gotta love the Q.
The site feed now actually works, thanks to my good friends at feedburner. I had to resolve an "I hadn't updated it since it was hosted on the UNC server" issue that has since been resolved. Happy subscribing.
P.S.
Because of this the blog search now works. It's still crawling files though, so it will take some time to catch up to the entire blog, but it should in time. It definitely works on recent entries.
P.S.
Because of this the blog search now works. It's still crawling files though, so it will take some time to catch up to the entire blog, but it should in time. It definitely works on recent entries.
Sunday, June 11, 2006
To all the people who created Olsen twin countdown clocks, waiting for the Playboy spread we all know is coming, I dare you to look at this photo.
That's not even really all that close to nekkid, and it's like passing by a train wreck. You know you shouldn't look, but you do, and then you're traumatized and unable to look away and break the spell. Before you know it, you're scarred for life.
Excuse me, while I go throw up the rest of that fantasy.
That's not even really all that close to nekkid, and it's like passing by a train wreck. You know you shouldn't look, but you do, and then you're traumatized and unable to look away and break the spell. Before you know it, you're scarred for life.
Excuse me, while I go throw up the rest of that fantasy.
Friday, June 09, 2006
So this week has been quite bountiful regarding the ASNB-Couch conversation connection. Here are a few more notable -- and actual -- exchanges:
June 7, discussing the ramifications of drafting a girl with an ED (think Nicole Richie) in the LLFD:
helios483: yeah i think success score drop is mandatory
helios483: but if you knew the shit going in
helios483: well
helios483: that's like me drafting RuPaul and then saying, I think I wanna drop him for a real woman
helios483: too fuckin bad, jackass
The Swill Barber: hahaha wow
The Swill Barber: you might have wanted to stay away from the first person there .... ha
helios483: haha
helios483: so subsitute Alexei's name
helios483: and subsitute an Asian transvestite for RuPaul
(This gets much funnier if you know Alexei's nickname is "The Asian Assassin." His response upon finding out about the exchange? "I hate both of you more than life itself.")
Also June 7, on deciding whether to take action:
helios483: see....here's a failsafe question to ask yourself in these situations....if she came to your room naked and you were sober, would you fuck her? if the answer is yes, it doesn't hurt to put in a LITTLE work if you know the outcome will be sex (only because she doesn't want to feel easy and just give it up, so she makes you work for it)
helios483: if the answer is no...ask yourself if you were drunk would you fuck her
helios483: then, if the answer is yes, only fuck her if you don't have to put any effort into it
helios483: i mean, unless you're drunk and you've accidentally put in work and can now have sex
The Swill Barber: haha ... well reasoned
helios483: i do what i can
June 9, discussing ... well, this one's self-explanatory, and definitely not PG:
helios483: damn you equador!
bcouchmlb (4:54:10 PM): haha ... world cup pool fucked?
helios483 (4:54:39 PM): i had them winning in the challenge pick em, then i changed it to tied because i read these articles that said they suck unless at high altitudes
helios483 (4:54:52 PM): they're up 2-0 with only the overtime minutes goiung
helios483 (4:55:43 PM): fucking pundits, man
helios483 (4:55:57 PM) : they ruin my life, these so-called "experts"
helios483 (4:56:14 PM): i'll tell you...the two best jobs to have in the world....weatherman and pundit
helios483 (4:56:27 PM): though porn camera man comes a very close 2nd
helios483 (4:56:42 PM): tied with the guy that's supposed to eat the chicks out and shit to get them ready for their scene
helios483 (4:57:22 PM): not that i would want to dine on a plate of porn star cous cous
helios483 (4:57:35 PM): but at least i could touch their titties or something
bcouchmlb (4:58:39 PM): haha ... dude eating out porn stars as a warm up has to be the worst job ever
bcouchmlb (4:58:56 PM): i'm not eating strange nan unless i'm hitting it and getting head
helios483 (4:59:44 PM): like i said
helios483 (4:59:56 PM): come on man...they have to make like $10 an hour
helios483 (5:00:12 PM): i was making $8 an hour at Victoria's Secret and i wish they woulda let me eat some of them chicks out
Also June 9, Sash stating the obvious at a point it needed to be said:
bcouchmlb (5:50:43 PM): i'm just a lil wary of it being this easy
helios483 (5:51:16 PM): no need to be wary of it being this easy
helios483 (5:51:21 PM): after all, you read the game
helios483 (5:51:21 PM): twice
June 7, discussing the ramifications of drafting a girl with an ED (think Nicole Richie) in the LLFD:
helios483: yeah i think success score drop is mandatory
helios483: but if you knew the shit going in
helios483: well
helios483: that's like me drafting RuPaul and then saying, I think I wanna drop him for a real woman
helios483: too fuckin bad, jackass
The Swill Barber: hahaha wow
The Swill Barber: you might have wanted to stay away from the first person there .... ha
helios483: haha
helios483: so subsitute Alexei's name
helios483: and subsitute an Asian transvestite for RuPaul
(This gets much funnier if you know Alexei's nickname is "The Asian Assassin." His response upon finding out about the exchange? "I hate both of you more than life itself.")
Also June 7, on deciding whether to take action:
helios483: see....here's a failsafe question to ask yourself in these situations....if she came to your room naked and you were sober, would you fuck her? if the answer is yes, it doesn't hurt to put in a LITTLE work if you know the outcome will be sex (only because she doesn't want to feel easy and just give it up, so she makes you work for it)
helios483: if the answer is no...ask yourself if you were drunk would you fuck her
helios483: then, if the answer is yes, only fuck her if you don't have to put any effort into it
helios483: i mean, unless you're drunk and you've accidentally put in work and can now have sex
The Swill Barber: haha ... well reasoned
helios483: i do what i can
June 9, discussing ... well, this one's self-explanatory, and definitely not PG:
helios483: damn you equador!
bcouchmlb (4:54:10 PM): haha ... world cup pool fucked?
helios483 (4:54:39 PM): i had them winning in the challenge pick em, then i changed it to tied because i read these articles that said they suck unless at high altitudes
helios483 (4:54:52 PM): they're up 2-0 with only the overtime minutes goiung
helios483 (4:55:43 PM): fucking pundits, man
helios483 (4:55:57 PM) : they ruin my life, these so-called "experts"
helios483 (4:56:14 PM): i'll tell you...the two best jobs to have in the world....weatherman and pundit
helios483 (4:56:27 PM): though porn camera man comes a very close 2nd
helios483 (4:56:42 PM): tied with the guy that's supposed to eat the chicks out and shit to get them ready for their scene
helios483 (4:57:22 PM): not that i would want to dine on a plate of porn star cous cous
helios483 (4:57:35 PM): but at least i could touch their titties or something
bcouchmlb (4:58:39 PM): haha ... dude eating out porn stars as a warm up has to be the worst job ever
bcouchmlb (4:58:56 PM): i'm not eating strange nan unless i'm hitting it and getting head
helios483 (4:59:44 PM): like i said
helios483 (4:59:56 PM): come on man...they have to make like $10 an hour
helios483 (5:00:12 PM): i was making $8 an hour at Victoria's Secret and i wish they woulda let me eat some of them chicks out
Also June 9, Sash stating the obvious at a point it needed to be said:
bcouchmlb (5:50:43 PM): i'm just a lil wary of it being this easy
helios483 (5:51:16 PM): no need to be wary of it being this easy
helios483 (5:51:21 PM): after all, you read the game
helios483 (5:51:21 PM): twice
Monday, June 05, 2006
Once again, this is actual conversational clippage from a Sash-Couch connection:
The Swill Barber: i've decided i'm a social parasite
helios483: yeah
helios483: well that works
helios483: nothing wrong with that
The Swill Barber: once you introduce me to a group of people, i completely take over
The Swill Barber: happens everywhere
The Swill Barber: like at b&n
The Swill Barber: your people
The Swill Barber: hillel ... my frat ... wherever
The Swill Barber: i come and go as i please, and people always miss me after i'm out
The Swill Barber: aaaand the ben couch ego balloon is officially filled with enough hot air to lift off
helios483: hahaa
helios483: yeah, i guess i could say the same thing about me
helios483: except i don't have any friends
helios483: and i never get IMs, e-mails, calls, texts, or things written on my facebook wall about people missing me, so ...
helios483: but in the moment, i'm very cool to be around
The Swill Barber: i've decided i'm a social parasite
helios483: yeah
helios483: well that works
helios483: nothing wrong with that
The Swill Barber: once you introduce me to a group of people, i completely take over
The Swill Barber: happens everywhere
The Swill Barber: like at b&n
The Swill Barber: your people
The Swill Barber: hillel ... my frat ... wherever
The Swill Barber: i come and go as i please, and people always miss me after i'm out
The Swill Barber: aaaand the ben couch ego balloon is officially filled with enough hot air to lift off
helios483: hahaa
helios483: yeah, i guess i could say the same thing about me
helios483: except i don't have any friends
helios483: and i never get IMs, e-mails, calls, texts, or things written on my facebook wall about people missing me, so ...
helios483: but in the moment, i'm very cool to be around
