Monday, May 3, 2010

Sacramento Kings Draft Preview

Draft Preview for the Kings
Player Profile: Greg Monroe
Greg Monroe stats
08-09 (frosh) 12.7/ 6.5/ 2.5/ 1.5/ 1.57 points per possession 57% FG
09-10 (soph) 16.1 / 9.6/ 3.8/ 1.5/ 1.2 /1.43 point per 52%
Assist to turnover ration improved from 1.03 to 1.14
Greg Monroe is a 6-11 C that brings a solid all around game after two years of award winning basketball (Pete Newell Big Man Of the Year, 3rd team all America).
Why I would argue that Greg Monroe would be the best suit for the Kings if they don’t land a top 2 pick. True size with an all around game is not common. More importantly, Greg Monroe appears to understand the secret. The secret is to know your role and dominate within those parameters. This past season was supposed to be Greg Monroe’s year to dominate, and carry his Hoyas to a possible Big East Title and a deep run into the tourney. Instead of simply dominating the paint, Monroe showed he was a team player that was willing to defer to his very talented backcourt combo (Freeman, Wright- both will be 2011 draft picks). While most analysts faulted him for this play, I watched arguing that he would be a monster of a teammate once he got to the guard friendly NBA. It should be recognized by now that the league has ruined the game for big men in the mold of Patrick Ewing and Alonzo Mourning. The leagues best center is a dominating defensive player, who rebounds with a vengeance and scores basically of off pure athleticism. Of course I’m talking about Dwight Howard, and beyond that there really only about 5-10 true centers. What does that say; it says that to dominate you don’t need an old school post player to win in this league.
So how does Monroe help the kings? I would argue that Monroe would be able to step in right away for the Kings and show the tools to be one of the top 10 centers in the league within 2 years.
My top 10 centers
1. Dwight Howard
2. Brook Lopez
3. Tim Duncan
4. Yao Ming (if he returns to form)
5. David Lee
6. Chris Kaman
7. Al Jefferson
8. Andrew Bogut
9. Andrew Bynum
10. Andrea Bargnani
Joakim Noah, Mehemt Okur, Al Horford, Greg Oden, Marc Gasol, are all good players that will probably replace the two veterans or supplant other player.

More importantly than becoming a top ten center is the way he would help this team to their overall goal (a championship caliber team). Monroe appears to be a great locker room guy, and a facilitating teammate on the court. At the end of the day the kings don’t have a big man that can help Tyreke Evans and Carl Landry on a consistent basis. While Hawes and Thompson would excel with the second unit, I just don’t see them as difference makers on a first unit. The Line up next year with Monroe would be
1st unit
C: Monroe
PF: Landry
SF: Casspi
G: Udrih
G: Evans

Bench Rotation
Greene
Thompson
Garcia
Hawes
Brockman

Nocioni has no place on the floor with this team; we are young and should let the youth play. He will be a pricey bench warmer, but that’s better than a pricey crappy player.
Monroe would basically be the passing big man that the kings have lacked for the better part of a decade. He would allow Landry to continue to develop his scoring; he would allow Tyreke to get open more (he has run the Princeton offense for the last two years) with screens and backdoor passes. With no true blue point guard, I would think the best scenario would be to assemble a team of skilled passers at all the positions (ala the LA Lakers). Running out a team that has 5 guys capable of 3-6 assists per game, makes the kings a very dangerous team. Furthermore the Kings need a big man that has played in a tough college league (Big East) and showed a fair amount of toughness and success. This team needs defense and in my opinion of players in our draft range Monroe may be the second best defensive player. I know that there are shot blockers in the draft, but most of those players have a very limited offensive game and would be a mistake for the Kings to Draft.
The biggest reason we must take a center is because there is only one center in the first round of the 2011 mock draft boards. Basically I would say that while Cousins is a very intriguing prospect, and Favors athleticism and attitude are very tempting, I believe that Monroe is the player that will truly help the kings in the long run. If he had returned to school he would have been arguably the best player in College next year. Monroe is a great player and I would love to see him in the purple and black next year

Tuesday, March 9, 2010

An end to the Tryeke Evans Point guard debate

Tyreke Evans is not a point guard, and thank God for that. Teams do not win championships when point guards are their best player. Lets take a look at recent history; there are only two examples of a point guard truly dominating as a setup man and clutch shooter, Tony Parker in 06-07 and Chauncy Billups in 03-04. I think it is fair to say that in the case of Billups, he was surrounded by a dominant team, and was lucky to be playing against an ancient Lakers team. And I would argue that in Parkers case, Tim Duncan was clearly the best player on the Floor. Parker also had the luxury of having Bruce Bowen on the court to guard the dominant guard, as well as knowing that Duncan was going to protect the rim. Jason Kidd is the closest point guard that we have seen to dominant, and even he has never won a championship (appeared twice as teams best player).
Tyreke Evans is not a point guard, and thank God for that. I would argue that Tyreke Evans is a better version of Dwayne Wade. I would not argue that today, but give me 2 years and we will talk. As of right now, Tyreke is on pace to finish just 6 points per game behind Wade (a sixth year vet), he is on pace to have only 1.3 less assists per game, and will out rebound Wade by .2 (a draw). This only tells half of the story, It’s the way that both of these players score that intrigues me. According to Hoopsdata.com Tyreke Evans scores 5 baskets at the rim (layups/dunks) per game and Wade scores 4.5 times per game at the rim. Both men average 1.9 attempts per game from within 10 feet, both shoot less than one shot per game from 10-15 feet, from 16-23 feet away Wade averages 2.2 scores, and Tyreke averages 1.2 scores, from 3 point range, Tyreke averages .5 per game and Wade averages 1 per game. This shot chart data shows that while not identical, there games are almost identical. One more aspect that is a byproduct of both players aggressive rim attacking style is that they both get to the free throw line regularly. Wade averages 6.7 made free throws per game and Evans averages 5.4 made free throws per game and both men are shooting 75% from the line.
Tyreke Evans is not a point guard and thank God for that. So instead of debating if he is a point guard or a two guard, lets enjoy the rare talent that we are getting to watch. Regardless of whether or not he achieves the heralded 20-5-5 mark this season; it is safe to say that Tyreke Evans is one of the most gifted 3 guards in the entire world. I say 3 guard because, clearly he is not a 1, his shot is not developed enough to be a 2, and he gets to the rim like a 3. He will be the best player on a championship team at some point over the next 10 years. I just hope that he accomplishes that while wearing a Sacramento Jersey.

*On a side note, Kevin Durant and Lebron will prevent Tyreke and Wade from ever winning an MVP trophy and possibly prevent Tyreke from ever winning a championship.

Friday, February 12, 2010

Are the best athletes really competing in Vancouver?

As we approach the winter Olympics I find myself asking one question; are they worth watching? I have come to the resounding answer of “no”. I would be reluctant to recommend the winter games as “must see TV”, and I would be even more reluctant to spend the money to go to an actual venue. Don’t get me wrong; I love the summer Olympics, however the winter Olympics are inherently flawed. Unlike the summer games, the winter provides us a look at a unique group of privileged athletes that grew up in certain geographical locations around the world. Ask yourself, how many days a year are you around snow, ice, shooting ranges, ski resorts, bobsled/luge courses? I’m going to go out on a limb and say that most of us are not in the right geographic location to really devote our time to winter events. Geography alone prevents the world’s best athletes from competing in winter sports. The second prerequisite is finances. A yearly pass at Squaw Valley (a former Olympic venue) that allows for daily skiing without blackout dates costs $2,000. The cost of coaches can be thousands more, travel to events, equipment, and injuries; lead to an ultimate bill in the tens of thousands per year. So basically to participate in the winter Olympics you have to live in an area that provides the right weather conditions, you also have to be blessed with a financially blessed family, or be randomly discovered by secret winter sports spies.
Fun Facts
➢ According to usaluge.org there are only 4 registered luge clubs in the US (Brookline, NH. Marquette, MI. Whitehall, MI. Park City, UT)
➢ According to about.com, a 1 hour figure skating can cost up to $75
➢ Skiwestmountain.com offers a private ski coach for $80 and hour
I was able to find 3 glaring examples of how expensive/ geographically limitingin less than 5 minutes using Google. Unlike the summer games in which almost anyone has access to the tools of the sports, the winter competitions are nothing more than and exhibition of skills perfected by GOOD and fortunate athletes.
One side note: If you are born in a country that identifies athletic children, and immediately rips them from their family in hopes that they become the next great athlete to represent their country, then the above opinions hold no truth in your life.

Friday, December 18, 2009

Holiday Cheer

I'm in the process of moving so I don't have time to add a full post, so I've decided to provide a couple of my favorite drink recipes. I was a bartender for the last 8 years. Hope you all enjoy, and don't drink and drive or you will die. Maybe that's and exaggeration but you could, and its never safe. Without further ado, here are my 2 favorite original recipes.

Drink #1
Michael Jackson

Glassware: shot glass

Alcohol: 1/2 oz jagermeister
1/2 oz sambuca

Directions: Pour Sambuca and ice into a shaker, shake for 10 seconds or so (When Sambuca is shaken it turns milky colored). strain Sambuca to the half way point of the shot glass. Float the Jagermeister. For those of you that dont know how to float liquor, its actually quite simple, however pour spouts are a necessity if you want a clean float. Take a spoon, turn it upside down and set the tip in the shot glass. Slowly pour the Jager, onto the top of the spoon. This should work for everyone. If not google it, and then google moron.

The reason it is called a Michael Jackson is because it is half black and half white. This drink is not known outside of about 3 bars that myself and a friend work at, so you cannot ask for one. However, most bartenders love to learn new shots, so take the liberty of telling them how to make it, provided they are not busy.

Drink #2
Jesus and the 3 wise men

This was a birthday shot that I created for a group on xmas about 4 years ago

Ask the bartender for a 3 wise men (Johnny Walker, Jim Beam, Jack Daniels)
Then ask the bartender for a shot of tequila (any kind)

Its almost guranteed that if you drink theses shots right after one another you will have to say "jesus that was strong". Hence the name Jesus and the 3 wise men

Have a great weekend

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Politics of GITMO prison closure

One of Barack Obama's main campaign promises was to close the prison at Guantanamo Bay. I believe he stated that the prison would be closed by January 2010. Well... I guess we can chalk his promises up as empty. I personally believe that the prisoners should remain in Gitmo or any other military prison for that matter. This article has nothing to do with my personal feeling on this issue, this article will delve into the announcement that the prisoners would be moved to a maximum security prison in Thomson, IL.

As most everyone is aware, Obama started out in Illinois politics, and still has many connections throughout the state. To move a federal prison to a state, there has to be a willingness shown by the elected officials. These officials include the 2 senators from the state, and at a minimum the congressman from the district where the prison will be located. In this case, both senators are democrats, and the the congressman is republican. I will focus on democratic Senator Roland Burris, and republican Congressman Mark Kirk.

As many of you may remember Senator Burris was at the center of the Rod Blagojevich appointment scandal. Senator Burris was appointed to the Senate amidst allegations that he purchased his seat. The evidence suggests that he probably did buy his seat, however the prosecutors were unable to prove as much. The silver bullet in the case was a recorded conversation in which Burris commented that he could "do something" for Blagojevich if he was appointed. While the Senate Ethics Committee was unable to prove his guilt, they did admonish him for his actions. Recently Burris announced that he would not be seeking re-election in the midterm elections of 2010. This has created a situation in which the Democrats could lose a very important senate seat to a strong Republican candidate.

In this case the strong republican candidate is Representative Mark Kirk. Mark Kirk is considered the favorite to win the upcoming election, based partially on the fact that he has a strong base in the suburbs and small towns north of Chicago ( 10th district). Thomson, Ill is one of those suburbs/ small towns that make up the 10th district. Mark Kirk is adamantly opposed to having the prisoners transferred to his district.

I find the timing of this announcement to be very strategic, I also find the announcement to be an attempt to destroy Kirk's political base, and in turn his chance in the 2010 Senate race. This deal wreaks of sabotage. There has been no timeline placed on the move, however the announcement comes at a very key time politically. The holiday break is when D.C. takes some time off, and there is very little political news for a 10 day period. This means that this story will be the topic of conversations across the US, and more specifically northern Illinois. This is a perfect storm for Obama. He can use his connections in Illinois to help push for the prison, he can also count on Senator Burris to help push for the prison, Burris has no desire to stay in federal politics, so he can willingly commit political suicide. Obama is able through savvy politics, to kill two birds with one stone. 1) move the prisoners to northern Ill. (fulfilling a pointless campaign promise), 2. Potentially damage the senate hopes of Rep Mark Kirk.

I openly will admit that all of this is purely speculation, however the events wreak of scandal. Burris announced that he wouldn't run again, Kirk emerges as the leading candidate, and Obama is taking substantial heat for an inability to keep campaign promises. Tie all of this in with a holiday break, and we have a perfect storm of sorts. Obama gets credit for announcing the closure of Gitmo which will help all democrats in their midterm elections, and Kirk has to explain to his political base why he cant prevent the prison. This is just another attempt to undermine our political system.

Happy Holidays America,

Bryan

P.S. If you want to read more on this simply google Burris and Obama, and you will learn all about their wonderful relationship.

A few thoughts on Tiger

Over the last few weeks, any person not living under a rock has been bombarded with stories about Tiger and his harem of mistresses. Personally, I don't really care if he was faithful or not, its not my business. The only relationship that I have with Tiger is watching him play golf. That relationship has been working just fine for over a decade. As far as I know, there is only one woman that Tiger cheated on, therefore no other person has the need to loathe Tiger. Unfortunately for golf fans, Tiger has been forced to step away from golf, to concentrate on his marriage. I commend him for putting his family first, but I will be taking a break from watching golf until his break is over.

What I truly find fascinating is that the Media has decided to keep this story going, and going, and going. I would love to know why they care so much. All the media has done is push Tiger out of golf. There are now reports that Tiger is going into seclusion in the south of France, due to their strict media laws. The media has traded decades of future golf stories, for 3 weeks of juicy gossip. Tiger has always been an extremely private with his personal life, I can only imagine how quiet he will be when he comes back to golf.

Growing up I loved Michael Jordan, Emmit Smith, and Rickey Henderson. I loved watching them play and dominate there respective sports. The Media also loved these athletes, therefore they resisted the urge to out the indiscretion's of dominate athletes. As we all know, Michael Jordan had his fair share of mistress's, so why didn't the media report on them. I would argue that they preferred to watch MJ play basketball, then to chase him into seclusion. I am in no way arguing that adultery is acceptable or reasonable, I just don't care if they are committing it.

All in all, I would rather watch Tiger play golf then read about his sex life. unfortunately, the mainstream media has decided that 3 weeks of gossip is better than a decade plus of great golf stories. I hope they enjoy the next two years of watching lefty, Daly, and every other mediocre golfer. I for one will miss sunday golf, the red shirt that has single handedly shaken the will of great players, and the fist pump that comes after a 52 footer. I will miss you Tiger. See you in few years.

Monday, December 14, 2009

First Post

I would like to start out with thanking you all for reading this blog. My goal is to create a blog that encompasses my three passions. I am a politics junky, I recently graduated with a degree in Political Science from CSUSM. Instead of pursuing a career in the field of Politics, I decided to become a cook and work my way up to Chef. Lastly, I will write about my leisure time passion; Sports. With that said, each day I will post either a new recipe, provide commentary on the big sports events, or examine the newest political triumph or failure (If I can, I will post numerous times per day and all three topics will be discussed). Without further ado, The PSC Blog will officially begin

Recipe #1
Caramelized Pear Turkey Burgers
Serves 4

1 lb. Ground Turkey
2 pears
8 oz Spring Greens Mix
4 slices of Pepper Jack Cheese (Use whatever you like)
2 tablespoons mayonnaise
1 cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons of butter
1 tablespoon crushed red pepper
2 cloves of garlic
*Bread/Rolls: this is up to you, I prefer using sweet Hawaiian rolls. Hamburger buns will work also

Preparation
- Mix ground turkey with 1/2 cup brown sugar, 2 cloves of garlic, and 1 tablespoon of crushed red pepper. Let Sit for 15-30 minutes if time is available.
- Make 4 equal sized turkey patties
- Slice 1 pear into very thin slices
- Dice 1 pear (to be added to spring mix)

Cooking
- Turkey Burgers: Multiple ways to cook

Frying Pan:
- Medium heat
- Cook to Preferred Temperature
- Medium well is usually 6-8 minutes on both sides

BBQ
- High heat
- Cook to Preferred Temperature
- Medium will be roughly 5 minutes on both sides

Broiler
- High Heat
- Rack on top shelf
- Medium will be 6-7 minutes on both sides

Spring Mix Topping
- Mix Diced Pair, 2 table spoons of Mayonnaise, and 8 oz. spring mix in bowl

Caramelized Pear Topping
- In saute pan mix half cup of brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of butter, and sliced pears.
- Cook until pears are brown

Completion
- 3 minutes before burgers are done, place rolls/bread/buns on BBQ or in Broiler
- 2 minutes before burgers are done, place cheese on top of burger

Service
- Place bottom portion of bread on plate, Place Burger patty on bread, put caramelized pears on top of burger then place 1/4 of pear spring slaw on top of burger. Put on top bread and serve.

Enjoy,
Bryan