Fan's Labyrinth

It is a story of a brave, young basketball team, striving hard in a cruel world to fulfill the sacred task and win the day. Surrounded by evil, and fear, and danger, the Suns went forth to do battle, to win the NBA title. They thought that they would face five men in shorts. They didn't understand about the men in suits, and striped shirts, and the guys smoking big Cubans and answering the phone, "Badda-Bing."

In the end, the Suns lay dying just a few feet from the end of their quest. Losing consciousness, they have a vision: The bullying Spurs have been suspended, the refereeing crew has worked honestly, the Suns have made it to the NBA finals and after four games of dominance, are hoisting the trophy overhead. Mike D and Steve Nash are hugging, Amare is flashing his million-dollar smile, The Matrix looks for something else to jump over, even Jalen Rose is waving a towel!

Next scene. The light goes out of the eyes of the Suns. The Suns fans, weeping, carry the body of their hopes and dreams out into the night. Betrayed by Stu Jackson and David Stern, brutalized by Bruce Bowen and Robert Horry, cheated by Tim Donaghy and perhaps others of his officiating crew, dead at the hands of villainy. In retrospect, we can see it all very clearly.

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I thought the demise of the Seahawks at the hands of a coalition of Steelers and referees was a case of just bad, stupid, terrible, incompetent officiating. Now I begin to wonder....I thought the Suns lost because of just bad, stupid, terrible, incompetent officiating and bad, stupid, terrible, incompetent judgment by NBA officials. Now I wonder even more. It seems likely that the Suns were done in more by striped suits and guys with violin cases than by Spurs.

We cannot have this! Sports is great drama and entertainment because the outcome is in doubt! It is not scripted, like in pro wrestling (I apologize in advance to all you good ole boys who really think it is for real). We can have heroes and villains and mighty deeds to relate to our grandkids because it is real, it means something, it is happening in the moment and not thought up 18 months previously by the guys in the back room.

Tim Donaghy has taken that away from us. Now we remember offensive interference in the end zone and get angry. Now we think of Steve Nash getting mugged and Phoenix getting the technical and we get angrier. Now we can't be sure.

We want to be sure, though, let me tell you Sterns and Goodells and Seligs the truth. We want to believe in your games. Help us out, here. (Selig, quit chortling over the Bonds thingy being buried behind the Donaghy thingy and the Vick-dog thingy in the news. You still have issues!)

It is time for the NFL and the NBA and yes, even the MLB to come up with processes that monitor and evaluate the performances of officials. It is time for more proactive monitoring of the personal lives of said officials. If they balk at having their privacy invaded, hey, it is a voluntary job, let 'em quit and hire people who are not afraid to be transparent. We have to believe that the game is honest. Caesar's wife, you know?

I'm not a Seahawk fan, but man did they get screwed! I'm a Bulls fan, but man did Phoenix get the shaft! If it keeps up, I will find other things to watch and care about. Hey, NFL and NBA and MLB? When I and my peers do, then you sports franchise owners can forget about all those billions of dollars and go back to lawyering or owning car dealerships or making computers or whatever your day job is. If I want something scripted, I'll go watch a movie, the food is cheaper and the seats are way closer to the action!

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Don't miss This Donaghy Situation is not likely to improve!

Dog charges may bring Vick down

Michael Vick indicted by federal grand jury in dogfighting probe

Yes, Michael Vick is one of the five most exciting football players to watch, maybe even the most of all. He is talented, he is athletic, he is famous...and it appears that he may also be a felon.

I detest and abhor dog fighting. It involves a great deal of torture and abuse of an animal that would normally be a gregarious and loving creature. It is bad enough that people teach dogs to be mean. But this? Raising them in an atmosphere of violence and misery only to die in a battle against another crazed, mistreated animal or to be executed even if victorious afterwards.

I love dogs. They are loving and intelligent creatures who will in most cases be willing to give their lives to protect their families and yet if raised correctly would never violently attack another creature without provocation. I have three of them myself. They are lovers, not fighters but you would be sorry if you took a swing at me or one of mine within their reach. So far there has been no need for any of them to prove it...and I doubt they ever will. Criminals think twice about invading a home where dogs dwell. I always say, "who needs ADT when you can have DOG?"

My dogs love to give and receive attention, they love to play, they will sense the situation if one of their people is depressed/sad and come over to try to love them in those situations. It angers me when I think of dog fighting purveyors stealing family pets to either try to fight them or to make them hapless victims of bigger fight-crazed beasts.

So Mike? You have been fun to watch, but I wouldn't pay a penny to see you do anything now. It is obvious you have been involved in this stuff. If you are involved to the point that you are sentenced I am quite sure it will be deserved and I won't be sorry to see it.

Too many pro athletes think that mistreating animals and women and children is being "manly." No, being manly is being responsible and protecting those weaker than you, not lording over and abusing them. Being manly is providing for your family, not seeing them as toys or possessions or targets for your abuse.

This is a sad day for pro sports. I do hope that other young men who have been involved in this kind of thing will now think twice. I also hope that if Vick is guilty that his fame won't keep him from being jailed and paying the price!

Actual NFL rookie draft

Here is an actual first round result from a current dynasty league:

1- baller j - Adrian Peterson

Baller takes the best running back, regardless of opportunities available. Who knows, maybe he consign Chester Taylor to third down back status and be a big hit in year one?

2- radar - Marshawn Lynch

My pick was for the other top running back and, in this particular league, I was in need of a running back who would get points from the get-go. Lynch fills that bill.

3- dano - Calvin Johnson

He is supposed to be the starter from the beginning in a Mike Martz offense, which makes him valuable now and in the future both. Thus, drafting a WR third makes sense.

4- cubbyblue - Jamarcus Russell

He'll likely be the starter right away, but be inconsistent as he grows on the job. You know he has the ability to be a top-five QB.

5- sportsfan89b - Brandon Jackson

He projects to being in either a RBBC with Vernand Morency or being the lead back over Morency.

6- omega - Lorenzo Booker

Typical dynasty pick of a guy who won't start this year unless there is an injury but a guy who has enough talent to be a starter one day.

7- howboutdem - Brady Quinn

Ya gotta believe! Up until now the draft was exactly following my mock but here is the divide. Many people believe he will be another Tom Brady...

8- nickobergen - Chris Henry

Going for a guy who may start this year.

9- wjones - Michael Bush

Here Jonesy is willing to wait for production from this back, who is almost certainly spending most of his time on the bench behind Lamont Jordan.

10- bask8ball - Robert Meacham

A guy who might, MIGHT, beat out Devery Henderson for the slot opposite Marques Colsten.

11- tsunami - Sidney Rice

Much like the choice of Bush. Rice is not polished and not likely to produce much in his first season.

12- every sunday - Ted Ginn, Jr

Like the Dolphins, this choice is a vote for atheticism. Ginn is a home run threat, no doubt.

To me, the biggest surprise was that everyone passed on Dwayne Jarrett in the first round. Carolina dropped Keyshawn Johnson in order to clear out a spot for him. Jarrett was a big time producer in college. I don't really think there were 4 wide receivers in this draft better than Jarrett. Fantasy GM's in this draft decided that speed trumps size, however. We won't know for at least a couple of years whether they were right.

2007 Mock NFL Rookie draft

2007 Mock NFL Rookie draft

If you are in a dynasty league, you have a rookie draft each year in your league to bring in the new blood. Rookie drafts often focus on running backs and that has to be taken into consideration. Dynasty leagues must consider the long range prognosis for prospects balanced against immediate performance. Therefore talent alone is not the only consideration.

Here is my totally biased and opinionated take on a mock rookie draft for 2007, for a 12-team league with standard scoring settings:

Round One

1) Adrian Peterson, Minnesota RB – Peterson is doomed to RBBC hell for 2007, sharing time with Chester Taylor. He’s had two collarbone injuries in the last two years. But you probably draft him first in a dynasty league because he is the best bet to become a 1500 yard, 15 touchdown stud.

2) Marshawn Lynch, Buffalo RB– This is more of a 1A pick. Buffalo has given Lynch the keys to the kingdom if he can handle being the feature back. He is a pass-catching, Westbrook-style back who should be gold in PPR leagues and likely the most productive rookie back in 2007. But he has less upside than Peterson.

3) Calvin Johnson, Detroit WR – What, the Lions took another receiver at #1???!!! Yep, and this time they were right. Johnson has all the tools to be a Moss without the attitude, or maybe more likely a TO without the attitude. He is big and fast and talented and has produced on the field.

4) JaMarcus Russell, Oakland QB – It’s a dynasty league, and he has towering talent. Oakland is due for a few smart personnel and coaching decisions and this was one of them. He’ll be frustrating this season, but give him three years….

5) Brandon Jackson, Green Bay RB – Unless Vernand Morency has improved a lot, Jackson can start for the Pack. Opportunity makes Jackson a better pick than, say, a Pittman or Michael Bush. He should have staying power as a third down back in any case.

6) Dwayne Jarrett, Carolina WR – They cut Keyshawn to make a spot for this guy, so he should be starting no later than week three. Kind of high for a receiver, but if he will give you 60 and 850 this year and 80 and 1000 down the road?

7) Michael Bush, Oakland RB – Dominic Rhodes is suspended for four games, giving Bush a chance to move up the line and get carries. Justin Fargas shouldn’t be much of a hindrance. But this is contingent on Michael’s twice-broken leg healing in time for the season. He still has great talent as a future pick if healthy.

8) Chris Henry, Tennessee RB – The running back is still king in fantasy football and Henry has a chance to either start or split carries with LenDale White, who has failed to take ahold of the job. Opportunity trumps talent, so while Henry may not be one of the five best backs in the draft, he has one of the five best opportunities to succeed.

9) Lorenzo Booker, Miami RB – No Ricky Williams means touches will be available for Booker. He is good enough to be a feature back but Ronnie Brown is healthy and incumbent. Therefore Booker is more of a future pick.

10) Kenny Irons, Cincinnati RB – Much like Booker, Irons is blocked from being the feature back (barring injuries) but could be the top dog in the right situation.

11) Brady Quinn, Cleveland QB – He is touted by his college coach as being the total package. He comes to a situation where he will have to fight for the job, and may well be primarily a bench guy in his rookie year. There is no doubt that Cleveland views him as the starter down the road even if it isn’t this year. He has enough upside to be worthy of a first round pick.

12) Craig Davis, San Diego WR – This is a big, strong guy that is being given a real shot at starting opposite Vincent Jackson this season. Even if he splits time at split end, is Eric Parker or Malcolm Floyd good enough to hold him off for long? It would seem pretty unlikely….

Round Two

1) Brian Leonard, St Louis RB – Of course, Steven Jackson is the man. However, it appears that the Rams envision Leonard as some kind of combination of Marshall Faulk, Tony Richardson and Chris Cooley. Yep, they are very high on him. He probably will get some time as a third down back and at fullback. What, you think Travis Minor is significant competition? The Rams probably realize that Steven Jackson needs a down off now and again and Leonard can handle that job nicely.

2) Greg Olsen, Chicago TE – He is in an offense that wants to feature the tight end and he has the hands and speed to be a threat to opposing defenses. Of course, one does remember who is responsible for throwing to him. If Rex Grossman is actually improving he will be getting the ball to Olsen early and often this year.

3) Robert Meacham, New Orleans WR – One of those risk/reward picks. He has talent, he is in an offense that is going to rack up numbers, there is opportunity. He came to minicamp out of shape, so his attitude has to change or he’ll be far behind guys like Devery Henderson and Terrance Copper. But you know that the Saints didn’t throw a first-round pick at him to play special teams.

4) Anthony Gonzalez, Indianapolis WR – He has a great chance to take over as the third wide receiver. Peyton Manning likes having a slot receiver be involved in the game plan, so it is up to Gonzo to prove he can get separation in the NFL. He has the hands and is already a good pattern guy.

5) Ted Ginn, Miami WR – Is he the Dolphins version of Hester? Ginn is a future pick, since he is possibly not going to be ready for the beginning of the season and has a ways to go as a polished receiver. You draft him for his athleticism and hope it translates into stardom later on. He could be a classic third year receiver prize down the road. Once on the field, he should at least threaten to give you a return TD or two, depending on your league settings.

6) Drew Stanton, Detroit QB – I believe he will be polished for a couple of years under Mike Martz and then be ready to take the controls as starter. He has the upside to be a big producer in a good system. Martz knows offense. Detroit didn’t draft this guy to hold a clipboard.

7) Zach Miller, Oakland TE – Russell-to-Miller could be like Green-to-Gonzalez one day. Miller is physical and tough and talented and has little in the way on the depth chart to keep him off the field. I may have him too low here, in fact. It will be an upset if he isn’t the starter as a rookie for Oakland.

8) Antonio Pittman, New Orleans RB – Deuce and Reggie. I know. But this is a talented guy and could easily take over the Deuce role when (if?) contract troubles send the Deuce elsewhere. Only injuries will make him relevant this year, though.

9) Dwayne Bowe, Kansas City WR – I think he has to go before the end of the second round. Kansas City is a great opportunity for receivers, since they don’t have much right now. Samie Parker has shown us that he is merely pedestrian and Eddie Kennison is pretty much on fumes. So, although I am not incredibly impressed with Bowe, he has the chance to step up and get reps right away. That counts for something.

10) Steve Smith, New York WR – Another guy with the opportunity to play big minutes. The Giants seem to see him as at least as likely as Sinorice Moss to get reps opposite Burress if Toomer is still hurting. Toomer is no spring chicken anyway, so Smith may be able to establish himself as the heir apparent if nothing else. He had an impressive mini-camp.

11) Sidney Rice, Minnesota WR – A futures pick, Rice is only 20 years old with worlds of athleticism. Having an inexperience quarterback won’t help him much this season, but then again he probably won’t play much in 2007.

12) Dwayne Wright, Buffalo RB – Someday Wright and Lynch may be the Deuce and Reggie of Buffalo. At this point I would rather draft a back who may someday be productive than grab one of the 4-5 other decent wide receiver prospects.

Honorable mentions: Jacoby Jones, Laurent Robinson, James Jones, J L Higgins, Jason Hill, Mike Walker and Paul Williams are all rookie wide receivers one could say something positive about. Trent Edwards and Kevin Kolb might merit a look as quarterbacks to groom.

The 2007 NBA draft-day trades

My two cents on the three big trades made in conjunction with the 2007 NBA draft comes with the following disclaimer: Free agent signings and trades can impact the effect of these trades significantly. A trade that looks dumb in June can be brilliant in late July after a free agent signing changes things.

The best trades are win-win trades in which both sides get something that they need. It is the way all trades are supposed to work. This year three trades were made that were supposed to give both sides what they needed....and did they?

Boston trades draft pick Jeff Green, Delonte West and Wally Sczerbiak to Seattle for Ray Allen and draft pick Glen "Big Baby" Davis.

My first reaction was that Danny Ainge was nuts! Here you have a young team that is developing into a future power and you get a shooting guard with a sore knee, a lot of mileage and coming off of two ankle surgeries?! Plus, trading off Delonte was a mistake, he is a combo guard with heart and 94-feet of desire. Who was going to play point now other than Rajon Rondo?

But I think I get it now. Boston was too young. They still have Tony Allen and Gerald Green and Al Jefferson and Rondo and Kendrick Perkins and Ryan Gomes to grow on. But having Paul Pierce and Ray Allen gives them enough firepower to win this year. Maybe letting the kids learn how to win now makes them better later? Plus, Pierce wasn't going to stand for much more going-to-war-with-kindergartners. If you have three top players in the East it is enough to win: see Nets, New Jersey. Allen, Pierce and Jefferson are ready for prime time right now.

As to point guards, while I am not sold on SeaBass, there are a few point guards available in free agency this year. Ainge can easily settle on a Chucky Atkins or a Brevin Knight if he can't get one of the better ones. He'd like to believe, though, that Rondo is ready to be the full-time starter there and this will be the season to find out.

If the Celtics had received one of the top two, maybe three picks, this trade never happens. But they didn't and this trade makes a sensible plan B. Boston wins.

Seattle lost 51 games last year with 'Shard Lewis and Ray-Ray. They had made some unusual drafting decisions in recent years, decisions that left them with three tall, skinny, juvenile centers who had not yet proven their NBA worth. The team was unsuccessful in negotiations to have a new arena built in the area and the rumors of moves to Las Vegas or Oklahoma City had begun to spread. Once they had the good fortune to receive the #2 pick in the draft, it made sense to build a team around Kevin Durant and plan on competing for championships 2-3-4 years down the road.

Then came this trade. The more I look at it, the less I like it. Dumping Ray Allen's salary might make sense if you were going to keep Rashard Lewis, but Lewis plays the same position as Durant. Lewis doesn't want to hang around and lead a squad of developing players to a couple of 35-win seasons. So Seattle was either going to lose Lewis, max out their bank account keeping him, or do a sign-and-trade. Doing a sign-and-trade plus keeping Allen meant that next year Seattle would be entertaining and competitive while still giving Durant and apparent side-kick Jeff Green time for on-the-job training. Ray Allen doesn't need to dominate the ball in order to score, so no reason to think he and Durant couldn't co-exist wonderfully.

But that isn't gonna happen. Lewis is almost certainly out the door one way or another. The Supersonics could well wind up with a very young team that cannot go to the playoffs this year. I love Delonte West for them, don't get me wrong. Wally Wonder can shoot, so he makes a decent bench piece. But pardon me if I don't suspect that the deal was made in part because ownership plans on leaving for greener pastures soon and could care less how well the team does this season as long as they are building a team to compete in the future.

Maybe a smart sign-and-trade with Lewis gives the Sonics someone like Darko. Maybe this trade will benefit the Supersonics franchise in future years. But for 2007-8, Seattle (the city) loses!

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Charlotte Bobcats get draft pick Jermerao Davidson and Jason Richardson from Golden State in exchange for draft pick Brandan Wright.

Chris Mullin surely had to hate sending away JRich under any circumstances. Richardson has been a warrior, steadfastly putting team above himself, working hard year after year, working to improve his game, giving it all on the court night after night. If only the entire NBA had his work ethic and attitude!

On the other hand, last year's squad played one point guard and two big men in their rotation. Everyone else was a 2 or a 3. Golden State was not only up to their necks in wing players, there were some decent wing players available in the draft at their spot in the rotation. Brandan Wright is now the third "big", joining Harrington and Biedrins, who can run the court in Warrior style. Furthermore, Richardson now has a cranky knee which did slow his game somewhat and could be a problem going forward.

The Warriors also moved a big contract and received a ten million dollar trade exception in the exchange, worthwhile indeed should there be a chance to swing a trade for a Garnett or another available star. Meanwhile they drafted yet another guy who can play big upfront and another shooter for their collection of wings. Brandan Wright was made to play for this style of offense! Golden State Wins!

Charlotte's Michael Jordan was the best baller in the world but has been less than impressive as a drafter or trader. There are plenty of people who dissed him on this one, too. What is the point of getting a wonderful athlete like Wright and then trading him immediately? Isn't Charlotte trying to build a winner?

Precisely. Like Boston last season, a team too heavy on youngsters won't win consistently. Adding bright young talent like Wright is never a bad thing. But what is he adding to??? Charlotte hasn't had a go-to guy like Richardson before. Wearing 23 isn't his only resemblance to Jordan. Richardson is a team leader, a finisher, a guy who wants the ball in the fourth quarter. Gerald Wallace is learning how to be one of those....but he might leave in free agency. Okafor is a defensive force but not a deadly offensive weapon. No, to learn to win and to reach the playoffs, a trade like this had to happen.

Jason Richardson is still just 26 years old. If he can remain healthy, he will be "The Man" for the Bobcats for the foreseeable future and help make them a consistent contender in the East. Charlotte wins!

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Portland Trailblazers receive Channing Frye and Steve Francis for Zach Randolph, Dan Dickau and Fred Jones.

How do the Knicks and Isiah Thomas keep doing it? I cannot see this one at all, unless there is a subsequent deal going down. Yes, Francis had a bad contract but Randolph's is much bigger and longer. Yes, Randolph is talented but he does the same thing that Eddy Curry does!

Last year Thomas had the brilliant idea of pairing Starbury and Stevie Franchise in the backcourt. Yep, a ball-dominating shoot-first point guard alongside a ball-dominating shoot-first point guard! There weren't enough basketballs to go around, especially with guys like Jamal Crawford also in the mix. It didn't work and the salary-heavy Knicks missed the playoffs.

Now Zeke thinks that he needs to add a low-post scorer who can't defend or pass smartly out of double-teams to a low-post scorer who can't defend or pass smartly out of double-teams. New York will have an elephantine frontcourt that can score in buckets and toss down 16 double-cheeseburgers at a sitting. Big whoop! Meanwhile, Fred Jones is a leaper who isn't all that good otherwise and Dan Dickau is a very, very slow point guard who can shoot the three. If either of them are getting minutes, it must be because your team really stinks!

Finally, Randolph had a hard time staying out of trouble when his home team was in Portland, Oregon! How many strip joints are there in New York City? Yikes!

In my opinion, Randolph and Curry will give up more on the defensive end than they will provide for the Knicks on the offensive end, thus, New York will need big production from their bench to win games again. New York Loses!

Portland traded one bad contract attached to an unwanted star for another. But Steve Francis' contract is about 33 million dollars less than Randolph's. There is a good chance that Portland can negotiate a buyout. There is a very tiny chance that Stevie's New York Adventure has caused him to want to be a team-first veteran leader who will fit in nicely in Portland....NAW! They'll buy him out or trade him!

Channing Frye is a nice 6-11 bench guy who will fit nicely into the rotation behind Oden and Aldridge and alongside McRoberts. Fred Jones and Dan Dickau were useless to Portland but Frye will be part of the building plan. Three and one-half years from now, when Greg Oden is hoisting that NBA championship trophy over his head, Frye will be on the stage wearing a ballcap and grinning like an idiot.

Portland had to trade Randolph. This team has to belong to Greg Oden now, and Aldridge and Brandon Roy. Rip City part two is here and JailBlazers must go! (It will be interesting to see how the Darius Miles situation plays out, eh?) The classic addition-by-subtraction trade.

The way I see it, Francis' contract is better than Randolph's, Frye is better than Dickau and Jones. Randolph is a defenseless black hole, better suited to piling up statistics than winning championships. Portland Wins!