FREE Deron Williams T-shirt ~ I laughed at this phrase

Today I received an email message "from" Deron Williams.  I'd imagine it was one of the emails that the team sends out to people who've bought tickets to a game.  Regardless, I thought it was funny.  In the email was a video from Deron Williams and a picture of him (i.e. presumably at the press conference where he was welcomed to the New Jersey Nets), after being traded from the Utah Jazz.  I didn't watch the video, but I thought the line underneath Williams' picture was funny.

Here's the line, "...the first 10,000 fans in attendance will receive a FREE Deron Williams NETS Basketball T-Shirt!"

Whoever wrote that line is pretty clever or maybe a little sarcastic.  It's no secret that the Utah Jazz's future looked brighter than the Nets'.  So, I couldn't help but read "FREE" as "let Deron go" as opposed to "at no cost".

Just something that made me laugh, that I thought I'd share.


THE WIRK

ESPN NBA doubleheader tonight ~ Lakers v Knicks and Suns v Jazz

So Deron Williams is on the ESPN crawl and he says, "I would never force Sloan out of Utah."  Well, of course he has to say something...  I don't know about you, but I'm going to be firmly planted in front of my TV tonight.  Yes, it's going to be a "wild" one.  ESPN is offering me more drama and excitement this evening than a night out with my friends can promise.  To paraphrase the current catchphrase for the NBA, I'm ready for amazing to happen. 

Last night the Los Angeles Lakers spoiled it for the Boston Celtics by defeating the Celtics on a night when Ray Allen made history.  Ray Allen surpassed Reggie Miller to become the all-time 3 point leader.  The Lakers surged in the 2nd half to defeat the Celtics, so I'm going to guess that Kobe Bryant et al will be tired tonight.

My prediction for the first game of the doubleheader is that the Knicks play big tonight and defeat the Los Angeles Lakers.  Last night, I was catching up with a friend and he brought up the fact that tonight will be Phil Jackson's last night coaching the Lakers at Madison Square Garden.  Needless to say the game became slightly more intriguing, and I thought about hopping on a train to New York City.  

Ultimately, I decided to cool my jets and watch at home.  Phil's last game at the Garden...  I can't believe it.  I'm still hoping Phil pulls a "Brett Favre" and comes back next year.  I'm not ready to see the Zen Master go, and with the Lakers playing the way they are ~ I think it's obvious that the team still needs him.

I think after a day of rest and losing the the Los Angeles Clippers (i.e. read "Blakers", as in Blake Griffin's team) that the New York Knicks will deliver a quality performance and win for their fans.

Enough about that.

Late last night, Steve Nash tweeted about the Phoenix Suns getting to .500.  After last season, if you would've told me that the Suns were going to be a .500 team this close to the NBA All-Star break, I would've called you a liar.  Obviously, I knew that the loss of Amare Stoudemire would be significant.  Seriously, though...  .500?!?!  This is a team that made it to the Western Conference Finals last year.

Regardless tonight's 2nd game of the double headers should be a good one.  I predict that the Suns come out blazing and the the Utah Jazz under perform.  I'm also very curious to hear if the reception for Deron Williams changes from previous games.  I can't feel the pulse in Salt Lake City (i.e. on this side of the country), but I can't imagine that the "Utah Jazz" faithful are thrilled that Jerry Sloan is gone. 

The first game is at 8PM.  Order your pizza by 7:30 to make sure it's delivered before the opening tip.

To recap my predictions:

Knicks defeat the Lakers.

Suns defeat the Jazz.

THE WIRK

Jerry Sloan retiring immediately ~ This Jazz is not music to my ears...

I never questioned Jerry Sloan's passion and dedication to his team and the sport of basketball.  If you don't know who Jerry Sloan is (i.e. and you're not my mom), why are you even reading this blog? 

****  I watched Jerry Sloan lose it at the Staples Center in April of 2009.  I can't remember, but I think he got tossed out of the game.  The man was fired up, and I can respect that.

No, Jerry Sloan isn't a camel, but was the latest flare up with Deron Williams the final straw? I've been in training all week, but I couldn't help but see that Jerry Sloan was retiring from his head coaching position, with the Utah Jazz.  When I first saw it, I thought to myself that sure ~ the Utah Jazz have been looking a little, lackluster and have been playing "flat".  However, when I checked their record, I was surprised to see that they are still above .500, especially in the Western Conference.  Let's face it.  The Western Conference is a lot sexier than the Eastern Conference in terms of competition and flash.

The Utah Jazz are currently 31-23.  I'll admit right now, that I haven't watched a Jazz game since the weekend before Super Bowl XLV.  I've learned not to bet on them, when I was in Vegas, because they've become incredibly unpredictable.  Carlos Boozer's presence is sorely missed and (i.e. when I was watching the games a couple of weekends ago) Deron Williams was sitting on the bench.  When I tune in Andrei Kirilenko, AK-47, is more like a BB gun.  The Jazz just don't look good anymore.  However, that's only a reason for me to stop watching them and not for Jerry Sloan to stop coaching them.

When I saw the news about Sloan on the TV, I thought he'd finish out the season.  I was wrong.  Evidently, his resignation is effective immediately.

Wow, I'm a basketball purist and I realize the pros are different than college.  However, if this is an example of a "star" player exercising his muscle to get a coach out, then this is a very slippery slope for an NBA franchise to take.  A coach is still a coach.

Assistant coach Tyrone Corbin is taking over the team.  I have no idea what he looks like, but for now he'll be referred to as "the guy sitting next to Gary Briggs".  ****  That's right Briggs, you get a shout out.  I still remember you from my Cleveland Cavaliers days.

I still haven't visited Salt Lake City to see the Jazz play at home.  I don't really have any method to my madness of picking a venue to visit, but I'll admit I like the teams I see to have an identity.  If you ask me the future of the Jazz is hazy and now with the change in leadership, I'm moving the visit further down the list.  Maybe I'll have a long layover or Delta will bump me.  That's the only way you'll find me at a Jazz game in the foreseeable future.

Jazz, huh...  Sloan's retirement is not music to my ears...  Deron Williams, you better be putting up crazy, consistent All-Star stas now that Sloan is gone, because like it or not, the spotlight (i.e. heat lamp) is on you now.

THE WIRK

NBA International players to cross the pond if lockout ~ I say, "No"

I've been reading a couple of headlines related to international players in the NBA (e.g. Mehmet Okur and Andrei Kirilenko) and the plans they're "considering" if there's an lockout next season.  Having survived a NBA lockout in 1998 with an international player who also entertained offers from other teams in Europe (i.e. if I remember correctly, I remember a team in Spain was interested), I'm willing to call the player's bluffs.  If these guys start looking for their passports, my bet is that they're going for pleasure and NOT business.

I remember the NBA lockout "vacation" that was had.  To say that everyone was unhappy would be a lie.  Players who were committed to conditioning and rehab still worked out.  They just might've been found working out at MLB facilities, local community centers, and health clubs, etc.  From what I could see, for those players not living paycheck to paycheck and who were smart with their money, life was just fine.  It was good time off.  Recently I asked a writer what he did during the last NBA lockout, and he said he was more or less on vacation also.  After such a busy offseason with everyone chasing LeBron to get the scoop on his "decision", maybe it wouldn't hurt to have some NBA rest...  Just a thought, but I digress...

Is Okur going to hop a plane to Europe, if there's a lockout?

Is AK-47 taking his ammo across the pond, if there's a lockout?

I'm not about to read up on Okur and Kirilenko's contracts, but I do feel as though they're solid in the NBA and have viable careers.  I have no idea what their making in terms of $$$, but I do feel like the risk of injury overseas is too great.  We're not just talking about international competition like the Olympics and FIBA World Championships.  We'd be talking about a "season" or partial season.

If you think I'm buying the story that these guys (i.e. and not specifically Okur and Kirilenko) or anyone with a viable NBA career are going to pack up and head overseas, you're fooling yourself.  You'd have better luck selling me season tickets to one of the bottom dwelling NBA squads that are always mentioned in the same breath as the word "contraction".

****  Actually now that I think about it, both stories about an international player heading across the pond are about players with the Utah Jazz...  Random, but I think pure coincidence, since the Jazz are having success at 26-13.  FYI, I took the pictures for this post back in April 2009.


THE WIRK

Millsap drops 46 and the Jazz defeat the Heat in OT

Do you see #24 in the picture to the left? That's Paul Millsap.  ****  I snapped the picture in April 2009, when the Utah Jazz were playing the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center.

Does Millsap look lethal to you? Me neither, but today he was on fire against the Miami Heat. I logged into my Twitter account and noticed that Paul Millsap dropped a career-high 46 points tonight.

The Utah Jazz defeated the Miami Heat (i.e. in Miami) in overtime. The final score was 116-114. Hmmmm, I didn't watch the game but I can only assume that Chris Bosh couldn't play any defense... Well, it looks like this girl is going to sleep happy after all.

For kicks, you should log into Twitter if you have an account and search "Chris Bosh sucks".  I did it and have been laughing my cares away...

If Bosh couldn't handle Millsap, what would he have done if Carlos Boozer was healthy and played?

Boozer with 2 good hands, in April 2009, against the Lakers

I was asked earlier today how many losses the Miami Heat would have this season.  I said at least 30.  Looks like there are at least 27 more to go...


THE WIRK

I'm taking the Hawks and the Jazz...

I'm picking the Atlanta Hawks and the Utah Jazz to win tonight...  The Hawks v Bucks series is tied at 2, but Atlanta has Jamal Crawford (i.e. this year's 6th Man of the Year) and is playing at home.   

The Nuggets seem to be free-falling and the Jazz are up 3-1.  The Denver Nuggets definitely have a mountain to climb...

Who do you have winning tonight's games and advancing to the 2nd Round?


THE WIRK

Lakers defeat the Thunder, and I recall my trip to Seattle years ago

When I was younger, I used to be a huge Lakers fan.  My dad told me that he'd take me to the Forum to see my team play.  My dad usually keeps his promises, so we won't hold it against him ~ but needless to say I never made it to the Forum.

I've already been to the Staples Center for a Lakers game.  I went during the playoffs last year when the Lakers were taking on the Jazz.  I had had a good run in Vegas, where I was spending a few days on vacation with my cousin's wife.  I remembered that the Lakers were playing that night, so when I woke up, I planned out our trip.  We rented a car and drove from Vegas to LA for the game.  ****Technically I need to go back for a LA Clippers game, in order to really cross the venue off of the list for basketball, but that's a whole other story.

Enough history.  The real question is: Did you see the Oklahoma City Thunder v LA Lakers game tonight?  It was Game 2, and now the Lakers are up 2-0.  For those of you who care about numbers, the final score was 95-92. 

In between planning my trip to Portland and trading messages with my friend out in Phoenix, I watched the game on TV.  Wow.  What a fight the Thunder put up!  It was a close game, and because of it, I think this loss may hurt the Thunder more.  I can't be alone by feeling this, but towards the end of the game I found the OKC Thunder's shot selection to be strange and the missed Laker free throws to be frustrating.  The Lakers never really shut the Thunder out of the game, and even though the Thunder had the lead at various points they were never really able to pull ahead convincingly.

Earlier tonight, my friend predicted that Kobe Bryant would score 40.  He actually ended with 39, and Kevin Durant ended with 32.  The Lakers are the Lakers, and I don't need to characterize them because they're pretty well-defined.  The Thunder need a few words, as they continue to gain respect and create an identity. 

On the concouse in Atlanta, the Thunder aren't even represented.

They are coached by Scott Brooks, who I met briefly during this year's NBA All-Star Weekend in Dallas.  For those of you that like trivia, interestingly enough, he used to be roommates with Zydrunas Ilgauskas during the 1997-1998 season, in Cleveland.  Coach Brooks seems like a solid man ~ very humble, no ego. 

****  Updated, 4/21/2010: Congratulations to Coach Scott Brooks, NBA Coach of the Year.

Kevin Durant is such a great talent.  The Thunder are long, they're young, and exciting to watch.  There's definitely room for growth.  I like them, and that's strange for me to say since I never get to see them play on TV.  Honestly, I think Game 1 might have been the first time I've seen the Thunder on TV.  I know I've seen them play as a visiting squad at least once or twice.  Let's be honest, after a while all of these games blend in my brain...

I'm very curious to see how the Thunder respond on their home court.

Game 3 is on Thursday at 9:30.
 
****  I just got a comment sent to me about the Thunder being the former Seattle Supersonics. Needless to say it came from a friend of mine from high school, who lives in Seattle now.  I spent a weekend in Seattle once. I don't remember the year, but in that weekend, I went to the NFC Wildcard game (St. Louis Rams v Seattle Seahawks @ Qwest) and caught the Sonics v Heat game at the Key Arena. All I need to do is hit a Mariners game, and I can cross that city off of the list too!
 

NFC Wildcard game: Rams 27, Seahawks 20

@ Qwest Field

Heat v Sonics @ Key Bank Arena

Seattle Sonics won!

 
 
THE WIRK

Caps dominate, Cavs win, Noah's comments, and the Jazz defeat the Nuggets

Last night, I parked myself in front of my TV and flipped channels.  That might sound lame to some, but for me, it was about all I could handle.

First up was Game 3 for the Washington Caps and the Montreal Canadiens.  I started watching hockey, 15 mins into the game.  Before you knew it the Caps were up 4-0.  Nice!  Realizing that the Caps didn't need my moral support I started focusing on the Cavs game. 

The Cavs were up 10 points and Shaq was on the bench sweating like Patrick Ewing.  A 10 point lead isn't the end all, especially since it was early, but I wasn't interested in watching the game.  No matter how I tried to get into the game, the Cavs v Bulls series just doesn't interest me.  I don't believe that the Bulls are a threat to the Cavs.  I'm not a fan of Joakim Noah either.  I didn't like him in college, and I don't like him in the pros.  He seems awkward to me.  I remember I had dinner with some of my sporty friends and one of them told me that Noah was killing it on the boards and really proving himself.  As I politely smiled and then yawned into my napkin, I'm sure my disinterest was apparent.  The only Noahs that interest me are Yannick and the one who managed to gather pairs of animals and survive a storm for 40 days and 40 nights.  Both of those men's stories, I find far more fascinating than the youngest Noah.  Shoot...  When I was in Paris, I found myself intrigued by the billboard I saw for Yannick's concert.  However, while in Chicago, Joakim was the furthest thing from my mind...  I wanted to see Derrick Rose and the United Center.  Yep, the building was more exciting to me than Joakim.

Yannick > Joakim

****  There's an "I hate Joakim Noah" facebook group.  I thought about joining it, but next to "Affiliation" it reads, "Peyton Manning is overrated."  Um, excuse me.  As a Colts fan, I'm definitely not down with that.  Oh well.  They almost had me.

Can someone tell me what Joakim's problem is?  Why does he think he can start jawing with LeBron James in Cleveland?  Further to cement, my feeling that Noah is just terrible, check out the video of him trashing Cleveland.  Now, I'm sure that Cleveland isn't at the top of the list in terms of vacation destinations, but I'm also confident that there are at least 20,000 people who'd be more than happy to put Noah on the Rapid and send him back to the airport.  Don't worry, Joakim.  You'll be on vacation soon enough!  Feel free to go wherever you want in the off season.

The last game I watched was the Jazz v Nuggets game.  It was Game 2 and was being played in Denver.  The injury riddled Jazz managed to defeat the Nuggets.  Injury riddled...  With Kirilenko out and Mehmet Okur rupturing his Achilles it should've been an easy game for the Nuggets...  "Should" was the key word.  What is going on with the Nuggets?  Sure, they're not the same team they were now that George Karl is tending to his health, and Adrian Dantley has assumed coaching responsibilities.  George Karl's presence is obviously missed.  I know Adrian Dantley is knowledgeable, but he only had 1/10 of the passion to win last night's game compared to me.  I'm actually a little surprised that the folks in Denver didn't tell me to, "Shut up," because my inside voice was SCREAMING last night.

The Nuggets are supposed to win this series!  Am I the only person that knows this?  Has anyone told the Nuggets that they can and should win?  ARGH!  It's almost as if the refs didn't want the Nuggets to win either.  Is it just me, or did it seem like every time I heard a whistle blow, one of the Nuggets had drawn a foul.  Crazy...

****  I just checked.  Numbers don't lie.  Fouls for Denver looked like this:

• Anthony:  6
• Nene:  5
• Martin:  5
• Afflalo: 5
• Billups: 5

I was still steaming after the game and started thinking ahead to the Suns v Trailblazers game in Portland on Saturday.  I remembered that I knew a former front office executive for the Blazers and decided to drop him an email.  I also started thinking about Carlos Boozer and got reminded of the debacle in Cleveland when he duped management and left for Salt Lake City.  Don't remember?  How can you forget?  Well, just in case you can relive the nightmare by reading the following link.  http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2004/writers/ian_thomsen/07/09/paxson.boozer/index.html

Being a Cavs fan, I'll say this.  I know Gordon Gund to be a class act, and I respect Jim Paxson.  I believe in Paxson's basketball knowledge.  Based on those statements, you can deduce how I feel about Boozer (i.e. especially when it comes to the Cavs).  Boozer had a very strong performance last night.  Come on Denver, let's stop getting tattoos, practice, get it together, and WIN!

Kenyon Martin had 15 pts, but was hampered with 5 fouls Monday night

Actually now that I think about it, when the Nuggets were in town to play the Wizards, the Wizards won 107-97.

Seriously... What is wrong with Denver?

Enough about all that.  Today is a brand new day and there is a full slate of games on tonight.

Bucks and Hawks tip at 7.

Heat and Celtics tip at 8.
****  Earlier tonight, for his Twitter fans, dwadeofficial, posted this:  "First 1 to get this question rt. How many players on Miami and Boston R from chicago??? And name them."  If you're not on Twitter and you're a fan, you might want to correct the situation.

Trailblazers and Suns tip at 10:00.

Thunder and Lakers tip at 10:30.

If you follow this blog, you know who I want to win...  Let's go guys!  BRING IT!!!

THE WIRK