SleepyWhiteSox

QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 04:45 PM) Come on, you know that you like those guys. Don't lie to me. I don't give a f*** about what place you're in. It's fantasy basketball, not reality. And besides, if I'm going to win, I'm going to do it the right way, not with a bunch of strokes. I wouldn't draft Steve Francis, Bonzi Wells, or Drew Gooden if my life depended on it. I'd rather grab guys before they become something. Boris Diaw, Samuel Dalembert, Zaza Pachulia, David West, Marquis Daniels, etc. That's why fantasy basketball is fun to me. It would absolutely SUCK if I had your team, good God. So you play to lose? :headshake Anyways, I'll just enjoy winning while you have fun with your players. It would absolutely suck to have your team. I have Artest and Dalembert in the other soxtalk league. Overall, I play to win.

QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 04:39 PM) In Brand, I see a guy who has the right attitude, and I think that he's an effective defender, but having the ability to take over games defensively is beyond rare in this league, and Brand just doesn't have the tools as far as I can tell. You know what I'm saying. Height, wingspan, leaping ability, etc. Tyson has all of those things plus work ethic and a mean streak to go with it. Pssst...tyson is missing a very important tool...strength. I'll change my tune if he ever seriously bulks up, but I'm not holding my breath for that one. Like I said, nowadays it's looking like a miracle just to have him healthy. And players with strong work ethics don't come into a season out of shape.

QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 04:25 PM) I'm not underestimating basketball IQ. Tyson still has plenty to learn. For the love of Christ, he is only 23 years old. Remember when I listed those players that I thought were lacking in the brains department, and you said quote "I'm not sure that I agree with some of those players being on that list". And now you're trying to tell me something about basketball IQ? A guy who likes Steve Francis, Drew Gooden, Bonzi Wells, etc trying to tell me something? Bird was perhaps the most clutch player in basketball history. Where in the f*** does he enter into a conversation in regards to defensive upside based on tools? I like those players because they're on my fantasy team? Wow, that's an idiotic way of trying to tell me what I like and dislike. I play to win and have to absolutely hate a player not to take him. Notice what place I'm in so far and what place you're in. And by the way, Bonzi is looking good in Sacto. He's been rebounding very well for a guard, and that 3-pointer to win the game the other night looked good.

QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 04:20 PM) I'm not a fortune teller, but I know defensive upside when I see it. It's just a matter of time with Tyson. Now, you seem like you have a head on your shoulders. I don't know why the concept of defensive upside is so foreign to you. Would it be fair to say that you're not really much a long-term thinker? Did you have even half a clue as to what Artest was capable of? How about Hassell? I know that you're probably going to lie to me. I liked them both and was pissed to see the Bulls let them go. But Artest is a headcase that we shouldn't even get into. He seems to be intent on approaching T.O. status. Anyways, Artest can score and is much stronger than tyson will ever be. I was very pissed to see all of those guys go...Brand, Artest, Brad Miller, Donyell, even AD. Their talent looked much better than tyson's. Brand and Artest's potential looked much greater than tyson's does right now.

And you also seem to underestimate basketball IQ, which always seperates success from potential, in your attempt to make tyson sound like he's going to be some sort of defensive monster someday. At this point, with all the stupid fouls and mistakes, complete lack of knowledge on offense (he looks f***in' clueless), and inability to keep himself in basketball shape, I'm not ready to say that tyson does not have the knowledge to be as great as you say. Brand looks much smarter on the court to me, along with being the much better overall player. Bird sucks because he wasn't athletic, right?

QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 04:09 PM) If you think that Brand has the tools to be the better defensive player when all is said and done, I can't argue with you. We're talking about a 7'1 player with freakish agility, leaping ability, and wingspan vs. a guy who is barely 6'8 with not much of a wingspan, limited leaping ability, etc. Have some foresight. Of course it's all about potential and upside. Now, why you're emphasizing this is beyond my understanding. This is the NBA. It's always about how good a guy can be in the future. We're talking about a guy who just turned 23. Otherwise, there wouldn't be anything to discuss. You want me to sit here all day and point out the obvious? Brand can't take over games defensively, nor will he ever be able to. He just doesn't have that type of skillset. I thought that was obvious, but I dunno, maybe it's just me. I like Brand too, but I'll go with the guy who has a chance to be a legendary defender. I know that you don't understand, so don't even bother responding. Around what year are you expecting tyson to "break out"?

QUOTE(Balta1701 @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 03:52 PM) Vlade Divac for a draft pick that turned into Kobe Bryant. How old was Vlade at the time of the trade and how old was Brand?

QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 01:57 PM) Brand is an all star, but Tyson could be the top shot-altering force in this league and one of the best rebounders when he peaks within the next few years. I get tired of preaching this s***, though. QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 01:57 PM) Just to reiterate for like the millionth time, common themes in sports for championship squads: Baseball: Defense (Primarily Pitching) Football: Defense and a defensive style of offense (rushing) Hockey: Defense (Goalies rule all) Basketball: Defense (Primarily shot-altering big men, not dudes pushing 6'8) This s*** ain't rocket science. Look at the history of every one of the major four sports. Defense prevails in the vast majority of cases. Brand is a much better defender. I'd rather have the much better defender and the vasty better scorer over a player who will never achieve the potential you seem to think he will. You must really enjoy watching tyson get manhandled by stronger players, which is every PF and C in the NBA. Please don't try and say that tyson can cover Duncan and KG again. He can't...at all...never. QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 01:57 PM) If you're a student of sports, you know what it takes to win. Tyson could be the central force behind a championship squad at some point. QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 01:57 PM) Brand will never be that player, despite the impressive numbers. He doesn't have a sizeable defensive impact on a game unless you think that stat sheets reveal as much? You don't look at paper, you evaluate players with your eyes. Worst trade in Bulls history LOL? Give me a f***ing break. Don't give me that bulls***. I've seen them both play this year a lot. Brand is so far ahead of tyson it's not even funny. QUOTE(hammerhead johnson @ Dec 15, 2005 -> 01:57 PM) That said, I'd love to have Elton Brand on my team, but I think Tyson has a chance to be a legendary defender. I'll take that over Brand's upside 365 days a year. Keep your scoring. I know that it's entertaining to watch. I'm just interested in winning championships -- silly me. Sooner or later you're gonna have to get tired of preaching someone's potential. At this point it would be a miracle to have a healthy tyson giving his usual subpar contributions. I don't know where you get the idea that tyson gives a team a better chance for a championship, especially with the way Brand is carrying the Clippers. Please watch him play and then still tell me you think tyson is better, in any facet, including defense. Potential and upside does not win games. You preach that garbage bulls*** so much that I'm starting to think you actually believe it, hammerhead. Not only is Brand an offensive force, but he's also a much greater than defender than tyson will ever be. Your blind tyson-luv is downright scary. I'm baffled why you overrate him so damn much yet still consider yourself as someone who knows basketball.

Larry Johnson and Carnell. McGahee has been brutal...hasn't scored in months and got about 4 yards last game.

I pretended it was in green and it all made perfect sense.

As long as he promises not to kill anyone.

Bulls win...they better have. What's wrong with chandler this time??? :headshake

QUOTE(SoxFan101 @ Dec 14, 2005 -> 07:27 PM) Blalock might be overated overall but on this site he is way underated and Crede is way overated it seems.... Seems that way...

I didn't hear it but I've heard other interviews before... I won't comment on him being racist, but I will say that because of how freely he speaks he does come out with some asshole comments from time to time.

QUOTE(greasywheels121 @ Dec 13, 2005 -> 11:04 PM) Congrats Sleepy. Wake tried to make it interesting at the end, but DePaul kept their composure and did what they had to do to win the game. Solid win, and this ends Wake's 21 game winning streak at home. Thank you. Now I can break out the old logo without shame. Not the most well-played game, especially with the turnovers (Chandler is a freshman but has great potential), but I absolutely luuuve the poise and confidence from Sammy and Draelon. Great win that we needed. I hope it's a sign of things to come. I've been very down on Wainwright, but his defense and substitutions finally did what they were supposed to do.

!!!!!!

DePaul 44 - 40 Wake Forest at the half. Still not getting my hopes up, but minus the turnovers and interior D, they're looking good.

Quick, early thoughts: Where's the Greatest Shot-Alterer in the League at? Still can't breathe? Good to see Luol starting. Never too late, I guess. It would help if we had a legitimate C who might possibly be able to contend a Shaq shot down low. Early on it looks like he could go for 100 on us if he could play a full game and not pick up those fouls... Payton is wearing his old shoes...too bad it doesn't mean he'll play like he used to...

DePaul Blue Demons vs. Wake Forest Demon Deacons Tuesday, December 13th, 8:00 p.m. CST Winston-Salem, NC Television – ESPN – Announcers – Dave O’Brien & Rick Majerus Radio - WSCR AM 670 Chicago

QUOTE(hi8is @ Dec 13, 2005 -> 04:52 PM) hysterical. lol...

Try Champs. I saw the newer ones with the WS patch and "Champions" in gold underneath there. I'm fairly sure it was there as I was at a mall and checked out most of the sports shoes stores (Finish Line, champs, foot locker).

QUOTE(kapkomet @ Dec 12, 2005 -> 04:07 PM) What f'in BS. I had the same reaction. What a douche.

That felt kinda weird, but in a good way. I seriously was not expecting them to pull that one out. I thught their winning formula was more like holding slim leads throughout the game and eeking out a victory...wasn't expecting a comeback win from this group. I don't know the stats offhand but it had seemed like they haven't pulled one of like this in a while. Good stuff.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2005 @ Dec 10, 2005 -> 05:03 PM) They're exactly 3 superstars in the game today. Shaq, Duncan and KG. You must be talking about name recognition because I certainly don't consider Shaq a superstar TODAY. He looks like more of a player on the decline... Well, at least you didn't say Grant Hill. And I find it funny that you complain about Pip not being a go-to guy when Shaq is the first guy you foul in crunch time because of his atrocious free throw shooting. You're making it strange for me having to agree with hammerhead... Anyways, ANY player you put next to The Greatest Player of All Time is going to be a "sidekick" by nature, even the other "superstars" that you've named, so I'm not sure exactly what you're trying to say, other than your use of "superstar" being different from most everone else.

QUOTE(Jordan4life_2005 @ Dec 10, 2005 -> 02:37 AM) I disagree with those who claim Pippen would've been more and gotten more recognition away from MJ. First of all, Pippen was not a superstar. He was a great player, no doubt, but never, ever in the same catergory of Michael, Magic, Bird, Hakeem, ect. You place very high standards on "superstar." I didn't know you had to be one of the top ten players of all time. I think being top 50 would suffice, and Pippen is certainly that. This has to be one of the first times I've ever heard someone say PIP isn't a superstar... His accolades speak for themselves, and he definitely deserves the recognition that he gets and more. QUOTE(Jordan4life_2005 @ Dec 10, 2005 -> 02:37 AM) Lastly, I think some people forget how immature Scottie was when he first came in. He was somewhat lazy and didn't take the game as seriously as he should've have. I remember reading in one of Phil's books that it was Michael who would always get on Scottie to work harder and take the game more seriously. That Michael's work ethic and determination rubbed off on Scottie, making him a better player. I'm not saying Michael is responsible for what Scottie was able to accomplish, but don't underestimate the impact Michael had on Scottie. Wow. Pippen was lazy? Yeah, he must have been seeing how everything was served to him on a silver platter...a high school superstar highly recruited by all of the prestigious colleges, right? Recognize how hard he worked. Look back at his roots. He earned it all. Anyways, I like the underrated status that Pip sometimes gets. It makes me appreciate his game more.