Moonball Victory - Nothing But Nets!

"Blessed is he, who in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children. And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who would attempt to poison and destroy my brothers."

-Jules Winnfield, Pulp Fiction

I think you've had a taste of that, friends, as you have seen me in action, victorious in Moonball in 2011. Thanks for the great season!

There is no prize anymore for "being in the money" -- but I wonder if you would consider buying a mosquito net for $10 to help me fight malaria and celebrate moonball positivity.

Instead of climbing a ladder to cut down the nets for victory, please help me send a few more nets through this global effort to prevent the spread of malaria. The more nets, the more lives saved. Here is a link to my contribution page.

Thanks again. Let me know if you'd like to find out more about malaria, or hear more about how I won it all. And listen to a member of my previous Moonball championship team, Dikembe Mutombo:

Rent a Camby

I know they are thin up front and Camby will help tremendously. But does this work for the Blazers? Are they competing for a championship this year -- and if not, why do this?

Moonball Commissioner Reinstates Gilbert Arenas

AP Portland -- In a move that clearly hurls egg on the face of rival commissioner David Stern (of the NBA), Moonball Commissioner Michael Anderson has reinstated Washington Wizards guard Gilbert Arenas. Arenas, suspended indefinitely from the NBA, will be allowed to accumulate Fantasy Points for his Moonball squad Celtic Green for the duration of his suspension.

"It is simply wrong that the commissioner of one League can somehow influence the outcome of another League," said the hulkingly handsome Anderson. "The last time Sterny started handing out season long suspensions, it forced us Moonies to create a whole new set of rules and exceptions. That ain't happening this time."

Asked how Arenas will score Fantasy Points during his suspension, Anderson replied that he will use Arenas' average point score for the last week he logged for the NBA (40.0 mbpts). Under this plan, Celtic Green will receive 40 mbpts for every game the Wizards play which Arenas is suspended.

"We can only assume that Gilbert would have been friggin awesome for Celtic Green over the coming months, and I'll be damned if DStern ruins that party," said the defiant Anderson.

Uh Oh

KG on Sheed:

"In the pickups we've played here, you already see it -- him and I on the same page -- we don't even have to talk a lot," said Garnett. "I can't even describe it, it's weird. And to be honest, it's just weird to see him here in the green, and see how our chemistry is without even touching the ball, just how we flow."

(a sorta) League Preview: Charlotte Bobcats

Though not among the League’s sorriest, Indiana, Golden State, Minnesota and New York are all lottery likelies with the slight potential to make a run at an 8 seed. Add to that list the least of the Southeast.

Charlotte Bobcats

PG (Ray Felton) D.J. Augustin

SG Raja Bell Gerald Henderson Dontell Jefferson
SF Gerald Wallace Vladimir Radmanovic

PF Boris Diaw Alexis Ajinca

C Tyson Chandler Nazr Mohammed DeSagana Diop

Were you thinking that I forgot about the Bobcats for a couple teams there? That would be a fair assumption. Especially since last year’s starting p.g. Ray Felton is still dangling in the world of the unsigned. But as much as I am tired of the Larry Brown Right Way, you cannot argue that the man gets results when he has had the chance to pick and choose personnel. The successive acquisitions of Augustin, Diaw, Bell, Henderson and Chandler make the Bobcats Brown’s team.

Charlotte has a real good starting front line. Chandler is the archetypal Brown pivot: Long, defensive oriented, and willing to accept little or no offensive role. Though Charlotte was roundly panned for the Okafor-Chandler swap, if the 26 year old veteran of 8 NBA seasons can stay healthy, Tyson is about to go off anchoring the Bobcat D. Wallace and Diaw are a dynamic forward combo. Both are extremely well rounded basketball players able to compete in all facets of the game. Wallace’s energy, length and athleticism allow him to dominate in stretches. Diaw plays with a savy and ease that can elevate his teammates.

The Bobcat backcourt and bench are sketchy. Charlotte would not be messing around with Felton if they did not think that Augustin had the goods. But the young fella has lots to prove before he can hold down the starting job. Dude is 6’0. There have been smaller guys who were effective starters. Not too many though. Charlotte needs to re-sign Ray Felton if for no other reason than to have him as a trade asset. Raja Bell is well past his prime. Rookie Henderson is a Dukie. The bench is populated by established disappointments and long shots. Even if Augustin can rock it, Brown might need once again to use Felton as a two guard. Trouble.

The Bobcats could really use a high lottery pick next year. They may well earn one. The 8 seed in the East will require a winning record in 2009-10 season, a very high bar for a team with so many question marks. But the Bobcats will likely gel as a tough defensive team that plays together. The NBA season is long, and the teams that focus on the D are usually in the majority of games until the final few minutes. Get enough timely shots and stops and who knows.

(a sorta) League Preview: Indiana Pacers

After a brief survey of the League’s sorriest, our attention is now on teams like Golden State, Minnesota and New York: Almost certain suckers that have just enough talent and potential team cohesion to make run at an 8 seed if EVERYTHING goes right. This group certainly includes the second weakest offering from the East’s Central Division.

Indiana Pacers

PG T.J. Ford Earl Watson Travis Diener

SG Brandon Rush Dahntay Jones

SF Danny Granger Mike Dunleavy

PF Troy Murphy Tyler Hansbrough Josh McRoberts

C Roy Hibbert Jeff Foster

Aside from blue chipper Danny Granger, Indiana clearly is not the most talented team. Troy Murphy’s offensive prowess is undone by his meager defensive presence. Lil Dun is coming back from a difficult surgery. Second year big Hibbert and the rookie Hansbrough will bring a good mix of skill, energy and youth. But for Indiana to play well, both young guys will need to be serious contributors each and every game. Same goes for shooting guard Rush. He will surprise a lot of opponents this season. His challenge will be consistency. TJ has always intrigued me as a floor leader. Unfortunately he is injured with regularity.

Luckily for Indiana, coach Jim O’Brien is known for making something out of nothing. His offense creates open jump shots for everyone on the floor. Granger is a serious player. His package of length, strength, agility and acumen is the stuff of stars. In O’Brien’s system, he has plenty of room to operate. Dunleavy, Murphy and Rush will also have ample opportunities on the perimeter. If Ford can stay healthy and Hibbert and Hanbrough can play, O’Brien could have this crew hummin in the neighborhood of .500. Lots of ifs.

This is an important season for a franchise that has still never quite shaken the bad feelings of the Malice in the Palace. Losing Donnie Walsh did not help much. Their respective win totals for the past three season are 35, 36 and 36. Quality. Indiana’s purge of talented bad apples has been executed horribly. The Pacers have repeatedly lost leverage in the potential dealings of the mal contents, usually because Indy got up on a moral high horse. What’s up, Larry? Drafting Granger was obviously a great move--though he did drop to the Pacers at 17. Yet unless some of GM Bird’s other young players blossom this season, the failure to secure enough talent is his. If the living lephracun Jim O’Brien can enchant his team into the playoffs, Larry lives for another day. If the Pacers stay in the doldrums, he is gonna get McHale’d.

(a sorta) League Preview: Golden State Warriors

For Minnesota and New York, it is almost an accomplishment not to be among the sorriest. For many more of these fair to middlin teams, mediocrity is a sad door prize for being yesterday’s team on the rise. Meet the cast of Pacific Division’s second lowliest.


Golden State Warriors

PG Monta Ellis Stephen Curry Speedy Claxton
SG Anthony Morrow Kelenna Azubuike
SF Stephen Jackson Corey Maggette Devean George
PF Anthony Randolph Brandon Wright
C Andris Biedrins Ronny Turiaf

Golden State plays little or no defense, has no true star player, and is basically returning the same cast that went 29-53 last year. They are super small, and yet the have no point guard. On the other hand, the have plenty of guys who can put the ball in the basket, and a system that creates lots of shots.

As crazy as Nellie ball has been through out the years, this current concoction is among the zaniest. Captain Jack understandably has asked out, but if the Warriors’ front office holds tight, he is going to have another huge year playing the classic Nellie point forward. His ability to get folks involved could provide the cover that Ellis, Morrow, Azubuike and the rookie Curry need.

Biedrins is a young center entering his prime who knows the system. He is a top shelf shot blocker, a solid rebounder, and dunks anything around the rim. His back up Turiaf plays with a physicality and energy that make the combo a potentially formidable tandem. The fantasy world is drooling over the potential of an Anthony Randolph unleased. Young Randolph seems to have the skills and motor to be a do-it-all forward. But what do we really know about this cat?

The health of Biedrins, and Nellie’s disposition towards Randolph may well spell the fate of Golden State. Health is something you cannot control. Perhaps the same could be said for Nellie’s disposition. His decades long commitment to perimeter-oriented teams that try and outscore opponents gets harder to admire when he starts playing psych games that stunt his team’s success. He has won a lot of games in this League. But if Nelson blows it with Anthony Randolph, and the kid actually turns out to be good, Warriors fans will call for his head.

If Nellie can get this young team on a roll things could get exciting. More likely, its another sub 30 win campaign in Oaktown.

(a sorta) League Preview: Minnesota Timberwolves

New York is slightly better than the League’s sorriest because they have a team identity, a shared concept of what they are trying to accomplish. Sure, they lack the talent to really make much noise. But good, consistent team play has the potential to at least make them competitive. Such is also true for the Northwest Division’s worst team.

Minnesota Timberwolves

PG Jonny Flynn Chucky Atkins
SG Damien Wilkins Wayne Ellington
SF Ryan Gomes Corey Brewer
PF Kevin Love Brian Cardinal Oleksiy Pecherov
C Al Jefferson Ryan Hollins Mark Blount

The likely acquisition of Ramon Sessions to the T-Wolves is a potential season savior. The Wolves re-building effort has left the cupboard pretty bare in the Wolves backcourt. Jonny Flynn is a bit of an x-factor. But he is a rookie on a team without many shot blockers to clean up his inevitable mistakes. Not good. That where the Sessions as savior bit comes in: The stability and leadership he provides on the perimeter gives the T-Wolves a shot at respectability. Look for he and Flynn on the court together, as Wilkins and Ellington are easily the weakest tandem of two guards in the League.

I love the front line of the Wolves. Like those classic Bullets teams of the 70s and 80s, what they lack in length, they bring in brawn and brains. Not a bad way to roll. Jefferson and Love both possess a number of unique talents. Big Al’s feathery touch is poetry in the post. Love’s control of the space around him in the paint is nearly master level. Though under-sized, they will be formidable for all comers. Ryan Gomes is another short on length and long in game. Look for these three to play very well together.

I had the Wolves among the sorriest until the anticipated arrival of Sessions. They are slightly more talented than your full tear down rebuilding effort. But not much. With Sessions, the Wolves swim among the fair to middlin, with the lower half of the lottery still quite possible. If Sessions stays in Milwaukee, the Wolves are looking at 20 wins max.

(a sorta) League Preview: New York Knicks

Having reviewed the League’s sorriest, we now examine a group of 8 whose fate is less clear. Yes, they sort of suck and will most likely populate the lottery. And yet, they have enough balance and potential fire power to get a sniff at an 8 seed if they gel as a unit. Back to the Atlantic Division.

New York Knicks

PG Chris Duhon Toney Douglas
SG Larry Hughes Joe Crawford
SF Wilson Chandler Danilo Gallinari
PF Al Harrington Jordan Hill Jared Jefferies
C Darko Milicic Eddy Curry

Looking at that sorry group of clowns listed above, you know I am assuming that reports of one-year deals for both David Lee and Nate Robinson are true. Without Lee AND Robinson, the Knicks could slip to the sorriest, no problem.

New York separates themselves from the suckers largely because of Mike D’Antoni. Once again, the Knicks are trotting out a team without the talent to be much more than mediocre. But the young guys found a bit of a flow last season. With Lee, Harrington, Chandler, Duhon and Robinson, they return a core that understands the system. Both Chandler and Gallinari have the potential for a break out season. Duhon is decent conductor. They can put up some serious points. Fun stuff.

The Knicks defense in horrible. Even with maximum effort, the team’s personnel simply is not up to the task. Lee has great energy and skill. But he is a 6’9 center. Harrington is a 6’8 power forward. Youch. Hughes at shooting guard is another red flag. With the ‘crossing our fingers for 2010’ plan in full effect, the Knicks are in the awful position of needing a good 65-75 games from the oft injured Hughes. Scary.

Likely lottery in New York, but there may be glimmers of hope until the All-Star break. And that is progress in Knick land.

(a sorta) League Preview: The Sorriest

Memphis

Sacramento

Milwaukee

New Jersey

(a sorta) League Preview: Sacramento Kings

New Jersey and Milwaukee down. Staying stinky, but switching Conferences, I bring you the least of the Pacific.

Sacramento Kings

Depth chart:

PG Beno Udrih Tyreke Evans Sergio Rodriguez

SG Kevin Martin Francisco Garcia

SF Andres Nocioni Donte Green Omri Casspi

PF Jason Thompson Kenny Thomas

C Spencer Hawes Sean May

Perhaps slightly more talented and well rounded than its fellow Eastern cellar dwellers, Sacto is more a victim of the talent at the top two thirds of the West. To their credit, the Kings have several exciting perimeter players. Martin is a super efficient scoring machine. Nocioni and Garcia have proven they can answer the bell. The ability to get to the rim of young rookie Evans was the talk of the summer league. Even Udrih brings some veteran savy.

Up front is where picture gets a lot more hazy. Both Jason Thompson and Spencer Hawes have displayed big time pro potential. They are long, young and athletic. But defend well they do not. Subs Kenny Thomas and Sean May offer little help on that score. If you cannot defend the paint, you lose a lot of games. Sacto has the grit that the might offer a fight to about anyone on the right night. Problem is that there will mostly be wrong nights.

(a sorta) League Preview: Milwaukee Bucks

I am going to attempt to wind my way through the League’s 30 teams in time for the season. So far, I have done New Jersey. In the spirit of a better tomorrow, I will continue with other cellar dwellers, this one of the Eastern Central variety.

Milwaukee Bucks

Depth chart:

PG Luke Ridnour Brandon Jennings
SG Michael Redd Carlos Delfino Charlie Bell
SF Luc Richard Mbah a Moute Joe Alexander Ersan Ilyasova
PF Hakim Warrick Kurt Thomas
C Andrew Bogut Dan Gadzuric

These guys are screwed. Tough financial times for owner Senator Herb Kohl resulted in the outright losses of Richard Jefferson, Charlie Villanueva and (likely) Ramon Sessions. Losing talent on a talent strapped team is a sad thing. Milwaukee’s season is a Bogut injury from total lottery-ville. With a healthy Bogut and a healthy Michael Redd, the Bucks have enough scrappers to remain respectable. Ridnour is a legit NBA starter, so if Jennings can actually beat him out, Milwaukee may even generate some occasional excitement.

Milwaukee’s problem is that in a forward rich League, they have a bunch of maybes, has beens and nobodys. Perhaps somehow Ilyasova will surprise, but I expect very little from Alexander at this point. Mbah a Moute may earn the starting job on hustle points. Not a good sign. Look for a Michael Redd fire sale leading up to the trade deadline.

(a sorta) League Preview: New Jersey Nets

I am going to attempt to wind my way through the League’s 30 teams in time for the season. For fun, I will start with the worst team in the East’s easiest division.

New Jersey Nets

Depth chart:

PG Devin Harris Rafer Alston

SG Chris Douglas-Roberts Courtney Lee Terrence Williams

SF Jarvis Hayes Bobby Simmons

PF Yi Jianlian Sean Williams

C Brook Lopez Tony Battie Josh Boone

The for-now New Jersey Nets went from mediocre to straight junior varsity when traded Vince Carter to Orlando. Including Ryan Andersen in the trade was extra dumb. All this holding out for Free Agency 2010 crap does not make for competitive teams.

For no fault of his own, Devin Harris should have a huge year driving coast to coast. Young pivot Brook Lopez also stands to shine amid the stink. I love Courtney Lee, but is he better than the scorer Douglas-Roberts or the rookie Williams? Split minutes is a likely scenario which will help very little in the win-loss column. Hayes and Simmons are a likeable duo of second tier NBA swingmen that will draw the sorry assignments of LeBron, Paul Pierce, Danny Granger, and the like. Heck, Wilson Chandler will likely dog these fellows.

If Sean Williams and Josh Boone could ever contribute consistently it would help immeasurably. Even then, New Jersey would still be horrible. Trading Alston soon would be wise for team morale. NJ is most certainly a top contestant for League’s worst record.