Random Thoughts and Observations

A few things that have interested me this past night and morning:

Bobby Valentine accepts verbal contract to be the manager of the 2012 Boston Red Sox

• McKeon and I went to go see Bobby V speak at a conference on his time in Japanese baseball at Amherst College last year. Was impressed me was his knowledge about personality management and how to keep a team motivated. I did notice that there was a certain level of vanity in his personality but it doesn’t hurt a leader to be confident in his abilities. Regardless of the manager, the Red Sox roster is built to win from the start in 2012. The biggest decisions lay in the hands of newly appointed GM Ben Cherington and how he will handle the closers role and bullpen following Papelbon’s departure. Also, there are holes in rotation due to Tommy John victims, question marks in RF, backup C, and how to handle the advancement of our prospects at all levels. 

Duke vs. Ohio St. 

• Watching Seth Curry play does remind me of his brother, Stephen. However, he is not the same smooth athlete nor does he produce the same lightning quick release on his shots. What makes Stephen so dangerous is his ability to have his shot up before the defender can react. Watching Seth’s highlights, his release is definitely slower but he makes up for it by spacing well in the Duke offense. He is a very intelligent player and it shows in his ball movement and cuts. Not going to be the same player as his brother at the NBA level but still a scoring threat. 

• Austin Rivers has a swagger in his game that makes me compare him to Kobe. A normal college or NBA player struts back after baskets and shows some emotion. Not Rivers; he's cold. He plasters on a face of stone as he jogs back on D. This coach’s son is the real deal and one of the smoothest crossovers since AI. He uses the pick and roll expertly to get to the lane but struggles with decision making once he gets there. Forces the shot with the bigger defender on the drive too often. Would like to see him get a few more easy (hockey) assists off penetration. Past few games has seen him falling into the first offensive option in isolation or pick and roll. Putting up big numbers and plenty of highlights. Surefire top 5 pick. 

• Jared Sullinger isn’t a player that will wow you with pure athletic ability. He uses fantastic basketball IQ along with an incredible base to get fantastic low position and finish the majority of his chances. Very good at passing out of the post and does not turn the ball over often. Gets boosts in scoring from easy, at the rim chances from the flow of the OSU offense. Would compare him to a Paul Millsap. Not a star but a very useful starter after a few years of adjusting to the physicality and speed of the NBA game. Could stand to lose a few pounds or continue work on conditioning. Not a serious issue, but a common note among scouts is that he looks a little pudgy, which could speak to his work ethic in the weight room. 

NBA Thoughts

Even though the window hasn’t opened for agents and GM’s to begin talking trades and FA 

acquisitions, we have heard a few wild rumors to kick off the “offseason” frenzy.

• Chris Paul is destined to be a New York Knickerbocker. Realistically, for that to happen, he would have to play out the year for either the Hornets or whoever he is traded to and sign a discounted deal for them in free agency. The money he gives up in contract can be compensated for by the marketing opportunities in NY through the Jordan brand and his own brand as an NBA superstar. The Celtics tried offering a package fronted by Rajon Rondo but were swiftly rejected. Taking the offer to the Pacers, they might be able to obtain Danny Granger among other pieces to then move in a deal for Chris Paul. However, CP3 has openly stated that he will not sign an extension besides with the Knicks or, perhaps, the Clippers. Ultimately, I see Chris Paul playing in MSG alongside Stat and Melo and a cast of underpaid veterans and prospects after signing in free agency. The Knicks can't afford to trade all of their valuable young commodities like they did in the Melo deal. There is enough there to compete if they can be patient for this year with being a 7 or 8 seed.  

• Dwight Howard is the other superstar primed to hit the FA market this offseason alongside Chris Paul. Otis Smith, GM of the Orlando Magic, has never proven to be timid so I don’t expect Howard to hit free agency without the Magic receiving compensation. That said, the Brooklyn Nets are looking to add a second franchise cornerstone to pair with newly acquired Deron Williams. The hope is that each other’s presence would be enough to persuade Dwight and Deron to resign under their new Russian owner, Prokhorov and form a true rivalry with the Knicks. Alternatives are to trade for a superstar to play with Dwight in Orlando, such as Chris Paul. Otis Smith will be aggressive in playing out the market for Superman so I don’t anticipate waiting until the offseason sans Chris Paul. Best bet is that Dwight ends up with the Nets.

• Finally, it will be interesting to see what final pieces are added to the elite tier of teams to compete for the title. The above moves would add those teams into the conversation but there are plenty of other scenarios. Who will the Heat add to anchor the C position? Will they amnesty Mike Miller? Who will man the PG? The Lakers will have to adjust to a completely new system under Mike Brown. Who knows how Kobe will respond to being ignored in the process of hiring Brown and how that will affect his play in probably one of the last seasons he has of being elite due to his ever worsening knees. The Celtics are one more scorer and young big body away from competing for one last year with KG and Ray Allen. There will be plenty to talk about as the free agent and training camp period get underway. 

I will post a running game diary of the Eagles- Seahawks Thursday Night Football matchup. That is if the Eagles don't make me sick first...