jdintzer Blog Posts

New Sheriff In Town

Wed, 23 Jul 2008 11:06:07 PDT

There are a lot of interesting things going on in Milwaukee this offseason. It was pretty clear from watching their games last year this team had the talent to be in the playoffs coming out of the East but had little to no respect for Larry Krystkowiak...which was understandable. Bucks went cheap w/the coaching hire, players didn't respect it and the team had no leaders. Getting Richard Jefferson and drafting two other SF's still doesn't give them any leaders but Scott Skiles will make you play for him, and with the success he's already had perhaps Mo Williams will actually work this season after getting that big deal to stay there. Williams was perhaps the main reason that team underachieved. He put up good numbers but that's all they were. He played ZERO defense, was a bad teammate and a worse employee a season ago.

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Trailblazers Add More Punch

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:41:36 PDT

Portland did another great job on draft night. Everyone knew coming into the draft that Jerryd Bayless will probably never be a suitable lead guard option in the league so you needed to put him with a guy who can handle and score on his own as well, while having the size and the ability to create for others. Brandon Roy is obviously a great fit there. Bayless may not start this year but the Blazer bench was dynamic at times last year and should be that much more explosive next season...and in two years they'll be ready for the playoffs with Bayless starting alongside Roy, Outlaw, Aldridge and Oden.

The only issue I see with this team is that they need a solid perimeter defender or they'll be in trouble (like last year) against a lot of teams in the West. They shouldn't have a problem at the rim with two of the best five or six shot blockers in the league in Oden and Pryzbila but that line-up doesn't have anyone to defend outside; that's why I had been hoping they'd take a Kyle Weaver with their first 2nd round pick...instead they went for broke on Nic Batum whom I've heard people argue very passionately about on both sides. Either way, they may've gotten too cute at the end of that draft for my taste. I liked Darrell Arthur as a gift late to them and I even like Mike Taylor, the PG they got late 2nd who ended up with LAC...I think he can definitely play in the league. Beyond the nitpicking however, the night had to be looked at as another success for Kevin Pritchard and Co.

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From The Edge Of Greatness To A Longshot Contender

Tue, 22 Jul 2008 00:40:22 PDT

Clint Hurdle probably didn't think it'd be this bad. Sure, when your team is streaky enough to win 21 of 22 and get you into the World Series out of nowhere, there's always a chance it could go the other way. 39-57 at the All-Star break isn't a slump, though. His team, a young group most experts thought would be right back in contention this fall have fallen flat on their faces. Then again, the entire NL West has been a major disppointment considering the way last season ended up.

At least Colorado has some decent excuses. Troy Tulowitzki's been hurt and is hitting about .120 points below where he was a year ago at this time. Jeff Francis, a guy who was at least worth a mention as a potential All-Star before the season started has been dreadful...and injured. Brad Hawpe, Manny Corpas and Todd Helton, all stars of last year's uprising have been downright poor to this point in the season. They miss LaTroy Hawkins, Jeremy Affeldt and Kaz Matsui, and they've gone from being in the middle of the pack in terms of team ERA a season ago to next to last in the NL.

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