For Better or For Worse

     The NBA free agency of 2010 seems to have lost all its hype when Lebron James copped out moved to Miami, but the dealings have not stopped.  Here are some more deals, and how they stack up for the respective teams.

Carlos Boozer signs with Chicago Bulls:  One of the lovers spurned by James, the Bulls went to work immediately, signing Carlos Boozer.  This is a great move, with Chicago finally getting a post presence that has been missing since Elton Brand was a Bull.  Boozer could become the consistent scorer that will complement the Bull's stifling defense and that would mean a long run in the playoffs.

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NBA Fantasy League Awards

     With the NBA regular season on it's final week, it's the best time to hand out my All NBA Fantasy League Awards.  Now, while some of the awardees would win the real NBA awards, the following are winners in the fantasy league world.  In short, these are this season's best players, statistics-wise.


Regular Season MVP

Lebron James - I've been giving James a lot of grief for his childish behavior and boorish arrogance, but statistics wise, this guy is a fantasy stud.  This season, James averaged 29.9 points (on .502 FG percentage and 1.7 3 pointers made), 7.3 rebounds, 8.5 assists, 1.7 steals and 1 block per game.  He was a positive factor in at least 7 statistical categories, and in most leagues, only 9 are measured.  With a crappy line up I had in a league where I missed the live draft, I will finish no lower than 4th, thanks in no small part to James.  He may be the "King" of immaturity, but in NBA Fantasy Land, he truly is the "King."

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Shorts: Justice

     Even in the world of the NBA, justice is not always easy to come by.  Sometimes, justice is served but more often than not, like in the real world, stuff just comes out unfair.





Water Works


     The NBA recently fined the Cleveland Cavaliers' Lebron James USD 25,000 for unruly behavior.  In a game against the Minnesota Timberwolves, James complained to the referees when he felt he was fouled on a drive in play.  His excessive complaining led to a technical foul, and when he was substituted, he proceed to flip away a tray of cups containing gatorage and/or water into the stands, wetting several people in the process.  Such a tantrum is boorish behavior in itself, but to kick things into the stands could go on to hurt the spectators, something that is a definite no no.  If the NBA suspends for a season someone who goes into the stands for attacking fans, kicking something into the stands should get a bigger punishment than USD 25,000, which is nothing to a superstar earning over USD 50 million a year. 


Suspended Animation

     After pleading guilty to gun possession, the Washington Wizards' eccentric guard Gilbert Arenas was suspended by the NBA for the rest of the year.  While the NBA union was all set to protest this action, I'm glad Commissioner David Stern dug in and stood by his order.  The suspension would deprive fans of Agent Zero, but a year's suspension without pay may be what Arenas needs to finally understand the gravity of his so-called "prank" of bringing guns to the locker room.  The move also is a good warning to other NBA players who like to bring guns "for protection."


Star-Crossed

     While I don't expect the NBA coaches to completely agree with my list of All Star reserves , I was completely disappointed and disheartened with the selection of Al Horford.  While Horford has seen his game grow leaps and bounds, his competent numbers of 13.5 points and 9.7 rebounds (career highs), plus 2.2 assists and 1.3 blocks are still no match to two other possible, better selections.  The New Jersey Nets' Brook Lopez (18.9 points, 9.3 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2 blocks) and the New York Knicks' David Lee 19.6 points, 11.6 rebounds, 3.4 assists) are currently more deserving of recognition.  While they may be playing on bad teams, they both are the main men of the team, giving their bad teams consistent number every game, something that is difficult to do on bad teams.  If the NBA coaches were'nt looking for a center, then another better choice would be Horford's teammate Josh Smith (15 points, 8.5 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.5 steals and 2.2 blocks).  Smith, who is the Hawks' second or third option behind Joe Johnson and possibly Jamal Crawford, does way more than Horford for the Hawks anyway.  

Shorts: Bench Points

(Each week, From the Fifty Peso Seats has a weekly edition of shorts, compilations of interesting but short posts of developments and trivia about the sporting world.)

     The NBA announced its list of starters for the NBA All Star Game 2010 and as written in my last post, the starters were all the early vote leaders, except for Tracy McGrady who was overtaken by Steve Nash (Thank Heavens!)  and Dirk Nowitzki.  Now, I take a stab at the reserves and while the NBA coaches may differ in their views, I confidently state that my picks are all deserving NBA All Star status for 2010.  (Note: I'll be picking two guards, two forwards, a center and two from any position for each All Star team.)

Guards

Eastern Conference: Joe Johnson, Rajon Rondo

      I've already stated my case for making Johnson an All Star this year in my previous post, so I think no elaboration is needed.  Rondo, meanwhile, has elevated his game another notch yet again, daring everyone to overlook him as an All Star.  Currently, averaging 14 points, 4.1 rebounds and 9.6 assists, Rondo's case for inclusion in the annual event is not merely his impressive numbers, but also the fact that the young pro has emerged as the Celtics' most significant player.  Even the Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen have categorically stated that the Celts' need Rondo to win.  Coming from those three, that's a heck of a reference.

Western Conference: Chris Paul, Monta Ellis

     Chris Paul would've been my starter and he certainly deserves a reserve spot if he doesn't start.  On the other hand, I have been riding Ellis and his ability (and refusal) to be a leader, but his game and his numbers cannot be denied an All Star spot.  This year, "Mr. Moped" is averaging career-highs in points (26.7), assists (5.5), and steals (2.2), keeping the oft-injured Warriors competitive in a lot of games where they shouldn't be.  Ellis is also playing a whopping 42 minutes a game, even playing without relief in at least 5 games already.  He may not want to, but he is emerging as a leader whether he knows it or not.

Forwards

Eastern Conference: Chris Bosh, Danny Granger

      There is no reason why Bosh is not starting other than he is playing for a small market Toronto team, so he definitely deserves a reserve slot.  Indiana's Granger is another deserving All Star.  The only bright spot in a horribly struggling Indiana Pacer team, Granger has bucked injuries to average impressive numbers, 23.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.5 steals.  Playing in the All Star Game would be a silver lining in this dark cloud of a season.

Western Conference: Kevin Durant, Dirk Nowitzki

      While I thought to exclude Dirk from the starting line up, he definitely deserves to be an All Star this year.  The big German continues to carry the big load for the Dallas Mavericks and he is the main reason the Mavericks are one of the teams to beat in the Western Conference.  His numbers 25.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1 steal and 1.2 blocks should be more than enough to guarantee a reserve spot.  As for Durant, like I stated before, this kid has been dominant, scoring 30 points or more in 13 of his last 16 games.  Why shouldn't he be an All Star?

Centers

Eastern Conference: David Lee

     In my previous article, I felt Lee almost overtook Howard as the East's top center going by the numbers, so he should at least be an All Star reserve.  

Western Conference: Chris Kaman

     He is my preferred starter as he gives the Clippers a reliable player day in and day out.  In such an inconsistent team as the Clippers, having a "throw back", "real," back to the basket center is a godsend.

Two Other Players

Eastern Conference: Brook Lopez, Gerald Wallace

     There is no sophomore slump for Lopez as he has been the most consistent player for the lowly Nets.  Averaging 19.1 points, 9.6 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 2 blocks, Lopez is the proverbial bright spot, giving eternal optimistics like me hope that the Nets have some sort of a workable future in them.  Wallace too has stepped up this year, averaging 18.6 points, and amazing 11.3 boards, 1.9 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.2 blocks  and most importantly, keeping himself healthy and available.  While Stephen Jackson and his mid-season arrival gets all the credit for the Bobcats's surprising play this year, Wallace must not be overlooked. 

Western Conference: Brandon Roy, Tyreke Evans

     It's been a tough year for Roy and the Blazers, with them experiencing a freakishly huge amount of injuries.  Roy has carried the Blazers through the rough injury patch, but ironically, as the players started coming back, ROy has gone down with a strained calf injury.  Despite this, Roy is averaging a commendable 23.1 points, 4.6 rebounds, 5 assists and a steal, definitely All Star material.  The Sacramento Kings rookie Evans has had a magnificent rookie season, leading the Kings and making them to be more competitive than their opponents would want.  While coaches shy away from picking rookies for the All Star team, Evans possesses transcendent skills, averaging 20.9 points, 4.9 rebounds, 5 assists, and 1.5 steals, which are absolutely amazing for a rookie even (or especially) on a bad team.

photos courtesy of new.yahoo.com, heycoach.wordpress.com