Thursday linkage: Jan. 12, 2012
Here we go – five-layer link NBA burrito.
* David West – from Xavier University – was offered $24 million over three years from the Celtics last month. The Pacers countered with $20 million over two. West signed with the Pacers. Some critics, including West’s could’ve-been-teammate Ray Allen, called the former Hornet all-star out for a blatant cash grab. Chris Mannix of Sports Illustrated explains that it’s not quite that simple.
* What do you think of the new Utah Jazz billboard campaign? Personally, they seem a little bit funereal for my tastes.
* Another huge injury situation has a playoff contender scrambling for answers. The Hawks without Horford is like an Arby Q without a bun. Shiz gon get messy.
* I’m sorry if I keep hitting you with Wizards talk. “Why talk about the Wizards?” you ask. “They were irrelevant last year, and they’re even more irrelevant this year.” Fair, fair. I just can’t help it. I’m utterly fascinated by this team’s disastrously awful performance this season. How are they this bad? They have John Wall running point, for goodness sake.
Oh, but they’re bad. Real bad. Sixty-four points last night, guys?
Sekou Smith is the latest to take a shot at sorting it all out.
* Speaking of the Wizards, time to start scouting Andre Drummond, Washington fans!
Ben Walpole is a producer and blogger for The Crab Dribble. He strongly advocates giving Jan Vesely more playing time, in case anyone was interested in how he’d fix the Wizards.
End of the Bench Vol. 2
Welcome back to the End of the Bench…the best seat in sports (outside of courtside NBA seats, but who can afford those these days?). It’s been a busy week in the NBA, although that should come as no surprise to those of you who listened to this week’s podcast. If you haven’t listened to the podcast, try to forget about the fact that you’re an awful person and check it out. Seriously – listen to it. It’s good. And after that, return to your seat and enjoy the view.
– Bad break for the Hornets’ David West, as he tore his ACL against the Jazz and will miss the rest of the season. Not only will he miss New Orleans’ push to the playoffs, but the injury also comes just a few months before he becomes a free agent, and most teams will certainly be hesitant to give out big money to a 30–year old power forward coming off an injury. West isn’t a superstar, but he’s certainly capable of playing second fiddle to one on a good team, and his professionalism would be welcome in any locker room. On the bright side for New Orleans, the injury may drive down West’s leverage with other teams, allowing them to resign him for a little cheaper than they originally thought. Whatever the case, let’s just hope we see a healthy David West next season, no matter which uniform he’s wearing. (more…)
Midseason Position Rankings – Power Forwards
Time for Day Four of the positional rankings, and today, we’re looking at the best power forwards in the game.
The power forward position has long been defined by just that – power. Guys like Moses Malone, Elvin Hayes, Charles Barkley and Karl Malone dominated games through sheer strength, making it known that the paint was their territory. The league still has some players who rely on brute strength, but over the years, the position has evolved, perhaps more so than any other position in the game.
Power forwards today are just as likely to be seen burying 18-foot jumpers as they are flushing home a powerful dunk, and the position is perhaps the deepest and most talent-rich in the league, as teams have put a premium on forwards with ball skills. Here’s a look at the best the league has to offer. (more…)
What they’re saying