The Dugout - April 23
The Zen Master has begun cleaning up the NY Knicks
Help Wanted
The playoffs are the great peak of every NBA season, but each year there are 14 teams whose fates lie not in the postseason but in the draft, despite what expectations may have been. So while we all focus on the thrilling beginnings of Round One of the 2014 NBA Playoffs, a bunch of sorry fellows are taking the first steps towards fixing their franchises. The following coaching positions are now being advertised:
New York Knicks – predictably, Mike Woodson is gone after a very poor year. Phil Jackson will be hoping that he can now entice Carmelo Anthony to stay in NY. Steve Kerr (who played for the Zen Master in Chicago) is the favourite to replace Woodson.
Minnesota Timberwolves – Rick Adelman, eighth all time on the total wins list (with 1042), has announced his retirement after 23 years as an NBA coach. His tenure in Minnesota was definitely a disappointment, and so he opted out of the final year in Minnesota (probably mutually), though will stay on with the team in a consultant role.
Utah Jazz – You only win 25 games, you can’t be too shocked at being booted. Tyrone Corbin is gone from the Jazz with the team declining to extend his contract. All on good terms though.
Taking Precautions
The Oakland Raiders have had many a problem in finding a quarterback, and they just dealt another one. Matt Schaub is in to play starter, after Matt McGloin (an undrafted rookie) ended last season in that position – which all left Terrelle Pryor in a difficult place. So in return for a seventh round pick in the upcoming draft, Pryor (who requested a trade) has been dealt to Seattle. Presumably, Seattle are looking to turn Pryor, who is pretty similar in athleticism, into Russell Wilson II. Pryor is almost half a foot taller, but he plays with a similar attitude, albeit he’s not been a great passer. But if the Seahawks can develop that and also a better mentality (just playing for a winning side will do wonders there), then they could have a handy replacement should Wilson get injured, and one that won’t disrupt the team’s style of play too much. He’ll compete with Tavaris Jackson and BJ Daniels for that backup role.
Kevin Durant, How Do You Do It?
Oooh, Yes Please!
Shots Fired!
Quote of the Week:
Well, it’s not Tim Duncan, who Tony Parker says didn’t speak to him once when he was a rookie. No, QotW honours go to Toronto Raptors GM, Masai Ujiri, who was fined US$25k hurling an F-Bomb at the Brooklyn Nets while trying to fire up his crowd:
Good Week:
- Albert Pujols (Los Angeles Angels) – A slow start to the season has come right in the last dozen or so games. The three-time MVP hit a pair of yard balls this morning which saw him reach the 500 HR mark in his career, the 26th man in history to do that.
- Jose Fernandez (Miami Marlins) – Eight innings of shutout ball against Atlanta, with a career high 14 strikeouts for the 2013 NL Rookie of the Year, who’s only getting better.
- John Wall/Bradley Beal (Washington Wizards) – The Wiz’s guard pairing is in stunning form and on the cusp of announcing themselves to the world if they can win another two games and make it to round 2, where the out of touch Pacers may just be in for a shock (supposing they get by Atlanta first).
Bad Week:
- Seattle Mariners – After starting the year really well, they’ve lost 8 games in a row, and now sit at 7-13 for the year, already well off the pace in the hotly contested AL West. Despite bringing in Robinson Cano to anchor their line-up, their batting stats are in the bottom four in the MLB in average, on base percentage, runs and slugging percentage.
- Chicago Bulls – Yeah, they’ve been red hot to finish the regular season, but the Bulls have dug themselves into a 0-2 hole in the round one series with Washington. Even with Joakim Noah still playing like a beast, it doesn’t look good. No go-to scorers and basically just a seven man rotation has them looking at an early exit.
- Roy Hibbert (Indiana Pacers) – Sort it out, will ya!?
Players of the Week:
Blake Griffin (LA Clippers) & LaMarcus Aldridge (Portland Trailblazers) – Both had career playoff high points totals in dominant games for their teams. Both are primed for a possible emergence as genuine superstars. Both are just great to watch.
Upcoming Dates (NZ Time):
May 9 - NFL Draft Begins
June 27 - NBA Draft Held
July 16 - MLB All Star Game