Sportscavelive

For the Utah Jazz, 'Timing' is everything

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 02:42:00 +0000

Al Jefferson, Gordon Hayward, Paul Millsap, Devin Harris, & Raja Bell... the starting 5? nope. It's the 5 guys with the highest averages of minutes played, in order.

If those are the top 5 guys you would have liked to of seen with the most minutes, two games into this accelerated season, then I'll tip my hat to you and wish you good luck as you look elsewhere for a fun little ditty to read about the Utah Jazz.

Go Jazz!

O.K., now that he's gone can we all just say it; WTF! (What The Favre!)

Why is a stop gap guy like Raja Bell being used as a full time, minute laden starter!? To be fair, I have no problem with Raja. I think he's had a great career, and seems to be a pretty good locker room guy with a great "Act like you've been here before." attitude. He stiffed Kobe and the Lakers which right there is enough for me. But when a 35 year old shooting guard gleans an average of 22 minutes over two blow out games as the youthful legs of Alec Burks & C.J. Miles rot on the bench, It makes me feel like my T.V. set is puking on me.

To be clear, I actually think using Raja as a starter is a good Idea. After warming up, the worst thing for a pair of old SG legs to do is sit restless. But starting Raja and playing him for over 20 minutes are two different stories.

So after the above mentioned 5 who would you guess is pulling down the most minutes... what if I told you it was the one player that has a guaranteed contract that missed almost all of camp and has never played on a Jazz team. Yup, Josh Howard is your sixth man with a 21 minute average.

Again, much like Bell, I really don't mind Howard, and think he's a descent signing... as long as he's not taking these huge minutes from Alec Burks! Why!? Why is he playing so many minutes?

So, what is the perfect amount of minute allotment? Well obviously it is a living number as players play up, play down, get injured, or get in foul trouble. But sure, I'll take a crack at what I'd like it to look something like as of right now:

-At each of the 5 positions there is 48 minutes on the floor (non-overtime game)

-Simple math says that's 240 minutes a night to divide up for a team

-I combined the PF and Center positions into just one 'BIGS' category (96 minutes)

-I combined the SF and SG position into just one interchangeable 'WINGS' category (96 Minutes)

BIGS

Jefferson 27

Millsap 20

Favors 24

Kanter 19

Evans 6

TOTAL: 96

WINGS

Hayward 28

Miles 18

Burks 18

Bell 11

Howard 8

Evans 7

Millsap 6

Harris * (can play minutes in unique situations)

TOTAL: 96

PG's

Harris 26

Watson 18

Tinsley 4

Burks *

TOTAL: 48

MPG:

Hayward 28

Jefferson 27

Harris 26

Millsap 26

Favors 24

Kanter 19

Miles 18

Burks 18

Watson 18

Evans 13

Bell 11

Howard 8

Tinsley 4

TOTAL: 240

What do ya think?

Obviously this could change on a per night basis, or over a season if a player rises or falls in skill,but this is what I would set as a goal minutes break down.

Here is the actual minutes breakdown.

It's all about timing this season, and it would appear that Corbin is a bit off the mark.

Sportscavelive.com: The Mountain West 12: What could have been.

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 20:04:00 +0000

Sportscavelive.com: The Mountain West 12: What could have been.

The Mountain West 12: What could have been.

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 07:03:00 +0000

On February 2nd 2005, the MWC made this official announcement:

"The addition of TCU to the Mountain West Conference is a perfect fit and is already complementing the steady growth and progress of the Conference. The MWC anxiously anticipates TCU's official entrance on July 1, 2005. The issue of additional membership expansion is no longer a topic of discussion."

With this seemingly exciting addition of TCU came also a statement that sealed the death of the MWC as a possible AQ conference...

"The issue of additional membership expansion is no longer a topic of discussion."

If the good ol boys of the BCS chairmen ever were considering having another option in the west to add as an AQ conference, that door was shut tight when the MWC decided not to squeeze every last drop out of all the available non-AQ teams in the west.

What a crossroads the MWC was at in 2005. Here was this new conference that had two very strong football teams in BYU and Utah, and they had just added the next most impressive non-AQ team in TCU. Whoa... at that moment any non-AQ school would of taken a similar style crap deal that Utah took to get in the PAC-12! Yes, some schools already in the MWC were bad. Really bad. A lot can be said that they (Wyoming, UNLV, & New Mexico)
were the real reason AQ status was not given to the MWC.

OK, I'll buy that for just a minute. But humor me for a minute with this thought; if a conf. becomes too top heavy it will do one of two things: 1- The top teams will tip to one side or another and finally breaks off (exactly what happened with TCU, BYU, and Utah). or 2- If the top teams are united, and the conference has pieces to develop a decent conference body, they wont sway one way or another. It will be a conference that's strong enough to compensate for the weak feet.

So who is this strong "body" that could of supported a united head of TCU, BYU, & Utah? Who should the MWC of added in 2005:

Boise St. (BSU would be a top tier MWC team of course!)

Houston

Fresno St.

The addition of these three athletically strong schools would have put the conference to 12 members, and given the MWC two divisions with a championship game.

Divisions:

Mountain Division:
BYU
Utah
Wyoming
Air Force
UNLV
Colorado St.

West Division:
TCU
Boise St.
Fresno St.
San Diego St.
New Mexico
Houston

So how would the last few years of a MWC championship likely played out?

2005:   #15 TCU vs BYU

2006:   #20 BYU vs #10 BSU (BSU went to the Fiesta Bowl)

2007:   #19 BYU vs #25 BSU

2008:   #6 Utah vs #9 BSU (Utah went to Sugar Bowl)

2009:   #6 BSU vs #14 BYU (BSU went to the Fiesta Bowl)

2010:   #3 TCU vs #20 Utah (TCU went to the Rose Bowl)

Including Utah's 2004-5 BCS win, this "non AQ" conference would of gone to five BCS games in seven years... winning every time. (yes, I know BSU and TCU played each other in 09-10 fiesta bowl, but we are assuming BSU would of beaten TCU in division play)
Despite the "weaker" teams in the conference, having the stronger "body" and the extra championship game would of made it very difficult to keep out of the ol' boys club.

So as BYU is seemingly turned away by yet another AQ team, and while Utah is having an off year being pounded by the PAC-12 and earning no conference money, and as TCU whores itself from one crappy, almost dead AQ conference to another shaky AQ conference, and all the while BSU keeps beating everyone placed in front of them, despite not being seen on national T.V., we watch the Big East die, leaving a shiny new AQ spot for what could have been.

The Mountain West 12.

Utah Jazz: If the lockout ended today

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 06:30:00 +0000

David Stern is having flu-like symptoms... and the NBA is sick in bed. But someday the chicken soup (a new CBA) is gonna kick in, and the Jazz will be scrambling to put together a competitive basketball team.

If that day were today...

Players under contract for the 2011-12 team

Al Jefferson
Mehmet Okur
Devin Harris
Paul Milsap
Derrick Favors
CJ Miles
Raja Bell
Gordon Hayward
Jeremy Evans
Enes Kanter
Alec Burks

"Got it. Got it. Need it. Got it."

Got it. - The Jazz have five players that play the 4, the 5, or both. Utah DOES NOT have a need for another big man unless they trade a few away.

Got it. - Utah has youth. A lot of youth! The Jazz are rebuilding, but additional youth is not needed... again, unless a trade takes a few young guys away first.

Need it. - Devin Harris is a point guard. He is a good point guard. In fact I think with some stability and confidence he can be a really good point guard (no, not as good as 8).
That being said, as of right now... he is the only point guard on the roster! That would constitute a need. Utah needs a back up PG that can eat up a good amount of minutes.

Got it. - Wing players. Utah has two that really should be exciting. The problem is one of them is a rookie (Burks), and the other one is a 2nd year guy (Hayward).
C.J. Miles, another wing the Jazz have under contract, will be looking to solidify himself as a good option while the youth movement cuts it's teeth. The hope that CJ will become something substationally more than he currently is, is over. On the other hand, the hope and educated guess that he will be much more consistent in the future is very much alive, and acceptable. He will solidify himself as a good rotation wing, and a legitimate defender. I like C.J., and see him as one of the better options in the league as a mid to high minute rotation player at wing.
Raja Bell will be better the next time he sees the court. I don't see how couldn't be, coming off one of the poorest seasons not only in his career, but in the entire league last season.
I also believe that this "improved" season will be on a different team.
So this "Got it" is more like a "I think I got it." - better hold onto what you got, and keep an eye on a few free agents.

Free agents that could fill a need

Aaron Brooks - PG
A young but experienced PG that could play a large amount of minutes if needed. He has a "good enough" 3-pt shot, and can lead the a team while Harris gets his breath. I like him, and think he can push the tempo.

Jose Barea - PG
Odds are he is going to get a big contract as the starting PG somewhere (LAKERS?), but if he is available, he will push Harris. His energy is priceless. Long shot for sure.

Shannon Brown - Combo Guard
Brown is an athlete first, and a basketball player second. That's why he is not a true PG. He can play the position well enough, while scoring and pushing the tempo. He would be one of my top targets if I was K.O.C. I think he makes just about any team harder to beat.

"Trader Jazz"

If Utah is looking to cut the fat, a healthy trade might be just the diet.

Option 1 : Go get a PG

Gibson is a competitor, and is skilled enough to challenge Harris for the starting PG spot. Casspi is a STEAL at that price, and brings a high level of intelligent play. Long shot that the Cavs run with this... unless a 2nd round draft pick is thrown in?

Option 2 : A lot of Jazz fans wont like this one

Paul Milsap is an underrated PF... but he's also undersized. Jordan Hill does not have anywhere near the offensive skill set Paul does, but he is a better interior defender and a lot taller.
Flynn has become a bust... as a starting PG. But as a legit back-up, I really like what he can bring.
Courtney Lee is, and always has been under used. He is a terrific shooter, stuck behind an even better shooter in Kevin Martin. What he does bring, besides a high 3pt. percentage, is a surprisingly rigid defense.
This trade brings depth to every position, and in Lee, a possible starter. It also frees up more time for Derrick and Enes... this trade works if those two new draft picks are as special as Jazz fans hope they are.

So if the Lockout has ended in a secret meeting while I have been pecking away on these keys, look for one, some, all, or none of these things to happen!

BYU Football: Pro Combat Uniforms

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 06:10:00 +0000

Came across these...

Nike's Idea for a BYU pro combat uniform. I am a traditionalist, but these are pretty rad! I love that it still has a lot of traditionalism to it!

Thanks @Cougarblitz84 for pushing these my way.

Riley Nelson: A Football Player

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 02 Oct 2011 20:10:00 +0000

Sometimes hype gets misspelled as hope. Jake just might be a victim of that typo. Heaps may always be spelled "Hype".

After Friday night's Jake Heaps debacle, he found himself on the sidelines, watching the greatest head of hair in Provo drive the big BYU ship 97 yards, capped off with a final touchdown so inspiring, it deserves it's own folk song!
Jake Heaps might be the next Ben Olsen; the greatest high school quarterback in his high school recruiting class who signs with BYU... and graduates somewhere else.

And Riley Nelson... he might be to this and next year's football team what Brandon Doman was to the 2001 cougar team. Google it.

Sometimes a football team needs a "sometimes"

Sometimes in the middle of the 5th game of the season, when you are trailing an instate competitor you are supposed to beat just about every year, and you've already been blown out by your rival, you realize something that is sometimes hard to realize...

Sometimes, you just don't have a great team.

When that moment hits it brings with it one of two things; The desire to give up and ice your knees, or that feeling of "whatta' we have to lose!? All we have left is our pride."

And that's when a team is ready for a sometimes.

On Friday night at L.E.S., Riley Nelson became a "sometimes".

He isn't a precision passer, or a prolific proven starter from a huge high school all the way across the country. He isn't a fine tuned QB that has perfected his throwing motion with specialized quarterbacking coaches. Nope. Riley Nelson is a football player. And sometimes, a team needs a football player. A football player from Logan Utah!

A yard is earned, not given

Riley Nelson had a shot at being named the starting QB last year. He actually did take the first snap of the season, and won his first game... but he did so as a split QB with Heaps. Soon after that Nelson went down with an injury, and Heaps won over the starting job... as was expected.

Heaps went on to have a pretty impressive second half of the season against weaker talent, and solidified himself as a starter.

That is, until Friday late in the third quarter after four other games of playing at a high level of huge disappointment... he was benched for the football player from Logan.

It's been said (by a pretty good locker room source, as well as a trusted insider) that Heaps has been hard to follow as a leader. Leadership. It was something he felt he had earned over the last half of the 2010 season. He hadn't. He had earned respect, but was still a ways off from being called the leader of the 2011 team, and when he started to call out blockers and started to demand from grown men a level of perfection when he himself hadn't come close to it, he caused a division on the field.

Enter Riley. If you are looking for someone to give respect to, look for the back-up. He came from being a freshman starter at USU to being the back-up at BYU behind a kid almost 3 years younger. And still, works harder than just about anyone with a "Y" on their helmet.

Witnessing that Riley drive from the stands as 60,000 fans chanted "RILEY! RILEY!", was a football moment. A moment when I would go as far to say, a starting QB spot was earned. At one point he was hit so hard reaching for a first down his helmet flew off. He had a few passes, only one of which looked anything like what Heaps is capable of, but he did what was needed to win.

He reminded us all what it takes to get an extra yard when it appears an extra yard just isn't there...

A football player making a football play.

The respect and the starting position goes to this BYU team's "sometimes"... Riley Nelson: The football Player.

BYU football... Anae, Doman, or Heaps?

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 04:18:00 +0000

Between sessions of heavy depression drinking (Dr. Pepper), I have come to two fuzzy realizations;

1. Jake Heaps or B. Doman is at fault for the Texas loss... exact verdict is still out on exactly who; BUT IT'S NOT ANAE.

2. The distance between a team with a good running game in the MWC, and a good running game in a BCS conference may be the greatest distance of any other team performance criteria.

Jake Heaps... heaven help us?

In two games Jake has thrown 3 interceptions and 2 TD's... bad right? Oh, by the way he is averaging just 5.49 Yards Per Attempt... that my friends is a dump and dink offense.

So is it Heaps or Doman?

Doman is inexperienced, and may have bitten off more than he can chew. All that talk of of a "keep the defense guessing" , and an "under center play action" style offense... well, right now it just looks like an unorganized version of an anti-Robert Anae offense. You know, the coordinator that was predictable, boring, and too conservative.... the same guy that won 56 games in six years with a 72% winning percentage. You know, the guy Bronco Forced out.

I'm not saying that I want Anae back, or even that Doman wont be a great coordinator. I'm just saying that Doman may want to try souping up a slow but incredibly productive offense instead of throwing it away and starting over as a first year coordinator.

Anae's offense didn't need a new engine, it just needed a good tune up, and a few after market parts.

Hey Doman, you still got that Anae playbook laying around... don't throw out the engine with the old oil.

WANTED: A BYU running game.

Harvy Unga is the greatest running back BYU has ever had.

It appears that he will never play another snap of football at the next level.

Does that paint a picture for you about where BYU's run game is without him?

Well how about this;

in the two games this year, the BYU offense is averaging 67 yards rushing a game. That's good enough for 113th in the country. That's bad, but it's not all Di Luigi and the boys' fault. a lot of it goes back to that abysmal 5.49 yards Jake Heaps is blowing open the defense with.

In the 2nd half of the Texas game a few simple adjustments were made by "Macky-B" and the longhorns.

One was that they saw that the big scary WR's whom BYU had proclaimed to be some of the most athletic ever, were not even getting targeted! So Mack sucked in the D, and put a spaced out version of 8 in the box on almost every down in the third and fourth quarters.

Mack Brown's 1st lesson on how to beat a dump and dink offense; put eight in the box, pressure the QB all day, and trust your DB's.

Success came in the second half for the longhorns. BYU's lack of being able to spread the field (or lack of even attempting to do so) crippled the run game, and put in stone the way to beat BYU. Good thing too, Utah needed a good game plan for Saturday.

Monday morning Head Coach:

So then what?! What are the adjustments BYU needs to make to resurrect a lifeless offense that appears to have weapons to attack defenses not being used?

Put a little Anae back in the offense.

Sure, it's predictable. But if moving the ball and scoring touchdowns is predictable, then line it up and hand the defense your playbook.

Speed up the offense.

If your goal is to keep a defense guessing, a restriction that must be lived by is a rapid fire offense. Even the most unpredictable offense can be scouted for pre-snap tells if given enough time.

if the Cougars increase the tempo, they will increase the number of offensive plays. If they increase the number of plays, they will have a few more plays to take chances with... lengthening the field!

The defense... play up to the LB's levels.

BYU's D has been good thus far in the season. But if a "best" has to be named with in the defense, it's the linebackers. And the "worst"... I'd say the D-line. If the D-line can get a better push and alter the run game better, the speed that is present at linebacker WILL get to the QB this season. If not, the LB core will have to stay at home more to stop the run.

The season has not been named... yet.

BYU won a close one... without it's offense reaching anywhere near it's potential. And BYU has lost a close one... without it's offense reaching it's potential. If BYU's offense reaches it's potential, and can start stretching the field, BYU will win out the remainder of the season. If they continue to sputter, they will lose to Utah, UCF, TCU, and Hawaii.

The distance between an 11-1 regular season or a 7-5 regular season... comes down to changing one number; 5.49 yards per pass attempt.

NFL: If he builds it, they might end the lock-out

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 05:48:00 +0000

Thank you "Wolfman"

Field of Dreams 2: NFL Lockout with Taylor Lautner from Taylor Lautner

NBA lockout: What about the draft?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 01 Jul 2011 21:50:00 +0000

Look for the lockout beard to claim Stern's face once again

Not being the brightest mathematician, my freshman year of high school I found myself wedged in a math class with snot nosed, hormone in-raged, screeching 7th and 8th graders... I was one of two 9th graders in the class (and the other, an "Einstein" who used to stick sowing needles into his palm... great company right?).

As miserable as that experience was, like many historical events, I am able to now gleam from it a greater understanding of how Jimmer Fredette might of felt as one of the few 4 year college players in a draft of one and done's... like sticking needles in your palm.

Fortunately for me, I was able to move on out of Jr. High and into my sophomore year. I was then placed with other mathematical "slows" my own age. God bless "No child left behind"!

Unfortunately for the Jimmer, he may of just been placed on an team busting open with "needle in palm" types.

Good luck with that James.

Jimmer is a rather rare bread in today's "youth and potential over proven experience" style of NBA draft classes. One and done has gone from being the new baby elephant at the zoo, to just another pigeon in the city. Nothing against the pigeons of the league, but if a new flock are gonna learn to fly every year, can we at least keep more of them in the city park until they are less likely to "bomb" in mid flight (Hassan Whiteside anybody)?

What the front door am I talking about!? I'd like to see a better transition, with more options, from High school all-star to NBA rookie. The one and done, or the Jimmer four are fine, but shouldn't there even be more options? I would say yes, and can think of a few depressed NBA young guys (did I mention Hassan Whiteside) who would agree.

So assuming Adam Silver and Derrick Fischer are diligent readers of the Sports Cave, here is the second instalment of...

The NBA Lockout: How to fix it - The Draft & Rookie Development. (Read the first installment here)

The LeBron Clause

When LeBron opted to pass over the college experience (or took too much cha-ching to be allowed to play in college) he did so with a ~~pretty good~~ perfect understanding that he not only was going to be a first rounder, but a lotto draftee.

Mr. James is why the league needs to be able to draft out of high school again (18 year old+), to of missed the rookie season of L.J. would have been a shame.

Now what makes it the LeBron rule is where he was drafted...

Rule: Any player drafted out of high school (18 years or older) must spend 1 full season in the D-league if not selected as a lottery pick, and 2 full seasons if selected in the 2nd round/or signed as an un-drafted free agent.

This would greatly discourage any player from signing with an agent unless they felt very strongly they were a going as a high pick, and it would discourage a franchise from reaching too much late in the 1st and in the 2nd round.

It's not perfect, but it does give options to both players and franchises.

The Jimmer Clause

Jimmer spent four years becoming a better player without getting a dime. Mostly because he had to to get the exposure he needed, but there is no doubt he is a much better player today than after his Freshman year at BYU.

He will be able to contribute at a much higher level right out of the gate... he should be rewarded for the hard work he put in.

Rule1 : If a college player spends four seasons in college, his first 2 year's salary do not count towards the cap space of the team that drafts him for those two years.

The same four season player skips his rookie salary structure and starts his structure at the mid level exception if he is drafted in the first round.

If he is drafted in the 2nd round or as an un-drafted free agent, he is due to receive the same salary amount as any other 2nd rounder, but unlike any other 2nd rounder, is given the same guaranteed years as a first rounder.

Rule 2: A player that is drafted after his third season gets all the above, except he does not skip his rookie contract, and only his first year salary does not count towards the teams cap.

Rule 3: A player drafted after his 2nd season receives the same as the 3 college season player, but the franchise that drafts him does not receive any salary cap advantages.

Rule 4: A player who leaves after one season (one and done) receives the same as the 2 season college player, except does not receive the guaranteed contract if drafted in the 2nd round.

I almost called this the "No name guy from Iran Clause" as I was thinking about all the well developed, experienced college players that were passed on this last draft in the second round to pick up "some no name guy from Iran"!

By placing these draft rules into effect, the NCAA would also be more cooperative with the NBA. Allowing a much later date for college players to withdraw their names from the draft able players list and still maintain their college eligibility.

I had a few young students in that math class that actually became pretty good friends, and even helped me a lot with my sweet math skills.

NBA, meet NCAA. NCAA, meet NBA. I know you two would be great friends if you would stop trying to knock each other out!

If the NCAA would help guide great players to an NBA career instead of practically penalizing them if they even think about the NBA, the NBA would be much more "helpful" with donations and clinics. If you regulate those type of things instead of outlawing them both sides could benefit greatly.

and finally, one more though...

Just got this from a good friend of mine, Cody (Check out his blog here). Interesting possibility if the NBA lockout takes the whole season...

"Fist of all, let's hope it doesn't come to this.

So I read your tweet about where the Jazz might pick if the entire NBA season is cancelled. (Again, not hoping for that) I couldn't think of any precedence in the NBA, but I remembered that the NHL was locked out all of the 2004- 2005 season. Here is what they did (via Wikipedia) "As a lockout cancelled the 2004–05 NHL season, the draft order was determined by lottery on July 22, 2005. Teams were assigned 1 to 3 balls based on their playoff appearances and first overall draft picks from the past three years. According to the draft order, the selection worked its way up to 30 as usual; then instead of repeating the order as in past years, the draft "snaked" back down to the team with the first pick. Therefore the team with the first pick overall would not pick again until the 60th pick. The team with the 30th pick would also get the 31st pick. The draft was only seven rounds in length, compared to nine rounds in years past." Not sure if the NBA would do something similar but who knows? Another tidbit, that draft was the year the Pens nabbed Sidney Crosby. Things are looking dim. On PTI today the ESPN capologist pegged the odds of missing the entire season at 75%. 75%! I hope he is wrong."

I wonder if there is a written rule for this, or if it is just a "make it up as you go" kinda thing... just evidence that we are once again on a path that has never been tread.

Thanks Cody.

So now you have it, installment two on How to fix the lockout.

Mr. Stern, I will expect my "mediator fee" check to be in the mail.

NBA Lockout: How to fix it!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 05:42:00 +0000

What a draft! The most watched boo session on David Stern since he shook hands with Kevin Durrant in 2007!
So now what? Now, after all the talking heads said was one of the most "talentless" draft classes became one of the most watched, and after a finals that pitted the villains of Miami against the "team first" Mavericks, and after the single most exciting college player in the last 25 years has just "Jimmered" his way into the league... now what? Now David Stern, Derrick Fisher, and the rest of the league want to shut it down, wear matching t-shirts, and whine about who's gonna pay for the insurance on their third home in Maui.

Great idea, fake businessmen.

When grown men wear matching T-shirts to a business meeting, how much progress can really take place? It's gonna be a long Summer... Fall? Winter?!

So how do you fix it? Like this!

A salesman in the NBA
Have you ever seen a really good salesman? Why are they good, because they have to be, that's how they feed their families.

Have you ever seen a player give up on a play, a game, a season? Yea, you have. What about owners? Yup, them too.

It's time to put a door to door salesman attitude into the league... it's time to bring a commission+base salary to the NBA!

Rookie Salary Structure:
A player is drafted and signed to a similar amount as is right now, but only 20% of it is guaranteed. The other 80% is divided up into 82 parts and one part is paid out with each win.

1st year: 20% Base 80% Win commission
2nd & 3rd year: 25% Base 75% Win commission
4th year: 30% Base 70% Win commission
5th year (team option): 50% Base 50% Win commission

Example: Gordon Hayward 2010-11 actual salary: $2,356,320

$471,264 guaranteed (20% Base of $2,356,320)

+ 39 wins @ $22,988 a game= $896,532

Gordon's 2010-11 "Sportscave" salary = $1,367,796

the 2nd contract and beyond will follow a similar structure, but with a higher Base rate, and even higher if re-signed with current team.

Resign with current team:
1st year: 60% Base 40% Win commission
2nd year: 65% Base 35% Win commission
3rd year: 70% Base 30% Win commission
4th year (player option): 75% Base 25% Win commission

Free Agent sign with a new team:
1st year: 50% Base 50% Win commission
2nd year: 55% Base 45% Win commission
3rd year: 60% Base 40% Win commission
4th year(player option): 75% Base 25% Win commission

*A bonus system could also be applied for making the playoffs, conference finals, or NBA finals.

The cap would be hard, but would based off of 75% of the total potential salary. Each team could have 2 players that don't count towards the cap.
One is the "native"; any player that was drafted by the team and has never left under free agency (Example:Kobe Bryant, C.J. Miles, or Dwayne Wade). This rewards good drafting, and loyalty.
The second is 1 mid-level-exception player.

That's it. That's the basics of my salary structure.

This will be an on-going series that will deal with the reality of the CBA and what else is wrong with the NBA. If a fat guy sitting on his couch can solve the problems of the NBA, than there might be a fighter's chance for a new CBA to be drawn up... even if one side can't stop wearing matching clothes!

*My next one in the series will be on the draft and how to improve it.

Utah Jazz Draft Review

noreply@blogger.com (Shake) — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 22:15:00 +0000

The NBA draft has come and gone for another year and the Jazz have picked up two young players. The Jazz had 2 picks and they drafted:

1st round, 3rd pick - Enes Kanter; Turkey, 6'11" 260 lbs, Center

Kanter brings much needed depth to the Jazz front-line and gives them a potential star. He sat out all of last season with Kentucky and has not played as much basketball as other prospects that were in this draft. From the tape I have watched on him I think he is similar to Brook Lopez of the New Jersey Nets. He has great size and is a better offensive player than he is a defensive player.

Here is his post draft interview as well as some highlights:

For more on Kanter checkout Draft Express

The Jazz with their 2nd pick selected:

Alec Burk; Colorado, 6'6" 190 lbs, Shooting Guard

Burk has been compared a lot to Ronnie Brewer by the local media, which is not a great comparison. Burk does not have the defensive abilities that Brewer did when he came into the league but he is a much better scorer. Burk has very good handles with the basketball and can create his own shot.... something Brewer still does not have. Another point is that Brewer came into the NBA after his Junior year (avg 18 pts a game)and Burk is only a Sophomore (avg 20 pts a game). Look for him to be more aggressive with driving in the lane rather than settling for a jump shot... something that Wes Matthews did extremely well with the Jazz.

Here is his post draft interview and highlights:

For more on Burk check out Draft Express.

You can check out what coach Tyrone Corbin had to say about the Jazz draft here.

Yahoo Sports are saying the following about the Jazz Draft:

"Winner: Utah Jazz:"

"The Utah Jazz quietly improved their team by adding Kanter (No. 3) and Colorado guard Alec Burks (No. 12). Kanter proclaimed a day earlier that he is the best player in the draft, and with his size, scoring ability and rebounding he has the talent and potential to prove he is right. While Burks isn’t a household name, he was a proven scorer in college, averaging 20.5 points last season as a sophomore. The Jazz have an intriguing group of young players in Kanter, Burks, Derrick Favors, Gordon Hayward and Jeremy Evans."

Fox Sports is also calling the Jazz a Winner:

"Many Utah fans were hoping the team would use one of its two lottery picks on BYU star Jimmer Fredette, but the Jazz got an impressive duo in center Enes Kanter (right) and shooting guard Alec Burks. Both are unfamiliar to many fans since Kanter was ruled ineligible before playing a game at Kentucky and Burks played for a Colorado team that didn't make the NCAA tournament, but they may be the best athletes at their respective positions."

Even a few ESPN analyst are jumping on board the Jazz draft:

Pick for draft winners-

"Hayes Davenport, Celtics Hub: Other than Metta World Peace, who has to be pretty excited that he out-trended the draft, the Jazz had the best evening. They were able to draft for need and overall value with both of their first-round picks without taking too many risks. But it's a close call, because the Wizards did the same."

Pick for draft steal-

"Dan Feldman, PistonPowered: The Jazz taking Alec Burks. Three guards -- Kemba Walker, Jimmer Fredette and Klay Thompson -- went immediately ahead of him, but Burks will be the best of the four.

He's predominantly a slashing scorer, but he'll also rebound and pass well for his position."

For more reviews check out the Deseret News.

Utah Jazz looking to move up from the 12th pick

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:55:00 +0000

I would guess K.O.C. doesn’t lose many poker games… if he plays. He and the front office keep thoughts not just close to the vest, but in a sealed envelope tucked in a straitjacket!

That being said, some ideas/thoughts have slowly leaked… from as simple as them liking B. Knight at the 3rd pick, to the desire to move the third pick (up or down).

An additional piece has now been leaked…

Yesterday from a very reliable source that had a conversation with one of the decision makers from the Jazz “think tank” says Utah is actively looking to move UP from the 12th pick and are willing to move C.J. Miles and/or Raja Bell to do so!

This information coming after the Kemba/Jimmer work-out, in which has been expressed that Jimmer had the upper hand. With Jimmer looking to be a 6-12th pick now after the rapid climb he has made due mostly to outstanding workouts with Utah, NY, Phoenix, and Indiana and in part to the superb showing at the combine, Utah moving up might be to capture the Jimmer!

Other possibilities may be Biyombo or Jan Vesely.

Bottom line; this ain’t your grandpas Jazz team. With Jerry gone, we are discovering that he may have had even hold on the decision makers. Could K.O.C. be known as a yearly wheeler and dealer in five years?

BYU Football 2011: The intangibles

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 13 Jun 2011 19:13:00 +0000

Jake Heaps’ college football cleats are broken in.

“It was so frustrating.” Heaps explained when asked about the TCU lopsided lose and the first half of the 2010 season in general.

The frustrated QB then went on to explain that he burned a good amount of time by himself, tearing apart everything he had learned and experienced in his young football life, to find something that he could use to indentify and label whatever was causing the inept BYU play as of late. The same thought kept sifting its way to the top of all that has made Jake Heaps a star football player.

“We needed to come together as a team. … We had to step it up. … We had to make everything more intense. … Everyone had to work harder.”

Wait, isn’t that what every half decent coach has taught his team since shoulder pads have been plastic, and beyond? Well, yes. But “yes” is not always the answer to this next question;

Do teams always come together as a team, work hard, and step it up?

From that point on, the Cougars did work hard and came together as a team; finishing the season by winning 5 of the next 6, while putting up 40 or more points 4 times and going over 50 twice.

The question is has that momentum carried over the long off-season?

Head coach Bronco seems to be buying in. When asked about what he saw during spring practice he gave pretty high praise, going against his usually painfully mellow self.

"What makes this spring unique is I really believe we are gaining momentum.”

“…It feels like beginning all over again, only from a further place than we started from six years ago."

Bronco appears to have lumped the previous six years together, and now is starting on his second half as BYU’s head coach. And from all the adjustments that have been made recently, I’d say he and his team of both coaches and players are looking to drastically outcoach their first half self in every column across the board.

One of the “stats” BYU is looking to upgrade is energy; energy on the field and off; energy from the players and the coaching staff… especially from the staff.

The hiring of Joe DuPaix to the BYU offensive staff, and the promotion of Brandon Doman to offensive coordinator position has high-jacked the previously bland slumber of the BYU coaching staff the same way Mr. Barry Bonds’ “vitamins” high-jacked him to record breaking home runs… only Doman and Dupaix won’t have an asterisk next to their names.

Joe DuPaix

DuPaix and Doman aren’t the only major coaching changes that BYU has pressed for 2011. Bronco has placed himself back to what he originally cut his teeth on as a BYU coach; the defensive coordinator.

After the change was made, the cougar D was not just visually different between the sidelines, but different in the movement from the sidelines to the hash marks.

When the ball changed hands from offense to defense all 11 defenders lined up on the sideline as if waiting for the starting pistol, and then would sprint out at full speed together! This is something that Bronco had established when he took over special teams as well. Energy? Yea, I think so.

Whether or not BYU wins 10+ games this season is left to be determined, but one stat that has already been inked for the upcoming season... Excitement!

Mr. Excitement

NBA Draft: Utah Jazz draft test

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 12 Jun 2011 18:35:00 +0000

If I had a nickle for every time I heard the question, "When am I ever gonna use this?" regarding the S.A.T./A.C.T. questions, I'd easily have enough for a new pair of knee high tube socks. And that my friend is the real reason a certain X-Jazz sharp-shooter was so smooth with the (no, not that!) 3 point shot.

But the nickels aren't coming, and I keep hearing the question..."When?".

Well when just arrived, and it's about to slap you in the brain!

With the excitement of the up coming NBA draft, and with Utah holding 2 picks; it's time to introduce the "______" is to "_______" question regarding the 3rd and 12th pick . Have I lost ya yet? O.K., you'll catch on.

If Salt is to Pepper as Peanut-butter is to Jelly,

then...

Enes Kanter is to Jimmer as Brandon Knight is to Bismack Biyonbo.

at 6-11, Kanter has a great NBA body that will be tough to move around in the paint. He will be able to score out of the gate, and will likely be a starter for a long time in the league. If Kanter is selected with the third pick, look for Utah to not only take a guard, but a guard that may be a little bit more of a gamble.

"Paging the Jimmer."

Jimmer is a proven scorer... that's it. That's not to say he can't facilitate assists at the next level, it's just not as proven. The Jimmer has taken not just a shot on the chin regarding his defensive ability, but a bite out of his ear on the issue as well. Yet even that topic has a sense of mystery; Jimmer finished 2nd and 3rd in the two agility tests that included everyone at the draft combine, and a lot has been said that his lack of D at BYU was to keep him out of foul trouble.

So if Kanter is the 3rd pick peanut-butter, look for Jimmer to be the Jazz's Jelly at 12.

On the other hand if the Jazz are looking for a seemingly more sure thing at P.G., look for Knight to be selected with the 3rd pick (although he seems to be losing some stability with his unwillingness to compete against other guards), and a wild card like Biyambo to be the jelly at 12.

If Pizza-Hut is to Domino's (yea I'm a fat guy who just happens to be hungry while writing this, so!? Lay off!),

then...

Jan Vesely is to Chris Singleton.

The "Jan Vesely" flag definitely has a place all marked off in the garden of the Jazz's 3rd pick and has a good shot to be flying high come June 23rd.

One worry; Jan's narrow frame allows him to be his own flag pole!

As for Chris, he appears to be the pick of the draft as far as defenders go. His abilities allow him to defend PG's, PF's, and everything in between. The monkey on his back; can he stretch the defense as a wing with his weak shooting? (side note: I think he can, in fact I think he could be the steal of the draft! See my latest mock draft for details.)

Chris Singleton

If black and white T.V. is to HDTV as VHS is to Blue Ray,

then...

C.J. Miles is to Chris Singleton as Raja Bell is to Marshon Brooks.

When last year's Jazz season bowed out one thing became clear; the rookie Gordon Hayward had become the best wing on the team.

Prediction; Chris Singleton or Marshon Brooks if drafted, would at least be the 2nd best option at wing. Bottom line, the 12th pick should strongly be considered as an opportunity to up grade the wing position.

There, now you have that "when".

P.S. Be sure to sign up for our new S.C.Live E-newsletter HERE!

The Twitter Mock Draft

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 13:40:00 +0000

Don't Miss the twitter NBA Mock Draft this morning, starting at 9MT! We (@sportscavelive) are representing the OKC Thunder pick! Who do we take??

Organized by TheHoopsReport.com

No SHAQ, you did it! Thanks. (Video)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 02 Jun 2011 03:48:00 +0000

He gave us Kazaam,

SHAQ FU,

"Tell me how my @$$ taste!"

SHAQ, thank you. We'll miss you.

"If they can't say Shaquille O'neil, make 'em scream SHAQ!"

NBA Mock Draft 3.1

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 30 May 2011 02:02:00 +0000

Dear OKC Thunder fans

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 26 May 2011 20:15:00 +0000

From A Jazz fan

Dear OKC Thunder fans,

Thank you. Thank you for the reminder… check that; thank you for the slap in the face and the ice-cold water on our sleeping faces.

The word passion is often over used to describe less than passionate realities. Not this time. The passion you put out to this paralyzing entertaining, but young Thunder team the past few years is astounding. Such a young franchise (or an old one beat up and re-built) often gets some excited NBA fans to follow right away, and drip by drip add in “home team” fans. But in OKC, a city known for overcoming adversity time and time again, someone turned the “big city/big market” sprinklers on and flooded the basement!

As an outsider looking in with no connection to your great Midwest town, I have no real reason to be an OKC fan… except for the fact that something has drawn us in. I use us, because there is an “us”.

The “us” is not just I and the few friends I waste too much time talking about Westbrook & Durant’s brilliant plays. It extends further than my limited following on twitter (@sportscavelive) or Facebook. It stretches a little more than the Salt Lake Valley. I know a good portion of Utah is on board, and hope our home team Jazz can emulate in some way what you have been a part of. When Durant quietly signed his extension without letting us know where is “talents” were going, it grew a little. When Westbrook first broke out those sweet interview specs… it spread a little more. When the beard took over the face, it took over a few fans too. After the fascination of “what’s in the backpack” took over a good portion of the web, we gained a few OKC bus riders. And when YOUR Thunder broke the mold of “what it takes to win in the NBA”… and still won, it became a passion again.

So although I may root against Durant when they come to play in SLC, from this moment on I’m not just a follower of the Thunder, I’m a fan.

-Sincerely,

A “new” OKC Thunder fan.

What will the Jazz do with the 3rd pick

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 18 May 2011 20:15:00 +0000

The 2011 NBA Lotto came and went...

The "half" man won, the neurotic manager came in second, and the grumpy old G.M. came in third... or lost.

That sounds way too similar to this new hit show I've been hearing about...

So does that make our pal Kevin O.C.... Charlie Sheen? Winning?

Well with third pick Utah does have a "winning" shot of getting a game changing player in the draft. But in what is widely considered a two player draft, is third really just the first loser? Or am I just thinking too much on the last Jazz season? I can't tell anymore... No wonder Mr. Sheen went off the deep end... where's my machete?

Getting away from Sheen and onto what really happens with the third pick is both exciting and REALLY disappointing.

Like I said, it's a two player draft. Derrick Williams and Kyrie Irving are considered interchangeable at the one and two picks, but after that it's WIDE open. So who is the next Jazz man? These are the options that are rumored to be on Utah's short list:

Enes Kanter - C/PF

Enes Kanter: A big bodied C/PF with a wide variety of scoring abilities but who doesn't have the super overwhelming height (he's 6-10 if he's lucky) to be a stand alone 5, or any type of flashy lateral quickness to be a pure 4.

Why I like him: He is NBA ready. He will compete right away for serious minutes and seems to have an offensive game (at 18 years old) that is already on par with at least the middle of the pack Bigs in the NBA.

Another reason I really like him is going to sound heartless, and I may get tared and feathered for saying it (I might even supply the feathers!), but if you draft him he makes Paul Millsap completely trade-able. I know; Millsap has been the man through thick and thin, but this IS a business (cliche anyone?) and his trade bait could return some pretty impressive wing pieces.

Why I don't Like him: He adds to the log jam a bit of bigs Utah already has, and he is a bit undersized for his natural position at the 5.

Comparable: Best case-Kevin Love. Worst case-Under sized Chris Kaman

Brandon Knight - PG

Brandon Knight: A smooth PG that can play SG.

Why I like him: He could end up being a big time PG. He has a long body, and can score from anywhere. He has the ability to distribute the ball. He would be groomed to be the next franchise PG in Utah.

Why I don't like him: Had a lot of problems early on at Kentucky. He grew into a pretty impressive player later in the season, but perhaps for me the biggest question is that Utah already has him! What do I mean? He reminds me a lot of Devin Harris.

Comparable: Best case- it's not way hard to see some D. Rose in Knight. Worst case- Devin Harris... that's not so bad.

Kemba Walker - PG

Kemba Walker: A PG that plays like a leader, and has a chip on his shoulder.

Why I like him: He is a winner. He does what it takes for his team to win games. If he is on your team, you are never out of a game. He's well rounded but seems to prefer to shoot.

Why I don't like him: Undersized and seems to always look to shoot. I have questions about what he will be able to do on defense.

Comparable: Best case- Ty Lawson. Worst case- Aaron Brooks

So there you have it. It will most likely be one of those four players.

A couple of semi-long shots would include names like Bismack Byombo, Jan Vesely, or Kahwi Leonard.

The best case scenario for Utah is if Derrick Williams slides out of the top two. That could be the case if Cleveland does what's expected and takes Irving, and Minnisota looks at how many SF's and PF's the have.... and thy take Kanter. At that point Kevin OC will be dancing in SLC as Utah is able to bring into Utah what just may end up being the best SF Utah has EVER had.

The other question; what/who can Utah package to convince Minni to trade picks? Millsap? CJ? The rights to Ante Tomic? The 12th pick?

So are the Jazz winning in this draft? Only if they can be Ashton Kutcher (just took Sheen's JOB on two & a half men), and Not Chuck Sheen.

Winning.

Utah Jazz 2011 Draft update v.3

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 07 May 2011 06:39:00 +0000

So there you have it. The experts have weighed in and have disagreed across the board! This truly is a wide open draft. As for myself and the rest of the cave, expect another full 2011 NBA mock draft in the near future.

Right now I am working on an off-season article that brings in free agents, draft picks, and other crazy pieces to develop impressive and realistic off-season moves that would totally change the landscape of the team! Get ready for a wild off-season... if we can get by this lockout!

UPDATE: The sportscave's Mock Draft is now part of the biggest Mock Draft Database on the Internet! Do not miss this site! It is clean, sharp, and very cool! Click here

Sport Science: Marcell Dareus kills it!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 28 Apr 2011 15:12:00 +0000

In honer of the NFL draft tonight...

Don't miss out on ESPN's sports science... now when Marcell brings down P. Manning next year, you'll know why Mr. Manning stays down for a few seconds. He just got hit by...

3,831 lbs. of force!

Who do the Jazz take with the 12th pick?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 23 Apr 2011 07:17:00 +0000

The Jazz have two top 12 picks in, as luck would have it, the pretty "weak" up coming draft. Baring a nice or nasty bounce of the ping-pong balls the first pick will be the 6th and the second pick will be the 12th.
Assuming they keep both picks and don't trade them away, with that 6th pick the Jazz will likely add one of these top players:

Kyle Irving - PG | Duke
Enes Kanter - PF/C | International
Derrick Williams - SF/PF | Arizona
Kemba Walker - PG | U-Conn
Brandon Knight - PG | Kentucky
Jonas Valanciunas - PF/C | International
Terrence Jones - SF/PF | Kentucky
Jan Vesely - PF | International
Bismack Biyombo - PF/C | International

O.K., we all have our favorites in that list (Terrence, Brandon & Bismack), but for the most part it's easy to agree it would not be a huge surprise for the Jazz to draft any of these guys if they are available.

As for the 12th pick...

This is where things could get weird... and by weird I mean crappy. Not that there are not some incredible basketball players projected around this spot, it's just that since the draft is a little weaker, some of these guys are not the sure fire talents as usual...

A few players I would be a little disappointed if drafted 12th by the Jazz:

Alec Burks - SG | Colorado

A super athletic ability to get to the rim puts Alec in the Lotto talks... what takes him out in my mind is the lack of outside shooting and sub-par defense. What were the top two Jazz needs again?

Tristan Thompson - PF | Texas

Nothing against Tristan, it's just that he looks to add to the traffic jam of undersized PF's... thanks but no thanks.

Kenneth Faried - PF | Morehead St.

Hold up, didn't we just go over this? No more undersized, overachieving PF's!

These next four guys would be considered pretty big stretches with the Jazz's pick at 12, but they should and could be looked at...

If Utah burns the 12th pick on one of these guys, don't look for me to be booing like we all did with the Hayward pick last year. (still trying to put together that state wide apology Gordon.)

Lucas Nogueira - PF/C | International

If a player stands 6-11, runs like a deer, and can jump out of the building he should never be over looked. He looked very lost in the Nike summit game this year, but still played with a ton of energy. At 18 yrs old he has A LOT to learn, but over time could end up a poor man's K. Garnett.

Reggie Jackson - SG | Boston College

Remember this name. Jackson will no doubt be a starter in this league, and has a not so long shot of being elite. With a wing-span of 7ft. and a huge amount of athleticism, Jackson can attack from just about anywhere with just about anything. Surprisingly he does not need volume touches/shots to reach impressive numbers, showing why he is one of the top 3 over all efficient players in the country.

Jeremy Lamb - SG | U-Conn

In my opinion Lamb will be a household name in the next 5 years. The question isn't whether or not he will be a good NBA player, it's whether or not he will be elite, and if it will take all five years. It looks like he will be staying at U-Conn, but on the off chance he comes out this draft... watch out late lotto!

Chris Singleton - SF | Florida St.

The only thing holding Chris back from being the BEST wing defender in the NBA is a little time in the league, and a little desire. A.K. is often considered one of the best defenders in the NBA... Singleton is a better defender right now. Streaky shooting and an occasional lack of fire on offense has kept Chris out of the lotto... Yea, and Wes Matthews wasn't athletic enough to make it in the NBA.

.......................

So with nothing left but the tears, Utah and Kevin O'C. have some decisions to make...

Please, no undersized PF's!

NFL Mock Draft Continued...

noreply@blogger.com (Shake) — Wed, 20 Apr 2011 01:11:00 +0000

11. Houston Texans

Robert Quinn OLB/DE, North Carolina - The Texans hired former Dallas Cowboy Head Coach Wade Phillips to be their defensive coordinator. This is noteworthy because he runs a 3-4 defensive scheme, which means the Texans are going to be switching to that this next season. In order to have this scheme to work you have to have an edge rusher. Robert Quinn has drawn comparisons to DeMarcus Ware of the Cowboys. Wade turned Shawn Merriman and Ware into stars, and will look to do the same with Quinn.

12. Minnesota Vikings

Tyron Smith LT, USC - The Vikings are again going to be looking for a QB, but with no one worth drafting this high they will look to secure one of the drafts top tackles. Scouting reports rave of Smith's run blocking ability, and last I checked the Viking have a pretty good running back. This move will allow them to move aging LT Bryant Mckinnie to RT.

13. Detroit Lions

Nate Solder LT, Colorado- The Lions have committed their future to Matthew Stafford and need to start protecting him. Stafford only played in 13 games the past 2 seasons! Solder will provide the Lions with the protection Stafford has been begging for. Solder is a former college TE that was converted to play LT.

14. Saint Louis Rams

Mike Pouncey C, Florida - The Rams will reach at this pick because their biggest need is on the offensive side of the ball. They would love to have Julio Jones fall to them, but will draft Pouncey with hopes that he is as good as his twin brother. Look for him to be converted to guard for the Rams. His athleticism will be an enormous help for Steven Jackson.

15. Miami Dolphins

Mark Ingram RB, Alabama - Everyone and their dog has the Dolphins drafting Ingram, and my dog and I are no different. Both Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams are set to be free agents and with no guarantee that they will return, the Dolphins will draft Ingram. This will give them leverage in contract negotiations with both free agents and allow them to probably end up with a bargain on one of them.

16. Jacksonville Jaguars

Aldon Smith DE, Missouri - The Jaguars were second to last in the NFL with 23 sacks last season. You can't even stop a nose bleed with that poor of pressure. The NFL is a pass friendly league, and if you don't get to the QB you are not going to win many games. Smith is a freak athlete and will give the Jaguars the edge pass rusher that they need.

17. New England Patriots

J.J. Watts DE, Wisconsin - Watts is a Belichick kind of player and will be a perfect fit here. He plays with a high motor and is the ideal size for a 3-4 end (6'5" 290 lbs). Normally the Patriots like to trade down but Watts is to good to pass up at this point.

18. San Diego Chargers

Cameron Jordan DE, California - The Chargers have everything you need to win a Super Bowl on the offensive side of the ball... and to be honest, they have it on defense as well. Jordan will give them a versatile DE and add depth. Reports raved about Jordan in the Senior Bowl; saying that he was unblock-able in practice.

19. New York Giants

Anthony Castonzo LT, Boston College - The Giants are much like the Cowboys in that both of them have aging offensive lines. The Giants will take Castonzo, who at this point in the draft, is the best LT available. Castonzo has been questioned as to if he is athletic enough to play LT in the NFL. In the event that the doubters are right look for the Giants to move him to the other side of the line.

20. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Gabe Carimi OT Wisconsin - Every year there is a run of offensive tackles taken in the draft. This is one position that gets over drafted every single year and this year is no different. I personally like Carimi because he has declared himself the best OT in the draft... and he might be the only one saying that. Either way he would make an amazing RT for the Bucs and be one of their best run blockers from day one.

Dignan's 2011 NBA Mock Draft v.2

noreply@blogger.com (Kelly) — Mon, 11 Apr 2011 01:09:00 +0000

Dignan's 2011 NBA Mock Draft v.2 has a few subtractions (players staying in school), and one addition who has made it not only into the first round, but into the lotto picks!

The addition, subtractions, and even some re-evaluations, have created a musical chairs feel from v.1. Check it out!

Bismack Biyombo at the 2011 Nike Hoops Summit... That's why he is a Lotto selection.

What is the most valuable NBA position?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 09 Apr 2011 07:39:00 +0000