By Diane M. Grassi

It is the age-old argument that will never go away amongst baseball aficionados a/k/a baseball fans. And that is, the comparison of individual players from different eras in which they played, as opposed to those who compete presently. What fascinates fans is that there is no right or wrong answer, thus the perpetuation of the argument and the historic relevance of players in Major League Baseball, unlike any other professional or amateur sport.

And while statistics do not necessarily tell the whole story, they remain the foundation for feats accomplished by the greatest in the game, and arguably still our national pastime. Moreover, baseball would not be the game that it has remained for well over 100 years without its intangibles and its stern attention to detail.

It has been said time and time again that baseball is a game of inches and most importantly a game consumed with the little things. And in that respect, it makes for a difficult argument for the best team historically.

Admit it. As fans, we are biased about our teams and especially partial as it comes to our favorite players. So here is but another take on some storied players, although many, many others could have been chosen, but this group would have made for one terrific run…

A team is largely an amalgam of several important components. Such has not changed over the years, although the formulas used to get there certainly have. Good pitching, defense and an offensive threat at any point in the game are the largest factors. Managerial strategies and team cohesiveness cannot be dismissed. Yet, when compiling an All Star type team, there is less of a need to make up for more normal roster deficiencies.

This choice of players is especially strong on defense, power pitching, selective and timely hitting, for both power and average, in addition to speed on the bases. It is a National League style roster where the batter would typically hit, although we have not allowed for double switches since we only had the choice of one relief pitcher in the bull pen.

The lineup is as follows:

1) Ozzie Smith – Short Stop
2) Pete Rose – 1st Base
3) Joe Morgan – 2nd Base
4) Frank Robinson – Right Field
5) Joe DiMaggio – Center Field
6) Carl Yastrzemski – Left Field
7) Gary Carter – Catcher
Brooks Robinson – 3rd Base
9) Starting Pitcher

The starting rotation is as follows:

1) Tom Seaver – RHP
2) Nolan Ryan – RHP
3) Steve Carlton – LHP
4) Catfish Hunter – RHP
5) Ron Guidry – LHP

Relief Pitcher:
Goose Gossage – RHP

We will start with some stats and offer some distinctive characteristics of each player, who comprise this wish list of an all-time team:

Ozzie Smith – Shortstop
‘Wizard of Oz’
Bats R/Throws R

Seasons played: 19 (1978-1996)
Teams: San Diego Padres: 1978- 1981; St. Louis Cardinals: 1982-1996
Career: BA SLG% OBP FLDG% (Lead in Fielding % 7 seasons) Stolen Bases Hits
.262 .328 .337 .978 580 2460
Awards: Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame: 2002; World Series Champion 1982 – St. Louis
13 consecutive NL Gold Gloves – SS 1980-1992 NL Silver Slugger – 1987 (.303 BA)
12x All Star 5x NL MVP NL NLCS MVP – 1985

Ozzie Smith’s triumphs have been well documented, yet his stats do not tell the entire story. His ability to create havoc on the base paths with his speed and his innate baseball sense lent depth to his game. Although one of the best shortstops in MLB history, Smith was often criticized for his lack of offense. But that was put to rest somewhat when he came through with key hits and by raising his batting average to .303 in 1987 when he won a Silver Slugger Ward. Smith was on the 1982 World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals team which manager Whitey Herzog built upon speed, defense and timely hitting. And perhaps Ozzie would not have been as effective over a long career at short had it been a requirement that he hit for average and/or power day in and day out like many of today’s shortstops. But that does not take away from the magnitude of his contributions to the game.

Pete Rose – 1B
‘Charlie Hustle’
Bats L&R/Throws R

Pete Rose will be most remembered as the hit king with a career total of 4,256 and will most likely take to his grave having the most hits in the history of MLB. He eclipsed Ty Cobb’s record of most hits, with hit number 4, 193 at the end of the 1985 season, while finishing out his career with the Cincinnati Reds, his original team.

Seasons played: 24 (1963-1986) Player/Manager Cincinnati Reds 1985-1986
Teams: Cincinnati Reds 1963-1978; Philadelphia Phillies 1979-1983; Montreal Expos 1984
Cincinnati Reds 1984-1986
Career: BA OBP SLG% Hits FLDG%
.303 .375 .409 4,256 .987
Awards: 1963 NL Rookie of the Year; NL MVP 1973; World Series MVP 1975;
NL Gold Glove - Outfield – 1969, 1970; 17 All Star Team appearances; Batting titles: NL 1968, 1969 & 1973; 1968 No.1 in OBP; NL Silver Slugger Award 1981- Philadelphia Phillies
World Series Champion 1975, 1976 Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies 1980

Pete Rose, undeniably one the most successful MLB players in history who exhibited a hard nose, no nonsense playing style, required necessary preparation to make up for less natural talent than many of his contemporaries had. A number 2 hitter throughout his career, Pete consistently got on base. He was the consummate switch hitter who became the only player to play 500 games at five different positions:
1B, 2B, 3B, LF, RF. His never let up hustle earned him the name, Charlie Hustle, and he revived the head-first slide, a regular element of the game today, and Pete always ran to 1st base after getting a walk.

Second all-time in doubles, Pete’s 100 hits or more for 23 straight seasons remains a record. He led the NL in hits for 7 seasons and had 15 consecutive .300 seasons. His NL 44 game hitting streak still stands today. Whether on the prolific Big Red Machine of the 1970’s or with the underachieving Phillies when he first arrived there, Rose gave more than 100%. His persona preceded him and his post-playing gambling career dogged him for 20 years into his retirement, yet his combination of strong-headedness and determination created a stellar career, nonetheless.

Joe Morgan - 2B
‘Little Joe’
Bats L/Throws R

Joe Morgan started his career in Houston in the then new Astrodome, where he played for 9 years. However, it was with the Cincinnati Reds’ Big Red Machine where he was acknowledged most for being one of the most versatile 2nd baseman in the history of the game, in spite of his small stature. His power was best accommodated in Riverfront Stadium where he earned NL MVP status in 1975 and 1976. He and his teammates won the World Series against the Red Sox in 1975 and against the Yankees in 1976.

Seasons: 22 (1963-1984)
Teams: Houston Astros 1963-1984; Cincinnati Reds 1972-1979; Houston Astros 1980; San Francisco Giants 1981-1982; Philadelphia Phillies 1983; Oakland Athletics 1984

Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame: 1990

Career: BA OBP SLG% FLDG% Stolen Bases Hits HR
.271 .392 .427 .981 689 2517 268
1st NL in SLG% - 1976: .576; 1st in NL OBP – 1972, 1974-1976

Awards: 9x All Star Team; NL Silver Slugger Award – 1982; 5x NL Gold Glove Award – 2B
World Series Champion 1975 & 1976 Cincinnati Reds

Little Joe’s best season for stats was 1975. He led the NL in walks with 132 with a .327 batting average, 17 home runs, 94 RBI and 67 stolen bases. That earned him his eventual first MVP and was an example of his dynamism coming out of the 3-hole.

Frank Robinson – RF (originally a Left Fielder)
Bats R/Throws R

Also a player that took no guff, Frank Robinson set the tone on all of the teams on which he played. A champion of the Civil Rights era, Robinson played by example and carried Jackie Robinson’s torch proudly. Becoming the first African-American player/manager and the only African American manager in both the American and National Leagues, he became the Manager of the Year in 1989. Robinson’s career was stellar. He most notably was the only player to win MVP honors in both the NL – with Cincinnati in 1961 and in the AL in 1966 with Baltimore.

Season: 21 (1956-1976) Cincinnati Reds 1956-1965; Baltimore Orioles 1966-1971; LA Dodgers 1972;
1973-1974 California Angels; 1975-1976 Cleveland Indians
Career: BA OBP SLG% Hits HR FLDG%
.294 .389 .537 2943 586 .984

Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame: 1982

Awards: Triple Crown 1966 (1st winner after Mickey Mantle in 1956); World Series MVP 1966 (Baltimore)
NL MVP – 1961, 1966; 12x All Star; NL Gold Glove – LF 1958; NL Rookie of the Year 1956 (Cincinnati)
No. 1 NL SLG% 1960 - .595, 1961 - .611, 1962 - .624, 1966 .624

Robinson’s no let-up attitude earned him a reputation for crowding the plate; when as a rookie he was hit 20 times. Back then, there was no such thing as body armor, overused today, so you knew that his brawn and not being intimidated was but a preface for what we saw throughout Robinson’s career. He eventually went back to manage the Baltimore Orioles from 1988-91 after his player/manager stint with the Cleveland Indians from 1975-1976. His Manager of the Year Award came in Baltimore in 1989.

Joe DiMaggio - CF
‘The Yankee Clipper’
Bats R/Throws R

Joe DiMaggio is arguably the best all-around player ever, whose understated manner made his feats even more remarkable. Unlike many of today’s players, he went about his business shining on the field in a multitude of ways and setting records year in and year out. In spite of a hiatus in his career of 3 years to serve in World War II, he finished his playing days after a total of only 13 years.

Seasons: 13 (1936-1942) (1946-1951)
Team: New York Yankees

Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame - 1955

Career: BA OBP SLG% FLDG% Hits HR
.325 .398 .579 .978 2214 361
Awards: 13x All Star; 9x World Series Champion - NY Yankees – 1936-1939, 1941, 1947, 1949-1951
AL MVP – 1939, 1941, 1947; AL 1st Slugging% - 1937: .673; AL 1st Batting – 1939 - .381&1940 .352
AL 1st HR -1937: 46 & 1948: 39

Perhaps Joe D will be best remembered for his yet to be broken 56 game hitting streak in the spring of 1941. But his defensive skills –with only 1 error for the entire 1947 season – running the bases know-how, his strong arm and home run record in the then very expansive Yankee Stadium, set him apart from his fellow players. He is often cited as a legend, but Joe was the real deal.

Gary Carter – Catcher
‘The Kid’
Bats R/Throws R

Gary Carter played a resilient back-stop for 19 major league seasons; a remarkable stint for a catcher, who never failed to deliver offensively, but another feat. In spite of the grueling regimen and the late career injuries he withstood, Carter was perhaps best known for his charismatic smile, his upbeat attitude and utmost cooperation with the press; the latter sometimes critically portrayed. Just 15 years since his retirement, those members of the press wont to criticize such open access which Carter allowed are probably those who now incessantly complain about the lack access to today’s players.

Seasons: 19 (1974-1992) 1974-1984 –Montreal Expos, 1985-1989 – NY Mets, 1990 – San Fran Giants
1991- LA Dodgers, 1992 – Montreal Expos

Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame - 2003

Career: BA OBP SLG% HR Hits FLDG%
.262 .335 .439 324 2092 .991

Awards: 11x All Star; NL Gold Glove – C 1980-1982; 5x Silver Slugger Award
NL 1st in RBI- 1984: 106; World Series Champion – NY Mets 1986

Carter’s offensive skills and clutch hitting was one of his trademarks, along with his career 10 Grand Slam
home runs. But it was his handling of pitchers, especially the young and raw talent of the rotation and relief pitchers on the NY Mets, on their way to a World Championship in 1986, which made Gary Carter especially valuable. His defensive skills were often compared to those of Hall of Famer, Johnny Bench. But Carter’s exuberance was second to none.

Carl Yastrzemski – LF
‘Yaz’
Bats L/Throws R

Carl Yastrzemski was one of those players, not unlike Joe DiMaggio, who led by example and who remained in the spotlight without even trying. A lifetime Red Sock, he was an institution in fandom and had the records to back it up. Yet, it was his consistent approach at the plate and his goal to continue to improve, year in and year out, that won him over with fans and players alike.

Seasons: 23 (1961-1983) Boston Red Sox

Career: BA OBP SLG% HR Hits FLDG% 2B RBI
.285 .379 .462 452 3,419 .988 646 1844

Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame - 1989

Awards: 18x All Star; AL MVP-1967; Al Batting Champion – 1963 & 1968; 1st AL OBP- 1963, 1965, 1967-1970; 1st AL SLG% - 1965, 1967, 1970; 7x AL Gold Gloves – LF

When Carl Yastrzemski retired after 23 seasons he did so with 3419 hits and over 400 home runs. That feat has been duplicated by a select few in the history of MLB with Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Eddie Murray, Stan Musical, Dave Winfield and Cal Ripkin, Jr. in that class. The only thing Yaz suffered from was the down years for the Red Sox, when Fenway Park was seldom sold out. Had Yaz been playing today his notoriety would be off the charts.

Brooks Robinson – 3B
Bats R/Throws R

The Human Vacuum Cleaner, as Brooks Robinson was affectionately known, redefined defense in the modern game. Brooks Robinson made playing the Hot Corner cool again. His brilliant displays were uncanny year after year and something fans routinely expected from Brooks. But there was nothing routine about his talent.

Seasons: 23 (1955-1977) Baltimore Orioles

Career: BA OBP SLG% FLDG% Hits
.267 .322 .401 .971 2, 848

Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame - 1977

Awards: 1st in AL RBI -1964 : 118; AL MVP -1964; 15x All Star; World Series MVP 1970 – Baltimore Orioles; World Series Champion 1970 – Baltimore Orioles; 16 consecutive AL Gold Gloves – 3B 1960-1975

Like other players on his team, Robinson’s consistency and work ethic was nonpareil. A trailblazer at 3B, Brooks was also as well liked as any player in the game and that only helped with team chemistry and providing leadership.

Tom Seaver – Starting Pitcher
‘Tom Terrific’
Throws R

The art of pitching was not lost on Tom Seaver. When he made it to the major leagues in 1967, the baby-faced cherubic looking kid gave no indication of the dominating power pitcher he eventually became. Seaver also was a natural leader on a green, over-achieving NY Mets team that in 1969 miraculously went on to the win the World Series that year. Seaver’s accomplishments on the mound played no small part.

Seasons: 20 (1967-1986)
NY Mets – 1967-1977; Cincinnati Reds 1978-1982; NY Mets-1983; 1984-1986-ChicagoWhite Sox; 1986-Boston Red Sox

Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame – 1992

Career: ERA Wins Strike Outs
2.86 311 3640
12x All Star; 1967 Rookie of the Year; 1969 NL Cy Young Award; 1973 NL Cy Young Award; 1975 NL Cy Young Award: 1st in NL ERA – 1970-1973; 1st in NL Wins -1969 -25; 1st in NL Wins – 1975 – 22;
1st in NL Wins – 1981 -14; Most NL strikeouts – 1970, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1976;
1st in NL Complete Games – 1973 – 18; 1st NL Shutouts – 1977 - 7, 1979 – 5
World Series Champion – 1969 – NY Mets

Much to his dismay, Tom Seaver never pitched a no-hitter, although he came close a few times. And Seaver thought his best season was in 1971 when he failed to win the Cy Young Award with a 20-10 record, 1.76 ERA and 283 strike outs. And his high-water mark of 19 strikeouts in a 1970 game against the San Diego Padres tied the MLB record with pitcher Steve Carlton. Seaver’s pitching style, utilizing the power of his legs was highly thought of with many power pitchers who came after him, such as Roger Clemens.

Nolan Ryan - Starting Pitcher
‘Ryan Express’
Throws R

Nolan Ryan, in some peoples’ minds was a freak of nature, given the speed at which he could throw a baseball up until the end of his expansive career and into his 40’s. He remains the undisputed leader of most career strikeouts to this day, with 5,713. His power was exceptional, although he was known to be wild at times. So, players actually at times feared getting into the batter’s box. But his resilience and preparation were what allowed him to last 27 seasons; an absolutely stunning statistic for a starting power pitcher.

Seasons: 27 (1966-1993)
1966-1971 – NY Mets, 1972-1979 – California Angels, 1980-1988- Houston Astros,
1989-1993 Texas Rangers

Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame – 1999

Career: ERA Wins Strike Outs
3.19 324 5,714
Awards: 8x All Star; 1st AL Innings Pitched - 1974- 332.7; 1st NL ERA – 1981 – 1.691; 1987 – 2.764
12x 1st in Strikeouts per Inning; 1st in Strikeouts in AL – 10x; 1st in Strikeouts NL – 2x;
1st in AL Shutouts – 9x

World Series Champion – NY Mets 1969

Another record not soon to be broken is Ryan’s 7 no-hitters, with 2 in one season. And though a strikeout master, his one weakness was walks per inning at 4.5, which put fear in the eyes of many a batter. Yet, his overpowering 95 mph fastball served him well, into his 40’s, when he pitched 3 of his no-hitters.
From 1972-1974 Ryan struck out 300 hitters each season. And in 1974 his fastball was clocked at 100.9 mph on the radar gun. Most notably, Ryan became the only pitcher to record 2000 strikeouts or more in each major league. His portfolio defies description.

Steve Carlton – Starting Pitcher
‘Lefty’
Throws L

Perhaps it might come as a surprise to most fans that Steve Carlton was the second most winningest left-handed pitcher in MLB, behind Warren Spahn. And perhaps it might be related to his self-imposed boycott of the press for his last 8 years he played for the Philadelphia Phillies. He was one hard headed guy, which also most probably played a role in his indisputable success.

Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame 1994

Seasons: 24 (1965-1988)
1965-1971- St. Louis Cardinals, 1972-1986 - Philadelphia Phillies; 1986 - San Fran Giants & Chi White Sox,
1987 – Cleveland Indians & Minnesota Twins, 1988 – Minnesota Twins

Career: ERA Wins Strike Outs
3.22 329 4136
10x All Star; 4x NL Cy Young Award - 1972, 1977, 1980, 1982; NL Gold Glove – 1981- Pitcher;
5x NL 1st Innings Pitched- 1972, 1973, 1980, 1982, 1983; 3x 1st NL Wins- 1972, 1977, 1980;
3x 1st NL Complete Games- 1972-30, 1973-18, 1982-19; 6 20 Game Winning Seasons;
World Series Champion – St. Louis Cardinals 1967, Philadelphia Phillies 1980

With a crafty curveball to go along with his fastball, and an expert pickoff move to 1st, it seemed that Carlton was always evolving and looking to improve. In fact, Carlton was an innovator in conditioning through weight training; he was ahead of his time. He also developed a slider by mid-career, always readjusting. Carlton was one of the most consistent and successful pitchers of the 20th century. Looking back now, the press should have been celebrating his achievements, rather than to antagonize him. It was the fans’ loss to not have heard from him more.

Catfish Hunter – Starting Pitcher
‘Catfish’
Throws R

James Hunter, who affectionately became known throughout baseball during his playing career simply as Catfish, was so named by Oakland A’s owner, Charlie Finley, after Catfish made it to the major leagues. Catfish started out with the Kansas City A’s in 1964, never having played in the minors leagues, before the A’s moved to Oakland beginning in the 1968 season.

Seasons: 15 (1965-1979) 1965-1967 Kansas City A’s; 1968-1974- Oakland A’s; 1975-1979 NY Yankees

Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame – 1987

Career: ERA Wins Strike Outs
3.26 224 3012
8x All Star; 1974 1st AL ERA – 2.48; Perfect Game- 1968; Consecutive starts from 1965 to 1977; AL Cy Young Award – 1974; 2x most AL games won 1974-1975; pitched 200 innings or more - 1967-1976;
1st AL Complete Games -1975- 30; 300 Innings Pitched 1974-1975; Won 20 Games or more for 5 consecutive seasons - 1971-1975; 5x World Series Champion - Oakland A’s – 1972-1974;
NY Yankees – 1977-1978

Catfish Hunter’s accomplishments were none too few during his 15 seasons for both Oakland and the NY Yankees. But Catfish was the catalyst for the huge free agent multi-million dollars salaries we are are accustomed to seeing today for MLB’s elite players. And it was none other than George Steinbrenner, owner of the NY Yankees, who broke the bank and signed catfish to a $3.35 million contract for 5 years from 1975-1979. But in actuality free agency began with Curt Flood’s lawsuit against MLB regarding the reserve clause. And Andy Messersmith was the first player who realized the first free agent contract, when he signed a 3 year contract with the Atlanta Braves. Catfish won free agency on a technicality when A’s owner, Charlie Finley, failed to honor an insurance policy owed Hunter that was settled in arbitration and the end-result was giving Hunter free agency.

Catfish was not a flashy pitcher, nor an overpowering one. But he was overwhelmingly accurate as his accomplishments are well documented. According to then teammate, Lou Piniella, “Cat didn’t have overpowering stuff, but he knew how to pitch and how to beat you.”

Unfortunately, Catfish retired suddenly when he developed shoulder problems after the 1979 season and also left us too soon when he passed away at age 53 in 1999 from ALS, known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. His teammates and friends always felt he was an even better human being than he was a pitcher.

Ron Guidry – Starting Pitcher
‘Louisiana Lightning a/k/a Gator’
Throws L

Having hailed from Cajun country in Louisiana, like Catfish, who also came from humble beginnings in North Carolina, Ron Guidry was an unassuming player. His stature on the mound was considered diminutive for a big league starting pitcher at 5’11” and 160 pounds. But he more than made up for it with a filthy slider which became his trademark pitch. His understated manner was in stark contrast to his explosiveness on the mound.

Seasons: 14 (1975-1988) NY Yankees

Career: ERA Wins Strike Outs
3.29 170 1178
Awards: AL Cy Young Award – 1978; 5x AL Gold Glove-Pitcher; 3x 20 win seasons; 4x All Star
2x AL ERA Leader-1978 (1.74), 1979 (2.78); 1st AL W/L% - 1978 (.893);
Most AL Wins-1978- 25 (25-3), 1986 – 22 (22-6); 2x 200 Strike Out Seasons - 1978, 1979; AL Shutout Leader 1978-5; World Champion - NY Yankees 1977, 1978

Although Ron Guidry’s career was not nearly as lengthy as most other pitchers of his ilk, his success was no less remarkable. In addition to being an overachieving pitcher, he was considered a fine athlete which earned him 5 gold gloves, and he even played left field for the NY Yankees twice. Warmly remembered by Yankee fans, he was embraced as the Yankees’ pitching coach from 2006-2007, under manager, Joe Torre.

Goose Gossage – Relief Pitcher
‘The Goose’
Throws R

Goose Gossage had a commanding, intimidating presence on the mound along with a raging fastball, when he came into a game to save it. But unlike today’s use of relievers, often he could be asked to pitch up to 3 innings while closing out games. Most of his appearances were more than an inning and in 1978 in his first year as the stopper for the NY Yankees, he pitched 134 innings; fourth highest number of innings on the entire pitching staff, while saving 27 games. Goose saved the infamous 1978 playoff game, which extended the regular season, between the Yankees and the Red Sox for the American League East title. And Bucky Blankin’ Dent gave Goose the incentive to do it.

Seasons: 22 (1972-1994) 1972-1976 – Chicago White Sox; 1977- Pittsburgh Pirates; 1978-1983 NY Yankees; 1984-1987 - San Diego Padres; 1988- Chicago Cubs; 1989- San Fran Giants & NY Yankees
1991- Texas Rangers; 1992-1993-Oakland A’s; 1994-Seattle Mariners

Inducted Baseball Hall of Fame: 2008

Career: ERA Wins Saves Innings Pitched
3.009 115 310 1809

9x All Star; 1978 AL Rolaids Relief Award; 1st AL Saves 1975 (26), 1978 (27), 1980 (33)

World Series Champion- NY Yankees – 1978

Goose Gossage was recently quoted after Yankee closer, Mariano Rivera, got his 500th career save saying that he feels Rivera is the greatest closer in both Yankee and MLB history. However, he points out that, “We weren’t closers. That word hadn’t been coined yet. We were relief pitchers. We did a job it now takes 3 guys to do. I don’t know who the greatest relief pitcher is because we did different jobs…People forget about what we used to do…I don’t mean to blow my own horn, but I had 310 of the other kind of saves and 115 wins as a reliever.”

___________________________________________________

Compiling a dream team from different eras presents an interesting case to evaluate players’ talents. And that is what sets baseball apart from other professional team sport leagues. For no other professional team sport celebrates its great players post-career quite like MLB. While technology and better healthcare have had a tremendous impact on the longevity of players today, each generation offers something unique unto itself. However, as the game has changed, it cannot help but make us realize how much players of the past sacrificed and did without.

And let us not forget to continue to celebrate the game of baseball, in spite of its scandals, in spite of its dirty players or how mismanaged it may become. Because without the fans, MLB will cease to exist, and all of those wonderful players of the past and the challenges they faced will become but a footnote in the history
books.

The death of Steve McNair dominates a slow news week. You can download this week’s podcast directly (running time 90 mins) or subscribe to the feed.

If you use iTunes, just click here and then click subscribe and iTunes will take care of the rest.

This week’s topics include:

• Steve McNair
• Definition of irony
• Where’s Rae Carruth
• Best minor league baseball promotions
• Don’t break the seal night
• LeBron James non-story story
• Where will Roy Halladay end up?
• NBA player movement
• Stat boy’s corrections

Gregg Doyel of CBSSports.com has made a crusade against Twitter, and I cannot say I blame him. What is Twitter other than 140 characters of bumbling idiocy masquerading as “tweets?”

Okay, I have a Twitter account, or had, not sure anymore. I beat the fad by six months because a friend asked me to set up an account. I never used it. I’m not a hypocrite.

But for all Twitter is, it serves its purposes. It promotes news sources and the like, and blah, blah, blah.

Yet, what is Facebook? A news service? Please! Never! Who would think of breaking a news story on Facebook?

Well, other Stephane Chevalier.

You have never heard of Chevalier; don’t kid yourself. He’s not that noteworthy of an individual.

Chevalier is the assistant horse trainer to Saudi-based Jerry Barton, who, according to DubaiRaceNight.com, is the private trainer for Prince Sultan Al Kabeer and King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz.

What better way for an obscure assistant trainer to get some notoriety than to break a news story on Facebook?

Pat Cummings, who runs DubaiRaceNight.com, wrote “Big City Man, winner of the 2009 Dubai Golden Shaheen (G1) died this week following a workout at Hollywood Park in California, reported his former assistant trainer Stephane Chevalier, via Facebook.”

That made me vomit.

Not just because a great champion horse has passed on, but because the assistant trainer, nay, former assistant trainer did not offer enough respect for the horse to at least bring it to a conventional news source.

Facebook? To announce the death? Of a champion?

Call me old-fashioned, but that just is not right. It’s not even close to right.

Just think of the precedent this could set.

Imagine if Hank Steinbrenner, sick of Joe Girardi, decided to axe the New York Yankees’ manager on Facebook?

Who needs the expense of a press conference when you can post a note on a site that’s main colors are blue and white anyway, the same as the Yankees.

Or, imagine, without laughing, if Congress casted all its votes on Facebook. Create a closed group and each member could cast his vote from his living room. Then the speaker could go over to Twitter and post the “Aye” and “Nay” count.

Actually, that’s not a bad idea; it would save our country thousands in electricity bills.

And while we’re at it, maybe we can vote in all our elections on Facebook and skip having to tune into CNN to see the results.

Facebook, after all, is now apparently for news release.

Am I making too big of a deal about this? Yeah, sure, I can see that.

But still, is this really what we want?

Facebook is supposed to be a social tool to help people meet and interact with their friends. It has grown into being a tool to meet people with similar interests, including professional interaction.

What it was never meant to be and, until now at least, has never been utilized as, was a source to announce pertinent information to the world.

The death of a champion race horse, at least so it seemed, had been a solemn enough event to reserve announcement to the established media.

But like Big City Man, that respect has died today.

We are now moving into unchartered territory, to steal the cliché, where news is at our fingertips, to steal another cliché. All we need is a Twitter account and a Facebook account, and we know everything.

Just in the past two weeks, for instance, I learned of Michael Jackson’s passing on Facebook and Billy Mays’s passing on a chatroom while watching Frasier on justin.tv (call me a nerd; I don’t care).

Even going back a couple months, Facebook was where I learned of the death of champion pacer Maltese Artist in May and former Kentucky Derby winner Barbaro in 2007.

But with each of those deaths, there was one major difference: some normal source announced it first.

Michael Jackson’s doctor did not go online and post a Tweet about the singer’s passing; besides being illegal, that would have just been sick.

Billy Mays’s wife did not go on Facebook and update her status to reflect where her prayers were.

Imagine, just for a moment, how that would have been?

Facebook is not meant to be an organ to release news, especially to announce a death.

Just in horse racing, there are a dozen places where you can take that story and give it the respect it deserves.

Sure, maybe Chevalier did not want this to get a lot of news, but I doubt it. Why would the former assistant trainer of a champion horse post something on Facebook if he did not want it to get out to the public?

Obviously, if that were the intent, it failed.

The intent must have been to publicize it further, and Chevalier has achieved his goal.

Pat Cummings wrote about it and now I have too.

But it’s still wrong.

The horse deserved more than just a Facebook memorial; the horse deserved a lot more.

So Rest In Peace, Big City Man. I’m sorry we could not see you sprint to a win at Del Mar next month just like you did on World Cup night at Nad Al Sheba in March.

You will be missed.

That wasn’t so hard, was it?

From now on, please, let’s keep Facebook as a secondary news tool, one to spread condolences and news stories, not to start them. Especially if it’s something this sad.

For the horse’s sake, the athlete’s sake, I think a more dignified memorial is in order.

Then again, it could be worse. The death could have been announced on Twitter.

This draft wasn’t top heavy in talent, but it did provide for some interesting prospects for some teams and some blockbuster deals.

The report cards are in.

Here are the winners, losers, and everyone in between.

Los Angeles Clippers – B+

F Blake Griffin

The Clippers had the easiest decision of the night and took the consensus top prospect in this draft.

He won’t be the best player from this draft in ten years but he’s a solid player who could average a double-double for a long time.

Now the Clippers have to trade either Chris Kaman or Marcus Camby to make room for Griffin. There is more interest in Camby because of his versatility and his contract.

Since Camby is the likely casualty of this selection, the Clippers fall short of a top grade.

Memphis Grizzlies – A

C Hasheem Thabeet, F DeMarre Carroll, F Sam Young, G/F Quentin Richardson

When Darko Milicic and Kwame Brown are in your front court rotation, you need help.

Thabeet will be a shot blocking presence from day one. If the Grizzlies focus his efforts on becoming a great defender, he should fare better than Greg Oden in Portland.

With no power forward prospects in this spot, Thabeet was the only smart pick for them to make.

Carroll was a stretch but the Grizzlies made up for it by stealing Sam Young in the second round. He will be a major contributor off their bench.

Getting a productive player for Milicic is also a plus.

Q-Rich should help mentor their young core of players and will especially help the development of O.J. Mayo.

Oklahoma City Thunder – A+

G James Harden, C B.J. Mullens, G Robert Vaden

Harden is a perfect fit to play alongside Kevin Durant. He can shoot and drive into the lane. He complements Durant perfectly.

Also, he isn’t someone who can lead an NBA team and be the primary creator of offense. However, as a supporting facilitator, he’s the best available in this draft.

The only spot in their starting lineup which isn’t set in stone for the next five years is at center. Mullens is athletic and could develop into that guy.

Right now he’s an upgrade over Robert Swift.

Vaden can flat out shoot it from the perimeter, and that’s his trump card to earn a roster spot.

Sacramento Kings – A

G Tyreke Evans, F Omri Casspi, F Jon Brockman, G Sergio Rodriguez

Evans can play either guard position and could develop into the next Brandon Roy if everything clicks for him. He walks in as the best player on the team.

Casspi is the first Israeli player taken in the first round and will be the first to play in the NBA.

He is a tough player with a little more offensive skill then most are giving him credit for. He should develop into a consistent contributor off the bench.

Brockman should be able to get rebounds for a team lacking interior toughness. Realistically, that’s about all he’ll consistently provide at this level.

“Spanish Chocolate” will remind fans of the Jayson Williams days of exciting and erratic basketball. He puts some pressure on Beno Udrih.

Minnesota Timberwolves – B-

G Ricky Rubio, G Jonny Flynn, G Wayne Ellington, F Henk Norel, F/C Etan Thomas, F Darius Songailia, Oleksiy Pecherov

The T-Wolves didn’t have to move up to get who was supposed to be their guy in Rubio. He is Steve Nash reincarnated and will be a perennial all-star in this league.

Flynn isn’t the flashiest player but has the toughness and the “it” factor to lead the Wolves for the foreseeable future.

Flynn at number six was the most puzzling selection of the night. T-Wolves president David Kahn says he wants both point guards to play together.

This would be a complete disaster as opposing back courts destroy the duo defensively. Flynn is undersized and Rubio physically is no match for most NBA guards.

If Kahn is serious about playing them both at the same time, he might have to go Kevin McHale and coach the team himself because no legit NBA coach is going to sign off on the idea.

If Minnesota wants to keep both players, the smart solution is to use Rubio as an insurance policy. They can save money and let him stay in Spain next year while playing Flynn as the primary point guard.

If Flynn becomes the floor general of the future, they can then trade Rubio next year for a great player or a high lottery pick.

There are already reports that Rubio isn’t pleased with the idea of playing in Minnesota and that he might prefer to stay in Spain. The situation could work in the T-Wolves favor if they play their cards right.

Otherwise this could be Yi Jianlian with Milwaukee all over again.

Ellington is a pure shooter who will replace the departed Mike Miller.

Thomas and Songailia give Minnesota some versatility for their second team front court.

Pecherov is famous for his role as Stewie Griffin in Family Guy and for getting dunked on by Andres Nocioni:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbxzfVl_7c4

Warriors – INCOMPLETE

G Stephen Curry, G Acie Law, G Speedy Claxton

Law never found himself in Atlanta and could resurrect his career in Golden State in the same way as current Warriors G Kelenna Azubuike.

The Warriors don’t have a grade yet because Curry might be part of a trade package to bring in Suns F/C Amar’e Stoudemire. The rumored trade proposal would send Curry, G Marco Belinelli, F/C Andris Biedrins, and F Brandan Wright to Phoenix.

If the trade goes through, the Warriors get an A+. Amar’e isn’t even in the prime of his career yet and is a major upgrade over Biedrins.

Golden State already has plenty of scoring guards and Belinelli and Wright aren’t the greatest prospects on the planet.

Getting Stoudemire makes the Warriors a playoff team.

New York Knicks – B+

F Jordan Hill, G Toney Douglas, C Darko Milicic

The Knicks got the short end of the stick when both Flynn and Curry were taken ahead of them. Hill was the only pick they could make given the circumstances.

With that said, Hill is a solid player who could develop into a well balanced machine.

In the short term he will replace David Lee when he’s traded or gets the big contract he deserves in free agency.

Douglas is a tough guard who can get his shot up and drill it from almost anywhere on the court. He isn’t afraid to play defense either and his efforts are contagious.

If Douglas played for a high-profile program, he easily could’ve landed in the lottery.

Milicic saves the Knicks around eight million dollars in 2010. He’s useful for once.

Toronto Raptors – D

G DeMar DeRozan

DeRozan didn’t show anything at USC to warrant a top ten selection. There has to be a bust in the top ten and he’s the most likely candidate.

The Raptors needed a long term answer at the two-guard. They’ll need to find it in whatever they get back in the inevitable Chris Bosh trade.

Milwaukee Bucks – C+

G Brandon Jennings, G Jodie Meeks, F Bruce Bowen, F/C Kurt Thomas, F Amir Johnson

Jennings is a player with a ton of upside who accelerated his maturity curve by going to Italy for a year and learning about real life and responsibility. He isn’t the same person he was in high school and that’s a positive.

With the rumored departure of Like Ridnour, there should be a good chunk of playing time for Jennings.

Meeks can score but will struggle in the NBA unless he learns how to separate from defenders.

I know moving Richard Jefferson was purely a salary cap move, but to get absolutely no major future value in return for his talents is a waste.

New Jersey Nets – A+

F Terrence Williams, G Rafer Alston, G Courtney Lee, F/C Tony Battie

The Nets were finally able to move the huge burden of Vince Carter’s contract, and unlike some other teams trading away big name players, they got some talent back in return.

Courtney Lee will continue to develop and will become much more of a scorer in New Jersey as he gets a lot more touches. He is a slasher with some range and creates a quick back court with Devin Harris.

Alston solidifies the point guard position off the bench and provides a nice marketing chip as Skip to My Lou when the Nets move to Brooklyn if they keep him.

Battie gives them some much needed depth and veteran know-how behind C Brook Lopez.

Williams is an outstanding selection. He has point guard passing ability and lock down defense. He can get to the rim and is simply a winner.

The Nets are planning for the future but should be a perennial playoff contender in a few years.

Charlotte Bobcats – B

G Gerald Henderson, F Derrick Brown

The Bobcats didn’t hit a home run with either pick but picked up two athletic players to work into the rotation at some point in the future.

Charlotte basically has its major rotation in place, so they didn’t need an impact player in this draft.

This is the year the Bobcats make the playoffs.

Indiana Pacers – C-

F Tyler Hansbrough, G A.J. Price

Hansbrough is a gritty player who will earn his paycheck in the league for many years. But the Pacers had bigger needs.

They needed someone athletic in the front court with some range for the future. James Johnson was still available.

They also could’ve taken the point guard of the future as it doesn’t seem T.J. Ford or Jarrett Jack provides a long term solution.

Price gives the Pacers decent value but isn’t something they don’t already have at point guard.

If the goal of the draft is to improve the quality of your team, the Pacers didn’t help themselves much.

Phoenix Suns – INCOMPLETE

F Earl Clark, F Taylor Griffin, F Emir Preldzic, G/F Sasha Pavlovic, F/C Ben Wallace

Clark is a very talented player who just couldn’t take his game to the next level at Louisville. If he can utilize his skills and play consistently, he has all star potential. He can do a little bit of everything.

The other Griffin is a novelty pick. The fact that he could make the team tells you a lot about the depth on the Suns.

Pavlovic and Wallace are cap savers. Neither will be a major factor as players for this franchise.

The incomplete grade stems from the potential Stoudemire deal. In that case, the Suns would get an F. They would be trading a big man with immense skills for a couple of solid role players and a couple scrubs.

The Shaq trade was understandable. That experiment was a failure. They needed to just unload his contract.

If the Suns just waste Amar’e, they’re making the type of move which haunts a franchise for at least a decade.

Curry would be a nice addition but there’s no evidence to show he can actually play the point in the NBA. He didn’t make his supporting cast at Davidson any better and they had experienced players who should’ve progressed.

It’s no accident Davidson was an elite eight in 2008 with point guard Jason Richards, who led the country in assists.

With a veteran squad, Curry didn’t even make the big dance running the offense.

If Curry plays shooting guard, then you have a major defensive liability on the floor and no plan behind an aging Steve Nash.

Biedrins is a great rebounder but is very limited offensively.

The Suns need to try and trade Stoudemire for a proven star if they insist on moving on without him.

Otherwise Steve Kerr will continue to murder the Suns.

Detroit Pistons – B-

F Austin Daye, F DaJuan Summers, F Jonas Jerebko, C Fabricio Oberto

The Pistons don’t receive a great grade for a couple of reasons.

Daye is the primary one. He’s a toothpick and is easily the softest player in the draft. He has great potential and range, but doesn’t have the mentality to capitalize on his skills.

He’s the next Channing Frye. And just like Frye, Daye will find himself in NBA obscurity in four years.

Summers can get after the ball and knock down a jump shot. He should develop into a consistent scorer and gives the Pistons second unit a different dimension.

Jerebko is a developmental talent who could evolve into a Trevor Ariza type, so he’s worth a shot at some point.

The other reason for the low grade is that all three of these picks address the same position.

If rumors about the Pistons moving Richard Hamilton and/or Tayshaun Prince are true, the Pistons could have covered themselves a little by drafting a shooting guard.

Chicago Bulls – B

F James Johnson, F Taj Gibson

Johnson is an excellent selection as the Bulls finally take a front court player who can score from outside ten feet.

He gives them great depth at the three or four, and with the uncertainty surrounding Luol Deng, he’s a solid insurance policy who should develop into a starter down the road.

Gibson can make an NBA team but didn’t make much sense for the Bulls in the late first round. They needed guard depth and will now have to either resign Ben Gordon or find that player for Kirk Hinrich.

Philadelphia 76ers – B+

G Jrue Holiday

The Sixers needed a point guard prospect for the future.

As long as they keep Andre Miller, they can wait on Holiday to mature and develop while staying with Miller and backup Louis Williams.

Denver Nuggets – A

G Ty Lawson

The Nuggets needed a better backup behind Chauncey Billups.

Lawson loves to push the ball up the floor and fits in perfectly with the likes of J.R. Smith and Chris “Birdman” Andersen on Denver’s second unit.

Atlanta Hawks – A-

G Jeff Teague, G Sergiy Gladyr, G Jamal Crawford

Teague is a nice point guard prospect and the Hawks can let him come off the bench and ease into the starting spot in a couple of years.

For now he’s an energy guy with some scoring ability off the bench.

Crawford is an excellent addition as the Hawks lost nothing to get him after drafting Teague.

He is a great scorer and a severely underrated point guard. When given the slim opportunity in New York he easily proved he can run an offense in the half court and get the bigs involved.

If this move means the Hawks lose Mike Bibby, it’s an added plus. Bibby is a perennial choke artist and the team played better with Johnson running things.

Johnson and Crawford can switch off point guard duties. Together they’ll give NBA defenses all kinds of issues, especially with Josh Smith patrolling around and a center in Al Horford who can knock down a 12-footer.

The only minus sign is the second round pick. The Hawks need some front court depth.

Ahmad Nivins was available and is the type of player they still lack on their second unit.

Utah Jazz – C

G Eric Maynor, C Goran Suton

The Jazz drafted two solid players. The problem lies in where they fit in.

Maynor is an underrated point guard who can lead a team and score.

It seemed the Jazz were set on Ronnie Price as the backup to Deron Williams after his performance in the playoffs, but this move indicates he could end up elsewhere.

Suton is a decent center prospect who has solid rebounding and touch around the basket.

He’s basically a polished Kosta Koufos. Either this pick means Koufos isn’t coming along as planned or the Jazz are log jammed at center.

Either way, it doesn’t help the Jazz catch up to the contenders out west.

New Orleans Hornets – B

G Darren Collison, G Marcus Thornton

Collison is a quick point guard who can spell Paul for a few minutes.

The Hornets needed a backup point but Collison was a bit of a reach. They could’ve traded down easily and still had him, and the way the board unfolded there were probably teams interested in moving up.

With that said, Collison is an accomplished defender and can keep pressure on the ball like Paul.

Thornton is a nice acquisition and can light it up. The Hornets hope he can replace what they lost a couple years ago when they let Jannero Pargo go.

Portland Trail Blazers – B+

F Victor Claver, F Dante Cunningham, G Patrick Mills, F Jeff Pendergraph

Claver is a talented player who the Blazers can stash overseas.

Mills is an absolute steal in the second round and will find himself on an NBA roster someday. Portland has no use for him right now and will ship him overseas.

Cunningham and Pendergraph give the Blazers some scoring depth in the front court. With Portland willing to wheel and deal, a spot should open up in the rotation for one of these two when the season starts.

Dallas Mavericks – C+

F Ahmad Nivins, G Rodrigue Beaubois, G Nick Calathes

Beaubois is supposed to be a talented point guard but will take years to develop. The Mavericks needed more of an immediate impact.

Nivins is a gritty hustle player, but the Mavs already have that kind of player in Brandon Bass.

Calathes could make or break this draft. If the Mavs still have Jason Kidd next year, they should try and bring Calathes over this season for Kidd to mentor him.

There is an element of Kidd in Calathes in how Calathes anticipates plays. On a team with an actual basketball IQ, he could blossom into a major steal.

He needs to become an offensive asset because he will never get it done in man to man defense in the NBA.

Cleveland Cavaliers – D-

F Christian Eyenga, F Danny Green, C Shaquille O’Neal

The Cavs were decimated by the Magic because they had no depth. They failed to address that glaring weakness in this draft.

Green gives the Cavs someone off the bench with shooting ability but he’s as inconsistent as the shooters they already have.

The deal for Shaq has been widely praised as a major move which steers the Cavs toward the NBA finals. I completely disagree.

Can Shaq guard Rashard Lewis? Hedo Turkoglu? Rajon Rondo? Paul Pierce? Kevin Garnett? Pau Gasol? Lamar Odom?

The Cavs were slammed by the Magic because they had no one to stop any of their key players. Skilled starting lineups can destroy Cleveland.

Now they have an aging Shaq who didn’t help Phoenix do anything.

He’s a much better fit in the Cavs half court offense but will also clog the lane and hamper LeBron James in his assault on the paint.

There is also the issue of what happens to Zydrunas Ilgauskas. You obviously can’t start both players and Z is a capable starter in this league.

Cleveland absolutely needs another major roster shakeup before next year, and odds are Z will have to be part of that deal.

As it is now, the Cavs have no front court bench and still have a midget back court which will struggle to stop championship contenders.

Once again, GM Danny Ferry is chasing a big name, but hasn’t helped his efforts to get LeBron a ring.

The only reason they don’t get an F grade is the fact that at least they finally turned Sasha Pavlovic into something.

Washington Wizards – A++

G Randy Foye, G/F Mike Miller

The Wizards are looking to win now. With their trade for Miller and Foye, they’re a top three team in the east if they stay healthy.

First off, they now have tremendous depth. They can start Arenas, Miller, Butler, and Jamison and have solid reserves at all positions.

Foye and Nick Young will anchor the second unit for some time and could eventually start themselves.

Getting Stevenson out of the starting lineup is another plus as he’s much better suited as a role player off the bench.

Andray Blatche and JaVale McGee should continue to develop and are nice options off the bench up front. One of them could also be involved in a trade to bring in an established center.

The Wizards now have tremendous firepower. It’s now or never for coach Flip Saunders.

If the Wizards can play under control, they’re the sleeper in the east.

Houston Rockets – INCOMPLETE

G Jermaine Taylor, G Sergio Llull, F Chase Budinger

The Rockets bought three useful players in the second round to bolster their roster.

Taylor is a cheap Aaron Brooks and Budinger gives the Rockets tremendous offensive talent for someone in the middle of the second round. He should have an immediate impact.

The Rockets needed depth and got it in this draft.

They don’t have a grade because of the impending departure of Tracy McGrady. It’s long overdue and if they get anything of value in return, the draft was a success.

San Antonio Spurs – A+

F DeJuan Blair, G Jack McClinton, G Nando De Colo, F Richard Jefferson

The Spurs continue to show why they are the best run franchise in the NBA. They had a tremendous draft given they were out of the first round.

Blair is an absolute steal and is a perfect replacement for the departed Kurt Thomas. He is tough as nails and is the best rebounder in the draft since Paul Millsap. He also has an underrated face-up jumper from ten feet.

He will immediately spell Duncan and Bonner in the rotation.

McClinton might be one of the best pure scorers in this draft and has ridiculous range for a second round pick. With Roger Mason getting major minutes next year, McClinton has a chance to become the bench guard scorer who can make some big shots when Ginobili or Parker doesn’t have the ball.

De Colo is a talented prospect and allows the Spurs to continue stockpiling talent overseas.

Jefferson is an excellent addition, especially for what they gave up.

The Spurs didn’t need Bowen anymore with George Hill and Ime Udoka.

Jefferson gives the Spurs a reliable scorer and should thrive not being a primary option. He also serves as major insurance should Ginobili go down again.

The Jefferson deal puts the Spurs back in contention for the west crown.

Miami Heat – C-

F Robert Dozier, G Patrick Beverly

For a team which needed better depth, the Heat didn’t accomplish much.

Dozier can block shots and get on the boards, but with the Heat picking up the option on Joel Anthony, Dozier either starts in the NBDL or will be cut.

Beverly is a defensive minded player who will have to fight to beat out Yakhouba Diawara and Dorell Wright for a spot on the team.

Los Angeles Lakers – INCOMPLETE

F Chinemelu Elonu

The Lakers sold their first three picks in an effort to save as much money as possible to get back Trevor Ariza and Lamar Odom.

This draft is a success if it helps the Lakers keep their title team together.

I’m sure Elonu can be had for the right price too.

Boston Celtics – B

G Lester Hudson

The Celtics might be in need of a shooter. Rumors are swirling about Ray Allen and Eddie House might actually opt out of his deal.

Hudson was the best shooter available.

If they landed McClinton, he would’ve been a perfect replacement for House if he skipped town, but the Spurs beat them to the punch.

Overall, the Celtics get a player who could make their roster, and that’s a plus at the bottom of the second round.

Orlando Magic – C+

G/F Vince Carter, F Ryan Anderson

The Magic traded their starting back court from the NBA finals to bring in Carter and a talented offensive minded bench player in Anderson.

Carter can still score but is a shadow of what he once was. He isn’t a good defender and is more of a volume shooter.

The Magic see him as an all star caliber player but he won’t help them win a ring.

He is another jump shot happy player and will stunt the growth of Dwight Howard as the few touches Superman got in the fourth quarter may have just vanished.

The Magic are a good team but aren’t aggressive enough in driving to the paint. They also don’t play enough smart basketball and take too many bad shots.

Carter doesn’t fix any of their problems.

If they also bring back Turkoglu, which just became even more of a costly move with the luxury tax situation attached to Carter’s contract, they have an offensive force of a starting five.

Defensively though, they are worse off. Lee was the closest thing they had to a shutdown defender in the starting lineup.

Pietrus is going to have his hands full coming off the bench to stop every wing player giving the Magic fits.

If Turkoglu isn’t back, then Pietrus is the starting two guard, which would kill a second unit already sure to lose Marcin Gortat.

Rafer Alston was expendable but Lee was developing into a very good player. If the Magic don’t reach the finals with Carter, they’ll regret trading Lee away in a couple years.

If they keep Turkoglu, their grade is elevated to a B-.

NBC did it, again. Congrats, I did not think it was possible.

After providing terrible coverage of Roland Garros, NBC had to one-up itself at Wimbledon.

Sure, I’ll cut NBC some slack for airing matches on tape delay while equally important matches were going on live; I’m used to that by now. If I want to watch something live, that is what justin.tv is for, right?

But what I won’t cut NBC any slack for is its disrespectful coverage of doubles.

Okay, it was slightly better than at Roland Garros, when NBC flat-out did not air the men’s doubles final after the women’s singles final, because, well, NBC at least aired the gentlemen’s doubles final at Wimbledon.

But the compliments end there.

There was no excuse for NBC airing this match on about 10 minutes tape delay just so they could squeeze in an extra interview or three with Venus and Serena Williams. It’s not like they couldn’t air those interviews on some changeover during the match.

Oh wait, my bad. That interview would be outdated by the time they brought Serena into the studio for another interview, causing NBC to just not air the first game of the fourth set of the championship between Bob and Mike Bryan and Nenad Zimonjic and Daniel Nestor.

There was no excuse for NBC not knowing how old Nenad Zimonjic is and then finally figuring out his age an entire set later. It’s not that hard to do a little research the night before you are supposed to commentate on a match, right?

And there was no excuse for John McEnroe to go off-topic for games at a time on some side story that had nothing to do with the match at hand. It got so bad at one point that even McEnroe realized he was disrespecting the match.

“This has become an interesting game while I was boring you with that story,” he said after Bob and Mike Bryan lost consecutive points on their serve to bring the match to a rare deuce game.

McEnroe actually started commentating on the match after that, at least attempting to care about four people he quite possibly has not seen play since the Olympics.

Oh, need I forget in the third set, when Ted Robinson, the man who as play-by-play announcer should actually be paying attention, made the stunning observation that “there’s not much between them right now, no breaks, slim tiebreakers”

Wow, never thought a 7-3 tiebreaker was “slim.”

When the team actually was talking about doubles tennis, they showed a great supply of ignorance.

Like, for instance, when Mary Carillo decided to speak, something the world would be much better if she chose to do less often.

“Australia is the only place besides Wimbledon where they show doubles the respect it deserves,“ Carillo said, a noble observation. “They put the doubles on center court at a time when people are still around to watch it.”

Wimbledon puts the Gentlemen’s doubles final on Centre Court right after the Ladies’ singles final each second Saturday. Australia puts the Men’s doubles final right after the Women’s singles final on Rod Laver.

That respect they don’t show at Roland Garros.

Oh wait, they do.

In Paris, they put the Men’s doubles final on Philippe Chatrier right after the Women’s singles final.

You would think NBC would know that since it was in Paris for Roland Garros.

Oh wait, everyone with NBC left right after Svetlana Kuznetsova won her second major championship.

But none of these were the icing on the cake; none were even close.

Sure, they showed an unwavering amount of disrespect and ignorance, but they also made us cringe when Carillo, McEnroe, and Robinson said them.

This? This made me laugh, and I hope it made you laugh too.

McEnroe was trying to talk up the talents of the doubles specialists, and I applaud him for that. But that doesn’t enable him to say something crazy, does it?

“If Roger [Federer] and Rafa [Nadal] played together in doubles, would they be able to beat the Bryan Brothers?” McEnroe asked, a question that doesn’t need answering.

Nonetheless, he felt he could answer himself.

“I don’t think so.”

What?!? Seriously?!? Are you high?!?

The two best singles players in the world would destroy the best doubles players as long as they had enough chemistry so as not to kill each.

Fact, end of story, thanks for trying.

No disrespect for the Bryan Brothers intended, but if Federer and Nadal played together in doubles, they would smoke Bob and Mike. In straight sets. Without breaking a sweat.

Thank you, come again.

Take, for instance, Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka at the 2008 Summer Olympics.

Wawrinka has spent barely a month of his life in the top 100 in the world in men’s doubles; Federer has only played sporadically since winning his first major singles championship in 2003. Both were in the top ten in singles.

They won the title, dropping only one set from five matches.

Among their victims? The Bryan Brothers, as well as doubles specialists Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes of India.

Neither pair took as much as a set from Federer and Wawrinka.

Or, how about we look at James Blake and go all the way back to Thursday.

Blake playing doubles? At Wimbledon? How funny. Do you think this is still 2002?

Yet Blake, who until this year would play doubles in only three or four tournaments over the year, decided to partner with Mardy Fish at Wimbledon and they made it all the way to the semifinals.

And once he got there, he and Fish took the defending champions to five sets before bowing out to Zimonjic and Nestor after a classic 10-8 final set.

But John McEnroe would not know about singles players doing well in doubles. Why should he? Not like he ever played doubles.

Oh wait, he did.

McEnroe was a number one player early in his career in doubles before focusing more on singles.

Nonetheless, he continued playing doubles sporadically in the middle of his career before returning with more focus near the end.

At Wimbledon in 1992, McEnroe and singles specialist Michael Stich beat top-ranked John Fitzgerald and Anders Jarryd in the second round in straight sets.

Two singles specialists beating the top pair in the world? Hmm…

Three more straight sets wins later, McEnroe and Stich fought off doubles specialists Jim Grabb and Richey Reneberg to win the longest fifth-set final in Wimbledon history, 19-17.

Yet, according to McEnroe, if Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal were to play together, they would be prohibitive underdogs to Bob and Mike Bryan? Yeah right.

Again, no disrespect intended to the Bryan Brothers; they are the deserved number ones at their trade.

But would they beat Roger and Rafa? I don’t think so.

Sure, they could, but I would not bet on it. More often than not, Federer and Nadal would smoke Bryan and Bryan.

Unless, of course, Federer and Nadal’s chemistry is so bad that they try to kill each other. Then, but only then, would the betting lines shift.

Oddly we talk at length about soccer this week and we even have a caller wanting to discuss WWE.   You can download this week’s podcast directly (running time 90 mins) or subscribe to the feed.

If you use iTunes, just click here and then click subscribe and iTunes will take care of the rest.

This week’s topics include:

• Landon Donovan’s comments on David Beckham
• Philadelphia Union lazy marketing
• Rooting against the Williams sisters / tennis
• NBA free agency talk
• Vin hates Samuel Dalembert more every day
• Wrestling
• The top 50 highest paid American athletes — who is stealing paychecks
• Guess the state / What state can we get rid of?
• Stat boy’s corrections

We’re nine months from first kick and I’ve already got a complaint about the new Philadelphia MLS team.  Philadelphia Union?  Hell, even a simple FC Philadelphia sounds better.  I’d also settle for Philadelphia Athletics or Philadelphia 1776.  Unfortunately, the massholes already took Revolution but surely there’s a better name than Union.  When I watch the beautiful game, I don’t want to be reminded of hard work, The Jungle, or Frank Sobotka.

“We were determined to create an identity that portrays Philadelphia’s vital role in the evolution of our nation - the Union,” said Philadelphia Union CEO & Operating Partner Nick Sakiewicz. “Every element in our crest represents a product of unity. Our fans have proven they possess the type of passion that soccer is known for worldwide, and the culture of our organization will always be to embrace it. There isn’t a single better example of the collective strength we are striving to achieve than the inception of the United States of America.”

Hey, I love history (well, The History Channel) as much as the next guy but  all that talk about original colonies and historical significance is just PR nonsense.  If you want to know the truth, the one that (hopefully) translates into dollars,  take this quote from PU chairman Jay Sugarman:

“We’re incredibly fortunate to have fans who understand the power of loyalty and unity, and our team identity draws its inspiration from them and from the importance these qualities have played in the history of Philadelphia.”

And that, folks, is the real marketing message of the team identity.  I know that Philly is known as a “tough blue collar town” but isn’t it pandering just a little bit to name the new soccer team the Union?   The Philadelphia Union is trying to attract the 700 level fans / the lunch pailers / the average Joes.   But you know what?  To paraphrase Christian Slater, in perhaps the worst in-booth appearance in the history of televised sports, “I have friends who know average Joes.”   The average Joe thinks that soccer sucks.

I know the Philly Union has done a ton of market research on naming the team (hey, at least they didn’t pull a Houston 1836) but just once, I’d like to think that this city is moving ahead.  That the easy sales pitch isn’t just to the guys hanging out at the bar in Invincible.  It’s the marketing equivalent of mentioning booing Santa Claus whenever someone writes an article about Philly fans. (Ahhh crap, I just did it again.)

Listeners of Poor Man’s PTI know that I’m a terrible elitist, but the type of fan that the Philly Union should appeal to are the ones who make the Seattle Sounders the biggest success story in MLS.  When Seattle was awarded a MLS franchise, founding partner Joe Roth said, “Seattle is the perfect city for a Major League Soccer team. The fans are supportive, progressive and open-minded — just what this great international sport needs.”

The Philly “four for four” fans (Eagles, Phillies, Flyers, Sixers), god bless em, have never been collectively called “progessive” and/or “open-minded.”  Targeting the same fans will get you nowhere. What we (I’m already using we for our soccer team) need to do is to get out of this whole “blue collar” fan mode.  I’m sick of it.  Hey, we white collar types can be just as passionate as anyone when it comes to Philly sports. It’s ok to eat sushi, drink wine, and attend a sporting event. (Or is that only on the west coast?)

Today was the deadline to convert my Founding Member deposit into season tickets so I’m now a 5 for 5 guy (yes folks, by having both Sixers and Union season tickets, I’m supporting the 4th and 5th most popular franchises in Philly.  You figure out in which order.)  and I’m referring to our MLS franchise as the Cheesesteaks from here on out in protest.

This town deserves a better class of criminal sports fan.  And I’m gonna give it to them.

By Ryan McGowan

Mariano Rivera notched his 500th career save last weekend against the Richmond Braves New York Mets.

Back in the 90’s, or even as recently as 2003, such an event would have been greeted in Red Sox Nation with snotty, sarcastic dismissals and whiny, insecure hating.  New England would have made a collective litany of excuses as to why this event was irrelevant, as to how Mo was overrated, and how 500 saves wasn’t anything to be proud of.

Thank God we’ve grown up as a fan base.  Now, at least, we can fully accept and appreciate Rivera for being what he is—the greatest closer of all time.   No strings attached, no questions asked.

Haters will point to the biggest criticism of Rivera—that he was somewhat of a freak of nature, that his success over the years has been merely the result of having one dominant pitch, the ungodly, unhittable cut fastball that continues to saw off right-handed bats like a Minnesota lumberjack.  They will say that Mo was never a pitcher, that he was instead some kind of an Ivan Drago-esque physical specimen whose Hall of Fame credentials were sown by an unfair physical domination rather than any kind of crafty, Maddux-esque cerebralism.  They are wrong; Rivera has always been not only a great pitcher but also a master competitor who ranks among the greatest sportsmen of all time.

Yankees fans can understandably brag about their closer, a man who might be the single most underrated superstar in professional sports over the past decade.  Sure, Billy Beane can spout his Moneyball company line about how closers are overrated and not worth the top dollars that many of them command, but Beane never had the luxury of looking into his bullpen in the 8th or 9th inning and seeing #42 come running out to “Enter Sandman” and see the utter dejection in the other team’s face.  In the deciding Game 5 of the 1999 ALDS, Pedro Martinez came out of the bullpen in the fourth inning against the Cleveland Indians with the score tied; by the looks on the faces of Indians fans and players alike, the game was pretty much over.  And it was only the fourth inning!  Pedro’s six no-hit innings get a lot of attention in baseball lore, but that was pretty much the effect whenever Mo came out of the bullpen over the years.  Almost every single night.   April to October.

In the grand heyday of the Sox-Yankees rivalry (probably between 1998 and 2005, where the teams finished 1-2 in the American League East every year and met in the playoffs three times), Rivera and Derek Jeter were the biggest constants in the Yankees’ methodical demolition of the Red Sox teams of that era.  He was ubiquitous.  It seemed like every time the Sox had the game won, their bullpen would falter, the Yanks would take the lead, and then out came Mo, and five minutes later the pinstripes were shaking hands on the field after another victory.  It was like clockwork.

It pissed me off beyond belief.

But Mariano, like Jeter, has never been a player that an opposing fan could hate.  Any fan, even a Red Sox fan, as long as he or she is a true fan of the game of baseball, appreciates what these guys bring to the table.  Rivera was never like A-Rod, who is just too easy to despise out of jealousy and schadenfreude, nor was he ever like Jason Giambi or Mike Mussina, guys who just seemed like corporate automatons who represented the faceless, Imperialist, Yankee brand.  He and Jeter have been the face of more than a decade of Yankees baseball, both triumphs and failures, and perhaps nothing exhibits that more than two famous examples of his failures over the years: the 01 World Series and the 04 ALCS.

Rivera blew the save in Game 7 of the 2001 World Series against the Arizona Diamondbacks.  He even committed a throwing error which was instrumental in the Yanks’ ninth-inning collapse.  I watched in my living room and cheered for the demise of the Yankees, even as I felt like an idiot in rooting for a ridiculous yahoo franchise like Arizona over the dynasty of hated New York.  As much as I childishly reveled in the D-backs’ victory, part of me hated that it had to have come as the result of a classy guy like Rivera having to choke it away.

Fast-forward to Game 4 of the 2004 ALCS, another Yankee ninth-inning lead, and another Rivera blown save which becomes a series-changing blunder.  This time, as much as I hated to have him be the goat, it didn’t matter.  He had inflicted so much torture on Red Sox fans over the years with that satanic cutter that the baseball gods decreed that the Sox must topple the great Mo Rivera to complete the exorcism that was the 04 playoffs.  For someone who had been involved in as many great victorious moments as Mo, it made him such a more compelling figure to have the human failures in big spots as well.  I guess if you pitch in enough pressure packed situations in do-or-die games, eventually you have to lose a few.  Closers aren’t gods, after all.  Mo might turn out to be immortal, but he wasn’t invincible.

That’s why I was glad to see the “ovation” that Rivera received from the fans at Fenway Park on Opening Day 2005, when the scheduling gods had mercilessly forced the Yankees to return to the scene of their monumental choke to watch the Red Sox receive their World Series rings.  Even better, Mo’s reaction was perfect—he smiled, he waved his cap, and he seemed to just get it.  If 2004 turned the Red Sox-Yankees series into a true rivalry rather than just a feud, than Rivera’s successes and defeats were all two sides of the same coin in such a riveting, ongoing drama as Sox-Yanks continues to be.

Which is why I don’t think Mariano Rivera gets enough attention for his greatness.  While fans and the media have been fixated in recent years on Barry Bonds, A-Rod, Roger Clemens, the steroids fiasco, and a horde of other black eyes for the game, Mo has just been relatively quietly racking up save after save, pushing forward into his late 30’s with the same excellence and professionalism that he showed as a fireballing phenom set-up man in 1996.

Mariano, you have been the yin to our yang over your career, and both the Red Sox and Yankees franchises and fan bases are better for it.  Baseball owes you, big time.  Besides, if you can inspire a stubborn Boston homer to write a ball-washing column favrellating you, then that’s got to count for something, right?

Our show happens during the NBA draft so we intersperse all our discussion with the latest draft picks. You can download this week’s podcast directly (running time 90 mins) or subscribe to the feed.

If you use iTunes, just click here and then click subscribe and iTunes will take care of the rest.

This week’s topics include:

• Who are three people who’ve never been in my kitchen
• Mark Sanchez’s sloppy seconds
• That’s not how you spell Drew, Jrue
• 30 days for Donte Stalworth
• Where’s Manny’s remorse?
• USA soccer upsets Spain
• Who will have a longer career: Blake Griffin or Tyler Hansborough?
• Allen Iverson Practice rap remix
• NBA Draft talk with Trevor Freeman
• Corrections with Stat Boy

Trivia question of the week:   Who was the only NBA champion to coach in the Super Bowl? (Answer after the jump.)

Answer: Bud Grant

by Trevor Freeman

Ahhhh…..the NBA Draft is almost upon us. The convergence of college and pro that makes for some of the most riveting television of the year. While this year’s draft is considered to be the worst one in years (mainly because a staggering amount of college stars opted to stay in school), it should still be an experience that requires the setting of Tivo and the purchase of Yuengling. As is a yearly tradition, we have put together our mock draft. We begin with a franchise that is desperate for a true superstar…


With the first pick in the 2009 NBA Draft the Los Angeles Clippers select…


1. Blake Griffin, Oklahoma, PF, Soph.
Not even the Clippers can botch this pick. Blake Griffin has Carlos Boozer’s low-post game and Amare Stoudamire’s athleticism. Toss in that he is a high-motor guy and this is a no-brainer.

The Memphis Grizzlies select…

2. Hasheem Thabeet, Connecticut, C, Jr.
The Grizzlies select their center of the future in Thabeet. This should give Memphis a quality, young starting five with Mike Conley Jr., O.J. Mayo, Rudy Gay and Marc Gasol joining the former Huskie.

The Oklahoma City Thunder select…

3. Stephen Curry, Davidson, PG, Jr.
Curry has actually shut down his workouts as he is hoping to slide to New York at eight. I do not see that happening as he feels like a Sam Presti pick. Presti has had three first round picks and he spent them on Kevin Durant, Jeff Green and Russell Westbrook. All three of those players were proven college performers. The Thunder pass on Ricky Rubio and go with the most productive college player in this draft and somebody that reminds me a lot of Steve Nash when he left Santa Clara.

The Sacramento Kings select…

4. Ricky Rubio, Spain, PG
The Kings take Ricky Rubio and cross their fingers that he becomes the next European sensation.

The Washington Wizards select…

5. Jordan Hill, Arizona, PF, Soph.
I think Hill will go here, but one concern about him is this. What is the difference between him and Ronny Turiaf? I liked Turiaf in college and I like him in the NBA. However, Ronny Turiaf is not somebody who gets taken with the fifth overall pick in an NBA Draft.

The Minnesota Timberwolves select…

6. James Harden, Arizona State, SG, Soph
.
I was a big fan of Harden’s up until I saw his lunch get eaten by Dionte Christmas in the NCAA Tournament.

The Golden State Warriors select…

7. Brandon Jennings, PG, High School/Italy.
The smart move is drafting Jonny Flynn here. Unfortunately this is my beloved Golden State Warriors we are talking about so one has to assume a moronic pick is in play. Figure the Warriors take Brandon Jennings or Jrue Holliday with this pick.

The New York Knicks select…

8. Jonny Flynn, Syracuse, PG, Soph.
Flynn will be on billboards in New York by midseason. Bank on it. Flynn was born to run that Mike D’Antoni offense.

The Toronto Raptors select…

9. Gerald Henderson, Duke, PG, Jr.
Henderson can average double figures right now and will step immediately into Jason Kapono’s minutes.

The Milwaukee Bucks select…

10. Jeff Teague, Wake Forest, SG, Soph.
The hot rumor flying around is that Milwaukee gave Jeff Teague a first round guarantee. Apparently the game tapes of the Demon Deacons loss to Cleveland State in the NCAA Tournament did not make their way to Bucks headquarters.

The New Jersey Nets select…

11. Demar DeRozan, USC, SG, Fr.
If this happens, Rod Thorn should jump onto the conference room table at Nets headquarters and start breakdancing. I personally think DeRozan is the third best player in this draft behind Blake Griffin and Stephen Curry.

The Charlotte Bobcats select…

12. DeJuan Blair, Pittsburgh, PG, Soph.
Blair just feels like the kind of tough guy that Larry Brown would be enamored with.
The Indiana Pacers select…

13. Tyreke Evans, Memphis, PG/SG, Fr.
If T.J. Ford stays healthy, the Pacers will not be that far away from being a playoff contender. Evans and Ford give Indiana a pretty dynamic backcourt when they are both healthy. Plus Evans can give you minutes at the point guard spot should Ford get injured.

The Phoenix Suns select….

14. Earl Clark, Louisville, SF, Jr.
Earl Clark can be the good Boris Diaw all over again for Phoenix. This would be the perfect fit as Clark as a taller, agile player who would thrive playing for a team that likes to push it.

The Detroit Pistons select…

15. Austin Daye, Gonzaga, SF, Soph.
Over the last two years, I have moved from “Austin Daye could be the next Kevin Durant” to “Austin Daye better declare for the draft before everybody realizes that what you see is what you’re going to get”.

The Chicago Bulls select…

16. James Johnson, Wake Forest, SF, Soph.
Chicago is a team that will contend in the East next season regardless of what happens. Losing Ben Gordon will not have any real effect other than increasing the minutes that Derrick Rose and Kirk Hinrich play. I think Rose’s upside will cancel out any loss they might feel. With this pick, I think the Bulls grab another athlete who can help a year from now. Johnson is that athlete. Plus Johnson is apparently a martial arts master which should help out the squad should another Rajon Rondo throwing Kirk Hinrich into a table incident happen again in next year’s playoffs.

The Philadelphia 76ers select…

17. Eric Maynor, Virginia Commonwealth, PG, Sr.
Maynor is the biggest sleeper in this draft. Andre Miller is getting long in the tooth so it makes sense for the 76ers to take Maynor and make him their point guard of the future.

The Minnesota Timberwolves select…

18. Jrue Holiday, UCLA, PG, Fr.
Here’s an actual conversation that happened last week…
Trevor’s Friend: I hear Jrue Holiday is rocketing up the draft board.

Trevor: Really, didn’t he average six points a game last year?

Trevor’s Friend: He actually averaged eight and a half.

Trevor: Excuse me; I’m sorry for shortchanging Jrue a bucket.

Trevor’s Friend: He had four points in twenty-seven minutes against Villanova….the only game he had at least twenty in was against Florida International.

Trevor: Isn’t that where Isiah Thomas is coaching now?

Trevor’s Friend: (Laughing). You are probably going to be the first and only person who ever incorporates Isiah Thomas and Jrue Holiday in the same sentence.

The Atlanta Hawks select…

19. B.J. Mullins, The Ohio State University, C, Sr
.
Atlanta is a young team with a lot of good parts in place as Joe Johnson, Marvin Williams and Al Horford give them a nice core. They can afford to go hit or miss and I think they take the B.J. Mullins gamble. While Mullins is extremely raw, he does have athleticism. If he pans out two to three years from now then the Hawks scored big.

The Utah Jazz select…

20. Wayne Ellington, North Carolina, SG, Jr.
Ellington is a perfect fit for this Jazz team as he would give them an athletic knockdown shooter.

The New Orleans Hornets select…

21. Marcus Thornton, LSU, SG, Sr.
Thornton had an outstanding senior season for the Bayou Bengals and is somebody who can provide instant offense. Plus he is an LSU guy which may help a little at the box office.

The Dallas Mavericks select…

22. Ty Lawson, North Carolina, PG, Jr.
Jason Kidd was like a turnstile last year for every fast, young point guard. This is a need pick…as in Dallas needs a point guard that can keep other team’s point guards from dropping 35 and 10.

The Sacramento Kings select…

23. Derrick Brown, Xavier, SF, Jr.
If the Kings draft Rubio like suggested, then they have a core of Kevin Martin, Ricky Rubio and Jason Thompson. Adding Brown would be a savvy decision as I think he is the best player that nobody is talking about in this draft. Brown does a little bit of everything on the court and is an incredible leaper.

The Portland Trailblazers select…

24. Darren Collison, UCLA, PG, Sr.
I have to say that it surprises me how far down on most draft boards Darren Collison is. Was there any question that Collision was superior to his teammate Jrue Holiday in every facet of the game last year? Collison can step right in and play quality minutes at point guard for Portland. This pick makes a lot of sense for a Portland team that is close.

The Oklahoma City Thunder select…

25. Terrence Williams, Louisville, SG, Jr.
A perfect fit for a Thunder team that is on the rise. Williams is an outstanding passer with great athleticism. It would not surprise me if Williams becomes an elite defender at the NBA level as he has quick feet as well.

The Chicago Bulls select…

26. Victor Claver, Spain, SF
With what the Bulls already have on their roster, I think the Bulls draft an international player whom they tell to stay overseas for a couple years.

The Memphis Grizzlies select…

27. Omri Casspi, Israel, SF
Somebody is making that pick…..Memphis just feels like that somebody.

The Minnesota Timberwolves select…

28. Dionte Christmas, Temple, SG, Sr.
Christmas is a great catch and shooter. He makes sense for the Timberwolves as they can position him on the floor opposite Al Jefferson.

The Los Angeles Lakers select…

29. Tyler Hansbrough, North Carolina, PF, Sr.
This would be a perfect fit for Tyler as I think Hansbrough fits best in the NBA as a role player in a winning environment. The Lakers should have a need at the four since Lamar Odom may not be resigned. Hansbrough could hop right in give quality minutes behind Gasol and Bynum.

The Cleveland Cavaliers select…

30. Patty Mills, St. Mary’s, PG, Soph.
Mills is the steal of this draft as I cannot fathom how he has slipped to the second round on some draft boards. If he does not get injured at the end of this season, there is no way he goes later than twenty. This is a hopeful pick as I want Mills to give Cleveland a dazzling guard who they can use off the bench to change the pace of a game.