Compare the A’s and the Mariners and it will floor you. How is it possible that the A’s are so dramatically better then the Mariners and I mean in every way. The Mariners have every advantage in the world and instead they are getting smoked by the A’s.
For a while you could say they got lucky with the Big Three of Mulder, Hudson and Zito, but those days are over. The A’s are kicking the Mariners around in every aspect of the game. They develop talent, they improve as the year goes on, they acquire players to fill gaps, they find unsung players, they have an organization deep enough to fill gaps. They have built an organization that doesn’t have gaps. That is bad enough but when you consider hoe short-handed they are compared to the Mariners it is flabbergasting. The Mariners should send out an apology letter for incompetence.
The A’s have lost Mulder and Hudson, they have lost about every bullpen guy you can imagine, they have lost Giambi, Dye, Tejada and they are still better then the Mariners. Their organization has 1/3 the resources the Mariners have in player salary and organizational structure and they are thumping the Mariners. The A’s have young players that are developing up and down their roster. They have a star in Bobby Crosby, they have an offense that has come to life and the Mariners spend huge money and have the worst offense in the game. The A’s pitching staff looks imposing. Harden, Blanton and Saarloos are all improving while Meche, Pinero and whoever else you want to choose are stagnating or fading from out site. It is completely embarrassing!!!!!
The A’s have a legitimate future, the Mariners have a future based on unrealistic optimism that is based in a myth.
Friday, July 01, 2005
IS BRYAN PRICE THAT GOOD?
Another thought came to me as the Mariners were getting humiliated by the A’s. Sure we can throw everyone under the bus after this type of week, but one in specific I was wondering about. What happened to the brilliance of Bryan Price? His staff walks 9 guys yesterday. Pineiro and Meche have not developed or improved at all. Freddy Garcia leaves and is a stud again. None of the young guys that came to the team last year improved or settled down under the tutelage of Bryan Price. This guy was supposed to be the genius. I think he is probably a good pitching coach and the pitching staff has done a decent job this season considering what we anticipated, but all of the things that Price was being giving these oddles and oddles of credit for haven’t happened in 2 and half years. Moreover, the organization that he is charge of is destroying pitchers at an alarming rate compared to the amount they develop.
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
THE MOST RECENT NEWS
According to sources, the Jazz and Blazers deal has been finalized. The Jazz will recieve the #3 pick. The Blazers will get the #6 and #27 from the Jazz and a first round pick in the future. No players are involved.
The Jazz are likely to select Chris Paul, despite the major speculation on Deron Williams.
The Blazers will likely take either Martell Webster or high schooler Andrew Bynum.
The Jazz are likely to select Chris Paul, despite the major speculation on Deron Williams.
The Blazers will likely take either Martell Webster or high schooler Andrew Bynum.
TWO MOCK DRAFT SCENARIOS
Here are the two scenarios that are being banded about the league as of 2:30
SCENARIO #1
1. Milwaukee – Andrew Bogut
2. Atlanta – Marvin Williams
3. Utah – Chris Paul
4. New Orleans – Deron Williams
5. Charlotte – Charlie Villanueva
6. Portland– Martell Webster
7. Toronto – Danny Granger
8. New York – Channing Frye
9. Golden State – Hakim Warrick --
10. LA Lakers – Gerald Green ---
11. Orlando – Antonio Wright --
12. LA Clippers – Rashad McCants
13. Charlotte – Raymond Felton
14. Minnesota – Francisco Garcia
15. New Jersey – Sean May
16. Toronto – Andrew Bynum
17. Indiana – Jarrett Jack
18. Boston – Yaroslav Korolev
19. Memphis -- Andray Blatche
20. Denver – Joey Graham
21. Phoenix – Johan Petro
22. Denver – Roko Ukic
23. Sacramento – Martynas Andriuskevicius (andrus-kavious)
24. Houston– Ike Diogu
25. Seattle – Luther Head
26. Detroit – Fran Vazquez
27. Portland– Wayne Simien
28. San Antonio – some French power forward
29. Miami – Nate Robinson
30. New York – Monta Ellis
SCENARIO #2
1. Milwaukee – Andrew Bogut
2. Atlanta – Marvin Williams
3. Utah – Chris Paul
4. New Orleans – Deron Williams
5. Charlotte – Raymond Felton
6. Portland– Martell Webster
7. Toronto – Gerald Green
8. New York – Channing Frye
9. Golden State – Ike Diogu
10. LA Lakers – Fran Vasquez
11. Orlando – Danny Granger
12. LA Clippers – Hakim Warrick
13. Charlotte – Charlie Villanueva
14. Minnesota – Francisco Garcia
15. New Jersey – Rashad McCants
16. Toronto – Andrew Bynum
17. Indiana – Sean May
18. Boston – Jarrett Jack
19. Memphis -- Andray Blatche
20. Denver – Yaroslav Korolev
21. Phoenix – Johan Petro
22. Denver – Roko Ukic
23. Sacramento – Joey Graham
24. Houston– Luther Head
25. Seattle – Martynas Andriuskevicius (andrus-kavious)
26. Detroit – Julis Hodge
27. Portland– Wayne Simien
28. San Antonio – some French power forward
29. Miami – Nate Robinson
30. New York – Monta Ellis
SCENARIO #1
1. Milwaukee – Andrew Bogut
2. Atlanta – Marvin Williams
3. Utah – Chris Paul
4. New Orleans – Deron Williams
5. Charlotte – Charlie Villanueva
6. Portland– Martell Webster
7. Toronto – Danny Granger
8. New York – Channing Frye
9. Golden State – Hakim Warrick --
10. LA Lakers – Gerald Green ---
11. Orlando – Antonio Wright --
12. LA Clippers – Rashad McCants
13. Charlotte – Raymond Felton
14. Minnesota – Francisco Garcia
15. New Jersey – Sean May
16. Toronto – Andrew Bynum
17. Indiana – Jarrett Jack
18. Boston – Yaroslav Korolev
19. Memphis -- Andray Blatche
20. Denver – Joey Graham
21. Phoenix – Johan Petro
22. Denver – Roko Ukic
23. Sacramento – Martynas Andriuskevicius (andrus-kavious)
24. Houston– Ike Diogu
25. Seattle – Luther Head
26. Detroit – Fran Vazquez
27. Portland– Wayne Simien
28. San Antonio – some French power forward
29. Miami – Nate Robinson
30. New York – Monta Ellis
SCENARIO #2
1. Milwaukee – Andrew Bogut
2. Atlanta – Marvin Williams
3. Utah – Chris Paul
4. New Orleans – Deron Williams
5. Charlotte – Raymond Felton
6. Portland– Martell Webster
7. Toronto – Gerald Green
8. New York – Channing Frye
9. Golden State – Ike Diogu
10. LA Lakers – Fran Vasquez
11. Orlando – Danny Granger
12. LA Clippers – Hakim Warrick
13. Charlotte – Charlie Villanueva
14. Minnesota – Francisco Garcia
15. New Jersey – Rashad McCants
16. Toronto – Andrew Bynum
17. Indiana – Sean May
18. Boston – Jarrett Jack
19. Memphis -- Andray Blatche
20. Denver – Yaroslav Korolev
21. Phoenix – Johan Petro
22. Denver – Roko Ukic
23. Sacramento – Joey Graham
24. Houston– Luther Head
25. Seattle – Martynas Andriuskevicius (andrus-kavious)
26. Detroit – Julis Hodge
27. Portland– Wayne Simien
28. San Antonio – some French power forward
29. Miami – Nate Robinson
30. New York – Monta Ellis
LATEST NEWS + RUMORS ON THE NBA DRAFT
SONICS FANS PLAYERS NAMES YOU WANT TO HEAR BEFORE THE #25
• CJ Miles
• Monta Ellis
• Roko Ukic
• Marko Illic
• Chris Taft
• Wayne Simien
• Audray Blatche
LIKELY PICKS
• Luther Head is being talked about at 19 to Memphis or 24 to Houston and is unlikely to get to Seattle.
• Roko Ukic is still strong talk going 16 to Toronto
• The Clippers at 12 will likely take either Rashad McCants or Raymond Felton. This means that they will pass on Yaroslav Korolev who many had thought they promised.
• Charlotte wants to leave the draft with Charlie Villanueva and Raymond Felton. Therefore, they may take Villanueva at #5 to secure him.
• Talk is the Spurs have made a promise to a French Power Forward that will surprise people with their first round pick. Will this be another Spurs special.
• Boston will not be taking Monta Ellis as many people have speculated.
• Nate Robinson’s name is strong in Phoenix at #21.
• Ike Diogu is slipping but most people think he can’t get by the #21 pick at Phoenix.
• Hakim Warrick likely will go #9 to Golden State but if he slips he won’t get by the #15 pick of New Jersey.
RUMORED DEALS
• Denver has both #20 and #22 and is talking with the Clippers about acquiring the #12 pick of the draft. IMPACT: The Clippers have reportedly promised Yaroslav Korolev with the #12 pick. It would be unlikely that Korolev would get past Indiana #17.
• Portland will move the #3 pick of the draft. There are two options that seem most likely. According to a good source in the NBA the most likely is the Jazz acquiring the #3 pick and Ruben Patterson. Patterson has said he won’t report. The Blazers would get the #6 pick and Gordan Giricek and Kirk Snyder. Under this scenario the Jazz would take a point guard. Most people believe it to be Deron Williams, but I have heard from inside the league that it would be Chris Paul. The Blazers at #6 would take either Martell Webster or Andrew Bynum
• The other Blazers scenario is that Charlotte moves the #5 and the #13 pick for the #3 pick. I will be surprised if Charlotte makes this deal as an expansion team two first round picks would seem more important than one player. The Bobcats would take either Paul or Williams at the #3 pick and the Blazers would take Martell Webster at the #5 and see if Bynum would slip to #13 which seems unlikely with the Lakers at #10.
• Every indication I have is that the Utah/Portland deal is the one that will happen.
DRAFT POSITION ISSUES
• Ike Diogu cancelled workouts with Boston who sits at #18 and Memphis would sits at #19. He cited fatigue, however it leads you to believe he has been promised above #18 in the draft. However, Locked on Sports latest projection has him at #21 to Phoenix.
• Chris Taft’s, power forward from Pittsburg, final two workouts were with Seattle and Houston. Taft has not been impressive and is likely to slip out of the first round.
• CJ Miles
• Monta Ellis
• Roko Ukic
• Marko Illic
• Chris Taft
• Wayne Simien
• Audray Blatche
LIKELY PICKS
• Luther Head is being talked about at 19 to Memphis or 24 to Houston and is unlikely to get to Seattle.
• Roko Ukic is still strong talk going 16 to Toronto
• The Clippers at 12 will likely take either Rashad McCants or Raymond Felton. This means that they will pass on Yaroslav Korolev who many had thought they promised.
• Charlotte wants to leave the draft with Charlie Villanueva and Raymond Felton. Therefore, they may take Villanueva at #5 to secure him.
• Talk is the Spurs have made a promise to a French Power Forward that will surprise people with their first round pick. Will this be another Spurs special.
• Boston will not be taking Monta Ellis as many people have speculated.
• Nate Robinson’s name is strong in Phoenix at #21.
• Ike Diogu is slipping but most people think he can’t get by the #21 pick at Phoenix.
• Hakim Warrick likely will go #9 to Golden State but if he slips he won’t get by the #15 pick of New Jersey.
RUMORED DEALS
• Denver has both #20 and #22 and is talking with the Clippers about acquiring the #12 pick of the draft. IMPACT: The Clippers have reportedly promised Yaroslav Korolev with the #12 pick. It would be unlikely that Korolev would get past Indiana #17.
• Portland will move the #3 pick of the draft. There are two options that seem most likely. According to a good source in the NBA the most likely is the Jazz acquiring the #3 pick and Ruben Patterson. Patterson has said he won’t report. The Blazers would get the #6 pick and Gordan Giricek and Kirk Snyder. Under this scenario the Jazz would take a point guard. Most people believe it to be Deron Williams, but I have heard from inside the league that it would be Chris Paul. The Blazers at #6 would take either Martell Webster or Andrew Bynum
• The other Blazers scenario is that Charlotte moves the #5 and the #13 pick for the #3 pick. I will be surprised if Charlotte makes this deal as an expansion team two first round picks would seem more important than one player. The Bobcats would take either Paul or Williams at the #3 pick and the Blazers would take Martell Webster at the #5 and see if Bynum would slip to #13 which seems unlikely with the Lakers at #10.
• Every indication I have is that the Utah/Portland deal is the one that will happen.
DRAFT POSITION ISSUES
• Ike Diogu cancelled workouts with Boston who sits at #18 and Memphis would sits at #19. He cited fatigue, however it leads you to believe he has been promised above #18 in the draft. However, Locked on Sports latest projection has him at #21 to Phoenix.
• Chris Taft’s, power forward from Pittsburg, final two workouts were with Seattle and Houston. Taft has not been impressive and is likely to slip out of the first round.
Monday, June 27, 2005
THE 7 ON THE SONICS BOARD
Guards
Luther Head – Illinois. They really like this kid. Winner. Super decisions with the ball, quick first step, a little bit small to be a combo guard – If I had to guess this is my guess.
Jarrett Jack – Georgia Tech -- Sonics would be very pleased. Good scorer. Great size can play the 1 or the 2. Loose with the basketball and assists to turnover ratio is an issue. Minneosta could take as early as 14.
Nate Robinson – Washington --- They are legit in their like for him, they are concerned about how he fits on the roster. Could go anywhere from 22 to 50. There is a chance he could be their for the second round pick and that seems to be the mentality of most teams.
Julius Hodge – NC State – Legit three position player. Sonics believe in taking players late in the draft they can play multiple roles. If the player isn’t a starter then make sure he can play multiple roles. Pendergraf compares him to Nate. Can defend the 1,2 or 3. Has no shot. It is a really significant issue. Could slip to the 2nd round.
Forwards
Linas Kleiza – Missouri -- left after his sophomore year. Had the best workout of any of the players that worked out for the Sonics. Wowed them. He can play both the 3 or the 4, and is truly a 4, but a bit undersized at a questionable 6’8. Sonics believe that he can become a 3-4 type. Will be on the board. I believe he is higher on the Sonics board then most teams
Wayne Simein – Kansas – Much better shooter then people realizes. He can stretch the defense to about 15 or 17 feet. He had good rebounding numbers in college. A bit undersized. His durability was a problem at Kansas. Will it be an issue when he is in the NBA and is playing less minutes.
Martynas Andriuskevicius – Lithuania – If he is on the board the Sonics will take him. He is a 7 foot 2 Ralph Sampson type who is more of a 4 then a center. He runs well, has great hands. He is still a ways off, but it seems inconceivable that his talent can slip to Seattle. Denver with 20 and 22 will probably take him or Phoenix at 21.
Luther Head – Illinois. They really like this kid. Winner. Super decisions with the ball, quick first step, a little bit small to be a combo guard – If I had to guess this is my guess.
Jarrett Jack – Georgia Tech -- Sonics would be very pleased. Good scorer. Great size can play the 1 or the 2. Loose with the basketball and assists to turnover ratio is an issue. Minneosta could take as early as 14.
Nate Robinson – Washington --- They are legit in their like for him, they are concerned about how he fits on the roster. Could go anywhere from 22 to 50. There is a chance he could be their for the second round pick and that seems to be the mentality of most teams.
Julius Hodge – NC State – Legit three position player. Sonics believe in taking players late in the draft they can play multiple roles. If the player isn’t a starter then make sure he can play multiple roles. Pendergraf compares him to Nate. Can defend the 1,2 or 3. Has no shot. It is a really significant issue. Could slip to the 2nd round.
Forwards
Linas Kleiza – Missouri -- left after his sophomore year. Had the best workout of any of the players that worked out for the Sonics. Wowed them. He can play both the 3 or the 4, and is truly a 4, but a bit undersized at a questionable 6’8. Sonics believe that he can become a 3-4 type. Will be on the board. I believe he is higher on the Sonics board then most teams
Wayne Simein – Kansas – Much better shooter then people realizes. He can stretch the defense to about 15 or 17 feet. He had good rebounding numbers in college. A bit undersized. His durability was a problem at Kansas. Will it be an issue when he is in the NBA and is playing less minutes.
Martynas Andriuskevicius – Lithuania – If he is on the board the Sonics will take him. He is a 7 foot 2 Ralph Sampson type who is more of a 4 then a center. He runs well, has great hands. He is still a ways off, but it seems inconceivable that his talent can slip to Seattle. Denver with 20 and 22 will probably take him or Phoenix at 21.
LOCKED ON SPORTS: MOCK DRAFT
As of 10:00 pm June 27th, 2005
1. Milwaukee – Andrew Bogut
2. Atlanta – Marvin Williams
3. Utah – Chris Paul
4. New Orleans – Deron Williams
5. Charlotte – Martell Webster
6. Portland– Andrew Bynum
7. Toronto – Danny Granger
8. New York – Channing Frye
9. Golden State – Hakim Warrick
10. LA Lakers – Gerald Green
11. Orlando – Sean May
12. LA Clippers – Yaroslav Korolev
13. Charlotte – Raymond Felton
14. Minnesota – Francisco Garcia
15. New Jersey – Ike Diogu
16. Toronto – Roko Ukic
17. Indiana – Charlie Villaneuva
18. Boston – Johan Petro
19. Memphis -- Antonio Wright
20. Denver – Fran Vazquez
21. Phoenix – Martynas Adndriuskesius
22. Denver – Joey Graham
23. Sacramento – Jarett Jack
24. Houston– Wayne Simien
25. Seattle – Luther Head
26. Detroit – Ersan Ilyasova
27. Utah – CJ Miles
28. San Antonio – Julius Hodge
29. Miami – Andray Blatche
30. New York – Randolph Morris
1. Milwaukee – Andrew Bogut
2. Atlanta – Marvin Williams
3. Utah – Chris Paul
4. New Orleans – Deron Williams
5. Charlotte – Martell Webster
6. Portland– Andrew Bynum
7. Toronto – Danny Granger
8. New York – Channing Frye
9. Golden State – Hakim Warrick
10. LA Lakers – Gerald Green
11. Orlando – Sean May
12. LA Clippers – Yaroslav Korolev
13. Charlotte – Raymond Felton
14. Minnesota – Francisco Garcia
15. New Jersey – Ike Diogu
16. Toronto – Roko Ukic
17. Indiana – Charlie Villaneuva
18. Boston – Johan Petro
19. Memphis -- Antonio Wright
20. Denver – Fran Vazquez
21. Phoenix – Martynas Adndriuskesius
22. Denver – Joey Graham
23. Sacramento – Jarett Jack
24. Houston– Wayne Simien
25. Seattle – Luther Head
26. Detroit – Ersan Ilyasova
27. Utah – CJ Miles
28. San Antonio – Julius Hodge
29. Miami – Andray Blatche
30. New York – Randolph Morris
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