THE HANGOVER: I've seen it twice, and loved it both times. The plot doesn't get old, and neither does the humor. Stars are made out of previous unknowns (Zach Galfiniakis), and bigger stars (Bradley Cooper, Heather Graham, and yes, Mike Tyson) are used to perfection. It's not a shock that they decided to make a sequel before the first movie even went to theatres. The one criticism I have is that it could have been a bit longer, but since we're getting another movie out of these guys, I can't complain too much. RATING: ****1/2
FROST/NIXON: Finally saw this one after not getting a chance when it was in theatres late last year. It earned rave reviews, and while I didn't think it was quite as brilliant as others did, it's still a very good piece of movie-making. The flow of it gets old fast (problem -> solution -> bigger problem -> solution), but the movie's high spots are executed perfectly, and the phone call scene about half an hour before it ends REALLY gets you excited for what's left of it. Again, it's not the most amazing political movie you'll ever see, but as a mental thriller with occasional doses of comedy thrown in, it works very well. RATING: ***1/2
NIGHT AT THE MUSEUM 2: This Ben Stiller sequel starts off slowly and drags for a while, but the final half-hour is set up well enough for the final product to be respectable. They slowly build several subplots, some of which work (Bill Hader as General Custer), some of which fall VERY flat (Robin Williams mailing it in in his second turn as Teddy Roosevelt). Everything comes together, though, in a way that should appeal to everyone. If you liked the original, this one's at least worth a trip to the cheap movie theatres or to Best Buy to track down the DVD when it comes out. RATING: **3/4
THE PROPOSAL: The wife took me to see this. Bad, BAD move. With romantic comedies, you know the beginning from the previews, and you know the ending because no studio would ever greenlight a wacky romanic comedy that ends in tragedy. It's the middle hour or so that decides how good the film truly is.
Credit where it's due: Everyone, for the most part, tries hard, especially the supporting characters. In fact, Betty White steals every scene she's in as Ryan Reynolds's grandmother, and Oscar Nunez does wacky well as the town's male stripper/phone salesman/priest. However, the plot is a two-hour clunker that left me shaking my head even after suspending my disbelief at the door. It's almost as though they thought of every abused romantic comedy cliche (including the overactive dog), threw everything against the proverbial wall, and hoped some of it would stick. It didn't. Girls will like this movie due to the storybook flair it has, while guys will have to make due with the rare laughs White and Nunez bring out. RATING: *3/4
Sunday, June 28, 2009
Friday, June 26, 2009
Draft Critique: Western Conference
Like the East's Magic, the Houston Rockets did not have a draft pick, and therefore, they do not get a grade.
THEY GET AN "A"
San Antonio Spurs (A): There is no way on EARTH DeJuan Blair should have slipped out of the first round. Did any scouts WATCH the college basketball season and see how Blair threw Hasheem Thabeet around effortlessly? He's short, I get it, but 6'7" guys have succeeded in the pros, and maybe this gives Duncan another season or two in the long run as Blair gets phased in. Their second pick, Nando De Colo, is a typical Spurs pick of a guy they won't need for a few years. All in all, a great draft, made even better by the fact that they didn't have a single first-rounder.
THEY GET A "B"
LA Clippers (B+): Tough to screw up what is, essentially, a one-person draft. There was no question Griffin was the pick, and he, Eric Gordon, and Al Thornton give the Clippers a foundation to build off of in the next few years. They'll have to find a taker for either Chris Kaman or Marcus Camby, and that might be tough given their contracts, but for once, the Clippers did the right thing in the draft.
Golden State Warriors (B+): Well, Stephen Curry should give the franchise a jolt of excitement this season, at least. He was their only draft pick, and while his shooting exploits are the stuff of legend, his defense needs to improve. Regardless, he gives the Warriors a big-time scorer, and if he and Jamal Crawford can be put in as part of the consistent lineup, they'll open up shots for each other.
Denver Nuggets (B): I like the Lawson deal, as it shows they're making a commitment to the future. Chauncey Billups isn't getting younger, and the addition of Lawson shows that when he leaves, there'll be another guy ready to take over. Their second-rounder, Sergio Llull, is the other PG from Spain, and he'll probably stay over there.
Portland Trail Blazers (B): The trade they made with Dallas was dumb, and their first three draft picks were nothing to write home about. However, they made one of the best picks in the entire draft by snatching Patrick Mills near the end of the second round. He is the dream low-risk, high-reward player, and if he'd been healthy this past year, he may well have been a lottery pick.
Phoenix Suns (B): Shaq trade aside, this was a good draft for them. Earl Clark fits right in with the go-go-go style, and Taylor Griffin adds experience. They're rebuilding, and while the rookies may be given too much to carry when the season starts, for now, they're solid parts of this team.
Dallas Mavericks (B): The recruiting class is a nonspectacular one, but they get bumped up from B- to B for just how much they got to move down two spots in the draft. BJ Mullens is a prospect, but Ahmad Nivens dominated a deceptively-strong Atlantic 10 this past year and was a big sleeper.
LA Lakers (B-): Toney Douglas was a guy very few people were talking about, but he had a big run near the end of last season in getting Florida State to the NCAA tournament. With both Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher starting to rack up the mileage, this was a very nice pick. Their two second-rounders, Patrick Beverly and Chinemelu Edonu, however, were unremarkable and may not even make the team.
THEY GET A "C"
Oklahoma City Thunder (C+): James Harden is a polished player by comparison to the other guards in this draft crop, but there are doubts about just how much he can improve at the next level. Still, it was a logical pick. Their second pick, Rodrigue Beaubois, though, was a reach, and even Fran Frischilla, who is usually the first to gush about international players, admitted he hadn't played against anyone good.
Memphis Grizzlies (C+): Hasheem Thabeet is hit-or-miss. If they don't expect much out of him on the offensive end, he'll be OK (again, think a skinny Sam Dalembert). If they expect him to morph into Pau Gasol Version 2, like most of the mainstream sports media, he's in big trouble. DeMarre Carroll adds depth inside, and Sam Young was a good pick in the second round, but ultimately, they'll be remembered for how they use Thabeet.
Utah Jazz (C): Eric Maynor was a solid value pick at #20, but why would he be the guy when you've already got a dynamic point guard in Deron Williams? Their second-rounder, Goran Suton, fits the bill of a standard Utah big: White, slow, and awkward. Hey, somehow Jerry Sloan always seems to hide their weaknesses well, so if he can make it work again, kudos to him.
New Orleans Hornets (C): Much like Utah, they used their first-rounder on a point guard (Darren Collison) when they already had a young, elite athlete at that position. Collison is a good player, but they could have filled some other, more pressing needs with the pick (Wayne Ellington as a shooter, BJ Mullens as a developing post presence, etc.).
Sacramento Kings (C-): The Kings had three of the first 31 picks, so you'd think this would be higher. Not so. I'm not convinced Tyreke Evans will be the best fit; he's fast and athletic, and translates very well into a fast-paced style of play. This won't be that kind of environment. Omri Casspi is a bit of a risk, as there are some character issues to go along with his talent, and Jeff Pendergraph is very streaky (remember his complete DUD in the NCAA tourney against Syracuse?).
THEY GET A "D"
THEY GET AN "F"
THEY GET AN "INCOMPLETE"
Minnesota Timberwolves: When Minnesota took two PG's, I said to myself, "Self, something isn't right here." Indeed it wasn't, as now, there are reports Ricky Rubio may stay in Europe for a year or two. In that case, taking Jonny Flynn was actually a smart move, as it gives Minnesota some leverage and a safety option. Worst-case scenario, Rubio (or the rights to him) can be put in a trade to Phoenix, along with Al Jefferson, for Amare Stoudamire. Given the age of Steve Nash, which side wouldn't take that deal? Phoenix rebuilds in getting a potential future star at the point and a very good power forward, and Minnesota gets a marketable impact player in his prime.
Of course, if Rubio DOES show up, it presents a bit of a problem, but I'm crossing that bridge when I get there. They took Ty Lawson, but he's going to Denver. Wayne Ellington addressed the need for a shooter, and their two second-rounders, Nick Calathes and Henk Norel, were low-risk, high-reward players. I'd like to give this class a high grade, but I can't until I know what's happening with Rubio.
THEY GET AN "A"
San Antonio Spurs (A): There is no way on EARTH DeJuan Blair should have slipped out of the first round. Did any scouts WATCH the college basketball season and see how Blair threw Hasheem Thabeet around effortlessly? He's short, I get it, but 6'7" guys have succeeded in the pros, and maybe this gives Duncan another season or two in the long run as Blair gets phased in. Their second pick, Nando De Colo, is a typical Spurs pick of a guy they won't need for a few years. All in all, a great draft, made even better by the fact that they didn't have a single first-rounder.
THEY GET A "B"
LA Clippers (B+): Tough to screw up what is, essentially, a one-person draft. There was no question Griffin was the pick, and he, Eric Gordon, and Al Thornton give the Clippers a foundation to build off of in the next few years. They'll have to find a taker for either Chris Kaman or Marcus Camby, and that might be tough given their contracts, but for once, the Clippers did the right thing in the draft.
Golden State Warriors (B+): Well, Stephen Curry should give the franchise a jolt of excitement this season, at least. He was their only draft pick, and while his shooting exploits are the stuff of legend, his defense needs to improve. Regardless, he gives the Warriors a big-time scorer, and if he and Jamal Crawford can be put in as part of the consistent lineup, they'll open up shots for each other.
Denver Nuggets (B): I like the Lawson deal, as it shows they're making a commitment to the future. Chauncey Billups isn't getting younger, and the addition of Lawson shows that when he leaves, there'll be another guy ready to take over. Their second-rounder, Sergio Llull, is the other PG from Spain, and he'll probably stay over there.
Portland Trail Blazers (B): The trade they made with Dallas was dumb, and their first three draft picks were nothing to write home about. However, they made one of the best picks in the entire draft by snatching Patrick Mills near the end of the second round. He is the dream low-risk, high-reward player, and if he'd been healthy this past year, he may well have been a lottery pick.
Phoenix Suns (B): Shaq trade aside, this was a good draft for them. Earl Clark fits right in with the go-go-go style, and Taylor Griffin adds experience. They're rebuilding, and while the rookies may be given too much to carry when the season starts, for now, they're solid parts of this team.
Dallas Mavericks (B): The recruiting class is a nonspectacular one, but they get bumped up from B- to B for just how much they got to move down two spots in the draft. BJ Mullens is a prospect, but Ahmad Nivens dominated a deceptively-strong Atlantic 10 this past year and was a big sleeper.
LA Lakers (B-): Toney Douglas was a guy very few people were talking about, but he had a big run near the end of last season in getting Florida State to the NCAA tournament. With both Kobe Bryant and Derek Fisher starting to rack up the mileage, this was a very nice pick. Their two second-rounders, Patrick Beverly and Chinemelu Edonu, however, were unremarkable and may not even make the team.
THEY GET A "C"
Oklahoma City Thunder (C+): James Harden is a polished player by comparison to the other guards in this draft crop, but there are doubts about just how much he can improve at the next level. Still, it was a logical pick. Their second pick, Rodrigue Beaubois, though, was a reach, and even Fran Frischilla, who is usually the first to gush about international players, admitted he hadn't played against anyone good.
Memphis Grizzlies (C+): Hasheem Thabeet is hit-or-miss. If they don't expect much out of him on the offensive end, he'll be OK (again, think a skinny Sam Dalembert). If they expect him to morph into Pau Gasol Version 2, like most of the mainstream sports media, he's in big trouble. DeMarre Carroll adds depth inside, and Sam Young was a good pick in the second round, but ultimately, they'll be remembered for how they use Thabeet.
Utah Jazz (C): Eric Maynor was a solid value pick at #20, but why would he be the guy when you've already got a dynamic point guard in Deron Williams? Their second-rounder, Goran Suton, fits the bill of a standard Utah big: White, slow, and awkward. Hey, somehow Jerry Sloan always seems to hide their weaknesses well, so if he can make it work again, kudos to him.
New Orleans Hornets (C): Much like Utah, they used their first-rounder on a point guard (Darren Collison) when they already had a young, elite athlete at that position. Collison is a good player, but they could have filled some other, more pressing needs with the pick (Wayne Ellington as a shooter, BJ Mullens as a developing post presence, etc.).
Sacramento Kings (C-): The Kings had three of the first 31 picks, so you'd think this would be higher. Not so. I'm not convinced Tyreke Evans will be the best fit; he's fast and athletic, and translates very well into a fast-paced style of play. This won't be that kind of environment. Omri Casspi is a bit of a risk, as there are some character issues to go along with his talent, and Jeff Pendergraph is very streaky (remember his complete DUD in the NCAA tourney against Syracuse?).
THEY GET A "D"
THEY GET AN "F"
THEY GET AN "INCOMPLETE"
Minnesota Timberwolves: When Minnesota took two PG's, I said to myself, "Self, something isn't right here." Indeed it wasn't, as now, there are reports Ricky Rubio may stay in Europe for a year or two. In that case, taking Jonny Flynn was actually a smart move, as it gives Minnesota some leverage and a safety option. Worst-case scenario, Rubio (or the rights to him) can be put in a trade to Phoenix, along with Al Jefferson, for Amare Stoudamire. Given the age of Steve Nash, which side wouldn't take that deal? Phoenix rebuilds in getting a potential future star at the point and a very good power forward, and Minnesota gets a marketable impact player in his prime.
Of course, if Rubio DOES show up, it presents a bit of a problem, but I'm crossing that bridge when I get there. They took Ty Lawson, but he's going to Denver. Wayne Ellington addressed the need for a shooter, and their two second-rounders, Nick Calathes and Henk Norel, were low-risk, high-reward players. I'd like to give this class a high grade, but I can't until I know what's happening with Rubio.
Draft Critique: Eastern Conference
This is the first part of a three-part review of the NBA Draft. The Western Conference review, as well as a few extraneous thoughts, will be posted later today. For now, here's my rundown of each team in the East and a grade on what they did last night. Note that the Magic did not have a draft pick, so they do not receive a grade.
THEY GET AN "A"
Detroit Pistons (A-): Detroit ended up with three first-round quality guys. Austin Daye gives them security for Tayshaun Prince, DaJuan Summers has a unique skill set that creates mismatches at both the 3 and 4, and Chase Budinger has drawn Brent Barry comparisons for his shooting form. Taking Ty Lawson, Darren Collison, or Eric Maynor at #15 to give them a true point guard would bring this to the A+ range, but it's still a nice group of picks for a team that really needed a good draft.
THEY GET A "B"
Atlanta Hawks (B+): Jeff Teague was a tremendous pick at #19. He has insane speed and does everything else pretty well right off the bat. Their second round pick, Sergiy Gladyr, was a bit of a curveball that some (self included) know nothing about, but Teague should be the point-guard presence they've lacked for a while.
Charlotte Bobcats (B): They had three picks, and Jordan and Company brought in three safe players. Gerald Henderson is a versatile player who will be solid on both ends of the floor, Derrick Brown was a good pick in the second round (even if he's a little undersized for a PF), and Robert Vaden slid a pretty long way, as ESPN had him projected as a late-first, early-second guy. Charlotte got close to the playoffs last year, and this could conceivably put them over the hump in 09-10.
New Jersey Nets (B): They only had one pick, but they made it count, taking Louisville's Terrence Williams. I like Williams; he was a superb all-around talent in college, and they can probably move him to the 3-spot if need be to complement Brook Lopez. Earl Clark may have been a better fit for the team, but Nets fans can certainly live with what they brought in.
Boston Celtics (B-): They get bumped down a few notches for not making deals to try and move up for picks that could be used to replace any one of the players they're shopping. However, Lester Hudson was a really nice find in the late-second round. Try these per-game numbers on for size: 27.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 88% FT shooting. Small college, yes (Tennessee Martin), but if you're a fan of Stephen Curry and Patrick Mills, you have to like Hudson as well.
Indiana Pacers (B-): Indiana reached a bit for Tyler Hansbrough, but got even by stealing AJ Price in the second round. #13's a bit early to be taking a role player, but who else were they going to take at that spot in terms of filling needs? Price, meanwhile, helped lead UConn to their usual deep run in the Big Dance, and could be a surprise at the next level.
Chicago Bulls (B-): They went big with their two picks, taking James Johnson at #16 and Taj Gibson at #26. I like Gibson as a developmental prospect, as he was lost in the shadow of DeRozan at USC despite averaging 14 points and 9 rebounds a game. Johnson, though, is a tweener, and did they really need another semi-awkward forward when they already had one in Joakim Noah?
Miami Heat (B-): They did well with the two mid-to-late second-round picks they had. Marcus Thornton put up big numbers for LSU, and Robert Dozier was a nice find with the draft's final pick. There are question marks (the SEC stunk the last two years, and Dozier is very raw despite his impressive 6'9" size at SF), but the two picks they made were of the low-risk, high-reward variety, and at that stage of the draft, I can't knock them too much for that.
THEY GET A "C"
New York Knicks (C+): Part of this grade is simply due to bad timing. They desperately wanted Stephen Curry, but he was taken one pick before they went on the clock. Instead, they got Jordan Hill, and while it's not an earth-shaking selection, Hill gives them sorely-needed depth in the frontcourt. He's a bit of a project, but he should have some time to develop.
Milwaukee Bucks (C+): The humor of Brandon Jennings showing up late is something that will be touched upon later. As crazy as he can be, he's a good pick that has some professional experience under his belt already. Their second-rounder, Jodie Meeks, is also talented, but why would they take a one-dimensional scorer when he'll be playing behind a BETTER one-dimensional scorer in Michael Redd?
Cleveland Cavaliers (C+): Any picks they made were going to be shadowed by the Shaq trade. In the case of Christian Eyenga, who some international scouts didn't have getting drafted and who Cleveland used their first-rounder on, that's a good thing. However, don't overlook their second-round swipe of Danny Green, who was a key player in UNC's national title team this year.
Philadelphia 76ers (C): Their one pick was at #17, where they ended Jrue Holliday's free-fall. I never saw a stud in Holliday. His stats weren't great at UCLA, and he entered the draft in a year where the position he played at was the only one filled with talent that may have made the first round in any other draft. He has a good ceiling, yeah, but I don't think he gives the Sixers anything more than what they had last year.
Toronto Raptors (C): Curry going to Golden State shook up the rest of the lottery, as Hill was probably tops on Toronto's list. They ended up with USC's Demar DeRozan, and I'm not crazy about it. He's a bit of a boom-or-bust guy, and while he came on strong at the end of the season, I don't see what makes him better than guys like Terrance Williams and Gerald Henderson.
THEY GET A "D"
Washington Wizards (D): Their trading of the fifth pick for a decent sixth man and an overrated guard was one of the worst NBA deals in recent memory. They needed to rebuild, and an array of talented guards were going to be available (Rubio, Curry, and Flynn, just to name three). They did pick up a good scorer in the second round (Central Florida's Jermaine Taylor), and that saves the draft from being a complete failure for them, but it remains to be seen if the rest of his game will translate to the NBA level.
THEY GET AN "F"
None, surprisingly.
THEY GET AN "A"
Detroit Pistons (A-): Detroit ended up with three first-round quality guys. Austin Daye gives them security for Tayshaun Prince, DaJuan Summers has a unique skill set that creates mismatches at both the 3 and 4, and Chase Budinger has drawn Brent Barry comparisons for his shooting form. Taking Ty Lawson, Darren Collison, or Eric Maynor at #15 to give them a true point guard would bring this to the A+ range, but it's still a nice group of picks for a team that really needed a good draft.
THEY GET A "B"
Atlanta Hawks (B+): Jeff Teague was a tremendous pick at #19. He has insane speed and does everything else pretty well right off the bat. Their second round pick, Sergiy Gladyr, was a bit of a curveball that some (self included) know nothing about, but Teague should be the point-guard presence they've lacked for a while.
Charlotte Bobcats (B): They had three picks, and Jordan and Company brought in three safe players. Gerald Henderson is a versatile player who will be solid on both ends of the floor, Derrick Brown was a good pick in the second round (even if he's a little undersized for a PF), and Robert Vaden slid a pretty long way, as ESPN had him projected as a late-first, early-second guy. Charlotte got close to the playoffs last year, and this could conceivably put them over the hump in 09-10.
New Jersey Nets (B): They only had one pick, but they made it count, taking Louisville's Terrence Williams. I like Williams; he was a superb all-around talent in college, and they can probably move him to the 3-spot if need be to complement Brook Lopez. Earl Clark may have been a better fit for the team, but Nets fans can certainly live with what they brought in.
Boston Celtics (B-): They get bumped down a few notches for not making deals to try and move up for picks that could be used to replace any one of the players they're shopping. However, Lester Hudson was a really nice find in the late-second round. Try these per-game numbers on for size: 27.5 points, 7.9 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals, 88% FT shooting. Small college, yes (Tennessee Martin), but if you're a fan of Stephen Curry and Patrick Mills, you have to like Hudson as well.
Indiana Pacers (B-): Indiana reached a bit for Tyler Hansbrough, but got even by stealing AJ Price in the second round. #13's a bit early to be taking a role player, but who else were they going to take at that spot in terms of filling needs? Price, meanwhile, helped lead UConn to their usual deep run in the Big Dance, and could be a surprise at the next level.
Chicago Bulls (B-): They went big with their two picks, taking James Johnson at #16 and Taj Gibson at #26. I like Gibson as a developmental prospect, as he was lost in the shadow of DeRozan at USC despite averaging 14 points and 9 rebounds a game. Johnson, though, is a tweener, and did they really need another semi-awkward forward when they already had one in Joakim Noah?
Miami Heat (B-): They did well with the two mid-to-late second-round picks they had. Marcus Thornton put up big numbers for LSU, and Robert Dozier was a nice find with the draft's final pick. There are question marks (the SEC stunk the last two years, and Dozier is very raw despite his impressive 6'9" size at SF), but the two picks they made were of the low-risk, high-reward variety, and at that stage of the draft, I can't knock them too much for that.
THEY GET A "C"
New York Knicks (C+): Part of this grade is simply due to bad timing. They desperately wanted Stephen Curry, but he was taken one pick before they went on the clock. Instead, they got Jordan Hill, and while it's not an earth-shaking selection, Hill gives them sorely-needed depth in the frontcourt. He's a bit of a project, but he should have some time to develop.
Milwaukee Bucks (C+): The humor of Brandon Jennings showing up late is something that will be touched upon later. As crazy as he can be, he's a good pick that has some professional experience under his belt already. Their second-rounder, Jodie Meeks, is also talented, but why would they take a one-dimensional scorer when he'll be playing behind a BETTER one-dimensional scorer in Michael Redd?
Cleveland Cavaliers (C+): Any picks they made were going to be shadowed by the Shaq trade. In the case of Christian Eyenga, who some international scouts didn't have getting drafted and who Cleveland used their first-rounder on, that's a good thing. However, don't overlook their second-round swipe of Danny Green, who was a key player in UNC's national title team this year.
Philadelphia 76ers (C): Their one pick was at #17, where they ended Jrue Holliday's free-fall. I never saw a stud in Holliday. His stats weren't great at UCLA, and he entered the draft in a year where the position he played at was the only one filled with talent that may have made the first round in any other draft. He has a good ceiling, yeah, but I don't think he gives the Sixers anything more than what they had last year.
Toronto Raptors (C): Curry going to Golden State shook up the rest of the lottery, as Hill was probably tops on Toronto's list. They ended up with USC's Demar DeRozan, and I'm not crazy about it. He's a bit of a boom-or-bust guy, and while he came on strong at the end of the season, I don't see what makes him better than guys like Terrance Williams and Gerald Henderson.
THEY GET A "D"
Washington Wizards (D): Their trading of the fifth pick for a decent sixth man and an overrated guard was one of the worst NBA deals in recent memory. They needed to rebuild, and an array of talented guards were going to be available (Rubio, Curry, and Flynn, just to name three). They did pick up a good scorer in the second round (Central Florida's Jermaine Taylor), and that saves the draft from being a complete failure for them, but it remains to be seen if the rest of his game will translate to the NBA level.
THEY GET AN "F"
None, surprisingly.
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
NBA Mock Draft
With the 2009 NBA draft just a few days away, I figure it's only fitting to do a mock draft. Much like my NFL work, I'm focused on the best guy for the team, not necessarily who the team is leaning towards taking.
1) LA Clippers: Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma
- A slam-dunk pick here. Griffin has most of the tools, including an NBA-ready body and off-the-charts athleticism. The one thing he could stand to do is to add a mid-range jumper.
2) Memphis Grizzlies: TRADE DOWN
- Rubio won't play there, and Thabeet isn't crazy about it, either. The next most-logical pick is Jonny Flynn, but he's a reach at #2. Therefore, they trade the pick to a team that could use the high spot.
2b) New York Knicks: Stephen Curry, PG/SG, Davidson
- I'm not crazy on Curry's PG prowess at the next level, but there's no doubting that he can shoot the lights out. With the likely release of Nate Robinson in the near future, this fits if they can add the necessary trade material.
3) Oklahoma City Thunder: Hasheem Thabeet, C, UConn
- After Griffin, I thoroughly HATE this class of bigs. Thabeet has no offensive skill besides dunking, but OKC does need a guy to lock down inside on defense, and size and wingspan can't be taught. I still think he's a rail-thin Sam Dalembert, but that's good enough for the Thunder.
4) Sacramento Kings: Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse
- Flynn has an NBA body and the ability to carry a team on his back. Sacramento's needed a point guard ever since Mike Bibby left town, and Flynn is the guy that can fill that void.
5) Washington Wizards: Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain
- I'm not crazy on Rubio. After seeing some film, he looks like he's got fantastic court vision, but he looks awkward running the fast break and isn't very athletic. ESPN's Fran Frischilla calls him the next Steve Nash, but I think he tops out as this decade's Jason Williams. He'll be good, but there are definitely some holes there.
6) Minnesota Timberwolves: Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy
- Jennings could have been a top-5 pick had he declared for the draft last year. Minnesota is desperate for a point guard, and while they could take Jrue Holliday, I think Jennings is the better pick here due to his experience playing pro ball.
7) Golden State Warriors: Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona
- GS could go a lot of different directions here. Tyreke Evans is an option, as are Holliday and Arizona State's James Harden. However, Hill put up sneaky good numbers at Arizona, and with frontcourt depth at a real shortage, I think he's the pick.
8) Memphis Grizzlies (from NY Knicks): Jrue Holliday, PG, UCLA
- The Grizzlies have OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay, two viable scoring threats. However, they may not be convinced that Mike Conley is the guy to bring the ball up the floor in the near future. If Hill was available, I think he may have been the pick here due to suspect frontcourt depth, but they settle for the best pure PG available.
9) Toronto Raptors: DeJuan Blair, PF, Pittsburgh
- Blair's small measurements have scouts concerned, but do not forget that this is the same guy who made Hasheem Thabeet look like post-My Giant Gheorghe Muresan TWICE despite being a full nine inches shorter. He plays much bigger than he is, and with Chris Bosh likely skipping town after this coming season, he'll be appreciated here.
10) Milwaukee Bucks: James Harden, SG, Arizona State
- Milwaukee has a big backcourt problem. Fortunately, Harden slips here after being regarded by some as a top-5 prospect. He can pull up and shoot, as well as drive the lane, but questions have arisen as to just how much he'll improve at the next level.
11) NJ Nets: Earl Clark, SF, Louisville
- Clark is very athletic and poses a lot of mismatches at the small forward spot. He's got the intangibles to be a nice complement to Brook Lopez.
12) Charlotte Bobcats: BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State
- Charlotte has no depth behind Gerald Wallace and Emeka Okafor inside. Mullens is one of two 7-footers in this draft, and while he's far from a finished product, the Bobcats need to make the best of a TERRIBLE frontcourt situation here.
13) Indiana Pacers: Gerald Henderson, SG/SF, Duke
- The Pacers were REALLY banged up last year, yet still managed to win 36 games despite ten different players starting 14 or more games. This speaks to the team's commitment to depth and versatility, and Henderson, who played anywhere from the 1 to the 4 at Duke, would be a really nice fit here because of it.
14) Phoenix Suns: Tyreke Evans, PG/SG, Memphis
- Evans is sort of a tweener, but he does have great speed and the ability to play in transition. In Phoenix's go-go-go offense, he'd be a pretty valuable player.
15) Detroit Pistons: Ty Lawson, PG, UNC
- How some mock drafts have Lawson out of the first round is beyond me. His durability isn't great, but it shouldn't be a black mark on his incredible talent. There's no doubt AI is not the point guard Detroit wants, and he's getting older. They can take some time and groom Lawson to be the next Billups of this team, a defense-minded PG who can make clutch plays on the offensive end.
16) Chicago Bulls: Demar DeRozan, SG, USC
- The Bulls get lucky here, as the raw DeRozan drops to #16. He's very athletic, but needs some time to mature. Fortunately, Chicago should be able to give him that.
17) Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Williams, SG, Louisville
- Williams is a perfect fit here despite some unsure reports about his true ceiling. He played an uptempo style in college, and the Sixers play that same style at the next level. He's also a terrific defensive player, which should help them tremendously.
18) Minnesota Timberwolves: Sam Young, SF, Pitt
- Young scores in bunches, and can do so from anywhere on the floor after starting his college career as more of an inside player and moving towards the wing. Chase Budinger fits as well, but Young's basketball IQ and aggressiveness win out.
19) Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Teague, PG/SG, Wake Forest
- He's not quite ready for prime-time yet, but Teague can play either guard position and has no problem creating his own shot. He'll have time to grow in Atlanta, which can only help him in the long run.
20) Utah Jazz: Tyler Hansbrough, SF, UNC
- A disciplined, hard-working player is available for a coach who loves them. Tough to imagine a better fit than this, despite Gonzaga's Austin Daye also being attractive at this spot.
21) New Orleans Hornets: James Johnson, SF/PF, Wake Forest
- Johnson is very much stuck in between positions. Fortunately, New Orleans could use frontcourt help most anywhere, so this is a decent fit for him.
22) Dallas Mavericks: Eric Maynor, PG, VCU
- Jason Kidd is far from a spring chicken these days, entering his 15th year in the league. Guys love playing with him, but it's time for Dallas to groom his successor. Maynor played at a small school, but his talent isn't a secret.
23) Sacramento Kings: Austin Daye, SF, Gonzaga
- I agree with fellow blogger Josh Canu; Sacramento should go for the best available player here. That's Daye, who some have in the lottery.
24) Portland Trail Blazers: Darren Collison, PG/SG, UCLA
- Portland's looking for a PG, and Collison is the best one left at this stage. They'll be thrilled if Teague or Maynor drop down.
25) Oklahoma City Thunder: Taj Gibson, PF, USC
- Just because they took Thabeet doesn't mean they'll stop drafting frontcourt players. They have a great nucleus to build around in the backcourt, and Gibson will see solid playing time in his rookie year given the shallow depth of the OKC frontcourt.
26) Chicago Bulls: Chase Budinger, SF, Arizona
- Budinger's drawn comparisons to Brent Barry for his shooting fundamentals, which are among the best in this year's draft crop. He could have gone eight picks sooner, and Chicago's happy to have him here.
27) Memphis Grizzlies: Wayne Ellington, SG, UNC
- This is a best-available approach. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Grizzlies trade up a little; they need frontcourt help badly and Taj Gibson could help. However, Ellington's a great shooter who can fill the role of the spot-up sixth man off the bench.
28) Minnesota Timberwolves: Danny Green, SG/SF, UNC
- Minnesota needs depth at the two-spot. His teammates got all the fanfare, but Green averaged 13 points per game last season and is an excellent defensive player as well.
29) LA Lakers: Patrick Mills, PG/SG, St. Mary's
- Mills is a low-risk, high-reward guy. Plus, LA's backcourt isn't getting younger (Fisher's entering his 14th year, and Kobe passed 1,000 career games played this season), and you have to think they don't have high expectations for Jordan Farmar.
30) Cleveland Cavaliers: DaJuan Summers, SF/PF, Georgetown
- Summers can play either the 3 or the 4, and he'll create mismatches in both spots. He's more suited for the latter, but with LeBron James's return in 2010 uncertain, it can't hurt to have a backup plan.
1) LA Clippers: Blake Griffin, PF, Oklahoma
- A slam-dunk pick here. Griffin has most of the tools, including an NBA-ready body and off-the-charts athleticism. The one thing he could stand to do is to add a mid-range jumper.
2) Memphis Grizzlies: TRADE DOWN
- Rubio won't play there, and Thabeet isn't crazy about it, either. The next most-logical pick is Jonny Flynn, but he's a reach at #2. Therefore, they trade the pick to a team that could use the high spot.
2b) New York Knicks: Stephen Curry, PG/SG, Davidson
- I'm not crazy on Curry's PG prowess at the next level, but there's no doubting that he can shoot the lights out. With the likely release of Nate Robinson in the near future, this fits if they can add the necessary trade material.
3) Oklahoma City Thunder: Hasheem Thabeet, C, UConn
- After Griffin, I thoroughly HATE this class of bigs. Thabeet has no offensive skill besides dunking, but OKC does need a guy to lock down inside on defense, and size and wingspan can't be taught. I still think he's a rail-thin Sam Dalembert, but that's good enough for the Thunder.
4) Sacramento Kings: Jonny Flynn, PG, Syracuse
- Flynn has an NBA body and the ability to carry a team on his back. Sacramento's needed a point guard ever since Mike Bibby left town, and Flynn is the guy that can fill that void.
5) Washington Wizards: Ricky Rubio, PG, Spain
- I'm not crazy on Rubio. After seeing some film, he looks like he's got fantastic court vision, but he looks awkward running the fast break and isn't very athletic. ESPN's Fran Frischilla calls him the next Steve Nash, but I think he tops out as this decade's Jason Williams. He'll be good, but there are definitely some holes there.
6) Minnesota Timberwolves: Brandon Jennings, PG, Italy
- Jennings could have been a top-5 pick had he declared for the draft last year. Minnesota is desperate for a point guard, and while they could take Jrue Holliday, I think Jennings is the better pick here due to his experience playing pro ball.
7) Golden State Warriors: Jordan Hill, PF, Arizona
- GS could go a lot of different directions here. Tyreke Evans is an option, as are Holliday and Arizona State's James Harden. However, Hill put up sneaky good numbers at Arizona, and with frontcourt depth at a real shortage, I think he's the pick.
8) Memphis Grizzlies (from NY Knicks): Jrue Holliday, PG, UCLA
- The Grizzlies have OJ Mayo and Rudy Gay, two viable scoring threats. However, they may not be convinced that Mike Conley is the guy to bring the ball up the floor in the near future. If Hill was available, I think he may have been the pick here due to suspect frontcourt depth, but they settle for the best pure PG available.
9) Toronto Raptors: DeJuan Blair, PF, Pittsburgh
- Blair's small measurements have scouts concerned, but do not forget that this is the same guy who made Hasheem Thabeet look like post-My Giant Gheorghe Muresan TWICE despite being a full nine inches shorter. He plays much bigger than he is, and with Chris Bosh likely skipping town after this coming season, he'll be appreciated here.
10) Milwaukee Bucks: James Harden, SG, Arizona State
- Milwaukee has a big backcourt problem. Fortunately, Harden slips here after being regarded by some as a top-5 prospect. He can pull up and shoot, as well as drive the lane, but questions have arisen as to just how much he'll improve at the next level.
11) NJ Nets: Earl Clark, SF, Louisville
- Clark is very athletic and poses a lot of mismatches at the small forward spot. He's got the intangibles to be a nice complement to Brook Lopez.
12) Charlotte Bobcats: BJ Mullens, C, Ohio State
- Charlotte has no depth behind Gerald Wallace and Emeka Okafor inside. Mullens is one of two 7-footers in this draft, and while he's far from a finished product, the Bobcats need to make the best of a TERRIBLE frontcourt situation here.
13) Indiana Pacers: Gerald Henderson, SG/SF, Duke
- The Pacers were REALLY banged up last year, yet still managed to win 36 games despite ten different players starting 14 or more games. This speaks to the team's commitment to depth and versatility, and Henderson, who played anywhere from the 1 to the 4 at Duke, would be a really nice fit here because of it.
14) Phoenix Suns: Tyreke Evans, PG/SG, Memphis
- Evans is sort of a tweener, but he does have great speed and the ability to play in transition. In Phoenix's go-go-go offense, he'd be a pretty valuable player.
15) Detroit Pistons: Ty Lawson, PG, UNC
- How some mock drafts have Lawson out of the first round is beyond me. His durability isn't great, but it shouldn't be a black mark on his incredible talent. There's no doubt AI is not the point guard Detroit wants, and he's getting older. They can take some time and groom Lawson to be the next Billups of this team, a defense-minded PG who can make clutch plays on the offensive end.
16) Chicago Bulls: Demar DeRozan, SG, USC
- The Bulls get lucky here, as the raw DeRozan drops to #16. He's very athletic, but needs some time to mature. Fortunately, Chicago should be able to give him that.
17) Philadelphia 76ers: Terrence Williams, SG, Louisville
- Williams is a perfect fit here despite some unsure reports about his true ceiling. He played an uptempo style in college, and the Sixers play that same style at the next level. He's also a terrific defensive player, which should help them tremendously.
18) Minnesota Timberwolves: Sam Young, SF, Pitt
- Young scores in bunches, and can do so from anywhere on the floor after starting his college career as more of an inside player and moving towards the wing. Chase Budinger fits as well, but Young's basketball IQ and aggressiveness win out.
19) Atlanta Hawks: Jeff Teague, PG/SG, Wake Forest
- He's not quite ready for prime-time yet, but Teague can play either guard position and has no problem creating his own shot. He'll have time to grow in Atlanta, which can only help him in the long run.
20) Utah Jazz: Tyler Hansbrough, SF, UNC
- A disciplined, hard-working player is available for a coach who loves them. Tough to imagine a better fit than this, despite Gonzaga's Austin Daye also being attractive at this spot.
21) New Orleans Hornets: James Johnson, SF/PF, Wake Forest
- Johnson is very much stuck in between positions. Fortunately, New Orleans could use frontcourt help most anywhere, so this is a decent fit for him.
22) Dallas Mavericks: Eric Maynor, PG, VCU
- Jason Kidd is far from a spring chicken these days, entering his 15th year in the league. Guys love playing with him, but it's time for Dallas to groom his successor. Maynor played at a small school, but his talent isn't a secret.
23) Sacramento Kings: Austin Daye, SF, Gonzaga
- I agree with fellow blogger Josh Canu; Sacramento should go for the best available player here. That's Daye, who some have in the lottery.
24) Portland Trail Blazers: Darren Collison, PG/SG, UCLA
- Portland's looking for a PG, and Collison is the best one left at this stage. They'll be thrilled if Teague or Maynor drop down.
25) Oklahoma City Thunder: Taj Gibson, PF, USC
- Just because they took Thabeet doesn't mean they'll stop drafting frontcourt players. They have a great nucleus to build around in the backcourt, and Gibson will see solid playing time in his rookie year given the shallow depth of the OKC frontcourt.
26) Chicago Bulls: Chase Budinger, SF, Arizona
- Budinger's drawn comparisons to Brent Barry for his shooting fundamentals, which are among the best in this year's draft crop. He could have gone eight picks sooner, and Chicago's happy to have him here.
27) Memphis Grizzlies: Wayne Ellington, SG, UNC
- This is a best-available approach. It wouldn't surprise me to see the Grizzlies trade up a little; they need frontcourt help badly and Taj Gibson could help. However, Ellington's a great shooter who can fill the role of the spot-up sixth man off the bench.
28) Minnesota Timberwolves: Danny Green, SG/SF, UNC
- Minnesota needs depth at the two-spot. His teammates got all the fanfare, but Green averaged 13 points per game last season and is an excellent defensive player as well.
29) LA Lakers: Patrick Mills, PG/SG, St. Mary's
- Mills is a low-risk, high-reward guy. Plus, LA's backcourt isn't getting younger (Fisher's entering his 14th year, and Kobe passed 1,000 career games played this season), and you have to think they don't have high expectations for Jordan Farmar.
30) Cleveland Cavaliers: DaJuan Summers, SF/PF, Georgetown
- Summers can play either the 3 or the 4, and he'll create mismatches in both spots. He's more suited for the latter, but with LeBron James's return in 2010 uncertain, it can't hurt to have a backup plan.
Monday, June 22, 2009
USGA: United Screwers of Golfing Aficionados
Clever title, huh?
So the US Open concluded today. Lucas Glover won by two shots, and the crowd was absolutely indifferent as the winning putt settled into the cup. This was indicative of a crowd that had grown weary of everything this year's Open had brought with it. I'm not just talking about the weather, either; the people running this tournament REALLY screwed up.
Going day-by-day, rain fell hard on Thursday. Obviously, the weather was inevitable, but the information being given by the USGA was flat-out wrong. According to them, their initial goal was to start golf by 1:30 PM that day, and right off the bat, TV personalities ripped into it, saying it was impossible. Indeed it was; 1:30 PM what, Tehran time? Everyone knew that no more golf would be played that day, but the USGA tried to make its tournament The Little Engine That Might for a few hours while most of the people watching might not know of the big, multi-colored blob on the radar heading straight for Farmingdale, New York.
This, of course, led to the Thursday ticket controversy. I'm with the public on this; ticketholders should have been given rain checks without hesitation. This, after all, was being marketed as The People's Open, Version 2. Instead, the throng of people interested in seeing first-round golf were getting a bunch of stuffed shirts who didn't care about them after they forked over money for tickets, souvenirs, and food on the grounds. It may as well have been held at some snooty private club with mandatory trust funds for all spectators...you know, just like every other golf tournament on the schedule.
So they reverse their decisions, getting some positive press. Friday and Saturday happen, and then a USGA head honcho shows up on the Golf Channel Saturday night. He not only says he will work through the night to ensure good course conditions for Sunday, but pretty much guarantees that the field will play 36 holes despite, by his own admission, rainfall of up to two inches overnight. What was the plan, build a dome over Long Island so nothing gets in or out? Actually, that's one hell of an idea, but I digress.
Of course, weather delays the Sunday action until noon, and no mention of the sound byte is mentioned by NBC. It was tough to contain my amusement when the first tee announcer, God bless him, had to say, "This is the 7:21 PM tee time," while maintaining a straight face and demeanor. Obviously, they didn't sign up for two hours of filler on NBC, but given the quasi-controversy over the two waves of players and any advantages that may have existed, I really think delaying the final round until 8 AM Monday and sending players off of both tees was the right move. You get everyone on their way by 10, everyone comes in at 3, and there's time for an 18-hole playoff if necessary. I can understand what everyone was thinking, but I do disagree with it.
Yet again, the USGA never put the tournament first this weekend. I commend the grounds crew, which is one of the best in the world. I commend NBC and ESPN for not sounding TOO repetitive over the five days. I commend the golfers for putting up with a TON of mental angst, even more so than at a standard major, and I commend Lucas Glover for four days of great golf. But the USGA really dropped the ball this weekend, and in doing so, they showed the true colors of a group that's more concerned about politicking and putting up facades than about telling the truth. It's unfortunate that that's what I'll always remember this tournament for, and I can only hope it results in some change in how the USGA does business.
So the US Open concluded today. Lucas Glover won by two shots, and the crowd was absolutely indifferent as the winning putt settled into the cup. This was indicative of a crowd that had grown weary of everything this year's Open had brought with it. I'm not just talking about the weather, either; the people running this tournament REALLY screwed up.
Going day-by-day, rain fell hard on Thursday. Obviously, the weather was inevitable, but the information being given by the USGA was flat-out wrong. According to them, their initial goal was to start golf by 1:30 PM that day, and right off the bat, TV personalities ripped into it, saying it was impossible. Indeed it was; 1:30 PM what, Tehran time? Everyone knew that no more golf would be played that day, but the USGA tried to make its tournament The Little Engine That Might for a few hours while most of the people watching might not know of the big, multi-colored blob on the radar heading straight for Farmingdale, New York.
This, of course, led to the Thursday ticket controversy. I'm with the public on this; ticketholders should have been given rain checks without hesitation. This, after all, was being marketed as The People's Open, Version 2. Instead, the throng of people interested in seeing first-round golf were getting a bunch of stuffed shirts who didn't care about them after they forked over money for tickets, souvenirs, and food on the grounds. It may as well have been held at some snooty private club with mandatory trust funds for all spectators...you know, just like every other golf tournament on the schedule.
So they reverse their decisions, getting some positive press. Friday and Saturday happen, and then a USGA head honcho shows up on the Golf Channel Saturday night. He not only says he will work through the night to ensure good course conditions for Sunday, but pretty much guarantees that the field will play 36 holes despite, by his own admission, rainfall of up to two inches overnight. What was the plan, build a dome over Long Island so nothing gets in or out? Actually, that's one hell of an idea, but I digress.
Of course, weather delays the Sunday action until noon, and no mention of the sound byte is mentioned by NBC. It was tough to contain my amusement when the first tee announcer, God bless him, had to say, "This is the 7:21 PM tee time," while maintaining a straight face and demeanor. Obviously, they didn't sign up for two hours of filler on NBC, but given the quasi-controversy over the two waves of players and any advantages that may have existed, I really think delaying the final round until 8 AM Monday and sending players off of both tees was the right move. You get everyone on their way by 10, everyone comes in at 3, and there's time for an 18-hole playoff if necessary. I can understand what everyone was thinking, but I do disagree with it.
Yet again, the USGA never put the tournament first this weekend. I commend the grounds crew, which is one of the best in the world. I commend NBC and ESPN for not sounding TOO repetitive over the five days. I commend the golfers for putting up with a TON of mental angst, even more so than at a standard major, and I commend Lucas Glover for four days of great golf. But the USGA really dropped the ball this weekend, and in doing so, they showed the true colors of a group that's more concerned about politicking and putting up facades than about telling the truth. It's unfortunate that that's what I'll always remember this tournament for, and I can only hope it results in some change in how the USGA does business.
Saturday, June 6, 2009
One great call leads to a win
This morning, while waiting for the wife to come back from her Saturday morning shift, I took part in a 45-player sit-n-go on PokerStars. I usually detest sit-n-gos, especially bigger ones, due to their usually-stringent payout structures. That said, I was bored and 45 players isn't too big for my tastes, so off I went. They paid the top 7, and we were down to the final 10 or 11 when the following hand came up.
Blinds were $100/$200, with a $25 ante. I had been treading water all tournament long to this point, and had just under $1,800 in chips. The button at the five-player table was on me when I looked down to Kh-Qh. Ruben165 raised to $600, and I just called as everyone else folded. KQ suited is a nice starting hand, but I wasn't about to go over the top, especially since a lot of SNG players like to play close to the vest and set traps with big hands.
The flop came out 10s-4h-2h. I thought, "Decent flop, but be careful chasing." Ruben165 immediately shoved all-in, and had me covered. I went into the tank here, knowing how the tournament stood. If I won, I probably cash, but was it worth calling in this spot with no pair and a mere flush draw? If I folded, I just wasted a third of my stack, and was probably going to be done soon anyway.
I thought about what kinds of hands he could represent in this spot. A10? Certainly not A4 or A2. Low pocket pairs would have been semi-feasible, but anything from 6-6 or 5-5 down wouldn't justify his substantial pre-flop raise (he'd been playing pretty tight, consistent poker). I then considered the chance he could be bluffing with ace-rag or king or queen-high. Nobody likes to make a mistake this close to the money, and he could be trying to buy the pot after missing completely. The more I thought, the more this made sense, and I put my remaining $1,200 into the pot.
We flipped the cards, and I was delighted to see he had Kc-Jc! He HAD missed, and was dead unless a jack hit the board. Fortunately, the turn brought another 2, and the river paired my queen to double me up. It propelled me to the final table, and I managed to take down a few more big pots, culminating when my pocket 9's held against J10 suited to win the tournament. I'm usually a conservative player, but if I don't make that call with Kh-Qh, I probably don't cash, let alone win the big prize. It just goes to show you have to be willing to consider the chances of people blowing smoke, even THAT close to the money.
Blinds were $100/$200, with a $25 ante. I had been treading water all tournament long to this point, and had just under $1,800 in chips. The button at the five-player table was on me when I looked down to Kh-Qh. Ruben165 raised to $600, and I just called as everyone else folded. KQ suited is a nice starting hand, but I wasn't about to go over the top, especially since a lot of SNG players like to play close to the vest and set traps with big hands.
The flop came out 10s-4h-2h. I thought, "Decent flop, but be careful chasing." Ruben165 immediately shoved all-in, and had me covered. I went into the tank here, knowing how the tournament stood. If I won, I probably cash, but was it worth calling in this spot with no pair and a mere flush draw? If I folded, I just wasted a third of my stack, and was probably going to be done soon anyway.
I thought about what kinds of hands he could represent in this spot. A10? Certainly not A4 or A2. Low pocket pairs would have been semi-feasible, but anything from 6-6 or 5-5 down wouldn't justify his substantial pre-flop raise (he'd been playing pretty tight, consistent poker). I then considered the chance he could be bluffing with ace-rag or king or queen-high. Nobody likes to make a mistake this close to the money, and he could be trying to buy the pot after missing completely. The more I thought, the more this made sense, and I put my remaining $1,200 into the pot.
We flipped the cards, and I was delighted to see he had Kc-Jc! He HAD missed, and was dead unless a jack hit the board. Fortunately, the turn brought another 2, and the river paired my queen to double me up. It propelled me to the final table, and I managed to take down a few more big pots, culminating when my pocket 9's held against J10 suited to win the tournament. I'm usually a conservative player, but if I don't make that call with Kh-Qh, I probably don't cash, let alone win the big prize. It just goes to show you have to be willing to consider the chances of people blowing smoke, even THAT close to the money.
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Bluffing on PokerStars
So I decided to play a $2.75 buy-in tournament today. It had a guaranteed prize pool of $10,000, and I'd been running pretty well lately. I didn't cash (I finished about 1,200th of 5,000), but I did make one of the best plays of my poker career just a few hands before busting out.
We were at $150/$300 blinds, with $25 antes. I had just under $8,900 in chips, about average at that point. In late position, I look down to 6-6. One person, tam2664, had limped in behind me, with five others folding. I made it $1,000 to go with my pocket pair from the button, and A.Do.1981, sitting two seats to my left in the big blind, called, as did tam2664.
We went to the flop, which came up 8h-9s-3h. Not a great flop for a pair of sixes, for sure. A.Do.1981 led out by limping again. tam2664 called, and after some thinking, I just called as well. This wasn't a good spot to raise in, as both players would have overvalued flush or straight draws and folded hands I could beat in the long run (like A-3, which I figured one of these players had).
The turn was the Jd, for a 8h-9s-3h-Jd board that looked FAR from appealing. I was checked to, and thought about what I'd been representing so far. I thought the best hand I could possibly give off was Ah-10h, which was semi-reasonable with my betting pattern. Therefore, I made a $1,500 stab at the pot hoping to scare off anyone that may have had A-3 or A-8. A.Do.1981 called, however, and while tam2664 folded, I was kicking myself for wasting $1,500 on the hand when I could have seen a free card.
However, the river was a beautiful 10c, for a 8h-9s-3h-Jd-10c board. Any flush draw was dead, and I figured another overcard wouldn't be pleasant to my fellow player, who now had several more hands to worry about being second-best to. He checked, and I decided to shove my remaining $6,000 in. My reasoning was that he had to have a made hand of SOME sort on the turn, and the odds of one of the cards being a 7 or a queen were pretty low. I had him covered by a little under $2,000, so it in turn put him all-in. He went into the tank for about twenty seconds, and ultimately laid his hand down in defeat.
Happily, I scooped up the pot, and while I'm usually not much for showing cards, I showed the 6-6 and typed, "THAT, ladies and gents, is a bluff!" I was really pleased with how I played the hand, and how I was able to take down a very nice pot on a stone bluff on the end. Unfortunately, all did not end well for me. Five hands later, my Q-10 was toast when I went all-in after a Q-10-X flop and saw my opponent had 10-10. There was no way out of it, and it prevented me from cashing following one of the better hands I've ever played. Still, it's a nice story to tell.
We were at $150/$300 blinds, with $25 antes. I had just under $8,900 in chips, about average at that point. In late position, I look down to 6-6. One person, tam2664, had limped in behind me, with five others folding. I made it $1,000 to go with my pocket pair from the button, and A.Do.1981, sitting two seats to my left in the big blind, called, as did tam2664.
We went to the flop, which came up 8h-9s-3h. Not a great flop for a pair of sixes, for sure. A.Do.1981 led out by limping again. tam2664 called, and after some thinking, I just called as well. This wasn't a good spot to raise in, as both players would have overvalued flush or straight draws and folded hands I could beat in the long run (like A-3, which I figured one of these players had).
The turn was the Jd, for a 8h-9s-3h-Jd board that looked FAR from appealing. I was checked to, and thought about what I'd been representing so far. I thought the best hand I could possibly give off was Ah-10h, which was semi-reasonable with my betting pattern. Therefore, I made a $1,500 stab at the pot hoping to scare off anyone that may have had A-3 or A-8. A.Do.1981 called, however, and while tam2664 folded, I was kicking myself for wasting $1,500 on the hand when I could have seen a free card.
However, the river was a beautiful 10c, for a 8h-9s-3h-Jd-10c board. Any flush draw was dead, and I figured another overcard wouldn't be pleasant to my fellow player, who now had several more hands to worry about being second-best to. He checked, and I decided to shove my remaining $6,000 in. My reasoning was that he had to have a made hand of SOME sort on the turn, and the odds of one of the cards being a 7 or a queen were pretty low. I had him covered by a little under $2,000, so it in turn put him all-in. He went into the tank for about twenty seconds, and ultimately laid his hand down in defeat.
Happily, I scooped up the pot, and while I'm usually not much for showing cards, I showed the 6-6 and typed, "THAT, ladies and gents, is a bluff!" I was really pleased with how I played the hand, and how I was able to take down a very nice pot on a stone bluff on the end. Unfortunately, all did not end well for me. Five hands later, my Q-10 was toast when I went all-in after a Q-10-X flop and saw my opponent had 10-10. There was no way out of it, and it prevented me from cashing following one of the better hands I've ever played. Still, it's a nice story to tell.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Three Quick NutSAK Movie Reviews
After a hiatus to finish schoolwork, start an internship, get laid off from an internship, and get settled in back home, I'm back on the blog, and will reassume my presence with three reviews of movies I've just recently seen.
STAR TREK: I'm not a Trekkie, but the movie looked cool and my dad offered to take me for free, so what the heck, right? The movie itself was fabulous. Chris Pine is a great Kirk, and everyone else fits their role very well (including Simon Pegg, who steals every scene he's in as Montgomery Scott, the Enterprise's eccentric engineer). The one negative aspect is the lame love triangle story line between Uhura, Spock, and Kirk, which added an "oh brother" aspect to the rare sci-fi film that didn't have it otherwise. I really liked this movie, and while the love triangle brings it down a few notches, it's still a must-see if you have any interest in the genre. RATING: ****1/4
GET SMART: This is a few years old, but I just got the DVD and finally watched it. While it isn't a masterpiece of cinema (what comedy really is?), what you see is what you get, and in this case, that's a very good thing. Steve Carell is Steve Carell here, and while some of his stuff is over the top, he gets to a point where everything that comes out of his mouth is gold. Anne Hathaway is a very capable sidekick, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson fits his role perfectly as well, and Alan Arkin does a great Chief, including a few side-splitting lines in the last half-hour of the film. There are some shortcomings, namely how one of the good guys transforms into the bad guy without much explanation, but everything is generally well-done, and the movie comes highly recommended. RATING: ***3/4
UP: The wife and I saw this yesterday when there was nothing else we could compromise on seeing. I figured, hey, Ed Asner's in the movie, and when does Disney lay an egg with cartoon movies anyway, right? Well, if you're expecting the typical Disney formula of "hijinks for a little while, conflict, overcoming conflict, happy ending," you're going to be horrified at how this one starts, especially if you bring your kids to see it. Props to Disney and Pixar for throwing a curveball in the formula, but what it led to was very few laughs for the first half-hour or so. The final hour is OK, but not nearly as great as critics have been saying, and while you ultimately get the happy ending, I just felt the build-up to it was sort of weak. Not a horrible movie, but certainly a letdown. RATING: **3/4
STAR TREK: I'm not a Trekkie, but the movie looked cool and my dad offered to take me for free, so what the heck, right? The movie itself was fabulous. Chris Pine is a great Kirk, and everyone else fits their role very well (including Simon Pegg, who steals every scene he's in as Montgomery Scott, the Enterprise's eccentric engineer). The one negative aspect is the lame love triangle story line between Uhura, Spock, and Kirk, which added an "oh brother" aspect to the rare sci-fi film that didn't have it otherwise. I really liked this movie, and while the love triangle brings it down a few notches, it's still a must-see if you have any interest in the genre. RATING: ****1/4
GET SMART: This is a few years old, but I just got the DVD and finally watched it. While it isn't a masterpiece of cinema (what comedy really is?), what you see is what you get, and in this case, that's a very good thing. Steve Carell is Steve Carell here, and while some of his stuff is over the top, he gets to a point where everything that comes out of his mouth is gold. Anne Hathaway is a very capable sidekick, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson fits his role perfectly as well, and Alan Arkin does a great Chief, including a few side-splitting lines in the last half-hour of the film. There are some shortcomings, namely how one of the good guys transforms into the bad guy without much explanation, but everything is generally well-done, and the movie comes highly recommended. RATING: ***3/4
UP: The wife and I saw this yesterday when there was nothing else we could compromise on seeing. I figured, hey, Ed Asner's in the movie, and when does Disney lay an egg with cartoon movies anyway, right? Well, if you're expecting the typical Disney formula of "hijinks for a little while, conflict, overcoming conflict, happy ending," you're going to be horrified at how this one starts, especially if you bring your kids to see it. Props to Disney and Pixar for throwing a curveball in the formula, but what it led to was very few laughs for the first half-hour or so. The final hour is OK, but not nearly as great as critics have been saying, and while you ultimately get the happy ending, I just felt the build-up to it was sort of weak. Not a horrible movie, but certainly a letdown. RATING: **3/4
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