The NBA held it’s draft lottery before the Lakers-Nuggets game and as with any lottery anything can happen, anyone can win. Just ask the good people at Proline (which is actually barely factual if any are familiar with my history playing Proline and my 1 victory). It was not much of a spectacle as one may have hoped. The Deputy Commissioner has all the razzle dazzle of an accountant so that didn’t help the pageantry at all.
Here is a list of the possibility of the teams in the running to get the number 1 pick and where they will actually pick:
Movement
+2 Los Angeles Clippers 17.7% (1)
+4 Memphis Grizzlies 7.5% (2)
+1 Oklahoma City Thunder 11.9% (3)
-3 Sacramento Kings 25% (4)
-3 Washington Wizards 17.8% (5)
-1 Minnesota Timberwolves 7.6% (6)
0 Golden State Warriors 4.3% (7)
0 New York Knicks 2.8% (8)
0 Toronto Raptors 1.7% (9)
There was little movement at the back but there was a little shuffling at the top.
3 teams moved up 3 moved down. The largest gainer was the Memphis Grizzlies (+4) and the Clippers who took over the #1 slot, it is just too bad that there is no clear cut Lebron James caliber player in this draft. This is not good for a clippers team that has such a rep for being a basketball talent wasteland. Last time they had the number 1 pick they took Michael Olowokandi and that worked out real nice.
The Raptors go 9th and hopefully can get a player that can help them soon and not have to get a player to replace a Chris Bosh, should he be on the move a year from now as a free agent.
Showing posts with label 2008 Entry Draft. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2008 Entry Draft. Show all posts
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Sunday, March 01, 2009
NHL Trade Deadline 09
It is getting close to that time of the year when the NHL becomes a game of high stakes poker. With the trade deadline only a few days away GM’s are already looking at their team and where they are at and other teams on what they can get. The buzz words are all there ”buyer, seller, secondary scoring, puck-moving-defenceman, UFA (unrestricted free agent) and draft picks”.
TSN (TradeCenter 09) and Sportsnet (HockeyCentral Deadline 09) are all ready for a day of covering the happenings of the day, both going on the air at 8am until the 3pm deadline in hopes that there are an abundance of deals that take place to fill the time.If they take an hour to break down a 4th line player for a 5th round pick you’ll know it is a slow day.
Usually the Ottawa Senators are buyers at this time of year, but not this year they look to rid some money and some players and grab some youth and draft picks. Since they are not in the running to make a “right now move” the interest is in what they do with the players they have, who they get rid of and what they get in return. This is the angle that I am looking forward to, I am almost more interested in what draft picks get moved rather then some of the “big” names do. With the Word Juniors that was held in Ottawa and last years draft in Ottawa I have taken a shine to the young players and where they will end up.
With the inconsistent play this year the Sens have positioned themselves into probably a top 10 pick this year and it could be interesting to see what else they can get in the coffers.I am sure there will be plenty to have to say as Wednesday 3pm draws closer so stay tuned!
There is also another reason why I am interested in the developments not only going into the trade deadline but to see how the rest of the season plays out. Since the Senators are having an off year I have had the chance to look at some other teams and have come to the conclusion that I am in need of another team to cheer for. NO, I am not changing my allegiances from Sens Army, I will continue to Be Red, and plan to stay on the wagon. Teams can’t always be good (case in point my Atlanta Braves, 14 consecutive Division Champions, then a few years of sub .500 seasons). What I am looking for is more specific and perhaps a little more scientific.
Here is the criteria I am looking at, I don’t want it to be a front runner right now so it doesn’t look like I am jumping on a bandwagon, so teams like San Jose and Detroit are out. I have whittled the list down to probably 4 potential teams... in no particular order; Pheonix, St. Louis, Chicago, and L.A..
Over the next little bit I plan on posting Pros and Cons for each team before making a final decision. It would be helpful if you the reader would make a vote on the comments page as to what direction you think I should go and perhaps why. If there is another team in the West that you think deserves some interest by all means make a case for it. I will take it all into consideration when making a decision. Give me some feedback and if after the Pros/Cons changes your mind just leave a comment on those as well.
TSN (TradeCenter 09) and Sportsnet (HockeyCentral Deadline 09) are all ready for a day of covering the happenings of the day, both going on the air at 8am until the 3pm deadline in hopes that there are an abundance of deals that take place to fill the time.If they take an hour to break down a 4th line player for a 5th round pick you’ll know it is a slow day.
Usually the Ottawa Senators are buyers at this time of year, but not this year they look to rid some money and some players and grab some youth and draft picks. Since they are not in the running to make a “right now move” the interest is in what they do with the players they have, who they get rid of and what they get in return. This is the angle that I am looking forward to, I am almost more interested in what draft picks get moved rather then some of the “big” names do. With the Word Juniors that was held in Ottawa and last years draft in Ottawa I have taken a shine to the young players and where they will end up.
With the inconsistent play this year the Sens have positioned themselves into probably a top 10 pick this year and it could be interesting to see what else they can get in the coffers.I am sure there will be plenty to have to say as Wednesday 3pm draws closer so stay tuned!
There is also another reason why I am interested in the developments not only going into the trade deadline but to see how the rest of the season plays out. Since the Senators are having an off year I have had the chance to look at some other teams and have come to the conclusion that I am in need of another team to cheer for. NO, I am not changing my allegiances from Sens Army, I will continue to Be Red, and plan to stay on the wagon. Teams can’t always be good (case in point my Atlanta Braves, 14 consecutive Division Champions, then a few years of sub .500 seasons). What I am looking for is more specific and perhaps a little more scientific.
Here is the criteria I am looking at, I don’t want it to be a front runner right now so it doesn’t look like I am jumping on a bandwagon, so teams like San Jose and Detroit are out. I have whittled the list down to probably 4 potential teams... in no particular order; Pheonix, St. Louis, Chicago, and L.A..
Over the next little bit I plan on posting Pros and Cons for each team before making a final decision. It would be helpful if you the reader would make a vote on the comments page as to what direction you think I should go and perhaps why. If there is another team in the West that you think deserves some interest by all means make a case for it. I will take it all into consideration when making a decision. Give me some feedback and if after the Pros/Cons changes your mind just leave a comment on those as well.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Draft Day Vol. 2
5:10 rolls around and it is time to head out back to Scotiabank Place to get in line for the autograph signing. When we arrive there is a decent line, not huge but still a little imposing. We go to the back and begin the waiting game, and wait we did as the top prospects that were to be part of the session were caught in traffic. Since they were only to be there between 5 and 6 and then they would have to be shuffled inside to change for their big day time was a factor and the clock began to work agents us. Mummers from Sens staff went from guarantee autograph to if there is time, we are behind because of the traffic, we may not be able to guarantee
. It was at this point that i began to feel that everything was a little too easy at this point and we were due for disappointment. Maybe no autographs and were we somehow going to be denied access due to some kind of oversell. Not too long after that the boys showed up and finally the line began to move and we began to make good progress! we managed to get to the table in near record time and had I not been an idiot and forgot my camera i could have got some good shots. I was forced to settle for my call phone camera to take some quick shots (that actually turned out better then i thought). Great success as we managed to get Doughty, Schenn & Bogosian. Draft Day is underway and things are looking up!
. It was at this point that i began to feel that everything was a little too easy at this point and we were due for disappointment. Maybe no autographs and were we somehow going to be denied access due to some kind of oversell. Not too long after that the boys showed up and finally the line began to move and we began to make good progress! we managed to get to the table in near record time and had I not been an idiot and forgot my camera i could have got some good shots. I was forced to settle for my call phone camera to take some quick shots (that actually turned out better then i thought). Great success as we managed to get Doughty, Schenn & Bogosian. Draft Day is underway and things are looking up!Next up was to get in the building and into a seat, this was my other concern as priority went to season ticket holders. We got through the first line of defence on the stairs as they scanned us in...phase 1 complete. We grabbed out free pom-pom and draft flyer, checked the Upper Deck Vendors setup, grabbed a pint and headed toward the stairs in hopes of a good seat, or at least a seat. 6:30 came and in went the season ticket people, so we worked our way around until we saw a line that was moving right in so we followed the herd and in we went... Phase 2 complete! We managed to get some pretty decent seats in the 300 level with a good angle to the stage. We had a good view of the NHL officials table which allowed us to see any movement from the teams. When there was a group of people at that table you knew that a trade was imminent. Despite the length of the first round it was still a great experience. We got to see Stamkos drafted #1 and got to know 40 of his closest friends as he hugged every one of them, What felt like forever he worked his way through every aunt and 3rd cousin. Sure it was his day but it was a little drawn out.After that it was pretty much a hurry up and wait. Hear a name clap and wait for the next one. Sure there was the series of boo’s every time the screen showed Cliff Fletcher to break things up and unluckily Luke Schenn being boo’d like any Leaf should be.
Despite the record number of trades and the excitement of the draft experience it was testing for any fan. Without the tv coverage and their video and breakdowns it made for a lo
t of downtime between picks.All in all it was a great experience, it is something that i always wanted to do and with it being so close i figured that it needed to be done. Sure it didn’t have the flair of a live high paced event but it was compelling for other reasons and it was fun to see...even if it did take 4 hours for the round plus the time we put in before it officially began.I may not rush out next year to Montreal to see it, it may have been a 1 time thing but after the beginning bumps and some unnecessary anxiety it turned into a great time.This concludes my draft day experience!
t of downtime between picks.All in all it was a great experience, it is something that i always wanted to do and with it being so close i figured that it needed to be done. Sure it didn’t have the flair of a live high paced event but it was compelling for other reasons and it was fun to see...even if it did take 4 hours for the round plus the time we put in before it officially began.I may not rush out next year to Montreal to see it, it may have been a 1 time thing but after the beginning bumps and some unnecessary anxiety it turned into a great time.This concludes my draft day experience! July 1 is closing in and it will soon be Free Agent time!
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