Ramblin’ Thoughts

• Why on earth does it feel like there is just nothing going on in the world of basketball right now? Oh right because there is nothing going on. I mean honestly, the NBA has been deader than the careers of anyone who appears on a VH1 reality show. The news? LeBron not shaking anyone’s hand. Ummmm, ok. It’s gotten so bad that today I actually missed the College World Series of Softball. And I’m not even kidding. This is a blogger’s nightmare. And that’s when you end up with random thoughts like this.
• Where are all the crazy rumors this year? Every off-season people just make up rumors and run with them for like 5 hours before they die. None of these have happened so far and it makes me sad. And I don’t count the Ray Allen and Rondo to Phoenix for Barbosa and Amare and someone else because that’s just completely stupid. Where is Peter Vescey?
• The Draft is just under-whelming in every single way. This goes in with this point…but geeze. It feels like nearly every team would just skip their pick if they could. Obviously they wouldn’t but that’s the vibe I’m getting. Maybe this will make GM’s make smarter picks who knows. Now, time to say something crazy. From top to bottom I think this draft class is underrated. Notice I said from top to bottom before you skewer me. A lot of guys in this draft that could contribute as role players. Now, ss far as the Lottery is concerned this should be one of the poorer drafts in recent history. Not because of a lack of talent, as I said tons of guys who can contribute…just not franchise changers by any stretch of the imagination. Take away Griffin, Harden, Rubio, Jordan Hill and Thabeet and it’s role player galore. And even a few of the five I named are a reach. I mean Gerald Henderson is a Lottery pick? Really? No thank you.
• Speaking of the Draft, I’m confused on what Portland is going to do. This whole experience is different. After years of needing to hit home runs in drafts, its just kind of odd knowing that Portland could go literally any direction and it would be ok. Not that this draft isn’t important, but what’s a wrong move? Trade the pick for money? Ok. Draft a young player who can help the team? Ok. Draft a Euro and stash him overseas? Fine. I just feel weird about it. My personal opinio, I really hope they don’t just sell a pick, you don’t want to give away a chance at developing young talent. Ask the Suns how that works out. Then there is staying at #24 and hoping the right guy falls to us (think big big eyes). I’m not entirely sold on that plan either, because I feel like we’re either going to take a Euro or a PG, two things I’m iffy on wanting to see. I’m also hearing whispers of trading up. People I would trade up for: Blake Griffin (not happening), Jordan Hill (if the price was right) and Stephen Curry. I’d think about Harden if we didn’t have so….many…..wing….players. And I don’t want Sergio Rodriguez Jr. Back to Curry….absolute pipe dream for Portland to get him. But goodness gracious if you let your mind wander you have to think this guy could fit right along side Brandon Roy. Does he fit better than Bayless is the question and I hesitate to answer that.
• Am I the only one who thinks Steve Blake found a way to do minor damage to his shoulder that would require surgery but didn’t hurt that bad as a way to hinder his trade value for a while? I can’t be the only one.
• I guess I should be talking about the Finals….but oh boy. If the Finals were a girl I’d have to tell her I’m just not that into her right now. That of course could change tomorrow, but still. I refuse to cheer for LA but it’s not like Orlando is overly likeable either. I’ll see how I feel after Game 1. This year’s build-up has been kind of stinky. Here are the storylines: Kobe searches for his own ring with Shaq cheering him on. Meh. Even with Shaq twitter-ing his support, it feels like a re-run. And also it’s not like Kobe is likeable or like I will ever cheer for the Lakers to win. Ever. You wanted to see Ray Allen and KG and Paul Pierce win their rings last year. I don’t have that same feeling. Will Jameer Nelson play? Meh. I don’t see why they are even trying this. Yes, I know Jameer Nelson was a big reason why the Magic swept the Lakers during the regular season. But last time I checked, you usually don’t tinker with your roster when you make it to the Finals. You might alter the rotation, but sticking someone in who hasn’t played in forever in a year during the championship is head scratching to me. If this was the first or second round, I understand. But switching things up in the Finals just smells weird. Lastly, look at who the Finals are depending on. LA needs big performances from Lamar Odom and Trevor Ariza. Orlando needs big performances from Rashard Lewis, Hedo Turkoglu and Rafer Alson. These five guys are about to decide the NBA Championship…and I’m supposed to be uber-excited?
• I love how the Kobe v LeBron debate still continues. I’m staying out of it. It’s just bad news to enter that realm. You will get called a hater at some point.
• TweetDeck has made me heart Twitter like never before. I love it. We’re some Twitter-maniacs now.  
• Like Blazers Edge twitter just told me about how a Celtic fan wants to see Rondo and Tony Allen get traded here for Rudy and Batum or Bayless. I’ve thought about it and thank you, but no thank you.
• Is it bad that when the Phoenix Mercury decided to sell the front of their jerseys to LifeLock the first thing I thought was “WTF is LifeLock?”. Also, you all better hope this off-season picks up or I will have to turn to the WNBA for content. I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again.

And I’m spent.