Well, I just finished chatting with Chad Ford, NBA draft specialist...okay, me and everyone else on ESPN's web page finished chatting with him. But at least he answered one of my questions. That's exciting right? I didn't ask him anything about the Jazz because frankly, that's sort of a mess. They're picking 20th in a really bad draft class. Plus, Sloan refuses to play rookies and half the roster may be gone next season. So trying to figure out what they're doing in the draft would be pointless given how different this team will be once free agency starts. So instead I asked Chad about the Phoenix Suns. I might as well start following them since Kaiti and I will soon be living there.
Rich (SLC, UT) : Is Flynn around for the Suns when they (most likely) pick?
Chad Ford: (4:51 PM ET ) He's a possibility. I think Earl Clark and Austin Daye would be too. And I hear Steve Kerr likes Blair .. a lot.
What? Blair? Do the Suns really need an undersized power forward? Unless (que dramatic music) they play on getting rid of either Shaq or Amare...
There are a lot of rumors out there saying that both of these guys are being shopped around. Even Steve Nash might be on his way out. Personally, I think this would be a huge mistake. Getting rid of any of these guys would be a disaster. Shaq has played well and his expiring contract is worth a lot. If they want to trade him wait until the deadline, you're likely to get more for him from a team looking to cut money. Amare is the best player on the Suns, period. He has been a little disgruntled, but it'd have to be a damn good trade to get rid of a guy with his talent. Maybe he'd be more likely to stay happy if the ownership and GM stopped making stupid mistakes and trading away draft picks and all-stars (Joe Johnson anyone?). Nash is past his prime, but he's the face of the franchise and there aren't a lot of point guards out there better than him even at this stage of his career. The bigger reason not to get rid of any of these players is the 2010 draft. The Suns don't have a pick in it. If any of the above mentioned players is traded, the Suns forfeit their lottery pick. They'd tank a season and wouldn't even have a chance at improving in the draft. Not a smart move.
If they keep all those guys why draft Blair? He wouldn't see much playing time behind Amare and doesn't really help in any real way. The guy would fit better in a slow offense, not with the run and gun suns. Johnny Flynn is a much better option. He's a smart point guard and could take the much needed back-up point guard role while Nash groomed him to be the future of the franchise.
Steve Kerr has really made a mess of the Suns. Before he showed up the Suns were the most exciting team to watch. They were one of the top teams in the west and had a great coach. What did he do? He got rid of the coach, changed the philosophy of the team and took the fun out of the game for the remaining players (goodbye Raja Bell and Boris Diaw). He needs to go before he makes another mistake by taking Blair in the draft.
Or maybe Chad Ford is wrong. After all, the last time he answered my question he didn't hesitate to say that the Jazz would win the Northwest division in a landslide against the Nuggets. How did that one turn out again Chad?
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Thursday, May 14, 2009
The Drake Equation
Well, that does it. I might as well come right out and say it. I'm a nerd, a huge nerd really. It's probably not a surprise to anyone, but the reasoning behind my declaration may surprise some of you. Yes, it's well documented that I'm a video game nerd, a history nerd, a comic book nerd, and a movie nerd. But, I've joined into the strongest bastion of nerdom, the space nerds.
For the last 6 months I've been following a space blog called "Universe Today" It's full of fascinating information on anything from the latest design for the moon rover to cosmic rays and asteroids.
I used to be very interested in space and space exploration. When I was younger my dad and I spent hours building an Apollo rocket model and launching other rockets out of a local high school football field. Then I discovered that math was essential to perusing this interest. I've never been much of a math guy. So it became more of a hobby. Now I want to share that hobby because I am finding out all kinds of interesting things that I'd love to talk about with people.
Today I learned about the Drake Equation. To put it as easily as I can it is an equation that tries to assign numerical values to relevant terms to determine the amount of intelligent life in our galaxy. Sounds neat right? It is, in fact, why you don’t check out the actual equation here.
The Universe Today discussed it in relation to a "new drake equation", one that ultimately leaves us with the probability that there may be only one intelligent civilization capable of communication in the entire Milky Way, if that. That doesn't mean there isn't a lot more life out there on planets, but probably not comparable life.
This raises all kinds of interesting questions. is the equation flawed since it's based solely on earth experiences? Can we really set values for unknowns like the average lifetime of a communicating civilization? Are we looking for life the wrong way? Could humans actually be the oldest and most technologically advanced life forms in the universe? Will contact with other life ever be made? Given how small a percentage there is of another communicating civilization existing will we ever coexist at the same time with one? I literally have thousands of questions and it is tremendous fun to just sit and ponder some of these things. So, I guess I'm suggesting you too become a nerd. Check out the article I am talking about and then the rest of the blog. They update it everyday, sometimes several times a day, so you'll always have something interesting to read. Join the nerds.
For the last 6 months I've been following a space blog called "Universe Today" It's full of fascinating information on anything from the latest design for the moon rover to cosmic rays and asteroids.
I used to be very interested in space and space exploration. When I was younger my dad and I spent hours building an Apollo rocket model and launching other rockets out of a local high school football field. Then I discovered that math was essential to perusing this interest. I've never been much of a math guy. So it became more of a hobby. Now I want to share that hobby because I am finding out all kinds of interesting things that I'd love to talk about with people.
Today I learned about the Drake Equation. To put it as easily as I can it is an equation that tries to assign numerical values to relevant terms to determine the amount of intelligent life in our galaxy. Sounds neat right? It is, in fact, why you don’t check out the actual equation here.
The Universe Today discussed it in relation to a "new drake equation", one that ultimately leaves us with the probability that there may be only one intelligent civilization capable of communication in the entire Milky Way, if that. That doesn't mean there isn't a lot more life out there on planets, but probably not comparable life.
This raises all kinds of interesting questions. is the equation flawed since it's based solely on earth experiences? Can we really set values for unknowns like the average lifetime of a communicating civilization? Are we looking for life the wrong way? Could humans actually be the oldest and most technologically advanced life forms in the universe? Will contact with other life ever be made? Given how small a percentage there is of another communicating civilization existing will we ever coexist at the same time with one? I literally have thousands of questions and it is tremendous fun to just sit and ponder some of these things. So, I guess I'm suggesting you too become a nerd. Check out the article I am talking about and then the rest of the blog. They update it everyday, sometimes several times a day, so you'll always have something interesting to read. Join the nerds.
Monday, May 4, 2009
NBA Playoff Predictions: How I'm doing? 2nd Round
Alright, the first round is over and second round has already begun. First, let's see how I did predicting round one.
Cleveland swept Detroit, as predicted.
The Celtics and Bulls series was tough and long, just like I said it would be. I predicted 6 games and if the Celts had managed to get the ball to Ray Allen at the end of the third overtime I just may have been right, instead it went 7 games. I was close, but at least I had the right team.
I picked Orlando in 6 and Orlando won in 6. Not a big surprise. However the fact that they won without Howard and Courtney Lee was a bit surprising.
Miami and Atlanta, my first mistake. I thought Wade could win the series for the Heat, and if he had just a little help from his team he probably could have carried them over the hump. The problem? His team practically played for the Hawks. Oh well, you can't get them all right.
The Jazz and Lakers series went exactly how I thought. Utah was able to get by the Lakers in one game at home, but were clearly outmatched and outplayed the entire series.
I though the Hornets would at least put up a fight against the Nuggets, but it turned out that they were worse than I originally thought (i.e. losing by 58 points at home). The Hornets lost it in 5 and this series was never really in question.
Again, I thought San Antonio had a bit more fight in them. I thought it would be a competitive series. But Dallas more or less mauled the Spurs. They just aren't the same team without Ginobli. But, I still picked the winner, it just didn't go 7 games.
Portland got off to a rough start and although they played well, they were just too young to win this series. I should have known better than pick them. The Rockets played very well and despite Roy's superstar performances the Blazers were out in six.
So, I picked 6 of the 8 series correctly. Not bad. So who do I have in the second round?
Eastern Conference:
Atlanta (4) vs. Cleveland (1)
Atlanta had to play 7 games against the Dwayne Wade's, since the rest of the Heat didn't really play most of the games. So how could they go and beat the best team in the NBA which also happens to have the official MVP? There is no way. Cavs in 5 or 6. Atlanta is tough at home, so they might win a couple there.
Orlando (3) vs. Boston (2)
Boston had a tough time with the Bulls and I think they're pretty tired. With all the overtimes they played they essentially played an 8 game series. Orlando also has Dwight Howard, who Boston will have a tough time matching up against with KG still out. The onyl problem for Orlando is the health of Courtney Lee, who may miss some time with his own injury. They aslo don't have the homecourt advantage. Still, I just don't see Boston being able to handle the Magic after such a tough first round. I'm taking the Magic in 7.
Western Conference:
Houston (5) vs. LA Lakers (1)
The Rockets beat an inexperienced team. That's the exact opposite of the Lakers. They know playoff basketball and have a deeper, longer bench. Yao may get the best of Bynum and Kobe may have some trouble against the defense of Artest and Battier. But who's going to stop Gasol and Odom? It should be a decent series, but I still think the Lakers win in 6.
Dallas (6) vs. Denver (2)
Okay, okay, the series already started. I know. But come on, the last game of the first round was on Sunday morning followed by this series beginning. I had no time to write predictions in between round one and two. Thanks NBA. Still, I would have picked Denver regardless. Dallas ran into a broken San Antonio team and even though they are playing good basketball, the Nuggets are playing great. They have home court advantage and a deeper more energized bench. I've said it time and again, but this Dallas team just doesn't feel or look right. I think Denver wins in 5 or 6.
So, check back and see how I do on these predictions. Maybe some teams will surprise me.
Cleveland swept Detroit, as predicted.
The Celtics and Bulls series was tough and long, just like I said it would be. I predicted 6 games and if the Celts had managed to get the ball to Ray Allen at the end of the third overtime I just may have been right, instead it went 7 games. I was close, but at least I had the right team.
I picked Orlando in 6 and Orlando won in 6. Not a big surprise. However the fact that they won without Howard and Courtney Lee was a bit surprising.
Miami and Atlanta, my first mistake. I thought Wade could win the series for the Heat, and if he had just a little help from his team he probably could have carried them over the hump. The problem? His team practically played for the Hawks. Oh well, you can't get them all right.
The Jazz and Lakers series went exactly how I thought. Utah was able to get by the Lakers in one game at home, but were clearly outmatched and outplayed the entire series.
I though the Hornets would at least put up a fight against the Nuggets, but it turned out that they were worse than I originally thought (i.e. losing by 58 points at home). The Hornets lost it in 5 and this series was never really in question.
Again, I thought San Antonio had a bit more fight in them. I thought it would be a competitive series. But Dallas more or less mauled the Spurs. They just aren't the same team without Ginobli. But, I still picked the winner, it just didn't go 7 games.
Portland got off to a rough start and although they played well, they were just too young to win this series. I should have known better than pick them. The Rockets played very well and despite Roy's superstar performances the Blazers were out in six.
So, I picked 6 of the 8 series correctly. Not bad. So who do I have in the second round?
Eastern Conference:
Atlanta (4) vs. Cleveland (1)
Atlanta had to play 7 games against the Dwayne Wade's, since the rest of the Heat didn't really play most of the games. So how could they go and beat the best team in the NBA which also happens to have the official MVP? There is no way. Cavs in 5 or 6. Atlanta is tough at home, so they might win a couple there.
Orlando (3) vs. Boston (2)
Boston had a tough time with the Bulls and I think they're pretty tired. With all the overtimes they played they essentially played an 8 game series. Orlando also has Dwight Howard, who Boston will have a tough time matching up against with KG still out. The onyl problem for Orlando is the health of Courtney Lee, who may miss some time with his own injury. They aslo don't have the homecourt advantage. Still, I just don't see Boston being able to handle the Magic after such a tough first round. I'm taking the Magic in 7.
Western Conference:
Houston (5) vs. LA Lakers (1)
The Rockets beat an inexperienced team. That's the exact opposite of the Lakers. They know playoff basketball and have a deeper, longer bench. Yao may get the best of Bynum and Kobe may have some trouble against the defense of Artest and Battier. But who's going to stop Gasol and Odom? It should be a decent series, but I still think the Lakers win in 6.
Dallas (6) vs. Denver (2)
Okay, okay, the series already started. I know. But come on, the last game of the first round was on Sunday morning followed by this series beginning. I had no time to write predictions in between round one and two. Thanks NBA. Still, I would have picked Denver regardless. Dallas ran into a broken San Antonio team and even though they are playing good basketball, the Nuggets are playing great. They have home court advantage and a deeper more energized bench. I've said it time and again, but this Dallas team just doesn't feel or look right. I think Denver wins in 5 or 6.
So, check back and see how I do on these predictions. Maybe some teams will surprise me.
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