It's been a while since I dropped a sports related blog. I figured on the eve of the NBA draft, what better time than to grace all of you with my patented "expert opinion." Let's get to it shall we?!
Mitch Kupchak is regarded by many as a top notch GM. I'm not so convinced. He took over for Jerry West (aka "the logo) for the 2000-2001 season. The few Lakers first round picks from that season to today (7) are the following "marquee" names:
Mark Madsen, Chris Jefferies (traded), Brian Cook, Sash Vujacic, Andrew Bynum, Jordan Farmar, Javaris Crittenton, and Toney Douglas (traded). SIGH...
I'll give you Bynum even though he was the pick made after we traded Shaq and Bynum was a skinny high schooler who didn't contribute for a few years. The rest... COME ON MAN!
7 first round picks in 12 years and this is the list?! Some of these guys have been traded more than a pack of cigarettes in an episode of Oz! Ok, but a GM's mettle is tested by his evaluation of talent. What about the 2nd round picks and the trades?
3/4 of the 2nd round picks I couldn't tweet because of character restrictions. The best 2nd round pick to date was probably Luke "I have no back" Walton. Jury is still out on the youngsters we got in the last two years (Ebanks, Caracter and Morris). Trade wise, we traded Shaq for a 1st round pick (Jordan Farmar), Caron Butler, Odom, and Brian Grant. Caron is playing for the Clippers and got a ring last year with the Mavs, LO is in reality TV land traded him for a 1st round pick that we gave up for a fresh pack of Juicy Fruit and a avocado seed, Brian Grant retired 5 minutes after we traded for him. Shaq? Oh, he wont another title with Miami the first year there.
Ok, I'm getting to the "other" trade too. To be fair. Mitch did trade Kwame Brown, Javaris Crittenton, Aaron McKie's contract (cause he sure didn't play) and Marc Gasol, 2 first round picks to his daddy, I mean Jerry West for Pau and 2nd round pick (Ebanks). Pau helped get us to 3 championships (winning 2), but lately has played soft as butter in the playoffs. So those who say the Lakers fleeced the Griz consider we gave up a marquee piece in Marc Gasol plus 2 first round picks--not bad. I still think Jerry was bailing out his protege with the deal.
Here we are on the door step of the NBA draft. Lakers are in pursuit of a trade for Gasol. Rumor is they want a top 10 pick and a player. Not likely to happen so they may get Josh Smith and the 23rd pick. Not the value I'd like, but at this point, let's just get something done! It may be time for Mitch to seek greener pastures. I know, I know 'the Lakers could do much worse than Mitch Kupchak for a GM.' Yea, we could get Michael Jordan running the franchise in the ground...
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
It IS better to give than to receive
I've been so blessed lately to have an opportunity at a dream house. I've stressed over it not because I lack faith, but because I recognize I am so unworthy of God's tremendous blessings he's given me. We say "let go and let God" but how often do we do it? In my case I trust the Lord completely and without hesitation. My issue comes from not knowing His will for me. As much as I love this house and so want to close on it, I can honestly say if it falls through I KNOW it's God's will at work. If it does go through as planned I KNOW that is God's will as well. There's a difference to it--at least to me.
As I mentioned before we've been blessed to be able to do some amazing things this year. We help out at our church, we've visited different family members in various places, taken a few mini vacations and still in the position to get this house. As much as I'm looking forward to moving there the look on my wife and kids faces gives me just as much pleasure and happiness. I had the opportunity to reward my son for doing well in school this last quarter and dramatically picking up his grades and his GPA with a NFL jersey of one of his favorite players. he didn't know it was coming and I was able to surprise him. His expression and gratitude was better than anything I could've gotten for myself. It made my day.
I called my dad yesterday and told him I mailed off a package for him for Father's day and his birthday. He told me he felt bad that I spent money on him since he knows we have some upcoming expenses on the house closing. He wished I didn't feel obligated to get him anything. I told him I haven't missed a Father's day/Birthday as long as I can remember and I'd like to keep that streak going. My dad is very appreciative of the smallest things. He mentioned some golf shirts I got him a couple years ago. He said he only wears them when he's relaxing. It's a way of keeping us in his mind. That really moved me. I had forgotten about the shirts and at the time probably didn't think he would put any significance to them, but the fact that several years later he still sees those as "special" meant a lot to me. It's his gratitude and God's grace that has humbled me in so many ways. I feel honored and blessed to be my dad's son. I feel even more honored that God would allow me to have a relationship with Him. So when I say it is truly better to give than to receive you get my meaning.
As I mentioned before we've been blessed to be able to do some amazing things this year. We help out at our church, we've visited different family members in various places, taken a few mini vacations and still in the position to get this house. As much as I'm looking forward to moving there the look on my wife and kids faces gives me just as much pleasure and happiness. I had the opportunity to reward my son for doing well in school this last quarter and dramatically picking up his grades and his GPA with a NFL jersey of one of his favorite players. he didn't know it was coming and I was able to surprise him. His expression and gratitude was better than anything I could've gotten for myself. It made my day.
I called my dad yesterday and told him I mailed off a package for him for Father's day and his birthday. He told me he felt bad that I spent money on him since he knows we have some upcoming expenses on the house closing. He wished I didn't feel obligated to get him anything. I told him I haven't missed a Father's day/Birthday as long as I can remember and I'd like to keep that streak going. My dad is very appreciative of the smallest things. He mentioned some golf shirts I got him a couple years ago. He said he only wears them when he's relaxing. It's a way of keeping us in his mind. That really moved me. I had forgotten about the shirts and at the time probably didn't think he would put any significance to them, but the fact that several years later he still sees those as "special" meant a lot to me. It's his gratitude and God's grace that has humbled me in so many ways. I feel honored and blessed to be my dad's son. I feel even more honored that God would allow me to have a relationship with Him. So when I say it is truly better to give than to receive you get my meaning.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)