Retweet of the Day - July 15, 2012

New York Knicks point guard Jason Kidd was involved in a single car accident earlier this morning and charged with a misdemeanor D.U.I. Fortunately, he only had minor injuries. Therefore, I have no problem with the following, from Damon Bruce ‏(@DamonBruce) has today's retweet.

"Jason Kidd gets in solo DUI accident on Long Island? Wraps car around a pole. Has Billy Joel sued for copyright infringement yet?"

At least Billy Joel was driving a Mercedes last go 'round.

Image from www.collegehumor.com

Welcome to the Big Apple, Mrs. Kidd

With the acquisition of 39 year old Jason Kidd by the New York Knicks, I thought this would be a fitting time to remind everyone that Kidd is still a baller on and off the court. May I present Kidd's wife, the former Ms. Porschla Coleman.

1

2

She's flexible, too.... 3

I wonder if the Kidds will be taking their vacation to South Beach. 4 

1) Image from www.dallasnews.com
2) Image from http://mediaoutrage.wordpress.com
3) Image from www.bittenandbound.com via King Magazine.
4) Image from www.zimbio.com

Frantic Free Agency - NBA 2012

The NBA 2012 Free Agency Marathon is underway. You have probably heard dozes of rumors, innuendo, and reversals of course. To bring you up to speed, the Hat Trick is giving you a rundown of the current state of the 2012 free agency class.

Steve Nash, PG, Los Angeles Lakers – 3 years, $27 million

Deron Williams…trades possibilities of Dwight Howard and Joe Johnson…yeah, yeah. Those are very important players with several years in front of them. That said, I think this move may have had the single greatest impact in the balance of power in the Western Conference.

Nash (13 PPG, 11 APG in 2012) will immediately give the Lakers a bona fine elite point guard. Much has been made of the 38 years on Nash’s biological odometer, but, in the words of the late singer Aaliyah, age ain’t nothin’ but a number. The future Hall of Famer and two-time MVP averaged a double-double per game for the eighth consecutive year. This was done with an aging and injured Phoenix team that was sorely lacking in defense and, since the departure of Amare Stoudemire to the Knicks, lacking an All-Star first passing option for Nash.

Still Father Time is undefeated. By any measure, Nash has been a bad mother… during the past two seasons in spite of having everything but the kitchen sink thrown at him (or, more fittingly, taken from him). But he will turn 39 next year and his minutes per game, free throw percentage, rebounds per game, assists, per game, and points per game all declined slightly in 2012 while his turnovers per game ticked up slightly. Some of that can be explained by his surroundings, but it would be naïve to completely factor Nash’s age out of the equation.

Hat Trick Grade: A

No commentary needed. 1

Jason Kidd, PG, New York Knicks – 3 years, $9 million

This was a smart move by the Knicks for a number of reasons. First, they are only paying $3 million per year for a future Hall of Fame point guard, an area in which they were deficient for much of last year. Second, their current point guard, Jeremy Lin (15 PPG, 6 APG in 2012), is a restricted free agent who is expected to sign a four year, approximately $40 million offer sheet with the Houston Rockets. The Knicks are strapped for cap space and while the popular opinion is that the Knicks will match the Rockets’ offer at any cost, acquiring Kidd (6 PPG, 6 APG, 4 RPG, 29 MPG in 2012) will ensure that they are not bankrupt at the point guard position in 2013. Finally, even with Lin on the roster, Kidd will be able to help mentor Lin into assuming the point guard duties full time.

Kidd is 39 years old, literally the last active NBA player who was active while I was in high school, for contrast. There will be no conflict between Kidd, who has signed the final contract of his career, and Lin, whose career is just getting started. There will be no competition for playing time. And this is hardly going to stress the Knicks’ salary cap.

Hat Trick Grade: B+

The last time Jason Kidd played in the East, his team won the East...twice. 2

Deron Williams, PG, Brooklyn Nets – 5 years, $98 million

This deal was a no-brainer for the Nets, who mortgaged their future to acquire Williams (21 PPG, 9 APG in 2012) in the 2011 season. Williams maintained that he would consider resigning with the Nets if they took steps to become more competitive. I am sure that the acquisition of Joe Johnson (19 PPG, 4 APG in 2012) via trade from the Atlanta Hawks and the possibility of picking up Dwight Howard (21 PPG, 15 RPG, 2 BlkPG in 2012) via trade from the Orlando Magic helped Williams’ perception of the Nets. Call me crazy, but I think the ability of the Nets to offer $20 million more than the next highest bidder may have tipped the scales in the Nets’ favor, too.

Hat Trick Grade: A+

The $100 million man 3

Chauncey Billups, G, Los Angeles Clippers – 1 year, $4 million

The re-signing of Billups (15 PPG, 4 APG in 2012) was key to the long-term interests of the Clippers for several reasons. First, Billups is a valuable player with championship experience and an unquestioned veteran leadership presence on the court. Second, All-Star point guard Chris Paul (20 PPG, 9 APG, 3 StlPG) has made his opinion about wanting to retain Billups clear. Paul is entering the final year of his contract. Last, the Clippers need another legitimate scoring threat in the backcourt with Paul.

Hat Trick Grade: B+

Paul, left, and Billups, right. 4

With the rampant speculation about dozens of transaction possibilities, I could write a novel about who could go where and what impact that could have. The Hat Trick will revisit this topic next week, likely with names like “Howard”, “Allen”, “Gordon”, and “Lin” appearing in the piece. Stay tuned for more free agency drama! 

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.

The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/.

1) Image from http://smokingsection.uproxx.com
2) Image from www.zimbio.com
3) Image from www.rantsports.com
4) Image from www.slamonline.com

Retweet of the Day - July 5, 2012

NBA Free Agency 2012 is in full swing. As you may be aware, one of the bigger splashes was the acquisition of future Hall of Fame (and 39 year old) point guard Jason Kidd by the New York Knicks. Kidd signed a multi-year deal. The reaction was mixed in the Twittersphere, in large part because of Kidd's advanced NBA age.

Today's retweet is from Russ (‏@charlie_work)



"@Pessimets_ Jason Kidd is only player in NBA to collect social security and still play. Except for Greg oden"

I get the author's point on Oden. This is from when Oden was a freshman in college! 1

This is just ridiculous! 2

1) Image from www.trialx.com
2) Image from www.flickr.com

Witnessing Greatness – NBA Guards

Last year, the Hat Trick ran a series of articles chronicling the Hall of Fame prospects of current offensive NFL players. We broke down the possible future candidates by position categories – quarterbacks, running backs, wide receivers, tight ends, and offensive linemen. We will discuss defensive players later this year.

With the NBA playoffs in full swing, the Hat Trick would like to carry that theme over to the hardwood. Who among today’s players can expect a bust in Springfield, Massachusetts five years after they lace ‘em up for the last time? Today were are going to discuss active guards in the NBA.



SLAM DUNK

Jason Kidd, point guard, Dallas Mavericks

A vote for Hall of Fame induction couldn’t be any easier. Jason Kidd is closing in on every significant record for an NBA point guard. Winning his first, ever, NBA Championship last season was the cherry on top of a sweet sundae of a career.

The 10 time all star is second all-time for total assists in NBA history (behind John Stockton), having led the NBA in total assists in three different seasons. Kidd is also second all time in league history for total steals (also behind Stockton). He’s fifth all time in total minutes played (a key stat for a point guard) and 11th all time in total games played. Kidd is first all-time among active players in all of the aforementioned statistical categories.

There couldn't be an easier vote. 1

Steve Nash, point guard, Phoenix Suns

While lacking the coveted NBA title, the South African born Canadian citizen is another no-brainer for the Hall. Nash is a two time MVP and an eight time All-Star. He was named to the first All NBA Team three times.

Nash is in the top ten, all time, in total assists, free throw percentage, and three point percentage. He continues to play at a high level at age 38, averaging a double-double per game with 13 points per game and 11 assists per game in 2012. Other than Kidd, there is no rival to Nash’s career achievements by any other point guard during the span of Nash’s career.

"Is your game M.V.P. like Steve Nash?" 2

Kobe Bryant, shooting guard, Los Angeles Lakers

Not only is Kobe holding a pre-punched ticket to the Hall of Fame, but there are some who may argue that Bryant is the greatest player ever to play the game, greater than Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, or Larry Bird. While I don’t share that opinion, personally, I understand why proponents of that argument think the way they do.

Bryant is a 14-time All-Star and was the MVP of the NBA in 2008. He made the first All NBA team nine times. Last but not least, he is a five time NBA Champions and, in his mind, he is not yet finished.

Bryant is in the top ten, all-time, in career points per game and total points scored. This season, at age 33, he finished second behind Kevin Durant, just short of winning the scoring title.

The Black Mamba doing a little "Faith Hilling". 3

ON TRACK

Chris Paul, point guard, Los Angeles Clippers

Chris Paul is arguably the best point guard in the game today. Paul turns 27 on Sunday and has everything, except for a championship, on his resume right now to make him an automatic Hall of Fame inductee. Paul has consistently been in the top five for total assists each season and has led the NBA in total steals in five of the last seven years.

Paul finished second to future Hall of Famer Kobe Bryant in 2008 MVP voting, making the first All-NBA team that season. He has a string of five consecutive All-Star game appearances. Paul is fourth among active players in minutes played per game and first among active players in assists per game. Paul has had occasional injury problems. However, unless his career is decimated by injuries going forward, he is virtually certain to walk into Springfield when his career is over, championship or not.

Lob City 4

Deron Williams, point guard, New Jersey Nets

Williams has not played for teams with a tremendous amount of success, but the value of his individual contributions cannot be questioned. The 27 year old, three time All-Star has been in the top five for assists per game in each of the past six seasons. He also averages 18 points per game for his career.

Williams can augment his Hall of Fame possibilities by leading his teams to greater success than they have experienced thus far. Regardless, should Williams maintain his current level of performance for another five seasons and play productively for another 10, it will be all but impossible to deny him entry to the Hall.

Will Williams be ballin' in Brooklyn in 2013? 5

Dwyane Wade, shooting guard, Miami Heat

Wade is another player who, barring injury, should walk right into the Hall of Fame after his playing days are done. A championship ring in 2012 (to go along with his 2006 MVP performance in the Finals) should seal the deal for Wade, regardless of what happens in the remaining career of the 30 year old guard.

Wade has averaged 25 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals and 1.0 blocked shots per game (uncommonly high for a guard) for his career. Wade has an active string of eight consecutive All-Star game appearances. Wade is #10, all-time, for career points per game.

STOP! Poster time! 6

POSSIBLE BRIDESMAIDS

Andre Miller, point guard, Denver Nuggets

Longevity and consistency can often propel players that lack transcendent dominance in their sport to the Hall of Fame. Andre Miller has played for a long time. He has been consistent. He may never get his ticket punched to the Hall.

The 36 year old Miller was a starter for the first 12 years of his 13 year career. This year, in his second tour of duty with the Nuggets, he has taken a back seat to budding star Ty Lawson. This means that any chance Miller had to boost his Hall of Fame credentials with a championship will likely have to be done as a bench player – a backup.

Miller is among the top ten, all-time in the history of the NBA in total career assists and is third among active players. He averages 14 points per game for his career, solid for a point guard. Miller has four problems, however, that I believe can keep him out of Springfield unless he buys a bus ticket himself.

First, Miller has neither led his teams nor been led to any deep playoff runs. Great players, even surrounded by mediocre talent, always have at least one hot run with their teams over a long career. Miller has never had that. In fact Miller has never played in a game past the first round of the playoffs.

Second, Miller averages 34 minutes player per game for his career. Hall of Fame point guards should average in the higher thirties, often playing over 40 minutes in a game. A great floor general on a basketball team should be a constant presence. Handing the duties to your back up for 14 minutes per night compromises that.

Third, Miller has never been named to an All-Star game. In spite of all of the statistics, longevity and consistency, others should be able to recognize your greatness with the "eye test". Miller never received that honor.

Fourth, his “sharp shooter” statistics – three point percentage and free throw percentage are just okay (21% and 81%, respectively). The point guard is going to get fouled at key moments and is going to get open looks at the basket as a result of defenses adjusting to the offensive scheme. Miller is not a deadly threat to opponents in those situations.

Posterizing Jason Smith of the Hornets, right, isn't exactly the fast track to Springfield. 7

Ray Allen, shooting guard, Boston Celtics

The 36 year old, 16 year veteran and former NBA champion is very worthy of Hall of Fame consideration. Many fans may think that Allen punched his ticket to Springfield last season when he became the all time NBA leader in career three point shots made. Perhaps he did.

One would think that a 10 time All-Star with an NBA Championship ring that holds a significant career record would be a no-brainer. There are some spots in Allen’s track record that could keep him off of the first ballot and may delay, if not deny, his Hall of Fame entrance.

For all of Allen’s greatness, he never made first team All-NBA. He made the second and third teams, in 2005 and 2001, respectively. In 16 years, he seldom received the recognition of one of the three best at his position.

Allen has suffered from durability issues. In six of Allen’s 16 years in the NBA, he has failed to play in 85% or more of his team’s games. While he has played like the perennial All-Star he is when he is on the court, frequent absenteeism could delay his Hall of Fame candidacy.

Third, Allen, in large part because of the nature of his position, has not set up his teammates for baskets very often, but he coughs the ball up as often as some point guards. Allen averages more than two turnovers per night for his career, but only 3.5 assists. This probably will not bar him from the Hall, but depending on who is eligible in the same year as Allen, old “Jesus Shuttlesworth” may have to wait.

That said, I think the odds of Allen never being inducted are slim, but stranger things have happened in sports Hall of Fame voting. Don’t believe me? Ask former NFL wide receiver Cris Carter!

He got game! 8

FUTURE HOPEFULS

Russell Westbrook, point guard, Oklahoma City Thunder

For all of the criticism I hear in sports media about Westbrook – he shoots to often, he doesn’t defer to Kevin Durant often enough, he’s selfish – I see FAR more star power in the 23 year old budding superstar. Westbrook has never missed a game in his career, been to two consecutive All-Star games and was named to the second all NBA team in 2011, just his third year in the NBA.

Westbrook continues to improve as an offensive player every year. He needs to continue to develop as a passer and take better care of the basketball as he progresses. It wouldn’t hurt his cause to win a little championship hardware during his career, either. Still, Westbrook’s future is very bright in the NBA.

9

Brandon Jennings, point guard, Milwaukee Bucks

His team is mediocre and, for that reason, the casual fan may not be very familiar with Jennings. But this kid is wise beyond his years and has “superstar potential” written all over his dossier.

Jennings, a member of the 2010 All Rookie Team, is the reason the Bucks have had any whiff of the postseason, taking the Hawks to seven games in the first round in 2010 and keeping the Bucks within striking distance of the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, finishing in ninth place the last two seasons.

Jennings, already invaluable to his team, had career highs in field goal percentage and points scored with 20 points per game. Jennings, who averages 5 assists per game for his career, needs to continue to work on creating shots for his teammates but, frankly, considering what he has had to work with, I doubt there are any complaints from Bucks fans.

10

Rajon Rondo, point guard, Boston Celtics

Once thought of as the fifth wheel in the shadow of the Celtics’ “big three” future Hall of Fame Hopefuls of Kevin Garnett, Paul Piece, and Ray Allen, Rondo has emerged as, arguably, the most important player on his team. Rondo has been to the All-Star game in three consecutive years and is a two time member of the first NBA All-Defensive team.

Rondo led the NBA in assists per game this season and, for the fourth consecutive year in his six year career, has been in the top five in total season assists. Rondo’s only glaring weakness is at the charity stripe; he is only a 62% free throw shooter for his career. Still, his other strengths effectively compensate for that shortcoming.  

Rondo may want to cut down on the ejections and suspensions, too. 11

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!

To advertise with The Daily Hat Trick, or to submit a guest column, please contact the editor at eric@thedailyhattrick.info.

The Daily Hat Trick is sponsored by Sports N Stuff. For great deals on jerseys, shirts, cologne, and other guy stuff, visit http://www.sportsnstuff.biz/

1, 2, 9, 10) Images from http://www.wikipedia.org/

3) Image from http://www.inquisitr.com/

4) Image from http://www.usatoday.com/

5) Image from http://www.nba.com/

6) Image from http://www.zimbio.com/

7) Image from http://www.bleacherreport.com/

8) Image from http://www.thebostonsportslist.com/

11) Image from http://www.thegrio.com/

You Can’t Spell “Choke” Without “OKC”

Part of the excitement of sports is unpredictability. You never know, while watching a sporting event, when something extraordinary is going to happen. You never know when something rare or unprecedented is going to unfold before your eyes.

When the Phil Jackson coached Lakers won their first NBA Championship in 2000, they reached the finals by winning a Game 7 in the Western Conference Finals against the Portland Trailblazers. At the end of the third quarter, the Lakers trailed by 13 points, eventually falling behind by 15 points in the fourth quarter.

Those of you old enough to vote and not new to following the NBA know the rest. Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant put on a clinic in the final 10 minutes of the game, took the lead, won by five points, and went on to win the NBA Finals. The comeback was the greatest ever in seventh game of a playoff series in the history of the NBA.

From that point forward, the 15 point margin has been my personal benchmark, in the fourth quarter of an NBA game, of when I think a game is, in all likelihood, over. An offense, playing well, seldom scores much more than 25 points in a quarter and even if the offense plays well, the defense, to overcome a large lead, needs to all but completely shut the opposing offense down. In addition, there is usually a reason one team falls behind by a large margin: they are being outplayed to begin with.

I think this is the most visibly excited I ever saw Shaq in his career. 1

NEVER SAY "NEVER"

Certainly a team, on the road, in front of a raucous crowd, knowing it gets to go back home with the series tied, and trailing by 15 points in the final five minutes should put all of its starters on the bench to prevent injury and have the equipment guys start packing up for the trip to the airport. Right? That’s why they PLAY the GAMES!

Unless you are a personal friend of mine, reading this just to see what I come up with next and have no interest in the NBA playoffs whatsoever, I need not tell you the result, except as a refresher on some of the details. Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks, the team trailing by 15 points, began making the most improbable and difficult of shots. James Harden of the Oklahoma City Thunder, the team leading in the final five minutes, fouled out and the offense, moving forward, ground to a screeching halt. The Thunder led 99-84; they would only score 6 points in the final five minutes and overtime. The Mavericks were able to close the gap, tie the score, and run away with the game in overtime, winning 112-105.

These types of games separate champions from contenders. These games distinguish veterans, like 32 year old Nowitzki and 38 year old Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd, from aspiring young stars like Kevin Durant and Russell Westbrook of the Thunder. These are the kinds of games that indicate that one team understands, through past experience, what is necessary to advance in the playoffs and contend for a championship. These are also the kinds of games that deliver a sobering blow to a team, realizing that it is not ready to reach the next level of competition.

Again? REALLY? 2

TALE OF TWO CITIES

Last night, Dallas was “Clutch City”. Oklahoma City was “Choke City”. And you cannot spell “choke” without the letters “OKC”.

Still, this series has offered many of the elements that compel us to watch sports. The silver lining for the Thunder is that the growing pains this team is experiencing draw a vivid comparison to those of the Detroit Pistons, who would eventually win 2 NBA Championships, working to surpass the Larry Bird led Boston Celtics, in the late 1980s. The Chicago Bulls, with Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen, climbed a similar mountain to surpass the Pistons and win six championships in eight seasons. The Mavericks look like a team, with two future Hall of Famers in Kidd and Nowitzki, whose chance for glory may have come and whose stars may have finally aligned to win a championship.

Your day will come, young man. 3

Don't forget to vote in the fan polls!
 
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1) Image from thestar.com
2) Image from commercialappeal.com
3) Image from theglobeandmail.com