A Few Bucks Notes

From various sources (incl Woelful):

Several NBA officials and agents believe the Bucks have offered Williams a contract for about $40 million over five years.
Several other teams are believed to be interested in Williams, including Indiana, Miami and the Los Angeles Lakers. However, those teams can only offer Williams the mid-level exception of $5.8 million per year. The aforementioned teams could also try to acquire Williams in a sign-and-trade deal, but none of those teams has a point guard the Bucks certainly would want in return.

I cannot believe Mo would not sign for that. He cannot get an offer for more without a sign and trade and I don't see why the Bucks would facilitate that.

However, Roger Montgomery, the agent for former Bucks forward Desmond Mason who played last two seasons for the New Orleans Hornets, confirmed Harris had called him Sunday morning. While Williams is unquestionably Harris’ priority signing in free agency, he has a keen interest in bringing Mason back to the Bucks.

Isn't he an older DeShaun Stevenson, but who can't shoot? I think Stevenson is about to get 3 years, 10 million. I would be fine with brining in Mason if we aren't paying him much, but still.

The Associated Press also reported the Bucks had contacted forward Gerald Wallace of the Charlotte Hornets. The Bucks are reportedly one of eight teams pursuing Wallace.

I love Gerald Wallace. I am starting to wonder how all of these players would fit?

Rotoworld:

Yi Jianlian had 15 points and eight rebounds in China's 91-75 loss to the United States' 19-and-under national team Sunday.
Yi scored 11 points in the fourth quarter after the U.S. team had stretched its lead to 20 points. He played 23 minutes, going 3-of-8 from the field and 8-of-12 on free throws. When asked if he'd had any contact with the Bucks, Yi said, "I don't want to talk about that." It's possible that these 15 points are more than he will ever score for the Bucks. In case you've been out of the loop, Yi was drafted by Milwaukee on Thursday, but doesn't appear to have any interest in playing in Wisconsin.

Not looking good. But then:
jsonline.com

Milwaukee Bucks owner Herb Kohl has written a letter to the team's first-round draft pick, Yi Jianlian, requesting a meeting with the 7-foot power forward.

Good thing the senator is not dating himself with this 'letter sending.'
Hopefully the telegram he is going to send reaches Yi in time.

"Our agent team had meetings to study this case immediately after the draft," Yi's Chinese agent, Zhao Gang, told SportsTicker. "Yi's selection at six has proved his capabilities and his value.

"However, we feel that the Bucks are not the best fit for Yi Jianlian. Our team will make contact with other teams who have watched Yi's training and games to see if there is any possibility of a trade."

Harris is definitely doing the right thing by not wavering on his stance. I think this will get resolved pretty soon - in either direction. One thing I was wondering: Can other teams talk to Yi and his representation to work out a trade without our permission? I know they can't in the NFL, but I don't know here.

The New York Knickerbockers

I thought the trade of nothing for Zach Randolph for nothing was very intriguing for the Knicks.

Hollinger (of J Holl Holl, as I call him) has some points that I verbally made when teh trade was going down, namely:

The combo of Randolph and Eddy Curry will be the worst defensive frontcourt in basketball, and meanwhile only one of them can post up at any given time. Yes, Randolph has a nice touch from outside, but that's not where the focus of his game should be. And the two of them both are poor passers from the low block, which means teammates won't benefit much from the double-teams they draw.

I don't fault Isiah for making this deal, because on talent alone it was probably too good to pass up, but I'm really interested to see whether he's going to keep Randolph. On the surface, it seems Randolph and Curry will diminish each other's production (not to mention the minutes of super-sub David Lee), and the gain will be far less than it appears on paper.

A couple of points:

David Lee was the perfect front court combo to Eddie Curry because Eddie Curry can't jump or try when he doesn't have the ball whereas David Lee doesn't really score, but does all things Curry sucks at. I hesitate, as the Knicks, to want to put David Lee on the bench for too long. Can about 30 minutes a piece for the 3 of them work, with unlimited low block scoring from the opponent when Lee is out of the game?

Anyway, I like David Lee and the Knicks just marginalized him. What could I be thinking right now? How about someone shitty with a bad contract from the Bucks for David Lee?

Bucks give up:
2008 first rounder and Dan Gadzuric
Knicks give up:
David Lee and a small bad contract?

I mean, he is not on the bench, right?

Can someone who is not stupid come up with a better way to squeeze David Lee of the Knicks (only if it is for the Bucks)?

Honestly, I think enough of Lee that I would give up Charlie V and a 2008 1st, but that might just be me. I love guys who don't need the ball who grab all of the rebounds that are possible.

ps - I got the David Lee picture from outsports.com
I will let you do with that what you will.

A plan for the Bucks

The Bucks have one cornerstone piece in Michael Redd, meaning they have SG or SF covered. They have a lot of assets including: cap room, Charlie V, Bogut, the #6 pick, a 2008 1st rounder, etc.

Their needs are:
1) If they keep Bogut, they need a defensive minded 4.
2) They need to settle their PG situation. If they keep Mo Williams, adding a distributing 3 would be very helpful.

So, plan A to make the Bucks a better TEAM right now:
-Offer up Bogut and a 2008 first rounder for Pau Gasol. (Thanks Bill Simmons).
-Move Gadzuric into the starting lineup (this only works with Gasol's scoring in the front court), but limit him to 20-25 minutes (call this the big lineup).
-Re-sign Mo Williams to a contract that is not totally unreasonable.
-Draft Corey Brewer with the 6th pick.
-Re-sign Bell

Big Lineup:
Gadzuric, Gasol, Brewer, Redd, Mo

Little Lineup:
Gasol, Charlie V, Brewer, Redd, Mo

2nd Team:
Gadzuric, Charlie V, Simmons, Ersan, Bell

I think that is a much improved Bucks team.
Alternatives include:

-Offer up Charlie V for a mid-teens pick and draft Sean Williams (BC) to be the interior shot blocker that Bucks could really use.
-Draft Mike Conley and use the cap room to go after a guy like Gerald Wallace.
-Trade 2008 1st rounder, Gadzuric and Simmons to Utah for Kirilenko. This move does not help the Jazz a ton as far as cap room and length of remaining contract, but they pick up a first rounder and they split that max deal into 2 different deals they can love to move in other trades. The Bucks could actually afford to pay max to a guy who cannot score because he could play the 4 small and help out Bogut defending the paint. He also does not need the ball in his hands which helps when all of the other Bucks players do.

Now THIS is a cool Kobe trade idea

Congrats to Chris Mannix for the best Kobe trade idea yet (other than that amazing bench-clearing Bulls trade idea):

Finally, I'd like to propose a trade scenario: The Lakers deal Bryant and the 19th pick to Portland for a package including Zach Randolph and the first pick. Think about it.

Okay, I did think about it, and what I think is that both teams would have to be tempted. The Lakers get the "center of the future" and Kobe teams up with Aldridge and Roy. Hm.


[One slight hitch: no way Kobe will agree to play in Portland.]

Best Kobe Trade Ever

Check out the good work I have done on the trade machine:
Kobe, Evans and RadMan for
Every Bulls player other than Ben Wallace.

It would be sooo awesome! The Bulls would have Kobe, Ben Wallace and no one else at all. They would have to sign a buncha low priced guys, it would be classic.

Doesn't Jerry Buss look like Frank Costanza?

Geez, I thought this story was dead. Maybe it is, and the only reason it's sticking around is because we have 2 weeks to kill before the draft. But here's the kindling for the fire:

Kobe tells Buss he still wants out:

Buss wanted to appeal to the nine-time All-Star, reminding him that trades take time to develop and that winning remains the focus of the organization, but Bryant voiced concerns about the direction of the franchise and reiterated his demand to be traded, said a source with knowledge of the situation.

The Lakers' trade for Jermaine stalls.

BOTH Chad Ford and Chris Sheridan write new articles about where Kobe could go, and Ford's actually sounds somewhat possible.

He's figured out a 3-way with LA, the Bulls and either Boston or the Bullets. LA would get either Pierce or Arenas, Chicago would get Kobe and give up Tyrus Thomas, PJ, Gordon and the #9 pick.

I still hate Skiles, and don't believe that Paxson is really interested in any big deals. But maybe they could also throw in Skiles and get Phil back??

NBA Mock Draft

1 - Portland - Greg Oden - This is too easy. I actually think that Portland is a very good fit for Oden because they have a lot of young guys to grow together, there is a changing, positive attitude in the organization and the city seems like a good fit because it is somewhat out of the spotlight and will have less pressure.

2 - Seattle - Kevin Durant - I am good at this. Anyone who is wondering about Durant's bad workout, I say this: Seattle would trade this pick for Kobe, Wade, LeBron and maybe Duncan. This is it. No workout will have any impact on that. This kid isn't even close to realizing his potential and he was ridiculous last year.

3 - Atlanta - Mike Conley Jr. - I have heard rumors they are looking at Brandon Wright, I just don't believe it. There is no way they can pass up a PG again, is there? I also don't think that Acie Law IV is there man. He is not as much as distributer and seems more like a college guy to me. If they were looking at taking a PG at 11, I would think Javaris Crittenton would be there man because he is more of a passer and they already have a roster filled with scorers. This pick of either Conley or Wright has a profound impact on the rest of the draft.

4 - Memphis - Brandon Wright - Memphis becomes the all upside team with another young player that could make this team look really good in a year or two.

5 - Celtics - Corey Brewer - A guy who can step in right away and contribute on the defensive end. If they cannot trade this pick, this would fit their modus operandi perfectly - they would be taking a guy who would help right now, but probably not enough to get them over the hump, thus not committing to go all out to win right now, nor blowing the team up for the future.

6 - Milwaukee - Al Horford - Milwaukee runs instead of walks up to the podium to get this pick in. Horford is exactly what the Bucks need to make the pieces they have right now work better. Bogut's main deficiency is defense and he is not an elite rebounder. Horford should be able to step in and immediately help out on the defensive and rebounding ends. He is also a guy who is not going to demand the ball, which will help a team that will likely start 4 other guys who perform with the ball in their hands: Bogut, Villanueva/Simmons, Redd, Williams.

If the Bucks added Horford and Gerald Wallace in free agency, they would dramatically upgrade their ability to play defense, along with creating a strong 2nd unit with guys like Villanueva at the 4 and Simmons at the 3.

7 - Minnesota - Joakim Noah - KG could use some frontline help and another guy with the right type of hunger to win. Noah would fit that mold perfectly. After this pick, they could move some pieces to get another scorer.

8 - Charlotte - Yi Jianlian - Easy pick for Charlotte because they can market him to China and he becomes another young, developmental prospect type of player. It also makes it easier for them to let Gerald Wallace go.

9 - Chicago - Spencer Hawes - Allegedly a low post scorer, Hawes goes here because it is literally the Bulls only need. Wouldn't be surprised to see the Bulls try to make a play for the 5th pick if Horford is still there.

10 - Kings - Jeff Green - "Glue guy" who represents the opposite mentality as Ron Artest.

11 - Atlanta - Jason Smith - Who, you may ask? Athletic 7' PF/C who can get up and down the floor. Picture in your head for a moment, Mike Conley Jr. running up the court with Joe Johnson, Josh Smith, Marvin Williams/Josh Childress and an athletic 7' scorer. Seriously, that would have to be much better than whatever the Hawks were doing last year.

12 - Philly - Al Thornton - A beast of a man who can play the 3/4 would help the team on the glass, can get up and down the court, and can hit a jumper.

13 - NO - Julian Wright - NO would be pretty obligated to take him here because he is clearly the best available player left.

14 - Clippers - Javaris Crittenton - Shaun Livingston's knee is not right (don't youtube "Shaun Livingston and knee") and Cassell is very old, so this gives the Clip Show a PG option that could develop well.

Beaten to the punch!

Damn, I was planning on doing this myself, but NBA.com beat me to it. They have what the call a Consensus Mock Draft, in which they collect the mock drafts from media around the web. http://www.nba.com/features/draft2007_consensus.html

This system is far more informative than someone's speculation about who will pick who; you get a sense for what the league might be thinking. The list ain't bad for someone with a top 6 pick, but it currently looks likely that both Horford and Wright will be gone by then. Here's their current top 8 (I don't much care for any of the players beyond that):

1. Oden
2. Durant
3. Brandan Wright
4. Tito Jr.
5. Conley Jr.
6. Yi
7. Brewer
8. Noah

UPDATE: Today they added in rankings from MSNBC and FOX, resulting in this new top 8:

1. Oden
2. Durant
3. Brandan Wright
4. Tito Jr.
5. Yi (moves up)
6. Conley Jr. (moves down)
7. Brewer
8. Noah

NBA and pot

From Chad Ford's chat:

Henry (NY): What do you think of Sean Williams to the Nets at 17? He seems like a good fit with Krstic.

SportsNation Chad Ford: (12:53 PM ET ) That's where I have him in the mock draft. The kid had some trouble with smoking pot in college ... but honestly, so many NBA players smoke I'm not sure how big of an issue that's going to be for NBA teams. He's the best shotblocker in the draft and a very good fit in NJ. Had he stayed with Boston College all year, he would've been a lottery pick.

I personally think that that is hilarious.

2nd Pick Value

What is the value of the 2nd overall pick if it is Durant?
Lang at SLAM says the following:

What would I do if I was the Hawks GM? Immediately get on the phone to Seattle. I’d offer them the 3 and the 11 and Seattle native Marvin Williams for the 2 slot. The Hawks were the youngest team in the NBA last season and the last thing we need are two more teenagers. Offer up that bounty to Seattle and see if they’ll bite. They could add three really good players. And after all, Lenny’s in charge — who knows what will happen?

The question is, would Seattle possibly bite on something like that?
1) First off, the Bill Simmons theory of NBA GM's says that Seattle won't consider anything because if it does not work out, the GM will be fired, whereas if Durant doesn't play out well, the GM cannot be faulted for the pick. Since GM's seem to exist and operate solely to keep their jobs, the trade would never happen.

2) Let's pretend for a moment that the Sonics are rational actors at the team level, meaning they will do what is best for their team, not to keep their jobs. There has to be some offer for Durant that is worth doing.
Analyzing that proposed trade:
Situation A: Ray Allen, Kevin Durant, Wilcox, Luke Ridnaur, Saer Sene/Johan Petro/other crappy center - probably do not sign Rashard Lewis because he plays the same position as Durant.
Situation B: Ray Allen, Marvin Williams, Wilcox, Acie Law and Yi (west coast Asian exposure works for other Seattle teams) and maybe make an attempt to sign Rashard Lewis.

Personally, I think team B is better. I also think you could bleed more out of the Hawks in this deal.
What do you think, Lenny Wilkin's?

Fixing the Lottery

Sorry for repeating Henry Abbott's post (you should be reading that anyway), but this idea on how to make the lottery fair from John Hollinger deserves consideration for the Nobel Prize. It's simple: base draft order on the standings as of March 15 (for teams that don't make the playoffs). Far too simple and common-sense to ever be accepted.

BTW, I loved John when he was a correspondent for the Daily Show. I hope he comes back now that his sitcom failed.

R&FSM 1st Annual NBA Lottery Grades

We think it is important here to hold NBA teams accountable for their failures and praise them for their successes. When it comes to the draft lottery, nothing changes.

Lottery Grades:

Memphis Grizzlies - Their performance was below sub-par. They had a terrible season and a very strong chance to finish in the top 2, but instead let their fan down. Jerry West got out at the right time.
Grade: F

Boston Celtics - Commissioner Stern doesn't need extra 'rules' to punish tanking teams. He takes care of his business underground in a ruthless manner that sends the message to GM's across the league that you do not F*** with the Stern. Even with all of the vibes that Bill Simmons was trying to bring to the team, Danny Ainge and Doc Rivers let the whole Boston fan base down.
Grade: F

Milwaukee Bucks - Larry Harris had to know going into the lottery that he had no chance - small market team that unexpectedly won the lottery recently and was widely accused of tanking. The biggest surprise was how Harris didn't show the leadership ability to keep the Bucks around that 3rd pick. Senator Kohl will be looking over his shoulder now.
Grade: D-

Atlanta Hawks - While they did not secure the top spot, Billy Knight and Co. did well to retain their higher pick. I can only imagine that one of the tantalizing prospects at the 3/4 will be on their mind.
Grade: B+

Phoenix Suns - Have had a total disaster of a week. While they were focused on the playoffs, Atlanta snuck by them and and captured back their top pick. The Suns go from getting an elite pick in this draft to getting nothing. Could trade Marion/Amare this off season to make up for the managerial failure of losing their top pick.
Grade: F

Seattle SuperSonics - Showed managerial prowess to lead ahead into the 2nd pick. It is not surprising that they were unable to secure the top spot because of all of the energies they expended getting up to the 2nd pick.
Grade: A-

Portland Trailblazers - Clearly made a successful pact with the devil by trading a rack of basketballs for Brandon Roy, landing LaMarcus Aldridge and now out working all of the other GM's in the league to man the top spot in the lottery.
Grade: A

Minnesota Timberwolves - Kevin McHale showed the level of acumen that we are all familiar with - the ability to do just enough to keep his job, Kevin Garnett around.
Grade: C-

Charlotte Bobcats - Burdened with less resources because of the cheap way that Bob Johnson runs his franchise, Bernie Bickerstaff etc. were not able to get out and do the work necessary to take over the top spot in the lottery leaving Charlotte in limbo. Likely, Stern told Jordan to be patient and that he would give Jordan a top pick soon.
Grade: C

Chicago Bulls - Bulls management showed long ago that they are much better at what they do than Isiah Thomas.
Grade: B+

New York Knicks - Their grade seems like it should be worse, but since they did not win the lottery and trade Greg Oden for Eddie Curry, their grade improves slightly. Instead of trading for veterans and including ridiculous pick-swapping clauses in deals, Isiah should trade for late 1st and early 2nd round picks - where he excels.
Grade: C-

Oden

Chad Ford has the break down on Greg Oden. I cannot wait for those lottery balls to get pulled.

"He doesn't want to just be good at this," Schilling says. "He wants to be the best. I see no reason he can't be."

Sunday night, after I described Oden's workout to a respected NBA general manager who stands a pretty good chance at getting the No. 1 pick in Tuesday's lottery, the GM had four words for me:

"I told you so."

He continued, "Oden is not just a big guy. He's a big guy with great athleticism and skill. It's what I've been telling you all year. This guy is a lock as the No. 1 pick.

I gotta have him.

My Fearless Lottery Projection

While they all have opinions, none of the NBA "experts" have the guts to make the ultimate projection: how will the lottery balls fall tomorrow night? I don't understand -- they have no problem making projections about other events that they have just as much chance of predicting correctly.

Well, I'm not chicken. Here's how I see the lottery order ending up:

1. Milwaukee Bucks - you have to go by history here. The last time Larry Harris was in this position he scored, and had much greater odds against him.
   Greg Oden + Michael Redd? GO MILWAUKEE BUCKEYES!!
   


2. Memphis Grizzlies - sometimes you have to go with the safe choice, so I'll stick with the numbers here.
   


3. Charlotte Bobcats - you've got to expect one longshot, and who can deny Michael Jordan? My earlier projection had Atlanta landing here, but that shuts Phoenix out of the lottery. I just can't do that to them after they gave me so much the past few weeks. Message to Suns: draft Corey Brewer!

Remember, you read it here first.

BTW, Sam Smith has a great article about Oden supposedly demanding that the team that drafts him must also somehow acquire Mike Conley! This would be a simple matter if the Hawks happen to land #1, since they also would have #11, but other teams would be in a bind.

The Bucks might be in a good position for this, however. They could trade Bogut for a top ten pick, and then allow Mo to go in free agency. That's crazy talk, but interesting to think about. Read Mr. Smith's wisdom here:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/cs-070520smith,1,15197.column?coll=chi-sportstop-hed

[Editor's Note: Not even Doc has the balls to make a lottery projection - you are fearless Scott]

Leandro Barbosa

I don't want to push down Scott's fearless lottery projections too much, but this stuff from Henry Abbott is a MUST read for inside info on the NBA draft process: Barbosa 1, Barbosa 2, Barbosa 3, Barbosa 4, Barbosa 5, Barbosa 6

Live Spurs v. Suns Thoughts

1st Quarter - The first quarter of an NBA game can be largely ignored...as I did when I fast forwarded through it on my Tivo

2nd Quarter -
8:40 - Tony Parker, Steve Nash - man are they hard to keep out of the lane. The difference is that Tony Parker looks to finish more with his array of tear drops while Nash uses the drive to find the open man (often dribbling under the baseline).
Also, both teams are really getting down to the floor to get the ball. Should be a good game.

6:50 - James Jones 3/3 behind the arc with 2 in a row. He's got to love playing with Nash.

5:14 - I noticed this the other night as well: Off the pick-and-roll or the high screen, it seems that Nash sometimes leans in on 3's. Those haven't tended to go in, as would be expected.

4:28 -Duncan has 6 blocks right now. The 1-2 punch of him and Tony Parker is really tearing up the Suns.

3:37 - Amare CANNOT guard Duncan. He appears to be only concerned with fouls.

2:59 - Ridiculous pass by Nash to a thunderous dunk by Amare. Every Suns player should give a portion of their next contract to the charity of Nash's choice because he makes life sooo easy for the other guys. It actually makes you wonder how you can evaluate a guy like Amare in a potential trade if he ever became available because his greatest skill (finishing with dunks near the basket, not in a back to the basket post position) is highly dependent upon a PG like Nash.

1:41 - Just watched Duncan dominate some more. Made me want to watch Oden guard Duncan. He could learn so much from watching Duncan on his way to being a dominate post defender.

0:00 - SA up two at half. Should be a close game. No prediction yet on the winner.

3rd Quarter
8:46 - Duncan is up to 8 blocks. That's not right. Triple Double?

6:21 - There is no question in my mind that these are the best two teams in the NBA (removing Dallas based on their playoff performance). Detroit might win or might make the finals close (or Cleveland, I guess), but that doesn't change the fact that these two are the best.

5:37 - Maybe I am underestimating Amare a little bit - he's pretty damn good. My point from above was that his best skill is as a finisher which is largely dependent upon having a good PG.

4:56 - Ginobili is breaking this game open with a few 3's (SA up 8). Must be nice to watch Parker and Duncan do all the heavy lifting and then hit a few 3's and be a hero.

During commercials I am checking out some more Ronald Jenkees clips. This cat is awesome!

3:33 - I love how the Suns instinctively turn and sprint when they grab a rebound (SA up 11, btw). It would be a real shame if this doesn't go to a game 7 (for the shear entertainment value). This game is great.

:54 - Bowen with a cold 3 to put SA up 13. SA's 2nd team is really taking care of the Suns 2nd team. Raja Bell is the only guy doing anything offensively the past few minutes for the PHX, which is interesting with Marion in the game.

0:00 - Bruce Bowen and Jacque Vaughn are putting this game out of reach. Who would have thought?

PHX defintely should look into another PG in the draft or via trade to run the 2nd team and eventually take over for Nash. The way they are constructed is so dependent upon the PG creating shots for everyone else that when Nash is out of the game they look lost. Barbosa is good, but he is barely a PG.

4th Quarter
11:11 - The ESPN guys just had a mini-conversation about the word "spurtability." I wonder if their producer cut them off in their headsets.

10:52 - This is not nearly the best Barbosa has played. When the Suns have needed him, he has not come through.

10:30 - Ginobili just flopped a 3 pointer into a potential 4 point play. This was all started by Oberto "blowing by" Amare. Oberto...maybe I was right about Amare. (SA up 18 - game over).

9:06 - Game Over. I just don't see how any team is going to be able to beat these guys. Parker did it in the first quarter, Duncan in the 2nd and early 3rd and scrubs /Ginobili are doing it in the 4th. And they ALL play good D.

BLOG OVER.
OK - Maybe not....

3:55 - Barbosa just had a nasty layup and then a Nash long 2 and its 9...
Barbosa would be a deep bench player on the Pistons. He can hit 3's (at least on nights other than tonight) and he can run like a gazelle, half of which wouldn't be utilized much by Det.

2:30 - Only 7 points. Should be less. PHX keeps getting the stops but they are not finishing.

1:53 - Every once in a while they goto "coach" who is Van Gundy who was fired yesterday. I wonder how much he gets paid to sit there and watch the game, occasionally saying something...

1:15 - Duncan deuce and a strip of Nash in the lane - this game is officially over.

Really good game except early in the 4th where the Suns forgot how to score. Too bad this couldn't have been closer or that the Suns didn't win on Wed to make this force game 7. Oh well...

Ruben Patterson

From JSOnline.com:

A misdemeanor warrant was issued earlier this week after he failed to register as a convicted sex offender when he moved into a new house in the Cincinnati suburb of Indian Hill.

Patterson, who surrendered late Tuesday, was ordered to make a future court appearance. He faces a misdemeanor complaint that carries a possible six-month jail term.

Ohio law enforcement officials became aware of Patterson's failure to register in that state after a complaint about a party at his house on May 5, authorities said.

A certified letter was sent to Patterson's house on May 8, according to published reports, and when he did not respond within the required five days, a warrant was issued for his arrest.

In November of last year, Patterson purchased a $3.4 million house in Hamilton County but failed to register his new address with the sheriff's department.

Patterson is required to register under Ohio law, due to a sentencing in May 2001 in the state of Washington.

Ouch for Patterson. However, is it possible this is good for the Bucks?

Here is my thought process: When the Bucks got Patterson, they knew he was a sex offender. He stayed clean while he was a Buck. Failing to register as a sex offender, in my opinion, does not make one a trouble maker (that might be the leap that is too far for some, but...). He is an unrestricted free agent. This may cause him to get less offers or to have the offers go down, leaving him more of a chance of returning to the Bucks for a reasonable sum of money. I think this is a good thing because he was very good last year and is exactly the kind of tough player the team needs.

I don't care about Paul Shirley.

Honestly, does anyone?

[Chris Swoboda's Note: Check out his original claim to fame and tell me it's not funny]

Suns v. Spurs

The Suns v. Spurs game 5 was basically the exact opposite of the last game. There is no way that the Spurs should have won this game (like how the Suns never should have won the last one).

A few observations:
1 - The Spurs play great defense (nothing new here).
2 - Bowen is dirty (I'm not passing judgment, but he is). Bill Simmons has it more than covered in his article about the suspensions.
3 - Right after they made some comment about how Nash makes better decisions than anyone else, he threw up a few bad threes.
4 - Nash is awesome. Post game press conference - ::reporter's phone rings:: Nash: "I hope she's hot"
5 - I hope that Amare puts up 40 and dunks over Bowen/Duncan to do it so we can get a game 7.

a lesson from the playoffs

(I just can't stand having a MLB story at the top of the page.)

For all the talk of the NBA following the Suns' lead and switching to an up-tempo full-court style (hello Toronto!), just take a look at the playoffs so far. The two "best," most entertaining teams, GSW and PHX, are done. And why? Because they came up against two defensive teams. The Spurs defense is awe-inspiring. The way that they're able to shut down the Suns' 3-point attack made Nash's offense the focus of the scoring. That can only go so far.

Do I like watching San Antonio or Utah or Detroit play? No. I won't be watching many more games this post season. But they're proving that D wins it.

So okay, I guess the Bucks should pick Oden if the opportunity is there.