Poor Blue Jays

I mean really....if you are Vernon Wells, Roy Halladay, BJ Ryan, or any other Blue Jay right now, are you excited about the 2009 season?

The Rays and Red Sox, both playoff competitors last year, are arguably no worse. And the Yankess just signed, CC Sabathia, AJ Burnett, and Mark Teixeira. The Jays finished 10 games above .500 last year and finished 4th.

How unfair is it that the Jays have to play 50+ games against those three juggernauts, while the Angles get 50+ against the Rangers, Athletics and Mariners.

Not getting caught doesn't mean its not illegal

So I'm watching the Celtics v. Spurs on Sunday, and our commentators Marc Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy, and the other guy, simply cannot contain their feelings in how intense, aggresive and active Boston's defence is. How their hands are always slapping at the ball and disrupting passing lanes.

Sorry - their defence is not that good. Its illegal. I have simply never seen so many fouls in my life.

According to our colour commentators (who I actually think are the best two I've heard all season), Duncan had many rebounds "poked" out of his hands while he and other Boston players were "battling" for the ball. Another way to put it was that Duncan was an unknowing participant in a UFC match.

Seriously - I respect that the presence of Garnett has turned around this team 180 degrees. I'm a huge fan of Ray Allen, and Pierce is playing some great all around b-ball, but am I supposed to believe that Eddie House, Tony Allen, James Posey, Rajon Rondo, Kendrick Perkins, Leon Powe, and the rest of the Celtics all of a sudden all world defence? Most of which played on the same team that went 24-58 last year? No way.

Pay attention to all the reaching in, slaps, elbows, and other "great defensive schemes" devised by their crack coaching staff.

Why the Raptors Shouldn't Make a Trade....

Trade deadline is approaching. Lots of buzz around the league right now with the Lakers getting Gasol, the Suns answering with Shaq, rumors about Kidd going to Dallas, and Cassell moving to Boston.

The Raptors? They have holes to fill and have lots of depth on the wing and a very serviceable center with one year left on his contract.

I really hope they don't make a move.

This team is young and blossoming. They will be a very good team for years to come. This year however, the NBA is loaded with really great teams. Boston and Detroit are powerhouses in the East. And Lebron is the best player in the East. The real question is while I'm sure they could make a trade to get better, will that trade really make up all the ground between them and the NBA elite?

The answer is no. If you're going to make a big splash to compete for the championship, you need to pick the right time. That time is not now.

NBA rich get richer part 2

Nice - Shaq got traded to Phoenix for Marion and Banks.

Initial thought - Why would Phoenix want to break up the team with the best record in the west? My next thought? ITS SHAQ!

This makes (or will make) the Suns a much better team. Why? Sure they lose Marion, but they have somebody who can actually replace him in Diaw. Diaw isn't as impactful as Marion, but he can do things that Marion can't. When Amare was out, it was Diaw who filled that hole. So you take out Marion, but then Amare slides over to the 4 spot (his more natural position), and insert Shaq. Shaq comes out first, Amare moves back over to the 5, and Diaw comes in to play the 4.

Now Shaq isn't the Shaq of old, but don't fool yourself - there does not exist a player like Shaq in this league. Teams still prepare specifically for him.

And don't forget, Steve Nash is a basketball genius. If anybody can make it work its him.

The NBA Western Conference playoffs this year will probably be the best basketball we will see in a very long time.

NBA rich get richer

Wow - Gasol to the Lakers for Kwame Brown (a should've been), Javaris Crittenton (meh), Aaron McKie (he still plays?), two first-round picks (probably will be in the 20s) and the draft rights to Marc Gasol (don't know anything about him).

What was Memphis thinking? Don't they already have two young guards that allowed them to buy out Stoudamire (Conley and Lowry)? Don't they already have an underachieving bust of a highly drafted center (Darko)? I guarantee any package the Bulls offered over the last year was better then that.

The Lakers? Well...its sucks to be the Suns, Hornets, Mavericks, and Spurs right now, because Bynum, Gasol, Odom, and Bryant is the best 4-some in the league right now. They have to be considered favorites in the West. Gasol and Odom are unselfish players. They'll defer to a blossoming Bynum and Bryant. Bryant now trusts his teammates. Look for his scoring to drop, but be a triple double threat every night.

Prediction - don't know if the Lakers will win it all, but this will be Kobe's first MVP season.