Most of my thinking is complex, but most of you think that it's nonsense...

A Moose Track

So we're two weeks into the NBA season (I think?) and I haven't checked in here for a substantial post in a while, so I'm gonna give it a go here.

I say Jay-Z in Rhode Island a week ago, and I gotta say....man. Was the greatest concert I've ever been to (which doesn't imply much but the show was sick). I had decent seats, the sound wasn't bad, Hov put on a great show. He did pretty much everything....really. Name it, he did it. Big Pimpin', Dirt Off Your Shoulder, 99 Problems....everything. You can see the whole show that I saw in pretty good quality right here.

N*E*R*D, J. Cole and Wale opened for him, and they all performed well. J. Cole only did three songs, but they were the essentials (Grown Simba, Lights Please, I Get Up). He came back to do "A Star Is Born" anyways. Wale did about a half an hour, and he did some good joints--W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E., Nike Boots, Pretty Girls, Mirrors, Chillin, World Tour...that's about all I can remember, but he was sick. Had great energy, frequently talked shit about the radio (both while spittin and while talking to the whole crowd). NERD was on for a while and it was tough to hear them; the rock band behind them was kinda ruining it. They were solid, but Pharrell needs to get some dance lessons. Man...

On to the current NBA season. I'll start with the normal things...

The Celtics are dominating. We all know it, and we shouldn't be afraid to admit it by now. You know I'm a big fan, but I'm realistic and I don't take sides while blogging, so I can say that. Rondo is owning while barely taking any field goal attempts, PSquared is playing out of his head, and for those of you who aren't paying attention, Kendrick Perkins has improved immensely. Swatting shots left and right. The C's are the deepest team in the league, and if we don't get injured, then nobody will stop this team.

Miami, Denver, Atlanta, Orlando, Phoenix and LA are all playing outstanding so far among many. Other teams (San Antonio, Cleveland, Dallas) will pick up slack in the next couple of weeks and it'll all even out. And what do you guys think about Washington, Toronto and Philadelphia? I can't make up my mind on any of these teams. So much talent, but...

There haven't been many big surprises this year SO FAR in the league, HOWEVA! we all know that it's too early to call that stuff. J.J. Redick has been playing way too well. Somebody put a lid on that dude, he shouldn't be playing this well. Making me think that the NBA could be some big joke that ends with JJ Redick in the top 10 scoring and rebounding. But on the real, he's doing things other than shooting, and I hope that it's not here to stay.

Maybe it's just me, but I don't see Steve Nash playing the way he's been playing for 82+ games. He's got 19.6 points, 10.8 dimes and 3 boards per game. These numbers look great for Nashty, looks like him circa 2004. But, he's very fallible because of his percentage line--.529 FG%, .923 FT%, and--ready?--.545 3PT%. This will not continue. But, maybe Nash can lead the Suns to a good season. I don't see that out of the picture.

Pick up Brandon Jennings in your fantasy league. He's my rookie of the year pick, and the dude is wreckin. 22, 5 and 4 with 1.7 steals per game is sweet from a rook, even with 34 minutes a game. Jennings is the man. There aren't many point guards who can match up to his quickness, Derrick Rose and Rondo are probably his counterparts in that area.

Not much else I can say here. Keep your eyes on Michael Beasley, just as someone interesting to watch right about now. Happy birthday to our dude DP. Put on some Curren$y and go around saying "play wit it" to everyone after a conversation in honor of his 18th. Be easy.


--Moose

Fantasy Hoops! Who to watch...

A Moose Track

Basketball season is almost upon us. Fantasy basketball has drafted (or has almost drafted). And my league has already auto-drafted based on our pre-draft rankings. I think I scored. In a 12-team league, here's my team at the moment...

Gilbert Arenas
Stephen Jackson
Russell Westbrook
LeBron James
Paul Millsap
Carmelo Anthony
David Lee
Jermaine O'Neal
Anthony Randolph
Rodney Stuckey
Udonis Haslem
Luol Deng
Louis Williams

What do you guys think? I think I'm primed for domination. Are there any moves I should make? Trades? Add/Drops? The main dudes who are on the waiver wire are Kellena Azuibuke, James Harden, Robin Lopez, Matt Barnes, Travis Outlaw, Anthony Morrow, Anthony Parker....my fantasy hoops skills aren't on par with my regular hoops knowledge, so if there's any advice that anyone can give to me, I'd love it.

For sleepers this year in terms of production, Anthony Randolph is my number one guy to keep our eyes on. The second-year forward will get his chance, and he will take it. I think he'll definitely be in the running for the MIP award and he will put up consistent numbers across the board. I just traded Marvin Williams for him, and I'm psyched about that.

Villanueva will be a beast this year. I think he'll work well in Detroit, and he'll get the points--but if he can get the boards then he'll be an absolute stud. Jeff Green will get his. Jason Thompson will be a good utility guy. Personally, I'm not worried about Agent Zero at all, I think he'll bounce back and put up 23/9/3. Hopefully our blognamesake will do it.

Andrea Bargnani is a sick fantasy player. If he can grab a couple boards he's one the most valuable ones in the league. Brooke Lopez is gonna break out this season. I'm still skeptical of Oden. I think the dude's only gonna end up being worth 12/9 in his career, which is solid, but definitely not where they thought he'd end up. I'd pass on Oden.

Derrick Rose is a good fantasy player, but only if you don't convert many turnovers. I had him on my squad last season and he turned the ball over too much for my liking, anyways. And yes, on the PG's, my man Rajon Rondo is going to perform. He'll get you 14/8/6, and hold me to that and use it against me if I'm wrong.

That's pretty much all I got. Anything you guys want to add, or any advice you can give me on my team, please let me know. For now, I'm out...

--Moose

The Great Undervalued

A Moose Track

I'm going to bring a certain NBA point guard into the spotlight for a moment. But instead of just bringing him out and introducing him like normal, I'm gonna turn make it a little more interesting.

This player works the court like a magician. He sees it like a lion sees a plain full of gazelles, and he attacks. He leads his team like he's been doing it for the past ten years, and his squad's success hinges on his performance. If he plays well, it rubs off on his teammates, usually with satisfying results.

You're thinking Tony Parker, right? Wrong.

He is the Most Valuable Player on his team, even though sometimes this title is doubted or unknown. His teammates know it, and they put their full trust in him, letting him run the offense and most of the defense as well. He is a natural leader, instructing his colleagues even though they're probably years older than him.

You're thinking Derrick Rose, right? Wrong.

His crossovers perplex his defenders and teammates alike, sporting killer dribble moves while cutting to the hoop. He is quicker than Usain Bolt on steroids (wink, wink) running from a horse with rabies. He slices to the hole like a hot knife through butter, leaving the opposition wondering if they should have gone into business rather than basketball.

You're thinking Deron Williams, right? Wrong.

This man's defense is off the charts, staying on the ball like Ryan Jones on LeBron James (Man, I hope RJ reads this--Moose). Steals come like his hands are magnets, grabbing the ball from whoever gets in his way quicker than Kobe seems to pick up 35 nightly. Nobody wants to be covered by him.

You're thinking Chris Paul, right? Wrong.

He's got a basketball IQ higher than Josh Howard in the offseason, and he sees plays before they happen, taking full advantage of every opportunity that presents itself. Whether he's faking and then dumping to somebody else, tossing up a perfect alley-oop or flipping a behind-the-back, the passes drop just like the dimes.

You're thinking Steve Nash, right? Wrong.

This player is a legitimate triple double threat every time he steps on the court, having a talent for scoring, assisting and rebounding, despite size differences. He seems to sneak rebounds out of every situation, using quickness and smarts to beat bigger opponents in every category.

You're thinking Jason Kidd, right? Wrong.

Soon, it'll be impossible to ignore. This point guard, too underrated and outshined, deserves his burn. I'm having a hard time thinking that it isn't coming soon.



--Moose

MORE Random Musings! (Hurrah!)

Moose is back with some more non-serious writing. I've been messing around with Hibachi posts for my last couple, and sorry if you're a bit sick of them by now, I just thought I'd drop another one before going to snow-delayed school.

Aight, first thing's first, my Celtics. We are in a slump. Yes, it's true a loss to the Knicks and an overtime loss to the Bobcats (sit down BET, we know what you wanna say) really say that. But, I'm not worried. As I damn shouldn't be. If they have to slump, now would be the time. No doubt we'll be there in the end.

Anyways, their schedule. Tonight Boston takes on Houston at home, so RV and Hursty, it's on. Perk's gonna shut Yao down like Artest will shut down Pierce. Not quite sure if that'll happen, though . . . let's just say Perk's gonna do what he did to Ming last time he saw him. If Artest plays, that is. He didn't last night. Anyways . . .

Rondo, Rondo Rondo . . . slumping. Last night he had a career high in turnovers last night with NINE. Ouch. He did score 16, grab 4 and dish out 6, which is nice, but we can't have these TOs. These last four or five games has convinced me that Rondo isn't quite at an all-star level. In future years, believe me, he'll be there, but for the moment, not quite. I won't complain if he doesn't make it.

Which brings me to my next point, all-stars. Of course I've been voting every single day, for the guys who I believe should be in. Here's my ballot:

East:
G: Dwyane Wade
G: Joe Johnson
F: Danny Granger
F: LeBron James
C: Dwight Howard

West:
G: Chauncey Billups
G: Chris Paul
F: Amar'e Stoudemire
F: Tim Duncan
C: Al Jefferson

Some of it is personal preference, some of it isn't. Kobe didn't get my vote, Dirk truly deserves it but he didn't get my vote. Yes, Big Al's team sucks, but he is putting up gaudy numbers, and the centers in the West aren't on par with the rest of the league (barring Yao and Shaq) and he's one of my favorites.

CAN WE PLEASE VOTE CHAUNCEY BILLUPS!!!????!!!!???? This guy really needs to get voted. Look what happened! Denver is 24-12, Billups is doing great, and he deserves the spot. Any other questioning of my votes need to be brought to me personally, I will defend them. Wow, isn't the dunk contest awesome? What a great bridge to my next point!

Everybody vote Rudy Fernandez into the dunk contest. Every day, pass up Westbrook and Alexander, and vote Fernandez. We will truly get our money's worth if we vote Rudy. Sorry if that was a bit forceful, I just think that Fernandez will bring us the best show and competition to Nate Rob/Howard/Gay.

Another point of frustration. "Notorious", the new movie coming out about Biggie is rated R. That sucks. I am not 17. I can't go to that movie. Meh. And, to pile on, the Patriots didn't even make the playoffs. Fly Eagles, fly! I'm going for Philly there. Anyways . . . I forgot to mention, Celtics-Cavs on Friday, mark your calendars. In Cleveland. We better wake up for that one.

Eric Gordon dropped 32 last night. The Year of the Rookie. This class is looking legit. Pick it up, B-Easy! He's the only one slackin'. Rose, Mayo, Westbrook, Augustin, Gordon, even LOPEZ . . . and Beasley's got 13 and 5. Not turrible. But not living up to the hype. Not good enough for ROY. Pick it up, Mike. Anyways . . . (I've been saying that too much, huh?)

Marbury in Boston? Meh. Feels like a cancer to me. I don't really want Steph over here, it'd just be too nerve wracking. We have guys off the bench who can play, and Starbury needs the ball for a while to be successful. One of the last thing's we need is a shoot-first point guard off the bench we can spread the ball around because our bench can score. Marbury might rip us apart. But I have faith that Ainge will do what's best for the team, so it shouldn't be a problem (no matter what happens).

I'm out, everyone, sorry if this post was somewhat nagging and annoying . . . but I said what I wanted to say.

--Moose

Meeting Perk and Rondo (!!!)

By Moose . . .

OK, everyone, please excuse me if there are mistakes/errors on this post, because I'm writing this right now and I'm not gonna edit it, so I'm just getting that out of the way. Yeah, you know that guy that I've been ranting/talking about for a little while now? That point guard for my Celtics? Rajon Rondo? And that center that is a beast (perkisabeast.com)? Kendrick Perkins?

Today, I met my first two NBA players. Here's the story. I was at the Prudential Center in Boston with a few friends, and we were waiting for someone. So, at the base of the elevator was a Gucci store. We decided to just wait outside the store until the person we were waiting for showed up.

I was talking to my friend while I was facing the store, and he points over my shoulder. I turn around to see a massive Kendrick Perkins staring me eye-to-eye. The emotion on my part was incredible. There was no warning of my meeting Perk. I just turned around and WHAM! He was just there. In his booming voice he said, "Excuse me." The emotions that went through my brain were somewhat terrified, excited, happy and many other things as well.

I got out of his way, of course. He headed right into the store, me with my jaw dropped halfway to the ground. I watched as other people filed off of the elevator, among them one of my idols, Rajon Rondo. I was speechless. I watched as Rondo walked into the store and away into an aisle, amazed at my luckiness.

You guys know that Rondo is one of my favorite players. You guys know that I've ranted about him/wrote about him in, what, four posts now? Anyways, I almost collapsed, shocked, amazed and excited at the same time. Keep in mind my age and that they were my first NBA players that I had met. So this really isn't an overreaction. And I'm glorifying it a bit.

I hopped up and down squeaking for a few minutes (well it wasn't that bad, haha), and I saw Rondo go near the window. I didn't want to miss the opportunity to meet some of my favorite players, so to my own amazement I walked into Gucci and went right up to Rajon. "Mr. Rondo," I think I said, "You're one of my favorites. You're playing great this year and all of that. I loved the triple-double the other night, too."

He said with a slight smile, "Thanks, man," a few times and extended his wiry right arm. I took it and shook his massive hand, truly amazing how big they are. First of all, Rondo is not huge. He's pretty small, actually. At 6'1" I was somewhat (SOMEWHAT, not really at all) close to his height. Let's just say he wasn't out of the ordinary. But I was extremely excited at meeting him. "You're the first NBA player that I've met, ever." I said ecstatically. "Well," Said Rondo, "If you wanna meet another one, Kendrick's right down the corner,"

"Thanks," I said, and I walked down the aisle to meet my second player. Perkins was sitting down on a bench, trying on shoes? I don't know what he was doing, but he was surrounded by about five of his friends, or bodyguards, one of the two. I walked up to Kendrick hesitantly, and I said, "Mr. Perkins, I'm sorry to bother you, but I just wanted to say that I'm a big fan," I might have said a few other things, but I don't quite remember. I got more of, "Thanks, man," as he extended his arm, with an even more immense hand attached.

I took it and shook his hand, noticing the diamond-studded watch and all of that on his hand. He smiled as I said, "Keep up the good work," and I walked out of the store, just on a high. I mean, a kid my age meeting his first NBA player? TWO of them? It was incredible. And another thing: The guys were nice. And nobody else was bothering them, nobody else was anywhere near. I just talked for a few moments and went away. Just an afterthought: Rondo was wearing a Nike sweatshirt, Nike sweatpants and Nike flip flops. He's a Reebok guy. Hmmm. Maybe there's something we don't know about.

Anyways, I'm just kind of on a high right now. I'm excited at all of this. And just know, my shameless Rajon Rondo talk is not over. This just fueled the fire. And Perk's hooked nose is even more pronounced in real life. It was great stuff, just unexpected. Anyways, there it is. Thanks for listening, everybody.

--Moose

YOU GOT RONDO'D

Ron.do (RON-do) - Verb
1. To smoothly move between large objects with dexterity and purpose.
2. To remove an object quickly without being detected
3. To create a distraction followed by a quick change of direction

Moose here! I think that it is more than safe to say that the Indiana Pacers got Rondo'd last night. I know that I use a lot of my space on Hibachi 2.0 to preach Rondo's skills, how much he's worth, how underrated he is, blah, blah, blah. But I gotta give a little something to my guy Rajon.

Last night in the Celtics' 114-96 home win? Rondo scored 16 points . . . . . (you start to say, "Oh, well that's not an incredible point total.") he grabbed 13 boards . . . . . (you say, "As a point guard? What the hell? Nice night . . .) he dropped 17 dimes . . . . . . ("OK, who is this guy??). Yes, most every NBA fan knows or should know who Rajon is. You just don't expect him to do that.

A line of 16, 17, and 13. And three steals to boot. Leading the Celtics to their 10th straight win. Rondo is just undervalued a bucketload. Yes, he can't shoot the jumper even if he had a gun to his head. But let's focus on the good things, shall we? He is greatly overshadowed by the future Hall of Famers on the same squad as him, but the dude is an up-and-coming star.

He's a fantastic rebounding point guard. Best in the league at this stat with his respective position? I'd say so. But the guy has a knack for coming up with the ball in a pile and just picking it out of the air with his hands. One of Rondo's assets is that he's got hands the size of Emeka Okafor's forehead (actually, no. Let's not get carried away there). He's quicker than 90 percent of the league. He plays on-ball defense better than 95 percent of the league.

Rondo was the starting point guard for a championship team at 22 years of age. I know that the Big Three were the biggest part in the run and all that, but if you start on a team that wins a Larry O'Brien at that age, you get some props from me. Rondo comes up with a crapload of steals, at the moment he's averaging 2.2 per contest. He's just a skinny little kid at 6'1" and 171, but the dude also has hops. Problem is, every time he throws down, a defender throws him down. He ends up hitting the floor hard more than most players. But he takes it and competes.

Rondo's a nice, fun-loving person as well. Well-known for his roller skating (I don't know why . . .) he also has a blog on Yardbarker.com, and he updates it regularly, last night as well. He had a lot of nice things to say about his first career triple-double, and he was saying all the right things. Here's his succinct entry last night:

Man...tonight was a great night! We got the W, played great team ball, and I got my first triple-double. I'm not the type of player that focuses on my own stats, so I didn't even know what I had until I sat down in the 4th. I was really focused on being aggressive tonight. Ray had a great night tonight, so I just kept feeding him the ball. I really just wanted to make plays and get people the ball-the stats just came. Overall, I felt good out there. My lip got busted up a little, but I'm fine. I'm tired now though, so I'm going to lay it down now. I just wanted to drop yall a few lines. I'll holla!

Obviously an excited kid. And he had a triple-double with eight left in the third. That early! Dude was on fire last night. As he is most nights, actually. He has posted averages of 10.2 points, 7.7 assists, 4.7 boards, and, again, 2.2 steals per game, very steady and all-around great numbers. And if great man-to-man defense had a statistical category, he'd be leading the league. The former Kentucky Wildcat's website opens up with an "A Milli" remix, and the rest of his site features some nice tunes.

Rondo is a winner. He's the immediate and future of my team, at least, unless Ainge pulls out another blockbuster for us in the next six or seven years. Rondo is just a beast. Y'all should realize that by now. And, he deserves a spot in the Fly Society. DP, if you have any objections, tell me. I don't see why you would. Anyways, last night, everyone got Rondo'd. Plain and simple. Get used to it being that way.

--Moose