by Lamrock on Sun Mar 14, 2010 7:47 am
by Lamrock on Sun Mar 14, 2010 7:48 am
by Lamrock on Sun Mar 14, 2010 7:48 am
by Lamrock on Sun Mar 14, 2010 7:50 am
by Lamrock on Sun Mar 14, 2010 11:42 am
by Lamrock on Sun Mar 14, 2010 5:43 pm
Diary Of K. Washburn: April 17-18, 2010
Publisher's note: On March 12, 2012, NBA general manager K. Washburn abruptly disappeared. After weeks of investigation, a set of diaries from his GM tenure were found. His family consented to allow these diaries be public. In it are newspaper clippings, commentary and even brief narratives of events in his life. This is the story of K. Washburn:
GM Interview #4: April 17, 2010
"Mr. Washburn, please, sit."
I took my seat, and took a deep breath. At the young age of 25, I was being interviewed for the position on NBA general manager! "Thank you sir," I replied.
"So, Mr. Washburn, what makes you think you can be an effective GM? You are only 25", the team owner replied.
I bit the tip of my pen and gave my thoroughly rehearsed speech about the franchise being of touch and needing a new direction - the same speech given to three other teams. "As a player for the University of Oregon, and a D-league assistant coach, I know what it takes to win games today. Give me a chance, you won't regret it", I said with a wink.
To my surprise, the owner scribbled something on a piece of paper and had an impressed look on his face. "Well Mr. Washburn, I'm gonna level with you. I'm trying to sell this team. Can you get this franchise's value up?," asked the owner.
"Yes sir. I would not let you down," I said, with a smile.
"Congratulations Mr. Washburn. You're hired," the owner said, standing up. After that, I was on cloud nine.
I'm an NBA general manager! After three unsuccessful interviews, I hit the ball out of the park giving him the same spiel about how the franchise needed a fresh, young face. Being completely honest, I'm grossly under-qualified. I have big plans to revamp this franchise though. Gonna change the jerseys, personnel, coach... maybe even the name! I'm going to get this team a title before I turn 30.
April 18, 2010
My brother Liam applied for the 2010 draft today. He wasn't originally planning to, as he was projected to go undrafted (I guess teams weren't so adamant about a 6'4" power forward) but when I got my GM job, it suddenly became the right decision. As a freshman at UW, he, along with Quincy Pondexter and Isaiah Thomas, led the men's team to a surprise final four run. Even though he's really only 6'3" (I think he'll measure 6'2.75" without shoes at the draft combine), I think he's about to be something special.
In other news, the NBA playoffs have started up. I'm liking LeBron James and the Cavs to take it all. Naturally, my team didn't even come close to making the postseason. Greg Oden will be returning to the 7th seeded Blazers for the playoffs, making them a potential sleeper team. The biggest story, however, is the New Jersey Nets, who lost 17 of their last 18 to finish with the worst record in NBA history: 8-74. The final NBA standings this season were as follows:Eastern Conference:
1. Cleveland 62-20*
2. Orlando 57-25*
3. Atlanta 52-30
4. Boston 51-31*
5. Milwaukee 46-36
6. Miami 44-38
7. Charlotte 43-39
8. Toronto 40-42
----------
Chicago 38-44
Philadelphia 32-50
Detroit 30-52
Washington 29-53
Indiana 28-54
New York 27-55
New Jersey 8-74
Western Conference:
1. LA Lakers 60-22*
2. Dallas 55-27*
3. Denver 54-28*
4. Utah 52-30
5. Phoenix 50-32
6. Oklahoma City 49-33
7. Portland 48-34
8. San Antonio 47-35
----------
Houston 43-39
Memphis 41-41
New Orleans 40-42
LA Clippers 32-50
Sacramento 28-54
Golden State 24-58
Minnesota 18-64
As an avid basketball fan, I'll be following the playoffs closely. However, what my team and I are really preparing for is the draft lottery. We have a decent shot at John Wall and the #1 pick, but with so many bad teams this season, we could fall to the middle of the lottery. Either way, I am looking forward to my first trip to Secaucus. (And so are the Nets)
Liam and I are going to be champions.
by dare on Sun Mar 14, 2010 6:09 pm
by Clutch on Sun Mar 14, 2010 6:32 pm
biggest story, however, is the New Jersey Nets, who lost 17 of their last 18 to finish with the worst record in NBA history: 8-74
that's arguably as impressive as the 72-10 Bulls in its own twisted way
by Valor on Sun Mar 14, 2010 8:08 pm
Clutch wrote:biggest story, however, is the New Jersey Nets, who lost 17 of their last 18 to finish with the worst record in NBA history: 8-74
hoooly smokes
intriguing intro man... will definitely track it
by The X on Sun Mar 14, 2010 8:30 pm
by Fresh8 on Sun Mar 14, 2010 9:27 pm
by Martti. on Sun Mar 14, 2010 9:40 pm
by Nuns 'n Moses on Mon Mar 15, 2010 1:04 am
by kibaxx7 on Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:03 am
Can't wait for you to start this man
by Cartar on Mon Mar 15, 2010 3:10 am
by Lamrock on Mon Mar 15, 2010 5:37 am
by Lamrock on Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:21 am
Diary Of K. Washburn: May 2, 2010
2010 NBA Conference Quarterfinals
The inaugural round of the playoffs was actually pretty good this time around. While some series, suck as Lakers/Spurs, Jazz/Suns and Magic/Bobcats were disappointingly one-sided, we also saw a pair of major upsets. Portland's Greg Oden returned from his broken patella to dominate the #2 seed Mavs, and lead his Blazers to a stunning 6-game upset of Dallas. My favorite series however, was between the Milwaukee Bucks and the Boston Celtics. Last season, the Celtics had a supremely entertaining 7-game series with Chicago in the first round that had a record 7 overtime games. While no record was broken, the Bucks came back from a 3-1 deficit to knock out the washed-up 2008 champions in 7 games.
[ Image ] (1) Lakers defeat (8) Spurs 4-1 [ Image ]
----------
Kobe Bryant scored a ton of points, and the Spurs, once celebrated for their defense, could not contain him. With the exception of the blowout game 1, the series was closer than you think. Games 2 & 3, split by the teams were both nailbiters, with the latter going into OT. LA's narrow win in game 4 however won the series for them, as San Antonio folded in the fifth. This marks the second consecutive year San Antonio is eliminated in five games in the first round. Tim Duncan, who played excellent in the series, subtly called for better personnel next season. Darko Milicic's contract is expiring at the end of the year...
----------
Spurs 71, Lakers 99
Spurs 87, Lakers 88
Lakers 105, Spurs 107 [OT]
Lakers 90, Spurs 85
Spurs 82, Lakers 91
Kobe Bryant: 34.4 PPG, 7.0 APG, 5.2 RPG | Tim Duncan: 20.4 PPG, 12.2 RPG, 58% FG
[ Image ] (4) Jazz defeat (5) Suns 4-0 [ Image ]
----------
It's official: The Suns are finished. After a somewhat resurgent season, Phoenix predictably folded in the first round to the far superior Utah Jazz. In a series in which upcoming free agent Amar'e Stoudemire averaged just 15.5 points and 8 rebounds (to opposing PF Carlos Boozer's 22.5 and 15), the high-scoring Suns failed to crack the century mark once. Steve Nash played excellent, arguably outdoing opposing 1 Deron Williams, but it wasn't enough. As a fan of his, I really hope the Suns opt to move him this summer. Knowing Steve Kerr, he'll probably re-sign Amar'e to the max, trade Jared Dudley for some washed up scrub and give it another go next season. Utah advances to face the Lakers for the third straight year.
----------
Suns 89, Jazz 102
Suns 99, Jazz 103
Jazz 111, Suns 95
Jazz 100, Suns 93
Carlos Boozer: 22.5 PPG, 14.8 RPG, 64% FG | Steve Nash: 14.5 PPG, 12.8 APG, 100% FT
[ Image ] (3) Nuggets defeat (6) Thunder 4-1 [ Image ]
----------
The first game of this series kicked ass. Kevin Durant's upstart Thunder came into the Pepsi Center and stunned the Nuggets. The Durantula sank a buzzer-beater three to force OT, and would also hit the game-winning jumper. That game would prove to be a fluke as the superior, more experienced Nuggets team would win four straight to take out the Nonics in five games. Durant on the series loss: "Games 3 and 4 were both winnable, but they are more experienced than us. Plus, George Karl has learned not to have Anthony Carter inbound the ball". Durant averaged 34 points per game in the series, but aside of Russell Westbrook, the rest of his team let him down. They'll be back next year though.
----------
Thunder 111, Nuggets 110 [OT]
Thunder 94, Nuggets 103
Nuggets 101, Thunder 97
Nuggets 99, Thunder 94
Thunder 86, Nuggets 103
Carmelo Anthony: 27.6 PPG, 6.8 RPG | Kevin Durant: 34 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 4.0 APG
[ Image ] (7) Blazers defeat (2) Mavericks 4-2 [ Image ]
----------
The Dallas Mavericks have been overrated all year. Posting a record nearly 10 games better than their Pythagorean record, John Hollinger was the one person to predict a first round exit for the Dirk-led team. Ironically, the Mavericks would outscore the Blazers overall in the series, winning their two games in blowouts, but Portland would win the series. Bolstered by the return of the human tripod, Greg Oden, Portland took game 1, and all three games at the Rose Garden to upset Dallas. The Mavericks, no stranger to being upset in the first round, got solid production from Dirk Nowitzki, be he would be the only one who came to play. Portland will try to continue their Cinderella run against the #3 seed Denver Nuggets.
----------
Blazers 94, Mavericks 88
Blazers 81, Mavericks 95
Mavericks 80, Blazers 93
Mavericks 95, Blazers 105
Blazers 70, Mavericks 98
Mavericks 89, Blazers 100
Greg Oden: 13.5 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 4.3 BPG, 68% FG | Dirk Nowitzki: 24.5 PPG, 8.8 RPG
[ Image ] (1) Cavaliers defeat (8) Raptors 4-0 [ Image ]
----------
This was a wash. Despite Chris Bosh putting up prime Shaq numbers (the real Shaquille O'Neal averaged 10 points and 7 rebounds in the series), the {c}Raptors were swept by the far superior Cavaliers. The first game was fairly close, but Cleveland dominated Canada's team in games 2 and 3, and a LeBron James game winner in the fourth game prevented Toronto from getting a pride victory. At this point, their doesn't seem to be any chance that Bosh re-signs with them this summer. I'm gonna say it: Bryan Colangelo is a shitty general manager.
----------
Raptors 99, Cavaliers 104
Raptors 87, Cavaliers 103
Cavaliers 94, Raptors 82
Cavaliers 90, Raptors 89
LeBron James: 23.5 PPG, 10.3 APG, 6.8 RPG | Chris Bosh: 30.8 PPG, 14.5 RPG, 58% FG
[ Image ] (5) Bucks defeat (4) Celtics 4-3 [ Image ]
----------
In a series that would decide who loses to Cleveland in the conference semis, the young, upstart Bucks stunned the 2008 champion Celtics, coming back from a 3-1 deficit to defeat the experienced (washed-up) Boston team. Milwaukee stunk up the joint in the first game, and fell short in the second to face an 0-2 hole coming home. The Bucks responded with a blowout game 3 win, but blew a 13 point fourth quarter lead in the heartbreaking game four. Up one with five seconds left, the Celtics thought they had defeated Milwaukee. The struggling Brandon Jennings then stole the ball from Rajon Rondo, and made a game-winning layup on the other end. With momentum in their favor, the #5 seed forced a game 7 with a home victory. Thanks to a career playoff high 32 for Andrew Bogut (on 14 shot attempts no less!), the Bucks won game 7, stunning the Boston faithful and winning their first playoff series since 2001. (FEAR THE DEER)
----------
Bucks 83, Celtics 110
Bucks 88, Celtics 93
Celtics 77, Bucks 94
Celtics 108, Bucks 106
Bucks 95, Celtics 94
Celtics 87, Bucks 101
Bucks 100, Celtics 95
Andrew Bogut: 23.5 PPG, 11.2 RPG, 2.4 BPG, 61% FG | Rajon Rondo: 14.5 PPG, 10.7 APG, 5.8 RPG, 3.2 SPG
[ Image ] (3) Hawks defeat (6) Heat 4-2 [ Image ]
----------
Last year's Hawks/Heat series was the dullest seven game series ever. Things were a bit more interesting this year. The Hawks had their way with Miami in the first 2 games in Atlanta, winning both games fairly handily. Miami looked to bounce back in game three, but a fourth quarter collapse saw the Hawks take an insurmountable 3-0 lead. Miami kept their heads up, refusing to go out without a fight. They narrowly edged out the #3 seeds in the OT game 4, and with that momentum, blew out the Hawks in Atlanta in game 5. Their luck ran out there however, as Atlanta took game 6 in Miami (thanks to a near-triple double by Joe Johnson) to win the series. Atlanta will go on to face Orlando in the conference semis. I really don't buy the hype that they are title contenders though.
----------
Heat 80, Hawks 89
Heat 84, Hawks 101
Hawks 101, Heat 98
Hawks 114, Heat 118 [OT]
Heat 105, Hawks 89
Hawks 103, Heat 95
Joe Johnson: 22.3 PPG, 7.5 APG, 5.2 APG | Dwyane Wade: 33.3 PPG, 7.8 APG
[ Image ] (2) Magic defeat (7) Bobcats 4-1 [ Image ]
----------
The Orlando Magic showed what they thought of the playoff virgin Charlotte Bobcats with a 45 point drubbing in game one. Despite an excellent series by point guard Raymond Felton (who should be in for a big payday this summer), last year's finalists stymied the 'Cats, finishing them off in five. The Bobcats managed to get their first playoff victory in game 3 (something the Grizzlies have yet to accomplish), but this series was over before it started. After a fairly shaky start to the series, the Magic look like legit contenders again. As impressive as the Bobcats have been, I don't really like the direction of their team. They are well-coached, but with big money locked up in aging swingman Stephen Jackson and Gerald Wallace, and no good young prospects, its hard to imagine Charlotte improving much. Perhaps they'll prove me wrong, but I doubt it.
----------
Bobcats 69, Magic 114
Bobcats 88, Magic 103
Magic 84, Bobcats 89
Magic 100, Bobcats 87
Bobcats 124, Magic 129 [2OT]
Dwight Howard: 21.6 PPG, 15.0 RPG, 4.0 BPG | Raymond Felton: 23.4 PPG, 9.2 APG, 57% FG
And then there were eight. The conference semifinal matchups will be Lakers/Jazz, Nuggets/Blazers, Cavaliers/Bucks and Magic/Hawks. As good as Portland played in the first round, none of those series look very interesting. My predictions would be Lakers in 6, Nuggets in 5, Cavs in 4 and Magic in 6. I would love to see upsets in all four, but we'll be very lucky if we get even one. At this point, Cleveland looks like the best bet to win the title, though I said that last year at this time.
by |)e8* on Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:37 am
by Lamrock on Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:44 am
by hova- on Mon Mar 15, 2010 7:21 pm
by The X on Mon Mar 15, 2010 9:27 pm
Return to Stories from the Virtual Hardwood
Users browsing this forum: Dee4Three, Google Adsense [Bot] and 9 guests
