Lonnie Chisenhall Trying to Have the Best Week Ever
June 28, 2011Diamondbacks 6 Indians 4: Arizona Takes Down The Mafia
June 29, 2011While We’re Waiting serves as the early morning gathering of WFNY-esque information for your viewing pleasure. Have something you think we should see? Send it to our tips email at tips@waitingfornextyear.com
Barkley not a fan of the Kyrie Irving pick- “If Barkley were simply making the argument that he’d have drafted the most talented big, over the most talented PG, that would be one thing. I’d have taken Irving, but I understand that you can’t coach size, and taking the most talented big first overall is far from an outlandish theory in any draft. However, beyond just saying he’d have taken Kanter, he’s also saying that Kyrie Irving isn’t even the best prospect at the PG spot. According to the Chuckster, Brandon Knight is.” [Brendan/Stepien Rules]
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Cavs draft pick’s mom on her son making it to the NBA- “That was my son, Tristan Thompson, putting on the cap of the Cleveland Cavaliers basketball team Thursday night, shaking the hand of commissioner David Stern, doing just what he told me he would when he was just 10 years old.” [Andrea Thompson/TheStar.com]
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“The Tribe is currently striking out an average of 7.3 times a game, which projects to 1,183 Ks on the season. That total would put this year’s team just outside the Top 5 all-time in team history for most strikeouts in a single season. And the numbers have been worse since Bruce Fields took over for Jon Nunnally – even though one of the reasons given for Nunnally’s firing is the team was striking out too much.” [Red Right 88]
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The Hardball Times picks the All Star teams according to ‘numbers’. Guess who is starting at short? Not who you think- “Before everyone falls out of their chairs because Jeter’s on this list, please know that I included him to merely illustrate what a terrible season he is having (like you didn’t know), but guess what? A lot of people don’t know—or don’t care—and based on current votes, Jeter has a fairly good lead over Asdrubal Cabrera. Cabrera is having a fine season, but according to most of the advanced offensive stats, the starting nod should go to Hardy, who has been on a tear since returning from an oblique injury in April.” [Caramella/HBT]
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“Jim Tressel and Terrelle Pryor aren’t walking back through the door. And as what was essentially a media lockdown period for a small group of players ended Tuesday, the theme of the day was the Buckeyes using the turmoil as motivation when they get back to the field. “It’s made us tighter, it’s made us work harder and it’s made us more pissed off,” said center Michael Brewster, an All-American candidate.” [Jackson/FSO]
(Photo:Steve Freeman – NBAE/GETTY IMAGES)
8 Comments
I listened to Charles Barkley attempt to talk about college basketball during this year’s NCAA tournament. I’ll gladly pass on his opinion regarding prosepects in any capacity, not just that of Cleveland.
I know there was a lot of hate for Chuck when he was badmouthing the city of Cleveland, but… his basketball analysis the few times I’ve seen him (nba playoffs the past couple years, mostly), he seemed pretty spot on…
I don’t know Scott, Barkley has made some pretty good calls about players in the past. I remember when Dirk was drafted. Barkley said he’d become a star and the best Euro ever. So I watched Dirk a lot his rookie year and guess what? Dirk stunk and I thought Barkley was a fool. Guess who got the last laugh on that one. Barkley also made some pretty good picks in that NCAA tourney – Arizona over Duke and Kentucky over Ohio State.
Is Barkley a genius? Clearly not. But he’s not a fool either.
Well, then Barkley clearly knows something that league front offices do not. Only time will tell.
Wait a minute Scott. I’m not saying Barkley is right but I also didn’t say, “I’ll gladly pass on his opinion regarding prospects in any capacity.” I think to do that is foolish. Barkley may play the fool but he’s no idiot. He’s made some good calls on players. Would I hire him as my GM? No, but I would not dismiss his opinion out of hand as you apparently would.
Look, I hope he’s wrong but as you said, time will tell.
i remember that. he said he offered Dirk any amount of money he could want if he would just play for Auburn first.
anyways, I don’t disagree with Sir Charles on this one. Knight plays bigger and is as athletic (or more athletic) than Irving. He has a quicker outside shot that he can get off better. his ‘ceiling’ is higher.
that’s the thing though. you don’t draft just on ceiling. you also draft on the ability to get to that ceiling.
Irving is a much better ball-handler, passer (w/ court vision), runs the offense smoother, better finisher at the rim, and it’s not like he has a bad shot either. there is a much better chance that Irving reaches his potential than Knight who has a bigger hill to climb because he has to catchup in all those areas while Irving will also be getting better there (and with a better tutor now as well).
I think we’re forgetting a key component here which is assessing how happy a kid could be in Cleveland. Irving seems like a genuinely nice, humble kid who isn’t looking to be an icon in a major market like so many of these kids do-even foreign players (Ricky Rubio). After reading up on Irving and of his upbringing, I love the pick
Go Chuck!!!